Catherine Edward's Blog, page 9
August 30, 2021
Cover Reveal: Fraser by Even Monroe
Title: #FraserSeries: Rich City Boys Book OneAuthor: Even MonroeGenre: Contemporary Romance StandaloneRelease Date: September 10, 2021Cover Design: Designs By Dana
It’s not true what they say about all work and no play. It doesn’t make you dull, it makes you successful.
But I’m not sure how much longer I can endure the daily grind. Work, workout, rinse, repeat.
How the hell do I get myself out of this endless cycle?
Fraser is brilliant and dedicated to his job, which has fast become his biggest downfall—focused and brilliant but lonely. His success has come at the cost of his happiness. Covering up the failings of others as well as being at their beck and call is slowly destroying him. His opinion of those working in Adele’s office, who are entwined in his success, is plummeting by the day.
Adele has always had her eye on the prize—study, work experience, and now, finally, a prestigious job she’s spent years chasing. What she didn’t expect was to find a toxic workplace and a sinking feeling that she’s made a big mistake.
When the two meet, their worlds quickly become entwined. Can Fraser find a way to use his renowned charm to win over the beautiful woman who constantly surprises him with her wit, kindness, and impressive lingerie collection? Can the two of them find a way out of their workplace prisons, or will Fraser’s fears and insecurities put an end to their smoldering hot romance before it has a fighting chance?
Rich City Boys – Fraser is the first standalone novel in the steamy Rich City Boys contemporary romance series. If you like sexy men, fast cars, and weekends out of the city, start reading now.
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PROLOGUE
I look like hell.
There’s no denying it.
The mirror reflects tired gray eyes and bone-deep weariness. The last few days, there’s been a gritty feeling I can’t quite blink away. Shadows below tell the tale of long days and nights chained to the desk. The bathroom light is stark and unforgiving, and my weary face stares back at me, joyless. Shaking my head, I pick up the razor. I don’t have all day to brood.
Carefully maneuvering the sharp blades along my jawline, it deftly cuts through yesterday’s growth. Every individual hair cut to skin level, the precision of these German-made blades is ruthless. I admire an instrument that carries out its job to perfection.
The parallel of this razor with my life isn’t lost on me. So much of my time is spent deployed by others to gracefully deliver the death blow and cut my opponents off at the knees. My battlefield is the courtroom, and there’s no break from the relentless pressure and the switch from being on the attack to being on the defensive in the blink of an eye.
It’s stress and argument and persuasion.
All.
Day.
Long.
Toweling off the last of the lather from my face, I try a grin on for size, really giving it a good hard go. I get halfway before I admit defeat. My shoulders slump. How is it that I can muster up so little inner joy? The face in the reflection falls back into neutral, the emotionless mask that comes so easily these days.
Determined not to dwell, I roll my shoulders, stand tall, and run my hands through my hair with some product to keep it in place. Feeling a twinge in my bicep, I remind myself that I need to slow down on the arm work at the gym. I’ve been training too hard, punishing the punching bag.
Despite my sun-deprived face, I do keep myself in fighting shape. Not that anyone sees me naked. God knows why, it’s been embarrassingly long since my sex life was anything to boast about.
For years now, it’s been work, work, work—all my attention has been on my career. But for me, work is more than just a job. It’s a calling, and for the longest time, it has been everything. My work is important, not only to me but for its wide-reaching impact, and I feel the weight of responsibility that goes along with it. I mentally note to get outside for some fresh air today and maybe speak to someone about something other than one of my cases.
The problem is, I have no idea where I’d even find someone to speak to about something normal. I have a close group of friends, but the four of us are all separated right now, and our jobs have taken us in strange directions. All of us working our asses off with no time for anything else.
And where the hell do you think you’re ever going to find a girlfriend? I groan, tightening the towel around my hips and turning to leave the bathroom. Somehow, I’ve ended up in a routine that has me a slave to the office, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time I looked at a woman and felt even a stir of interest.
Fuck, I need to get out more.
Author of steamy romance, right to the last word.
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August 23, 2021
Cover Reveal: Preying on the Church by Kimberley B. Jones
Preying on the Church
Kimberley B. Jones
Publication date: August 26th 2021
Genres: Adult, Christian, Contemporary
Preying On The Church, is an inspiring novel about an African American middle-age woman Margie, who is well-known in her community through her job as a Realtor, serving as a representative on the Rockford Town Council, and giving her portion of life at Rockford Baptist Church.
A tragic accident happens that no one could ever believe. After a church shooting, Margie loses faith as her life is shattered into pieces losing someone close to her that causes her to journey through the five stages of grief.
It takes her to the lowest possible point of survival: isolating herself from friends and family, losing faith, drinking alcohol, almost getting arrested, and losing her job to realize she is on a path of destruction.
Author Bio:
Kimberley B. Jones is a small country girl from St. George, SC. She followed her heart in college writing children books. Recently she decided to challenge herself and branch off to novels. She is your typical nomad who moves from place to place. Not by choice, but her husband serves in the military. She has a bachelors and masters in early childhood education. Kimberley is represented by Rhetaskew Publishing company and is best known for her debut novel, Our Friendship Matters.
When she is not writing, she is either thinking of another topic or reading. She loves writing , it gives her a chance to escape into another human character and express herself, other than being your typical mother and wife. If you don't want to be on her bad side, then she needs her white chocolate mocha every morning. Some days Folgers breakfast blend coffee is okay.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
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August 21, 2021
Cover Reveal: Friends to the End
Friends to the End
C.L. Colyer
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: September 27th 2021
Genres: Action, Adventure, Middle-Grade, Supernatural
Zach doesn’t believe in ghosts…but he should.
