Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection

by C. M. Stunich

  Before he could answer, I was distracted again by the father, and this time, he was shouting at an elderly street vendor. My body tensed, sweat breaking out along my neck. I wasn’t normally one to intervene, but I knew what it was like to be bullied, to live in fear of someone. And the petrified look on the child’s face made me sick.

  Without thinking, I rose from the bench. “I’ll be right back.”

  I didn’t hear Adrian’s response as I strode toward the father, ready to slap some sense into him. My heart was pounding, and I was acting on pure instinct.

  “Eddie, is that you?” I asked, hoping to attract the man’s notice as I neared. He finally turned his attention to me, doing a double take. This was good. I had his attention, and he’d stopped yelling, at least for the moment.

  “How are you?” I continued the charade, pretending as though we knew each other.

  Placing a hand on his forearm, I peered into his eyes, hoping for once that my powers would work. Instead, I felt myself fighting against something, unable to engage them.

  “Do I know you?”

  He smelled of cloves, and memories of Jeff and his ability to control me flashed through my head unbidden. It was like being trapped in that bathroom, the icy tentacles of his mind reaching into mine. My throat tightened, my breath coming out in short pants as my vision went spotty.

  Panicking, I clutched at my throat and finally remembered the necklace, yanking it over my head and casting it aside. Jeff wasn’t here; he no longer controlled me. He would never control me again.

  I sensed my strength returning, and relief washed over me as the man’s eyes glazed over. Finally feeling steady enough, I said, “You need to calm down.”

  His movements were sluggish as the fight went out of him. “I’m exhausted. I’m having a rough day—a rough year, really.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but your son, this woman,” I said, indicating the street vendor standing several feet away, “deserve better. They deserve to be treated with respect. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Who’s your friend?” Adrian asked, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I immediately released the man’s forearm, hoping I’d somehow gotten through to him.

  “Eddie,” I said, repeating the name that had popped into my head earlier.

  “Who’s Eddie?” the man practically slurred, and I cringed.

  “You, silly,” I said with a forced smile. “Now, it was nice catching up, but I believe you owe your son an ice cream.”

  “Yes.” He nodded, still under the effects of my power. “Thank you.” He reached for the little boy’s hand, and his son looked up at me with a mixture of awe and appreciation.

  “Anytime.” I watched them walk away, ignoring the curious stare of the street vendor.

  “How do you know ‘Eddie’ and his son?” Adrian asked, complete with air quotes.

  Shit. How much had Adrian witnessed of my encounter?

  “We, um…used to live in the same apartment complex,” I recovered quickly, pleased with myself.

  “He seemed…confused or something. Is he okay?”

  I shrugged. “He was in the military and suffers from PTSD.”

  He looked in the direction the man and his son had gone. “I would have pegged him as the corporate type, but I guess you never know.”

  My feet itched to move, and I turned in the direction of the apartment. “Ready to go?”

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Adrian asked, and I spun to discover my necklace dangling from his fingers.

  “Oh, thanks. The clasp must have slipped.” I reached for it, eager to put it back on, but Adrian held it just out of reach, taunting me.

  He moved his fingers so he could examine it, the chain glinting in the late afternoon sun. “Looks fine to me.”

  “Strange.”

  “Isn’t it?” He studied me, but I focused on some children playing in the distance. Even though I was positive my refusal to meet his eyes was making him more suspicious, it was better than the alternative—projecting my powers onto him. Now that I’d unleashed them, it was like I was riding a surge, and I craved using them.

  “Turn around.” Why did his simple command make my entire body vibrate? “Let me help you.”

  A protest was on the tip of my tongue, yet I found myself turning so that my back was to him. He dropped the necklace over me, his long fingers brushing my collarbone as he moved it into place. Finally, he draped his hands over my shoulders, and his breath grazed the shell of my ear as he spoke. “Why am I so interested? Because there’s more to you than meets the eye. And I do love a beautiful mystery.”

