by Nikki Landis
“I don’t cross swords,” Damian replied with an apologetic look at Ryder, “but I’ll share the same space or the one next to it.”
A loud guffaw left Ryder’s lips.
“Huh?”
“Think about it, my precious pet.”
I did, suddenly blushing all the way to my roots. No easy task for a girl of mixed blood with an almond complexion. Sputtering, I had no idea what to say. Did he mean double penetration? Or something else . . . like rear entry?
‘Oh yes, every hole, pet.’
My heart raced faster in my chest as I couldn’t think of a response.
“Oh, come now. I think you have plenty of fantasies to share with us.” Gabe’s words were so unlike him that my jaw dropped. “Lycan like to be experimental.”
“Personally,” Kayde interrupted, “I like rope, cuffs, anything that chains or ties her down and puts Cassie at our mercy.”
Three other heads nodded enthusiastically as I released a shaky breath. “Uh . . .”
Holy shit.
What was happening? Were they mapping out my sex life and signing up for turns?
‘Not just turns, my sexy little pet.’
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We all want the same thing.” Gabe’s wide grin let me know exactly what that was – me.
‘No, pet, he means we all want to make you come. Over and over and over again.’ Pausing to lift a strand of my hair and tuck it behind my ear, his intense green eyes held mine. ‘I’ve had a taste, precious, but I want a lot more.’
Damn.
How the hell was I going to handle all four of my Cosan at once?
Chapter 13
“Hello, Cassandra.”
I spun around as my hands lifted in the air, immediately sending extra power to my shields. “What do you want, Dmitri?”
He was leaning against my wall, legs crossed one over the other as if this was a friendly chat. Shrugging, he replied casually as if I should have expected he would come to me at the soonest opportunity. “Just saying hi, love. No reason to overreact.”
“Ha,” I snorted, fixing him with a glare. “I never invited you into my house. Howe Manor is off limits to you from this moment forward.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “You’re so slow to learn. Pay attention, little Raven.”
What was that supposed to mean?
“Go to Hell, Dmitri.”
His full lips rose into a devious grin, much the same as his twin. The only difference was the edge of cruelty that lingered along the lines of his nearly flawless skin, along with the strawberry colored birthmark. “I’ve been there tons, love. Quite boring and overrated if you ask me.”
“I didn’t.”
Placing a hand over his heart, his pretended to be hurt by my response. “You really know how to wound a guy.”
Whatever.
Flustered, I crossed my arms over my chest and squinted in his direction, my eyes narrowing. “I told you to leave. You’re not welcome.” What was he doing? Playing some sort of game?
“Why would I do that? It’s just starting to become interesting.”
Deciding I had enough, I closed my eyes and focused on the whereabouts of each member of my Cosan. Kayde was in the backyard practicing with his crossbow while Ryder was at the cemetery, seeking out undead companionship . . . or a snack. Gabriel had been in wolf form and prowling the woods, probably looking for wild prey a half hour ago. Now he was with Gypsy, baking Soul Cakes and chopping up ingredients for more potpourri in the kitchen while Willow and my aunt were drinking tea and discussing council matters on the back porch. That left the other vampire. Damian was engrossed in old maps and antique books, seated at a large desk in the library. He must be researching something important.
None of them were alarmed.
Opening my eyes, I realized I was only inches apart from the vampire who sneered slightly as our eyes met. I never heard or felt him move.
“Figure it out yet?”
Horrific realization dawned. Dmitri Rockcastle was camouflaged . . . and he could find me whenever he wanted.
“How?”
Moving forward an inch at a time, he backed me into the wall next to my bathroom, his hands lifting until they rested on either side of my head. “My brother has certain talents. I have others.”
“You can disguise your presence,” I observed slowly. A part of me was grotesquely fascinated and at the same time worried about his intentions. “What else can you do?”
“I thought you’d find that interesting.”
“Answer the question.”
