Chapter Five

D ry chicken salad and chocolate almond morning breath shouldn’t have been as awful as it sounded, but overnight it had somehow fermented into something that smelled like troll farts and old sardines. My eyes flew open as I ran my tongue over the roof of my dry mouth. I could make out Ric’s silhouette as he slept soundly beside me, faint rays from the morning light filtering through the opening of the heavy drapes over his bed, painting his dark hair in hues of fire and outlining his strong jaw and contoured shoulders and back. He had the hard body of a Roman god, and he certainly had the stamina of one. We’d made love almost all night. Colin had never had that kind of drive.

He let out a soft moan, and I feared he’d soon wake. Goddess, I couldn’t let him kiss me until I brushed my teeth. I quietly slipped out of the covers and off the bed, very aware that my body ached in all the right spots. I could still smell his strong pheromones—the scent was practically plastered to my nasal cavity—and curse my insatiable libido, but I was ready for another round.

Too bad I had a bakery to run. I cringed when I saw the time on the bedside clock. It was almost ten in the morning! I hoped Ethyl had kept her word and opened the bakery, but how would she manage the busiest day of the week on her own? I had to get down there.

I grabbed one of Ric’s t-shirts that was draped across a nearby chair and slipped it over my head. Then I crept into the bathroom and slowly shut the door, very aware that I had no idea where my clothes or purse were. The lights turned on automatically, just like last night when I’d snuck in to use the toilet, which meant they must’ve been motion activated. His bathroom was probably half the size of my condo, with a soaking tub on one end, a private toilet, and two marble-top vanities, plus the world’s largest shower that I couldn’t wait to use.

After using the toilet, I searched the cabinet drawers for a spare toothbrush. I jumped back with a gasp when I stood and saw a toothbrush and toothpaste floating midair.

I took the offering, realizing my lover’s house was definitely haunted. “Um, thanks?” I said aloud.

After brushing my teeth, I made the mistake of smelling my pits. Eeek. My 24-hour deodorant certainly hadn’t been prepared for a night of rigorous lovemaking with a horny shifter. Perhaps they should’ve added that disclaimer on the label. The shower water suddenly turned on, so I took that as a sign the ghosts didn’t like the smell of my pits, either.

“Thanks again,” I said as I stepped into the shower. I hoped the ghosts weren’t watching. And if they were, I hoped they weren’t judging my thighs. The shower was massive, with dueling shower heads on either side, a long bench down one wall, and a rain shower in the center. I couldn’t deny the powerful jets hitting my back were heavenly. I had just finished washing conditioner out of my hair when the shower door opened and Ric stepped inside, one big, solid block of tanned, tattooed manflesh with a very large erection.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked with a wink.

I froze like a gnome caught in a flashlight’s glare, and then instinctively crossed my arms over my chest, embarrassed at how my girls sagged beneath the steaming jets.

“Um.” I bit my lip. “Sure.”

Closing the distance between us, he pulled down my arms. “Why would you cover your beautiful breasts, mi amor?”

Heat flushed my cheeks as I blinked up at him. “I’m feeling a little modest.”

“You don’t have to be modest around me,” he purred, dragging his knuckles down the side of my face. “I can’t worship you properly if I can’t see all of you.”

Worship me? He wanted to worship me?

When he wrapped his arms around my waist, I practically melted against him. He cupped my chin, brushing the sweetest of kisses across my lips as water splashed our faces.

“Mm.” I moaned into his mouth, that heady feeling swirling around in my head, the scent of his pheromones rising up with the steam.

I stood on my toes, tangling my hands in his hair and flattening my breasts against his chest while he deepened the kiss. His hands roamed down my back before cupping my behind, grinding his erection into my sweet spot. The feeling was exquisite.

Before I knew what was happening, he pulled me toward the bench and sat me down. I didn’t care about the hard tiles digging into my thighs because, holy hex, his eyes shifted to feral feline slits as he draped my legs over his shoulders. He was going to eat me alive!

When he ran his tongue up my slit, I melted against the tiles. And when he sucked on my nub with a deep purr, liquid fire heated my insides. And then his thick fingers joined in the foreplay, sending me over the edge and squirting into his mouth before I could stop myself, the orgasm so powerful it made my feet jerk and my thighs tremble.

He purred and flattened his tongue against me, licking up my juices like a predator claiming his prey. It was the most erotic thing I’d ever seen, making me swell with need again.

