Page 64 of House of Pain
When Val finally moved away from Alecto, both were breathing hard.
Val winked before returning to her spot, and then it was Blaze’s turn.
While Blaze waited for Alecto to come to him, he glanced to his side, back to where Rogue sat. The demon’s attention was all on Alecto, his eyes intense.
He was feeling a certain type of way. Without even looking, Blaze’s hands found their way to Alecto’s hips. A breath hitched in her throat and right that moment, Rogue’s gaze shifted to Blaze.
Blaze held his stare for a long moment, feeling the heat from Alecto’s body next to him, his thumbs moving in circles over her flesh.
Rogue had to understand that he better keep his hands off Alecto.
If he wanted to keep them.
Finally, Blaze dragged his attention to the girl in front of him.
Alecto licked her lips and planted a hand over Blaze’s chest. Then, she slowly leaned forwards for a kiss.
Blaze couldn’t move, mesmerized by her and the feel of his magic under his skin at the same time.
Alecto brushed her lips past his without giving in fully, and Blaze mimicked her.
They were once again playing the game that only the two of them were aware of.
Just like that night at the Ceremony.
Blaze’s hand came to cup the back of her neck. He pulled Alecto in with no space to escape and claimed her mouth like it belonged to him.
Magic swirled inside Blaze’s chest, crackling like lightning, zipping through his muscles. And when Alecto finally pushed away from him, Blaze’s head was swimming.
Hesitantly, Alecto took a step back and then another. Blaze’s eyes didn’t leave her until she was back in her spot.
Next, Blaze kissed Andro, both snickering once they peeled away from each other.
Lastly, Andro kissed Jolene, taking more time than was necessary, knowing he was more into Blaze than Jolene.
Once all five of them were chanting, their magic swirling inside their bodies and around them, heavy and thick, the wind rose out of nowhere.
They all gasped as the gust went through them, making the candles flicker for a moment.
Blaze didn’t think there had ever been so much magic in one place, and it was hard not getting lost in it completely.
Suddenly, Blaze realized why the Old Church was hidden all those years ago. Why nobody would want students of Venefica to know where this precious gem was.
That sort of power was dangerous in the wrong hands.
Hands liketheirs.
“Focus your attention on the House of Tigers,” Val’s voice boomed. “Channel the energy from our Book to conjure an image of theirs.”
It took Blaze a few moments to concentrate, but he did it. He focused on their Book lying on the altar, next to the bronze bowl where the flame sparked to life right that moment.
A column of black smoke rose to the ceiling and soon the fog parted, revealing the image of the Tigers’ House.
“Of course,” Andro said, rolling his eyes. “Of course they’d keep it in their House.”
Blaze arched an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
The Snakes kept their Book in their House, under the strongest protection spell that money could buy.
