Chapter 15

Harlow

"Shotgun!"

Addie tore past me, headed for the front seat of the Camry. I snagged the hood of her sweater, smirking at the dramatic choking sound that came out of her throat.

"Forget it, squirt. You're in the back."

She huffed, giving me her best teenage girl look before sliding into the backseat next to Ranto. After what happened in the woods with Ranto yesterday, then my impulsive decision to kiss Kylen when we got back to the motel, I was feeling the need for some space.

I'd felt the magic of the mating bond move through me when Ranto and I were together. There was no denying it. But the draw I felt to Kylen was on a completely different level. Everything about him felt right, and even though the kiss had been a barely there brush of the lips, my magic had reached for him the same way it had for Ranto. The sound of a scuffle broke out behind me, and I turned in time to see Kylen slide into the seat before Bruin.

"Where the hell am I supposed to sit?"

I hated how attractive his scowl was. Especially when I already had more than enough guy troubles to worry about. Kylen slapped his hands on his thighs, his shit-eating grin so wide I couldn't help but mirror it.

"Jump on, sweetheart. I'll keep you safe and sound."

"I'd rather go back in the trunk."

"That can be arranged," Lindsay sang from the driver's seat.

"Addie?" Bruin asked, dark eyes almost pleading.

In true Addie fashion, she mock-gasped, fingers lightly touching her chest as though she were truly outraged. "You expect moi, a minor, to sit on the lap of either of these strange old men? Why, Bruin, what kind of lady do you take me for?"

I snorted at her wide-eyed expression, and the way Ranto cocked his head while Kylen mouthed "old men" had me facing the front quickly to hide the laugh bubbling inside me.

"Screw this."

I jumped as the slam of the back door vibrated the entire car before the door next to me was yanked open. Without so much as an if you please , Bruin slid onto the front seat, lifting me into his lap. He pulled the seatbelt out, but quickly realized it wouldn't go around both of us. Instead, he buckled himself in and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in so that my back pressed tightly to his front.

"Ready." He grunted as a low growl percolated through the interior.

A quick glance back at Ranto showed he was capable of raising his hackles, even in human form.

"It's okay," I said, even though it felt anything but, and was worsening the longer I felt Bruin's heat radiate through my clothes. Everywhere he touched burned in a way that made desire pool low in my belly.

No more men, I reminded myself firmly. Especially not one as problematic as Bruin.

Lindsay broke the awkward silence, turning over the ignition and pulling slowly out of the motel parking lot.

"The sooner we get there, the sooner we can all get out of here," he muttered as the car bumped along the unpaved road.

I studiously ignored the way the uneven surface caused my ass to bounce against Bruin's crotch in a way that felt obscene. Around the halfway mark, Bruin groaned, his hands shifting to my hips where he took a grip that bordered on painful and shifted me to straddle his thigh.

"Keep doing that and either you'll crush my balls, or I'll nut all over the seat. Maybe both."

"Sounds like a good time," Lindsay said with a small smirk as he hit another pothole and pain shot through my pelvis.

"Your leg is too hard," I groused, shifting around to find a more comfortable position.

The car jolted, and Bruin let out a squeak. Kylen and Ranto lost their composure in the backseat.

"You should have taken me up on the offer," Kylen wheezed.

"This wouldn't be a problem if you gave me back my bike." Bruin scowled at Lindsay, who grinned wider.

Thankfully, a moment later we broke through the tree line, and Spells Hollow came back into view. Despite having spent a couple of days in the ruined town, we were still no closer to working out why we had come. Lindsay pulled the car to a stop beside the town gallows, and everyone piled out, spreading out around the nearby buildings.

Instead of following the others, I climbed onto the wooden platform that looked to have weathered the years a little too well. What did it say about a town to have magically preserved gallows while the outbuildings stood in ruins? The rope of the nooses creaked as they swayed in the light breeze, the ominous sound doing nothing to lift my mood as doubt crowded in.

Forty-eight hours and all I'd learned was my ancestors had lived here and died of a curse. A blood moon had symbolized a high priestess's rise to power while it had coerced me into this vision quest thing. What the hell was I supposed to do here?

Power buzzed through my limbs as the hopelessness of my task began to weigh me down, closing my throat and making breathing difficult. I was going to die. Just like Donahue and Levina. Just like my mother. I couldn't stop it because I didn't know what it was. My hands shook as sparks licked at the wooden boards beneath my feet. This was all a waste of time. I should be doing something to make sure Lindsay and Addie are all right. That they will be taken care of when I'm…

Strong arms pulled me back against a hard chest, holding me up and lending strength. Electricity arced out from me in jagged forks, digging up the dirt surrounding the platform as a second set of warm hands slipped over my cheeks, tugging my head forward until I was pressed against someone else.

"We've got you. Just breathe with me." Kylen's words slipped over my lips as his fingers tightened on my jaw.

A low rumble vibrated my back, and a primitive part of me knew it was Ranto. These men, who I'd only just met, stood against my reckless power and gave me an anchor.

"Easy," Ranto soothed. Sparks danced over his arms where they tightened over my stomach. "It's like tantric sex. You gotta take your time and let the energy flow."

I huffed a laugh, then sucked in a deep breath, waiting for the moment it was safe to let go. After a few breaths, I released the energy and felt it buzz through both men, causing Kylen's blue eyes to glow neon for a moment before the air around us grew still.

"There you go. A little less orgasmic, but satisfying, nonetheless."

I elbowed Ranto, who had yet to release his grip on me.

"You horndog."

He chuckled, and a look passed briefly between him and Kylen before they both stepped back.

"Are you okay?" Kylen asked, his eyes running over me as though checking for damage.

"I'm good. Just got a little…carried away."

They both nodded as the awkwardness of the situation settled over me.

"I'm gonna go…" I trailed off, pointing toward the cliffs as both men hurried to agree and wave me off.

Whatever was happening between us was something I'd have to deal with soon, but for right now, I would do what any self-preserving woman would: escape real life by sticking my nose in a book.