“Do you really think one day we won’t be able to hide what we are?”
He nodded. “Someday we won’t have to worry about others finding out and trying to experiment on us. It’s going to take some time. We need to get everyone together, and eliminate any problems before we go public.”
There was still a lot to be done before that, rules that had to be established, and issues that had to be eliminated. Most of all, they had to do away with the rogues who were eager to kill Tabitha.
Epilogue
The forty-eight hours were almost up and less than half of the clans were on board with Tabitha. Many of the others had questions about what everything entailed, giving Tabitha and Ty a lot to handle. A handful had flat out refused to have Tabitha or anyone else above them. Jinx glanced at the list and noticed there were still five clans they hadn’t heard from, one way or the other.
The Minnesota Alpha, Calvin, was demanding an audience and insisting his questions were answered before he would make any commitment. There was something more to it. Did Calvin plan to demand something in return for his loyalty?
“You’re not going to work all night again, are you?”
Jinx glanced up to find Summer standing in the doorway, in a cute emerald green baby doll nighty. “Umm, not if you’re going to wear that, lass.”
“Wear? I was thinking you’d take it off me.”
“I think we can arrange that.” He scooted his chair back from the desk. “Come here.”
“Hmm, another office christening.” She sashayed to him. “You’ve been working too hard, too much on your mind. Let me reduce your stress.”
“Everything has changed. I’m just adjusting to it, and trying to protect my family and our clan.”
“I know, love. Did Ty mention if he’d approved Eric working with the Nerd Crew?” She slipped into his lap, running her fingers up his chest.
“Yes, that’s all set. Which will allow for Lukas to have less to deal with.”
“Good. Then you can give him more responsibilities and spend more time with us.” She leaned in, pressing her lips to his neck. “Now come to bed and take this off me.”
“That’s the perfect way to end a long day.” He slipped his arm under her and stood. As he carried her to the bedroom, screams erupted from Claire’s room. “I guess that puts any plans on hold.” He set her down.
“It won’t always be like this. Each day there’s progress, especially when she’s with little Lisa,” Summer told him as they raced to Claire.
He flung opened the door and their little lass sat in the middle of the bed, clutching the stuffed tiger that had become her source of security.
“Lass, we’re here.”
Summer went to her and picked her up. “It’s okay, sweetie. It was only a bad dream, we’re here.”
“Mommy.” Claire cried and held onto Summer’s neck.
“Did she?” He stepped into the room, a lump forming in his throat. Did he really just hear their little girl speak?
“She did.” Summer pulled Claire back so she could look at her. “Sweetie, say it again.”
“Mommy.” This time the word came out timid.
“Oh, my little lass.” He went to them, wrapping his arms around both of them. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Daddy.” She reached toward him.
With those two simple words everything fell together. He went from being a bachelor who wasn’t really looking for a mate, to a family man. Claire might not have been his flesh and blood but she was his daughter. Hearing her speak gave him hope it wasn’t too late to save her from the darkness.
Whatever happened in the coming months with Tabitha taking over as Queen of the Tigers, he’d help as much as he could—but his priorities had changed. He had a family, and they were his responsibly above all else.
Preview: A Touch of Death
The death of Jael James’ mother meant it was time to face her destiny as the Grim Reaper. Her first spirit shows up after being murdered, demanding the killer be caught before she can cross over. If a serial killer on the loose wasn’t bad enough, it turned out to be a demon sent by Lucifer to test her.
Death is there to guide her as she makes the journey into the unknown, but he seems to have his own agenda—which involves getting her naked. He wants to show her what they could have together. But then there’s Nathan, who wants to be more than just her paramedic partner. Competing with Death for her attention might be more than Nathan can handle.
Will Jael find a balance that will keep her secret safe, or will her new role as Grim Reaper force her to walk away from the two most important men in her life?
Prologue
Tears welled in Jael’s eyes as she sat at her dying mother’s bedside. As an adult it wasn’t supposed to be this devastating to lose a parent. No longer would her mother suffer. She wouldn’t have to put up with harsh criticism for talking to people no one else could see.
Jael rested her head against the back of the chair, the rough wood digging into her skull. The feeling grounded her, helped her force the tears back. Time with her mother was nearing its end, and she didn’t want to waste it by crying. Opening her eyes, she saw a man leaning against the wall. Dressed in black, his jeans and T-shirt clung tight. His clothing was a dark contrast to his creamy white skin and the bright white wall behind him. His hair fell just above his ears, reminding her of spilled ink, a few stray pieces dangling just above his sapphire eyes that sparkled with hints of silver.
Drop dead gorgeous is an understatement. This was no time to let her hormones get out of control. Her mother needed her to remain focused.
“Can I help you?” She raised an eyebrow at him. There was no way he was medical staff. He continued to lean against the wall, completely ignoring her. Her unease rose, but instead of giving into it she pushed back from her chair and stood. “This is a private room and visiting hours are over. Please leave.”
