Spirit Song

by Tessa McFionn

  “Kill her.”

  Blood pounded loudly in her ears as that wicked voice once again filled the room. She cringed, hoping to hide from the pain and the fear. Sal’s earlier words bounced around in her mind as she cried out, praying for rescue. This isn’t how it supposed to be.

  Sal released her arm, and she dug her nails into his forearm, the commands to kick and fight once again dampened by that horrific voice. She caught the barrel of Sal’s .45 as he leveled the gun, the muzzle pointed not her direction, but toward her dark hero. Bastian, I love you!

  For once, it seemed, life listened to her plea.

  An explosion of light burned away the shadows and voices howled in pain. She slammed her eyes shut and covered her face from the unexpected blast. The ground rushed up to meet her knees, jolting her back into the present. The air reeked of charred electricity, and she coughed and gagged even as she sucked down much needed oxygen. She sobbed uncontrollably, her hands splayed across the dingy carpet kept her from completely collapsing in her grief.

  She had no fight left in her until an impossible someone cradled her body and picked her up.

  “Shh. Don’t cry, tesorina.”

  Her eyes snapped open, and she raised her gaze. There, before her, was her Bastian. It was his strong arms that held her close. She lifted a trembling hand to brush her fingertips along his rugged and battered jaw. His topaz eyes sparkled, and he captured her wrist, placing a soft kiss in the center of her palm.

  “B-Bastian?” she croaked out, tears coloring her voice. He cupped her hand against his cheek, the prickly stubble grounding her in reality as he nodded slowly.

  Her tears flowed anew, buoyed by hope and gratitude. “Oh, God. Thank you. Thank you.” She flung her arms around his neck and held on for all she was worth. Her body was again under her control, but all that mattered was the man she clung to as if her life depended on it.

  And it did.

  She tightened her grip, sinking into his comforting embrace while her emotions continued to rush out. Soft words were whispered into her hair, and he lightly trailed his fingers along her back. The world tilted, and she was floating far above the ground. A spark of rational thought tapped her on the shoulder.

  She released him as much as she dared and looked around before returning her gaze to his hypnotic whiskey eyes. “You’re hurt. Please, I can’t have you injuring yourself further by carrying me.”

  He answered with an enigmatic smile and a light laugh drifted in from over Bastian’s shoulder.

  “Good luck with that one, lillesoster.”

  Bastian stepped aside to reveal two other players who had entered the game at some unknown time. Kyle looked like a scrawny child next to Bastian’s hulking Scandinavian friend. Cuts and bruises from Sal’s beating faded beneath the powdering of soot and ash that dirtied his face. The massive Viking leaned on a towering, ornate staff. He grinned before tapping the butt against the ground. As if by magic, the tower of wood and metal folded in on itself faster than her eye could process, leaving only an innocuous stick that he tucked into an inner pocket of his long coat.

  Her brain struggled to unravel the disappearing stick trick, but almost as unbelievable was the expression that graced Kyle’s face. The typical apologetic look in her brother’s eyes was strangely vacant. In its place, she swore she saw an unaccustomed wave of newfound strength.

  Viktor strolled closer, an easy smile on his blood- and dirt-spattered face, as Bastian set her onto her feet. She tucked in under his arm, careful to avoid the vicious wound that pierced his side. “I think he’d carry you over hot coals and razor wire just on principle.”

  The two men grinned and greeted each other with a warrior’s handshake, clasping forearms. Viktor patted Bastian on the back, while her protector used his free arm to hold his side together.

  “Took you two long enough to get here.” His gravelly voice rumbled in his chest. The thrumming echoed in her ear, and she wrapped her arms around his waist, giving him whatever help she could offer.

  “What? I figured the kid could use the nickel tour while we took the short cut to King Asshat’s throne room.”

  Bastian nodded even as her head shook. Her eyebrows pulled together as her gaze darted from one face to another. She opted for silence, hoping soon the words would start to make sense.

  Viktor swung his head around, taking a look at the red-splattered room. “Seems like we missed all the fun.”

