by Lia Davis
I sensed and heard the guys advance to the bed, but I didn’t look at them. I wanted to be mad. Von crawled on the bed and cuddled up to me first. Gunner climbed on the other side of me. They kissed my cheeks at the same time. Von said, “We won’t die so there will be no ghost ass-kicking.”
I held in the giggle bubbling within me. “You to just be careful. I’m getting used to having you in my family.”
Gunner cupped my chin and turned my face so I met his gaze. “I look forward to many years and centuries with you and annoying the others.”
The giggle burst through my control. He kissed my lips and I sighed, pressing into him. Von kissed my neck, then said, “We should be going.”
I turned my attention to Von and framed his face. “Be safe.”
I really didn’t know why I was so concerned about them leaving. It could be my need for control over everything in my life. I wanted to go to protect them. That was my dominant female nature. My wolf wanted her mates close and away from Harrison’s threat.
Von and Gunner were strong males. Why was I so anxious about this mission? Besides, I couldn’t go. I needed a mission of my own while they were gone. I couldn’t just sit around and wait.
As if picking up on my thoughts, Eli said, “Dare and I can go through your father’s files and notes and form a plan.”
I sat up. Yes. I can do that. I wanted to know why the candle was so important. Other than it belonged to Carlyn. “We do need a plan.”
Gunner kissed me quick after he stood. I breathed him in. He stepped away, his eyes flashing crimson briefly. “We’ll be back before you know it.”
Von stepped into my line of sight. I fisted his shirt and pulled him down to claim his mouth. “You better be.”
Von smiled wickedly and pressed his lips to my forehead. “See you soon.”
They left and I stared at the door. Dare held out his head. “Come on. Look through your father’s files while I make you lunch.”
Eli catch I attention as he frowned and shook his head. “I haven’t used the house in a while and haven’t gone shopping.”
My stomach rumbled and my wolf scratched at my insides, wanting out. “We could go on a hunt.”
The guys’ eyes sparked with their animals looking out at me. I felt Eli’s wolf pace since he came into the room. He blocked his emotions from me so I couldn’t tell if it was out of jealousy or the wolf just needed to run.
After climbing off the bed, I darted past the males to the stairs. I was out the back door before they reached the first floor. I shifted into my wolf, not caring that my clothes would dissolve during the shift, as I entered the thick trees surrounding the lake house.
Dare was the first to catch up to me. Not surprising since he had heightened strength and speed. His large brown bear nudged me as we ran, throwing me off balance. I stumbled and my paws tangled with one another, causing me to fall and slide on the ground. I held in the laugh building and laid as still as I could.
Dare inched close to me and huffed, then rubbed his head against mine. Eli stood behind me and growled low. I cracked my eye lids just enough to see them. Dare shifted back to human, and naked. Desire burst to life in my core. Since we hadn’t formed a bond, he couldn’t use my telepathy to mind-link with me, which made my teasing all the more effective.
Stroking my fur, starting at my head and running down my back, Dare said. “I’m sorry. Are you hurt?”
“She’s not hurt,” Eli said. He was in his delicious, naked human form as well and running his fingers through my fur.
The laughter I was holding burst from me. I shifted back to my human form and rolled to my back to look at both of them. They didn’t remove their hands. Heat flooded my body as Eli slid his hand up my ribs to cup my breast.
Dare glanced at Eli then back to me. “Let’s go for a swim.”
“The water is cold,” I protested.
Eli chuckled as he grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stand. “It won’t be for long.”
Sparks of desire flared to life in my core. Was he actually going to share me with Dare? I stared at him as we walked to the lake a few yards from us. “Are you sure?”
Eli met my stare from over his shoulder, then stopped. “Yes.”
“What changed?”
Dare wrapped his arms around me from behind. His hard cock pressed into my back. A soft groan escaped me.
“That reaction…” Eli stepped closer and framed my face. “It’s still strange to me, but your reaction to them is hot. And the way Von and Gunner cuddled you earlier didn’t send me into a jealous rage like I thought it would.”
