Phoenixfire: A paranormal reverse harem romance (The Rogue Witch Book 8) Read online

  “I’m feeling so lost when I should be feeling found. We’re doing everything we ever wanted.”

  “But not with the people we thought we’d be doing it with,” he said. “Don’t fight your feelings, Darce. Missing her is normal—it’s healthy.”

  “I hate it,” I hissed. “I hate it so fucking much.” My fingers tightened, my hands balling against the rising wave of pain and guilt in my chest. “Every minute I think I should’ve done something differently, and I feel like I can’t enjoy where I am right now because-” My voice faltered. Ace’s face, mostly in shadow, barely visible in the dark, the swelling sound of rock music around us, muffled by the curtains; all of it combined to tear down the carefully laid walls around my heart. I inhaled, the noise shaky and pained.

  “Mourning comes and goes. You’re just in the thick of it right now,” he promised. “Let it out.” I leaned into him and cried silently into his shoulder. “Plus, you’re kinda jet lagged. That doesn’t help,” he murmured into my ear.

  Feeling raw and wrung out, I pulled away from him and scrubbed at my face.

  “At least in the dark backstage no one can see me cry.”

  “Or hear you,” he said, with amusement. “This opener is… interesting.”

  “They’re local,” I said, peeking out from between a split in the curtains. I felt bad. They weren’t very good, and I had a feeling they were a buy-on. From the shiny new gear they had when they loaded in, they were clearly being bankrolled by a rich parent of one of the band-members. Too bad having money didn’t mean they’d have talent too.

  “Be nice,” Ace said, elbowing me lightly.

  “I’m always nice,” I said, wiping at my face before taking a breath and checking my phone. “What’re you doing lecturing me? You’ve got to get back to green room. You guys’ll be called in a few minutes.”

  “Yes, boss,” Ace said with a cheeky wink before disappearing, leaving me between the curtains to my thoughts and the not-so-great sounds of the opening band.

  I wasn’t even worried when Phoenixcry took the stage, the thrum of Charlie’s guitar laying down a steady rhythm in the dark before the spotlights came up and Finn sang into the mic, bending it forward as the crowd reached up toward him.

  It was a sold out show, and the energy of the audience electrified me, making my skin tingle. I wasn’t even onstage, and I wanted to throw myself off the edge of it, let a hundred pairs of hands lift me up and float me along the crowd. That’d be a bad idea though. Not exactly professional. Plus I had a feeling I was still persona non grata with Phoenixcry’s fans. I hadn’t checked the social media lately, leaving that up to the label to handle, but I’d need to start integrating myself back into that life and those duties.

  “They’re fucking amazing,” Seth said beside me, Dean making an affirmative noise as he moved over to my other side. “It’s like they were missing something all along, and now they’ve got it, they’re unstoppable.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “That is so cheesy.”

  “It’s also true,” Dean said, the quiet man’s rare words warming my heart.

  “I sometimes think it’s all in my head, and I’m dreaming this up.” I watched as Ace bent forward, Charlie leapt in the air and rolled over him, back to back, still playing in mid-air. My heart pulsed in my throat. Nobody did mid-air acrobatics during their set like the guys did. Nobody.

  “You sound like a unicorn,” Seth said.

  I blinked at him. He shrugged.

  “Perks, and drawbacks, of the job,” he said, tapping his forehead, right where his horn would be if he’d been in shifted form. “Sometimes, most times, we feel like we’re walking through a dream, like we're half-awake, half-asleep. It’s sort of what comes along with our powers. We can get the truth out of anyone, but nothing feels real to us.”

  “That’s un-” my words were drowned out as a song ended and the crowd screamed, the swell of their voices swamping us. There was a thread of something—magic—in the way the crowd was responding.

  Dean let out an unsteady breath and gripped Seth’s shoulder hard.

  “You feel it too?” Seth asked. Dean nodded. “Yeah.”

  “What? What?” I looked between the two of them.

  “Nothing bad. You’re probably feeling it right now. Mundanes aren’t magic, but they are at the same time. They’re reacting, deep down, to the magic in our wolf boys’ songs, and feeding right back into it.”

