Isabella was always a little more powerful than most at her age. This Halloween she had a feeling that Rita was right in the fact her magic was going to increase again and probably a lot more than the others in the coven.
As the blankets tucked themselves in along the corners, Isabella lay on top stretching out her tight muscles. Then, she remembered the paper Peter gave her. Her heart raced as she scrambled up, digging inside her pants for it. Clasping her fingers around the paper, she withdrew it and opened it up. The bird along the edge glistened as a ripple of light crossed the wings. Shivers raced up Isabella’s spine. She tentatively touched the image almost expecting the bird to flutter under her touch, but nothing happened.
As she began to read the words, a ghostly image of each word floated from the page then dissipated into the air with a dark pop.
“Okay, this is weird. Where did Peter find this?”
In order to invoke the magic, she would have to prick her finger and let a drop of blood soak into the paper. Easy enough, she thought. Looking around the room for some type of instrument, her eyes landed on the fork Peter brought in with her meal the night before. Grabbing it up, she crossed her legs on the bed and got comfortable.
A fork was not the most ideal object for pricking her finger. She would have gladly accepted a straight pen or a knife, but, unfortunately, none was to be found. The fork would have to do.
Gripping the fork where the tongs faced down, she pointed her middle finger then pressed a sharp tip against her skin. She squeaked as the pain rushed through her hand and up her arm as the blood beaded on the tip. Quickly, she pressed the blood to paper. Right before her eyes as if incredibly thirsty, the paper sucked up the blood leaving nothing but a small dark spot where she had placed the blood. Instantly, the room cooled, and her magic felt like it was being called forth. Her eyes went to the words on the paper. She read them aloud, her voice chanting within the confines of the room. A wind rushed over her causing her hair to blow around her.
Isabella felt a stirring in the air. Then, suddenly she was pulled and pushed, her body contorted. She wanted to scream in pain, but there really wasn’t any, just discomfort. Colors flashed before her eyes in a swirling vortex of space. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping it would calm the dizzying motion. Her body moved faster and faster into the colorful void. The paper with the spell flew out of her grasp.
Then, her body slowed as she was lightly placed on a cold floor. The tunnel she traveled through disappeared while her eyes began to adjust to her surroundings. It was dark around her. The walls were made out of large gray stones. A flame from a torch flickered across the space around her, showing Isabella the small room she had landed in. It wasn’t much of a room. The walls curved into a circle. No furniture of any sort could be seen.
“Damn, did I go from one prison to another?” Her voice bounced off the wall, making a shiver run up her spine.
“Well, wherever here is, I better find my way out.”
Spotting the door, she pulled with all her might. The door opened with a loud creak.
“Okay, if anyone is out there, they obviously know I’m here now.” Peeking her head out, Isabella looked one way then another. No one could be seen, so she slipped out the door into the long corridor. Choosing on instinct, she raced left, hoping it was the way out.
She ran faster and faster. The stale air burned her lungs as she panted, pumping her arms to gain speed. For some reason, she knew she had to get out. This place held magic, but she couldn’t determine if it was dark. Turning a corner, she ran into a large wall stopping her dead in her tracks.
With her hands firmly on the hard surface in front of her, she looked up into the most dazzling eyes she had ever seen. Her body responded instantly, tightening in lower places as her mind conjured naughty images of this man before her. Her fingers of their own accord lightly felt the muscles of his chest. Each ridge and crest was smooth and rock hard. He definitely worked out.
“Um, hi,” she finally ground out. Then, she started rambling words. “God, I’m so glad I ran into you.” She tried to back away from him, but his hands on her shoulders gripped her tighter.
“I’m sorry if this is your home, but you see, a friend of mine was trying to help me, and he gave me this spell to get me out of this…well… this dangerous situation.”
The man’s eyes narrowed as if he tried to understand every syllable out of her mouth. She continued as she wondered if this man even spoke English.
“And see, I did the spell and ended up here. Like I said, I’m sorry if this is your home. It’s nice and all, but you see I really need to get going.”
“Cease your speaking.” His voice rolled across her skin like it was a hand stroking her flesh. It felt comfortable and calming, even safe. She stopped speaking abruptly and stared up into his dark shimmering eyes.
“Isabella?” He whispered.
Isabella looked at him questionably. “How do you know who I am?”
* * * *
Hawk couldn’t believe the sight before his eyes. Isabella had been delivered directly to him. How could this be? The heat of her skin soaked through her shirt and into his hands. He wanted to close his eyes and just let his sense of touch take over as he explored her delectable flesh. The need to pull her into his body to see how they fit overrode all thoughts. Hawk wanted to lean in close to her neck where he knew her scent would be the strongest and just inhale.
Her question jarred him from his thoughts. How could he explain to her that he was a high level demon? The highest actually. Not completely evil, he captured the evil souls of men and women and held them captive. Hawk feared she would run screaming. Now that he had her, he didn’t think he could let her go.
