Nike
Two days after they’d put out the fire, the chief asked me to come to the station. I hammered and hawed, debating whether to go. After contemplating all the different scenarios this could mean, I said fuck it and decided there was only one way to find out for sure. Curiosity won out.
“Glad to see you’re all right, Nike.” He motioned me to the seat in front of his desk.
I sat. “Thanks, Chief.”
“Something has been on my mind and I’m wondering if you can help me figure it out.”
“What is it?”
“What did Maya mean when she said she couldn’t hold it back anymore?”
My alarms went off. Was Maya in trouble? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His gaze bored into mine, not pulling away. His sense for detecting bullshit was as sharp as ever. I’d have to warn Maya before she returned to work after her honeymoon. Someone must have overheard her, and it got back to the chief.
“That was quite a leap from the third floor,” he said.
I gulped. Coming here might have been a bad idea. “Yeah, well, you know. Adrenaline can bring out the strangest abilities in people under stress.”
He flashed an odd smile. “In over thirty years, I’ve never seen it come out quite that way.”
I resisted squirming. Changing the subject, I asked, “How do you think it started?”
“Suspected arson. Especially as one was set to the brush in an empty lot not long before.”
A distraction for the fire department during Maya’s wedding, making them thin resources.
He pinned his stare on me. “How did you do it?”
My mouth dropped open. I pointed at myself. “You think I set the fire?”
“No.” He gave a dismissive wave. “That’s under investigation. I asked you here because I saw how you reacted that day. It wasn’t natural. How did you leap like that? And while we’re at it, why did your boyfriend’s eyes glow red, and how did he catch three people from three stories up, as easy if they were sacks of flour?”
Whoa, whoa, whoa. How the hell was I supposed to explain any of it? “I don’t know what to say.”
“I have a hunch,” he said. “You left due to an unexplained emergency. Now, you don’t have to tell me anything, of course, and I don’t think you will. In fact, I don’t want to know all the details. All I know is something happened, and you changed.”
I tried to sink deeper into the chair to disappear, but the chair didn’t cooperate.
“For some reason, you believe you can’t do your job anymore,” he added. “What I saw yesterday contradicts that. You’re more than capable. I’d like to have you back. If you need—accommodations—we can figure something out.”
Holy freakin’ shit. He was offering me my job back? My senses thrummed with excitement. This might be what was missing in my life—a purpose. I’d have something that was my own. And a reason to live, well, in my new role as the undead.
But it wouldn’t be easy. I couldn’t work twenty-four-hour shifts, and only nights. And I wouldn’t age, which would pose another problem. I needed to discuss this with Michel. He knew about navigating the humans’ world as a vampire, while I was still a rookie. I couldn’t wait to go home—to our home—and tell him.
“Wow, that’s quite an offer,” I said to the chief. “Can I take some time to think it over?”
Epilogue
Maya
Three days after our wedding, I told Tristan, “This honeymoon has to be the best surprise ever.”
We’d just had some evening delight in our oceanside hotel after a day of snorkeling and sunbathing. I climbed out of bed and put on a floral wrap. Why bother with underwear when we were on our honeymoon and would shed it again soon enough?
“I thought you might like it,” Tristan said. “Coconut mojitos on the lanai?”
“Ooh, yes.”
I stepped out onto our lanai and scanned the Hawaiian scenery. Waves crashed against the rocky shore. As the sun set, it cast a brilliant fiery glow, presiding before us. Palm trees along the fringes swayed from the sea breeze. The scents of bright flowers I couldn’t identify from the gardens below swam around me like perfume. And the sound of tree frogs provided a calm backdrop.
Tristan came out and handed me a drink.
Damn, he spoiled me—and I loved it. The present he’d planned to share with me at our wedding was tickets for our honeymoon. He’d masterminded a quick change from Bermuda after I’d told him what my parents had said about Pelé. And when it came to honeymoon sex, he delivered.
We had a shitload to deal with back home with our burned house, but that could wait. The house could be rebuilt. All that mattered was that we were alive. Alive and in love. And we wanted to savor that precious gift. We’d only have one honeymoon, and for that moment, we had nowhere to rush to and nothing to take care of but each other.
“Thanks.” I took a sip of the cool fruity drink, a sensation that danced on my taste buds. “Delicious.” With a nod to the ocean, I added, “The location is perfect, too. Hawaii is kick-ass beautiful.”
He laughed. “That’s one way to put it.” With a more intense gaze, he said, “You know there’s another reason why I brought you here.”