“Always so demanding, Cassandra. Don’t think you can order me around as you do the others. I won’t tolerate it.”
Quirking a brow, I was humored by his response. “I find it both disturbing and preposterous that you would compare yourself to my Cosan.”
He hissed at my response, his fangs appearing as he lowered his head slightly. “I could drain you dry right this minute, and no one would know.”
Calling his bluff, I laughed. “You won’t.”
A growl sounded low in his throat. “Don’t provoke me.”
Tilting my head to the side, I contemplated his response. “Why are you here, Dmitri? Damian would destroy you if he knew you were in my room.”
A genuine laugh escaped as his green eyes lit up with emerald fire. “I doubt that. He had his chance in the crypt. We may hate one another but we’re family. Loyalty means more than anything. You’ve still got so much to learn.”
What an ironic thing to say. “You’re delusional. You betrayed Damian. He hates you.”
Dmitri smirked as his lips hovered above mine. “I destroyed our mutual nemesis to save the human he desires above all others, little Raven. My brother will accept my indulgences.”
Indulgences? “What the –”
My response was cut off with Dmitri’s kiss. His mouth moved sensually, passionately against mine and completely short circuited my brain. The kiss sparked a tiny pulse of desire in my veins and I was disgusted by my response. It had to be his blood in my system. There was no other reason I would enjoy his lips on mine. Seconds later he leaned back, his gaze holding my own hostage with a power that was unnerving and intoxicating at the same time.
“Power can be shared, Cassandra mine, but don’t forget who’s in charge.”
Shocked, I couldn’t believe he used the exact words Roman had spoken, twisting them into a possessive endearment that made his intentions clear. At least, more obvious than before.
Dmitri wanted me, even if it was on his own terms. I could use that to my advantage if the need arose later. The deceptive vampire began to fade, his form slowly disappearing as he dematerialized until nothing was left. Damn immortals. Every single one thought they could control me, at least to some degree.
Maybe Ryder and Gabe were the exceptions, but I was still flustered. Letting out a scream of pure frustration, I wasn’t surprised when the noise rattled my windows and startled everyone in the house. By the time my Cosan, friends, and family found me I was pacing in my room and angrily zapping random objects with magic.
“Little Raven,” Damian began, sensing my frazzled emotional state. “Tell us what’s happening.” For the first time, I hated him calling me that. It was too reminiscent of Dmitri.
“Your brother, for a start.”
Gabe whistled low. “I didn’t think he was a problem anymore.”
Ryder clapped the big wolf on the shoulder. “Well, that’s obviously not the case.”
“What about Dmitri?” Damian’s voice had grown so cold I felt a chill in the air and nearly shivered.
“He was kind enough to show up unannounced.”
Cursing, Damian threw a chair across the room. ‘Tell me what happened.’
Repeating the interaction out loud so all of my Cosan could hear, I sighed and sank onto my bed with a flop. “And that’s the gist of it, but I don’t think I’ve seen the last of him.”
“No,” Damian agreed aloud.
‘He wants you, precious. He’s trying to piss me off on purpose.’
‘I don’t know, Damian. It felt like he was holding something back.’
“He’s a liar,” Damian spat aloud, grabbing my hand as we left the room.
It didn’t occur to me until we had stopped outside that I kept up with his movements and it didn’t cause dizziness or nausea as it had with Vincent. I’d been immune then, too. I wondered how many more manifestations of vampire abilities I would end up with. They didn’t seem to be fading as quickly as I thought they would. “Dmitri spoke about a power exchange. I wonder if he meant me and you or me and him.”
Hissing, Damian slid his arms around my waist. “There is no ‘you and Dmitri’. He’d be the first to admit it.”
“But he did exchange a lot of blood with me several different times, Damian.”
“Irrelevant.”
No, it wasn’t. “I bonded to him and this increased the depth of the bond. We both felt it.” Placing my hand on Damian’s cheek, our eyes met as his reflected a pain I didn’t understand.
