Dark Legends, page 339
Violca straightened up and looked at him over her shoulder. Chase winked at her when she blushed, having caught him staring at her butt. Standing up, he heard someone in the woods near them and he stood in front of Violca, his shirt in his hand. Inhaling, he smelled her friend, Brandon, and his eyes narrowed when Brandon finally came into view.
Chase heard Violca moan softly, putting her head on his back when she saw him. He chuckled softly, only to feel her reward him by hitting him.
“The girls were starting to worry about you,” Brandon said, crossing his arms, his eyes meeting Chase, challenging him.
Chase put on his shirt, taking her hand and pulled Violca out from behind him, then wrapped his arm around her side, holding her next to him. “We were just heading back.”
Chase swore he could almost hear Brandon growling. “I’ll have her home in a few minutes.”
Brandon looked over at Violca, who nodded at him before turning back and walking towards the house. Once Brandon was far enough not to overhear them, Chase turned so that he was facing Violca. “I want you to know whatever happened between us was not for my work.” When she looked down, he used his hand to tilt her head up to him. “Let’s get you back to the cabin before I take you again.”
Violca smiled and he bent down, brushing his lips against hers before taking her hand and leading her back to the cabin. They walked in silence, Chase going over what had happened. He had never before had an urge to bite a female during sex. It was the hardest thing he had ever done, not to sink his teeth into her creamy flesh.
When they got to the front of the cabin, she stopped and looked at him. Brushing her hair behind her ear, he smiled down at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Before she could reply, he bent down to kiss her, only to hear the front door open and see Kati in the doorway. Smiling down at her, he winked, straightening without kissing her. “Sweet dreams, Violca.”
“Good night, Chase.” she whispered. Raising a hand, he waved to Kati before walking around the cabin to the back. Scott and Eryk were both in their tent already. Grabbing a soda from the cooler, he crawled into his tent, trying to get comfortable. He wished he were in the cabin with Violca, instead of on the hard ground outside.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Violca blushed as she walked into the living room where Brandon glared at her. Kati and Eva both smiled, and she knew Brandon had told them that she had been walking with Chase, and that both girls had come to the same conclusion. Wanting to change the subject before it even started, she decided to tell them about the book. “I found something last night, I really want to show you guys.”
Everyone stopped and looked at her and she quickly headed to her room, grabbing the book from inside the nightstand. Going to the couch, she sat between Eva and Kati. Brandon stood behind them, looking over their shoulders. “So far, I haven’t figured out how to read it but,” she ran her fingers over the cover and gasped when she felt something prick her finger. Bringing her finger up to her mouth, she sucked on it.
Violca’s lap heated up and the book shimmered softly. The writing that she could not read before, changed to My Darling Daughters of the Earth. Everyone was so quiet Violca thought she might actually be able to hear the girls breathing in the other room. Writing suddenly appeared on the blank page in a language she couldn’t read, but when Violca ran her hand over it, it shimmered and slowly changed. Violca gasped when she recognized her mother’s handwriting and her signature at the bottom.
My Darling Daughters,
I am so sorry I am not with you, but I know you will not be alone for long. I wish I had time to explain everything to you, but unfortunately my time in this world was limited, but very treasured.
I don’t know how to tell you this, but you, my darlings come from a long line of Earth witches. My dear Violca, you will recognize a few of these stories as the bedtime stories we told you when you were very little. We wanted to raise you, telling you all about your family’s history and watch you develop your powers. But once the hunters came trying to take you, we knew we had to hide.
This book will tell you about your history and what that means. Each one of you has a special gift. Have faith in yourselves and in each other. You are all strong on your own but together, you five hold the balance of the world.
Trust your instincts, my darlings, and know that your father and I love you very much and will be watching over you.
All my love,
Mom
Violca read, then re-read the message from her mother. She recognized her mother’s handwriting, but she couldn’t believe what she had read. Witches, Earth witches, weren’t real. There was a group of women who call themselves Wiccans nowadays, but they had no powers and cast no spells. Violca didn’t believe in witches or magic, but found she couldn’t explain how the writing on the book changed, or why her mother would write such a thing. When her mother wrote this, she seemed to know she would die soon.
Violca was very aware of Brandon behind her, and her two sisters next to her. None of them said a word as the tension filled the air. Kati finally broke the silence. “Earth witches?”
Violca shook her head and closed the book, not sure what to say. Brandon cleared his throat. “I think it’s been a very long day. Maybe we should all go to bed and deal with this tomorrow morning.”
Eva reached out and ran her hand over the cover gently, and Violca could see her eyes brimming with tears. She blinked them back and Eva reached up and squeezed her hand. “I think Brandon might be right, let’s talk about this in the morning.”
Violca got up and held the book close to her chest. Eva and Kati stood up too, both giving her a small hug before going to their room. Brandon met Violca’s eyes and she could see small lines around his mouth as he frowned. “Good night, V.” With that, he turned and walked down the hall to his room.
