by KT Strange
“We definitely need a bigger van,” Cash growled, echoing my words from the night before. “I love you guys, but not this much.” I laughed.
“Get up, we need to eat, and seize the day, or whatever’s left of it,” I said. It was too late for lunch, so we started a fire and roasted marshmallows, enjoying the lazy slip of the sun as it sank and turned the whole forest around us into a glowing, dusky cathedral. The trees reached high overhead, and the breeze rustled the branches, sending shivers along my skin as the air turned from silky warmth to crisp and cold.
There was something inside of me that was glowing, basking in the warmth of being complete, with my mates, our pack whole for the first time. The guys seemed to feel it; they were especially laid back and relaxed, barely tussling or arguing like they normally did.
It was late in the evening, after dinner was a long-gone memory, that I was able to put to words what I was feeling.
The guys were quiet, the fire dying down, when I spoke,
"I want to try to make a heartstone, tonight."
Their reactions to my statement were typical. Cash raised an eyebrow at me and leaned forward in his seat; Charlie gave me an appraising look and a quick nod; Finn tried to smile, but looked concerned; Ace's face broke into a wide grin; and Eli frowned.
Before anyone could argue, I held up my hand to stop them.
"It's gotta be now," I said, "or I'll never have the guts to try."
Eli glanced around the fire, looking at each wolf in turn before giving me a slow nod.
"Alright," he said quietly, "what do you need us to do?"
In the end, it was simpler than I'd ever imagined. I'd spent so long researching it, that all I needed was a clear space in the woods, some bravery, and my own raw intention. Because I already had the most important part: love for the werewolves that I was making the heartstone for.
My legs folded as I knelt, the guys far enough back just in case everything went wrong, but surrounding me in a rough circle.
"You guys ready to see a magic trick?" I asked, sounding braver than I felt. That was it. The moment where everything ended, or I fixed everything. The guys let out some half-hearted chuckles, and I closed my eyes.
Inside. I had to go inside, deep, where my magic lived like a breathing thing, fluttering in the depths of my soul. I felt it, pulsing, calling to me. I dove in, my body feeling floaty, like I was disconnected from my physical self.
There. Right… there… my magic spun inside me, before exploding outwards. This time, it wasn’t violent. This time it wasn’t for self-defense, or to attack someone. A million tiny shards of lightning, glitter in the air, suspended in every direction. The guys made stifled noises, gasps, and low curses, as the very air sparkled with energy, rushing to surround them. But it was them I needed, their presence at the edge of my awareness, to bind their essence into this thing, this magic spell I was weaving.
On instinct, my powers continued to expand, filtering through the trees, tasting the air, learning the boundaries of how far I could reach. Through it threaded a note of pain, something, someone, was missing, like my magic was searching for Max to complete it.
She’s with us, I soothed myself, she’ll always be with us.
With that, I felt my powers returning to me in a swooping whoosh, folding back down through the air, turning it thick as tiny particles of glitter seemed to hang in the air…
Waiting. Waiting for me.
This was the kind of magic formed by will-power alone. There were no words to speak, not familiar paths to walk.
All I could do was think about the pack, concentrate so hard it felt like my mind was going to explode, my breath catching in my throat, until-
My skin crackled, and I glanced down. I was glowing, all over, my body pulsing with light, threads of power streaming over and around me, the glitter in the air that represented the very essence of who was drawing close to me.
I inhaled, sharp, the heat of it flickering inside of me and all over my body at once. I had to do this, for the pack, but my magic was so great, I felt it dissolving the very edge of who I was, threatening to pull me into the abyss-
Something snapped, and a crack inside my head that was echoed by a loud boom across the sky, and a simultaneous streak of lightning.
I felt my control slipping, right through my fingers, and I cried out as my powers leaked out of me, running in every direction.
Just breathe, Darcy, you got this, the voice wasn’t mine, but it was in my head, pushing down the overwhelming feeling that I was losing control. I opened my eyes and grit my teeth, imagining a future where the guys had what they needed to survive, to thrive, a future with them and me that lasted forever-
Lightning, again, roared overhead, blinding me and I felt it, streaking down from the heavens, intent on me, my own powers rising up to meet it-
Magic from the heavens collided with mine, electrifying me, and for one frightening moment, I was the lightning, pure energy coursing through my body and turning me into the storm. I was nothing by sensation, and I screamed, the skies rumbling in answer.
And then… silence. It stopped as suddenly as it started. I opened my eyes. All around me the ground was peppered with scorch marks. I glanced down, and froze.
For a moment, I just breathed, staring down at where my hands were cupped, a single red-orange crystal, an inch long, and jagged, lay in my palms. It was warm, pulsing in time with my heart-beat.
I’d done it.
I’d… actually done it.
Near me, Eli fell to his knees.
Then Finn, and right after him, Cash. Charlie and Ace were next. They stared at me, disbelief, and wonder on their faces.
I held the stone out toward them, and Eli made a choking noise, reaching for my hands. He closed my fingers around it.
“Don’t drop it,” he said, nervously.
