Anomaly Series Box Set

By Anna Hackett

Step into the action-filled, suspenseful world of the anomalies, where some humans are gifted with extraordinary powers. Time Thieves, Mind Raiders and Soul Stealers are in a battle of survival against the crime lords and secret government agencies hunting them for their abilities. Welcome to a world where these anomalies risk everything to survive...and risk it all to fall in love.

Includes four novellas:

Time Thief - Bay North wants revenge, no, she craves revenge. Hunted for her psychic ability to steal time and forced to watch her family die, all she wants is to make the crime lord who's taken everything from her pay. But now he's set the ultimate hunter on her trail and Bay will need all her skills just to survive the gray-eyed, hard-bodied man out to kill her.

Mind Raider - Mara Ross takes crap from no one. Especially not the bastard crime boss who tortured her for her psychic ability to control minds. Now he's kidnapped another woman and Mara will do anything to save her—including joining forces with the most deadly, powerful man she knows.

Soul Stealer - Schoolteacher Cate Hartmann was kidnapped and forced to use her psychic ability to kill. Now she's a killer with an addiction to stealing souls. She fights to recover but only one man calms the storm inside. A genius anomaly scientist—with a sexy, muscled body under his lab coat—a man she's too afraid to touch.

Salvation - He was once a power-hungry crime lord and John Brown can never forget it. He’s lost most of his memories—most of his soul—but no one trusts him...not even himself. Then his calm, boring existence is shattered when he wakes up chained in a secret underground lab. Tortured, experimented on, his only hope is a feminine voice in the darkness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Hackett
• Release date: Sep 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9780987374042

Anna Hackett

I’m Anna and I’m a USA Today bestselling author who’s passionate about action romance. I love stories that combine the thrill of falling in love with the excitement of action, danger and adventure. I write about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.

Book preview

The Anomaly Series

Time Thief

Mind Raider

Soul Stealer

Salvation

Anna Hackett

The Anomaly Series

Published by Anna Hackett

Copyright 2013 by Anna Hackett

Covers by Melody Simmons of eBookindiecovers

Edits by Tanya Saari

ISBN: 978-0-9873740-4-2 

Individual works:

Time Thief

Published by Anna Hackett

Copyright 2012 by Anna Hackett

ISBN: 978-0-9873740-0-4

Mind Raider

Published by Anna Hackett

Copyright 2012 by Anna Hackett

ISBN: 978-0-9873740-1-1

Soul Stealer

Published by Anna Hackett

Copyright 2013 by Anna Hackett

ISBN: 978-0-9873740-2-8

Salvation

Published by Anna Hackett

Copyright 2013 by Anna Hackett

ISBN: 978-0-9873740-3-5

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, events or places is coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form.

What readers are saying about Anna’s Science Fiction Romance

At Star’s End – One of Library Journal's Best E-Original Romances for 2014

The Phoenix Adventures – SFR Galaxy Award Winner for Most Fun New Series

Beneath a Trojan Moon – SFR Galaxy Award Winner and RWAus Ella Award Winner

The Anomaly Series – #1 Amazon Action Adventure Romance Bestseller

Hell Squad – Amazon Bestselling Science Fiction Romance Series

"At Star’s End is a fun, thrill ride of a science fiction romance." – Mstcat, Goodreads review

A wonderfully written space adventure. – Corrinthia, Amazon review of In the Devil’s Nebula

"An action-packed sci-fi adventure with some smoking hot sexy times, I highly recommend On a Rogue Planet." – KatieF, Amazon Review

High action and adventure surrounding an impossible treasure hunt kept me reading until late in the night. – Jen, That’s What I’m Talking About, review of Beyond Galaxy’s Edge

Action, danger, aliens, romance – yup, it’s another great book from Anna Hackett! – Book Gannet Reviews, review of Hell Squad: Marcus

Another spectacular Hell Squad Story. Holy cow! Action, adventure, heartache and hot steamy love scenes. – Amazon reviewer, review of Hell Squad: Cruz

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Time Thief

Anna Hackett

Chapter One

She’d been a thief a long time but bank robbery was a new low.

Bay North stood in line at the Concord Downing Bank and surreptitiously scratched under her wig. The damn thing itched like crazy.

