by K. A Knight
Grabbing a shit ton of bobby pins, I tackle the Hagrid beast and manage to twist it up with pieces falling around my face so I don’t resemble a potato.
Satisfied I look all right, I slip off my clothes and grab the dress. It’s beautiful: a designer piece Lane bought me for my birthday and I never wanted to wear because it’s so nice. A deep plum, it has a low-cut vee neck, so low I can’t wear a bra. A sparkly belt cinches in the waist and then it puffs out in hanging sections to just before my knees, showing skin as I walk. The back also plunges in a deep vee, and it’s sexy as hell.
I pull off my bra and slip into the dress, readjusting my nips so they don’t fall out and give anyone a free show, though I bet the guys would love it. They might fireball anyone’s ass who sees them, though, so the nips need to stay contained.
Twisting in the mirror, I check myself out. Damn, I look good. I would totally fuck myself.
“Hurry up!” Ben yells.
“Calm ya man tits!” I shout back and lean forward to check my makeup one last time.
“Is everything okay?” The door opens, and Jason appears in the mirror.
His face darkens as he looks me over from head to toe, not missing a detail. Footsteps come from behind him, no doubt Ben. Jason slips in and slams the door shut, hitting the lock before he strides toward me.
I freeze. Staring at him as he stops behind me, my ass pushes to his jean-clad cock. He leans in over my back and breathes me in, making me shiver. His eyes meet mine in the mirror as he drops a kiss on my neck, making me lick my lips.
“Damn it, guys, let me in! I want to see.” Ben knocks on the door, but we ignore him.
“You look good enough to eat. Maybe I will later,” Jason says softly, laying another kiss then stepping back.
He leaves me gawking as he unlocks the door and slips out, letting Ben fill the doorway.
Ben whistles and I grin, dragging in a deep breath and turning to him. “Damn, you look beautiful. Ezra is definitely going to kill someone.”
“Want to bet?” I tease, and he nods, his eyes still running over me, trailing witch fire in their wake.
“Loser has to do a practical joke on Darius,” he offers, and I grin.
“Deal.” I stretch out my hand and he grabs it, but instead of shaking, he uses it to reel me in until I’m plastered to his chest.
He grins down at me and drops a chaste kiss on my lips; then, as if he can’t help himself, drops another. “You’ll be lucky if I don’t kill someone as well with how good you look.”
He pulls away, and for a second time that evening, I’m left gawking after a man leaves my bathroom.
Witches.
44
Aurora
When I come out of the bathroom, Ben and Jason have left my room, and I spot Nev fast asleep on my bed. I walk over and drop a kiss on his head. “Be good, baby. We won’t be long.”
He snores and I laugh.
Grabbing some heels, I quickly slip into them and pluck my forgotten phone from the bedsheets.
My clutch bag already waits on the side, and I add my lipstick and compact to it before making sure I have everything. I can’t wait to see the guys’ faces.
Opening the door, I flick off the light and head down the stairs. I can hear them and when I lean over the banister, I grumble to find them all ready.
That shit isn’t far. Men have it so easy.
I step down carefully, not wanting to face-plant in front of them. That would be bad. Concentrating on not falling, I don’t notice the hush that falls until Darius’s voice in my head drags my head up.
Holy shit, princess. I look around as his voice comes again. I mean, you look nice.
He mumbles it but appreciation and lust hum through our bond. Alex meets my eyes and the burning in them forces me to look away. Ezra’s no better. They both promise things that have me clenching my thighs together.
Ben winks and Jason grins. Darius leans against the wall, his eyes pulled away, but he keeps flicking me peeks.
Mikael stands with his back to me but turns when everyone goes quiet.
He gulps and turns pleading eyes to the guys. “No killing any humans.”
We all laugh.
The club is massive. The line stretches around the block in the industrial side of town. I can’t say I’ve been here before. Music pounds and the lights in the warehouse span this darkened area of the city. Two massive bouncers stand at the door, dressed from head to toe in black.
