Chapter One

“Girl, get your head out of the clouds. Mick is watching you.” The words jolting me back to reality, I look over at AliStacia. Stacie is my co-worker, and best succubus shadow demon friend on this planet. Her brown ponytail bounces back and forth as she walks off to deliver the customers’ orders. I glance over at Mick, but my mind is still on all the vampires pouring in here tonight. Don’t get me wrong, we cater to all the supernaturals, but this is different. 

A stern look from Mick, our handsome strawberry blonde warlock bartender, and I’m snagging my laden tray off the counter. I bob and weave through the tables, heading towards the wolf shifters’ table in the back corner. They are regulars, and for some reason they seem to be watching the vamps too. Our usual vampire population per night is two, maybe three, but tonight there are nineteen. I set the frosted pint glasses on the table, following it with the pitcher of our own personal beer brew. I find myself looking back at the dark corner by the pool tables.  Too many vampires in one place to have a good night.

A hand caressing my ass catches my attention. With the backswing of my tray, I nail the coyote shifter standing behind me in the gut. 

“Hands off, dog!” I smirk as he doubles over in pain, gasping for breath. Plastering a smile back on my face, I nod at the laughing wolves and head back to the bar. 

“Mick! Table eight wants a long neck domestic, a 7&7, two shots vodka, and-” A loud crash by the pool tables silences the whole bar. I slowly turn around, cold feet crawling up my spine. All the vampires are on their feet, staring down at someone on the floor. My eyes dart around the room. One, two. Looking again I only see two of the waitresses. Stacie is missing. Oh please don’t let that be her in the middle of their attention. 

I slowly start wading through the crowd with Mick hot on my heels. AliStacia is the only being alive who knows me, the real me, and I'll be damned some more if I let some bloodsucker touch her. Just as I get to the first vampire, a red glow brightens around me, opening a path all the way to Stacie standing at her five foot three inch height in the middle of the ring of vampires. I glance back and nod at Mick for the assist, his eyes reflecting the red glow of flickering flames from his brilliantly lit hands.

But what stops me in my tracks is the Seeth leader on his knees, picking up the shards of glass in a rather large pool of blood. Looking from face to face, I see shock and awe on each vampire's face.

  “I didn’t mean to startle you, little one. Next time I will not move so fast.” Knox slowly stands up to his six foot six inch frame, taking her tray and placing the broken glass on it. A cold creeping chill skitters across my neck, the only warning I have before a blur rushes past, bearing down on Stacie. Faster than any human eye can see, Knox's hand swings wide to his right. The offender flies above our heads, crashing into the wall by the front door, while a growl deep from within the Seeth leader's chest rumbles out. Silence falls over the crowd gathered. 

Stepping up, I slip around Knox to stand beside my best friend, scanning the crowd for any further problems.

“Last call! Finish what you got and get the hell out!” Mick’s grumpy voice echoes throughout the bar, with many mumbled complaints under their breath yet none are brave enough to truly voice them. I glance back at Stacie and gag playfully as Knox stands towering over her, a look of adoration on her face as she looks up at him. 

“Get a room,” I whisper, elbowing her playfully while knowing full well Knox can hear me. 

“Angel!” Stacie’s whispered response causes me to laugh outright as the crowd thins out. I walk back towards the counter and scoop my forgotten tray from the floor. Wonder above wonders, it’s not broken from the fall nor being stepped on, in everyone's rush to follow Mick’s orders. Tossing the tray behind the bar, I snatch a dry rag and cleaning spray up. Most everyone has left in a rush, so I grab the dish bin too. Tossing the glasses into the bin, I spray the table and get to wiping. 

Finishing the last table, I realize Stacie hasn’t put the chairs up behind me. With a shake of my head, I take the glasses into the back and start the miniature dishwasher. Snagging the broom on my way back out front, I look around for her, finally spotting her coming out of the ladies room; two perfectly round marks on the side of her neck. A small growl slips from my lips before I can stop it.

