A Witch's Love (16 page)

Lucas made quick work of the demons before him as the others made their way toward her. Splitting them up seemed like her best option.

As she spun on her heels, she headed in the other direction.

A small swarm had broken off and weren’t too far behind.
Good.

She ran until into a clearing and hid in a shrub on the edge of the forest. She heard approaching footsteps and waited until they entered the clearing. When she was satisfied they were all in front of her, she stood and called forth her power.

Propelling multiple water spheres from her hands was easy. The spheres hit their targets, knocking a couple of their heads clean off. The demon advanced on her. Her wall of water expanded just in time, sending one demon crashing into the others. She let the wall of water fall away as she prepared for another onslaught.

Throwing three more spheres, aiming for their heads, she was able to take out the last three demons.

She was about to seek her hiding spot once more when she was grabbed from behind. A claw scraped the side of her throat. She felt the burn of the wound as a trickle of blood flowed down her neck.

“Thought you escaped, did ya? Well, not on my watch,” the demon grated, dragging her back into the woods.

A branch snapped in the distance. Lucas . . .

He approached them, making his way through the trees. The rain had slowed to a mist, creating a surreal scene. He was taller than she had ever imagined he would be, built like a professional wrestler, eyes blazing amber. His claws were longer than she had ever seen them and his snarl showed his lengthened fangs.

The hair on his head was wild. A beard that had not been there earlier marred his face as his golden skin glistened with perspiration. Even though she should have been frightened, she wasn’t. Inside that massive beast was her Lucas.

“Let her go and I will make your death quick.” Lucas took another step toward them.

The demon hissed. “Come any closer and I’ll slit her throat.”

“We both know you won’t do that. You need her.”

Ava felt the demon shake his head. “If I don’t deliver the girl to Traxen, I’m dead anyway. So yes, I will kill her just to spite you.”

Lucas growled in response, his amber eyes glowing brighter every second.

She met his eyes, nodded, then closed her eyes, willing water to flow around her in a rush.

“What the—”

The flood distracted the demon long enough for Lucas to leap on the creature as she ducked out of the way. Her captor screamed in agony while Lucas tore him apart.

She moved away from the scene, backing away from Lucas. He’d never been so violent before. Seeing him like this made her realize why he had been afraid to have her close to him on the full moon. As the demon’s screams faded away, Lucas stood. Had he killed all the demons in the area?

He turned to her slowly. “You should be running.” Black blood dripped from his claws and skin.
They
would have never stood a chance against Lucas.

“No, Lucas, no more running. I’m not afraid of you,” she said, trying to believe her words. She tamped her fear down, knowing the man she loved was in there somewhere. “Lucas, you don’t want to hurt me. I know it.”

He continued toward her. “Leave!” He halted his steps, the strain apparent on his face, marring his features.

Her heart bled for him. “Lucas, I don’t want to leave you.” Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.

He stopped his advance at her words. A dark look came into his eyes. “You are all I think about, all I have ever wanted. I won’t resist my desire any longer. Now, you will be mine.”

His eyes traveled over her body, lingering on her breasts.

He advanced toward her with speed, startling her as he ripped through her bindings. Her heart leapt in her chest as her blood began to surge through her veins.

Ava struggled as he ripped at her clothes, shedding them until she stood naked. The crisp air nipped at her bare skin as her eyes raked over Lucas.

She wanted this, wanted him. His hands moved over her body with urgency she had never known, but he was moving too fast. She had to slow this down.

She conjured her protective wall of water, throwing him to the ground. Then she called for a water sphere. When one formed in her hand, she hurried to cast a spell.

“Water of earth, water of might

Be a cuff to hold back one so tough

No matter how he might fight

Hold strong, until I say, enough.”

Throwing the sphere at him, she watched as it split in two, landing on his wrists. Securing him to the ground, she said, “Forgive me, Lucas, but I would like to take this slow, and I’m not sure you can.”

“Come to me, Ava,” he said, reaching out to her with his eyes.

A wave of desire washed over her and she felt memorized by his striking amber eyes. She came to him, wanting him more than anything. His eyes spoke to her, telling her exactly what he wanted.

She stood there in the forest, completely bare, for his eyes to behold. His shirt had been long since lost, his pants tattered. The clouds that had just shed rain began to part, shining beams of moonlight on to their bodies.

