Dark and Dangerous: Six-in-One Hot Paranormal Romances

by Jennifer Ashley

  “Yeah, limp dick. Figured it out. You took other species against their will because you can’t procreate yourself. Otherwise, you’d be bouncing babies on your knee. What? Was that the price you paid for becoming Tristan’s bitch? Giving up your manhood?”

  Elric glowered at her. Score!

  She cupped her groin. “Doomed to celibacy, never getting a taste of what Lupines love? Always knowing your dick is softer than a DQ ice cream cone?”

  Shaking with rage, Elric stretched out his hands. Scenting ozone rippling in the air, she dodged his bolt of coldfire.

  But for her plan to work, she needed a major dose. “Is that all you got? Wuss,” she taunted.

  Blinding pain sliced her arm as the next blast hit home. She gritted her teeth. It wasn’t nearly enough.

  “You’d love to fuck me, but have to settle for getting your kicks by watching. All that power and you’re impotent.”

  “Bitch!” he screamed.

  His hands glowed so bright she had to blink away tears. This one was set to injure, not just stun. Good. Here we go...

  Seeing him fling back his hands, she ran for the mirror and yanked it off the wall. As he started to throw the bolt, she spun around, holding the mirror before her like a shield.

  Whap! The wizard’s coldfire bounced off the glass and slammed back into his face. Elric screamed and clapped his hands to his eyes. Oh, yeah, gotta hurt bad. He was blinded, for now. Enough time to save Kyle. Arianna grabbed the keys from the peg and raced to Kyle, unlocking his restraints.

  Her guardian charged the wizard, tackling him to the ground. Kyle could hold him while Elric was incapacitated. But not long. The consequences would be terrible. Her man needed her help.

  She ran into the tunnel on the left, calling out for other prisoners. The cages were here, she remembered. Two naked Lupines, a male and a female, were locked inside. Arianna fumbled with the keys and opened the doors.

  “Who are you?” the male demanded.

  “A friend. The purple geode on the west wall opens the cave entrance. Run as far and fast as you can, and bring Tristan.”

  The pair ran.

  Time to bring in the cavalry.

  Arianna raced back to the cavern where Kyle fought with Elric. Still blinded, Elric struck out, shooting erratic bolts of coldfire from his hands. Kyle wrapped his chains around the wizard’s neck and yanked hard. Elric dropped down.

  She pulled Kyle toward the exit, but as they ran, the wizard stood and gathered more power. He cocked his head and smiled.

  “I hear where you are.”

  Horrified, she watched Elric’s hands glowing with blue coldfire. Kyle pushed her down and took the hit. The energy struck the hunter, flinging him against the cavern wall like a ragdoll. He slid to the floor and remained still. Panic clogged her throat. Was he breathing?

  Elric’s nasty laughter echoed through the cavern. “You can’t even touch me. Not even when I’m temporarily weakened.”

  “I’m not afraid of you anymore, you asshole. You’re going down.”

  She rushed him, but the wizard tossed another energy bolt, lashing her across the chest. She staggered with searing pain.

  He could tell her location by sound. Arianna’s eyes watered with the agony.

  “Ari,” Kyle groaned.

  She raced over to her guardian and knelt down. Splaying a hand over his chest, she felt his faint heartbeat beneath her quivering palm. “I’m sorry, Kyle,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I didn’t have enough faith in you.”

  “Is... okay.” Laboring breaths wheezed in and out of his lungs. “Elric still... not see?”

  She glanced at the wizard, wildly groping the air. “Yes. But he’s flinging energy bolts. I can’t even rush him. He can hear me.”

  “Not Skin. Wolf. Aim low.” His lips moved. She caught the faint whisper. “Fluffy. Sic... balls.”

  Doubt filled her. Good plan, with one tiny flaw. “He still has them?”

  “Tristan left in place... you have energy... for one shift. Make it count. Make him burn his magick, drain it.”

  Whipping her head around, she saw the Wizard advance, his hands shimmering with coldfire.

  Arianna shifted into wolf and noiselessly loped toward Elric.

  The wizard turned. “Where are you, bitch? You can’t hide from me!”

  Oh yeah? Tensing her muscles, she gathered all her strength. And leapt, jaws open, fangs at the ready.

