“Okay.” Putting me on the floor, Tinniel turned off the taps and turned to look down at me.
My head tilted back to look up at him, my hair falling away from my face, bar one strand that stuck to my cheek. He reached for it, his stare becoming intent as he peeled it away and brushed the skin under my chin. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner. We should’ve come earlier.”
I smiled up at him as my throat tried to close. “I thought I had it under control. I overestimated my abilities. It was my fault.”
It was true. I had trusted Amera way more than I should have. Too confident with my own bargaining skills, I’d allowed her to use me in her games. Her little party had backfired on her, considering she had embarrassed herself in front of Mr Fender, the man who clearly called the shots. Still, I hadn’t come away with those co-ordinates and that pissed me off.
Sighing, Tinniel pointed at the bath. “Get in, you can tell me more while you get clean.”
He turned away, clearly waiting for me to undress. I rid myself of the hideous dress and blood-stained underwear, quickly merging into the soft bubbles and deliciously warm water.
Sinking into the comforting hug of liquid, I ducked my head under and blew bubbles out of my mouth. When I sat up, the water dripped over my face, washing away the tears that threatened.
“What happened at the party?” Tinniel sat on the edge of the bath, keeping his gaze averted.
As I scrubbed the blood from my skin, I bit my lip. “Henrick was there, I spoke to him.”
His gaze snapped to mine, his eyes pinching before he blinked. Was that pain in his expression? I wouldn’t be surprised if it was considering the implications of my information. If Henrick had gone over to the dark side, Tinniel had grieved for nothing.
“He said that they were powerful and that I should try and stay in their good books. He said that he aspired to be like Mr Fender, the leader.”
Tinniel frowned as he stared at the bubbles, clearly disturbed by his brother’s deflection. What had driven a perfectly good bounty hunter to turn on his own brothers? Surely, power wasn’t enough to lure him away from his high-end job. There had to be more.
Clearing my throat, I went on. “I was under the impression Amera would parade me a bit, letting the other vamps know that she had me on her side, ready to kill Jimmy. She said the scroll–”
“The scroll?” Tinniel’s gaze dipped as I rubbed the bite marks on my neck.
His throat moved in a gulp when the bubbles moved, revealing my bare chest. A zing of longing shot between my legs as I kept my arms up, not bothering to cover myself. I found comfort in his gaze, even though he quickly averted it.
“She has the scroll. One of the vampires told me that she’s their greatest hope in awakening the sorceress that created them. In fact, there was something weak about the vampires which seemed out of character.”
“There was?”
A wave of dizziness flashed over me as I closed my eyes and breathed deep. The memory of everything was hazy, probably shoved deep down in my mind’s attempt to block out the trauma.
“Oh no you don’t.” Tinniel’s voice was soft in the distance as a black shadow slunk into the corner of my eyes.
Arms came around me, the splash of water loud in my ears as I was hoisted out of the bath. The cold air slapped my skin, making me gasp and come awake again. Shit, I had almost fainted.
As Tinniel rushed into the bedroom, he kept his eyes up and his hands barely touching me. His gentleness was hot, warming me up from the inside. A towel was rolled up on the end of the bed, conveniently ready for me.
Tinniel placed me on my feet and grabbed it, looking away as I wrapped myself up and rubbed myself dry. My lack of energy left me drained and barely able to hold my own weight. Without waiting for his command, I crawled up the bed and slumped onto the pillow.
“You…er… The towel isn’t quite covering your…” Tinniel’s eyes flared when our gaze met.
Smiling, I patted the bed beside me, not bothering to cover my hip, where the towel had risen up.
A growl bubbled in his chest as he hesitated, clearly undecided on whether or not he wanted to join me. Or maybe he was afraid that I’d tricked him in order to seduce him. It wasn’t true. However, I wouldn’t mind his company or his thick calloused hands tucking me in.
“You need to sleep,” he whispered, his shoulders relaxing as his stare bore into me.
Quirking my eyebrows, I shook my head. “You need to perform a time spell so you can see what happened. It would be easier for us both.”
