Breaking Out: Triad Series Book 1

By Gayle Parness

Because of a prophesy foretold before he was born, Charlie Cuvier, a young man with three powerful bloodlines, has been raised in a protective bubble: guarded by the fae and trained as a magical warrior by the most skilled of every species. Now he's seventeen, an adult in the supernatural world, yet Charlie's still not given the freedom or the trust he so desperately craves. So what's a guy to do? Sneak away, of course.

Taking charge of his life at last, Charlie and his best friend, Jay, a grizzly shapeshifter, journey through California only to discover that their path could be throwing them at the feet of some seriously dangerous characters. When they reach LA, trouble follows them in the guise of a young woman who seems to desperately need their help.

Ivy was thrilled when she got the call, racing to the dream job appointment as fast as the Los Angeles Transportation Department could get her there. Her plans went haywire when she was snatched off the sidewalk by a bunch of terrorists, waking up in her own bed with her rescuer smiling at her from the corner chair. And it was him! Of all the luck, just when she was about to make a life for herself, this supernatural superman comes waltzing in to mess things up.

As enemies begin to pop out of the woodwork, Charlie, Jay and Ivy are forced to work together, protecting the human population while trying to hold onto their secrets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gayle Parness
• Release date: Dec 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310082153

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

BREAKING OUT

Triad Series Book 1

By Gayle Parness

A SHAKY START

1

CHARLIE

J ay, we're on.

Sick. See ya in sixty, Char.

Pulling the sleeping bag and fully loaded backpack off the floor of my closet, I tossed it on the bed and yanked my leather jacket off the hook. This was it and I was ready.

For six months Jay and I’d been preparing for this trip, reading backpacker blogs and studying maps of the Sierra and the California coastline. We’d spent dozens of late-night hours in the back booths of the Gasquet Deli, arguing over details.

Once a week I’d sneak out of my house at midnight, Jay telling me to wear black and act normal, whatever that was for someone like me, a total freak of nature. I’d usually show up a couple of minutes early via the ley lines, a mode of travel only available to supernaturals with demon or fae blood. It was like teleporting, only you were moving through magical energy to get where you wanted to go, not quantum energy like in the movies.

Jay would arrive on his bike, a sweet machine rebuilt by a local leopard Jay met at a motorcycle show in Oakland. He’d hide it a quarter mile from our meeting place so the people in town wouldn’t be disturbed by the loud noise of the engine at one a.m. Then he’d jog the rest of the way.

‘Course there we were, a couple of young guys hanging out in a well-lit, all-night diner in a territory where supernaturals had settled by the thousands. Even with hats and hoods we must’ve been easy to sniff out. The random shifter or werewolf in the next booth could’ve overheard our sometimes-heated discussions. I’d mentioned that fact to Jay, suggesting more secluded locales, but he shrugged it off. I think he wasn’t willing to give up his midnight snack: a heaping plate of his favorite burgers. Typical bear.

All this time we’d been keepin’ our game plans under the radar, 007-style. Thinking no one knew. I re-read the beginning of Dad’s note, smiling as I stuck it in one of my pack’s zippered compartments.

Charlie,

Kyle, Peter, and I know what you and Jay have planned. Children love to imagine they're smarter than their parents, but you two sometimes forget you're surrounded by creatures with supernatural senses and hundreds of years of experience. C'mon, give us some credit.

Yep, we’d been busted big time by not only my dad, but also Jay’s. To be honest, I was relieved I’d gotten the okay from at least one of my parents. In the note, Dad laid down some rules, but I was cool with those because he’d made it clear he trusted me to be smart enough to keep my head and not get into trouble.

My jaw tightened as I stuffed in another hoodie, using more force than was absolutely necessary. I'd much rather have been up front about the whole thing from the start.

Mom expected me to stick close to home all the time, even now that I was an adult. She'd managed to forget the fact that at seventeen she’d been mated to Dad, stepping into dangerous situations on a weekly basis. She'd even fought a duel with a three-hundred-year-old vampire, turning him to ash in front of his even older maker.

Now I was seventeen and ready to do my part, but that fact didn’t seem to penetrate her over-protective mind. If I’d told her my plans, she would’ve done everything in her power to keep me right here, including calling on the Cascade Fae Elders. The fae and Mom might’ve decided to toss my butt into Faerie—for my protection. I didn’t have the stomach for that kind of scene. My birth had caused everybody enough stress. Better to give us both some distance.

Lucky for me, Mom and Dad were spending a few nights in San Francisco. They hardly ever took time off to be alone. Mom must have jumped at the chance when he suggested it. I hope he doesn’t tell her until they get back home, ‘cause she’ll want to end their few days in the city early and send out a search party. They both deserve some time alone.

