“There’s a good reason for that.” I didn’t like the tone of his voice. He sounded crafty, dangerous.
“We could have made a killing by selling off your blood once a month. Ah, well. Water under the bridge. However, I met a vampire who belongs to an underground club and they’d love to have a juicy witch in their stable. They’re going to give me $100,000 to hand you over to them, and you’re going to become one of their bloodwhores. And I will have the money to get out of the country before my trial. I can’t tap into my bank accounts, I can’t even pawn my Rolex without the cops coming down on me. But $100,000 will get me to Mexico. And Mexico spells freedom.”
I began to panic. He was right. There were rogue vampires who would just love to have a witch for a bloodwhore.
“Craig, don’t do this. I swear, I’ll help you escape if you untie me.” Using my feet, I pushed myself back against the car to brace myself as I stood up. I was woozy from the hit on the head, but I had to do something.
“Oh no, you’re not going anywhere without me. And every time I get angry, I’ll just think about those vampires bleeding you dry and fucking you so hard you scream, and I’ll laugh.” And then he did laugh, sounding manic and driven. He also sounded drunk.
I knew that I had to act, because once he got me into that car, I wasn’t going to be able to get free. I still didn’t have my magical powers back, and there wasn’t much I could do, as bruised as I felt. So I began to run toward the edge of the parking lot, trying to get out into the road where somebody might see me. I screamed as I ran, howling like a banshee.
“Come back here, you bitch!” Craig launched himself after me, but by the sound of his footsteps I could tell he was lurching around, probably because of the booze. I tried to zigzag to throw him off so that he would trip and fall. But as drunk as he was, he was still quick, and he caught up with me, grabbing hold of my hair and yanking so hard that it felt like my neck cracked. I screamed again as he flipped me around, letting go so that I went plowing face-first into the gravel.
I rolled over, trying to work my hands free so that I could fight back.
Craig loomed over me and kicked me, giving me a nasty blow in the side.
“That’s for being a bitch.” He kicked me again. “And that’s for leeching me dry.” He was about to kick me again when a woman’s voice echoed out.
“Get him, Lanyear!” It was Franny, racing along the cliff toward us.
Lanyear swept down out of the sky, raking across Craig’s face, leaving a long scratch that began to bleed profusely. Craig screamed, turning as Franny came up behind him. He hit out at her, but his hand passed through and he screamed again.
Lanyear turned on his wingtip, barreling down to claw him from behind. I struggled to get up but I was hurting so badly that I could barely move. Just then a car came screeching into the parking lot and before it even came to a stop the door opened and Aegis jumped out.
“I warned you,” was the only thing Aegis said before he launched himself onto Craig, taking him down, biting deep into Craig’s jugular. Craig let out a painful shriek that hurt to hear. Aegis reared up, his mouth bloody and his eyes crimson. He stood, yanking Craig up by the throat. “You hurt the woman I love for the last time.”
Craig swung his leg, kicking Aegis right in the nuts. Aegis just stared at him, then with one good throw, tossed Craig across the parking lot. Craig went rolling into the grass that skirted the edge of the cliff, managing to stop himself before he toppled over the edge. He dragged himself to his feet as Aegis began to stomp his way over to him.
“Stay back—stay back, I warn you. I’ve got a gun!” Craig pulled a gun out of his jacket, holding it up with shaking hands.
At that moment, Franny appeared behind Craig. He hadn’t noticed her yet, but I could see her from where I was laying. She leaned forward, and then, in a loud voice yelled, “Boo!”
Startled, Craig stumbled back through Franny.
She moved delicately to one side as he wavered on the edge of the cliff, and then toppled over the edge. We heard one loud shriek, and then the night was silent.
Chapter 15
BY THE TIME we finished talking to Delia, the coroner was on the way to the hospital with Craig’s body, and it was almost nine p.m.
Against my wishes, they also insisted on taking me to the hospital to get x-rayed. I had a broken rib, a bruised hip, and more lacerations and contusions than I could count. Jordan just stared at me as he taped my ribs and tended to my wounds.
