Chosen Destiny Page 26

  “You killed him.” Doria flung two quick orbs at Meagan.

  That energy was strong. Meagan pushed a little more power into her shields. She saw Samiel hurl a ball of fire at Doria. It burst against the shield. Jaeson followed Samiel’s lead and slammed two bolts of energy across the room. Meagan kept her swords ready, but decided to conserve a little power. They might need it to get out of here. Doria was burning through her magic without much encouragement. That statement about killing someone was informative enough to let her know what had Doria so furious.

  “The only person I’d take down would be a Dark Sorcerer and everyone knows they deserve what they get. The rampant destruction they cause is reason enough.” Meagan smiled and shrugged because she knew it would enrage Doria.

  Doria shrieked and gathered a huge ball of energy above her head. She launched it at their shield. Meagan was prepared for it and the shield held without any trouble. She didn’t want to kill Doria unless it was absolutely necessary. Meagan knew if she could keep Doria mad enough it wouldn’t be. She sliced a ball of power right at Doria.

  “Do you actually expect sympathy? After you’ve attacked the village where you were born and the coven where you were taught? After using and draining who knows how many witches? This world is better off without you and those like you.” Meagan kept her tone as righteous as possible. She knew it would only add fuel to Doria’s anger. The self-righteous, I’m-better-than-you-because-I-took-the-the-right-path attitude wasn’t really her style.

  “You’ll pay for killing him. You’ll die a slow painful death here. Meagan, your dragon friend will eat you so that he has a better chance of surviving.” Doria glanced significantly at Samiel.

  Samiel laughed. “We won’t be here that long.”

  “Yeah, I’d bet we’ll be out before the end of the day.” Meagan leaned briefly against Samiel.

  “You’ll never get out of here.” Doria glared and slammed three quick balls of energy against Meagan’s shield.

  Meagan shook her head, but tossed some magic toward the shield guarding Doria. “Why is every Dark Sorcerer I meet so damned overconfident? In your case Dark Sorceress, but still. There are three of us in here and more out there. One way or another, the shield surrounding this room will fall.”

  “No!” Doria slammed glowing balls of energy against the shield right in front of Meagan.

  Meagan saw Jaeson’s magic flare over Doria’s shield and knew the magic was going to fail soon. She looked from Samiel to Jaeson and noticed that they seemed a little more tense. Meagan formed a ball of energy and was a little relieved to notice that they held back. This wasn’t the time for mistakes.

  The energy flared over Doria’s shield, but it held. Samiel formed a ball of fire and tossed it. The shield flickered as the flames licked over it. Meagan sent away her weapons. She wouldn’t be needing them for this. She formed a light ball of energy.

  “Go ahead. Kill me. You know you want to.” Doria’s words came from between clenched teeth as she stood there with her hands at her side.

  Meagan threw the ball, but it didn’t hit Doria. It wrapped around her, binding her magic. Doria screamed and ran toward the shield. She hit it and bounced back. The woman stumbled and fell onto her butt.

  “I don’t need to kill you. Aside from that, if I did, you’d never see the man whose loss sent you out of control. I didn’t kill the sorcerer if you’re talking about the one from the last battle. He was captured and sent to the prison world of Tomeai. You can join him soon.” Meagan shrugged.

  “You’ll never get out. We’ll die here.” Doria’s shoulders slumped.

  “Don’t be any more stubborn than you have to be. There is another Tiria in the world. If they can’t do it with sheer force or it’s impossible to access it from in here, they’ll call her in to do it.” Meagan walked over to the door to inspect it. The shield wasn’t where she could get to it right now, but maybe if they worked at it.

  “The others are through with the battle out there. They’re beginning to work on this. They’ve found where it’s anchored to one of the power stones. It will be broken soon regardless of what we do, but let’s see what we can do.” Jaeson’s hand rubbed in small circles at the base of her spine.

  “Samiel, can you burn through this wood?” Meagan ran her hands over the surface of the wood. She had a feeling that the shield wasn’t touchable from either side and that was going to make it difficult regardless.

