The Wicked (3 page)

Moments later, Fire burst through the tree, sending flames spiraling throughout.

“Ha! I did it,” I said, quite proud.

“By the Gods, Zia,” Briar gasped. “I didn’t believe you when you told me of this.” She met my gaze with bewildered eyes. “Tell me, my dear, what were you thinking of when you did that?”

“I was thinking what you told me to think. I saw the tree burning, then opened my eyes, and abracadabra, it was a fiery inferno.”

Briar did a full out belly laugh. “Oh, that is just amazing. Please show me more.” She looked around spotting another rotten tree and pointed to it. “Yes, do that one too.”

Fire was easier to recognize now, but bringing the magic forth, still remained a challenge. I concentrated deep, drawing my mind back to the garden—imaging the tree and every little imperfection. I centered my Fire within me and when I felt focused, I released it—allowed Fire to take a life that needed to be reborn.

Flames crackled loudly.

“Wow,” Briar sputtered. “I must say, that is quite incredible.”

Briar’s bewildered expression had grown considerably, which only confused me. “Obviously I’m missing something here. What’s with the look?”

Briar didn’t answer. Instead, she looked at a tree, focusing deeply.

Nothing happened.

She gave a knowing look with a sly smile. “You see?”

“Er…I see nothing,” I responded, confused.

“Exactly,” Briar exclaimed. “I am a strong Fire Witch, but I cannot will it from my body as you have just done.”

“You can’t?” Now, it was my turn to gasp.

Briar shook her head slowly. “No. I can’t.”

My gaze went straight to Zia. “What does that mean exactly?”

“Not much of anything,” Zia responded in her reassuring tone. “This is your talent, sweetie. Enjoy it. Many witches would give a right leg to be able to do what you just did.”

“Huh? You can do the same with Water. I’ve seen it.”

Zia nodded. “You’re right I can.”

“So, this is different because…”

“Because,” Briar interjected. “A Fire Witch has never had this ability before.”

“Is that true?”
I thought to Zia.

Zia smiled. “You are no different than I, Nexi. At this time, I am the only known Water Witch capable of such magic. You are not alone in special talents so you can stop hyperventilating.”

“I’m not…” Zia raised her brows. I sighed. “Okay, well maybe I am a little bit.”

“This is a blessing.” Zia patted my cheek. “Take it as such.”

Getting the focus away from me, I changed the subject. “What can you do with your Fire?” I asked Briar.

“Like I said, my Element is Fire. I can use it defensively of course, but I need touch to enable it.” She walked up to a tree, touched it, and it instantly went up in flames. “You see. I’m capable of the same magic you are. There just always has to be contact first.”

Before I could think further on the matter, a high piercing meow came from below. A black kitten with an orange-tipped tail was rubbing herself between my ankles. It looked a little like a Persian kitten, but bigger—basically, a big ball of fluff.

“Awww…a kitty.” I reached down and picked her up as she rubbed her face against my cheek. “Is it yours, Briar?”

“Her mother and father are. I have taken up a little breeding as a hobby, I suppose. These little sweeties…” She rubbed the kittens head. “Are just so cute, I can’t help but allow my Vyla to keep making them.”

After a final cuddle and a scratch around the ears, I put the kitten down. The second my touch left it, it screamed bloody murder. I quickly scooped it back up and she settled against my chest, purring loudly. “Christ! What’s wrong with it?”

“Oh nothing, she’s just pissed at you for putting her down. You’ll get used to it though, they can be quite bossy.”

Back up a second!

“What do you mean, I’ll get used to it?” I asked slowly.

“What do you think I mean?” Briar asked, looking at me as if I should be riding the short bus. “You are taking it home with you, aren’t you?”

“Taking it home?” I repeated.

“It has chosen you.” Zia said, rubbing the kitten’s head. “Hope you like cats because you are stuck with this one.”

I giggled as the kitten nestled into my neck. “It’s chosen me?”

“These cats are special,” Briar said. “Once they’ve chosen you there’s no getting rid of them. Even if you didn’t take her she would have found you.”

“You’re pulling my leg, right?” I asked, full of suspicion.

Briar’s look was dead serious. “No.” She leaned in. “You didn’t think witches were the only ones with magical powers, did you?”

I could only shake my head and laugh. I glanced back to the kitty, who was presently nuzzling into my jaw, rubbing her scent all over me. “I’ll call you Willow.”

The hot water ran down my face. Mist rose high above me as dew beads ran the length of the clear shower curtain mounted around my antique, pearl white clawfoot tub.

Willow had settled on the white iron bed sleeping soundly. She claimed that spot the second we walked in, made herself right at home.

Thankfully, I was used to having cats around. Our farm in Carson City was their safe haven. Gloria never could let a stray go hungry. But I’d never grown attached to the mangy things. Willow was different and I couldn’t deny I wasn’t tickled to have her.

