SHIFT (Mackenzie Grey #1)

by Karina Espinosa

  The grounds were quiet as everyone was resting after the three days we’d just had. I should have been too—I was exhausted—but I had a plan to follow through. The driveway from the entrance of the estate to the mansion was a three mile walk. I entered the mansion and the door slammed shut behind me, making me jump.

  “Smooth, Mackenzie,” I mumbled to myself.

  “Not really. I think you woke the neighbors,” Jackson said from the top of the staircase. Shit.

  “What are you doing up?” I asked, trying to keep my nerves at bay.

  “I’m not strong enough yet to shift, but I should be asking you the same question.”

  “I need a, uh…shower. I reek.”

  “While I don’t disagree there, I don’t believe you either. So why don’t we just skip all the excuses and dancing around the subject and you just tell me the truth—you’re leaving,” he said as he finally came down the stairs and stood just a few feet away from me.

  “How did you know?”

  He chuckled. “Mackenzie, you’re so predictable, I’m surprised no one else figured it out. You’re not cut out for the Pack—”

  “Hey!”

  “And I don’t mean it as an insult.” He leaned against the rail. “I’ll deny it if anyone asks. You’re not meant to be a Luna, you’re meant for greater things. Regrettably, the Lycan world hasn’t caught up with modern times, hopefully someday we will but it’s just not now. You need freedom, so you should seek it.”

  I watched Jackson with wide eyes and a dry mouth. I looked around the foyer waiting for Pack members to just jump out and yell “sike” and then capture me—but nothing.

  “What have you done with Jackson Cadwell?” I said and he laughed.

  “Listen, kid, do you have a plan of action or are you just winging it?”

  “I have a plan.”

  “Good. Then you should start heading out before everyone starts to wake up.”

  “Okay,” I said as I started to turn toward the doors but I stopped. “Jackson?”

  “I’ll look after Amy, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

  I smiled. Things would be okay.

  Little Falls, New York might seem like a small town on a map, but boy was it a hike to the bus station. It was ten in the morning and I had already ditched my phone on my bus transfer in Philadelphia. I opened the manila envelope I received in the mail and took out the rest of its contents. New passport, an LA driver’s license, a burn phone, a key, and a letter—from Lucian.

  My dear Mackenzie Grey,

  I hope this letter finds you well and you’ve accepted my help. Inside you will find the documents needed to travel, including a new identity and your bus tickets. Once you arrive in Los Angeles, they can no longer lay a finger on you, but for this to happen, you will need to get rid of your cell phone so you are not followed. I have arranged everything at your school so you can finish your last semester online. As for your internship, I have some connections in the LAPD if this is something you’d like to pursue. I also spoke with Pete at Pete’s Bar (not a very pleasant fellow, I might add) and submitted your letter of resignation due to personal problems. I will have someone at the bus station waiting for you—you will know who he is when you see him—and he will be your tour guide once you arrive to the great city of Los Angeles. Please remember that you cannot have any communication with anyone from home for a very long time—including your human best friend, family and the Pack. You will now be public enemy number one, do not trust them even when you think you can.

  I wish you the best of luck and we will talk soon. Take care, pet.

  -Lucian

  I read the letter three more times before tucking it away in my bag again. I felt crummy for leaving Amy the way I did, especially when she was excited to come with me but I just couldn’t do that to her. I couldn’t risk her life, not knowing what these vampires were capable of. She was safer with Jackson looking after her.

  Things were going to change—I was going to change. I was getting the chance at a new life—a new me. It was time I took advantage of it. The enemy of my enemy was my friend. That was my mindset at the moment and I needed to adapt fast.

  It was time for a shift.

  CAGED

  (Mackenzie Grey #2)

  April 26th, 2016

  A Word from the Author

  I have received many inquiries in regards to the continuation of Mackenzie Grey, and I wanted to ease any doubts—there will be a sequel titled CAGED. It is slated to release April 26th, 2016. I’ve had way too much fun writing Mackenzie, that there is no way I could leave you all hanging like that. I’m really excited for what’s to come in her world and of course your thoughts on it. With that said, as an indie author, the best thing readers can do to show how much they loved (or hated, that’s cool too) a book, is by dropping a review. I read all reviews, messages, pretty much anything readers say, and whether it is positive or negative, I always take your thoughts into consideration. As an indie author, readers are what gets the word out on Mackenzie Grey, and I appreciate you all for your enthusiasm when it comes to our favorite kick-ass heroine.

  Thank you for reading and I can’t wait until you read CAGED!

  — Karina Espinosa

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, I have to thank my family (and I mean everyone) far and wide, you have all been so supportive of me and my writing career. Especially my mother who pushes me when I feel like giving up—thank you.

  My editor extraordinaire—Daniella Brooks—I wouldn’t trade you for the world! Like I’ve told you many times before, you’re stuck with me so you can’t quit—ever. Ha! Thank you for being not just my editor, but such an amazing friend!

  My amazing PR firm—Red Coat PR—you guys are FANTASTIC! Out of all the decisions I’ve made so far, having you on my side has been the best one yet! A million thank you’s!

  To my awesome cover designer, Laura Hidalgo with BookFabulous Designs—thanks for putting up with my diva antics. Only God knows how fickle I can be and you took it with grace and a dash of tough love.

  And last but not least—thank you to all the great author friends I’ve made in this past year and to all my amazing readers. Your support is mind blowing and I couldn’t have finished SHIFT without you.

  About the Author

  Karina Espinosa is the Urban Fantasy author of the Sins of the Fallen series, the Mackenzie Grey novels, and blogger at HollywoodNewsSource.com. Infatuated with travel, pop culture, and the need to write everything down, she spends much of her days in front of a computer working on her next book, shopping online, and listening to music. With nomadic tendencies, she is currently resting her head in South Florida until the itch to move strikes again. You can usually catch her on Facebook, Instagram, and live-tweeting during episodes of The Walking Dead and Orphan Black. Follow her on social media!

  www.karinaespinosa.com