16. Evelyn
16
Evelyn
T he bed felt empty despite the warmth surrounding me. I was tangled in limbs and soft sheets—Chad’s body a comforting weight on one side, Alister’s warmth anchoring me on the other. But sleep was elusive, my mind spinning with worry over how Eris would strike.
As my eyes drifted shut, my vision blurred, twisting and warping until I found myself standing in the grand foyer of the Luminary Coven’s mansion. Lia stood on the dais where Morgana once commanded her followers.
But it wasn’t Lia. Her gray eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and her lips twisted into a cruel smile that didn’t belong to her.
This was Eris, the goddess who had claimed Lia’s body.
“My followers,” Eris’s voice boomed, filling the room with a commanding presence. “The time to get rid of those who stand against us has come,” she announced.
With a sneer, her eyes gleamed as she spat, “Hecate’s champion must be defeated. We cannot let her become a threat.”
I focused my attention on the ones inside the room and noticed the familiar faces—the Elders and Ryker’s hulking father looming at the back. A cold wave of dread washed over me, sinking deep into my bones.
“We should eliminate her now,” Eris-as-Lia commanded. “Strike before she gathers allies.”
Ryker’s father stepped forward, his expression grim. “Agreed. My son’s witch must be dealt with before she becomes a nuisance.”
The Elders murmured in agreement, their expressions twisted with eager anticipation.
Eris’s gaze swept over her assembled followers, her voice shifting to something almost seductive. “Now that magic has fully returned,” she said, her tone swelling with excitement. “We are on the brink of a new era of power. An era where we will rise above, and those who stand with me will inherit strength beyond imagining. The old ways will crumble, and we will forge a future where we hold dominion.”
Eris wasn’t just promising power for herself—she offered it to everyone who aligned with her, painting a vision of a future where they would reign supreme. It was no wonder the Elders had joined her.
She paused, her eyes narrowing as she added, “The Goddess Hecate’s chosen champion will be executed publicly. We need to make a show of our power.”
“We should do it at the Arcanum Academy,” Ryker’s father suggested. “It’s where my son’s witch will be, and the students will have their phones. It’ll help spread your reign like wildfire.” He smirked, his gaze gleaming with dark amusement. “And if all else fails, there’s nothing quite like threatening people’s kids to get them in line.”
Eris nodded, pleased by the suggestion.
Her voice dropped, low and taut, with barely restrained bitterness. “I’ve had enough of being overlooked,” she said. Her eyes burned with fury. “They build temples to Athena. They sing songs of Zeus’s conquests. Hecate has her coven of witches. Even Hades is remembered, loved, and feared. But me? They only whisper my name when trouble brews; even then, I am forgotten. Dismissed.” Her lips curled into a smile that was more snarl than anything else. “No more whispers of my name. We will be worshiped, and our legacy will carve itself into history.”
I jolted awake with a gasp, sweat prickling my skin. My heart hammered as the weight of the vision settled over me. Careful not to disturb Alister and Chad, I slipped out from between them.
“Everything okay, little witch?” Chad mumbled sleepily.
“Just thirsty,” I whispered. “Go back to sleep.”
Gently removing Alister’s arm, I crawled out of bed and tiptoed out of the bedroom.
Making my way to the kitchen, my mind raced with questions. They were coming for me. How much time did we have? My hands shook as I filled a glass with water, trying to steady myself. I needed to warn the others, and we needed to prepare.
The cool water soothed me as I took a long sip, grounding myself. I leaned against the counter, gripping the edge. Had I imagined it all? Was my mind playing tricks? But the dread clinging to my bones told me it was real.
A soft creak echoed through the quiet like a door nudging open. A flicker of unease curled through me.
I wasn’t alone.
“Hello?” I called into the dark.
Silence. I took a cautious step toward the sound, tension prickling along my spine.
He appeared from the shadows, a solid, imposing figure who filled the hallway with his presence. Relief flooded through me as I ran to Ryker, wrapped my arms around his broad frame, and buried my face against his chest.
“Missed you,” Ryker murmured, his voice rough, sending shivers down to my toes. My lips found his, and the world faded—no goddesses, no battles, just the two of us.
“Guess you missed me too,” he murmured against my lips, his voice teasing.
I smiled, my fingers tracing his jawline, feeling the roughness of his stubble. “You have no idea how much,” I whispered, brushing my lips against his. His hands were warm on my hips, pulling me closer and kissing me deeply, hungrily.
When we finally broke apart, a dark mark on his clothes caught my eye.
Blood.
I froze, my mind snapping back to reality and the dangers surrounding us.
He pulled back slightly, reading my thoughts. “It isn’t mine,” he said, his voice calm. “We found a warehouse where they were making the siphoning potion. There was some resistance.”
My heart sank. “Is everyone okay?”
He nodded. There was more to the story but now wasn’t the time.
I let out a small breath of relief. “You should change,” I said, running a finger over the bloodstain. “Can’t have you smelling like a battlefield.”
A wicked smile spread across his lips. “That’s an excellent idea,” he growled, eyes flashing with intent.
Slowly, I started to undress him, peeling away his shirt to reveal the large chiseled muscles beneath. I traced the lines of his tattoos, letting my fingers linger on one in particular: a sleek, black sword with flames etched into the blade and my name scripted above it. He stood still, his breath deep and controlled.
“This is new,” I remarked.
He nodded, a proud smile playing at the corners of his lips.
“I love it,” I said, letting my fingers caress the tattoo one last time before unbuttoning his pants.