“Want. You.”

His words were raw with need, echoing to her core.

She’d never felt so drawn to him. Was it the moon? She approached him slowly, removing his ripped clothes with ease, then lingered on the band of his pants, caressing the bulging muscles of his stomach with her fingertips. She tugged the shredded jeans from his body, then let her eyes feast on him.

She straddled his hips, needing to be closer to his glorious body. “I want you, Lucas.” Her hand traveled over his chest as his amber eyes, searching over her body, grew brighter with need.

“Kiss me,” he commanded.

She leaned in, kissing his neck slowly. He shivered at her touch as she moved to his lips, mindful of his sharp fangs. A growl escaped him.

His head met hers, gracing her with a searing kiss. His tongue sought out hers, mingling together, making her heart race faster. Her nipples touched against his chest, causing her to moan with pleasure. She broke the kiss.

Her breast felt heavy and her nipples stood erect, aching to be touched. Between her legs, warm, wet, heat settled, her body wanting what Lucas was so desperate to give. She touched her breast, trying to calm her need, when a growl caught her attention.

“Release me, and I will give you all that you need.”

She wanted to release him, to feel his arms wrap around her, giving her pleasure she knew only he could deliver.

Yet as she felt his swollen shaft on her backside anticipation filled her. She couldn’t wait any longer. “Relax now,” she panted, reaching for his hard shaft. His tip was moist, revealing his need. She moved over him, inserting the top into her heat.

She inhaled sharply, becoming lost to sensation.

He would never deny her. Couldn’t.

She was the sexiest woman he had ever seen. When she began to touch herself, he thought he would lose his seed right then and there. Her scent of arousal was driving him mad with desire.

“Lucas, I need you,” she pleaded, silently asking him to do what she could not.

“You’re mine.” When she nodded, he restrained himself. “Say it.”

She met his eyes. “I’m yours, Lucas, always.”

At her words, he didn’t hesitate. He moved quickly, thrusting into her with one fluid motion. She cried out, hanging her head, remaining still.

He started to sweat as the need to push into her further almost overpowered him but he refused the urge. Then she slowly lifted her head and began to move. A growl escaped his lips as she took off. Her breaths were quick and heavy, pushing him to the brink. She leaned forward, her left breast inches from his mouth.

He couldn’t help himself. Rising up, he took her nipple into his mouth. He suckled her breast as he lifted his hips, pumping into her harder and harder with each thrust. She was getting close to her climax. He could feel her tightening around his shaft.

She lifted her hair off her neck and closed her eyes, reveling in every thrust. Using her other hand she played with her other breast, squeezing and caressing her pink bud.

He was losing control. The need to go deeper into her, to finally claim her and calm his inner beast was more than he could take. She was his—now and for eternity.

Lucas was close to losing his seed but was determined she come first.

She called out his name as her body tightened hard around his shaft. A ragged moan parted her lips.

He continued to thrust into her, riding her through the pulses that now consumed her, until he, too, was lost to the world. He met his peak, pumping his seed into her, filling her with his scent. He groaned with satisfaction as she collapsed on his chest.

Her breathing began to calm as she lifted her head, gracing him with hooded, sated eyes. Desire slowly began to fill him. Even now, after being brought to his peak, he still wanted her. The beast demanded it. “Ava.”

She clung to his chest. He wanted to hold her, to be inside of her thrusting once more, but it was too soon. She would be sore.

The beast crushed the need, not wanting to hurt her even more than he wanted her. She smiled at him before she relaxed against him.

“Rest now. No one is going to hurt you.” He’d killed every last one of them in the area and would any others if they dare show their faces.

She closed her eyes, snuggling closer to him. He was filled with contentment and a new resolve. Ava was
his
now. He could never watch her put herself in danger again, no matter who she was trying to help, even her sisters.

Traxen watched as the light of day breached the horizon. He groaned in frustration. What was keeping his demons? Even if the beast had found them, there was no way the beast could take out all the swarms he brought. And where in the hell were the beast and the witch anyways?

He’d accepted his fate over the past several hours, a fate that still hadn’t come.

A sudden motion at the tree line caught his eye.

A lone demon barreled through the trees with speed, making his way toward the house. His mind whirled. This didn’t make any sense. Where was everybody else? When the demon approached, Traxen demanded, “What has happened?”

