Unleashed: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Two

by Betty Legend

  “Let me help you with that.”

  I unbutton my jeans as Killian drops my shirt to the ground. As I shimmy out of my jeans, Killian sits on my shirt, then puts his hands out for me to climb onto his lap. Straddling him, I align my center with his as I lower on top of him. This time, I claim his lips, my tongue slipping in, dancing with his. A firm palm grips my ass as I slide over his erection. With the moonlight casting its rays over us, we take pleasure from the other, our magic swirling around us like a golden halo.

  In Killian’s kitchen, I learn my way around. After having a full glass of water, I start the coffee. Killian is up shortly after me. I hear him walk around in the loft, then the shower starts. When he comes downstairs, he eyes me in my full nudity and grins. His wolfish smirk has me smiling, knowing he likes what he sees. Just as I expected, he’s nude and completely comfortable. I imagine he often walks around nude.

  “I was going to make eggs and toast.”

  “That’d be great. I’ll cook the bacon, sausage, and ham.”

  I crack an egg into the skillet and chuckle.

  “What’s so funny?” He opens the fridge and pulls out stacks of meat.

  “You eat a lot of meat, don’t you?”

  “Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I’m a wolf. My appetite is ravenous.”

  Walking past me, he squeezes my ass.

  “That you are.”

  Dropping the meat on the counter next to my eggs, he puts a hand around my waist, skimming his fingers along my abdomen.

  “Would you have me any other way?” Licking the shell of my ear, his fingers dip into my folds, the pleasure so strong, I brace my hands on the counter.

  “No, I like you just the way you are.”

  He pushes his fingers in deeper, and rumbles into my ear. Lowering his lips to my shoulder, he lightly bites me as his fingers thrust a couple more times, causing me to moan.

  “I’m saving you for dessert.” Withdrawing his fingers, he licks them, his amber eyes glistening as he watches my reaction.

  “Damn, I’m glad you’re mine.”

  Killian grips my hips and turns me to him, his chest flush against mine, my breath rising. “Am I yours?”

  My arms clasp around his neck, my fingers curling into his damp hair.

  “You are mine… my wolf.”

  The eggs in the skillet pop and sizzle as our lips come together in a heated embrace. I don’t care if they burn, I don’t want to stop kissing this man, not with the intense pleasure he gives me.

  A sting of oil hits my skin, and I jump. Killian turns the stove knob off.

  “Eggs are finished.” His hand caresses my hair and down my back, the gesture warm and affectionate. Releasing me, he pulls another pan out from under the cabinet, then throws all three meats into the pan and seasons them.

  “Can you make four more eggs?” When my lips upturn, he shrugs a shoulder. “I burn a lot of energy the night of a full moon.”

  “I get it.”

  “Plus, I need to keep my energy up for my woman.” Winking, he flashes an alluring grin.

  My cheeks are already hurting from all the smiling I’m doing this morning. Cracking four more eggs into the pan, I toss the shells, then stand farther back from the stove as the eggs cook.

  “As a wolf shifter, do you have a pack?”

  “Usually, wolf shifters have more than one child, but in my family, I was the only one born. I didn’t understand it until I learned about the prophecy. I’m meant to have a different kind of pack.”

  “Do you consider me a part of your pack?”

  Turning the meat over, he lowers a brow when he looks at me.

  “Selene, you’re my mate. You are my pack. The others will be as well.”

  “Do you consider yourself the alpha between you and the other guys?”

  “An alpha earns his role, he doesn’t choose it.”

  Coming closer, I brush my fingers into his hair, then rub down his hard back and over his firm ass. He moves into my touch, clearly enjoying it.

  “I can’t stop touching you.”

  “That’s the mate allure. You want to snuggle, touch, pet, and fuck. It’s a part of our bond.” His glimmering eyes pass over my face, then down to my pert nipples. “I feel the same.”

  Turning off both knobs on the stove, he dumps the eggs and meat onto a plate. I gather my eggs, having forgotten the toast altogether. Shrugging, I join him on the couch. Leaning toward him, I steal a piece of ham, and he playfully growls.

