Magic Born Read online

  Neeren ran his fingers over her lip. A slight bump from the cut reminding him to be cautious. He leaned his head down, placing his lips quietly against her own. Curling his fingers in her hair, he massaged her scalp. She moaned. The sound like a purr to his soul. After a long moment, he leaned back and smiled at her.

  “Lay down on the bed.”

  To his utter delight, she crawled backward. Her eyes burning into his as she lay back.

  Neeren left her to search for lotion in the adjoining bathroom. He needed a minute to clear his head and gain self-control. The look Maria gave him as she crawled across the bed filled his mind with visions of ripping her clothing off and taking her from behind like a feral animal. He wanted to bite her shoulder as he gripped her hips and thrust into her. Wanted to force her to submit to him. Have her panting beneath him, begging him to claim her.

  His cock throbbed against his pants. Claws pushed against the tip of his fingers. He rushed to the sink, turned the tap on, and splashed his face with water. Had to get his shit under control.

  Neeren rooted under the sink until he found lotion. Maybe it took him few extra minutes. But, fuck, his cock wasn't backing down and he couldn't go in there with a raging hard on. Not when his beautiful Maria finally trusted him. He gripped the sink and stared hard at himself in the mirror.

  “Get a goddamn grip,” he bit out to the man staring back.

  The bed creaked. Her delicate footsteps padded across the room. He pictured her tiny toes sliding over the carpet, then tightening on the cold bathroom floor. Her smell ripped through him as she entered the bathroom. Like cherries and lust. Passion, like static energy, followed her. He dug erupted claws into the porcelain sink.

  Her fingers touched his lower back, scalding him. “Turn around, Neeren.”

  A growl tore from his throat. “Ah, Maria, if I turn around I won't stop.”

  She maneuvered her hands around to his waist. Pushed her lithe body under his arms, sliding between him and the sink. Her breasts burned against his chest through her flimsy nightgown.

  “I don't want you to stop.”

  Lust cut his throat like agony. “You are hurt.”

  With aching slowness, she undid each of his shirt buttons. Her touch weaving a spell of fire and lust. She slid her fingers through his chest hair, over his nipples, and up to his shoulders. Gripped his chin and pulled his eyes down to meet hers.

  “I am a goddamn sorceress and I want you. Don't you dare tell me, no.”

  The need in her eyes shook him to his core, letting lose a passion building up for weeks. He ripped off his shirt, gripped her waist, lifted her onto the sink, and slammed his mouth down over hers. Their tongues met and he leaned over her until her back rested against the mirror, then pushed between her legs. Her night shirt stretched over her thighs. Using one claw, he tore the fabric up to her waist.

  The scent of her arousal drove him mad. He placed his palm over her mound, rotating against her hard nib. Her head dropped back against the glass. Forcing his claws back into his flesh, he shoved his hand into her pink panties and thrust two fingers inside her. She screamed, arching her back, nearly falling off the sink.

  Maria gripped his head and raked fingers through his scalp, driving a heat he'd never felt before, under his flesh.

  Panting, ready to devour her, he ripped his mouth away. “Is that what you want, sweet Maria?”

  “Yes,” she begged. “More.”

  He thrust his fingers in and out of her tightness. Heat surrounded him as he watched her. Her back arched, lips parted, eyes half-closed. Her flesh, flushed with desire. Her thighs quivering. Wanton. Unashamed. Wild. She was, fucking glorious.

  “No,” Neeren said softly, everything in him crying out to take this woman and make her his own. “You want more.”

  He dropped to his knees, tore her panties off, and lapped at her heat. His head swam with her scent, the smoky taste of her.

  Chapter 22

  Maria thought she might die. Neeren's tongue felt like silk against her flesh. She groaned with unconcealed pleasure as he flicked his tongue back and forth. His hands gripped her hips, holding her in place. She tightened her fingers in his hair and pushed herself against his mouth.

