Mystic Hallows Harem Box Set Episodes 1-4: Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance

by Nikki Landis

  “And Beelzebub is ensuring they remain loyal,” Uncle Tom added.

  “Right. Roman is nothing more than a pawn in this dangerous game but he’s still a threat. I don’t know which of the witches is responsible for blocking us. It doesn’t matter now. We know the truth.”

  “Beelzebub is waging war against the witches of Salem.”

  I turned to Ryder and nodded in confirmation. “Yes. This was nothing more than a theatrical performance and proof of his existence. He’s toying with me. I was allowed to leave. Beelzebub was sizing up his enemy. He wanted to know what power I possessed and now he’s seen what I can do. I possess the blessing of the ancestors and he covets that power.”

  Gypsy rose to her feet. “Then we prepare for battle.”

  “Yes, it’s time for the Howe family to stand their ground. We won’t allow Beelzebub to take control of Mystic Hallows. We control the veil, not the demon.”

  Gypsy grinned. “Agreed.”

  My aunt and uncle stood, their resolve as strong as my own. “We must share the truth with the council but first I want to speak to Willow alone. She’s the most powerful ally we have.”

  Aunt Gwen led Uncle Tom from the room, and I closed the door, turning to my cousin. “You need to prepare your coven. Talk to Drake, Autumn, Kane and Karter, and Sebastian. Do it quietly. I want you ready just in case the council doesn’t believe us.”

  “I will,” she promised, “as soon as I know you’re alright.”

  “I am,” I assured her. “I’m just pissed.”

  “And covered in Hell’s stink. Go take a shower,” she teased. “I’m gonna talk to your Cosan. We’ll meet you in the backyard.”

  A half hour later I exited through the sliding glass doors, listening to Gypsy as she joked with Gabriel and Ryder. Kayde stood with his arms folded across his chest. Damian’s mouth was curled up in a perpetual snarl, his fangs descended over his lower lip. All five looked up as I approached, the tension thick in the air.

  My cousin seemed to sense the unspoken current of emotion. She smiled, waving with enthusiasm. “Just so you know, they’re furious. But hey, they think you’re hot, magical, and special so forgiveness may take a little work but its guaranteed. I suggest you go upstairs while my parents are gone and work out your frustration in the bedroom.”

  She chuckled as I rolled my eyes at her, completely exasperated but amused. “Sex doesn’t solve everything.”

  “It solves a lot.”

  I didn’t want to hear those words from her. She was only seventeen. “Stop right there. I don’t want to know if you speak from experience.”

  She laughed hard, elbowing Gabriel in the ribs as he snorted. “Isn’t Cassie adorable?”

  “Something like that,” he answered in a low and deep voice.

  “There’s more to worry about,” I sighed. “I can’t believe the council put me under restriction.”

  “The timing is terrible,” Gypsy agreed. “They’re always so dramatic.”

  “It’s ridiculous,” I fumed, pacing the length of my backyard. “How the hell can I defeat Roman and the damned if I’m being castrated by a council of old witches who have no idea what’s truly happening?”

  Gypsy snorted at my remark and shook her head. “You brought this on yourself. Always so stubborn. Why didn’t you let me in on your plan? I could have recruited my coven. We would have kicked total ass and you wouldn’t be magically jailed right now.”

  “Don’t let Aunt Gwen or Willow hear you. You’ll be grounded until you’re twenty-one along with Autumn. I don’t think they like the idea.”

  Gyps folded her arms across her chest and lifted her chin. “Doesn’t matter. We’re already involved. This is affecting us, too.” She pouted. “What happened to Dmitri and Vincent?”

  Scowling, I didn’t want to talk about that damn vampire or his betrayal. “I’d rather not discuss it.”

  “My brother will suffer,” Damian spat, hissing as he took a step in my direction.

  Gypsy understood this wasn’t the time. Damian was clearly in a rage. “The necromancer?”

  “Vincent didn’t return with my Cosan?”

  She shook her head. I guess Dmitri didn’t either.

  “Something tells me he found a way out. That man is full of surprises.”

  “I won’t disagree with you. I hope he made it.”

  Lifting a brow, I noticed the slight catch in her voice. “Grown fond of him?”

