Blown Away: Rogues Shifter Series Book 4

By Gayle Parness

Jackie thought the worst was over, but the team is in danger as well as her alliance with Faerie.

Jackie: Our team is hunting for three missing teens, but the werewolf Alpha and his family aren’t cooperating. Blood Magic is at work in a place where magic isn’t allowed and now the youngest son of the Alpha has threatened us. An attack seems imminent.To make matters worse, Garrett is now in charge of a large territory and dealing with a rebellious master vampire. I’ve been asked to help heal a young lion shifter who’s resorted to violence. Home and quiet time together is looking better and better.

But when my closest fae friend unlocks my memories once again, I have to come face to face with an unexpected situation that could destroy my relationship with my mate Garrett and may even start a war with Faerie.

“Such intricacy and depth I forget these people aren't real!” Series Reviewer

“Romance, action, laughter, everything you could ask for in a group of novels.” Series Reviewer

Books By Gayle Parness: Rogues Shifter Series: Rebirth, Stalked, Twisted, Blown Away, Caught Between, Torn Apart, Cut Off, Blood Spelled, At Risk, In Demand (releasing 2021) Triad Series: Breaking Out, Falling Out, Spinning Out Rogues Inc: A Stubborn Heart, A Healing Heart

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gayle Parness
• Release date: Jan 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301557875

Gayle Parness

Gayle was surprised when she first discovered how much she enjoyed writing. She began eight years ago after reading a popular paranormal romance series and thinking, I’d like to do that too. Since then, she’s indie published fifteen books with many more on the way, writing paranormal fantasy/paranormal romance under Gayle Parness and spicy paranormal romance/urban fantasy and hot contemporary romance under her pen name Marie Booth.Besides writing books, Gayle’s a musical theatre geek, a Disney parks maniac, a lover of pasta, pizza, and pinot noir, and is owned by a black cat with big bones named Stealth. She’s raised two amazing daughters who bring her great joy every day and hopes to take some time off to travel really soon. As soon as she finishes that next book...She can’t write a word without music playing in the background so if you ever bump into her, she’ll probably have her earbuds in, listening either to music or an audiobook. You may have to shout to get her attention. :)Audiobook news: All nine Rogues Shifter Series books are currently available on Audible, ibooks, Amazon, and many other vendors: Narrated by Reba BuhrNext on my writing agenda: In Demand: Rogues Shifter Series: Book 10, releasing spring, 2022Thanks for reading!GayleSign up for my newsletter to get all the latest info on my new releases and to have the opportunity to win books, audiobooks, swag and other fun prizes.Newsletter Signup:Website: https://www.gayleparness.comFB: http://facebook.com/gayleparness-authorTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/gayleparnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayleparnessauthor/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5165431.Gayle_ParnessBookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gayle-parnessPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/GayleParnessWattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/GayleParnessAuthorConnect to my evil twin, Marie Booth, for LGBTQ+ Paranormal Romance, M/F Contemporary Romance & M/F Urban Fantasy.https://www.mariebooth.com

Book preview

1

Blood arced across the well-tended rose garden as I severed my opponent’s carotid artery with a powerful slash of magic. Carlos’s hands clutched feebly at his throat, gurgling out a final gasp. I scrambled out of the way as two hundred and forty pounds of vampire crashed to the patio tiles at my feet. My speed helped me successfully avoid a broken foot, but not a blood-splattered shirt. Before the vampire’s upper body hit the paving stones, Liam, my fae friend and mentor, had sliced through his neck with a clean sweep of his magical blade. We watched Carlos’ head roll away and smack into the potted yellow mums before turning to dust, along with the rest of the big guy. Liam and I grinned at each other. One vamp down. Four more to go.

Our attitude might appear cruel or even criminal to an outside observer, but Nathaniel and several of his nest had attacked my mate, and they were goin’ down.

Garrett, my vampire lifemate and the yummy love of my life, was busy fighting against Nathaniel, this particular nest’s master. He must have seen me take down Nate’s second-in-command, because he sent me a personal message, mind to mind.

