Third Charm: A Reverse Harem Tale (Lovin' the Coven Book 3)

by Jacquelyn Faye

  "So. Anything interesting happen beside the pesky demon attack?"

  "No. Oh, wait. I kissed Jason," I added almost as an afterthought. I thought I saw a brief movement down under the sheets, but maybe I was just imagining it.

  "Say that again?"

  "I…kissed…Jason."

  "Why didn't you tell me this last night?"

  "We were uh…kinda busy."

  "What kind of kiss?"

  "The kind that could have melted stone. It was sweet, hot, and very wet." I traced a circle around his nipple, teasingly. "One of those kisses where you thank the goddess that Chief rang the doorbell and interrupted you, kind of kisses."

  He groaned and there definitely was movement under the sheet. "Damnit, Bill."

  I let out a little bark of laughter and kissed the nipple I'd been teasing.

  "You gonna kiss him again?"

  "Probably. You okay with that?"

  "Absolutely."

  "You working today?"

  "No. I've been placed on leave because of the accident."

  "You're not in any trouble, are you?" I lifted my head.

  He shook his. "No. Just investigating the accident. The other three all have the same story. The Fire District was made aware of the extent of my injuries as well as the subsequent lack thereof. I have to go for physicals and testimonials. They want to make sure I can still fireman."

  "Can I ask you something?"

  "What?"

  "Is that what you want?"

  "To be investigated?"

  "No. To be a fireman. You did your time. Isn't there anything else you would like to do?" I propped myself up on my elbows, eager to hear his answer. We were witches, and we were immortal, but not if a flaming building came down on us. If I were being honest with myself, I didn't want him to put himself in danger every time he went to work. It wasn't up to me, but I would help him if he wanted it. Dennis, too.

  "I don't know. When I was younger, it was all I ever wanted to be. Now, I'm not so sure. The only time the job ever feels worth it is when I save somebody's life."

  "I can see that. I was curious, but I'll be serious. I worry about you. I don't like you putting yourself in danger every day, but that's not my call. You're a big witch. But… If you ever decide it's not what you want to do anymore, let me know."

  "What? Why?"

  "Because, I love you. If there's something else you want to do and you need to go to school for it, or train for it, or whatever. Let me know. I'll help if you let me."

  "You mean pay, don't you? Damn it, Dot, when are you going to realize you can't fix everything with money?"

  "I already do realize it," I said solemnly and rubbed my hand over his chest. "That's why I fix what I can, when I can."

  He pulled me against him a little tighter, kissing my forehead. "I will think about it. How's that?"

  "More than I was expecting honestly."

  "I love you, too."

  "Dennis, too."

  "Huh? Why?"

  "Because you love him," I answered. "If something ever happened to him, and you weren't there… It would destroy you."

  "More than you know. Losing Richie was bad enough. Dennis is more like a brother than a friend."

  "Ew. We had sex in front of your brother."

  My head bobbed up and down as he laughed. "Now it's my turn to ask you some things."

  "What?"

  "Did you enjoy last night as much as I think you did?"

  "Maybe a little more," I admitted, honestly.

  "So, let's say, in the future, if that were to happen again…"

  "Don't push it."

  "I'm just asking, hypothetically. Let's say we did have another audience… Would you want them to join in? You seemed like you wanted to last night."

  I blushed and hid my face a little. "I almost did. If I were dating Dennis, I probably would have."

  "Well that settles it."

  "Settles what?"

  "You're just going to have to start dating Dennis."

  I pinched his nipple and he yelped.

  "Going to let the dust settle from last night, first. Let him decide on his own what he wants to do about Alista. How many men do you think I can handle in my life? I have my hands full with you and Chief."

  "And Jason."

  I sighed. "We kissed. Can't say we're officially dating."

  "You tell Chief?"

  "Didn't need to. He took one look at Jason and knew."

  "Was he pissed?"

  "He didn't even bat an eyelash, because it was Jason."

  "That guy's strange," he said sarcastically.

  "And you're Captain Normal."

  "With Abs."

  "You are quite cut." I rubbed my hand over his six-pack.

