Ensnared by Magic

By Anna Wolfe

Mark would give anything to go back to the way things were before he got bitten by one of the demonridden. Instead, he has to figure out how to control powers he doesn't want and nightmares that leave him waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. Now, to repay a debt, he has to offer his services to a powerful coven leader—an earth witch who has been very vague about what he must do to fulfill their agreement. As tensions heat up amongst the witches, Callie, Silas, Edie, and Mark find themselves in the middle of machinations to decide who will control the fate of humanity.

“There is another world touching ours that is filled with demons or, at least, that’s what we call them. They call themselves something else entirely, though that is neither here nor there. Every now and again, human beings manage to pull these demons through to our side. The human dies, of course, and the demon gets a person shaped suit to live in. We call these creatures the demonridden.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Wolfe
• Release date: Nov 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301501694

Anna Wolfe

I'm a college professor with a Ph.D. so new it squeaks. I have a husband, a heterolifemate, and two cats. I'm willing to try any food I've never eaten at least once. I have jumped out of a plane (awesome), blown fire (also awesome), learned that having accelerant soak into your sports bra hurts like hell, and am a pagan (please note that this does not mean I'm a satanist).

Book preview

Preface

First, let's deal with the technical stuff. I denote thoughts by using italics. If, in the process of downloading this book, that formatting gets lost, you're going to be very confused. I've had some folks have difficulty with the formatting so below is a test italic sentence.

Is this sentence in italics? If so, yay! If not, something has gone awry.

Second, there's a glossary at the end of this book. I try to use the words I've developed for this world with enough context so you can figure out what's going on, but glossaries can be nice to have. Third, if you haven't read the first two books, you should still be able to enjoy this story (though I recommend checking out the other books, especially since the first one is free). Fourth, this book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language that is not appropriate for children. Finally, I've included a spoiler-free blurb to remind you all of just where we left off our story.

Bitten (Book 1)

Through acts of will, human beings can pull creatures from another world into our own. These creatures ride human bodies and possess wide-ranging sets of abilities. The demonridden are powerful, greedy, and always hungry. A human that has been bitten by a demonridden (and survives) develops their own demon-forced sets of abilities and appetites. Like their more powerful creators, the bitten mostly feed on human emotion: blood, sex, anger, fear, greed, joy, and so on. Some bitten serve their creators and others flee from the demonridden that created them.

In Bitten, Callie White enters into the shadow world of the demonridden and must figure out how to survive. After months of hiding on the streets of Chicago, a group of knowledgeable and well-trained bitten find Callie and begin to help her learn the skills she will need to remain in control of her abilities.

Oh, and there are witches: earth, fire, air, water and the clairvoyant spirit witches. Witches live in enclaves ruled by priests and priestess. Two of the most powerful witches are the High Priestess (or Priest, depending on gender) and The Seer.

Addicted (Book 2)

Set six weeks after the first book, Callie is beginning to settle into her life as one of Silas' recruits. Life, however, is always complicated. There are many bitten in the North American Free Territories who believe that the demonridden should be destroyed. Others believe that safety lies in the magical binding (the Covenant) the witches used to defeat the demonridden at the end of the Great Demon War. Silas is dedicated to preserving the Covenant and many see him as the leader of the bitten. Those who would eliminate every demonridden though it violates the Covenant believe that Silas must be gotten rid of before they can succeed. As Silas' most conspicuous recruits, Callie, Mark, and Edie are caught up in machinations to change the balance of power among the free bitten.

We also learn of the One, an ancient demonridden that was forced into sleep approximately 5,000 years ago. Everybody is afraid of the One waking up and so the rules of the Covenant are different in Australia (where the One sleeps).

***

Prologue: Phaedon Papadapoulous

Come on, sugar. You can trust me. You can, can’t you? Dr. Matthew Paddock’s voice was warm, friendly and made the hairs on Phaedon’s arms stand up on end. The leader of the Chosen, those of the bitten who believed the demonridden had to be destroyed no matter the cost, kept his face blank.

Over the speakerphone sitting on the desk, there was a long pause with only the sound of rustling trees in the background.

Ye-, yes. A girl’s whisper crackled through the speaker.

Tell me your name, child. Nothing important, nothing earth shattering. Just your name. Paddock’s voice softened until he sounded like Santa Claus in that ancient black and white film.

