The Last Witch Hunter (Witch Hunters)

by King, Thayer

  “I’m here with Uncle Hugh. Is there anything we can do for you?”

  “Give me Brian’s nuts on a stick. Don’t feel sorry for me. The kids are the ones who are going to suffer with everyone calling their dad a murderer.”

  “I’m really sorry, Natalie.”

  She sniffed. “I’m sorry I’m being such a bitch. I should have left his ass years ago, but I stayed to give the kids a father. He can’t even get that right.” She sighed. “I should have listened to my mother. The funny thing is the only reason I ever dated him was because I was trying to get close to you.”

  That was a shocker. “Um.” He didn’t know what to say.

  “You tried to warn me. But I thought you were jealous and I liked that. By the time I figured out you were just being nice, I was stuck with Brian. There was a brief moment when I thought we were in love, but it soon became apparent that he only wanted me because of you.”

  Ronan rubbed his neck. This was getting them nowhere, but he didn’t have the heart to interrupt her. “Me?”

  “Brian has always been jealous of you. I don’t know why. Some crap about life being so perfect for you. He only wanted me because he thought I might have been yours. He enjoyed the idea of taking me from you.”

  “Natalie, I—” The breath caught in his throat. If Brian went after Natalie, what would he do to the woman he knew was his soul mate? Surely, he didn’t hate him that much? But then he’d gone after Nikita before. “Natalie, I’ve got to go.” He disconnected and was heading for the door.

  “What is it? What did she say?” Uncle Hugh was on his heels.

  “I think I know where he is.” It wasn’t a long drive from his uncle’s apartment to his house, but all of it was in town. The speed limit was thirty-five at the fastest points and he couldn’t risk the cops following him home. Sure enough, there was a police car parked across the street. Fighting down panic, he tried to act normal as he approached his truck.

  Hugh got in on the passenger side. “So where are we headed?”

  “My place. He’s going after my mate.” He hit his steering wheel in anger. And because of his uncle’s gift, Brian would be able to get through the safeguards he’d placed on Mrs. Williams’ house. They were designed to keep out humans, not animals.

  ***

  Nikita’s eyes widened as she watched the cat begin to grow. Its fur receded and its bones lengthened. In no time at all, a man was huddled on her floor. That was enough for her. She whipped around to make a hasty exit but he was quick. He was on his feet in seconds and caught her by the tail end of her ponytail. Pain tore at her scalp and she was forced to stop. She turned to face Brian McKinley. He grinned at her. “Now we’re going to have us some grown up fun.”

  She allowed her gaze to flicker down his pale body and arched an eyebrow. He was aroused. Average size but overall the package was not impressive when compared to his cousin. “Not much fun,” she said, indicating his groin. His slap was fast and carried enough power to make her head turn.

  His smile turned gloating. “Bitch, I hope you’re a fast learner. Or maybe not.” He shrugged. “Makes me no difference.”

  “I see some things haven’t changed. You still hit like a pussy. This is what a hit should feel like.” She pulled her fist back and let him have it. Her punch to his jaw had him reeling. She didn’t give him the chance to recover. She followed that punch with another to his kidneys. When he doubled over, she kicked him in the side of his head. He crashed into an end table and went down. As he was slumping towards the floor, she landed a kick to his groin.

  Her dagger was at her foot. She slammed the heel of her boot heel on it to pop it in the air. As it flipped up she gave it a boost with her foot. Catching the ornate handle in her palm, she landed on Brian’s chest, knocking the air out of his lungs, and pressed the blade to his neck. She smiled at his stunned expression. “Now we’re going to have us some fun.”

  “What the hell kind of woman are you?”

  He began to wriggle beneath her and she pressed the blade deep enough to knick his skin. He hissed. “Uh, uh. Don’t want to move. My dagger likes blood.” His jaw tightened and his eyes burned with hatred. “Want to tell me why you’ve been itching to get at me? I mean, I know I’m hot,” she winked “and this ass is worth a felony, but you don’t seem to be off your rocker to me.”

