by C. A. Salo
Table of Contents
Title Page
OTHER KIN BOOK 4: THE GUARDIAN’S BOND
by
C.A. Salo
TORRID BOOKS
www.torridbooks.com
Published by
TORRID BOOKS
www.torridbooks.com
An Imprint of Whiskey Creek Press LLC
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052
Casper, WY 82605-1052
Copyright Ó 2014 by C.A. Salo
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN 978-1-61160-746-8
Credits
Cover Artist: Gemini Judson
Editor: Sara Kent
Printed in the United States of America
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
A SLAVE’S WAY OUT
“C.A. Salo has outdone herself and I trust this is only the beginning of a bookshelf overflowing with sexy sci-fi treats. I hope there will be a story showcasing Trea and Daniel since their characters made such a lasting impression and added to what was already an outstanding read which I definitely recommend to the masses.”
~ Indy
Joyfully Reviewed
“I’ve read a lot of books over the years, but A Slave’s Way Out is one of the hottest I’ve read in a long time. It isn’t just the chemistry between Catrin and Niko, which explodes off the pages, or the dynamics of the secondary characters. It’s that C A Salo shows a woman can be not only outstanding in her job that she fights for but also that she can be dominated by her lover and not look weak. When the reader first starts reading this book they are sucked into a different time and space right off the bat and aren’t let go of until the last word is read. They realize the voyage is over. I hope C A Salo writes more about these characters as the world she’s created is one you’ll want to visit over and over again to see how each one is doing. This is definitely going on my keeper shelf and I am looking for more of her stories.”
~ Donna
FAR
THE DEVIL HIMSELF
“I really enjoyed the author’s unique approach to a classic love story. This wasn’t an ordinary boy-meets-girl story as it featured a creature that some might find hard to love, yet the author was able to humanize the beast in the story and make me, the reader, fall for him as well despite what some might consider imperfections. I found the author’s use of an imperfect hero, at least when it comes to looks, refreshing and interesting.
“This was a very touching love story that I would definitely recommend to those looking for something a bit different.”
~ Lilac
Whipped Cream Review
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
A WARRIOR’S LONGING
“A Warriors Longing is definitely steamy. The chemistry between Lord Gage and Meiken is strong enough to raise anyone’s blood pressure. C.A. Salo did an excellent job blending the sci-fi, romance and erotica genres. Not everyone can do it so seamlessly.”
~ Victoria Cross
Night Owl Reviews
THE MERCENARIES OF MERIS
MEGABOOK
I love Sci-Fi and these three books are some of the best I have read. There is a storyline that makes sense and the things the women are able to do are really cool. To get the most out of the trio reading them in order is best. Recommend. This reviewer's rating: 5 - Outstanding
~ Reviewed by: LynnieP
MER – Bookstrand.com
THE WEREWOLF’S MATE
Other Kin Book 1
The Werewolf's Mate has everything it takes for a fun and sexy read. It has hunky Lyken, sexy vampires, and bad-ass fairies all living together in peace until an ancient evil threatens not only their town but their very souls. Now, an outcast has returned to save them all - and to claim the man she still loves.
…I'm a big fan of the paranormal genre and of shifter stories in general. That being said, it was the heroine that stole the thunder in this short story. Kala was one kick-ass Fairy. She protected what was hers. That meant she was willing to go to the mat to defend her mate, her daughter and her town. I also liked the fact that instead of being a vindictive bitch, Kala came back to save the same people who had treated her so badly.
I must say that I was very impressed with the author's writing. The plot was very interesting. The storyline was consistent.
~ Rating: 4 stars
~ Reviewed by Tulip
Long & Short Reviews
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to book 2 in the series! This reviewer's rating: 4 - Good
~ Reviewed by: Roch
MER – Bookstrand.com
Ms. Salo gave her readers a well-written story filled with believable chemistry. The characters were well developed and the chemistry felt real. I found the town to be totally believable and I am looking forward to meeting more of the residents of Alston.
~ Tangie
Two Lips Reviews
Other Books by Author Available at Torrid Books:
www.torridbooks.com
A Slave’s Way Out
The Devil Himself
A Lady’s Challenge
A Warrior’s Longing
The Mercenaries of Neris Series
Other Kin Series
Book One - The Werewolf’s Mate
Book Two - The Dragon’s Vamp
Book Three – The Lost Lyken
Dedication
I still cherish rummaging through your jewelry box, trying on all your jewelry, old and new. Thank you, Aunt Jan, you made a little girl’s heart soar with happiness!
Chapter 1
Livi held on to the Kraken as it sped under the water toward Alston. While training in Greenland with Triton, Prince of the Seas, they’d discovered a plot underway to kidnap the Dragon in the Americas. Livi’s eyes narrowed, remembering how the drunken Dragon Hunter had bragged about killing and skinning the female shifter and killing the kit it was impregnated by a Vampire with. She’d wanted to kill the bastard on the spot, but Triton held her back, and made her wait until the Dragon Hunter had left the bar. They followed him until they had a chance to snag him and take him to a secluded area for some information gathering. Livi frowned. If anything happened to her Aunt Mari or the baby these stupid idiots wouldn’t only be dealing with her Uncle Rhys, but she’d make them sorry they ever existed.
