As she got into her car, she wondered if the goddess had chosen him to be her mate just because of the mission they had to accomplish together. That was what Damien had called it. She would be damned if she would act foolishly over a man who might just be there because of the mission bond, link, or whatever it could be called. She was going to forget him and any attraction that she might have felt for him over the past weeks. What assurance does she have that those feelings were not just part of what the goddess wanted her to feel so that their bond could be stronger for the mission? She could only think of one place at that moment that could put a balm on her raging thoughts. Isabella was glad to find the beach deserted at that time of the year. Nobody running around or chattering to distract her thoughts. She could see a figure from afar and it seemed like someone was out there just sitting sprawled in a lean-back chair with something, a hat maybe? covering their upturned face wh
The next convergence was more strained than the first. Isabella had noticed that it had nothing to do with her pretended anger at Damien or the rest of them. Asher had been able to make her see some reason later that day. At first, he was angry at her for not informing him that she was a virgin. “What difference does it make?” she had snapped at him when she had felt tempted to apologize or feel bad for what she had done. Then she had gathered the torn strap of her dress that had been ripped in his hurry to get her entirely naked. For a ridiculous moment, she felt tears come to her eyes as she stomped awkwardly away on the once romantic beach sand that now seemed annoying to her as it impeded what she would have wanted to be a graceful walk away from the bastard. She hated the squeal that came out of her mouth as she suddenly found herself off her feet and she was wrapped in a strong arm that carried her effortlessly. She wanted to stretch more into the enveloping arms and sigh as th
Isabella realised something else as well. The house had a feel to it. The feel of…“Where is everyone?”Asher shrugged “It is just you and me tonight, babe. You and me. No one else but us”Isabella had no idea why that had brought tears to her eyes and she simply pressed her lips to his before she whispered “Show me”And he had done just that. It had been a night long of unforgettable experiences. He had started by taking her to the bath where steaming water strewn with rose petals was already in the bath. They both got in and the temperature of the water did a lot to ease Isabella’s aching organ. She had been mortified when he offered to watch her down there but she had finally allowed him and it had been the most sensual and pampered feeling she had ever had with that part of her body, unless one wanted to count the earlier intrusion of course. The washing had of course led to other things and they left the bath after it had gone cold. To her frustration, he did not claim her though.
The silence that followed Asher’s outburst didn’t last long. Damien stood up and looked at them all. “Well?” Isabella asked impatiently. “He is supposed to be dead. But he is not,” Damien answered. “That makes no sense,” Isabella said slowly, even as the possibility sank in. “Oh, it makes sense when we are dealing with a wizard of the First Order whose vengeful spirit seemed to be so great that his essence could still withstand the destructive touch of that dreaded Niorco spell,” Morgan said quietly. Everyone’s attention was directed at her, though. One could hear the gravity behind her wording. Trepidation laced her tone as she continued her statement. It was almost as if she was in another world as she said, “Ulric Diablos. The greatest of the First Order wizards He is one of a kind, and he had not made much of a splash until the atrocities were committed against his own. First-order wizards are not the type to mingle with others. Their powers are said to be so great that ordin
“Only you would be,” Asher said in contempt. “I don’t have any issue with having someone at the helm,” Allan said. “He is my leader,” Michael said. “You really expect me to answer that?” Isabella asked in derision. “Will you stop wasting our time?” Morgan snapped. Liam could see that he was outnumbered. And of course, he couldn’t admit that he had only said what he said out of anger. He shrugged slowly and squared his shoulder as he said “Okay then. In as much as my people get their deserved protection, I am in. I don’t care for the fact that a crusty, old wizard who was supposed to be cooling his ass in hell choose to come to tell me when it was time for me to leave. I am in for as long as this makes sense. Any sign of harm to my people and I am out of here. I am not going o stand aside and let any of your antics take away one of mine again” he said with a meaningful glare directed at Asher. Asher ignored him as Damien said “I know that you are not all bad after all. Your people
Groans and moans richocheted off the room as the two figures on the bed got lost in each others. Their bodies slide and wrapped around the sheets sinuously as they take more and more of each other. They both came together and their bodies were still shaking with the euphoria of the incredible ride they just had. Asher wrapped the sheet around Isabella’s naked body as they snuggled together. Isabella moved closer and burrowed her head in the crook of his neck. He drew her closer and in silence, they both stared at the ceiling, where the hanging chandeliers dripping cascading lights, bathed them in its radiance. “You are troubled” Asher finally softly said as he drew her closer to him. “And you are not?” Isabella asked in the same tone. “I…” Asher decided to let go of what he had intended to say before and he gave her the truth of what he was feeling. “I know that this would be a big trouble. This could well turn bloody. If we are lucky enough, we might nip it in the bud before he w
“He told you?” Isabella’s tone made Damien look up from what he was doing in the room he had configured to be the research room. His study had been fashioned to accommodate him before but now, he had called in technicians to make modifications. There were about five systems in the partitioned cubicle that had been set against the farthest wall to the door. The room has been decorated with rollable, sturdy couches for when they might want to have a less formal chat. The meeting room is for the most serious discussions or undertakings. It gave a totally different feel from the last time that Isabella was in there. The change seemed to be the least of her concerns though as she raised her eyebrows in question when he only stared at her in confusion.“Who told me what?” Damien asked.“That bas…Asher fucking Langdon. He told you why he had to live in such a hurry. He must have told you! I bet he didn’t just leave you a goddamn note to tell you he would be away for a while. The motherfucke
More appalling discoveries were made as the weeks passed. Damien, Sky, and Isabella tried to ensure that their quest would not affect the main reason why they were in California in the first place - Their education. But as time went on, they soon realised that if care was not taken, they might not be alive long enough to even have a degree.A powerful seance took place in Damien’s place when the powerful witches that Morgan had been able to get in touch with, got to California. Though they had all been working from their respective countries tirelessly to make sure that they got a firm grasp of Ulric’s essence, they all finally agreed that their powers combined together would be more beneficial in their quest of finding the wizard’s ghost. Isabella had to ask her father for the house he initially wanted to give her in California. Though it was a bit far from Damien’s place, it was the perfect space for power-wielding witches who might need their solitude to come up with whatever they