City of Disorder
Immortal Angel and Lisa Raine
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
City of Disorder
All rights reserved.
Published by Fallen Press, Ltd.
Copyright ? 2016
This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author.
ASIN
Other Works by Immortal Angel
Angel Warrior: The Complete Series
Alien Rogue Warrior: Serials 1-5
Alien Rogue Warrior: Serials 6-10
Alien Invasion: The Complete Series
Alien Mating Frenzy
Escape: A SciFi Erotic Romance
Other Works by Lisa Morrow
The Sea Goddess
Realm of Goddesses
To Kill a Wizard
Circe: The Beginning
Circe: The Chaos
Sold to an Alien
Portals: Volume Three
A Bite From the Past Series
DEDICATIONS
There was a time in my life that I didn't believe I could write a romance. I started this story and presented it to my dear writing friend, Tara Rane, feeling ridiculously vulnerable. She made me believe in myself and my ability to write a romance. Time passed and my confidence slowly built. With the help of Tara, Aeon Igni, and Tom Hansen, I finally shaped this story into what it is now. I'm proud of City of Disorder, but I'm also proud to call these incredible writers my friends.
~Immortal Angel
When I'm in the middle of a story, it becomes my obsession. I'm so grateful to my husband who is always there to share my ideas and who encourages me every step of the way. And, I'm blown away by my incredible children who treat me like a rock star, whether they see me working on my writing, or just see me when I arrive to pick them up for school. This life might not always be easy, but it's my own happy tale.
~Lisa Raine
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
About the Authors
Prologue
Five Years Earlier
"How could I have been so stupid?" Luke spat, running his hand angrily through his hair.
Pacing Sammi's tiny bedroom, his looked everywhere. Everywhere but at her.
She gripped her bare forearms and stumbled in reverse until the backs of her knees hit the edge of the bed. Collapsing onto it, she struggled to hold back her tears. "I didn't mean for this to happen."
Didn't mean to ever let him find out the truth.
He stopped pacing and silence swallowed the room.
Her gaze traveled from his fisted hands up to his muscular arms. And, even though she feared what she would see, to his face. The afternoon sunlight highlighted his bronzed skin, giving it the golden tint of an ancient god. His dark hair stuck out on top but was smothered flat on one side, reminding her that just hours ago he'd been in her bed?doing things to her she'd only ever imagined.
But it was the look on his face that made her heart sink. It wasn't the face of her lover, but the face of a man holding back a frightening temper with his will alone.
"Was it fun for you?" His tone held a jagged edge. "Did you laugh at me? Falling for you while you used me?"
Does he really think I'm capable of that?
"No." She shook her head, pleading, "I really love you. I lied?I understand that, but how I feel is real."
More real than anything I ever imagined. Or deserved.
Finally those breathtaking blue eyes, the color of deep sapphire, locked onto her. "You're a liar. I can't believe a word you say."
His words sliced through her, and it took a moment to form her next plea. "I should've told you the truth, I know that now. But I was afraid..."She jumped at his sharp bark of bitter laughter.
"Ah, and what does a succubus fear? That her stupid human boyfriend might figure her out, and she'll have to find her next meal elsewhere?"
She wanted to cry. I might not know why he hates non-humans, but everything I know about him tells me he has a good reason. And also that he loves me. "I never fed on you, not like that-"
He raised a brow. "You never fed on me."
His words dared her to agree with him.
How can I possibly explain to him? Yes, I feed on sexual energy and attraction, but no I haven't been draining his energy to make myself stronger. That'd be a violation. What I do?I can't help it.
Swallowing, she told herself no matter how hard it was, she owed him the truth. "I fed on our attraction, our chemistry, but I never entranced you. Never lured you to me."
"And you never invaded my dreams either?" he challenged.
She twisted her hands in her lap. "I tried to in the beginning, because I was curious. But I couldn't get in." Taking a deep breath, she almost whispered her admission. "Other than the one time, but I got the sense you let me in. That's never happened before."
"Well, I didn't. Never would." He closed his eyes, and she could sense his sadness and betrayal bleeding past his walls of anger. "You knew damn well how I felt about all you predators, but you made me trust you."
Yes, yes I did. Because I couldn't stop myself. Couldn't stop myself from falling for you.
Her heart ached. Everything he said was true. She'd known how he felt about every creature that fed upon humans, in any fashion, but that wasn't why she didn't tell him. She didn't tell anyone. All her life she'd pretended to be human, only feeding on the attraction of others, but never using her powers against them like a weapon. Her father had taught her too well that most succubi lived miserable lives, using others, and being treated little better than whores. "Doesn't it mean anything to you that at nineteen I was still a virgin?"
Indecision raced across his face, replaced only seconds later by a carefully blank face. "No. It doesn't matter. None of this matters. I can never trust you again."
He strode out her bedroom door and through her tiny living room, heading for the front door. She chased after him, knowing the only chance at keeping the man she loved was to completely swallow her pride.
"Please, don't go," she begged. "I love you."
He stopped, his hand frozen on the handle of her front door.
The words rushed out before she could stop them. "I've never felt this way before, not about anyone. The second I saw you in class, I knew there was something about you. I knew we were supposed to be together." She took a deep breath. "If you'll give me another chance, I'll prove to you I can be trusted. I'll prove to you I'm worth your love."
His back stiffened, but he didn't turn around. "We have another year at The Human Defenders' Academy. Since we're both on the track to become Human Defenders, we're going to be seeing a lot of each other. So let me make this clear to you, I never want to talk to you again. Don't even look in my direction again. Anything I felt for you?it's gone." He twisted the handle and strode into the hall, disappearing from sight.
Her legs trembled as she stumbled to the door, closing and locking it. She turned and let her back hit the strong wood, slowly sliding to the ground as her heart shattered. The only sound was her rapid breathing as tears slid down her cheeks.
But when she spotted his black T-shirt crumpled on the floor beside the couch, something snapped inside h
er and sobs racked her body. She crawled forward and snagged it. Bringing it to her nose, she breathed in the scent of him, wood mixed with something masculine and uniquely him. She'd really lost him. And she'd never get him back. He could say it was because she lied, but the truth was, he'd never have even given her a chance if he had known what she was. And no good man ever will.
Images flashed in her mind, of the pictures she'd seen in her classes, of the many humans that had been lost to succubi who drained their victims until they left nothing but stiff bodies behind. I understand. Some people see us as worse than vampires, worse than every terrible monster, because it'd be so easy for us to leave our victims alive?but so many succubi don't give a damn. If they're hungry, they'll feed until their victims have nothing left.
But I'm not like them. Not every magical creature is a monster.
Not that who I am mattered to Luke. Not that it will matter to anyone else. All they'll care about is what I am.
Pressing his shirt against her forehead, she accepted the one truth she'd denied all her life. She could fight her nature as much as she wanted to, but she couldn't change what she was.
Perhaps, it's time to embrace it.