Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  “What about your blonde guard dog?” she quips playfully, and something about this girl tugs at the stone-cold muscle that used to beat in my chest.

  “Which one?”

  “Presley.” The memory of what I stopped this morning hits me square in the face. Ley is like a rabid dog when I have other women around. She’ll attack without so much as a second thought.

  “She’s a little territorial,” I respond, making and make my way to the phone. Picking it up, I buzz Hayley and ask her to bring some iced water in. I don’t think Talia noticed the knock on the door as she freaked out. I had to send my assistant away.

  “What, did she piss on you or something?” Her question makes me laugh, a throaty chuckle. The thought of Presley coming anywhere near me again has me shuddering.

  “Not into watersports, darling, unless it’s surfing.” I wink, and her cheekbones darken with embarrassment, making me pause to take her in, because when she blushes, she’s so beautiful. Everything about her is pulling me in. I need to remember what my end goal is. Taking down The Order. That’s all that matters, because either way, I’ll rule the way my ancestors did.

  “I didn’t mean . . . I . . . Can we change the subject?” Her coyness comes across loud and clear, which makes me think of her innocence and how much of it is still present. I round my desk and turn to the computer, opening up the information I need to show her about her best friend.

  “Come here, Talia.” She walks over to the desk. Just then the door opens, and Hayley walks in with filtered, chilled water from the kitchen. Silence fills the room, and I give a swift nod to the blonde. Once she exits, I turn to the screen. “Does sex make you uncomfortable?” I question, watching her in the reflection of the screen.

  “No, of course not.” She’s silent for a beat then straightens. Lifting her chin in defiance, she regards me before continuing. “I’ve just never been in a real relationship.” Her honest remark has me frowning in confusion.

  “What do you mean? I thought you had a boyfriend. Were you and Rhys not together?” Spinning my chair around, I wait for her to confess. An array of emotions flit over her beautiful face, her small, button nose crinkles once again as she considers what she wants to tell me, and I hope she’ll give me honesty. The lies of her parents don’t need to be put on her. This is her chance. Come on, little princess, give me your deepest secrets.

  “I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’ve been on a couple of dates, but Rhys and I were just friends.” The confession has me speechless. There is raw honesty in her words, and when those endless pools meet mine, I see her pain. She’s still so hurt. Four long years, and her agony, her heartbreak has nothing to do with me. It’s over the boy who came to me for help.

  What do you do when you find a fledgling who’s already wounded? Do you break it completely? Or do you heal it back to full health without completely shattering it? Killian would break it. He’d revel in it. If he knew my warring emotions, he’d come for her. Thankfully, I have the Grimoire, and he has no way of getting his hands on it. I’m the only one with access to the prophecy that explains the Yin Yang reference of bonding with your mate.

  “Since you moved here, you’ve been single?” The question falls from my mouth before I have time to think it through. What the fuck am I doing?

  “There might be someone, but I can’t be sure.” Her gaze lingers on me, almost imploring me to understand. To save her. To be her knight. But I’m not good. I’m not a savior. I’m the dragon she should run away from, but I can’t stop my heart thrumming at her comment. She’s talking about me. She has to be because she’s not been around anyone else but me. With all the tabs I’ve kept on her, I know her every move. When she sleeps, gets up in the morning, even when she’s in the shower.

  “And how can he make you sure?” Evil stares at her. Innocence gazes at me.

  “To be honest with you, Kade, I have no idea. I’ve just learned I’m something other than human, tied to a man I’ve only just met. I . . . Everything feels too much. This is something I don’t know if I can bring myself to understand.” She smiles sadly.

  “Then let me be the one to show you. To teach you what you can be. You’re special, Talia. So very unique. Can you feel us? This.” I gesture between our bodies. To the human eye, there’s empty space. To her and me, there’s a light, a cord attached to us both. She smiles then, and my cock throbs. How I wish I could have been her first. I could’ve taught her how much pleasure I can draw from her beautiful curves. How I can make her cry out in ecstasy with just my tongue. To feel her wetness on my fingers.

