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We lay there for several minutes, both of us breathing hard, staring up at the sheer red canopy above my bed. Everything that happened the night before began to haunt me again. I hadn’t forgotten, of course. But there were questions I could no longer avoid.
“Why are you here, Corbin?” I asked, still a little out of breath. “Because I know you aren’t from around here, and you didn’t come to Georgia for a drink.”
I rolled toward him and he smiled sadly. “As I said, I’m the last of my clan. And you’re right. I’m from Florida.” He rose from the bed with a sigh and turned back to me. “Can I explain in the shower?”
“Sure.”
While Corbin adjusted the water he started talking again. “I suppose I should start with the beginning and just sum it up as best I can. There is a dark sorcerer named Aaron. I don’t know his last name. He’s from London. He and my grandfather were friends years ago. But that’s before Aaron became obsessed with immortality and started to sacrifice vampires in some dark ritual he was trying to perfect. I believe he was trying to steal their immortality without having to give up daylight or his humanity. As if he was still human anymore.” He shook his head and stepped in the shower. I followed and listened as I watched steam rise from his shoulders where the water touched him.
“Anyway, somewhere along the way he saw a prophetess who told him something that changed my whole life. She said that he would be killed by a raven. Since he knew what my grandfather was, Aaron assumed her prophecy meant he would be killed by a raven-shifter. I’ve heard before that ravens are considered the harbingers of death. Because of that prophecy my entire family is dead. All of my people, wiped out while I was out of town.”
“I’m so sorry, Corbin.” I reached for him and he pulled me close. “Aaron killed your whole clan?”
“Yes. Since there weren’t a lot of us, they all lived within a hundred-mile radius. There are a few others left in the world, but to my knowledge we were the only raven clan in the States.”
“Where were you?”
“Near Tampa. There’s an elderly witch there who has the most comprehensive database of magical information you could imagine. I’d already heard rumors about Aaron and his prophecy and feared what it might mean. I was using her database to gather the information I just told you, about Aaron as well as whatever I could find about the prophecy. That’s also when I found out who James was. We met at a gas station a few weeks before. He was such an asshole to the clerk that I intervened. He’d stopped for directions and without realizing I was putting anyone in danger, I told him how to find a hotel owned and operated by one of my clan members. It wasn’t until I saw his name and photo in the database that I found out he was Aaron’s familiar. By the time I got back it was too late.”
“And what brought you here?”
“The database said there was a powerful sorceress who lived here. I thought she might be able to help me. Her name is Annabelle.”
A chill ran through me and I took a step back to look up at him. “That’s my grandmother’s name, but she passed away last December.”
His smile was encouraging. He seemed undeterred. “I suppose that just leaves you. Will you help me?”
I didn’t know what to say. “But I’m not powerful. What could I possibly do?”
He shrugged and it was as if the weight of his sorrow washed down the drain. As he turned toward the water he said, “You could start by driving me back to my car.”
* * * * *
WHILE WE GOT DRESSED Corbin kept talking and I learned some interesting things. For example, his shifter abilities were passed through the men in his family, just like my abilities were passed through the women. I also learned that the loss of his clan was very recent. When he described it more, I realized I’d heard about the incident on the news.
“That was a few weeks ago, wasn’t it? I remember hearing about a mass murder in Miami and the surrounding area. They said fifty-six people were killed. Was that your clan?”
“Yes,” he said softly.
I remembered the way Corbin had fought the night before and tried to picture fifty-six others with his abilities. Even if half of them were women and weren’t able to shift, that was still more than twenty with his strength and speed.
“And could they all fight like you?” I asked.
“There was only one other who could use magic, but most could fight well, yes.”
“Aaron did this alone?”
“With the help of his familiar, but mostly alone I’m sure.”
“How the hell is that even possible? I know he’s supposed to be powerful, but he’s only one man and he had one familiar. How can you be certain he didn’t have help?”
“There’s something you need to understand about Aaron before I answer your question. People in the magical community who have encountered him are terrified. It’s understandable that you haven’t heard of him because for a long time now he’s kept a low profile in London. Think about it, what does a culture do when it fears something?”
