Fire and Fantasy: A Limited Edition Collection of Urban and Epic Fantasy

by CK Dawn

  Her heart squeezed painfully. “I don’t want you to go. I’ll never see you again.”

  His hand clasped her face. “I am going to ask you a question and I want a serious answer.”

  “Okay,” she hiccupped.

  “Do you want me?”

  “Of course I want you.”

  “No,” he tipped her chin up with his thumbs and leaned closer. “Do you want me?”

  Understanding dawned, and blue eyes flashed through her mind. “No.” It was one of the hardest things she had ever had to say.

  He smiled. “It’s okay.”

  “Do you?” she left the question hanging in the air.

  “No, but I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” A tear dripped down her cheek.

  Blair kissed the tear away. “We’re comfortable with each other and that’s okay. But I saw how you looked at Hayjen. I’ve been waiting for the time you would finally show interest in someone. We have been to hell and back, but we need to move forward. That’s the only way to live a healthy life.”

  “If you go, I’ll never see you again.”

  “This is not goodbye. I am widening your scope of spies. We can take Scythia down, but only if we have someone on the inside.”

  Lilja placed her ear against his heart and hugged him tightly as the last of her tears dried. “Can you go back to that life?”

  “I have to.” Blair’s arms tightened around her.

  She leaned back and held onto his forearms. “Can you hold onto yourself?”

  “I’ll have to.”

  “Blair,” she said softly, “the life of a spy is painful.”

  “If my suffering can save hundreds and thousands of others, it will be worth it.”

  “You’re a good person.” She stepped out of his arms and scrubbed at her face. Her best friend was leaving her, but she understood why. “How long until you leave?”

  He smiled sadly. “Tomorrow morning.”

  A small sound of pain escaped her. “So soon?” she croaked, trying to keep it together.

  Tears flooded her dearest friend’s face. “The Mort Wall is close.” He pulled her back into a fierce hug. Wet drops plopped onto the top of her face, causing her tears to burst free. “Leaving you will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  “If I could go with you I would.”

  “I know.”

  They held each other and cried until no more tears were left. Lilja didn’t want their last day spent together to be drowned in sorrow. She tilted her head back and smiled. “How about a swim?” He loved swimming.

  Blair grinned. “That’s a perfect idea.”

  “First one inked by an octopus has to buy drinks.”

  “You’re on.”

  Thirteen

  Hayjen

  The last day on the land was the best day he had since he arrived home. He spent the morning helping Colm in the forge, and then helped Gwen with household chores in the afternoon. The evening passed with a divine stew and hearty bread that his sister had perfected. Hayjen sat near the hearth drinking his brew before bed when Gwen sat next to him and laid a hand over his.

  “When do you leave?”

  Startled, his eyes flew to his sister’s. “What?”

  “You’re stir-crazy here. I can see it, and I heard part of your conversation this morning.”

  He clasped her hand. “Would you be angry if I did?”

  “No, but I’ll be sad. I finally have you back.”

  “I wouldn’t be gone forever. I will be home every couple of months.”

  Gwen studied him in her keen way. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. This is your life. You’ve been living for me since papa and mum died. It’s okay to make choices for you. I’m well cared for.”

  She’d grown up. Hayjen could hardly believe it. It felt like just yesterday his mum was placing Gwen in his chubby little arms. Soon there would be a new little one. “I’ll be here for the babe as much as I can.”

  She smiled and touched her belly. “It’s hard to believe I created life.”

  “It’s wondrous.”

  “It is.” She lifted her eyes. “Will you be in danger?”

  Hayjen couldn’t lie to her. “Yes.”

  Her jaw tightened and she looked away. “Can you tell me any specifics?”

  “I am going to protect others from what happened to me.”

  “As a pirate,” she stated carefully.

  “Yes.”

  Gwen nodded and met his gaze. “I support you in this completely, but after the baby is born, we need to be careful.”

  His actions from here on out would put his family in danger. “We’ll work something out.”

  “Even if it means no contact except through letters?”

  He swallowed. “If that’s what it takes to protect you and your family.”

  “I don’t think it will come to that, but we need to think about the consequences.” Tears filled Gwen’s eyes. “I want you to be happy.”

  Hayjen stood and wrapped his arms around her. “You’ve made me a happy uncle.”

  He stuffed his last shirt into his sack and swung it over his shoulder. Hayjen scanned the little room, smiling at the touches of his sister here and there. He closed the door behind him and moved through the quiet house to the kitchen. Through the window, he could see Gwen standing in the tall grass, haloed by the sun. He smiled and slipped out of the kitchen to her side.

  “All ready to go?” she whispered.

  “I am.”

  Gwen turned to him, a wobbly smile on her face. “I always wanted to be a pirate, and now I’m related to one. So that makes me one by extension. Pirate Gwen Blackwell has a nice ring to it.”

