Chosen: Four Princes, #1

By Autumn Gray

Secrets. Four Loves. And a witch in the middle of it all.

Ten years ago, Asi lost her parents in a car crash.

On the anniversary of their death, in the exact same spot, there is another accident. 

This time Asi's grandmother doesn't survive, but four dangerously handsome men pull Asi from the fiery wreckage and claim to be her guardians. Two vampires and two demons tasked with teaching Asi how to use her powers to defeat the demon lord who has been hunting her for years. 

As the lessons get harder, the attraction grows stronger until Asi must decide if risking her heart on four men is worth more than her own life.

Chosen - Book 1 is a full-length reverse harem paranormal romance novel, where the heroine doesn't have to choose between her love interests.

★Content Warning:★ Steamy love scenes, sexy, dominating alphas who protect their female and will leave you breathless. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rowan Publishing, LLC
• Release date: May 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393400578

Autumn Gray

Autumn Gray is a debut author who grew up devouring romance and erotica novels. She lives in Kentucky and loves seeing the mountains as she walks her two dogs. Her husband is her rock and encouraged her to publish her stories.

Book preview

Asi

The next morning, Asi’s alarm clock blared. She groaned. Why did the day always come so early? If only she could be a vampire and have an excuse not to wake with the sun. Yeah, like Grandma would ever allow that to happen. If Asi didn’t get up in the next five minutes, her grandmother would sing made-up songs that were just too cheerful for dawn until Asi got out of bed.

You up? her grandmother called.

Yes! She slid out of bed and punched the off button on her clock. Why did she feel like she’d only slept minutes? Oh right, ‘cause she found that still burning cigar in the bushes. What was up with that? None of her neighbors smoked as far as she knew. Even the widow across the street hated smoking since her husband had died from lung cancer. And the butt had been all the way up their walkway, right outside the door. She shivered as unease spread through her again.

I need to run some errands in town, wanna join me? her grandma asked.

Sure. She rummaged for something to wear in her closet. Let me get showered and dressed. Um…Grams?

Yes?

Do you know anyone who smokes cigars on our street? They didn’t exactly live in the country, but the houses were built on almost an acre of land. They had a neighbor across the street and two further down on each side. Asi had known everyone on their road for years and she couldn’t recall any of them smoking.

Heavens no! Ms. Abernathy would give them a lecture they would never forget. After what happened to her poor husband.

Right. That’s what I thought. It was probably nothing. Just someone driving past and the wind caught their butt and that’s how it ended up nearly on her front porch. She picked out a red blouse that would emphasize her silvery-blond hair and a pair of jeans.

Why do you ask? Her grandmother frowned.

Nothing. It’s no big deal. She tossed the clothes on the bed then added a lace bra and underwear.

Did you see someone smoking?

Grams… it’s nothing… really. When her grandmother arched an eyebrow at her, she chuckled. Don’t worry, I’m not planning on smoking any time soon. For the record, I tried it when I was fifteen and hated the taste.

I don’t know if I should be relieved or ground you for smoking behind my back.

Asi shrugged. Isn’t there a limitation on punishment as far as a timeline? Anyway, it wasn’t mine. I just found a cigar butt in our rose bush.

Instead of relaxing as she thought her grandmother would, she stiffened, her face paling as she sank onto Asi’s bed.

What is it? Oh, God! Was her grams having a stroke? Are you okay? Medicine. Let me get you some aspirin, that’s supposed to help, right?

Asi’s hands shook. She couldn’t handle anything happening to her grandmother. Not after losing her parents when she was a kid.

Grams? She touched her hand. Please, what should I do?

The elderly woman shook herself, then blinked up at her granddaughter for a few seconds. Oh, sorry. I’m fine, everything is fine. Just remembering something. She stood, but her face was still pale.

Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t look good, Asi said.

Don’t worry about me, Asi. She hugged her. Just need some fresh air. Will you be ready to leave in an hour?

Yeah. Not that her nerves would be any better.

Forty-eight minutes later, Asi rode in the passenger car beside her grandmother. They drove into town with brick storefronts, and business people and tourist milling about. The edge of the Rocky Mountains in the distance almost didn’t look real. After a stop to pick up their dry cleaning, Asi and her grandmother stopped at the shoe store.