Miracle on 34th Street. I might hate that movie as much as I hate Matthew. Phaedon chased the thought around for a moment as he listened to an imbecile try to peel one meaningful piece of information out of a child. No, I hate Matthew more. He’s had a hook in this girl for two weeks and all she does is cry. Perhaps I’ve overestimated the threat his demon-forced ability offers me.

Phaedon kept his breathing even and consciously relaxed the muscles in his neck. A warm tingle spread from his neck down to his toes. It’s all in the diaphragm. He glanced over the man speaking coaxingly into the speaker. He can’t even get her damn name. A low snuffling cry came through the speaker.

One’s balls, is she crying again? Phaedon made sure his voice was loud and sounded bored.

Matthew made a chopping motion with his hand and glared at Phaedon.

Phaedon rolled his eyes and made a get on with it motion with one hand. I’m so glad Matthew isn’t going to survive our little association. The minute Silas is dead, so’s Matthew. I’ve had enough of him and his ability to dig into people’s emotions and use them like a puppeteer is just too fucking creepy. I mean, really, there have to be limits.

Matthew began asking her the usual questions, is Silas traveling anywhere? How is Silas getting along with Edie? With Mark? Has she heard Silas on any phone calls? Is anyone else in the house traveling?

Mark’s going to the wishes, the witches. The girl enunciated the last word. Her resistance to Matthew’s power made her slur. I’m sh, shorry. I can’t sh… seem to stop shl…shlurring.

Phaedon felt slightly ill for a moment, listening to the girl apologize for inconveniencing the people manipulating her emotions. He let the feeling drift away.

It’s alright, child. Don’t worry about it. Just take a couple deep breaths and listen to the wind rustle the leaves. Matthew hit the button that silenced the phone and hissed at Phaedon, Are you listening?

Of course. Find out about the witches, Matthew. This is the first decent lead we’ve had yet. Phaedon rubbed his hands together, grinning as he dropped his feet off his desk and leaned forward. No need for Paddock to know I’m done with him.

Matthew jabbed one meaty finger at the speaker button and then leaned forward. Which witch would that be, child? You told me already, I just forgot. Beads of sweat stood out on Matthew’s forehead. And try not to stutter child, it’s distracting.

I did? I did. He, he’s driving up… The girl swallowed. He’s going to see Mimi.

Mimi Martel?! What the hell is one of Silas’ precious trainees going to see the daughter of the High Priestess? Phaedon bunched his fists on the desk and glared at Matthew, mouthing the words, Don't. Fuck. Up.

Matthew licked his lips and nodded. Oh that’s right. I remember now. Isn’t that something? Is he excited?

The girl snorted. No. Silas just told him to do what he’s told and keep his mouth shut.

No limits at all? Silas would never do that. Phaedon shook his head and frowned at Matthew.

Really? That doesn’t seem like Silas, Matthew said with a cheerful grin.

Oh. Well. Mark’s not allowed to hurt anybody. Edie took care of the contract, so… The girl trailed off and you could almost hear the shrug in her voice.

Edith Carter. Phaedon turned the name over in his mind. If Edie wrote the contract, Mimi could be quite limited indeed. That woman writes amazing blood contracts. Still, that Silas would sign such a binding agreement suggests something interesting. Phaedon nodded at Paddock and then grinned.

Matthew curled his mouth up on one side and wiped his face with a cotton handkerchief. When did that contract get written, sugar? I sure would like to know that.

There was a pause and then slowly, haltingly, the girl said, About two months ago.

We’re all friends here, child. All friends here. Matthew closed his eyes and swayed slightly in his seat. Tell me a little about the contact. It would mean so much to me.

Sh… Silas, he, the girl whimpered.

Shh, shh. Just relax. Just listen to the trees whisper in the wind.

Once the girl stopped snuffling, she whispered, We needed her help to destroy the keystone. The one that… made Rachel. A sob tore over the phone. I’m shhorry. Please. I can’t talk about that. Please.

Easy, of course you don’t. Easy. Matthew voice was gentle and he spoke slowly.

The demonridden that bit her, it was riding the body of someone she knew. Rachel. A sister perhaps? Phaedon filed that bit of information away. He had someone trying to figure out who the girl was based on the things they could glean during these conversations. Matthew believes it would be easier to control her if he knew her name. And I want to destroy this little bitch. He'd arranged to have the girl kidnapped because Matthew claimed he had to get close to dig a hook into someone. Somehow, impossibly, the kidnapping had gone horribly awry. Not only had she escaped, but the girl had injured one of his most effective weapons. I still want to know what this nameless little girl did to Olivia. And then there’s the challenge of choosing which way to kill her. So many choices and only one shot at it.

