The Devil's Lair Read online

  Copyright

  The Devil’s Lair

  Ana Soares

  Copyright © 2018 Ana Soares

  Cover Design: Ana Soares

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Warning:

  This book is not suitable for people under the age of 18.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Table of Contents

  About the Book

  Playlist

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  Coming Next…

  About the Book

  The Devil’s Lair

  Adam:

  Adam’s dark urges have been lying dormant inside him for a long time. A wrong move might ignite the fire in him and burn the whole town to the ground.

  And when Bailey entered through the doors looking like an angel, he knew he wanted to corrupt every piece of good inside of her.

  But every action has a consequence and what started as a game, quickly spiraled out of control.

  Bailey:

  When Bailey moved to Pacific Heights with her parents, nobody could have warned her of what was to come.

  It was supposed to be a new beginning. A new life.

  But the problem with new beginnings is that they eventually come to an end.

  Maybe she should’ve listened when he said he would destroy her.

  There's a strange house next door that hides several dark secrets.

  But secrets come with a price. And that price might be everyone’s lives.

  Evil lurks in every corner and no one is safe anymore.

  But sometimes the world doesn't need a hero.

  Sometimes, it needs a monster.

  “Do you think I would hurt you, Bailey?”

  “I think you’d rip me to shreds.”

  This is a stand-alone dark romance.

  Playlist

  Depeche Mode - Corrupt

  Lorn - Acid Rain

  Lykke Li - Until We Bleed

  Warpaint - Love is to die

  Warpaint - Stars

  Royal Blood - Little Monster

  30 Seconds to Mars - Savior

  30 Seconds to Mars - The Fantasy

  Muse - Map of the Problematique

  Muse - Undisclosed Desires

  Placebo - Running Up That Hill

  Placebo - Bitter End

  Omar Linx - Crank

  The Neighbourhood - A Little Death

  Röyksopp ft Susanne Sundfør - Running To The Sea

  CHVRCHES - Bela Lugosi's Dead

  Massive Attack - Circus Paradise (Zed’s Dead Remix)

  Perfect Circle - Rose

  M83 - Wait

  M83 ft Susanne Sundfør – Oblivion

  Dedication

  To everyone who has a dream they think it's too big or impossible.

  This is your cue.

  Go for it.

  Prologue

  2 years ago

  I lift the razor. The blade sharp against delicate skin. Scraping over its surface with swift movements of my hand.

  How easy it would be to break it. How arousing it would be, to be the one to split the layers in two. Press in a little deeper. Watch the blood flow from the open wound. Dripping down the flesh and spreading over white fabric like a disease.

  Everything always looks better painted red.

  I watch the blood pour into the marble sink. Drop by drop. Feeling the wetness pool at my chin.

  The razor falls from my grip with a clank and my breath grows shallow.

  I raise my head focusing on the reflection in front of me. I don’t recognize my face. Wild gaze, pupils blown. My heart pounding to the beat of the drums of the devil in me — the only sound inside my head.

  All I see is red.

  Hands go around my waist and that’s when I feel it. Starting at the center of my chest, festering through my veins like poison. Corrupting every cell in its waking.

  I’m coming alive.

  Nails rake down the exposed flesh at my front, left by my open dress shirt. Gaze fixed on the red lines they draw, one layer away from spilling blood.

  My eyes shift to her heated stare in the mirror.

  She shouldn’t be here.

  She should know better.

  She doesn’t belong to me.

  “I know what you need,” She says in a seductive tone, her nails digging into my skin, hard enough to draw blood this time. “I’ve seen that same look in your eyes, staring right back at me in the mirror.”

  The searing pain soothes my bones and I’m instantly hard. She notices this and drags her hand down my defined abs until it reaches the front of my black slacks. Her hand closes around my shaft, giving it a tight squeeze.

  My eyes close shut in bliss and I fight a smile that threatens to show my intentions. You’d think people know to steer away from danger when it’s flashing its warning signs but she came to me as a willing victim.

  I grasp her arm and yank her around, shoving her hips into the counter as I lean into her.

  I don’t bother with gentleness, I want to see her break.

  She lets out a moan, her jaw in my tight grip as I gnaw at her neck like I want to devour her. My slacks come undone and I’m pulling up her short dress.

  I push into her with a single hard thrust and she lets out a scream. Her beautiful face contorts in pain as I pick up the pace and fuck her hard, our knees bumping into the counter.

  I rip the front of her dress in two, her breasts spilling free and she doesn’t tell me to stop as she trashes under me. Or maybe that’s because I have one hand snaked around the front of her neck, nearly cutting her air flow.