“You let him drink from you?” I do my best to keep my voice level, even though I want to scream at the top of my immortal lungs. A dreamy sigh is the only sound she makes until she looks me in the eyes.

“Yeah, and it was amazing. You should try it sometime.” She grabs the broom from me as she dances, yes dances, past me. Locking eyes with Mick behind the counter, I can see the concern in his eyes. Nodding, we agree to keep an eye on her.

An hour and one last swipe of the bar later, we all head to the back door. Stepping out, Stacie and I watch Mick lock up.

“See you two tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow night won't be as annoying.” Mick walks over to his dark blue Ford F150 Supercab, parked underneath the only working light pole in the back parking lot. He gets in and spins the tires as he pulls out onto Herman Street.

“So, did you tell Knox where we live?” We start our little trek two blocks east and one block south, knowing full well he can follow her blood back to our little two bedroom apartment. 

“No! How could you ask that? You know I would never do something like that!” Stacie stares straight ahead as she speeds up.

“Hells bells. Will you slow down?” Running to catch up to her, I catch the toe of my knee high leather boot on the crack in the sidewalk. I trip forward into her back, almost causing us both to fall. 

“Ooof!” Stacie exclaims as she feels the weight of me stumble against her from behind, and we both start to laugh.

“Sorry. These sidewalks just jump up and grab your toes. Didn’t you see it?” Giggling as we make it home, I unlock the door. Unhooking my bra without taking my shirt off, I pull it out of my right sleeve and toss it across the tiny living room to land on the floor under the end table. Stripping my boots off, I toss those over by my bra. Next my leather pants hit the hallway floor on my way to my bedroom. 

Walking into my little ten foot by eight foot bedroom, I grab a clean shirt from the laundry basket I never bothered to put away, hearing the thud as Stacie closes her bedroom door. Switching shirts, I fall face first onto my bed.

“Good night, Sis!” Rolling over onto my side, sleep claims me within minutes. 

   Sneak Peek

Chapter One 

“Angel, you know I love you more than I love my purple cashmere scarf, but if I don’t get away from that damned mosquito, I’m going to squash him!” I can feel the tears of frustration building at the back of my eyes. The pull to bond with him is getting stronger with each passing day. It’s a miracle I have held off this long. 

“It can’t be that bad. Why don’t you just move rooms?” Gawd! If she only knew I was feeding off of her and her mates' sexcapades. I swear those three could keep my succubus side fed for a year from just one week around them, but I have been slowly healing from my oh so sweet stay with the ArchAngels. 

“Darling, I brought your lunch.” The sound of Knox's voice grates against my nerves. How does he do this? He always knows when I’m hangry. It’s a living nightmare to be this close to him, yet feel so far apart. I breathe in through my nose to try to curb my tongue, a sweet tangy goodness assailing my senses. Fuck! He really did have the chef cook up some sweet and sour steak. My mouth starts watering to the point I have to swallow. I want that dish so bad, but not from him. It will only bring us closer together if I accept it. 

I growl, and my eyes glow with purple Hellfire as I turn on him. I have to force myself to knock the tray from his hands without whimpering. The clatter of dishes bouncing off the stone floor leaves no satisfaction within me.

“Look here, you overgrown chihuahua! DO NOT CALL ME DARLING!” My fists clench and unclench at my sides, as I fight the urge to hit him upside the head again. His eyes flash a glowing red before settling back to their rich chocolate brown. I swear his bedroom eyes make me weak in the knees more often than not. 

“AliStacia, try to eat something. Anything! For god's sake, you haven’t eaten in three days.” I can’t help the laugh that slips from my lips. If he only knew I had the chef bringing me these wonderful creations he has made. This is one time I don’t mind being someone’s guinea pig. That man can cook!

“I do not find you starving yourself funny, Darling. You need to heal.” My hand swings out, slapping him across the face before my brain can catch up. Oh shit! I really just did that. What the hell is wrong with me? I stiffen my spine and narrow my eyes as he cups his cheek, his eyes glowing that gorgeous red I can hardly resist. My hands find my hips, to keep me from slapping him again.

