by Daisy Dunn
Elemental Magic 3
Fire’s Devotion
Local shop owner Flame finds herself going into a sexual heat and immediately knows her mate is near. Jack Malloy, a local cop, can't get Flame out of his mind ever since he first moved into town. Joined by his brother, Ethan, Jack introduces the two and sparks fly. Flame spends a glorious night with Ethan, and in the morning Jack finally makes his move on her. Giving in to the underlying passion she’s secretly had for Jack, they make love.
When the men realize they both want Flame, and neither is willing to walk away, they seduce her in a hot ménage. Flame's overwhelmed by their passion and doesn't readily admit her feelings of love for the brothers. The next day, she's kidnapped by the Hunters and taken away to their hideout. When Flame goes missing, the brothers plan her rescue, determined to keep her safe with them for always.
Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among siblings.
Genre: Fantasy, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Shape-shifter
Length: 25,767 words
FIRE’S DEVOTION
Elemental Magic 3
Daisy Dunn
MENAGE AMOUR
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Amour
FIRE’S DEVOTION
Copyright © 2012 by Daisy Dunn
E-book ISBN: 978-1-61926-902-6
First E-book Publication: July 2012
Cover design by Jinger Heaston
All cover art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
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DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to two of my biggest supporters, Cassandra Pierce and Jade Astor. Thank you for being there for me, ladies.
FIRE’S DEVOTION
Elemental Magic 3
DAISY DUNN
Copyright © 2012
Prologue
Nine months after the sacred ceremony of the summer solstice, four daughters were born to the Elementals. Each mother possessed a unique elemental power over the earth, air, fire, and water. With their children only a week old, they had to complete the ritual to ensure their powers would flow to their girls, continuing the cycle Mother Nature had blessed them with.
Gathering in a secluded clearing in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the new mothers, with their mates, stood around a circle facing the high priestess of their secret coven. The circle appeared as a compass, pointing to the appropriate direction for the powers the mothers possessed. Four large pillows lay on the ground at each point. Incense wafted through the air carrying a scent of lemongrass and sage. In the middle of the circle sat the sacred clay bowl, void of contents. The high priestess nodded at everyone and clapped her hands together. “We shall now begin. Place the babies on the ground.”
All the mothers placed their daughters down, resting their swaddled bodies on the pillows provided. “Now, mothers, kneel behind your daughters, holding their hands.” All four mothers lowered themselves to their knees, pulled the blanket down on the babies, and took their daughters’ hands in theirs. “Fathers, stand behind your mates, resting your hands on her shoulders. This connection must not be broken during the ceremony. Your bonding connections to these women are the key to passing on the powers to the children.” All four men obeyed, their touch linking each individual family together.
“The only way your daughters will receive your powers is if the father is a true mate. What say you, women?” The high priestess continued leading the ritual.
“The bond is true,” all four women said in unison.
“You must love the women and be their true mate to appease Mother Nature. What say you, men?”
“The bond is true.” The men repeated the women’s words.
Lightning streaked across the clear blue sky above their heads. The babies all remained quiet and wide awake, seemingly undisturbed by the thunder rumbling around them. “Ah, Mother Nature is pleased with the pairings.”
She picked up the sacred bowl and walked north to the daughter of the earth. Reaching into the empty bowl, she pulled out a maple leaf and placed it above the baby. It hovered a foot above the child and stayed there. “You have been blessed with the powers of the earth. You shall be called Ivy.”
Moving to the east position, she stood before the daughter of the air. This time, she pulled a feather out of the empty bowl, and again the item hovered magically over the baby. “You have been blessed with the powers of the air. You shall be called Skye.”
Continuing around the circle, she faced south and removed a lit candle from the bowl. Like the objects placed over the other two children, the candle hung suspended over the baby. “You have been blessed with the powers of fire. You shall be called Flame.”
Her final stop brought her to the west side of the circle, as she scooped a handful of water out of the bowl and placed it over the child. Again it poised in the air above the baby. “You have been blessed with the powers of water. You shall be called Raine.”
The high priestess walked back to the center of the circle, placed the clay pot back on the ground, and raised her hands in the air. “Mother Nature, here are the daughters of the Elementals, dedicated to you.”
