Hearts of Darkness: A Valentine's Day Bully Romance Collection

by Joanna Mazurkiewicz

Logic tells me to let it go. To move on. That already the accidents that seem to occur around me are a warning that I need to stop what I’m doing.

  And yet, I can’t.

  I move through the secret underground tunnels of Royal Fae Academy, my ears straining for any sounds that might mean I’m being followed. I’m careful to keep my emotions locked away and my steps light, trying my best to be invisible. No one else should be down here. No one else should be foolish enough to ignore the rules of the teachers and explore a place forbidden to the students.

  But this isn’t about breaking rules or rebelling. This is about the truth and what’s right. This is about changing the future for all our kind.

  I never thought I’d be the man to try and change the world, but I didn’t have a choice in this. My personal connections to the truth wouldn’t let me walk away. No matter how dangerous the path I’m on might be.

  Behind me, far in the distance, I swear I hear a growl. Or maybe the groan of a door opening.

  My heart races faster, my steps slow. My hand continues to skim the dirt wall of the tunnel, and I step lightly, making certain there will be earth beneath my feet in the darkness. Instead of accidentally falling into a trap.

  I think of my sister, Esmeray, back at home. I always wished she could join me here, but since going down this dangerous path, I’m glad she’s safe back at home. No matter how heartbroken she might feel. She’d never be able to let me do this alone, so it’s better that she doesn’t know.

  Because although I’m willing to risk my life for this cause, I could never risk hers. Not when she’s spent a lifetime experiencing a kind of pain I’ll never know. A kind of loneliness that I can never touch.

  Never could I envy her taking after my father. That’s no life, not for anyone. And the fact that I’m all my mother? It’s pure luck. Genetics.

  I hear another sound and freeze. There’s definitely something down here with me. My eyes search the darkness behind me for movement, but I see nothing. Flattening myself against the wall, heart racing, I wonder what I should do.

  Should I run?

  Should I stay here and hide?

  Something starts running, the sound growing nearer. I turn and race down the tunnel. I’ve never been this way before. Could it be I’m racing toward a dead end? A drop into spikes? Or nothingness, as I’ve seen before? Or will I trigger a dangerous spell set to kill trespassers?

  I don’t know.

  But still, I run faster. Because before me is the unknown, but behind me, I have no doubt death shadows my footsteps.

  DID YOU ENJOY THIS story? Preorder Ravage, the steamy paranormal reverse harem, book one in the Royal Fae Academy series, and see what happens when Esmeray joins her men at the academy.

  Also By Lacey Carter Andersen

  Monsters and Gargoyles

  Medusa’s Destiny *audiobook*

  Keto’s Tale

  Celaeno’s Fate

  Cerberus Unleashed

  Lamia’s Blood

  Shade’s Secret

  Shorts: Their Own Sanctuary

  Shorts: Their Miracle Pregnancy

  The Firehouse Feline

  Feline the Heat

  Feline the Flames

  Feline the Burn

  Mates of the Realms

  Renegade Hunter *audiobook*

  Cursed Hunter

  Betrayed Hunter

  Rebel Lover

  Rebel Lies

  Rebel Loss

  Rogue Demon

  Box Set I: Demon Hunter

  Box Set II: Rebel Angel

  Entire Collection: Mates of the Realms

  A Villainously Romantic Retelling

  Worthy

  Alternative Futures

  Nightmare Hunter *audiobook*

  Deadly Dreams *audiobook*

  Mortal Flames

  Twisted Prophecies

  Box Set: Alien Mischief

  An Icelius Reverse Harem

  Her Alien Lovers

  Her Alien Abductors

  Her Alien Barbarians

  Her Alien Mates

  Complete Collection: Her Alien Romance

  Steamy Tales of Warriors and Rebels

  Gladiators

  The Dragon Shifters’ Last Hope

  Stolen by Her Harem

  Claimed by Her Harem

  Treasured by Her Harem

  Collection: Magic in her Harem

  Harem of the Shifter Queen

  Sultry Fire

  Sinful Ice

  Saucy Mist

  Collection: Power in her Kiss

  Standalones

  Beauty with a Bite

  Shifters and Alphas

  Collections

  Monsters, Gods, Witches, Oh My!