He stood, lifting me into his arms as I wrapped my legs around his waist. Then he pressed me against the slick wall and sank into my heat. His lips found mine, and I groaned into his mouth while he flexed into me with bruising thrusts. He made me come harder than ever with orgasms that rattled my bones like I’d been struck by multiple thunderbolts, and then he stilled with a roar, jerking his hips against mine.

I could scarcely draw breath as I clung to him. My body and mind had turned to mush, though I managed one coherent thought—he’d certainly bewitched me. No way could sex be this good without some sort of enchantment. Either way, I wasn’t complaining. And though I hadn’t been looking for another relationship, the lovemaking was too addictive, and I certainly hoped he’d ask me out on another date. He could gobble down as much popcorn as he wanted, so long as he gobbled me down next.

“HOW DOES A SPINACH and feta omelet for breakfast sound?” Ric asked while wiping wet hair from my eyes. He was still very much impaling me, my ankles crossed behind him, my back pressed against the wet tile wall, as if our compromised position was the most natural thing in the world while discussing breakfast.

I shifted against him, deciding if I wanted to coax him to give me one more orgasm for good measure. “Sounds delicious. And coffee, too, please.”

“Cream and sugar?” His cock twitched inside me.

I bit my lip. That felt good. Why was I still horny? I wasn’t a dog in heat, was I? Maybe I was a dog shifter and didn’t know it yet. Or maybe it was his powerful pheromones still playing tricks on my libido. “Yes, please.”

He shifted me in his arms, a wicked gleam flashing in his eyes. “What are your plans for the day?”

I frowned at that. Why did he have to ask me? “Work.” Ethyl was probably going crazy. Either that, or she’d already burned down the bakery.

He pouted. “Can’t Ethyl run the bakery?”

“Why?” I ground against that very delicious cock still filling me completely. “What do you have in mind?”

He nuzzled my neck, letting out a deep purr that sent shivers racing across my skin and made me gush like a busted water pipe. “Taking you back to my bed and having my way with you all day and all night.”

“Oh.” I coursed my fingers through his hair and flexed my hips into his. Damn, he felt so good. “Saturdays are busy.”

“Have her close early.” He nibbled my ear, his deep purr stirring the embers of desire. How could I be horny again so soon?

I rested the back of my head against the cool tile when he feasted on my neck. “And do what with all the pastries?”

“I’ll buy them,” he rasped while trailing kisses down my neck.

I dragged my hands across his scalp. This cat sure knew how to kiss.

“All of them?” I asked on a rush of air, then I sucked in a gasp when he grabbed my breast, his thumb flicking across my nipple.

“Every last one.” He cupped my face and kissed me so thoroughly, so completely, I melted in his arms while my sex swelled to the point of pain.

So mesmerized was I by his intoxicating kiss, that I almost didn’t hear the banging outside the shower. I groaned in protest when he broke the kiss.

A low growl erupted from his chest, making my lady parts thump, thump, thump. He looked up at the ceiling with a scowl. “Not now, Bob.”

“Who’s Bob?” I asked.

“Hang on.” He squeezed my arms, and in one fluid movement, slid out of me and had me on my feet. “Someone’s here.”

That fire in my veins turned to lead at the look of panic in his eyes. “Who?”

He opened the glass shower door and snatched two robes from the rack, handing me one and slipping into the other. “Stay hidden.”

My heart took off at a race and my knees weakened as I cinched the belt on my robe. “W-what?”

A loud bang, a flash of light, an agonized roar, and suddenly I was on my back, too stunned to move other than to inhale shallow breaths as water pelted my chest. I heard voices, though I couldn’t make out anything through the steam that fogged the shower. What was happening? Had the succubus found me? Goddess, no! I couldn’t die like this! Who would take care of Des?

Another feline roar, this one ending on a whimper. Had the succubus killed Ric? A blade tore through my heart at the thought. Footsteps filled the bathroom, and I was still paralyzed, which I now realized wasn’t from shock, but a stunning spell.

Holy troll turds!

Someone came into the shower. I caught sight of dark pants stepping over me and heard the water turn off. The steam cleared and I blinked up at none other than Gus the troll.

We were so hexed.

IF STRIGA HAD A KRYPTONITE , it would be Sirenum coral, found only among the Sirenum Scopuli Islands near Capri, Italy. The islands were spellcast, so that they were not only naked to the human eye, but humans unknowingly steered around them. Striga also steered clear of them, and not just because of the man-eating sirens, but because the islands were infested with coral that had the power to defuse a witch’s magic. Centuries ago, some brave and foolish striga had managed to escape the islands with a whole shipload of the coral. Ever since then, striga have been using it against each other to neutralize their magic. It only took a sliver of the stone, and the spark in our veins went out like a bucket of water to flame.

