The Healing

Published by Phaze Books Also by Eliza Gayle Taken by Tarot Submissive Secrets "Dragon's Fate" from Phaze Fantasies, Vol. III Pentacles of Magick: The Bonding Pentacles of Magick: The Burning Surrender (print)

This is an explicit and erotic novel intended for the enjoyment of adult readers. Please keep out of the hands of children.

www.Phaze.com

Pentacles of Magick: The Healing a novella of erotic romance by

ELIZA GAYLE

Pentacles of Magick: The Healing copyright 2008 by Eliza Gayle All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

A Phaze Production Phaze Books 6470A Glenway Avenue, #109 Cincinnati, OH 45211-5222 Phaze is an imprint of Mundania Press, LLC. To order additional copies of this book, contact: [email protected] www.Phaze.com Cover art © 2008 Kendra Egert Edited by Kathryn Lively eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-59426-646-1 First Edition – August, 2008 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Chapter One Raven’s back bowed up and away from the bed as she fought desperately against her restraints. Her cries of anguish tore from her mouth as Denn watched her helplessly. Night after night she’d suffered nightmares to the point he had to restrain her for fear she might hurt herself. She should have awakened by now. Physically her body was ready, but something—some mental anguish, he would guess—kept her asleep. “She’s at it again, huh?” Jake’s smooth voice at his ear startled him from his thoughts. “Yes, and I don’t know what more I can do for her. It’s frustrating as hell.” “You’ve done a lot already, as much as you can. I assume even a witch as powerful as you has some limits that only nature can resolve.” Denn smiled at Jake’s words. The man had a way of knowing exactly what he was thinking. “There’s something about her.” “I can see that. You’ve been walking around here for days trying to hide the hard-on in your pants every time you come from this room.” “Don’t be crass, Jake. She’s been ill, and I’m doing all I can to heal her. Besides, it’s not as if I’m going to forget she almost killed my brother.” “Yeah that’s true, but you’re just lying to yourself now. She fucking turns you on and you know it.” The hard edge to his words surprised Denn. “Not jealous, are you?” “Fuck you.” “Anytime.” “Look whose being crass now. Not to mention defensive. How attracted to her are you?”

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Denn sighed, letting his shoulders relax. He didn’t want to think about Jake’s words and what they meant. His concern for the witch stemmed from the fact that her condition hadn’t improved by much. She fluctuated day to day. Most days when he looked in on her, her color would be improved and her body shifting around as if she was trying to wake up, but then by the time he got through with a physical exam she would be still and look worse off than before. He didn’t get it. All good reasons to explain the amount of time he spent with her everyday. “I’m just concerned about her, Jake. She should be awake by now. The fact that she stirs my blood a little when I touch her is not a big deal. I mean, she is a beautiful woman and I’m not completely immune to that fact.” “Uh huh. Not a big deal. Gotcha.” Denn gave the witch on the bed one last glance before turning to look at Jake. They were about the same height, but the similarities between them stopped there. Where he was dark haired with a fair complexion, Jake had sun lightened brown hair and tanned skin. They both worked out in the gym together nearly everyday, but Jake was a runner and would always leave the house each morning for a long run alone. It was his time for solace, which Denn could understand. “You really do sound jealous, Jake.” Denn stepped closer as he watched the spark of anger in Jake’s eyes. His lover didn’t like being called on his emotions, and Denn couldn’t resist pushing his buttons whenever he could. “Stop doing that, Denn, you know it pisses me off.” “Stop doing what?” He took another step closer, bringing their bodies just inches away from each other. Sexual energy radiated off of Jake, making his own dick even harder, if that was possible. Jake was right about one thing, touching the witch gave him a raging hard-on that he desperately needed to ease. “You are such a bastard, Denn.” “Yeah, and you love every minute of it, don’t you?” He reached down and cupped Jake’s hard cock through the flimsy material of his jogging shorts. “It’s not like you could hide anything in these pants if you wanted to.” Jake groaned as he leaned his head back against the doorframe. Goddess, how he loved watching Jake’s reactions

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every time he touched him. It had taken them a long time to get to this point. Prior to meeting, neither had taken a man as a lover, and they’d fought the natural attraction between them as long as they could until one night, alone here in his house after a night of partying on Bourbon Street, they’d devoured each other in the wildest night of sex Denn had ever experienced. Amazingly they had both woke the next day with no regrets and had shared the same bed every night since. A fact he hadn’t yet shared with his brothers, who thought he lived alone. Even Cash hadn’t slowed down long enough to realize how close he and Jake were, and now with Raven here fucking with his body he didn’t know what to think. He still needed Jake, and his body was screaming for him now, but something about the damn witch drew him as well, and Jake knew it. He needed to forget her right now and concentrate on Jake. His dick pulsed and jerked against his hand as Denn stripped him of his shorts. With his clothing gone, Jake looked like a golden warrior with his thick length jutting out proudly, and damned if he didn’t want a taste. Denn slipped to his knees while his hands roamed Jake’s hips and buttocks, before cupping his ball sac with a tight squeeze. The groan from Jake rumbled through his chest and spurred him to further action. Denn let his fingers slip between Jake’s ass until he found the tight, sensitive hole and tapped lightly against it, knowing he would drive the other man crazy. “Denn, please,” he pleaded. At the tone of Jake’s plea, he smiled, a deep and dark satisfaction running through him. He might know that Raven attracted him, but he also knew the connection between him and Jake couldn’t be broken. With his ability to sense exactly what Jake needed, the two of them couldn’t be more right for each other. Grasping the base of Jake’s cock, he guided it to his open and eager mouth, anticipating the smooth skin and masculine flavor specific to him. He sucked the tip into his mouth, swiping his tongue to gather the pre-come already leaking. Jake’s taste exploded on his tongue, causing his own cock to tighten and expand to an almost painful pressure. He needed Jake’s hand or mouth or…hell, he just needed to bend the man over and fuck

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him. Jake was a little jealous of the witch and Denn felt the overwhelming urge to show him what was what in his house. His long dormant Dominant side roared to life as he sucked at Jake’s shaft aggressively, taking him to the back of his throat and swallowing until he thought Jake might burst or collapse. Nothing pleased him more than watching Jake come apart, giving up all of his control. “Oh, oh—yes, yes," Jake’s cries of pleasure gave him little warning when the hot streams of come exploded in his mouth. He didn’t stop, but sucked all the fluid from his cock and still continued. When Jake began to soften and tried to pull away, Denn gripped him tighter and held him fast, going on to work his mouth along the length of him, until Jake writhed and moaned. Satisfied with Jake’s reactions, Denn slid his mouth off his cock with a loud pop and stood, watching Jake’s body relax and loosen. “My turn now.” Jake didn’t ask, just told him, which rubbed Denn the wrong way. Jake started to slide down and Denn stopped him. “No, Jake.” His simple reply brought Jake up short as they locked gazes. Emotion swirled between them, thick and sweet, calling out to Denn’s magick. He didn’t tamp it down like he usually tried to, but instead let it flow between them. Jake’s eyes widened in surprise, as he too must have sensed the change. “What do you want, Denn?” Jakes voice came out thick and gravelly, pulling at Denn’s groin. He hauled Jake into his embrace and nudged his head to the side, giving him access to the flesh of Jake's neck and shoulder. He bit at his skin, working his way up to Jake’s ear, listening to the murmurs the man made. “I want to fuck you.” Denn unbuttoned his jeans, releasing his cock. He grabbed it with a tight fist, stroking it up and down, watching Jake’s gaze travel down. He licked his lips and stared at Denn’s hand. “Is that what you want?” “Yes.” Jake’s answer came out breathlessly. “Turn and face the wall.” Jake obediently turned as Denn reached inside the dresser drawer for the lube he kept with all of his medicinal supplies in this room. He ran his fingers against Jake’s taut, muscled ass. The man really did work his body hard everyday to keep it looking this perfect. Letting him go, Denn

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put a generous amount of lube into his hand, spreading a thick layer onto his own cock. Denn had to bite back a groan and fight for control. He was so turned on he didn’t think he could last long. It was always like this when he touched Jake. Intense. Breathless. “Spread your legs some more, baby.” Jake did as he was told, sliding his hands up the wall and spreading those long, lean legs shoulder width apart. Denn guided his dick in between his cheeks, pressing lightly against his opening at first. When Jake's forehead hit the wall and his ass reared back oh so slightly, Denn pushed inside him slow and deep. Jake sucked in a ragged breath and Denn smiled, pleased with his reactions. When he was buried to the hilt, he leaned forward to lick and bite at the back of Jake’s neck. “Tell me, baby, tell me what you want.” “Fuck me, Denn, fuck me hard.” The final tether holding back Denn’s magick broke free, bathing them both in a powerful mixture of dark magick and lust. He pulled back, pausing only for a second before thrusting himself back inside. He pumped a few more times when his balls tightened and he felt the cum rising. When Jake shouted out as he came his body gripping Denn tighter, he sunk himself to the hilt and groaned with his own release. Collapsing against Jake, he laid his head on his back. “Good Goddess, but you kill me.”

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Chapter Two Jake wandered around the house, thinking. He couldn’t recall a time when Denn had been so aggressive in their sex as he’d been this morning. Although curious about the change, he couldn’t prevent a shiver of pleasure from running down his spine. The intensity had definitely brought them to a whole new level, and he was anxious to explore that some more. First he needed to check on a hunch. He looked around the rooms as he headed for Denn’s office, admiring once again the striking old world beauty of Denn’s townhouse. Having never been to New Orleans before, when he’d first arrived he’d immediately fallen in love with the historical city. The Quarter was a perfect place to live. Denn’s three-story home dated back to the 1700’s, and Denn refused to allow it to be renovated. He insisted part of the charm was the patina of the place. He had told more than one reporter that he didn’t want to fool with it, and that he really liked the peeling paint. Jake had laughed the first time he heard that, but he had to admit it worked for Denn. It was old, but not crumbling. It gave the house a masculine appeal and prevented him from having to hire a decorator. Jake chuckled at the remembered look of terror on Denn’s face when someone suggested he needed to renovate. No, this architectural gem was perfect as is, no changes needed. He wasn’t sure he even wanted to leave here when his time came. In the meantime, he needed to help figure out what to do about Raven. Even with his limited medical experience, her condition didn’t make sense. She should have recovered by now. There must be something magickal at work preventing her from healing.

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He’d listened to what Cash told Denn about the prophecy in their family history and wondered how big a hand fate actually had. He headed into the library for Denn’s journal so he could read through it again. Something about what Cash had said nagged at him. He located the brown, leather bound journal in the bottom left drawer of Denn’s desk just as he’d expected. He imagined Denn sitting at his desk, night after night, writing out his thoughts on various events of the day, working on new potion recipes as well as spells he could use in his work. As an earth witch, Denn relied on the personal spells from which he derived all his power. Based on the wear and tear showing its age around the edges, he would guess that Denn had been writing in this same book since he was just a boy. For a fleeting moment he wondered if the book would be warded against evil, or any wrongdoing for that matter. Would some harm come to him if he tried to open it? He really didn’t want to wake Denn yet with his theories, not until he had a stronger sense of what was happening around them. What the hell, might as well go for broke. He grabbed the buckle and strap, hastily unfastened it, and opened the book. He exhaled the breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding when nothing happened. No explosions and no flames. He flipped through the worn pages briefly, noticing written spells for various physical ailments as well as an occasional one for physical power he could wield against enemies. According to Denn, it was a lot easier for his brothers, who could call up their elements at will and use their energy to defend and protect themselves. Denn, on the other hand, always had to plan and prepare ahead of time so as not to be caught unaware. Good thing he kept meticulous records. He got to the next to the last page of written notes and found what he was looking for. He, Denn, and Cash had a brief conversation about their family curse before Cash had taken off to find his runaway firestarter, Selene. It had sounded like the two of them had been through the wringer to become a couple. A mercenary trying to kill her, and a witch after him. In the midst of the running they’d discovered that she was the woman

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in the prophecy meant for Cash. Glad it was him and not Denn, that woman had been a handful. Jake focused on Denn’s notes and read through the first part of the prophecy: Two sets of male twins born with a dark curse. Unlimited power bequeathed to the four when used together. A seductive power that over time will destroy their souls. To fight the prophecy they must separate. Denn’s fate worried him. Most days Denn was a good witch, helping people in need, pooling his resources with some of the other Bayou clans when a boost of power was needed to combat some form of evil in one way or another. But he had seen days where Denn was different. Darker, edgier, even a little scary. He tried to hide it, but Jake had noticed more than once. Pushing those thoughts aside, he moved to the new piece of the puzzle that Cash had contacted Denn about. While the eldest brother Graelyn’s mate, Rena, had actually figured out the meaning behind the first part through her job as a Tarot historian, a psychic had actually revealed the missing piece of the prophecy that put what was happening now in perspective. Looking downward, he read through the passage: Four women born at the same time on the same day. Empathic powers bequeathed to them all, intended to restore the balance between light and dark, if they can locate their mates. Could it be possible? What were the odds that the answer just dropped in their laps? He needed evidence, because Denn was far too logical to go there without proof. So he needed birthdays. He swiveled the chair to the credenza behind him and powered up Denn’s laptop. He’d call Cash if he knew how to get a hold of him since Graelen didn’t know about him yet. So, he had to e-mail Graelen, but pretend to be Denn. He sure hoped his hunch was right or he was going to be dealing with one pissed-off witch. His fingers typed out a message, asking for Rena’s birth date. He told Graelen he had a lead on someone but he needed more information before he could be sure. He kept the message brief and to the point. No point in getting himself in any deeper than he had to. Hitting the send key, he leaned back in the butter soft leather chair to wait.