Although what went down was bad, the timing of the fiasco at the Faerie Court with the former queen, Fionna, and her dad, King Finvarra, turned out to suit me perfectly. For once in my life, I wasn't being guarded. All my regular watchers were needed at court. As my demonic trainer Isaiah would say, an unexpected opportunity should never be wasted.

I strapped the sleeping bag to the backpack, grunting in frustration. Cutting out in this sneaky way meant I wouldn't have a chance to say goodbye to my friends. I imagined that Linn would be sad, then furious. She was my best friend in Faerie, although she’d always seemed to want more than friendship. Grady, Liam’s adopted son, would wish us well, then ask me to interview anyone I encountered who might have a bit of fae blood. He’d taken a consuming interest in the history of the fae and more recently, the demonic races.

I ran a tense hand through my hair. When they found out what I’d done, Liam, Sasha and Rick would want to hang me by my balls for hurting Mom. I winced, thinking I might have to extend my trip a little longer than I’d planned just so they’d have a chance to calm down. If Isaiah were here, he’d punch me in the shoulder and wish me luck. My shoulder would hurt for a week, but at least he’d be proud.

Dad was proud too, no matter how badly I messed up.

Mom… I hated hurting her, but that was nothing new where I was concerned. We’d argued nonstop the last couple of years, mostly over me having a life.

I faced the mirror. I looked like him. Lord Kennet, my birth father, especially now that I’d grown a few inches past Dad’s height of six feet. Same light hair. Same eyes. My mouth and nose were more like Mom’s, but there was enough of a resemblance to be a constant reminder of the fae who’d raped and beaten her and gotten her pregnant. Sometimes I’d catch her staring at me when she didn’t think I was looking. It was worry I saw in her expression: worry that I wouldn’t be able to control my magic, or worse, that I’d turn out to be a monster like Kennet.

We never talked about it. Neither of us found the courage to bring it up. The moat grew wider, frustrating and dividing us.

I took care of a few things in the bathroom, splashing water on my face to get my thoughts back in gear. My plans were set. Continuing to live my life in this comfortable prison was no longer an option for me.

Using a skill I’d learned from Isaiah, I morphed my blonde hair to reddish brown and my purple eyes to dark blue. Taking a look at my profile, I lengthened my nose, forming a small bump as if it had been broken in a fight. My scent was easy to switch from cheetah to leopard, leaving the rest of my body pretty much the same. Jay was good looking in that all-American kind of way that a lot of girls went for. No one would be noticing me and that was just the way I wanted it.

Huffing out an excited burst of air, I adjusted the straps, threading them over my shoulders to recheck the balance. So this was it. I was officially done with this whole Savior of the Supernatural World cloud I'd lived under for seventeen years. The thought had me grinning for the first time today.

There was a whining sound outside my door. I opened it and in trotted my Rottweiler. He sniffed around and licked my hand. Hey, Samson. You know I’m going, right? I’m sorry, I can’t take you with me, boy.

I almost fell on the floor in shock when he growled at me. Samson had been my best bud my whole life. He’d never growled at me, not once. What was up? Was he sick or something?

I sensed her even before I smelled her familiar floral scent. It usually made me smile to see her, but today? Not so much.

I was wondering when you'd show, Sinlae. There was no way she’d allow me to sneak away without saying goodbye.

She didn’t waste time before dishing out orders. You must take Samson. He is your cu sith. The dog in question began furiously wagging his tail, his growling having stopped the minute he saw the tiny pixie materialize over my dresser.

No, he’s my mom’s dog. A cu sith was a faerie dog who protected a particular person. They lived longer than a normal canine and were magically gifted with better fighting skills and more acute senses. He’d saved my mom’s life a couple of times and had been a part of the Wild Hunt that went after and captured Lord Kennet.

He is yours now. When I grunted in disagreement, she slapped her hand on the dresser like I was five again. I am certain. Your mother no longer has need of him now that Lord Snakeskin is gone. Both of your parents will feel more confident about your journey if you are well protected.

I almost laughed out loud, deciding at the last second to zip my trap. Sinlae would scold me if she thought I wasn’t taking her advice seriously, even though her nickname for Kennet always cracked me up.

Lifting my chin, I drew myself up to my full height—ten times taller than her seven and a half inches. When a guy does battle with a pixie it’s best to show a lot of confidence. They’re tougher and deadlier than most full-grown werewolves and more stubborn than a bear shifter.

I can take care of myself and you know that’s the truth. My combo of powers gave me a huge advantage over most supes, and it wasn’t likely that Jay or I would have a run-in with any of the more dangerous magical creatures.

