Would he say yes?

Title:  Hunted

Series:  The Guardian Legacy [Book 3]

Length:  358 Pages

Genre:  YA Fantasy

TEASER

Frowning, I studied him. Would he say yes? Just because women did the asking didn’t necessarily mean men said yes. I’d never attended a pactus, the mating ceremony performed in the temple of Goddess Xenia in Xenith—the Guardians’ homeland. Nephlings weren’t allowed in Xenith, and since my grandmother was human, that meant Bran and I would not be mated there.

Not liking the direction of my thoughts, I glanced at Kim, who was sipping her slushy. “Thanks, Kim.”

She cocked her right brow. “For what?”

“Talking to me about Bran.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t say anything you don’t already know.”

“True.” We exchanged a smile. “But I’m happy you did anyway.”

She shrugged again.

“Well, I’m going to read in the cabana for a while.” I nodded toward the one set aside just for us Cardinals.

“Remember, we’re leaving in one hour,” she reminded me.

“I know.” I reached for the book in my tote bag, my hand brushing against the strap of my dagger’s belt. Even on vacation, we carried weapons just in case demons attacked. Not that they would dare come after us on The Island.

A shadow fell over me, the silhouette of the wings reaching Kim. Squinting, I looked up at Bran and fought a blush when he studied me with twinkling emerald eyes.

Water droplets glistened like diamonds on his tanned chest, the scar of the Guardian amulet light between his pecs. Funny, I once thought the scar marred the perfection of his golden skin. Now it was a reminder of how much he’d sacrificed to leave the demonic world and join us.

“Done showing off?” I asked, smiling.

“I hope you rot in Tartarus,”

Title:  Betrayed

Series:  The Guardian Legacy [Book 2]

Length:  343 Pages

Genre:  YA Fantasy

TEASER

Five of Valafar’s men, dressed all in black except for the gleaming ruby stones on the pins holding their cloaks and on their belt buckles, entered the room. Behind them came Kenta; he carried a black leather bag with strange writings, clasps, and more rubies. It was the same bag Valafar had had, when I first retrieved the Kris Dagger from the cave on Coronis Isle.

“I told Valafar—if you want something done right, you do it yourself,” Solange bragged. She gestured to Kenta. “Remove their weapons.”

“Traitor,” I snarled at Kenta.

He winced, but emptied my pockets, then moved to my boots. As our former trainer, he knew everything—where we hid weapons, our weaknesses and strengths, our favorite weapons. He touched the knife I hid inside a pouch in my right boot, but didn’t remove it.

Our gazes met – his apologetic, mine probably puzzled. Maybe he was regretting his decision, now that he knew Valafar had used him and he wouldn’t be my trainer, after all, or this was his way of redeeming himself after his betrayal. He had trained me for months and knew me. He patted my boot, as though to tell me to use the dagger, then moved on.

Kim kicked him, but he caught her booted leg.

“Don’t judge me, Kim,” he snarled.

“Don’t tell me what to do, you evil backstabber,” she retorted.

“I hope you rot in Tartarus,” Izzy hissed.

“Enough!” Solange yelled. “Finish and give me the bag, Kenta. My father wants the weapons kept with the dagger in the vault. No chance in Tartarus any of you are getting your hands on them again,” she taunted. “Come, starting with you, Lilith.”

I ground my teeth and walked forward. The hated hollow feeling settled in my stomach, and my heartbeat went into overdrive. The cramp on my side wasn’t going away, either. Where were Dante and Kael?

Eye to eye with her, I paused. “I escaped before, and will again.”

“You got lucky,” she snarled, and shoved me out the door.

"It's like I never left"

Title: Grimnirs

Series: The Runes Series [Book 2.5]

Length: 286 Pages

Genre: YA Paranormal

TEASER

“Hey,” Raine said.

I wanted to ignore her again and even tried to leave, but her boyfriend blocked my path. I glared at him. Sighing, I turned and faced Raine. There was no point showing her how much she’d hurt me, and her whipped puppy look was getting tired. She’d never been good at hiding her emotions.

“Hi,” I said. “I like your hair.”

She blinked as though surprised. “Thanks. I know what you’ll say about this. I use a curling iron.”

I wasn’t ready to be that chummy with her. If she wanted to ruin her hair, I didn’t care.

“Uh, this is Torin St. James,” she said when she realized I wasn’t going to say anything else. “Torin, Cora Jemison, my best friend.”

Yeah, right. Some best friend.

