Hers From The Start: A Collection of First In Series Reverse Harem Read online

  "What? No... I just said that to get him off me."

  "Oh." He looks a bit unsure. "No side effects then?"

  "Should there be any?"

  He grimaces. "Well, one book said that there might be a headache after the ritual, but-"

  I sit up with a start and hold a hand up in front of his face. "And you didn't feel like I should know?" I snarl, giving them all my most evil look.

  Crispin coughs uncomfortably. "It was only one book, and you're fine, so no need to worry."

  "See, I told ya you shouldn't tell her," Arc grimaces in sympathy.

  "From now on you're going to tell me everything. Side effects, problems, suspected troubles, everything. Capisce?"

  Four guys are looking at me, then nod one by one. I'm a bit bewildered at how easily they gave in. That's unusual. Then I notice the fireballs around my hands. Oh. So they're scared of me. How cute. I wave my hands through the air, fascinated by how the fire stays in place without burning me. Hell, I wouldn't even have noticed it was there.

  "Could you switch that off, please?" Frost asks with a worried frown. He probably remembers what happened last time I used fire magic. My feeling of awe dissipates. He's right. I shouldn't revel in this. I'm dangerous.

  I concentrate until I see the thick magic tendrils wrapped around my wrists, sparkling with fire magic. I pull them back, and reluctantly, they follow my command. At least they're doing what they're supposed to do. No more burning down houses, I tell them.

  When the fire sizzles out, the guys give a collective sigh. I'd join them if I wasn't worried about losing face. They don't need to know that this fire thing wasn't intentional.

  "So, when are we leaving?" I ask cheerily, turning away from them so they don't see the tears pooling in my eyes.

  It's hard when you realise that you're deadly.

  After a quick breakfast, we're back in the car, leaving Stornoway behind. I'm sandwiched between Crispin and Arc again; the brothers have conquered the front seats. Storm is driving, as always. He's such a control freak. He'd probably die if someone else took the driver's seat.

  It's nine in the morning and I feel just as tired as when I woke up. Not sure if that's got anything to do with the ritual. I tried talking to the guys about it during breakfast, but they were busy stuffing their mouths with humongous amounts of beans on toast. Arc tried to make me eat some black pudding, but I stood my ground and refused, sticking to eggs and beans instead. I'm not a vampire, I don't eat blood, no matter if it's cooked or not. Yucky.

  "Guys, just to be prepared, should I be feeling any other side effects from the ritual?"

  "Not likely," Crispin says, smiling reassuringly. Gods, I love that smile. It makes me all giddy and happy. Okay, maybe I am experiencing side effects. I shouldn't be fancying yet another guy.

  "It might take a few days until you're able to form a mental connection with us, but with you... well, we never know."

  "Yeah, I'm so special," I sigh. The boys burst out in laughter. "What? Do you know any other demi-goddesses running around?"

  "Nah, and you'd be special even as a human," Arc chuckles. Aw, did he just compliment me? "A special piece of work." Oh well, it would have been too nice. I retaliate by sticking out my tongue at him. Real classy.

  "So what happens if I need to contact you right now? You didn't tell me this would take days to develop."

  "As I said before, two of us will be with you at all times," Storm announces. "And even once the bond is fully formed, it's just a last resort, at least one of us will need to be around…"

  "No way! You told me this was a way to stop you babysitting me!"

  "I never said that," he booms from the driver's seat. "And I'm responsible for your safety, so you will do what I say."

  "You arrogant... dick!" Okay, not my finest swear-word-creation ever. But I'm still tired.

  "It's only until we get you to your mother's palace," Frost offered quietly.

  Crispin grins and pats my thigh. "Let's look at it from the positive side - when else would you get the chance to be surrounded by four hot Guardians?"

  When indeed. And unfortunately, what he says is true (even though it's really arrogant). They are... delicious male specimens. I wonder if every Guardian looks like them? Probably only those created by a Goddess, I doubt Gods would like to have men around them that look better than themselves. Unless they're gay, obviously.

  I yawn. "How do we get to the Realms from the Calanais Stones?"