  Her teeth sank deep into his crotch. Arianna quickly released her hold.

  High-pitched screams followed, energy beams shooting erratically around the cavern. She shifted back into human form and raced to Kyle. He groaned and gathered her close, rolling over to shield her body with his, rolling to avoid each release of coldfire. But though Elric’s aim was off, they couldn’t avoid every blast and Kyle hissed as a bolt of dark magick singed his body.

  Gradually the energy blasts slowed and weakened. Finally they ceased. Arianna peeked through Kyle’s arms and saw the wizard slump to the floor.

  She wriggled out of his embrace, turned Kyle over and examined him. Bruised, bleeding from several deep gouges cut into his flesh, he looked wan and pale as moonlight. And then he transformed back into his human form. Light faded from his eyes.

  Kyle was dying. Panic clogged her throat. Arianna kissed his cold brow and whispered an entreaty to live. He must live.

  A brilliant silver light engulfed the cavern. Tristan materialized. In a black tunic and tight leather pants and soft boots, he was a welcome sight. Even if he still wanted to fry her ass, she didn’t care. Only Kyle mattered.

  Tears blurred her vision. “A little late, wizard. You missed the show. We were the psycho’s main attraction.” She gestured to the motionless Kyle. “Save him. Please.”

  Tristan glanced at Elric, then knelt by Kyle. He laid a hand on his chest and the spot where he made contact began to glow. Warmth tingled her fingers where she stroked her guardian’s brow.

  The Silver Wizard withdrew his hand. “He will live, but he is still too weak.” Tristan stood and narrowed his gaze at Elric. “The coldfire has seeped into his bones and internal organs. This was not possible when I granted you this power, Elric. You were charged with using the coldfire to protect the creatures of the forest, not punish.”

  Elric looked up and the sheer panic on his face almost made her feel sorry for the guy. Almost.

  “I amplified what you gave me, Tristan. What good is power if one does not use it?”

  Slowly, the Silver Wizard advanced toward his aide.

  “It’s your fault,” Elric shrieked. “You told me to test subjects for breeding. You ordered it!”

  Unable to tear her gaze away, Arianna watched, knowing what would happen next.

  “You have failed me, Elric, and failed in your duty. I warned you. I said willing subjects.”

  Tristan extended his long fingers, like a concert pianist ready to play. A terrible bluish-silver glow engulfed his hands. Elric began to babble and plead for his life.

  “First rule of the Brehon? Do. No. Harm. Except to those who do harm,” Tristan told him.

  The energy mass left Tristan’s fingertips and encased Elric in a silver web. Silver fire began licking at the wizard’s skin, sinking into flesh. Terrible screams ensued. And then the wizard began to glow with a silver light.

  With a horrible shriek, he exploded, filling the air with particles of blue ash.

  Swallowing hard, she warily watched Tristan turn. “You could have killed him faster. It would have been more merciful.”

  “Mercy is reserved for those who show it. I merely sent my powers into his body to do exactly what he has done to his other victims. Amplified.”

  His dark gaze softened. “I did not know Elric had mistreated and abused innocents like you, Arianna. But trust me when I say this: I will never again allow this to happen.”

  The wizard knelt down by Kyle and laid a hand on his brow. More warmth pulsed into her fingers, and then slowly, the icy chill in
the cavern dissipated.

  Tristan removed his hand as Kyle groaned and finally stirred. The bleeding from his wounds had stopped, but he looked pale.

  “I have done all I can. There is only one way for him to fully heal.” The wizard’s dark brown gaze seared her with his intensity. This was one scary dude, and she hoped he’d forgotten, or forgiven, her little transgression of shifting in front of Skins.

  “I’d take him to a hospital, but I think he’s on an HMO plan,” she said, gripping her guardian’s hand.

  “Kyle needs sexual relief as soon as possible to combat the effects of the full moon and the drugs Elric injected into him.”

  “If he doesn’t get it?”

  “He could die.”

  Arianna sucked in a breath. “I’ve heard men say they’ll die if they don’t get laid, but now you’re telling me it’s not just a line?”

  The wizard’s mouth quirked slightly. “I do like you, Arianna. It would have been a shame for me to destroy you. You have Kyle to thank for saving you. He bargained his freedom for your life.”

