You Lucky Witch (A BBW Paranormal Romance): Demon Brothers (6 page)

BOOK: You Lucky Witch (A BBW Paranormal Romance): Demon Brothers
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“It doesn’t matter; you have to go back.”

If any male from the Conroy lineage stayed in the human realm too long, they would die. That’s why his parents divided their time, literally, between heaven and hell. The curse was simple, straightforward. The witch who had cursed the first demon hadn’t been very creative.

“I think I found the answer.”

For a brief moment, hope flared in Roark’s chest, making his heart race. Would it be possible to stay with Kayley, take her as a mate, and start a new life, here?

No, he couldn’t hope and he lashed out at his brother. “Don’t you really think someone in our family would have discovered an out by now?”

Demons lived a hell of a long time and many had traveled back and forth between all the three realms — human, hell, and heaven. He and his brothers were a product of a demon and angel union. Their mother, when they were younger had lived in hell with them. Now, their parents lived apart most of the time. Staying too long in hell aged supernatural beings who shouldn’t be there. Angels certainly weren’t meant to be there.

Neither were witches. Immediately, his thoughts flew to Kayley and her delicious curves. He hadn’t gotten enough of her. He didn’t know if an eternity would be enough to satisfy his hunger for her.

“Do you want to know what I discovered?”

“Sure, why the hell not?” Fuck, he couldn’t be more depressed if he tried. He picked up a rock and threw it into the air. It fell back down to the earth, rolling down the ridge into the naturally formed valley between the two mountains on which they stood.

“Our curse can be broken when a demon finds true love.”

Roark snorted. “I dare you to say that to Mom.” While Roark was not a proponent of true love — he only believe in lust at first sight — he knew his parents had something special. Something, if he were honest, he envied. Then, envy was one of the original seven sins.

Rafe laughed. Both brothers knew you didn’t say shit like that to their mother, especially tell her she and her mate weren’t really in love.

“No, thank you. I like my balls too much.” While their mother was truly an angel, their father was a demon of the highest rank. And nothing and no one upset his mate. “There are a couple of catches to unlocking the curse.”

“Naturally.” Roark picked up another rock, heavier this time, but he slung it the same distance. This time he listened to it as it tumbled down. It was a lonely sound.

“The demon has to fall in love with a
witch
.”

Roark’s body stilled and then vibrated as an emotional twister tore through his soul. Was he in love with Kayley? Could he be the one to break the curse? Just as he was about to ask, his brother spoke again.

“Of course, the real catch is… the witch has to love him back.”

 

Refusing to show any sign of weakness, Kayley stepped confidently through the portal her father had opened. She paused, looking back at her family. Her father hugged her mother to his side and winked at her. Her sisters smiled, calm and collected. Rafe gave her a thumb's up and she wanted nothing more than to be able to turn him into a toad — or something. When he’d come to her house, explaining what he’d discovered about the Conroy family curse, she hadn’t hesitated in declaring her undying love for Roark. It wasn’t until he’d revealed she’d have to confront Luke, the guardian of Roark’s particular realm of hell, and holder of the curse, that she’d become a tad upset. She had cast a spell and was pleased to say he now sported a purple stripe of hair down the side of his head. She didn’t know how long it would take to fade. She hoped it was a long, long time.

Taking a deep breath, she tried not to choke on the sulfur smell that rose to greet her. She put her arm over her nose and mouth and breathed into the pocket of air made by the bend of her elbow.

A few steps and she was no longer in the human realm. She was in hell.

She jumped when the portal closed behind her with a hiss that sounded suspiciously like a snake.

Two men appeared in front of her, dressed as Egyptian guards. A swath of material wrapped around their man parts and they sported a headdress made of gold and rubies. Their skin shone in the flames — yes, the walls were on fire — burnishing them in a golden glow. She wondered what sin they had committed to end up as the doormen to hell.

“Come.” They motioned for her to follow. Apparently, she was expected. Besides the man hunk guards and flaming walls, which surprisingly did not give off any heat, hell was much as she expected. The walls were granite and the air smelled of fire and brimstone. The humidity was stifling and soon her clothes were soaked as if she’d been out in the rain. The guards guided her through a mass of caverns. She quickly realized she had no hope of remembering the way back out. She hoped Roark knew. Rafe had warned them that Luke would have stripped Roark of all his abilities. Her father had given her an amulet that would boost her power and allow her to open a portal should she fail to get Roark released and they had to run for it.

