Once Bitten (Shadow Guild: The Rebel, #1)

by Linsey Hall

you think he’s going to use that power against you, you’ll feel it in your mind. You’ll have a few seconds to throw a potion bomb and run.” “Oh, man. This is just getting creepier.”

He’s a scary bastard, but he’s got, like…rules. Honor. He only really goes after those who are as powerful as he is. Or evil.”

I’d go with you, but if you get in trouble and don’t come back, someone needs to be around to get your ass out.”

Sure, it was dangerous. But I loved

It almost looked like a raccoon. Like Cordelia. I shook my head. No way. That was nuts. Had to be a fat cat. I stared hard at it, and a connection surged between us. Oh yeah, I was losing it.

Thousands of tiny, colorful bottles lined the walls, and a small woman sat on a stool behind the desk. She had brilliant purple hair and green eyes. And wings.

A gleaming black raven sat on the shelf behind her, watching me with onyx eyes.

“You never share the good gossip until way after the fact.” “True.” Mac leaned on the counter. “But you love me anyway. Can you help us?”

handed the little pink bottle to me. “That one’s for drinking.

“The witches specialize in a lot of these potions, so they’d kick my ass if they knew I was selling them.”

imagined being hexed by some old crones and nodded.

Eve raised her brows. “Going somewhere dangerous?” “Maybe,” I said, hoping that Mac wouldn’t share my destination.

We were at the payment part, and I had no idea how much magic could cost.

Eve tilted her head, studying me. She seemed unsure at first, and I wondered if she was trying to read my expression. “What can you do?”

“What’s with the bird?” I asked Mac. “I’m not sure. Eve says she doesn’t see it, but I don’t buy it.” She shrugged. “I want to push her for more info, but I don’t.”

“I can tell you’re on the run from something, and this is a good place to lie low. And it’s fun here.” She led me down the narrow streets.

“You can.” She squeezed my shoulder. “You’ve got a powerful gift. You could definitely set up shop with it.”

“Not a lot with skills like yours, if you’re hunting a murderer. You could be a PI.” She made finger guns with her hands, and somehow, it was charming. “Magic PI, here to solve the case. Or a bounty hunter.”

“Yeah. They need the company of other Fae. At least a little. So a lot of them come here and join the Fae Guild.”

“No. She’s like me—a loner. It’s enough for her to be a member of the guild. She lives next to me, actually.”

and it was easily one of the creepiest towers I’d seen, black-painted stone with windows of red glass that glinted in the sunlight. The one door was guarded by two huge men who looked like bouncers.

“My vampire suspect? How’d he get a guild tower to himself?” “No one is sure. But he’s had it forever, and no one dares take it from him.”

criminal kingpin,

I haven’t heard of him dealing in anything super evil.

life has turned insane.” “It’s always been insane. You just haven’t seen it.”

“Don’t risk yourself.” “I do what I want.” She gave the last word a lilt that made me smile.

could still be crafty, but I’d be upfront.

“Reason for entry?” the guy on the right asked. Inspiration struck. “Your boss wants to see me.” It was true, after all. He’d called me to him.

“He’s waiting for you.”

imagining the ominous tone to his voice, but I thought not.

The walls themselves were papered in dark velvet, and the lights were sharp and modern.

“Come.” Her voice was smooth and even. “I’m here to take you down.”

The whole place reeked of money and power, with magnificent furnishings and chandeliers that glittered with golden light.

Fortunately, none of them looked at me, and I kept my head down as I followed the woman. Despite my posture, I made a point to take in all the exits—three—and everyone in the room.

As we walked, I grew oddly disoriented.

“Don’t worry about how you’re feeling. It’s a spell to make it hard to find your way back in, but it should do no lasting damage.” “Of course.” I tried to act like that was normal, but it sure as hell wasn’t.

I needed answers if I wanted my life back. And I wanted to see this guy.

The first thing that struck me was his stillness. He sprawled elegantly in a chair behind a wide desk, his form so motionless that he could have been carved of ice.

The second thing was his size. His power. Despite the fact that he was sitting, it was clear that he was tall and leanly muscled. He had the tightly leashed power of a large jungle cat, reclined and relaxed…until he pounced. When he did, you’d be dead. I carefully kept my gaze averted from his, hoping to prevent him from controlling my mind. Still, I managed to get a good look.

His face was cast in shadows, but the parts that I could see were almost to...

He was a predator who lured you with his looks. Slightly long dark hair that gleamed in the light. Strong, sharp jaw, full lips, high cheekbones, and glinting silver eyes. Everything about him was cold, but in a way that heated me up inside. That connection I’d felt earlier flared to life, tugging me closer. Everything within me sat up and took notice. I wanted to spend hours st...

Wouldn’t I feel something if I were looking her murderer in the eye?

I couldn’t count on my gut feeling that I would recognize Beatrix’s murderer when I saw him. That kind of crazy, could get me killed. I was so not here to get murdered myself, no matter how powerful the magical connection between us. Because that’s what this had to be—magic.

I’d never lost my mind over a man like this before.

leonine look

souls of animals—lions or panthers or something.

The real threat here was the Devil of Darkvale. He was seated and impeccably dressed, but I’d seen enough deadly people i...

He was all tightly leashed power, but when he released it… He studied me in silence, then raised his hand. The guards melted into the shadows at the edge of the room, disappearing.

“You’ve come to me,” the Devil said, his voice dark and low.

There was a quiet arrogance there—the kind that kings carried. Kings who had gained their power with sweat and blood and charm and knew that they would never suffer d...