Eliza Gayle [Pentacles of Magick 03] The Healing (pdf)

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Pentacles of Magick:

The Healing

a novella of erotic romance by

ELIZA GAYLE

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and

retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are

either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously,

and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead,
organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

A Phaze Production

Phaze Books

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Phaze is an imprint of Mundania Press, LLC.

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Edited by Kathryn Lively

eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-59426-646-1

First Edition – August, 2008

Printed in the United States of America

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punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Chapter One

Raven’s back bowed up and away from the bed as she

fought desperately against her restraints. Her cries of anguish

tore from her mouth as Denn watched her helplessly. Night after
night she’d suffered nightmares to the point he had to restrain
her for fear she might hurt herself. She should have awakened

by now. Physically her body was ready, but something—some
mental anguish, he would guess—kept her asleep.

“She’s at it again, huh?” Jake’s smooth voice at his ear

startled him from his thoughts.

“Yes, and I don’t know what more I can do for her. It’s

frustrating as hell.”

“You’ve done a lot already, as much as you can. I assume

even a witch as powerful as you has some limits that only nature

can resolve.”

Denn smiled at Jake’s words. The man had a way of

knowing exactly what he was thinking. “There’s something

about her.”

“I can see that. You’ve been walking around here for days

trying to hide the hard-on in your pants every time you come

from this room.”

“Don’t be crass, Jake. She’s been ill, and I’m doing all I

can to heal her. Besides, it’s not as if I’m going to forget she

almost killed my brother.”

“Yeah that’s true, but you’re just lying to yourself now.

She fucking turns you on and you know it.” The hard edge to his
words surprised Denn.

“Not jealous, are you?”

“Fuck you.”
“Anytime.”
“Look whose being crass now. Not to mention defensive.

How attracted to her are you?”

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

Denn sighed, letting his shoulders relax. He didn’t want to

think about Jake’s words and what they meant. His concern for
the witch stemmed from the fact that her condition hadn’t

improved by much. She fluctuated day to day. Most days when
he looked in on her, her color would be improved and her body
shifting around as if she was trying to wake up, but then by the

time he got through with a physical exam she would be still and
look worse off than before. He didn’t get it. All good reasons to
explain the amount of time he spent with her everyday.

“I’m just concerned about her, Jake. She should be awake

by now. The fact that she stirs my blood a little when I touch her
is not a big deal. I mean, she is a beautiful woman and I’m not

completely immune to that fact.”

“Uh huh. Not a big deal. Gotcha.”
Denn gave the witch on the bed one last glance before

turning to look at Jake. They were about the same height, but
the similarities between them stopped there. Where he was dark

haired with a fair complexion, Jake had sun lightened brown hair
and tanned skin. They both worked out in the gym together
nearly everyday, but Jake was a runner and would always leave

the house each morning for a long run alone. It was his time for
solace, which Denn could understand.

“You really do sound jealous, Jake.” Denn stepped closer as

he watched the spark of anger in Jake’s eyes. His lover didn’t
like being called on his emotions, and Denn couldn’t resist
pushing his buttons whenever he could.

“Stop doing that, Denn, you know it pisses me off.”
“Stop doing what?” He took another step closer, bringing

their bodies just inches away from each other. Sexual energy

radiated off of Jake, making his own dick even harder, if that
was possible. Jake was right about one thing, touching the witch
gave him a raging hard-on that he desperately needed to ease.

“You are such a bastard, Denn.”
“Yeah, and you love every minute of it, don’t you?” He

reached down and cupped Jake’s hard cock through the flimsy

material of his jogging shorts. “It’s not like you could hide
anything in these pants if you wanted to.”

Jake groaned as he leaned his head back against the

doorframe. Goddess, how he loved watching Jake’s reactions

ELIZA GAYLE

every time he touched him. It had taken them a long time to get
to this point. Prior to meeting, neither had taken a man as a
lover, and they’d fought the natural attraction between them as

long as they could until one night, alone here in his house after a
night of partying on Bourbon Street, they’d devoured each other
in the wildest night of sex Denn had ever experienced.

Amazingly they had both woke the next day with no regrets and
had shared the same bed every night since. A fact he hadn’t yet
shared with his brothers, who thought he lived alone. Even Cash

hadn’t slowed down long enough to realize how close he and
Jake were, and now with Raven here fucking with his body he
didn’t know what to think.

He still needed Jake, and his body was screaming for him

now, but something about the damn witch drew him as well, and
Jake knew it. He needed to forget her right now and concentrate

on Jake.

His dick pulsed and jerked against his hand as Denn

stripped him of his shorts. With his clothing gone, Jake looked
like a golden warrior with his thick length jutting out proudly,
and damned if he didn’t want a taste.

Denn slipped to his knees while his hands roamed Jake’s

hips and buttocks, before cupping his ball sac with a tight
squeeze. The groan from Jake rumbled through his chest and

spurred him to further action. Denn let his fingers slip between
Jake’s ass until he found the tight, sensitive hole and tapped
lightly against it, knowing he would drive the other man crazy.

“Denn, please,” he pleaded. At the tone of Jake’s plea, he

smiled, a deep and dark satisfaction running through him. He
might know that Raven attracted him, but he also knew the

connection between him and Jake couldn’t be broken. With his
ability to sense exactly what Jake needed, the two of them
couldn’t be more right for each other.

Grasping the base of Jake’s cock, he guided it to his open

and eager mouth, anticipating the smooth skin and masculine
flavor specific to him. He sucked the tip into his mouth, swiping

his tongue to gather the pre-come already leaking. Jake’s taste
exploded on his tongue, causing his own cock to tighten and

expand to an almost painful pressure. He needed Jake’s hand or
mouth or…hell, he just needed to bend the man over and fuck

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

him. Jake was a little jealous of the witch and Denn felt the
overwhelming urge to show him what was what in his house.
His long dormant Dominant side roared to life as he sucked at

Jake’s shaft aggressively, taking him to the back of his throat and
swallowing until he thought Jake might burst or collapse.
Nothing pleased him more than watching Jake come apart,

giving up all of his control.

“Oh, oh—yes, yes," Jake’s cries of pleasure gave him little

warning when the hot streams of come exploded in his mouth.

He didn’t stop, but sucked all the fluid from his cock and still
continued. When Jake began to soften and tried to pull away,
Denn gripped him tighter and held him fast, going on to work his

mouth along the length of him, until Jake writhed and moaned.

Satisfied with Jake’s reactions, Denn slid his mouth off his

cock with a loud pop and stood, watching Jake’s body relax and

loosen.

“My turn now.” Jake didn’t ask, just told him, which rubbed

Denn the wrong way. Jake started to slide down and Denn
stopped him.

“No, Jake.” His simple reply brought Jake up short as they

locked gazes. Emotion swirled between them, thick and sweet,
calling out to Denn’s magick. He didn’t tamp it down like he
usually tried to, but instead let it flow between them. Jake’s eyes

widened in surprise, as he too must have sensed the change.

“What do you want, Denn?” Jakes voice came out thick and

gravelly, pulling at Denn’s groin. He hauled Jake into his

embrace and nudged his head to the side, giving him access to
the flesh of Jake's neck and shoulder. He bit at his skin, working
his way up to Jake’s ear, listening to the murmurs the man made.

“I want to fuck you.” Denn unbuttoned his jeans, releasing

his cock. He grabbed it with a tight fist, stroking it up and down,
watching Jake’s gaze travel down. He licked his lips and stared

at Denn’s hand. “Is that what you want?”

“Yes.” Jake’s answer came out breathlessly.
“Turn and face the wall.” Jake obediently turned as Denn

reached inside the dresser drawer for the lube he kept with all of
his medicinal supplies in this room. He ran his fingers against

Jake’s taut, muscled ass. The man really did work his body hard
everyday to keep it looking this perfect. Letting him go, Denn

ELIZA GAYLE

put a generous amount of lube into his hand, spreading a thick
layer onto his own cock. Denn had to bite back a groan and fight
for control. He was so turned on he didn’t think he could last

long. It was always like this when he touched Jake. Intense.
Breathless.

“Spread your legs some more, baby.”

Jake did as he was told, sliding his hands up the wall and

spreading those long, lean legs shoulder width apart. Denn
guided his dick in between his cheeks, pressing lightly against

his opening at first. When Jake's forehead hit the wall and his
ass reared back oh so slightly, Denn pushed inside him slow and
deep.

Jake sucked in a ragged breath and Denn smiled, pleased

with his reactions. When he was buried to the hilt, he leaned
forward to lick and bite at the back of Jake’s neck.

“Tell me, baby, tell me what you want.”
“Fuck me, Denn, fuck me hard.”

The final tether holding back Denn’s magick broke free,

bathing them both in a powerful mixture of dark magick and lust.
He pulled back, pausing only for a second before thrusting

himself back inside. He pumped a few more times when his
balls tightened and he felt the cum rising. When Jake shouted
out as he came his body gripping Denn tighter, he sunk himself

to the hilt and groaned with his own release.

Collapsing against Jake, he laid his head on his back. “Good

Goddess, but you kill me.”

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

Chapter Two

Jake wandered around the house, thinking. He couldn’t

recall a time when Denn had been so aggressive in their sex as

he’d been this morning. Although curious about the change, he
couldn’t prevent a shiver of pleasure from running down his
spine. The intensity had definitely brought them to a whole new

level, and he was anxious to explore that some more. First he
needed to check on a hunch.

He looked around the rooms as he headed for Denn’s office,

admiring once again the striking old world beauty of Denn’s
townhouse. Having never been to New Orleans before, when

he’d first arrived he’d immediately fallen in love with the
historical city. The Quarter was a perfect place to live. Denn’s
three-story home dated back to the 1700’s, and Denn refused to

allow it to be renovated. He insisted part of the charm was the
patina of the place. He had told more than one reporter that he
didn’t want to fool with it, and that he really liked the peeling

paint.

Jake had laughed the first time he heard that, but he had to

admit it worked for Denn. It was old, but not crumbling. It gave

the house a masculine appeal and prevented him from having to
hire a decorator. Jake chuckled at the remembered look of terror
on Denn’s face when someone suggested he needed to renovate.

No, this architectural gem was perfect as is, no changes needed.
He wasn’t sure he even wanted to leave here when his time

came.

In the meantime, he needed to help figure out what to do

about Raven. Even with his limited medical experience, her

condition didn’t make sense. She should have recovered by
now. There must be something magickal at work preventing her
from healing.

ELIZA GAYLE

He’d listened to what Cash told Denn about the prophecy in

their family history and wondered how big a hand fate actually
had. He headed into the library for Denn’s journal so he could

read through it again. Something about what Cash had said
nagged at him.

He located the brown, leather bound journal in the bottom

left drawer of Denn’s desk just as he’d expected. He imagined
Denn sitting at his desk, night after night, writing out his
thoughts on various events of the day, working on new potion

recipes as well as spells he could use in his work. As an earth
witch, Denn relied on the personal spells from which he derived
all his power.

Based on the wear and tear showing its age around the

edges, he would guess that Denn had been writing in this same
book since he was just a boy.

For a fleeting moment he

wondered if the book would be warded against evil, or any
wrongdoing for that matter. Would some harm come to him if he

tried to open it? He really didn’t want to wake Denn yet with his
theories, not until he had a stronger sense of what was happening
around them.

What the hell, might as well go for broke. He grabbed the

buckle and strap, hastily unfastened it, and opened the book. He
exhaled the breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding when

nothing happened. No explosions and no flames.

He flipped through the worn pages briefly, noticing written

spells for various physical ailments as well as an occasional one

for physical power he could wield against enemies. According
to Denn, it was a lot easier for his brothers, who could call up
their elements at will and use their energy to defend and protect

themselves. Denn, on the other hand, always had to plan and
prepare ahead of time so as not to be caught unaware. Good
thing he kept meticulous records.

He got to the next to the last page of written notes and

found what he was looking for. He, Denn, and Cash had a brief
conversation about their family curse before Cash had taken off

to find his runaway firestarter, Selene. It had sounded like the
two of them had been through the wringer to become a couple.

A mercenary trying to kill her, and a witch after him. In the
midst of the running they’d discovered that she was the woman

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

in the prophecy meant for Cash. Glad it was him and not Denn,
that woman had been a handful.

Jake focused on Denn’s notes and read through the first part

of the prophecy:

Two sets of male twins born with a dark curse. Unlimited

power bequeathed to the four when used together. A seductive

power that over time will destroy their souls. To fight the
prophecy they must separate.

Denn’s fate worried him. Most days Denn was a good

witch, helping people in need, pooling his resources with some
of the other Bayou clans when a boost of power was needed to
combat some form of evil in one way or another. But he had

seen days where Denn was different. Darker, edgier, even a little
scary. He tried to hide it, but Jake had noticed more than once.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he moved to the new piece of the

puzzle that Cash had contacted Denn about. While the eldest
brother Graelyn’s mate, Rena, had actually figured out the

meaning behind the first part through her job as a Tarot historian,
a psychic had actually revealed the missing piece of the
prophecy that put what was happening now in perspective.

Looking downward, he read through the passage:
Four women born at the same time on the same day.

Empathic powers bequeathed to them all, intended to restore the

balance between light and dark, if they can locate their mates.

Could it be possible? What were the odds that the answer

just dropped in their laps?

He needed evidence, because Denn was far too logical to go

there without proof. So he needed birthdays. He swiveled the
chair to the credenza behind him and powered up Denn’s laptop.

