The Witch of the Prophecy

by Victoria Jayne

  “He didn’t bite me,” she said again.

  “But someone did.”

  His eyes did that flashy gold thing again when they landed on her neck.

  Divina covered the spot Rori preferred when he drank from her. She looked away from the stranger in her home. The man who had been naked, she reminded herself. The man who just showed up in the woods, she further clarified.

  The man she wanted to drop the blanket and strip her down, throw her on the bed and… She couldn’t finish the thought. Divina had clearly lost her mind.

  “Why are you here?” She tried to change the subject.

  She needed to focus on vampires being bad for her. Maybe he wasn’t sent by Perci, his obvious distaste for the guy sent that message loud and clear. With his intentions unknown her mind wandered. Perhaps, he wanted her to start his heart too. She didn’t just do that for everyone. She didn’t even know how she did it for Rori!

  His hand came up and wiped his face, then clung to his chin.

  “I was hunting,” he said.

  Divina peered at him perplexed. “Naked?”

  “You’ve never hunted until you do it naked.” His chin lifted, and he preened.

  “Well, I guess when you can do that memory wipe thing on people—”

  “Wait. What?” he interrupted.

  She waved her hand a bit, trying to pantomime the hypnotic trick vampires did. “You know, where you make the people you feed on forget and replace their memories.”

  He stared at her with hands on his hips.

  Divina continued. “What I mean is, if you are going to hunt naked.” She paused. He continued to look at her oddly. “The people, they wouldn’t be all that caught off guard because they won’t even remember you.”

  “I don’t hunt people,” he said.

  “Oh.” She bit her lower lip once more, giving him the once over. “I just assumed. You’re so warm.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be warm?” he asked.

  She stared at him.

  He stared back, as though expecting her to continue speaking.

  Divina looked away. Puzzled, she stroked her hair contemplating just how to tactfully ask what he apparently needed her to come right out and say. Giving up, she sighed. “You are a vampire, right?” She put it out there.

  The growl from his chest caught her off guard. He curled his lip and his adorable face transformed into something akin to menacing yet, not.

  “I. Am. Not. A. Vampire,” he stated through gritted teeth.

  She swallowed. She should’ve been scared. She should’ve told the man to get the fuck out of her wagon.

  She wasn’t.

  She didn’t.

  Instead, she felt bad for assuming him to be a vampire.

  Divina cleared her throat. “So you’re just some guy, hunting in the woods, behind a parking lot.” She paused. “Naked?”

  The man stood proudly in her wagon. He regarded her with hungry eyes that flashed gold. He stroked his five o’clock shadow, and with a grin he replied, “That about sums it up nicely,” he said.

  The smile fell from his face instantly. The gold flashed again. He stepped toward Divina and sniffed. She pulled back with a bit of a whine.

  “Now tell me,” he began in a deep nearly inhuman baritone. “Who bit you?” His hands once more cupped her face.

  Divina’s breath caught. She should’ve pushed him off. She should’ve moved away from him. There were so many things she should’ve done or felt, but she didn’t.

  A sense of need for the naked man in her home washed over her. A wanton desire she had never felt before consumed her. If she’d let it, it could cloud her judgment. If she let it, she told herself.

  Chapter 24

  Aric’s wolf howled like crazy within him. The distraction of it in his head made talking to the female quite difficult. That smell—oh, her smell. It wrapped around his body, coiling around his cock keeping him rock solid. It stroked every fiber of his being. He couldn’t inhale enough of it.

  Touching her, when he laid his hand upon her cheek, he blasted off to another planet. Starting in his fingers, slowing through his hand, and covering his heart in a warmth he’d never imagined possible. The implications of the euphoria he felt just from touching her wasn’t lost on him.

  His erection pressed against his stomach, and thankfully, was hidden by the thick crocheted blanket he had fashioned into a kilt. The blanket scratched at the sensitive skin and made his ache much more painful. What the hell kind of yarn was this thing made of?

