Caught Between: Rogues Shifter Series Book 5

By Gayle Parness

Jackie, a seventeen year old cheetah shapeshifter and Garrett, her vampire lifemate travel to his maker's old villa where he tries to face down the demons of his past. With the help of an unexpected and unwelcome guest and also a lovely surprise, Jackie is able to help Garrett find the peace he longs for.

But as soon as they're back at home, the usual craziness kicks in. The Rogues, Inc. team is called into action to help solve two local murders, plus Jackie is forced to confront her most hated enemy as he's judged before the Elders of Faerie.

Finally, a wantonly violent act threatens to tear apart her family, leaving her once again determined to protect the people that she loves with her magic and her strength.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gayle Parness
• Release date: Feb 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301008995

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

Prologue

Trembling, Bridgett lowered herself onto the edge of the marble fountain, quickly closing her hand around the pouch containing the small vial of blood and the ragged piece of blue fabric. She ignored the cool spray dusting her shoulders, her awareness narrowing to block out everything but the soft velvet beneath her fingers. Routines were continuing around her on schedule as if nothing unusual had taken place, but her life had been forever altered by the contents of a small velvet bag and a few private words spoken in a forest clearing less than twenty minutes ago.

To prove to herself this was not a dream, she opened the bag once again. Her hand shook as the scent shattered her senses, but she dug into her reserves. Falling apart would destroy any chance she might have to set things right.

When she'd first opened the bag, she'd only felt curious, never expecting to be horrified by whatever it contained. Looking at it now—a scrap ripped from his shirt and stiff with his blood—she saw it for what it was. A wake-up call.

She leaned back, lifted her legs and wrapped her arms around her knees, compelled by instinct to hold herself tightly in control and not lose herself to grief. Having experienced events that had already changed her short life dramatically in mere seconds, she'd grown more practiced at facing an uncertain future. Although this one would be terrifying in comparison to her relatively simple and ordered life of twenty minutes ago.

Yet promises had been made on both sides, and she was astonished, under these circumstances, to feel a strange new sense of excitement stirring in her blood. If what she'd been told was true, and she now believed it was, the tragedy could be reversed. The gift of foreknowledge, as painful as it was, would give her time to prepare.

She took another long breath to organize her thoughts. The unexpected visitor had been very clear. The death would be unavoidable, and afterward, her choice would be obvious. She would need courage and a shrewdness not common to her, but for this goal, she'd do anything.

She heard a sound and turned to see who approached. The young female spoke to her in High Seelie Fae. I am sorry to bother you during your time off, Bridgett, but Lady Dinestri needs you.

Thank you, Mirrane. Please tell her I'll be right there. She'd answered in the same language, the ease in which she'd learned it a gift she'd taken for granted in the past. Watching as the young fae nodded and walked back through the garden, Bridgett wrapped the blood-soaked cloth around the glass vial and placed them back into the small bag. She tucked it into the pocket of her jacket, along with two sprigs of mint she'd plucked from a nearby shrub to help hide the scent.

Bridgett cleared her mind and built her mental wall, making it as strong as possible so her fae employers couldn't read what she'd have to keep hidden there. Not that they went into her mind, but if they sensed a change in her, they might. Keeping this secret would make these next few weeks difficult, but in the end it would be worth every second.

Bridgett stood, dusted off the fae gown she’d grown accustomed to wearing, ran her fingers through her light brown hair and went back to work.

1

It was one a.m. on a clear, late August night when Garrett and I pulled up alongside the villa in Carmel, California that had once belonged to Eleanor Howard, Garrett's maker. Garrett had wanted to drive part of the way, saying it would make sense to have a car at our disposal, so we traveled the ley lines only as far as San Francisco, and rented a sports car to drive the last two hours. The ride down the coast had been scenically lovely in the moonlight, but I'd mostly stayed quiet to give Garrett the space I sensed he needed to prepare himself emotionally. He looked a little paler than usual and although he'd fed before we'd left, his skin was cool to the touch.

