Blood Moon Magic

by Isobelle Carmichael

  Fuck, the sword was coated in dragon’s poison. That’s going to make these next few hours a special level of hell.

  I try to continue to speak, but my vocal cords seize.

  I don’t want to let Kaleb know the extent of my injuries, so I use our telepathic connection to urge him to take point instead.

  I know he wants to argue or try to save me, but I don’t let him.

  Kaleb steps in front of me.

  “Please, we’re trying to help you,” he says.

  Kaleb

  I watch my brother fall on his knees, a two-foot jagged wound opening him up from shoulder to hip, and for a moment, I am certain his soul exited his body. I know he is injured, but at least he’s alive. Thankfully, he has managed to struggle back to his feet. He is alive but bleeding profusely. There is no way in hell I am going to let these guys kill my brother mistakenly. I know if we can just talk to them, everyone can leave this situation alive. But, at this point, I want to kill them for what they have done to Kaden. I don’t, in part because that dude is still holding a big ass sword. But, I also know that my brother would frown on it. Still, I cannot have my brother die since Abby would be broken if she lost any one us. I catch my brother’s silent signal and step in front of him. It’s my turn to take the lead.

  I like to take the backseat and observe. While I might be cracking jokes, I’m really taking notes. I know far more than I let on, and people think I’m silly, but I like it that way. My brother doesn’t think I know his secrets, but I know them all—every dirty little one. I know that despite his dominate nature, he loves when someone else takes control. Abby is a perfect compliment to him in that way. She sees his strength but doesn’t back down. She has her own, so she doesn’t need him to be strong for her.

  He also thinks I don’t know that he does solo missions for our alpha. My brother is his secret assassin. I won’t judge him for that; it’s not his fault or his choice. You can’t say no to your alpha.

  He always pushes back with Abby, and it honestly bothers the shit out of me. I don’t know why he’s such a dick about it. If I had to choose between Abby and Shaun, Abby would be my alpha every time, and not just because she’s hotter than the sand in the Mojave desert. No, Abby is just raw and real. An alpha to the bone. She’s not groomed or fake; she just is an alpha. The thing that makes her so impressive is how well she’s whipped us into shape. We only followed Shaun because of Seamus. It was a given. But Abby made us want to support her. She makes my heart sing when she talks. I love to watch that succulent mouth move and think about the dirty things I could do with it. To be honest, I hate Justin. If it wasn’t for him and his research, I’d be balls deep in that luscious pussy—her fantastic body riding me while I find my release. Fuck, my balls are tightening already just thinking about it.

  Okay, Kaleb, back to the task at hand.

  I step forward, “Please, we want to help,” I call out to my brother’s attacker. He pauses, the sword in mid-stroke as he contemplates my words. I amble forward, hands outstretched, trying very hard to appear non-threatening.

  “We want to help, I promise. We have orders to annihilate your town, and we don’t want to.”

  “Why should I believe you? I know who you are, and your hands are stained with blood.”

  “You’re right; we have enough blood on our hands. And we don’t want any more. I could cry when I think about the people we’ve hurt and the families we’ve destroyed. Our alpha deceived us, and we don’t want to do his dirty work anymore. We were ordered to deliver your death, but we just want to save your town. So hear us out.”

  He looks at me, and I see the indecision on his face, so I keep going.

  “Don’t hurt my brother; he’s my closest friend. Spare him, and he will be the best ally you could ever have. I can assure you of that.”

  “Talk faster!”

  “Okay, I can do that, but my brother is bleeding out while we chat. Why don’t you get someone to patch him up?”

  He glares at my brother, and he’s practically willing him to die, his hatred for him clear.

  “Agree or don’t, sir. But if you don’t, I will be sure to rain dragon fire down on this town and every living soul in it. And I will not stop burning down generation after generation of anyone left until I am dead. And even then, I will ask my children to continue my vow. That is how serious I am about my brother’s life.”

  He nods to people in the shadows, and they emerge, carrying my brother off. I want to protest, but I don’t. Instead, I follow my brother’s attacker and sit down in a chair provided for me and pretend to drink their shitty whiskey.