I took my time, each movement slow and deliberate. He stepped out of his clothes, now completely naked. I bit my lip, savoring the sight of him, then looked at his enormous erect cock.
I gulped.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble. “I’ll make sure you’re nice and ready before I take you.”
I nodded, my trust in him absolute.
“Your turn,” he murmured as he pulled my pajama pants down and, in one swift motion, tore my pajama top off. He didn’t just look at me; he was claiming me with his eyes like he was deciding which part of me to devour first.”
“Fucking sinful,” he said, his voice rough with desire. His words made my skin tingle and my core ache with need. Then he knelt before me, his large frame making the gesture seem almost reverent.
Ryker was so huge that, even kneeling, he aligned perfectly with my breasts. His large hands came up tenderly as he fondled me, sending sparks of pleasure through my body. He took his time, savoring the softness, the curves, his eyes half-closed in rapture.
My breath caught as he leaned in, his lips brushing against my nipples, teasing them, then biting softly. A soft moan escaped my lips, and I arched my back, pressing myself closer to his eager mouth. The warmth of his breath and the gentle pressure of his kisses and licks made my head swim.
His hands and mouth moved with a slow, deliberate hunger, worshiping my breasts as if they were the most precious thing in the world. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, needing more.
Ryker shifted from kneeling to sitting, and my breath caught as he placed one of my legs over his shoulder. His fingers traced a slow, tantalizing path up my thigh. He looked up at me, his nostrils flaring—like a predator finally catching his prey. I leaned against the wall for support, my body already trembling with anticipation.
His breath was warm against my center, sending shivers through me. He kissed me there, softly at first, then with growing hunger. My hands gripped the wall as waves of pleasure coursed through me, my hips moving involuntarily against his mouth. He held me steady, his tongue and lips working with a skill that made my mind go hazy. I bit down on my lip to stifle a moan.
Ryker’s hands roamed, one sliding up to caress my breast, the other holding my leg in place. My body tightened, every nerve on edge as he brought me closer and closer to the brink. Just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, he pulled back, leaving me gasping and needy desperate.
He removed my leg from his shoulder and then stood, his face flushed, my arousal evident on his lips. I pulled him into a fierce kiss, tasting myself on him, my hands clawing at his back. He gripped my wrists, pulling my hands away and pinning them to the wall behind me. His eyes bore into mine, filled with a primal intensity that made my knees weak.
Then, in one fluid sweep, he lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, my back pressing against the cool wall.
Guess hallways were our thing.
I felt his large cock, hard and throbbing, pressing against me. My insides clenched with anticipation while he kissed me hard, his lips bruising, his hands roaming over me. With a groan, he entered me, slow and deliberate, making me feel every inch of him before setting a rhythm, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through me.
With a deep groan, he slid into me, slow and deliberate, making me feel every agonizing inch of him. My breath caught in my throat as he filled me completely, stretching me in a way that made my head spin.
He paused, letting me adjust to his size, his cock pulsating within me. My body ached with a mix of pleasure and pain as I clung to his shoulders. He kissed me hungrily while I adjusted. I could feel the tension start to build, my body screaming for him to move, to take me.
He started with slow, measured thrusts, each one sending ripples of pleasure through my core. My hands wandered through his hair, then down to his muscled arms, feeling them flex with each thrust as they grew rougher, more desperate.
“Yes, Ryker!” I moaned. “F-faster…”
He obliged, slamming into me with a force I didn’t know I could handle. My body was on fire, my power unleashing itself like flames licking the walls.
“Ry-Ryker,” I panted. “I’m… I’m…”
His reply was lost in a growl as his fangs extended, and he sank them into my neck. The mix of pain and pleasure sent me over the edge, my climax crashing over me.
“Mine,” he growled.
“Yours,” I agreed, breathless, the realization hitting me—he had just marked me.
We stared into each other’s eyes, still high on passion and lust. As I inhaled deeply to steady my racing heart, the acrid scent of burnt wood filled my lungs. I frowned, taking in the damage I had caused. Most of the wall had turned charred and blackened, and smoke rose from a tapestry that was still in flames. Then, as if on cue, the fire alarm blared to life, its screeching tones cutting through the silence.
Of course, the bloody fire alarm would choose now to work.
“Fuck,” Ryker muttered before chuckling.
He grabbed the tapestry with one arm while still holding me in place, stomping on it to smother the flames. I clung to him like a monkey, laughing.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall as the rest of the house woke.
Chad was the first to arrive, his hair tousled from sleep. His eyes widened as he took in the scene. Then, his lips curled into a smirk. “Looks like someone had a hot time.” He sauntered down the stairs, surveying the damage Ryker and I had caused.
From the landing, Rafe and Lucien lingered, taking in the chaos.
“Where’s the fire?” Rafe asked.
“It’s put out,” I assured them, giggling into Ryker’s shoulder, a little embarrassed.
“Can we all go back to sleep now?” Lucien grumbled, rubbing his eyes. “Some of us have work in the morning.”
Even Zade appeared at the top of the stairs, took one look, muttered, “Idiots,” and turned right back around.
Alister was probably still asleep. Ever since he turned human, he slept like the dead.
Ironic.
Hopefully, he wasn’t too attached to that tapestry.
As the others dispersed and the fire alarm finally fell silent, I took a slow breath. Ryker was still holding me, his breathing deep and controlled, his body radiating heat.
He was still inside me.
“You’re still hard,” I whispered.
“That’s because I’m not done fucking you,” he growled.
Ryker had marked me as his mate.
In the hallway, no less.