Warlocks & Warfare_A Grimmer Legacy novel

by Eleanor Rousseau

  I tried my best to suppress my amusement, “What happened?”

  “A group of guys came in asking for pizza the other day. They were drunk and rowdy and couldn’t comprehend that a Chinese place doesn’t sell pizza’s,” he said with real frustration evident in both his tone and his expression.

  I suppressed a grin, then what he’d said registered. “Wait, your job is at a Chinese place?”

  He glanced at me guiltily, “Maybe.”

  “Are you working with Radien?” I demanded.

  Radien was the biological father of the twins, my half brothers. Yes, we all had complicated parental relationships but, unlike my father, theirs wasn’t crazy. He was great actually. He worked for the Grimmers in exchange for being in the lives of his sons. He owned a Chinese shop which was a front for one of the Grimmer’s armouries. We have numerous armouries throughout the city, all of which were well guarded.

  Avons cheeks flushed slightly, it was adorable. I didn’t even know demon spawn could blush. “I may have started working for him in exchange for information about you, but mostly it was for the money,” he assured me.

  I grinned. During the time he had gotten the job I had been in a self-induced isolation and I hadn’t really been up to having company. He had been good and given me the space I had needed. But apparently, he had kept tabs on me, which was sweet. Or creepy, sometimes I get those two confused.

  “Is that how you could afford the car?” I asked. He and Grant had a nasty habit of stealing cars but I didn’t see any wires sticking out beneath the dashboard. Plus it had that new car smell.

  “It’s not much but it’s reliable and legal.”

  “Are those characteristics you ever thought you would apply to something you liked?” I teased.

  His expression turned thoughtful, “Wait, you’re over sixteen, right?”

  I laughed and reached to playfully punch him. “I’m nineteen, so you’re safe.”

  “One out of two’s not bad.” He grinned and winked at me.

  Chapter Two

  I was half asleep when the car pulled to a stop, waking me up. I yawned, raising a hand to cover it as Avon came around to open my door. It was dark now but the entrance to the building was well lit and had quaint hanging baskets on either side. Not the first place that I’d guess a Daemon would take me.

  Avon wrapped a hand around my waist and guided me inside. We walked to a small reception desk. “Avon Urie,” he told the middle-aged woman who smiled warmly at us.

  I couldn’t help but notice the small ‘humans only’ sign at the corner of the desk. I suppressed a smile. It made sense that some places wouldn’t admit supernaturals, especially quaint little inns. I had been told that mating between Shapeshifters, among other supernatural creatures, often caused damage to furniture.

  If you did permit supernaturals it often indicated that you had very good insurance.

  The women snagged a key and walked around to our side, “Right this way, my name is Linda.” She led us up a couple of flights of stairs and to a small room with a large double bed. “Room service is available for another hour, the tv’s got all the standard channels, the bathroom has a large tub and shower. And in the morning breakfast is served between seven and ten.”

  “Thank you,” I said as she handed Avon the keys.

  She smiled, “Have a good night.”

  “And you,” I said as she left the room.

  Avon wrapped his arms around my waist, “Why don’t you go and shower while I sort us out some food?” he suggested.

  I turned and tilted my head back to kiss him. “Okay.” He smiled and nipped gently at my bottom lip before releasing me.

  I headed to the bathroom and undressed slowly. Then I stepped into the tub and reached to switch on the shower. Linda had been right, it was a large tub, you could probably fit two people comfortably inside.

  I was almost finished rinsing my hair when I heard the door open. Luckily there was a cute little supply of toiletries because I hadn’t thought to bring any. It was then that Avon pushed back the curtain.

  He stood, completely naked, just as I was completely naked. “May I join you?” he asked.

  I flushed deeply, my breath catching a little at the sight of him. “Okay.”

  We hadn’t done the naked thing before so this was new territory for us. We’d seen each other shirtless but even then I’d been wearing a bra, I turned my back to him and he pressed against my spine.

