Acting Witchy (Witch Hunters) (11 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Mystique stepped out of the shower and wrapped one towel around her hair and another around her body. She dried herself and her hair briskly. “Damn it,” she muttered when she realized she’d forgotten to bring her underwear into the bathroom.

She’d used the last of the towels. She shivered in revulsion at the thought of wrapping herself in the damp cotton. Knowing only Sean was in the hotel room, she left the bathroom naked.

Only Sean wasn’t alone. His back was to her as he stood talking to another man who looked so much like him, that he could only be his brother Keith. His eyes widened as they took in her naked form. Mystique shrieked and crossed her arms over her body to cover her breasts and her sex.

Sean whipped around. He frowned for a second and then his eyes flickered, the pupils disappearing even as the irises took on a supernatural glow. Suddenly, she was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. “Thanks.” Her cheeks were hot with mortification.

“Mystique, this is my brother Keith. Keith, this is my Mystique.”

Keith moved forward, his hand outstretched. “Sean’s been going on about you for almost a year. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” He smiled. “You’re even lovelier in person than you are on film.”

    “Um, thanks.” She shook his hand, her face going even redder at his words.

    He colored a bit and chuckled. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean because of your state of undress. Though, I must reiterate, you are truly exquisite. ”

Sean growled and punched his brother in the shoulder. “You’re embarrassing her, you dolt.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you, too. Do you live near here?”

Keith exchanged glances with Sean before running a hand over the back of his head. “Um, no. I…um…”

“He transported here,” Sean said at last. “I told you Keith was stronger than me.”

“Not true. You were always too lazy to practice.”

“I’m glad you came,” Mystique said, interrupting their banter. “I did my best to heal Sean, but I’d like you to examine my handiwork.”

“I’ve checked him over. Your work is excellent. However, that’s not why I came.”

“Oh?” She frowned in confusion. “Then why are you here? Our flight leaves this afternoon.”

Keith opened his mouth, but Sean put a restraining hand on his arm. “Let me explain.”

“Explain what? Last night you sounded pretty eager to leave Asheville.”

“Sit for a second.” He led her to the couch and sat beside her. He laced her fingers with his. “So I told Keith about what happened. And I think we can all agree that what your mother did to me was wrong.”

She nodded. “Of course.”

“And we can’t let her keep doing that to witches.”

She snatched her hand out of his. “So you’re planning to kill her?”

“What? Hell, no.”

“Then what? Because my mother’s been doing this for years. Nothing short of death will stop her.”

“How about a little sorcery?” Keith sat on the other side of her. “I can put a spell on her that can make her forget that witches exist.”

Mystique arched a doubtful brow. “How do you intend to do that? It’s half of her existence. It would be like giving her a lobotomy.”

“She wouldn’t lose her memories. They would be…altered. Whenever she tries to think of witches it will be like trying to recall the lyrics to a song she heard long ago. It’ll be irritating that she can’t remember but eventually she’ll shrug and go on with her day.”

She thought they were simplifying this too much. “And when she thinks of my father? What will she recall as the reason they broke up? Or why she can’t accept me as her daughter? She’ll have to fill in blanks like that every day. And you’d have to get Mama Skye and Nikita to go along with this and never mention witches. And let me tell you, those two aren’t likely to agree to work with witches. They’re hunters also.”

“Then you talk to them,” Sean said. “They’ve got to see she’s unreasonable in her hatred of witches.”

She swore softly. They were right. Her mother had gone over the edge of reason. Good and evil didn’t enter the equation for her mother. Simply being born a witch was excuse for an execution for her. Mystique couldn’t let her continue to torture people because they were born different. “Let me dry my hair. I’ll call Mama Skye and arrange a meeting with her and Nikita.”

****

“I’ll be there in about ten minutes.” Sean watched as Mystique ended the call with her grandmother. She’d left her hair curly but pulled it into a ponytail high at the back of her head. She turned to him. “Everything’s set. I’m meeting them at the bakery. They’ll send Meadow on an errand so that we don’t run into each other.”

