by K. F. Breene
Was this what Kieran’s mom could expect? A slow, violent dismemberment of her spirit until there was nothing left? Would she go mad, reduced to muttering without coherent thought? Or would she waste away in time, pulling energy from her son just to stay afloat?
My heart sank as rage welled up inside of me.
The answer was no. None of that would happen to her. Because I was going to figure this out, and I was going to set this right. If I had to own my mantle as a soul stealer, or take on Valens directly, or both, I would. I would not allow this slow torture in purgatory. Not while I was breathing.
8
Alexis
I sighed as I rolled up in front of my house in the BMW. The failing light of the evening cast a murky glow through the fog. I’d been working all day, but nothing useful had happened after we left the house of doom. Bria had taken me to two other allegedly haunted houses. One was definitely haunted, with an old woman who was really ticked off that the current residents wouldn’t just bugger off, and the other was just badly built. Wind could really mess with a person’s mind. Neither had furthered my knowledge of what Valens was doing.
While we were “out in the field,” as Bria called it, she’d walked me through a few training exercises, mostly consisting of feeling for souls. I’d learned how to (vaguely) feel the placement of a soul within a body.
I heaved a tired sigh and slipped the sleek little driving machine into park. I shut off the engine and pushed myself to standing. The day’s events had taken a lot out of me, not helped by my constant worry over Kieran’s mom.
It would kill Kieran to know that Valens might actually be eroding his mother’s spirit. And I wouldn’t feel comfortable until all of the spirits had been freed.
“You accepted the car. It’s a nice little ride,” Frank said, standing in the center of my lawn. “But your suit is still…unfortunate.”
“Who asked you, Frank?”
“I’m just calling it like I see it, that’s all. A guy likes a girl who can dress herself. Someone who knows when the hips in her pants are too roomy and her sleeves are the right length.”
“Keep it up, bud. See what happens.” I shrugged my Burberry a little higher on my shoulder as I reached the front door. Hand held out to grab the knob, I paused when the uncharacteristic roar of a large engine infiltrated the quiet thrust of the distant ocean.
The lovely morning weather had given way to a lazy, rolling fog, nearly obscuring the opposite side of the street. The red Ferrari seemed to burst out of it. My heart sped up and the breath caught in my throat as the car drifted toward my house.
“Why today, of all days?” I muttered, thinking about turning around, going inside, and locking the door behind me. I doubted Kieran would break it down. Then again, he probably had a key. It wouldn’t surprise me.
The sweet ride put my new beauty to shame, and the two cars probably made me the most interesting person on the block. A title which I’d tried my whole life to avoid.
I stalked toward him with all the angry energy I could muster. Frank whistled a low, tuneless sound.
“That is a beaut,” he said, stalking forward with me.
“Get back, you.” I waved him away.
The raven head I was expecting gracefully rose from the driver’s side door. His navy blue suit perfectly molded to his wide shoulders before artfully cinching down to his waist. He stared out at the street for a moment, then shut the door and started around the back of the seriously stylish car.
Billows of fog rolled in like tumbleweeds from the end of the street. They brushed past Kieran, fully obscuring the sidewalk opposite us in a thick, wet sheet. He was taking care of people noticing the car issue.
He reached the passenger side door, still not having looked in my direction, giving me a view of the rest of his body.
The pants matched the suit jacket, of course, tailored to fit those powerful legs before ending at shiny black shoes. Sparkling gold cufflinks set off his sleeves, and a pink-purple tie said he was secure in his masculinity.
I couldn’t decide what I liked more, the white T-shirt and faded jeans, or the tailored power suit. He looked equally delicious in both.
“Now he knows how to fit clothes to his body,” Frank said, at stage one of bromance.
“He has a bunch of money and a team of people making sure he gets it right,” I grumbled.
Kieran pulled two bags from the seat of his car before shutting the door and finally turning toward me. Fatigue lined his face and heavy lids draped his eyes.
