Scholar (Emerald Isle Tigers Book 3)
Page 1
Scholar
Emerald Isle Tigers Book Three
Cass Reynolds
Amelie Hunt
Contents
Author’s Copyright
An Excerpt
All The Amelie Hunt Presents Series
Get News
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
Epilogue
Ready For More?
All The Amelie Hunt Presents Series
About Cass Reynolds
About Amelie Hunt
Copyright Cass Reynolds, 2015
May not be replicated or reproduced in any manner without express and written permission from the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to author and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author
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An Excerpt
Theron shook with rage, on the cusp of losing control. Too many things had just happened, things that the little psychic couldn’t have realized. Well, maybe she could have… but if she had bothered to read his mind, he was damn sure she wouldn’t have just flounced out of there without another word.
He hated G.H.O.S.T.’s with a passion. They were an abomination – pure humans who had chosen to become what they were. Whereas he… he had been forced into this miserable existence. Everything about them disgusted him.
And then, of course, his goddamn curse on top of a curse had to go and activate on the one of the irritating little Frankensteins. Bad enough that he was a raging monster, but he was also forced to mate with whoever the gods picked for him?! Miserable creatures those gods were, bored out of their minds and playing with human’s lives for their own amusement.
He had meant to scare her off, hurt her, so he would never have to see her face again. Never feel that twist of desire low in his gut. She was a pretty little thing, he had to admit that. Small boned, delicate, extremely feminine. Wide brown eyes blinked under long lashes, flyaway red hair just brushing her shoulders. Freckles dusted her nose, lending her a childlike air. Frankly, she could pass for a teenager.
Fuck.
All The Amelie Hunt Presents Series
Ophelia Bell’s Black Mountain Bears
Clawed
Bitten
Nailed
Vivian Wood’s Winter Pass Wolves
Howl
Growl
Prowl
Sennah Tate’s Sunset Glade Panthers
Spark
Ember
Blaze
Maeve Morrick’s Arctic Station Bears
Snowbound
Snowman
Snowfall
Cass Reynold’s Emerald Isle Tigers
Scoundrel
Soldier
Scholar
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Join The Hunt
Moonlight caresses your skin. Your bare feet crush leaves and grass as you run. Your heart hammers in your chest and your breath burns, but you can't stop. He's so close now.
A flash in the corner of your vision! The chase is drawing to a close. For a moment, you feel a prickle of fear. But the feeling is fleeting. After all, you're not the prey.
You're the hunter.
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Chapter One
Lily lingered around the entrance to Theron’s workshop, trying to convince herself to go in. It wasn’t that she was scared, it was just… well, shifters were, as a whole, insane. Far too controlled by their animal instincts, you never knew one would lose control and snap. And where the man’s mind might be tenuously ruled by logic and reason, the animal was base. A normal tiger might be interested in hunting, but only if it was hungry. Shifters were a combination of that hunting drive and a human’s vicious streak. Not pretty, and harder for a psychic to control.
Last time she had seen a shifter, well… She had gone out of her way to avoid a repeat.
But this was foolishness – she had come here to speak with Theron, shifter or no, and she either needed to grow a pair and walk inside, or tuck her metaphorical tail between her legs and slink away.
Taking a deep breath, she summoned a cheery smile, squared her shoulders, and marched through the door. She may be small and generally weak looking, but she was not to be messed with.
Light filled the room, streaming in through the many windows gracing the walls. Windows were a luxury these days – they offered little protection and were easily spelled. The scientist was basically broadcasting to the world that he was not afraid. Ballsy, but dumb. Still, Lily appreciated the sense of the old days that the glass evoked.
There were three people present, all bent over counters. One a teenage boy, peering into a microscope, magic shimming around him. Curiously, he seemed to be a mixed breed. They weren’t uncommon, but they usually didn’t throw off the kind of power that this kid did. Vines of light twined around him, representing the power of the earth. But the vines fought with golden sparks, struggling to get a tighter hold on him.
Ugh, Lily thought to herself, half breed shifter. Half breeds were unpredictable – those who were lacking enough power to shift tended to be an angry thought, filled with the call of the wild but unable to respond. Then those who had another kind of magic within them, like this boy, could turn out more powerful than their purebred counterparts. Shifter and earth magic mixed together could be an explosive combination. Or a dud, the two powers too busy fighting each other to be effective. Lily hated uncertainty. She best just avoid this teenaged powder keg.
There was a woman as well. And oh, what a woman. Long black hair cascaded down her back in tangled ringlets, all manner of things caught in its grasp. Lily saw feathers, twigs, and… She gasped as a live snake flicked his tongue at her and slithered out of sight, going deeper into the woman’s tresses.
