Magic and Shadows: A Collection of YA Fantasy and Paranormal Romances

by T. M. Franklin

  “Doesn’t matter. It’s not a good enough reason to steal.”

  “You’re right,” Abraham sighed. “It’s not.”

  “So why bring it up?” Grainger cocked a brow as he glanced at his friend. Both of them were there the minute Fallon tripped the alarm. If anything, they should be agreeing with Damian not trying to save her.

  “Give you a reason to look at her differently?” Warren shrugged. “We’ve all had a pretty good life here. Safe, secure. We know our worth, and our parents don’t treat us differently. She on the other hand, has had everything stripped from her, including her safety and her normal life.”

  Then shouldn’t she want to find a commonality within a community where she’s an equal? “Doesn’t make sense.” He tapped his thumb against the file as he watched her through the two-way glass. “There’s more to what happened tonight. I can feel it.”

  “Maybe that’s not what you feel, but something else,” Abraham teased, elbowing him. Though they were exceptional enforcers, Warren and Abraham could cut up worse than a pre-teen on sugar. It sometimes made him feel as though he were the adult and they were his subordinates, instead of the other way around.

  Grainger shook his head. “Stop thinking with the little head and start using the big one.” He gave them a droll stare. “She’s the criminal. We’re the law.”

  “Relax, law man,” Warren replied, a subtle edge of censure in his voice. “We understand the implications of what she’s accused of. We happen to believe people are innocent until proven guilty, unlike you.”

  They. Caught. Her. Red-handed. How did that work with believing someone was innocent until proven guilty? It’s not like they found the herb in her bag, and said “You stole it. You’re in trouble.” They had the video, as well as her holding the bag when they’d greeted her as she stepped out of the shop. Couldn’t just brush that under a rug. “I’m not even going to qualify your comment.”

  The door opened beside them, and Damian entered. “All right you three.” He stepped in front of them, blocking Grainger’s view of Fallon. “You’ve been listening. You’ve heard the proposal. Now, I need to know if you’re willing to work with her.”

  “Warren and I are, Detective Michaels. You might have to convince Grainger though. He’s got a hardon for her to be kicked out,” Abraham said, nudging Grainger.

  Damian crossed his arms and narrowed his gaze on him. The human had a keen sense and could make even the hardest paranormal being squirm. “What’s the problem?”

  “For one thing, she did it. She broke the rules—several times in fact. I don’t understand why you’d want someone like her working with us.” He ignored the haughty tone of his voice. If no one else would see reason, he’d voice it.

  “She’s also the asset we’ve been looking for,” Damian replied. “We have been trying to infiltrate this group of black market buyers for months now, and nothing we’ve attempted has worked. She is the last chance we’ll have.”

  Grainger frowned. The plan put everyone at risk, and he hated it. The unknown elements of their plot — or supposed strategy — could bring down the whole community, and no one cared. “How do you know she won’t double cross us?”

  “Good old fashion trust,” the man replied. “I believe she understands the severity of the situation and will cooperate … fully.”

  Trust a thief? What part of that made sense? She had no loyalty to anyone, including her family. All she cared about was herself. “This won’t end well.”

  “It’s a chance you’re going to have to take,” Damian stated. “She will be a part of this team, and you will take the lead on it.” He shoved the folder into his hands then stepped aside. “Go talk to her, explain how things are going to go, and then get to work. We needed to close this market last week. Hell, last year.”

  No. Pressure. Petulance filled him as he stomped through the door and stopped in front of the interrogation room. Warren or Abraham could do this part, he’d hang back and observe. Just because they had a job to do didn’t mean he had to be friendly. For all intents and purposes, she was the criminal and they were the good guys.

  “Don’t look so put out,” Warren murmured as they entered the room. “We have a job to do, and you’re the one on point.”

  Don’t remind him. “I don’t want this job. I think it’s asinine that a girl who can’t even stay out of trouble is helping us,” he hissed, trying to keep his voice level.

