Dark Tremor (Mated by Magic #2)

by Stella Marie Alden

  His expression was almost comical, and she giggled again.

  She wanted to reach out and hug him, but her arms wouldn’t work. She glanced down and didn’t see them. Panic flared in her chest. “Where are my arms?”

  Jace jumped over the arm of the couch, pulled out this huge pocketknife, and cut through her ties.

  “Is she okay?” Falcon asked.

  Jace held one eye open with his thumb and forefinger. “She’s been drugged.”

  “I’ve been drugged,” Terra echoed, rubbing some feeling back into her hands and feet.

  Falcon held a towel tight to Josh’s chest. “We need to get out of here.”

  “Nicole?” Josh’s voice was guttural as he raised his head off the floor.

  Jace gave a short shake of the head at Falcon.

  “Her aura is gone. I’m sorry.”

  Nicole’s lifeless body lay in the corner. Even in death her face twisted in a scowl.

  A small guttural moan echoed from where Josh lay. Despite what a bitch his wife had been, it was clear he’d loved her.

  When Terra tried to stand, her legs turned to jelly and Jace scooped her up against his chest.

  “Put me down.” She slapped his chest lightly then put her arms around his neck. God, he smelled so good. “I bet you taste good, too.”

  Jace grunted. “What the hell did they give her?”

  “Mic’s standard mix. It’ll wear off.” Falcon held his hand out to help Josh to stand.

  “I’m fine.” Josh pushed Falcon’s hand away, his eyes glazed over, his expression zombie-like.

  “We need to go.” Jace shifted her in his arms. “Mic could be back any minute.”

  “We can’t leave her. Not like that,” Josh’s voice cracked.

  “We don’t have a choice. She’s gone, bro.”

  “Okay.” Hand pressed against his bloody shoulder, Josh gave a small nod, and led them out into the cool night air.

  From outside, Mic’s house was a lot smaller than she’d imagined. Just a simple cape in the middle of nowhere.

  A lone wolf howled in the distance, and she said, “It’s dark. Spooky. Like Halloween.”

  Josh growled as he crawled into the back seat of the truck. “Can you shut her up?”

  “You shut up,” Terra snapped back.

  Jace sighed and placed her in the passenger seat of what looked like a black army tank.

  “Stay,” he ordered.

  “Sir, yes, Sir,” she said, giving him a salute.

  Jace rolled his eyes, then turned, producing a huge ball of energy. He released it, and she watched as the ginormous fireball streamed through the desert, cutting through the complete black of night. It cut through the roof. Seconds later, the house exploded. Tiny bits and pieces of burning building shot out everywhere.

  Holy shit. Before she could blink the image out of her retina, the heat of the explosion hit. Then, flames shot up from the interior of the cement foundation. Hot tar, burning plastic and wood, assaulted her nostrils.

  That was the most friggin’ amazing display of power she’d ever witnessed. She’d no idea. My God, if they were a perfect match, and she was pretty sure they were, Mic wouldn’t have a chance.

  Her mouth dropped open as he slammed the door and rasped his hand across his face. Before he could say anything, she blurted out, “I want to have your baby.”

  Chapter 17

  The ride back to Las Vegas might’ve been the worst in his life. The familiar lights and the fountain that’d always sent a chill of excitement down his spine mocked him tonight.

  Jace sighed. He’d killed his brother’s wife. The scene played over and over in his head as he drove toward the Vdara. There must’ve been something else he could’ve done. But to conjure a fireball fast enough to change her aim, it had to be full of energy. If not, his brother would be lying in a hospital bed, or worse yet, in the city morgue.

  She’d fucking shot at his brother. What the hell was he supposed to do?

  For a moment, his heart raced. The bullet. Forensics would find it. Most likely all evidence of Josh’s blood would have been burned up in the fire, but there was still a slim chance that they could trace his DNA.

  Jace took a deep breath. No doubt the gun was registered to Mic, and knowing him, he’d have the local cops in his employ. The whole thing would be written off as an unfortunate gas explosion.

