Battle Scarred 5: Never Give You Up by Megan Slayer
Megan Slayer Publications
Contemporary, Paranormal – Vampires
M/M, Anal Sex, Masturbation
Through time, distance and confusion, we will always find each other.
Galen Collins knows who he loves, but the vampire of his dreams, Anders Von, isn’t interested. What’s a vampire to do when he’s been rejected? Go to the clubs for sex. He’ll get Anders out of his mind one way or another. But there’s something wicked on the horizon in the form of a virus meant to wipe out supernatural beings. Forces who hardly know Galen are out to keep him and Anders apart. Will he allow the demons to win, or will he chase Anders to the ends of the earth?
Anders has always had a crush on Galen, but things never worked out right time-wise. Galen is the one vampire to make his emotional heart race. He wants to strip Galen to his core and explore every inch of him. Will Anders take the chance to be with Galen and discover how well they fit together or will the virus take Galen before Anders makes his move?
Anders held the phone on his lap. Feed Galen. He’d never offered himself up to Galen. Even in their lowest times… Galen offered his vein plenty of times, but Anders didn’t reciprocate. Why? He’d been scared. What if they were supposed to be together and he didn’t feel the same way for Galen? He’d be giving blood to a man he didn’t love. But was that the truth? Now that someone had done something horrible to Galen, the feelings he’d kept down for so long welled to the surface. Love was possible, but he loved Bethany and Johnson, too. He cared about them all even more because he saw life could be so precious. But who did he want?
He shifted his position on the arm of the couch and watched Galen. Some supers were real assholes. Only a dick would drain someone, but only a dick would refuse his best friend too. He nudged Galen’s foot. The vampire still didn’t move.
He scooted off the couch and knelt beside Galen. “Hey.” He patted Galen’s face. “Gale. Hon.” He swatted Galen’s unbitten thigh, but the vampire didn’t move. “Stop dicking with me. If this is a joke, I’m leaving your ass for a younger, prettier model.” More panic set in. “Galen, I’m going to fuck you.”
“Stop shouting,” Galen mumbled. “You can’t leave me. I paid the rent this month.” The muscle in his jaw tensed. “You won’t fuck me, so don’t tease.”
He’d gotten an answer and snark from Galen. The man wasn’t completely dead. He held Galen’s hand and rested his forehead on Galen’s fingers. “I called Vita. She’ll be here soon. Until then, you need to eat.” He bared his fangs and ripped into his own wrist. “Come on. Take mine.” He rubbed his forearm against Galen’s mouth. “Take it.”
“No.” Galen didn’t open his eyes, but he did shake his head. “Whatever this is—it’s bad. I don’t want you to get it.”
“What?” He smeared his blood onto Galen’s lips. “The poison or whatever it is probably isn’t all of the way through your system.” Well, he hoped not.
“I’m dying.” Galen licked his mouth and moaned.
“Hon, you’re a vampire.” He dribbled more blood onto Galen’s lips. “You already died. You can’t do it again.” Technically, he could die a final death and would end up in a pile of ash, but Anders refused to let that happen. “Stop joking.”
“I’m not.” Galen managed to open his eyes. Instead of the dark luster and shimmer, the sparkle in his brown eyes dulled. The middle reminded him of coffee with a little cream—not a black pupil. “I’m dying.”
I’ve got your back, if you’re willing to trust your enemy.
Hagan Dean thought he was helping his friend. He was playing the role of savior…except he ended up left for dead in the sunshine. Vampires and sunshine don’t mix. Even worse? A Hunter—one of the sexiest women he’s laid eyes on—is ready to kill him. He’s got a lot to survive for and the odds are stacked against him, but he’s a fighter. Will the Hunter let him live another night? Or is this vampire destined to fry into a pile of soot?
Emily Cross is a born Hunter. Her life’s work is to keep the balance between the Supers and the Supers who have stepped out of line. She’s never been keen on the Rogues taking over the Hunters. She doesn’t want to kill all the Supers…she is one! When she finds a nearly charred vampire in the woods during one of the hunts, her thoughts turn from killing to keeping him alive.
Will these two opposites come together to find common ground in order to help end the war? Or will the passion crackling between them tear their worlds apart?