“Do you hate him so much? Dmitri seemed to think you’d forgive anything he did.”
“Saving you from Vega didn’t wipe away centuries of conflict. He’s arrogant and Dmitri craves power. It’s why he sought the blood scrying with you. He sensed the gifts of your bloodline and wanted to tap into that reservoir.”
“Power for what?”
“To rule.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It’s why he wanted to control the vampire clans and align with the damned. He fancies himself a king.”
Frowning, I decided to clarify. “Are you saying your bloodline is royal?”
“Not in the sense that you would think. Not like a real monarchy. We are the purest bloodline of vampires in existence. As a result, we are the most gifted, powerful, and affluent. You already know our blood is the most potent. It has fallen to the Rockcastle lineage to create new members of our kind since our ancestor, the great Nosferatu, was born.”
“Are you saying that Nosferatu created you?” Wow.
“Yes,” he confirmed. “That’s why Dmitri and I are gods among our kind. We’re kings to the other clans. Only the council has any authority over us and even then, we may choose to ignore their rules.”
“Didn’t they banish you?”
“They tried, my pet, but didn’t succeed. I’m far too prominent a figure to disgrace permanently. Many seated on the council are power-hungry and vicious monsters that seek to elevate our kind above all other immortals. I angered them when I refused to follow their dictates.”
“Why would they need to do that? Vampires are powerful enough.”
He laughed with a bitterness I hadn’t heard before. “My kindred are never happy. They constantly seek more power, riches, and control. Dmitri is the most ruthless of them all. If he has his way, he’ll make every other immortal bow at his feet just to feed his own arrogance.” Damian paused for a moment, searching my eyes. “And he’ll control and maneuver you, gain your trust, and use it to elevate himself further. He’s always been fascinated with witches. You’re nothing more than a commodity. Something to use for personal gain. Don’t forget that.”
Shocked, I couldn’t believe this was true. “You’re certain?” Dmitri hadn’t seemed like he was playing a game as far as his affection and possessiveness were concerned but I could see how he’d manipulated my thoughts and feelings every time we spoke. He was dangerous. I needed to keep my distance.
“Yes, and I can’t allow it, precious.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Challenge Dmitri for the throne. There’s no other choice.”
“Shouldn’t you be ruling together?”
“That’s no longer an option.”
Third Eye Blind
Episode 4 – Third Eye Blind
~
The Third Eye is blind …
Roman English has struck again and now I have no choice but to seek him out and end his brutal attack against the witches of Salem.
~
When our ability to see into the future is compromised, I trust in an unlikely duo to reach Hell and confront Roman. The depths of the Underworld reveal much more than I’m prepared for. I’m confronted with the real enemy. Shocking revelations lead me down a dark path of no return.
~
Will my Cosan crumble apart when our loyalty is tested? Can I save the ones I love without compromising my soul or exposing the Salem witches to corruption?
Prologue
The Third Sight or Second Eye was one of the most potent gifts the Howe family had ever possessed. It originated with the pureblood witches born in Salem, Massachusetts who practiced their forbidden art in secret among the superstitious and fiercely religious members of society who condemned any and all forms of witchcraft. Punishable by death, they kept their ability a closely guarded secret that was used only when necessary. A tool to see into the future, the Third Sight was so powerful that the witches were soon cast under serious suspicion. They banned use of the gift weeks before the Salem Witch Trials began.
If only they would have waited a little longer . . .
Passing the Third Sight down from generation to generation, only the ancestors of the original thirteen were given access to such an insightful and problematic ability. As the years faded, the Howe bloodline became the sole caretaker and the only witch family to possess its deadly power. Tasked with protecting the other twelve families, the Howes became a primary target for supernatural enemies, both at home and abroad. Because of the Eye’s knowledge and its secrets, the Howe lineage remained a threat to those who would seek to obtain its power.