He’d call Cash if he knew how to get a hold of him since
Graelen didn’t know about him yet.

So, he had to e-mail

Graelen, but pretend to be Denn. He sure hoped his hunch was

right or he was going to be dealing with one pissed-off witch.

His fingers typed out a message, asking for Rena’s birth

date. He told Graelen he had a lead on someone but he needed

more information before he could be sure. He kept the message
brief and to the point. No point in getting himself in any deeper

than he had to. Hitting the send key, he leaned back in the butter
soft leather chair to wait.

ELIZA GAYLE

One of these days all his hard work was going to blow up in

his face, and for some strange reason he dreaded that day. What
had seemed like a simple plan had turned into a complex

situation. He never thought he’d have a relationship like this
with a man. He’d spent the better part of his adult life avoiding
relationships and the complications that came with them.

“What are you doing, Jake?”
Jake’s elbow slipped from the edge of the desk at the sound

of Denn’s voice behind him. He straightened in the chair and

looked up to see his lover hovering in the door, looking at him
with droopy eyes and sleep tussled hair.

“I needed to do some research online, hope you don’t

mind?”

“No, I don’t. What are you researching?” He crossed to the

leather chair in front of the desk and sank down, swinging his

legs so his bare feet rested on the edge of the desk.

“Our little resident witch, as a matter of fact.”

Denn’s eyes narrowed, becoming more alert. “What exactly

are you looking for?”

“Answers, plain and simple. There has to be a reason why

she isn’t healing properly. You’ve said it yourself, she should
have been awake by now. It’s as if something is draining her
just as she starts to get better.” Jake stood from his chair and

paced in front of the computer, watching for a response to arrive.

“So what have you come up with? Anything?”
“Yeah I think so. I’m just waiting on confirmation.” Jake

turned away from Denn, avoiding his knowing gaze. He really
didn’t want to get into this yet. Not until he heard back from
Grae.

“Why am I getting the impression that I am not going to like

your theory, Jake?”

With a sigh Jake turned and looked at him. How did he tell

the man he had growing feelings for, that the woman lying in the
bed upstairs might be his empathic mate? He scrubbed his hands
over his face in dread.

“I’m not sure how you’ll feel—" A familiar chime sounded

behind him, signaling he had incoming mail. Letting his answer

fade away, he turned back to the computer and opened the e-mail
from Denn’s brother.

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

Hey Bro,
Her birth date is April 10

What’s up?
G

Jake sat back in his chair and let his head fall against the

cool leather. Well, well, what a coincidence. Problem was, he
really didn’t like the notion of coincidence, far too pat.

* * * *

Denn watched Jake’s body movements carefully. Whatever

he’d received in the e-mail either wasn’t what he expected or

was really bad news. Just from the way Jake slouched in the
chair gave him a bad vibe.

“Jake, you okay?”

Jake slowly turned the chair to face him, his face solemn.

“I’m right and I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“What the hell are you talking about? What have you

done?” Magick swelled up in his body. A bad feeling consumed
him and he knew for sure he wasn’t going to like what Jake had
to tell him.

“Relax, Denn, I haven’t done anything. I had a hunch, I

checked it out, and now I know.” He tossed a piece of paper onto
the desk at his feet. Denn picked it and read a message from his

big brother Grae. While he read, Jake tossed down another item.
Spying the driver’s license with Raven’s picture on it, things

started to click. Tumblers fell in a pattern to open a lock. No. No.
No.

Without looking at the license he let his gaze rise up to meet

Jake’s. This was clearly no joke.

“It’s true, Denn. She is the one.”
“Well, fuck me.”

Jake snorted. “That’s one way to put it. But however you

say it, you are royally screwed, my friend.”

Denn’s feet slid to the floor with a thunk. He roughly

pushed his hands through his hair, frustrated as hell. “I can’t deal
with this right now. She is up there lying in bed still comatose,
and I can’t figure out what my brother did to her and why she

won't heal. I have tried every human medicine, as well as every

ELIZA GAYLE

spell and potion in my arsenal that made any sense. Yet, she lies
there better one minute, worse the next.”

“You have to think about it, Denn, don’t you see, man?

Think it through. If she is your empath, what is her role in your
life?”

“According to my brothers, she would bring some sort of

balance between my light and dark magick. Which she can’t do,
by the way, if she is dead.”

“Come on, Denn, you’re better than this. Quit looking at

the obvious and think. You heard your brother describe what his
woman does to him, how he feels every time she touches him.
What happens to you? When you touch her, what happens?”

His shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He so didn’t want to

go there with his lover. He didn’t want to tell him that the texture
of her smooth skin drove him insane with desire, or how her

scent permeated his senses and clung there for days. He couldn’t
admit to Jake that he could not get her out of his mind.

“Denn, look at me.” He raised his gaze once again and

stared at the chiseled features of Jake’s face. His whiskey
colored eyes told tales of sex and pleasure every time he looked

at them. “Do you think I don’t know? That every time you are
around her you get so hard it must hurt? Give me some credit,
I’m not blind.”

“Stop it, Jake, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Hurt me?” he laughed. “I’m not that insecure about us. I

may not fully comprehend where we are headed now that a

woman you are destined to be with has entered the picture, but I
still know how I feel and I suspect you feel the same way.”

“How can you take this so lightly?”

“You think this is light? Look at me, Denn, I have been

pacing this house for days trying to figure out what to do. Now I
can’t help but wonder if I should leave. Step aside and let nature

take the course it had intended.”

Denn stood and crossed to Jake in two long-legged strides.

“Don’t presume to know what I want. I haven’t asked you to

leave and I’m sure as hell not planning to.” Heat leapt between
the two men as Denn’s magick reached out for Jake and

enveloped him in a haze of sensual need. “It took us too long to

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

get used to our situation to throw it away now, wouldn’t you
say?”

Jake looked at him, longing evident in his slitted eyes and

the soft slash of his lips. Denn couldn’t resist him as he pushed
close enough to feel the heat of Jake’s skin soaking into him. He
dipped his head and pressed a crushing kiss to his mouth, forcing

his tongue inside to revel in Jake's hot, masculine mouth.

A growl pushed past his own lips into Jake’s as the joining

turned deeper and more intimate than before.

His thoughts strayed back to the luscious curve of ruby red

lips tempting him with every sigh. The agony of those thoughts
wrenched him away from Jake and forced him two steps back.

“What are we going to do if she dies? What then? I might not
have much time.” His voice came out harsher than he intended,
but he had to break the moment or he would be fucking Jake

right here in his office as he fantasized about the woman. Not a
great scenario there, Denn.

“You’re still not listening, Denn. What I’ve been trying to

tell you is I think the healing issue is basically because of who
you are and who she is to you.” Denn furrowed his brows at

Jake. “If she is meant to take on the negative aspects of your
magick when you touch, maybe that is what is preventing her
healing. Wouldn’t it make sense that right now she might not be

strong enough to do her job?”

Finally Jake’s words hit home and Denn knew.

He’d

noticed a difference in his magick since she’d been around, but

he hadn’t ever considered it might have something to do with
her. Fuck.

All the while he’d been trying to heal her, he’d actually

been harming her. Without even knowing it he’d gone from
Dennison Scott the healer to Dennison Scott the killer.

ELIZA GAYLE

Chapter Three

Jake rubbed the herbal potion in a circular pattern across

Raven’s bare, flat stomach. The contrast between his work

roughened hands and her unblemished skin thrilled him. So
much so that his own cock was now pressed tight against his
zipper he wondered if he might break it. He could certainly

hammer fucking nails with it.

No wonder Denn had spent so much time in here. Just

touching her was like a sexual aphrodisiac, the effect so strong
that he found himself spending a lot more time in here than he
needed to. With Denn unable to touch her, Jake followed his

directions and took care of her all day and evening.
Occasionally he would find Denn standing in the doorway
watching her. Yearning for her, if the look on his face gave any

indication of what was really going on with him. If he hadn’t
experienced some of the same feelings and desires toward the
witch, he might be jealous. Denn was his lover, after all.

Once all the lotion had been applied, he loosened the rope

on her left wrist. God, how he hated that they had to restrain her
but afraid she would hurt herself in her nightmares, they’d had

no choice. There were fresh red streaks on the inside of her wrist
from her latest episode that his thumb passed over in a caressing
motion. Unable to resist, he brought her wrist to his lips and

rained kisses all around her weary skin.

Not paying attention to anything but the chafed skin of his

patient’s wrist, he was shocked when her hand jerked out of his
grasp and fastened around his throat in the blink of an eye. Her
fingers dug into the vulnerable skin between his jaw and

shoulder blade, nearly rendering him helpless. He looked into
her midnight blue eyes and saw pure rage and fear—she wanted
to be free. His throat constricted as she cut off his air supply, and

he swung his arm down in a circular motion, hitting at the weak

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

part of the wrist, forcing her fingers apart long enough for him to
twist out of her grasp and rocket off the chair next to the bed.

“Dammit, woman, are you trying to kill me?” He massaged

his throat as she continued to stare at him with a venomous anger
that might kill him if he got even an inch closer.

“Where am I? What the hell is going on? Why am I tied to a

bed? Untie me right now,” she ordered.

“If you’ll calm down for a minute, I’ll get Denn and we can

explain what happened to you.” He watched her lips move again,

but the sound coming out was whispered and fast. On and on,
she spoke.

“What? I can’t understand you." Still, she didn’t stop, and

it finally dawned on him that she wasn’t trying to talk to him but
instead was chanting. Fuck, she was trying to work a spell. Panic
flooded him as he reached for an idea to protect himself. Calm

down, Jake, you know her magick won’t work in this house.
Denn made sure of that as soon as he brought her home. Yet the

more she chanted the louder she got. The hairs on his arms stood
on end as a whisper of power buzzed around his body. Where
the fuck was Denn when he needed him?

“Your magick won’t work here, Raven.” Her chant ceased

abruptly as she lifted her cold gaze back up to his face. “That’s
right. This house has been warded up tight against witches like

yourself, and the only magick that works in here is Scott
Magick.”

“I demand to be released. You can’t hold me here like this.

There will be hell to pay for this from my coven.”

“Are you sure about that, witch? You’ve been here for

weeks and we haven’t heard a peep about you from any coven,

local or in Boston.” Again her gaze registered shock at his
words. “Yes, we know exactly who you are. Hell, with Gralen’s
research we probably know more about you than you know

yourself.”

“Why am I being held here? I’ve never known the Scott

clan to be violent.” Her voice grew stronger with every word out

of her mouth. Already she had gained some strength since she
awoke. Amazing, really, how well Denn’s magick could work

when applied correctly.

ELIZA GAYLE

“You’ve been ill. You fell sick in Boston and Denn brought

you here to heal.”

“Kidnapped, you mean. And I didn’t exactly ‘fall’ sick

now, did I? That bastard Cash almost killed me.” She struggled
with the loose bed sheet, trying to pull it up, until finally it gave
and she was able to cover her partial nudity. “I’ve heard rumors

for years about the depraved sexual practices of the Scott twins.”
She struggled against the ropes. “But this is a little ridiculous,
don’t you think?”

Jake bit back a laugh at the incredulous look on her face.

She sure was a sassy little thing. “You’re only tied up because
we were afraid you were going to hurt yourself in your sleep.”

She fell silent at his statement, not only that but she also she
turned her face away, focusing on the far wall. “I take it you’re
not surprised by that fact?” Still she said nothing.

Several awkward minutes later she spoke. “So, who are

you? You don’t look familiar to me, you can’t be a Scott.”

“You know all of them, huh? Not just the one you were

trying to kill?”

“Hey, everyone has to make a living.”

“Oh, please, don’t give me that bullshit. What kind of living

includes killing someone?”

“A lucrative one.” Her voice sounded as icy as her eyes had

looked staring him down earlier. “So are you going to untie me
or not?”

Rubbing his throat, he responded. “I’m thinking not. I think

I’ll wait for Denn to get home and see what he thinks we should
do with you.”

“Ohhh, I get it. You’re Denn Scott’s new flunkie.” She

looked at him then, a measure of spark and sarcasm shining from
her face. If he didn’t know better he might think she was biting
back a smug smile.

Unable to stop, a low chuckle sounded from his throat.

“Flunkie, now there’s a thought. I’m going to have to save that
one for later. Should be good for a laugh later this evening.”

“So, what are you going to do with me then? My legs are

hurting and I really need to pee. Surely you’re not afraid of me.”

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

“You really do have a smart mouth on you. Keep it up and

I’m sure to find something creative for you to do with it.” He
smiled again.

“What the hell is going on?” They both startled at Denn’s

voice from the open doorway.

“Your witch woke up and tried to choke the life out of me.

And she has quite an attitude.” Once again he gently rubbed his
throat with his fingers, remembering the inhumanly strong tight
grip she had managed.

“Oh, as if you wouldn’t have an attitude if you woke up tied

to a strange bed.”

“See what I mean?”

“Well, I guess this proves once and for all that your theory

was right, Jake. This is going to be one hell of a situation and I
doubt she is going to like it.”

“Hey, I’m right here.” She waved her free hand in front of

her face. “Someone care to tell me what is going on here and

when exactly you are planning to let me go?”

Denn walked over to the bed and began untying the rope

around her bound wrist. Jake noticed he took extra care in not

touching her skin. Although, despite that lack of skin-to-skin
connection, the energy in the room changed, thickened. He
backed away from the bed, letting Raven reach for her ankles

and untie them herself.

