Twisted (Rogues Shifter Series Book 3) Read online

  I fell on the path and landed hard, sprawled out face down in the dirt, scraping up my hands pretty badly. My first thought was, what did I trip on? When I tried to get up, I realized that I couldn’t move at all and that's when I started to freak out. A pair of black leather boots appeared on the ground by my face and I smelled fae, a smell I'd become very familiar with in the last few months. I wasn't completely surprised when I was lifted up magically to kinda float before Lord Kennet, my legs and arms dangling uselessly.

  My stomach felt queasy when I saw his smirking face. “Young cheetah, do you have your phone?” He looked smug and relaxed, not showing that it took him any effort at all to hold me suspended in the air.

  “Fuck you.”

  The slap across my face really stung. He must have cut my lip, too, 'cause I tasted blood. “I asked, do you have your phone?” His voice was harsh, not the pretty way the fae usually sounded. I was scared. but I held on to my anger. No way was I helping him catch Jackie.

  I lifted my chin. “And I answered you, Kennet. Maybe you didn’t listen. I said, fuck you.”

  He smiled as he slapped me again in the same spot. This time I cried out from the pain. “Agree to call Jacqueline and I won’t hurt you again.” His eyes were sparkling with gold. I had a really bad feeling that he was getting off on the violence. Not good. My lip was bleeding worse and I could feel it swelling up.

  “No.” My voice shook.

  He looked me up and down. “I could search for it.” Reaching out, he took the bottom of my tank top in both of his hands and slowly began to rip the fabric, the tear moving upwards until my sports bra started to show. At this point I was trembling and disgusted that he was touching me. He made me feel dirty. I closed my eyes and turned my head away as much as I could manage. “I’m not going to help you hurt her.”

  He stopped what he was doing and turned my head back around so I'd have to look at him. “I’m not going to hurt her. I’m going to honor her by making her the lady of a fae lord.”

  I snorted and then laughed. I couldn’t help it. His ego was off the charts. I didn’t even see the fist coming at me. Then I heard my nose break. Blood was spurting everywhere and I was sobbing. The pain, oh god, it hurt.

  Still, I wouldn’t call her. This was my fault. “You can—can kill me but I’m not helping you.” I spat blood at his face.

  He wiped it off with a cloth he pulled from his sleeve. “You little bitch. If I decide to kill you it will be slow and very painful.” He was suddenly in my mind and I was watching Jackie and my mother and father burning from the silver chains around their necks, arms and legs. They were screaming and pleading with me to help them. I could smell the burning flesh melting from their bones. I heard myself screaming madly. He hit me again, this time in the ribs. There was a cracking noise. If I’d been able to move anything other than my head, I would've doubled over from the agony.

  “I’m starting to enjoy myself and I may not want to stop at all.” He grabbed my head roughly by my hair, tilting it up so I'd have to look at him. “Beg me to stop now, cheetah.” His eyes were a solid gold and he was grinning and breathing in my scent like some kind of crazy animal. I knew that I wouldn’t last long at this rate. His horrible vision continued to run through my mind, still torturing me. "I swear to you that I won't hurt her."

  I hated myself when I broke, only able to mumble between sobs, “I’ll call her. I’ll call her. Just please, please stop it.” The vision disappeared, but to my horror, he reached out to stroke my face. I wanted to puke.

  “Of course you will, and this is what you will say. Tell her to go somewhere in the house where she will have complete privacy, where no one will overhear your conversation. Say that you have to tell her something very important but you don’t want anyone else to hear. If you say anything else to her, you will regret it.”

  He allowed me the use of my hands so I pulled out my phone and did what he said. I was shaking and nauseous and my face was so swollen that I sounded strange when I spoke. Jackie said she’d call me back in two minutes so I hung up.

  “Give me the phone.” He held out his hand and I handed it over, despising myself for being so freakin' weak. He smiled and grabbed my nose, giving it a yank which made me scream out loud. “Now it will heal correctly. You should thank me.”

