Lords of the Were (25 page)

served. He watched in awe as the enormous power she commanded swirled out and down, arcing off every one of the standing stones and into the mage cowering before them.

Vabian was cleansed. That’s the only word Duncan had for it. He actually felt the evil power of him being drained away into the earth until nothing was left behind but an empty shell of a man. Then that man too, disappeared in a poof of light and power, sent to another realm for atonement, or perhaps a second chance, Duncan didn’t know which.

Such choices were up to the Lady alone.

When the light cleared, Patrick Vabian was gone from their midst, the circle cleansed of his evil taint and pure power flowed once more unhindered through the earth beneath them. Allie faced them with an odd mix of sorrow and triumph on her pretty face.

“You’ve done well, milady,” Duncan told her, knowing she needed reassurance, but he needn’t have bothered.

Her mates were instantly at her side, crowding close, hugging her to them as she swayed on her feet. So much power flowing through one so new to it must have been disorienting, but she was in good hands now.

“Is he dead?” Rafe asked, searching for evidence of the mage’s fate even as he comforted his mate.

“I think not,” Dante said, moving forward to where the man had disappeared.

“He’s been cleansed of all magic,” Duncan nodded even as he concentrated on the power buildup in the area, “and sent, I suspect, to the Farthest Realm or one near to it.”

“Not a fun place, I take it?” Tim asked as he wrapped one thick arm around Allie’s waist.

“Even if he could return from such a place, his power has been drained. He is of no use to the Venifucus or threat to us. That’s the most important point, I think.”

Duncan finished the task of releasing the energies back to the earth, then dispersing the magical circle. Within moments, they were all heading down the mountain toward the small house on the edge of the woods.

Betina was waiting for them, ensconced comfortably on the couch as they walked in. Her eyes were alight with eagerness for news, though she certainly had felt the power discharge as the mage was dispersed.

“How did it go? Any losses on our side?” Concern laced her tone.

Tim and Rafe ushered Allie to the small loveseat opposite the couch, seating themselves first, then pulling her across their laps. Broad grins covered both their handsome faces.

“You should’ve seen her, Betina. Our girl is amazing.” Rafe kissed her cheek, licking her neck as she giggled.

“I’m glad you think so,” Allie said on a laugh, then faced her mentor.

“To answer your question, nobody was seriously hurt on our side, though Tim has some scratches.” Allie bent to examine Tim’s ripped shirt, but he intercepted her, pulling her in for a lingering kiss and sidetracking her attention. Betina was glad to see them so frisky. She sighed as she looked to the door, noting each new arrival.

Duncan came and knelt at her side, his expression grim. Dante stood at the fireplace, his habitual spot now that he was welcomed inside this home. The other were filtered in, nodding respectfully to her, each with varying expressions of wonder, consternation, worry and hope on their faces. It was a confusing mix.

“What’s wrong?” Betina asked Duncan very quietly.

“The mage spoke before he was dispersed,” Duncan said softly, all eyes turning to him. “He spoke of an ancient evil.”

“Who’s the woman he mentioned?” Tim wanted to know.

“Elspeth was once known as the Destroyer of Worlds,” Duncan said softly, his gaze holding Betina’s as she gasped. “She was banished to the Farthest Realm for her wickedness, but her servants remained hidden.

Only now do I see the link between her and the Venifucus. It should have been obvious to me before.”

“Are you certain? It was Elspeth he spoke of?” Betina wanted to be very sure before allowing the terror to rise in her mind.

“I’m certain. He named her and called her the Mater Priori. All this time, she’s been the one behind the Venifucus. That’s where her left-behind servants gathered, biding their time and plotting. I can’t believe I didn’t see it!”

Betina sighed, trying to remain calm. “Don’t blame yourself, Duncan.

No one knew or even suspected the connection. You’ve done a good thing here, eliciting the information from Vabian.” Betina’s tone was soft. “A new era is upon us. A very dangerous time for us all.”