“It’s not going to shatter,” Cash said, but his voice was breathless, like he almost worried it would.
“Are you okay?” Ace’s eyes were glued to my face, watching my every move.
“I’m kinda… hungry, actually,” I said, a ravenous empty feeling opening up in my belly. I felt like I could eat three orders of McDonald’s Nuggets and still go back for more. Finn let out a breathy little laugh.
“Whatever you want, doll, we’ll get. You want popcorn? Candy floss? Hot dogs?”
“What were you, a carnie in your past life?” Charlie asked with scorn. “She gets a steak. A giant steak, with fries, or mashed potatoes, or whatever she wants. Y’know, the seasonal vegetable offering.”
I giggled, and looked up at Eli.
“I really did it.” Holy shit. It happened. I squeezed my fingers around the heartstone and felt it pulse hard. It was small, so tiny, but I’d made it. Would it be enough though?
“You sure as hell did,” Eli said, bending down to kiss me. After a moment, I was pulled away from him. I was being hauled up into Finn’s arms and kissed so thoroughly that I nearly fell over. He groaned into my mouth, and I shivered in response, especially when the guys crowded me from all sides. I reached a hand out, and someone laced their fingers with mine, steadying me. They wanted to be close, I knew it without even asking. We all had to be so close, to feel the power of the heartstone as it threaded through us, bringing back the promise of what Phoenixpack could be for the first time in decades.
I felt a playful nip on the side of my neck and glance at Charlie, who smirked, no sign of guilt on his face.
“You’re so fucking sexy when you do crazy-ass magic that could kill you but also could solve all our problems,” he said. I laughed, giddy, weightless, and dizzy with the exhilaration of my success.
“You know what this means right?” I asked him. Cash’s hand was heavy on my hip, and if the intense look he was giving me was an indication, he appreciated my spell casting as much as Charlie did.
“What’s it mean?” Ace asked, tone absent as he nuzzled the side of my neck, sneaking his tongue out to lick my skin. I
closed my eyes as heat thrummed in my belly.
“We’re going to need to start using condoms,” I said. Ace paused, then his teeth dragged over my pulse, almost in defiance of my words.
“That’s a problem for tomorrow’s Ace,” he said. “Today’s Ace is still shooting blanks and so fucking grateful for it, for the first time ever.” He kissed up my neck to my ear.
Someone was tugging at my clothes, and I squirmed as my shirt was pulled off over my head.
“Guys, the heartstone-”
“Keep it close,” Eli said. “You made it. It answers to you. Keep it close sweetheart. Let’s let it feel the heartbeat of the pack.”
I gazed up at him, feeling floaty.
“That’s some kinky shit,” Charlie whispered, and wrapped a hand around one of my breasts, tugging the cup of my bra down. I tipped my head back, giving Ace more room to kiss, his love bites making heat flare between my thighs.
“You’re wet already,” Finn said, reaching for my hips, his fingers digging into my waistband. I blushed, knowing exactly how he knew. “Magic gets you hot, huh?”
“M-maybe.” My bra strap loosened, and it slipped down my arms. Charlie smirked.
“That’s what I wanted to see right now.” He went quiet as his mouth got busy, making me moan and my back arch. Ace was there in a moment, kissing me while Finn got his hands in my pants, dragging them down my hips. The cool night air caressed my skin.
“Love you,” Ace said, catching my lower lip between his. He glanced at me and then his eyes closed as he sat down, pulling me on top of him. My underwear caught between us.
"I want to fuck you so bad right now," Ace muttered, and I had to smirk at his dirty mouth. He wasn't the same wolf that I'd caught trying on, and getting stuck in, my bra months ago.
"Oh you think you can do that?" I teased him, and laughed before he caught my panties in his fingers and ripped the side of them, his fingers teasing over me and making me squirm. "Ace!"
His eyes flashed and he cocked his head, a smug grin on his face. One of his fingers slipped inside me, deep and my hips jerked over his.
"I think it's what you want too," he said, and Charlie made a noise of agreement. Ace flicked his jeans open, and pulled out his cock, fisting it slowly before rubbing it against my bare skin. I moaned and lifted up, sinking down onto him. The first press was a relief to an ache I hadn't realized I was feeling. The second thrust had me scratching him, making him inhale sharply. The pack was all around me, watching, and this was exactly what I needed and wanted.
My knees bit into the ground as I lifted my hips off of Ace’s, watching his eyes travel down my body to where we were joined. He growled and reached for me, and I moaned, rolling my hips as his clenched knuckles slid through my folds.
“Make him feel real good. He deserves it, as sweet as he is on you, and he never lets loose, not once. He’s always been so good for you,” Cash’s hot words were setting my blood on fire, as Charlie curled a tongue around one of my nipples, flicking it at first then nipping hard.
“Ah!” I sank down on Ace’s cock, grinding myself into him as it all became too much. Hands held my hips, guiding me up and down as I chased an orgasm just out of reach. I looked upward, through the leaves, the moonlight frosting them with white. Inside of me the heat was cresting, and Ace groaned, throwing an arm across his eyes like he couldn't even handle looking at me, the sensations too much for him to handle.
