Ask the Oracle

A Totally Bound Publication

Ask the Oracle

ISBN # 978-0-85715-691-4

©Copyright JJ Black 2014

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright April 2014

Edited by Jennifer Douglas

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination

and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or

places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form,

whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of

the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound

Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil

proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs

and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator

of the artwork.

Published in 2014 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road,

Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This

story has a heat rating of Totally Burning and a Sexometer of 2.

Revelations

ASK THE ORACLE

JJ Black

When you absolutely have to know…

Grayson Muir is a know-it-all. No, seriously…he really does know it all. The strength of his

abilities has him rumoured to be the most powerful Oracle in the world. Gray couldn’t care

less. All his life, Gray has played by his own rules. Whether through his own private clients

or his work with the police, his only goal has been to use his gift to help as many people and

paras as he can. With abilities like Gray’s, he doesn’t have time for any distractions.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what he gets when Andreo Demos, a six-hundred-year-old

Lust Demon, pays him an unexpected visit. Dreo has been sent by the Demon Council with

an appeal for assistance. The Lord of the Underworld has been murdered, the Demon

kingdom has been thrown into chaos and Gray’s help is needed to identify the murderer.

Gray has his doubts. Demons don’t have the best reputations, after all. Still, despite his

reservations, there is something about Dreo that calls to him. Whether it’s his dark good

looks or the startling knowledge that Dreo believes they are destined mates, Gray can’t help

but agree to offer his assistance.

Unfortunately, their road to happiness isn’t destined to be an easy one. Between court

intrigue, their own unexpected mating and a murderer still on the loose, they are definitely

going to have their work cut out for them. What are the chances, they’ll get their happy

ending? Ask the Oracle.

For Joanna. Your endless enthusiasm and excitement never fail to inspire me. Thank you.

ASK THE ORACLE

6

Grayson Muir sat calmly at his desk, waiting for the interrogation to begin. With a

police detective present, it was never long before the questions and accusations started to fly.

There was always the initial disbelief. Thankfully, most got over it fairly quick, then the

grilling began.

“How long are you going to waste my time?” Hands fisted and jaw clenched, the man

sitting across the desk from him was definitely pissed off.

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t know what bullshit story you sold to my captain but it was enough for him to

order me down here. Personally, I don’t have time for this shit. I’ve got a missing five-year-

old girl to find and the clock is ticking. Every second I’m stuck here with you is another

second the bastard who took her has to hurt her. I promised her parents I would get her back

and I intend to keep that promise. Now,” he growled, pushing back from Gray’s desk, “if

you don’t mind, I’ve got real work to do.”

“I know where she is.”

The detective froze. “What?”

“The little girl—Maddie Thompson, right? I know where she is. I can help you.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” the detective scoffed. “You’re trying to tell me that you

know where Maddie Thompson is?”

“Yes, Detective. That is exactly what I’m telling you.” When the older man continued to

glare sceptically at him, Gray flashed him an understanding smile.

“What the fuck? Are you sure?” the detective barked, his round face flushed, his tone

edging in on belligerent.

Gray bit back a laugh. It was often one of the first questions asked, and always the

biggest waste of time. He was an Oracle, so of course he was sure. He understood why some

were hesitant to believe. He was about as far from the stereotypical image of an Oracle as

you could get. Public consensus still thought of Oracles as seventy-year-old, hunchbacked

old ladies who spent their days darning socks and drinking tea. For most, the idea that a

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JJ Black

7

twenty-five-year-old, six-foot tall, one-hundred-eighty-pound man could be a powerful

Oracle was laughable. Add to that his dark hair, emerald-green eyes and movie star good

looks, and it was hard to get anyone to take him seriously on their first meeting. Thankfully,

that opinion didn’t last long once they’d had a chance to watch him work. If the detective

had been one of his regulars, he would have known better, but since he was new, Gray

decided it was only fair to cut him some slack.

“Yes, Detective Branson,” Gray answered patiently. “I’m sure. You’ll find the girl in a

small white house just off Monroe Street. She’s safe at the moment. The men who took her

won’t be back for a few hours, so I recommend retrieving her soon.”

The detective continued to stare at him, brows furrowed, his lips pulled down into a

frown.

Gray sighed. There were always a few hard sells. “If you’ll give me a minute, I’ll write

down the address and a description of the kidnappers to aid your investigation.”

Detective Branson still looked hesitant, but finally gave a nod of approval. His glare

never wavered as Gray wrote down the information and handed it over. The detective

scanned the sheet before looking back to him, his eyes wide.

“How could you possibly know this?” Branson’s expression still held its hard edge, but

a hint of bewilderment had begun to creep in.

“I’m an Oracle, Detective. I usually know a lot more than I would like to.” Gray felt a

bit of pity for the man as he watched the detective’s eyes narrow in confusion. While there

were many people who looked to Oracles with a near god-like idolization, for some, the idea

of an
all-knowing
Oracle was too much to comprehend. Detective Branson was definitely one

of the latter.

Taking pity on the man, Gray stood. “You should get going, Detective. It will be better

for the girl if she is recovered while the men are gone. There is a small window of time. I

recommend you take advantage of it.” He came around the side of his desk and gestured to

the door.

Hesitantly, the detective rose from his seat and followed Gray’s lead. He was about to

step through the doorway when he switched gears and came to an abrupt stop. When he

turned back to face Gray, there was a question clearly written on his face.

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ASK THE ORACLE

8

Gray smiled reassuringly. “She’ll be fine, Detective. At the moment, she’s scared but

undamaged. If you go to her now, you’ll have her back before any serious harm befalls her.”

It took a moment, but the detective’s expression finally cleared with the understanding

Gray’s words conveyed. Determination replaced his previous confusion.

“Thank you for your help, Mr Muir. I won’t pretend to understand how you know the

things you do, but at this point I have to take a chance and believe you. I just hope you’re

right. It’s time Maddie was back home with her family. I’ll send word on how everything

turns out.”

With his shoulders back and his head held high, Detective Branson looked like a man

ready to march into battle. The stern expression on the older man’s face didn’t fool Gray for a

minute, but he’d let the man keep his illusions. Long ago, Gray had made it a point of

practice to use his gift to evaluate all of the men and women he worked with. Some might

call it an invasion of privacy. Gray thought of it as plain old common sense. While his gift

could be a powerful tool for good, its lure for evil was just as strong. He had to be sure that

he could trust those he worked with, both on the police force and in the private sector. Based

on that evaluation, he knew the detective was one of the good guys. Despite his surly

personality, Gray had never met a man who cared more deeply for the people of their city

than Detective Dave Branson. Smiling softly, he offered the detective a hand, which the stern

man readily accepted.

“I’d appreciate that, Detective. If there’s anything else I can do to help with the

investigation, don’t hesitate to call. My assistant has already been informed that until this

case is officially closed, it is my top priority and that you are to be immediately connected to

my direct line.”

Gray was a firm believer in seeing things through till the end. With his police

consulting jobs, that philosophy was even more important. Cases involving children always

touched close to his heart. There was no way he could walk away until he was sure he had

done everything in his power to ensure the best possible ending.

Shock flashed across the detective’s face, but was gone just as fast. He responded with a

brisk nod and a grunt before he was out the door. Gray smiled. Making his way to out to the

lobby, Gray found his assistant, Sarah, organizing paperwork for what he assumed was his

next meeting. As an Oracle, his services were in constant demand. He had a waiting list six

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JJ Black

9

months long just to get a consultation, not to mention the freelance work he did for the