The Devil's Kiss - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,1

My Guardian gear had become almost second skin to me now. Normal clothes were fun and all, but day to day, I wouldn’t want to wear anything else. Before, I opened the door to join them, I snatched up my sword and scabbard that lay at the foot of the bed.

When I opened the bedroom door, Willow stood there. “Serves you right!” she said.“Always walking around naked like you do.”

“Hush you,” I snapped back, not wanting to hear the obvious.

Kyden had a big ass smile on that beautiful face as I stepped away from Willow. “That is a better way to greet our guests.” His tone was nothing short of royally amused.

“I’d say.” I strode toward Valor and gave him a hug. He tightened at first, then relaxed in my arms. Supes weren’t overly affectionate toward each other, but this guy saved my ass twice. He deserved hugs and lots of them.

“Are you well, Valor?” I asked, and took a seat beside Kyden on the beige couch, which sat near the stone wooden fireplace.

“Very well thank you, and you?”

“Great. The vacation was just what I needed. Have you ever been to the Phi Phi Islands?”

He shook his head. “No, can’t say I have. I do hear it is something of intense beauty.”

“Sure is. I saw it in a movie once and always wanted to go. It definitely lived up to my expectations.”

“I am glad to hear you took some time away. It was well deserved.”

The memory sent a little shudder through me as I remembered how close I came to death against Astoria, a Black Magic Witch, just a few short weeks ago. Her and a bunch of badass vampires were after my head after I killed their leader, Lazarus. Did I feel bad about it—hell no. They both got what they deserved.

But remembering that also brought Magnus’—the Lord of the Underworld and the one who sent Astoria after me—last words back into my mind, “I will not force you to come with me, but let me make this clear, you will be mine.”

Magnus wanted me to join his guard for my unique magical abilities as a Spirit Witch to shield magic. He thought I was powerful, maybe I was, but I declined the offer. Thankfully, I couldn’t be forced, but I had the sneaking suspicion that he hadn’t really taken no for an answer. Deep down, I knew I hadn’t seen the last of Magnus.

As my mind drifted through memories, it was hard not to feel a little winded. Just a year and a half ago, I was a simple gal living in Carson City, Nevada, working in a doctor’s office. Now, I’d been through two—or was it three—near-death experiences. Who was really keeping count?

I shook away the thoughts, refocused on the present. “Are you visiting the council?” I asked Valor, more than curious as to why he was sitting on my couch.

“No.” He replied with a grin. “I have actually come to see you.”

My curiosity grew. “Really?” I glanced at Kyden, who gave an unknowing shrug of his shoulders. I snapped my gaze back to Valor. “What’s up?”

Valor’s grin grew and a knowing look came across his face. “I am here to take you up on your offer.” I thought a moment, but after a short pause, I piped up. “Sorry, what offer was that?”

“Your offer to help me if I needed it,” he answered, his grin now replaced with a frown. “And right now I desperately do.”

“Oh, okay, anything—name it.” I’d give this tough wolf just about anything he wanted. I owed him my life, a couple times over.

“Last night, I was contacted by the Alpha in Minnesota,” he explained. “After a brutal attack on a young woman, it has since been learned, she has accepted the bite and transformed.”

“Accepted the bite?” I repeated with blatant confusion.

Valor’s face lifted in amusement. “Werewolves are either made by being born from other wolves or they can also be bitten and turned.”

“Really?” I suspected my brows were in my hairline by now. There was still a lot to this world that was unknown to me. “I didn’t know that.”

“You have probably never heard of it because it does not happen often. It is very rare that a human actually survives the bite. Even then, going through the change is extremely difficult.”

“Is she well now?” Kyden asked.

“She is,” Valor answered with a nod. “After the Alpha discovered her, I was contacted immediately. Being that this is such a rarity he was