Tempted to Death

By Jessica Jarman

Previously published in the anthology, Dark Pursuit.

Months ago, Tara Wilcox ran away from Luca Castell and Oliver Gordon. She'd fallen hard for the pair of hunters and feared their growing feelings for her. But what truly terrified her was the possibility that they'd discover what she really is. That she's the very thing they hunted. 

Luca and Oliver are partners, in every sense of the word, and their lives are spent running toward danger. Falling for Tara was the biggest risk they'd ever taken, and her vanishing without a word gutted them. 

But, she's back, desperate for their help in hunting a vicious para creature. Despite the risks—to their lives and their hearts—reigniting the love they'd had is simple. But nothing is simple when, faced with an impossible choice, Tara reveals her true nature. 

Now that Luca and Oliver know the truth, Tara has another choice to make—run again or trust that their love is strong enough to look beyond the monster she fears they'll see. 

Content Warning: Tempted to Death is an MMF ménage and contains depictions of MM intimacy and sex.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica Jarman
• Release date: Jan 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524212780

Book preview

Chapter One

"Why are we even here? We’re wasting time! That thing has already had Nicole for three weeks, and the more time that passes..."

Tara Wilcox pulled her gaze away from the hotel they were parked in front of, the hotel where they’d just rented a room, the hotel that held the key to even having a chance at finding Nicole alive. She glanced at her brother in the passenger’s seat. His agitation was palpable, suffocating. And it didn’t take someone with her power to see it—his bouncing leg, the way he gnawed on his thumbnail, the ever-shifting eyes—he was a mess. Underneath all of that, his exhaustion and fragile state chipped away at the shields Tara had carefully built. He didn’t even realize he was projecting so badly—Ben was usually the one putting up the barrier to protect Tara from her empathic gift. But he was in no shape to protect himself right now, let alone anyone else.

We’re here because I need help, she said gently but firmly.

"That’s why I’m here, he snapped. We don’t need their help. They’re the most prejudiced, shoot-first-don’t-bother-with-the-questions hunters in the entire network! They’re the—"

The best, she finished. For all their flaws, Oliver and Luca are the best hunters we have, and I need their help. No, she said when her brother opened his mouth, again. You don’t work in the field, Ben. You’re a researcher, not a hunter. I need them and their knowledge and their skills to get this thing.

He shook his head. It’s too big a risk. If they find out or even suspect that we’re paras ourselves, they’d kill us. Without hesitation. You know that.

They won’t find out, she said confidently. Haven’t in the past, no reason they would, now.

It’s stupid, he muttered, raking his fingers through his hair, the trembling of his body increasing exponentially.

Tara cringed and focused on reinforcing her shields. Maybe you should go to the room and lay down. You’re barely functioning. I need you clear, Ben. I’ll talk to Oliver and Luca, see if they’ll help us.

Like I’d let you see them alone, he scoffed. I still say we keep going, forget them and—

Stop it, she cried, pressing a hand to her temple against the waves of pain and grief that spilled over. I’m the hunter, Ben. I make the call. You need to trust me. If you can’t do that, maybe you should go back home.

I’m not going anywhere. He slammed his palm against the dash. "She was...is my wife, Tara!"

Tara clenched her jaw then nodded. All right. Then, let’s go. But, she leveled a determined look at him, let me do the talking, and keep your opinions about them to yourself. It’s going to be...difficult enough to get them on board. I don’t need you working against me here.

Why wouldn’t they be on board? You’ve worked with them before, he said, then added under his breath, against all our advice.

It wasn’t exactly easy to convince them those times, either.

And it would be even harder now, after the last time. Memories of damp skin, rough hands, desperate mouths and so much more flashed through her mind. She cleared her throat, pushed all that out of her head—it wouldn’t help anything to be lost in the past—and opened her door.

Let’s go. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can pick up the trail, again.

She hoped. God, she hoped, because she was coming up empty. She’d sensed Nicole before, had been able to track her and the monster who had taken her from them, but now, there was nothing.

Tara didn’t know how to hunt this thing. Her contacts—here and in Europe—hadn’t been able to help much. No one had found one of these creatures, really. It was always something they’d stumbled upon. She needed Oliver and Luca. They were the only hunters she knew who had ever successfully tracked a soul eater. Hell, the only ones here in the US who had ever dealt with one in any way.

She walked toward the hotel’s rear entrance, pulling her keycard out of her jacket pocket.

Did you get the front desk to tell you what room they were in? Ben asked as she used the card to unlock the door.

Didn’t need to. They’ll be here at the rear of the building, first floor.

And that leaves a dozen rooms... He looked at her sharply as they entered the corridor. You can sense them, can’t you? Just how close did you get to these men?

Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to, she mumbled, reaching out mentally. Left.

She turned that way and walked slowly, pausing in front of each door briefly before moving on. Finally, at room one-oh-nine, she came to a full stop.

Tara, Ben said quietly.

She could feel his emotions coming off him in waves—his concern, his suspicion, his anger and disgust—and glared at him. She didn’t need to deal with her brother’s judgment, right now. Or ever.

I’m not discussing this with you. Whatever you’re thinking, it has no bearing on what we’re here to do, now. So, shut up, and let me do my job.

To preempt any response, she lifted her hand and knocked sharply on the door. And waited. Waited for one of them to check through the peephole, quietly tell the other who he saw. Waited for them to safely hide their weapons before the door was opened. She didn’t need the gift of sight—which was definitely not one of her powers—to know this was happening. She’d seen them go through the motions so many times, she could picture it all in her mind so easily.