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Hara’s Legacy

Recipe for a Mimosa Night: Take a few libations to loosen inhibitions, mix them with meddling college friends, add in an innocent game of dice, and the result is a steamy cocktail of erotic desires.

Mimosa Night

© 2006 Nicole Austin and TK Winters

Since her husband’s military deployment, Reba has been plagued by dark, secret fantasies. Never before has she had such scandalously carnal needs—needs she can barely share with her husband, let alone anyone else. But her tenacious friends enlist the help of mysterious otherworld partners until she spills every spicy detail.

During an intimate reunion of college friends, three women share details of their own scorching real-life sexual experiences and the subsequent changes in their lives to help one friend find fulfillment. Things really start to sizzle, though, with an unexpected invitation, a mysterious delivery, and a once-in-a-lifetime offer Reba can’t refuse.

From cowboys and porn stars to floggers and psi vamps, these ladies sure know how to unleash their fantasies.

Enjoy the following excerpt for Mimosa Night: Being seduced by two men was the most overwhelming experience.

The simultaneous sensations created as two tongues laved, four large hands teased and the solid weight of two masculine bodies pressed close—well, it was mind-blowing and all-consuming.

Together they seduced her body, but Vincente alone seduced her mind, whispering naughty things only she heard. His blunt sexual talk in such a provocative bedroom voice heated her body to blazing

temperatures she’d never before experienced. This man sure knew how to titillate and turn on the libido.

Always one to give credit where due, Jackie had to admit David was warming up as they became more intimately involved. The cold edge she’d noticed before was melting away. Now there was only the rigid length of his erection pressed against her thigh. Maybe he just needed time to lose himself in the scene.

The two men worked their way down her body, every movement smooth and coordinated. Exactly as she’d fantasized, they each pleasured a swollen breast, kneaded the full globes, licked, sucked and nipped at turgid nipples. Damn, were they ever talented at giving pleasure with their mouths.

Blissful, fiery jolts shot through her body, causing blood to pool in her swollen labia. She was dripping wet, burning hot, longing for one of their cocks to fill her empty pussy. Yet she was enjoying having them exactly where they were. Jackie arched her back and tunneled her fingers into their hair, holding each man firmly to a breast.

She jerked, every muscle tensing for a moment when the director shouted out instructions. One of the men, she wasn’t sure which, slid his hand over her slightly rounded belly to tease the close-cropped curls between her legs.

Automatically, her legs parted and her knees fell to either side. Lying back against the pillows she closed her eyes, raking her long fingernails against their scalps. A sensual shiver ran through Vincente’s body in response.

She grinned, enjoying the knowledge he wasn’t immune to her attentions. What a sweet thing to know. Her mouth parted as she sucked in large gulps of air. Spreading her labia with thick fingers, he trailed his middle finger over her engorged clit.

“Unh…shit!” she cried. Jackie was totally caught up in the experience. Everyone else on the set faded into the background as she became lost in their ministrations, losing track of which man was doing what. She was engrossed in simply absorbing the results of their skilled seduction.

One of them traced teasing circles through her folds with his fingers, intense pleasure radiated across her distended labia. He teased and tortured with sensual touches until she was frantic with need. She was on the verge of begging when two fingers thrust deep into the clenching depths of her pussy.

The musky fragrance of her arousal hung heavily in the air. Her nipples had grown painfully hard, but it was a good hurt. Hot juices gushed from her swollen pussy, drenching what she had decided was Vincente’s hand, making her whimper. Her nipple slid from his mouth as he leaned back, his heated gaze traveling over her exposed flesh, lingering on the fingers he thrust into Jackie.

His eyes were ablaze with longing…for her, which made her light-headed. She let her eyes wander, drinking in each detail of her gorgeous lover. Vincente’s jaw was clenched tightly, and gave him a slightly harsh, primal look. The bronzed flesh of his chest glistened with a light sheen of sweat.

Oh my God! What a chest. His magnificent, broad shoulders led to the finest set of sculpted pecs with dark cinnamon-colored nipples.

