by Brenda Trim
ISOBEL
Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
Copyright © September 2016 by Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
eISBN: 9781634525978
Editor: Amanda Fitzpatrick
Cover Art by Carrie (Cheeky Covers)
Wings by Katie Litchfield
*****
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writers’ imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction of this work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the authors.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to those who have lost a loved one yet continue to feel their love, guidance and support. We are certain that we have Guardian Angels that wrap their loving wings around us in time of sadness, joy, during struggles and victories, as well as, in time of need.
Guardian Angels are here for you, to light the way and show you through.
Table of Contents
Dedication
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
EXCERPT FROM ROGUE WARRIOR, DARK WARRIOR ALLIANCE BOOK 7
CHAPTER ONE
Authors’ Note
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CHAPTER ONE
Ugh, pregnancy was for the birds, Elsie thought, as another wave of nausea hit. She looked around the private room at Harborview Hospital, noting the wastebasket in the corner. She both hated and loved that the symptoms of her vampire pregnancy were magnified and expedited. Loved it because the pregnancy wouldn’t last an eternity. Hated it because everything was amplified. She would’ve thought by now she’d have become immune to being overwhelmed because everything had been more intense since she became a vampire.
She had gained so much weight, thanks to her endless food cravings, and felt like a beached whale. Why couldn’t the morning sickness have curbed some of her weight gain? Instead, she was constantly sick and the size of a house. Taking a deep breath to settle her stomach, she reminded herself it was only for five months and she was close to the end.
Her entire life she’d expected to be like every other woman, barely showing by this point in their pregnancy and not even close to being ready to give birth. One more reminder that she was no longer human and hadn’t been since that traitor had given Kadir the key to kidnapping her. Elsie forced her thoughts elsewhere before she allowed old anger over the torture she had suffered at Lena’s hands to resurface. That was over and done with and Lena was dead.
She was mated to the Vampire King, aka Mr. Bossy Pants, and she adored him, even if he had barely left her side since finding out she was pregnant. Sure, it was suffocating at times, but she knew from the beginning what she was getting into with Zander. He was hard-headed, overbearing, possessive and sexy as hell.
“This shot should help with the nausea,” Jace said, inserting a needle into her arm.
Her heart rate escalated when the healer of the Dark Warriors merely mentioned an injection. Looking away, she took another deep breath and focused on Zander’s sapphire-blue eyes. There was something about shots that she couldn’t watch. She could wield a weapon, killing demons and skirm, but the slight sting from the needle going into her arm made sweat break out over her skin.
The cold metal slid free of her skin and she relaxed into the bed, rubbing her free hand over her distended belly. “Thank you for coming to the hospital. I wanted to run some tests on you and wasn’t sure when I might get home to do it,” Jace continued.
She looked at the Dark Warrior who was mated to her sister and noted how tired his amethyst eyes appeared. Ever since a new drug, Angel’s Kiss had hit the realm, Jace had been pulling double duty between the human and realm hospitals trying to tend to the drug-addled patients, and it was clearly wearing on him.
Unfortunately, he was the only Dark Warrior who was a certified physician. Angel’s Kiss was proving to be a significant problem for the Tehrex Realm that required not only medical help, but also a trained soldier to tend the users who were combative and often violent.
Cailyn had told her how much Jace had been working, but she hadn’t seen the strain up close until now. She wanted Zander to inform the realm hospital that Jace was no longer available to help, but she knew he was crucial in saving individuals from dying from overdoses.
The drug was highly addictive and was claiming members of the realm at an alarming speed. It had to be stopped, and as a doctor who had a unique ability to heal with his hands, Jace was not only treating the addicts, but also working alongside realm scientists to find a serum to counteract the dependency. There was a witch or sorcerer at the heart of creating this new drug, and that meant Jace’s skills were in more of a demand, given that he was a sorcerer. He saw the drug differently than the other scientists.
Elsie had been shocked to learn that supernaturals weren’t as susceptible to addiction because it took more of drugs or alcohol to affect them. Their metabolisms burned it off too fast, but this new drug was devastating in that one use had them instantly hooked, which told them there was a supernatural component. Unfortunately, that meant that a witch or sorcerer was behind Angel’s Kiss. A fact that was weighing heavily on Jace and he was determined to be a part of the solution, no matter what it cost him personally.
Even though he was working countless hours between the two hospitals, he continued his duties as a Dark Warrior, patrolling the streets of Seattle to keep realm members and humans safe. Even though his shifts were fewer than the other warriors, his added responsibilities didn’t leave him much time for eating or sleeping, let alone time with his mate.
“Is everything okay with the bairn?” Zander asked, distracting her from her thoughts about Jace’s exhaustion.