Torin smiled and nodded, but he continued to watch me as though he expected me to, I don’t know, say something mean to Raine. What would he do?

I gave him a challenging glance and said, “I saw your pictures online.”

“It’s ridiculous how he always ends up on some girl’s page,” Raine said. “Alone. Shirtless.”

“Actually, the ones I saw were of the two of you,” I corrected.

“Oh.” She glanced at him and elbowed him when he grinned. She leaned against him and focused on me. “Uh, it’s nice to have you back, Cora.”

I shrugged. “It’s weird.”

She exchanged a look with Torin and frowned. “What do you mean?”

“It’s like I never left.” I waited for her to say something about my psych ward stay, or give me a clue about what she knew. I wasn’t sure what she’d told my mother a week ago or what Mom had told her. I hadn’t cared enough to ask.

An awkward silence followed.

“We stopped by your place on Friday after school,” Raine said. “I don’t know if your father told you.”

          

Original              Clean  

Teaser Tuesday | Hunted #TheGuardianLegacy

Title:  Hunted

Series:  The Guardian Legacy [Book 3]

Length:  358 Pages

Genre:  YA Fantasy

TEASER

Frowning, I studied him. Would he say yes? Just because women did the asking didn’t necessarily mean men said yes. I’d never attended a pactus, the mating ceremony performed in the temple of Goddess Xenia in Xenith—the Guardians’ homeland. Nephlings weren’t allowed in Xenith, and since my grandmother was human, that meant Bran and I would not be mated there.

Not liking the direction of my thoughts, I glanced at Kim, who was sipping her slushy. “Thanks, Kim.”

She cocked her right brow. “For what?”

“Talking to me about Bran.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t say anything you don’t already know.”

“True.” We exchanged a smile. “But I’m happy you did anyway.”

She shrugged again.

“Well, I’m going to read in the cabana for a while.” I nodded toward the one set aside just for us Cardinals.

“Remember, we’re leaving in one hour,” she reminded me.

“I know.” I reached for the book in my tote bag, my hand brushing against the strap of my dagger’s belt. Even on vacation, we carried weapons just in case demons attacked. Not that they would dare come after us on The Island.

A shadow fell over me, the silhouette of the wings reaching Kim. Squinting, I looked up at Bran and fought a blush when he studied me with twinkling emerald eyes.

Water droplets glistened like diamonds on his tanned chest, the scar of the Guardian amulet light between his pecs. Funny, I once thought the scar marred the perfection of his golden skin. Now it was a reminder of how much he’d sacrificed to leave the demonic world and join us.

“Done showing off?” I asked, smiling.

Teaser Tuesday | Runes [Runes Series: Book 1] Only $.99 on Amazon

Title:  Runes

Series:  Runes [Book 1]

Length:  243 Pages

Genre:  YA Paranormal

TEASER

Laughing, I headed downstairs. I reached the bottom and froze. Mom wasn’t alone. A familiar voice mingled with her softer voice, and my heart leaped. Torin.

As though aware of my presence, Torin looked up and stood. I swallowed, my senses soaking him as though I hadn’t seen him earlier. I walked toward them, my heart racing so hard I felt lightheaded....

“No, I need help. Kate wasn’t very outgoing, so we know next to nothing about her,” I said absentmindedly, my eyes not leaving Torin’s. I wanted to look away, but couldn’t. His eyes held me spellbound. He watched me as though every expression on my face was of utter importance to him. “I didn’t know you two had met,” I added, my voice breathless.

“Your mother and I met a few days ago,” he said, cocking his eyebrows. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Why should I?” My face grew warm, the conversation we’d had in the closet at school flashing in my head.

Teaser Tuesday | Grimnirs #RunesSeries

Title: Grimnirs

Series: The Runes Series [Book 2.5]

Length: 286 Pages

Genre: YA Paranormal

TEASER

“Hey,” Raine said.

I wanted to ignore her again and even tried to leave, but her boyfriend blocked my path. I glared at him. Sighing, I turned and faced Raine. There was no point showing her how much she’d hurt me, and her whipped puppy look was getting tired. She’d never been good at hiding her emotions.

“Hi,” I said. “I like your hair.”

She blinked as though surprised. “Thanks. I know what you’ll say about this. I use a curling iron.”

I wasn’t ready to be that chummy with her. If she wanted to ruin her hair, I didn’t care.

“Uh, this is Torin St. James,” she said when she realized I wasn’t going to say anything else. “Torin, Cora Jemison, my best friend.”

