“Hey, Wicked.” Kira Grail hurried into the shop, followed by her sister, Mira, and two men.
“What’s wrong?” Wicked hurried toward her to give her a hug, and got a closer look at the two men. She almost fell as she backpedaled, but the younger one caught her. “Vampire!” Wicked screamed.
The man also screamed, “Where?”
Wicked tried to pull her arm away from him, but he wasn’t letting go. Her magic was worthless against him. She didn’t know what to do.
“Wicked, it’s okay.” Kira grabbed onto her, and the vampire finally let her go. “This is Mira’s mate, Steve. And this is Ronan. They’re VC Warriors. I promise they won’t hurt you. They’ve been helping Mira and me.”
“Really?” Wicked still wasn’t sure. Any vampire she had ever met was bad news, but she had vaguely heard of the VC Warriors. They were a special breed who worked at keeping not only their race safe, but humans as well.
“I’ve heard of these VC Warriors.” Bruce, who had run at Wicked’s scream, walked toward them.
“Holy fuck!” The younger one named Steve jumped back. “A talking cat... with an earring.”
“Holy fuck!” Bruce mocked him. “A talking bloodsucker... with a goofy haircut.”
Chapter 10
The other man actually chuckled. “He got you on that one, Steve.”
Wicked’s heart finally slowed down when she realized they were okay and not going to attack her. Seriously, her few interactions with vampires were not good.
“I’m sorry,” she said sheepishly after hugging Kira and then Mira. “I’m Wicked, and that’s my familiar, Bruce.”
She stuck out her hand to Steve, but before he took her hand in his, something came through the front window. Before Wicked knew what was going on, something huge and black landed on Steve, sending him across the room and into the wall. Wicked, along with Kira, Mira, and Bruce screamed.
The other vampire flew across the room jumping on a... panther. “No!” Wicked screeched, understanding what was happening. She ran and threw herself in the middle of the fight, kicking and yelling. She came face-to-face with the panther. “Thorne, it’s okay. They’re friends. Please, don’t hurt him,” she begged the vampire who was on top of Thorne.
“Ronan!” Kira had run up, tugging on the vampire whose once beautiful golden eyes were now black.
The panther shook him off, then backed away, but continued to pace, his eyes never leaving the two vampires. Wicked looked down at Steve, who was finally picking himself off the floor. “Holy hell, that’s something to tell the guys when we get back.” He checked himself over. “Bet none of them were ever attacked by... what the fuck is that... a panther?”
Wicked watched Thorne stop, his eyes settling on her before he shifted into human form, naked.
“Oh, wow,” Kira said, then giggled.
“Holy wow!” Mira sighed with round eyes.
“Hey, whoa there, buddy.” Steve hurried to stand in front of Mira, who kept trying to peek around Steve. “You got something to cover up them jewels. Don’t need my mate seeing that. Jesus, dude, you’re hung like—”
“Steve, shut the fuck up.” This came from Ronan.
Wicked twirled her finger toward Thorne, who became fully dressed. She may be a little perturbed with him for running out after their night together, but that didn’t mean she wanted other women seeing his package. Yeah, not happening.
Thorne stepped in front of her, separating her from the others. “Who the fuck are you?” he demanded, his body tense as if ready to shift again if needed.
“We’re VC Warriors. I’m Ronan, and this is Steve.” Ronan stepped forward. “We’re here to talk to Kira’s friend Wicked. We mean no harm.”
The silence, as well as sensing Thorne’s tension easing, gave Wicked a minute to glance at her storefront window. “Did you really have to break my window?”
“I’ll fix it.” His reply was curt, his stance still defensive.
“Is this him, Wicked?” Kira grinned, looking Thorne up and down. “Nice, very nice.”
Wicked was giving Kira the “shut the hell up” sign as well as shaking her head, but Kira being Kira didn’t listen. “Thorne, they’re fine.”
“Yeah, they’re good.” Bruce shook out his fur, then stared at the glass scattered all over the floor. “How about we clean that up, so I don’t get any in my paws. What do you say?”
