Paranormal After Dark: 20 Paranormal Tales of Demons, Shifters, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Witches, Magics, Ghosts and More

by Rebecca Hamilton

  He stood up, cradling my ass with his hands and held me against him. Though held in his hard-working hands made me feel dainty and cherished, my body ached to be ravished. Every touch, every look filled me with longing. My heart was full, but I needed him inside of me. I couldn’t get close enough to him and his masculine scent was drove me into an absolute frenzy of desire.

  Sensing my urgency or perhaps it was his own dwindling control, he stood me on my feet and gently raised my arms above my head. Keith pulled my shirt up and off of me as if the cotton t-shirt was made of the finest silk. How he could be so methodical was a mystery to me. All I wanted was to rip both of our clothes off, practicality be damned! His eyes never left mine as I unbuttoned my jeans. Grabbing my belt loops, he pulled my pants down my thighs with ease and they puddled at my feet along with all of my worries.

  “Selena…”

  “Shh, no talking.”

  Keith took off his jeans and briefs, tossing them to the side before I could tear them off of him myself. He was standing at full attention and I felt another wave of ecstasy roll through me along with a thankful prayer for the large present he had for me. I shimmied out of my bra and panties just before he wrapped his arms around me again.

  As his length pressed against my mound, his lips left a trail of hot kisses across my shoulders. I knew he was holding back and being gentle, but I needed more. I needed to release the primal lust inside of me before I exploded. I nibbled his bottom lip and pushed him towards the bed with my body.

  “Not so fast, Kitten.” He spun me around and tossed me onto the heavenly mound of down and silk.

  Keith slid his hands up my legs, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. I squirmed under his touch, craving more.

  “You’re so beautiful, Selena.”

  His lips caressed the inside of my thigh as his fingers rubbed my entrance with urgency. I arched my back, raising my hips off the bed. Keith placed a hand on my stomach which set off another wave of heat from just that one touch as he held me in place.

  Passion and desire rolled through my body and my senses came alive. His every touch spun my senses out of control. Wave after wave of white hot heat poured through me and when he moved his hand away in search of more skin, I whimpered from the chill left behind and begged him for more.

  His mouth covered me and he slid his tongue into my core. I wrapped my hands in his hair moaning as he devoured me as a starving man would ravish a ripened plum. I lifted my hips, rubbing myself against his face as his licks intensified.

  He pinched my primed nub with one hand as his other slid up to squeeze my breast. The blood rushed back as he released the hard, little nub creating a pain that turned to such sweetness, I thought I was losing my mind. My first orgasm slammed into me with orgasmic fury and I screamed his name as he lapped at my cream.

  My eyes rolled back into my head as I writhed in ecstasy and begged him for more. “Please Keith! Now!”

  He rubbed the head of his shaft up and down between my thighs, teasing and taunting. He positioned himself above me and shoved the tip of him inside. I dug my nails into his hips, trying to shove him in deeper and he pulled away slightly. Over and over, he barely dipped inside of me until I was out of my mind with need.

  As I moaned and begged, he plunged himself into me, filled and stretched me, filling me more completely than I’d ever been. He pounded into me and I lifted my hips to match his rhythm. I found his weak spot when I pinched his nipples and he let out a primal growl as he neared the edge of oblivion.

  “Here we go, kitten. Ready?”

  “Mm hm...”

  He lowered his mouth to my breast and I wrapped my legs around him, taking his full length as far into me as it could go. As we both rocketed towards climax, he bit my already tender breast and I screamed in euphoria! I felt my eyes change and I couldn’t breathe, but I did not care. More, more! My body and mind screamed, begged for everything he had to offer. His hot seed poured into me and my muscles milked him for every last drop. Swirls of colors danced before my eyes and I heard him say “I love you, kitten” before the darkness claimed me and I slid into unconsciousness.

