He fished out two other pieces, debating the merits of each. The Loki wasn’t all that reliable, but the shifter would make a bloody mess out of the culprit. While that would be satisfying, a bit of discretion was safer.
His ears almost missed the sound—a whispery susurration. He glanced up as the girl’s mother went out to the cottage’s waiting room. Had she invited one of his neighbors in?
Perhaps another client had arrived. He was expecting one of the locals to stop by with some herbs, which they were collecting for him as part of their payment.
The shifter will finish the job, Salvador decided. If things got a little bloody, it would only serve as a warning to others. He just had to impress on Canaan that he needed to make sure he kept the collateral damage down to the guilty party and any henchman he might have.
“Excuse me, señor.”
Salvador turned around. The parents were staring at him with wide eyes. “You…you have a visitor.”
He smiled reassuringly, wondering why they appeared so shocked. “It’s fine. I was expecting her.”
The father’s mouth dropped open, and his wife gasped. “You were?”
Salvador frowned, deciding their reaction didn’t fit with the arrival of a teenage girl with baskets of wildflowers and grasses.
His stomach dropped open when he saw the antechamber. The packed dirt floor had been raised into a makeshift platform—an altar. There was a woman lying on it. Her dark hair was braided, the long length of it wrapping around from the back of her head to fall at her side below her shoulders.
The woman’s luminescent cocoa skin was marred by thick black spidering veins that covered all of her visible body. Underneath, the face was a work of art. Full lips and cheekbones that spoke of both European and a Native American heritage.
His stomach fluttered, a sense of awe filling him. This person was important. He didn’t know how he knew that, but the certainty was there. What the hell had happened to her? Salvador put on a glove before reaching out to touch one of the thick raised strands. It was rock hard. He’d never seen anything like it.
Salvador turned back to his guests, pressing the shifter’s name and number into the father’s hand. “Call this man. He can help you with Angelica’s attacker. She can go home now, but you better take her out the back way.”
He turned back to the body, his heart beating too fast. “It seems I have another patient.”
THE END
Thank you for reading Water! Reviews are an author’s bread and butter. If you liked the story please consider leaving a review.
Subscribe to the L.B. Gilbert or Lucy Leroux Newsletter for a free novel!
www.elementalauthor.com/newsletter/
www.authorlucyleroux.com/newsletter
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author L.B. Gilbert spent years getting degrees from the most prestigious universities in America, including a PhD that she is not using at all. She moved to France for work and found love. She's married now and living in San Diego after a decade abroad with one adorable half-French baby.
She has always enjoyed reading books as far from her reality as possible, but eventually the voices in her head told her to write her own. And, so far, the voices are enjoying them. You can check out the geeky things she likes on twitter or Facebook.
And if you like a little more steam with your Fire, check out the author's romance erotica titles under her married name Lucy Leroux…
www.elementalauthor.com
or
www.authorlucyleroux.com
Also by L.B. Gilbert
Forsaken
A Cursed Angel Novel
Years ago, he left her to die in the wastelands. Now his fate rests in her hands.
Cast out of Heaven thousands of years ago, Ash is given a chance to redeem himself. If he defeats the demon king and delivers the city from the curse plaguing it, his long exile will end.
But raising an army and killing the king is only the beginning. Now, in the ruins of post-apocalyptic Paris, this fallen angel is struggling to keep Bastille afloat amidst a never-ending series of disasters.
His only hope in stopping the relentless cycle of destruction rests in Kara, a woman he'd betrayed years before and leader of a mysterious band of scavengers who have somehow escaped the curse's influence.
Available Now on Select Vendors
Kin Selection
A Shifter’s Claim Novella
Animal activist Deena Hammond had no idea the wolf cub she just rescued is a shifter—not until the Werewolf sent to recover him kidnaps her.
Saving a wolf cub from an animal testing facility changes everything for Deena Hammond, a feisty and dedicated animal activist. Determined to protect the innocent animal, Deena's shocked when the cub shifts into a small toddler right before her eyes.
Bound by honor to keep their existence a secret, Yogi, a wolf shifter, kidnaps Deena and brings her back to the cub's family. Knowing a hellion with curves likes hers is the ultimate temptation for the other males in his pack, Yogi stays close to Deena, fighting to keep his desire for her under control. But she just might ignite the animal within him.