Sandy was there with me. Aegis had called her, not wanting to come into the hospital so he wouldn’t frighten anyone. Franny had gone back to the house with Lanyear.
By the time we got home, the only thing I wanted was a pizza, a glass of wine, and some peace and quiet. The glass of wine would have to wait, though. Jordan had nixed it, given the pain pills he had given me for my ribs.
Kelson just stared at me, giving me a look much like Jordan had.
“Well, that ends an era of my life. Craig’s dead. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe he was going to sell me off to a vampire club as a bloodwhore.” I broke down in tears. “I’m so tired.”
Aegis rubbed my shoulders. “I know, sweetie. I know. I want you to rest and get better. Kelson and I will take care of all the business for the next few weeks. You need a long vacation.”
“I’ve got some good news,” Kelson said. “I got a call from Henry. He’s coming home tomorrow. I told him about Franny and he’s truly happy for her. He doesn’t blame her in the least for his stroke.”
Grateful for small favors, I accepted the cup of peppermint tea that Kelson made me as Aegis ordered a couple pizzas. Sitting back, in the glow of the kitchen, the only thing I could think about was that I was in the home that I loved, with the man that I loved, and my best friend sitting by my side.
OVER THE NEXT couple weeks, Henry returned. He was doing well, all things considered, and he and Franny were back to being friendly, although I had the feeling their friendship would never be quite what it was. But they seemed to be enjoying each other’s company again, and I was grateful for that. Franny was exploring the island, whisking this way and that way, coming back with all sorts of things to tell me that I already knew about, but that were so new to her. But I listened, excited because she was excited. She hadn’t mentioned leaving yet, in fact she hadn’t talked about it at all, and I was in no hurry to ask her about it.
Aegis and Max had painted the attic and what was no longer the secret room, putting up drywall to turn the entire attic into an actual usable space. They had hung new lights so that it was bright and cheery, and nothing remained to remind us of Etum and the curse.
Gregory had made it back to London. His conference had gone extremely well. He was already planning his next trip over, which he wanted to make in March.
As far as Craig’s death went, I was still sorting out my feelings on it. I wasn’t distressed, although I was truly sorry that he had fallen to such depths. At one time I had loved him, though that had died along with the marriage.
Thanksgiving was a quiet affair. We had encouraged our guests to go to the community meal so that we could have a quiet evening at home with just Sandy, Max, Jenna, Kelson, and Henry. Bubba and Luna were busy picking over their share of the turkey.
Sandy and Max were in the living room with the others, but I had opted to take a little time to myself. I was sitting in the kitchen, in the rocking chair, holding Drofur—my stuffed unicorn. Aegis entered the room.
He sat down beside me, taking my hand in his.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, scooting closer.
“Thanksgiving. Craig and everything that happened with him. The curse. You. Everything that’s happened over the past year. My life has turned upside down and inside out. Some of it’s been bad, but some of it—you and Franny and Lanyear and moving to Bedlam—have been the best choices I’ve ever made.”
Aegis nodded, his eyes warm. ??
?Maddy, I want to ask you a question. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I think it’s time.”
A sudden fear froze my heart. He sounded so serious.
“What is it?”
“I’ve been thinking about Max and Sandy and what they have together. And I’ve been thinking about us and what we have together.”
He reached in his jacket pocket and everything began to shift. As he pulled out a little black box, I caught my breath. He opened it, holding it forward, and the glitter of sapphire and diamond sparkled in front of me.
“I know that a year is a short time in our life spans, but it feels like it’s been longer and it feels like we’ve known each other before. We’ve been down this road before together, even though we don’t know where it was or when it was. Will you make me the happiest vampire in Bedlam? Will you marry me?”
As I slid into his arms, crying, I realized that it felt right. It all felt so right and everything had led up to this moment. He slid the ring on my finger as I looked up into his eyes. He might be a vampire, and maybe I was one of the best vampire slayers in the world, but love transcended so many different chasms.
