Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  Michelle still worked as my receptionist and was dating Archer. She had quickly become accustomed to the supernatural world and had spent time over at our house, watching my sister take on half the pack. She and Archer had decided to take things slowly, though I thought it was more Michelle than Archer. His eyes burned with love each time he looked at her. If I had to guess, I would bet Michelle was his mate, and he would wait until the end of time for her to be ready.

  “Work was good. I took down two bounties and netted close to ten thousand dollars.”

  Paxdon walked onto the deck and tossed Ryker a beer. “You, my lady, can’t drink any more beer, but I brought you a cup of decaf coffee.”

  I reached up and grabbed the cup. It didn’t compare to the real stuff, but in nine months, I could drink my liquid gold again. “Did you decide to come live around here also?”

  Ryker had been about to take a sip of his beer when I asked the question. His hand stopped in midair.

  Paxdon’s smile spread across his face. “I would love to, but my home is in hell.”

  Ryker let out an audible breath. “So, what brings you here today and without Lucifer?”

  Paxdon blushed. “Lucifer is working on a surprise for both of you. He can’t wait for his grandbaby to come.”

  I held up my hand. “No surprises. What is he doing? Unless it’s kidnapping Carlton the leprechaun, I don’t want it.”

  “You know, it hurts my feelings that you no longer want me as your pet as well. No, he is not kidnapping Carlton. Leprechauns bite. Lucifer is in the process of building you a summer home in hell, and he expects you to raise your child part-time in hell.”

  “Nope. Not going to happen, and I will tell the big guy that myself. I’ve never even been to hell.”

  Paxdon shifted, clearly uncomfortable. “That is the other reason I’m here. He wants me to bring you back for a visit.”

  “Again, not going to happen.” I crossed my arms over my chest. No matter how much my sisters talked about hell, I wasn’t ready to visit.

  “Can you take me?” my mother asked. I hadn’t realized she’d stopped watching Wrath fight and was listening to the conversation.

  “Yes. When do you want to go?”

  “Mom, do you really want to go to hell?”

  My mother leaned over and gave me a hug, and it ended too soon. “I need to figure out more of my past. Maybe someone or something can help trigger a memory.”

  I stood and pulled my mom back into my arms. “Are you sure hell is the best place to try? We can find more books.”

  Jasmin cupped my face. “I need answers, Paldon. Not knowing is killing me, and I think we’ve read every book under the sky. Let me do this. You can always come visit, and I will be back before the babies are born.”

  “Baby,” I muttered. The doctor’s equipment had lied when it showed two. I didn’t sign up for two, so we were going with one no matter how many people told me I was wrong.

  “Bye, Paldon,” my mom whispered before she and Paxdon vanished.

  * * *

  That night, I lay in bed next to Ryker. We were both naked, and I draped my body across his. I couldn’t get enough of the man and wanted to always be near him.

  Ryker ran his hand over my claiming mark on my shoulder. Two nights after getting back from Georgia, Ryker and I had finished our mating. Ever since we mated, Ryker had magic as well, and he was getting the hang of the black bulbs of magic easier than I had. My speed and strength had increased. When researching how to get Mom’s memories back, I had looked to see if it was normal for powers to cross during mating, but I hadn’t found any information yet.

  “Are you okay with your mom leaving?” Ryker asked softly.

  “I didn’t want her to leave. I’m worried about something happening to her. We had so many years apart. I don’t know what I would do if she disappeared again. But her going to hell to see if she can find answers is a good decision—as long as she’s back before the baby is born.”

  “Babies.” Ryker laughed.

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m not ready to admit babies yet.”

  “I hope we have a boy and a girl. Can you imagine a little girl with your long brown hair and blue eyes?”

  “Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t want a girl. Can you imagine all the little boys wanting to take her out on dates?”

  Ryker frowned. “She can’t date.”

  “Gosh, I can’t believe we mated and are having our first kid. Two months ago, I did everything to stay away from you. I thought I would tarnish your name because of my old alpha. But you should’ve been the alpha when everything happened.”

  “I hate that I did this to you.” Ryker ran his hand down my face. The scar was still gone, but I still felt a tingling where it used to be. “I should have taken my place, then you would never have had this happen.”

  “Never think that way. Everything happens for a reason. No matter who the alpha was, Glen and Kali still would’ve tried to rule the world and take Lucifer out. I love you, Ryker, and no matter what happened in our past, I wouldn’t change it because I ended up here with you.”

  “How did I get so lucky to have you as a mate?” Ryker asked as he ran his hand down my side.

  “You’re not the only lucky one. I have you. And we have everyone else in this pack. Mary’s so excited for the twins. With Tyler and Sasha leaving, it will give her something to take her mind off them being gone. We are a team and would be a better team if we could keep Carlton.