  The unpleasantness of the blanket did nothing to quell his desire for the female. His wolf needed her and that feral need contributed to the human ache. The primal urge to have her almost took over his common sense.

  However, the idea that someone, some vampire, had fed off her, pushed him to levels of anger he had never imagined existed. He cupped her face, her beautiful, enchanting face, and gazed into her light blue eyes, waiting for a reply. His thumb stroked her cheek while his jaw ticked and he fought his wolf for dominance.

  Kiss her. Mark her. Claim her. He had to shove all that down. Even though she mentioned vampires and Perci, she gave him no indication she was anything but human. He had to control himself and his wolf.

  Touching her seemed to be the only way to silence his wolf. Touching her, in any manner, let alone as intimately as he was, drove his desire for her that much higher. He needed to get ahold of himself. His erection twitched and he gritted his teeth.

  Searching her face for a sign that she felt the pull as he did, caused his features to soften. Wondering if humans possessed the ability to feel the mating pull did nothing to distract him or his wolf from the desire for her. He studied her reactions to him, desperately wanting to see something, anything indicating she felt it too.

  For her part, the woman looked up at him wide-eyed and innocent. “I-I-I.” She paused on her stumbled words. “It doesn’t matter,” she whispered.

  He frowned at her. Leaning down over her, pressing his bare chest against her clothed one sent a shiver up his spine. Oh, what he wouldn’t give to rip the oversized hoodie off her and touch her skin, her breasts, her nipples.

  The zing, the heat, caused him to clench his jaw upon contact. He thought his teeth would crack from the pressure. Even with a clothing barrier, the intensity rocked him. His cock pulsed.

  The need within Aric to have this female tested his control. His wolf pressed against him to force his release. Aric tightened every muscle he had to fight to keep the wolf within. In his current state, he didn’t trust the animal to be civil. Who knew what the beast would do if let out of his human cage?

  “It matters to me,” he replied.

  The hedonistic desire dripped from his voice. He barely recognized his own words. Closing his eyes, he prayed to all that was holy she couldn’t hear his struggle with humanness. The feral beast within didn’t understand humans, all he wanted, all he needed, was to claim what was his. Aric knew better, and Aric needed to be in control.

  He towered over the female, his female, as she sat. He released her face and stroked her hair.

  She leaned into his hand at first, but pulled back after a moment.

  His wolf snapped. He didn’t appreciate that one bit. Neither did Aric. He studied her as conflicted emotions flashed across her face.

  “I don’t usually concern myself with the opinions of naked hunters.” Her voice shook.

  Aric grinned while she tried to sound convincing and cutely failed. How fucked up was he to think an unsteady voice was adorable?

  Aric’s hand dropped, he didn’t want to invade her space more than he already had. Well, he did, but he didn’t want her any more uncomfortable than he’d made her.

  “So, if I had clothes on you would be more concerned about my opinion?” he teased.

  The female’s cheeks turned a beautiful shade of red.

  Aric decided he would spend his life seeking to trigger that response from her.

  “No” she said
.

  Once again, Aric reached for her hair.

  She allowed him to run his fingers through the strands that had escaped her ponytail.

  “I’m Aric Braun,” he said realizing they had yet to exchange names. “Thank you for the use of your blanket. I’ll wash it before I return it to you.”

  “You can keep it. Consider it an apology for cracking you over the head with the branch,” the female announced dismissively. “I don’t plan on sticking around that long.”

  She pulled away from him, stood, and scooted past him. The female made her way to the opposite end of the wagon.

  Confused, Aric turned toward her. Was the female leaving?

  No.

  That can’t be right. His wolf balked at the idea.

  Studying him a moment, the female turned and checked on a few of the cords and such she had wrapped around various items within the wagon. She tugged on one, testing its tension. The cabinet near her smelled, almost nauseatingly, of herbs and dried spices.

  “Where are you going?” Aric asked.

  She busied herself with moving items, testing cords, and kept her features hidden from him. Was she purposely not looking at him?

