Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  He deflates as tears begin to stream down his dark cheeks.

  “I wasted so many years, so much time.” He sinks down, sitting on one of the low branches, his fingers rubbing over the rough bark. “I’m not surprised that she did it; I just regret sending her to them so long ago.”

  I consider if I should tell him I have her soul. That I could pull her from the darkness like I did the others. I’m not sure what he’d think.

  “Where is she?” His question pulls me from my doubt.

  “Evander took her with him.” He nods, understanding. “Caliel?”

  He studies me as I pause. “The devil himself unsure?” I grind my teeth. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” I shrug.

  “Do you know how I made the Princes?” He shakes his head a small frown in his face. “I pulled their souls from the darkness. Our souls aren’t like the humans; theirs go directly to Heaven or Hell, reward or punishment. Our souls go to oblivion, darkness, to nothing. Drayce described it once, it is worse than any Hell I’ve created.”

  “Grace.” So much sadness.

  “Surely, you knew.” He shakes his head. “Well, I can pull her from it. Bring her back.”

  “Why haven’t you, then?” His temper flares.

  “She would no longer be an angel, Caliel. She would no longer be welcome in Heaven.” He frowns again. Jesus, he can be dense. “She would be a demon.”

  “A demon.” The name sounds like a curse falling from his lips, and I bristle.

  “You know the Princes. You know Evander. I won’t have you speak of them that way. I’m offering you a way to have her back,” I growl. “Maybe I should ask Evander if he’d take her back in any form.”

  I leave him there under the tree and float, staying hidden, letting my wings carry me through the sky, the closest to Heaven I will ever be.

  34

  Torryn

  I can’t stop touching her, afraid she’ll disappear.

  I let her die.

  “I’m sorry, Angel. So sorry,” I murmur against her neck.

  Her hands slide up my back and move to my face, cupping my cheeks. She forces my face up to look into my eyes.

  “This was not your fault.”

  She smiles a little. “I should have never left you.”

  “I don’t think you did, not on purpose anyway.” Her reminder that Lucifer had taken me from her side makes my eyes flare.

  “I’m supposed to keep you safe…” She silences me with a kiss.

  I want to argue, but she nips at my lip then sucks it into her mouth. Damn, she learns quick. Shifting, I draw her under me, forcing her back onto the bed.

  “Where were we?” She smiles at me before pulling me down to her.

  She meets me with a hunger, different than before. Desperate. Driven. I understand it all too well. I will not waste a second I have with her. I will spend the rest of time loving her.

  Bracing on one arm, I reach up and grab her hand, pushing it over her head. “Keep it there.”

  She flushes at my words. Good. I do the same with her other hand, holding them both, stretching her out. Watching me with half closed eyes, she waits, chest rising and falling quickly.

  Holding up my other hand, I let one of my nails lengthen and heat. Her eyes widen when I slide it down her shirt. The material splits and smokes from my fire. Once again she is bared to me, glorious creamy skin beaded with sweat.

  Keeping my gaze locked with hers, I lean down and lick over the damp flesh.

  “Oh.” It comes out on a breath, a sigh, and a gasp rolled into one. “So hot.”

  Is she talking about the action or the heat? Hell, I don’t fucking care. Her taste goes to my head. There is no doubt she is a drug, and I’m her addict. One hit was all it took.

  “More.” A breathy plea, it’s one that makes me realize I had been frozen centimeters from her tightened nipple, my heated breath blowing over it as I was lost in thought.

  I need to touch her as badly as she wants me to. I want her to be just as addicted. Pushing up, I look down at her and release some of my power. Crimson silk wraps around her wrists before winding up the head board. Her eyes roll up, and she watches as a hook appears, imbedded in the stone wall. The red stands stark against the darkness of my room and the paleness of her skin.

  Looking back at me, she draws a deep, steadying breath as a hint of uncertainty flares in her eyes.

  “Same rules, Angel. Only what you want.” Dragging my nail down her pants, I tear them away, finding lace the exact shade as her nipples.

