by Betty Legend
“You could have started with that.”
“I needed to see how you respond under pressure. You fought first, but then you ran. You can’t run when you’re fighting demonic predators or murderous fanatics. You have to be the strongest and last the longest in the fight.”
“How do you know so much about this?”
“A lot of prior training.” Garrett shrugs with a tilt of his head. “So, you ready to try this again?”
“What if I hurt you?”
“Then you’re doing something right.” Garrett pulls his long, auburn hair back in a bun. “But I wouldn’t worry. I can heal quickly.” He gestures toward the yard. “Time to show me what you can really do.”
Joining him in the yard, I nervously await what he plans to do. Keeping my palms out and magic simmering beneath the surface, I watch his movements. Spinning slowly, palms out, magic flows from his hands toward the dirt. The ground beneath me vibrates, the dirt splitting. I think about running, but instead, I throw magic at his feet, knocking him on his ass and cutting off the magic he’s putting toward the earth. The dirt stops splitting, and he smirks. Seconds later, he’s on his feet shouting at me.
“Better.”
Magic bursts from his hands and he aims it at the ground. Beneath me vibrates as rocks pull up from the earth, and my eyes widen as they rise off the ground. Throwing my hands up, I aim my magic at them and use water magic to pummel the rocks at Garrett. Before they hit him, he waves his hands, and the rocks instantly drop to the ground.
“Enough defense! Fight me!”
“Damn it, Garrett. I don’t want to hurt you!”
Throwing his magic at me, I’m slammed to the ground, my breath knocked out of me as roots slice into my flesh, their strength tightening around my limbs. Moments later, a snarling wolf is stalking in a circle around me. Lunging forward, he aims a clawed paw at my face as he growls. Dodging my face away from his swing, anger boils up within me. With the right words cast, the roots evaporate into air. Turning on my side, I launch a massive fireball at him. He yelps as it burns through fur. With a guttural scream, I raise my hand, blood magic a chaotic swirl in my palm. Releasing the magic at him, his body drops to the ground lying in a fetal position as blood coats his white and ashen fur. When he cries out, I pull back my magic, my breaths coming out in heaves.
Three wolves run out of the woods, their bodies morphing into men. Concern tightens their features as they run toward us. Looking back at Garrett, he’s shifted to his human form, lying on his back groaning, blood and ash sticking to his skin. Killian rushes to my side as Garrett’s brothers go to his.
“Damn it, Garrett, you were supposed to wait for us to get back.”
Garrett laughs, and it gives me relief. “Right, so you could wolf out when it got violent.”
Killian growls before returning his attention to me. His arms and incredible scent envelop me, settling some of the adrenaline rush.
“Are you all right?” Looking me over, he takes in the scratches on my legs and arms, his amber eyes glowing with ferocity.
“Calm your wolf, babe. He’s right. You would’ve been too protective while we fought.”
Sitting me up, he soothes my aches, moving his hands and magic over my body, healing the wounds.
“I still want to kick his ass.”
Pulling him to me, I kiss him, my tongue mingling with his. Against me, his tense muscles relax, and he lays us back down, his hand sliding up my side.
“You know just how to calm my wolf.”
“I do.” My fingers curl through his hair as I push my center against him. “You’re sexy when you’re protective.”
Stroking my face and hair, he stares down at me, his eyes full of adoration.
“The more my love grows for you, the greater my ferocity is to protect you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
Smiling against my lips, he takes my attention away from all else but him. Melting under his kiss, I moan beneath him, pushing my hips to match his thrust.
“Get a room,” Garrett barks.
“We don’t need one.” Killian laughs as he pulls back from me. “I’ll have my mate where I want her. You all can go elsewhere if you don’t like it.”
“Touché,” Everett quips.
“Are you okay?” I ask Garrett.
Killian must sense the guilt in my tone. Taking my hand, he lifts me up off the ground.
“I am, no worries.” Garrett adjusts his hair, fixing the mess of a bun. “You did a hell of a lot better on round two. I’m proud.”
“Round two?” Killian asks.
“Yeah, round two,” Garrett confirms. “I can tell you—your mate is extremely loyal to you.”
Killian’s nostrils flare, his gaze sharply focused. “What the hell did you do?”
“Pushed her buttons to fire her up. It worked,” Garrett smirks. “She has no interest in my dick.”
Killian growls, and the two take off, shifting as they run, one chasing after the other.
“He enjoys getting people wound up, doesn’t he?” I ask Everett and Bennett.
“Oh, yeah,” Everett answers. “But only with supernaturals who are equal or possibly stronger. He enjoys being challenged. It’s an alpha thing.”
Killian and Garrett shift back into men just as the rest of us are nearing the back porch steps. A gust of wind lifts my hair as Emeric lands behind me, his wings casting a shadow around me. The warmth of his arms encircles my body, and I lean into him.
“What’d I miss?”
“Garrett and his brothers are going to help me learn to fight with my magic.”
Emeric grunts. “It’s probably best none of us watch.”
“Agreed.” Garrett nods, walking past us. “You’re all rightfully protective of her, and it’ll only interfere.”