  “If I’m special, it means you are too,” she murmurs, reaching for my face. Her hand gently strokes my cheek. Immediately, my body tenses. The ache is too strong. “Are you going to kiss me?” she whispers so adamantly. Her words feel heavy on my chest. I can’t speak, so I nod. “Then show me. Teach me.”

  “You better get ready, Princess, because I’m about to break you. I’ll make your body do things you’ve only read about in books. And I’m going to make sure your sweet honey coats my tongue, fingers, and cock.” Her mouth falls open, and I grin before turning back to the computer screen.

  “And what makes you think I’ll allow you to get that far?” Her incredulous tone makes me laugh. The sound echoes through the office as she glares at me cheekily.

  “Sweetheart, I’ve been on this earth for longer than you have. I’ve been waiting for you for far too long. Now that you’re here, and in my arms, I’m going to make sure you want me. I’ve been with many women, and yes, I’m very sure if I took you right now, you’d let me.” My voice drops into a deep growl. She folds her arms across her chest, and I can’t help taking in those incredible tits. Her gaze falls to where mine is focused, and she immediately drops her arms.

  “Stop it.” I love the feisty tone of her voice. Pushing up from the desk, I lean in, and she backs up against the cold glass behind her. Our mouths are mere inches apart. Her warm, sweet breath fans over me as her chest heaves.

  “Do you want me to stop?” Cocking my head to the side, I challenge her with a piercing stare. Her tongue darts out, wetting her lips, and I take this as my chance. My mouth crashes to hers, and I growl as soon as my tongue licks into her warmth. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and she fists lumps of it in her hands. Tugging, pulling me closer.

  My hands grip her hips, lifting her. Forgetting where we are, I press her against my office window. Her legs wrap around my waist, and her heated core is perfectly aligned with my rigid cock. “Hands on the window,” I rasp, and she obeys immediately. “Tell me to stop, little Witch. Tell me?” I beg, but she only whimpers in response. Rolling my hips, I grind myself against her, and another soft moan escapes her lips.

  Our kiss deepens, and I devour her as she does me. I tongue-fuck her mouth, drawing the very essence of her with the kiss, getting high on the way her tongue dances with mine in an erotic battle, intertwining in a sensual conflict until we’re both breathless. Her flavor is better than I imagined.

  “I’ve never . . . I mean... .,” she mumbles, and I have no idea what she’s trying to say because my body is in overdrive, and I’m tempted to take her right here. A thought races through my mind, and I let her down.

  “Turn around.” She does without question. With her back against my chest, she faces the city below. I trace my fingers down her arms. The tremble that skitters through her is undeniable. My one hand splays on her stomach. It’s soft, warm, and I can’t wait to see her naked. But for now, I’ll just tease with my fingers.

  My other hand finds the hem of her dark pencil skirt and trails it up to her hips. “Kade . . .”

  “Trust me, Witch. Do you?” I ask, and she waits a beat before nodding. My fingers stroke their way down to her panty-clad pussy, finding it soaking wet. I shift the sodden material to the side, and her smooth, bare cunt is mine to toy with. Just like her heart will be.

  “Kade, please?”

  “Please? Tell me, baby. What do you want?” I taunt,
stroking her outer lips, back and forth. Her scent is driving me insane with lust, and I want to taste her so badly my mouth is watering.

  “Touch me,” she whimpers, and her hips buck against my hand.

  “I am.” My smirk is ravenous, and I can see her reflection in the window. Her eyes are wide watching my hand move inside her panties.

  “Finger me, please. Fuck, just make me come.” That’s what I need, her begging me.

  Needy. Wanting. Panting.

  My one hand moves up to her mouth, and I cover it, then I drive two fingers into her tight sex. Fuck, she’s incredible. Her body shudders as I pump my two digits in and out. Her body is wound so tight I wonder when was the last time she felt pleasure. I continue my assault on her pussy when I feel her quiver, that’s when I press my thumb on her hardened clit, sending her over the precipice of release.

