His body and sweat cooled, and his heart rate returned to normal. He wondered when she’d finally get the gumption up to call him. They’d had a breakthrough. Now the ball was in her court.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Mysta awoke on a gasp. The remnants of her dream of Viktor clung to her like a web. She could feel the phantom of a cock driving into her pussy. Her body buzzed as her channel contracted and relaxed. Her juices coated her inner thighs. Tension rode along her limbs as the orgasm worked its way through her body. She gasped and rocked and whimpered. She gripped the sheets tightly until the sensations passed. Her feet flexed. Sweat traced a path along her hairline and slipped over her belly.
On instinct she released the bedclothes, widened her legs, and played her fingers over her mound. Her touch slipped up and down over the plump lips of her labia, but she refused to touch her clit. Just a small tease. Impatience filled her as she continued to tease herself. She imagined her phantom lover was Viktor, touching her, tormenting her with his tongue. The slow laps of the soft yet firm, wet flesh, the quick flirtatious touches. Her toes curled, and her legs tensed. Tension wound tight within her, and her breathing came on in labored gasps.
She could feel that sweet edge, so close and yet so distant. With deep breaths she forced herself to calm down. Her fingertips twitched as she continued to hold still. Her deep breathing bounced back at her. Clear golden light streamed into the windows. The chirp of birds could be heard beyond the glass. Branches scraped against the house. She felt the soft bite of the cool morning air on her skin. The fantasy of making love to Viktor out in the open at the lake drifted through her mind setting the scene. Her flesh pebbled, and her nipples tightened.
She pushed her chest up to her phantom lover at the same time, her free hand lifting and cupping the globe. Together they squeezed. The warmth of his touch filled her, seeping past the levels of her flesh to saturate her muscles, tissue, and blood. She groaned and relaxed and contracted his grip. Spirals of sensation overflowed through her body seeping from her breast outward.
She worked herself, pausing to wet her fingertips with her tongue every now and then before returning to her slow, leisurely work. Her body demanded she move faster, get herself to the peak quicker. She transferred her hand to the neglected breast. This time she pinched, tugged, and rolled her tight nipple setting off a line of fire that shot straight to her pussy. Her hips bucked, and her finger bumped against her clit. Viktor slipped a hand past the waistband of her panties.
“Viktor. Viktor. Viktor,” she whispered. Her hands moved along with her plea doing exactly what she knew the real Viktor would do. When that wasn’t enough, Viktor moved down between her thighs where he yanked down her bottoms and her underwear and lay flat on his stomach on the bed. His breath caressed her pulsing nether lips, and his thumbs parted her labial folds exposing her clit to the air. With soft huffs he blew on the button, then he flicked and strummed the hardened nub. She continued to tease and torment her breasts, her hips rocking up and down against her ministrations.
Higher and higher she climbed until she was gasping, her blood alight and her body on the point of breaking. Her legs trembled. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. It wasn’t enough, damn it. She wanted the real thing, the flesh and blood man. Stubbornness egged her on. The moment of bliss hung out of reach right in front of her. So close. She clenched her jaw and pushed herself forward, picturing him burying his head between her legs. The sharp scrape of teeth over her vulnerable thickened lips sent shock waves through her. His canines played over the top of her clit, setting off a mini orgasm that stole her breath. Not enough.
“Please,” she muttered to the air.
Her magic sparked to life rushing over her skin, a silken brush that pulled a moan from her. Her power added weight and increased the pressure of her touch. A tidal wave of desire slammed into her. She sucked in a breath as her heart hammered against her rib cage. Her vaginal walls contracted. Moisture coated her thighs. She gripped her breast so tight it hurt. The pain only increased her arousal. In her dream Viktor sucked her clit into his mouth while he plunged his digits into her dripping pussy. The place where he’d bitten her pulsed to life. She scented him in the air. His presence pressed against her sweat-coated body.
Viktor whispered her name just as the dam broke and she came. Her body stilled. She held on to the pure bliss that washed over her. Every inch of her was alive and aware. She was one with all the elements and them with her. Her magic burst above her like fireworks filling the room with colored lights. Viktor’s name came out as a strained cry.