My annoyance eased. He’d clearly had a day, too, but he was still showing up to cook. That was pretty cool of him.
“Hey,” I said, reaching for the bags.
He shook his head at my offer to lend a hand. “Well, how’s things?”
His accent sounded as though he’d walked straight out of Ireland.
“Do you just affect an American accent most of the time?” I reached the door and pushed it open.
“Demigods can speak all languages in all dialects. It’s one of our powers. We’re made fer ruling, and can do it anywhere. But when I’m tired, things tend to slip. That’s one of them.” His American accent came and went. He sagged where he stood before jerking his head toward the inside of the house. “Go on. Shit before the shovel.”
Surprised laughter bubbled up through me. It wasn’t the sort of expression I would have expected from him. I stepped into the house, glancing around at the mess. Shoes lay in a pile right in front of the door. Sweatshirts dotted the hall, and a couple random hair things littered the run-down carpet. Both kids lay in a heap on the couch, watching something on the laptop.
“Turn that off and clean this place up,” I barked. “You’ve had all day.” I trudged into the kitchen and dropped my handbag onto the counter. “I swear, when Mordecai was sick and we were all busting our asses just to get by, this place looked ten times better. Suddenly, we’re a little more secure and everything has gone to hell.”
“We’ve been working out all day,” Daisy whined. “Would you get off my legs?”
A thud shook the floor as Kieran followed me into the kitchen.
“Ow!” Mordecai hollered. “What was that for?”
“I asked nicely,” Daisy said. “You ignored me. Now look.”
“I was moving! You didn’t have to kick me off the couch.”
“And you didn’t fight half as much,” I yelled.
“Hey, Demigod Kieran,” Mordecai mumbled, stalling next to the kitchen opening. “Thanks again for the procedure.”
A smile spread across Kieran’s handsome face. “You look stiffer than when you were sick.”
“I hurt the same, just in a different way.” Mordecai trudged off down the hall.
Daisy stopped near the table, her eyes narrowing at Kieran. “What are you doing here?”
“Daisy, give him a break,” I said, moving to the paper bags. “He’s my new boss, and he brought us groceries.”
“Since when does the boss do manual labor?” Daisy asked, piling on the attitude. She wasn’t the passive-aggressive type—when she was annoyed, she wanted everyone to know it.
“What can I tell ye? I couldn’t pass up such a glowing welcome.” Kieran smiled as he reached into one of the bags and pulled out a white paper bundle.
She sniffed. “Since when do you have an accent?”
“Daisy, seriously, give it a rest.” I took out ingredients and set them on the counter. “He’s here, this is happening, so let’s be civil.”
Daisy flung out a hand. “I’m just a little concerned, is all. He has stalked you most of the time he’s known you, he’s manipulated you into working for him, and now he’s here, in your home, probably trying to get in your pants. He’s getting too close, Lexi. You need protection from yourself.”
“I’m in earshot,” Kieran murmured tiredly, though not in anger. “In case you hadn’t noticed…”
“She has a point,” Mordecai said as he carried in two glasses and set them
next to the sink. A waft of funk slapped me in the face. “Every time he comes around, he seems to want something.”
“A big guy in a small kitchen,” Kieran mumbled. “Hard to miss.”
“Right now he probably wants you to take a shower.” I waved my hand in front of my nose. “Mordie, you need deodorant.”
“He’s trying to cut corners and save some money.” Daisy rolled her eyes. “I told him to spend the few dollars, but apparently his stink doesn’t offend him like it offends everyone else.”
“It’s natural,” Mordecai replied.
“So are farts, but you don’t see people rejoicing when those waft around,” Daisy said. “His feet, too, Lexi. My whole room reeks.”
“Our room.” Mordecai left the kitchen, bending to grab a sweatshirt before disappearing from sight.
“It won’t be yours if you keep up this stink,” Daisy called after him. “We’ll get a dog house and put you outside.”
“Low blow,” I heard from the back bedroom.
“I didn’t mean because you’re a wolf—” The door slammed, cutting Daisy off. “You’re more sensitive than a chick,” she yelled.