  6

  Adrian and I were quiet on the walk back to the apartment, the sun dipping low behind the buildings of downtown. When we reached the elevator bank, he kissed my cheek in goodbye, but that was it. He didn’t ask to come up, didn’t ask for another date, didn’t mention the incident in the park. Still trying to process everything that had happened, not least of which was the use of my powers in a crowded place in broad daylight, I was drained.

  I found Declan perched on one of the barstools. “Thanks for the delicious dinner.”

  “It’s the least I can do.” Earlier in the day, I’d left a note for him on some of my mom’s leftovers in the fridge. “Everything okay at the office?”

  “Insane, but I love it. Elias thinks—” He stopped himself before he could finish the statement.

  “Elias, huh? You two getting along better?” I smirked.

  “We tolerate each other,” he said, but I didn’t miss the way the corner of his mouth quirked up. “Anyway, he thinks there’s more than one person involved in the thefts, but there’s something odd about the occurrences.”

  “Odd how?”

  “I don’t know, exactly. It’s almost as if there’s something—” he paused to rub his hand over his chin as he contemplated his word choice before finally settling on “—supernatural about the thefts. Which is completely ridiculous.” He chuckled, and I joined in, a hard edge to my laughter.

  “Anyway,” he continued, “considering what I’ve seen of how Elias and Adrian work together, I’m confident they’ll figure it out.” He rinsed his dish in the sink before placing it and his silverware in the dishwasher.

  “Enough about work, I haven’t seen you in days. What are your big plans for the evening?” he asked as if our almost-kiss had never happened.

  I shrugged. “I had kind of a crazy day, so…probably just watching some TV.”

  “How about that new sci-fi show?”

  “Okay,” I agreed without thinking. It was so easy to fall into a routine with Declan, to want to give him whatever he desired, especially when he gave so much to me without asking for anything in return. He welcomed me into his home, kept the fridge stocked with food, did everything he could to ensure I was comfortable.

  I turned on the TV, and he switched off the lights before joining me on the couch. I tried to keep my distance, but by the end of the first episode, we’d somehow gravitated toward each other. With our legs touching, his arm resting on the couch behind me, I was…distracted, and the frequent parade of nudity on the screen wasn’t helping matters.

  The throbbing between my legs was unbearable, and even in the low light from the TV, I could make out a pronounced bulge in Declan’s athletic shorts. Still, this was a line I could not, should not cross. No matter how badly I wanted to.

  When Declan’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, he glanced at the screen. “You’re shitting me,” he muttered under his breath.

  “What?” I asked, pausing the show as he typed out a message on his phone at a rapid pace.

  “The auction website crashed. I have to go to the office.”

  “You don’t think this has something to do with the thefts, do you?”

  He rushed toward the door, grabbing some tennis shoes and shrugging into a hoodie. “Probably not, but we should alert Adrian to be safe.”

  “You take care of the website.
I’ll call Adrian,” I said, and with that, he was gone.

  I pulled up Adrian’s number and connected the call. It was late, but I wouldn’t have disturbed him if it weren’t so important.

  “Hello?” Adrian’s voice was gravelly, and it seeped into me, warming me like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold, winter day.

  “Adrian, it’s Katerina.”

  He chuckled, his voice deeper than normal, and I could imagine him lying in bed, his head resting on his arm. “Miss me already, huh?”

  “I, um, that’s not why I was calling. Declan had to go into the office because the auction site crashed. He doesn’t think it’s connected to the case, but we thought you should know.”

  I could hear shuffling, and I imagined him rolling out of bed, naked except for some boxer briefs. I shook my head. I could not have thoughts like this—about Adrian, about Declan, about anyone.

  “You were right to call. I’ll meet Declan, and Elias will come keep you company.”

  “That’s really not…” He hung up before I could say, “necessary.”