An emerald green dress hugged her curves, the bottom in tatters, displaying bare legs and dirty feet. There was not a speck of magic emanating from this woman. Had it been anyone else, that would have been a bit odd, but not impossible. However, there was no way in hell that this woman was purely human. Which could only mean one thing – she was powerful enough to complete hide her power. One of the gods. This had to be Hecate.
Lily knew the Goddess was in the city, but she had never understood why, and definitely never planned on meeting her. There was one big rule that you followed in this new world – do not attract the attention of the humans or the Gods. And here she was, about to tell a Goddess’ pet that someone wanted to enslave and/or kill him. Awesome.
Speaking of which… Lily ignored the fact that the kid and Hecate were now staring at her, no doubt do to her reaction to the snake, and let her eyes land on the object of her mission. Theron. One of the privileged elite, mad scientist, friend to Gods, and possible crazy tiger shifter. And holy shiiiit, definitely one of the hottest men she had ever seen.
She let her mouth hang open a bit, not really caring if he noticed. She could always erase his memories if it got too embarrassing. Seriously, the dude was smokin’.
Dark
hair cut in messy waves, giving him that irresistible “just rolled out of bed” look. He seemed like the kind of guy who would keep his hair criminally short, to avoid the boyish look that came along with overly-long locks. But then, there were dark circles under his eyes and a definite aura of weariness about him; maybe he just hadn’t had time to get it cut lately.
Speaking of his aura, it was intensely gold. Of course. Shifter, through and through. She couldn’t tell what he would shift into from his aura – maybe it would be something cute and little and harmless?
Lily knew it was bad to lie, even to herself, but if she thought about the fact that this man was a terrifying predator, she would just run screaming. Better to go back to ogling his body.
He was tall, had at least a foot on her petite five foot two. If he wanted to kiss her, she would have to go on tip toes, and even then he’d have to stoop…
Not that I want to kiss him. Lily tried to get her thoughts in line. She absolutely did not come here to jump the bones of the guy she was trying to save. Even though it would feel so good to run her hands down those hard biceps, and press her lips against his…
Stop it.
She mentally slapped herself. Even if she did want to get involved, she knew she didn’t have a chance in hell. Dude was obviously shacking up with a sexy-as-sin goddess. And Lily was the last person who wanted to get involved with a goddess’ plaything. She would do what she came here for and get out. Hopefully he wouldn’t just blow her off, but if he did, so be it.
Chapter Two
Well aware that there were already three pairs of eyes fastened on her, Lily took a step forward and cleared her throat.
“Excuse me. I am here to speak privately with Theron Isoba, if he would be so kind.”
The gorgeous scientist raised one eyebrow and Lily considered what it would be like to run her fingers over that eyebrow, tracing its shape, nipping the corner of his mouth…
He spoke, disdain dripping from every word. “I do not believe I have any appointments today.”
Lily jerked out of her fantasies, shocked by the coldness in his voice. True, he was an important man in the city, but she didn’t think he’d immediately pull the asshole card. “You’re correct, I don’t have an appointment. I think you’ll want to listen to what I have to say though. It’s a matter of life and death.”
He sighed and waved one hand at her before turning back to his counter and whatever was sparkling in the glass vials. “If you’re another one of my brother’s flunkies, tell him I’m not going to do what he wants unless he personally comes to blackmail me.”
Blackmail? What secrets did he have…? It would be so easy for Lily to pick through his brain, discover everything he was trying to hide. It was what she did, after all. If she wanted it, she could have power in the city far above his own.
But no. She didn’t do that, ‘cause she wasn’t that kind of girl. He could keep his secrets, but if he thought she could so easily be dismissed, he was sorely mistaken.
“Wave your hand all you want, but I’m not leaving. And I’m not ‘one of your brother’s flunkies.’ I’ve never even spoken to the man.”
Theron laughed, a low, cruel sound. “You think you have a choice in leaving? Any one of us could kill you in an instant.”
Lily was used to dealing with people who were far more physically powerful than her, and those who completely underestimated her abilities. She did not miss Theron’s subtle chin jerk, directed towards the teenager, and she did not appreciate the threat. Still, better to deal with the kid who couldn’t even decide what he wanted to be than a full-fledged monster or the witch goddess.
She was ready for him, waiting for exactly the right moment to make her point very clear. Magical vines whipped towards her, barbs ready, aiming for her throat. What an ass. Theron wasn’t planning on just scaring her, he wanted it to hurt. Lily didn’t blame the kid though – no doubt he had to follow his master’s every order. She would be kind to him.
The kid was fast, she had to give him that. His vines were at her neck in a matter of seconds, and she had barely enough time to tighten her control over his mind. Still, not fast enough. She clamped down, hard, freezing him in place, the sparkling thorns only an inch or two away from piercing her skin. Her eyes met Theron’s as she stared him down, standing in the circle of conjured plants without a drop of fear.
