Daddy's Christmas Date

by Piper Sullivan

  This was dark magic, I realized as I peeled the carpet away. But if dark magic was the only way to protect my clan I would do so willingly.

  I took out the small wooden box and slowly opened it, then took out the small scroll that was tied with a red ribbon.

  Reflectempra pestem, mystifendio celestiteus. This spell not only protects but it locates as well. With the right combination of blood from either source, the clan would not only have the protection of the gods, they would be able to locate Lucifer’s Hordes long before they could breach the compound. The only problem was that I don’t have a Vampire hanging around for local blood donations.

  This was quite the predicament. No wonder Maura could never apply this magic.

  Chapter 9

  Edmund

  I stood before The Elders to consult them on Arabella’s acceptance among us. It wasn’t every day that a hybrid was the one who would evidently save us from annihilation. And I knew had to do whatever it took to convince them that she was no threat.

  “She has to be banished,” the eldest stated gruffly, “Hybrids are not like us, and she does not fit in amongst us.”

  This was harder than I thought and with my hands behind my back I paced in front of them.

  “She’s our only solution, she was the one who managed to break Maura’s spell and ever since the spell was lifted we can shift in our compound. What more must I do to convince you?”

  One of the elders stood up and towered over me. He was much taller and his face bore the scars of many battles. He was also the only one who has ever survived the bite of a vampire – not without consequence though. Due to the poison that flooded his blood, he lost his sight. But despite his brutal attack, he miraculously survived against all odds.

  “What more does she have to offer other than mediocre spells that are of no relevance to us?” he asked pointedly, “As far as we are led to believe, she’s in the Alexandria room right this minute, trying to find the spell we need. Is she making headway?”

  His question was warranted, but I had faith that she would find the spell, I just didn’t know how long she would take.

  “I believe she is making headway, and she’s not giving up until she has found it.”

  For the life of me I could not fathom how The Elders had more say than I did, was I not their Prince?

  The eldest stood again, “She has until midnight to come up with a solution, if not, she will be banished and we will have to find an alternative way to secure our compound,”

  Finally! There was hope yet, now I only had to get Arabella to work relentlessly to get the spell. And if it meant that I needed to help her, I will do just that.

  “We’ll have the spell before midnight,” I said and then without wasting any more time, I bowed before the Elders and exited the council room.

  I headed straight for the Alexandria room, where I knew she was buried under a pile of books searching for the spell Maura used before she cursed us, but she wasn’t there. The only other place I might find her was in her room.

  As I turned the corner into the hallway where her room was located, she crashed into me and instinctively I caught her and steadied her.

  “Edmund, I’m so glad I found you,” she said and I noted her violet eyes sparkle. She was unto something, no doubt.

  “I was just looking for you. I don’t want to put any pressure on you, but we need this spell before midnight,” I hated having to put pressure on her, I know from my own experience, when under pressure most things go wrong.

  “Well that’s what I came to talk to you about, you see, I found Maura’s secret. It took me a while and I had to do a locator spell, but I managed just fine. Thank the gods,” she said excitedly and held out a small wooden box.

  As she held it in her palms, I lifted the lid and took out the small scroll, none of it made any sense. So she translated it to me and explained that the spell uses blood magic. Once it’s successfully cast, not only will our compound be secured and hidden from Lucifer’s Hordes. We will also be able to locate them long before they manage to find us.

  “There’s a slight problem though,” she said and lowered her eyes, “we need the blood of a Vampire.”

  Well that’s just bloody damn brilliant! The only vampires we have here are decapitated dead ones, and those are far and few in between.

  “Major Bernhard, we have a situation,” one of my guards appeared behind us, and by the sound of his voice, it didn’t sound like a good news.

  I turned to Arabella, “wait for me in my office, I’ll be there shortly,” and then turned my attention back to the guard, “What is the situation?”

  “A vampire managed to breach the compound. He came in through the underground tunnels. He has already killed two of our men.”

  The solution to our problem literally fell into my lap and the grin on my face obviously confused the guard as he looked at me wide eyed.

  “Take me to the blood sucker,” I commanded. But as I was about to leave, Arabella grabbed my arm.

  “Let me come with, I can protect you.”

  “It’s too dangerous,” I said and rested my palm against the side of her face, “Go wait in my office.”

  “Please Edmund,” she pleaded, clutching the box in her hand, “A bite from a vampire is all it takes to kill a shifter. And even if you manage to capture him, you will need someone to draw his blood.”

  She had a point, but the thought of getting her involved didn’t sit well with me.

  “Are you sure you can use your magic to protect us both?” I asked, searching her eyes.

  “I swear on the blood of my ancestors,” she said determinedly.

  “Very well, come along then, and whatever you do. Stay behind me at all times until it’s safe for you to move in.”

  Chapter 10

  Arabella

  Surrounded by six of his strongest men the vampire stood hissing and snapping like a wild animal. No one could get close enough without being bitten.

  “Can you protect us both with your magic?” he asked me again as he started to remove his uniform.

  “Yes, but why are you getting undressed?” I asked curiously.

