“If you can get it open, I can shift and you can toss me out the window,” she suggested.
“It's worth a try. My parents are supposed to be at the meeting circle. You should be clear. Come back in and open the door so I can get out. I need to get Bess and get the hell out of town.” Denny ran his hands through his hair. His desperation to get to Bessie was obvious. Onyx loved him—platonically—even more for it.
She nodded at him and shifted.
“Cover your eyes.”
Onyx scurried into the corner opposite the window. Denny picked up her sweatshirt and wrapped it around his fist. He jumped up and punched at the window. The first time it splintered but remained intact. The second time it shattered. With the third jump, he cleared a hole big enough for her to get out.
“Be careful, Nyx, you're going to slice your feet up.”
A small price to pay.
He picked her up and it was a strange feeling for her friend to hold her in her cat form. He looked in her eyes for a moment, then launched her out the window. Onyx landed on her feet and somehow managed to miss all the jagged shards of glass. She looked around the yard frantically. Instinct was telling her to high tail it out of here, but she couldn't leave her friend behind. Not when he risked so much to save her. She wriggled inside the kitty door and entered the kitchen. She shifted and reached for the basement door. Denny came flying out. He ripped off his T-shirt and handed it to her so she could cover herself. Watching the muscles of his arms and shoulders, eyeing his naked chest, did something strange to her. She hugged him. She told herself it was a friendly hug, but the way she rubbed herself against him was more horny-feline than friendly.
“Onyx. Your heat’s coming. We need to get out of here.” With great effort she pulled herself away and nodded. They flew out the back door.
She ran smack into Cole.
“Cole! How did you find me?”
Cole stepped back and eyed them both coolly.
“Nyx, I have to go get Bessie, are you okay?” He looked back and forth between Cole and Onyx.
Finally Cole spoke up. “She's safe with me.”
Denny looked at her for a long moment. Onyx didn't need to read his mind to know he was afraid to hug her in front of Cole. She smiled and jerked her head toward the door. He nodded at them and ran to his car.
“Are you hurt?”
“I'm fine. Can you take me back to my house, to get some clothes and shoes?”
“Of course.” He stepped closer and kissed her cheek. “Worried sick doesn't describe what I've been going through.”
His words made her melt. He'd been worried about her and had come to rescue her. He picked her up in his arms and held her close to his chest like a child.
Then they simply vanished into thin air.
They reappeared in her bedroom and she struggled to get out of his arms. “What the hell? How did you...What did you do?”
He chuckled. “It's part of my powers, which after spending some time here have amplified. Get dressed.”
She casually tossed Denny's T-shirt on the ground. Cole's eyes widened in surprise...and something else. Onyx cocked a hip and put her hand on it. “Thank you for the rescue.”
“You're not mad at me anymore?”
“No. I'm not mad.”
“Uh, Onyx, are you okay?”
She strolled over to the open bedroom door, shut it and locked it.
“Onyx, we need to get out of here.”
“I'm safe now. You saved me.” Like a predator stalking her prey, she closed in on him. When she reached his side, she bumped her body up against his and tilted her head up for a kiss.
“We shouldn't be doing this now.” His voice was hoarse. She almost had him. Any other time she would think it was sweet that he naturally wanted to take things at a slower place, but the fire building inside her demanded action. The warmth flowing through her veins swiftly grew hotter. She needed him now.
Her hands came up and fisted the material of his shirt, lifting it so she could peek at his flat stomach. She brushed her knuckles against his abs and he groaned.
“You're awfully sexy for a professor,” she whispered.
His arms came down and tightened around her, pulling her close so he could lean down and brush his lips over hers. Using her body, she nudged him toward the narrow bed. Before his legs hit the back of the bed, he whipped her around and threw her down on the bed. Her laughter rang out, deep and strangely sexy to her ears. All of this was still so new and exciting.
She crooked a finger and motioned for him to join her. Staring down at her, he threw off his shirt, shucked his pants and fell on her. She wrapped her legs around him and arched up to meet his body.
Breaking their kiss, he looked down and brushed the hair from her face. “You're in heat again.”
“I don't care. I want you.”
“Do you have...anything...here?”
“Nightstand.”
He lifted himself off her and dug around in her nightstand until he came up with two condoms. He showed them to her and cocked an eyebrow. She shrugged “I was curious.”
He shook his head and ripped the package open, sheathed himself quickly, then settled himself over her again.
“Where were we?”
She lifted her legs and used them to rub his sides, her heels resting on his butt. “Right about here.”
He plunged into her, shouting unintelligible words as she arched her hips up to meet each thrust. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and flipped them so she was on top.
She moaned and purred at the same time. The change in the angle he was penetrating her with felt so good. Her hands strayed to her breasts and she mindlessly plucked her nipples.
“Good kitty. Let me see you play with your breasts while you ride me.”
His dirty words sent shivers up and down her spine and she spread her legs wider to take him fully inside her. She ground up and down against his cock until she was on the edge of exploding.
