Chapter 12

Part 2: Stone and Earth

Damien St. Pierre stared at the key and set of directions in his hand. "You're sure this woman - "

"Witch," Mayor Pendleton interjected.

"Witch." Damien glared at his new boss. Not many humans, mayors or otherwise, had the balls to interrupt Damien when he was talking. Even in human form he stood six feet eight and weighed two hundred and sixty pounds - all of it muscle. "You're sure this witch can handle having me as a tenant."

Pendleton waved a hand in dismissal. "Her last roommate was a pixie. Trust me, wings won't even begin to faze her. Besides, the place is perfect for you. It's a converted warehouse - industrial strength elevator, reinforced concrete floors and plenty of open space."

"That should do." It did sound just about perfect, he had to admit. And it would be a relief to have somewhere to go where he didn't constantly have to hide his true nature. But when the Philadelphia mayor had promised free lodging during Damien's thirty-day trial period on the city's special paranormal police task force, Damien hadn't anticipated a live-in landlady. He wasn't really pleased about the politician giving away his secrets, even if it was to a witch. "So she knows what I am?"

"No. Given the nature of this task force, she's going to suspect that you're something. But how much you tell her is entirely up to you."

Leave it to the professional spin doctor to take away Damien's only real justification for being pissy. He stuck out his hand. "Then I guess I'll see you at the office tomorrow night."

Pendleton shook Damien's hand without a second of hesitation, which again, was rare. Damien couldn't help feeling a certain degree of respect for the human who had set up a whole police unit full of supernatural beings to keep his city running smoothly. "Seven p.m. sharp. You've got my cell number. Call me if you have any problems in the interim."

Damien agreed, then climbed back on his Harley and gunned the engine. After one last look at the computer-generated map and directions he headed off in the direction of his new abode.

He still wasn't one hundred percent sure about this job, but the soothsayer for his clan had assured him it was necessary. His people were dying and he would do anything in his power to help. According to the venerable Lady Helene, the belt was here in Philadelphia. And Damien was the only one with the power to find it and return it to the clan, restoring a bit of the magic that had kept them safe for hundreds of years. So here he was, on a January night, riding through the streets of downtown Philly.

Katie Calhoun finished her prayer and released her magic circle. She gathered up her candles, herbs and talismans, hoping the cleansing ritual would help alleviate some of the restlessness she'd been feeling since the beginning of the New Year. She laid the items carefully in a cloth-lined basket and poured a little more white wine into the chalice she held. She took a small sip, then stepped over to the rail of her rooftop garden to look out over the sparkling lights of the city below. The Schuylkill River bisected the display of light, a thick black ribbon of darkness undulating through the city.

Tonight might well be the last chance she'd have to be up here skyclad for a while. She wasn't sure why she'd let the mayor talk her into housing his newest protégé, but she had to admit she'd been lonely since her roommate Twyla had moved out at Samhain. Though the wedding hadn't been till Yule, Twyla had actually moved in with Bram the day after they'd met. Katie had never seen such a case of love at first sight and though she was delighted for her friends, she couldn't help feeling a little - well - envious she supposed. Self-pity wasn't an emotion she was proud of, but it too was part of the restless melancholy she'd been feeling for the past few weeks.

Ever since the dawning of the New Year, she'd had this itchy sort of feeling she couldn't shake. Like there was somewhere she was supposed to be, or something she was supposed to do. She'd tried everything - spells, rituals, card readings - but nothing had given her any insight into the matter. Maybe it was just the January blues, but the nagging tug at the back of her mind was driving her nuts. Finally, there was the fact that she hadn't been with a man in - well - it seemed like forever. So on top of lonely, jealous and restless, she was also just plain horny. Altogether, that did not add up to a happy witch. She finished her wine, then took the bottle from the basket and poured another glass.

Well, the horny part she could do something about, at least. She took her wine with her over to the rock-lined hot tub in the corner of her garden and stepped down into the swirling water. She set her chalice on the ledge, reached into a hidden cabinet and pulled out a watertight plastic box. After a few seconds of perusal she selected a couple of favorite toys then closed the box and set it aside before sitting down on the smooth stone seat.

She shifted her necklace so it hung down her back, out of the way. Then she lifted one breast out of the water and carefully screwed the silver clamp onto her nipple, already sensitized and taut from the cool night air and warm bubbling water. She allowed herself a little shudder and moan at the delightful pinch, then repeated the process on her other breast. Finally, she hung a heavy quartz crystal from the silver chain linking the two clamps. The pendant swayed in the warm current, adding an irregular tug to the tender peaks.

"Oh yeah." She sighed and closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment just to enjoy the sensual pleasure of the clamps and water playing with her nipples. Then she took another sip of chardonnay and picked up her favorite waterproof vibrator. With a twist of the dolphin's tail she set his pointed beak humming. She spread her legs wide and leaned back on the stone bench as she lowered him between her legs.

"Go, Flipper, go," she murmured, running the vibrator through her folds. She let her head fall back onto the smooth stone ledge. She slipped the dolphin's nose up into her pussy, felt the muscles clench around his vibrating form. When she felt her own lubrication slicking her tender skin even in the water, she slid him all the way inside, then began to massage her swollen clit with the pad of her thumb. Her other hand reached down and toyed with the crystal suspended between her breasts, rhythmically tugging on the nipple clamps.

It had been so long, she was going to come pretty quickly. She felt her hips lifting off the bench, supported by the water while the dolphin vibrator massaged her g-spot and she rubbed her clit. Waves of pleasure washed through her body, coiled in her womb and made her inner walls clench tight. The sensations drove her ever upward and she moaned out loud. The sound of her own pleasure turned her on even more. She let herself imagine it was a man's strong hand on her clit, his mouth on her nipple, his hard cock stroking up inside her weeping pussy. She couldn't see his face, but she swore she heard his voice.

"Come for me now cherie. Let go and fly." It was deep and gravelly with just the faintest hint of a French accent and it was the sexiest damn sound she'd ever heard. With a wordless cry from deep in her throat, she let go. The orgasm exploded through her body and sent ripples of bliss coursing through every cell.

"Beautiful." The voice was rough as his thick fingers stroked gently through her pussy lips, bringing her floating back down. Warm, wet lips replaced one of the clamps.

He gently withdrew the vibrator and moved to stand between her legs. The sudden emptiness made her open her eyes and then she yelped in surprise. She squeezed her legs, felt them close around a pair of thighs as hard as the rock around the pool. Her gaze flew upward to meet a pair of intent, hooded gray eyes.

"Hello, there, ma petite. Feel better now?"