She gripped the keys to the rental car and stared at him. He crossed to her and pulled her into a hug. She melted in his embrace and kissed his cheek. “Be careful,” he told her.

“They won’t hurt me,” she said with confidence. She gave him one last squeeze. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you.” He pulled back so that he could look into the dark pools of her eyes. “This is for the best.” Like a small flower blooming, he could feel her hope that their plan would work. She nodded. He caressed her cheek. Keith cleared his throat as he was bending to kiss her again.

“I hate to be a pain, but the two of you are embarrassing the hell out of me again.”

Mystique smiled and gave him a quick peck. He groaned at the soft feel of her lips. He wanted to do so much more.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Keith arched a brow at him. “So of all the witches in the world, you bound yourself to a witch hunter?”

“Hey, when all this started I didn’t know she was a witch at all.”

“How could you not? The power is practically brimming off her. Her aura is electric.”

“That’s because she used her abilities to heal me. It’s the first time she’s used her magic since she was a child. She was discouraged from practicing by her mother.” His jaw tightened as he recalled her taunting voice and the feel of the knife stinging his flesh repeatedly. And all the while he’d been weak and defenseless. “That woman detests us all. The hatred is a poison in her blood. She’s let it spill over and ruin her relationship with her daughter.”

“Ah, now I understand why you picked this particular binding spell. Does Mystique realize what you’re doing for her?”

“Not yet. I don’t think it’s penetrated, but it will come to her. This is only part of it. I’m going to need some help for the next step.” He picked up his phone and called Neva.

Chapter Seventeen

Sean held Mystique in his arms on the landing outside Meadow’s bedroom. It was close to two in the morning. He kissed her forehead. “It’s going to be fine. Keith is very talented.”

Mystique nodded but remained silent. Keith and Nikita stood in front of her. Mama Skye had gone to bed, confident that all would be well. Keith was waiting for her to give the word before proceeding.

“Myst, it’s now or never,” Nikita encouraged.

She took a deep breath. She was apprehensive, but knew this was their best option. “Do it.”

Keith nodded and turned the knob. Nikita was right on his heels. He frowned down at her. “What?”

“I’m coming with you. I agree; Meadow is a fanatic. But that doesn’t mean I’m not keeping my eye on you, witch.”

He shrugged and slipped quietly into Meadow’s bedroom. Nikita followed, her footsteps inaudible despite her customary high heels. They were gone for only a matter of minutes. Mystique clutched Sean’s hand. “It’s done?”

“Done,” Keith affirmed with a nod.

“How do you know?”

“I know,” Keith said. His voice was firm. He was so different from his brother. He was confident without flash or charm. It made his word all the more believable. “I took the liberty of also healing the bruise under her eye and the bump on her head.”

“Thank you, Keith.” She looked up at Sean. “I want to stay here tonight. I want to see her in the morning. You and Keith can go back to the hotel”

“All right.” He kissed her briefly.

She sensed his reluctance to leave her through their link. Stroking his cheek, she said, “I’ll call you in the morning.”

****

Mystique sat at the kitchen table watching as Mama Skye ambled about the kitchen preparing a large breakfast. She’d told her that it wasn’t necessary but her grandmother had insisted.

She was running her finger around the rim of her coffee cup when Meadow entered. Her mother was still in her dressing gown. She stretched her hands over her head, yawning. “I had the most wonderful sleep last night,” she began before she emitted a cry.

Mystique’s eyes widened. She looked around to see what could have startled her mother so.

“Myst, my baby! I’m so glad you’re here. I’m sorry about our argument.” She rushed over and she was enveloped in her mother’s embrace. She couldn’t recall the last time her mother had hugged her or held her. “You were the first thing on my mind this morning when I woke up.” She pulled back and looked at her, smoothing her hair. She smiled. “I’d like to meet your young man now, if that’s okay with you.”

Mystique’s mouth dropped open. She looked at Mama Skye. This was more than she’d been expecting. “Um...”

Meadow frowned. “Oh, that’s right. I met him. I wasn’t very nice to him. I can’t imagine why…” She seemed to be searching her memory. After a moment, she shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. If you approve of him and he treats you right, then I’m sure I’ll grow to love him, too.”