  Chapter 22

  I WAS SURROUNDED by a warm cocoon and everything felt different. I was safe and protected. I snuggled down into the comforting silk and my face rubbed up against something hard and solid, shocking me awake.

  Keith. “You’re still here? I thought I was dreaming.”

  “Where would I go?” He kissed the top of my head and rubbed my arm.

  “What happened?”

  “You passed out, again. But don’t worry I’ve heard that it happens a lot.”

  “How long was I out?”

  “Only a few moments, you okay?”

  “Never better.” I looked down to where he had bitten me and I could see it was already healing. “I should hop up and get in the shower, but I don’t want to move from this spot. Ever.”

  “Don’t worry. I already cleaned you up, kitten.”

  “Really? Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.” No one had ever done that for me before. The man was incredible! I didn’t know whether to feel embarrassed or cherished. All of it was such a new experience and I had no idea how to behave.

  “Yep. All nice and fresh again. I promised to take care of you.”

  I swatted at him playfully, “Then let’s get messy again.”

  “I will enjoy hearing you say that for the rest of our lives, kitten.”

  “After I change, won’t it be weird calling me ‘kitten’?”

  “You’ll always be my kitten.”

  “You still haven’t explained why you call me that.”

  “Okay, don’t laugh. You’ve always reminded me of a kitten. You’re soft and sweet, needing someone to guide you and take care of you. But like a cat, you don’t want anyone to know that. You pretend to be invincible and strong, daring to test the limits without concern of consequences, always getting up even if you fall down over and over again. You’re full of energy, love and surprises and I know you’ll always keep me on my toes. Selena, I know how I’ve described it, isn’t perfect, but you’re everything I’ve always wanted and I can’t stand the thought of you not being in my life.”

  Keith held me tight as I traced lazy circles on his chest with my finger. He was right, his words weren’t romance novel perfect by any means, but I’d never been a fan of cookie-cutter romance books. They always seemed too good to be true. What Keith had said meant more to me than anything some author could’ve written for their make-believe characters. To me, his speech was beyond perfect and beside him in that moment I was as content as a kitten in a patch of sunshine. Maybe the name fit after all.

  “When I…you know…is it going to hurt?”

  He waited, taking a moment before answering. “Honey, I honestly don’t know. When I went through it, yes it hurt like hell the first dozen or so times. But it got easier. And you can always practice.”

  “Practice? Like every full moon, practice?”

  “No, not just during a full moon.” He laughed. “Anytime. You can change whenever you want after you get the hang of it. When you’re ready, I’ll show you.”

  “You will?”

  He kissed the top of my head, “Yes, but I can’t explain what will happen or how it will happen. You are unique.”

  “Is that because I’m a half-breed?”

  “You’re not a half-breed, Selena. There are many reasons this will be different. But yes, the fact that you are half-demon, half-witch does change a few things. It’s been unheard of until now. So, there’s no guide book for this.”

  “Great. I’m the first? I’m going to be an even bigger freak.” Rolling over, I tossed the sheet aside and stood up.

  “Kitten, you’ll never be a freak. I don’t ever want to hear you talk about yourself that way again. Understand? You are unique, special and I love everything about you. Please, don’t worry so much. I promise I won’t leave your side.”

  I tried to g
ive him my most convincing smile before I walked into the bathroom. The rat’s nest that had taken the place of my hair needed serious attention and of course, after making love, my bladder screamed to be relieved.

  “When you get back, you can tell me about those bruises on your beautiful body, Selena.”

  Damn! I’d forgotten about the fight with Shawn. Keith was going to flip-out!

  I finished my business, washed and dried my hands. The long, sometimes painful process of brushing my ‘just been shagged’ hair began and as I stared into the mirror, a violet colored mist appear behind me. Weapon in hand, I turned around slowly and speechless, I watched as the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen materialized right before my eyes.

