by Marie Hall
Reaching into her nightshirt, Mila yanked out her rosary. “Hail Mary full of grace, hail Mary full of grace—”
A woman laughed, then jerked her chin up. Nails bit into her skin, broke through it, and then something thick and warm slid slowly down Mila’s jaw, bringing a wafting metallic scent with it.
“You think your God can save you now? We’ve been looking for you a very long time, little seer. The time for running has ended. We want what you have.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her words came out short and choppy through clacking teeth.
This time the hands that touched her were gentle, gliding, and then they framed her face, forcing her to stare into the glowing blue-eyed gaze of her captor. The burn from his eyes highlighted his features, and she cringed. The man staring at her had half his face melted off; his lips were grotesque on the left side, looking almost like they were sliding slowly down. His skin was mottled and as pink a newborn rat’s.
“We will get what we want, mortal.” His voice shivered with raw power, and Mila knew there’d never been a chance of escape.
For the first time she’d seen a future that was not to be. But she didn’t have time to question it. How she’d seen safety, felt deep in her bones that Lise would save her…only to now stare death straight in the face.
His thumb rubbed along her cheekbone; his one eye searched her face. The other was nothing but an empty socket. He smirked, the right side of his lips tilting up just slightly.
“This is what your kind has done to mine. You swore we were safe, and yet still you try to hunt us. But your powers…” His mouth parted and a sort of hungry gaze burned back at her, his breathing rose as if he were…sexually excited. It made her stomach turn. “Your powers will level the playing field.”
“But you don’t understand. It’s not…It’s not what you—”
His nostrils flared and he clamped her lips shut forcefully, his long nail nicking her flesh and making her hiss air between her teeth at the sharp burst of pain.
“Shut up. We played your game. Now it’s time for you to play ours. Vanity”—he looked at the feminine shadow standing beside them—“hold her legs. This might get messy.”
Her screams echoed through the night.
You Might Also Like…
Looking for more great digital reads? We’ve got you covered!
Now Available from Forever Yours
Meet Dr. Antonio Acero, heir to Spain’s wealthiest family, world-renowned physicist, and dedicated bachelor. While on vacation in southern Mexico, Antonio discovers an ancient Mayan tablet. Local legends say it contains magical properties—properties that could put his stalling research on the map. When Antonio attempts to put the tablet to use, he’ll discover that Fate has other plans. Her name is Ixtab, and she’s quite possibly the deadliest deity who ever lived.
* * *
The last thing dragon shifter Stig Wyvern needs is his dead friend’s kid sister showing up on his doorstep, especially since he’s just minutes away from entering a mating phase. But Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble, and only he can protect her. Stig needs to get Cora out of his house, but his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate, and she’s not going anywhere.
* * *
Two generations ago, the world was annihilated by a series of catastrophic environmental events. The remaining survivors were divvied into sixteen identical international territories ruled by the Company.
Commander Caspar Cannon has a stellar military reputation—and a life-threatening secret. When Cannon is ordered to escort Company executive Nathaniel Rice to a safe location, their journey becomes a minefield of sabotage, betrayal, secrets…and intense desire for one another. True to his mission, he delivers Nathaniel to the safe bunker, where a fate he never expected awaits him.
* * *
FBI agent Camellia “Mel” Wray is no stranger to violence, but when an old friend is brutally murdered, she takes it personally. The case hits even closer to her heart when the best person to help with the investigation is Dr. Stefan Harper, the only man she ever loved—and lost. Afraid Mel wouldn’t accept him, Stefan never revealed his study of magical medicine or his abilities. Now she’s back in his life—and their mutual attraction burns hotter than ever. But when something dark and otherworldly threatens humans, Stefan must summon his mage powers to keep everyone safe. Will Mel be able to trust him again? Or will their love cost him even more than it did the first time?
* * *
One year ago, Ellie made the mistake of a lifetime: she fell in love with a man who was a bitter enemy of her people. A Red Dragon shifter, the handsome Kirin was at once forbidden—and irresistible. Now Ellie’s mother has disappeared, and everyone believes that Kirin is responsible. Summoned home when his own father goes missing, Kirin must track down the very man who cost him his chance at happiness. When he discovers that Ellie’s father has vanished as well, Kirin knows that he and Ellie must combine his Dragon power with her magick to find the ones they loved and lost. But as they feel their old desires flare up again, can their burning passion overcome their past—or the danger that the future holds?
