“What, and that’s it?”
“Not at all.” Jack strokes gently at his designer stubble. “But our priority was to get him out of here before he could pass a judgment on you two. Which we’ve done. Details we can smooth out later, though we’ll probably end up with a few operational changes. I swear, Mikkleson has a lot to answer for in putting Revival on the books the way it is. I suppose he never thought he’d have to use it, but I can’t believe how much control it simply hands away to the military.” A sigh. “But it’s over now. You two are safe. Maurice and I will handle the colonel.”
Jack moves around the table and stops behind my chair. I stand to greet him, meeting his gaze with what I hope is a grateful expression.
He hugs me. I’m not ready for it at all, and I instinctively stiffen in his arms, but he refuses to let go. Then, the others all pile in, wrapping their arms around me until we stand in the middle of the conference room in a huge tangle of limbs.
“Um, guys?”
Slowly, they peel away, one by one. As the first to go on, Jack is last to step back, and he plants both hands on his hips when he does. “I knew I was right to insist you took this case. You’ve never let me down. Not once.”
“Give me time, Jack.”
“Stop it. You’re an excellent agent and friend. I was worried about you.”
“Why?”
He rolls his eyes. “You definitely hit your head. Look I didn’t want to give out all the details in front of Addington, but Clear Blood is arranging for a special unit to investigate the creature that possessed Flint Liddell. So far, all we know is that it’s a thus far unidentified edane entity and has the ability to vanish.”
Rayne frowns. “That’s not much.”
“About as much as we knew when you saw it at Vixen’s, actually. But that leads to something else we can speculate: this creature, whatever it is, may be answerable to someone else. First it tried infiltrating vampires, though we’re not entirely sure why. Then it moved on to werewolves and had a more direct hand in affecting them by possessing a werewolf body.”
“Steady, Jack.” I can’t help but smile. “‘Possession?’ You almost make it sound like some sort of demon.”
“Well.” Duo looks me dead in the eye. “Who says it isn’t?”
Silence.
I look round at my companions. “Come on, guys, what?” Everybody is just so serious, I can’t help but chuckle. “N-no. No way. A demon? Like biblical, fallen angels and Satan?”
“No, nothing religious. I mean daemons or daimons. Brush up on your Ancient Greek.”
“And how do you know so much about it?”
Duo shares a look with his brother. The pair shrug. In unison.
Creepy.
“Our family before the bite was…weird.”
What? Oh, no, no, no. I want to press for more, but before I can, the two wolves are moving, opening the door, and stepping through.
“We’re taking the rest of the night off, by the way. Since Cruush is telling everyone there’s a truce we’d better go arrange it.” They leave on that note, out of sight within seconds.
I glare at Jack. “So that was a lie too?”
“Hey, don’t look at me. Maurice took a bunch of Alphas out while you were in medi-bay and visited the packs one by one. That awful Dire Wolf alpha has lifted his bounty—you’re welcome, by the way—as a means of meeting my terms.”
“Terms?”
Jack stands a little straighter and adjusts the collar of his suit jacket. He even smiles, that old, toothpaste ad smile, and I half expect to hear the tinkling of a bright, white sparkle from his teeth. “You might forget it regularly, but I’m still mayor. I told all the packs that if they want to stay here, they need to actively participate in repairing what they destroyed.”
Rayne nods thoughtfully. “But most of these packs don’t have money. They’re everyday civilians.”
“Money is far less important than public image. Remember, Angbec is the ‘home of the edane movement’ and my entire campaign was built on the promise of unity and trust between humans and supernatural beings. I intend to fulfil those promises to the letter, but I can’t do that unless everyone is on board. So,” the smile broadens, “the werewolves will be spearheading our new community service drive.”
I let my mind play with that image, calling up a mental picture of Aleksandar picking up litter or cleaning graffiti. Doesn’t seem very likely, but I’ll take it. “Seems you were busy while I was out.”
“Extremely.” Jack once more messes with his collar. “And now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go and…be even busier. This city won’t run itself. Just try to stay out of trouble, won’t you?”
