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  Shifters and Demons – The Vane, Book 1

  ISBN 978-1-60592-224-9

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Shifters and Demons – The Vane, Book 1 Copyright H.C. Brown

  Cover Art by Fiona Jayde

  This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any existing means without written permission from the publisher. Contact Noble Romance Publishing, LLC at PO Box 467423, Atlanta, GA 31146.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The characters are products of the author's imagination and used fictitiously.

  Book Blurb

  This time, dear reader, I'm taking you 2000 years into the future. I'm introducing you to a new Pride of shape shifters with amazing, magical powers.

  The Lady sends Prince Dallin of the Vane and Stryker of Talynx back 3000 years to rescue a Spellweaver, Lailii of the Tark, from the Butcher of Unwyn's dungeon.

  Gentle but courageous Lailii believes she is safe with her two alpha-male shifters until they are pursued, back to the future, by demons and a mutant Army of Lost Souls.

  Will Dallin keep his promise to the goddess and ensure Lailii's safety, or will she become prey to the demon Lord Passio?

  Preface

  1100 After Arious

  Dragon's Gate

  "I will not allow the Butcher of Anwyn to capture my bride." Prince Darik gathered up the reins of his prancing horse and glared at Lailii. "Do something, Spellweaver."

  Lailii gathered her magyck about her and gazed intently at the cloud of dust surrounding the oncoming, mutant warriors. Heat shimmered across the desert sands, turning the approaching army into ethereal beings. She turned to her prince. "Yes, your majesty. Have no fear. I will ensure you have a safe journey to Mulway."

  "See that you do." The prince nodded curtly, turned his horse, and motioned to his small contingent of men to retreat.

  In the distance, the Butcher of Anwyn rode proudly before a battalion of the undead. With each second, the Army of Lost Souls moved closer. Even now, Lailii could see the red and yellow colors of the Butcher's standard. The ground trembled. Above, the sky darkened. Swirling sand had turned the twin, midday suns to blood red. A bad omen that heralded death and terror. Lailii's heart raced. Her magyck would hold the Butcher less than an hour. She took one last glance over her shoulder at the prince she had vowed to protect. He and his princess would be safe, but she would make the ultimate sacrifice.

  With a toss of her head, Lailii opened her arms. Goddess, give me strength. Magyck crackled in the air. Dark Light shot from her fingertips. The smoky streamers fell over the soldiers, snuffing out all sense of direction, sight, and sound. The Army of Lost Souls ground to a confused halt.

  As each long minute dragged by, Lailii knew the prince moved closer to the safe haven of Mulway. She bit her bottom lip and held her ground. With her nightscape, she gazed into the black void. The Butcher's men walked in circles or crawled in terror,

  mouths open in silent screams. Just a little longer and my prince will be out of harm's way. Her arms ached and her concentration waned. The constant flow of magyck drained her life force.

  Without warning, the dark light collapsed, and the roar of the Army of Lost Souls beat down on her. The beasts would kill her and feast on her remains. Praying the intense spell would take her life, she gazed into the twisted faces growing closer by the second. The desert folded in on her, and she collapsed over the neck of her horse.

  "You will not die today, Lailii of the Tark." The Butcher of Anwyn grabbed a handful Lailii's hair, dragged her from the horse, and threw her to the ground. "Lord Passio will grant me passage into the Underworld in exchange for you, Spellweaver." In terror, Lailii kicked out at the man. She gagged at the smell pouring from his putrid mouth. Mutants surrounded her, blocking escape. The Butcher moved closer. An extra eye protruded from his cheek, flitting from side to side. She lifted her face to the twin suns to absorb a fraction of their power. Just a little magyck would gain her an advantage. The Butcher reached out one gnarled finger. Lailii scrambled to her feet.

  "Take your hands off me. I belong to Prince Darik."

