Electric Heat (A Raven Investigations Novel Book 3)

by Stacey Brutger

  His quest for retribution was so all-consuming, Raven feared it would lead him straight into danger. If she left, there would be no one to talk sense into him. “I won’t abandon my pack.”

  Dominic rested his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. His eyes glowed as his wolf crouched close to the surface, and a fierce grin split his face at his animal’s return. “I’ll stay and lead the investigation. I’ve been researching the labs for a long time. We have contacts the Council doesn’t.”

  He meant the survivors.

  “Your vampire might be right.” Nicholas gave her a nod, confirming without words that he would keep Rylan safe. “We might be the only ones able to stop them, but only if you leave and give us time to prepare.”

  London nodded his head. “I’ll keep the grounds and the boys safe.”

  They overrode her every hesitation.

  Rylan studied her with those blue eyes of his. “I’m your intermediary between the two races that border your land, the vampires and the rogues. They alone represent a veritable army right on your doorstep. Too many people know what happened tonight and more will find out as word spreads. You need time to learn control before they descend.”

  “I’ll call Taggert to get ready.” Dominic grabbed the phone on the dash, ignoring her protests as he dialed.

  Worse, she wasn’t sure they were wrong. She just didn’t like leaving them behind to face danger without her standing next to them.

  “You’ll have less than a week before my master finds out I’m staying with you and demands my return.”

  The last thing she needed was another enemy, especially a powerful leader of the vampires. “Lester owes me a favor. I’ll talk to him.”

  “He won’t take kindly to you stealing away his vengeance.”

  Raven feared he was right, but there was no help for it. “You dragged me into this, you’re damned well going to see me through it.”

  Yearning flickered in his eyes before he could douse it. “I don’t want to be the one who ruins what you’ve built.”

  “You don’t see it, do you?” She mimicked his words back at him and confusion darkened his face. “You’re already one of us. If what you say is true, I need all the people I can trust at my back.”

  “What will you tell him?”

  She wracked her brain to think of something other than the truth. “I’ll explain your presence is needed to help Rylan with his new post.”

  Nicholas’ wary gaze flickered up and landed on the other vampire. “He’s never shown any interest in having help.”

  “He’s also never shown interest in staying around for longer than a few days either. If they start hunting us in earnest, Rylan will need your help.”

  Raven watched acceptance settle over Nicholas, his relief palpable and his whole countenance lightened.

  The ride home was used to make call and put their plans in motion. By the time they rolled up to the house, everyone had their assigned tasks. Sunlight blazed over the horizon. Both Rylan and Nicholas were old enough to withstand the weak morning rays, but they needed shelter soon.

  As soon as the vehicle stopped, Rylan was outside without seeming to rush. He strolled toward the back door, helped her out, then gave her a hug. “Come back to me safe.”

  His unusual display of affection caught her by surprise, and he squeezed the air out of her.

  Before she could ask him what was wrong, he vanished into the house. Nicholas exited behind her, his eyes earnest. “I’ll keep him safe.”

  Raven gave him a hug, and he stiffened in her arms for one awkward second before he wrapped himself around her. “There’s a safe room upstairs. Be careful. The Council only reluctantly gave their permission for you to remain here. Make sure you stay close to the pack.”

  Then he, too, was gone, swallowed up by the house.

  Raven followed at a slower pace, pleased when the house welcomed her with an influx of energy. It swirled around her like a warm hug, and a rumble of contentment settled in her chest. Luca waved his hands around in the air as if he could feel the energy, but couldn’t quite grab hold of it. London lumbered past her with a nod, and she gestured to the bag he deposited at her feet. “The clothes in there have samples of blood on them for the doctor to analyze. Would you see to it that he gets them?”

  “I got it.” Luca scrambled forward.

  “No.” She grabbed his wrist before he could touch the bag. “There’s infected blood from the zombies in there. To be safe, you shouldn’t touch it.”

  He blanched and stepped back, staring at the bag as if he expected flying monkeys to burst free and carry him off. “Thanks.”

  London didn’t hesitate to grab the bag. “I’ll take care of it.”

  He went to his wing of the house, then paused. “You coming, kid?”

  Luca hesitated, and Raven felt like a cad for abandoning him on his first day. “He’s my security guy. He will show you around the house and teach you how to defend yourself. There are a few rooms upstairs for you to choose from. By the time we return, you should have a better idea if this is the life you want, and you can decide then whether to pledge yourself to the pack or return to the coven.”