With a gasp she fell to the bed. Sweat soaked the sheets, and her breaths came out in puffs. Her head swam, and her vision blurred.
The door burst open.
“Mysta, do you want any coffee… Whoa! Sorry. Sorry.”
Mysta lifted her head a fraction of an inch, just in time to see the door slam shut.
“I’ll, uh, meet you downstairs in the kitchen,” Malcolm called through the wood. His heavy tread clomped away from her room and down the stairs.
She didn’t have the energy to move, yell at him, or even blink. The pleasure continued to ricochet around her.
Sensation returned in stages until she could move her feet and lift her limbs. Lassitude rippled over her arms and legs, but she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. She took a quick shower, then threw on some sweats and walked downstairs to the kitchen.
Malcolm stood at the stove with his back to her cooking what looked like omelets. He glanced over his shoulder, then turned back to the pan. “I promise not to tell anyone I saw you nekkid or jilling off.”
“Don’t care at the moment. Give me a few hours, and I might freak out.” A glance at the clock showed she had at least an hour to kill before going into the office. She took a few moments to watch him. Today would be the day to talk to Bridget about Malcolm, but first she had to know something. “So, are you going to tell me why you’re here in Evenfall?”
Malcolm turned around, set a cup of The Java Demon’s signature Demon’s Blend coffee down next to him, and went back to cooking.
“Fine.” He gave her a dark grin. “I’m here because I want the best helping me. I knew that Viktor worked in the library. I knew he was your ex. I wanted to see if he could use his pull to convince you to let me meet Bridget. As a bonus, the witch who cursed me lives here in town.”
“Okay.” Rather than get pissed off before she’d had her full amount of coffee she decided to hear him out. Part of her riled at how sneaky he’d been. Drunken D&D her ass!
“I met with Deidre day before I came and met Vik. Asked her if she was willing to reverse the curse.”
Mysta opened her mouth, but he held up a hand. “I know, I know. I just wanted to see. No trouble in asking, right? I doubted she’d do it, but I wanted to try. No dice, so I met Vik the next night.”
She turned over this new information. “Thanks for being honest. I’ll try to help you, but we have a big case load going on.” Small lie but still she wasn’t about to spill on the rogue vampire they were keeping at the office.
“You mean that spy for The Great Bloodstorm? Already heard about that.” He slid the food onto two plates, grabbed some forks from the drain board, and served one fork to her and sat down across from her.
“Just how many people know about this?” She had to warn Bridget in case there was trouble.
“Only the drunks over at the Goblin’s Prick. Moron was in there last night bragging. No one took him seriously.” A smirk curled his lips.
“Damn small towns and the rumor mill,” she grumbled.
“Yeah, well The Great Blood Drizzle will have his head handed to him along with his ass. I’ve seen Joe fight, and let me tell you, he can be vicious when it comes to protecting what is his.” Malcolm’s smirk turned into an evil grin. “If he wasn’t a bloodsucker I’d think he was a demon.” Malcolm settled down and dug in.
She snorted. “You wish.”
“So y
ou still want to help me?” His features brightened.
She pointed at him. “I’ll ask Bridget. No promises. Does Viktor know?”
Malcolm nodded “Yeah. He’s a good friend, but I don’t want to drag him any deeper into this beyond him knowing why I’m here.”
“Okay, good.” Silence fell between them. Mysta glanced around the kitchen. Every inch of the counter, fridge, and stove gleamed. Even the windows sparkled. The place looked just as good as the day she’d moved in. “So far you’ve been a good house guest even if you eat more than me, Lana, and Vivi combined, so you’re going to have to chip in with expenses, got it? I’m not made out of money.”
Malcolm frowned. “But the pay from the Union and your job with Bridget? This house?”
