Alora's Love Potion; Short Story Collection
Page 10
She recoiled, and her head struck the hard cement wall. Stars swam in her vision, but she refused to succumb to the darkness. Dread snaked its way into her heart.
“As you wish.” Ram snapped his fingers.
One of his brood entered the room carrying a cast iron bucket. The top of a branding iron extended over the lip. A towel wrapped around the end protected the handle from the heat within the kettle. The smell of smoldering coal joined with the odors of sweat and fear.
Melissa’s pulse quickened. She swallowed, but nothing went down. Her throat was too parched.
Ram grabbed the branding iron.
Adrenaline rushed through her body. “Wh-what is that for?”
“It’s your incentive.”
“No, don’t, not her. Take me.” Gaetan’s voice, weak and rough, carried across the room.
Melissa glanced at him. They’d just met, but his willingness to protect her spoke volumes about his character.
Ram snapped to attention. “Oh, I intend to get what I need from you, Stiyaha. That abnormal strength of yours will be mine, just not yet. I will take her gift first.”
Ram turned his focus back to Melissa. “I want your shield, and I want it now.”
He closed the distance, the branding iron’s heat radiating in the space between them. Her legs shook, making the shackles at her ankles clank together like an eerie wind chime. Her fear ratcheted up another level, sending a shiver of terror over her shoulders. She hated him all the more.
“Are you willing to bargain? Or are you going to be stubborn?” Ram leaned in, and his breath reeked of liquor. “I know you’re Lemurian, but you’re not Stiyaha. You must not be from around here. Tell me what you are,” he purred, as he drew the back of a finger down the side of her face.
She flinched at his touch, but she wouldn’t let him intimidate her. Making eye contact with her enemy, she held her ground.
“If you lead me to others like you, I’ll let you walk away, unscathed,” he said.
She bared her fangs. “I would never sell out my kind. I will fight you every step of the way.”
“Well, now, that’s what I thought you’d say.” His eyes gleamed with delight, and his mouth curved into a grin. “Let’s play, shall we?”
To purchase Untouchable Lover, click here
Books in the Warriors of Lemuria series:
- Untouchable Lover - book #1 - Available now - here
- Untamable Lover - book #2 - Available now - here
- Unimaginable Lover - book #3 - Available now - here
- Undeniable Lover - book #4 - Available now - here
- Unforgivable Lover - book #5 - final book in the series - Coming early 2018
- Unforgettable Lover - novella - Available now - here
- Marked by Love - novella - Available now - here
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After finishing a rewarding career in finance and accounting, it was time for award-winning author Rosalie Redd to put away the spreadsheets and take out the word processor. She pens paranormal, science fiction, and fantasy romance in her office cave located in Oregon, where rain is just another excuse to keep writing.
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