by Multiple
Love Charms
A Paranormal Romance Boxed Set
Blinded by Magic: A Witch Romance by Ava Catori: Raven’s weakness is mortal men. She’s fallen hard for Derek. There’s just one problem, he doesn’t know she’s a witch. Can he accept her truth or will their relationship crumble?
Blind Date by Selena Kitt: Selena Kitt’s Blind Date ventures into the strange and surreal realm of magical realism in a hot Valentine’s Day romance that takes on the classic Greek myth of Eros and Psyche.
Breathless by Cerys du Lys: Sadie and Evan live in different worlds. Brought together by fate, and held there by hope, can they bridge the gap dividing humanity, or will long held fears and prejudice force them apart forever?
The Passion Cure by Deanna Roy: Jet is a Nix, an outcast enchantress with zero power. To conjure a love spell to save her family, she seduces a handsome enchanter who is willing to break the rules, and possibly, her heart.
Marked by Charisma M. Cole: Jade Murray is a witch that can communicate with the dead. After a summoning goes awry, two murders rock the human and supernatural world. One thing connects the gruesome acts: Jade.
The Warlord’s Concubine by J.E. & M. Keep: As a servant to the princess for much of her life, Mirella sees the conquest of the land as an opportunity to elevate herself.
A Demon and His Witch by Eve Langlais: Remy’s seen a lot during his tenure in Lucifer’s guard, but nothing can prepare him for the witch with the acerbic tongue—and voluptuous figure. Can he convince her to love him and not kill him?
Psychic Appeal by Michelle McCleod: Psychic Sofia Parker has fallen in love, a problem because her new relationship drives the lovesick ghost of her ex-boyfriend to come back from the dead…anyway he can.
Memoir of a Reluctant Shaman by Ty Nolan: When his love spell goes wrong, our hero is exiled to be fully initiated as a Shaman in this spicy tale of New Orleans Voodoo and Native American magic.
Vampire Lords of Blacknall: Trinity by Shirl Anders: Only a creature of the night can save her. Lady Beth Winslow never stays home at night. She fears her stepbrother. Then a monster stalks her in the dark woods and she cannot tell beast from savior.
Table of Contents
Blinded by Magic: A Witch Romance by Ava Catori
Blind Date by Selena Kitt
Breathless by Cerys du Lys
The Passion Cure by Deanna Roy
Marked by Charisma M. Cole
The Warlord’s Concubine by J.E. & M. Keep
A Demon and His Witch by Eve Langlais
Psychic Appeal by Michelle McCleod
Memoir of a Reluctant Shaman by Ty Nolan
Vampire Lords of Blacknall: Trinity by Shirl Anders
Blinded by Magic: A Witch Romance
Ava Catori
*This story was originally released under the title of Witch’s Brew in 2012.
It has since been re-written and expanded. This is a work of fiction.
Chapter 1
“Why do you always fall for mortal men?” Ziara sighed, her fingers rubbing at her temples.
“You’re the one who insists we straddle between our world and theirs.” Raven’s annoyance with her sister was growing. It’s like she wanted to control every aspect of her life. “I can’t help it if my tastes are different than yours.” She was a grown woman, not that Ziara noticed half the time.
“What is this, the third one now? It’s time to grow up and get serious. We have a perfectly good breeding season coming, and you’re going to waste it like it means nothing.” Her glare cast shards of ice. This wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation, and it wouldn’t be the last.
“I’m not ready to be a mother. Besides, what’s the hurry?” It was nonsense. She still had plenty of good years in front of her. Not that Ziara seemed to notice. As far as she was concerned, she’d dallied too long.
“Season of the Witch is coming. You can’t avoid it forever. Must you play these games during such an important time of the year? How is it possible you choose the worst season every time? You do it on purpose, don’t you?”
Benji piped in. “Don’t bother calling Charlene for a love potion. We all know how helpful she can be.” He couldn’t hide the sarcasm that dripped from his voice.
“Toad, you’re not helping.”
