They did as she asked, looking happy to contribute in some way.
She was so engrossed in what was happening with Justin that she didn’t realize two men had materialized in the cave.
“You were right, Mr. Bonnini,” a voice behind her said. “This cave is the perfect hiding spot. Damn, we hit the jackpot.”
“Shut up, Jason, you idiot. You’ll scare the children. And we wouldn’t want that. We want to be friends with them.”
Scarlata whirled around to stare at the newcomers. The taller of the two leered at her but it was the smaller man who scared her.
He had power. Dark power. And she recognized his voice. When he’d spoken to Justin outside the cabin.
This was Justin’s boss, Daniel Bonnini. The man had short, dark hair, innocuous features and a smile as sharp as a blade.
She started toward him—
And with a flick of his hand, he knocked her several feet back. She fell on her ass, ears ringing as the children screamed.
Struggling to her feet, she saw Dagobert counter with a spell that should have made both men writhe in pain. The tall one, Jason, did fall to the floor, curled in a ball, but Bonnini barely flinched.
The children. She had to protect the children, now crying in fear. The incantation she needed to produce a protection shield around them eluded her and Bonnini drew closer.
“I’ll make you a deal.” He looked like a normal businessman in his suit pants, dress shirt and tie. All he was missing was the jacket. “Allow me to take two of the children and I will put out the fire and let the rest of you leave. That seems like a more-than-fair exchange, don’t you think?”
The bastard. Rage bubbled through her blood as she shook herself. “You will not lay one hand on any of those children.”
She stood, fighting the binding spell he was attempting to weave around her. She glanced at Dagobert, who had positioned himself between the children and Justin—still unmoving on the ground.
Bonnini raised an eyebrow. “You do know that if I have to kill you and the goat boy, I will take all the children and allow the fire to consume the others. Take the deal, girl. Justin is dead. You’re on your own.”
Scarlata knew he was right, knew she’d failed and, with a war cry, flung herself at the monster who had destroyed her forest, her people and her life.
Justin came alive with a renewed burst of pain and the sense that he held a force inside his body he couldn’t contain.
He opened his eyes, sat up—and saw Bonnini fling his precious Red into the wall with enough force to make her crumple in an unmoving heap to the floor.
Scrambling to his feet, careful not step on the children surrounding him, he rushed toward Bonnini with a shout.
Bonnini looked startled for all of a second before he snarled and threw what looked like a bolt of lightning at Justin’s chest, hitting him directly above the heart.
Justin braced himself for pain, not knowing what to expect. But his body absorbed the energy as if it were water.
Bonnini stopped in his tracks, his expression no longer as smug as it had been.
And Justin smiled.
He might be new to this son-of-a-god stuff. He might not have a clue what he could do yet. But his body felt bigger. His skin practically vibrated with strength and he swore every hair on his body crackled with static electricity.
“I’m going to crush you like a bug, Bonnini.” He grinned, couldn’t help himself. “Then I’m going to dismantle your company piece by piece. And when there’s nothing left, I’m going to make damn sure this never happens again.”
Justin moved with a speed he’d never possessed, a speed that was almost frightening, and grabbed Bonnini around the throat.
“You have no idea what you’re dealing with, Johannson.” Bonnini had the gall to leer at him, even though he gasped for air. “You’re not going to win this.”
“Watch me.”
Justin threw the man against the wall on the opposite side of the cave, just as Bonnini had done to Scarlata. From where he stood, Justin heard the man’s bones break before he crumpled to the ground. His ears filled with the sound of the children crying, Justin watched Bonnini for several seconds to make sure he didn’t get up. Bonnini’s man still lay on the ground, groaning but unmoving.
He turned toward the children but caught sight of Scarlata lying on the floor.
“No, no, no,” Justin groaned, the words sounding full of pain even to his own ears, as he dropped to his knees beside her. “Red, come on, wake up.”
She didn’t make a sound, lying as still as death.