Soon, the three of them came to a set of double red doors that towered some twenty feet in height. The guards opened them and Kayley heard another hiss. Taking a deep breath, she took a step forward and then another. As soon as she cleared the doors, they slammed shut behind her, making her jump. In the middle of the room stood a large man, taller even than Roark. His back was to her. He was dressed in a silk smoking jacket, reminiscent of Hugh Heffner in the 1980s. Her lips curled into a smile. The room would have looked right at home in the Playboy Mansion. It was a large room with richly, polished wood covering the walls and ceiling. Large fur rugs lay against the planked wooden floor. She shivered, wondering if those were the skins of animals or shifters.

“Kayley, how nice of you to join me.”

Yeah, like she had a choice.

He turned around and she almost lost her breath he was so handsome. And when he smiled… no wonder women sinned. For a moment, she almost forgot why she was here.

“You seem a little surprised by your surroundings, darling. Hell not what you expected?”

Kayley licked her dry lips and his eyes followed the movement. She stopped immediately. She hadn’t done it deliberately, but she had no desire to ignite his fire, so to speak. She wanted to get in and get out.

“It’s lovely.” She had not expected anything like this room. It reminded her of a showcase home of the ultra-rich. Was this how Roark and his family lived? If so, did he really want to be set free?

“I, umm, I’m here to get Roark.”

“Of course, sweetheart. Of course.” Another lightning smile as he walked toward her. As he neared, his features blurred, the beauty faded. He stopped inches from her, leaning down from his great height to whisper in her ear. “But what are you willing to pay, my dear?”

Kayley stepped back. Her father had warned her to be very careful what she said to this man. “There is no price to pay. The curse is lifted.”

“Says who?”

“Says this.” She took out the scroll her father had given her. He had spent the last two months trying to find a supernatural council willing to provide a writ of stay to the devil. She held out the document, half-afraid it would go up in flames when he touched it. Instead, the parchment straightened out, hanging in midair. He didn’t say a word as he read it.

“So, you profess to love this demon?”

“There is no if. I love Roark Conroy.”

He snapped his fingers and her heart dropped as the document disappeared. He turned and walked to a large oak desk, taking a seat behind it. It sat at the side of the huge fireplace that dominated the room. Again, the flames didn’t seem to produce any heat. No doubt, if this man wanted it to, it would.

“Come, sit down, my pretty, and let us discuss this issue.”

“There is no discussion. The curse placed upon the Conroy family is now lifted.”

“So you say.”

Kayley held her tongue and gripped her hands together when all she wanted to do was flick a disappearing spell at the man. Maybe it would just make his dick disappear.

“I will need proof.”

“Proof?”
Oh, shit
, Kayley thought. How did she prove she loved Roark? Some kind of mind reading? She had no desire to let this man wander around in her head, but how else could she prove it?

He studied her with a piercing gaze then laughed as if he
had
read her thoughts. He leaned back in his chair. “Did Rafe tell you the other part of the curse?”

“Yes.” Did Roark love her? That was the wrinkle in this great escape plan. Even if Roark didn’t return her feelings, she still had to try. She loved him that much.

“Don’t worry, little girl, it won’t be difficult.”

“Come.” He rose to his feet, and with a powerful stride, he headed toward the door. It instantly opened, but Kayley didn’t see the guards.

They walked down the granite hallway. The walls had stopped flickering with flame and she wondered if that had been a parlor trick to scare her. On and on they walked, twisting and turning through the catacomb of rock. She clutched the amulet around her neck.
It would be okay,
she told herself repeatedly.
It would be okay.

They slowed down and entered another hallway. This one was dark with large torches mounted on the wall. They came to a section where the granite had been hollowed out and large steel bars covered each opening. Jail. She was in hell jail, she realized. The air was hot, so hot it almost took her breath away.

They continued to walk. Grunts and groans came from the depths of the cells. There was no light in the area except for the torches in the hallway. She didn’t know if there were humans in the cells or creatures like the one that had come through the portal at the grocery store.

“Is Roark in one of these cells?” she demanded, coming to a stop.

The man turned and looked at her. “Would it bother you if he were?”

“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate in her answer. Besides refusing to turn his brother in, what had he done to deserve this? Love her?

Oh, how she hoped that were true. Not that he was in one of the cells, but that he loved her.

The man moved forward again without answering. As they walked, the hallway opened up, until there was nothing but space all around them. “How much further?”

