Piper LeVine, They Call me Assassin

By Eris Kelli

Piper LeVine is dying.
The cost of her survival is clear, she must become one of them, an Assassin.
Nicholas, a Gypsy Werewolf, is evolving. His wolf is changing in dangerous ways.
Between the deaths, battles, and broken promises, Piper and Nicholas are pushed to the very edge.
Will their love end or prove to be extraordinarily epic?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eris Kelli
• Release date: Aug 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310431364

Eris Kelli

Eris Kelli grew up in the pacific northwest as the youngest of eight children. Her writing is fueled by her love of adventure, learning and her drive to explore an idea. She now resides in Midwest America, with her husband, two beautiful children, (who keep her running,) and two happy puppies.Currently she is fast at work on the fifth book in the Piper LeVine Series and several other projects are in the works as well including her Witch Hunter Series!Make sure to connect with Eris on Facebook! And don't forget to review!

Book preview

Prologue

I am Piper LeVine.

If for some funny reason you’ve missed the first three books of my story, Piper LeVine, A Gypsy’s Truth, Piper LeVine Path of Betrayal, and Piper LeVine, Follow the Leader, or you just need a refresher this section is for you!

I’m seventeen and raised mostly by my grandma Sidney, who is an amazing lady. Harold and Katrine LeVine are my parents. Well at least they held the roles for the past seventeen and a half years. They adopted me believing that Harold LeVine, a Senator, really was my father.

The truth is quite a story, so I recommend starting from book one.

In a nutshell, I’m really the daughter of a Gypsy Queen, Seraph and a Scottish Vampire known as Morgan Castlerock.

Like any daughter, I’d hoped to find a perfect pair, but they are flawed as we all are. My father is not a sweet, loving vampire as some TV shows portray his kind. Nope. Morgan Castlerock is an evil, dangerous, bloodthirsty, soul stealing Baobhan Sith.

Through an intricate series of deceptive acts, I was tricked into faking my death. Everyone thought I was dead, including Nicholas. He is the guy, well werewolf, who has put it all on the line to save me.

Thanks to Brynn, (ugh!) a backstabbing, selfish ex, Nicholas was given a potion that manipulated his memory. More appropriately it was Brynn, who manipulated his memories to erase her misdeeds from his mind and make him believe they were in love.

No, don’t worry. Nicholas still loved me even when he thought I was a Baobhan Sith. I can’t even go into the things he’s gone through to try to spare me from the Baobhans. He almost became one himself.

Anyway, after messing with his memories, Brynn tricked Nicholas into a promise of engagement. She went and got contaminated with the plague by an evil Gypsy named Madame Elloise and got the promise out of Nicholas through pity.

Richard is the Baobhan who was taking care of me while the other Baobhans prepared themselves for my freeing the first vampire, Draghor. I can honestly say Richard has put me in danger about as often as he’s saved my life. At this point, I don’t know if he’s good, bad or doomed to be hugging that fence the middle.

He and Kyla McTavish helped me kill Draghor.

With the first vampire dead, the rest of them became vulnerable to death.

Nicholas and I found each other but my story, our story, is far from over. He’s still engaged. I’m still considered dead, and I’ve got a target on my head from all Baobhans. There are rumors about my birth mother, Seraph, being put on death row by the Gypsy Minerva.

Morgan Castlerock has my sister, Trina, and I can only guess at his motivation for taking her.

I knew that we’d be hunting each other, the Baobhans and I. Mistakenly, I thought I would have the upper hand since they are vulnerable now and I have some amazing Gypsy powers.

That’s right, Gypsy powers. They are magnified the purer the heart of a Gypsy is, and weakened by hate and anger. My powers are Earth Luring, which means I can grow things. Wind Whispering, which means I can send messages on the wind to all or specific people. That one cost me some really embarrassing moments.

Allure, well that one has almost gotten me killed more times than I can count. It’s been described to me as the ability to entice desire from the opposite sex and anger those of the same gender.