The little schemer’s eyes narrowed in thought. Samson would protect Jason as well.

Oh, she knew how to dig in the knife, all right. Jay’s safety was my primary concern. Yeah, he was six foot three in human form and could shift into a six-hundred-fifty-pound grizzly bear, but besides the small amount of power all shifters were born with, he had no magic.

He also had no agenda other than to have a cool adventure with me out on the road. He didn’t expect me to choose sides between the fae and demon camps or hone my skills in preparation for the prophesied war, and he especially didn’t want to talk politics. Nope, Jay was the perfect travel buddy: fun to hang with, good in an emergency, and completely loyal. There’d be no bullshit between us.

I was plenty sick of all the intrigue I’d grown up around.

Samson nudged against my knee, reminding me that we were discussing him. What would I do with the big mutt? Not every territory is pet friendly. Samson licked my hand, not taking offense at being called a mutt.

Charles, you know as well as I that he adapts with ease, sleeping anywhere, even in the pouring rain. He can walk for many miles each day, travel with you through the lines, and run much faster than you might imagine. He is also able to hunt his own food, although he is pleased to consume whatever you are eating.

Yeah, he’s a regular food bandit. There’d been many a time when I’d turned my back for a second and one of my burgers had disappeared. He always left me at least one, but I’d taken to making extras.

After a few seconds spent thinking it over, I noticed her smiling smugly. She knew she had me with the protecting Jay comment. Fine. I’ll take him. But if he doesn’t work out, I’m bringing him back and dumping him in your favorite flower bed with orders to dig it up. Over the years I’d found it was unwise to disregard her advice, because when I did, I'd usually end up in some kind of trouble.

If you dare do such a thing to my perfect gardens you and Samson will be sleeping with a bed full of ticks and fleas for the next month. Her face had pinked up in outrage, but when she saw my smile, she sighed. You were such a sweet young child, laughing all the time, always so polite.

I can pull out manners when they suit me, Lady Sinlae. I nodded with respect and smiled.

It doesn’t suit you often enough, these days. Her teal wings buzzed with anger.

I stepped closer. Why aren’t you sounding the alarm? The villa vamps could be here in a flash. Sasha and Heinrich were part of Garrett’s nest and lived right next door. Vampires could travel faster than most creatures.

The tiny pixie buzzed around my head. Perhaps I should. Or perhaps I should not have come to your room at all. I am certain you will not miss my scoldings.

I’d really upset her, and I hated that. She’d taught and nurtured and protected me my entire life. I owed her my respect and so much more. I placed a hand on my heart and bowed. I will miss you more than I am able to express, Lady Sinlae. I was disrespectful and I apologize for suggesting you’d turn me in. I trust you with my life, lady. And I hope you trust me to defend you and your family as well.

She settled back on my desk and smiled a perfect fairy princess kind of smile. "I do, young prince, and I accept your apology. I have seen that you benefit from this journey in many ways. So, I will leave you with two small bits of advice. Trust your true instincts and stay in communication so all know you are safe. I would not wish you to be dragged back here by your fae guards."

They won't find us.

They will. She crossed her arms and pouted, hovering above my unmade bed.

I have tricks up my sleeve even you don’t know about. I pulled the blanket up and smoothed it down, so she wouldn’t complain about the mess I was leaving.

How can one so young be so blasted cheeky? She frowned at the half-assed job I’d done and fixed it with a twitch of her hand.

I winked. I learned my cheekiness from the best.

She giggled in her musical way, then flew over and poked my shoulder. You will call your lady mother on a regular basis.

They’ll trace me, I pointed out. Cell phone records weren’t that hard to get if you worked with a team of investigators like Mom and Dad did. Holding up my new device, I said, New number.

You will call twice each moon cycle, or I will come myself to drag you back. This time I laughed out loud. Hmph. You think I cannot? I have tricks up my sleeve even you know nothing about, she snapped, repeating my words.

Fine. I’ll call. But not from my cell. My happy mood had collapsed. The thought of living within boundaries, different but still restrictive, was what I was trying to avoid. Freedom waved at me from the road ahead, a place where stupid rules no longer applied to me. At least not the kind that had imprisoned me for seventeen years.

You will swear this? She fluttered past my nose, her wings bringing up a steady breeze, her hands on her hips.

Yes, on my blood. You're impossible to argue with.

My males all say the same, she smirked, spinning around in the air and landing gracefully on the dresser once more. After having spoken the prophecy everyone made such a big deal over, Sinlae had watched over my family and me with great care from the moment I entered the world.