Something about them puts me on edge.
We get weird looks as we walk to the door. A man in line even gasps and points. I glance at him as he turns to his friends and they all stare back at us. Or, more specifically, at the men fanning out behind me.
Before I can ask, a warm hand meets the bottom of my back and pushes me forward gently. I glance over as Alex steps up next to me, and keeping his hand on me, stares at the bouncers. They run their eyes over us, stopping on me before Ezra moves in front of me.
They reluctantly let us in, and when I step through, I swear one of them sniffs me.
The door leads into a cloakroom area, and I pass over my leather jacket, step through the double doors, and gape.
I knew it was big, but this is seriously impressive. A huge dance floor takes up the middle, raised to be seen from anywhere in the club. A VIP section sits to the left with doors opening onto what looks like a patio and private bar. To the right is a long bar, covered from side-to-side in a throng of people. The whole club is packed; the smell of sweat and alcohol permeates through the air.
The music’s base runs through the floor and up my legs. My heart pounds in time to it and all I want to do is dance. The guys lead me over to the VIP section, and without even sparing the bouncer a look, they stride through and to an empty table in the back corner, away from everyone.
My phone dings as I slide into the booth. I grab it from my purse and grin. I guess I should have mentioned to the guys I invited Lane. I didn’t see the harm, and she’s feeling neglected right now.
“You invited the sheep?” Darius snorts, sprawling in the darkest corner.
The others turn to me, and I smile guiltily. “Sure as shit did. Anyone got a problem?”
They all shake their heads, but they exchange glances.
Alex sighs and leans back opposite me. “She can’t be present for the talks with Henry, though, kitten.”
I nod and smile sweetly. “Of course, cutie.”
He groans and Ezra snorts from his seat next to me, his hand twining with mine under the table.
Alex winks at me. “Then I guess it’s okay.”
“Good, ’cause she’s here.” I scramble up before they can say anything. Backing away, I grin. “Grab me a drink, will ya? I’ll go meet her.”
“Kitten,” Alex warns, his eyes narrowing, but he laughs.
I spin and leave the VIP area to slip through the crowd, back through the cloakroom, and to the entrance. I open the door and stick my head out to find Lane standing near the curb, glancing around as she fidgets.
Stepping out with my hand still on the door, I whistle. “Hey, hot momma, you looking for a good time?”
Heads turn, but Lane grins and strides my way. She looks amazing with her blonde hair down and wavy, her makeup minimal, and her dress a short black number. She slips past me inside.
“No more add-ons, witch,” the bouncer to the left murmurs, and I turn to find him gawking.
A hand drops on my shoulder. I whirl to see Darius’s grim face. He nods at the bouncer and draws me back inside, shutting the door.
“He knows what I am?” I ask, and Darius glares down at me, his face hard.
“Of course. They’re shifters, after all.” As he turns and walks away, I scramble to jump in front of him.
Lane glances between us.
“Like werewolves?” I ask, excited.
“Yes, princess. Now, can we get the fuck out of the cloakroom?” he grumbles, and I nod.
I let him past and link my a
rm with Lane’s.
“You look good. Did you drive the boys mad?” Lane whispers, and I laugh.
“Yep.” We share a grin before the music makes talking impossible unless we want to scream.
Lane gazes around in wide-eyed wonder as I pull her after Darius and back to the VIP area.
I drop back down at the table, and Lane hesitates, looking around at the guys who take up the rest of the booth. With a groan, I move over to sit on Ezra’s lap and pat my vacated seat. She sits next to me, her eyes still locked on the dance floor. The girl has an obsession with dancing. She might be shy sometimes, but once she gets on a dance floor, she turns into a completely different person.
I snuggle back against Ezra, and Alex pushes a glass across the table, then another to Lane.
I grin at him and look around. “Where’s Darius?”
Then I freeze when my eyes land on the witch in question.
Fucking asshole. Jealousy like I’ve never experienced surges through me, eclipsing everything else until my whole body vibrates with it, and my magic rises with it.
