by Eliza Gayle
Clenching her jaw against the memories, Raven surged to her feet. She hated taking a stroll down memory lane.
Jake came up behind her and rested his hand on her shoulder. “Did he hurt you?”
The anger in his voice caught her by surprise. She swung around to face him and found the planes of his gorgeous face marred by rage. “It’s probably not what you’re thinking. He didn’t beat me like he did some of the other woman. “On my eighteenth birthday he picked me up to celebrate. He took me to a fancy restaurant and even let me drink some wine. Then instead of taking me back to the coven, we drove to his estate. It’s there he cast a spell and began to siphon off my power.”
For a brief second she swore she saw relief flash across Jake’s face before a new outrage returned. “So he did hurt you.”
Raven turned to the window and watched the lightening strike the courtyard. She had to get her emotions under control or she’d destroy Denn’s lovely home. “I won’t like. It fucking hurt like hell. I thought I was going to die that night. Hell, I prayed for death.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Raven. How many times has he done this?”
She stared into the black night, the sound of her past screams filling her head. “Three times,” she answered. “The next time will be the end.”
“Raven.” Jake started to wrap his arms around her and wriggled out of his reach.
“Don’t. I can’t take your pity.”
“But—”
Raven whirled on him, ready to do whatever it took to stop him. “Seriously. Let it go. We’ve got bigger things to worry about. We need to talk to Denn.” She reminded him.
“You should give him some time, I’ve learned he can be pretty stubborn.”
“Uhm…the hell with that. We don’t have time. We have a job to do and all we have is each other now.” She paused. “Goddess, I must be crazy.”
Jake stepped closer. “Not crazy, Raven. We all feel it. It’s something tangible that can’t be denied.” His lips touched against hers, soft and light. She sighed against him, wanting to trust in what he said despite the warnings in her head.
She pushed her hands against his firm chest. “Stop trying to distract me, Jake, I’m going to talk to him and I’m going right now.”
She walked away without looking back, leaving the door open behind her. Jake could follow her or not, she was still going to find Denn and make him understand. Going room by room she searched for him.
Ten minutes later she still hadn’t found him, and decided there was an easier way. She inhaled a full breath of humid New Orleans air, absorbing the water molecules into her body. She called on her magick, letting the water particles fuel her command. Carefully she loosened her hold, allowing just enough to slip out to do what she needed. Her senses sharpened as the room around her swelled with the musk of jasmine, the spice of men, and the heat of the South. She reached out, seeking the moisture displacement created from a body in the house. Nothing. Denn was no longer in the building. Which left only one place he could be. She turned and headed for the courtyard.
Stepping outside, the sultry night air and the scent of jasmine on the breeze enveloped her. Sometime during her talk with Jake the rain had let up, leaving only a gentle mist she now found refreshing. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dark as she followed the footpath to the sitting area where she knew she would find him.
“I don’t want to talk anymore.”
Raven sat on the chair next to his. “Good, then you can just listen.”
Denn groaned at her words but she continued on. “I know you feel betrayed right now and rightfully so but—”
“Raven—”
“No, Denn, hear me out, please.” She paused, peering over at him to see if he was listening. “Jake told you that Scott has been stealing his sister's magick. You heard that, right?” He nodded. “Do you know what that means? Surely a powerful witch as you understands that. But have you ever had your magick stolen and used against you? Had your mind and body raped of its powerful essence? To feel the empty shell left behind every time it happens.” Powerful memories crashed down on her as she talked to Denn of the process one goes through when their magick is taken against their will.
Old wounds barely recovered from her talk with Jake ripped open inside as she bared her soul. Wetness tracked down her face. “Nothing is more painful than going through that ordeal. In fact many witches don’t survive it, trust me I know.”
“Raven, I don’t know what to say.” His voice was soft and infused with more sympathy than she could bear.
“Don’t go there. It’s like I told Jake. Your sympathy is not why I’m telling you this. This is for Jake’s sake. He and I have both done some things we are not proud of, but knowing what his sister is going through, well, you need to consider the circumstances. That’s all I can ask.”
“Babe, please.” His hand reached out his fingers intertwining with hers. The heat and size of his hand engulfing hers gave her hope. Made her feel protected. She absorbed some of his magick. So much of it was dark and angry, which she immediately pushed away from them. She released more of her own to relieve his. He had healed her when she needed it, now it was her turn to heal him. Remove some of his pain, leaving him lighter than before. Sweat broke out on her brow at the force of their connection. As hard as it was to face, she believed in what they’d told her. Her role was clear and she belonged here with both of them. If only Denn would believe.
Minutes later her body gave out and she broke their connection. Exhaustion swamped her as she fought to stand. If she’d met Denn sooner, she might have been able to do something more powerful to help him.
“Babe, you need to rest. Let me get you something to return your strength. I’m worried about what that is going to do to your health. You’ve just recovered from a life threatening trauma.”
“Denn, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I do need some rest, though, so I’m going to bed. I hope you’ll consider what I've said.”
“I will. But I need some time to think. Are you sure you don’t need my help?”
“I’m sure. I just need sleep. Good night.”