Yeah, right. Some best friend.

Torin smiled and nodded, but he continued to watch me as though he expected me to, I don’t know, say something mean to Raine. What would he do?

I gave him a challenging glance and said, “I saw your pictures online.”

“It’s ridiculous how he always ends up on some girl’s page,” Raine said. “Alone. Shirtless.”

“Actually, the ones I saw were of the two of you,” I corrected.

“Oh.” She glanced at him and elbowed him when he grinned. She leaned against him and focused on me. “Uh, it’s nice to have you back, Cora.”

I shrugged. “It’s weird.”

She exchanged a look with Torin and frowned. “What do you mean?”

“It’s like I never left.” I waited for her to say something about my psych ward stay, or give me a clue about what she knew. I wasn’t sure what she’d told my mother a week ago or what Mom had told her. I hadn’t cared enough to ask.

An awkward silence followed.

“We stopped by your place on Friday after school,” Raine said. “I don’t know if your father told you.”

Teaser Tuesday | Grimnirs #RunesSeries

Title:  Grimnirs

Series:  Runes Series [Book 2.5]

Length: 286 Pages

Genre:  YA Paranormal

TEASER

“We missed you last week, Ms. Jemison,” Mr. Pepperidge, my English teacher, said, handing me a paper. “Good job on that essay. See me after class.”

I glanced down at the paper. A+. The paper was typed, had my name at the top, and was submitted two weeks ago. More proof I’d been in two places at the same time. Maybe taking psych meds had been good for me because I hadn’t received an A in English since I started high school.

The class was finishing Scarlet Letter, so I was lost and bored. I waited for the students to leave the room then approached the teacher. My heart pounding, I was sure he was going to say I was a fraud. He handed me a copy of the book.

“Read it and choose two characters or events in the story and demonstrate how Hawthorne describes them from different points of view and how this affects your impression of them. It’s nothing big, just a short essay.”

“Thanks, Mr. P.” I put the book on top of my folder.

He smiled. “I think you should seriously consider taking AP English literature and composition next year. Your writing has improved tremendously in the last month.”

“Okay, I will,” I fibbed and hurried out of the classroom.

Every class after that was the same. I’d become an exemplary student. A genius. Even math, my most hated subject. I had aced every quiz, test, and homework assignment. The handwriting on handwritten tests was mine down to the way I wrote uppercase L so it looked like the English pound sign minus the short horizontal line.

Either Echo had been right all along and I never really left until last week, or my astral projection had attended classes while I was trapped behind PMI walls. I was going with the latter because there was no way that annoying reaper could have been my lover.

After what Kicker had told me, I was feeling a little charitable toward Raine, but I wasn’t ready to be pals yet. Twice, between classes, I saw her, and each time she smiled. I ignored her, or tried to. It wasn’t easy. We’d been friends since junior high and had shared so much.

I was putting my books away before heading to lunch when she and her boyfriend cornered me. He was more striking in person than in the pictures online and had amazing blue eyes, yet something in them reminded me of Echo. Maybe it was the alertness or the edginess pulsing from him.

Teaser Tuesday | Immortals #RunesSeries

Title:  Immortals

Series:  Runes [Book 2]

Length:  343 Pages

Genre:  YA Paranormal

TEASER

“Where are you going?” Ingrid asked when I started for the door.

“Home. Goodnight.”

“But you heard Andris.”

“I sure did, but that doesn’t mean I have to do as he says.” I reached for the doorknob.

She moved so fast she was by the door before I opened it. “You’re going to get me in trouble. When Torin gives an order, we follow it to the letter. You can watch TV or read something. I’ve plenty of books on my Kindle.”

“You know something? Torin is not my keeper or whatever, so I don’t have to listen or agree with everything he says.” Annoyance flashed in her eyes, and I felt bad for putting her on the spot. “Why don’t you come over to my place instead?” I heard myself say.

Ingrid’s brow rose. “What?”

“Come and hang out at my house. I have homework packets I’m still working on, but I can take a break. We can get to know each other.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Why would I want to do that?”

For one brief moment, something in her eyes reminded me of Maliina. She definitely hated me. Could she be the one vandalizing my locker? “I’m leaving. You can either follow me or stay here. That’s up to you. The invite is open.”

“Not interested. Oh, and Raine,” she added, stepping away from the door. “Just because you have everyone around here panting to turn you doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. You’re too emotional and juvenile to make a good Valkyrie. Maybe you should just do everyone a favor and tell them you’re not ready.”