“Come for me, kitten. Come for me,” he chanted while he used his fingers to tug at her nipples. The dual sensations sent her orgasm washing over her, chasing away the unbearable heat. She howled in pleasure.
Exhausted, she fell on top of him and kissing his neck, using her tongue to trace a path to his nipples, sucking one into her mouth and flicking her tongue across it. “Fuck!” He held her hips tight and powered up into her until he shouted his own release.
Onyx drifted for awhile. When she shivered, Cole pulled her down next to him and covered her with the blanket. “I'll be right back,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple.
Shouts outside the house made her throw off the covers and go to the window. Denny was running up to the house yelling her name. He carried a limp form in his arms.
“Cole! Denny needs our help.”
He came running back into the room, and without asking questions, jumped into his clothes. “I'll go get him, get dressed and meet me downstairs.”
She was already yanking clothes from her dresser so she didn't answer him.
When she raced downstairs she was not at all prepared for the site before her. Bessie, in Denny's arms on the living room floor, covered in blood.
“Oh my god! Is she breathing?”
Denny looked up. Tears trailed down his face. “Yes. I think so.”
Cole took action. “Set her on the floor. Onyx, grab me a bowl of water, some towels, and candles.”
When she came back into the room, he was chanting and working his hands in the air above Bessie's body. The powerful pull of his magic tugged at her skin, but she knew better than to disturb him. She set the items down beside him, then sat next to Denny and took his hand.
“Concentrate Denny. Concentrate on healing her,” Cole urged.
Denny nodded and they both closed their eyes, pushing healing energy toward Bess. Cole's chanting became louder and more urgent. Onyx didn't understand the words, but she didn't need to. She understood their intent.
When Cole fell silent, Onyx opened her eyes. He was still bent over Bessie, his lips moving silently. He laid a stone on her forehead and another charm on her chest. There was so much blood, Onyx choked on a sob. Cole didn't look up.
“Keep channeling your energy.” His voice was tight. She closed her eyes and grasped Denny's hand harder.
Bessie moaned. Moaning turned to shrieks. “Shh. You're okay,” Cole soothed.
“Nyxie,” she whispered.
Onyx opened her eyes and grabbed her friend's hands.
“I'm so glad you're safe. Marie told me, she had you...” Her voice trailed off.
Denny frowned. “I don't think I want to know the answer, but who hurt you, Bessie?”
She wouldn't look at Denny. “Your mother.”
“I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I thought she would stop this crazy mating idea if I told her I was in love with you and we were planning to marry. None of this would have happened if I hadn't opened my big mouth.” He reached over and gathered her in his arms after getting a nod from Cole.
“Can we please get out of here?” Bess asked.
Denny nodded and helped Bess up. Onyx ran to the laundry room and grabbed some clean clothes for Bess.
Bess looked down at her own sticky, ruined clothing. “Guess there's no time for a shower?”
Denny let out a relieved chuckle and hugged her close. “It can wait. You were right—we should get out of here.”
Onyx hugged her friends and cried as they left, not sure when she’d see them again.
14
CHAPTER FOURTEN
Cole held Onyx tight while he shimmered them back to his house.
“I'm so sorry I ran,” she whispered when he set her down.
“I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner about your mother.”
“I was so stupid! I should never have left here!”
“Shh, it's okay. If we hadn't been there, we wouldn't have saved Bessie.” That mollified Onyx for now.
“Where do we go from here?”
“You're going to stay put for another few days.” He gave her a pointed look.
Her face burned with shame and she bowed her head, still feeling miserable about running away. Relief washed over her when she thought about how differently things could have gone if Denny wasn't such an honorable friend. “I promise.”
“Denny took Bessie far away. So with him gone, there's no way to have the two of you mate.”
“So then, I'm safe?”
“I think so, but I think you should still stay here a little longer. Then, if you want, I'll take you back to your mother's home town.”
Onyx looked up at him with wide eyes. “You want me to leave?”
“Well, I want you to be safe.”
“I'll be safe with you,” she insisted.
“Onyx—” Cole started to explain, but she cut him off.
“You don't want me?” She got up to leave the living room.
Cole stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I want you more than anything, Onyx. But you're so young. You should meet someone your own age.”
“Just how old are you?”
“Over one hundred.”
“Wow. You give new meaning to dirty old man.”
His mouth quirked into a smile, but he shook his head. “You're going to want to be with your own kind,” he persisted.
“I reserve the right to change my mind in the future, but I've had enough of my kind for now.”
He chuckled at her. “I don't want you to have any regrets.”
“I'll never regret loving you.”
His expression softened.
“I'm not a child, Cole. I know what I want.”
He smiled and brushed the hair off her cheek. “I'll have to set you up with another advisor at school.”
It was the last thing she expected him to say and she burst out laughing.
“I love your laugh, so I hate myself for saying this, but we need to talk more about your mother's journal. I think Marie and Wilson are responsible for your parents' deaths.”
“I kind of got that impression when they kidnapped me. I mean, even before I was starting to have my suspicions. I won't let them get away with it, Cole.”