  His head throbbed. He’d have to make sure that was how it went down. What the hell we’re they going to tell Nicole’s family? Or even his parents? He groaned and shifted in his seat, gripping his hands around the steering wheel.

  Josh hadn’t said a word since they’d left. Jace glanced in the rearview mirror and caught his brother’s distant expression.

  Would he ever forgive him for what he’d done?

  He’d always relied on Jack to take the lead. Never really thought about the responsibilities his big brother carried. It sucked big time.

  Terra had fallen asleep beside him. Her neck bent in an uncomfortable position. He understood now what Mic had in mind for her, and the thought sent a shiver down his spine. Sick, fucking bastard.

  She wasn’t leaving his side again. And he was going to make damn well sure that Mic, or anyone else for that matter, couldn’t mate with her.

  From the back seat Falcon spoke quietly into his cell. The clan leader, Wovaka, was coming to help heal Josh. Good. The bullet had passed through his shoulder, but it was still bleeding. He’d need at least a couple of stitches, and more magic than Falcon could provide.

  Jace parked, handed off the keys, and counted out five hundred dollar bills to the parking attendant. “We’d prefer this didn’t get out.”

  It being Vegas, the guy just nodded, pocketed the cash, and directed them to wait in front of the employee elevator bay. “Just a sec.”

  When he returned, he said, “You’re all set. You’ve got two minutes to get to your room.”

  “Thank you.” Jace lifted Terra, cradling her against his chest as he ushered them into the elevator.

  Jace sighed as he latched the suite door and crossed the open living area with Terra in his arms. Longest fucking day of his life. He entered the bedroom, leaned over the queen-sized bed, and set her down.

  When she didn’t let go, he unclasped her hands from behind his neck and pointed his finger. “Stay here.”

  “Don’t leave.” She sprawled out seductively and pouted.

  Damn.

  How much was one man supposed to be able to endure in a day?

  He growled, “Get some sleep. You’ll feel better once the drugs are out of your system.”

  “But I do feel good. I’d just feel better with you…” She giggled. “Beside me.”

  “I need to check on Josh. I mean it, Terra. Stay here.” He gave her what he hoped was a commanding glare and shut the door. If there was a deadbolt, he would have used it.

  He considered a drink, then discarded the idea and made a pot of coffee to keep his hands busy while Falcon worked on healing his brother.

  Josh didn’t look so good. His face had a sickly gray cast. His shirt was off, the wound, red and raw.

  He picked the phone and called Jack. They’d need some clan help to shut this thing down.

  “Where are you?” Jace barked into the phone, when Jack answered on the first ring.

  “I chartered the private jet. In the air now. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing I can tell you over the phone. Just get your ass here as soon as possible.”

  “I should be there in a couple hours.”

  Jace sunk into a chair, and despite the caffeine, felt his eyes grow heavy. He’d never expended that much energy in a day before. He must’ve slept some because suddenly he woke completely disoriented.

  The morning sun lit up the rim, casting a golden glow that made his eyes hurt.

  What time was it?

  The events of the previous evening slammed into his cortex, turning his stomach like a bad dream. It was real. Nicol
e was dead. His brother injured. And Terra was still in a shitload of trouble.

  He blinked several times until his eyes adjusted.

  An ancient healer stood next to Falcon, chanting over Josh who lay unconscious on the couch.

  Falcon’s eyes were bloodshot, his face drawn, and shoulders slouched.

  The older man’s long white hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He wore aged jeans, leather sandals, and a yellow button down with sleeves rolled up. Thick turquoise and silver bracelets circled his wrists.

  When the man finished chanting, he stood stiffly and looked at Jace, studying him with piercing black eyes.

  “This is my grandfather, Wovaka,” Falcon said, shifting uncomfortably.

  Jace held out his hand, the man took it, and healing energy hit him like a double expresso. Nothing before in his life had prepared him for that amount of healing energy. Not even his family’s healer back in Jersey.