Did I ever tell you how hot you look covered in your enemy’s blood? Garrett managed a quick wink in my direction while easily ducking to avoid the kick aimed at his head. A second later, Nathaniel grunted, thrusting out his hand with a dramatic lurch. His weapon was an ancient short sword and he was doing a great job of pretending he knew how to use it. The thrust was aimed at Garrett’s stomach, probably in the hopes of eviscerating him, but he didn’t draw even a drop of my honey’s blood.

Can you be any more of a vamp? I teased back. "I thought he was your enemy, not mine."

With a swipe of his arm, Garrett broke Nathaniel’s wrist, forcing him to drop the sword. He twisted his body like a cat and landed a flying kick to Nathaniel’s nose. Ouch.

What’s mine is yours, my love. Garrett ducked under Nathaniel’s too-high swing, dancing away like a prizefighter, beckoning him to try again.

I’d had to tap into the magic to see him at all, since they were both moving faster than my normal vision could track. "Lucky me. I get your enemies too. Taking on a vampire as a lifemate has all kinds of perks." He met my sarcastic smirk with a mischievous one of his own.

Hearing a grunt off to the left, I took a quick glance around. By the telltale piles of dust, I could see that Sasha, Heinrich and Liam had easily taken care of the other three vampires who’d made the foolish decision to back Nathaniel’s claim over Garrett’s rightful one. The remaining members of the nest were waiting in the living room, as per Garrett’s orders. They’d abandoned Nathaniel’s metaphorical ship and were just hoping to survive the day. I mean really, was there any doubt who’d win this contest?

Garrett landed another kick to Nathaniel’s ribs while continuing to tease me. "Perhaps when we’re alone later, we could go over the ways choosing a vampire as a lifemate can be an asset."

You’ll have to work hard to convince me.

He laughed out loud and crouched, narrowly avoiding Nathaniel’s attempted slash with another wicked-looking blade he’d pulled from his boot. Garrett whipped out his leg, hooking it behind Nathaniel’s knees and punching him in the stomach. The blade flew across the patio and Nathaniel fell on his ass, clutching his belly.

Garrett, you should stop showing off for Jackie and just finish him off already. Sasha, Garrett’s second, lowered himself gracefully onto a tall stool at the patio bar, downing the shot of top label scotch Heinrich had just poured for him. Sash was one of those gorgeous Slavic types: over six feet tall with longish blond hair, striking light blue eyes and a mouth that must make women fantasize about all kinds of wicked scenarios. Oh yeah, he was hot, and he usually behaved like he knew it, which was his one great flaw.

Lately, I’d gotten a glimpse of Sash’s more vulnerable side. He hid it well, but he’d probably experienced his own share of pain under Eleanor, so I forgave him his occasional conceited episode. More importantly, I never doubted his loyalty to Garrett or our team, and I trusted him to do his job as second-in-command and protect our lives. There were few of our enemies, undead or otherwise, who could beat him in a fight.

Garrett shrugged. Unfortunately, I can’t kill Nathaniel—yet. When Angel arrives, which should be soon, we can take care of reversing the blood spell he’s used to bind the rest of his nest.

Last week, Christine, a female in Nathaniel’s nest, had shown up at our house. Garrett thought she was delivering a message, but instead she’d asked to join Garrett’s nest. Of course he refused, but he was curious as to why she hadn’t left Nate’s nest if she was so unhappy. She was over a century old and could go out on her own if her master had agreed.

It turned out she and the rest of the nest were blood-bound to Nathaniel, meaning a blood magic spell had been performed each time one of them was turned from human to vampire. If Nathaniel died, so did they. He’d warned them from the beginning he’d never tolerate any of them leaving, which left only one option for Christine. She had to find a stronger master who could convince Nate to let her go—someone like Garrett. Of course, her new master would have to find someone who could undo the blood spell, not an easy task.

Garrett was furious when he found out Nathaniel had enslaved his nest, killing seven innocents in the process, using their blood and organs to complete the spell. To show the other vampires who chose to live in Garrett’s territory that he had zero tolerance when it came to murder, we thought it best to make an example out of Nathaniel.

He’d known the rules, yet he’d chosen to ignore them.

Nathaniel was a two-hundred-year old vampire who came to our attention when he’d demanded a few weeks ago that Garrett stay out of his territory. Of course, Nate and his unhappy nest were on the California side of the Lake Tahoe area, so either he’d flunked geography, or he’d thought Garrett was a coward or an idiot. A challenge of this type couldn’t be ignored.

