Merysekhmet: Diaries of the Cwn Annwn Vol 6

By Jo Pilsworth

Ramses Tariq-Omari has walked the world of man for millennia, a lion shifter, a healer and a soldier, he protects those who know nothing of the paranormal world, of the creatures that seek to harm them. Having served the Goddess Sekhmet since the age of ten, it has been lonely existence indeed, but one he has never regretted having chosen.

Elizabeth DeAnglo needed 'time out' from hunting paranormal creatures. Taking a job as a PA to a Wall Street seemed like a plan, until she discovered that her new boss was also the wolf-shifter Alpha of the Hellfire Pack. Since the loss of her fiancé and child to a Wendigo attack, she has trained as a paranormal hunter, driven to hunt down the creature responsible. Only then is she certain that she will find peace. Despite living and working with the Hellfire Pack, despite having a family in her fellow paranormal hunters, she is alone, always on the periphery. When she is attacked, again, by unknown Hellhounds, Elizabeth wonders why she is being targeted. She also wonders at the identity of the mystery archer who comes to her aid.

A millennia-old paranormal warrior and a modern day paranormal hunter. Two sides in opposition, yet fighting the same enemy. The attack will change Elizabeth’s life and force her to face some harsh truths. Can she straddle the worlds of the paranormal and those who hunt them? What will happen if she is forced to choose? Can love overcome the deep-seated prejudice which Ramses will face from Elizabeth's friends?

Merysekhmet is the first paranormal romance novel written by Jo Pilsworth and Kaitlyn Bosch, two friends who met via Facebook role-play. Based on the legend of the Egyptian Goddess Sekhmet, it forms part of the Diaries of the Cwn Annwn: Hellfire Pack series. Content is aimed at an 18+ audience and contains scenes of mild violence. Some sexual content.

Watch out in 2018 for the next books in the series: Toho, Medved and Ma-iitsoh, along with the series prequel, Cysgodion. Dare you walk in our world?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Pilsworth
• Release date: Apr 10, 2018

Jo Pilsworth

Too many nights away from home led to my joining an online role-play group based on Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters universe, giving me an enjoyable hobby whilst in hotels on my own. As a result, I became friends with some of my fellow writers, Tracy Andrews and Donna DeBoard, who joined me when I started what was known in the role-playing world as an ‘own character’ group. Thus The Hunter’s Arrow and the worlds of the Anghelescu Hellhounds and the Negrescu Cŵn Annwn were born.When not concocting fiendish plots, I work as a Store Manager for The Works, a UK-based chain of art and craft supplies. I am supported in my writing endeavours by my wonderful husband of more than 25 years, David, and my son, David Junior.The Diaries of the Cwn Annwn consists of nine books, so far, with at least a couple more in the works. The books available here start with Merysekhmet, then Toho, Medved and Ma'iitsoh. Omega and Gemelli are in the production stage. Dare you walk in our world?

Book preview

CHAPTER 1: THE MEETING

With the alleged ceasefire in Aleppo, it looked like Ramses would be facing a fresh deployment to that warzone, not least given that it was his area of speciality. Trauma was an understatement in that war-torn land. He might only be able to help with a portion of it, but unlike some of his colleagues, if needs be, he would also kick into touch the idiots who wanted to cause trouble and then some.

The need for a run was pressing, but to do so, he would need to travel out to a 'safe' zone, perhaps out near Tanzania or Kenya. Dining on an antelope was always a good plan, and whilst the migratory herds would be gone, he was not tied to a home range. Digging his hands into the pockets of his cashmere and wool coat, he dropped his head down against the chill. The daytime 'high' was dipping to freezing rapidly. The sooner he was back at his apartment, with a nice warm cup of tea, the better. The shortest route crossed some far from salubrious areas, but then, for someone who spent so much time in warzones, it made little difference. Most of his colleagues just saw the surgeon. They knew nothing about the warrior. Hathor or Sekhmet. Such was the dichotomy. Two halves of a whole. Only those who sought to pick a fight would find out that they were making a mistake.

His hearing picked up the sounds of a scuffle. No, more than a scuffle as he picked up his pace. Two ... no, three individuals. Two male and one female. Goddess damn them! A mugging. Just what he didn't need right now, but there was no way he could ignore it. The need to protect was a part of him as much as the need to heal and restore the broken bodies he encountered with MSF. There was a thud, as a body hit a wall and a ... howl? Hell, no! This sounded like more than just a mugging ...