I relaxed and kissed him. “I’m starting to get used to having all four of you around. We still have to things to work out and it’s not going to be perfect. But as the bonds grow stronger, I’m starting to understand why I need each of you.”
It went beyond fighting Harrison. The urge to mate them was soul deep. The Fates had pulled us together for a reason. What that reason was other than banding together against Harrison and helping the council rebuild the trust within the para communities.
Eli’s tugged me forward into the lake. The cold water lapped at my skin, sending chills all over my body.
Turning to face me, Eli drew me closer until our bodies meshed together. Hi kiss was demanding and gentle at the same time. I moaned and flattened my hands to his chest. His muscles flexed under my touch as he moved in to deepen the kiss.
I slid my hands up his chest to wrap one arm around his neck and the other fisted in his hair. His tongue licked the seam of my lips and I instantly opened for him, tangling mine with his in a sensual dance that made my pussy ache with need.
Behind me Dare circled my waist with one arm while his free hand trailed over my hip until it found my stomach and lower. When Dare cupped me, I broke the kiss with Eli on a gasp. Dizzying desire washed over me.
There were too many sensations. My body felt as though it was on fire—the cold water long forgotten. Tiny pricks skated over my flesh, making the need rolling through me intensify. With a growl, I drew Eli’s head back down for another kiss. Dare’s erection pressed into my back.
I broke the kiss with Eli and twisted to face Dare. I nipped playfully at Dare’s lower lip, drawing out a growl from him. His chest rumbled with the sound, vibrated into me. My wolf whimpered as need crashed over us. Dare kissed me hard, thrusting his tongue inside.
A soft moan escaped me as Eli’s lips touched my neck. My legs began to shake. Dare cupped my ass and lifted me. I wrapped my legs around him, trapping his cock between us, grinding against him. Each movement splashed the water around us, causing ripples of tiny waves. Butterflies swarmed inside my stomach, and my pussy throbbed.
Dare cupped my breast and rolled the nipple between his fingers as Eli teased my ass with the head of his cock. My heart hammered and my body heated up. Eli bit down on my neck gently then said, “I’m going to fuck you ass while Dare is buried inside you.”
Fuck yeah.
Dare lifted me, then lowered me onto his cock. Eli pushed inside at the same time. I cried out, not prepared for the overwhelming sensations wrestling inside me. Pleasure, pain, desire, and raw emotions—too many for me to decipher—filled me. Having both of them inside me was amazing and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It was hot, erotic, and felt damn good.
Eli and Dare moved as a unit, thrusting inside me, going deeper and deeper. Pleasure built as sensations curled through me like a tidal wave crashing over them. Brilliant light exploded behind my eyes as I orgasmed.
That was when Dare bit me, claiming me as his. I scored his back with my nails and held him close. Eli hissed out a curse. “Claim him. Bring him into the family circle.”
Eli didn’t have to tell me twice. I clamped down on the curve of Dare’s neck where it met his shoulder and sank my teeth into him. My wolf howled in my head and I opened up to Dare, encouraging him to do the same. The mating link snapped in place and in a rush, Dare’s pleasure flooded me, incre
asing my own. Then something I hadn’t expected. The link between Eli and me shifted until it was connected to Dare’s and my bond.
The completed bond between us throbbed with passion and pleasure. The guys tensed around me and they moaned as they climaxed at the same time.
The three of us were a mated triad. I smiled. They were mine. Soon the other two would be brought into the circle.
12
Cassia
I opened my eyes to the morning sun filtering through the bedroom window and sliding glass door of Dare’s room. And I was sandwiched between two warm, hard bodies. Warmth spread through my body and I snuggled closer to Eli, breathing in his scent mixed with Dare’s and my own.
Last night was wonderful and filled me with the confidence to push forward with the family. Now that Dare and I formed the mating bond, I could feel the link to Von and I strengthening. Just need to seal the connection with him. Then deal with the vampire.
Once all five of us were mated, the family bond that would link us all together would form. Then we’d have the power to face Harrison and whatever he threw at us.