We’d shown up unannounced and kicked some undead ass, incapacitating Nathaniel and holding him until Angel could reverse the spell that linked the rest of his nest to his life force. Unlike the four piles of dust on the patio, the three solid vamps in the living room were perfectly happy to leave Nathaniel’s nest and Garrett’s territory without a backward glance.

The thirty or so master vampires who currently lived in our rather large territory, had asked Garrett for permission with the ritual courtesy that was expected in their surprisingly well-mannered society. Following the laws set down by the North American Vampire Association, they’d made an appointment and come to him in person. He’d granted their requests, as long as they swore to follow his simple rules—they would feed only on volunteers and never harm the innocent.

Garrett had become the top master in the territory after killing his maker, Eleanor, in a duel. She’d been bad news and most of the local vamps were extremely pleased to have Garrett as their new Overseer. Those who wouldn’t live according to Garrett’s rules had left without any drama. Now they were someone else’s problem.

Nathaniel groaned from the patio tiles near Garrett’s feet, his light brown suit covered in his own blood. He’d looked pretty GQ when we’d first arrived, with his dark blond hair styled and gelled like a Hollywood actor on red carpet night. He was very slim, around five foot ten, with boyish features that made him seem about fifteen. Because of his youthful appearance and his snotty attitude, I found it hard to take him seriously. His injuries were healing up quickly, but frustration and exhaustion were taking their toll. Because of the blood binding, the four deaths had dramatically sapped his energy and his own bad judgment had come back to bite him in the ass. Our visit had been unexpected, and although Garrett had treated him fairly, giving him another day to get out, Nathaniel had stupidly attacked, along with the four other members of his nest, whose remains, I’d noticed, had already disappeared with the steady breeze from the lake.

Thankfully, the ashy remnants had blown away from the patio and not into our faces. Nothing starts your evening off worse than a mouthful of desiccated vamp remains. My favorite jeans were already covered in blood and that shit was hard to get out. I didn’t need to end up coated in ashes and looking like a powdered donut.

After a nod from Garrett, Heinrich moved to stand guard while Garrett strolled over to me, looking every bit the conquering hero. Six feet tall, russet brown hair, a few stray strands hanging appealingly in his face, sapphire blue eyes, which sometimes shimmered with a silver heat, and the lean, toned body of a swimmer. As I took him in for the thousandth time, I sighed softly.

Vampire hearing being what it is, Heinrich laughed at me. I reacted with a half-serious glower, so he wisely shifted his gaze back to Nathaniel as Garrett grabbed my hand and pulled me closer for a peck on the cheek. As I leaned against my mate and took in his delicious scent, I had to admit I was beginning to enjoy working with the team again. I’d been out of the loop because of my kidnapping and torture by Lord Kennet, a powerful fae who’d wanted me to provide him with an heir. Right now, he was providing the Demon Realm with a different kind of entertainment.

Garrett hadn’t invited our shifter contingent along to tonight’s confrontation, because this was a personal problem between vampires and shouldn’t involve the rest. Liam and I had insisted on coming, so he’d reluctantly agreed. It’s best not to argue with your mate or your best friend, who just happened to be a fifteen-hundred-year-old fae prince. William, the final member of Garrett’s nest, had been allowed to stay home with his mate, my twin sister, Bridgett. She was going to be leaving tomorrow for her two-year community service sentence in Faerie and deserved as much alone time with her guy as she could squeeze in.

Liam, now seated next to Sash at the bar, smiled and said in his musical voice, Angel is late—as usual.

Liam’s sweet tone, slight build and shorter height didn’t diminish his fighting prowess. We knew beyond any doubt; he was the deadliest supernatural in the house. The fae were able to kill with only a thought and I’d personally seen him in action several times. It wasn’t pretty.

His features were delicate: slightly turned-up nose, large violet eyes, thin-ish lips and shoulder length golden blonde hair. Some people might say he had a feminine appearance, but there was a masculinity to Liam that had nothing to do with bulging muscles. Liam buzzed with magical power, taking up some of the oxygen in any room he occupied. His aura was ringed in green, indicating he was a healer as well as a warrior. We’d become close friends, partly because we shared the healing gift and all the problems that went along with it.

