by Ann Denton
“You don’t ask about biting, Ly. That’s like asking me about my jerk off habits.”
“Okay.”
Luke blows out a breath and sits in my armchair. “I think my mom wants me to turn human.”
“WHAT?” I pop up in the couch and stare at him. “Why? Why the hell would she want that?”
He shakes his head. “A million reasons. I’m an embarrassment. Or a burden. Or she wants to turn me again but have me so indebted that this time I can’t back away from her business …”
I’m up and then sitting on his lap in two seconds, hugging him as hard as I can. “That’s awful!” I stroke my hand down his hair.
He bites his lip and studies my eyes. “I swear. I’m sorry. What happened at the hospital … I freaked out when I saw those results. I’ve been wondering why she was so pushy. I didn’t want to scare you when I talked about her. But she knows. She knows. When I saw your results it just clicked. I didn’t mean to—”
I cover his lips with a finger. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not.”
“Well, it sucks. But you’ll make it up to me.”
He nods. “I will. I promise I will.”
I grin and lean in to give him a soft chaste kiss. Even that sends my stomach spiraling in happiness. I can’t help the smile that bursts onto my face when I lean back and stare up at his gorgeous blue eyes. “I’m so glad we’re not broken up.”
“Me too.”
“I promise I won’t make you human. I won’t use my succubusness or whatever on you. I like you just the way you are.”
“I promise I won’t run like that again.”
“I promise I’ll call you back next time you text.” I snuggle into Luke’s chest, tracing one of the tattoos on his forearm.
“I promise … not to drag you into any more shit with Cookie. I’m done with her.”
“What do you mean?” I glance up.
“I mean … I filed that emancipation scroll you gave me.”
My stomach drops. I lean back and stare up at Luke’s face. He looks just as serious as I feel. Shit’s about to get real. “She’s gonna be pissed,” I warn.
He shrugs, “What’s she gonna do about it? I’ve got a badass girlfriend who’s a succubus. If she attacks, you could turn her human. She better watch her back.”
I laugh and settle back against his chest, though we both know I’m no match for Cookie. “Stay here today?” I ask.
“I’ll stay here any day you want me.”
“Well, I’d better get you a toothbrush then, because I’m gonna want you every day.”
“Fine by me.”
And even though Cookie’s wrath looms like some distant storm cloud, even though Bennett’s choice tonight has me questioning our tentative friendship, none of that can touch me. Because I’m in Luke’s arms.
We must have fallen asleep on my couch. Dammit. My neck hurts. I peer around my living room, eyelashes half cracked. Sunlight streams through the edges of the windows, where the curtains don’t reach. I’m gonna have to get those fixed.
I double check to make sure Luke’s fully in the shadows before I extract myself from his grip and get up. The clock says noon. Why the hell did I wake up?
Then I hear it again. Pounding. Someone is trying to break down my door.
I yawn and call out, “Hold on a second!” I stretch. I rub my neck as I pad to the door. I squeeze outside and shut the door behind me so Luke can sleep.
“What?”
Flowers stands on my stoop. He’s breathing hard, like a bull. I think he might be about to charge.
“Olé.”
He doesn’t get my half-awake joke. He starts pacing. “We have to research everything there is to know about demon and thae breeds,” he says. “I need to know your exact heritage. We need to spend every goddamn hour thiguring out—”
“Um, hi. I’m Lyon. You’re Diego Flores, my boss.”
His eyebrows lower. “You’re the worst thing that has ever happened to me.”
“Are you on catnip again? You’re at my apartment. It’s the middle of the day. Why aren’t you sleeping?”
Diego’s eyes go black and he marches toward me until he looms over me. “I’m not sleeping because your stupid magic didn’t just erase a letter.”
“What?”
He doesn’t respond, just continues to try to burn me to a crisp with his eyes.
It takes a second for my waking brain to connect the dots. I see a big fuchsia stain on his neck before it clicks. But when it does, my jaw goes slack. “Oh. No. You lost your effing…” My stupid magic!!!!
But … how? He didn’t have a date for Blue Snow last morning. We arrested Marian at Sue’s …
Fuchsia lipstick. He and Sue. He likes the tigress type? Or the mix?
I accidentally picture him as a tiger and the girger getting it on. Then I frantically erase that mental image, like a grade schooler jumping around erasing a white board. No. Nope. No-no-no.
Flowers grits his teeth. His hands curl into fists. He wants to pummel me, I can tell.
“Drink the pee,” I tell him. “I even have some in my fridge. Doctor sent it for you. I can grab it.”
“There has to be a better way,” he argues.
I grab my doorknob. “Don’t worry. We’ll get your groove back. Light your dynamite. All that jizz.”
“Ith you spit out one more erection metaphor, I’m shithting to my tiger and eating you.”
“No pooping tigers allowed,” I chirp back.