That coral was now in the bindings wrapped around my wrists. I was sure of it, for after Gus had tied me up, the most miserable, hollow feeling came over me, as if not only had all magic been sucked from my veins, but all happiness, too. And because the stun spell was still in effect, I couldn’t beg Gus to remove the bindings. Gus’s goons, two beefy Anubis, enchanted with glamour so that they appeared human to husks, dragged me outside the shower, propping me against the bathroom wall beside Ric.

Drool dripped down my chin as I stared at the mythical canines’ pointy ears that nearly scraped the top of the ceiling, How had they found Ric? Most striga who were worth a salt had wards on their homes so that other striga couldn’t find them unless they were invited. The wards would literally disorient uninvited witches who tried to find the home, causing them to wander in circles. I imagine Ric being an outlaw, he would’ve had several wards protecting his house. Yet, the stupid slug of a striga, Gus, had found him. Maybe the pygmy troll wasn’t as dumb as I’d believed. Nah. There had to be another reason.

“What are you doing?” Ric ground out, sounding like he had swallowed a mouthful of gravel.

Gus stood over us, crossing his stubby arms. “Ricardo Romero, you’re under arrest.”

Under arrest! No! One little toe began to move, and then one pinky finger. The stun spell was wearing off! If I could just get my tongue to work, I’d give Gus a piece of my mind, and then I’d plead with him to show us mercy.

“What for?” Ric slurred.

“Let’s see.” Gus held up his hand, counting down on his fingers. “For failing to register with the Tribunal, for the brutal killing of a husk in 1945, oh, and for the murder of Lenny Ledbetter.”

My mind raced. He’d killed a husk? No, two husks, one being the human who’d eaten Ric’s cinnamon roll. Even though I hardly knew Ric, I knew he wouldn’t kill the annoying little husk over that. Would he?

Ric let out a groan. “Lenny’s dead?”

“Wow.” Gus clucked his tongue. “Your shock is almost convincing.”

Ric let out a snarl that sounded too human, and that’s when I remembered Sirenum coral prevented shifting, too. “I didn’t do it.”

Gus crossed his arms, leering down at Ric over his piggish nose. “That’s not what his poor, distraught grandmother says. She said a giant winged lion burst down her door and ate her grandson.”

“When?” Ric demanded.

“Last night,” Gus said.

Last night? But Ric was with me all night. This had to have been a mistake. My legs began to twitch. Any moment and my tongue would work again.

Gus motioned toward his Anubis goons. “Bring him to the wagon.”

Ric fought them to no avail as they roughly hauled him up and dragged him out of the bathroom.

No, no, no! I couldn’t let them take him!

Gus leaned over me, unlocking my chains. “The stunning spell should wear off by the time we’re gone,” he said on an oily whisper. “Return to your son and don’t cause any trouble if you know what’s good for you.”

My blasted tongue still didn’t work, so I gaped at him in silence as he walked out of the bathroom. Had Gus just threatened me? Oh, hell no! That son-of-a-siren! This had to have been a setup, and that pastry-pilfering little troll was behind it. I put all my concentration into moving my legs, focusing on each muscle until I finally felt the feeling return. I had barely managed to crawl to my knees when my purse flew into the room and landed on the floor with a bang. I looked up and saw nothing but flickering lights.

“Fanks,” I slurred, my tongue still not fully working. I heaved myself to my feet and stood, then grabbed my purse, noticing that the zipper was open and my lipstick wand was poking out of the top. I gripped my wand and, despite the wet robe clinging to my legs, found the strength to climb down the stairs, though I had to hold onto the railing.

I shivered when I threw open the door and was hit by a gust of cool autumn air. Damn. I should’ve had the ghosts find my clothes. I shook again as water dripped down my legs and pooled on Ric’s tile floor.

Gus was standing beside a van parked in the circular driveway while talking on his cellphone, the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains looming behind him. His goons immediately jutted their big feet toward me, their nostrils flaring as they kicked at the dirt. I noticed the ‘Tate’s Pool Cleaning and Repair’ logo painted across the back and realized how Gus had found his way onto Ric’s property. He was invited by the owner himself. How had Ric fallen for the old Trojan horse trick?

“Wait!” I called, clasping my wand like a lifeline as I trudged forward. I could take them down easily enough, for they all had dull auras, and I knew without a doubt my magic was superior. But then what? Would I become an outlaw on the run, too? What would happen to me? To Des? I dropped the wand back into my purse. Hopefully, the troll would listen to reason. If not, I would appeal to his superiors.

