Kougar, Savanna - Kandy Apple and Her Hellhounds (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Savanna Kougar

  “Zin finds it amusing.”

  “Stay where you are, motherfucker,” a gruff voice ordered.

  Boot-heavy footsteps sounded on the asphalt lot, coming closer and closer. In the distance, Zol heard the mechanical howl of police car sirens.

  “Time to leave, darling.” He embraced Kandace close.

  In the next instant, Zin joined them, ignoring the crude curses and shots ringing out. The etheric wind they both created grabbed them, swiftly carrying the three of them to where they had parked the Twilight Mirage.

  Before descending, he and Zin did a quick psi reconnaissance of the immediate area. Finding only normal activity, they phased themselves and their witch inside the Twilight Mirage.

  Sitting in the driver’s seat, Zin fired up their black beauty, and they rolled from behind the fenced-in container.

  “What the…where are we?” Kandace twisted, glancing around. The movements of her bare butt on his lap made Zol a particularly happy hound. “Oh…I remember now. Your mission for Hades before, before I…battled the Quevj.”

  “Yes, Kandy love. Retrieving the Twilight Mirage and driving home is the perfect way to devour the clock.” Zin eased them onto the road.

  “Eat up the clock,” she murmured, as she wiggled into a more comfortable position. “The time thing?”

  “We must utilize the hours in a manner that logically connects events in our lives.” Zol wrapped his arms around her. “Are you okay, darling?”

  “I don’t know.” She hesitated. “I should be. I’m with you two. We seem to be safe. And…”

  “And?” Zin cruised toward the highway ramp.

  “I’m so hungry you wouldn’t believe it.”

  “Kandy love, it’s because you’ve depleted your body using those amazing witch powers of yours.” Zol cuddled her closer, and was rewarded by the way she nestled against him.

  “Aren’t you two depleted from rearranging time?”

  “We remain quite tectonic from the Underworld,” Zin quipped like Cary Grant. He zoomed them onto the highway, entering the thin stream of traffic. “How about a luncheon feast at a hilltop establishment Zol and I are particularly fond of, darling?”

  Their Kandy giggled, but it ended on a strangled sob.

  Alarmed, Zol asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not dressed for hilltop dining. Unless, we swing by my apartment or I zap a dress here. Besides, I’m still worried about Merri and about my friend, Valerie. Especially since the Hendersons are still on the loose, and Nigel will be on the warpath to the bad-guy max.”

  Their precious witch sobbed loudly, and a flood of tears broke loose. Zol felt them splash on the back of his hand.

  “Kandace. Kandace, love.” Zol stroked her hair, the flyaway tendrils tickling and teasing his palm.

  He and Zin gazed at one another briefly, agreeing their Kandy’s emotional outburst was a consequence of the sorcery ordeal she’d been through.

  “Darling,” Zol crooned, “how can we help you?”

  She tried fisting his dolphin suit, then simply clung as she could. After weeping for long moments, she sniffled. “Zol, Zin…you could have been…I guess, not killed…but, harmed, or enslaved…or, or worse.”

  “We were mummies of a sort.”

  Zin’s attempt to humor her caused a fresh flood of tears. Zol cradled her small head until her crying lessened.

  After hiccupping, she asked, “What happened?”

  He and Zin glanced at each other, but only long enough to commune.

  Zol stroked her hair back from her face. “We absorbed a blast after miscalculating the sorceresses’s strategy.”

  “You are human after all…well, sort of. Not exactly. What was it like being, being a mummy?”

  “Quite the nasty spell-cast coffin, indeed,” Zin answered. “We could see and hear an omnipresent overview of what occurred.” Pausing, he spoke their truth. “It was excruciating torment, sweet Kandy, because we were unable to protect you.”

  “Oh no! Like being buried alive.” She choked on another sob, and trembled. “My hellhounds.”

  “Darling, darling, you saved our hides, so to speak,” Zol crooned soothingly as he rocked his precious witch, so small and vulnerable in his arms.

  “We saved each other, didn’t we?” Her tiny muffled voice captured his heart, and Zin’s as well.

  “Yes, several times.” He and Zin gently embraced their Kandy Apple with their voices.