“Dammit, it’s Benji! I’ve been a bulldog for three seasons now. Can’t we move forward?”
“Sorry, it’s just that you were a toad for six seasons. I’m still getting used to the change. How much longer until you evolve back into a falcon? Man, you must have really pissed Charlene off this time.”
“Yeah, well, let’s just say she found me fooling around with her sister.”
“Nice,” Ziara said flatly. “What is it with the male species being unable to keep it in their pants?”
“Falcons don’t wear pants. I was in my falcon form at the time.”
“So that makes it right?” Raven shook her head.
“Her sister is hot as a dove. I couldn’t help myself. Anyway, three more seasons as a dog, six seasons as a falcon, and then I can shift back to my human form again. I miss having hands. I feel like a slobbering fool, so heavy and plodding, stuck to the ground. I can’t wait to fly again.”
“I can imagine,” Raven started. “Is there anything you like about being a dog?”
“Raven, stop trying to change the topic. It’s not helping matters. Benji has his own issues!” Ziara grew more frustrated. It was like talking to a wall. “And Benji, don’t think for a second I’ll defend you for doing Charlene’s sister.” She turned her attention back to her younger sister. “Now for you princess. How many times are you going to fall for a mortal? Haven’t you learned by now? I understand you like this guy, but it can’t end well. Let’s face it, he’s either going to be spooked or intrigued. He shouldn’t know about our world.” It didn’t matter how many times she warned Raven, she seemed to have her own mind about these things.
Raven pouted. “He’s really cute and sweet. Did I mention cute?”
“Great, he sounds swell. It’s bad news, and you know it.” She was not amused.
“You’re always a party pooper.”
“Raven, just think about it, please. Season of the Witch is coming. I don’t want you to miss that opportunity. It’s important to carry on our traditions. There aren’t many of us left. Look how our numbers have dwindled over the years just by blending with mortals.” It was true. What was once a vibrant witch community, many in fact, had shrunk over the years.
“I get that, but why should it be on me to populate our brood?” It hardly felt fair.
“It’s on all of us, not just you. Do you really want your nieces and nephews to have unsafe family members around? I mean, what would it mean to our history down the line?”
Sitting down, she took her sister’s words into consideration. Truly, she did. It’s just she wasn’t ready to stop seeing Derek, not yet. He was different than the others. He was special.
She didn’t purposely go out of her way to meet him, it just happened. She was minding her own business at the farmer’s market when she bumped into him. Their shoulders bustled one another over the produce. It was bliss when their eyes met, standing wordless and awkward together. He was tall and handsome. His smile made her weak in the knees. And his eyes… she could stare into them all day. Raven sighed thinking about his eyes, even now. There was no hiding the mutual attraction. One thing led to another, and within moments Derek had asked her on a date. It all happened so fast. How could she say no? Not that she wanted to say no, because, hello handsome!
In all honestly, she figured she’d go on a date or two, have some fun, and cut him loose. Only, it got complicated after a few dates. She really liked him. She just couldn’t say goodbye, not yet. She d
idn’t expect to like him so much. Then one day turned into another, and another…
Ziara was afraid Raven would fall in love, but Raven didn’t have blinders on. She knew he wasn’t “their kind.” It wasn’t easy for mortals and witches to have stable relationships. She’d just have to be careful.
*
“I’m just saying tossing me a table scrap now and again might be nice,” Benji whined.
“They’re not good for you. Besides, we buy you the best dog food there is.” Ziara was distracted. She didn’t see him there. The instant it hit, it was too late. Her attention swung to the man sitting in the kitchen.
Derek sat at the kitchen table, his eyes as large as saucers. He swallowed hard and could barely choke out the words. In a stutter, he finally spit it out. “Did…did that dog just talk?” He might be going crazy, but he swore their bulldog, Benji, talked out loud.
Ziara’s hand shot up to her mouth. She didn’t know he was here. She wasn’t expecting anyone, but there he was, a mortal in the kitchen. She had to think quickly, before too much damage was done. She cast a spell and watched as Derek turned to stone. Ziara let out a deep sigh. At least this way he couldn’t absorb any new information. She knew there’d be trouble. Raven just didn’t see it. Dating a mortal meant too many complications for all of them.