  “I’ll stay.” Relief shimmered around him, as if he’d just escaped a life sentence. Afraid that she’d change her mind, he turned and darted after London.

  His certainty had her wondering what kind of life he’d led back at the campus. “You’ll be leaving behind your friends and family.”

  Luca stopped as if she’d pegged him in the back. “I’m an orphan. The only reason I was allowed at the school was because I have some semblance of skill. They’ll force me to work for the rest of my life, scraping to pay off my debt to them. They expect me to be grateful for their pittance.” His jaw clenched. “Don’t make me go back. I’ll do whatever you ask.”

  Raven walked around him until she could look him in the eyes. “You’re not a fraud. I saw the way you fought, and it was with a skill few others could surpass.”

  He lifted his chin, daring to meet her eyes to see if she was telling the truth. “But I’m just a wizard.”

  Raven couldn’t help it, she laughed. “Yes, just like Merlin was a wizard, too.”

  His mouth fell open, and a spark of hope blazed in his eyes.

  “I have no intention of sending you back, but living here is dangerous, and not an ideal life for everyone. The first order of business is to show you how to defend yourself.”

  Luca lifted his arm. With a flick of his fingers, a fireball engulfed his hand. “I know a trick or two.”

  The amulet he wore flashed at the show of power, the energy draining at the trick. The way he manipulated raw magic was truly remarkable.

  Then the air thickened with a hum of electricity as the house honed in on the foreign magic. Raven struggled to grab the rampant energy, but it remained elusive as it searched for the threat. It gathered like a beast ready to pounce, then slowly slinked around Luca, growing curious when it didn’t sense any danger. When it touched his cheek, Luca turned into the caress, searching for the source.

  She wondered if allowing him to stay might not be such a bright idea, but she wouldn’t go back on her word. She’d reevaluate things on their return. At the first sign of danger, she would send him away.

  “Those tricks take power that you can’t duplicate once the amulet is empty, leaving you vulnerable. When that fails, you need to know how to survive.”

  His cockiness faded, and the fire doused as he dropped his hand.

  “I don’t want you to stay here out of fear. I want you to really understand what kind of life you’d have if you decide this is what you want. Understand?”

  Luca scanned her face, searching for answers. “I think so.”

  “Then scram, kid. Watch. Learn.” She smiled as he walked toward London. “I look forward to your answer on my return.”

  The room felt empty with them gone.

  The house was strangely silent considering the amount of peopl
e living there. She was halfway up the steps when the air in the room changed. She turned to find Jackson bounding up the steps with a sense of urgency that didn’t bode well for his target. Raven flattened herself against the wall to get out of the way, only to be surprised when he stopped in front of her. He hovered just short of touching her, less than an inch separating them. Only a shifter was able to control every inch of his body with such precision. It made her think of sex, and what they could do with their bodies.

  His heat splashed into her, and the sudden, violent urge to touch him had her shoving her hands behind her back to resist temptation. The craving was intense and primitive.

  There was no more blaming the creature, not since the two sides of herself had merged.

  And damn him, Jackson wasn’t helping at all, staring at her with such hunger she was acutely aware of their long separation. He touched the tips of her frosted hair, his chest heaving and she suspected it had more to do with keeping himself in check and not sweep her up in his arms and carry her up the steps.

  “Taggert already has us packed. He’s given us fifteen minutes to shower and be ready to leave.” The longing in his voice devastated her restraint, and she swayed forward.

  He had more sense and pulled away, his fingers curling into fists. When she went to reach for him, he bounded up the remaining steps. “You touch me, and no one will make it down in time. I’ve already loaded Durant in the vehicle.”

  He walked backward down the hall, his eyes still glued to her. So much energy whirled around him, she almost expected to see his wolf spill out of his body.

  But he had more control…at least for now…and stepped backwards into his room.

  It was only after he was out of sight that she was able to peel herself off the wall and stumble toward her own room.

  Then nearly went sprawling to discover a half-naked Taggert standing in her room. Her stomach tumbled with nerves, and she realized she’d been avoiding coming here, knowing he would be waiting for her.

  What she’d done to him was unforgivable.

  She’d nearly killed him, then abandoned him to his fate.

  Taggert must have the same problem. Even with his back to her, he froze when she entered, always aware of her at all times. He was freshly showered, wearing only jeans. He seemed bigger, his muscles more pronounced since she’d been away.

  More wolf.

  And since he couldn’t shift, having his animal so close to the surface had to be agony.

