Caged Magic: Paranormal Romance Book (Iron Serpent Chronicles 1)

by Sadie Jacks

  I wanted to throw her on the counter and bury myself inside her. Right here. Right now. No matter the witnesses.

  For all her hesitation, she might not mind the witnesses either.

  “We can add her parents to the work we’re already doing, Ransom,” Asher said.

  Kiema flipped around to look at the screen. Asher shot her a wink.

  I felt my stomach drop to my toes. Fuck, I hadn’t had the chance to tell her yet. Fucking Asher, always talking when he shouldn’t. I loved the asshole, but wish he’d been born without vocal cords. Or at least a better brain/mouth filter.

  She turned on lap—right against my dwindling erection—that fucking hurt. She drilled her gaze into mine.

  “Damn it, Asher!” I yelled at him through our mental connection.

  Kiema’s gaze narrowed as she rubbed at her head. “Hurry up.” She crossed her arms, her body now stiff in my arms.

  “Are we doing this? Sharing this part of our lives with her?” I asked everyone mentally.

  “Hell, Ransom, she’s already thinking about taking us all on. I can’t imagine she’ll appreciate being left out in the cold like this,” Xander pointed out.

  “We do this, close her out now, we can kiss any of her help or healing goodbye,” Saint said. “I’m not sure I could do that. Over and above that doing so would essentially be telling her she’s only good to us as a healer, I need her.”

  I lifted my eyes to Saint’s on the computer screen. He looked like a man on the edge of drowning. I felt myself go still.

  “Explain,” I demanded carefully.

  He swallowed. “Having her sit on your lap makes me want to rip your fucking head off.” Saint held my gaze steadily. “I haven’t even met her in the flesh, but I know she’s mine. My entire body and spirit are fighting me, demanding I go to that cabin, take you down, and keep her for myself.”

  “Shit,” Asher said softly. On screen, he stepped back from the smaller man.

  “What’s going on? Why is Asher afraid of Saint?” Kiema asked me.

  I ran my hands down her arms.

  Saint’s dark eyes followed the motion.

  “I applaud your control,” I said with a sneer.

  “This isn’t what I wanted, Ransom. You know I would rather kill myself than hurt you. I’m telling you I need her. I could probably talk myself into sharing, but even that’s going to be a huge undertaking.” Saint looked back up at me.

  “We can discuss the rest of this later. We need to keep going on this conversation. Does everyone else agree we share our plans with Kiema?” I asked, keeping eye contact with my best friend, my brother.

  A round of yeses sounded in my head.

  Saint nodded, my chest loosened.

  I cleared my throat. Gave Kiema a squeeze. “We’re back. One of the reasons I negotiated for the extension of the ritual to last ten days was because we,” I waved a hand between myself and the computer, “intend to takeover my parents’ company.”

  I waited for her reaction.

  It wasn’t long in coming. Her eyebrows furrowed; her lips pinched. Her pale eyes darkened as she studied me.

  Just as I was getting ready to open my mouth, her expression cleared. “Okay. I guess my only question is why.”

  I hugged her to me as I glanced at the guys who were closer than my biological brothers. They nodded.

  “My childhood wasn’t as awful as yours. But it also wasn’t happy. I’m the first born of seven kids. Once my illness manifested when I was a toddler, I was shunted to the side. Allowed to watch, to learn, but never to participate. Perfection is the standard the Kolefni family flies over their dynasty. I didn’t fit that mold. It wasn’t until I was accepted as a Seeker candidate that I was even given a piece of the family company. I received one percent.”

  I bit back the rage that threatened to overtake me again at the thought.

  “I have two advanced degrees: economics and organizational leadership. But my closest male sibling, who couldn’t even finish high school, is being given the family company when my father retires. Why? Because he isn’t sick with some unknown malady. He’s able to present the right image. And that’s all my family cares about. Keeping our image perfect.”

  “Bitch can barely spell his own name,” Asher mumbled.

  Saint snorted, but didn’t disagree. My brother Matthias was an idiot.

  “In my late teens/early twenties, I met these guys at university.” I waved a hand at the screen. “Their stories are their own, and I won’t share them, but suffice it to say we have much in common. Right down to mysterious illnesses.”