My eyes narrow on Darius and the girl as everything else falls away.
45
Darius
The red-haired girl smiles at me all flirty, her eyes locked on me and filled with interest. She flutters her fake lashes, pouts her red-lined lips, and leans in, her hand landing on my forearm.
With my other hand, I take a sip of my drink and run my eyes around the club before I look back at the girl. She told me her name, but I can’t remember it. Amber? Britany? Some stupid shit, no doubt.
She strokes my arm, licking her bottom lip, and I roll my eyes. I don’t even know why I let her stop me, apart from the fact that, when I glance at our table, princess was laughing and cuddling on Ezra’s lap and I saw red.
Maybe this redhead is exactly what I need to fuck all this obsession out of my bloodstream, but even as I think that, my mind whispers that I’m a liar. Even her touch on my arm makes me itch and want to pull away. She doesn’t feel right.
I find myself wanting a certain little black-haired witch to be her, but she doesn’t want to be. That much is clear, so I let the woman touch me as she prattles on about something, and I nod in the expected places.
I feel someone’s eyes on me and glance up only to lock eyes with the witch in question. They’re narrowed on me and her nostrils flare. Her hair floats around her, and her powers rise as she glares at me.
Hell, I can see her eyes shining and turning purple from here.
I smirk and lean into the girl, watching the jealousy and anger cross princess’s face before she hides it and turns to the table, ignoring me.
Interesting.
“What do you think, baby?” the woman purrs, leaning closer and grinning at me.
“Huh?” My eyes dart from her to Aurora, hoping she’s still looking.
“About dancing?” The woman pulls back with a frown, which she quickly wipes away and covers with a fake smile. The fucker looks painful, too, nothing like when Aurora does it. Like if she doesn’t smile, she’ll explode. It’s a beautiful smile.
“Sure, whatever,” I reply, already forgetting what she asked me.
“Good, let’s go.” Red stands, giving me a good view of her tits and the junction between her thighs. “Oops,” she says and tugs down her dress, winking at me to make sure I saw.
This time, I do roll my eyes. Downing my drink, I let her pull me to the dance floor. She winds her hips dancing against me, and her arms wrap around my neck.
I let her, standing stock still until I notice Aurora on the dance floor with her head thrown back in laughter as she dances between Alex and Ben. They have their hands all over her, watching her like she’s the fucking moon.
Gritting my teeth, anger burns in me along with crippling jealousy as I watch Ezra palm her ass through her dress. Turning away before I do something stupid, like attack my brothers, I wrap my arms around Red and dance, trying to let the music carry everything away.
It’s no use, and when Red runs her lips down my neck, I want to vomit.
Red runs her lips higher, and I suck in a breath, gripping her hips to push her away. This was a stupid idea. Did I really think some stupid hussy would make me forget about Aurora? For fuck’s sake, Darius.
I freeze when Red’s lips cover mine. I don’t even know what to do, but when a gasp sounds, I push the girl away and wipe the back of my hand across my mouth, disgust coursing through me. Spinning, I watch Aurora’s retreating back. I push my way through the crowd, needing to make her understand. I don’t want to look too closely at why it’s so important she understand I didn’t kiss the girl, but my chest burns, and my heart pounds.
Ben steps into my path, his face locked in disappointment and anger.
“Move, man,” I demand, stepping around him, but he blocks me again.
“Not a fucking chance.” He steps into my chest, pushing me back, his eyes flashing with his magic, and I square off, letting mine rise, too. “You listen up, you fucking bastard. You can be cruel to us all you like. We can take it. We have to, but that fucking woman has done nothing but defend you to us and protect you. You’ve done enough tonight. Go sit the fuck down.”
Wow, I’ve never heard him swear so much. If it wasn’t for the need to get through him and to my princess, I might even laugh. Seems Ben finally found something to be serious for.
“Move,” I growl out.
“No. Fuck you. If you only came back to mess everything up, maybe you should have stayed dead,” he spits, and I freeze.