  "We activate the gate," Frost says simply. Yeah, thanks, I knew that bit.

  "I mean, once we're through, are we in my mother's Realm? Or do we have to travel?"

  "Gates are a little tricky. They don't always lead to the same place," Crispin explains. "It depends on the people stepping through it. If I was to go through on my own, I'd end up in my creator's Realm. Same with the other guys. But if we step through together, we can determine the destination by combining our magic and focussing on a particular place. We're hoping that it will work the same way with you."

  "And if it doesn't?"

  "Then we'll find another way. Don't worry, Princess, we'll get you home."

  Home. I'm not sure my mother's palace will be my home. The other I had burned down, let's not forget that fact. So now I'm caught between two homes, two mothers, two fates. I'm leaving the human world behind and am entering the Realms of the Gods. It's kind of pretentious of me to think that I might be able to find a home there. I mean, I don't know anything about the Realms. I couldn't even tell you what gods they have there. Every culture has so many gods; do they all exist? Ra, Heracla, Garnesh, Quetzalcoatl, Osiris, Yahwe. Maybe my mother has tea with Loki. Who knows. Definitely not the world I'm used to.

  "We're almost there, Wyn," Crispin pulls me out of my depressing musings. "I can't wait to show you the Realms. Maybe we can visit Freya together, you'll love her."

  "Is she your... creator?" I ask, not quite sure whether that's a polite question to pose to a Guardian. "No, but I was… sent to as a present. Unfortunately, she rather prefers the company of women. So while she appreciated my healing skills, she wasn't interested in my other... qualities." He gives me a suggestive wink. Yeah, right. Although I guess if he was made for that purpose... My hormones are getting giddy at the thought of... No. Stop it. Enough.

  "But you still visit her?"

  "Oh yes, she likes to play chess, and I'm one of the few she has trouble beating." He says it without arrogance; it's a fact. I like intelligence in men. My magic purrs inside as I take in his bright blue gaze that is fixed on my face. When I look into his eyes, they grow even softer behind the blond strands of hair almost touching his lashes. Freya really missed out on something here.

  Arc clears his throat behind me and I notice I am leaning towards Crispin, so close that I can feel his breath on my cheek. Oops, that wasn't intended. Stupid bond. It's turning me into a lovesick demi-goddess with no self-control and over-active hormones. Get a grip, Wyn. You're a strong, emancipated woman who is aching for her Guardi- No! Not at all.

  "Please, distract me," I beg Arc as I'm trying to get my thoughts under control.

  He frowns. "Is everything okay? Are you scared of the gate?"

  Thanks for giving me a way out of this embarrassment. I nod. It's as good an excuse as any.

  "There's nah need ta be afraid, lass. We'll be with ye all the way." He smiles at me and my insides melt. Okay, this isn't working. I can feel heat pool between my legs. Something is happening, something to do with that bond. Such a bad idea, I shouldn't have listened to the guys.

  My nipples harden and strain against the fabric of my shirt. I clench my thighs together, ignoring the pulsing between them. I close my eyes and lean back against the headrest, trying to concentrate on... well, anything but my erogenous zones.

  I sigh in frustration, but it comes out as a moan. Oh no. Kill me now.

  "Princess, is everything alright?" Storm asks, his voice a low grumble.

  "Something is happening,"
I whisper. "I feel strange."

  "Stop the car," Crispin commands and I can feel the car come to a halt. I keep my eyes closed; looking at the guys would only increase my embarrassment. The throbbing between my thighs is getting worse and my boobs are starting to hurt.

  "Are you in pain?" Crispin asks, his voice both methodical and concerned. He's having trouble staying in his healer role. I'd feel touched if I didn't already feel... well touched, physically.

  "Nooooaah," my no turns into a moan. I huff in frustration. How am I going to explain without losing the final pieces of my dignity?

  "I think I can feel the ritual effects," I blurt out, squeezing my eyes shut, wishing that nobody could see me. Unfortunately, I'm old enough to know that just because I can't see them, doesn't mean that they can't see me.

  "Oh, that shouldn't be happening yet," Crispin murmurs.