  Kiema’s eyes went wide. Tears gathered on her lower lids. “All of you?” she asked, her voice barely over a whisper.

  Asher and Saint nodded, their faces closed down.

  “I’ll help you if I can,” she offered. “Even if you don’t help me save those people. I’ll do it.”

  My heart felt like it was going to explode with joy even while it iced over in fear.

  “We have to talk about that, Kiema. You know we do.” I turned her in my arms.

  “There’s nothing to talk about, Ransom. I get to choose who I heal. No one else. Not even you.”

  “What the fuck, man? You got healed and now you want to keep her all to yourself?” Asher lashed out.

  “Fuck you, Ash. I would never do that and you know it. She pays a price for each person she heals. If she wants to tell you what it is, that’s fine. But there are consequences. Don’t think she heals without them.” I could feel the fury churning in my gut.

  Kiema jerked in my arms. With narrowed eyes for me, she turned back to the screen. Cleared her throat. “I guess today is the day of secrets. No one outside of this group can ever know this.”

  Saint and Asher nodded. Xander slid into view, gave her a nod.

  She blew out a breath. “I lose six months off my lifespan for each person I heal.”

  All three men’s faces went pale.

  “She’s already fucking lost twelve and a half years. Which doesn’t include my healing.” I was still torn up over that. Sorting through those thoughts and emotions was keeping me in knots.

  “I’ve known for a long time. My parents told me when I was eleven.”

  “The same time they had you declared dead?” Xander asked.

  I winced at my friend’s tone of voice. Icy rage floated just beneath the surface of his lack of facial expression.

  Kiema nodded.

  Xander pushed his way offscreen.

  Kiema turned to me, confusion on her face. “Did I do something wrong?” she whispered.

  “No. He’ll be fine. Just give him some space,” Asher answered before I could open my mouth.

  Kiema nodded. “Which brings me to the…thingy…I threw up in the toilet.”

  Saint burst out laughing. I had never heard the quiet man laugh quite like that before in our almost fifteen-year friendship. She was healing all of us already.

  Asher stared at our friend, a smile pulling on the side of his mouth. “Damn, Saint. Warn a brother next time. Almost took my hearing out.” He stuck a finger in his ear, gave it a shake.

  Saint chuckled a little more before composing himself. “What kind of ‘thingy’ did you throw up in the toilet, honey?” He shook his head. “That’s not a sentence I ever thought I would say in my life.”

  Kiema giggled. “Ransom thinks it looks like an organ. I think it looks like a really weird sphere. I feel fine. Actually, I haven’t felt this good in my entire life. I actually crave touch now.”

  “That would be normal, especially if you’ve been deprived of it for the majority of your childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.” I rolled my eyes as Dr. Atlas moved into view.

  “That was fast,” I said. “Dr. Atlas, please meet Kiema Feuer.”

  “Ms. Feuer, it’s a pleasure. I would love to take a look at the specimen. In the toilet, you said?”

  Kiema waved at the newcomer. “Hi, Dr. Atlas.”

  He narrowed his
green eyes at all of the men. “You can call me Atlas, Kiema. Only these uncouth idiots use my title.”

  “I’ll do that, Atlas. Thank you.”

  He nodded his head, his white blond hair glowing in the overhead lights of the room we used as our headquarters.

  “Hi, Kiema. I’m Taryk.” The last of our crew waved from the back of the pack. With a background in covert work, Taryk was only seen when he wanted to be. His medium-brown bald head gleamed almost as brightly as his smile. “You’re sexier than Ransom let on.”

  Kiema wiggled in my lap. “Um, thanks?”

  “Definitely a compliment, kitten.” Taryk winked at her.

  “The specimen?” Atlas asked, drawing Kiema’s attention.

  “Oh, right.” She stood, grabbing the computer up. “Right this way, gentlemen.”

  I snickered. I followed her to the hallway bathroom. We still hadn’t done anything with what she’d thrown up, having no idea what it was or even could be.

  Kiema pointed the computer’s camera so it faced the toilet bowl.