Elizabeth had been walking back to her car, pulling her jacket tighter around her. Her heeled boots clicked on the ground as she moved. She wanted to get home and out of this cold. Of course, she parked some distance away, again trying to keep herself in shape. She tucked her hands in her jacket and continued.

As she passed by an alley way, she saw a flash of movement before her jacket was grabbed and she was yanked off her feet and thrown into the alley. Her body slammed into dumpster and she groaned feeling her skull bounce off the hard surface. She didn't have time to react because she was grabbed again and thrown towards the opposite side of the alley and crashed into the brick siding. She could feel her ribs crack within her body. She screamed out but again, before she could defend herself, she was grabbed once more but wasn't thrown.

One of the attackers, a male grabbed her by the front of her jacket and put her right in his face. He snarled and an evil smirk appeared on his face. He head-butted her and then chucked her towards the ground.

Elizabeth noticed the snarl. She had been around enough this area enough to know who and what these attackers were. Hellhounds. Again. Yes, again. Elizabeth groaned and yelped as her body hit the cold pavement. She lay there as she tasted blood in her mouth. All she could think was to wonder why was she always a damn target for these things. She shook her head. If these assholes wanted to play, fine. They would play.

Elizabeth stood slowly. Her look was focused as she regarded the two males who seemed to be laughing at her attempt to fight back. Her eyes met theirs and their chuckles stopped. Elizabeth smirked and spit the blood from her mouth. Big mistake.

She cracked her neck before waving them over to come get her. The two looked at each other and one flashed away and appeared behind her. She was expecting that. Her eyes stayed on the male in front who was charging her but she was ready for the grab from behind. When her jacket was grabbed, she used it to her advantage. The frontal attack came next but being held up by his trusty friend, Elizabeth jumped sending both feet to the chest of the male. She kicked with all her might and sent him flying back into the dumpster. A howl escaped the male’s lips as he collided.

Well, as usual the grip the Hellhound had on her wouldn't last so she braced herself as the male threw her hard. She went flying towards a bunch of junk near the back of the alley. Crashing and landing, she felt herself get cut up. Glass bottles and metal pieces laid before her. Her jacket was all torn up now.

She stood slowly and she looked pissed. Hey! This jacket was a damn gift. Now you really making me angry. She moved her hands and unzipped the jacket letting the cold hit her arms. The thin fabric of her blouse she wore to work had been untouched. She dropped the jacket and charged the male.

As Ramses neared the mouth of the alley, he heard the female voice and paused at her indignant words, Hey! This jacket was a damn gift. Now you are really making me angry. Who was she, that ... yes, she was prepared to take on a pair of Hellhounds. Just because he kept to himself did not mean that he didn't know the other creatures he might encounter. After all, he was hardly a run of the mill MSF Surgeon.

His heavy cashmere and wool coat disappeared with a thought and his hands felt the familiar feel of a bow, whilst the quiver formed on his right hip, allowing him to draw the arrows and nock with his right hand. Loosing an arrow on a relatively stationary target was not a big issue for him, not considering the years that had passed since he had been given his first bow by one of the temple guards in Memphis, the hot sun of Egypt beating down on the practice field.

A sharper contrast to that first practice field and this place could not be found, Ramses thought, as he decided to forgo the warning to the Hellhound to desist in his attack. It was one matter for the fight to be between paranormal creatures, but whomever these Hellhounds answered to, they had been sent against a human.

The bow sang as the arrow flew to its target, pinning the Hellhound to the dumpster. Hooking his bow over his quiver, Ramses hand felt the equally familiar weight of his sword in his right hand. Whoever the female was, she appeared to know more about fighting than was normal for human females, that much was clear. Her attitude was that of a fighter, and Ramses smiled, knowing that his goddess approved of one such as her. But this time he did speak.

Desist, Hellhound or pay the price. He grunted, decent thing done. He would not allow a Hellhound to kill a human. Since the fool Hellhound decided to fight the arrow pinning him to the dumpster, Ramses smiled again. Return to whomever you answer then, Hellhound. Even in the dim light of the alley, there was a gleam to the blade as it swung down, the curve of the blade requiring a single-handed technique. The Hellhound's head bounced across the alley, his body still pinned to the dumpster like a bizarre piece of artwork.

