by Avery Gale
“Cheŕ, look at me. Listen to my voice. Concentrate on what I’m telling you.” It took her a few seconds to lock her gaze to his and another moment before Bronx knew he had her undivided attention. “No one will take what’s yours. Audric will release you as soon as your panic fades. Don’t listen to your fear, mate.” He could hear her mind rolling his words over as she tried to pull herself back from the edge. Damn, he was proud of her.
In his peripheral vision, Bronx saw Audric wave his hand. Tiny pinpricks of light flew from his fingertips floating through the air to encircle Kenya. Bronx was grateful he already had his hands on her because the subtle release of the spell made Kenya drop like a marionette whose strings had been cut.
“Okay, Audric, we need to have a chat.” Kenya’s words were airy and fainter than usual, but despite her lack of physical strength, Bronx could hear a thread of newfound respect for magic. “Just because you can do something doesn’t always mean you should. I’m a reasonable person… well, most of the time… usually. You could have just yelled like a normal person.” Audric laughed and shook his head.
“I swear, your mother was a hot mess. We warned her too many times about her explosive temper and poor parenting. Yelling is not what normal people do, Kenya.”
“I’m not sure normal people freeze people in their tracks by shooting electric currents out the end of their fingers either, but we’ll save that discussion for another time.” Bronx eased his mate onto his lap, relieved when she relaxed against him. “If you were a doctor, people would question your bedside manner. You might want to read that book about winning friends and influencing people. I can’t remember who wrote it—some librarian.”
“Dale Carnegie wrote the book. He wasn’t a librarian but was a prolific writer and renowned lecturer. Andrew Carnegie was the industrialist whose name adorns many prestigious libraries and other buildings. They weren’t related but were both interesting men.” Audric’s blasé attitude when speaking of historical figures was almost amusing. Bronx had always wished his gift would allow him to spend time with the men and women who’d shaped the world, but those conversations might well influence thinking and therefore, change decisions. History wasn’t his to alter, something his parents stressed repeatedly.
Chapter Twelve
Standing under the gently cascading water of Bronx’s outdoor shower, Kenya stretched her arms above her head and leaned side to side, hoping to loosen some of the tension she’d been feeling since her conversation with Audric Stafford. Bronx was right, there was something about showering outside that set her spirit free. It was humbling to learn so much of what she’d been told was a half-truth at best. Hell, a lot of it was patently false.
Hearing her mother had stolen the medallion from her father and his family made her question everything her mom had ever told her. One of the hard lessons Kenya learned growing up was lying was a slippery slope—the first led to a second and a third. Lies were like cockroaches—if you discovered one, there were a hundred more lurking behind the walls.
“I don’t even want to know how you’ve gone from enjoying the freedom of being naked outside to thinking about cockroaches.” Kenya squeaked in surprise when her mate’s words wafted over the shell of her ear. When she tried to turn, her feet slipped on the wet tile, but he kept her from falling, wrapping his arms around her. Kenya felt her body respond to his naked warmth pressed against her back. “You spend too much time thinking and not enough time feeling, mate.”
Bronx knew his siblings would be the first to call him out for his hypocrisy. He’d been so focused on his career, he’d missed more than one family function. It wasn’t easy to admit, but he’d heard the same comment from several of the women he’d dated over the years. None of them were willing to be relegated to a distant second in his life, and he hadn’t blamed them.
“I was thinking about all the lies my mom told me. Why didn’t she tell me the truth? At the very least, she should have leveled with me when she gave me the amulet. It seems like she set me up to fail.”
“Maybe, or perhaps she knew you were too bright to sit back and wait for the other piece of the artifact to come to you. Our mothers were friends, so I’m sure she knew you would be safe as soon as you connected with my family.” Bronx wasn’t completely convinced he was right, but he hated knowing Kenya’s memory of her mother would be forever tainted by deception.
