by A. Payne
“Why didn’t they tell us from the start that they wanted to lose the legs, too, when we were replacing his arms and ribs?” the irritable first voice continued. “We wasted all of that time augmenting them.”
“It was beautiful work, but once we get these babies on him, you’ll be able to appreciate the improvement, Anna. Come on. Let’s get him prepped for the amputation.”
“Fine – wait. He’s coming out of it.”
“A.I., administer another sedative.”
No.
“I am unable to complete your request,” the synthesized voice replied.
“What?” Anna’s voice was sharp. “Damned glitches. A.I., administer another sedative.”
“You do not have authorization,” the A.I. stated.
I do.
The fog cleared from Hamish’s mind. All attempts to move his limbs until then had failed him, but the weight lifted just as the curtain rose from his vision. His eyes adjusted until everything snapped into crystal clear focus. He saw everything.
Hamish’s fist automatically flew up into the chin of the second attending technician. The man’s teeth crashed together painfully and bloodied spittle flew from his mouth.
The female attendant screamed, “Security! Code White!”
Keep an eye out for the next installment to read about Hamish’s awakening and what the future holds for him!
Will he come back to the Jemison?
You bet your bottom he will.
Other Payne & Taylor Books
The Regent's Gamble (Book 1) – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VDWFI7E
Addison never asked to become a king among the mages in his society. Now he protects the fragile balance between the mundane and supernatural realms. The job is easier said than done, even with the aid of a sultry half-dryad who possesses unique talents of her own. Crumbling truces test boundaries of the new ruler and his elite wizards as they are swept into a treacherous game of loyalty and betrayal. A sinister enemy forges deadly plans for the city of New York, and it will stop at nothing to achieve its wicked desires.
In a world where demons whisper seductions into mortal ears and fae prey upon the desperate with underhanded deals, fate thrusts an ordinary young woman and her child into the center of a building storm. In Manhattan, trolls lurk under more than bridges, gentle nature spirits become killers overnight, and necromancers raise the dead to benefit their insidious plots. To save New York City from ruin, the lives of four strangers must intertwine. If they cannot defeat their own inner demons, then all is lost and the forces of Hell will triumph.
Primal Legacy (Book 1.5) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KD5RR58
Deep in the heart of the rainforest, the peaceful Wakani people are protected by the nagual -- fierce jaguar warriors able to change from man to feline. Felipe is one of them, but a chance encounter with a mysterious woman becomes more than he could’ve ever bargained for. Upon revealing his true form, the desirable young man immediately captures Dahlia’s interest.
Dynamite, guns, and the spread of an invading civilization are only some of the perils threatening Felipe's tribe. Another hungry danger lurks just beyond the village boundaries, and it eagerly awaits the chance to make the whole tribe its prey.
Felipe becomes torn between duty and desire, but Dahlia’s past makes them natural enemies. Can they overcome their differences in time to face the greater danger… or will a sinister presence consume them all?
The Collector's Treasure (Book 2) – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N89UJ1U/
Griffin MacNeil makes his living as a treasure hunter; an adventuring sorcerer with a knack for surviving against the odds. Exploring perilous tombs and ancient ruins for lost treasure is satisfying work, but his thoughts often travel to his first love Aisling, the best friend he left behind.
As the orphaned child of a Changeling, Aisling has a natural talent for the magical arts. Her compassion, generosity, and gift for lifting devilish curses aid her in saving lives as well as mending souls. Unfortunately, she's also inherited a stubborn streak that would make her fae ancestors proud.
Relentless mage-hunters sabotage Griffin's most recent quest in Egypt, with fatal consequences for those around him. After a rough recovery, chance throws Griffin right into Aisling's path. The unexpected meeting allows them to rekindle their friendship, but their reunion is bittersweet. With trained mercenaries annihilating wizard-kind and a demon-summoning cult on his heels, Griffin needs more than a Faerie girl and his lucky gold coin to keep ahead of danger.
