Ethan awoke with his back against Grayson’s chest and his mate’s arms holding him tightly, as if Grayson didn’t want to let him go. Since Ethan was more than happy to stay right where he was, he didn’t plan on objecting. Curious about what time it was, Ethan sent his thoughts to Beema only, their bond telling him Beema was in the lounge.
Have we been asleep long?
No, only a couple of hours, but you really should get up so that we can decide on a plan of action. I don’t like these foolish black magic users trying to kill you.
Neither do I.
As much as Ethan wanted to remain in bed, Beema was right. They needed to come up with a plan and see if they could figure out why someone was trying to kill him. Or rather, why his sister was so desperate to kill him now.
When trying to turn in Grayson’s arms didn’t work, Ethan started thrusting his ass back against his mate’s groin. In no time at all, both of their cocks were rock hard, but because of Grayson’s grip on him, Ethan couldn’t move enough to get Grayson inside him. Frustrated by the situation, and the fact that Grayson was still asleep, Ethan managed to move his hands enough that he could reach his own dick.
With his hands wrapped around his shaft, Ethan started jerking himself off. He was almost over the edge when Grayson grabbed his wrists and pulled his hands away from his dick. Whimpering, Ethan tried to get some friction to push him over the edge, but Grayson bit him on the neck and growled. The bite wasn’t enough to break skin, and the growl wasn’t menacing, but combined, the two actions pulled Ethan away from the edge until his orgasm was close, yet just out of reach.
“Please,” he whimpered.
Grayson growled again and moved one hand until he could push Ethan’s top leg up a bit. Ethan barely got used to the position when Grayson was sliding into his still lubed hole in one thrust, leaving Ethan speechless as his arousal skyrocketed. He didn’t even get a chance to become used to the sensations or the stretch before Grayson was pulling out, then pushing back in. Grayson set a punishing pace and Ethan was right back to the edge in no time, waiting for that final nudge.
Letting go of his neck, Grayson ordered, “Come.” Before Ethan even registered the word, Grayson’s teeth pierced his neck and suddenly Ethan was painting the sheets with his cum as Grayson’s seed filled him.
Ethan wasn’t sure how long it took for him to drift back down to reality, it could have been minutes, or it could have been hours. When he did, Ethan was lying on his back and Grayson was cleaning up the cum on his abs…with his tongue. Groaning, his cock gave a twitch, even though they didn’t have time for another round.
“We need to shower and go see the others,” he whispered, running his hands through Grayson’s hair as he continued to lick. “Gray,” he whined.
When Grayson chuckled, Ethan’s cock twitched again. His mind immediately jumped to the next position they should have sex in.
“You’re right, mate, let’s go take a quick shower and get out there.”
“Huh?” Ethan asked, Grayson’s words not making sense with the erotic images going through his mind.
Catching Grayson’s gaze, Ethan could see the amusement in it, however his brain was completely mushy and he couldn’t figure out what Grayson found so funny.
“Shower, talk, in that order,” Grayson said, leaning away from Ethan’s body and climbing off the bed. “Do you need a hand to get up?”
Letting his head fall back onto the pillow, the only thing Ethan could say was “Where did the sheets go?”
Half an hour later, both clean and dressed, they left their bedroom to find Russell, Adam, and Beema in their lounge room. Ethan couldn’t help the blush that stole over his cheeks when he saw the grins on the men’s faces and the twinkle in Adam’s eyes. Before the teasing could start, Grayson growled and dragged him over to one of the chairs in front of the fire, where he pulled Ethan onto his lap.
“Hey!” Ethan exclaimed. Adam and Russell burst out laughing while Grayson just nuzzled his temple.
Hush and enjoy it. I know I will, Grayson said, sounding smug.
Ethan glared at his mate for a split second, then he wiggled on Grayson’s lap until he decided he was comfortable. By that point, he could feel Grayson’s cock digging into his ass.
“Not nice, mate,” Grayson grumbled.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Gray. You pulled me down onto your lap. I was just trying to get comfortable.” Ethan tried to act virtuous, even going so far as to widen his eyes and blink as innocently as possible. He’d perfected the look over the years, but he was almost certain it wouldn’t work since Grayson could feel his emotions.
Grayson snorted, and Adam and Russell started laughing all over again. Soon Ethan and Grayson both joined in until all four of them were lost in mirth. By the time they were calming down, Ethan had to wipe away tears from his eyes. Sure, the incident wasn’t all that funny, but it had made him feel better, less stressed.
Adam and Russell sat in chairs in front of the hearth while Beema was lying as close to the fire as possible without being in the flames. Ethan projected his curiosity to his familiar.
I don’t want to distract you all from the important discussion you need to have, and let’s face it—me in the fire will distract all of them and you’ll end up talking about me and not trying to figure out what to do next.
Ethan had to agree with the statement. Good point.
Of course it’s a good point, it’s mine.
Ethan mentally snickered at his familiar, then turned his attention to the other men in the room.
“So, did anything happen while we were, uh, busy?” Ethan asked.
Adam snickered. “Nah, everything was quiet while you two were busy.”
Ethan rolled his eyes even as the blush creeped up his cheeks, his discomfort leaking through the bond. Grayson’s growl wiped all mirth from Adam’s face.
Turning, Ethan saw his mate’s amber gaze. “Oh stop it. Adam was only teasing. I’m just not used to it.”
Grayson focused on him. “You’re not used to what? Being teased or talking about sex?”
Clearing his throat, Ethan wished he could have this conversation with Grayson in private. “Um, both?” Then he remembered their link and quickly rushed to explain before Grayson asked any more question aloud.
