Chosen Destiny Page 10

  She stood there stunned, gaping at his back as the Sorcerer’s magic hit her shield. Fury rose inside her. She’d warned them. Her first impulse was to leave right then and let them take care of the sorcerer. Her own sense of responsibility wouldn’t allow that. Almost immediately she knew she couldn’t do that. After the sorcerer was defeated was another matter. She moved to slip around Samiel. He pushed her back just as another bolt hit the shield. She heard a low rumbling growl. She couldn’t believe he was actually growling at her.

  “I told you that I’d fight right beside you.” She moved up between them again.

  Jaeson shot her a sharp look, but didn’t say a word. Samiel’s hand hooked around her and tried to push her in back of them again. She kicked him in the back of the calf and moved forward again. She formed an energy arc before he could make another grab for her. The man was stubborn, but he wasn’t stupid enough to grab her when she was creating an orb.

  The Dark Sorcerer flinched as Meagan’s magic hit his shield. She saw the fury on his face. What she didn’t see was determination. He wasn’t going to risk his life tonight. It wouldn’t be long until he left. She had been in enough fights to know when a sorcerer was going to run. She wanted him gone so she could move on to where she could actually be useful. She slashed her blade, slamming a powerful orb into his shield.

  Jaeson hurled a bolt down the street. The magic hit and the shield flickered. The sorcerer turned and ran two steps and jumped into a tunnel. Jaeson cursed and swung around. Meagan slammed an orb toward the merdanon. She wanted to take it down while it was relatively unprotected. The bolt sizzled as it hit the beast. It picked up a huge chunk of rock and ran toward them. Its arms raised as it prepared to throw the rock. She formed another bolt of magic and sent it flying at the creature. The merdanon screamed as two more balls of magic flew down the street. They hit the beast. It fell to its knees. Meagan hurled a final bolt. She wanted the beast dead. It fell to the ground. She stepped forward and drove her dagger into its thigh. She turned and faced Jaeson and Samiel.

  “Somehow we’re going to have to learn to work together. I’m not going to try anymore tonight. I don’t need your protection.” She tried to ease the tension in her jaw. The urge to scream was nearly overwhelming. “If you keep it up, I can find someone else to help me easily.”

  “Don’t do—” Jaeson began.

  Meagan didn’t hang around to listen to any more of the man’s warning. She took a step back and formed a tunnel behind her. She knew they would follow if they could. She didn’t intend to make it easy. As she stepped out of the tunnel, she sent out a burst of magic in all directions.

  She looked around the area. She saw a downed merdanon on the street in front of her. Walking slowly forward, she looked around the dark street. Merdanons weren’t subtle. She knew that if any were in the area they’d have made themselves known unless they were being directly controlled by a Dark Sorcerer. That was the only thing that worried her as she moved up the street. She had no idea how many wizards were involved in these attacks, but there was probably more than one in the town tonight. She kneeled and took the magic before beginning her walk down the street. Eventually, she found one of the battles. A lone witch faced a merdanon. Meagan walked slowly toward them. When she drew close, she stopped outside where she guessed the woman’s shield was. She definitely didn’t want to get shield stunned right now. She waited until the merdanon was stumbling back from the woman’s magic.

  “Hi, do you need some help?” Meagan asked quietly.

  Lillia turned her head and smiled. “Get up here. I thought for sure that you’d be with the vampire and dragon during this battle.”

  “I was for a while. Now I’m here.” Meagan walked slowly forward, still careful of any shield. She knew Lillia wouldn’t take it down until the last possible moment.

  “Ah, so what happened?” Lillia asked.

  Meagan moved up beside her. “They didn’t work well with me. I don’t know if it’s because they see all females as in need of protection or if it’s something to do with me. Either way I was fairly redundant there. They didn’t need my help.”

  Lilli hurled an orb down the street at the merdanon. “I don’t think them needing you is what the relationship is supposed to be about.”