“You mean besides make cheesy horror films on the subject?”
He smiled. “Yeah, besides that.”
It was like the proverbial light bulb went off in my mind. “They write about it.”
Corbin nodded. “There was a lot of information on Aaron. No one seems to know much about him on a personal level other than at one time he was friends with my grandfather. However, what they do know about are some of his abilities. I read one horror story a witch had contributed. It told how her whole family was killed. Aaron conjured a particularly strong batch of sleeping powder. The effects of the powder last for six hours. All he had to do was make each of her family members come in contact with the dust. In this case, he put it on their newspaper while it was still sitting on their lawn. Then while they were asleep, he murdered them.”
“How did she escape?”
“She wasn’t there, like me.”
“Then how could she know exactly what happened?”
“Because Aaron told her. Even though she contributed the information to the database, she left out the reason why he did this.”
“That’s sick. Do you think that’s what he did to your clan?”
“Maybe. Even if only half of them came in contact with the sleeping powder, there’s no telling what other spells he might have used. The database was pretty extensive when it comes to sick shit he’s been responsible for over the years. So to answer your original question, that is why I think he could do this alone or with the help of only one familiar.”
I swallowed hard. “And he will come here looking for the werewolf ... after you?”
He pulled on a black t-shirt and matching pinstripe vest before answering, “I’m certain of it.”
“Fuck me.”
He smiled. “That’s a tempting offer, but we should get my car.”
I laughed. Even under the circumstances, I couldn’t help but admire his sense of style. There aren’t many men who could pull off an eclectic look like his. Dress pants and matching vest, with a t-shirt and boots. When you threw in the caramel skin, gold-flecked eyes and long, shaggy hair, he looked like a rock star.
I felt underdressed in my torn jeans and tight green t-shirt. The shirt was cut so low that I had to wear a bra to keep from exposing myself.
“What is it?” Corbin asked.
I assumed he meant why were we still in my bedroom. “I can’t find the shoes I’m looking for. Fuck it.” I put on a pair of glittery, purple flip-flops and glared at him, daring to him laugh.
He gave me a wicked grin that said how much he wanted to tease me, but kept his mouth shut.
After sweeping the glass off the car seat and Corbin promising to pay for my broken window, we were on our way. I’d already told him that wasn’t necessary since he’d broken the window to save me, but he insisted. No one was at the bar this early, so I assumed the only car there was Corbin’s.
“Is this you?” I asked, pointing to the black Cadillac.
“That’s me.” When he got out he said, “I’ll meet you back at your house if that’s all right? I’d like to stop by the hardware store I passed on the way into town.”
“Okay.”
While I wondered what he was hoping to find in a hardware store that would help fight a wizard, I bought a few groceries. I was inspecting the grapefruit when a tall black man approached me. When I say black, I don’t mean just his skin tone, I mean everything about him was dark, including his aura and his clothing. That is except for his thin, metal-looking tie. His head was shaved and he had one of those pointy little goatees. He would have looked out of place here even if he wasn’t wearing a long coat in August.
“Excuse me,” he said. “Are you Lenore Lee?”
“I am,” I said, trying to act as if he didn’t scare me. “Why?”
“I don’t mean to alarm you. I’m here on business. I’m looking for someone.”
“Good for you. But what has that got to do with me?”
He smiled and it looked more like a threat than a pleasant facial expression. “Some people say they saw the man I’m looking for at the local bar last night.” His smile widened. “And they say you were there too.”
“Do you notice everyone in a bar when you go to one?”
He laughed softly. “No, I don’t.”
“What do you want with this man, whoever he is?”
“I’m a bounty hunter.”
I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t.
“Well, I didn’t see any strangers last night. So unless you’re looking for someone local, I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
He nodded. “Thank you anyway.”
As he left I wondered if he was looking for Corbin or James, the dead werewolf. He didn’t have a British accent, so I didn’t immediately peg him for Aaron. Come to think of it, I didn’t have a description of Aaron.
* * * * *
I ENTERED THE HOUSE with every intention of telling Corbin about the bounty hunter. However, as soon as I walked through the door I was distracted. Music drifted down from upstairs. Slow, mellow R&B echoed through the house. I put away the groceries and went upstairs.