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One of these days all his hard work was going to blow up in his face, and for some strange reason he dreaded that day. What had seemed like a simple plan had turned into a complex situation. He never thought he’d have a relationship like this with a man. He’d spent the better part of his adult life avoiding relationships and the complications that came with them. “What are you doing, Jake?” Jake’s elbow slipped from the edge of the desk at the sound of Denn’s voice behind him. He straightened in the chair and looked up to see his lover hovering in the door, looking at him with droopy eyes and sleep tussled hair. “I needed to do some research online, hope you don’t mind?” “No, I don’t. What are you researching?” He crossed to the leather chair in front of the desk and sank down, swinging his legs so his bare feet rested on the edge of the desk. “Our little resident witch, as a matter of fact.” Denn’s eyes narrowed, becoming more alert. “What exactly are you looking for?” “Answers, plain and simple. There has to be a reason why she isn’t healing properly. You’ve said it yourself, she should have been awake by now. It’s as if something is draining her just as she starts to get better.” Jake stood from his chair and paced in front of the computer, watching for a response to arrive. “So what have you come up with? Anything?” “Yeah I think so. I’m just waiting on confirmation.” Jake turned away from Denn, avoiding his knowing gaze. He really didn’t want to get into this yet. Not until he heard back from Grae. “Why am I getting the impression that I am not going to like your theory, Jake?” With a sigh Jake turned and looked at him. How did he tell the man he had growing feelings for, that the woman lying in the bed upstairs might be his empathic mate? He scrubbed his hands over his face in dread. “I’m not sure how you’ll feel—" A familiar chime sounded behind him, signaling he had incoming mail. Letting his answer fade away, he turned back to the computer and opened the e-mail from Denn’s brother.

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Hey Bro, Her birth date is April 10th . What’s up? G Jake sat back in his chair and let his head fall against the cool leather. Well, well, what a coincidence. Problem was, he really didn’t like the notion of coincidence, far too pat. **** Denn watched Jake’s body movements carefully. Whatever he’d received in the e-mail either wasn’t what he expected or was really bad news. Just from the way Jake slouched in the chair gave him a bad vibe. “Jake, you okay?” Jake slowly turned the chair to face him, his face solemn. “I’m right and I’m not sure how I feel about that.” “What the hell are you talking about? What have you done?” Magick swelled up in his body. A bad feeling consumed him and he knew for sure he wasn’t going to like what Jake had to tell him. “Relax, Denn, I haven’t done anything. I had a hunch, I checked it out, and now I know.” He tossed a piece of paper onto the desk at his feet. Denn picked it and read a message from his big brother Grae. While he read, Jake tossed down another item. Spying the driver’s license with Raven’s picture on it, things started to click. Tumblers fell in a pattern to open a lock. No. No. No. Without looking at the license he let his gaze rise up to meet Jake’s. This was clearly no joke. “It’s true, Denn. She is the one.” “Well, fuck me.” Jake snorted. “That’s one way to put it. But however you say it, you are royally screwed, my friend.” Denn’s feet slid to the floor with a thunk. He roughly pushed his hands through his hair, frustrated as hell. “I can’t deal with this right now. She is up there lying in bed still comatose, and I can’t figure out what my brother did to her and why she won't heal. I have tried every human medicine, as well as every

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spell and potion in my arsenal that made any sense. Yet, she lies there better one minute, worse the next.” “You have to think about it, Denn, don’t you see, man? Think it through. If she is your empath, what is her role in your life?” “According to my brothers, she would bring some sort of balance between my light and dark magick. Which she can’t do, by the way, if she is dead.” “Come on, Denn, you’re better than this. Quit looking at the obvious and think. You heard your brother describe what his woman does to him, how he feels every time she touches him. What happens to you? When you touch her, what happens?” His shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He so didn’t want to go there with his lover. He didn’t want to tell him that the texture of her smooth skin drove him insane with desire, or how her scent permeated his senses and clung there for days. He couldn’t admit to Jake that he could not get her out of his mind. “Denn, look at me.” He raised his gaze once again and stared at the chiseled features of Jake’s face. His whiskey colored eyes told tales of sex and pleasure every time he looked at them. “Do you think I don’t know? That every time you are around her you get so hard it must hurt? Give me some credit, I’m not blind.” “Stop it, Jake, I don’t want to hurt you.” “Hurt me?” he laughed. “I’m not that insecure about us. I may not fully comprehend where we are headed now that a woman you are destined to be with has entered the picture, but I still know how I feel and I suspect you feel the same way.” “How can you take this so lightly?” “You think this is light? Look at me, Denn, I have been pacing this house for days trying to figure out what to do. Now I can’t help but wonder if I should leave. Step aside and let nature take the course it had intended.” Denn stood and crossed to Jake in two long-legged strides. “Don’t presume to know what I want. I haven’t asked you to leave and I’m sure as hell not planning to.” Heat leapt between the two men as Denn’s magick reached out for Jake and enveloped him in a haze of sensual need. “It took us too long to

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get used to our situation to throw it away now, wouldn’t you say?” Jake looked at him, longing evident in his slitted eyes and the soft slash of his lips. Denn couldn’t resist him as he pushed close enough to feel the heat of Jake’s skin soaking into him. He dipped his head and pressed a crushing kiss to his mouth, forcing his tongue inside to revel in Jake's hot, masculine mouth. A growl pushed past his own lips into Jake’s as the joining turned deeper and more intimate than before. His thoughts strayed back to the luscious curve of ruby red lips tempting him with every sigh. The agony of those thoughts wrenched him away from Jake and forced him two steps back. “What are we going to do if she dies? What then? I might not have much time.” His voice came out harsher than he intended, but he had to break the moment or he would be fucking Jake right here in his office as he fantasized about the woman. Not a great scenario there, Denn. “You’re still not listening, Denn. What I’ve been trying to tell you is I think the healing issue is basically because of who you are and who she is to you.” Denn furrowed his brows at Jake. “If she is meant to take on the negative aspects of your magick when you touch, maybe that is what is preventing her healing. Wouldn’t it make sense that right now she might not be strong enough to do her job?” Finally Jake’s words hit home and Denn knew. He’d noticed a difference in his magick since she’d been around, but he hadn’t ever considered it might have something to do with her. Fuck. All the while he’d been trying to heal her, he’d actually been harming her. Without even knowing it he’d gone from Dennison Scott the healer to Dennison Scott the killer.

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Chapter Three Jake rubbed the herbal potion in a circular pattern across Raven’s bare, flat stomach. The contrast between his work roughened hands and her unblemished skin thrilled him. So much so that his own cock was now pressed tight against his zipper he wondered if he might break it. He could certainly hammer fucking nails with it. No wonder Denn had spent so much time in here. Just touching her was like a sexual aphrodisiac, the effect so strong that he found himself spending a lot more time in here than he needed to. With Denn unable to touch her, Jake followed his directions and took care of her all day and evening. Occasionally he would find Denn standing in the doorway watching her. Yearning for her, if the look on his face gave any indication of what was really going on with him. If he hadn’t experienced some of the same feelings and desires toward the witch, he might be jealous. Denn was his lover, after all. Once all the lotion had been applied, he loosened the rope on her left wrist. God, how he hated that they had to restrain her but afraid she would hurt herself in her nightmares, they’d had no choice. There were fresh red streaks on the inside of her wrist from her latest episode that his thumb passed over in a caressing motion. Unable to resist, he brought her wrist to his lips and rained kisses all around her weary skin. Not paying attention to anything but the chafed skin of his patient’s wrist, he was shocked when her hand jerked out of his grasp and fastened around his throat in the blink of an eye. Her fingers dug into the vulnerable skin between his jaw and shoulder blade, nearly rendering him helpless. He looked into her midnight blue eyes and saw pure rage and fear—she wanted to be free. His throat constricted as she cut off his air supply, and he swung his arm down in a circular motion, hitting at the weak

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part of the wrist, forcing her fingers apart long enough for him to twist out of her grasp and rocket off the chair next to the bed. “Dammit, woman, are you trying to kill me?” He massaged his throat as she continued to stare at him with a venomous anger that might kill him if he got even an inch closer. “Where am I? What the hell is going on? Why am I tied to a bed? Untie me right now,” she ordered. “If you’ll calm down for a minute, I’ll get Denn and we can explain what happened to you.” He watched her lips move again, but the sound coming out was whispered and fast. On and on, she spoke. “What? I can’t understand you." Still, she didn’t stop, and it finally dawned on him that she wasn’t trying to talk to him but instead was chanting. Fuck, she was trying to work a spell. Panic flooded him as he reached for an idea to protect himself. Calm down, Jake, you know her magick won’t work in this house. Denn made sure of that as soon as he brought her home. Yet the more she chanted the louder she got. The hairs on his arms stood on end as a whisper of power buzzed around his body. Where the fuck was Denn when he needed him? “Your magick won’t work here, Raven.” Her chant ceased abruptly as she lifted her cold gaze back up to his face. “That’s right. This house has been warded up tight against witches like yourself, and the only magick that works in here is Scott Magick.” “I demand to be released. You can’t hold me here like this. There will be hell to pay for this from my coven.” “Are you sure about that, witch? You’ve been here for weeks and we haven’t heard a peep about you from any coven, local or in Boston.” Again her gaze registered shock at his words. “Yes, we know exactly who you are. Hell, with Gralen’s research we probably know more about you than you know yourself.” “Why am I being held here? I’ve never known the Scott clan to be violent.” Her voice grew stronger with every word out of her mouth. Already she had gained some strength since she awoke. Amazing, really, how well Denn’s magick could work when applied correctly.

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“You’ve been ill. You fell sick in Boston and Denn brought you here to heal.” “Kidnapped, you mean. And I didn’t exactly ‘fall’ sick now, did I? That bastard Cash almost killed me.” She struggled with the loose bed sheet, trying to pull it up, until finally it gave and she was able to cover her partial nudity. “I’ve heard rumors for years about the depraved sexual practices of the Scott twins.” She struggled against the ropes. “But this is a little ridiculous, don’t you think?” Jake bit back a laugh at the incredulous look on her face. She sure was a sassy little thing. “You’re only tied up because we were afraid you were going to hurt yourself in your sleep.” She fell silent at his statement, not only that but she also she turned her face away, focusing on the far wall. “I take it you’re not surprised by that fact?” Still she said nothing. Several awkward minutes later she spoke. “So, who are you? You don’t look familiar to me, you can’t be a Scott.” “You know all of them, huh? Not just the one you were trying to kill?” “Hey, everyone has to make a living.” “Oh, please, don’t give me that bullshit. What kind of living includes killing someone?” “A lucrative one.” Her voice sounded as icy as her eyes had looked staring him down earlier. “So are you going to untie me or not?” Rubbing his throat, he responded. “I’m thinking not. I think I’ll wait for Denn to get home and see what he thinks we should do with you.” “Ohhh, I get it. You’re Denn Scott’s new flunkie.” She looked at him then, a measure of spark and sarcasm shining from her face. If he didn’t know better he might think she was biting back a smug smile. Unable to stop, a low chuckle sounded from his throat. “Flunkie, now there’s a thought. I’m going to have to save that one for later. Should be good for a laugh later this evening.” “So, what are you going to do with me then? My legs are hurting and I really need to pee. Surely you’re not afraid of me.”