Twelve-year-old Zach is convinced he’ll never be happy without his best friend Jeremy by his side. But both of their lives changed with a bang five months ago, and as far as Zach’s concerned, it’s his fault Jeremy will never see his twelfth birthday.
When Zach moves with his family to a Chicago suburb, he quickly becomes friends with a group of thrill-seeking kids trying to find a disappearing haunted house. But Zach’s not worried. He doesn’t believe in ghosts, so he follows them into a wild, dangerous encounter that becomes a battle to decide what’s real and what’s not.
Author Bio:
Professional network technician by day, novelist by night, Cherie lives a quiet life in the Chicago suburbs with her charming husband. She has four amazing sons who she loves dearly. Cherie magically weaves together stories with a paranormal twist. She’s the author of the Embrace series (Embrace, Hold Tight, and Entwined), Challenging Destiny, Damned When I Didn’t, and Friends to the End. She waltzes into the adult novel world with this enchanting holiday romance, Merry Little Wishing Spritz.
She happily visits schools, libraries, and book clubs, and is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators).
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August 19, 2021
Review: Swop The Satsuma-Sized Secret
Swop The Satsuma-Sized Secret by Lucy Noguera My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Swop: The Satsuma-Sized Secret is a humorous tale of a little boy and the world’s smallest dog he finds in his suitcase.
Ernie and his family leave the countryside to move to the city to be close with his Granny. He is missing his home and feels like he’d never get used to this place. However, things change when a surprising friend literally stumbles into his life.
Ernie’s new landlord is strict. Pets aren’t allowed in his new home and he had to give away his precious pet before moving. So Ernie decides to hide his little dog in his room. But the little fur ball has different plans.
Chaos ensues when Swop sneaks into his lunch box and accompanies him to school. The rest of the story follows Ernie and his friend trying to hide Swop from the others, leading to various hilarious encounters. It’s a beautiful story children would enjoy just like my nieces did.
Blurb
What would you do if you found the world’s smallest dog?
When Ernie and his family leave the countryside to move to the city. Ernie feels like he’ll never settle into their new home.
Yet on his very first night, a surprising new friend introduces himself – Swop is a very tiny dog. A dog that just happens to be the size of a satsuma.
Ernie vows to keep Swop a secret, but Swop has other ideas and he’s determined to make Ernie’s first day at his new school a memorable one!
Buy Links
Amazon
Author Bio
An ex-primary school teacher and Teacher of the Deaf. I now run a small educational company, specialising in arranging book projects and theatre events for schools and families. I live with my husband, our three children and our three dogs in Ealing, London. Yet the one in charge is our little ex-street dog, even though he has no eyes and three legs. He also happens to be called Swop!
View all my reviews
August 17, 2021
Blitz: Not Today Negativity
Not Today Negativity
Blurb
Years of infertility, multiple heartbreaking losses, daggers of racism, sexism and misogyny, physician burnout and a boss that killed his wife.... negativity seemed to be on a winning streak, driving Dr. Oneeka under the covers. Sometimes it seems as if our inner and outer worlds are in a battle with negativity every day....in your own stories, and those around you leaving you depleted, discouraged and out of balance. What if you could extract the power of your stories in a way that elevates you above your circumstances and then empowers you to act so that you can heal, achieve whole health and live a life without limits?
Join Dr. Oneeka on this soul stirring, sometimes gut wrenching yet triumphant, vulnerable and authentic journey of masterful storytelling through her life and emerge equipped with 5 Habits of Positivity that will position you to resist negativity’s attacks.
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Author Bio
Dr. Oneeka Williams, healer, award-winning author, educator, entrepreneur, healer, storyteller, urologic surgeon, and Positivity Catalyst, is the product of a science teacher mom and journalist father. Born and raised in Guyana and Barbados, she is on a mission to educate, elevate and empower and believes we can use the positive power of our stories to defeat negativity so we can achieve whole health, pursue our dreams, and live a life without limits. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Medical School, she has used her experiences and life philosophy as the catapult to impact the lives of her patients and community.
As a mentor and advocate of health equity, literacy, and science education, Dr. Oneeka focuses on creating an environment of positivity as part of an ecosystem of learning. This shapes what we think, which then affects what we do and applies in any environment. She authors a book series featuring super surgeon Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo (www.drdeedeedynamo.com), who lives on the Island of Positivity to inspire girls toward a greater interest in science and increase representation in children’s books. Her focus on positive habits quickly attracted parents and teachers, underscoring that adults also need help in overcoming negativity in their lives. This is her first book for adults.
Dr. Oneeka practices urologic surgery and lives in Newton, Massachusetts, with her husband, Dr. Charles Anderson and son, Mark. Learn more at www.DrOneekaWilliams.com.
Blitz: Before Pittsburgh by Kasie Whitner
Before Pittsburgh by Kasie Whitner
Blurb
Tony is dead and Brian’s world has unraveled. He starts counting the days in Barcelona: barfights and threesomes. The months in San Francisco: short stories and a new romance. The seasons in Tucson, Nashville, Manila, and Seattle: The Crew growing up and apart. Three years unfold between before-Tony-died and after. Brian thinks he has finally left Virginia and its ghosts behind.
Then September 11th brings time to a standstill and Brian faces a new devastation.
With so much work to be done Before Pittsburgh, Brian’s world expands in unexpected ways but contracts in the same old patterns of loss, redemption, and mourning. Can he earn his place in the lives of the people he loves? Or will he remain disconnected, unforgiven, and alone?