I was beginning to wonder if this had been such a great idea. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed him to go, but I'd wanted so badly to have some time together away from all the craziness back at home. Plus, I was curious about the villa and I was determined to learn more about Garrett's time with Eleanor, something he rarely spoke about. It should have occurred to me that spending time here might be anything but relaxing for him.

The chaos surrounding our lives the past two weeks had kept both of us tense and on our toes. There'd been trips to the doctor to make sure that little Charlie was developing as he should, walks along the beach with Ethan, to keep me in shape and relieve some of my anxiety about becoming a mom, and even some weapons training with Kyle, our resident modern weapons expert and another member of our rogues team. Garrett and his friend, Rob, a black leopard shifter, had formed our unique band of paranormal crime fighters, and although we were relatively new to the game, we'd already been successful at putting away some serious badasses.

In addition, our property in Crescent City was currently a hotbed of construction projects, mostly organized by Aaron and his werewolf pack. The 'Vamp Villa' next door was just about finished and Garrett's nest of vampires along with Flynn, a teenaged lion shapeshifter who was training to join the team, would be moving in sometime within the next couple of days.

A suitable tree had been found in the woods behind our house and had been converted into a magically protected residence for four tiny pixies, who'd pledged their loyalty to me and my son and would be moving in three days before I gave birth. The lovely little female, Sinlae, seemed to be magically prescient, so at least I'd have a heads-up on when to expect Charlie's imminent arrival.

And of course, my old room across the hall from Garrett's had been turned into a nursery. Besides filling it up with all the usual baby equipment, I'd asked Ashlyn, a fae artist, to draw murals on the walls. I hadn't seen them yet, since she was still working when we'd left and I wanted to be surprised, but I was totally psyched.

Garrett parked the sports car at the end of a twisting driveway, near a set of stone stairs that led up to what looked like a walled garden. Extending his hand, he helped me out of the car, then without releasing me, turned to look up at the main house. I watched his face as he took in the graceful lines of the enormous manor. His normally vibrant sapphire eyes had darkened and tiny lines had formed between his brows and across his forehead, as he seemed to lose himself to his bleak memories.

Feeling his pain, I suddenly felt guilty and selfish for forcing him to come, unworthy of this amazing male. I wrapped my arms around his waist, snuggling closer and sending out my love along with my energy. He sighed with resignation as he draped an arm over my shoulder and kissed the top of my head. This was not a place that held happy memories for Garrett.

On the outside, it was lovely. Architecture wasn't my thing, but the influence was definitely Spanish, with a tiled roof, pristine pale stucco walls, arched walkways and a large garden surrounding the house, decorated with various fountains and sculptures. The view of the ocean and the coastline from the driveway level was spectacular in the moonlight, so I imagined it must be even better from the front garden or upper floors. I had to admit, I was a little bit surprised that it was so elegant, based on what I knew of Eleanor and her taste for death and violence. There was nothing gloomy or ominous about it at all. Of course, I hadn't yet seen the inside.

Liam and Kellaine arrived in a shimmer of light further down the driveway, then walked up to greet us. Our fae friends avoided car trips when possible, preferring to travel the magical rivers known as ley lines to get here. They were both dressed casually in jeans and tee shirts, but no one would ever think them an average couple. Both possessed an alien beauty, their bodies lean and unusually graceful, their violet eyes glittering in the moonlight like crystal amethysts somehow lit from behind. They smelled of life magic and pulsed with more power than a nuclear plant. These two could imagine you hanging upside down by your toes and you would be—just like that. Good thing we were friends, right?

With wide eyes and big smiles, they surveyed the outside of the property the way Garrett and I had, commenting on its beauty. I smiled back in agreement, but Garrett continued to look anxious. He'd spent over one hundred years on and off in these rooms, listening to the screams of Eleanor's victims and smelling their blood as it pooled on the floors. He'd shed plenty of his own blood here under Eleanor's ministrations. I felt his grip on my shoulder tighten as if he'd read my thoughts.

