Burning Midnight

by Erzabet Bishop

  “You ever try telling a stubborn witch what to do?”

  The vampire snorted. “No. And I don't think she listen anyway.”

  “And that's my point. She mentioned the woods but so far there's been nothing.” Aristide cocked his head, a tiny sound in the distance catching his attention. His wolf paced beneath his skin, eager to shift and hunt but he held his beast back, knowing he would need his human side for this.

  “What is it?”

  “I'm not sure.” He moved forward, client with not even a twig are pine needles crunching under his feet. Come on let's see if we could find her before she gets herself into some kind of trouble. And Gabby. They had to find Gabby.

  The creatures were on them before either man had a chance to react.

  “Look out!”

  A snarling mass of them approached, and Aristide dodged one, his gaze resting on one of his pack members.

  Shit. And there to his left were vampires. All of them sightlessly fighting, with no purpose other than to draw blood.

  “To your right.” Rand swung his fist connecting with the first zombie like creature, connecting with it in the face, and knocking it back a few paces before it turned on the closest member of the mob and tore in.

  They were all fighting, he and Rand drawn in just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was what his people had been reporting.

  “We have to break away from this. These are your people and mine.”

  “I hear you.” The vampire panted, his bloodied knuckles healing in moments. The wave of creatures passed them like a hungry mob and he was struck by how zombie like they were.

  “They’re not dead.”

  “No. But something’s holding them.”

  “The amulet?”

  “I don’t know.” Aristide walked on. “But something tells me we’re about to find out.”

  The woods were dim, with little of the moon above reaching beneath the thick canopy of trees, but the thing that struck him the hardest was no animals in the brush. It was silent as a tomb and the hair on his arms at the ready. That was it.

  “It's a tomb.”

  “What is?” The vampire whispered, his eyes glittering in the murky darkness.

  “This place.”

  “I don't follow.” Rand scowled, gazing at him like he’d lost his mind.

  “Just keep up with me.” Aristide took off, the vampire easily keeping up with him. The maze of trees ended abruptly, and he found himself faced with a field surrounding what appeared to be a cottage and the rest of the undead horde, aimlessly milling about.

  The yard milled with sightless wolves and vampires, all with the same blank expression across their faces. Some were wounded. Others looked as if they’d just rolled out of bed. But each and every one held the same vacant expression and it chilled him to the bone.

  Where was Gabby? And Diana?

  A voice carried from the other side of the clearing.

  “Diana. I see you've come to join me.” A red headed witch in a long black gown approached, a shining trinket of blue moving with her as she walked.

  The amulet. Rand met his eyes and nodded. If they could get it, maybe there was a way the spell could be broken.

  “I don’t think so. I’m looking for a young woman named Gabby.” Diana took a step back, but by then, the creatures had surrounded her, pushing her toward the witch.

  “A pity. And here I thought you would want to pick up where we left off all those years ago.”

  “Go to hell, Joanna.”

  “Oh, but my dear. You first.” The witch lashed out, cracking Diana across the head with a wooden walking stick.

  “Fuck.” Rand crouched next to him, his eyes glowing red in the darkness.

  “Pick her up. Inside. Now.” Then the witch lifted her head and stared right at the two men. “And please see our two guests across the field. I wouldn’t want them to miss…anything.”

  Out of the darkness, they were surrounded.

  “Don’t fight them,” Rand growled. “It’s what she wants.”

  Instead, they allowed themselves to be pushed toward the cottage and Diana and hopefully some answers.

  ***

  Diana came to in a strange bed, her head aching. Blinking, she realized this must be one of the spare rooms in the cottage. As a teen, she had only ever spent time in Joanna’s room.

  How long had she been out? And had the men caught up to her only to be ensnared by the wandering creatures outside?

  No. That couldn’t happen. She wouldn’t, couldn’t allow that. Not them and not Gabby. Not ever. There had to be some way around this and she would find out what it was.

