The Revealing

Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing by Eliza Gayle

Phaze www.phaze.com

Copyright ©2008 by Eliza Gayle

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Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing by Eliza Gayle

CONTENTS Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight About the Author ****

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Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing by Eliza Gayle

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 Pentacles of Magick: The Healing Surrender (print) ****

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Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing by Eliza Gayle

**** 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

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Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing by Eliza Gayle

Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing a novella of erotic romance by ELIZA GAYLE

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Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing by Eliza Gayle

Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing copyright 2008 by Eliza Gayle All rights reserved under the International and PanAmerican 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] 7

Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing by Eliza Gayle

www.Phaze.com Cover art © 2008 Kendra Egert Edited by Kathryn Lively eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-59426-657-7 First Edition—October, 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.

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Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing by Eliza Gayle

Chapter One The guard pushed Jessie into her cell far harder than he needed to, and her head slammed into 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 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. 9

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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..." The breath stole from her lungs as the memories crashed down around her, threatening to debilitate her. Electricity stuttered through her system as her magick attempted to rise to the surface before sputtering to a halt. No magick, not now. Jessie took an unsteady step on weak and wobbly legs. She could do this, just take one step at a time. "What the hell has he done to you?" Noah grabbed her around the waist, pulling her close to his strong, solid body. Her cold skin soaked up his heat with little regard to the fact that touching him was detrimental to her mental health. His gruff voice sounded like barely controlled rage, a beast rising to the surface. A feeling she could well identify with. "Have ... to ... go ... now. Not much time." She looked into his eyes, trying to communicate their need to hurry. "I would agree. This place is crawling with idiots and users, all itching to impress their boss. I prefer to get us both out of here undetected. No one has to die tonight." Weak but determined, Jessie followed Noah's lead away from her cell, down a back corridor that wasn't familiar. "Are you sure you know where you're going?" He threw her a quick glance over his shoulder, his eyebrows raised and a smirk across his face. It was one of Noah's famous "don't be stupid" looks. The man could always cut someone down or put them in their place with a dark look 10

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or a single word. Instinctively she bristled against his typical alpha male behavior, wishing she were strong enough at the moment to show him what she thought of that. No way could she fight him now as he tucked her tight against him, lending her his strength and a little of that magick that she got from him every time he touched her. The at-odds combination of his dark and light halves swirled inside her, searching for her beast. But this time was different than the past. The beast didn't move—she'd repeatedly had her magick raped from her, each time leaving her less than the last time. She couldn't help but worry that he'd gone too far, if it was already too late for her. Was she living on borrowed time? "There's some pretty tough security up ahead that you're going to have to walk through alone, can you handle it, Jessie?" Her spine stiffened against him at the question. Any other day she would likely have been insulted and kicked his ass just for suggesting it, and he damn well knew it. She looked up at him and, sure enough, the amusement was there plain as day. He was enjoying this way too much. "To get out of this place, I can do just about anything." She gritted her teeth in determination. They continued through the tunnel that sloped downward, giving her the illusion of going further underneath the compound instead of up and out to where freedom waited. "Where are all the guards, Noah? This place is usually crawling with them. And why are we traveling deeper inside the mansion?" "This is the path of least resistance, and your brother and mine are running a little special interference for us." 11

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"Jake is here?" Panic rose in her, sharp and swift, like a vice squeezing her body and making it difficult to breathe. "Oh no, Noah, he can't be here. Scott will kill him. Tell him to go now, he has to leave before it's too late." "Jessie, stop. Calm down. Breathe, baby, slow and deep. He isn't here on the property. Denn's earth magick is pretty powerful stuff, and he can accomplish a hell of a lot from a safe distance." He grabbed her chin and gently pulled her head to look at him. "Look at me, Jessie. Breathe, damn it. Despite whatever hard feelings one or both of us might be harboring from our past doesn't matter right now. I gave my word to Jake that I would get you out of here safe and sound. So, do as I tell you and follow my plan, and everything will be fine." She did breathe. Short shallow breaths. She would be of no use if she couldn't keep her wits about her. Escape had to be the top priority. "Jessie, look at me." She tilted her head to meet his cool, cobalt blue gaze with fire burning deep inside. If she didn't watch herself she could get lost in those sexy eyes of his, and that would be a very bad thing. "There is an infrared laser grid up ahead, lying between us and the exit out of here. We can use some magick to disable parts of it, but if we take down the whole thing everyone will know we are here and will be waiting outside for us. So it's this or the front door. Your choice, darlin'."

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"I'll take door number one." She smirked as she turned back toward the corridor and headed in the direction they'd been traveling. "Oh uh—" She turned the corner and ground to a halt. There on the dirty floor, with his hands bound and mouth taped up, laid her guard. The same guard who had treated her like shit for weeks. She bent down slowly so that her mouth was not far from his ear when she whispered. "You should be afraid. Very afraid." "I was about to warn you that this ass was lying here, but it looks like you are doing just fine without it. But come on, Jess." He grabbed her gently by the shoulder and lifted her up and forward. "We don't have time to play with him right now, no matter how much he might deserve it. Besides, I have a feeling he is going to get what is coming to him a lot sooner than he thinks." She gave him one last hard look as Noah picked her up and pushed her back on her way. If only she still had her power. It would only have taken a second to make him regret ever touching her. Nausea roiled through her as the memories of torture and pain reared to the surface. Dizziness threatened her as she stumbled a few steps. "God, Jessie, you're never going to make it like this." She gritted her teeth together as she wrenched her arm away from his hold. "I will make it. Don't worry about me. Just get us where we need to be." "Fine. Keep going about fifty meters ahead and you'll see what we need to do." 13

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She trudged on, one heavy step after another until the pain squeezing her chest began to ease, and traveling through the tunnel became bearable. The tunnel widened and Jessie stepped into a large open room. For the most part the room was pretty dark, but sure enough, there in front of her on the other side of the room stood a door she presumed would take her out of this wretched place. Now all she had to do was traverse her way through the myriad of red laser beams that criss-crossed each other to reach out and touch nearly every available surface. "It's not going to be as bad as it looks." Noah had stopped just behind her. Even though he wasn't quite against her, she could feel the heat radiating off of him as he stood scant inches from her back. His breath tickled her neck as it slid through her hair. She fought the urge to squirm or, even worse, the need to lean back into him, taking refuge and strength from the one man she knew she couldn't have. In that quiet moment when she should have been coming up with a plan of escape, she couldn't think of anything except Noah's large, strong hands roaming her bare, heated flesh. The man knew his way around a woman's body, that was for sure. Her erratic heartbeat thundered in her ears, as warmth coiled in her belly. All the ground she thought she'd gained from their many months apart slipped from her grasp as her entire body ached for his touch. "In about fifteen seconds we should be able to go for it. I can already feel Denn's power in the room." 14

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She marveled at his connection with his twin. At first she had thought they could communicate telepathically, but it had turned out to be just a really strong connection between their magick. They could call out to each other, feel the other's strong emotions at times, and lend each other their magick when necessary. The connection was truly amazing. She forced her mind back to the present. She didn't belong in the past and Noah didn't belong in her future. The sooner they got out of here the sooner they could get away from each other. She watched the lasers blink a few times, and then weaken before finally about half of them went out. It left them a difficult but much more manageable path to the door. "You sure about this?" She nodded her head. What choice did she have? "Jessie, if you touch even one of those beams with a piece of hair, the alarm will go off and we'll be done. Take your time, just keep in mind that they could discover you missing soon." She took a deep, steadying breath before letting it out on a quiet exhale. "I know. Let's go, today is my last day here either way I go. I'd rather die trying." He grabbed her hand and squeezed. "You aren't dying on my watch." His confidence made her want to laugh or cry, she was never sure with him. He never could accept any situation would be impossible, no matter what it was. If he knew the truth, would he finally falter? Accept that some things could not be overcome? 15

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She traveled over the first couple of beams before banishing Noah from her thoughts to concentrate on her task. Sweat broke out on her brow as she watched each beam get closer to her body as she passed. Over, under, and around she went, through streak after streak of red light. She dared a glance at Noah and saw one of his beams move. "Noah!" she shouted. He froze and she watched the area for any other movement. "I saw your beam move." "Are you sure?" She didn't even dignify that question with an answer. "Then run." He took off himself, cutting a path through the beams as though no longer concerned about the alarms. Running behind him, she heard as well as sensed the energy crackling in the room. Pressure in the air built, depriving them of the fresh oxygen they needed. She held her breath and watched him fling a burst of flaming power at the door, breaking it open wide. Drawing on a reserve of power she didn't know she had left, she pumped her legs harder, jumping through the flaming doorway right behind him. She was prepared to drop and roll but found it unnecessary as she had escaped the flames untouched. The dark of night enfolded her quickly as she stumbled, unable to see, to her hands and knees onto the wet grass. Her eyes were still dilated from the bright energy flash and would likely take her a few minutes more to adjust before she could continue on. "Grab my hand, Jessie." 16

Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing by Eliza Gayle

Noah's voice was right in front of her and she couldn't see a thing. "Now, Jessie. You have to trust me." She blindly reached toward his voice, seeking his hand. When their fingers grazed, Noah roughly grabbed and pulled her toward him. A strange popping noise sounded behind them as he clung to her and moved quickly over the uneven terrain. "Stop!" Someone yelled, but Noah didn't even break stride. Her eyes adjusted in the dark as things went from blurry shapes to sharper, more normal vision where she could at least see where they were going. She looked around, taking in the fact that they were totally in the open, no cover at all. When a small spray of rocks and grit flew up into their faces, she realized the popping noises she heard were gunshots. The bastards were hoping to pick them off with no dirty work. Up ahead was a dense grove of trees. If they could make the last twenty yards without getting shot, then they could disappear. More commotion and angry voices called out for them. If they didn't make it now, they never would. Jessie's racing heart roared in her ears, and her blood pumped adrenalin through her body. Time seemed to stand still as they raced towards the treeline, the cover they needed to get away. Electricity buzzed around Noah as they moved. She could feel him open himself to his power and without her own—it spilled over to her, suffusing her with added strength. She absorbed it like a sponge, craving even more. Her stomach 17

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tingled and her breasts tightened with the dangerous sensation of his darker magick. Oh yeah, this is what her body had called out for all these many months since she'd left him. It was dark and delicious and oh so addictive. More ... More ... her mind whispered. Despite the danger they ran from, her mind swirled with thoughts of hard driving sex and something even darker ... pain. Her senses sharpened around her. Her mind filtered out the voices and noises behind them and instead focused on the breath sawing in and out of Noah's lungs, the energy buzzing through his blood. Something deep inside her stirred once again, a longing she thought she'd gotten past. Seeing Noah—feeling his magick—brought it all back. Power or no power, her beast still wanted him, now more than ever. Her stomach clenched with need for him, and the fear coursing through her only fanned the flames. With a quick burst and thrust of his right hand behind her, Noah unleashed his heat, engulfing some of the pursuers in a burst of flames. Screams tore through the night and the urge to turn and look filled her. "Don't." Noah's one-word demand halted her distractions, reminding her just how in control he was of himself and every situation. Trees swallowed them as they ran into the dark thicket surrounding the estate, their feet pounding against the uneven terrain. He pulled her hand to the right, indicating she should follow him. Her lungs nearly burst from the effort of keeping up with him. 18

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Minutes later, the ground became spongy and wet. A few steps more and her shoes were sinking into mud. They were headed to the swamp. "Noah, where are we going? I don't think anyone is chasing us anymore." "They're following us, all right. At the very least, magickally. I can feel Scott's power touching both of us." She cursed under her breath. Of all the times she could really use her power, this would be it. Instead Reverend Scott was using her own magick against them, making it all the more difficult for them to escape. The deeper into the bayou they moved, the deeper the water became until it was up to her knees. She was forced to move slowly and methodically, trying to avoid the pitfalls of the area that could hurt her. She stumbled when Noah stopped unexpectedly, and was headed for the water face first when a large, strong hand shot out to catch her. "Let's save the swimming for the pool, okay, babe?" She turned her head to give him an idea of what she thought about his sarcasm and looked into the depths of his dark blue, snappy eyes and the wry grin on his face. Her heart stuttered and her stomach flipped. She let the words she'd been about to slap him with die on her lips. Instead she smiled back at him and let him pull her upright again. "Thanks." Her voice was barely a whisper. Steady on her feet again, she finally noticed the boat sitting on the water twenty feet in front of them. The small, dark green boat looked big enough to hold two people—just 19

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the right size for not only maneuvering around some of the tight spaces in the swamp—and also easy to hide if they had to. "Get in the front." Jessie rushed into the boat while Noah hurriedly untied the rope from the tree before jumping in behind her. A flick of the switch on the small motor hanging on the back, and it hummed to life. If anyone was close by they would definitely hear, but they'd lost contact with their pursuers at the edge of the swamp, so it likely wouldn't matter. "How are we going to keep them from just following the magick?" She was worried they wouldn't get far. "Well, Denn is working on something, but for now it's up to us to stay one step ahead of those bastards back there." Jessie struggled with the emotions that his voice at her back called up. She needed to get away from him and fast, before she did something they would both regret. She suspected now more than ever if he found out what she was, things would go bad—very bad. "How far are we from the city proper? I have a suggestion." "Probably about six or seven miles, cherie. Without any further trouble it shouldn't take us long to get to where I have a vehicle stashed up river." "There is a place down off Charles Street that could easily confuse anyone looking for magick. Some of the Voodoo shops down there have such a strong resonance of dark magick anytime of the day or night, we should be safe there, at least temporarily," she spoke eagerly. 20

