Wicked After Dark: 20 Steamy Paranormal Tales of Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and More

by Mina Carter

  “I assume you enjoyed that, Peri?” Josef asked, and she nodded vigorously, words still not making it past her mouth.

  “The flight’s not too long, anything between an hour and an hour and a half. Depends on winds and such.” Josef saw the blush of excitement that covered her cheeks, and he wished they were alone.

  Liam stood up and approached. “Peri, as there’s absolutely no way for anyone to track you up here, why don’t we go on back and start some simple training techniques?”

  “Good idea.” She managed to unbuckle her belt and followed Liam.

  Back? Where was he talking about?

  Liam opened a door just behind the two large guards and they were in a small hallway. Two doors led from it and Liam went into the first.

  Peri nearly wet herself in her shock – a bedroom. A luxurious bedroom on a jet? Dear lord, this was just too much.

  “Okay, Peri, sit down on the chair.” Liam pointed to a club chair sitting to the side. She sat down and Liam stood in front of her. “I want to start with simple control, okay?”

  Peri nodded and felt a little nervous. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself.

  “Right, you probably haven’t done anything I’m going to ask of you. However, all I ask is that you try. You listen to my voice and you do as I say, even if you think it’s silly, okay?

  “Close your eyes, Peri, I want you to relax, breath in for three and out for three. Do that for a minute or so, just relax and focus on nothing but your breathing.” Liam watched as Peri did as he instructed and saw her body gently relax into the chair.

  “Okay, that’s good. Now put your hands out in front of you, turn them so that your palms face each other and keep them a small distance apart. Yes, that’s it, keep them there and relax, concentrate on what I’m saying. Good. Now I want you to imagine a snowball in your hand – ice cold, hard, compacted snow in your hand. A large cold snowball. Can you do that for me, Peri? Concentrate.”

  Liam watched, as a snowball appeared between Peri’s palms, and she jumped at the cold sensation on her hands.

  “Good girl, stay focused, Peri. Now you have a cold snowball in your hand, but I want you to focus really hard. The snowball is melting, but you have to contain the moisture, keep the melting snowball in your hands. Good. It’s going to get bigger now, you’re going to have a ball of clear water instead of the snowball. Yes, Peri, that’s good. Now move your hands apart a bit, let the water grow a bit more...you’re creating the water now, all on your own, imagine the water getting bigger and bigger. Yes, Peri, good girl. Stay focused and open your eyes for me.”

  Peri had been totally focused on Liam’s voice, and as she opened her eyes, she saw she had water. She had thought it was just in her imagination. She frowned in concentration, not wanting the large ball of water to fall, she would soak her new dress.

  The water stayed where it was. Liam smiled.

  “Uhm, what do I do now?” Peri asked, still worried about wetting her clothes.

  “Peri, listen to my voice. You can do whatever you want with it. You can grow it and make it into a great force to push enemies away, or you can clap your hands and make it disappear. I would suggest you concentrate and make it disappear.” Liam smiled and watched, as her eyebrows frowned in concentration.

  Peri felt her power, it was thrumming inside her, more than she had felt before. Mainly because she tried not to use it so ‘they’ couldn’t track her. She felt it now and it felt fabulous. She clapped her hands and the water was gone.

  “Oh, Liam, that was great! I had no idea I could do that! What else can I do?” Peri’s voice was little more than a squeak.

  “Peri, as I said, you are powerful. You can do whatever you want. The main thing is control. You need to learn that, so if you do have to use your magic to protect yourself, you don’t hurt innocents. Now, are you ready for another? Do you trust me, Peri?” Liam was going to try something he thought might scare her.

  Peri frowned. “Uhm, yeah, if Josef does then I do.”

  “Okay, Peri, same position, relaxed breathing, but only one hand out this time. You need to really concentrate for this one and trust me, do what I say.” Liam saw her shoulders relax down.

  “So this time, Peri, I want you to imagine a match. You can see a match. I want you to imagine striking a match, and the flame at the top is in your hand. Only the small flame of a struck match, Peri, you won’t get hurt. You are in control. Yes, that’s it. Stay in control, keep it small, we don’t want a large flame, just a tiny little match flame, open your eyes.” Liam was staring at the little flame hovering over Peri’s palm.