  Wings, Horns, and Shifters

  About the Author

  Lacey Carter Andersen loves reading, writing, and drinking excessive amounts of coffee. She spends her days taking care of her husband, three kids, and three cats. But at night, everything changes! Her imagination runs wild with strong-willed characters, unique worlds, and exciting plots that she enthusiastically puts into stories.

  Lacey has dozens of tales: science fiction romances, paranormal romances, short romances, reverse harem romances, and more. So, please feel free to dive into any of her worlds; she loves to have the company!

  And you’re welcome to reach out to her; she really enjoys hearing from her readers.

  You can find her at:

  Email: laceycarterandersen@gmail.com

  Mailing List: https://www.subscribepage.com/laceycarterandersen

  Website: www.laceycarterandersen.wordpress.com/

  Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Lacey-Carter-Andersen-1940678949483316/

  VICIOUS

  A Werewolf University Prequel

  Margo Bond Collins

  “This is a terrible idea.” I leaned back against Rose’s hand as she tugged me forward, deeper into the woods. “We are not party-in-the-forest girls, Rosie. Bad shit happens to people like us at these parties.”

  “Don’t be that way, Reika.” The pitch of Rose’s voice climbed, and she pulled harder. “This is it. Our last chance to be cool, just once, during our high school years. Don’t fuck it up for us.”

  I stopped resisting her lead. “Fine. A Valentine’s party. But only because I will never see any of these people again after this semester.”

  In the gathering darkness, I felt more than saw the eye-rolling glance Rose threw my way. Now that she wasn’t having to drag me behind her, she fell into step beside me. “So are you excited you got accepted to your fancy new Ivy League school?”

  I couldn’t tell for sure, but there might have been a touch of envy in Rose’s voice.

  But she knew that I had dreamed of this day ever since I’d realized, back in grade school, that the Ivy League existed.

  Every move from that moment on had been carefully calculated. Will this get me into one of the Ivies? Will that? What extracurriculars should I take? How can I max out my scores on all my AP tests?

  And underlying every one of those questions was one constant question, one fear I could never fully eliminate: What if I’m not good enough?

  But all that’s behind me now, I reminded myself. I’d been accepted to not one, but two of my top-choice colleges.

  And Yale had even offered me a scholarship.

  For the rest of the year and through the summer, I didn’t have anything to worry about.

  Less than seven months, and I would be headed off into my new life. I would be fine. That’s what I told myself, anyway. I don’t have to be the perfect student anymore. I can relax for once.

  “Screw it,” I said aloud. “Let’s party.”

  Rose giggled and broke into a jog down the darkening path. I stumbled behind her until I caught up, outwardly laughing as I tried to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. It’s just anxiety. That’s what comes of having never gone to a high-school keg party before.

  But no matter
how hard I tried, I couldn’t get rid of the sense of foreboding stealing through me.

  I should have paid attention to my gut.

  I WASN’T THE ONLY ONE who thought it strange that Rose and I were at a party. As we wended our way through the crowded clearing and toward the kegs lined up near the bonfire crackling in the center, my former classmates gave us odd glances.

  No.

  Scratch that.

  They gave me odd glances. Several of them called out familiar greetings to Rose.

  “Wait a minute. This isn’t your first party, is it?” I moved up next to her to wait for her answer—but I didn’t have to. Her shamefaced expression gave it away. “How many of these have you been to?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not like you would’ve come, anyway. You always had more important things to do. Like studying. Or practicing piano. Or whatever you were doing that week.”