And she could just as easily pick up on what Oliver and Luca were feeling. Even though her brother’s emotions were bleeding through, he was at least trying to keep them from her. These two hunters? Had no clue how to do that, let alone know there was a need to do so.

She could feel the curiosity and the reluctance, the sharp edge of anger, and wondered if the door would open. If they would even hear what she had to say after all this time.

Maybe they’re not in, Ben said after several long moments.

No, they are. She knocked, again. Oliver? Luca? Come on. I need...I need to talk to you. Swallowing thickly, she added, Please. It’s important.

She inhaled deeply when the door swung inward, then lost the ability to breathe normally when the way inside the room was blocked by two men. She managed to not look like a gaping fish, barely, and met first Luca’s gaze, then Oliver’s.

Hello, Tara, Oliver said, his tone icy and quiet, hand resting on Luca’s shoulder. What can we do for you?

You could start by letting us in? She glanced at Ben whose narrowed gaze was focused on the pair before them.

Or not. We don’t need their help, her brother said when Oliver and Luca just stared at her wordlessly.

We do, she insisted. Please. Just hear me out.

Two pleases, Luca drawled. Really must be important. Come on in.

Oliver rolled his eyes and turned away, walking into the room. Luca held the door and gestured Tara and Ben inside. Once everyone was in the room, Luca closed the door and flipped the security lock then sat beside Oliver on the bed. Tara tried not to notice how gorgeous they were, how beautiful they looked together—Oliver’s short blond hair and piercing blue eyes, Luca’s dark brown, nearly black hair, and chocolate brown eyes—but she wasn’t blind. Wouldn’t matter if she were suddenly because their images were permanently imprinted in her brain and, no doubt, would never be lost. And she’d tried—tried to scrub them away, forget them, pretend they didn’t exist.

Well, Oliver said, brows lifted, when the awkward silence got to be too much. What do you need, Tara?

I’m hunting a soul eater, and the trail’s gone cold.

Soul eater? That’s big time, sweetheart. Luca glanced at Ben. You need more than a researcher for back up.

Ben stiffened, and who could blame him? Luca said researcher with about as much respect as he had soul eater. He and Oliver didn’t exactly get along with the researchers in the network and avoided using them as much as possible.

I’m more than capable of backing up my sister, you dick.

Ben, Tara warned, the emotions in the room relentlessly battering her shields. She struggled not to sway on her feet, to keep her face clear of what she was feeling.

Luca just chuckled and looked at Tara, ran his gaze from her head to her toes then back to her face. Why come to us if you have him to help?

As invaluable as knowledge is, you two have hunted these things before. Successfully. I need you guys on this. She didn’t miss the smirk on Oliver’s face at her last statement.

This was a waste of time, Ben muttered, pacing away.

She clenched her jaw. Damn it, she knew she should have come to see Oliver and Luca on her own.

Where’d you start tracking it? Luca asked.

Chicago, she answered, leaning a hip against the dresser. There were two found dead—telltale marks of soul eaters, around the mouth and above the heart. Another woman is missing, taken by it.

How do you know she was taken? Not just another missing person? Oliver questioned.

Physically, she could be sisters with the other two victims—it definitely has a type. And, she touched her neck briefly, I was there when it struck and tried to fight it off.

You were there?

Oliver pushed to his feet and crossed the room to stand before her. He pulled off her scarf and, gripping her chin, tilted her head to the side. She knew what he saw—the angry red marks she’d gotten when the soul eater had lashed out. They were healing, slowly, but still vibrant against the paleness of her skin.

What were you thinking? he murmured, trailing his fingers over the wounds. Going up against one of those things alone?

Wasn’t exactly planned. She shrugged. I had to try to save her. And I should have known, should have seen before it tried to snatch her. The way she’d been acting days prior... It had hold of her, and I didn’t even realize it.

Who was she to you? Luca asked.

"Who she is...is my wife," Ben bit out.

Oliver closed his eyes a moment, and Tara felt his sympathy and his hesitation to say what he was about to say.

How long has she been missing? he asked quietly.

Three weeks. Tara met his gaze, sure her grief was plain to see.

She’d had hope that Nicole was still alive—when she could still feel Nicole’s soul. Tara could track it, follow Nicole and the monster who’d taken her. But as Nicole’s essence faded, and finally disappeared, Tara had accepted that her sister-in-law was gone. This was no longer a rescue mission.

Ben, though, refused to accept that, no matter what Tara told him. He held on to the smallest hope they’d find his wife alive.

Three weeks, Luca repeated slowly. I’m sorry, Ben, but you know as well as I do that the likelihood of her being al—

There have been cases of victims being held as long as two months, Ben said stubbornly. And the fact that there were two victims before Nicole weighs heavily in her favor. He looked between Luca and Oliver. Are you going to help us or not?

Oliver turned and walked to Luca. He touched his lover’s face, and Tara suppressed a shiver. Stop it, she ordered herself. Now was not the time to think of them like that or remember how that hand had felt on her skin.

They murmured quietly, then Luca nodded. Yeah, we’ll help you track this thing. Ben, he sighed, I don’t say this to be an ass. I understand holding on to hope that your wife is still alive, that we can save her, but you need to prepare yourself for the possibility that she’s gone.

Just help us find the soul eater,