I feel her chest rumble with laughter before it spills from her lips. “You have such a way with words, bear. I’m surprised you’ve ever had a female before.”
“Humph. They never complained.”
“You will eat and then we shall talk. Those are my terms.”
I smile against the skin of her throat. “You are a hard woman, but eating food is my second-favorite activity, so I’ll play your game.” I have no idea where this side of me is coming from but I like seeing her cooking in my kitchen. It improves my normally growly disposition. I glance at the food in the pot. It’s white with green chunks. “What the hell is that?”
“Cauliflower soup with fresh herbs,” she says as she goes back to stirring.
“I’ll eat your concoction, woman, but this bear needs meat. Preferably red, barely cooked, and dripping.” Now why did my stomach turn upside down at that delicious thought? I continue so she understands I am willing to compromise. “I will eat meat at Mandy’s table. I will give you your way on this one thing.” There. I do like sex and this should get it for me.
“We’ll talk about it after you eat. Clothes first.”
I leave her in the kitchen and go to my room to fetch a pair of sweats. There will come a time in the very near future when having clothes on will be at the bottom of her list. I need to remember she’s new to the ways of sex and mating. I can be patient for a day or two and show her that we will work well together. I forgo a shirt because I can. I’m a very clever bear.
The table is set and I take a seat at the end. I have a large empty bowl in front of me with a tall glass of water. I roll my eyes because she cannot see me. The things men must do for sex are quite taxing.
She leans over my shoulder and ladles a good helping of her soup into my bowl. I can’t complain because the smell is heavenly; my stomach lets out a long grumble. She ladles her own and I’m hard-pressed to wait for her to sit and begin eating.
“Go ahead and eat. You need the sustenance to keep up your strength,” she says as she carries the pot back into the kitchen.
I don’t await further instruction. The first large spoonful meets my lips and I’m enraptured with the taste. It’s the best food I’ve consumed in my entire life. I barely glance up as she sits down and begins eating hers. If I look away from my bowl, I might spill a drop.
“There’s plenty, so please don’t hold back.” The smile in her words makes me grin between bites. When my bowl is clean, she takes it and refills it in the kitchen. I like sex, but I think I will also like having a woman in my cabin. I consume the next bowl as quickly as the first. She finishes her first bowl and looks up. “There’s more.”
Now that my stomach is satisfied, I want sex. If we need to talk first, I’ll come back for more later. Hopefully much later. “No. We shall talk now.”
“Help me clean this mess and then we can sit on the sofa,” she says as she picks up her bowl and then mine.
I eagerly grab the remaining items on the table and, without a single grumble, help clean the kitchen. This proves how much I like sex.
She sits on the sofa and pats the space beside her when we’re finished. I sit down and she turns toward me, bringing her legs up and wrapping her arms around her knees. She’s not only sexy but the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. And she’s mine. My sweats tent at the sight of her like this.
“I need to explain a few things about what I am. The witch part.”
I can see her apprehension. It doesn’t matter because I accept her as she is. I will put up with her witch side. “Go ahead,” I say eagerly, quite ready to get this over with.
She looks me straight in the eyes and begins speaking. “We have kept ourselves separate from beastkind and humans for many reasons. We have powers that we do not use because to do so would disrupt the balance in the world. It is a sacred gift we carry and only one witch of my line carries it at a time. Our blood is also immune to a vampire. If they drink from us, it does nothing. A vampire must ask permission first or our blood will poison them and he will suffer a horrible death.” She stops talking and looks away.
I’ve never heard this before and I’m not sure I believe it, but obviously she does. I reach out and tip her chin back in my direction. “Continue.” I move a bit to try to adjust the ache between my legs without her noticing.
“The great texts say nothing about a witch mating. We choose a human,” she continues even though I growl, “and have one female child. We gift our child with our full power at the time of our death. This is as it has always been…” She takes a deep breath. “Until now.”