  “I love you,” I whispered as I shifted to be on top of Ryker. His gray eyes flashed silver, another change since our mating. We had so many questions, but that moment, I wanted my man. “Now let me show you how much I love you.”

  “I know you do.” Ryker’s words came out as a groan. “You are stunning, Paldon, and I’m the luckiest man to have you. I’m all yours,” he added after a minute.

  I grinned at his hard erection between my legs. We had made love each night since we mated, and each time was better than the last. Ryker pulled my shirt off, and the second it was over my head, I worked on pulling Ryker’s gym shorts down. Need burned inside me as I gripped Ryker’s member and positioned it against me.

  “Wait,” he said, grabbing my hips and stopping me from sliding down.

  “Please, Ryker, I need you.” My words came out breathlessly

  He rolled me over onto my side. “I want to taste you first.”

  “I need you in me, Ryker. I need my man, please.”

  Ryker must’ve seen something in my eyes, because he positioned his cock and slid forward. My back arched, and he pressed a finger to my clit. The added sensation brought me close to the edge as Ryker slowly worked his member in and out. He locked his eyes with me, and I could feel the love and tenderness. Ryker was breathtaking, and I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.

  “Faster.”

  “Better?” Ryker asked.

  He reached down and pinched my pearl, sending me over the edge, and I screamed Ryker’s name.

  Two more thrusts, and Ryker went over the edge as well. A minute or two passed before he rolled over and pulled me to his chest.

  “Will it always be like that?”

  Ryker ran his hand down my arm. “When the twins come, we might need to go quicker or hide so we can be together.”

  “Twins, Ryker—what are we going to do?”

  “We will figure it out. They will be here in nine months.”

  * * *

  If you plan to continue with this series, there’s an epilogue…but I suggest you stop here if you don’t like cliffhangers and don’t plan to continue.

  Thanks for reading!

  Epilogue

  Ten months later.

  “How cute!” Mom gushed.

  Paxdon had shifted into his pandacorn and was snuggling with Riley and Rex. My twins giggled as he blew raspberries on their tummies.

  “Paxdon loves the twins. He comes at least once a week to spend time with them,” Ryker mumbled. He
always complained when Paxdon showed up, but I could tell he enjoyed his friend coming to visit.

  We were having our monthly barbecue, and it was the first get-together since the twins had come home—Riley, our precious baby girl, and Rex, our demanding little boy. Everyone from the neighborhood had shown up.

  Michelle and Archer were still together, but they couldn’t make the barbecue because Archer needed to take care of something in Europe. He’d said he needed her help, and from the happy tone in her voice, I knew she would do anything for him. She didn’t tell me what it was but said that everything was okay.

  “Do you think they are going to kill each other?” my mom asked Ryker and pointed at Wrath and Atieno, who were standing at the end of the yard, having a heated conversation.

  Ethan walked over and handed Ryker a beer. Over the past few months, Ethan had fixed up the Georgia pack, and he and his brothers visited often. We had spent hours talking about our time apart. I was still trying to deal with the fact that I’d never questioned anything and my friends had paid for my mistake.

  Ryker took the beer and answered my mom, “I understand what Atieno did back then, though I don’t like it. Wrath might care for Atieno as a friend, but she will always blame him for her husband’s death.”

  Wrath turned and stormed off into the woods. She would be gone for a few days. I wished we could find someone to make her happy.

  I turned toward Ethan. “Are you dating anyone?”

  Ethan narrowed his eyes. “I like my life the way it is.”

  “Really? Alone? I think Wrath is a good catch.”

  Ryker laughed. “Run, man. Do you realize your father-in-law would be the devil? She hid it from me until I fell in love with her.”

  “Liar,” I teased. “You know you love my dad.”

  As if we’d mentioned him too many times, smoke wafted from the center of the deck, and Lucifer appeared. “Where are my little demons?”

  Rex and Riley squealed when they saw Lucifer. My father showed up a few times a week to play with our kids, and Ryker and I were planning to go to hell in the next month to check out our vacation home. With Mom spending so much time there, she’d made sure the place would feel like home for us.

  Rex burst out crying when Lucifer picked Riley up first. I went to get up, when my mom clutched her head and let out a scream that rivaled my son’s. When she looked up, tears were running down her face. That had happened a few times over the past ten months. Something would trigger a new memory, and she would get a piercing pain in her head.

  “Mom, did you get another memory?” I kneeled in front of her.

  “A memory of the day you were born flashed through my mind. But you weren’t my only baby born that day. I had twins.”

  The End

  * * *

  Continue reading Siblings of the Underworld, Hell’s Future.

  https://linzibaxter.com/siblings-of-the-underworld/

  * * *

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  About the Author

  Linzi Baxter lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband and lazy basset hound. She started writing when voices inside her head wouldn’t stop talking until the story was told. When not at work as an IT Manager, Linzi enjoys writing action-packed romances that will take you to the edge of your seat.

