Invasion of Justice (Shadows of Justice) (28 page)

Katie's instincts had been right. It was her mother as a young woman who held the starring role in Katie's subconscious. The earlier tour of the child's memory made

the
identification easy for Petra. She slid into the background, watching the dream unfold, ready to intervene if necessary.

Mrs. Murphy started begging Katie to help her, to find her and bring her home, but within moments, Petra sensed something terribly wrong. The woman looked the part, but she didn't emanate love as much as desperation. There was no doubt this was a message, but to what end?

Suddenly realizing Petra's presence in the dream, Mrs. Murphy turned needy and grasping, pulling on her daughter, dragging her toward an unsafe depth of dreams that could land Katie in a coma–or worse–if they weren't careful.

Petra reached, caught Katie, and pulled back. The baffled dream-Katie was caught in the middle. She cried out in her sleep and in the dream, confused and torn.

Mrs. Murphy's eyes changed, glowing with anger. In

Katie's best interests, Petra released her mental hold and exited the dream, choosing to battle for Katie on another front.

Petra hit her knees beside Katie's sleeping form and cradled the girl's head. "Hang on, Katie. Hang on." Using all her ability she did just what Katie had feared and dove into

the
girl's earliest memories, looking for the clue to unravel Mrs. Murphy's bizarre behavior.

She found it after what felt like an eternity of searching.

The Murphys hadn't gone out, they'd gone down to the laundry, leaving the children behind for what should have been only a few minutes.

Shifting back to the dream, she ran after the enraged mother, calling out her intention to help. Petra felt a profound relief when Mrs. Murphy stopped dragging Katie away and

turned back.

"I can help," Petra repeated in the dream and in reality. "Let Katie come with me. The two of us will help you."

"I'm her mother. He took me from my children. I want to be with my children."

"You loved them," Petra agreed. "You never left them willingly. Give me Katie and I will prove it to them. They'll know the truth."

The Mrs. Murphy in the dream started to sob. "I've waited so long to tell them." Then she slowly faded into the background of Katie's dream.

Petra woke Katie, and held her while she cried it out.

"Was any of that real?" she asked in a croaking voice when her tears had run dry.

"All of
it, honey. All of it." Petra pushed the damp hair

off
Katie's forehead. "Only one question: Do you remember your old address?"

Katie rattled it off as Petra reached for the phone.

* * *

Petra and Gideon kept watch with Cleveland, Leigh, Katie and Quinn on the sidewalk outside the renovated apartment building. Two teams of crime scene investigators

were inside going over the Murphy's old apartment and the sub-basement that still housed the laundry machines.

The remains of both Mr. and Mrs. Murphy had been found and extracted from a bricked up janitor's closet just hours ago. A detective was gathering information, already working a theory that these murders were tied to an unresolved string of similar incidents.

There would at last be a funeral and closure for the children.

A few weeks later, the autopsies and memorial services over, Katie hesitantly approached Petra. "Can I give you a hug?"

Petra nodded and Katie rushed into her arms. "Thank you so, so much."

"You're welcome. Your instincts, and probably your mother's spirit, kept you safe all those years ago. Now your gift is developing further. Missing your mother was a catalyst, but you should decide how you want to proceed. You've done a good thing here, but it's up to you if you want to explore your talents."

"Can you help me do that?" Talent exploration sounded good, if she could be cool like Petra instead of freakish like she was now.

"I can certainly get you started," Petra said with a warm smile. "Dreams are a terrible thing to waste. And your talent is unique."

"That must be why Cleveland latched onto us." Katie laughed, the sound light and happy. "He collects unique people. Hey, maybe if I have long term sleep trouble I'll have to do virtual school."

"Not a chance," Cleveland said, his hands landing softly on her shoulders. "If dreams become your virtual classroom, you
'll need face time with people more than ever before."

"Sure, Dad.
Whatever." When Katie rolled her eyes at Petra she'd never felt more like a normal fifteen-year-old. It was an awesome sensation for a uniquely talented, not-so-freakish teenager.