Available right now from Megan Slayer Publications!
Hunting helpless creatures seemed inhumane. Emily clutched her shotgun tighter and gritted her teeth.
“We’ve got to search high and low for these creeps. They could be anywhere and dangerous as hell,” Ben said and rushed in front of her.
She winced. Everything her partner said revolved around killing supers. She suppressed a groan. They could see the supers. She and Ben both possessed supernatural blood, allowing them to pursue their specific calling—hunting the supers as true hunters. The job description included killing supers in order to terminate those who went mad and were essentially dangerous to the rest of the population. They hunted the supers who’d gone rogue. No one said a word about killing the vampires, shifters, and faes—among others—simply for the sake of taking lives. According to Ben, they needed to eliminate all supers.
Emily trudged behind him. She could hold her own up front and defend herself from the attacks with ease, but she wanted distance from Ben. The negative vibe swirling around him unnerved her.
“I see it,” Ben shrieked. He bolted away, leaving her in the pitch-black woods. She gazed into the darkness and focused. She didn’t hear a sound, not even the critters creeping around, and that wasn’t right. There should’ve been something in the brush moving if he’d spotted anything. She crinkled her nose. The scent of a being came to her…dead? Decaying? Dead things left a definite gross smell behind, but this wasn’t the scent of decomposition. This particular pungent odor reminded her of a wet tiger or charred hair. What was it?
A round object caught her attention. Nothing in the woods was perfectly rounded…not like a shoe. She glanced over to where Ben had taken off to, and when she didn’t see him, she crouched to look at whatever it was in the brush. She figured she’d hear Ben coming when he returned. Unlike vampires, Ben wasn’t stealthy. Freight trains were quieter than her partner. She didn’t see him when she looked again. Thank God.
Emily crept up to the rounded thing and studied it closer. The thing was a shoe, connected to a foot. Were other hunters leaving their kills in the forest now? If the person was indeed a super, then the body wouldn’t be around—it would’ve disintegrated. A human body would decompose but still be evident. She moved the leaves aside. The leg led to a full body. The person was so still. She glanced around again and uncovered the face. The guy’s mouth was open, allowing her to see his teeth. Sharp, bright white teeth.
The vampire and wolf shifter will protect Ava with their lives—because they belong together as deemed by the Sources. Will their blossoming love wither before they get a chance to stoke the flames, or will it be strong enough to overcome their problems?
~~~~
The world can crumble around us, but we’ve always got each other. Always.
Ava Grant learned the hard way not to trust anyone. Trust equaled opening up to another person and allowing herself to be hurt. She’s done with pain—until she’s summoned by the Sources. Her world is thrown into upheaval. Two men can help her, if she’s willing to let them in. Will she able to open her heart to a vampire and a wolf shifter?
Joachim Stokes and Padraig O’Malley are the best of friends. The attraction between them is palpable, but there’s something missing. When they are tasked with protecting Ava, they realize they’d found what they’ve been missing—her. A bond forms between the three, but some bonds are meant to be broken. With the war heating up, her past won’t stay hidden forever.
Will their blossoming love wither before they get a chance to stoke the flames, or will it be strong enough to overcome their problems?
“You can face me.” Padraig stayed in the doorway. “I’ll bite because I’m a vampire, but only if you allow it.” He chuckled at his horrible excuse for a joke. “Sorry.”
“Ha-ha.” Joachim stomped to his bed and then flopped face-first onto the mattress.
Padraig admired his friend’s position. He could ogle Chim’s ass all he wanted, but the pose made conversation difficult.
“We need to talk.” Padraig leaned against the bedpost of his bed. “Now.”
“Right.” Joachim rolled onto his back. “So you can tell me I’m an idiot. Well, get it out now. I can take it.”
“What are you talking about? You’re not an idiot.” Padraig sat beside Joachim. “But I could understand you better if you could at least look at me.”
“Better?” Joachim sat up and faced Padraig.
“Much, stubborn wolf.” Padraig stared. Joachim embodied the strength of the wolf, but in human form. He exuded power and sometimes patience. But looking at him, Padraig noticed the gauntness under Joachim’s eyes. “You haven’t been eating.”
“Not regularly. Nothing to hunt.” Joachim shrugged. “I’m managing.”
