His heat burns through my own resistance and I slide deeper into myself. There, in the center of my soul, I see the elemental powers that animate my magic. My breathing hitches as I realize it's not just a few of the elements I can access.
It's all of them.
All six.
I embrace the fire and feel the balancing tonic of earth and air. The light in me is strong and powerful. But it is the darkness, lurking beneath, floating like a black cloud, that scares me. I shy away from it, unwilling to touch it lest it corrupt me and turn me into something I do not want to be. I focus back on the fire, urging the tiny flame to grow.
After a moment, I feel Liam's arms tighten around me. "Open your eyes," he whispers.
I do, slowly, and at first all I see is his fire dancing on his palms. Then I look more closely and realize my hand also hold the flame.
"I'm doing it," I say, excitement surging with me.
"You are," he says, smiling against my cheek. "Now see if you can control it. Try to throw the flame at the wall."
"What if I break something?" I ask.
"Trust me, this place has seen it all. It's indestructible. At least, by fire."
I nod and focus my mind on the ball of fire in my hand. With a flick of my wrist, I toss it, and to my surprise, I'm successful! The flaming ball flies across the room, slams into the stone wall, and fizzles out at impact.
Liam steps back and grins, his flames gone now. "You're a fast study," he says. "That took an incredible amount of control."
"That was amazing," I say, studying my hands like they might reveal all the answers. "I've never felt like that before. When I used my powers before, it was by accident. I didn't know what I was doing. I still don't know how I did what I did. But now, I could feel the control, the power. It's raw and rusty, but still…I did it."
He nods. "You'll get more proficient at it with time. Now you need to practice."
And so we do. For the next hour, Liam has me throwing balls of fire, setting things on fire, dancing flames off my fingertips, and finally, he instructs me to light a candle. This proves to be the hardest of all. I melt a few candles down to the wick in my attempts to light them.
"I can't do this," I say. "I feel like I could burn a small village down, but I can't seem to light one stupid candle."
"You're tired, and smaller things require more control. You can't just unleash it all at once, you have to learn to manage your power. You'll get there. Let's pause for tonight. You look like you could use a bath and a rest."
A bath sounds amazing, and Liam walks me up to my room, gently kisses me goodnight, and leaves me to tend to myself.
As predicted, I am bruising. Badly. I bathe, letting the hot water wash away some of my pain. Moon perches on the bath next to me, meowing to be pet as I relax, and I give him some love. Then I get out and put a bathrobe on. But I'm not ready to sleep, though I should.
Instead, I make my way to Liam's room, where I hear him playing the violin. The music seeps into my soul and brings up a flood of emotion. I wait by the door, letting the last melancholic notes fade before I knock.
He's only wearing pants when he opens it, and his eyes widen in surprise at seeing me.
Suddenly I feel self-conscious. "I was hoping—as a healer—you might have something for my bruises?"
He nods, letting me in. "Show me," he says.
I suck in my breath, and then I undo my robe and let it drop to my feet, so that I'm standing before him naked. His eyes widen, and he stares at me for a long moment. "You're…you're so beautiful, Eve." His breath hitches on my name and I feel a new kind of fire alight within me.
I turn to show him my back and it's his turn to suck in a breath. "I will make sure Elijah does something to fix the carriage before you have to ride in it again," he says, frowning. "If you lay on the bed, I'll apply a cream to the bruises that should help you heal faster."
It's cool out, with a gentle breeze coming in through the open window, but all I feel is the heat igniting within me as I lay face down on his bed and breathe in his scent. I hear him moving around the room, and then feel as he sits on the bed, his body pressing against mine.
"Is it okay if I touch you?" he asks.
Right now, I want him to do a lot more than just touch me, but everything feels as if it's teetering on the edge of something important, and so I whisper ‘yes’ and wait.
He's been all about consent since I chewed him out for biting me against my will.
Now I crave the feel of his teeth sliding into my flesh.
But I settle for his warm hands as he slowly rubs something minty smelling into my back. Instantly, the aches and pains begin to fade. He's skilled with his hands, massaging my muscles with expert technique, easing out the stiffness and knots that I carry with me almost always. He runs his fingers between my ribs, from my spine to the sides of my breasts. As he works his way lower, every nerve in my body comes alive. His palms caress the dip in my back and then his hands cup my ass, rubbing and massaging until the pain is completely gone, and all I feel is a desperate arousal at his closeness, his touch, the vulnerability of being naked here with him.
It's quiet as he continues down my legs, fingers grazing between my thighs, coming so close to where I really want them to be, but then pulling back. He completes the massage at my feet, then lightly runs his hands over my body once more, letting out a spark of his magic and sending flashes of warmth over me.
"How do you feel?" he asks, his throat thick with his own desire.
I turn over and lay naked, facing him. "Amazing. I hope you're going to do my front as well?"
His pupils dilate and the bulge in his pants grows. This time he begins at my feet and slowly works his way up my legs. His gaze is locked on mine as he moves over me, straddling my legs so he can be in a better position. When he reaches my hips, he pauses. "How deep of a massage do you want?" he asks, his voice nearly breathless.
"As deep as you can give," I say.