  "I meant Captain Abnormal."

  I chuckled, seeing what he did there. "Yep."

  "It ever bother you that I'm a little strange?"

  "What fun would it be if you weren't?"

  "Now we just need to figure out what to do with that sexy hunk of an Irish ex you keep dodging…"

  I groaned. "Chief told me he was trying to play nice and getting you to go along with it. Seriously, I appreciate the sentiment, but if it's too much…"

  "Let him hang around and join the coven. Maybe we'll like him after we get to know him."

  "Uh huh. Sure."

  "Never know. His accent gave me a partial stiffy at Thanksgiving."

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  "Take my laptop, I'll use Josie's and order a new one."

  "You're sure?" Jason pulled it against his chest, afraid he might drop it.

  "Yes. I'm calling in sick today. I won't need it and you have a ton of shit to do. You have your list?"

  When I finally strolled through my front door, Jason was there with a cup of coffee in hand and a notebook in another. While I drank my coffee, we made a list of things to accomplish before the book store opened. First and foremost was incorporating and business licenses. The rest of the list ranged from book distributors to coffee cup suppliers. He was going to be very busy over the next few weeks. I trusted him completely, though. I'd seen firsthand how keen his mind was.

  "Yes. Uh… Dot?"

  "Yes?"

  "I don't have internet at my house…"

  I stared at him incredulously. How the hell did he even live? "Then park your ass at Mickey D's. They have free WiFi. Or better yet, call the cable company and set up service at the book store. Stay out of Freddy Johnson's way, but I'm sure you can set up shop in the kitchen. They're not doing much in there."

  He nodded. "Okay. Call me if you need anything," he said proudly and turned to walk away.

  "No kiss?" I asked him, half-jokingly.

  "Not supposed to kiss your boss," he said and gave me a little wink before taking off and hopping in Bessie.

  I almost made it to my bedroom when Josie came out of hers.

  "Um, excuse me. Who are you?"

  "Yeah, yeah. I missed you, too," I said with a chuckle. Josie walked right past the kitchen where the coffee was, just to give me a hug. I'd never felt more loved in my life.

  "Did you have fun last night?" She pulled back and wiggled her eyebrows. She gasped when I blushed. "Oh, my goddess. Spill it!"

  I just shook my head. "Maybe later," I managed to spit out. "I'm going to take a shower. Dar, don't let her in my room!" I ran in and shut the door, putting my back against it and letting out a sigh.

  Suddenly, Josie was pounding on the door, followed by some growling and snarls. I heard her squeak and run away.

  Good boy.

  Talk is cheap, show love with meat.

  I couldn't resist. That's what she said.

  There is something wrong with you.

  I chuckled as I stripped and got into the shower, gladly letting the hot water massage the last of the tension out of my shoulders. Without opening my eyes, I reached over and grabbed the shampoo off the shelf, pouring a good dollop in the palm of my hand. I flipped it closed and started scrubbin
g.

  There was a sudden drop in pressure and my ears popped as a blast of hot wind blew the stream of water away from me and nearly dried half my body. I couldn't open my eyes and had no way to get the shampoo off my face. I reached for the towel I kept draped over the glass door and found nothing. No towel, no shower door, nothing.

  I pawed at my eyes and opened them, screaming in fear.

  I was still in my shower, but between me and the door was a ribbon of darkness, undulating in two dimensions. I blinked, seeing shapes moving inside coming toward me and clawing their way over red sands under a blood red sky. The figures were horned and bipedal, standing taller than me with fanged muzzles and dagger-like claws. They groaned hungrily.

  The door to the bathroom kicked open and Dar shot through it like a black and brown streak. He barked at the rift and looked around frantically, trying to figure out a way to get me out of the shower.

  I kicked the glass wall beside it, wincing as it shattered and tore my foot to shreds. My blood splattered the tub and floor, but I had an exit. Sparing one last look at the two creatures nearly through the rip in reality, I dove through the broken glass, landing in a heap on the shard-covered, cold tile floor.

  Josie grabbed me, pulling me across the floor and into the bedroom. Dar put himself between me and the bathroom as Yuki's rage flowed through me from the other room. She was awake but helpless in her sun-proof prison.