“He didn’t do it,” I said to Gus as he hung up the phone. “He was with me last night.”

Gus crossed his arms, flashing a condescending smirk. “You expect me to believe you?”

“You know me, Gus.” I slowly approached him while clasping a hand across my heart. “Why would I lie?”

His beady eyes nearly crossed. “I had the coffee cake analyzed. There was no Stevia.”

“Really?” I scratched the back of my head, feigning ignorance. What did the coffee cake have to do with this? “Well, it’s a sweetener like Stevia, and that has nothing to do with Ric.”

My heart clenched when I could hear Ric’s shouts and banging coming from inside the van.

“Ric,” I called to him, hoping he could hear me. “I’ll appeal to the Tribunal and tell them you’re innocent.” The Tribunal was a group of appointed striga leaders who oversaw the American Supernatural Society. They were the ultimate ASS-holes.

“You won’t,” Gus snickered while motioning to his goons. “His Tribunal isn’t even in this country.”

I chased after him as he walked toward the cab of the van. “Where are you taking him?”

One of the goons opened the passenger door and flipped open what looked like a child’s step stool. “I’m handing him over to the Tribunal that handles sphinxes.”

Gus made the ascent up the stool.

“Where is that?”

He turned to me with a snarl when he reached the top step. “None of your concern.”

I refused to let him intimidate me as I prayed it wasn’t a European Supernatural Society. They were even more unjust than the American one. “It is my concern when I’m a key witness. Please, Gus!”

Gus sat down on a child’s booster seat as an Anubis strapped him in. Any moment and I expected the canine creature to hand him a bottle and a binkie.

Gus waved the Anubis away with a sneer before leering down at me. “You won’t be able to afford the plane ticket to Europe, because I’m shutting down your bakery.”

All moisture evaporated from my mouth as the sound of Ric banging against his prison walls faded into the background. Gus couldn’t do that, could he? How would I support my son? Colin’s child support payments barely covered my mortgage. “Seriously?” And Europe? There were half a dozen Tribunals in Europe.

He adjusted his seat belt while sitting forward. “And you will reveal the spell you use to sweeten your products or face imprisonment.”

Imprisonment? “Gus, you can’t do this!” I shook a fist at him. “I’m a single mom!”

“I don’t care.” He crossed his arms with a pout. “There was dirt on that coffee cake.”

“Ethyl dropped it,” I blurted, then berated myself. Why did I tell him that?

His entire face turned as red as a dragon’s pecker. “So you gave it to me?”

“No,” I spat, a boiling cauldron of rage threatening to split open my skull. “You took it, like you always do, pretending to be inspecting my pastries so you can eat for free!”

I was so angry, red clouded my vision as a loud crack rent the air. Merlin’s mudflaps! I gaped at the van windows—all cracked, though thankfully, none had shattered.

“Oops.” I held out my hands in a defensive gesture. “I didn’t mean that.”

Gus gritted his teeth. “I’ll send you the repair bill.”

I waved a fist at him. “How am I supposed to pay it when you shut down my source of income?!”

My heart skipped a beat when the goons got into the other side of the van and started it up. They couldn’t leave. Not with Ric, and certainly not until I convinced Gus to spare my bakery.

“Gus, wait!” I screamed, instinctively reaching into my purse. I had to stop them through any means necessary.

And then Gus pulled out the longest wand I’d ever seen, almost the entire length of his body, a twisted black thing that looked like a dead tree root, and pointed it at my chest. “Raise your wand and see what happens.” The smile he flashed rivaled the grin of the very devil himself. “It would be a shame for your son to grow up without a mother.”

Merlin’s balls!

Jaw slackened, I watched helplessly as he used magic to slam the door, shattering his window. He swore, brushing glass off his arm as they drove away, leaving me in a plume of gravel dust and despair.

Well, damn. I never got that spinach and feta omelet.

But that was the least of my problems. Not only did I have to find out where they were taking Ric, but I had to prove his innocence by finding Lenny’s real killer. Call it a witch’s instinct, but I got a sickening feeling the husk’s death was connected to the succubus who was hunting Ric. And I couldn’t deny it was an awfully big coincidence that Lenny was killed the night Ric had slept with me, almost as if the succubus had planned it. If that was the case, could this have been the same succubus who’d hunted me throughout childhood? The same succubus that had killed my parents for shielding me?