7. Ivy

7

IVY

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the chaos magick swirling inside me. Aunt Cathy’s harsh words sting, but I know she has a point. I’m acting childishly when the stakes are so high.

“You’re right,” I say grudgingly. “I’m sorry. Tonight has been extra.”

“We understand,” Ramsey says gently, moving closer and looking sheepish. “But we need to work together if we’re going to have any chance against Death.”

I nod, looking at my guys. “I know. I’m sorry for trying to exclude you. I just don’t want any of you to get hurt because of me.”

Tate’s expression softens. “Ivy, we would lay down our lives for you. When will you realise that?”

“He’s right,” Torin adds gruffly. “We would do anything you asked us to do.”

Bram nods in agreement, though there is wariness in his eyes. He knows more about this chaos magick, and he is worried about it. That doesn’t fill me with great confidence.

“Okay,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “So, what’s our next move?”

“More training,” Ramsey says. “What you did, bringing the guys here was monumental. You need to take that and hone it as a skill. Just like the gigs, you have to roll with the punches. It’s what makes you so great. Why you are so good at what you do. You can think on your feet and think outside the box.”

“Essentially, that is what chaos magick is,” Bram says. “But there are few texts on this, from what I can remember. It’s an ancient magick that has no place in this world and no bearers.”

“Until now,” Tate says quietly, looking at me like I fell from the moon.

“There is a place that might have the information we need,” Vex says.

“Where?” I ask. “Because it’s all very well saying I need to roll with the punches. Any help I can get, would be much appreciated.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cathy’s nod of approval now that I’ve got my manners back, and I’m not acting like a spoiled brat anymore.

“Remember that place I told you about?” he mutters.

I frown and then remember he mentioned an Academy called MistHallow. “Yeah.”

“There. Give me a couple of days. I know the Headmaster. He can probably help if he knows the supernatural world is in peril. He’s a good sort.”

“Okay, well, if you get the information, you know where to find me. Right now, I need to go home, get some sleep and try to figure out a way to stall killing my guys so Death doesn’t take my soul.”

Ramsey nods. “I’ll walk you back.”

I hold my hand up. “No. I need to be alone.” His face falls, and I shoot him a weak smile. “Sorry about smashing your face in.”

“Sorry for lying to you.”

I shrug. “I guess we have all been hiding shit. That needs to end.”

“Agreed. I have no more secrets.”

“Me either,” says Josh.

“Same,” I mutter, and look at the guys. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

I turn to leave, but then wince. “Erm, how do I get out of here?”

Vex snickers. “Allow me.”

“Like hell?—”

Tate’s exclamation is cut off as Vex snaps his fingers, and I find myself on the front steps of his house, staring out at the full dawn in motion. Without wasting a second, I head back to the terraced house I share with Ramsey, hoping Vex can find something that will help me understand this power. I don’t think anything can tell me how to wield it, but if I knew why it existed and what it is really made for; then maybe I have a shot at taking on Death and winning.

I trudge across campus and into the house. Taking the stairs, I feel utterly drained. The events of the night swirl through my mind: Death’s ultimatum, discovering my chaos magick, revelations about my past, and The Syndicate.

I head straight for the shower, hoping the hot water will help clear my head. Turning it on, I strip off and shift back to Ivy. Poison isn’t going to help me with this. Climbing in, I stand under the spray, and try to sort through everything I’ve learned.

I’m some kind of cosmic glitch. A rejected Death candidate with unpredictable chaos magick, and now I’m expected to use that power to take down Death and dismantle The Syndicate. In theory, it’s a solid plan. The Syndicate under Death’s rule sounds like a pretty nasty place, and I’m adding to that by being Poison. That has to end now. Somehow. But in practice, I feel this may take more than I’m able to offer, and that thought doesn’t sit well with me.

Washing methodically, I run the sponge over my body with my eyes closed, imagining it in the hands of my guys.

Gasping, I open them to see Tate with me, naked and soaking wet, as he moves in closer, his hands cupping my tits while he pinches my nipples.

“Did you bring me here?” he asks with a soft smirk.

“Must have.”

“Handy magick, that.”

“Isn’t it just.” I barely manage to get it out before he picks me up and slams me against the cold tiles, his mouth devouring mine as I drop the sponge and cling to him, wrapping my legs around him.

Tate’s mouth crushes mine, hungry and demanding. I moan into the kiss, my fingers tangling in his wet hair as the hot water cascades over us. His hard body presses me against the tiles, as the marking on my lower back flares up into white hot pain.

I gasp as it drives a shot of lust straight to my pussy. There is no doubt that I’m with my fated mate. My soul knows.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you,” he growls, his lips trailing down my neck.

“Me too,” I gasp as he nips at my pulse point. “I’m sorry I ran.”

He pulls back slightly, his intense gaze locking with mine. “Don’t ever do that again. We don’t need you to protect us, Ivy. We just need you.”

I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Instead, I pull him back in for another searing kiss. His hands roam my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I arch into his touch, desperate for more.

Tate shifts his grip, hitching my legs higher around his waist. With one smooth thrust, his cock is inside me, filling my pussy completely. We both groan at the sensation.

“Fucking hell, Ivy,” he pants against my neck. “What you do to me.”

I can only whimper in response as he sets a punishing pace that drives the onslaught of pleasure. There’s nothing but this moment, nothing but Tate and the exquisite fucking between us.

My clit throbs as Tate pounds into me, his thick cock stretching me to perfection. The hot water cascades over us as he fucks me against the shower wall like there is no tomorrow, his mouth trailing hot kisses along my neck and collarbone.

“Tate,” I gasp, clinging to his broad shoulders. “Oh, fuck, yes!”

He growls low in his throat, increasing his pace. One hand grips my arse while the other slides between us to rub tight circles on my clit. The dual sensations have me rocketing towards an orgasm overwhelmingly fast.

“That’s it, little princess,” Tate murmurs against my skin. “Let go for me. I want to feel you come on my cock.”

His words, combined with the relentless pleasure, push me over the edge. I cry out as my orgasm crashes over me, my pussy clenching tightly around him. Tate grunts, shoving his dick even further into me before he unloads, pressing his forehead to mine as we are rained down on by the growing cooler water.

The intensity of our connection, both physical and emotional, leaves me feeling raw and vulnerable.

“We should probably get out before the water turns ice cold,” I murmur eventually.

Tate nods, carefully setting me down on shaky legs. He reaches behind me to turn off the shower, then grabs a towel to wrap around me.

I find it hard to believe that I brought him to me, naked and ready to impale me on his rock-hard cock, but here he is.

It’s slightly terrifying though. What else might this new power do without my conscious control?