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"Do I even want to know how you know that?" "Probably not." She felt the heat of his eyes boring into the back of her head. He might let her explanation go for now, but he was a hunter through and through. He would eventually circle around back to it. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Two A couple hours later, Noah's black SUV stopped in front of one of the seedier no-tell motels on Charles Street. She surveyed the area for any sign of trouble and found only a few streetwalkers roaming the area looking for johns. "Wait here." "But—" "No. I want no potential witnesses seeing any sign of you around here. Voodoo whispers in the night, giving away your secrets when you least expect it. So, you will stay right there and wait for me to return." She sighed, realizing he was right. She had no protection against that kind of thing, and if Scott was still using her power he would have a definite edge over them. "Don't worry, Jessie. I won't be gone long and we won't be staying here long. I need a little time to make a few arrangements and you look like you need the rest. What did he do to you anyways?" "Just go do what you have to do, Noah, we can talk about me later." She relaxed into the comfortable leather seat, letting her head fall back against the headrest. He was right, she needed to rest. Come up with a new plan. Seems like a new theme for me, she thought. Rest and plan. Rest and plan. Problem was, she hadn't come up with any good plans in a long while. **** 22

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Goddess, he hated seeing her like this. His every instinct to protect and shelter her had kicked into high gear, and it was pissing him off. He shouldn't care. The woman had left him without a backwards glance eight months ago, turning her back on his loyalty and love. He should walk away now before things got worse between them. A heavy sigh rolled through his shoulders. He couldn't do that, either. He had made a promise to his brother and hers that he would see her safely back to them, and he never upped and quit on a commitment like that. Never. Shaking off his thoughts, he surveyed the lobby area before throwing open the door. The clerk at the desk jumped at the sight of him. Noah gave himself a cursory glance in the reflection of the window glass and laughed. Black T-shirt, black cargo pants, and black boots all caked with mud and smelling like swamp. Well, the night man was just going to have to get over it. He and Jessie needed a quick temporary place to hide, and this was as good a place as any. "I need a room for tonight." "That will be—uhh—I will need state ID and a credit card." "Noah pulled out a fat wad of cash from his pocket and laid it on the counter. About one hundred more than the usual fee he would guess. "Will this do?" The clerk hesitated for a second. His tongue darted around his lips and he gave Noah another quick glance. "Sure thing, but I don't want no trouble here." "No trouble, just some rest and a shower. Can this place handle that?" 23

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"Sure can." He handed a key over the counter. "Room 204, round back, second floor and two doors down from the stairs." "Thanks." Noah palmed the key and headed back out the door. His hands paused on the handle and he turned back to the clerk once again. "Any place around here open this time of night to buy some clothes?" "No, not around here. This neighborhood scares most folks at night." Noah chuckled. "I'll bet it does. I guess you don't get too many Wal-Mart shoppers coming through here." He stuck his hand in one of the cargo pockets at the side of his legs and the clerk went positively white with fear. When he pulled out another stack of money the frail man relaxed and perked up once again. "You know anyone who would be willing to deliver something." The clerk didn't even hesitate. "Sure do. What is it you want?" Noah strode back over to the desk and scratched out a short list on the notepad on the counter. Without another word he handed it and the stack of money over and headed outside. He would bet the man was on the phone to his wife or girlfriend or whatever before he'd even gotten out of sight. Some people were just too easy. When he slid back into the car the first thing he noticed was that Jessie—or Jessica, as he'd known her—was fast asleep. The next thing he noticed was a bandage peeking out from her t-shirt sleeve, and it was turning red. 24

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He pulled his vehicle around the back and surveyed the area before opening her door. When he did he slipped his hands underneath her and lifted her gently from the seat. Dear Goddess, she was light, a lot lighter than before. Whitehot rage bubbled up inside him as he once again wondered what the hell his Uncle Scott had been up to. He had a feeling when he found out, he would be hunting again. Family or not, if he hurt Jessie he would have to die. He carried her into the room, his body protectively curled around hers. Even if someone saw them he doubted they would be able to recall what the woman he carried looked like. They might remember a man dressed in black, though, and even that little bit of information could lead to suspicion. He calculated they could hide here for about eight to ten hours before their position would be located. Just enough time to get cleaned up and even rest a little. At least, for her. He would have to stay awake and stand guard. When he laid Jessie out on the bed she stirred and stretched, causing her t-shirt to ride up her belly and reveal the taut, smooth planes of her torso—from the sexy indentation of her small waist to the enticing dip of her belly button. He remembered how sensitive she was there. When he swirled his tongue around and into that spot she went wild. He'd never thought of that as an especially erogenous zone, but on her it was. Unable to resist, Noah reached down and brushed his fingertips around her belly, skimming across her most sensitive areas. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she shifted around on the bed but stayed asleep. The ache to remove her clothes and 25

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taste every sweet inch of her overwhelmed him. With a reluctant groan he forced himself away from the bed and into the adjoining bathroom before he did something they would both regret. After he turned on the hot water, he stood in front of the mirror and stripped off his clothes. He glanced briefly at the scars scattered across his chest and arms. He didn't even notice them much these days, they were part and parcel with his job. His job. He nearly choked on that thought. Who in their right mind considered demon hunting a regular job? Or even an irregular job? He rubbed his hands back and forth over his face. For him it was a compulsion he couldn't control. He'd seen too much, used magick he wasn't supposed to, and wondered almost every day if it would be his last. It was that thought that made him a force to be reckoned with. He chuckled to himself as he turned the water in the shower to a nice hot temperature. His last few demon encounters had apparently left him with a bit of a reputation. Normally having the assholes running scared would be a really good thing, but the target wasn't just on his back anymore, not if they found him with her. He stepped under the hot spray and looked directly into the stream, letting the hot water rinse away the grime and sweat from his face. When Jessica had left, he never expected to see her again, especially not on a rescue mission. Thinking about Jessie had him hard as a rock, a situation he was going to have to resolve on his own. He palmed his thick cock, running his fingers along the veined underside to the 26

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engorged tip, thinking about her underneath him with her hands bound above her head. He thought of the pink glow of her ass after he'd spanked her. When a moan escaped his lips, Noah clamped down on his jaw, making sure he kept himself under control. The heat of the water soaking into his skin was nothing compared to the flames building inside him as he stroked from tip to base and back again. He would never be able to forget the sensation of her tight sheath clamping down on his dick as he worked his way inside. Or the odd mixture of fear and trust that had shown in her eyes the first time he'd restrained her. He pumped his fist faster as the release began to build, thoughts of Jessie on her knees, taking him in her mouth, pushing him to the brink. His hand slammed against the shower wall to steady his loose body, his arm moving in short, jerky strokes. Random memories of their time together flooded through him until the pressure built in his balls to the breaking point. With one final stroke to the underside of the head his orgasm burst free, his body going rigid. Letting his head fall forward, he rested on his hand, allowing the pulses of release to take over. Damn her. After several long moments he grasped the soap and cloth, and quickly and efficiently washed and finished up his shower. He needed to get back out to her, make sure everything was secure. With just a pair of running shorts to cover him, Noah double-checked the windows and door, surveying the surrounding area for anything out of the ordinary. Satisfied 27

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they were safe for now, he lowered his body onto the bed right next to Jessie's slender, sleeping form. Her slow, even breathing was a soft rhythm in the room as he watched her sleep. With her there looking relaxed and innocent, he had an urge to shake her awake and demand answers from her. He thought back to how he'd first seen her earlier in the day. Tired and frail thanks to the conditions in which he'd found her. He needed to report to Denn and Jake again before long. Jake had sounded edgy and anxious to see his sister, or at least talk to her, but he knew what kind of risks they could take and what kind they couldn't. He'd made alternate arrangements for the two of them to lay low, away from his uncle and his hired guns. Based on his experience, he knew the only way he could be sure of the control necessary for this situation was to tell no one, not even the ones he trusted. So her brother would just have to wait a while longer before he could reunite with his sister. Jessie shifted restlessly next to him and a long lean leg rubbed against him. That simple touch of soft, female flesh ignited his blood in an instant. His magick reared up, seeking her out, daring him to take her now. She would respond, he was certain of it, but that didn't mean it was the right thing to do. He couldn't do this to her right now, she was far too weak. On a deep sigh, Noah stood from the bed and headed for the floor. With the extra pillow and blanket from the closet, he made himself a spot to rest next to the bed. He would be close enough to notice even a slight change in her breathing, but just far enough away to not be tempted to devour her in his sleep. 28

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Who was he kidding? His body thrummed with sexual energy once again and with no relief in sight it was going to be a very long night. **** "C'mon, Jessie, we have to go now, our time is up." His magick hummed, sensing other users nearby. When she came out of the bathroom carrying a duffel bag with her, she took his breath away. A night of rest and a shower had made a world of difference, and now she looked more like Jessica. Silky brown hair fell just below her shoulders, the perfect length for grabbing onto. The almost too short denim shorts and tight green t-shirt she'd chosen from the clothes that had been delivered first thing this morning showed off every inch of her luscious body. Not exactly subtle nor disguise material, but dayum she looked good enough to eat. Even the plain white tennis shoes on her feet seemed sexy to him. When he finally let his gaze meet hers he could have sworn he saw the same heat in the normally cool blue depths of her eyes. Shaking his thoughts loose, he opened the door and ushered her out and down the stairs to his waiting vehicle. She was turning into a distraction neither one of them could afford. "Where are you taking me? To see Jake?" She slid onto the seat next to him, looking at him for an answer. "Not quite yet. We still have some trouble to deal with, and I don't think either of us wants to involve more people than we have to." "Then where are we going?" 29

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"Somewhere safe." She glared at him, waiting. "How familiar are you with the bayou?" "Probably not enough, guess it depends on what you have in mind," she blurted. Ignoring the jolt in his groin from the look she threw him, he continued. "We need to hide for a while. Somewhere I can protect you. I know of a place deep in the swamps that will fit the bill." "Should I be nervous? I mean, I'm not your favorite person these days, and going deep in the swamps with someone who doesn't like you sounds like a recipe for big trouble." "I'm not the one that left in the middle of the night, Jessie." A dark cloud passed over her features, making her look sad. Seeing her like that made him feel like shit. Which really pissed him off since he had nothing to feel bad about. "I know." She turned toward the window and settled in for the ride. He pulled the SUV out of the parking lot, watching everything around them despite his preoccupation with the woman beside him. Obsession is more like it. He took a deep drag of air into his lungs, held it until it burned, and then let it out as slowly as he could. He needed to be in complete control of this situation and couldn't afford to be distracted. He knew as soon as he left this section of the Quarter the veil of voodoo they had been hiding under would dissipate. Denn would be doing his best to aid them with his own spells, 30

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but whatever new source his uncle had harvested was some pretty powerful shit. That worried him the most. If his uncle had gained some additional power he either had a coven working for him or something far worse. Demons. His brothers were currently looking into what was brewing in this region, which was a good thing, but Denn had been hiding something from him this morning. That had him worried. He'd thought about pushing him on it, but hadn't had time. He and Jessie needed to get out of New Orleans, and fast. He wasn't sure he could take on an army. Crossing the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, they quickly left the city limits of New Orleans, headed for the middle of nowhere. They drove in silence as the empty road and occasional car went by them until he heard a growl that had to have come from Jessie. "Are you hungry?" She nodded her head. "A little, but I'm fine. I've gotten used to living on very little." His stomach heaved at that thought. His imagination could have run wild with possibilities of just what she had endured. "Once we get settled in a safe place, you're going to have to tell me exactly what happened to you back there." "It's over, Noah, we need to just let it go." "Uh-uh, cherie, it's far from over. In fact, we likely have a long, tough road in front of us." "What do you mean?" She looked confused. "According to my brothers, Uncle Scott has quite a plan going on. Something else we are going to have to discuss soon enough." 31

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She shifted closer to him in her seat. "Why not tell me now? I think we have time." "Not yet, Jessie, for now I have to stay alert and focus on getting us away from here safely." She crossed her arms against her chest, pushing her breasts up and against the already tight fabric. His mouth watered when he saw the peaked nipples poke against the shirt. The pouty look on her face only inflamed him further, challenging him to take her over his knee and teach her a lesson or two. He loved the lure of a woman with an independent streak and Jessie was just his type—it's what had drawn him to her in the first place. For years he'd pursued the meeker and submissive women for his darker tastes, but Jessie had taught him the sweeter pleasure of submission with spirit. Despite her lack of enthusiasm toward his lifestyle, she'd responded immediately and with such intensity he'd thought his heat would combust them both. As it turned out they'd both been surprised with each other's response. Their time together had been hot and brief, and her ultimate disappearance had driven him mad for a while. His pride prevented him from searching for her, so instead he'd indulged himself in every vice he could to forget about her. Work, sex, tequila and eventually he'd moved on. Until he answered his brother's call. He was so tired of hearing about the family prophecy bullshit. He'd never bought into the drivel their uncle forcefed them as boys, and now that the missing pieces had conveniently been located he wasn't surprised that the bastard had been lying to them all along. He believed in his 32

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brothers, though, but he knew from experience that the right woman could completely impair any man's judgment. His turn was coming up. Noah turned his head to make sure no one was in his blind spot or anywhere at all. The dirt road was partially covered by vegetation and couldn't be spotted by most people, so he didn't want any witnesses seeing them go off the main road. With no sign of people, he turned toward the bushes and waved his hand in front of them. From the corner of his eye he watched Jessie's eyes get big as the overgrown bushes raised enough to reveal the road in front of them and let his truck to pass through. "What the hell?" "Don't look so surprised. You've known I was a witch for a long time." "I know, but I have only seen you manipulate heat and fire. Not move objects at will." "Not really a big deal to use the heat in the air to push some things around." **** She sat silently for a moment as he maneuvered the truck through the uneven terrain to the smooth dirt road beyond and considered him. She, like most people in their part of the world, had heard plenty of rumors about the Scott brothers. But even with their brief love affair he'd kept his magick use to a minimum around her. Oh, she knew how closely he held onto his dark magick, she'd touched it many times, she just hadn't realized how much he probably used it. 33

