“Never,” she said, holding her head high. She was going to die regardless. She’d not give him the satisfaction of hearing what he wanted her to say. “I hate you!”
He backhanded her again, snarling, showing teeth that defied anything human. They didn’t even look shifter anymore. They were jagged, snaggle-toothed, and stained a deep yellow. His complexion was lighter than she’d remembered. Where he’d once been handsome, he now appeared sickly with sores visible on his face.
“You’ve ruined me,” he spat. “Look at me. You did this! You made me turn myself into one of them. Into a monster.”
She’d done no such thing, but she knew arguing the point would get her nowhere. His mind was too far gone. Lynn watched him as he continued to rant, putting his back to her in the process. When he did, she began to whisper softly, hoping he was too focused on venting his anger with her to notice her weaving a spell with words.
As her magik rose, Darby spun to face her, his eyes glowing yellow. Spittle dripped from his mouth as he yelled, “Bitch, stop it right this instant!”
Too late.
Her power slammed into him. He lurched back, roaring like a wounded beast. He grabbed at his chest. Something else roared then. It was loud and didn’t sound the least bit sickly. In fact, it sounded deadly.
A mass of black fur appeared, and in one swift motion Lynn watched as Darby’s body was deposited at her feet, his head missing. She blinked and looked up just in time to see Parker shifting back into a man. Blood dripped from his chin and mouth. Swiping the back of his hand across it, his gaze never left her.
“Are. You. Hurt?” he pressed out, each word sounding difficult for him as his mouth slowly returned to normal.
She shook her head. “No. Your father?”
“Is fine.”
She looked down at Darby’s dead body. “It’s over?”
Parker moved forward and broke the binds holding her. He caught her in his powerful arms. “It’s over, darlin’.”
She burst into tears and sank against his warm embrace. Her husband, a man who healed others for a living, had single-handedly seen to it the monster who haunted her dreams was no more. She glanced up at him. “Take me home, husband.”
“With pleasure.”
THE END
Books in recommended reading order
Cowboys & Supernatural Series
Blaze of Glory
Parker’s Honor
Clockwork Law
The Inventor’s Promise
About the Author, Mandy M. Roth
Mandy M. Roth grew up fascinated by creatures that go bump in the night. From the very beginning, she showed signs of creativity. At age five, she had her first piece of artwork published. Writing came into play early in her life as well. Over the years, the two mediums merged and led her to work in marketing. Combining her creativity with her passion for horror has left her banging on the keyboard into the wee hours of the night. Mandy lives with her husband and three children on the shores of Lake Erie, where she is currently starting work on her Master’s Degree. She was nominated for Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Paranormal Erotic.
Mandy has topped the Amazon bestselling charts more than once and has a loyal and steady following. She does cover art under the brush name Natalie Winters and is very involved with helping authors learn to market their books. In 2009 she and fellow author Michelle M. Pillow started their own self-publishing endeavor named The Raven Books. It spawned from the name of a nightclub in Mandy’s wildly popular Daughter of Darkness Series. In July 2010 they opened The Raven Books to third party distribution and by Dec 2011 had sold WELL over 150,000 ebooks.
Mandy writes for The Raven Books, Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Harlequin Spice, Pocket Books and Random House/Virgin/Black Lace.
To learn more about Mandy, please visit www.mandyroth.com or send an email to [email protected].
For latest news about Mandy’s newest releases subscribe to her announcement list in Yahoo! groups. http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/Mandy_M_Roth
The Raven Books’ Complimentary Material
The following material is free of charge. It will never affect the price of your book.
Immortal Op Series by Mandy M. Roth
Paranormal Shifter Military Special Ops Romance
Immortal Ops
Captain Lukian Vlakhusha is having issues with his newest target, Peren Matthews. Something about her has left him staring at her picture and wondering what it would be like to touch her soft skin. When the time comes for the team to strike, Lukian senses danger and aborts the mission. He makes an attempt at meeting Peren and is set in his place by an independent young woman who knows what she is, and isn’t, looking for in a man.
Lukian is having trouble telling Peren that he’s what she fears most, a werewolf. Can they make the passion that burns between them last, or will Lukian’s condition be too much for Peren?
Critical Intelligence
When loyalties are questioned and bonds forged, the I-Ops find themselves fighting a war to guard not only their secrets but their lives as well.