Justin wasn’t sure he should move her, was afraid he would only harm her more if he did.
“Dilby!” he called, hearing fear in his voice. “Dilby, what do I do?”
The ashen-faced girl stood with the help of the salbinelli, her face pale in the glow of the crystals embedded in the stone. “You have to heal her.”
Whatever gods are listening, please let her be okay. “How do I do that?”
“Pick her up. Let your body absorb her injuries. It’ll know how.”
Justin refused to lose her now. Not when he found the one thing in his life that made sense.
“Do it,” Dilby urged. “Their parents. They’re still out there.”
Shit, he’d forgotten about those still trapped by the forest fire.
With shaking hands, he reached for Scarlata.
Scarlata gasped, lungs fighting for air.
Her eyes flew open and she tried to sit up but she could barely move.
“Red, honey, just stay still for a second.”
Justin. She turned her head and looked up. Justin held her on his lap. They were still in the cave but she didn’t hear—
“The children! Are they—”
“They’re fine, Red. Bonnini’s unconscious or dead. Don’t care which. How do you feel?”
She took a second to think about his question and another to dismiss the small aches and pains throughout her body. “I’m fine. We need to get the children out of here.” Then she remembered her last memory of him. “What about you, Justin? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” The strange look in his eyes made her draw in a frightened breath but then he smiled, a normal Justin smile, and she calmed. A little. “Really. I’m okay. We’ll get the kids out but I didn’t get a shiny pair of wings with my powers so I’m going to need your help with that.”
Her heart skipped several beats. “Justin, that was so incredibly reckless. Dilby should have known better—”
“I didn’t give her much of a choice. And I’d do it again. Red—”
“Justin!” Dagobert yelled. “They’re getting away.”
Justin turned just in time to see Bonnini’s henchman pick up Bonnini’s still-lifeless body and dematerialize before Justin could move.
“Shit.” Justin glanced back down at Scarlata and then back to the spot where Bonnini had been. “I should’ve made sure the other guy was knocked out cold—”
“Justin.” Scarlata cupped his tense jaw in her hand, drawing his furious gaze back to her. “Let’s just get out of here. We’ll get Bonnini later. When the children are safe.”
Justin nodded and slowly the anger drained out of him. “You’re right. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Chapter Ten
“I called the lab, talked to one of the researchers.” Justin leaned back in his chair at Sal’s dining table, fiddling with his now-empty coffee mug. “He said no one’s seen Bonnini since the fire. And my boss wanted to talk to me. Said the rumor going around was I was getting fired for stealing. What exactly I stole, he wasn’t too clear about.”
His dad, Sal, Nortia and Scarlata had the other seats at the table, all with their eyes on him. Well, not all. Scarlata’s gaze was glued to the table, her wings out and curled around her shoulders. She sat directly across the table from him, as far away as she could get.
He wanted to jump over the table, grab her and run somewhere they could talk. Al
one.
“Well, you don’t need to worry about the job, kid,” his dad said. “I’ve got some law enforcement contacts. We’ll make sure you’re never charged, though I don’t think Bonnini will make formal charges. He just needs an excuse to explain your disappearance. And you don’t have to worry about money. Already set up a trust for you. You’ll never have to work again if you don’t want to. Besides, you’re gonna need a few months training.”
Selvans’ sigh was short and sharp and Justin braced himself for the next topic of conversation. “Son, your powers…that was reckless and dangerous. You could’ve been killed. What if something had gone wrong—”
“Dad. Stop.” Justin help up his hand, shooting a quick look at Scarlata, who still had her gaze focused on the table. “Nothing went wrong so let’s not go there. Just tell me what happens now.”
“Now you need to learn what you can do and how to control it,” Sal answered when his dad just shook his head. “We can do the training here—”
“No.” His dad slashed his hand out. “No, not around here. Not when we don’t know where Bonnini is or what he’s going to do next. Mia wasn’t able to find a clue about why he wanted Scarlata or the children. But Bonnini’s Mal. We know he’s not looking for a cure for world hunger or global warming. We’ll keep digging but I want you far away from here.”