  A slight stubble on his chin and upper lip scratched her sensitive flesh. She squirmed closer. A swirling hunger churned in her belly. Her orgasm started at her ankles, arching into her back and flowing out the top of her head in a slow vibrating wave.

  Neeren’s tongue never stopped. He licked her in slow circles and fast circles as waves poured through her. Maria had never taken drugs, yet knew for certain sex with Neeren would consume her. Like an addiction. And he wasn't even inside her yet.

  As the waves subsided he carried her to the bed. She was languid, satiated, yet still so hungry. She wanted him to push her body against the wall. To feed her. She wanted him to make love to her. As he lay her down, his eyes studied every inch of her flesh. She felt worshipped. He needed to know what he was getting in to.

  She sat up, and he sat beside her. In no rush. As though they had all the time in the world. He seemed content with whatever she wanted. It made her want him even more. Mar’s heart pounded hard against her chest.

  “Neeren, you need to understand something.”

  “Yes.”

  “If we do this, my ancestors will call me to them.”

  He nodded. “Okay.”

  “Okay?”

  He cocked his head to the side as though genuinely confused. “Would you like to tell me more? Do you think this makes me want you less? Or more?”

  Maria grinned. “The truth is, there's a bit more to it.”

  He sat cross-legged before her and began to rub her feet. “Tell me.”

  She sighed. The pressure of his fingers vibrating up her legs. “It's stupid and old timey. But like, if I willingly give myself to you, my connection to my ancestors become stronger. I'll have access to the other realm. And, you know, ghosts and stuff.”

  “Why does being with me matter?”

  She shrugged. “Cause, you're important to me. And once they sense that . . . It's hard to explain, but if I open myself up to someone the way I know I will with you it opens me up more to them.”

  A wolfish grin curled his lips upward. He stroked her cheek briefly before going back to rubbing her feet. “You are not sure if you're ready to face them?”

  “I feel so deeply connected to them already. Sometimes I feel their light surrounding me. I don't know how much more there will be.”

  He held her hands in his own and gently stroked the inside of her palms. It was incredibly erotic. “They were with you in the cave. Even in my depleted state, I saw shadows surround you as you cast the spell making Jason human again.”

  She ducked her head, letting hair fall over her eyes. “I'm just making sure you know, like, I don't know if they're gonna pop up mid make out session.”

  “They never have before?”

  “No one has ever been important enough to matter before.”

  As she spoke, the look in his eyes nearly undid her. Neeren leaned over her until she fell back on plush pillows. He held his powerful frame above her on muscled arms. Then slowly lowered his body, stopping half an inch from her lips.

  His hot breath tickled her lips. “Well, we should probably give them a show. Yes?”

  His eyes shifted. Black slits in yellow-green eyes burned into her. His gaze slid over her chest, driving the vision of his tongue on warm flesh into her mind. He lowered himself the last half inch until his bare chest lay against her torn night gown. The warmth from his skin penetrated her flesh. He fit his mouth against hers and kissed her like they had all the time in the world. Licked her lips. Kissed her eyes. Her nose. Her lips again.

  She opened her mouth on a groan and he slid
his tongue inside. Slowly. Achingly slowly, he tasted her. Mar squirmed beneath him. Her night shirt scratched her skin and she whimpered with the need to remove it. Neeren pushed himself up on one arm. The other arm curled around her neck, bringing her upright with him. As he sat back he lay his hands on her legs and pushed her shirt up her thighs. When it stuck under her behind, he simply tore the fabric in half removing it from her body.

  As he looked his fill, Mar thrust her chest forward. She'd never seen anything like the look on his face. He studied her. Selfishly took his time touching every inch of her. She quivered, aching with an unknown need.

  Neeren turned her on her stomach and caressed her neck. Her spine. Her ass. Rubbed down each leg and along the ridge of her feet. She cried out in passion. He never wavered. Each touch measured. Controlled to give her what she wanted. He flipped her onto her back and did the same to her breasts, her stomach. When he reached her vagina, there was no hesitation, no deviation. He traced her clitoris. Softly pushed fingers inside her warmth, then pulled them out to stroke her clit with a master pianist’s precision. She cried out when he pulled his fingers away and traced the rest of the way down her legs to her toes.