I nodded. “Yes. I’ll marry you.” As my lips met his, Sandy, Franny, and Kelson came bounding out from the living room, cheering. Bubba and Luna began to chase each other around the room. Max followed, helping Henry. As I looked around, I realized this was my family. All of them. And even Fata Morgana. They were my family of choice. And Gregory would become part of that.
“You may be the happiest vampire in Bedlam, but I’ll tell you this, Aegis. I’m the happiest witch alive.” And then I kissed him again.
If you enjoyed this book and want to read the rest of the series, then come meet the wild and magical residents of Bedlam in my Bewitching Bedlam Series. (It’s lighter-hearted but still steamy paranormal romance.) Fun-loving witch Maddy Gallowglass, her smoking-hot vampire lover Aegis, and their crazed cjinn Bubba (part djinn, all cat) rock it out in Bedlam, a magical town on a magical island. BLOOD MUSIC, BEWITCHING BEDLAM, MAUDLIN’S MAYHEM, SIREN’S SONG, WITCHES WILD, BLOOD VENGEANCE, TIGER TAILS, and THE WISH FACTOR are available.
You might also enjoy my new series The Wild Hunt. Urban fantasy/paranormal romance, the first three books are out: THE SILVER STAG, and OAK & THORNS, and IRON BONES. A SHADOW OF CROWS will be available later this year, and there will be more to come!
If you like a far darker read, my Indigo Court Series is once again available in e-format. Dark fantasy/steamy hot paranormal romance, you will find the series available for your e-reader: NIGHT MYST, NIGHT VEIL, NIGHT SEEKER, NIGHT VISION, NIGHT’S END, and NIGHT SHIVERS.
I also invite you to visit Fury’s world. In a gritty, post-apocalyptic Seattle, Fury is a minor goddess, in charge of eliminating the Abominations who come off the World Tree. The first story arc of the Fury Unbound Series is complete with: FURY RISING, FURY’S MAGIC, FURY AWAKENED, and FURY CALLING. The second story arc will begin later this year with FURY’S MANTLE.
If you like cozies with teeth, try my Chintz ‘n China paranormal mysteries. The series is complete with: GHOST OF A CHANCE, LEGEND OF THE JADE DRAGON, MURDER UNDER A MYSTIC MOON, A HARVEST OF BONES, ONE HEX OF A WEDDING, and a wrap-up novella: HOLIDAY SPIRITS.
The newest Otherworld book—HARVEST SONG—is available now, and the last, BLOOD BONDS, will be available in April 2019.
For all of my work, both published and upcoming releases, see the Bibliography at the end of this book, or check out my website at Galenorn.com and be sure and sign up for my newsletter to receive news about all my new releases.
Playlist
I often write to music, and here’s the playlist I used for this book.
A.J. Roach: Devil May Dance
Al Stewart: Life in Dark Water
The Alan Parsons Project: Breakdown; Can’t Take it With You
Alice in Chains: Man in the Box; Sunshine
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour: X; Sunshine Coolin’; Heart Attack; Out of Frequency; Major
AWOLNATION: Sail
Beck: Broken Train; Devil’s Haircut
The Black Angels: Don’t Play With Guns; Always Maybe; You’re Mine; Phosphene Dream; Never/Ever; Indigo Meadow
Black Mountain: Queens Will Play
Black Sabbath: Lady Evil
Boom! Bap! Pow!: Suit
Broken Bells: The Ghost Inside
Cake: Short Skirt/Long Jacket; The Distance
Clannad: I See Red; Newgrange
The Clash: Should I Stay or Should I Go
Cobra Verde: Play with Fire
Crazy Town: Butterfly
David & Steve Gordon: Shaman’s Drum Dance
Donovan: Sunshine Superman; Season of the Witch
Eastern Sun And John Kelley: Beautiful Being
Eels: Souljacker Part 1
FC Kahuna: Hayling
Foster the People: Pumped Up Kicks