  Bastian groaned and gave his head a slow shake. “You have one fucked up idea of fun, Vik.” His friend’s pale blue eyes swiveled back to them. “Is it done?”

  “It is. The contract’s been torched, and Pieter’s been knocked back into the Void. But he’s not out for good.”

  Miranda looked up as she felt Bastian’s frustrated growl through her bones. She rubbed her hand along his chest. Her tender gesture calmed him, the lines of tension along his jaw disappearing, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  “What about Sal?” Kyle spoke up and cold fingers of dread slid along her skin.

  Bastian searched the carnage before his gaze settled on something behind her. Miranda ducked underneath his arm to see what held his attention. The barrel of Slick Sal’s beloved weapon was peeled open like the petals of a deadly flower and the entire left side of his head was gone. A maniacal grimace contorted the remainder of his mouth, and his one green eye glazed over as he stared into the afterlife.

  “Looks like you’re off the hook, kid.” Miranda turned back to see a proud smile on Viktor’s face. The smile faltered as he shifted his gaze from her brother to her lover. “You too, lillebror.”

  The muscles beneath her hands jerked and Bastian shook his head. “No. Not while Pieter is still a—”

  Viktor stepped closed and gripped the back of Bastian’s neck. A sad smile touched his face as he pressed his forehead to Bastian’s. Both stood in thick silence, eyes closed as seconds ticked by. She was stunned by the raw power in the brotherly embrace, but this was something more. She sensed an unspoken battle of wills happening just over her head.

  Bastian gave a heavy sigh and the tension melted from his shoulders. She nearly collapsed under the unexpected weight of his body. The panic lasted a heartbeat and he stood tall.

  “You were never given the choice, brother. But now you have a chance.” Viktor paused, turning his gaze down to meet her perplexed eyes. He offered her a gentle smile before he met Bastian’s gaze again. “Please. Take it.”

  “I can’t leave you to fight this alone.” A hint of defeat darkened his words.

  Viktor’s boisterous laughter returned and he clasped Bastian on the shoulder. “Are you kidding me? I’m not letting you slide until you get Junior over there trained up.”

  OK, that’s it.

  Miranda shook her head and stepped out from Bastian’s shadow. “All right, I’ve been patient. I’ve been listening, and trying hard to make heads or tails out of what language you guys are speaking. It kinda sounds like English, but…”

  Bastian cradled her face and brushed his lips against her. A tease, nothing more than a tempting kiss, but it did its job. It stopped her rambling and settled her rattled nerves.

  “I promise I will explain everything to you, tesorina.” His husky whisper poured over her skin and she wrapped her fingers around his wrists to stay on her feet. “But I have a serious question to ask you.”

  She rose up onto her tiptoes and kissed him. She answered him with her body, her heart beating in time with his and she melted into his embrace. His eyes fluttered open and she smiled.

  “Bastian, I love you and I want you in my life forever.”

  He pulled back, eying her cautiously. “Forever is a long time, Miranda. Are you sure?”

  She nodded with deliberate certainty. He draped her arms over his shoulders while his hands trailed down her back. A wolfish grin curved his lips. “Today and tomorrow and after?”

  Viktor cleared his throat behind her back and Bastian arched an eyebrow, his
gaze shifting over her head.

  “Uh, how about you two finish that in more romantic setting, hmm?” Bastian’s jovial friend stepped up, patting Bastian on the back as he led the group toward the gaping doorway. “Besides, I’m getting cold just looking at her.”

  It was then she glanced down at her mismatched attire. A humongous long sleeved thermal served as dress and her feet swam in the massive motorcycle boots.

  “So that’s where my River Roads got to.” Bastian chuckled before he shrugged out of his thick trench and wrapped it around her trembling shoulders. “And did you realize you have them on the wrong feet?”

  Laughter filled the darkened room as Miranda lightly popped Bastian on the arm before snuggling in to the warmth lingering in his coat. Even with the searing pain of the tender wound through his side, he felt invincible. His heart soared. He pulled his angel closer to him as they walked out into the vanishing day.