  I got ready for bed, hoping Adrian had changed his mind, but twenty minutes later, there was a knock at the door. With a deep sigh, I shuffled over to answer it.

  I cracked it open enough that we could talk, but not so much that Elias would think I was inviting him in. “Hey. Thanks for coming by, but everything’s fine. Adrian’s overreacting.”

  Elias scowled. “Adrian doesn’t overreact. If he’s concerned, it’s with good reason.”

  “Okay, but surely, you can agree that the threat is at Ashworth Auctions, not here.”

  “Is it?” He leaned against the doorframe, his stance casual despite the tension crackling between us. “Declan has an impressive private collection.

  “Look,” he finally said after a silent stare-off, “I get the feeling you don’t like me—”

  “And I suspect the feeling is mutual.”

  “But we both care about Declan.” Taken aback, I assessed him for a moment, gauging his sincerity. Finally, I relented, allowing him to come inside.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  I caught him staring before his eyes darted to the couch, the windows, anywhere else but me. My satin pajama set was feminine without being overly sexy—a short-sleeve button-down shirt paired with shorts that hit mid-thigh—so I hadn’t considered changing back into clothes. Besides, I’d intended to turn him away on the doorstep. So much for that plan, I thought.

  “Some water would be great, thanks.”

  He sipped the water and scanned the apartment, his eyes lingering on the few framed photographs. I hadn’t seen Declan in a few years, and we’d been nothing more than friends before that, good friends. I could only imagine the differences Elias perceived after nearly a decade apart.

  “Fan of comics?” I asked as he admired some of the artwork.

  He nodded but didn’t otherwise respond. I took the opportunity to study him—pale skin, dark hair, intense eyes. At first glance, I would have pegged him as a nerd. A hot nerd, but a nerd nevertheless. But as I was beginning to realize, there was more to Elias St. James.

  “I’m curious, what does it mean to be a criminal consultant for the FBI?”

  He pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “I advise the FBI on matters related to various cases.”

  “Yes, I get that. But what makes you qualified to do so?”

  “My background and connections.”

  “Are you being deliberately obtuse?” I asked, sounding more irritated than I cared to admit.

  “If there’s something you want to know, Katerina, all you have to do is ask.”

  “Are you a criminal?” I blurted.

  “There, that wasn’t so hard, now was it?” I sensed his amusement. “Aren’t we all criminals to some extent? Flouting the law in ways both big and small.” He looked pointedly at me, and I wondered how much Adrian had told him about my “assistance” with the Drake case.

  I dug my fingernails into my hand, regretting that I’d pushed the matter. I didn’t know what he had done in the past, but I understood what it was like to make a mistake. And, like Elias, I also knew what it was like to be given a second chance. Maybe we had more in common than I’d initially suspected.

  I excused myself to the restroom, and when I returned, I found Elias standing in Declan’s favorite spot, gazing out over the city lights. More relaxed now, I sensed that he was too, and I offered him a refill.

  He held out the glass, and when our hands connected, I felt drawn to him as if being pulled together by an invisible force. Unable to stop myself, I inched closer, lured to him despite the little voice in the back of my head saying it was a terrible idea. I barely knew him, and what I did know should have made me run in the opposite direction—for the sake of my friendship with Declan, if nothing else. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to care.

  These three men were pushing me to the limits, taunting me with their good looks and their charm. Even Elias, who initially seemed rude, enticed me in a way I couldn’t describe. And after weeks of resistance, my body took over, beating down my defenses and weakening my resolve.

  Elias’s eyes darted to my lips, then back to my eyes, and the air between us became charged. I found myself focusing on the small details—the way his hair curled at the ends, the faint hint of stubble coating his face, the dark lashes framing his jade eyes. I needed to taste him, to touch him, and I sensed he felt the same.

  He placed his hand on the back of my neck, his touch igniting my skin. Our breath mingled, and I closed my eyes at the first brush of our lips. Despite his bristly demeanor, he was surprisingly gentle as our tongues danced a slow tango.

