Red Queen
Page 3
She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the bar.
Lana’s gaze ping-ponged back and forth between them. “I hear you two got it on—in my alley.” She snickered. “You drew some attention on the street.”
Sorcha grinned. “They can watch, but no one touches my man. Joey’s all mine.”
Lana snorted, and grabbed a round of Guinness and a shot of tequila for Roxy. “At least you got rid of the diva rockstar first. Was that who I thought it was?”
“Yup. That’s all I’m going to say about it.” He threw down some money and grabbed the drinks before moving back to the table where Trevor scowled in his direction.
Roxy sat, leaning against his side with an amused look at Joey. “Hey, Gramps. You realize Desire is Hungarian? And an ancestor of the Blood Countess?”
“Aye, I recently made that connection,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. He sat on the stool and Sorcha climbed up beside him.
Fiona shook her head. “Last time we saw her, she wasn’t what she is now. She’s turned to blood magic.”
Sorcha lifted her hand and extended one finger. “Okay, so she’s related to a serial killer,” she lifted a second, “and has blood magic. But what does that really mean?”
“She’s sort of like a vampire, only she bathes in blood instead of drinking it. It fuels her youth and power. The more blood she absorbs through her skin, the stronger she becomes.”
“And?”
“One of her fans was found dead shortly after her bus pulled out of Seattle Center.” Roxy shuddered. “Apparently right where the bus was sitting. The body was drained of blood.”
“And you know this how?” Joey asked.
Roxy smiled. “Old friend on the police force. He’s not quite human.” She frowned. “Trevor says he’s part of the same council Tremaine and Liz were on.”
“Silver Council? And you want them knowing about us?” he asked gruffly.
“He’s known all along about us.” Trevor sighed. “He’s known Roxy for years. Knew about Jordan. Turns out he knows most of the paranormal goings on in Seattle.”
Fiona smiled. “Kevin’s not a problem. In fact, he thanked Roxy for the heads up. It was how he found the body in the first place. Apparently there’s some big commotion at Seattle Center and he can’t leave yet.”
Trevor nodded. “Some fan found the body. It wasn’t exactly hidden. The FBI, and other Silver Council enforcers, are heading out.”
“He suggested we stay here?” Joey asked with a frown.
Roxy nodded. “Until they can figure out where she went. She’s wanted for draining her fans around the world. Nearly every show, the council finds one or more victims.”
“Gets creepier,” Trevor added with a sour look. “Evidence of sexual activity is present in nearly every case, though it appears consensual. The popular theory is that a serial killer is following her.”
Sorcha lifted a hand with her index finger extended. “Not following. The damned bitch is the serial killer. Did you see her arm? Her body aged 80 years in seconds. She’s doing something creepy to keep her youthful appearance.”
“Eerie as hell.” Roxy shuddered. “Anyhow, Kevin wants us to stay here. He’s hoping he can find her and take her into the council’s custody. The police wouldn’t be able to handle her. She’d simply hypnotize and kill, or convince them to let her go.”
Joey shook his head. “Probably kill them. She’s not stable. Never has been. Better to kill her first and end it.”
“Agreed. If she looks at Roxy like she’d eat her alive again, I’m going to kill her myself.”
Grinning, Roxy turned to Trevor and planted a kiss on his lips. “You’re so sweet, but I can handle the bitch.”
Trevor’s grin was vicious. “So can I, and I don’t mind admitting the thought of her hands on you makes me see red.”
“I have everything I want right here. I don’t need a woman.” Her nose crinkled. “And definitely not some psycho-diva who wants a blood-cocktail with her jollies.”
Chapter 6
“Feeling better?” Hanz asked Desire as she came out of her dressing room. He’d already cleaned up the mess.
“Much, love. Much. It’s time to take my man.”
He shook his head slowly. “Come now, Desire, is that really wise? You can’t tame his beast. You learned that years ago.”
“He’s mine. I will have him.”
“You don’t understand. You kill his mate and he will tear you apart before you get what you want. He’ll break the fragile hold you have on his mind, and slaughter you, if the woman doesn’t kill you first.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I had him in my thrall eight years ago.”
“But magic surrounds him now. Magic you can’t fight. Your karma will come due eventually. I can’t protect you if pursue the wolf.”
She hissed. “Don’t need protection to take what’s mine. Nothing and no one will keep me from my destiny.”
“He’s no mere mortal. The beast is not worth what you risk.”
“He is worth everything.”
“Then good luck, but if the Silver Council shows, which I expect they will, I won’t be here to bail you out of trouble this time.”