  They stood like that, with eyes locked for some time, until the old man spoke, “I heard what happened. I’ll deal with my grandson. You take care of Terra. She’s a special girl. I told her mom I would keep her safe. Now I give that job to you.”

  Jace nodded and let go. “You have my word.”

  Placing a thumb on Jace’s forehead, Wavoka chanted under his breath, then turned and walked out the door, followed by Falcon.

  Jace shook his head and went back to check on Terra.

  What would she think of him now, knowing he’d killed two women?

  Would she remember she said she loved him? And if she did, would he expect him to say it back?

  Jace sucked in a breath when he entered the bedroom, his control unraveling at the sight that met him.

  Terra sat on the bed, her shirt and pants discarded on the floor. In only her bra and panties, her lithe body stretched in the glow of the morning sun. Blonde hair hung down her back in glossy waves. Fuck, she was beautiful.

  He cleared his throat. “You’re awake.”

  “You have to feel these sheets.” She ran her hands over the bed, seductively. “They’re so soft. Everything feels so much better.”

  “It’s the drugs.”

  “I’m not drugged anymore.” Terra’s chin lifted, and she pouted up at him. “Why don’t you want me?”

  “I’ve never said I didn’t want you.” Jace ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Then fight me witch.”

  The floor trembled and a photo fell from the wall.

  “Stop that.” Jace moved quickly, pinning her to the bed. “Do you want to kill us?”

  She squirmed under him, arching against him. “You feel good. So hard.”

  He rested his forehead against hers to fight for control, his breathing ragged.

  “Do you have any fucking idea how hard it is to resist you?”

  “Then don’t.” Arousal flushed her face. She clenched her legs around his waist and he let out a low moan.

  She’s drugged. She doesn’t know what she’s doing, he reminded himself.

  “Please, it hurts so good,” she begged, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his mouth towards hers in a bold, hot kiss.

  Despite what he knew was right, his hands roamed over her body. She shuddered when he teased one nipple between his fingers.

  The need to touch her, feel every inch of her silky skin, drove him. Hunger was like a fever raging inside him, pushing him forward, demanding more. His mouth found her nipple, sucking and licking until she moaned in pleasure.

  His body hummed with the tension and magic building inside him. Raw, crackling energy.

  Shit, what was he doing? He pulled back, unlocking her arms from around his neck. “Get some sleep.”

  “I’m not tired.” She yawned and rolled on her side, her eyes heavy. “Stay with me. We don’t have to kiss anymore.”

  “Trust me, beautiful, if I get back in that bed with you, there’ll be a hell of a lot more than kissing going on.”

  “Like what?” Her eyes widened and she grinned devilishly.

  He grunted and pulled the heavy curtains closed. “Don’t worry, Darling, I plan on showing you. Just not until I know we won’t bring down an entire building on top of our heads when we do.”

  Chapter 18

  “I thought you said someone was here.” Mic shone his high power flashlight up and down the walls of the narrow mine one last time. His black beauties sparkled and called to him. Later, my lovelies.

  “They’re supposed to be.”

  A bat fluttered overhead and Eddie jumped beside him.

  The man mumbled under his breath and shuddered.

  “Something on your mind?” Mic’s gaze narrowed. Never trust anyone. Not even easy-going Eddie. That was the motto that had kept him alive all these years.

  “Something just feels…off.” He shifted uncomfortably.

  That wasn’t good. Eddie’s instincts were almost as exact as his own.

  Mic exited the cave and his sat-phone rang as if on cue. Caller ID said it was from one of the guards he’d left at his safe house back in Boulder City.

  “Talk to me.” He put the phone on speaker so Eddie could hear.

  “Your house is in pieces. You should have warned us the Fialko brothers were in town. They torched the place. The explosion lit up the whole area. Firefighters are on the scene, and the local cops are looking for you, Mic, and asking a lot of questions. They think someone might’ve died in the explosion. They even called in the Feds for help. Found a bullet already and the gun is registered to you.”

  “Dammit. Who was in the house?” Was it Nicole or his fuck-able daughter? Nicole was just a disposable piece of ass, but he had big plans for Terra.