“The beast and the witch,” the demon began, taking a few moments to catch his breath, “they have destroyed them all.”

“What! That’s impossible.”

“It’s true, my lord. I was in the swarm that came upon the lycan. He, he, ah, killed them all.”

“Yet you live,” Traxen grated through clenched teeth. What was the rest of the story?

“The lycan spared me. He-he had a message.” The demon took another step toward Traxen.

“Stop where you are and tell me the message.” He didn’t want his only chance at escaping to get caught in the cage as well.

“He told me he was coming for the king and bringing Hades with him, my lord.”

For a moment, Traxen felt a twinge of dread. He had never known any being able to take out two swarms. “What of the witch?”

The demon looked to the ground. “Together they took out the swarm then just disappeared. I just returned from their camp and—”

“What?”

“The bodies, they were everywhere, my lord.”

Traxen’s fury turned to cold calculation.

He needed out of this cage. If Zatar found out about this tremendous failure, then Ella would be taken from him.

Zatar
couldn’t find out. He would keep this a secret until he had the witch.

However, keeping such a secret would be difficult with a witness still alive. “I seem to be trapped by some invisible barrier. See if you can find the source of the power.”

The demon searched the ground. “I see nothing out of the ordinary, my lord.”

Traxen’s muscles tightened. “There has to be something.”

“There is nothing but dirt and a couple rocks, my lord. See?” He picked up one of the rocks. Electricity shot through the air, consuming the demon.

He shook as the jolt pulsed through his body. He fell to the ground in a heap. Dead.

At least that took care of his little problem of killing him. Traxen reached forward, testing the area in front of him. He felt no electricity on the palm of his hand. He stepped forward, out of the cage. Free. Free to formulate a new plan. Free to obtain the witch for Zatar. The witch and lycan may have won this battle, but they certainly hadn’t won the war.

Chapter 14

Ava’s eyes fluttered open as warm light touched her face. She was warmly nestled on top of Lucas’s chest, covered in the morning dew. The air smelled sweet and fresh, as it always did after a good rain. She smiled as memories of the night flooded back to her. She and Lucas had made love under the light of the full moon.

His eyes were closed, his breathing deep. His claws had since retracted, along with his extraordinary height and fangs.

He was once again her Lucas.

She moved to set up when she noticed his arms were still being restrained by the water cuffs.

Reaching out her hand, focusing her attention on the cuffs, she said the word that would break the spell. “Enough.”

The water cuffs evaporated into a fine mist until there was nothing left. She smiled, still amazed at her own abilities.

“Thanks.”

“Oh, you’re awake,” she said, turning to look for what was left of her clothes. She covered her breasts as she stood and strode over to where the shredded cloth lay.

“How are you?” Lucas gained his feet but she couldn’t meet his eyes, too embarrassed about what she had done last night. She had never felt so wanton in her life. The moon had had some strange effects on her as well.

“I feel fine.” She shook out her destroyed clothes as he moved to her side to take hold of her around the waist.

“Do you regret what happened?”

She thought seriously how to answer him but she must have waited too long to respond.

“I knew it. You should have run, Ava, damn it—”

“No, Lucas.” She touched his arm. “I don’t regret it.” He faced her, looking deep into her eyes. “Honestly, I’m just so embarrassed. I never thought I could ever be so . . . so forward.”

He lifted her chin with his finger. “We let our instincts take over, Ava. There is nothing to be ashamed of. What we did was natural and you were . . .” He appeared to be lost in his memories, a smile playing across his lips. “You were beautiful.”

She felt beautiful when she was with him but more had happened last night than just them making love. Her heart swelled in her chest then fell just as quickly. The demons knew where they were. “What now?”

He turned away from her and started searching for what was left of his clothes. “Well, we can’t stay here.”

His words only confirmed what she suspected. “I know, but I think I’m ready, Lucas. Let’s find the location of the hive and save my sisters. They—”

He whirled on her. “You are not going anywhere near the hive.”

“What?”

“I won’t allow it, Ava.” He strode to her side and took hold of her shoulders.

Had the moon affected his brain? She wasn’t just going to let him leave her behind. Not when her sisters’ lives were at stake. “They’re my sisters and you’re not the only supernatural being here. I have powers and know how to use them.”

