A Witch's Love (14 page)

“You know what would be even better? If you unhooked my hands. I can do things with them that would bring you pleasures you never thought possible.”

So this was her game.

He understood now.

She was trying to seduce him into letting her go. He was sure she could do things with her hands that would not bring him pleasure as well. Like stab him in the heart. His hands moved her leg. “I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work. You think I haven’t played this game before? Sweet Ella, I invented it.” He reached around her, unhooking her chains from the wall. “You’re coming with me,” he said, then blinked them away.

“Where are we?” Ella surveyed the room, a confused look on her face.

“In my private chambers.” He removed a key from a chain he wore around his neck, then picked the lock that held the cuffs around her wrist.

As the weight fell from her arms, she rubbed her sore wrist. “Thank you.”

“No need to continue your little plan. You’re mine anyways, as soon as I bring your sister back. Until then, you stay in my private chambers, understand?”

She nodded. “But what of my sisters?”

“They’re fine. I had food and water brought to them. Some should be arriving here soon for you as well. It should be better than what you have been getting,” he said as he reached for a vile, which sat on a table next to the bed. Then he turned his attention back to her. “I’ll be back soon. Make yourself comfortable.” He tossed her a blanket as she sat on the bed.

She looked at him with questioning eyes before he blinked out of the room.

Ava woke in a cold sweat. She’d a horrible dream about her sisters. They were trapped and she couldn’t get to them, which wasn’t far from the truth. Even if the demons didn’t mean to kill them right away, nothing prevented the creatures from harming her sisters.

She took a deep breath. She had to stay strong for them. Regaining her focus, she scanned the room. Lucas was gone, and it was at least late afternoon given the angle of the sun shining through the windows.

The bedroom was huge, with clean, white walls and white bed linens. The furniture had a rustic feel. The bed frame, chest, and nightstand, were all made out of the same raw wood. Each piece had an intricate knot carved into the surface. The knot reminded her of the symbol on Lucas’s back. She ran her hand over the rough, yet beautiful wood. No other furniture could compare.

Craving a shower, she made her way into the bathroom, seeing the same familiar white walls and white towels. “He sure does like white,” she said under her breath as she turned on the shower. The tub was amazing. In fact, everything she had seen so far of his decorating style was simple but of the utmost quality. She loved it.

As she was about to step into the shower, she realized there was no shampoo. She padded over to the double sink vanity, moving her fingers over the smooth granite countertop. She opened the drawers and searched for something to wash her hair. His drawers contained little but she found what she needed. One contained hotel commodities. Little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shower caps, and multiple bars of soap filled the drawer to the brim.

She sifted through the treasures, finding a bottle of lavender-scented shampoo, her favorite. The fragrance reminded her of the soap she’d used at home. Longing filled her as she reached for the bottle. She ignored the feeling, closed the drawer, and stepped into the shower, then hurried through washing her hair but lingered washing her body.

Thoughts of Lucas overwhelmed her. She needed to see him. Her body called to him even now.

Closing off her mind from her sensuous wandering, she hurried through the rest of her washing, wrapped a towel around her body, then moved to the bedroom in search of her bag. She found it leaned up against the far wall next to the closet. Sitting next to it was the satchel Belinda had handed her on their departure from her home.

How could she have forgotten? Ava opened it in a hurry, curious to its contents.

There, she found three books, four crystals, and an envelope. Opening the envelope, she shook the letter free and held her breath as she began to read.

Chapter 11

Dear Ava,

I hope you find this letter safely. I pray every night for your sisters’ protection and return. Please don’t worry about me. I have been around for many years and fear little, the least of which is death. As to the contents of the bag, I have packed for you books and crystals. Each book has significance for you.

The book of spells will enable you to learn how to create your own spells, which we did not get to. Please follow the directions to a ‘T’. The other two books are your favorites,
Witches and Warlock’s
and
Immortals 101
. Use them to your benefit. The crystals are for emergencies. If you place them around you in the shape of a diamond, you will create a protective cage. You will be the only one that will be able to break the cage.

Remember your sisters will have to read the incantation to evoke their powers. You are all destined to be strong individual witches, but keep in mind you are unstoppable together. The important thing will be to get your sisters out of harm’s way, not to take out the hive. Once you and your sisters have trained together you will be able to take on the king.

Trust Lucas, always. He would never allow harm to come to you if he could stop it.

I have treasured the time we have spent together and know that I will see you again someday. Take care of yourself Ava, always.

Love, Belinda

Ava’s heart swelled after reading Belinda’s letter. She thought if she survived this and got her sisters back, she would seek out Belinda, so her sisters could know her as well. She put the letter back into the satchel, then picked up her bag to find something to wear. While she laid her clothes on the bed, an idea came to her. She hurried to put on her jeans and V-neck shirt.

