Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  I take the manila folder, which holds a stack of papers. “What about Killian? Does he know about me?”

  “He must, because Mr. Montgomery was well versed in our history. Talia, on your twenty-first birthday, Kade needs to make a choice. The prophecy of our families does speak of twins being born. If this happens, the mate who has the twin needs to decide, blood or love.”

  “Blood or love?” My brows furrow in confusion. Both my mom and dad avert their eyes, looking at everything but me. “What does that mean?”

  “Kade will need to decide if he wants you, or if he wants to keep his brother alive. One of you must die.” It’s my mother that deals the final blow. My world tips on its axis, and I can’t find words to make sense of what I’ve just been told.

  “My powers? What do I do? Kade told me I’m a princess?”

  “Yes, you are. You’ll be named Queen on your twenty-first birthday when I step down.” My mother smiles. It’s warm and affectionate, but I don’t want it. I just need to gather myself. I glance at the blade, the folder, and another laugh falls from my lips. “Your powers—”

  “No, just . . . Give me time.” I rise from my seat and head up the stairs. I can hear my mother calling me, my father placating her, telling her to listen and allow me time to digest everything.

  Flopping on my old bed, I close my eyes and clear, blue pools haunt me. My phone vibrates, but I ignore it. I have a feeling I know who it is, and I really don’t want to talk to him or even see him again.

  Another vibration alerts me of a text message, then another, and then a third. Frustration and curiosity get the better of me, and I pull the offending device from my pocket. Five messages and three missed calls. I don’t bother with the voicemails, but I open the messages against my better judgment.

  K: Princess, I’m sorry for being an asshole. You can hate me, but let me try to make it up to you.

  I hit delete and open the next one.

  K: Your taste is heaven, that little pussy will be mine. Mark my words.

  As angry as I am, his words send whirls of desire coursing through me.

  K: If you keep ignoring me, I’ll find you. And when I do, you’ll be screaming more than just my name. I’ll rip pleasure from that gorgeous body until you can’t walk. Do you hear me, little Witch?

  I stare at the words for so long they start to blur before me. I want him. My traitorous body responds to his words, to the threat of him taking me like that. After what happened in his office, I find myself curious to see what other pleasures he can bestow on me. But what my parents told me only moments ago lingers in my mind. How can I guarantee he’ll choose me over his brother? Over his blood?

  K: If you don’t respond to my message, I will get in my car, drive to your apartment, break down the fucking door, and fuck you against it. Do you understand?

  A gasp falls from my lips at his filthy words. Even though he meant it as a threat, my core pulses, needing and wanting. I can’t stop the ache this man creates between my thighs, and he does something to the heart that seems to thrum in my chest as well.

  He’s dangerous.

  He’s deadly.

  But he’s made for me.

  He could kill me. Or he could love me. All I have to do is make him see I’m the better choice.

  That can’t be too difficult, can it?

  I mean, he already wants to fuck me. The next step is to make him feel.

  How do you make a cold-hearted bastard love? Easy. Play him at his own game.

  Hitting reply on the message. I type out something I know will make him angry, which in turn, makes me smile.

  Me: Keep your pants on. I was busy. You’re an asshole, you’re right. And I doubt my pussy will be anywhere near you anytime soon.

  I hit send. A second later, my phone lights up. Tapping the green button, I answer. “Hello?”

  “Do you doubt me, Princess?” His deep timber rumbles through the phone. It’s as if he’s whispering in my ear.

  “No.” The word comes out breathier than I want, and I curse myself. Thank God my door is closed, because everything south of my stomach is aching for release.

  “Are you on your bed?” His question is lower, almost a murmur, and I want to feel it against my skin.

  “Yes.”

  “Good girl. Put your hand inside those panties and close your eyes. Listen to my voice.” And I do. I fucking obey him because he’s got me so turned on I can’t think straight. “I know you’re wet. You know how I know? Because I made you wet. That tight little hole was dripping over my fingers earlier,” he recalls in a husky tone.

  “Kade.”