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That kind of magick couldn't be wielded by witches without some serious repercussions or after effects. Unlike her, their magick could come from two different sources: the good or the bad. She didn't really like using the terms light or dark— that just sounded so Hollywood. Let's face it, it's either good or evil, she thought. Trying to walk a path using both, or what many witches referred to as grey magick, was often a little like killing someone for their own good. You were just kidding yourself that you were doing the right thing. Lost in her thoughts, Jessie jerked forward in her seat when the SUV came to a quick and sudden stop. She looked out the window to see them sitting in front of a small, dilapidated wooden shack. The place looked like it should be condemned. Surely this wasn't where they would be staying. "Where are we?" "The middle of nowhere. Which is exactly where we need to be." He stomach sank. "We are staying here?" He must have read the sheer horror of that in her face because he laughed. Not a quick snort or momentary chuckle. He outright started to laugh his ass off as he opened his door and got out. She opened her own door and joined him in front of the truck. "What's wrong, Jessie, you aren't impressed with my place?" "You live here?" "Sometimes. Stay here for a second, I've got to get the truck stashed." As Noah jumped back in his truck and headed around the bend in the road, she stood and took in the rundown fishing 34

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shack and the dirty swamp on which it sat. The damn thing was actually on stilts in the water and looked like it would crumble any second. Dear Lord, there has to be a better place to hide than here. She walked toward the small dock that wrapped around the side of the building and set her bag down on the dirt in front of it. No point in getting her things wet if the dock didn't hold up to her walking on it. She placed her shoe on the wood and gave it a little shove to see what happened. Nothing did. Maybe it would be sturdier than it looked after all. With a deep breath and a what-the-hell shrug, she walked toward the water. The wood creaked underneath her feet, but held strong and steady with no swaying, always a good sign. A smile curved at the edges of her mouth, releasing some of the tension she'd held. She could do this, she was certain. Hell, whatever it took not to end up back in the cell or in the sacrificial ceremony she had been heading to was fine by her. Halfway down the length of the dock, she could see a boat sitting at the end just behind the miserable outhouse. At least, that's what she would call it because even shack was too good a name for this crumbling building. She wondered if Noah had a tent she could use, 'cause right now that sounded more secure. She turned her attention away from the building and back to the boat. Not just any boat, though. She was looking at an airboat, which didn't really surprise her. They were fast and the vehicle of choice for swamplands known for their harsh terrain of either shallow water, dry land, or tall reeds. Her 35

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daddy had always told her there weren't too many places an airboat couldn't go. Fingers touched lightly on her shoulders, sliding underneath her hair to her neck. With the initial contact of Noah's heated skin against her flesh, her body buzzed with the familiar connection. Desire curled in her belly, spreading to her pussy and breasts, readying her for hot, sweaty sex with the one man she wanted more than anything else. "Ready to go for a ride?" His breath tickled her ear and she let her head fall back against the hard wall of his chest. She imagined him lying naked and hard in the hot sunshine as she straddled his body, lowering herself until his entire length was sheathed deep inside her. Liquid trickled between her thighs at the image of their sweat slickened bodies taking what they needed from each other. Denying the tension between them was hard enough, but she was already tired of fighting her attraction to him. His hand lifted her hair, baring her neck to him where he rained kisses and small bites all along the skin. For every sharp bite he would follow with a swipe of his tongue until she moaned from the painful pleasure of it. His free hand slid under the hem of her shirt and traveled upwards toward her bare breasts. The magick emanating from his hand permeated through her skin, heating her up from the inside out. She sucked in a shocked breath. Too hot. Her nipples tingled, clit pulsed, and her heart raced. The darkness that was Noah turned her on and made her hot. More. More. The magick flooded her body, filling the emptiness Scott's damage had left behind. When the scar on her shoulder 36

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began to heat and burn, fear rose up thick and dark, forcing her to... "No!" She pushed away from Noah, afraid of what she would do to the both of them if her beast still lurked inside. A lot of rage and hatred lingered there, waiting to be unleashed, and she didn't know what would happen when or if it broke free. She couldn't turn and look at him. She was afraid of the incrimination she would see. She gulped in the sticky, humid air, desperate to get her body back under her own control. Giving in to Noah was no longer an option. She started to walk off and his hand reached out and grabbed her by the arm. "You can't run from me this time. I'll give you some more time considering your ordeal, but Jessie..." She looked into his determined gaze. "No more running. Now get in the boat." "The—the boat?" she stuttered. "Yeah, you didn't think we were going to stay here, did you?" He flashed her a wry grin, allowing her to let go of some of the tension coiled tight in her body. She looked around and could have kicked herself. She should have known that this place wouldn't be the final destination. "We are a good distance away from the city at this point, but this area isn't nearly as secure as where we are going. It's still going to take a while, so if you need to go to the bathroom I would recommend now. I did pack some food in my bag there so we don't have to worry about that. Bathroom's in the building there." He pointed to the crumbling shack. 37

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"It's okay I'm good." "Good, then let's get going. I don't like us being out here any longer than we have to. No telling for certain if they could track us here." She stepped aboard the boat and took one of the seats in the lower front as far away from the pilot's seat as she could. She needed some space even if it was only about eight feet. "There's some goggles and earplugs in that box up there if you want them. It's a long, noisy ride so I would suggest it." Perfect. She would have some time to think about what had happened and what she needed to do next to prevent something bad from happening. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Three Hours passed, and Jessie had barely moved from her seat. She'd eaten some food, which she really needed, and once when they were traversing slowly through some tree-crowded areas, she'd stood up and stretched her arms and legs. He watched the denim shorts tighten across her ass when she'd bent down, which took his breath away as he'd entertained a fleeting thought of taking her just like that, maybe even with her wrists tied to her ankles. Dangerous thoughts. His cock pulsed and ached in his pants even now as he shifted for the tenth time, trying to find a comfortable spot. Hell, he'd been hard and ready since yesterday, and back at the docks he had come close to taking her right then and there with no finesse, no preparation, just heat and lust on his brain. Something had stopped her, something his magick had felt for a fleeting second. Something familiar. They needed to talk, but it would have to wait since the boat engine drowned out everything around them. Not much farther and they would be at his place, his sanctuary that no one else visited. Ever. He looked forward to sharing it with her despite their past. He wanted to see her reaction to his surroundings, see if she was the woman he thought she was. He slowed the boat to a crawl before finally cutting the engine and letting the craft flow along with the current. "Why are we stopping here? Is everything okay?" She had turned in her seat, her gaze soft and questioning. 39

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"We are getting close to our destination, I want to listen to the river for a while, make sure nothing is amiss." She nodded in understanding. Noah let his eyes close, concentrating on his other senses, especially sound. He focused on the sounds of the swamp, the water moving, the occasional bird ... even the unseen wildlife like the snakes and gators hiding in the reeds could be heard if you listened hard enough. Once he had a handle on the familiar he tuned them out, listening for the unusual, for what didn't belong in his swamp. Hearing nothing out of the ordinary, he concentrated inward and called his magick, letting it build in his chest before releasing it a little at a time, seeking the unknown. Even with his eyes closed he could see Jessie, her aura wrapped with his magick. Not even his most spiritual self could stay away from her. Maybe he shouldn't have been so quick to discredit his brother's words regarding the prophecy and the women they were destined for. He pushed those thoughts away. There would be time for that later once they were secure, for now his responsibility was to her safety. He continued past her, following that wisp of power traversing the full range of his habitat. This path gave him brighter colors and sharper sounds, but nothing unexpected. Pulling back, he opened his eyes to see Jessie watching him, longing clear on her face. Noah fought the sudden and overwhelming need to drag her close to him, instead he forced his focus on the simple task of restarting the engine and getting them on their way again. **** 40

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The strange moment broken, Jessie turned back around in her seat and watched the water in front of them. What the hell just happened? The connection between them was not only constant, but she found it unnerving as hell. Not knowing whether her own brand of magick would return, and what that meant, plagued her. Maybe if she could talk to her mother she might have an idea of what could happen to her, especially when it came to Noah. Although, trusting her mother not to mislead her was a dangerous proposition. She dabbled with dark magick all the time and Jessie saw where that got her. A half-demon child with more power than the average witch. It was a real bitch. Now here she was with the one man she should fear the most, pulling at her entire being despite the truth. When Jessie had found out Noah wasn't just an ordinary mercenaryhunting bad guy, but instead a demon hunter fueled by hatred, she'd run as far and as fast as she could. Not far enough, obviously. In front of the boat, a wall of trees too close together to pass through loomed. She turned to look at Noah and ask him what now, when the boat made a hard ninety degree turn to the left. Her stomach lurched as she grabbed the edge of her seat and waited for the boat to right itself. When she looked behind her again he was laughing. Bastard. But she bit at her bottom lip to prevent her own grin from spreading across her face. She would so not give him that satisfaction. His laughter rumbled louder behind her as he traveled along the edge of trees to a small unseen opening. Another 41

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hard turn to the right and they were through the trees in what could only be described as a sort of cove. And there on the land in front of them sat a gorgeous, dark wood log cabin, so pretty it took her breath away. Noah steered the boat right onto the grass before killing the engine. He hopped down from his perch and jumped out of the boat landing on the soft grass right next to her. He held out his hand to help her. "Welcome to my home." "Your home? You live here?" She grabbed his hand, letting him assist her and her meager bag out of the boat. "Don't sound so surprised." "I—I just—" she stammered. "I know. Nobody knows about this place so I guess anyone would be surprised, but even I need a place of refuge on occasion and this is it." "It's breathtaking." She meant it, too. The cabin was exquisite, but just as stunning was the location. He had carved out the most beautiful section of swamp she could have imagined and made it his own. She couldn't wait to see the inside. He led her up and onto the wraparound porch before dropping her hand to open the front door. Instead of simply unlocking the place with a key, he started unhooking hidden wires from the doorframe and entering codes into three tiny keypads she hadn't even noticed. "Booby traps. Guy in my line of business can't be too careful." "I thought it was safe out here?" 42

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"It is. So far no one has learned about it, but it always pays to cover all the bases." He opened the door. "After you." He motioned her inside. Just inside the door, she found herself in a large yet cozy living room with leather furnishings and enough electronics to make any teenage boy green with envy. The walls inside had the same rough-hewn texture as the outside, giving it a warm and masculine appeal. She loved it. "Wow, nice place. I am definitely impressed." He shrugged his broad shoulders. "Figured if I was going to do it, might as well do it up right. I might retire here some day." "Aren't you a little young to be talking about retirement already?" "Jessie, if you had seen the things I have seen in this job, you would be feeling the same way babe. It's a gut wrenching business." "Then why do it?" He looked at her thoughtfully. "It's what I was made for." With that, he picked up her bag and headed to the back of the cabin. Presumably expecting her to follow or not. She followed. They passed by the kitchen that a quick glance showed to be large and functional with stainless steel appliances and custom built cabinets. Across from the kitchen was a heavy metal door with two blinking lights, one at the top and one at the bottom. "What's in there?" "My office." "Top secret room, I guess." 43

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"Something like that." She pulled her gaze from the blinking lights and her dying curiosity to see Noah disappear into a room at the end of the hall. A bedroom, she presumed. Jessie wasn't sure being in a bedroom with Noah right now was a very good idea. Her body had buzzed with sexual energy since she'd first laid eyes on him, and then he'd added magick to that every time he touched her. She was certain she was close to combustion. With doubts, she passed through the same doorway and stopped at the sight of the lake-sized bed. It would probably fit several people quite comfortably. Beside the bed stood a small chest with a lamp and a clock on top. The rest of the room was empty. "Guess you haven't gotten around to doing much with this room." He poked his head out of the closet. "It's got a bed. That's all it really needs." His husky answer provoked her, and a chill rolled over her as her body pulsed with need. She wanted to say something quick and playful back, try to keep the mood light, but instead her desire made her light headed and mute. She walked over to the bed and sat down, leaning her head towards her knees. She needed to think of something else, anything else besides the gorgeous man coming towards her. "Jessie, are you all right?" The concern in his voice tore at her heart, and she knew that she couldn't fight it anymore. She belonged to him as surely as if they were in a long-term committed relationship. 44

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Even if he wanted nothing more from her than sex, she would take it. One more night. He squatted down in front of her and when her head tilted up, his body was mere inches from her face. "I'm fine," she whispered. "No, babe, you're not. You're shaking. You've been through an unbearable ordeal and I pushed you harder today than you could take. For that I'm sorry." "Please, Noah, don't—you don't have to apologize. You have no idea how grateful I am that you came for me. I wouldn't have made it through another night if you hadn't." "Yes you would have. You aren't giving yourself enough credit—" "No, you're wrong. It's not about my strength or lack thereof. There was to be a ceremony last night. A sacrifice had to be made." Anger clouded Noah's face as the implications of her words sank in. "I'm going to kill that bastard. I swear I am." He started to pull away. Jessie grabbed his arms. "Please, Noah, I need you." Her voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes. "Stay with me ... please." His hand touched lightly against her jaw tilting her head, forcing her to look at him. "I'm not going anywhere, Jessie. We're together and we're safe." His handsome face was rugged with laugh lines around his eyes and mouth, lips so full and sensual she couldn't resist pressing her own against them. The flash of heat ignited them both as Noah growled 45

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into her mouth. His tongue plunged through her parted lips, seeking her inner warmth with a force she welcomed. Without breaking contact, Noah pushed her back onto the bed. Her heart jolted and her pulse pounded as his movement grew as urgent and needy as hers. Her hands reached for his shirt, quickly slipping underneath to touch warm, smooth skin stretched over bulging muscles. As the kiss deepened to a near violent level, her hands gripped and scratched at his back. Desperate for more skin to skin contact, she wrestled with the waistband of his jeans. Her moans of frustration at her lack of success were met with a sudden separation of their bodies. She shivered from the cool blast of air over her heated skin. "Clothes. Off. Now." He didn't need to tell her twice. Jessie ripped the t-shirt over her head and forced the shorts down her hips while watching Noah do the same. She thought his body looked even more spectacular than she remembered. Tanned skin with ripped muscles made her mouth water, but when he freed his stiff cock and it bounced once against his muscled abs, her pussy clenched with the desire to be fucked, hard. They leapt at each other in unison, bodies touching and sizzling everywhere. Jessie wrapped her legs around Noah's hips as they fell backwards to the bed. Power surged in the room, keeping pace with the desire. With Noah's teeth nipping at her neck and shoulder, Jessie swept her arms around his waist and brushed her fingers across the firm globes of his ass. His hardness pressed tighter against her 46