He moans softly at my words, and his hands slide between my legs. He repositions himself so that I'm spread before him, and he teases at the flesh there, grazing but not penetrating.
Dipping his head closer to me, he takes a nipple into his mouth, and the sudden wave of pleasure that hits me makes my hips arch.
He moves his lips up to my neck, raking my skin with his now-elongated teeth.
I wrap my arms around him, pulling him closer to me. "I want you," I say.
He raises his head to look at me. "I have wanted you since I tasted you," he says.
He pulls away long enough to take his pants off, and I study his beautiful—and fully aroused—body. It's a masterpiece of perfection. One that could have been sculpted from marble. I run my hand over his chest and abs as he positions himself above me. Then his hand dips between my legs, and he kisses me deeply while using his fingers to pleasure me.
As the tension mounts, just before release, he removes his hand and pushes his hips into me as he sinks his teeth into my neck.
I cry out, my body pressing against his, my fingers digging into his back, as I am gripped by the best orgasm of my life. The heat between us is so intense it's nearly smoldering.
After a few minutes, he pulls me up, onto his lap, and we face each other as we continue making love. His hands explore my body, and I am consumed by him in every way.
Another orgasm grips me, and as I give into it, so, too, does he. We ride that wave together until we are both spent.
It's only then that I realize I smell something burning, and we both look at the bed and realize it's ablaze.
Instantly, I channel the water element within me, in the same way I controlled the fire, and I summon enough to drown the flames, though I also succeed in soaking most of the bed.
"This is the first time I've set my bed on fire," he says, holding me in his arms, my head on his chest.
"Or I set it on fire," I say.
"I have a feeling it was both of us." He kisses my forehead, sighing d
"Not even Mary?" I ask. I instantly regret bringing up her name, and all the joy I felt a moment before crashes into regret as I consider the awful secret I'm keeping from him. My stomach twists as I fight with myself over what I should do about Adam and Liam.
"Not even Mary," he says. "I've had other lovers. I've lived a long life. But I've never had this." He tilts my head up so I'm looking into his eyes. "I've never had you."
The Ball
How much can come And much can go, And yet abide the world! ~Emily Dickinson
"She has a right to make her own decisions!" Cole's voice carries through the halls and I pause outside the library door, my flash tingling through my body.
They're talking about me.
"It's not worth the risk," Liam shouts back, and I can picture the two of them—Liam and Cole—staring each other down. Liam with his fiery temper and ginger good looks, Cole with his almost eerie calmness and dark, mysterious sexiness. Cole will keep his voice level, his emotions in check, which will just further infuriate Liam.
"The egg could be there," Cole says, his voice firm but level. "And she's the only one who got an invite. Of course, she should go. If she's willing. Either way, it should be her choice, not yours."
"Liam's right," Sebastian says, undoubtedly folding his arms over his muscular chest. "She'd be surrounded by the powerful but shady elite of our society. It's dangerous."
Cole snickers. "I think she's proven she can take care of herself. You underestimate her. You all do."
I sigh and push the door open. "What's too dangerous for me?" I ask the five Night brothers, who all pause their argument to stare at me.
"Well? Anyone want to explain?"
Cole smiles, turning the full weight of his natural seductiveness towards me and causing my knees to turn to jelly. He grabs something from Liam's hand and walks over, his gaze locked on mine. "You have been invited to a ball, mon cher," he says with a flourish, holding out a golden ticket.
I take it from him and study it.
At first, the ticket is blank save for the shiny gold finish. Then words begin to appear.
Miss Eve Oliver is cordially invited to the Annual Winter Masquerade Ball hosted by Lord Nicholas Vanderbilt who looks forward to making your acquaintance.
On the back is a date and time but no location. "What's the significance of this ball?" I ask.
"Nothing," Liam says.
"Everything," Cole says at the same time. "It's the who's who of the Otherworld, and anybody who's anybody will be there. Lord Nicholas Vanderbilt is the Collector, and he will be having a secret auction that night where only a select view will be invited." Cole smiles at me. "If you attend, you could charm your way into that auction and see if he's got the egg."
"Why am I the only one who got an invitation?" I ask.
Derek shrugs. "You're a novelty, despite working for us. Meeting you is too enticing for him to pass up."
"Obviously I have to go, if there's a chance we could solve the case and save Liam," I say, glancing at the fire Druid, who doesn't make eye contact with me. Men are so mercurial, it's maddening.
"That's out of the question," Sebastian says. "We wouldn't be there to protect you, and anything could happen. The Collector is not one to mess with."
"I can escort her," Cole says. "If you're so worried about her safety."
Liam scoffs. "She's no safer with you. And besides, you didn't get a ticket."
Cole shrugs. "Very well, I'll keep my distance, but she should still go."
Before they can continue this argument, I clear my throat. "You all must be confused. I'm not asking for permission. I'm going to the ball. Alone. It's our biggest lead yet. And Cole is right. I can take care of myself."
I don't feel as confident as I sound about that last part, given my lack of control over my powers and my fears surrounding them, but this is the right decision, and they can suck it if they think they get to control what I do.
I smile charmingly. "I'd better go shopping for an outfit, then."