  “Shh, listen. Stroke yourself. Press down hard on your clit. I want you gushing in those panties, and only for me. I’ll give you space tonight, but tomorrow, you’re mine. I’m taking you to dinner. I want you to wear satin panties. Since you’ll already be wet for me, I want you to hand them to me under the table. I want to inhale your sweet scent.” The filth that tumbles from his mouth is driving me to the edge, and my body bows off the bed.

  “Oh god,” I hiss into the phone as I imagine it’s his fingers violating me.

  “That’s a good girl, so responsive. You’re naughty, aren’t you, Talia? Hungry for me. Wet for me. I bet those smooth lips of your cunt are aching to feel my tongue on them.” Sweet fucking Christ. Dipping my fingers into my core, faster and deeper, needing to find release, my body is coiled so tight, waiting for it. “Stop.” His voice is louder now, ripping me from the edge, from the fantasy, from the image in my mind.

  “What?” I protest, a little louder than I anticipated.

  “I’ll allow you to come tomorrow, by my hand. I want to look into those dark eyes and see them glisten for me, hunger for me, and I want to see your lips part when you whimper and moan as I make your body shudder again.”

  “If you keep talking like that, you’ll make me come right now,” I retort, and I know it’s going to earn me a growl of frustration. Challenging this man makes me feel incredibly powerful.

  “Don’t be cocky. I have to go. See you tomorrow. Don’t forget, I want those wet panties.” With that, he hangs up, leaving me frustrated.

  What the fuck just happened? Pushing off the bed, I head into my en suite bathroom and turn on the shower. Maybe the spray will calm the war raging inside me. I’m confused. I want him, and I know he wants me. Can I play this game and win? I’ll give it my best fucking try. The house is quiet. My parents must have gone to bed.

  Stepping under the cascade of warmth, I close my eyes, picturing Kade. The suit, the tie, his disheveled hair and beautiful eyes. A warrior. Reminding me I’m going to war with him.

  As much as he angered me, he’s also left me coiled like a snake ready to attack. The temptation to touch myself runs hot through my blood, electrifying every nerve-ending in my body. But I don’t. Why? Because something about that man begs me to obey.

  10

  Kade

  “She was on the flight, sir. The town car is on the way back to the office now.” Having the jet collect Talia was a good idea, or I would have to wait for her to get another flight. And that’s not an option.

  “Thank you. That’s all for now.” Hanging up, I rise and watch the traffic below. I’ve been at the office for more than two hours. I knew she’d gone to see her parents. By now, she’ll have learned about our history and about the choice I have to make.

  Blood or love. What she probably doesn’t know is I’ve already made my choice. Her parents won’t know that there is another way. One that could be detrimental to their daughter’s life. But it’s a chance I’m willing to take.

  Sighing, I head to the coffee machine in the corner of my office and pour my tenth cup for the morning. Nothing is quenching my thirst. I haven’t been on a kill in a couple days since I slayed that fucker, Trey. And nothing seems to be quelling the innate desire to be with her.

  One taste wasn’t enough. I’ve spent the night thinking of her, inhaling the scent of her on my fing
ers. Like a drug racing through my veins, igniting every inch of my body with desire so furious, so deadly, the only thing that will satisfy it will be Talia’s blood.

  “Kade.” I turn to find Presley at my door. “You look like shit.”

  “Thank you. Always so eloquent. What do you want, Ley?” She smiles. Settling herself on the edge of my desk, she unbuttons her coat. It falls open, and I’m met with her pert breasts and a smooth, bare cunt. “I don’t want to fuck you, Presley. I told you, we’re done.”

  Swallowing a gulp of coffee, I savor the burn, hoping the kick of caffeine will get me through this episode. I don’t know what the fuck she’s doing, but it needs to stop.

  “You want a girl who you’ll have to kill on her birthday instead?” A soft gasp falls from the doorway. We both turn to find Talia staring at me, then her gaze falls on a naked Presley sitting on my desk. I don’t have time to question how Presley knew about Talia, but I’ll make sure she answers my questions soon enough.