“Livi, we’re almost there, I can only go about two-hundred more yards until it becomes unsafe for me,” Farimae said through mind-speech.
“It’s alright, Farimae, thank you for all your help. I appreciate you getting me here so quickly.”
“Anytime you need me just call for me my friend, and please, be safe.”
“Thank you, Farimae, you as well,” Livi said, as one of Farimae’s enormous tentacles wrapped around her, flinging her quickly through the water. Coming up and out, she started running at an exceptional speed on top of the water and then hit land. She tilted her head as the security forces were calling for teams to engage something coming up too fas
t from the sea. She didn’t have time to stop and talk to them—they’d just have to chase after her. Shifting her eyes, she knew they were scrambling, calling for teams from all over Alston to head her way as she headed toward the other end of Alston and mind-synced with her Aunt. “Auntie, where are you?”
“Livi, what the—I thought you were with Triton?”
“I was, now where are you?”
“Just passed Alston’s sign driving in from the west, why?”
“Auntie, you need to get further into Alston, fast. You’re in danger. Dragon Hunters are…” Livi’s eyes narrowed, lips thinning as her Aunt Mari screamed, yelling for Rhys. “I’m coming, just hold him off!” Livi said. Drawing in the land’s energies she picked up speed, connecting mentally with her father.
“Dad, it’s me coming in from the sea, you need to get to Aunt Mari at the western gate now!”
“We’re on it,” Drake Roven replied.
Livi sensed her Uncle Rhys heading toward them along with several members of the Elder Council. Zipping around a tree, Livi smiled when she encountered a team of Roven Clan Lyken warriors heading for her aunt. She lowered her hand, smacking the ass of the leader before whipping by them. The sound of energy balls discharging made her smile disappear. Why wasn’t her aunt shifting to her Dragon self? Coming out of the wood line, her upper lip curled. Mari was on the ground underneath the Dragon Hunter’s sword. The ground beneath her feet started to shake as Grandfather Dragon started to wake, knocking the Dragon Hunter back several feet. “I’m here, Grandfather Dragon,” Livi whispered, drawing in more energy from the land beneath her. Power surged through her body, her vision tinted red as she came in fast.
Livi’s hand balled into a fist, knocking the hunter down with one hit. “You dare attack my aunt?” she yelled as she skidded to a stop. “You have made the biggest mistake of your life!” Livi’s eyes narrowed with a growl as the Hunter lifted his sword to her, tossing a charm to capture Dragons in her direction. Livi smirked, snatching it mid-air and shoving it into her pocket. His eyes widened as she unsheathed the sword on her back. “Let’s play.”
Livi ran at him. One upward swing of her sword had his flying through the air. Stepping in, Livi kicked him hard with her booted foot, sending him skidding along the ground, his body bouncing off a tree with a painful ‘oomph’ escaping his lips. “Who the hell do you think you are to come here and attack my aunt?”
“Who the hell are you?” he yelled.
“Your worst fucking nightmare, Hunter!” Swinging low she nailed him under the chin with her fist, sending him up, breaking through tree branches. His body reached its peak and plummeted back down toward Earth. Landing on her feet in front of the Dragon Hunter’s unconscious body, she kicked him over, sword risen and ready to strike, when she heard her father’s voice and looked up to see Alston’s security forces.
“Livi, do not kill him,” Lyken Alpha Drake Roven said as he stepped forward.
Her chest lifted with a deep breath, releasing it slowly through her nose. Livi let the anger within her go, the rush of the land’s energies dissipating from her body. Turning when her Uncle Rhys swore, Livi went over, looking at the Dragon’s tooth wrapped with a hair of a Dragon around her aunt’s neck. “I was wondering how he subdued you so easily, thought you lost your mojo there for a moment.”
“Right,” Mari groaned. “Funny kid. Real funny. Now get this damn thing off me.”
Livi smiled as she lifted the tooth, grimacing as the sting of electrical currents swamped her body. “Christ, he was a tough fucker,” she groaned, the heaviness of the charm fighting her efforts to remove it from her aunt’s neck. Growling, she let all the land’s energies go and called upon her inner wolf, shifting partially, her sight going Lyken. She quickly ripped the charm up and off. She dropped it quickly as her hand burst into flames. One of the elves said ‘she had it’, as a cold mist encompassed her hand and arm, putting the flames out. “Thanks, Rhin.”
“No problem kiddo, glad to have you back.”
“Do you think you could have left him awake to interrogate?” Drake asked as he knelt down by the man.
“Sorry, Dad. He pissed me off,” Livi said, shrugging her shoulders. “I need to call for a meeting with the Elder Council,” she said as she met her grandfather’s gaze. “Okay, Pappy?”
“I’ll set it up.”
Livi laid her head against his shoulder when he gave her a big hug. “Missed you, Pappy,” she whispered.
“Missed you too, sprite.”
