Carmen’s eyes were consumed with her element’s force, and her hair swirled around her face. It was as if they were in real time and the explosion existed on a slow-moving level.
When the fire retracted and the debris settled, Carmen tumbled into their arms. Her sisters, Ryan, and Royce crowded her as the shield dissolved into nothing.
“Carmen!” Charice cried.
“I’m fine,” Carmen said. “Just weak.”
“We have you, baby,” Ryan said while Royce looked around, searching for the one who created the danger.
“What the hell was that?” Claire asked. “Where did it come from?”
“It seems our uncle has an accomplice,” Royce said, nodding over to a dazed Kye getting up off his knees. “I don’t think they wanted to kill us. It was a distraction.”
“Where’s the Master of Fire?” they heard Warren ask.
“I don’t know,” Kye said. “Someone jumped me.”
Carmen placed a hand on Ryan’s arm to get his attention.
“A benefactor,” she said. “I remember he said something about having a benefactor.”
“So he’s not alone,” Royce said.
Ryan looked around for their uncle and any signs of anyone else. “Where the hell did they go?!” This was all kinds of fucked up.
“Search the perimeter,” Kye demanded. “Spread out.”
“Go with them,” Charice pleaded to Ryan and Royce. “I don’t want them going after him alone.”
Ryan and Royce’s eyes found Carmen’s, checking that she’d be okay in their brief absence.
Carmen smiled at them, exhaustion filling her face, but she nodded at them to help the other warlocks find the asshole that tried to kill their witch and helped free their uncle.
“My sisters and I will be fine,” Carmen said. “Go.”
Ryan nodded before he and Royce joined the other warlocks. Carmen and her sisters almost dying because of their uncle made rage surge through Ryan. When they got their hands on him this time, he wasn’t going to hold Royce back from killing him. Ryan was going to join the big life-ending party.
It took a while for the warlocks to search the perimeter around the cave, but it was no use. Their uncle was probably long gone with whoever got him loose, and there was no telling how much power he took from Carmen and the Mistress of Spirit to fuel his own element. None of them knew what they were up against or even who was helping him, and those unknowns made Ryan and Royce cautious.
“Does that mean he’s going to come after us again?” Carmen asked him.
“If he does, he’ll have to come at all of us, baby. Royce and I aren’t going to ever let anything happen to you or your sisters.”
“That’s a guarantee, Car,” Royce said, leaning over to kiss her forehead.
“But it looks like our witch knows how to take care of herself,” Ryan added. “Thanks to you, we’re all safe.”
“It was nothing,” Carmen said.
“Nothing my living ass,” Charice said. “We could have been overcooked witches if it wasn’t for you.”
“How did you do that?” Claire asked her. “Use your power to shield us?”
“I don’t know,” Carmen said. “I saw the fire coming for us, and it just happened. It was like my fire responded to its threat or something. I thought about us dying, and it came out of me.”
“Our baby sister all grown up and protecting the people she loves,” Charice said, hugging Carmen.
Ryan didn’t miss the smile that filled Carmen’s face as she stared at him and Royce.
Love. Just watching Carmen made him realize that he’d loved this woman from the first time he ever kissed her all those years ago. It just took almost losing her again for him to realize it. He wanted her, sure, but now he knew it was so much more than that.
He’d meant what he told Carmen. He wasn’t letting her out of his sight, even more so now that their uncle had escaped. Nothing was going to happen to the witch that captured his heart without him knowing it. Absolutely nothing.
***
Sister. They had another sister. Carmen kept repeating the words the Mistress of Spirit had said, but it still wasn’t sinking in completely. She suggested they find their mother, but Charice and Claire said they would do it after they all got some much-needed rest. There was no point in worrying their parents that evening. They would know something had happened to them, because they always knew, and they would demand to know everything.
The weekend had happened so fast that they didn’t even have time to tell them about the new warlock growth in the family. Carmen smiled at that. All three of the Brixton sisters had found their warlocks. Six more men to add to the mix. That was a family reunion she could wait a couple more days for.
They agreed to wait until then when they figured out how to tell their mother about their warlocks and ask about their sister. Their mother was a strong woman, but she kept many things to herself. Carmen wondered why none of them ever knew they had a fourth sister, but that would come in time.
Now she simply relished in having her warlocks around her as they drove her home. To her new home with Royce and Ryan. As much as the thought should have freaked her witch senses out, she was happy to be alone with her warlocks. One thing did make her nervous, a small fact that she wasn’t sure how well the brothers would take it. Okay, it wasn’t that small, but there was nothing she could really do about being a virgin. Instead of dwelling on it, she relaxed back in the seat and let the feeling of comfort fill her.
Carmen knew the Durant house was really a mansion, but she’d never been inside it before. She couldn’t help being awed at the giant estate as the brothers drove her to their home, the one they used to share with their family.
The car ride, after finally leaving her sisters and reassuring them she was fine for the millionth time, was a quiet one. The odd thing was that it wasn’t an awkward silence. Both brothers made sure they touched her or made contact with her in some way, as if they thought someone else was going to come and snatch her in the night. Royce drove and kept a hand on her thigh, while Ryan held her shoulders from his place in the back seat.