Missy Carter leads a rather boring, overworked life as a system analyst for the State Department or rather, that’s what she lets everyone believe. No, in reality her life is anything but boring. As an agent with the Paranormal Security and Intelligence, she’s seen and done it all. Intelligence is her specialty, assassination is her hobby. The only problem is that the things she spies on don’t die easily. In fact, some of them were dead to begin with. She’s learned to handle anything life can throw at her. That is until the biggest paramilitary pain her ass shows up again. Lucky for him, he’s sexy.
Roi Majors, second in command of the I-Ops, is having a hard time believing that Intel can only get half the information needed to bring down an underground ring of vampires with big spending backers who are hell bent on creating a race of supernaturals with multiple strands of DNA in them. As the team searches for answers, Roi searches for sexual release. When he finds himself paired with the one woman in the world who seems immune to his self-proclaimed charms, he can’t wait to see her to safety and then bid her good riddance. He never counted on falling in love with her. And he sure in the hell never counted on her claiming to be an agent with a branch of the government no human should know about.
Radar Deception
Dr. Thaddeus Green survived a werepanther attack long ago, leaving him immortal and a member of the I-Ops team. He’s dedicated his life to genetics and to serving his country. After his mutated DNA led to the death of his loved ones, he vowed to never let anyone close to his heart again. Try as he might, Green is unable to stop the mystical pull to the tall, leggy blonde with a sharp tongue and an even worse bite. Thinking Melanie is suffering from mating withdraw, Green is prepared to do what he must to assure her survival, even if it means claiming her for himself, regardless of his need to protect his heart. Little does Green know that fate has been preparing him for Melanie Daly all his unnaturally long life.
When ghosts from the past resurface, in ways he never dreamt possible, the normally mild-mannered scientist finds himself drawing on his inner beast and rage to assure his mate and their future are protected. But even Green can’t fight all of Melanie’s battles for her. Some she has no choice but to face on her own. Can their bond stand the test of time?
Strategic Vulnerability
Held prisoner in remote testing facility in the middle of the Brazilian rainforest, subjected to torture and abuse, Wilson Rousseau has long since given up hope of being rescued. Days blend together until he can’t help but long for death. Saved from his isolated hell by a female’s distress call, he feels an instant connection to her.
Kimberly thought she was taking a trip to South America to study indigenous plant life. She had no idea she was playing into the hands of a mad man whose goal is to create a genetically altered army of super soldiers. When she finds herself locked in a cell with Wils
on, a man who would give his life to save hers, there is an instant attraction. But the dark secrets surrounding their imprisonment may change their lives forever. Can they find a way to beat the odds and be together or will the mad man win?
www.ravenhappyhour.com~ www.theravenbooks.com
We thought you might like these books by Rory Michaels
Macon Valley Ménage Series
Contemporary Western Threesome Romances
The Unexpected
Best friends since childhood, Perry and Sean know each other’s deep dark secrets. The people of Macon Valley whisper of their deviant sexual ways—the fact they like kink and enjoy sharing women. But the town doesn’t understand they’re looking for that one perfect woman to fill the void in their hearts. They understand they’ll be sharing her both in and out of the bedroom and they’re fine with that. Trouble is the woman they’ve selected isn’t so sure she’s ready for both of them. Can they sway her heart and her mind?
The Untold
Cody and Everett have the kind of relationship that others raise a brow at. It’s not easy keeping it secret in a small town like Macon Valley. People talk, and Nicole, Cody’s new bride, hears their whispers. She knows there is something between the men—something more than mere friendship. When they confess their desire to have a threesome, she’s stunned. She doesn’t want to be like the women they’ve used and discarded in the past. However, it’s clear this is what her husband needs. She can’t deny him and knows the men will give her a night of passion, the likes of which she’s never imagined. What she doesn’t realize is the men aren’t aiming for a one shot deal. They’ve got their sights set on sharing her for good, regardless what the people of Macon Valley think.
The Unspoken
Back from the service, best friends Wyatt Hews and Clay Miller are ready to seize hold of what they want. Shy, li’l Harley Gainer had held their hearts since High School. She’d been so innocent and so unassuming when they’d shipped out. While she’s certainly maintained her innocence, she learned to put her foot her down and has grown into a beautifully sassy young woman. Neither man can resist her and they’re hoping she can’t say no to them either. See, she’s the woman they want to share their bed and their lives with from here on out, and the boys will stop at nothing to get her. Will she agree to a night of passion, or will she cut and run out on something that could be wonderful?