A mysterious beam of light surged forth from the lightning streaks, coming do
wn from the sky and entering the high priestess through the top of her head. The burst of light and energy branched out from her fingertips and landed over the men’s hearts. From there, it traveled down their arms into their mates and from their mates to the babies. The objects hovering over the babies suddenly turned into sparkles of light and dissipated over the girls’ bodies.
The light disappeared as quickly as it came. The high priestess clapped her hands together and said, “The ceremony is now complete. Mother Nature is pleased and has blessed another generation with her mighty powers. The cycle begins again. These girls must all find their mates in less than thirty years by the summer solstice in order to pass on their gift to the next generation. May you find your true loves, little ones.”
Chapter 1
Almost thirty years later and two months before the summer solstice…
While standing outside of Elemental Magic, a local shop owned by four mystical women, Flame, one of the owners, stared at the window display she’d spent an hour arranging, hoping the wares appeared more inviting to passersby. She crossed her arms under her breasts and contemplated redoing the whole layout. Her attention to detail had always been impeccable, so the women had given Flame the dubious honor of being their official window dresser.
The display consisted mainly of aromatherapy essential oils, decorative bottles filled with natural ointments and lotions, and New Age crystals. Inside the store, they carried a wide range of herbs, potions, magic spell books, and a variety of dried flowers used for ingredients.
“Good morning, Flame. The front window looks beautiful.” Raine patted Flame on her shoulder. “I love the Victorian feel to the decorations you used.”
“Good morning, Raine. Do you really like it? I’m not so sure.” Flame shook her head, not quite satisfied with her design. “Besides, I still have to do the other window to match, but I’ll take care of it in the next day or so.”
“You’re so fussy.” Flame could hear the playful exasperation in Raine’s tone. “The window’s gorgeous. Now, come inside, and let’s open up the shop for business.” She looped her arm through Flame’s and dragged her into the store to start their work day.
Two hours later, Flame came out of the back stockroom with her clipboard. “Well, we’re doing great for stock. All we need to order is some lavender, witch hazel, and sweetgrass.”
Raine stood behind the front counter by the cash register and stared off into space, not responding to Flame’s statement. Flame looked around the shop to check if they were alone. Seeing no customers in the store, she walked up to Raine, and bumped her hip with her own in a casual manner. “Why so silent?”
With her black hair pulled back into a loose bun, sadness seemed to loom in Raine’s violet eyes. “We’re running out of time. We only have two months before the summer solstice, and we don’t have mates yet. I’m terrified of losing my powers.”
“I am, too, Raine. But we have to remain vigilant. We still have time to find mates. Ivy and Skye found their partners not very long ago, so I’m positive ours are right under our noses. We’ll find them soon.” Flame tried to reassure her elemental sister, but had a hard time believing her own words.
“I hope you’re right.”
I do, too. “I know I am. We’ll plan more nights out and hopefully meet more eligible men.” Her fake bravado seemed to fool Raine for the time being, since Flame noticed her smile came back and her eyes lit up. “Now there’s the beautiful lady I know.” They hugged each other while Flame tried to hide the feeling of doom running rampant through her body.
Suddenly the door opened, and Officer Jack Malloy entered the shop. Oh, great, what does he want now?
Flame remembered all too well the first meeting she’d had with the cop a few months ago. He’d come into her store to introduce himself to the shop owners of his beat, and as soon as they met, he’d started in on her. She’d had her back to him as he’d entered, and once the pleasant introductions were made, he’d begun to lecture her on positioning herself properly when a customer came in, for her own personal safety.
She’d found him attractive until he’d started picking at her and telling her everything she was doing wrong. He never seemed to go after her elemental sisters, just her. Now, every time he entered the shop, she cringed and prepared herself for another long-winded, irritating lecture about her personal safety. If only he knew how dangerous I truly am.
“Good morning, Officer Malloy,” Raine said, oozing sweetness. “What brings you in here today?”
“Good morning, ladies.” He removed his hat and walked up to the counter, giving a quick once-over glance at Flame. “You know you can call me Jack.”
