Locke, Stock and Barrel

By Devon Rhodes

Faint heart never won fair...mage? What's a werewolf to do when his mate runs away? Chase him, of course

Aspen, a master mage, has loved his foster sister Brie for years, but now that she's been forced to become an acolyte, the only way to ever win her is to find another source of the power their faction needs before the new moon. Seeking information about the were, Aspen walks into Locke's café and finds what could be the solution to everything. He could finally have Brie...but sometimes what you think you want and what you get are two very different things.

Locke is shocked when Aspen walks into his life. He'd always been told that as an omega, he would never have a mate. But the joyous occasion is marred by his banishment from the only life he's ever known, and even worse, Aspen has disappeared. Now, with nothing more to lose, he must track down his wayward mage. But trouble has beaten him there and unless he acts quickly, Aspen could be killed. And that's not even the worst possible outcome...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Nov 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781781841181

Book preview

A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Locke, Stock and Barrel

ISBN # 978-1-78184-118-1

©Copyright Devon Rhodes 2012

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright October 2012

Edited by Sue Meadows

Total-E-Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2012 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Total-e-burning and a sexometer of 2.

This story contains 56 pages, additionally there is also a free excerpt at the end of the book containing 6 pages.

Vampires & Mages & Weres, Oh My!

LOCKE, STOCK & BARREL

Devon Rhodes

Faint heart never won fair…mage? What’s a werewolf to do when his mate runs away? Chase him, of course.

Aspen, a master mage, has loved his foster sister Brie for years, but now that she’s been forced to become an acolyte, the only way to ever win her is to find another source of the power their faction needs before the new moon. Seeking information about the were, Aspen walks into Locke’s café and finds what could be the solution to everything. He could finally have Brie…but sometimes what you think you want and what you get are two very different things.

Locke is shocked when Aspen walks into his life. He’d always been told that as an omega, he would never have a mate. But the joyous occasion is marred by his banishment from the only life he’s ever known, and even worse, Aspen has disappeared. Now, with nothing more to lose, he must track down his wayward mage. But trouble has beaten him there and unless he acts quickly, Aspen could be killed. And that’s not even the worst possible outcome…

Dedication

For my readers, who waited—in some cases not so patiently—for Locke’s story.

And thanks to my mom, who let me stay an extra day to finish this up at her house, and only pestered me every once in a while.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Prius: Toyota Motor Corporation

Camry: Toyota Motor Corporation

Prologue

He looked back over his shoulder, spooked for no reason he could put a finger on. But at the same time, his innate curiosity won out and he allowed himself to keep moving away from the trappings of civilisation and further into the forest.

Everyone knew the stories about people who went off the trail. Every once in a while, they were big news—with crews out looking for them. Most got rescued, a few were never found. But he had a very strong sense that he wasn’t in any danger. Something huge was welling within him. Enormous. Filling his chest and gut and mind until there was hardly any room left in his skin.

His feet kept moving without him consciously willing the progress, one in front of the other, for an unknown amount of time. The canopy was dense and even in the warm summer evening that lasted so long these days, it seemed dim and later than it was. He slowed, disoriented, wishing he had worn his watch. His eyes went automatically to his wrist…and that was when he saw it. A quick flash—a reflection? One more inch either way, one moment slower in looking down, and he would have missed it entirely.

He dropped to his knees, not knowing what he was seeing. It was almost like a bubble, or maybe a toy, about the size of a golf ball, with a smoky swirling inside that gave him a feeling of vertigo to watch. The sphere itself seemed to pulsate.

He reached his hand out cautiously towards the object. Just as he was about to make contact, he hesitated.

You’re just going to touch this thing? You don’t know what the heck it is.

I won’t hurt you. Pick me up. Please.

Eyes widening, he lost his balance as he scrambled back away and landed on his butt. The voice had been deep and male…and had been inside his head, not his ears.

A pulse of reassurance went over him. He couldn’t explain it, but he knew somehow that the mysterious object was somehow sentient, benign and…needed help?

Yes, Aspen. Need you to take me with you.

Aspen? My name’s not Aspen. The sound of his voice aloud in the quiet of the forest brought home to him how ridiculous it was to be holding a conversation with someone—or something—in his mind.

A weak wave of humour. He frowned, not liking the decreasing energy, feeling as though something bad was happening. The swirling within the globe was slowing.

…fading. Take me…Gideon Black. State Street…yellow house.

This last was barely a whisper in his mind. Hey, he called out and moved towards the sphere, steeling himself to reach down and gently touch the surface. It was warm and somewhat pliable, almost like skin. Heartened by the lack of any adverse reaction, he plucked up the courage to gently cup his hand under his find and lift it from its resting place at the base of the aspen tree.

"Hurry…"

* * * *

It turned out to be easier