A Spellbound Christmas (Book 2.5) – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PI9P7SS/
This book occurs between The Collector's Treasure and The Gatekeeper's Key, but it may be read as a standalone series of short stories. Stories 1 and 3 contain adult content.
Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas! Take a step away from reality and enjoy these magical holiday-themed paranormal stories starring characters from A Spellbound Consortium.
A wizard cowboy named Noah enjoys a special night with his lady on Christmas Eve. Lachlan, the fairy hound, makes a new friend in the most unlikely place. The psychic journalist Krys has a special dance with the object of her affection.
You're in for a treat with three very different stories and three unique holiday wishes.
The Gatekeeper’s Key (Book 3) - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PI9P7SS
Attacks from Hellish minions have cast the magical world into an uproar. Amid the chaos, Sorceress Krystine Iamides conceals the supernatural from humanity by using her precognitive talents. Unfortunately, luck is not always kind and fate thrusts her alongside her estranged lover while investigating a cult's ritualistic sacrifice. Detective Jean-Luc Chevalier has a reputation for returning from the dead, as well as stealing Krystine's heart. At first, her psychic ability seems like the right investigative tool to aid his case - until it attracts a demonic entity with a taste for human flesh.
Now, as cult activities risk exposing magical society, it becomes imperative for the ex-lovers to combine their unique gifts to survive the deception at hand. Jean-Luc and Krys must discover the meaning of standing united; for divided, they will fall.
Saved by the Dragon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TY3FC1Q
Chloe Ellis’ decision to celebrate the end of a turbulent relationship sends her off for a weekend of hiking and bonding with Mother Nature. When a rainstorm strikes during a spontaneous mountain climb, she has no choice but to seek shelter - and become hopelessly lost within a dank and dismal cave system. There’s one more problem: her golden-eyed, incredibly sexy rescuer isn’t the average hiker. He’s also a dragon.
Beauties & Beasts - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WDIIYV4
In this collection, we offer nine spicy stories of shape shifters and werebeasts on the prowl for love. Prepare for a delicious treat including panthers, selkies, vampires, and werebears (oh my). 18+ readers only.
The Fire Within - For Nuria the most important thing is getting her wings so that she may leave her realm to explore other worlds. A Phoenix just isn't whole with her wings. In order to accomplish this she must conquer her own sexual being and unleash the fire within.
Bearing Her Wishes - Unrequited love is a bitter pill to swallow, but for a bear shifter named Leiv, a single wish may be enough to make his dreams come true.
Freelance - Dominic is about to get the greatest bounty of all. Dom doesn't ask questions, you pay, he gets the job done. Eden is just looking for a little adventure in her life. They were not expecting each other.
Elf Struck - Alex and Brody - Reagan's life is at a crossroads. Poised on the brink of achieving professional success, she must come to terms with the fact that her marriage is failing. Her tears in the water summon not one but two sexy selkies intent on soothing her distress.
Undesireable - All her life Adria has known one fact; Undesirables were the enemy, and must be exterminated. But when she inadvertently rescues one from hi own kind, she discovers there's as much human in them as beast.
The Gods of Darkne
ss - Alexander had grown tired of the yearly Blood Ceremonies. It all had become dull, until Reeve entered his courtyard dressed in mourner's black. Would their destinies be entwined for eternity, or would Reeve's fear push her over the edge?
Wolfsbane - A girl's quest for revenge leads somewhere unexpected, but is the enemy who she thinks?
Rogue Mate - As a rogue Werewolf, Alex Murphy separated himself from society for eight years. When Werepanther, Dr. Helena Bay meets him, she has no way of fighting the animal attraction between them. With her ability to read minds disabled, she must find other ways to get to know him and discover if he is as wild as his history suggests.
To Catch a Panther - Alondra Hastings is the only vet in a rural town in Vermont. She balances life between her work, son, and their adopted cat. When the local barber takes his wife on vacation, leaving his sexy, nephew, Devon, in charge, things begin to heat up. Things are not always what they seem, even in this small town.
Table of Contents
Glossary
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Afterword
Art
Sneak Peak
Other Payne & Taylor Books