From behind me. Dare kissed my shoulder and gently bit down. I groaned and ached into him.
A knock sounded on my bedroom door. Excitement had me crawling over Eli to get out of bed. “Why didn’t you tell me they were home?”
Eli chuckled. “You were tired and asleep. Plus, I was comfortable holding you. Dare got up to talk with them.”
I glanced to Dare and he shrugged. “You were sound asleep. I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
I gave them a crooked frown. “I would have still wanted to know they were home.”
Pulling the door open, I jumped into Gunner’s arms and hugged him tight. Then I tugged Von closer to me. I used my healing power to check for injuries. When I didn’t find any, I sagged into the both of them as relief made my bones feel like mush. “Did you find the candle?”
Von’s features brightened. “We did…” then seriousness crept in, darkening his hazel eyes.
Gunner scooped me up with one arm under my knees and the other supporting my back. Then he carried me to bed where he sat on the edge next to Eli but didn’t release me. “We can’t get it.”
“What?” I wiggled but he held on tighter. “What do you mean?”
Von crossed the room to stand next to Dare, who was at the foot of the bed. “It’s protected by a spell.”
“Then we all go.” The low rumble from Eli made me roll my eyes. I met his stare and instead of demanding for him to see it my way like I normally would, I took a breath. “If Carlyn spelled the candle, it means only a witch can break the spell. If not a witch, then someone with good intentions. The five of us go as a team. You four have my back while I figure out how to break the spell.”
See, I can compromise.
“She has a point,” Gunner said. Von and Dare quickly agreed leaving Eli with little choice but to go along.
Eli stared at me several long moments before a smile formed on his handsome face. He poked me in the side. “I wasn’t going to say no.”
I wiggled in Gunner’s arms and he released me. Bouncing on my feet, I conjured a pair of black jeggings and a blue long-sleeved knit shirt to replace my short nightgown. “When do we leave?”
Dare and Eli looked at Von and Gunner, who glanced at one another and shrugged. Von said, “Now would be good. We didn’t scent anyone in the area last night.”
“But that doesn’t mean no one isn’t watching and waiting for Cassia to show up.” Eli stood and stretched.
I couldn’t resist poking him in the ribs. He grunted and wrapped his arms around me, then nipped my ear. Laughing, I said, “We are expecting someone to pop in. It’d be too easy any other way. I’m ready. I have some built up power that needs expending.”
I was supposed to ground myself and push my extra magick into the earth the night before but Dare and Eli kept me distracted. Not that I was complaining. The three of us had settled down to watch a movie and I passed out cuddled up to my bear about half way through.
“I’m going to make coffee while you all get dressed.” I left the room and darted across the living room to the kitchen. Only then did I allow the dread to surface. I knew enough about The Original Three—Carlyn especially—that when they hid items, the spell was one obstacle. It was possible that breaking the spell would trigger another challenge for us to face.
“Cassia, what’s wrong?”
Gunner’s voice made me jump. I shook my head and didn’t face him. He closed the distance and brushed the hair from my neck. “I may not be fully bound to you yet, but I can sense your fear.”
I picked up on the others’ scents as they entered the kitchen. “We have to be prepared for magickal traps. I’m not sure of what, but Carlyn wouldn’t just simply spell the candle to keep it out of the wrong hands.”
Von said, “We know. The candle is in a cavern not far from Mt. Houghton. It looks like others have tried to get the candle and failed. It’s possible the traps have been sprung already.”
“Maybe.” I faced them and stood straighter. “We’ll be careful. Keep all our senses open.”
“Are we ready then?” Eli asked.
I nodded. “Gunner, I can give you a boost in power to teleport us all.” I held up my wrist.
He eyed my wrist then my face. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, silly. I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t.” I stepped closer. “I know you haven’t fed recently. I can feel it.” Even though our bond wasn’t complete, I could still sense his hunger. “I trust you.”
His pupils expanded slightly and he closed the gap between us, taking my arm in his hands. But instead of biting into my wrist, he pricked the tip of my index finger with one fang, then sucked on the tip.