  “I have a carnival thing I need to catch up to,” she replied.

  He arched a brow. “You’re a carnie?”

  Aric wasn’t sure if that was still a thing. Did people who worked carnivals still call themselves that? He didn’t want to offend her.

  She turned her head sharply and frowned. “No.”

  Had he insulted her? Shit. Apparently, “carnie” wasn’t the right word.

  The female pointed to a sandwich board. “I’m a fortune teller,” she said.

  Aric’s gaze drifted to where she pointed. There it was, a board proclaiming prices for such things as tarot cards and palm readings.

  Aric snorted in amusement. “You’re a seer?”

  “Sure,” she agreed half-heartedly.

  That got Aric’s attention. He eyed the female skeptically. Aric hadn’t met many seers that he knew of anyway. However, if they were anything like other supernatural beings, they were proud. When faced with another kind, other than human, they announced themselves.

  She didn’t.

  “Sure?” he repeated.

  She sighed impatiently. “I read fortunes,” she explained. “It’s the same thing.”

  Aric blinked. He tilted his head unsure what to make of the little spitfire who had captivated his wolf.

  “Listen,” her tone softened. “I’ve had a long night. I really need to get some sleep.”

  She stepped toward him.

  Aric’s wolf panted in excitement at her proximity.

  “You’re welcome for the blanket. I’m happy to help a man in need.” She offered him a weak smile.

  Was he being dismissed? Aric wouldn’t have that. No. No. No. He returned her smile.

  “I insist on returning the blanket,” he said firmly.

  She groaned. “I really won’t be here. You’ll be wasting your time.”

  “You’re tired,” he reminded her. The female narrowed her eyes at him. “So, if I understand correctly, you’re rushing me off so you can get some sleep?”

  She didn’t answer.

  Aric grinned smugly. He had her.

  “So, I propose you let me wash the blanket and return it to you tomorrow,” he said. “And, in repayment, let me take you to dinner.”

  The female eyed Aric warily.

  “I’ll even be dressed.” He waggled his brows in an attempt to sweeten the deal. Though, if the shoe were on the other foot, clothing would not sweeten the deal for Aric. He and his wolf agreed the less clothing on this female the better. His cock agreed, showing his interest with rush of blood causing a twitch. Aric groaned.

  The female smiled in amusement. “That isn’t necessary.”

  He shook his head. “I insist. Clothes are very socially acceptable.”

  She snickered and shook her head. He considered the crack in her stern façade a victory.

  Confidence sprouted within Aric. He had won her over, or so he thought.

  Her smile faded. “I really have to catch up—”

  “I’ll even pay you to read my fortune,” Aric offered and extended his hand palm up in a cheap ploy to get her to touch him again.

  His wolf missed the feeling of warmth she gave him. His wolf missed the zing of their joined skin. His wolf wanted to touch her again and wouldn’t shut up until it happened.

  Her gaze flicked from his palm to his face and back again.

  For a moment, Aric thought he saw fear in her eyes. Was she afraid to touch him? Why would she fear him? What had he done?

  Surely, she couldn’t smell the rodent blood on him. If she had seen the golden eye flashes, she hadn’t mentioned it nor reacted to it. Then again, she had thought him a vampire. Were his eyes gold? How else could he prove to her that he wasn’t a vampire than to have a meal together?

  “We can meet for lunch,” he haggled. There, perhaps suggesting a daytime meal would end her believing him to be a night crawler. “That way you won’t be too held up,” he added.

  The inner debate played across her face. Aric waited with baited breath. He had never wanted to take a woman to lunch as badly as he wanted to take this woman to lunch. He shook his wrist as if to tempt her with his fortune.

  She bit her lower lip. “Fine,” she agreed. “Lunch.” She looked at his hand. “Put that away.”

  He chuckled. “There’s a diner,” he explained. “It has the best hamburgers; we can go there.”

  She nodded and reached for a bit of paper to take the address.

  Aric gave it to her before he asked, “So what name should I put the reservation under?”