  I shivered.

  “Like a magic feedback loop,” I said.

  “Mmhmm,” Seth said, and Dean frowned.

  “They better get a lock on it, or they’re gonna have a damn riot on their hands,” he murmured.

  I peeked out from behind the curtains, and my eyes went wide. A girl, no taller than five feet, was fighting with a security guard, crying, trying to get up on stage. All along the barrier, other girls were reaching for security guards, verging on what I’d call assault. I winced.

  “Shit.”

  “Yeah, their fans are going crazy.” Seth stepped forward. “Hang on, I’m gonna call it. We need to cut out early.”

  “But, wait-” My words caught in my throat as Dean grabbed me, hauling me up over his shoulder.

  “Bus,” he said, and I yelped as we bolted through the backstage, dodging piles of sand bags and stacks of equipment.

  “Dean?” I wheezed, upside down. “Dean, put me down!” I fisted my hand and pounded on his backside, but he never faltered. He was built, thickly muscled, and he moved so damn fast that we were outside in the fenced in parking lot before I caught my breath.

  He set me down only when we got to the bus, and I was panting from the nerves buzzing just under my skin.

  “Dean, what the hell?!” I demanded, but turned when he motioned. The guys were bolting to the bus, security surrounding them, and my eyes widened.

  “The crowd rushed the stage,” Ace said as he got to us. Charlie was a few steps behind him with an armful of guitars.

  “You brought the guitars?” I asked.

  “Get on the bus. Get. Get,” Charlie urged in a rush. Finn bumped shoulders with Dean in silent thanks for hauling me out, or some other mystery bro-code reason. I hurried onto the bus, the rest of the guys, and our crew, following close behind.

  “Did you get all the instruments out?”

  “Couldn’t save the drums,” Charlie breathed hard, answering Eli.

  “I’m just impressed you got the instruments,” Seth said, pounding up the stairs.

  “What happened back there?” I asked, eyes wide. My heart was thumping in my chest. Shows were supposed to be less dangerous for us now, not more.

  “Lack of security, someone started shoving, and then it just went all to shit.” Finn wiped his arm over his forehead, sadness creeping into his voice. “Fuck. This is my fault-”

  “Hey, now, let’s not start placing blame,” Seth said, overly loud, clapping Finn on the back as the bus lurched forward. We all grabbed seats; I tumbled into Ace’s lap with a hard thud, and ignored the looks I was getting from the merch guy. How had he gotten to us so fast, if he was supposed to be behind the merch booth? I didn’t know his name. I’d need to find out later so I could fire him for looking at me like that. Like I was dirty.

  “Rolling out,” our driver called, “hope everyone is on board.”

  “Chelsea is with the rest of the band on the other bus,” Seth said to Dean. “Don’t worry, they got out just fine.”

  I shifted to the side, sliding off Ace’s lap to sit properly as we all took a moment to breathe.

  “We’ll talk about this later, yeah?” Seth said, giving Finn a firm look. I didn’t need him to spell it out, and neither did Finn. There were too many mundanes around us, but we’d talk about it. Later.

  Much later.

  5

  Darcy

  The drives in England were short, much shorter than we were used to. Still, we were spending the night on the bus, even if it was only an hour to our next stop,
and I curled up in the back room of the bus. Normally it’d be a lounge, extra seating and all that being necessary for most big bands, but this bus had a king-size bed in the back, something I was super grateful for. The merch girls and guy were up front in the first set of bunks, along with Glory Rev, and we had the back set of bunks and the bedroom. I stretched out on the bed and sighed, closing my eyes.

  That had been an out-of-left-field close call. I didn’t like it much, and was hoping we could talk to Seth about it. Were the guys getting more powerful now that they had the heartstone? Is that how and why the audience had almost… amplified their power—the call of their music—until there’d pretty much been a riot in the venue?

  “Thinking’s bad for your health,” Ace said, sprawling next to me. “At least that’s what Finn always says.”

  “That’s ‘cause he hasn’t got two thoughts to rub together,” I said, rolling over onto my side to smile at him. He grinned at me, eyes sparkling.