  “Why should Ronan get everything? He’s a waste. He never uses his magic. Just works with his hands like some sort of primate.”

  Personally, she liked Ronan’s hands but this wasn’t the time for distractions. “Funny that a pussy should compare someone else to an animal. What’s with that cat shit, by the way? Ronan told me that you’re not a witch.”

  Brian bared his teeth. “My father gave me that ability. It was the least he could do.” He was practically spitting in his rage. “He couldn’t hold onto his wife and he couldn’t provide me with the life I deserve.”

  “I see you’re a woman hating self-entitled ass.”

  “I don’t hate women.”

  “Is that what Gina Farris would say?”

  “We had a good thing going. She’d come down every month and we’d meet up. But then she started saying she wanted something different. She was going to leave me. Nobody leaves me!” He began to struggle again and she pressed the blade deeper. “You can’t keep me here like this forever.”

  “I’d kill you, but your cousin is on the way.” She rolled her eyes. “I can feel him.”

  “So you are his mate.”

  “Mm. Get that look off your face. I’m also a witch hunter so carving your ass up in practice for the Thanksgiving turkey won’t bother me a bit.”

  The door burst open behind her and two pairs of large male feet came in and halted abruptly. “What the hell?”

  Nikita glanced over her shoulder to see Ronan and an older man standing behind him. Both wore stunned expressions. She’d guess it was the older man who had spoken as she didn’t recognize the voice.

  Brian used her moment of inattentiveness to his advantage. One second she was holding his throat, the next, he’d shrunk down to a cat. He clawed her wrist. Instinctively, she withdrew the blade, knowing that she could never kill a cat anyway.

  He didn’t get far. Both Ronan and the other man’s eyes began to glow. Brian was frozen in mid-leap, the fur standing on end on his back. “What do you suggest we do with him?”

  The older man stepped forward. “Hold him. I’m retracting my gift. Young lady, if you would be so kind as to call the police. This will only take a moment.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Nikita gave Minx a can of real tuna instead of her usual dry cat food. “You’re a true warrior,” she said, giving the cat a pat on the head. Still Minx’s golden eyes were filled with distain. Nikita sighed and stood. “She’s never going to forgive me for throwing her out of the house,” she said to Ronan. “How was I supposed to know the difference between the two of you? I haven’t known you that long.”

  Ronan chuckled. He sat at the kitchen table. “Come here. Let me look at those scratches.” He had already looked Minx over and cured her of any injuries.

  When she moved near, he pulled her into his lap. “They’re fine. I ran cold water over them and put on an ointment.”

  The police had arrived almost immediately. There were some advantages to the town being the size of a postage stamp. Everywhere was five minutes away. Brian had been taken away in cuffs. Ronan’s Uncle Hugh had gone with him for support, not that Brian seemed to appreciate it. The police had lots of questions, but Ronan had put them off, saying that Nikita needed time to recover from her ordeal. Despite the fact that she was her usual stalwart self, they’d decided getting their prisoner back was enough of a boon for one night. They were scheduled to go into the police station in the morning. They’d taken her dagger in as evidence, insuring that she would show up.

  Ronan hugged her close. “I can’t bear the thought of you being hurt.” His hand hovered over her wrists. She watched as th
e scratches closed and healed until her skin was unblemished. He kissed her forehead. “I was terrified we wouldn’t get to you before something horrible happened.”

  She grunted. “Brian isn’t used to a woman who will fight him back. He’s a coward.” But she could feel Ronan trembling. “Hey, I’ve survived worse situations.” She ran her fingers through his curls and tilted his face up to hers. “And I was never scared. I knew you were coming.”

  His eyes seemed to glow with emotion. “No wonder you have insomnia. This is going to keep me up for days.”

  She grinned. “I know a cure.” Her fingers dropped to his belt buckle.

  “I like your idea, but the location needs work. Wrap your legs around me.” He stood and she complied. He carried her easily up the stairs to the guest bedroom. Stopping at the edge of the bed, he whipped off his shirt and undid his pants. He was big and beautiful, topping her by more than a foot. His size was an aphrodisiac to her. “Changed your mind?”