When I walked into the bedroom it was dark. The lights were out and the curtains were drawn. The smell of vanilla candles and soft incense filled the air. A trail of candles and rose petals led me to the bathroom.
There amongst the candlelight and rising smoke from the incense stood Corbin. He was a vision of masculine perfection, my best erotic dreams come to life. With nothing on but the radio and a come-on smile, he beckoned me forward.
“Come in,” he said.
“Hardware store, huh?”
“I wanted to thank you for your help and for letting me stay here with you. You accepted me so easily.”
“I feel safe with you,” I admitted, moving farther into the room. “I can’t explain it. I don’t normally take in strange men, let alone invite them to stay the night. Or longer.”
Corbin took a step forward and I put my palm flat against his chest, feeling the way his heart fluttered at my touch.
“There’s something about you I just can’t resist,” I said. “To be honest, I really don’t want to.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it,” he said, “because I feel the same.” He took me by the hand. “Let me return a little of your kindness.”
He began to fill the tub before lighting a few more candles around the room.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, walking toward the door. “I forgot something.”
I watched him leave the room, admiring the muscular dimples on his lower back and the curve of his tight ass. I had just undressed and slipped into the tub when he reappeared in the doorway. He was holding a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“Any objections to a wizard in your bath?” he teased.
“Oh, so now it’s wizard and not sorcerer?”
He laughed. “I think you’re rubbing off on me. Why fight it?”
“Well, since you’re already naked.”
Corbin stepped into the room and where the candlelight had cast shadows over his features before, it now illuminated his beauty. The light reflected off his unearthly golden eyes and I wondered if they glowed more brightly when he was aroused. Even though the hot water was soothing and I hadn’t had a lot of sleep, my body was already responding to the sight of him.
One corner of his sultry lips turned up in a smile as he knelt beside the tub and opened the bottle of wine.
“I hope you like merlot.”
“It’s my favorite.”
“How’s that?” he asked, handing me a glass.
I took a sip and let the rich, sweet flavor roll around on my tongue. “Wonderful.”
“I was thinking that since this has all been very traumatic for you, I might help to lower your stress level. Besides, we have no idea what tomorrow might bring.”
The candlelight flickered across the ridged muscles of his abs and I nearly choked on my reply, “What did you have in mind?”
“I can’t think of a better combination than wine, candles and a hot bath,” he said. “Unless you want to throw in some hot sex too?” Before I could say anything he added, “After you finish your wine, of course.”
I smiled and took another sip of wine as he sat on the rim of the tub. Corbin turned so that his long legs were in the water up to his knees and I admired the muscular curves of his thighs.
Now would have been the perfect time to mention the bounty hunter. But when I looked at Corbin it’s as if I was spellbound. So rather than bring up what was pertinent information (because it was now far from my mind), I began to caress his thigh.
“I will help you any way I can,” I said, sensing that his mind had wandered.
He slid into the water and reached for me. “I know you will. Nothing happens by chance, especially this connection we feel.” He paused and when he looked down at me, the mischievous glint was back in his eyes. “But let’s not ruin the mood. I believe there was some talk of hot sex?” The way he raised one eyebrow as he spoke was adorable.
I laughed softly. “I like the sound of that.”
I straddled his waist and reached over the rim of the tub to put the glass of wine onto the floor. My nipples hardened as they brushed against his chest and when I kissed him, my body cried out for an encore of this morning’s performance. The soft fragrance of the incense was very close to the scent of his cologne, making it seem as though the room was filled with his presence. I breathed deeply, taking both comfort and pleasure in this feeling.
I pulled back enough to look at him and something in Corbin’s gaze made my insides flutter. The candlelight reflected in his eyes seemed to illuminate a barely contained hunger. My body ached with need and my mind was filled with thoughts of many erotic possibilities. I wondered if Corbin was giving me these thoughts, or if they were my own fantasies. Either way, I had no objection.
“You are so fucking sexy,” I said. It was true, but I didn’t usually say things like that to men. Or to anyone else for that matter.