“Still can’t get over that.” Steve stared openly at Bruce with a big grin on his face. “Are you a Shifter?”
“I’m a familiar,” Bruce said, looking bored.
“Ah, yeah.” Steve shook his head. “Didn’t really answer that, but whatever.”
“Oh my Goddess!” Wicked ran around Thorne, who tried to stop her, but missed. “You had the baby!”
Mira smiled. “I did. She’s beautiful!”
“She?” Wicked glanced at Kira. “Oh no! I thought it was a boy. What are you going to do?”
“About what?” Thorne asked, sounding confused, and Wicked knew she was going to have to explain.
“Kira said you could possibly help find her cousin, whether alive or dead.” Ronan looked at Wicked, ignoring Thorne.
“But we tried.” Wicked shook her head.
“Yeah, that was pretty dangerous for Wicked.” Bruce broke in, sounding more serious than he ever did. “The bastard is already looking for you, but now he could be looking for her because she took you in. The more magic she uses to help you, the more danger she’s in. I cannot allow it, Wicked.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but if there’s a chance to contact her and ask her to lift the curse and help us kill Orjyll....” Kira frowned, biting her nail.
“Kill... what?” Thorne’s voice rose. Then he shook his head. “What in the hell is going on?”
Wicked sighed. “They have a cousin—”
“A very distant cousin,” Steve added with a nod.
“Who fell in love with a very powerful warlock. He, unfortunately, broke her heart. She put a binding spell on him and then disappeared. He’s now seeking revenge for his loss of magic and has been for centuries. By putting the binding spell on a very powerful warlock, their cousin sealed the fate of every Grail female in the Dragonfly Coven.” Wicked frowned, glancing at Mira and Kira before looking back up at Thorne. “If he kills every Grail female in existence, the binding spell will be broken. Mira and Kira were the last, but now there’s another Grail female. Mira’s new baby. I have to help them.”
“Shit!” Thorne cursed, then glanced out the window without a saying another word.
“I also need her to banish the curse,” Mira added, her voice shaky. “Because of her broken heart, she cursed any man who fell in love with a Grail woman.”
“Which means my ass is on the line.” Steve pointed to himself. “Not that I’m worried, but I know Mira is and anything to ease her mind I will do.”
“And all of this puts you on this asshole’s radar?” Thorne looked down at Wicked who nodded. “Then no, sorry, guys, but you need to move along.”
“Excuse me.” Wicked stepped away from him.
“Oh shit.” Bruce shook his furry head as he also backed away. “I’d suggest you guys back away too. Not much pisses Wicked off, but when it does, things get a little, you know, wicked.”
“You heard me,” Thorne replied in his high and mighty voice. “Anything that puts you in danger is not okay with me.”
“And where in any of the conversation that just happened did I ask your permission?” Wicked countered, her voice lowered in anger.
“Oh, snap,” Steve said.
“Uh-oh!” Bruce added.
Thorne’s eyes narrowed as he took her elbow and led her toward her drawing office. He closed the door behind him. “You are not putting yourself in danger with a powerful warlock.”
“He’s under a binding spell and can’t do anything to me. And this isn’t your problem. I gave Kira a place to stay while she was on the run. I’ve just had to be careful
because if he knows I’ve been helping Kira, he can use me against her and Mira. That’s something I won’t allow. I’m not afraid of him, but I am afraid he will somehow do something to the Shifters here in Assjacket. We have a feeling he has another witch doing his dirty work until he can get his powers back. My fear is not for myself with this asshole. It’s for everyone else,” Wicked explained, then rolled her eyes. “And why do you care anyway?”
“I’m going to ignore that question,” Thorne snarled. He then pulled out his phone, texted something, and then put it back in his pocket. “Because if that isn’t obvious, then I don’t know what is.”