Want to help me find a pair of low heels for my high school reunion? her grandmother asked.

Love too.

My dress is white with multiple colored lilies on it, so any color should work. Except orange.

I know. Grams hated that color. Asi browsed the shoes as the little store filled up with customers. She finally settled on a blue pair of pumps with rhinestones on the toe. The heel was modest. She waited until the shoe clerk brought out her Grandmother’s size. Here you go.

Oh, they are cute. Her grandmother settled into one of the vacant chairs and put them on. They’re a bit tight.

Well, get the half size up then. Asi took the shoes and after another pair to try on, her Grandmother beamed.

These are prefect. Let’s celebrate and go grab some lunch at the Thai place.

Asi grinned. Her Grams was the only elderly person she knew who loved spicy food. You’re on.

Over an hour later, Asi leaned back in her chair, stuffed.

You sure you don’t want more mango rice? Her Grandmother lifted her spoon.

No, I can’t eat another bite. She pushed her plate away. What errands do we have left?

Her grandmother licked her spoon clean. I’ve got to return a sweater at the department store then look up some recipes in the library.

Great. I’ll check out if they have any new releases. Books were Asi’s guilty pleasure. She’d pass up a pedicure or a piece of jewelry for a new book. Speaking of which, she really needed to get a job for the summer and earn money for a new car. Hers was rusty and had been ancient when she’d first bought it years ago.

After shopping, they entered the library and Asi inhaled the amazing scent of old and new books. Nothing compared to having a book in her hands and turning the pages to the end.

Her grandmother made a beeline for the library desk. The librarian looked past her to Asi, then nodded. Then both women disappeared into the back office.

Weird. Asi shook her head. Maybe the librarian had held some recipe books for her grandmother.

She grazed her fingers across the rows of books, reading the titles. The newest romance by vampire author Gwen Stevenson was in and Asi snatched it up. Then she spotted another favorite author and soon her arms were loaded down with books. She set them down on a small table and grabbed the Stevenson book, curling her legs into the plush chair.

She read until her eyes started to go blurry and pulled out her cell phone. Shit! It was already five o’clock? She’d been here for over three hours.

Where is Grams? And why hadn’t her grandmother told her it was time to leave. She’d said she had errands to run and Asi was due at her best friend’s house before six.

Asi picked out a few books from her pile and went to the library desk to check them out. Glancing around, she found no sign of her grandmother or the librarian she’d been talking to. She took her books to the kiosk and checked them out.

Then she walked row after row between the towering bookshelves, searching for her, but couldn’t find her. She dashed outside. Was her grandmother already in the car?

No. Where could she be? Asi set her borrowed library books on the car’s hood, then hiked up to the coffee shop next door. A woman with twin boys glanced at her when she entered, but she didn’t see her grandmother there either. Her heart started to beat triple-time. Damn, she should’ve been paying more attention. What if her grams had a relapse from when she went so pale and still earlier? But surely the librarian would’ve called an ambulance.

Asi raced back to the library, double-checking the cookbook section. The librarian who spoke with her grams earlier smoothed her hair and sat back at her desk.

Excuse me, Asi quick-walked toward her. Have you seen my grandmother? Earlier you were helping her with cookbooks in the back—

Asi? Grams asked and it was the most wonderful sound in the world.

Where have you been? Asi whirled. I’ve been searching everywhere for you. Her heartbeat slowly returned to normal.

I had to take care of some unexpected things… I saw you were reading and didn’t wish to disturb you.

Oh. She wrapped her arms around herself, not quite able to let go of the dread sinking into her middle despite finding her grams. Next time, just let me know, okay? I was really worried.

Her grandmother nodded. Ready to go to Jenna’s?

Yes. Everything is fine. She kept repeating in her mind. It had to be that today was the anniversary of her parents’ death that had her on edge.

As they walked out of the library, Asi frowned. What about your cookbooks?

What? Her grams fumbled with the car door. Oh, they didn’t have any I liked.

