by Brenda Trim
“Is that what my dad and mom were doing the night of their mating ceremony?” he asked innocently. It warmed Suvi’s heart to hear him calling Isis mom. She had worried that it would be difficult for him to embrace her sister given his loyalty to his birth mother. Not, in Suvi’s opinion, that the female deserved his allegiance in any way when she abandoned the boy as a baby and hadn’t tried to contact him even once.
Isis choked out a laugh. “Well, Donovan. What your dad and I did was…uh,” Isis faltered and Braeden came to her rescue.
“We were completing our mating, son. You know there are many steps to cementing our union and earning the Goddess’ blessing. The ceremony is a public part and the blood exchange is private.”
“The best part was seeing the magic that made mom’s stone grow into her palm. It was cool,” he said grabbing Isis’ hand to look at the sapphire embedded into her sister’s palm. Suvi considered the chocolate diamond in Pema’s palm and looked down at her own, empty one, wondering when she’d find her Fated Mate and what color hers would be.
“You’re right. It was very cool,” Braeden agreed.
“Will my mate’s stone do the same thing? Because I think that would be awesome,” Donovan asked as he danced around the store, trampling bubble wrap as he went.
Braeden stopped him and tickled Donovan’s tummy. “No one knows what the Goddess has in store for you. If you’re lucky you will find someone as wonderful as Isis.”
“I hope so. Hey, does this mean I’m going to have a little sister or brother soon?” Suvi laughed at the way Isis paled. She doubted her sister would be ready for a child for a while yet.
The tinkling of the new chimes above their door startled her and interrupted the conversation. She hadn’t gotten used to their new sound yet, the metal’s tone was much harsher, but served its purpose. She turned around and felt the breath leave her body in one great exhale.
A God stood before her. A male, well over six feet tall with a firmly muscled body, took up the entrance. He wasn’t like most supernatural males, either. Most were rugged and casual, preferring jeans and t-shirts. There were the exceptions and this male was one hell of an exception in his black, two-piece suit that was tailored to his sculpted body like a work of art. His shaggy, black hair didn’t fit his attire as disheveled as it was, falling into his green eyes.
The sensation of electricity rippling through her veins stunned Suvi. There was always a rush when she practiced magic, but this was so much more than that. She was captured by his gaze and her entire being woke to pay attention. She noticed the haggard look on his face as he loosened his blue pin-striped tie, walking into the store. The way he moved reminded her of a panther and she wanted desperately to be his prey.
“What’s wrong with Suvi, daddy?” She heard Donovan ask followed by Braeden’s chuckle.
“You’ll understand some day, son. Come on. Let’s go get some ice cream down the street.” She heard the door sound again when Braeden and Donovan left, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t. She was rooted to the spot.
Caught in an erotic trance, Suvi became aware that she was gawking. In her defense, any female would be in this male’s presence. The touch of her sister’s hand on her shoulder brought her out of her apodyopsis, and she blushed with embarrassment.
“Are you the Rowan sisters?” The somber note to his deep voice had Suvi doing a double take and that’s when she noted the haunted look to his gorgeous, green eyes. She wondered what put that look there, and oddly, she wanted to put a smile on his face and make that expression disappear.
Pema extended her hand. “Yes, we are. I’m Pema and these are my sisters, Isis and Suvi,” she pointed to them in turn. “How can we help you?” Suvi noticed how Ronan had abandoned hanging shelves and come to stand directly behind Pema.
“I’m not sure where to begin and I don’t even know if you can help me.” He seemed nervous and out of sorts and Suvi felt compelled to promise him she’d move heaven and earth to help him. “I’m Caine DuBray. Jace and Zander thought maybe you three could help me with a situation that I have suddenly found myself in. It’s a nightmare, really.” He paused and placed his hands in his pockets. She saw the muscles flex in his neck from clenching his jaw tightly.
