Wicked Release-ARE-Epub

by R. G. Alexander

  They enfolded her in their embrace. Lorie’s soft words and Con’s gentle kisses helping her to breathe, to finally let go of the one fear that had been holding her back.

  The books were destroyed. The curse had been undone. She was never going back.

  “We’ve been waiting for you for so long, Sarah.”

  She smiled and held them tighter. “I’ve been waiting longer.”

  But she was home now. Finally home. And loved.

  Somewhere, she knew, her grandmother was smiling.

  Look for Book Four in the Wicked series, Wicked Dangerous

  With the return of Tucker, Callie and Tyghe

  Coming In 2013!

  Keep Reading for 2 Bonus Excerpts from the Wicked series and 2 Bonus Excerpts from the Shifting Reality Series!

  About The Author

  R.G. Alexander (aka Rachel Grace) is a bestselling author who has written over 20+ books in the erotic paranormal, contemporary and sci-fi/fantasy genres for multiple e-publishers and Berkley Heat.

  She has lived all over the United States, studied archaeology and mythology, been a nurse and a vocalist, and now? A writer who dreams of vampires, witches and airship battles, and feels lucky everyday that she gets to share her stories with her readers. She is happily married to a talented chef who is her best friend, her research assistant, and the love of her life.

  To Contact R. G. Alexander:

  http://www.rgalexander.com

  http://www.smutketeers.com

  Facebook

  Twitter

  Look For These Other Titles From R.G. Alexander

  Children Of The Goddess Series

  Regina In The Sun

  Lux In Shadow

  Twilight Guardian

  Midnight Falls

  Eternal Guardian

  Wicked Series

  Wicked Sexy

  Wicked Bad

  Wicked Release

  Shifting Reality Series

  My Shifter Showmance

  My Demon Saint

  My Vampire Idol - Coming Soon 2012

  Temptation Unveiled Series

  Lifting The Veil

  Piercing The Veil

  Behind The Veil - Coming Soon in 2012

  Superhero Series

  Who Wants To Date A Superhero?

  Who Needs Another Superhero?

  Kinky Oz Series

  Not In Kansas

  Surrender Dorothy

  More Than Mènage

  Truly Scrumptious

  Three For Me?

  Four For Christmas

  Anthologies

  Three Sinful Wishes

  Wasteland - Priestess

  Who Loves A Superhero?

  Bone Daddy Series

  Possess Me

  Tempt Me

  Elemental Steam Series Written As Rachel Grace

  Geared For Pleasure

  Bonus Excerpt: Wicked Sexy

  From Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

  Chapter One

  “You think your love life is bad? Try mine. You only need one Mr. Right. I’m expected to find two.”

  Callie Turner looked up from the dainty cucumber sandwiches the housekeeper, Jenner, always made especially for her when she visited, and promptly choked. Harrison Abbott patted her back, hard, her expression concerned. “You okay, dear?”

  “Two?” She looked at her pouting friend, wondering why she was surprised. Harrison never did anything the normal way. No, the unusual blueblood was more than just rebellious.

  She was a witch.

  “No Magian has every complained about that particular tradition. Leave it to our sweet, agreeable Harrison.” The four-foot-eight, bird-like Jenner rushed over to Callie with a glass of water in her hand.

  Harrison blew out a huffy breath. “I just don’t see why we can’t date like ordinary people. Go see a movie or a baseball game. But not us. We have to go to Triune by the time we’re twenty-six. Have to, as in, no options. What if I don’t want two men following me around, telling me what to do? What if I want to be—?”

  “Like me?” Jenner shook her head with a sigh. “I’m not an ordinary Magian, Harrison. You know that. If I remember correctly, your mother was just as reluctant as you are now. But Moira Abbott has lived in connubial bliss with her Triune match for decades, and with three troublemaking children no less. It’s the way things are done.”

  Triune? Didn’t that mean three in one? So every Magian, every female witch had to have two husbands? But Harrison’s mother—Callie swallowed. “Jenner, are you saying that Uncle Jackson is actually…?”