  “Look, we don’t have time for more discussions. In moments, our clan will be here to do our wet work. They will kill anyone who is left. So I hope you have tunnels to evacuate people because that is the only way you’re getting out of here alive.”

  I see some looks of comprehension on their faces, but they don’t seem to understand the seriousness of the situation.

  “Look you have maybe ten minutes to evacuate this entire fucking town, or you will all die! We are going to light this whole place on fire, whether you like it or not.” They stare at me, disbelief prevalent on their faces.

  “We just don’t want to kill anyone. Speaking of we, where the hell is my brother?”

  “We’re going to keep him as leverage so we can leave safely,” the man says.

  “Bad idea. I will literally fire up everyone in this room without a second thought. I don’t like to kill innocents, but if you keep my brother captive, you’re no longer innocent to me. So I suggest you rethink that plan.”

  The leaders look at one another, and then at me. “Okay, we agree, but you will need to give us a few extra minutes to escape after we deliver your brother. We have been preparing for this day, so we’re ready. Just give us as long as you can.”

  I nod my head while distractedly pacing the floor. All I want to know is where my brother is. Within a few minutes, he is brought in, carried between two men. He is barely keeping himself upright but otherwise looks stable. A white gauze bandage covers him, from shoulder to hip, and he’s doped up as fuck if the droopy eyes and vacant expression are anything to judge by.

  “Hey, Kaleb, how are you? I got hurt, but I feel better now,” he slurs.

  “What the fuck did you give him?” I ask as they pour him into a chair. His head lolls to one side, and he begins singing to himself.

  “You’re dragons, so you know you need the strong stuff. You should be thanking us,” the man says while ushering the last of his people through the escape hatch of a nearby tunnel.

  “Do you have any more tunnels we can blow up that won’t harm anyone?” I ask the man as he prepares to enter the hatch.

  “Why would you need that?”

  “We need to show them that we did our best. We can’t just tell our alpha you all were missing; It’ll look suspicious. We need to burn the whole place down so that no one can come back here.”

  “There are some unsealed tunnels in the old town hall. You can blow them up first. If you start there, it will give us enough time to get out, and then you can burn the whole place to the ground.”

  “How did you know we were coming?” I ask, just needing to know for myself.

  “We have a spy in your ranks. He let us know that you were on the way.”

  The confession sends the wheels spinning in my mind. I want to find this person, and I want to help.

  Kaden makes a weak rasping sound, and I sling his arm around my neck to haul him up. Regular pain medicines don’t work on shifters, so the only drugs that could have him like this would be magically infused.

  “Kaden, how are you doing?”

  “I’m fine. I just need to sleep, that’s all.”

  “Right, well let’s get you to the plane, and you can get some sleep.”

  I hear a grate sliding over a hole, but my focus is on my brother. He leans heaving on me as we meander slowly across the town. I blow small streams of drag
on fire, setting the town ablaze. Once we’re safely away from the escape hatch, I really let loose, lighting the place up. Kaden attempts to help, but he’s only injuring himself further. I’m thankful that our own flames can’t burn us because it’s hotter than a volcano out here. Suddenly, I understand why Abby was bitching at us about our twin inferno blaze. It makes me want to laugh, but I can’t.

  “Abby knows,” he says, his words still slurred.

  “One—stop using magic, I’ve got this covered. And two—Abby knows?”

  “Abby felt my pain.”

  “How would you know that?”

  “I left our connection open.”

  “You! Why would you do that? Why did you leave the connection open?”

  “I didn’t mean to. I was just so excited, as I’m sure you were too. Is your connection closed, Mr. Judgy?”

  I probe my mind and realize he’s right. I also left my connection wide open!

  “Oh shit, Kaden, I did it, too.”

  “Then be happy only one of us was injured tonight, brother.”

  “You know she’s going to kick our ass when we get back, don’t you? After she settles down.” “The bond started tugging as soon as we left her.”

  “I didn’t know; I thought it was my heart, not hers. If I had known, I would have turned around.”