Suvi was inexplicably drawn to him and overcome with a fierce need to erase the shadows. She wanted to draw him into her arms and hold him tightly. She knew what would put a smile on his face and she was all too happy to volunteer. Not that she was being entirely selfless given that she was pretty sure it would put a smile on hers, too.
She placed her hand on his forearm, unsure when her feet had carried her to his side. The feel of the soft fabric under her palm disappeared when another electrical charge lit her up. His eyes widened and he stared at her, clearly feeling the same thing. She found her voice after several silent seconds. “We will help you. I promise. We haven’t been dubbed the prophesized triplets for nothing.”
“Hold up, Suvi. Let’s hear what he needs help with before you go promising the moon,” Isis chided. Suvi quickly rounded on her sister, glaring daggers. Isis had her happy-ever-after and Suvi just wanted a few minutes with this magnificent male so her sister needed to back the hell off.
“Isis,” Suvi growled.
“No, Suvi,” Isis countered and the lights in the store flickered from the increase of emotion she was absorbing. Suvi didn’t care right then if Isis’ anger caused an earthquake and swallowed their store. Suvi was startled when she felt warm hands on her shoulders and turned her head, falling into his deep, green orbs once again.
“Please, your sister is right. You need to hear what I ask and consider it carefully before you decide. I have been framed for a crime and face death.” Suvi listened raptly as he retold the situation he awoke to earlier that evening. In her soul, she knew that this vampire was innocent just as surely as she knew she and her sisters could do something about it. The fact that Zander had sent him to them reinforced her belief. She rubbed at her chest when an unfamiliar twisting took her breath.
She grabbed her sisters’ hands. “I know we have Cele to deal with, but we are the only ones who can do this. We can’t let him die,” she implored.
“This will be dangerous,” Ronan rumbled.
Suvi whirled around, anger blazing through her. “Of course it will be dangerous, you oaf, but if it were Pema you would do whatever it took. Just because he isn’t in your little circle of friends, doesn’t mean he isn’t worth the risk.” She was shaking with fierce emotion, and at that moment, knew she’d do this, with or without her sisters, although it would be much easier with them.
Two things happened simultaneously. Caine grabbed onto her shoulders and Pema jumped in before the situation deteriorated more. “Suvi. Of course we will do what we can. However, our priority must be on dealing with the threat Cele presents to us if we happen to find her.”
“He only has seventy-two hours,” Suvi all but wailed.
Caine stepped into her and cupped her cheek, awe written all over his face. “Suvi, stop and think about this. Your sister is right. You can’t allow a threat against you to go unanswered.”
She was once again caught in his thrall. She wished she understood why he held such power over her. It wasn’t like she was unfamiliar with good-looking males. “Why would that be more important than saving your life?”
The smile Caine gave her held the world and she wanted to live in it.
CHAPTER TWO
Caine could not believe his luck. The worst day of his life just turned into the absolute best day of his life. And, the reality was that it may actually be one of his last. If it was, at least he had one of the hottest females he’d ever seen in his corner. The infamous Rowan triplets had brought him back to their house and if he wasn’t misreading Suvi’s body language, she wanted him. He wasn’t going to say no to the sexy witch. He may only have three days to live and he planned on grabbing life by the balls.
He glanced around the backyard, impressed that
the three sisters had done so well for themselves at such a young age. Supernaturals didn’t mature out of their stripling years and into adulthood until they turned twenty-five and the triplets were only twenty-seven. They were impressive, indeed.
He squinted at the tiny lights that seemed to be floating around the shrubbery. Fireflies immediately came to mind, but they weren’t indigenous to Seattle. Upon closer inspection, he realized they were bigger than a firefly, as well. He noticed that there were flowers all around their property despite it being a chilly, fall night. Typically, by that time of the year, the flowers were done blooming and the leaves had turned colors.
One of the lights zoomed past his face and he instinctively swatted at it. Dodging his hand, the object moved closer to him and buzzing sounded in his ear. He turned his head to see what it was and focused on a tiny, winged female hovering in front of him.