  The two hungry demons shattered the rest of the glass as they exited the shower around the rift, their gazes staring hungrily at me and warily at Dar. He snarled and grew, fur and muscles rippling as he tripled in size and two-foot-long horns grew from his head as his flesh began to sizzle and smoke.

  I watched through half-lidded eyes as he leapt and rendered the demons limb from limb, their dying screams sounding oddly metallic in the small bathroom as Josie's offered an almost semi-melodic counter harmony. I blacked out for a moment and heard nothing but silence as I swam in my own head, enjoying the peace.

  Getting slapped awake was becoming an occurrence I could live without.

  I opened my eyes and blinked at Candace, who looked oddly angelic in the sunlight filtering through the curtains in my bedroom. "Am I dead?"

  She smiled and shook her head.

  I lifted my head from the pillow to see I was lying on my comforter naked. Glass was protruding from most of me and I felt the wetness beneath me that I hoped wasn't blood. I'd just bought the damn comforter. At least I wasn't still on the floor.

  "Stay still. Josie is getting my med kit from my apartment. I'll remove the glass and get you healed up. Jimmy, Chief, Dennis, and Jason are all on the way to help."

  "Dar?"

  She nodded at the ground next to me. "Yuki has also calmed. As soon as you collapsed the rift disappeared. All is well."

  "What happened to those things?" I raised my voice so Dar would know I was talking to him. I didn't have the concentration to try and mind-speak.

  Dead, he answered almost nervously.

  "Thank you," I let my hand drop off the side of the bed, wincing in pain as my fingers stroked the fur on his head. "Hellhound?"

  Yes.

  I nodded, understanding completely. He wasn't Frank Dunbar's pet German Shepherd. He was a hellhound who had snuck through the rift after the pit fiend. He hadn't been completely truthful with me, but I couldn't blame him. I probably would have freaked out if I found out I had accidentally bound a hellhound to me.

  Sorry, he said, oddly meek as he nosed the palm of my hand.

  Just glad you are what you are. Otherwise, I'd be demon chow right about now. The pain in my everything was ebbing. It had faded from a searing pain to a light burn, like I had spent a few too many hours in the sun. Hopefully I wasn't losing too much blood and dying.

  Candace gasped and backed up a step, covering her mouth with her hands and staring at me incredulously.

  "What?" I asked, frantically. Lifting my head, I stared down at my stomach which had several large shards sticking out, not to mention my arms and legs. Diving through a glass door hadn't been my crowning achievement.

  I screeched and then stared in fascination…

  The largest shards were the most noticeable. They were waving in the air violently, working their way out of my flesh. The burning sensation turned into an almost unbearable itch. Even the smaller ones were wiggling as they backed themselves out, like they were being pushed away from the inside. Pieces of glass that I couldn't even see were popping out of cuts that looked clean.

  The biggest one slid from a gaping wound just above my navel and slapped against my skin wetly. I reached down and picked it up, staring at it. It was nearly opaque with blood. Candace ran into the kitchen and grabbed a large plastic mixing bowl, returning to hold it out in front of me. I dropped the six-inch piece of glass into it with a thud. Carefully, she started picking the rest off me.

  "What's going on?"

  She shook her head again. "I do not know. It's almost like your body is rejecting the glass. I've never seen anything like it, unless magic was involved."

  Dar, who had extricated himself from the floor beside me, stared. He leaned forward and sniffed the air around me. You smell like the vampire…

  Like blood?

  No. Yes, that as well, but you smell like a child of the night.

  I smell like a corpse?

  Vampires are not dead, just different. Do they teach witches nothing?

  I skipped witch class a lot.

  I can see that.

  I was joking. Vampires are rare these days and very secretive. Blame them. So, what, am I turning into a vampire?

  As you are a witch, that is not possible. You do seem to have their regenerative power, though. He leaned closer and nosed one of the wounds. You are healing yourself.

  No, I'm not.

  Your body is healing itself, dolt.

  Oh. Wait. Could it be because I have a vampire as a familiar? Could I be gaining the power from her?

