Bewitched, Bothered, and Bitten (7 page)

The air in the living room became heavy as I called up my magic. I could almost feel it pressing into my skin like a physical touch. Then the static electricity created by the storm was drawn to my body, dancing over my skin, leaving the hair on my head standing on end.

In my mind, I began to recite the spell, never allowing my concentration to waver. If I let even a small amount of power slip before I struck, the warlock would know what was coming and have time to warn his companions.

Magic pulsed in my extremities. I felt as though a wild animal was trying to claw its way out of my body. I allowed the power to crescendo within me as I repeated the incantation three times in my head.

As I will it, so mote it be.

With those final words, I surged to my feet, my arms flying forward. The wards I’d placed on the house crashed down and a split second later, the ferocity I unleashed with my spell exploded with enough force that the entire structure shook.

A brilliant white light filled the room, so bright it was as if I were standing in the midday sun. I suddenly realized there was no way I could control the wave of destruction I released. Even to a vampire, this would be a fatal spell. It was too late to stop the chain reaction I’d begun. Instead, I rode the crest, my entire body sparking with electricity and magic.

Vaguely, I heard screams and felt the leading edge of the spell hit the four vampires surrounding my house. Then, they were devoured by pure, elemental magic, not even a trace of their bones left behind. The warlock vanished a moment before he would have been consumed.

From the epicenter of the spell, I searched the outside edges of my property and felt no one lurking. Satisfied that I was now alone, I lifted my arms above my head, calling for the power to return to me. Though I’d released it in a rush, it would take time for the surge to come full circle.

Slowly, the magic retracted, dispersing into the earth, the air, and my own body. While many books portrayed challenging spells such as these as draining, in reality, they were energizing. Residual magic swirled in the air and within my body, fizzing like champagne in my veins.

As I stood in the center of my living room, arms hanging limply at my sides and chest heaving, my front door flew open. Before I could think, my right hand lifted and a bolt of energy shot from my palm.

Wide-eyed I watched as the streak of light struck Finn’s chest and a blinding shower of sparks erupted. Blinking rapidly to clear the black dots that filled my vision, I gaped when I realized that Finn was not only still standing, he was completely unharmed.

“Goddammit, Kerry! What the fuck were you thinking?”

Rubbing my palms together to relieve the intense tingling in my right hand, I apologized. “I’m sorry, Finn. I have never done that before. I didn’t even know I
could
do that.” I hadn’t even thought of a spell, merely called up the magic and used it as I willed.

He slammed the door shut forcefully, causing the frame to creak ominously. “That’s not what I’m fucking talking about and you know it!” he roared. “You KNEW that you were in danger and you willfully ignored the warnings. You could have been kidnapped, or worse, killed.”

Still riding on the sharp edge of magic, which was more intense than a high by any drug, my eyes narrowed and very air around me sizzled with little sparks of electricity.

“I don’t see anyone else standing here but you and me, Finn. I’ve told you before and I’m telling you again, I can and will take care of myself.”

In a blink Finn was in my face, his large hand circling my neck. While he wasn’t squeezing, his touch was threatening.

“I could crush your windpipe before you could even utter the first word of a spell,” he hissed. “And there is nothing you could do to stop me.”

Anger, wild and out of control, erupted inside me. Quickly, I lifted my right hand and tapped my finger in the center of Finn’s chest. As I had moments ago, I didn’t even think of the words needed to cast, merely used the magic as I wanted.

To an observer, the move would seem almost playful, but Finn groaned in pain, releasing my neck and collapsing to the floor, whatever prevented him from being hurt moments ago no longer seemed to protect him.

Leaning down to stare straight into his glowing lavender eyes, I whispered, “And I could have made your heart explode with that simple touch. Don’t play this game with me, Finn. You wouldn’t like the outcome.”

An expression of grudging respect flickered across his features. “You are stronger than I thought,” he muttered. “But you are an idiot if you think you can take on a warlock and his vampire apprentices alone.”

Steel filling my spine, I straightened. “I just did and I could do it again.”

Finn rose to his feet. “And how do you think you could do that?” he asked.

“You practice magic, yes?” Something wild and reckless filled me. Deep in my mind a voice whispered that I should stop, pull back, that I was dancing too close to the edge of the cliff that led straight down into the pit of black magic that had swallowed a man I once loved. The words of reason were interrupted by a devilish voice that insisted I needed to prove myself.

A glimmer of understanding filled his eyes. “Yes.”

“Do you consider yourself to be powerful?” I asked.

Goddess help me, I had to be a nutcase, challenging a thousand year old vampire to a duel. He’d had a millennium to perfect his craft. He could probably kick my ass with his pinkie. Still, that devilish little voice inside me demanded that I garner his respect. Anything less would be an insult.

The glow in his purple eyes flared brightly and his voice dropped as he answered, “Yes.”

“Then why don’t you take me on and see who’s still standing in the end?”

“T
his is a
ridiculous idea,” Finn complained.

As we squared off in my front yard, rain soaking us to our skin, I realized he did have a valid point. I’d regretted my suggestion as soon as I’d begun to calm, but my pride wouldn’t let me back down. My mother and even Belinda had always said my pride and fierce independent streak would be my downfall. At least the storm had calmed somewhat, the lightning and thunder had stopped, so we likely wouldn’t be electrocuted.

“Probably,” I answered, “but you need to understand what I’m capable of. I can protect myself quite adequately, as I’m sure you noticed tonight.”

Finn scowled at me. “You can’t watch your back 24/7, Kerry. Whether you like it or not, you’re vulnerable and you need help.”