Corbin smiled and blushed a little at my compliment.
“Come here,” he said softly, pulling me back for another kiss.
I plunged my tongue inside his mouth as I rubbed provocatively against him.
“Touch me,” I whispered.
Corbin reached between our bodies and began to stroke my clit. I was already so close to orgasm I could hardly believe it. I ached for release.
I arched forward, thrusting my breasts against him. “Suck them hard.”
Corbin slid down in the water until my breasts were in his face. He pulled one taut nipple into his mouth while he stroked my clit faster. I’d never found a man who knew just how to touch me and I was loving the experience.
He slid one finger inside me while he moved to my other breast. The tension was building. No one had ever made me come so fast.
He pulled back from my breast long enough to ask, “Is this how you want me to touch you?” His voice was roughened by desire and I loved it.
“Yes. Use two fingers.”
He did as I asked, stretching me farther as he moved slowly in and out. After a few minutes he pushed his fingers deep inside me and began to rub my clit with the palm of his hand. All the while, he continued to suck my nipple hard, just like I’d asked.
“I’m close,” I said, pulling him upward. “I need you inside me.”
He took me by the hips as I adjusted myself over his waist once more. I took his hand and put it back between our bodies. “Put your cock in me.”
His golden eyes glowed in the darkness while he did as I’d asked, pointing his cock upward to gently spread my labia. Unable to wait longer, I slid down onto him, taking him to the hilt.
I cried out as I ground my body against him. With each move my clit rubbed just right, sending jolts of pleasure through my body. He pressed his lips against my throat, nipping and sucking gently at the skin as he worked his way toward my ear.
When he pulled my earlobe into his mouth I couldn’t take any more. I could feel my muscles contracting around him.
“Come inside me,” I begged. “Come with me.”
I ground against him as I came harder. I reached between our bodies and grabbed the base of his cock, feeling him tense as he came.
We rested this way for several minutes, with me straddling his waist and both of us trying to catch our breath.
“Well,” he joked, “I meant for that to last longer, but that was incredible.”
I laughed and rolled over, reaching for the wine. “We’ve got the rest of the day to ourselves. Why don’t you tell me more about the man I can’t keep my hands off of?”
He poured himself a glass and rested back against the tub. “What would you like to know?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never known a raven-shifter before. Or a wizard. Why don’t you tell me more about that?”
“Well, I was the only one of my clan besides my mother who could do magic. She was a sorceress and my father was a raven-shifter. By some chance, I inherited both abilities. As far as I know or could find out through research, I’m the only raven-shifter to also be a wizard.” He winked at me as he used my preferred term.
“I was also next in line to lead the clan. Ravens aren’t competitive like werewolves. We choose our leader based on skill and strength, but we don’t have a fight to the death. I was the strongest. I was supposed to assume leadership of the clan during the next Winter Solstice celebration.” He sighed and took a sip of wine. “Of course, that was before all this shit. Once Aaron figures out he missed the leader-to-be, he’ll be hot on my trail, if he isn’t already. And I think he is since James showed up.”
The incense finished burning and just like that I remembered the bounty hunter. “Holy shit.” I sat up and reached for a towel.
“What’s wrong?”
I pointed at the incense. “Is this magical?”
“Yes. I use it to relax, forget my worries for a while. I thought you might like it. Why?”
“Shit. I knew it wasn’t like me to forget something so important.”
I continued to dry off in a rush and Corbin stepped out of the tub.
“What did you forget?”
“I think he’s already here.” When he just stood there looking surprised I asked, “What does Aaron look like?”
* * * * *
“AND HE WAS WEARING a silver tie, you’re sure of it?”
We were dressed again and Corbin was going over my description of the bounty hunter for about the seventh time while he looked for his shoes.
“Yes. We’ve been over this already. He said he was a bounty hunter, but I thought that was bullshit. Is he Aaron?”
He nodded. “I think so. I’ve never met him in person, but my grandfather had an old picture. Of course, I didn’t know the man in the photo was a psychopath until recently, but that sounds like him. It also sounds like he perfected that ritual. You say he looked young?”