“Always.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Mm-hmm. And check-in with your sister as soon as you can. She’ll give you the research timetable so we can get started on your back. Maurice has already given blanket approval for any time off you need so try not to keep us waiting. Okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Jack walks to the door, but changes his mind without going far. He puts one hand on my shoulder. “Please, take it easy, okay? I know that’s probably impossible for you, but at least try?”
I’m ready to brush it off, to say something quick and flippant like I usually do, but the expression in his eyes stops me. Instead, I grip his fingers and give them the tiniest of squeezes. “I’ll be good. Promise. And I’m sure Rayne will set me straight if I do anything daft.”
“Count on me, Mr. Mayor.”
Jack nods, though he doesn’t seem convinced. Instead, he looks to Erkyan and Willow. “And you two, how would you feel about teaching me a little of that sign language you both use? I think it would be pretty useful for private conversations if you take my meaning.” He gestures ahead of him, and my teammates, with a pleased little smile, head through the door.
I can hear Erkyan chattering excitedly as they head down the hallway, a sound that gradually fades to nothing.
Silence.
No, not quite silence. My own breathing, the rustle of my clothing and the soft sigh from Rayne as she extends a hand to brush my cheek.
“How are you feeling?”
I resist the urge to twitch my shoulder blades against the itchy sensation running up and down my back. “I don’t know. I mean, I’m glad everyone is okay and that Jack has everything under control, but I feel…strange.”
“Your back?”
“Yes. And no. Call it an instinct.”
Rayne’s hand drops away from my face. Her lips turn down at the corners. “I see.”
“Hey, hey, no, don’t do that.” I catch her chin and turn her head toward mine. “Not us. We are fine, I promise you that. I just…I’m worried this isn’t over, you know?”
“It isn’t. It never is. There will always be bad guys to face and problems to solve. That’s why SPEAR exists.”
I nod, but I don’t think she gets it. Or maybe she does and she’d rather avoid it. Whichever it is, I’m happy to put the discomfort to one side for now.
I let my hand drift down her neck and shoulder, along the length of her arm until I can tangle my fingers with hers. “Should we go home?”
“I think that’s a great idea. There’s still plenty of time before sunup. Perhaps we can tidy that mess you call a room.”
I squeeze her fingers. “Actually, I was thinking that we could mess it up a little more. If you get my drift.”
“Excellent idea.” She grins, and for the briefest moment a little rim of silver lights up her eyes. “If you think you can handle it?”
Suddenly eager, I tug her toward the door. “We’re going to have fun finding out, regardless. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
She makes no complaint, simply follows after me, her small, dainty fingers tucked snugly into my larger, longer ones.
About the Author
Ileandra Young is one face of Da Shared Brain, who also writes erotica and romance as Raven ShadowHawk. This face writes urban and
traditional fantasy, has a real obsession with vampires, and would pick a sword over a gun any day.
When not writing, Ileandra can be found LARPing, crocheting, or playing Minecraft with her twin sons.
Visit her website at www.ileandrayoung.co.uk.
