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

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  Before I can answer or even nod, we are in a suite with the Houston skyline well below us.

  We are alone. Placing her gently on the bed, I go into the bathroom and start a bath. Picking up the bottles on the edge, I open them, smelling them. Shrugging, I pour the entire thing in the water. In seconds, bubbles are almost flowing over the edge. The air is thick with steam when I go back to her, sitting on the edge of the bed.

  “Wake up, Angel,” I whisper near her ear. “Come on. I ran a bath. You should soak or you’ll be sore.”

  She grumbles and pushes at me. “I’m sleeping.”

  “Come on.” Pulling her up, I slide the shirt up over her head. This wakes her up. Her lids are half closed, but her eyes are filled with desire. “No, darling, you need to get in the bath.”

  Those beautiful emeralds glitter as they narrow. Oh man, trouble. She reaches for the waist of her jeans, unbuttoning them and sliding them over her butt and down her legs. She walks around me, hips swaying, completely naked. Fuck.

  Closing my eyes, I force myself to stay where I’m at. She needs to relax, not be jumped on. The sound of her sinking into the water has my feet moving before my brain can catch up.

  I catch myself in the doorway, trying and failing to lean casually against the jam. She’s laying almost flat, the bubbles covering everything but her neck and head. She’s watching me as she swirls the water with her fingers. After a minute. she raises one leg out of the water. Bubbles slide down her pink skin as she places her heel on the side of the tub. Soon after, the other leg does the same on the other side.

  She smiles at me, just a small knowing smile, and I grit my teeth.

  “Dammit, Angel, I’m trying to let you relax.”

  “Who says I want to relax?”

  She raises her right leg, running a hand over it before crooking her finger at me. Who am I to deny her? Pulling my shirt over my head, I enjoy the heat that flares in her eyes. Stripping off my pants, I walk to the side of the tub and stand there as her gaze travels over every bared inch. Stepping in the water, I sink to my knees in between her legs.

  The water sloshes over the side, and small waves lap up her neck and then recede, baring the top mounds of her breast before covering them once more. I brace myself on my arms as I lean down and capture her lips, swallowing her sigh.

  She thrusts her tongue in, tasting me, pouring herself into me. Legs slick with water and soap slide around my waist, pulling me down to her. I’m happy to oblige, anything she needs. She moans as I let my length rub over her.

  We break apart, both gulping air. I move my lips and teeth to her neck, licking over the vein that is pulsing, then biting it. I apply more pressure with my canines when her hips roll.

  Part of me wants to break the skin, taste her very life force, and the need gives me pause. Releasing the flesh, I move back slightly and stare at her.

  “What have you done to me?” Confusion mars her face even as her hand comes to my face. One finger reaching out, she rubs the soft pad over one of my teeth.

  “I haven’t noticed it before.” She sounds both fascinated and worried.

  Running my tongue over the other, I find it longer and sharper. “Ow.” She yelps as that which I so want drips onto my tongue.

  Heaven. Power. Her. All course through me, those tiny drops hitting me like a hit of heroin. Addictive. Fuck. I push further back, suddenly worried, not for myself but for her.

  “They’ve never been this long or sharp.” I know she hears the fear in my voice. “I won’t hurt you.”

  “You would never.” She follows me, sitting on my thighs. I grit my teeth at the feel of her there. Her heat grazing over me.

  “Lillian.” I want to warn her. “I want to bite into your neck, drink you down.”

  Her eyebrow raises. “Kill me?”

  The denial is out of my mouth before she can finish her question. “Never.”

  A smile curves her lips as she nods. “We’ll go slow then.” Normally that aggressive tone would have me falling on her like the demon I am. I shake my head.

  “We should call Luc or at least Evander.” Catching her under her arms, I rise as she lets her hot skin glide over mine. “Fucking hell, Angel, stop.”

  “Never.” Her head drops forward, her tongue licking over my skin. “You and I, we are something new, never before. They don’t have answers. We need to find our own.” A finger presses into my lips preventing my response, my argument. “Take me to bed.”