  As the strange group made their way to Bastian’s car, he mulled over the private words he shared with Viktor.

  “Bastian, you are a good man, and she sees that. She is your spiritmate. You know as well as I do, this fight will always rage on, whether you take part in it or not. I am grateful that you accepted the mantle of Guardian, even though you never chose it on your own. But now, it’s time for you to hand the mantle on to the next Guardian. You have fought well and it has been my honor to fight at your side. You are owed some measure of happiness, brother.”

  “Uh, not to ruin the mood, but what are we going to do about that?” Miranda drew his attention to the huge hole that occupied the place where Sal’s front door once stood. The bodies of the Rogues had long since returned to the Void, but the three humans deserved to be found and mourned.

  Ok, so maybe only one did.

  Viktor had his phone out before Bastian could complete his maudlin musings. He nodded his silent thanks and returned his gaze to his angel. A tiny cut sliced down her lower lip, and the outline of a palm still graced her cheek. Grief for her friend hung in the shadows of her sapphire eyes but missing was any disgust or apprehension. She had seen Bastian at his most vile and animalistic and yet, she accepted him.

  His body wanted to reach for her, to pull her in tightly against him, but he caught sight of his hands, still stained with gore. Acceptance or not, he looked like an escapee from an episode of the Walking Dead. Finding a somewhat clean spot on the back of his left hand, he brushed his knuckles under her chin and coaxed her eyes away from the not-too-distant carnage.

  “I’m sorry about your friend. I’ll make sure he gets a proper burial.”

  Her shy smile melted away any lingering doubts in his heart. He could stand here and get lost in her eyes for the rest of eternity and die a contented man.

  “All right,” Viktor chimed in. “We’d better get out before the police arrive. Even in this seedy neighborhood, someone’s gonna notice that Francciolli’s is missing a front door.”

  A timid blush warmed her pale cheeks, and he pulled her in tight. Inhaling deeply, he dragged her calming, spicy scent deep into his lungs, burning away the stench of blood and death and evil.

  Miranda chuckled weakly. “Well, it looks like I’m out of a job.” With a tired sigh, she leaned into his embrace. “Know of anyone looking for a club singer?”

  Bastian stroked her back through the shirt/dress covering her. “No, but I do know of a college vocal program that would love to have one of their former students.”

  Her excited squeeze caught him by surprise, and he covered his shock with a choked laugh. “I take it you approve, tesorina?” Her head bobbed and bounced against his chest.

  Viktor patted him on the shoulder, a relaxed grin on his face as he took the keys from Bastian’s coat pocket. “Come on, you two. Let’s go home.”

  Bastian looked down into the face of his angel and a peace like he had never dared dream flooded through his body. Gazing into her pure blue eyes, he discovered the truth.

  Here, in her arms, he was home.

  ~ About the Author ~

  Tessa McFionn is a very native Californian and has called Southern California home for most of her life, growing up in San Diego and attending college in Northern California and Orange County, only to return to San Diego to work as a teacher. Insatiably curious and imaginative, she loves to learn and discover, making her wicked knowledge of trivial facts an unwelcomed guest at many Trivial Pursuit boards.

  When not writing, she can be found at the movies or at Disneyland with her husband, as well as family, friends or anyone who wants to play at the Happiest Place on Earth. She also finds her artistic soul fed through her passions for theatre, dance, and music.

  A proud parent of far too many high school seniors and two still living houseplants, she also enjoys hockey, reading and playing Words With Friends to keep her vocabulary sharp.

  Discover more about Tessa McFionn here

  Website: http://www.tessamcfionn.com

  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Tessa-McFionn-703710772990582

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/TessaMcFionn

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/tessamcfionn

  ~ Also by Tessa McFionn ~

  Spirit Fall

  The Guardians Book One

  Tessa McFionn

  After a year-long depression following the murder of her fiancé, Siobhan Whelan stands on a bridge, tormented by unending nightmares, one step away from jumping. Only the kindness of a seductive stranger brings her back down to earth. But the handsome stranger is more than meets the eye, and soon Voni finds herself thrust into a strange new world.