His mouth dropped open but nothing came out. He hadn’t thought of using his sorcerer magic? It made a lot more sense than me telling him a distorted version.
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, I patted the bed again. “Completely sure. Plus, I need your warmth. It’s cold in here.”
Admitting defeat, he came around to the side of the bed and climbed on. Instead of cuddling me into him, he took the blanket that laid nearby and wrapped me in it. The gesture, although slightly frustrating, brought tears to my eyes. Who would’ve thought that hard-man Tinniel was kind and sensitive when needed? Bloody hell, if he kept it up, my ovaries would burst.
“Hopefully the spell will give you energy rather than take it away,” he muttered, putting his arm around my shoulders.
Taking advantage, I tucked myself into his side. Yes, my hair was soaked and so was the towel. But this was too good to pass up.
“Ready?” he asked, looking down at me.
I smiled and nodded, my wet hair brushing on his shirt. “I’m ready.”
Within seconds, a calm enveloped me, the smell of him filtering up my nose and comforting my nerves as my eyes flickered closed.
We appeared on the deck of the boat, both dressed in our regular clothes. It was a good job, too, considering I was naked under the blanket.
“Wow.” Tinniel’s breath rushed out of his lungs. “There he is.”
As the past version of me appeared out from the living area, Henrick approached, smiling kindly. Tinniel stepped closer, his gaze completely fixated on his brother. What must it have been like to see the brother you believed dead in the flesh? My heart squeezed for him.
“He’s uncomfortable,” Tinniel said, studying his brother’s features.
“You know him better than me.” I licked my lips as Amera came over, bringing Mr Fender with her.
Bloody hell, was it wise of me to replay my traumatic experience so quickly? Couldn’t I just forget it?
Tinniel reached for my hand when I stiffened. Mr Fender was a nasty man; I could see it in his distasteful glare.
“What has he got against me?” I whispered.
“He’s jealous and afraid of you.” Tinniel sped up the memory, somehow following along.
Confused, I swallowed when we shadowed Amera and Mr Fender as they walked away. Tinniel listened to what they said, but I was too distracted, my heart racing at the thought of what was about to arise. How could they have treated me with such distain, as if I were a piece of crap on their expensive shoe?
“She’s dangerous,” Mr Fender hissed. “If she even so much as touches you, she can track you, maybe even control you.”
A bark of laughter fell from Amera’s lips as she waved her hand in dismissal. “The girl was never taught how to use her magic, she doesn’t know what she’s doing. I plan on incentivising her to get what we need.”
“If we don’t find the box soon, our race will rot to death.” Mr Fender shook his head, violently cursing when a big clump of his hair dropped to his shoulder.
Casually brushing it away, Amera smiled kindly. “Exactly. Let me do what I do best.”
“Manipulate people?”
My insides shook as she held up her fingers and clicked them, her nod indicating to her men that it was time. Time to torture me.
“Tinniel, I don’t know if I can do this.” My shaky voice was drowned out by my past self’s protests as I was dragged out onto the d
eck.
Henrick followed me, a concerned frown etched on his forehead. Why was he bothered? He was in on their evil deed. Although, something nagged in the back of my mind. Mr Fender had claimed that the vampires were rotting to death. Was there any truth to that?
Tiptoeing away from Tinniel, who clenched his teeth as I was manhandled to the platform, I sought the criminal mastermind, Mr Fender. Henrick had mentioned that he was inspired by the old man. I was intrigued to find out why.
He stood to the side of the platform, watching quietly. As I drew nearer, I counted the bald patches on his head. The white hair clumped together, revealing the greyish blue of his scalp. Maybe he was just aging… wait, duh. He was a vampire, his body was indestructible, stuck at the exact age he had been turned. How was it possible that he was losing his hair?
Amera was loud in the background, cursing the man who had shoved me onto my butt. Ah, yes, he had died with just one strike of her fingernail. Was that normal? Did she have a superpower that made it possible for her to kill the immortal?
“You!” Amera barked in the background.