I am new to Animal Charming, but so far I was able to win over some lions that would have eaten me otherwise. The Screaming thing I do has been compared to a banshee’s ear piercing wail. I can tell you that Screaming power sends men, women, Baobhan, werewolf and any other hearing creature running.

But even with all these powers, I am far from invulnerable. I’d gone to check on my friend, Kyla, who was still recovering from the bites of Baobhans from our battle with Draghor, when I found out this vulnerability first hand. With Nicholas not more than a hundred yards away and my feet planted on the protected island, the Baobhans found me.

Chapter 1

** Piper **

The last time I heard that voice I had feared for my life and this time was no different. Those wet lips were pressed against my neck so firmly I could feel the fangs beneath them.

Bravago!

I wanted to do this slowly and tell you what hell I’ve been in since last we were together, but your dog is nearby. He gripped the hair just above my ear and yanked, giving him better access to my neck. Pain stabbed at my scalp, but I was too afraid to really feel it.

Kyla’s dark eyelashes fluttered.

I couldn’t seem to get my Wind Whispering working with the hand over my mouth. I kicked the bedpost to try to wake Kyla. She was in danger, and she didn’t even know it.

I expected his bite to feel like the bite of a Black Sith. It didn’t.

Instead of cold, paralyzing pain, it was hot. Heat spread through my neck, leaving the inside of my throat like the cracked desert floor of the Mojave. The heat spread through my body never decreasing in temperature.

Weakness came with the dehydration. I could not hold myself up as Bravago sucked painfully at my neck. The noise coming from him was a cross between enjoyment and thirst.

Bravago had been craving the rest of my blood since he first got a taste. That is the only reason I can find that would explain his distraction in letting his hand slip from my mouth.

I could not scream. I didn’t have enough strength or time. Instead, I called out to Nicholas on the wind. "Nicholas, help me."

Werewolves are fast, and I knew he’d come. The seconds ticked by as I waited feeling like eons as more of my blood was drained.

He’ll come, it’s okay.

The feeling in my legs was gone. Was I holding myself up at all?

Where is he? Doesn’t he come when you call? Bravago asked. His bloody smile was sickening. I wanted to grow something, but it was too late for that.

I tried to tell Bravago how stupid he was for coming onto the island, but my throat was so withered I was only successful in moving my mouth. He looked like he was about to mock my attempt, I’m not sure what stopped him.

My nose was running and his eyes were white, with that Baobhan mist they get, widened and focused in on the steady stream running down my face. I tried to wipe it, but the effort was fruitless.

His supporting hold gave way and my bottom and lower back crashed to the floor. He still had my head by a handful of my hair. My face was turned toward the ground, so I didn’t see what Bravago did.

I heard him suck in a breath and then electricity jolted through me. It hurt like a barbed wire being pulled out of my fingertips. Kyla was awake and electrocuting Bravago and me in the process.

Stop, Kyla!

Maybe my plea made it onto the wind. I don’t know, but the charge stopped and Bravago released me. My face fell forward onto the floor. I heard grunts and a hungry fire consuming the structure. The electricity must have sparked it. I didn’t know, but I prayed it would help Kyla.

The whole structure shook with an explosion from behind me.

Piper?

Nicholas!

A smile pulled at the corners of my mouth.

My prince. He’ll save me.

** Nicholas **

Sandra handed me a book, but I was watching Piper hurry toward Lucy’s medical room. She wanted to check on the young woman, Kyla.

The thought made me laugh. Only Piper would worry over a girl who could call down lightning from the sky. Kyla McTavish had a reputation as the most powerful lightning leader yet to have lived. I’d also heard she was as short tempered as a bear coming out of hibernation.

This is The Book of Baobhans, Nicholas. I am almost sure of it, Sandra was saying.

I didn’t know what that meant. Our Gypsy Queen Seraph did not approve of any discussion involving Baobhans. Sandra was always so determined to bend the rules if not break them.

Piper’s heartbeat sped up. I’d been focused on its rhythm and followed the beat out of my view with my werewolf intensified hearing.

Nicholas, wait. Sandra grabbed onto me as I started back toward the community.

Piper’s heartbeat sped up. She could be in danger.

