Blood Covenant Restored (Blood Covenant Duet Book 2) (A Blood Covenant World Novel)

By L.E. Martin

Araminta has been to hell and back, but nothing can prepare her for what lies ahead. As more family secrets are uncovered and new truths exposed, she fears there may only be one way to stop the Demon Trio. And no matter how much Wyatt loves her, he may not be able to save her this time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.E. Martin
• Release date: Feb 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798201840976

L.E. Martin

L.E. Martin is currently working on adding more books to her Laying it Bare Series. She has a couple biker stories in the works and also a rock star one. Her next release is book one of a paranormal romance duet, which is releasing Oct. 15, 2022. There will also be another paranormal story following a side character from the Blood Covenant world releasing after book two of the duet.

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Blood Covenant Restored

Blood Covenant Duet Book Two

By L.E. Martin

Blood Covenant Restored (Blood Covenant Duet Book Two)

Copyright © 2022 L.E. Martin

Cover Designed by Designs by LM

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Sometimes the magic has to come from within

One

~Araminta~

Ever since Baltzar had captured and tortured me before using my blood to release his second brother, I had been thinking a lot about way too many things. At the moment, thoughts inside my brain resembled the turbulent ocean waves during a violent storm. And I really needed to sort things out quickly so I could then focus my full concentration on improving my magic wielding. But bouncing around in the chaos in there was one thing I refused to pay any mind to for fear it would shatter me and I wasn’t sure I would then be able to put those pieces back together.

First on my mind was the belief that Hardin was changing back to a version of the guy I had once trusted and loved. I hadn’t heard from him or run into him since that horrible day. But as far as I could tell, he played no part in that devious abduction and subsequent torture. He actually had helped Kai and Wyatt escape when they had come to rescue me. However, I was being completely honest when I had told Wyatt I didn’t believe I could ever fully trust Hardin again. So was there really anything to look into? I so wasn’t ready to open up that can of worms. My feelings for Wyatt were too strong and I didn’t want to hurt him. Besides, there was no room in my heart for Hardin anymore. There couldn’t be.

Next was the fact that my mother had used dark magic on me to help protect me from demons when she had gone off the rails after my father had been killed while helping her bind one of the demon brothers. One I had unwillingly helped release recently. Now only one brother remained bound. And because of those protections my mother had bestowed upon me using dark magic, I had to ramp up my light magic since I didn’t dare dip into the dark. I had learned that when Baltzar had used his dark magic on me, the dark protecting me gave up no resistance which made it easier for him to hurt me. So I had to improve my light magic skills to counteract him discovering that weakness. I guess that made sense since demons tended to fight with one another so this gave them a way to do it for sport – making it so they had to constantly be working on growing stronger with their power.

And the one that lay the heaviest on me: sharing a blood bond with Wyatt. His witch magic would add to what I already had and he thought help dilute – that was the best word he could come up with to describe it – the demon concentration I had because of my mother’s spells. But the bond would be permanent, until death parted us, and he wasn’t sure I was ready to make that kind of decision. Was I? Almost one hundred percent of the time I was convinced I was. Wyatt made me feel things I never did with Hardin, but he was also right about the fact that Hardin and I had unfinished business. But conditions created a situation where I didn’t believe there was any way to rectify that. He had broken my trust and had tricked me, causing me to play a huge role in releasing Baltzar. And now we’ve come to my current state of chaos.

Hey, Baby. What’s going on in your head? Wyatt pressed a kiss to my forehead, bringing me out of my troubling jumble of brain upheaval to where we sat at the bar in his kitchen having a snack after another grueling session working on my magic. His dark eyes studying me with concern.

I could talk to him about any of those things, but chose not to at the moment. Why haven’t I been getting any better at this magic stuff? We’ve been going hard for the last four days. I should be seeing some sort of improvement. I ran a hand agitatedly through my tangled red hair.