The End

Enjoy this excerpt of
Veil of Justice
, book three in the Shadows of Justice series

Chapter One

"In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies."

Winston Churchill

She sighed under the soft assault of his lips against her neck. The reaction set fiery tingles racing down her arm, her side, to her toes. His hands traced her ribs, sending her other side into delighted spasms. It was too much, too overwhelming and she prayed he wouldn't stop this time.

He hovered, deftly evading her touch. She ached for the feel of his firm, hot flesh in her hands. She moaned, her breath mingling with his, her desire shifting into an all new gear. They'd never shared so much. In all his visits, they'd never risked a physical declaration like this.

What had they been waiting for?

"Nathan," she murmured, arching into his touch. Her body ignited under his, hungry for everything he could give, and eager to give him everything she had in return.

Her clothes fell away and she lay bare before him, body and soul. She felt no shame, no hesitation, only need. She could do this, this which she'd never done before. With him she could, and would, find that blissful union perfected by the joining of two matched hearts.

An alarm sounded. Not anything like the fireworks or musical crescendos she'd expected from song lyrics and steamy books. Harsh and shrill it badgered her dreamy senses into submission.

Regretfully, she shoved away her pleading lover to deal with the alarm.

Thanks so much for reading the urban fantasy adventure, Invasion of Justice. Gideon was one of those weary, wounded heroes in a tight spot who does the right thing even when he'd rather not. And Petra… well, it was a treat to reunite Jaden with her long-lost sister, even if it took a few lives to do so.

If you enjoyed this story, please let other readers know by leaving a review where you purchased the book, or at
Goodreads, on a blog, facebook, twitter, or wherever you like to share books with friends and fellow readers.

Have you signed up to receive notices of my future book releases and exclusive giveaways? If not, please visit my website at http://www.reganblack.com to enter your name and email address on the form. I won't pester you with emails, and I won't share, barter, sell, or otherwise compromise your email address. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.

When you write a review, please go ahead and send me the link by email to [email protected]. I'd like to thank you for your time with a free copy of one of my other titles.

Thanks again for your support!

~Regan

About the Author:

Regan Black is dedicated to providing action-packed stories with a paranormal twist so readers of all ages can savor a fantastic escape from the daily routine. If you’re looking for an author who can deliver stories from the heart, full of unforgettable characters willing to risk it all to reach the goal, you’ve come to the right place!

You can keep up with the latest from Regan at ReganBlack.com

Discover more adventures from Regan Black:

The Shadows of Justice Series:

Justice Incarnate, book 1

Invasion of Justice, book 2

Veil of Justice, book 3

Tracking Shadows, book 4

Shadows to Light, book 5

In the Interest of Security, novella included in The Mammoth Book of Futuristic Romance

The Matchmaker Series (lighthearted paranormal romances)

The Matchmaker's Mark

The Matchmaker's Curse

The Bodyguard's Vow, novella

The Hobbitville Saga:

The Pixie Chicks

Hot Spots

Breaking New Ground

The Shadow Stone

Snow Covered Resolutions

Non-fiction:

Adopt
A Greyhound Guide

Goal Setting for Writers: Making Revisions Work in Life and Art

Connect with me online:

Visit ReganBlack.com for excerpts, giveaways, and more!

Join the fun on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ReganBlack.fans

Find me on twitter:
http://twitter.com/reganblack

An interview with Regan

Readers wanted to know, so we tracked down the answers!

What is the biggest distraction to you as a writer?

The next book I want to write.
Or the next promotional trip. No, I'd have to say it's the dogs. They're so darn cute. Although the cats do the silliest things. Wait! I'd have to say the kids. I know! It's the research. Maybe the afternoon peeping of the birds. Most likely it's the next book I want to read. Give me a minute, I'll figure it out.

Is there still a Bubba Gump's shrimp on the Navy Pier in the Chicago of the future?

Naturally! I'm a
shrimpoholic.

What would be the hardest thing for you to give up (family excluded) in order to save the world?

