by AJ Renee
Brandy hurried into Ryan’s arms, and he squeezed her tightly. He pulled back, cupping her face, and took her mouth gently, as if he worried he’d break her. Ending the kiss, he pressed his forehead to hers and sighed. “Come on,” he muttered before guiding her to the living room.
Sitting next to Peter, he tugged on her hand, and she fell onto his lap. With a quick peek in Ethan’s direction, she guessed the men had come to some sort of understanding.
“How are you feeling?” Ethan asked from a large leather recliner.
“Like I’ve slept for a month.”
“She woke up crying,” Peter said, ratting her out like a jerk.
Ryan cupped her cheek and crooked her face toward his. “Why?”
Her throat thickened as she remembered pieces of her dream. She told them what she could, and the men only nodded.
“What happened after the storms?” she asked.
No one spoke until Ryan cleared his throat. “I’ve never seen anyone control the elements. In nearly two months since gaining your powers… I’ve watched you call forth and control fire, water, and air.”
She gasped at the information and laid her head against his shoulder to process his words.
“I think we now know why they’re looking for you,” Peter said.
“They?”
“Demons, witches, lemures, buggs… You name it. We found them all around the café, your apartment, and even around some of your family,” Ryan told her.
“The family?” she asked, sitting up. A pit of worry formed in her stomach at the words.
“They’re okay,” Ethan told her. “I went with Ryan, and he showed me some spells to keep them safe. Junior’s been asking about you, and Andrea’s blowing up your phone. I let them know you were okay, that you met some guy and were all head over heels and would check in soon.”
“Ethan!” she hissed.
He shrugged with no remorse over his actions. “Tell me it’s a lie.”
Brandy looked from him to Ryan, who only smirked back. “No. It’s not, but now… now I’m going to have Andrea all over my ass.” Leaning against Ryan, she thought about what Ethan had done.
Their brothers would back off if they thought it was a girl thing, and it would effectively keep them safe. Their only concern would be when they met Ryan. That was when she would have different worries to deal with.
The conversation circled back to her control of the elements. It seemed Ryan was unaware of a witch ever doing it without a spell or offering in place. She remembered the exhilaration she had experienced when the magic swirled around her body, until the level of power she tapped into had wiped her entirely.
“How did you know how to do it?” Ethan asked.
Brandy shrugged. “I don’t know… It was like an instinct. I just went with the pull to do it. So what now?”
The men turned their attention to Ryan. “Well… You need to practice your powers more.”
“I have been!” she whined, ignoring how she sounded.
“Sweetheart, if you went up against a demon right now—not a tubar, a normal or high-level demon—well, it would wipe you, and they don’t travel alone.”
“I’m losing my damn mind being cooped up. Please, let me get some fresh air,” she pleaded. She was used to walking to work every day or out to grab a bite. Sitting indoors was going to make her crazy.
“Babycakes, you were outdoors. We let you get fresh air any time you wanted at the cabin,” Peter told her, a devilish smile transforming his handsome face.
Brandy narrowed her eyes. “Hell no. That doesn’t count. I’m a city girl, and while I enjoyed the beauty of the wilderness, it’s not the kind of fresh air I’m used to.”
“Well, you can’t meet up for lunch with any of your friends,” Ethan said.
“Absolutely not,” Ryan said in agreement.
The men continued with all their reasons she should not leave the condo. Brandy tuned them out halfway into their lecture and stood. Ryan tilted his head with a silent question, but she ignored him and walked to her room.
“More like a jail cell,” she muttered to herself as she stepped inside.
With a flick of her wrist, she shut the door using her powers and locked it for good measure. The three of them meant well, but they did not understand her. She had lived in a household with all males, everyone trying to run her life. She hated it… and found her way to rebel.
Brandy needed her life back, and the only way for it to happen was to prove them wrong.
Chapter 20
For three long days, she focused on her magic. They wanted her to improve and she had. She used her magic to do everything: brush her hair, make the bed, brush her teeth, and shower. She memorized ten more spells in addition to the twelve she had learned at the cabin. She also practiced calling the elements.
The more she used her magic, the less recovery time she needed. The men watched her carefully and obsessed about whether she pushed too hard. She couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. Ryan had had a lifetime to learn everything. That luxury was never given to her.
Peter continued teaching her self-defense, but this time in a room filled with pads. It was softer than landing on the forest’s hard ground. Her goal was to go ten minutes against Peter without dying of exhaustion or crying mercy… She was at eight.
There had been one other change, one she refused to tell them about because it was her free pass to fresh air. During one of her many hand-to-hand training sessions, she froze Peter… in midair. She tested the new power around the men a few times, but so far, no one had noticed when they were stilled.
Cabin fever was in full force. Needing to get out, she planned on using her new power to her advantage after breakfast, if only for a short walk.
Ryan’s brows drew together. “You look… nice?” he said hesitantly.
She raised a brow and crossed her arms under her breasts.
“I mean, you’re not—”
“Not what, honey?”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Nope. I’m done. You look great.” He grabbed her hips and pulled her against him.
She ran her fingers up his chest and linked them behind his neck. Her heart pounded against her ribcage with the simple touch.