  “Down wolf, you need to share with your mate.”

  Killian rubs my leg, his smile infectious.

  “How long will you be staying with me? If it’s up to me, I want you to move in tonight.”

  “You barely know me. What if I have habits you hate?”

  “Then tell me more about you and these awful habits.”

  “I’m a painter, and my bad habits consist of having a makeup and caffeine addiction. I also love to travel and ride my motorcycle.”

  “None of those are a reason to kick you out. And you’re not just a painter, you’re a very talented artist.”

  “Have you seen my work?”

  “I have. I looked at it online. I’d love to see it in person.”

  “You’ll get to, I promise.”

  Taking my next bite, I drop the fork as searing heat blazes over the feathers on my arm. They burn bright as the pain radiates up my arm into my shoulder.

  “Killian, something is wrong.”

  Grabbing my plate, he sets it on the coffee table with his. “What’s going on with your arm?”

  “It’s mine and Emeric’s magic. Something must be wrong with him.” My teeth clench through another wave of pain. “Please, get my clothes.”

  Killian takes several stairs at once and returns with his clothes and mine. He puts on pants, throws on a t-shirt, then helps me into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt of my own. Grabbing his wrist, I rub the charm on my neck and cast the spell. The portal emerges, and I pull him through it with me.

  We come through the other side into the magic room in Griffin’s house. Emeric is on the table, his shoulder torn open, blood coating his broken skin as he writhes in pain on the countertop. His wings are limp, dead weight on each side of the counter. My chest clenches at the sight. Taking his hand, I look to Griffin for an answer.

  “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. I heard him screaming in here and came running.”

  “Where’s Cyrus?”

  “At work.”

  “Get him. I don’t care how, but you need to get him here.”

  Griffin raises his wrist, wearing a leather band with a charm like mine. Rubbing it, he casts the spell, then disappears through the portal. With my heart rapidly beating, I move around the room, searching for the supplies to make a healing paste. Killian leans over Emeric, taking his hand as I gather what I need.

  “Hang on, Emeric.”

  Emeric’s screaming makes it harder for me to remember the spell I have to conjure over the ingredients, but I focus hard on Cyrus’s lessons. Putting the herbs and potion in the bowl, I release my air magic, cast the spell, and hope with all my heart it works. The ingredients blend together, creating a muddy green paste. Breathing with relief, I hurry to Emeric, who’s stopped screaming and is passed out on the countertop.

  “Grab a rag over there,” I point. “Clean him off the best you can, so I can apply this paste.”

  Killian moves quickly, beginning the work.

  “This gash is deep, Selene. Is that paste enough?”

  “I don’t know, but I have to try.”

  Gathering a glob, I lather it into his open wound until the blood stops running, and the wound is fully covered. Emeric doesn’t seem as pale, but he’s still unconscious. Worry keeps hold of me until Cyrus and Griffin step through a portal.

  “Cyrus, can you help him? I put the paste on, but I don’t know if it’s enough.”

  “You did good.” Cyrus caresses my back as he passes m
e to examine Emeric. “I’ll handle the rest.”

  Stepping back, tears fill my eyes as Killian hands me a clean rag to wipe off my hands. Hugging me, he kisses my forehead.

  “He’ll be all right. You got to him in time.”

  “What did this to him?”

  Cyrus is busy muttering a spell with his hands over Emeric. Griffin pulls his gaze from the wound.

  “A demon. Higher level by the looks of it. I doubt there was only one. Emeric can fight several demons at once with his magic.”

  Cyrus lowers his hands and leans his weight on the countertop, his energy depleted. “We need to take him upstairs. He’ll need to sleep for a while.”

  “Thank you for coming so fast.”

  “I’ll always come when you need me.” Cyrus brings me into his arms and kisses me. “I have to return to work, but I’ll be back tonight. Will you be here?”

  “Yes. I’m not leaving Emeric.”

  Cyrus nods in understanding. “Take care of him.” Stepping back, he creates a portal and walks through it.

  Turning to Killian, I frown, guilt pummeling my gut. “I’m sorry. I need to stay. I hope you understand.”