After a few beats passed, she willed the kid to retract his magic, which he did with a dreamy look on his face. She hated that look. It was the look of a zombie, someone totally robbed of their will, the light gone from their eyes. Every time she saw it, she was reminded of the bastards who had done this to her, of the years she had been forced to practice stealing people’s minds.
Even so, her point needed to be made, loud and clear. With a single thought pushed his way, the teenager walked towards her, gliding through the air. Zombies were always happy to serve. When he reached her, he dropped to one knee, his head bowed. Lily stared straight into Theron’s eyes, and let her lips curl into a vicious smirk.
One more thought, and the kid titled his head to the side, baring his neck to her. A shifter would understand the complete submission he showed her; her insult clear. Hopefully he would get the message.
Gold rolled over Theron’s irises, and Lily swallowed, trying not to let her fear overcome her. She could handle this. He wouldn’t dare attack her while she still had his assistant’s mind in her grip. She could crush it, killing him instantly. Or worse. Of course, if Theron hadn’t figured out what she was, he might not realize that… No, a scientist of his caliber would be able to recognize the powers of a G.H.O.S.T., even if he couldn’t scent them.
A throaty chuckle came from behind her, and Lily threw her mental net in that direction. Of course, she would never be able to control a goddess, but there was no sense in dying easy.
Hecate clapped her hands gleefully and skipped towards Theron. “She got you good old man! Your own ward, bowing to her, showing his throat. Oh my god I’m so glad I was here for this. I would have paid money!”
Theron snarled at the goddess, his voice shaking with fury. “Fuck you! You could do something you know. All your whining about how I treat him, and now that he’s an inch from death, you laugh?! Witch goddess like hell, you’re more of a bitch goddess.”
Lily had to admit, that was a halfway decent insult. Of course, the guy was a total idiot, but at least he would go down feeling snarky.
Hecate waved her hand dismissively. “Oh come now. She’s not going to do anything to Finn. She wouldn’t have done anything to begin with, if you hadn’t sicced the poor boy on her. This’ll teach you to not underestimate our psychic friends.”
Theron whirled on her, his snarls turning into full on growls. “And how am I supposed to know when one of the little freaks slithers in?! I’m not a fucking goddess who instantly knows everything about everyone! All I’ve got is my nose, and these goddamn science experiments don’t smell like shit. They may as well be humans to me!”
Hecate drew herself up, all the playfulness gone from her face. “You would do well to remember who you’re talking to. Wouldn’t it be fun if our new friend turned your brain into Jell-o? I don’t think it would be hard to convince her. And my point stands– you need to learn not to underestimate anyone, humans included.”
As fascinating and belittling as the whole exchange was, Lily really just wanted to leave. Holding someone’s mind was intensely uncomfortable for her, and she didn’t want to be there when these two came to blows.
“Could I just interject? I am only here for one reason, and if you would let me tell you, I will gladly leave you alone forever.”
A flash of pain crossed Theron’s face, so fast that Lily thought she may have imagined it, had she not also got an accompanying mental shout of anguish from him. Why on earth would he be that upset at the thought of her leaving? Oh, it was so tempting to probe him, but she resisted. More than likely, she would just get an angry tiger roaring in her brain.
Or in her face. “What?!” Theron roared the word out with as much ferocity as she had imagined.
Man, he was a dick.
“You know what I am now, that I can read minds. Well, I work for Zelloth, as a maid. He is very upset about recent events with your brother and the tiger shifter that was freed. Did you know that shifter came back? Freed one of the other Coliseum fighters, tried to kill Zelloth, generally raised hell? Anyways, the ol’ Incubus is really quite upset about it all, and is obsessed with acquiring a new tiger to fight. Thinks you might be one. And if you’re not, well, at least he thinks he can hurt your brother.”
Theron stared at her, his chest heaving, his face frozen in a mask of anger and incredulity. “Draven hates me. He couldn’t care less if I get killed or enslaved or whatever.”
Lily shrugged. “Just telling you what I know. Do with it what you will, but I would advise leaving the city.”
She thought his head might actually explode with rage, if the purple color mottling his skin was anything to go by. “Fine. I’ve heard your completely worthless information. Now get out.”
Wow, he was really a dick. Lily could not remember meeting someone with more of an unpleasant nature, and she worked for a demon. And not the devilishly handsome, misunderstood, bad boy kind.
“Fine.” She released her hold on the kid’s mind as gently as she could, and then dramatically spun towards the door. What a waste of a Saturday morning.
Chapter Three
Theron shook with rage, on the cusp of losing control. Too many things had just happened, things that the little psychic couldn’t have realized. Well, maybe she could have… but if she had bothered to read his mind, he was damn sure she wouldn’t have just flounced out of there without another word.