Before she turned away she noticed he seemed more relaxed from when she’d first come out. At least that was something.
* * *
Hours later, Denn still couldn’t get the image of Raven walking away from him and back into the house. Her lithe, athletic body moved with instinctual grace and stealth. He imagined the years of training she’d endured to made her like that. She was quite a fighter, and after the pain and information she’d shared with him his doubts about her had dissipated. Her tired and sad eyes had looked right through him just before she’d turned away.
Now he craved her touch, her warmth, and even just the way she looked at him. He wanted to feel her under him, Jake right alongside her. His body tightened with those images running rampant. His feelings ran deep for Jake and he’d already decided he could forgive him, the only question remaining was could he trust him again.
In reality he knew there wasn’t a damn thing in this world he wouldn’t do to save his twin. And if Jake shared the same kind of connection with his sister, he couldn’t blame him for wanting to do whatever it took to protect her.
He swung his feet off the patio table and stood from the chair. His body popped and stretched from sitting for so long without moving around. The house had gone quiet a long time ago, and he imagined both Raven and Jake were sleeping. Would he find Jake sleeping in his bed as usual or had he taken up residence on the couch? He wondered.
The cool air of the air-conditioned house swept over his skin when he stepped through the French doors leading to his office. The computer hummed low, already in energy saver mode, and the only light came from the digital clock on the credenza that read 1:56 A.M. Moving through the house, his excellent night vision allowed him to see clearly in the dark. In the living room there was no Jake asleep on the furniture. Denn considered taking up the space for himself, unsure if he was
ready to return to the bed he shared with Jake.
Too tired to worry about it now, he trudged up the stairs to the third level into the master suite. The bedside lamp was on but no Jake. What the hell? He hadn’t sensed anyone exiting the property, so where the hell was he?
Worried that something could have happened right under his damn nose, he headed back down to the second level to see if Raven was missing as well. His feet pounded against the hardwood stairs, taking them two at a time until he rushed into her room. Seeing her there peaceful in sleep was a relief, what took his breath away was Jake curled up around her fast asleep as well. His heart lurched in his chest, cutting off his breath for a few beats. Lightheadedness robbed his senses as his body longed to join them.
Despite the events of the day, he felt certain the three of them were destined to be together. Besides the usual need coursing through his body, his heart ached for them both. Raven’s face seemed softer in sleep, peaceful even. The ruby red of her lips a soft slash against her pale skin. Jake’s lean body cradled her close, his hand snug around her waist as if holding onto her tightly, afraid to let her go.
He eyed the empty space next to Raven and, without thought, quickly removed his clothes and climbed under the covers, putting himself as close to her as he could without actually touching her. He wanted to just look at her for a while. Her confession had troubled him deeply and he’d been torn when she walked away. Logic told him to let her go and his heart said no. Now here, in the light of the full moon shining in the window, he decided to take a leap and follow his instincts about them both.
His hand reached over to Jake’s and stroked his skin. Rough yet smooth, the familiar heat seeped into his hand. Instinctively Jake’s hand tightened around Raven’s waist, pulling the curve of her hip closer to his groin. Damn, I want them.
A small strip of bared flesh between Raven’s tank top and panties tempted him to reach out and brush his hand across it. With that one simple touch, their power stirred and sparked, tingling his fingers and arm. Her mouth opened in a silent gasp as he traveled underneath her shirt, rubbing against her soft, warm breasts. The magickal connection between them heated and flared, and both Raven and Jake opened their eyes.
No one spoke, reluctant to break the mood. Denn twisted his body farther to the side so he could reach better with both hands. His left hand slid along Raven’s skin until it too grasped a flushed breast. He pushed at her shirt until both mounds were bare and visible. Denn dipped his head, taking a hard nipple between his lips and sucked on it before he grasped it gently between his teeth. Her fingers threaded through his hair, her body arching toward him, silently begging for more. He increased the pressure of his teeth, biting at her nipple until she squirmed and writhed from the steady pain.
“Do you like that, Raven? Does a little pain turn you on?” Jake’s questions gave Denn the freedom to keep going, while they worked together discovering her threshold. Raven nodded her head, still squiring in their arms. “I think she likes it, Denn.” The handsome smile splitting Jake’s face devastated him. There was no way he could deny to himself how he felt with love clutching at his chest and heat building in his dick.
A quick, sharp bite had Raven calling out his name as she rose up in his hands. He released the nipple and repeated the test of pain on the other until again she screamed out her pleasure.
“Holy shit, Denn, I can already smell her arousal.” Jake shifted from lying down to kneeling next to her. “I want to see her pretty pink pussy. Feel her wetness on my mouth as you do that to her.”
“Then remove her panties and do so.”
Raven’s eyes widened a little as Jake reached under the edge of her panties and peeled them slowly down her smooth, strong thighs, tossing them off the bed. The look of intense rapture on Jake’s face as he leaned over and spread her legs was priceless.
“Like what you see, Jake?”
Jake leaned forward, inching his head closer to Raven’s sweet pussy. “Mmmm.”
“Stop.”
“What’s wrong?” Jake asked.