A few minutes later, she emerged from the bedroom, finding a hall that led to the top of the stairs. A large window overlooked the staircase, which extended down the wall to the foyer area. It was amazing how tall the ceilings were. As she made her way down the dark wood staircase, she realized she didn’t know the layout of the house. “Lucas?”

Moving through the closest doorway, she found herself in a large sitting room lined with bookcases filled to the brim. Sitting in the middle of the room was a leather couch flanked by wooden chairs that had the same intricate symbol engraving as the bedroom furniture. She moved through the room to two French doors that led into a sunroom.

The windows looked out over a beautiful green landscape that had a lake in the distance. The room only held a rocking chair and bench, but she was sure this was her favorite room. She followed the ceiling fans to another doorway that led into the kitchen, which was totally state of the art, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and marble flooring.

A pounding noise came from somewhere on the opposite wall, startling her.

She moved to the door and peeked through the window to find that it led to the garage.

Lucas stood next to the Camaro, hammering on the hood. To her surprise, the Camaro was not the only car he owned, or the most expensive.

She opened the door to the garage and was greeted by a wide smile from Lucas as he looked up from the hood. “Hey, there. How are you feeling?”

She looked away as blood rushed to her cheeks. “I’m fine—”

He placed his lips on hers, wrapping his arms around her, then gave her a squeeze, catching her off guard.

“So, what are you doing out here?” She wandered around the garage. It smelled like oil and his spices.

“Thought I would get a head start hammering out some of the dents on the Camaro. It is still going to need some body work, though.”

He started hammering again as she admired his collection of vehicles. A glistening red vintage steel beast caught her eye. “What kind of car is this?”

A deep laugh echoed through the room. “She’s my baby.” He started toward the car. “A nineteen sixty-nine Pontiac Firebird,” he said, opening the driver’s side door. “Get in, check it out.” He motioned her into the car.

She felt her lips turn up as she ran her hand over the leather seats. “This thing must have some serious get up and go,” she said, settling into the driver’s seat.

“Yeah, it does. Six speed transmission, two hundred and fifty horsepower, and five-point-three-liter engine. It gets me where I need to go.” His smile stretched across his face. He was obviously proud of the vehicle.

“Did you restore it or something?” She placed her hands on the wheel and felt the smooth leather under her fingers.

He shrugged. “Well, I bought it new in nineteen sixty-nine.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Right. You’re more of a vintage item than the car is.”

As she stepped out, she said, “You even have the white-lettered tires.”

He nodded. “No other tire will do, not on this car at least. I didn’t realize you were into cars.”

“Well, I’m not usually, but I do have an appreciation for beautiful things,” she said, thinking he was a beautiful thing she’d appreciate having more of. She walked over to the largest vehicle in the garage, a white Cadillac Escalade.

“That’s my winter rat,” he said. “You need a four-wheel drive vehicle up here in the winter.”

“Your winter rat, huh. I can’t believe you have three cars.” She moved to sit on a stool next to a workbench.

“I actually have five cars and a Harley Davidson.”

“Five?”

“Yeah, I keep two of my cars in England at my twin brother’s estate.”

He took her in his arms. “Maybe I’ll give you a ride in the Firebird sometime,” he said as he leaned in. He gently pressed his lips to hers, causing a shockwave to pulse through her.

“You have the strangest effect on me,” she said, breaking the kiss. His eyes glowed amber as he gazed upon her. Heaviness settled between her legs as her eyes met his. His eyes glowed amber. Did he want her?

“You and I have a special bond, Ava, which is why we affect each other so. Once we are joined, the bond will become greater, just as if you were an extension of my very soul.”

Her heart beat faster. “You sure do have a way with words.” She caressed the side of his face.

“Well, it’s true. I won’t lie to you, Ava, and I don’t mean to keep things from you, it’s just—”

“Oh, that reminds me. I wanted to tell you I have an idea for the night of the full moon. Belinda wrote me a letter explaining what she had packed for me.”

“Which was what? Books and a bunch of crystals?”

“You looked in the bag?”

He nodded. “I saw what was in the bags when I brought them into the room, but I don’t know what any of it is for.”

“Well, remember the night we evoked my powers, and I was inside of the protected diamond-shaped cage?”

“Yeah, but I don’t see how—”

“The rope, you could cut to break the cage, but the crystals, only I will be able to break.” His brows furrowed together. “Don’t you see, Lucas, the night of the full moon, I can be protected by the crystals and you won’t be able to touch me.”

“I have a hard time believing that a bunch of crystals is going to keep you from me,” he said, lifting her off her feet and setting her on the stool.

“It will work, Lucas.”

He moved back to the Camaro. “It’s something to consider, but I would feel more comfortable if I was separated from you by more than just an invisible shield.”

She nodded, understanding his fear. She had seen him change only a couple times, but he was fierce to be sure. He leaned over the hood, inspecting the damage there.

“You know, there is a cabin down by the lake that I own. I could stay down there for the night, chained, of course. While you stayed here in the protection of your crystals. What do you think?”

