by Betty Legend
UNVEILED
THE CURSED TRILOGY, BOOK THREE
Betty LEGEND
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
About the Author
UNVEILED
Published by Betty Legend
Copyright © 2021 by Betty Legend
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereinafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording or in any information storage or retrieval system is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. For information email: [email protected]
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Editor: Sandy Ebel, Personal Touch Editing, https://www.facebook.com/PersonalTouchEditing
Proofreaders: Melissa Carlton, Stephanie Rash, DeAnne Taylor
Created with Vellum
SYNOPSIS
The evil that hunts us tried to break Phoenix - to destroy our chance of bonding.
No longer the breathtaking, dangerous, vampire he was, he’s become a monster lost to bloodlust.
As strong as my heart beats for him, I know I can fix him. I can bring him back to us.
I’ll accept the risks, knowing my blood is what he craves most.
The bonds that bind all of us are stronger than ever and the devil knows it.
He’ll do whatever it takes to stop us from breaking the curse.
Danger is closer than ever and time is running out. The future of all supernaturals relies on us.
Our bonded magic is the key to changing everything.
Our love will be tested, our magic challenged, and we’ll face the most terrifying evil that exists.
Saving supernaturals is no longer the only reason we must fight. We have a greater reason to stop him – a secret I’m protecting.
If the devil discovers it, all hope of winning this war could be lost.
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CHAPTER ONE
SELENE
“Hello, Selene.”
The sound of a seductive, masculine voice has me eagerly turning around. In a dashing navy button-down shirt and gray pants that hug his muscles and the sparkling light of the gallery shining above him, Phoenix looks like his own work of art. With the beauty of a fashion model, his violet eyes stare down at me, the desire in them dazzling.
“Phoenix.” His name rolls off my tongue in a whisper of yearning.
Never taking his eyes off me, he comes nearer. Resting a hand on the small of my back, he brings me inches from his lips.
“You look stunning.” Teasing lips feather along the tender spot below my ear, down the column of my neck. “And you smell sweet as a rose.”
My breath hitches in my throat as a pulse of wanton need aches between my legs.
“I have so much I want to say.”
“Leave with me.”
I want to, more than I can express to him. Having him this close, this expressive of his desire, has me longing to bond with him.
“I can’t go until the art show is over.”
Brushing a finger around a loose curl, he nibbles at my bottom lip, and I moan as he releases it.
“Then I’ll buy everything.” Squeezing my hip, he brings me closer to feel the hardening of his erection. “I need you tonight and every night after.”
Breathing elevated, I grip his arms, keeping me upright as my head becomes dizzy with lust.
“What changed?”
“You changed me. I was a fool before, but now…” Fisting my dress, he teases his fingers along my lower abdomen. “Now I know what I want.”
“Do you want me?” My selfish need longs for him to say it.
“So much so, I want to ravage you.”
Demanding lips move in a balance between sensuality and erotic intensity, and I lose all awareness of our surroundings. Exhaling as we part, I meet his dangerously sexy gaze.
“I want you, Phoenix.”
“Tell the art manager the paintings are sold. I’m taking you home with me.”
“But your house…”
“I’m taking you to my second home.”
With encouragement from his hand on my back, we find Susan and inform her of his purchase. Surprise and joy sweep over her face.
“You’ve become quite the collector of her work, Mr. Artino.”
Continuing to stare at him, her brows wrinkle inward. His eyes are still a vivid violet. Remaining the professional she is, she doesn’t ask and diverts her attention to me, then back to him to avoid staring.
“Her work is as exquisite as she is.”
Susan’s mouth tilts upward. “What a lovely thing to say.”
“I apologize, but I’ll be taking the guest of honor with me.” Withdrawing a business card from his wallet, he hands it to her. “Please contact this number to have the paintings delivered.”
“Oh.” Susan places a hand to her chest, smiling awkwardly as she takes the card. “Yes, of course, Mr. Artino. Have a nice evening.”
Pulling me away from her and the guests, he leads me outside to a waiting SUV. Once inside the backseat, he gives the driver the intended address. As the car pulls out into traffic, Phoenix looks over at me, and his hand moves my dress up my thigh as he caresses me. With my elbow resting on the arm of the door, I cover my mouth and close my eyes as his fingers slip beneath my panties and massage my clit.
My left hand covers his, massaging with him as I become wet and eager for more. I exhale an aroused breath, and he covers the next breath with his lips, his kiss leading me into a sexual daze. Keeping my moans concealed, he slides two fingers into me, thrusting until I moan into his mouth. The driver glances back in his rearview mirror but looks away when he sees us still kissing.