  “I do. I’ll have Griffin portal me home to get my things and yours. I’ll come back here if you want me to.”

  “Yes, I want you here with us.”

  Killian glances at Griffin, and the two share an acknowledging nod.

  “Can you guys carry him upstairs?”

  “Of course.” Killian steps to the countertop, but Griffin raises a hand.

  “You won’t have to lift him. I can do it with magic.”

  Griffin releases his ethereal glow, and it surrounds Emeric’s entire body. As though Emeric is floating on water, his body moves out of the room. I follow Griffin upstairs, then cover Emeric with the blanket once he’s laid on the mattress. Griffin and Killian leave me with him. Sitting next to him, I release my magic and caress his forehead, chest, and arms.

  “I love you, Emeric. Don’t leave me before I have the chance to tell you.”

  He lies there, unmoving, his pulse weak. Pulling the blanket back, I crawl into bed with him, placing my hand on his chest, my magic swirling around us.

  CHAPTER THREE

  SELENE

  I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep, but I recognize the hand gently shaking me awake. Griffin comes into view, and with him, Cyrus and Killian. Worried, I check on Emeric, and my heart sinks to find him still asleep. My fear worsens when I notice the dark color that’s appeared in his veins.

  “What’s wrong with him?”

  “It’s demon venom. It’s in his blood,” Cyrus answers.

  My hand goes to his chest in a panic. “Is he dying?”

  “He will if we can’t get it out.”

  “I did this, didn’t I? The venom needed to be extracted before the wound was healed.” Tears stream down my cheeks while Griffin rubs my back.

  “There’s another way.”

  Blinking back my tears, I turn to Cyrus. “Phoenix. He can extract the venom from his blood. Demon venom and disease don’t affect vampires.”

  “Yes, he can, but—”

  “No buts. He’s doing this.” Climbing off the bed, I put my hand to my charm. Cyrus tries to grab my wrist, but I’m already through the portal. My next step is onto Phoenix’s front porch. The door is locked, so I release my magic and imagine it unlocking the door. It clicks, and I turn the knob to walk through the threshold. It’s quiet in the home. I search every room, including the room where the massacre took place. It’s clean now with new furniture, a new rug, all the blood gone.

  It doesn’t take long for me to realize Phoenix isn’t here. Finding the nearest mirror, I cast the spell Cyrus taught me. An image of Phoenix appears in the glass, showing him at a club. I recognize the club as the one Emeric took me to.

  Raising my fingers to my charm, the portal opens, and I step through it onto the VIP balcony of the club. The gazes of several supernaturals stare in shock, but my eyes are only fixed on one individual.

  “Get up. I need your help.”

  Phoenix doesn’t budge. He sets his glass of what I assume is blood on the table next to him and waves the supernaturals around him away. They scatter like scared kittens. Looking me over, his lids narrow above a curled lip.

  “You look like you’ve been fucking a wolf, smell like it too.”

  “Shut up. Emeric is dying. I need your help to save him.”

  “What’s in it for me?”

  “Help him, and I won’t pummel you with hellfire. How’s that?”

  Phoenix moves with unnatural speed, crosses the floor, and slams me into the railing behind me. Fisting my hair, he bares his fangs at my neck. The railing creaks, and my heartbeat freezes.

  “Don’t let the power of your magic give you false confidence.”

  Magic coils in my palms, and I throw him back, the turquoise glow keeping him in place.

  “I don’t like you, and you clearly don’t like me, but Emeric needs your help. If you have an ounce of feeling in you or care about breaking the curse, help me, please.” I lower my arms, releasing the magic, and Phoenix’s fangs disappear.

  “Fine, but you’ll owe me, witch.”

  “The hell I will. You owe me, remember?” I point to my neck, where the marks of his fangs remain.

  He licks his lips. “You did taste luscious, darling.” Red flashes in his eyes. “Promise me another taste, and I’ll help him.”

  “Fine.” My body cringes at the thought. “Let’s go.”