  Instead I moaned and panted and cried and felt like the world's stupidest person for leaving Maya's house alone. Jackie would never forgive me and Garrett would probably kill me if she got hurt. I'd deserve it, too.

  Kennet's eyes were glowing with gold and he was totally getting off watching me bleed and cry. The phone rang and he put his face right next to mine and whispered. “You will speak only when I tell you to, or I will kill you.” To emphasize his point he pushed on my broken rib with his hand, making me groan again.

  He answered the phone. “I have your lovely young sister. Bridgett, say something to Jacqueline.”

  “I’m sorry.” I croaked into the phone. It was all I could think of to say. He laughed at me.

  “Bridgett are you alright?”

  “Don’t come.” I saw his fist a second before it hit my temple and I blacked out.

  Chapter Four

  Garrett: 12:30 AM Wednesday

  I released her from the glamour and stood, moving to sit in the chair across from her so I wouldn’t appear so intimidating. She’d surprised me. She was stupid to have gone out against my orders but she’d shown great courage in her encounter with Kennet. Her face was a swollen mess. Her nose and lip were still bleeding and I could tell that the broken rib was causing her pain when she breathed. She needed something to help her natural healing kick in. “Sinc, could you ask William to come upstairs? Sasha and Heinrich are still out, but William should be in the basement.”

  “You won’t hurt her? Jackie would never forgive you.” Sinc glared at me defiantly.

  I watched the tears streaming down Bridgett’s face. “She’s safe here with us.” Sinc looked at me curiously and then left.

  Rolling my shoulders, I shook off the tension and spoke to Bridgett in a calm voice. “Thank you for trying to keep Kennet from taking her. You were brave. I apologize if I frightened you.”

  Her stunned expression made me smile. Her speech was mumbled because of the swelling, but she did her best.“Myfaul hehaser. You shuhkill me.” I was sure that many of her tears were for Jackie.

  “It isn’t your fault. It was stupid of you to leave Maya’s house, but Kennet is the one responsible. You’ll stay with us until Kennet is taken care of. You’re safer here. There’s another bedroom on the third floor next to Kyle’s. Maya can bring over your things later.”

  She looked at me gratefully with Jackie’s emerald eyes and I had to turn away and try to swallow down my pain. I heard a noise by the door as Sinc returned, followed by William. I told them what I had in mind. “William, this is Bridgett Brownlow, Jackie’s sister. Bridgett this is William Carlyle. He’s one of my nest. William, did you feed tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’d like you to give Bridgett some blood. I won’t force you to do it, but you can see her wounds aren’t healing well and I’d appreciate it if you could help her.“

  I watched them look at each other, sizing the other one up. “Yes of course, Garrett.” William answered.

  I turned to Bridgett. “It will help you heal faster.”

  “K, I guesh.” She looked a little embarrassed, like I’d asked her to kiss him. As William sat on the couch next to her I flashed on when I’d first given Jackie blood. She’d been seriously injured and probably wouldn’t have survived without it. It created a bond: a protective link. I smiled thinking that a connection like that might be something good for them both.

  I sent to Will, "I'm trusting you with her. My rogue team is downstairs. Sash and Rick will be called back and should arrive in a few minutes. You will be gentle with her." Will nodded. “No more than one minute,” I said out loud. Bridgett turned to William looking curious. William w
ould have blushed if he could have. “When you finish, I want both of you downstairs. You’ll need to eat something, Bridgett. We’re having a meeting, and you're a part of this now. I’ll be back in twenty minutes. I’m calling back Sasha and Heinrich.

  I took the stairs two at a time as I raced to find Liam. He was waiting for me by the front door with Samson’s leash in his hands. Samson was restless: pacing, growling and whimpering in turn.

  “My thoughts exactly. Have you contacted your father and brother?”

  “Our full resources are at your disposal. I’m glad to see that you’re back with us.” He smiled.

  “I’ll have plenty of time to fall apart after I get her back. Thank you.”