Stunned, Asi climbed into the car. Why had her grandmother not found anything? And where had she disappeared to for hours? Stop it! Asi’s nerves were just because of the date, that’s all.

She glanced over at her grandmother and noticed how tired she looked. Dark circles lined her eyes. Her blinks were getting longer.

Grandma, are you okay? You seem a little sleepy.

Oh? Sorry, dear, I’m fine. She straightened.

Maybe some music would help the tension pressing against Asi’s stomach. She flipped the dial until an old country song she and her grams loved came on and they sang together as they drove.

The sun dipped low in the horizon. It should be another hour before it got dark. Her stomach knotted hard and fast. Why was it getting so dark so soon? Her grandmother knew how she felt about driving at night. Grams? Her voice was a harsh whisper.

I know, I don’t know what’s happening either. Her grandmother sped down the winding road. Let’s finish this fast.

Asi gripped the side of her armrest, her knuckles whitening. Grams, y-you’re going too fast on the curves. Her friend Jenna could wait. Already, Asi’s chest felt frozen and breathing hurt.

For a moment, her grandmother glanced over at her. A tear sliding down her cheek. I’m sorry, Asi.

Why was she crying? Because she knew that today was the worst day in Asi’s life when she was just a kid? Or that she didn’t realize how fast they were going?

A horn blared and Asi jerked to stare in disbelief at a semi-truck barreling straight toward them. Grams! she screamed.

The shriek of twisting metal pierced her ears. Asi threw her hands up as the windshield shattered into a thousand pieces. Her head smashed against the dashboard and everything went dark.

Ben

Ben checked his cell again. Wasn’t like the demons to keep him waiting but then, he wasn’t certain he could trust them either. They were double-agents in Lucas’ household.

The sky was darkening early, a good sign. Ben rolled his shoulders back as the fading sun lessened its burning upon his skin. Ah, the price of being a vampire. He couldn’t go out in direct sunlight or at high noon unless he wanted to be a pile of extra-crispy ashes. But early dawn for a few minutes was tolerable except the blistering sunburn that left his flesh bright-lobster red for days. Or he could watch the fading sunset without too much damage except a prickling sensation all over, like now.

He closed his eyes, letting his gift of viewing the past rush past him. Cars and trucks that had zoomed this way years before appeared like ghosts. Accidents and deaths merged as one until he found the one he searched for. A young girl with silver hair and a pack of hellhounds chasing them. They swerved, trying to avoid a truck in the other lane and the hounds that looked like skeletons with blackened flesh hanging on their bones. Sharp, snapping teeth bit at the air as they gained on the speeding car.

It was a night like this one. No, it was the same date but years in the past. Ben frowned, glancing up at the quickly fading sun. A demonic eclipse conjured to find Asi would aid the hellhounds in capturing their prey. Ben clenched his fists unable to do anything to save the family. For all of his abilities, he couldn’t change the past, no matter how much he tried. It was the blessing and curse of his gift.

The sun shifted to crimson, then black as the moon slid in its path.

A lone demon the size of a linebacker stood in the path of the on-coming car. His fangs longer than a vampire’s and black as night. Skin red as blood with black horns and claws. Lucas.

Ben growled low in his throat despite the fact that the demon wouldn’t even be aware of his presence. It was like watching a movie that Ben couldn’t stop or change. A Virtual Reality one that seemed so real and like he was a part of it. He’d almost gone crazy the first few times he’d witnessed the past playing out like that. Images of a girl being gang-raped and murdered played on a continuous loop. No matter what he did. How hard he’d tried to save her or hit her attackers, it was like grasping smoke. Nothing worked. It was only his brother Simon who helped him understand his gift and worked with it. Who’d have thought his little brother would excel so at this vampire thing and turn Ben himself? All thanks to Simon’s girlfriend who had been a vampire herself before Lucas killed her.

And the only one who had a chance in helping them fight the master demon was a silver-haired girl who had once escaped thanks to her family.

