by L. A. Boruff
"Well, if it isn't the Ripper. I didn't know you were in the competition."
"My girlfriend is," Rhett said and nodded toward me.
Rick spotted me and his grin turned predatory as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the bar. "Hello, gorgeous, what can I do you for?"
Snorting, I chuckled, "How about you just let us do the challenge so we can win?"
His smile widened. "Well, that I can't just hand it over, now can I?" he asked and waved around the bar. "I won't make it that easy."
I pursed me lips. "At least a hint?"
"For you, sure." He leaned over the bar and motioned for me to lean closer. The others moved in around us, a clear warning for him to back off. There were even some growls. That didn't deter Rick. Wanting to get this going, I leaned toward him, turning so I could hear him over the other conversations. "Not everything is as it seems here, my dear."
With that, he straightened, poured us a round of drinks the color a blood red and then moved on.
"That wasn't much of a clue," I said and grabbed the drink.
"Hold on," Cyril said and grabbed my drink, bringing it up to his nose. He took a small drink and then nodded. "It's safe."
"Thanks," I said and took the drink. The liquid was smooth to drink, with just a little bit of a sweetness to it. I turned and leaned against the bar, looking over the crowd. Not a single person was doing a challenge, all of them sidetracked. "It's like this isn't a competition," I mused.
"Think it’s the drinks the waitresses are passing out?" Dwight asked, moving next to me.
"Definitely." Cyril rested on my other side, the two of them boxing me in. I felt like I was sticking my hand into a power outlet. Their energy pushed on me from both sides, making the little hairs on my body stand up.
"Anything with magic?" Rhett asked.
I zoned out, blocking out all distractions, including the way Dwight and Shanton's arms brushed against mine. I focused on everyone in the bar, the ease in which they stood, the comradeship as they talked. No one was upset, everyone too happy. It set my teeth on end. Happiness like this didn't exist, not this easily, and not with this combination of beings. I'd rather be at the other bar, in the middle of the bar fight, rather than here, where everything was just a little too sugary sweet for me. An illusion cast on everyone's frame of mind.
"Laila?" Davies broke into my thoughts.
"It's too nice," I said.
Davies snorted. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It's an impossibility." I made a point to stare at a vampire and shifter as they hugged it out. I didn't even know why, but they were definitely buddy buddy, and to drill in my point, they were from opposing teams. Last I checked, vampires and shifters didn't get along that well.
"Fuck, I get what you mean," Davies said, having watched the exchange too.
"So, a spell was cast?" Elliot asked.
"We'd feel it," Shanton said.
"Not if it's subtle, maybe put into the drinks to slowly work," I said, thinking out loud.
The sweetness in the bar almost put me into a false state of security and I almost missed it, the same magic from the other bar filtering through the air. No one else seemed to notice.
Trying to make this more upbeat, I sang out, "She’s here.”
The guys heard me and didn't say a word. As if already planned, Elliot, Davies, and Venni stayed at my side while the others melted into the crowd, going for the target.
"I almost feel bad for her," I said.
Elliot gave me a puzzled look. "Why?"
I shrugged. "Doing all this work only to be found by the hellhound and dragon? That's enough to give anyone nightmares."
"If she lives," Davies said.
I sighed. That was true, and I didn't see it happening. Cyril enjoyed the chase, but at the end of the day, no matter who he chased, they were done for. Whatever she did that got Cyril on her radar was her last mistake.
"Come on." I pushed away from the bar, not wanting to sit around and do nothing. Besides, we still didn't know what the last challenge was, but unlike the others in the bar, I still had enough of my wits about me to remember that I needed to find out.
"Where are you going?" Venni asked.
"Solving this puzzle before someone else does." I nudged through a group until I was at a wall. Walking slowly, I stayed along the wall, keeping my feelers out to notice anything that shouldn't be.