“Can’t you break through chains, though?” He had to be the strongest male she had ever seen.

“Well, yeah, but maybe not if you put some kind of spell on it. Do you think you can do that?”

“I could try. I would have to write a spell to disenchant the chains as well. We would have to test it, of course, but yeah, I think it will work.”

He smiled, turning his attention back to his car.

Ava looked around again. He was so organized. Everything seemed to have its own place. She turned on the stool, focusing her attention on the table behind her. He had a lot of tools, but these seem different, a set of wood working tools.

“I noticed that some of your furniture had this design carved into it. The pattern kind of reminded me of the design on your back. Which made me wonder if you happened to make it?”

He looked up from the car, dazzling her with his boyish grin. “I dabbled in furniture making for a little. It’s nothing special.”

She gasped. “Nothing special? Lucas, you do beautiful work. People would be tripping over themselves to purchase pieces like yours.”

He shrugged, reaching for a cloth. “Maybe so.” He laughed. “You know we probably should continue to practice, if you feel up to it,” he said as he wiped his hands off.

She hopped off the stool, striding to his side. “So how long do you think we’ll be safe here?”

Quickly he grabbed her, hauling her up against his side. “I don’t know. Only time will tell, but in the meantime, we need to stay sharp.”

“Okay, let’s test it.” Lucas strode over to a nearby tree. They had been down in the forest setting up the cabin for tomorrow’s full moon. Ava finished the spell to enchant the chains. Hopefully they would be strong enough to keep him from her.

She came toward him, wrapping the chain around the tree, then she snapped the cuffs around his wrist. “Are you sure about this, Lucas?”

“Ava, I couldn’t live with myself if I harmed you. Just start the spell.”

She nodded, then turned from him, stopping at the stoop of the cabin. With a concerned expression she slid the spell form her pocket and began to read.

“Chains of steel, chains of might

Hold strong against your prisoner

No matter how he might fight

These words are the lock

My voice be the key

Only I

May set you free.”

The moment she finished the spell, the chains glowed bright, forcing him to turn his head away. With a final clanking noise, the light dimmed. As he turned back, he beheld the chains. “Did it work?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Change, and see if you can break them,” she said, taking another step back.

On a deep breath, he unleashed the beast.

Empowered with strength, he strained with all this might. He had to be sure that if driven with fear for Ava he wouldn’t be able to break the bond. The more he struggled, the brighter the chains became. They glowed bright and clanked against his body as he dug his heels in, trying to destroy the connection.

Finally Ava approached him. “I think it’s safe to say the spell worked.”

He nodded, then suppressed the beast. “Did you see how they glowed the more I fought against them?”

“It was pretty amazing, I have to admit,” she said with a laugh. “Let’s see if the disenchantment spell works now.”

He nodded as she began to read aloud.

“Chains of steel, chains of might

Hear my words

It’s my right

To use my key

Setting my prisoner free.”

The chains glowed once more, dimming with a clank as he used his strength to weaken the links. Abruptly, the chain let free and he collapsed on the hard ground. Laughing caught his attention. He rose up onto his elbows, finding Ava in hysterics. “Oh, you think this is funny, do you?”

She nodded, then continued to laugh. He leapt up from the ground with speed, grasping her around the waist.

She inhaled sharply, before he touched his lips to hers. He kissed her gently, loving her soft mouth, her sweet taste. She smelled like lavender mixed with a summer’s rain. He inhaled deeply, basking in her scent. He had loved having her in his home, loved waking up to her smile every morning but he knew they couldn’t stay there much longer. The demons could descend on them any day now. After the full moon, they would have to leave.

With the thought of demons closing in on them, he broke the kiss. “I’m glad the spell worked. At least that’s one less thing to worry about,” he said as she finished unhooking the chains from his wrists. He had been thinking a lot lately about their next step. It was rumored the hive was somewhere in the New York City area but they still didn’t have a clue as to where. Most people found the hive by being captured, then never saw the light of day again.

He could use himself as bait but that would mean Ava would be left alone, unprotected. Once the full moon had passed, he would be able to spend more time thinking of a plan to gain access to the hive. He’d never been more thankful that he was a lycan. He could protect her . . . at all cost.

Lucas prayed she didn’t go through her immortal transition until after they had retrieved her sisters. Her scent still indicated she was close, but maybe the change would hold off.

Ava met his gaze as the cuffs fell from his wrists. “What’s wrong, Lucas? What is on your mind?”

He didn’t want to worry her. She was already worried enough about her family. He forced a smile to his face. They had an entire night to enjoy before the full moon. “I was just thinking we should take a ride in the Firebird. There’s supposed to be a beautiful sunset tonight and I know the perfect spot to see it.”

She embraced him. “That sounds great.” He held her tight as sadness filled him. He would give anything to live in peace with her, be with her every day. So why did he have this sinking feeling that it was never going to happen?