The SUV stops outside a condominium, the kind of place I originally expected when he invited me to a party at his home. Through the front door, we enter a beautiful and dimly lit lobby with sparkling chandeliers and modern white-and-gray furniture. Phoenix leads me into the elevator, then opens his wallet to take out a plastic card. I expect him to swipe it and choose one of the numbers, but instead, he swipes it, opens a small door to a private elevator console, and presses the only button inside of it. The elevator descends, and I warily wait to see where it goes. It stops two floors below the ground floor. The elevator opens into a foyer that narrows into a single hallway.
“How did you get this place?”
“The Artino coven owns this condominium.”
Ushering me forward, I step out of the elevator and follow him down the hall. At the second door on the left, he swipes the plastic card and opens the door to a lavish condominium like you might see above but without windows. The
furniture in the living room is a vibrant blood red, with a plush white carpet between the couch and matching two chairs. The kitchen looks unused except for the attached bar, stocked full of liquor and glasses. There are three doors off the open concept living area, which I assume lead to two bedrooms and a bathroom. One of my paintings catches my attention, hanging on the wall between the doors, easily visible for any guests to admire.
A smile tilts my lips, then widens when I feel Phoenix at my back. Snaking a hand up my thigh, he pulls my dress up my leg, pressing his fingers over my opening. While he kisses along my neck, I release a pleasured sigh when he slides his fingers into me.
“I’ve thought of this.”
“Did you touch yourself when you thought of me?”
“Yes.”
His hand curls around my throat, tightening enough to excite me.
“Did you orgasm when you thought of me fucking you?”
“Yes.”
Thrusting his fingers harder, he pulls a moan from deep in my throat.
“I’ll never forget the first time I fucked you.” A tip of his fang scrapes along my neck. “How delicious you tasted.” Thrusting against my G-spot, he drags a guttural cry of pleasure from my lips. “How enslaving your pussy felt.”
“Phoenix,” I breathe.
“I want it again.”
Violet essence bursts out around us. The room blurs as I’m swept across the room, through a door, and tossed onto a plush bed. Phoenix’s eyes blaze violet as he steps onto the bed, gathers the fabric of my dress, and tears it from my body. Pushing me back on the mattress, he tears my panties open, lifts my knees toward my chest, and lowers between my legs. As he sucks my clit, my mind goes blank, my body aching with need. The flick of his tongue pulls moans from me as I arch toward him, the pleasure magnificent. As I come, the mix of pleasure and pain assaults my body as his fangs pierce me.
His grip on my thighs tightens, his sucking growing in intensity. Another orgasm rushes over my body, and I clench my hands in his hair. Needing more, I pull away from him, grab his shirt and tug him toward my chest as he wipes his lips. Climbing over top of me, he tears off his shirt and tosses it to the floor. His hand winds through my hair as I undo his belt and unfasten his pants.
As his erection breaks free, he tilts my head to the side, baring my neck to him. With a hand tucked under me, he thrusts between my spread legs, his fangs piercing my neck. With each thrust, he drinks from me, my body in a haze of pleasure. Gripping me tighter, he thrusts harder, his head falling back, blood staining his fangs.
“My sweet, succulent rose.”
Gaze dropping to mine, his eyes transition to red, his tongue licking across his lips. Nerves tighten my gut, and I pull back from him, but he pins me beneath him, lifting my arms over my head.
“I need more, so much more.”
“Phoenix, don’t do this.” My panicked voice does nothing to hide my fear.
Red eyes fade to violet. “The hunger is agonizing. Only your blood satisfies it.”
“You have to control it. Don’t let it control you.”
Closing his eyes, he breathes me in. “Even the smell of your blood entices me.” Opening his eyes, they’re bright red. “I need it.”
“Phoenix, stop.” I fight against his grip, but it only makes him hold me down tighter. Fangs bite into my neck, his sucking aggressive. Magic forms in my palms, and with all the strength I have, I raise my wrists and aim my magic at him. Flying off the bed, his body slams into the wall. Curling my legs up toward my chest, I put one arm out, a fiery ball hitting him in the chest as he lunges for me. The magic burns his skin but fizzles out as he heals.
Fangs bared, he lunges across the bed toward me, his arm swinging out for my leg. Both hands out, I release my air magic and cast a spell. Phoenix’s eyes roll back, his body collapsing on the bed, unmoving.
As I control my shaken breath, the front door of Phoenix’s condo opens. Moments later, Cyrus and Kristo enter the bedroom and find me protectively holding a blanket over me with Phoenix unconscious on the bed. Cyrus glances at my neck, anger filling his eyes. Looking down, I touch the blood coating my chest. Shaking, I lower my hand, and Cyrus comes over to hug me. Tears sting my eyes as I take comfort in his arms.
