“Not until threats to the Guild are gone,” Alex interjected.
“In that, we agree, Lieutenant. Until we understand and subdue these outside forces, we’re not accepting any new members. Until the all clear, we’ll keep our distance from you. As for your question, Juliana, let’s just say Lily has great potential.”
“Do you need police involvement? I can be discreet, keep it under the radar.”
Alex’s grudging question sent pleasant shock rippling across her chest. First agreeing to work with Jake McAllister, now aligning with the Director of the Guild Guardians. Did hell get hit with an ice storm last night?
“I may take you up on your offer.” Niles shook Alex’s hand, forging a bond that opened up a whole new world for Juliana, for her and Alex as they tackled life as a couple in their intricate new world.
Under the shade of the maple tree shadowing Juliana’s patio, Alex swept her hair off her neck and secured the clasp on the butterfly necklace. Her skin rippled where his fingers made contact. She slipped on the matching earrings, securing the lever backs.
“You knew the 459—the burglary—wasn’t targeting you as a victim?” He kissed the back of her neck. “Is that what you meant when you said his presence didn’t feel evil?”
“Yes. Once I found the article, it solidified my instincts. But I had no idea Lauren McKenna was Lily Falbrooke. She confirmed today that Lauren is her middle name and McKenna was her mother’s maiden name. All the inmates of the asylum used false names to protect our identities.” Juliana turned in his arms, and his hands found the small of her back, locking her close.
“Why didn’t you get any visions off the medallion you found in the bathroom?”
“Niles wiped one side clean with alcohol. Weeding out the crazies who might pretend to receive a touch reading.”
“Yet he knew you weren’t a phony.” His arms coiled tight in annoyance.
“He had protocol to follow and had to report to his superiors. I get it.” She caressed his face and he kissed her palm, inciting a tango of butterflies in her belly. At the wake, Niles had grilled her about her visions and what she’d sensed from him being in her house. Impressing him, she’d passed his test with freak flags flapping in the wind. From her jewelry and her bottle of perfume, he’d known they were gifts from Alex, given and accepted with love, and worn daily.
“Will you really help the Guild against these threats?”
“Don’t make me regret it.” He fake-scowled. “As long as you stay away from McAllister.”
“Which one?”
“All of them.” He nuzzled her neck, his five o’clock shadow tickling.
Although Jake never appeared at the wake, he’d remained near, and his brothers Ric and Liam never let Lily out of their sights. When Juliana and Alex had departed, they’d followed Lily out to her waiting driver where the grieving daughter was destined to escape the condolences. The burble of a Harley motorcycle had charged the moist, somber air. Jake had never met the new subject of his latest assignment, yet he protected her, the most precious of gems. Juliana’s worry for Lily slithered off her shoulders.
“Does this mean you’re stepping out on the Guild Hate Club?” she asked.
“Dipping a toe in the murky water.”
“After the McAllisters run these threats out of town, I want to join the Guild.” She gazed into Alex’s accepting eyes. “Only if you join with me, be my protector, my Guardian.”
“Your only protector. Whenever. Wherever. Forever.” His mouth met hers, his lips firm and soft, fiery with his need. “You’ll never get rid of me.”
She entwined her arms around his neck, mashing her breasts against his chest. “You’re all I need in every way,” she replied.
“Marry me?”
She grinned. “You already asked me.”
“I mean now.” He cupped the nape of her neck, and she shivered from his evocative touch. “Soon? Before you join the Guild.”
“Are you afraid of another man supplanting you as my Guardian if we aren’t hitched?” Pleasure thrummed unstoppable inside her, the empowerment over this man who’d never given up on her despite the years he’d buried.
He tweaked a lock of her loose hair. “I don’t want anything getting in our way. I know how consumed you’ll get by them.”
She weaved her fingers in his, never wanting to let go. “No, love. Nothing will ever engulf me the way you do. I will never allow it.” He crushed her mouth with his, and she let him consume every fiber of her being.
Books by Erin Richards
Psychic Justice Series
Chasing Shadows, Book 1
Twilight Rising, Book 2
Stealing Twilight, Book 3
Seducing Darkness, Book 4
Forbidden Legacy Series
Forbidden Thirteen, Book 1
Wicked Paradise
It’s In His Kiss – Anthology (FREE)
Young Adult
Vigilante Nights
Dragonfly Nightmare
Bittersweet Wreckage
Updated Book List
About the Author
After lamenting the lack of young adult books to read, award-winning and USA Today best-selling author, Erin Richards, wrote her first novel at the age of eighteen hoping to shift the tide. But the only tide she shifted was moving from high school to college. Then everyday life took its toll on her writerly dreams until she couldn’t ignore the writing bug any longer. By then, she had immersed herself in reading adult fantasy and romance novels. Writing suspenseful paranormal and fantasy romance was a no brainer and she went on to publish two adult romance novels and hasn’t stopped since. But her muse wanted to give that YA writing gig another chance, and Erin finally realized her lifelong dream of publishing a YA novel with the debut of Vigilante Nights.
