Taunting Destiny
The Fae Chronicles
By Amelia Hutchins
Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Erotica Romance/ MF
Word Count: 139,192
Blurb:
Adam and I are both going through identity crises of epic proportions as we Transition from who we were, and discover who we were meant to be. More Fae are dying, and I feel as if time is running out for us to find all of those responsible and put an end to the killings.
The people I thought I could trust have betrayed me and the one person I should absolutely not trust; is taking me deeper and deeper into his world.
Ryder’s secrets are dangerous and devastating.
With each touch and word, he pulls my heart closer to himself and at the same time he is trying to keep me at arm’s length. The dance he and I have begun, is getting more complicated as our worlds are being shaken from all sides, and the visions of the future are frightening, and nothing like I had ever pictured for myself or those I care for.
This time, destiny is taunting me.
I had always thought that I controlled my destiny. Now, my rights are being taken from me by powerful people and leaving me with alternatives that range between bad and awful.
This time, the choices I have to make can decide the fate of both worlds.
Everything is unraveling, and nothing will ever be the same again.
— Synthia
Taunting Destiny
The Fae Chronicles Book Two
Copyright © September 19, 2013 by Amelia Hutchins
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book both in its entirety and in portions is the sole property of
Amelia Hutchins
TAUNTING DESTINY Copyright © 2013 by Amelia Hutchins.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re selling this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to company from which it was obtained from and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
The unauthorized reproduction of or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright, infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in Federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Amazon: ASIN: B00FAFJU8S
Cover Art Design: Vera DC Digital Art & Photography
Cover Art Illustrations: Vera DC Digital Art & Photography
Copyright ©September 18, 2013Amelia Hutchins
Edited by:Genevieve Scholl from Big Bang Book Services
Published by: Amelia Hutchins
Published in (United States of America)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Warning
This book is intended for mature and adult audiences; if you prefer adorable and sparkly Fairies and Vampires…look elsewhere. It is the second in the Fae Chronicles; buy the first one before reading this or you will be so lost you won’t know which end is up. Fighting Destiny can be found with reputable book sellers for your convenience. Taunting Destiny picks up right where the first left off. This book is dark, gritty, tear jerking, panty soaking, edge of seat grabbing and DARK. It does contain hot asshole alphas that seduce and wreck sensibilities. Explicit language is used liberally as is the use of magic in acts of naughtiness. Author strongly advises buying batteries, or securing a willing victim to your bed while reading this book. (Handcuffs are optional.) Side effects are, but are not limited to: Lip biting, and or chewing, screaming at author, wet panties, unexplained leaking from the eyes, or other parts of the body. Some people may experience strange attachment to characters, and may scream for the next book in the series immediately after reading. If you experience one or more of these symptom’s, do not seek a health care professional, thank the author and wait for the next book in the series. (Stalking author is normal behavior, be assured she has already started the next in the series.)
Dedication
To my family for understanding mommy was busy writing.
*~*~*~*~*
To my fans, without you there would be no Chronicles.
*~*~*~*~*
To Gina, and all the countless hours.
I can never tell you how much you mean to me!
*~*~*~*~*
Dina and Genevieve for the hours of editing and help, thanks!
*~*~*~*~*
The Beta groups, and once again the fans for waiting countless hours while I got this right.
Thank you so much! Hope it is worth the wait.
Books also by Amelia Hutchins
Fighting Destiny Book 1
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D5M4PTM/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
Coming Soon
Seduced By Darkness
Book 3
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Chapter Thirty Five
Chapter Thirty Six
Chapter Thirty Seven
Chapter Thirty Eight
Chapter Thirty Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty One
Chapter Forty Two
Chapter Forty Three
Chapter One
I turned away from the window, and ran like my life depended upon it. Because, right then, I thought it did. Instinctively, I knew I wasn’t supposed to see what I had. Ryder had been torturing Guild Warlocks along with some other men that I think were Fae, but I wasn’t sure what they were—they could just as easily have been human. I knew better than to try and be some kind of army of one just so I could figure it out. I sped up, narrowly avoiding the manicured shrubbery on his extensive lawn, dodging trees as I refused to look back. I wasn’t dumb enough to tur
n around and peek over my shoulder. I was the type who yelled at the girls in scary movies who did so.