“I’m here to see her.” He nodded toward her mother.
“She’s not up for visitors now. If you could come back tomorrow maybe she’ll be ready then.” In no mood to deal with him, she reached to the side of the bed, her finger hovering just above the nurse call button.
“Ann.” His voice floated through the room, with a hint of mystery.
She eyed him with anger for his lack of respect for her privacy. “I don’t know how you know my mother, but I asked you to leave. Go or I’ll call security.”
A light chuckle teased the air. “I wouldn’t recommend that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she snapped.
“Jael?” Ann’s eyes were glazed from the drugs that coursed through her body.
As if summoned by her mother’s voice, the man moved away from the wall and came toward the bed. “Ann, it’s time to tell her.”
“No, not yet.” Tears welled in Ann’s eyes, as she tugged the breathing mask away from her face. “I need more time.”
“I’ve given you as much time as I could, but it’s nearly up. Don’t make me deliver the news.” With that he disappeared as quickly as he’d appeared. He just vanished. Jael startled, jumping back, then sinking into her chair, shocked and near panic.
“What the hell just happened?” She pinched herself to make sure it wasn’t all a dream. She’d had so little sleep the last few days, she wouldn’t have been surprised if she had dozed off or hallucinated the whole thing.
“Destiny has been revealed.” Ann’s breathy voice cut through Jael’s thoughts.
“What?”
“I’m dying.” When Jael started to interrupt, Ann shook her head to stop her. “Don’t, just hear me out. It’s going to sound bizarre so I need to say it all before you interrupt. All these years, people thought I was crazy, seeing people they don’t. It’s because I’m the Grim Reaper.”
“The what?” Jael had been asked to keep quiet, but her heart was slamming against her chest, and she couldn’t stop herself. “Mom, I think it’s the drugs the doctor gave you. Please
rest.”
“It’s not the drugs. If you trace our family history back, you’ll see that the first female born in each generation has been given the ability to see the dead. We are the Grim Reaper. Without us, the spirits stuck in limbo cannot cross over into the light. It’s our calling, our destiny. He will help you along your path, assist you with what you need.” She gripped Jael’s hand, taking a moment to catch her breath. “I’ve sheltered you while I could, but now that my time on this Earth is coming to an end, it’s time for you to take my place.”
She heard her mother’s words but couldn’t believe them. It had to be the medication that was making her delusional. Her mom had always been eccentric, talking to people no one else could see. But a Grim Reaper? They didn’t exist. When you died, there was no limbo, just Heaven or Hell, your body turning to dust in the ground, nothing more.
“Mom, just rest.”
After years of being a paramedic in Crystal Falls, Montana, she had seen death more times than she cared to remember, and never once had a ghost risen out of a body asking for help. It just didn’t happen. When someone died, there was nothing left for them in this world. Even if there was life after death, there was no room in Jael’s life to help those who’d passed on. Death was already an unavoidable part of her job, but to see the spirits of those she couldn’t save sounded like more than she could handle.
Why worry? I don’t believe what she’s saying anyway.
“You need to understand what will happen. Things will change for you when I die.”
Jael squeeze her mother’s hand. “It will be fine. There are always changes in life. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll miss you, but you’ll be with Dad again. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Your father…” Ann’s smile was warm and wishful, as she reached her hand out to touch the length of something, but all Jael could see was thin air. “He’s always been with me, but to actually touch him again will make up for leaving you. I’ve always wanted to protect you, Jael. I love you.”
“I know, Mom. I love you too. Sleep, I’ll figure everything out, it’s going to be fine.”
The drugs helping to lessen Ann’s pain from the bone cancer were pulling her under again, sleep’s long fingers reaching out to her to drag her under. In the back of Jael’s mind, she wondered if this would be the last time her mother ever spoke to her. Ann had already lived two weeks past the doctor’s expectation.
Unable to sit, she paced the room, her mind running in circles. She needed fresh air and wished she could open a window. With little choice she strolled into the bathroom, grabbed a paper towel, wet it, and placed it over her forehead. The coolness against her warm skin refreshed her. Now she hoped to find some strong, hot coffee to help get her through the night.
“Your mother told you what you are.” Death leaned against the doorframe between her mother’s room and the bathroom. His arms were crossed over his chest as he watched her. “I can unleash your powers and allow you to see across the planes to the land of the dead…if you’re ready.”
She threw the towel in the trash and brushed past him. “I’ll never be ready. I don’t want that life, find someone else.”
“So you believe Ann, then?” The corner of his mouth tugged up in a smirk.
“Hell no! I mean…I don’t know.” She dragged her hand through her long blonde hair, unable to look at him. “Mom’s was always been a little eccentric. If she truly believes she sees people others don’t, then whatever, but I don’t want to be a part of it. I don’t want her life.”