  Harrison looked over Callie’s shoulder guiltily. “Mom didn’t think it was something you’d understand when we first met you. You were too young. After a while we didn’t know how to tell you the truth. Especially since your foster parents were so—”

  Jenner made a slashing motion with her hand across her neck, and Harrison stopped midsentence.

  Callie set down her sandwich. “Well, damn.”

  All this time and she’d never caught on. In a way, it actually made sense. Uncle Jackson was always extremely affectionate with Harrison’s mother, Moira. But her husband and Jackson’s brother Douglas never seemed to mind. Callie thought they were just a touchy-feely family.

  Apparently more than she realized.

  Her hurt over being kept in the dark for so many years was overridden by fascination. And envy. Two men to satisfy her every need? Sign her up. Unfortunately she was just an ordinary human. And humans had rules. She should know…she was a cop. Well, almost. Another month to go. But she had always known how to spot when something was up, especially with her childhood friend.

  Harrison wasn’t just put out about this particular tradition. She had never been very accepting of her lot in life. “One of the most powerful Magians in generations.” How many times had Callie heard Moira and the other members of the Abbott family say it? All it meant to Harrison was that she could never have any fun. Could never be normal. She had to be the best. It also meant all her Magian peers either wanted to be her friend, to be close to her magical spotlight, or find a way to trip her up. It drove Harrison crazy.

  Callie wanted to feel sorry for her, but it was hard. She’d been coming to this sprawling Dorchester home since an eleven-year-old Harrison had found her huddled under a slide in the public playground to stay out of the rain. It had been Callie’s twelfth birthday, and no one had remembered. She’d come to the park, determined to enjoy the day, and the sky had opened, ruining everything. The beautiful, if sober young stranger had held out her hand, and Callie had known as she took it that she had made a true friend.

  When Harrison brought her back to her large, rambling house, the Abbott family had been so warm and welcoming. Moira said she’d sensed a kindred spirit in Callie, and any friend of Harrison’s was a friend of theirs. They had never hidden their abilities, and Callie had never feared them or the world they’d shown her glimpses of. On the contrary, she’d always wished she could be a part of it.

  This place became a second home to her. In it she had known the kind of love and acceptance she used to wish for from her foster family. She’d often wished she truly was one of them. Truly was an Abbott. A Magian.

  She’d never understood why Harrison wanted to be normal.

  When the Abbotts went to the annual skyclad festival in Salem to pay homage to the innocent humans who had died there, Harrison had thrown a tantrum, while Callie spent the time lying in her bed in nothing but her underwear, imagining she could fly to join them.

  When the Abbotts threw a coming out ball to introduce their very special daughter to the Magian community, Callie had watched from Harrison’s charmed mirror with Jenner as the young debutant frowned, grudgingly showing off her abilities to an approving crowd.

  The grass was always greener, or so Jenner had told her many times. But Callie believed it was an empty sentiment. Harrison didn’t know what it was like to be an average human, to deal with the kinds of things she’d
had to. Callie was positive she wouldn’t like it.

  But this wasn’t just another rebellion. Harrison didn’t look put out so much as nervous. Scared. “So why now? Why, after all this time, have you decided to share this bit of Magian trivia with me? Do your parents know you’re telling me?”

  Jenner and Harrison shared a speaking glance. “No.” Harrison shook her head. “They’re celebrating their anniversary on a whirlwind European vacation. According to their schedule they should be in Paris. It’s been so long since Mom’s been able to be convinced into taking a vacation from the jewelry store, and we knew she’d come back right away if we told her. I—we didn’t want to worry them.”

  Callie leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “Worry them? Uh huh, I knew it. Okay, what’s going on here, Harry? Another spell in a fit of anger? Is the postman barking at dogs again? Or did you finally lay a magical whammy on that weird Goth guy from the grocery store who always follows you around?”