“We only tied you up to keep you safe.”
“Yeah, yeah, your boy over there already told me that.”

Denn choked on her words. “My boy?” He turned toward

Jake with an odd look of confusion.

“Yes, Raven and I had been having a rather surreal

conversation before you arrived, and needless to say she has
some rather strange opinions.” Denn had moved away from the
bed and Jake watched cautiously as Raven finished untying the

last knot holding her to the bed. She no sooner got free than she
bolted to the door. “Shit.” He saw her slip out the door just as he
started after her.

“Wait.” Denn’s voice boomed through the room.
“But she’s—"

ELIZA GAYLE

Denn held up his hand, cutting off his statement. “She

won't get far. I told you I spelled the house. That includes a
lockdown for her. In fact, this ought to be amusing.”

“You’re dark, Denn, real dark.”
A crash from across the house reminded them that they had

a wild, loose witch in the house. “Maybe we should go make

sure she doesn’t hurt herself or destroy the house.”

“Good idea.”
Jake followed Denn through the house, searching room by

room for Raven, for once cursing the size and three levels of the
townhouse. Eventually they wandered into the courtyard and
found Raven alternately yanking on the door, trying to open it,

and pounding on it as hard as she could for help.

“Raven, enough. The entire property is protected from the

inside out and your magick is not only too weak to break it, but

it's actually completely useless as long as you’re here. You have
been bound, sweetheart.”

She turned and looked at him. She panted from the exertion

of running and fighting against his wards. Sweat covered her
brow and she looked even paler than before. “I. Am. Not. Your.

Sweetheart.”

“Don’t I know that.”
Jake watched the compelling dynamic between the two.

They stood only inches apart and their gazes were locked on one
another. He needed to break this up before Denn lost control of
his restraint and reached for her.

As fun as that sounded,

watching the two of them combust together, he wasn’t sure her
health could take it yet. He strode forward and stepped between
them.

“Raven, you are barely awake from a weeks long coma, I

don’t think this is such a great idea.” He grabbed her arm with
the intention of leading her back to bed and away from Denn.

She wrenched her arm from his grip, twisting and turning.

“Let me go. I’m fine, I just need to get the hell away from

here. Away from the two of you.” She pressed her palm against

his chest and the heat of it nearly burned him. Her magick may
be ineffective here, but her attempt at using it had really ramped

her up. She definitely needed to cool down.

“You are not fine, you are burning up.”

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

“What? Let me see.”
“No Denn, you know you can’t touch her. Not yet.”
He growled at him. “This is getting really old, Jake. She’s

awake. I need to help her.”

“Didn’t we—"
“Oh, dear Goddess, would the two of you shut up already?

I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Been doing it a
long time. Now point me to a shower and bring me some damn
clothes to wear.” They both looked down at her dressed in just

one of Denn’s soft gray t-shirts that came to mid thigh on her.
Jake swallowed. Both he and Denn knew from experience she
wore nothing else under that shirt except a tiny pair of white

panties.

ELIZA GAYLE

Chapter Four

Hot water sluiced over her shoulders and slid down her

back, the warmth seeping into her skin. Goddess that felt good.

Her thoughts wandered to just a short while ago when she had
awakened to the unfamiliar sensation of a large male hand
stroking her bare belly and heat pooling in her lower body in

response. She’d cracked open her eyes to find a really built man
sitting next to her bed applying some sort of herbal lotion to her

skin. His light brown wavy hair fell across his face as he bent
down to his task. Thinking now, she knew waking up like that
should have not only shocked her, but by every right she should

have attacked him then. Yet something about him soothed her.
His voice, as he spoke to what he thought her sleeping form, was
familiar.

Eventually the fog in her brain dissipated and she’d realized

she had to take action to get him away from her. It was either
that or she was going to start moaning from his touch. The

whole situation made absolutely no sense to her.

She’d heard stories about the incredible power that Cash

and his brothers could wield, but when she’d gone after Cash for

the Reverend, she’d miscalculated their strong moral code and
found herself helpless underneath Cash’s attack.

But she wasn’t in Boston anymore, just the few glimpses

out the windows as she’d ran from room to room looking for a
way out had given her a pretty good view of Bourbon Street in

the distance. She was in New Orleans. On vacation she would
have been celebrating, as this town was her favorite, but
Dennison Scott and his unknown friend were holding her

captive. He wasn’t exactly unknown, though, was he? She
knew his name was Jake and she had strange recollections of
him caring for her the last few days.

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

Her soapy hands roamed over her body, lingering around

her sensitive breasts and their hardened tips. Why did thoughts
of a certain tall man with light hair and amber-colored eyes have

her body responding despite the obvious danger? Her fingertips
grazed against her buds where she couldn’t resist pulling and
teasing them a little more. Sensation sizzled through her as the

heat climbed higher in her body. A slight moan sounded in her
throat at the delicious tingling in her breasts and pussy. The
temptation to touch her clit and bring herself to orgasm rattled

through as she fought to regain control over her own traitorous
body.

Stop it. What are you doing? Her brain finally registered

her lack of focus on the reality of her situation as she stopped
rubbing her body. She turned the water to an almost frigid
temperature and quickly finished her shower. Drying off with the

towel, she contemplated her options. Physical escape didn’t
seem possible. Denn’s magick was far greater than hers, and as

long as she was in this house she could barely even call up a
wisp of her own power. Just trying it had given her the headache
from hell.

She needed to find out how long she’d been out of touch.

She walked over to the door and hollered through it. “How long
was I unconscious, Jake?”

She heard muffled voices but no one answered her. She

knocked on the door. “Can you hear me out there?”

“You were asleep for more than two weeks, Raven.” A

strong but quiet voice spoke just on the other side of the door.
Not Jake, though. Dennison. A chill swept over her skin, raising
goose bumps and a shiver up her spine. She’d only seen him for

a short time, but like Jake, there was something familiar about
him as well. When he’d stood so close to her at the courtyard
door, his male scent wafted over her and for a brief moment he

had paralyzed her. If she closed her eyes now and concentrated
she could almost smell him again. What would it be like to run
her naked skin against him? Blend their scents together?

Oh, Goddess, she was in so much trouble in this house.

What the hell was wrong with her? Her brain should be

calculating every avenue of potential escape from them. She
needed to report back to the Rev. What must he be thinking

ELIZA GAYLE

about her disappearance by now? And why hadn’t he figured out
where she was? He had said all of the brothers were under
surveillance.

“Raven, are you okay in there? Do you need anything else?

Are you sure you don’t want one of us to help you? You’ve
been very ill for quite a while, you need to be careful not to

overdo it."

“Don’t worry, mother hen, I’m going to be fine.” She

leaned into the door, smiling. Denn seemed to have a soft side.

Perfect. A weakness to exploit. She pushed off the door and
reached for the clean clothes they had provided. Really large
sweat pants and another soft gray t-shirt. No bra or panties, so if

she continued to get aroused around them she was going to have
a damn hard time hiding it. She sighed as she knotted the corner
of the overly large sweatpants at her waist. That would at least

hold them up.

First thing she needed to do was find a way to get a message

to her coven or Scott. Preferably Scott. She wasn’t sure she
could trust anyone in the group to actually convey a message to
the Reverend. They were all afraid of him. Hell, she was afraid

of him. Not that they didn’t have good reason for their feelings.
He had a habit of doling out pretty severe punishments every
time one of the witches failed any of his missions. Failure

wasn’t an option, and luckily they were the best at what they
did—the loss of a target was extremely rare amongst them.

As she slipped the warm athletic socks onto her feet, she

stopped. Would being in the house with one of the twins
outweigh the fact that another had bested her? Would her failure
this time finally be the last straw he’d been threatening for a

good long time? A chill swept down her. She shook her head.
She couldn’t think like that. She had a job to do and it’s what
she needed to focus on. Getting out of here any which way she

could.

She quietly turned the knob, hoping the room outside would

be empty so she could continue her reconnaissance around the

house. Easing her body between a small opening in the door, she
stopped in her tracks. Both Jake and Denn stood across the

room, deep in conversation. She couldn’t quite make out what

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

they were saying, but Jake’s hand rested on Denn’s shoulder,
caressing the spot in a rather intimate way.

Oh my Goddess, are they? She stood transfixed, curious

about the familiar way their bodies stood in front of each other.
Lean muscle against dark brawn. She could almost picture their
lips touching, hands roaming…Oh, my. Not wanting them to see

her, she quickly eased back through the opening and pulled the
door closed with little sound. She leaned forward and rested her
forehead on the door.

Were Denn and Jake really lovers? She thought hard about

the implications of that and figured there must be a way to take
advantage of it, but all she could focus on was the two of them

standing so close to one another. If Jake had leaned slightly
forward his lips would have been touching Denn’s. She groaned
at the image. What would it be like to watch the two of them

together? Her pussy pulsed at the thought of the two men
pressed up against each other, one dominating the other. Holy

hell. What the hell was in that lotion that Jake rubbed on her?

Raven began to doubt what she had seen. More than likely

her brain was tired and she had imagined more than what was

really happening. Obviously the two of them were close friends.
Imagining them as friends was easy, imagining them as lovers
was quite a leap from a slight shoulder rub.

She pulled herself upright and forced herself to think about

the Reverend and what he would do when he found her. She had
to stay strong and focus on her job. She shuffled around the

door, even knocking into it a couple of times so the men would
hear her coming this time. She would get another chance to look
around the house, she was sure of it.

Walking from the bathroom, she found Jake and Denn

standing side by side, watching her entrance carefully. Their
quiet moment was gone, and now it was her turn to be

scrutinized. She stood there in her oversized clothing with the
two men staring so intensely at her, and wondered if they could
see through them. Goddess now she was just being silly.

* * * *

"It’s about time you showed up. You have kept me waiting

for almost an hour. Considering your already tenuous situation,
do you really think that was a good idea?”

ELIZA GAYLE

He looked at the pompous man now sitting across from him

in the café. How the hell did he ever think it was a good idea to
get hooked up with such a crooked man, and a Reverend at that?

Well, it wasn’t as if he’d had a choice.

“My delay couldn’t be avoided. I have to be extra cautious

these days. Your bounty hunter has more than complicated

things lately.” He watched Scott’s eyes narrow at him over the
mention of Raven, his hunter.

“Yes, about her. Why have I not received any reports on

her status lately? Has she recovered yet? What is that nasty
nephew of mine doing to her these days? It’s hard to believe the
infamous healer Dennison Scott can’t help her.”

“You know, he actually does have a remarkable ability with

his potions. I’ve seen him cure some things everyone was
certain could not be cured, help people in hopeless situations.

You ever think you don’t give him enough credit?”

“Jake, you’re not going soft on me, are you? Don’t tell me

he’s starting to fool you too with all of his do-gooder nonsense.”
Scott raked a sharpened nail across the table, menace dripping
from his voice. “It would be a real shame to have to get rid of

you, too.”

Jake leaned across the table, lowering his voice so the other

patrons couldn’t hear him. “Don’t even try to threaten me again,

old man. I have done more than I ever signed on to do, and I’m
here, aren’t I, so don’t go giving me the melodramatic bullshit.
Save it for your blind sheep.”

Jake watched the fire of anger stoke in the other man’s eyes

as the atmosphere in the room changed, becoming almost stifling
with a blast of power. Jake laughed. “Careful, old man, your

true colors are showing. You do remember we are in a very
public place, right?”

“Enough! I will not accept such insolence from the likes of

you. Either tell me what I came here to find out or deal with the
consequences. Are you prepared for that, my boy?” Scott leaned
close to Jake’s head. Close enough for him to smell his putrid

breath. “And believe me, boy, when I am done, even the fire and
brimstone of Hell won’t want the remains.”

Jake swallowed hard, remembering all too clearly why he

was here. Because of that he refrained from either laughing in

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

the man’s face or beating him to a bloody pulp right here in front
of the customers.

“Are you ready to order, sirs?” the waiter broke into their

conversation and Jake decided restraint the best course of action.
He looked up at the waiter and saw the drawn worry lines across
his forehead and the embarrassment in his eyes. Apparently he

and Scott had been making more of a scene than they realized if
the waiter looked that frightened.

“I’ll take coffee, thick and black, if you don’t mind, and a

beignet, warm.”

“Certainly. And you, sir?” He looked hesitantly at the

Reverend.

“I’ll have a triple shot mocha espresso and some of your

homemade sweet cake.” He turned a smile on the waiter, full of
his trademark charm, and the waiter visibly relaxed.

“Yes, sir, right away.” He took the menus from the table

and hurried off to the kitchen.

“Start talking, boy, and quit giving me a hard time. You're

embarrassing yourself.”

Jake let the comment pass. “Raven is awake now and

working hard to find a way free.”

“About damn time. Now tell me what you are going to do to

help her. Actually, I need to speak with her.”

“That’s going to be a little hard to do at the moment. Denn

is watching her like a hawk and that house is magickally locked
down tight. She is helpless against it.” Jake watched the other

man's nails tap against the table as he processed what Jake told
him.

“This only affects her obviously. You got here okay. I

have someone who can help with that. Bring me a copy of the
spells he used to ward the house and I will get it taken care of.
Then you can bring her to me.”

“I-I don’t know what spells he used. Hell, I still have

trouble understanding the power he can yield.”

“Don’t give me that, boy. Dennison Scott writes every

thing he does in his blasted journal. He is meticulous about it,
always has been, and I’m sure you know exactly what I am

talking about. So get it done and done fast, I’m tired of wasting

ELIZA GAYLE

my time in this Godforsaken city. It really is the gathering place
for the blackest souls.”