I should probably tell you that I was practically a virgin until I met you. I may have experimented on myself and used dildos and stuff, but I’ve never had sex with a man, or woman, before you. And before you ask, Beema has been my familiar for years, he’s also protected me from the assholes who’ve tried to use me or just get into my pants. Until you, Beema hasn’t approved of anyone, and it would have been hard to have sex with someone if my familiar was trying to claw them to death.
“Okay,” Grayson replied aloud, looking a little shell-shocked.
“Dude, why are you not used to teasing? It’s what friends do! I mean, I can understand not being comfortable talking about sex because we are still mostly strangers, but how can you not be used to teasing? Not that I think you should be teased or that you’ve got a reason to have been teased in the past or in the future for that matter, and I really wish someone would shut me up right about now—” Adam cut off with a yelp. Adam rubbed the back of his head as he glared at Russell, who just raised a brow at the man.
“What? You wished someone would shut you up, so I obliged. You never said how you wanted to be shut up, just that you did. I thought a slap on the back of your head was effective enough.”
Ethan snickered when Russell turned and winked at him. Focusing on Adam, he decided to answer his question. “I don’t actually have a lot of friends. In fact, aside from Beema, I don’t really have any. The townsfolk came to my apothecary and we were cordial, but otherwise I didn’t see them unless we happened to be passing each other on the street. Even growing up, I was mostly on my own so there wasn’t anyone to hang out with and tease, or be teased by.”
Admitting it aloud made him realize just how alone he’d been all this time.
You’re not alone anymore, my mate, Grayson declared through their bond, tightening his arms and pulling Ethan closer.
I know, he replied, leaning over and giving Grayson’s cheek a quick peck.
“But, why?” Adam asked, drawing Ethan’s attention back to him.
Ethan paused, really giving the question some thought. “I think…I think it’s because of my sister. Des was cruel, even when we were young, though she managed to hide it from the world. I tried to warn everyone, even our parents, but they didn’t believe me. They just assumed I was trying to get attention, and I can kind of see why they would think that. By that point, everyone was referring to Des as being gifted and she had heaps of friends, whereas I was a loner. I had no friends, and unlike Des, I didn’t use my magic to show off. I studied. I didn’t flaunt my skills, and so everyone assumed that I was as weak as Des was strong. I think Des liked the fact that I was alone. Anytime I came close to having a friend, they’d change their mind and I’d always see Des smirking when it happened. In the end, I stopped trying to make friends and just studied.”
“Holy shit!” Adam exclaimed.
Grayson growled, and his fury poured through their link. Trying to comfort him, Ethan sent love and affection through to Grayson until the growls stopped.
“It happened a long time ago, and to be honest, I’m over it. It wasn’t long after that before Beema came into my life, and I ended up with the best friend I could ever hope to have. And as my familiar, Des couldn’t run Beema off or try to steal him. Beema picked me, and no matter what Des did, nothing could change that.”
Nothing would have made me leave you, my witch, or choose another, Beema stated.
I know, my familiar.
“Could your sister be trying to kill you to keep you from Grayson?” Russell asked.
“I’m pretty sure that my sister is behind the attempts on my life, but I don’t think it’s to keep me from Grayson,” Ethan admitted.
“Why?” Adam asked, his tone and face completely serious.
“Because someone blew up my apothecary, and if it hadn’t been for that, I wouldn’t have had to leave and come here. That incident is what sent me here, just in time to meet my mate. If Des knew that would have happened, she would have waited to attack.” Of that, Ethan was certain.
“Okay, so we can safely assume that your sister is trying to kill you. Now all we need to do is find out why,” Grayson added, practically growling by the time he finished speaking.
“You said she visited you before everything went boom, right?” Adam asked.
Ethan nodded. “Yes, she wanted love potions.”
“Why?” Adam asked again.
Ethan sighed. “That I don’t know. I laughed in her face and she left.”
“Why would a witch who practices black magic come to you for a love potion?” Grayson asked, his confusion clear.
“Because anyone practicing the dark arts can’t create something that’s light,” Ethan replied.
Noticing the blank look on Grayson’s face, he turned to see it reflected on the faces of Adam and Russell as well. Frowning, Ethan tried to figure out how to explain to shifters something that was common knowledge amongst magic users.
“Think of it like this. Love is good, it makes you feel positive and it generally leaves you happy. It can fill you with warmth and make you feel ten feet tall. You with me so far?” Receiving three nods, he continued. “The dark arts are evil. They thrive on pain and loneliness and sadness. The dark arts create havoc and misery, it’s what they do.”
“Are you saying that anyone who practices the dark arts can’t create something positive?” Adam asked.
“Yes.”
“But wouldn’t a love potion be evil since the user is planning on making someone love them? Isn’t that why they’re illegal?” The confusion was clear in Adam’s voice and Ethan could understand where he was coming from and what he was thinking.
“Not exactly. It’s illegal to use the potion for something sinister, but in order to make a love potion, you need to be able to love. Those practicing black magic crave power, they do not love. They can try to brew a love potion, but it wouldn’t last long or be very effective. I think that’s why Des came to me. She couldn’t make one herself. The fact that she came to demand some from me means that there is someone, or multiple someones out there that the coven wants who don’t want to do anything with the coven. Since she didn’t get any from me, I’m guessing she’s going to try to trick someone else into making her some.”
“What happens if they get love potions from someone else?” Grayson asked.
Ethan gulped and turned to his mate. “They’ll use the victims for however long they are useful.”
“And then?”
“They’ll get rid of them. My guess is that they’ll drain them of their magic and leave them for dead.”