by Betty Legend
“How did your angel mother handle a son who was half-demon?”
Recalling memories, his head tilts as he chuckles. “I drove her mad, but she handled me just fine. She’d strike me down mercilessly if I crossed the line with her.”
“What powers did she have?”
Pushing the empty plate away, he leans back in the chair.
“Many—her powerful wings, invisibility, soul reading, super strength and senses, healing, and so much more. One of her best skills was wielding her angel blade.”
“Do you have any of her powers?”
“Some, but most of my powers came from my father.”
“Do you know who he is?”
His jaw flexes at the thought. “No, only that he’s a powerful, higher-level demon. He could be dead for all I know. My mother probably beheaded him after she mated with him to create me.”
“You were created to be a guardian of hell?”
“Yes, and taught how to kill demons from a young age, even though I was half one myself. I got over that quickly when I realized demons are soulless, and I’m not. That’s the angel part of me.”
Placing my hand on his shoulder, I rub across it and down to his wings. “I think you’re perfect.”
With his fingers under my chin, he brings me forward to receive his kiss.
“Would you ever consider having a child with me? Or does the demon part of me ruin that for you?”
His question takes me by surprise.
“Do you want to have children?”
Resting his elbow on the table, he admires me.
“It’s crossed my mind.”
“I’m not ready for children, but to answer your question, I wouldn’t be afraid of having a child with you. You have a soul. You’re not a soulless, cruel demon. Our child would have one as well, and he or she would be one-half witch, a quarter angel, and a quarter of your devilish charm.”
Pulling me to him, his hand gets lost in my hair as his lips sear mine.
“Damn, I love you, babe.”
Hearing the words come from his lips has my body and face warming. His thumb caresses my cheek.
“You’re blushing.”
“It feels really good to hear you say that.”
“I think you already knew.”
“But hearing it makes it so much better.”
“I do. I love your beautiful face and sexy body, how strong and caring you are, the passion every time you touch me, and the way your body responds to my touch. You are mine, baby. You know that, don’t you?”
Leaning closer, I place my hand on his chest and caress down his abs.
“Yes.”
“I know you love me more than the others.”
“I love all of you equally.”
“Sure, babe.” Rubbing along the outside of my thighs, he pulls me closer into his space. “Keep telling yourself that.” Dark eyes fill with crimson as he leans in and claims my mouth.
My mom clears her throat behind us, and we reluctantly pull apart.
“Rachel laid down to rest. She wasn’t feeling well.”
“Did you talk to her anymore about our conversation?”
“I did.” Mom sits back down across from us. “I explained that it’s all true and a little more about our background as witches. Maybe when she wakes up, she’ll be more accepting of everything we’ve shared. I think she was overwhelmed.”
“I feel terrible.”
“It’s all right, sweetie. You were right. It’s a secret you shouldn’t have to keep from her. You’ve been best friends since you were kids. I believe it would have come out in some way, even if you didn’t tell her. It’s hard to be around those you love and not have them discover your magic.”
“Is that what happened with you and Dad?”
“Yes. I knew my sister, Molly, and I were witches, even though my mother wanted to keep it from us. I had incidents where my magic revealed itself. When your father, Dane, and I met, I didn’t know he was a warlock, but later, it was too difficult for him to hide it. When he told me and I didn’t freak out, he asked why, so I shared my lineage with him. It gave him a lot of relief to no longer have to hide his magic from me.”
“Was it hard for Dad to accept your decision to not tell me about my lineage?”
Lowering her head, she takes a breath before looking at me once more.
“It was. You’re so much like your father, and he saw it too. It was difficult for him not being able to share his magic with you, but he also believed it was best for your safety.”
“It probably was best. There’s more I need to tell you.”
“What is it?” Wringing her hands together, her wrinkles tighten around her eyes.
“Are you aware of the prophecy about the curse on supernaturals?”
“I’m not.”
“It’s said, the curse on supernaturals can be broken when a druid witch and descendent of Cataleya, who can wield the magic of all five elements bonds with the first-born son of each elemental magic.”
My mom lowers her head. “Cataleya is our ancestor.”
“She is.”
“Claire.” Mom’s gaze meets Emeric’s, nervous energy trembling her hands. “Selene can wield all five elements, and she’s fully bonded with four, first-born sons of elemental magic.”
Clutching her arms to her chest, my mother rocks slightly forward.
“My sweet girl, I’m so sorry, I wish I could be happy for your gifts, but to me, your powers are a curse.” Tears well in her eyes. “You’ll be hunted ruthlessly because of who you are and the magic you possess.”
“She’s not without protection.” Emeric puts an arm around me as my own eyes water. “We’re all working to teach her how to use her powers to the fullest. None of us will let anything happen to Selene.”
With shaky hands, she wipes the tears from her eyes, then slides her chair back.
“I need a minute. Please excuse me.” She leaves the dining room, sniffing back her tears.
Turning into Emeric’s arms, my own tears fall, devastation breaking my heart. My mother fears for my life and wishes I didn’t have my gifts, the kind of gifts I’ve spent my life wishing were real. Would my father fear my gifts, or would he support my choice to practice my craft? I have to believe he would support me. He risked everything to fight the devil, and I don’t want his death to be in vain.