The door opened. “Anyone is more sensitive than you. Rocks are more sensitive than you. You’re a hard-hearted old cow!” The door slammed again.
I pointed at Kieran, who was shrugging out of his suit jacket with a mouth-watering grin.
“Did you say you wanted to go out to eat?” I asked. “Because if so, I’m in. Or how about Guinness for dinner? It’s super filling. Any takers on leaving them here and heading down to the pub?”
“Mordecai is super moody lately,” Daisy said, her gaze snagging on Kieran’s upper body as he crossed the small space and dropped his suit jacket on the back of one of the dining room chairs. His white button-up stretched across his broad, muscular back and hugged his large biceps. “I don’t know what his deal is.” She shook her head before turning and kicking the shoes toward the door.
“Place them next to the door, don’t kick them into a pile,” I said. “And he’s not the only one who’s moody.”
She stepped back into view and put a finger to her chest. “I’ve always been moody. That’s my jam. Things are off-kilter when he is as moody as me.”
I sagged against the counter. “Sleep in my room. I’ll sleep on the couch. If that ends the fighting, I’m all for it.”
“Or let me buy you someplace bigger,” Kieran said, his brogue getting heavier by the word.
“Fat chance, Mr. Suave. We don’t need your charity.” Daisy went back to kicking the shoes. “But if you do buy a place, I’d be cool with breaking in and squatting there. Anything to get my own room.” She stepped back into view. “But I’ll take you up on staying in your room tonight, Lexi. I’ll take the floor. Tomorrow, I am going to Febreze bomb my room, and throw all his stinky shit outside. That’ll teach him.” She rolled her eyes and moved off down the hall. “Hopefully.”
“You can sleep at my house,” Kieran said quietly, his tone teasing. “We’d have to sneak you past my father, though.”
I bit my lip to try and hide a smile. “You live with your dad at your age?” I huffed. “What a loser.”
“So.” Kieran pulled out a bottle of wine before glancing around. “What was your day like?”
He opened the nearest drawer and looked inside before shutting it again and moving on to the next one.
“What are you looking for?”
“Two guesses, but I’m hoping you’ll only need one.”
I laughed, because yes, I should’ve known he was after the wine opener.
I stepped forward and reached for the correct drawer, not realizing he was doing the same thing. My fingers wrapped around metal. His warm hand wrapped around mine.
A jolt of electricity fired up my arm before settling into a delicious hum in my middle. His gaze slowly slid toward me. Without lifting his hand, he shifted, and his warm body grazed against my side.
My heart rate increased and my stomach flipped over before dropping down to my feet. The heat from his body, so close, soaked in deep, flash-boiling my blood. His thumb trailed across my knuckles and my core ached for his touch to slip down lower. It craved hard, fervent contact.
A horrifying realization struck—I wanted him desperately, and not just for his hot body. His confidence, his poise, his intense air of command—he was at the very top of the power pyramid, and had proven to be my own personal safety blanket. Despite his possessiveness and repeated attempts at manipulation, I trusted Kieran. I trusted him as a boss and as a man. Though he unapologetically strived to get what he wanted, he’d never once screwed me over. The opposite: he’d lured me in by helping my family. By making our lives better. Even now, he was here to cook a meal.
Without thinking, just reacting to this dawning realization, I angled my body toward him. The heat between us had grown blistering hot, eating through me. I longed to reach up and feel his hard chest before hooking my hand around his neck to pull those shapely lips closer.
I floated on the ardent tide of desire, letting my eyes drift closed. Electricity buzzed through me from his proximity. Magic danced and swirled between us, singeing my skin and forcing a moan from my lips. He’d inherited his mother’s seductive selkie magic, which pierced me in all the right ways, promising unimaginable pleasure. His father had passed down the raw power of the ocean, taking that sexy magic to the next level. It stole my breath away it felt so good.
“I love your sexy magic,” I whispered with a thick, sultry voice I barely recognized. My core ached for him. My body burned.