  How could he be gone less than sixty minutes and everything turn to shit?

  “Don’t know.”

  “I pay you to know these things.” Mic’s ears burned, his blood pressure no doubt spiking. “Call me as soon as you find out anything. Understand? Tell the cops I’m camping in the desert. Unreachable. That I’m expected back in a few days.”

  He hung up and called his plant in the Vegas police force. When he was certain there would be no repercussions, no bodies–nothing but an unfortunate gas leak, he called his cousin, Mattie.

  “Get the boys out here. I’ll text the coordinates…Yeah. All of them…That’s what I said. No excuses. The clan is under attack.”

  Eddie waited, face expressionless, and narrowed eyes alert. He knew enough to shut up. Smart man. Might live through this.

  “Who the hell called you and said someone was out here?”

  The witch’s face paled and his jaw ticked. “Your new pal, Falcon. Said he wanted to make things right.”

  Mic sent a rockslide crashing down the hill and raised his voice enough to scare the piss out of his fuck-up of an assistant. “I want him dealt with. Personally. Do you hear me?”

  Jumping back, Eddie swallowed hard and nodded. “Sure thing.”

  “Those fucking flame-throwers think they own the place. Coming here all high and mighty and messing with stuff they got no business messing with.” He pounded his fist against the rock and a large fissure opened. “How much black stone did we get out of here so far?”

  “About five pounds. Hard to get at it all. The place falls apart when we dig. Then we need to shore the walls up, and–”

  “Did I ask for excuses?”

  After working for him for ten years, you’d think the guy would know better.

  “No, Sir.”

  “I know the Fialkos. They’ll come out here eventually. Riding their fucking white horses, swords blazing. When they do, we’ll be ready.” Mic laughed as he fingered a piece of black turquoise in his palm and made the ground tremble. “I want all of what we got so far brought here. All of it. You get me? Then, make sure this place is sealed off. Shut down the whole area. Gas leak. Radiation. I don’t care what. Just make it happen. No witnesses.”

  He chuckled, thinking of how he’d bury them alive…slowly, brutally. Make them
suffer.

  “The Fialkos are as good as dead. Just too stupid to lie down. We’ll wait for that son of a bitch, Jack, to arrive. Then we’ll take them down together.”

  Eddie’s eyes narrowed, looking a lot more interested than usual. “How will you deal with the clan counsel? The other clans will rise up. You can’t hide wiping out one of the most powerful lines on earth.”

  “Eddie, Eddie.” Mic smacked his palm hard on the man’s shoulders. “You’re thinking too small. With that black turquoise? We can wipe out all of the clan leaders, the counsel. No more censure. Eventually, we will take over the clans, the economy, the government, and then, from there, the world.”

  His assistant’s face twitched and his fist clenched ever so slightly.

  So that’s how it was? Mic pretended to laugh and turned. Eddie was dead. He would’ve killed him now, but first he needed his sperm.

  He went back into the mine, sucking in the dark energy.

  So fucking good. Better than sex.

  With the dark energy coursing through his veins, he could stay up for days, maybe even weeks, all the while becoming more potent.

  With that much power he would be a god.

  Chapter 19

  “Rise and shine.” Jace opened the heavy curtains with a screech that rivaled chalk across a blackboard.

  The scent of bacon and eggs made her stomach churn. He placed a tray on the bed table and showed her the small alarm clock before moving it aside. Four in the afternoon? How had that happened?

  “Go away.” She pulled a pillow over her head and burrowed deeper into the comforter. The humiliation of throwing herself at him the night before flooded through her and she groaned.

  “We’ve got a lot to do and you’ve already slept most of the day away. Get up. Shower and get dressed. You’ve got an hour, then we’re heading out.”

  “Where?” She peaked out from under the pillow. Damn. His jeans hugged his fine ass, and biceps bulged under the short sleeves of a plain black t-shirt.

  “Camping.” Green eyes met hers from across the room, crinkling at the edges.