Books Available from Bold Strokes Books
A Love that Leads to Home by Ronica Black. For Carla Sims and Janice Carpenter, home isn’t about location, it’s where your heart is. (978-1-63555-675-9)
Blades of Bluegrass by D. Jackson Leigh. A US Army occupational therapist must rehab a bitter veteran who is a ticking political time bomb the military is desperate to disarm. (978-1-63555-637-7)
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Hopeless Romantic by Georgia Beers. Can a jaded wedding planner and an optimistic divorce attorney possibly find a future together? (978-1-63555-650-6)
Hopes and Dreams by PJ Trebelhorn. Movie theater manager Riley Warren is forced to face her high school crush and tormentor, wealthy socialite Victoria Thayer, at their twentieth reunion. (978-1-63555-670-4)
In the Cards by Kimberly Cooper Griffin. Daria and Phaedra are about to discover that love finds a way, especially when powers outside their control are at play. (978-1-63555-717-6)
Moon Fever by Ileandra Young. SPEAR agent Danika Karson must clear her werewolf friend of multiple false charges while teaching her vampire girlfriend to resist the blood mania brought on by a full moon. (978-1-63555-603-2)
Quake City by St John Karp. Can Andre find his best friend Amy before the night devolves into a nightmare of broken hearts, malevolent drag queens, and spontaneous human combustion? Or has it always happened this way, every night, at Aunty Bob’s Quake City Club? (978-1-63555-723-7)
Serenity by Jesse J. Thoma. For Kit Marsden, there are many things in life she cannot change. Serenity is in the acceptance. (978-1-63555-713-8)
Sylver and Gold by Michelle Larkin. Working feverishly to find a killer before he strikes again, Boston Homicide Detective Reid Sylver and rookie cop London Gold are blindsided by their chemistry and developing attraction. (978-1-63555-611-7)
Trade Secrets by Kathleen Knowles. In Silicon Valley, love and business are a volatile mix for clinical lab scientist Tony Leung and venture capitalist Sheila Garrison. (978-1-63555-642-1)
Death Overdue by David S. Pederson. Did Heath turn to murder in an alcohol induced haze to solve the problem of his blackmailer, or was it someone else who brought about a death overdue? (978-1-63555-711-4)
Entangled by Melissa Brayden. Becca Crawford is the perfect person to head up the Jade Hotel, if only the captivating owner of the local vineyard would get on board with her plan and stop badmouthing the hotel to everyone in town. (978-1-63555-709-1)
First Do No Harm by Emily Smith. Pierce and Cassidy are about to discover that when it comes to love, sometimes you have to risk it all to have it all. (978-1-63555-699-5)
Kiss Me Every Day by Dena Blake. For Wynn Evans, wishing for a do-over with Carly Jamison was a long shot, actually getting one was a game changer. (978-1-63555-551-6)
Olivia by Genevieve McCluer. In this lesbian Shakespeare adaption with vampires, Olivia is a centuries old vampire who must fight a strange figure from her past if she wants a chance at happiness. (978-1-63555-701-5)
One Woman’s Treasure by Jean Copeland. Daphne’s search for discarded antiques and treasures leads to an embarrassing misunderstanding, and ultimately, the opportunity for the romance of a lifetime with Nina. (978-1-63555-652-0)
Silver Ravens by Jane Fletcher. Lori has lost her girlfriend, her home, and her job. Things don’t improve when she’s kidnapped and taken to fairyland. (978-1-63555-631-5)
Still Not Over You by Jenny Frame, Carsen Taite, Ali Vali. Old flames die hard in these tales of a second chance at love with the ex you’re still not over. Stories by award winning authors Jenny Frame, Carsen Taite, and Ali Vali. (978-1-63555-516-5)
Storm Lines by Jessica L. Webb. Devon is a psychologist who likes rules. Marley is a cop who doesn’t. They don’t always agree, but both fight to protect a girl immersed in a street drug ring. (978-1-63555-626-1)
The Politics of Love by Jen Jensen. Is it possible to love across the political divide in a hostile world? Conservative Shelley Whitmore and liberal Rand Thomas are about to find out. (978-1-63555-693-3)
All the Paths to You by Morgan Lee Miller. High school sweethearts Quinn Hughes and Kennedy Reed reconnect five years after they break up and realize that their chemistry is all but over. (978-1-63555-662-9)
Arrested Pleasures by Nanisi Barrett D’Arnuck. When charged with a crime she didn’t commit Katherine Lowe faces the question: Which is harder, going to prison or falling in love? (978-1-63555-684-1)