“It’s different to see your mother so fearful of your magic. My mother was adamant I use mine to protect others. She’d tell me, sacrifice for virtue was the strongest power of all.”
Wiping my tears, I look into his crimson-tinged eyes.
“Your mother was fierce, wasn’t she?”
“Completely.” He chuckles. Lifting my chin, he kisses my damp lips. “I can see this is hard for you and difficult for your mother to accept, but you shouldn’t have to hide or live in fear of what you are. It’s time we send a message to the demons and the Holy Accolades.
“Selene Delavore is not a witch to fuck with.”
CHAPTER NINE
SELENE
Last night was rough. I didn’t see Rachel or my mom the rest of the night. Emeric and I went to bed after cleaning up dinner. Lying in his warm arms, his magic intertwining with mine, soothed me to sleep. Without it, I would’ve struggled to sleep.
My old room is now a guest room. The furniture is the same, but the bedding, decorations, and wall paint are all different. The remnants of my past childhood are crammed in waterproof boxes in the basement. The only reminder this was my bedroom is the crescent moon ceiling fan chain dangling above the bed. Emeric breathes quietly behind me, the weight of his arm over my side. A feather tickles the outside of my thigh, and I laugh, aware he’s now awake. A stiff erection presses into my ass as he curls me tighter into his arms.
“Morning, babe.” As I turn in his arms, his left wing spreads out, then over my body like a soft, feathered blanket. “Feeling any better this morning?”
My fingers brush through the longer st
rands of hair on his head, and his tiny fangs peek out below his pleasured smile.
“I am. Thanks to you.”
“It was a rough night for you, huh?”
“It was. I’m nervous about going downstairs.”
“Don’t be.” Emeric strokes my cheek, lifting my chin, so he can better look into my eyes.
“You’re a strong, powerful witch, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. What you do with your life and your magic is your choice.”
With his words, my tension eases, even more so as his kiss steals away my depressing thoughts.
“I’m grateful you came with me.”
“I am too.”
The strength of his wing and arm push me onto my back.
“How about I make you feel even better?”
Pushing his erection against me, his mouth curls just before claiming my lips. The sound of brief knocking draws our attention to the door seconds before Rachel partially fills the threshold. The whites of her eyes expand as she sucks in a breath.
“I… ah… didn’t mean to… are those… real?”
Emeric, never shy about his nudity, rises off me, his wings still spread as he sits back on his haunches.
“They are.”
Rachel blinks, her awkward gaze passing between us as I gather the sheet to cover myself.
“If you give us about forty minutes, you can touch them if you want.”
“Yes, of course.” Rachel’s cheeks darken another shade of pink. “I’ll see you when you come downstairs. So sorry.”
The door closes quickly, and Emeric lies back on top of me.
“Where were we? Ah, yes, I was about to lick your pussy.” As he tears the sheet from my hand, I giggle.
“We should go downstairs.”
“We will… when I’m done having my way with you.” Pushing me onto my back, he uses his other hand to tug at the strap of my panties. “Don’t fight what your body wants, baby.” Under the fabric, he massages my clit, my center tingling with need.
“I can never say no to you.”
“Because when we fuck, it feels amazing.”
“Damn, it does.”
A rumble of laughter flows from his chest. Lowering himself, he lifts my legs over his shoulders.
“I’m making this a personal challenge to have your moans reach downstairs.”
“Don’t you dare.”
With a devious chuckle, he lowers, his tongue swirling my sensitive nub.
“Fuck, you’re deliciously cruel.”
“I know, baby, and you love it.”
Covering my hand over my mouth, I smother my moans the best I can as he tongue-fucks me into a lusting maniac.
“I need you now.”
My arms swing around his neck, pulling him to me. Sliding in easily, he lifts me onto his thighs, hugging my ass as I ride him. Four more positions and I’m a heap of exhausted limbs, my body sated with pleasure. Leaving the bed, he kisses me, then winks as he heads to the bathroom down the hall. Hopefully, Rachel is downstairs, and he doesn’t shock her with his nudity. I’m soon behind him and join him in the shower. There’s just enough room for him to loosen his wings off his back while we soap each other.
In fresh clothes, we head downstairs, following the aroma of eggs and the leftover ham and potato casserole from last night. Shirtless, Emeric enters the kitchen behind me. Rachel and my mother stop putting food on plates and stare at his partially spread wings.
“Wow,” Rachel mutters, her expanded lids expressive of her astonishment. “They’re incredible.”
Emeric runs a hand through his black and blond strands, smirking as he extends his wings, then partially folds them. He sure knows how to flaunt what he’s got. My mom and Rachel’s lingering stares trail down his tatted arms, chest, and abs, which he flexes, then grins when they blush.
Embarrassed, my mother rubs a hand down her cheek and looks away to the casserole and the plate in her hand. Rachel looks at me, her eyes wide and her nostrils flaring as she smirks.
Laughing, I grab two glasses out of the cabinet.
Rachel steps closer to Emeric, and he brings a wing forward.