Elizabeth was ready to move when she heard a voice coming from the entrance of the alley. Looking past the hellhound, she raised a brow at the male standing there. What was he doing? Who was he? Why is he getting involved? Did he think she needed help? It could look that way. Tiny human girl, heels, pencil skirt. Blouse. No weapons.

Wait. She did have one. Smirking, she watched as the Hellhound turned to face the noise. She watched for a moment before she made her move. Reaching into her boot, she pulled the dagger Daniela had given her for her birthday. There was less tension now between the two of them and they were becoming friends and Elizabeth loved the blade. She raised her foot and slammed it into the back of the Hellhound’s leg, right behind the knee. It forced him to his knees and Elizabeth moved forward grabbing him by the shoulder and slamming the dagger into his chest. Clawed hands reached up as a howl of pain pierced her ears. The hands grabbed her, claws digging into her flesh, and she was thrown over the Hellhound’s shoulder.

She went flying a few feet forward and landed on her stomach. She groaned out and laid there for a moment before trying to stand up as the Hellhound went to try to remove the blade from his body.

Curiosity stayed Ramses' hand, so that he waited rather than attack the other Hellhound. Who was the human female that she was not only armed, but knew the best points on a Hellhound's anatomy to strike. The dagger was too small to make a clean kill, but it would delay the Hellhound. Still, the creature managed to throw the human forwards so that she landed hard on her chest. As she groaned, Ramses was willing to bet that broken ribs would be involved, his medical mind assessing likely injuries from the fight so far. She would need treatment, that much was certain. Given her attackers, it was unlikely that the best place to take her would be one of the human hospitals.

Sheathing his sword, he dropped to one knee by the human female. I won't ask if you are uninjured, but do you wish to finish this creature yourself, or shall I do the honours? Do you wish to interrogate him?

Ramses himself would like to know why they attacked this human. What made her different, because it did look as if she had been targeted for a reason. Hellhounds being sent in such a manner did not bode well. A human could not be a threat to them, so what purposes were being served in the attack?

Elizabeth groaned as she heard the voice before her. She didn't even look at him. She just placed both hands on the pavement and got her feet ready. Her voice spoke was laced with anger. I got it handled. It even sounded as if she growled.

Then she took off like a track athlete, pushing her feet off the ground and charging. She did want to ask this hound a few questions but there was no way in Hell, she'd let some guy take it from her. She had it handled and could take a lot more.

She knew this was going to hurt but getting a Hellhound down was tricky business. She jumped up and sent a foot flying at the hound’s head. With the force she added to it, it knocked the hound on his back before he could react. She dropped down, grabbing the blade and yanking it out. Slamming her knee down, she pressed it into his wound and pointed the blade at his face. Stay down.

This was an interesting situation, Ramses thought as he stood up. This human knew how to attack. She may have been small physically, but he suspected that the Hellhounds had decided that made her an easy mark. He shook his head, his smile widening. He might still intervene if something went wrong, but she had fought well and bravely. The 'honour' of the kill went to her. He had served his Goddess long enough to know that.

Returning to the other Hellhound whose body decorated the dumpster, he pondered why the body was still there. Usually, when a Hound died, their ruling Queen would 'call them back' to her, reclaiming both body and soul of her servant, and yet not this time. Was it because he, as a servant of another pantheon, had broken some link, confusing the issue? Whatever the reason, it did not stop Ramses from going through the Hound's pockets for some form of ID. Even Hellhounds had to carry ID should they be stopped by a human officer. It was easier to just produce the requisite documents than argue about it.

Ramses smiled again briefly as he extracted a wallet from the Hellhound's pocket. A driving license issued in Baltimore? Not that far, he supposed from New York, but far enough. There was more going on here than met the eye. There was a shimmer and the decapitated corpse and its head both disappeared. So much for that then. Ramses murmured to himself.

His attention returned to the human female. She had the other Hellhound at knifepoint. The creature did not look as if he intended to chance his luck, but Ramses was not taking any chances. An arrow was nocked in his bow swiftly. Let the human carry out her own investigation and interrogation. He could wait for the outcome.

Elizabeth looked down at the Hellhound and narrowed her eyes. Who sent you? What is your motive! She snapped at the male under her. She wanted to get to the bottom of this. This was the second time she had been attacked. She just didn't understand what the hell was happening. What connection was there. She had lived in the city for a while but only now she is getting attacked by these things.