  Chapter Thirty:

  Pie, it is, Darling

  Kandace couldn’t recall ever feeling this cared for. Her adoptive parents had always been there for her. However, they’d never known this witch side of her. And her mother on Enduoir…now was not the time to attempt telepathic contact. Not when her inner force still waned.

  “Kandy love.” Zin presented a linen handkerchief to her, one he’d retrieved from the compartment between the seats, all while keeping his gaze on the road.

  “Thank you.” Sniffling, she straightened only enough to dab at her face. After all, what woman in her right mind would leave Zol’s arms, or lap, even if there had been another seat?

  Once her sight was no longer blurry from crying, Kandace stared. “Wow, your silvery cling-on suit soaks up water.” She caressed her hand on Zol’s chest, circling. “Oooh, my hand is stuck right to you, and it’s not this incredible fabric.”

  “Hades prides himself on creating anti-sorcery apparel, darling, where needed.” Zol’s husky tone worked its sorcery on her. Taking the handkerchief, he tenderly wiped away more of her tears.

  “We can’t drown,” Zin added. “And the suits keeps us buoyant.”

  “Hades…it’s going to take me some processing time…I mean…I don’t know what I mean.” Kandace heaved in a large breath then blew it out. Still, her shoulders sagged. “I don’t think my powers have ever been this drained.”

  “Nutrition,” Zol tenderly uttered. “We must determine how to feed you.”

  “Any good drive-thrus around here?” Kandace asked, then slipped her palm along Zin’s sleekly muscled thigh. “I can’t leave you out, can I, handsome?” Despite how divinely virile he felt, Kandace stopped in case she interfered with his driving.

  Zin clasped her hand and squeezed briefly before letting go. “No good drive-thrus, love. We would zip you through the ethers to the house, but it’s not nice to fool Father Time without righteous cause.”

  “I understand.” Kandace sighed, then shook her hair. “Nope, it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature, or, I guess, Father Time.” Hunger pangs knifed her middle. “But, what I wouldn’t give for an Enchanted Forest pizza right now.”

  “Wood-fired pizza from Hurricane Kate’s?” Zol asked.

  Kandace nodded, her mouth watering. “Merri and I go there whenever we can afford it. She must be safe or I would be feeling it if she weren’t.”

  “She is safe, as is your friend.” Zol feathered his thumbpad over her cheek.

  “Artichoke pesto, French Brie, Portobello mushroom, spinach, roasted red bell peppers, walnut, Parmesan and fresh basil,” Zin recited the pizza’s ingredients as if he were Spock.

  “Oh, you would have to say that, Vulcan hound. My stomach already feels stuck to my spine.” Kandace giggled as the obvious smacked her. “Yeah, I so get the connection. The god of fire and volcanoes.”

  “He has a Spock costume.” Zol whispered it like a naughty secret. “I must say the pointed ears do add an out-of-this-world charm to his appearance.”

  “So too bad we’re not going to a Halloween bash.” Kandace poked Zol’s almighty chest, as she now thought of it. “And you?”

  “Remington Steele,” Zin practically barked.

  “What? That old romantic comedy detective TV series?” Kandace tilted her head, pretending she didn’t know every episode like the back of her hand. “Who was the lead actor?”

  “Pierce Brosnan,” her hellhounds answered in perfect stereo.

  “Definitely. I could see you, Zolivar, as a debonai
r detective. Hmmm,” she tapped her chin. “Vulcan mate or the woman P.I. boss behind the man? Not that I look like…” Kandace gestured toward Zin.

  “Stephanie Zimbalist,” he Spock-replied.

  “Laura Holt, the character.” Zol’s voice imitated Remington Steele.

  “Oh, you two are entertaining.” Kandace planted a quick kiss on Zol’s chin. She shimmied with enjoyment as his midnight gaze licked over her like sensual flame.

  “Okay, which one of you do I please? Spock ears, and whatever a Vulcan mate wears, for my Halloween costume?” She arched her brows flirtatiously. “Or, a Fedora, trench coat, dark stockings and heels?”

  Zin and Zol swivelled their heads connecting for mere seconds.

  “A witch girl has no chance against—” The rest of her words remained trapped in her throat. Bubbling with hope, Kandace pointed at the huge sign they’d just passed. “Homemade pumpkin pie. Fall festival,” she burst out.