I knew a few facts about what had happened in this place and most of it made modern horror movies sound tame. Garrett's mother, father and sister had died inside these walls along with countless other innocents, all because of Eleanor's desire for power and her penchant for inflicting pain. Garrett had been turned here against his will from a peace-loving cheetah shapeshifter into a blood-addicted newborn vampire. He'd been tortured by Eleanor or her enforcers when he didn't obey her orders to kill or feed from innocents, and he'd spent a century torturing himself for the rare times when he was forced to do as she'd commanded.

Sensing our need for privacy, Liam took Kellaine to the edge of the property to look at the lovely view of the ocean in the moonlight, but Garrett's feet remained glued to the driveway, refusing to take a step toward the house. I sent to him mentally, We don't have to stay. I shouldn't have suggested this trip.

He sighed. No. I'm ready for this. It's past time.

What can I do to make it easier?

He released me and turned, smiling halfway. Stay close tonight?

Velcro—that's me. He pulled me against him again and took in a huge breath of my scent to steady his nerves. I giggled, my voice muffled against his chest. And aromatherapy too. He laughed and pulled away, his eyes brightening as they lost the haunted look they'd carried during the drive. I touched his face and ran my fingers down his jaw line. She can't hurt anyone ever again. Even if she haunts these hallways, she can't do any harm.

Eleanor's ghost is not one of the spirits I dread seeing. I'd known for a long time that Garrett blamed himself for his family's deaths, even though there was absolutely nothing he could have done to save them.

If onlys can tear you up inside, and no matter how soundly the logical side of your mind broadcasts that you were without blame, your heart won't let you off so easily. Garrett had carried this guilt around for over a century. Long enough.

This is our villa now, and if your family shows up, it'll only be to celebrate the coming birth of their grandson and nephew. And maybe to get a good look at me. I turned around, my rounded belly much more obvious than it was only a few days ago. Fae children gestated for only two and half months, and I was stretching at an alarming rate. What do you think they'll say?

That I'm behaving like a coward and I don't deserve you.

They don't know me yet. I'll make sure to tell them we're naming him after your dad. That'll earn me some points. His full-out laugh made me giggle with relief. I’d sworn to myself that this week I was going to make it my mission to help Garrett replace most of his bad memories with good ones. He smiled warmly as he took my hand, gestured to Liam and Kellaine, then led us up the wide stone steps to the front door of Eleanor’s old villa. When he reached for the knocker I was certain his family would have been as proud of him as I was.

2

The doors opened immediately, so the tall vampire who stood before us must have seen us coming. He was Garrett's height, with dark red hair, navy blue eyes, and a warm smile. Monsieur Cuvier, it's a pleasure to see you again.

Thank you, Jon. This is my lifemate, Jackie Cuvier, and our close friends, Liam and Kellaine.

He turned to me and smiled. I'm Jon, Madame, and I am here to serve you, Monsieur Cuvier and your guests. Please call on me at any time from dusk until dawn. He turned back to Garrett. The renovations are finished and everything is ready for you and your guests. Sandra and Claude will see to your guests' needs while you are resting. If you like, I'll have Dean park your car in the garage."

Thank you, Jon. Garrett handed him the key. Jon, Dean, Claude and Sondra have acted as caretakers for the property since Eleanor's death. He told me earlier he’d interviewed and hired them in Crescent City, not wanting to come anywhere near the villa at the time.

The werewolf chef arrived yesterday. Clark Bourdons.

Excellent.

You won't recognize the villa. The crew has done an incredible job.

I sincerely hope that's true. We strolled into the large circular foyer with several arched windows and a thirty-foot ceiling decorated with a colorful mural. Angelic figures in shining armor stood tall, swords and arrows drawn against grotesque demonic foes. The beautiful warriors, male and female High Seelie Fae, rode horse-like creatures in shades of browns, whites, blacks and grays. Mystical creatures surrounded them, such as gnomes and pixies, having drawn their own swords to fight beside the fae. A central abyss spouting fire separated them from the darker forces. Behind the fae warriors bloomed life in all its natural beauty just as it does in Faerie: shimmering waterfalls, lush forests, crystalline skies and even a rainbow.

