Zoey Rogue by Lizzy Ford Page B

single most powerful Incubus in existence.” Her voice lowered in timbre, and she crossed to him. His senses were wrapped in her sex energy. He was stronger, though, and when he loosened his own magic, she melted against him.
    He nuzzled her neck. Her hands were already roaming his body, the fire of lust in her gaze. He waited a moment longer, letting his magic encircle her senses. When he knew he’d snagged her, he whispered,
    “Tell Olivia I’m done playing this game.”
    Declan stepped away, unaffected by the interaction.
    Surprise then anger crossed Heidi’s face. She gazed at him a moment longer. She hissed at him, and he winked, well aware what happened when an Incubus or Succubus was turned down. It was more a matter of pride than pain, but it was still uncomfortable. He’d never had it happen. By the look on her face, she hated the reminder of how strong he was as much as she loved tapping into his magic in bed.
    He watched her leave. She slammed the door behind her, and Declan locked it. Pissing off a Succubus who worked closely with Olivia wasn’t the brightest thing he’d done today. He was still in a funk, even after returning to his side of the DC metro area.
    He showered and plopped down on the couch with a water bottle and laptop, pulling up the plan to purge the Incubatti of Cambions that his father spent a lifetime creating. The goals were simple: The destruction of the sickly parts of Incubus society, namely the Cambions and the Council that tolerated what they did to humans. It had to be done in order for them to create a new council to oversee everything, so they could face their real enemy: The Sucubatti, like the one who just left his apartment. The IAB had become more aggressive over the years, an indication there might be a second War soon.
    Discreetly stealing the sex energy gathered by Cambions, the Enforcers and their allies had started preparing to launch the civil war this year, hoping to stave off a confrontation with the Sucubatti, until the Cambions were dealt with. The Enforcers were second only to the Council in command of the Incubus society as a whole with the numbers needed to strong arm a revolution. The challenge was acting fast enough against the Cambions that any chance of resistance was crushed before it started.
    Declan knew the plan by heart. He also knew he was going to go physically unsatisfied without a Succubus to take the edge off. The curse of being powerful: he was pretty much alone. Why then did he send her away instead of soothing his restlessness one last time?
    He rose and crossed to the wall of windows overlooking the city. His gaze instinctively went in the direction where his soul-mate was. He was not going down that road. He knew the history of soul-mates, but didn’t need one hampering his lifestyle. Especially not this one, who was – by all accounts – incompatible with his world.
    He’d done what no other ever had: resisted. He had the strength to do so. It was only a matter of waiting out the discomfort. The distraction. The need.
    His phone rang. He crossed to it and sat again, gazing at the dark night outside his windows.
    “Professor,” he said as he answered. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
    “I fear it’s not a pleasure, Declan,” the Professor’s warm voice was weary.
    “What is it?” Declan asked. He straightened in his seat.
    “I apologize, Declan, but I must beg a favor of you,” the Professor said. “There is something beyond my ability to handle.”
    Declan didn’t want to feel the sense of urgency and dread in his gut. There was a note in the Professor’s voice that alarmed him.
    “I have not been honest with you about my ability to deal with Zoey. Tonight, I cannot fulfill what I ought to, and I fear it might cost her life. She’s in danger, Declan. I feel her expiring quickly, but I can’t quite understand what this is.”
    “Cambions?” Declan asked.
    “No, this is … different. Her mind is quiet right now.