by Brenda Trim
“You’re right. It was very cool,” Braeden agreed.
“Will my mate’s stone do the same thing? Because I think that would be awesome,” Donovan asked as he danced around the store, trampling bubble wrap as he went.
Braeden stopped him and tickled Donovan’s tummy. “No one knows what the Goddess has in store for you. If you’re lucky you will find someone as wonderful as Isis.”
“I hope so. Hey, does this mean I’m going to have a little sister or brother soon?” Suvi laughed at the way Isis paled. She doubted her sister would be ready for a child for a while yet.
The tinkling of the new chimes above their door startled her and interrupted the conversation. She hadn’t gotten used to their new sound yet, the metal’s tone was much harsher, but served its purpose. She turned around and felt the breath leave her body in one great exhale.
A God stood before her. A male, well over six feet tall with a firmly muscled body, took up the entrance. He wasn’t like most supernatural males, either. Most were rugged and casual, preferring jeans and t-shirts. There were the exceptions and this male was one hell of an exception in his black, two-piece suit that was tailored to his sculpted body like a work of art. His shaggy, black hair didn’t fit his attire as disheveled as it was, falling into his green eyes.
The sensation of electricity rippling through her veins stunned Suvi. There was always a rush when she practiced magic, but this was so much more than that. She was captured by his gaze and her entire being woke to pay attention. She noticed the haggard look on his face as he loosened his blue pin-striped tie, walking into the store. The way he moved reminded her of a panther and she wanted desperately to be his prey.
“What’s wrong with Suvi, daddy?” She heard Donovan ask followed by Braeden’s chuckle.
“You’ll understand some day, son. Come on. Let’s go get some ice cream down the street.” She heard the door sound again when Braeden and Donovan left, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t. She was rooted to the spot.
Caught in an erotic trance, Suvi became aware that she was gawking. In her defense, any female would be in this male’s presence. The touch of her sister’s hand on her shoulder brought her out of her apodyopsis, and she blushed with embarrassment.
“Are you the Rowan sisters?” The somber note to his deep voice had Suvi doing a double take and that’s when she noted the haunted look to his gorgeous, green eyes. She wondered what put that look there, and oddly, she wanted to put a smile on his face and make that expression disappear.
Pema extended her hand. “Yes, we are. I’m Pema and these are my sisters, Isis and Suvi,” she pointed to them in turn. “How can we help you?” Suvi noticed how Ronan had abandoned hanging shelves and come to stand directly behind Pema.
“I’m not sure where to begin and I don’t even know if you can help me.” He seemed nervous and out of sorts and Suvi felt compelled to promise him she’d move heaven and earth to help him. “I’m Caine DuBray. Jace and Zander thought maybe you three could help me with a situation that I have suddenly found myself in. It’s a nightmare, really.” He paused and placed his hands in his pockets. She saw the muscles flex in his neck from clenching his jaw tightly.
Suvi was inexplicably drawn to him and overcome with a fierce need to erase the shadows. She wanted to draw him into her arms and hold him tightly. She knew what would put a smile on his face and she was all too happy to volunteer. Not that she was being entirely selfless given that she was pretty sure it would put a smile on hers, too.
She placed her hand on his forearm, unsure when her feet had carried her to his side. The feel of the soft fabric under her palm disappeared when another electrical charge lit her up. His eyes widened and he stared at her, clearly feeling the same thing. She found her voice after several silent seconds. “We will help you. I promise. We haven’t been dubbed the prophesized triplets for nothing.”
“Hold up, Suvi. Let’s hear what he needs help with before you go promising the moon,” Isis chided. Suvi quickly rounded on her sister, glaring daggers. Isis had her happy-ever-after and Suvi just wanted a few minutes with this magnificent male so her sister needed to back the hell off.
“Isis,” Suvi growled.
“No, Suvi,” Isis countered and the lights in the store flickered from the increase of emotion she was absorbing. Suvi didn’t care right then if Isis’ anger caused an earthquake and swallowed their store. Suvi was startled when she felt warm hands on her shoulders and turned her head, falling into his deep, green orbs once again.
“Please, your sister is right. You need to hear what I ask and consider it carefully before you decide. I have been framed for a crime and face death.” Suvi listened raptly as he retold the situation he awoke to earlier that evening. In her soul, she knew that this vampire was innocent just as surely as she knew she and her sisters could do something about it. The fact that Zander had sent him to them reinforced her belief. She rubbed at her chest when an unfamiliar twisting took her breath.
She grabbed her sisters’ hands. “I know we have Cele to deal with, but we are the only ones who can do this. We can’t let him die,” she implored.
“This will be dangerous,” Ronan rumbled.
Suvi whirled around, anger blazing through her. “Of course it will be dangerous, you oaf, but if it were Pema you would do whatever it took. Just because he isn’t in your little circle of friends, doesn’t mean he isn’t worth the risk.” She was shaking with fierce emotion, and at that moment, knew she’d do this, with or without her sisters, although it would be much easier with them.
Two things happened simultaneously. Caine grabbed onto her shoulders and Pema jumped in before the situation deteriorated more. “Suvi. Of course we will do what we can. However, our priority must be on dealing with the threat Cele presents to us if we happen to find her.”
“He only has seventy-two hours,” Suvi all but wailed.
Caine stepped into her and cupped her cheek, awe written all over his face. “Suvi, stop and think about this. Your sister is right. You can’t allow a threat against you to go unanswered.”
She was once again caught in his thrall. She wished she understood why he held such power over her. It wasn’t like she was unfamiliar with good-looking males. “Why would that be more important than saving your life?”
The smile Caine gave her held the world and she wanted to live in it.
Authors’ Note
Thank you for reading Mistletoe & Mayhem! We hope you enjoyed Jessie and
James’ story. Scarred Warrior will be the fourth book in the Dark Warrior Alliance series where Gerrick and Shae discover that even those with damaged flesh and shattered hearts deserve love, too, but that’s easier said than done. Look for it winter 2015! If you haven’t discovered our Rowan sisters, be sure to check them out. Pema’s Storm, Isis’ Betrayal and Suvi's Revenge are now available.
Reviewers have raved that the Dark Alliance series books one through three are filled with passion, heat, hope, love and humor. They are as fast, fun, and compelling reads!
With new digital download trends, authors rely on readers to spread the word more than ever. Here are some ways to help us! Leave a review! Every author asks their readers to take five minutes and let others know how much you enjoyed their work. Here’s the reason why. Reviews help your favorite authors to become visible. It’s simple and easy to do. If you are a Kindle user turn to the last page and leave a review before you close your book. For other retailers, just visit their online site and leave a brief review.
Don’t forget to visit our website: www.trimandjulka.com and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TrimAndJulka. You will find current information about other books in this series as well as our other exciting works.
Trust your journey and remember that your future is filled with endless possibilities! DREAM BIG!
XOXO, Brenda and Tami
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