The Bride Hunt Box Set: Books 1-3

by Charlene Hartnady

  Candy sniffed and Julie could hear her shuffling around. “I’ve been trying to get out of the business for a few months now but Ellis ‒ my boss ‒ he owns Kitten Escorts, wouldn’t let me go. At first he upped my rate, then he let me work less, then he started threatening me.” She sniffed again. “He wanted me to go and see a new client. He insisted on driving me himself … he hit me when I refused to get in the car. It isn’t the first time he’s done it. Truth is, I would’ve left months ago but I’m afraid of him. I only started working at the escort agency to save enough to go to med school. I never planned on having sex with anyone but one thing lead to another.” She sucked in a big breath. “Ellis wanted me to meet with this new client and I kept insisting that I wanted out. Kind of my luck as of late; one minute Ellis was hitting me and trying to get me into his car and the next, I was abducted. A dragon swooped down out of the sky. A dragon.” She huffed out the last word like she couldn’t believe she was saying it.

  The new girl whimpered loudly. “Oh god. Please help me,” she cried. “It can’t be true. It can’t.”

  “Hey. Try and calm down,” Julie used a coaxing voice. “Did you get taken by a dragon too?”

  She whimpered, “Yes.” Her voice was thick with emotion.

  “What happened?” Candy asked.

  “My parents both died in a car accident last year. I’ve been struggling to keep up the payments on the house and eat. I work at the Titty Twister bar on 2nd Avenue.”

  “Oh god!” Lisa cursed. “Another sex worker.”

  “It’s not like that. Not that I would ever judge,” the new girl added. She sniffed a few times. “I’m a bartender. I wear tiny hot pants and a bikini to work, which is humiliating enough. A lot of the ladies who work at the club are awesome. They are single moms or, like you, Candy, working at the bar to put themselves through school. They are not all sex workers,” she retorted. “You shouldn’t judge like that. I wish I had more guts, I’d totally do it. Anyway …” she sighed. “The bank foreclosed on my house. I got the letter just yesterday. It’s been such a struggle. I was about to lose everything.”

  There was a definite common thread between them.

  She swallowed hard before continuing. “My boss sent me home for looking so glum on the job. Also, I snapped at one of the customers and called him a pig. He grabbed my ass. He totally was a pig.” She puffed out a breath. “Apparently he was one of the high rollers and I’m supposed to just let him put his hands on me. No way! I was lucky he sent me home with a warning though.” Then she whimpered. She was trying not to cry. “Or at least I thought it was luck. It came down from out of nowhere. One minute I was walking to my bus stop and the next I was flying up … up. A dark, winged beast had me in his talons. Literally. It didn’t hurt or anything. I couldn’t see very much when I got here. Wherever the hell here is. One minute there was a dark shape looming over me and the next there wasn’t.” She paused for a moment. “It was weird. In its place was a guy who told me not to be concerned. He said I was safe. I was so afraid; he came from out of nowhere. Then that horrible woman brought me here and you know the rest.”

  “Yup, the same chickie with the bad attitude also threw me in here,” Candy added. “She wouldn’t listen to anything I said.”

  “She referred to us as humans,” Julie said. “We know that wolf shifters and vampires exist so why not dragon shifters? You said that one minute there was a dragon and the next a man. It’s the only logical explanation.”

  “She also said that she couldn’t see anything. Your whole dragon shifter theory is a stretch.” Lisa huffed.

  “Not really,” Julie said. Her teeth had finally stopped chattering but her head still ached. “All three of you were airlifted here by a dragon. How would you explain it?”

  “Drugs,” Lisa said. “We were all drugged.”

  “And saw exactly the same thing? It doesn’t make sense,” Candy said. “We wouldn’t all hallucinate the same thing. That’s crazy.”

  “I wasn’t drugged,” the new girl said. “I was picked up and carried here. How was I drugged? Surely I would need to have swallowed a pill or been injected or something?”

  “Candy,” Lisa said. “You probably have experience with drugs. How did they administer them to us?”