“I was warned of your arrival,” he lied. “I can help you.” In order to keep her, he would have to convince her he could help her, and he would help her. She would not be sacrificed. The purity of her soul could be seen in a halo of light around her body. It called to him in a way he had never felt before.
“You were warned? Did Peter contact you? He was such a help, and his mother is such a beast.”
The name of another male upon her lips pissed him off. Before he could think of what to do, he bent his head and captured her lips. Power raced over his flesh, igniting something inside him. At first, her lips were stiff underneath his, but he gently coaxed them until they softened. The subtle give of her will pierced his chest. No one had ever allowed him such a thing so easily. Everyone feared him. This little woman, however, seemed welcoming to his advance. That small gesture, the softening of her lips, could easily undo him. Isabella’s body still felt tight. With his hands, he slid them down to her wrists circling her delicate bones with his large fingers. She was tiny, petite but perfect in everyway. He couldn’t believe he was kissing her.
His tongue brushed across the slit of her lips, and tentatively she opened again, slipping her tongue out to touch his. With the connection of their tongues completing the circuit, a spark of electricity raced between them. Her body arched. He felt her full breasts against the muscles of his chest. The hard pebbles of her nipples pushed against him.
The kiss lingered, not too passionate and not too chaste. Isabella tasted just as he imagined—sweet, juicy, and so delicious. He cupped the back of her head and taught her how to kiss. He guided her with his tongue, as she would cautiously follow his movements. Her innocence made him desire her more.
By sheer will of strength, he pulled away from her mouth. Her eyes closed, and her perfect flushed lips held their position for a moment. He fought the urge to kiss her more. With her, he felt almost human, and all his needs rushed to the front of his body, straight to his aching cock. It pushed against his pants begging for release, but he would have to show her she could trust him. Although most demons could not be trusted, his queen would have to trust him impeccably.
When she opened her eyes and looked at him with a small smile upon her lips, he felt his own lips turn up at the edges.
“Wow. Do you greet all your guests in such a wonderful way?”
Finally, he allowed her to step away from him. Hawk was bombarded with a force to pull her into him again. He didn’t like the feeling of her being away from him. All his sins came crashing back into him.
“No. I do not.”
“Well, it was nice. Sorry if I was a little clumsy. I…uh…haven’t had much practice.”
Her honesty undid him. This woman, who would be his queen, was a treasure. His treasure. She would be the one who could balance his inner demons and, hopefully, let him touch a piece of his humanity.
“Sorry. I was not warned of your beauty.”
Her skin flushed. Hawk reached out and traced a finger down her jaw. “Why do you blush, Isabella? I’m sure you’ve been told that many times.”
“No, actually, I haven’t. That was very sweet of you, but really I must be going.”
Panic rushed through him. How to keep her here with him without her freaking out on the other demons?
“You need to stay here with me. Just until after Halloween. Then, you can leave if you so choose to at that time.”
He let his expression show his true meaning and her eyes widened.
“I really don’t want to be a burden. I can make my own way.” She leaned forward as if worried someone would overhear their conversation. “I’m a witch. I can handle whatever comes after me.”
Hawk admired her confidence.
“I’m sure you can, Isabella. You will stay here with me in my home until after Halloween. There is no other option.”
When she looked at him, he felt the world tilting. Just her presence pulled him in. The spark of defiance lighted her beautiful eyes.
“Who are you?” she whispered.
“They call me Hawk, and you have no need to fear me.”
He could make her stay with him. His rule was law, but he found her personality refreshing. For once, he wanted a woman to stay with him because she wanted to.
Isabella’s body relaxed as if she came to a decision. “Fine, I’ll stay here with you, but, as soon as Halloween is over, I need to get going.”
Hawk needed to touch her. He needed to feel her skin underneath the harshness of his flesh. He knew his skin wasn’t smooth like others or soft as most humans. He hated that she would have to endure it, but he couldn’t resist. He reached out slowly, and she looked at his approaching finger. She didn’t flinch; she didn’t pull away. Instead, his Isabella stood still while he traced the tip of his finger down her cheek to her neck, down between her breasts until her shirt wouldn’t allow any more progress.
Her breath picked up, and he thought he heard a small moan. His eyes had been following the path of his finger missing her expression. Then, when he looked up at her, a spark of desire and passion came to life in her beautiful whisky colored eyes.
“I am glad you will stay here, Isabella. Come, let us get something to eat.”
As if the thought triggered her hunger, Hawk heard her stomach rumble, and it made him smile.
Chapter 4
With her stomach full from the wonderful meal Hawk prepared for her, Isabella felt suddenly tired. The last few days must have taken more out of her than she thought. It was great that such a sexy man would allow her to invade his home. She couldn’t get much luckier.
Looking at Hawk out of the corner of her eye, tension tightened her stomach. His dark eyes looked liked they had seen much, and the slight wrinkles around his mouth indicated he often held it in a tight unrelenting line. She wondered what he would look like in a full laugh. Would his eyes sparkle with life, or would they still hold that fathom of anger?
