Vengeance Borne (43 page)

Micah leaned a hip against the exam table. “Don’t get too excited, Trish. There weren’t a lot of farms in Bellevue. My expertise is companion pets. You’re going to have to give me a few months before I can tackle anything farm related.”

As the resident “big boss” of the territory, Trish’s was the Sentry’s right hand for the area not to mention the most powerful empath Micah had ever met. Though he loved Trish and trusted her with his life, he also knew that she kept her fair share of secrets and she wasn’t planning on spilling any of them any time soon.

Trish said with a dismissive wave of her hand, “Pfft. I’m sure you’ll be in tiptop shape by the time spring rolls around. ‘Till then, there won’t be much need for a vet with livestock experience. You have time to study up.”

A comfortable silence descended and Micah felt her mood shift. He had a feeling this wasn’t a purely friendly visit. Trish took her role as Master Bearer very seriously and since Micah was still technically a squatter in her territory, he surmised the Sentry was ready to give him an ultimatum: fish or cut bait.

“My apprenticeship request has finally been approved.” Her tone was level, but Micah sensed the indignation Trish felt. “Oh, don’t get me wrong,” she said. “The Sentry does its good in the world, but the red tape drives me absolutely crazy. Anyway, as of the Solstice, you’ll be designated as my official apprentice and assigned temporary title of Bearer for this territory. I just thought you should know.”

Micah cocked a curious brow. Wasn’t it nice of Trish to let him know how she’d organized his life for him? “What about Finn?”

“Finn is in no condition to work right now. Healing should be the only thing on his mind.”

A few months back, Jacquelyn’s Bearer, and ex-boyfriend, Finn has fallen pretty to a sadistic asshole named Pete with unrequited love syndrome. Pete called up a trio of Furies to take vengeance on the people who’d made his life miserable and Finn suffered an attack that had nearly killed him. Micah managed to pull Finn back from the precipice of death, but he’d suffered injuries that even a Bearer as strong as Trish couldn’t heal. Supernatural wounds were tough that way, and though he and Trish had both helped get Finn on the road to recovery, he wasn’t one hundred percent yet.

“How’s the physical therapy going?”

“Finn’s a tough cookie. He’ll be back on his feet soon. Until then, he’s been put on restrictive duty.”

Trish had once told Micah that a Waerd’s soul called to a Bearer like a siren song, a bright sun that they couldn’t help but orbit. The fact that Micah couldn’t bring himself to leave McCall was a testament to that fact and he couldn’t help but wonder what effect the separation, the inability to be at her side, would have on Finn.

“He’s strong, dear.” Trish was more finely tuned to emotions than anyone Micah had ever met. She could interpret feelings into actual thought, a technique he was still trying to master. “And she hasn’t abandoned him. She’s been helping with the physical therapy, you know.”

He did know, and though Micah was trying not to be jealous over the fact that Jacquelyn was spending a lot of time with her ex, it stung just the same. “If I’m officially under the Sentry’s watch now, what happens to me when Finn’s ready to go back out in the field? Do they think they can just dig me up and transplant me wherever they want like they did Jacquelyn?” A little over five years ago, Jacquelyn had been removed from her assignment in Portland and moved to McCall. The Sentry wasn’t big on respecting the lives of their hunters and Micah wasn’t about to let them treat him like a piece of luggage. “Because that’s not going to happen, Trish.”

She gave him one of her enigmatic smiles. “Why don’t you let me worry about the politics, dear. In the meantime, can I persuade you to humor an old woman and join me for dinner tonight? We can discuss a training schedule that won’t interfere with the clinic.”

“Sorry, Trish, but I’m busy tonight. How about tomorrow?” Once he was done unloading a few boxes and putting in an ad with the department of labor, Micah planned to head home for a bit before he met up with Melia.

“Ah, that’s right, you’re seeing the Dryad tonight.” Nothing got past Trish, but Micah wasn’t about to ask her how she knew about his bargain with Melia. “Give her my regards when you see her.”

His brow furrowed. “You know her?”

Trish laughed as she headed for the door. “I haven’t always been so old. Spent a few evenings out in the field myself, you know. Be careful tonight, kiddo. I’ll see you for dinner tomorrow.”

Micah doubted he’d ever uncover all of Trish’s secrets and the smug sense of satisfaction she projected as she left told him she liked it that way. He turned on his iPod in its docking station and selected his 90s alternative playlist. Today called for a little disenfranchised angst. The clinic would be open soon, he was about to begin Bearer boot camp, and the period of peace he’d been promised was coming to an end. Jacquelyn’s warnings weren’t lost on him as he continued to organize the exam room. He sensed that her concerns weren’t too farfetched. Melia liked it here, and he worried that she wasn’t anxious to leave town.

His last date with a Dryad. Damn, could his life get any crazier?

Probably not a question he should ask.

