Familiar with the Warlock (Stand Alone Tales Book 14) Read online

  Maven tried to help a friend, ended up being diverted by a warlock and familiar. Don’t worry, they only want her for her body.

  Maven is a good friend, so when she gets a text for a ride home, she goes to the private party and slips into the manor, looking for her acquaintance. What she finds shocks her into trying to leave, but a warlock and his familiar detain her in the kitchen while the guests are cleared out with memories wiped.

  The huge cat turns into a charming man, and the warlock is covered in angry shadows. When they look her over, they find something that she didn’t know she had—sex magic.

  Olmin and Argo are charming, flirtatious, and determined. They have found a source of magical power to light a beacon that they have been working on for hundreds of years, and now, they have a chance with Maven’s cooperation.

  After being used for their project, she tries to return to a normal life, but a large cat continues to curl up with her in bed, and she was never one to ignore a pair of fluffy ears and silky fur.

  Her life has just gotten tremendously complicated.

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Familiar with the Warlock

  Copyright © 2020 by Viola Grace

  ISBN: 978-1-989892-35-0

  ©Cover art by Angela Waters

  All rights reserved. With the exception of review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher.

  Published by Viola Grace

  Look for me online at violagrace.com.

  Familiar with the Warlock

  Stand-Alone Tales Book #14

  By

  Viola Grace

  Chapter One

  Maven looked at the elegant vehicles parked in the lot next to her serviceable SUV. One of those things didn’t belong, and she wanted to get Alice and get the hell out of Dodge before anything happened.

  She felt a weird tingle as she headed up the steps of the old stone manor, and she eased the door open quietly, slipping into the shadows that seemed to be everywhere. Alice had sent her an emergency text twenty minutes earlier for an emergency extraction.

  The Halloween party of Urgent Books was underway, and it had taken a turn for the serious adult. Maven moved toward the ballroom, but in the dim illumination, she could see that there were dozens of writhing bodies, and she saw Alice in the middle of them, gripping her partner and riding him with no signs of distress. Maven moved back into the shadows and backed away from the orgy.

  She hit the wall and slid her hand along it, looking for the nearest door to escape the hypnotic event happening a few meters away. It was like they were all moving to the same beat.

  A hand grabbed hers, and she turned her head, staring up into a shadow with two white-bright eyes. “You shouldn’t be here.”

  The creature hauled her through the halls and shoved her into what was a very normal kitchen for such a spooky home. “Remain here. Argo, keep an eye on her.”

  She staggered forward and caught herself on the island while the doors to the kitchen all glowed soft white. She touched the glass door to the rear garden, and her fingers sparked painfully. “Ow!”

  There was a growl, but it was a weird growl. She turned, and a large spotted cat advanced on her. Maven stared at it and moved slowly to the nearby window seat, slowly sitting down and leaning back against the edge of the window.

  The cat advanced on her and hopped up into the window seat next to her, sniffing her ear, her neck, her armpit, cleavage, and he focused on her corset and the black satin cord that hid the corset from view. He—and she was quite sure it was he with a name like Argo—spent a little too much time near her groin for her peace of mind. He slowly lowered himself to her lap and began a rattling purr that made her really aware of his position across her thighs.

  She reached out and touched the silky fur on his neck, expecting to feel coarse fur and astonished at the silky soft stuff. Maven stroked his neck and body with one hand while the other kept her balance on the window seat.

  Maven sighed and muttered to him. “This is all very weird. Alice sent me a text to pick her up, and I got here as fast as I could, but that party looked like it had been going for a lot longer than twenty minutes. So, I am sitting here with a huge cat made of pointies and wondering what the hell is going on. I don’t suppose that you have any idea, Argo?”

  He purred and looked up at her with shockingly green eyes.

  “This is not the way I planned to spend my Friday night. I was just at a friend’s costume party, and now, I am stuck. I am pretty sure that you know what is going on but don’t really have an interest in stupid human stuff, right?”

  He settled more firmly against her groin with his head, and he purred violently.

  She tried to ease out from under him four times in the next half hour, but midnight came and went, and she was stuck under the cat whose head spanned her lap and who seemed to be very amused by the fact that the contact slightly aroused her.

  Maven was mortified. She was a light touch away from an orgasm, but the huge cat had fallen asleep. Was it immoral if she was prey?

  The doors flickered, and she tried to ease out from under Argo. He flexed his claws against her thigh. She settled and winced at the pressure. “Okay. Got it.”

  He didn’t let up the pressure, so she blew a column of air into his face. He backed up and shook his head.

  The dark figure from earlier entered, and his eyes were less glowy and more a cold grey. “Who are you, and why are you here?”

  “Alice sent me a text just before eleven.” She looked down and sighed at the silky gold fur that decorated the front of her costume.

  “Impossible.”

  She reached into the front of her costume, and she pulled out her very warm phone. That was what happened when she kept it on the ledge above her corset.