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Author Bio
Award-winning GenX fiction writer Dr Kasie Whitener hosts a radio show called "Write On SC," and a weekly Twitter chat called #wschat. Her debut novel, After December, was a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards in 2020 and her second novel Before Pittsburgh, releases in August 2021. She has delivered workshops for the South Carolina Writers Association, Pat Conroy Literary Center, Winter Wheat Festival, Fairfax County Public Library, and the South Carolina Book Festival.
August 12, 2021
Cover Reveal: Tall Dark and Evil
Tall Dark and Evil
Alexi Blake & May Sage
Publication date: January 27th 2022
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
The Five Realms University is an open battlefield. After surviving three years of pranks, insults, and the occasional attempted murder, Alis thought she knew the rules of the game.
One encounter with Reiks, the golden prince everyone adores, shows her just how mistaken she was. He’s decided she’s his to torment for his last year at Five, and no one can save her from his clutches, until an actual war comes knocking at the doors.
Alis had her reasons for staying under the radar for so long, but to survive, she might have to embrace the devastating magic in her blood, at the risk of destroying the entire world.
Born to take over a kingdom divided to its very core, Reiks has grown calculating and cruel, for the greater good.
He treats friends and foes as unwitting pawns on his board, until he comes to realize one piece might have been his enemy’s queen in disguise. Alis could be his undoing.
Or his salvation.
Author Bio:
May is a USA Today Bestselling Author who recently moved to The Hague, in the Netherlands. She writes many sub-genres of romance; mainly fantasy, paranormal and contemporary. You’re signing up for strong, sassy, kick-ass women and swoon-worthy alpha protagonists. Enjoy the ride!
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August 11, 2021
Still Water by Amy Stuart - Release Day Tour
Still Water by Amy Stuart
How do you find the truth in a town full of secrets?
When Sally Proulx and her son mysteriously disappear from the stormy town of High River, Clare O’Dey is hired to track them down. She hopes to find them alive, but High River is not a typical town. It is a place where women go to escape their past. The women run to Helen Haines, the community matriarch, who offers them safe haven and anonymity.
Pretending to be Sally’s long lost friend, Clare starts asking questions but nothing prepares her for the deception and lies simmering beneath the surface of this quiet little neighbourhood. As the truth surges through High River, Clare must confront the thing she has been so desperately running from, even if it comes at a devastating cost.
Gripping, twisty and compulsive, Still Water is a deep dive of a thriller that will leave you breathless, perfect for fans of Louise Penny and Liz Nugent.
About the author:
Amy Stuart’s first novel, Still Mine, was an instant national bestseller in Canada and is now available in the US!
Currently at work on the sequel to Still Mine, Amy won the 2011 Writers’ Union of Canada Short Fiction Competition and was a finalist for the 2012 Vanderbilt/Exile Award. In 2012, Amy completed her MFA in Creative Writing. When not writing, she is a guidance counsellor at an alternative high school.
Amy was born in Toronto where she still lives with her husband and their three sons. Aside from writing, she loves hockey. Ice hockey.
August 10, 2021
Review: 5 Daily Reminders To Change Your Life!: Every day is a new day to start your life…..
5 Daily Reminders To Change Your Life!: Every day is a new day to start your life….. by Birister SharmaMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I recently got into reading self-affirmative and books with positive outlook on life. This was a short and quick read.
Key takeaways:
-Nobody can stop you to become amazing in your life, but it is up to you.
-With an attitude of ‘I Can Do Anything…’ you can accomplish anything in your life.
-Bad times and good times are like pass and parcel; they are the parts of your life. They are like seasons.
-Every challenge brings you new opportunity in your life.
-Your success always demands continuous preparation from you.
All of us need some kind of affirmation in our lives. This book affirms it.
View all my reviews
October 29, 2020
Excerpt! The Hybrid Queen
Excerpt! The Hybrid Queen
Buy from:Amazon USEbook | PaperbackAmazon IndiaAmazon CASmashwordsApple BooksAdd to Goodreads
Read 3 sample chapters below...