She hated to ask for a break, but she wasn’t use to this much exercise and in such humid conditions. Her breath came in short pants and she felt slightly dizzy. She couldn’t get dehydrated that quickly, could she?

The demon didn’t answer and she wondered what her punishment would be if she gave him a streak of purple hair. His attractiveness faded with every step she took. On the other side of the large, open space was another hallway and she silently sighed, thinking how much further she needed to go. Roark. She had to remember the end game. Roark.

They stepped from darkness into light. Literally. It was as if hell had fallen away and she was once again in the human realm. In front of her were houses and lawns, people walking up and down concrete sidewalks, smiling and joking. It reminded her of a movie set.

“This is where Roark lives?” She couldn’t keep the irritation she felt out of her voice. She’d thought of him down here suffering for what he’d done. Maybe being burned alive. She didn’t want something that severe happening to him… but still. If he lived in this section of hell, he certainly wasn’t suffering. She, on the other hand, was having a heat stroke.

“Yes, my dear. Over there.” He pointed to a large house on the hill. It reminded her of a manor house straight out of the 1800s.

It seemed to be miles and miles away. Again, another silent sigh and she continued to walk forward. Minutes seemed to turn into hours and a step into a mile. She walked and walked but didn’t get any closer to the house. She turned toward Luke. He was beside her, smiling. His beautiful clothes now hung in tatters from his body and the stench of brimstone surrounded him.

The walls burst into flames and long, black tendrils of what appeared to be smoke stroked over her skin, swirled around her face, and entered her mouth and nose. She couldn’t breathe. She clawed at her throat, trying to dislodge what she knew was a manifestation of evil. Darkness ebbed in around her.

“I’m not going any further. You bring Roark to me.”

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER SIX

 

“YOU WILL DO exactly as I say, my plump little witch, or you will never see your demon lover again.” He locked his fingers around her wrists, tighter and stronger than any metal handcuffs could ever be. Kayley fought like a wildcat but she was no match for his superior strength. She kicked his shins. Aiming for his crotch with her knee, she was rewarded with a grunt of pain when it landed.

She was about to go for another strike, when a deep voice sounded behind her.

“Don’t you think that’s a little overkill, Luke? Your tailor is going to be very upset with you.”

The demon gave her a mighty push that sent her reeling backward. She landed hard on her bottom, but sprang up immediately, running toward Roark. A thousand pinpricks stabbed her scalp when the demon caught her by her hair and brought her to an abrupt stop. He pulled her face closer. Before she could even attempt to get away, his mouth covered hers, his tongue pushing through her resistance. He tasted of mint and coffee, not at all what she’d been expecting. Maybe death and ashes?

A second later, she was ripped from his arms and pushed behind Roark’s big, rugged body.

“Enough.” His roar echoed off the burning walls. For a second, all sound ceased except for the hiss and crackle of the flames. The temperature spiked as the two males faced off.

Another pair of strong hands grabbed her arms. She instantly started to struggle.

“Hold still, little sis. I’m here to help.” Kayley craned her neck to see who held her in the tight grip. He was a man she’d never seen before. She did recognize his voice and he had Roark and Rafe's dark, good looks. The missing brother?

“Name’s Remington.”

Their attention was recaptured by the scene unfolding before them.

“Now, now, Roark, don’t get your panties in a wad because I’ve been spending time with your girlfriend.”

Kayley tried to break away from Remington’s hold and go to Roark’s side. He wouldn’t let her. “I gave you the parchment,” she shouted at Luke. “Now let him go.”

“Oh, my little witch, it’s not that simple.”

“I’m not your witch. I’m his.”

“That remains to be seen.” He circled the room and immediately Roark and Remington made a barrier between her and the demon. There was no way the other man was getting to her. She wasn’t worried about herself. She touched the amulet under her shirt. Besides allowing her to open a portal, it would allow her to contact the human realm. She trusted her father — her family — with her life. Now it was time to trust them with Roark’s.

She closed her eyes and started the chant her mother and sisters had made her practice.

All three men froze. Roark was the first to speak. “Umm, sweetheart, this might not be the best time to cast a spell.”

She ignored him and concentrated on the words.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, little witch.” Luke snarled, his face taking on a grim continence. Kayley was aware that he knew what she was doing. She summoned her father.

Her father. A man who was part human — and all kick-ass demon.