“You look so official in your uniform. It’s a natural reaction to refer to you formally. So, Jack, what can we do for you?” Raine kicked Flame.
“Ouch! Why’d you kick me?”
“Sorry, Flame, I slipped. Now, let’s see what Jack wants with you, I mean, us.”
Jack had arrived in the small town of Chemainus, British Columbia, a few months ago. He stood six feet four inches tall, with wavy black hair and piercing blue eyes. Flame conceded he had looks, but his attitude turned her off more and more every time they encountered each other. He smiled and his dimples deepened. I suppose he uses his looks to charm the pants off most women, but not me.
“Yes, well, I wanted to let you ladies know the coffee shop across the street was vandalized last night. Someone broke inside and smashed up the place. I thought I’d give you a little reminder to make sure your alarm is turned on at night when you leave, and none of you are ever working alone.”
Great, another excuse for a lecture!
“That’s great advice, Jack. We’ll make sure to follow your suggestions.” Raine beamed at him.
Oh, brother, this is ridiculous. “I appreciate the advice, Officer Malloy,” Flame stated with her hands on her hips and her words dripping with annoyance, “but it’s not necessary or wanted. We already work in shifts of two or more and turn on the alarm every night when we leave. We’re not children, you know.”
“I’m sorry for Flame’s stubbornness, Jack,” Raine said, sounding stern, while looking directly at Flame.
“Being pigheaded must be a nasty trait of redheads, or at least this one.” He pointed his finger at Flame and spoke to Raine, as if Flame weren’t even in the same room. “Well, good day, ladies.”
“Good-bye, Jack.”
Flame warred with herself to stay put or follow him and give him a piece of her mind. Every conversation they’d ever had contained exchanges of barbs flung back and forth between the two. She lost the battle with herself and gave in to her anger. I can’t let him get away with insulting me like this.
Steeling herself, she turned to Raine and said, “I’ll be right back.”
As she stormed around the counter and headed out the door, she heard Raine shout after her, “Be nice.”
He stood outside the shop as if he were waiting for her. “What an unexpected visit.” He smiled at her with a cocky grin on his face.
“I think we need to get some things straight between us right now. You don’t like me, and I sure as hell don’t like you, so let’s just agree to be civil, nothing more and nothing less. Also, I’m very proud to be a redhead. Yes, I’m stubborn at times, but my pigheadedness is a small part of who I am. Ever since you came to this town, all you’ve done is try to boss me around and treat me like a child. Well, here’s a news flash for you, I’m not a child, and I have a mind of my own. Now take your cute smile and go use it on someone who’s stupid enough to fall for it.”
She glared at Jack, noticing his smile fading away. She watched his jaw clench as he took a deep breath and let the air out slowly. Flame saw she hit an obvious nerve with him and felt a sweet moment of gratification.
“You are the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met. I’m trying to protect you and keep you out of harm’s way, and all you do is disobey or dismiss me. As an officer of the law, I’m starting
to suspect you have something to hide. I’m going to keep an even closer eye on you from now on. Good day, Flame.” He turned abruptly and walked away from her.
Men! Storming back into the shop, she bumped into Raine, who appeared to have been standing by the door. “Were you listening to us?”
“Um, well, maybe a little. Flame, you’re way too tough on Jack. He’s only looking out for our best interests. Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion he’s crazy about you.” Flame looked at Raine in shock as she continued. “I’ve been noticing the way he looks at you. Today, when he walked in, his eyes were on you most of the time, and they held an intensity in them that seemed to speak volumes. I think you might have chased away a potential mate.”
“You must be mad. There’s nothing between us but disdain. He’s irritating, rude, overbearing, and obnoxious. These are qualities I don’t want in a mate.”
“I think you are protesting way too much about your dislike of him. With our desperation to find viable mates, can’t you even consider him as a possibility?”
“Raine, you know I love you, but what you’re proposing is pure insanity. We don’t get along, and we never will.”
“Do you find him attractive?”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
“So, you admit you think he’s sexy.”
“I’m not saying any such thing.”
“Let me rephrase the question, and give me a straight and honest answer. Do you think he’s ugly?”
“Well, no, not at all.”