20 Shades of Shifters: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Demelza Carlton

He actually heard her gritting her teeth. “I’m not saying you don’t, but you’re a lone half-breed. One smell of you and vampires from all over will come looking for you.”

  “They haven’t before.”

  “You ever stop here?”

  “Yeah, fuel station about an hour from here, before you hit the loop to circumvent the main city. I never get fucked with.”

  He sighed. He couldn’t understand why the words were coming out of his mouth at this point, only that he’d meant them. And it hurt him when she denied him something he felt his heart actually wanted.

  Or was that her half-Fae blood in him doing the talking?

  Guess he’d find out.

  The signal to his sister had grown stronger once they had crossed over to his homeland. He noticed it once they landed the truck and stopped. It almost banged at him, as though she were walking into the sun on the Earth Realm, and it definitely had him thinking irrational thoughts about what happened after death.

  He shook off the morbid thoughts. “Look, just let me get us to my sister. We can figure the rest of this out after.”

  “Fine.”

  They carried along, the continuous hum of the engine the only sound.

  He had to admit his bike was damn nice. He’d spent a fortune on it, spent a great deal of time robbing only the highest income families when it was time to upgrade, either parts or replacement motorcycle. They all had. That’s how the MC—shit, the MC.

  What the fuck was he going to do about that mess?

  The brothers, some of them could fight well. The older ones were stronger but moved slower. Vampires didn’t gain strength with age, they gained power.

  The problem was, he’d have to settle with his sister in another realm if he ripped the MC off, which was not his fault.

  They would have to have taken off with an eight-hour trailing time and while they could cover more ground faster on their bikes, plus the stops he and Tempest had made, once they got to the real Harshlands, what would they have done?

  Surely, they wouldn’t have followed him through it.

  He shook his head and rested it in the palm of his hand against the window, remembering now how barren the land was, so close to Faery. When they had chased one of the Faery Queen’s guard through the portal, they paid little attention as a group, but he had made a mental note.

  One did not survive as long as he had by merely hiding in the dark.

  He really longed to hold Tempest’s hand. Truly, hadn’t they shared a moment?

  He didn’t want to argue. He’d never had a wife, or been in a long-term relationship, even when alive. Relationships were bad for low class thieves who stole high class property and disappeared into the night to deliver the goods to a duplicitous buyer.

  The next hour passed without incident and Jonas saw the flashing lights in the distance. Vampire society had evolved to mimic Earth Realm behavior but with far fewer lights, due to their natural ability to see at night. “You’re going to want to take the first turn onto the turnpike, then catch the off ramp. It’ll take you straight into the village area just outside the main city.”

  She didn’t so much as blink but once they approached the turnpike, she did as he asked.

  Another five miles later, she’d pulled onto an off ramp.

  “Fuck.”

  Jonas lifted his head. “She speaks.”

  “I’m still mad.”

  “Fine. What are we fucking about?”

  “Where am I going to park this thing and how far are we going on the bike?”

  He pointed just over the dash near a clearing in the forest. “You’ve probably passed this several hundred times through here. It’s clouded in a mist we still cannot figure out where it came from or why we seem to miss objects in it, but there should be enough room for you to park the truck, us to unload a bike and get us to the doctor and my sister.”

  “Wait, doctor?”

  “There is a live-in nurse waiting on the blood.”

  “Oh.”

  He sighed, blinked and returned to his resting position, his hand getting sore. Fuck it. “Look, I’m sorry. I really didn’t…”

  “Didn’t what, Jonas?”

  He was really growing tired of her snapping at him for every little fucking thing. “Do you always go on the defensive? Or do you ever just shut the fuck up and listen?”

  “Ah?” She blinked, glaring daggers at him.

  He’d crossed a line, but shit. “How long have you gone without attacking first, only to find out you were in the wrong? Or worse, actually fucking realizing that someone wasn’t trying to rip you off?”

  She opened her mouth, flexed her fingers on the steering wheel, then closed her mouth.