A central abyss spouting fire separated them from the darker forces on the opposite side, where flames seemed to engulf the unseelie and their demonic cohorts. Strangely, the fire didn't appear to be harming them. The scene was clearly meant to portray their native environment which included stark mountain ranges spotted with sinister caves and shadowed crevices. The unseelie fae and demon warriors were drawn as grotesque caricatures, looking nothing like their shining brothers and sisters. The actual battle had yet to begin and there was no sign at all of vampires, werewolves, or shifters in the colorful mural.

"Eleanor never liked this depiction. That's why I decided to keep it. She said it made it seem as if fae and demons were the only powerful supernaturals in the three realms. She always felt herself equal to any warrior—fae, demon, vampire, or wolf.

Liam smiled. Well...

Quite dramatic. Kellaine interrupted him with an arched eyebrow.

Liam laughed, giving her hand a yank and pulling her closer. I was going to say it's an artist's interpretation of a past altercation that didn't involve the other races. Was the artist fae?

Garrett shrugged. No idea. I don’t see a signature.

I doubt the artist had any real sense of what the demon realm is like. No one in the Cascade Sidhe has traveled there, except for Kennet, of course.

The three of them looked at me, since I'd actually visited with my grandmother, the Archdemoness Naberia, in the Demon Realm for a short time a few weeks ago. I rubbed my belly as a shiver shook my body. My son's mixture of fae and demon and shifter blood was unique and possibly even dangerous. It was a concern for all of us.

I didn’t see anything while I was there. Isaiah brought me to a room without windows, decorated with murals like this one. I waved my arm at the ceiling. My grandmother behaved as if she'd never been in the room before. I assumed it was something constructed so I'd feel more comfortable. I have no clue what the realm really looks like.

As I spoke, I hadn't taken my eyes off one of the fae warriors in the mural. With long platinum blond hair and sharp features, he looked a little too familiar for my liking, Sometimes our enemies look like the shining figures.. Garrett took my hand again, sweetly kissing my palm and tugging me a little closer. Kellaine gave my shoulder a friendly squeeze. They understood I was referring to Lord Kennet. I'd spent several horrific days in his hands, locked away underground and tortured. The child I carried, my son, was conceived when he raped me.

Evil lives in the heart. Some in the Seelie Queen's Court are a perfect example. Eleanor as well. Eleanor had been stunningly beautiful, although it wasn't easy to forget the animal she'd become when she'd dueled against Garrett. Kellaine returned her gaze upward. War is never as simplified as it is depicted here. Still I like it. It reminds me of epic battles fought alongside handsome, valiant heroes. Kellaine winked at Liam who grinned back and looped an arm over her shoulder.

Jon smiled and waved toward a large archway. May I show you to your rooms?

We followed Jon up a wide curving staircase. Our suite was a corner one in the front of the house on the second floor of the three-story villa. Liam and Kellaine were in a large room farther down the hall. Both rooms had windows facing the ocean and expansive balconies. Ours wrapped around the entire corner, giving us some privacy.

I smiled when I noticed our luggage was already there. Vamp-speedy butlers came in handy. I looked around at the lavish furnishings, admiring the brocade chairs and Moroccan leather couch. The bed was enormous. Was this your room when you lived here?

No. It was Yvette's. She liked the sea air and the sound of the waves and the seagulls. She'd grown up near the ocean in France. My room was in the back of the house next to Eleanor's. Not by choice. He went to one of the windows and pointed to the metal shade that was fitted inside the top frame. The windows and doors in the bedrooms lock down at dawn, just like my room at home. No light will get in. There's a kill switch for each room in case the occupant isn't a vampire.

