She made a sound in her sleep as she moved restlessly. His mate was about to wake. Rolling over, he took her in his arms. Her eyes opened just as he did. “Are you alright, Sweetheart?” He asked.
“That’s my line. You’re the one that got the hell beat out of him.”
“Yeah, but you should see the other guy.” He joked.
“I did. We captured several and two died. The fools wouldn’t quit fighting and they weren’t very good at it.” Diamond observed.
“They don’t train them well. From the look of it, they take anyone they can get.”
“Heads up, Darby isn’t too happy with us.”
“I’m sure none of them are.”
“The ladies are happy. After we defeated the enemy, they males escorted those who wished to go to the carnival. They all seemed to enjoy it.”
“Maybe they’ll put in a good word for us?”
Diamond sighed heavily. “Not happening.”
“Why not? They ended up going to the carnival.”
“They were mad you took me and they weren’t invited.”
“Those ladies could have been hurt had they gone.” He pointed out.
“You can explain that to them if you wish.”
“You’re right. There’s no point.” He sighed heavily. Surely there wasn’t much they could do to him.
They left the room to go to the dining hall. It was lunch time and everyone seemed to be there. All eyes were on them as they entered and all talk stopped. “Glad to see you’re okay.” Darby observed.
“Happy to be up and around now.” He admitted.
“Tomorrow we have a mission and both of you can go.” Gertie mentioned.
“Okay.” They both said together. Their first mission here. That would be interesting.
He’d thought he’d made progress with Diamond but as soon as she was done eating, she disappeared. She managed to hide the rest of the day as well not even showing up at supper. Maybe she’d had a tray delivered to her room. At least he knew she couldn’t hide in the morning. It was bedtime so he turned in for the night. Not thinking about Diamond wasn’t easy. But once he calmed his mind, he slept.
The next morning he noticed a buzz in the dining room when he entered. Missions it seemed caused a lot of excitement. They’d been lucky to have exceptional protection and most injuries and losses were the enemy’s. He sat next to Diamond and they both finished their breakfast at the same time.
Gertie stood up. “Gather round everyone. It’s time to go.”
They all assembled around Gertie and Darby. It wasn’t long before they were flashed away. This was weird, being flashed away by someone else. There was a moment of dizziness that went away quickly and he looked around to see what the target might be. Nothing was there.
“Let’s try another location.” Gertie suggested.
This time when they flashed they were in the middle of a group of enemy fighters. Everyone was stunned, though they shouldn’t be. They were after all searching for these vile creatures. “Watch out Diamond!” he yelled.
She took out the males after her so he waded into the ones around him. They’d ruined the end of their first date so this was revenge. It might be a dish best served cold, but he wanted it now in the heat of battle. This was a chance to take care of the enemy so they would know to leave him and Diamond alone.
The enemies were falling fast so he rushed in to get his share. Diamond was behind him doing her share. She was fine or so he thought until he heard her yell. Turning, he rushed to her as she fought two males from her position on the ground. A red spot bloomed on her shoulder and he realized she was wounded.
It made him go a little crazy. He felt adrenaline fuel his anger as he moved speedily taking out all the enemies round his mate. Diamond was unconscious from blood loss. Once the enemy was cleared out, he picked her up and took her back to HQ.
“What is the problem this time?” A young witch asked.
“She’s been wounded in battle.” He replied.
“Follow me to the healer.” The young witch directed.
“You again?” The healer asked. “What happened?”
“Diamond is injured this time.”
“I see.” The healer said as she examined Diamond. “She’ll be fine. Take her to her room and put her to bed. Stay with her until she wakes in the morning and she will be good to go.”
“Okay. I can do that.” He replied.
He felt like he’d been given a gift. Taking Diamond to her room, he took off her boots and socks. Now he undressed and lay down next to her. Taking her into his arms, he held her until he eventually fell asleep.
In the morning, they both woke. “Are you alright?” He asked.
“Yes. I think someone cast a spell on me. I never sleep this well.”
“You were wounded.”
“I barely remember that.” She replied.
“We’re a pair. We’ve not been here long and we already have both been wounded.”
“That’s true. I bet we also had the world’s most memorable first date.”
“I guess you hated it.”
“No. It was wonderful until we were attacked. I’ll never forget it. There’s no doubt of that.” She smiled.
“You know I can agree with that. I bet few people have as much excitement as we did. Can we agree to see where this goes? We can work things out, I promise.” He leaned in and kissed her softly.
“No promises, but I’m willing to see where things go.”
“You won’t regret it. I plan to make you so happy.” He knew he finally had a real chance to claim Diamond and finally make his life complete.
Look for their love story later…
About Crystal Dawn
Other Zodiac Shifters books by Crystal Dawn:
Phoenix Under Fire:
A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Aries
There is a battle brewing and the witches are looking for allies. Annie's father plans to force her to mate a male of his choice at the behest of his brother. She wants her fated one and casts a spell to find him. Problem solved, right?