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belly, reminding her of its shape and girth. As if she would have ever forgotten the best sex of her life. Her hips bucked forward of their own free will, her pussy wet and aching to be filled. He shifted his body lower, rubbing his swollen tip through the liquid fire at her slit. Noah's head lifted, his steady gaze giving her one last chance to say no as surely as if he'd said the words, but Jessie was filled with a sense of urgency that could not be denied. She struggled in his arms, arching her back and pushing her hips forward, anything to get him inside her. But he was in control here and she knew it. From experience she knew he wouldn't give her what she so desperately wanted unless she asked for it. "Please, Noah." The wicked smile he gave her sent a delicious shudder through her entire body as he pushed his length inside her. A savage snarl sounded from Noah as he began to pound in and out of her, sensations flooding her system with each thrust and release. Lingering anger mixed with lust flashed through them both as Noah released a surge of magick into her body, igniting a fuse straight to her clit. Jessie moaned and bucked against him. "Oh yes. Fuuuck." She scratched at his arms and back, fighting for more until he pinned her shoulders with bruising force to the bed and hammered his cock, burying himself in her heat as far as possible, over and over until she exploded in a burst of magick and light underneath him. **** 47

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Her screams of pleasure filled the room as her pussy tightened and pulsed around him—driving him fucking wild as the pressure built in his own body. He wanted to take her like this for hours, but her tight and thrashing body pushed him to far too fast and forced his orgasm to rocket through him. When his mind and body finally came back to the present, he noticed Jessie holding him tight and close. It made him think that she might be afraid he was going somewhere. Possessiveness roared through him as the aftershocks of their sex throbbed in his groin. He pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek before sliding from her body to lie next to her on the bed. He had no intentions of going anywhere without her ever again. Now he just needed to figure out what spooked her the first time and make sure it didn't happen again. He relaxed back against his arm underneath his head, tucking her firmly against his chest. For the first time in a long while his magick rested inside him. No darkness pushed at his mind and will. No constant need to escape. Noah closed his eyes and let the sleep creep in, he couldn't resist it ... but ... why was Jessie's heart racing... [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Four Jessie trembled as she made her way through the cabin as far away as possible from the bedroom where Noah slept. The powerful yet familiar rush of Noah's magick during sex hadn't taken her by surprise, as they were both lost in the moment of desperate need and pleasure until Noah's orgasm. With it had come a potent force of dark power she was helpless against with her own magick stripped. Now her body swirled with a shadowy force that fed into her more primal side. The side where the beast lived. Or, at least, where it used to live. She wasn't altogether certain if her magick would ever return. Scott had been pretty thorough each time he had her stripped of her power to transfer it to himself. It was a volatile ceremony to complete, yet he did it over and over with both witches and demons, feeding himself with more and more magick. She wondered what the repercussions were for that. So far he had gotten everything he wanted, well, except his nephews. She didn't understand what his plans were, but his hatred for them bordered on the insane. He didn't appear to want them dead, yet he always needed more power to fight them. It seemed to her that something big was brewing and she had landed smack dab in the middle. How the reverend had even found out about her magick, she didn't know. There were only a few people who knew, and all but one were family members. 49

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Her stomach heaved again, reminding her to hurry. This magick needed an outlet, and since she didn't know what would happen she preferred a big open space. She threw back the dead bolt lock and unlatched the sensors as she'd seen Noah do before hurtling herself through the door. On the porch she gulped in lungfuls of the humid but fresh air until her chest burned with the effort. Sweat broke out on her forehead as the blood pounded in her ears. She took two steps from the porch and swung her arms above her head in the hopes that she could direct the energy as it expelled from her. The darkness sizzled inside her until she cried out in pain. A tight coil began to unravel in her chest. Her beast was there and it stirred again, stretching. Heat built under her skin and raised the fine hairs of her arms as she watched the energy form into blue streaks along her forearms. With a soul splitting burst, all the pent up darkness flung up and out of her body, lighting up the dusky sky for a few brief moments. Jessie collapsed on the grass, weak and empty. Her beast and its magick had attempted to unfurl inside of her, but failed. With Noah's magick gone, she was simply left with a low level buzzing of power. Well, it's something. Exhausted and worried, Jessie thought about going back to bed and curling up with Noah. She dragged herself from the ground and stumbled up the steps once again, grateful for the peace and quiet surrounding the cabin. Her head still pounded from her ordeal, so she decided to head for the kitchen to search for water and, if she was lucky, some aspirin. After a 50

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lengthy search, she came up with a bottle of water but no painkillers. Sleep. I need sleep. She closed her eyes and hung her head over the sink, willing the pain to go away. Times like this made her thankful she'd been born with demon blood, as it helped her heal at a much faster rate than most people. "Jessie, what's going on? Are you all right?" Her head popped up, causing the sensation of thousands of needles pushing into her skull. She moaned. "What happened?" "Headache. Bad one." She whispered. "Good Goddess, woman, why didn't you wake me?" He scooped her into his arms, taking care to cradle her head in the crook of his arm. "No, don't even answer that, you know how much I hate excuses. You'll just make me want to turn you over my knee for the long overdue spanking that you need." She wanted to laugh, but could barely manage a curve of her lips into a tiny smile. She did relax into his arms and shut her eyes to the already fading light in the room, grateful for the comfort of his strong arms minus the surge of dark magick. "How are you, Noah?" "I'm fine, don't worry about me. Let's get you to feeling better, and then I think we better talk. I have something I should probably share." For a moment she thought about what he said, but it soon proved to be too painful. She refocused her efforts instead on easing the tension from her body and mind because whatever 51

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Noah wanted to say could wait until the pain in her body subsided. Besides, what could he say that would be more damaging to their fragile relationship than her admission of being born from a demon and a witch? She would have to tell him this time and take her chances ... when the time was right. She sighed contentedly when her bare back hit the cool sheets of his bed. The room smelled of hot sex and spicy male, reminding her of the delicious time they had shared earlier. "I'm going to lift your head and help you take these pills, okay?" "Yes." He lifted her smoothly and fed her pills and water until she got them all down. "Thank you." "No more talking, Jessie. You need to rest. I need you well in order for us to start working on a plan after we discuss what we are up against. Being out here, while safe from outsiders, is only temporary until we are ready to help my brothers and their mates." Mates? Did he say mates? People still say that? Her thoughts blurred as the tension in her head dissipated some. Unable to keep her eyes open or her brain functioning, she slid into sleep wondering what the hell he gave her. **** Scott watched his guard dragging the beautiful darkskinned woman into his office. She kicked and screamed and fought them tooth and nail every step of the way. Blood 52

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oozed from her lip, and one of her eyes was partially swollen where they'd obviously had to hit her just to get her this far. When her foot kicked out and struck one of the guards in the balls he wanted to laugh out loud. Her will was so strong, just like her magick, not to mention she could be mean as dirt when the situation warranted it. It was those exact things combined that made her one of the most sought after voodoo priestesses in New Orleans. Everyone in the Quarter as well as every Parrish in Louisiana came to her when they needed the impossible done. And on the rare occasions she couldn't give them what they were willing to pay for well, then she would call in his nephew. Anger boiled in his veins every time he thought about the power his nephews abused while he had none of his own. At least nothing like each one of those cursed boys had. He instead had to resort to ritual after ritual to stay in power. Those bastards didn't deserve to possess it let alone wield it. Good thing that wouldn't be an issue for much longer. While the one guard was doubled over howling about his nuts, the woman took two steps toward the other and stomped on his foot with all her strength. Bones crunched and the guard screamed like a girl. "Enough." His command came out loud and strong in the cavernous room. She looked up then, noticing whose office she now occupied and fear flooded her eyes as she spat just to spite him. Tired of her disrespect, he waved his hand in her direction and watched with amusement as her eyes bugged 53

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open as she realized she'd just been bound to the floor and had her vocal chords frozen. "Now, that's more like it, Severina, isn't it?" He knew exactly what kind of panic and agony raced through her mind as he spoke. "Just stay calm and I won't keep you that way for long. But give me any more trouble and I will leave you like that for a week. Do you understand?" He'd lowered his voice, allowing it to caress over her. He couldn't resist imagining her shivering underneath him. His dick hardened at the thought of mounting her from behind, his dominance over her complete. He walked around his desk to stand in front of her. The first time he'd met her he'd been shocked to discover one so powerful could be so young. He touched his fingers to the side of her face, letting them slide down her cheek, a soft and sensual caress. A touch she had been quite eager for a few years ago. Oh yes, she had given him much pleasure over many nights until he finally fucked her, and her magick had seen inside him to the truth. He'd tried to kill her then, but he had yet to perfect his ceremonial skills and the ritual had gone terribly wrong. Broken and bleeding, he'd left her on her own to die. Instead a group of locals had found her, and one of them knew of a witch who could save her, and thus her alliance to his nephew had been forged. Until now. The power he wielded today was far more powerful than either a voodoo priestess or a witch. He should have considered demon magick long ago. Normally summoning a 54

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demon to this realm was a risky and difficult prospect, but when he'd discovered that half demons could supply him with a similar, albeit weaker version, he had taken the time to hone his craft and perfect the ritual with black magick and little repercussions to himself. But the half demon, half witch magick had surpassed all others and he wanted more, and if anyone could tell him how to find them it would be this bitch standing in front of him. He released her voice. "It's been a long time, baby." "Not long enough, you sick son of a—" Scott grabbed a fistful of hair and yanked her head back hard. She cried out in pain and his cock got harder. "I'd be careful what you say to me. If you want to live through the night, that is." "Do whatever you want. I won't help you." Her lips trembled. "Ahh, self sacrifice, such a waste of a human trait. Everyone who comes in here is so fucking predictable it makes my stomach turn." He grazed is teeth along her neck, biting down until she bled. Dark, rich, and spicy, just how he liked his women. What a shame. "So, if everyone does the same damn thing and I need you to cooperate, what do you think I'm going to do? Just kill you and move on? Is that what you're banking on, you stupid whore?" He released her head and wiped the blood from his lips. He stepped in front of her and moved in close to her face. "So what the fuck am I going to do, Severina? Tell me." His words roared through the room 55

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so loud the guards on the other side of the house probably heard him. She didn't even flinch. "Kiss my ass." His hand struck out, slapping her face so hard, spittle flew from her mouth. "Fine. For that you will pay." He looked beyond her at the guard by the door. "Bring her in." Severina's head whipped around, and when she saw the young woman dragged into the room she let out a piercing cry. The girl burst into tears. "I'm sorry, Mom, I tried." "Hush, cherie, it's okay. I will take care of everything." "Of course you will. Everyone is so fucking predictable." Scott rolled his eyes. "So, stop dicking around, Scott, and tell me what you want." Severina's eyes blazed in fury. "Didn't I warn you about your mouth? Did you think I was kidding?" He looked at the girl. "Derek, bring me a finger." "No, Scott, please, I'm sorry. Please I will do what you want, just please let her go." A satisfied smile bloomed from within. "Of course you will, baby, and for now Derek won't touch her, but you won't get another warning." She bowed her head. "What can I do for you?" "I want Dennison and Noah." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Five Jessie woke to warm sunshine on her face streaming through the window, and sore limbs when she stretched across the bed. Sweet memories of her and Noah in this bed the evening before tingled her body, especially between her thighs. Her body might ache but she blushed with happiness over every single sore spot. The magick, on the other hand, was a problem. She eased from the bed and searched the floor for her clothes or bag. She found both sitting neatly under the window. She started to redress in the shorts and t-shirt when she noticed the big button down shirt lying across the chest next to the bed. She dropped the clothes and grabbed Noah's shirt instead, lifting it to her nose to inhale the scent of man, magick, and sex. Dear Goddess, she was in heaven. Jessie slid the soft fabric over her head, loving the feel of Noah next to her skin. The shirt fell to her knees and the long sleeves well beyond her hands. She rolled the sleeves to a more comfortable level as she padded to the kitchen in search of Noah and some food. Sex and magick left her hungry as a bear the next day. Not finding Noah, she started to pull food from the fridge. Eggs, butter, and cheese. Surely she could cook up a couple of omelets and—she looked around the counter and spied what she was looking for. Toast. Perfect.