Are you going to tell them about our training sessions? I asked. She’d taught me how to mask my scent, a skill I’d use often during my trip with Jay.

Sinlae patted at her hair, smoothing out any strays. No. I will say nothing because I do not wish to be sent back to Faerie where I will be forced to pull weeds. Here my garden is a work of art, and my males are kept busy day and night. She teased me with a wink and a mischievous smile.

They are fortunate to have such a lovely mate. Female pixies ate up compliments like I did pizza.

Indeed. Her expression grew serious. Your lady mother will suffer. No matter how angry you are with her, you must leave her a loving note. I insist on this.

I glanced at the floor, embarrassed that I hadn’t thought to write one myself. I was pissed off, but I wouldn’t be cruel. Yes, sure. Thanks, Sinlae, for everything. I bowed with my hand on my heart in the fae manner, showing her great respect.

She smiled back coquettishly. Good journey to you, Charles Liam William Cuvier, Seelie Warrior, Cheetahkin and Demonspawn. I will see you at journey's end. She disappeared, and after writing the note to Mom, so did I.

2

CHARLIE

Ifound Jay outside his garage polishing his motorcycle with a rag. He spent hours every day working on that machine. When he heard my footsteps, he waved at me without looking up.

We’re not taking the bike, I said, dropping my backpack on the driveway.

Yeah, we are. I have room for some of your stuff and you can keep the rest in the pack on your back. He kept on polishing.

We’re taking the lines. I was surprised by his change of heart.

Nah, we’re not.

We discussed this. The sick feeling only lasts a minute or two.

You can’t talk ‘cause you don’t feel it. It sucks eggs. He picked up a different rag and started to clean the wheels.

Why’re you acting like a tool? Now I was getting pissed off, which hardly ever happened between Jay and me.

You know I could break your nose over that remark. He was still facing his bike, but his tone told me he was smiling.

Yeah. I laughed. But it’d heal in five minutes.

He finally turned around, throwing the rag on the seat. Char, I hate the ley lines. And if we go your way, we won’t have wheels.

Jay had a habit of breaking down everyone’s name to one syllable. His parents had tried for years to get him to call people by their full names, but Jay was a guy who didn’t see the point in dragging things out. So I was Char and that was cool with me.

We’re walking. I moved closer, trying to get him to really hear me. Jay tended to listen to what he wanted to listen to and discard the rest.

Through the Sierra? he asked.

People do it all the time. It’s called hiking and backpacking.

It’s almost October. There could be snow.

You’re a freakin’ bear with a thick fur coat. We’ve talked about this for months. What’s really the problem?

He sighed, picking up the first rag and rubbing the side mirror, shining the chrome until it sparkled. I don’t want to leave my bike. I just got it six months ago. It’d be perfect on 101, zipping around traffic, checking out the other bikers on the road. I had a dream that you and I were tearing down Route 1, the Pacific on our right, Malibu mansions up the hills to our left. Girls in bikinis were waving at us, throwing kisses, inviting us to join them on their beach blankets. He wiggled his thick eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes. It was always food, girls and bikes with Jay. This trip isn’t about hooking up. You’ve had plenty of girlfriends.

Are there ever too many?

Jay was twenty to my seventeen, and even though he was a big talker, he treated the female shifters he dated like queens. I’d had one girlfriend, and she’d been the one to make the first move.

No matter what you dreamed about, we have a situation. We can’t take the bike. I whistled, and out of the woods trotted Samson, his tongue hangin’ loose and his stubby tail wiggling a greeting. He and Jay always got along great.

Jay scowled. What is that mangy mutt doing here?

Except maybe this one time. He’s coming with us. Unpack your bike and park it in the garage.

I thought you believed dreams had meaning. Jay got a towel and cleaned off his hands.

Not the kind you’ve been having, I teased.

Ha, ha. Jay folded his arms and leaned back against the bike’s seat. We never discussed the dog coming.

We never discussed the bike coming either.

So… He pointed at Samson, who immediately wagged his chubby tail.

I had to come clean. Sinlae told me to bring him.

That little pixie has been bossing you around forever.

That little pixie might be saving our lives by telling me to bring Samson. I’m not taking any chances.

You’re scared of her.

Damn right. We grinned and got to work, argument over.

I helped him wheel the bike inside the garage. After a lot of grumbling and some rearranging of equipment—did he really think he could hike through the Sierra carrying a soccer ball—Jay and I got the bike parked safely and covered with a tarp. In a few steps we were in the woods, hidden from passing motorists or joggers.