  For seven hundred years, Malakai Vadim has shouldered the mantle of Guardian Warrior. But a chance encounter with the tormented beauty brings him face to face with his destiny. His nemesis, Dmitrius Konstantin, has been feeding Voni’s grief through nightmares, wanting her and her untapped powers for his own. As Kai learns of his foe’s deadly interest, he must solve the riddle of Voni’s tortured dreams while holding his growing desire for her at bay.

  Too bad the enemy Rogue Warriors have other plans. Now, along with fellow Guardian Eamon McClearon, Kai must venture into the In-Between, the enemy’s powerbase, to save her soul as well as his own. But can his love be strong enough to save them both?

  Spirit Bound

  The Guardians Book Two

  Tessa McFionn

  Ancient danger. Deadly rivals. A love that spans the Void of time...

  Kidnapped and tortured for days, grad student Calliope Vandeen is sure her pleas for mercy have fallen on deaf ears. But when she hears a seductive voice in her head, followed by a towering warrior straight out of her ancient history textbooks, she begins to believe in fairy tale endings. Swept into a world of living heroes with magical powers, Cal must call upon her deepest wells of strength...if her captors have left anything alive within her.

  Galen Alexiou is one of the oldest Guardian Warriors, serving the cause for almost 2,500 years. Never once did he think he would find his spiritmate, much less that she would call to him across the Void. But when he hears the voice calling for help, he realizes that not only is she real, but she's in deadly danger at the hands of Rogue Stefan de Coldreto, an ancient enemy with a ruthless gift. With this mysterious young beauty in his hands, he must learn how his enemies found the female who holds the key to his salvation, and destroy this evil before it claims both Calliope's life, and his very soul...

  More Romance from Etopia Press

  Paramour for the Devil

  The Hawthorne Witch Series Book One

  Savannah Hill

  Darkly erotic. Supremely powerful.

  Haley Hawthorne is a witch. She shuns her paranormal gifts, instead escaping into a mundane, reclusive life as an accountant for her Uncle Eli's firm. Five years earlier, Haley was kidnapped by Raden, brother of Lucifer, and held captive as his personal sex slave. She escaped but still bears the scars, both physical and emotional. Now she has turned away from both magic and sex, and she's certain not
hing will ever bring those lost things back into her life…

  Damian, son to Lucifer, has renounced his right to the throne of Hell and has become a soldier for Adversus, hunting evil supernatural creatures on Earth. Unfortunately, he's powerless to witches, and this witch can read his mind. He can't decide what is more dangerous—the irresistible attraction he feels for her, or the intoxicating peace she gives him. One thing is certain, they both share a tortured past.

  After Damian rescues her from an attack by monstrous djinn, Haley discovers the dangerously seductive soldier has secrets of his own. One of them is the collection of whips, ropes, handcuffs, and leather riding crops he keeps locked away, though he refuses to show her his "Master" side. As her trust in him grows, she finds herself increasingly intrigued by all the kinky things he's hiding. But Damian has been given a new mission to kill a monster. A monster that turns out to be her uncle…

  Spirit Board

  Arcane Imaginarium Book One

  Erzabet Bishop

  Two mates are better than one...

  Vanessa lives vicariously through the romance heroines in her overflowing bookshelf. No real man can ever measure up to the sultry, shapeshifter heroes with their feral smiles—or so she thinks until a creepy costume shop and a chance encounter with a fortuneteller shake up her ordinary life. When Vanessa's best friend brings her to a sexy costume party, she realizes more than fur is going to fly.

  Rick is an Alpha cat shifter and co-owner of the Imaginarium. When he scents the luscious Vanessa, he has no intention of letting her slip away. But Rick isn't the only man searching for his one true love. Cian is a former Captain of the Winter Court in Faery, wielder of shadows and magic. When Fey enchantment and shifter might collide, more than mere hearts are caught in the crossfire. And as a threat looms closer with the turning of the season, both men may be the keys to Vanessa's heart—and her survival.