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She set herself to making food when tanned, strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. "I didn't hear you get up, cherie." "I haven't been up long, but I woke up starving. I hope you don't mind." "What man in his right mind would be bothered by a beautiful woman cooking in his kitchen?" His laughter rumbled at her ear, putting her at ease. She really wasn't sure how he would feel this morning. She knew he would demand an explanation before long and she didn't think she could lie to him. But the truth would destroy them both. She slid the omelets and toast onto the plates she'd found earlier and handed one over to Noah. "Where shall we eat?" He waggled his eyebrows at her. "I have an idea." She knocked him on the shoulder and pushed him away from her. "Yeah, I just bet you do, but I just want to eat. A girl needs her nourishment." He laughed. "Yes, I suppose she does. Well, how about the deck out back then? It's not too hot yet and the view is not half bad, if I say so myself." He led the way through the living room to the bank of windows overlooking the backyard. Although backyard wasn't exactly what one would call it. On the deck she set down her plate and stood at the railing, absorbing the beautiful view. The property off the back of the deck dipped sharply, straight into the water. Steps from the house deck led to the dock spanning the length of the house and around the sides. The airboat they had arrived in now sat in the water attached to the far end of the dock, as well as a 58

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small green two-man boat like the one they'd used when they'd left the Reverend's property. "Oh, Noah, it's gorgeous out here. So serene. I can see why you like this place so much." "I like the peace of it. The wild habitat mixed with the modern comforts of the house are perfect for me. I can stay connected with the world if I want or go native and spend my days on the water." Jessie took a seat at the table to eat her breakfast but couldn't tear her eyes from the beautiful surroundings. She could be happy in a place like this, far away from a civilization that couldn't tolerate knowing the truth about her, a refuge for her when she couldn't control herself. If only she didn't have to hide from Noah. "Jessie, look at me." She turned her head and settled her gaze on Noah's chiseled face. She admired the firm set of his jaw, the slightly crooked nose and the sparkling emerald eyes that at the moment looked haunted. Her stomach clenched in fear and her appetite for the omelet disappeared. Whatever Noah wanted to say seemed serious. "Do you remember what I told you about my family? About the reason my brothers and I all live apart?" She nodded. She remembered the strange family curse that Noah dismissed as fallacy yet lived by everyday, keeping himself away from his twin. Something she knew bothered him more than he would ever admit. "Over the last few months some clues to our past have been revealed, through the family tarot of all things." 59

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Disbelief rolled off him just as fast as the words out of his mouth. He certainly was a paradox, a witch with enormous power who looked down his nose at the basic history of his own legacy. "The prophecy we were given as children was only a partial. Either the whole of it was lost or withheld. With the way Uncle Scott is acting out against us as of late, I would tend to lean towards withheld. What really baffles me is how you got involved with Scott and now end up being a part of the solution. It's too coincidental, too pat." "Noah, stop." That got her attention. "You've completely lost me along the way. How has the prophecy changed and what does that have to do with me being held prisoner by Scott?" "According to the prophecy there are four women, all born on the same day at the same time. The women are destined to bring balance to the magick of the twins. All three of my brothers have found their mate and swear to me that their magick has changed. That they are less driven by the dark and what dark magick they use, the residual effects are absorbed by their empathic women." "They are all empaths?" "Yes." "What does this have to do with—" Oh, no no no, he couldn't be implying what she thought he was. Fear knifed through her as the answer ricocheted inside her before she even asked the question. "What is their birth date?" He looked at her with a knowing gaze. "Yes, Jessie, it's the same as yours." She'd known before he even said it. It 60

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explained so much, yet made everything that much harder. This couldn't be happening. "This can't be right. It's impossible." "Normally I would completely agree with you. I have thought all along that this family prophecy was complete bullshit and have ignored it as much as possible. But I have always known there was something different about you since the first time I touched you. Maybe that has nothing to do with this, but for now we need to keep an open mind to all the possibilities. Don't you think?" Her heart broke at his words. Despite her leaving him without a word, he still had faith in her. Believed in her. Maybe even had feelings for her. But how did you tell the man you loved more than anything in the world that you weren't at all who he thinks you are? That instead you are the one thing he hates more than anything in this world? If she went along with him and his brothers, searching for the truth in all this, one thing would be certain. She and Noah would not survive, one way or another. "No, I don't. There has to be a mistake. I can't be the woman you seek. There must be another." The thought of Noah leaving her to search for another woman threatened to tear her in two. The heat of that pain built inside her to a near impossible level. She couldn't stand by and be a part of this. She had to escape, find another place or another person to keep her safe from the plans the Reverend had for her. "Maybe. But if there is another woman, according to my brother, we only have until our birthday to find her and sort this out." 61

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"What?" "That's right. The final clue that was received just before they contacted me for my help said that each twin had to find his woman before the youngest reached the age of thirty. My thirtieth birthday is in two days." Jessie sprang up from her chair, unable to sit and listen any longer. Everything had changed in the blink of an eye and the surprises kept on coming. What would be next? Her big revelation? No. She couldn't tell him, wouldn't do that to him. Not yet. Her mind swirled with all the possibilities and implications of everything around them. "Jessie, I know this is hard to hear. Hell, I haven't been handling it very well myself. But something is happening here. I feel better this morning than I have since you left. Less consumed with dark thoughts and compulsive needs, at least when it comes to my magick." He hadn't moved from the table, yet she felt the caress of his words sliding against her skin, like threads of silk trailing across her body. Did he understand the effect he had on her? "We can't do this, Noah, it's a really bad idea." "What is?" "You. Me. Us together. It will never work." "Why? What are you afraid of?" She looked out over the water of the bayou, longing for the sensation of peace that she saw every time she looked out over the marsh. Even here in the quiet solitude she couldn't escape who or what she was. A demon. Born of evil. A vessel of destruction. 62

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As if on cue, the coil in her chest unfurled a fraction or two more. "I am broken, Noah." She wrapped her arms around her middle, comforting herself. "I'm not sure if I can be fixed." Noah's chair scraped against the wood of the deck as he rose, his boots pounding with each step he took towards her. He rested his hands on her shoulder and her body shuddered underneath him. "What did he do to you, Jessie? Tell me about it." She took a deep breath, filling her lungs, holding the air until her chest ached before exhaling with a slow hiss. "There was a ritual he performed." She hesitated, unsure where to start or how much to tell. She didn't want to relive the painful process again. "The night I was brought to him, a coven of witches joined him there. In order for him to steal and use my magick against my will I had to be branded." She recalled the men who stripped her clothing and held her down as the witches chanted around her and Scott pressed the branding rod to her shoulder. The searing pain and burning flesh had made her violently ill through the entire process. "Do you mean that figuratively?" "No, he physically branded me. It made it easier for him to transfer my power to him for every raping after the first." Fury beat at Noah as he pictured her body being burned. If he'd entertained thoughts of killing his uncle before it was nothing compared to what he felt now. Darkness erupted inside him, the heat building under his skin until tiny flames licked at his veins. He lifted his hands from Jessie, not wanting to burn her. 63

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"Where? I didn't notice a brand." "My shoulder." "Show me." When she didn't move he insisted. "Please." Her hands moved in front of her body where he couldn't see them to unbutton his shirt he presumed. Her shoulders lifted slightly as she allowed the left sleeve to slide partially off her shoulder. The bandage. Of course. He'd noticed it the other day and had forgotten about it in their rush to get here and then well, he just forgot. He lifted his hands to the gauze and gently lifted the tape to reveal a section of branded skin in the process of healing. Pulling the bandage completely to the side, he made out exactly what the symbol was. A Pentacle, burned deep into her shoulder. With fire as the element he could wield, he fully understood the intense agony that kind of heat and pressure in a branding had to have cost her. But a pentacle? The irony of the whole thing was beyond twisted. A well of protectiveness overwhelmed his thoughts as he gathered her in his arms. Before he even realized what he was doing, he bent his head and pressed his lips to the tender flesh of her injury. He had to soothe and heal them both before she got carried away with her fear and shut him out. He couldn't let her go again. When his lips traveled her neck and back a deep sigh vibrated under her skin, a sound that went straight to his groin. As sexy as she looked dressed in his shirt, he wanted her naked and bare to him, so he peeled the rest of the shirt from her shoulders and arms and let it fall to the ground to pool at their feet. He continued his sensual assault on her 64

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body by kissing and touching every inch of honeyed skin he could reach. "I won't let him hurt you again, Jessie, I promise." She turned in his arms and he was met with a gaze shadowed with pain. A look that would haunt him for a very long time. "Oh, Noah." She flung her arms around his neck and pressed her face to his chest. His heart lurched at the way she clung to him as he struggled to restrain himself, but when she tilted her head to look at him once again the sheen of tears at the corners of her eyes did him in. "Don't cry, baby, it's over now." His kissed the corner of her eyes, tasting the salty wetness there, taking the tears away. "I'm not so sure about that." His hands roamed down her back until his fingers massaged the soft skin of her ass. His cock beat against his zipper, needing to be buried deep inside her. Possessing her. Loving her. He pushed her back against the railing, his hard body pressed against the length of her soft, sweet skin. Heat ignited between them as his lips crushed hers, his tongue thrusting deep inside her mouth to tangle and taste every inch of her. Jessie's fingers dug into his shoulders and back with an almost desperate intensity, surprising him with her own need. She needed this as much as he did, if not more, and he wanted her to have it all. He wanted to wipe away her fear and pain with every kiss or touch, even if only for a short while. He could chase away her demons. 65

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She squirmed in his arms, her marble hard nipples poking him through his shirt until he ached to feel her skin against his. As if reading his mind, she pulled her mouth away from his just enough to speak. "Too many clothes, Noah." Her fingers shook slightly as she struggled with the buttons of his shirt until he gave her some space and she got it open. Noah sucked in a sharp breath at the first touch of her cool hands on his heated skin, such a delicious feeling. He cradled her head in his hands, watching her small, pink tongue dart out and touch her lip nervously. He kissed that spot. "You are an incredible woman, Jessica." "No one calls me that anymore," she murmured. "I will." He crushed his lips on hers, drinking in her eager, open response. His fingers threaded through her hair with a gentle tug, angling her head for him to plunder her mouth with his tongue. The silky, thick strands caressed his hands, making him yearn for even more of her. With her tongue forcing its way inside him he wondered how her aggressive little mouth would feel on his hard as steel cock, licking around the tip. Noah moaned in her mouth at that thought as her hands grazed over his nipples, squeezing the tips as she did. **** Goddess, she loved the way the soft hair sprinkling across his chest tickled her hands as she touched him. Just looking at him made her sex ache with want, but oh, when his heat, his fire, touched her, her nipples throbbed with desire. His husky moan shot straight to her pussy where her juices 66

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coated her slit, waiting for his touch there. As if knowing exactly what she needed, his hands trailed down her sides until he pulled back enough to slide them between her thighs, cupping her mound. "Oh ... Noah..." She needed more. Wanted his hands caressing her breasts and clit, feeding her his heat. When his fingers slipped through her wet folds she looked up and caught his gaze. Her breath hitched from both the incredible sensation of his hand as well as the intensity of his blue eyes as he watched her reaction. He stopped just short of touching her clit and Jessie bit down on her lip to stop her cry of protest. Instead he delved a finger deep inside her, sparking delicious sensation along her sensitive tissue. Jessie arched her back over the railing and let out a low keening cry of appreciation, pushing her hips into his hand forcing his finger even deeper. "Oh, yes ... please." "Please what?" She gulped in air. "Please—more—harder." Noah added a second finger and thrust them both harder into her passage, setting off an electric shock that traveled the entire length of her body. Pleasure soared through her as an orgasm built and her body trembled with the force to hold it back. She could wait for him. But when his thumb circled around her clit, she wavered in her resolve, trying to fight it. His fingertip swiped and pressed against her sensitive nub with an insistent pressure that forced her body to explode in his hand as she fell headlong into the dark abyss of pleasure. 67

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Her hips rolled against his hand, riding out the pleasure and filling his hand with her cream. With his free hand Noah reached for the button and zipper of his jeans. He savagely tore at them until he freed his thick, swollen flesh. His fingers stroked a slow leisure pace, spreading her moisture around her opening before pulling them free and bringing them to his mouth. She watched him lick and suckle all of her juice, groaning with a husky deep tone. "So, so sweet, baby. I can't get enough of you." Jessie reached between them and wrapped her hand around his stiff cock, squeezing with a tight and steady pressure. With every pulse of him in her hand, her own inner walls clenched, driving her insane. He let his fingers fall as his head fell back. "Fuck, Jessie. That feels so good. Too good even." He returned his gaze to hers. "I want to fuck you." His hands grasped her buttocks so he could hoist her just enough for an easier entrance. "Guide me in, baby, surround my cock with your tight little pussy." She did, too. She swirled his head through the soaking wet outer lips and paused just as his tip started to move inside. She moved her hand from between them and Noah slid deep, penetrating her to the hilt. Jessie exhaled into the humid air as the sensation stole her breath, his cock stretching and filling her. Noah rested his head against her shoulder, his heart beating a quick and unsteady rhythm against hers until he slowly withdrew to the tip before slamming inside once again. 68

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With each deep stroke he bumped against her plumped up clit, sending jolts of electricity shuddering through her. Her legs trembled with each stroke and she gripped his bulging biceps to steady herself. Sweat broke out on her brow as her body hurtled toward the second orgasm building inside. "Yes—yesss." His fingers dug into her ass with a bruising force as he fucked her hard and deep. Stealing a glance at him, her nerves jumped at the look of being lost in lust on his face. At that moment, when she wanted to remember that look of joy forever, his eyes popped open. "Come for me, Jessie, come now." His urgent and throaty words sent that extra shock of electricity through her body until she hurtled over the cliff, free-falling into a wave of emotion and pleasure. In that moment she was nothing but a woman that Noah desired and needed, not a creature for him to hate. His own words had faded to grunts and groans as he, too, succumbed to the pleasure and exploded inside her, splashing her womb with jets of release. For her it was a primal meeting of two people desperate for some sanity in the craziness that surrounded them both, each providing shelter for the other. When he collapsed against her, she listened to their lungs sawing the air in and out of their chests as they fought to bring their heart rates to a normal level. The anger he had felt was now floating around inside her, something she no longer had a defense for. Her demon side loosened but never broke free, not strong enough to rebuild from the damage. Nausea roiled through her belly as Noah 69

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slid from her body and released her to the ground, holding her arms to steady her. She turned her head away, avoiding Noah's knowing gaze, not wanting him to see or feel her distress. "No, Jessie, you can't pull away from me now. I'm here and I'm sticking." She wrapped her arms around her waist, willing her stomach to calm. "Talk to—" Noah pulled her arm and brought her around to face him. "What's wrong with your arm? Does it hurt? Holy hell, it's glowing, the branding..." Alarm ricocheted through her as she looked down to see the now familiar orange glow of the pentacle on her shoulder, with one distinct difference than all the other times. The Reverend wasn't here performing his ritual and stealing her magick piece by piece. The heat in her brand continued to build and burn, the pain close to an unbearable level. What was going on? "This isn't right, Noah, it's only been like this when Scott performed his ceremonies with me, when he took my magick, under extreme duress, I'd like to add." "My magick maybe? Whatever it is, I don't like it and have a damned bad feeling about it." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Six "It's burning, Noah, it hurts—I can't—" She wavered in front of him, her eyes rolled back in her head. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. She was going down and fast. He scooped her into his arms and ran for the door, using his power to yank the damn thing off the hinges in his hurry. He rushed into the bathroom and turned on the cold water, shoving them both underneath the frigid spray coming out of the showerhead. The cold liquid splashed directly onto the glowing brand, popping and sizzling with each drop. It didn't seem to have any affect on it and he didn't know how long she could stay like this before something tragic happened. He sat her down on the seat behind him and dropped to his knees in front of her. With the multiple showerheads in the stall, water still cascaded onto her arm, but this way he would have his hands free to try and help, too. He concentrated on the heat as he laid his bare palm across the wound, taking it in as his own. He gasped at the shot of darkness that struck through him, fighting for breath as his lungs contracted. What the hell was this? His own vision blurred as he concentrated on removing the heat, desperate to relieve Jessie of her pain. The magick fought him, not wanting to let go of her. Noah put his second hand on top of the other and pulled every shred of power up that he could, chanting an amplification spell as he did. Long minutes later the struggle eased and the heat leapt to his hand forming a small sphere in his palm when he turned it upward. But, unlike the blue clean magick he was expecting, 71