The male just smirked. He wasn't going to talk. She could see it in his eyes. He'd keep his mouth shut. Elizabeth wasn't one to let that slide. She narrowed her eyes and pushed her knee down harder into his wound. His smirk vanished as he growled in pain. Elizabeth made her demand again. Tell me. Now!

He narrowed his eyes and spoke up for the first time. Fucking psycho little bitch! I ain't saying shit!

Elizabeth raised a brow. Psycho? You haven't seen psycho! Elizabeth kept her knee down on his leg before slamming the knife into his leg. But then she twisted it and jerked it. A howl of pain escaped his lips and a snarl came after. He was not happy but neither was she.

You fucking bitch! He used much of his strength to shove her away but all it achieved was him on his feet before Elizabeth attacked him again. She moved fast sending a spinning high kick towards his head. He wobbled back and fell hitting his head on the brick wall behind him.

Elizabeth walked right towards him, crouched in front of him and slammed her knife into to other leg. She kept her hand firm. Tell. Me. Now. Her tone was uncompromising and angry.

He growled and snarled but that was all. Go fuck yourself, Hunter.

Elizabeth raised a brow and then narrowed her eyes. She was getting tired of this. She twisted the blade and spoke again. Last fucking chance! He did what she predicted and insulted her again. Wrong fucking answer. She yanked the blade from his leg and slashed sideways, slicing deep into his throat. Blood spewed from his neck and into her shirt and face. She slowly stood after that and looked down at the Hellhound.

Guess she would have to figure this out on her own.

Every instinct within Fane howled with the need to fight. There had been attempted incursions onto his territory by other Hellhounds, and he knew damn well that they were testing his awareness, his preparedness. It was a bit like a bug biting him. However, to date, none had made it deep into his territory.

Until now.

Two fucking Hellhounds, not members of his Pack were on his turf, and they were not going to leave it alive. That much was certain. An alley in town, not that far from where his dickhead cousin had his offices. However, what he didn't expect was to find only one still fighting, and of all creatures, it was fighting ... a human? This was rich, not just fighting a human but having its arse handed to it on a platter by a human ... a female human. None other than his cousin's human PA, Elizabeth DeAnglo.

Fane’s hands came up to give a slow round of applause, before he found myself grasping something else ... a fucking arrow? Turning, Fane saw another male, an unfamiliar scent, his bow ready, an arrow nocked.

Who the fuck was this?

Elizabeth has only heard of the Hellhounds that lived in the area. She knew from the start that the ones who have attacked her on both occasions were not them. Being Casimir’s PA, she knew things. When she turned, and saw Fane, Casimir’s cousin, or at least she hoped it was him, she smirked slightly.

Seeing the first male aiming an arrow at Fane, she sighed. Whistling, she attracted the archer’s attention. Yo! Robin Hood. Show’s over. Drop the bow.

It was quite clear to Ramses that this human female had more than average skills. She had a level of passion that he had not seen in a long time. But it was the other arrival that made him act. Another Hellhound, and this one thrummed with power. There was a lot more to him than the two others. As passionate and skilled as the human might be, Ramses did not think that she would be capable of defending herself against this one, not with the broken ribs which he suspected she had sustained.

Loosing his arrow, he did not expect it to hit, not given the feel of this male, and Ramses was not wrong on that score. Instead, the male caught the arrow, before turning towards him, the anger in the attack apparent. And yet, he did not attack, either Ramses or the female.

Still, he nocked a fresh arrow. And he waited, only to be taken aback by her words. The name is Ramses, not Robin Hood. Given the present company, he took a gamble. By the goddess, I predate him by a couple of millennia at least.

Rolling her eyes, she looked at him. Elizabeth. She used her already bloody shirt to wipe the blood off her knife. And I like Robin Hood. She looked at Fane and nodded a greeting.

But her 'cool and calm' mood was soon fading. Her adrenaline was vanishing and the cold was seeping in. She tried to ignore the ache of the cold and the sharp pains of broken ribs.

Looping his bow over his shoulder, Ramses dropped the arrow back in the quiver, raising his hands slightly to indicate he meant the human female, Elizabeth, no harm. I am also a doctor, working with Médecins Sans Frontières‎.

