AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And he’s got a scar on his shoulder,” Levi said, tapping his brother’s shoulder blade. It was covered by a blue button-up shirt with “Silver Springs Aquarium” on the pocket, although the sleeves were rolled up exposing his forearms. He was dressed more business casual than his brother, especially with the black wire framed glasses.
I realized in my inspection, I’d forgotten my medallion was just dangling there in Levi’s hands. “I’m sorry,” I said, reaching for it.
Levi grinned, not letting go of my medallion. “You were a little distracted when I first arrived.”
My cheeks heated, and I knew they were bright red. The pale complexion of my family was so not forgiving.
“I think I might need a payment for its retrieval.” Levi’s gaze drifted down to my lips.
“Oh?” I breathed the words more than said them, warmth curling in my stomach. I’d felt the magic in the aquarium, just before I’d lost my necklace. It had streaked out, connecting me to the guys, and it had felt right. But it couldn’t be, could it? All I’d have to do was take off my necklace for the magical connection to fade, except I wasn’t wearing it now and I still felt drawn to these men.
“A kiss, Cinderella?” he asked.
“Y-yes,” I answered, leaning toward him.
Levi swept me into his arms, and I gasped at the cold feel of his wet clothes. I was going to be as soaked as he was.
“He’s just as cold as a human, isn’t he?” Roman murmured.
“No,” I said, flustered, “it’s just the wet clothes, I think.”
Then Levi pressed his lips to mine and I was no longer thinking. Instead, I sank into sensation; he skimmed across my lips and I opened for him. One hand cupped my ass, squeezing and massaging, and the other curled around my neck. He was strong, even as a temporary human. A buzz started under my skin, and just like Roman, I wanted only to keep kissing him for the rest of the day.
It seemed like forever, but Roman coughed behind us, and Levi and I finally broke apart.
“Well, well,” Levi said. “Not so bad being a human.”
Roman took the medallion from his brother and dropped it over my head. The two brothers instantly became predators. Not that they seemed mean or anything, but the air around them tingled with magic and they seemed sharper and ready for anything. And the connection we’d had before was stronger than ever.
“Do you feel that?” Levi asked, rubbing his thumb across my lip.
I swallowed.
Roman stroked my shoulders with his hands. “We were meant for each other,” he said softly.
Levi’s thumb traveled across my cheek and down my neck, and I trembled under his touch. I hadn’t ever felt like this around anyone before, and I knew I couldn’t. No matter what the magic said, or I felt, supernaturals would never be happy dating me. Sooner or later, they’d come to hate me and my magic.
“I have to go,” I said, and I fled. I careened up the path towards the aquarium, and the vampires didn’t follow me. They stood silent and still in the woods behind me. What had I been thinking? I was a null witch. No supernatural would ever want to be around me for more than a few moments. They’d just kissed me because they’d been curious. Vampires probably got bored, living for so long, and I was a new thing. That’s all it could be, and the strange magic that connected us, well that had to be Silver Springs reacting to my null magic. I’d just messed something up, as usual.
Lost in my thoughts, I wasn’t looking where I was going and I found myself barreling into Hudson for the second time that day. I was going so fast I knocked us both over and into one of the fountains. As if I wasn’t soaked enough from touching Levi, I was now drenched, head to toe.
Hudson sat up, laughing as the water fell around us. His dark hair was plastered to his head, and his shirt stuck to his skin. I was seeing a whole lot of wet man today, and I couldn’t say it was a bad thing. Like a constant wet t-shirt contest.
“I do like the water, babe, but this seems like a bit much.” Then he stopped, peering at me.
I looked down. My thin sweater had become so soaked that my lacey bra was clearly visible. “Oh,” I muttered. Dammit, now I am the wet t-shirt contest.
“Beautiful,” he said with his charming smile.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to push my way out of the fountain, while not removing my arms from my chest, and failing miserably. I just stumbled and fell in the water again. The cold seeped into my muscles and I started to shiver.
He gestured toward the large building beside the park. “I work in the aquarium too,” he said. “One of my odd jobs.”
“Oh,” I said. I was turning into quite the conversationalist. The spray from the nozzles jetted over us, like an overly enthusiastic hose. I glanced up at the sculpture of the maiden Fate, and I could have sworn she winked at me.
Hudson stood and offered me a hand. I took it gratefully and he helped me to my feet. Then he released me and stumbled back, dropping to sit in the water again. He stared up at me, eyes wide. “Mate.”
I blinked at him. “Are you okay?”