  “Liam, that’s amazing. I assume I just do this?” Peri clapped her hands together and the tiny flame vanished, leaving not even a hint of its heat on her palm.

  “That’s very good, Peri. I want you to practice those two. If you’re in a safe place, you can try and make the flame a little larger, but not too large. We don’t want you setting light to anything. I'm quite impressed, most trainees take several weeks to do what you've just done,” Liam said with a small smile.

  Peri was astonished. She had never thought to even try something like that. On the streets, she had learned to master her ability to throw guys around, but that was about all she had tried.

  The water one especially got to her. There had been times she had no money and was hungry and thirsty. She could’ve at least eased her thirst, if she had thought to try this.

  A thought popped into her head. “Liam, can I do that with anything or just like water and fire? I mean, could I produce food?”

  Liam looked thoughtful. “I’m not sure. It’s not something I’ve ever had to do. Intriguing, Peri. Let me think on that and get back to you. I'm surprised by your question though, but I suppose, if you've lived on the streets, I shouldn't be. It must've been hard.” Liam stopped for a moment, thoughtful, then carried on.

  “Okay, that’s enough for now. I just want you to concentrate on control. Once you have that, we can progress.” Liam held out his hand and Peri took it, as she rose from her seat.

  As she did so, her legs wobbled.

  “That’s what the hand’s for, Peri. You used a lot of concentration and power. It can weaken you, that is until you master it. That’s why I want you to focus on control. Soon you’ll do it without even thinking, and it won’t drain you. Come, I’ll get you some water.” Liam led her out and back into the main compartment.

  As soon as they entered, she heard two noises – a loud growl and an even louder snarl.

  Both Josef and Gabe rose fast, sounds of anger hissing from their throats, another male was touching their mate.

  Liam let go of Peri’s hand quickly and her legs wobbled again. She put a hand out to steady herself and found Josef’s arms around her. A snarl still on his face, as he looked at Liam.

  “Josef, I’m a bit wobbly. Liam was only helping me.” Peri could feel the anger in the Vampire.

  “In future, Liam, if Peri is tired after a session, you call one of us – do not touch her again. Understood!” Josef was talking through clenched teeth, and Liam backed up as far as he could go until the door hit his back.

  “Sure, Josef. I’m sorry, I forgot!” Liam was clearly scared, not something he felt very often. Josef’s look of wrath made his stomach clench in fear.

  Josef picked Peri up and brought her to her chair, where he sat her down gently. His hand moved a strand of hair from her forehead and he bent down and kissed it gently.

  “What was that all about?” Peri whispered.

  Gabe had a very strange look on his face, and she was sure she saw huge canines?

  Josef had got control sooner than the Wolf, and he laid a hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “She’s okay, he understands now, Gabe, calm down.” Josef’s words must have made it through, as Gabe visibly relaxed and then reached over and grasped one of Peri’s hands.

  “Again I ask – what was that all about?” Peri had no idea what was going on.

  Josef sat on the
arm of her chair. “Peri, a mate, well, until quite some time after a bonding, a Wolf or Vampire will kill any male that touches their mate. Nobody and I mean nobody can do that, even Liam. If you need assistance, one of us will help, okay?”

  Peri looked between her two men. Gabe now seemed a bit more under control and Josef had his mask on. The one he used to shut out feelings from his face.

  “Uhm, okay, though that was a little dramatic, guys.” Peri tried to lighten the mood. It didn’t work.

  “Peri, you need to understand, the only reason Liam is alive is because it was Liam. If it had been someone we didn’t know, they would not be alive. You need to be careful of the people around you. Do not let anyone lay their hands on you. If someone tries, tell them it is not allowed and if they continue, they will die. It is as simple as that.” Josef still felt his anger simmering and knew that Liam was now terrified.

  Peri was more than a little shocked – kill someone for touching her? Shit, this mate thing was serious.