I felt her after walking halfway around the room. A few steps later, I saw her. She stood in the corner, the darkness wrapped around her like a cape. A compulsion fell over me to look away, to ignore her. The other guys must have fallen for it because while none of them noticed her, Venni's eyes kept straying to the spot. The moment he glanced at the corner, he looked away just as fast. The deep frown on his face said he knew something was up but wasn't sure what his instincts told him.
"Keep looking," I urged Venni.
"What is it?" Elliot asked.
"I don't know," Venni admitted.
"The corner," I said. "She's in the corner."
As I said that, Alijah and Dwight emerged from the crowd and scowled at the spot.
"Can't see her, but I definitely smell her," Dwight growled.
"Look away!" I snapped and they did just that just as her head turned to look at our side of the room.
A moment later, Cyril was by our side with a wicked smile. "She smells like she'd be delicious."
"She's casting the magic." My skin prickled as the air changed, beckoning and promising the satisfaction that only violence could give.
Cyril moved closer and when I looked at him, I had to do a double take. His eyes blazed and he looked a little too hungry.
"I got her," he said in a deep voice and then disappeared.
There was a yelp from the corner, drawing our attention.
Cyril already had her pinned to the wall, hand wrapped around her neck. He leaned in and drew in a deep breath as dark scales along his arms and neck formed. He was on the verge of changing into his original form, and I wasn't so sure I'd stop him. The witch spat something out and Cyril laughed before smashing her hard against the wall.
"What is going on here?" Rick said and I jumped, hitting Dwight.
"Cyril is just cleaning house. She's been causing bar fight in the other locations. Who came in the last few minutes?" Rhett asked.
"The necromancers," Rick said. "You think she was after them?"
"Wouldn't take much to get them hurt," I said.
Rick tilted his head to the side for a brief moment. "They will be here shortly."
Shortly only ended up being a few seconds later when three vampires dressed in similar outfits to Rick came into view, holding the necromancers.
"Know her?" Rick asked and shoved one of the necromancers forward. He had beady eyes and dark brown hair slicked back. A bruise was on his cheek and one of his eyes was swollen shut. Looked like the witch was almost successful. The other two were in similar states, all of them with some bruising and cuts.
"Oh shit, Marsilia," the man said. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
Her eyes turned to the necromancer and turned dark as magic crackled in the air. Cyril stepped back, releasing her, but not because he was benevolent. Oh no, he definitely wanted to watch the show, see how this confrontation was going to play out.
"You fucking crazy bitch," the necromancer snarled.
The witch's mouth curled into a snarl. "Better than a spineless asshole. You couldn't even face me. You had to send a fricken mocking bird to voice your damn message?" She screeched and tried to move forward, her hands curled into claws, ready to scratch his eyes out.
Cyril stopped her.
"You're a psycho!" the man snapped. "A fucking psycho. What makes you think I wanted to wake up in bed, naked with you, and your fucking sister?"
"She needed comfort."
"We were naked!"
"Oh, Goddess." I shook my head and backed away. "This is about a lovers' quarrel. No way a
m I touching that. I'm out."
All the guys agreed with me and left Rick there with the two of them. Even the other two necromancers bailed. The moment Rick reached his limit, the two of them were going to be kicked out.
I glanced at Cyril and Dwight. "All that over a lovers' fight?" I asked.
"Unfortunately," Cyril said. "She worked in my company. We thought she stole information when she disappeared. She had conveniently left the company the same day of the breach. That's obviously not the reason. My men will take care of the rest." He shook his head, looking to be just as shocked as we were.
"Damn, let's never fight like that," I said.
Davies laughed. "That's exactly how we'd fight," he said. "But don't worry. We'd never break up with you using a mocking bird."
I winced at that tacky way. Mocking birds were avian creatures who could recite a message word for word in the voice of the messenger. Kids mainly used them to send messages to each other. They got a kick out of it.
"Well, now that that's over, we can finish this competition." I rubbed my hands together, invigorated now to finish this and get out of here.
"How do you suggest that?" Elliot asked.