Please, who did she think she was talking to?

She glared as though my face reflected my thoughts. “Don’t leave the cul-de-sac without telling me first.”

I waved and left. After her smug speech, I couldn’t wait to become an Immortal just to rub her nose in it.

Teaser Tuesday | Runes #RunesSeries

Title:  Runes

Series:  Runes [Book 1]

Length:  243 Pages

Genre:  YA Paranormal

TEASER

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“St. James is throwing a swim party tomorrow at his place and they,” he nodded toward the corner where Maliina and Ingrid were charming mostly guys, “are throwing one, too. They have a pool; he doesn’t.” Eirik grinned. “Can’t wait to see how this plays out.”

From the large group of girls surrounding Torin, Maliina and Ingrid didn’t have a chance of luring more students to their party. Guys tended to go where the girls were. Andris was still missing since the fight with Torin, so he’d be no help. Where had the silver-haired Immortal disappeared to anyway?

My eyes met Torin’s, and my stomach contracted. His expression was hard to read. I hadn’t spoken to him since the closet fiasco, and I felt like crap. It was as though a part of me was missing. As though someone had carved a hole inside my chest and every day it expanded.

He, on the hand, seemed to be enjoying himself with Jess. They were inseparable. He didn’t attend any of my other classes except math, but she always walked him to class. I had tried to keep from staring at them, especially during lunch, but like someone compelled, I always did. Each time, I’d find him staring at me. Part of me longed for him, wished I was with him, while another part knew it was better this way. I only hoped the pain would lessen with time.

I didn’t see him at home either anymore, except for the purr of his Harley as he came and went. Every time, I wondered whether he was going to Jess’ place or if he had been with her. At least he hadn’t taken her to his place. That would kill me.

As if dealing with the two of them that wasn’t bad enough, there was Maliina. Every time I turned around, she was watching me, waiting. Sometimes I wanted to yell at her to do her worst. Maybe then Torin would come to my rescue and my self-imposed exile would end.

Teaser Tuesday | Hunted #TheGuardianLegacy

Title:  Hunted

Series:  The Guardian Legacy [Book 3]

Length:  358 Pages

Genre:  YA Fantasy

TEASER

Frowning, I studied him. Would he say yes? Just because women did the asking didn’t necessarily mean men said yes. I’d never attended a pactus, the mating ceremony performed in the temple of Goddess Xenia in Xenith—the Guardians’ homeland. Nephlings weren’t allowed in Xenith, and since my grandmother was human, that meant Bran and I would not be mated there.

Not liking the direction of my thoughts, I glanced at Kim, who was sipping her slushy. “Thanks, Kim.”

She cocked her right brow. “For what?”

“Talking to me about Bran.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t say anything you don’t already know.”

“True.” We exchanged a smile. “But I’m happy you did anyway.”

She shrugged again.

“Well, I’m going to read in the cabana for a while.” I nodded toward the one set aside just for us Cardinals.

“Remember, we’re leaving in one hour,” she reminded me.

“I know.” I reached for the book in my tote bag, my hand brushing against the strap of my dagger’s belt. Even on vacation, we carried weapons just in case demons attacked. Not that they would dare come after us on The Island.

A shadow fell over me, the silhouette of the wings reaching Kim. Squinting, I looked up at Bran and fought a blush when he studied me with twinkling emerald eyes.

Water droplets glistened like diamonds on his tanned chest, the scar of the Guardian amulet light between his pecs. Funny, I once thought the scar marred the perfection of his golden skin. Now it was a reminder of how much he’d sacrificed to leave the demonic world and join us.

“Done showing off?” I asked, smiling.

Teaser Tuesday | Betrayed #TheGuardianLegacy

Title:  Betrayed

Series:  The Guardian Legacy [Book 2]

Length:  343 Pages

Genre:  YA Fantasy

TEASER

Five of Valafar’s men, dressed all in black except for the gleaming ruby stones on the pins holding their cloaks and on their belt buckles, entered the room. Behind them came Kenta; he carried a black leather bag with strange writings, clasps, and more rubies. It was the same bag Valafar had had, when I first retrieved the Kris Dagger from the cave on Coronis Isle.

“I told Valafar—if you want something done right, you do it yourself,” Solange bragged. She gestured to Kenta. “Remove their weapons.”

“Traitor,” I snarled at Kenta.

He winced, but emptied my pockets, then moved to my boots. As our former trainer, he knew everything—where we hid weapons, our weaknesses and strengths, our favorite weapons. He touched the knife I hid inside a pouch in my right boot, but didn’t remove it.