Ignoring her, I stalked around the crowd, studying each vampire as they watched, their eyes widening in horror when their leader took out one of their own. Some of them had patches of blue skin that were peeling from their face. Shit, were the vampires mouldy?
“She says the witch can track the box,” one of the women said to her husband, “maybe the sorceress can be resurrected soon. Before I lose you.”
Tears tracked down her cheeks, smearing the foundation that had been caked over her skin in order to cover her blemishes. Her husband glanced down at her, a sad smile coating his lips. His hair was gone, leaving exposed… ew, his skull was showing, the skin eroded above his ears. Poor man.
Swallowing the bile that rose in my throat, I stared at the couple, unable to comprehend their dilemma. My heart would be breaking if I had to watch my man literally fall apart in front of me.
Henrick caught my eye, standing on the edge of the crowd, watching as Amera forced me to track the box. I couldn’t watch my own humiliation as it went quiet. The brother was looking down at his phone, which was tucked just out of his pocket. I distinctly remembered hearing Amera forbid phones at the party. What was Henrick doing?
Moving to hover behind him, I checked that Tinniel was still around. He stood at the front of the crowd, his hands clenched into fists and his cheeks bright red from rage. He had to be careful that he didn’t lose his temper. It would change the course of events if he interfered.
My stomach rolled when my eyes unintentionally grazed over myself. I hung on the chains, eyes closed and concentrating. I looked pathetic in the mini-dress, my dark blonde hair fallen forward and blood from the bite marks trickling down my neck.
“Bitch,” I whispered as my stomach knotted.
Henrick’s head whipped around, searching the area around us. I bit my lip and breathed slowly in an attempt to stay silent. Had he heard me?
His phone was tilted to the side, enough for me to sneak a peek. Boss. Hmmm. He was texting someone named Boss. Was it a nickname or a real boss? Who did he work for now?
Clearing his throat, Henrick looked down again, bringing the phone out even further when someone replied. I read his message first.
She’s sensing the box. Amera has pushed her too far. I don’t think she’d tell her even if she knew where it was.
The reply was short and sweet. She’ll know, she’s more powerful than she thinks.
Wait, did the person who texted Henrick know me? How would they know about my power?
Now I was even more confused than I had been when Henrick had confessed that he’d joined the bad guys. Was he working against them, too? Maybe he had a plan for the box that didn’t involve Amera and Mr Fender. Although, I’d just made a bit of an assumption from the one text.
“How could she cut you like that?” Tinniel’s voice made me jump, a gasp escaping my mouth as I gulped at the same time.
“Shush!” Pushing him away, I placed a finger over his lips.
His jaw was so tight, the skin covering it was white, almost shining through the stubble. “Henrick might hear us.”
Shaking his head roughly, Tinniel breathed heavily, trying to control his anger. I placed a hand on his chest, feeling the frantic beat of his heart. My own was going insane as my screams filled the deck.
“I’m going to break her,” Tinniel rasped, his hands coming up to my shoulders.
Before he could move me, Amera called Henrick. Tinniel went still, every sinew rigid as he watched his traitorous brother approach me.
“What’s she doing?”
Placing both my hands on his pecs, I braced myself. “We need to go.”
When Henrick’s lips touched mine, Tinniel opened his mouth and roared. I closed my eyes and pushed with all my might, willing his time spell to end.
The sound of the breeze disappeared and so did Tinniel’s cry. Opening my eyes, I breathed as Tinniel surged off the bed, his hands clenching into fists as he paced the room.
“He fucking kissed you?” he exclaimed, his bright red cheeks glowing in the darkened room.
Getting to my knees, I shimmied the towel out from under the blanket and threw it on the floor. Tinniel paused when I crawled to the end of the bed and knelt before him. “He didn’t have a choice.”
“Of course he did,” he spat.
His gaze kept slipping down to where I gripped the blanket around me. Air caught in my throat when he licked his lips and swore loudly. The charge fizzled under my skin, calling to him. Bloody hell, could he feel it, too?
Turning away, Tinniel hung his head. “Why did he kiss you?” he whispered. “He knows you’re mine.”
