Surge Of Magic (10 page)

Because of the man’s hand over her mouth, her grunts came out muffled. She did, however, manage to grip his wrists, but try as she may to pry open his fingers, he didn’t budge. She twisted and struggled to get out of the man’s grasp, but he tightened his hold with his other hand.

“You’re coming with me,” he said as he dragged her toward the sidewalk.

Not if she could help it.

‡

W
hen the light
went out in the back lot, Kip cursed. Adding to his frustration, he’d barely managed to thread the key in the lock and grab her sweater when he heard what sounded like a scuffle in the alley. As much as he feared using his powers in public, he had to make an exception. Teagan was out there.

“Teagan? Are you okay?”

When she didn’t answer him, his heart began to jackhammer in his chest. Needing to see what was happening, he raised his arm and sent enough current through the bulb to light it. Oh, shit. What he saw in the alley nearly stopped his heart.

He dropped the keys and her sweater and took off, envious of his shifter friends who could take the form of a wolf or a bear. Somehow, the wolves and bears had managed to hide their existence from the humans, but if Kip had been able to turn into a snarling wolf, this would have been the time to let out the secret.

The man holding Teagan captive looked behind him, as if he expected back up, and then returned his focus on dragging her toward the street.

“Lift your legs,” Kip shouted, as he continued to close the gap between them. He figured the more drag she placed on him the harder it would be to kidnap her.

Teagan did as Kip suggested, hitting his arms with her elbows and kicking him with her heels. The man let her go, and when she tumbled to the ground, Teagan let out a strangled cry. Kip didn’t think it was possible for his heart to squeeze any tighter.

Before her attacker reached the sidewalk, he raised his arm and shot out the strongest electric bolt he’d ever delivered, not caring if he fried the bastard or outright killed him. The man stutter-stepped, and then landed face down on the sidewalk.

When he didn’t move, reality slammed into him. There would be too many questions to answer if the man died. Oh, fuck.
Get up!

Where was the man’s backup, and why wasn’t someone screaming for help? Hell, he was yards from the restaurant entrance.

As if the man heard him, he rose to his knees then stumbled to his feet. Seconds later he disappeared around the corner. As much as Kip wanted to capture and have him arrested, he needed to tend to Teagan first.

When he reached her, she was sitting on the ground, her breaths coming out too fast. He knelt in front of her and gathered her into his arms. “Did he hurt you?”

“Not really.” Her voice shook as she sucked in breaths of air. “I was so scared.”

For a horrifying second, he had feared the man might have been a Changeling and had stabbed her. “Let’s get you up. The ground’s cold.”

Just as Kip helped her stand, her legs gave way. Before she slid back to the ground, he lifted Teagan up into his arms in one fell swoop to carry her. “I’m taking you to the truck.”

“I’m good.” He didn’t believe her. Not only did her voice shake, she was shivering uncontrollably, and he doubted it was a result of the temperature.

“No, you aren’t fine.” Teagan always wanted to believe she was the strongest woman in the world, but she was vulnerable like everyone else.

As they neared the parking lot behind the restaurant, the overhead lights flickered again. Fuck. If the town had better maintenance, the potential kidnapper might not have tried to take her. From now on, he wouldn’t let Teagan out of his sight.

At the truck, he retrieved his keys and her sweater from the ground then helped her inside. Once seated behind the wheel he faced her. “I shouldn’t have left you alone back there.”

“It wasn’t your fault that I didn’t want to walk down that dark alley again.”

They didn’t need to be hashing out who was, or wasn’t at fault. “Did the man say anything?”

“Only that I was coming with him.”

“Did you feel a gun to your back or a knife?”

“No.”

That provided him with some solace. Kip started the engine.

She reached out and clasped his wrist. “Aren’t we going to eat?”

“How about we order something in?”

“Okay, but don’t we need to report the crime?” Once more her voice wavered.

Kip pulled out of the lot. “I’ll contact Kalan.” He pressed the button on his dash and requested the computer to call him.

Kalan picked up. “What’s up?”

“Teagan was attacked in the alleyway next to Nate’s Pizzeria.”

“Is she okay?”

“Just shaken,” he replied, and then gave him the details.

“Could it have been a Changeling?” Kalan asked.

Kip didn’t have the ability to sense a shifter. “It could have been.”

“How badly did you zap him?”

Kip had never tried to harm a human before, so unless he spoke with the person afterward, he couldn’t know for sure. “He stumbled then ran away.”

“That’s probably for the best. You take care of Teagan, and I’ll handle the aftermath. If he is a Changeling, he probably won’t go to the hospital. There would be too many questions he won’t want to admit to, such as what he was doing in the alley.”

“Appreciate it.”

“Did you get a look at him?” Kalan asked.

“No. The streetlight was off for much of it. He was taller than Teagan, and he wore a cap, so I couldn’t see his face.”

“That’s okay. If I learn anything, I’ll let you know. Keep an eye on her. Whoever wanted her might come back.”

His gut soured. “I will.” Kip ended the call.

“Thank you for calling him. I trust Kalan will do everything he can to find this man,” she said. She then planted a hand on her chest. “Oh, shit.”

Kip passed the sheriff’s department then slowed and parked. He needed to see Teagan’s features when she next spoke. He faced her. “Tell me.”

