Demon's Touch: A Reverse Harem Tale (Mountain Magic Book 2)

and cupped my chin and drew me back into his gaze. After a moment, I could tell we had shifted back. I felt heavier, though I hadn't noticed the lightness before.
"Sofia?" Doc did sound worried, so it was probably just as well Nikolai had returned us to a normal state of consciousness.
"It's okay. So, uh, Nikolai is from Russia. Like, fourteen fifty's Russia."
Doc swore.
"Yeah, that's kind of what he said when I told him what year it was. He's going to, uh, trade me languages so we can talk."
"Convenient," Doc replied.
"Well, I'm glad we won't have to teach him English the hard way."
Nikolai watched our exchange, eyes wide with worry.
"He definitely knows you're a vampire, though."
"I could tell," Doc said tightly.
Nikolai still cradled my face in his hands, and his hands tensed at Doc's tone.
I put my hand on Nikolai's muscular forearm and squeezed, trying to reassure him.
I wasn't sure it worked, but he tore his attention away from Doc and met my gaze.
He asked something that was probably the equivalent of 'ready.'
I nodded.
Our magic spiraled around us again, tingling through us. My eyes widened when Nikolai leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.

Chapter 4
Sofia
I wasn't sure how long we stood there, the magic connecting us as whatever spell Nikolai had cast worked, but when the magic finally released us, my legs trembled and my limbs dragged at me. Nikolai stepped back and dropped his hands, though he grinned and winked at me.
I smiled, though he hadn't really kissed me so much as pressed his lips to mine, as if transferring the languages through the contact. Maybe that's what he had done.
"It takes a little while for the language to fully integrate," Nikolai explained in Russian. "You should be able to understand me right away, but speaking properly will take a little practice."
I nodded, grinning. It wasn't that the words translated to English in my head, so much as I automatically just understood them like I did English. "Neat!" It came out in Russian, and I clapped my hands over my mouth.
He laughed. "Your accent is atrocious."
"Because yours is going to be any better?" I grumbled that in English.
"Perhaps," he answered slowly.
Oh, I was so wrong. Russian colored the way he spoke the word, and it pleased me to no end.
Nikolai arched an eyebrow. I just shrugged, trying not to grin.
A low growl interrupted us. We both turned sharply.
"Ed," Doc warned quietly.
The werewolf subsided, but both blond werewolves glared at Nikolai.
"You have werewolves, too?" He said that slowly in English, as if testing the words as he spoke them.
While I enjoyed Doc's heavier western drawl, and Ed and Allan's light one, I could listen to Nikolai speak all day and I'd never get tired of it. Of course, I never got tired of listening to Doc, either. If I could find a way to do it without it being totally weird, I'd have to see if I could get him to keep the accent even if he learned to speak without it.
Clearly, I would have to work on mine, however.
"Uh, yeah, we're one big happy pack," I replied.
"Don't look terribly happy." To his credit, he didn't step behind me, but he probably wanted to.
"Well, you know, possessive."
He nodded.
"So, Ed," I pointed at the lighter colored werewolf, "Allan." I pointed at the slightly darker blond wolf. "And you've met Doc. Everyone, this is Nikolai."
"Hello," Nikolai ventured hesitantly.
Ed growled again, turned, and stalked out of the room. Allan huffed and followed his brother.
"Would you like something to eat?" Doc glanced at both of us.
"Please."
I nodded.
"Is there a shirt I can borrow until I repair mine?" Nikolai touched his back where the knife wound had been, fingers tracing the scar.
Doc, not looking completely happy, though less upset than the werewolves, dug in his dresser and tossed one of his T-shirts to the mage.
"My thanks."
"Sure. Sofia, would you mind making something? I would subject Nikolai to my cooking, but he did just recover from being poisoned. I'd hate to poison him again." Doc half smiled at his joke.
"Okay."
After studying the shirt for a moment, Nikolai pulled it on, and I couldn't help but notice the way his muscles bunched and rippled as he put the shirt on. It was one of the many plain T-shirts Doc owned. This one was blue. They were similar enough in size that Doc's clothing would probably fit Nikolai, though we might need to take him shopping.
I paused on my way out the door. Nikolai literally had the clothing on his back and that was it. Well, and his magic. He didn't even have knowledge of the world today. He had probably already figured that out, but it couldn't be a good feeling.
"Do you not have servants?" Nikolai followed closely behind me, glancing over his shoulder. Doc stalked after us.
I didn't know if the guys were picking up some vibe I was missing or if they were simply acting protective, but I didn't sense any ill intent from our guest.
"Servants? Um, no?"
He sighed, though I got the impression it was from his lack of knowledge, not our lack of servants. I could have been wrong, though.
Nikolai stayed silent, but I could see him looking around curiously. I wondered how the guys' cabin compared to what he was used to. Clearly, it wasn't the palace or castle or whatever he had lived in back in his own time, but it was a nice cabin. Most of the lights were off, though the lamp by the couch and loveseat was on. Doc didn't seem to need light at all to see easily, and Allan and Ed didn't need much more. They had probably left the light on more for me than anything.
Nikolai studied the lamp but then the window caught his eye. Though it was dark outside, he walked over to it. He touched the glass, pressing his fingers against it, before looking out. The living room overlooked the valley, and the lights from the small town