Ben snapped his fingers and the scene slowed down even more. A second taking ten. He folded his hands behind him and walked closer to Lucas’ ghostly image. The demon was at least seven foot tall and made even the car racing toward him appear like a toy. Both the dad driving and the mom had panic etched on their faces. They stared with frozen eyes at the demon before them. But the girl…she couldn’t have been more than ten or eleven seemed to stare to the side…at Ben. Impossible. She couldn’t see him, no one could see or hear or feel Ben when he viewed the past. But there she was with wide blue eyes not looking at her parents or the giant demon before them that they were seconds from crashing into, but at him.

To test his theory, Ben stepped to the side again. If she was looking at him, she’d have to turn her head and look out the window to her right. Slowly, her head turned. He cursed. How was this—a bright light exploded from within the car. Then the vehicle crashed into Lucas.

Wait. What had happened? Ben frowned and beckoned time to backup. The vehicle warped back into place. Lucas a foot away from getting struck.

Stop, Ben held up a hand. Leaving the girl with haunting eyes, he jogged up to the front of the car. Both of the girl’s parents had raised their left hands, their mouths open in some type of spell. If they were powerful witches to create that light explosion, why didn’t they save themselves and their daughter?

Ben waved a hand and the scene played out. The burst of light barreled through the car. Then, the vehicle hit Lucas again.

Rewind. Ben waved his hand in a circle. What was he missing? Why did her parents do that light show?

Twice more he viewed the wreck. But it was only when he let it continue with the car smoking and her parents slumped over that he understood what they’d done.

Where is she? Lucas roared. The demon stomped to the driver’s door and ripped it off the hinges. He jerked the lifeless body of the human out, peering into his face. You must tell me where you’ve hidden her.

To Ben’s amazement, the little girl was in the backseat, watching everything. Could Lucas not see her?

He threw the man and his body crashed against the wheel. Then the demon snatched the mother out. He whispered some words in her ear.

Now, tell me where your daughter is. Lucas smiled with his black fangs showing.

But the woman only convulsed and Lucas bellowed. No! He smashed his fists over and over onto the hood of the car. Each strike making the little girl jump.

I will find you, little one. Lucas shook himself and stood. And when I do, you will be mine.

Ben backed up when Lucas opened a portal in the middle of the road to hell. The demon disappeared inside along with the opening.

The vision continued with a fire truck and police cars racing up to the scene. A policewoman took the little girl’s hand and led her to an older woman.

Your grandmother’s going to protect you now.

Ben froze the images. What was so special about this girl that Lucas had wanted her so young? True, the demon had no morals or decency and was the biggest buyer and seller of women in the human trafficking arena where even vampires bought blood and sex slaves. The idea made bile burn the back of Ben’s throat.

In the present time, a screech of tires echoed. Ben clapped his hands once and the past vision evaporated. Replaced by a small car heading straight toward a semi-truck only feet away from him.

Shit! It was happening now, just as the two demons told him and his brother it would.

Simon! Ben yelled.

I don’t think this is a good idea. His brother dashed up beside him. What if this is a trap and Lucas comes after us?

The crunch of metal made Ben cringe. They had to help the girl even if this was a setup. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he left and that girl and her grandmother died just like her parents.

No, he couldn’t walk away from this. It would haunt him for the rest of his life…just like those accusing blue eyes that stared right through him from the past.

He snatched his brother’s sleeve. Simon, come on, we have to help them now before it’s too late.

When his brother didn’t answer but glanced around as though expecting demons to sprout out of the ground, Ben’s patience ran out. If we don’t do something soon and get them out, the car will catch fire.

Simon

Abad feeling sank into Simon’s gut. Like when he allowed his girlfriend, a vampire, to turn him on his seventeenth birthday. They

Reviews for Chosen

[Annie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

DNF
I don’t know that I have a super strong opinion of the book one way or another. They typos were a little much but wasn’t a huge thing for me. I just couldn’t get into the book. Honestly what started it was all the talk of human trafficking or vampire trafficking. I just, I just can’t with books about that and it almost made me shut down the book. I didn’t want to pick it up and read. I was nervous to see if the trafficking was going to play an even bigger role in the book. Since I didn’t finish it I have no idea, I honestly didn’t get very far in the book. Bc of this I have it 3 stars cause I didn’t think it was right to give it 2 stars just cause it had a topic I can’t handle.