  “If only.” Harrison stood, pacing around the table in agitation. “Besides, I haven’t done anything that interesting in years. This isn’t about me. Not directly. I need your Spidey sense, Cal. I need you to help me find out who is attacking witches.”

  “Attacking? Someone’s been attacking witches? Have you called the police?” Callie pushed her chair back and reached for her cell phone, but Harrison stopped her.

  “We can’t, sweetheart.” Jenner shrugged apologetically. “It’s another Magian. There is nothing your police can do.”

  “Well, what about your police? The Magian law enforcement? I know you have your own code, right?”

  Harrison nodded. “The Rede, yes. And the Magian enforcers have done a cursory investigation, but whoever this guy is, he’s flying low under the radar. The witches have been found without any residual magic. No scrying spell or enchanted object can be found that will even show the victim’s final moments before the attack, and none of them can remember a thing about the man, which should be suspicion enough to delay the next ritual. Especially since there is only one thing we know linking the women.” At Callie’s questioning look, Harrison sighed. “They had all been participating in the joining ritual this month. Like Jenner said, it’s called Triune. A few times each year, single Magian’s go to Triune to seek out their sexually and magically compatible mates. The same ritual I’m supposed to be a part of in one week’s time.”

  Callie ran a hand through her hair. “Harrison, you know I would never be allowed to attend a Magian ritual. They’d sense me as an outsider right away. I’ll help anyway I can, but I’m not sure what it is that you want me to do.”

  Jenner patted her shoulder, drawing her attention away from her agitated friend. “You know those makeover shows I love to watch? Our little wonder witch has found a way around your, um, handicap.”

  “Gee, thanks. I’m not insulted by that comment at all.” Callie rolled her eyes, but adrenaline filled her at Jenner’s implication. She turned back to Harrison. “Harry? Is she right? Can you make me a witch?”

  A dry, male voice immediately dampened her excitement. “Magian, little girl, Magian. And Harrison can’t make you what you aren’t, she’s not that good. But, though I hate to admit it, her glamour is fairly impressive.”

  Tyghe.

  Damn. She’d hoped he was out of town.

  Tyghe was one of Harrison’s older brothers, and the only dark cloud over her time with the Abbotts. She got along fine with the rest of her friend’s brothers, Tucker and Lorie. Especially Tucker. The eldest brother was perfect in Callie’s eyes. Tall, dark, handsome and above all, kind. He’d always been patient with her. Always made her feel welcome. When he’d shown an interest in Magian law, her own aspirations to be a police officer seemed to link them somehow. Yet another reason for her to admire him, to fuel the fire of her most secret fantasies. She’d had a crush on him for as long as she could remember.

  But not Tyghe.

  The mahogany-haired scoundrel had teased her unmercifully all through her teen years. Made her feel somehow lacking because she wasn’t like them. Wasn’t Magian. And his piercing grey eyes had always noticed everything. Even the things she didn’t want anyone to see, like the way she reacted to his older brother.

  Tyghe smiled as though he knew she was cursing his arrival. “I don’t know if you can do it, Harry.” He tilted his head, studying Callie in her comfortable sweats and hooded sweatshirt. “You’re good. But are you that good? Can you turn this ordinary human into a wicked witch?”

  Harrison glared at her brother in warning. “Shut up, Tyghe. You’re not helping.”

  Tyghe placed a hand to his chest, drawing Callie’s unwilling gaze to his lean, muscled physique. Her mouth went dry. Damn Abbott men. Did they all have to be so stunning? How could she get a good hate on for someone she wanted to lick?

  His sigh drew everyone’s attention. “My dear, sweet sister. That’s exactly what I came here to do. Help. Show a little gratitude.”

  “He knows?” Callie crossed her arms defensively. She didn’t like the way Tyghe was looking at her.

  “I had no other choice.” Harrison wrinkled her nose. “Tucker was already gone on his annual hike into the wilderness before the first attack. Besides, he definitely wouldn’t approve of us trying to catch this guy on our own. And Lorie…well, you know Lorie.”

