Their Mating Rituals [Paranormal Protection Unit 4] (Siren Publishing Classic)
Read Their Mating Rituals [Paranormal Protection Unit 4] (Siren Publishing Classic) Online
Authors: Honor James
Paranormal Protection Unit 4
Their Mating Rituals
While Aiden Fairbanks was willing to try anything once, being kidnapped, drugged, beaten, and held against his will wasn't one of his choices. Captors unknown, location unknown, and probability slim to none, his options are severely limited. Until she comes to him, to soothe and confuse him all the more.
As a doctor Talina Marshall thought she'd seen it all, or at least most of it, but when she becomes an unwilling accomplice to Aiden's torment she realizes just how naïve she'd been. Determined to keep him as safe as she can, Talina puts herself between him and harm's way time and again, anything to keep the gentle giant safe.
But just when she thought life couldn't get any more dangerous or bizarre, Aiden pulls her into his world and opens her eyes to all that is really out there. Now all he has to do is convince her to stay and love him and let him show her his in return.
Genre:
Contemporary, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length:
61,647 words
Paranormal Protection Unit 4
Honor James
EROTIC ROMANCE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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IMPRINT: Erotic Romance
THEIR MATING RITUALS
Copyright © 2013 by Honor James
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-429-0
First E-book Publication: March 2013
Cover design by Viola Estrella
All cover art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
If you have purchased this copy of
Their Mating Rituals
by Honor James from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.
Regarding E-book Piracy
This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.
The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.
This is Honor James’s livelihood.
It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. James’s right to earn a living from her work.
Amanda Hilton, Publisher
To my editor, thank you for keeping me on track and smacking my fingers when it was needed—again! Without you this would have been a very different book.
To my readers, without you I’d have no reason to keep doing this, so thank you and I hope you enjoy this book as much as the others.
And last, to my muse, wherever you are—get back home. You’re way past your curfew, missy!
THEIR MATING RITUALS
Paranormal Protection Unit 4
HONOR JAMES
Copyright © 2013
The music was what was getting to him. He knew it was opera, knew it wasn’t English but beyond that…not a clue. It was so far away and yet so bloody loud. He had no idea what was wrong with him, well, besides a terrible thirst, a pounding headache, only about half his normal vision, and he was pretty sure, a few broken bones.
His body felt heavy, sluggish, nothing responding when he wanted it to. Blinking with even just one eye was an enormous task for him. Breathing was a serious chore. His arms…well, his arms appeared to be completely numb except for an intense burn in his shoulders. But since he couldn’t see worth a damn and lifting his head was out of the question, he didn’t know what the situation was.
Trying to remember his last coherent thought, he rubbed his grainy tongue to his cracked and peeling lips. Yeah that helped—not. He remembered talking to Allister, his twin, about a few things, mindless things. Razzing him a bit about his woman, general smack talk, and discussion about their mother’s impending visit. Shuddering at that reminder he could have done without, he heard a low keening sound of pain and, after too long, realized it came from him. But how had he gotten from his brother’s office to…wherever he was?
* * * *
Several days ago
“Seriously, bro, you are whipped,” Aiden teased with a big grin, dodging the piece of popcorn thrown at his head. Chuckling softly, he picked it up and tossed it onto the ottoman before them. “Not that it’s a bad thing. I like Jackie. She’s good for you, bro.”
“You just like the fact she will run around like an idiot with you doing paintball,” Allister muttered.
“Uh, yeah.” Aiden grinned at him. “Dude, she shoots better than most of us can. That girl has serious fucking mad skills packed in that petite little package. Damn broke my heart when she told me she was a one of a kind.”
“And mine.” His brother was seriously possessive of his bond-mate, not that he blamed the guy in the least.
“She’s my paintball buddy, nothing more. Well, beyond the video games I mean.” He grinned and took some more of the popcorn. “Speaking of which, we were supposed to go and destroy some bad guys tonight. She still on for it?”