  “It was both of ours. Well, I guess all three of ours. Fuck, I can’t think clearly with these potion-enhanced drugs in my system. But man, they’re amazing!”

  “You lightweight. Suck it up. We have places to be!”

  “I hardly think magically-enhanced drugs are lightweight material, and you know that sword was dipped in dragon poison right?”

  My heart drops as his words sink in.

  “Please tell me you’re lying.”

  “I wish I were, dear brother,” he says and lifts up his shirt.

  His wound is bandaged, but I can see purple bruising with tendrils of black spidering from around the gauze, marking the path of his veins.

  “Fucking fuck! What am I supposed to do now?”

  “Getting me back to Justin before I die sounds like a great idea,” Kaden says sarcastically.

  “You are such a smart ass.”

  “If these people hadn’t treated the wounds with what they had available; I wouldn’t be able to stand. You know that, right?”

  “Well, if they hadn’t sliced you open in the first place, you wouldn’t have needed it. You’ll have to excuse me if I hold back my gratitude.”

  I brush tears away from my eyes and attempt to think of a more smart-ass response.

  “Look, you have to survive long enough for him to help.”

  He passes out, and I have to use every ounce of my strength to carry him to the plane. We’re overtaken by Seamus’s troops, but when they see our state and catch the blazing inferno behind us, they stop. A few come and help me carry Kaden to the plane.

  I call Shaun and let him know we’re on the way.

  “Hey, we’re headed home. How’s Abby?”

  “Yes, I understand that, and no, it wasn’t on purpose. Shaun, stop talking! Kaden’s been hurt, and the blade was laced with dragon poison. Can you make sure Justin is ready to treat him as soon as we’re there?”

  I hang up the phone and consider tossing it across the plane but decide against it. Instead, I slide the expensive piece of tech into my pocket and check on my brother. Kaden is sleeping peacefully, but his breaths are shallow. It’s worrying, but I have faith he’ll make it.

  When we land, I finagle Kaden into the car. I drive just a shade under breakneck speed and rush my brother home.

  When we reach the den, everyone is outside and waiting for us. Justin and Marcus rush to the side of the car, opening the door to help Kaden out of the vehicle. He’s conscious, and still high, continuing the song that he was singing from before.

  “Oh Abby, don’t cry. Please, don’t cry, Princess, I’m fine,” Kaden tells her.

  “You’re not okay, you liar. You can’t say you’re okay when it is clear that someone tried to filet you! What happened?”

  “Well,” he starts, but Shaun jumps in, “What he means is he’s going to be fine, and he can’t tell you any details.”

  I turn on him, so angry I can feel my wolf coming back to the surface.

  “What he means,” I clarify, “is that we’re forbidden by our alpha to talk about what happened, but he will get better quickly. Kaden is a very fast healer; he won’t even have a scar.”

  She looks at me suspiciously,

  “I promise you this, Abby, on my honor. It will take longer because of the poison, but Justin already gave him the antidote. I promise he’ll be back to normal in no time.”

  “Fine,” she sniffs, “but I’m still mad at you.”

  “So, for the record, I’m the one who was slashed open. Shouldn’t I be getting all the attention?” Kaden says. “You’re a cruel mistress.”

  “Okay,” she declares. “You’re going to get cleaned up, and then we’re all going to pile into bed and binge. No one is leaving my sight for an entire season of something on TV.”

  We all agree with varying degrees of enthusiasm. When Abby’s on a tear like this, it’s useless to argue.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Abby

  Abby, come join me in the study. Justin’s voice pops into my mind.

  Hmm, I’m pretty sure I don’t feel like another lesson today so … I try to cut off our connection, but he stops me.

  If you fight me on this, I’ll come get you myself, he rumbles in my head. I shiver because personally, I like this idea.

  You really are hopeless. You know that right?

  Not hopeless. Just starving for sex. I can’t move due to the agony of my poor, unused pussy. It’s crying, “Fill me. Fuck me, please.”

  Abby, come on, he growls.