  Do women do that shit on purpose? Do they spend hours and hours searching for the perfect shade? She moves slightly, and I let my gaze travel up her body, noting the quivering of her stomach. Sweat has pooled at her belly button, running down from the valley between her breasts.

  I let my nail retract and try to rein in my heat, not wanting to hurt her.

  “Torryn, you have to do something.”

  Oh, I’m going to do so many things. I scoot back and pull her pants from under her then run my fingers up her legs, stopping at the knees. I pause, putting a slight amount of pressure on each, waiting, letting her decide.

  She lets her legs fall open, and I move between them, pushing them wider with my knee while trailing my fingers higher, stopping when I discover a freckle inches from that pink lace.

  Bending down, I kiss it then nibble at it, reveling at the quiver that runs through her. So responsive and I’ve just begun.

  “I…” She trails off when I shift my focus.

  I blow my breath over that lace before following it with my tongue. I hear the silk as she pulls it tight. Her hips push down, flexing as the pink darkens with wetness.

  “I want more,” she demands.

  “More what?” My question vibrates over her most sensitive flesh.

  “Everything.” She rotates her hips slightly. “You.”

  Shit. That word makes me harder than anything ever has before. Hunger beats at me.

  “I’ll give you everything, Lillian.” Her name is a prayer.

  One last swipe of my tongue before I continue up her body, I take my time at the curve of her waist and the satiny skin just beneath the creamy mound of her breast. My stubble rubs over the curve of first the left then the right, turning the skin a pale pink.

  Her breath is sawing in and out of her lungs, and she arches her back, thrusting them closer to me, silently asking for more. Everything.

  Sliding my hand up her side until I cup the plump mound in my palm, I squeeze it gently, kneading it as I turn my mouth to the other. Her nipple grows harder when my lips close over it.

  A low moan escapes her when I draw on it deeply, rolling it across my teeth.

  “I want to feel you,” she murmurs.

  I want her to, want to feel her hands all over me, but I also want this to last. So, I’m keeping my clothes on. For now.

  “Soon,” I say, “but first I’m going to feast.”

  35

  Lillian

  Oh, God, he sounds feral and dangerous, and I don’t understand why that makes me wetter.

  Red eyes roll up to meet mine; they are filled with hunger, like he is ravenous. It should scare me, but instead I’m thrilled, filled with curiosity and anticipation but also in trepidation. Every sensation is new, unknown, and terrifying.

  I understand what this is. It is forever.

  Teeth bite at me, pain morphing into pleasure. White hot flashes fire through my nerves, racing from my nipple to my core. Muscles I didn’t know I had clench with need.

  A constant rumbling is coming from him and it vibrates through my breast. Rolling my hips up, I push into him, feeling the hardness and length. It, him, he feels huge and a flash of fear hits me.

  The sound of my wet flesh popping from his mouth and the quieting of his growling rips me from my thought.

  “Are you okay?” The red is fading to sapphire, and they are filled with concern.

  Of course he noticed my body’s reactio
n. I nod but he narrows his eyes.

  “I need to hear you, darling.” He rises on his arms, moving up over my face. “I didn’t mean to go too far, too fast. I don’t want to scare you.”

  Sighing, I smile as my cheeks heat. This is so damn embarrassing, and I can’t even hide my face, although my arms still flex trying to. The silk loosens, letting my arms pull free. In that moment, my freedom disappears.

  “Oh my God, this is so…” I do cover my face as I continue, “I don’t know how you are going to fit.” Mortified.

  Booming laughter fills the air, and I peek through my fingers. His face is breathtaking as he grins down at me. Shifting, he presses into me as he leans toward me his lips skimming over mine.

  “We will fit perfectly. You were created for me, and I for you.” Holy smokes, he knows just what to say. “By the time I’m done tasting every inch of your skin, you will be more than ready for me.”

  Sweet and sexy. His fingers are caressing over the skin on my side, just below my breast, and I let my hands fall away from my face. I don’t know what to do with them -- stretch them back above my head the way he wanted them or touch him like I want?