Chocolate.

Imagine you are confronted with the most wicked evil, which of your characters would you want covering your back?

Jaden, no contest.

How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

Too long.
I'm much too impatient to be an author, yet writing's what I do. I like pizza and popcorn too much to be a dancer and my art skills are too abstract for even the most generous modern tastes.

What inspires your stories?

Short answer?
A sense of justice. Most of my stories center around the relationships people build to overcome adverse circumstances or events. The world's not perfect, people aren't perfect, but I like to see characters pushed to the wall and find their way over, not just to survive but to live full lives. And of course, I believe in happy endings.

Do you have a routine day?

Routine?
What's routine when you live amongst a veritable zoo and drive the private neighborhood school bus? Besides, if I ever got into a real routine, I'd likely complain about being in a rut.

Knowing your characters have special powers, which power would you most like to have?

You couldn't pay me to feel anyone else's emotions, my own are more than enough. When I was
a kid telepathy sounded cool, but given a choice I'd go for Nathan's telekinesis. I'd love to be able to summon snacks and fresh coffee to my desk without ever having to get up from the keyboard.

How do you figure out all the twists and turns in a plot?

When I start a book I have a loose idea of where the story will go. I have a better idea about the characters and what's made them who they are. Then I do some general outlining to define the major conflicts and map out where I want the characters to end up. Then I start writing. Sometimes the characters cooperate, but most of the time they surprise me. It's those surprises that keep me coming back to the keyboard day after day–it's the most satisfying part of the process to me.

If you could have five books (other than your own) on a deserted island, which five would you pick?

I'd have to take my Bible, because I wouldn't be anywhere without my faith. Other than that, can I count the Harry Potter series as one? JK Rowling really affords me some great escape reading. I'd have to have Nora Roberts (preferably a trilogy) and to satisfy my love of kilts, I'd take Karen Moning. Any (or all) of Debra Webb's romantic suspense, and anything by Anne McCaffrey. That's five authors, if not five specific titles.

And
, what other three items would you take with you?

Assuming this island was deserted after it was improved with running water, functional plumbing, decent shelter and electricity, I'd take my toothbrush, computer, and my favorite Birkenstocks. (Especially since Inge won't be there to tell me I can't wear them).

And
, which of your characters would you want to have with you there? (I pick Jaden, she can do
anything
including kick bad guy butt).

Right now, Nathan tops the companion list because he deserves a long vacation after the whole prison thing. (Not to mention, he's hot!) If I had to choose from all the characters I've ever written, I'd choose Erik. You don't know him, but believe me should you have the occasion, you'd fall in love too. He's tall, dark, extremely capable, (in case that island's not so improved) and about as sensual a hero as I've written to date. (And yes, my husband's a little jealous of him).

Why did you decide to write your book in the future rather than present day?

Because I like making things up.
I do research, but I prefer to set the rules and let my imagination run wild.

Do you model characters after people you know?

Only the villains.
I have a rather dark tendency to vent my irritation with people by killing off a representative character in my stories. So far it's kept me out of anger management classes.

What's the greatest obstacle you've overcome in your life?

The hurdles in high school track–or maybe three greyhounds sleeping between me and my side of the bed.
After nearly four decades of life, I'd say the greatest obstacle I've overcome is self-doubt. Confidence is the one thing no one else can give you. You have to decide what you want and that you deserve it just as much as anyone else deserves to live out their dreams. It may mean a few skinned knees and stubbed toes to shed other people's expectations, but it's worth the effort to find who you really are.

Some of the scenes and situations in your book are very intense. How do you unwind and relax after writing?

I keep a masseuse on staff. His name is Andre and he's just fabulous. Then my personal assistant runs
a steamy lavender scented bath and I soak until I'm pruny. After that I don a silky robe and join my husband who's tucked in the kids, prepared shrimp scampi and opened a bottle of crisp White Riesling. Then…whoops there goes that imagination running away again.

Boxers or briefs?

Who's wearing them?