Ivory's Beserker: Trinity Series, #1

By J. Thompson

Some fairytales are destined for ruin

Ivory, one of three royals of the nightwalker race, was broken. No longer was she the bubbly, quirky sister of prophecy. For too long she had denied her true feelings for the only man to set her soul on fire. She had done her best to push him away, only now that he was gone, she pined for him, missed him with every fibre of her being.
This wasn't her fairytale; this wasn't the ending she wanted.
She would get her happily ever after, even if it meant bringing back the dead. But Ivory soon discovers there are worse things than death…

Bishop

Darkness reigned supreme in Bishop's mind. Fleeting memories of a happy time skipped past, too quick to focus. Anger, like nothing he had ever known, coursed through him.
Fight… Kill... Destroy...
The only light in the deep darkness was her. She shone like a beacon, showing him the way home, if only for a second.

Fight her... Kill her... Destroy the light….

Can Ivory bring Bishop back, or will their love destroy each other, taking the nightwalker race with it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: J Thompson
• Release date: May 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201468804

J. Thompson

J. Thompson is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Paranormal and Sci-Fi romance and a major fan of procrastination. Jenn has always loved history, so using her wild imagination and tying in her love of history and fantasy, she began a new adventure into the world of words. Weaving romance into old worlds and giving life to her mythical inspired novels is what Jenn does best, and she has a lot more planned in the future, including some hard assed demons. When she isn't bent over her laptop with the crazy writer eyes, you will find Jenn making jewellery, cross stitching and it doing paper crafts. Jenn is also an avid lover old skool skills like archery and sword fighting. Maybe a touch nuts Jenn is an author who believes wholeheartedly that people are good and that everyone deserves romance - even Hades. Keep up to date by checking out https://jthompsonauthor.com/

Book preview

1

Ivory screamed, yet no words came out, no sound at all, as the flames around her grew. Strangely, there was no pain, no burning; only a gentle warmth that licked at her skin in an attempt to comfort her from the real pain wracking her body. The pain that came from loss and grief. 

Pain from the breaking of her heart. 

In her head, she shouted his name, screamed it until she felt her lungs give out. 

Bishop.

She screamed again, and still no sound followed the movement of her lips. Darkness tinged the edges of her vision, a dark fog joining the flames, taking with it the warmth but leaving the pain. 

Ivory claimed the darkness, gave in, wanting the relief it would give. Sweet oblivion, if only for a minute. 

---

S he's getting worse, Ebony stated, as she wiped away the sweat pouring from Ivory’s brow. This was the ninth night since their battle with the warlock Gregori, aka Dad, and also the ninth night since Ivory’s mate, Bishop, had been killed. 

Her usually bubbly sister had been reduced to a wreck of a woman. At night, she would scream her nightmares, and she barely existed during the day. Scarlet wasn't much better, if Ebony was honest. Her newly found mate had vanished along with Bishop, after he had protected them from their father. 

It wouldn't take a genius to guess his fate. 

Shh, honey, it's okay, Scarlett cooed to their sleeping sister, her own eyes sore and red from lack of sleep. Scarlett would be the last to admit she was struggling to cope with the loss. A will of steel. Ebony’s red-headed sister was the strongest of the three. Taking on the role of matriarch to the family, they all held the title of Queen, yet it was Scarlett they all looked to for help. 

For Ebony, everything was still fresh and new. She was new to the life of a Nightwalker: a hybrid of Vampyre and Warlock, and also new to being a royal and mated female. 

Even now, her male, Nathan, was doing his best to locate Gregori and, in turn, Bishop. Though the hope of Bishop being alive had dwindled with the passing of each day. 

If she continues to get any worse… Ebony stated again, but paused. She didn't want to think of what could happen to Ivory. Without Bishop, she wouldn't feed. If she didn’t feed, then she would grow weaker. 

Ebony shook her head. It didn't bear thinking about. 

She won't. We will find him, find them both, Scarlett announced, a steely look in her eyes that told of her determination. She smiled, though Ebony could tell it was forced. We found you, didn't we? 

Ebony couldn’t stop the smile that crossed her lips in answer.

Oh yes, you found me alright—you and 90’s barbie here. Ebony raised her voice, letting the teasing tones fill the room, hoping Ivory would wake up. 

Barbie… really? Scarlett questioned, then rubbed Ivory’s hand.

Yeah. Malibu 90’s Barbie. Ebony smirked. 

Oh, she's gonna kill you when she hears that, Scarlett chuckled and squeezed her sister’s hands. Hear that, sis? Ebony called you Malibu Barbie. 

No answer. Ivory remained still, her breathing uneven. It was like she was locked in her own nightmare.

All they could do was wait. 

Wait for her to wake up. 

Nathan paced his small office. Pacing was all he had when he felt like he was hitting brick walls everywhere he went. Bishop was not only his second in command; he was his closest friend. Losses were expected in war; Nathan understood that more than most, but it still cut him deep. Bishop has given himself up for the race and for Ivory. It sucked ass to know that Ivory had finally admitted that Bishop was her mate, only to have him taken. 

He knew it had hit the girls hard. Ivory the most. Ebony talked about it when they were alone; talked about her sister's worry of losing the man she loved after only just accepting the fact. 