Raven walked in from the other room, “So Derek, I….oh crap. What happened?” Raven bit her lip, seeing her boyfriend frozen in stone. Derek was a piece of granite!
Ziara and Benji watched Raven. They’d have to explain. Ziara shrugged.
“What the hell happened? And what are you doing here? More importantly, why is Derek a statue?” Raven seethed. This wasn’t how she expected her date to go. She invited him over for a picnic lunch. They were packing up a few last things before heading out. What she’d pictured was a romantic escapade; wine, finger sandwiches, and some heated kisses. What she got instead was a rock. Fuming, she waited impatiently for an answer.
“He saw Benji talking. What do you think? What’s he doing here anyway?”
“Sure, blame the dog,” Benji grumbled.
“We were packing lunch. What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Right,” Ziara started slowly. “I hit the market and was dropping Benji off. I wanted to discuss some business with him, so I took him with me.”
Raven shook her head. “My date is a statue, a freaking statue. Could you kindly turn him back into a man?”
“He looks good in stone,” she teased.
“Not funny. Fix this!”
“Before I do, let’s get this straight. It was his imagination. We can joke about how funny a talking dog would be.”
“Fine. Just bring him out of it.” Raven was pissed.
Ziara mumbled under her breath. Raven shouldn’t be playing with mortals anyway. Begrudgingly, she released the spell. It took only a moment to fade.
“Did that dog just talk?” He was unaware he’d been stone a few moments earlier. He was mid-thought when he’d been transformed.
“What, a talking dog? Imagine that.” Ziara laughed. “Ludicrous!”
Raven rolled her eyes at her sister and gave a false chuckle. “I wish. Imagine how famous we’d be!”
Benji toddled into the other room and jumped on the sofa. He stared at the remote with frustration. Thumbs, he really missed thumbs…and fingers. Damn curse. He’d have to wait for someone to come in and put the ball game on for him.
Grabbing the picnic basket, Raven was more than happy to leave. “Are you ready?”
Derek scratched his head. He was still trying to figure out what happened. “Yeah, I guess. It’s so crazy. I swear I saw the dog talk.”
“You’re so cute,” she answered while playing into the charade. “Could you imagine? That would be cool.”
Derek’s car was waiting in the driveway. Opening the door, he took the picnic basket and placed it behind the seat on the floor.
How do these things get so complicated? Maybe Ziara was right. Dating one of their own would be easier. It’s just that mortals were so innocent and vulnerable. She couldn’t help but be drawn to them. And love…a slow, delicious buildup, sensual kisses, who could ask for anything more?
Maybe it was a rebellion thing and time to grow up. Breeding season was getting closer. If she waited too long she might lose her chance. And if she settled on life with a mortal she might not be allowed to breed at all. Her elders got to make that choice. It was a weird thing in the witch community compared to the mortal community. Things were just different. They rarely meshed well together.
“How weird. I have no idea what I was thinking.” Derek shook his head. What on earth made him think a dog would talk? How odd.
“Yeah, that was funny. Anyway,” Raven continued, changing the topic, “I’m sorry I didn’t make a proper introduction. I guess we got sidetracked. That was my sister, Ziara. Benji likes to take car rides, so she takes him out for me sometimes. Did you have a location in mind for this afternoon?”
“Yeah, actually I do.” His deep voice softened. “I know a spot by the lake that’s cozy and romantic.”
“That sounds great.” Raven reached over and turned the radio louder, drowning out her thoughts.
Derek was a great guy. It was so easy to like him. He was charming, sexy, and hot…a winning combination. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a witch. If the others have anything to say about the situation, it could cost Raven a lot to stay in this relationship. They weren’t thrilled when a witch chose to date or mate outside of their group.