  “Yes, it is, Peri. The only acceptable time for anyone but Gabe or I to touch you is if you are in danger and one of my men is helping you. Or if you are hurt, although I can’t see that arising, as both Gabe and I will always be with you. So relax, tell me what Liam taught you.”

  Josef was stroking the side of her face now, and she moved slightly and kissed his palm. The kiss was soft and a mere whisper of a kiss, but it was enough to have Josef once again wishing they were alone.

  “You would not believe what I did! I conjured and held a snowball and then water in my hands. Then a flame – only a small one, but a flame all the same! Shit, if I had known how to do that before, I would’ve been a lot safer on the streets.” Peri’s face flushed as she spoke, her exhilaration clear for them both to see.

  “Good, little Witch. The more you learn, the better protected you will be. Now, we don’t have long till we land, do you want anything?” Josef thought he had felt that she was thirsty.

  “Yes, could I have some water, please?” Peri realized Liam had been right about getting her a drink of water. How did her practicing her power make her thirsty? Weird.

  Josef moved to a small galley and came back with a small bottle of water and a glass. Peri waved the glass away and just drank straight from the bottle, drinking it all in one go.

  “Do you want another?” Josef asked with a slight smile, but Peri shook her head. Josef took the empty bottle and glass and placed them back in the galley, then sat back down in his chair.

  As he did, he saw Liam watching him closely. Josef was pretty sure both he and Gabe had scared the Witch. However, it wasn’t something they could control, it was what it was.

  A few minutes later, the pilot announced they would be landing soon, and Peri started to get excited. She was going to see Daiki.

  Josef could feel her. “Peri, I had thought we would check in first, but you seem more than a little eager. Would you prefer Liam takes the luggage and checks us in and we go directly to your friend?”

  “Oh, could we, please? I’m dying to see him, it’s been nearly eighteen months, and I know he’ll have been worried. I’m desperate to see him. Oh and by the way guys – I will be hugging him!” Peri did not want either of them growling at Daiki.

  “Peri, did you not listen to what I just said?!” Josef sounded exasperated.

  “Okay listen, if I had a brother or a grandfather, would they be allowed to touch me?”

  “Well, yes, of course, they are family. We wouldn’t like it, but it would be allowed,” Josef explained, not quite seeing the relevance.

  “Well, just think of Daiki as my grandfather, that’s how I see him. You better get that in your heads, because I’ve missed him and I want a hug.”

  Peri had a little pout going on and Gabe laughed. “Okay, Peri, calm down. As you look on him like that, we will try to do so too. Okay?” Gabe could barely contain himself, she was adorable when angry.

  “Okay, now do I look okay? I want him to see I’m fine. He is such a worry wart.” Peri was straightening her dress and fidgeted in her seat.

  “You look wonderful, Peri. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.” Josef couldn’t help but smile, jeez a smile was becoming a regular thing on his face.

  Peri tried to settle down and stared out the window, watching as the ground came up to meet them. The approach to the airport seemed to take forever, and she wished it would hurry up and land.

  After a little bit, she noticed the ground now seemed to be coming up towards them a lot quicker and for a split-second she felt scared. Were they going to crash or was this normal? She had no idea.

  “It’s okay, perfectly normal.” Josef calmed her, and she went to looking out the window again.

  She then saw tarmac underneath and held her breath, as the jet landed effortlessly and slowed down. The noise of the engines now loud.

  They taxied to another large hanger, but the jet stopped outside. The pilot came a few minutes later, opening the door and releasing the steps. Josef stood up and took her hand. The two large Vampires that were security moved before them and exited first.

  As Josef led her outside, one Vampire was at the bottom of the stairs and one had walked to a large car, got in, and started it up. He got back out and opened the back door.

  Josef led her forward. She went in and sat in the middle, Gabe and Josef, of course, sitting either side of her. She had no idea where Liam was or how he would get to the hotel, but at that moment, she didn’t care.

  She was on her way to see Daiki.

  Chapter 12

  Places started to become familiar as they drove, and Peri held tight to one of each man’s hands. Josef’s thumb doing the rubbing thing and Gabe just holding tight.