CHAPTER 1 Walking away from her even for a short time was the hardest thing Aaron ever did, but the Alpha in him knew his duty was to the pack. The beast clawed at his chest, wanting to be with his mate, torn between the responsibility and love.As the distance between the dungeons grew, his thoughts cleared. Hycinth. There was that word again. Lilith said it as if it were a curse. He was missing something. The people around him seem to know more.Aaron halted in his tracks, “What am I missing?” His gaze narrowed at the crestfallen witch and the warlock. Was it guilt on his father’s face? He raked his brain, trying to remember the stories his mother often told him. Hycinth. The title felt familiar, but he did not remember from where. “We’ll talk in the office,” his father fired, walking toward the office. “John, check on the pack, assure them everything will be fine,” Ordering his general with a clenched jaw he followed his father. but. something violent twisted his gut causing him to stop. His heart clenched as he forced a breath. The strong emotion belonged to Mia. He swallowed his pain and proceeded to walk again. The pack would feel that too now that she was bonded to him. Everyone including his brothers, cousins, Lilith and Ted silently followed his father to the office. If they sensed his pain earlier, they didn’t show it outward. His father went to stand near the window, and Aaron stood in the middle of the room, facing the others. He stared at them with sullen resentment.“Mia is a Hycinth witch,” Ted admitted, not meeting his gaze.“Elaborate.” His voice boomed in the office. “Hycinth clan is the most powerful of all the witch covens. They perform dark magic and Melisa, Mia’s biological mother is one of them,” Lilith, his mother’s friend and the only witch his family trusted, lamented, fresh tears streaming down her face. “How do you know so much about Mia?” Matthew piped in.“Because Mia is my niece.” Lilith hung her head.“Niece?” Juan frowned, cocking his head to the side. The witch didn’t meet their gaze, instead walked to the couch and slumped on the single-seater. She appeared smaller than her usual height, hands folded in her lap her body slightly trembled. “Melisa is my sister,” she muttered.A tremor raked Aaron’s body. Flashes of the recent events surfaced in his mind—Mia observing magic, draining the Dark Witch, her transformation. The witches were classified into two divisions. Dark and light. The ones who performed dark magic were called as the dark ones and the ones who light magic were called guardians. ‘The Dark Witch’ was a legend. A legend thought to be tales crafted by mothers to keep their children away from the dark but it seemed true now. However, Aaron didn’t know much about the witch covens or the rankings. He only knew of the power struggle that led to their fall. “The Hycinth bloodline is cursed.” Ted, the warlock better known as Galahad Mortem among the supernaturals was the only necromancer to survive the war. He ran a hand over his face and plopped onto the couch nearby. “They’re…um, different from the other dark witches, you see. The Great Witch Serafine Hycinth—Melisa and Lilith’s ancestor —once made a deal with the devil. She traded her soul in exchange for a great deal of power, but the boon came with a curse.” When he lifted his gaze, it was filled with despair. “Every firstborn female of Hycinth coven was blessed with more power than the last, but the power became too much for their mortal minds, and they often lost themselves to the darkness.”Blood rushed to Aaron’s head, and the buzz drowned the other sounds. Anxiously, he waited for Ted to confirm what he already suspected.Ted clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes at Lilith, who averted her gaze—guilt written all over her face. “Mia is Melisa’s firstborn,” he confirmed after a few minutes when Lilith said nothing. A humorless chuckle slipped out of Aaron’s lips. “That’s fucked up.” He dropped to the single leather seat with a shake of his head. “That’s royally fucked up. And you didn’t bother to tell me because…” His furious gaze sized up Ted and Lilith, demanding answers. They hid something huge like this from him which unsettled his beast, shattering his control. He clamped his mouth shut, fighting the change. “Speak!” he growled in his animalistic voice, commanding, eyes of beast glaring at the dark witch as it roared inside him.“I didn’t know.” Lilith shifted in her seat. She glanced at Ted, who shot daggers at her. “I confirmed it last night and Ted was going to inform—”Ted lifted a hand, stopping her. His face had grown red with fury. Though Aaron was distracted, he didn’t fail to notice the unspoken tension between the witch and the warlock. “The damage is done. There’s no point in discussing the wrong and right.” He turned to face Aaron and continued, “Consuming witch blood awoke the dormant magic in Mia’s blood. Like I said, being around her mortal enemies awoke her instincts, forcing the change in her body to protect itself.” He sighed and reclined on the couch, staring at the ceiling. “Talk about having two different beasts within yourself.” He lifted his head to meet Aaron’s gaze.The lycan king’s throat constricted. He understood now. In his mind, the beast settled in its haunches, listening intently. Mia hosted two different entities in her body. Though the witches or Vampires didn’t quite work like the Lycans, the struggle was almost the same. One must be in tune with their innate powers and accept each side. “But she’s a vampire. I don’t understand,” Juan asked in confusion. “How was that even possible?”Ted threw a glance at Lilith. “We have a theory. We believe her father is human.”“Is?” Matthew cocked his head. “I thought he was dead.”“A Hycinth witch can only be controlled by her mate’s blood. If Felipe had Melisa all this time, then that was the only sensible explanation,” Lilith’s voice took a hard edge. “My sister must had found a way to control the darkness.”Felipe Lancelot, the fucking vampire king he despised more than anything in this world. Of course, he would have a few tricks up his sleeve.“How do we help Mia? I can’t leave her in the dungeons, tied up like a criminal. She’s my mate,” Aaron growled unable to hide his frustration. Lilith was quiet, different emotions played on her features. “I’ll find a way.” She stood from her seat, pivoted on her heels and stormed out of the room.“As you should,” Ted barked before following her out.