Regret instantly covers his face, but it’s too late. I let my fist fly.
He sees it coming, but he doesn’t even move to defend himself. It hits him square in the face, and he stumbles back, cursing.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about. You think I want to be this way? This fucking hate coursing through me all the time? I can’t stand it. I can’t stand not being myself, but whatever the hell they did to me, it still has hold and the only way I can shake it is with that fucking, annoying, beautiful, loyal witch. She makes it all disappear. I can see through the vile and hate, like a goddamn witch light guiding me back to being human.” The words spill out, and Ben’s eyes soften.
His shoulders slump. “Darry, I didn’t know.”
Looking away, I grit my teeth. How the hell was he to know I’m drowning?
“I don’t want to be this way,” I choke out and slam my lips shut again.
His hands land on my shoulder. “Then let her heal you.”
I look to him, searching his eyes. Why doesn’t he hate me?
“She can. She healed us. Let her bring back Darry, ’cause I fucking miss him. I don’t like this asshole version so much.” He grins, and I can’t help but laugh. “I love you, man, even if that means I have to let you punch me in the face sometimes.”
He drags me in and wraps me in his arms.
I hesitate but wrap mine around him, too. It’s so familiar that it softens me, stopping the darkness that always swells inside of me.
“I love you, too,” I whisper, but I know he hears.
He pulls back and slaps my back. “Go get her, brother.”
With a grin, he blends back into the crowd.
Standing tall, I search for signs of Aurora, but when I don’t spot her, I get worried. She shouldn’t have gone off alone. It isn’t safe. Supes pack the club, and not all are friendly to witches.
Blowing out a breath, I barge my way through the crowd and spot a hallway. I let my bond guide me and cover distance before stopping outside the door to the women’s room.
Not wasting a moment, I push it open. A woman turns to me and starts cursing.
I glare at her until she leaves.
When I don’t spot anyone else, I lock the door and stride to the stalls. One is locked, and I know it’s her.
Leaning against it, I debate what I need to say. My tongue feels fumbly; I’ve never had this issue before. Usually, I can always say the rig
ht thing, but something about her always puts me on edge, and this moment is important.
“Princess?” I knock on the door.
She ignores me.
“Open the fucking door, your highness,” I growl, then wince.
What the fuck, dude? That’s how you make it better? Fuck, I’m so messed up.
“No,” she mutters, but I hear it.
“Open the fucking door or I’ll kick it down,” I growl.
Okay, seems I’m going to roll with it. Every time I open my mouth to say something sweet, this… shit spills out.
When she doesn’t, I step back and lift my leg, kicking it open. The lock clatters to the floor as the door swings wildly. I step in and see a startled Aurora slumped on the toilet before I slam the stall door shut behind me.
“You fucking prick,” she fumes, standing to go toe-to-toe with me.
She barely reaches my chest, and I smirk as she pokes me, her eyes spitting purple and black, her magic wrapping around her.
The sight turns my cock into a steel rod and gives me the insane urge to push her harder. I love her anger. She’s beautiful when she’s sweet and laughing, but like this? She’s fucking unstoppable. Power itself is addictive. I wonder what she would look like with that magic riding her as she rode me.
Not bothering with fumbling words, I let her see the regret and self-hate in my eyes. I’m drowning, and I need her to save me.
Her voice floats in my head. What?
I must have projected my last thought. Fuck it. Darting forward, I capture her hands and bring them to my face as I lower my head. She doesn’t move away as I cover her lips.
Darius, she warns, but she pulls me closer, and I go willingly.
Look, you want to know us so badly. Look. I’m lost without you. Save me, princess.
I open my mind, letting her look if she wants to. She gasps into my mouth and something wet drops onto our joined lips. Pulling away, I see her eyes unfocused as tears drip steadily.
I close my eyes and lay my forehead on hers. I let her have everything; I let her see how I feel because I’ll never be able to tell her—not with this inside of me.