  “Your heart is beating like crazy, Peri, I can hear it!” Gabe’s Wolf ears picked up the rapid beat easily.

  “I know, I hope he’s okay. I want him to know I’m okay!” Peri’s throat was closing up. Never in a million years did she think she would return to see Daiki like this: with two males as her mates, dressed in designer clothes, and with two bloody great bodyguards to boot. Daiki will be so surprised.

  As they drew nearer, her heart picked up again, and it took Josef’s calm tones to slow them. “Peri, deep breaths, in and out, calm and deep, that’s it. Now Liam has informed Daiki that you will be coming, but he did give him a later time, so he may not be expecting us early. Stay calm, Peri, I don’t want you fainting.”

  Peri nodded. Oh, she was desperate to see the old man.

  She saw the building, his dojo door open, and she was reaching across Josef for the door handle before the car had come to a full stop.

  “No, Peri, they need to check and see all is safe first. A minute, no more.” Josef stayed her hand, and the two Vampires in front got out and started to look around. Their noses sniffed several times, looking for any scent that would mean danger.

  It must’ve been okay because one came and opened the car door, Peri almost pushing Josef to get out.

  As he stood at the side of the car, Josef gave Peri his hand to get out of the car, but she just jumped out and darted for the open door.

  “Peri! Wait!” Josef hissed and looked to the bodyguard – “Go!” Both moved fast and followed Peri into the building.

  As Peri ran through the door, she saw him. Daiki was at the other end of the large room and replacing some bos – long bamboo sticks used in his class.

  “Daiki!” Peri shouted, running forward as the old man turned. His eyes widened and a smile came across his face, as he saw the young girl run towards him. He opened his arms wide and she flung herself into them.

  He was smaller than Peri by a couple of inches, but his strength was vast, and he lifted her up and twirled her around. As they came back to facing the doorway, Daiki saw two very large males enter his dojo.

  Daiki dropped Peri to the floor and pushed her behind him. He reached for his personal Shinogi-Zukuri Katana, a long sharp bladed sword, which looked deadly, now held out in fr
ont of him. Peri’s eyes widened with fear as the two bodyguards came closer.

  “Who are you?! What do you want with this girl?!” Daiki’s voice was strong and loud in the empty room, and his need to defend the girl was obvious.

  The Vampires slowed – but didn’t stop.

  “No, it’s okay Daiki. Please put the sword down!” Peri pleaded, but the old man held his old sword in front of him and refused to budge.

  Josef reached the doorway and saw the man, Daiki, protecting his Peri from the bodyguards. The man was smaller, even than his mate, but the strength in his body was clear to see. The deadly sword in his hands made him look like a samurai, and Josef could clearly feel the man’s need to protect Peri.

  “Stop!” Josef commanded, just as Gabe reached the doorway.

  The Wolf saw the situation and his own face tugged to a smile. Jeez, Peri did make folk that knew her want to protect her.

  Peri was shaking now. “Daiki, it’s okay. They’re with me!”

  Her words registered in the old man’s brain and he turned to look at her. His sword still held in front, as he raised an eyebrow.

  “Please, Daiki, it’s okay, really!” Peri placed a hand on one of his shoulders and she felt the tension ease in his body. Thank God.

  Daiki lowered his weapon, but still kept it in his hand, for the moment anyway. Until he was sure these beings were not a threat to the girl. It was obvious he knew they weren’t human and also that he wasn’t exactly sure what they were.

  “Who are these people, Peri?” Daiki asked in his accented English.

  “Well, those two big ones, they’re bodyguards, the other two, well, that’s Josef and Gabe.” Peri smiled, as she said their names and Daiki saw it.

  “And who exactly are Josef and Gabe?” Daiki had a sneaking feeling he knew, but waited on her answer.

  Peri blushed and Josef walked closer, holding his hand out for a handshake. “I’m Josef, this is Gabe. We are Peri’s mates.”

  Daiki’s eyes opened very wide and he looked at the two males. One was obviously a Wolf – the other? He wasn’t sure, but he could feel power emanating from him in great waves.