  "Oh, we are going to have so much fun with you. It will be some time before Lord Passio arrives." The Butcher pushed Lailii toward his men. "Hold her." Lailii screamed. Strong hands tore at her clothes. She fought to find the power for one small spell to use against the disgusting beasts. The Butcher approached, stroking a huge, twin-headed cock, the massive, purple tips dripping with pre-cum. The mutants'

  misshapen hands dragged her legs apart and cheered encouragement to their leader. The Butcher moved his twisted body between her legs. Lailii bucked to avoid the stream of drool leaking from the leader's mouth. The man grinned and bent to lick her exposed nipple, his long, pointed tongue circling the tip. Goddess, help me. Lailii drew on her diminished powers to send a sting of magyck to her captors. The mutants reacted in shocked surprise and dropped her onto the hot sand. She snarled and met the Butcher's gaze. "Any male who dares to rape me is cursed. His cock will turn black, shrivel, and fall off. As so I will, so mote it be."

  Chapter One

  3,000 years later—4100 After Arious

  Lightening Falls Gate

  Dallin inhaled the female's arousal and winked at Stryker. His lover lay on his back across the wide, black silk-covered bed. The sweetest Elfin female straddled his massive cock. They had hit gold this time. The willing female wanted both of them. After watching Stryker drive into her wet pussy for five long minutes, Dallin's balls ached. He reached for the tube of lube and approached the bed. He ran his tongue over his fangs. "May I have your ass, sweet thing?"

  The female shot him a smile over her shoulder and pressed her small tits into Stryker's chest. Her sweet, white ass cheeks opened in invitation. Dallin groaned and applied lube to her inviting star. The female mewed her approval. Without hesitation, Dallin climbed onto the bed. He grasped his heavy cock and guided it into her tight hole with one thrust of his hips.

  Taking a firm hold of her small waist, he drove into her. So damn hot, so deliciously tight. He gasped his thanks. With each plunge, he brushed Stryker's cock through the thin barrier of skin. What bliss. He met Stryker's hot gaze and knew they shared the same erotic experience. The touch, the slide of cock against cock, was intoxicating and one they both enjoyed.

  Dallin's climax built quickly. The shivery sensations started in his belly, and the heat deep in his balls intensified with each delightful thrust. The room filled with the slap of bodies and the warm scent of sex. The female began to tremble, and then cried out her climax. She fell forward, spilling chestnut hair across Stryker's chest.

  "Now, Dal." Stryker squeezed Dallin's thigh. "I'm gonna come." With short, hard thrusts of his hips, Dallin drove into the female. Erotic sensations blurred his vision; white spots danced before his eyes. He gave into the bliss

  and spilled in delicious, hot spurts. Collapsing forward, he reached for Stryker and crushed the man's lips in a long, hot kiss. Gods, he loved the taste of the man.

  "Oh, that is so sweet." The female rested her head on Striker's shoulder. "Can you get up now? You're crushing me."

  After a long moment, Dallin broke the kiss. He glanced toward the digital readout flashing on the wall and swore. He rolled off the girl. "My father wants to see me." He looked down at the female. "How much, sweetheart?"

  "For a new customer, the price is just one gold strip." The girl climbed off the bed and took a thumb scanner from her purse. "Each."

  Dallin pressed his thumb on the device and grinned. "We'll call you again real soon. What was your name?"

  "Rose. I work at the Freak Show mos
t days." She licked her lips and smiled. "I can always bring a friend—male or female."

  "I'll think on it." Dallin inclined his head toward the door. "You should leave now."

  "What do you think the king wants?" Stryker slid off the bed and headed for the shower.

  Dallin watched the girl pull on a long dress and leave. He closed the door behind her, and then followed Stryker into the shower. Turning to face his friend, he stared at the control panel sending a spike of magyck into the system. "I have no idea."

  "Do you think he wants you to move back into the castle?" Stryker rubbed the back of his neck.

  A blast of hot magyck swirled around them, and Dallin sighed. The fresh and clean glass cubicle did not compare to the satisfying experience of a hot shower. He turned around and grinned at his lover. "Well, it has been two years. He might—if he's forgiven me. To be honest, I wouldn't mind seeing my brothers again."

  "I'll miss you." Stryker touched Dallin's arm. "You know I can't gain entrance to Vane Castle; will you come and visit me?"