  He controlled her flesh like water. Every inch of her body malleable. Every bone in her body turned to jelly. He'd been touching her for hours. For days. Mar clawed against the bed sheets. Thrust her body against his hands. Begged him to take her. He said not a word.

  Next came his tongue. Tears pooled in her eyes as he tasted her. Licked her breasts, her stomach, her hips. He sucked on her fingers. Even her pores ached. Her hair. The hair on her arms. Her fingernails. She thrashed below him. Swore at him to take her. He moved lower. Lapped up her juices. She screamed his name, on the verge of coming, needing him inside her.

  He released her clit and pulled himself up to her mouth. He kissed her again. Hard this time. She felt plundered. He pulled away and removed his clothing, never breaking eye contact. On a shaking breath, he leaned his forehead against hers.

  “I'm going to make you come so hard it will drown out everything else. No ancestor will touch you when you are with me.” He thrust into her and she exploded around him.

  Wave after wave of power flowed through her. She felt alive, full of craving, of white energy. She gripped his contoured shoulders as he thrust in and out of her. Hard muscles bunched beneath her fingers as the waves of orgasm beat on.

  Mar held on to him like a lifeline.

  Neeren rode the waves with her until they passed. Until they began again. He spoke against her mouth. “We're not done. I'm taking all of you and you're giving it to me.”

  He wrapped her hands around his neck. Her legs around his waist. Wound his hands in her hair and pulled her up with him. Stood with her impaled on his body. Pushed her back against the wall.

  He fucked her then. Maria leaned into his body. He was different now. Raw. He growled against her neck. Bit her. She wrapped her hand in his hair and forced his mouth to hers. Bit his lips. Begged him to go harder. Deeper. And he did. He gave her everything she wanted and took everything in return. It was rough. Urgent. Dominating. She screamed again and again. A low keening in the back of her throat.

  The orgasm started at her feet. She knew Neeren felt it begin. His thrusting became frantic. Like he could barely control himself. He latched on to her shoulder as the world exploded around them both. His feline teeth pierce her flesh as she came. He thrust his hand between them and rubbed her clit as waves poured over them. Maria thought she would pass out. But he kissed her then, while he continued to rub her, as rough waves subsided to gentle rolling waters. She kissed him back with everything she had.

  He carried her to the bed. Laid down with her, pulled covers over their sweaty flesh. She kissed him again as her eyes drifted quietly closed. Safe.

  ~ ~ ~

  A familiar stirring curled around Mar's chest, waking her. Neeren's quiet breath tickled her neck. She rolled over and stared at the texture of his face. His high cheeks and strong jaw. As she moved her hand to touch his face, someone snickered.

  “Knew your cat would be a good lay. About time you two got down to it.”

  Maria groaned. Her ancestors were here. Pulling her hand away, she sat up to look at them. Six women of varying ages and sizes crowded near her feet. Each of them stared at Neeren. Maria gasped when she realized the covers had come off sometime in the middle of the night. She hurriedly pulled them over his magnificent body.

  “Stop staring. It's rude,” she admonished.

  “Rude, is having to listen to you two go on and on for hours without even acknowledging our presence,” huffed an older woman in a navy frock. Her gray hair hung down her back.

  Mar rolled her eyes. “Well I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I didn't even realize you were there.”

  The first lady who'd spoken stepped forward from the pack. She was middle aged with thick mahogany hair like Maria. “No sense arguing about it now. We have more important things to talk about before your cat wakes up. I'm Xiomara, first of many. You met Sofia,” she said while pointing to the first woman who’d spoken. “Next is, Luciana, Emily, Zoe, and Juanna. Only Sofia and I speak English. The other birds refuse.”

  Mar grinned as Xiomara threw her hands up like it was an old source of frustration. She gazed at each of them in turn. Xiomara was clearly the leader. Luciana was downright ancient. Deep grooves marred her skin. Her hair an ivory white. Her hands covered in age spots. She smiled at Mar with a mouth full of perfectly white, straight teeth.