Grasping onto the shower rod, I leaned in and allowed the water to run down my back when suddenly a hard, warm body closed in around mine.

Kyden’s excitement to see me was quite evident as it poked into my lower back. He ran his hands up my arms, and leaned down to kiss the nape of my neck.

“The assignment went well I see,” I purred, raising my head and leaning back into his erection. God, he could arouse me just by being nearing him. Foreplay sounded great—sometimes we were patient enough to have it. Other times, we just craved each other too much to wait.

Fighting did one thing to Kyden—got him standing at attention in a second flat. He told me once it wasn’t the kill that did it for him, it was the surge of strength and power he felt when it was over. No matter what it was, I was glad for it—reaping the benefits was never disappointing.

“It did.” His purr equaled mine as he laid soft butterfly kisses along my neck. “Newly made vampire in bloodlust—nothing out of the ordinary.”

My eyes closed of their own accord as his plush lips tickled all the right places. My stomach clenched, my lips parted and a small moan of pleasure escaped them.

Apparently, that little sound had tipped the scale from aroused to damn right urgent. He spun me around and my stomach clenched at the sight of him. His wet bronze skin just nearly had me flinging myself at him. Instead, I grabbed his erection in my hand and tugged until he moaned against my movements. With each long stroke, the warm water provided an added sensation that I could see. His eyes grew darker. His face swept away with passion.

He drew in a loud sharp breath, grabbed my hips and yanked me toward him. “I cannot prepare you. I need you. Now.”

“I’m ready…” Before I could finish, he slammed me—rough but gentle—against the wall. He lifted my legs up around him and he dove into me with such force it stole my breath. Elation instantly came with it. It’d been weeks since I lost my virginity to him and it took almost that entire time to not feel pain at his insertion.

His fingers dug deep into my backside as I wrapped myself around his body. He thrust roughly as the water splashed against us. I gripped his strong shoulders and began moving with him. To show him my eagerness for how he was taking me, and how much I enjoyed it.

I leaned my head back and let the water run down my breasts as the sensation across my eager flesh swept through me in utter pleasure. His grip tightened as he leaned down to catch the water streaming off my nipple. Then, he pushed against my hips and forced me still—widening my legs and moved in deeper until I didn’t know where I ended and he began.

With a deep growl, his thrusts grew harder as he slammed into me with all the aggression he had.

Over and over again. Harder. Faster.

I screamed against it as the bewilderment of sexual satisfaction began to grip me. My climax was coming. It was so close. I screamed louder, urging him on—needing him to go faster so I could reach my end.

He knew me well. Understood what that scream meant and he answered me with everything he had. I rested my head against his chest and accepted the frenzy that was driving my muscles to contract in anticipation. Suddenly, there was a loud crack and pain shot through my backside. In that exact moment, I exploded with a heart-stopping orgasm. My muscles clenched against him as he trembled and grunted deeply, while my body spun in pure delight.

With a final hard thrust and loud groan, he wobbled slightly, trying to keep his hold on my legs. He leaned in farther to support my weight, and when he did, the pain in my butt reminded me it was there. I screamed and tried to yank my legs from Kyden’s hold.

He snapped his head up and gently lowered my legs. “What is it?”

“Ow. There’s something…” I reached back, ran my fingers along my cheek. When I drew my hand back, blood smeared my fingers only to instantly wash away with the water. “Oh shit! Is there something there?” I spun around quickly.

Kyden laughed loudly.

The shower curtain was ripped and blood ran down the length of it. I quickly pulled it aside, and that was when I saw the tile. “Christ, we broke the wall.” I chortled. The pain soared again, making my teeth clench. “Ouch. What is hurting me?”

“There’s a piece of it stuck in your ass.” Kyden laughed harder.

“It’s not funny. Get it out. It hurts.”

“Come here, Álainn,” he said calmly and pulled me closer.

“Ow…,” I squeaked as his fingers dug in and grasped the piece of tile.

“Stop being such a wuss,” Kyden snickered. A little more digging then he said, “Look, it’s all gone.”

“A wuss? Try getting that stuck in your ass and see how you like it.”

He knelt down, kissed the wound softly. “There, all better, right?”

“Mmm…it’s getting there,” I purred.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door. Kyden sighed and jumped to his feet. I kissed his lips quickly. “I’ll go.” I stepped out, threw my housecoat on then headed for the door.

Once there, I flung it open to find Zia looking quite amused. “I thought you might need me to…ahh…heal your injury,” she said.

My cheeks flushed. This was the bad part to our telepathic bond. Apparently, I sent her images of all sorts of things, and the very worst part, I couldn’t control what she saw.

“I don’t even want to know what you have seen,” I grumbled. “Please tell me there’s a way I can block you from my mind. Not that I don’t enjoy our connection, but there are certain times it would be nice to have you gone.”

“We can work on it. For now, here,” she said with a laugh and took my hand.

