by Lia Davis
Warmth chased away the cold when he stepped up behind me and hugged me to him, my back to his front. “And here you are. Why now?”
The words weren’t accusatory. His concern for my wellbeing surprised me. I turned in his arms and stared into his blue eyes. “Wade. Before he showed up in my hospital room, I didn’t know about you.”
“How did you know we weren’t looking for you to kill you?”
“Wade said you were searching for me to help kill the demon and remove the marks.”
Dimitri drew his brows together. “And you believed him?”
“Ghosts can’t lie to me. Even if it wasn’t true, it was what he believed to be true. Plus, Salrus showed, so my cover was blown.”
Silence filled the space around us. My heart pounded, and I expected him to pull away. Then his gaze lowered to my mouth, igniting the flame of desire. Strangers, yet destined to be much more…
He dipped his head and claimed my lips hungrily. My own need rose, and I ached to be possessed by him. His mouth moved with mine before he took my bottom lip between his and sucked. A groan slipped free.
Trailing a hand down his chest to his waistband and lower, I cupped him over his jeans. He bucked his hips, pressing into my touch. A moment later, he tore his mouth from mine and nipped at my jaw, then my throat. “I want you.”
“Yes.”
“But we shouldn’t do this now.”
“No.”
He gripped my hand and held it behind my back. Not moving away, he met my gaze.
The clearing of a throat drew our attention to the door. Zane stood there, staring at us. His expression was unreadable. Slowly, Dimitri released me but still held my hand. Zane glanced at our linked fingers and then to my face. “We need to get you some clothes before we go and get Wyatt and Trevor and convince the idiots to join in on our suicide mission.”
Then he left.
Frowning, I glanced at Dimitri. “Is he angry with us?”
“No. He’s dealing with the wolf right now. It’ll take him some time to learn to share.” He faced me and smiled. “He’ll come around. You should spend time with him, though. So I’m going to stay here while you go with Zane to talk to Wyatt.”
I opened my mouth to argue but closed it. He was right. I needed to convince Zane that this could work. “Let’s get the charm done and then go shopping.”
Leaning in, I stole another quick kiss before I went back to the opened cabinet. Inside were small jars of dried herbs, each labeled appropriately.
“I really don’t like shopping,” I admitted to fill the silence. It wasn’t awkward. I just didn’t want it quiet at the moment.
“I thought all girls liked shopping.” I didn’t need to look at him to know he was teasing.
I knocked my elbow into his arm. “Not this girl. I just need some jeans and T-shirts. Nothing fancy.” I glanced around. “I need a bowl of water.” I found candles and incense.
Dimitri crossed the room to a sink with a small counter and cabinets. Reaching inside one of the cabinets above the sink, he pulled out a white ceramic bowl, then filled it with water. “My mom made this room fully functional. Plus, none of her ritual items could get mixed up with her cookware.”
Made sense. I studied his profile as he set the bowl on the table. Every so often, his gaze lifted to the spirits moving around the room. I ignored them to the point I blocked them out. They weren’t hurting anyone or wanting my attention, so I left them alone. Yet, Dimitri seemed to sense them. “Was your mom a hedge witch?”
He nodded. “I feel them. But I’m a green witch.”
“We are all sensitive to them. Even Zane is. I don’t think he likes them much.”
Dimitri laughed. “No, he doesn’t. Not even before we were marked.”
“It’s the wolf within and his primal instincts. They can pick up on the energy.” I grabbed the frankincense oil and added it to the water. Pinching some salt, I added it to the mix before I picked up the drawing. I willed the candle to light. The flame flared to life instantly and danced wildly for a moment before it steadied. I held the corner of the parchment in the flame. The paper caught fire, and I held it over the water as I watched it burn between my fingers.
When the fire reached my fingertips, I dropped the sliver into the bowl. It sizzled as the tiny corner hit the cool water. The water turned purple and smoked. Dimitri reached over me and took something off a hook on the wall. Then he dangled a quarter-size amethyst on a black leather cord in front of me. “Use this.”