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“You really do have a smart mouth on you. Keep it up and I’m sure to find something creative for you to do with it.” He smiled again. “What the hell is going on?” They both startled at Denn’s voice from the open doorway. “Your witch woke up and tried to choke the life out of me. And she has quite an attitude.” Once again he gently rubbed his throat with his fingers, remembering the inhumanly strong tight grip she had managed. “Oh, as if you wouldn’t have an attitude if you woke up tied to a strange bed.” “See what I mean?” “Well, I guess this proves once and for all that your theory was right, Jake. This is going to be one hell of a situation and I doubt she is going to like it.” “Hey, I’m right here.” She waved her free hand in front of her face. “Someone care to tell me what is going on here and when exactly you are planning to let me go?” Denn walked over to the bed and began untying the rope around her bound wrist. Jake noticed he took extra care in not touching her skin. Although, despite that lack of skin-to-skin connection, the energy in the room changed, thickened. He backed away from the bed, letting Raven reach for her ankles and untie them herself. “We only tied you up to keep you safe.” “Yeah, yeah, your boy over there already told me that.” Denn choked on her words. “My boy?” He turned toward Jake with an odd look of confusion. “Yes, Raven and I had been having a rather surreal conversation before you arrived, and needless to say she has some rather strange opinions.” Denn had moved away from the bed and Jake watched cautiously as Raven finished untying the last knot holding her to the bed. She no sooner got free than she bolted to the door. “Shit.” He saw her slip out the door just as he started after her. “Wait.” Denn’s voice boomed through the room. “But she’s—"

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Denn held up his hand, cutting off his statement. “She won't get far. I told you I spelled the house. That includes a lockdown for her. In fact, this ought to be amusing.” “You’re dark, Denn, real dark.” A crash from across the house reminded them that they had a wild, loose witch in the house. “Maybe we should go make sure she doesn’t hurt herself or destroy the house.” “Good idea.” Jake followed Denn through the house, searching room by room for Raven, for once cursing the size and three levels of the townhouse. Eventually they wandered into the courtyard and found Raven alternately yanking on the door, trying to open it, and pounding on it as hard as she could for help. “Raven, enough. The entire property is protected from the inside out and your magick is not only too weak to break it, but it's actually completely useless as long as you’re here. You have been bound, sweetheart.” She turned and looked at him. She panted from the exertion of running and fighting against his wards. Sweat covered her brow and she looked even paler than before. “I. Am. Not. Your. Sweetheart.” “Don’t I know that.” Jake watched the compelling dynamic between the two. They stood only inches apart and their gazes were locked on one another. He needed to break this up before Denn lost control of his restraint and reached for her. As fun as that sounded, watching the two of them combust together, he wasn’t sure her health could take it yet. He strode forward and stepped between them. “Raven, you are barely awake from a weeks long coma, I don’t think this is such a great idea.” He grabbed her arm with the intention of leading her back to bed and away from Denn. She wrenched her arm from his grip, twisting and turning. “Let me go. I’m fine, I just need to get the hell away from here. Away from the two of you.” She pressed her palm against his chest and the heat of it nearly burned him. Her magick may be ineffective here, but her attempt at using it had really ramped her up. She definitely needed to cool down. “You are not fine, you are burning up.”

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“What? Let me see.” “No Denn, you know you can’t touch her. Not yet.” He growled at him. “This is getting really old, Jake. She’s awake. I need to help her.” “Didn’t we—" “Oh, dear Goddess, would the two of you shut up already? I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Been doing it a long time. Now point me to a shower and bring me some damn clothes to wear.” They both looked down at her dressed in just one of Denn’s soft gray t-shirts that came to mid thigh on her. Jake swallowed. Both he and Denn knew from experience she wore nothing else under that shirt except a tiny pair of white panties.

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Chapter Four Hot water sluiced over her shoulders and slid down her back, the warmth seeping into her skin. Goddess that felt good. Her thoughts wandered to just a short while ago when she had awakened to the unfamiliar sensation of a large male hand stroking her bare belly and heat pooling in her lower body in response. She’d cracked open her eyes to find a really built man sitting next to her bed applying some sort of herbal lotion to her skin. His light brown wavy hair fell across his face as he bent down to his task. Thinking now, she knew waking up like that should have not only shocked her, but by every right she should have attacked him then. Yet something about him soothed her. His voice, as he spoke to what he thought her sleeping form, was familiar. Eventually the fog in her brain dissipated and she’d realized she had to take action to get him away from her. It was either that or she was going to start moaning from his touch. The whole situation made absolutely no sense to her. She’d heard stories about the incredible power that Cash and his brothers could wield, but when she’d gone after Cash for the Reverend, she’d miscalculated their strong moral code and found herself helpless underneath Cash’s attack. But she wasn’t in Boston anymore, just the few glimpses out the windows as she’d ran from room to room looking for a way out had given her a pretty good view of Bourbon Street in the distance. She was in New Orleans. On vacation she would have been celebrating, as this town was her favorite, but Dennison Scott and his unknown friend were holding her captive. He wasn’t exactly unknown, though, was he? She knew his name was Jake and she had strange recollections of him caring for her the last few days.

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Her soapy hands roamed over her body, lingering around her sensitive breasts and their hardened tips. Why did thoughts of a certain tall man with light hair and amber-colored eyes have her body responding despite the obvious danger? Her fingertips grazed against her buds where she couldn’t resist pulling and teasing them a little more. Sensation sizzled through her as the heat climbed higher in her body. A slight moan sounded in her throat at the delicious tingling in her breasts and pussy. The temptation to touch her clit and bring herself to orgasm rattled through as she fought to regain control over her own traitorous body. Stop it. What are you doing? Her brain finally registered her lack of focus on the reality of her situation as she stopped rubbing her body. She turned the water to an almost frigid temperature and quickly finished her shower. Drying off with the towel, she contemplated her options. Physical escape didn’t seem possible. Denn’s magick was far greater than hers, and as long as she was in this house she could barely even call up a wisp of her own power. Just trying it had given her the headache from hell. She needed to find out how long she’d been out of touch. She walked over to the door and hollered through it. “How long was I unconscious, Jake?” She heard muffled voices but no one answered her. She knocked on the door. “Can you hear me out there?” “You were asleep for more than two weeks, Raven.” A strong but quiet voice spoke just on the other side of the door. Not Jake, though. Dennison. A chill swept over her skin, raising goose bumps and a shiver up her spine. She’d only seen him for a short time, but like Jake, there was something familiar about him as well. When he’d stood so close to her at the courtyard door, his male scent wafted over her and for a brief moment he had paralyzed her. If she closed her eyes now and concentrated she could almost smell him again. What would it be like to run her naked skin against him? Blend their scents together? Oh, Goddess, she was in so much trouble in this house. What the hell was wrong with her? Her brain should be calculating every avenue of potential escape from them. She needed to report back to the Rev. What must he be thinking

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about her disappearance by now? And why hadn’t he figured out where she was? He had said all of the brothers were under surveillance. “Raven, are you okay in there? Do you need anything else? Are you sure you don’t want one of us to help you? You’ve been very ill for quite a while, you need to be careful not to overdo it." “Don’t worry, mother hen, I’m going to be fine.” She leaned into the door, smiling. Denn seemed to have a soft side. Perfect. A weakness to exploit. She pushed off the door and reached for the clean clothes they had provided. Really large sweat pants and another soft gray t-shirt. No bra or panties, so if she continued to get aroused around them she was going to have a damn hard time hiding it. She sighed as she knotted the corner of the overly large sweatpants at her waist. That would at least hold them up. First thing she needed to do was find a way to get a message to her coven or Scott. Preferably Scott. She wasn’t sure she could trust anyone in the group to actually convey a message to the Reverend. They were all afraid of him. Hell, she was afraid of him. Not that they didn’t have good reason for their feelings. He had a habit of doling out pretty severe punishments every time one of the witches failed any of his missions. Failure wasn’t an option, and luckily they were the best at what they did—the loss of a target was extremely rare amongst them. As she slipped the warm athletic socks onto her feet, she stopped. Would being in the house with one of the twins outweigh the fact that another had bested her? Would her failure this time finally be the last straw he’d been threatening for a good long time? A chill swept down her. She shook her head. She couldn’t think like that. She had a job to do and it’s what she needed to focus on. Getting out of here any which way she could. She quietly turned the knob, hoping the room outside would be empty so she could continue her reconnaissance around the house. Easing her body between a small opening in the door, she stopped in her tracks. Both Jake and Denn stood across the room, deep in conversation. She couldn’t quite make out what

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they were saying, but Jake’s hand rested on Denn’s shoulder, caressing the spot in a rather intimate way. Oh my Goddess, are they? She stood transfixed, curious about the familiar way their bodies stood in front of each other. Lean muscle against dark brawn. She could almost picture their lips touching, hands roaming…Oh, my. Not wanting them to see her, she quickly eased back through the opening and pulled the door closed with little sound. She leaned forward and rested her forehead on the door. Were Denn and Jake really lovers? She thought hard about the implications of that and figured there must be a way to take advantage of it, but all she could focus on was the two of them standing so close to one another. If Jake had leaned slightly forward his lips would have been touching Denn’s. She groaned at the image. What would it be like to watch the two of them together? Her pussy pulsed at the thought of the two men pressed up against each other, one dominating the other. Holy hell. What the hell was in that lotion that Jake rubbed on her? Raven began to doubt what she had seen. More than likely her brain was tired and she had imagined more than what was really happening. Obviously the two of them were close friends. Imagining them as friends was easy, imagining them as lovers was quite a leap from a slight shoulder rub. She pulled herself upright and forced herself to think about the Reverend and what he would do when he found her. She had to stay strong and focus on her job. She shuffled around the door, even knocking into it a couple of times so the men would hear her coming this time. She would get another chance to look around the house, she was sure of it. Walking from the bathroom, she found Jake and Denn standing side by side, watching her entrance carefully. Their quiet moment was gone, and now it was her turn to be scrutinized. She stood there in her oversized clothing with the two men staring so intensely at her, and wondered if they could see through them. Goddess now she was just being silly. **** "It’s about time you showed up. You have kept me waiting for almost an hour. Considering your already tenuous situation, do you really think that was a good idea?”

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He looked at the pompous man now sitting across from him in the café. How the hell did he ever think it was a good idea to get hooked up with such a crooked man, and a Reverend at that? Well, it wasn’t as if he’d had a choice. “My delay couldn’t be avoided. I have to be extra cautious these days. Your bounty hunter has more than complicated things lately.” He watched Scott’s eyes narrow at him over the mention of Raven, his hunter. “Yes, about her. Why have I not received any reports on her status lately? Has she recovered yet? What is that nasty nephew of mine doing to her these days? It’s hard to believe the infamous healer Dennison Scott can’t help her.” “You know, he actually does have a remarkable ability with his potions. I’ve seen him cure some things everyone was certain could not be cured, help people in hopeless situations. You ever think you don’t give him enough credit?” “Jake, you’re not going soft on me, are you? Don’t tell me he’s starting to fool you too with all of his do-gooder nonsense.” Scott raked a sharpened nail across the table, menace dripping from his voice. “It would be a real shame to have to get rid of you, too.” Jake leaned across the table, lowering his voice so the other patrons couldn’t hear him. “Don’t even try to threaten me again, old man. I have done more than I ever signed on to do, and I’m here, aren’t I, so don’t go giving me the melodramatic bullshit. Save it for your blind sheep.” Jake watched the fire of anger stoke in the other man’s eyes as the atmosphere in the room changed, becoming almost stifling with a blast of power. Jake laughed. “Careful, old man, your true colors are showing. You do remember we are in a very public place, right?” “Enough! I will not accept such insolence from the likes of you. Either tell me what I came here to find out or deal with the consequences. Are you prepared for that, my boy?” Scott leaned close to Jake’s head. Close enough for him to smell his putrid breath. “And believe me, boy, when I am done, even the fire and brimstone of Hell won’t want the remains.” Jake swallowed hard, remembering all too clearly why he was here. Because of that he refrained from either laughing in

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the man’s face or beating him to a bloody pulp right here in front of the customers. “Are you ready to order, sirs?” the waiter broke into their conversation and Jake decided restraint the best course of action. He looked up at the waiter and saw the drawn worry lines across his forehead and the embarrassment in his eyes. Apparently he and Scott had been making more of a scene than they realized if the waiter looked that frightened. “I’ll take coffee, thick and black, if you don’t mind, and a beignet, warm.” “Certainly. And you, sir?” He looked hesitantly at the Reverend. “I’ll have a triple shot mocha espresso and some of your homemade sweet cake.” He turned a smile on the waiter, full of his trademark charm, and the waiter visibly relaxed. “Yes, sir, right away.” He took the menus from the table and hurried off to the kitchen. “Start talking, boy, and quit giving me a hard time. You're embarrassing yourself.” Jake let the comment pass. “Raven is awake now and working hard to find a way free.” “About damn time. Now tell me what you are going to do to help her. Actually, I need to speak with her.” “That’s going to be a little hard to do at the moment. Denn is watching her like a hawk and that house is magickally locked down tight. She is helpless against it.” Jake watched the other man's nails tap against the table as he processed what Jake told him. “This only affects her obviously. You got here okay. I have someone who can help with that. Bring me a copy of the spells he used to ward the house and I will get it taken care of. Then you can bring her to me.” “I-I don’t know what spells he used. Hell, I still have trouble understanding the power he can yield.” “Don’t give me that, boy. Dennison Scott writes every thing he does in his blasted journal. He is meticulous about it, always has been, and I’m sure you know exactly what I am talking about. So get it done and done fast, I’m tired of wasting

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my time in this Godforsaken city. It really is the gathering place for the blackest souls.” Jake snorted. “Then it should be the perfect place for you. Besides, shouldn’t you be out trying to convert those dark people or something? You do claim to be a missionary of God on a regular basis.” He enjoyed taunting the old man. Especially here in a place like this when he was trying to maintain his ridiculous façade. Jake watched Scott’s eyes dart around the café yet again, but this time something caught his eye and he lingered on something over Jake’s shoulder. He twisted a little to the side to see if he could get a look at what he was focusing on. A group of college coeds sat at a table not far from theirs, chatting and giggling and constantly sending not so furtive glances in their direction. They were the kind of girls who were always around town, probably from Tulane, looking for trouble in between classes. They must have recognized Scott. He may be in his fifties but he aged well, and his charisma was palpable when he turned it on. Kind of scary when you thought about it. “Here, give this to her.” Scott slipped a tiny cell phone into the palm of his hand. “I can’t—" “Jake, don’t forget your mission. There are consequences for betraying me, you might want to keep that in mind.” Scott stood and walked in the direction of the girls and Jake heard the outbreak of giggles as he approached them with his introduction. He stood up and walked over to the bar, asking for his coffee and sweet to go. After paying for his food, he headed out the door without another glance behind him. He didn’t think he could stomach the adoration on those girls' faces for a man he knew to be pure evil.