  “Yes. Two miles to Williams, Arizona. I shall take the exit.” Zin zoomed past the car ahead of them, settling into the right-hand lane.

  “I will change into street clothes,” Zol followed up, “and retrieve the bountiful offerings.”

  “You two are stranger than fiction. Sometimes. Not that I’m complaining.” Suddenly aware that she lacked her handbag, Kandace asked, “Hey, what about money?”

  “Not to worry, love.” Zin flipped open the compartment where the handkerchief had been. He pulled out a sleek wallet and handed it to Zol.

  “Pie.” Kandace bounced, feeling exuberant. “All the different kinds they have. And ice cream, please.”

  “Pie, it is, darling.” Zol gave her a stern look. “But not only pie. I’ll mind-send images of what else is available.”

  “Okay, alpha-bossy hound. If you insist. Oh, by the way, if there are booths selling clothes…”

  “Yes, of course. However, I must say I find you deliciously fetching in Zin’s T-shirt.”

  Zol’s eyes glittered in that scorching way Kandace was becoming accustomed to. But, more, it lit her sex mound up like a firecracker.

  “Oh my, handsome.” Kandace wiggled. “You can’t parade around in public with that huge bulge.”

  Looping her arms around Zol’s neck, she gradually closed in on his oh-so sexy mouth. Her lips felt sultry, swollen, hungry for his.

  Before their mouths touched, the rush of their breaths collided. For timeless moments, their lips clung. Then their mouths seized each other, and they indulged in a leisurely kiss.

  The passion between them felt heady yet volatile, and Kandace whispered, “You might be better than pie.”

  They nibbled each other’s lips, both of them reluctant to stop. Languid and fervent, they kissed each other, their mouths tangling and lingering.

  Goddess, her hellhound could kiss—just the way that fired all of her womanly jets. Before Kandace knew it, they’d rolled to a stop. Somewhere.

  Knowing she had to let go, Kandace softly slid her lips from his and slipped her palms down his chest. “Way to get my cauldron boiling,” she murmured.

  “Kandy Apple,” Zol growled. His need swirled around her, thick and hot as smoke. They gazed at each for several moments before he lifted her from his lap. “Take care of her, brother.”

  Zin embraced her close and settled her on his lip. Feeling taken care of, unbelievably so, Kandace glanced out the windows. They were parked on the backside of a Holiday Inn, near a room.

  “It’s empty,” Zin rasped. “Zol is going to borrow it to change his attire.”

  “Borrow?”

  “Slip in and out, darling.” Zol retrieved a leather bag from behind the seat, then launched out the door.

  Kandace watched him move, shadow quick. He touched the door handle, and entered. “Cameras?” she wondered out loud.

  “Zol makes his image look like a ghost. An amusement of his.”

  “Wowser, I’m surprised, but not. Do you know how many times he’s been on YouTube impersonating a ghost?”

  “No, Kandy love. It’s more entertaining to hear his spectral appearances discussed by those who are ghost hunters.”

  Kandace giggled. “It would be. Just like it is when I hear witches talked about. Though often I grind my teeth in frustration.”

  After wiggling to make herself more comfortable, she stroked the top of Zin’s hand. “I can’t believe how good you two feel…your hand is beautifully masculine.”

  “Hmm, mutual attraction, indeed,” Zin purred in that way that zinged through her and tickled her clit.

  Kandace squirmed sensually, letting him know her desire. “If hunger wasn’t gnawing at my stomach, I’d—”

  “What, my Kandy Apple?” Zin gently stroked her thigh.

  “Jump your bone,” she muttered. An image of her leaping against his hard cock played before her mind’s eye. She watched herself wrap around him, then plunge her pussy toward his big boner.

  Mentally shaking herself, Kandace asked, “Hey, why didn’t some other witch seduce you two senseless and become your one witch?”

  “Darling, you’re the one witch who had our tongues hanging and dripping. Our first view of you significantly enlarged our bones.” He paused, “You were our raw steak.”

  “Oooh, you do say the nicest things, debonair hellhound. But, you know what I mean.”

  “Joining with our one witch was not allowed until we reached a certain level of accomplishment. Once we did, Zol and I became increasingly occupied with our constant missions.”