“I live here rent free. Bridget owns the properties. I may not pay rent, but I do pay for gas, groceries, utilities, etcetera. That adds up in a small town like ours that runs on magic and eco-friendly sources.” She slouched on her stool. “Our bills may be lower than other places, but I’m not exactly flush like Sera or Bridget. Lana and I have to budget things, and I’m saving up.” She checked her watch. “I have to go. Thanks for breakfast and coffee.”
She finished the last of the omelet, got up, and put her plates away and rushed upstairs. After a quick change, she checked her schedule on her phone and headed out.
Malcolm was doing the dishes as she passed by the kitchen area. “You do know I have a dishwasher right?” She slipped her arm through the strap of her messenger bag and grabbed her keys.
He didn’t turn around. “Yeah, but I don’t mind doing them. See you later. Maybe a veggie lasagna for dinner?”
She frowned. “Carnivore, remember?”
“Healthier option, but I’ll include meat. Go, make the bacon.”
“You’re obsessed with bacon, aren’t you?” Mysta resisted the urge to smile.
“Isn’t everyone? And thanks, I really appreciate it.”
“They should be, and you’re welcome.” With a smile she was out the door.
It was a sunny, clear day. She savored the warmth on her skin and the gentle breeze against her face.
The change in scenery from residential-lined streets to the start of Main Street was marked with less decorations and more stores. Mom and Pop shops, from Karin’s Flower Shop to Doug’s Fat Worm Bait and Tackle Shop and The Java Demon in the center of town, formed the middle of the main drag through town. A park sat not far from her office. The remnants of the fireworks display and party were in full evidence with all the confetti and parts of costumes strewn around even a day later. From what she’d heard the cleaning crews had spent far too much time tackling the giant snail from the young warlocks at the library.
She slipped down the alleyway between Bridget’s office and the neighboring photographer’s shop and behind the building to let herself in through the back entrance. Here everything remained clean and neat. Only a bit of confetti could be seen. Being the first one in showed. No one had arrived yet. Their neighbors wouldn’t be opening their shops until tomorrow.
She puttered around, following the usual morning routine. First, put coffee on for clients—Bridget, Sera, Lana, and Mysta never actually drank the office java if they could help it. Second, check the schedule to make sure they were on target for meeting clients’ deadlines. Third, water the plants. Fourth, open the front door.
She had just unlocked the entrance when her phone rang.
“Hello?” She settled down on the padded bench Lana kept in her little plant alcove.
“Hey, Mys, it’s Karolina. Mom and Dad are taking me to Evenfall for an interview today. Do you have time to meet with us?”
Lina’s tone was careful, neutral, but Mysta detected the hope there. It had been a year since she’d seen her sibling, since studying for the familiar testing took up a lot of time and didn’t leave much of a social life outside of Arbor Town.
“Hey, Lina. Yeah, what time?” She took in the various pots and gardening tools. They all looked brand-new despite only being a year old. Lana had been working her magic again to make them pristine. They would need to have a talk about personal magic. There was always a price for using magic for personal use. She could just hear the list of excuses Lana would come up with. But it benefits everyone because we don’t have to buy new tools. And tease karma? No thank you.
“Dinner time?” Lina’s voice went up on the last word.
Mysta thought it over. Viktor hadn’t interacted with her family back in Arbor Town; she had seen to it. There was no way she would allow him to bring his ideas of what her family was doing to her into her home. Looking back, she could see she had done things the wrong way. If she had allowed him to speak to her parents, her family, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten the ideas he had. She’d been so scared of confrontation she’d compartmentalized her life even more than she already had. Maybe having him talk to the people who mattered the world to her might help clear the fog just a bit. After how understanding and supportive Viktor had been at the picnic she wanted to try to merge the two lives she’d kept separate out of fear and doubt. If they were to have any kind of relationship he would have to get along with not only her friends but her family as well.
“Can I bring someone?” She blurted the question out before she lost her nerve. Her heart hammered and sweat dampened her palms.
Lina’s tone brightened. “Oh! Bringing someone to meet Mom and Dad? Sweet! Sure, bring anyone you want. Maybe even Bridget, Sera, and Lana?”