“Enough. Let’s do this.” The longer I listened to his logical arguments, the sillier I felt. Still, I couldn’t let this go. Somewhere, deep within me, I
needed
him to respect me and to understand exactly how strong I was, even though I knew I was acting like a child.

“Kerry….”

Rather than continue the argument, I zapped him. Okay, so there was a more technical name for it, but, for lack of a better description, I threw a ball of static electricity at him. After that, there were no more words.

Finn managed to deflect my attack, barely, and he countered. We continued hurling spells at each other, gaining speed as the battle progressed. Though he was a vampire and wouldn’t die from a more powerful attack, I didn’t use anything stronger than I would when sparring with another witch. I wanted to prove my point, not injure him.

At first, I was surprised at how evenly matched we were. I thought he would be stronger than me. As we continued, he seemed to be losing focus. Finn cursed when he didn’t deflect all of my last energy ball. I knew from experience that, while it wouldn’t seriously damage him, the electric sensation was very unpleasant.

“Fuck this,” he shouted, coming toward me. His speed was preternatural, bringing him right in front of me in a blink of an eye.

I backpedaled, lifting my hands to cast, but he moved too quickly. As I retreated, my foot slipped in a patch of mud and I went down. My breath left my lungs when I landed hard on my back.

I was still struggling to take in air when Finn’s face appeared over me.

Eyes angry, he snapped, “Goddess, Kerry. Are you okay?”

Feeling foolish, I shoved at his shoulders. “I’m fine,” I croaked then laughed. “You can get off me now.” The sharp blade of anger was dulling beneath the ridiculousness of the situation.

Finn wrapped his fingers around my wrists, pinning my hands above my head. “No, not until you listen to reason.”

“Seriously? I’m calm now. You can let me up.”

“Are you going to come with me to a safe place tonight?” he asked.

I frowned at him, refusing to answer because I knew he wouldn’t like what I had to say.

“By the god and goddess, you are the most stubborn, independent, proud woman I have ever been cursed to know.”

I struggled beneath him, my irritation returning. Panting, I retorted, “Then leave.” I didn’t mean the words, but that same reckless and immature urge that had driven me to challenge him goaded me on.

“I don’t want to.”

Then he kissed me.

I could almost taste his anger as his mouth opened over mine, his tongue tangling with my own. He released my wrists, but laced our fingers together, holding my hands still. The heat of his body burned through my wet clothes, making me aware of how cold the night had become. Suddenly aware of the drop in temperature, I shivered violently.

Within seconds, Finn stood, lifted me into his arms, and carried me into the house. I could still feel the frustration emanating from him in waves. I responded by unleashing my own ire. Our mouths clashed as he lowered me to the rug in front of the fire.

Finn tugged at my shirt, trying to pull it over my head. When the wet material clung stubbornly to my body, he yanked and I heard the fabric rip. My pants quickly followed. He didn’t even try to fight the hooks at the waist or the small zipper, tearing the material instead. I kicked off my shoes and lifted my hips as Finn wrestled me out of my slacks.

I couldn’t think. I was angry, yet painfully aroused. I’d never experienced anything like it before. As Finn literally shredded my satin bra and panties, my hands twisted in the hem of his sweater and I yanked it over his head. My fingers fumbled with the button on his jeans, practically ripping them open. When my cold hand encountered his hot cock, he grunted, his hips jerking. I wrapped my fingers around the head of his erection and ran my thumb over the tip.

I yelped as Finn sucked my nipple between his lips. The warmth of his mouth almost hurt as it surrounded my icy flesh. My back arched when his hand slid up my inner thigh to my center. I lifted my hips as he thrust two fingers inside my body.

When his thumb pressed my clit and rotated, I clutched his biceps. “Finn.”

He smiled slightly, revealing his fangs, then removed his hand.

“No! Don’t stop.” My anger forgotten, all I could think about was the pleasure of his touch. When he laughed, I reared up and sank my teeth into his chest as he shoved his jeans down his legs.

I felt the hot, hard length of his erection glide over my clit before he angled his hips and thrust inside me with one smooth motion. I cried out, wrapping my arms around his torso and digging my nails into his lower back. His hands pushed my knees higher, leaving me open and helpless to his powerful thrusts. The muscles in my lower abdomen tightened in preparation for a blinding climax.

Our coupling was fast and ferocious. I scratched and bit, straining against him, alternating between pleading and threatening. When my movements became too wild, Finn lowered his upper body, caging me between the floor and his chest, his arms providing a cushion for my shoulders and his hands cupped the back of my head.

“You feel more incredible than I imagined,” he murmured in my ear. “Tight and hot.”

I turned my head and sank my teeth into the curve where his neck and shoulder met, sucking hard enough to leave a mark.

Finn growled, his fingers tightening in my hair hard enough to hurt, but I liked it. His hips slammed into mine hard and fast, hitting my clit on each stroke.

My pulse thudded harder as he used his grip on my hair to turn my head, completely revealing my neck to him. I knew what was coming and, damn, I wanted it badly. Unlike my human friends, I knew exactly what to expect from a vampire’s bite and I knew I would enjoy it.

When his fangs sank into my throat, an orgasm exploded within me, almost blinding in its intensity. With each pull of his mouth, another wave of pleasure would crash over me. Vaguely, I felt Finn stiffen as he came, then the world went dark.

*     *     *

I was warm
and dry when I awoke. I smelled wood burning, vanilla and spice. Inhaling the comforting scents, I stretched languidly. So that was what angry sex felt like. I definitely should have tried it before now. When my eyes opened, I saw that I was lying in my bed, a small fire burning in the fireplace. It was the only light source in the room.

I shifted, wincing as sore muscles made themselves known. Our coupling had been wild and rough, and my body was letting me know it didn’t approve of my enthusiastic activities.