by K. A Knight
He huffs, and I laugh again. “Love you too, buddy. Come on. Let’s go find out all about you. I sure as shit hope you’re allowed to eat cookies, ‘cause you’ve eaten enough to feed an army.”
When I make my way from the kitchen, Nev happily trots at my heels. I find Jason pouring over the book in the living room, so I sprawl next to him, my head on his lap. He doesn’t look, but his free hand plays with my hair.
Footsteps sound on the stairs, then Ezra and Alex appear around the corner of the sofa. They look from Nev to me.
“Interesting,” is all Alex says, almost like he can’t help himself. He pushes past Ezra and lifts my legs before sitting down and putting them back down on his thighs.
Ezra rolls his eyes, and I blow him a kiss.
I hear more footsteps and smile to myself. It’s like they always know.
Mikael and Ben come down, arguing between themselves. I tense before I realize what they’re arguing about. Then I laugh.
“No, the older Sabrina is better,” Ben defends, walking in and slumping on the floor in front of me. “Baby, tell this heathen.”
I shake my head and reach down. He sighs as I pull out his hair tie to play with his hair.
Mikael grins at me and finds a spot near Ezra. Only Darius is missing...
Missing me, angel face?
I snort and ignore the guys’ confused looks. Like the plague.
His laughter floats through my head even as he appears, his face blank, and leans against the wall. “What’s with the family meeting?”
“It turns out Nev here”—I ignore Darius incredulous look at the name and carry on — “is a mythical creature who loves me so much he bound himself to me.”
Nev huffs before laying his head down on Ben’s knee. It warms my heart when Ben doesn’t even hesitate to stroke him, completely ignoring his new… bits.
“Jason?” Alex leans forward with his eyes locked on the other witch.
“She’s partly right. He’s a creature we thought long since extinct. It seems they’re not gone, just waiting for a ‘pure’ witch; one who hasn’t, as Bob said, tainted their power. He’s a bonded hound,” he says, and the others react to the name.
Wow, so I was the only one who didn’t know. Guess Bob was right.
You named a great, mythical being, one who’s spoken in reverence throughout our community, Nev?
Fuck off.
Not my best come back, but he’s right.
Darius laughs again in my head, fucking cumbucket.
You seem to have an obsession with my cum, angel face.
I ignore him this time and feel him grinning at me. I’m still hurt over how we ended things when we last spoke, but I’m beginning to understand that’s who he is. One minute he’s hot, and one minute he’s cold.
Princess, I’m always hot. Why don’t you come and find out?
Ignoring him, I concentrate on Jason, who continued talking while Darius distracted me. “It seems he had some kind of glamour to help blend into the human world while our girl was hiding out here.”
Jason flushes when he realizes what he said.
Our girl?
Nope, ignoring him.
“Okay, Nev. Can you conjure this glamour again? You might need it. Plus, we don’t want to go around tipping the humans off,” Alex says, holding a full conversation with my dog… or my bonded hound.
Nev huffs and gets to his feet, stretching out and showing off his true form. He stands there and I watch, entranced, as purple and black dance along his fur. My magic seems to feel its call and rises as well, causing me to gasp.
It’s over in seconds, and sitting at my feet is a normal looking Nev.
“Good. Keep practicing turning it on and off so you don’t get stuck again,” Alex says and Nev nods.
“It says here that your two magics will be connected and you can draw power from him and vice versa. It also says—” Jason stops mid-sentence.
“Says what?” I sit up, looking over his shoulder.
“That if you die, so does he. But if he dies, you don’t, but you’ll be weakened.”
Alex wraps his arm around my waist as I shiver. So, I could have killed Nev when I almost died saving Mikael.
“We won’t let anything happen to either of you,” Alex whispers in my ear, and I nod before snuggling into his side.
Jason reaches out and squeezes my hand. “I’ll do more research and let you know what I find.”