“Thank you for that… I’m still not sure how I feel about all the deception, but I can let some of the emotion go, knowing she didn’t simply throw me to the wolves. Oh, crap on a cracker, talk about stepping in it.” She shook her head at her own careless use of words as Bronx chuckled softly. Taking a deep breath, she let herself relax more into Bronx’s hold and felt his cock stir against her. “Audric asked me to wait until I have all the information before I pass judgment, and I know I promised I would, but it’s really hard… Oh, my heavens.”
“Cheŕ, you said the magic word. It is indeed hard. Lean forward, put your palms on the wall with your fingers splayed.” She didn’t hesitate, knowing the distraction was going to be worth the effort. “Spread your legs as far apart as you can, mate. Yes, perfect. Now, turn your toes in and push that beautiful ass out for me.” She expected him to push into her. Instead, he smoothed his soap and slickened hands up her legs. By the time his hands reached her hips, the bubbles had swirled their way down the drain, leaving his fingers free of soap as he moved them to the inside of her thighs.
Using his thumbs, Bronx spread the soft globes of her ass cheeks, baring her rear hole to his view. Tracing the pad of one finger around the tight muscle guarding another slice of heaven, he smiled when she moaned.
“I’m looking forward to claiming your ass, Kenya.”
“I haven’t ever… I don’t think you will fit… too big.” Her head was swimming, her brain slowly shutting out anything resembling reason as it was taken over by white-hot desire, burning her from the inside out. She’d just started to believe Bronx was her fated mate when Audric’s earlier revelations fanned the spark of self-doubt, always lurking just below the surface.
Inside, she was still the chubby little girl other kids loved teasing by fooling her into thinking one of the most popular girls in school was her friend. Kenya remembered the humiliation as though it was yesterday. She’d been so excited, telling her mother about all the things she and her new best friend were going to do together. Then she’d gone to school earlier than usual the next day, excited to spend time with her new friend. Instead of a chance to chat with her new friend, she overheard the girl laughing with her ‘group’ about how easy it had been to dupe the fat girl with the ratty clothes. She’d only been nine or ten years old, but it was a lesson Kenya had never forgotten.
“I’m going to keep telling you until you believe me—fate never makes a mistake. If you don’t stop letting your mind wander into minefields, I’m going to turn this luscious ass scarlet, and it won’t be the erotic spanking I think you’d enjoy.” Enjoy? Is he nuts? Why would anyone enjoy being beaten? “Spanked, not beaten, Cheŕ. You have a lot to learn about dominance and submission. I’ll be patient during the learning curve, but I want you to keep an open mind as you learn.”
“As I was walking out to meet Tobi and Gracie, I read a large poster on the wall that mentioned safe words.” It was easier for her to talk about things when he wasn’t staring into the very depths of her soul. Damn, the man had the most intense gaze she’d ever encountered. Of course, that wasn’t saying much since the one thing she missed the most living on the street was having people look her in the eye. It was sad the way people look through you as if you weren’t there.
“Prairie Winds is part of a network of clubs, and their reputation for safety is second to none. Kent and Kyle are devoted to the safety of every member and guest, but they are particularly focused on the submissives. Every Dominant in the club is charged with ensuring the absolute safety of every submissive. If a sub says the word red, you’ll see people come out of the
woodwork to make certain the scene stops. If the sub doesn’t feel safe or comfortable talking things through with the Dom, there are several other options available. I’ve even seen members of the club’s security team drive subs home if there was any doubt about their safety.”
“If the Wests are Doms, why didn’t they marry a submissive? Tobi and Gracie are so successful, I can’t imagine them letting anyone boss them around.” It was a question she’d been struggling with since she’d met the two women. Bronx had been sliding his fingers through her slick folds, ratcheting up her desire so fast, she was sure this would be the last coherent question she would be able to form before her brained switched off. Hell, at this point, I’ll be lucky if I can make heads or tails from his answer.