“Well, it’s kind of hard to tell since you just walked out without a word.” Okay, there it was. The real truth that was bothering her. She could handle a pissed off warlock, she could even handle a pissed off Thorne, but what she couldn’t handle was being used, and that’s what she felt like when she’d woken up alone.
Thorne stared at her like she had three heads. “I had to leave but didn’t want to wake you.” He touched her cheek with the back of his hand. “I planned on being back before you even woke up, but something came up and—”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me, Thorne.” Wicked cut him off.
“If you doubt me, then yes, I do.” His reply was spoken softly, but with conviction. “I have nothing to hide, and I thought I made my feelings for you clear last night. If you still have doubts about my feelings, then I definitely didn’t do it right.”
Wicked couldn’t help the shocked snort that escaped. Was he freaking crazy? He definitely did it right, but that was sex. “Sex and feelings are two totally different things.”
“Not for me when it comes to you.” He growled, his eyes still narrowed. His phone rang, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Glancing down at it, he frowned. “I have to take this.”
Wicked shrugged, then watched as he headed for the door, but he stopped saying, “Hold on,” into the phone. He reached out and pulled her to him.
“I will be back.” He leaned down and kissed her hard before walking out the door, leaving her shaken to her core.
Following him out, she watched as he said something to Steve and Ronan, who both followed him outside. Glancing at the glass scattered over the floor, she waved her fingers and, within seconds, the mess was cleaned up and the glass replaced. Being a witch definitely had its benefits.
She turned her attention to Mira and Kira, who stood looking at her oddly. “What?”
“What in the hell do you mean, what?” Kira rolled her eyes. “That is one fine-looking man.”
“Your Warriors are pretty gorge themselves.” Wicked grinned.
“Ronan isn’t my Warrior.” Kira frowned, glancing quickly away.
“Well, Steve is my Warrior so keep your wicked hands to yourself,” Mira teased with a laugh.
“I’m happy for you, Mira,” Wicked said and meant it. She had known the sisters for almost two years. She was closer to Kira, but Mira had stayed with her also when they were on the run from Orjyll. “I can’t wait to see the baby. As a matter of fact, where is she?”
“Steve and I decided it was safer for Drew to stay at the Warrior compound surrounded by very capable Warriors and their mates,” Mira replied, then sighed. “I miss her so much.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.” Wicked smiled, her eyes traveling toward the window to see Thorne in deep conversation with the two vampires. The door opened and in walked two men. Shit, her appointment.
“Hi.” Wicked headed over to greet them. “Can I help you?”
“Yeah, I called yesterday.” The man smiled, then glanced at Mira and Kira. “I’m Jason.”
“You wanted the back piece,” Wicked remembered, then stepped to the counter. Pulling out a photobook, she opened it up. “Here is some of my work. I know you have something in mind, but I want you to see what I can do before you make a decision to use me.”
The man nodded as he flipped through the book. “These are really good.” He flicked through a few more pages. “You are really good.”
“Thank you.” Wicked was pleased with the praise. “Back pieces are my favorite. It will take a few sessions to complete. Do you know exactly what you want?”
The man quickly described what he wanted, and Wicked went to her office and drawing table to start working something up. She hated to leave Kira and Mira, but she needed the money and couldn’t afford to turn work away.
By the time she was finished, she had glanced up to see Thorne leaning just inside the door watching her work.
“You’re very talented,” he mused, looking from her artwork to her.
“Thank you.” His compliment pleased her more than she wanted to admit. She walked past him to the front counter.
The two men hurried to see what she had drawn up. “Damn!” The guy with Jason nodded. “That’s awesome.”
“Is this what you wanted?” She glanced down at her design. It was an eagle with a snake in its beak. She had added a few other things to bring the tattoo together, and he seemed to love it.
“That’s more than what I wanted.” He grinned with excitement.
After they talked price and when she could start, she had him remove his shirt to make sure the piece was going to fit and then sent him on his way. Thorne had stood in the background watching her interact with her customer without saying a word. It made her nervous. She wasn’t used to being observed—except for Bruce—when she dealt with her customers.