Gary Numan: Down in the Park; Cars; Soul Protection; My World Storm; Dream Killer; Outland; Petals; Remember I Was Vapour; Praying to the Aliens; My Breathing
Godsmack: Voodoo
Hedningarna: Ukkonen; Juopolle Joutunut; Gorrlaus
The Hollies: Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)
In Strict Confidence: Snow White; Tiefer
Jessica Bates: The Hanging Tree
Jethro Tull: Overhang; Kelpie; Rare and Precious Chain; Something’s on the Move; Old Ghosts; Dun Ringall
Julian Cope: Charlotte Anne
The Kills: Nail In My Coffin; You Don’t Own The Road; Sour Cherry; DNA
Leonard Cohen: The Future; You Want It Darker
Lorde: Yellow Flicker Beat; Royals
Low with Tom and Andy: Half Light
M.I.A.: Bad Girls
Marilyn Manson: Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin-Geddon; Personal Jesus; Tainted Love
Motherdrum: Big Stomp
People In Planes: Vampire
R.E.M.: Drive
Rob Zombie: Living Dead Girl; Never Gonna Stop
Saliva: Ladies and Gentlemen
Seether: Remedy
Shriekback: Underwaterboys; Over the Wire; Big Fun; Dust and a Shadow; This Big Hush; Nemesis; Now These Days Are Gone; The King in the Tree; The Shining Path; Shovelheads; And the Rain; Wriggle and Drone; Church of the Louder Light
Spiral Dance: Boys of Bedlam; Tarry Trousers
Steeleye Span: Blackleg Miner; Rogues in a Nation; Cam Ye O’er Frae France
Tamaryn: While You’re Sleeping, I’m Dreaming; Violet’s in a Pool
Tempest: Raggle Taggle Gypsy; Mad Tom of Bedlam; Queen of Argyll; Nottamun Town; Black Jack Davy
Tom Petty: Mary Jane’s Last Dance
Tuatha Dea: Kilts and Corsets; Morgan La Fey; Tuatha De Danaan; The Hum and the Shiver; Wisp of A Thing Part 1; Long Black Curl
Wendy Rule: Let the Wind Blow; The Circle Song; Elemental Chant
Woodland: Roots; First Melt; Witch’s Cross; The Dragon; Morgana Moon; Mermaid
Yoko Kanno: Lithium Flower
Zero 7: In the Waiting Line
Biography
New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of over sixty books, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, the Indigo Court Series, and the Otherworld Series, among others. She’s also written nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine. Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch and High Priestess. She describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland, WA, with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her website at Galenorn.com.
Indie Releases Currently Available:
The Wild Hunt Series:
The Silver Stag
Oak & Thorns
Iron Bones
A Shadow of Crows
&nbs
p; Bewitching Bedlam Series:
Bewitching Bedlam
Maudlin’s Mayhem
Siren’s Song
Witches Wild
Casting Curses
Blood Music
Blood Vengeance
Tiger Tails
The Wish Factor
Fury Unbound Series:
Fury Rising
Fury’s Magic
Fury Awakened
Fury Calling
Fury’s Mantle
Indigo Court Series:
Night Myst
Night Veil
Night Seeker
Night Vision
Night’s End
Night Shivers
Otherworld Series:
Moon Shimmers
Harvest Song
Earthbound
Knight Magic
Otherworld Tales: Volume One
Tales From Otherworld: Collection One
Men of Otherworld: Collection One
Men of Otherworld: Collection Two
Moon Swept: Otherworld Tales of First Love
For the rest of the Otherworld Series, see Website
Chintz ‘n China Series:
Ghost of a Chance
Legend of the Jade Dragon
Murder Under a Mystic Moon
A Harvest of Bones
One Hex of a Wedding
Holiday Spirits
Bath and Body Series (originally under the name India Ink):
Scent to Her Grave
A Blush With Death
Glossed and Found
Misc. Short Stories/Anthologies:
Mist and Shadows: Short Tales From Dark Haunts
Once Upon a Kiss (short story: Princess Charming)
Once Upon a Curse (short story: Bones)