  "Well it's happening now," I screech with the full force of my upset hormones. "Do something!"

  "It shouldn't be happening like this. It should start slow, over time, and then after the climax it-"

  "Did you just say climax???" I scream at him, I can't help it.

  "Easy, lass," Arc's deep voice booms from my right. He puts a hand on my shoulder, which immediately bursts into flames. Not real ones, but it feels like my skin is on fire. Every nerve ending is firing, sending little lightning bolts down to my core.

  "Please, don't touch me," I whimper and his hand immediately disappears.

  "Crisp, what do we do?" Arc bellows at his fellow Guardian.

  "I don't know, none of the books speak of it happening like this..."

  "Then think of something," Storm shouts, making me jump a little. The movement only makes me notice my body even more. My clothes are too tight, too restrictive. I pull at them, trying to get the shirt off my aching boobs.

  "What are you - no, stop that, Wyn, you don't want to do that," Crispin yells, but I don't care.

  I squirm in my seat, tugging at my clothes, trying to get rid of the heat that is enveloping my skin. I need release, now.

  I hear the guys whispering around me, but I don't care, I'm too busy keeping my hands from running over my body, touching myself in all the places that matter. My self-control is standing at the edge of an abyss, ready to throw herself off to make way for her evil twin sister, carnality. Oh how easy it would be to give in. If the guys weren't here, I wouldn't care. But with them around... no. Need to stay strong.

  A cool wind is blowing around me, purging some of the heat that was besieging my body. It feels good on my skin and I lean into the breeze, sighing in contentment.

  "It's working!" Crispin shouts close to my ear.

  I still don't trust myself to detangle my hands. They might move in the wrong direction... downwards. But the cool air is helping. A little. Enough for my mind to take back a small sliver of control. Enough not to go to pieces in front of the guys.

  "Wyn, you need to tell us what's going on, we can't help you otherwise," Crispin says soothingly. I want to lean into his voice, then drag his body to me and - NO. Wrong thoughts.

  I press my lips together, unwilling to even try to speak. I might moan again like a cat in heat.

  "Okay, let's try a different thing. Nod or shake your head. Are you in pain?"

  I shake my head. A collective relieved sigh fills the air. Oh my, I hadn't realised how worried they must have been.

  "Maybe she's having a panic attack," Storm mutters, but Crispin shushes him sharply.

  "Wyn, is your magic giving you trouble?"

  I nod. I would have probably whimpered if I could. Pathetic. And true.

  "Is it the bond?"

  I hesitate, then nod again.

  "Damn it, I knew we shouldn't have done that," Storm shouts and I imagine him running his hands through his dark hair like he usually does when he's angry.

  "Nobody knew that it would have such a strong effect on her," Frost argues. "Otherwise we would never have done it." His voice comes closer. "You know that, Wyn, don't you? Had we known this, we would have never made you do the ritual."

  I nod, hearing the truth in his words. But it doesn't help me right now. My body is still out of control, throbbing and aching and lusting for a man's touch. Or several. My magic lifts her head. Yup, that's exactly what she wants. Maybe that's the solution...

  "Touch me," I whisper with clenched teeth. "Please, touch me."

  Silence. Then, Crispin again. "Are you sure?"

  No, I'm not. Of course not. But I nod. It can't get any worse, can it.

  "We'll need to get you out of the car first," Crispin mutters soothingly. He slides one arm under my knees and the other around my back. Sparks explode where he touches me and I moan in frustration. "Not much longer," he whispers in my ear as he lifts me out of the car and sits down, with me in his lap. He lifts his voice. "Guys, come here, she needs all of us."

  "Are ye serious?" Arc asks, but steps closer when Crispin snaps at him.

  I'm so hot, even the cold air that is still blowing around me can no longer cool me down. You could probably fry eggs on my skin right now. Someone touches my shoulder and suddenly a burst of ice runs through me, crashing against the heat searing through my veins. Frost. Another hand, this time on my thigh, and fire and ice are pressed together in a spindling vortex. Storm. I'm feeling close to exploding with all the energy pent up in me. But something is still missing.

