Keira Kendrik (15 page)

Sophie came down the stairs and saw Jackson and Cade were in the dining room alone.  She sighed.  She guessed she had to face them some time.  Now was as good as any.  Avoiding them wasn't doing any good, obviously.  This ranch was too small for her to try to ignore them.

She entered the room and began to make a plate
.  She didn't know if she would really eat or not, her appetite hadn't been what it usually was lately.  Which was surprising to her, she wasn't thin like her sister.  She turned to the table with her plate of food.

"Good morning, gentlemen
," she said brightly.

"Well, good morning
.  How are you today?" Cade asked.

She smiled
.  "Great and you?"

"Great
," he answered.

They sat in silence, eating and taking quick glances at each other
.  Then Sophie spoke up.  "Um, I wanted to talk to both of you about something.”  They both turned to her, listening.  "Ah, well, I want to go on a road trip.  You see, I've been researching mine and Jasmine's history and have some good leads, but I need to go there to see where it will lead to."

"No
," Jackson said, offering no explanation.

Sophie frowned
.  "Ah, it wasn't a request.  I'm going.  I was going to ask you two to come with me but never mind.”  She went to stand but Cade put a hand out to stop her.

"Wait
.  Why do you want to do this now?" he asked her.

Sophie hesitated
.  "You know what happened yesterday.  After learning what Otherkin are and what the Hunters represent to them, I need to find out."

At least she noted that Jackson was listening, watching her
.  "Where do you need to go?" Cade asked her.

"New Orleans
.  I can show you everything I have found out.”  She looked at Jackson.  "I'm sure you have already found out what I have.”  She knew he was a whiz on the computer and wondered what he had found out.

Jackson had the grace to look chagrined
.  "Yes, we know what you have found out.  We found it out, too, a week ago.”  When she went to let him have a few choice words, he said, "Don't get your dander up.  It's our job.  We were trying to be nice and find something concrete to give to
you
to help
you
."

Although she could understand that, she said, "Still, you should have told me
.  Do you get how upset Jasmine is right now?"

Cade took her hand in his
.  "Yes, we do, sweet.  We are doing everything we can to get more info for both of you.  We have called in many favors."

She pulled her hand away
.  "Well I am not going to stop.  I am heading to New Orleans to see what I can find out.  It's the only way."

"No
," Jackson said again stubbornly.

Sophie got tears in her eyes fueled by t
he anger she was feeling toward them.  "Jackson, do you understand that Jasmine is refusing to marry Phoenix and Gabe because she feels she is somehow going to hurt Otherkin?  We have to do something.”  She waited until he looked her in the eye and said, "Please."

Jackson closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them, he said, "Be ready in the morning
.  We'll leave at first light."

The Blessed Five Series Book Two

by Sasha Parker

"It is not safe for you to go,
” Myles stated as he stood there trying to look intimidating.

She glanced over at them as she continued to pack.  They were impressive in looks.  They were brothers but couldn't have looked more different except for their eyes, both had warm, chocolate brown eyes.  Myles was six foot two or three, long blonde hair that he always had tied back.  Aedan was almost as tall as Myles standing at six feet tall, where Myles had had shaggy, blonde hair that fell to his shoulders, Aedan had short, blonde hair.  Both of the men had muscular bodies, fit for inspiring the naughtiest fantasies.  Aedan had the largest biceps Erin had ever seen.  Her panties hadn't been dry since she met them.

"Erin, we are trying to keep all of you safe.  With Reilly and Lachlan off in New York, it falls to us.  It's not a good time for you to go.”  Aedan was the one that seemed to try to be sensible.

She knew somewhere in the back of her mind they were right but when the veterinarian from the Dublin Zoo had called, she couldn't say no.  He had heard she was in country on sabbatical.  When the epidemic had broken out among the seals, he had been relieved to be able to call her and she had agreed to come.

She sighed and turned to stand in front of them.  "I understand, but I have been getting better with my power and am sure I can take care of myself.”  Erin's power was water and she had been practicing with her grandmother.  She felt confident that she really could protect herself.  Well, at least until someone showed up to help.

"We know you have been practicing and you have been doing great.  Can you wait a day or so until we can get some more Guardians here?  Then we could go with you.
”  Aedan tried again to be sensible.