  “Fuck, Ki-Ki. That came out of you?” Asher sounded like he was about to vomit himself.

  “Sure did. Gross, huh?” Kiema almost sounded like she was impressed with herself.

  “That’s fascinating. Can you touch it?” Dr. Atlas asked, his voice a deeper tone than all of the other men.

  “You did hear me just say it was gross, right?” Kiema lifted the computer up and around to peer at Dr. Atlas through the screen.

  He blinked quickly, a little out of sorts. Not too many people questioned Dr. Atlas. “Of course, I did. But I need to know more about it before I can make any kind of hypothesis. Is it firm or gelatinous in nature? Smooth or ridged? Hot or cold? These are things I need to know.”

  Kiema’s nose wrinkled. “I’m not touching it. Ransom?” She turned and looked at me.

  “No fucking way.” I shuddered.

  “You want to study it so badly, Atlas, you’ll need to travel to the cabin.” Kiema moved the camera back down to face the toilet.

  Silence reigned from the screen. I was a little taken aback by her offer.

  Saint cleared his throat out of sight. “Kiema?”

  “Yes?” She didn’t move the camera.

  “Can we look at you for a second, please, honey?”

  “Oh.” She snickered. “Sure. What’s up?”

  All five of my brothers were filling the screen.

  I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard Kiema sigh softly.

  “If Dr. Atlas gets to go, I’m coming, too,” Asher said before anyone else could speak.

  “Oh.” Kiema blinked. Bit her lip. She seemed to wrestle with something internally. I could almost hear the wheels turning a million miles a minute in her mind.

  “We don’t need to come there, honey. It’s okay,” Saint said. “We can continue to work how we are.”

  Kiema dipped her head as her shoulders slumped. An indignant sigh left her mouth.

  “I guess that means Ransom gets to touch the gross thing in the toilet,” Atlas said, a polite smile on his face.

  Kiema closed her eyes. She stiffened her shoulders, shook back her hair. “Wait.” She took a deep breath. “Y-y-you,” she cleared her throat.

  I heard her growl very softly. She tried again. “You all can come here. There are rules. Very important rules, but yes, of course, you should all come. There’s no reason that we should continue these discussions through the computer. I’ll tell the front gate to expect you.”

  She glanced up at me. I could plainly see the fear in her eyes. But I also saw the determination to take control, live the life she wanted.

  “You’re sure? We can keep doing it this way. No worries, no hassle, no hurt feelings.” I studied her face.

  “I’m trusting you all with my plans, my literal future. I can’t do that and not allow you all to come here.” She raised a finger to my lips as I opened them. “Truly.”

  She turned back to the screen. “I won’t lie, it freaks me the fuck out to have all of you here at the same time. But I’d like to think we’re friends. Right?” She nodded, not giving anyone a chance to answer. “And you’re helping me. I’m helping you. That’s what friends do. So yes.” This time it came out firmly, full of strength and will. “Yes, please come to the cabin.”

  She met each man’s gaze with her own, sent each man a smile.

  Then she turned to me. “Okay?”

  Was it okay? Could I handle sharing her this soon? My belly curdled. Better to find out now rather than have it fall apart later.

  I swallowed. “Sounds like a plan.”

  I turned to the screen, raised my voice just a tad. “Make sure you bring some chairs with you. The couch got trashed the first time I shifted. And bring me some fucking clothes that fit. Two sizes bigger should do it.”

  I slapped a hand over the computer, shutting it.

  Wrapping a hand around Kiema’s wrist, I tugged her from the bathroom.

  “I need you. Now. Before they get here.”

  I set the computer on the kitchen island before turning back. I had to get a hold of myself before I scared her. I closed my eyes, counting to ten.

  Hands flowed up my chest before heading to my waist.

  I had to start counting all over again.

  Fingers fiddled with my belt. A growl of frustration. The sheet covering my lower body ripped free. A rush of cool air slid over my rapidly overheating body.

  My eyes still closed, Kiema licked the tip of my cock before taking me into her mouth. Immediately, I touched the back of her throat. As she gagged, she inhaled through her nose, pulled me deeper.