I didn’t stop running; even when I heard the hounds let loose a series of horrible sounding howls. They were far enough away that if I made it to the highway, I might live long enough to get away from them. As far as I could tell, none of the Fae inside the house had sifted out, and I was still unable to sift myself.
A horn blared as I hit the pavement, and I barely avoided becoming a pancake as I jumped backwards to avoid an eighteen wheeler loaded down with logs. An old green Buick behind it screeched on its brakes and came to a stop about a quarter mile up the road.
I exhaled a deep, shaky breath and looked down the highway. No cars were around, besides the one that had stopped. I looked back up as reverse lights came on and the car started backing up. I turned and looked back at the mansion. I could just make out its lights in the distance.
I caught a glimpse of green glowing eyes from the bushes that were surrounding the fence that encompassed the property. A sharp snuffling noise was all the additional incentive I needed to book it toward the car that was still backing up. When I reached the pale green Buick, I slowed. The older female driver reached over and rolled down the window. She had graying hair and thick glasses perched on her nose. Her misting gray eyes were sharp, though.
“Are you crazy!?” she shouted as she bobbed her head to get a better look at me.
I was dressed in jeans, wearing flip-flops, and hanging on to my purse for dear life. I tried to speak, but my words were jumbled up in my head after what I had seen.
“You look half-scared to death, get in. What are you doing out here?” she asked as I quickly opened the car door, and took my seat beside her.
“I need to go to the Spokane Guild. I need to get there as fast as this old car can go, lady,” I said, already grabbing the seatbelt and clicking it.
“Are you one of those Fae?” she queried, eyeing me carefully.
“No, I’m an Enforcer for the Guild, and this is an emergency!” I shouted and felt bad for all of a second. I had slightly lied. I wasn’t technically an enforcer, anymore, and I hadn’t fully Transitioned to Fae yet—see, only a little white lie, really. She hit the gas, and the car’s ass-end fishtailed back onto the highway.
“Well, why didn’t you say so?” she raised her voice to be heard over the old engine.
We pulled up to the Guild about twenty minutes later. I thanked her for the ride and ran up the steps. I was met and surrounded by the Guild’s guards. Ten built Enforcers stood around me, forming a circle to keep me contained. I was getting dirty looks, and most of these guards had been in my class. “Micah, this is serious!” I said to the squad leader. Micah smiled coldly, his hazel eyes showing excitement that made a chill sweep down my spine. “Either tell Alden to get down here, or let me go up!” I shouted, not caring that they had weapons trained on me. I was not the enemy, and I was a hell of a lot faster than they were. I tapped my foot and glared at them.
“Your kind is not welcome here, Synthia,” he smiled coldly.
“My kind!? You mean the kind that saved your stupid ass on countless trial assignments? My kind that saved you from being kicked out? That kind, Micah?” I seethed. My kind my ass!
“You’re not even one of us! The only reason no one has placed a fucking mark on your pretty little head, is because your ‘uncle’ is refusing to issue—”
“Enough! Micah, go inside. Now,” Alden said coming down the concrete stairs swiftly. His eyes scanned me briefly, before he nodded to Tate who gave me an apologetic look before patting me down.
“She’s clean,” he said after stepping back.
“I’d like to speak to you alone, Alden,” I growled narrowing my eyes.
“That won’t happen ever again, Synthia. The Guild does not associate with the Fae. Not unless you have a job that you needed us to take.”
Does not associate with the Fae?
“You might change your mind when you hear what I tell you,” I snapped.
“Go home,” Alden replied.
“No! I won’t go home. You need to hear what I have to say. I just—”
“I said go home,” Alden snarled and glared at me.
The Enforcers behind him snickered and laughed at me. I fought the urge to give them a solid jolt of my magic, but, with my luck, I’d end up in chains for it. That is, if I could still tap into it. I hadn’t been able to tap my magic since Larissa had died. “Alden,” I replied coldly. “I need to talk to you.”
“Go home, Synthia, I’ll call you later.”
Something in his eyes made me hesitate; something was off here. I could feel the hostility from the Enforcers, but I could also feel the urgency in Alden’s voice, and something else I couldn’t place yet. “Fine, but you need to hear what I have to tell you.”
“The Guild is no longer helping the Fae. If it pertains to that, you can forget it. You are no longer welcome here Synthia, nor is Adam. You have been warned,” Alden said as something passed in his eyes. He turned, and left me standing there gawking at his retreating back.