I know what she is trying to say. “Have no worries, woman. We shall write the next text in your history.” We live forever and she will never pass her gift to a child. She will share my children and grandchildren. She is now one of my clan.
“We already have,” she says quietly.
I give her my sexiest smile. “Then let us undress and write more.”
She doesn’t even smile. “You now have my powers, Tyboll. You are witch.”
I’m not looking into her eyes because mine travel to the outline of her breasts beneath her shirt. I like them. Really like them and plan to spend much time learning their feel and taste. Her words don’t register for a few seconds. “Whatever you say, mate.” My smile becomes a leer. “Let me teach you my magic in the bedroom… or against the wall. This couch will do just fine,” I say as I lean in close and palm her soft breasts.
“Tyboll, you’re a witch. You can no longer eat meat and you do not need a vampire’s bite to live forever.” She says this against my shoulder and I almost let it pass.
I realize she believes this and I pull slightly away. “Have no fear. I will only consume meat at Mandy’s home or on a hunt.”
She shakes her head. “You can’t. Last night you became ill because of the meat.”
Now I’m becoming frustrated. I like sex and I want sex. Now. “We shall end this foolishness, woman. I will eat meat so you know I am beastkind.” I rise and walk into the kitchen. I open the refrigerator and realize the slab of venison is gone. I open the lower drawer and pull out a large steak. I will eat it raw so she discontinues her delusions.
She’s followed me and I feel bad eating the meat when I said I wouldn’t. She nods her head and I know she isn’t angry. I unwrap the steak and the first smell of uncooked meat hits me. All the food I consumed minutes before almost comes up. I look at the meat and it is the most revolting thing I have ever seen.
“No,” I say gruffly and then louder, “No!”
“It cannot be undone, or at least I don’t believe it can.”
I stare at her in horror as what happened last night slowly filters into my brain. “Dmitri asked me if he could drink my blood. He knows what I’ve become.”
“Yes, he does. He’s not happy.”
I’m shouting now. “He’s not happy? I’m not happy. You cannot do this to me. I will not allow it. I am beastkind and not a witch. I eat meat,” I swallow and try to control my souring stomach at the thought.
Her hand settles on my arm. “Tyboll, please sit down and let me explain what it means to be witch. It is a great gift that you will accept and embrace once you understand.”
I step away. “Do not touch me. You have cast a spell and if it’s the last thing I do I shall break it. We are not even mates. It’s the spell. You did it when you fed me the mushrooms. I will find a way to break it even if it means your death.” With that I charge from the cabin. I will seek Dmitri and end this. I will not be some creature who wraps people in their web and drinks them dry.
Thank the Goddess that at this moment I hate sex.
Chapter Nineteen
Veda
That did not go well. I didn’t think it would, but I held onto a small amount of hope. I know eventually he will come to his senses. Right now, though, I am left in need. Staring at his bare chest and wanting to run my nails over his muscled flesh almost made me beg. The man might be stubborn, but he is gorgeous.
As a mated pair, I know at this point we should be having so much sex that we are both sore. I’ve made plenty of tinctures to alleviate the soreness so mates can continue without a break.
A lot of good the knowledge on how to make such a tincture is now. If I’m not running from Tyboll, the stupid man is running from me. It’s strange because after the thought of Tyboll becoming a witch settled, I wanted to celebrate. I am not alone. I can share the sacred knowledge with another. I do not need a child. I will no longer be alone with the great texts.
Tyboll might not like it, but the gift bestowed by the Goddess can only be undone by her. No vampire can help him. I decide to head outside and gather herbs needed for cooking. Tyboll will have trouble sitting at another’s table when they serve fresh meat. Eventually, when his hunger reaches its zenith, he will return.
I locate a basket for my needs and head outside. An hour later, I hear the cat before I see her. I’m not frightened because she smells of the bear clan and vampire. I know exactly who she is. She steps into my line of sight and I greet her telepathically. “Welcome Nikka, mate to Dmitri, liege to the bear clan.”