“I warned you, Old Man. And you just won't listen. Well, hear this.” I step right up into his personal space, his unique amberwood and spice scent wafting all around me. I clench my thighs to keep myself in check and scream in his face. “I AM NOT YOUR DARLING!”

Angel is suddenly between us, one hand on Knox's chest, pushing him back from me. I gnash my teeth together as I see her touching him so nonchalantly. I will not snap at her for defending me, but man do I want to snatch her hand off of him. If she wasn’t mated to those two damn hawt males, I think I would be jealous a teeny tiny bit with her touching him. 

“That’s enough. Knox, back the fuck up off her. Can’t you see she’s about to tear your head off?” She turns to me and rolls her eyes, mischief dancing within their midst. “Damn dominant males never know when to just shut it and play with you instead of argue.” 

“Mmmm… A little play time goes a looong way.” My voice drips with sensuality. I turn, putting a little extra sway in my hips as I head out of the room, leaving a stunned Knox gasping like a fish out of water. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just as the dawn is casting pinks, purples, and misty orange over the horizon, Knox walks into my room, and the only thing he is wearing is low riding flannel pajama pants. Showing that delicious V that we all know leads down to… Nope, stop that train of thought, girl, this is not a free for all bounce house here. My brow wrinkles in confusion. What could he possibly want, this close to his coffin time? Without saying a word, he lays on the opposite side of the bed. I bolt upright, openly staring at him.

“What, and I can’t stress this enough, the FUCK are you doing in my bed?” A small grin crosses his lips as he folds his arms behind his head. I reach over, shoving his side. He ain’t budging, but he does give a low chuckle. Nope, not having this. I turn and plant my feet into his ribs and shove. The floor vibrates as he lands on his back and hollers out. I smirk and lay back down.

“AliStacia! What is wrong with you?” Is he really asking that, when he’s the one that crawled into my bed?

“You ain’t sleeping with me. Go back to your own bed.” I roll over, giving him my back. I so don’t want to argue with him this morning.

“This IS my bed. This IS my room. You are in my bed, and I intend to sleep in it.” I feel the bed shake as he crawls in it again and I sit up, seeing him laying the same exact way, completely without a care.

“What are you doing, mosquito? I’m trying to sleep here!” I can feel the purple flames flickering in my eyes with my anger. He smirks at me and closes his eyes. “No! You are not sleeping here. You gave this room and bed to me, that’s a YOU problem. Now get out!” The only response I get is him wiggling his hips to get more comfortable. WHAT THE HELL!

“Good night, Darling.” His words grate across my skin like liquid flames of hell. I throw the covers back and jump out of bed. Not caring if he sees me in my tiny black boyshorts, and purple batty tank top, I hurry to the door and escape that beast of a man, before I do something we both regret. Like kissing those sensual lips, or licking him from his chin down to that delicious little V that leads to… 

“Fuck!” I yell down the hall. I seriously need to stop thinking of him this way. My gawd, what is wrong with me? And why do I feel this damned pull getting stronger. I wander down to the second floor, only to find myself looking down at Heathen, sitting with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning back against Mick’s door. I look left and right. No other guards are about. With a sigh, I sit beside him and curl up. This stone floor is freezing on my ass, literally. These tiny sleep shorts don’t have enough material for stone sleeping. I wiggle closer to Heathen and lay my head on his shoulder. I feel his body stiffen, and his breathing pauses for a moment before resuming. Yet he hasn’t relaxed.

“Do you want me to move, Heathen?” I lift my head and look over at him as I fight a yawn, my eyes start to water, and I cave. I yawn so hard my jaw cracks, causing him to break from playing statue, and whip his head my way. I blink slowly, only to open my eyes to see him bending down towards me. He scoops me up, opens Mick’s door without even bothering to knock, and carries me in as Mick sits up sputtering.

“What are you doing?” Heathen ignores Mick and lays me down on the bed, before leaving the room just as quickly as he entered.