Jake snorted. “Then it should be the perfect place for you.

Besides, shouldn’t you be out trying to convert those dark people
or something? You do claim to be a missionary of God on a
regular basis.” He enjoyed taunting the old man. Especially here

in a place like this when he was trying to maintain his ridiculous
façade. Jake watched Scott’s eyes dart around the café yet again,
but this time something caught his eye and he lingered on

something over Jake’s shoulder.

He twisted a little to the side to see if he could get a look at

what he was focusing on. A group of college coeds sat at a table

not far from theirs, chatting and giggling and constantly sending
not so furtive glances in their direction. They were the kind of
girls who were always around town, probably from Tulane,

looking for trouble in between classes.

They must have

recognized Scott. He may be in his fifties but he aged well, and

his charisma was palpable when he turned it on.

Kind of scary when you thought about it.
“Here, give this to her.” Scott slipped a tiny cell phone into

the palm of his hand.

“I can’t—"
“Jake, don’t forget your mission. There are consequences

for betraying me, you might want to keep that in mind.” Scott
stood and walked in the direction of the girls and Jake heard the
outbreak of giggles as he approached them with his introduction.

He stood up and walked over to the bar, asking for his

coffee and sweet to go. After paying for his food, he headed out
the door without another glance behind him. He didn’t think he

could stomach the adoration on those girls' faces for a man he
knew to be pure evil.

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

Chapter Five

Denn looked out his study window into the courtyard.

Raven had gone out there after breakfast this morning and paced

back and forth for hours. She looked like a dangerous animal on
the prowl. Jake had picked her up some clothes when he went
out yesterday afternoon, and she had chosen to wear black yoga

pants and a black tank top.

The outfit showed off every

delectable curve of her lush body. Denn had barely stifled his

groan when he spied her coming down the stairs, and all through
breakfast he shifted around desperately trying to find a
comfortable location for his hard dick. Now, with the way her

body tensed and moved with grace and fluid every time she
turned, reminded him of a warrior. It would do him well to
remember that she was a highly trained hunter and, despite the

lockdown of her magick, she could easily prove lethal if they
didn’t keep an eye on her.

So why was it every time he looked at her, he wanted to

touch her? He wanted to see her naked body rubbing against his,
begging for his touch. Feel her lips caressing his skin. All the
days he had watched Jake taking care of her, his hands the one

massaging across her flushed skin had driven him mad. She was
like a drug that he’d become addicted to, and a dangerous one at
that. The last thing he needed was another addiction.

Since her outburst yesterday morning, when she’d searched

the house for a way to escape, she’d been remarkably calm. He

was certain it was one of those calms before the storms or maybe
more like the eye of the hurricane. He needed to talk to Jake.
His instincts told him that she was up to something. He’d done

some research on her, and what little information he could find
indicated a sharp intelligence as well as an above average
aptitude with weapons and hand to hand combat.

ELIZA GAYLE

He’d discovered her school records and had been impressed

with her achievements at Harvard. She’d gone there right behind
him, entering as a freshman the year after he graduated.

He turned away from the window. He was never going to

get any work done watching her move like that. When she was
faced toward the window he admired the smooth skin showing

underneath the tank hiding small pert breasts, and when she
walked away from the window he found himself entranced by
the sleek curve of her back that dipped into a tiny waist before

flaring out to wide, curved hips.

“Fuck it.” He pushed the French doors open and walked

into the sunny courtyard. He wanted to be closer. Needed to be.

Her head swung around at the noise he made entering the

space. She stood frozen like a deer in headlights, staring at him
with a mixture of anger and lust. She was beautiful. Her long

black hair framed her heart shaped face.

“Denn, you can’t keep me here like this.”

“I can’t let you go.”
“Why not?”
“You are a risk to my family.”

“Is that the only reason?”
“What do you mean?”
Her shoulders sagged on a deep sigh. “You know exactly

what I mean. There is something going on in this house that I
don’t understand, and I need to get out before something
happens.”

He stopped in front of her. “What do you think is going to

happen?” His finger raised to push her hair out of her eyes and
behind her ear. Her gaze stayed glued to his own, steady and

intense. “You have nothing to be afraid of here.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”
“Neither Jake nor I have any intention of harming you.” He

let his fingertips graze her skin, the now familiar streak of power
whispering between them. She shuddered under the tingling
sensation, her mouth opening to form an O. "Feels good, doesn’t

it? Every time I have touched you these last weeks has given me
a myriad of energy surges and spikes.”

“Well, we are both witches.”

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

“I’ve touched plenty of witches before.” He continued his

trail along her jaw and along the line of her neck.

“I bet you have,” she whispered.

“I have never experienced anything even remotely like this.

It’s like my power changes when I spend time with you.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what? I’m not doing anything, just touching.”
“No, it’s more. It actually feels like much more.”
Denn had to tell her. Focusing on her lips, he dipped his

head—right after he tasted her he would tell her. He meant to be
gentle with his first kiss, but when his lips pressed against hers
he forgot his intentions and allowed the desire to take control.

Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her tight against him as
his kiss demanded she allow his entrance. His tongue pushed its
way in and explored every inch of her, his tongue tangling with

hers.

Her hands reached for his shoulders, grasping at his shirt as

he continued devouring her. She tasted light, like he imagined
sunshine would taste. Her breasts were pushed up tight against
him and her hardened nipples poked at him through both their

shirts. How he longed to remove their clothes right here and
now. He could ease her into one of the lounge chairs and have
her stripped and naked in no time.

Why not? They were alone and in private.
When she gasped into his mouth he gentled his movements,

easing her backwards. After a few slow paces he reached down,

one arm around her waist and one hand on her ample bottom,
and lifted her. He carried her like that until he reached the target
and leaned her towards the chair. When her ass and back hit the

cushions she wrenched her mouth from his.

“Denn—Denn, what are you—what are we doing?” Her

words were urgent and breathless.

“I really don’t want to stop, Raven. You feel so good.

Warm and soft. Please don’t make me stop.” His hand roamed
her hip, sliding underneath the edge of her tank top to the bare

skin underneath. Touching her was electric, magnetic, magickal.

“I thought I was the enemy here.” Denn paused at her

words. He hadn’t thought about the fact that only a few short
weeks ago she nearly killed his brother. At least, not in the last

ELIZA GAYLE

few hours. It was damned difficult to reconcile that she worked
for his uncle as a bounty hunter, and yet she was the prophesied
one to balance him. Fuck. This makes no sense. He pulled away

from her, looking at her lying there with her kiss-swollen lips
and exposed belly.

This couldn’t be wrong. His magick swelled between them,

energizing the air around her. Hell, he was no damned saint. He
was addicted to a dark magick that few knew he even used.
He’d managed to hide just how much he used for years now,

convincing himself that it was okay because he used it to save
people. But he had always known there were consequences and
he did it anyway.

He always thought it a good thing that he stayed so far away

from his brothers so they wouldn’t know. He had worried that
Cash would, and then he would have his brothers coming down

on him, but Cash was weakened and not thinking about his
brothers when he left New Orleans and headed west to seek out

Selene.

He had gotten lucky that time.
Now, looking at the luscious Raven watching him with

caution in her eyes, he sensed that she meant no real harm. He
decided there would be no holding back this time. He would
take the consequences. Besides, who was he to argue with

ancient prophecies?

He jerked his shirt over his head and threw it on the ground

before easing himself down next to her on the lounge. “Are you

my enemy, Raven? Do you really want to kill me or my
brothers?” His hands again touched her bare skin, quickly
moving her tank top up her torso to expose her breasts. They

were small and round, fitting perfectly in his hands when he
caressed them. They were topped with large strawberry colored
nipples, and he gave in to the temptation to squeeze and flick

them. “Do you?”

“No.” She shook her head violently.
“Then relax.” Again he flicked her tips, and this time he

was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath and a deep shudder
under his hands.

“Mmm, so sensitive. I like that, babe.” He lowered his dark

head to take a tight nipple in his mouth, lightly grazing it with

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

his teeth. That elicited a moan from her and he smiled around her
tip. “Do you want me to stop?”

“Don’t you dare,” she managed in a breathy voice through

gritted teeth.

He swirled his tongue around and around, switching from

one breast to the next, nibbling and sucking until she writhed

underneath him. Touching her was heavenly but not nearly
enough. He stood and shucked his own jeans before pulling her
up and off the chair. Exchanging positions with her, he reached

for the waistband of her pants and rolled them down her hips. He
leaned down to peel further and the scent of her arousal hit him
full force. He kissed her torso just above the dark soft curls

barely hiding her sex from his eyes as she stepped out of her
pants.

His cock ached to bursting to thrust in between her legs, and

push its way through her tight opening into the warm heat of her
cunt. With those thoughts running through his head he stood and

leaned into the chair lying down on his back.

He grabbed her hand. “Please, Raven, I can’t wait.” She

took a couple of cautious steps toward the chair and he pulled

her roughly down on top of him, ravaging her mouth once again
while his hands kneaded her ass.

When her wriggling nestled his cock to the opening of her

sex, he lifted her, spreading her legs, and settled her down on top
of him. She was incredibly tight around him as her body adjusted
to accommodate him. Looking at her face, he watched her eyes

roll back and her breathing quicken.

“Am I hurting you?”
“No.”

“You’re so damn tight, I’m afraid to move.”
Her gaze returned to his and a sly smile passed over her

lips. “Then let me.” She rested her hands on his chest and did

exactly that. She lifted herself off of his cock until just the tip
was still inside, then she roughly pushed herself down, letting
him impale her until her ass cheeks were again resting on the

tops of his thighs.

He groaned in the sheer tormented pleasure of her tight

flesh moving against him as she repeated the process over and
over again. He gritted his teeth, forcing a level of concentration

ELIZA GAYLE

to hold back. His balls tightened against him and the need to
empty himself inside her nearly overwhelmed him, but he
refused to allow it until she came apart in his hands. He wanted

to watch her face and body as she exploded.

He reached for her bouncing breasts to squeeze and roll her

nipples between his fingers, and watched the sensual lines of her

face and body flush in excitement.

“Oh Denn. I—I’m so…”
“I know, babe. Let it go. Come for me, sweetheart.” Her

movements turned frantic as one of his fingers moved to her clit
and squeezed the hard bud. She thrashed and bucked against
him until she screamed in release. The tiny muscles of her pussy

clamped down on him like a vise and cream covered his fingers,
sending his own body over the edge. He emptied himself in her
convulsing body, barely noticing his own groans of pleasure

almost outdoing her screams of delight. His fingers continued the
movement against her sensitive spot as they came together,

dragging out the sensations for them both until finally she
collapsed against his chest, sweat covered and exhausted.

Neither of them spoke as they each struggled with catching

their breath and recovering. Denn had known fucking her would
be good but damn, this was off the charts. If she wasn’t already
his captive he would drag her inside and lock her up so as not to

let her get away. He’d never had sex like that.

Guilt stabbed at him over that thought. Thoughts of Jake

and their mind-blowing sex flooded him. He already loved Jake,

and now this woman sprawled across him naked and in the
sunshine, was working in close. Would he have to choose
between them? Or could he convince them both that they

belonged with him?

Hell, who was he kidding?
“Raven?”

“Mmhmm?” Her voice sounded sleepy and far off. He hated

to break the mood, he liked the idea of keeping her naked next to
him a lot.

“Do you have any idea what’s going on between us?”
Her head shot up and she looked at him. “Yeah, great sex.

Well, that and the fact that you are holding me here against my
will.” She smirked at the last part.

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

“I think there’s more to it than just great sex.”
“C'mon, Denn, don’t go taking this so seriously. We had

fun, please don’t kill it with emotion.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about, either.”
She looked at him quizzically. “What are you talking about

then?”

“Our magick. Together it’s different.”
“We’re both witches, what did you expect?”
“So, you’ve had sex with other witches and felt something

like that before?”

She turned away, resting her cheek against his chest again.

“I’ve had sex before, Denn, I’m no innocent.”

“I didn’t mean that as an insult, Raven. I just wanted to

know if you’d experienced a power change like that. I’ve had
sex before, too, and never have I felt anything like that.”

“I don’t think you should read anything into it, it’s probably

just a fluke.”

He wondered if she realized that her thumb stoked his chest

as she spoke or if it was an unconscious gesture.

“I think there is something you need to know, Raven.” It

was time to tell her about the prophecy. If she was who they
thought she was, they could trust her.

“Looks like I missed the party?” Jake's voice had them both

jumping.

* * * *

Raven pushed against Denn, looking around frantically for

her discarded clothes, but his hands gripped her arms tight and
held her in place plastered across his body. She twisted back
around to look at him and his eyes bore into her with a dark

warning look. He obviously didn’t want her going anywhere yet.
But damn, she didn’t want to be in the middle of a potential
lover’s quarrel, if that’s what they are.

“No, Jake, the party has barely begun.”
Raven looked up at Jake then and recognized the myriad of

emotions in his eyes. Jealousy, pain, and more than a little

curiosity if the state of his cock was any indication. Oh no, I
definitely can’t be doing this. The alarms going off in her head

told her to get up and get out fast, but her body betrayed her once

ELIZA GAYLE

again. She felt a familiar tingling of arousal sneak up on her.
Something about these two men had a hold on her.

“Uh huh. So, did you tell her yet?”