  She enjoys engaging her readers with strong, interesting characters that have complex and stimulating stories to tell. If you enjoy a little (or maybe a whole lot) of steam and spice, don’t miss checking out White Hat Security series.

  When not writing, Linzi enjoys reading, watching college sports (GO UCF Knights), and traveling to Europe. She loves hearing from her readers and can’t wait to hear from you!

  www.LinziBaxter.com

  Assassin’s Menace

  Everly Frost

  An Assassin’s Magic Companion Story

  Assassin’s Menace: An Assassin’s Magic Companion Story © 2019 Everly Frost

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Created with Vellum

  Assassin’s Menace

  Never step between an assassin and his prey...

  Nobody would suspect curvy, blonde bookworm Grace Kennedy of being a cold-blooded killer. She just wants to keep her head down and escape the violent secrets of her past.

  But when Grace unwittingly gets between an assassin and his target, she becomes prey to Boston's most ferocious legion of killers.

  If finding a way out of the life-threatening mess she created isn't hard enough, her unexpected encounters with Cain Carter prove even more unsettling.

  Ruthless millionaire on the outside, sexy as hell in private, Cain is determined to make sure Grace survives her own secret power, as well as his.

  When the Legion closes in and the power inside Grace threatens to tear her apart, Cain will have to sacrifice what he loves the most if he wants Grace to survive.

  Recommended reading age is 17+ due to heat level and language.

  Please note: This book can be read as a standalone. But if you are reading the Assassin’s Magic series, it is recommended to finish reading Assassin’s Mask (Book 2) before starting this book.

  This story is dedicated to everyone who carries books in their pockets, bags, and hearts.

  1

  I step inside the warm café, inhaling the scent of mocha lattes and freshly baked muffins, my favorite combination. If only I were here to eat them. I quickly head past the neat tables and sing out “Good morning” to Joe, the café’s owner. I hang up my coat and swap it for the blueberry-colored waitressing apron with my nametag attached to it: Grace.

  It’s not my real name. I don’t use my real name anymore.

  I love that the apron has two wide, deep pockets at the front: one to contain my order notebook and the other … I grin as I slip a new hardcover book from my coat into my apron. It’s heavy and drags the apron down on that side, but I love the weight. Books are the only things I splurge on, what I save my pennies for. It reminds me that at the end of the day there’s something good waiting for me.

  I check my watch: six a.m. The morning crowd is just starting to drag themselves in, eyes half open, begging for coffee. I hurry out to help Joe and take orders from the customers who want breakfast. Most of them are regulars and I know their orders like I know the first lines of my favorite books.

  Joe catches me checking my watch as I join him behind the counter. He gives me a proud smile. “You’re always on time, Grace.”

  I return his smile. He’s a great boss, but the truth is … I’m not sure how much longer I can work here. I’ve already stayed way longer than I planned. While I work, I remain conscious of my surroundings, what’s going on outside the shop as well as inside it. It’s an old habit, one I can’t get rid of.

  Outside the shop window, an old lady in a tattered coat pauses briefly before quickly moving on. She’s homeless and makes most people uncomfortable—and she knows it—so she doesn’t stick around. I’m not sure how she survived the particularly frosty winter. At the end of the day, I’ll put together a paper plate of the random muffins and pastries that nobody else wants and leave it at the side of the front step for her. Joe knows I do it,
but he’s never tried to stop me.

  The old lady glances back as if she’s checking something behind her and then disappears beyond the window at the same moment as a couple runs along the sidewalk. They stop directly in front of the café and jog on the spot.

  I haven’t seen them before. The girl looks like a college student; she’s tall, slender, and brunette. Her hair is drawn up into a rough ponytail, but the color and cut tell me she paid a million dollars for that hairstyle. Expensive phone clipped to her waist. Expensive running shoes. Definitely from money.

  The guy is older and he’s … massive … all muscle, with striking, almost-black brown hair that is long on top and short at the sides. They’re both wearing sports gear, probably thermal, but short-sleeved. Seriously? In this weather? It hasn’t turned spring in Boston and it’s freezing outside—or crisp as I like to think of it, because it feels less cold to describe it that way. Just looking at those two makes my toes turn numb.

  A sleek, black car pulls up into the parking bay outside and the girl waves to the driver. That would explain why they’re happy to run around outside without coats: a warm car waits for them as soon as they finish exercising.

  I refocus on my task, taking the order of a customer at the table nearest to the window, but in the next moment the bell jingles above the door.

  It’s hard not to stare as the girl enters the shop, framed by the larger male behind her. He looms in the doorway, a protective force. They pause in the entrance as if they expect to be swarmed by a mob. I don’t think they’re movie stars, but the guy does seem familiar to me.