Kira and the rest were lounging in her waiting room, Steve and Bruce talking up a storm. Wicked was ready to call it a day but had a feeling that wasn’t going to happen.
“I told you I would fix the window.” Thorne’s deep voice washed over her.
“I got it this time,” Wicked replied, then went to put her drawing things away. “Just don’t make it a habit of coming through my window.”
“If I feel you’re in danger, I’ll tear this place apart.” He growled, then turned off her light when she was finished. “Come on, we have a party to go to.”
Her mind was still on what he’d said about her being in danger, that she didn’t know if she heard him right. “Party?” When he nodded, she looked down at herself. “I’m not dressed for a party. Whose party?”
Thorne pulled her close, his lips going to her ear. “You look beautiful.”
She let him lead her out without saying a word, because when he said things like that, in his deep voice, her brain went to mush. It was really pitiful he could do that to her, and she really needed to do something about it. Maybe next time.
Chapter 11
Wicked walked hand in hand with Thorne toward a hardware store. Bruce, along with Kira, Mira, Steve, and Ronan followed. She had used her magic to change while on the back of the bike. She had hoped no one saw her as her spell worked, but then again, she would have thought the strangest thing would have been seeing Bruce straddling the handlebars as they rode down the street.
“Why are we going to a hardware store?” Wicked frowned, glancing up at Thorne.
“This isn’t your normal hardware store, Wicked.” Bruce pranced his way up to the door, then waited for Thorne to open it. He hurried inside, his furry butt racing toward the back.
“Obviously.” She looked around as they walked through the dark storefront before stopping at a rusted door. Thorne pushed it open, and Wicked gasped. Inside was a bustle of activity. Music blared as people danced, and a huge bar was set in the back of the room. “What in the hell?”
“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Thorne grinned down at her.
Suddenly everything stopped, even the music died on a dime. The silence was deafening as everyone stared first at her, then behind her at the two vampires. Wicked took a step back, but Thorne stopped her as he stood tall and strong. Hearing shuffling, she saw Mac coming from the side with a beautiful woman with curly auburn hair and the greenest eyes she had ever seen. She figured the woman was Zelda, the Shifter Whisper, at his side.
Mac stopped in front of Thorne, his eyes on Steve and Ronan before he turned around to face the crowd. “They are our guests and will be welcomed,” Mac said loudly, his tone daring anyone to argue.
A few whispers went around the room, but then the music started again, and everyone went on with their activities. Mac turned back around to face them then tilted his head. “Let’s go over here.”
They followed Mac and Zelda into a room, Mac shutting the door behind them. His eyes went directly to Steve and Ronan. “I’ve heard a lot about the VC Warriors,” Mac finally said. “I apologize for the reception you received, but their experience with vampires has not been pleasant.”
“Understandable,” Steve replied, his arm around Mira. “I’ve met a few myself who haven’t been pleasant.”
“If I didn’t think you were safe with the people in Assjacket—”
“Excuse me, did you just say, Assjacket?” Steve interrupted Zelda with a shake of his head.
Zelda gave him a beautiful smile. “I did.”
“Okay, let me get this straight—” Steve started, but Ronan slammed him with a glare.
“Steve, don’t even start,” Ronan said with a sigh.
“Yeah, but first a talking cat, I get attacked by a Shifter, who is a scary-ass panther, and then I find out the town is called... Assjacket.” Steve looked like he couldn’t contain himself. “How in the hell do you expect me to keep my damn mouth shut?”
Zelda laughed with a nod. “I like you.” She smiled, but then it faded real quick. “And as I was saying, if I didn’t think you were safe for the people here, you would not be here.”
“Well I appreciate you seeing us,” Thorne replied. “This is Wicked.”
Wicked smiled at the woman she had heard so much about. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Mac has told me about you, Wicked.” Zelda looked at her closely.
Wicked felt uncomfortable, knowing she should have introduced herself long before now. “I’m sorry I haven’t—”
Wicked *itch: Magic and Mayhem Universe Page 6