  “I thought so. Look, I don’t know who wronged you so badly to distrust every living creature that came into your path, but haven’t I proven worthy of a little less scrutiny?”

  “You tried to rob me.”

  “Tried. Past tense. Failed. You’re still holding onto that grudge?”

  Tempest pursed her lips together, breathed in through her nose and let out a slow exhale. “I’ve never had anything close to whatever this,” she waved a hand between them, “even is. The fucking bartender hits on me all the time, but he’s not my type.”

  Jonas bit back the urge to ask if it was because he wouldn’t roll over for her. “You can read my mind.”

  Nodding, Tempest flexed her fingers on the steering wheel again.

  “Then you know I had no desire to conduct a heist that would endanger you.”

  She glanced at him and her shoulders slumped.

  “You know it’s true,” he pressed. “I’d rather not be in this position. Either way, it seems someone is going to lose. But what choice do I have?”

  “You could have not attempted to heist the truck.”

  “You’re not hearing me, Tempest.” He glared at her, then his posture softened and he frowned. Shook his head.

  Her eyes narrowed. “What?”

  “This isn’t a club decision. This never was.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Jonas leaned forward and touched her thigh. “I fucked up. Okay? I’m the one who turned my sister into a vampire to attempt to cure her cancer as a human. If I would have just let the disease take its toll, she’d be dead, but not rotting from the inside out from some disease no one but the doctor who diagnosed her understands.”

  “Shit. You didn’t tell me that.”

  “You didn’t read my mind about that, either.”

  “It’s not an all or nothing thing right now.” Her posture eased. “Besides, you have some sort of block that prevented me from getting that information, so I wasn’t exactly privy to it. Okay?”

  “So now you know my dirty secret.”

  “You’re taking this all on you, aren’t you?”

  He nodded.”

  “Heavy.”

  “Yeah.”

  A moment later, she interrupted the uncomfortable silence. “Up ahead, is that it?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. Ease the truck in. Give us just enough space to retrieve a bike. I have faith that you can back this baby up and onto the road.”

  She actually smiled and it warmed his heart. “Are you kidding? I can fucking three point turn this thing in any circumstance.”

  “Good.” He grinned.

  Another two minutes later, they had come to a full stop. He rounded the front of the truck to her surprise and beat her to the door. When she opened it, and started to get out, he held up a hand. “You still carrying?”

  She nodded.

  “Good. Give me something too.”

  She pulled the gun out of her pocket and handed it to him. “I’ll go get something.”

  Nodding, Jonas checked the gun. Fully loaded .45, automatic. It might help if they needed it, but hopefully they could get this done without killing anyone. The closer they got to his sister, the more his stomach burned with unease.

  He ignored the sense of impending doom
running through him. He had to. His sister deserved to live out her life on her terms, not die early because of his mistake.

  She came out, shut the door and locked it.

  “You good?”

  She angled a hip toward him, revealing the holster at her side. “We’re good. Here.”

  She handed him a clip.

  He slid the spare in his cut, along with the gun.

  Ten minutes later, the truck locked up, Jonas had inspected the bike and adjusted the seat for comfort. When he mounted the touring motorcycle, an intense sense of freedom flowed through him, unlike when he sat in the confines of her cage. Tempest climbed up behind him, her hands around his waist while she leaned in against him.

  He smelled her through the humid air, and breathed in her scent before starting the bike.

  “Wait, I thought you said you couldn’t see in this mist. How are we going to get through if you can’t see?”

  “I said things seem to become invisible in this mist. I can see but it’s rather foggy until we get back onto the main highway and head down to the village area.”

  “Ah. Well then, tally ho.”

  He chuckled. “You sound like Davin or Rasputin.”

  “Who?”

  “You already know.”

  “Club business.”

  “Yup.” Jonas started the bike up, loving the huge purr of the engine between his legs. The throb of power coursed through him when he engaged the throttle and kicked the bike into gear, setting them back onto the turnpike’s entrance ramp.