  “What do you want?” His voice is low, making me think of hot humid nights.

  “I want to make you happy. You deserve to be happy.” It’s the truth.

  Is it crazy to want him this much, care about him this much? Maybe but isn’t that what soulmates mean?

  He’s staring at me. “Created for you, that’s what you said. We, humans, call it soulmates.” I watch him roll the word over in his mind. “Just for you.” Pausing, I wait until he focuses on me. “All for you.”

  I’ve never been a halfway type of girl; it’s all or nothing with me. If I’m honest with myself, I already love him, at least a little. How he cares for his friends, how he sacrifices himself, and how he’s ignoring what he wants to give me what I do.

  “You have to be sure, Angel.” God, I love when he calls me that. I nod. “Forever.”

  “Are you trying to talk me out of it?” I smile at the instant denial on his face.

  “I just wouldn’t survive if you changed your mind later.” Sweet, sweet demon.

  I finally know what to do with my hands. Lacing my fingers into his hair, I pull his mouth down to mine. Kissing his deeply, I demand entrance before pouring my trust and a tiny spark of love into him.

  He doesn’t move for a moment and then something snaps, some last chain he had holding his hunger. He falls on me like the demon he is. Flames lick over my bare skin as he makes good on his declaration to feast on every inch of me.

  I lose track of time. Hours or maybe days later, my body is shaking with need.

  “Now, Torryn.” The lace disappeared at some point, but he has yet to taste the very center of me.

  He pushes up and slides off the bed, leaving me. I make a noise like some wild animal. Anger bubbles until he pulls off his shirt. Oh God, finally. Tan skin and bright colors make my mouth water. His hand falls to the button of his jean. Yes, please. Pulling my swollen lower lip into my mouth, I watch, riveted, as he slowly unbuttons one after the other until he springs free. No underwear. Huge.

  I feel that uncertainty again until he grasps himself, running his hand up and then down twice, unashamed. Fuck. The word startles me, and I giggle. One eyebrow arches.

  I really try to not do it again but one bubbles up. He falls on me, hands gripping my knees and spreading them wide enough that his shoulders fit between. Baring me to him, he kisses along my inner thigh, causing my leg to quiver. As he draws close to my mound, I hold my breath, waiting for that first touch, something I’ve dreamed of for a long time.

  Looking up, he pins me with his electric blue gaze daring me to watch. I can’t look away as one finger slides through my wet folds, top to bottom, and then he brings it to his mouth. Tasting me. Red sparks light his eyes even more as he begins to repeat the action, this time stopping to circle the nub nestled there.

  My eyes close as sensation overwhelm me, but a moment later, the pressure is gone as I moan, wanting more of the velvet heat of his tongue starting a new attack.

  He licks and bites at that bundle of nerves, sending streaks of pleasure throughout my body. My fingers curve into the covers, trying to anchor myself. Heels dig into the mattress as his finger slides gently in, stretching me slightly.

  Pressure begins to build, and my legs shake as muscles tighten. I chant his name, begging for more but unsure if I can take the very thing I’m asking for. He pushes me higher, adding a second finger and curling them.

  “Oh, God,” I cry, so close to tumbling off an invisible cliff, but he withdraws.

  Panting, I look down at him. Why did he stop? He rolls his eyes up to my face and then does the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. A long slow lick, curling the tip up, scooping up my juices.

  He crawls up over me stopping only when he reaches my face. His lips are wet with me. Uncurling my fingers, I bring them to his face, running my thumb over his bottom lip before bringing it to my mouth.

  A swift intake of breath lets me know he likes it.

  “I need to be in you.” And I agree.

  He nudges at my entrance, and I tense instantly, reminded of his size.

  “Kiss me,” I beg, wanting him to distract me. Trusting him.

  Rising up, I give him no choice, kissing him deeply. He steals my breath and muddles my mind while thrusting forward inch by inch. The feel of him stretching me, filling me, starts to unleash a need in me.