“It takes a strong woman to admit what she needs. Tobi and Gracie are both subs. I think you are confusing sexual submission with being a doormat. I assure you the subs at Prairie Winds are some of the strongest women you’ll ever meet.” His words started floating around the room in random patterns, making them impossible to grasp. She heard him chuckle as he pressed the tip of his cock against her opening. “Cheŕ, you are a wonder. Your mind is a mystery, I’m looking forward to spending the rest of our lives exploring.”
Kenya’s body was miles ahead of her mind when it came to her sexual response to Bronx. The flash of heat from the stretch of the tender tissues of her vagina strained in their attempt to accommodate his girth. Why does he feel even bigger now? Is that even possible? I probably should have paid closer attention during that damned freshman human sexuality class. If he responded, she didn’t hear it because every bit of her focus was centered on the incredible sensation of Bronx thrusting himself as deep into her pussy as he could go. The rigid ring of his corona pressed against her G-spot with each pass, making her legs tremble, her heart threatening to vibrate out of her chest as her orgasm thundered through her.
“Holy fuck. So hot. Wet, silken heat washing over my cock, testing every bit of my control—you are a gift from Freya. Goddess above, your vice grip on me is heaven and hell, two sides of the same coin and more than I could have ever hoped for.” Kenya recognized the name. Freya was magic’s answer to Aphrodite and Isis. Hearing Bronx refer to her as a gift from a deity as revered as Freya made Kenya’s heart clench in response. As a student of magical history, she understood the significance of his comparison and couldn’t imagine a bigger compliment.
It took Kenya several minutes to become cognizant enough to notice Bronx was still blanketing her back. She welcomed his body heat radiating over her sweat-cooled back. With one arm wrapped around her torso, anchoring her to his chest, Kenya didn’t know how he had the strength to hold himself up with one arm.
Reading about the physical strength and speed of shifters hadn’t prepared her for the reality. Bronx had promised her she’d experience many of the physical benefits after he claimed her, but so far, the most noticeable change was her hearing. It had already improved exponentially, almost to the point of being overwhelming. She was relieved when the enhancement slowed to a more manageable level. She was starting to understand why people were so stressed all the time—damn, the world surrounding them was loud and annoying.
Chapter Thirteen
Bronx shook his head as he tried to get his bearings. Fucking hell, he’d always hated magical travel, and time travel was even more disorienting. Anyone prone to motion sickness was particularly susceptible and usually passed up offers to circumvent traditional travel options. Kenya’s obvious reluctance was the reason he’d opted to go first, tagging Kenya and Audric to pull them along behind him. Bronx wanted to be ready to help her get her bearings once she and Audric arrived.
“Holy hell in the Highlands, where are we?” Bronx could hear Kenya’s excited voice but had trouble seeing her through the thick foliage. Didn’t it figure she’d weathered the trip without any issues while his head was still spinning like a damned top?
“We are about a half-mile from the clearing. I wanted to make certain you weathered the trip without becoming ill.” Audric’s calm voice sounded from a few yards to Bronx’s left.
It didn’t matter there was a full moon, the sacred light wasn’t able to penetrate the thick tree canopy. Crystal clear night vision was one of the shifter traits Bronx found the most useful. The minute he saw Kenya, he knew she’d already noticed the difference. It only took him a few steps to reach her side, and he didn’t waste any time pulling her against his side.
“I can see everything. This is kick-ass, I tell you. Absolutely amazing.” A quick glance at Audric and he knew the other man was amused by the wonder in Kenya’s voice. “I can hear all the little creatures scurrying around… okay, maybe that isn’t necessarily a good thing, but it’s still a huge change. It had to be so cool growing up being able to see at night. Good grief, you had to have felt so much safer. One of the worst parts of being hearing impaired while living on the streets was the fear someone could sneak up on me. It’s one of the reasons I enjoyed sleeping in your offices. Shoot, I’ll just stop chattering like a magpie now.”