  “How would I know?” came the irate response. “Oh, just because I have sex for money ‒ a lot of money ‒ automatically means that I’m an addict as well? I hate to burst your bubble but I’ve never so much as smoked a joint. My sister—” She paused. “I have my reasons and they’re no concern of yours. I would never take drugs.”

  “I’m Pauline, by the way.” the new girl said, now much less freaked out.

  “What about you?” Julie asked. “What’s your story, Lisa?”

  There was a long moment of silence. “I don’t have a story,” she finally said.

  Yeah, right! There was definitely a story there. “I’m only asking because we all seemed to be in a bit of trouble at the time of the abduction. I had my bag stolen and hit my head on the pavement, it’s why I was unconscious. I lost my job, my apartment. Candy was trying to get out of doing what she was doing, her boss was beating on her. Pauline was about to lose her house and possibly her job. There’s a definite correlation.”

  “No there’s not. My daddy was a multi-billionaire. I live in a mansion. I have everything I could possibly need,” her voice had a haughty edge. “I’ve never worked a day in my life, I don’t have to. I don’t plan on it either. I drive a convertible. I also have an SUV for pulling the horse trailer. I have nothing in common with any of you. Nothing!”

  “Your dad was a multi-billionaire?” Julie asked. “You said was.”

  “Not that it’s any of your business but daddy had a stroke a few months ago. He died.” Not a hint of sadness.

  “Sorry for your loss,” Julie said since it was the polite thing to do.

  “Well don’t be. He …” Lisa sighed. “Never mind. I’m not sorry he’s gone.”

  Oh boy! There was definitely a story there. Prissy Lisa could deny it all she wanted but it was clear. She was hiding something. “How were you abducted?”

  “I was riding my prize, imported warmblood mare when …” She didn’t say anything more.

  “You were plucked up by a dragon shifter,” Candy added.

  “I was taken by something resembling a dragon. My horse was so spooked. Poor Seraphina, her eyes actually rolled back in her head. She was completely terrified. If anything happened to her, I swear, I’ll see these bastards hang. They had no damned right to abduct me from my perfectly, wonderful life.”

  Again, Julie got the impression that Lisa was trying too hard to convince them that everything was hunky dory. Maybe she was just trying to convince herself.

  “The only negative thing that has happened to me recently was my fiancé calling off the wedding. He got wind that I planned on breaking it off with him and beat me to it. Bastard! My best friend was the one who tipped him off. It had to be Anne.” She sighed. “Like help, decent friends are so hard to find.”

  This woman sure was something.

  The door opened and someone else was deposited into the room. Probably another woman. Aside from breathing, whoever it was didn’t make a peep.

  “Please, can you switch on a light or give us a torch? We need food and water,” Julie tried again. They couldn’t see a thing. It was strange, it seemed that there were no lights on at all in this place. Not even behind the door that was currently open. The only way she knew it was open was because of a light breeze that blew in from it. Goosebumps broke out on her goosebumps. “We’re freezing our asses off in here.”

  The bully laughed. “Our males aren’t interested in that particular part of your anatomy, so I wouldn’t worry.”

  “No, please!” Julie tried as the door creaked. It clicked shut. Males. Who spoke like that? It was bizarre.

  What the hell did these people want with them?

  “Am I going crazy?” the new girl wh
ispered. “Was I just taken by a dragon?” Another whimper that spoke of terror.

  Chapter 4

  Blaze paced within the chamber. Tension radiated off of him. “The last of the females are secured. The hunt will begin tomorrow at noon. I hope you’re ready?” He turned his bright green eyes on Coal.

  No. But Coal nodded once. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Good. Nothing can go wrong. There are only five females. You have to win one of them.”

  Coal had heard this about a hundred times. Blaze was nervous. His normally together brother was falling apart. It was that important to him and to the the kingdom that he succeed. All Coal felt was extreme reluctance. “You said that if a female does not want a male we are not to force her.”

