Romancing the Paranormal

by Stephanie Rowe

  I step away. “Do not touch me. You have cast a spell and if it’s the last thing I do I shall break it. We are not even mates. It’s the spell. You did it when you fed me the mushrooms. I will find a way to break it even if it means your death.” With that I charge from the cabin. I will seek Dmitri and end this. I will not be some creature who wraps people in their web and drinks them dry.

  Thank the Goddess that at this moment I hate sex.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Veda

  That did not go well. I didn’t think it would, but I held onto a small amount of hope. I know eventually he will come to his senses. Right now, though, I am left in need. Staring at his bare chest and wanting to run my nails over his muscled flesh almost made me beg. The man might be stubborn, but he is gorgeous.

  As a mated pair, I know at this point we should be having so much sex that we are both sore. I’ve made plenty of tinctures to alleviate the soreness so mates can continue without a break.

  A lot of good the knowledge on how to make such a tincture is now. If I’m not running from Tyboll, the stupid man is running from me. It’s strange because after the thought of Tyboll becoming a witch settled, I wanted to celebrate. I am not alone. I can share the sacred knowledge with another. I do not need a child. I will no longer be alone with the great texts.

  Tyboll might not like it, but the gift bestowed by the Goddess can only be undone by her. No vampire can help him. I decide to head outside and gather herbs needed for cooking. Tyboll will have trouble sitting at another’s table when they serve fresh meat. Eventually, when his hunger reaches its zenith, he will return.

  I locate a basket for my needs and head outside. An hour later, I hear the cat before I see her. I’m not frightened because she smells of the bear clan and vampire. I know exactly who she is. She steps into my line of sight and I greet her telepathically. “Welcome Nikka, mate to Dmitri, liege to the bear clan.”

  Nikka gives a delighted laugh, but doesn’t respond again until she’s closer. She places her hand out and speaks into my mind, “I’m hoping you will call me Nikka and I may call you Veda. The formal title becomes irritating and I dislike protocol.”

  I like her immediately. She’s never visited me, but I’ve heard all about her from the she-cat, Talya. Nikka is mute and our ability to speak telepathically opens a door previously closed. Talya, who confided many inner workings of the bear clan, was a handful. I miss her visits; she was always interesting. I smile at Nikka. “Please call me Veda. My mother preached protocol into my head every chance she got. I’ve always kept track of all the newest titles, but prefer names.”

  Nikka pulls me close, enveloping me in a hug. “We shall be great friends. Talya mentioned you a time or two. Running a bear clan is long, exhausting business. Keeping my mate satisfied, more so. Even though I couldn’t verbally communicate with you before, I could have brought someone along to interpret. I ask your forgiveness that I never took the time to visit you.”

  For so many years no one touched me. Now I have more touch than I’m sure what to do with. I tentatively return the embrace. She lets me go, grabs my hand and speaks again before I can answer. “Let’s walk and we will talk about what has our mates so upset.”

  I sigh and walk beside her, enjoying the contact of hands. Friends. First Mandy and now this woman. Mating Tyboll has many advantages. I will try to forget my need for sex and maybe I will be happy here.

  “Dmitri returned to me quite disturbed last night. He does not understand the ways of a witch. I figured if I spoke with you at some point, I might be able to dispel some of his worry. Now, Tyboll is there. Every other word he shouts echoes against the walls and I can’t take anymore, so here I am.”

  And if women ran the world all problems would be settled so much sooner.

  “I heard that and cannot agree more. See, we already have much in common. Now why don’t you tell me why my husband has reservations about you joining the clan.”

  Her words hurt even if I don’t want them to. And now I will offend her by what I must say. “I don’t need Dmitri’s vampire magic to live forever. Vampires are not comfortable with things they cannot control.”