  “Let me see what I can do, but if she thought of that, I’m sure one of the stones will fail with enough force.” Samiel turned his gaze from the door to the wall.

  “If you punch that stone, you’re going to break your hand and I don’t want to listen to any whining.” She folded her arms across her chest but didn’t move.

  Jaeson laughed and pulled her away from the door. “He won’t punch the stone, but you’re right, he would whine.”

  Samiel formed a ball of fire and tossed it at the door. The flames flared higher and then dissipated. She saw a char mark, but even as she began to hope that they’d be able to dig away the charred pieces the blackened mark began to fade. She tossed a narrow-eyed glare over at the bound woman. Doria smiled and looked to be gloating, but she didn’t move.

  Samiel walked over to the door. “Jaeson, find me a patched stone, please.”

  She knew why he was looking for a stone that had been sealed recently by magic. It would be the easiest place to get through to the shield. Getting through to the shield would save the magic of those outside and their own. Jaeson held out his hands and closed his eyes.

  “Up there.” He sent a tracer up to the point where the domed ceiling met the stone walls. “It’s a whole section of them. It looks like there was another battle in here at some point.”

  Jaeson pulled Meagan back as Samiel changed forms. The large dragon flapped his wings and rose off the ground. His front claws raked and pulled at the stone glowing from Jaeson’s tracer magic. Bits of rock fell to the ground. She bit her lip, waiting. The stone didn’t regenerate like the wood did.

  A pile of rubble littered the floor when Samiel descended to the floor. He didn’t change forms. He simply stood there waiting. She summoned her weapons and walked over to him. He took her into his paws. Wind buffeted her as he propelled them off the ground.

  “Tell them the shield’s coming down, Jaeson,” Meagan yelled as they rose.

  Samiel lifted her to the spot he’d cleared. She could feel the energy pulsing from the shield. She stuck her dagger into the opening. It hit stone, but also found the shield. Energy roared through her. Her head tilted back and her breath rushed out of her. She didn’t even have the air to scream. Her body shook and every part of her felt oversensitive and raw. The power alone was almost too much. With the arousal, she didn’t know how long she could hold it and stay sane.

  Jaeson was there as Samiel lowered her to the floor. His arms folded around her and she felt a sharp sting as his fangs sunk into her throat. He took a bit of the power, but it wasn’t enough. Samiel took her into his arms when Jaeson released her. He moved her shirt to the side and his teeth pierced the spot where her throat and shoulder met. He pulled the power from her. When he stepped back, she knew that he’d taken as much as he could, but the magic still felt too high.

  “Don’t worry. There are vampires and dragons right outside that door who will help with the excess.” Samiel handed her the vial of antidote.

  She sighed with relief. “Let’s get our captive and get out there then. It’s time for her to join her favorite Dark Sorcerer.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Meagan prowled around the lair while Samiel and Jaeson were in the bath. She’d have loved to join them, but she was too agitated. Her eyes lingered on the golden lamp stands and the glitter of jewels in the wall. She was memorizing how everything looked and smelled. Part of her was half afraid that they were going to say they were needed elsewhere any day now or even worse that they had to return to their home wherever that wa
s. They had told her about a desert, but she didn’t know where exactly it was. She couldn’t go with them if they did return there. She was needed here and would be for some time.

  They’d seen her distraction and the way she watched them. She knew it. She was surprised that they hadn’t approached her yet. It wasn’t like them to delay. The other vampires and dragons had already left so there wouldn’t be much to distract them or hold them here. She knew she couldn’t put it off much longer, but she didn’t want to ruin what they had. It was so good. Especially since they’d gotten past Samiel’s I’m-too-strong hangup. Now, she just had to find the courage to surmount her own.

  By the time they strode back into the room, she’d settled on the couch. She hadn’t come up with any solution, but she knew they needed to talk about it. She wasn’t getting any answers worrying. All she’d done was lose some sleep and miss out on time with them. That was more than reason enough to discover the truth. No one ever knew how much time they’d be given, so wasting it was almost a crime.