***Darkness. Twirling pits of pure darkness swirled around her. Occasionally, she would hear a wisp of something evil trying to claw at her skin, whispering dark things in her ears.Pain. Excruciating pain gutted her from the inside out. Screams. The never-ending, agonizing screams felt soothing. The horrible sounds oddly soothed her sensitive ears. It lured like a music coming from the Pied Piper’s magic pipe. Mia fought the compelling urge to surrender. Something was wrong. She shouldn’t feel this way, shouldn’t be drawn to pain and misery.Stop it.The weak cry of her human side was a distant echo in her head as the pressure built. The feeling––both liberating yet confining. When the pain in her head built close to exploding, another cry tore through her lips and agitated the castle’s wall. The next cry was gut-wrenching as something inside her gave one last tug of resistance, but as the scream stopped, a sudden rush of relief filled her.She breathed deeper, flexing her arms. Energy crackled in the air and her magic stirred. “It’s over”, The dark energy she came to recognize as her magical side whispered sardonically.Just as the fiery figure that resembled her physique emerged to the surface of her skin, something else rose above it. Dark, strong, and filled with malice. This one––with the wings like that of a demon––strangled the other and pushed it back. Scream after scream tore from her lips as these two forces fought within her for dominance.She had long known about the presence of two entities in her body. Strong and independent with minds of their own, they often fought each other for an upper hand. Mia had always succeeded in suppressing their violent urges. However, now she could only watch as their struggle inflicted pain on her mortal body and weakened her soul.Behind her closed lids, she became a silent spectator of her self-destruction. One made of fire, and the other a creature of darkness she didn’t know which creature was more powerful—the witch or the vampire. To her, both monsters she housed appeared more dangerous than the other did. The fiery-looking creature often urged her to do bad things, fought tooth and claw with her vampire side. It shot burst after burst of magical energy at the dark, winged creature. The sparks scalded her insides. The demonic creature in question screamed and thrashed. Gashes and burn marks appeared on the outside of her body. Soon, it lost its momentum, sinking deep like a bird dropping from the sky.The fiery creature pushed forward. The maliciousness radiated by its gleeful smile chilled her bones. When she thought it would break free, it hit a magical barrier and shot backward. With a growl, it come to the surface again, only to be forced down by the binds—made of her mate’s blood—in her arms and legs.Aaron’s blood. A tear slid down her cheeks. She hoped it worked this time. Dark spots shrouded her vision—each time the fiery creature sent a burst of magic to break the binding that temporarily paralyzed her, its inflicted bone-crunching pain all over her body.Mia coughed blood and breathed through her mouth, crying silently and wishing for everything to stop. Even death sounded less painful than her current predicament. The last bit of strength left her, causing her to sink within the dark abyss of her mind. The human side stood no chance against the creatures that should have never existed. Just as her eyes fluttered to close, she saw the winged creature shooting up with a determined look. With a roar, it caught the fiery presence in a chokehold. The magical bond that the witch and Aaron placed did nothing to suppress this dark creature. The fiery being, made of magic, struggled. The light dimmed, and its energy drained as it soon went limp. Hope bloomed in her heart and fueled the determination of her human side. Like a dying engine spurting to life one last time, she stirred. This time, though, the demonic creature laughed.“Mia, you’re too weak. It’s time you let me take control and let the world see what we are capable of.”“What are you going to do?” She reached for the creature with a weak hand.“You’ll see.”“Don’t hurt Aaron,” she wheezed.It smirked at her, “Ooh, the strong one?” The mockery hurt, but what hurt the most was an image of Aaron’s smiling face that grew distant. “He is really something, isn’t he?” The dark creature recalled the passion-filled nights that brought tears to her eyes. A pressure built in her chest. “Don’t—”“Shh…” It silenced her with a cold finger on her cracked lips. “He is an enemy.”“L-love…” she stuttered against the finger.It snorted on hearing the word. “Love is for the weak. We don’t belong here.” Felipe’s face popped into her mind. She saw him staring at the empty throne by his side. “A throne is waiting for us.”“No!” She tried one last time to stop the creature but it was vain.“Sleep, Mia.” It pressed her down with the cackle and soared up.
CHAPTER 2 Felipe scrunched his nose as the stale air assaulted his sensitive nostrils. His long robe swished behind him as he progressed through the dark corridors, wondering what he was doing in this wretched place. He didn’t remember coming here in the first place. This sure wasn’t his castle. And in this dark spot, he sensed a strange magnetic pull toward something or someone. He moved forward.The dimly lit corridors stretched until he came to a confinement area. He glanced at the vampires and witches who were held captive. They stared at the far wall with their sunken eyes and didn't seem to notice his presence as he glided past them. The pull intensified as he went deeper.His heart raced as he took a turn around the corner, eyes soon finding the source of that strange magnetic pull.An angel with dark wings was chained to the wall of an old cell. The hues of blue and black on her velvety skin glistened even in the darkness. Her eyes, pitch-black as the moonless night sky, stared into nothing as she thrashed in confines.She was the most beautiful but deadly vampire he had ever seen. Her wings flapped dangerously, and she tried to claw at anything and everything. Her entire look was so primal that it aroused him to no extent. When her eyes finally bore into him, a malicious smile spread on her lips. “Come...” A whisper rang in his head—he was sure her lips didn't move.The angel smirked as if reading his thoughts.“Come and get me, my king,” she crooned in her honey-dripping voice.Felipe stared at her, mesmerized. “Who are you?” She smiled, displaying her fangs as her tongue darted out to lick her lips. “Come closer.”The vampire king found himself moving within her reach and when he was close, she grabbed his shoulders.“Release me!” she snarled at his face before throwing him against the wall. Felipe hit the wall with an oomph. His claws extended as his instincts took over. When he landed on his knees, laughter bubbled in his chest. She had a fire, and he liked that. No one in his thousand years of existence had caught him off guard before let alone get closer to try. That hit knocked the breath out of his lungs. Arousal churned the pit of his stomach. “Easy, sweetheart,” he brushed the dust off his clothes. “You’re being too rude in our first meeting.” He got closer again and inspected the chains, immediately recognizing the strong magic holding her captive.She hissed, “Get me out of here!” The chains clanged violently. Her shrill scream pierced his ears as she hit him square in the chest before he could blink, sending him stumbling down the darkness. ***Felipe twisted in his bed. His claws ripped through the black satin sheets as a terrorized scream brought him back to reality. He had pinned the source of scream to the bed. Her fearful gaze was wide as she cowered. The witch underneath him looked nothing like the angel in his dreams. Dream?He never had a fucking dream before. This was a message. “Leave!”The terrified witch who served him as the “flavor of the night” gathered her discarded clothes, scurrying off his bed and then out of his room. “Malloy!” he bellowed, jaw clenching and clawed hands fisting at his side. “Master.” A short, rounded figure trudged in and bowed.