“You could have let us know you were coming,” Tom said.
Livi smirked. “No time.”
“There’s always time, like when you came on shore. But did you? No, you had security forces rushing toward you to stop the unknown coming in fast from the sea.”
Livi straightened, top lip curled up. “I was hurled out of the ocean by a Kraken and made it to Aunt Mari just in time. Where were you, Tommy? I didn’t see you until I was halfway onto Alston, and it took you long enough to get here. If you can’t keep up, then maybe you should step back.” Her eyes narrowed as he kept her gaze.
“It’s Tom or Thomas, and if you ever smack me like that again in the middle of a…”
“You’ll what?” she asked stepping toward him, hands on hips, a smile playing on her lips. She cocked her brow. “You liked it and you know it.” Head tilted, Livi grinned. “Tommy.”
“Alright you two, that’s enough,” Drake said. “Tommy, take him to the interrogation room. Livi, I’m sure your mother is waiting to see you.”
Livi smiled at Tommy with a shit-eating grin. “Sure, Dad. I just want to make sure Auntie’s alright and then I’ll head that way.” Livi stayed until the security forces left with her father.
“Yeah, Livi, egging Tommy on and pissing him off is a good way to say hello,” Mari chuckled.
Turning, Livi noticed that her Uncle Rhys, the Vampire Beven Coven Leader, was holding her aunt in his arms. “Awww you know, he always sticks it to me when he gets a chance.”
“Come here and give me a hug. It’s good to have you home.”
Livi smiled as she wrapped her arms around the both of them the best she could. A deep, peaceful breath escaped her as she closed her eyes. “It’s good to be home.”
* * * *
Livi smiled, leaning on the counter in Pappy’s store. While she loved her parents and brothers, she’d chosen to stay with Pappy, so she was helping him out in the store as he gossiped with an elder elven leader. Her nostrils flared and eyes rolled as the door opened. “What do you want?”
“Is that any way to treat a paying customer?” Tommy asked with a smile.
“Only those who show up just to piss me off,” Livi smirked. “Aren’t you on duty?”
“Yes, and I’m making my rounds.”
“Well, as you can see, the store is secure.” Straightening up she extended her arm, waving it toward the empty expanse of the store. “So you can leave now, ba-bye.”
Both of them turned when the doorbell tinkled. Livi smiled as a young man walked in. “Well, hello there.”
“Hi,” he said as he stepped to the counter.
“How can I help you?”
“Well, I don’t know if you can tell me where the police station is in town. I just got off the bus and then noticed my wallet was gone just as the bus was leaving. I think the guy sitting next to me lifted it.”
Livi grinned as she pointed at Tommy. “Here you go, one of Alston’s finest.” Her smile widened when Tommy frowned.
“I’ll notify the next town’s station so they can be on the look out,” Tommy replied as he leaned back, arms crossed over his chest.
“Aw thanks, I appreciate that. My name’s Barrett, Barrett Jameson.”
Livi smiled as she shook his outstretched hand. “Hi Barrett, my name’s Livi and this is Timmy, I mean Tommy.” She beamed, sensing a wave of anger from Tommy as she slowly slid her hand from Barrett’s.
“You wouldn’t happen to know of an
yone who’d hire me for a few days so I can make enough money for the next bus do you?” Barrett smiled.
“The older man you passed coming in, he owns the store. Why don’t you go ask him?” Livi suggested. Her gaze lowered when he turned and her eyebrow lifted with a smirk on her lips as she watched his ass walk out the door.
“What in the hell are you doing?” Tommy ground out.
“Admiring the view.”
“Flirting with a human stranger and offering him a job. Have you lost your mind, Livi?” he growled.
“He needs some help.” When Tommy slammed his fist on the counter, she looked at him quickly.
“You have no idea who he is.”
Livi watched his gray eyes flash silver with his anger and whispered, “You better get a hold of yourself, Tommy Moilanin. I know exactly who he is. He’s coming back. And just so you’re aware, I’m pretty capable of taking care of myself.”
“Yeah, we saw just how capable you are at flirting with strange men,” he snarled.
He’s jealous. Livi smiled as she leaned in close to Tommy over the counter, her brow lifted. “Why are your boxers in a bunch? I’ll flirt with who I want. If I remember correctly you can’t stand the sight of me, so why don’t you just take a hike?”
His chest lifted with a deep breath as he kept her gaze. “Behave yourself, Livi.”
Livi straightened up, her eyes lowering to his ass as he walked out. She felt a burning deep within her belly. Her ears perked when she heard his low tone and looked out the window to see him facing off with Barrett. Her eyes narrowed when Barrett’s gaze lowered to the ground. “Damn Alpha ass,” she growled, knowing his Alpha tendencies demanded obedience. Barrett had no idea why he’d surrendered to another man’s words. “What did he say to you?” Livi asked when Barrett stepped in the store.
“Well, your grandfather said I could work until Friday to earn some money.”
“No, I mean Tommy. What did he say to you on his way out?”
Barrett smiled. “Ahhh, just a word between two guys.”