“Am I?”
The shaky words shot from my mouth before I could control them. He had been pretty distant ever since I’d met him, only drawing close a couple of times. In his rage, he was fired by his desire for me. What about when he was alone? Did he think of me then?
Looking at me over his shoulder, he blinked slowly. “The charge…”
“I don’t care about the charge. Am I yours because you want me?”
Keeping my trembling hands steady, I straightened my spine. I would not cower to him, afraid of what he would do. Not anymore. I had feelings too. Although complicated, they were growing.
“I could ask you the same thing.” His sigh was almost inaudible as he turned and came closer, his eyes glued to mine.
Heat unfurled within me as he stared, the warmth of him radiating out and caressing my bare arms. If I leant forward, would he catch me? Would he meld into me the way I wanted to melt into him?
“You are the most miserable sorcerer I know.” Placing my hand over his mouth when he went to protest, I shook my head. “And the sexiest man ever to exist.”
He grinned. Funnily enough, he didn’t deny that one.
“You’re also wickedly powerful and talented. You’re kinder than you let on, caring more than you realise.”
His finger came up to cover my lips. My tongue flicked out and licked his skin, sending a jolt of electricity through both of us. His eyes widened as he cupped my cheek and came closer, his breath fanning my face.
“Enough flattery,” he hissed, “you only know what I’ve shown you.”
“Then show me more.” My whispered words were stolen as his lips crushed mine.
My hands ran up his chest and wound around his neck, burying into his gorgeous hair. His scent filled my nostrils as he pushed my mouth open and delved inside, his tongue caressing mine.
An arm came around my waist as his chest pressed against me, gently urging me back on the bed. He lowered us down, his weight landing on me so hard, air rushed out of my lungs. And yet, I didn’t stop kissing him, pulling him even further onto me. A groan left my lips when he ran a hand up my naked leg, gently tickling the skin behind my knee.
My insides quivered as he ripped his mouth away, took my hair and pulled it so my neck was ex
posed. Lowering his head, he kissed and licked along my jawbone, his breath sending delicious bolts of desire spreading throughout me.
“Tinniel,” I moaned, running my hands over the ridges of muscle on his back.
He shifted down, his mouth hovering over the top of the blanket. His hooded gaze sought mine as I looked at him, my chest rising and falling as I tried to catch my breath. When his eyebrows raised in question, I grinned and nodded, completely ready for him to see me. Really see me.
“Do it.” My words were a puff on the wind.
His mouth opened a fraction and his eyes widened as he peeled away the blanket, his gaze gobbling me up and tenderly appreciating me at the same time. I’d fantasised about this moment for weeks, and now, his fingers traced over my collarbone before running around the edge of my breast.
Sucking in oxygen, I arched to meet his touch as he moved lower, running his fingers in a circle around my bellybutton. My muscles relaxed as the memories of my pain were washed away with his gentle massage.
“I’ll never let you hurt again,” he whispered, bending down to kiss my thigh.
When his fingers delved lower, I threw my head back and lost myself as he rose up to watch me. Heat fired inside me, driving me to rear up and rip at his T-shirt. He didn’t hesitate, grabbing the material up over his head and stripping out of his jeans before crawling up me.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his head leaning on mine as he hovered above me.
Sliding my hands down his rock solid sides, I reached around to his firm bum and slowly, exquisitely, drew him closer. As our bodies crushed together, Tinniel entered me, his eyes rolling into the back of his head and his hair falling down his back.
Our bodies worked together as fire licked along our muscles, tensing and releasing. Shudders overtook me as electricity pulsed over my skin, forging with Tinniel and drawing him even further into me.
“Fuck!” he shouted, as the pressure built and we both exploded, riding the wave of whatever it was that brought us together.
Collapsing on top of me, he heaved air into his lungs as I clasped his head against my neck. We shuddered, our bodies entwined and connected in a way I had never experienced before. The charge had well and truly been ignited.
The Witch With An Attitude (Federation of Magic Book 2) Page 12