  With a chuckle, Dallin stepped from the cubicle and strode back into the bedroom. He went straight to the wardrobe and pulled out clean clothes. "You don't really think I could live without you, after three years of being together, do you? You are as close to me as any mate; we care for each other." He turned and smiled at Stryker.

  "I won't move anywhere without you."

  "Good. Do you want me to come to the castle with you?" Stryker stood naked, his fists balled on his hips. "Or do you think the king will disapprove?"

  "He knows about you already. We hardly hid the fact we were lovers. We were practically living together in my rooms at the castle." Dallin pulled on his clothes. "As long he knows I seek a female for my future queen, all will be well. My father had a lover, a Fae male named Sash, who died in the Mirra Uprising not long after I was born."

  "Do you believe the Lady intends to find a mate for us to share?" Stryker pulled clothes from the chest of drawers and proceeded to dress.

  Dallin pulled on his soft leather boots. He lifted his head to meet Stryker's deep, emerald gaze. The Talynx Pride male had the hard, muscular body of a seasoned warrior. Long, golden brown hair tumbled down his back in a waterfall of curls. Dallin loved his full lips, high cheekbones, and long, straight nose. As tall as Dallin, Stryker stood a good head and shoulders above most Pride males.

  At the sight of his lover naked, Dallin grew hard again. Gods, I can still taste him. He could never have enough of the man. Dallin cleared his throat. "I have no doubt we were paired by the Lady. We have to trust She will guide us to the female of our dreams."

  * * * * *

  The street outside their modest home teemed with people. Market stalls lined both sides of the street, their brightly colored bunting giving the city of Lightning Falls a carnival atmosphere. Dallin cloaked, becoming invisible with a simple spell. No one in

  the sprawling metropolis knew the crown prince of the Vane lived within their midst. He followed Stryker through the crowd, weaving to avoid colliding with shoppers. They moved silently toward the parking lot. A stall containing necklaces of the rare, pink, Jaza crystals caught Dallin's eye. He stopped. "Wait, I want to buy something for my mom. I need an edge. She doesn't like me very much."

  "Are you insane?" Stryker turned and searched the empty space behind him. "We need to keep moving."

  "Buy the necklace shaped like a band of roses."

  "Stay close; you'll have to use your thumb for the scanner. I don't have enough credits to pay for something that expensive." Stryker pushed the leaves of a potted plant to one side and stepped toward the stall.

  "Can I help you, good sir?" The shopkeeper gave Stryker a wary look.

  "Yes, I would like that one; wrap it up nicely for me." Stryker smiled warmly and pointed to the necklace.

  Dallin moved closer and whispered in Stryker's ear. "In gold."

  "Gold foil. Wrap it in gold." Stryker glared over his shoulder. "Happy now?" They waited patiently for the shopkeeper to wrap the gift. The man fumbled the necklace many times with shaking fingers. Dallin bit his cheek to stop laughing. He thinks Stryker belongs in a loony bin. The purchase completed, Dallin slipped his thumb onto the scanner under Stryker's in a well-practiced move. With a chuckle, Dallin strode off toward his flybike. The sleek, silver vehicle sparkled under the afternoon sun. The lights on the front of the flybike flashed once, recognizing the arrival of its owner.

  "You can't keep putting me in that position." Stryker climbed onto the flybike behind Dallin. "I already have the reputation of a sex-mad glutton. Now the word will be out that I speak to potted plants."

  I love it. Dallin grinned into the sunshine. "The amount of money you spend, I doubt they would have the balls to say anything to upset you." After pushing on his helmet, Dallin materialized. He zapped the engine, and the flybike shot high into the air. The sky was busy; silver bugs peppered the airspace,

  carrying travelers from one city to another. Flybikes zipped between the tall, steel and glass high-rise city of magyck.

  The trip to Vane Castle took them far away from the cities to the sandy coastline. Dallin breathed in the fresh sea air. In truth, his heart ached at being away from his home. He turned the flybike out to sea. The ocean drew him like an old friend, sending refreshing spray high into the air in welcome. The cat inside him roared its delight at the knowledge of going home. Soon, cat. Soon we will hunt again. His heart raced. The thought of being free to hunt in the forest as his ancestors had done for the past four thousand years filled him with joy.

