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

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  The kiss turns rough, urgent even, as his tongue darts into my mouth, licking me so deep as if he’s trying to consume my soul. One hand grips my neck, and the other finds the apex between my thighs, stroking me through the material of my sweatpants.

  “Killian . . .,” I mumble against his mouth, but he doesn’t relent. His thick fingers press against my clit painfully, and tears sting my eyes. I need to be calm to call on my power, my force of will. My heart riots, hammering against my chest, threatening to vacate by banging a hole through me.

  Clenching my fists, I concentrate on the force. The heat in my fingers tingles as it courses through every inch of my body. I know my mother was right. I’m strong. It feels like electricity is zinging through me at an alarming rate. Lightning cracks from my fingers and into Killian, causing him to rear back.

  The other thing my mother said was right as well. He’s as strong as I am. Because my power is slightly muted against him, he only glares at me angrily. “The little Princess wants to play? Oh, I’ll play with you, Talia.”

  In two steps, he’s got a grip on my shoulders, holding me steady against the shelves. I send all my strength down to my legs and lift my knee, which makes contact with his dick. Pain flashes over his face, and he drops to his knees, cupping his balls. “Bitch!” he growls. The sound vibrating off the walls.

  This is my only chance, and I take it. Running through the apartment, I pull open the door and race to the stairs. Kade’s apartment has two exits. The one I take is to the fire escape. Hoping I can get outside where someone can hear me. As soon as I tug the door open, a closed sign tells me the only way is up. Fuck. I make my choice and take them two at a time, heading to the roof.

  My heart is beating erratically. My lungs burn in protest with the extra effort, making it difficult to breathe. The pain in my chest is at an all-time high, but I push through the steel door and find myself on the top of the building. The roof is flat with a few air conditioning vents that offer hiding places. My gaze darts around, looking for a way to get downstairs, but my search is halted when I hear footsteps behind me. Dropping to my knees behind an air conditioning unit, I try to make out where he is.

  “Do you really think that running away or hiding will stop me from finding you?” His voice is loud and echoes through the air. The thud in my chest is so loud it’s deafening. The crunch of his heavy footfalls get closer with every step, and I have nowhere else to go. I can’t get back to the door because he’s blocking the way.

  Tears sting my eyes. My chest is tight with fear. The only other option is to jump, but when I sneak a glance down, all I see are lights below me. No escape. This is what he wanted. I may have powers, but I still can’t control them, and in all honesty, I don’t really know how to call on them.

  “Come out, little nymph. You’re as enchanting as the folklore says. I know you and my brother are planning to kill me, but he’s not here now. I took care of him. For a while anyway. I can’t wait to feel what precious gifts you’ve bestowed on him. Will you come as hard for me as you do for him?” His words slice into me. I’ll never give him any part of me. “Did you like my brother’s cock inside your sinful cunt? Come out, Tali, you’re making me angry. I am not like Kade. I will make you bleed.” His voice is low. It’s close, and the shudder that runs down my spine is chilling.

  Confusion and fear overwhelm me, and I can’t breathe. The lump in my throat threatens to choke me. In a blink, I feel arms around me. The scream is strangled in my throat as a hand grips me harshly. I fight to get away from him, but he’s too strong with his arms banded around my chest. His hot breath fans over my neck. “I do love when you fight. It makes me so fucking hard.” He presses his erection against me, and I heave, retching, but nothing expels from me. My brows crease in confusion. His voice is darker, more dangerous this time, unless it’s my fear playing tricks on me.

  “Please, Killian. Let me go, please?” I knew the moment I looked at him, when the darkness swirled around him, it was hidden for only a moment, and that’s when Kade’s words rang in my ears. Warning me. Giving me the truth.

  The light and the dark. Remember, Princess, my brother is the dark. Even though I’m not fully light, he’s pure evil. When he surrounds himself with you, with your blood, he’ll be able to hide, but not for long. Remember.

  “I do love hearing you beg and plead, but not this time. I’ve missed you, Princess. I told my brother, two months, but it was such a long wait. There’s nothing that will now keep me from claiming you as my own,” he responds in amusement. Satisfaction lacing his tone.

  “Killian, we don’t have to do this. Killian, please?”

  “I love how you say my name, Witch, and you’d do best to remember it because it’s the name you’ll be screaming when I end you. You see, my twin brother was meant to end this. I gave him enough time, but he’s gone and fallen in love with you. Now, it’s time for me to show you who I am. He’s hidden you from me with his powers. Even though I knew you were right beside him, I couldn’t feel you. He kept this sweet decadence of a Princess, but I want to see what’s so special about you, little Talia Craven.”

  Suddenly my world goes black, and I know in that moment, nothing is going to work unless I find the strength to fight back. To end Killian Montgomery once and for all. My blood burns through me, every inch of my veins tingle, and I lift my hand to touch his chest.

  The thudding of his heart attacks my palm, and I feel it. The electricity shoots through me and into him. His cry flies from his lips, and I grin when I see him tremble wildly as I watch his body still. When he drops to the ground, and our connection is broken, I pause for a moment, unsure of what to do.