  She thumbed it open and showed him the text. The shadow gradually transformed into the shape of the man that Alice had her eyes on. The CEO of Urgent Books, Olmin Reckon.

  “Holy cow. You are that guy.” She played stupid. Folks trusted you if you looked like you weren’t intimidating. She couldn’t pull that off with her body, so she had perfected looking helpless when confronted with authority figures.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Argo, report.”

  The cat sat up and blurred into the shape of a man with golden hair, green eyes, and a pair of trousers visible with his dress shirt open.

  “She’s calm, level-headed, smells of steel, reeks of sex magic and intelligence.” His voice was a soft growl. “Oh, and she’s hot-blooded. And she likes cats.”

  The CEO was pouring himself a glass of water. He paused. “Is she now?”

  She was staring at the spot where the cat had been. “You’re a guy?”

  He grinned, and she lashed out with her heel, knocking him to the floor.

  She had grabbed the doorknob and had gotten the door open when she was lifted off her feet.

  “Hush, Alice’s friend. You won’t remember anything.” Olmin leaned in and kissed her as Argo held her. She felt the same energy that had bound the door easing into her, and she knew it was coaxing her into a deep sleep. She slowly relaxed into the kiss and tried not to react as he slipped his tongue in and slid it along the edge of her teeth. She kept herself limp, and finally, he backed up. “She tastes amazing.”

  Argo murmured, “Glad y
ou think so; she’s still awake.”

  Olmin cupped her chin and lifted her head. “Playing possum?”

  She lifted her feet and pressed them against his chest, pushing hard. Sadly, Argo staggered backward but didn’t lose his grip.

  He chuckled and licked her ear with a raspy tongue. “Well played, witch.”

  Olmin looked her over, and he reached out, making a strange gesture that she didn’t understand until the satin cord that she had wrapped over the corset for her sea witch costume slithered into two pieces and bound her hands and feet.

  “What is going on? Why can’t I just leave?”

  He walked up to her and whispered, “Because the rite failed, as it has every attempt that has been made over the centuries. If you truly have magic in your veins, then this might be the best way to accomplish my ends.”

  “Your ends?”

  “We need to install a defender, and I need to request one, but I have been unable to send a signal because the magic here is too weak.” He smiled. “I need a lot of power in a short span of time. You might be able to help me with that.”

  She shook her head. “I am not volunteering.”

  He stroked her cheek. “You have affection for Alice, don’t you? Her work is incredible, but her aura doesn’t reflect that brilliance. Why is that?”

  Maven looked into his eyes, and she swallowed. “She always wanted to be an author.”

  “Perhaps you could help her to her muse if you let your magic wake. If Argo senses your power, you are definitely a witch. The problem lies in your cooperation. Sex magic can’t be forced.”

  She lifted her bound wrists. “I can see that.”

  Olmin smiled. “Those are just to keep you calm and listening. I can understand how the situation would awaken a panic response.”

  She snorted. “I don’t panic.”

  To her shock, Argo slid one of his hands up to cover her corseted breast, and he purred against her back.

  She let out a strangled. “But, I can be surprised.”

  Argo chuckled.

  Olmin was looking over her shoulder. “You are being very affectionate.”

  He said softly, “She stroked me for nearly an hour. I would like to return the favour.”

  She shivered. His hand was just sitting there, and her corset was thick. Unless he invaded her clothing, nothing much was going to happen.

  He licked her neck, and that caused an immediate reaction. Her nerves came to full alert and waited for the next stroke. When he licked her leisurely again, she shuddered, and her head drooped back.

  Olmin came up to her and looked her over. “Well, well. That is fascinating.”

  She was nervous now. He was taller than she was, which was fine, but there was sexual interest in his gaze, which was unusual. “Um, I am sure that some of those ladies from earlier would be more than interested in you. I am pretty sure that Alice would suck you off in your office if you crooked your finger.”

  He paused. “So, the threat of confinement doesn’t frighten you, but you are repulsed by lust?”

  She licked her lips and then kicked herself when his gaze fixed on her mouth. “Um, over the years, I have determined that I am attractive to two types of people, petite lesbians, and men who like to be frightened in bed. There isn’t a lot of room for confusion there.”

  He leaned back. “You have been rejected.”

  She tensed. “Yeah, so if this is a pity thing, I would rather skip it.”

  Argo pressed against her butt, and through the layers of cloak and skirt, she felt something that wasn’t his thigh. “No pity back here.”

  She shivered, and Olmin pressed against her from the front. He stroked her cheek. “We simply want what is inside you. Your body is just the means to an end.”

  She looked at him in resignation. “So, you just want to have sex with me, and then, I can go home, and Alice doesn’t have to know about this?”

  “Correct.”

  “So, she can continue being one of your authors?”

  “Of course. She sells very well.” He smiled, and it was the smile of a man who was getting his way.

  Maven nodded. “Fine then. Go nuts.”