I nodded. Amethyst was a good choice. It’d absorb the potion and help balance the magic as well as aid in strengthening it. Taking the necklace from him, I dropped it into the water.
With a wave of my fingers in a circular motion over the bowl, the water stirred and began to clear. The purple color, along with the magic entering the stone, created a charm. “Protect and conceal all who wear the charm from any evil who wishes them harm. This is my will. So mote it be.”
A puff of smoke lifted from the water’s surface, and then the water stilled. I picked up the necklace and slipped it over my neck, shivering as the cool, wet cord touched my skin.
“Are you okay?” Dimitri asked.
I smiled and nodded. “Never better. How about we test this out while shopping?”
Zane appeared in the doorway then. “It’s eleven o’clock at night. Stores are closed.”
Wow, was it really that late? I’d spent too much time running from the demon today. “Okay, then what do you want to do?”
I had too much ungrounded energy from building up a new wall of wards and creating the charm. Odd. Performing spells usually drained me. Or was that the psychotropic meds? I frowned and glanced around the room, not sure what I was searching for. The sudden need to disappear washed over me.
Zane moved closer until he was inches from me, then he lifted my chin with his index finger. Meeting his gaze, I relaxed. A slow, lazy smile lifted the corners of his lips. “Try to sleep. I want to get up early and catch Wyatt before his day starts.”
Then Zane kissed my forehead and left.
I stared at the doorway as if he would appear again. He’d shown me compassion for the first time since I arrived. The place he’d kissed tingled and warmed, bringing a smile to my lips. It had been so tender and unexpected.
And I wanted more from him. To see who he truly was.
A gentle touch on my arm brought my focus back to Dimitri. His face lit up with a small smile. “Would you like to have some tea before bed?”
Tea sounded heavenly. “Yes, thanks.”
He linked his fingers with mine and tugged me out of the room and down to the kitchen. After a slight squeeze of my hand, Dimitri grabbed the teakettle on the way to the sink. “I’ve been thinking about what Tory said.”
My heart stilled for a brief moment. I held my tongue, waiting for him to continue. Working with the guys to kill the demon and uncover the Council’s evil plans was one thing. Having a relationship with them was another animal altogether. Sure, I was attracted to Zane and Dimitri and wanted things I shouldn’t. That didn’t mean I’d fall in love with both of them.
And what about Wyatt and Trevor? I hadn’t met them. How was I supposed to know if a relationship between the six of us would even work?
“I think it could work.” Dimitri faced me and drew his brows together. “You don’t think it will.”
I offered a half-shrug and settled into a chair at the kitchen nook. “I don’t know any of you. Not to mention it’s been years since Wyatt and Trevor has talked to you guys. I doubt they will be willing to go into the type of relationship Tory was talking about.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But we have to try. At least, try to convince them to join the fight.”
Staring at my reflection in the small window, I tried to think of another way. I wasn’t strong enough to defeat the demon on my own. I’d tried that. Had the scar to prove it. With Dimitri’s and Zane’s help, there still wasn’t enough power to overtake my ev
il father.
Dimitri set down a teacup in front of me, then the milk and honey. “Thanks.”
After adding sweetener, I used magic to raise the spoon and stir the tea without touching it. I lifted my gaze to Dimitri and tilted my head slightly. “I can unbind your powers.”
He jerked his gaze to mine. A spark of fear flashed in his depths, then vanished almost as fast as it had appeared. “I don’t think…”
What was he afraid of? The Council? I covered his hand with mine. “It doesn’t have to be tonight. But I will need them fully online before we face Salrus.”
He gave a half-hearted shrug. “Not tonight.” He paused as he studied his tea. “Why are my powers being unlocked so important to you? I can feel your magic. It’s unlike anything I’ve sensed, including the demon’s.”
It was my turn to avert my gaze. “I’ve tried to stop Salrus before, and my mom died. I just want to be more prepared when I go up against him this time.”