Violca headed to her room and put the book back in the nightstand. Changing into a tank top and pajama pants, she turned off the light before crawling into her bed. She didn’t know if she would be able to sleep, so much had happened. The stuff her mother had written in her book, could it be…
Violca’s eyes closed almost as soon as she laid her head on the pillow. Falling into a deep sleep, she found herself standing in the woods again. She looked up to see the cabin in front of her. She quickly walked up the stairs, wanting so badly to talk to her mother.
Chase found his eyes constantly going to the cabin, as he wondered what they were doing in the living room. Chase could feel his dragon itching, just below the skin, wanting to shift and break the door down and drag Violca to his bed. After every kiss they had shared, his hunger for her had grown and now that he had tasted her, he wanted more.
Chase saw the light go off in the living room and watched the different bedroom lights go on. He imagined her lying in bed, her dark hair framing her face, her lips parted, her violet eyes growing darker in need. Growling softly, he squeezed his cock to try and relieve some of the pressure.
Deciding he wouldn’t be getting to sleep anytime soon, he unzipped his tent and crawled out. Chase heard the other tent unzip and saw Scott pop out. “I’m going to take the first watch tonight.”
Chase knew his friend could smell the lingering scent of sex and Violca on him. Scott raised an eyebrow and a grin lit up his face. “Wake me up when it’s my turn.” Scott smirked before crawling back into his tent.
Chase growled in the back of his throat as he walked toward the river. The property the girls owned was pretty large and had several trails running along it. It wasn’t fenced in, but it was clearly marked in several areas, and for the most part, it looked like people went around it. So far, only Eryk had said he ran into a guy who appeared to be trying to find his way to the river.
Seeing a fresh set of tracks, Chase inhaled, detecting the scent of several males. He followed the trail across a river determined to see where they went. Hearing the sound of male laughter he hid, watching them. There were several guys in their early twenties drinking beer and telling jokes around a bonfire. Not detecting any scent of anything supernatural, Chase watched for a few minutes before slowly sliding back into the woods and heading back across the river.
Once he crossed the river to the girls’ property, he checked out the rest of the perimeter and didn’t see any other signs of trespassers. Chase headed back to the house. Circling it, he went to the window where Violca’s smell was the strongest. He could smell the scent of magic in the air.
Violca’s window was cracked and he knew he shouldn’t, but he needed to know where the scent was coming from. His skin tingled before he turned into his shadow and slid through the crack. Gliding across the floor he went to her bed. In shadow form he couldn’t quite touch her, but he glided his hand over her cheek.
Violca was lying on her side, one bent leg sticking out from under the blanket. He smiled, noticing the pillow was turned sideways and she was holding it like a lover. Watching her, he found himself wondering what it would be like to hold her all night, her head on his chest, her legs thrown over his.
The scent of magic was strong in the air near her bed. Allowing his hand to materialize he reached out and opened the nightstand. There he saw a very old book. Running his hand over the book, he felt his palm heat up. Frowning, he wrapped his fingers around the spine to pick it up and felt a sudden blast of heat go through him.
Letting go, he shook his hand before looking at it. Despite the pain, there was no mark on his skin. He wondered what the book was and why he was not allowed to touch it. He was pretty sure this was what Violca had dug up from the yard last night, and it hadn’t burned her. Closing the drawer, he shifted back into a shadow and slowly glided back to the window to slide out.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Violca woke up, slowly stretching out. The dream she had of her mother did not help her. Her mother told her she needed to read the book with her sisters and that it would explain it all. The world was full of magic, some good and some bad. Violca had to just open her eyes and look around her to see it. With a secret smile, her mother also told her that witches were not the only magical creatures out there.
Violca felt like she had woken up with more questions than answers. She smiled, realizing she easily believed her mother was talking to her in her dreams, but the thought of witches made her roll her eyes. Trying to keep an open mind, she got up and headed to the kitchen, smiling when she saw Brandon already making sausage.
“If you keep making us breakfast, I might not object to you dating Angel,” Violca said, teasingly.
Brandon chuckled. “I don’t know if she’s my type, and I’m pretty sure there’s a law out there about not dating a girl if you can vividly remember changing her diapers.”
Violca laughed. “Since you’re the cop, I’ll have to take your word for it.” Violca looked outside and noticed Eryk walking around their little makeshift campsite in the backyard. “I wonder what they’re having for breakfast.”
Brandon raised an eyebrow. Violca blushed and Brandon grinned. “Go ahead and invite them in. We have enough food for everyone.” Violca looked at him a little surprised, especially when Brandon smiled at her. “I think it’s time I get to know Chase, don’t you think?”
Violca groaned, causing Brandon to smile more. “Oh God, you’re going to go all big brother cop like, aren’t you?”
Brandon turned back to flipping the sausage. “I need to find out why they were looking for you,” He smirked before adding, “and let him know if he plays with your heart I’ll make his life a living hell.”
Violca rolled her eyes at him, causing him to laugh before she went to the back door. Part of the reason she wanted them to come in and eat, was so Kati could spend more time with Eryk. She genuinely seemed to like him, and Violca was determined to encourage it.