  Her cries are muffled by my hand, and every sound has my cock throbbing. Talk about blue fucking balls. “Good girl.” My words wash over her as she comes down from the high. Slipping my hand from her drenched core, I inhale the sweet, musky scent that’s got my cock hard as steel.

  “Kade.” My name from her lips makes me smile. Licking each finger, I taste her essence — the sweet, honeyed release heightens my need, but I’ll wait till later for another delicious feast. She’s perfect. This little fairy just flew, but I’m about to break her wings to make her fall and make sure she’s mine for eternity. The thought lingers for a moment, and I smirk.

  You’re mine now, little Princess. All mine.

  9

  Talia

  My body is still humming when he sits me down and smirks. “Now, can we get back to what I wanted to show you earlier?” he questions seriously, like he didn’t just make me come all over his fingers. He moves the mouse, and the screen lights up.

  “Are we going to talk about what just happened?” I ask.

  “What? I made you come on my fingers, then I tasted you. Not much to talk about.” My mouth falls open, and I have no idea why I let it happen. Yes, I’ve fucked around. I’m no innocent, but this feels different. This feels like he did it on purpose. Wanting to hurt me, because the way he’s acting is cold. Nothing like the man who was sitting there only moments ago confessing our connection. Which, to be honest, I felt down to my bones.

  “Kade, that’s not what I meant. I thought—”

  “You thought that you’re different? Yes, you are. You’re special, and I loved fucking you with my fingers. I’ll do it again very soon, but I’m not the cuddle after type. It’s best you know that sex and emotion aren’t the same for me. They’re two very separate things, Talia. Now, can we finish this?” Anger flares inside me, and I don’t know why. What was I expecting? He’s just like the rest of them. No, it’s not that. I’m just the slut who allowed it to happen. The sad little girl searching for love in a world without it.

  Without answering, I stalk toward the door. “Where are you going?” he enquires from behind me. Spinning on my heel, I pin him with a glare.

  “After everything you just explained, you can’t just use me like that. I wanted to give you a chance like you asked, but acting like an asshole isn’t going to get you very far with me. Fuck you, Kade Montgomery.” My heart fissures and I bite my tongue to keep the tears at bay.

  Pulling his door open, I stalk past Miss Prissy and punch the button for the elevator. Once it dings, I expect him to come running after me, but he doesn’t, and for some reason, my heart cracks just a little bit more. It doesn’t make sense. The images he showed me, the emotion he drew from me, my heart ached. Needing him. More than I’ve ever felt before.

  I have to speak to my parents. They should tell me what the hell is going on. My hurt turned to anger at Kade. Now it’s directed at the people I’ve trusted all my life, and it seems they’ve lied to me all my life. I wish Rhys was here, just to hold me, tell me everything is going to work out. I miss you.

  I’m flying home tonight, and if I’m fired from my job, then so be it, but I’m going to face my parents and find out exactly what they’ve kept from me.

  A taxi pulls up as I hit the sidewalk, and I climb into the backseat. Once I’ve given him my address, I sit back and watch the city pass by. I’ll pack an overnight bag and head for the airport.

  * * *

  It’s almost midnight by the time I’m getting out of the cab and walk up the drive of my childhood home. Once I landed, I felt the sadness etch itself into my heart once again. I didn’t anticipate coming back here again, for a while at least.

  My mind is a mess from what happened with Kade. I’ve never been so humiliated before. After he pretty much told me I’m meant to be his, he flipped a switch, and I was left with whiplash. The last time a man hurt me, used me, was Trey, and I vowed never again. I don’t care what he says is between us. It’s over now. Done. I can’t believe I wanted him, enjoyed his fingers on me, inside me.

  I’m still deep in thought when I reach the door. Lifting my hand, I knock and wait for an answer. They’ll probably both be asleep by now, but this is more important. My life is a mess, and the only people who can help are my parents.

  The door swings open, and I’m met with my father’s dark eyes. He looks like he’s just gotten out of bed. Guilt surges through me, but I shake it away. “Tali? Are you all right, darling?” My father’s deep rumble reminds me I’m home. I’m safe. He pulls me into his arms, holding me tight.