“Uh-huh.” Padraig glanced over at Joachim’s clenched hands. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-seven,” Joachim snapped. He leaped off the bed and then strode to the window. “I’m twenty-seven.”
Spoken like a man trying to convince himself. “Huh. I would’ve guessed you no more than twenty-three.” Padraig eased up behind Joachim without touching him. They’d fit together well—if they ever got their shit figured out. “I’m twenty-nine—well I was before I became a vampire. It dawned on me that we’d never discussed our ages before.”
“We spent most of our time hiding and being quiet. There wasn’t time to chat.”
“True.” Padraig rubbed Joachim’s shoulders. When the shifter didn’t pull away, Padraig continued touching him. “Are you done pouting?”
Joachim gasped, and then his shoulders sagged. “Yeah. I’d say what I was doing wasn’t pouting, but you’d know I wasn’t telling the truth.”
“I’m not sure why you think I’d call you an idiot. I don’t think you are. You’re a tad immature, but since I don’t know how you were raised, I can’t pass judgment.”
“Fine. I’m twenty-three.”
“I assumed as much.” Padraig suppressed his pleasure in guessing correctly.
“How?” Joachim turned around, finally facing Padraig. “No one ever questioned me.”
“You’re sulky, pouty, and not as weary of the world as some people.” Padraig curled his fingers under Joachim’s chin. The man also had a youthful glow and a light in his eyes Padraig couldn’t deny. Oh and Joachim’s smile…Padraig bit back a light moan. His smile melted Paddy’s heart.
“Oh.” Joachim didn’t pull away.
“It’s not a bad thing, being you.” Goddess, he sounded like his father. Padraig grunted. Wouldn’t dear old Dad love to know his gay son had a thing for a straight guy? Padraig swiped his thumb across Joachim’s bottom lip. “Now, about the other thing. I’m bisexual. I tend to swing more toward guys, but some women catch my fancy. Is Ava pretty? Yes. Would I take a tumble in the sheets with her if she asked? You bet. Am I trying to get her into my bed? No.”
“I knew it.” Joachim inched away from Padraig, putting space between them. “You’re not obvious, but I knew you were hot for her.”
Ariadne defied her father for love, only to be abandoned. She married for what she thought was love, only to have Dionysus leave her for another woman. Even Aphrodite won’t smile on her because Aphrodite wants Dionysus. Ari can’t seem to win. What’s a goddess to do if she wants love? Find a vampire.
Caden, a vampire and creature of the night, gave up on love long ago. Draining victims, sex and sleep are his orders for each evening…until he’s tasked with tracking Ariadne. He doesn’t expect the goddess to call to his wounded soul in ways he thought long since dead.
Can a vampire and goddess go the distance or will their happy ending die with the dawn?
“What are you doing?” Caden stood in the middle of her path. In the pitch black of the evening, he’d found her. “Don’t run.”
Her blood chilled and she stopped short. How had he located her? What kind of paranormal was he? “What are you?” She hadn’t heard him move. “Where did you come from?”
Caden raked his fingers through his hair. His eyes blazed red, then silver. “I’m a vampire, all right? A fucking bloodsucker. Normally, I’d eat you, but I can’t. Trust me. You’re pissing me off and I’d love to drain your ass for that kick to the crotch.”
The dick. She trembled and hoped he couldn’t see her fear. Who was she kidding? He was a vampire. He was enhanced in everything—even his cock? Why did that turn her on? She shook her head and focused on her panic. With the vampire’s super senses, he had to have seen her panic. “Dio sent you.” She put her hand up. “I’m not going back. Never.”
“Who is Dio?” Caden frowned. “Look, I gave Hestia my word that I’d bring you to Eriewood. She wants you safe and I’ll make sure that happens.”
“I can take care of myself. You don’t owe anyone anything on my account.” She turned on her heel. The faster she got out of there, the better. Within seconds, she sprinted down the sidewalk toward the gate. Fuck him. Sexy or not, she wasn’t going to let some vampire deliver her to Dionysus and Hades.
“Stop.” Caden stood in front of her again, stopping her in her path. He grabbed her shoulders. “I don’t fuck up my jobs. I should be draining a few murderers right now, but instead I’m chasing you. Do you want to be next?”
