Tarnished Illusions: Ashryn Barker, #3
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About this ebook
Can the past ever stay dead?
I've escaped the hunters guild twice. Which begs the question why I'm going back now. At least this time, I have my vampires with me, the men who are proving to be more than just allies. My name is Ashryn Barker, and I'm going to be your downfall.
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Tarnished Illusions is book three of the complete Ashryn Barker series, an action-packed urban fantasy with a poly romance subplot.
If you enjoy urban fantasy, vampires & vampire hunters, enemies to lovers, poly romance, and plenty of action, start the Ashryn Barker series today with Shattered Illusions.
Laura Greenwood
Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she drinks a lot of tea, tries to resist French macarons, and works towards a diploma in Egyptology. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set. Laura specialises in quick reads, with healthy relationships and consent positive moments regardless of if she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-heavy urban fantasy, or anything in between. You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in The Paranormal Council Facebook Group. Happy Reading!
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Book preview
Tarnished Illusions - Laura Greenwood
1
A swift kick knocks Eric to the ground. Maybe I should feel bad about it, but he needs to learn to defend himself, particularly as he's insisting on actually doing something in our fight against the guild.
Maybe I should try talking to Dimitri again, about leaving him behind to do something a little different. But somehow, I don't think the vampire leader will go for that one. He seems to think Eric will have a place in what's to happen.
Times like this, I'm not so sure.
Was that really necessary, Ashryn?
Remus chuckles along with his words, and I throw him a dirty look over my shoulder.
He shouldn't be in here. I know he doesn't like Eric, and for some reason, doesn't trust the other man around me as much as he should, but that doesn't mean I need a babysitter.
If Eric does something I don't like, then I'm pretty capable of doing something about it.
It's always necessary to know how to defend yourself,
I respond, flashing him a winning smile. He's not going to guilt me into going easy on anyone. That's not how to help anyone learn.
True, but maybe try not to break bones?
He chuckles away to himself, so I'm not really sure how serious he's being.
He's a vampire. He's hardly likely to break anything.
I hate to point this out, but you're a vampire too.
I pause for a moment, considering what Remus is saying. I think I see his point. While Eric is stronger because he's a vampire, I'm also stronger because I'm a vampire. And more than that, I know what I'm doing in a fight, which is probably more dangerous for him than for me.
Ah.
Yes.
Sorry, Eric,
I say, tearing my eyes away from the scarred vampire who has spent every night for the past week in my bed. Not doing anything. Though I've been tempted a time or two. It's hard not to be with the intimacy of sharing the small space.
Something is stopping him from acting on it though, and I'm pretty sure it's the looks I've been giving the other men. It's hardly my fault I'm finding myself so attracted to them, they should stop being so damn appealing all the time.
No harm done,
Eric says. He's back on his feet now and holds out his hands as if to prove the point.
Even so...
Ashryn, I'm fine. You're right, I need to learn to fight, and getting kicked to the floor is the best way for me to do that.
I wouldn't be so sure about that,
Remus mutters.
I spin around to face him and poke a finger into his chest. No. You do not get to lecture anyone on learning techniques when you'll barely talk to the person in question. If you want control over how Eric learns, then you teach him yourself.
The two men stare at me, as if not sure what to make of the anger.
Fine,
Remus says.
What?
I can't believe what I'm hearing.
I said fine. I'll help him train.
You will?
I can feel my eyes light up. But to say this is a surprise is an understatement. While Remus' resentment towards Eric has lessened a bit in the last week, mostly because of how I talk about him, I have no doubt, he's not ready to be friends with him. Or brothers in arms. Or whatever the two of them are heading towards.
Even if that would make my life easier.
Yes, I will. besides, Dimitri's asked to see you.
And you thought to wait to tell me until now?
I half-shout. I am so mad at Remus right now. He knows how much I've been looking forward to this strategy meeting with Dimitri. Ever since we got back from our little excursion to the guild, I've been asking when I can have one.
Training with the others is fun and all, but it wasn't the fight I want to be doing. I want to take down the people that stole my childhood. The people that steal hundreds of childhoods.
I'd also quite like Bram to stop ignoring me. But one thing at once. We've come so far since leaving here together, I'm not ready to push him further than he's willing to go.
Sorry, but watching you beat up our dear prophet was too funny for me to resist,
Remus replies. I'm not sure I like this side of him. He's normally so sweet and caring, towards everyone. But not Eric. The hatred is very real.
Not a good enough reason.
I storm past him and grab the towel off a bench, wiping it over my face and ridding myself of the non-existent sweat there. I think it's more from habit than anything else if I'm honest. I haven't been a vampire nearly long enough to have rid myself of some of my traits. At least, that was my excuse.
Please don't kill each other while I'm gone,
I tell my men. No, not my men. The men. What am I thinking?
A little bit of me wants to change my clothing before I go find Dimitri, but another part just wants to go find him so we can plot.
That part wins out. I'm eager to get started, particularly with Dimitri's own intelligence. I'm going to have a lot of fun working things through with him.
2
What about here?
I ask, pointing to what I know is a store room on the plans. It's not used very often.
What's kept there?
Dimitri asks.
While he set up the guild, he's pretty clueless about what lives where in the current layout. Which makes this a little slow going. So far, I've had to nix four or five plans because they relied on things, rooms and passageways that just aren't in the same place anymore.
Holy water,
I admit.
He grimaces. I can empathise. I've not felt holy water in my vampire body before, but I've seen it working away on vampires more than enough times to know what