  More surprises. Arianna tunneled her fingers through Kyle’s thick hair. “This place isn’t exactly mood-setting.”

  The air compressed around her and then suddenly she felt a tremendous whoosh of pressure. Arianna blinked, staring.

  They were in the exact same position, but located inside the cave’s entrance on a mossy bank edging a turquoise pool. Dazzling blue, crimson, lavender and citrine crystals lined the cave walls. A luminous waterfall spilled down through an opening in the cavern. The water changed colors from blush pink to deep red, royal blue to sky blue, clear, then deep lavender and finally forest green.

  Transfixed by the beauty, Arianna stared as the colors danced upon hitting the quiet, clear pool. The pool narrowed as it flowed out of the cave into a creek. Green-leafed trees and brilliant wildflowers of azure and purple lined the stream. Beyond was a tangle of deep green forest, jagged purple mountains and a sharp blue sky.

  Her breath hitched as she glanced at Tristan, who nodded. “Tir Na-nog, land of enchantment and eternal youth and beauty. Birthplace of the OtherWorlders,” he murmured. “The cavern is a portal from this world to the mortal realm, guarded by wizards loyal to us.”

  “Except Elric wasn’t loyal to you.”

  “Do you think he was the only one, little Lupine? We have many secrets to guard and many servants who help guard them.” He stood, dusting off his hands. “The pool has healing powers, especially when two kindred souls join their bodies. Make sure to use the waterfall as well. Feels good on an aching back, and I suspect Kyle will need it when he finishes with you.”

  Astonishment filled her as he winked.

  “How do we get back?”

  The wizard tossed her a slim cell phone. “Call me. Press the star key four times, then pound 4.”

  Arianna palmed the phone. “I expected something more mysterious and wizardly, like magick glitter.”

  “I’m a wizard, not a fairy,” he said dryly. “Besides this is the twenty-first century. I may be 1,400 years old, but even I have to keep up with modern times.”

  When Tristan vanished, she hooked her arms around Kyle and pulled him into a sitting position. “C’mon, big bad Satyr, we’re going for a little swim.”

  Here, the air smelled cleaner and crisper. She tugged Kyle into the pool’s shallow entrance. The water felt refreshing, but not cold as she waded in, shuffling along the sandy bottom. Arianna looked down at her guardian and lifted him into her arms, surprised she could carry his muscled weight. Maybe the cave’s magick aided her.

  Or maybe she was stronger than she thought.

  You are much stronger than you realize, Kyle’s lazy drawl had assured her.

  Halfway across the pool, water up to her chest, she released her guardian. Panic flared when he hit the bottom and did not rouse.

  About to rescue him, she saw bubbles drifting upward. Tremendous ripples ringed the water as he broke the water’s surface like a cork popping off a champagne bottle. Awed, Arianna took a few steps back as he splashed up and stood.

  Gone were the wounds. Stunned, she glanced down and realized her own lacerations had vanished.

  A luminous red glow surrounded his body, pulsing with ribbons of golden light. The rippling crimson light was warm, unlike the stinging blue coldfire. “What happened?” she asked, hugging herself.

  “Tristan brought me here when he saved me. The healing pool guards the barrier between Tir Na-nog and earth. Our auras become more pronounced and visible when we bathe here.”

  Her body also glowed, her aura pulsing brilliant pink, interlaced with orange, not the passionate red of Kyle’s.

  Red pulsed from his fingertips as Kyle held out a hand. “Ari, join with me.”

  Solemnly, he touched his fingertips to hers, and then placed his palms flat against hers. His hands were large, the fingers long and tapered, nicked with old scars. Such strong hands, so skilled at arousing her to passion.

  “Breathe, Ari. Listen to the sound of your breathing mingling with mine. Your heart keeping time with mine.”

  Awed, she watched light stream from their interlaced fingers, the colors melding into each other as light from the crystals danced on the water.

  Kyle pulled her into his arms and kissed her, his tongue tangling with hers. His body was hard and thick with muscle, strong. Arousal seared her. She needed him. Arianna slid her hands up the thick biceps of his arms and heard a rumbling groan in response.

  She gave a little hop and wrapped her legs around his hips, her slit pressed against the tip of his erection. He squeezed her buttocks and then tried to slide her down upon his shaft. But the water made her tighter and her body resisted.