Because he was watching Scarlata when his dad said that, Justin saw the tips of her wings flutter, as if in distress, then close even more tightly around her shoulders.
Come on, babe. Look at me. Please.
Her gaze remained locked on the table. Guess he hadn’t gained telepathy as part of his new powers.
“I don’t like running, Dad. And what about Mom? She’s gonna have questions. What do I tell Ellie? What—Holy shit! I just realized—”
“Your sister works for Bonnini too,” his dad finished. “Yeah, I know that. I know you helped get her the job.”
“Fuck.” Christ, how much worse could this get? “We gotta get her out of there. I gotta call her—”
“Son, she’s fine. I’ve had a guard on her for years. He’d have told me if anyone made a move on her. She’s safe. You’re the one he’s going to be looking for.”
Good to know that Ellie was protected. But Scarlata would still be in danger if she were with him. Damn, but he wanted her to be with him.
He couldn’t stop staring at her, waiting for her to give him some sign of what she was thinking. So far, nothing.
“So I’ll learn how to deal with these powers,” Justin said, “but I don’t want to leave the area. I’m staying here.”
There, that finally got a response from her. Scarlata’s gaze shot to his and, for a second, he saw a hint of a smile on her mouth. Then her mouth pursed as if she’d thought of something else.
“Son—”
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem,” Sal broke in. “We’re moving the Hawk Mountain enclave to Oley. There’s no reason Justin can’t train there. If it’s okay with Scarlata.”
“You know what?” Nortia spoke up for the first time since they’d returned to the house after moving the enclave members to safe houses all over the county. When Bonnini and his henchman had disappeared, the fire had dissipated on its own, leaving only a ring of scorched earth a few yards wide. The local fire departments would be scratching their heads over that one for years.
“I think we don’t need to figure this all out right now,” Nortia continued. “We’re tired, we’re pissed off and some of us need a shower. I myself need about three hours in a hot tub and a few bottles of wine. And,” she shot a look at Scarlata before returning her gaze to Justin, “I think we all need a little time to think.”
Justin felt like kissing the tiny blonde goddess if he didn’t think she’d take offense. Hell, since she was sitting right next to him, he did anyway. When he didn’t grow a snout and fur, he figured her smile was genuine.
His dad must have finally gotten the hint as well. His gaze shot from Justin to Scarlata and back again.
“Ah,” Selvans’ eyebrows lifted. “Yeah, I think you’re right, Norty.”
As they all stood, Nortia said goodbye and disappeared. Selvans shook hands with Sal, patted Scarlata on the back then turned to Justin.
“It’ll all work out, son.” As his dad grabbed him close for a hug, he whispered in his ear, “Good luck. I’ll see you soon.”
Then he stepped back, smiled and disappeared as well.
“Well, you kids are welcome to the bedrooms,” Sal said with a wicked grin. “I’ve got some errands to run. Just don’t leave the house until I get back.”
And then he disappeared.
Leaving Justin staring at Scarlata and Scarlata staring at the floor.
Scarlata didn’t have a clue what to say.
There hadn’t been time to talk to Justin privately before, not when they were so busy transporting everyone out of Hawk Mountain. Then Selvans and Nortia and Sal had wanted to talk and she couldn’t very well say no to them.
But she’d been dying to talk to Justin. Alone. To have his arms around her so she could feel his heartbeat and run her hands over him to assure herself he was okay.
There’d been little time to be terrified for him earlier, to make sure there were no unexpected consequences from Dilby unlocking his powers.
He seemed fine, still…
“Do you want more coffee?”
He broke the silence, drawing her gaze up to his. She knew that wasn’t what he wanted to ask.
“No. Thank you. I think—”
Justin bent down and sealed his mouth over hers, making her forget whatever it was she was going to say. He kissed her so hard she could barely breathe. Kissed her until she had to wrap her arms around his waist to hold herself up.