“Tell me what?” She looked back and forth between the

two, feeling a little out of the loop. Obviously they had some
information that she needed to know. She struggled in Denn’s

arms, trying to work herself free. Just like her, his body was
stirring again, and if she didn’t get some distance between them
she’d be begging to be fucked again. “Let go of me, Denn.

Now.” She stared at him, willing him to release her. Finally he
did and she scrambled from the chair and scooped her clothes
from the patio, intent on getting away from these two.

She strode towards Jake, knowing she had to walk past him

fully naked to get back to the house. Despite how she looked she
held her head high and walked by…almost.

Jake pushed out his arm in front of her, stopping her in her

tracks. “Don’t go.”

His simple statement gave her pause. While it wasn’t a

question it didn’t feel like a demand, either. In fact, it had almost
sounded like a plea. She looked at his arm, tan with a light

dusting of brown hair, and lean, corded muscles running the
entire length. His hand looked like it had seen its fair share of
work with a rougher skin and a couple of calluses. She shivered.

She well remembered the feel of that same hand stroking her
belly and legs as she’d lain in her bed. His touch had managed
to turn her inside out until she wanted to scream with want for

him. And now here she stood, just having fucked one man and
now desiring another. What the hell had gotten into her? She
needed out of this house. Something was wrong with her.

His hand curled gently around her arm. “Please let me touch

you again.”

Her heart lurched at his whispered words. When he

continued to stroke up her arm to the curve of her shoulder her
eyes slid shut. She wanted this. No matter how fucked up it
was, she wanted both Jake and Denn, and she didn’t have it in

her to deny it.

When a warm naked body pressed against her backside she

moaned aloud. Denn now nibbled along the back of her neck and
shoulders and Jake worked his way around the front.

She

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

reached up and undid the buttons of Jake’s shirt, sliding her
hands underneath the soft fabric to push it off his shoulders. He
released her arm just long enough to get it off before bringing his

lips to hers in a crushing kiss.

Denn’s hands moved down to her ass, where he massaged

each globe as he teased the seam of her bottom with a finger,

alternately running the length and dipping inward to tap at her
tighter hole. “Mine,” he growled.

Uncontrollable desire licked at Raven as Jake plundered her

mouth and Denn worked her ass. She reached down to feel
Jake’s hardness through his jeans, itching to touch his bare,
heated skin against her own. She fumbled with the buttons of his

fly, desperate to release his cock. Buttons undone, she was
beyond pleased to discover that he wore no underwear, and she
hastily freed him from the stifling confines of his pants. A

choked noise came from him as he broke their kiss. “Oh God,
yes, Raven, your hands are so soft. More baby, please.”

She wrapped her hand around his thickness, squeezing

harder before moving her hand back and forth against the silky
skin. He leaned in and rested his forehead against hers while he

bucked his hips in rhythm with her movements. Her thumb
flicked over the head, spreading his pre cum around and against
the sensitive underside.

She wanted to taste him, find out

firsthand if his flavor was as good as she anticipated.

She couldn’t keep that train of thought for long as Denn’s

finger dipped into her pussy and spread her cream to her back

entrance. Over and over he added more, lubricating her. She
tensed up when his finger pushed its way against the tight ring of
muscle.

“Relax, Raven, I’m going to do this nice and slow, baby. I

don’t want to hurt you and believe me, any pain you feel will
dissipate if you just relax.”

“Do you know this from experience or are you just making

that up?” she breathlessly whispered.

“Hmm, would you really like to know?”

She didn’t get a chance to answer because Denn sank the

rest of his finger deep in her ass, taking her breath away.

“Oh damn, Jake, she is so fucking tight back here.”

ELIZA GAYLE

“Be gentle with her, Denn, we don’t know yet if she can

take it the way you like it.” Jake leaned close to her ear. “He
likes things a little rough sometimes, baby.”

She shook her head through her lust-fogged thoughts to

focus on what Jake had said. “What are you talking about, Jake?
What does he like? And how do you know?”

He flashed a devilish grin at her before giving her a quick

smack on the lips. “Don’t worry, Raven, I won’t let him hurt you
this time.”

“This time?” She gulped in air, trying to catch her breath. It

was hard to have a conversation with Jake while Denn worked
on her. Not to mention the trail Jake was making down her body

with his tongue. Her followed her neck to her chest and then
swirled around her breasts before finally taking a nipple in his
mouth. He passed back and forth between them, leaving them

aching for more when he moved on.

As he moved downward she was forced to release his cock

and grab his shoulders to steady herself. His tongue delved into
her belly button and continued on.

“You’re doing great, Raven, relax and lean up against

Jake.” She heard his words but didn’t comprehend them. Jake’s
tongue trailed quickly through the curls covering her sex only
seconds away from her nirvana. At the first touch of his warm,

firm tongue against her clit she screamed out and Denn slid a
second finger into her passage. Pain and pleasure exploded
around her as both men moved in a quick rhythm that

complemented each other. Jake’s tongue and teeth worked her
clit and Denn’s fingers dipped in and out of her with swift
movements, alternating a sensual pain with exquisite pleasure

every time he dragged his fingers out.

When Jake’s fingers joined his tongue she dug into his

shoulder and let loose with a moan of sheer delight.

“She’s close, Jake. Her ass is gripping and pulsing against

my fingers”

Jake increased the pressure against her clit until Raven

thought she would faint. Then he pushed two fingers into her
pussy and the wave of her orgasm burst free and swamped her.

She screamed and bucked against their fingers, unable to stop or
get enough. They continued finger fucking her like that for what

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

seemed like hours until she collapsed. Jake had to catch her from
falling onto the hard ground.

She struggled for breath as Jake held her tightly in his arms,

brushing her hair away from her face. His tender movements
comforted at the same time stark fear shook her. Something
intense was happening between them and she didn’t understand

it. They talked in riddles around her and she needed to hear what
they had to say, but first she needed to clean up and put on some
clean clothes. Honestly she just needed some more time alone to

consider what was going on in this house.

She struggled to sit up. “What’s wrong, Raven?” Jake

looked at her with a crease of concern running across his

forehead.

“Nothing. I just need a shower and some clean clothes.” She

stood on shaky legs, careful not to make any sharp moves.

“Wait, let us take care of you.”
“No, Jake, not this time. Right now I need some time alone

and a long hot shower.”

“We need to talk. Explain, actually.” Denn’s voice sounded

strong and clear behind her. She would bet that he always got

what he wanted, what with that incredible aura of authority that
surrounded him, although there was a darkness to it. She could
feel the anger in his power every time he came near.

“Anyone ever tell you that you talk too much? 'Cause I

would understand it if they did.”

“This is serious, Raven.”

“Of course it is. But it’s going to have to wait for a little

while longer, okay?” The last line was delivered with more
sarcasm than she had intended, but dammit she needed to get

away from them right now. As she turned and walked away she
heard Jake say something puzzling in a quiet voice.

“Hope it won’t be too late.”

ELIZA GAYLE

Chapter Six

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Denn asked,

reaching for his jeans, he tugged them on over his hips but left

them unfastened. He watched Jake do the same, remembering
that he was the only one in the house who hadn’t had an orgasm
today.

“She is behaving like a petulant child, refusing to listen

when we both know how important she is.”

“Maybe we’re wrong.”
Jake started to say something and Denn put up his hand to

stop him. “Seriously, Jake, it’s not as if we have an instruction

manual on how this is supposed to work. But I would imagine
that despite the prophecy we still have to deal with freewill and
all that jazz.”

“Please tell me you aren’t trying to say that what just

happened with her was against her will. You did see the way she
responded to the both of us.”

“You know that’s not what I meant.” He scrubbed his

fingers through his hair. “I won’t deny there is a strong sexual
chemistry and even our magick is affected. But let’s not forget

what brought her here and what keeps her here. If we were to let
her go today, what would happen? She doesn’t look or act like
she wants to stay here.”

“Now turn that around, Denn. If you didn’t know she was

your woman from the prophecy would you want her to stay?”

Jake had a point there. He couldn’t say for sure what would

be happening if they hadn’t figured out who she was. Even
before Jake had told him, he’d known something was different

about her, but he’d been torn.

He already had a solid

relationship with Jake and wasn’t looking to change that.

“You and I—"

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

“I know, Denn. You weren’t looking for this and neither

was I.” He turned away and headed towards the house. Denn
stared after him, trying to understand the conflict surrounding

them. He wanted Jake, there was no doubt about that, and it
wasn’t just the sex. No, their relationship had developed beyond
the sexual exploration a while back. But, he also wanted Raven.

“Jake,” he called out. When the other man stopped he

continued. “I don’t want you to leave.” He moved forward,
bringing himself closer. “Nothing has changed between us. I

need you to stay.”

“But the witch…”
“We’re going to work it out. I’ve been giving this a lot of

thought. Maybe she is meant to be with us both. It’s not just me
that she is drawn to, you know. I’ve seen the way you two long
for each other when you think no one is watching.”

“Come on, Denn, us both? That sounds like a stretch.”
“Yeah, maybe, and then again maybe not. The whole

situation is beyond unconventional, so who's to say what is right
or wrong here? Can everything we feel be wrong? I don’t think
so. She fits well with us. Perfectly, in fact.”

“We need to talk to her.”
“Agreed.” Denn had a feeling they needed to do it sooner

rather than later. His magick buzzed more than normal. It had

him on alert. It made him think of Noah. Normally a surge like
this came from his connection with his twin, but it had been
weeks since he’d spoken with his brother. He’d gone off on a

new quest to find a missing person and likely would continue to
be out of touch until he’d found who he was looking for. He
tended to have a single-minded focus when it came to his work.

Hell, he didn’t even know about the changes with Grae or

Cash yet.

“You okay, Denn?”

Jake’s words broke his thoughts of Noah and brought him

back to the present. “Yeah.” He needed to read through his
journal, make some notes and adjustments.

“You worry too much, Denn.” Jake touched his shoulder,

moving his fingers in a strong massaging motion.

“Your

muscles are all tense again. I believe that whatever is meant to

ELIZA GAYLE

happen with Raven will happen on its own. She isn’t going
anywhere, so let’s just see where this goes, okay?"

Denn relaxed under his lover’s attempts to release his

tension. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have found
Jake. It restored in his faith in fate.

* * * *

“I need to get out of here.” She rubbed her arms and

crouched by the door, anxious.

“What’s wrong, Raven?” Denn asked.

“This isn’t right. Holding me here like this. I need to get

away before something happens.”

“Like what?”

She didn’t answer right away. What could she say? An

energy buzzed under her skin and she didn’t know how to
explain it, nor did she know what to do with it. With her magick

bound some of her coping mechanisms were missing.

“Does this have to do with being held against your will or

with what happened between the three of us?”

She just looked at him. She stayed back by the door, afraid

to get to close. Something about being in his proximity made her

crazy.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” He came around the desk, headed in her

general direction.

“No, stay back. Don’t come any closer." Panic rose within

her, her heart raced, and her skin crawled.

“Raven, baby, what is it?”

“I don’t know, something is happening.” She couldn’t

breathe. She held up her hands and focused on the energy in the
room. She imagined the moisture in the air and mist rained

down on them.

“What the hell. How are you doing that? Your magick is

bound. I did it myself.”

She concentrated harder past the pain of pushing at the

barrier. Deep breaths in and out and it burst. Pain shot through
her body as magick filled the room. She briefly looked at the

shock on Denn’s face as the flood of power swamped her. She
ran past Denn and out the French doors into the courtyard. The

mist changed to a soft rain that her skin soaked up greedily. She
tilted her face skyward, using her freed power to call more water

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

until the rain turned into a torrential downpour, flooding the
courtyard and boosting her beyond measure.

Now this is more like it.

After weeks of being trapped in a powerless body her

energy and magick were back and she was free.

As the rain soaked her hair and clothes it dawned on her that

whatever magick had been not only binding her magick, but also
holding her in Denn’s home, had been broken. She could leave.

Her breath halted. I can leave. Her mind automatically

flashed to Denn and Jake. Her sexy dark witch and fair-haired
sweetheart, but her thoughts darkened when she remembered the
journal entries she had read early that morning. No, Denn and

Jake weren’t with her out of some kind of fanciful love. Her
heart fractured when she’d read that they thought she was the
woman prophesied for Denn. His savior. Tears welled and she

lifted her head again, letting the rains cleanse her of them.

She wasn’t anyone’s savior. She wasn’t even a very nice

person. Her whole life had been focused on nothing but honing
her craft and training to be a hunter. A job she was really good
at. At least, until now. Now she would be the hunted. Something

she couldn’t tolerate and had to fix.

She followed the winding path through the courtyard,

refusing to look in the direction of the sitting area, where the

lounge chairs were. It was time to go. Her feet moved faster,
changing from a walk to a run as she streaked through the
gardens and slipped into the kitchen, heading full force for her

room and what little belongings she could take with her.

The house was eerily quiet, yet the magick buzzed stronger

than ever before. It was soft and familiar, encouraging her to

hurry.

In her room she grabbed the duffel bag she’d confiscated

earlier in the week, already packed with necessities from the

clothes and things Jake had bought her.

With no time to waste, and not knowing who might be

coming up behind her, she swung her legs out the window and

down the fire escape she had scoped out the first week she’d
been awake.