“Ummmm… Morning? I swear I didn’t ask the giant brat to bring me in here. I would have slept on the floor beside him.” I glance over at Mick, and he’s gritting his teeth. The little vein in the middle of his forehead looks like it’s playing the drums with all the pounding it’s doing.

“What do you mean by sleeping on the floor? What happened to Knox giving you his room and bed?” Oh yeah, Mick is livid. I start to slide off the bed, but feel my wrist snatched and I’m pulled back towards the middle of the bed. “Answer me, Stacie.” His voice may be soft, yet the red sparks are playing in his eyes again. My shoulders slump, and tears build behind my eyes.

“He is in that bed, Mick. And I can’t stay there. Demons and Vampires aren’t supposed to mix like that,” I barely whisper, yet somehow he hears every word. Or maybe he feels the turmoil brewing inside me, one never knows with Mick and his magic. His arm snakes around my waist and pulls me close to his body, forcing me to lay with him.

“Stay here through the day. Get some sleep before you run. I’ll guard you.” My head snaps back so fast I think I give myself whiplash. Mick has his eyes closed, a small smirk playing across his lips. “Don’t give me that look. I know you are planning on ditching us. Angel even feels it. Now go to sleep, Little Troublemaker.”

I lay back down on my side, wiggling back to rest against the one man I know won’t touch me that way, my mind wandering back through the last few days. Arguing with Knox is one of my favorite pastimes here, yet I can’t think of any time, nor place, I have given my plans away. My mind keeps drifting back further and further as I succumb to sleep. Dreams of dancing at the exclusive demon club, Shadows, bounce through my mind. 

Sneak Peek

Chapter One

Talk about disorienting, stepping between one realm and the next, nausea curls in my stomach. I stumble to the side into Heathen, shaking the distortion of shadows from my mind. 

“Breathe. It will pass.” He steadies me with a hand on my right shoulder.

Sure, he can say that. That man has been jumping realms for centuries, maybe longer. He squeezes my shoulder and steps back, his hand falling to his side as he slides closer to Mick. I take a deep, calming breath and step forward on shaky legs. 

I slowly make my way to the front of our little rescue group, up beside Knox and Calixion, who are standing side by side with their backs to us all. It’s still slightly weird thinking of having two masters and a mistress of our Seeth now.

“Should we go through the woods and risk our men, or do we shadow across?” Knox's voice is a soft whisper as I step up behind them.

“I have friends meeting us here in a few…” Calixion’s voice trails off as shadows start to swirl and collide right in front of them. I growl, sliding between them, to stand in front of them. Nothing is getting past me to our masters. I feel Heathen and Sliver step up on either side of me, and a vicious smile forms on my lips.

The shadows gently fade back to reveal three guards. My hackles automatically rise; I have no idea if they are friend or foe, and the growls coming from either side of me echo my thoughts. I step forward into a half crouch, my growl growing louder as they step back with hands raised in front of them.

“Cal, call your dogs off,” the one on the right whispers softly as my muscles gather to spring on him, his eyes never leaving mine. An acidic aroma flows through the air around us, and a feral smile crosses my lips. Fear is a wonderful thing; it leads to mistakes. Like him stepping back further as I take a small step forward. 

“Trigger, stand down!” Knox’s thunderous voice sends chills through every one of us, and the tension slips out of us all, leaving me feeling like a marionette with its strings being cut all at once. I catch myself from stumbling and stand swiftly.

Cal steps between Heathen and me, reaching a hand out to the one who is still watching my every move. “Glad to have you show, Gerber.” 

My head snaps to the side, looking at Calixion in disbelief, while a few of my brethren snicker behind me. Did this guy's mother hate him or something? She named him after a human baby food brand of all things. Who does that?

I slip back beside Knox, Sliver taking his place on Knox's other side, while Heathen returns to his Mick. One day those two will give in and accept they are mates. I glance back with a smirk. Heathen is relaxed at Mick’s side, like it’s where he belongs. But Mick standing so stiffly, oh yeah, he’s fighting fate with every ounce of his being. I turn back to Knox, my voice low enough that no one but he and Sliver can hear me.