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Chapter Five Denn looked out his study window into the courtyard. Raven had gone out there after breakfast this morning and paced back and forth for hours. She looked like a dangerous animal on the prowl. Jake had picked her up some clothes when he went out yesterday afternoon, and she had chosen to wear black yoga pants and a black tank top. The outfit showed off every delectable curve of her lush body. Denn had barely stifled his groan when he spied her coming down the stairs, and all through breakfast he shifted around desperately trying to find a comfortable location for his hard dick. Now, with the way her body tensed and moved with grace and fluid every time she turned, reminded him of a warrior. It would do him well to remember that she was a highly trained hunter and, despite the lockdown of her magick, she could easily prove lethal if they didn’t keep an eye on her. So why was it every time he looked at her, he wanted to touch her? He wanted to see her naked body rubbing against his, begging for his touch. Feel her lips caressing his skin. All the days he had watched Jake taking care of her, his hands the one massaging across her flushed skin had driven him mad. She was like a drug that he’d become addicted to, and a dangerous one at that. The last thing he needed was another addiction. Since her outburst yesterday morning, when she’d searched the house for a way to escape, she’d been remarkably calm. He was certain it was one of those calms before the storms or maybe more like the eye of the hurricane. He needed to talk to Jake. His instincts told him that she was up to something. He’d done some research on her, and what little information he could find indicated a sharp intelligence as well as an above average aptitude with weapons and hand to hand combat.

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He’d discovered her school records and had been impressed with her achievements at Harvard. She’d gone there right behind him, entering as a freshman the year after he graduated. He turned away from the window. He was never going to get any work done watching her move like that. When she was faced toward the window he admired the smooth skin showing underneath the tank hiding small pert breasts, and when she walked away from the window he found himself entranced by the sleek curve of her back that dipped into a tiny waist before flaring out to wide, curved hips. “Fuck it.” He pushed the French doors open and walked into the sunny courtyard. He wanted to be closer. Needed to be. Her head swung around at the noise he made entering the space. She stood frozen like a deer in headlights, staring at him with a mixture of anger and lust. She was beautiful. Her long black hair framed her heart shaped face. “Denn, you can’t keep me here like this.” “I can’t let you go.” “Why not?” “You are a risk to my family.” “Is that the only reason?” “What do you mean?” Her shoulders sagged on a deep sigh. “You know exactly what I mean. There is something going on in this house that I don’t understand, and I need to get out before something happens.” He stopped in front of her. “What do you think is going to happen?” His finger raised to push her hair out of her eyes and behind her ear. Her gaze stayed glued to his own, steady and intense. “You have nothing to be afraid of here.” “I’m not so sure about that.” “Neither Jake nor I have any intention of harming you.” He let his fingertips graze her skin, the now familiar streak of power whispering between them. She shuddered under the tingling sensation, her mouth opening to form an O. "Feels good, doesn’t it? Every time I have touched you these last weeks has given me a myriad of energy surges and spikes.” “Well, we are both witches.”

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“I’ve touched plenty of witches before.” He continued his trail along her jaw and along the line of her neck. “I bet you have,” she whispered. “I have never experienced anything even remotely like this. It’s like my power changes when I spend time with you.” “Why are you doing this?” “Doing what? I’m not doing anything, just touching.” “No, it’s more. It actually feels like much more.” Denn had to tell her. Focusing on her lips, he dipped his head—right after he tasted her he would tell her. He meant to be gentle with his first kiss, but when his lips pressed against hers he forgot his intentions and allowed the desire to take control. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her tight against him as his kiss demanded she allow his entrance. His tongue pushed its way in and explored every inch of her, his tongue tangling with hers. Her hands reached for his shoulders, grasping at his shirt as he continued devouring her. She tasted light, like he imagined sunshine would taste. Her breasts were pushed up tight against him and her hardened nipples poked at him through both their shirts. How he longed to remove their clothes right here and now. He could ease her into one of the lounge chairs and have her stripped and naked in no time. Why not? They were alone and in private. When she gasped into his mouth he gentled his movements, easing her backwards. After a few slow paces he reached down, one arm around her waist and one hand on her ample bottom, and lifted her. He carried her like that until he reached the target and leaned her towards the chair. When her ass and back hit the cushions she wrenched her mouth from his. “Denn—Denn, what are you—what are we doing?” Her words were urgent and breathless. “I really don’t want to stop, Raven. You feel so good. Warm and soft. Please don’t make me stop.” His hand roamed her hip, sliding underneath the edge of her tank top to the bare skin underneath. Touching her was electric, magnetic, magickal. “I thought I was the enemy here.” Denn paused at her words. He hadn’t thought about the fact that only a few short weeks ago she nearly killed his brother. At least, not in the last

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few hours. It was damned difficult to reconcile that she worked for his uncle as a bounty hunter, and yet she was the prophesied one to balance him. Fuck. This makes no sense. He pulled away from her, looking at her lying there with her kiss-swollen lips and exposed belly. This couldn’t be wrong. His magick swelled between them, energizing the air around her. Hell, he was no damned saint. He was addicted to a dark magick that few knew he even used. He’d managed to hide just how much he used for years now, convincing himself that it was okay because he used it to save people. But he had always known there were consequences and he did it anyway. He always thought it a good thing that he stayed so far away from his brothers so they wouldn’t know. He had worried that Cash would, and then he would have his brothers coming down on him, but Cash was weakened and not thinking about his brothers when he left New Orleans and headed west to seek out Selene. He had gotten lucky that time. Now, looking at the luscious Raven watching him with caution in her eyes, he sensed that she meant no real harm. He decided there would be no holding back this time. He would take the consequences. Besides, who was he to argue with ancient prophecies? He jerked his shirt over his head and threw it on the ground before easing himself down next to her on the lounge. “Are you my enemy, Raven? Do you really want to kill me or my brothers?” His hands again touched her bare skin, quickly moving her tank top up her torso to expose her breasts. They were small and round, fitting perfectly in his hands when he caressed them. They were topped with large strawberry colored nipples, and he gave in to the temptation to squeeze and flick them. “Do you?” “No.” She shook her head violently. “Then relax.” Again he flicked her tips, and this time he was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath and a deep shudder under his hands. “Mmm, so sensitive. I like that, babe.” He lowered his dark head to take a tight nipple in his mouth, lightly grazing it with

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his teeth. That elicited a moan from her and he smiled around her tip. “Do you want me to stop?” “Don’t you dare,” she managed in a breathy voice through gritted teeth. He swirled his tongue around and around, switching from one breast to the next, nibbling and sucking until she writhed underneath him. Touching her was heavenly but not nearly enough. He stood and shucked his own jeans before pulling her up and off the chair. Exchanging positions with her, he reached for the waistband of her pants and rolled them down her hips. He leaned down to peel further and the scent of her arousal hit him full force. He kissed her torso just above the dark soft curls barely hiding her sex from his eyes as she stepped out of her pants. His cock ached to bursting to thrust in between her legs, and push its way through her tight opening into the warm heat of her cunt. With those thoughts running through his head he stood and leaned into the chair lying down on his back. He grabbed her hand. “Please, Raven, I can’t wait.” She took a couple of cautious steps toward the chair and he pulled her roughly down on top of him, ravaging her mouth once again while his hands kneaded her ass. When her wriggling nestled his cock to the opening of her sex, he lifted her, spreading her legs, and settled her down on top of him. She was incredibly tight around him as her body adjusted to accommodate him. Looking at her face, he watched her eyes roll back and her breathing quicken. “Am I hurting you?” “No.” “You’re so damn tight, I’m afraid to move.” Her gaze returned to his and a sly smile passed over her lips. “Then let me.” She rested her hands on his chest and did exactly that. She lifted herself off of his cock until just the tip was still inside, then she roughly pushed herself down, letting him impale her until her ass cheeks were again resting on the tops of his thighs. He groaned in the sheer tormented pleasure of her tight flesh moving against him as she repeated the process over and over again. He gritted his teeth, forcing a level of concentration

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to hold back. His balls tightened against him and the need to empty himself inside her nearly overwhelmed him, but he refused to allow it until she came apart in his hands. He wanted to watch her face and body as she exploded. He reached for her bouncing breasts to squeeze and roll her nipples between his fingers, and watched the sensual lines of her face and body flush in excitement. “Oh Denn. I—I’m so…” “I know, babe. Let it go. Come for me, sweetheart.” Her movements turned frantic as one of his fingers moved to her clit and squeezed the hard bud. She thrashed and bucked against him until she screamed in release. The tiny muscles of her pussy clamped down on him like a vise and cream covered his fingers, sending his own body over the edge. He emptied himself in her convulsing body, barely noticing his own groans of pleasure almost outdoing her screams of delight. His fingers continued the movement against her sensitive spot as they came together, dragging out the sensations for them both until finally she collapsed against his chest, sweat covered and exhausted. Neither of them spoke as they each struggled with catching their breath and recovering. Denn had known fucking her would be good but damn, this was off the charts. If she wasn’t already his captive he would drag her inside and lock her up so as not to let her get away. He’d never had sex like that. Guilt stabbed at him over that thought. Thoughts of Jake and their mind-blowing sex flooded him. He already loved Jake, and now this woman sprawled across him naked and in the sunshine, was working in close. Would he have to choose between them? Or could he convince them both that they belonged with him? Hell, who was he kidding? “Raven?” “Mmhmm?” Her voice sounded sleepy and far off. He hated to break the mood, he liked the idea of keeping her naked next to him a lot. “Do you have any idea what’s going on between us?” Her head shot up and she looked at him. “Yeah, great sex. Well, that and the fact that you are holding me here against my will.” She smirked at the last part.