  Mar winked at Luciana before speaking to Xiomara. “A bit awkward under the circumstances but it's nice to finally meet you all. You've been swimming around in my head for so long I feel like we already know each other.”

  Xiomara smiled. “The feeling is mutual.”

  “So how exactly are we all related anyway?”

  Xiomara answered for the group again. “I'm your great, great, great, great, etc. grandmother. Sofia is my great, great granddaughter, and so on down the line. The conduit comes once every fifth generation. You’re the next.”

  “Sounds impressive. Do I get more of my witchy powers now?”

  Xiomara laughed. “You kids. Always wanting everything so quickly. First you become a conduit. You must learn more so when the darkness falls you're ready.”

  Mar snapped her fingers. “Right. Damn darkness. You birds gonna teach me how to defeat it?”

  “We would've but you already slept with it,” Sofia said with a sneer.

  Anger launched in Mar’s belly. “Neeren is not dark.”

  “Like mother, like daughter,” Sofia replied.

  “What's that supposed to mean?” Mar asked.

  Sofia barked out her words. “Why couldn't you fall for some nice, naïve, human kid? The cat is going to be trouble and you have to concentrate on more important things.”

  Mar stood up from the bed. “I didn't ask for this, you know. Every time I turn around someone wants to use me. Isabella. Jason. Now you.”

  Xiomara stepped forward as fast as lightning, gripping Mar's hands. “Your mother is following her own destiny. Yours is greater.”

  A low vibration flowed over Mar's hands from Xiomara. “And what is my mother’s destiny?”

  “Beast is stirring,” Sofia said interrupting them.

  Without letting go of Mar's hands Xiomara replied to Sofia. “Don't worry. He's in a deep sleep. I made sure even he, great dream walker and mind stealer that he is, cannot hear our conversation.” She continued speaking to Mar. “Your mother was a great disappointment to us. We never understood her craven need for power over the undead. The only good thing she ever did was lie about how you were conceived.”

  Mar’s blood pounded behind her ears. “What are you talking about?”

  “Isabella brought that vile vampire into her home and her bed to
fulfill a prophecy even she didn't believe in.” Xiomara shook her head. “But your mother wanted to be queen. So, she lied. Jason had come along by then and latched on to her. She followed through with his stupid plan and claimed you as the vampire child.”

  Questions piled like book pages in Mar's mind. A migraine flitted against her temple.

  “Your real father,” Xiomara continued, “was a wild sorcerer who played with dark magic. He was banished by the coven shortly after Isabella conceived.” Bitter glee tinged her words. “Surprised it took as long as it did for his shit lifestyle to catch up with him. Honestly, what your mother saw in him is beyond comprehension. We’ve kept your lineage hidden so the other covens wouldn’t paint you with the same brush.”

  Mar held on to her ancestor for support. Xiomara seemed to have no understanding of the crap she was laying at Mar's feet.

  Xiomara sneered. “Jason turned her while she was giving birth to you. By then she'd cast every spell she could think of to make you appear half-vamp to every being who thought to look.”

  “Are you guys for fucking real? I'm not half-vampire? My dad was a dark sorcerer?” Mar pulled her hands away, jumped off the bed, and gulped air into her lungs. “My entire life is a soap opera.”

  Xiomara rolled her eyes. “Don't be so melodramatic. Your grandparents were real. Once they suspected Isabella of her treachery, they tried to stop her. Morath, the vampire that supposedly fathered you, was a buffoon. He killed your grandparents.”

  The group of women hung their head for a moment in what Mar assumed was an act of remembrance.

  “Jason killed Morath when he discovered him trying to feed off you. Only good thing the man ever did.” Xiomara grimaced, like even saying the words hurt her. “The death of your grandparents affected your mother though. Isabella fell into despair and tried to kill herself. Jason stopped her. She begged us to save you. We carried you to the coven in America. We've hidden you from vampires since then.”