Nikka gives a delighted laugh, but doesn’t respond again until she’s closer. She places her hand out and speaks into my mind, “I’m hoping you will call me Nikka and I may call you Veda. The formal title becomes irritating and I dislike protocol.”
I like her immediately. She’s never visited me, but I’ve heard all about her from the she-cat, Talya. Nikka is mute and our ability to speak telepathically opens a door previously closed. Talya, who confided many inner workings of the bear clan, was a handful. I miss her visits; she was always interesting. I smile at Nikka. “Please call me Veda. My mother preached protocol into my head every chance she got. I’ve always kept track of all the newest titles, but prefer names.”
Nikka pulls me close, enveloping me in a hug. “We shall be great friends. Talya mentioned you a time or two. Running a bear clan is long, exhausting business. Keeping my mate satisfied, more so. Even though I couldn’t verbally communicate with you before, I could have brought someone along to interpret. I ask your forgiveness that I never took the time to visit you.”
For so many years no one touched me. Now I have more touch than I’m sure what to do with. I tentatively return the embrace. She lets me go, grabs my hand and speaks again before I can answer. “Let’s walk and we will talk about what has our mates so upset.”
I sigh and walk beside her, enjoying the contact of hands. Friends. First Mandy and now this woman. Mating Tyboll has many advantages. I will try to forget my need for sex and maybe I will be happy here.
“Dmitri returned to me quite disturbed last night. He does not understand the ways of a witch. I figured if I spoke with you at some point, I might be able to dispel some of his worry. Now, Tyboll is there. Every other word he shouts echoes against the walls and I can’t take anymore, so here I am.”
And if women ran the world all problems would be settled so much sooner.
“I heard that and cannot agree more. See, we already have much in common. Now why don’t you tell me why my husband has reservations about you joining the clan.”
Her words hurt even if I don’t want them to. And now I will offend her by what I must say. “I don’t need Dmitri’s vampire magic to live forever. Vampires are not comfortable with things they cannot control.”
Her laughter rings through the trees. “Yes, you are absolutely, one-hundred percent right. So… my husband cannot control you and now you’ve passed this gift onto his bear. It’s actually priceless.” She stops and turns my way while adding a little additional pressure to my hand. “Please tell me you have no intention of using your talents to harm the clan.” A fierce intensity enters her eyes. “That’s what I need to hear from you. If you can tell me that, I will bring the women together and we will put an end to this disgruntlement.”
“If it were only that easy,” I say sadly. “But I can give you my word that I will never intentionally harm anyone.” I take a slow, steady breath before continuing. “The women of the clan have never trusted me. I live outside their comfort zone. They use me because I can help with things they do not wish to bring to the attention of the men, such as female problems, mating problems, and several other things that they consider private. I am a necessary evil, or at least that’s how they look at me.” Tears well in my eyes. Nikka takes my other hand, so I can’t wipe the wet trails that run down my cheeks.
Her stern but gentle voice floats through my mind, “You are a member of the bear clan now. That gives you a certain amount of respect that was not there previously. I don’t agree with why you didn’t have it before, but we cannot change the past. The women of this clan have come a long way, though they still need much work. Change is always slow. The clan respects Tyboll and if he is witch, as you claim, they will accept it.” She releases my hands. “Now, wipe your tears and let us plan a party to welcome you into the clan. We shall put an end to the mystery that surrounds you and make the women part of the solution.”
I wipe my eyes and smile. Nikka makes it sound so simple. I have my doubts, though. “Thank you for seeking me out. I feel much better.” I really do. I am not alone in my troubles.
“So tell me about yourself and your powers. There is much gossip and I would like to hear the truth straight from you.”
There is much I cannot tell her because it’s sacred. On the other hand, there is plenty I can share. “Follow me and I will show you.” I lead her to my circle from the evening before. The herbs are larger now and the miracle of their growth awe-inspiring even to me.