Denn’s hands were still roaming all over Raven’s lush figure, from the swell of her breasts, to the indentation of her small waist, to the flare of her full hips. He couldn’t stop touching her. The more of her he touched the stronger their combined magick grew until his cock had become swollen with a forceful need. When his erection pulsed and bounced from his abdomen, Jake’s gaze was drawn to it.
“Oh.” Jake shifted so he could rest on his knees. The look on Denn’s face was pure unashamed need, the same as Raven. His heart leapt at the implication of the both of them needing him as much as he needed them. He wasn’t normally a man to express soft emotions but tears welled in his eyes nonetheless.
“You want us both?” Jake had to ask, needed to hear Denn say it.
“Yes, Jake.” His head swiveled looking between both Raven and himself. “According to a prophecy Raven is my mate, but according to my heart I need and love you both. Nothing that’s happened or will happen can change that.”
“But what we—”
“No, what you both did had extenuating circumstances. We all have pasts and we all do things we aren’t proud of for those we love or to protect ourselves as best we can. No one is perfect, nor should they be.”
Jake watched tears slide down Raven’s face over Denn’s words. Hope swelled within him for them all. This was the way things were meant to be.
Denn swiped at the wetness on Raven’s cheeks. “Are you okay, baby?”
She nodded. “I’m fine. Just in awe.”
“Awe?” Denn asked.
“Mmhmm.” She pushed her fingers through Denn’s hair and brought his head down to her mouth. Instead of kissing him like Jake had expected, her pink tongue darted out and licked at his lips, tasting and teasing him. Denn groaned under the onslaught and Jake reached for his thick cock, encircling the breadth with a firm grip. Denn was rock hard and ready, giving Jake a powerful need to feel him inside his own body, pumping his pleasure hard and fast. He leaned forward and took the firm head of Denn’s cock into his mouth, lapping at the tasty pre-cum waiting for him.
“Ahhhh” Denn’s hips bucked, pushing more of his length into Jake’s mouth. He smiled around Denn’s shaft as his tongue continued to swirl around the rigid flesh. Denn’s mouth moved back to Raven’s nipples, where he sucked and kneaded them until Raven begged.
“Please. Dear Goddess, would one of you please fuck me already?” Her voice came out ragged and breathless, making both Jake and Denn smile.
“I think she’s getting impatient, Jake.”
“Uh huh.”
“Well, then I think you should take care of our girl.”
Jake let go of Denn’s cock with a pop. “Should I? What about you?” He gave Denn a wicked smile.
“Don’t worry about me, Jake, you have just what I need.”
A sudden burst of heated lust shot through his body, the blood rushing through his veins as he once again thought of Denn taking him hard and fast and full of passion.
Watching Denn release her, Jake moved forward and covered Raven with his big body. As his mouth delved into hers, tongues tangling, the tip of his cock pressed against the wet heat of her sex. Red-hot heat burned at the base of his spine, enough to make him want to come, and when Denn moved behind him he thought he might shoot his load right then and there before he even slid inside.
“Please, Jake. Please fuck me.” He barely heard the hot, hungry whispered words against his mouth over the sound of the blood rushing in his head. His hand slipped between their warm bodies, grasping the root of his cock to guide it to her entrance. Just nestling the tip inside, he teased and taunted her with tiny strokes.
“Jesus, Denn. Her pussy is so tight. And some damned hot!”
“Then give me more,” she cried. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling at him, working hard to get him deeper inside. He held strong with his shallow thrusts despite the desperate need pulling at his mind until h
er cries and begging became a string of guttural whimpers.
With one smooth stroke he thrust his full length to the hilt, his balls slapping against her flesh.
“Ahhhhh.” Her tight body clamped around him, tighter than a fist and taking his breath away. Jake rocked inside her, forcing himself to take her with slow and easy strokes. He was determined to draw this out.
“Incredible, isn’t it? That extra tingling sensation you feel is her magick. Her essence.”
Denn’s voice at his ear startled him. So focused on the hold Raven had on him, he hadn’t even noticed Denn wrapping his body around him, until his cock nestled between the cheeks of his ass.
“She’s ours, Jake, don’t you agree?”
Jake grunted his agreement.
“Now be still for a minute, I don’t want you to come too soon.”
Jake gritted his teeth and attempted to focus on something other than her sheath pulsing around him, tightening. Breathing in and out, he looked down at Raven, losing himself in her beautiful eyes so full of love and lust.
Jake flinched when Denn’s cool, lube slickened fingers touched around his tight hole, spreading the gel liberally. One finger dipped inside, the sensation insanely pleasurable as Denn worked it in and out until joining a second finger with the first.
“I’m—I’m not going to last long.” Jake revealed through gritted teeth.
“Hold on a little longer, baby, I don’t think any of us are going to last.”
Denn removed his fingers and moments later Jake felt the condom covered tip of Denn’s cock pressing against him. Instinctively he tightened up.
“Relax, Jake, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Jake, look at me.”
He raised his head from Raven’s shoulder and looked at her, shuddering as she clenched around him, the muscles of her pussy rippling around him.
“Kiss me, Jake. Take me. Love me.”