He steered his mind away from his second-in-command and mouthed Matthew a question. When. Does he. Leave?

Just one last question, sugar. When is Mark leaving?

Tomorrow afternoon, the girl said promptly.

Thank you dear, it’s been really lovely to talk with you. Now, I want you not to worry yourself at all about this conversation. It was just a little chat, not worth mentioning to anyone. Don’t. Worry.

There was a slow sigh over the phone. Okay.

Good girl.

As Matthew hung up, Phaedon’s phone began buzzing. He lifted it off his desk and raised his eyebrows at the anonymous caller identified on his screen. Hello?

Put me on speaker phone, came a robotic voice.

Goddamn spirit witch. He dropped the phone down on the desk and pressed the button.

The voice bit out crisp, angry words. I have already told you idiots when you’re going to get the information you want. I gave you a date and everything. You will ignore what you just learned. If you screw this up for me, you will wish for death.

The phone call ended. The two men stared at one another.

It has to be a woman, Matthew said finally, motioning at the phone.

Perhaps. Phaedon tilted his head to one side. Not many women with that kind of authority in their voices. I fucking hate spirit witches. I wish they weren’t so useful.

Matthew made a disbelieving huffing sound You really don’t hear how Olivia talks, do you?

Olivia is one of a kind, Phaedon replied absently as he turned over the witches’ words in his mind.

You need to get out more, boy, Matthew said. Your puppet master, excuse me, informant, is a woman. Now, if you don't mind, I think I’ll go take a shower.

Phaedon watched Matthew walk away and considered his options. He made certain not to commit to any one to avoid giving the spirit witch an easy glance into the future. Spirit witches couldn’t, after all, predict the future so much as see the possibilities laid out before someone. The stronger the spirit witch, the more possibilities they could see.

The trick is to keep my options open.

His concerns about Olivia kept bobbing up into his mind, refusing to join the easy flow of his thoughts. With an exasperated sound, he stood and began to pace. She hasn't been herself since that girl attacked her. For One’s sake, she looks at me like she’s afraid of me any time I come within an arm’s length of her. He relaxed into the flow of his walk and considered the choices in front of him, starting with how to get Olivia back to her old self.

***

Chapter 1: Edie Carter

As the pleasure of the feeding faded, the weight of the man on top of her began to feel uncomfortable. Edie shifted her weight and poked Dyshawn in the side with one finger. Don’t fall asleep.

Dyshawn chuckled into her neck. Hello to you too.

Heat rushed to her cheeks. They’d been so eager to touch that they hadn’t spoken a word when she’d arrived. Instead, they’d fallen on one another like starving people on a buffet. She brushed the long braids of his hair over his shoulder and pressed her lips against the warmth of his neck. Hi. She licked her lips and tasted salt.

He pushed himself up onto his elbows, but kept his hips snug against hers. A smile creased his face and warmed the dark brown of his eyes. Two months is a long time.

Sadness tugged at her heart, and she mentally cursed the demon that had bitten her at the age of twelve. Then she shook the feeling away. That I can’t see him more than every two months isn’t the worst thing I have to deal with. I need to get over it already. Instead, she brushed his mouth with her own. I agree. It was the closest she would come to admitting how much Dyshawn had come to mean to her over the last three years.

I have something for you. Dyshawn kissed her nose and then pulled himself free of her body. Stay here.

Edie rolled over onto her side and enjoyed watching Dyshawn’s backside as he rolled out of bed. It was round and firm and perfectly set between the vee of his back and well-muscled legs. As he removed the condom, Edie wiggled across the bed so she could slap one butt cheek.

Dyshawn wagged one finger as he grinned at her. Then he pointed at her and pulled a mock serious expression across his face. Stay. He pulled the bedroom door closed behind him as he left.