Heinrich snorted out a laugh. Angel probably wanted to avoid the fighting so he wouldn’t mess up his pretty clothes.

Most of our team had a healthy respect for Angel’s talents as a sorcerer, but didn’t think much of what they called his mercenary attitude. Angel worked for money and lived a luxurious lifestyle, a sure sign he was very well paid. He’d explained to me that because of his shorter lifespan, only twice that of a human without magical powers, he was determined to make it as comfortable for himself as he possibly could. He was certainly successful on that front.

Garrett and I had no problem hiring in a consultant and paying him for his service. The rest of us were paid, so I didn’t really see what the big deal was. The others claimed Angel avoided the down-and-dirty work, always popping in when the worst was over, but Garrett was satisfied with the job he did for the group.

Nathaniel, his injuries already healed, tried to sit up, but Heinrich put an enormous boot-clad foot on his chest and angled Nathaniel’s own sword at his throat. Stay, dog.

Heinrich was a giant. Six foot eight inches of brawn and muscle dressed in leather biker gear, his longer brown hair was tied behind his neck with a thin leather strap. HIs handsome, rugged face could pull off ‘intimidating’ better than most of us. Except maybe for Liam, who could turn into a ravening beast in seconds—not something I ever wanted to see again, thank you very much.

Angel likes to make an entrance. Liam shrugged. As if on cue, a corner of the patio glowed with energy and a man appeared, dressed impeccably in black and holding a leather sports bag.

Angel looked nothing like the shimmering adult demigods depicted in many artistic works. No, this Angel had a smile that could make a woman blush, shining dark eyes that glittered either with mischief or magical energy, and a body that—well you get the picture. His tanned skin tone and thick dark hair added favorably to the rest of his handsome Latin looks, and he seemed to ooze with cool confidence.

Garrett offered his hand so they could shake and the usual greetings were extended all around. Thank you for helping us with this unusual situation.

Angel smiled. "De Nada. I have spent hours on research and have come up with two spells that should work. Unfortunately, one of them involves Nathaniel’s death. He glanced at Nathaniel then back to Garrett. It is the better choice, if you wish to secure your territory. I hope his death does not present a problem for you."

"It’s a rather large problem for me." Nathaniel spoke from the ground, still not strong enough to move out from under Heinrich’s boot.

Shut your mouth, Nate, Rick growled.

Garrett, could you call your gorilla off me? I’m obviously not going anywhere.

Garrett nodded at Heinrich, who moved away but still kept the sword pointed toward Nathaniel’s chest. As Nathaniel stood and dusted himself off, Garrett moved me slightly behind him in an obviously protective and extremely annoying, (to me), gesture. Sasha had moved to my other side.

Huh. Garrett, I can handle myself.

When you work with the team, I’m the boss. No questions. No complaints. No whining. He arched an eyebrow in my direction and I scowled back, shrugging when he didn’t blink. Garrett had made it very clear that this was a team mission and his orders were to be followed. Otherwise I could stay home.

She’s delicious, isn’t she? Nathaniel was looking me over for the first time. Yours, I presume? He glanced at Garrett.

Sasha, who’d become extremely protective of me since my return, hissed at Nate. I’ll cut your tongue out, snake.

Garrett calmed Sash with a subtle gesture. Jacqueline is my lifemate and a warrior on my team. She took out your second, but you may have been too busy to notice.

"Your lifemate? You sound like a shifter. He said the word scornfully. Having only one partner gets old fast. He took two steps toward me, but Heinrich stopped him with a jab of the blade. Nate winced. She reeks of power and has the look of a warrior, so I suppose I see the appeal. Her blood must be exquisite. He stared at me curiously, taking in my scent with a long inhale. She smells like a shifter I knew a couple of decades back. Another magical powerhouse."

If I’d been in cheetah form, my ears would have been straight up and swiveled in his direction. I was determined to find out more about my birth mother and had been searching along with the help of Maya, another cheetah shifter and a member of the Shifter Council of Crescent City. She’d mentioned recently that she was following up a lead on a cheetah birth around seventeen years ago in the Lake Tahoe area. I moved closer to Nathaniel and my two bodyguards moved with me, Garrett keeping a supporting hand on my lower back.