  “I got something we could rub together,” he murmured, and kissed me before I could swat him for the bad pickup line. Instead, I moaned, his mouth open on mine.

  Thank god. I wanted to sink into his love, the feeling of it swamped me as he pushed my shoulders down onto the bed and crawled over me. I had all this excess panicked energy swelling inside of me. The kind of thing that can only be fixed by a good fucking. That was a normal way to deal with your problems, right?

  From the frantic way Ace kissed me, his tongue licking into my mouth until I was shivering, he felt just the same way.

  His hands skimmed down my body, lighting up warm paths in their wake, before they settled on my waist, thumbing along the hem of my shirt.

  “Take it off,” I urged him, wanting him to undress me. I loved the look he got in his eyes as each inch of my skin was revealed to him, and I wanted to hold that feeling tight in my chest and never let it go.

  “Move over,” Cash said, sandwiching me from the side, nuzzling my ear. “Hey, gorgeous,” he breathed, giving Ace a hand in pulling my shirt up. My bra cupped my breasts, the lace prickling my skin as the guys each wrapped a hand around me.

  A low groan escaped the back of my throat, my hips rolling up as heat flashed through my body, rippling just under my skin, centering between my thighs.

  I let out a soft "yes" as it felt like the two of them were covering me in their weight; the combined feel of them pushing me down, pinning me there made me feel helpless and perfect. The heat was already growing between my thighs, the split of my core soaked as Cash pulled what remained of my clothes from my body.

  The fabric fell to the floor, and I sighed, closing my eyes. Ace’s mouth tracked a thin, wavering line down my body, and I reached for him, steadying my hand on the back of his head. I needed him so bad.

  “I want to watch him fuck you,” Cash said. “And then, when you’re done, when you’re exhausted from it, I’m gonna give it to you right after.” His words shot a bolt of heat through me. The white-hot melt of those mental images blotted out the whole world, and I kissed him, his lips and tongue hungry on mine.

  Ace dug his fingers into my thigh, forcing my legs apart even as I fought their weight, needing to push back against them. It was hard to move, but the binding feel of it somehow freed me. I needed that from them, and without even telling either of them, they just knew.

  And gave it to me.

  Ace slicked his hand over his cock, his teeth digging into his lower lip as he pressed between my legs. My knees shook, tightening around his hips as he rocked up into me, the first press intense and startling, the second thrust of his hips making me groan and give into him.

  “That’s our girl,” Cash said, his fingers lacing through my hair. “Be good for us.” When I glanced at him, he smirked, one eyebrow cocking. He knew exactly what saying that was going to do to me.

  Ace let out a quiet, contained growl as his hips picked up an almost punishing pace. Every thrust brought my focus onto him, even as Cash tried to distract me with nips and kisses along my neck.

  I couldn’t be distracted though. Ace was everything. The scent of his skin, hot and intense, surrounded me. When Cash slipped his hand between us to stroke once over my clit, I came so hard and so fast that I didn’t make a single sound.

  My eyes slid shut, and I let the feelings wash over me, my breath bound like a captive in my lungs.

  Cash was still talking as Ace growled, throwing his head back.

  “That’s right, you ready for me?” Cash asked, even as Ace’s shoulders slumped. Ace held his weight off of me with one arm.

  “Don’t think so,” I replied, barely aware of anything but the man over me. Ace lifted my hand to his mouth, kissing my open palm.

  “Beautiful,” he said. When I caught his eye, he smiled. “So fucking beautiful, Darcy, that’s you—all over, inside and out.” He kissed me reverently, as he bent down to cover me completely with his body. Cash moved to speak, and Ace lifted a hand to slap it over Cash’s mouth.

  Cash muttered from behind Ace’s fingers, but I curled my hand around the back of Ace’s neck and just held him close. I wanted that moment with him. We had so little time to just be.

  “If I don’t move soon, he’s gonna get violent,” Ace whispered, and Cash nodded with extra enthusiasm, his eyes narrowed.

  “Poor bebe,” I teased, stretching luxuriously. Ace’s eyes shut and he trembled as he eased his cock out from inside me.