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“I think there’s more to it than just great sex.” “C'mon, Denn, don’t go taking this so seriously. We had fun, please don’t kill it with emotion.” “That’s not what I’m talking about, either.” She looked at him quizzically. “What are you talking about then?” “Our magick. Together it’s different.” “We’re both witches, what did you expect?” “So, you’ve had sex with other witches and felt something like that before?” She turned away, resting her cheek against his chest again. “I’ve had sex before, Denn, I’m no innocent.” “I didn’t mean that as an insult, Raven. I just wanted to know if you’d experienced a power change like that. I’ve had sex before, too, and never have I felt anything like that.” “I don’t think you should read anything into it, it’s probably just a fluke.” He wondered if she realized that her thumb stoked his chest as she spoke or if it was an unconscious gesture. “I think there is something you need to know, Raven.” It was time to tell her about the prophecy. If she was who they thought she was, they could trust her. “Looks like I missed the party?” Jake's voice had them both jumping. **** Raven pushed against Denn, looking around frantically for her discarded clothes, but his hands gripped her arms tight and held her in place plastered across his body. She twisted back around to look at him and his eyes bore into her with a dark warning look. He obviously didn’t want her going anywhere yet. But damn, she didn’t want to be in the middle of a potential lover’s quarrel, if that’s what they are. “No, Jake, the party has barely begun.” Raven looked up at Jake then and recognized the myriad of emotions in his eyes. Jealousy, pain, and more than a little curiosity if the state of his cock was any indication. Oh no, I definitely can’t be doing this. The alarms going off in her head told her to get up and get out fast, but her body betrayed her once

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again. She felt a familiar tingling of arousal sneak up on her. Something about these two men had a hold on her. “Uh huh. So, did you tell her yet?” “Tell me what?” She looked back and forth between the two, feeling a little out of the loop. Obviously they had some information that she needed to know. She struggled in Denn’s arms, trying to work herself free. Just like her, his body was stirring again, and if she didn’t get some distance between them she’d be begging to be fucked again. “Let go of me, Denn. Now.” She stared at him, willing him to release her. Finally he did and she scrambled from the chair and scooped her clothes from the patio, intent on getting away from these two. She strode towards Jake, knowing she had to walk past him fully naked to get back to the house. Despite how she looked she held her head high and walked by…almost. Jake pushed out his arm in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. “Don’t go.” His simple statement gave her pause. While it wasn’t a question it didn’t feel like a demand, either. In fact, it had almost sounded like a plea. She looked at his arm, tan with a light dusting of brown hair, and lean, corded muscles running the entire length. His hand looked like it had seen its fair share of work with a rougher skin and a couple of calluses. She shivered. She well remembered the feel of that same hand stroking her belly and legs as she’d lain in her bed. His touch had managed to turn her inside out until she wanted to scream with want for him. And now here she stood, just having fucked one man and now desiring another. What the hell had gotten into her? She needed out of this house. Something was wrong with her. His hand curled gently around her arm. “Please let me touch you again.” Her heart lurched at his whispered words. When he continued to stroke up her arm to the curve of her shoulder her eyes slid shut. She wanted this. No matter how fucked up it was, she wanted both Jake and Denn, and she didn’t have it in her to deny it. When a warm naked body pressed against her backside she moaned aloud. Denn now nibbled along the back of her neck and shoulders and Jake worked his way around the front. She

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reached up and undid the buttons of Jake’s shirt, sliding her hands underneath the soft fabric to push it off his shoulders. He released her arm just long enough to get it off before bringing his lips to hers in a crushing kiss. Denn’s hands moved down to her ass, where he massaged each globe as he teased the seam of her bottom with a finger, alternately running the length and dipping inward to tap at her tighter hole. “Mine,” he growled. Uncontrollable desire licked at Raven as Jake plundered her mouth and Denn worked her ass. She reached down to feel Jake’s hardness through his jeans, itching to touch his bare, heated skin against her own. She fumbled with the buttons of his fly, desperate to release his cock. Buttons undone, she was beyond pleased to discover that he wore no underwear, and she hastily freed him from the stifling confines of his pants. A choked noise came from him as he broke their kiss. “Oh God, yes, Raven, your hands are so soft. More baby, please.” She wrapped her hand around his thickness, squeezing harder before moving her hand back and forth against the silky skin. He leaned in and rested his forehead against hers while he bucked his hips in rhythm with her movements. Her thumb flicked over the head, spreading his pre cum around and against the sensitive underside. She wanted to taste him, find out firsthand if his flavor was as good as she anticipated. She couldn’t keep that train of thought for long as Denn’s finger dipped into her pussy and spread her cream to her back entrance. Over and over he added more, lubricating her. She tensed up when his finger pushed its way against the tight ring of muscle. “Relax, Raven, I’m going to do this nice and slow, baby. I don’t want to hurt you and believe me, any pain you feel will dissipate if you just relax.” “Do you know this from experience or are you just making that up?” she breathlessly whispered. “Hmm, would you really like to know?” She didn’t get a chance to answer because Denn sank the rest of his finger deep in her ass, taking her breath away. “Oh damn, Jake, she is so fucking tight back here.”

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“Be gentle with her, Denn, we don’t know yet if she can take it the way you like it.” Jake leaned close to her ear. “He likes things a little rough sometimes, baby.” She shook her head through her lust-fogged thoughts to focus on what Jake had said. “What are you talking about, Jake? What does he like? And how do you know?” He flashed a devilish grin at her before giving her a quick smack on the lips. “Don’t worry, Raven, I won’t let him hurt you this time.” “This time?” She gulped in air, trying to catch her breath. It was hard to have a conversation with Jake while Denn worked on her. Not to mention the trail Jake was making down her body with his tongue. Her followed her neck to her chest and then swirled around her breasts before finally taking a nipple in his mouth. He passed back and forth between them, leaving them aching for more when he moved on. As he moved downward she was forced to release his cock and grab his shoulders to steady herself. His tongue delved into her belly button and continued on. “You’re doing great, Raven, relax and lean up against Jake.” She heard his words but didn’t comprehend them. Jake’s tongue trailed quickly through the curls covering her sex only seconds away from her nirvana. At the first touch of his warm, firm tongue against her clit she screamed out and Denn slid a second finger into her passage. Pain and pleasure exploded around her as both men moved in a quick rhythm that complemented each other. Jake’s tongue and teeth worked her clit and Denn’s fingers dipped in and out of her with swift movements, alternating a sensual pain with exquisite pleasure every time he dragged his fingers out. When Jake’s fingers joined his tongue she dug into his shoulder and let loose with a moan of sheer delight. “She’s close, Jake. Her ass is gripping and pulsing against my fingers” Jake increased the pressure against her clit until Raven thought she would faint. Then he pushed two fingers into her pussy and the wave of her orgasm burst free and swamped her. She screamed and bucked against their fingers, unable to stop or get enough. They continued finger fucking her like that for what

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seemed like hours until she collapsed. Jake had to catch her from falling onto the hard ground. She struggled for breath as Jake held her tightly in his arms, brushing her hair away from her face. His tender movements comforted at the same time stark fear shook her. Something intense was happening between them and she didn’t understand it. They talked in riddles around her and she needed to hear what they had to say, but first she needed to clean up and put on some clean clothes. Honestly she just needed some more time alone to consider what was going on in this house. She struggled to sit up. “What’s wrong, Raven?” Jake looked at her with a crease of concern running across his forehead. “Nothing. I just need a shower and some clean clothes.” She stood on shaky legs, careful not to make any sharp moves. “Wait, let us take care of you.” “No, Jake, not this time. Right now I need some time alone and a long hot shower.” “We need to talk. Explain, actually.” Denn’s voice sounded strong and clear behind her. She would bet that he always got what he wanted, what with that incredible aura of authority that surrounded him, although there was a darkness to it. She could feel the anger in his power every time he came near. “Anyone ever tell you that you talk too much? 'Cause I would understand it if they did.” “This is serious, Raven.” “Of course it is. But it’s going to have to wait for a little while longer, okay?” The last line was delivered with more sarcasm than she had intended, but dammit she needed to get away from them right now. As she turned and walked away she heard Jake say something puzzling in a quiet voice. “Hope it won’t be too late.”

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Chapter Six “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Denn asked, reaching for his jeans, he tugged them on over his hips but left them unfastened. He watched Jake do the same, remembering that he was the only one in the house who hadn’t had an orgasm today. “She is behaving like a petulant child, refusing to listen when we both know how important she is.” “Maybe we’re wrong.” Jake started to say something and Denn put up his hand to stop him. “Seriously, Jake, it’s not as if we have an instruction manual on how this is supposed to work. But I would imagine that despite the prophecy we still have to deal with freewill and all that jazz.” “Please tell me you aren’t trying to say that what just happened with her was against her will. You did see the way she responded to the both of us.” “You know that’s not what I meant.” He scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “I won’t deny there is a strong sexual chemistry and even our magick is affected. But let’s not forget what brought her here and what keeps her here. If we were to let her go today, what would happen? She doesn’t look or act like she wants to stay here.” “Now turn that around, Denn. If you didn’t know she was your woman from the prophecy would you want her to stay?” Jake had a point there. He couldn’t say for sure what would be happening if they hadn’t figured out who she was. Even before Jake had told him, he’d known something was different about her, but he’d been torn. He already had a solid relationship with Jake and wasn’t looking to change that. “You and I—"

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“I know, Denn. You weren’t looking for this and neither was I.” He turned away and headed towards the house. Denn stared after him, trying to understand the conflict surrounding them. He wanted Jake, there was no doubt about that, and it wasn’t just the sex. No, their relationship had developed beyond the sexual exploration a while back. But, he also wanted Raven. “Jake,” he called out. When the other man stopped he continued. “I don’t want you to leave.” He moved forward, bringing himself closer. “Nothing has changed between us. I need you to stay.” “But the witch…” “We’re going to work it out. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. Maybe she is meant to be with us both. It’s not just me that she is drawn to, you know. I’ve seen the way you two long for each other when you think no one is watching.” “Come on, Denn, us both? That sounds like a stretch.” “Yeah, maybe, and then again maybe not. The whole situation is beyond unconventional, so who's to say what is right or wrong here? Can everything we feel be wrong? I don’t think so. She fits well with us. Perfectly, in fact.” “We need to talk to her.” “Agreed.” Denn had a feeling they needed to do it sooner rather than later. His magick buzzed more than normal. It had him on alert. It made him think of Noah. Normally a surge like this came from his connection with his twin, but it had been weeks since he’d spoken with his brother. He’d gone off on a new quest to find a missing person and likely would continue to be out of touch until he’d found who he was looking for. He tended to have a single-minded focus when it came to his work. Hell, he didn’t even know about the changes with Grae or Cash yet. “You okay, Denn?” Jake’s words broke his thoughts of Noah and brought him back to the present. “Yeah.” He needed to read through his journal, make some notes and adjustments. “You worry too much, Denn.” Jake touched his shoulder, moving his fingers in a strong massaging motion. “Your muscles are all tense again. I believe that whatever is meant to

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happen with Raven will happen on its own. She isn’t going anywhere, so let’s just see where this goes, okay?" Denn relaxed under his lover’s attempts to release his tension. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have found Jake. It restored in his faith in fate. **** “I need to get out of here.” She rubbed her arms and crouched by the door, anxious. “What’s wrong, Raven?” Denn asked. “This isn’t right. Holding me here like this. I need to get away before something happens.” “Like what?” She didn’t answer right away. What could she say? An energy buzzed under her skin and she didn’t know how to explain it, nor did she know what to do with it. With her magick bound some of her coping mechanisms were missing. “Does this have to do with being held against your will or with what happened between the three of us?” She just looked at him. She stayed back by the door, afraid to get to close. Something about being in his proximity made her crazy. “That’s it, isn’t it?” He came around the desk, headed in her general direction. “No, stay back. Don’t come any closer." Panic rose within her, her heart raced, and her skin crawled. “Raven, baby, what is it?” “I don’t know, something is happening.” She couldn’t breathe. She held up her hands and focused on the energy in the room. She imagined the moisture in the air and mist rained down on them. “What the hell. How are you doing that? Your magick is bound. I did it myself.” She concentrated harder past the pain of pushing at the barrier. Deep breaths in and out and it burst. Pain shot through her body as magick filled the room. She briefly looked at the shock on Denn’s face as the flood of power swamped her. She ran past Denn and out the French doors into the courtyard. The mist changed to a soft rain that her skin soaked up greedily. She tilted her face skyward, using her freed power to call more water

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until the rain turned into a torrential downpour, flooding the courtyard and boosting her beyond measure. Now this is more like it. After weeks of being trapped in a powerless body her energy and magick were back and she was free. As the rain soaked her hair and clothes it dawned on her that whatever magick had been not only binding her magick, but also holding her in Denn’s home, had been broken. She could leave. Her breath halted. I can leave. Her mind automatically flashed to Denn and Jake. Her sexy dark witch and fair-haired sweetheart, but her thoughts darkened when she remembered the journal entries she had read early that morning. No, Denn and Jake weren’t with her out of some kind of fanciful love. Her heart fractured when she’d read that they thought she was the woman prophesied for Denn. His savior. Tears welled and she lifted her head again, letting the rains cleanse her of them. She wasn’t anyone’s savior. She wasn’t even a very nice person. Her whole life had been focused on nothing but honing her craft and training to be a hunter. A job she was really good at. At least, until now. Now she would be the hunted. Something she couldn’t tolerate and had to fix. She followed the winding path through the courtyard, refusing to look in the direction of the sitting area, where the lounge chairs were. It was time to go. Her feet moved faster, changing from a walk to a run as she streaked through the gardens and slipped into the kitchen, heading full force for her room and what little belongings she could take with her. The house was eerily quiet, yet the magick buzzed stronger than ever before. It was soft and familiar, encouraging her to hurry. In her room she grabbed the duffel bag she’d confiscated earlier in the week, already packed with necessities from the clothes and things Jake had bought her. With no time to waste, and not knowing who might be coming up behind her, she swung her legs out the window and down the fire escape she had scoped out the first week she’d been awake. As she climbed down the ladder she thought about New Orleans and what she could remember of it from her last visit,

