by Conn, Claudy
If I timed it wrong I knew I would have his death sword buried in my gut.
Before I could explore the possibilities and help myself, I was staring at Gaiscioch, who had suddenly shifted into the war room, only ten feet away from where I tottered.
He shook his head and smirked at me. “Well then, just what kind of a warrior are you? Letting one of those things connect with you—tsk, tsk. Not as proficient with your Fae skills as you thought you were, eh, Daoine?”
His tone goaded me and somehow gave me the strength to sneer at him with a great measure of bravado I was far from feeling. Bluster, I told myself, bluster … and get the hell out of here.
Did I listen to me? No.
I prepared myself as instinct took over, guided me, and told me just what he had in mind. I waited as he looked me over. I waited for the moment he would shift at me with his death sword aimed.
I sensed it the moment he went into his mind. I sniffed at his scent and forced myself to wait a fraction of a moment.
If I timed it wrong I knew I would have his death sword buried in my gut.
Just as I felt him shift, I jumped out of his way. His face was a mask of fury, and he lunged towards me, but again, I was ready for him, and this time, I shifted.
Once again I had come face to face with my father’s murderer and I had allowed him to live. I felt heartsick … and then I realized I also felt really sick …
Was I dying? No. I couldn’t die yet, I had to kill Gais—I had to. I couldn’t die without doing that first, and something else, something so important, someone so important.
Danté—I had to see Danté, if only for the last time. My mind exploded with his name, and I heard the anguish in my voice reverberate all through the Dark King’s retreat as I shouted with the last bit of strength I had.
“D-a-n-t-é!”
Other books by Claudy Conn
Legend Series
Spellbound—Legend
Shee Willow—Legend
Trapped—Legend
Free Falling—Legend
Prince in the Mist (Novella)
Aaibhe—Shee Queen (Novelette)
~
Vampire Series
ShadowLove—Stalkers
ShadowHeart—Slayer
~
Myriah Fire
~
DarkLove (coming in February 2012)
Written as Claudette Williams
After the Storm
Blades of Passion
Cassandra
Cherry Ripe
Cotillion for Mandy
Courting Christina
A Daring Deceit
Desert Rose, English Moon
Fire and Desire
Heart of Fancy
Lady Barbara
Lady Bell
Lady Madcap
Lady Magic
Lady Runaway
Lady Sunshine
Lady Velvet
Lord Wildfire
Masquerade Waltz
Myriah
Passion’s Pride
A Rake’s Folly
Regency Star
Sassy
Song of Silkie
Spring Gambit
Sunday’s Child
The Convenient Romance
Jewelene
Lacey
Naughty Lady Ness
Mary, Sweet Mary
Lady Brandy
Hotspur & Taffeta
Sweet Disorder
What reviewers are saying
about Claudy’s books
ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT
ShadowLove—Stalkers is filled with steaming action and dramatic tension … Claudy delicately plants the seeds for future development and characters without distracting from the excitement and romance of Stalkers. The result is that she has a paranormal, vampire series, of romance novels, which carries her own unique and spicy aroma.
ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT … and yes, I am blushing.
~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey
Five Cups and a CTTR (Coffee Time Reviewer’s Recommend) Award
ShadowLove—Stalkers is a story that immediately hooks the reader. It reminds me of a roller coaster just beginning, only to plunge into speed, drawing the reader into non-stop action. Intense and spellbinding, this paranormal romance kept this reader engrossed until the conclusion. I loved the passion and chemistry between the main characters. With tremendous action and well thought out characters, this fantastic read sizzles and sparks like a firecracker.
~ Coffee Time Romance & More
Trapped Legend has my pulse skyrocketing!
A clever, fast paced, unpredictable blend of action, adventure, mystery, magic and steamy hot loving … I picked it up and couldn't tear myself away from it until I read the last page.
I highly recommend each book in Claudy's Legend series. You're seriously missing out on some wonderful adventures if you haven't read the previous stories. It's by far one of the most exceptionally crafted, enchanting Fae series I've ever read.
~ Candice Stauffer, author
Five Stars for ShadowHeart—Slayer
This second in Conn’s Shadow series is filled with vampires, a vampire slayer, demons, wizards, a Fae prince and an unlikely romance. Claudy Conn does an excellent job of making this a standalone story while incorporating some of the characters from the first book and introducing us to several new characters. The war is still brewing and now the fae are becoming involved. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
This is another one I couldn’t put down and read in a single sitting. I got so caught up in the action I was sad to see it end. Fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and vampire genres should enjoy this as well.
~ Wild About Bones
One hot and thrilling book
I fell for all three of the main characters, fun loving Maxie, dark and brooding Julian, and one hot Fae, Breslyn. However, it wasn’t just the characters that kept me on the edge of my seat, it was the entire involved plot that included jealously, betrayal, magic, murder, and, of course, hot passion … The well-written out mixture of myth and legend, not to mention the characters, all in today’s world has me Joyfully Recommending Spellbound—Legend as one book you won’t want to miss.