  “Don’t do that. Don’t move like that,” he huffed. “I almost-” He shook his head. “Never mind.” His cheeks were pink, and I couldn’t help it. I giggled, the sound light and ridiculous in the quiet room.

  “C’mere. Did I ignore you?” I asked Cash, rolling onto my side and pulling him in close for a full-contact cuddle.

  “Jealousy isn’t my favorite emotion,” he said, his hand cupping my bare hip. He dragged one finger along my thigh, hooking it behind the crook of my knee. He hitched my leg up, pulling me flush against his hips. I gasped, the warmth of his cock pressed right up into me from where he’d unzipped his jeans while I’d been, um, fucking.

  “I’m right here,” I promised.

  “I know,” he said, the urgency clear in his voice. “And I’m going to take every inch of you for myself.”

  “Greedy,” Ace mused, rolling into place at my back, his cock half-hard in the small dip of my spine. His warmth was welcome, and very much needed. I wanted to feel submerged in them.

  I tilted my hips as Cash slipped the head of his cock back and forth through my folds, once, twice, again, and again, teasing me until I grabbed his wrist and dug my nails in.

  “Stop,” I said, and his eyes flickered.

  “Mmhmm.” He sighed, pulling me tight against him as he slipped up inside of me.

  “Fuck.” I let my head drop back. Ace was there to brace me, and his lips found the shell of my ear. I was trembling all over, my body not ready for more, and at the same time needing everything. Had my life even begun before I’d chosen to be with the pack like this? Had I even lived?

  The hushed noises Cash was making brought me closer to the edge. Ace’s added gentle encouragement with his hand on my breasts, teasing the nipples slowly until I begged him to either help me come or to stop everything.

  Fingers dragged along my stomach, the skin dewy, and his hand was caught between me and Cash as Ace palmed the curve of my pussy.

  “Come for him, sweetheart,” Ace urged me, two fingers splitting to close around my clit, stroking there with each rock of my hips.

  I couldn’t do anything but obey. It all felt too good, the sharp line between the build up and the final implosion blurring. I hung on tight, biting into the plush lower lip Cash offered me as he kissed me, his own body stuttering toward its end.

  “Holy fuck,” I breathed minutes later, pushing an errant curl out of my eyes. My hair was stuck to the back of my neck, my whole body ached in the best way, and I really, really needed a shower.

  The room felt steamy, the air wet.


  Cash groaned, disentangling himself from my body as he helped me sit up.

  “Feeling good?” Ace asked, nipping my shoulder before giving me a mischievous look.

  “Yeah,” I said, my stomach rumbling. “But I really want a snack.”

  “Cookies,” Cash said. “I’ll get you some.”

  I flopped back on the bed as he shifted across the mattress, zipping up his jeans as he went. I let my eyes close, and Ace pulled up a sheet over us. I was grateful for the fabric, it was cool on my skin and made me feel less sticky and gross.

  “Y’know,” Ace said, “I don’t know how it’s possible, but you’re somehow more beautiful to me every day.”

  I twisted my neck, straining to get a better look at him in the dim light of our small room. He was smiling, a look of utter bliss on his face. I never again wanted to see that ruined for him. I wanted him to always be that happy. The world, and all it’s evil, could wait beyond the door for us. In there, we were perfect.

  “I love you,” I said, leaning in to steal a kiss. His eyes fluttered shut and he sighed, kissing me back.

  “Me too,” he murmured.

  If only the rest of the world loved us like we loved each other. Then nothing would hurt us ever again. Too bad reality doesn’t work like that.

  6

  Darcy

  “So, how’s England?” Willa’s voice was thin in my ear as I laid back on the bed, watching the England countryside whip by. We were three shows deep, with no more fan riots like we’d had at the first show. Hopefully the guys could keep the magic feedback under lock and key as much as possible.

  “The pastry stuff—hand pies, or whatever they’re called? Those are so good,” I said. Willa moaned, almost hedonistically.

  “I wish I were there.”

  “I wish you were here, too,” I said. “How’re the numbers looking?”

  “I’m thrilled with the sell-through we’re seeing at venues. I told them that CDs weren’t dead. People still want a physical thing to hold onto. I heard there was a weird fan riot at the first show?”