  Vane Castle sat on the craggy peak of Demon Island. Surrounded by a constant storm, massive waves, and tornadoes, the home of the Vane protected itself from intruders. Situated in the perpetual eye of the storm, Demon Island enjoyed a temperate climate all year round. Dallin pictured the picturesque village, the lush fields, and abundance of fruit trees. The disgusted expression on the face of his mother flashed across his mind, and he vividly recalled the angry tirade from his father the day the king banished him. So he'd used his magyck to gain entrance to the females' baths—it was hardly a sin.

  As they approached the storm front, Dallin's gold armbands grew hot. The sacred magyck unlocked the protective shield for the crown prince. The black, rolling clouds parted, and Demon Island came into view. He dropped the flybike down to enjoy the panorama of the tropical island, gleaming like a jewel in the azure ocean. In the distance, Vane Castle sat like a black smudge against the cloudless, blue sky. He placed his hand on Striker's thigh. "It's good to be home."

  Chapter Two

  The castle grounds were alive with color and the scent of roses. Dallin dropped the flybike into the courtyard, and they dismounted. The king's guards surrounded them and escorted them to the great hall. The sound of boots hitting the hardwood floor

  echoed through the hallways. Dallin glanced around. Nothing had changed. The medieval castle remained the same. His father insisted the suits of armor and walls of ancient weaponry were to stay on display, even though they were out of place beside the large, flat information screens and modern furniture throughout the castle. A few minutes later, they reached the great hall. Inside, voices rose in a heated discussion. Dallin glanced at Stryker and shrugged. "It sounds like they're arguing about me again."

  The large, studded, oak doors swung open, and a footman announced their arrival. Dallin moved into the room with Stryker at his side. The red-faced king sat on a large, wing-backed chair surrounded by his advisors. Documents littered the table before them. No computers here—King Leopold relied on magyck alone. They walked toward the king and bowed. Dallin raised his chin and looked at his father. "You wanted to see me, father."

  "So it would seem." The king got up slowly and rounded the table to stand before his son. "The Oracle insists the Lady has a mission for you and your lover. You are to go to the grotto at daybreak, and pray for guidance."

  Dallin rubbed the back of his neck. His father had lost his mind. Who believ
ed the Oracle in these days of enlightenment? He met the king's amethyst gaze. "I hardly think the Lady would counsel me. I'm a sinner—as you have told me most eloquently in the past."

  "You are forgiven." The king opened his arms, palms up. "It is the only way to stop my advisors from pestering me. I want you to move into the castle and take up your duties as Crown Prince. "

  With a wide grin, Dallin stepped forward and offered his arm to his father. The king smiled weakly and clasped Dallin's arm. The old man tipped his white head toward Stryker. Dallin followed his gaze. "You do remember my lover, Stryker of Talynx."

  "Yes, I do." The king turned his full attention on Stryker. "What is your talent?"

  "I have many talents, sire." Stryker inclined his head respectfully. "My main talent is dream weaving."

  "Yes, I expected such from your lineage." The king rubbed his chin. "Your grandmother is a Faerie, if I'm not mistaken?"

  "She is, sire."

  "Good, good. You are welcome in my home, Stryker of Talynx." The king turned to Dallin. "When you are settled, I have arranged entertainment for you at the waterfall. Dinner is at eight, as usual."

  Dallin ran a hand through his hair. "First, I would like to see mother, and where are my brothers?"

  "They're hunting in Bree Forest. They will return home this evening. Your mother is in my solar, waiting for you. Go to her now; the woman has been driving me insane with her insistence to see you the second you arrived." The king waved his hand in dismissal.

  Stryker followed Dallin from the great hall. His stomach unclenched. Lady's blood, he had met King Leopold. The leader of all the Prides within the lands of the Twelve Gates had accepted him into his home. The days of sneaking from the barracks to meet Dallin were over. Gods, be praised.