  His body was warm and firm and felt so incredible against mine. Large hands shaped my body and he nuzzled my neck. “How was your day?” he asked as he reached past me for the soap.

  “Boring, and then not so boring. I don’t want to talk about it just yet,” I told him.

  “Okay.” He began to rub the soap over my shoulders, massaging gently. “We don’t need to talk.”

  I reached up to move my hair over one shoulder and out of his way. He sucked gently at my earlobe before teasing my skin with his teeth. I moaned softly. He reached to tilt my chin up and to the side so he could capture my lips.

  As he kissed me I turned carefully to face him. His hand cupped my breast and I made a soft sound of pleasure. My skin felt sensitive, my legs felt weak and warmth pooled low in my stomach.

  His thumb teased my taut nipple, sending sparks of sensation through me. He kissed me again, briefly. “Why don’t you go dry off and have something to eat?” he suggested.

  “Okay,” I murmured reluctantly. He took my hand and I carefully stepped out of the tub, quickly snagging a towel and wrapping it around myself before I stepped into the bedroom. Compared to the steamy heat of the bathroom it felt a little cold.

  I found a hair dryer on the dressing table and did my best to tame my mane of hair. It always went wild after I used a hair dryer but waiting for it to dry would take too long. I was running my fingers through it when Avon stepped out of the bathroom with only a towel around his waist.

  He picked up a tray from the chest of draws and brought it over to the bed. “Come eat,” he ordered.

  I smiled and walked over to the bed, climbing up beside him. “I went to see Maya and had her pack you a few things,” he said, pointing to a backpack on the side table.

  I leaned closer to kiss his cheek, “Thank you.”

  Then we started eating the burgers and chips that he had ordered us, we didn’t talk much but the sense of anticipation only grew in the silence until my skin was prickling with it. Once I had eaten enough to appease my hunger I sat back and waited as he finished, it wasn’t easy, excitement and impatience both filled me. When he was done he set the tray back on the table and came over to scoop me up.

  He pulled my legs around his waist and kissed me until I melted against him, wrapping my arms around his neck to hold him close. I let him tug the towel from my body and he smiled before throwing away his own towel. Hot, naked, slightly damp skin pressed against me and I felt my entire body flush.

  Strong grasped my hips, “If it starts to hurt let me know,” he murmured, still considerate of my recently healed injury.

  “I will,” I promised breathlessly. The feeling of his hot, hard body against mine was almost too much. I had never been one to give into my more carnal desires but then I had never wanted anyone the way I wanted him, with a desperate passion that left me breathless.

  He had gone through hell to save me, literally, and whenever he looked at me I knew he would do it again. But it was the way he was looking at me now that melted my insides, a mixture of hunger and carnal delight danced in his gaze.

  He kissed my neck as he guided me slowly down onto his hard shaft. I gasped, panting for breath and grasping his shoulders as he filled me. Gods. It was about time. He closed his eyes and I glanced at him from beneath half-closed lashes. Shifting, he moved higher up on the bed until he pressed my back against the headboard. This allowed him to push himself deeper inside me.

  I moaned softly and shuddered as pleasure and heat washed through me. My legs were wrapped aro
und his hips as if I could pull him closer still. He caught my face with both hands and kissed me as he rested deep inside me. I moaned softly but it seemed that he wouldn’t be rushed to hurry his movements or the slow exploration of my mouth.

  When he finally broke the kiss I was panting for breath. “Do you have any idea how badly I want you?” he murmured, his voice a deep rumble against my ear.

  “How badly?” I gasped as I began to move against him, rocking my hips in a way that felt incredible.

  His hands cupped my breasts, teasing gently as his lips brushed my neck. “I would do anything for you, to have you here, in bed with me. You are mine, you’ve been mine since the moment I first laid eyes on you.”

  “Yes!” I gasped and rubbed my hands over his chest, feeling the muscles flex beneath my touch. His body was incredible, muscular and athletic, and all that power was currently working to bring me pleasure. I dropped my head forward to rest on my forehead against his neck as he began to take control of our movements, thrusting deep into my hot, wet core.