His mouth on hers felt so good, so right. She couldn’t bear to lose him. Not ever.
When he let her up for air, hands still holding her flush against him, he smiled, the look in his eyes so hot it almost burned her skin.
“Are you really okay, Justin?”
He took her hand and lifted it to his cheek, rubbing it lightly against the stubble. The gesture started a slow burn in her blood.
“Do I look okay?” He drew her hand from his cheek to his jaw and down his throat.
Scarlata nodded, not trusting her voice. She’d been so frightened that the sudden rush of relief she felt was almost painful. This man had helped save her friends, had nearly given his life for children he’d never met.
She loved him more than she would ever be able to express.
“Do I feel okay?” He rubbed her hand down his naked chest to his flat stomach and further down to his throbbing erection under his shorts.
She didn’t even nod this time, just stared into his eyes as she curled her fingers around the heated length.
Justin’s eyes closed for a few brief seconds. Then he lifted her into his arms and practically ran for the stairs.
In the room they’d shared last night, he laid her on the bed then undressed, removing his shorts with lightning speed. He still hadn’t gotten any new clothes. Not that she cared much. Her lungs began to labor when Justin spread out next to her.
But he didn’t cover her body with his, as she expected.
“Are you feeling okay, Red.” His voice sounded a bit strangled, angry. “That bastard threw you into the wall pretty hard.”
She smiled and reached for him, fisting his throbbing shaft. His swift intake of breath made her thighs clench. She grew wet with the thought that in a few moments he would be inside her.
“I’m fine. Or I will be as soon as you’re inside me.”
Scarlata moved her hand in a slow pump from the root to the tip of his cock and back down.
“You’re sure?”
Hot. Oh-so hot. “Yes. Justin, please.”
He placed a hand on her stomach, palm flat against her skin. Heat spread from the point of contact, flooding her senses with…love. The lust was there as well but it was l
ove that made her put her free hand on his and push it down toward her mound.
His fingers grazed her clit then he eased one finger into her slick channel. It wasn’t enough. Not even when he started to move that finger in and out, creating a delicious friction. She would never get enough of him.
She arched into him, wanting him to go faster. But Justin wouldn’t cooperate. Instead, he slowed then removed his hand to stroke her thighs.
She moaned and slapped her hand against the bed.
“Justin. Now.”
“Oh, babe, I’ll do you just as soon as you give me what I want.”
Her eyebrows lifted and she stared at him in confusion. “I thought I was.”
“I don’t just mean sex, Red.” In one smooth movement, he removed his hand and positioned himself between her legs, the tip of his rigid cock brushing her lower lips. So warm. He was so amazingly warm as he rubbed the head against her, hitting her clit and then drawing away. Maddening.
“Then what do you mean? Because I want you. Right now.”
His predatory smile sent a shiver of lust down her spine. “And I want you. But…I love you, Scarlata. I want to spend my life with you. And, apparently, I’m going to have a couple hundred more years to do that. Unless…”
Teasingly poised at her sex, his cock throbbed against her, making her almost insane with desire. But she knew what he was saying. And didn’t the fool man know she wanted the same? Obviously not.
“Of course I want you.” She stared into his eyes. “For however long we have. Don’t you know I love you? Don’t you realize I would be blood-bound to you if you asked?”
With a groan, she tried to pull him closer, lifting her legs to wrap them around his waist. She arched, trying to pull him into her, but the stubborn man still refused to cooperate.
Instead, he backed off, easing down her body to suck first one nipple then the other into his mouth. He nipped at her, played with her, his tongue licking strands of fire along her skin. Her sex clenched, concentrating her desire into a physical ache.
Finally he finished with her breasts, but still the man denied her. He continued to kiss his way down her body, stopping to flick his tongue into her bellybutton for just a second before his mouth came tantalizingly close to her mound.
Seduced by Magic Page 11