It was then that he realized that the lights were Fae creatures called sprites. Sprites were Unseelie and some of the most delicate, yet powerful, beings in the Fae realm. To earn their allegiance was difficult, even for the Unseelie King. He understood the flowers when he saw the tiny faerie. They likely tended the witches’ gardens and ensured there were flowers year round. He smiled and lifted a finger and the smallest hand he’d ever seen closed around the end of it.
“Hi there. You’re beautiful,” he told the little being with her long, blonde hair and big, green eyes. She wore a layered dress made of iridescent fabric that was a shade darker than her wings. Her bare feet hung in the air and he had the urge to tickle them. She smiled at his compliment, then quickly turned and flew away.
He laughed and glanced around, watching the show. The sprites were dancing and playing with one another before the magical backdrop of Lake Washington. The lush greenery that surrounded the large pool made more sense to him now. He wondered how Suvi and her sisters had earned the loyalty of so many sprites. It told him much about their character.
He took off his jacket and tossed it over one of the chairs and considered how lucky he was to have their help. His tie followed suit as he thought of the hot, little witch. He could tell that Suvi was a bundle of fun. In her impossibly high heels and her sensual beauty, she exuded sex appeal. He imagined males everywhere threw themselves at her and he wasn’t ashamed to admit he was willing to join their ranks.
The way her eyes had glowed with heated passion while she pleaded his case warmed his aching heart. And when his eyes had been drawn to her legs in her short skirt, he almost lost it. Those shoes of hers only accentuated her calf muscles, making his mouth water. She moved with an innate grace that exceeded what was common for supernaturals.
Speak of the siren. He focused on her silhouette as she sauntered out the back door. His cock went hard at the sight of her long, creamy legs and soft, flat abdomen, and full breasts bouncing as she walked. She wore another pair of high heels and a skimpy, neon-orange bikini. Her silky, black hair flowed loose and long down her back and he wanted to grab a fist of it. His vision became tinged with green, telling him they were glowing with his arousal and her brown eyes glowed brightly, mirroring his reaction. He silently thanked the Goddess for creating such a sexy creature.
He took a deep breath and caught tendrils of her succulent melon scent that was teasing his nostrils. The scent reminded him of summertime and sunshine. The association was odd for a vampire, given that they couldn’t be out in the sun or they would burn to death, but in his mind this was what summertime should smell like.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long,” she murmured. The musical lilt to her voice soothed his soul. He could listen to her talk all day.
He swallowed down his desire to jump on her and fuck her into oblivion. It was imperative that he maintain his control. This may be the last female he was ever with and he wanted to savor her as much as possible. “It was worth the wait.”
She smiled and it took his breath away. “I thought we could take a swim and unwind. You know, get to know each other. I know we are on borrowed time and need to get to work, but, well honestly, I want to lose myself in your arms and am afraid that if we don’t do something about it, I won’t be able to concentrate enough to focus on saving you.” She smiled again, meeting his gaze and staring deeply into his eyes. The look went straight to his cock and it jerked in response.
He was shocked by her forward nature, but thrilled to hear it. “Then I won’t point out that I have no swim trunks with me.”
Her laughter was infectious and he was soon joining her. Somehow, her amusement made his dire situation all but disappear. “I only wore the suit for propriety’s sake. I normally swim nude. That’s why we have so much foliage around the pool.” She slipped her feet out of her shoes and glided down the steps into the shallow end of the pool. He was shocked to hear that her sisters didn’t mind her flaunting her body around their mates. If she were his, he wouldn’t allow another male to see one inch of her luscious body.
He quickly removed his shoes and socks then his shirt and pants. He paused at his briefs, knowing if he went to her naked, he’d be on her in a heartbeat. “I’ll keep these on for now. Slow things down.” He did nothing to hide the fact that his erection rose above the waistband of his briefs. Truth was, there was no hiding when one was as large as he was.