In what felt like only seconds, her father appeared in the cavern. Knowing him, he’d probably already been on his way.

Luke’s expression changed immediately to one of cordiality and welcome. “Ephraim, so good to see you.”

“You might not think that in a minute, Lucifer.” He turned to look at the two men guarding his daughter. “Kayley, are you okay?”

She tried to break away again and Roark growled at her. “Stay still, woman.”

She resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. Instead, she stood on her tiptoes to look over his shoulder. “He won’t let him go, Daddy.”

Luke rolled his eyes. “Oh, please, don’t use that defenseless, little girl act. You were ready to de-nut me not two minutes ago. Now you have to call your daddy to fight your battles?”

“Damn straight,” Kayley grinned at the disgruntled demon. She knew he was trying to bait her, bait anyone. Make them lose their cool so he would have the upper hand when emotions took over. His power fed off negative emotions.

Her father crossed his arms across his massive chest. He was a big man. Almost as big as the Conroy brothers. “Why did she have to call me, Luke? Didn’t you read the order? You have no right to keep her demon. She loves him. The curse is broken.”

“There’s just one little catch.” Luke walked over to stand in front of Roark. “He has to love her in return.”

For a moment, Roark couldn’t catch his breath. It felt as if he were literally breathing the fires of hell into his lungs. “I do.” He turned to look at Kayley. “More than anyone will ever know.” He saw the tears form in her eyes and he knew he would remember this moment for the rest of his very long life.

“Prove it.”

“Anytime,” Roark immediately responded, goaded into speaking by the smug look on Luke’s face.

“No!” Kayley screamed at the same time. “No, you can’t ask him to do that.”

Roark pulled Kayley into his arms. “It’s all right, sweetheart. I do love you.”

“I know you do, but —”

He pressed a hard kiss to her lips. “But nothing.” He pushed her back behind him. “Bring it on, demon.”

The two men circled each other. Roark knew his chances of besting his boss, no, his former boss were slim to none. If he’d learned anything these last few weeks, it was to hold on to hope. However slim.

“So a witch has beguiled another Conroy demon. How disappointing.”

“I’m in love. Not beguiled.”

“Tomato, to-mah-to. It still means you’re in the hag’s clutches.”

The insult to Kayley made Roark roar. He launched himself into the air and the other demon did the same. The sickening thud as their heavy bodies slammed together echoed throughout the space.

Roark’s body screamed in pain after the mid-air collision. He was happy to note Luke didn’t look much better. They broke apart then slammed back together, throwing punches at the other whenever there was an opening. He heard Kayley’s cry of anguish in the background, but didn’t let it break his concentration. His brother was there to protect her and so was her father.

Damn, the witch had a demon for a father. Why did that not surprise him?

Hit after hit, the two demons tried to grind each other to a pulp. When blood had soaked both their shirts, they broke apart. Roark’s confidence of a happy outcome dwindled. “You’ve drawn blood, Luke. What more do you want?”

“How about your soul?” The bastard was in rare form today. Roark had never liked the king of hell. He used every temptation at his disposal to beguile the people whose souls he wanted. Now that Roark thought about it, he used love an awful lot. The love a parent had for a sick child. The love a man had for a woman. He stopped moving. Was that what it would take to break this curse once and for all? Roark’s total unconditional surrender?

If so, that’s exactly what he would give.

“Enough.” He fell to his knees. “If it’s my soul you want, take it. Let Kayley and her father leave. Let my brothers leave. I’m willing to pay the price so they can find the same love I have with Kayley.”

He looked up. His brother, Kayley, and her father stood behind Luke. She was now openly crying. Remington’s fierce grip encircled her upper arms, holding her back. He saw the anguish in his brother’s eyes and hoped he’d take this chance, go up top, and find a woman who could love him half as much as he knew Kayley loved him.

He caught her gaze, the disbelief in her eyes at what he was doing, tearing out his heart. The terror she was experiencing was almost enough to make him come to his feet and kill the demon approaching him, sword in his hand.

But he couldn’t. He couldn’t condemn Kayley to a life in hell.

Luke swung the sword from side to side. “So you’re willing to give me your soul in exchange for your lover’s life?”

“Yes,” Roark growled. “I willingly sacrifice my soul for her.”

“Very well then.”

“I love you, Kayley,” he said, a smile lifting the edges of his mouth as their time together played in his mind. “Even if you can’t cast a spell worth a dime.”