Our gazes met – his apologetic, mine probably puzzled. Maybe he was regretting his decision, now that he knew Valafar had used him and he wouldn’t be my trainer, after all, or this was his way of redeeming himself after his betrayal. He had trained me for months and knew me. He patted my boot, as though to tell me to use the dagger, then moved on.

Kim kicked him, but he caught her booted leg.

“Don’t judge me, Kim,” he snarled.

“Don’t tell me what to do, you evil backstabber,” she retorted.

“I hope you rot in Tartarus,” Izzy hissed.

“Enough!” Solange yelled. “Finish and give me the bag, Kenta. My father wants the weapons kept with the dagger in the vault. No chance in Tartarus any of you are getting your hands on them again,” she taunted. “Come, starting with you, Lilith.”

I ground my teeth and walked forward. The hated hollow feeling settled in my stomach, and my heartbeat went into overdrive. The cramp on my side wasn’t going away, either. Where were Dante and Kael?

Eye to eye with her, I paused. “I escaped before, and will again.”

“You got lucky,” she snarled, and shoved me out the door.

Teaser Tuesday | Awakened #TheGuardianLegacy

Title:  Awakened

Series:  The Guardian Legacy [Book1]

Length:  272 Pages

Genre:  YA Fantasy

TEASER

The door opened with a gentle whoosh to reveal a room with a round onyx table and numerous chairs around it presently occupied by the three Cardinals, a bunch of people I didn’t recognize but I assumed were members of the High Council, and of course, the trainees. The fluorescent lights in the ceiling illuminated their tense faces.

Janelle waved us over to two chairs by her side. We hurried over and sat.

“Did you see Ares and Moira, Bran?” Seth asked without delay.

“No, sir. Gavyn and I were being interrogated elsewhere.” Bran reached for my hand under the table and held it tight. “But I know the Cardinals are Valafar’s prisoners.”

My heart stopped. Silence, heavy and oppressive, hung in the air. Then everyone started talking at once.

“He plans to take them to Coronis Isle tonight,” Bran cut in, speaking louder to be heard.

“Where’s he keeping them?” Janelle asked.

“The Underground, a sub-ground facility at Bunker Hill in downtown L.A. It is owned by a dark lord,” Bran explained.

“We must rescue them now,” I said.

“Lil,” he warned.

I shook my head. “We must.”

“Of course,” Seth said snapped. “We now have Bran to take us to Coronis Isle, but it’s better to act now than later when they’re Coronis’ prisoners. Bran, start from the beginning, from when you left here. We want to know what happened, and don’t leave anything out.”

Bran frowned. “Sir, I don’t think we have time—”

“Then start talking. If we are to mount a successful operation, we must know everything.”

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Teaser Tuesday | Immortals #RunesSeries

Title:  Immortals

Series:  Runes [Book 2]

Length:  343 Pages

Genre:  YA Paranormal

TEASER

I studied the runes Torin had just sketched. Air filled the deflated tire, then the slashes sealed. I tried to catch his eyes, but he moved to the last tire. I followed, loving the fact that I could be this close to him. I wanted more. To touch him. Kiss him. Force him to look at me again. Really look.

I cleared my throat. “What runes are you using? Air-flow-into-the-tire runes or fix-a-flat runes?”

The corners of his lips lifted into a half-smile. “More like they’d-bloody-well-stay-inflated-forever-or-else runes.”

I laughed. His British accent became stronger when he was pissed. “Do I need to take the car to the shop after this?” I asked.

“Nah. This will hold until the treads wear thin and need changing. The next person who tries to slice your tires is in for a surprise.”

I frowned. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“Oh yeah.” He still didn’t glance at me.

Short of grabbing his head and yanking it toward me, I had to wait. I hated the way he was acting. The old Torin had openly sought me out and got a kick out of shocking me. “They’ve already labeled me a witch. A tire that can’t deflate will only confirm it.”

“I don’t care what they think,” he snarled. “Your safety is more important.”

At least his instinct to protect me was still there. “I can’t afford to think like that, Torin. I want all this,” I indicated the car with a brief wave, “to go away.”

“It will. Mortals don’t mess with what they fear. They’ll leave you alone for a while, which is not bad.”

“Spoken like a loner.”

He grinned. “True. You should also charge more for your psychic readings for those brave enough to ask. A thousand bucks perhaps?”

“Oh, you sneaky… You eavesdropped on me?”