Supernatural Syndicate: A Limited Edition Collection of Magical Mafia Stories

by Thea Atkinson

  Often times, we can’t choose how we die, but we can choose how we live. It looked like this was the night I would be laying down my life.

  I lifted my hands. “Honey. I’m home. Did you miss me?”

  “You’re like Tardigrades. Just die already,” said Valen. He lifted his hands and the spirits disappeared. Flames flew out of nowhere behind us trapping us where we stood.

  “Form a circle and let’s do this.” I placed my back to Genziano, and he did the same to Clyde. As the spirits appeared, we cut them down.

  Valen shook his head. “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” He disappeared. I blinked and he reappeared in front of me and stuck his hand in my chest. Black serpents slithered inside me, and I fell to my knees.

  16

  Micheline

  What the hell is Domenico doing here?

  I’m shocked that he followed me to the dark realm, but I shouldn’t be. He was here with his friends. I hope he brought backup, although I was not sure it would do any good. This was a one-way trip.

  “Domenico, you guys get out of here,” I yelled over the roar of the fires and the screams from the spirits around me. The spirits had become drunk over their lust for my blood, and it was downright creepy.

  Turning away from him, I looked at the Shadow King, or Valen for short. “Where is my sister?”

  I watched him carefully. It might be too late for me, but it wouldn’t be for Madeleine.

  He smiled. “I don’t know.”

  My nostrils flared. “Liar.”

  Valen shrugged and floated over to me. His sharp nails trailing down my cheek. “Oh. I am a liar, murderer, and thief, but I don’t know yet where your sister is. When I do, she will meet with the same fate as you.”

  A guttural roar escaped my lips, and I palmed the scissors hidden under my sleeve. I plunged it into his chest. Thick, black billowy clouds escaped, and he laughed.

  “Do you think you can kill me? You are so pathetic.” He pulled out the scissors and tossed them to the ground.

  A commotion distracted Valen, and both of us looked behind me, as another group led by Axel came rushing forth to fight the spirits.

  A sudden urge to laugh overtook me and I burst into giggles. Holding my stomach, I ignored the flash of anger surging across Valen’s face.

  He rolled his eyes and disappeared.

  Straightening, I looked for him. Valen reappeared and thrust a handful of spirits inside Domenico. Long tiger-striped serpents slithered underneath Domenico’s skin and he screamed before collapsing to the ground.

  In a blink of an eye, Nicenzio, Tobias, Madeleine and another female appeared. She had straight jet-black hair and blue eyes that turned green. Her skin was fair, and she was extremely tall. We’ve always encouraged Madi to make friends, but this wasn’t the time.

  Grabbing my sister, I shook her. “Get out of here. Now.”

  Madeleine hugged me. “We are here to help you. Don’t worry I brought backup. Mariyah Sidorova, meet my sister, Micheline.”

  Pushing past her, I snatched Tobias’ arm. “What were you thinking, bringing her here?”

  He eyed my hand and smiled. “I was thinking that you’re not ready to die and these ladies can help you live.”

  A spirit lifted Domenico’s head, and was about to decapitate him.

  “No!” In a blur of motion, I was beside him, ripping the spirit’s head off. His head disappeared into smoke and he reassembled a moment later. Picking up one of Domenico’s swords, I began slashing heads and hearts, forming a circle around Domenico’s body which had crumpled into a ball.

  The werewolves were taking the spirits and tearing them limb from limb. We were slowing them down, but we weren’t stopping them.

  Valen shook his head and held out his hand. “Come to me. Your death doesn’t have to be painful, but make no mistake, you will die here.” He flew to Madi, and lifted his hand to wrap around her neck, but Tobias waved and all the spirits, including Valen, flew down into the bottomless pit.

  Tobias shoved the women in front of him. “Run, we don’t have much time.” He ran after the females, but a horde of spirits walked over to me and the others. There was now a gaping hole blocking Madeleine, Nicenzio and Tobias from getting to us. Nicenzio stepped in front of Madi and pulled two swords. I saw him hand her a gun.