  Nothing had ever felt so right as the thought of belonging to him, although perhaps that was the more carnal part of my mind thinking. But, here, within the shelter of his arms, the desire to belong to him was unmistakable.

  He grasped the headboard on either side of my waist as he thrust slowly in and out of my body. I moaned, wrapping my arms around his shoulders, clutching him to me. He balled up one fist in my hair as he kissed me.

  “Oh, Gods,” I gasped against his lips.

  “Wrong side, love,” he teased, biting playfully at my lip as his thrusts became faster and harder.

  I closed my eyes and smiled as I moved with him, the pleasure building until it was almost unbearable. I smiled as he claimed me in the most primitive way possible, taking me to new heights of pleasure.

  Chapter Three

  He kissed my neck. “So, all he did was unlock a power you didn’t know you had?” He didn’t seem as concerned as he might usually be but just then I couldn’t really muster up much energy to be upset either, not after last night and this morning.

  “Yeah, it was weird.”

  His hand came up to cup my butt. “Well, due to this new and disturbing development I think you and I will need to stay off the grid for longer now. We may have to stay here for days, weeks even.” He ducked under the covers and began to kiss a trail down my body.

  I smiled, practically humming in pleasure, “Well, if you think it’s necessary,” I murmured, running my fingers lightly through his hair. My body was sticky with sweat but I didn’t even care.

  “It most definitely is necessary.” His voice was muffled by the sheet.

  Just then my stomach rumbled and he came out from beneath the sheet. “I told you we shouldn’t have missed breakfast.”

  “And I told you if we wanted to get breakfast you had to stop doing that thing you were doing.”

  He didn’t look the least bit sorry for keeping me too distracted to get breakfast. “I got the impression you really liked that thing I was doing,” he teased, his eyes darkening.

  “It was a rather pleasant thing,” I admitted reluctantly.

  He laughed, “Come get dressed, then we can go and get some food.” He gave me one last squeeze before rising to his feet.

  “I’m not sure I can move.”

  “You have been spending an inordinate amount of time in bed, you must be pretty out of shape.” He pulled on his boxers.

  I smirked and sat up, “I think you’ll find I’ve been getting quite the workout.”

  He grinned happily, baring white teeth, “Oh really?”

  I nodded swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “Really.” I snagged the bag full of my clothes and pulled out the first outfit I could find.

  After I dressed he wrapped his arms around me. “I hope you know you're mine now,” he murmured possessively.

  I smile, “You’ve made that very clear.” I felt myself flush.

  He chuckled, the sound deep and satisfied. “Just making sure. How are you feeling?” he asked, resting his hand on my hip, where the injury had been.

  “Pretty good.” I bit my lip.

  He wrapped an arm around my waist and guided me out the door “I was concerned that it may have been too much for you, I got a little carried away.” He smiled sheepishly.

  “The only thing that hurts right now are those bite marks you gave me,” I teased, rubbing my ass.

  His cheeks flushed slightly but he grinned. “Well, I could hardly resist when you look so tasty.”

  He took my hand as we headed downstairs. We climbed into the car and he drove us to the middle of town, he must have done his research because he seemed to know the area pretty well and we soon pulled up outside a cute little cafe.

  Once inside we sat down and ordered.

  “Mmm, this is really good.” I licked my lips after our food came.

  He smiled, “It’s still not the most nutritious breakfast.”

  I cut off a piece of the cake with my fork and offered it to him. “Nutrition sucks,” I told him.

  He leant closer and ate it. “Damn, that is good. We’ll have to get some more to go.” He nabbed my fork and took another, bigger bite.

  “Hey! That’s mine,” I exclaimed.

  He grinned, “I’m part demon remember, love? We take what we want.”

  “Oh really?”

  He cupped my chin and drew my lips to his, kissing me softly. “Really.”

