by Mel Teshco
Liz pressed her top teeth into her bottom lip, her face flushing. “How do I know this isn’t some musty, useless old book you’ve gotten from your father’s extensive library?”
Blake’s muscles bunched, as though he was ready to coil and pounce. Alexia pressed a thigh against his, willing him to stay calm. “I think we both know that to lie wouldn’t be in either of our best interests. Like I said to you on the phone, I hand you the book—minus the two pages with the names of the shape-shifters and a map of the sacred site where my father found the bones—and you release Shad. Tonight.”
She didn’t need to remind the reporter about Blake’s hunting abilities. Didn’t need to reveal to Liz that shape-shifters weren’t allowed to kill humans.
Liz nodded. “I’ve always trusted my instincts, so I’m running with them now. You have yourself a deal.”
Neither Blake nor Alexia said a word as Liz took hold of the journal, hid it beneath her jacket and retreated the way she’d come. Only when the reporter was out of sight did Blake turn to her, clasp her face in his hands and kiss her with a tenderness that left her fighting back tears.
His face swam above hers when she said huskily, “I’m sorry you had to give up your journal…your history.”
He shook his head, his stare warm. “Don’t be sorry. If some ink on dry parchment can save one of my own, then so be it. Besides, I doubt Liz will ever find an expert capable of deciphering the journal’s writing.”
Alexia managed a smile. “I only hope she honors her promise to let Shad go.”
“My instincts tell me she’s in over her head and will do as she said and release him.” A growl rumbled in his throat. “Especially after the warning I gave her the other night at Club Shrine.”
Alexia nodded at the memory. “She’ll do anything to protect her own skin.” Just as Alexia would spend the rest of her life protecting Blake and his Illawatti tribe.
She smiled up at the man she loved with all her heart and stretched to brush her mouth against his.
“As long as we’re together, things will work out. I’m certain of it.”
About Mel Teshco
Mel Tescho lives in rural Australia with too many animals, too many children and not enough hours in the day to write!
Her loving husband is in training as a real–life hero and waits patiently to retire on the success of his wife’s writing.
Mel welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Mel Teshco
Alien Hunger 1: Galactic Burn
Alien Hunger 2: Galactic Inferno
Alien Hunger 3: Galactic Flame
Carnal Moon
Discovering Sofia
Enraptured
Kallie Revealed
Nightmix 1: Lusting the Enemy
Nightmix 2: Abducting the Princess
Nightmix 3: Seducing the Huntress
Moon Thrall
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 1 anthology
Winged and Dangerous 1: Stone-Cold Lover
Winged and Dangerous 2: Ice-Cold Lover
Winged and Dangerous 3: Red-Hot Lover
Print books by Mel Teshco
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 1 anthology
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Scratch
ISBN 9781419991165
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scratch Copyright © 2014 Mel Teshco
Edited by Elizabeth London
Cover design by Kelly A. Martin
Cover photography by Andreas Gradin, Andrey_Kuzmin
Electronic book publication June 2014
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