  “I hate to hurt you, Angel,” he murmurs against my lips as he holds himself still. There goes my heart again.

  Closing my eyes, I thrust myself up, pushing him past the thin barrier. The pain is lost in the sensation of fullness. He kisses me again slowly, pulling back before thrusting back in, seating himself fully.

  “Lift your legs.” A demand. More moisture coats him, and he growls.

  I do what he asks, and he flips over, pulling me on top of him, buried deep the whole time. Straightening, I sit there, looking down, unsure.

  “You are in control.” His hands slide up my thighs to my waist then further to cup my breasts. Rolling my nipples between his thumb and forefinger, he causes fiery pulsing in my core.

  Pushing aside my doubts, I begin to rock, dragging him over my sensitive swollen flesh. Over and over, harder and harder, I drive us both higher and higher. He begins to thrust up, one hand going to my waist to hold me steady, pounding into me while I grind down. Faster we move together, racing to the edge.

  Fireworks explode as I come apart, muscles locking down on him. I scream, and it echoes possible through all of Hell.

  “Holy shit.” I raise my head from where it had fallen back in ecstasy. That was not the exclamation I was expecting. I frown a little as I notice his eyes are focused behind me.

  36

  Torryn

  Fuck, she’s beautiful, glorious in her passion. Her muscles clamp down, and I know I will come just seconds behind her. Her head falls back in abandon, and she rides the waves of her orgasm, rocking her body. She clamps down more and screams. My seed erupts, filling her.

  Holy shit, fucking wings. Snowy white dazzling wings erupt from her back, tips touching the floor as they sparkle with starlight.

  “Did I do something wrong?” Her question forces my eyes to hers.

  “No, Angel, you didn’t.” Angel. My angel.

  I remember my wings. They were light, so much a part of me I didn’t notice them much.

  “Look behind you.” She glances over her shoulder and screams again. Not in pleasure.

  Rising up, I grasp her hands as she reaches back to grab a hold of her newest additions.

  “Wings.” She chokes on the word. Pressing her hands against my chest, I shift slightly and pull her to me, holding her tight. “How?”

  Pounding at the door causes her to jump. I knew Luc would show sooner or later after that last terrified scream.

  “Just a sec, Luc,” I call out b
efore shifting her off my lap while gritting my teeth at the sensation.

  Her eyes flare and her breath catches. Fuck me. Shaking my head, I focus on getting her covered in the sheet, wrapping the black fabric around her. I pause at the stark contrast between not only her creamy skin but also the white feathers.

  “Torryn.” He’s impatient.

  Grabbing my pants, I jerk them up and over my hips as I cross to the door. Throwing it open and stepping back as I button them, he steps through, his face turned toward me with a heated glare plastered on it. I jerk my head in her direction and wait for his reaction.

  It does not disappoint.

  Jaw falling open, he stops dead in his tracks, and I grin, looking beyond him to her. She is magnificent.

  She’s sitting at the corner of the mattress, legs curled up, hair wild and massive wings arching from her back. They reach two or three feet above her head and the tips are curved along the floor. I’d estimate they are at least eight feet, maybe more.

  She looks at him, shoulders falling slightly. Rushing to her, I kneel, taking her hands once more.

  “They are glorious,” I murmur, bringing her hands to my lips and kissing over the whitened knuckles.

  “Please, what’s happening to me?” I glance back at Lucifer, praying he has some idea.

  “Could it be because she was given an angel’s life essence?” I hope to remind her of the gift, of the love.

  “Could it?” She sounds somewhat hopeful.

  “I don’t think so. I’m sorry, I know that isn’t what you want to hear.” He walks to my side and reaches his fingers out, pausing just before touching them. “May I?”

  She nods, watching him. Her eyes close as he caresses them gently. I remember well the sensitivity of those downy feathers. His hand drops right as I reach my limit.

  “What am I supposed to do?” Swinging her legs over the edge, she pushes up.