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he was faced with a sizzling red flame ball. Demon magick. Holy Hell what had his uncle done to her? He needed to get rid of this shit, but he didn't want to leave her like this, slumped against the wall unconscious, water pouring over her. Assessing the seriousness of the burning, growing entity in his hand, he decided she would be okay for a few minutes while he did what he had to. He ran through the house to the back deck. Once there he quickly flung the red ball in the air above the water with his right hand while his left shot it with a blast of his stronger white magick. The sphere sizzled and burned larger than before until exploding in a flash of white light that engulfed the house and cove. Noah guarded his eyes and held his breath until the fine ash of the destroyed demon magick drifted down on him. Now he needed to figure out what demon he was dealing with and find the link between the demon and his uncle. Finally, something tangible to sink his teeth in—demon hunting, his specialty. He strode back inside the house, grabbing towels on his way to the bathroom. He turned the water off and inspected her shoulder. It was now cool to the touch, but it had darkened to a smoky black from the heat. He found her pulse thready but strong, and when he peeled her eyelids up to get a look at her eyes he found them still dilated. Her body was stressed but she would be fine, he would make sure of it. Taking her too thin body back into his arms, he carried her to his bed. After toweling her dry he tucked her between the 72

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sheets, relieved that her body had a pink and healthy tinge to it with some color in her cheeks. The wet strands of her hair fanned out across his pillow, so beautifully. She looked good enough to eat all snuggled in his bed, and he couldn't wait to curl around her and bury his face in her hair, breathing in her scent as he fell asleep holding her tight. His shoulders sagged on a regretful sigh. The simple pleasures would have to wait, he needed to talk to someone familiar with ceremonies that can transfer demon magick to a witch. That kind of thing was against nature and it amazed him how many people did it anyways, be damned the consequences. Unfortunately at the moment there were few people Noah could trust not to be connected to his uncle. He would call Denn, there was no one he could trust more and he would know someone with some information. Peeling his own wet clothes from his body, he hastily donned a pair of running pants, scooped up his satellite phone from the chest, and headed to his office to make the call. **** "Seriously, Noah, what you're describing is dangerous. Only a crazy person would want to deal with a demon like that." Noah had been talking on the phone with Rena for over an hour now and discovered that his brother Graelen's mate had an incredible amount of demon knowledge but a penchant for debate that made him unsure whether he would hug her or hide from her when they met. 73

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"Well, if I hadn't been holding the demon magick right in my hand after extracting it from her I might tend to agree. But it happened, so now I need to know what kind of demon I might be dealing with and how I keep her away from it." "This is new territory for even me. Normally a demon is summoned with a witch's power and the demon lends his much more powerful magick if a bargain can be struck. You know they are quite selfish, but since they love spending time on this plane, wreaking havoc, they are eager to negotiate. But in nearly every recorded case, something always goes wrong. I can't understand the arrogance of the stupid witches that keep trying." She sighed. "I hear you, babe. I see this far more often than I should. Well, not exactly this, but demons and their tricks anyways." "Bottom line, Noah, it's going to take me more time to find out what's going on here. What's her current condition?" "She's still out cold but all her vitals are good." He looked at the screen above his desk where the security camera was focused on his bed and the fragile woman resting there. Funny, he would have never considered her fragile before, but this ordeal had changed her and she needed his help. For her he would do anything, even lay his life down if it would save her from whatever had happened or would. And his experience and instincts told him that her involvement in this was far from over. "Noah, are you listening?" Rena asked. "Yeah, yeah, sorry. I sort of zoned for a second thinking about what Jessie's been through." "I get that she is your first priority, as your mate should." 74

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"Wait, I didn't say that, don't go putting words in my mouth. She is special, I'll give you that, but this whole fated mates and prophecy still sounds like a load of bullshit from a family past that is rather questionable at this point. I'm not about to put a lot of stock into that." She laughed. "You will. I'm sure you can already tell the difference in yourself and your power being around her, and I would be willing to lay odds that the two of you are drawn to each other and having trouble keeping your hands off each other, and I'm not the gambling kind. That's just how much I believe in what's happening." He snorted. What could he say? He'd never reacted to a woman the way he did her. She twisted him in knots just being here, and truth be told he'd ached for her every minute since she'd left him. Now she was back—either through fate or something else didn't really matter, they'd been dealt a second chance. Movement on the screen caught his eye as Jessie started to stir. "I've got to run, Rena, I think she's waking up." "One more thing, Noah, and it's important so give it some thought. If Scott branded her with demon magick, and it was able to channel through her, who's to say he couldn't use that same connection to track her?" Alarm shot through him at her words. Fuck, he should have thought of that. Normally no one could find this place unless he wanted them to, but if she had been turned into Scott's own GPS tracking system they were screwed.

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"Noah, are you there? Did you hear what she said? This has me worried. Where are you and how secure is it?" Graelen had commandeered the phone from Rena. "Yeah, I'm here. I should have expected something like this. Getting her off his compound had been far easier than I'd expected. Shit! We are in a normally secure place, but that security relies on being able to hide. If he's tracking her, we aren't hiding anymore." "How long would it take the two of you to get out of there?" "What difference does it make, where are we going to go he couldn't track her?" "Then tell me where you are and we will all be on our way. If we all put our brains and our power together like we are meant to, then we should be able to take care of this once and for all. We'll make a stand." Noah envisioned his tiny cove being invaded by his brothers and their mates. The loss of the tranquility would be devastating. But his home had been designed as a defensible base, it was probably a good as place as any to take on known and unknown enemies. He would have to break his long held location silence and allow his family to come here. "Hang on for a GPS screen shot. Feed it into your mapping system and you should be able to pinpoint the location pretty quickly. For Denn, it's a half day's trip, for you and Cash it will be longer. Probably a day and half, maybe two depending on your flight and travel arrangements." Noah listened to the all too familiar sound of keys on a keyboard tapping out instructions. A low whistle sounded in 76

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the phone. "You really do know how to hide, don't you? Still, we will leave here within the hour. You can count on our arrival in less than twenty-four hours. What will you do until we get there? Knowing you the way I do, I imagine you have a plan in place for this kind of thing." "I have a few tricks up my sleeves." "Uh huh, okay, brother, until tomorrow stay safe. For Goddess' sake, don't let the woman out of your site, our time is running out." Noah switched off the phone and looked at the woman on the screen. She hadn't gotten up from the bed, but her hands were threaded through her hair, cradling her skull. His body thrummed again with the need to touch her, make sure she was all right as he turned off the screen and walked from his office to the bedroom. The minute he stepped in the room he caught her scent along with the familiar smell of fire. His scent. Together the two mingled, weaving around her, his senses leaving him a little short of breath and anxious to get close to her. "Jessie, how are you feeling?" "Tired, empty, and sick to death of your uncle." He swallowed his laugh, since him thinking she looked more adorable than ever while upset and vulnerable like this might not go over very well. "Is your head hurting?" He sat next to her and traced the bare skin of her arms with his fingers till he, too, had her hair wrapped around his hand. He massaged her scalp. "I'll be all right." **** 77

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"Do you remember what happened?" "Yes. The brand ... it activated. I'm somehow still connected." "He's been using demon magick against you. Why didn't you tell me? We have a pretty serious situation on our hands." Jessie stilled, schooled her features in the hopes of looking neutral to his words. He'd seen her magick? "Demon magick?" "Yes, I got a handful of the hot and nasty red stuff from your body through that mark." Hope went through her as she considered that maybe she could get her magick back after all. "What did you do with it?" "Destroyed it as quickly as I could. That stuff is damned unpredictable and not something to keep around no matter how much someone might want to look at it or study it." She nodded. What else could she do but agree with him? The venom that he spoke with against demons and their magick made it crystal clear that she had done the right thing when she left him the first time. He would never accept her if he knew the truth. Half witch or not, she did have the demon magick that so many feared. More than that, she'd spent a lifetime trying to suppress it because she didn't know how to control it. Her mother hated her for having it, and she had never met her biological father, which left her brother. She sighed long and deep. She missed Jake. He had always stuck up for her, protected her from hatred when he could, and in 78

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the long run she'd failed him by using the one thing that made them different. Now she was helpless to save him or herself. She shifted on the bed, restless now to do something, anything, to fight this. If she could find a way to get her magick back... "Rena seems to think with that brand of yours and the fact Scott has gotten his hands on some demon magick make him capable of tracking you. If that's true then it probably won't be long before we have some company out here." "What!?" She jumped from the bed and paced the floor. Run, Jessie. Run. "I have to get out of here. Now." She looked down at herself. Clothes. She needed some first. Her gaze traversed the room, trying to remember where she had clothes. She had to go now. She couldn't wait. Couldn't take the chance of being recaptured by Scott. Couldn't let Noah be hurt or worse because of her. She ran for the door. "Jessie—what the hell?" She turned to the back of the cabin, remembering the boats tethered to the dock. She could get away that way. Halfway to the back door at a dead run she felt warm, strong arms wrap around her like bands of steel, his body propelled against hers, tackling her to the ground. "Jessie. Stop. What are you doing? Where are you going? What's wrong?" "Let me go, Noah." She fought him with everything she had, twisting and kicking her legs, desperately seeking some leverage to get loose of his bear tight hold on her. 79

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"You're not going anywhere, Jessie. Not this time. You. Are. Not. Running. Away." He rolled over her, tucking her body underneath his, the look on his face fierce and determined. She scissored her legs, doing her best to get her knee to connect with his groin. "You can't keep me here. It's too dangerous. I don't want to be here." "Bullshit. You're safer here than out there on your own. Tell me what you're really running from. What are you not telling me?" She continued to struggle against his superior strength, doing her best not to think about the fire beginning to simmer in her body from his being pressed so tight against hers. Nope, she wasn't going to think about the fabric of his shirt rasping against her peaked and aching nipples, or the throbbing in her sex that was already moistening at the mere thought of him touching her there. "It's not safe here. I can't stay." "It's safer here, this place is built to take care of us." Their struggling together must have turned him on as well, because she felt his growing hard on pressing down on her. An unbidden image of his long, thick length stretching her and filling her flooded her mind and a small whimper escaped her lips. Magick stirred between them, a slow steady burn. His mostly, although remnants of hers remained. Her heart thumped an erratic beat in her chest as she continued to wiggle and fight to get loose. Arousal burned hot and bright with every move until she couldn't stand it anymore. 80

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"Please, Noah." Her plea was a husky whisper to her own ears. Their gazes locked, their heads just inches apart. Power, lust, and control warred between them. "What? What do you really want? Be careful what you say next. My patience has run out." The dark edge of control in his voice shivered against the length of her body, and she ached to give in to it. "You need to let me go." "No." His lips crashed down on hers, hard and rough, his tongue thrusting its way into her mouth. The taste of magick flooded her and the tiny shred of control she'd been grasping at broke free. She pulled her arms loose and grabbed fistfuls of his hair, pulling him tighter against her mouth, her teeth scraping and biting his lips. Noah bit back and rolled her to the side, fighting with her for control. Her lips stung against his assault and her pussy dripped with arousal the rougher Noah's movements grew. The tightness in her chest loosened as the beast in her once again fought to unfurl. Yes, this was what she needed. Rougher, harder. Her freed leg wrapped around his hip, opening her to him and angling his cock right up against her pussy. Even with the fabric of his sweats between them, his heat and hardness rubbed her clit with delicious friction. Her hips pushed against him, pushing his back against the floor and leaving her straddled over him. She pinned his arms down with her hands and rode his cock, drenching his pants. Dark laughter rumbled from his chest as the crest of release grabbed her by surprise and sent her hurtling into the abyss of pleasure. She cried out and 81

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bucked, unable to control her movements. Before she could recover or utter a coherent word, her body was flipped to the floor and she found herself being put on all fours by Noah. "Please, Noah, hurry, I need to—" "I know, baby. Me, too." She heard the rustle of Noah removing his pants and settling in behind her, thigh to thigh, his hot cock nestled tightly between. She whimpered when he pulled back and he no longer touched her. She pushed back to reach him and the head of his cock slipped between her moist folds and into her tight channel. "Eager, aren't you?" His hand grasped her shoulder and he drove himself forward with a strong, jolting thrust. Jessie's body burned as it accommodated him, forcing her to take deep gulps of air. Wanting even more, she slid forward a few inches and he pulled her back by the shoulder, again burying himself to the hilt. She continued her movements until the give and take became so fast and rough it was difficult to tell who did what. He pounded into her as she met him thrust for thrust, pushing him for more, always more. More pain. More pleasure. With his tip rasping across her g-spot, he threw her into orgasm after orgasm until she no longer knew when one stopped or started. Her hair plastered to her sweat soaked skin as he took her over and made her his. Relief and satisfaction roiled through her in the knowledge that this man understood more than any what she really needed and wanted the same for himself. Her sex clenched hard and he 82