“Remember I said I had a little anger issue today and that something kind of flew in the air?”

He ground his teeth together. “Yes. Don’t tell me someone saw you.”

She shrugged. “I looked around right after it happened but didn’t anyone. It was possible someone did though. If so, I figured he’d think a gust of wind had picked up the can and smashed it into the side of the truck.”

“What? Okay, start from the beginning.”

She detailed how she’d been texting and ran into the trashcan and knocked it over. As she stepped back and threw up her arms in disgust, the can flew. “When I was picking up the trash, a young girl and then a man helped me.”

“That seems innocent enough, but it’s equally possible a Changeling spotted you—or worse, the man who helped was a Changeling. It could be the reason you were targeted tonight.”

She twisted toward him. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“I hope we’re wrong, but if he was one of them, we need to let Kalan find him.” Wanting to get her home to safety, he pulled back onto Main Street and headed toward the Cove.

“I have a ton of food at the house,” she said. “Why don’t I throw something together for dinner?”

He smiled for the first time since her attack. “That would be great.”

*

Teagan was working
hard not to show how scared she really was. “You know what really sucks? I can’t tell when
I
might be in danger. My visions are always about others.”

Kip reached out and squeezed her hand. “You have enough rattling around in that pretty head of yours and don’t need to freak out when you see something. Be thankful that you were put here on earth to warn others.”

He’d told her that many times, but only now did she really believe him. “That’s probably true.”

When her house came into view, she blew out a breath, though she wasn’t naïve enough to believe the danger was over. Kip parked and escorted her inside. Having him close helped reduce her worry.

“You want to take a shower or something?” he asked.

That was sweet of him to think about her comfort. “I’ll change at least. My butt’s still damp from landing in that stupid puddle. And these were my favorite jeans too. I hope I can get the stain out.”

“While you put on something comfy, I’ll fix us a drink.”

A hint of a smile drew up her lips. “Now you’re talkin’.”

When Kip stepped into the kitchen, she headed back to the bedroom. Because that odious man had pressed up against her, she stripped down to her underwear and tossed her clothes into the laundry basket. Teagan then tugged on a pair of black flannel pajama bottoms that were an old pair of yoga pants, a pair of warm socks, and a long-sleeve black T-shirt. They’d look like twins, but right now she was only thinking about being comfortable.

When she returned to the living room, Kip was stretched out on the sofa with two glasses of red wine in front of him. He looked so fucking good that she wanted to delve into his hot body and forget about her near catastrophe. She didn’t even want to think about what might have happened if she’d driven herself to the restaurant and been attacked while she’d waited for Kip to arrive. She visibly shivered at that thought.

Kip jumped up. “You okay? He picked up her sweater she’d tossed on the back of the sofa and handed it to her. “Why don’t you put this on?”

“I’m good. I was just thinking how lucky I was to have had you close by when that man assaulted me.”

He hugged her and pressed his face against the top of her head. “Yeah, I’m glad I was there too.”

When he leaned back, all she could think about was having Kip Landon—again. How had she ever thought it would be better if she put distance between them? She wanted his strength, his kindness, and yes, she wanted his cock. “I want to forget everything that happened today.” Except talking with Ophelia, that is. “Do you think you can help me?”

Blue sparks shot from his body, and because she was pressed up against him, his desire was evident.

“I know I can help with that. Are you sure you’re up for the ride?”

“Are you planning on being rough?”

He grinned, “Only if you want it that way. Tonight is lady’s choice night.”

She laughed, and the sensation was divine. “If that’s the case, how about I start?”

He groaned. “My emotions are so off the chart right now, just a few touches will set me off.”

She loved when he sounded desperate. “I’ll be careful.”

“That’s what you always say.”

That was because while she tried to limit her tongue licking and hard sucking, she loved going down on him so much that she’d often lose control. Without asking, Kip kicked off his boots and undid the top button of his jeans. His fingers then slipped to the bottom button on his shirt.

Teagan stopped him. “Let me. I love undoing a man’s buttoned down shirt.”

“Why do you think I wear one?”

She melted at his words. “You’re sweet.”

“Sweet, huh? I’ll show you sweet.” With that he captured her lips, and she palmed his chest.

They delved into each other’s mouths, and she enjoyed the hint of red wine on his tongue. When his hands slipped up under her shirt, his fingers scorched a path of desire straight down to her core. His firm pressure spoke of confidence and assuredness, two of the many traits she admired about Kip.

While keeping contact with his lips, she thrust her hips back to give herself enough room to undo a few more buttons on his shirt. As much as she loved him wearing it, she wanted him naked even more. She’d only managed to undo the bottom two buttons when he stepped back.

“I have to have you naked, right now.” The fact his blue sparks had progressed into a full-blown halo around him meant he wasn’t kidding.

“We’ll help each other.” She wasn’t going to let him deprive her of slowly unveiling his magnificent chest.

As he inched her shirt up and over her head, she attempted to unbutton his at the same time, and they had fun batting away each other’s hands. In the end, both shirts landed on the ground at the same time.

“Damn,” he said. “I have another layer to go.”

She stepped back. “This bra does not come off until I’ve had my jolt of pleasure.”