  “You’ve done the same for me. I’ll take Samson and we'll search together for Jackie. My father is coming to your meeting tonight. He has a suggestion or two.”

  “He honors me.”

  “You are his ally and his friend. Now go and feed before you pass out.” Liam turned and left and I followed him out the door. I watched as he disappeared into the woods then walked in the opposite direction. When I reached the grassy area behind the house I switched into vamp speed. One minute later, I was standing in front of a small ranch-style house which sat back from a narrow one way lane. I rang the doorbell and Carol answered the door.

  She smiled when she saw me. “Hello Garrett. I didn’t expect you.”

  “I’m very sorry, Carol, but I need your help tonight.”

  “It’s fine. My mom is here and she can watch the kids. You’re always welcome. Come in.”

  Carol’s husband had passed away in a car accident five years ago leaving her with two young children, an elderly human mother and no health insurance. I paid for her families’ insurance and she allowed me to feed from her once every ten days or so. I had five donors with whom I had similar arrangements. I didn’t need to take blood from any of them because they were all shifters and I could drain energy simply by touching them. They experienced no pain and quickly fell asleep in my arms. On other nights, I would feed from Jackie, usually exchanging blood when we made love.

  Feeding every night was the ideal, but I could last a long time without feeding at all. It just wasn’t very pleasant.

  “Hello Mrs. Johansson.” I greeted her mother.

  “Hello Garrett. How is your lovely Jackie?” Carol and her mom had been at the bonding party one month ago.

  “I’m afraid she’s in trouble.” I didn’t want to go into too much detail. "I’m not going to be able to keep to a regular schedule anymore. I’m leaving soon and I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

  “Garrett, you let us know where you’re going to be and I’ll get you some volunteers in that area. Don’t worry about anything. You’ve risked your life for us and it’s the least we can do. We’re so grateful for what you’ve done for Carol and the children. I’ll set it all up. Just tell me where you’ll be.

  “I’ll call you when I know.”

  “Perfect.”

  I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek then followed Carol into her bedroom.

  “I think my mom has a huge crush on you.” She laughed as she sat on the bed pulling me down to sit next to her.

  “She reminds me of my mom, which is a huge compliment by the way.” I laughed.

  I took her face in my hands and it only took a few seconds for her to fall into the trance. I leaned her head against my chest, wrapped my arms around her, then tapped into the lines. As I drained her of energy, I could feel my strength returning and my mind grow clear. Shifter energy suited me the best because I'd been born a cheetah shifter myself and could still shift form to hunt with my mate. Visions of Jackie and me hunting made my shoulders sag and I blinked away a tear before I could shake it off. I had to stay strong until this ordeal ended.

  When my skin temperature returned to near human normal, I laid Carol down on the bed and kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Carol.” I whispered and left.

  Chapter Five

  Jackie: 2:00 AM Wednesday

  I’d fallen asleep again after eating the simple meal of soup and bread and then making up the bed. I’d chosen to eat, because I knew that I'd need all of my strength to fight against this dangerous male. There was really no choice as far as I could see. I'd fight him with every ounce of my strength and then trust Garrett and Liam to protect the others from harm. If I just allowed him to take me, to rape me, then I'd never forgive myself.

  Terrified didn't even begin to describe how I felt. I didn’t get off on pain and I knew that Kennet was capable of inflicting horrible injury with just a thought. My one hope was that he wouldn’t do too much damage because he knew that in order to birth a child I needed to be healthy. Of course, I didn’t have to be sane. What he could do to me mentally was what worried me the most.

  I’d walked every foot of the rooms and felt every inch of the walls to look for some kind of hidden doorway, but it appeared that the only way in and out was through magic. I tried over and over to access the lines, but couldn’t seem to get past the block that Kennet had erected. I tried to send out thoughts to Garrett and Liam and Lord Caelen, but without the magic, I doubted that anything could get through.

  There was nothing to do, so I covered myself with a blanket and fell asleep.

