Reborn into flames, p.13
Reborn Into Flames, page 13
He placed me on the kitchen counter and looked at me. He spoke softly, “how do you feel?”
I bit my lip not knowing how to describe it, his hand brushed my leg and I shivered. His entire body stilled as he looked up at me with some type of realization I didn’t understand. My toes curled as he stepped closer to me and ran his nose along my collar bone.
“Fuck,” he mumbled.
“What?” I asked seriously.
“You’re just starting to go into heat with your birthday so close,” he groaned and held me close. “It will be really… interesting when it fully sets in.”
“What’s heat?” I frowned, “isn’t that for animals?”
“Yes,” he spoke softly, “or shifters. We don’t know what you are, so I have no idea how this will work, we need to work on that today…”
His hands smoothed up my legs in a distracted fashion, his gaze outside and the movement had a hot rush flooding through me. A whimper came from my throat as his head snapped toward mine.
“Do you think you can go to sleep right now, honey?” He asked softly, his chest doing that odd rumbling again. My skin was prickling and I felt antsy, shifting slightly as my nipples tightened painfully. I felt my nails dig into his forearm slightly as his eyes darkened to nearly black.
I frowned, “I’m not sure, I feel very warm.”
He nodded and pinned me with a look, “how bad is it?”
I didn’t know what he was talking about but my body felt bad. I whispered, “bad.” I just knew that if he would touch me, it would fix some of this. I leaned forward into him.
Marco seemed to snap to some decision because he lifted my body up and walked the two of us towards the comfortable family room. I let out a small sound at the odd feeling of our pelvises connecting as I straddled him. He totally liked me also.
“What can I do to make it feel better?” He whispered, looking pained.
I shivered and pressed my body close to him, rolling my hips forward. I let out a whimper as his large hand floated from my hips to cupping my butt.
“Shit,” he groaned softly. “Maya, honey, you need to give me some direction here because I don’t trust the direction I’d take.”
My toes curled and I wiggled closer to him, my hips rocking on their own accord. Oh wow. I gasped as his hardness pressed against me, the apex of my thighs warm and wet. Marco continued to hold me close, but his other hand tilted my chin to look him in the eye.
“I’m going to do something and you tell me at any point to stop,” he demanded softly. I was totally okay with that because let me tell you I had no idea what I was doing here. I just felt needy and my heart was going a million miles an hour. A fluttering like wings sounded from within me.
I nodded and he closed his eyes with a deep breath. It was like he was searching for some level of control. My eyes fluttered shut as his mouth met mine in the barest of kisses as his free hand grazed up my ribs and across my silk robe and shirt underneath. My breasts felt very tight and heavy as he teased the underneath of them. I wanted… I wanted him to touch me there. I took one of my hands and grasped his, stilling his movements. He deepened our kiss as I encouraged his hand to my very hard nipple.
“Please,” I whispered as he hesitated. Something seemed to break then with him because my robe slipped off my shoulders and my silk tank nightgown straps began to slip down my arms.
“What do you need?” He asked, his voice deep and husky as hot kisses trailed my throat.
I let out a soft hiss as they trailed across my breast and neared my nipple. I was so frustrated and a sound came from my throat as he chuckled in a dark, almost scary way. I found myself getting more excited as he nipped on the delicate skin.
Somewhere in the house a clock chimed, Friday at 2 am. I gasped as something pushed through me violently and Marco cursed and locked his arms around me. My whole center, from my throat down to between my thighs, lit up like a river of molten lava. I whimpered as the sound of wings bat in my ears and everything inside of me sparked dangerously.
“Marco,” I whispered.
“Guess we got that wish,” he muttered. “Shhhh, its okay, Maya. Just relax, I’ve got you.”
I believed him, but it didn’t stop the panic I felt when suddenly my chest exploded out to release six colorful flames that seemed to line the center of my sternum. I inhaled and immediately I realized what they’d meant about being mates.
It was like everything I knew became narrowed and these six massive planets started to circle around me. A sense of safety and love filtered through my chest, so overwhelming I started to feel like I’d drown. Fire licked under my skin as if branding me with their scent and I knew, without a doubt, their words had been true. I thought I had cared about them before, but it was nothing compared to the symphony of pure affection that emanated from inside of me now.
After a few moments, the feeling settled and I collapsed forward into Marco’s arms. Everything stilled for a moment by breathing rough.
“Happy birthday, Maya,” he whispered against my temple. My birthday? I had turned 18! Holy crap. I smiled because of everything that meant.
That flame of desire punched me right in the stomach and my head snapped up as those mint colored eyes darkened dangerously. A sound that he didn’t mean to let out came from his throat.
“Maya…” He warned.
Hesitantly, but still feeling something oddly predatory inside of me, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. I knew Marco had been in control earlier, and he still could be, but I needed him to know that I wanted him, even if it just meant kissing.
“I’m 18,” I reminded him.
He chuckled quietly and then groaned at my slight arch into him. “Honey, that was never a particular concern of mine, legal age of consent here is 16 for humans. On a mate perspective, I would have never taken anything too far unless you were 18 and very, very willing.”