  “I can’t do this in my human form, if I shift I stand a better chance to overpower the filth and you will have enough time to draw blood before my men stake him,”

  “It’s too dangerous, I can’t let you do that,” I protested.

  “I have to do what is necessary Arabella, can you protect me or not?”

  I chewed my bottom lip and I saw his eyes shift from my eyes to my lips and back, then pursed my lips together.

  “Here,” I said and grabbed him by his shoulders brining his face down to mine. His lips parted and I had to smile for a second. It looked like he was about to kiss me. But I kept my composure and chanted, “Prontenta mobiaris,” then breathed my breath into his mouth. A white cloud with substance obscured my view for a second before it vanished, and then I released him.

  “That might help, but try not to get bitten,” I said and stepped away from him.

  He simply had no option but to trust me and believe that I was protecting him with my magic. And as his guards formed a barrier between the vampire and him, he bent over and dug his hands into the clay floor.

  I stood and watched in horror as his body contorted in agony. A strange sensation mixed with euphoria and pain streamed through my own body and I realized that I was connected to him. I willed the pain to subside and watch attentively as he body started to mutate. His bones thickened in certain places as his skin rippled and reformed. His entire body expanded and thick hair sprouted all over his body. And then his bear stood with his back against me.

  What a magnificent creature, but now was not the time to admire him. I had to remain focused and protect him.

  He lunged forward and everything was over almost in the blink of an eye. He had the vampire pinned to the ground. The moment the vampire was secured I ran to them and with my athame blade that was cast in gold I struck t
he leech’s throat. Black tar-like blood gushed from its neck and I quickly gathered it in a small vial.

  “Got it,” I cried out and ran back behind the guards. Then all I heard behind me were the wails and cries of the vampire.

  Chapter 11

  Edmund

  The spell was a success, and finally the clan was safe from Lucifer’s Hordes, for now at least. Arabella was still fast asleep in my bed, and I couldn’t help but admire her. She was one witch I wouldn’t want to mess with.

  “Good morning,” she said gruffly as she rubbed the tip of her nose against my shoulder.

  “Morning beautiful, did you sleep well?”

  She rolled unto her back and stretched out, feigning a yawn, “Sleep, what’s that? I had this hunk of a man that wouldn’t leave me alone for a single moment,” she said jokingly.

  “I’ll be sure to have a talk with him; we can’t have our witch sleeping all day just because he’s a selfish bastard who wants you all to himself.”

  Her laughter drifted through the room and she rolled over and straddled me, grinding against my already painful erection.

  “Now, now Mrs. Bernhard, if you keep that up, we’ll be late for your inaugural ceremony.” I said and gripped her hips firmly.

  “I suppose you have a point, it’s not every day a hybrid saves an entire species from extinction and on top of that marries their Prince,” she said smiling as she lowered her lips to mine.

  So far I’ve broken every possible law, breaking another one was just one less to worry about. She pressed her lips against mine and I pulled her hips forward and buried myself deep inside her. Her hips immediately started moving and throaty incoherent words poured from her lips.

  Some of the guard, as well as the elders accused her of bewitching me, but I called it falling in love, and even if what they said was true, I’d rather be bewitched by her than cursed.

  She bore down on me and every stroke brought me closer to my release. And I knew by the way her body shuddered each time I hit the bundle of nerves deep inside her, she was also heading for her own climax.

  “I love you Edmund,” she whispered breathlessly as she scored her nails across my bare chest, and that was all it took.

  “And I you,” I said strained as my body stiffened and my release flooded her.

  “For ever and always,” she whispered and she slumped against my chest, pressing her lips against mine.

  THE END

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  War Bride

  Chapter 1

  “I’m so glad you’re home,” Lance exclaimed and rushed to meet his brother, pulling the elder, much larger, man into a masculine embrace. They thumped each other roughly on the back and pulled away.

  Wesley Anderson let his gaze roam over his younger brother and smiled in approval.

  “Leading suits you,” Wes stated proudly. “I left the Kingdom in good hands.”

  Lance scoffed, his smile widening to reveal dual dimples and a boyishly soft radiance that only youth offered.

  “And being a soldier definitely suits you,” Lance praised and Wes caught a glimpse of the baby brother who eagerly followed him everywhere. Even though Wesley was fifteen years older than Lance, from the moment his little brother came along, Wes had taken role as both guardian and teacher. They’d been inseparable for decades. Then their father had died and the mantle of leadership fell heavily on Wesley’s shoulders. He’d gone from being a carefree, fun-loving big brother, to being keeper, leader and protector of an entire Faction of subjects.

  Wes waved his brother’s kudos aside with a mere flick of his wrist. Shortly after assuming control of the throne, Wesley knew he needed far more than his father’s legacy to hold the Fire Elementals’ reign. Needing guidance, structuring and discipline, he learned the U. S. Army was renowned as the best so he’d enlisted in the Human military as an everyday soldier.