She lifted her hand and he saw a glint of silver. A ring with a black stone sat on her forefinger. “Bhric,” she called and black smoke rose from the ring, encircling above their heads, and turned into a black bat. An actual bat, with wings and everything. “Go feed, sweetie. I’ll be busy for a while.” Caine recalled stories that had circulated about Bhric, one of the Vampire Princes, being a lover to one of the witch sisters. It was obvious that Suvi was the sister in question. How was he going to compete with that? The other male was a formidable warrior, Caine was a businessman. Not to mention that Bhric was known for his sexual prowess.
“Have you changed your mind?” Suvi asked, tilting her head at him. Seeing the desire in her eyes quickly suffocated his insecurities.
“No, love.” He dove into the pool and swam up behind her. He surfaced and pulled her into his arms. She twisted around and looked up at him expectantly.
He tangled one hand in her hair at the nape of her neck while the other wrapped around her waist. He growled low and tugged her flush against him. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. Electricity exploded from every point their skin met. Her lips were soft and inviting and she immediately took charge. She ran her tongue across his lower lip, taking advantage and slipping her tongue into his mouth when his lips parted.
The taste of her exploded across his taste buds and had him wanting to taste every inch of her. His hands roved over her back and followed the indentations at the base of her back then both hands grabbed onto her ass and lifted her against him. He took his time exploring every inch of her mouth while grinding his stiff shaft against her slick core, their clothing adding friction.
“Don’t tease me, vampire. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a witch and could light you on fire.”
“I plan on taking my time tasting every inch of your body.” He held her and walked to the side of the pool. Taking her mouth once more, he reached back and undid her bikini top. She let if fall and float away in the pool. He stood back and gazed at perfection. The beads of water glistened on the rosy tips of her globes. “Goddess, you are beautiful.” He grabbed her breasts in both hands and palmed their heavy weight. He dipped his head and licked a bead of water and bit her straining nipple while he squeezed and teased the other. She cried out and arched into him, pushing her flesh further into his hand. She was so damn hot. Zander wasn’t going to have to put him to death, he was going to be incinerated right there in the pool.
She clawed at his back then pushed down his briefs, grabbing at his cock. No, he couldn’t allow her to touch him or his beast would be unleashed.
*****
Suvi couldn’t believe the feel of Caine feasting on her body. She felt a co
nnection with him and it strengthened with each passing moment, adding to the eroticism. As he sucked one nipple into his mouth, sparks of need rippled through her moist feminine flesh. He sank his fangs into the soft tissue of her breast and fed while his hands pulled the ties on her bottoms. The fabric floated away from her and his fingers found her aching core. Her thoughts scattered as he continued to feed and his thick digits slid through her slit and found her throbbing bundles of nerves. She detonated when his finger trailed down, sliding in and out of her pussy.
This was exactly why she preferred vampire lovers. Their bite was orgasmic, but Caine’s had her seeing stars. It had never been like this before and she was fiercely glad that she had insisted on bringing him back to their house to discuss their investigation.
“That was just the beginning. Your body knows who its master is,” he whispered as he licked the twin pinpricks closed. Yes, her body knew who its new master was, but she wasn’t about to let him know that.
“You wish,” she croaked as he licked a path down her quivering stomach. His hands reached up to tease her sensitive breasts, and that quick, her need was back with an urgency that was pressing at her. He chuckled as he lifted her easily out of the water and set her on the side of the pool.
His fingers brushed through the black tangle of curls as he continued to kiss her. He had her panting by the time he parted her feminine folds and lowered his head, flicking his tongue from her core to her clit. She felt a flood of cream leave her body with that one touch. “That means nothing,” she murmured. He chuckled knowingly against her flesh as he continued his explorations.
He lifted his head and she was caught in the glowing green eyes that echoed her arousal. “See, love, your body knows I am its master and responds sweetly.” Keeping his eyes on her, he placed the tip of his rough tongue at her core and inserted it into her. The sensation was devastating. He tongue-fucked her slowly, building her need. She writhed against him, trying to gain more friction where she needed it most. He gripped her hips and held her still, refusing her what she sought.