  Killian is no longer filled with dark powers; I’ve absorbed most of it. I watch him glare as he stumbles backward, and I realize if I have touched him even a moment longer, I would’ve killed him.

  “Talia.” Kade’s deep voice comes from behind me. Rushing through the dark, he pulls me into his arms. The moment his warmth envelops me, he delves into my mind, allowing me into his, and I know without a doubt, I’m his.

  22

  Talia

  “You’ll never have her.” Kade’s deep, booming voice echoes through the space, causing a vibration to course through me. I’m shaking and his arms cocoon me even tighter. I want to run. The surge of our power combined is too much, I can’t breathe. They’re in my mind now, I see them. I watch them fight.

  “What if I already have her?” Killian chuckles darkly. Kade releases me and edges toward Killian, they’re two soldiers at war.

  When I open my eyes, I see them both in my mind as their souls dual. At war. Two brothers, so alike, but so very different. A light streams from me, from my chest, my palms. It hits both Montgomery brothers, causing them to cry out in agony, and as much as I want to move away, to stop hurting them, I can’t.

  I don’t know what I’m doing, I feel tears streaming from my eyes, wetting my cheeks, dripping from my chin. I choke on sobs when I see both Kade and Killian fall to the floor.

  Presley appears closer now, her eyes locked on mine. “What the fuck are you doing, Witch?”

  “I don’t know,” I utter, the surge of power racing through me like an electric current. The blue light that sparks between the brothers diminishes. But there’s a blinding shard that illuminates and I’m gripped by something fierce.

  As much as Presley scares me, right now, I only smile. She attempts to close the distance, but something stops her. I’m not sure if it’s the light or energy that’s building a force field around us, but she’s stuck on the threshold of the barrier.

  The brothers are in my head. It’s like watching a movie play out, and there’s nothing I can do. My hands look like they’re on fire, but there’s no pain.

  When I blink once more, a figure appears, as if he’s sliding into frame. Hooded, shadowed, and dark.

  “This is the tragedy of love,” it murmurs, and I can’t hold myself up any longer. I fall to my knees, feeling the dar
k power emanating from the figure. I haven’t felt anything like it, not even when Kade showed me his memories.

  “Leave us,” Kade orders the figure, but it only laughs. At least, I think it’s a laugh.

  “You’ve mated with the Witch. The Princess is now yours, and she bears your child.” The prophecy it speaks sends a cold shiver through me when I realize he’s talking about me. I’m pregnant? “She will give birth, and when that happens, you will be anointed as King and Queen of the earthly realm.”

  “What do you mean? What about me?” Killian’s voice is stilted, and my body aches as the power slowly drains from me.

  “You, son, are the second coming. The power of the Montgomery line has strengthened over time, and with both of you on Earth, we are no longer of use in this world. We will become obsolete on Earth, but we still rule the darker realm.”

  “You’re dying . . .” Presley’s tone comes from behind us, causing the figure to regard her.

  “Daughter,” it utters. “I see you’ve chosen your fate. Killian Montgomery may yet have a purpose to us.”

  “Daughter?” Kade, Killian, and I all gasp the same word. Presley bows her head, kneeling toward the figure, and I realize she’s been in Kade and Killian’s lives forever. It means she knew the prophecy. She knew I would pick Kade.

  “I have, Father. I’ve waited long enough. I will offer myself to him.”

  “Very well,” the figure murmurs in a whispery tone. “So, shall it be.” Luminous eyes lock on me, “You little Queen will be watched for the length of your reign. If anything goes wrong, we will come for you.”

  I’m blinded by light so bright, so dark, so unnatural, my eyes feel as if they’re burning. My hands fall to my sides, and there’s a warmth that envelops me.

  “Tali,” Kade’s voice cracks through the reverie, and when I blink, I find those blue orbs pinned on mine. “It’s over.” I’m not sure what he means, but I can’t find the words to question him.

  I’m weak. My eyes don’t want to stay open. All I know is, we’re not dead.

  * * *

  When I wake up, I’m alone.

  When I open my eyes, I find myself in Kade’s bed.

  Shoving off the blankets, I push to my feet and race through the apartment to the living room to find Kade and Killian sitting on the sofa.

  “The Queen is awake,” Killian mutters with venom lacing his tone.

  “Don’t start.” The warning comes from Kade, and his brother offers me a slight nod. Kade glances my way, offering me a smile. “Come here, my queen,” he calls to me, and my feet move without a second thought.

  He tugs me onto his lap, and holds me close, inhaling me, as if I were away for years and he hasn’t been around me. It’s a strange feeling. There’s something in his mind that taps at mine, and when I allow him in, I see it. The fight that ensued, Killian in agony, and me being placed in bed.

  “What happened?”

  Killian meets my gaze. “You’re the queen, my brother is king, and you’re carrying the princess in your womb.” His words are filled with agony, which only raises more questions. “I’ve been stripped of my dark powers,” he explains. “I can’t practice the dark arts anymore. I can’t even dip into your precious little mind.”

  “Killian.” His name is another warning on Kade’s lips. “The figure that appeared, was one of the Elders. Presley’s father. Her real father.” The explanation makes my head spin. “And you’re stronger now than you’ve ever been.”