As the newest Howe witch to approach my uplifting ceremony, my birthday this Samhain coincided with my twenty-first year and the moment I was to rise as the caretaker of the Howe family. My Aunt Gwen had taken on the role after my mother died but the tradition was to pass from the eldest daughter’s eldest daughter. In other words, my mother was the oldest and I was her firstborn daughter. The position was mine by birth. Therefore, the task of defeating Roman English and the damned rested primarily on my shoulders.
I wasn’t surprised when my aunt insisted that we seek the Third Sight while our family was under attack from Roman. It made sense. Seeking the Eye was a logical next step in this new battle against a dangerous foe and unknown enemy. Roman was entirely too hidden, especially his magical abilities. I’d have to conduct some serious research in the near future. Perhaps my aunt already knew this and wanted to guide my next steps. After all, she was extremely gifted with divination, even without the Eye.
“Come, let us consult the leaves.”
Aunt Gwen gestured for me and Gypsy to sit on either side of her highbacked chair as she poured steaming water into a cast iron teapot, directly over the fragrant leaves and multiple herbs as I inhaled the delicious scent that mingled with a hint of licorice and allspice.
“This smells like a new combination,” I observed, closing my eyes briefly as I inhaled.
“It’s one I’ve been wanting to try.”
“Any particular reason?”
She winked. “Do I need one?”
Smirking, I didn’t answer as Gypsy met my amused gaze. My fair-haired cousin shrugged. We knew better than to ask more questions. My aunt did lots of things that didn’t make sense in the moment, only to become crucially important at a later date. She was an astoundingly gifted witch.
Once the hot liquid was poured into our mugs, Aunt Gwen whispered the familiar words, her voice steady as it rose slightly with every syllable. “By the power of three, so let it be.”
Aunt Gwen, Gypsy, and I all sipped the tea until it was gone and then closed our eyes.
Visions were common as we settled into the magical aura that surrounded each of us in a filmy haze while the Eye opened the barrier between the spiritual planes. Glimpses of the past or future were common, especially if our family was in turmoil or someone was being mal
iciously targeted. The tea could reveal whatever the ancestors wanted and even what they didn’t since the magic wasn’t beholden to any one person or witch. It was different, new, and exciting every single time.
The Third Sight was a powerful gift and one I felt blessed to receive. Although dormant prior to Samhain, it had now been resurrected once again for more practical use. My mother and the ancestors strengthened us against our enemies with the renewal. Roman and the other damned witches were a new threat, identified only recently.
Third Sight was critical to our success. Kayde’s recent intervention proved how important these visions were in order to defeat those who wanted to harm the Salem bloodlines. My life was saved because Aunt Gwen could instruct Kayde of the correct way to move against our new enemy. Nothing could be left to chance. Not if Roman was to be permanently defeated.
Minutes trickled by as I kept silent and still, awaiting the revelation that never came.
“I can’t see a damn thing!” Gypsy blurted as her voice echoed throughout the kitchen in frustration. “The tea leaves are blank.”
“Blank?” I asked in confusion. “So are mine.” Why? Third Sight would never intentionally keep us at a disadvantage. The ancestors had bestowed this gift upon us on the first day of Samhain, only a week prior. The Eye had never failed prior to this moment.
Gypsy pushed her mug away with a sigh. “Something is strange. Mom?”
My aunt didn’t answer but remained perfectly still. Her entire body was in stasis. She breathed but her eyes were closed, and she didn’t move a single muscle except for the slight rise and fall of her chest. This had happened numerous times before in the past. Sometimes the ancestors spoke to her alone and I was certain this was one of those rare occurrences. As it turned out, I was wrong. After twenty minutes without contact, both Gypsy and I were all set to panic.
Aunt Gwen finally spoke, her voice a strangled whisper. “We’re blinded.”
Blinded, not blind. A huge difference between the two words. One was accidental, the other purposeful.