  "Please," I whisper hoarsely, desperate for that hole in me to be filled. "Please."

  Lips press against mine, bringing with them a gentle calmness that envelopes the fire, the ice, the wind, combining them, pressing them together until with a flash they turn into a ball of light, as bright as the sun and just as beautiful.

  Then the ball explodes. I scream as particles of blinding light fly through my body, wild and ferocious, until they reach my heart cave where my magic is waiting for them.

  She pounces and catches the light, swallowing it piece by piece until she is glowing with an ethereal shine. She licks her paws and yawns, stretching as if nothing had happened. Around her, the rainbow clouds (I still want to call them unicorn farts, but that would be immature) illuminate the walls of the cavern, making it homely and safe. I wish I could stay here, curl up like my magic, but I can hear the guys calling me. With a sigh, I leave the cave and dive up into consciousness.

  "Wyn, talk to me," Crispin says frantically, shaking my shoulders.

  "Stop it," I murmur, finally opening my eyes. "I'm back now."

  I'm surrounded by my four guys, all still touching me (Arc's hand is now on my shoulder), all looking slightly lost. Welcome to the club.

  "What the hell just happened?" Storm booms from my side. I just shake my head. I'm tired.

  "Later?" I ask, and while they all look like they'd rather ask questions, they nod.

  "Let's just get to that damn gate."

  We're driving in silence. I'm very aware of feeling Arc and Crispin pressing against me from both sides, but it's no longer uncomfortable. No, I feel connected to them in some way, and it's reassuring to feel their bodies.

  After a few minutes of looking out of the window, admiring the sparse but beautiful scenery, I ask how much longer we still have to drive.

  Frost checks the map on his lap. “We should be almost there…"

  We reach the top of a gentle slope and see the Standing Stones in the distance.

  "Fuck.”

  We’re not the first.

  And they are waiting for us.

  With an army.

  Chapter Nine

  Storm’s face lives up to his name. His forehead scrunched, his eyes cold, his mouth a thin line, his loud breath the warning of a storm to come. He’s angry; no, he’s pissed.

  "We need to get through there," he says through clenched teeth.

  "Stating the obvious, man," Frost replies just as grimly.

  We’re standing on a small hill, the car behind us, looking down on the Calanais Standing Stones in the distance. And the army surr
ounding them.

  Dozens of large stones form the shape of a Celtic cross. From what the guys have told me, an old cairn lies at the centre of the circle. That’s where the Gate is.

  A smoking ruin to one side of the Stones gives the scene an eerie, end-of-the-world kind of feel. Guess that may have once been the visitor centre. Until the demons arrived.

  There must be at least a hundred of them. It's hard to tell from a distance, but some look more demony than others. The wings kind of give it away. Red wings, black wings, brown wings. They're not like you imagine angel wings, all fluffy with feathers; no, they're more like bat wings. This is how I envision demons to look like. For once, the stories got it right. They look evil, even from far away. Some are hunched over, walking on all fours, others are tall and upright, twice as big as your average human. I can even spot a few that have a tail. Guess now I know where humans got their image of the devil from. Some of these would make great devil impersonators, with their claws and wings and misshaped feet.

  Maybe a quarter of the crowd look human, but that doesn't mean that they are. After my encounter with mages in the hotel and on the ferry (although we still don't know if that couldn't have been a Guardian), I no longer trust human-looking people. It's just me and my Guardians now. And judging from their poses, they're aching to jump into battle.

  "How did they know we'd be here?" I ask (stupidly, judging from the looks my Guardians give me).

  "This is the only Gate in Scotland that only goes ta the Gods' Realms," Arc sighs. "Others may get ya to the Realms of the Demons, or worse. This is the safest one... was the safest one."

  "The only one in Scotland... Is there one in England?"

  "Aye, doon in Cornwall, and one in Wales. We dinnae have time to travel all that way."

  "So what do we do?"

  Storm turns around and looks at me with determination. "We fight."

  Unfortunately, I have no idea about how to use my magic to fight. True, I've managed to burn down a building and levelled a street, but those were accidents. What I need is training.