Sandra yanked on the arm she held. She’s having a hard time saying goodbye, nothing more. Listen to me. This book can free Piper of the Baobhans. You can end the feud.

End the feud? Then Piper will be safe.

How? I looked at the book in my other hand.

Sandra opened the book and her long red painted nail tapped a picture of Cayden, the Baobhan I’d helped trap. It’s a list. This list tells you who and how many are left. Look. She flipped the pages until she came to a crossed out picture of Juliette, the Baobhan I’d killed.

The red X across her face looked like it was in blood and the smell confirmed it.

With this you’ll know who you need to hunt.

I could tell Piper’s heartbeat had slowed down, but it was difficult to hear. Was she walking further away? The feeling of uneasiness had never failed me before. I would look the book over after I checked on Piper.

Sandra seemed to know my plan without my explaining. She took the book I pushed at her, and I started toward the community. The celebration was loud and pounded at my senses. I could not afford to block them out, not until I found Piper.

When I stepped onto the worn path that led to Lucy’s medical room, I scented Piper’s blood and my own heart stopped.

I crossed the distance to the medical room at my top speed. The door crafted from heavy thick wood was locked. Raising my hands up, I drove them through the wood and gripped the door. The fear made me stronger than I ever thought I could be.

With minimal effort, I pulled the door off its hinges taking with it a section of the framing. I tossed it aside and crossed the threshold.

The first thing I saw was Kyla sitting upright on the bed, her head and torso wavering. She gripped the side of the bed, her skin pale and sickly. Her dark brown hair fell forward as she gestured toward the floor.

Piper was a deathly shade of white. Her form crumpled unnaturally on the floor, her long red hair was fanned out above her head. I could hear her heart though.

She’s alive.

Her neck was bitten and a bloody mess.

Rushing forward, the strong scent of ash and fire filled my nostrils. It failed, however, to cover the scent of the Black Sith.

Is that coming off of Piper?

I grabbed the jar of purifier and applied it liberally on Piper’s neck.

It shouldn’t be happening this fast.

Scooping her up into my arms she seemed even lighter than she had been before. Her face rolled away, her eyes closed.

I should have never let her out of my sight.

The structure groaned as the fire spread running up the walls and spreading across the ceiling. I propped Piper over my left shoulder. Kyla held onto me as I set her on my right shoulder.

Lucy’s medical room was going up in flames like it had been doused in gasoline. It wasn’t going to hold much longer. Turning I hurried across the threshold.

The Gypsy clan was gathering around and bringing water to put out the fire. I weaved through them and set the girls down for Lucy the clan healer, who was rushing toward us.

Baobhans are on the island, I told Lucy and the werewolves who were present. There is a breach in the iron ring. Find it. The wolves moved to obey.

Lucy was checking the pulse on Kyla and Piper. Kyla is fine. She’s passed out from exhaustion. Piper needs more purifier. I handed her the jar I’d taken. This isn’t enough. She eyeballed the jar with her light colored eyes as she opened it. Lucy applied the purifier to Piper’s throat as I had done.

He took his time with her. The poison, Baobhan venom, is heavy in her blood. She may not recover from this.

I watched her piling it on the wound.

Where can I get more?

Lucy turned her face to the side. Only one place. She sighed and shook her head.

Where?

From the Gypsy Assassins. They are in the forest of the main road to the cape.

The Assassin clan was enemies of most of the Gypsy families. I had heard they had been wiped out. Apparently not.

I’ll go get it.

Take her with you. She won’t hold on long enough for you to make it back.

Sliding one hand beneath her back and the other under the bend of her knees, I took Piper in my arms. Her red hair was the color of hot coal but cool and smooth as it slid over my arm.

The purifier returned some of the color to her face and the wound was closing.

She’ll make it, I said.

I hadn’t noticed Daniel standing with us, until he spoke up, I’ll come with you.

They need you here.

Daniel came with us as I headed out toward the beach. They’ve got the blood rubies. An army of Baobhans could be waiting for you to leave the safety of the island with my sister.

Piper stirred in my arms.