We scanned the room again, trying to find some kind of clue to what we needed to do.
“What if it isn’t here?” Elliot asked.
“Brilliant!” I grinned and grabbed him, yanking him to me to plant a hard kiss on his lips. I scanned the area again and then let out a cheer. “This way.”
I dragged him with me as we walked toward what looked like mirrors lining the wall. When we got closer, I could feel the spell. It was a simple one to cloak. I reached out and tapped the mirror. Coolness wrapped around my finger as it sunk into the mirror.
“Oh Goddess, I want one of these.” Without waiting for their reaction, I tugged Elliot through with me. It felt like cold water wrapped around my body before we stepped back out on the other side. My body was dry even though I had expected to be completely drenched. The others followed and we crowded into the small room.
Only one person sat in the room, eyes blindfolded, hands resting on his knees as he sat in lotus position on a round table.
“Welcome,” he said, his nose twitching. His voice was soft, almost breathless.
“Hi.” I moved closer but Dwight grabbed me, preventing me from taking another step.
“What do you want?” Cyril asked.
“Feed me.”
We looked at each other. “I might have a cookie in my pocket,” I said.
“I don’t eat cookies.”
“Do you really have a cookie?” Davies asked.
I glared at him. “Does it look like I do?”
“Someone smells delicious,” the stranger said.
Everyone glanced at me. “Seriously?” I asked, glaring at them. “I don’t bleed for anyone.” I hadn’t even allowed Rhett to feed from me. I wasn’t about to let a faceless stranger do it.
I approached with Alijah at my side, trying to determine what kind of being he was to know what he lived off of. Did he prefer blood? Magic? Energy? Something more substantial like a burger still mooing? And why the blindfold? Did he not need to see to feed? Is it touch? Smell?
“What smells good?” I asked, standing within his reach. His hands never moved.
He tilted his head and smiled. “You do, dear.”
“Lust,” Alijah finally answered. “You feed off of lust.”
His smile widened to confirm Alijah’s answer. He wasn’t an incubus though with the way his energy whirled around him. Incubi were magic based.
“So, what? We have to get down and dirty?” I asked with disbelief. “In front of him?”
“I won’t see anything.”
I rolled my eyes. “Because that solves everything.”
He shrugged. “Then lose. I don’t care either way.”
I growled, despite knowing it didn’t sound anywhere as impressive as Venni’s. “Fine! We’re fucking winning this shit.”
“Babe, I hate to break it to you, but there’s seven of us. I know your good, but no one is that good.”
I sent him my best glare. “Is that a dare?” I asked in a low voice.
His eyes widened and he gulped.
I stalked toward him, ready to release all my frustration from the day. He allowed me to push him back against the wall. Leaning forward, I rested one hand on his chest and the other on his thigh. “Just stand here and watch.” I kissed his jaw and stepped away, leaving him to gape at me.
If the creeper wanted a show, then he’d get one. I was never one to back down and besides, he was blindfolded. If the guys really weren’t comfortable with him in the room, then they’d stop me, but no one moved. I eyed my choices. Davies was right. Seven guys was a lot. I couldn’t wrap my head around it on most days.
It was only easy because on any given day I only saw one or two, their jobs and obligations keeping them busy enough. It took a while for me to realize why we worked. For the longest time, I kept second-guessing myself, expecting them to lose interest, but they proved me wrong.
Finding my target, I added a little swagger to my step as I approached Alijah. He stood stock still, his eyes trailing my body, the red in them swirling into a blazing fire. They’d been teasing me all day and now I was going to make them cash it in.
A thrill ran through me as I stopped in front of Alijah. His energy hummed as he fought to hold himself still. I was going to break down those barriers. I reached up, ran my hand along his chest, and circled him. I found that spot on his back that seemed to be his weak spot. It was a hand width down from his neck, along his spine.
His body quivered against the touch and I continued around him until I was in front of him again. I stepped up close until my body pressed against him.
“Laila,” he whispered huskily.
