Rage: A New Adult Urban Fantasy (Spelldrift: Coven of Fire Book 3)

by Sierra Cross

  While Emma explained—maybe even gushed about—how grateful the Fidei community was to Matt, an idea occurred to me. “Hey, Emma, I know you said you’d just about fully rented the building out, but what about the model unit?”

  She blinked. “Why do you ask?”

  “It’s furnished. I was wondering if Matt and I could rent it, just for a night or two.” We couldn’t afford much longer than that, even if she gave us a friend discount. “We’ve been staying with Liv, but I’d like to give her a little space, just, you know, to process everything that’s…what?”

  Emma was giving me a look. “Uh huh. That’s it. You’re giving Liv ‘space.’” With a knowing grin, she glanced at Matt, whose arm happened to be wrapped around me. “Or perhaps giving yourselves a little space?” she suggested. I felt myself blush, but before I could say anything she held up her hand. “Say no more. The building is fully rented now. So I don’t really need the model unit at this point. If you guys want to crash there for a few weeks until you get a place, I’d be cool with that.”

  Matt and I locked eyes, and I could practically hear his yes.

  He reached for his wallet. “How much—”

  “Save your money for battle gear,” Emma said.

  I jumped up and hugged her. “You’re the best boss in the Spelldrift.”

  “No, Alix, I’m the best boss in the realm,” she said.

  “That too.”

  Five minutes later we were upstairs in the beautifully furnished model unit. It looked like something from HG TV. But I didn’t get a chance to look around too much. Matt was feverishly stripping, and stripping me at the same time. Our skin burned. I’d never wanted anything, anyone so much. I thought I might burst into flames.

  We barely made it into the living from, a few feet from the couch on the plush throw rug. This was it. Matt got up abruptly and ran back into the hall. A moment later he was back with a strip of condoms. “Yeah, you told me of this nifty little invention.”

  I laughed. Never been so happy before. Anticipation was about to swallow me whole.

  “Close your eyes,” Matt murmured. I felt a flutter across my cheek. Matt’s lips were on my neck. “Alexandra.” Fingers trilled along my rib cage, tickling the edge of my breast. How many hands did Matt have? It felt like his hands were everywhere. He was ready and willing. No trace of anything holding him back. I savored the feeling of being wanted. No, needed. He needed me. Body and soul…I closed my eyes to take it all in.

  Yes, take me inside you. Tenebris’ new face formed in my head. His chiseled features clenched with lust. We will become one.

  My hands pushed Matt off me so hard he rolled into the couch with a grunt. My eyes snapped open and I saw shock on Matt’s face.

  “What’s wrong?” he demanded. “What did I do? Did I hurt you?”

  I shook my head. I closed my eyes. Tenebris was still there. Close your eyes. Keep them open. I don’t care. I want you. I want you now.

  “It isn’t you.” My voice was a groan. Fuck, it isn’t you in my head, I wanted to tell him. How could that Caedis be in my head? I couldn’t help it, tears fell down my cheeks.

  “It’s okay,” Matt said. “We don’t have to do this.” He put on his jeans and gave me his flannel shirt. He rubbed my back. Desire was a living thing in my body. I wanted him so badly. But I had a hitchhiker in my head. One that made me want to vomit. How could I tell him this? And the only person who might possibly be able to offer magical help, Asher, wasn’t going to be too cool with me saying, “Hey, can you get this demon out of my head so I can have sex with Matt?”

  “What is it, Alexandra?” He was gentle and patient. I was wrecked.

  There was a pounding on the door, loud and insistent. “Who knows we’re here?” I asked.

  “Open up. We need to talk.” It was Asher on the other side of the door. What the fuck?

  Matt moved toward the doorway, not bothering to move away any of the clothes strewn in the hallway.

  Pulling Matt’s shirt on—it was so long it practically reached my knees—I parked myself on the couch.

  Asher entered the room, sans his Wont girl date. Instead he was followed by a tall man with sandy hair and preternaturally sharp blue eyes. It was Bonaventura’s son, Griffin. The one I suspected was an alcoholic. Or a psychic. Or both.

  “My father sent me after the witch Alexandra Hill,” Griffin said, nodding to me. “He’s enlisting your help—but he said only you, not your coven. He said, pack your bags for cold weather and drive to our place immediately. We’ve chartered a flight from Boeing Field, leaves in an hour.”

  I frowned. “What the—”

  “You’ll be well compensated,” he cut in. “Fifty percent up front, fifty percent—”

  “No, I was going to ask, what the hell is this about?”

  “Oh.” He looked at Matt and Asher as if deciding whether it was permissible to share this info in front of them. I had a feeling he would share if it were up to him. But with Bonaventura giving the orders, it never was. “Let’s you and me step out into the hall.”

  Matt stood. “That’s not necessary. Whatever you have to say—”

  “It’s okay.” I leaned over and kissed his lips, not caring that Griffin’s eyes bugged out. I’m guessing that was when he noticed I was only wearing Matt’s shirt. “I’ll be right back.”

  Once we were out in the hallway with the door closed, Griffin wasted no time cluing me in. “My father’s investigation has turned up Tenebris’ whereabouts.”

  I stared at Griffin, aware that my mouth was hanging open. For an uncomfortable moment, it felt as if the vampire could see right into my mind. Into the dark places where Tenebris had taken up unwelcome residence time and again. First through my dreams, then by possessing me through the amulet. And tonight, with Matt, the moment I’d so been longing for, the thought of Tenebris had crashed my happy place.

  But surely that’s all it was—a thought. All it meant was that the demon had gotten to me in the past. Hurt me badly enough that the idea of him lingered in my mind, though he’d been MIA for weeks. I was a damn good fighter, but even I couldn’t fight an idea.

  Yet somewhere out there lurked the real Tenebris, flesh and blood and smoke. And if the vampires had found him, by god, I wanted to be the one to blast him straight to hell. Call it revenge for my mother and father, for Callie. Call it therapy. Golden swirls of angry magic flew to my fingertips.

  “Pack your bag, witch, and get on the road.” Griffin gave a little bow and turned to go. “Remember, the plane leaves in an hour,” he called behind him. “It’s time to take that demon motherfucker down for good.”

  “Laced with magic and a touch of romance, and enhanced by a truly creepy setting, this is an intriguing mystery. Give this one to teens who want something other than the typical supernatural romance.” (School Library Journal)

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  Acknowledgments

  As always, I am grateful as can be to each and every one of my amazing Beta Readers. Your feedback means the world to me. Go Team Coven!

  Crystal McKegney

  Amanda Hobson

  Teri Hicks

  Kayleigh Cook

  Charlotte Curtis

  Jessica Kristine Gilbert

  Shira E. Schneider

  Kryste Herring

  Karla Kelley

  Kathleen James

  Michelle Jones

  Deborah Eyre

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