“Call Tanya.” A low growl resonated within his chest.“Yes, Master.” The slave exited the room.Felipe’s thoughts went to the vampiress again. The first-ever female born-vampire to be born had finally summoned him. It was no surprise that she had sought after him. After all, they were fated as the only male and female pureblood vampires in the world. Their entire race depended on them for survival. The message also meant that her transformation was complete. This came sooner than he calculated.The red-haired witch hurried in after a few minutes breaking his chain of thoughts. “Master, you called?” She bowed, hands clasped in front of her.“The female pureblood has come to her powers. Make the necessary arrangements. We’re bringing her to the castle.”“But Master...”Felipe whirled around, “What?!”“The lycans annihilated our army last time. Our losses are too great. We are in no position to fight.”His jaw clenched. The fucking lycans destroyed the drudgelings he had carefully created over the decades. But since when did that stop him? He was Felipe, the first and mighty born vampire; the strongest and powerful supernatural to walk on earth.“Since when did I ask for your opinion?” He tilted his head to the side, looking at her angrily. “Do you think I can’t win this war now that I lost some group of drudgelings?”Tanya shook her head. “That’s not what I meant,” she begged, dropping to her knees and pressed her forehead to the ground. “Spare me, Master. I overstepped my boundary.”He turned away, too bored to deal with the witch. His thoughts went back to Mia. What if this was a trap? His fingers tapped against his thigh as he mulled over the vision. She was too young and too inexperienced to be allowed to possess such strength. It’s too dangerous to leave her out there. “Bring Carl to me. Make sure he is fed and clothed well.” Tanya bowed again. “Sure, Master.” Trap or not, he had to bring her home. Because a weapon as strong as she belonged with him. ***Aaron sat gingerly in his office chair as the officials surrounded him. He wanted nothing more than to go back to his mate, but the meeting ran longer than he anticipated. One thing came after the other while his patience waned.Once the officials left, he turned to the others in the room. “Anything else?”Lilith exhaled deeply. “I strongly believe that Felipe has Mia's father in custody.” Her gaze flicked to Ted, who in return just ignored her. “It makes sense. Felipe had Melisa under his control all these years. Only a mate's blood can bind the powers of a Hycinth,” Ted mused. When he looked at the witch, his gaze narrowed with fury, and Aaron once again noticed the guilt flooding Lilith’s face.What’s going on between the two? “What does this have to do with Mia? I only care about bringing her back to her normal self, nothing else,” Aaron growled, his fists clenched as his eyes glowed with his beast taking a front seat in his mind.Seeing Aaron’s patience growing thin, Ted quickly suggested, “We have to wait for Melisa to wake up, Your Highness. She is the only witch who supposedly fought the darkness and came back. Only she can help us bring Mia back.” He couldn’t believe the dark witch who once wreaked havoc would settle down with a human and have a child. And that child became his mate. What was his mate’s fault in all this to carry such a burden? No one got to choose their parents. Why must the children suffer for the sins of their ancestors? “Speak to Paul. Find a way to heal Melisa soon,” Aaron turned his gaze to his father sitting quietly. “Dad, take over the pack affairs for a few days. I must find a solution to this problem.”“Sure,” Jerome acknowledged, gently squeezing his shoulder. “If your blood can bind her, then there is a great chance that she will find her way back to you. Don’t lose hope.”“Thanks, Dad.” Aaron nodded, and gave a curt nod toward others, he left the room.The trip to the dungeon was quick. He didn’t want to lock Mia there in the first place, but then again it was one of two places with reinforced walls to withstand magic and supernatural strength and he couldn’t take her to their safety bunker for fear of the packmates finding out the truth. His heart sank when he saw his mate sleeping on the cold floor in her vampire form. Dark fur, short and a perfect blend of royal blue and black, replaced her human skin. Smooth and velvet-like to touch; it reminded him of the peacocks he enjoyed watching during a trip to Florida. Huge wings with silky feathers wrapped around her delicate body.The beast inside him surged forward, demanding full control at the sight of his mate. Though they were in harmony all the time, he understood his beast’s pressing need to comfort their mate. Aaron surrendered his control and allowed his fur side to come forward. Mia’s wings bristled, taking a defensive stance when the lycan approached. His breath caught, noticing the now-sharp, knife-like edges of the wings that pointed at him.“Mia…” He extended his arm cautiously.The wings struck even before he could blink. Its sharp edge sliced through the skin of his arm, and he retreated with a hiss. Aaron swallowed the pain and observed as his blood was absorbed into her body through the small pore at the tip of the feathers. Awestruck, he stood staring at her for a moment. As he contemplated how to approach his mate without being gutted by the bloodthirsty wings, her body rose from the ground. She was still asleep, but he realized the wings were acting on their own accord, supporting her body as they stretched to their full width.Whoa! The wings were humongous, he admonished as he approached her. “Mia…” He called again.The feathers bristled again before settling down. Aaron took a deep breath before approaching her. He caressed her cheek just barely and held her when she sunk to the floor. Without another thought, his impatient beast unclasped the chains from her delicate hands and hoisted her into his arms before hurrying out of the dungeon.