I wanted to argue. Daniel had been awfully close with the Baobhans only weeks ago. Piper might trust him, but I didn’t.

Where is Kyla? Piper’s voice sounded dry to my ears, but it was strong.

She’s fine. Lucy is watching over her, I said looking down at her beautiful, oval shaped face. She blinked trying to focus. Inwardly, I cringed at the growing black rings around the irises of her sea green eyes.

Piper was looking at me, so I tried to give her a reassuring smile.

She has to make it through this. There is no other option.

Daniel crossed over the iron ring that prevented the Baobhans from crossing onto the island. He looked around and waded out into the water. I watched as his blond head dipped beneath the surface.

Piper watched me as I watched the water. I hoped she could not see the fear I felt.

He surfaced up out of the cold sea. Clear.

I started down the slope of the shore as Sandra came running up behind us. Where are you going?

We’ll be back.

Piper’s cool hand ran over my cheek and chin. It’ll be okay.

Of course it will, babe. I’ve got you. I kissed her thumb when it ran over my lips. Her sweet smile fueled my resolve. There was no way I could go on living without that smile in my life.

I loaded her into the boat quickly. We were over the line so my attention turned to our surroundings. Starting the engine I gave it the full throttle.

Daniel pulled himself aboard just as we began picking up speed. Get out of the boat, I said.

She’s my sister. I won’t leave her.

When did you suddenly decide to care about her? You never wanted to speak of her growing up.

Daniel was studying Piper’s eyes. Is she?

No, came out in a bark.

He looked at me. Was that fear in his eyes?

Could he really change so much?

Big waves crashed against the boat. The sky was crisp and clear. No boats on the horizon, just a straight uninhibited path to Cape Wrath where we would get back on land. It was too easy.

Where are they?

Chapter 2

** Trina **

I locked the car door in the backseat of the taxi. Logically, if Morgan Castlerock could stop a moving car with nothing more than his bare hands, the dinky little lock wasn’t going to stop him.

Trina LeVine, I do believe your daddy told you to stay with me. Where do you think you’re going? Morgan asked as he came around to the driver’s side door.

Should I run?

Open the door, he told the taxi driver. I saw the way he made sure to make eye contact with the driver, who knew I was on the run. The driver unlocked all the doors with a push of the button.

No. He isn’t my father. Please don’t just hand me over to this freak. I held the lock button down on my door. My dad has lots of money. You’ll be handsomely rewarded for helping me get to safety. I promise. Please.

The driver didn’t acknowledge what I said at all.

Trina, you should know by now you can’t run away from me. I will always find you.

I crawled to the opposite door and jumped out crashing into his chest.

How did he get around the car so fast?

He gripped my wrists firmly. Let’s go for a walk. He did not wait for a response. Morgan started walking, dragging me along behind him. I began to struggle.

I saw my own reflection in the tinted car windows as we passed them. I saw this tiny, blond teenage girl being dragged down the street, and I couldn’t believe people weren’t jumping out of their cars to offer me help. It was like they couldn’t see me.

Castlerock turned back, directing my face upward toward his. Don’t struggle. You will not make a scene. His hypnotic voice echoed through my mind as I stared into his dark eyes. I still wanted to fight him, but my body didn’t.

How did he do that?

Are you some kind of magician? A mind controller? Morgan continued walking. What do you want?

His dark eyes were on me again. I require your company, blood bag.

Blood bag?

Is this an organ donor situation? My kidneys are probably pretty bad I drink a lot-

No. This is me telling you that I am keeping you until I no longer need you. His contacts must have fogged up or something because his eyes looked like the shower mirror after a steamy wash. It was creepy.

Morgan sighed noisily. If you run too far I will make use of you in a way in which you will not enjoy. I know Piper wouldn’t like it.

Piper? My dead sister? I slowed my pace. Are you the wacko that stole her body?

Oh my gosh. This is going to be like that movie Psycho! Piper will be propped up in a rocking chair with an old lady wig on her head.

My back hurt because the muscles were so tight. I am going home.

No.

