The Werevamp Diaries: Moon Beam Dream: The Lynlee Lincoln Series, #5

By Olivia Hardin

The night my BFF died in my arms, it shook me to the core.  So when a challenging medical case gets dropped into my lap, I'm determined not to let it end with more blood on my hands.

I'm not good with death. Yeah, it's true I'm a doctor and a vet, but I'm damn good at my job, and death doesn't happen often when a life is in my hands. Whether I'm working my medical magic or letting my werewolf out so she can kick some a**, I can always count on myself to get the job done. I was totally willing to put my life on the line to fight for my BFF… now that we've saved her from the grim reaper, I was really hoping things would settle down for all of us.

But I guess it just doesn't work that way. Instead, I'm dealing with a tricky medical case that may be beyond my abilities, not to mention a baby situation that I totally never saw coming. And I'm not sure if it's just the stress of all that, but a weird tension is cropping up between me and the love of my life.

All I want is to find a way to protect all of those most important to me, but it seems there's a new test behind every door. Can't a girl catch a break?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia Hardin
• Release date: Aug 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536539288

Olivia Hardin

When Olivia Hardin began having strange movie-like dreams in her teens, she had no choice but to begin putting them to paper. Before long the writing bug had her and she knew she wanted to be a published author. Several rejections plus a little bit of life later, and she was temporarily “cured” of the urge to write. That is until she met a group of talented and fabulous writers who gave her the direction and encouragement she needed to get lost in the words again. Olivia’s attended three different universities over the years and toyed with majors in Computer Technology, English, History and Geology. Then one day she heard the term road scholar and she knew that was what she wanted to be. Now she “studies” anything and everything just for the joy of learning.  She's also an insatiable crafter who only completes about 1 out of 5 projects, a jogger who hates to run, and she’s sometimes accused of being artistic. A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband, Danny and their puppy, Bonnie.

Book preview

Prologue

Rhiannon had her hands on her hips, head cocked to the side as she listened to her boyfriend tell her that he was a badass. They were in Beck and Lynlee’s kitchen, waiting for her BFF to get back so that she could begin her curse-breaking spell. Sandy was doing his best to derail Rhiannon’s secret plan to keep him out of danger.

"I know you just can’t seem to bring yourself to believe it, but I have been in battle before. Have I told you how I took down two gryphons during my training? Do you know how fierce they are? I am more than qualified, and it just doesn’t make any sense for me to be hundreds of miles away while this is going down. The least I can do is keep watch, close to Beck and the kids."

It hadn’t been that long ago that Sandy had been beat to a pulp by a dark witch and her partner. Rhia was relatively sure tonight’s fight would see them facing an even more dangerous foe. Sandy, that’s exactly what you’ll be doing. Tig says that by putting you at the safe location, you can help them get to safety if they need it. I mean, what if these baddies somehow try to follow them through the door? You have to be there to help them.

He gritted his teeth and drew back, a look of disdain on his face. She blushed a little as she wondered if he might be aware of her little subterfuge. Tig Durhnam, Lynlee’s former boss, had done a great job of trying to convince Sandy that he could best serve them on the other side of his magical door. It seemed her boyfriend wasn’t entirely persuaded.

Babe, she pleaded, reaching out and putting her hands on his forearms. Do you know how long Tig’s been around? He’s been a Neutralizer for probably longer than we’ve been walking this earth. He knows what he’s talking about. Let’s trust him. Besides, I have to be at my best, not worrying about you deviating from the plan we already agreed on.

Let’s be fair. I agreed to nothing.

She dropped her head and smiled up at him with hooded eyes. He inhaled a long breath and nodded. All right. He pulled her close, both arms squeezing her so tightly she squealed a little. Maybe he was stronger than she thought.

Break it up.

They pulled apart to find Lynlee watching them, a feigned look of disgust on her face.

Hey! Did you get them? Rhia asked, her tone as serious as the look on her face.

Yep, got ‘em. You guys ready?

Tig wants me on the other side of the door. If you think that’s best, that’s what I’ll do. But I can fight just as well here as I can there.

Rhiannon drew a hand up to her forehead and shook her head. Her man was just determined to find a way to get out of waiting on the other side of Tig’s magical door.

No, let’s go with Tig’s instincts. I want to be sure Beck and the kids stay as safe as possible.

Sandy melted into sand and disappeared. Moving into the back of the kitchen, Rhiannon slowly removed her clothing, folding each article and placing it in a neat pile on the floor in front of her. There were some candy bars in a jar beside the sink, and she grabbed up three of them. Ripping off the wrapper, she stuffed them all into her mouth. Once swallowed, she knelt down on the cold tile and willed her body to begin shifting. The magic burned from the pit of her belly, coursing through her veins. Her bones and muscles lengthened and distorted even as masses of light brown hair grew all over her body.

Guess that means you’re really ready, Lynlee said.

Rhiannon inclined her wolf’s head, carefully picked up her clothes with her mouth and followed her friend into the night. While Lynlee and her protégé Rolayna worked the spell, Rhiannon kept a close watch on the tree line, knowing that the attackers would come from that direction. She panted as she paced, her hot breath disturbing the ground in front of her as she sniffed for enemies.

And then it began. A hoard of demons burst through from the forest, the leader immediately leaping in Lynlee’s direction. Rhiannon tried to head him off but only succeeded in attracting the attention of a few of his compatriots. They were humanoid but reptilian, with large sharp horns protruding from their shoulders.

They took turns leaping on her, seeking to impale her with their spines, but each time she managed to shake them off. One of the big lizards finally managed to get a dig in, scratching her across the left shoulder. She roared more in anger than pain, grabbed his back leg between her sharp teeth and tossed him back. His snake’s tongue slithered out of his mouth as he motioned the other creature to get her.

Bracing for the impending attack, Rhiannon stood with her legs braced apart, her back bowed. But just as suddenly as they appeared, the two demons backed away from her and then turned tail and ran into the forest.

Confused for a moment, Rhia looked around and realized that all was eerily quiet. Tig, Beck and Rolayna were all in a group, and the fact that she couldn’t see Lynlee sent a wave of fear through her. As fast as was possible she transformed back into a human and threw on the clothing she’d stashed in the forest.

Crap! You’re hurt, she cried out when she finally got to Lynlee’s side, medical bag in hand. Oh my gosh, you’re bleeding like a stuck pig.

That was an understatement. Lynlee was hemorrhaging from a gaping wound across her torso, and for a second Rhiannon froze in horror. Then her medical training kicked in, and she began tearing open packages of compression dressings to staunch the flow of blood. There were voices in conversation all around her, but she stayed in the zone, mentally taking stock of the injuries as she applied the most immediate care.

When Lynlee finally passed out, Beck looked at Rhiannon with a panicked expression.

Don’t worry. I’ve got this, okay?

He moved his head in a sharp nod.

Get her in the house now. I’ll be right there. Rolayna. She turned to the apprentice witch. I need you to boil some water. Tig, Sandy and the kids?

The little goblin saluted. They’re in the safe place. I’ll go get them.

No, she said a little louder than she intended. "Wait. Let me get Lynlee stabilized before you bring