She longed for their closeness and could almost sense their need to have her near them, even more so after the revealing night and day they had. A piece of Carmen’s heart still broke for the brothers, especially after knowing what they did about their uncle.
The pulled up to a large estate surrounded by a high gate made out of stone and cast iron protecting the property.
Carmen watched as Royce chanted a few words and the gates opened.
“A blood spell,” he said. “That way only Durants can get in. Better than any form of security out there. I also revoked our uncle. He’s no longer welcome.”
Damn. Carmen knew there were more advanced spells than what she and her sisters did, but this was the first time she’d seen it used. Blood spells? She had so much to learn.
It gave her comfort knowing no one else could get in, especially their evil good-for-nothing uncle, since they denounced him as a relation. Maybe she could actually relax. Ever since she’d woken up in that cave she’d been anxious and stir-crazy. There was no way she was closing her eyes any time soon.
She realized that her warlocks were in an entire different bracket as they approached the house, if you could call it that. It resembled more of a mansion with two large levels and a wrap-around porch on the first and second floors.
The stone matched the gate but had more color and a comforting feel to it.
Ryan opened her passenger door and took her hand and led her to the entrance as Royce said another spell to unlock the front door.
“Are you sure you guys don’t just live in a beautiful fortress?” She felt calmed by the warm colors and open entrance of the house, but it still felt locked tight from the outside world.
“Our father wanted protection and our mother wanted homey, so they compromised when they renovated this place,” Royce said. “It’s been in our family for
years, but they redesigned it right before Ryan and I were born.”
“A compromise for both of them,” Ryan said. He scooped Carmen up in his arms. “There’s one thing I’m not compromising on. I’m showing you one of our favorite rooms.”
Carmen laughed. “Let me guess, it’s upstairs?”
“Smart and powerful. Our kind of witch.”
Carmen felt Ryan bound up the stairs easily. It was like she weighed absolutely nothing in his arms as he made his way to a room with double doors.
With a purse of his lips, he blew out a trickle of air, making the doors open for them. He placed her down so she could take in her surroundings. The room was tidy and unused, but it was clearly decorated by a woman with style. The walls had light-colored wallpaper with purple lilacs printed all over it. The purple comforter and different shades of purple furniture made everything match.
Carmen felt a wave of sadness fill her as she thought about the kind of witch who had such good taste and mothered amazing sons. Her heart ached for the parents who created the two warlocks she saw as hers and the thought that she would never get to thank them.
“I wish I could have met your parents,” she said. “I bet your mother was amazing. She decorated this room too, didn’t she?”
“It was her best guest room,” Royce said. “Out of everything she designed, she was proudest of this one. Ryan and I used to spend hours in here just hanging out. It made us feel closer to her sometimes.”
“I’m sorry,” Carmen said. “I shouldn’t have—”
“Don’t you ever be sorry about talking about them,” Royce said. “Whatever you want to know, we’d love to tell you. Which reminds me, I think this belongs to you.” He turned her around and placed something sparkly around her neck.
“My necklace!” Carmen said, running her hands over her golden name and the matching gold chain. “I thought I lost it for good.”
“We found it when we came looking for you. The chain broke, so I took the liberty of replacing it.”
“It’s so beautiful.” She ran her hands along the strand as she turned back to face Royce.
“I’m glad you think so. This chain belonged to our mother. When I saw yours was broken, I remembered she had this. It was her favorite piece.”
Carmen felt her breath catch, and she forced herself not to get all weepy again. “I can’t take your mother’s necklace, Royce.”
“You aren’t taking it,” he said. “We’re giving it to you. Ryan and I agreed. She’d want you to have it—someone who means so much to us.” He turned her around and cupped her face in his hands. “They would have loved you, you know.”
“You think so?” Carmen asked.
“Certain of it,” Ryan said from the doorway. “They would love you just as much as we love you.”
“Say that again,” she said.
Ryan smirked. “Say what? A lot has been said.”
She gave him a look she wanted to be stern, but she knew she was failing miserably at it. “You know what I’m talking about.”
“I think she means the love part,” Royce said, looking at his brother. “Think we should?”
They were playing with her. Wonderful.
“Fine. I can just go back home—”
Royce jerked her up against him so forcefully that she would have lost her balance if it hadn’t been for his arms wrapped snugly around her.
“You aren’t going anywhere, witch,” Royce said. He lifted her chin until she was looking up at him.
Carmen could see the glow of power in his eyes backed by something hungrier. She could sense his need before his mouth found hers. The kiss was strong and determined as he opened her mouth up in a kiss that felt like he was claiming all of her being.
She wanted that more than anything. He tasted like the sweetest and strongest magic she’d ever sampled. Royce was devouring her with every second he took her mouth. She couldn’t think and didn’t want to. All she wanted was to be lost in him.
An air of magic added to theirs as she sensed Ryan press up against her. Instead of kissing her, he used his hands to match Royce’s passion. His hands explored her curves, roaming up her hips and over her waist as his hands followed the shape of her as much as the dress allowed.