“Thank you,” I say, and we share a soft smile as someone’s phone starts to ring.
38
Ben
Looking around, I grunt when Alex pulls his phone out and sighs. I expect him to stand and move away from Aurora. It’s what he’d usually do.
Instead, he shakes his head and leans back, pulling her closer to his side before answering the phone with a curt, “Alexander.”
Ezra and I share a grin. He’s starting to let her in, starting to trust her. Something I thought he would never do, not because she’s a woman, but because he doesn’t let anyone in.
When her hand weaves through my hair again, I sigh and lean my head back to allow her easier access. I’m not the least bit bothered by how whipped it makes me look.
I catch Darius’s angry eyes as he grinds his jaw, looking at her hands on me. What’s his problem? It makes me sad. We were always so close. I’m close with all of them, but he and I were inseparable.
Alex always used to say if you saw one of us it wouldn’t be long until you saw the other. When Darius died, it took something inside of me. It made me angry, but underneath that was heartbreak. I lost my brother, my other half.
When Aurora brought him back, my heart soared and my soul jumped, but he’s not the same. I guess I can’t expect him to be, but I feel like I don’t even know him anymore, and that hurts. He’s a stranger with the face of someone I loved.
He catches me staring, and his face wipes clear. I quickly look away, not wanting him to see the tears gathering in my eyes. I don’t know if it was for the best that he came back at all.
“Benny, you okay?” Aurora whispers, leaning into me.
I nod and look down as Nev plops his head back on my lap like he feels my pain. Hell, maybe he does if he’s some mythical, magical being. I stroke Nev’s head. “I’m fine, baby.”
Aurora sighs, and when I glance back, I see her fighting her way free from Alex’s arm. He frowns down at her, trying to keep her by his side before she grins and wiggles free. She scoots to the edge of the sofa before sliding down.
I have to shuffle forward as she wraps both arms and legs around me, holding me tight.
Her head lands on my shoulder, and I shiver when she whispers in my ear, her perfect lips meeting my lobe. “He’ll be okay. He needs you guys right now. I saw him there. It was horrible. Give him time.”
I nod, trying to breathe back the tears as she holds me.
“No. Yes. Well, we don’t need him anymore,” Alex says, low and quiet, the way he only does when he’s really angry. “Don’t you dare.” He huffs out a breath. “Fine.”
He throws his phone down and pinches the bridge of his nose.
“What’s wrong?” Ezra asks, his voice rumbly and tired.
“It seems our friend found the dream walker we were seeking. He doesn’t care that we no longer require him, he’s calling it even. He wants to meet tonight.” Alex sighs as he tips his head back and stares at the ceiling.
Ezra swears and I shake my head. That good for nothing. I knew he would find a way to play us.
“What’s the plan?” Jason asks from behind me, but I don’t want to move. I’m so warm and comfy in Aurora’s arms.
“We’ll go to see what he suggests,” Alex says slowly, his mind obviously thinking through the plan.
“Right, ’cause that’s a good fucking idea,” Darius grumbles from the corner.
I turn to glare at him, getting angry. “We all know Alex’s ideas are the best, and we will follow him. You don’t have to come.”
His gaze snaps to me, and we have a stare off. His eyes soften as something akin to regret enters them, but it’s too late.
“I never said we would do as he asks, just that we will turn up,” Alex interrupts. “Until then, I want to spend some time on Aurora’s magic.”
We all look at him this time. He has his no-compromise-face on that makes us all smile.
“Welcome to the coven, baby,” I say with a laugh.
I’m going to enjoy this. It’s something we all had to go through, and Alex is tough as shit. I ignore the gaze burning into the side of my head and lean back into Aurora more.
She giggles, and when I look over my shoulder, she’s smiling softly at Darius. When I follow her gaze, he’s watching her with stars in his eyes, his face happy and open like it used to be.
Huh. Maybe there’s a chance after all.
