Surge Of Magic

by Vella Day

  Kip twisted toward the rear and stuck out his arm. As much as Teagan wanted to look, she couldn’t chance being seen. Once she realized she hadn’t had a premonition that something horrible would happen to Kip or Randy, her heartbeat slowed.

  Two shots rang out, making her heart beat in a rapid tattoo. There went her calm, and her unfailing belief that she’d always have a premonition when something bad was about to happen.

  “Fuckers,” Randy snarled as he swerved the truck.

  Teagan grabbed hold of the seat and closed her eyes, almost expecting to careen over the edge of the mountain.

  Kip leaned back in and rolled up the window. “They won’t be following us anymore. All I can say is that a bullet better not have hit the car.”

  “Not to mention, you’d have to come up with a good story for the insurance company as to why someone was shooting at you.”

  “Damn Changelings.”

  “What did you do to them?” she asked, her voice thick and wavering.

  Kip sat her up and pressed her face against his chest. “I stopped the electrical system in their car. They’ll be stranded for a while. I figure if they understand what they’re up against, they’ll stay away from us.” He pressed a hand to his ear. “Say again. Okay.” He rubbed her back. “Are you okay with having a quick debriefing at the office? Connor, Rye, and Kalan are on their way back there, and they’d like to ask you a few questions.”

  “Sure, I’ll do anything I can to help stop those criminals, though I really don’t know much.”

  “Any little detail might even help.”

  The next fifteen minutes before they reached town seemed to take forever because Teagan kept imagining another ambush. Only when Randy stopped behind Kip’s workplace, did her nerves calm down, and she started to relax. With an arm around her shoulder, Kip led her inside. “We’ll meet in the conference room. Can I get you anything?”

  “A cup of coffee would be great. I need something to settle my nerves.”

  As Kip stepped over to a coffee station, she looked around and was immediately impressed with the maps on the wall and what looked like a real time video of an aerial view of the bunker. When she spotted Kip sneaking out from the side of the bunker and attacking the guard, she realized this was a replay.

  “Pretty cool, huh?” Jackson said. He stepped over and hugged her. “So glad to see you’re okay.”

  Kip had said Jackson’s surveillance had been critical to the success of the mission. “Thanks for helping.”

  “No problem. I will admit, I was worried when the guard caught Randy.”

  “All planned, my man. All planned,” Randy said with pride in his voice.

  Kip returned with a cup of coffee and a donut and led them into the conference room. The rest of the team came in shortly.

  Rye sat at one end of the table. “Glad to see you’re unharmed, Teagan. “Can you tell us everything you remember?”

  She started with how she’d been fooled into believing it was Randy who’d come to her door claiming Kip had had a heart attack, and then how the man had stabbed her with a needle.

  “Did he really say I had a heart attack?” Kip asked. “And you believed him?” He puffed out his chest.

  She didn’t need his criticism. “Yes. I mentioned about you having a dizzy spell, and the fake Randy said that was one of the first signs, so I believed him.”

  He rubbed her arm. “I’m sorry. I was trying to lighten the mood. But my dizzy spell was because I had a premonition.”

  “What?”

  “It involved you, but I wasn’t sure what it meant. Now I’ll be able to warn you if anything bad is to happen.”

  “That’s amazing.” To think she’d received his ability to shoot electricity, and he had her ability with telekinesis as well as her premonitions. They were mated in every sense.

  “Yes, we truly are bonded. Now finish your story.”

  She squeezed his hand in support and then continued. “Next thing I knew, I was in that creepy room tied up.”

  Kip then detailed his divide and conquer plan.

  “When I was shoved into the room,” Randy said, “Teagan had already freed herself and took out the guard without my help.”

  Kip swiveled to face her. “How?”

  For the first time in a while, she smiled. “I guess I’m getting better with my newfound magic.”

  They all talked at once. Slowly, she was able to answer all of their questions.

  Kalan looked around. “Did they tell you why they took you?”

  “No. After that man stuck me with a hypodermic syringe, the sedative knocked me out fast, so I never got to speak with any of them.”

  “More proof,” Rye said, “That the Changelings have temporarily run out of their precious sardonyx. Otherwise, they would have stabbed Teagan like they did Randy. I figure they were expecting a shipment any day.” That thought gave her the chills. “I’ll investigate to see where one could buy some of this stone, and ask the suppliers if they have ever sold any to someone who lived in the hills around Silver Lake.”

  “That’s going to be a hard sell,” Kip said.

  “I’ll be persuasive.”

  “I’ll ask Elana too,” Kalan said. “She might be able to give me some names of other importers that I can contact.”

  Rye huffed. “I bet they’re sorry they stopped that supply line.”

  “True.” Kip pushed back his chair. “If you don’t need us, I’d like to take Teagan home.”

  “Absolutely,” Rye said.

  The three of them left, and as soon as Teagan stepped outside, a weight lifted from her shoulders. This morning she’d been so happy that her life was on track, and in a few short hours, it had almost been cut short. Had it not been for Randy, Kip, and the others, no telling what might have happened.