  Hayjen sniggered and held open his arms. “Come here.” His sister rushed into his arms and held him so tightly he swore his ribs creaked.

  “I love you,” she murmured into his vest.

  “I love you too, baby girl.”

  “When shall I expect you?”

  “In the next couple months.”

  “You’ll be back before the baby?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He lifted his head as Colm wandered in their direction and stood behind Gwen. Hayjen let go of his sister and clasped hands with the younger man. Colm surprised him and jerked him into a hug with a lot of back-slapping.

  “Safe travels.”

  He grinned at his brother-in-law. “Will do.” Hayjen grabbed his sister for a last hug and pecked her on the cheek. “I’ll be back soon.”

  “I’ll hunt you down if you aren’t,” she sniffed, huddling into her husband’s side.

  That brought a smile to his face. “I don’t doubt it.”

  Hayjen waved and strode in the direction of the fishing market. It amazed him how quiet and peaceful everything was. Nervous energy filled him when he reached the bustling docks. How would the Sirenidae crew react to him?

  A dark, familiar person moved in his direction, carrying a rucksack like his. “Blair?” His head snapped in Hayjen’s direction and his eyes sharpened. The first mate halted in front of him.

  “Hayjen.”

  “Isn’t the Sirenidae leaving?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re going in the wrong direction,” Hayjen pointed out slowly.

  “I have a new assignment. I’m on leave.”

  “Enjoy your leave.” He moved around the dark man.

  “Hayjen.”

  He paused and met Blair’s serious eyes. “Take care of her.”

  Understanding passed between the two men. “I will.”

  “She needs someone like you.”

  He blinked. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  Blair smirked. “Don’t lie to yourself.”

  “Wise words.”

  “They’re Lil’s.”

  “Figures.”

  Both of them grinned at each other. “Best of luck on your new journey.” Hayjen held out his hand.

  Blair clasped it. “Same t
o you.”

  Hayjen watched him disappear into the crowd before turning and lifting his eyes to the Sirenidae. His future was right in front of him if he was brave enough to take it. A silver-haired beauty leaned over the railing, shock racing across her face. He waved and she lifted a hand in greeting, a smile blossoming on her face. His breath rushed out of him at the sight of her smile. He was right. His future was staring at him with magenta-colored eyes.

  Epilogue

  Hayjen

  He stared at the shrinking bay, the large ships appearing like child’s toys bobbing in the wave. There was no going back now. He peeked out of the corner of his eye at Lilja. “So what’s our next step?”

  “We wait.”

  His eye brows lowered. “We wait?”

  Lilja smiled. “Yes, we wait.”

  “And what are we waiting for?”

  “Change.”

  Change. It was sometimes slow and elusive. “And until then?” Hayjen asked.

  Her smiled became fierce. “We sabotage and thwart Scythia in every way we can.”

  His smile mirrored hers, all vengeance and mischief. “Togther.”

  “Together,” Lilja echoed.

  * * *

  The End

  Thank you for reading Siren’s Lure! If you fell in love with Lilja and Hayjen, continue the Aermian Feuds Series in book one, Rebel’s Blade. Grab your free sample here!

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  About the Author

  www.frostkay.net

  Frost Kay is a certified bookdragon with an excessive TBR, and a shoe obsession. Her goals in life include: Eating a five-pound bag of skittles in one sitting, creating worlds that sweep you away and leave you dazed, and preventing the cat from laying on top of her laptop.

  She has an evil side she only let's out on special occasions, like at the end of a book...cliff hangers...the girl seriously loves them. If you hate bewitching stories, epic adventures, untold secrets, dark promises, thrilling action, swoon worthy anti-hero's, and slow burning romance her books aren't for you. If you do, well, you’re in good company!

  The Huntress

  An Olympian Shifter Fallen Novel

  J.A. Culican & Felicia Starr

  The Huntress © copyright 2017 J.A. Culican and Felicia Starr

  * * *

  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.

  The Huntress

  In a world of magic and danger, the love between a goddess and a shifter is destined to become a legend… or end in heartbreak.

  Artemis, goddess of the hunt, is devastated without her mythical golden stag by her side, even while living amongst the gods in the beautiful realm of Olympus. When finally, she locates her stag on Earth, Artemis asks an Oracle for passage into the land of men to rescue him. The Oracle makes her a deal… to bring her stag home, Artemis must fall in love with a mortal in order to return to Olympus.

  Against her moral code, Artemis makes the hard choice to agree. Once on Earth, she accidentally shoots a bear with her bow. But as the bear transforms before her eyes, Artemis realizes that he’s not beast, but man.

  Xander is a bear shifter. He is protective of those within his domain… and that includes Artemis.

