He pushed her back to look into the devilish gleam in her eyes. She waited for him, and he wasn’t going to disappoint her. Gripping the hem of her dress, he lifted it over her head and spun her around, shoving her lacy panties down. Then he pushed her over the back of the couch where he entered her hard.
She screamed his name, bucking back to take more in. He couldn’t fucking think of anything but her and the heat building between them.
* * * *
Brent gave her exactly what she needed. She wanted him to claim her. He pounded into her with such perfect force the couch creaked forward.
His grip bruised and she loved it. Her legs shuddered as she climbed toward ecstasy. He washed out all thought about any man who came before in this life and all the others.
Lost in Brent’s need and her desire, she rode the pleasure. A second before she came, he pulled out and dropped down behind her. She looked back as his tongue flicked her clit.
She came hard, crying out in pleasure as he made love to her with his mouth. So damned good she gripped the cushions and held on.
By the time she came again, he stood and thrust into her before she could recover. She was so sensitive she couldn’t focus on anything as he pumped in and out of her, driving her back over the edge as he followed her into release.
Brent lifted her and settled on the couch with her in his arms. She turned to lie on his chest, her hand over his heart, head on his shoulder, her legs entwined with his while she caught her breath.
“Needed that, all of it,” she admitted.
His mouth curved into a smile. “I hated leaving you in that room, knowing what he would want.”
“I did let him kiss me, but the moment he tried to touch me, I ended it. I needed him to believe I could choose him. I think he understands I’m a different woman and I have new rules, and even if not, he’s playing along for now.”
“We need to talk about what’s coming. Robert can talk to Christian. There’s at least one person in bad shape. Seems Leanan attempted to fight off sexual advances, but we’re not sure if she succeeded. She’s been unconscious the whole time. Christian’s worried about her.”
“What can I do?”
He closed his eyes. “We need Eamon to take you there. I don’t trust Inuala as far as I can throw her, and if she’s the one who’s orchestrated your death in the past, I’m worried. Christian was unconscious when they took him to the Old House. He can’t get us in. It has to be you.”
Closing her eyes, she nodded. “I think I know how to manage that. She wants to bring Crom Cruach into the realm. Eamon does too. Thing is, bringing Crom Cruach into the world means Eamon’s death. But I think I know how to banish him if you help, without killing Eamon.”
Brent stilled. “You don’t want him?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then why does it matter if he dies?”
“Inuala created the situation that created Eamon. He reacted the way she expected. I fucked everything up.” A bitter laugh escaped. “I’m not one hundred percent against his death, especially if he tries to bring Crom into the world, but if he can see things our way, give up on Crom, does he have to die?”
“He’ll still want you,” Brent pointed out.
“Maybe, maybe not. He’s starting to understand I’m not exactly as I was back then. I want to make him fall out of love with me and still gain his trust. This will be a lot easier if the king of these vampires leads them away from Crom Cruach. If not, things get messy.”
“Damn it, you’re right.” He rubbed at his face.
“Besides, I’m hoping I can make him understand that I tried to bind Crom to me so he would die with my dying body, but his rage and anger pushed him to a brutal murder of his parents. Crom latched onto the death and rage and corrupted Eamon. That’s how he came to be a vampire. I took Crom from him before he could get a foothold, but because his essence tainted Eamon, he’s now a vampire.”
“What? You sacrificed yourself?”
She groaned. “I tried, in a way. I was dying anyway and the only chance I had to remove Crom from the world, as far as I knew, was taking him with me when I died. Eamon might have been able to heal me, but I had a chance to end it there. What other choice did I have but let Eamon kill me? Trenton understood what would happen if Crom Cruach came into this world. Yet, I already knew he couldn’t kill me to get rid of Crom. No, I needed to hold onto Crom while I lay dying under Eamon. It’s the same reason I kept him within me when you fought off Crom in that room when I was so young. I held onto him because I could keep him locked deep inside. And I fucked up in the end.”
He combed his fingers into her hair, staring into her eyes. “You were always braver than most. And that takes strength most don’t have. I don’t have the strength to resist the power. It’s why I don’t share my body with a spirit or any entity. I’ve seen what happens when that goes wrong.”
“I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t know how to banish him on my own, and my parents wanted to use him to take the world. Inuala wanted him for herself, but knew she wasn’t the vessel.” Her mouth fell open. “God, I remember her voice when Oriana was young. She was afraid of my magic then. I don’t know what happened to her after that.”
Brent snorted. “Your mother gave her to the royal guards. They used her as they pleased for a year before she escaped. And still her goal is to bring Crom Cruach into this world.”
Amelia’s eyes closed. “Crom Cruach wanted me all along. I remember his voice in the cradle. I never understood why.”
He shook his head. “I have no answer. Only that you fought him the best you could.”
“His essence recognized me. When I exchanged blood with Eamon, I heard him, briefly. Badb helped me shut out Crom Cruach and the other spirits. But should I worry about what she wants?”
“No, because she’s a protector, and she doesn’t want to fully step into this realm. If she did, she wouldn’t be able to watch the other realms, looking for threats.”