Ramiros wakes up with sand up his nose. What happened to his nice comfortable bed? When he finds the person, who dumped him on the beach thousands of miles from home, there will be hell to pay. He almost felt sorry for the fool who'd chosen to mess with a Phoenix.
As this book ends, it leads to Dragon in Distress which is more enjoyable and easier to understand if read after Phoenix Under Fire.
Dragon in Distress
A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Virgo
Sophie needed to find her fated mate to avoid being forced to mate someone of her Uncle’s choosing. Her cousin spells for her fated one, but an angry dragon shows up. This wasn’t at all what she expected.
Knossos wakes up and he’s not in his lair anymore. Someone has dared to summon him out of his slumber. The guilty party turns out to be his fated mate, so he can’t burn her to a crisp. He wasn’t really ready for this, so what’s a dragon to do?
Pegasus in Peril
A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Capricorn
Meeting Herkules at a dinner at her sister’s place had been weird. They’d gotten along so well. Too well maybe. But now he didn’t write or call. Had she been wrong? Was he not her mate and he’d realized it first? Or was he like Gertie’s mate, unwilling to settle for just one female?
Herk was taken with the female, but he couldn’t give in. He’d even considered going ahead with it. But these were dangerous times and claiming a mate just wasn’t in the cards. He looked back regretfully before he flew away.
Will love escape them or will they do what they must to claim their own little piece of happiness?
Unicorn’s Unease
A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Pisces
Julio didn’t know much about love, but his mate was challenging everything he wanted in life. That couldn’t be right, could it? Maybe he was wrong about her being his mate, but he felt bad now tha
t he’d gone back to the plains leaving her behind. No matter what he did it seemed to be wrong.
Janel had thought she’d found her one and only, but he’d left without a backwards look. She tried to date, but he was the only one on her mind. For now, she would pour everything into her job and eventually things would settle.
Two stubborn Pisces who each think they are right. Will they give in or face a life alone?
Vampire Vengeance
A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Scorpio
Darby Darknight was at a loss. Gertie was his fated mate, but so far all she’d done was make him the laughing stock of people he didn’t even know. His fault, he supposed, since he’d arrived after she had. Now he needed to get back her regard and claim her as a mate while they chased a vampire set on vengeance against his whole race. Easy, right?
Gertie Worthington wanted to be anywhere but here. Oh, it had been amusing at first. Darby had ended up on the wrong side of everything. Now it was so bad she felt sorry for him. That wasn’t good and he might use that to his advantage. All she wanted to do was go home.
Unicorn Unleashed
A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Sagittarius
Jespers didn’t know what to think of Daphne the lovely witch. If she wasn’t crazy about unicorns to the point of being obsessed, he’d mate her.
Daphne was half in love with Jespers, but he wasn’t a unicorn. She’d always known her true mate would be one so what was a witch to do? Maybe the mate summoning spell since it had worked for her cousin.
Will things work out for two lovers so unsure of each other? Can they just learn to trust their hearts or will they have to learn the hard way?
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If you want to read more books by Crystal Dawn, check out:
Blue Moon Pack Series
Planet Amazon Series
Cousins of the Moon Series
Legends of the White Werewolf Series
Keepers of the Land Series
Frozen Origin Series
Frozen Origin Quickies
Loved by a God series
The Southwest Illinois Pack Series
The Wilde Pack series
The Strong Pack
Serena’s Salvation (Fated & Forbidden Collection)
Sentinels and Spies series
Supernatural Lawmen series
The Bonded
A Zodiac Shifters Short Story: Leo
Melissa Thomas
For my lovely readers
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my editor, Shay VanZwoll of EV Proofreading. Thank you also to my designer, Annika Willmanns, for this fantastic cover. And special thanks to author Cara Wylde for her assistance with the tarot reading.
Book Description
Stylist Tammy Payne has always been unlucky in love... until the day she meets a carnival fortuneteller. The tarot reader promises her a Leo: a strong and protective and dominant man who will turn her naughtiest fantasy into reality. Now she must determine whether Sheriff Aaron Sanchez is meant to be her soul mate. The smoldering-sexy panther-shifter has experienced his own share of heartbreak, leaving him wary and gun shy.
Two lovers meet on a deserted country road... The cards predict true love for the bonded.
The Carnival
May 1st
The quaint traveling carnival arrived in the small agricultural town of Fall Haven, California on May Day. Lights and laughter and music filled the warm spring evening. Normally, Tammy Payne would have driven past the festival without a second glance, but something about it caught her attention. Call it whimsy; call it the will of the fates.
She pulled off the main road into the dirt lot and parked her jeep beneath a gnarled oak tree. A glance around revealed others had succumbed to the same compulsion. Tammy waved to her neighbors and greeted a couple of women who were clients of the beauty salon she owned and operated. It struck her that there were enough people she knew that she felt safe exploring further.