“Thox!”
I sneak inside and fumble around in the fridge. I grab the cup that Brynhildr made me take, grateful that she sent it along. Wise old valkyrie.
I slip back out onto the porch and hand it to Flowers, who wrinkles his nose, unscrews the lid, stares down at the cup in fury.
I feel kinda wrong about it, but a total sense of giddy, hell-yeah muthatrucker vengeance surges through me as Flowers raises that cup.
He downs the nasty dark yellow liquid in one gulp. “Fuck!” he swears.
I gag, imagining the taste. And then groan as I realize I missed my chance. “Aww, I totally should have grabbed my camera!”
“Lyon!” a shrill feminine voice calls up the stairs just as Flowers’ hand wraps around my throat.
I think that voice is the only reason Flowers doesn’t kill me.
We both turn, my neck still tight in his grip, to see the figure on the stairs. Sparkling orange dress, glinting wings, coiffed hair …Mother Dearest smiles at me.
“I wasn’t sure you’d be up. How convenient.”
“Hi mom,” I say stiffly.
Mom eyes Flowers but just sniffs. She’s not a big fan of shifters.
“I left a message, but I’m here to collect you, so I hope you’re packed.”
“Packed for what?”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t you young people ever listen to those voice recordings? The King of the Summer Court has summoned you beyond the Veil.”
A Personal Note from Lyon Fox
Hey there 3rd BFF (you know, after JR and Seena):
How’s it hanging? Life good?
The author’s totally given me a couple pixie sticks so I’m feeling chill AF right now. She and I have been chatting about when the next book should come out. Personally, I’d rather avoid it. I can’t believe she’s forcing me to spend time with my mother!
But ultimately, we’ve decided, when that book gets written is up to you. I mean, if all my books hit 100 reviews, then January 1, she’ll start drafting my new adventure. But when the magic happens for me all comes down to you and your magic fingers. (That’s what she said!—couldn’t help myself.) Your reviews trigger Amazon’s magical algorithms. And I’m pretty sure we all just learned math is magic. If you need more proof, just look at my bank account, that gold disappears every month! But you have a rare and wondrous ability to make math work for good instead of evil. You have the power to make my stories appear out of thin air and become visible to other reader
s with your reviews.
Help a fairy out!
Spread the word, mockingbird! Tell a friend about me. Word of mouth is totes important, too. I mean, you know I’m awesome. I know I’m awesome. We just need other people to see how awesome I am so that you and I can hang out more. M’kay, 3rd BFF? (If you help me out and review books 1, 2, 3, and 4, I might consider kicking Seena out of the number two spot and giving it to you.)
Oh, and if you wanna join the author’s Facebook group and tell her how much you love me, I see those messages, too. I’d totally love that. Plus, I mean, have you seen the pics she posted of the chickie pups? Totes adorable. Inspiration pics go up there. Updates. Secrets. You know. The good stuff. Maybe if you help me harass her, I’ll get books faster!!! It’s Ann Denton’s Reader Group. See ya in there!
All the hearts—
Ly
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading! You are amazing, and you are the reason I can keep dreaming up beautiful worlds. If you liked this book, please leave an Amazon review and tell your friends!
Your reviews and recommendations keep me pumped up as I write the next book. So, thanks!
Acknowledgments
A huge thanks to Rob, Raven, Ivy, Coralee, Thais, and Mia.
Another HUGE shout-out to all my readers out there. You guys keep me moving and writing! When I see you all chatting about the books in my Facebook group, it totally energizes and encourages me.
More Books
The Lyon Fox Mysteries
Magical Murder
Enchanted Execution
Supernatural Sleep
My first reverse harem series is the Tangled Crown series. It’s a medieval fantasy with a bully romance feel in the first book.
Tangled Crowns Series
Knightfall - Book 1 - Available Here
MidKnight - Book 2 - Available Here
Knight’s End - Coming Soon!
My second reverse harem series is the Lotto Love series. Its a rom-com reverse harem with a private island, lottery money, and tons of handsome men.
Lotto Love Series
Lotto Men - Book 1 - Available Here
Lotto Trouble - Book 2 - Available Here
If you’re in the mood for more intrigue, check out my Postapocalyptic Thriller series.
Timebend
Melt
Burn
Connect and Get Sneak Peeks
If you like to read exclusive snippets from different characters, make predictions with other readers, see my inspiration for books, or just come hang and be yourself, I have a Facebook reader group.
Feel free to join Ann Denton’s Reader Group.
About Me
I am a Virgo, have driven around town finding landmarks based on a friend’s dream, and am addicted to dark chocolate bars with espresso. I have a hubster who encourages my crazy pants ways. I have two amazing little humans who look up to me right now, but won’t for long because I’m very short. Other than that … I’m pretty much an open book. :)