  She pushed up from the mattress, her head spinning at the sudden movement.

  “You’re awake. How charming.” Joanna strode forward and snapped her fingers, the door opening. Two men were pushed inside and to her relief she saw it was Rand and Aristide.

  “You’re okay…”

  Their faces grim, they entered the room led by one of Joanna’s mindless drones.

  “You disappoint me. And here I thought you were a witch who could appreciate a little tension between the masses.”

  Her gaze snapped back toward Joanna. “What do you mean?”

  “What better way to get rid of your adversaries and to have them kill each other? You know the history. Get them out of the way and our kind will rule the world. No more will we be subjugated to vampire lords and alpha males who think they can take what they want when they want it.”

  “I won't let you get away with this.”

  “If you're not with me then you are against me my dear. But I do admit I am greatly disappointed. You're so much like your mother.”

  “What's that supposed to mean?”

  “Where is my daughter?” Aristide interjected, his hands curling into claws, the moon shining bright in his eyes.

  “Oh. The beast speaks.” Joanna smirked. “Just for that I should have one of the vampires tear her head from her body while you watch. How would you like that, Alpha?”

  Goddess. Diana had to distract her before things got any worse. Then Joanna turned and she saw the amulet hanging from the belt around her waist.

  “Aristide, stop.”

  “How about you vampire? Would you like a turn at the wolf here? For daring to sniff around your woman?”

  When she got out of this, she was going to kill her.

  “Don’t talk to him. Talk to me. What about my mother?” Diana fought the nausea down, forcing her body into a sitting position and lowered her feet to the floor. She had to fight. For them and for herself. The woman was crazy and she was trying to destroy anyone and everyone in her path.

  “I think you know very well what I’m talking about. Your mother didn’t want me hanging out with you. I put a stop to her meddling. Just like I’ll put a stop to this.” She waved an elegant hand at the glowering men.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh fine. Play it that way. I made sure your parents wouldn’t wake up, silly. The moment you climbed out the window it was already over.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Is that your fondest wish, Diana? To see?” Joanna came close, tugging at the amulet.

  “Yes.”

  “Then do so.” She swung the amulet in front of Diana and waved the creatures from the room. “This trinket has been in our family for centuries. You have thirty minutes. Then I’ll be back. By then I expect the three of you will have a remarkably different disposition.”

  “It was never yours.” Diana protested, trying not the think of the image the bitch had left her with of her parents burning to death because she had the temerity to think they were screwing up her plans.

  Joanna’s mouth took on an unpleasant twist. “I beg to differ. My ancestors created it. His kind used it to destroy.”

  “No.”

  This had to stop. Now.

  “Foolish girl. Do you think a war between them is all this is good for?”
Joanna dropped the amulet into Rand’s hand and opened the door, a knowing smirk on her lips. “See what happens when a vampire longs to share his deepest desire. I hope you have enough iron in your blood.” A dark chuckle left her lips as she shut the door and locked it, sealing the three of them inside.

  Chapter Eight

  Rand held the amulet and it burned. Gazing into the blue light he saw his greatest longings unfold if only he had the courage to take what he wanted. To bury his cock inside of her at the same time he sunk his fangs inside her veins.

  “Rand, please give me the amulet.”

  God, but she was lovely. And the way her pulse jumped in her neck when she was frightened made his fangs drop and his already hard cock feel like it was ready to burst.

  “No…” His voice held a distant quality but he recognized that his body was indeed moving forward of its own volition.

  “Fuck. He’s turning. We have to get it away from him. Quick. Do you have any idea what he wants?”

  “Sex.” Diana swallowed as he pushed her down on the bed. He tore at her clothes, her bare flesh revealed, to his hungry gaze. But he had one difficulty. He couldn’t hold the amulet and take her at the same time.

  It was her only plan but it would have to work.

  Putting it down, he roared as the wolf swooped down and seized it from him.

