Louisiana Moon (34 page)

Darin and V ventured off, whispering in each other’s ears. Shade and Sparky headed to the break room to chat, leaving Kris and Ryant alone.

“How do you feel, my love?”

“Happy. For once in a very long time, I’m happy.”

He smiled and kissed her with one of his toe-curling kisses, dominating her mouth. Ryant coaxed her to open for him, she accepted him, all of him and what he was.

As he broke the kiss, he winked. “I have a surprise for you.”

“You do?”

“We head to New York in the morning.”

Tears of joy sprang in her eyes. She batted them away. “Thank you, Ryant.”

“I can’t wait to show you your parents’ house. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be reuniting with my parents.”

“When did you talk to them?”

“During your absence I talked to the Thrones and they have forgiven my intrusion on the rules and have allowed me to keep the peace with the Truces. My parents were relieved. They never were against my coven, only conflicted with the rules they had to abide by. I don’t blame them. They also have accepted our union.”

“That’s nice.” She kissed his soft lips, feeling his fangs elongate. “Should we go to the bedroom?”

“Yes, but first someone wants to talk to you.”

“Who?”

“The head Throne.” He smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear.

She pursed her lips. “Uncle Fremont is here, now?”

“Yes. He arrived earlier this evening. Let’s go talk to him.”

They walked from the death ring into the main part of the coven. The ring didn’t seem as threatening to her anymore. It was a room after all, a cavern. Nothing more. He held her hand as they entered his office.

“Kris, my darling, are you all right?” Her uncle, the head Throne, came to her with open arms.

“Hello, Uncle Fremont. I’m fine.”

She wanted to cry when she looked him in the eyes. He was the spitting image of her father, with more gray hair. Why had she completely thrown her heritage away? Kris only wanted an escape, to leave it behind at the end of the world.

“I’m glad to hear that. You’ve been through a lot.”

“Yes, I have.” She had been through too much lately. Her normal life wouldn’t return soon enough. A knowing, a gut instinct, told her everything wasn’t over yet. Though, with Ryant by her side, she would get through anything.

“I heard you decided to join the Thrones. This pleases me.”

She bit her bottom lip. “About that. You’ve done such a wonderful job as the head Throne. I believe the seat needs to remain with you.”

Fremont lifted her chin. “No my dear, you are the princess of the wolves. The seat is yours.”

“I can’t take it.”

“You must.”

She shook her head, denying the fact. Ryant circled the inside of her wrist with the pad of his thumb. She couldn’t hold the seat or take it from Fremont. A thought occurred to her. “Are there any rules against sharing?”

Fremont stepped back. “Not that I’m aware of. I could train you. Guide you in the right direction. Share the gift of any shifter with you.”

“Any shifter?” She raised a brow.

“Yes. You will be able to shift into any animal at will. It’s a gift that gives unbelievable courage. It’s in the legacy book.”

“I think you should consider the offer, Kris.” Ryant lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.

She stared him in the eyes. He was right. “Okay, as long as you are at my side.”

“Always and forever.”

“Good.” Fremont clasped his hands together. “We have an unsettling matter to attend to. Your first mission starts tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? But we leave for New York.”

“Your trip will have to be postponed, I’m afraid. We have a disturbance in the Texas region.”

“Syth said he had an increase in problems.” Ryant stroked his chin.

“The queen knew both of you could handle the demons. That is why she has not been here. Murders are taking place, brutal murders, in the Dallas area. We leave tomorrow night to help find the predator that is not only killing Darkworld creatures, but humans as well.”

She’d take down any monster that killed defenseless people and creatures.

“Let me talk to Rita first. I have a proposition for her and a couple of things that need to be done. I will see you tomorrow, Uncle.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

He smiled lovingly at her.

Ryant and Kris left his office in search of Rita. They found the crew in the small break room.

“Rita, how would you like to work for me?”

The other woman stared at her. “Doing what?”

“Secretarial work, my assistant. I’m a bounty hunter.”

Rita’s eyes widened. “A bounty hunter? I’d like that.”

“Good, you’re hired.” Kris smiled. “Now, for your first assignment, I need you to run a couple of errands when you feel up to it.”

“Sure, Kris.”

She extended the bullet, palm up and a key. “I need you to place this bullet in one of the cases in the hallway at work. Inside my desk is the money from the Knight Lost Loves event. Could you deliver the money to the Red Cross for me?”

“I would be happy to.” Rita slipped the bullet and key out of Kris’s hand. “Where’s your office?”

From behind, Ryant handed Kris a pen and paper, and she wrote down the address. “Here you go.” She handed the paper to Rita.

“Thanks.”

Kris hugged Rita, then turned to Ryant. “Shall we?”

“We shall.”

They strolled down the hallway toward his bedroom with their arms around each other’s waists. As he opened the bedroom door, Ryant kissed Kris on the lips, then picked her up and carried her over the threshold.

He broke the kiss and purred, “Welcome to your home away from home.”

“I’m glad to be home.”

“Will you marry me?”

She grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.” She reached over his shoulder and shut the door.

Ryant laid her on the bed and kissed her passionately. The kiss held meaning. Their love would always hold strong and nothing would ever tear them apart.

In the far distance, the last known demon that’d fled the scene lurked in the back of her mind. Now vampires were no longer an issue, Soulscapes were and they would forever remain in her memory.

But as long as she had Ryant at her side, she was strong and the Soulscapes had better look out.

Lani Rae

Typically I write erotic romance, but I remember as a child how much I liked the creatures of the night. I’ve always wanted to write a novel with vampires. Ideas came, and I talked with a few friends. This was how Louisiana Moon was born. I’m currently working on the next book in the story. I do plan to bring characters from book one into book two so watch out for those recurring characters. We are having a lot of fun.

Lyrical Press books are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2013 Lani Rae

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

First Electronic Edition: March 2014

ISBN-13:
9781616505110