“I am very, very willing,” I mumbled, not knowing if it was the thing to say as he hummed and this dominant edge flashed in his eyes.
I whimpered as his large hand came up to angle me back and hold my throat in a gentle, yet commanding way. My body shivered and I realized my tank top had fully slipped, exposing my breast that he began kissing his way down to.
“Oh wow,” I whispered as his lips closed around my nipple. My legs began to shake as he gently tugged on them with his teeth and smoothed my hip with his other hand. I couldn’t control my breathing and I found myself rolling into him, trying to grasp at something.
“Marco,” I whispered in a pleading voice.
“I know what you need, sweet girl,” he whispered as his large warm fingers pushed up my silk nightgown. I gasped as he touched my silk panties, causing a shock to go through me. My hips rolled as he groaned and I began breathing harsher.
“Maya,” he whispered. “I need your attention.”
I looked up at him as he spoke, “I’m going to take this slow, but in order to do that, I need you to trust me and not try to rush anything. Alright?”
I nodded and his arm locked around my waist as a hot finger traced the edge of my panties. I wanted him to touch me there and… I wasn’t positive what else, to be honest. I just needed his touch. My whimper was impossible to hide as he pulled my panties to the side before lightly running a finger where no one had ever touched me.
“You’re so wet,” he murmured, before popping a nipple into his mouth. “Have you ever touched yourself, Maya?”
My skin flushed as I spoke, “one time, when I was alone.”
He hummed softly, “and how did you feel?”
“I think I did it wrong,” I muttered on a soft moan into his neck as he straightened. “This feels much better.”
He let out a curse, but began to swirl the pad of his finger over my nerve ending. I let out a soft sound as I felt wet heat turn molten between my legs. I felt my walls clench and as if he knew, Marco moved his fingers to my small, tight chanel. He slipped one finger in and I let out a soft needy moan.
“Honey,” he groaned in a throaty sound. “Your little pussy is so tight.”
“Marco,” I whispered, “I need…”
His lips plastered to mine as his movements increased with speed until my legs were trembling and skin had broken into a flush. I let out a small cry as he continued to slide in and out of me and my eyes fluttered, causing him to grip me tighter.
My center began to tighten and his rough words caused molten heat to explode in my center.
“That’s it, sweetheart, are you going to cum on my fingers?”
If that was what this was leading to, absolutely. I whimpered out a half ‘yes’ and then his freakin’ teeth pulled my nipple, causing me to gasp and tighten around him. I was moving on my own accord now, searching for the thing I knew would make me feel better. My hands wove into his thick dark hair as something inside of me just breathed out the word ‘mate’.
My lips pressed against his throat and when he increased his speed, I cried out his name. Exploding on his fingers as possibly the best feeling in the world, consumed me. A euphoric like high clouded my vision and his name was gasped from my mouth before I bit down on his neck, causing him to let out a low, pained noise. I couldn’t help it though, it felt right and the shiver that overtook me had everything inside of me slumping in relief.
That.
That is what I needed.
“Oh wow,” I whispered licking the bite mark I’d left. Marco was very still and when he turned his head and pulled his fingers from me, I could practically see his dragon looking back at me. His arm locked around me as he pressed his forehead against my own, causing me to melt.
“You marked me,” he noted, his voice rough.
My eyes flew open as my mouth popped open in surprise. “I’m so sorry, Marco.”
No idea what I was apologizing for.
He shook his head, looking way too serious. “Do not apologize for it, Maya, but tell me you meant it. You want to be my mate?”
A blush crawled on my cheeks. “Well, yeah. I mean, I thought I’d made that bit clear here.”
Marco chuckled quietly before running his nose along my shoulder gently. “Can I mark you?”
His voice was so throaty and low, but this felt like it should be announced loudly. It seemed like a big deal. I considered it for a moment and realized I trusted Marco. I trusted them all. If he thought it was a good idea, then it probably was. The man could have easily taken advantage of how naive I was, and still am, yet he just continued to lead me through it, step by step.
“Yes,” I whispered nodding.
“You know this seals the mating bond, right?” He whispers. See what I mean? “The others will want to mark you, but this will seal it for our entire flight for the time being, are you sure you want that? Want us?”
“Yes.”
It was clear and loud. Just like my cry as his teeth, which seemed a lot flippin’ pointer than before, broke my skin. He pulled back and his lips were stained with red as he licked it and his eyes closed. I could feel our connection tightening and my shoulder pulsed with warmth.
“Holy shit,” Marco muttered, “Henry was right.”
“What?” I frowned. The man in front of me adjusted my outfit and drew my robe up so I was comfortably dressed.
“You’re a…” Right then a bell rang and Marco froze. I heard movement upstairs and Atlas was there in a second, his eyes dark.
“South border,” he murmured.
Marco grunted and looked at me. “Maya, honey, can you go upstairs? Someone is trying to get onto our property and that most likely doesn’t bode well. For them, at least.”
I stood up and after a brief kiss, went to go watch from upstairs. Of course I’d watch. I had to make sure nothing bad happened to them. Atlas paused me and moved my hair looking at the bite mark as I shivered. My heart beat an unsteady rhythm as he flashed a smile.