That magical mood invited her to wander the wide aisles between the booths. She munched popcorn and played balloon pop. Years of playing darts at The Watering Hole, her favorite local tavern, finally paid off. She walked away toting a stuffed panther tucked beneath her arm.
When Tammy arrived at the garish red fortuneteller's tent, though, she halted. This is it. This is where I'm supposed to be... An almost irresistible force seemed to pull her toward the entrance. She hesitated, resisting the urge. A trickle of nervous energy made her antsy. Why am I here? Is this a mistake?
As though in answer to her unspoken question, the flaps parted suddenly. Tammy gasped and clutched her panther. Then she gave a nervous little laugh. "Oh, you startled me!"
A heavyset woman with slate-gray hair, coal-black eyes, and full lips peered out. She had a frightening air until she smiled. "In or out, darling. Whichever you choose, but no loitering. You'll scare away my other customers."
Tammy gnawed her lower lip, debating for an instant. The joy of spontaneity bubbled up within her, pushing aside all doubt. Besides, what harm could there be in it—other than her wallet being a few dollars lighter? After all, magic isn't real. It's all for fun.
She smiled and ducked inside. "Let's do this!"
Strands of fairy lights were strung across the vaulted interior. The fortuneteller directed Tammy to take a seat on the velvet cushions on the floor. She plopped down, settling her stuffed toy on her lap. Nervous anticipation gripped her while she waited for the fortuneteller to settle cross-legged.
The tarot reader picked up her deck of cards. "I am Madame Claire. Tell me, darling, what are you wishing to know?"
A cynical smile twisted Tammy's mouth. "As a single twenty-six-year-old woman who's swiped right and struck out one too many times, that's easy. Will I ever find true love?"
Strength & Justice
Madame Claire drew two cards. "See these? The cards show a man who is strong and confident and honorable. A man who likes to be in charge. His ideal woman is self-assured but submissive. Your soul mate is a Leo and works in a profession that has to do with the law. The lion is your man, and you are the woman who tames him with her sweet and fiery spirit."
* * *
February 8th
Thursday nights always turned out a good-sized crowd at The Watering Hole. Locals packed into the bar, shooting shots and playing pool. The speakers churned out country and western music; Johnny Cash sang about how he walked the line. Tammy had arrived early and staked out a premium corner spot at the end of the bar. She waited ten minutes before her best friend, Mary Larsen, arrived in a flurry.
"Hey, girl!" Tammy smiled in welcome. "I waited to order. Would you like a glass of wine?"
"I can't." Mary collapsed onto the seat, panting like she'd just walked a couple miles. The poor woman had been a shambling disaster ever since she'd had a baby a few weeks before. Not that Tammy would ever say so aloud.
"Because you're nursing?" Tammy winced, reproaching herself for having forgotten. "No biggie. How about a soda?"
"I can't stay. I'm so sorry, I must get home. I only dropped by because I didn't want to totally stand you up."
Tammy groaned in disappointment. "Aww. But I haven't seen you in forever. It's only for an hour until my date gets here. You promised!"
Mary made an apologetic face. "I wish I could, but Demetri is alone with Timothy and a sick ewe."
"Oh, good grief! The man is a demigod. Can't he manage a dirty diaper without turning green?"
Mary blushed. "We're working on that. He's doing much better... Now."
The friends traded a knowing glance and shared a
laugh. Tammy shook her head. "Okay, so what's the excuse then?"
"It's already after six and we still need to bring in the sheep."
"What about Colleen? What good is a shape-shifting cattle dog if she can't handle the flock by herself?"
Mary grimaced. "Colleen got picked up by animal control."
"Again?"
"Again. We have to go down and bail her out in the morning."
"What happened this time?"
"Long story. I promise I'll tell you... later. Right now, I've really gotta go." Mary swept Tammy into a haphazard hug. "You look fantastic, by the way."
"Thanks!" Tammy preened a bit, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. She wore a flowing blue dress that had a low, sweetheart neckline and long sleeves. The skirt fell to her knees and—in her humble opinion—looked fantastic with her ankle boots. Chic and retro. She stuck out her leg, hoping Mary would notice and compliment them, too, but the redhead was already on her way.
"Bye! Love you!" Mary called over her shoulder.
"Bye! Love you, too! It was great seeing you!" Tammy watched until Mary left. Then she heaved a heavy sigh. "For those five whole minutes."
"Can I get you something, Tammy?" John Keats asked.
Tammy glanced up to discover the bartender only a couple of feet away. He'd probably eavesdropped on the whole conversation.... She frowned. Geez, better hope he didn't hear everything, especially with all that chatter about shape-shifting cattle dogs. The last thing she wanted or needed was people thinking she was nuts. Best to pretend everything was fine. Move along. Nothing to see here.
Crimson Kisses: Valentine’s Day Edition: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 3