She ran a hand down the pencil skirt of her cheap, gray business suit. It was a challenge trying to blend in with the Denver lunch crowd waiting to bank checks and open new accounts.

The suit, the foreign makeup and brown wig were her attempt at a chic disguise. She swallowed a snort. She wouldn’t know chic if it slammed her in the head with a pair of designer heels. Out of necessity, she usually wore clothes she could run in.

Things might have been different if she hadn’t been born a freak.

Her chest constricted. She fought to keep her hands relaxed, to not curl them into tight little fists.

Things weren’t different. She breathed out. Imagined the rush of emotions bleeding away like a spent wave.

Casually, Bay cast a glance around the bank. The foyer was all marble, mahogany and old-world brass fixtures. Located in an historic building in downtown Denver, Concord Downing catered to the city’s wealthiest clients.

Behind the row of tellers, a door led downstairs to the vault. She didn’t let her gaze linger but she noted every aspect of the heavy, reinforced entry.

A quick glance at her Rolex knockoff. In exactly one minute, two of the bank staff would open the dual combination lock. Then, another minute after that, the time lock door on the vault beyond would open.

Then she’d show that murdering bastard Gabriel Leven that she could give as good as she got. She’d steal one of his most prized treasures—the Scarlet Lady.

An antique ruby necklace of incalculable value.

Come on, come on. She tapped one cheap pump against the floor and watched the door out of the corner of her eye. Funny how time moved like cold honey when you were waiting. Even funnier since time was her commodity.

Movement. Two bank employees were heading for the door. Show time.

She gave the room another slow scan. Everything looked as it should. White-collar workers going about their business between chicken wraps and lattes.

One big man’s shoulders strained against his ill-fitting suit. He looked like he wanted to shred his too-tight jacket. Not far from him, another muscle-bound jock stood against a pillar, his jacket not even managing to hide the bulge of whatever he had holstered at his side.

A skitter of unease rippled up Bay’s spine.

What the hell was muscle doing pretending to fit into the bank crowd?

Swallowing hard, she looked directly at the door. The bank staff held keycards up to the scanners. The reinforced metal swung open and beyond she had the impression of a featureless corridor.

But from a night spent plying an off-duty bank guard with Wild Turkey and Coke, she knew that inside lay an impregnable vault housing safe deposit boxes for the rich and seriously rich. Protected by four armed guards.

None of that mattered. In another forty seconds the time lock door would open and she’d be home free.

She eyed the suits again. Were they watching her? Or were her nerves just strung too tight?

It didn’t matter if they were Leven’s men. She wasn’t leaving this bank without his strand of big, fat rubies in her hand. She planned to dig a knife deep by taking something he treasured. And destroying it.

Twenty seconds to go.

Twenty. Nineteen. Eighteen.

Her gaze swept over the spacious foyer with its gleaming marble and hushed atmosphere. Then it snagged on a man.

A tall, lean man who watched her with an intensity that made her blood freeze. Oh God, he’d found her.

Seventeen. Sixteen. Fifteen.

He stood in the middle of the cavernous space, not even pretending to blend in. His hands were by his side, but she sensed coiled readiness. Like a gunslinger waiting to draw.

Fourteen. Thirteen. Twelve.

His gray gaze locked on her. A handsome face battered by life. He’d been after her for months and he never gave up.

He was a hunter. And she was the hunted.

Eleven. Ten. Nine.

She cast a frantic glance at the doorway to the vault.

Hurry up! She wanted to shout the words but she held her breath until her lungs burned. She looked back at Leven’s hunter.

Eight. Seven. Six.

He launched himself at her.

God, he was fast. He pumped his arms, his movements strong and efficient. In those storm-cloud eyes, she saw the burn of something hot and scary.

Five. Four.

She stumbled out of line, but she knew she’d never outrun him. She only had one option for escape, but she needed the damn time lock open before she did it.

A powerfully muscled arm crossed the space between them. Fingers gripped her wrist.

Three. Two.

Nowhere to go, time thief, the hunter growled.

One.

Bay stole time.

The world around her froze. People petrified, all sound silenced. Through the large plate glass windows, the cars on the street were immobile. She looked at the oversized railway clock on the wall—motionless.