  “Get out, Presley. I have to speak to Talia.”

  “I can—” The sweet brunette turns to leave, but I’m at her side in an instant.

  Leaning in, I whisper in her ear, “You’re not going anywhere, Princess. Now, get your ass inside this office, or I’ll make sure you can’t sit on it for a week.”

  “You’re an asshole, Kade.” Her voice is filled with venom, which I expect.

  “I know.” Pulling her into the room, I nod my head at the blonde who’s had the sense to button up.

  “I’ll see you soon, Kade,” she smirks, stalking out on her four-inch heels. Once we’re alone, I cast a glance at Tali who’s now settled herself on the sofa. Her dark eyes are on the view outside the window. I want her eyes on me. I need them looking into mine. I hunger for the connection.

  “Look, Talia, I’m sorry you saw that.”

  “I’m sure you are,” she bites back, causing me to chuckle at her feisty mouth.

  “How are your parents?” That has her head snapping toward me. “I know everything there is to know about you, sweet girl.” Smirking, I close the distance between us.

  “I know about everything. Your brother. Me. Our sick little triangle. You having to choose.” Her words are like ice water to my veins. She darts her gaze to the floor. The anger that swirls around her in a hazy fog saddens me. Why? I don’t know. I’ve never felt anything like this before. No woman has brought me to my knees, but as I drop to them, I can’t stop myself from taking her hands in mine.

  “Look at me.” As soon as she pierces my defenses with her gaze, I realize the danger I’m putting her in. Putting me in. This thing between us, it’s alive. A tangible force, and it’s either going to bury us, or it will lift us. “I do need to choose, but . . .” My words taper off, and I wonder if I should tell her. Show her what Presley showed me. The only thing the blonde seer couldn’t show me was Talia’s face. But the future was clear as day.

  “I can’t do this, Kade. Knowing—”

  “Close your eyes and trust me.” My plea doesn’t go unnoticed. She obeys easily. Like she should. Her long lashes flutter closed, lying on rosy cheeks. “Now, I’m going to show you something. It’s what can happen. We just need to find a way.”

  I close my eyes, allowing her into me. She’s always been there. Within me. Now, as I grant her access to my mind again, showing her our future, if she chooses it, I know I can get through this. I know what I want, and I already know what she craves. It’s written all over that pretty little face.

  It’s what all people ache for.

  Love.

  The vision starts slowly. The forest passes by, and her hand is in mine. Sunlight streams down into the river beside us. Her giggle is gentle, like the water trickling over the rocks. She glances at me then. It’s the first time I’ve seen her face in the vision. It stills my heart. Fuck. Her belly is round with a baby. Our baby. The words have me pulling my hands from her grasp.

  That wasn’t there last time. “That . . . That doesn’t make sense.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s changed. It’s . . . We never . . .” Pushing up, I stalk to my desk. The phone vibrates, but I ignore the call. Instead, I tap the number I need. “Presley, get up here now.” Slamming the receiver on its cradle, I lift my gaze to meet that of Talia’s. Her eyes are wide with shock, much like how I feel at this very moment.

  Presley’s never shown me a baby before. The door swings open, and in stalks the statuesque blonde. “What can I do for you, Kade?”

  “What the fuck is this?” I round my desk and pull her along. Grabbing Tali’s hand, I connect the three of us and allow the vision to play out. Once we reach the part with Talia being pregnant, Ley gasps, tugging her hand away.

  “Why?” she murmurs.

  “Why what? You never once showed me Talia being pregnant. What the fuck does that mean?” Shaking her head at my question, she backs away, slow and steady, but I’m in her face within a second. She can try, but she won’t get very far. “Tell me, Presley, or I’ll spill your fucking guts on this carpet right here in my office.”

  “You’re . . .” Her gaze darts to Talia, then back to me. “She’s the one. The twins who will fight to the death for the heart of a girl. It’s written in the Elders’ Shadow Book.” Realization hits me like a lead weight. I knew about my choice between Talia and Killian, but what Presley is professing, what’s already been professed . . . It’s going to not only break apart my family, my blood, but it’s going to change the way our kind rules.