You Might Also Like…
Don’t miss these Forever new releases!
After dropping out of pastry school and messing up her big break on a reality cooking show, Leah Sullivan needs to accomplish something in her life. But when she returns home to Lucky Harbor, she finds herself distracted by her best friend, Jack Harper. No-strings attachments suit Jack just fine, but as he and Leah break every one of their “just friends” rules, he longs to turn their pretend relationship into something permanent. Do these best friends know too much about each other to risk falling in love?
* * *
After her father commits a crime that shatters her family, eighteen-year-old Delaney Cross is tired of pretending everything is all right. Packing up her car, she sets out to find the people her father hurt. Her search leads her to places she’s never been—and into the arms of Adrian Westfall. To the outside world, Adrian is a sexy, charming ladies man. But his playboy persona is just an act. Only Delaney seems to see through his façade to the real man underneath. When the dark truth is finally revealed, will it bring them closer together, or tear them apart forever?
* * *
Growing up poor and abandoned in Trouble, Wyoming, Lacy Taylor learned to be ready for anything—and to always prepare for the worst. But Chase McDermott might be her ultimate undoing. Thrown off her game for the first time ever, Lacy figures the only way to fight fire is to turn up the heat. Every woman in town would love to tie Chase down, but the happily footloose cowboy prefers to roam free. Still, if keeping Lacy hot, bothered, and riled up will help her deal with her troubles, he’s happy to oblige. Can Chase find the courage to leave his playboy days behind for good and prove he’s worthy of Lacy’s fragile trust…and her love?
* * *
Resort developer Madison Lane is about to lose the one thing she loves most in the world—her job. To avoid being fired, Madison is sent to a small town to restore the holiday cheer. For Sheriff Gage McBride, no hotshot executive from New York City is going to destroy the dreams of the people he loves. But one look at this beautiful woman, and it’s his heart that may be broken. He can’t decide if she’s naughty or nice, but one thing is for certain—Christmas will never be the same again…
* * *
Socialite Margaret Vaughn is the wealthiest heiress in London—or so everybody thinks. Margaret is actually facing financial ruin—and social humiliation. After amassing a fortune in the gold fields of Australia, Tom Poole is the toast of London society. Yet despite his newfound fame, he’s never forgotten his own humble beginnings. When he learns of Margaret’s plight, he offers her financial assistance—but his interest is not strictly business. But can he convince the proper, refined lady that, despite their social differences, they are a match made in heaven?
* * *
Lady Sophia
has long been estranged from her husband, Vane Barwick, the Duke of Claxton, whose rumored list of amorous conquests includes almost every beautiful woman of the ton. Yet a shocking encounter with him in a crowded ballroom is all it takes to reawaken her furious passion for him. Claxton has never forgiven himself for the youthful mistake that ruined his marriage to Sophia. He’ll do whatever it takes to prove he can be the honorable, passionate husband she deserves. Can they rekindle the flame that burned so bright and find a new path to forever?
Thank you for buying this ebook, published by Hachette Digital.
To receive special offers, bonus content, and news about our latest ebooks and apps, sign up for our newsletters.
Sign Up
Or visit us at hachettebookgroup.com/newsletters
For more about this book and author, visit Bookish.com.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Welcome
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilogue
About the Author
A Preview of Death’s Redemption
You Might Also Like…
Newsletters
Copyright
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2013 by Linda Hall
Excerpt from Death’s Redemption copyright © 2013 by Linda Hall
Cover design by Elizabeth Phillips. Cover illustration by Craig White.
Cover copyright © 2013 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
Forever Yours
Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
hachettebookgroup.com
twitter.com/foreverromance
Previously published as The Witching Hour
First Forever Yours ebook and print on demand edition: September 2013
Forever Yours is an imprint of Grand Central Publishing.
The Forever Yours name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.
The Hachette Speakers Bureau provides a wide range of authors for speaking events. To find out more, go to www.hachettespeakersbureau.com or call (866) 376-6591.
ISBN: 978-1-4555-4986-3 (ebook edition)
ISBN: 978-1-4555-4988-7 (print on demand edition)