~ Jo, Joyfully Reviewed
Catch & Hold
Legend
By
Claudy Conn
Catch & Hold—Legend
By Claudy Conn
http://www.claudyconn.com
Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn
Edited by: Karen Babcock
Cover Artist: Kendra Egert
All rights reserved
Published in the United States of America
January 2012
Names, characters, and events depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
Excerpt of ShadowLife—Hybrid
Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn
Excerpt of Prince in the Mist
Copyright © 2011 by Claudy Conn
Excerpt of ShadowHeart—Slayer
Copyright © 2011 by Claudy Conn
Dedication
To our family in Canada:
Cheryl & Gar, sweet Casey,
Lindsay, Graham & Krissy
Todd & Tan
ya
One of my next tales will start out on Gar’s Mountain
and travel to Ireland … love you guys!
Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.
Saul Alinsky, “Tactics,” Rules for Radicals
~ Prelude ~
IT SEEMS SO long ago … but it was only last spring when my dad, a human, high Druid priest, was slaughtered by Gaiscioch at the MacDaun Dolmens.
My dad and I were given the elixir of immortality by my mom, who is a Daoine Fae princess, Daoine being the highest Fae caste. Immortal should mean you can’t die, but you can if a Danu death weapon is used. And a death weapon is what Gais possessed; it is what Gais used when he remained hidden in his shield of invisibility (Féth Fiada), and cut and slashed my poor, brave father …
My mom went into free fall—she would be called catatonic if she were human. She hides in her world of illusion where she is with my father in her imagination. Fae illusion feels almost real, but it isn’t and it can lead to madness. Our Daoine family took her to Daoine and keeps watch, hoping to bring her out.
I turned in on myself. I used to be a college student about to enter my fourth year. No more. I had always trained as a Druid priestess, but because of my father’s murder, school no longer interested me.
I called on the Fae skills that have always been mine as a Daoine princess. I went into town and changed my appearance. I no longer looked like the sweet and fair golden girl I once was. My hair is jet black now, and I like it. My eyes although still green burn with the rage of a vengeance seeker, and my body is ninja fit enough to do the kill. I wasn’t a part of the war with the Dark Fae, but I am now, if only to find, corner, torture, and kill Gaiscioch. That is my sole goal—it is what I train for in our big and empty Scottish castle of the highlands. It was a home once that rang with music and laughter, but no more.
I have always thought of myself as an American. It was where my parents raised me—right on Long Island. Now, I only think of myself as a Daoine, living in my father’s ancient family home, MacDaun.
My name is Radzia. Those who know me well call me Z. And about a month ago I was given a stumbling block.
A prince of the Tuatha Dé, Danté, was sent to guard me, as I am some kind of link to some kind of prophecy. I didn’t like him. He didn’t like me.
That changed.
He is a hunk of hunks—a bit on the serious side but mesmerizing all the same. His stats—oh yeah, he has ’em. Gold eyes, incredible eyes with the hint of ancient in their depths, gleam and glitter and look my way enough to set me on fire. When he surveys a situation, his eyes remind me of a lion’s gaze. He has long and tawny-colored auburn hair. Some of the time he wears his hair slicked back; other times … ooh … other times, it is loose. He is big—so big, and muscular—and his face is chiseled in handsome lines.
I turned twenty-one just a short while ago, and what a messed-up birthday that was, but just as I thought things couldn’t get worse, I learned how wrong I was. Things can always get worse. The question is, what do you do when that happens? You fight to make things better, you hope, you crawl up, you claw and use your gut and get out of the hole and find a way back …
That is where I am because when the warlock Aaron Dunbar told me he had my Sally (family housekeeper and dear, dear friend), I went charging in like a crazed woman. Sally was attached to a bomb, and I couldn’t find her. Dunbar had her hidden somewhere nearby. The warlock threatened to blow her up with the remote he held in his hands.
My mind reached out for Danté and blasted out his name!
And he came to my call. He’d heard me. I’d wanted to run into his arms, but Aaron stalled me with a wave of the remote in my face. All I knew was that I had to get it away from him. I simply had to …
Danté shouted for me to go to him, and I wanted to run into his safe arms, but how could I with Sally attached to a bomb that would ignite if Aaron pressed the button on the remote? I was terrified of what would happen to her.
Aaron was no more than a wicked creature who called himself a man—and he threw the remote into the pit …
It could hit the walls and trigger the bomb! I didn’t think; I reacted and dove after it. If I thought at all, I thought that I could just shift back once I had it in my hands. I caught it and immediately shifted, but instead of going forward—instead of finding myself out of the pit and standing in the toolshed—I found myself falling through a black abyss.