Seconds passed before a sharp pain cut right through my ass cheek. “Christ, that hurts!”

Her smile grew as she released my hand then she closed her eyes for a moment. When they opened again she wore a shit-eating grin. “I fixed your shower too.”

My blush grew. “Oh dear God!”

“Have a good night, Nexi.” She laughed as she walked away.

I shut the door and rested my head against it. Mortifying—simply mortifying. I pushed away the humiliation and headed back to Kyden.

When I entered the bathroom, he had decided on a bath. Probably for my benefit, he knew I loved them. “Come join me,” he said, patting the side of the tub. I dropped my housecoat on the floor and stepped in front of him. “All healed I see,” he said with a deep chuckle. “That must have been Zia then.”

“It was. How embarrassing. It’s like she’s subscribed to the porn network.”

Kyden laughed behind me and wrapped his arms around me tight. “At least the show’s a good one.”

“You bet your
not
sore ass it is.” Hmm, he was calm, relaxed—a good time for a certain conversation. “We haven’t had the chance to talk about this, but what’s the deal with Ryker?”

“Ryker,” Kyden snorted.

“Yeah, Ryker. That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Why don’t you like him?”

“Cause he’s a nimrod.”

“A nimrod.” I laughed. “There has to be more to it than that?”

“We grew up together as I am sure Haven has told you.” I nodded against his chest. “Figured as much.” Then, he sighed and reached for a facecloth to trickle water down my chest. “We were equals as we trained. I am sure you could imagine there was a bit of competition there.”

“With you?” I acted surprised. “I can’t believe it.”

He smacked a hand over my mouth. “Watch that saucy mouth, Miss.”

I chuckled beneath it and removed his hand. “Competition can cause conflict, I get that. But what’s with all the hostility?”

“Losing does not sit well with the wanker. When I started to exceed his level, let’s just say it didn’t go over well.”

“Okay, well that explains his part, but why do you hate him so much?”

“He loves to taunt me and I know him. He’ll be after you just to spite me. I was just making it perfectly clear that was not going to happen.”

I turned around to look at him. “Don’t you think you were just planting the seed? You basically threw me out there to him so he’d water the ground.”

Kyden’s amused guilt was obvious. “I’d never do such a thing.”

I slapped his arm. “You did that on purpose?” I snapped, accusingly.

“Keeps things interesting, wouldn’t you say?” I slapped him again. He flinched, grinning. “I’m merely having a little fun with him. Just stating my position on the matter, and if he tries anything with you, I’ll beat him senseless for it.”

I shook my head at him to show him my dislike of his actions. But really, what did it matter? We were both too stubborn not to do what we wanted. I took the upper hand in this conversation and used it to my advantage. At least, he wouldn’t through a fit now, since I hadn’t. “So, Ryker is a good Guardian then?”

Kyden stiffened. “You care to know more about him?”

“Calm down,” I said, as I snuggled back into him and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m just curious.”

He relaxed a smidge. “If I were in a war I would want him with me. Does that suffice?”

“Sounds like you respect him.”

“I respect his ability and his work ethic. It’s not that that I have a problem with him. It’s his personality that falls short.”

Just then, Willow popped up on the ledge of the tub. Kyden swore and jumped up, sending water rushing over the edge, soaking her entirely.

The poor kitty now resembled a rat.

“Look what you did to her,” I yelled, and stepped out of the tub to grab a towel. “Poor thing, geesh. You’d think you’ve never seen a cat before.”

Kyden looked appalled. “Whose is that?”

“Mine.”

His brow arched. “Yours? As in you’re keeping it?”

“Stop being so mean! Of course I’m keeping her.” I picked Willow up and dried her off. “Actually, I don’t think I have much of a choice in the matter. Zia took me to Briar’s tonight and the kitty became…well…mine.”

His arched brow rose higher.

“Don’t ask. I don’t know how it works. Briar said that she had chosen me. Even if I didn’t want her, she’d come and find me anyway. I’ve named her Willow. Isn’t she so cute?”

“Willow—I like the name. Not sure about the cat.” He reached his hand out to touch Willow’s head and she hissed as if he was a ravenous dog about to eat her. Kyden quickly pulled his hand back.

“I think the feeling might be mutual there. Can’t say I really blame her after that first impression.” I gave Willow a stern look. “This is Kyden. He lives here too.” Which, he did. He moved in the night after our near death experiences. “So, you two are going to have to get along.”

Willow jumped out of my arms, and I swear she snorted at me.

“Fluffball isn’t going anywhere near our bed,” Kyden demanded.

Willow raised her head and swung her tail at him as she sauntered out of the bathroom. I followed her with my eyes and burst out laughing when I saw what she did next.

“Ahh…I’m not sure you have much of a choice in the matter.”

Kyden slammed the door open. “Get off there,” he roared, lunging forward to stop Willow, with her damp fur, rolling around on his pillow.