“This is wonderful. You created this yesterday?” Nikka speaks into my mind with a sense of awe as she walks around the outside of the circle.
“Yes, I have need of many herbs and the Goddess always provides.”
She stops and looks at me. “A vampire’s bite does the same in a very different manner. Does my husband cause you the same worry you cause him?”
I grin. “No. Dmitri is a great leader. He’s the reason my mother and grandmother remained near the clan. If it were only the bears, I fear my grandmother would have left and I would never know of the clan.”
Her grin answers mine. “Having no fear of my husband is another reason you worry him. Silly man. He’s accustomed to being the highest on the food chain, much as a great white shark in the ocean. I, on the other hand, feel he needs to remain on his toes. Removing a slice of his ego every so often helps with that.”
It’s obvious to me that Nikka has no fear of her mate either. She is a cat shifter, long thought of as the enemy, and does not have the history of she-bear timidity that I’ve seen through the decades. I begin talking more and share things I have never shared before. Not the sacred texts, but the things I can help the clan with. It frees me from my doubts and fears for the future.
Tyboll had better hurry back.
Chapter Twenty
Tyboll
“I’ve listened to you shout for an hour now. Calm yourself, bear.”
I hear the end of patience in Dmitri’s voice. I take several deep breaths and try to do as my liege says. It isn’t easy. I keep thinking of meat. Each time I do, I feel nauseated and my anger rekindles. To never eat meat again is not going to happen. I’ve run out of things to say anyway and throw myself onto the large couch in Dmitri’s front room.
“I knew this happened last night. Your blood smells even better than bear. You now have witch blood running through your veins.” He holds up his hand. “Do not blame me for my silence. You were in no condition to have this conversation. I also needed a night to think on what needs to be done.”
My stomach twists painfully. “You cannot reverse it is what you’re saying?”
“No, I cannot. I’m not sure if you will actually want it reversed once you know your capabilities.” He continues before I can object. “The difference between you and your mate is that I trust you.”
I can’t help the low growl that slips
from my throat. No one harms my mate whether they trust her or not.
“Retract your claws, bear. I will not hurt her. The witches—her mother and grandmother—have lived on the outskirts of the clan for hundreds of years without causing harm. They have secrets, though, and I don’t like secrets. The line of European witches was destroyed centuries ago. It is rumored their power is greater than that of vampires.” Dmitri’s eyes flash to amber and just as quickly return to normal. “You can now share those secrets. I wish to never have a war such as the one we just won against the cats and their vampires. The knowledge a witch holds could give us the edge so such a war never happens again.”
I don’t know why Dmitri’s words bother me so much. They make me nervous. I rub my hands down my pant legs. I don’t want this damn power, if there even is any. Except for my new loathing of meat I feel no different. I just want to want meat.
And sex. It doesn’t matter that I tell myself I don’t want it. My inner beast craves my mate. It’s an aching pain centered in my dick. Well, not just there, but my dick hurts from its lack of use and its constant arousal with no relief. My heart is heavy, too. Now, Dmitri wants to use me against my mate and I don’t like it. Just when I start to voice my objection, Nikka enters the room as a cat. She runs up the staircase and returns a moment later dressed in sweats much like mine. I came here as bear and made use of the extra sweats Dmitri keeps because he doesn’t like his clan nude in the house.
“You need to leave, Tyboll,” are the first words she shoots into my head. Her eyes are direct. I glance at Dmitri and he is smiling.
I stand up. “I can take a hint. There is no reason to be rude,” I growl at Nikka.
Her face turns red as she responds in my mind, “That is not why you will leave. You shall return to your mate and take care of business. The woman’s scent is filled with unfulfilled pheromones. This makes me think you are lacking in your mating duties. If you need instruction, I will be glad to give a simple one. Slot ‘a’ must be filled with screw ’b.’
Fang Chronicles: Tyboll Page 8