  A demand. My control and my resolve is failing. “Now.” She smiles.

  Looking away from her upturned face, I find myself by the bed. Traitorous body.

  “I trust you,” she whispers.

  I look back at her face, still undecided. Chewing at her lip, I watch as she decides something.

  “I know it’s been just days. Maybe it’s the situation. The fear. Maybe it’s the magic. Or maybe it’s the soulmate, destiny thing. But I think it’s just you.”

  Pausing, she draws the deepest possible breath, holding it for a minute before it sighs out. Jesus, this must be bad, her face is creased with worry. I wait. “I… you… shit.” She closes her eyes and puffs out another breath. “I’m already like halfway in love with you, Torryn.”

  She keeps her eyes closed, thankfully because she can’t see the look on my face. Joy. Me, she loves me, at least a little. I lay her back, watching as her eyes open, seeing the truth of her words there.

  I want her for my own, desire her, need her, but do I love her? Yes. Not what she represents but her. The girl that survived the Fallen, who no longer hides her scars from me, who killed to save her friend, and who sees the men my brothers are. I love her.

  Her body melts as she watches me. Pulling me down to her, she kisses me, and I put every ounce of that love into the kiss, unable to say the words that are so foreign to my demon nature.

  Still, I’m vigilant about this new development, this new hunger. It beats at me now that I’ve had a taste.

  I want to take my time, but she’s having none of it, wrapping her fingers around me, stroking from base to tip. Breaking the kiss, growling at the feeling racing through me, I ignore her neck. Instead I kiss over her collarbone and make my way to her breasts. The luscious mounds are flushed with desire, the nipples hard with need. My tongue flicks out, wetting one, and she whimpers, arching her back and thrusting them closer.

  Drawing it into my mouth, I suck at it, savoring the noises I draw from her. Moaning when her hand tightens, her strokes quicken as she pulls me to her. She lets my head sit at her entrance, slickening it with her cream and tempting me with her heat. I’m lost in the sensations, rolling her hardened bud in my mouth, when she thrusts her hips up.

  “Yes.” She moans the word as she buries me fully in her.

  I hold myself frozen, still pulling on her nipple. Each suck causes her core to tighten around me.

  “I need you to move.” I growl at her declaration, shaking my head, worrying at her nipple. “If you don’t…” She doesn’t finish with words but instead she rotates her hips, over and over. I still don’t move. “Okay.” Her hand slides between us, gliding over her stomach.

  She almost reaches her target when I catch her wrist stopping her. Pinning that hand to the mattress at our side, I grab the other wrist just as she lifts it from my side and do the same to it.

  I let the nipple pop free from my mouth, rolling my eyes up to lock onto hers. I see nothing but need, no fear, only her trust and love shine out, and that snaps the last of my control.

  “Hard and fast, or slow and easy?” I ask, still watching as I latch onto her other nipple.

  “Hard and fast.” Excitement colors her voice, making it husky.

  I’m so glad she said that. Pulling back slowly, I watch as a small frown appears just as I reach the end. I hold myself at her entrance like she had held me.

  Biting down on her nipple, I thrust deep and hard at the same time and she gasps. Wet heat coats me as I repeat my action, I only look
away from her eyes to watch her breast bounce from my pounding into her. Over and over, slow and hard until she’s whimpering, begging.

  Grabbing behind her knees, I pull her legs high, forcing them wider, so I can watch. Each thrust in, I grind against her, pushing her higher.

  She’s chanting ‘please.’ So close. I feel my orgasm beginning as lightning shoots through my spine. Faster, in and out, over and over, faster and harder until I feel her muscles clamp down and she screams. Still I pump into her, dragging my throbbing dick through the swollen flesh.

  She comes again as I latch onto her nipple, sucking hard as I fill her with jet after jet. I see spots and bite down. She cries out then moans as I suck. Her muscles flexing in rhythm to my draws at her.

  Suddenly pain rips through me, bowing my back ,and she gasps, eyes filled with concern.