  “I need to talk to you and Mom.” My tone is serious. He steps back to regard me. Pulling me into the house, he shuts the door.

  “Come in, sit. Your mom is just—”

  “I’m here. Talia, why didn’t you fly in the morning? It’s almost midnight.”

  “There are things I need to ask you. Important things. I need you to be honest with me because something happened, and I don’t know what to do.” I flit my glance between them.

  My dad settles on the sofa. He nods almost solemnly. He knows. The secrets they’ve been hiding are plain as day on his face. Written for me to see. “We should have told you sooner. I guess, coming up to your birthday in a few months, you’ll need to know.”

  “Why did you keep it from me?”

  “We wanted you safe. The Montgomerys . . . They’re . . .” His words taper off, so I look to Mom. Her face is filled with agony. I’m not sure why, but she looks scared.

  “Just tell me, please?”

  “Talia, the link between our families goes back many generations. In every lifetime, there are two souls born that will be able to bond together. The power those individuals hold are beyond all our imagination. With these abilities comes anguish, and that’s what we tried to shelter you from. There are a few ways this can happen. The light and dark of our bloodline is what links us to them.”

  My mother’s voice echoes through me. None of this makes sense. It’s like a bad movie.

  “The Montgomerys come from a line of Knights that work for The Order. They keep the balance between Heaven and Hell. Kade’s family take the souls of evil humans descending them to Hell. Many lifetimes ago, a Montgomery and a Craven had fallen in love and had a child, which is why their blood and our blood are now bonded.”

  She continues as her fingers wring the material of the bathrobe. I’ve never seen my mother so torn, so scared.

  “Kade and his brother are demons that feed off the souls, emotions, and blood. However, with your lineage, you’ve got the opposite makeup to Kade. Where his dominant side is dark, yours is light. Hence the reason you’re well matched. When you were born, your eyes glowed blue. Mr. Montgomery brought Kade here, and he showed us what we already knew would happen.”

  She stops then, and I want to scream. “What’s wrong? What did he show you?”

  “You’re Kade’s. He’s got blue blood, and so do you, but there’s more.” Confusion causes my brows to furrow. I don’t remember a time when I’ve been injured and seen blue blood as my mother says.

  “More?” I chuckle. It’s a maniacal sound that fall
s from my lips at the absurdity of this. “Also, that doesn’t make sense. I’ve bled before.”

  She rises then and opens a drawer of the cabinet against the one wall of our living room. Pulling out a small box, she hands it to me. “This is yours.”

  When I open it, I find a beautifully ornate blade. The handle is slim with a carving of a witch on it. “This is mine?” I sit back, staring at it.

  “If you cut yourself or Kade with that, you’ll see. There was no way to stop your paths from crossing. We may have delayed it, but there was no way we could save you from meeting him. If you’re going to live there and spend time with him, you might as well know the whole truth.”

  My mother’s words come to a stop when she takes a deep breath, and my father continues this dark, demented fairy tale. “Tali, your soul is interconnected with Kade’s, as I said. You’re what humans would call soul mates. The reason we hid it from you is because you and Kade have a hill to climb. As much as you two being together is your fate, someone will die because the Montgomerys have two sons with the blue blood. This means only one of them can have you.” My father’s tone is somber. Sadness drenches my heart.

  “What do you mean? Only one? How can them having two sons make a difference if I’m Kade’s?” My questions fly from my mouth before I have time to think about what I’m saying.

  Mom nods her head while regarding me. “Kade is the eldest, but his younger brother, Killian, was born two minutes later, making them twins. This hasn’t happened before. No twins have been born into either family for generations.”

  “So, what does that mean? Kade didn’t tell me everything.”

  “He wouldn’t know our side of the prophecy, and if he did, he might be trying to protect you from it,” Dad murmurs. Rising from his seat, he strolls over to the cabinet, which sits against the living room wall. He opens the drawer, pulls out a folder, and turns to me. “This is on the two boys. All the information you’ll need.”