She was stealing time.

And she had work to do.

She studied her hunter. Three months he’d been after her and this was the closest he’d come. He was far more intelligent than Leven’s usual thugs. She pulled his hand off her wrist and looked again at that rugged face.

Tawny hair fell over his forehead and his skin was deeply tanned. He looked like he belonged outdoors, climbing a mountain or captaining a ship. Without thinking, she touched a finger to his strong jaw and the intriguing dip in his chin.

When she registered the warmth of his skin, she snatched her hand back. Idiot.

His gray eyes still burned. She recognized what lurked there—saw the reflection of it in her own eyes every day—revenge.

What did I ever do to you? she wondered.

She turned her back on him and headed to the doorway where the two bank employees stood frozen. It gave the perfect line of sight to the vault and its half open door.

Excellent.

She cast one quick look back at her immobile hunter. Something told her he didn’t like to lose.

***

Sean Archer blinked. His arm dropped to his side.

He stood in the middle of the bank lobby, people moving and talking around him.

She was gone.

Damn it. He resisted the urge to hit something.

He’d had her, held her delicate wrist in his hand. He hadn’t imagined such a powerful being would have wrist-bones finer than a child’s.

He’d come close to her before, but it was the first time he’d touched her. He flexed his fingers, still felt her smooth skin.

Snap out of it. She was dangerous. She’d stolen time and he’d been vulnerable. Every person in the bank had been a perfect target. She could have slaughtered them where they stood without any of them fighting back.

Just like what had happened to his team.

A shock of hot emotion stormed through him, churning his gut. For a second he was back in the Afghan desert—the scent of blood sharp in his nose, air hissing through his punctured lung, sand hot beneath his cheek.

A flurry of motion snapped him out of his nightmare.

The bank manager—a woman in a sharp black suit—looked sick, her face pale. Another employee stood wringing his hands in front of the yawning door leading to the vault.

Gabriel Leven had just lost his prized necklace.

Spinning, Sean aimed for the front door. He nodded at the men who’d come with him, and they fell in step beside him. Outside, he headed for two black SUVs parked on the street.

He wrenched open the door. I need the horologion. Now.

The driver grumbled then slapped a small device into Sean’s hand.

Sean turned his back on the man. Leven’s men were sloppy and undisciplined. Nothing like the well-trained soldiers he’d served with.

You aren’t a SEAL anymore. As the rest of Leven’s men stood idly around the cars, one lighting up a cigarette, Sean thought about just how far he’d fallen.

Working for a criminal.

No. He was nothing like Leven or his men. They were just a means to an end. He needed Leven’s knowledge and resources to rid the world of a dangerous threat it didn’t even know existed.

He focused on the horologion. It looked like a cellphone with a slightly larger screen. He activated it and waited. Cooked up by the scientists Leven had working for him, this little thing didn’t measure time. It measured the residual trace of when time was stolen.

The horologion gave a discreet beep. He held it toward the bank. The beeping increased.

Gotcha. Stay with the vehicles. I’ll call you when I need you. He strode down the sidewalk.

He followed the trail through the city streets. Went through the atrium lobby of the Brown Palace Hotel, pushed through shoppers on the 16th Street Mall and ended up in the Lower Downtown district with its renovated warehouses.

The time thief was far from stupid. She always left a complicated trail. He’d almost caught her in New York a week back, but the trail had ended at the East River and he still didn’t know if she’d risked disease by getting in the water.

She couldn’t steal time again so soon after the bank. Or if she did, she could only hold it a few seconds. Thank God they didn’t have endless power. But her trail was dissipating.

He glanced up. Union Station.

Damn. If she’d gotten on a train, he’d lost her.

Sure enough, the trail ended at one of the platforms. The light rail to Littleton had just left.

He cursed, shoving the horologion in his jacket pocket. He yanked out his cellphone and barked orders to the men. A team would be waiting at the next stop, but he knew she wouldn’t be on the train.

A fine job he was doing avenging his men. He ran a hand through his hair. It had lost its military precision, now more unkempt than anything. Just the way he felt most days.

Something pinged along his senses.