Available Now
Discordia
An Elementals Prequel Short
Fire Elemental Diana’s first solo mission is a disappointing one—stop a pack of carrion-eating fae from eating tourists in the Everglades. But then a Greek God’s relic complicates her simple case.
Free Everywhere
Fire
The Elementals Book One
A Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Winner
A kick-ass heroine with pyrokinetic abilities and a license to kill. Enter Alec...vampire, scholar, and worst of all—fan. What could possibly go wrong?
Diana, the fire Elemental, is nearly burned out. Tired of traveling the world and losing innocent lives, she's slowly slipping into a depression that may consume her. But when she discovers that a child's life is in danger, she feels compelled to help. However, teaming up with one of the most powerful vampires in North America is the last thing she wants to do.
Academic scion, Alec Broussard prefers his studies over the opulent and vicious lifestyles of vampires. And when he learns of another missing child, Alec can't shake the suspicion that his coven may be to blame. Joining forces with an Elemental may be his only hope to save the child and clear his coven’s name.
As Diana and Alec work together to save the children, they must relinquish their prejudices and trust one another. In time, Alec is wearing down the walls around her. But just when their friendship intensifies, Alec's future is threatened. Now, it's up to Diana to save him before it's too late. Can this Elemental find the fire within her to protect him once and for all?
Available Now on Select Vendors
Air
The Elementals Book Two
A Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Winner
Despite being the junior Elemental, Logan’s never had to worry about failing a mission before. Not until an overgrown and annoyingly attractive shifter comes along.
Being an Elemental is in Logan’s blood. Hers is the gift of Air, a vast power she’s still struggling to control. Then a Were named Connell hunts her down. His wolf is missing, and he blames her.
A den of werewolves is the last place Logan wants to be. The testosterone alone is enough to make her choke. But she has a mystery to solve. She will find out who is stealing wolves even if kills her.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what the enemy has planned…
Available Now on Select Vendors
Writing as Lucy Leroux
Confiscating Charlie
A Singular Obsession Novelette
Noah Masters is looking for his future. He never expected it to find it in her.
After After crashing and burning his racing career Noah Masters has to figure out what to do with his life. His cousin Alex suggests he find a way to channel his creative energy in a way that doesn’t involve him putting his life in danger.
/>
Then Noah meets his step-mother’s teenage sister Charlie, and he finds he doesn’t have to risk his life to find his future—he just has to risk his heart.
Free Everywhere
Making Her His
A Singular Obsession Novel, Book One
#1 Amazon Erotic Suspense Bestseller Feb 2016 & Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist
For almost five years, Alex has had one obsession. Her name is Elynn.
Alex Hanas couldn't believe that after so many years as a widower, his father was getting remarried. To make matters worse, the American gold digger had a kid—a daughter named Elynn. After months of avoiding it, Alex goes to brunch with every intention of giving his father's new family the deep freeze. But he can't pull it off with Elynn's anxious green-grey eyes locked on him.
That was the day his life changed.
Four years later, Alex is as close to Elynn as a stepbrother can be. But that's not enough for him. He wants more...and he's done waiting.
Available Now on Select Vendors
Calen’s Captive
A Singular Obsession, Book Two
A Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Winner
Calen is a good man from a bad family, but when the girl of his dreams falls in his lap can he do the right thing and let her go?
Calen is the son of an Irish mobster, but he’s rejected his legacy and has made a name for himself as a club owner. After years of hard work, he has the life he’s always wanted. Almost.
Then his father asks him to take a meeting with a rival crew. It’s too important to say no. Reluctantly, he drives out to the middle of nowhere to meet them. There to negotiate for reparations, he sees an innocent girl being held against her will—someone who looks very familiar.
Unwilling to leave the girl to a fate worse than death, he demands she be included as part of the deal. Maia is forced to stay with Calen for her safety, but she soon finds out he has ulterior motives for protecting her.
Available Now on Select Vendors
Stolen Angel
A Singular Obsession, Book Three
Sergei Damov is in love with someone who isn’t interested in him, but he’s determined to change that.
Sergei has pined for months, waiting for his assistant to turn around and see he’s the perfect man for her. But Ada only sees him as her boss. Until one night when they both have to work late and the office is deserted…
It doesn’t happen right away, but soon Sergei has Ada right where he wants her—in his bed. Then demons from his past resurface, and he brutally pushes her away before the darkness inside him can consume them both.
But Ada isn’t about to let herself be used. Soon she turns the tables on him and disappears, leaving a mystery in her wake. Why was Ada working under an assumed name? Not just with him, but at every job she ever held?
