Free Beyond Bewitching by Mellanie Szereto Page B

found this place after escaping the fire, she would’ve gladly spent the remainder of her days secluded in the private cavern.
    Moving away from the hall, she scanned the rest of the chamber. John and Tanner seemed to study her from a pair of armchairs positioned across from a couch. The grouping was simple, the sofa and chairs clad in dark leather and the end tables made of rough-hewn slices of tree trunk.
    Their watchful eyes unnerved her, especially since they sat still as statues. Finally, Tanner rose. “I got a bowl of stew ready for you. Will you join us?”
    Rather than disturbing the comforting drip, drip, drip by responding, she walked toward them, the slight chill of the uncarpeted floor seeping through her woolen leggings. She huddled into the corner of the couch, tucking her feet under her as she picked up the steaming bowl of vegetables and thick broth from the table. “Thank you.”
    Sitting back down in his chair, Tanner smiled. “You’re welcome. Are you warm enough?”
    The curve of his mouth sent heat spreading outward from her center.
    Not again.
    Suppressing a groan, she cradled the dish in her palm. “Yes.”
    They ate in relative silence, the steady dripping and the clink of spoons in bowls the only noises. Every minute challenged her to control the returning sexual urges. She wouldn’t capitulate—couldn’t. Another meltdown might destroy her. She’d been a fool to want to feel. Cold, distant, and wary suited her much better.
    John set his empty dish on the table. “It’s time, Sarah. Besides showing us that you aren’t an elder of the Triad, your markings revealed other important things about you.”
    His expression grew serious, warning her she probably wouldn’t want to hear what he was about to tell her. She forced her hand to lift the spoon to her mouth.
    Open. Withdraw the spoon. Chew.
    What else had Naga done? Was she cursed?
    Ha! As if I don’t already know that.
    Leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, he glanced toward Tanner and then to her. “You’ve been foretold as the one holding the future in your hands. The prophecy states that a witch without age will create the new generation of the Xanthus clan and make us strong again. Your powers will combine with the abilities we possess.”
    A shiver raced up her arms and down her spine. Something about his words sparked fear in her very soul. Placing her bowl on the table, she wrapped her arms around her waist and lifted her chin. She might be deathly afraid, but they wouldn’t see it. They’d witnessed enough vulnerability in her already.
    His gaze never leaving hers, Tanner steepled his fingers. “The symbols in the ink indicate that you are our mate. John’s and mine. Together, we’ll—”
    “Mate?” Her breath caught in her throat. Half her body readied itself with the hardening of her nipples and a rush of heat and wetness in her pussy. The other half screamed at her to escape. Mating meant continuing what they’d begun earlier—and baring even more of her emotions to them. No amount of desire could make her do that.
    Shift! Run! Hide!
    She had no choice. She’d rather go up against Naga completely alone than let anyone that close.
    Concentrating on the change from solid to vapor, she pictured the one place she’d successfully hidden for three long years of her life. A thicket in the wilds was certainly uncivilized, but it had kept her safe. She closed her eyes and waited for the current to carry her away.
    A second passed, then two, and three. The faint drip, drip, drip still chanted in her ears. Damp chill clung to her skin, and the deep sigh of one of the men joined in the hushed chorus.
    She blinked away the moisture gathering in her eyes. Tanner and John hadn’t moved from their seats, but neither looked pleased. They’d likely guessed that she’d tried to leave. For whatever reason, she hadn’t succeeded.
    Picking up his and John’s dishes, Tanner shook his head as he skulked toward the pool.