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which had been many years ago. There was a large coven nearby but she imagined that Denn knew them well and would look for her there first. Her own coven may be looking for her as well, and with her recent failed mission she wasn’t sure she could trust them to keep her safe, either. She needed to talk to Scott, but on her own terms and from a safe location. His reach was long and wide and if he had plans to eliminate her or worse, she couldn’t just pop up on his radar. That left her with only one known option. Severina. A voodoo priestess in the quarter that Raven had sought in the past. She’d been here on a job and needed some sensitive information and a friend had recommended Severina’s services to her. In exchange for the information she sought, she helped the woman out with a little extermination problem. It had been an uneasy alliance because Severina disapproved of her and her connection to Scott, but she was a woman of honor and her word was solid. Now all she could do was seek her out again and see if they could once again do business. She didn’t have much to bargain with but she did have her magick, which in New Orleans used to be a highly valued commodity. Turning down Benton Street, she thought about the house she’d just left behind. Or, more to the point, the men she’d run from. Before Denn had come into the office she had been rummaging through his desk looking for something, anything that would help free her. As she methodically searched his desk, magick had crawled across her body. A different sensation filled the room than what had been there when she arrived. Something was happening. She’d shoved the contents she’d removed back in the drawer and headed for the door when Denn entered from the courtyard. Now, as she moved farther and farther away from the safety of Denn and Jake she wondered what had happened back there. Denn had been genuinely shocked when her magick had returned. What did it matter? She was free. She was with the one person she knew she could trust no matter what happened. Herself. Finally reaching Bourbon Street, she turned right and fell into the crowd, absorbing the familiar sights and sounds of the heart of the Quarter. It may have been a long time since she’d

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walked this path, but New Orleans was one of those cities you never forgot. After about fifteen minutes of walking she found the alleyway she was looking for. There was litter and trash strewn across the entryway and as soon as she turned in, the odor of rotten filthy waste assailed her. Wrinkling her face and opening her mouth to breathe, she pushed on knowing this was her best shot at success. Thirty yards later she found herself at a black metal door that merely said Severina across it. She didn’t need to advertise what she did. All the locals knew exactly who and what she was, and anyone not a local didn’t find Severina unless someone local referred them and gave them directions. She twisted the knob and pushed open the heavy metal door. Once inside her eyes had to adjust to the dark interior after the bright sun outside. The first thing to strike her was the aroma of the store. There were rows and rows of candles and aromatic oils in a variety of ritual scents and colors. The racks in the middle of the floor were covered in a wide assortment of dolls in every variation of dress and baskets of gris-gris bags. Every available surface was covered with every item you could think of necessary for a ritual. And Raven knew if she didn’t have it here in the store, Severina would have it in the back just waiting for a customer to ask for it. “Who's there?” A strong female voice sounded from the backroom. “Raven.” She hesitated. “Raven St. Claire.” The sound of glass crashing onto the ground and splintering into tiny tinkling pieces came from behind the counter, along with a string of curse words in a thick Cajun accent. More rustling before the tall, dark-skinned woman finally stepped through the walkway and stopped at the counter in front of Raven. Dressed in worn jeans and a red t-shirt, with no make up and a scarf covering her head, she didn’t really seem what a tourist might have expected. But Raven was no tourist, and she already knew what Severina was capable of. “I thought we agreed our business was taken care of, witch.” The last word was emphasized with a distinct flavor of distaste. Raven knew this wouldn’t be easy.

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“Yes, you were correct. Unfortunately I have found myself in a bind with nowhere to turn.” “You reap what you sow. Even you should know this. I warned you, it was only a matter of time before it would catch you. I take it you didn’t listen.” Severina looked at her sharply. “Yes, of course you were right. I see that now.” Raven had to tread carefully here or she would find herself thrown out in the alley, alone. “I can’t help you.” Raven reached out and touched the woman on the arm, prepared to plead. When her cold hands touched her warm skin, Severina’s eyes opened wide in alarm. She grabbed Raven’s hand with her free hand and leaned forward. “What have you done to him?” “Who? What are you talking about?” Severina sniffed at her, moving from left to right. “Dennison—no, Noah—It is difficult to tell their magick apart.” “I don’t know Noah.” “Ahh, Dennison then. I told him his grey was coming but I had no idea—" “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. Will you help me or not?” “I will help Master Dennison. What do you need?” Before Raven could respond a phone rang in the distance. The volume was loud and distracting. It rang several times yet Severina didn’t make a move to answer it. “Do you need to get that?” Raven asked. “It’s not my phone that is ringing, Cherie, it’s yours.” “Can’t be, I don’t have a phone.” “Then why is your bag over there ringing?” Raven swung her head to the duffel on the floor by the door and listened. The shrill sound did seem like it was coming from her bag. She bolted toward it, grabbing it up and slamming the zipper down. Fumbling around inside, her hand wrapped around a foreign cell phone. Flipping it open she lifted it to her ear. “Hello?” “Raven my dear, it’s about time.” A cold chill snaked down her spine as she lowered her gaze from Severina. “Scott?”

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“I see you got your magick back. You can thank me in person shortly.” “Thank you? You’re the one that broke the binding? But how?” Like she even needed to ask. “Actually, Raven, I think I’m the one who should be asking questions. You have a lot of explaining to do.” The dark tone of his statement was unmistakable. There would be hell to pay for her fucking up. Death or sacrifice, she wondered. “I can—" “Not now, Raven. Right now you need to head outside to the alley and meet my associates, who will bring you to me. So hang up the phone, say goodbye to the Voodoo bitch, and go outside.” The tension in Scott's voice rose with each uttered syllable, and stark fear ran rampant in Raven. She couldn’t let Scott or his goons near her or she could forget it. She closed the phone and looked around the tiny shop. “Do you have a rear exit?” “Yes, but what you need to do is call Denn and tell him what is going on. He can help you.” “Severina, you’re wrong about that.” “No, Cherie, Severina is never wrong. Here take this, it belongs to Denn and I believe he is finally ready for it now.” She held up a rolled scroll of parchment paper sealed at the edges with a waxy looking substance. “Take it, Raven. You came to me for help, now trust me. Go out the backdoor and make sure this gets to Denn.” When Raven reached for the paper, Severina grabbed her hand and locked gazes with her. “Stop being afraid of what you are to him. It is meant to be, it is what you were created for. Trust in him. Trust in them both.” Raven stared at her dumbfounded. Despite her own abilities and the many things she had seen, she would never understand the gift of sight and how eerily accurate it could be. “Go now, Raven, Go!” Raven stuffed the parchment into her back pocket and ran behind the counter. Through the dingy back room filled with beads, herbs, doll parts and an altar that took up an entire wall, She burst through the metal door marked Fire Exit Only.

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Swiveling her head left, she saw one of the Rev’s “associates,” and in his dark tee, black jeans, and shit kickers he did not look friendly. She took off in a dead run in the opposite direction, raising her magick as she went. She listened to the pounding feet of her pursuer not far behind, knowing she didn’t have much time. What am I doing? Why am I running from them? She whirled on the balls of her feet, casting her arm out at the same time, releasing the power she’d called. The hired muscle had just enough time to throw up a partial shield, blocking some of her magick. The rest knocked him back several steps and doubled him over. When he stood and howled in pain—or maybe frustration, she couldn’t be sure—she ran toward him, launching herself onto his wide back. His body was hot and smoke came from his hands. Damn. Fire witch. They sure weren’t going to get very far in a fight. She wrapped her arms around his neck, wrenching with all her strength, trying to choke him. He staggered backward, slamming against the wall of the building with her in between. The force squelched the air from her lungs, loosening her arms from their grip, giving him the opportunity to drive his elbow into her ribs. Pain erupted in her body, her vision wavering, and she vaguely saw reinforcements surrounding her. With sheer will she fought to regain her strength and magick despite a new and unfamiliar magick wrapping around her and pinning her to the wall. She frantically looked around for another idea or weapon as whatever was cloaking her was also dampening her power. The air shimmered around her as she sensed a solid blast of earth magick coming their way. Lucky for her it provided enough of a distraction that the magick coursing through her chest broke free from their bindings. With no time to waste she ran again, straight into Denn. Momentarily stunned, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along. They only needed to make it to the end of the alley and they would be back on busy Bourbon Street where she was certain they could get lost in the crowd. About to turn the corner to

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freedom, or at least a better chance at it, a black SUV screeched to a halt, flinging its back door wide. Denn pushed her with his solid strength. “Raven, get in. Now!” Knowing at least with Denn she wouldn’t become a human sacrifice stripped of her power, she jumped inside, sliding along the bench seat. “Go, Jake, go!” Denn yelled into the front of the vehicle as Raven lay sprawled across the floorboard, her breath sawing in and out of her heaving lungs. The car surged forward, pressing her back against the ridge of the seat. She closed her eyes, focusing on controlling her breath. This isn’t what I wanted. She wasn’t anymore ready to face these two men, as she’d been ready to beg for her life from Scott. How the hell had her life fallen apart so quickly? In love with two men who only wanted to use her, and a sick and twisted man who’d been like family in a weird and demanding way would now just as soon steal her power as listen to her beg for forgiveness. Tears welled in her eyes as she screwed them shut tighter, willing her emotions under control. “Raven, are you okay? Are you hurt?” His voice sounded so close that she could feel the heat of his breath on her skin. His magick reached out for hers, threading around her and entwining with her own power. “Stop, Denn. I’m fine. Those bastards were rough but I’m okay. You need to give me some space.” “What’s wrong? Denn, is she hurt?” Jake asked from the driver's seat. Denn settled back on his seat. “She’s fine. She just needs a minute to catch her breath. We can bandage her up as soon as we get home. Although, if she had thought about what the hell she was doing, we wouldn’t be in this situation.” Unwilling to rise to the bait she didn’t make a move or a sound until he started rustling around the small space. She cracked open an eye, looking to see what he was doing. When he flipped open his phone she wondered who the hell he needed to call in the middle of all this. “Charlie, our ETA is ten minutes, be ready.” ****

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Denn closed his phone and eased his head back against the seat, his anger simmering just below the surface. There was so much to process and not enough time to do it. Once back at the house he suspected all hell would be breaking loose. Between the magickal reinforcements he had called in to the fact that both Jake and Raven had some seriously explaining to do… The acid in his stomach churned. He looked into the rearview mirror and caught Jake watching him. Fear shone there. Definitely not a good sign. When the magick that had been used against his allowed Raven to escape the house, he’d been powerless to stop her from leaving. Not a good feeling. But when Jake had come to him confessing to being able to find her, he’d had that “Oh shit, here it comes” feeling. When he demanded to know how Jake knew to find her, he’d only gotten a “We don’t have time to get into this right now, you have to trust me” answer. Now he had half a mind to drop them both off at the corner and walk away. Lies and secrets were not his way, and the two of them needed to learn that lesson and learn it right now.

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Chapter Seven Exhausted, Denn walked into his living room to find Raven huddled on one corner of the couch, looking down with her knees tucked under her chin. Jake stood at the window watching the storm rage outside. Denn wondered how much of this storm had to do with Raven and her dark mood. Even in her injured state she’d helped the team replace the wards on the house, making the protection even stronger than before. Whatever had gotten through before wouldn’t have it so easy next time. And Denn knew in his gut that there would be a next time, and probably sooner than he would like. In the meantime, he wanted answers. “The two of you can’t keep hiding from me. It’s past time to tell me what is going on here.” He walked into the center of the room and waited. “Jake? Are you going to tell me how you knew how to find Raven as soon as she disappeared?” Raven’s head shot up, looking first at Jake and then settling on Denn. “What are you talking about?” She stood and walked to the window. “You knew where to find me? But that’s not possible, I wasn’t followed at all, unless…” Her eyes widened. “There is only one other way.” On a long sigh, Jake turned his back on the window, straightening his shoulders and looking Denn in the eye. “I work for Scott Cunningham. Have for months now.” The silence in the room was deafening as Denn processed not only what Jake said but what it meant. Fury coursed through him as his magick rose and fell with his attempts to control his anger. Surprisingly there was a lot of power left over from the casting he’d done earlier. Tired of holding back, he unleashed it. Fuck it.