Her brain raced. Get out before I get too attached, meet a nice witch and settle down. Or do I live my life on my terms? Raven’s stubbornness got in the way of common sense sometimes, and in the case of Derek it was a hurdle she’d have to pass. They weren’t even that serious yet. She still had plenty of time to enjoy his company. Just how long was the question.
Derek wasn’t the first mortal she’d dated. She had a dangerous habit of preferring mortal men over witches. Male witches came on too strong and cocky. Not to mention the lack of romance, because they relied on spells. Mortals were different; they were sweet, soft, and romantic. Once she had a taste of romance, she could only hope and dream she’d experience true love, like a delicate dance between two lovers.
Once she’d experienced romance, the mortal kind, she craved more of it. Sure, spells are nice, but there’s purpose behind them, predictability with an expected outcome. Romance with mortals was new and exciting. It was unpredictable, a guessing game, always leaving something to the imagination.
Derek made her tingle all over. Every time his lips brushed hers, she craved more of his delicious, tender kisses that left her weak in the knees, kisses that were warm and wet, kisses that left her aching for another taste.
She’d never experienced those kinds of kisses with male witches. She’d dated plenty, but the “magic” – how ironic to say that was what was missing. She was just supposed to pick one, have a love spell cast, and that was that. Only, nobody ever left her wanting more. Derek, though, had his own brand of special magic, and Raven was smitten.
Chapter 2
It was a gorgeous warm day. The sun shone brightly and a gentle breeze offered a bit of relief from the heat. Mortals called it summer, but for witches it was simply known as the warm season. That meant there was only one more season before “Season of the Witch”, otherwise known as the breeding season.
Ziara was worried that Raven might miss her opportunity, but Raven had other ideas. Ziara was a great mom. She was always responsible and nurturing; it was a natural fit for her. Raven, on the other hand, was more of a free spirit. She wasn’t ready to be a mother, regardless of her age. She knew she’d be ready some day, but not yet. She hated how everyone rushed her, like she’d lose her chance. Ziara was the absolute worst, always nagging her.
Pulling into the park, they collected their things and went to find a special spot. Derek carefully spread out a blanket on the lake’s shore. Spraw
ling across it, Raven noticed how tall he was, his feet extending farther than her own. She loved being in his arms. He was big and strong, and perfect for snuggling into.
Lingering on the buzz of wine and good company, Raven nuzzled in closer. Derek’s fingers lazily played in her hair. His hands soon took liberties and started to roam. The couple tried to police themselves, being in a public park, but it was getting harder to do. The foreplay aroused them more than they anticipated.
Each touch left Raven dizzy. The little hairs stood on the nape of her neck, and each time he leaned in to kiss her she melted just a little more. Every time they were together, flirting, fooling around, and snuggling close, she thought about what came next. They hadn’t gone ‘there’ yet. She hoped to wait a little longer, but it was getting more difficult to hold back.
Every single time he kissed her, Raven knew she’d be giving in sooner than she planned. She reeled herself back in. Confronting the reality of her life and him not knowing she was a witch, she forced herself to wait. It’s not that she didn’t want to have sex with him, but she knew that once she did her emotions would be out of control. It would impossible to make a rational decision if she got intimate.
Raven let her fingers run over the bulge of Derek’s bicep. His skin was warm from the sun. She loved the curve of his arm. The urge to touch him, feel him, and be with him was overwhelming. She drew her fingers across his hard, muscled chest. She sighed. This wasn’t going to be easy.
Derek was feeling it too. Their bodies were on fire together, a spark waiting to ignite. The hunger was intense. There was only one thing left on Derek’s mind.
“Come back to my place.” It was more of a statement than a question, but he already knew the answer. They were both ready for more.
Raven nodded quietly and leaned in for another kiss. The tender intimacy bathed her in sexual awakenings. His lips were soft. She was thirsty for a taste of him, and as their mouths lingered together, her entire body filled with electricity.
Gathering their belongings, they strolled back to the car hand in hand. Derek packed the blanket and basket into the trunk of the car. Before opening the car door, he needed another taste of Raven. He pressed her to the curved outline of the vehicle, his body strong against her own, and lowered his mouth to hers.