  I dreamt

  Liam was walking with Samson through the woods next to our house. He reached out to rest his slim hand on Samson’s head and suddenly they were travelling through the lines. I could feel and smell the magic like I was right there with them. I saw Liam’s expression change and he turned toward me. I tried to show him my room, which was all that I knew of where I was. I heard him say “we’ll find you” and then he was gone and I was waking up.

  I tried to cling to the magic that had filled my dream, hoping to store a little of it inside of me to use later if I could. A small warm spot pulsed in my chest for just a moment before it faded.

  I heard a sound and opened my eyes, then gasped when I saw a stranger standing by the table where my empty plate lay. He was about Ethan’s height, 5’10 or 11”, with an average build, and slightly wavy light brown hair. His skin was tanned and unblemished and his face was pleasant-looking, although it held a slightly bored expression at the moment. Although most of his features were neither handsome nor ugly, his eyes set him apart from any other creature I’d yet come in contact with. For three long heartbeats his bright orange irises took me in, then with a simple blink, turned an average brown.

  He held up a hand and said in a soft reassuring voice. “I won’t hurt you, healer. I’m only here to protect you.” He wore an outfit similar to Kennet's: breeches, boots, a loose shirt and a belt, yet there was something alien about him in a way unlike the fae. They were of the earth and the sun, even though they lived in Faerie. He was not of either world.

  “Are you my prison guard?” Although I was nervous, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He had a very distinct smell. Not exactly unpleasant, just unfamiliar. In fact I liked it better than Kennet’s bloody rodent smell. (That’s what I called his odor, since I had no better analogy.)

  The stranger looked at me with a deep curiosity, his ennui forgotten.

  “If you prefer that title, healer, you may use it.”

  “What’s your name?”

  His mouth turned up slightly at the corners. “I will not give you my true name, but you may call me Isaiah. You are Kennet’s Lady, I am told.”

  “No. I have a mate and we’re sealed. I’ll never belong to Kennet.”

  He smirked. “Dreams are good up to a point, my lady, then reality tends to bite you in the ass.” I’m sure surprise showed on my face because he grinned at me, orange eyes flashing, which was more than just a little scary. He picked up the empty plate and it disappeared.

  Okay, so I could play the name game too. Plus my curiosity was piqued. “So, Izzy, what exactly are you?” Anger flared in his eyes, but I plowed ahead, hoping to find out more about him. “If I call you Isaiah will you call me J
ackie and not healer or Kennet's lady?”

  He mulled it over for a moment. “I will agree to call you Jackie when we are alone, but in front of Lord Kennet you are ‘my Lady’. In return you must agree to call me Isaiah all the time. Do you accept?”

  Huh. This had the feel of a game, one that he excelled at. “I agree to call you Isaiah until I get away from Kennet and then I can call you Izzy if I want.”

  He smiled. “I agree, since it is unlikely that you will be leaving Kennet anytime soon.”

  Surprisingly, I found myself smiling back at him. “You don’t know me very well, Isaiah.”

  He tilted his head and sniffed the air, then walked over to the bed and extended his hand. “May I touch your hand, Jackie? I am curious about something. I swear I will not hurt you in any way.”

  I shrugged and reached out toward his hand, shocked by how warm it felt, as if he were feverish. His fingers were wide and his knuckles large. He wore a silver ring with elaborate etchings on his index finger. He closed his eyes and breathed in very deeply, then started to laugh.

  “I wonder if Kennet knows what he has caught with his magic.” As he released my hand, he took a few steps back and I noticed for the first time that he was barefoot.

  His attitude was beginning to interest me. “Will you sit down, Isaiah, and keep me company?” He hesitated then sat on top of the small table, rather than in a chair, crossing his legs like a pretzel.

  “What are you, Isaiah?” He didn’t answer. I scowled and tried another question.”How did you come to work for a snake like Kennet?” Still nothing. I was getting annoyed, so I snapped, "What made you laugh when you touched my hand?”

  “I have no good reason to give you any information.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “What would be a good reason?”

  “Information is valuable.” His plain brown eyes were staring at me intently, waiting to hear my response.