I took hold of Jay’s shoulder and Samson’s neck then flung us into the lines of magic that flowed between dimensions and realms, allowing us to go where I chose in only a heartbeat of time. The sensation was calming, but it hadn’t always felt that way. When I first learned to use them on my own, I suffered the same way Jay did. But time helped me adjust, and now it was like soaking in a hot tub after an exhausting day.

We landed in the mountains, the change in temperature a shock to our warmer body temps. Jay moaned and groaned, yanking a jacket out of his pack.

You sure you’re a bear? You’re acting more like a bunny rabbit.

Bunny shifters don’t exist.

How do you know? They may have their own realm.

Don’t you feel the cold? He fumbled with the jacket’s zipper, finally getting it closed.

I’m good. I’d guess it’s around forty degrees. Still above freezing.

Samson had already found a stream and was racing through the water snatching at fish. He caught one and dumped it at my feet.

Hey! Jay jumped back as Samson shook his body in waves of rolling skin and fur.

Bear or bunny. Decide, big guy.

Jay growled deep in his chest as my canine buddy raced back to the stream. I called out to Samson before he caught another. No fish bones for you, boy. We’ll catch more for dinner tonight. I tossed the first catch of the day back into the stream.

Upper Kings Canyon was a remote area, with access to the Kings River, smaller streams, and plenty of game. Hunting with firearms wasn’t allowed, but shifters in animal form could kill for a meal, just like any other animal predator would. Jay had his fishing license, so any fish we caught was cool to eat. We hadn’t brought much food, just spices, hot sauce, granola bars and jerky. I knew which plants were edible, which would also supplement our diet, and we weren’t going to be sticking around in the mountains for more than a couple of weeks.

We set up camp near a small stream and took a hike, enjoying the fresher air, the vibrant scents of a new territory and the view of the mountains. Samson chased squirrels, one of his favorite activities at home, and dug under rocks. I hoped there weren’t any hibernating snakes.

So where are you taking me, Char?

What? I looked up from my scan of the map.

Ya know, see the state, check out the views…blah, blah, blah. But where will we end up?

We’ll have to wait and see.

You have no definite plans? That’s not like you at all.

That’s the whole point, right? I picked up a flat rock and skimmed it across a small stream. It hit the far bank. I don’t know who I am out in the real world. Maybe here I’m laid back. Maybe here I’ll live in the moment.

Laid back is cool, but you must have some ideas hovering in the back of your mind. Something you’re maybe not telling me?

I did, but it was too early. If I make a decision, you’ll be the first to know.

Jay flattened his mouth, shrugging. Okay. But you can bounce your ideas off me, ya know. He skimmed a rock that sank about three quarters of the way across the stream.

That the best you can do?

Winner cleans the fish?

Deal. I offered my hand and we shook.

No magic? he asked to confirm the rules.

No magic.

I won, but I helped with the fish anyway. So did Samson. Good thing we caught six.

3

JACKIE

Our trip to the city had been romantic and restful: two r-words missing from our lives ever since Garrett’s kidnapping. He’d wined and dined me with his usual flair; rented a yacht, captained and crewed, for a sunset cruise; booked massages and spa treatments; and spent many hours in our hotel suite tending to my every need.

My lifemate was hiding something.

I dropped my suitcase when I saw the note on our bed, but Garrett snatched it up before I had a chance to lunge for it.

Before you read this, there’s something I should tell you. He glanced around the room. Let’s sit outside on the patio.

Why? This wasn’t sounding good.

Fewer readily available weapons.

Those planters are heavy. I bet they can do some real damage.

Good point.

Garrett, the love of my life, was genuinely worried about how I was going to react to the contents of the letter. In response, this worried me. I took in a deep breath as we sat on the scrolled bench near the fountain. Garrett handed me the note. Mom was scrawled on the envelope in Charlie’s large handwriting. I stared at it, my heart pounding in my chest, anxiety already tensing my muscles.

Mom,

Jay and I are traveling around California. Neither one of us has seen much of the state, me even less than Jay. Sinlae told me to take Samson, so I did. I hope that’s okay. He’ll enjoy the change of scenery too. I’ll keep him well-fed and healthy. Jay and I are always hungry so don’t worry about us eating enough.

I feel guilty about sneaking away like this, but I didn’t want to argue with you. I’m an adult now, responsible for my own actions, yet I’ve never been anywhere without a guard or a parent or a trainer nearby. California is more a foreign land to me than Faerie or the DR and that shouldn’t be the case.

We’ll stay safe. I promise. If you think about our combined abilities, we’re a pretty awesome team.

You’ll be glad to know that Sinlae and Dad both laid down the law about me calling home and I will as soon as I can. We’ll be hiking