  It’s raw, animalistic sex.

  It’s not enough, though. It’s never enough.

  I tighten my grip around her throat and her hands fly up to my wrist, scratching down my arm and drawing more blood. I’m aware she can no longer breathe.

  Not enough.

  I want these walls painted red. I want to watch life seep out of dead empty eyes. The soul leaving its physical body as it awaits to ascend to other realms.

  Her body is growing heavy in my hold and her hands fighting to get my grip to loosen up, now slide down both sides of her body. My heart grows to an impossible crescendo as I feel the thud of her carotid arteries under my hand. My eyes fly to where the razor landed on the sink, not stopping as I rut into her.

  In a brisk movement, I shift my grip around her neck higher, tilting her head far back and press the blade against the exposed flesh of her throat, dragging it slowly from left to right before she has the chance to take a breath.

  The skin splits in two and blood gushes down her naked chest, spraying onto the mirror and sink.

  Her mouth opens in a silent scream, a look of horror in her eyes and I come inside her, grunting as pleasure like no other floods my bloodstream.

  The fire inside my chest begins to spread through my limbs as I watch the bloodshed through the reflection of the mirror. I hold her eyes as they gloss over and turn into an empty stare.

  I’m in awe at the scene in front of me. Power surging through my veins, a high I’ve never felt before.

  I fucking love it.

  Jenna was a beautiful girl, but she looked even better dead.

  I let go of her lifeless body, letting it fall limp at my feet and stare back at the mirror splashed with red. My face is covered in blood and my white sleeves stained red, my hands still dripping with her life essence.

  I take a deep breath, feeling alive for the very first time.

  I’ve felt dead inside for so long.

  Chapter 1

  Bailey

  Silence fills the car as my father drives us through the new town we just moved to, in southern Oregon by the coast. Both my parents are top surgeons and have recently accepted a new position at a private clinic in Oregon, thinking it was finally time to leave busy San Diego, California. Well, it was my dad’s idea at first and even though my mom had a hard time accepting it for a short while, she eventually agreed.

  I wouldn’t have complained about the sudden move, except for the fact that I’m being transferred to a new school in the
middle of October. They could have waited until my graduation in May, after all, I only have a few more months until I’m done with high school and go off to college. But I never have much luck when it comes to being involved in family decisions.

  And if high school wasn’t bad enough, imagine being the new girl in a Prep School full of entitled rich kids who only care about their status and owning the latest designer brand. I’m in for a ride.

  On the other hand, my parents aren't that different. They only seem to care about two things — work and money. I’ll be surprised if they stay home longer than the number of hours they need to sleep. Not that I care anymore, I’ve grown to enjoy my own company in a huge house a long time ago. I’m turning eighteen soon, which means I’m no longer in need of supervision while they are gone and that definitely adds to the fun.

  At least I won’t have to sneak out of the house anymore like I used to do whenever someone invited me to a party.

  I stare out the window, unable to contain the loud sigh that escapes my lungs. Oregon is a nice contrast compared to Southern California. Autumn has officially arrived. Dried yellow and orange leaves cover the majority of the wet ground like a blanket of warm colors.

  It’s a nice change of scenery, indeed.

  “Ladies, we’re about to arrive at our new home.” My dad’s deep voice breaks the silence in the car as the view from my seat changes. Big expensive real estates start to appear on each side of the road. Looks like we have officially arrived at Pacific Heights’ wealthy neighborhood.

  “Bailey is going to love it,” my mom says with a pristine tone in her voice, barely showing any excitement.

  You could say I’m the split image of Lauren Reed, only younger. We are both petite with light blonde hair and blue eyes. And while I got my mom’s complexion, my personality totally took after my dad. Easy going and adventurous, contrary to my mom’s snobby and stern ways. Let’s just say I can give her a hell of a headache from time to time.

  I used to be very close to my dad as a child, but then he decided to stop teaching in medical school and start a business with my mom, working alongside her in the plastic surgery field. After that, I rarely saw them throughout the day with the number of hours they worked at the clinic. Eventually, we grew apart and the good connection we once had, faded away.

  Needless to say, my parents and I are not very close.

  They didn’t even have time to show me what our new home looked like before we left California.

  Five minutes and a few estates later, we pull up to a big black gate with an intricate design and drive through it, entering the propriety.

  A huge white house with tall windows comes to view as we get closer to it, surrounded by an enormous garden that seems to stretch beyond it.

  I have to admit my parents outdid themselves with this one. It’s gorgeous and looks quite expensive.