  This felt right for some reason. Her thighs wrapped around him, wind blowing against his face, the only thing he wished he had was a helmet to hold his hair back; but as long as he didn’t do anything reckless, that wouldn’t be a problem.

  Ten minutes later, they’d sped off the highway and onto a tiny dirt road. The closer they got to his sister, he wished they were going for a long ride, not coming back to deal with his mistake.

  Less than an hour from where they left the semi, he roared up to a cabin in the middle of the wood. The night sky blanketed them, no moon hung above. While his new home, he had grown fond of the moon in Faery and in Earth, and found he missed it.

  After killing the engine, he let Tempest dismount first, catching her before she fell down. “Legs a little shaky?”

  “Yeah. Thanks.”

  A scent wafted on the breeze. Motor oil.

  Not this bike. He looked down at it. “I assume these are brand new?”

  “Factory fresh from what I was told.”

  “Okay.”

  “Why?”

  “No idea.” She couldn’t read his mind because he had no idea why he smelled more than one bike nearby.

  The cabin before them was simple, all brick and wood, your standard nine hundred square foot space.

  They started for the front door, boots crunching on twigs and dirt.

  Tempest clutched his hand and for the comfort, he was grateful.

  “You never even told me your sister’s name.”

  “Nadine.”

  “That’s a lovely name.”

  “Thank you. I hope we’re in time.”

  Tempest gave his hand another squeeze.

  Jonas smiled but the creaking of the front door startled him. He stopped just short, pushing Tempest back until he saw a familiar face.

  “Son, where ya been?”

  “Cristin? What the hell are you doing here?”

  Cristin shrugged. “All of us are here. We took the back roads.”

  “That’s good but why are you here specifically? This is my sister’s house.”

  Davin came up behind Cristin. The Prez then pushed past him, and clapped Jonas on the shoulder, a dark look in his eye.

  Something wasn’t right.

  “Good to see you. I see you have company.” Davin extended his hand.

  “You.” Tempest glared at Davin.

  This time, Jonas squeezed her hand.

  She gave him a sideways glance he understood immediately.

  “And if you’d please come inside? Nadine is in need of her brother.”

  Jonas nodded and the pair started forward.

  Davin pressed a hand against Jonas’ chest, holding him back. He blinked.

  Jonas cocked a brow and pushed forward anyway. “I need to see my sister.”

  “I know, brother. But check yourself. We need your head right.” Davin glanced over his shoulder, then back at Jonas. “She needs your head right.”

  Jonas inhaled, counted to five, let out a slow breath.

  Davin removed his hand and stepped aside.

  Once they entered, Jonas scanned the front living area. Just as he’d remembered, the simple layout of the cabin contained just a few pieces of furniture. Couch, few simple chairs, wooden coffee table, standard wood paneling. The usual layout for a two-bedroom, two bath cabin in these parts. His sister lay stretched out on an upholstered brown sofa, eyes closed, hands crossed over her stomach. Her dark hair stretched out over pale shoulders and down to her hips. She at least had been dressed, thanks to Aelfwine. Loose fitting sweats and a top with short sleeves left her feet and arms bare.

  She looked thinner than normal. Jonas looked at Pliny. “Has she been fed?”

  Pliny shoved his hands into the pockets of his cut. “Yup. Hours ago. Her nurse, Aelfwine, had offered up enough to keep her awake.”

  Jonas knelt down before his sister, feeling the signal of her existence weakening at an incredibly quick pace. Glancing over his shoulder, he looked up at Pliny. “Where is Aelfwine now?”

  “Procuring the necessary supplies to mix the potion.”

  Gritting his teeth, Jonas rubbed Nadine’s forehead, feeling unease at the damn near icy feeling of her skin. “She’s dying. How did you get here? And why did you come here?”

  Rasputin came in from the kitchen and leaned against the post, crossing his arms over one another. “That would be my doing. After Cristin came back, and Pliny went to meet you, Cristin told us of your need. We rushed here as soon as possible.”

