Unveiled: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Three Betty Legend (best short novels txt) 📖

“He’s been good to me.”

My father lifts his hand toward my face. Eyes focused, he narrows them, and a silver glow emerges in his hand. Skin becoming solid, he caresses his hand against my cheek. Tears come harder as I lean into his cool touch.

“I’ll always be with you, Selene. Always.”

His form fades in and out.

“Please don’t go, Dad.”

“Always, my sweet girl.”

Tears pour down my cheeks as his form fades into air.

“I’ll miss you.”

Dropping to my knees, my face falls into my hands as I cry. The same pressure I felt pull at my core earlier comes back with more intensity. Yielding to the pressure, I close my eyes.

The bedroom ceiling comes into view as my body slowly lowers, my back touching a blanket and mattress as magic bleeds from my skin in chaotic motions. Blinking back tears, I gather my strength and focus on the magic. As if responding to my mental command, it dissipates, the bright colors fading into my body. All five of my men stare at me with concern and wonder, then swoop in, finding space around me on the bed.

“What happened?” Cyrus asks. Sitting next to me, his hand caresses my face, wiping away my tears.

“I met Cataleya and saw my dad.”

“Damn, babe, are you okay?” Emeric strokes my feathered tattoo, our magic connecting before he takes my hand in his.

“I will be.” Sitting up, I push a pillow behind me. “Cataleya told me how to stop the devil.”

“How?” Phoenix asks, his hand rubbing my leg.

“She said we have to close all of his gateways, then bind him to hell. She emphasized the we part. She said it requires bonded magic.”

Cyrus nods in understanding, his tone confident. “I’ll work on the binding spell.”

Griffin gives my other leg a comforting squeeze. “I’ll help him.”

Emeric glances at Cyrus, then me. “I can work on finding and closing gateways. They’ll be demon hotspots.”

Killian dips his chin at Emeric. “I’ll help you kill demons.”

“I’ll stay with Selene,” Phoenix insists. “We’re taking a visit to see her mother. I can join her while seeing the doctor as well.”

“I want to be there,” Emeric tells him. “At the doctor.”

“So do the rest of us,” Griffin shares.

“Speaking of that.” A smile pulls at the corner of my mouth. “My dad shared a secret about our baby.”

The guys seem energized by my words.

“What’s the secret?” Killian presses.

“It’s a boy.”

Grins and excited energy buzz among them.

“One of us is going to have a son,” Killian says to them all.

Shared excitement and comprehension pass between glances and smiles. I understand every one of them hopes it’s their son and worries it won’t be. My heart aches for the four who will be disappointed.

Griffin pats my leg, his eyes glimmering with turquoise as he studies me. “Let’s get you dinner, then make plans. A lot is going to change now that the curse is broken.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

SELENE

With the evening sunset, Phoenix and I portal to the back patio of my childhood home. Before entering the sliding glass door, I give his hand a squeeze as tension tightens his features.

“Don’t worry, my mother and Rachel will love you.”

“Did you tell them how poorly I treated you?” Guilt coats his words as they leave his lips.

Turning him to me, I gather his hands in mine.

“I told Rachel some, but not all of it. I wanted her to understand what you’d been through with Vivian’s passing.” A shadow of pain darkens his eyes. I know being reminded of her still hurts him. “I’m sorry to bring her up.”

“It’s all right.” Lifting my hand, he brings it to his lips. “I appreciate your confidence in us and that you don’t feel jealous when she’s mentioned.”

“Of course not.” Putting my arms around his neck, I rub my fingertips through his hair. “She was an important part of your life. You have every right to feel her loss.”

Pulling me in closer, he awakens our magic as his tongue slips between my parted mouth and stirs my arousal.

“You’ve given me a new life and love to be grateful for.”

“I’m just as grateful for you.”

Violet essence dances around us like firework sparklers, the reflection of light brightening Phoenix’s eyes.

“Our magic is quite responsive to our desire.” Lowering his head to my neck, he scrapes his fangs along my skin, sending a rush of pleasure to my core. “We’ll never be able to hide how we feel from the other.”

“I never want to hide how you make me feel.” Lowering my hand, I rub over the lengthening bulge in his pants.

Backing me into the darkness, he pins me to the fence.

“Meeting your mother and Rachel will have to wait.”

As he lifts my legs, I clench around his waist and release a pleasured groan as he pushes his erection against me.

“They could come out at any moment.”

Another thrust and I struggle to think straight as his heated breath teases my ear.

“Then we’ll find a better location.”

The door of the patio clicks, then slides, and I freeze in his arms. Letting my legs down, he keeps me hidden behind him in the darkness.

My mother looks around, her gaze landing on us. She blinks, her eyes narrowed as if she’s trying to make out the objects. Phoenix takes my hand, and we emerge from the shadows. Jolting, my mother puts her hand to her chest.

“I’m sorry. It’s been years since I’ve seen a vampire.”

“I understand. We can be startling in the dark.” Phoenix stands tall and regal as he extends his hand to her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Claire.”

My mother takes his hand and smiles.

“It’s great to meet you, Phoenix.” She waves her hand toward the door. “Please, come in and make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you.” Motioning for her to go first, he takes my hand and ushers me forward, coming in behind us. As the door closes, Rachel enters the kitchen with a larger belly than when I saw her last.

“Selene!”

We rush forward, hugging each other.

“Rachel,”—I place a