  Her laughter rings through the trees. “Yes, you are absolutely, one-hundred percent right. So… my husband cannot control you and now you’ve passed this gift onto his bear. It’s actually priceless.” She stops and turns my way while adding a little additional pressure to my hand. “Please tell me you have no intention of using your talents to harm the clan.” A fierce intensity enters her eyes. “That’s what I need to hear from you. If you can tell me that, I will bring the women together and we will put an end to this disgruntlement.”

  “If it were only that easy,” I say sadly. “But I can give you my word that I will never intentionally harm anyone.” I take a slow, steady breath before continuing. “The women of the clan have never trusted me. I live outside their comfort zone. They use me because I can help with things they do not wish to bring to the attention of the men, such as female problems, mating problems, and several other things that they consider private. I am a necessary evil, or at least that’s how they look at me.” Tears well in my eyes. Nikka takes my other hand, so I can’t wipe the wet trails that run down my cheeks.

  Her stern but gentle voice floats through my mind, “You are a member of the bear clan now. That gives you a certain amount of respect that was not there previously. I don’t agree with why you didn’t have it before, but we cannot change the past. The women of this clan have come a long way, though they still need much work. Change is always slow. The clan respects Tyboll and if he is witch, as you claim, they will accept it.” She releases my hands. “Now, wipe your tears and let us plan a party to welcome you into the clan. We shall put an end to the mystery that surrounds you and make the women part of the solution.”

  I wipe my eyes and smile. Nikka makes it sound so simple. I have my doubts, though. “Thank you for seeking me out. I feel much better.” I really do. I am not alone in my troubles.

  “So tell me about yourself and your powers. There is much gossip and I would like to hear the truth straight from you.”

  There is much I cannot tell her because it’s sacred. On the other hand, there is plenty I can share. “Follow me and I will show you.” I lead her to my circle from the evening before. The herbs are larger now and the miracle of their growth awe-inspiring even to me.

  “This is wonderful. You created this yesterday?” Nikka speaks into my mind with a sense of awe as she walks around the outside of the circle.

  “Yes, I have need of many herbs and the Goddess always provides.”

  She stops and looks at me. “A vampire’s bite does the same in a very different manner. Does my husband cause you the same worry you cause him?”

  I grin. “No. Dmitri is a great leader. He’s the reason my mother and grandmother remained near the clan. If it were only the bears, I fear my grandmother would have left and I would never know of the clan.”

  Her grin answers mine. “Having no fear of my husband is another reason you worry him. Silly man. He’s accustomed to being the highest on the food chain, much as a great white shark in the ocean. I, on the other hand, feel he needs to remain on his toes. Removing a slice of his ego every so often helps with that.”

  It’s obvious to me that Nikka has no fear of her mate either. She is a cat shifter, long thought of as the enemy, and does not have the history of she-bear timidity that I’ve seen through the decades. I begin talking more and share things I have never shared before. Not the sacred texts, but the things I can help the clan with. It frees me from my doubts and fears for the future.

  Tyboll had better hurry back.

  Chapter Twenty

  Tyboll

  “I’ve listened to you shout for an hour now. Calm yourself, bear.”

  I hear the end of patience in Dmitri’s voice. I take several deep breaths and try to do as my liege says. It isn’t easy. I keep thinking of meat. Each time I do, I feel nauseat
ed and my anger rekindles. To never eat meat again is not going to happen. I’ve run out of things to say anyway and throw myself onto the large couch in Dmitri’s front room.

  “I knew this happened last night. Your blood smells even better than bear. You now have witch blood running through your veins.” He holds up his hand. “Do not blame me for my silence. You were in no condition to have this conversation. I also needed a night to think on what needs to be done.”

  My stomach twists painfully. “You cannot reverse it is what you’re saying?”

  “No, I cannot. I’m not sure if you will actually want it reversed once you know your capabilities.” He continues before I can object. “The difference between you and your mate is that I trust you.”

  I can’t help the low growl that slips from my throat. No one harms my mate whether they trust her or not.