39
Aurora
Much to Alex’s chagrin, Lane turns up super early, a panicked expression on her face like I might disappear overnight again. She hugs me for the longest time and even brings me cookies.
I sit on the sofa munching them and eye her. She looks sad and lost, and the others don’t know what to do with a human around.
I polish off the last cookie and stand. “Right, so let’s practice some magic. Then, I need to go see Tom before he goes all bear and kills everyone.”
Lane jumps up, almost bouncing on her toes. “I get to see magic!”
At her screech, Darius covers his ears. I glare him at before turning back to her.
“Sure do. Let’s magic this shit up!” I shout and laugh when she giggles.
I hook my arm through hers and drag her outside, the boys and Nev close on our heels.
We make sure to stay away from the forest, keeping to the back garden instead. The boys sit on the grass while Alexander and Jason stay with me.
Jason surprised me. Apparently, he’s the best teacher. Makes sense.
Lane sits off the side, way back just in case, with Nev sprawled on her lap. Grinning, I turn to the makeshift targets they created. I’m excited to see them use magic as well. Even though they know what I am, they’re tight-lipped about their powers, probably because they don’t want to scare me off. But it will be nice to see what they can really do. It also reminds me of my training with Perses, which sends a pang through me. I miss the old god.
“Okay, we’re going to cover the basics,” Alexander begins. “Magic can come in many forms; no witch is the same. Yes, we use words and nearly every witch can master whatever they put their mind to, but we tend to have one stronger aspect than others. The main types of magic are defensive, protection, conjuring, healing, and transfiguration. There’s more that tends to mimic the old gods, but don’t mention that to anyone else. You can master more than one, but each witch feels a stronger pull to a certain… power, shall we say. We’re a coven because we each have that. It’s what makes us stronger than most, with one element standing out rather than just being good at most.”
I turn and look at Alexander in surprise.
He gestures to everyone. “See if you can match up who we are. Use your magic if you have to, to feel us.”
I look at them, closing my eyes and feeling with my magic like he suggested. Not bothering to open my eyes again, I call out. “Ezra feels strong and sure. Defense. Alex, you feel like home and safety. Protection. Benny, you feel like happiness and growth. Healing.” I browse over the others. They’re a little more difficult. “Jason, you feel like when you master a new topic and wisdom. Knowledge. Mikael, you feel like the ground is rushing to you, the water is calling you, and the air is worshiping you. Elemental?”
“Good, and Darius?” Alex asks, his voice soft as if trying not to disturb me.
Scrunching my eyes, I concentrate on the stubborn witch.
What am I, princess?
“Transfiguration,” I call and open my eyes when I hear a whoop.
Ben grins at me, as do most of the others, all apart from Darius who winks.
I turn back to my teachers for the day. “So, what am I?”
“That’s what we need to find out.” Alex grins as he steps back. “Each of us will show you an aspect of our magic, and you’ll match it. Whether you can do it at all or how easy it is for you will show us what magic is yours.”
I nod. Makes sense. “Okay, who’s up first?”
“Me.” Ezra strides over. He offers me his smile as we face off, and the others step back. “Watch and try to replicate.”
I nod, watching him closely.
“Alex,” he says and a gold ball comes flying at him almost too fast to see.
He doesn’t even break a sweat as he waves his hand in a circle. The power stops and covers his hands before shooting back toward Alex.
“That’s defense. I can turn magic back to the user whilst more powerful fighting, what we call disarming spells, come easier to me. There will always be a crossover with magic. For example, I’m good at creating fireballs, which Mikael is also good at because of elements, but I can also stun another magic user faster. Most other witches struggle to master such spells. I can also cut off their magic all together and stop them from attacking. It’s painful for a witch but necessary sometimes,” he says with a matter of fact tone. He’s not trying to show off; he’s telling me what it means to be him.
“Alex is going hit you, but he’ll go slow,” he explains as he walks toward me. “Envision the power in your mind. Imagine it stopping, then turning back. It’s that simple.”