  Tobias kissed Madeleine on the cheek. “Be safe.”

  Madeleine struggled. “No, dammit. You won’t do whatever the hell you’re thinking of doing. We came together and we’ll leave together, or we don’t leave at all.”

  More spirits appeared and Madeleine opened fire. Valen appeared and lifted his hand and Nicenzio flew into the bottomless pit of fire.

  “No. You bastard,” said Madeleine. She opened fired on Valen, but he stood strong, prowling toward her. Madeleine turned toward the bottomless pit and tried to run to it. A witch lifted Nicenzio from the pit. He was severely burned, almost unrecognizable.

  I ran toward the open hole. “If you want me, then come and get me.” I jumped over the hole and stood beside my sister. Nodding to her, we held each other’s hand and Mariyah grabbed my hand.

  “You’re going to need me but, whatever you do, just focus on destroying him and our powers together will do the rest,” said Mariyah.

  I closed my eyes and focused. Thinking about my parents, and all those that lost their lives trying to keep the city safe. The Shadow Spirits started to scream. Opening my eyes, our thoughts became stronger and stronger as the spirits started to turn to ashes.

  Tobias stood in front of us. He had made a protective dome around Domenico and was shooting fireballs at the spirits.

  Valen wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Looking around, I saw the spirits dying but I didn’t see him. I had a feeling that it was going to take more than this to kill him. All at once, he reappeared and grabbed Tobias around the throat.

  “You’re only alive because Torin protected you, but where is your brother now? Your time has come,” said Valen. He opened his mouth, tilted his head back, and black mist flowed from him into Tobias.

  Tobias went limp and fell to the ground. His skin started to turn blue, like rigor mortis was setting in. Silent tears streamed down my face as I continued channeling my power.

  Torin and another female appeared. He saw Tobias lying on the ground, and his scream of rage shook the entire structure. The ceiling started to crumble and fall. He disappeared and became a blur as he jumped inside of Tobias. Madeleine and Mariyah stopped concentrating and Valen laughed.

  “Torin moved like the Shadow King,” said Madeleine. She watched as Tobias’s body shook and lifted off the ground. The black mist that was inside of him flowed out as he whimpered.

  “Keep concentrating or we’re dead meat.” I refocused, but it was too late. Valen flew to me. Waving his hands, he sent Mariyah and Madeleine flying against the wall. Mariyah moved out of the way as a huge chunk of the ceiling narrowly missed her.

  Valen saw Axel creeping up behind him. My air was cut off and my eyes rolled to the back of my head. Thoughts of my parents’ death and Madi filled my thoughts. Thrusting my hand out, I touched Valen’s chest, hoping he could feel my emotions. I wanted him to feel everything that I felt.

  Axel latched on to Valen’s neck, but he was thrown against the nearest wall as Valen waved his hand.

  “How does it feel knowing that you’re about to die?” asked Valen.

  “She will never know,” said Torin. He ran and jumped inside Valen. My neck was released, and I fell to my knees gasping for breath. I crawled over to Tobias, who still hadn’t moved. Placing my ear to his chest, I heard a faint heartbeat.

  Patting his cheek, I scooted him near me. “Tobias, wake up. We need you to open your eyes.” I watched as he struggled but didn’t open his eyes. He made little gurgling noises in his throat, but his eyes remained closed.

  Torin jumped out of Valen. He lifted his hand and sent his demons inside of Valen.

  Valen laughed, the
n grimaced. “You can’t kill me, or you’ll die too. Your friends can’t kill me because they aren’t as strong as you are.”

  “I know,” said Torin. He closed his eyes and lifted his face toward the sky. He fell to his knees as all his demons surged out of him into Valen.

  Torin’s strength seemed to be draining and the color of his skin started to turn blue. He fell to his knees, with one hand bracing himself from face planting on the ground.