  “Retract your claws, bear. I will not hurt her. The witches—her mother and grandmother—have lived on the outskirts of the clan for hundreds of years without causing harm. They have secrets, though, and I don’t like secrets. The line of European witches was destroyed centuries ago. It is rumored their power is greater than that of vampires.” Dmitri’s eyes flash to amber and just as quickly return to normal. “You can now share those secrets. I wish to never have a war such as the one we just won against the cats and their vampires. The knowledge a witch holds could give us the edge so such a war never happens again.”

  I don’t know why Dmitri’s words bother me so much. They make me nervous. I rub my hands down my pant legs. I don’t want this damn power, if there even is any. Except for my new loathing of meat I feel no different. I just want to want meat.

  And sex. It doesn’t matter that I tell myself I don’t want it. My inner beast craves my mate. It’s an aching pain centered in my dick. Well, not just there, but my dick hurts from its lack of use and its constant arousal with no relief. My heart is heavy, too. Now, Dmitri wants to use me against my mate and I don’t like it. Just when I start to voice my objection, Nikka enters the room as a cat. She runs up the staircase and returns a moment later dressed in sweats much like mine. I came here as bear and made use of the extra sweats Dmitri keeps because he doesn’t like his clan nude in the house.

  “You need to leave, Tyboll,” are the first words she shoots into my head. Her eyes are direct. I glance at Dmitri and he is smiling.

  I stand up. “I can take a hint. There is no reason to be rude,” I growl at Nikka.

  Her face turns red as she responds in my mind, “That is not why you will leave. You shall return to your mate and take care of business. The woman’s scent is filled with unfulfilled pheromones. This makes me think you are lacking in your mating duties. If you need instruction, I will be glad to give a simple one. Slot ‘a’ must be filled with screw ’b.’

  Now my face goes red. I turn to Dmitri. He’s fighting straight up laughter. No one has any idea how difficult this has been for me.

  Dmitri nods. “She’s right, bear. It’s time for you to go home and take care of business.”

  ***

  So now I’m heading to my cabin and nothing is settled in my mind. I’m also hungry again because I haven’t eaten meat since last night. My stomach rebels and I decide to stop torturing it by thinking of what it can’t have. I shift to my human form and enter the cabin naked just as Veda walks from the bedroom. I head straight for her. “Do not say a word, woman. We have something to get out of the way. From here on out, we shall get to this business first. Before talking and eating, this always comes first.”

  I wrap my hands around her waist and lift. Her legs clasp my hips as I walk us to the bed.

  “You talk too much, bear,” she says as our mouths meld to one another.

  My insides settle. My inner bear purrs much like a cat. The electrical circuit is now complete. She leans her upper body back from me as I bring her shirt up over her chest and arms. I release her mouth long enough to tear the shirt over her head. I lean over the bed and spill her body against the comforter after releasing her mouth again. I slide her sweats from her legs and discard them on the floor. She’s beautiful and I need her. I don’t wait.

  She’s ready for me and I meet no resistance as I slide my “b” deep within her slot “a.” It feels perfect. Her scent floats around us and combines with mine. Bear, witch, and human. It’s all here. And I love it. No talking, just mating. It will solve so many problems.

  Her nails slice the skin on my back and I growl as I thrust back into her heat. She watches me and I like the way her eyelids close when I palm her breasts. The skin is incredibly soft. She growls back when I take one nipple between my lips. I bite down gently and her hips buck beneath me. I turn my attention to the pink pucker of the other nipple.

  I increase my pace and now the bed is rocking with the taking of my mate. My bear gains power and answers the call of hers. She tightens around me as I push in and out. I find the spot on her throat where her neck meets her collarbone. My teeth sink in as her cry fills the room. I taste her blood. I absorb it into my senses and I explode into her. A light explodes in the room at the same time. No matter what she says, I plan to call my beast each time we mate. There is no feeling on earth that compares to this.

  I love sex with my witch.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Veda

  Tyboll’s new rule works. Less talking and more sex. This is one demand I am incapable of dismissing. We are stretched out on the bed with me lying on top of him. His fingers run up and down my back while he breathes into the hair against my neck. Where he bit me is sore, but I wouldn’t dream of complaining. It feels right. Being in my mate’s arms is right. I whisper a silent thank you to the Goddess.