"Darcy," my name murmured by Eli had me lifting my head, meeting his heavy gaze. "You feel good, babydoll?"
My cheeks were hot, and Finn thumbed across one, his rough skin rasping mine.
I nodded, not able to form the right words. Eli smiled, and I sighed as Charlie nuzzled my chest, his teeth scraping my skin as he bit me softly.
Beneath me, Ace growled, and I whimpered when Cash slid his fingers between us, teasing us both at the same time.
"Fuck," Ace swore, his hands digging into my thigh as his stomach flexed, fucking me harder. Right... there... a gasp tore from the back of my throat and I shuddered hard into an intense orgasm, before slumping over Ace's chest, panting into his neck. His hand clapped onto my back, stroking there slowly as the guys let us be for a moment.
"So hot," Finn muttered. "So fucking hot." His fingers brushed my hip, almost like a question. I squirmed on Ace and he grumbled at me, before helping me up off of his cock.
"C'mere, sweetheart," Finn said, pulling me into his chest, a mischievous look on his face. "Let us get you making those noises all over again."
Something woke me up. I sat up in the dark, and listened. Was it a sound? The wind thumping pinecones down around our little tour van?
A shuffling noise came to me, faint in my ears, followed by the flicker of light skimmed the outside of the van. A flashlight. I scrambled out of bed, disturbing Cash on my way. He grumbled at me, and then jerked away, stumbling to his feet after me.
“Darcy,” he said, as another flashlight skimmed across the outside of the van. That’s when the scent hit me, like it had to have hit him, so familiar that I wanted to choke on it.
It wasn’t possible. We’d burnt the witches’ council to the ground.
“What’s going on?” Ace’s voice was sleepy in the dark. Eli sat up with a growl. The scent grew stronger, filling my stomach with dread.
Finn made a confused sound, and Charlie let out a growl to rival Eli’s. Cash lifted the edge of one window curtain up, peering out into the darkness. Then he said the one word that made it real, the one word that could still strike fear into our hearts, something I thought we’d left behind us, in our past.
“Hunters,” he whispered.
Phoenixfire
The Final Book in Darcy and Phoenixcry’s story
is up for Pre-order Now!
Also by KT Strange:
Hidden River Academy
an Internationally Best Selling
Reverse Harem Romance!
This book is about Mia and the hottest guys at Hidden River Academy: Buck, Shawn, Cael, Reid, and Colt. Editing issues have been resolved, with a freshly-edited version of the book now available!
They are everything and she is nothing. She doesn't belong, and they're going to make sure she knows it.
Mia Quinn never asked for her mom to get thrown in jail. She never asked to get shipped off to her uncle's, and be enrolled as Hidden River Academy's newest charity case. But she's going to make the best of it, even though the students drive Range Rovers and Lambos, and she's never even had a bike to call her own.
She figures she'll keep her head down, study hard, and be back at the trailer park with her mom in a few months time.
Except the guys, and girls, of Hidden River Academy know when someone doesn't belong, and Mia Quinn? Doesn't belong. They've got a plan to get rid of this new upstart who's crashing their rich-kid party. If she doesn't go on her own, they're going to make her. The first person to want her gone? Buck Barron, star football player at HRA, currently living with Mia's uncle while his parents are MIA on a globetrotting trip. He doesn't appreciate Mia crashing "guy time" at home, and Mia knows it.
To most students at HRA, Buck, Colt, Shawn, Reid, and Cael are the most popular students in the whole school. But to Mia? They are equal parts nightmare and bullies. Can she survive even a few weeks at Hidden River? Or are the guys, and the girls who trail after their every move, going to run her right back to the trailer park?
This 67,000 word contemporary bully romance novel is the first in a series by USA Today Featured Author, KT Strange.
So. This didn’t go as I planned.
It’s always exciting when you get caught in a nightmare of bad files, back and forth communication, and a book that feels like it’s never going to release.
But we got here. Thank fuck!
There’s been a lot of craziness going on in my life right now, what with a move to a new country (hello USA! I’m in you now!!), renting an apartment in a brand new city, and figuring out where all the cool l
ocal spots are to score donuts. Cause I love me some donuts.
Mainly… I just want to say thank you for reading my books, and getting to this point. I never in my life thought I’d be able to write a full series like this, and we’ve got one final book left to go.
I hope you’re doing good, and unless SHTF in a few months, the final, final book in the Phoenixcry series will be in your hands.
I can’t believe we’re finally here. Thank you for riding along with me. Email me any time at [email protected] :) I love hearing from you! Or hang out with me at the Facebook group, KT’s Beauties here: http://pxlme.me/rvGrrf8X
Kit
(KT Strange)
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About the Author
KT Strange is an internationally best-selling and Top 100 Amazon author from the Great White North. After spending a decade in the music scene babysitting drunk rock-stars, she’s finally ready to settle down and write books inspired by her life on the road with bands and her love of everything paranormal.
Also she is rather fond of cats.