  Chasity is an easy choice, when you don’t know true love. Yet as heated passion grows between the two Artemis struggles to withhold her primal urges, torn between desire for Xander, staying true to her vows and her disciples. Love has found her, and it doesn’t want to let her go.

  Her internal struggle with romance isn’t the worst of what Artemis has to face. There’s a killer roaming the terrain, a sociopathic shifter seeking to destroy everything. Backed into a corner, Artemis will have to make a choice… a choice that will change the very fabric of history.

  An exciting paranormal romance featuring Greek gods, steamy situations, and sexy shifters, The Huntress is an exciting love story with action and adventure on every page. Readers will get a thrill out of reading this incredible fantasy novel by USA Today Bestselling authors Felicia Starr and J.A. Culican.

  One

  "Five thousand years! That is how long it has been since I last saw Ceryn. And, ever since, there has been a piece of my heart missing. I have grown to live with the dull pain. It has come time for my suffering to cease. A true blessing of news of a gold-horned stag being spotted on Earth has traveled to me. You must help me!" I pleaded.

  The silver-haired woman stood before me with eyes as white as her long tresses. A sheer, cerulean blue fabric draped over her body, but there was nothing modest about her covering. It was always hot in Olympus, and I was not above minimal clothing, but I didn’t agree with flaunting every last detail of my femininity around for all to feast their eyes on.

  “I must help you? What will you do for me, Artemis?”

  “What is it that you ask of me, Elysia?”

  Even though I desperately sought a way to satisfy her requests, I wasn't prepared to give up what I held most sacred. When my maiden, Korina, came with a scroll documenting what one seer had witnessed, I rushed here without hesitation.

  “You say a piece of your heart is missing because you miss a deer that has not made your company for over five centuries. Perhaps you are missing the knowledge of what it feels like to possess a heart filled with proper love. Your true suffering is the absence of never experiencing love.” Her head swayed as she gazed down into a water filled altar between us.

  The only bit of light illuminating the cavern rose from the pool of what some said were Elysia’s tears. The length of her imprisonment had lasted so long that historians were unaware if her birth had taken place in the heavens or on Earth. A bolt of lightning had struck her in the heart, and instead of killing her, it had taken the color from her hair, eyes, and skin—along with the ability to leave the cavern she called home. The force of the bolt had created a portal between worlds, leaving her stuck in-between.

  “I love all things in this world and the next. My time and energy are dedicated to caring for women and the flesh of their blood. There isn't another living soul who protects and respects all creatures for what they provide as I do.

  “You still don’t get it, Artemis. Your point has been proven to us all. Taking a vow of chastity can be an admirable thing. There is no greater act of grace than self-sacrifice to serve others. The question is if you are doing it for others, to punish yourself, or to set an example for the maidens you rescued from the fate of evil men? Suffering out of pride can leave a person lonely and deprived.”

  “The only one to blame for the pain aching inside of me is Hurkeles and what he caused me to lose. He claims, to this day, he did what he could to keep my Ceryn alive. Some say they witnessed Ceryn fleeing while others state Hurkeles slew him and kept one of his golden horns as a prize.

  “I have seen no evidence of either. The truth of what lay in the past may never be clear. But Ceryn, or one of his kind, has been spotted in a small lumber milling town on Earth. It is imperative I find him. If he has been wandering lost all these years or has been reborn matters not. He belongs with his brothers.”<
br />
  “And with you,” Korina chimed in from behind me.

  She needed to mind her business, so I waved a hand behind my back, trying to quiet her. Only I should be the one to state my claim and justify Elysia granting me passage to Earth and my stag a way back to Olympus.

  “I cannot grant you such a passage without you giving me something in return.” Elysia swirled her finger in the glowing bowl.

  Her face was stark against the dark. Her immortality had done nothing to stop the furrows on her face from developing. She didn’t look a day over thirty, but the sadness and pain of her solitude haunted the creases around her eyes and mouth.

  I assumed she had been celibate all these centuries. Who would want to spend an eternity stuck in a dingy dark cavern? Even if it were with a woman so beautiful as she. Elysia was voluptuous and enticing with her erect nipples pressing against the thin veil of cloth hanging over her breasts. It would be hard for any man to resist her.

  “What can I offer you, Elysia? One of my maidens to come give you companionship? If you seek a hide of an ancient beast, I will hunt it for you. I never miss a shot.” My bow and quiver tingled at my back. Just the mere suggestion of a good hunt awakened it.

  Being one of the most venerated of all the goddesses, I wasn't accustomed to begging for anything. Until now. My shoulders pushed wider, and I held my chest and chin high as my eyes pierced the Oracle. Inside though, I felt small. Asking permission from someone beneath me could cause me to fall out of favor with my followers.

  “Would that be a sacrifice for you, Artemis, or would it be one for your maidens or the beasts? You must search deep down in your core and give me what you hold most dear to you. What is something you can’t live without?”