Eliza Gayle Witch Bundle (paranormal romance), Eliza Gayle [books suggested by bill gates txt] 📗

Merc's statement left him speechless as he trained his gun from Selene to Cash, aiming dead center on his chest. Before he or Selene could react the gun fired and, despite Selene's attempt to attack Merc, the bullet slammed into Cash before anyone could stop it.

He watched the shock and horror bloom across her face. A sudden burst of heat and flame in the room erupted around her as her attention moved to Merc, who foolishly stood watching them both with only a gun for protection. Cash labored for breath as he staggered to his knees. The burst of air racing through the room died to an unnatural stillness as he put all his effort into bolstering his strength.

He watched helplessly as Selene formed a fireball in her hand, intent on killing Merc. His instincts screamed to save her, but the blood pouring from his chest zapped his strength faster than he could recover.

“I wouldn't if I were you, Selene.” Merc twisted his body, putting Selene next in the line of fire. “I just saved you the trouble of dealing with a vengeful witch. You should thank me.”

With the lack of hesitation of a trained fighter, she flung the lethal flame in the direction of the bastard's head, only for it to stop a foot away, clinging to an invisible barrier. Damn. He'd definitely underestimated the asshole's abilities. He'd sensed a witch, but hadn't expected this much power.

“You stupid bitch. You really think I’d come in here unprepared? Why the hell do you think I shot your boy-toy? You have no idea what you have gotten yourself into this time. You should have returned when you had the chance.” A keening cry sounded in the room as flames leapt higher around Selene's body.

Cash had no choice, he had to help her. It was the least he could do for her. It was too late for him anyway. He opened his mind and his soul, reaching deep for the power within, clawing to get out. The darkest of magick pushed through him, overpowering him, feeding on his anger and frustration. Cash embraced the black magick, allowing it free reign to gather strength. He used it to get himself off his knees and back onto his weak but steady legs. Glancing towards Selene, he watched her continue to fling fiery orbs at Merc. Before long the entire surface of his protective shield was an entire wall of flame.

Fire licked at the ceiling as his own power began gravitating towards it. Air, inexplicably drawn to fire. Negative energy swirled in the room, a dark wild storm breaking free, a burst of heat so palpable and strong as to be visible pushed out from Selene. It was aimed at Merc, but strong enough that it encompassed him as well.

“Goddamn it, Selene, hold on. Find your center and use it for control.”

She didn't even turn at his words, but the radiating heat lessened and his heated skin began to cool.

Focused for now, Cash turned to the witch encased in protection. His magick sought a way through the shield, pressing against it and looking for that wisp of air, indicating a crack. It fanned a flame on Merc's left side and his magick raced to it, forcing it bigger and larger, weakening his protection. The fire hadn't yet burned through, but it was only a matter of time before the heat would get through. Cash just couldn't wait that long. His weakened body wouldn't last much longer, and Merc still held his gun in Selene's direction. He pushed with all he had.

Finally in, Cash wove himself around Merc's legs, draining his inner force. The shield wavered and small pieces of flame burst through. The stench of burning flesh permeated the room as Cash stole his inner power and Selene fought his outer shell.

“Now, Selene, now!” He didn't need to explain further. Her hands raised in front of her, a crackling ball of blue fire forming. Merc screamed just as she flung it, cutting his voice off when his body became an inferno. With one last push of dark, Merc burst into millions of tiny pieces of flame drifting in the air.

Cash quickly sucked the air from the room, extinguishing not only the fire from Merc but the flames that surrounded Selene, too. With the fires out, Cash filled the room with clean, sweet air from outside the apartment. Reenergizing the balance in the area, despite the damage caused by the flames.

Screwing his eyes shut, he gritted his teeth against the onslaught of imminent death. He collapsed to the ground, pain forcing his surrender. He’d used the last of his magick to save the woman he’d quickly become obsessed with.

He turned his eyes to Selene, lying on the floor, drinking in the sheer beauty she possessed, grateful that she’d be safe for now. Her employer seemed hell bent on getting her back. He only hoped his brother would arrive in time to protect her. Cash ached to learn more about her. Unfortunately, it would be Denn who would receive her explanations.

Cash let his eyes slide shut, giving in to the pain and weight pressing down on him. She would live. That's all that mattered.

Chapter Four

Selene reached for Cash, her arms and legs as weak as a newborn kitten. She'd been momentarily stunned from the fire and resulting brief lack of air in the room. Her lungs still burned from the deprivation. But all she could see was the amount of blood that covered his body and leaked onto the floor, scaring the hell out of her. How he'd managed to stand and work magick she didn't understand. Well, it wasn't as if she actually knew what it took to wield his brand of magick. Her psychic powers always lay just below the surface, waiting for her to use them, which was why it had taken her so many years to gain control. At least, until the last couple of days.

Cold sweat broke out on her