  Torin was killing himself to save us. To save me.

  Madeleine stood. “We’ve got to do something. Torin is dying for us.”

  My tears blinded me. I grabbed her hand, and I stood, but Tobias moved. He opened his eyes and rolled onto his stomach looking at his brother.

  Tobias screamed. “No. No, I can’t let you do this.”

  Torin hung his head. “I’m sorry I failed you, but I will not fail our people. This is the only way.” He bit his lip, struggled to his feet, and ran toward Valen.

  Tobias jumped to his feet and lifted both hands, paralyzing Torin. “I can’t lose you too.”

  Tobias’s eyes turned red as he wrapped his arms around himself and brought Torin close to him.

  “Jorel, Denise, and Nicholas send him to the realm now,” said Tobias.

  They gathered together, closing their eyes. A gust of wind swept through the place and the spirits and Valen were swept into a tornado, and then vanished.

  They didn’t stop chanting, and another gust of wind swarmed around Torin.

  Tobias frowned. “What are you doing?”

  “He will have to watch over the Shadow King and destroy him if he tries to leave the realm, so he must go too,” said Jorel.

  Tobias’s lips thinned. “I feel it. You did something else as well.”

  Denise stepped forward. “We have applied a safety measure. If something happens to you or you die, there are no assurances that Torin will care about Earth any longer.”

  Tobias grabbed Jorel and lifted him off the ground. “Undo it or die.”

  Denise ran toward Tobias, but she was grabbed from behind by another male.

  “He’s too powerful. He has to stay in the Realm of Vatakula, where he can watch over the Shadow King. If he attempts to come back to Earth, he loses all connection with you, never to be regained again,” said Jorel.

  “We have to control him. He can’t be allowed to come to Earth with that power, not to mention the demons inside him.”

  “It is only a matter of time before the dark side consumes him,” said Denise.

  Tobias tossed Jorel from him and lifted his hand. “You will die for betraying your leader and my family.”

  Torin grabbed Tobias. “No. They are doing what they need to protect you from the council.”

  I frowned. “You killed the council.”

  “The council is limitless, others were assigned to Earth as soon as they found out the old council was dead,” said Torin.

  Torin walked to Mariyah. “Are you the one that saved him? Will you look after him for me?”

  Mariyah shook her head. “Nolani saved him. You never need to worry about losing touch with him, I will always tell you what is going on with him.”

  “That is a beautiful thing to say. What is your name?” asked Torin.

  She smiled. “Mariyah Sidorova.”

  “You don’t have the power to promise him that,” grumbled Jorel.

  Afterword

  Thank you for taking the time to read the Cursed Vampire’s Touch. I hope you have enjoyed Micheline’s and Domenico’s story. In this series there is a lot happening with action, adventure, and love all in one. I hope this book piqued your interest and made you eager to find out what happens to them as the series progresses. Please consider leaving an honest review, so that other readers might select this book and read it as well.

  If you want to know what happens with Micheline and Domenico, click the link below to obtain the next book in the series titled Cursed Vampire’s Kiss.

  https://books2read.com/u/49lJ5J

  About the Author

  About the Author

  Lashe’ Lacroix has always enjoyed reading all genres of romance. Her love for romance books started when she was given Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey. Her passion for creating vivid characters and developing make-believe worlds began when she was four years old. When she is not reading, writing, or traveling, you can find her on the ocean somewhere, sailing the high tides. Sign up for the mailing list to receive a copy of Only You and find out about her latest releases, giveaways, and more.

  Sign up here. https://BookHip.com/FGMTLN

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  The Mafia Boss’s Water Nymph

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  Elvira Bathory

  1

  “How could you? You bastard! I will never understand your obsession with that Keezy Fem, but it’s going to be the death of you!”

  Regina Salisbury could hear the yelling before she reached the landing of her floor.

