by Dianna Love
Not here.
She swallowed the disappointment and said, “It came down to a choice. I had to ask myself if I should take something important from someone else just to get what I wanted. A funny thing happened along the way. I realized I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did that. So, really the choice was whether I could take what I’d been sent for and leave without a conscience or leave that body with the person it belonged to and look myself in the mirror forever. I’m a fan of mirrors.”
What she would not share with Yáahl was that she wanted to remember that image of Quinn’s face filled with the relief that he hadn’t failed Kizira.
No man would ever care that much for Reese, but it was nice to know one man with a heart of gold existed. A man capable of putting the woman he cared for first.
“You do recall our agreement?”
“Yessss. If I did not return with Kizira’s body, you would never unbind my powers.”
He frowned and rolled his head from side to side as if considering her answer. “That’s not exactly what I said.”
She had to suffer being critiqued on a paraphrase?
“In fact,” Yáahl went on explaining. “I said that if you allowed the body to fall into the wrong hands I would never release your powers.”
She thought through that, trying to figure out his point. “And?”
“My minions tell me the body was kept from the wrong hands.”
She brightened. “Does that mean you’re going to free my powers?”
“No.”
She swallowed a curse, not in any mood to be punished by Yáahl’s landscape. “I’m not following you. Is this good or bad?”
“Neither and both.”
Did she mention how much she hated this crap? She stared at him, determined to make him explain, which he did.
“You failed to retrieve the body, but you succeeded in keeping it from the wrong people. More importantly, you have proven you can change and that there is hope for you.”
Don’t smart off. She kept repeating that in her head.
“For that reason, you may yet receive your powers back,” Yáahl explained.
That was good, right?
So why did she still feel such loss after all that had happened? Maybe because she’d had a taste of her powers, just enough to miss them even more, plus ... she’d never see Quinn again.
That was a stupid thought. She wanted nothing to do with men.
But she had liked being with Quinn.
It didn’t matter if she ever saw him again. She couldn’t compete with a ghost. Kizira had been a Medb priestess and from all accounts she’d read on the dark net, a beautiful one. It didn’t take much of a leap for Reese to realize Quinn had been in love with Kizira.
Reese had no powers, was not a beauty and demons would still be hunting her. Not exactly a catch.
She still wondered about something, though. It was like getting to the end of a story and finding the last pages blank. “One more thing. What about Kizira’s body? Is it safe?”
Only an idiot would ask him about the body she’d failed to deliver, but she’d proven her lack of IQ back in Georgia when she’d gone into that demon-infested energy field.
She’d do it again ... if she had Quinn at her side.
“Kizira’s body is finally at rest and no longer under threat from her family. That is enough for me.”
That was that. Now to get back to her life, but that wasn’t going to happen. Not in the same place she’d lived.
She stated, “I’ll go somewhere far from my place in San Diego, but please don’t lift your protection from my neighborhood. It isn’t their fault I moved there.” Or that she’d made friends.
And found a dog.
Gibbons’s happy fur face popped into her mind.
She struggled against tears again. Would she have to give up her dog? Of course she would, or some demon would kill him. Her friends would forget about her, but how could her sweet mutt understand why she’d abandoned him?
Yáahl said, “I will agree to that, but I have no wish to spend my energy watching over your friends and that beast. You can do that yourself.”
Her head snapped up. Had she heard correctly? “What are you saying?”
“I’m sending you home and the area you consider your neighborhood will be repellent to demons. Step outside of that and you’re on your own. Understood?”
“I get it. Thank you.” She was thoroughly confused on what he was up to, because Yáahl made no decision lightly. But if that made him happy right now, then going home to a demon-free zone worked for her.
She lifted the medallion cord over her head and held it in her hand. A crow flew down, picked it up and flew away.
Okay, then.
“You’re definitely different,” Yáahl mused.
Reese considered his words, but had learned less was more with him. She gave a noncommittal, “Uh huh.”
“I think you met someone who made an impression on you.”
“You think? Didn’t your minions report everything I did?”
“They observe and return with specific details, but they could not observe you late in your visit.”
He’d sent her into the middle of a bloody battle and called it a visit. What was he saying? Ah, the crows couldn’t keep track of her while she’d been inside the buzzing energy field.
Not surprising, since other powers hadn’t worked while the energy field was active, but still ...
Interesting.
He suggested, “It’s not a weakness to care for someone again, Reese.”
“Doesn’t matter. I don’t care for anyone.” She’d said that too quickly.
Yáahl couldn’t possibly know that she’d had a momentary attraction to Quinn, and she would volunteer absolutely nothing.
“That beast you feed. You care for him.”
“Okay, I’ll admit that Gibbons matters to me.”
“And your neighbors and dog sitter.”
“Fine. Okay, my neighbors and dog sitter, too.” Her neighbor was her dog sitter. “What’s your point? I don’t want anyone harmed just because I’m around. It’s not fair to them.”