"I tell you what, I don't leave until tomorrow.  If no Guardians have shown by then, I go and you can just follow me up there as soon as some do, okay?
” she reasoned.

"No,
” Myles said giving her a 'you will obey me' look.

"Myles, we have to let her do this,
” Aedan said calmly.  "Okay, Erin, if that is your compromise, then we accept."

"G
ood.  Now go on, I need to finish packing.”  She shooed them out of her room.

She leaned back against the door and closed her eyes.  How much longer could she avoid this attraction to them? 
According to her body, not much longer
, she thought with a chuckle. She had been thrown off kilter ever since they had arrived.  That day had been one she would never forget.

One morning after the sisters had been blessed with their powers, they were all down in the dining room having breakfast before Reilly and Lachlan would take them to the clearing for their workout.  The doorbell sounded and Erin volunteered to answer it.  When she had opened the door, two of the most gorgeous men she had ever seen stood in front of her.  Her jaw had dropped at the sheer size of them filling the doorway.  Her mark began to heat on her chest.  Each of the sisters had been gifted with a mark  over their hearts when they had received their powers.  It was four circles connected by a fifth, it looked like a flower, it was actually simple but beautiful as a representation of their blessing.  She placed a hand over hers as she continued to stare at the men before her.

"Hello there, sweetheart," one of the giants said as his deep voice sent shivers down her spine.

"Which of the Blessed Five might you be?" the other asked in a gravelly voice.

As she tried to find a voice to answer them, Reilly stepped into the foyer and said, "Erin, what's wrong?  Who is it?"  Reilly was always on alert, especially since they had been honest with him and Lachlan about the incidents of attacks against each of the sisters.

Her head snapped back to the men in the doorway as one of them said, "Ah, Erin."  He had said it softly and with a little growl that had Erin's panties dampening from the sound.

"Don't fret, Reilly, help is here," said the other one with a wink sent to Erin.

"Aedan?  Myles?" Reilly said as he stepped up beside Erin to shake their hands.  "It's good to see you both.  Come in."  He stepped back to allow the men entry and quirked a brow at Erin as she seemed glued in place.  Then she shook her head and snapped out of her admiration of the two giants in the doorway to stick her tongue out at Reilly.

Reilly cleared his throat and said, "Erin Kirkpatrick, I would like you to meet Aedan and Myles O'Connor. They are the newest Guardians to grace us finally with their presence. Aedan and Myles, this is Erin, one of the Blessed Five."

They all shook hands and Erin's eyes widened as her mark began to heat.
She could still see Reilly looking back and forth between all three, then he broke out in a big smile.  He leaned over to Erin and whispered, "I'm telling Ari," he taunted as she pushed him back through the doorway to the dining room.

She shook her head, he was becoming like a brother she wanted to throttle.  She glanced over at the two newest Guardians.  There seemed to be an instant attraction between the three of them when she had opened the door.  She didn't need this now, she had to get hold of her powers and decide what she was going to do about her profession's future.  She turned and headed up to her room to get ready for their workout.  Men were not in the cards right now, she kept repeating to herself as she went.  Now if she could only believe it.

Taming of Team TEN Book Two

by Jana Leigh

“
See you later, darlin',” the woman said, leaned over, and kissed him quickly before leaving.

“
Later,” Gage said and leaned back and sighed.  Sleep is what he needed now, tomorrow was going to be a full day, he had training in the morning, and then he had to ride the fence to fix it tomorrow. 

Just when he was ready to fall asleep, Gage heard his teammates
’ voices.  “
Dude, get the fuck up, this is important.  We have been waiting forever for you to quit fucking around
.”

“
Huh?” Gage said and looked up—his dead teammates were in his room.  “Holy Hell!”

“
You could say that, man, you have got to get a clue and stop thinking with your dick.  We have a huge problem.  It is time for you to get the letter and read it
,” one of his teammate’s stepped forward.  “
Someone's life depends on it
.”

“
Shit,” Gage groaned and looked around desperately.  “Why me?”

“
Because I trust you, man, I explained that
,” Raider standing before him said.