  “Something like that,” she answered as she waved her hand dismissively. “I need to find Seb. You alright by yourself for a bit?”

  “Yeah, you know I’m not really alone.”

  Gypsy’s gaze was focused beyond my back toward the front gates. “Right. Text me if you need me or just send a little magic jingle my way.”

  Chuckling, I brought her in for a hug and didn’t let go for a solid minute. “You stay sharp, okay?”

  “Not a problem, Cass. I’m far too amazing for you to worry.”

  She sashayed from the yard like a prom queen and was only a few steps from the house before Kane and Karter were linking their arms through hers and leading her toward the Wildes Plantation. Relieved my cousin wasn’t in danger or alone, I turned to face the group of immortal men who stood in a row, blocking any attempt at retreat.

  “I know we need to talk,” I announced. “I’m ready.”

  Chapter 11

  “How about we take a walk? I could use a little privacy,” I added as the guys followed me outside of the gate, the onyx metal swinging shut in the chilly wind as we filed onto the sidewalk. “The cemetery seems as good a place as any.”

  Nobody said anything but I could feel the combined weight of their stares and the volatile mixture of emotion that churned in my own gut was a bitter reminder of my rash choices. It wasn’t until we were walking among the headstones and family crypts that I began to relax, knowing that the decisions I made were done with the best of intentions. Yes, that was little comfort to my Cosan, but I would always choose to protect the ones that I loved and the Howe legacy, as well as the witches of Salem. That was who I was, and I couldn’t change that for anyone. Even the men that I cared deeply for.

  “I’m sorry,” I began as I lifted my head.

  Four pairs of eyes were focused on my face, watching and waiting.

  “I asked you to stay at Howe Manor. That was my wish. I didn’t want any of you compromised or injured. I understand if you don’t forgive me for leaving you behind, but I stand by that decision. The only part I regret was trusting Dmitri Rockcastle. He clearly betrayed me for his own personal gain.”

  Damian was at my side first, his hands clenching my shoulders tight. “I begged you not to trust him. You didn’t listen to me, Cassandra. Do you have any idea the torture we have all been through?”

  “No, I don’t,” I admitted. “None of you know what I suffered or had to endure either.” Pushing his arms away, I took a step back. “Have any of you ever come face to face with Beelzebub? Stood in front of the demon as he participated in an orgy in the depths of Hell? Awaited your own demise at his hands?” My voice was rising with my frustration. “Then you know nothing,” I spat, losing my temper.

  “Cassie,” Ryder called out in a low voice, “We experienced everything you did.” He shook his head, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “We felt every emotion, the pain, the agony.”

  When he couldn’t continue, Kayde spoke up. “All of your betrayal, fear, and revulsion was also our own. You didn’t escape us, Cassandra.”

  “We were with you in spirit,” Gabriel added.

  “As your Cosan,” Damian growled. “We felt it all. Helpless, alone, and unable to join you.”

  What?

  “You did?” Shocked, I sank to my knees.

  “Yes,” they answered in unison.

  Shit. This was awful. A sob escaped my chest, tears rising to the surface of my eyes and overflowing with the knowledge that I had hurt my Cosan anyway. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,�
�� I blubbered. “I didn’t know that would happen.”

  ‘I forgive you, my precious. My cold, black heart has never hurt like this before and I don’t know how to handle it.’

  Lifting my arms, I opened them wide as my four handsome protectors scooped me into their embrace. I was a crying, sniffling mess as I kissed each one of them, overcome by their loyalty, devotion, and affection.

  “I won’t ever do that again,” I promised. “From now on, it’s all or nothing.”

  “Yes,” Gabriel growled.

  “Right,” Kayde confirmed, his mouth crashing down on mine.

  ‘Always.’

  Damian’s hands remained on my waist as Ryder tilted my chin up and Kayde backed away.

  “Cassie, we’re here for you. Forever. Always believe that.” Ryder’s kiss was passionate but firm as I was nearly melted by the sweet emotion that transferred from his body into mine.

  “I think I finally get it,” I admitted with a smile.

  ‘Stubborn, sexy witch.’