He stilled. His instincts had been forged in his intense SEAL training and honed in war. They’d saved his life too many times for him to ignore them.

He turned slowly, careful to keep his shoulders slumped in failure.

She stood beside a pillar on the adjacent platform. Straight. Still. Watching him. Somewhere during their chase, she’d ditched the wig and suit for well-worn jeans and a non-descript gray sweater.

Sean really wished she looked evil. Like the thief who’d slaughtered his men. That thief had been a Taliban fighter, had looked like the enemy.

This woman looked fragile. Medium height, compact frame, honey-blonde hair that was ruler straight. Eyes the color of the palest moss green.

But she was tough. She’d evaded him for months.

He strolled toward the entrance, hands in his pockets. He hated losing sight of her, but he couldn’t tip her off. The woman had sharper survival instincts than a wild animal.

In the main part of the station, the large arched windows flooded the area with natural light. He sank onto one of the old wooden benches. And waited.

It reminded him of all the missions where he’d hidden in shadows with his team. Lying in wait for their target.

She was smart. She waited ten minutes before she walked off the platform, head down, drawing no attention. A hood was pulled over her hair.

He bided his time until she was far enough ahead of him before he slipped into the flow of people.

Stripping off his jacket, he tucked it under his arm. Now she’d only see a dark blue T-shirt if she looked back.

He counted her steps, fighting the urge to spring at her.

Wait. Wait. Wait. He couldn’t lose her again.

She turned left on Wynkoop Street, headed deeper into the renovated warehouses of LoDo. At one of the brick buildings, she went in the front door.

He grabbed the door before it clicked closed and eased inside. He paused in the entry, watching her.

When she stopped to unlock a door farther down the hall, he moved fast.

He grabbed her, yanking her back against him. He maneuvered them into the shadowed recess of the doorway, subduing her struggles.

He pressed his lips to her ear. Gotcha.

Chapter Two

Stupid!

Bay kicked at her attacker but he held her tight in muscular arms.

She’d felt a niggle of something when she’d left the station. She knew better than to ignore her instincts.

She should never have stayed and watched him. She twisted, trying to yank herself away, but the man was made of rock and far too strong.

She’d wanted to know more about him. Find his weaknesses.

Little liar. She knew that wasn’t the reason she’d stayed to ogle the guy with the tight, muscled body and lived-in face. She’d wanted the chance to look at him a little longer.

Like she hadn’t already spent precious minutes of her stolen time in the bank studying that intriguing face. Could he read the hardships of her life on her face the way she could his?

A strong hand slid down her side.

Hey! No one—no one—touched her without her permission.

He ignored her. His hand dipped into the center pocket of her sweater, brushing against her belly. When he pulled back, a golden necklace inlaid with sunset-red rubies lay on his palm.

I don’t think this belongs to you. A silky voice in her ear.

Why do you do that bastard’s dirty work? He’s a criminal. A killer. She spat the last word with all the hate and anger she felt for Gabriel Leven.

Her hunter was silent. Something told her she’d struck a nerve. Her thoughts churned. She could use that. Somehow.

Voices echoed down the hall. Bay braced herself, ready to make the mother of all commotions.

Open the door. His fingers dug into her hip. Hard. Scream or make a scene and you’ll regret it.

A smart-ass comment balanced on her lips. But somehow she knew he meant it and she wouldn’t like the consequences.

She unlocked the door, ignoring the tremble in her hands. She refused to be afraid. She’d stopped being afraid the day she’d come home from school and been forced to watch her family being butchered.

They entered the loft, shoes squeaking on the polished concrete floor. She’d rented a room for a couple of months from the owner. She hated sharing a place, putting someone else at risk, but it was the best way to cover her tracks. No leases. No paperwork.

Thankfully Mara was out.

Her captor closed the door behind them. The click of the lock sounded loud in Bay’s ears. He pushed her away from him.

She spun and backed up.

Dark gray eyes took in the loft in one quick sweep. The industrial feel of the place was softened by Mara’s unique style. A pile of jewel-toned cushions sat in the center of the room around a low, intricately-carved wooden table covered with candles. A large canvas splashed with paint in Pollock-inspired chaos graced the exposed brick wall near the small kitchen.