Leaning on the large table, she rested her head in her palm watching him carefully place a piece of meat in his mouth then chew with determined force. His tongue briefly made its appearance as it swiped away some juice that had fallen on his lip. Isabella licked her own in response and couldn't believe the image that rose unbidden in her mind.
She could imagine licking away the stray juice on his lip while she also explored the rest of his mouth. Her eyes went to his neck, and she noticed for the first time the finely raised skin circling his flesh. Wanting to reach over and touch it, she balled her fist and lifted her head.
Her movement brought the full attention of his sharp gaze on her. She felt it down to her toes. Hawk placed his fork at the side of the plate while his eyes narrowed to watch her more intently. Then, his eyes dropped to her neck, making her very aware of his lustful gaze. She cleared her throat and touched the spot, where she imagined he looked, with the tip of her fingers.
"This is a beautiful castle, Hawk. Who else shares this place with you? It feels huge."
Hawk carefully wiped his mouth with a linen napkin then placed it on the table before he answered. Her body hummed with his presence so close, and Isabella forced the erotic thoughts from her mind. It didn't work because, as soon as he opened his mouth, pictures of the two of them naked together in a huge four poster bed rose in her mind. Their bodies slipping together as he covered her naked form touching her with his large hands and showing her pleasure like she had never imagined.
"Isabella?"
Whoa, she wondered. She had almost fully slipped into that little fantasy. She smiled shyly. "Sorry, what did you say?"
"I said there are many who stay here. They like to keep away from the master of the castle. I can be quite…" He narrowed his gaze on her as he leaned forward. Her heart picked up its beat. "Dangerous."
The word sent a swirling vortex of pleasure straight to her core. Her mind screamed to leave this man. He was powerful, and he even said himself that he was dangerous. Her body, however, melted in his presence.
"Never to you, Isabella."
Her eyes widened. She scooted away from the table and stood to run. She wasn't sure, but she didn't want any hindrance in her attempt to flee if she needed to.
Hawk stood too and circled the table to stand in front of her. Rooted to her spot, Isabella stood there as his large hot hands settled on her shoulders. He was much bigger than her five foot four frame. Even though he said he wouldn't hurt her, she couldn't stop the thrill of fear racing in her blood.
"Isabella, I only want to help you. Please do not fear me."
"I…I…don't." Surprisingly, she didn't feel the least amount of danger when he touched her, but logically she knew she should. She covered one of his hands with her own and tensed. Had this man ever been shown an ounce of compassion before?
"Why do you flinch when I touch you, Hawk?"
Hawk pulled his hands away from her but still stood in place. If she leaned forward the least little bit, her breasts would brush up against his hard muscular chest.
"I've led a hard life, Isabella. That is all you need to know for now."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. It’s just you look so sad."
"Ah, yes. Sad. I suppose I am. Come, I will walk you to your room."
After he turned away, it took her a moment to realize he had walked away before she was finished talking to him. She wanted to get to know him. If she could bring him a moment of happiness before she left, then her wild trip through space was worth it.
Finally catching up to him, she grabbed his hand twining her fingers with his in order to slow him down. Hawk didn't stop but looked down at their interlocked hands. Something flickered through his eyes before he looked away.
"Why are you unhappy, Hawk? Everyone deserves happiness. Even Rita, I guess," Isabella ground out. Just the mention of the woman's name made her anger swiftly rise and her power flare.
"Hold on a second, Bella."
Bella? She wondered at the shortened use of her name and found she liked the way it rolled off his tongue. It made her feel beautiful and special.
"Who is Rita?" Hawk asked.
The deeper into the castle they went the walls around them changed into a deep midnight color. The flicker of the torches on the wall made Isabella wonder if there was any type of electric
ity running in the castle at all. Maybe he enjoyed the ambiance the torches brought to the scenery. She found it strangely arousing.
"Rita is the High Priestess who oversees the coven. She is the one I'm running from."
"Yes, yes. Rita is her name, then. You should have no worries; Rita will not find you here."
"Well, considering I'm not even sure where here is, and I had to get here through this strange tunnel, I doubt she'll be able find her way."
Hawk stopped in front of a large door. He turned his gaze to her and touched her arm. Isabella loved the way he always wanted to touch her. Every man had always been so afraid to before. Where his hand rested on her arm, she covered it with her own and looked up into his eyes. The same sadness was reflected there. With her other hand, she cupped his jaw. Running her thumb across the underside, she felt the bristle of his stubble. The scrapping noise under her nails sent chills racing down her spine.
"You have the most beautiful eyes," she said. Pulling her hand quickly away, she wondered why she had said such a thing. He grabbed her hand and replaced it on his cheek.
"Your touch soothes me, Isabella. It has been so long since I have felt this calm and in control." Hawk clasped his free hand behind her neck. Isabella's hair fell across the outside of his hand. With slight pressure, he pulled her closer…and closer.
Her breath came out in a rush, as she feared he was going to kiss her again. She longed for it, yet feared what he would do to her. She had just met this man, but inside she felt a connection like no other.
Witch Page 2