“How do you know this?” she asked.
“She told me. And I believe her. She had plenty of opportunity to use me as she saw fit, but only helped me out of situations I didn’t have the strength and knowledge to handle on my own.”
She nodded, but there was a chance Badb was far more patient than anyone else. Who could say what a being wanted after so many thousands of years.
Brent pulled her gaze back to his. “I’m not concerned with anything but you and how you’re dealing with what you are now that the magic was awakened.”
“Haven’t even attempted anything yet, but I certainly hear the voices, see the auras, and sense things I never have in this life. Wait, that’s not totally true. After bonding with you, I’ve caught hints of spirits’ voices and hints of auras from the spirits and people.”
Brent sat up. “You were seeing colors from the spirits?”
“A bit,” she admitted.
“You were already reaching for your own magic. That’s not something I see often. And not lately.”
Her head tipped.
He ran his thumb across her cheek. “You were pure sorcerer in those lives. In this one you are at least half. I don’t know if your father had any sorcerer blood, but half is enough. My strength lies in sorcery, and I’m nowhere near half, and it’s still stronger than most. You could likely have exceptional skill, even as a vampire, which means you need practice and training, but you already have a strong sense of where you should and shouldn’t go with it.”
“I saw what Crom wanted to do to the world. The desolate, dark place it would become. I didn’t want that to happen.” She blew out a breath. “I loved the sun too much.”
He ran his fingers along her jaw. “I wish I could have dealt with Daloisha in another way. I would have done anything to keep you alive, and that was the only option I saw.”
Her eyes slid shut as she placed her head over his heart. “You would have kept pushing me away.”
“No, every day I came closer to givi
ng in and chasing after you. If you hadn’t wound up with Tyrone, I would have faster. I guess I should have anyway, but knew we had more than enough time. You weren’t going to die, and he wouldn’t be around forever.”
“Don’t let me go again.”
Brent held her tight. “I’m going to have to send you to Eamon. You need to get him to take you to where they’re holding everyone. Either tell him you have a plan to bring Crom into the world, or you want to see the preparations being made.”
“I will, but for now, hold me. If I go before sundown tomorrow, he’s going to decide I choose him.”
“Let’s work on your abilities for now. Once you’re asleep, I’ll see what other things I can learn, and we can go from there.”
“Teach me.”
Chapter 19
After parking the monstrosity of the military grade SUV, Eamon marched up to the house that shimmered beyond magic he placed when they first arrived. Inuala had scouted the area and brought him there to show him. She was right, the perfect place in between realms. And with his magic, he was able to seat it firmly between several, keeping it from view of those who frequented the place.
Drummond rushed to him as he walked to the hidden building. “We have a problem. Some mages and Fae were out here, looking for the Old House. The Fae have been using it for ages to communicate with others in Faery still. The mages, though, concern me. The Council has been asking questions about those disappearing.”
“I told Inuala to slow down on the kidnapping. Yet, she continues to take more every day.” Anger flowed through Eamon’s veins. As much as he wanted to honor his oldest friend’s love, she needed to learn to follow directions.
“Yes, but she has found the perfect vessel for Crom Cruach. However, she’s restless and you need to watch her.”
“Excuse me?” Eamon demanded.
“We need somewhere she won’t hear.”
Eamon marched back to the SUV.
Drummond shut the door. “She seems to think we don’t need you to bring Crom Cruach into the world. Whatever I do, I won’t betray you. No matter what I feel for Inuala. You’ve been good to me, loyal, even when I haven’t deserved it. Inuala makes hints about needing to get rid of Amelia or Brendan, but then she says she wants to talk to her.” He shook his head. “She’s keeping secrets, Eamon. I don’t know what to do but tell you what I know.”
Eamon laid his head back. “I’m beginning to wonder if I’m chasing a fantasy. Amelia is nothing like Oriana. At least not how I remember her. She’ll fight me for any little thing she doesn’t believe in, and her views are so vastly different that I don’t know what to do with her. Besides, she loves another man.”
“Perhaps it’s as simple as letting her go. She doesn’t need to die only to be reborn again. And that’s another thing. I believe Inuala may be behind her other deaths. I don’t know how, or how many times, but truly believe she would harm Amelia if given a chance.”
“Then I’ll watch her. Would it be easier if you were sent away while I deal with her?”
Drummond blinked, and a pink tear slid down his face. “Yes. I love her. I can do nothing but love her. However, her intentions are locked to me. I don’t want to pry because I will only make her wary. Though you sending me away would do the same.”
“Niall and Nolan are keeping an eye on her. And they already told me what she did with the people from Edenton. The one place I told her not to pull from. Of course, she has never done well at listening to me. She has always served herself.”
“Crom Cruach, she claims, she has always served Crom Cruach.”
Eamon frowned. Perhaps he didn’t know the whole story. Oriana knew of his infidelity and never mentioned it. Did she truly have a choice with her life that first time?
Was Crom Cruach’s strength a gift? They never spoke of Oriana’s faith, of why Crom hovered in her presence, though he felt it as surely as she did. Maybe he didn’t know the truth, but he should.