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groaned behind her, driving deeper, hurting her more giving her just what she needed. "Fuck, Jessie, I can't stop it, I have to fuck you hard. Even harder." "Yes, Noah. Oh, Goddess, I need it." With Noah's next hard thrust he tensed and groaned, splashing her with a new heat, while her own final climax burned over her. She shook from the intensity of it, collapsing forward onto the floor. Noah slipped from her body. "Jessie." She turned her sleepy eyes toward him, her heart beat harder at the emotion she saw there. "You are it for me. The one I have to have." Before she could respond, piercing alarms sounded from everywhere in the house. Noah jumped up and pulled his sweats on as he did. "What's going on? What happened?" she yelled, but she knew there was no way he heard her over the racket. He punched in a code in a panel in the wall she didn't even know was there. With great relief the alarms silenced and he disappeared into his office. She followed him inside, staring in amazement at the array of electronic gadgets covering the room. Multiples screens on the walls, computers covering the desks, cabinets full of weapons and a gigantic safe in the corner. This was obviously the heart of this house and Noah had prepared for any situation. She walked up behind him as he scanned the various screens that showed every corner of his property and parts of 83

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the swamp surrounding it. "What's going on? Is someone here? Did Scott find us?" He turned and looked at her, his gaze roaming up and down her still nude frame. "You might want to get some clothes on, we are about to have company." "Who is it?" She glanced frantically from screen to screen. "Where are they, I can't see anyone." "Relax, Jessie. It's my brother Denn, I can feel him. And I imagine he won't be alone. So, unless you plan to greet them like that..." He smacked her on the ass, surprising her. "Hey." She laughed. "I'm going." She hustled back to the bathroom and grabbed up her bag and headed for the bathroom. Surely she had enough time to take a shower before they got here. She couldn't wait to see her brother again, and she wanted to meet Raven, the woman who had captured both Denn and Jake. She'd been a little surprised when Noah had told her what was up with Jake, but she didn't care as long as her brother was happy. In the shower with the hot water sliding across her skin, she thought of Noah and what he'd said right before they'd been interrupted. Her breath hitched at the implications as she realized she was in more trouble than ever. She needed to tell him, and do it before his family got here. She hurried out of the shower and threw on some clothes, putting her hair in a ponytail, and headed back to his office to talk with him. She found the room empty and Noah nowhere in sight. She looked at the screens to see if they would tell her anything. Screen after screen and still nothing until the second to the last. A clear and crisp view of the back deck 84

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and beyond showed Noah standing at the railing looking out over the water. She hurried from the room, determined to tell him before it was too late. She pushed open the back door, "Noah, I have something I have to tell you." "Well, hurry up, you have about thirty seconds before they hit the dirt." He motioned to the water behind him, and she stretched and looked past the railing to see two airboats coming through the cove, headed for the dock. Her heart sank, it was already too late. She couldn't drop that on him with just seconds before a reunion with his family. "It'll keep." She smiled at him despite the sense of doom settling over her. Whatever opportunity she might have had just disappeared with two airboats and a huge group of people walking up the dock to the cabin. Her head pounded and her palms sweated, already the energy in the air thick with magick. When she spied Jake at the back of the pack she took off running down the dock. Everyone quickly sidestepped them as she ran into his arms, grateful beyond belief for the security of his strength and presence. "Oh, Jake." Tears flooded her eyes that no amount of blinking would hold back. She'd feared for both their lives for so long. "Jessie, are you all right? What did he do to you? Did he hurt you?" She nodded her head against his chest, she didn't want to let him go. "That part's over now, I'm just glad that you're here." 85

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"What about your power, have you gotten in back? I still can't believe the bastard branded you?" She shook in his arms, all her emotions flooding through her, spilling out. Her quiet tears turned to hard racking sobs that she couldn't control. She heard people shuffling around, but didn't look. "Come on, let's go inside. I'd feel more secure not being out in the open like this. We have to be on guard at all times." She struggled to compose herself and wiped away her tears as best she could. She twisted and looked up to see all had gone up to the house except a dark haired woman—she assumed was Raven—and Noah's twin. Despite knowing in advance they were identical twins, seeing him standing there still took her back. Except for the look in his eyes and the various tiny scars that Noah had that Denn didn't, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart. Jake introduced them all and Jessie couldn't help but understand why Jake was so enthralled. Between Denn's gorgeous bad boy look and the beauty of Raven with the dark spark in her eye, Jake had found his perfect balance. Magick or no, she could feel it all around her. The connection between the three of them was palpable. Jake put his arms around her shoulder and led her up the dock, back to where the others waited, and Noah watched her. He probably thought he was being subtle, but she felt his gaze slide over her every time he turned her way. Knowing he kept an eye out for her gave her a warm secure feeling despite the turmoil they all were about to face. 86

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She took in the other two men she knew by name but not sight. Graelen and Cash. Another set of beautiful men, one with a more serious look from his cropped hair to his slacks and pullover, the other bad boy all the way. Black t-shirt, tight jeans, combat boots and leather jacket. "So, how did you all manage to get here at the same time? I thought those of you coming in from the north would take at least a day." "It's amazing what you can do with a private jet and an offer of a cash bonus," said Cash. Of course, how could she have forgotten? The Scott family was one of the wealthiest in the country with holdings and dealings in more industries than she could keep track of. They'd barely made it into the house before she was approached by one of the women. "I'm Rena, Graelen's mate, and this is Selene, who is with Cash." She pointed to the red headed woman standing near her as she shook Jessie's hand. "It's good to meet you both, I've heard a lot about you." Jessie did her best to control her nerves. Under normal circumstances she didn't like to be around groups of people, and this certainly wasn't a normal situation. When you never know what might trigger your inner demon, you tended to stay away from innocent people at all costs. "I have been studying what Noah told me about what happened to you and I have some theories. If we all want to get comfortable and let me lay out these documents I brought with me, we can all discuss it." 87

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"In case no one told you, our Rena here is the brains of the operation, her being our resident Tarot historian and all," Selene offered. Jessie nodded and led them to the large living room where there were couches and chairs along with a large oak coffee table that Rena could use as a table for the things she wanted to share with the group. As much as she wanted to hear what Rena had to say, her skin itched to leave the room, to get out of the house and back into the open space. Noah must have sensed her distress as he crossed to her with concern in his gaze. "What's wrong?" He kept his voice low so that only Jessie could hear him. "Nothing, I'm fine." "Uh huh. Fine is never a good sign." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "I know it's a lot of people with a lot going on, but it's for your protection, for all of us. We need a plan of action for whatever comes our way." His hands stroked her hair as she took deep calming breaths, but no matter how she tried to convince herself everything would work out, she knew it wouldn't. Her sense of dread overwhelmed her. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Seven As everyone moved around them—finding a seat, getting drinks, and waiting to hear what Rena said—Noah could only think about what he'd been about to confess to Jessie before they'd been interrupted. He loved her and he needed to tell her. He was even tempted to blurt it out now, but knew how inappropriate that would be. She seemed skittish already, so he would wait until they were alone again later tonight. But like it or not, she didn't get to run this time. She was his and he had every intention of holding on to her. He pressed his lips to her silken hair, loving the soft feel of it against him. Just holding her like this got his body hard and ready. Would he ever get enough of her? He doubted it. "Hey, do you two need to get a room?" Noah shot his twin a look over Jessie and had to choke back a laugh when he saw the stricken look on Jake's face. Guess his big brother wasn't ready to handle thoughts of his sister having sex with a Scott twin. Especially considering his own relationship with Denn and Raven. By now Jake knew exactly what kind of sexual appetites all the Scott brothers had in common. He'd bet he didn't know that his sister fit that appetite just perfectly. Noah led Jessie to the far corner of the room, far enough away to give her a small sense of freedom and close enough to see and hear what Rena had to say. "As you all know, I've been studying the family Tarot for weeks now, hunting for clues to help us figure out what would 89

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come next and what we could do to prevent anything tragic from happening." She picked up four of the cards from the table. "These pentacles cards seem to coincide most with the pieces of the prophecy that have been found. Yet we still don't know exactly how to handle our latest situation." "Are you talking about what happened to Jessie?" Jake questioned. "Yes, exactly. For a while there we thought that the Reverend knew exactly what the prophecy said and that he was acting against it trying to kill one or all of the brothers, but we didn't have any real proof of that until now." "She's right, it seems pretty clear that if he knew enough to take Jessie prisoner and try to keep her from Noah, then he's known all along, and his steps have escalated with each attempted failure," Graelen interrupted. "From everything I've read and studied, all four have to connect to their mates, and I'm not sure how well that will work as long as Jessie is connected to the Reverend through the branding ritual and the demon magick," Rena said. "Yeah, that demon magick I took out last night was some pretty powerful stuff. About knocked us both on our asses," Noah said. "You got your magick back?" Jake's face lit up. "That's awesome. I don't see how he could stop you now." Jessie's body went stiff as a board against him and fear radiated out of her like a radio broadcast. His own body went on high alert, the hair prickling on his skin. Something wasn't right. He was missing something. 90

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Jake smiled broadly. "I mean, not to short the magick of each one of you, but her demon side is scary powerful. I don't imagine there is much she can't handle." Everyone turned to look at them, and even Noah stared down at the woman in his arms. Instinctively his arms dropped and he took a step back away from her as the shock of Jake's words fell away, rage wound its way through him, red hot and burning through his veins. Flames licked at his skin as the emotion allowed his magick to break free from his control, building until the heat surrounding him had everyone take several steps back. "Noah, you need to calm down. Let's discuss this." Denn moved toward him, steady and controlled, his earth magick tamping down on his fire. "It's true then? You knew?" Denn opened his mouth to answer but the windows at the front of the room, overlooking the front yard and water beyond, exploded, sending thousands of shards flying into the room. Bodies ducked and ran for cover as total chaos erupted around them. Distracted from his anger and sense of betrayal, Noah grabbed Jessie's arm and drug her into the secure office. "Noah, what the hell are you doing? We have to get out there and fight. We don't know what is happening." "Precisely." He sat in the chair and, one by one, checked every screen for potential intruders. With no visual confirmations anywhere on the property he flipped the lights of the room to off and lit up the screens, with the heat sensing infrared and every warm body within a half a mile of 91

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the property glowed red on the monitors. "That's better. Now we know exactly what we're dealing with." "How many?" Already Jessie was reaching for the cabinet of weapons he had shown her earlier. "I count only ten." "That seem right to you? Your uncle has come to retrieve me, or worse, kill me, and he only sends a group of ten men against you and your brothers? He is either incredibly stupid or we are missing something here." "My thoughts exactly." The door to Noah's office shook and the walls around them buckled. His brothers were gearing up their magick, which left Noah with an uneasy feeling. No magick, not yet. He grabbed up more of the weapons that Jessie couldn't carry and headed for the door, not even bothering with the lock anymore, just blowing it open with a blast of energy from his hand. Okay, maybe a little magick. He motioned to his brothers, who were all ducked for cover and covering the women. It wasn't the first time in his life he wished for telepathy, it sure would have made things a lot easier. "We've got ten bogies out there, the closest about twenty meters from the front window and spread out around the house. Things are about to get messy. Might as well go out there and get this over with once and for all." Noah headed out the back door, trusting that his brothers would follow. Expecting a firefight, spoiling for one actually, he drew up short when he came face to face with his uncle standing on the lawn. "Where the hell did you come from? "Does it really matter?" 92

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As all three of his brothers came onto the deck, each stopped and watched, just as surprised to see their uncle as the others. No one spoke or moved until Jake came out the back door. When he spied the bastard they called family, he rushed forward before anyone could react and grab him. "You son of a bitch. You hurt her. I warned you if you hurt her there would be no mercy for you. You should have listened." Jake hurtled himself towards Scott, looking to tackle him to the ground. Instead his body slammed into a red energy field they hadn't seen. He twisted and turned in mid air, his body bent back, stretching to the point of breaking." A female scream from behind snapped him from the picture in front of him as he grabbed his hand around Jessie's slim bicep when she tried to run past him to get to her brother. "Let me go. We can't just let him die." Her words lashed out at him as much as the burning hatred in her eyes. Red demon eyes. He held fast, not letting her get away. "No one dies on my watch tonight, sweetheart. Get back." he replied sharply. Calling the heat and energy he needed took only a second, yet time seemed to stand still as he flung the flaming ball at Scott. The heat and fire mixed against the demon wall, weakening it enough to release Jake, who slammed into the ground lifeless and still. "You can't win tonight, Noah. I've waited and worked far too long to not be sure this time." The surety of his uncle's words made him hesitate. Scott might be an asshole of epic 93

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proportions and drunk on demon magick, but one thing was certain: he was not stupid. They were missing something. "You're wrong, Scott. Despite your many attempts to sabotage us, we have managed to piece the true prophecy together and know that you're too late. The four of us are here and we each have our mate, even demon magick can't beat the four of us together." Graelen stepped closer to the wall as he spoke until, when mere inches away, he stopped and wordlessly dared his uncle to try it. "Maybe—maybe not. But I don't just come with demon magick." He gestured behind him, where through the heat and haze of the unbroken energy, a dark woman stood. Scott turned to his other side and, from behind the trees, eight cloaked women moved forward. "What the hell?" "My coven," Raven said. "And a Voodoo priestess..." Noah's words trailed off in thought. A coven of witches he knew how to handle, betrayal by Severina another thing. Surely the magick of the four could still outdo even a group of power like this, but not likely without collateral damage. "Severina, how could you?" The woman stood stoic and still, not saying a word in response. Noah forced more betrayal and anger to the side, giving a quick glance to his brothers before once again standing to face Scott. He'd known since he was a child this day would come. He would take a stand against the evil that was Scott Cunningham, but he'd never thought it would be this complicated or crowded. 94

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Noah pulled the internal cord that reined his power in and the energy flooded his system, fire building in his veins. In a connection that could only be familial, he sensed his brothers do the same. Even Denn had come prepared for this one, cloaking himself in earth spells so strong he could smell the musty trace from here. Together they pooled their energy, ready to break down the barrier that stood between them and the end of a curse that had endured for centuries and plagued them for decades. The power they created together sizzled and crackled around them, raising goose flesh along his arms. Darkness swirled inside him, rage accompanying the deepest magick he could pull. He'd never unleashed that level of fury, always afraid of the repercussions of it. He looked at Jessie next to him where he'd subdued her—she'd removed the shirt that covered her brand. The mark Scott had given her glowed deep, dark red and the look on her face was pure agony. He was ripping her up from the inside out with his greed. With a simple thought of directed focus, Noah unleashed a stream of fire and blue energy directly at his uncle with the sole intention of burning through that shield, and what ever happened after that, well, he'd brought it on himself. That kind of karma Noah could live with. One after another each brother added his brand of magick to the mix until the power generated glowed white-hot and unstoppable. Sizzles and pops sounded like cannons in the night air as the red shimmering wall was blanketed with the white magick. He heard the coven of witches chanting in the background, which was interrupted when Raven, the little 95