  Though she was beautiful with her waist-length, raven colored hair and eyes the color of spring violets, my mind screamed ‘Demon!’ She had to be another friend of Roberta’s. No one could be as goddess-like as she was without it being a trap. Maybe she was one of those sirens, women who lured men to their deaths below the murky surface of the sea. But how on earth would a mermaid get in here? Oh yeah, bathroom, duh.

  “What do you want?”

  She spread her arms wide and the bracelets she wore were linked to a necklace made of the most beautiful alexandrite I had ever seen, shimmered and shined as she moved, casting prisms of color all around the room. I knew she couldn’t be a mermaid and my mind ran through the various pretty demons I’d read about long ago, but she didn’t match any of the pictures I could recall.

  “It’s time, Selena.”

  “Time for what and who are you?”

  “My name is Amaris. I’m an enforcer for the council of elders.”

  Right. This beautiful woman with a voice that flowed over my body like satin was an enforcer? Please! More like lust demon. Every word she said tickled and touched me, pleasuring me from across the room. I hadn’t even remembered I was naked until she mentioned the elders.

  “You’re an enforcer? All goddess-like and standing in my hotel bathroom? This place must be a beacon for paranormal activity” I said as I looked around the room, ready to whip some ass in case anyone else decided to join our impromptu party.

  “What do you mean, Selena? I was sent to get you and here I am. There’s no need for modesty” she said matter-of-factly as I grabbed a pink, fluffy robe and slid it on, my sarcasm lost on her.

  “Well, I’d feel more comfortable if I could wear some clothing, Amaris.”

  “You need to say your goodbyes. It’s time to go.”

  “Can’t I have a little more time? Keith and I…”

  “I’m well aware of your recent activities. But I was sent here to bring you back with me and we are on a tight schedule. I will allow you a few moments to inform your familiar and your wolf friend but then we must leave.”

  I knew I was supposed to be a strong, fierce and self-assured witch, but my lip trembled and my heart felt like it was breaking. Keith and I had finally found each other and I’d just been bitten! Who would take care of me when I went all fangy and fuzzy? What if the elders thought I had rabies and tried to put me down like some common street-mongrel? This was turning into too much to handle!

  “My familiar, Keith and his sister planned on being witnesses for me at the trial. And I can’t just…”

  “There is no need for witnesses” she said harshly.

  Meow! Miss naked and full of hotness was quite temperamental, wasn’t she?

  “The elders have everything they need, Selena. They are awaiting your arrival as we speak.”

  “So, I have to go alone?”

  “Did you not gain the council’s attention on your own?”

  Though it pained me to admit it, she was right. I had to do this on my own. I blinked back tears and said “Okay. Just give me a minute and I will be back.”

  “No. I am to escort you wherever you go.”

  “Great. Can you at least pretend not to listen?”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Never mind.”

  Keith was already dressed when we walked into the bedroom suite. Thank the goddess for small miracles. I would’ve gone ape-shit crazy if I caught ‘Miss Hot-Body’ ogling my wolf!

  Sterling stood on the bed, his eyes the size of saucers as we approached. “Mistress, what’s going on?”

  “I have to go.”

  Keith spun around, I saw his confusion change to understanding and he was embracing me in the blink of an eye. “Everything will be okay. After we tell them our side, they will understand.”

  “You can’t go. They only want me.” Before he could protest I said; “It’s fine, Keith. I’m a big girl. Will you please take care of Sterling? The room is paid for so you both can stay here if you want. No sense in it going to waste.”

  “We’ll be right here, waiting for you.” Keith kissed me with unbridled passion and Sterling rubbed against my side.

  “Selena, we’ll stay right here. You just tell them your side. You can do this!” Sterling stood up on his hind legs and placed his front paws on my chest, looked me in the eyes and said, “Believe in yourself. We believe in you, Mistress.”

  I rubbed his head and wiped a tear from my eye. Kissing him on the nose, I whispered “I love you, Buddy.”

  Tears pooled in his eyes as he whispered for the first time ever, “I love you too, Mistress.”

  “We need to go, Selena.”