She didn’t know what to say. She was momentarily stunned. Keith’s spell had made her mother forget the existence of witches. But it had done so much more. It had given her a mother in the true sense of the word. For the first time, she didn’t see hatred and disgust in her mother’s eyes when she gazed upon her.

“Oh, baby,” Meadow crooned, cupping her cheeks and wiping away her tears. “Why are you crying?”

She shook her head, mute with joy. Her throat was thick with emotion as she clung to her mother.

Chapter Eighteen

Mystique held Sean’s hand as they entered her condo. He’d had a limo driver meet them at the airport. They moved to the side as the driver brought in their bags.

“Where would you like these?”

“Right there is fine,” Sean said. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He gave the man a generous tip and thanked him for his service.

Mystique hugged her arms around herself. She never imagined so much would change when she’d walked out of her condo months ago. They had elected to spend an additional week in Asheville. She’d enjoyed the time with her mother. The only tense moment she’d had was in formally introducing Sean to her family. She’d been apprehensive that her mother would somehow recall attacking Sean. However, all had gone well. Sean, a natural charmer, had easily won over her mother and grandmother. Only Nikita had been reserved. But that was Nikita. She wasn’t irrational in her dislike of witches but she didn’t trust them.

When they were alone, Sean came up behind her and wrapped his arms over hers. He kissed her neck and her breath hitched in her throat. It had been some time since she’d been intimate with him. She’d remained at Mama Skye’s house. The only couples allowed to share a room at Mama Skye’s were married. Their witch bond was one thing, but a marriage certificate was another.

“What are you thinking?” His breath tickled her skin.

“I was thinking how much I love you.” His arms tightened for a brief moment. “Have I thanked you lately for all you’ve done?”

She could feel his lips curl against her skin. “Not today.” He turned her in his embrace and his mouth covered hers. She speared her fingers through his curls to pull him closer as his tongue tangled with hers. His hands slid beneath her shirt, crisscrossing behind her back and tracing her spine. The first latch on her bra clasp went as a knock sounded at her door.

Mystique groaned. “That’s probably Marielle. I sent her a text and told her I’d be back in town today.” A quick peep confirmed her guess.

Marielle gave her a quick hug. “I hope your flight went well. I’ve got something to show you and you are not going to like it.” She halted when she spotted Sean. Her gaze swung back to Mystique. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No, we just arrived.”

Marielle’s gray eyebrows rose in surprise. “We? Is everything all right?”

Mystique laughed. “Yes, everything is fine. Sean, could you take our bags to the bedroom.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

When he was out of earshot, Marielle rounded on her. “What is going on? He’s staying here?”

“Yes.” She blushed. How did she explain the sudden change in sentiment towards Sean? “Um…we’re dating.”

Marielle smacked a folded newspaper into her open palm. “That’s not all of it from what the gossip rags are saying.” She handed the paper to Mystique. “Rumor has it that the two of you are engaged. At least now I know how this got started. What happened? You left here scared witless of the man and you come back saying you’re dating.”

“It’s a long story.” She flipped open the paper. There was a photo taken at the Japanese restaurant. It was dark and grainy but there was no doubt that it was her and Sean. “Let’s say we put our differences aside.”

“The engagement is real?”

“Of a sort.” Sean hadn’t mentioned marriage since the night her mother attacked him.

Marielle sighed. “I won’t lie to you. Dating Sean, marrying him, will give a phenomenal boost to your career. But I like you, kid, so I’m going to ask, is this one of those situation relationships? Is it going to fall apart the moment the two of you have any sort of separation? Keep in mind, you’re both busy people and your careers may send you in opposite directions for months at a time.”

Mystique would have had those same concerns if she were dating any other actor. For the first time, she was glad Sean was a witch. They would never be truly separated. Even now she could feel him kicking around in a corner of her mind. She couldn’t contain her smile. “It’s for keeps, Marielle.”

Her friend and manager shook her head. “All right. I wish you the best. Maybe we should discuss how to handle the media with Sean and his agent?”