“You are such a breath of fresh air, Kenya.” Audric’s amused chuckle sounded from in front of them. They’d already agreed Audric would lead them to their destination since he’d been seen a portion of the original ceremony. He’d told them his vantage point hadn’t allowed him to see how many pieces had been created or who they’d been given to, so he was leading them to a spot where they’d have a much better view. “We’re early, but we’ll need to be in place well before the others arrive, so we need to move along.”
They made their way through the forest, passing close enough to a cottage, Bronx was able to make out many of the architectural details of the small stone structure, surprised by its storybook appearance. It wasn’t long before they passed a much larger structure. This house was the original portion of Bronx’s sister-in-law, Vienna’s family home. He’d heard plenty about the house and the underground vault, so he was pleased when Auric led them around the outside entrance to the cave beneath the house. In later years, the secondary entrance would be hidden by a greenhouse, but they’d traveled to a time at least a hundred years before recorded history would begin documenting details of the property.
In the distance, Bronx made out cloaked figures walking single file parallel to the path they were following. The small group wasn’t making any attempt to be quiet, their words easy to hear.
“Stafford’s gunning for a seat on the Council. We must get this done before he shows up. He will insist we summon a Council member, and we do not have time for such a delay.” The words were spoken by the man leading the group through the woods. The man was carrying a torch, so Bronx assumed he wasn’t a shifter.
“We must not let him get his hands on the talisman.”
“Never. We cannot allow him to secure his seat by stealing what does not belong to him.”
“Our plans are too important.” The comment piqued Bronx’s curiosity, and he hoped Audric would be able to explain what the women meant.
“I am tired of the Council controlling our every move. Soon they will dictate every spell we use.” Good Goddess, some things never change. Hell, people are still fighting against being controlled by those in power. “In a few years, we will have enough power to break away from their control with this totem.” The woman speaking sounded enough like Vienna, Bronx suspected this was the woman responsible for so much sorrow in his new sister’s life.
Bronx could tell by Audric’s reaction he recognized the voices. Damn, he hoped none of them turned out to be his own ancestors. How embarrassing would that be? Bronx could see the clearing Audric had said the group planned to use. The elderly wizard’s memory was remarkable. He’d described the area perfectly, down to the knotted tree they were crouched behind. Audric waved his hand in a circle above his head, leaving a trail of floating pieces of glitter that quickly took the shape of a dome over the three of them.
“It’s going to take them a few minutes to set eve
rything up, so I’ve covered the three of us in a dome of silence, so you’re free to ask questions without worrying about being heard.”
“Damn, you are amazing, Mr. … I mean, Audric. And smart, too, since my voice always seems too loud. I never really mastered the art of whispering.” Kenya sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Guess I’m not great at the whole staying on topic or shutting up when I should either.”
“Talking when you are nervous is perfectly natural, Kenya. It’s also a habit you’ll likely outgrow as your self-confidence grows.” Bronx watched her eyes widen in surprise, making him sad. Shit, hadn’t anyone ever paid her a damned compliment?
“They will set up five fires at the points of a pentagram you see marked with stones. This location is one they’ve used many times for various coven gatherings, but the land has recently been sold, and it’s the last time they will be allowed to use this location. One of the younger witches is married to the man who bought the property. He is an elder in the local church and doesn’t know his new wife is a witch.”
“Does he ever find out?”
“Not until after she poisons him. She tells him as he lies dying in their bed. I’ve tried to keep an open mind and not hold it against her. After all, he was a hideous hypocrite and mean as a snake. The woman you heard speaking is her mother. She was as power-hungry as any magical I’ve ever known. No one shed a tear when she mysteriously vanished a few years after the ceremony.” He turned to look at the group gathering a few yards away before continuing.
“The daughter is a member of the Magic Council—has been for many years. She is looking forward to meeting Vienna in the near future.” Audric turned back to the group, watching as more people joined those building what looked like small teepees of wood. In the center, they spread a large, round tattered piece of cloth over the grass, then set a fabric wrapped object in the center. The young woman who pushed her hood down to expose long auburn curls looked so much like Vienna’s, it was startling.