Touch.
There had not been much touching since coming together, since their magical explosion in the forest. Sure, they had made out, but he’d stopped them from going further and only kissed her good-night before leaving her alone. Her instincts told her it was connected to his newfound knowledge of the curse.
Their kiss deepened, and he lifted her onto the kitchen table. She spread her legs, welcoming the intimacy of the position when he closed the distance. Her head lolled to the side as he left a hot trail of kisses down her neck and over the tops of her exposed breasts. His fingers massaged her thighs, kneading the flesh and teasing her with each pass.
He seemed to want her as badly as she wanted him. A moan slipped from her lips as she slapped one hand behind her on the table to hold her upright.
“I can’t stop thinking about you… about us,” he said.
His fingers slipped under her shirt. His warm hands caressed the skin of her waist. Brandy’s breast begged for his attention as he inched farther up her ribs.
“Yes! I need you,” she said.
His lips crushed hers, their tongues tangling in a vat of need. Leaning into the kiss, she explored his chest, stomach, and the bulge in his pants. When he paused at the feel of her hand stroking his jean-clad length, her mouth tipped up.
Reveling in his answering moan, she sucked on his tongue. She took her time mimicking how she wanted to taste him.
“Fuck, I can feel that in—”
Another moan slipped free from Ryan before he could finish his thought.
She never enjoyed going down on Greg, but the idea of Ryan in her mouth made her wet. She wanted to run her tongue along his length and taste him, especially the little drops she was sure were beaded at the tip of his head.
“I want to taste you,” she said.
Slipping her hand under the band of his underwear, she dove right on in. He leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes darkening when her small fingers wrapped around this thick length.
Their position wasn’t ideal, but she was able to slide her hand down to the base of his shaft and back up. His thick, short hairs rubbed against her with each stroke. Releasing him, she slid her thumb through the drop of moisture at the slit and brought it to her mouth.
Ryan stared as she licked her thumb. “Mmm… not bad,” she teased.
“I’ll give you not bad.” He grunted and lifted her into his arms.
Brandy locked her ankles around his waist and sought the friction she needed. He cupped her ass and kneaded the flesh as he walked them out of the room.
“Nope. Ryan, put her down,” Peter ordered from his usual spot on the couch.
“Fuck off,” Ryan replied and continued peppering the sensitive skin at her neck with kisses.
Brandy should have been embarrassed, but she was too lost in their lust. Her body craved Ryan like it craved oxygen for survival. Her nipples, clit, and sex physically ached, and only Ryan could soothe it by filling her.
Peter was on his feet in a flash, stopping Ryan from taking another step toward the bedroom. He growled. “Put. Her. Down.”
“No,” Ryan replied, and the air around them crackled.
“Damn it, Ryan!” Peter snapped, his eyes glowing a vibrant golden hue.
Faster than she thought possible, she found herself in Peter’s arms and Ryan knocked out cold on the ground. Brandy hit Peter repeatedly as he carried her away.
“Stop it.” Peter growled before tossing her on the center of the bed. “Don’t make me put you in a cold shower!”
“What the hell?” she yelled, forcing herself not to attack her friend. Magic swirled around her, the power feeding her and urging her on.
“You two need to keep your hands to yourselves until you can find a way to break your curse. If Ryan loses you…” Peter shook his head and sighed. Unable to finish the sentence, he stormed out of the room.
His reminder of the curse and all the people who would miss her was just what she needed. Lying back on the bed, she rubbed her face. She was antsy and frustrated. Her need to touch Ryan messed with her head. A cold shower, like the one Peter had mentioned, or a walk would calm her down.
She freshened up and grabbed a few things from her purse. With any luck, they were near somewhere she could get food. Brandy patted her pockets for the cash and ID she had slipped inside them and then pulled her shirt down, hoping the smart werewolf would not notice the bulge.
After a fortifying breath, she stepped into the living room. Ryan was still out cold, and Peter had laid him on the couch.
“Brandy?” Peter growled, his unease vibrating throughout his body.
“Is he okay?” she whispered.
Peter looked from her to Ryan. “He’ll be fine,” he muttered before narrowing his eyes on her. “What are you up to?”
Brandy swallowed through the sudden dryness. “Umm… I’m just getting some water from the kitchen.” The lie rolled off her tongue, and she wondered if he had heard the tremble in her voice. Peter studied her a moment before his gaze shifted to his game.
She took a deep breath and flicked her fingers in Peter’s direction. His widening eyes froze on their return to her. She cleared her throat. “Peter? Ryan?” she whispered.
A minute passed before she congratulated herself and hurried out of the condo. Her heart thundered in her chest as she peeked up and down the hall. When she saw no one, she rushed toward one end, hoping to find an elevator or the stairwell.
After three flights of stairs, she made her way out of the building. Brandy studied the street before picking a direction to go. Walking briskly, she pushed out her magic, sensing for any other magic or danger. Tendrils of another witch could be felt in the opposite direction, confirming she had picked the best way to travel.
Twenty minutes later, after backtracking and confirming she was alone, she ducked into a bistro on the corner. Brandy ordered at the counter, her eyes moving to the door and the people milling about. She did her best to smell the air, looking for any signs of danger, all the while not standing out like a strange woman.