  “I know that. We’re supposed to work together, but they kept making the same mistakes over and over. It frustrated and infuriated me. I needed a break from it. They didn’t even seem to realize that they were doing anything wrong.” Meagan slammed a ball of energy down the street. She wished she could get rid of the anger as easily as she did those balls of energy.

  She knew something had to give. She really couldn’t have stood being pushed to the back again even one more time. Even now, it made her so angry that she wanted to kick Samiel again even harder than she had. She shouldn’t have to prove that she could fight at his side. She hadn’t just been released from training. That hadn’t been the case for years. She was a battled-tested witch.

  Chapter Ten

  Samiel felt shock roll through him as Meagan disappeared. He couldn’t really believe that she’d actually left. He’d thought she was just using the threat to get her way. After the shock began to fade, fear and anger built. She belonged with them, where they could protect her and watch over her. She should know that.

  “Where is she? Go get her and bring her back.” Samiel looked over at Jaeson. He knew she could take care of herself and that physically she’d be safe, but the dragon part of him raged. He felt the urge to change and find her. Only the fact that Jaeson should be able to find her easily held him back.

  “I don’t know where she is. She sent out a blast as she exited her tunnel that blanketed the village in her power. By the time it fades the battle will probably be over. Don’t worry. I’ve alerted the other vampires in town, they’ll find her.” Jaeson put his hand on Samiel’s shoulder.

  “She belongs here with us.” Samiel couldn’t keep the growl out of his voice.

  “She can take care of herself, Samiel. You are being just a bit overprotective. I can’t say that I blame her for trying to make her point.” Jaeson looked over at him.

  Samiel was in no mood to be reasonable about this. The dragon inside him growled and clawed to get out and search for her. As irrational as it was, part of him believed she was trying to leave them permanently. Her last comment certainly hadn’t helped. Building a working relationship would take time. He didn’t know why she couldn’t see that. He couldn’t take chances with her life and just wait to find out what she could do. His first priority would always be to protect her.

  “Have they found her yet?” Samiel asked as they moved down the street. He forced his mind off the thought of her out there alone and back onto fighting the beasts. He still had to help clear the village.

  “Not yet, it’s going to take a little time.” Jaeson walked at his side, his entire attention on the street in front of them.

  Samiel growled. He could feel his muscles tightening and his teeth lengthening. He knew he wasn’t that far away from changing into the midform. He didn’t want to lose control with her. He was afraid he’d hurt her if he wasn’t in complete control.

  “Calm down and breathe. She’ll be fine. She’s well-trained.” Jaeson stopped as a merdanon lumbered out of the darkness.

  Even though they were busy, the wait until she was found tore at him. Finally, just as they received the word that the village had been cleared, one of the other vampires contacted Jaeson. They’d found her.

  * * * * *

  Meagan knew Samiel and Jaeson were coming. She’d expected it ever since she’d seen the first vampire. She hadn’t expected it to take so long. She was a little nervous. She knew there would probably be an argument. Hopefully, it would make them see her as something more than just a female.

  She heard a gasp and turned her head toward the sound. Her eyes focused on a shape moving down the street. At first, she had no idea what it was. The tall, two-legged creature had wi
ngs. Only when she saw gold streaks on his shoulders did she realize that she was looking at a dragon in some in-between form. That was Samiel. Just as her mind began to process that fact, his arms closed around her. She pushed against his chest.

  “Let me go, Samiel.” She managed to put only a little space between them.

  He growled, baring his teeth at her. She drew in a sharp breath. She wasn’t scared, but she was nervous. She didn’t know how to handle him. He was even more intimidating in this form and the fact that he hadn’t said a single word to her. He moved forward and changed completely. She suddenly found herself clutched in two large paws against his chest. Wind swirled around her. She felt her feet leave the ground and looked down to see it get farther away from her. She hooked an arm over one of Samiel’s paws. She knew he wouldn’t drop her, but she instinctively sought to have something to hold onto. As soon as he took a direction toward the mountains she knew he was probably taking her to his lair.