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water witch she was, created her own energy burst from the swamp and cut them off from Scott. An unknown female screamed and the energy field exploded in a burst of orange flames and blue sparks, knocking them all back on their asses. Noah landed on his back, the air in his lungs expelled forcefully. His brain pounded inside his skull as he gulped in short, shallow breaths, trying to get past the pain in his chest and back. "Is everyone okay?" Denn's voice questioned, but Noah still couldn't slow his heart. "Noah, are you okay?" He wanted to reassure his brother but he couldn't. Breathing hurt so much it wasn't possible to attempt speech. "What's wrong with him?" Graelen stood over him and he still couldn't do a damn thing. **** "I tried to tell you," Scott bellowed. "Your magick isn't strong enough to defeat me and never will be. I've tolerated all of you all these years and I'm done. Tonight it all ends and I finally get what I deserve." "That's one thing you're right about," snarled Cash. Scott lashed out with a streak of red-hot magick aimed at Cash, the most belligerent of all his nephews. Unfortunately he ducked and had just enough of his own power left to push the magick's path away from him. Damn air witch! Jessie lay on the ground motionless, just like he'd expected. His lips turned up in a wicked grin. The more they fought him the more her condition would worsen, until the 96

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clock struck twelve and he would finally receive his birthright from the bastard sons. With only a few minutes left he turned to the coven. "It's time. Begin the ceremony. Our celebration begins now." The witches stepped backwards, fear etched in their faces. Severina, too. A sudden black chill swept through him as he turned to see the twins scrambling, gearing up for a last ditch effort to save a demon. Give me a break. **** "Oh hell, Graelen, help me over here. I'm not sure Jessie is still—" "Don't say it. Words have far too much power." Denn ordered her. Noah pushed at the pain, pulling on any shred of reserve he could find just to roll on his side. He spied Jessie lying on the ground fifteen feet away with Denn and Rena hunched over her. She wasn't—she couldn't be—he could see the glow of the magick in her arm. Darkness slipped through his veins like oil, threatening to drown him in it. He watched Denn check on Jessie as Cash and Graelen stood guard in front of them. Why the hell had he let them even half convince him there was a solution in that fucking prophecy? He'd said from the beginning it wasn't possible and no one had listened. Now look at him. He and the woman he—Jessie—were about to die here in his beloved swamp. Not a bad place to die, but damn it he wasn't ready. 97

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An idea whispered in his head, unbidden. Shit. He fought for words. "Bring her to me." Denn turned and looked at him "What?" He'd heard exactly what Noah had said and he knew it. He unfurled his hand and reached for her. Noah's stomach clenched tight as he waited for Denn to respond. Finally Denn scooped her into his arms and brought her over. "If you touch her, she could die." "Trust me, brother." Denn laid Jessie on the grassy ground next to his body. Her face shone pale in the moonlight, looking fragile and weak. His heart lurched. Her chestnut hair, that he could almost feel tight in his grasp when he took her, fell across her forehead and shrouded half of her delicate cheek. "Noah, you can't sacrifice her just because she's a demon. She's an innocent." "Demons are never innocent." With the last ounce of his strength he grasped her hand tightly in his larger, rougher one and closed his eyes to focus on the instant and electric connection sizzling between himself and Jessie. This has to work. His darkness within moved, crept through him away from his lungs and heart, lightened. He tested his legs and arms, already feeling the difference. "Noah," Denn whispered urgently. "You have to stop, she's crashing." In what sounded like the distance around them, Noah thought he heard thunder crashing and sure enough, water drops pelted his face. He opened his mouth and took in as much of the needed water as he could. 98

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The second enough of his strength returned he jumped from the ground, releasing Jessie's hand, hating himself for leaving her like that. But, he knew what he had to do. "What the fuck is going on?" Jake had appeared at Jessie's side and anger roiled from him in dark, angry waves. "Her magick is the problem, it's why we can't touch the bastard hiding behind it." "So you're just going to sacrifice her to save yourself." Noah had to fight the impulse to pound Jake into the ground. His plan wasn't perfect but they were out of options. This is what he did, adapt and overcome. He turned his back to Jake and spoke to his twin. "We need a spell, Denn, an elemental one that will call on each one of us, and we need it damn fast. It's almost twelve o'clock." Denn shook his head and Noah felt confidant that his brother was catching on to what he was attempting to do. "Oh, and Denn," Noah paused, "if I don't get a chance to tell you later ... happy birthday, old man." Denn smirked. "One minute earlier does not an old man make, jerk." "Cash, can you and Raven keep holding him off for a while? I need Graelen's help in casting a quick circle around Jessie." "Yeah, yeah, the bastards just dicking around with us, killing time I think." Noah grabbed a stick and hastily traced a circle around where Jessie lay on the ground before he found four large rocks for the cardinal points. North, South, East and West, and Earth, Fire, Air and Water. Not having a pentacle on him, 99

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he again drew one at the point of North. The circle complete, he called his brothers to their elements. Each took their place and looked to Denn for the spell. Like the fire, sizzle and burn; Like the river, twist and turn; Like the wind, strong and sure; Like the earth, long survive; Break the connection, we shall prevail. Noah watched the earth rumble underneath Denn, the air funnel and blow around Cash, the rain came down harder on Graelen and fire sprang up at his own feet. "Again." They all continued to chant the spell over and over. Energy rose and crackled the air around them, every element blending together for an unstoppable force. An unfamiliar piercing pain erupted in Noah's chest, taking his breath away. The fire and energy continued to burn around him, but the sensation was that of being stabbed over and over again. He fought against it, continuing the chant when he looked at Denn—blood poured from his brother's chest. Whatever was happening to him was happening to Denn as well. Pain speared his chest again and again. When he looked at his uncle for the source of it, he saw Severina's face through the red haze. God Damn Voodoo. Bitch. "We have to stop, now!" Graelen yelled over the din of the energy in the circle. "No!" This truly was their only chance. Sacrifices could be made, had to be. 100

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All four brothers continued their chants and Noah and Denn fell to their knees, clutching their chests in fired agony. Jessie stirred in the circle, her body aglow, writhing against the ground. All of the brothers' magick arrowed into her, sending her flying across the circle. She lay quietly with magick coursing around her. "Jessie, wake the fuck up and do something now. Time is up!" Noah yelled at her before crumpling to the ground. **** Jessie opened her eyes and looked around, trying to remember what happened. The brothers surrounded her and, dear Goddess, Noah was on the ground in a pool of blood, as was Denn. She heard voices in a fog, saying something to her, none of which she could understand over the rage roaring in her ears. Her body swam with a powerful magick, not her own but something stronger. A mixture of angry dark and powerful light. She turned again and spotted the man responsible for all of this. He had her magick and, damn it, she wanted it back and she wanted it right now! She ran from the circle, pulling the energy as she did. "It's a good night to die, you bastard. If I go, you go, too." "You would waste your life and your power on them?" Scott's voice dripped with a thick hatred that would never change. Evil was evil. Just like Noah had told her. With no thought of what could happen or what should happen, she let the rage of the last few months take over, and her body violently expelled all the magick through her 101

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hands aimed at Scott. The man who had tortured her and had been about to kill her when Noah rescued her. The explosion knocked her back into the circle and blinded them all with a flash of brilliant white light that lit up the entire sky surrounding them, the entire cove looked bathed in artificial daylight. Jessie's head hit a rock when she bounced on the ground before landing in the soft grass near the deck. Selene and Rena came running over to her. "Holy crap, Jessie, are you all right?" They both reached down and helped her stand. Despite everything she'd been through, her power zinged through her body, firing her with energy and strength once again. Her magick was back. "Yeah, I am. But what about Noah?" She glanced around frantically, looking for the men, when through smoke and haze she spotted them on the other side of the clearing. As she ran toward them she watched Cash help Noah to his feet and Graelen assisting Denn. They both looked a little worse for the wear, but their color was good and they were making their way out of the circle on their own. She stopped short, watching Noah approach. His face showed nothing—no emotion, no pain, just a blank face. He looked at her then, up and down as if inspecting her to ensure she was okay, then he turned and walked toward the house without saying a word. Her heart broke as she watched his back and knew that she'd lost him for good this time. "Give him some time, he'll come around. I saw the way he looked at you, and that's just not something that goes away." She smiled at Denn's words. She hoped he was right. She looked at his blood soaked shirt. 102

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"Are you okay? Can you heal that?" "Normally, yes. I'm a little weak right now, we might have to go with some old fashioned doctoring." She pressed her palm to his chest, letting out just a touch of her magick, heating up his chest. His sharp intake of breath let her know he was feeling it and it would be working in a second. A few minutes later she pulled away, noticing his color looked better and he flashed an incredible, wide sexy smile. He really did look so remarkably like Noah, it gave her chills. "Now you can heal him. I'm sure he won't want me near." "Have faith, Jessie. You're a remarkable woman." Denn and Raven headed to the house and Jake lingered long enough to give her a hug and a kiss before he, too, followed them in. She didn't fit in here, she would have to leave in the morning. Selene walked up behind her and grasped her lightly by the elbow and propelled her towards the house. "Come on, you need a hot shower and some rest, maybe even some food. Things are bound to look better in the morning after everyone has had some sleep." "What about Scott and the rest?" "The coven ran a long time ago, the Voodoo woman disappeared, and I don't think there is much left of Scott. There is a pile of smoking ash where he was last seen standing. I really don't think anyone could have survived what you threw at them. Those boys of ours produced some serious shit back there. Quite a display. Gave me chills the whole time." 103

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Jessie tried to swallow past the lump in her throat over Selene's use of "ours" when referring to the twins. Theirs, not hers. She bit down on her lip, drawing a little blood to staunch the flow of tears threatening to break free. **** Jessie opened her eyes just a slit, trying to adjust to the bright sunlight shining into the room. Noah had insisted on her taking his bed, saying he would sleep somewhere else. It had been the only words he'd said all night. She'd wanted to leave last night but she didn't think she could navigate the swamps on her own in the dark. She had packed and slept in her clothes so she could head out as soon as it got light out. A knock at the door startled her, and she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Come in." "Hey, sweetie, how are you?" Seeing Jake did her heart good. She really was grateful their ordeal was over for good and he had found the relationship that suited him perfectly. "Doing a lot better now. I'm ready to head home, put this whole thing behind me and get on with my life." She got up and stuffed the last remaining items into her duffel and slipped on her shoes. "Do you love him, Jessie?" "It doesn't matter." "It always matters." She laughed. "Love really has altered your own perceptions, hasn't it?" "He loves you, too, you know." 104

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She shook her head. "He will never love a demon. We both know that. He has devoted his life to hunting and destroying them. It's okay, I knew this would happen. Now I just need to get out of here and away from him." "Yeah, about that..." Jessie's chest seized with a sharp pain. Jake didn't need to tell her anything more she knew. "He's gone already." "Gone before anyone woke up. No note, just gone." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Eight Noah stood in the shadows across the street and watched her tidy up the place. When she bent over to pick up something from the floor, the denim of her jeans tightened across her ass, making him ache for her naked underneath him once again. He'd fled his cabin in the middle of the night just a little over four months ago and had done everything he could to get over her. He hunted demons, rescued people from heinous magickal crimes, and even tried to go out with a few women in the hopes of forgetting. Problem was, no place could take him far enough away to forget how she made him feel. Happy. Excited. Loved. He'd had to face his hatred of demons and consider that she wasn't a true demon, that her witch blood made her different. His brother had called him every week with an update on her and how she was doing. He'd heard she finally decided to stay in New Orleans and had just celebrated opening a new wine bar, Verve. He'd arrived back in the city the night before and had spent the time watching her, thinking about how to approach her. Would she forgive him for leaving the way he did? For not considering all the factors? He didn't think he could apologize for that. She'd hidden who she was, and for that he ached to discipline her. He chuckled at the thought. He couldn't imagine how she would take that. 106

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When the last customer left he crossed over and walked through the door. "I'm sorry, we're closed for the night," she called out without even turning to see who she talked to. She seemed preoccupied with her cleaning. "I'm not really much of a wine guy." Her head shot up over the bar and he eyes widened when she saw him. "Noah?" "What, already can't tell me and Denn apart?" He smiled, trying to keep the mood light between them. She gave him a tiny smile and grabbed a towel and began wiping down the bar. "Nice place you've got here." She stopped and looked around, pride shining on her face. "I'm in love with the place, actually. It's been a lot of work fixing it up, but I'm damn proud of it." "As you should be." "So, how long are you home for? Are you going back out to the cabin? Denn fixed it back up, you know. He seems as fond of that place as you are." "I'm sure I'll make it out there at some point, kind of depends." "On what?" "On you, Jessie. I don't think I could ever spend time out there without remembering our short time together there. You and me on the deck, on the floor, all pictures I can't get out of my head." "I don't understand. What about—" 107

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"It doesn't matter. I know how I feel and I know who you are. Who your parents are shouldn't matter." "But the demon magick. I have it back and it's as volatile as ever. I do my best to suppress it, but even I make mistakes sometimes." "Then maybe I am just what you need. Maybe it's not just you who balances me, but also me who balances you." When she didn't respond right away, he chose to remain silent. To give her as much time as she needed to think about it. He had a lot to make up for and he was willing to take his time. She was worth it. "How about a drink, Noah?" "I told you, I'm really not much of a wine drinker." A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She bent down behind the bar and rummaged around back there. Moments later she popped back up with a bottle of Patrone in her hand and two shot glasses in the other. "You remembered." "Of course I did." "Were you expecting me?' "I was hoping for you." [Back to Table of Contents]

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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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