  I couldn’t have explained why I felt betrayed. It’s not like Rose was wrong. I had been single-minded in my pursuit of my goal. But still... “You could have at least told me you were coming.”

  “And risk that disapproving glare?” She raised one eyebrow—a skill I’d always wished I had. “Like the one you’re giving me right now? No, thanks.” With a glance around the clearing, she added, “Anyway, I didn’t make it to one until last semester. When Jonas Alder invited me.” Standing on her tiptoes, she waved energetically. “There he is. Jonas, over here!”

  I tried to think of a way to convey why I felt so let-down by everything she’d just said. But I couldn’t find a reason to insist on making her understand. She wasn’t wrong. Not exactly. I mean, I wouldn’t have come to a party before now.

  But I wasn’t such a stick-in-the-mud that I would have begrudged Rose her own fun.

  Would I?

  Like I was doing this very minute.

  Oh, God. I was a complete idiot.

  And more than a little bit of a control freak. I’d made my best friend uncomfortable telling me about coming to a party—and from the way she and Jonas were huddled together, I’d made her unwilling to tell me about a guy she liked, too.

  I needed to get over myself.

  And maybe go grab a beer, while I was at it.

  THREE DRINKS LATER, I flopped down onto one of the logs serving as seating around the bonfire. I glanced around to see if I could find Rose anywhere.

  Ah. There. In what might be a permanent liplock with Jonas.

  Great.

  And here I was, drunk and alone, having my very own pity party.

  I sighed and leaned forward, pressing my knees together and splaying my ankles out so I could slump over more comfortably and stare into the fire.

  “Looks like you’re empty.” A red Solo cup dropped down in front of my face. I followed the hand holding it, up the arm, and to the face.

  “What?”

  The cute guy holding the cup in front of me laughed. “I said it looks like you’re empty. So I brought you another drink.”

  “Thanks.” I was pretty sure my words were slurred, but I didn’t care. With one unsteady hand, I took the drink.

  Glancing up was a mistake. My eyes focused for a minute and I saw Rose and Jonas.

  Still kissing.

  Suddenly, I felt more left out than I ever had before. In twelve years’ of schooling, Rose had always been by my side. Or so I thought.

  But now I’d discovered that she’d been out partying without me.

  Kissing boys.

  Learning the kinds of things you couldn’t get from books.

  The guy who’d handed me the drink followed my gaze, then turned back to stare at me appraisingly.

  “That your guy?” he asked.

  “No. She’s my best friend.” No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, my voice sounded forlorn.

  “Ah.” For a second, it almost seemed like he might understand. He shoved his slightly shaggy dark hair off his forehead and glanced around the party. When he turned back to me, his eyes glinted with a strange golden-red light.

  A reflection of the fire. It has to be.

  “You want to get out of here?” he asked.

  “And go where?”

  His laugh echoed a little eerily, like it came from a chest much deeper and broader than his own.

  Being drunk is weird.

  “Anywhere. How about we go for a walk in the woods?” He held his hand out and took a step closer. “I’d love to kiss you like that.”

  In that instant, it was like a fairy tale. I’d been rescued by a handsome prince who was ready to save me from my own misery.

  My own Valentine’s miracle.

  “Yes,” I breathed, taking his hand with my own and standing.

  I flashed a triumphant glance at Rose, but she was too busy to notice.

  So I stumbled out into the dark with my own high-school party version of Prince Charming.

  Or so I thought.

  MAKING OUT WITH RANDOM guys I picked up at parties wasn’t anything I would have predicted I’d do. But I was leaving in a few months for college. Besides, this guy didn’t go to my high school. I’d never see him again. And he was hot.

  So what the hell? Why not?

  When his hand slid up to tighten around my neck as he pulled me in toward him, I thought it was sexy. His mouth pressed against mine, hot and wet, and I opened my lips under his questing tongue.

  The growl in the back of his throat sent desire flickering through my core, and I whimpered in response.

  This whole hooking-up-in-the-woods thing was even better than I expected.