It made Nathan thankful for every second he had Ebony, the mate he didn't know he needed until she barrelled into his life and made him see how pathetic of an existence it had been. Nathan smiled. His mate was simply amazing. He sounded whipped—as Gale, their resident imp, would put it—but he didn't give a shit. If being in love made him whipped, then so be it. 

Nathan had no leads left. They had all amounted to nothing. No sign of Bishop and no way of getting to Gregori. The warlock had somehow vanished, taking his friend with him. The battle, if you could call it that, should never have taken place. The girls had gone off on their own, thinking they could take on their father. Only he had been so much stronger than any of them expected. 

Nathan placed his head in his hands. He could have lost all three of them, but fate was somehow on their side. The girls had managed to tap into their wiccan side and harnessed a power none of them knew they had. That had both shocked and angered Gregori, who had somehow managed to escape. 

---

Hunting that bastard was his top priority. With him out there, the risk to the girls was higher than ever. The warlock had admitted openly that the only reason they were still alive was because he wanted their powers. Wanted to drain them and harness them for himself. That had been the only reason he seduced the queen. 

Nathan growled. The bastard would pay with blood for the pain he had caused the nightwalker race. For the pain he had caused his queen and the princesses. 

In their last meeting, Gregori had been quick to escape, taking Bishop with him. They didn't know whether he was alive or had been murdered. Ivory was struggling with the loss. After so many years of denying her feelings for his friend, she now felt the loss like an arrow to the heart. 

Her pain affected all three of the sisters. Ivory was mourning her mate with an intensity none of them knew they could feel. Her screams could be heard throughout the house, and her sisters could do little to comfort her. Scarlett wasn't faring too well either. Not only had she battled her father, but she met her own mate as well, one who was a warlock and went against everything she believed in and had been taught. 

Nathan sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. If something wasn’t done soon, he could lose two of the sisters. A quiet knock sounded on the door, causing Nathan to sit up. 

Come, he answered, his face devoid of emotion—until the door opened. His face lit up when his mate, dressed in a pair of joggers and a loose shirt, entered the room. Her eyes, even with their bright blue colouring, looked tired as she moved into the room and to him. 

Nathan pushed away from the desk, giving her room to quickly slip onto his lap and into his arms. Nothing felt as right as this. 

Nothing was said. Nothing needed to be said. They both knew what could happen if things didn't improve. But for now, they had each other. 

Nathan kissed Ebony’s forehead and rocked gently, knowing she wouldn’t have slept due to her sister’s nightmares. 

He couldn't sit by any longer and do nothing. The council were silent, frightened of possible war, yet Nathan knew a battle between warlocks and the nightwalkers was already looming. Gregori wanted it and would push hard, even at the cost of lives. 

Stop thinking so hard, Ebony’s soft voiced called to him as a hand reached up to cup his cheek. I can hear the cogs in your brain working overtime. 

Nathan smiled and leaned into her touch. I can't help it, love. 

She smiled and nodded. I know. 

She didn't need to say anything else. Standing, Nathan carried Ebony in his arms and moved out of his office. He could do little at this point, so he would take his mate to bed so they could both get some much needed rest.

2

Ivory threw another item of clothing on the floor. She hated everything. Nothing looked right at all; even though she had a walk-in wardrobe that could rival any celebrity’s. Only she had far better taste. 

Why can't I find anything I like, for God’s sake? 

Tiredness pulled at her, the force nearly taking her to her knees, but she fought it. If she slept, she dreamed, and if she dreamed, she would relive losing Bishop all over again, and her heart couldn't take it. 

It was like her mind was on a perpetual loop of misery, not letting her get any relief from the pain of watching her mate vanish through a portal as he battled with the arsehole that was her father. 

For as long as she could remember, her and Bishop had been playing cat and mouse. She had known he was her mate from an early age. When she finally matured, she decided to play hard to get. Why give the goods up too easily? 

Bishop had soon scared off any male in the vicinity that would offer to feed her, and she had been left with little choice. But she still refused his claim. 

Ivory didn't want to be bossed about and told what to do. It's why they had snuck out so much and taken it upon themselves to find their lost sister. 

The council, from the day they were born, had tried to dictate their lives, only Nathan had stepped in and stopped them. Even now, they were resistant to the rule of the three sisters, although they couldn't deny it. Scarlett had been clear on that front. 

Only, what was the point?

Ivory sat down in the middle of the floor, surrounded by her clothes and finery, and let the tears fall again. Her heart hurt so much. The pain pulsed like it was alive, and with each inhale, it grew in strength. 

She missed Bishop. It was like a part of her soul had been taken, leaving her only enough to survive. She missed his smile. She missed his growls when she deliberately disobeyed him. Ivory had refused to feed since he had vanished. She couldn't stomach the thought of feeding from anyone else. 

I miss you, she whispered to herself. I’m sorry I was so stubborn and refused to let you in, Ivory admitted as she felt another crack in her heart appear. Any more, and it would shatter into a million pieces. 

"Why does it hurt so damn much? '' Ivory sobbed as she curled up into a ball on the floor. The tears flowed as she cried out all the pain and hurt she felt. Cried everything she had out until she felt drained and unable to fight the pull of sleep any longer. She