I pursed my lips. Right. With my newly discovered connection to Pelé and the identity crisis that followed, I had a good guess.
“To learn more about my roots and if that story is even real.”
“Sure. Why not?”
Our house wouldn’t be habitable for quite some time. With Tristan’s real estate holdings, it wouldn’t be an issue to find a place to stay. But, still, why rush back to that when we were in paradise?
It didn’t take a genius to figure out who was behind the arson on our home on our wedding day. That extent of planning required intense hatred and a drive for vengeance. With “Roderick and Madeleine”—the couple I’d testified against—serving time, and with the two of them being mighty pissed about the fire in their house, it didn’t take detectives long to track the arsonist to them. They’d likely upped their prison stay by quite a few years.
The next day, Tristan and I explored near the volcanoes. The terrain was unlike anything I’d even seen; lava had shaped the land and left its mark with gray-to-black rocks all over the terrain. After a rich seafood dinner, we walked out of the restaurant and witnessed the lava glow in the night sky.
I couldn’t stop staring at the bright red glow. “It looks like the sky is on fire.”
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Tristan said.
I would have liked to explore closer to the volcanoes, but the park was closed. An active fissure flowed, causing devastation as it swept over homes and into the ocean. Was Pelé angered about something?
Taking a deep breath, I inhaled our surroundings through my senses. Something about Hawaii seemed magical. Although I’d never been here before—at least, not since I was a baby—I felt connected to it. Perhaps I was simply reading into it, but maybe not. Yet, something about this place soothed the roughest edges of that anxiety that had recently raked through me like Freddy Krueger’s claws.
“Are you all right?” Tristan asked.
“Never better,” I replied.
“Good. I debated the risk of bringing you here. It could have upset you.”
I shrugged. That could have happened, for sure. “No, I feel quite content. Something about being here brings me comfort.”
“Part of Hawaii’s charm for many visitors, I’m sure.” Tristan winked. “But, for you, it might be your roots.”
“It could be.” I exhaled with a sigh. “Perhaps I’ll never know.”
“Are you okay with that?”
I breathed in the rich, earthy scent of the lush rainforest. “Yes, I am. A tragedy on your wedding day definitely makes you question what’s important.”
“It does indeed.”
It made me think about my recent anxieties. I’d decided to abandon the idea of testing my DNA. It could provide
some answers, but also more questions as well. I was satisfied with what I knew for now. The possibility of being a descendant of a goddess was a better explanation than any of the possible cursed scenarios I’d contemplated over the years.
“I have everything I need—everyone I need.” I leaned up to kiss him. “Most of all, I have you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Tristan pulled me closer for a deeper kiss.
My phone pinged. It was a text from Nike.
Hope you’re having a wonderful honeymoon. I have some good news and I can’t wait to share it with you. We’ll be working together again soon. :D
I smiled. It was even better with my best friend back. Everything I needed.
Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed revisiting Nike, Michel, Maya, and Tristan in COMBUST. Nike has been caught between two worlds since the beginning of the series and I’m glad she’s finally joined the one with Michel. I couldn’t resist tying Nike’s journey into the planning of Maya and Tristan’s wedding with the contrast between darkness to light. I’ve been looking forward to writing about their wedding since FIRE, when Tristan was such a tormented soul surrounded by darkness, until he saw Maya bathed in light. Their wedding didn’t go as they’d planned, but still, they ended up happy on their honeymoon together. Love conquers all. :D
If you could take a moment and leave a review, I’d appreciate it.
Book eight is next, ENFLAME, which will tie in to the BAD Alpha Dads series. The gargoyle brothers will be back! I’m so excited. If you haven’t read HEAT, featuring Danton and Tracy’s romance, I suggest you read that first. :D
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Lisa
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Acknowledgments
I am ever so grateful to everyone who helps make each book possible. A big thank you to my fellow authors, critique partners, editors, beta readers, ARC readers, Street Team, and you, the reader! Thank you for spending time with me in these worlds with characters I love.
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves stories with dark, brooding heroes and independent heroines. For much of her professional career, she’s written non-fiction — but she’s discovered writing romance is the most fun. Her romances have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and the Romance Reviews.
When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries. She served in the Marines in Okinawa, Japan, backpacked alone through Europe, and lived in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. She’s now married to a fantastic man, and they have two kids, two cats, and too many fish.
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Also by Lisa Carlisle
Underground Encounters Series
Smolder
A novella that starts the series
I’m a firefighter. He’s a vampire.
What happens when fire meets ice?