“You can touch it, stroke it, li—”
“Ahem,” I interrupt.
“What, babe?” Emeric shrugs a shoulder, his impish grin widening. “I was going to say lift it.”
“Sure, you were.”
Laughter spreads between us as Rachel touches his feathers. Mom sets her plate down and joins her. Each of them strokes his feathers. Emeric’s muscles tighten, and crimson red creates color in his black eyes.
“What’s it like when we touch them?” Rachel asks, her fingers gradually releasing a white tip.
“Pleasurable.” Emeric glances at me and winks. “Probably as sensitive as a woman’s clit.”
Rachel and my mom jerk their hands back, their faces adding another shade of color.
“Don’t mind him. He enjoys the shock and awe reaction.”
Mouth slanted, he winks and steps past them to take the glass of water I’ve set on the counter for him. With a few swallows, he downs the water and sets the empty glass back down.
“Breakfast smells good.”
With her face back to a normal color, Mom smiles pleasantly at him.
“Thank you. You’re welcome to as much as you’d like. I’m sure you’re hungry after your morning workout.”
The water in my mouth sprays out as my eyes expand, and a laugh escapes me. Emeric folds his wings against his back, grinning as he passes my mom.
“I like you, Claire.”
“I like you too. It’s clear you make my daughter very happy.”
“Mom!”
With her plate in hand, she sports a playful grin as she passes Rachel, who’s laughing as quietly as she can. Rachel follows my mom into the dining room, and we get plates of food to join them.
Seated in the same seats as last night, the tension seems to have loosened compared to the heavy conversations from the evening before. After a few bites, I set my fork down.
“Are you okay with all of this?” I ask Rachel.
The fork twists in her fingers as she answers. “I think so. It was overwhelming at first, but now I’m curious about your magic and what you can do. It left me wondering if I can do magic.”
“I’m curious if you can too.”
The feathers of Emeric’s wing graze my back as he adjusts to look at me.
“How did Griffin get your magic to come out?”
“He took me to see Ancor. He had me drink an elixir of some sort, then Griffin used his water magic to draw out my magic.”
“We can take a trip to Ancor and get the elixir for Rachel.”
“Is it safe for my baby?” she asks nervously.
“I would have to ask Ancor. I don’t know what he puts in it.”
“Who is he, this Ancor guy?”
“A Fae seer and enchanter,” my mom replies.
“Have you met him?”
“I have. He’s a gifted supernatural.”
Rachel sets her fork down. “What is a Fae seer and enchanter?”
“Fae are supernatural beings with pointed ears, wings, or horns. They’re connected to nature and organic chemical elements,” Emeric tells her.
“You sound like you’re quoting from a book.”
Emeric flicks a hand in the air. “I pretty much am,” he informs me. “I might’ve done well in supernatural identification at university.” He puts a strand of loose hair behind my ear. “I pay attention.”
“That you do.” I rub his leg, and his hand falls to my back and rubs me the same.
“There’s a supernatural university?” Rachel’s voice raises with enthusiasm.
“There is, yeah.”
“That would have been hella cool to attend.” She looks at my mom with interest. “Why didn’t Selene and I get to go to a supernatural university?”
My mom gathers her empty plate and slides her chair back.
“That’s a story
for another time.”
“Well, how long will it take to visit Ancor for this elixir?”
Pushing in the chair, my mom gives me a pointed look.
“Perhaps we should wait and talk about this some more.” She turns her attention to Rachel. “I’m sure your mother would like to know the secret is out.”
“I have so many questions.” Gathering her plate, Rachel follows my mom into the kitchen. “Let’s call her.”
“This morning is going better than I expected.”
Emeric strokes my hair. “They seem to be warming up to the changes.”
“I hope it stays that way.” My gaze lands on Rachel as she raises her cell phone to her ear. “I’m not so sure it will once we fill them in on the darker details.”
“Don’t then. Let them enjoy the best parts about being supernaturals and having magic. You, me, and the others… we’ll handle the rest.”
“I think that’s best for now.”
“So, you’re the key to breaking the curse on supernaturals that’s destroying their magic?”
Raising my cocktail to my lips, I nod at Rachel. “Yes. Hopefully, it makes sense now why I have four boyfriends.”
“It does. I said it before, but seriously, you are one lucky lady.”
Laughing, I look through the lit kitchen to my mom and Emeric talking inside. It’s been an eventful day explaining everything to Rachel, which was explained to me. The conversation with Aunt Molly took a lot of time too. She wasn’t thrilled Rachel has an interest in discovering if she can do magic. As we sit here, catching up, I’m struggling with my own feelings. On one hand, I’d love for us to be able to explore our magic together, yet I fear her doing magic could draw the kind of attention I’ve had to fight already. Perhaps in time, it’ll be something we can enjoy together, but for now, my priority is to keep her and my family safe.
“Are you in love with them?”
My gaze returns to her curiously raised brow.
“I am.”
“Who’s the best in bed?”
After I laugh, I take another drink.
“Each of them has their own tastes and skills. Believe me when I say, I enjoy all of them and don’t have a favorite.”
“Come on, there isn’t one of them that gets your heart racing just a bit more than the others?”