  “I also said that you are to succeed in capturing a female for the fire tribe and that you are to win her over at all costs.”

  Coal made a noise of affirmation. He could catch one, sure, but to win one over … How the hell did he go about doing that?

  There was a knock at the door and Blaze’s gaze snapped in that direction. “It’s about time,” his brother muttered. “Enter,” he said, projecting his voice.

  Scarlet walked in. She ignored Coal completely and curtsied to his brother, their king. “Your majesty.” Her head was bowed. The female had been fire breathing mad when he’d informed her of the king’s decision. Coal was not permitted to mate with her. Not only that, he was going to have to take a human female instead. Scarlet blamed Coal even though this was the last thing that he wanted.

  “Are the humans safe?” Blaze skipped all small talk and got straight to business.

  Scarlet looked up from under her lashes. “Yes, my lord, they are secure in the moon room and will remain there for the night.”

  Blaze’s shoulders lost some of their tension. “Is Ash with them now?”

  Scarlet’s eyes widened for a second, then she looked down at her feet. “Um … no …” she shrugged. “They’re locked in.”

  Blaze locked his jaw. “They shouldn’t be alone. They might try to escape and they might hurt themselves. Did you explain to them what is happening? I’m going to assume you have given them something to eat and drink.”

  “No. I was told to ensure that they didn’t escape. They cannot escape from the moon room, so all is well.” The moon room was one of the only windowless rooms in the castle.

  “You were also told to ensure that they didn’t come to harm!” Blaze boomed. “Those poor females must be scared to death.”

  “They’re fine,” Scarlet stammered. “Perfectly fine.”

  “Go back.” Blaze looked irritated. “Explain to them what is happening. Give them food and drink and anything else that they might need. I am entrusting you with this because our males might scare them. I’m relying on you and Ash to keep them safe and calm until the hunt tomorrow.”

  “They are not to be left alone. Not for a minute,” Blaze warned. “If anything happens to any of them it’s on you.”

  Scarlet pursed her lips. It took a couple of seconds but she finally nodded. She cleared her throat. “Yes, my lord. You will need to forgive me. I have no experience in dealing with humans. Maybe a male or one of the others would have been better.”

  “I gave you the task and I expect it to be carried out. They are weaker, they don’t have our vision, our hearing or healing capabilities. They cannot shift.”

  “Why then?” her voice was filled with barely controlled anger. “Why would you agree to allow such … inferior creatures to mate with us? Mix blood with us?” her voice quivered with the emotion and her eyes shone.

  Blaze rubbed a hand over his face. For the first time, Coal noticed how tired he looked. There was a few days’ worth of stubble on his face, his eyes had dark smudges beneath them. He seemed to have lost a little weight. “You know why,” he finally sighed.

  “We’re no better than those vampires with their breeding program. It’s disgusting.” She seemed to realize that her outburst was unwelcome because she smoothed her dress. “I guess there is no other choice,” she finally blurted.

  All of the non-humans were in the same boat. They all had problems with procreation. The dragons were the worst afflicted. The vampires were taking human females. Their breeding program seemed to be a success. The wolf shifters had been taking human females for years. The elves were the least affected and preferred to stick to themselves. As much as Coal hated the idea of taking a human for himself, this idea had to work. For the good of his kind, this had to be a success.

  “This is a trial run. We are hoping that it is a success.” Blaze said, almost to himself.

  Scarlet’s eyes darkened and her jaw tightened. “Yes, my lord. With that in mind, I had better head back.”

  It was probably Coal’s imagination but it looked like she was smiling as she left the room.

  “Nothing can go wrong,” Blaze sighed.

  He was a male in his prime. A royal. A fire dragon. “What can possibly go wrong?” The moment the words were out, he regretted them. Hundreds of males would assemble at noon tomorrow all vying for a chance at a female. A human. Every muscle in his body tightened.

  Blaze turned to him. “Everything.”

  Coal felt the weight of this responsibility come down on him. His shoulders slumped and his head bowed.