  Trying to catch my breath from both the sex and the pain, I push up and sit back on my knees, missing the warmth of her instantly. I almost fall on her when her eyes drift down to my still semi-hard dick. Another lash of pain and I fall forward, catching myself on my hands as she shifts, sitting up against the head of the bed.

  Raising my head, I look at her just as her eyes widen.

  “Oh my God, they’re beautiful.” Her words are breathy, and looking back, I feel my mouth fall open.

  Wings. Huge, midnight wings.

  Fuck me.

  42

  Lillian

  My body is still pulsing. I wonder if we'll ever just be able enjoy the afterglow of sex without some life changing event happening.

  Climbing off the bed, he begins to pace, the jet-black wings trailing behind him. I raise up and pull the covers from under me. I push everything away, except the sheet which I pull over my slowly cooling skin.

  “Now we really have to call Luc.” He stops looking out the window.

  I drink him in, tanned skin, muscles rippling beneath it, the colored ink, and now the gorgeous wings rising from his back. He’s turned away from me, looking out the window at the still dark sky. I’m staring at his ass when he turns, which means now my eyes are locked on his penis. I don’t like that word.

  “Lillian.” I jerk my eyes up, he’s trying very hard not to smile wanting to hang onto his fear or worry. “This is serious.”

  “I know but so is the other thing.” I smirk at his exasperated face. “Call him, or Evander, or all of them, for all I care.” His shoulders slump, and I instantly feel bad. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stand and walk to him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I think you should, they at least need to know. I just wish we could have, I don’t know, normal for a damn minute.”

  “You are anything but normal, woman.” I raise one eyebrow. “Okay, we aren’t normal. A demon and an angel.”

  Rising up, I snake my arms around his neck, letting my fingers tickle the dark feathers. He watches me with a smile on his lips as I draw closer. He meets me in the middle, kissing me slow and deep. Minutes later, he raises his head slowly, and we try to catch our breath.

  “Go shower. I’ll call Luc and have him come. I’ll also have him bring us clothes.”

  Cupping his cheek, I run my thumb over his lip. I wonder if mine are as red and swollen. “Join me when you’re done,” I tempt as I turn and walk in the bathroom shutting the door. I let the water out of the tub and wipe up the water from the floor as the shower heats. Years of cleaning has me doing it without even thinking. I can hear his voice through the door but not the words as I step in and close the glass door.

  Standing under the spray with my eyes closed, letting the water stream down my face, I smile when I feel the cool air rush in as he opens the door. In seconds, he’s wrapping me in his arms, and I reach behind me, pulling him tight against my back.

  Finally, I can relish our time, my feelings, the love that is growing within me. Letting my head fall back on his shoulder, I keep my eyes closed. His wings. Eyes pop open and I crane my neck, but they are gone.

  “I remembered how they work.” Asshole.

  “Good for you.” His laugh vibrates through my body, making me smile.

  Picking up the tiny bar of soap, I start rubbing it over my body, but it’s not long before he takes it from me. He washes all of me, paying particular attention to a couple areas. I have a moment or three of embarrassment, which makes no sense considering what we’ve done together.

  All too soon, we hear Luc’s voice call out to us. Sighing against the base of my neck, he hands the soap back to me before stepping out. I wipe the steam from the door and watch him dry quickly then wrap the towel around his waist. His hand comes up to the glass for a moment before he leaves me to finish.

  I stare after him before my eyes come back to the glass. Such a little thing, placing his hand there, and yet that small action has stolen another piece of my heart. I’m still picturing it when I rinse the conditioner from my hair, having washed it as fast I could.

  Turning the faucet to cold, I let the freezing water blast over me for a few seconds before turning it off completely. I’m just wrapping my hair in a towel when the door opens. Looking up from my bent over position, I catch him taking it all in and see the speculation in his eyes.

  I slowly rise, reaching for the other towel to dry off. “Hey.”

  My voice pulls him from his thoughts and he focuses on me again. “Huh? Oh yeah.” He holds out his hand showing me the clothes. “Luc brought a few things, but I thought these would be good.”