Ramses took a step towards her. If you will permit me ... He glanced at the male Hellhound, ... both of you ... He amended, I would like to triage your injuries. Broken ribs are no laughing matter in terms of pain.

Predate Robin Hood by two millennia? Fane resisted the temptation to whistle in admiration. Last thing he expected to come across on the streets of New York was someone who could claim to be a contemporary of his sire. It made him wonder what sort of shit was about to hit the fan.

Be my guest, doctor. Fane's voice rumbled with amusement. From what I have seen, broken ribs, contusions and grazes. Elizabeth, 9 out of 10. Daniela's training is having a positive effect, I see. Fane approached the corpse of the Hellhound and kicked it. Fucking brilliant. Another Baltimore dog. Message received and understood. He clicked his fingers and the corpse burst into flame. At least the bitch won't have him. He murmured, referring to the fact that by burning the corpse, his former queen couldn't bring this one back.

Unless you want me to oversee the good doctor, I have other issues requiring my attention. He nodded to Elizabeth.

Looking over Robin Hood's shoulder, she smiled at Fane. Thanks. Best I could do in a damn pencil skirt. She sighed. She hated wearing these things, especially since she has been hit twice with attacks. She shook her head. Nah. I think I got it, Fane. Pretty sure the good doctor witnessed what happens if he tries anything. She smirked lightly at the two. But before she let Fane leave, she figured she'd let him in on what happened. Clearly, he has some idea why the Hellhounds are attacking like this. If he knows something, he should know her part. Oh, and Fane. This is my second run in with these fucking assholes. I ran into two more a while ago. Attacked me in the parking garage. Just thought you should have all the info.

Elizabeth looked at the other male and raised a brow at him. When he took a step closer. She took a step back, instinctively. Only to be expected by just surviving a nasty fight. No offense, Robin Hood but I prefer to see my own doctors. That was a bit of a lie, since she hadn’t done so since she started to work for Casimir.

So clearly the human female, Elizabeth knew this other Hellhound, who seemed more than 'just' a Hellhound, Ramses thought to himself. I mean you no harm. He repeated. However, if you don't let me attend to those ribs, it will be worse for you. Was there anything more frustrating than knowing he had someone before him who was refusing his attention. His hands felt the familiar burn which was the healing energy he channeled from his Goddess.

What do you have to fear? I heal and I protect. That is all. He took another step forward. Those contusions need to be cleaned of the far from delightful substances in this alley.

When he asked, what did she fear, Elizabeth chuckled. What do I fear? I just took on two Hellhounds in a skirt and heels. I just don't like people I don't know poking around and messing with my insides. That's all. Its trust issues. Had them for a while. Only certain people are allowed to heal me. Elizabeth looked at Ramses and raised a brow. I am quite aware on how things can worsen Robin Hood. I have been a hunter for some time now. I've had worse done to me.

Ramses looked at the Hellhound. Perhaps she will listen to you. If Hellhounds have a habit of attacking her, she cannot take the risk of being injured for longer than she needs to be.

Looking towards Fane, Elizabeth gave him THE look and Fane shook his head. Sorry, Doctor. I'm a Hellhound, not a fool. I am sure you can convince her. I have other things to attend to. Take care, Elizabeth. And with that, Fane was gone leaving Elizabeth with the doctor.

Damned Hellhound. Ramses muttered under his breath. Look, human, all I will do is bind your ribs. I ... am ... a ... doctor. He repeated slowly. Hippocratic Oath, remember. First do no harm. And if you don't mind me pointing out the obvious, you are at risk of hypothermia the longer we stand here talking. He shook his head. And that would blow my Oath right out of the water, which I would like to think is not your intention.

He took another step forward. Please, I am asking nicely ... Let me treat those injuries.

Elizabeth looked at him and sighed. She was starting to feel the cold from rolling around on the freezing pavement. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. She just met this man. How was she going to trust him? She could just walk away and find Casimir but even breathing felt like it was killing her.

She finally gave in. Fine. Fine. Just hurry up. I have to go make a call. She wanted to call Casimir and tell him what happened.

Thank the Goddess. Ramses muttered, approaching Elizabeth. This will not take long. As he brought his hands closer, he didn't even need to lay them on her bloodied shirt. The warmth of the Goddess' gift felt like his hands were in front of a fire. Usually he took care to ensure that the recipient of his gift did not feel the difference in temperature, but this was hardly the