by Renea Mason
We were approaching the road that led to the next town when a young girl, about ten years old with long, braided hair and a gray peasant dress hollered after us, “Excuse me sir, excuse me.”
She ran as fast as her little legs allowed. Unable to stop her momentum, she slammed into me. I reached down and steadied her. “What is it, little one?”
“This is for you.” Her little dirt-covered hand pulled a coin suspended from a string from her pocket. “Celestine told me to give it to you.”
I took the trinket from her hand. Inscribed in the coin was the name Ian McCoy 1643 – 1660. On the back the saying, Defender of the Rock, etched in shaking writing.
The little girl tugged on my pants. “She told me to tell you. He needs rest.”
She knew my purpose. But how? Ian must be lying among the countless souls I had yet to release from the Battle on the Rock—a skirmish between two provinces in Scotland, accounted among the most brutal battles. I had every intention of stopping on the way back from my visit with Stanton, but it seemed a change of plans were in order. As the conduit between earth and the possibility of heaven or hell, I remained her Ian’s only hope. And knowing her love for him, how could I deny her?
I took the coin and chain and placed them in my pocket.
“Miss Celestine is amazing. She understands me. She sees so many things the others don’t.” The child grasped my leg, looked up, and whispered. “I see them too.”
“See what, my child?” Careful not to look her in the eye.
“The ghosts,” she whispered.
Many humans spoke of seeing ghosts, but after many tests I’d concluded it was nothing more than misperception. I don’t argue that manifestations of the human soul roam the earth—they always have, but human awareness of them was a fallacy. “Do you now? There is nothing to fear.”
“You see them too?” She grabbed my pant leg and pulled harder.
“Yes. Now run along and tell Miss Celestine that her wish is my command.”
Rhys pulled a coin from his pocket and handed it to the child. “For your trouble.”
She beamed.
“Oh, thank you, Sir. I’ll go tell her right away.” She grabbed the hem of her dress and ran with high steps through the tall grass in the opposite direction.
Rhys raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to tell me? No explanation?”
I patted the pocket containing the tribute, making sure the contents were secure, and looked over at Rhys. “Oh, and we’ll need to make a slight detour.”
“To where?”
“West Rock.”
“Why? The place is nothing but a wasteland since the battle, nothing but moors and ghosts of the dead soldiers.”
“That’s what I’m counting on. Come.”
Rhys tilted his head further, disbelief evident in his features. “Care to enlighten me?”
“Never underestimate love. It never dies; it simply waits.”
“The great and powerful Cyril speaks of love? You’re never with the same woman twice.” He snickered.
I smiled. I did have a reputation to up hold. “Need something to pass the time. Waiting is a troublesome burden.”
“Are you getting soft, mi amigo?” Rhys raised an eyebrow.
Was he serious? “Shall we go back? I’m sure the innkeeper's daughter can allay your fears. Nothing soft about me.”
Rhys laughed. “No need. Just wanted to make sure she didn’t mesmerize you with her feminine wiles. No, you’re still… dios ayudame… yourself.”
“You thought a human woman had the power to change me?” I laughed.
He picked up the pace. “Si, a foolish notion indeed.”
To read what happens when Cyril finally finds his ‘Light,’ check out Symphony of Light and Winter, Book One of the Symphony of Light Series.
~ About the Author ~
Renea Mason writes steamy romances to help even out the estrogen to testosterone imbalance caused by living in a house full of men.
When she isn’t putting pen to paper crafting sensual stories filled with supernatural lovers, she spends time with her beyond-supportive husband, two wonderful sons and three loving but needy cats.
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~ Also by Renea Mason ~
Symphony of Light and Winter
Symphony of Light Book One
One woman. Seven men. All bound by one man’s undying devotion.
Fundraiser Linden Hill has a knack for reading people. She always knows which conversations will put a prospect at ease, which drink will loosen a patron’s lips—or his wallet, and how cleavage will make a donor sweeten the deal. She’s even foreseen her dateless weekends four hundred and sixty-four times in a row.
But ten years after watching life drain from her former mentor’s and first love’s eyes, her skills for divining the predictable are lost. When Cyril returns, he’s still gorgeous, but this time he’s beyond human, far less dead, and pissed. His lack of memory drives him to desperate acts, and his turbulent re-acquaintance with Linden pulls her into his war with a creature hell-bent on his destruction. His group of six supernatural men share a tantalizing secret, but despite the hunger, it’s love that leads her to sacrifice everything to save him…
Buy Symphony of Light and Winter here
http://www.amazon.com/Symphony-Light-Winter-Renea-Mason-ebook/dp/B00DI9DMN2/
More Paranormal Romance from Etopia Press
Awakening the Fire
Guardian Witch Book One
Ally Shields
Arianna Calin has sworn to keep the peace in Riverdale. Most of the Otherworlders prefer to haunt the Olde Town district--partying at vampire strip clubs, dining in elegant supper clubs, and inhabiting the cliffside caverns along the Mississippi. Being a cop is a tough job, but someone's gotta do it, and Ari's got her derringer, a sharp stiletto, and a few handy charms against things that hunt in the night. She's also a fire witch--a pedigree that comes in handy, since her partner's only human.
When a virtual reality drug hits the streets, people start to die, and an elusive pack of werewolves threatens the status quo. Ari and Ryan are drawn into a web of murder and evil that will lead sworn enemies to a confrontation. While the city simmers around them, Ari struggles to prevent an all-out supernatural war...
Buy Awakening the Fire here
http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Fire-Guardian-Witch-Shields-ebook/dp/B0099ZDHO8/
Blood of Isis
Elizabeth Otto
Passion isn’t the only thing that burns…
When a designer drug rocks the small town of New Brighton and makes junkies spontaneously combust, Paramedic Jayda Swenson suspects the worst. The super-methamphetamine her husband created before his death has resurfaced. She’s worked hard to create a safe, tidy life and put her meth-ravaged past—and her secrets—behind her. But when tourists start disappearing and charred body remains crop up, Jayda learns the hard way that this drug doesn’t just fry people’s minds—it also fuels demons.
Sexy new medic Ben Tierney is a demon-hunter in disguise, but his demon-busting powers don’t work so well anymore…until he realizes Jayda’s touch can refuel the energy he’s lost—a touch she’s not so willing to dish out. Now Jayda finds herself wedged between an ancient demon that knows her past and her secret, and Ben, who has plenty of secrets of his own. He’s willing to help—for a price—but Jayda’s not sure if it’s a price she’s willing to pay…
Buy Blood of Isis here
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Isis-Elizabeth-Otto-ebook/dp/B00C7CB7GA/
Table of Contents
&n
bsp; ~ Acclaim for Renea Mason ~
~ Look for these titles from Renea Mason ~
Copyright Warning
~ Dedication ~
Impostors’ Kiss
~ About the Author ~
~ Also by Renea Mason ~
More Paranormal Romance from Etopia Press