  The next day…

  The new girl’s name was Joanne, ‘Jo’ for short. She was quiet and the youngest of the group. She was a final year law student. Her mom had just thrown her out of the house because her new boyfriend felt that a twenty-two-year-old should be able to support herself. She had been on her way to crash at a friend’s house when she had been taken. It looked as if she was going to have to drop out of school and get a job. She was hopeful that she would be able to finish her degree part-time.

  The bully ended up being a beautiful woman. Tall and slim with fiery red hair. She wore a loose-fitting, plain, cotton dress with no shoes and refused to answer any questions. Every now and then she would say something like, “I’m so glad I’m not you,” or “Come tomorrow, you’ll wish you were dead.” She also made it clear that if any of them tried to escape they would regret it.

  On the upside, she lit the fire in the two large fire places within the enormous room. The ceilings were high. There were a few pieces of furniture that all looked like they were from the previous century. The woman also gave them food and water. The bathroom was an eye-opener, all marble with what looked like solid gold taps and finishes. It couldn’t be though. Could it?

  Another woman with dark hair and eyes also entered the room. They were careful to lock the door with a key that was on a chain around their necks. This lady was even taller. She was the tallest woman Julie had ever seen. She brought knitted throws and blankets made from fur. Belly full and wrapped up in a soft blanket, Julie soon fell asleep. Her dreams were of fire-breathing creatures, of sharp claws and terror.

  Their early morning was much of the same, at least up until the dark-haired woman came back. She was carrying an armload of dresses.

  “We have been tasked with getting you females ready,” she said, hanging the dresses over the back of one of the chairs.

  “Each of you needs to take turns bathing and dressing.”

  “Why?” Lisa held her head high. “For the last time,” she all but growled. “Where the hell am I? What is going on? I will sue you if you—”

  The redhead slapped Lisa with such speed that it only registered what had happened after the fact. Her head was flung to the side and her cheek was already turning a light shade of red. She staggered backwards, her hand nursing her face.

  “I don’t have the time or patience for backtalk,” the redhead said. Her eyes were wide and blazing. “You all want to know what your future holds? Get washed up and dressed and I will tell you.”

  “You can’t do this,” Julie said. “This is illegal. It’s kidnapping.”

  The woman threw her head back and laughed with fierce humor. “You are
no longer on human territory. Your rules and regulations do not apply here. We are not governed by your ways.”

  “Who are you?” Julie asked. She knew she was risking this woman’s wrath but she didn’t give a damn. “What are you?” She had a good idea what the answer was to that.

  “All in due time. Who wants to go first?” Before anyone could answer, she gestured to the tall, dark woman. “Ash, take the insolent one.” She pointed at Lisa.

  The tall woman did as the redhead said and gripped the much smaller, seemingly weaker Lisa and dragged her to the bathroom.

  The normally feisty heiress didn’t say a word.

  Each of them went in one by one. The tall woman, Ash, watched them while they washed and dressed.

  The hot water felt good on her skin. For just a second Julie was tempted to close her eyes and enjoy the sensations. Once she was done, she toweled off and was handed a cotton dress. Just a dress.

  “Um … I need underwear.”

  Ash frowned. “No. Put that on.”

  “What do you mean by no? I need a bra and panties. The basics.”

  The tall woman shook her head. “We do not wear such items. Put it on.” She thrust the overly large garment into her hands.

  “Fine.” Julie bent down and picked up her already worn underwear. She’d just have to put on her panties inside out.

  “No,” the woman snapped. “Only the dress.”

  Julie narrowed her eyes at the woman. “I don’t think so.”

  “Why do you females give so much trouble? Put on the dress, we are running out of time. I can’t believe it takes so long to get ready.”

  Flip! Julie didn’t like this. Not one bit. She never went braless. Never. Her boobs were on the bigger side. Big enough to be an irritation when trying to move quickly. There would be no running or jogging for her.

  She put on the dress. It was far too big.