Erin lives in California. In her spare time, she enjoys reading (of course!) and re-landscaping her backyard, even though she hates digging holes…unless she’s burying fictional bodies! She also confesses to a fascination with American muscle cars…and reality TV shows!
Please visit Erin Richards online at:
www.erinrichards.com
Did you Enjoy
Twilight Rising?
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www.ErinRichards.com
Did you enjoy
Twilight Rising?
Reviews are gold to authors! If you’ve enjoyed this book, would you consider rating and reviewing it at your favorite online retailer or review site? Your review is greatly appreciated!
To stay up to date on Erin Richards’ latest happenings, including new releases, sales, special announcements, exclusive excerpts, and giveaways, subscribe to her newsletter at: www.erinrichards.com/connect.htm. As a new subscriber, you will automatically be entered in her current subscriber giveaway.
TWILIGHT RISING
Erin Richards
Copyright © 2015 by Erin Richards
All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. 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, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the copyright owner.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are either the product of the author’s imaginatio
n or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are the property of their respective owners and are used only for reference.
Digital ISBN: 978-1943800018
Cover Designer: Robin Harper, Wicked by Design
Editor: Laurie Larsen
Created with Vellum
Honor Bound
Rebecca Tran
About the Story
Liam is bored with everyday life in Underhill, the home of the Fae. When you’ve lived as long as he has few things hold any excitement anymore. When a mortal woman stumbles into Underhill all of that changes. She captivates him like none have in ages. Now Liam will stop at nothing to find her and make the mortal his. How far will he go to get what he wants?
Hallie O’Neil thinks she has it all figured out. She has a great career, serious boyfriend, and perfect New York apartment. Everything changes when an Irish Adonis walks into her work one afternoon. As hard as Hallie tries to fight it, Liam insists on inserting himself into her life. There’s something different about Liam that Hallie can’t figure out. Can she discover the truth before she’s in too deep?
Chapter One
Hallie
Hallie sat at her desk in her small cubicle covered in sketches, magazine clippings, and post-its trying to figure out her next assignment. Normally it wasn’t so hard, but she hated the subject matter. She sat back with a huff annoyed. It shouldn’t be this difficult. Hallie glanced at her watch it was past six. She was off work half an hour ago.
Stretching as she stood, Hallie saw Jeff over the line of cubicles. She could barely see over them, while Jeff had several inches to spare. Both of them worked for an advertising company. Hallie was in the art and creative design department. She helped think up the ideas and went on photo shoots. Jeff was in the layout and graphic design department. He helped make the presentations and finished product. They met almost a year ago at a work function. Despite being a little work-obsessed, he absolutely adored Hallie.
Jeff kissed her cheek and asked how her day went. Hallie looked hatefully at her cluttered desk. Then she sighed and said it was fine. Hallie hated when she couldn’t figure out a project. Jeff rubbed her back guessing the problem. He offered to take her to dinner. Hallie knew he wanted more and really wasn’t in the mood. She told Jeff she was tired and just wanted to go home. He shrugged and said they could watch a movie. That was a compromise at least Hallie’s roommate Jenny would be home. With the right signal, she’d make a pest of herself.
Hallie sat on the couch beside Jeff after devouring the Chinese food they grabbed on the way home. Jeff settled in next to her with the remote in hand. Jenny plopped down next to them still eating lo mien. She asked question after question about the movie until Jeff abandoned it completely. He stood up to go. “What time am I picking you up for the party tomorrow?”
“I’m not going, Jeff.” Hallie protested.
“Party? Why wouldn’t you go to a party? Jenny asked.
“It’s the company’s annual anniversary party. I never go. I don’t fit in there.” Hallie explained.
“What time does the party start?” Jenny asked.
“Eight,” Jeff told Jenny.
“You’re going to that party,” Jenny told Hallie then looked at Jeff. “She’ll be ready at 7:30.”
The next evening Hallie mingled with Jeff clinging tighter to his arm with every new person. Jeff patted her hand and kept moving around the room. He talked to person after person. Each one was more important and more glamorous than the next. Hallie just wanted to throw up. She couldn’t do it. Finally, she let go and slipped away. Jeff glanced at her as she did. Hallie heard his lame excuse but really didn’t care.
Thankfully she found a chair near an open window and was able to get some fresh air. The wave of nausea was passing. The one to escape was not. She couldn’t believe she let Jenny talk her into this. There were too many people here. They were all important and pretty. Hallie was none of those things. She always felt like a party crasher.
Hallie got to her feet. She leaned against the wall taking a deep breath preparing herself to go back in and find Jeff. She had to do this, she had to. Yet the walls felt like they were closing in on her. Hallie tried to step back but forgot there was a wall there. It sent her into a full panic attack. She was trapped.