Opening the door, she stepped onto the patio and smiled at Eryk. Her eyes were drawn to some movement behind him and she looked up to see Chase walking in from the woods. He was wearing his pants low on his hips and no shirt. Her breath caught as she noticed his rippling muscles and the light traces of a six pack on his abs. When her eyes finally roamed up to his face, she felt her cheeks heat up. His self-satisfied smile told her he had seen her checking him out.
Eryk cleared his throat. “Good morning.”
Violca swore she must be beet red. She smiled at Eryk. “Morning. I just wanted to invite you guys in for eggs and sausage.”
Scott peeked his head out of the tent. “Did you say sausage?”
“Yep, do you wanna join us?”
“Hell yeah!” Scott replied, crawling out from the tent.
Violca’s eyes widened. Scott was also in a pair of jeans and no shirt, and Violca smiled, thinking Linda and the girls would be mad to find out that she was the first to see him with his shirt off. She heard a growl and turned to see Chase watching her. “Be careful, I think there’s an animal close by,” she said, wondering where that sound came from. “It shouldn’t be too much longer.”
Violca turned to go in the house and saw Kati in the doorway, her eyes on Scott. Violca noticed a blush on Kati’s cheek and smiled at her when Kati finally noticed her watching her. Grinning, she took her sister by the arm, leading her into the house, leaving the door slightly ajar for the guys when they came in.
Chase waited for Violca and her sister to go in before looking over at Scott. Scott grinned and Chase growled at him again, only to hear him laughing.
Eryk laughed. “Hey, be careful man, there’s an animal in the woods.”
Chase headed over to his bag, and grabbing a shirt, pulled it over his head. “Put your shirt on Scott, before you scare the kids.”
Scott chuckled, flexing. “You’re just worried that Violca will have a hard time keeping her hands off the guns.”
Chase snorted. “Guns, really?”
He walked up to the porch, taking a few stairs at a time. Eryk followed him in. The smell of sausage and fresh coffee caused Chase’s stomach to growl. Eva, sitting at the bar, turned and looked at them. “Hey guys, there’re cups next to the coffee pot if you want some coffee. Breakfast should be done in a few.”
Brandon looked over at them and leveled Chase with a look that let him know he didn’t trust him as far as he could throw him. Chase raised an eyebrow and walked to the counter, making himself a cup of coffee. Pouring two more, he handed one to Eryk.
Sari and Angyalka came out of their room, laughing and giggling. When they saw him, they both hugged him tightly and he picked up Sari, as Angyalka jumped on Eryk, who picked her up. “Can we play kitty again?”
Eryk smiled, tweaking her nose. “Sure, we can play later.”
She giggled before squirming out of his arms. Sari and Angyalka both took their seats at the bar. Hearing a door open down the hall, Chase looked up to see Violca. She had changed into a pair of denim shorts that showed off her legs, and a blue tank top. Looking up, their eyes met and he saw her tongue come out and lick her lips.
Remembering the taste of her lips and how she responded to his kiss, he fought the urge to go over to her and kiss her good morning. Scott came in and she looked away, smiling politely in his direction.
“All right guys, breakfast’s done,” Brandon announced. “Eva made the toast, and the sausage and eggs are on the stove, everyone make your plates.” He winked at Sari and Angel, handing them both their plates. “Except you two.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Scott watched how the girls interacted with each other and Brandon. Brandon, he could tell, was close to the family. He knew that Chase was a little jealous, but the way Brandon and Violca treated each other, he would’ve thought they were brother and sister. There was a connection there, but nothing sexual.
Feeling like he was being watched, he turned his head and saw Kati sitting on the chair watching him out of the corner of her eye. Scott noticed that in the few pictures he’d seen of her at the school, she was always wearing clothes that were baggy and didn’t fit her well. Here at the cabin, surrounded by her family, she was wearing a pair of black yoga pants and a yellow top.
He knew that she would grow up to be a beauty. The only issue he had was that she seemed to be almost scared of her own shadow. When Kati noticed him looking in her direction, she blushed brightly before turning her head.
Scott turned to see Eryk watching him, a small smile on his lips. Narrowing his eyes, he almost growled before catching himself. Eryk shook his head, and Scott had a feeling that if they were alone, his younger brother would be laughing at him.
Once the girls all finished making their plates, the guys went and made theirs. Kati and Eva sat at the bar with the younger two, while the rest of them sat around the living room. The cabin was cozy, despite the tension coming off everyone. Scott knew that Brandon did not trust them and wondered if they had been invited in because Brandon had stumbled upon Violca and Chase in the woods.
Chase chose to sit on the chair near Violca, instead of on the couch next to her. He could see Brandon watching him. Violca, for the most part, seemed to be concentrating on her food, not really looking at either of them. When she finally looked up at him, Chase winked at her, smiling when he saw her blush.
Looking up, his eyes met Brandon’s, as Brandon looked at him fiercely. Chase felt the corner of his lip go up in a bit of a smile. He was still a little jealous of how close they were, but he knew Violca would have never made love to him if there had been anything going on between them.