We all lead double lives in a way. Only the most trusted are allowed into our private space. When my reality and fantasy worlds collide one night, I end up in danger.
I never thought a gym crush could be deadly…
All I wanted was an escape from reality. Being a firefighter can be stressful and I unwind at an underground goth club. I can forget about being on call for danger, and just be Nike, a woman who likes to lose herself in music and dance. But when I spot the guy I fantasized about at the rock climbing gym, he discovers my secret.
Michel has a darker one and a connection to a world I never knew existed. My life is threatened and I have to choose whether to go with Michel. How do I find a way out of this nightmare that doesn’t end with me getting burned—or worse, sucked dry by a vampire?
Smolder is a novella that starts the Underground Encounters series, set in a club that attracts supernatural creatures. Step into Vamps and discover a thrilling new world of steamy paranormal romance featuring sexy shifters, thirsty vampires, wicked witches, and gorgeous gargoyles.
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Fire
A Night Owl Reviews Top Pick!
“I don’t want to spoil the story but let me say this… you NEED to go and read this, NOW!” ~ 5 Candles from Satin Sheets Romance.
Maya Winters, a firefighter, heads out on Halloween to dance at her favorite club. A man with haunting eyes watches her from the back of the club. He’s just her type–a dark, brooding bad boy. She feels their connection, but thinks it’s merely physical attraction.
Despite being the new owner, Tristan Stone avoids people in the underground goth club due to his curse. But when he spots a woman dancing alone surrounded by an unusual glow, he must discover who she is and what gives her the radiating power.
While they work together to understand their connection, passion ignites, leading to danger. And the heat could send their world up in flames.
Fire is book 2 in the Underground Encounters series, set in a club that attracts supernatural creatures. Step into Vamps, a thrilling new world of steamy paranormal romance featuring sexy shifters, thirsty vampires, wicked witches, and gorgeous gargoyles.
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Ignite
A Night Owl Reviews and The Romance Reads Top Pick!
We all have secrets.
Some so closely guarded for the safety of ourselves—and others…
Lily won’t consider a permanent relationship. When she meets the singer of a rock band at an underground nightclub, she’s disarmed by his sensual voice and mischievous good looks. After an icy introduction, Lily warms up to Nico’s charms.
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Ignite is the third installment in the Underground Encounters series, set in a club that attracts supernatural creatures. Step into Vamps, a thrilling new world of steamy paranormal romance featuring sexy shifters, thirsty vampires, wicked witches, and gorgeous gargoyles.
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See the Underground Encounters series page for the full list!
When Darkness Whispers
The Romance Reviews Top Pick!
Some memories are better left forgotten...
Haunted by an unclear past, biologically enhanced Marine, Eva Montreaux, can't be distracted from her mission. With American servicemen being brutally murdered on the island of Okinawa, it's more than priority. It's critical. But when her investigation brings her face to face with Marcos Delacruz, it triggers memories. Ones she lost. Memories that somehow include him.
Marcos Delacruz has tried to forget the woman who left him with nothing but empty promises. Even now, three years later, Eva doesn't seem to express any guilt over breaking his heart. In truth, she seems to barely recognize him. This deployment has been challenging enough with too many restless spirits haunting the island. But when his own investigation forces him to cross paths with her once more, Marcos discovers there may be a deeper truth.
With the number of murders climbing rapidly and the rising need to track the murderer across the tropical island, Eva struggles to reclaim what she lost. But the island holds darker elements--a serial killer. One that doesn't appear to be human.
Thrust into a world she can't escape, Eva must discover a way to stop a murderer from destroying anyone else's future, but how can she succeed if she can't even remember what role Marcos played in her past?
When Darkness Whispers is full of paranormal romantic suspense you won't want to put down! Go undercover with a supernatural team into a world of vampires, gargoyles, shifters, demons, and ghosts. If you like haunting mystery, spine-tingling suspense, and Japanese mythology, you'll love When Darkness Whispers!
"Wow If I could give this story more than 5 stars I would... Suspense, Mystery, and Thrills all in one book." ~ Book Nook Nuts
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Meet your perfect match this Saturday night—or your perfect match for the night.
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Roman, a gargoyle shifter and commander of the Stone Sentries, patrols from the rooftop of a club on the night of the eclipse. The Supermoon bodes danger and he puts all his sentries on watch. When a blast of dark magic soars past him, he searches for its origin and fixes on a brunette. Something about her is different, demanding all senses be on high alert. Is she dangerous? Or is she in danger?
Combust: a vampire and firefighter paranormal romance (Underground Encounters Book 7) Page 9