  “This girl doesn’t give a crap about you either,” she snipped. The purple highlighted strands of her hair hung in her face, giving her human appearance more of a tiger look. Her dark brown eyes locked with his, challenging him.

  A tornado of sensations whipped through him. If he were like the fictional vampires, his heart would have given a hearty thump at emotions she kindled in him. Instead, he pushed it down even as the word mate floated through his mind. Hell. No. Not happening.

  “Good, then we’re on even footing,” he snarled, trying to hide the effect she had on him. “They say I have to work with you. I say you’ll muck all of this up.”

  She shrugged while sitting back. Her smooth, porcelain skin glowed as her tiger lurked below, peeking out at him with curious eyes. Everything about her screamed rebel, however the mask she held in place cracked a bit at the seams. Her heart pounded, sending blood singing through her veins. His mouth watered. Never had he been in a situation where his control had been tested so much. Well, not since his transition.

  “As far as I am concerned, I could leave this place and be so much happier without it,” she lied. Her voice trembled. Her gaze darted from his. For being such a bad ass, fear prowled within her.

  “Too bad you aren’t leaving,” he replied, throwing her file on the table between them. For all his bluster of not wanting to be a part of this, he took control, using his abilities as a detector of sorts. “It says here you’re a petty criminal. You have a reputation for pulling off some crazy stuff, and you are the likely choice to get us into this black-market ring. I have my reservations on it, however I’ve been out voted.”

  “Congratulations,” she stated, smirking. “Or should I say, my condolences?”

  Her insolence came from pain. Deep cutting pain he could scent. Could she? He clenched his fists at his side. “Condolences works perfectly. So, here are your choices, Fallon. Since you’ve already said you’d help us. Or, are you trying to back out?” He took a step forward and braced his hands on the table. “I’m sure you won’t last a week on the outside world.”

  She laughed at him. “I came here from the human world. I’d last longer than you, vampire.” Fallon sat forward, the wild hint of her scent clung to him, clawing at his senses. “Your threats will get you nowhere with me. I came here with nothing, leaving with nothing won’t bother me.”

  “Enough posturing,” Warren stated, strutting up to the table. “My name is Warren, and that’s Abraham.” He pointed to the Arrowfire vampire with short blond hair and vivid green eyes. “We need you, plain and simple.”

  She crossed her arms. “So, let me get this right. A lessor demon, two vampires, and KISS need a tiger’s help.”

  “Yes,” Abraham answered, joining them. “Please.”

  Fallon snorted. “Good cop, bad cop doesn’t work with me. This is ridiculous. I shouldn’t be here. I should be at home. I could be doing better things with my time than being interrogated by the three of you.”

  Oh, ouch. If Grainger had feelings, they might be hurt. However, everything she said had been posturing. She was scared. Maybe not because she got caught, but for another reason.

  “You took the herb for a reason. How about I make you a deal,” Warren offered, cutting through their mutual hostility.

  She perked up. Her scent shifted to curious as she sat up a bit more in her chair. “Go on. I’m listening.”

  “You needed the Huperzia to do what exactly? Make a potion? I think it has more to do with you than your friend Calli. So, here is my bargain. You help us get into t
his group and I will help you legally acquire the herb, plus we’ll help you do the spell. No questions asked.”

  She glanced between all three of them while biting her bottom lip. “That’s it then? I help you and you help me?”

  “Yes,” Abraham answered, joining Warren. “You’re hurting, Fallon. Even though you believe you can hide within yourself, we see you. Let us help you.” Shit, the vampire pushed too hard. She’d balk at Abe’s attempts at getting her to consider Warren’s plan.

  “You don’t understand what I need right now.” Her words were barely above a whisper when she said them, but the anguish behind them struck Grainger in the gut. For all her bluster and her rebellious ways, she was lost and lonely, even if she had a bit of her family left.

  “Yes, I do.” Grainger spoke his thoughts aloud. “Work for us, and I will personally make sure whatever you need will be afforded to you.” He tucked away the emotional thread beginning to form between them. It would be more advantageous for him to keep distance between them. She was a criminal, and he was the law.