  Interesting. Perhaps.

  I sighed. Mystery solved. Hopefully. "Candace, grab a wet towel from the kitchen, please?"

  She ran off and was back in a moment. She used the rag to wipe the blood away from my stomach. There wasn't a single mark left, not even a white-lined scar. I sighed in relief and let my head drop back to the pillow, breathing in and out gratefully. She stared at my stomach in awe. "Would you help me to the shower? Your shower. I don't want to step in demon guts."

  "Yes, Lady." She reached out a hand to help me up.

  I was halfway to my feet when Chief kicked the door open and ran into the house. He took one look at me and dropped to his knees outside my bedroom door.

  "I was hurt, but my doorknobs work just fine."

  "Don't joke, Dot. Please. Not now. Not ever when it comes to you."

  I received the biggest shock of the day when I saw the tears sliding rapidly down his cheeks.

  "Oh, Chief," I said with a breaking heart, wanting to go to him to comfort him, but not wanting to cover him in blood. "I'm okay. I'll explain everything once I've gotten all this blood off me."

  "You. You're okay?" he asked disbelievingly, taking in the amount of blood I was covered in.

  "I nicked myself shaving."

  "Dot, I swear to the goddess. If you don't stop…" He wanted to be angry, but he gave a short bark of laughter.

  I chuckled. My mission successful. "Shower." I said the word and got to my feet, unaided. I even gave a little jump to check for any remaining pain. I'd forgotten I was covered in wet, sticky glass. The majority of it fell from me and made tinkling noises as it hit my hardwood floor. "Oops."

  "I'll clean it up," Candace said softly.

  "Thank you, sweetie."

  She nodded and gave me a brief smile over her shoulder, relief clearly etched on her elfin features.

  "How did you kill it?" Chief asked as I walked to the bathroom on the opposite side of the house.

  "I didn't. Dar killed them. You're lucky he was only playing
when he bit your ass. He's a hellhound, not a shepherd."

  Chief blinked and turned his head to stare at the dog who was obediently following me. He gave a short proud bark. I was ordering takeout steaks with his name on them. He was the bestest boy.

  I paused by Yuki's door and gingerly reached out, putting my hand against the white wood. Thank you, I sent softly.

  You're welcome, came her sleepy reply. For what?

  Tell you later. Sleep tight.

  Quit making so much fucking noise.

  I chuckled as I entered the rift-free guest bathroom.

  Chapter 14

  I exited the bath with an oversized towel wrapped around me, nearly tripping over Dar who stood guard across the bathroom door. He got up and moved out of the way as I walked out into the hallway in a cloud of steam.

  My living room was empty, as was the kitchen. I started to panic until I got to my bedroom where everyone had gathered to magick the damage caused by me, the rift, and the two demons. I gasped as Candace stroked away the last bloodstain off my comforter.

  I walked through the room and peeked in my bathroom. You couldn't tell an unholy war had been waged in there barely an hour before. Even the dismembered demons had vanished.

  "Oh, guys. Thank you," I said. Josie shot me a dirty look. "And gal," I added with a smile.

  "Well, we wanted to do something." Jimmy said. "But you're not allowed to call my job dangerous, anymore."

  "I didn't get blown up."

  "This time," he said with a chuckle.

  "I'm ordering steaks. You're all staying for dinner."

  "Would you like me to call Bunyan's? I can pick them up," Jason said.

  "Sure, but take my car."

  He nodded, knowing better than to argue. "I'll get everybody's order. You relax," he said and squeezed out of the overpopulated bathroom, kissing my forehead as he walked by.

  "Thought you weren't supposed to kiss the boss."

  "I'm off the clock."

  Chief laughed and was the next to get out of the tiny room, kissing me firmly on the lips. Then Jimmy pulled me into a hug and breathed in the scent of my wet hair, kissing my neck. Dennis walked out, blushed, and kissed my cheek.

  Josie leaned in for a kiss and I covered her mouth with my hand, shooting her a dirty look. I felt her tongue wiggle against my palm, and I pulled it away screaming and wiping it on the towel I was wearing. She wisely ran out of my bedroom.