She could have growled in frustration. She wanted to spend some time alone with Sean. But the quicker this was over, the better. “I’ll ask him to set it up.”

Sean’s agent and his manager arrived within the hour. The two men were middle-aged and handsome in a vague way. Both were in dark tailored suits. The five of them sat in her living room around her coffee table. They were so enthusiastic about their relationship that it was sickening. They were spinning ideas like the two of them having a reality show leading up to the wedding and having the wedding televised. Sean sat through it all, saying nothing. When they were done, he gave them a polite no and detailed exactly what he wanted done. There would be an official engagement announcement. No wedding date had been set. When the date was decided, it would not be made public. It would be small wedding with only family and close friends invited. When he’d completed his plans, they agreed with him so wholeheartedly no one would ever guess that it was the exact opposite of the arrangements they had outlined only minutes before. Sean thanked them for their time and then escorted them to the door.

Marielle squeezed Mystique’s hand. “I see it now.”

She frowned. “What do you see?”

“He loves you. Sean Savage’s entire career has been brash and in your face. Love him or hate him, but you damned sure couldn’t ignore him. But when he was describing your wedding I could tell that he didn’t want to share you or your love with anyone.” She smiled. “I still worry about how quick all this has happened, but I have a hunch you two will make it.” She stood and smoothed her skirt. “I expect to be receiving a wedding invitation.”

“Of course.” Mystique followed her to the door. Sean was closing it but opened it again at her approach.

Marielle patted his cheek with a weathered hand. “Treat her right or else. I have eyes and ears everywhere.”

Sean’s eyes widened but he didn’t comment. Once she was gone, he grinned at her. “She’s like your second mom, isn’t she?”

Tears filled her eyes. “Third actually when you count Mama Skye. Thanks to you, I have my original mom.”

He pulled her close and gave her a brisk kiss. “Mm, you taste good. Like fresh strawberries.” She clung to him, but he put her away from him. “You’re trying to distract me. I’m cooking dinner for you.”

“Really?” She curled her hands into the waistband of his jeans. “What are you cooking?” She undid the snap and lowered the zipper.

“I thought it was time for you to try my chicken parmesan for real.” Her hand closed over his thickening erection, squeezing him through his cotton briefs. Sean groaned and backed away. She pouted as he redid his denims.

“Well, you’re going to have to make a trip to the grocery store. I don’t keep my kitchen stocked when I’m away.”

“I can easily conjure something up.”

“Okay.”

He arched a brow. “Okay?”

“First, let me ask you something. Are you sure you want to marry me? I can’t change my history and Nikita is still an active witch hunter.”

He took her hands. “Forever, Mystique. I keep telling you that. One day you’re going to believe me.”

She couldn’t resist. She kissed him. “I had to be sure. I don’t want you feeling forced to go through with this because of announcing it. We could wait a year and call the whole thing off. It won’t affect movie sales—”

“Hell, no,” Sean growled. “You’re mine. I’m not letting you go.”

She grinned. “So, I’ve been thinking, I could have lost you if Keith hadn’t called me. If I’d accepted our link wholeheartedly, I would have known you were in danger. I want to be completely open to you.”

    “I don’t want you to do this out of guilt.”

Silencing him with a kiss, Mystique whispered against his lips, “I want this. I want to be as close to you as I can possibly be.”

“I’ve got to say, you’re turning me on here.”

Her lips curled in a smile as she led him to her bedroom. Once there, she undressed him slowly. She’d never undressed a man before. Revealing his flesh an inch at a time, she found it to be more sensual than she thought. Her breath caught and her cleft grew moist.

He was so strong and gorgeous. And all hers. Pushing his shirt off his shoulders, she kissed his collarbone. His chest was hard, sleek muscle. “You’re beautiful,” she said. “I’ve never told you that because you’ve heard it a million times—”

“It means more coming from you.”

She grinned, unfastening his jeans. He was thick and hard. “You’re not going to deny your beauty? Classic, Sean.” She squeezed his cotton covered erection. The heat of him warmed her hand. He groaned and his cock pulsed. She felt an answering convulsion in her pussy. Moisture flooded her panties.