Leaning back into Zander’s strong hands, she enjoyed the soothing circles he was rubbing on her back as it eased the ache. Zander appeared as if he was calm, but Elsie could feel every rigid line of his body as his muscles tensed. The fact that Jace wanted to immediately run tests had her mate on alert, and with good reason. Having a baby was dangerous for a supernatural. When complications occurred, they were typically fatal for the mother.
“Yes, everything is going as expected. I know you’ve been dealing with a lot of morning sickness, but your baby is healthy, Elsie. And, if you continue on this same path, this little girl should be here in a few weeks,” Jace relayed as he smiled, placing a bandage on the site where he’d given her the shot.
“I’m not sure why it’s called morning sickness when it lasts all day and night,” she grumbled as another wave hit her. “But, as long as Isobel is healthy, it’s all worth it,” she admitted, grabbing Zander’s hand and squeezing.
He brought her fingers to his lips, kissing them lightly. She shivered at the feel of his warm lips against her skin. Even this small contact had her body igniting with a need for him. It was always this way with him and she hoped that never ended.
“A ghr
a, you are amazing. You will the best mamai in the realm and I canna wait to meet our little one,” Zander murmured, drawing her into an embrace, claiming her mouth. That need became an inferno as their tongues tangled. Almost a year after mating him, kissing him felt as intense and exciting to Elsie as it did that first time.
Breaking the kiss, Zander lifted his head and his black, shoulder-length hair fell in layers around his gorgeous face. Glowing, sapphire-blue eyes melted her heart when he gazed at her and his muscular, bronzed body made her mouth water. It wasn’t fair how her body responded to him from the first touch of his lips and now to the point where she ached for her mate to take her.
Pregnancy had only added to that need. It had become the norm for her to drag Zander two and three times a day to their bedroom for a round of passion. Their lovemaking was off the charts lately and was one more aspect she enjoyed about her pregnancy.
A throat clearing tore her away from Zander’s heated gaze. “I think that’s my cue to leave,” Jace announced. “Call me if you have any concerns, but you should be feeling better now. Get plenty of rest and I’ll check on you when I get home.”
“You need rest, too, Jace. Cailyn is worried about you. You can’t take care of the world if you don’t take care of you first,” Elsie admonished, meeting Jace’s amethyst eyes.
This demanding schedule of Jace’s was wearing on her sister, as well. Cailyn was up all hours worrying about her mate, checking on him, calling to talk to him and having one of the other warriors take her to one of the hospitals for a few stolen moments. Fated Mates needed constant contact with one another so to say her sister was pretty frustrated was an understatement.
“How about I make your favorite dish, sweet and sour pork? Think you can come home for that?” Elsie winked, nudging his arm.
Jace laughed aloud. “Yes, I think I can, but don’t tell Cailyn you’re bribing me. Truth is, I need to be with my mate, and was planning on coming home to her anyway,” he admitted, rubbing the silver cuff on his wrist. “She has been neglected too much lately and I need to make it up to her. In fact, I’m placing an order for take out right now. Can you deliver?” he said, waggling his eyebrows.
“Aye, I can arrange a delivery,” Zander said, chuckling. Elsie watched as some of the worry left her mate’s eyes and he clapped Jace on the back companionably. “I’m thinking of doing the same when I get my Lady E home. I doona care what happens between now and then, I want you to buy your beautiful mate some flowers and spend some quality time with her, she deserves that. And, I doona say it enough, but thank you for taking such good care of Elsie. We’ll see you at home later.”
With that, Jace nodded and turned, leaving the room, his long, black braid trailing down his back. As soon as the door closed, Zander had his arms around her waist, kissing Elsie’s neck and nibbling on her ear.
Elsie moaned, deepening the kiss and murmured, “I thought he’d never leave.”
“Wanna quickie before we drive home?” Zander whispered against her mouth as his hand roamed across her round belly, causing her fangs to descend in response. He knew her need for blood had tripled with her pregnancy and the mere suggestion of sex ignited her hunger.
“Absolutely, but then ice cream. I’m craving rocky road,” she panted as Zander lifted her long skirt. Arousal, hot and fast coursed through her veins as his hand found purpose, pushing panties aside and delving deep into her aching core. Glowing blue eyes mirrored her pools of desire.
“A ghra, I’ve got your rocky road right here,” he growled, using his free hand to open his fly and shove his pants down as he continued his assault between her legs. Her body was more than ready and she gave herself over to the moment, to her vampire.
*****
Zander held Elsie’s hand, leading her from the hospital room. He puffed out his chest, close to shouting to everyone in earshot that he’d just had his mate fast and furious on the bed in room thirty-three. What was it about sex in public that got him off? They might’ve been behind closed doors, but the idea that someone could’ve walked in on them was arousing as hell.