  “The evil side is definitely going Viking berserker. I swear.” Kandace reached backward, molding the strong column of Zin’s neck. As she slipped her palm up and down, her insides tumbled with more yearning.

  “Just the other day,” she continued, distracting herself, “oh, it seems ages ago now, a friend of mine and Merri’s, someone we’ve known since high school…well, he went from happy dude to striking viper in a split second when someone disagreed with him. The thing is, it’s not his normal personality at all.”

  “Yes, Kandy love, a cabal of those who worship the black arts intends to establish their rule over Earth. They have perverted an ancient form of magick and cast forth every chaos against humanity. Currently, their sinister energies only increase.”

  “An international gathering evil, and they use sorcery and technology both,” she murmured.

  Kandace felt her insides flip-flop painfully with a new knowing. “They plan to move into the solar system. Don’t they?”

  Chapter Thirty-One:

  Jumping Jack Flash, Darling

  Zin’s hesitation felt ominous. Kandace stilled, holding onto the back of his neck.

  “Yes, they are in league with—”

  At that instant, Zol emerged. He gave them a jaunty salute, then placed the leather bag next to the Zin’s door. The aroma of freshly baked pie beckons, he telepathed to them.

  Kandace watched him slide one hand in the pocket of his navy-colored Dockers. She noticed he’d given his hair a tousled, everyday look. The cocoa-tan Polo shirt he wore only somewhat disguised his fab-tacularly muscled chest.

  With a casual sophistication that juiced up her already juicy hormones, Zol strolled in the opposite direction.

  “Good Goddess, I just know the women will be buzzing around him like flies.” Kandace stretched upward to follow Zol’s progress. “What a rear view. Hubba, hubba.”

  After a satisfied chuckle, one that Kandace identified as totally male, Zin cracked the door slickly retrieving the duffel bag.

  “No, don’t move, darling.” He transferred it to his right hand above the steering wheel, then placed the bag behind the passenger seat.

  “I hope there aren’t any bad guys around.” Kandace eased against Zin as Zol disappeared around the corner. “I should have checked my mind’s scrying eye before he left. Should I now?”

  “Zol will have done a mental reconnaissance first. He will alert me if there is any problem.”

  “You two always seem prepared. Li
ke Boy Scouts. Better than Boy Scouts. I’m never that prepared.”

  “You can rely on us, darling.” Zin smoothed his palms on her sides, then caressed along her thighs.

  “Mmmm…I like that. What you’re doing…and relying on you. I never thought I’d be saying that. Wow oh pow, what you two do to a woman.”

  “It’s what you do to us. What you do to me, Kandy love. Zol and I adore you, and we adore your insouciance.”

  Even though his velvet croon filled her ear, Kandace grinned spontaneously. “That sounds like a description used by a food critic for, say, an impertinent pasta sauce.”

  “Mmm, not pasta. Clams, perhaps. The word is of French origin, ma cherie.”

  “Ma cherie, oh, you do make me tingle in my naughtiest spots, H hound.” Turned on and feeling playful, Kandace rolled her shoulders in an imitation of sassiness.

  “Shall I play Spock for you, darling, with a quote about a French chef that highly amused Zol and me?”

  “Oh, please.” Anticipating something droll and clever, Kandace shimmied.

  “Alexandre Gauthier describes himself as testing the boundary between 'pertinent et impertinent'.”

  “Too funny.” Kandace giggled nonstop for awhile.

  Had she truly found a home with Zin and Zol? Yet what about her mother and Enduoir Prime? Dampening her mood, a chill snaked up her spine, and unease gripped her.

  “Darling, you send me,” Zin crooned the song lyric into her ear. He pulled her closer, his manner so smooth and sexy, Kandace twisted around and met his lips with hers.

  She fisted his hair as his kiss claimed her mouth. The fierceness of his passion made Kandace aware of what she’d been missing, what she’d always wanted without knowing it.

  She tugged Zin’s hair, bringing him closer. A wild intoxication possessed her, and Kandace quickened her caresses on the back of his neck. As their kiss endured, Zin changed the rhythm, plundering her mouth.

  She felt like scorched silk inside.

  Their tongues suddenly twined and sensually stroked. When Zin wrapped a swathe of her hair around his hand and pulled, erotic sparks seized her flesh.