Using every resource at his disposal, Sergei desperately searches for her, before the danger she’s running from catches up with her…and to try and heal the heart he shattered.
Available Now on Select Vendors
The Roman’s Woman
A Singular Obsession, Book Four
When Gio Morgese meets Sophia, he realizes the "nice guys finish last" adage might be true...and he's done coming in last.
A well-ordered life and quiet existence is not working out in Gio’s favor. Less aggressive than his alpha male friends, he's led a circumspect life and married early to gain the domestic bliss he's always craved. But marriage to the wrong woman has ensured all of his plans blew up in his face.
Perplexed and a little jealous, he watches from the sidelines as his closest friends succumb to love, giving up their playboy lifestyles for the family life he’s always wanted for himself. Aware that something has to change before he ends up bitter and alone, he resolves to let down some of the walls that went up after his divorce.
Then he meets Sophia, a full-figured goddess completely unlike anyone he’s ever known. Against a backdrop of jealousy and deceit, Gio soon realizes that finding love is one thing. Holding onto to it is something else.
Now he’s saying and doing things he’d never imagined he would do. But there are some things—and some women—worth fighting for.
For Gio, the right woman is worth everything.
Available Now on Select Vendors
Save Me
A Singular Obsession, Book 4.5,
Available Now
He left to save himself, but ended up losing her…
Two years ago Eric Tam left Las Vegas, his career in shambles. Now he’s rebuilt his life, but it’s conditional on one thing—he can’t go back. Until he gets the one phone call that changes everything. His former lover, the one he still dreams about, is in trouble with their mutual boss.
It’s been years since Andie saw her first love, Eric. And she definitely doesn’t want to see him now, not when her life is a complete mess. But unlike Eric once did, her problems aren’t going away. She’s trusted the wrong people. Soon it becomes clear it’s not just her job on the line. It’s her life…
Available Now on Select Vendors
Take Me
A Singular Obsession Prequel Novella
Available Now
FBI agent Jason White has found his dream girl in Maggie Tyler. The only problem…she may be a criminal.
How to land the girl of your dreams:
Step One: Spill hot coffee all over her.
Step Two: Accidentally touch her inappropriately while trying to clean the coffee.
Step Three: Convince her to go out with you anyway.
Step Four: Woo her with ice skating and vintage Street Fighter games.
Step Five: Drag her downtown and accuse her of breaking the law.
*For instruction on how to lose the girl of your dreams see step five above.
Take Me is a standalone prequel novella in the Singular Obsession series. It takes place before the events of Calen’s Captive, A Singular Obsession Book Two, but can be read at any point in the series.
Available Now on Select Vendors
Trick’s Trap
A Singular Obsession, Book Five
A Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist
She's a gamble he's willing to take.
When world-class poker player Patrick Tyler meets his match, Tahlia, in an underground game, he's immediately drawn to her swift talent and striking beauty. But it’s not long after their meeting that she mysteriously disappears. With nothing but a bloody crime scene as a clue to her whereabouts, she’s presumed dead.
Or so he thought...
A chance encounter changes everything.
Alone, afraid, and homeless, Tahlia needs Patrick now more than ever. Feeling compelled to help, he throws her a much-needed lifeline--a lady's choice card game. When Tahlia’s family finds out Patrick’s plans, they will stop at nothing to get their hands on her. Will Tahlia be able to protect him from her family or will this game of high stakes end in the most devastating loss?
Available Now on Select Vendors
Cursed
A Spellbound Regency Novel
Isobel Sterling is a governess with a lot of secrets—including an uncanny ability she's been hiding her whole life. Until the day arrives when she has to use it to save herself from a madman. But first she has to master it. Fast.
Governess Isobel Sterling feels fortunate to have found a safe haven in the Montgomery household. The children are kind and The Lord and Lady of the house leave her alone. Her life is as good as it can get, until the day mysterious visitors arrive from abroad.
At first Isobel is flattered by the single-minded attention she receives from their handsome young guest, Matteo Garibaldi. At least she is until girls in the village begin to disappear. Isobel has a terrible suspicion that the disappearances are linked to the darkness she can see growing behind Matteo's eyes. Filled with dread she does everything possible to avoid his company—until she is locked in with him for the night.
Available Now on All Vendors
Black Widow
A Spellbound Regency Novel, Book Two
A Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner
Water: The Elementals Book Three Page 28