“Why are you getting ready?” she drawled.
“Your sister is on her way over with Christian. We’re going out to Shenanigans. A party in our honor.”
She sat up. “What?”
“Toryn wants to show his appreciation.”
“Oh.” She climbed to her feet and started for the bathroom.
“We don’t have a lot of time.”
“I won’t be long.” She was back a few moments later.
He moved behind her and guided her to the walk-in closet. Her clothes were all there.
She turned to him, her brow pinched. “You moved me in?”
He bit his lip, then blurted out. “We don’t have to hide. I want you to live with me. Your apartment is nice, but my place is warded. Please, move in.”
A laugh escaped. “You should have asked before bringing my stuff over.”
He nodded, ducking his head.
She caught his face and dragged him in for a long kiss. When she pulled back, she breathed, “Yes.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
“Then get dressed, and we’ll be back here tonight, in our bed.”
“Mmm, I like the sound of that.”
“Hurry. They’ll be here soon.” He pulled on his clothes and took his shoes to the living room.
She found a dress and did her makeup. She entered the living room in time for Delilah and Christian to arrive.
Delilah looked past Brent and slipped inside, rushing to her. “You look gorgeous.”
Brent nodded. “Very.”
“Thanks, and you look lovely. I don’t know why we’re having this party,” Amelia muttered.
“Does it matter?” Brent asked. “Toryn likes to celebrate. And he saw a reason after last night.”
She laughed. “As long as it doesn’t wind up like Scotty’s party, I can handle it.”
“Heard about that. And you were human then,” Delilah teased.
Amelia ducked her gaze. “I was fine. I stayed out of the way then.”
Brent snorted. “You broke a bottle over one siren’s head and stabbed a second with the rest of it.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I simply defended myself. I didn’t wade into the battle. I tried to stay out of the way.”
He grinned. “I’m glad you stayed out of the way. Now, you would slaughter them all.”
“Whatever,” Delilah said. “Are we going?”
Brent nodded. “Definitely.”
Christian shook his head. “Tonight will be fun. Nothing too crazy.”
* * * *
Brent held on to Amelia’s arm. It felt good to have her at his side. No more pushing her away, no more hiding the truth. She accepted everything about him.
They stepped into the bar, and everyone cheered. She ducked her gaze and moved closer to Brent.
“They’re here for you.”
“And you,” she whispered.
“Us. We finally get to be together in front of everyone. No more hiding.”
She turned to him and planted a kiss on his lips.
About Brandy L Rivers
Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.
An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.
Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter
Or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Bundled Sets
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 1
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2
Combustible – the Complete Series
Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Fated Love
Falling Into Place
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Deep Trouble
Entangled Darkness
Blood Bound
Untitled (Coming 2018)
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath
Twisted Bonds
Darkness Binds
Nights Embrace Spin Off
Summer Rhythm
Branches of Emrys
Sleepwalker
Dreams of Change
Shifting Winds (Coming 2018)
Combustible
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth
Backburn
Love Behind the Scenes
The Callback
Untitled – Ryan’s story (Coming 2018)
Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke
Cursed Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled
Shifted Vengeance (Coming 2018)
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans
Reference Guide
Blood Bond – Vampires can form a bond with a being through blood, in which the vampire can control the other.
Blood bound – Vampires can form a special bond with someone they care deeply for. It renders the being immune to the more dangerous effects of a normal blood bond.
Bond – Various Others can form bonds between two people. Usually between a couple.
Cattle – The humans vampires keep around to feed off.
Compulsion – Vampires and other creatures can influence others by suggestions given in various ways. It’s nearly impossible to resist one without protection.
Coven – A group of vampires who live together.
Deathcaller – Necromancers, powerful mediums, and other casters who have access to the dead. These can control vampires, ghouls, and spirits.
Demon – Creatures born in another realm. From hell, or other dimensions. Some are monstrous, others aren’t. All feed off certain actions or emotions.
Druids - Humans who possess primarily nature magic. They aren’t as common as mages. Tend to stick with other druids. Druids cast mostly earth and air spells, though some can manipulate fire and water. With practice, Druids can shift into animals.
Faerie – Both the physical realm on the other side of the veil and the people who come from that area. There are many different forms of fae.
Fledgling – The vampire one makes.
Enchantment – Spells on clothing or items to protect.
Hybrid – Mixed Others who have abilities from both parents. Hybrids are often treated as abominations. They have strengths that make pure blood Others nervous.
Mages – Humans who possess elemental magic. They can either sling spells like weapons or heal, although it is rare for a mage to be a healer.
Magistrate – Somewhat like the Silver Council’s Sheriff, though their territory is larger than just one city.
Mate – Fae, and some other creatures, sometimes create a supernatural bond with their soul mate. The bond is nearly impossible to break unless one party dies. The bound couple will sometimes know what the other is fee
ling, or sense potential danger to the other partner.
Mystic – Caster that can translocate nearly anywhere. Some can move through time. Often have psychic abilities like clairvoyance and telepathy. Some say they came from another realm.
Necromancer – A caster whose magic revolves around the dead. They are usually mediums and often have other forms of magic.
Others – Any being that isn’t quite human. Werewolves, vampires, shaman, druid, mages, witches, warlocks, and fae are some examples.
Pack – Or werewolf pack is a group of werewolves in an area. The size of the pack determines to size of the region. Werewolves in a pack have a hierarchal structure based on the creature’s innate dominance. Usually there is an Alpha who is the leader, several enforcers who enforce the will of the leader, and the rest of the werewolves. Every pack is run differently.
Possession – When a spirit or demon takes over another person’s body.
Shadowstalkers – Specific breed of vampire. They are one of the most dangerous breeds. They manipulate shadows, are adept at mind control, and generally only feed off Others whose blood can be quite addictive for its magical properties.
Spirits – Otherworldly creature trapped between planes.
Ward – spell that sometimes protects and keeps people from entering.
Warded tattoos – Tattoos usually done by Druids, Shaman or sometimes Mages that have a spell imbued into the pattern. The spell is typically of a protection variety.
Wereanimal – Any type of wereanimal. Werewolves are the most common. Werecats probably second. They are stronger and faster than your average human. There are rare cases of other wereanimals. Each species varies in what it may or may not be able to do. These creatures heal most wounds incredibly fast.
Werewolves – Specific type of wereanimal. A werewolf is created when a werewolf in either its beast form or half-man form, bites and in rare cases scratches a human. They are incredibly strong and faster than a normal human. Powerful werewolves can shift into their wolf form at will. They also have a physical presence larger than human, covered in fur with enormous claws and a bestial head. Their sense of smell and sight are very strong, especially in their beast forms.
Witch – A human who is highly sensitive to magic and can cast a limited amount of magic. Abilities vary from clairvoyance, empath, telekinesis, and various other psychic abilities. Most are adept at potions that combine natural ingredients with magic.
Vampire – There are several varieties of vampire. They live off human or Other blood. For the most part, are highly allergic to sun. They are incredibly fast, and each breed possesses a different set of abilities.
Acknowledgments
Thank you, Mom, for everything you do. I love you more than anything. You’ve always been my hero.
To my kids who are pretty amazing, I love you.
Hubby, you’re the best, and you put up with me when I’m in serious writing mode.
Rebecca Brooke, you’re amazing. I’m sure I’ve mentioned that a time or two.
Emily Lawrence, I love working with you, thank you for all the editing.
Jennifer Stevens, you’re awesome, and thank you.
Rivers’ Shenanigans, thank you for taking this journey with me.
To my betas, thanks for reading slightly rougher versions of all these books.
And to my readers, thank you so much.
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