I don’t know why I closed my eyes, but it was what I did. When I opened them again, it was in a bleak world and one I never thought I would enter: I was in the Dark Realm, and Gaiscioch was grinning wickedly as he walked the distance towards me.
Shit, shit, and more shit!
Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains.
Kahlil Gibran
~ One ~
HE WASN’T ALONE. Gaiscioch had four Royal princes at his back, and they were, unlike their Dark Fae brethren, absolutely devastatingly beautiful. They had the Lianhan going on (which means they emit some kind of aphrodisiac power over humans). Fae are basically immune to the power, but a human can literally die from the sexual addiction that occurs. A human would be compelled beyond reason to have any and all sexual exercise with a Lianhan. More simply put, you could say that a human would, if possessed by a Fae with the Lianhan aura, actually screw herself to death.
At any rate, I took their measure, happily immune to their sexual aura. They moved into position and stood two on each side of Gais. They were naked to the waist, and their slacks were tight-fitting, dark brown leathers. Their muscular chests were covered in impressive tattoos, as were their biceps, leaving me to believe they were steeped in black magic.
Each of the four Dark Royals was classically sculptured and exquisitely handsome. I saw at once that although their eyes glittered a coal shade of black, they were exceptionally beautiful and somehow in spite of the coldness in the recesses managed to send waves of lust towards me.
I am not only a Seelie Fae but a Daoine princess and as I said immune to the quality of their sexual vibes, and I still found myself licking my lips …
I felt one of them regarding me with keen interest—an interest that felt more than sexual. Unsure how to react, I frowned at him and then returned my attention to Gaiscioch. I assumed they were allowing Gais to take command in order to reap the benefits of the war he was executing against both the human and Seelie Fae world.
Gaiscioch stepped towards me, a dangerous glint in his brilliant eyes and a sneer on his handsome face as he said, “Well, well, Daoine Princess … miss your mark?”
I sneered back at him and drew my sword. It is a death weapon, forged from metal found in the Fae’s destroyed world of Danu. There are only a few remaining death swords, and they are held by the Seelie Royals and the Queen’s Royal Trackers. A death sword is one of the few things that can kill a Fae—any Fae.
Gais held one as well, and at the moment it was pointed at me. I hesitated because I knew I was in serious danger. I was outnumbered and out-powered. He could shift and stab me through while the others held me in place. Didn’t like that scenario.
Rolo shouted in my head, Shift, Z! Shift now! Rolo is an ancient Seelie Hallow, and our Fae Hallows are capable of awesome and sometimes unspeakable magic. Rolo is small and disc shaped, and he hangs at my back from a chain I wear around my hip. We have bonded in just the short time we have been together, which began when I found him in a warlock’s house not so very long ago …
“Where should I shift, Rolo? Dark Realm here … not sure where to go,” I spluttered at him. I had decided a while ago, based on his voice, that my Rolo was male, and it occurred to me now that all males seemed to have similar attitudes even when they were Seelie Hallows!
He made a grumbling sound of exasperation, and I heard him clearly say, “Anywhere away from here!”
I shifted and had the pleasure of seeing th
e look of frustrated surprise on Gaiscioch’s face as I caught a glimpse of him through the haze before we were traveling through space.
It was way different than shifting in Scotland, or even in the Fae Realm. This was like traveling through a gray, misty tunnel full of spidery webs, and I didn’t like it. A discomfort accompanied the experience that made me feel off balance.
Something was off, and I had to adjust my mind, call on my Daoine ability to regain my equilibrium. The atmosphere felt heavy and cumbersome, as though the air in the Dark Realm were trying to hold me in place. And through it all I prayed that my Sally was safe, that Danté would rescue her, and that Aaron Dunbar was by now dead by Danté’s hands.
I pushed out against the dark, sticky tunnel with all my might, and I closed my eyes as I struggled. For a moment when I opened them again, everything around me looked ugly and gooey, so I hugged myself and closed my eyes again until I felt the welcome sensation of once more standing on terra firma. I undid one eyelid that was plastered shut and then the other.
Gray, clay-like, cracked, and barren land was all around me. I could see some trees but they were all dead; some dry, gray bushes, same condition; and a hodgepodge of withered, dried-up growth loose and blowing about like sagebrush. I stood on the cracked, gray earth and wondered what I should do next.
Sighing, I noted that the color scheme in the Dark Realm was based in shades of black and gray, no variations.
Biting my lower lip as I considered my options, I noticed something in the distance. I felt my face scrunch up as I tried to focus on it in the dim light cast by the two moons that hovered in a black, starry sky. Was it slithering? I think the damn thing was slithering, and it was doing it as it pointed itself in my direction.
That couldn’t be good. Maybe it was just a trick of the eye?