  You know I can hear your eyes rolling, and stop growling at me. I don’t appreciate it. I’m the alpha. I decide to give in and head towards the study to join him.

  Funny how you only pull the alpha card when you don’t wanna do something, his voices drips with sarcasm.

  “What do you want, Giles?” I ask as I walk in because two can play at Buffy references.

  “Come over here and lay over the desk … do not argue.”

  I walk to the desk, the soft swish of my feet on the carpet the only sound. The desk creaks as I lay over the top of it and wait, my breathing escalating with each second.

  “I believe you were promised a spanking.”

  “Yeah, but by Shaun!” I protest. “And I haven’t even done anything bad.”

  “Shaun is on his way now, and you already earned your spanking. You can’t talk your way out of this one.” He grabs a coil of rope.

  “Where did that come from?” I cry out, not entirely sure I dislike the direction this is going. In fact, judging by the hard beads that are my nipples, I am very into whatever is about to happen.

  He chuckles lightly and begins tying my wrists together then pulls them taut, stretching my hands straight out in front of me and securing them to the underside of the desk. My breasts are mashed to the cold hard surface, and I only have enough room to move my head to the side. Next, my ankles are secured to each side of the desk, leaving my ass high and proud in the air. Already I can feel myself getting wet, but then I hear the snick of a knife and try to rear off the desk, I get nowhere. “What’s the knife for?”

  “Well, if we told you, it wouldn’t be any fun now would it?” Marcus says laughing.

  The cold press of metal against my hips has me flinching. “I wouldn’t move, Princess. Wouldn’t want you to cut yourself.” I resist the urge to squirm as more wetness floods my core. In a quick motion, my panties are cut away, and my slick pussy is exposed to air.

  “You smell so delicious; I would love to taste you. Unfortunately for me, Shaun is already here, and he is so ready to give you your spanking.” He shoves my underwear in his pocket and goes to the other side of the d
esk. I hear Shaun come up behind me. “You have the most delicious ass, but I cannot wait until it’s reddened from my hand. Then it will be truly incredible,” he says while caressing my ass lightly with his hand. He squeezes one cheek and then the other, and I whimper. “Oh, Princess. You’re dripping all over the desk, naughty girl.” He punctuates the phrase with a sharp stinging slap to my right cheek following it up with the left. He continues a rapid succession of right and left slaps that sting so much, tears form in my eyes. But as the heat begins to bloom across my ass, the ache in my pussy returns. He stops to massage my ass and whispers, “You like that, don’t you?” I nod my head yes, as best I can.

  “Do you want more, or are you done?” he purrs in my ear as he continued to rub his hands across me.

  “More please,” comes out of my mouth before I have a chance to consider the words, and he begins again with another volley of hits that go deeper and sting more. I can’t help but cry out.

  “Such a good girl,” he says. “I think you deserve a reward.”

  A cold dribble of gel hits my ass, and I jump. Shaun follows up the sensation with his fingers swirling the lube around and dipping his finger into my ass teasing me, making me open up for him. I do so greedily, having learned to love how my ass feels when they play with it. He slides the large metal butt plug in, and I moan at the fullness. I’m untied and placed on Shaun’s face; I have no time to be embarrassed at the position because he immediately begins his ministrations, working me with his tongue.

  Marcus moves in front of me moving his cock to my mouth, and I open, greedily devouring it, as Shaun’s tongue fucks my sweet hole. I start wondering where Justin is when, with a slight tug, the plug is removed from my ass. The sudden feeling leaves me bereft, but a gentle pressure replaces it as something much larger fills it. I try to turn my head around and look; thankful the boys are finally ending this no sex thing and wanting to watch Justin take my ass. “No peeking, Princess. Just enjoy and keep sucking my cock.” I try to talk, but he refuses, shoving me balls deep and making me gag. Whatever is in my ass feels fantastic, so I let it happen, and when Shaun’s lips make that perfect suction around my clit, right as my ass is full to the hilt, I explode. I moan my orgasm out around Marcus’s cock pushing his orgasm over the edge, and he erupts in my mouth.