  ‘Your stubborn, sexy witch,’ I responded with conviction.

  Damian’s answering moan in my head was enough to ignite the flame of desire absent for far too long. I missed him desperately. He was a part of me. Every minute without his presence had been incredibly painful.

  ‘I feel the same, my pet.’

  My chest felt lighter as I smiled, turning back to the Howe family crypt when the sound of tiny clicks and humming caught my attention. A familiar buzz filled the air, followed by the prickle of power. At first, I didn’t understand where the source was coming from. More of the same clicking and squirming sounds continued to rise in noise level as I saw the bodies of dozens of eight-legged freaks climbing up the sides of the Howe family crypt, numerous nearby headstones, and filtering through the blades of grass.

  It took a few seconds to confirm these were the same color and size of spider I had seen previously in my visit to the cemetery with Dmitri and then in my nightmare. The arachnids were hissing, scurrying closer at an alarming rate. They began to converge on one another, smashing bodies together in a macabre splat of numerous legs and black shiny bodies. A light blue hourglass pattern was prominent on the abdomen of every spider. Black Widows. Lots of them.

  They weren’t moving forward but instead seemed to be combining into one disgusting monstrosity. The body instantly started to grow in size, followed by eight long black legs that spread and arched out from the smooth abdomen. Eyes filled with black focused in on our location with deadly intent. Sharp fangs dripped some kind of bluish goo. Half of the legs lifted the massive body up off the ground as my Cosan and I backed up, more than a little surprised as the other four moved high into the air and dangled with menace. The transformation quickly finished, and I could hardly believe what was in front of us.

  “Are you seeing this?” Gabe asked, his voice incredulous.

  “It’s a giant fucking spider,” Kayde announced as if he doubted what his eyes were seeing.

  Gabriel shifted, the first to intercept the giant arachnid. With a flash of her sleek, gangly legs, she lashed out and sent the Lycan flying over the headstones to crash against any empty crypt. Kayde rushed forward, loading a bolt into his crossbow and yanking the bowstring back. Once it was nocked, he fired directly into the spider’s abdomen. The creature screeched as she flicked out one of her legs in rage and hit Kayde in the torso. His body slammed to the ground hard as he grunted.

  The spider stalked slowly forward to launch her attack while a giant leg slashed through the air, pulling a thick lasso of web from her spinneret as she looped it around Ryder. She began to spin him around, wrapping my ghoul up in a cocoon as a future snack. More webbing shot out and narrowly missed Gabe.

  “I don’t think so, you bitch!” I shouted, blasting the webbing with violet fire as it disintegrated and Ryder hopped to his feet, snarling at the spider. We ran for her at the same time, both of us attacking. I sent more violet flames and balls of fire to scorch along her body while Ryder changed into his ghoulish form, chomping his skeletal jaw with delight. Jumping on her back, he bit down on her lower abdomen. She hissed and screamed, skittering along the ground in agony.

  Damian was on her next, ripping into her legs with his sharp fangs. Gabriel swung his meaty claws and high-fived Damian as they slashed and cut through the spider’s legs together, avoiding her snapping fangs that dripped blue poison. The giant arachnid was livid, thrashing her limbs as she tried to defend herself against my Cosan.

  It wasn’t long before the spider was weakened, and half her limbs ripped from her abdomen. Blue blood leaked from her injuries as she hissed, cornered as she began to back up in retreat.

  “You’re not going anywhere,” I shouted, chasing her down as the guys followed. “I want to know who you are!”

  The spider’s wide body burst apart into hundreds of fist-sized black widows, scrambling along the ground to attack. It wasn’t hard to smash or burn most of the creatures. Only a few remained, one larger than the others with familiar light blue eyes. Eyes that I had seen in the Tomb of Lost Souls. The same blue color that regarded me with hatred and loathing.

  Jadis Pudeator had returned for vengeance as a fucking spider. Wow. My world was officially a shit show, although I had to say it was mildly amusing. Did she really think she could defeat me and my Cosan as a monstrous arachnid?

  “Die, bitch,” I snarled, firing off a string of spells that caused her to scream in pain for several minutes until her charred and smoking body was the only thing left. “Good riddance. Don’t come back. Next time I won’t be so lenient.”