  He nodded to Argo. “Bring her to my bedroom.”

  “Not the playroom?” Argo seemed surprised.

  “No, this is not the time for that.”

  Argo switched his grip and caught her up, carrying her into the depths of the house. Apparently, it was time for something else.

  Chapter Two

  Maven blushed as Argo walked around her, removing her cloak.

  “Well, I can’t do anything else until he removes the bonds. Congratulations. He doesn’t let many women come in here.” Argo smiled. “Take that how ever you like.”

  She fought to keep her balance as she was stuck with her legs wrapped together from knee to ankle.

  She looked at him. “I think I liked you better as a cat. You talked less.”

  He grinned and pounced at her, sending her back onto the bed. He knelt over her and pinned her between his hands. “Well, as the warlock needs to have the honour of undressing you, I suppose that I am stuck with what I can reach.”

  She shivered. “You are participating?”

  “I am his secretary. I am always around when he needs another pair of hands.” He chuckled and pressed his mouth to hers, licking and sucking at her mouth until she was sighing softly with each sliding contact.

  When he pulled his head away, there was a soft smile in his eyes. He leaned in and ran his tongue down her neck and to the collarbone exposed by the pirate shirt. He lapped at her skin slowly, working his way down to the edge of the corset. He paused and snorted. “Car keys?”

  She blushed and turned her head away as he reached between her breasts to pull out her keys, a notebook she kept for jotting down ideas, and the pencil that went with the notebook.

  He looked into her cleavage. “Anything else in there?”

  She muttered, “Debit card and house keys on the righthand side.”

  “May I?”

  She nodded, and he dipped his fingers into her costume and slid against her skin before pulling out the aforementioned objects.

  Argo looked at her with a smile. “I believe that I should check for anything else. Who knows, you could have a semi-automatic in there.”

  He lay on the bed next to her, kissed her, and slid his hand into the heated damp of her corset. At first, he was gently exploring with his fingertips, and then, he was cupping her breasts in turn. She gasped, twisted, and squeaked when he tweaked one nipple.

  He lifted his head and chuckled. “You are making me want to pounce on you.”

  She closed her mouth with a snap and pressed her lips inward.

  He licked her neck and murmured, “It is more than fine to make sounds. It helps us know when we are on the right track.”

  “You mean like you purring?” She gasped and turned away as his scraping tongue caused her to think about it across her nipples, and then, she had to fight the surge of heat inside her.

  “Exactly. That way, you know where to stroke, how hard, and if I don’t like it.” He chuckled against her skin.

  She gasped as he turned her head and gave the other side of her neck the same treatment. Maven was shuddering as she tried to keep her wits about her when there was a change in the environment in the room.

  Olmin’s voice was amused. “I thought you would have her naked by now.”

  Argo didn’t say anything, just reached out and lifted her bound hands.

  At a whisper, the ropes unravelled and Maven reached up and threaded her fingers through Argo’s hair.

  He moved back to her mouth again, and her gasps and light moans were the result of his hand sliding back into her corset.

  When he lifted his head, he grinned. “I think it is appropriate for us to disrobe now.”

  She blinked. “That is going to take some doing.”

&nbs
p; He grinned. “We can manage it.”

  She sat up, and Olmin was sitting in a chair near the bed. He turned her, and the corset laces released, then turned her back and slid his hands along the front, opening the busk one closure at a time.

  His hair was black, his eyes were grey, and his skin had a surprisingly even tan that hinted at a mixed-race connection in his past. His shirt was open, cuffs unsnapped and rolled back, and his belt was gone.

  She looked down, and bare toes were visible under the edge of his trousers. She blinked and remembered what was under the skirt. “Um, I should just go and disrobe in a bathroom or something.”

  Olmin unsnapped the last closure and removed the corset. “No, I think you should allow us the pleasure.”

  “I really would prefer it.”

  He looked at her costume. “Why? Sea witch, correct?”

  “Yeah.”

  He smiled. “No surprises then.”

  Olmin pulled the shirt out of her skirt and, without ceremony, pulled it up and over her head.

  He knelt and ran his tongue along her ribs. “You marked yourself.”

  She shivered as he used his tongue to soothe the welts left by the corset.

  He glanced up and smiled. “Your tits are fantastic.”

  Her face got hot, and she heard Argo chuckle behind her.

  His fingers hooked in the elastic of her skirt, and he pulled it down in one move. Everybody in the room froze.

  She knew what they were looking at, and the black leather thigh-high boots with tiny hook-and-eye closures were one thing, but the thigh-high stockings with garter belt were probably not what they had been expecting over tiny black lacy panties.

  She covered her face with her hands. “This was not what I had in mind for this evening.”

  Argo ran his hand down her back and cupped her butt. “If I had known, I would have burrowed under your skirt.”

  Olmin stroked his hand up to her inner thigh and pressed three fingers against her sex. “You are wet.”