He pulled her close, burying his face against her hair. He whispered in her ear. “I know you won't. And I’ll be right by your side.”
Keep going for a look at Onyx Shadows (Catnip & Cauldrons #2)
Preview of Onyx Shadows
“Relax. Keep holding my hand.”
Onyx kept her eyes closed and squeezed Cole's hand so hard, she feared breaking it.
The plane kept hurtling down the runway, lifting into the air in what seemed like tiny increments. The gradual ascent both terrified and electrified her. Onyx had never flown before, a fact that was obvious to anyone within a five-foot radius of them. She loosened her grip on Cole's hand, embarrassed by her behavior. For God's sake, she was an adult. About to be a world traveler.
Time to woman-up!
Her spine stiffened. The plane dipped and shuddered as they hit turbulence, and she snapped her eyes shut, automatically grasping Cole's hand again. His soft chuckle both comforted and annoyed her.
Without opening her eyes, she muttered. “It's not funny.”
“You're cute.”
She opened one eye and wrinkled her nose at him.
“See? You're adorable.”
Deep breath. It isn't nice to bop your boyfriend on the nose in front of others.
When the plane achieved cruising altitude, the ride mellowed out, and Onyx let out a sigh of relief. Now she could concentrate on the Italian adventure ahead of her. A pang of sadness stabbed her heart. Her mother would be so proud of her. Only after her mother's death last year, did Onyx discover how much her mother had always wanted to travel. Onyx pictured her mother's serene, smiling face, the woman who had instilled a love of learning and adventure in her.
Onyx took one more deep breath and opened her eyes. A little wriggle of her jaw helped her ears pop. Curiosity overwhelmed her, and she leaned over to take a look out the window. Sugary, white fluffy clouds. Nothing scary about fluffy clouds. Except flying above them. Onyx groaned and shut her eyes again.
Cole sensed Onyx's fear. It took everything in him not to pull her onto his lap and hold her tight. As usual, she brought out all of his protective instincts. However, he knew she would not appreciate being babied in front of a plane full of people. In the time they had been together, he found himself often struggling to give her independence while also trying to protect her from all threats. The last few months had not been easy on either of them.
“It will be nice to be so far away from...you know, everything,” Onyx said in a hushed tone.
She was right. Not knowing where the Edmunds had disappeared to left Cole unsettled every time she went out on her own.
“We can relax and let our guards down a little,” he agreed, knowing exactly what she referred to.
To give Onyx a fighting chance against any future threats, he began teaching her some spells. Even a little magic might help her protect herself if someone tried to harm her when he wasn't around. Maybe the shifter in her helped the magic come so easily. She adapted quite well to her training.
Onyx leaned over. “Not that I want to bring up unpleasant topics at the start of our trip, but do you think we could stop by my parents' house when we get back?”
Cole turned toward her as much as the small plane seat would allow. “Of course, we can. Is there something specific you want to grab?”
She shrugged. “Just some summer clothes.”
Cole nodded and squeezed her hand as the plane rumbled from turbulence. Twice, he had taken her back to her Catcall Falls so she could collect her belongings from her childhood home. Even though he remained on high alert each time, nothing had happened. Silence ruled the tiny, insulated, little town. With their leaders gone, everyone kept to themselves.
Onyx received a few brief messages from Denny and Bess letting
her know they were okay, but never disclosing their whereabouts. Cole got the impression they were constantly on the move, never settling for too long in one spot, lest his parents catch up with them. He didn't blame them, even though he knew it wasn't a long-term solution.
The biggest mystery of them all—where had the Edmunds disappeared to? Cole had put out feelers to his meager magical contacts and gotten back zip. Their hiding place remained a well-kept secret. Most likely they were not on their own. The Were community was large, spread out, and very secretive. They sheltered and protected their own, which made it next to impossible to glean information about two higher-ups on the run. Onyx seemed to have put most of it out of her mind. She'd channeled her grief into focusing all her attention on her studies ending up with high grades in all her courses.
Onyx turned and looked at him, a serious expression clouding her face. “If I haven’t said it before, thank you for surprising me with this trip. You know how much it means to me, right?”
“It's your reward for doing so well this semester despite everything you've been through.” Cole leaned over and kissed the side of her head. “Besides, you need a break.” The last year had been nothing but sadness and stress. He wanted her to experience beauty and joy.
Onyx looked at him and quirked her eyebrow. “What's wrong?” She elbowed him gently, a soft smile playing over her lips. The expression on her face was so similar to how she'd looked at him while they were making love this morning, it sent a streak of white-hot lust coursing through his body.
He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Want to join the mile-high club?”
She burst into giggles. “I think that's a myth, professor.”
He loved the sexy, teasing way she called him that, even though technically he was not her professor any more. Nor was he her advisor, as he'd been when they met. They had not publicly declared their relationship to the university, but they took steps to avoid any appearance of impropriety in case they were ever found out. At least he'd gotten her to laugh and taken her mind off her fear of flying—if only for a moment.