  She wondered why he wasn’t talking to her. Well, why he hadn’t spoken when he could? She’d expected anger, but she had warned him that she wouldn’t be put behind them again. He swept in a wide arc toward where she thought the entrance was. Gliding lower, he hovered for a moment. Air buffeted her. The instant his back legs touched the ground a black cloud surrounded the dragon. The large paws gripping her changed to muscled arms banding her to his chest.

  She knew he wanted to have sex with her. She could feel the ridge of his cock, smell it in the rich musky scent. The thought should have frightened her, but it didn’t. It excited her. She instinctively knew that regardless what form he was in, he wouldn’t hurt her. Whatever was driving him, right now, he wouldn’t respond to talking. He was as close to out-of-control as he was ever likely to get. The thought thrilled her. She didn’t want him totally controlled like he’d been the first time he’d had sex with her. She wanted him to feel the heat and want as badly as she did. He carried her into the lair. She stroked her fingers over his cheek, curious about how it would feel beneath her fingers. Warm and supple, there was a little bit of a raspy grate, but she liked it.

  “My woman, you’re not leaving me.” His head lowered and his breath fanned across her neck a moment before he nuzzled the sensitive hollow.

  Her eyes widened at his words. He couldn’t have thought that she was going to try to leave him permanently. She knew she’d told them that they’d have to learn to work together. There hadn’t been anything about not ever seeing them again. She shook her head. There wasn’t any use trying to work out what he was thinking or why he was so upset. He’d probably tell her after he was a little calmer. She looked forward to helping him get that way.

  He carried her into the large room and lowered her to her feet. His dark brown eyes locked with hers. He looked so intense. She didn’t move a muscle. The heat in his eyes pinned her. His hands stroked down her arms.

  “Be very still, Meagan. I’m going to take your clothes off.” The growl rolled over her raising goose bumps on her arms and the hair at the back of her neck rose.

  She merely nodded. Licking her lips, she kept her hands at her side. His hands slid to the fastenings on her shirt. She saw his fingers trembling. He was really close to the edge. She swallowed, suddenly having some doubts about this now. Maybe he was a little too wild. She wanted him to feel and express his desire without being in total control, but maybe he needed a little more time to calm down. She slid a glance toward the opening of the tunnel that led outside.

  “Don’t even think about it.” His voice hissed in her ear. She knew he couldn’t have seen her eyes move to the door with his head near her neck. She wondered how he knew what she’d been thinking.

  He pushed the shirt wide and stepped back. As his hands urged the fabric over her shoulders, she let it fall to the floor, but she watched him. Even with the caution, she could feel the desire building. He smiled as his eyes slowly ran over her body, from her bared breasts and down to her hips and thighs. Even though she was still wearing pants, she felt exposed. His hands cupped her breasts. The movements were slow and controlled, but she could tell that it was an illusion. His thumbs flicked across her nipples. Shivers of sensation rippled through her and she felt the nipples tighten. The conflicting emotions and thoughts only seemed to enhance the arousal. He leaned close and his teeth scraped over her neck. She shivered and her eyes closed. His breath feathered over her shoulder and down. His teeth nipped at the swell of her breast. The sharp sting shot straight to her core. She could feel the slick moisture slipping from her. Her inner muscles clenched. Lady, she needed to feel him inside her. Her clit hardened and she could feel every beat of her heart.

  Her eyes snapped open. His tongue swirled around the nipple just as his hand cupped her pussy. She felt the heat of his palm through the fabric. She looked down and saw his nostrils flare. He looked up at her and licked his lips. He looked predatory and hungry. His fingers pressed up against her clit.

  “I’m hungry for you too, Meagan,” he said in a low rumble that vibrated through her.

  His fingers slipped between the lips, cloth rubbed against her clit. She moaned. It felt so good. The friction of cloth against her clit was maddening. Her hips rolled forward into his stroking fingers. He sucked at her breast. She ached, unable to remain totally still. Just keeping her hands off him was straining her control. His hand lifted away from her pussy. She stiffened and gasped, reaching for him, but he pushed her hands back down to her side.