“I’m keeping that magic in check, Alexis. It’s taking all my willpower, but it’s under control. This is your response to me. And me to you.”
I blinked my eyes open, and his face was inches from mine. His gaze settled on my lips.
“I told you I would wait for you,” he said softly. Confidently. “I knew all it would take was time.”
I lightly shook my head, denying his effect on me.
His free hand touched down on the counter, blocking me in, and his other hand held mine hostage. His body pressed against mine.
“Do you not believe me?” His voice was dangerous. Thick and deep. Sexy as hell.
Without warning, a heady blast of desire shocked into me. It cocooned us in agonizing pleasure. Intense bliss sucked me under to a place from which I never wanted to emerge.
This time, he had unleashed his sexy magic, and it was better than anything I’d ever felt in my life.
9
Alexis
I moaned, utterly lost to the feeling. Yearning sucked at my focus. I wanted him inside of me, thrusting hard.
Eyes closing again, I ran my hand up his chest, over the bumps of his pectorals and then along the width of his strong shoulders. His hardness pressed into me before he shifted forward, grinding deliciously against me.
I moaned in ecstasy.
“Does the selkie magic affect you like it’s affecting me?” I asked, feeling his lips graze along my chin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.
“It heightens my senses. It heightens the feel of you.” He nibbled my bottom lip. “The first time I used it, it turned a woman into a mindless sex zombie. I swore I’d never influence anyone else with it. But then, no one else can withstand it like you can.”
“I’m not withstanding it, I’m rolling with it. And you’re not influencing me, I was already there.”
“I know.” His fevered lips skimmed the hollow of my throat, a viciously vulnerable area. “I want to fuck you so badly it hurts, Alexis.”
He rocked forward, rubbing against my apex. The pleasure mounted, tight and sizzling. Pounding and white hot.
“Hmm Kieran…”
One hand fisting in my hair, he released the other from the drawer and felt firmly down my back, holding me against him. As soon as my hand was freed, I reached around him and grabbed his perfect, tight butt.
He groaned into my mouth and his magic switched over, f
rom the sexy sultriness of the selkie, to the raw, brute force of Poseidon, slamming into me.
I gasped and arched, completely swept away.
“Yes,” I exalted, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and throwing both legs up high on his hips.
He caught me without effort and leaned in harder, trapping my body against the counter and thrusting.
Thoughts drifted away. Pleasure increased. I climbed higher, wound tighter. I clutched onto him, digging in my fingers. Nearly there.
A door handle jingled somewhere in the background, barely permeating my fevered mind. A door swung open.
My ass hit the counter, hard. Cold air rushed against my front, replacing the hot press of his chest, and my hands fell, ripped away from the strong body they’d been clutching. I blinked into the sudden chill and confusion, only saved from pitching forward by his hand against my sternum.
“Wha…?” I couldn’t even form a solid word.
Kieran moved so fast he blurred. His hands were on me, around me, lifting. My butt bumped down again. The faucet turned on. My brain couldn’t process anything.
“Wha…” That was the only sound I could make as Mordecai entered my peripheral vision, trudging into the living room.
“Would ye mind peeling those?” Kieran asked, his accent heavy and his voice strained.
He’d deposited me on one of the dining room chairs in front of a spread of a few potatoes, a cutting board, and a peeler. He stood at the sink, rinsing something within the steady stream of water. On the outside, the scene looked domestic and tranquil. Normal.
But my insides were still burning for his touch, aching and tender. Electricity surged through my blood and passion throbbed in my middle.
“Mum…” At least that was a different sound.
“Hey.” Mordecai ducked into the kitchen. “Do you need any help?”
“Rum…” I rubbed my eyes.
“You okay?” I heard.
“No.” I opened my fists and rubbed my whole face this time. My body pounded, yearning for Kieran’s touch. His magic still coursed through me. It felt so right, like a key sliding into a lock and turning. “I’m tired, and I had a hard day.”