“I would never fight fate like those two. Mates are gifts.” Just as the last word leaves my lips, I hear a female scream so loud I would think she was right before me. Instantly on guard again, my eyes scan the barren field before us. I strain to look into the deathly forest beyond the long, deep field, not catching sight of anyone or anything. I take a step forward, feeling as if I have to find her, help her. What feels like a vice clamps onto my right bicep.

“What the hell are you doing, Trigger?” Knox viciously whispers close to my ear. 

I look back at him in complete confusion. “We have to help her.”

“We will get AliStacia back, don’t worry on that. I will have my mate safe in my arms.” 

I shake my head at him. “No, the woman we just heard.” 

He arches a brow at me.

“She just screamed loud enough to wake the dead, Knox. We have to help her.” 

A look of confusion crosses his face, there and gone. “No one screamed, Trigger.” 

“Yes, she did. Just now.” 

He pulls me back to his side, I look back towards the forest. I know she’s there.

“You heard her?” 

I look over only to realize one of the shadow guards is standing before me. He looks at Knox, then down at his hand still gripping my arm. I don’t know why, but I end up blurting it out.

“Yeah, she just screamed so loud I’m surprised we ain’t all running around looking for her.” 

The guard looks sympathetic as he turns to Knox. “You both need to know this. Follow me.” 

Knox growls at being commanded yet pulls me along the few feet away from the others.

“What is it, demon? I need to find AliStacia, not play these childish games of people thinking they are hearing voices that aren’t there.” Knox’s words are clipped as he glares at the shadow guard. 

I bristle at his words; I know I heard her. 

“I did hear her. What the fuck is wrong with you to have not heard her?” I growl more than speak to Knox. He growls back, fangs lengthening before our eyes. So completely lost in ourselves, I slightly jump when the shadow guard speaks.

“He did hear her.”

 My head whips back in his direction, Knox’s mouth falling open.

“You believe his delusion? No one screamed, at all.” Knox’s voice is a harsh whisper as heads turn our way. 

I can feel my embarrassment tinting my ears pink. Fuck!

“If he said he heard a woman scream, then believe him.” The look of sincerity on the guard’s face is a relief to me. I feel myself sag just a little bit.

“How can you put these thoughts in my soldier’s head like this? He was fine until you showed up!” Knox’s voice rises with each word until he’s yelling. What the hell is wrong with him? He never acts this way.

“What thoughts you talking ‘bout, Knox?” Cal’s voice rises above the murmuring of all the others as he walks over, the other two shadow guards flanking him. Great, just great. Knox got so loud that Calixion is now all up in my business.

“This guard is trying to fill Trigger’s head with thoughts of hearing a woman scream. No woman screamed!” Knox turns to Cal, the threat of retribution written all over his face. I want to crawl into a hole in the ground at this point, too many eyes gawking at me. 

Calixion looks at me stunned. I can’t tell if it’s in shock that I’m hearing voices or that I’m blushing like a damned schoolgirl.

“You heard her? For real?” The awe in his voice is more relief than it should be. He believes me, and I slowly nod.

“You have to find her then. She needs you.” Calixion places his hand on my shoulder. “She’s your gift, man. Don’t ignore her.”

The first guard turns to Knox, a look of wonder on his face.

“It’s rare, but here in our realm, a mate can be found through this. They hear each other when one is in distress, so the other can find them.” 

My head snaps back in his direction. Did he just say mate? As in I have a mate here in this shithole of a realm? The look on my face must be speaking for me as he nods at me in understanding.

“Looks like we have two to rescue today, boys and girls,” Calixion announces as Knox sputters incoherently. The guard gently grabs my arm, pulling me to the side. His voice is low.

“Just remember to keep an eye out for her as we travel to rescue AliStacia.” He releases me, and we turn back to Cal and Knox. A smile plasters across my face as excitement fills my veins.

“Let’s get this party started!”