  “No. Throw it down, Aristide. Don’t touch it.” Diana cried out even as he sprung toward the wolf to claim what was his.

  ***

  Aristide dropped the amulet onto the bed as he and Rand tumbled to the ground, locked in battle. Diana snatched it quickly, whispering every counter curse she’d ever known into the very marrow of the thing’s magical bones. Where she touched the amulet, her skin licked with fire. The thing whispered to her very soul and she cried out for the want coursing through her blood.

  Her body burned for them both and the need that poured from her bloomed like the flower she thought she never could be. Diana collapsed on her knees with a cry holding her hands out to the two men in front of her, hoping to the Goddess they would hear her amidst the bloodlust.

  She stood, removing her tattered clothing and walked toward them, laying a hand on their backs, even as they fought one another. At her touch, they stilled, eyes turning to her in reaction to the power thrumming beneath her skin.

  Rand was on her in seconds, his fangs distended, inches from her neck.

  “Stop.” She hissed, her hand gripping the length of his erection through his trousers. The tuxedo jacket had been lost long ago, and the warrior pressing against her now knew no boundaries.

  His fangs scratched her and he sunk deep, drawing blood and stroking himself.

  “Aristide,” she called out, her voice ragged.

  Somehow he knew what she wanted, his cock pressed against her opening, he slid inside of her, his tremendous width and girth stretching and widening her to the point where she thought she would burst.

  Diana cried out as the energy of the amulet surged and both men withdrew, visibly stunned by the taste of intimacy they’d shared.

  “Don’t leave.”

  She called them by name, her body shivering in the chill of the room. Battered and bloody they came and she could feel their energy as both of them knelt in front of her.

  She touched the amulet around her neck and waited for them to meet her eyes. Reaching up, Aristide grunted as her lips met his in a fiery kiss.

  Rand met her eyes with a troubled expression and she knelt in front of him, pressing her lips to his. She tugged him forward and he followed, eyes unsure.

  “Take them off. Please.” She pointed to his trousers and he complied, leaving his body bare to her gaze. Already his wounds had begun to heal and his arousal at her nudity was very plain, his length hardening even as she watched.

  She knelt in front of him and placed a kiss on the end of his cock, completely taking the vampire’s breath away.

  Aristide growled and moved to get to his feet but she stopped him with a touch. Her hand shot out and she caught him before he could leave knowing full well he was probably feeling.

  “Please. I need…” There were no words as she pressed her breasts against his chest and her nipples hardened in response.

  Her eyes moved from one man to the other and she finally understood. “She thought she could destroy us. But instead, she’s only made us stronger.”

  “I don't understand.” Aristide whispered, the confusion in his eyes plain.

  “She thought you would fight over me to the death. But what if what I want is to fight for you for our very lives?”

  Diana felt Rand move behind her and she tugged Aristide toward her, his cock bobbing in front of her face. “I want you both. I have since I met you. We don’t have much time. She can’t fight us if we’re connected with a mating bond.”

  Understanding slid through her wolf’s eyes and she wanted to reach up and kiss him.

  “We’ll figure the rest out later. Right now, for the love of the Goddess, fuck my mouth.”

  “Such a dirty talking witch.”

  “Well, then you’d better put my mouth to work.”

  Fangs scraped the smooth skin of her back and Rand eased the blunt tip of him against her slippery opening.

  “Now.”

  Rand surged forward, filling her recesses with his girth, making her gasp. He began to fuck her, her body jerking with each violent movement.

  It should have been painful, but the energy racing through her veins from the amulet made her crave it.

  “Aristide. Please.”

  He leaned forward and eased the tip of his cock into her mouth, and she took him in, the soft head of him bumping against the back of her throat as he made love to her mouth.

  Caution flew from them as the magic of the amulet burst forth. Rand sank his fangs deep into her shoulder blades, his hips jerking as he sought his release and his seed poured inside of her. He reached beneath Diana, teasing her clit. She cried out beneath him her body shuddering the wave of heat flooding over his cock, making him hard all over again.