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The glass vase on the mantel flew across the room, crashing against the wall next to him, and wind blew through the room. Energy crackled along his skin, raising the fine hairs on his body as he recited a familiar chant. “Denn, stop, if you hurt him we won't get any answers.” “As if you’re any better.” He turned on her, transferring some of his rage her way. “You high-tailed it out of here as soon as you got your magick back. Do you have a death wish or are you just stupid?” Raven’s mouth dropped in surprise, and she took a step back from Denn and his trembling magick. He already regretted attacking her like that, but damn, he was surrounded by betrayal and these two were directly responsible. “Denn, will you listen to me? I can’t take back what I’ve done, but I can at least tell you why and then I will leave.” He looked into Jake’s eyes and saw pain and anguish there. Jake looked how he felt. He turned away from them both, reigning in his magick once again and taking a few minutes to regain control. He really didn’t want to listen, didn’t want any excuses, but the question of why would linger if he didn’t get to ask. “I didn’t have a choice.” He whirled at Jake’s voice. “Don’t give me that, there is always a choice.” “He has my sister. I think he is stealing her magick.” The silence in the room was deafening. “You have a sister?” Why that thought struck him like that he wasn’t sure. But he could remember many nights when they talked about their families and not once had Jake mentioned a sister. “Half-sister, actually. Same mother, different fathers. Mother was a witch.” “But you aren’t magickal. You don’t have the gift.” He was confused how his sister could be magickal and he wasn’t. Magick was always the dominant trait in offspring. “Well, thanks. I think I know that. In fact, I've have been reminded of that all my life.” Jake walked over to the couch, sinking down into the smooth leather seat. “I know keeping this from you was wrong, but I didn’t know what else to do. The Reverend is pure evil and his tactics for getting what he wants are ruthless.”

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“Sister or not, you betrayed me. You could have come to me. Told me the truth. When have you not seen me help someone in trouble?” Jake shook his head. “You underestimate what he is capable of, Denn.” “He’s my fucking uncle, you think I don’t know what he’s capable of?” He dragged his fingers through his hair roughly. “This is getting us nowhere. Arguing about it doesn’t change a damn thing.” He turned to stalk from the room, slamming the door on his way out. “I’ve had enough for one day?” **** Raven watched Jake slump against the couch as Denn left them behind. Her heart wrenched for them both. She knew exactly how Jake felt, a prisoner to a sick and twisted man. She’d put most of her free energy into avoiding the man herself. But there were times when no amount of magick or desperate attempts to hide could save her from him. Now she had to help Jake and Denn. They’d saved her. She doubted either one of them knew just how much. Scott had grown weary of her insubordination and his final warnings to her had been clear. Stop fucking off or she would be sacrificed. And he sure as hell didn’t mean he’d kill her in some quick and painless way. “I’ll talk to him, Jake. Hopefully he’s a little less pissed off at me right now to listen.” “No, let him go. He’s right, you know. Despite the consequences I should have told him the truth before now.” “No, Jake, you had every right to fear him. I of all people understand exactly what that man is capable of. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it.” Jake looked up at her, clear questions in his eyes. “What did he do to you, Raven?” “It doesn’t matter now. What matters now is making Denn understand and then figuring out a way to get your sister back.” “You should give him some time, I’ve learned he can be pretty stubborn.” “Uhm…the hell with that. We don’t have time. We have a job to do and all we have is each other now.” She paused. “I must be crazy now.”

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Jake stood and approached her. “Not crazy, Raven. We all feel it. It’s something tangible that can’t be denied.” His lips touched against hers, soft and light. She sighed against him, wanting to trust in what he said. She pushed her hands against his firm chest. “Stop trying to distract me, Jake, I’m going to talk to him and I’m going right now.” She walked away without looking back, leaving the door open behind her. Jake could follow her or not, she was still going to find Denn and make him understand. Going room by room she searched for him. Ten minutes later she still hadn’t found him, and decided there was an easier way. She inhaled a full breath of humid New Orleans air, absorbing the water molecules into her body. She called on her magick, letting the water particles fuel her command. Carefully she loosened her hold, allowing just enough to slip out to do what she needed. Her senses sharpened as the room around her swelled with the musk of jasmine, the spice of men, and the heat of the South. She reached out, seeking the moisture displacement created from a body in the house. Nothing. Denn wasn’t in the house. Which left only one place he could be. She turned and headed for the courtyard. Stepping outside, the sultry night air and the scent of jasmine on the breeze enveloped her. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dark as she followed the footpath to the sitting area where she knew she would find him. “I don’t want to talk anymore.” Raven sat on the chair next to his. “Good, then you can just listen.” Denn groaned at her words but she continued on. “I know you feel betrayed right now and rightfully so but—" “Raven—" “No, Denn, hear me out, please.” She paused, peering over at him to see if he was listening. “Jake told you that Scott has been stealing his sister's magick. You heard that, right?” He nodded. “Do you know what that means? Surely a powerful witch as you understands that. But have you ever had your magick stolen and used against you? Had your mind and body raped of its powerful essence? To feel the empty shell left

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behind every time it happens.” Powerful memories crashed down on her as she talked to Denn of the process one goes through when their magick is taken against their will. Old wounds ripped open inside as she bared her soul. Wetness tracked down her face. “Nothing is more painful than going through that ordeal. In fact many witches don’t survive it, trust me I know.” “Raven, I don’t know what to say.” His voice was soft and infused with more sympathy than she could bear. “Don’t go there, Denn, that’s not why I am telling you this. This is for Jake’s sake. He and I have both done some things we are not proud of, but knowing what his sister is going through, well, you need to consider the circumstances. That’s all I can ask.” “Babe, please.” His hand reached out his fingers intertwining with hers. The heat and size of his hand engulfing hers gave her hope. Made her feel protected. She absorbed some of his magick. Some of it was dark and angry, which she immediately pushed away from them. She released more of her own to relieve his. He had healed her when she needed it, now it was her turn to heal him. Remove some of his pain, leaving him lighter than before. Sweat broke out on her brow at the force of their connection. As hard as it was to face, she believed in what they’d told her. Her role was clear and she belonged here with both of them. If only Denn would believe. Minutes later her body gave out and she broke their connection. Exhaustion swamped her as she fought to stand. “Babe, you need to rest. Let me get you something to return your strength. I’m worried about what that is going to do to your health. You’ve just recovered from a life threatening trauma.” Denn, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I do need some rest, though, so I’m going to bed. I hope you’ll consider what I've said.” “Of course I will. I need some time to think myself. Are you sure you don’t need my help?” “I’m sure. I just need sleep. Good night.” Before she turned away she noticed he had relaxed from when she’d first come out. At least that was something. ****

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Hours later, Denn still couldn’t get the image of Raven walking away from him and back into the house. Her lithe, athletic body moved with instinctual grace and stealth. He imagined years of training made her like that. She was quite a fighter, and after the pain and information she’d shared with him his doubts about her had dissipated. Her tired and sad eyes had looked right through him just before she’d turned away. Now he craved her touch, her warmth, and even just the way she looked at him. He wanted to feel her under him, Jake right alongside her. His body tightened with those images running rampant. His feelings ran deep for Jake and he’d already decided he could forgive him, the only question remaining was could he trust him again. He swung his feet off the patio table and stood from the chair. His body popped and stretched from sitting for so long without moving around. The house had gone quiet a long time ago, and he imagined both Raven and Jake were sleeping. Would he find Jake sleeping in his bed as usual or had he taken up residence on the couch? He wondered. The cool air of the air-conditioned house swept over his skin when he stepped through the French doors leading to his office. The computer hummed low, already in energy saver mode, and the only light came from the digital clock on the credenza that read 1:56 A.M. Moving through the house, his excellent night vision allowed him to see clearly in the dark. In the living room there was no Jake asleep on the furniture. Denn considered taking up the space for himself, unsure if he was ready to return to the bed he shared with Jake every night. Too tired to worry about it now, he trudged up the stairs to the third level into the master suite. The bedside lamp was on but no Jake. What the hell? He hadn’t sensed anyone exiting the property, so where the hell was he? Worried that something could have happened right under his damn nose, he headed back down to the second level to see if Raven was missing as well. His feet pounded against the hardwood stairs, taking them two at a time until he rushed into her room. Seeing her there peaceful in sleep was a relief, what took his breath away was Jake curled up around her fast asleep as well. His heart lurched in his chest, cutting off his breath for a

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few beats. Lightheadedness robbed his senses as his body longed to join them. Despite the events of the day, he felt certain the three of them were destined to be together. Besides his body, his heart ached for them both. Raven’s face seemed softer in sleep, peaceful even. The ruby of her lips a soft slash against her pale skin. Jake’s lean body cradled her close, his hand snug around her waist as if holding onto her tightly, afraid to let her go. He eyed the empty space next to Raven and, without thought, quickly removed his clothes and climbed under the covers, putting himself as close to her as he could without actually touching her. He wanted to just look at her for a while. Her confession had troubled him deeply and he’d been torn when she walked away. Logic told him to let her go and his heart said no. Now here, in the light of the full moon shining in the window, he decided to take a leap and follow his instincts about them both. His hand reached over to Jake’s and stroked his skin. Rough yet smooth, the familiar heat seeped into his hand. Instinctively Jake’s hand tightened around Raven’s waist, pulling the curve of her hip closer to his groin. Damn, I want them. A small strip of bared flesh between Raven’s tank top and panties tempted him to reach up and brush his hand across it. With that one simple touch, their power stirred and sparked, tingling his fingers and arm. Her mouth opened in a silent gasp as he traveled underneath her shirt, rubbing against her soft, warm breasts. The magickal connection between them heated and flared, and both Raven and Jake opened their eyes. No one spoke, reluctant to break the mood. Denn twisted his body farther to the side so he could reach better with both hands. His left hand slid along Raven’s skin until it too grasped a flushed breast. He pushed at her shirt until both mounds were bare and visible. He dipped his head, taking a hard nipple between his lips and sucking on it before grasping it gently between his teeth. Her fingers threaded through his hair, her body arching toward him, silently begging for more. He increased the pressure of his teeth, biting at her nipple until she squirmed and writhed from the steady pain.

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“Do you like that, Raven? Does a little pain turn you on?” Jake’s questions gave Denn the freedom to keep going, while they worked together discovering her threshold. Raven nodded her head, still squiring in their arms. “I think she likes it, Denn.” The handsome smile splitting Jake’s face devastated him. There was no way he could deny to himself how he felt with love clutching at his chest and heat building in his dick. A quick, sharp bite had Raven calling out his name as she rose up in his hands. He released the nipple and repeated the test of pain on the other until again she screamed out her pleasure. “Holy shit, Denn, I can already smell her arousal.” Jake shifted from lying down to kneeling next to her. “I really want to see and feel her increasing wetness as you do that to her.” “Then remove her panties and do so.” Raven’s eyes widened a little as Jake reached under the edge of her panties and peeled them slowly down her smooth, strong thighs, tossing them off the bed. The look of intense rapture on Jake’s face as he leaned over and spread her legs was priceless. “Like what you see, Jake?” Jake leaned forward, inching his head closer to Raven’s sweet pussy. “Stop.” “What’s wrong?” Jake asked. Denn’s hands were still roaming all over Raven’s lush figure, from the swell of her breasts, to the indentation of her small waist, to the flare of her full hips. He couldn’t stop touching her. The more of her he touched the stronger their combined magick grew until his cock had become swollen with a forceful need. When his sex pulsed and bounced from his abdomen, Jake’s gaze was drawn to it. **** “Oh.” Jake shifted so he could rest on his knees. The look on Denn’s face was pure unashamed need, the same as Raven. His heart leapt at the implication of the both of them needing him as much as he needed them. He wasn’t normally a man to express soft emotions but tears welled in his eyes nonetheless. “You want us both?” Jake had to ask, needed to hear Denn say it.

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“Yes, Jake.” His head swiveled looking between both Raven and himself. “According to a prophecy Raven is my mate, but according to my heart I need and love you both. Nothing that’s happened or will happen can change that.” “But what we—" “No, what you both did had extenuating circumstances. We all have pasts and we all do things for those we love or to protect ourselves as best we can. No one is perfect, nor should they be.” Jake watched tears slide down Raven’s face over Denn’s words. Hope swelled within him for them all. This was the way things were meant to be. Denn swiped at the wetness on Raven’s cheeks. “Are you okay, baby?” She nodded. “I’m fine. Just in awe.” “Awe?” Denn asked. “Mmhmm.” She pushed her fingers through Denn’s hair and brought his head down to her lips. Instead of kissing him like Jake had expected, her pink tongue darted out and licked at his lips, tasting and teasing him. Denn groaned under the onslaught and Jake reached for his thick cock, encircling the breadth with a firm grip. Denn was rock hard and ready, giving Jake a powerful need to feel him inside his own body, pumping his pleasure deep and fast. He leaned forward and took the firm head of Denn’s cock into his mouth, lapping at the tasty pre-cum waiting for him. “Ahhhh” Denn’s hips bucked, pushing more of himself into Jake’s mouth. He smiled around him as his tongue continued to swirl around the rigid flesh. Denn’s mouth moved back to Raven’s nipples, where he sucked and kneaded them until Raven begged. “Please. Dear Goddess, would one of you please fuck me already?” Her voice came out ragged and breathless, making both Jake and Denn smile. “I think she’s getting impatient, Jake.” “Uh huh.” “Well, then I think you should take care of our girl.” Jake let go of Denn’s cock with a pop. “Should I? What about you?” He gave Denn a wicked smile. “Don’t worry about me, Jake, you have just what I need.”

