Warlock

I had so much fun at the party that I didn’t realize how much time had passed until it was completely dark outside. I couldn’t drive because I was drunk, but Aurora insisted I’d find my car back in my garage in the morning.

They were summoning a portal to Wonderland. I was looking around for Erik. He had said he’d be back.

People had begun to leave when everything suddenly froze around me. The only one moving was Damion, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and was standing right in front of me.

“Too noisy, don’t worry, I only stopped time for a bit,” he said.

“Why?” I asked, surprised, looking around at the guests, now still as statues. It was eerie.

Damion reached for my bag and pulled out my phone. “Unlock it, please?” he demanded.

I did as he asked. He was using a lot of magic and completely radiated.

Ellie would notice once time was moving again. “I’m giving you my phone number. You can contact me whenever, if you need me,” he said while he registered his number.

“I don’t want anybody to misunderstand, don’t tell your friends,” he added. He was probably referring to why he stopped time.

“Why are you giving me your number?” I asked, confused.

He chuckled. “One day, you will understand, but for now, just live a little, and call me if you get into trouble,” he said, and gave me my phone back.

The moment my phone was back in my hand, time started to move again, and he was gone.

The portal was summoned, and people were departing. Damion was not joining us.

I felt a hand intertwined with mine and smiled. It was Erik who had found me.

We stepped through the portal together. It was my second time at Wonderland.

The everdream Aurora had made me was still working its magic. Lughnasadh was celebrated at Wonderland, too.

The room gave the illusion of being out on a wheat field. I was dancing with Erik.

My back was against him and I’d raised my arms. My body shivered while he lightly traced his hands down the inside of my arms.

My skin still tingled from his touch and I turned around. I looked into his golden eyes that almost seemed to be glowing in the dark of the club.

His gaze was full of intention. I was feeling bold.

I tried to get up higher on my toes and kissed him. His lips were warm against mine.

Butterflies fluttered throughout my body. The kiss turned passionate fast when our tongues found each other and we started to make out on the dance floor.

He was just as magical with his mouth as he was with his hands. One thing led to another, and suddenly, I was lying on a bed, giggling between kisses.

Erik must have teleported us. By the snap of his fingers, we were surrounded by candlelight.

He started kissing down my neck, each kiss blazing under my skin. He kept trailing lower while slowly removing my dress.

I’d never imagined myself sleeping with someone I hardly knew, but in this moment there was nowhere else I’d rather be. He pulled down my red lace bra.

I moaned while he teased my nipple with his mouth, removing the bra completely. I was so turned on that my whole body was trembling from his touch.

The traces left from his fingers tingled on my skin. It felt magical.

And maybe it was. I didn’t care.

He got off the bed and began to take his clothes off. His hungry gaze moved over my body while I waited to feel his skin against mine.

He was built so perfectly, just as I’d thought. He bent down over me again, and we continued to make out.

He tasted of chocolate and smoke. I wanted him badly.

I felt as though I was drowning in desire and pressed against him.

“Tell me, hunter,” Erik suddenly said with a slightly husky, seductive voice, while he grabbed my butt and teased the hem of my matching red thong. “Will you hunt me, or will you be my prey?” he finished.

His smile was full of mischief. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I was so wet I could feel it on my thighs. I needed some release.

I wrapped a leg around him and turned us. I pushed him down on the bed, placing myself on top of him.

I smirked down at him. “Baby, I’ll hunt after you’ve tried,” I said, before I lowered myself on him.

I moaned out while I pushed his dick deep inside me.

“Gods,” I heard him groan while I adjusted to him.

I needed a minute, feeling overwhelmed by sensation. Then I started to ride him. The pleasure I received from rocking my hips, making him move inside me, was so intense that I climaxed faster than I’d anticipated, leaving me dazzled.

Erik wasn’t anywhere close to being done with me. He grabbed my hips and rolled me onto my back.

“You are so damn beautiful, my prey. My beautiful sacrifice,” he whispered, teasing me, before he continued to fuck me on the black satin sheets, in the candlelight.

I kept my hand in his black curls as I screamed out in pleasure. They were as soft as I had imagined them.

A good while later, Erik lit a cigarette while I lay there, enjoying the aftermath of my orgasms. He offered me one and I accepted it.

“I don’t smoke,” I said while he helped me light it.

He chuckled at me when I coughed after the first inhale. It burned in my throat, but it tasted nice.

***

I woke up to a loud voice. I didn’t quite catch what he said—something about Crows Island at midnight.

It was followed by Erik’s hushed voice.

“I have no interest in dealing with anything involving human sacrifice, Marcus,” I heard him say. The words made me wide awake.

I listened intently.