He crossed his arms over his chest as his eyes narrowed. “I think not. You were kidnapped last night. Or have you forgotten?”

If he reacted this way after making love, then heaven help her if she confessed her love for him. Now she never would, not if he was going to act like this. Besides, it would be that much harder when they did part ways. She couldn’t stay with someone that controlled her every move.

She shook her head at him as she turned away. Her throat tightened and tears stung her eyes, she couldn’t look at him.

He grabbed her hand. “Wait, you’re bleeding.”

She jerked away from him, knowing very well the blood was from the scratches the demons had left her. “Leave them, Lucas. They’ll heal. By the way, what happened between us last night doesn’t change anything. When we have find my sisters, I think it’s best that we go our separate ways.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do, Lucas! I don’t want to hear another word about it. We need to get moving. The demons know where we are and will send more to this area.”

She watched as the muscles in his neck began to bulge. He was angry with her, but she didn’t care. “The only thing that matters now is finding the hive.”

Lucas was right on her tail, silent as the grave.

Her heart hurt to her core. He wasn’t even going to protest, was just going to let her walk away. As she made her way back to the house, she swore to herself she wouldn’t cry.

Traxen appeared back in his room. Ella sat on his bed, her head heavy in her hands. Her lovely scent filled the room. He inhaled slowly as he gazed upon her. The twinge in his chest returned, disrupting his insides more than it ever had. “Shit.”

She gazed at him, her eyes red and swollen. Guilt seared through him. He placed his hand over his chest, hoping to calm the pain. As she stood, she never took her eyes from him. Rage lay beneath those emerald green eyes. He could tell she was using every once of her strength not to break down in front of him.

“Traxen?”

He nodded in her direction, forgetting that he was still in his human body.

No matter what form he was in, she would only see the monster he was.

“What of my sister?”

He smiled, pleased with her remark. She should be broken by now. Pleading for her release, offering him anything he wanted in exchange, for one last moment with her sisters. Yet she stood before him, defiant to the end. “Safe . . . for now,” he said, not knowing why he was trying to reassure her.

She took a deep breath even as she tried to hide her relief.

As she took her seat once more, he was overcome with the sudden urge to go to her. He wanted to tell her he had given her sisters an elixir to heal their wounds just now. He wanted to reassure her all her sisters were well. Yet he knew his words would only prove false, that in time all her sisters would meet their doom—except for her.

Only she would be safe, bound to him for as long as he wished it. Destined to give him the heir the king sought. As his thoughts consumed him, he turned from her.

Focus.
He had come there for a reason. To retrieve more vials to keep him looking human. His job was not done. His new plan was even better than the last. He reached on top of the creaky chest of draws that contained the few possessions and money he owned then grabbed another vial. As he turned, he took another glimpse of Ella. He could sense her fear. More pain echoed through his chest.

“One of the guards will take you to see your sisters,” he said, hoping she would smile, for some fucking reason.

She looked upon him with questioning eyes. “Why would you do that? Let me see my sisters?”

“Would it please you to see your sisters?”

“Yes.”

He felt relief for the first time since he’d entered the room. “Then it’s settled. Guards!”

Moments later, three demons arrived. “One of you, take her to her sisters. Let her stay as long as she wants then bring her back here.”

The demon closest to her took hold of her arm.

Traxen froze as a sense of possessiveness threatened to overwhelm him. He snarled and quickly approached them. “Take your fucking hands off her.” The words came out fiercer than even he would have liked. The guard stared at him with such a look of astonishment that it brought Traxen back to his senses.

“My apologies, it won’t happen again, milord.”

Traxen took a step back as they exited. He started to turn away, when Ella’s voice filled the room. “Thank you.”

He nodded as the door shut behind them. As he stood in the room alone, a warm feeling washed over him. What was happening to him? He shook his head, trying to rid his body of the unnatural feeling. He had work to do.

Traxen appeared under the cover of night near a well-known immortals bar. Humans also came to After Dark, which was still in the city and didn’t allow demons. Why would they?

Since Zatar fed off of other immortals, it was only fitting minions weren’t allowed. Traxen had never been to the bar. Hell, he was practically putting his life in danger by doing so, but he would do whatever it took to make Ella
his
. He frowned. He was sure the potion was wearing off. His skin was revealing the gray tones of his demon form. After all, it wasn’t a permanent change.

