When I came to, I was royally pissed.

I was in a bed, for starters. That wasn't the irritating part though, because I wasn't in my own bed. I was in someone else's. And no matter how fucking comfy this one was, I did not want to be waking up in it. I mean, sure, it had an amazing silky blue cover. Sure, the pillows were so soft they were probably stuffed with the fur of dead kittens. Sure, it was a king-sized with memory foam and it smelled like spices and melted chocolate-

It didn't change anything. I was still pissed.

Secondly, I was changed. Into a pair of spandex shorts and a tight-fitting tank top. Whoever changed me had better not have been some ancient pervert, because I didn't care how old he was, I'd knock out any of his remaining teeth with pleasure.

The final thing that put me into a real shitty mood was the memories of recent events. It all hit me in a rush. Mom freaking. Asswad ordering me around. Almost dying two, no, three times. Then that sex god who waltzed in and pulled my ass from the flame.

Passing out on the floor.

And here I was. I didn't know who's house I was in, but I planned on giving them a piece of my mind. With that thought, I swung my legs out of bed and marched right to the door, relieved when it swung open without a sound or resistance. I was not so relieved, however, to find a big buff dude standing outside my door. Why the fuck were there guards? This wasn't a movie, and that shit just didn't happen in real life.

The man noticed me, turning and holding a hand up. "Miss, I need you to get back into the room. For your own safety."

"If you touch me, the only person's safety you'll need to be concerned about is yours, Bud." I threatened. He was a big boy. I always loved a good ol' fist fight, but in this case, I'd rather avoid it.

He just snorted, making a grab for my arm. Soon as he got a hold of my wrist, I regrabbed it, twisting it behind his back into an arm bar. "I'll stop now, just let me go." I tried. He was just doing his job. But like I said, the dude was freaking huge. I'd have to be really nasty to him to put him out of commission. I really would rather not.

He didn't take my invitation, making a sudden move in hopes of dislodging my grip. Sighing, I twisted up sharply with the hand holding his arm, dislocating his shoulder. I winced at the loud roar as he clutched his injury, wishing I had a weapon to put him out quickly and quietly.

Taking advantage of the wounded shoulder, I pushed forward so he stumbled against the wall, slamming his head. He groaned and slid to the floor, but he was still conscious. Damn, what was this guy? The Hulk?

I was forced to grab his hair and slam his head against the hard floor several times before he passed out. It wasn't the most humane way of doing things, but I felt backed into a corner on that one.

I panted lightly, taking a brief break before frisking him. I came up with a knife and...a mini chocolate bar? I shrugged, unwrapping it taking a bite as I sheathed the dagger. Couldn't really complain.

I tossed the wrapper back as I thought about which way I needed to go. There was a long, dark corridor to my right, or a set of stairs to my left. Figuring dark didn't mean an exit, I headed towards the stairs, going as quickly and as discreetly as I could. People would have heard my scrap with the muscleman, so I needed to book it. I wound my way through the maze of hallways as best as I could, but I was quickly getting frustrated. It should not be this hard to find the front door.

Just as I was about ready to punch a wall, I heard something. Voices. Seeing a door with light under it, I pressed my ear against it, careful not to cast a shadow to alert the people inside.

"...Know. I was surprised too. You would have never thought that Zeke would do such a thing. Such a promising young soldier. But he left me no choice." A husky, accented voice emanated from behind the door. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and it had nothing to do with the temperature.

"That wasn't what I was talking about, and you know it." Another voice replied, sounding exasperated. "Luce, quit being an ass and tell me about her. What was she like?"

There was a pause, and then the rougher-voiced man spoke again. "She was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen. I could never describe her to you because words would never do her justice. And she was fierce. Father above, Marcus! She killed one of them, without my help! I barely heard her speak. I can't wait until she wakes up. I can't wait to learn more about her. I don't even know her name." My chest pinged with jealousy, which pissed me off. I shouldn't be jealous! Hell no! And why was I even out here, listening like a coward? Time to give him a piece of my mind.