  Shaking her head, she said, “Admiring the view.” She removed her clothing at a more leisurely pace. Ronan stripped to his boxers and sat down. When she was naked, she climbed onto his lap. She tilted his head back and took his mouth.

  He moaned. “I’ll let you be on top this time, but there’s got to be some give and take.”

  She ran her hands over his shoulders, enjoying the ripple of his muscles. She could only control him if he let her and that was a turn on. Despite her size, she tended to intimidate men with her personality. But not Ronan. Even at her worst, he didn’t give up on her. There could be an upside to this soul mate nonsense.

  Pressing her body tight to his, she kissed him deeply, her tongue tangling with his. Their mouths met again and again with a voracious heat that seemed to only grow in intensity. Ronan held her, one large hand spanning her back, the other sliding between her legs to tease her clit from behind. Her nipples were diamond hard as they raked over his chest.

  Nikita reached down to stroke his cock where it threatened to burst from his briefs. He growled into their kiss. The feel of him made her pussy clench with want. She slid his underwear down so that she could touch him skin to skin. Circling the head with her thumb, she found it moist with pre-cum.

  She stood. “Where are you going?” Ronan’s voice was husky and his irises were dark with hunger. His lips were red and swollen from her kisses.

  “Not far,” she assured him. “Spread your legs for me.” She circled his cock with her hand, squeezing and working her way toward the tip. He was thicker than her wrist. Ronan parted his thighs and she bent at the waist to lick him. His taste coated her tongue when she swirled it around the weeping head. She suckled the tip before taking more.

  “Oh, shit,” Ronan groaned above her. His hands clamped down on the mattress on either side of her. He didn’t force her movements in any way as she began to bob her head up and down on his cock. But he didn’t seem to be able to control his hips. They moved in small jerks sent him deeper down throat.

  She massaged his balls. They drew up toward his body as he neared his release. He was groaning loudly and swearing through gritted teeth when he suddenly pulled her up. His cock made a loud smacking sound as it left her mouth. “Why did you do that?”

  “That’s not where I want to come.” He kissed her and cupped her breasts. His thumbs flicked her nipples as she sucked his tongue. Soon he was kissing his way down her neck, his hot mouth making her knees feel weak. When he fastened his lips upon her nipples, she twined her fingers in his red curls for support. He rubbed her clit with his thumb and penetrated her with two fingers. He used his other hand to tilt her hips so that she fucked his hand. “God, you’re so wet. I can’t wait any longer.” He lifted her onto his lap and positioned her pussy over the head of his cock.

  Nikita bit her lip as he lowered her onto his staff. Her nails dug into his shoulders as he stretched her open.

  “You’re so tight.”

  She grunted. “You’re so big,” she corrected.

  “You’ve taken me before,” he reasoned, his hands gripping her hips as he pushed her down. “Don’t stop. Fuck me.”

  “I am.” She planted her knees on the bed on either side of his thighs. Their gazes locked as she swiveled her hips, taking him deeper.

  “More,” he said. “Take my cock.”

  Nikita knew he was preying on her need to be in control, but she didn’t care. She closed her vaginal muscles over him and was rewarded with his deep groan. The deep purr turned her on like no other sound. Moisture flooded her pussy, easing the way for her as her body swallowed the last inches of his cock. They both moaned and stopped to savor the feeling of being completely joined.

  She was the first to move. She started slow, with barely a twitch of her hips. The languid movements served to make her more open to him. For several minutes, Ronan allowed her to set the pace, but when he’d reached the end of his patience he cupped her buttocks and thrust upward. Hard. Nikita whimpered.

  “Like that, baby?”

  “Love it,” she gasped.

  He wrapped her legs around him and half stood, lifting and dropping her onto his cock over and over. Nikita cried out at each penetration. It felt as though he were powering into her very soul. Their bodies, damp with sweat, moved together slickly. She clung to him as he took over. She might have been on top, but he was in control.