I shrugged. “No more than thirty-five. He was handsome.”
Corbin snorted.
“I didn’t mean I would come on to him, I was making an observation,” I said, my voice full of sarcasm.
I followed Corbin downstairs where he’d left his bags.
“I did make it to the hardware store and a couple of other places.”
I put my hands on my hips. “You must have flown, because I didn’t take that long buying groceries.”
When he smiled I realized that what I said was an actual possibility. “I just knew what I was looking for,” he said.
He reached into a side pocket on his black leather bag and pulled out a hand buzzer.
“A hand buzzer? We’re going to give him bad punchlines until he surrenders?”
Corbin laughed as he slipped the buzzer onto his middle finger. “You can’t always wait around for nature to make some lightning.”
I remembered how last night he’d pulled balls of lightning out of thin air. He said he pulled it from the atmosphere during the storm.
“Wow. You mean that works? That small electrical charge?”
“Not as effective as mother nature, but yes it works.”
“So, how do we kill this guy?”
He looked surprised.
“Look, I’ve got no illusions here. He wants you dead because of that prophecy and he’ll kill me for helping you. So how do we beat him to it?”
It’s hard to believe I was so upset over killing a werewolf the night before and here I was asking how to kill an evil wizard. I suppose survival does strange things to people. The way I saw it, if I survived, I could cry later.
Corbin seemed to be considering my question carefully, so I moved on to something else that was bugging me.
“What’s up with the tie anyway? You asked me several times about it.”
“It’s real silver and it’s a weapon.”
“I thought only werewolves could be hurt with silver.”
He tossed the bag he’d been holding onto the sofa and turned back to me. “All shifters can be injured with silver; werewolves just have a stronger aversion.”
I was confused. “But last night you asked me for silver.”
“No, I asked you to get some silver.”
“Oh.”
“I can touch it, just not for long.”
Mentioning silver made me remember my knife. That’s what I called it anyway. Technically it was a small dagger. It had an intricate hilt and a black, leather sheath. It’s slender and made to hide in a boot. However, it usually ended up in my purse.
The blade was a gift from my grandmother and I’d just retrieved it from my purse when Corbin said, “Where are your scrying tools? I can locate Aaron before he has a chance to find us.”
About that time the front door clicked and swung open. There stood Aaron, silver tie and all.
“Too late,” he said, dropping his lock-pick tools on the floor.
Corbin took a step back, not like he was retreating, but like he was getting ready to fight.
“Before things get violent, it would appear I need a new familiar. You see, I found you so easily because of the tracking device I had implanted into James’ ass a few months ago. No matter how many oak trees you plant, I know he lies beneath them.”
The more he spoke the more his British accent showed through. He must have made an effort to cover it up when we spoke before. Guess he didn’t want to tip me off until he had to.
I was wondering if he already knew who I was in town when he said, “No I didn’t and yes I can read minds, but only a little. It comes and goes.”
Despite the fact that he was scary there was something oddly approachable about Aaron. It was as if he wanted me to ask questions. I felt this just as surely as I knew he would kill me if he got the chance.
“If you’re so powerful, did you really need to pick my lock?”
“I could have kicked it in, but I prefer the element of surprise.” He frowned. “I didn’t expect you to be waiting on the other side of the door.”
“You like it don’t you, me asking questions? I can feel it. It’s like I’m compelled to keep talking to you.”
Aaron smiled and I shivered. “I enjoy telling people why they are about to die as much as I enjoy telling those who survive why I let them live.”
“You’re sadistic and an egomaniac. Charming.”
His deep laughter echoed throughout the room. “Keep using that smart mouth. Today will be your last opportunity. But I do believe we were talking about me needing a new familiar.”
“Don’t,” Corbin said.
Aaron looked as innocent as he was probably capable. “Don’t what? I’m old and powerful. You obviously have skill. I’m offering you the chance to be the same.”
“Fuck off.”
Aaron laughed as Corbin continued. “Don’t patronize me. I don’t want to be your protégé any more than you want to let me live. You’re just trying to avoid a fight because you’re so afraid of that prophecy coming true. Tell me, did you blindside my parents or did you give them a fighting chance?”