Damn, she’d never seen such a lickable man before. Rock hard abs, bulging biceps, and those damn silky boxers barely covering the most delicious ridge of hard male cock. All together it created one fine package.

“Sweet Jesus! You’re killing me, baby,” Vincente growled.

Killing him, huh. Yeah, right.

“Spread those lips wide for us. We want to see every fold of your beautiful pink cunt,” David said. It was the first time he spoke to her. He seemed to be as deeply immersed in their loving as Vincente.

Jackie obeyed without conscious thought. There was no way she could do anything else. Not when she finally held their rapt attention.

Her clit throbbed with the need for the touch of a tongue firmly stroking over the sensitive bundle. Pulling her hands from their hair, she spread her legs even wider as she opened her folds, baring herself for their attention. She hoped one of them would be tempted to lick her now.

“That’s it, baby. Now, spread those juices all around for me,” David said. She did as instructed.

”Good. Now bring those lovely fingers to your lips. Run them over those luscious curves.” This time it was a command. One she had no problem with obeying.

Vincente took a turn at being the dominant player. “Now, suck those fingers deep into your mouth and lick them for me. Oh yeah, baby…just like you’re sucking my cock. Tell me, how do you taste? Does your thick honey taste as sweet as I imagine?” When she didn’t immediately respond, his tone turned sharp. “Don’t tease me, Jackie. Tell me, now!” She did as he instructed, savoring the sweet, musky taste of her own cream, licking and sucking on her fingers while imagining it was his cock in her mouth. Removing her clean fingers from her mouth with a pop, she trailed the wet tips over her aching nipple. “I’m the sweetest thing you’ll ever taste.”

Vincente groaned, watching her fingers trail over her torso, sliding through her hot juices once again. Then she held her wet fingers out toward him temptingly. “Care for an appetizer?”

Talons

A collection of five stories taking you to the height of passion Talons: Kiss Me Deadly

© 2006 Shannon Stacey

Death is a collective—an unkindness of supernatural ravens with the power to take the form of men and to decide which humans live and which humans die with a mere touch.

When Khail lays his fatal touch on his next victim and she doesn’t die, he’s faced with a human immune to his deadly power who has seen him shift form—and he’s able to have physical contact with a woman for the first time in centuries.

Falling for a shapeshifting messenger of Death wasn’t on Bridget Sawyer’s agenda, but things are about to get even more complicated. The Unkind is determined to claim her.

Talons: King of Prey

© 2006 Mandy M. Roth

In a place where realms combine and portals open passages to the unknown, a prophecy speaks of fertility being restored to his people through the taking of King Kabril’s mate.

The prophecy neglects to mention she lacks something vital to his kind—wings. Kabril, King of the Buteos Regalis has no interest in taking a human mate. His kind believes humans are dirty, vile creatures who rely on machines to lift them into the air. The last place he wants to go in search of his mate is Earth, but he’s left no choice.

Never did he expect to find love on a planet with one moon, people who lack wings and a stubborn vixen who makes his heart soar. When he does, he fears the truth about who and what he truly is will steal it away. Little does he know his enemies fully intend on doing the taking.

Talons: Firebird

© 2006 Jaycee Clark

Legend has it firebirds bring both good fortune and destruction, Reen has become an expert at both…

Reen is an expert at destruction and annihilation. She’s a Hunter, an elite, one of their best assassins, she’s also a legendary firebird—a creature of lore. Staker, a member of the Falcon order, is her soul mate from a bloody past she desperately tries to forget, but one that haunts her every moment. The two are thrown together in a desperate search for missing women.

The Collector is a man who loves the hunt, preying on the unusual, on the special—all to keep these women for his own use. The Collector favors shifters, the rarer the better. He traps them, keeps them, and turns them into his own private collectables.

Staker doesn’t want Reen to be a part of this dangerous mission, but she has other plans. Unfortunately, so does the Collector…

Talons: Caged Desire

© 2006 Sydney Somers