Decided, I slammed the door open. The two men looked up, and, quicker than thought, they were squared up, drawing weapons. I nearly gasped. It was that sex god that kicked some pretty major ass before, and some other dude with some amazing silver hair.

"Okay, Hotshot, I don't know who you think you are, keeping me in a room with a giant punk as a prison warden, but you are about to get your fine ass kicked unless you give me answers!" I snarled, absolutely ready to carry out my threat.

The man's godlike face contorted in confusion and anger. "How did you get out? It's not safe. Where's Benjamin?"

I snorted. "If you mean the hulk you posted outside the room you put me in, he's knocked out right now, and when he wakes up, he'll be in a lot of pain. Just like you unless you start talking." I unsheathed my dagger and stepped from the doorway.

Both men looked astonished. "You beat up Benjamin?" The other guy asked incredulously, gray eyes wide.

"No, I gave him a kiss goodnight and put him down for nap time." I snapped sarcastically. The silver-haired man, Marcus, I remembered, turned to the other guy, who I dubbed the Sex god.

"Dude. I like her."

The Sex god growled. "Leave, Marcus." The other man pouted, but sighed in defeat, and promptly vanished. I gawked at the space he used to be. The fuck?

The Sex god stepped towards me, blue eyes flashing. "Put the dagger down, Kitten."

"Like Hell." I spat, stepping to the side to put more distance between us.

Before I could blink, the dagger was torn from my hands, clattering on the stone floor, and the Sex god was less than a foot away from me. All I could see was a hard muscled chest, and believe me, under any other circumstance, I would not be complaining. I was panting heavily now, heat consuming my body as an ache began to build at the apex of my thighs. I remained frozen as he lowered his head to the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. Then, he placed a gentle kiss directly under my jaw, and my legs nearly buckled beneath me.

"You smell so good, Kitten." He rumbled, nipping lightly at my jaw before pulling away with a heavy groan.

That snapped me out of whatever trance I was in real quick. I tried to dart out from between him and the wall, but he quickly pulled me into his chest, holding my head to his shoulder and cooing soothingly as I struggled to escape.

"You put me down right now you mother-"

"Listen, Love. I'll let you go as soon as you calm down. I don't want you hurting yourself." He murmured, stroking his hand along my hair. I tried to ignore the feelings of safety that gave me. Goddammit, woman! Pull yourself together!

"Calm down? You want me to calm down while I'm being manhandled by a brute?" I snarled, never ceasing my struggles.

"I am just fine with this arrangement, Kitten." He purred, his hand moving down my back and tracing my spine with his fingers. How did he make that an erotic action?

Just breathe, Ammi. Relax so he lets his guard down, then knee him in his soft spot so hard his ancestors feel the tingle!

With that thought, I was able to swallow my pride enough to surrender. I relaxed my body and stopped trying to kill him. For now. Outwardly, I was calming down. Inwardly, I was seething.

A heavy sigh from him, and his fingers continued their paradoxically soothing and arousing action. "I know you aren't planning on cooperating with me, but I'll let you down for now. One false move, however, and I just may never let you go."

"Sounds agreeable." I said through clenched teeth.

He slowly and cautiously let me down, eyeing me warily. As soon as my feet touched the floor, I did exactly what I planned to: I hit his self-destruct button. He doubled over with a groan, and from the whimpering noises he was making, I knew I'd better get my fine ass out of there.

"Well, nicemeetingyoubye!" I yelped, before dashing out of the room. As bolted down the halls, I heard and echoing roar shake the building. Looking behind me like the idiot I am, I ran smack into a wall. No, not a wall.

"Oh, 'sup Marcus?" I squeaked. Glancing behind me again nervously.

"What did you do? He sounds madder than the time I put Nair in his shampoo." Marcus looked almost inspired by my achievement.