His pregnant mate was sexier than ever as her light-blue eyes sparkled with joy. Fuller breasts, rounded hips he couldn’t keep his hands off, and skyrocketing libido were a perfect combination. Her honeysuckle scent had also magnified, tantalizing his nostrils every second of the day. She was a hormonal hurricane, seeking pleasure at all hours, and Zander was more than happy to oblige.
“Next stop, the hospital cafeteria, my love. What was it again, rocky road?” he teased, looking over and winking.
She smacked him on the shoulder. “Stop it. I feel like all eyes are on us and everybody knows what we just did,” she remarked, blushing to her roots. He didn’t think he could love her more, but every day he discovered a new depth to his devotion.
“I doona care who knows. In fact, I may buy that room for our personal use when we’re in the area. After what we just did in there, not sure anyone else would want it. I’ll put a sign on the door that reads ‘Doona Disturb, Big Z is making love to his Lady E,” he quipped.
She rolled her eyes at him, but he knew she loved the attention. He wouldn’t buy the room, but he would certainly have the sign made and give it to her as a gift. Maybe hang it on the kitchen door since it was one of her favorite rooms to get amorous.
Luckily, the hospital cafeteria was open twenty-four hours. It was getting late and his mate was notorious for midnight cravings. They walked to the counter and she ordered a double-scoop of rocky road ice cream. Paying the attendant, they walked hand in hand to their SUV.
It was a cold winter’s night, but Elsie didn’t seem to mind as she walked along licking the cone in her hand. Another side effect of her pregnancy was she had become an instant heater, constantly cooling off with whatever makeshift fan she could find. Tonight, the cold treat seemed to be doing the trick as he watched her devour it.
As they reached their newest vehicle, he couldn’t help remember the day he’d found out Elsie was pregnant. Immediately researching the best-rated vehicle for safety, he had purchased a Mercedes-Benz GL through the internet. Elsie had protested, saying she loved her sports car, but he didn’t care, it wasn’t up for debate.
Zander knew she had an attachment to the Jaguar because he had given it to her, but this was about safety and he wouldn’t bend. He would go to any lengths necessary to protect her and their baby. Eventually, she’d caved, agreeing they needed something more practical.
He opened the door for her and she slid into the seat, albeit not gracefully, due to her protruding belly. He reached over and buckled her in, lightly kissing her cheek as she finished off the ice cream. Not two minutes into the ride home, she leaned over, eyelashes fluttering a million miles a second and whispered suggestively, “You know what I really want right now?” He immediately hardened, more than ready to stop the car and jump in the back seat. “Beef jerky,” she cooed, slamming the door on his erotic fantasy.
“You canna be serious. I canna believe you enjoy that disgusting dried beef. What am I to do with you?” he cringed, sticking out his tongue playfully.
“Yes, but if you take care of me now, I’ll take care of you when we get home,” she winked, shamelessly flirting with him.
“Och, I canna refuse when you look at me with those blue eyes,” he confessed.
She smiled triumphantly and at the next exit, he pulled into a convenience store. It was pitch-black and the parking lot was empty. There were two vacant gas pumps lit by a small overhead light that flickered its warning of its inevitable demise. If there hadn’t been a sign designating the pace was open, he would have assumed the establishment was abandoned. The windows at the front of the store were tinted black and he couldn’t see a thing inside even with his enhanced vision.
Tapping into his preternatural senses, he scanned the area and determined in a split second that there was no immediate danger near the store. Exiting the vehicle he turned to Elsie before shutting the door, “Lock it.
I doona see any threats, but this place doesna feel safe to me. I’ll be right back,” he said with a smile before walking towards the store.
He pulled the glass door, stepping inside. Zander’s eyes scanned the interior as a voice echoed, “Good evening.” There wasn’t another soul in the place except the older, gray haired human who instantly popped up from behind the counter. Her glasses shone under the dim fluorescent lighting and she smiled warmly at him. He noticed her arms were loaded down with inventory, probably restocking product below the counter, he surmised.
“I’m down here, just holler if you need help,” she explained, confirming his suspicions.
“Thank you, just need some beef jerky,” he replied.
“Second aisle over, halfway down,” she sang out as she ducked below eye level. Zander made his way to the jerky then stopped abruptly. How many kinds of jerky were there? At least two dozen, according to the various packages on the shelf. Peppered, sweet-n-spicy, teriyaki, chipotle, turkey jerky, jalapeno, and several others. How, and why, anyone in their right mind would indulge in this shit, Zander did not know. Indecisive, he grabbed two of every kind, heading back to the front of the store.