  She did. Lorie was a good guy when he was around, but he wasn’t the most dependable member of the Abbott family. The dreamer, his mother often called him. Since they were children, he’d rather find some remote corner in a dusty Magian library and read then be apart of any of their adventures.

  Tyghe came closer. “I know that for once Harrison is right. Each one of the attacks, from what I’ve been hearing, has gotten successively worse. And the lack of evidence makes them highly suspicious. Even those of us who don’t have a Nancy Drew complex,” he looked pointedly at Callie, “still know something is wrong. We can’t take a chance that my sister could be the psycho’s next target. I’m just not sure she’s thought her plan through. Using a human as bait is all well and good, but getting the bait inside is only half the battle. She wouldn’t be able to participate in the seeking process. Not unless the men she was with were in on it.”

  Men? Bait? “Okay, time out. Is Tyghe right, Harry? You want me to go in undercover and flush this guy out?”

  Jenner glared at Tyghe before gripping Callie’s elbow comfortingly. “He’s never been known for his subtly, but he has a point. We have no intention of using you as bait, dear. We, Harrison and I, both trust your instincts. You may see something our kind has missed. But you would be in danger. Just of another sort. We can get you inside, but with the magic Harrison will cloak you with, you’ll also have to deal with potential suitors as you search for clues.”

  “And they will love her. Those big, innocent eyes? That naïve sensuality? The sharks would start circling in no time. And her cover would be blown.” Callie’s chin jerked sharply at the compliment. At least, she thought it was a compliment. From Tyghe, she could never be sure.

  “I wasn’t planning on leaving my best friend alone in that place,” Harrison grumbled. “Jenner and I would be there with her at all times. All she’d have to do is use that intuition of hers—an intuition not even Tucker can match by the way, and I would zap the son of a bitch until he squealed.”

  Callie felt her lips twitch. She’d seen Harrison angry, seen the electricity she could generate when she gathered her power close. She knew her friend would protect her. Maybe she’d get in a few good punches herself. What kind of creep went around terrorizing young females? Witches or not, those women had no doubt been at their most vulnerable, searching for love. The last thing one of them would expect was an attack by another Magian at such a sacred event. “I’m in.”

  “So am I. That’s what I’m trying to say. I can attach myself to Callie as a potential suitor, even with the distant cousin story you’ve decided to run with. I’ll turn away any thirds I find unsuitable, whi
ch will be all of them, and keep an eye on my troublemaking sister at the same time.”

  Callie and Harrison made sounds of denial, but Tyghe wasn’t backing down. “Ask Jenner. This is the only way your plan will work. Either I join you for her preparations and the Triune, or I will call in the rest of the family. Your choice.”

  Jenner tilted her head, a small sparrow studying Tyghe with a strange, knowing expression. “He’s right, girls. We need a man to make this work.”

  Tyghe snickered. “Words to live by.”

  “Don’t get cocky, boy. I can still take you over my knee.”

  Callie looked Jenner up and down, doubting the tiny woman could make good on her threat, but Tyghe looked duly chastised.

  Harrison threw her arms in the air. “Fine. You’re in. But don’t interfere with our investigation. You aren’t exactly known for being discreet. As soon as I glamour Callie, we have to start preparing her, getting the word out that there’s a new Magian in town. And that she’ll be coming to the this quarter’s Triune.”

  What had she gotten herself into? Callie sat on Harrison’s luxurious bed in nothing but a small towel, watching the two women muttering to each other as they gathered their supplies. This was what she’d always wanted. Sort of. She’d wanted to be an Abbott, truly to be a Magian born. Harrison’s temporary fix would have to do.

  If it worked, she could finally see the people and places Harrison would tell her about late into the night during those lucky occasions when her foster mother allowed her to sleep over. And those stories Jenner wove at the kitchen table before anyone else was awake. Stories about Storm battles and the origins of the Magians. Tales that took her away from her awkward, unhappy life just long enough to give her hope for something more. Something magical.