***Mia woke with a start, blinking her black eyes at the sound of the chains rattling on the floor. Her first sensation was that of soft fur brushing against her skin, and a deep sigh relaxed her body. She snuggled involuntarily to the warmth. The beast she recognized as her mate picked her up in bridal style, his strong hands folded her soft, yet strong, wings as he carried her out of the dungeon.Mia looked around at her surroundings and then at the beast who was carrying her. Something began to whisper in her head again. She wanted to call for help, to beg someone to stop the whispers, but she had hardly any strength left in her body.He is the reason you feel so powerless.Kill him...Show him the pain...Rip his heart out...You won't be free until he dies...Kill him...The whispers’ demand intensified with each passing second, and Mia screamed internally. When she wouldn't do as the whispers commanded they intensified a thousand-fold; the voices clouded every single fiber of her body making it harder to think. Once again, to her horror, she sensed the winged creature taking control of her sanity. Unable to retain control anymore, she shrieked and bit down on his chest. CHAPTER 3Aaron roared in pain and panted when Mia’s fangs sunk into his furry chest. He clenched his jaw as he entered his chamber and kicked the door shut. She was draining his blood. He had to stop her, somehow. Agonizing pain shot through his entire body as he sensed her thrill through their bond. He thought of shifting back to his human form, but it would be too dangerous to shift given her lack of control. A lycan was most vulnerable during their shift.Her pained whimper sounded distant in his mind. “Stop me,” her human side reached out to him through their mate bond for a brief moment. This time Aaron knew exactly when the vampire took control.Without further warning, he sunk his fangs into the crook of her shoulder over her mate mark. He concentrated on all the good times they had together, pushing those memories through their bond. It was a blessing for the lycan mates since they could share memories. While she inflicted pain, he let her feel his love and desire for her, and as he expected, the pain of her bite soon reduced. In a battle between love and pain, his love won. Warmth replaced his pain, and he almost cried in relief. There was still hope. He could still save her.A raw need for sex soon replaced the warmth that was now pulsing through the bond. His mate was losing herself to the darkness, entirely ruled by her primal desire and instincts, which saddened the beast. Though he was disappointed, he realized it was the only way he could get closer to his mate. His fangs retracted, and the beast held her in his embrace. He contemplated giving into her game of seduction. What if this brings her back? Mia was fighting for control, and earlier, she even came back to consciousness for a bit. What if this could remind her of their moments together? Aaron was still in his beast form. He didn’t stop her when his back hit the bed and she ground her hips against him as her clawed fingers ran through his velvety fur. Mia released him and looked at him with half-lidded eyes—jet-black with no traces of humanity—she stared at him as if he were her next meal. His blood dripped from her chin, and her tongue darted out to lick the remnants of it as she tilted her head to watch him. Aaron had to decide what he wanted to do with her. She appeared calm, despite her vampire side being in control. Rejecting her might once again set her off.After pondering over it for a while, Aaron decided to take the chance. Vampire or witch, she was still his mate. Nothing could change his love for her. He closed his eyes and let the change take over as his fur melted into human skin. When he opened his eyes, Mia gave him a predator's grin and raked her claws against his now smooth skin.Aaron stared into the dark depths of her eyes, searching for any recognition but found none. Her wings surged forward, the sharp feathers caging his hands above his head. She bent down, capturing his lips, her tongue entering his mouth, dominating him and he let her. He tasted his blood on her lips. His dominant nature urged him to take control, but he chose to stay put, closing his eyes and followed her lead. As she gyrated her hips against him, the sweet scent of her arousal engulfed him. Aaron would be lying if he said that he didn't like what she was doing to him, but she wasn’t being herself. Mia was driven by pure desire, which made him regret for a split-second. However, his body betrayed him, growing hornier with every passing second. She kissed the juncture of his neck, lips ghosting over the mate mark that sent a shudder through his body. Heat pooled in the pit of his stomach, making his cock twitch. Mia smirked sensing his arousal as she rolled her hips in response. She continued to trail her lips down the smooth valley of his chest, littering wet kisses and nipping at his skin. Aaron’s chest rumbled when she cupped his manhood with a hand, thumb tracing the slit before stroking down his length. She placed a scorching kiss on his lower abdomen.His control broke, and in a fluid motion, he had her pinned on the mattress with her legs wrapped around him. If anything, she was more eager to see what would follow next. He could almost taste her anticipation. Her wings encased his entire frame and caressed his naked back. He captured her red, plump lips, kissing her deeply as his thumb traced her jawline.Suddenly, Mia screeched, her eyes rolling into her head. Her wings fell flat, and her hands fell limp at her sides as her breathing slowed. Aaron released her lips. A lonely tear trickled down his cheek as he pulled out the small needle from her neck.Earlier, Lilith had stopped him before he left for the dungeon. “Aaron, I left something under your pillow. Use it when she loses control.”“What is it?”“It’s something I concocted earlier. We don’t know which side of her is controlling her now. Whether it’s her vampire or witch side, so this should be able to knock her out for a short period of time. It will help her temporarily retain her sanity. I’ll make another batch before I leave.”“You’re leaving?”She gave him a small nod. “I have to find someone who can help us. Felipe must know about her now. He will come for her sooner or later. We have to be ready when that happens.”The bags underneath her eyes made her exhaustion evident. It was obvious she was hurting. Mia was her niece after all. He didn’t know what kind of relationship she had with her sister, since she never mentioned her name before. On the other hand, she never told anyone she was a Hycinth. He only knew she was a witch with a high power scale that outsmarted the others from his father’s words. Perhaps, his father already knew of her origin among the other things he hasn’t spoken about. He barely blinked when the topic was brought to the table. Well, he lived longer than Aaron with many decades of experience and knowledge ahead of him. Many things still did not make sense to Aaron.