  Proof that being around her was only harming him.

  Pain pierced her chest at the thought of losing him. People thought she was so good, always doing the right thing.

  They were wrong.

  She was selfish.

  She couldn’t release him from his pledge.

  Raven walked forward, stopping right behind him. She didn’t think he even breathed. There was something brittle about the set of his shoulders. One wrong word or touch would shatter him.

  She did the only thing she could.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her forehead against his back. Heat scorched her, and his comforting, woodsy scent surrounded her.

  He shuddered at the touch before finally relaxing in her hold, his head bowed. “You won’t send me away.”

  The words were full of wonder. He reached up and hesitantly fiddled with her fingers.

  “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

  “Promise?”

  There was a wealth of agony and demand in that one word, and Raven could’ve cursed herself for leaving him in limbo for so long. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t known. It was her job as alpha to know everything about her pack. “Promise.”

  To seal the deal, she brushed her lips against his shoulder, enjoying the way he sucked in a sharp breath at such a small gesture. Releasing him, she stepped away.

  Taggert had to clear his throat twice before he was able to speak. “You now have ten minutes to get ready. A change of clothes is waiting for you in the bathroom.”

  He picked up a shirt and pulled it over his head.

  The flex and pull of muscles was captivating. He’d always been lean but stacked with muscles, but now there was something she couldn’t put her finger on that caused her gaze to linger.

  When he pulled the shirt down, she realized he’d waited to dress on purpose.

  Like a show.

  Inviting her to touch.

  The others might be alphas, able to fight tooth and nail for the privilege of standing by her side, each a powerful force to be dealt with.

  But she knew the truth.

  Taggert was the most dangerous of the bunch.

  His submissiveness was a tool he used so effectively she hadn’t been aware of the way he wielded it until much too late. He’d already wormed his way into every part of her life and made himself indispensable.

  “Nine minutes.” There was a smile in his voice.

  When he took a step toward her, she scurried into the bathroom.

  Raven rested a hand on the pile of clothing waiting for her, marveling at Taggert’s ruthless ability to organize her life. The girl in the mirror was a stranger, with wild hair and even wilder eyes. The electric blue color ate away the natural pewter, until only slivers of mercury remained.

  Her power had been used to imprison the creature for years, whether she knew it or not. Now they were so fully merged, neither would survive without the other.

  She should be terrified—part of her was a bit—but it also meant she was strong enough to hold the pack together if push came to shove. Fierce satisfaction overrode any doubts.

  She and her pack would work through it together.

  They’d promised to teach her everything she needed to know.

  Aware of time ticking, she stripped.

  Then froze, her heart hammering away at her ribs.

  The spot on her side had changed. What resembled a tattoo had burned away, revealing a shiny silver filigree that matched the highlights in her hair and eyes. The center texture was rough, the pattern forming into what appeared to be tiny scales, while the outer circle resembled wings.

  She brushed her fingers over the shape, then jerked back in surprise.

  Metal.

  Warm metal.

  The softest touch was like running her hand over a fresh burn, and she shuddered at the contact.

  The tattoo looked exactly like a…dragon.

  She grabbed the sink to keep from dropping to her knees.

  Everything made sense…how she could jump small pockets of time, the constant hunger for energy.

  She wasn’t a red fire-eating dragon that fed on flames, but a silver lightning dragon that devoured energy.

  And when people found out, not if—there was no way she could keep this a secret—she had to be prepared to defend her pack or risk losing everything she’d fought so hard to protect.

  The End

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Stacey Brutger lives in a small town in Minnesota with her husband and an assortment of animals. When she’s not reading, she enjoys creating stories about exotic worlds and grand adventures…then shoving in her characters to see how they’d survive. She enjoys writing anything paranormal from contemporary to historical.

  Other books by this author:

  BloodSworn

  Coveted

  A PeaceKeeper Novel

  The Demon Within (Book1)

  A Raven Investigations Novel

  Electric Storm (Book 1)

  Electric Moon (Book 2)

  Electric Heat (Book 3)

  Coming Soon:

  Electric Legend (Book 3.5)

  Electric Night (Book 4)

  Citadel

  Watch for her first dystopian novel called Citadel

  or her next urban fantasy called Electric Legend.

  Visit Stacey online to find out more at www.StaceyBrutger.com

  Join her newsletter by visiting her site.

 
  Stacey Brutger, Electric Heat (A Raven Investigations Novel Book 3)