As she climbed down the ladder she thought about New

Orleans and what she could remember of it from her last visit,

ELIZA GAYLE

which had been many years ago. There was a large coven
nearby but she imagined that Denn knew them well and would
look for her there first. Her own coven may be looking for her

as well, and with her recent failed mission she wasn’t sure she
could trust them to keep her safe, either. She needed to talk to
Scott, but on her own terms and from a safe location. His reach

was long and wide and if he had plans to eliminate her or worse,
she couldn’t just pop up on his radar.

That left her with only one known option. Severina. A

voodoo priestess in the quarter that Raven had sought in the past.
She’d been here on a job and needed some sensitive information
and a friend had recommended Severina’s services to her. In

exchange for the information she sought, she helped the woman
out with a little extermination problem. It had been an uneasy
alliance because Severina disapproved of her and her connection

to Scott, but she was a woman of honor and her word was solid.

Now all she could do was seek her out again and see if they

could once again do business. She didn’t have much to bargain
with but she did have her magick, which in New Orleans used to
be a highly valued commodity.

Turning down Benton Street, she thought about the house

she’d just left behind. Or, more to the point, the men she’d run
from. Before Denn had come into the office she had been

rummaging through his desk looking for something, anything
that would help free her.

As she methodically searched his desk, magick had crawled

across her body. A different sensation filled the room than what
had been there when she arrived. Something was happening.
She’d shoved the contents she’d removed back in the drawer and

headed for the door when Denn entered from the courtyard.

Now, as she moved farther and farther away from the safety

of Denn and Jake she wondered what had happened back there.

Denn had been genuinely shocked when her magick had
returned. What did it matter? She was free. She was with the
one person she knew she could trust no matter what happened.

Herself.

Finally reaching Bourbon Street, she turned right and fell

into the crowd, absorbing the familiar sights and sounds of the
heart of the Quarter. It may have been a long time since she’d

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

walked this path, but New Orleans was one of those cities you
never forgot.

After about fifteen minutes of walking she found the

alleyway she was looking for. There was litter and trash strewn
across the entryway and as soon as she turned in, the odor of
rotten filthy waste assailed her. Wrinkling her face and opening

her mouth to breathe, she pushed on knowing this was her best
shot at success.

Thirty yards later she found herself at a black metal door

that merely said Severina across it. She didn’t need to advertise
what she did. All the locals knew exactly who and what she
was, and anyone not a local didn’t find Severina unless someone

local referred them and gave them directions.

She twisted the knob and pushed open the heavy metal

door. Once inside her eyes had to adjust to the dark interior after

the bright sun outside. The first thing to strike her was the aroma
of the store. There were rows and rows of candles and aromatic

oils in a variety of ritual scents and colors. The racks in the
middle of the floor were covered in a wide assortment of dolls in
every variation of dress and baskets of gris-gris bags. Every

available surface was covered with every item you could think of
necessary for a ritual. And Raven knew if she didn’t have it here
in the store, Severina would have it in the back just waiting for a

customer to ask for it.

“Who's there?” A strong female voice sounded from the

backroom.

“Raven.” She hesitated. “Raven St. Claire.”
The sound of glass crashing onto the ground and splintering

into tiny tinkling pieces came from behind the counter, along

with a string of curse words in a thick Cajun accent. More
rustling before the tall, dark-skinned woman finally stepped
through the walkway and stopped at the counter in front of

Raven. Dressed in worn jeans and a red t-shirt, with no make up
and a scarf covering her head, she didn’t really seem what a
tourist might have expected. But Raven was no tourist, and she

already knew what Severina was capable of.

“I thought we agreed our business was taken care of, witch.”

The last word was emphasized with a distinct flavor of distaste.
Raven knew this wouldn’t be easy.

ELIZA GAYLE

“Yes, you were correct. Unfortunately I have found myself

in a bind with nowhere to turn.”

“You reap what you sow. Even you should know this. I

warned you, it was only a matter of time before it would catch
you. I take it you didn’t listen.” Severina looked at her sharply.

“Yes, of course you were right. I see that now.” Raven had

to tread carefully here or she would find herself thrown out in the
alley, alone.

“I can’t help you.”

Raven reached out and touched the woman on the arm,

prepared to plead. When her cold hands touched her warm skin,
Severina’s eyes opened wide in alarm. She grabbed Raven’s

hand with her free hand and leaned forward.

“What have you done to him?”
“Who? What are you talking about?”

Severina sniffed at her, moving from left to right.

“Dennison—no, Noah—It is difficult to tell their magick apart.”

“I don’t know Noah.”
“Ahh, Dennison then. I told him his grey was coming but I

had no idea—"

“I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. Will you help

me or not?”

“I will help Master Dennison. What do you need?”

Before Raven could respond a phone rang in the distance.

The volume was loud and distracting. It rang several times yet
Severina didn’t make a move to answer it. “Do you need to get

that?” Raven asked.

“It’s not my phone that is ringing, Cherie, it’s yours.”
“Can’t be, I don’t have a phone.”

“Then why is your bag over there ringing?”
Raven swung her head to the duffel on the floor by the door

and listened. The shrill sound did seem like it was coming from

her bag. She bolted toward it, grabbing it up and slamming the
zipper down. Fumbling around inside, her hand wrapped around
a foreign cell phone. Flipping it open she lifted it to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Raven my dear, it’s about time.” A cold chill snaked down

her spine as she lowered her gaze from Severina.

“Scott?”

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

“I see you got your magick back. You can thank me in

person shortly.”

“Thank you? You’re the one that broke the binding? But

how?” Like she even needed to ask.

“Actually, Raven, I think I’m the one who should be asking

questions. You have a lot of explaining to do.” The dark tone of

his statement was unmistakable. There would be hell to pay for
her fucking up. Death or sacrifice, she wondered.

“I can—"

“Not now, Raven. Right now you need to head outside to

the alley and meet my associates, who will bring you to me. So
hang up the phone, say goodbye to the Voodoo bitch, and go

outside.”

The tension in Scott's voice rose with each uttered syllable,

and stark fear ran rampant in Raven. She couldn’t let Scott or

his goons near her or she could forget it. She closed the phone
and looked around the tiny shop. “Do you have a rear exit?”

“Yes, but what you need to do is call Denn and tell him

what is going on. He can help you.”

“Severina, you’re wrong about that.”

“No, Cherie, Severina is never wrong. Here take this, it

belongs to Denn and I believe he is finally ready for it now.” She
held up a rolled scroll of parchment paper sealed at the edges

with a waxy looking substance. “Take it, Raven. You came to
me for help, now trust me. Go out the backdoor and make sure
this gets to Denn.”

When Raven reached for the paper, Severina grabbed her

hand and locked gazes with her. “Stop being afraid of what you
are to him. It is meant to be, it is what you were created for.

Trust in him. Trust in them both.”

Raven stared at her dumbfounded. Despite her own abilities

and the many things she had seen, she would never understand

the gift of sight and how eerily accurate it could be.

“Go now, Raven, Go!”
Raven stuffed the parchment into her back pocket and ran

behind the counter. Through the dingy back room filled with
beads, herbs, doll parts and an altar that took up an entire wall,

She burst through the metal door marked Fire Exit Only.

ELIZA GAYLE

Swiveling her head left, she saw one of the Rev’s

“associates,” and in his dark tee, black jeans, and shit kickers he
did not look friendly. She took off in a dead run in the opposite

direction, raising her magick as she went. She listened to the
pounding feet of her pursuer not far behind, knowing she didn’t
have much time.

What am I doing? Why am I running from them? She

whirled on the balls of her feet, casting her arm out at the same
time, releasing the power she’d called. The hired muscle had just

enough time to throw up a partial shield, blocking some of her
magick. The rest knocked him back several steps and doubled
him over.

When he stood and howled in pain—or maybe

frustration, she couldn’t be sure—she ran toward him, launching
herself onto his wide back. His body was hot and smoke came
from his hands.

Damn. Fire witch. They sure weren’t going to get very far

in a fight.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, wrenching with all

her strength, trying to choke him. He staggered backward,
slamming against the wall of the building with her in between.

The force squelched the air from her lungs, loosening her arms
from their grip, giving him the opportunity to drive his elbow
into her ribs. Pain erupted in her body, her vision wavering, and

she vaguely saw reinforcements surrounding her. With sheer
will she fought to regain her strength and magick despite a new
and unfamiliar magick wrapping around her and pinning her to

the wall.

She frantically looked around for another idea or weapon as

whatever was cloaking her was also dampening her power. The

air shimmered around her as she sensed a solid blast of earth
magick coming their way. Lucky for her it provided enough of a
distraction that the magick coursing through her chest broke free

from their bindings. With no time to waste she ran again,
straight into Denn. Momentarily stunned, he grabbed her hand
and pulled her along.

They only needed to make it to the end of the alley and they

would be back on busy Bourbon Street where she was certain

they could get lost in the crowd. About to turn the corner to

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

freedom, or at least a better chance at it, a black SUV screeched
to a halt, flinging its back door wide.

Denn pushed her with his solid strength. “Raven, get in.

Now!”

Knowing at least with Denn she wouldn’t become a human

sacrifice stripped of her power, she jumped inside, sliding along

the bench seat.

“Go, Jake, go!” Denn yelled into the front of the vehicle as

Raven lay sprawled across the floorboard, her breath sawing in

and out of her heaving lungs. The car surged forward, pressing
her back against the ridge of the seat. She closed her eyes,
focusing on controlling her breath. This isn’t what I wanted.

She wasn’t anymore ready to face these two men, as she’d

been ready to beg for her life from Scott. How the hell had her
life fallen apart so quickly? In love with two men who only

wanted to use her, and a sick and twisted man who’d been like
family in a weird and demanding way would now just as soon

steal her power as listen to her beg for forgiveness.

Tears welled in her eyes as she screwed them shut tighter,

willing her emotions under control.

“Raven, are you okay? Are you hurt?”
His voice sounded so close that she could feel the heat of

his breath on her skin.

His magick reached out for hers,

threading around her and entwining with her own power. “Stop,
Denn. I’m fine. Those bastards were rough but I’m okay. You
need to give me some space.”

“What’s wrong? Denn, is she hurt?” Jake asked from the

driver's seat.

Denn settled back on his seat. “She’s fine. She just needs a

minute to catch her breath. We can bandage her up as soon as we
get home. Although, if she had thought about what the hell she
was doing, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

Unwilling to rise to the bait she didn’t make a move or a

sound until he started rustling around the small space. She
cracked open an eye, looking to see what he was doing. When he

flipped open his phone she wondered who the hell he needed to
call in the middle of all this.

“Charlie, our ETA is ten minutes, be ready.”

* * * *

ELIZA GAYLE

Denn closed his phone and eased his head back against the

seat, his anger simmering just below the surface. There was so
much to process and not enough time to do it. Once back at the

house he suspected all hell would be breaking loose. Between
the magickal reinforcements he had called in to the fact that both
Jake and Raven had some seriously explaining to do…

The acid in his stomach churned. He looked into the

rearview mirror and caught Jake watching him. Fear shone there.
Definitely not a good sign.

When the magick that had been used against his allowed

Raven to escape the house, he’d been powerless to stop her from
leaving. Not a good feeling. But when Jake had come to him

confessing to being able to find her, he’d had that “Oh shit, here
it comes” feeling. When he demanded to know how Jake knew
to find her, he’d only gotten a “We don’t have time to get into

this right now, you have to trust me” answer.

Now he had half a mind to drop them both off at the corner

and walk away. Lies and secrets were not his way, and the two
of them needed to learn that lesson and learn it right now.

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

Chapter Seven

Exhausted, Denn walked into his living room to find Raven

huddled on one corner of the couch, looking down with her

knees tucked under her chin. Jake stood at the window watching
the storm rage outside. Denn wondered how much of this storm
had to do with Raven and her dark mood. Even in her injured

state she’d helped the team replace the wards on the house,
making the protection even stronger than before. Whatever had

gotten through before wouldn’t have it so easy next time. And
Denn knew in his gut that there would be a next time, and
probably sooner than he would like. In the meantime, he wanted

answers.

“The two of you can’t keep hiding from me. It’s past time

to tell me what is going on here.” He walked into the center of

the room and waited. “Jake? Are you going to tell me how you
knew how to find Raven as soon as she disappeared?”

Raven’s head shot up, looking first at Jake and then settling

on Denn.

“What are you talking about?” She stood and walked to the

window. “You knew where to find me? But that’s not possible, I

wasn’t followed at all, unless…” Her eyes widened. “There is
only one other way.”

On a long sigh, Jake turned his back on the window,

straightening his shoulders and looking Denn in the eye. “I work
for Scott Cunningham. Have for months now.”

The silence in the room was deafening as Denn processed

not only what Jake said but what it meant. Fury coursed through
him as his magick rose and fell with his attempts to control his

anger. Surprisingly there was a lot of power left over from the
casting he’d done earlier. Tired of holding back, he unleashed it.

Fuck it.

ELIZA GAYLE

The glass vase on the mantel flew across the room, crashing

against the wall next to him, and wind blew through the room.
Energy crackled along his skin, raising the fine hairs on his body

as he recited a familiar chant.

“Denn, stop, if you hurt him we won't get any answers.”
“As if you’re any better.” He turned on her, transferring

some of his rage her way. “You high-tailed it out of here as soon
as you got your magick back. Do you have a death wish or are
you just stupid?” Raven’s mouth dropped in surprise, and she

took a step back from Denn and his trembling magick. He
already regretted attacking her like that, but damn, he was
surrounded by betrayal and these two were directly responsible.

