Page 24 of Rise of the Witch
Tan’s arms were suddenly wrapped around my stomach, drawing me back against his broad chest and instantly calming my rising irritation. “We’re just surprised you can’t wiggle that cute nose of yours and make sugar magically appear!” His tone shifted, gaze darkening as he added, “Although your magic pussy seems to have plenty of sugar to give…”
Asa tossed the invitation onto the table, attention now fixed on the two of us as he advanced, unmistakable red aura pulsing. Stopping inches away, he dipped his head to bring his lips to mine, pressing me back against Tan’s broad chest as he claimed me with a passionate kiss. Sandwiched between the hard muscle of both men, I suddenly found myself unable to think, breathe, or remember there were others in the room.
“Oh, for the love of...YES!Yes, we will gladly go to a fucking séance,” Nox groaned, sinking onto the bench in the men’s area and running a large hand down his face and through his beard. “Anything to get out of this house and away from this...train wreck!” The last part was punctuated with a vulgar gesture in our direction.
Anthia grinned broadly at the spectacle before heading back toward the window. “Well, you’d better start getting ready, then. Harbison wants you there tonight, and though your horses are fast, it will still take you a couple of hours to get to Zerkalo. Bon voyage!” Laughing at my glare, Anthia shifted and took off out the window in the direction we’d be traveling.
Extracting myself from the men, I began collecting the necessary supplies we’d need while thinking over what Anthia had said. Of course, my closest friend would see straight through to my insecurities about the men. She also damn well knew inviting them to ride my horses was just another test to prove the true nature of our connection. But what the shifter didn’t seem to realize was how perilous this situation was. Humans were notoriously fickle—humanmaleseven more so—and “magic pussy” or not, revealing we were fated mates might send them immediately running the moment we got to civilization.
Not to mention, how does one even begin to share something like that?
“You want us coming with you?” Tan was at my side again, hazel eyes searching my face. “To this man’s house...in Zerkalo?”
He’s asking me if they are free to leave.
“Yes, of course, I do,” I sighed, looking over each of them, including Nox, accepting it may be the last time I really could. “And if you’d like to bring your packs, make a choice once we’re there as to whether you’ll return to this hut with me or to your human lives.”
Tan’s brows furrowed in confusion, but before he could speak, Asa appeared at my other side, gazing down at me intently. “I’ve already told you, I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ll be coming back here as well, doll,” Tan smiled openly, basking me in that warm light of his. “I just wasn’t sure you wanted us all up in your witchy business. I mean, thisparticularwitchy business. Obviously, we’re more than happy to get up in yourotherwitchy business…”
“Are you both seriously not interested in trying to get back to base?” Nox scoffed from where he now stood directly behind us. “We’ll be in a town. Possibly near cell service and the internet. Remember those things? Or that we actually havejobsat the Facility? Or, people who might think we’redead?”
Tan kept his gaze locked on mine as he dismissively waved a hand in Nox’s direction. “Once we get to Harbison’s, I’ll send mum an email letting her know I’m alive, and then we’ll send one to Ace’s dad that’s nothing but a random dick pic.” Asa barked a laugh, a genuine smile lighting up his entire face in a way that made me realize it wasn’t something I’d seen much of. Glancing at Tan, I saw he was gazing at the other man with an almost reverent look on his face.
“My sun. The light of my entire world.”
Feeling oddly emotional by the revelation that both Asa and Tan wanted to stay, I turned to address the final man now towering over me. “As for you, Nox, you are free to go once we get to town. I would never keep you here against your will.”
The others instinctively moved away from where Nox and I were staring at each other in heavy silence. For the most part, he kept his gaze unreadable, but for a split second, something like regret flickered over his features. “I’ll have to think about it,” was all he said before turning to collect his pack.
Chapter 20
Vasilisa
With a crook of my finger, the stable doors opened, and my three majestic horses emerged. No Yaga before me had possessed them—they’d simply appeared the morning after I claimed my legacy. I’d often wondered if they were the same horses I saw during my first, fateful visit to Baba Yaga when I was just a girl, but as I’d never seen the original Riders again, my suspicions couldn’t be confirmed. Either way, the horses had remained with me throughout the centuries, also waiting for the three men destined to ride them.
The chestnut stallion walked out first, dark red mane and tail blending seamlessly with his thick coat as he scented the air. Upon spotting Asa, he drew back and whinnied excitedly before eagerly trotting over to his new master.
“Easy,” Asa grinned, reaching in his pocket for the cut pieces of carrot I’d armed him with. “Yes, I’m quite pleased to meet you too,” he laughed as the animal roughly nudged him, impatient to receive his treat.
My gray appeared next, his white coat catching the light of the late-morning sun. After squinting appraisingly in Tan’s direction, he casually walked over and licked a sloppy, wet trail up the side of my Rider’s face, earning a groan of disgust from Tan and chuckles from the other men.
Perfect.
Last, my Andalusian appeared, powerful muscles rippling beneath a midnight-black coat as he paused to warily size up the enormous man he would be carrying. A ghost of a smile appeared beneath Nox’s beard before he made a couple of clicking noises, effortlessly calling the gentle giant to his side.
While the men were getting acquainted with their steeds, I took advantage of their distraction to close my eyes against the whirlwind of unfamiliar emotions raging through me. As Anthia had so wisely and annoyingly predicted, my horses immediately recognizing their riders was the final sign I’d been hoping for...and dreading. Now that fate had confirmed Asa, Tan, and Nox were indeed the ones I’d been waiting for, I had no choice but to tell them who they were to me.
ExactlyhowI would reveal to three humans that all signs pointed to them being my fated mates remained to be seen. Humans were notoriously fickle, and their lives were short. How could I expect them to consider eternity with a cursed witch they had just met? And still not knowing if Nox would stay or go—and how his decision would affect my legacy—only further complicated matters.
Let’s get through our visit to Harbison’s first.
Breathing evenly, I focused on the journey ahead, readying myself for the usual array of unpleasant human interactions. There would be gasps, pointed fingers, and screams of terror; perhaps even an object thrown at me from the shadows by a rare, brave soul. These were the most common reactions, and while I didn’t enjoy the experience, I’d accepted it as part of my duty as Yaga—and I’d always faced it alone.
And I don’t know if having the men with me will make it better or worse.
“Is something troubling you, Vasi?” I looked up to find Asa watching me from where he now sat astride his horse, the intense scrutiny in his blue eyes laying me bare.