At the mention of the prophecy, Aaron got a mad look in his eyes and cast a blast of energy toward Corbin that knocked him down the hallway and through the door to the guest bedroom. “Fuck you too,” Aaron snarled.
I crouched behind the sofa, holding my knife tightly and wondering where I’d left the shotgun. For the moment it would appear I had been forgotten. Aaron moved toward the hallway as Corbin came crashing back through the door. I hadn’t known what to expect when he transformed, but it wasn’t what stood before me.
His shirt was gone and his pants were mostly in shreds. His long hair had become feathers that tapered down his back. As he turned slightly I saw these feathers connected to enormous black wings that could not extend fully in my hallway. His fingers were longer and his nails had become talons. His feet and legs still appeared mostly human, though his muscle mass had increased noticeably and his toenails were also claws.
The first thing I noticed was not his wings; however, it was his nose. It now curved just slightly downward, like a beak. Strange though this was, he was still incredibly sexy and was the most powerful looking creature I had ever seen.
He pressed his hands together and I heard the buzzer a split second before a small bolt of lightning shot Aaron back through the front door. Corbin ran after him as he called to me, “Get the blowtorch!”
“Blowtorch! Where the hell am I supposed to get a blowtorch?” I yelled, following him through the door.
He knocked the other wizard to the ground as he said, “In my bag. We’ve got to burn him. I think it’s the only way to completely destroy him.”
“The hell you do.” Aaron snatched off his tie and cracked it like a whip, leaving a gash across Corbin’s chest just before I ran back inside.
Sure enough, Corbin had a blowtorch in his bag. I ran onto the porch and looked for an opportunity to toss it to him. At the moment Aaron appeared to be winning. Corbin had several slashes across his chest; I assumed these were caused by the whip-like tie the other wizard still held.
I watched for a moment, feeling helpless. I could turn the blowtorch on and use it myself, but I wasn’t capable of the damage Corbin could cause. Aaron kicked him in the chest and I gasped as Corbin dropped to his knees.
“Do you want me to explain how your clan died now or save it for later?” Aaron asked. “Not that you have that much time left.”
In the blink of an eye he caught Aaron with an uppercut, sending the dark wizard reeling. Aaron wiped some of the blood from his busted lip and spat the rest in Corbin’s direction.
“You’re a better fighter than your father.”
Corbin snarled and flung another bolt of lightning toward Aaron. It knocked him several feet across the yard. Aaron was flat on his back laughing. The sound gave me chills.
“Surely you can do better than that?” he yelled. “I’ve come a long way just to see this finished. Don’t disappoint me.” He rose to his feet again and the look in his eyes was nothing short of madness.
This was my chance. “Corbin,” I called, tossing him the blowtorch. He caught it in midair and with a flap of his wings flew over Aaron to rain fire down on his shaved head.
Aaron shrieked and fell to the ground, writhing. I thought the fight was over. But then with a crunchy noise that made me feel ill, he began to rise. He still smoldered and the stench of burnt flesh made me cover my nose. To my horror Aaron began to use what was left of the fire on his body to cast fireballs at Corbin. Thanks to his speed, Corbin dodged most of this. However, one fireball singed the feathers on his left wing, forcing him to land. Through the flames I saw Aaron smile. I couldn’t imagine how someone in his current condition could smile. It was the most frightening thing I’d ever seen. I had to find a way to help. Even though I knew Aaron wasn’t worried about me I also knew I hadn’t been completely forgotten.
He’d dropped his silver tie somewhere in the mix and just as I noticed it, Corbin picked it up.
“When I’m finished with you, no one will be able to recognize your corpse,” Aaron hissed.
Corbin extended the tie and whipped it across Aaron’s already burnt face. “You’re unrecognizable now.”
He swung the whip/tie again, wrapping it around Aaron’s neck. I thought Corbin was going to choke him or rip his head off, but he didn’t get the chance. Aaron grabbed the tie and pulled Corbin forward. As he did this, Aaron used the last of the flames on his body to set more of Corbin’s feathers on fire. With a quick movement of his hands Corbin extinguished the flames. I suppose he could do this because it was his fire. Still, he had a patch of pink skin on his chest that looked very painful. Aaron’s back was turned to me. If I was going to do something, now was my best chance.