Cupping my cheek in his hand, he ran his thumb along my skin. You’ll get there. Maybe you’re still recovering from your ordeal. And maybe I’m pushing you too hard with these trainings. He pushed my glass of Gatorade in front of me. Get some fluids into your body. You’re looking a little pale.

I doubted the pale had anything to do with my demanding training. I took a few gulps of my drink. You aren’t pushing me too hard. I just feel like someone who is training for a marathon or something. That’s no big deal. But I feel like something is preventing me from really getting a handle on this magic thing. Blowing out a breath of frustration, I gazed up at him with a pout. Maybe I’m going to make a terrible witch.

Wyatt rolled an apple toward me before taking a bite of his own. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that you didn’t start using it when you were younger. Maybe it’s just going to take a little longer to get it functioning full throttle.

After finishing my drink, I bit into my apple. I don’t feel like we have the time to wait on it to decide when it wants to come out to play to win.

Maybe something is blocking her. Kai walked into the kitchen and headed to the refrigerator. Since he had been helping me train, his brown wavy hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. Tugging open the door, he grabbed himself a bottle of water. I remember reading something about that before. But I’m not sure what it could be. I couldn’t imagine her mother making it so she couldn’t use her magic to its full potential, considering she went a little overboard with the helping to better protect her. Or maybe the protections placed on her using dark magic are working against her now that she’s summoned her white magic. He took a long pull of his water while his blue eyes held a faraway look for a moment. I think we may need to consult those older tomes again. Maybe we are missing something vital that could help us out not only with her magic but with a safer way to bind those two. We had been so focused on finding her that we haven’t really looked into what exactly to do once we found her. It might be a good idea anyway since we are dealing with a demon trio that has been around for ages. Sometimes old practices are more effective than newer ones.

Wyatt crunched his bite of apple. You bring up a good point. Although we did learn the spell to use and how to do it. He shuddered but didn’t elaborate.

I shot him a curious look, but he just gave me a weak smile. I would have to ask him about his reaction later.

Kai grabbed a pear from the bowl on the counter and rubbed it on his shirt. Let me know when you guys are heading back down to work and I’ll help again. I’m going to take care of some work and then hit those tomes. Then he strolled over to the living room to grab his lap top off of the end table and strode down the hallway. Maybe he had a desk in his room?

Later became right now as inquisitiveness got the better of me. Is there something bad about the spell to bind those demons or something? I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Well, that wasn’t entirely true; I did want to know. Because whatever it was; it would be okay because I had Wyatt. Even as a small part of me grew twitchy wondering if it was something dreadful.

Scooting his stool closer to mine, he took my hands in his larger rougher ones. You know we have to use your blood to bind them?

I nodded mutely and swallowed around the huge lump growing in my throat.

Well, you have to touch the demon with your flowing blood. It has to be directly from you and come in to direct contact with him while we conduct the spell.

The color drained from my face as horrid memories flooded my thoughts. I was taken back to when Baltzar had held me captive after he had used me to release his brother while awaiting to use me to then find his final one. All of the pain that had seared through me, relentlessly. The twisted sexual feelings he conjured that made me feel filthy even as I knew they weren’t real, but couldn’t force them from my mind. He merely laughed as he used his toxic magic to compel my body into believing he was touching it in an unwelcomed manner and stealing sensations from me that were fabricated. Springing from my seat, I raced to the sink and threw up the apple I had just eaten. Then after rinsing the mess down the drain, I switched the water to cold and splashed my face.

Wyatt wound an arm around my waist and tugged me to his chest, wiping my face with a towel. What’s the matter, Baby? Are you feeling ill? He played with the strands of my hair.

He had no idea the magnitude of what had caused my body to grow nauseated, resulting in me vomiting my snack and my body shivering in revulsion. It had been like being raped, without the actual physical act, but with the same repulsive demeaning feelings it left behind. I wasn’t sure I could bring myself to confide in him. It was too shameful.