When he released my finger, his features brightened and his aura seemed to glow for a brief moment. “I don’t need much of your blood. And I will not feed from you. I can hunt animals like the rest of you do in your animal forms.” He must have noticed the frown on my face because he added, “Your magick is too strong. It’s like a drug to me…”
He was afraid of going rogue. He didn’t have to say it. I sensed the fear inside him. “We’ll talk more about that later. Right now, let’s go get the candle.”
We materialized at the entrance of the cavern. Old magic charged the air, tingling my skin. The slight scent of night jasmine lingered around the opening of the cave. Odd. There were no flowers around.
Gunner was to my right and pointed straight ahead. “We take the path on the left. It leads to an underground room where the candle is.”
Nodding, I moved forward. The path Gunner spoke of was a narrow staircase made from the stone of the cavern. We had to walk single file until we reached the bottom. The room was a little larger than I imagined, maybe a twelve-foot circular room. The only thing in there was a stone pillar with a white tapered candle floating several inches above it. The charge of power that filled the room made my wolf a little uneasy. I could feel Eli’s wolf, Von’s tiger, and Dare’s bear pacing within them and tugging at the mating bonds.
I lifted a hand. “I need two of you to guard the entrance of the cave. The other two will stand outside the circle I’m about to make. Once I begin, I can’t be disturbed until I break the spell. So if we’re attacked, I’ll need you to protect the circle.”
I faced my guys and one by one they kissed me and moved into their positions. Gunner and Von went topside to guard the cave entrance while Eli and Dare stayed with me and moved closer to the stairs.
Focusing on the candle, I slowly advanced to it. Warm sparks of magick zapped at my skin, but I continued until I was arm’s length from it. Raising my hands, I called the circle to form around me and the candle. “Carlyn, goddess of magick and witches, I am here to collect your candle and take it to the rightful leader of the council, Lewis Walker. I ask for no repercussions from breaking the spell and removing the candle from this cave.”
Wind blew through
my hair. With it came a whisper of a female. Carlyn. My heart filled with joy of hearing her. “Careful Cassia. Hunters are on their way. Keep the candle safe.”
With shaky hands, I wrapped my fingers around the candle and the spell broke. I drew the candle to me and cradled it to my chest and took down the circle.
“We have company,” Eli shouted and raced up the stairs.
I conjured a backpack and a wooden box to hold the candle so it didn’t break. Once the candle was secure, I threw the backpack on and raced after Eli. Dare followed on my heels.
My heart hammered and fury fueled my magick when we exited the stairwell. Four Hunters charged inside the cave, but I sensed more outside. I rushed toward the entrance while calling out to my guys, “Try to get outside.”
I needed them out because I was going to seal the cave. I had what I wanted. There was no need for the cave to remain open. Plus a powerful witch could trace the magickal signature from the spell holding the candle. I wasn’t taking chances that there was even a tiny bit of magick left.
I skidded to a stop at the mouth of the cave when a large vampire/demon hybrid stepped in front of me. His long white hair flowed freely and wildly in the mountain breeze and his black eyes glared at me and were a perfect contrast against is milky-white skin. And he had wings. Large leathery wings the same color as his flesh.
The hybrid snarled and stretched out his wings while reaching out for me. Oh hell no. I formed an energy ball and threw it at his wings. He twisted, but not quick enough. My magick hit the edge of one wings, making the beast screech in pain.
Harrison was a hypocritical bastard. How many more hybrid minions did he have? Suddenly, Beth’s outrage and the attack on Harrison’s family was starting to make more sense. Had he been trying to make her into a Hunter?
The vamp-demon swiped an arm out and hit me. Pain exploded in my skull as I fell to the ground. The coppery taste of my blood filled my mouth, pissing me off. Snarling at the beast, I curled my hands and focused on his wings. Using my telekinesis, I broke them, one by one. The creature screamed and fell to his knees. A part of me felt sorry for him. The reality was his humanity was gone. He was the rogue Harrison accused the hybrids he hunted of being.