I turned the other way, and started down the stairs as the Enforcers closed in and escorted me from the building. I’d come here to report to Alden that people were being hurt—Guild members were being hurt! What the hell had happened in the week that I’d taken off to mourn my best friend? Had the entire world gone crazy?
I had expected to get the cold shoulder from the Guild, but not from Alden. Something was up, and it seemed like he just wanted me away from the Guild. Mix that with what had been going down with Ryder and his men, and you had a shit soup being stirred. It wouldn’t be served cold, either.
I’d walked home, oblivious to anything around me. I was so lost in thought that I almost missed my house. I shook off the dark images of what I’d witnessed at Ryder’s hands, and walked up the sidewalk that made a path over the dead grass in my yard.
I'd gotten my key into the lock and was pushing the door open when I felt his presence. That tingly electrical feeling like there was a downed power line nearby. I pushed the door all the way open, and stepped over the threshold, hoping the wards would prevent him from entering. “Ryder,” I whispered as the memory of him worshiping my body flashed through my mind.
“You ran from me again, Pet,” he growled as he stepped from around a large rose bush. He was still wearing his cloak. His eyes flashed golden fire as they raked down the length of my body.
“Yeah, I saw what you were doing and wasn’t sure if I’d be next. The Guild gets a bit upset when their own are abused, so, unless you want to tell me why you were torturing a room full of Guild Warlocks and those other guys, go away.” Sometimes I really needed a filter for my mouth.
“What I was doing inside my property isn’t any of your concern. You’ve been through enough lately.”
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t call the Guild and report this hmm?” I bluffed, crossing my arms and meeting him head on without showing a lick of fear. He strode forward and stopped inches from the door frame. I backed up, far enough that I was pretty sure he couldn’t touch me, or force me from the house. I smiled and cocked my head at him.
“I could make you come outside,” he grinned, and tilted his head to mimic mine, which caused his inky black hair to fall gently over his face. He was distracting me, and I wanted to know what he’d been doing in his mansion.
“Try,” I growled.
“I think you like it when I force your decisions.”
“Think again,” I snapped and narrowed my eyes on him.
“How does it feel to have my brand on you, Pet?” I was going to get whiplash one day from his topic changes. His smile was cold, but somehow, still managed to be beautiful. He gave me a smug little look as he folded his arms in front of his chest and leaned his shoulder against the door frame. “I know that’s why you came to the mansion. I could feel it as it was etching itself into your beautiful flesh.”
“I told you I
couldn’t be owned. You had no right to put it on me in the first place,” I replied coldly.
“You are mine, Syn. Make no mistake of thinking otherwise. I own you until after your Transition.” His lips kicked up into a wicked grin and his eyes slid down my body slowly. His voice was soft, tempting, and beguiling.
“I agreed to it, yes, but not a single moment after it.”
He snorted, and shook his head. “Who says I want more?”
Ouch. I actually flinched at his words. “Is there an actual reason you’re here, Ryder? Or, did you just come to gloat, because you branded your fucking pet?”
“I came to tell you that you have two days. I want you close to me when your time comes. I want to be the one that sees you through Transition. You didn't argue it in the contract you signed. I'm holding up my end and taking care of Adam while he Transitions. Yours is coming very soon, Syn. I can smell it on you. Soon, every fucking Fae in Spokane will as well. Hence, the reason for the brand. It was designed to show at the first hint of your Transition. I won't share you with them. Two days, Pet, and then I plan to bury my cock inside of you. Repeatedly.”
“Contract or no, you have no right to order me around, and I plan on getting this damn thing taken off. Do I need to spell it out for you?” I shouted, and retreated as he moved forward.
His lips pulled up in the corners as his eyes flashed with anger. “It can't be removed by anyone but me, Pet.” His eyes scanned the walls and his smile grew darker. “You can't hide inside this house forever.”
I smiled back at him. “What's the matter, Ryder; afraid to get knocked on your ass again?”
He shook his head. “You never learn, do you? There is nowhere in this fucking world, where you can hide from me now. Anywhere you go, I'll find you. I'm faster, smarter, and you are mine.”
“But you can't come inside my house.” I smiled in victory. It was childish, but it felt good.