What kind of a shifter? I asked.

Nate smiled. Are you perhaps interested in her? You look very much alike around the eyes and the chin, and of course the coloring. Perhaps she was a relative? An aunt? A mother?

Answer her question, Nathaniel. Garrett’s voice had gone cold.

You’re going to kill me anyway. Why should I?

Liam moved in front of Nate with his fae blade drawn, its point held against the vampire’s heart. I can make your death last for months.

I suppose this means my nest won’t be freed. He shrugged nonchalantly. What a low-life creep.

Angel raised his hand to get our attention. We can use the other method to break the binding. It takes longer and is much more painful for all involved. Afterward, Liam can extract the information regarding the female in Lake Tahoe, then Garret can kill him. Angel was positioned at the corner of the yard. From that distance he could enjoy all the drama while managing to stay out of it.

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at the sorcerer, turning back toward Garrett. Perhaps we could strike a deal?

Go on.

I’ll tell her everything I know about this female shifter and you allow me to leave your territory in peace.

Garrett shook his head, and I caught a hint of sadness in his expression. He didn’t enjoy ordering an execution. You’ve killed too many innocents, Nate.

"Not while I’ve been here in California, on your territory. I’ve followed your laws, I swear."

Liam backed away and turned so Garrett could see his face. He sent to us both, He’s lying. I can extract the information about the woman.

Garrett responded. Try now, please. I don’t believe Nate will give us the information without a promise from me that he’ll live, and I can’t allow that.

I did my best to distract Nathaniel while Liam rooted around in his memories. We know you’re lying. You’d leave and go on killing, I said.

He snorted in disgust. Your mate and your friends have all killed and tortured. You’ve just killed my second in command. You’re all hypocrites! He gasped suddenly and covered his head with his hands, snarling at Liam. Thieving fae half-breed!

Angel’s voice rang out. Liam? Liam nodded. Place the murderer in the circle please, then fill the small container with his blood. While we’d been speaking, Angel had created a circle with salt he’d mixed with his own blood, adding candles and powerful magical runes. He’d left one section open, so there would be a way in and out, but it wasn’t necessary. Liam grabbed Nate and flashed the three of them into the middle, where he sliced Nate’s palm and collected the blood while Garrett held Nathaniel still. They dissolved out again and Angel closed the circle with a few softly spoken words, magically trapping Nate inside.

Please bring the others from his nest, Angel ordered.

Sasha and Rick ushered the nervous trio out onto the patio and stood near the bar, keeping a sharp eye on the prisoners. Christine was dressed biker style in leather and denim, although she didn’t pull the look off as well as Rick did. Her shoulder length light brown hair blew around in the breeze as her brown eyes locked on Garrett, then moved to Nathaniel, who showed his fangs and hissed at her from inside the circle.

She ignored Nate and looked Angel over with interest. Is this going to work? I’d rather not end up like Carlos. She pointed to the blood and gore that covered my clothes. It was a shame it hadn’t disintegrated along with the rest of his body.

Angel blessed her with one of his gorgeous, come-hither smiles. "Señorita, my spells are infallible. Heinrich snorted and Sasha groaned quietly. Pay no attention to the tontos by the bar. You should have no concerns regarding your safety with me performing the spell."

Garrett spoke before his nest could react to Angel’s comment. Christine, introduce me to your two nest mates.

The two vampires were Alex and Clark, both slightly plumper than most vamps, but then I was pretty sure Nate and his nest fed even when they didn’t need to.

Christine took a closer look at me. I guess you’re Garrett’s new mate?

I nodded. Jackie.

Sweet. She looked me over with a scowl and took in my scent. There was something creepy about the way she did it, but I met her gaze directly. She figured out pretty fast that she couldn’t glamour me.

Garrett swept a hand in Liam’s direction. This is Liam, and Angel here will be doing the reversal spell. Christine nodded. To be completely fair to Nathaniel, I need to ask you if he has killed any innocents since he’s been in my territory.

Duh. He drained a whole houseful of humans when we arrived in Tahoe City. Since we’ve been here, he’s gone through at least twelve servants.