  He’d managed to hide his true self and age for more than twenty years before Prince Jaxen Monroe, leader of the Earth Elementals revealed the Dragons’ existence to the world. Wesley took Jax’s lead and revealed himself to his commanding officer. After a whirlwind of meetings and evaluations, Wes found himself promoted from grunt to leader of a newly formed branch of the U. S. Military - Species Interactive Negotiations or SIN for short; the division comprised completely of Dragons from each of the four factions.

  SIN was called in when the best of the best failed. They always managed to get the job done - right and on the first try. They trained vigorously, endlessly and sometimes to the point of insanity. Seeing as though they weren’t exactly Human, their bodies needed a lot more resistance.

  After five years of successful missions, Wesley finally decided it was time to fill his role as Prince Heir of the Fire Dragons. That had been a mere day before Elder Seraphina had contacted him on behalf of Prince Damien, leader of the Water Elementals. She’d informed him of the happenings he’d missed: the marriages of his three fellow leaders and the Elder Coffer’s rebellion.

  The High Council of Elders had split down the middle, each half calling support to their side. Even though the Four Faction Princes had a peace treaty in place amongst them, their subjects weren’t all on the same side. Numerous Dragons from each of the Factions deserted their own people when they joined the malevolent Elders’ coup.

  Now, it was pretty much each Dragon for him/herself. The other three Princes were up to their eyeballs in ferreting out spies amongst their people and Wes couldn’t allow his little brother to shoulder such a dangerous task alone; hence another reason for his retirement.

  Dragon-kind in its entirety had invoked a Civil War when Coffer was defeated by Prince Damien. Now, their species was divided into two armies: those who supported Coffer in wanting the Ancient ways reinstated and those who didn’t. Coffer didn’t care who died in the cross-fire, so long as his side won. He sought power beyond anything a sole Elder should harness.

  He wanted to combine all Four Elemental Factions under one rule; with himself on throne as the King.

  After kidnapping Damien’s mate, Jasmine, the Water Prince tracked her down and almost killed Coffer. Elder Sera had stepped in, declaring they should follow protocol thereby giving Coffer a trial by his peers. Sera and her five allies took him prisoner and transported him to a safe, well-guarded facility.

  No one, other than those six Elders, knew of Coffer’s location. However, regardless of Coffer’s incarceration, his minions initiated the next step in Coffer’s evil plan.

  Wesley had immediately appointed a new leader of SIN and retired to the family estate in Death Valley, California. As one of the hottest places on earth, the Fire Elementals found comfort in the excessive heat.

  Buried deep beneath the desert surface, Wesley’s faction had managed to carve out an entire city, large enough to house his entire Faction. Returning his attention to Lance, Wesley moved past his brother and slid behind his desk. Although the majority of the Faction lived underground, Wesley maintained the estate above-ground for business purposes.

  “Well, it was time I retired and left the fighting to the young ones,” Wesley quipped, hoping to convey his false calmness over the entire uproar.

  “Too bad the Four Factions have declared war on the Elders,” Lance observed. “You were called out of one war to fight in another. So much for retirement, huh?”

  Wesley chuckled in dry amusement. Apparently Lance had no clue to the real danger they faced. That realization alone angered him beyond reason. It was the Throne Council’s responsibility to aid Lance and it was their job to know every detail. Either they were in on the coup and planned to throw Lance to the other side or they sincerely didn’t know.

  “Well,” Wes mused, brushing his anger aside. He’d deal with the Council soon.

&nb
sp; “I decided it was the perfect time to resume Father’s mantle. Why fight the Human’s war when we have our own? SIN in its entirety was given leave so that my soldiers could return to their homes and prepare for our own Civil War.”

  “Out of the frying pan and into the skillet, eh?” Lance quipped.

  “Exactly,” Wes agreed. “And I have a decree I’ve yet to follow.”

  Lance’s eyes widened and a faint blush crept across his cheeks.

  “You did send for her?” Wes asked, his body tensed at his brother’s hesitation.

  “She’s on her way here now,” Lance confirmed. “Under tight guard and maximum security. I wouldn’t chance her safety after the two previous mates being taken hostage. I don’t know exactly how the females play into Coffer’s coup, but I wanted to ensure her arrival.”

  Wesley nodded, inwardly pleased with his brother’s forethought. Apparently Lance had grown and learned much in his years on the throne. Wesley was very proud and could think of no higher honor than declare Lance as the Prince’s Adviser. Even though Lance was a Prince in his own right and legally, the next Heir, he could still serve the throne in a more formal capacity.

  “Very good,” Wesley praised. “Would you care to remain by my side as my Adviser?” he asked, knowing Lance wasn’t going to leave his side.

  Lance grinned broadly, his chest puffing like a frog.

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way my brother,” he replied.

  Wesley nodded curtly and smacked his open palm on the solid wood desk.

  “That’s settled then,” he concluded. “Now we call a meeting of the Throne’s Council. We have things to discuss and a game plan to formulate.”

  Chapter 2

  Beth lowered her book and turned to stare past the muscled goon and out the tinted passenger window. A convoy of black SUVs had arrived to retrieve her at the airport and a gaggle of soldiers had shadowed her ever since. Everything she owned was packed neatly and tightly in the five rolling suitcases in the storage area of the Suburban.