Relief filled her. “You just want magic tips, don’t you?” Mysta teased.
“I’m so nervous, sis. They changed the test after you took it. I’ve heard that some families are going to be using the test responses and scores in their interviews. I know I passed, but still what if I wasn’t thorough enough in my knowledge parts or I didn’t show enough of my work for the spell section?” Lina’s tone shook. “There’s a whole new section on black magic, and they redid the practical magic questions. Right now Mom and Dad are taking me to talk to families before I get my results.”
Mysta smiled, remembering the hoops she’d had to jump through before she’d been paired up with Bridget. It would be easier for Lina now. Everything that she’d gone through, the denial of life, the long, isolated hours, had brought her family to this moment.
“Did they change the rules for pre-testing interviews too?” Mysta hoped so. She didn’t want her family to get in trouble for trying to find a witch or wizard to match Lina up with before she was certified.
“Yeah, people lobbied for it and we won! It’s so awesome. They’re making more changes, to be announced. It’ll be great, sis. Listen, I gotta go. Mom and Dad are going to take me to the Fairy’s Table Family Restaurant when we get to town. See you there?” In the background Mysta could hear her mother calling to Lina.
“Go, it’s okay. Give my love to Mom and Dad. And yeah, I’ll be there.” Mysta hung up her phone and started going through receipts, checking to see the status of what they’d ordered. They were scheduled to do a batch of quick potions to make up for their depleted stock. And there was still more research to do on hobgoblins for that client.
Bridget strode in fifteen minutes later and dropped her bag on the floor, peeled off her jacket, and hung it up. She unwound her scarf from her neck, revealing a bruise and two puncture marks.
“Today we’re working on hex deterrents, a mixture for protecting a room and a few extra defensive tonics for emergencies. I’m exhausted just saying all that. I tell you, if they didn’t feed me I’d be at home dead to the world. Feeding a vampire is so exhausting, but it has its benefits. So, what’s shaking, snaky?” She gestured for Mysta to follow her. They walked down the hall, past the warded room into the potions spaces. Unlike most witches, Bridget made her brews and spells in separate areas. “Please tell me we have doughnuts or at least some sort of pastries around?”
“No delivery yet.” Mysta cursed herself for forgetting to call the bakery. “I’ll call when we take a b
reak.”
Bridget pouted. “Okay, so, why are you in so early? Are you finally going to organize that stuff from the estate sale instead of staring at it and drooling and clapping your hands like a demented toy monkey? ’Cause I’ve been meaning to tell you how creepy that is. Is it Viktor? Do I have to hex him into behaving?” Bridget grinned. Despite the clear signs of tiredness, she seemed in high spirits.
“No, he and I are okay. I just wanted to get here before everyone else, to talk to you about a friend of Viktor’s named Malcolm. He’s a hellhound.” Mysta explained Malcolm’s story and their current living arrangements. “Malcolm needs help finding a match. He may not be a born familiar but he wants to go for it.”
“He does dishes and actually cleans up? How clean are we talking?” Bridget grabbed some empty bottles of water. “Mr. Clean clean? Or, you can eat off the floor clean? Or I just shoved shit into drawers clean? As far as matchmaking goes, I can put in a few calls to people but no guarantee. There may be issues of his bloodline, you know the usual crap. Just don’t get your hopes you, okay?”
Mysta nodded. She knew the process, knew how the Council could be. “Okay.” Mysta grabbed jars of ingredients off the shelves and pulled stirring instruments out of their drawers.
“Good.” Bridget pulled books off the shelf and stacked them next to the jugs. “Can you get the fires going?”
“Yeah.” Mysta drew on her magic, channeling the power from the center of her chest to course over her shoulders, down her arms, and through her hands until her fingertips tingled. With a snap of her fingers, a small flame sparked to life at the tips of her nails. She turned the knobs on the mini stoves they had set up and lit the gas rings one by one until all six were flickering circles of blue light. She snapped her fingers again. The flame went out. She drew her magic back into her core.
Outfoxing Mysta Page 11
