Unleashed: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Two by Betty Legend (little bear else holmelund minarik .TXT) 📗

all go with you,” Killian tells me over his shoulder.

I give them all an appreciative smile. “I adore you guys.”

The three of them lower their voices, and I hear the word bed as I’m rummaging through the refrigerator, taking inventory.

“What are you guys talking about in there?”

“There’s something I want to show you. I started working on it right after you left.”

Leaving the kitchen, my curiosity brings me back into the living room. Killian is grinning with pride.

“What is it?”

“Come on.” He stands from the chair. “Let’s go out to the shop.”

The three of us follow him across the yard into the building. A smile splits my lips as soon as I see the beginning of a wooden headboard for a bed large enough to accommodate all of us.

“You’re building a bed frame!”

“I am. Do you like it?”

Coming closer, I brush my finger over the smooth, sanded wood.

“I love it. Is there enough room in the loft for it?”

Killian leans against the wall, a thumb tucked in a pocket. “There is, sweetheart. I measured it. There won’t be room for other furniture, but there’ll be room for the bed.”

“That’s fine. We can use another room for closet and dresser space.”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“Is this what you want, my love, to live here and the beach house?” Griffin asks, pushing a few loose strands behind his pointed ear.

“I’d like all of us to. When I thought about it, the idea of having both places is nice.”

“What about your apartment?” Cyrus asks.

“When the contract term ends, I don’t plan on renewing it.”

“It’s official then.” Cyrus nears, his fingers grazing over the elemental air charm on my necklace. “You want to live with us permanently?”

“I do.”

Silver shimmers in his eyes as he leans in to kiss me. “That’s perfect.” Stroking my cheek, the corner of his mouth lifts. “Because we want the same thing.”

Hugging him, I rub his back, and he does the same, his caress a pleasured delight to my muscles.

Coming in closer, Griffin and Killian each hug me.

“I love you guys so much.”

“I hope it’s clear how we feel.”

Desire flashes in Killian’s eyes, and I trail a finger over his chest and abs.

“It is.” Tilting my head, I take his kiss, and he pulls my hips tighter to him as he dips his hands into the waistband of my jeans. Griffin is at my back, his hands squeezing my ass. Killian unbuttons my jeans as Cyrus angles my chin to him and presses a sensuous kiss to my lips.

“We’re not doing this here,” I tell them. “Too much sawdust.” Pulling away from them, I glance over my shoulder, swaying my hips with extra effort as I head back to the house.

“Time to work up an appetite,” Killian jokes to the others.

“I’m already hungry for something sweet,” Griffin replies.

Chuckling, Killian taps his chest. “Come on.”

The three of them catch up with me. We’re about to enter the house when the flap of Emeric’s wings draws our attention.

“We have a visitor coming.”

“What?” Killian’s voice rises, his stare incredulous.

“A black SUV is traveling down the dirt road, headed here.”

Killian steps toward the railing and sniffs the air. “I can smell the exhaust. It’s not far.”

“Who would be coming here?” My worry trickles out in my tone. “Does anyone know you live here?”

“Only family and all of you.”

The tires crushing twigs and rolling over rocks reaches my ears. Looking in the direction of the vehicle, I’m pushed behind the guys as they await the SUV to stop. Peering over their shoulders, I watch three pale-skinned and beautiful vampires step out of the vehicle.

“Is the witch here?” The tallest of the three asks, his demeanor exuding authority. Eyes like Phoenix’s lock on me, and curiosity tugs at me. Beside him are a male and female vampire, dressed richly and impeccably.

“Who are you, and what do you want with her?” Killian replies, his tone just as authoritative but more intimidating.

“I’m Kristo Artino, the patriarch of the Artino vampire coven. My nephew, Phoenix, has gone missing. He missed the coven meeting, which he never does. We visited his home, and the luggage he had packed was still there, and his home had been ransacked with evidence the Holy Accolades have been there.”

My breath catches. Pushing out from between Killian and Griffin, I meet his sharp gaze.

“Where would they have taken him?”

“We don’t know. We’re hoping you can find him before they kill him… if they haven’t done so already.”

Fear swells in my gut. “I’ll do a location spell. All of you should watch in case you recognize the place.”

Killian is the last to come inside, following the vampires. He hovers over them, keeping a close eye on their actions. Entering the nearest bathroom, the others squeeze in around me. In front of the large mirror, I use air magic, casting the spell. Phoenix’s image appears in the mirror, his body battered, burn marks on his skin. He’s in what appears to be a cell, looks exhausted, his eyes red, and enraged. Eyes watering, I lower my head as the sight of his condition pains me. Griffin caresses my arms.

“It has to be a church in New York,” Kristo shares. “It would be the closest and easiest place to take him, and based on the structure of the walls, I’d say that’s what we’re looking at.”

The image fades, and I clench my jaw.

“We need to get him out of there.”

We all walk into the living room, the female vampire following close behind me.

“Who are you?” I demand.

“I’m Phoenix’s cousin, Andrea.”

She sits in Killian’s chair, swinging one long leg over the other as if she owns the place.

“Please, make yourself comfortable,” I bark.

“You’re a feisty witch. I can see why Phoenix likes you.”

Those words settle my nerves a fraction.

She snickers. “Does that news surprise you?”

Putting a hand through my hair, I exhale as I try to calm the rising panic. This isn’t the best time to have a heart to heart with his cousin over Phoenix’s feelings.

“What are we