“Why are you talking in a low voice?” the other unfamiliar voice, who must be Marcus, asked.

“Because I have a guest sleeping in my room. I don’t want to wake her,” Erik answered.

My heart jumped at his words.

“Oh shit, you should have said. Who is it?” Marcus asked, now with a hushed voice as well.

“None of your business,” Erik hissed.

“If she heard me, it’s every bit my business,” Marcus said, sounding angry.

I heard steps approach. I closed my eyes again and pretended to sleep as the door opened.

My heart was beating fast. I was scared and definitely second-guessing myself.

“You’re good. She’s still asleep,” Erik said after closing the door.

Did he really believe me to be asleep?

“I still want to know who it is,” Marcus asked again. His persistence made me worried.

“Marcus, stop obsessing. It’s just some random witch from Damion’s party last night,” Erik lied.

Was he protecting me?

Whatever the human sacrifice was all about, I needed to tell Louisa everything. I just hoped I was right about Erik.

“Now will you please leave? I don’t want you here. I’m not interested in joining your demon-worshipping cult,” Erik said, sounding very annoyed.

“All right, fine. I’ll leave. See you around, brother,” Marcus said.

“Hopefully not,” I heard Erik say, after I’d heard the front door slam with a loud noise.

It made me relax a little. Besides feeling nervous from what I’d just heard, I felt like shit.

I had a really bad hangover, plus a terrible headache from the everdream. I suddenly felt dread.

Because of the everdream, I hadn’t thought about my actions. I’d had unprotected sex.

I heard a knock on the door, and Erik entered. He looked hot.

His black hair was wet from the shower, and his perfect abs were on display while his joggers hung low on his hips. I pretended that I had just woken up.

“Good morning, Beautiful. Sorry if my brother woke you up by slamming the door,” he said, handing me a cup of coffee.

“So that’s what it was,” I mumbled sleepily.

I took the coffee and stared at him with big eyes while I took a sip. “I’m kinda embarrassed,” I admitted, hugging his blanket to my body.

“Why?” he asked, looking rather amused.

I thought about how boldly I’d acted the previous night and looked away. “Because I hardly know you, and I’ve never really done that before. Gone home with a stranger,” I replied, trying not to blush.

“You didn’t by chance drink an everdream made by Aurora?” Erik asked me. He sounded concerned.

I nodded, still too embarrassed to look at him.

“Damn, I should have figured. I’m really sorry if I moved too fast. Aurora’s potions are something else. I’d understand if you regret it,” he said, sounding ashamed.

I looked at him, surprised. That wasn’t what I’d meant. “I’ll never regret it. It was amazing, I’m just embarrassed,” I confessed, blushing.

I tried to hide behind the cup while I took a sip. Erik grinned at me, making me want to hide even more.

“Damn, you’re cute,” he chuckled. “Such a perfect little sacrifice. If only you were a virgin,” he teased me and laughed more heartily.

I wondered if he’d ever let me forget about that. “You wouldn’t happen to have anything to cure hangovers?” I asked grumpily.

“I can cook something up. What did you drink? Just alcohol and the everdream?” Erik asked, lighting a cigarette.

“I’m not sure what was in Aurora’s other drinks,” I confessed.

“Aurora is an amazing alchemist. Her brews usually don’t have any side effects. Apart from everdream, it can’t be helped. I’ll fix something for you,” he said, tossing me a dressing gown before he walked out of the room.

I looked around, feeling amused. His bedroom looked so wiccan.

When I looked out the window, I discovered that he lived in Old Town. I could walk home from here.

Being left alone, I remembered the conversation I’d overheard—he had distracted me. I really needed to get home and inform headquarters.

I borrowed underwear from Erik and put my clothes on. He soon returned with a green, slightly smoky drink.

“It doesn’t look the same as Aurora’s,” I pointed out, feeling skeptical.

“Like I said, Aurora’s brews are something else,” Erik said, chuckling.

I probably shouldn’t have, but I drank the potion in one go. It didn’t taste good, but it wasn’t completely disgusting either.

“You don’t have anything that keeps me from getting pregnant?” I asked when I felt the hangover fade.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I drink a potion every week to keep myself temporarily sterile. I really don’t want to be a father yet,” Erik answered.

“You’re just perfect in every way, aren’t you?” I giggled.

“Nobody is perfect, and it would be dangerous to think so,” Erik said, winking at me and making me blush yet again.

“I really need to go, but can I call you?” I asked, getting ready to leave. I really wanted to see him again.

“I’ll be offended if you don’t,” he admitted.

I really hoped he wasn’t involved in whatever I’d overheard. It might have been too much to hope for, but I really wished he wouldn’t hate me if it turned out that I’d have to hunt his brother.