“Denn, will you listen to me? I can’t take back what I’ve

done, but I can at least tell you why and then I will leave.” He
looked into Jake’s eyes and saw pain and anguish there. Jake

looked how he felt. He turned away from them both, reigning in
his magick once again and taking a few minutes to regain

control. He really didn’t want to listen, didn’t want any excuses,
but the question of why would linger if he didn’t get to ask.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

He whirled at Jake’s voice. “Don’t give me that, there is

always a choice.”

“He has my sister. I think he is stealing her magick.” The

silence in the room was deafening.

“You have a sister?” Why that thought struck him like that

he wasn’t sure. But he could remember many nights when they

talked about their families and not once had Jake mentioned a
sister.

“Half-sister, actually. Same mother, different fathers.

Mother was a witch.”

“But you aren’t magickal. You don’t have the gift.” He was

confused how his sister could be magickal and he wasn’t.

Magick was always the dominant trait in offspring.

“Well, thanks. I think I know that. In fact, I've have been

reminded of that all my life.” Jake walked over to the couch,

sinking down into the smooth leather seat. “I know keeping this
from you was wrong, but I didn’t know what else to do. The

Reverend is pure evil and his tactics for getting what he wants
are ruthless.”

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

“Sister or not, you betrayed me. You could have come to

me. Told me the truth. When have you not seen me help
someone in trouble?”

Jake shook his head. “You underestimate what he is capable

of, Denn.”

“He’s my fucking uncle, you think I don’t know what he’s

capable of?” He dragged his fingers through his hair roughly.
“This is getting us nowhere. Arguing about it doesn’t change a
damn thing.” He turned to stalk from the room, slamming the

door on his way out. “I’ve had enough for one day?”

* * * *

Raven watched Jake slump against the couch as Denn left

them behind. Her heart wrenched for them both. She knew
exactly how Jake felt, a prisoner to a sick and twisted man.
She’d put most of her free energy into avoiding the man herself.

But there were times when no amount of magick or desperate
attempts to hide could save her from him. Now she had to help

Jake and Denn. They’d saved her. She doubted either one of
them knew just how much. Scott had grown weary of her
insubordination and his final warnings to her had been clear.

Stop fucking off or she would be sacrificed. And he sure as hell
didn’t mean he’d kill her in some quick and painless way.

“I’ll talk to him, Jake. Hopefully he’s a little less pissed off

at me right now to listen.”

“No, let him go. He’s right, you know.

Despite the

consequences I should have told him the truth before now.”

“No, Jake, you had every right to fear him. I of all people

understand exactly what that man is capable of. I’ve seen it. I’ve
felt it.”

Jake looked up at her, clear questions in his eyes. “What did

he do to you, Raven?”

“It doesn’t matter now. What matters now is making Denn

understand and then figuring out a way to get your sister back.”

“You should give him some time, I’ve learned he can be

pretty stubborn.”

“Uhm…the hell with that. We don’t have time. We have a

job to do and all we have is each other now.” She paused. “I

must be crazy now.”

ELIZA GAYLE

Jake stood and approached her. “Not crazy, Raven. We all

feel it. It’s something tangible that can’t be denied.” His lips
touched against hers, soft and light. She sighed against him,

wanting to trust in what he said.

She pushed her hands against his firm chest. “Stop trying to

distract me, Jake, I’m going to talk to him and I’m going right

now.”

She walked away without looking back, leaving the door

open behind her. Jake could follow her or not, she was still

going to find Denn and make him understand. Going room by
room she searched for him.

Ten minutes later she still hadn’t found him, and decided

there was an easier way. She inhaled a full breath of humid New
Orleans air, absorbing the water molecules into her body. She
called on her magick, letting the water particles fuel her

command.

Carefully she loosened her hold, allowing just

enough to slip out to do what she needed. Her senses sharpened

as the room around her swelled with the musk of jasmine, the
spice of men, and the heat of the South. She reached out,
seeking the moisture displacement created from a body in the

house. Nothing. Denn wasn’t in the house. Which left only one
place he could be. She turned and headed for the courtyard.

Stepping outside, the sultry night air and the scent of

jasmine on the breeze enveloped her. Her eyes slowly adjusted
to the dark as she followed the footpath to the sitting area where
she knew she would find him.

“I don’t want to talk anymore.”
Raven sat on the chair next to his. “Good, then you can just

listen.”

Denn groaned at her words but she continued on. “I know

you feel betrayed right now and rightfully so but—"

“Raven—"

“No, Denn, hear me out, please.” She paused, peering over

at him to see if he was listening. “Jake told you that Scott has
been stealing his sister's magick. You heard that, right?” He

nodded. “Do you know what that means? Surely a powerful
witch as you understands that. But have you ever had your

magick stolen and used against you? Had your mind and body
raped of its powerful essence? To feel the empty shell left

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

behind every time it happens.” Powerful memories crashed down
on her as she talked to Denn of the process one goes through
when their magick is taken against their will.

Old wounds ripped open inside as she bared her soul.

Wetness tracked down her face. “Nothing is more painful than
going through that ordeal. In fact many witches don’t survive it,

trust me I know.”

“Raven, I don’t know what to say.” His voice was soft and

infused with more sympathy than she could bear.

“Don’t go there, Denn, that’s not why I am telling you this.

This is for Jake’s sake. He and I have both done some things we
are not proud of, but knowing what his sister is going through,

well, you need to consider the circumstances. That’s all I can
ask.”

“Babe, please.” His hand reached out his fingers

intertwining with hers. The heat and size of his hand engulfing
hers gave her hope. Made her feel protected. She absorbed

some of his magick. Some of it was dark and angry, which she
immediately pushed away from them. She released more of her
own to relieve his. He had healed her when she needed it, now it

was her turn to heal him. Remove some of his pain, leaving him
lighter than before. Sweat broke out on her brow at the force of
their connection. As hard as it was to face, she believed in what

they’d told her. Her role was clear and she belonged here with
both of them. If only Denn would believe.

Minutes later her body gave out and she broke their

connection. Exhaustion swamped her as she fought to stand.

“Babe, you need to rest. Let me get you something to return

your strength. I’m worried about what that is going to do to your

health. You’ve just recovered from a life threatening trauma.”

Denn, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I do need some

rest, though, so I’m going to bed. I hope you’ll consider what

I've said.”

“Of course I will. I need some time to think myself. Are

you sure you don’t need my help?”

“I’m sure. I just need sleep. Good night.”
Before she turned away she noticed he had relaxed from

when she’d first come out. At least that was something.

* * * *

ELIZA GAYLE

Hours later, Denn still couldn’t get the image of Raven

walking away from him and back into the house. Her lithe,
athletic body moved with instinctual grace and stealth. He

imagined years of training made her like that. She was quite a
fighter, and after the pain and information she’d shared with him
his doubts about her had dissipated. Her tired and sad eyes had

looked right through him just before she’d turned away.

Now he craved her touch, her warmth, and even just the

way she looked at him. He wanted to feel her under him, Jake

right alongside her. His body tightened with those images
running rampant.

His feelings ran deep for Jake and he’d

already decided he could forgive him, the only question

remaining was could he trust him again.

He swung his feet off the patio table and stood from the

chair. His body popped and stretched from sitting for so long

without moving around. The house had gone quiet a long time
ago, and he imagined both Raven and Jake were sleeping.

Would he find Jake sleeping in his bed as usual or had he taken
up residence on the couch? He wondered.

The cool air of the air-conditioned house swept over his

skin when he stepped through the French doors leading to his
office. The computer hummed low, already in energy saver
mode, and the only light came from the digital clock on the

credenza that read 1:56 A.M. Moving through the house, his
excellent night vision allowed him to see clearly in the dark. In
the living room there was no Jake asleep on the furniture. Denn

considered taking up the space for himself, unsure if he was
ready to return to the bed he shared with Jake every night.

Too tired to worry about it now, he trudged up the stairs to

the third level into the master suite. The bedside lamp was on
but no Jake. What the hell? He hadn’t sensed anyone exiting the
property, so where the hell was he?

Worried that something could have happened right under

his damn nose, he headed back down to the second level to see if
Raven was missing as well.

His feet pounded against the

hardwood stairs, taking them two at a time until he rushed into
her room. Seeing her there peaceful in sleep was a relief, what

took his breath away was Jake curled up around her fast asleep
as well. His heart lurched in his chest, cutting off his breath for a

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

few beats.

Lightheadedness robbed his senses as his body

longed to join them.

Despite the events of the day, he felt certain the three of

them were destined to be together. Besides his body, his heart
ached for them both. Raven’s face seemed softer in sleep,
peaceful even. The ruby of her lips a soft slash against her pale

skin. Jake’s lean body cradled her close, his hand snug around
her waist as if holding onto her tightly, afraid to let her go.

He eyed the empty space next to Raven and, without

thought, quickly removed his clothes and climbed under the
covers, putting himself as close to her as he could without
actually touching her. He wanted to just look at her for a while.

Her confession had troubled him deeply and he’d been torn when
she walked away. Logic told him to let her go and his heart said
no. Now here, in the light of the full moon shining in the

window, he decided to take a leap and follow his instincts about
them both.

His hand reached over to Jake’s and stroked his skin.

Rough yet smooth, the familiar heat seeped into his hand.
Instinctively Jake’s hand tightened around Raven’s waist, pulling

the curve of her hip closer to his groin. Damn, I want them.

A small strip of bared flesh between Raven’s tank top and

panties tempted him to reach up and brush his hand across it.

With that one simple touch, their power stirred and sparked,
tingling his fingers and arm. Her mouth opened in a silent gasp
as he traveled underneath her shirt, rubbing against her soft,

warm breasts. The magickal connection between them heated
and flared, and both Raven and Jake opened their eyes.

No one spoke, reluctant to break the mood. Denn twisted his

body farther to the side so he could reach better with both hands.
His left hand slid along Raven’s skin until it too grasped a
flushed breast. He pushed at her shirt until both mounds were

bare and visible. He dipped his head, taking a hard nipple
between his lips and sucking on it before grasping it gently
between his teeth. Her fingers threaded through his hair, her

body arching toward him, silently begging for more.

increased the pressure of his teeth, biting at her nipple until she

squirmed and writhed from the steady pain.

ELIZA GAYLE

“Do you like that, Raven? Does a little pain turn you on?”

Jake’s questions gave Denn the freedom to keep going, while
they worked together discovering her threshold. Raven nodded

her head, still squiring in their arms. “I think she likes it, Denn.”
The handsome smile splitting Jake’s face devastated him. There
was no way he could deny to himself how he felt with love

clutching at his chest and heat building in his dick.

A quick, sharp bite had Raven calling out his name as she

rose up in his hands. He released the nipple and repeated the test

of pain on the other until again she screamed out her pleasure.

“Holy shit, Denn, I can already smell her arousal.” Jake

shifted from lying down to kneeling next to her. “I really want to

see and feel her increasing wetness as you do that to her.”

“Then remove her panties and do so.”
Raven’s eyes widened a little as Jake reached under the

edge of her panties and peeled them slowly down her smooth,
strong thighs, tossing them off the bed. The look of intense

rapture on Jake’s face as he leaned over and spread her legs was
priceless.

“Like what you see, Jake?”

Jake leaned forward, inching his head closer to Raven’s

sweet pussy.

“Stop.”

“What’s wrong?” Jake asked.
Denn’s hands were still roaming all over Raven’s lush

figure, from the swell of her breasts, to the indentation of her

small waist, to the flare of her full hips. He couldn’t stop
touching her. The more of her he touched the stronger their
combined magick grew until his cock had become swollen with a

forceful need. When his sex pulsed and bounced from his
abdomen, Jake’s gaze was drawn to it.

* * * *

“Oh.” Jake shifted so he could rest on his knees. The look

on Denn’s face was pure unashamed need, the same as Raven.
His heart leapt at the implication of the both of them needing

him as much as he needed them. He wasn’t normally a man to
express soft emotions but tears welled in his eyes nonetheless.

“You want us both?” Jake had to ask, needed to hear Denn

say it.

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

“Yes, Jake.” His head swiveled looking between both

Raven and himself. “According to a prophecy Raven is my mate,
but according to my heart I need and love you both. Nothing

that’s happened or will happen can change that.”

“But what we—"
“No, what you both did had extenuating circumstances. We

all have pasts and we all do things for those we love or to protect
ourselves as best we can. No one is perfect, nor should they be.”

Jake watched tears slide down Raven’s face over Denn’s

words. Hope swelled within him for them all. This was the way
things were meant to be.

Denn swiped at the wetness on Raven’s cheeks. “Are you

okay, baby?”

She nodded. “I’m fine. Just in awe.”
“Awe?” Denn asked.

“Mmhmm.” She pushed her fingers through Denn’s hair

and brought his head down to her lips. Instead of kissing him

like Jake had expected, her pink tongue darted out and licked at
his lips, tasting and teasing him. Denn groaned under the
onslaught and Jake reached for his thick cock, encircling the

breadth with a firm grip. Denn was rock hard and ready, giving
Jake a powerful need to feel him inside his own body, pumping
his pleasure deep and fast. He leaned forward and took the firm

head of Denn’s cock into his mouth, lapping at the tasty pre-cum
waiting for him.

“Ahhhh” Denn’s hips bucked, pushing more of himself into

Jake’s mouth. He smiled around him as his tongue continued to
swirl around the rigid flesh. Denn’s mouth moved back to
Raven’s nipples, where he sucked and kneaded them until Raven

begged.