“
Fuck a duck, what do I need to do?” Gage sighed.  He had seen Marie a few times since they arrived back, but it had been painful and a reminder to her having him around.  He sent money every month, but so far, none of the checks had been cashed.

“
You have lost contact
,” Raider said slowly.

“
I know, I am a bastard, man, but I was fucked up, and she had a new baby.  Our grief was drowning both of us,” Gage whispered.

“
I know, but things change
,” Raider said.

“
Like what?” Gage asked confused.

“
Read the letter
,” Raider said and then faded.

Gage stood and screamed loudly.  He heard feet pounding on the stairs and the floor, then his door was flung open.

“What?” Thane roared as he came in the door with a weapon drawn, sweeping the room.

“
This is your fault!” Gage yelled at Alex as he walked into the room, disheveled and sleepy.

“
Huh?” Alex said, rubbing his eyes.

“
You," Gage said as he pointed his finger at Alex.  "You started the whole damn thing with all the, 'I see dead people' shit.  Now I am talking to dead people!  ALL YOUR FAULT!”  Gage barked as he shook his finger at Alex.

b
y Nancy Lommel

“
Princess Ariyona,” he began by letting her know he was all too aware of her identity.  “My name is Captain Merrick. You are now the prisoner of My Liege Lord, His Royal Majesty, King Jareth of Ravenwood.”

Ariyona felt her stomach sink to her toes upon hearing that name and she paled visibly.

“My Lord has ordered my men and me to bring you whole and unharmed before him. My Lord is very unforgiving of failure, so it is my wish that you cooperate with us so that we may fulfill his bidding. We wish you no harm, but know that we will deliver you. It is in your best interest at this point to cause no trouble. As long as you cooperate, we will do everything possible to assure your safety and comfort on the journey to Ravenwood. Do you agree or would you like to take on the four of us?” Merrick smiled as he spoke the last.

For a moment, Ariyona did not reply.
Jareth of Ravenwood!
He was a tyrant king who ruled by fear and force. Many were the tales that had reached King Oberon’s court of the atrocities committed by Jareth upon his people. They had many refugees from his lands. He was a harsh, cruel monarch and the opposite of everything Ariyona believed in.
But why was he kidnapping her?
Ariyona could not fathom a reason. She looked at Merrick who was still awaiting her answer. She was royalty and they knew it.  She knew from his words they would respect and treat her well. Jareth wanted her delivered whole and unharmed. Ariyona preferred it that way as well. She thought of her father’s four rules of being captured. The first was to do whatever was necessary to protect herself. The second was to obey her captors as long as it did not compromise the first rule. Thirdly, she was not to do anything that would bring dishonor to her father or her kingdom. Finally, the fourth rule was to try to escape as long as it did not compromise the first or third rule. As resistance would gain her nothing and escape was not an option at this point, Ariyona forced herself to speak to her captors.

“
I agree,” she said through clenched teeth.

Merrick smiled.
“Very well.” He produced a length of rope that had been secured to his belt. “Please hold out your wrists. I have to bind them, but let me know if it is too tight. As I said, I have no wish to harm you.” Yet from looking into Merrick’s eyes, Ariyona knew he was not a man to trifle with.

Ariyona held out her wrists and Merrick quickly wound the rope around them.
As he did the other three men sheathed their swords, but Ariyona did not doubt that any transgression on her part would have them out in an instant. The rope was very tight around her wrists, but Ariyona’s pride would not allow her to speak again to Merrick to ask him to loosen her binding. Merrick tied the other end of the rope to his belt and they set off deeper into the woods, away from the castle. One of Merrick’s men led the way with Merrick second. Naturally, Ariyona was next in line, as she was tied to Merrick, and the other two soldiers took up the rear.

As they walked, Merrick explained to Ariyona how she had made their task easier.
They had been watching the castle from the woods for several days and had noticed that she fled the castle alone at least once a day. As soon as they were assured that she remained alone, and sometimes stayed in the woods for hours, all they had to do was pick a day and wait. Ariyona walked right into their hands. Merrick and his men laughed at this while Ariyona silently cursed herself for her foolishness. Her father had been right all along and she did have need of a guard. Now she knew for a fact she was wrong to disobey her father on this matter. Why did she not listen?

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