The Unforgettable
Twin brothers, Levi and Lyle Ackerman have had their sights set on Sally Young for years now. Levi manned up and asked her out, beating Lyle to the punch. Sally had always seemed so sweet, so untouchable. Now, she’s within the boys’ reach and they’re ready to spend a night exploring every inch of her, giving her pleasures she can’t deny.
Books by Rory Michaels
The Unexpected
The Untold
The Unspoken
The Unforgettable
The Unwrapped
Blaze of Glory
Author Recommends
Jaguar's Rule by T.J. Michaels
After an irresistible night of passion with Reya, Aaron James longs to hold her close forever. Little does he know that the tall, sleek beauty has a carnal secret -- and he's the one who needs protection.
Reya Daines has dedicated her life to the conservation of jaguars. With the only bed-and-breakfast at the entrance to Cockscomb Jaguar Sanctuary, she can keep an eye on poachers and still indulge her guests in her first love-scuba diving. But something has invaded the preserve and the big cats are restless...and that something wants Reya.
Aaron James can take care of himself, but he finds he's not quite up to the job after his plane goes down in the jungles of Belize. The woman who rescues him is a loner just like him. When he learns she's in danger from the same menace she's saved him from twice, what's a determined man to do with an equally stubborn woman?
For more on this hot, sticky shifter romance visit www.tjmichaels.com
We thought you might like...
Call of the Lycan 1: Call of the Sea
Michelle M. Pillow
Paranormal Shifter Romance
Ian O'Connell, heir prince to his clan, has no plans to settle down even though his untamed nature keeps him on the prowl for female company. The only woman he could ever want saved him from a watery grave before disappearing from his life forever. But that was a long time ago, too long for a mortal woman to have survived. Though he searched for her, in the end it was in vain.
Cursed by the power of the Cancerian crab, Ceana is doomed to spend her eternity in the ocean as a mermaid. Her only relief is on a full moon, when she becomes human and must find shore. Centuries have passed and she's all but given up on the one who could save her. Brief passion is all she has and she's willing to take what she can get—especially if it's with an intriguing lycan who's untamed nature just might be her salvation.
Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
To learn more visit www.TheRavenBooks.com or www.MichellePillow.com
Books by Mandy M Roth Checklist
Paranormal
Daughter of Darkness Trilogy
Daughter of Darkness
The Enchantress
Bella Mia
The Valkyrie Trilogy
Valkyrie
Valhalla: The Valkyrie Beginnings
The Voyagers
Birds of Prey Series
King of Prey
A View to a Kill
Master of the Hunt
Rise of the King
Prince of Flight
Sacred Places Series
Sacred Places
Goddess of the Grove
Winter Solstice
Immortal Ops Series
Immortal Ops
Critical Intelligence
Radar Deception
Strategic Vulnerability
Separation Zone
Lion Shifter Series for Spice Brief
Sin’s Pride
Dex’s Claim
The Zodiac Series
Pisces Phenomenon
Somber Resplendence
Pleasure Cruise Series
Pleasure Cruise
Date with Destiny
Pleasure Island
Wicked Lucidity
Loup Garou
Eternal Seduction
The Guardians
Warriors of Darkness
Demonic Desires
Solo Tu
Secrets We Keep
Trust in the Season
Ambient Light
Gypsy Nights
Going the Distance
Mating Behavior
Last Call
Pike’s Peak
Adam's Angel
The King’s Choice
The Advisor’s Apprentice
Tipping the Scales
Blaze of Glory
Futuristic/ Sci-Fi Paranormal
Project Exorcism
Paranormal Payload
Force of Attraction
Point of No Return
Cyber Sex
Prepared to Please
Denial of Service
Droid Wars
Performance Criteria
Magnetic Attraction
Red Light Specialists
Contemporaries
Executive Decision
Simmering Seductions
Anthologies
Ghost Cats Series
Best Intentions
Dance of Souls
Book III (Title TBD)
Talons: King of Prey
Stop Dragon My Heart Around
Sex on Holiday
Black Lace Quickies 5
Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV
Magical Seduction
For a complete, up-to-date list, visit www.MandyRoth.com
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