The urge to scream and fight was strong, but I could not force my body to do as I wished. I wasn’t asking. Take me home, I said. His mouth twitched. The right corner pulled upward with his dark black eyebrow. Do I amuse you?

I was still scared, but he was laughing at me. Listen up, circus freak, when my dad finds out you are holding me against my will-

You’re daddy does whatever I tell him. I could ask him to slit his own throat and he would do it.

There was no point arguing. I’d seen with my own eyes how my father, who had never feared anyone, cowered to this man. Castlerock was some kind of hypnotist. That was the only explanation to that made sense.

I would bide my time and escape him. He wasn’t some all powerful, magical being. It was all some elaborate trick so he could scare me into doing what he wanted me to do.

What does he want me to do?

Suddenly so quiet. You’re not as dumb as you look.

I glared at him and realized my mistake too late. Wait here. Do not move. Keep your feet planted, he said using that look that somehow gave me no other choice.

Castlerock continued walking. He turned right into an alleyway.

Great, he’s probably getting a drug fix.

I tested my body out to see if I really was stuck. I could move everything except my feet. People bumped past me muttering in annoyance, but I could not move out of the way.

What if this is my only chance?

A young guy was walking past me with his cell phone pressed to his ear. I grabbed it out of his hand and tapped end on the screen.

Hey!

This is an emergency, I told the guy. I dialed my mom’s number.

He didn’t look very happy. I’m gonna call the cops.

I nodded at him. Tell them Trina LeVine stole your phone. The guy swore at me and swiped for his phone. It was still ringing.

Come on, Mom.

Her voicemail kicked on. Give me one second. I held a finger up toward his opening mouth. Mom, it’s Trina. Morgan- The phone was pulled from my hand. It crunched in Morgan’s grip.

Where did he come from? How does he keep doing that?

Morgan’s eyes had that weird white haze. I couldn’t bear to look at him. Somehow it made my heart strain and hurt in my chest.

That was my phone, the guy yelled as pieces of it hit the cement sidewalk. Morgan opened his hand and what was left of the phone was dust. The guy looked from his open palm to Morgan’s face. Caution and fear wrinkled the lines on his forehead.

Let’s go. Morgan took my hand and started walking. I thought he would have to drag me since he didn’t do that eye thing. What do you think your mother can do against me?

I didn’t want her to worry. I glared at the side of his head.

He laughed. She should.

** Minerva **

You stupid, stupid girl. You did it wrong, Elloise yelled reaching for the knife.

My stomach was sick. I could barely hang onto its contents. No, I didn’t, I said moving the weapon from her grasp.

Minerva, you have to chop Seraph’s tongue off or she will use her voice to command the pack. She is too strong with her voice. You will lose.

I split her tongue at the end. She won’t be able to speak clearly enough to command the pack. If I cut off her tongue she won’t be able to swallow her own spit and she will choke and die before I have the chance to have her executed.

Elloise reached for the weapon. Then we will kill her now.

No. The clan won’t believe it. They will talk against me and count on her coming back for them.

Not if we show them her body.

I threw the knife, and it stuck in the wall. I want them to follow me. Not have me executed. We do this my way.

And what of Madric? Isabeau? They will come and stop the execution of Queen Seraph.

She isn’t the Queen any longer. I knew she was saying that to get under my skin, and it was working. They will try and we will capture them. The three can share the same fate. I held my hand up. I am Queen. I have the key. It will be morning in only two hours. The execution will take place then.

Elloise made a tsking sound. You wish to play the part of the Queen who saved the kingdom? You have taken the key by fire. This clan will never love you and they will never spare you an execution.

I took what was mine.

Elloise gestured to the weapon protruding from the wall. Did you?

I looked down at Seraph. Her eyes were open. Dark red blood dripped from both corners of her mouth. She put her pointer finger to her mouth. Shhh. And it was too late to look away.

I knew she’d cursed me like she had Piper during one of her punishments with silence. I tried to speak anyway. No sound escaped my throat.

Damn you, Seraph.

I warned you, Elloise spat.

By the way she was looking at Seraph, I knew