  Lovely. The neighbors are at it again, she rolled her eyes and walked towards her apartment door.

  Regina knew she needed to move into a better neighborhood, especially with a baby on the way, but with the measly paycheck she received every two weeks from her minimum wage job she just couldn’t afford to. Once the little human she was carrying in her womb arrived, Regina knew money would be even tighter.

  Her best friend, Ashley O’Rourke, had offered to move her into the luxurious penthouse apartment owned by her family numerous times, but Regina continued to turn her down. The loud crash she heard against her kitchen wall as she entered her shabby apartment had her reconsidering that offer.

  Regina’s phone rang, and she smiled when she looked at the caller ID. “Where your ears burning?”

  “Huh?” Ashley said.

  Regina laughed. “Nothing never mind. What’s up?”

  Ashley took a deep breath and started speaking at a million miles an hour. “My family is throwing this huge gala next week and I wanted to make sure you knew about it! You absolutely have to come, you know that, right?”

  Regina rolled her eyes again, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Hold on a minute, Ash. Slow down and explain to me what the gala is for and exactly why I must be there. Besides it’s not like I wouldn’t have seen the mention on the front page to the newspaper. You know every time you family throws any kind of party the newspaper is the first to announce it.”

  Regina stated as she took a seat at the small table she’d placed in the tiny area of her kitchen.

  Ashley chuckled. “I guess you’re right, Gina. Well, this gala is for one of the numerous charities Daddy supports, breast cancer awareness I think, since the theme is pink and white. I’ll let you know for sure as soon as I get that intel. But the reason you must attend is because Grant Thompson will be there, and I happen to know that he needs a date. I ran into him at our favorite little bistro, and we got to talking. I mentioned that you’d be at the gala and would happily play the role of arm candy for the night. His eyes glazed over and he practically drooled when I showed him a picture of you.”

  That last part was said in a singsong way, letting Regina know that her attendance was not merely a request but a requirement. Her best friend was completely serious about Regina playing the role of arm candy. She was being voluntold to be there for the handsome, dashing, and filthy-rich Grant Thompson.

  The twenty-six-year-old brunette shifted her weight in the chair she was sitting in, listening to the creak it made and the argument that was still raging on in the apartment next door. More things were thrown against the wall, causing thumps to accompany her breathing as she tried to come up with a response that Ashley would except. Regina could hear how important it was for her best friend to have her at the charity gala, but she wasn’t sure if it was so she could play matchmaker or if
her company would help the night fly by.

  “I will kill you; you bitch!”

  The tinkling sound of broken glass made Regina cringe because she knew the ugly sound of flesh hitting flesh would be next. The neighbors hadn’t been in a fight like this in a few weeks and the pregnant woman couldn’t help but wonder which woman it was about this time.

  “Gina, are you still there, or did you hang up on me after my Grant Thompson revelation?” Ashley said anxiously bringing Regina’s attention back to her phone conversation.

  The pregnant woman shook her head as she answered, knowing there was no way she was going to get out of going to the charity party. “No, Ash, I’m still here. Just listening to my neighbors fight while breaking all their dishes and thinking about my wardrobe, wondering which dress would be the most appropriate to wear when meeting a billionaire mafia boss.”

  Ashley let out a disbelieving scoff. “Girl, you know you are just going to be borrowing one of the many ballgowns Daddy is always buying me. Trust me when I tell you I already have the perfect one in mind.”

  There was a pause while Ashley thought about something. “Listen, Gina, I have a very serious question to ask you, and I need the truth here. Can you do that for me?”

  Regina stood, moving toward her refrigerator, looking for something to put together to eat. “It’s okay, Ash, you can ask me if I’ve seen or spoken with Luck lately. I’m not going to break down into a puddle of blubbering mess just because you bring up his name. The answer to that question is no, I haven’t seen or heard from him since we had lunch three weeks ago when I told him the news about the pregnancy.”