  “Just a minute!” Keith held onto to me, protecting me as an alpha would, as a true man would.

  He planted his lips on mine one more time, once again filling me with more love and hope than I’d ever had my entire life. “See you soon, kitten. Whatever happens, we’ll be right here.”

  Tears threatened to pour out of me and I nodded my head, afraid to speak, afraid that would be our first and only goodbye.

  As the purple mist swirled around and swallowed us, I waved goodbye to my soul-mate and turned to face the next part of my so-called destiny.

  Chapter 23

  “AMARIS, WHERE ARE we going?”

  “Summerland.”

  Shit. My trial was in Summerland? How could that be? That would mean the elders were loved ones and friends who had passed on, right?

  Summerland is the land where our souls went when we died, where we would be judged and where we awaited our next lifetime. Filled with so many different realms and lands, one could never see everything Summerland has to offer. I had no idea what to expect for I had only heard stories and folklore, but I can honestly say I was scared shitless.

  The mist around us dissipated as we stepped into the most amazing place I’d ever seen. No wonder most people weren’t sad when they died or sad when their family and friends died. From what I saw, Summerland was paradise! We were surrounded by rolling hills and trees of every color, size and shape as we walked across the softest blue-green grass I had ever seen. There were more species of flowers lining the path than man-kind could ever name. Each was species brighter and more beautiful than the last.

  “It’s so beautiful! It’s like a mirror image of Salem Ridge, only more vibrant and alive.”

  “It is the parallel of your world, but untouched by chemicals, pollution and time.”

  “Are my parents here? Will I see them?”

  “I don’t know Selena. My orders were simply to bring you for your trial. The elders didn’t tell me anything else.”

  “It’s probably for the best anyways.”

  We walked on and on passing winding creeks and waterfalls where people dressed in bright, flowy clothing talked and laughed. There wasn’t one frown or sorrowful gaze. The people enjoyed their after-life and all that went with it. I wondered if they’d been as happy before they died or if it they’d acquired a bigger sense of peace after they’d passed. No one acted as though they missed their families, friends or former lives. I felt like I had stepped further into the twilight zone.

  “Is everyone here dead?” I couldn’t stop the questions that bubbled up inside and I hoped Amaris wouldn’t t
hink badly of me. However, she had to know what I was on trial for. The elders and residents of Summerland probably discussed me quite often. What a failure and idiot, I’d been would’ve had to have been a hot topic considering who my parents and other relatives were. My imagination ran wild with images of people lining the streets and stoning me in the town square.

  “Some are.” Amaris’s sudden answer startled and I paid close attention to every word she spoke. “Others have chosen to give up their powers and ties to your world in order to stay here. And then there are others who are trapped here for many different reasons.”

  “Trapped? Why would anyone feel trapped here?”

  “It is not for me to say. There are many things about this place I don’t even know.”

  “Really?”

  “I would not lie to you.” Her answers were clipped and concise. Nothing in her eyes betrayed what her feelings were. How could a woman so beautiful have no emotion?

  “I believe it.” I whispered. And I also believed Amaris had no idea how to smile.

  “I smile when I’m not working.”

  “You can read my mind, too?” Lovely. I swore nothing in my life would ever be private again. Everyone I knew could tap into ‘the Selena network’ whenever the desire struck them and it began to irk me. Why was it even necessary to speak telepathically? To me, it was nothing more than a huge inconvenience!

  “Of course I can read your mind. It’s part of my job to read the thoughts of others, Selena. And I take it very seriously.”

  Of course it was. So, in order to keep myself from thinking anything else that might’ve gotten me into trouble, I continued watching the various people as we walked along. They were all happy. It made me speechless to see such bliss. And I was a bit confused. This place was an enigma!

  “There is only happiness in this realm. Other places are much darker. There is a realm for every possible emotion and crime.”

  “Every emotion?”

  “Yes Selena, even one for lust.” I saw a small smile creep across her face.