More than anything, she wanted Ryan’s hands on her bare skin. She wanted to beg him for more, but she couldn’t pull away from the trance of Royce.
Ryan kept moving until his hands made contact with her bare arms, and she could feel his air magic cool the heat between her and Royce until all three of them were in sync. This was more than she’d ever done with any man, and she still craved more.
Then her earlier doubt crept back in, and she tensed.
Royce moved back, his eyes brighter than before. “Did I hurt you?” he asked.
“No,” she said. “You didn’t. It’s not that.”
“What is it, baby?” Ryan asked. “Tell us.”
She took a deep breath and said, “I’ve never done this before.”
“Two warlocks at once? Don’t worry. We don’t have to do anything until you’re ready.”
“Not even one warlock,” she said under her breath. “Not even one man.”
“Carmen,” Royce’s voice commanded she look up at him. “Are you saying you’re a virgin?”
She couldn’t stare him in the eyes as she nodded, but she caught the brothers sharing a look she couldn’t decipher.
“Why don’t you help Car get settled?” Royce told Ryan. “I’m sure she could use a shower. I’ll go fix us something to eat.” Royce left without even looking back at her.
Really? That was it? Carmen couldn’t speak or move. She was hungry, but food was far from her mind. Did they not want her now? Maybe that was too much for them. Was there even a way to break the bond she’d started with them if that was what they wanted?
She was snatched out of her thoughts by Ryan taking her hand and leading her to a room nearby. Carmen realized it was a large bathroom. She slowly took in the large claw-foot tub and separate shower encased with large glass panes.
“Is Royce mad at me?” she asked.
“What? No. How could he ever get angry at you?” She watched as Ryan opened the shower door and turned on the water.
“He left so fast.”
“Honey, he didn’t want to scare you. Royce has spent so many years keeping his power in check that it’s hard for him to rein it in sometimes when it makes a sudden appearance. When he heard you were a...”
“Virgin?” she asked.
Ryan smiled one of his famous smirks. “We just got you back. As much as we want to claim you as ours, we have time.” He lifted his shirt over his head.
“What are you doing?” she asked in shock as he unhooked the button of his jeans.
“My brother wanted me to help you shower. I’m doing just that.”
His smile was contagious. “I don’t think he said that.”
“It was twin speak. It’s in the silence.”
She had no words as he slipped his pants down casually, but Carmen was in awe of him. His smooth skin was kissed by the sun and stretched out over so much hard muscle. Her mouth went dry.
When he stood back up, she saw all of him. His muscles weren’t the only hard part of him, and seeing him naked made her body ache with longing.
He was firm, solid, and obviously excited. Was it because of her?
“Breathe, baby,” he said as he walked up to her like a man on a mission. “Now let’s get you out of those clothes and into that shower.”
***
Ryan was on the brink of exploding, and it was all because of Carmen. He knew his brother had to leave them before he took Carmen, whether she wanted it or not.
He understood. A nice warlock would have gotten her settled and let her be, but he never claimed to be nice.
As he pulled her dress over her head, he almost lost control seeing her luscious curves. He refused to let her undress herself because he wanted to savor the act himself. She l
eaned on him as he tugged on her panties and slid them down her legs. The center of her was so close to his face that he could inhale her heady scent. He could have his fill of her and still never get enough.
Her arousal was making him harder, and he’d never seen a more captivating sight as he stood up and took her in.
“You’re gorgeous, Carmen.” When she looked away from him, he turned her back so he stared into those hypnotizing brown eyes. “Gorgeous,” he repeated.
He couldn’t stop himself from kissing her. The flavor of her reminded him of savory sweetness that you only found when discovering perfection. The moans she made against his mouth only got him going more.
He unhooked the front clasps of her bra, and let it fall to the floor in the heap of her other clothes. He pulled away to take her in, and then he lost it.
“Fuck waiting,” he snapped. “I have to taste you.” He lifted her onto the large marble counter and fell to his knees.
Ryan looked up at her, looking for any sign of rejection in those dark eyes of her. Finding none, he started by kissing inside her thighs. She wiggled under him, and that made it hard to focus. He nibbled at the sensitive skin and tried to draw each movement out, but he was too impatient to wait.
He couldn’t tease her long until his mouth found her center. Carmen pushed into him, and he smiled at her surrender. He thought her mouth was something, but her pussy was absolutely divine.
The sweet but tangy taste of her made him think of chocolate and nutmeg, warm and ready. He wrapped his arms under her legs and slid her even closer to his searching mouth. Ryan needed this, and from the way Carmen ground into him, she needed this too.
Ryan had never desired anything as bad as the need he felt to pull away and sink his cock deep into her warmth. But as much as he wanted to take her, he couldn’t do it without Royce. When they made Carmen theirs, they’d do it together. No exceptions.
Tasting her had to be enough for now. He pushed down his need for her and focused on Carmen’s desire. He wanted their witch to explode in his mouth so he could taste all she had to offer.
The Alpha Warlocks' Own: An Alpha Warlocks of Kala West Story #3 (A BWWM and BBW Paranormal Ménage Romance) Page 9