  His fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of my neck, clenching into a fist, tugging my head backward as his mouth trailed from my cheek to my neck, then to my clavicle. I moaned at the feel of his lips playing against my skin.

  And then the motherfucker bit me.

  Hard.

  My scream would have echoed through the woods around us, but he used his other hand—the one not holding my head still—to fasten down against my mouth.

  He held me immobilized while he shifted, his palm clamped down so hard I could taste the change in his skin as he ground it against my teeth.

  Fluid, metallic and hot and thickly viscous, flooded my mouth just before the creature he’d become dropped away from me, landing on all fours on the forest floor.

  It backed up, moonlight glinting off its fangs as it snarled. Its eyes glowed a yellowish-green, like an animal’s in headlights—but there was no external light source. That preternatural glow came from within.

  He’s not Prince Charming. He’s the monster.

  I couldn’t even tell what kind of creature it was, but its savage gaze held me frozen, unbreathing.

  I’m its prey.

  It was the last thing that crossed my mind before the creature attacked.

  Its legs bunched up beneath it and it launched itself toward my throat. I barely had time to throw my hands up to protect myself, an instinctual crossing of my forearms in front of my face. It almost worked, too. It at least protected my face. Instead, the monster sank its teeth into one of my forearms, the bone crunching as it closed its jaws around me.

  That’s when I finally screamed.

  The sound echoed through the woods, bouncing off trees and back toward me. I wasn’t sure if anyone would be able to tell where it came from.

  But that at least released me from my paralysis. Despite the sharp pain shooting through my arm, I pushed back against the creature, its heavy jaws still clamped on my arm. He—it?—responded by kicking up its hind legs and flying at me as if it were digging.

  One claw caught my face, snagging the skin at my temple and slicing down and across to the other corner of my mouth. The cut was so sharp I didn’t feel it at first—like a paper cut or super-sharp knife wound that takes a moment to register on the body.

  For a brief second, I even thought that maybe nothing had happened—that I was not really damaged at all.

  Then the pain struck, just as the hot b
lood welled up and gushed out.

  I responded by jabbing the thumb of my uninjured arm toward the creature’s eye—something I had read would repel an attacking shark.

  I was pretty certain this wasn’t a shark, but it was all I could think to do.

  To some degree, it worked. The animal jerked back, moonlight washing across its head as it finally released my arm and dropped to the ground.

  Wolf.

  I had just enough time for the thought to slide across my mind as my broken, mangled arm fell to my side, useless.

  In the distance, voices reverberated throughout the forest, possibly coming from the clearing with the bonfire? I wasn’t sure. Everything around me was blurred and exaggerated at the same time.

  The wolf lunged toward me again, but my knees gave way and I toppled to the ground. The wolf missed its mark and I let loose with another earsplitting scream.

  The voices were closer this time, calling back and forth, coordinating.

  The wolf...

  Werewolf.

  Whatever the monster was, it snarled deep in its throat as it leaned back on its hindlegs, preparing to leap at me. Moonlight glinted bright against the saliva stringing down from its fangs, and I saw its jaws gape open wider as it launched itself off the forest floor.

  I could see out of only one eye—something was wrong with the other one—but I couldn’t stop watching the sharp fangs of the death coming toward me.

  I’m about to die and I can’t even close my eye.

  It was the most pathetic final thought I could have come up with.

  Except it wasn’t my last.

  From my left, something flew out of the night and barreled into the wolf’s side, bowling it over and rolling it through the fallen leaves several times, like a truck running down a pedestrian.

  A very small truck. Just a little bigger than the wolf that had caught me.

  “Oh,” I mumbled when my vision cleared a little. “You’re a wolf, too.”

  I tried to sit up, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t even lift my arms. Or my head.

  And it was getting very cold. Either that, or extraordinarily warm. I couldn’t tell which.

  “I think I’ll just close my eyes now,” I announced to no one.