He stands at my side, offering me more confidence in case anything goes wrong.
I face Alex, who waits with his hand up.
At my nod, he gives me a second to notice the ball that forms in his hand. He throws it at me, and I let Ezra’s words guide me. Before it hits me, I raise my hand. It stops, hovers in midair, and reaches toward me with gold tendrils. Gasping, they wind around my hand.
My magic reaches out automatically, and the guys swear when my magic overtakes Alex’s. The color turns purple, swirling with his gold underneath.
“What the fuck?” Ezra asks as I look up into Alex’s eyes, giving him a warning.
He nods, and I fling it back to him. He stops it just before it strikes, but when it touches his skin, it crawls up his arms, around his neck, and down his chest before seeming to disappear inside him.
He stumbles back, his eyes wide as he pants.
“You okay?” I ask, and he nods, staring at me strangely.
“Alex,” Ezra barks, and our usually stoic leader blows out a breath and nods, straightening himself again.
“I’m okay. It was… playing,” he finishes.
I tilt my head at him in confusion.
“No matter. You can obviously master defensive, so let’s move on.” He starts briskly. “Ben, you’re up next.”
Over the next two hours, I learn more about the others’ magic.
Ben shows me healing magic, and Ezra cuts himself and works his magic. I’m okay at that one, but not the best. I make a mental reminder to practice it.
Mikael’s magic is the most fun, and I find it easy to master. The earth rushes to my bidding as does the water and the air.
Darius refuses to take part, which I respect, especially when I feel how hard it is for him to try and control his magic since he got back.
After we practice all the basics, we start playing.
I show them what I learned with Perses. It’s so much fun, exploring my magic more.
The proud looks on their faces urge me to keep pushing myself until sweat drips down me, and I’m exhausted.
40
Ezra
When training ends, Aurora sees the human off. The look the little blonde throws at Alex is hilarious. Clearly, she’s not over the whole kidnapping her best friend thing.
After her friend leaves, Aurora slips upstairs.
Jason talks with Alex, working through what we learned about our girl’s magic. Darius goes off to sulk somewhere, and Mikae
l and Ben whisper together in the kitchen.
While no one pays attention to me, I slip upstairs and follow the bond tugging at me.
Aurora closed down her side a little, and I’ll admit I miss the feeling of her magic and mind rubbing against me.
Shutting her bedroom door softly behind me, I spot the half-closed bathroom door with the clothes trail leading up to it.
A grin spreads across my face as my cock stands to attention. I haven’t had a chance to have her since the bonding. We’ve been too busy, but I can’t stop thinking about that mouth of hers and the way her pussy clamped down on my cock. Those little noises she made as I fucked her.
Shit. Readjusting my trousers, I open the door to see her bent over, testing the water of the shower in nothing but tiny black panties.
I soak up her body before shutting the door.
She turns, and when she spots me, her eyes flare and a naughty little smile turns up those lips. Everything about her is meant for me, and I plan on reminding her of that.
She meets me halfway, rising on her tiptoes as I lower my head, our lips meeting, and we both groan. Her tiny hands land on my shoulders, digging in as I reach down and hoist her up, her lush ass in my hands.
Her tongue tangles with mine as I stride over to the counter and drop her down, my hands already stroking her soft skin. My cock is so hard at this point that I have to reach down and flick open my jeans.
When her hand skates down my chest and into my underwear to wrap around my length, I shiver. She squeezes, and I gasp into her mouth as I thrust into her soft hand.
Fuck. If I’m not careful, she’ll have me coming in no time. My cock already pulses and my balls tighten. I force myself to stop moving and reach down to cover her hand. Pulling it from my pants slowly, I hold it to my chest as she smiles at me, that little fucking innocent one, like she wasn’t trying to make me bust a nut in my own jeans.
“Well, this brings back memories,” I laugh, and she giggles, leaning against my chest.