“Okay. Bring Ted and a few warriors with you.”Lilith blinked away her tears, lips trembling as she forced a breath. “Be careful with the doses. Give her only one shot every other day. There’s no telling how long the effects will last. She might have a relapse. Please be patient with her.” “I’ll be careful.”Aaron threaded his hand through Mia’s hair, pushing the wild strands away from her face. “I'm sorry, my love. As much as I love to make love to you, I won't take you when you’re not being yourself. I would never forgive myself if I did something like that, and I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate that either,” he whispered, placing a feather-soft kiss on her forehead. Right now, she was being guided by her primal instincts. Blood and sex went hand in hand for their species, a fact he learned after their mating. He didn’t know if it was true for the other blood-sucking leeches but it was true in Mia’s case. Blood aroused her. “Rest well, my love. I wish you could hear me. Come back to me, please.”Aaron pulled the sheets over them and held her in his arms as he waited for her to wake up. *** “Carl!” Felipe regarded the vampire with a broad grin. “Good to have you back.”“It’s an honor to be at your service, master,” Carl replied with a deep bow. The mop of overgrown blonde hair fell over his eyes and shoulders. With his piercing blue gaze trained on the floor, he hunched his shoulders with a bowed head.“Do you remember why you were being punished?” the king retorted, regarding the prisoner in front of him with curiosity. His suspicious gaze swept over every inch of Carl as he tried to determine if he could trust him with the task. However, his prisoner’s mind was as clean as a slate. He had no memory of the past, except what the king had told him. Carl, the precious mate of Melisa, was a leverage he had protected carefully for two decades. Not all vampires were the same. Felipe had turned Carl, who was barely tethered to his life after capturing Melisa, making him different from most other vampires. He was more human-like. The vampires Felipe made with his bite breathed; their brains functioned; and they had better control over their blood lust. Unlike the pureblood vampires, the ones born as humans with a special gene that granted them extraordinary powers, the vampires directly bitten and turned by Felipe relied on human blood for survival. The purebloods could live on human blood, but their strength came from the blood they consumed.Those bitten by the vampires Felipe created were resurrected as mindless killing machines. That was what made them different from the others. They went on to form the crucial part of his army. Felipe’s lips curved into a smile at the possibilities this strength offered him. He loved experimenting and was pleased with the results. Were lycans aware of them? They might know because now they had captured two of his fighters—Mark and Lucas—the ones from his elite army, bitten and turned by the vampire king himself. He gritted his teeth. Fools. They should have known better than to let that mutts capture them alive.Mark and Lucas had left with Melisa and never returned. Even now, he sensed their presence in the back of his head and knew they were viable. There was no escaping Felipe, not for the ones he created; after all, they were permanently bonded to him by blood. They would come in handy when King Felipe needed them. He wasn’t going to sweat over such a trivial thing. Instead, he aimed at a higher prize. He focused on Carl, cowering before him. “It’s because I went against your orders and fell in love with a witch who wanted to destroy you. I deserved to be punished, Master. Master is too kind and went easy on me.”Felipe grinned in satisfaction. “It’s good you realize that because…” He paced to the other end of the room. “Twenty-some years ago, I separated you from your mate, hoping you would come to your senses and do the right thing.”Carl knelt and pressed his forehead to the ground. “Your slave realizes his mistake now, Master.”Felipe walked around him. “Rise. Your obedience over the past couple of years and your mate’s willingness to side with me in this war has changed my mind. Today, I’m willing to give you a chance to repent for your sins.”Carl lifted his head, his heart raced as Felipe grinned and continued, “The lycans have my mate as their prisoner. Your mate volunteered to bring her home for me. But she failed.”His prisoner tensed. “What are my orders, Master?”Felipe turned to face him. “Infiltrate their territory, lay low, and spy on them. When the time is right, we will attack.”“I won’t fail this time, Master. Your queen is my priority. I’ll bring her home even if it costs my life.” Carl bowed again. “Tanya will walk you over the rest of the details. Go with her.”“Yes, Master.” They exited the room, leaving him alone. Felipe clasped his hands at his back and stared into the dark forest. The silence irritated him. Soon, there would be screams and bloodbath. His face tightened as rage boiled within him. Light footsteps approached him and he didn’t turn to see who it was. He didn’t have to due to his heightened senses. Even now, he knew exactly where each of his slaves was. He could track with just a thought as they were all connected to him. However, in the case of the witches, he knew their scents. “Master, Carl has left.”Felipe nodded without taking his eyes off the scenery.“Master, do you want one of us to follow him?” she asked. “No need. He is under my spell. There is no other vampire stronger than I who can break the spell.” He sighed, mind impatiently wandering as he mulled over the recent developments in the supernatural world.“Can he get past the ward?”“He’s the only one who can get past that ward without detection. Did you forget who he is?” The bastard was mated to a Hycinth witch that made him immune to their vicious magic. Her questions were beginning to annoy him. She must already know that he hated silly questions.“What if they capture him, too?”“Carl is clever. He knows exactly what to do, especially where his mate is concerned,” Felipe stated, briefly glancing over his shoulder with a smirk. As for keeping his side of the bargain, he had to think about it. Would he really help Carl? After all, Felipe didn’t have a heart or the emotions the others often experienced. “Organize our troops and move them near Brookedge. Await my orders.”“Understood.” Tanya left his chamber with a curt bow. Felipe smirked as he picked up the goblet filled with blood, sipping it slowly. The fae blood tasted divine. It was time for another visit to fae land. He summoned his drudges with a thought.“Master.” Two of them knelt in front of him.“Attack Greenwoods.” He traced the smooth surface of the goblet, admiring the delicate floral pattern on the stem. “I heard they have a coronation ceremony planned. It’ll look bad if we didn’t make an appearance,” he continued, his smile growing malicious. “I need more females this time. The younger, the better,” Felipe whispered the last part as if he could already taste their blood on his tongue.He sensed their excitement before they answered. “Yes, Master.” He dismissed them, sunk onto his throne, and thought about the exquisite creature in his dreams. His cock hardening at the mere thought of her. Perhaps her blood would satisfy his insatiable hunger. He couldn’t wait.Soon...My love…Soon