He moved around on the boulder platform and even in human form he reminded her of a giant bird, stalking around as he thought.
“Remember one thing, Reese, it is always easier to lie to others than it is to yourself. Perhaps Atlanta offers something San Diego does not.”
Her heart moved around, trying to find a happy place in her chest when she thought about Quinn. He’d been nice to her even when he knew she wanted Kizira’s body, too.
There was no future in thinking about him.
She pushed off the silly attraction and said, “I have no interest in ever going back to Atlanta. I now have two reasons to avoid the place.” That city was bad luck for her heart. The first man she’d met there had gotten her pregnant then tossed her and her baby aside. The second one would never be hers to consider.
“Then you have no desire to go back or to have anyone from there find you?”
“Correct on both accounts. I want to return to my safe little corner of the world.” Besides, Quinn was never going to look for her. “Can I go home now? Are we done?”
“You may go home. However, we are not done. You did not satisfy my request, but I’m generous in heart so I will allow you another opportunity to make good on your debt.”
Reese rolled her eyes, not even caring at this point if she got swatted. She laughed to herself. If she had to deal with him again to get her powers, it couldn’t be as bad as this last trip, right?
The lights dimmed in the dome. Her eyelids grew heavy and dropped.
She tried to shake off the sluggish feeling, but she slept deeply until a honking horn woke her.
Her eyes popped open.
She was standing inside her apartment in San Diego. At least Yáahl hadn’t dumped her in the yard or the middle of the street. Gibbons!
She couldn’t wait to get a big sl
oppy hug from her dog, but she was filthy and starving.
After racing through a shower and throwing on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, she was making a sandwich when the door opened and Gibbons came barreling in. She turned just in time to catch his paws when he jumped on her, whining and licking. Dogs were a gift to humans.
They loved unconditionally and missed you when you were gone. Gibbons always knew when she needed a hug.
Right behind him, a sweet girl with pink hair—this week—and a dazzling smile walked in carrying his leash and laughing. A tiny diamond in her nose winked. “I saw your Jeep outside and figured you’d be ready for company.”
Yáahl had returned her Jeep?
Without thinking, she glanced toward the corner by the sofa, where she normally kept her shotgun and short sword stashed. There sat the innocuous-looking backpack made of heavy, rip-proof canvas, with the lock fastened on the zipper.
Well, well.
Reese might just have to thank him next time they met if it wasn’t another ten years down the road. She said, “Yeah, just got back. How’s it going with your boyfriend, Snook?”
“He’s an idiot. I’m on to the next one.” Snook made herself at home and fixed a half sandwich, then started chomping on it.
Gibbons finally dropped down to stand shoved up against Reese’s leg. She buried her fingers in his thick, curly hair, so damn happy to be home even if she didn’t have her powers back.
Snook asked, “How was your trip? We missed you.”
Reese smiled at the fact that people did care for her. Yáahl had told her when she first left his realm to live on her own that she couldn’t have her powers back until she would respect them. He’d told her she was closed off from everyone and that a person didn’t need powers to be alone. Last, he’d said that powers shouldn’t be wasted on someone with a death wish.
She’d left ten years ago, angry and determined to hunt demons in spite of his accusation.
The burning anger had subsided.
She’d fight a demon if need be, but after this last trip, she had no desire to hunt them.
Maybe he’d been right and she’d had a death wish at one time, but now?
Things did feel different. She felt different.
She wanted more out of life than just existing. It had taken meeting Quinn and seeing herself in him for that to happen. He had so much life to live, but he was burying it under guilt.
So had she. No more.
Don’t think about Quinn.
It hurt to put him behind her, but he was not part of her world now.
Reese answered, “My trip turned out better than I would have expected. I missed both of you, too.” She was so damned glad to have her home and this neighborhood. “Want to have popcorn and a movie here tonight to celebrate my being home?”
“Yes! Let me tell Donella you’re home so she’ll know where I am. Be right back.”
Donella was her foster mother. The woman could be a bit stern at times, but Reese liked her, recognizing her maternal instinct and that she cared deeply for the girl.
Gibbons barked at Snook.
Reese said, “Now he misses you more than me.”
“That’s only because I spoiled him at lunch.” Then she was gone. Reese and Gibbons went into the living room, where she found a houseplant in a painted clay pot, one of Snook’s signature creations.
It had a small card sitting in front of it.
Reese smiled. She’d been telling Snook that people spend too much time online and don’t appreciate the value of a written note until they get one. For the two years Reese had lived here, she’d been writing Snook notes.
She always wrote a thank you note for watching Gibbons and sometimes included a gift card to Snook’s favorite clothing store.
Opening the envelope, Reese warmed at the message from a young girl who was on her way to charming the world.
Reese –
Thanks for working so much this summer on my self-defense skills. My ex-boyfriend wasn’t thrilled when I made him sorry for trying to stick his hand down my pants. You’d have been proud of me. My new boyfriend saw what happened and was very impressed with me, so he’s showing me a few more moves I’m practicing. Can’t wait to show you.