‘Breathe’ Hallie told herself. The air was stuffy. ‘Breathe’ the air was stale. ‘Breathe’ the air was so hot. ‘Breathe’ the air smelled of summer? ‘Breathe’ there were hints of apples and grass. Hallie opened her eyes as a breeze ruffled her dress. She cursed out loud without meaning to.
A valley of spring green grass spread out before Hallie. A castle straight out of a storybook sat in the distance. Smaller manor houses dotted the hillsides. An orchard spread out around her. Behind her, she could see the ballroom their company rented for the party through what looked like a doorway. The breeze blew again carrying the scent of wildflowers and damp earth. The grasses and flowers swayed in the breeze. It was so beautiful there Hallie swore she was dreaming.
Faolin
It was another dull, monotonous day. Faolin sat in his room brooding again. How could he pass the time? Nothing of interest happened in Underhill in over a century. Well nothing of interest to him. His uncle arranged hunts and parties, but it was pointless. There were the occasional trips to the mortal realm for a wee bit of fun with their women. Faolin was through with mortal women though. So he had little to occupy his time.
Faolin heaved a sigh as he drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair thinking. Then he felt it. His guardian Taise, the white wolf, saw something that didn’t belong in Underhill. Faolin was on his feet with sword in hand and a grin on his face. This is what he’d been waiting for. He opened a portal to the orchard and stepped through.
What Faolin found at the tree line was not what he was expecting. The intruder was a beautiful woman. She was short and curvy in a dress cut to flatter her figure. Her long auburn colored hair was swept away from her face bringing out high cheekbones, a slender nose, and pale blue eyes. Faolin couldn’t take his eyes off her. Someone called to her. She turned, leaving Underhill. All Faolin was left with was her first name, Hallie.
Faolin’s first thought was to follow her. He summoned his magic to form the gateway and stopped. Faolin was bound by honor and magic to report the intrusion to the king. He let out an oath as he formed a portal.
King Oberon was at dinner when Faolin barged in. The Taise trotted beside him. King Oberon set down his turkey leg and sat back in his chair. “And to what do we owe this pleasure?” he asked put out.
“An intruder in Underhill. A mortal woman. She shouldn’t have been able to get in. Someone needs to see how she did it and stop her.” Faolin explained.
“And who do you propose we should send?” King Oberon asked.
Faolin sighed as if put out. “I’ll go. I have nothing better to do.” Queen Titania smirked a little. She probably knew what he was up to. Faolin really didn’t care as long as he was allowed to find that mortal.
Hallie
Hallie still didn’t know how she let her panic attack get that bad that she imagined a fantasy world. It was so real. Jeff was annoyed by her disappearing act that he said it was time to leave. Somehow she’d sat in that chair for almost an hour. Jeff swore he looked for her there, but Hallie hadn’t moved.
Jeff was normally a very patient and understanding man. When it came to his career though he was intent on getting ahead, nothing was going to stop him. Sometimes Hallie held him back, and he got irritated. Tonight was one of those times. He dropped her off and went to some after party. Tomorrow Jeff would call and apologize. Hallie sighed as she climbed into bed.
Hallie closed her eyes and was back in the valley. She saw every detail like she was there. The scent was enchanting. Hallie took in every detail, memorizing it. If she had a dream like
this, she wanted to paint it. Then she heard it, a low snarl that quickly turned into a growl. Hallie turned and found herself face to face with a huge white wolf.
Not knowing what else to do Hallie ran. The wolf let her go. It wanted the hunt. She was in trouble now. It knew it could catch her. Hallie ran faster. The wolf gave chase. It didn’t take long for Hallie to tire. She wasn’t a runner despite her sporadic attempts to exercise. Her chest was burning, and her legs were cramping. Hallie scrunched her eyes closed and dug deep for one last burst hoping to reach a tree.
It didn’t take long for Hallie to run into something. It wasn’t a tree though. It was a wall of solid muscle. Strong arms held Hallie up as her legs gave out. The wolf snarled behind her and Hallie whimpered in panic. The man whistled, and the wolf sat on its haunches like a trained dog. Hallie looked up at her rescuer, but she couldn’t see his face. It was her dream damn it. Why couldn’t she see his face? Hallie sat up breathing hard when her alarm went off. It was morning already.
Hallie hated Mondays. Especially Mondays when she had to go to photo shoots, and photo shoots with skinny spoiled models were the worst. Today was the perfect trifecta of terrible. After the weekend that she had this was the icing on the cake. Yesterday was a wasted day. Once she woke up completely from that dream, she had to draw as much as she could. It turned into an all-day project. Even Jenny started getting worried. Combine that with the party and the weekend was just terrific. Hallie sighed as she trudged into work.
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