  “Because she took all my darkness,” Killian smirks.

  “I thought… You’re not dead,” I murmur.

  He shakes his head, sipping from a mug I’m guessing is filled with coffee, “The battle is over for you both. Now you’ll be a happy little family.”

  “It’s not that black and white brother,” Kade growls in frustration. “Even though the Elders have left us to rule the Earthly realm, they’ll keep an eye on us. Presley and Killian will leave us here and figure out a way to take them out for good.”

  “Tomorrow I fly home with my precious little daemon.” The smirk on Killian’s face is dark and foreboding. “I’ll have to rest for a long while before trying to take the Elders on. I need power.”

  “Home? But what about—?”

  “I need to be at home. Presley will return with me, and I’ll have to relearn all my magic again. I need to find a way to take out her father. And when I do, I’ll suck every ounce of life and magic out of the old bastard.”

  “I thought he was allowing her to be with you. If you kill him, what happens to us? Don’t we all die?” I question, more confused than ever.

  “No, because he was the oldest surviving member. Her father is somewhat . . . immortal.” Kade’s explanation makes no sense.

  “But then how would you kill him?” My question is directed at Killian who only offers me a sadistic grin which causes a cold shiver to race down my spine.

  “Oh, darling, I don’t think you want to know.”

  “So, I could use my magic on you now and you’re not able to do anything about it?” I quip, causing Killian’s gaze to darken considerably.

  “You can.”

  Lifting my hand, I flick my wrist, hoping to turn his mug upside down, but with the power inside me, the porcelain shatters into thousands of pieces.

  “Fuck,” Killian’s curse is rumbled through his chest. “Kade, keep your little witch in check or I will.”

  “She may kill you if you try,” Kade’s grinning and I realize the tension I thought would appear is not present.

  “My powers are so much stronger,” I utter.

  “You missed your birthday party,” Kade informs me and I realize I did. It was last night. I am twenty-one. “Also, you did suck all the life out of my brother.”

  “Wasn’t that difficult,” I tease. “So, you didn’t die?”

  “No, you didn’t take it all. If you did, I may not be sitting here right now.” He winks at me, rising as he uses the little magic, he has left to clean up the broken mug. “I just need time.”

  “When you’re ready, brother,” Kade says. “I’ll be by your side. We’ll take back the world.”

  “I’m still not sure how my powers didn’t hurt you,” I utter, looking up at Kade.

  “I’m immune to you, our blood has combined, and when you blasted me and Killian, he was the only one affected. Because of our baby, I was saved.” He pulls me into a hug, planting a kiss on the top of my head. “And soon, Killian will have that too. He’ll be immune when he mates with Presley.”

  “I can’t wait, brother,” Killian murmurs. “I can’t wait.”

  Epilogue

  Talia

  Magic is my life.

  The Fae kingdom are my people.

  And the man beside me is my King.

  I turn to Kade who has our daughter on his knee. They look alike, almost splitting images of each other. My heart has been taken, stolen by them both. I know I can never walk away from the family I’ve now been mated into.

  The Montgomery line holds many dark parts. Their magic isn’t like mine, but I know Kade needs me to ensure his darkness doesn’t take over.

  When we joined on our wedding day, we joined in so many ways, body, mind, and soul. Now, I no longer need him to touch me to hear his thoughts, to feel his emotions. It’s automatic. And I thought I’d be afraid of it. But I’m not. It’s a beautiful gift given by the world we now rule.

  The Elders are gone, but one remains, and I wonder if we’ll ever see him again.

  I glance in front of me. The party is in full swing, and I can’t help but smile at the beauty life has afforded me. I didn’t think it was possible, but now I realize it is.

  * * *

  Kade

  I know my brother will return.

  There’s a niggling in my gut that reminds me he’s not one to lose a battle, and this one he did. I know he’ll come back soon to reclaim something. But until that day, I will smile, I will be happy because my wife, my qu
een, and my daughter are my focus.

  She’s happy now.

  Talia is the ruler over her people, and her power is stronger than it has ever been. Our daughter, Maya, is always showing signs of her powers, of her Fae bloodline. She’s perfect. Just like her mother.

  The people before us emanate happiness. There’s a light that shimmers from them, and I can see it all as if there’s a rainbow illuminating the sky.

  When I was around Talia, I saw light, I saw the beauty of this life, but I’ve never truly experienced it like this.

  It’s love and purity.

  It’s goodness and happiness.

  And I know I’m the luckiest goddamned demon in all the worlds.

  The End

  * * *

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  About the Author

  Dani is an international bestselling author of a variety of genres, from romantic suspense to dark erotic romance and even BDSM romance. She loves to delve into the raw, emotional journeys her characters venture on, and enjoys the dark, edgy, and sensual scenes that fill the pages of her books. Dani's stories are seductive with a deviant edge with feisty heroines and dominant alphas.

  Dani lives in the beautiful city of Cape Town. She’s also a proud member of the Romance Writer's Organization of South Africa (ROSA) and the Romance Writers of America (RWA). She has a healthy addiction to reading, TV series, music, tattoos, chocolate, and ice cream.