The truth was, I feared my father and never believed that one day I’d be more powerful than he.
Dimitri placed a hand over mine, drawing my attention back to him. “Since the demon marked me, my magic became unpredictable and darker. I was glad when the Council locked my powers down. I’m not ready.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I wanted to comfort him. “Whenever you’re ready. For now, we’ll do our homework and see what we’re up against. And try to determine why the Council wanted me and my mother dead.”
Dimitri nodded and offered a small smile. “Until then, we should get to know each other better.”
A smile tried to surface, but I pressed my lips together to keep it from showing. He’d brought the conversation back to the harem thing. “Do we really have time to date?”
Dimitri lifted his gaze to mine, his eyes dancing. “We make time.” He took my hand and linked our fingers on top of the table. “I feel the spark, the allure between us. I also see it in the way Zane looks at you.”
“You mean through his snarling glare?”
Dimitri laughed. “He isn’t that bad. Just don’t let him push you around.”
I noticed for the first time since arriving that Dimitri had dimples. It made his handsome features all the more desirable. My gaze dropped to his lips, and my insides warmed. Every part of me wanted him. And Zane.
With a sigh, I tugged my hand from Dimitri’s. “Salrus isn’t our only problem.
Nodding, he sat back in his chair. “The Council. I know. I’ve been watching them. Mainly because it didn’t make a lot of sense for them to bind my powers. Yes, they became darker, but I’m an elemental who can talk to animals. I can’t control them, though.”
“They are afraid of anyone with power that rivals their own.”
“But I don’t have any divine gifts. Even with the demon mark, I didn’t gain that much power.” He frowned.
“I don’t trust them. Especially since they killed one of their members instead of protecting her. Have you found out anything useful?”
He stood and collected the cups, then carried them to the dishwasher. “Not much. Or at least nothing you haven’t told me. They send runners out to gather anyone with a gift or extra abilities. The ones that are able to call magic at will without a spell are placed under a kill order.”
I had already guessed everything he confirmed. “I believe they are hiding something.”
“I think so, too, but I don’t know what.”
A knock on the doorframe drew our attention to the kitchen archway. Zane stood in the opening with his arms crossed over his chest, his intense stare locked on me. “I told you to get some sleep.”
Busted. I stood and faced him. Dimitri said not to let Zane push me around. Yet, I found him sexy when he growled and demanded things. “I’m not sleepy. Plus, we have to plan.”
He worked his jaw, took one step forward, and gripped my hand in his. Then he tugged me out of the kitchen and upstairs to his room. Once inside, he pointed to the bed.
I glanced at the unmade bed and then back at him with my brows raised. “And?’
I swore I saw one corner of his kissable lips twitch before he spoke. “Five a.m. comes pretty quickly.”
Was he serious about me sleeping in his bed? Wasn’t there a guest room I could stay in? When he crossed his arms over his bare chest, I figured I couldn’t argue my way out of this. But I definitely wouldn’t get any sleep next to the sexy wolf.
With a shrug, I climbed into bed and lay on my side, giving him my back. The lights shut off, and a moment later, he eased into the bed next to me. My heart hammered. Then a chill shook me. His room was colder than downstairs. As if sensing that I was chilly, Zane wrapped his arms around me and drew my back up against his front.
“Sleep.”
The single word was a whisper, almost a polite request. I smiled and then yawned. Sleep soon claimed me.
Chapter 8
I was having the best night of sleep I’d had in my life when I felt someone shake me.
“Reese.”
The wolf was sexy, but he could let me sleep a little longer.
“Reese. We have to go.”
“Go away.”
I didn’t get the words out of my mouth completely before the blanket was ripped from my grasp, and a large hand gripped my ankle. A squeal escaped from me as Zane pulled me off the bed until I landed on my ass on the floor. I glared up at him. He had a half-smile on his face. “Jerk.”
“I said we need to leave.” He pointed to bathroom connected to his room. “There are clothes in there. I’ll be waiting downstairs.”