Discover Amanda Bonilla

Shaede Assassin Series

Shaedes of Gray

When Shadows Call

Blood Before Sunrise

Lost to the Gray

Crave the Darkness

Sexy Shifter Series

The Sweetest Torture

The Sweetest Temptation

The Sweetest Mercy

The Sexy Shifter Box Set

Praise for Amanda Bonilla

SHAEDES OF GRAY (Shaede Assassins #1)

“It is always a pleasure to discover an excellent new author and series, and Bonilla qualifies on both counts. The debut of her Shaede Assassin series features a tough yet compelling heroine. Full of fascinating characters, high-stakes intrigue and fast-paced action, it’s a truly exhilarating adventure! Do not miss out!” –Romantic Times Book Reviews,
TOP PICK
4.5 Stars

“SHAEDES OF GRAY is edgy, full of great paranormal moments and unexpected events that add just the right amount of anticipation to keep you captivated. For urban fantasy fans, Amanda Bonilla has created an extraordinary debut novel, which is sure to keep you glued to the pages until the end, as well as leave you desperate for the next book in this exciting new series.” –
Romance Junkies Reviews
,
Blue Ribbon Rating: 5

“Truly transcendental as well as gritty…. an abundance of awesome action, as well as raw romance, all wrapped up in a fast-paced story that is fresh and unparalleled.
Shaedes of Gray
is going down as one of my favorite new series, and Darian as one of my new favorite heroines of 2011.” –
Pamela Webb-Elliott
,
Heroes and Heartbreakers

“In
Shaedes of Gray
, the main character is stoic and somewhat grouchy and I loved everything about her. Amanda Bonilla has created a brand new series that absolutely wowed me!” –
The Romance Readers Connection
,
4-1/2 Stars

“Let me tell you, within two pages (and no, I am not exaggerating) …. I just KNEW I had started reading a great book by a really talented author… you will no doubt find it on my
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Yummy Men Kick Ass Chicks

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want
NEED
this book.
Shaedes of Gray
is a first rate read from cover-to-cover! Amanda Bonilla breaks-out on the writing scene at full throttle. I loved the cover art, all 336 pages and the back blurb. In short for me,
Shades of Gray
was pure love. I will (impatiently) await
Blood Before Sunrise
‘s release next summer. You can’t go wrong in buying this novel for the Urban Fantasy enthusiast on your Christmas shopping list.” –
Rabid Reads
, 5 Paws

Shaedes of Gray
is full of compelling characters, exceptional world-building and a story that leaves you wanting more. The Shaede Assassin series is on my must buy list.” –
The Qwillery, 5 Quills

“…this noir and Machiavellian Urban Fantasy will have you clinging to the edge of your seat as you follow Darian through the shadows that is her life. A fast paced storyline that keeps you on your toes as Ms. Bonilla uses Darian’s history to unfold and set up this engaging and suspicious world…This entire book is an emotional roller coaster ride of twists and turns that will keep you riding the edge to the end. –
Tori
Smexy Books

BLOOD BEFORE SUNRISE (Shaede Assassins #2)

“If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy and you have not tried the Shaede Assassin books, you are really missing out!” –
Jen, Red Hot Books, 5 stars

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Under The Covers Book Blog,
4.5 stars

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” –
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5 stars

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Definitely a 5 star +!” –Paranormal Cravings,
5 stars

“All in all Blood Before Sunrise is a Great addition to a Great series and a book I recommend to all Urban Fantasy lovers. If you love this genre this book and this series are a Must Read for you.” –
The Bookaholic Cat, 5 stars

CRAVE THE DARKNESS (Shaede Assassins #3)

“
This third chapter in Bonilla’s thrilling, pull-no-punches series has old relationships and prior obligations colliding with a deadly force. The characters in her well-crafted world are complicated, dynamic and nuanced.” –
Romantic Times, 4 Stars

“Well-wrought action sequences and high-stakes suspense.”
Publishers Weekly

“
I think Amanda Bonilla has written with this new Urban Fantasy installment the best one of the series. The tension was heavy. I felt it like a brick in my stomach. Such a strong emotions to strong for me to stop reading! I think this is becoming one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series. Can't wait what Amanda will bring us next!” –
Paranormal Cravings, 5 Stars

“CRAVE THE DARKNESS is riveting and unexpected. The surprises just keep coming which makes this series absorbing and often times bone-chilling. Just when you think you have figured out what's happened in the past, another mind-bender is tossed into the mix! The unusual paranormal beings keep this series unpredictable. The twists and turns are relentless, keeping the reader wondering what could possibly happen next. … I don't know about craving the darkness after walking it with Darian, but I sure do crave the next book!”—
4.5 Blue Ribbons –Romance Junkies

About the Author

Amanda Bonilla lives in rural Idaho with her family. She's a part-time pet wrangler, a full-time sun worshipper, and only goes out into the cold when coerced. She loves the outdoors, black clothes, pink appliances, and thinks junk food should be a recognized food group.

She is the author of the Shaede Assassin urban fantasy romance series, which was nominated for Best Urban Fantasy Protagonist by Romantic Times, and the Sexy Shifter Ebook Series. Amanda also writes contemporary romantic suspense for Kensington under the pseudonym, Mandy Baxter.

Amanda first fell in love with urban fantasy and paranormal romance when she read MOON CALLED and hasn't once looked back. She's an avid reader and firmly believes that nothing is better than new book smell!

For more information on Amanda's books, including chapter previews, reviews and publication dates, go to:

http://www.amandabonilla.com/

http://magicandmayhemwriters.com

http://www.facebook.com/AmandaBonillaAuthor

https://twitter.com/amandabonilla

Mandy Baxter

http://www.mandy-baxter.com

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMandyBaxter

https://twitter.com/MandyJBaxter

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13