Page 20 of My Dark Obsession

He raised his brows at me from where he dug through piles of books. A small grin pulled at his wide lips causing that swirling in my tummy.

Squinting back at the skin in my hands I tried to make out the words.

‘Rule one of Harnessing: Acceptance. Without acceptance, expect no results.’ I didn't even get to rule two before I slammed the book shut with a snap and moved onto the next book. The ink had been so smeared and messy I couldn't even make out the rule two.

I knew I needed acceptance now, but acceptance of what? The world? The people in it? The council and their ways? What did I need to accept?

We flicked through the books for hours, only stopping for Rí to eat more meats and cheeses all whilst commenting how he hadn't eaten a good steak in a while.

“You’d happily eat a big, juicy, no doubt bloody steak after touching books with real skin on?” I asked flatly.

“Does it bother ye’?” He asked with another one of those new grins.

“No.” I answered honestly. Things like this had never bothered me: death, blood, gore. None of it fazed me. It was the way of life and the way my mind constantly whispered at me to be part of the darker side of it. Well, let’s just say I know I was definitely a little on the morbid side.

Now, friendships, love and bright colours freaked the shit out of me.

I shuddered and slammed the book down on the table; we were getting nowhere.

All the books went on about was acceptance, how to use the power once you could harness it.

However, there was one little book I had snuck under the mattress that informed me more about Circle Mates.

It was now in my Tbr pile along with Isa’s journal.

“Maybe we should revisit the Bookkeeper or even look around the Dead Village.” I sighed as I stood and stretched my arms above my head.

The top I had changed into pulled from my jeans and exposed my stomach to the cool air.

I closed my eyes as the crack in my back released some tension from sitting for so long.

A warm hand softly rubbed down my waist before circling and holding my stomach, pulling me back into a heated hard body.

My legs instantly turned to jelly as my mouth dried. His small growl of appreciation had me turning around and looking at him under my lashes. My breasts grew heavy with need as my thighs clenched in anticipation.

I licked my lower lip as I turned around, pulled a chair to him and stood on it, bringing me to nose level.

Slowly, I placed my hands on his big broad shoulders, stood on tip toes and placed an open-mouthed kiss to the pulse on his tanned neck.

His firewood and cake flavour coated my lips and made me so damn hungry for him.

He moaned low and gripped my hips in his hands before sliding them to my ass and squeezing.

I kissed along his jaw before ever so slowly running my tongue along his lower lip, enjoying how his red eyes became brighter and heavier at the same time. His hard cock pressed against my stomach, and I shuffled closer, rubbing myself on it and pulling another drawn out groan deep from his chest.

He gripped my face and pressed his lips to mine. Drinking me in, our breathing became gasps of pleasure as our tongues caressed, chests smushed together, and I continued to rub against him in desperation.

I wanted him and I wanted him now.

I tore my mouth from his, placed my hand on his chest and felt his hammering heart. I stretched my face into a grin before I pushed with all my might, causing him to fall backwards onto my huge bed.

He looked up at me in shock and excitement. I swore I could see his dragon peeking at me in those red eyes. I jumped from the chair to the bed and sat with my legs on either side of his waist.

His hands slid to my hips as he breathed “Ye’ are fucking glorious.”

I pushed my long hair to the side and leaned down pressing my lips to his. I pressed my core down on his throbbing cock and gave a small whimper at the pressure it provided against my now wet pussy.

His hands slowly pushed my top up, his heated palms causing me to shudder.

“If you’re quite done, I believe we need to talk.”

Before I could even blink Rí was standing in a slight crouch and a growl rumbling from his chest in a warning. I looked around his large body and saw Cole leaning against the bedroom door, his arms crossed and face sour.

“How the fuck are you in my Castle?” I demanded, ignoring the fact I had already started with the ‘my’. Funny what having stuff can do to you huh?

My body still thrummed with need and my mark was almost dancing in happiness at having two Mates so close to me.

Rí’s chest heaved as he straightened before he gripped my hand in his. I didn't feel the need to pull away.

“Seems the rumours are true; the Mountain grants all the Mates access.” Sighing, Cole rubbed at the stubble on his chin before aiming his tired blue eyes to me. Why was he so tired? He was starting to look sick.

“I couldn't find anything in the Village. I couldn't sense any Dark magic, any surge of power, nothing.”

“I’m not ly–”

He held his hand up and said, “It doesn't mean there isn't anything there. Just that it may be hiding from me. The council aren't backing down.” He dragged his eyes from mine and looked to Rí, “They have a suitor ready and waiting, and let’s just say, even I detest the man.” He curled his lip, turned on his heel and left the room.

“Wait!” I called out and followed him up the darkened stairs to the foyer.

“Why are you helping us?”

“I told you, to get rid of you.” He answered, still walking from the castle. I still followed, my bare feet now getting wet from the cold moss as he entered the cemetery.

“Yeah yeah, we hate each other.” Rolling my eyes, I grabbed his arm to stop him from walking further.I swallowed at the coldness of his skin against my own. His coldness held no comfort to me. I sensed only despair within him.

“Why are you even here? Why are you so tired? Why do you even work with those assholes?” The questions just fell from my mouth, and I couldn't stop; the cap had popped from the bottle and the explosion was real.

“Why are you telling us any of this? Why–”

“Fucking hell stop. Just stop,” he yelled, ripping his arm from my grasp and rubbed at his lower back. He paced back and forth in front of me as I mentally screwed my lid back on.

I didn't like it when I exploded like that.

“I have to get rid of you; you have to go back. I can’t...” He stopped his pacing and faced me; his tired face became pale the longer he stood before me.

“Cole, are you sick?” I questioned. I didn't know witches could get sick. I had assumed we were immune to the human illness. I had never been sick a day in my life and yet Cole looked pale, tired and thinner by the hour.

“Yes. Yes, I’m fucking sick now if you’ll excuse me. The Council are expecting me.” He stormed away. Just before he reached the trees he called out, “go and check the Dead Village,” leaving me amongst the dead.

They usually brought me comfort, but something about our interaction was off. More than usual.

Something was wrong with the White witch.