Not like you’re thinking. You’d be right there with me? My words trembled out with my unsteady voice.

"I’d be there instead of you if I could. But yes, I will be right by your side. And not just because we will be using my blood as well to make the bond even stronger and harder to break. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. And if we discover another way without you needing to be that close; we’re using that instead. His comforting hand lifted my chin so he could lock me in his alarmed gaze. But I feel as if there is more to this. What has you shaking so badly? I’m imagining some pretty horrific things here. Please put my mind at ease."

Tears welled in my eyes as I slapped my hand to my mouth to stifle my sob. I don’t know that I can do that. I don’t want you to see me any differently. My green eyes pleaded with him, but for what I couldn’t be sure. To let the subject drop? To love me despite what had happened?

His dark eyes narrowed. You told me Hardin didn’t do anything to you. A cold edge drenched his words. Are you just now remembering something?

My tears fell down my cheeks in rapid succession and I struggled to catch my breath.

Concern etched his features as Wyatt scooped me into his arms and carried me back to his room. Depositing me onto his bed, he crawled in beside me and tugged me close before pulling the blankets up over us, tucking me into his warm chest.

I hadn’t realized my entire body was shaking violently. Was I cold?

I’m not upset with you, Ara. Please know that. I didn’t mean to sound angry. I don’t like seeing you in pain. It breaks my heart. I love you and could never be upset with you. He ran his hands through my hair in soothing passes. Can you tell me what you remembered?

It wasn’t Hardin. My words left my lips barely above a whisper. Baltzar used his magic to make me feel like he was . . . A sob tore through me and I clutched to Wyatt like he was the only thing preventing me from drowning in the cruel repulsive darkness threatening to drag me under.

His entire body tensed like a snake ready to strike as he hugged me tighter to him. You don’t have to say anything else. His tone held a lethal calm, but I knew it wasn’t directed at me. Oh God, Ara. I wish I could take away all of your pain. Especially that. He pressed his face into my hair. Please don’t believe I think any differently about you. I still love you so very much. It makes me want to protect you all the more. But my feelings for you haven’t changed a bit. I still want you as much as ever. He gently pulled my face up to meet his heartfelt expression.

You don’t think . . .? That I’m dirty, tainted, and repulsive to touch? A clump of his dark hair had fallen into his eyes, so I brushed it away from his face.

Not at all. You are still the beautiful Ara I fell in love with and plan to stay with for as long as you’ll have me. He pressed a long kiss to my forehead. Now I understand better why you were so adamant about practicing right away. I will do everything in my power to make sure you can protect yourself and keep you safe, even if I have to give serious consideration to asking Hardin for help.

He was considering what? I was positive my features revealed my shock at his admission. Do you think we can trust Hardin? I didn’t feel as if he was quite the enemy I had believed even a week ago, but wasn’t sure I was ready to give him any form of my trust.

Winding his fingers gently through my hair, they landed at my nape and massaged the tense muscles there. I’m not sure, but I told Kai I’d give it some serious thought. While I’m unsure of his allegiance; a huge part of me is confident it no longer lies with Baltzar. But that doesn’t mean he’s considering turning over a new leaf. I don’t know him well enough to trust that he wouldn’t be looking to find himself another place within other powerful demons once Baltzar and his brother are bound again. But maybe we could work together to solve this issue and worry about the other, if it transpires, later.

It’s not like we have to decide right this moment. I guess it’s not a bad idea to look into all sorts of options.

Are you feeling a little better? We can stay in here and rest if you want. I can go grab my laptop and work from bed while you rest.

No, you go get some work done because I want to practice more later on. I think I’m going to grab my mom’s book and skim through it some more while I chill in here. I feel close to her when I read about her spells and dealings. I wish I had my dad’s book too. I don’t remember much about either one of them and some days, especially recently, I’ve really been missing them.

He pressed his mouth to mine. "I love you, Ara. And as long as you’re sure, I’ll let you have some time. I’ll be right