Not your style, the man pronounced.

She cast him a sharp glance. How the hell would you know?

He moved with that easy, fluid walk she’d noticed before. I’ve studied you for months. Bold and colorful isn’t you.

The idea that he’d been watching her so closely made her uncomfortable. Oh yeah, so what’s my style?

Plain. Simple.

That stung. Boring.

He faced her now. No. Clean, uncluttered.

She shrugged. Maybe the fact I’ve been on the run from Leven since my teens has something to do with that. No time to collect trinkets.

His gaze moved across her face in a way that made her want to rub her cheek. You killed his people.

Something molten and nasty punched through her veins. Only the ones who tried to kill me!

She fought back the guilt. She hated taking lives. But when it came down to her life or her attacker’s, she fought to survive.

That’s not what he told me.

Bay threw her arms in the air. Oh well, take the word of the lying, thieving crime lord over an innocent woman.

He took a menacing step closer. You’re not innocent.

The words were cold. A shiver snaked through her as she dropped her arms. She might see something human in this man, but she couldn’t forget he was dangerous.

You killed his wife.

God. Memories poured through Bay, ripping at her with sharp claws. Yes. I did. And I’d do it again.

His lips tightened. He grabbed her arm in an unyielding hold. I’m taking you in.

To the police?

No. He pulled out a cellphone. Your little…ability means the police can’t handle you. Leven can.

Fear was a horrible spill of bile in her mouth. But she refused to let this man see it.

She lifted her chin. The others he sends usually try to hurt me first. Knock me around, beat me. She wrapped her other arm around her stomach. She didn’t want to remember the ones who tried to touch her.

Gray eyes darkened as he lifted his phone. After a few curt instructions, he shoved it back in his pocket and towed her toward the door.

Bay cast one last glance around the loft. Goodbye, Mara. Bay wouldn’t come back here. She’d miss the woman. The self-assured redhead had become the closest thing Bay had had to a friend in years.

It seemed she was destined to always say goodbye to those she cared about.

After checking the hall was empty, her captor dragged her back onto the street. A chill winter wind whipped along the sidewalk, tossing the ends of her hair across her face. He’d left his coat inside but appeared impervious to the cold.

She studied his hard jaw. She had to find a way to get to him. It was her only chance.

You aren’t like Leven’s other goons.

Silence. He didn’t take his gaze off the road.

You’re military. Wasn’t hard to guess. The guy moved with trained precision.

Was.

God, how could one word hold so much anger?

Why are you doing this? Working for Leven?

The man turned his head slowly. Because he promised me the chance to hunt and kill time thieves.

Bay’s rapid heartbeat thudded in her ears. She was wrong. This man wouldn’t help her.

Hunching her shoulders, she stared down the street. Saw the black SUVs speeding in their direction.

He lied to you. She lifted her face to the cold wind. He’ll let you hunt us, but he won’t let you kill us.

Her hunter frowned. Of course he will. That’s what this is all about.

She gave a painful laugh. No. The only thing Gabriel Leven wants is control of my power.

***

She was lying.

Sean tightened his grip on her as Leven’s men screeched to a stop at the curb.

Leven had promised Sean revenge.

As the car doors opened, Sean combed through his conversations with Leven. The man had never actually said what he’d do with the thieves once they were captured. He’d just told Sean he’d have all the resources he needed to hunt them and bring them in.

Damn it. Now was not the time to let doubts creep in. He’d finally caught her. A dangerous time thief he’d been tracking for months.

Remember the guys. The ones he’d promised to protect, who’d been butchered without a chance to defend themselves.

Leven’s men got out of the vehicles.

Sean saw them raise their guns.

He didn’t stop to think. He pushed the thief sideways. As she stumbled, he followed her, pushing her to the ground.

Automatic gunfire sprayed the footpath with a roar.

The thief was already moving. She scrambled across the ground, headed for a parked car ahead of them. Sean followed.

His mind registered that the men weren’t shooting to kill her.

Sean crouched with his back pressed to a late-model Chevy. He drew his SIG-Sauer and returned fire. He sent a few well-aimed bullets into the engine block of the lead SUV.

Then there was silence.

We just want the thief, Archer.