  Both Randy and Kip had parked in back. Only then did something occur to her. “Randy, if your car is here, how did that Changeling have it?”

  “He didn’t. There are a lot of black Mercedes in town, and nothing’s distinctive about mine—no bumper stickers or major dents. Is it possible, you just assumed it was mine? Do you even know the year and model of this one?”

  Even looking at it now, she had no idea. “You have a point.” Sneaky bastards.

  Kip wrapped a comforting arm around her waist and turned to Randy. “How about Teagan and I head to her house and pack? You head home and do the same, and we’ll meet you back at our house in say an hour?”

  “Works for me. I’m actually looking forward to a change in scenery.”

  They said goodbye, and then Kip drove back to her house. When he arrived, he insisted on checking out the interior before allowing her back inside. This time she was thankful for his caution.

  As much as she loved her house, she would feel safer in his. She’d thought about asking if they could return to Mr. Murdoch’s cabin on shifter land, but they were too isolated, and despite having been in the security business, she bet he hadn’t installed any kind of system.

  She packed as much as she could in her one suitcase. “I can see a few trips back here.”

  “It doesn’t have to be permanent.”

  Given the size of his home, she wouldn’t mind. “What about Randy?”

  “What about him?”

  “I feel kind of bad that he has to move because of me.”

  Kip shook his head. “I don’t think he really cares. My brother is rather adaptable.”

  When they returned to Kip’s home, Randy was waiting for them in the living room. “Did we ever come up with something to say to each other so we can tell if it’s really us?”

  “No,” she said. “It has to sound natural though. Maybe something like, Did I tell you I found my lost ring? And the other person would say, You mean the one with the red stone?”

  Randy glanced over at Kip. “You don’t think that would sound strange coming from a man?”

  “It’s only between us.”

  They both shrugged. “S
o, we agree on the red stone ring that’s found,” Randy said.

  That little bit of assurance really helped Teagan. “Just so you know, the toilet in my bathroom has a tendency to run. Just jiggle the handle.”

  Randy grinned. “I think I can handle it.”

  She hugged him once more. “Thank you.”

  Once Randy took off, Kip carried their bags into his bedroom.

  “Mind if I take a shower? I need to get their touch off me.” Not to mention her nervous sweat.

  “I can draw you a bath if you like, though I don’t have any girlie bath salts or anything.”

  She laughed. Kip was such a guy. “A shower is good, but what would be even better is if someone wants to join me.” Kip had two showerheads in his master bath.

  He kicked off his shoes and stripped off his shirt. “I’m game.”

  She was hoping he’d be willing to spend some time just enjoying each other since his touch could help erase the last few hours. Desperate to clean up, she undressed. Before Kip dragged her to the bed, she dashed to the bathroom and turned on both showerheads, excited to put this day behind her.

  Kip entered the spacious bathroom. From the linen closet, he pulled out two fluffy towels and set them on the counter. “You look so good,” he said as he clutched his dick that was already hard.

  “I hope that needs cleaning, ’cause I am all for getting my hands on you.”

  He chuckled. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see those bastards didn’t take away your sense of humor.”

  “You mean steal my desire for you? Never.” Needing to wash, she stepped into the large shower and let the warm water sluice over her. “Just so you know, I’m never leaving this bathroom.”

  “Who says you have to? Though if I knew you were at the house naked all day, I might never make it into work.”

  She loved Kip. He was her protector, her lover, and her supporter. “Come on in.”

  As he entered the stall, he dragged his hand down her back, and his mere touch sent her hormones flying. This mating stuff sure made it difficult to keep her libido in check. It would only be a problem though until she finished washing.

  “Just so you know, it’s taking all of my will power to stay on my side of the shower,” he said. “If I hadn’t rolled in the dirt with that scum guard, I might have just dragged you into bed.”

  He wasn’t serious, but she appreciated knowing he wanted her as much as she did him. Teagan dipped her head under the water to wet her hair, wanting to scrub every inch of her body to rid herself of being in that terrible place.

  As Kip lathered up, his muscles bulged. He then dragged his hand down his hard abs, and she nearly swooned. She could watch him shower for hours.

  Once he rinsed, he stepped over to her side. “While you wash your hair, I’ll take care of cleaning the rest of your body.”

  She giggled. “Will you do a serious job, or are you planning on tormenting me?”

  He planted a hand on his chest. “I only have your best interest at heart.”

  Before she could respond, he squeezed some liquid soap onto his palm, dropped onto his knees, and then ran his hands up and down her legs. Teagan groaned. “That feels so freaking good.”

  He looked up and smiled. “I’ve only just begun.”

  She bet he had. Needing to wash her hair, she dumped some shampoo on her palm and lathered up, but it was hard to concentrate when his fingers kept moving higher and higher toward the apex of her thighs. Imagining the wonders of having sex with him made her hurry.

  “Better not turn me on too much,” she warned.

  “Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”

  “I need to wash your cock, and once it’s clean, I’ll have to suck on it, and then…well, you can figure out the rest. Excuse me, but I need to rotate.”