  “What the fuck?” Declan roared.

  I whipped my head to the side, shocked to find him standing in the doorway. With the spell broken, I grasped frantically for my necklace, simultaneously relieved and horrified I’d forgotten to put it back on after going through my nightly ritual.

  My eyes darted between Declan—marching toward us like a bull with a red flag waved before him—and Elias, who remained in a daze.

  It all happened in slow motion, but when Declan reared back his arm, I had to act. “Wait. Stop,” I called, but he would not be deterred. “Declan, please.”

  I pushed Elias out of the way just in time, and he slumped to the floor.

  Declan immediately grabbed his shirt collar and hauled him to his feet. “You come into my house, high on drugs, and assault my guest.” He spat. “Get out. Now.” When Elias still didn’t move, Declan pushed him out the door before slamming it in his face.

  Feeling helpless, I watched as Declan took a few deep, calming breaths before approaching me. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I said, and even to my ears, it was unconvincing.

  “Your hands are shaking.” He led me to the couch, enclosing my small hand in his large one. Anger and concern swirled in his warm brown eyes. “I’m sorry. I never should have allowed him into my home. I wanted to believe that he’d changed. He swore to me that he’d changed,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “This is all my fault,” I murmured.

  “I’ll speak with Adrian first thing tomorrow. He needs to know what kind of man Elias really is.”

  Glancing up, I silently pleaded with him to reconsider. It wasn’t until he started to relax, his eyes glassy, that a solution dawned on me. My powers had gotten us into this mess; maybe they could get us out of it.

  I detested the idea of manipulating Declan, but Elias didn’t deserve to be punished for something he had no control over. I just had to be sure I didn’t go too far. That I didn’t end up doing something that would further complicate the situation—like have sex with Declan.

  I focused on my fear, the responsibility I felt toward both Declan and Elias, and channeled those emotions.

  “Declan.” My voice was calm, soothing.

  “Yes, Kati?” He looked at me with such trust that I felt sick to my stomach. How could
I do this to him, especially after all he’d done for me? I smothered my objections and told myself it was for his own good.

  “It’s time for bed. You need to get some sleep and forget what happened with Elias. It was a misunderstanding, nothing more.”

  He nodded, his movements sluggish as he rose from the couch and lumbered down the hallway to his bedroom. Once he disappeared inside, I collapsed on the couch. Sprawled across the leather, I almost longed for my old life—my crappy apartment with Ana and the occasional one-night stand for company. It had been so simple, so predictable. So lonely.

  7

  The scent of bacon lured me out of a deep sleep, and I awoke with my face pressed to the couch, a blanket draped over me. Disoriented, I needed only a moment for everything to come back to me—the kiss with Elias, Declan’s outburst, using my powers not once, but twice—it was all too much. I squeezed my eyes shut again, filled with self-loathing and regret.

  When I finally dared to peek over the back of the couch, Declan gave me a bright smile, and I was momentarily distracted by the sight of him shirtless and flipping pancakes. My traitorous body reacted immediately, thighs clenching as I skimmed his incredible chest, his pajama pants dipping low on his narrow waist.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead. Breakfast is nearly ready.” He was way too chipper for this early hour.

  “Good morning.” I stood from the couch and stretched. “It smells delicious. Just give me a second,” I said, heading in the direction of my bathroom, “and then I’m happy to help.”

  I splashed some water on my face before grabbing my necklace and slipping it over my head. Tucked beneath my pajamas, the cold, hard metal served as a potent reminder of everything I could never have—a night spent in the arms of a loving man, breakfast in bed, a real relationship. Like my enchanted necklace, I would never be anything more than a beautiful ornament.

  Mask firmly in place, I rejoined Declan and took a seat on one of the barstools. He set a plate before me, and I attempted to read his face for clues. If anything, he appeared at ease.