  Phoenix joins my side as I create another portal, and the two of us walk through it into Emeric’s bedroom. Shock fills the faces of Cyrus and Griffin. Killian has his arms crossed, a watchful eye on every movement Phoenix makes.

  Phoenix takes one look at Emeric and grimaces.

  “You want me to remove the demon venom? That’s going to cost you much more, witch.”

  “What do you mean, cost her?” Killian growls.

  “Shut it, wolf, that’s between Selene and me.”

  “I don’t care. Do it.”

  Specks of red flash in Phoenix’s eyes as he smirks in triumph.

  “When I’m finished, you’ll do as I say?”

  “Selene,” Griffin warns.

  “Yes. Now stop wasting time.”

  “You heard her, gentlemen. When I’m finished, she goes with me, no arguments, and none of you can follow.”

  “Not a chance,” Killian comes off the wall, and Phoenix throws his hands in the air.

  “Then I’m wasting my time here.”

  “Stop! I’ve had enough. Phoenix, help him now! I’ll go with you after.”

  “All right, darling.” Phoenix’s cruel smile curves his lips. “A service for a service.” He sits next to Emeric with his fangs bared, leans down, and pierces Emeric’s neck. A purplish-red glow swirls around Phoenix as he drinks from him. Anticipation bundles in my stomach as I wait. Killian comes to me, putting a comforting arm around me as we watch Phoenix drain blood from Emeric. Moments later, he pulls back and licks his lips clean. The dark color in Emeric’s veins is no longer there. It worked.

  “What a disgusting taste,” Phoenix complains, his lip curled.

  “Thank you.” I breathe in relief.

  Phoenix stands from the bed, passes a glance over the others, then focuses on me.

  “A deal is a deal. It’s time to go.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes, now.”

  “I want to be here when Emeric wakes up.”

  “He’s not going to wake until tomorrow. He’s lost a lot of blood.”

  Running a hand through my hair, I sigh. “Fine,” I force the word through clenched teeth. Looking at the other guys, I frown. “I’m sorry. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “She’s not leaving.” Griffin raises his hands, magic filling them. “You can’t be trusted alone with her. We know what happened last time you were.”

  Phoenix clicks his tongue. “You th
ink Selene can’t handle herself?”

  “She shouldn’t have to.” Cyrus steps forward, creating a portal behind me and Phoenix. “It’s time for you to go… without her.”

  Phoenix glances behind me, and I see the thought a second before he does it. His body slams to mine, and just as Killian’s arm reaches for us, we crash through the portal. My back and ass hit a hard floor as the weight of Phoenix’s body crushes my chest.

  “Get off me.”

  Phoenix stands and extends a hand for me to take. I do and look around the space. It’s a dark studio apartment without a single window.

  “This is where I sleep, not upstairs.”

  “We’re under your house?”

  “Yes, and Cyrus won’t be able to portal here. I had it shielded from magic, and he doesn’t know it exists. You can only portal to places you’ve seen. I assume you know that.”

  “I do. How did you have it shielded from magic?”

  “You’re not the only witch who exists, but you are the only witch who can wield the magic of all five elements.”

  “That means I can’t portal out.”

  “Correct. Only I know the code to get out, and I’m not letting you out until we’ve satisfied our deal.” Phoenix walks away from me toward a bathroom.

  I follow, anger filling me.

  “So, you’re keeping me as a hostage so you can feed on me? What happens when you can’t control yourself and kill me?”

  Stopping at the bathroom door, he leans against the threshold.

  “I won’t kill you. I know what to expect, and I’m not severely wounded like I was.”

  “What you’re doing is reckless and dangerous. If you do lose control, you don’t just kill me, you kill every supernatural.”

  “I know what I’m doing.” With a click of his tongue, he rolls his eyes. “Now, take a shower. I want the wolf’s scent off you.” Pushing off the wall, he stomps away.

  Stubborn asshole.

  Killian

  “Where did he take her?” Rage boiling over, my fangs pinch my bottom lip.

  “I don’t know.” Cyrus paces across the floor, his glasses hanging in his hand as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “I already checked his house and the few places I know he visits.”