Anyhow, please don’t kill this plant. It just needs a little love.
Phoedra, aka Snook
The End.
Watch for Belador Cosaint (book 9) in fall 2017.
Thank you for reading this series. Posting a review is the easiest way to help readers and authors. If you have a moment to post a review (any length) at the e-retailer where you purchased Dragon King Of Treoir, I’d really appreciate it.
Click on the box below to join Dianna’s newsletter. You’ll be notified as soon as a new Belador story is available (you’ll only receive an email when there is news to share or when special deals are offered to Dianna Love’s Reader Community. NOTE: We NEVER share your email.
If you can’t click the box, then go to:
http://authordiannalove.com/connect
To contact Dianna – email her assistant –
[email protected]
Websites: AuthorDiannaLove.com and Beladors
Facebook – “Dianna Love Fan Page”
Twitter @DiannaLove
“Dianna Love Reader Community” Facebook group page (You’re invited)
Reviews on Belador books:
"…non-stop tense action, filled with twists, betrayals, danger, and a beautiful sensual romance. As always with Dianna Love, I was on the edge of my seat, unable to pull myself away."
~~Barb, The Reading Cafe
“…shocking developments and a whopper of an ending... and I may have exclaimed aloud more than once…Bottom line: I really kind of loved it.”
~~Jen, top 500 Reviewer
"DEMON STORM leaves you breathless on countless occasions."
~~Amelia Richard, SingleTitles
“...Its been a very long time since I've felt this passionate about getting the next installment in a series. Even J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books.”
~~Bryonna Nobles, Demons, Dreams and Dragon Wings
The Belador series is an ongoing story line, so you may want to read the books in order. Available in ebook/print/audio.
Book 1: Blood Trinity
Book 2: Alterant
Book 3: The Curse
Book 4: Rise Of The Gryphon
Book 5: Demon Storm
Book 6: Witchlock
Book 7: Rogue Belador
Book 8: Dragon King Of Treoir
Book 9: Belador Cosaint (fall 2017)
Tristan’s Escape: A Belador Novella
BLOOD TRINITY – Belador Book 1
Atlanta has become the battlefield between human and demon.
As an outcast among her own people, Evalle Kincaid has walked the line between human and beast her whole life as a half-blood Belador. An Alterant. Her true origins unknown, she searches to learn more about her past before it kills her, but when a demon claims a young woman in a terrifying attack and there's no one else to blame, Evalle comes under suspicion.
The one person who can help her is Storm, the sexy new agent brought in to catch her in a lie, just one of his gifts besides being a Skinwalker. On a deadly quest for her own survival, Evalle is forced to work with the mysterious stranger who has the power to unravel her world. Through the sordid underbelly of an alternate Atlanta where nothing is as it seems to the front lines of the city where former allies now hunt her, Evalle must prove her innocence or pay the ultimate price. But saving herself is the least of her problems if she doesn’t stop the coming apocalypse. The clock is ticking and Atlanta is about to ignite.
“BLOOD TRINITY is an ingenious urban fantasy … Book One in the Belador series will enthrall you during every compellingly entertaining scene.” Amelia Richards, Single Titles
“…a well written book that will take you out of your everyday life and transport you to an exciting new world …” Heated
Steve
ALTERANT: Belador Book 2
Evalle must hunt her own kind...or die with them.
In this explosive new world of betrayals and shaky alliances, as the only Alterant not incarcerated, Evalle faces an impossible task — recapture three dangerous, escaped creatures before they slaughter more humans…or her.
When words uttered in the heat of combat are twisted against her, Evalle is blamed for the prison break of three dangerous Alterants and forced to recapture the escapees. Deals with gods and goddesses are tricky at best, and now the lives of all Beladors, and the safety of innocent humans, rides on Evalle's success. Her Skinwalker partner, Storm, is determined to plant all four of his black jaguar paws in the middle of her world, but Evalle has no time for a love life. Not when a Tribunal sends her to the last place she wants to show her face.
The only person she can ask for help is the one man who wants to see her dead.
“There are SO many things in this series that I want to learn more about; there’s no way I could list them all.” Lily, Romance Junkies Reviews
THE CURSE: Belador book 3
Troll powered gang wars explode in cemeteries and no one in Atlanta is safe.
Demonic Svart Trolls have invaded Atlanta and Evalle suddenly has little hope of fulfilling a promise with the freedom of an entire race hanging in the balance, even if she had more than two days. She takes a leap of faith, seeking help from Isak, the Black Ops specialist who recently put Evalle in his cross hairs and has a personal vendetta against Alterants who killed his best friend.
Bloody troll-led gang wars force Evalle into unwittingly exposing a secret that endangers all she holds dear, and complicates her already tumultuous love life with the mysterious Skinwalker, Storm. But it’s when the entire Medb coven comes after her that Evalle is forced to make a game-changing decision with no time left on the clock.