  “Okay.” I don’t even really look at them, trusting him.

  “Right. Okay, the others are coming, so as soon as you’re ready I’ll, we’ll, show them.”

  I grin, loving that he is waiting for me. “I’ll be quick.” A nod and then he backs out of the door, closing it behind him. Dropping the towel, I cross to the sink where he’s laid the clothes.

  Another pair of jeans, a tank top in plum, and underwear and bra the same color. Holding them up, I grin and glance at the closed door. Lace and not much of it, but they are the boy-short style I’ve seen and wanted. How does he do that? How does Luc know, the thought gives me pause.

  The bra fits perfectly. Shaking my head, I pull on the other things and shake my head once more, letting the towel fall into the sink. No brush or comb. So he’s, or they, aren’t perfect after all.

  Opening the door, I walk out, finger combing my hair before pushing it back over my shoulders. The room is full of demons. Stopping at his side, I lace my fingers through his, offering my support.

  He is way more freaked out than he’s acting, and I know the feeling. Although, I can’t imagine what having wings again after thousands of years must be like. He looks down at me, and I smile and nod then look at the others.

  Realizing he didn’t tell Luc what had happened, the King of Hell looks just as confused and apprehensive as the others. Giving his hand a squeeze, I step forward a single step, not leaving him but moving out of the way. Part of me wants to face him to see them break free again, but I can’t miss the others’ reactions.

  There is silence and then rustling as my hair floats around my head for just a second. A chuckle bubbles up before I can stop it as their jaws drop. Exclamations ranging from just a sound to curse words that burn my ears fill the room.

  Questions are fired like a machine gun at him, at us. They surround us, fingers gently running over the inky feathers. Torryn pulls at my hand, and I turn to him, moving into his arms, tucking my head under his chin. Bending his head, he kisses over my jaw stopping at my ear, ignoring their reverent inspection.

  “Release yours.” His voice is so low I can barely hear it but I do hear his joy. Looking up into his eyes, I see the fear and worry is gone, replaced by excitement.

  Winking, I do as he asks, drawing in and then releasing a breath, for unlike him, I still have to focus on what I want to happen. The others stumble back a few steps as they unfold.

  The sun has risen when they finally stop asking questions we don’t know the answers
to. We have all agreed it must be linked to the prophecy and us coming together. Torryn has claimed an oversized chair in the sitting area and the others are sprawled around on the couches or floor.

  I claimed his lap and I listen as I pull a warm croissant apart and sip hot coffee loaded with creamer. I look at each of them over the rim of the cup, unnoticed as they talk among themselves.

  That is unnoticed until I reach the one called Zeph; he is watching me, tears pooled in his eyes. Frowning, I push up some, smiling down at Torryn when he frowns.

  “I’m just going to get some air.” I nod at the balcony. He kisses me quick before helping me stand.

  I keep my food and leave the door open behind me. Leaning against the rail, I wait. It doesn’t take long.

  “I’m sorry if I upset you.” His voice is warm, like sunshine, and he has a very distinct accent. Mediterranean or Middle Eastern, I’m not sure, having only heard them on videos. Somehow it reminds me of home, like it tickles some long lost memory from before the Fallen.

  “You didn’t. I think maybe I upset you.” I turn my head to the side looking at his profile.

  “No. Never.” He finally looks my way. “You are hope.” His eyes are obsidian, but he’s close enough that I can see tiny sable streaks.

  “Hope?” I both like and fear the sound of that.

  “Yes. Something I haven’t had since I was brought back.” His warm hand comes over mine, and he squeezes it gently before turning to leave.

  I hear him tell the others he is leaving, going home, and to call him when he is needed. I had found out they all live in cities around the world, each running an office for Demon Bayou Rum. It isn’t long before they all leave, except Evander and Luc.

  Torryn joins me, “What was that about?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You sure?” I nod, and he lets me say no more.

  Leaning my head against his arm, I stare at the sky. It is cloudless and a beautiful shade of blue. “The music started when the sun began to rise, just quietly playing in the background.”