“Very well. I’ve been on my own in the past. I can find my way again.”
His brow arched. “Your arrogance is astonishing. That’s never been true. You’ve never been truly alone. I’ve always been there.” With that, he disappeared into thin air.
Desire stood there staring at the empty space. “You’d leave me now? After all we’ve been through?”
No answer came. The shock was almost enough for her to change her plans. Almost. Not quite.
* * * *
Sorcha slung back another shot of Jamison. “Oh, love, I want to dance. Can we?”
Joey nodded. “You know it.” He took her hand and pulled her into the crowd, making his way to his oldest friend where he knocked their shoulders together.
Trevor’s brow arched. “Enjoying dancing with your firecracker?”
“Aye, but I’d rather be home pumping her.”
Trevor bit his lip as his gaze skated to Roxy. He grinned before taking a slow kiss from his mate. His hands wrapped around her waist and in a heartbeat, they were lost.
Sorcha giggled. “So cute. Now give me some of your loving.”
“With pleasure.” He dipped his head to graze his lips down the column of her throat.
“Can’t wait until we can get out of here,” she groaned before sucking his lobe into her mouth.
She felt eyes on her and looked around, but didn’t see the mind-raping bitch.
“She’s around,” Joey whispered.
“Watching. Giving me the creeps.” Sorcha leaned over and tugged on Roxy’s shirt.
She scowled. “What?” It came out breathless.
Sorcha smirked. “Text your contact. Let him know Desire is in the building. I can smell her.”
Roxy pulled out her phone and sent the message before Trevor dragged her back to the table.
Sorcha and Joey followed. Pouting, she told her mate, “Sorry, I was hoping tonight would be more fun.”
“The show was fun. The alley was great. Desire is cramping our style though.”
“Should have let you take me to the cabin.”
Roxy looked at her phone and shrugged. “He says someone will be watching your place and to head home. Want us to come up with you?”
“Nah. If she shows, I’m not letting her walk away,” Sorcha vowed. “Bitch tried to enthrall me.”
“Yeah, she tried that with me too, and she couldn’t,” Roxy pointed out.
“Aye, but she can’t enthrall me,” Joey reminded the ladies. “Fiona said the medallion would protect me.”
“Call if you need us,” Trevor told Joey with a serious look. “Even if it’s just to get rid of the body.”
Joey grinned viciously. “You know it. Now take us home.”
Chapter 7
Desire
had the hood of her leather trench coat pulled low over her face. She hid in the corner of Shenanigans, whispering a spell aimed at ensuring everyone ignored her presence. So far it was working.
Joey kissed the little tramp and it took every ounce of Desire’s will to stay put. Her blood boiled with rage. The man who claimed he would never be tied down, had been.
A moment later, they went to the table with one of Joey’s bandmates and the woman whose blood called to her like a junkie’s next big fix. They were only there a couple minutes before leaving through the front door as a group.
Curious, and impatient, she followed behind. All four climbed into a Land Cruiser. She walked up to the man who pulled an Audi Spider in as they vacated the spot.
Stepping into his path, she caressed his cheek with a smile. Effortless, he fell under her spell, and she held out her hand. “Keys.”
He handed them over.
“Go inside and stay put.”
Without a word, he moved to obey and she hopped in her newly acquired car to follow the Land Cruiser. They drove up a few blocks and pulled into a parking lot behind an apartment building.
Desire parked two blocks away. She climbed out and stealthily hurried back to the lot.
The vehicle went into reverse so she slipped into the shadows, hurrying. Then the passenger door burst open, and the brunette jumped out, running to her with a scowl.
Focused on the powerful Other incoming, she didn’t see Sorcha approach from the other side until she skidded across the pavement.
Gaining her bearings, Desire reached up, catching Sorcha’s face and rolled her over as she delved into her blue eyes. The pitiful woman immediately fell under the trance and went limp.
The brunette caught a handful of Desire’s hair, and yanked her to her feet before plowing a fist into her gut. A jolt of electricity rushed through her, cutting off her breath.
Then she was torn from the woman with the glowing white eyes, and pinned against the cinderblock wall by Joey’s massive hand. His expression twisted in rage a second before the already tall man shot up over a foot, his body expanding, and fur rippling down his skin as the clothes he’d worn shredded under the change.
“You never learn,” he roared at her. Joey stared into her soul with a ferocity that terrified her.
She started a spell, but he slammed her jaw shut. His razor sharp claws anchored into her face.