  “It appears you have more than a couple of enemies, Cassie.” Gabriel’s humor had returned.

  Right. “Thanks for the reminder.”

  “No problem, sweetheart.”

  “I sort of like the big spider. She was the most fun out of all your attackers, Cass.”

  “Sure, Kayde,” I mumbled, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.

  ‘Precious, you sure know how to keep things interesting.’

  Exactly. Remind me why I needed my Cosan around again?

  “You guys are amazing. Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome!” Ryder gushed, chuckling as he grabbed my hand, tugging me along as we left the cemetery.

  Wonderful. If nothing else, at least my sarcasm had fully revived along with my Cosan’s undivided attention.

  Chapter 12

  After my second shower today, I left the bathroom in only a towel and flopped back on my bed, smiling up at the ceiling. The house had been quiet for the last hour, but I could feel the presence of my Cosan and family close, all of their spirits settled. The silence was peaceful. Drifting asleep, my eyes snapped open when I heard Gabriel and Ryder arguing in the hall.

  “We didn’t agree to this, Ryder.”

  “But that’s the way it’s gonna be.” Ryder’s tone wasn’t harsh but firm.

  “I don’t like it.”

  “I know, neither does Kayde or Damian. Don’t worry. It will all work out.”

  “You say that so easily,” Gabe replied with a catch in his voice. “We never would have let you do this if we knew the consequences.”

  “That’s in the past now.” Kayde’s voice joined the others. “Let him have tonight, Gabe.”

  There was a shuffling sound and then a rustle of clothing. What was happening?

  Temporarily forgetting I was wearing only a towel, I jumped up and approached the door. Peeking around the corner, I smiled when I saw first Gabe and then Kayde hugging Ryder.

  “You guys are so cute.”

  At the sound of my voice, they turned, scanning my lack of clothing with matching expressions of desire and lust. I backed up as they stalked forward, each man’s eyes lingering on my exposed skin. I flushed in response and cleared my throat, deciding if there was any one moment when I wanted to attempt intimacy with more than one of them at a time, this was it.

  Gabriel moved in first until we were chest to chest,
only the towel separating our flesh as he lowered his head to my neck. Ripping off his shirt, the coarse dark hair of his chest brushed up against my own briefly. Agonizingly slow, with an aching determination, he dropped his nose to my throat and inhaled, sweeping down to my collarbone and across my bare shoulder, and then upward to my other ear. The scruff on his face tickled my cheek before Gabe placed an inch of space between us. He was lightly panting. Like a dog who sensed a bitch in heat.

  Fuck me. That was hot and sexy.

  “You make me weak, sweetness.” A low growl vibrated in his throat. He leaned in and inhaled again. The musky scent that was a cross between animal and man engulfed my senses.

  “Gabriel,” I moaned, unable to stop my response.

  His large hands roamed my body as he pulled me into the center of the room. Kayde lifted my hair and placed a series of kisses along the back of my neck. His body was pressed to mine, the heat of his touch an instant aphrodisiac.

  Ryder moved in slowly, placing his hands on either side of my face as he leaned in and captured my lips. The kiss was deep and passionate, growing in hunger and intensity. I had yet to be intimate with Ryder. Or Kayde. We’d messed around but I hadn’t been with either of them like I had been with Gabe or Damian. I caught the vampire’s presence by the door as a soft moan escaped my lips. Ryder was sucking on the flesh of my breasts and gripping my hips with his fingers, molding his pelvis up against my own. The strength of his attraction was hard to deny as I felt the hard length rub against my belly.

  ‘You need this, my pet.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘Let them give you pleasure. They adore you as much as I do.’

  His words ignited the lust in my veins as I turned my head and met Kayde’s lips. He thrust his tongue inside my mouth, devouring me as if he couldn’t get enough. Gabe growled low, pulling me toward the bed as Ryder untucked the towel and let it fall to the floor. Exposed, I was only a tiny bit shy. My Lycan lay me back against the sheets and spread my legs apart, nuzzling the inside of my thighs. All thoughts of embarrassment fled.

  “I think you forgot how much Lycan enjoy using their tongue.”