* * * *
Inuala walked through the tangle of captives, taking stock. The succubus was treated poorly, and she knew who was at fault. Balfour, the bastard, always using his brute strength to intimidate and take what he wanted. Only the succubus fought against him, clearly.
She stalked toward the bastard. “Bal, you know the rules. You never take what isn’t offered.”
His head snapped up, and he glared down at her. “What are you accusing me of now?”
She nodded toward the redhead on the floor. The young man who she believed was a mystic knelt beside her, cleaning the gash on her forehead.
Was he truly a mystic?
Did it matter?
Evil delight danced in Balfour’s eyes. “She likes it rough.”
“That’s why she’s battered and comatose?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I may have gone a bit too far. It was not my intention to break her.”
Inuala burst into a flock of shadow birds and tore at Belfour’s flesh, tearing strips from him, before reforming into her body as he collapsed to his knees, muttering unintelligently.
“You’ve had your last warning. Now it’s time for your true punishment.” She wrapped her hand around his wrist and dragged him outside to the steel mesh cage. She shoved him in and drove a steel blade from one side of the cage, through his chest, into the other side, then bent both ends to keep Balfour trapped.
Eamon joined her. “What has this fool done now?”
She turned to him with a raised brow. “You aren’t arguing against this?”
“Depends on the crime. What has he done?”
Balfour coughed up blood, then spat. “She’s mad I bruised a woman.”
Eamon’s head cocked. “How is she?”
Inuala sneered. “Unconscious on the floor, battered, cuts, bruises. Not sure how far the damage goes. She obviously struggled, and his handprints ring her neck, her wrists. She was covered when I was in there. Unfortunately, I missed what happened, because I would have ended it. Now, she’s in bad shape.”
“Leaving him for the sun?” Eamon asked, a smile on his face.
“Consider if he had done the same to Amelia. She has red hair, reddish eyes, curvier, though, but he has a thing for redheads.”
“I’m not arguing your decision. In fact, I’m glad you took the initiative. It’s what I would have done. Has anyone offered the woman blood?”
“She’s unconscious, but I’ll give her my own.”
“Thank you.”
Smiling, he dipped his head. “Drummond should be back in a few days. I sent him on a task I trust him to complete.”
“I’ll miss my love. Thank you for letting me know.” What did her fool tell Eamon?
“I’m sure he’ll contact you when he arrives where he’s going. I need to inspect our captives.”
“There are a few from Edenton. One woman who can solve our problems. She’s missing something in her soul. She’s perfect to become Crom Cruach’s vessel, and he can recreate her in his image.”
“I wish you hadn’t gone there. The Silver Council is searching for Edenton’s missing even harder than those who were taken from Seattle and the surrounding area.” He shook his head. “Though, if we can complete the ritual and move on, maybe they won’t find a way to follow. Especially if we cut through Faery. Perhaps we can go back to our homeland.” He offered a smile.
“That is an interesting choice. Why there?”
“I wonder if I go back to my roots, I can start again.”
Inuala’s head cocked. “Have you given up on Amelia?”
He shook his head. “No, never that. However, I’ve waited this long, and if she is happy with her man now, she deserves that. I wouldn’t bring her pain to bring me happiness, and she has a point. We must get to know each other once again.”
Her smile evaporated. Had she miscalculated? Was there room to recalibrate her plan? Or would she need to move forward anyway? Either way, Eamon must die in order for her god to live.
And maybe, with Amelia
in love with her food, she might be willing to join Inuala’s side and break the vicious cycle. And granted, it was one of Inuala’s making, but Oriana had always been the enemy. Maybe this new incarnation would be more amiable to helping Crom Cruach enter the world. If not, she would die as all others.
Chapter 20
“I don’t understand what you want me to do,” Amelia said once again. She sat cross-legged in front of Brent. She wore his shirt and her panties, while he wore his boxers, nothing more. She was tempted to forget the magic and jump into his lap. Still, they had a job to do.
Rather, she had a job to do. Right after he helped her get at least a grasp of what she needed to do. Start a ritual that he would help her complete, once she was inside. She needed to convince Eamon she was leaning toward him, gain his trust, and slip inside the Old House, which could look like anything. All depending on who was there and the power they wielded.
Brent took her hands, watching her with excitement. “Close your eyes and clear your thoughts.”
Sighing, she did, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth. Didn’t seem to be helping, but she followed his direction.
“What do you sense?”
“Warmth directly in front of me. Strong hands holding mine. Desire building.”
He laughed, the tone seductive. “You’ll make love to me after you do this. I know you’re not used to this, and our lack of clothing is a distraction, but I’ll make it worth the wait.”
“You better,” she muttered, refocusing on the task. “Now what?”
“How many spirits do you sense, besides us?”
Biting her lip, she started to count. “Twenty-seven.”
“Besides us?” Brent asked.
She nodded, her eyes flipping open. “Yeah.”
Sitting back, his brow pinched. “That’s more than I sense.”
“By how many?”
“Five. I would expect a couple, but five is a lot.”
“Wouldn’t you expect me to sense less?”
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