  Nodding, Jonas looked at Tempest. Surrounded by five outlaw biker vampires, one ailing vampire, and himself, she must feel uncomfortable.

  “I’m fine. How did you get through the portal? You didn’t get my bikes. And I know you weren’t stupid enough to ride through the Harshlands.”

  “Tis true, we made our way toward them but were headed off by escorts who warned of the trouble going through such a climate. They were kind enough to re-route us and help us with our portal crossing problem.”

  Jonas eyed Davin. True, their president wouldn’t give full details to a non-member, but something felt off about his story but what? “So you took the long route. Did these magical escorts have powers to get you through the portal?”

  “Aye. At a cost.”

  Figures. Jonas let it slide for now, Davin would fill him in when Tempest wasn’t around. “Good to have you here, brothers. Where are the others?”

  “After the raid, we left and were followed back by several of the Sluagh. They fought us and we killed most of them. But one survived, found our clubhouse and launched an attack, bringing plenty of backup to the fight. We fought hard and chased them off, but I suspect that we haven’t heard the last of them.”

  It dawned on Jonas that his club, of which only Cristin knew about Nadine, had shown up. Eying each member, then Tempest, Jonas felt his ire rising. Yes, he was glad they arrived for this, but if they could have made this deal to get back home all along?

  Why the fuck hadn’t they? “Who were our magical escorts that brought you guys here? And who told you to be here?”

  Davin shrugged. “Secrets in matters such as these are dangerous to hold on to. As to our short-term alliance, another crew helped us out.”

  Again, Jonas clenched his jaw. The only other vampire who knew about Nadine was standing to his side. Jonas stood and slugged Cristin on the side of his shoulder. “You told them.” He narrowed his eyes. “You told them a private secret.
”

  “That I did.” Cristin frowned. “I had to, brother. You would have compromised the whole thing if I hadn’t. Or worse, you’d have gotten yourself killed.”

  “Wait, what whole thing?”

  All the vampires turned to face Tempest. Her eyes darkened, brows furrowed. She set a hand on her hip. “Don’t worry, Jonas. I’m not stupid enough to start shooting in here.”

  “Odds aren’t in your favor, little girl.” Cristin took a seat just a few feet from them at the tiny dining room table.

  “Oh, great. You,” she pointed a finger at Cristin, “are just like this asshole.” She jerked her thumb in Jonas’s direction.

  “’Fraid that’s pretty much all of us.” Pliny took a seat on the chair beside the couch and stretched out.

  She glared at Jonas.

  He shrugged.

  The front door opened and a short, pale-skinned brunette walked in, carrying a black bag.

  “Aelfwine. You’re back.”

  “Yes, and not a moment too soon.” She swallowed, hard.

  “No. I brought her, the half Fae. She’s willing to donate to save my sister. Right?” Jonas stared eagerly at Tempest, hoping that if nothing else, she had enough compassion to do the right thing.

  Tempest’s gaze darted from Aelfwine back to Jonas, and sighed. “Let’s do it. What do you need and how much?”

  Aelfwine set the bag down on the edge of the couch. “Pliny, go fetch the pot of water I left to boil, it should be ready. Cristin, I need washcloths.” She opened the old-school medical bag and pulled out two syringes, one of which was full of liquid. She set them both down on the wood coffee table beside the couch, then pulled out a third syringe. “I think I can do it with just one pint.”

  “Do it.” Tempest took a seat in the rocking chair beside her, extended an arm, her palm open. She glanced at Jonas.

  Her look of compassion made his heart swell. To think she’d actually care about someone else upon first meeting them was unfathomable, but to actually hear out his plight and acknowledge his request only made his feelings for her deepen.

  She offered a weak smile.

  He rarely saw her smile.

  “Thank you, Tempest.”

  “For you, I will do this.”

  Aelfwine pulled something else out of the bag, a piece of metal. “Hold this. Grip it tight.”