“Please. Dear Goddess, would one of you please fuck me

already?” Her voice came out ragged and breathless, making

both Jake and Denn smile.

“I think she’s getting impatient, Jake.”
“Uh huh.”

“Well, then I think you should take care of our girl.”
Jake let go of Denn’s cock with a pop. “Should I? What

about you?” He gave Denn a wicked smile.

“Don’t worry about me, Jake, you have just what I need.”

ELIZA GAYLE

A sudden burst of heated lust shot through his body, the

blood rushing through his veins as he once again thought of
Denn taking him hard and fast and full of passion.

Watching Denn release her, Jake moved forward and

covered Raven with his big body. As his mouth delved into hers,
tongues tangling, the tip of his cock pressed against the wet heat

of her sex. Just the heat of it made him want to come, and when
Denn moved behind him he thought he might shoot his load right
then and there before he even slid inside.

“Please, Jake. Please fuck me.” He barely heard her

whispered words against his mouth over the sound of the blood
rushing in his head. His hand slipped between their warm

bodies, grasping the root of his cock to guide it to her entrance.
Just nestling the tip inside, he teased and taunted her with tiny
strokes. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling at him and

trying to get him deeper inside. He held strong with his shallow
thrusts until her cries and begging became a string of guttural

whimpers.

With one smooth stroke he thrust his full length to the hilt,

his balls slapping against her flesh.

“Ahhhhh.” Her tight body clamped around him, tighter than

a fist and taking his breath away.

“Incredible, isn’t it? That extra tingling sensation you feel is

her magick. Her essence.”

Denn’s voice at his ear startled him. So focused on the hold

Raven had on him, he hadn’t even noticed Denn wrapping his

body around him, his cock nestling between the cheeks of his
ass.

“She’s ours, Jake, don’t you agree?”

Jake grunted his agreement.
“Now be still for a minute, I don’t want you to come too

soon.”

Jake gritted his teeth and attempted to focus on something

other than her sheath pulsing around him, tightening. Breathing
in and out, he looked down at Raven, losing himself in her

beautiful eyes so full of love and lust.

Jake flinched when Denn’s cool, lube slickened fingers

touched around his tight hole, spreading the gel liberally. One

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

finger dipped inside, the sensation insanely pleasurable as Denn
worked it in and out until joining a second finger with the first.

“I’m—I’m not going to last long.” Jake revealed through

gritted teeth.

“Hold on a little longer, baby, I don’t think any of us are

going to last.”

Denn removed his fingers and moments later Jake felt the

condom covered tip of Denn’s cock pressing against him.
Instinctively he tightened up.

“Relax, Jake, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Jake, look at me.”
He raised his head from Raven’s shoulder and looked at her.

“Kiss me, Jake. Take me. Love me.”
Her quiet pleas undid him as his lips lowered to hers.
Denn inched in just the head but Jake wanted more. He

pushed back against him until Denn filled him, the familiar
pleasure and pain sensations running along every nerve ending.

Different this time, though, because when he pushed into Jake, it
forced Jake deeper inside Raven, rasping against her clit.

Magick from both Raven and Denn swept through him,

seeking and searching for the other. Denn pulled out, bringing
Jake’s hips with him so when he slammed back all three of them
cried out.

Magick entwined and wrapped around Jake

completely, loosening the last of his resistance. Heat built in his
balls and he knew he couldn’t hold it back. On the next deep
thrust his orgasm exploded and Raven cried out in ecstasy as he

emptied his seed inside her. The magick burned hot, his vision
blurred and he rode out the pleasure until Denn too gave into the
need and slumped across his back.

When he opened his eyes he looked into Raven’s eyes,

watching him.

“Are you okay, babe?” She looked so serious for a minute

he thought—

“I love you. I love you both,” she cried.

ELIZA GAYLE

Chapter Eight

Raven sat in the sun, letting the heat seep through to her

tired muscles. She’d come to love the courtyard as her favorite

place in the house. While the entire place glowed with historical
charm it was this area that she felt most at peace. She’d lost track
after the fourth time either Jake or Denn or both had awoken her

with their sensual bodies and deep kisses. Once she’d been
woken by just the two of them enjoying each other. The sight of

them loving each other moved her deeply. Two sensual male
bodies expressing their emotions through a powerful show of
lust and sex. A smile played across her lips at the memory.

Yesterday she’d found herself alone on the streets of New

Orleans not afraid, just alone again. What a difference twenty-
four hours can make. She’d thought she could turn to the

voodoo priestess for help and had foolishly planned to handle
Scott on her own.

Wait. The voodoo priestess.

Raven jumped up and ran to the bathroom where she’d

removed her clothes last night. Rifling through her discarded
jeans, she found the roll of parchment she’d completely forgotten

about until now. Unrolling the brittle, yellowed paper, she read
through the note inside.

Be warned.
If each sibling has not found their mate by the youngest

brother’s thirtieth birthday, then all power is stripped and
bequeathed to the eldest family male.

All hope will be lost…

Surprised by what she read on the note, her butt hit the toilet

seat hard as she sank down. She needed to tell Denn about this.

She didn’t know how long they had but she imagined it wasn’t

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

long. Hadn’t Jake mentioned something a few weeks ago about
Denn’s big birthday coming up?

She rushed from the bathroom back into the bedroom suite

they had given her. Pulling up short, she laughed as she looked
around the room. They had filled her space with books, flowers,
a large wardrobe, a big screen television with more channels

than any one person could possibly need, and luxurious linens on
a lake-sized bed. Linens that were currently wrapped partially
around two beautiful, sexy men that were now all hers. For

someone who had technically been held against her will they had
really pampered her with everything.

Shaking her head, she focused on why she’d come running

in here. Taking the remaining strides to the bed as quickly as she
could, she grabbed their legs.

“Denn. Jake. Wake up.”

Both men sprang from the bed, ready for whatever danger

she could have been warning them about. Except they were

naked and sleek and tousled from sleep.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Denn’s voice sounded alarmed

and urgent.

“Calm down. No one’s in danger, at least for the moment.”
“What do you mean for the moment?” Denn scrubbed his

fingers over his face.

“I have something you need to read, Denn. It’s about your

family.” She reached her hand out in front of her to reveal the
rolled up parchment resting in her palm.

“What is this?” He reached out and took the paper from her.

“Where did it come from?”

“The voodoo priestess gave it to me yesterday. Said the

time had come for you to have it. I had completely forgotten
about it until about ten minutes ago when I was sitting in the
courtyard.”

Denn unrolled it to read and Jake moved closer to read over

his shoulder. Raven watched them both as the worry lines rose
on Denn’s forehead and Jake whistled a deep and low melody.

Denn looked at her. “What else did the woman say when

she gave you this?”

“Nothing. Just that it was time.”

ELIZA GAYLE

“Well, I’d say so.” His shoulders sagged. “Noah and I will

be thirty in just thirteen days.”

* * * *

In the kitchen fixing some breakfast, Raven watched Jake

fidget and fuss with the dishes and the silverware, then the food
and the napkins.

“What’s wrong, Jake?”
He turned away, avoiding her eyes. “Nothing.”
Denn’s head snapped up from his laptop, narrowing his eyes

at Jake as well. Something was up, she could feel it. Her magick
was already tingling with the sense of it. Denn’s power had
stirred as well.

“Jake. Tell us what’s wrong. We can both sense it, so you

might as well just say it. Raven isn’t likely to leave you alone
until you do.”

“Hey.”
Denn laughed off her protest. Jake, on the other hand,

frowned deeper. Denn shut his laptop and stood, walking over to
the other man. “I think you should tell us. Whatever it is, we
will deal with it together.

“I’m worried about my sister.”
“We all are, Jake, that’s why I’ve been working together

with my brothers to come up with a plan. We are trying to

contact Noah as well as devise a scenario to free your sister
without anyone getting hurt. I have faith in my brothers and their
ability to work the magick in their favor.”

Jake shook his head. “You don’t understand. I told you that

the bastard was stealing her magick, but I didn’t tell you about
her magick.”

“Her magick?”
“What you don’t understand is that she isn’t a witch. Her

magick is different, stronger than what you are familiar with.”

“I’m confused. If she isn’t a witch then what is she?” Denn

asked.

Jake paused looking between both Raven and Denn. “She

is—" He looked toward the window, nervous. “She’s half
demon.”

Raven sucked in her breath. Oh, Goddess.

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

“That’s not all.” He sucked in a deep breath, exhaling

slowly. “She has the same birthday as you, Raven.”

ELIZA GAYLE

Epilogue

Jessie grunted as she was dragged roughly by the arm

through the mansion. She really couldn’t exactly call such a

large and over the top ornate building a home. Weak and tired,
she longed for her magick to return. Not only did she feel lost
without it, she wanted to show this bastard a thing or two about

manhandling women. For weeks now he’d been pushing her
around and basically making her life miserable. Something he

wouldn’t be so quick to do if she had her power.

He opened the familiar door in front of her and shoved her

inside. Her foot caught on the doorjamb, sending her sprawling

to the floor. Her hands just caught her before her head crashed
into the tiled floor. She let her head hang low as she crawled to
her knees. Tired and hungry, she fought the rising tears of

despair. How much more of this could she take? Would Jake be
able to save her?

“Now that’s more like it. A woman on her knees in front of

me. Just where she belongs.”

Her back stiffened at the sound of his voice. She’d known

she would have to face him tonight, but hearing him speak made

her skin crawl. “Don’t flatter yourself, you sick bastard. I
wouldn’t willingly kneel to you for any reason.”

He snorted. “Be careful what you say to me, especially

regarding what you will or will not do for me. You should know
by now that if you don’t do what I want I will find a way to get

you to, and it won't be pleasant.” He stepped in front of her and
jerked her by the chin, forcing her to look up at him. Pain shot
through her jaw and neck. “You haven’t already forgotten what I

can do to you, have you?”

Her stomach roiled and bubbled, making her nauseous as

her brain recalled the memories she knew she would never

forget. She fought the urge to vomit. No way in hell would she

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

give him the satisfaction in knowing she was scared of him.
Somehow, some way, she would get back at him for what he’d
done.

She spat at him.
“You bitch.” He dropped her head and wiped off his arm on

his pants. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just kill

you now?”

Alarm bells went off in her head as she worried this might

finally be it for her. She’d wondered and waited, thinking any

day could be her last.

“My magick.”
“Is getting weaker. Look at you. You’re pathetic.”

“Jake is helping you. You promised if he did what you

asked.” She drew in a breath embarrassed at the weakness in her
words.

“Yeah, well, I guess your dear older half-bastard brother has

decided he’d rather fuck a witch then save the likes of you.”

His words slammed in to her, staggering her. “Bullshit.”
“It’s true. He turned on me in favor of my nephew and my

fucking witch. Something he is about to pay dearly for with your

life.”

Jessie’s mind reeled with this new information. No way

would Jake just abandon her, but Scott was pissed at him and

wanted him to pay. Something had to have happened.

“Your usefulness has come to an end.” He walked back to

his desk, pacing back and forth in front of it. “All that’s left to do

is offer you up as a sacrifice and drain what little magick you
have left. So tonight, my dear, you will die. It’s a beautiful
ceremony, you’re going to love it.”

His face shone with pure joy as he said that last. Proving he

really was a crazy son of a bitch. As if on cue his muscle walked
through the door and hauled her to her feet, practically dragging

her from the room.

The closer they got back to her cell her mind began to

panic. She struggled and squirmed in his grasp, fighting to get

away.

“Where do you think you are going to go now?” He

tightened his massive fingers around her bicep until he brought
tears to her eyes and she cried out in pain.

ELIZA GAYLE

The guard pushed her into her cell far harder than he needed

to and she banged her head on the far wall. Beyond the point of
physical pain, anger bubbled instead. She had to find a way out.

She had the will, she just needed a plan.

Hours later, she had no ideas and she just wanted to rest for

a while. She didn’t know how long she had, but she decided her

only chance of escape would be when they came to get her. In
that case, she needed to rest.

Click. Click. Click.

Still huddled on the floor in the corner, Jessie realized

someone was standing at the door of her cell trying to get in. The
fuzz of sleep slipped away as she realized this was it. It was too

dark to see for sure, but the man standing there wasn’t her
normal guard and he wasn’t opening the door with his keys.

“Jessie, is that you?” his deep male voice did not belong to

any of the guards she was used to, yet there was something
familiar about it.

“Yes,” she whispered.
“Jake sent me. We have to hurry.”
Her heart soared for her brother. She knew he wouldn’t

leave her to die here. The door swung open and he reached his
arm inside waving for her to hurry up.

“Grab my hand, let’s go.”

She eagerly grasped his hand willing her body to move her

up and out of this hell hole.

In the light of the doorway, he turned back to say something

to her and froze. His hand fell away from hers. “Is this some
kind of fucking joke?”

She knew then and raised her head to the all too familiar

piercing blue eyes and wavy black hair. “Oh, shit. Noah…”

PENTACLES OF MAGICK: THE HEALING

About the Author

From the moment Eliza read her first erotic romance novel a

couple of years ago, she knew she had found her niche and
realized her dream of writing was passing her by. So after years
of thinking about it she finally grabbed her laptop and wrote.

These days she likes her stories hot and spicy whether they be
contemporary, fantasy or paranormal and will write in whatever
genre her imagination has conjured that day.

Eliza lives in beautiful North Carolina and spends her days
dividing her time between writing, her book video business, a
part-time job as promotions manager and raising her two

daughters.

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