  Tyboll answers. “You’re welcome.”

  I roll my eyes, but don’t bother correcting him. I’m actually thankful to him, too.

  “Come on, woman, we’re taking a bath.” He lifts me as he stands. I’m cradled in his arms and feel incredibly safe. And loved.

  Does he love me? I’m careful to keep this thought from drifting into his mind. Nikka told me how to do it. I just need to practice. He doesn’t respond, so I must have been successful. Tyboll lowers my feet to the floor when we’re in the bathroom. I watch as he leans over and turns on the water. His back and thighs are muscular and sexy. His ass even more so. I can’t imagine ever being attracted to another male. Tyboll is made for me.

  He takes my hand and we get settled in the tub so Tyboll’s legs are on either side of me. My heartbeat accelerates again as his knees press into my sides. He pulls me back so my back is flush against his chest. His hands come around and cup my breasts. He plays in a lazy fashion that has me tightening my thighs together. I watch his hands and wonder how I existed without his touch for so long.

  No talking is good for us.

  He pinches my nipple and I moan. He pinches the other. I need more, but I don’t know how to ask. Should I ask?

  I forget to block my thoughts and Tyboll replies, “Yes, you should. I want to learn your body—what you like, what you need.” He releases my breasts and turns me over so my breasts are pressed to his chest. He rearranges our legs so mine are now on the outside of his.

  I’m embarrassed to answer his question. The smoky look in his eyes gives me courage. “I’m not sure what I like.”

  His hands travel down my sides until he cups my bottom and his fingers find the part of me that craves his touch more than any other. At least at this moment. “Do you like that?” he whispers against my lips.

  “Yes,” I groan as a finger slides deep inside me.

  “And this?” he says as I close my eyes and just feel as he pumps in and out.

  I don’t reply and his finger stops its slow glide. I open my eyes.

  “Tell me and I’ll give you what you want.”

  I think my heart stops beating at his words. “I want it all, Tyboll. All of you.”

  His smile is worth everything. I’m lifted up a bit before he lowers me onto his erection
. What did I do in life to deserve this? My hands go to the sides of his head. I want his long hair back, though I enjoy his clean-shaven face. I like seeing his expressions. The one on his face now emboldens me to lick his lips. They are full and soft and he tastes so delicious. His growl trembles against my chest before spilling from his throat.

  Time stops as our bodies meld and the energy builds. This is where we belong. Tyboll’s arms will hold me and protect me as I hold and protect him. The heat rises and for the first time I feel the power of his bear combined with the new witch side of him. I liberate both sides of mine.

  He cries out as I scream with release. The room lights up and my eyes roll back in my head in ecstasy. He’s holding me tightly, our heartbeats synchronized. There are so many things he needs to know, to understand. For a few minutes, though, I enjoy the gentle waves of pleasure that continue coursing through my veins.

  We’ve splashed water all over the floor and Tyboll doesn’t seem to care. “Mating is not usually like this and there is much I must learn about you and your ways,” he says gruffly.

  At his words, I gaze into his eyes. I sit up and his eyes drop to my breasts. “May I show you something?”

  His grin is delicious. “By all means, show me, woman.”

  I pull on my witch’s power and navigate it to my fingertips, which are still against his head. This is the side of me that is forever hidden. The secrets of my kind. Tyboll’s hair begins to grow. He stays perfectly still. My mother taught me this as a child and I grew my hair again and again. I chopped it off just to feel the tingles of her magic against my skin. My fingers thread through the strands as they continue to grow. I stop when he is shaggy enough that I have two handfuls of his sinful hair. Without releasing him, I pull his lips to mine.

  I know exactly when he discovers his newly grown mane. His hands lift to his hair wrapped within my fingers. His head jerks back. “What have you done, woman?” He’s stunned, but does not appear angry.