  Kip moved back to give her some room. As she faced the showerhead and dipped her head to rinse her hair, he slid his hands up to her hips and pressed his face against her rear. “You going to be much longer? I’m not sure I can keep from ravishing you here.” As if to prove his point, he slipped a finger between her legs.

  “Eek. Be good.”

  “I am being good.” The next few wiggles caused her inner walls to spasm.

  Kip stood, twisted her around, and when he kissed her, all thoughts of spending a long time in the shower vanished. Her hand slipped down his back to his butt, and as their tongues entwined, she pulled him closer. Their auras pulsed blue and she could feel his love penetrating deep within her soul.

  When he shut off the water behind her, she lifted her hands to his shoulders. She wanted all of him. Forever. She reached between them and when she grabbed his thick shaft, his hold on her tightened and his kiss intensified.

  He moved her to the side wall and pressed her against it. “Need you now.”

  The tension from the day, coupled with the amazing way Kip made her feel, had her more than ready to enjoy what he had to offer. “What are you waiting for?”

  “I love you. You make my blood boil and my heart sing.”

  “Aw.” He was such a poet.

  He slipped one hand behind her back and pulled her flat against his chest as he eased his cock between her legs. His knees were bent so much that he looked uncomfortable.

  “Try this,” Teagan said as she twisted around, planted her palms on the wall, and spread her legs wide. “Better?”

  “You are a sight for sore eyes.” If he’d been a cat, she bet he’d be purring.

  His palms caressed her skin and sent unadulterated bliss in every direction. She wiggled her rear, hoping to coax him to hurry since she needed him now more than ever. Kip cupped her tits, and as he twisted her nipples, tiny explosions of need shot through her making her hot. What was he waiting for? Her full glow was going strong and she needed some release.

  As if he could read her mind, he slipped his cock to her entrance, bent over so that his chest was on her back, and then drove into her. The lustful dam burst and her blue sparks shot everywhere. The friction stretched her wide as waves of delicious joy speared her, forcing her to gulp in air to keep from coming.

  He released his hold on her breasts and slipped one hand to her hip while he palmed the wall in front of her with the other. Wanting to feel his skin, she grabbed his wrist.

  Kip leaned over and kissed her shoulder as he withdrew. Not able to wait any longer, she pressed back her hips just as he plowed into her, sending his cock deep within her. It was as if they became one for all time.

  “Now you’ve done it,” he ground out. His blue aura glowed even brighter, reflecting off the shower walls.

  His breath came out fast as he pounded into her. With each stroke she soared higher until the final thrust caused her orgasm to sweep in. Her vision faded and her pulse raced. Their auras combined, outlined in a thicker white halo than before.

  Seconds later, Kip lowered his head to her back, and his cock detonated, sending another round of loving warmth inside her. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his face against her cheek. “Have I told you lately, that I love you?”

  “Lately? No. Do you?”

  “More than life itself.”

  “How about we dry off and you can show me just how much.”

  Kip slipped out of her and then turned her around. The kiss that followed curled her toes and caused more sparks than there were stars in the sky to shoot off her skin.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

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  Epilogue

  One month later

  Teagan was totally stoked. She was going to meet Naliana and see James again. Several of the shifters had met one or both of them, but there usually weren’t many occasions where the goddess interacted with Wendayans. Izzy was one of the exceptions.

  Kip explained that only because the Changelings had kidnapped her had she even been invited. Besides her and Kip, Randy, Izzy and Rye, and Kalan and Elana would be there. She suspected Connor and Jackson would come too, as they took part in storming the bunker. Dev
on, she was told, had already gone back to the other branch.

  Teagan really didn’t quite understand what was going to happen. Apparently, because Nate and his fiancée, Olivia, had helped James and the Clan numerous times that they were being granted a cleansing ceremony—whatever that was. Not only had they helped set up a sting operation to catch Owen Chancellor, they found the location of Randy’s stolen magic, to name just a few of the times they’d provided James with valuable intel.

  Kip guided her to his truck and helped her in. Once he was seated, she faced him. “What I don’t get is why would two Changelings agreed to help James in the first place?”

  “I asked Rye about that. He said that from what James said, these two fell in love in high school and never embraced the Changeling life.”

  “I thought they were genetically altered, making most of them sociopaths.”

  “Apparently, they each had one relative who was human, and by luck or perhaps sheer determination, they didn’t turn evil. They feared if they married, and didn’t do something to remove the stain of being a Changeling from their bodies that their children might inherit the bad genes.”

  “That would be scary,” she said. “But how can anyone change a person’s genes?”

  “Naliana is a goddess. Anything’s possible. She’ll grant them absolution, and as a result, it will rid them of all hatred.”

  Sure, a goddess was powerful, but it was still rather amazing that one could really do that. “What are they going to do afterward? Move away from Silver Lake?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Nate loved his pizzeria. What a shame to give that up, but she could understand why he wouldn’t want to live among the Changelings. Kip drove into the shifter compound, and when he reached the path to the lake, he parked behind a row of cars.

  “Looks like a lot of people are here,” she said, becoming more excited by the minute.

  “I’m looking forward to watching this. Rye said he doesn’t remember even hearing about something like this ever happening before.”