  Couldn’t she do this? But he kissed her forehead and murmured to her, soothing away apprehension. Kyle kissed her jaw, across her throat, his movements slow and gentle. Arousal built inside her. With his strong hands upon her hips, he lifted her and settled her atop his penis once more.

  This time, he pushed his way inside, her vaginal channel unresisting. Slowly, he began thrusting upward as she hooked her legs around his narrow hips. In and out, gentle, steady movements. Light pulsed from their bodies, his a burning crimson, hers a vibrant blue. The colors drifted upward and mingled, swirling and dancing

  Tastes exploded in her mouth as she kissed him again. He was the most decadent chocolate, the sharpest spice, the sweetest flair of apples and cinnamon. He tasted like all her dreams and her darkest, most secret fantasies. And then tendrils of his dark spice and erotic scent wound around her, licking between her legs and stroking her nipples, sliding down her spine and between her cheeks like silk.

  “Oh wow,” she moaned, rubbing her breasts against his hard chest.

  Mist arose from the pool, ribbons of condensed water beading, rising to the cavern and gathering on the crystal ceiling. The water droplets magnified the crystals, increasing their natural light and bathing them in an iridescent blue glow that wove into the iridescent pink of both their auras.

  Seizing her hips, he drew her up and down on his thick shaft as she squeezed and released her internal muscles.

  The blue glow encased them in a soft cocoon of light, shimmering, growing more luminescent as they gasped and strained against each other. Tension knotted her loins, the pleasure sharpening until she felt ready to burst.

  She had saved him, this beautiful Lupine who entrusted her tender heart to his care. Kyle gripped her tight, marveling at this female who had accepted him fully. She softly murmured as he gentled his strokes, her velvet voice soothing the beast inside. Arianna’s curves were rich and womanly, from the slope of her rounded hips to her perfect ass and the swell of her generous breasts. They moved together, his hard male body merging with her soft, pliant femaleness. As they strained together, the passion of their lovemaking growing more turbulent, he wrapped his arms around her, never wanting to let go.

  Arianna accepted him as he was, as Lupine and Satyr. She gentled
his beast, embraced his savage side and calmed his soul. Passion rose inside him, his loins full to bursting.

  “Ari,” Kyle gasped. “Come with me. Come with me now!”

  Gripping his shoulders, she screamed as she climaxed so hard, stars burst behind her eyelids. Kyle shouted her name as he released his seed. The light surrounding them both suddenly exploded into thousands of tiny blue, pink and crimson starbursts, shooting outward into the cavern.

  Resting his head against her shoulder, he murmured into her ear. “I love you. My Ari.”

  She stroked his wet hair, tangling her fingers through the silken strands. “I love you too. My beast.”

  Exhausted and spent, she rested her forehead against his broad shoulder, hearing their mingled ragged breaths echoing through the cavern. Inside her, his penis still pulsed out hot semen, sending little aftershocks of pleasure rippling through her vagina.

  Finally, he ceased ejaculating. Holding her in his arms, Kyle waded over to the shore and collapsed backward on the moss, pulling her atop him.

  “Wow.” Arianna shook her head, wet strands of hair flying. “That was incredible.”

  “The cave amplifies sensation and everything natural, including sex. Life has been born here.”

  “Babies?” She rested her cheek against his warm, wet chest as he stroked her head.

  “Hope,” he told her solemnly. “Hope for all those who’d lost the desire to live, including a 12-year-old hybrid Lupine who thought death was the only way to end all the pain.”

  A few minutes later, they untangled their limbs and then found strength enough to explore their surroundings. The wide mossy bank led to alcoves in the rock wall. One alcove held a small room, complete with a bed, table and chairs. A basket of fruit sat on the table, along with a polite note inviting any visitors to help themselves.

  Outside this room was a small rock ledge jutting over the pool. They sat, dangling their feet over the edge. Kyle munched on a bright green apple while she ate a pear, juice so sweet it exploded in her mouth.

  “The water has healing properties, and restorative ones.” Kyle tossed the core into the water.

  “Litterbug.” She craned her neck and watched as the apple core bobbed, caught on an invisible current, out of the cave and into the stream. It rolled up onto the shore just outside the cave and immediately a flowering tree sprang up. Arianna stared in shock.