Sean recognized the voice. One of Leven’s inner circle. Then why the hell are you shooting, Gordon?

You’ve outlived Mr. Leven’s employment. Now send the thief out.

Sean looked down at the woman beside him. Her pale green eyes were wide. He saw fear buried in their depths. Something told him this woman hid her fear from everyone, even herself.

Why the hell had Leven turned on him like this? Sean studied the woman. Maybe Leven knew she’d talk. And what she had to say wouldn’t match Leven’s story.

Why’d you kill Leven’s wife?

Her eyes closed, a spasm crossing her face. When her eyes opened, they were blank. She was a murdering, torturing bitch. She killed my family. In front of me. She sliced up my baby sister. Her voice caught. Lily was nine.

God. He’d been so stupid. Letting his burning need for revenge drive him to work with a man like Gabriel Leven.

Another spray of bullets hit the car.

Sean’s focus narrowed. He scanned the street. When I return fire, you run across the street. Through that alley.

She followed his gaze. Nodded.

Run and don’t look back.

I’m good at that.

Good. He lifted his gun. Ready?

Sean didn’t wait for a response. He broke cover and picked his targets. He shot the men on the road side of the car first.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her move.

What’re you going to do now, Archer? He fired again. Bullets impacted near him. How about just survive?

A window shattered above him, showering him with lethal shards of glass. There was a sting above his eye, the warm slide of blood. He swiped at the flow then ignored it.

But after trading more gunfire, he realized he was going nowhere. He was pinned down.

There was no panic. No fear. He’d always thought he’d face his death with a roar, fighting it all the way. But those bloody moments in the desert had changed him. Now he welcomed death.

Now he wouldn’t be the only survivor left to drown in his guilt.

Suddenly a small hand gripped his forearm. He jerked around.

She was back.

I told you to run.

She heaved an aggravated sigh. I couldn’t leave you.

Then she closed her eyes.

Disorientation hit. Sean’s head spun and he felt a quickening inside him. Like a surge of adrenaline.

Everything around them froze.

Holy hell. He stood, barely aware of her rising beside him. There was no sound. It was eerie.

In front of him, he saw multiple bullets hanging suspended in air. Leven’s men were standing beside the SUVs, guns raised, looking like suit-covered statues.

Time just stops. His men had looked like this. He’d looked like this. Lambs to the fucking slaughter.

No. Time’s still progressing, just slowly. Or we’re moving quicker. I don’t really know.

Her voice wavered and he looked at her. Her face was white, her lips pinched. Her hands were shaking and as he watched, she shoved them in the pockets of her jeans.

It hurts?

She sucked in a deep breath. Not usually, just if I do it again too soon. That intriguing moss-green gaze linked with his. I can’t hold it long. We need to get out of here.

They took off for the alley. It was strange to see the cars in the middle of the street just stopped. As he and the woman moved between the two brick buildings, the stench of rot hit them. Then she stumbled.

Sean grabbed her before she hit the ground. She was shaking. He saw blood on his hand and cursed. You’re hit.

Just a graze. Go. I’ll be fine. Her voice was the barest whisper.

Lady, you’ve run circles around me for the last three months. I’m not letting you out of my sight again. He hauled her up—there wasn’t much to her—and slung her arm over his shoulders. Now move.

Chapter Three

Bay fought to hold time.

Every muscle in her body burned. Dizziness clamped down on her and nausea swirled in her belly.

She’d expected her captor-turned-ally—what had they called him? Archer?—to run. Instead he’d dragged her across downtown with dogged determination.

She did what she could to help but her stumbling steps were slowing them down.

Her leg muscles cramped and she dug her fingers into his shoulder to keep from crying out.

Let it go.

What? She blinked up at him.

Time. Let it go.

Just a bit long—

He gave her a light shake. I’m practically carrying you. It’s tearing you apart. Just let it go. We’ll get out of here.

She wasn’t used to taking orders. She wavered for a second, keeping her tenuous grip on her power.

Then she released her hold.

Time clicked back in.

Cars motored past them, pedestrians poured along the sidewalk, traffic lights changed red to green.

She sagged against him, her energy gone.

He hauled her up against his side. "We can’t