  Talia Craven will be Queen.

  But it’s not my choice.

  It’s hers.

  She needs to choose which Montgomery brother she will name King.

  11

  Talia

  “This is ridiculous. I don’t know you or your brother. I’m . . . There’s no way I can do this.” I’ve been pacing Kade’s office floor for the last hour. He hasn’t spoken since Presley left. The shock has settled like a gaping hole between us. Ugly. Dangerous. Unwanted. Just below the cusp of what we thought we’d gotten ourselves into. “Kade,” I murmur, halting my movements to meet his eyes. They’re shimmering with emotion. More than I’ve seen on the man since I first met him only a few days ago. “What do you want to do? I mean . . . I can’t do this.”

  “Talia, you keep saying that, but this is your destiny. You’re the Princess. One day soon, you’ll be Queen. Your mother will step down, and it will be up to you to make decisions. I can’t make this one for you. This . . . this is your first test. It’s something you need to do on your own.”

  His words make sense, but they don’t. Confusion sits heavily in my gut. I’ve never wanted to not do something, besides the day I had to bury my best friend. I was meant to play Kade at his game, thinking he was the one who was meant to choose, but it’s on me. I’m the one who can either kill him or his brother. “I wish . . . I wish Rhys was here right now.” My mumbled words are soft-spoken, but I know he heard because he pushes off the chair he’s been sitting in and stalks toward me.

  “Look at me,” he orders. I obey. “You’re strong enough without him. I know you miss him, but it’s time to move on.”

  “Is that why he called you? To make me love you instead?”

  I don’t know where the question comes from, but it stops us both. Shock paints Kade’s handsome features. The dark stubble that dots his jaw makes me want to run my hands over it. His eyes, deep, incandescent pools of emotion, hold me hostage.

  “He didn’t ask me to make you do anything. He requested that I be there for you, but I don’t think he realized who I was. I mean, who I really am. Everyone knows you were always meant to be mine.”

  “That’s very confident of you, Mr. Montgomery. I’m not yours . . . yet.” I don’t know why I voiced that last word, but I wanted to. Something tugged deep in my chest, telling me to give him something, just a hint that I might be able to do this. To choose. And he might be my choice.

  “Yet,” he affirms with a smirk
. That sinful one I’ve come to like seeing on his handsome face. His square jaw begs for me to touch it. His thick, dark brows that match his black, disheveled hair, and those intense eyes. Everything about this man is made for sin. For sex. To make me fall. And in his arms, I feel that’s what’s happening.

  “I think we, I mean, if this is what you want . . . We’ll have to start off slow. So, you can take me to dinner.” Lifting my chin, I meet his gaze. It’s a strange request, even to my ears.

  “What?” He frowns, the furrow of his brow makes him look older. More distinguished.

  “Take me to dinner. I’ll be ready at seven.” Without waiting for his response, I head out of his office toward the elevator. Once inside, I allow myself to breathe. To really take in the enormity of the situation I’ve just been thrown into. All my life, I’ve felt different, more . . . grown up than the rest of the kids, but this is unlike anything I’ve had to deal with.

  If I’d known my future was about to change when I hit twenty-one, would it have made me wary? Perhaps. The elevator hits the ground floor, and I quickly head out onto the sidewalk. It’s almost four, and I told Kade to pick me up at seven. I need to get home, change, and be ready for when he arrives. I have a plan. Hopefully, it will give me the answer I need.

  * * *

  My heart rate spikes when the doorbell rings. The ankle-length, flowing, backless, dark plum dress I’m wearing is made of a soft silk material, which hugs my curves. With sleeves that cup my shoulders, I feel like a princess. I chose silver sandals with a four-inch heel to complete the outfit. My long, dark hair is pinned to the top of my head in a messy bun with strands of dark waves that frame my face and neck. Silver earrings, the shape of butterflies, adorn my ears.