The night of the ball, Lily helps me dress. And given the complexity of the gown I'm wearing, I need all the help I can get.
It takes us—no lie—about four hours to get me ready. FOUR HOURS!?!?!? I'm so exhausted when we're done that I don't even want to go anymore, but Lily just laughs at me and spins me to face the mirror.
I gasp.
I look… magical.
The dress is Dryad inspired, made of shimmering emerald green fabric that curves around my body seductively, with slashes cut out to reveal my stomach and cleavage. Vines—that are magicked to look real and move on their own—wind up my legs and arms and twine around my gown dotted with white blossoms. My mask is made of diamonds and emeralds that are applied directly to my face directly, like makeup, so that I look as if I'm becoming a gemstone. The same stones dot my hair, which is twisted into elaborate braids intertwined with thin vines blossoming with more white flowers. My lips are blood red, my eyes are painted with sparkling silver, and the rest of my exposed skin is dusted with powdered diamond magicked to sparkle all night.
Lily drives me to our destination in the carriage, which has been recently cleaned, polished, and upgraded with deep cushions and a much better shock absorbing system. I have to remember to thank Elijah—and Liam, who very likely lit a fire under the air Druid's ass.
The horses are brushed down and wearing their most elaborate gear. We are quite the splendor, arriving as we do.
With a silly curtsy, Lily leaves me at the entrance and escapes into the nearby trees to await my return. I stand before the grand double doors and take a nervous breath. I got this.
Straightening my back, I clench my ticket in my hand and ring the bell.
The doors immediately open, and an older man in a black tux, likely the butler, asks to see my ticket. I hand it to him, and he waves a hand inviting me in.
Inside the manor is a lavish display of wealth and luxury. Thousands of candles line the walls and tables, casting dancing light against the cream walls. Candelabras fall from the ceiling in intricate designs inspired by nature, creating haunting shadows on the ceiling. The ballroom has already attracted a crowd as an orchestra plays the most unusual instruments I've ever seen. A woman in the center, who seems the star, flicks the chords of what looks like a double-sided harp with the help of four extra arms.
The walls are lined with tables full of food and drink for all manner of supernatural creature. Vampires fill their goblets from the blood fountain. Mermaids in human form—their skin covered in the faintest trace of translucent scales—partake of the live seafood display. There's a table full of raw meat and small cages with live animals for the hunting carnivores. Wolves, maybe? I shiver and keep moving, making my way through the crowds, unsure of what I'm looking for.
I study the faces around me looking for a familiar one beneath the masks when I feel someone's breath against my neck, his body close to mine.
A hand lands on my ass as another wraps around my waist to graze my breast and I turn, shocked, to confront a man I don't recognize who wears a lewd expression.
"Get your hands off me!" I shout, pushing him back.
He's of medium build and height, with mousy brown hair and small, dark eyes. Honestly, he could be considered decent looking in another context, but right now I just want to cut off his hands.
He just smirks, tips his top hat at me, and walks away.
I'm so furious at the violation I'm shaking as my brain tries to catch up with my body. What do I do? Do I tell someone? This isn't the New York subway. I wasn't expecting such behavior, and it's triggering every vulnerable, angry, defiant feeling I've ever had when men take liberties as if my body is their personal toy.
The awful man walks across the room, his eyes clearly set on a young, green-haired mermaid enjoying live shrimp at one of the tables.
"Merde. You're the third woman I've seen him pull that shit on," a familiar voice whispers in my ear. His closeness makes me jump, and I spin on him, all my ire and rage welling up in me.
"What are you doing here?" I hiss, looking around to see if anyone noticed him.
And then I forget my words when I take a good look at the sexy dark Druid. He's dressed in all black, as per usual, with a long fur cape trimmed at the collar in black bird feathers. His mask is also made of feathers, and his hair is coifed in such a way that it changes his appearance entirely. I would swear on my life he's part bird if I didn't know better, and I squint at him, trying to see the magick I know is aiding his impressive illusion.
"Can you see it, then?" Cole asks, raising a hand to my face and tracing my cheek gently. "Can you see the power that connects us?"
His dark eyes pull me in as always, and I shudder and step back, reluctantly fighting this attraction I feel. "I don't see anything," I say, but that's not entirely true, though 'see' might be the wrong word. I feel it, this tie, this thread that keeps pulling us closer together. But it scares me.
He tilts his head and smiles. "You will in time, mon coeur," he says softly. "What is here cannot be denied."
"You didn't answer my question, what are you doing here?"
"Disobeying my brothers, of course. And providing you with unnecessary backup. I couldn't resist the chance to see you in this gown, now could I?"
A clatter behind us pulls our attention to the table the mermaid was standing at. She drops her shrimp and flees the room with tears in her eyes, while the man grins broadly and no one steps in to do or say anything.
"He'll keep at it," Cole says. "No one will stop him."
I narrow my eyes. "Challenge accepted."
Cole grins and crosses his arms over his chest as I feel my power rise up in me. The wrath I feel, coupled with the fear and helplessness being grabbed brought up in me, makes it harder to access my power.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, centering myself, then try again. This time, I am calm. I am cold. I am justice.
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