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A sudden burst of heated lust shot through his body, the blood rushing through his veins as he once again thought of Denn taking him hard and fast and full of passion. Watching Denn release her, Jake moved forward and covered Raven with his big body. As his mouth delved into hers, tongues tangling, the tip of his cock pressed against the wet heat of her sex. Just the heat of it made him want to come, and when Denn moved behind him he thought he might shoot his load right then and there before he even slid inside. “Please, Jake. Please fuck me.” He barely heard her whispered words against his mouth over the sound of the blood rushing in his head. His hand slipped between their warm bodies, grasping the root of his cock to guide it to her entrance. Just nestling the tip inside, he teased and taunted her with tiny strokes. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling at him and trying to get him deeper inside. He held strong with his shallow thrusts until her cries and begging became a string of guttural whimpers. With one smooth stroke he thrust his full length to the hilt, his balls slapping against her flesh. “Ahhhhh.” Her tight body clamped around him, tighter than a fist and taking his breath away. “Incredible, isn’t it? That extra tingling sensation you feel is her magick. Her essence.” Denn’s voice at his ear startled him. So focused on the hold Raven had on him, he hadn’t even noticed Denn wrapping his body around him, his cock nestling between the cheeks of his ass. “She’s ours, Jake, don’t you agree?” Jake grunted his agreement. “Now be still for a minute, I don’t want you to come too soon.” Jake gritted his teeth and attempted to focus on something other than her sheath pulsing around him, tightening. Breathing in and out, he looked down at Raven, losing himself in her beautiful eyes so full of love and lust. Jake flinched when Denn’s cool, lube slickened fingers touched around his tight hole, spreading the gel liberally. One

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finger dipped inside, the sensation insanely pleasurable as Denn worked it in and out until joining a second finger with the first. “I’m—I’m not going to last long.” Jake revealed through gritted teeth. “Hold on a little longer, baby, I don’t think any of us are going to last.” Denn removed his fingers and moments later Jake felt the condom covered tip of Denn’s cock pressing against him. Instinctively he tightened up. “Relax, Jake, I don’t want to hurt you.” “Jake, look at me.” He raised his head from Raven’s shoulder and looked at her. “Kiss me, Jake. Take me. Love me.” Her quiet pleas undid him as his lips lowered to hers. Denn inched in just the head but Jake wanted more. He pushed back against him until Denn filled him, the familiar pleasure and pain sensations running along every nerve ending. Different this time, though, because when he pushed into Jake, it forced Jake deeper inside Raven, rasping against her clit. Magick from both Raven and Denn swept through him, seeking and searching for the other. Denn pulled out, bringing Jake’s hips with him so when he slammed back all three of them cried out. Magick entwined and wrapped around Jake completely, loosening the last of his resistance. Heat built in his balls and he knew he couldn’t hold it back. On the next deep thrust his orgasm exploded and Raven cried out in ecstasy as he emptied his seed inside her. The magick burned hot, his vision blurred and he rode out the pleasure until Denn too gave into the need and slumped across his back. When he opened his eyes he looked into Raven’s eyes, watching him. “Are you okay, babe?” She looked so serious for a minute he thought— “I love you. I love you both,” she cried.

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Chapter Eight Raven sat in the sun, letting the heat seep through to her tired muscles. She’d come to love the courtyard as her favorite place in the house. While the entire place glowed with historical charm it was this area that she felt most at peace. She’d lost track after the fourth time either Jake or Denn or both had awoken her with their sensual bodies and deep kisses. Once she’d been woken by just the two of them enjoying each other. The sight of them loving each other moved her deeply. Two sensual male bodies expressing their emotions through a powerful show of lust and sex. A smile played across her lips at the memory. Yesterday she’d found herself alone on the streets of New Orleans not afraid, just alone again. What a difference twentyfour hours can make. She’d thought she could turn to the voodoo priestess for help and had foolishly planned to handle Scott on her own. Wait. The voodoo priestess. Raven jumped up and ran to the bathroom where she’d removed her clothes last night. Rifling through her discarded jeans, she found the roll of parchment she’d completely forgotten about until now. Unrolling the brittle, yellowed paper, she read through the note inside. Be warned. If each sibling has not found their mate by the youngest brother’s thirtieth birthday, then all power is stripped and bequeathed to the eldest family male. All hope will be lost… Surprised by what she read on the note, her butt hit the toilet seat hard as she sank down. She needed to tell Denn about this. She didn’t know how long they had but she imagined it wasn’t

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long. Hadn’t Jake mentioned something a few weeks ago about Denn’s big birthday coming up? She rushed from the bathroom back into the bedroom suite they had given her. Pulling up short, she laughed as she looked around the room. They had filled her space with books, flowers, a large wardrobe, a big screen television with more channels than any one person could possibly need, and luxurious linens on a lake-sized bed. Linens that were currently wrapped partially around two beautiful, sexy men that were now all hers. For someone who had technically been held against her will they had really pampered her with everything. Shaking her head, she focused on why she’d come running in here. Taking the remaining strides to the bed as quickly as she could, she grabbed their legs. “Denn. Jake. Wake up.” Both men sprang from the bed, ready for whatever danger she could have been warning them about. Except they were naked and sleek and tousled from sleep. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Denn’s voice sounded alarmed and urgent. “Calm down. No one’s in danger, at least for the moment.” “What do you mean for the moment?” Denn scrubbed his fingers over his face. “I have something you need to read, Denn. It’s about your family.” She reached her hand out in front of her to reveal the rolled up parchment resting in her palm. “What is this?” He reached out and took the paper from her. “Where did it come from?” “The voodoo priestess gave it to me yesterday. Said the time had come for you to have it. I had completely forgotten about it until about ten minutes ago when I was sitting in the courtyard.” Denn unrolled it to read and Jake moved closer to read over his shoulder. Raven watched them both as the worry lines rose on Denn’s forehead and Jake whistled a deep and low melody. Denn looked at her. “What else did the woman say when she gave you this?” “Nothing. Just that it was time.”

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“Well, I’d say so.” His shoulders sagged. “Noah and I will be thirty in just thirteen days.” **** In the kitchen fixing some breakfast, Raven watched Jake fidget and fuss with the dishes and the silverware, then the food and the napkins. “What’s wrong, Jake?” He turned away, avoiding her eyes. “Nothing.” Denn’s head snapped up from his laptop, narrowing his eyes at Jake as well. Something was up, she could feel it. Her magick was already tingling with the sense of it. Denn’s power had stirred as well. “Jake. Tell us what’s wrong. We can both sense it, so you might as well just say it. Raven isn’t likely to leave you alone until you do.” “Hey.” Denn laughed off her protest. Jake, on the other hand, frowned deeper. Denn shut his laptop and stood, walking over to the other man. “I think you should tell us. Whatever it is, we will deal with it together. “I’m worried about my sister.” “We all are, Jake, that’s why I’ve been working together with my brothers to come up with a plan. We are trying to contact Noah as well as devise a scenario to free your sister without anyone getting hurt. I have faith in my brothers and their ability to work the magick in their favor.” Jake shook his head. “You don’t understand. I told you that the bastard was stealing her magick, but I didn’t tell you about her magick.” “Her magick?” “What you don’t understand is that she isn’t a witch. Her magick is different, stronger than what you are familiar with.” “I’m confused. If she isn’t a witch then what is she?” Denn asked. Jake paused looking between both Raven and Denn. “She is—" He looked toward the window, nervous. “She’s half demon.” Raven sucked in her breath. Oh, Goddess.

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“That’s not all.” He sucked in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “She has the same birthday as you, Raven.”

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Epilogue Jessie grunted as she was dragged roughly by the arm through the mansion. She really couldn’t exactly call such a large and over the top ornate building a home. Weak and tired, she longed for her magick to return. Not only did she feel lost without it, she wanted to show this bastard a thing or two about manhandling women. For weeks now he’d been pushing her around and basically making her life miserable. Something he wouldn’t be so quick to do if she had her power. He opened the familiar door in front of her and shoved her inside. Her foot caught on the doorjamb, sending her sprawling to the floor. Her hands just caught her before her head crashed into the tiled floor. She let her head hang low as she crawled to her knees. Tired and hungry, she fought the rising tears of despair. How much more of this could she take? Would Jake be able to save her? “Now that’s more like it. A woman on her knees in front of me. Just where she belongs.” Her back stiffened at the sound of his voice. She’d known she would have to face him tonight, but hearing him speak made her skin crawl. “Don’t flatter yourself, you sick bastard. I wouldn’t willingly kneel to you for any reason.” He snorted. “Be careful what you say to me, especially regarding what you will or will not do for me. You should know by now that if you don’t do what I want I will find a way to get you to, and it won't be pleasant.” He stepped in front of her and jerked her by the chin, forcing her to look up at him. Pain shot through her jaw and neck. “You haven’t already forgotten what I can do to you, have you?” Her stomach roiled and bubbled, making her nauseous as her brain recalled the memories she knew she would never forget. She fought the urge to vomit. No way in hell would she

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give him the satisfaction in knowing she was scared of him. Somehow, some way, she would get back at him for what he’d done. She spat at him. “You bitch.” He dropped her head and wiped off his arm on his pants. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just kill you now?” Alarm bells went off in her head as she worried this might finally be it for her. She’d wondered and waited, thinking any day could be her last. “My magick.” “Is getting weaker. Look at you. You’re pathetic.” “Jake is helping you. You promised if he did what you asked.” She drew in a breath embarrassed at the weakness in her words. “Yeah, well, I guess your dear older half-bastard brother has decided he’d rather fuck a witch then save the likes of you.” His words slammed in to her, staggering her. “Bullshit.” “It’s true. He turned on me in favor of my nephew and my fucking witch. Something he is about to pay dearly for with your life.” Jessie’s mind reeled with this new information. No way would Jake just abandon her, but Scott was pissed at him and wanted him to pay. Something had to have happened. “Your usefulness has come to an end.” He walked back to his desk, pacing back and forth in front of it. “All that’s left to do is offer you up as a sacrifice and drain what little magick you have left. So tonight, my dear, you will die. It’s a beautiful ceremony, you’re going to love it.” His face shone with pure joy as he said that last. Proving he really was a crazy son of a bitch. As if on cue his muscle walked through the door and hauled her to her feet, practically dragging her from the room. The closer they got back to her cell her mind began to panic. She struggled and squirmed in his grasp, fighting to get away. “Where do you think you are going to go now?” He tightened his massive fingers around her bicep until he brought tears to her eyes and she cried out in pain.

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The guard pushed her into her cell far harder than he needed to and she banged her head on the far wall. Beyond the point of physical pain, anger bubbled instead. She had to find a way out. She had the will, she just needed a plan. Hours later, she had no ideas and she just wanted to rest for a while. She didn’t know how long she had, but she decided her only chance of escape would be when they came to get her. In that case, she needed to rest. Click. Click. Click. Still huddled on the floor in the corner, Jessie realized someone was standing at the door of her cell trying to get in. The fuzz of sleep slipped away as she realized this was it. It was too dark to see for sure, but the man standing there wasn’t her normal guard and he wasn’t opening the door with his keys. “Jessie, is that you?” his deep male voice did not belong to any of the guards she was used to, yet there was something familiar about it. “Yes,” she whispered. “Jake sent me. We have to hurry.” Her heart soared for her brother. She knew he wouldn’t leave her to die here. The door swung open and he reached his arm inside waving for her to hurry up. “Grab my hand, let’s go.” She eagerly grasped his hand willing her body to move her up and out of this hell hole. In the light of the doorway, he turned back to say something to her and froze. His hand fell away from hers. “Is this some kind of fucking joke?” She knew then and raised her head to the all too familiar piercing blue eyes and wavy black hair. “Oh, shit. Noah…”

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About the Author From the moment Eliza read her first erotic romance novel a couple of years ago, she knew she had found her niche and realized her dream of writing was passing her by. So after years of thinking about it she finally grabbed her laptop and wrote. These days she likes her stories hot and spicy whether they be contemporary, fantasy or paranormal and will write in whatever genre her imagination has conjured that day. Eliza lives in beautiful North Carolina and spends her days dividing her time between writing, her book video business, a part-time job as promotions manager and raising her two daughters.

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