He left the room, closing the door behind him. I stuck out my tongue. Childish? Yes. I wasn’t a morning person. And I’d been sleeping so soundly.
Grumbling, I pushed to a stand and went to the bathroom. Inside, I spotted the clothes. Women’s clothing. A light green v-neck T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Running my fingers over the fabrics, I wondered where he’d gotten them. I picked them up and smelled them, feeling a little silly. But I could read people by their scent. It was how I’d known that Zane was a wolf-shifter and Dimitri was a witch.
Inhaling the scents from the clothes, I frowned. I smelled Dimitri and Zane on them, but there was another, a witch.
“They were D’s mother’s.”
I jumped and spun around, not expecting ghost Wade. “Why are you in here? I could have been naked.”
He shrugged. “But you aren’t.”
Rolling my eyes, I placed the clothes back on the sink and turned toward the shower. “I need to wash up. Go hang out with Zane.”
After the ghost had left the bathroom, I stripped and turned on the taps. Stepping under the hot spray, I sighed and relished having hot water. At the nut house, I was lucky to get warm water most of the time.
I cut the shower shorter than I wanted, but I didn't need Zane barging in on me. Plus, I was anxious to get to Trevor and Wyatt and find out just how much damage control was needed before we could work together to kill my father—before the demon killed us.
After I’d dressed, not bothering to fix my hair, I headed downstairs. Zane was pacing the foyer while Wade hovered near the door. The two of them looked like they were avoiding each other. I knew Zane knew the ghost was there by the way he glared at Wade’s position each time he passed by.
This was going to be a fun drive.
"I'm ready," I said to get Zane's attention.
He lifted his head and stared at me. "Your hair..."
I held up a hand. "Will be dry by the time we get there, and I'll fix it then." I held up my hand and wiggled my fingers. "With magic."
Then I pushed past him and headed out the door. I didn’t know how to act around Zane. He looked at me with desire in his gaze while keeping his distance as if he didn’t trust me. Except for last night when he’d held me close while we slept.
That was the only affection he’d shown since I arrived. I didn’t blame him, though. After all, I was the demon’s daughter. Dear old Dad ha
d screwed Zane out of leading his Pack. From being the Alpha he was born to be.
My heart ached at the thought. When I got to the car, I glanced at him and frowned.
He met my stare, narrowed his eyes, and snapped, “What?”
Letting out a sigh, I opened the car door and climbed in. He so needed to get over the attitude. I’d have to find out if food or sex was the way to his heart. Maybe it was both. I smiled. Dinner in bed it is!
Zane sat in the driver’s seat and buckled his seatbelt. “What?”
This time, it was a question, and his tone was softer. “Nothing. I was just thinking.”
“If you say so.” He backed out of the driveway and headed to town.
We rode in silence for about ten minutes before I had to fill the lull with noise. It was the perfect time to drill him on Wyatt and Trevor. “You’ve known Wyatt and Trevor since high school?”
“Third grade.” Zane’s response was said in a matter-of-fact tone. I pressed my lips together before asking my next question. “What is Wyatt like?”
A heavy sigh was his reply. For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer, and I’d have to resort to desperate measures, like getting naked. I giggled at the thought. What the hell was wrong with me?
Too much time locked away without interacting with people. Had to be. Or, maybe I was crazy for real.
I twisted in my seat to stare at the wolf in the driver’s seat. He rolled his eyes, but I caught the way his lips twisted. He was amused. Good. “Wyatt is a little reserved and a control freak. He likes things to be a certain way, and doesn’t deal well when his routine changes.”
Zane frowned then. My chest tightened. A sense of sadness filled the car. “Wade’s death was hard on him,” I said.
“D and I were scared he’d do something stupid. But Trevor was there for him. For a while, Trev kept us updated. And every year we’d meet at Wade’s grave.” Zane paused and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “They stopped coming about two years ago. Or at least when D and I went.”
My nose tingled, and my eyes started to water. “I’m going to fix this. I’m the reason all of you were dragged into this.”