Edie flopped back onto the bed and let out a sigh. One way or another, every one of the bitten had to figure out how to use their ability and feed safely. For some, this was easy. Edie snorted. I wish it were easy for me to feed. I’ve got so many restrictions, it’s amazing I don’t starve. She could feed on sex, that much was true, but it was extremely difficult not to tap into the more dangerous of her two options to sustain herself: the capacity to incite unwavering devotion. Her ability to feed on adoration had developed much later and while it was easier to use, it also seemed to inevitably kill her victim. Dyshawn was one of her feeding partners and the one that had been around the longest. She’d been sleeping with Dyshawn every two months for close to three years. It’s the closest thing I’ll ever have to a romantic relationship and it can’t last forever. Sooner or later he’s going to want to have a normal connection with someone and then where will I be?

She wouldn’t admit this out loud to anyone, not even Silas, but she loved how she felt after a feed. Edie stretched against the silk sheets and enjoyed the feelings of contentment and safety thrumming through her. After a couple of minutes, Dyshawn came back through the door. He had a chocolate cupcake with a glowing candle balanced on one hand.

Edie sat up abruptly and her dismay pushed the contented feelings from the front of her mind. D, I thought you said you weren’t going to do this.

No, Dyshawn said, sitting carefully down on the bed. You said I shouldn’t and then I ignored you. I know it’s early, but four years sober is something to celebrate.

Edie stared at the candle flickering in front of her and sighed. It's a demon bite, not a drug addiction.

Yeah? Dyshawn asked quietly. That’s not what it looked like to me when I first saw you.

The reminder embarrassed her. Four years ago, give or take a few weeks, Silas and Dyshawn had arrived on her doorstep and stopped her from slowly draining her husband to death. She hadn’t been intending to kill Asad; she’d just lost control over her newly developed ability and couldn’t help herself. Sometimes, I wake up standing in the middle of my bedroom and all I can taste is the adoration pouring up from his skin. If Asad was in the room, I’d kill him before I could stop myself. Edie turned and glared at Dyshawn. Why remind me of that? Isn’t it enough I have to live with the knowledge?

Dyshawn rolled his eyes. You know that’s not what this is about. This is because you don’t go looking him up. Dyshawn lifted the cupcake. This is because you don’t try to do the same thing with someone new. In the beginning, I didn’t think you’d make it long enough to free Asad from your hold. Not even after that Spider kid ate up enough of your power to sober you up. You hear what I’m saying?

Edie pressed her lips together in a flat line and glared at him. I’m not likely to forget the way you treated me those first six months.

He reached out to touch her arm. I know I wasn’t nice about it, but I thought Silas was going to have to kill you and we both know Asad wouldn’t have survived your death. Not then, anyway. But you got it together. Asad’s got his life back, maybe not the one he had before, but a life that’s his. And so do you. And that’s because you work your ass off and you deserve to have someone point that out. Dyshawn lifted the cupcake. That’s why I made you a celebratory dinner last year. That’s why I’m giving you a cupcake this year.

The candle was rapidly melting into the frosting. Who made the cupcake? Edie asked as she leaned forward and blew the flame out. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.

You don’t think I made it? A slow smile spread across his features.

I hope not. Edie grinned back. Your chocolate chip cookies could break teeth. God only knows what you could do with a cupcake.

That’s cold. Real cold. Dyshawn leaned to one side and set the cupcake on the nightstand. Make a woman dinner and she mocks you.

Not the dinner. Just the cookies.

Dyshawn moved across the bed until he could put one hand on either side of her hips. The smell of his skin made her body tighten in anticipation.

A question bubbled out of Edie’s mouth. Why do you still see me? Why do you trust me? At all?

Dyshawn paused and then began trailing his mouth down her neck. Why does Silas still call me after you leave? I told him he didn’t have to.

She gave him a level look. Asking questions he already knew the answers to was Dyshawn's favorite way to win arguments. You know why. Edie felt her power try to rise up in response to Dyshawn’s caress and she grabbed a hold of it and forced it back under control. Their first coupling had fed her; anything else that happened today was for her and not the hunger. When Dyshawn didn't say anything, Edie rolled her eyes. Because I told him to.

That’s why. Dyshawn bit down on her neck and Edie shifted as the ache began to build between her legs.

That’s… She panted and tried to focus her thoughts. You hated my guts. Edie both wanted and feared he would say he cared about her. It doesn’t matter what he feels for me, we can’t ever by anything more than occasional lovers. My ability makes sure of that. And if it didn't, if I didn’t have such control problems, I’d still be with Asad.

Dyshawn pulled away from her until he could look her in the eye. When I first met you, you were a spoiled, sulky brat who didn’t want to admit she’d almost killed the man she loved.

An enormous knot formed in her throat.