“If you don’t stop that, I’m not going to make it.”

“But I have so many plans for this body of yours.” She slid her fingers in his hair and pulled his head down for a kiss. She opened her lips beneath his and he immediately accepted the invitation, his tongue invading her mouth. Slanting his mouth over hers, he kissed her deeply. His hands cupped her ass and brought her closer.

She sensed she was losing the upper hand when he undid the snap to her jeans. “No, I want to do this for you.”

“You have no idea how much you turn me on by just being you.”

She shoved his jeans and underwear to the floor. Wetting her lips, she took his cock in her hand again. She squeezed. He trembled. On the down stroke she felt a drop of moisture on the tip. She lifted her hand and licked away the taste of him. “Hmm, delicious.”

“You’re going to kill me.”

She led him to her bed and gave him a light shove. “Lay down.” When he’d complied, she undressed quickly until she wore only her panties. She climbed on top of him. “Hands over your head.” He did so without protest. She pleasantly surprised by his easy acceptance of her dominance.

Leaning over him, she brushed her breasts against his chest so that her nipples grazed his skin, teasing him and herself. She gasped at how good it felt.

“Let me taste you, please.”

Never able to deny him when he said please, she moved up and held her breasts for him. He captured her nipple between his lips, his tongue flicking the hard tip. She gasped. He suckled and nibbled until she was squirming on his chest. Only then did he move to the other breast.

Panting, she withdrew and moved down his body. She raked her nails down his sides and over his tight abs. His cock stood up proudly from a nest of black curls. Without preamble, she bent and licked him from the base to the mushroom head. She swirled her tongue around the top, once again getting a taste of his essence. Gripping him with one hand, she took the head into her mouth and sucked.

“Oh, shit,” Sean groaned, his hips shooting up. “That feels so g-g-good.”

Mystique grinned around his cock. She had her man stuttering. She couldn’t ask for a better compliment than that. Increasing the strength of her suctioning, she cupped his balls with one hand and massaged the base of his cock with the other. Sean’s hands slipped into her hair, caressing her scalp. He didn’t force her to take more but she knew he wanted her to. Opening her mouth wider, she allowed another inch entry. She couldn’t hope to take all of him.

His moisture was flowing freely. He was groaning and his hips were twitching when he begged her to stop. “I want to be inside you.”

She was more than ready for him. She was surprised at how much the sounds of his pleasure had affected her. “Are you sure?” She wet her lips. “We could do that later.”

“Now, baby. I want to feel your tight pussy around me.”

Moaning, she mounted him. He guided her hips, thrusting up as she seated herself. It felt so good to be filled by him that she couldn’t contain a cry of ecstasy. Pulling up and then impaling herself again, she felt her body stretching around his staff. “Oh, God,” she whispered. “I keep forgetting how good you feel.”

“No, it gets better every time.” His eyes emitted a soft glow. “Damn, you’re beautiful.” His gaze was trained on her breasts as they bounced while she rode him. “So beautiful,” he said again, his voice impossibly deeper, his eyes dropping to where their bodies were joined. He gave a particularly strong thrust upward. “Ride me, baby.”

He squeezed her buttocks as she fucked him. Reaching around behind herself, she palmed his balls. Sean cursed and arched his back. He moved up the bed until his back was against the headboard, holding onto her so that they never broke connection. He bent his knees and she slid forward. This position made riding him easier but also increased the depth of his penetration. Her mouth rounded to an “O” as his cock butted up against her womb. Nails digging into his shoulders, she screamed as her orgasm rolled over her suddenly.

Sean bucked beneath her, growling as her pussy milked him. She felt his cock swell and pulse as he emptied his seed into her welcoming body.

****

Sean smiled down at Mystique. He smoothed her wild mass of curls away from her face. She was a natural beauty. With no makeup on at all, she was easily the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He kissed her forehead where short tendrils of hair swirled at her temple. She smiled in her sleep and snuggled deeper into the covers. He slid out of bed. There was one last task he had to take care of.