  “Besides,” Warren added. “Do you really want to be alone right now? Would you be happier out in the human world unable to shift? To be who and what you are without reprimand or hatred?”

  She considered his words, staring between all three of them. “Does it matter? Everything special is gone. The humans took it all. At least out there, I could get some revenge.”

  “Is that all you think about?” Abraham stepped forward rounding the table so he could stand beside her. “Hurting those who hurt you?”

  “Yes.” She gave a curt nod. Her hazel eyes hardened, losing their curiousness. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “I see more and know more than you realize, Fallon.” He left her side and took Warren’s hand. “Not everyone is out to get you. Not everyone will hate you.”

  All the tension left her body. “Fine. I’ll help you. But, afterwards, I’m gone. I don’t care about any of you. I don’t care about this place. I hate it here. Hate the rules. Hate the people. Hate all of you. Now get me out of this room so I can go the hell home.”

  No, she didn’t. The venom in her voice was protection for her. This girl had a lot to learn about them and the community of Hallowridge. “Yes. We’ll be taking you home now. However, there is another stipulation.”

  “Of course there is,” she snapped. “Out with it.”

  “We will be your chaperones at school, so you can’t do anything stupid.”

  She winced. He’d hit her hard with the truth, and it didn’t set well with him. “Fine. I have babysitters, so I don’t ruin your precious community. Can I go now?”

  He nodded. “Warren and Abraham will see you home. I have better things to do with my time.” With that, he walked out of the room. He had to get away from her. He feared he might do something stupid, like claim her.

  “Well, I see you’re making new friends,” Damian stated following him down the hall toward the exit.

  “Yes,” he answered. “I got her to work with us.”

  “Did you mean what you said to her?”

  Grainger stopped then glanced up at the detective. “What do you think?”

  “I think you like her and understand where she is coming from. I think you meant what you said, and you’re determined to do whatever you have to, to make sure she follows through on assisting us. What I don’t understand is why?”

  He shook his head. “There is no reason why. I did what I had to do. She’s helping us. Good night, Damian.”

  Grainger used his speed to exit the office. He had to get away from there. He needed time to gather himself and push away the knowledge he learned from her. His mate was a criminal. His mate was a tiger with a broken soul. How did a being like him — a demon — help her heal and want to be a better person, when she was determined to ruin everything?

  How do I let myself get talked into this crap?

  3

  Warren and Abraham walked to her out to a black SUV, owned by KISS. It reminded her of those FBI vehicles. All black, tinted windows, and lights on the top of them. If they were trying to go for inconspicuous, they missed the mark completely.

  She got in back and was joined by Abraham. He didn’t say anything to her, but she hadn’t suspected he would. They weren’t her friends. To her, they were a means to an end. If they could help her remember what happened the night she lost her parents, bonus. If it was the last thing she did, she would find her parents’ killer.

  When they pulled up in front of her aunt’s home, a small amount of shame filled her. All of the neighbors would know she’d done something wrong—again. She’d heard some of the stepford wives when she’d taken out the trash or got the mail. They liked to gossip and didn’t think twice of doing it, right in front of her aunt’s face.

  Ayí would be disappointed in her once more.

  Abraham opened the door and exited the SUV. On the way home, she’d watched the two young men interact with each other. They were familiar with each on an intimate level. To her, it was hot. She had so many questions to ask, but didn’t voice them. Doing so would show her interest in the men, and if they figured it out, they’d use it against her.

  Every light in the house was on as she stepped out. Ayí was waiting for her. Her stomach dropped. She already knew what to expect once she stepped through those doors. Another lecture about following the rules. Being grateful for having a place they could be safe from the rén de. Little did her aunt realize she loved being with the humans. She understood everything about the human world and knew nothing about her own. She had her culture and her parents taught her to suppress her basic instincts. But now she was supposed to follow those basic instincts rather than the rules and requirements her parents put on her. No wonder she was a spazz. Who could blame her? Everyone, Fallon, haven’t you figure it out yet?