“As far as I know. You playing at my place or yours?” Not that it made a huge difference. They lived across the street from one another.
“She wanted to do it at your place. Apparently I’m too much of a bachelor. She bitched me out the last time she was over because my selection of appetizers was seriously lacking.” Aiden had a confused look on his face. “What is wrong with hot wings, pretzels, and chips and dip?”
“Nothing if it’s the Super Bowl party of the year,” Allister said with a grin. “But she doesn’t consider them appropriate for when she’s visiting family.”
“Unless it’s the Super Bowl, right,” he grumbled. “Do you know she had the audacity to try and clean my kitchen? Seriously, you need to have words with your female about taking such liberties.”
“She’s your in-law technically. She gets to take whatever liberties she wants,” Allister said.
He didn’t get to make a smart-ass comeback since the woman in question, or rather under discussion, came in looking annoyed. Thankfully she pinned Allister with the look, so Aiden, being the best brother in the world, abandoned him to her wrath. Waving to his brother, he bailed out and shut the door to protect all those on base. Even if she was actually annoyed they’d end up burning out retinas and the brain bleach market would skyrocket again as all needed to burn that image clear. No one needed to see Allister’s pasty white ass.
From there he’d done some paperwork, headed out for dinner with a couple of guys off another of the Teams. They grabbed pizza, watched a game, and had a few beers. Then they’d all left as a group to head over to a rocking new club.
The place was going crazy, the music was top of the line, the DJ had his finger on the pulse of the clubbers, and the drinks were on the house thanks to connections they had. What more could one ask for?
After that…
* * * *
Aiden frowned, or tried to. He couldn’t remember much after getting to the club. He’d had a couple drinks, chatted with one of the bartenders, flirted with a couple of the waitresses, and even danced with a couple of hot babes. But he couldn’t remember leaving or anything after until…
He’d woken at some point, his mind buzzing and his muscles heavy and aching. A drug of some sort, something that kept him languid and loose. Or it had until the beat down had started. Then he’d tensed up as much as he could.
He remembered a punch to his face, actually several. There were shallow cuts to his arms, torso, and legs. Electrocution to his balls which had him cringing in memory. Whips, a caning, more fists, and he was sure he recalled a chair at one point. How long the torture had gone on he didn’t know, but he did know not a single question had been asked. Just hours after hours of beatings.
He didn’t know a location, a day, or even the bloody time. All he knew was he was in deep shit, and someone the kidnappers kept referring to as the “true King” was behind it. He didn’t know who this “true King” was, not his name or even his race. Hell, Aiden couldn’t recall pissing any Kings off besides Talon, who was the King of the Dragons and his King. The kidnappers had to be softening him up, preparing him for something yet to be revealed. It would have been nice to know more, especially about why he’d been targeted. He tried reaching out to his brother but couldn’t when a blinding pain shot through his head. Biting his lip to keep the sound trapped, he tasted blood. Either he’d split it again or bitten through the flesh. All he could hope was that Allister was looking for him.
* * * *
“I swear to the Gods, Skittles, if this is another false lead…” Allister cut off his words. He wouldn’t hurt the Warlock, but he definitely wanted to.
Rubbing his hand over his neck, Skittles looked at the frazzled Dragon, who looked about as tired as he felt. “I can only give you what I find. I know it’s been less than stellar and I’m truly sorry, but if they don’t move him or put their faces out there I can’t find them.”
“You’re doing your best, Skittles. We’re all feeling the pressure,” Bulldog said, putting a hand on Allister’s shoulder. “He’s our brother, too, Al. Try to remember we’re all doing our best.”
“I know you are,” he said, slumping into a chair to scrub his hands over his face. “But it’s been over a month.” Forty-two days, eight hours, and sixteen minutes, and counting. “I know he’s alive. I can still feel that connection, but not hearing him, or talking to him.” He shook his head and looked to Mac and Sully, the only others that would understand. Having the connection cut off but not severed was its own form of total agony.