  “Are you thinking about leaving us and returning to your coven?” Samiel stopped directly in front of her. His hair hung in a straight fall down his back and his bare chest glistened with water.

  She swallowed hard. “Not exactly.”

  “What exactly were you thinking about? We won’t let you walk away easily. We’ll fight to keep you.” Jaeson moved to stand beside Samiel.

  He too was still damp, clad only in pants, and absolutely gorgeous. Standing there in front of her both of them were almost irresistible. She wanted to reach out and touch them, but knew she had to get through this explanation and the answers. Whatever that was.

  “I was wondering when you have to leave. Everyone else has already gone. You have a life outside these mountains.” Meagan licked her lips. It was breaking her heart to think of walking away from them.

  “Why would you think that we would leave without you?” Samiel framed her face with his hands.

  “You have a home there and a duty. I can’t go with you. Not for long periods of time. I’m needed in this region. There’s not someone here to protect the people.” Her hands tightened into fists. This wasn’t easy.

  “You could have just asked us this the first time you thought about it. You wouldn’t have worried for nothing.” Samiel shook his head. He reached out and took her hand. His thumb began stroking over her knuckles.

  “You’re right. This area does need protection. Once we knew about it, we weren’t going to let it remain without guard. We’ve chosen to be the ones to stay here. If we’re needed, we’ll be called.” Jaeson curled an arm around her waist. He dropped kisses on her shoulder. “We liked this area even before we met you.”

  “You’re staying?” Tilting her head to the side to give him access to her neck, she tried to process what he’d told her. She almost couldn’t believe it, but she knew they wouldn’t lie about it. Not when they knew how much she’d obsessed about it.

  “Yes, we understand about your need to protect this area. Even before the Dark Sorcerer began to attack, this area needed the strength of a dragon. If only to deter someone from seeing it as an easy target.” Samiel’s mouth settled over hers in a definite claiming.

  Only when her hand fell to her side did she realize he’d released her fingers. She felt a bit bereft. She wanted him touching her, but knew she wouldn’t have to wait too long.

  “Now it has a vampire and a Tiria as well.” Jaeson’s palm slipped down to cup her buttocks.

  She let her eyes roam first over Samiel’s brawny, gorgeous form to the delicious expanse of Jaeson’s chest. “And what do you get out of this?”

  “A great view when we step outside, a place to call our own and a happy witch. There’s not much more we could ask for.” Jaeson stepped so close that his thigh brushed against hers.

  “Will you be happy here, watching over small cities?” She tilted her head and leaned into Jaeson. It thrilled her that they wanted to stay, but she didn’t want them to be miserable.

  Jaeson’s hand slid away from her buttocks and around her hip. He brushed over her dark brown pants and inward. She held her breath, hoping that he’d start peeling her out of her clothes or at least touch her pussy, but his hand stroked down her thigh. She wasn’t going to be left out. If he was going to touch and tease, she was going to have fun too.

  She turned her head and nuzzled against his chest. The muscles shifted beneath her cheek. Her tongue smoothed over the rise of his pecs. His hand tightened on her thigh. She smiled and nipped the skin just below the hardened bead of his nipple. He drew in a sharp breath.

  “You bit me.” His hand tangled in her hair and tugged her hair back.

  “I get bitten so often that I’ve discovered a penchant for doing it myself.” She kissed the small reddened spot. “Maybe it’s a bit of revenge.”

  She heard Samiel’s laughter. His body brushed against hers. Oh, yes, this is what she wanted. Both her men at her side, loving and holding her. Her arm slipped around Samiel’s waist. She traced her fingers over his ribs lightly, but not with the intention of tickling him. It was such a relief not to have to live with the worry and fear that she was going to lose them. She didn’t doubt what they felt was love. His teeth scraped over her shoulder drawing her thoughts away from her feelings. She shivered.

  “I think you might be right.” Samiel’s hand cupped her breast. “But then, you’ve always seemed to compliment us. You brought out the best in both of us.”

  “As well as the beast at times.” Jaeson drew his hand up her inner thigh. Sparks of sensation followed the path of his fingers even though she was wearing sturdy pants.