One reason witches are partial to silver is that it conducts magical energy very well. Aaron was advancing on Corbin and as I crept down from the porch I held my blade tight, focusing all my energy.
With his back still turned, I launched myself at the smoldering wizard and drove the blade into the side of his neck. I fell to the ground, weakened by the loss of energy. He turned on me, a ruin of burnt flesh and gristle.
Aaron reached up and removed the blade from his throat, spraying blood. He looked at it and as he collapsed he hissed, “A goddamned raven.” The blade fell to the ground and Corbin picked it up.
Until that moment I’d never paid much attention to the fact that the image engraved on the hilt was a raven.
Corbin laughed. “That’s the thing about prophecies, they’re so damn literal sometimes.”
* * * * *
AARON’S FINAL RESTING place was right beside his familiar, James. One week later, no one had come looking for them and we didn’t expect they would. Corbin’s injuries had healed nicely. I suppose that’s one benefit of being a shifter. The only visible signs of his fight with Aaron were the thin white scars on his chest. He said these would remain because they were made with silver. Corbin didn’t seem to mind this. He said it was a reminder that the man who killed his clan had suffered before he died. He wore the scars proudly. Oh, and I kept Aaron’s tie. Besides being a handy weapon, it was a pretty badass fashion accessory. At my request, Corbin was staying. Since he no longer had a clan to return to, I suggested that he make his home here.
“Who knows,” I said, “we might even rebuild the clan one day.”
“Is that an offer?”
“Maybe.”
He took me in his arms and pressed me against the bedroom door, lifting me as I wrapped my legs around his waist.
“I thought you said you were ready for bed?” he teased.
“I am.”
He ran his hand underneath my long t-shirt and smiled when he touched my bare ass.
“I’ll sleep better,” I said, arching provocatively against him.
I was already excited and as Corbin unzipped his pants, I reached between us to grab his cock. He thrust upward, moving into me deep and hard. He ground against me, hitting the right spot with each rotation of his hips until I was already about to come.
“How do you do that? Make me come so fast?” I panted.
“Is that a complaint?”
“No.”
He moaned as he moved slower and his eyes rolled back. “You’re so tight.” I felt my muscles spasm as the first twinges of orgasm began. Just hearing him say things like that got me off. But my release didn’t come yet, not completely.
Corbin ran his tongue over the hollow of my throat before nipping and sucking his way back to my ear.
“Yes,” I sighed. I loved it when he bit my earlobe. He knew how to apply just the right amount of pressure and it sent shivers down my spine.
I pushed off the door behind me, arching against him, needing more. He lifted his head and the look in his golden eyes made me want him even more.
“You’re deliberately teasing me. You know what I need.”
He just smiled and moved faster, slamming in and out of me until I cried out with release.
“Tell me what you need,” he said. “I want to hear it.”
“I need you to fuck me harder.”
I could feel him coming as he held me tight, pressing me harder against the door.
“I really think I’m going to enjoy having you around,” I teased.
He lowered me to the floor with a laugh and followed me to the bed where we stretched out facing each other.
“Is there anything else I should know about? Any more crazed wizards that might show up looking for you?”
He shook his head. “Not that I can think of.”
“And you’re certain Aaron won’t come back from the dead?”
“Nevermore,” he said.
I laughed at his bad pun before snuggling up to the man I was falling in love with. Did I mention, he fixed my window and the door that was broken during the fight? Oh yeah, Corbin was definitely a keeper.
The End.
About the author:
This multi-published, USA Today and New York Times best selling author has been writing stories for her own entertainment since she was a child. Tracey has always been drawn to the macabre, with a fondness for anything with fangs. She writes what she enjoys reading in the hopes that others will enjoy her stories as well. Her main goal as a writer is to put emotions into words. She wants people to feel something when they read her work.
T.K. Hardin is the name she uses for her erotic horror stories.
Claim your free copy of Wicked City at www.traceyhkitts.com/free-book-offer/