“Make me feel better,” I said. “I need you to bury yourself inside of me.”
That did it and he scooped me up into his arms. At the same time, I released my magic, letting it roll through the room. The men around us groaned as it brushed against them. I was determined to make them all feel good, even if my body couldn’t accommodate them all.
Alijah shuddered and kissed me, trying to devour me through that intimate touch. We deepened the kiss, turning it into a fiery greeting, letting each other know how much we missed them.
When he pulled away, I realized I was surrounded. Dwight, Cyril, and Rhett surrounded me, their bodies sending so much energy into my skin. The intense emotion drew a throaty moan from my lips as I tilted my head back and basked in their very essence. Hands pulled at my clothes and I couldn’t follow as each piece disappeared from my body. Warm, charged air brushed against my skin and my breasts ached, nipples hardening. They wanted to be touched, loved, just like every other inch of my body. Every part of me wanted to feel every part of them.
Dwight grabbed my hips and moved me back while Alijah went down on his knees. Lips trailed along my skin, hitting all the right spots to burn me from the inside, sending tingles through me.
“What are you doing?” I asked when Alijah grabbed my hips and pulled me forward.
“Sit down,” he said.
“The floor is cold.”
“You won’t be on the floor,” Cyril said from behind me. I turned and looked down. He was sitting on the floor, naked, ready for me to join him on his lap.
“Sit,” Alijah said again and I did.
Cyril grabbed my waist and positioned me so my butt was right on his lap. His hard cock pressed against my ass and I rocked.
“Don’t move,” Cyril warned, nipping my shoulder to keep me still.
Alijah grabbed one leg and spread me so that I was exposed. I wanted someone to dive right in and put their mouth on me. Instead, Alijah kissed up my leg. I moaned when Cyril’s hand found one of my nipples and he gave it a small tweak. Each kiss Alijah gave my leg and each massage of my breasts from Cyril made me wet. My hips rocked and Cyril nipped the back of my neck.
“Do not move,” he warned again in his deep smoky voice, one of his hands trailing along my stomach and ribs.
“That doesn’t sound much like a threat,” I said breathlessly.
“Oh?” Cyril asked.
Alijah looked up from kissing and nipping my inner knee and met Cyril’s eyes. He nodded once and apparently that was all they needed to communicate. Before I could draw in a breath, I was turned around, straddling Cyril, my core pressed against his hard member. Cyril’s black hair fell over his face, almost covering his eyes. His brown eyes were lit with his dragon’s fire as he stared through the dark strands to look at me. His tanned skin had a reddish glow to it that pulsed with his desire for me.
“This really isn’t a punishment,” I said.
“Lean forward,” Dwight said into my ear and I shuddered as his warm breath ghosted along my skin. The command in his voice had my body listening. I rested my hands on Cyril and leaned forward as he lay down.
“More,” Rhett said, running a hand down my spine. I arched into the touch, moaning.
A smack echoed through the room before my ass felt the sting of the hit. I bit my lip at the sting of pain, my body waking even more. “More,” Dwight said.
I did as they said until I hovered over Cyril with my ass in the air. Rhett’s hand trailed down my spine and to my ass where he soothingly rubbed my butt from where Dwight had smacked it. A liquid heat flooded me and I knew when they checked, they’d see and feel how very ready I was. Cyril moved until he could pull my breast into his lip, biting down carefully on my nipple. His firm lips were gentle as his tongue swirled around my aching breast.
A tremor went through my body and I thought my arms were going to give out on me. Alijah stood in front of me, naked, his member standing tall and hard. My mouth salivated, already tasting him.
I reached out and stroked him, before cupping his balls. He grunted as his hips moved.
“Closer,” I said. “I want to taste you.”
Alijah moved close enough so that I could wrap my mouth around his cock. He grunted as I drew more of him into me, using my hand to play with his balls. His hands buried into my hair and his hips moved, but only just slightly, not too much so that I’d choke on him.