She didn’t smile in return. Tears fell from her beautiful gray eyes.

“Close your eyes, baby,”’ he ordered as Luke lifted the sword over his head. “Close your eyes, Kayley.”

He didn’t close his, wanting her face to be the last thing he saw as he left this plane of existence.

He felt the movement of the air as the sword came down. He waited for the pain, knowing it would be nothing in comparison to the agony in his heart.

Instead of feeling the sharp steel slicing through his flesh, a loud clang sounded, followed by a blinding light. Instinctively, he rose, jumping toward Kayley in order to protect her.

As he moved, he realized Luke had struck the ground with the sword, which accounted for the noise. He didn’t know what had caused the flash of light.

“What the fuck, Luke?”

The demon stood with the sword resting on the ground, his arms propped upon the hilt. He gave a huge sigh and spoke. “Roark Conroy, the curse placed upon your family is hereby lifted.” He waved his hand and bowed. “You may thank me at your leisure.”

“You always were an overly dramatic little shit,” Kayley’s father grumbled. “Was all that really necessary?”

“What are you talking about, Daddy?” Kayley pulled herself from Remington's arms. “You mean he wasn’t going to cut off Roark’s head.”

“Hardly, baby. The writ I gave you broke the curse.”

“Technically, it did not, Ephraim. It merely stated her love for the demon. Not his love for her.”

“He said he loved her.”

“Yes, but we all know demons can lie rather well. This way there was no doubt.”

“You
are
a piece of shit, Luke.” Roark’s eyes narrowed as he took a step forward.

The feel of Kayley’s hand on his arm stopped him.

“Wait, let me.”

She stalked over to the demon who smiled as she neared.

“You are welcome, my dear,” he said. “Now you will always know that Roark does indeed love you.”

“I never doubted it, you jackass.” She pulled back her arm and slugged him in the stomach. Luke was too tall for her to reach his jaw.

The strength of her blow was considerable and the big man doubled over in pain.

There was a stunned silence then all the men roared with laughter. All except Luke.

He straightened up. “There was no need for such dramatics,” he said sulkily, still rubbing his sore stomach.

“I think it’s time we got out of here.” Her father waved his hand and mumbled a few words. A large, pulsing portal opened in the granite walls. “Until next time, Luke.”

“Kayley.” Roark cupped her face with his hands. He didn’t know what to say. She’d risked everything coming here. There had been no guarantee Luke would honor the terms of the curse.

“Sssh, we’ll talk later. Right now, I’d really like to get out of here.”

“Right.” He ran his fingers through his hair, hesitating.

“You do want to get out of here, right? With me?” Her voice held a note of insecurity Roark never wanted to hear again.

“Yes, baby. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“Then what are we waiting for?”

“I… I don’t know.” He realized his life had literally changed from one heartbeat to the next. He was no longer confined to hell. His family was free of the curse that had plagued them for thousands of years. He suddenly realized someone needed to tell his parents.

He looked at Remington.

“I’m on it. If Luke hasn’t already spilled the beans.” His brother smiled at him, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, there was a sliver of happiness behind his dark eyes.

“If you need to stay here, Roark, we will.”

Roark pulled her in his arms. “What? No. Never. You belong up top. In the sunshine. With your family.”

“You are my family now.”

Roark didn’t want to let Kayley go, even for the short time it would take to step through the portal her father had left open. He wanted to meld her to his very soul. Stroking his thumb over the corner of her mouth, he waited until her mouth parted and then he took advantage. He bent his head, taking her lips in a kiss meant to show her just what she meant to him. The whole damn world. She welcomed him inside. Their tongues, tangling and tasting. He tucked her between his thighs to hold her close. The touch of her breasts, her supple thighs made his cock swell. His fingers dug into her hips, pulling her closer. He rubbed along her mound, hurting. He wanted her naked. Now.

His fingers slid into her hair, cupping the back of her neck. Again and again he thrust his tongue inside her mouth, trying to eat her alive. Damn, she was as addictive as any heavenly ambrosia ever could be. And she was his. The realization hit him all at once. She was his and he could have her.

He pulled back, looking at her, his eyes drinking her in. “Baby.”

“Has anyone very told you that you are a very, very, very good kisser?” Kayley’s legs shook and her pussy was drenched with want by the time the kiss was over.

BOOK: You Lucky Witch (A BBW Paranormal Romance): Demon Brothers
3.25Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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