  My fingers sank into her hair as my hips jerked forward. I opened my eyes to find her watching me. Her gray eyes crinkled at the corners as she moved her head from side to side.

  I groaned.

  “Fuck, Ki.”

  She pulled her mouth off me, her hand taking the place of her mouth. She slid a hand down her belly, slipping it under the waistband of her yoga pants as she pumped my cock.

  Watching her pleasure both of us had me growling low.

  “Up,” I bit the word off.

  She moaned, but didn’t let go of me. Didn’t move her other hand.

  I grabbed her under her arms, lifted her to her feet.

  She whimpered.

  I stripped her clothes off, ripping at the things that didn’t move fast enough.

  Spinning, I bent her over the edge of the kitchen counter. She inhaled quickly when her body met the smooth cold surface.

  Wrapping her hair around my fist, I kissed her shoulder blade. Lining myself up to her entrance, I whispered, “Mine,” right before I slammed home.

  Her body curled in my hands as her moan floated on the air.

  “Ransom.” She thrust her hips back at me. For every push, she met me. Our bodies moved in perfect harmony.

  “Mine.” I bit the sensitive spot between her neck and shoulder. Held her flesh between my teeth.

  Her cunt rippled around me.

  “No. You’re not done that fast.” I pulled my cock out of her. Her high-pitched whine a dark melody in my ears.

  Her breathing slowed as her body twisted and writhed in my hands. “Ransom. Please.”

  Turning her around, I lifted her to the island. Getting to my knees, I pulled her to the edge and drove my face into her pussy. Licking, sucking, lapping, nibbling, I used my tongue on her until she cried my name. Until my name became the only thing she could say.

  As I slid two fingers into her tight sheath, she lost the battle. Clenching on my fingers, she rode out her orgasm with her hands wrapped around my head. My mouth was covered in her cream.

  “Again,” I said as soon as she came down.

  “I don’t—”

  “Again,” I ordered. I pushed up her body, biting her skin. She squeaked and squirmed under the onslaught of my mouth.

  I reached her breasts. With one hand I pinched a nipple until the skin went white between my
fingers. As she sucked in a breath, I rammed my cock deep inside her.

  Her pussy felt so good, so fucking tight. Her breath hitched and she dug her nails into my sides.

  I let go of the abused nipple. Turning my attention to its mate, I leaned down and licked it. Without warning, I bit. My teeth sharp against the sensitive tissue.

  She bucked in my hands, her hips losing their rhythm.

  I slapped the side of her ass, the sound loud in the panting quiet.

  “Ransom.” The end of my name turned into a moan.

  More. I needed more. I needed all of her. I had to mark her.

  Moving my mouth to the side of her breast, I took as much of her into my mouth as possible. Sucking and pulling, I fucked her cunt with hard strokes that rocked her body across the kitchen island.

  Mark her. Mark her. Mark her. The words filled my brain until I couldn’t think of anything else.

  The flesh of her breast in my mouth, I bit down. Her body went still under mine for the briefest second. As I increased the pressure of my teeth, her nails raked down my back.

  I bit her, held her flesh between my jaws as her cunt clenched and pulled at my dick.

  Letting go of the abused tissue, I blew a cool breath over the mark. I could feel the walls of her pussy begin that deep quiver. I reached up with one hand, tangled my hands through her hair and pulled. Arching her lower body against my own, I rocked our lower bodies together, grinding her clit on the base of my cock with each circling surge.

  “Ransom. Ransom. Ransom.” Her eyes were blind, wild with lust.

  I slapped my other hand over the mark I’d made on her breast. As her body absorbed the spark of pain, her orgasm shot through her body and started mine. She screamed, her head tipped back.

  I grit my teeth at the sucking of her cunt on my cock. Unable to help myself, I latched my mouth to her exposed neck. I laid soft bites to the distended muscles as answering quivers rippled through her pussy.

  I pumped myself inside her until I was empty. Her name a dark litany in my head. I wasn’t sure I could share her.

  Her body went limp in my arms as our hearts began to slow. She snuggled into my chest, her fingers dancing across my hips as she licked at beads of sweat.