  She eyed him with a puzzled expression.

  Aric smiled waiting for her to realize he had asked for her name without actually asking. He gave himself a mental pat on the back for his creativity.

  It took only a few seconds for it to dawn on her. Her eyes widened in recognition before she frowned.

  Aric and his wolf agreed they would work very hard to keep that expression from her features in the future.

  “Divina,” she said. “My name is Divina.”

  Aric reached for her hand.

  She flinched at first, then took his hand and relaxed.

  He took her hand to his lips and kissed the back gently. The taste of her skin gave him goosebumps. Beyond the chemical floral hint of soaps and lotions, he picked up her pure flavor. Like her scent, Divina tasted of earthy notes that sung to him. Aric’s mouth watered for more. When he pulled up, he licked his lips hoping for one more sample.

  She blushed.

  Aric grinned and said his good nights. He strolled rather proudly for a man wrapped in a crocheted blanket kilt with a purple erection sure to transition into blue balls in the next hour or so.

  Pretty sure he had just met his mate, Aric strutted through New Orleans without a care in the world. It would take more than the scratchy wool of the blanket against his nut sack to bring him down.

  Chapter 25

  Leaving the convent, the world felt a bit clearer. Everything appeared in sharper focus than before. Rori had the whole picture. Esmine had shared the full prophecy with him. The blinders had been lifted for the first time and confidence pulsed through Rori’s veins.

  Sure, there’d be sacrifice. What hero didn’t sacrifice something for the greater good?

  Rori paused at the gate of the convent. Hero. Thinking of himself as a hero didn’t feel right. It didn’t fit him, but it fit the situation, it fit the prophecy. The vampire meant to save all supernatural kind from the wrath of humans, if they found out about their existence, that would make him a hero.

  He blinked. Yes. Yes, he’s that vampire. Of course he’s a hero!

  He couldn’t let that go to his head, though. He’d lose focus if he fixated on the grandeur of it all. Besides, saying he’d sacrifice his love for Divina and understanding the need to sa
crifice his love for Divina were all well and good, but the actual act of doing it would impact him forever. He’d be a fool to believe he could do it easily, no matter what the promised glory.

  The idea of never having Divina again the way Rori had that evening stabbed him in the gut. He tried to find solace in the bigger picture, the idea of being a hero to all.

  It didn’t help that Divina’s blood coursed through his veins. With Divina’s blood giving him warmth, pumping in his heart, he had to remind himself of not only his own fate, but his duty to save all kinds. Their love was minuscule when compared to the fate of all kinds.

  However, his mind drifted to the possibility of eternity with Divina. He’d never thought further than being in the moment with her. The witches had planted his purpose in her life in his mind since before he met her. He had never allowed himself to think of their future, because there was no future with Divina. He sought only to cherish the few precious moments he had with her before they were gone forever.

  When Esmine brought up the idea of Rori changing Divina into a vampire, he’d dismissed it. He’d never ask Divina to sacrifice so much of herself for him. She talked him out of it as if to affirm his previous decision. At least, in that moment she had. Being away from her, and having time with his own thoughts, brought him back to the possibility.

  With hands shoved in his pockets, Rori stopped under the light of a street lamp a block from the hotel. Contemplating his conversation with Esmine, Rori pondered the idea of being a hero and weighed it against the possibility of being with Divina for eternity. Both required Rori to be a lot more human than he had been in centuries and he wasn’t sure he had it in him.

  His shoulders slumped with the weight of the questions. He sighed and shook his head to clear them from his mind.

  He’d talk to Divina. He’d get a feel for what she wanted before he decided on his hero-ness. Truthfully, if she wasn’t on board with eternity with him, it wasn’t bad having hero-ship to fall back on as a plan B.

  He approached the hotel where he had left Divina. He clung to the long shot that she would still be in the shower. If not, Rori hoped she had at least stayed in the room. Worst case, he’d get a cab and meet her at the wagon. She loved that thing. It was her safe haven.