The four of them enter the house to get dressed while Emeric takes my hand and leads us onto the porch.
“You look like you’ve already been fighting.”
“I have been. Garrett scared me at first. He pretended to come onto me, and I was at the point of having to hurt him to get him away from me. Then he came clean on what his intentions were.”
“He came on to you?” Emeric’s jaw tightens.
“Is that jealousy I’m sensing?”
Pulling me onto a chair with him, he strokes my inner thigh. “Damn straight it is, you’re mine, and I’ll only share you with the other four because I have to. I’m not welcoming any other men into our relationship.”
Brushing my fingers through his hair, I gently scratch at his scalp, and he drops his head back and sighs.
“Rest assured, I’m not welcoming any other men into our relationship either.”
Emeric’s eyes close, indulging in the head massage. His mouth tilts into a naughty smirk. “No other men, huh? That mean you’re open to having sex with women?”
Poking him, he lets out a surprised breath, and I laugh.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“I wouldn’t turn it down if that’s what you wanted, babe.” He winks, and I smother his smile with my kiss.
“I’m glad you’re back.”
“Miss me?”
“Of course, I did.”
Bringing his hand farther up my thigh, he teases his fingers between my legs.
“Want to leave and have some time alone?”
A breath escapes me at the pleasure his touch incites.
“I do, but I’m waiting for Griffin and Cyrus to return with the ingredients I need to cast a protection spell for all of us. Rain check?”
“We don’t have to leave. How about we have a quickie in the bathroom?”
“Deal.”
Standing, he slaps my ass as I walk ahead of him.
“That ass, baby. Mmm.”
Entering the house, I stifle my giggle as Emeric palms my ass and ushers me into the nearest bathroom. Garrett and Everett glance in our direction and chuckle as they’re walking to the kitchen. Emeric sw
ings the door behind us, then pins me to the counter, lifts me onto it, and buries his face in my neck, licking and kissing as he lifts my shirt up.
Heated breaths escape us as we make quick work undressing the other. Stroking his length in my hand, I watch his eyes burn crimson, and his arousal reach a desperate need. Bringing me down from the counter, he turns my back to him, places a hand around my neck, and thrusts into my wet, aching pussy.
“Fuck, baby, you’re as aroused as I am.” Licking the shell of my ear, he bites, then releases it between his teeth, his fangs grazing my skin and erupting goosebumps along my shoulders. Between my legs, the pleasure is rising, his slick thrusts rocking my body as he holds me tight to him.
“It’s what you do to me.”
Bending me forward, he takes hold of my hips, pounding my ass toward him, each thrust taking me on a glorious high. The wooden door creaks on its hinges. Emeric growls at the intruder. Bennett takes in the scene for a little too long, his eyes transitioning to a bright amber. The apology forms on his mouth, but Emeric doesn’t give him a chance to speak.
“Get the fuck out,” Emeric barks. The door closes shut, and Emeric puts more passion into his thrusts. “Damn wolves.”
The intrusion is quickly forgotten as my moans increase, Emeric’s deep thrusts encouraging my climax. Momentarily, his thrusts slow as I ride out the euphoric sensation. As I come down from my peak of pleasure, his thrusts quicken, and a guttural groan escapes him as he reaches his own orgasm. Leaning over me, he caresses up my side until his palm is cupping a breast. Kisses are placed on my shoulder before he angles my chin for a slow, passionate kiss.
“This is what we needed.”
“Definitely.”
Standing upright, I lean into his open arms. Palming each breast, he massages them, giving extra attention to my sensitive nipples as he kisses me.
“Want to shower together?”
“Hell, yes, I’m already thinking about round two.” Placing two fingers between my ass cheeks, he applies pressure. “Back here.”
“Get the water going.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
SELENE
As the sun sets, Phoenix emerges from the bedroom we converted into a lightless room for him. I’m resting in Cyrus’s lap, enjoying his massage, as Killian heals my ankles. Taking one look at me, Phoenix’s lip curls, his fangs visible.
“What happened?”
“Most of the day, I practiced using my magic to fight Garrett, Everett, and Bennett.”
The wounds on the Redwood shifters are healing, but the blood evidence still remains.
“She’s learning quick,” Everett tells him as he wipes a wet cloth over his arm.
“I’m not surprised,” Phoenix replies with a hint of pride. “Your magic must be at full strength to keep up with her.” His brows furrow as the thoughts turn in his mind. “How long has this been going on?”
“We just started discussing the topic,” Griffin shares, his long legs outstretched on the coffee table from the chair he’s sitting in, his messy hair falling in his eyes.
“Whatever is happening between all of you,”—Everett waves a finger toward each of us—“it’s affecting supernaturals. Our magic has been growing stronger for several weeks now.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Our bonds must be reversing the curse the stronger they get.”
“Has to be,” Cyrus confirms.
“Our bonds are making changes, but the curse isn’t broken yet.” Emeric says what we’re probably all thinking.
Phoenix brushes his hand through his hair, a remorseful expression stealing the contentment that was there moments ago.
Thanking Killian with a kiss, I sit farther into the comfort of Cyrus’s arms. Leaning back with me, he lovingly strokes my arm and side.