“It’s your legacy. There is only one Grim Reaper at a time, and you’re it. You will carry on the line when your mother passes, as your child will, and their child.”
Spinning around, she glared at him. “Legacy? Why didn’t she tell me about it before? How did she expect me to handle or believe it when it’s dropped on me like this?”
“I didn’t agree with Ann keeping this from you. You should have been told so you could have adjusted to it. As you aged she should have allowed me to unleash your powers slowly, giving you time to process everything and learn from her. Now you’ll only have time for a crash course before you step into her place.”
“I don’t want this. To be seen as crazy as she was is no life. I have everything I want, a good job, a beautiful condo. Just leave me alone.” She sank into the chair next to the hospital bed, tears streaming down her face.
“If I could give you that I would, but it’s your legacy. You have no choice but to step into her place once she passes. I will return.”
With the slightest breeze against the back of her neck, she knew he was gone. “I’d rather take your place, Mom, than live with this curse.”
Marissa Dobson
Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She’s a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, she believes you’re never done learning.
Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave her the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read she has always had her nose in a book. It wasn't until she was a teenager that she started writing down the stories she came up with.
Marissa is blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He’s her other half and allows her to stay home and pursue her writing. He puts up with all her quirks and listens to her brainstorm in the middle of the night.
Her writing buddies Max (a cocker spaniel) and Dawne (a beagle mix) are always around to listen to her bounce ideas off them. They might not be able to answer, but they are helpful in their own ways.
She love to hear from readers so send her an email at [email protected] or visit her online at http://www.marissadobson.com.
Other Books by Marissa Dobson
Tiger Time
The Tiger’s Heart
Tigress for Two
Night with a Tiger
Trusting a Tiger
Jinx’s Mate
Snowy Fate
Sarah’s Fate
Mason’s Fate
As Fate Would Have It
A Touch of Death
Learning to Live
Learning What Love Is
Her Cowboy’s Heart
Half Moon Harbor Resort Volume One
Restoring Love
Winterbloom
Unexpected Forever
Losing to Win
Christmas Countdown
The Surrogate
Clearwater Romance Volume One
Secret Valentine
The Twelve Seductive Days of Christmas
Praise:
Alaskan Tigers
Tiger Time:
This is the first book that I have read from Marissa Dobson and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved the tiger shapeshifter aspect of this book which I haven’t read much about in previous books. ~ Jennifer at Books-n-Kisses
When I first read a review for Tiger Time, I knew this was a must read. Now I know that it is definitely a must read for anyone that like were romances. It’s definitely one of those that draws you immediately into the story, and never lets you go… a wonderfully written story of a woman’s journey into the unknown and a man who would show her to her destiny. LOVED IT!!!! Looking forward to the next one in the series. ~ Addicted to Romance
The Tiger’s Heart:
This book was so interesting and I loved it. Steamy with lots of twists and turns. Recommend this to anyone who likes Shifter type books. ~ Amazon Reader
Tigress for Two:
And the plot thickens. I am really enjoying how the overall story arc of this series is going. There are so many players that it is fascinating to watch the plot unfold. Everyone’s story is connected, but not in the ways that I had originally anticipated and that makes it all the more fun to read. ~ Delphina Reads too Much
Wow, Tigress for Two was everything I’d hoped it would be after reading some of Marissa Dobson’s other boo
ks. She packed a whollop, enticing the reader with angst, suspense, romance and suspense…oh did I say that twice? Well good cause I meant to, because she did a great job of keeping the reader in suspense throughout the whole story. I never knew what was coming next but i was so intrigued I couldn’t put the book down. I seriously never imagined mixing shifter species but it was done well. ~ A Passion for Romance
Stormkin Series
Storm Queen:
To use the word amazing is not too strong when describing this book. I’ve never read anything like it and I loved every minute of it. Do yourself a favor of buying this book, if you don’t you’ll be missing out. ~Rebecca Royce, bestselling author of the The Westervelt Wolves.
This was a great new addition to the paranormal romance world, it almost had a Urban Fantasy feel because the sex wasn’t the main focus of the story and I LOVED that! I thought each scene was done so well! I will be continuing this series! I can’t wait for the next one! ~ Amazon Reader
Clearwater Series
Winterblom:
I found Winterbloom to be a sweet and delightful little romance. Ms. Dobson does a wonderful job of creating visual scenes that allow the reader to feel as though they are right there within the story. ~ Romancing the Book
Unexpected Forever:
Unexpected Forever made me cry. I’ll admit it; I teared up quite a few times actually…Marissa has yet again written an amazing story full of emotions and detail. I totally recommend reading Unexpected Forever and other great works by Marissa. ~ Crystal Out There
Fate Series
As Fate Would Have It:
This book has all 3 of the Fate Stories in it! Each are about mountain lion shifters and finding their mates! All are sweet, Heartwarming, Romantic stories! I can’t wait to read more by Marissa Dobson! ~Amazon Reader
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