Alex spoke up. Don’t forget those tourists at the campground just inside the border.

Nathaniel scowled. "But those were all human deaths. Surely, you didn’t mean humans, did you, Garrett?"

Garrett’s glare was deadly. "Under the authority of NAVA, I have the right to decide your fate, based on the laws that govern North American vampires and our supernatural allies. Our current law states that vampires are not to draw the attention of the human authorities. Yet you killed many humans, where you could’ve simply glamoured them and let them go, unharmed. NAVA scouts have been forced to cover up your mistakes. In addition, you didn’t present yourself to me to ask permission to stay in my territory. Your unfortunate case of bad manners doesn’t negate your responsibility to follow my rules while you’re here. I’ve prohibited the harming of innocents, so you’ve broken my laws as well."

Nathaniel began to shout. They were fucking cattle! Didn’t Eleanor teach you anything?

Garrett’s eyes erupted in a silver rage as he hissed out, Eleanor taught me that despots deserve death. He turned to Angel. Kill him quickly. He disgusts me.

Si, el gusto es mio.

We ignored Nathaniel’s shouting while Angel gave directions to the three remaining members of his nest. Stand around the circle, each one behind a black candle. As they each took up their positions, he passed out small bowls, coming around again with a blade so they could slice their own palms and fill the bowls halfway with blood. He used the same blade for all the cuts, explaining that it was a ritual blade: a blade forged with dark magic, as Liam’s was forged in fae magic. When he finished the quiet chanting he moved between the three vampires, cutting his palm with the same blade and adding three drops of his own blood to each of their bowls. Because Nate’s sorcerer had used blood magic to invoke the original spell, Angel was forced to use the same to reverse it.

Garrett draped his arm around me as we stood out of the way and watched the ritual with fascination. Angel began to chant loudly in an ancient language, pulling up power as he did, the magical vibrations it caused stirring the night air. He allowed a few drops of his blood to fall on the salt circle. Flames engulfed the circle surrounding Nathaniel but did not touch him.

You really don’t want to continue with this, Garrett. This spell is irreversible. You’re putting your mate in danger. The sorcerer warned me there would be a violent back-flash if anyone tried. Mild panic edged Nathaniel’s voice and I couldn’t blame him. This was some scary shit, but he’d brought it on himself.

Pour the blood mixture onto the flames. They obeyed and moved back slightly as the flames grew higher. "Kneel behind las velas. He indicated the black candles. I do not want any of you falling headfirst into the flames. In a moment, you will be grateful you are already on the ground."

He lifted the container of Nathaniel’s blood and uncovered it. Revocare defixus. He sprinkled a few drops into the flames in front of Christine and she cried out and bent over, whimpering with pain as she clutched her stomach. He repeated the ritual in front of Clark and Alex and they both crumpled to the ground, moaning and cursing.

When the first drop of Nathaniel’s blood hit the flames in front of Christine, Nathaniel began to scream. The flames on her side were reaching toward him like claws and his clothes began to burn the moment the flames touched him. The same thing happened with the other two and before long the whole patio vibrated with death magic and the smell of burning flesh as the fire consumed Nathaniel’s life energy along with his body. It didn’t take long for him to die, but it was too much for me to watch. I buried my eyes against Garrett’s chest and covered my ears and nose. I was sick from the stench and the sound of his screams.

Do you want me to take you inside?

No, just hold me.

As long as you need me to, mon ange. He stroked my back and I relaxed into his strength.

When it was over, we thanked Angel, who smiled, looking drained but satisfied. He handed us his invoice, then disappeared to the derisive noises coming from the

Reviews for Blown Away

[Angela Cam · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I feel that the book could have used more action and demon interaction.
I think that the use of words, new character and humor was very needed and entertaining.
Other then these statement the book was great, entertaining and easy to animate because of the descriptional words.

[Keli Reardon · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Why can't characters just be child free. Why do you have to rape a character and change their opinions completely to force a child into the situation. And then to add onto it the way the fae reacted about the possibility of her making her own choice. Ruined the series for me felt like a very forced way to add a child into a child free relationship.

[DellaFarrell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

another excellent read. I am really enjoying this series