“I wonder if we’ll all know when the curse is completely broken or if the change will be gradual?”
“I’m leaning toward a gradual increase in supernaturals’ abilities with what we know so far,” Cyrus says behind me.
“I agree.” Griffin nods. “It’s been a gradual decline of magic, which leads me to believe it will be a gradual growth of magic.”
“However it happens, keep doing what you’re doing,” Garrett encourages from his seat across from me and Cyrus.
Phoenix’s gaze lingers on me. We’re the only ones left to fully bond. He’s been doing well controlling his bloodlust. Maybe it’s time we spent more time alone together.
“We will,” I assure both him and Phoenix.
Cyrus rubs my arm to receive my attention.
“Now that Phoenix is awake, do you want to perform the protection spell?”
Phoenix’s brows knit together in question.
“I’m going to cast a protection spell on all of us, like a barrier spell against evil.”
“How do you know it will work?” He asks with curiosity, not criticism.
“I don’t. We won’t know if it worked until it’s needed.”
“What do you need for it?”
Phoenix’s belief in me curls the corners of my mouth, matching the warmth spreading inside me.
“Blood from each of you.”
Killian dips his chin at Phoenix. “You should feed beforehand.”
“I already had the thought.” His tone notes insult. “Selene, do you mind taking a walk with me?”
“Of course.”
Leaving Cyrus with a kiss, I join Phoenix outside on the porch. Taking my hand, he leads us to the wooden chairs, his features tightened in thought.
“What’s wrong?”
Caressing my hand, he meets my concerned gaze.
“You’re the first thing I think about when I wake, Selene. I come looking for you and always find you with them, then have to spend time catching up on what I’ve missed. I feel like the outsider, looking in.”
“I’m sorry. This hasn’t been an ideal way for us to bond, but it has helped with your bloodlust. You seem completely in control of it now.”
“Thanks to the elixir you had made. Without it, I don’t know if I would be able to sit here with you like this. There are moments where I feel a nagging ache in the back of my throat, but I have learned to recognize it and control it.”
“Perhaps it’s time we spent more time alone. It might be time I release the barrier spell on Killian’s property.”
Phoenix lowers his head, his brows pinching together before looking back at me.
“I want that, yet I’m apprehensive.”
“It’s a big request of Killian, but maybe the guys can leave us alone for a few days. I know I can handle it if something happens.”
“I suppose we won’t know until we try.”
“It’s true.”
“I know the four of them will balk at the idea.” He frowns, annoyed.
“I’m going to ask anyway. They know how important it is we bond.”
Bringing my hand to his lips, he kisses it. “I would like to be able to wake with you next to me.”
The affection in his kiss tugs at my lips. “I’d like that too.”
“It’s settled then. After I finish hunting, we can talk about it with them. I’m not leaving you to handle that conversation alone.”
“I appreciate that.”
“This spell you want to cast, are you comfortable using blood magic?”
“I’m nervous but believe it’s a good way to learn. It’s not a dangerous spell, just complicated.”
“I’ll help you any way I can. I’ve seen witches use magic a time or two.”
A thought puckers my lips. “Have you dated a witch before?”
“You want the truth?”
“Yes.”
Phoenix’s head tilts. “I haven’t had a longstanding relationship with a witch, but I have had a physical relationship with one.”
“Oh.”
“It was before Vivian. When I met Vivian, I found someone I could have a real companionship with.”
“You must miss her.”
“I do, but if she was still living, I’d be in a difficult position.”
“How so?”
Returning his attention to me, his icy eyes linger over my face, his expression filled with desire.
“She would have hated how much I want you. It would have created a rift between us.”
“I don’t think I would’ve asked you to choose, not with five of you having to share me.”
“I appreciate knowing that.” The corner of his mouth pulls back. “Vivian would’ve wanted me to choose between the two of you, and I don’t know that I could have given her what she wanted.”
Biting my lip, I lean closer. The scent of his cologne greets me, luring me even closer.
“Do you feel what I feel?”
Placing two fingers under my chin, he raises my lips to his.
“If what you feel is an indescribable need for me, then yes, I feel it too.”
My breath is an inch away from his, my body tingling with want.
“It is indescribable how much I want to be closer emotionally and physically to you.”
Phoenix eliminates the air between us, his lips locking to mine with aggressive passion. My mouth parts and his tongue slides between my lips, pushing that need for him to a blurring, hungry desire.
Leaving my chair to go to his, I straddle his lap, my knees bent at his sides. Pushing my hips down, I grind over his growing erection, and he tugs my hips, returning thrust for thrust.
“I want you inside me.”
“The moment we do this, you know one of them will come outside.”
Raising my palm toward the door, I cast a spell. Air magic travels from my hand to the frame of the door and glimmers brightly before fading.
“They won’t be able to now.”
Phoenix grins before raising his hips, then lowering his pants. Standing, I watch his glimmering eyes as I undress. Reaching out, he takes hold of my hips and brings me back to his lap. Watching his eyes, they stay violet as I take hold of his erection and slide onto it. He closes his eyes, relishing in the feel of me. When they open, I’m relieved they’re still violet.