  “And I love it.” Meagan licked around the darkened disc. He tasted wonderful. “Guess what I want.”

  Samiel drew his finger over the taut peak of one breast. Even through the fabric, she could feel the heat of his hands. Her nipples hardened and she ached to feel his hands on them instead of the slightly abrasive texture of her shirt. She wanted to peel out of her shirt, but she didn’t want to stop touching either one of them.

  “You want us to fuck you.” Samiel’s teeth scraped over her neck.

  “That would be nice for a start.” She gave him a wicked smile. With a few quick moves, she’d opened the fastenings to his pants and her hand circled his cock.

  She stroked slowly. His eyelids lowered and a harsh groan rolled through his chest. She traced the length with her fingers. His body had tensed, but he made no move to stop her or take over.

  “I want to do this.” She feathered kisses on his chest. She glanced down at his cock and licked her lips.

  He didn’t seem to need any clarification. “Only if Jaeson fucks you while your sweet mouth is on my cock. I’d like to see that.”

  “I don’t know if I’m ready. I haven’t had much attention other than a few kisses and teasing touches.” Her lashes lowered. Her body tingled with anticipation. She had no doubt that Jaeson would make sure she was burning for him.

  “I’ll take care of that.” Jaeson moved behind her. “Are you going to tease Samiel or give him what you’ve promised?”

  “Well, you’d better get started. If you take too long, I’ll be done with him before you even make me squirm, much less come.” She glanced over her shoulder and sent him a deliberately challenging glance.

  “You do like to live dangerously.” Jaeson chuckled. “On your knees. I want to get started. I wouldn’t want to make you wait.”

  She drew her hand up the length of Samiel’s cock and rubbed her palm up over the rounded head. Just to delay and because she wanted to do it, she rose on tiptoes to feather light kisses over Samiel’s lips. His tongue thrust into her mouth in an aggressive claim. When he pulled back, she barely resisted the urge to grab at him. She always wanted more of him, but there’d be time later.

  She kissed her way down his chest. Deliberately, she kept her eyes on him resisting the urge to look back at Jaeson. She wanted to know what he thought and see his expression, b
ut she also wanted to provoke him a little. Aside from that, the anticipation was delicious.

  Slowly lowering to her knees, she ran her hands over his hips. She pushed the material down to his knees where it fell to the ground on its own. Samiel stepped out of it. Her fingers danced up and down Samiel’s thighs. She felt movement behind her and looked back to see Jaeson kneeling on the floor in back of her. Jaeson’s hands skimmed down her thighs in an imitation of what she was doing to Samiel. She lifted her hands to Samiel’s cock and stroked his hard length just to see what Jaeson would do.

  “You are such an uncooperative witch. The least you could have done is taken off your clothes before you were on your knees and made it more difficult.” Jaeson sounded aggrieved, but she knew he was exaggerating it.

  “Maybe you should have been doing something while I was kissing Samiel. I got his pants off. You seem to have fallen behind a little.” She grinned and traced a winding path up Samiel’s thighs.

  She felt magic tingle over her. When she looked down, she wasn’t surprised to find herself naked. She’d known he wouldn’t waste much time. His arm hooked around her waist, pulling her back against him. His cock nestled in the crease of her buttocks. She realized then he must have removed his own clothing as well as her own.

  “Let’s see how much coaxing you’re going to need to catch up to Samiel.” Jaeson’s hand skimmed over the rise of her stomach and down to her pussy. His fingers skimmed over the slick lips, pausing there.

  “It seems that you’re more than interested.” Jaeson nipped at her shoulder as his hand pressed forward.

  Her breath hitched as the pad of his finger brushed over her clit. He didn’t pause or repeat the move before he continued to draw his hand down. She held her breath for a moment when the slight pressure at her entrance sent a shiver through her. A single thick digit slipped into her pussy and pumped. Just when her hips shifted back into his hand, he withdrew. When his fingernails drew over her clit as he pulled his hand away, she knew it was deliberate.