“No more!” His free hand tore into her chest, crunching her ribs and wrapped around her heart. He yanked and pulled her still beating heart out of her chest before crushing the organ before her eyes.
Light faded as distant sirens filled the night. She fell headlong into darkness.
* * * *
Joey dropped Desire and turned to find Roxy kneeling beside Sorcha. His heart slammed against his ribs as he fell to his knees, pulling Sorcha into his arms as he shifted back to human.
Kevin climbed out of the cruiser. He crossed the distance and Joey’s hair rose on end, courtesy of the mage’s shield.
“What happened?” Kevin asked.
He shook his head and tried to restrain the growl. “Fucking bitch did something to Sorcha.”
Kevin touched Sorcha’s temple and whispered a spell he didn’t recognize. Sorcha gasped, trying to sit up.
Joey held her still. “You okay?” he whispered.
She nodded. “Aye. It all went dark. You get her?” Then a smirk twisted her lips as she took in his appearance. “Never mind, love. You’re covered in her blood.”
“Oh, she’s gone all right.” Kevin chuckled, shaking his head. “Now I have a mess to clean up. First, I need to know what happened.”
“We in trouble?” Joey asked.
Kevin shook his head. “Nope. She had plans for you. We found the evidence on her bus. However, I need to put in an official report. Presuming this easily falls under self-defense.”
“Told you Kevin was a good guy,” Roxy piped up.
Joey nodded. “Mind if I get cleaned up first?”
“Tell me your apartment number, and I’ll come up if Roxy and Trevor don’t mind giving me a hand with the remains.”
“You’ve got it,” Roxy answered.
“We’ll be there, apartment 302,” Sorcha told him, before wriggling out of Joey’s hold. He grabbed her hand and followed her up to their place. As soon as their door was shut, Joey went to the bathroom to wash the blood off.
Sorcha hopped up on the counter beside him. “You okay, Babes?”
A smile pulled at his lips as he leaned over to take a heated kiss. “She would have killed you. Roxy stopped her. Then I tore out her heart.”
“Seems you did that decades ago.” She let out a huff. “At least I’ve captured yours.”
“So glad you did. I can’t imagine life without you.”
“Don’t bother. I’m never leaving you.”
“Wouldn’t let you get away if you tried.”
Chapter 8
The bed dipped and Joey cracked open an eye to find Sorcha grinning. She dropped the newspaper on the bed. “Kevin mentioned he’d cover for us. Still didn’t plan to see this.”
Yawning, he picked up the entertainment section.
Is Red Queen’s Blood Bath over with Her Death?
After eight years of murders following Red Queen’s tours, will the killings end? Desire was found in the same state as each of the victims. Her manager, Jaxon Pax, was also found murdered, as well as another unfortunate fan. Hans Redcourt has disappeared, making him the primary suspect…
“What a relief.” Joey sat up beside his fiery woman. “I suppose that means you want to go roam Bumbershoot today?”
“Aye, you know it. Then you can take me to the cabin.”
“Now that sounds like an excellent plan, Babes.”
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
Box 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
Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Falling Into Place
Fated Love
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Entangled Darkness
Deadly Design (Coming 10-24-16)
Untitled: Declan’s story (Coming Summer 2017)
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath
Twisted Bonds (Coming Spring 2017)
Nights Embrace Spin Off
Summer Rhythm
Stand Alone Contemporary Romance
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth
Backburn (Coming 1-6-17)
Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke
Curse
d Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled (coming 2017)
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans
Preview: Summer Rhythm
A Nights Embrace Spin-off
Rhythms tend to repeat…
One girl has always captivated Doug Walsh. Every time he thinks she’ll let him in, she proves him wrong. Years later, he spots her in the crowd. He’ll do everything in his power to keep his fool heart intact.
After dismissing her parent’s expectations, Chloe has taken her life by the reins. When she sees the boy who captured her heart, but her mother forbade, she’s drawn back in. This time, she wants to make up for her past mistakes.
Can she change their summer rhythm? Or has she trampled his heart too many times?
Want to read more?
Preview: Seductive Solutions
Sometimes the only solution is the seductive one…
As a nymph, Scotty needs some level of intimacy to survive. Watching two of his closest friends thrive in a true bond made him realize he would never be free of his mate’s hold. He has sworn off women, letting himself fade away.
Toryn would do anything to save Scotty. The solution involves Isadora and he doesn’t know how to ask. Even if they do restore his health, it’s only a temporary solution.
Isadora knows something is wrong with Scotty. With some digging she finds a solution, one she won’t attempt alone.