Bonded Love by Renee Roman. Carpenter Blaze Carter suffers an injury that shatters her dreams, and ER nurse Trinity Greene hopes to show her that sometimes love is worth fighting for. (978-1-63555-530-1)
Convergence by Jane C. Esther. With life as they know it on the line, can Aerin McLeary and Olivia Ando’s love survive an otherworldly threat to humankind? (978-1-63555-488-5)
Coyote Blues by Karen F. Williams. Riley Dawson, psychotherapist and shape-shifter, has her world turned upside down when Fiona Bell, her one true love, returns. (978-1-63555-558-5)
Drawn by Carsen Taite. Will the clues lead Detective Claire Hanlon to the killer terrorizing Dallas, or will she merely lose her heart to person of interest, urban artist Riley Flynn? (978-1-63555-644-5)
Every Summer Day by Lee Patton. Meant to celebrate every summer day, Luke’s journal instead chronicles a love affair as fast-moving and possibly as fatal as his brother’s brain tumor. (978-1-63555-706-0)
Lucky by Kris Bryant. Was Serena Evans’s luck really about winning the lottery, or is she about to get even luckier in love? (978-1-63555-510-3)
The Last Days of Autumn by Donna K. Ford. Autumn and Caroline question the fairness of life, the cruelty of loss, and what it means to love as they navigate the complicated minefield of relationships, grief, and life-altering illness. (978-1-63555-672-8)
Three Alarm Response by Erin Dutton. In the midst of tragedy, can these first responders find love and healing? Three stories of courage, bravery, and passion. (978-1-63555-592-9)
Veterinary Partner by Nancy Wheelton. Callie and Lauren are determined to keep their hearts safe but find that taking a chance on love is the safest option of all. (978-1-63555-666-7)
Everyday People by Louis Barr. When film star Diana Danning hires private eye Clint Steele to find her son, Clint turns to his former West Point barracks mate, and ex-buddy with benefits, Mars Hauser to lend his cyber espionage and digital black ops skills to the case. (978-1-63555-698-8)
Forging a Desire Line by Mary P. Burns. When Charley’s ex-wife, Tricia, is diagnosed with inoperable cancer, the private duty nurse Tricia hires turns out to be the handsome and aloof Joanna, who ignites something inside Charley she isn’t ready to face. (978-1-63555-665-0)
Love on the Night Shift by Radclyffe. Between ruling the night shift in the ER at the Rivers and raising her teenage daughter, Blaise Richilieu has all the drama she needs in her life, until a dashing young attending appears on the scene and relentlessly pursues her. (978-1-63555-668-1)
Olivia’s Awakening by Ronica Black. When the daring and dangerously gorgeous Eve Monroe is hired to get Olivia Savage into shape, a fierce passion ignites, causing both to question everything they’ve ever known about love. (978-1-63555-613-1)
The Duchess and the Dreamer by Jenny Frame. Clementine Fitzroy has lost her faith and love of life. Can dreamer Evan Fox make her believe in life and dream again? (978-1-63555-601-8)
The Road Home by Erin Zak. Hollywood actress Gwendolyn Carter is about to discover that losing someone you love sometimes means gaining someone to fall for. (978-1-63555-633-9)
Waiting for You by Elle Spencer. When passionate past-life
lovers meet again in the present day, one remembers it vividly and the other isn’t so sure. (978-1-63555-635-3)
While My Heart Beats by Erin McKenzie. Can a love born amidst the horrors of the Great War survive? (978-1-63555-589-9)
Face the Music by Ali Vali. Sweet music is the last thing that happens when Nashville music producer Mason Liner, and daughter of country royalty Victoria Roddy are thrown together in an effort to save country star Sophie Roddy’s career. (978-1-63555-532-5)
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Mending Fences by Angie Williams. Rancher Bobbie Del Rey and veterinarian Grace Hammond are about to discover if heartbreaks of the past can ever truly be mended. (978-1-63555-708-4)
Silk and Leather: Lesbian Erotica with an Edge edited by Victoria Villasenor. This collection of stories by award winning authors offers fantasies as soft as silk and tough as leather. The only question is: How far will you go to make your deepest desires come true? (978-1-63555-587-5)
The Last Place You Look by Aurora Rey. Dumped by her wife and looking for anything but love, Julia Pierce retreats to her hometown, only to rediscover high school friend Taylor Winslow, who’s secretly crushed on her for years. (978-1-63555-574-5)
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