  I reached over so snag one half of his panini and took a bite. “Witches can take what we want too,” I informed him after I’d swallowed.

  His mouth opened in mock shock but his eyes danced with amusement, “You wicked fiend. And what exactly is it that my lady desires?” he lifted my hand to his lips and shot me a dark, hungry look.

  “For starters, some more of this cake,” I said, placing the stolen panini back on his plate.

  He laughed softly. “Well for the next twenty-four hours I will make it my mission to give you what you want.”

  “Just the next twenty-four hours?” I raised an eyebrow teasingly at him.

  “I’m afraid I promised Radien that I would work on Monday. Not that you couldn’t convince me to call in sick.”

  I smiled, “I suppose I need to go back anyway. Jay will be worried and is probably still waiting on a report for my last job.” That thought put a slight dent in my mood but I didn’t let myself linger on it.

  Something in his expression told me he’d guessed what I was thinking, he rested his hand over mind and murmured, “But we still have tonight.”

  “Then I guess we’ll have to make the best of it.” I leant closer.

  He gave me that hungry look of his and reached to cup my cheek.

  “Marcy! Have you seen Becca?” said a frantic voice.

  I glanced over at a woman by the counter and Avon nuzzled my neck, undeterred from his quest to seduce me.

  “No. When did you last see her?” asked the shop owner, Marcy, her brow suddenly furrowed in worry.

  “She wasn’t in her bed when I woke up this morning, no one has seen her!” exclaimed the woman.

  I rested a hand on Avon’s arm in an effort to dissuade him from whispering naughty promises in my ear that made even me blush.

  “First the Matthews’ boy, now my Becca. Someone has to find them!”

  I started to rise to my feet but Avon held me down, “You’re not someone,” he informed me, apparently he’d been multitasking.

  “Honey, I’m definitely someone.” I pulled free of his grip and walked to the counter. “Is there any way I can help, Miss?”

  She looked at me skeptically, “Who are you?”

  “I’m Kia, I’m just in town for the weekend but I’d be more than happy to help. I know of some werecats who may be able to try tracking any missing persons.”

  She blinked, “Really?”

  I nodded, “Absolutely, they work for the Grimmers.”

  She grasped my forearm and I felt A
von step up behind me. “Really, I’ll pay anything, I don’t have much but-”

  I waved her off, “They often don’t charge when it comes to cases of kidnapping. If I give them a call they can be here in two hours.”

  Her grip tightened and I felt Avon tense. “Thank you, thank you so much.”

  “It’s no problem, just give me a minute.” I gently detached myself from her and stepped away as I pulled out my phone and dialed.

  “I was hoping this weekend would be about us,” murmured Avon sullenly as I raised the phone to my ear.

  “How’s my favourite baby sister?” came Wes’s voice as he picked up.

  “Good, how’s my favourite twin?”

  “I’m alright. What can I do for you?”

  “I need you and Wes to come out here and help me look into a case.” I intentionally made it sound like I thought I was talking to Cas, least be believed he was my favourite twin.

  “I’d be offended if I didn’t know you were just messing with me.” Apparently, he was aware that I had caller ID, nevermind. “Where are you?”

  “Trace the call, I’m just a few hours out of the city.”

  “Now, just what are you doing out of the city?” he sounded suspicious, which wasn’t good.

  The last thing I needed was him butting into my love life but if children were missing then this was more important. “I’m having a nice, relaxing weekend away, not that isn’t any of your business.”

  “You’re with the Demon Blood, aren’t you?”

  Damn, how had he guessed? “What would lead you to believe that?”

  “You started to get defensive.”

  “I know, I knew I was doing it the moment I had done it.” I sighed softly. He was definitely no fool.

  “I’ll be there in a little while, if only to keep an eye on Demon boy.”

  I scowled, there was nothing worse than family threatening to jeopardise one's chance at a long and pleasurable evening with a man as hot as Avon. “You know, one of these days you’re going to accept the fact that I’m an adult capable of making my own decisions.”