“Early birthday?” He grinned as I nodded.
“Happy birthday.” He pressed his lips to mine in a fleeting movement before my dragons were going outside. I frowned, feeling off about this entire thing and was glad to see a few of them stayed in the backyard. I could be tough, but defending an entire house on my own was a big stretch. I reached the top of the stairs and went towards my bedroom.
When my hair was tugged back and a cloth came over my mouth, I cursed out loud. I felt like it was well deserved, considering I blacked out looking up at Jed’s furious eyes.
Chapter 14
Maya
"I should have known you were a whore this entire time.”
Those were the first words that came out of my mother’s mouth and the first I heard when I woke up from being knocked out. Heavy rope had me tied to the bed I was on, face down, and I could feel that only my tiny silk underwear remained. A panicked breath stole out of me because this was what I’d been afraid of. This was what Jed had represented to me.
“Are you listening girl?” My mother’s voice echoed as I cried out and she ripped my hair back. Jed’s large gross form rested against the wall, his eyes flickering down to my bare breasts. I nearly snarled at that.
“Are you?!” She screamed as I whimpered.
“Yes,” I rasped out.
“Good.” She dropped my hair and put out a hand as Jed undid his belt.
“Mom,” I whimpered, “please don’t.”
Tears were coming heavy now. Tears of anticipation because I knew this was going to hurt. I shook as she sneered at me. Her face level with mine.
“Jed told me he saw you fucking around with one of those boys,” she hissed. “It made me realize he’d been right all along. You are a whore. So after this beating, I’m sending you off to work at one of Jed’s clubs. The same fucking clubs that are paying for you to go to that bullshit school.”
If she thought it was BS, why was she sending me there?
“It’s either that or you can call Mr. Moretti yourself and ask for money from him.” That sounds like the real reason. So had the two of them expected me to meet Henry and the twins?
“I’ll call,” I whispered hoping then he could figure out where I was at. Marco would be able to figure it out. Jed held up a flashlight as a little red light blinked on his cam recorder, I cringed into the mattress feeling horrible.
“We will see if you’ll be able to call after this.” My mother chuckled.
I think I knew this was going to be bad. Far worse than usual.
I cried out as the first lash hit me and I pulled against the ropes trying to curl in on myself. How did it still hurt so much? My sobs grew louder as she hit again and again. I could hear Jed fueling her anger and I was trembling as blood soaked the bed underneath me.
Then they started to fight.
Something about hurting me too much to do my job. She kept hitting me and my tears ran dry as this hazy odd feeling came over me. My eyes fluttered as I began to see black spots that clouded my vision. My mother’s lashes were brutal and then she had her other hand on my neck, crushing it from the back and pushing me into the mattress. I could barely breathe. The pulsing from the mating bite Marco had left on me was the only thing I could feel.
I whispered his name as my mother’s hand tightened.
I realized then that I was going to die.
I’d never given much thought to dying. Honestly, I figured it would happen eventually, probably just like this. So when the reality of it hit me square in the face, all I felt was gratitude for these memories that were streaming through me like wildfire. This past week had been amazing.
There was a time before that as well. A time when a woman with the same colored eyes as me stared at me with love and affection. I missed those memories even though they were barely at the edge of my consciousness.
I knew I was going to die and when I breathed in my last breath, my back numb as blood splattered around me with the screams of their fight, I smiled.
At least I’d die knowing that everyone wasn’t like this.
That was when everything faded to black.
Chapter 15
Marco
The mixture of pure terror and fury was an intoxicating mind numbing time stopping effect. The basement door of the rental house Jed owned flew towards the man, knocking him into the wall and skewering him as wood pushed through his chest. His cry went on empty ears though because the room around us shook as I realized my magic had exploded out.
Maya.
The feral woman continued to hit her and I tossed her to the side with ease, hearing bones crunch as the others, I hoped, went to take care of them. I dropped to my knees and felt terror slice through me.
No.
No.
No.
Absolutely fucking not.
My chest constricted and my dragon pushed at my skin as I tried to undo her wrists. Her little golden face was pressed to the side and her back was shredded to pieces. Her throat had bruising. I snapped the leg restraints and lifted her into my arms off the bed where I knelt on the floor. She wasn’t breathing. Her face was a tinge of blue and her blood soaked my dress shirt.
“Maya, honey,” I whispered, knowing it was useless but not caring. My heart began to slow and I realized that the fracture in my chest, the cavern where my heart used to be, was void without her. Void and breaking. Shattering at the very real fact that Maya was…
Dead.
For the first time in my life, tears pricked my eyes and not even the sounds of the two pieces of shit dying made me feel better. Instead, I buried my head in her neck and quietly asked her to wake up. Again. And again. After a few moments or hours, I realized the room had filled with an icy silence. My breathing was rough as I pulled back and I didn’t need to look around to feel the absolute heartbreak that filled the room. No one knew what to do.
My eyes closed as a single tear dropped off my chin and my dragon let out a low pained sound.
The drop landed on her skin and the sound of sizzling had my eyes snapping open.