A man behind the counter called out her number a few minutes later, drawing her attention from a couple who were a few feet away. She carried her order to a table facing the front and sat with her back against the wall. From her seat, she watched people coming and going.
The fresh air she wanted to enjoy after leaving the confines of Peter’s condo never came. Eating her food in peace was an impossible task. Her nerves were frayed. Each person who walked in presented a possible threat until she could determine if they were a danger to her.
Being away from the security of the condo began to affect her. It weighed her down until she experienced a tightness in her chest. She rubbed the heel of her palm over her breastbone, wondering if she was experiencing an anxiety attack or worse.
She pushed her half-eaten plate aside and focused on breathing, hoping each breath would soothe the pain. In her urgency to spend time away from the boys, she hadn’t paid attention to where the condo was located.
A wave of panic slithered down her body. Her gaze snapped from person to person, looking for the threat.
“Brandy?” he asked.
Ryan’s voice filled her mind, and she could taste his worry. The panic slamming into her was not her own but rather his. For a moment, she debated answering him, but she knew she could not stress him out even further over her disappearing act.
“I’m okay, honey,” she said.
“Where did you go? What’s going on? When did you leave?” he asked, peppering her with questions.
“I needed air… needed space.”
“From me? What did I do now?” he asked.
“My entire life was spent with overbearing brothers. I needed some time to myself. I promise I’ll be back soon… Speaking of which, what’s the address?” she asked.
She imagined the incredulous look on his face at her question. Normally responsible, she was the first to admit that not paying attention to her surroundings had not only been stupid but very dangerous on her part.
Sighing, she pulled up the address he gave her on her phone. At least she had walked in the right direction. She was not far, and the powerful anxiety she felt lowered to a natural dose of worry.
“I’m not far. I’ll come back soon,” she said.
“Please be careful. I’m pissed you left, just so you know what you’re coming back to,” he warned, his words harsher than the tone he used.
“I’m okay. I didn’t mean to scare you guys, but I needed to get out of there,” she said.
Brandy stared at the food she normally would have devoured and expelled a long sigh. A man one table over glanced up from his book and narrowed his eyes at her. She smiled apologetically for interrupting him, and she stood.
After cleaning up her mess, Brandy stepped onto the sidewalk and peeked at the map on her phone. She turned toward the condo and peered into boutiques from the sidewalk, admiring the cute clothes and trinkets meant to lure buyers into the stores.
She pushed aside the curse, her powerful attraction to Ryan, and that there were demons looking for her.
She tried focusing on the Brandy she had been before learning about her family’s secret and the supernatural world hiding in plain sight.
A few shops down, a family of mannequins in the window drew her attention. Ryan’s proposal, their possible future together, and the curse forced its way to the forefront of her thoughts.
Six generations of women had failed to undo what Suzanna put in motion. How would Brandy, a witch who only just learned about her heritage, be able to unlock the key to her survival?
“Ugh!” she groaned as she moved to the next shop. There, a pot filled with mums caught her eye. It once had been promising and fille
d with beauty and life, but now its future looked bleak with its yellow, wilted petals. Brandy could not help but notice the similarities to her own life.
Before her birthday, everything had seemed bright. Even her problems with Greg had not dimmed her beacon of hope.
Now, she only aimed to survive, to stumble her way through her new life and do what she could to hold on to the deep love blossoming with Ryan.
Brandy inhaled deeply and exhaled. Her eyes became unfocused as she released all the pent-up stress and negativity swirling within her. If the mum only needed some TLC to help bring it back to its glory, then there was no reason she could not do the same for herself.
Shaking off her thoughts, she looked from one pot of mums to another with surprise. Gone was the sad plant, and in its place was a bright bouquet of mums unlike the second mum plant.
Brandy looked around and found herself alone on the sidewalk. “Did I do that?” she muttered to herself.
Glancing around her, she made sure no one would witness her intentional use of magic. Reaching deep inside, she focused on the second pot of mums and watched it come to life. The effort to restore the plant’s beauty was minimal, and a bubble of pride filled her chest.
She continued down the block, a pep to her step at what she had accomplished. Not only had she renewed the plant but her energy had not waned from her use of magic.
Her phone vibrated in her back pocket as she passed an older couple walking hand in hand.
Andrea: Are you ever coming up for air?
Brandy laughed at her friend. She tapped out one reply and deleted it, remembering what Ethan had told the family about Ryan. Images of them in the kitchen with their bodies pressed together flashed in her mind. A quiver of need rolled down her spine at the mere memory of his touch.
Brandy: If you saw Ryan, you wouldn’t be thinking about air.
Andrea: Picture or he doesn’t exist.
Brandy: I’ll see what I can do. You okay?
Andrea: I’m better now… had a nightmare and needed to know you were okay.
Brandy: Nightmare?
Andrea: You died.
Brandy’s feet stumbled as she came to a halt. Someone bumped into her shoulder and snapped, “Hey! Watch where you’re going!” as she stared at the words on her phone. Chills ran down her skin at the two words.