“My apologies, Selene,” Kristo sounds sincere. “Phoenix is lost to us, his bloodlust controlling him. I made a mistake tonight, and unfortunately, you paid the price.”
Cyrus brushes my hair away from my face. “Let’s get you home.”
“I’ll handle things from here,” Kristo tips his head for us to go.
“No, I’m not leaving him again. He needs our help, and this time, we’re giving it to him.”
“What would you like to do?”
“Take him home with us.”
Kristo’s face tightens, his brows drawing together. “He needs to be kept secure and given blood in intervals until he can control the bloodlust.”
“You tried your way. Now, we’ll try it my way.”
CHAPTER TWO
PHOENIX
Rising from a massive bed, the stench of wolf accosts me. Blinking, I focus on my senses and my location. Within seconds, I determine I’m in Killian’s home. Has to be, with his odor and Selene’s fragrance all over the place. Stepping from the bed, I listen for others, for her, and hear distant voices outside. Leaving the loft, with only a large, wide bed and two nightstands, I go in search of them.
The memories of what I did to Selene burn through my mind, leaving guilt in its wake, yet I still yearn to be inside of her, tasting her decadent blood. Aggravated, I bite my bottom lip, my fang piercing the skin. The taste of my own blood fills my mouth, and that hunger nags at the back of my throat, my skin tight and dry with thirst.
Outside, in the dark of night, I find Killian sitting at a firepit with the red-orange glow rising a few feet into the sky.
“What am I doing here?”
“Sit,” Killian commands, his tone brooking no argument.
Obliging him, I take the chair next to him.
“What is this?” My annoyed tone raises his brow.
“This is what Selene wants. We’re doing it for her.”
“We?”
Emeric lowers from the sky, gracefully landing on his feet across from us. Cyrus and Griffin emerge from the side of a building, carrying firewood and chairs.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” Emeric sneers. Grabbing a chair from Griffin’s arms, he unfolds it, then swings it around and straddles it. Cyrus tosses two pieces of wood on the fire as Griffin unfolds the other chairs.
“What the fuck is this? Group therapy?”
Killian’s mouth tilts as he opens a beer. “Selene bound you to my property. You can’t leave, but feel free to hunt anything in the woods. As for Selene, she’ll visit and let you feed from her, a little at a time, while we supervise.”
Leaning forward, with my elbows on my knees, my angry gaze sweeps over them.
“So, I’m stuck here with you fuckers, for how long?”
Emeric shrugs. “For as long as it takes for you to stop trying to drain Selene dry.”
Nostrils flaring, I rise from the chair and pace, my hunger tormenting.
“I need to feed.”
Killian points toward the woods. “You have seven hundred acres right there.”
Walking over to the cooler, Griffin grabs himself a beer. “This would be a good time for you to resist your hunger. If you can’t control it when Selene isn’t here, how will you control it when she is?”
Digging my nails into my fists, I sit back down.
“I don’t want to keep hurting her.”
Cyrus bends a leg, resting his ankle on his knee, and takes the beer Griffin hands him. “That’s a start.”
“Where is she?”
“Visiting her mother and cousin,” Griffin tells me. “Her cousin is a witch too. She doesn’t possess anything close to Selene’s abilities, but she can wield water and air magic.”
“Does sh
e hate me?” The worry tightens in my gut.
Cyrus lowers his beer after drinking. “No. She wants to help you.”
Emeric gets a beer and kicks the cooler lid closed. “She thinks your sorry ass is worth saving.” With a shrug, he sits down. “I think that’s yet to be determined.”
“Fuck off.”
“I would, but Selene asked us to bond with you.”
Blowing out a breath, I run a hand through my hair. “Bond with you, assholes?”
Cyrus snickers. “You’re the asshole, Phoenix. Not us.” He and Emeric share a glance. “Well, let me correct my statement, the biggest asshole.”
Emeric chuckles approvingly and takes another swig.
With my stomach knotting from hunger, I grimace. Killian studies me, watching my body language.
“You’re already showing control.”
“Damn it,” I growl. “I don’t want to hurt her anymore.” Standing, I clench my fists together, release, and clench again.
Cyrus reaches into his pocket, pulling out a vial.
“She cares so much about you, she went as far as to visit Ancor, the Fae enchanter, and had an elixir made for you.”
Staring at the foreign green liquid, my chin lifts. “What’s it for?”
He tosses it to me.
“The pain.”
Removing the lid, I down the awful tasting liquid. Within seconds, my hunger pain subsides, allowing me some mental clarity.
“It’s working.” Taking my seat, I drop my head into my hand. “She’s a saint.”
Grunts of agreement echo around me.