  My father stops the car in front of the main entrance doors and we exit it.

  “Welcome to our new home.” He smiles and puts an arm around my mom’s waist as she stares at him with adoration in her eyes. We make our way up the entrance stairs and enter the house. Mover trucks are already pulling up to our driveway to deliver our packed things.

  I’m still shocked at the size of this place. The last house was big, but this one is on a whole other level. High ceilings and double stairs going up to the second floor on each side of the foyer. Dark tile floors and light walls. Black and white furniture that gives the whole house a very clean modern look.

  I follow my parents around the house as they show me each corner. Three floors, eight rooms and a pool with a lounging area in the back. My room is on the left side of the house while my parents' is on the right side. A huge corridor with several windows runs along the length of the second floor with doors to different other rooms. My bedroom is on top of a smaller staircase at the end of it.

  I spot my parents talking to the movers and I take the chance to explore the back of the house on my own. The garden extends all the way to the back of the propriety surrounding an illuminated lounging area directly in front of a large pool with couches and a fire pit standing in the middle. I can barely wait for summer to spend my days out here.

  Something soft bumps into my leg, making me jump and then runs in between a few bushes before I have time to see what it is. I frown and saunter to the bushes in soft steps not to scare away whatever it was as curiosity takes the best of me. I carefully walk around the bush and to my surprise spot a long-haired black cat, looking frightened.

  “It’s okay, kitty. Come here,” I coo, crouching down and slowly extending my hand towards him. The cat meows and looks at me reluctantly until it gives in and rubs its head against my extended hand. I sit down on the grass and continue petting him until I finally gain its trust and it lies down on my lap.

  I used to have a sphinx cat back home, in California but my parents wouldn’t let me bring him here due to the long drive so I had to give him up. Thankfully, my neighbor, an elderly lady, was more than happy to have him join her other two cats.

  Well, it looks like I just got a new pet. With the amount of time my parents spend at home, I’m ready to bet they won’t even notice the new family member.

  I hold him in my arms and take him inside the house. There are a few leftovers from dinner in the fridge so I drop the roasted beef in a plate and place it on the ground along with a bowl of water. Toby —I decided— enjoys the meal as I wait for him to be done and check my phone for new notifications.

  I don’t know why I bother, to be honest, it’s not like my so-called friends I left behind will ask how the trip went. In the private high school I used to attend, people were only your friend for as long as you were popular and interesting to be around. Me moving to Nowhere, Oregon? Not so interesting in their eyes. Screw them.

  I take the cat upstairs, once he’s done with the food, remembering to bring the water bowl to my bedroom, just in case he gets thirsty through the night.

  Stepping into my room, I notice the sun has already set. I put Toby down with his water and he jumps onto my bed as I take a minute to look at my new bedroom.

  The walls are painted white making a nice contrast against the ebony hardwood floor. An electric fireplace already burns on the opposite side of a king size bed with lush white cushions and a dozen of pillows on top.

  I remove my shoes not wanting to mess up the white fluffy rug that takes up most of the floor and make my way to one of the tall windows partly covered by grey curtains.

  I open it and walk out to the edge of the square balcony, leaning my arms on the concrete railing as I take in the view. To my right, woods stretch alongside the back of the propriety and I can see the Pacific Ocean.

  Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, reveling in the sea breeze and the sounds the waves make crashing against the cliff.

  When I open them again, the lights coming from the property next to ours suddenly catch my attention.

  In the early darkness of the night, the mansion looks like one of those haunted houses from horror movies. Three towers clad by dark stone and topped with sharply pointed spires and ribbed vaults stand tall, protruding from the roof and made visible by the outdoor lights.

  It looks hauntingly beautiful.

  I’m lost in my thoughts, wondering what type of person probably lives there, when I notice movement coming from the highest window of the nearest tower.

  The light is on and when I squint my eyes, trying to make out the inside of the room, two silhouettes come to view.

  Warmth spreads over my face when what they’re doing comes into focus. The couple seems to be in the midst of sex and I’m over here watching the scene unfold like a pervert.

  I take a step back to retreat into my room, feeling embarrassed when curiosity gets the best of me. Not only I’m at a fair distance from their propriety, but they’re also too busy jumping each other’s bones to even look this way. It’s dark, and you’d have to be looking attentively to even spot me up here.

  I watch as what I assume is a guy thrust into a woman against the wall in an almost desperate pace. Heat pools into my stomach, a tingling sensation spreading over my body as my heart speeds up inside my chest. My breath grows shallow.