He knew what he was deep down. A cold-hearted killer that looked like the walking dead. He didn’t deserve her. He removed the stopper from the vial, throwing the cork to the ground.

It wasn’t as if she could come to ever truly care for him. She loathed him. The only people she cared about were her sisters.

Throwing back his head, he ingested the vial and waited for the effects. The burn filled his body, transforming him from head to toe. When he was satisfied that the change was complete, he found a store window of one of the nearby brick buildings. Golden skin with warm brown hair and eyes reflected back at him. This is what he should look like, for Ella.

This is what she deserved, a man that was handsome and full of life. He wished he could be that man for her, a man worthy of her. What the fuck?

He needed to keep his act together. He turned from the reflection as anger threatened to consume him. He moved toward the bar more determined than ever to win his reward.

The witch and the lycan were too powerful to be taken by force. He would have to use cunning to capture them. They had no way of knowing where the hive was. Though it was no secret the hive was somewhere in New York City, most didn’t want to find out exactly where for fear of never seeing the light of day again. They would have to do some investigating to find the hive, and he was willing to bet the lycan knew about this bar. So here he would wait, to set his trap.

They had been riding in the Camaro for hours. After returning to the house and finding a dead demon there, Lucas hurried to collect some of their things then rushed Ava to the car. He hadn’t said one word to her since their time in the forest, a fact that was starting to wear on his nerves. He wanted to tell her he’d be damned if he left her. Why couldn’t she understand he was just trying to protect her?

“Lucas, I have to stop.” She was sweating and breathing hard as she gripped the car door. “I have to get out of the car.”

He touched her hand.

Hell, her vibrations were off the chart. She was going through her change. He rounded a bend before pulling off the road. They were on a deserted road, way off the beaten path. Vacant buildings hid behind the forest trees. One of them was going to have to make due.

As the car engine finally quieted, she leapt from her seat. He could hear her heart pounding and perspiration trickled down her temple even though it was cool out. “We need to get you inside one of these buildings.”

“Why?”

He put his hand to her forehead. “Bloody hell, Ava, you’re burning up. You need to lie down before you fall down.”

She shoved his hands away then turned from him, unsteady on her feet. “Stop it, Lucas, I’m fine, I just need a minute—”

Lucas caught her before she hit the ground. “Damn—”

He scooped her up in his arms. They had to get off the road. He had purposely taken back roads of New York in hopes that it might delay the demons, but now he was regretting that decision. How was he going to care for her with no supplies?

It was too dangerous to stay at a hotel. No doubt it would be the first place demons would look for them. After scouring the wooded area, searching for somewhere they could stay the night, he finally found a deserted cabin.

He kicked open the door of the one-room shelter. There was a small dusty cot in the corner and a couple of stools in the kitchen. It wasn’t a four-star hotel but it would have to do. He laid her gently on the cot and took off his leather coat, placing it over her, then went back to get the car off the road and find her some water.

He had never heard of anyone dying from the change before but he had also never seen anyone as powerful as Ava. He prayed her transition was quick. Her rest was uneasy, her body drenched in sweat and her breathing quick and shallow. His heart felt heavy. This was just the beginning.

Lucas returned to the cabin just in time to see Ava convulsing on the bed. He had found an old bucket outside the cabin and a creek nearby. He rushed to her side, tearing a piece of his shirt off, then dunking it into the bucket. He twisted the cloth then placed the cool rag on her forehead. She was consumed with fever, her blood burning like fire in her veins—the first stages of the transition.

He tried to calm her trembling body, but to no avail. She continued to shake, her muscles expanding, her body growing strong. This would continue on and off throughout the night and there would be little he could do for her. His transition had been no different.

Minutes passed until her body began to still. He dunked the cloth once more and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Her eyes slowly began to open. “Lucas.”

“I’m right here, Ava.” He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. He kissed her arm gently, tasting the salt on her skin.

“I feel like I’m dying.”

“No, your body is being reborn into your immortal one.” No one died from their transition, did they?

Her eyes rolled back and her lids shut.

“Ava! Ava!”

No modern medicine would help her and a doctor wouldn’t be able to stop the process.

He pressed the cool cloth to her neck, sliding it across her skin hoping it provided her relief. He gazed upon her beautiful face. She was perfect for him in every way, yet he had hurt her, pushed away the only person he ever loved.