  Her wolf thrust against her mouth, his own release a bitter rush as he pumped his hips, flooding her with the fruit of his passion, their shared energies filling her as her body erupted for the second time in a matter of minutes.

  “The witch is coming.” Rand withdrew and with his movement, so did Aristide, both of the men shielding her behind their bodies. Her mates. Both of them. And she was theirs.

  But by then it was too late.

  “What have you done?” Joanna shrieked. “No! You have to follow the plan.”

  “What you were too scared to do.” Diana replied as curious and aware faces pressed into the room. She pulled the sheet from the bed and wrapped herself in it, ready to face the woman who had unknowingly been both friend and enemy.

  Goddess knew what she had done to her own parents. Come to think of it, she never had seen them when she used to come over after school. But the one thing she did remember was the endless doodling in the other girls’ notebook.

  The amulet.

  But was it the only one?

  Diana decided that didn’t matter. Her shop was there for a reason. And if it was cursed, more than likely it would find its way across her doorstep. And there were plenty of those, as she’d discovered already.

  The sleepers had awakened, the amulet’s curse broken by a single act of love. Or a three way act of love.

  That she would have to figure out later. Right now, she just wanted a pair of pants.

  “It’s worthless now.” Diana unclasped the trinket and watched it fall, the last vestiges of power drifting away in the evening breeze.

  Morning was coming and with it the dawning of a new day.

  But that also meant Rand and the rest of the vampires needed to get indoors and quick.

  “I’ll see you tonight.” He pressed a quick kiss against her cheek and was off, his people taking custody of a murderous Joanna.

  And he would. The thre
e of them had a lot of talking to do. And she hoped, a little bit more time to explore their new reality. Two mates really could be better than one.

  Aristide, already dressed and on the phone to his people, nodded at Rand as he departed and the two moved toward the door as both teams of enforcers descended on the chaos.

  “Look who I just found wandering in the yard?” Rand popped back into the room, a disoriented Gabby in hand.

  The teenager gaped at Diana.“What are you doing in a sheet?”

  Diana started to laugh and didn’t stop when tears of happiness began to stream down her face.

  “What’s going on? You guys are acting weird.” Gabby rolled her eyes. “And where is my phone?” She walked back outside no doubt to search for the device. As she was gazing out the window, Diana saw a couple school busses pull up to the house, their bright yellow forms bouncing on the uneven terrain.

  “Buses?”

  “How else do you expect us to get this many wolves and vamps back to town?” Aristide grinned and let the change take him over, his wolfish grin mirroring her own.

  It was going to be different, this new reality, but she couldn’t wait to see what would happen when the midnight hours began to burn.

  The End

  Stay tuned for more tales coming soon in the Witching Hour Series.

  About the Author

  Erzabet Bishop is a USA TODAY BESTSELLING and award winning author who loves to write naughty stories. She is the author of Lipstick, Crave, Snow (Three Times More Lucky Box Set), Malediction, Map of Bones, Sanguine Shadows, Arcane (Prowlers and Growlers set),The Science of Lust, Wicked for You, Heart’s Protector, Burning for You, Taming the Beast, Mistletoe Kisses, Surrender, Torment (upcoming), Hedging Her Bets, Cat’s Got Her Tongue (upcoming), Arcane Imaginarium: Spirit Board, Holidays in Hell, Mallory’s Mark, The Devil’s Due (upcoming), Charity Benshaw’s Enchanted Paddle Emporium (upcoming), Club Beam, Pomegranate, A Red Dress for Christmas, The Black Magic Café, Sweet Seductions, The Erotic Pagans Series: Beltane Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation along with being a contributor to many anthologies. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children and can often be found lurking in local bookstores. She loves to bake, make naughty crochet projects and watch monster movies.