  He hooked his arm around her, hauling her off her feet and close to his body. She wrapped her legs around his hips. He ground her against him, his hips rocking into her as his lips slanted across hers a moment before his tongue thrust into her mouth. She met the fierce kiss eagerly, stroking her tongue against his. On a harsh groan, his fingers threaded through her hair and he nipped her lips. As her hands glided up his shoulders, she pressed against him, rubbing her breasts against his chest. He lowered her to her feet. It was a struggle to remain still when she ached to touch him. She wished he’d use his magic to rid them both of their clothes. Tingles coursed over her skin and it felt as if currents were running over her body. She could barely stay still. Only the knowledge of how close he was to the edge kept her from ripping his clothes off. His fingers tugged at the laces of her pants. The moment the fabric loosened slightly, he pushed them down her thighs. She kicked out of the low boots when the pants got tangled there. The look in his eyes was intense. A puff of cool air skittered up her legs. She shivered and licked her lips. Without the heat of his body, it was a little chilly. He straightened and carried her over to the bed. When he set her on her feet on the bed, he urged her to face away from him.

  “Kneel.” His hands settled on her shoulders, pressing slightly.

  She knelt, looking over her shoulder at him. His clothes disappeared. He dropped to his knees behind her. Anticipation curled low in her belly. His hands slipped around her, pulling her back against him. She leaned into him, eager to feel his cock filling her. His thighs touched hers and she felt the slide of his heated skin as leaned closer to her.

  His breath brushed against her cheek. His hand slid down to her pussy and his fingers slipped between the lips. He stroked her clit in slow circles. She moaned and pushed back into the too-light touch. Just before the ache inside her threatened to explode, his fingers slid away from that sensitive spot. His fingers pushed into her pussy pumping twice before withdrawing. She wanted to scream. Her body was on fire.

  His fingers lifted. She glanced over her shoulder and saw him lift them to his mouth. He sucked on them, his tongue flicking as if he wanted to gather every last bit of her juices. She licked her lips and watched him finish. She wanted a kiss. His fingers trailed down her back before he urged her onto her hands. His body eased back, but only long enough for him to fit the head of his cock to her entrance.

  His hips surged forward and his hands pulled her back into the thrust. She drew in a sharp breath as his cock hit some sensitive bundle of nerves inside he
r. Clutching at the silky sheets beneath her hands, she desperately tried to seize the pleasure. She wanted to grab him and pull him closer. The position and her inability to control anything both frustrated and excited her. His hips drove against hers, pushing the pleasure to a higher level. She felt his nails scrape along her thigh. It sent tingles running up her spine and over her body.

  She threw her head back and desperately pushed back into every stroke. Light flashed in front of her eyes and sweet pleasure tore through her. She trembled as each stroke sent an echoing pulse over her body. She felt the scrape of his teeth at her neck and then a sting as he bit. She tensed at the sharp bite of pain, but it quickly faded. His hips drove against hers and she felt him stiffen as he came. He groaned and the sound vibrated through her body. As his mouth moved on her shoulder, she felt magic flowing from her. She savored the lingering pleasure as his tongue swept over her shoulder.

  Meagan knew when Samiel again regained full control. His body tensed and even though they were still joined she could feel him putting some emotional distance between them. She took a deep breath. Even though it had only happened twice, she hated it and she wasn’t going to let it continue. She needed answers now. This wasn’t going to fade away by wishing it would. Somehow, she had to get him to see that he could let go a little with her. Lady, just the fact that she wasn’t fighting to get out of his arms should tell him that she could deal with his wild side. But she knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice sounded tight. He slowly withdrew from her.

  “Why?” She had to ask. Maybe it would give her an opening to get him to talk more.

  “I practically raped you.” He moved to the side of the bed.

  She sat on the bed and just looked at him. He felt guilty, that was obvious, but she didn’t know how to make him see that there was no reason.