My awkwardness came out. "I kneed him in the junk so hard he lost his balls up his asshole." I explained casually. "Now I really gotta split, bye!" I left Marcus in the dust, putting a hesitant hand over his crotch with a sympathetic look on his face.

Considering I ran like a pregnant goldfish out of water, I was impressed by the amount of time I evaded the Sex god (whose name I really needed figure out.) He found me after I had pretty much given up on finding the exit. He looked downright terrifying, eyes nearly black, fists clenched. And he was, like, glowing, but at this point nothing really surprised me anymore.

As he approached, I looked up, and asked, with genuine curiosity, I might add, "how'd you manage to fish 'em out?" without a pause, he scooped me up onto his shoulder and set off, his body taut with anger.

"Well somebody's pissed off. You need some ice, Hun?" I crooned, still hanging upside down. This was my payback, and I'd get as much enjoyment out of it as I could. I yelped in surprise as a stinging smack landed on my ass, taking me completely by surprise. "Why, you insufferable bastard!" I snarled, pounding on his back. The chuckle that came in response did nothing to diffuse my anger.

When he finally put me down, ironically, in the room I had originally woke up in, I was about ready to tear his head off. But, when I leaped up to do so, he dodged me coolly, looking rather amused. "You're a very aggressive person, you know that?"

"That's what they all say. And it's usually their last words." I huffed. I was getting nowhere with my Kick-some-ass strategy. I needed to cool it for a bit until I figured out a better way to get out of here. With that thought in mind, I sat on the bed passively.

He raised an eyebrow but didn't otherwise comment. "I know that. I found Khamael. You were the one who strangled him, no?"

"The bastard deserved it. He was attacking some helpless girl, and he gave me the same treatment when I stepped in." Just the thought of that poor girl crying as he dragged her off was enough to set my blood boiling again.

The man growled his agreement, looking pleased and unhappy at the same time, which looked kind of painful. "You stepped in? You tried to stop him?"

I gave him a look. "No, I watched like a sissy while he dragged some poor girl away to who knows where." I replied sarcastically.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?" he barked, staring me down. "You could've been killed!"

"Hate to break it to you, Hotshot, but I wasn't waiting for a man in shining armor to come kick his ass in my name. I really had no other choice." I told him evenly, gauging his reaction.

He relaxed a bit, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Point made. I just don't like the idea of you getting hurt, Kitten. The image of you facing Khamael in combat...It makes me feel physically sick."

I saw my opportunity to finally figure out what was going on here. "Why would you care so much? Why am I here?" I grilled, desperate for answers. "And while you're at it, do tell me your name."

The man gave a wry grin at my last comment. "Name for a name?" he suggested.

"Sure. Ammi. Now yours." I clipped, not wanting to say my whole name and have to explain it, like I always ended up doing.

He clucked his tongue disparagingly, shaking his head, "Tell me your full name."

I groaned, running a hand down my face. "Fine. But I'm not explaining it to you." His face told me that I would if he wanted me to, but I soldiered on. "My full first name is Amirykal. Happy?" I muttered.

His reaction took me completely by surprise. He blinked slowly at first, processing, then his face split into a wide grin and he threw back his head and laughed uproariously. I was hit with a wave of arousal at the sound of it-it was rumbling and husky, heating me up at the core.

"What's so funny?" I grumbled, sure he was laughing at my expense. He looked down, that gorgeous grin still on his chiseled face, showcasing his lovely white teeth.

"Oh, Kitten. Your name, Amirykal, do you know its meaning?" He asked, his voice sensual and erotic as he spoke my name.

"No-I was found with that name." I answered struggling to keep my voice even as he slowly approached, like a predator would his prey.

"Well, Love, I'll tell you. Amirykal means 'gift', or, more exactly, 'a gift from God'." He purred as he got closer and closer, so there was barely a foot between us.

"And why is that funny?" I had a very hard time focusing on the conversation at hand with him at this proximity, using that lovely tone.

"Because, Amirykal, I am Lucifer. And God made you to be mine."