The Guardian's Bond

By C.A. Salo

Who says guardians can’t be sexy and sassy, with one hell of a right hook? Alston guardian, Olivia Roven, knows how dangerous her job can be, and has felt the darkness that can tear families apart. Rushing home to save her aunt from a Dragon Hunter, Olivia discovers a bigger plot against Alston. Livi radiates sassiness, especially toward Tommy Moilanin, her former childhood friend, and unbeknownst to Livi…her future mate. Kept apart so she could concentrate on her training, Livi realizes how strong her bond with Tommy is. Tommy is a Lyken warrior, strong and proud, and he makes sure Livi’s guardian side understands his dominance, as their bond grows into a relationship they both yearn for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Torrid Books
• Release date: May 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781611607468

Book preview

Chapter 1

Livi held on to the Kraken as it sped under the water toward Alston. While training in Greenland with Triton, Prince of the Seas, they’d discovered a plot underway to kidnap the Dragon in the Americas. Livi’s eyes narrowed, remembering how the drunken Dragon Hunter had bragged about killing and skinning the female shifter and killing the kit it was impregnated by a Vampire with. She’d wanted to kill the bastard on the spot, but Triton held her back, and made her wait until the Dragon Hunter had left the bar. They followed him until they had a chance to snag him and take him to a secluded area for some information gathering. Livi frowned. If anything happened to her Aunt Mari or the baby these stupid idiots wouldn’t only be dealing with her Uncle Rhys, but she’d make them sorry they ever existed.

Livi, we’re almost there, I can only go about two-hundred more yards until it becomes unsafe for me, Farimae said through mind-speech.

It’s alright, Farimae, thank you for all your help. I appreciate you getting me here so quickly.

Anytime you need me just call for me my friend, and please, be safe.

Thank you, Farimae, you as well, Livi said, as one of Farimae’s enormous tentacles wrapped around her, flinging her quickly through the water. Coming up and out, she started running at an exceptional speed on top of the water and then hit land. She tilted her head as the security forces were calling for teams to engage something coming up too fast from the sea. She didn’t have time to stop and talk to them—they’d just have to chase after her. Shifting her eyes, she knew they were scrambling, calling for teams from all over Alston to head her way as she headed toward the other end of Alston and mind-synced with her Aunt. Auntie, where are you?

Livi, what the—I thought you were with Triton?

I was, now where are you?

Just passed Alston’s sign driving in from the west, why?

Auntie, you need to get further into Alston, fast. You’re in danger. Dragon Hunters are… Livi’s eyes narrowed, lips thinning as her Aunt Mari screamed, yelling for Rhys. I’m coming, just hold him off! Livi said. Drawing in the land’s energies she picked up speed, connecting mentally with her father.

Dad, it’s me coming in from the sea, you need to get to Aunt Mari at the western gate now!

We’re on it, Drake Roven replied.

Livi sensed her Uncle Rhys heading toward them along with several members of the Elder Council. Zipping around a tree, Livi smiled when she encountered a team of Roven Clan Lyken warriors heading for her aunt. She lowered her hand, smacking the ass of the leader before whipping by them. The sound of energy balls discharging made her smile disappear. Why wasn’t her aunt shifting to her Dragon self? Coming out of the wood line, her upper lip curled. Mari was on the ground underneath the Dragon Hunter’s sword. The ground beneath her feet started to shake as Grandfather Dragon started to wake, knocking the Dragon Hunter back several feet. I’m here, Grandfather Dragon, Livi whispered, drawing in more energy from the land beneath her. Power surged through her body, her vision tinted red as she came in fast.

Livi’s hand balled into a fist, knocking the hunter down with one hit. You dare attack my aunt? she yelled as she skidded to a stop. You have made the biggest mistake of your life! Livi’s eyes narrowed with a growl as the Hunter lifted his sword to her, tossing a charm to capture Dragons in her direction. Livi smirked, snatching it mid-air and shoving it into her pocket. His eyes widened as she unsheathed the sword on her back. Let’s play.

Livi ran at him. One upward swing of her sword had his flying through the air. Stepping in, Livi kicked him hard with her booted foot, sending him skidding along the ground, his body bouncing off a tree with a painful ‘oomph’ escaping his lips. Who the hell do you think you are to come here and attack my aunt?

Who the hell are you? he yelled.

Your worst fucking nightmare, Hunter! Swinging low she nailed him under the chin with her fist, sending him up, breaking through tree branches. His body reached its peak and plummeted back down toward Earth. Landing on her feet in front of the Dragon Hunter’s unconscious body, she kicked him over, sword risen and ready to strike, when she heard her father’s voice and looked up to see Alston’s security forces.

Livi, do not kill him, Lyken Alpha Drake Roven said as he stepped forward.

Her chest lifted with a deep breath, releasing it slowly through her nose. Livi let the anger within her go, the rush of the land’s energies dissipating from her body. Turning when her Uncle Rhys swore, Livi went over, looking at the Dragon’s tooth wrapped with a hair of a Dragon around her aunt’s neck. I was wondering how he subdued you so easily, thought you lost your mojo there for a moment.

Right, Mari groaned. Funny kid. Real funny. Now get this damn thing off me.

Livi smiled as she lifted the tooth, grimacing as the sting of electrical currents swamped her body. Christ, he was a tough fucker, she groaned, the heaviness of the charm fighting her efforts to remove it from her aunt’s neck. Growling, she let all the land’s energies go and called upon her inner wolf, shifting partially, her sight going Lyken. She quickly ripped the charm up and off. She dropped it quickly as her hand burst into flames. One of the elves said ‘she had it’, as a cold mist encompassed her hand and arm, putting the flames out. Thanks, Rhin.

No problem kiddo, glad to have you back.

Do you think you could have left him awake to interrogate? Drake asked as he knelt down by the man.

Sorry, Dad. He pissed me off, Livi said, shrugging her shoulders. I need to call for a meeting with the Elder Council, she said as she met her grandfather’s gaze. Okay, Pappy?

I’ll set it up.

Livi laid her head against his shoulder when he gave her a big hug. Missed you, Pappy, she whispered.

Missed you too, sprite.

You could have let us know you were coming, Tom said.

Livi smirked. No time.

There’s always time, like when you came on shore. But did you? No, you had security forces rushing toward you to stop the unknown coming in fast from the sea.

Livi straightened, top lip curled up.