“What?” The guy was crazier than Dio and Theseus put together.
“I’m done arguing.” He let go, giving her space. “You’re not safe here. Whoever is trying to find you knows you’re close. Either you let him have you or you take your chances with me. I can get us to Eriewood in four hours. The bus will take twelve and he will catch up to you. He knows where you are.”
She didn’t have much choice. Vampire speed trumped any combustion engine. He held his hand out to her. She debated what to do. He hadn’t bound her to him. No, he’d given her free rein to run if she chose. She groaned. If Hestia knew about him and if her father had given Hestia the go-ahead to find her, then Dio couldn’t be involved. Knowing her ex-husband, he would’ve come for her in person.
“If I’m making it there by dawn, we need to go now.” Caden stared at her.
She hesitated another second. A vampire… Zeus help her. She, the daughter of King Minos, would have to find a damn vampire for a travelling companion. What was worse…she kind of liked him, but kind of wanted to kick him in the junk again. She sighed. “Let’s go.”
“Thank you.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Hold on. You’ll probably get motion sickness. Wait until we stop to barf.”’
Motion sickness? Barf? Oh shit. She clung to Caden. At least her ride was handsome and easy on the eyes. He felt good holding her, too. What a pity he had the potential to kill her.
When the rest of the world crumbles and fails, you have me.
Kynan Laing gave up his mortal soul to the will of the Sources, the ancient beings in charge of the universe. With the sensual grace and speed in his vampire form, he serves in his role as a Protector for the Supernatural world. But the impending war between the Supers and Hunters is heating up. The woman he’s charged to protect is all grown up and the perfect submissive partner he wants. Can he keep his heart under wraps while keeping her safe?
Alexa Mercury doesn’t know why she’s supposed to trust the vampire, but she does. Even when she pushed him away, Kynan watches over her. She craves him like no other and wants to submit body and soul to him, even if he is a Supernatural creature of the night. When circumstances beyond her control force them together, Lexa will have to decide whether to offer her heart to the vampire or risk her very soul.
Kynan closed the door to her room and enfolded her in his arms. He stroked her hair, breathing in the scent of her perfume. Watching her through the window paled in comparison to actually holding her.
“Stay with me tonight.” Lexa’s words curled around his heart. “I need you more than you know.”
“You have me,” he replied. She fit so perfectly against his body, like they’d been fated to be together. He thanked God and the forces who’d thrown them together. He kissed the top of her head. “You’re shaking.” Kynan carried her to the bed and cuddled her on his lap. Was their reuniting too much, too soon? Too bad.
“Don’t peer into my head.” Lexa rubbed his arm.
“I won’t.” Damn it. He’d spent so much time peering into the heads of humans he forgot what it was like to take someone on their word. “Tell me what’s upsetting you?” Besides her scary as hell ex happened to be a hunter and wanted him dead. “I’ll lay down my life for you.”
“You’re dead.” She tipped her gaze to his. His skin tingled from her touch on his arm. Most of the time he felt nothing. Now that he was with her, everything came into sharp focus. Her touch sizzled on his skin, and he longed for his heart to beat for her. He groaned.
“I don’t want to be alone.” Lexa kissed his neck, pressing her face to his jugular. “I want to feel loved, not like I’m a freak.”
“You’ve never been a freak.” Why should she feel that way? Because she liked kinky sex? Because she knew a vampire? Bullshit. “Tell me what you like.”
Find what you need at the Refuge. A place to stay, a warm body…love?
What’s a human refugee to do when the last place to hide is gone? For Rachel, the choice is clear—run to Jon. She’s crushed on him from afar. He plays hard, seemingly without regrets. He can save her, but does he return her affections?
Jon Schiff has a past he isn’t ready to talk about and he prefers to live the life of a bachelor instead of taking his rightful place as a Fae prince. When Rachel shows up on his doorstep, battered and scared, he can’t turn her away. The sweet-natured human intrigues him and makes him want to confront his messy past.
But when ghosts from their collective pasts threaten their present, will she accept him as her mate or decide there can be no future with him?
If they’re both willing to run with the wicked, they just might find their hearts’ true desire.
Megan Slayer and Wendi Zwaduk 