A quiet knock sent Garrett to the door. Another vampire, Dean, introduced himself and announced that a light meal had been laid out in the dining room if I'd like to eat. My stomach growled loudly at the mention of food and Garrett tried not to laugh.

It's not me. Charlie must be hungry again.

At this rate, he'll be born fully grown.

Very funny. Just keep him off Sasha's soccer team until he's at least five. Garrett's nest and our team of shifters had already challenged each other to a soccer tournament, a plausible idea since we'd put a field in the backyard of the new house. Charlie put in his two cents with a few kicks, forcing my stomach to growl even louder and both his parents to break out in laughter. I knew I could get you to smile while you were here.

Garrett took my hand and raised it to his mouth, giving my palm a gentle kiss. My beautiful cheetah, in this place your laughter is the best cure. Garrett took me down a different staircase to get to the dining room and we passed a few maids on a way. Smiling wickedly, I mused over the wonderful decadence of having servants to tend to my needs—the main one these days being food. Garrett's laughter had lightened my earlier guilt, so I walked with a renewed optimism, feeling certain that this trip would be a relaxing escape for both of us.

3

The light meal turned out to be a huge spread of delicious hot appetizers, cheeses, freshly baked breads and an assortment of fruits, way more than Liam, Kellaine and I could finish. Garrett sipped his wine and listened to our chatter about the house and what we wanted to do during the day while he rested.

Liam and Kellaine were interested in going to the local stable and riding through the nearby hills and along the coastline. I couldn't join them, but I encouraged them to go. Garrett had assured me I'd be safe here with the servants, especially since he and Liam had also enlisted Farrell's help. He'd be joining us for breakfast each morning and acting as an additional body guard until Liam and Kellaine returned from their explorations. I enjoyed Farrell's company, but the garden was lovely and I'd brought plenty to read. I'd discovered that a nap in the afternoon before Garrett rose was always a good idea. Charlie seemed to like it too, settling down peacefully when I did.

After we'd talked for a while, I noticed that Garrett had finished his wine and was staring at the fireplace with a very serious expression.

Liam must have noticed too. Do you have a pool table? I'll challenge you to a match if you're game. Or perhaps we could all take a walk? The moon is bright tonight.

Garrett turned toward Dean, who was clearing the table. In the great room, sir.

Garrett stood without enthusiasm and led the way. When we entered the room, he looked startled, then smiled broadly as he inspected the recently renovated space. It was decorated in warm colors with pictures on the walls of redwood forests similar to where we hunted together as cheetahs, and seascapes like the one outside the window. The furnishings looked casual and comfortable, the rugs woven in warm shades of reds and blues and browns were positioned over beautifully polished wooden floors. Several bouquets of fresh flowers scented the inviting space which seemed to glow with life. The energy had shifted radically from the more somber dining room.

Do you like it? Kellaine asked.

Garrett nodded. It's perfect. I'll have to contact the decorators to thank them.

You're welcome. She laughed.

You did this?

It's a present from Liam and me. I'll be happy to take care of the dining room for you. It's still very formal.

Yes, it's too much like it was. I found myself brooding. I'd be grateful if you could work your magic and make it more welcoming like this charming room.

Of course. They nodded to each other in the fae way and the deal was struck.

I couldn't play pool because my belly got in the way. Well, actually – I couldn't play even if it was a normal size. I wasn't good at it and honestly, I didn't have the patience to learn. Hitting little balls into holes with sticks held no appeal for me. Clobbering bad guys with staffs was definitely more fun.

The boys played, Liam sipping honey wine and Garrett his usual red, while Kellaine sat down at the baby

Reviews for Caught Between

[thomas rea · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book now on to the next events to follow

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

The ending was wonderful ending in a cliff hanger really made me want to read the next book.
The suspense action and excitement is over welming
Over all thi sis my favorite book.
I can't wait to see what becomes of Charlie or Charlie's and what is going to happen with Jackie's uncle.

[DellaFarrell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

another entertaining read. with twists and unexpected turns