  Ronan pinched her clit and her pussy clamped down on him. The orgasm washed over her, making the skin on her face tingle and her toes curl. She gasped his name. “Oh, Nikita, baby that feels so good.” He thrust deep and allowed her orgasm to milk him. He swelled inside her and filled her with his seed. The pulses of his cock extended the length of her climax.

  Nikita collapsed against Ronan as their breathing slowed. He lay back on the bed and she sprawled over him. “I need a favor,” she breathed.

  “Oh?”

  “Could you use your witchy skills to fix the figurines that were broken during the cat fight?”

  “I will, but you have to do me a favor in return.”

  She linked her hands over his chest and propped her chin on top. “What?”

  “Tell me that you love me.”

  Nikita swallowed. She did love him, but the words were stuck in her chest. If she voiced them, it would make her acceptance of this real. And if it was real, it could be taken away from her. She couldn’t deny the bond anymore, but that didn’t mean other issues could pop up to separate them. “You first.”

  “I’ve already told you that I love you,” he said patiently.

  “It doesn’t count if you say it directly before, during or after sex.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “So you saying it now won’t count?”

  She shrugged. “Probably not.” Though she was very comfortable cuddling with him, she rolled to her feet. She immediately missed the warmth of his body. She shivered. “I’m going to take a shower.”

  “I’ll join you.”

  Ronan crowded her in the shower. Since he was such a big man, she wasn’t certain whether it was intentional. But it sure was effective. She watched him as his red hair darkened to almost brown. Water and soap cascaded over his broad shoulders and tight abs. He caught her staring and smiled. “Let me help you.” He took her sponge and poured body wash on it. He ran it over her in firm strokes, soaping her back, shoulders and arms. She barely noticed when he put the sponge down and began using only his hands. His fingers on her breasts made her breath catch. Hands slick with soap, he massaged her breasts, his thumbs flicking her nipples. His touch had her in a daze by the time he turned her around and placed her palms on the tiled wall.

  She gasped when she felt the broad head of his cock probing the slit of her pussy. He rubbed up and down, using her moisture for lubrication. There was plenty of that. She always seemed to be wet when he was around. “Spread your legs wider.” She quickly complied and he began to enter her. She moaned at the sensation of him stretching her open. This wasn’t a position she usually allowed. It required
her to trust her partner. And it required her submission. She didn’t give her trust easily and until Ronan, she never submitted.

  Finally he was so deep that he touched her womb. He pulled out almost to the tip and filled her again with a single powerful thrust. Nikita cried out at the rough penetration. “Oh, God,” she sobbed.

  “Feel good?”

  Speechless, she nodded. “Please.”

  He set a fast pace that had her gasping. He cupped her breasts and tugged her nipples with each thrust, causing her pussy to close over his plunging cock. His mouth was hot on her neck. His groans filled her ears. “I love you, Nikita. Love you so much.” One large hand slid down her belly to her pussy. He rubbed her clit before bracketing it between two fingers. She was on the verge of an orgasm, could feel it building from where he possessed her. And then he stopped moving. “Do you love me?”

  What was he talking about? Why was he talking now? “Ronan, please…” She canted her hips backward in an attempt to make him move. She was so close. Why wasn’t he moving?

  He gripped her hips. “I’m buried balls deep in you and I love you now. I loved you before and I’ll love you every day after this. Do you love me, Nikita?”

  Not this again. She wasn’t ready for this discussion. “What? Can’t we talk later?”

  “No. Answer me or I’ll pull out.”

  “You’re kidding.” She dug her nails into his thighs as he began to slowly withdraw. “Wait. Damn you, I can’t believe you’d-”

  “It’s a simple question.”

  Nikita frowned. He was like a dog with a bone. “No it’s not. I don’t appreciate your manipulating me. And don’t think I haven’t found out how witches form a bond with their mates. It wasn’t fair of you not to tell me.”

  Ronan sighed. And he then he did what she was certain that he wouldn’t do. He pulled out of her, rinsed off in silence, and left her sexually frustrated and alone in the bathroom. Blinking, she turned off the water and wrapped up in a towel. She found him in the bedroom putting his clothes on. “What are you doing?”