  “One of us will pick you up tomorrow for school,” Abraham said.

  “Got it,” she replied, easing around his slight, but muscular form. What was it about vampires that made them all skinny but powerful. And, she didn’t really like skinny guys, but him…she wanted rub all over him. Ugh, as if…

  “Will you be okay?”

  She paused, hearing the concern in his voice and glanced up. The glimmer of pity in his clue-blue eyes had her hackles raising. She didn’t want it.

  “This is nothing compared to your parents being murdered,” she disclosed, rolling her shoulders. “Laters.”

  Anger cursed through her, and she slammed the door harder than she intended. Even though the lights were on, she’d hoped her aunt had gone to bed. In her fit of rage, she’d most certainly woken her up. This is why you can’t have nice things, Fú. The muted red door to her right opened, and Ayí stood in the doorway. Her arms were crossed, and the glare the woman fixed on Fallon had her withering in her aunt’s presence. Her aunt was beyond pissed. She couldn’t blame her either. Fallon broke the law.

  “Ayí.” Fallon bowed her head in greeting.

  It didn’t surprise her when her aunt began her tirade in Mandarin, instead of English. She winced when Ayí informed her how she was dishonoring her forefathers, but most importantly, that Fallon had smeared her parents honor.

  “Do you have anything to say for yourself?” The quiet tone in which her aunt spoke, unnerved her.

  “No,” she whispered, keeping her gaze on the floor. She didn’t want to see the displeasure in her aunt’s dark brown gaze. Since moving here, she’d seen it often. Telling her beloved aunt the real reason wasn’t an option. Ayí firmly believed her parents death was accidental.

  “This is not the answer.”

  “I know.”

  “You are lucky they don’t kick you out of Hallowridge. It would have been their right, and I would have been able to do nothing to prevent it. If it happened, you’d be cutting ties with the only remaining family you have.”

  Fallon winced as a wave of pain washed through her. She’d already lost her parents, to lose Ji also and her
aunt would send her into a deep dark hole in which she could never return. She couldn’t breathe.

  “I told you, Fallon, this community has rules. Without them, it would be chaos. You agreed. Remember?”

  “Yes, aunt.” Lifting her head, she watched as the older woman paced the length of the foyer.

  Poor Ayí. She had never found her mate and lived a solitary life until the siblings showed up on her door step. Her aunt had taken it all in stride, never waiving in her support or love, even when she continued with her wayward activates. The therapist her aunt had taken her and her brother to had told her aunt that acting out was normal and to be expected. Ji turned into himself, preferring to let life pass him by as he grieved. She…she did this.

  She couldn’t hide within herself. Wouldn’t do it either. It went against her nature to sit back and not find the truth.

  “I’m not happy with the alternative, either,” she said. “I’ve informed the detective of my issues with you working with the enforcers and Arrowfire.”

  Hope bloomed inside of her. If anyone could sway the detective’s mind, it would be her aunt. “And?”

  “He would not bend. If I want you to stay, you must do what they ask.” Her aunt stopped pacing, approaching Fallon slowly like she was a wild animal and resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Promise me, wài sheng nǚ, you will be smart in this endeavor. Use the brain I know you possess and stay as far away from danger as you can. Ji cannot handle losing another relative.”

  And just like that, her decisions over the last couple of months came back and smacked her across the face. Open handed.

  “Ayí.” Her voice wobbled and not for the first time she thought of telling her beloved aunt exactly what she was up to.

  “You and Ji.” Her aunt’s cool hand cupped Fallon’s cheek. “Are all which remains of my younger sister. She was a treasure on this earth, a gentle soul with a will of iron. I see so much of her in you. I cannot let her or your father down. They gave you and your brother to me, trusted me and I must honor them. As must you. There is nothing we can do about this situation now. Just promise me, you’ll be safe, my niece, my wài sheng nǚ.”