Mortal Curse: Shadow Shifters, #1

By Tia Didmon

A shadow. A shifter. A curse.

When a reaper attack thrusts Dannika into the shadow shifter world and her transition results in her imprisonment, she turns to Raine, the sexy shadow who saved her.

As her attraction to Raine mounts, and dissension in the shadow shifter clan increases, she learns that being the only woman to survive the transition isn't her only secret. Her new abilities come with a price, and if she doesn't curb her killer instincts, she will end up as loathsome as the creature who attacked her.

Find out what hides in the shadows by reading MORTAL CURSE, the new Paranormal Romance Series readers are comparing to Christine Feehan and Patricia Briggs.

One click MORTAL CURSE and start your paranormal adventure today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bold Butterfly Publishing Inc.
• Release date: Oct 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215809747

Tia Didmon

Tia Didmon is a USA Today bestselling author of provocative paranormal romance and paranormal women’s fiction. When Tia isn't busy writing about sexy shifters and dreamy demons, she spends her time binge-watching The Order and reruns of The Vampire Diaries, cooking with her daughter, and serving her cat. Her love of writing stems from a self-diagnosed book addiction.  Subscribe to Tia's newsletter at tiadidmon.com for a free book and start your journey through Tia's supernatural world today! 

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The hallucinations hadn’t stopped.

Cool fingers caressed Dannika’s neck, sending a trail of ice skittering down her spine. She squeezed her eyes shut as the invisible touch filled her with trepidation, culling the surrounding voices of the shelter patrons.

It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not real.

But it felt real. A lifetime of words whispered from the shadows that no one else could hear. One of her secrets. Her curse.

Blood is like candy savored under a spring moon. The chilling voice was not her own.

With a shaky hand, she scooped macaroni onto Kyle’s tray. His bored look reminded her that the chilling words were for her ears alone. While her past had landed her in the shelter she now worked, this was the first time the dark presence had touched her.

Dannika surveyed the room from beneath her black baseball cap. It was late in the afternoon, so the shelter cafeteria was only half full. The buffet line had four more patrons waiting, but most of the residents sat on the folding chairs amongst the rows of tables, chatting or playing board games.

The overwhelming scent of rotting meat filled her nostrils, but garlic bread and steamed vegetables replaced the fetid odor.

She cleared her throat, meeting Kyle’s questioning gaze. Do you want anything else? We have lime Jell-O today for dessert.

Kyle scratched his stained shirt. Nah, sick of Jell-O. I’ll take an extra scoop of those veggies.

You know it’s one per person, but since you asked nicely. She scooped a second helping of mixed veggies onto Kyle’s tray.

Kyle grinned before taking his tray to a nearby seat and devoured his lunch.

Dannika served the residents left in line, though her hand continued to tremble and the hairs on the back of her neck bristled.

Margo approached, wiping her hands on a cloth. You okay, Dannika? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

Dannika rubbed her neck, trying to counteract the feeling of being watched. Touched. I’m fine... I thought someone had strayed behind the serving area.

Margo glanced at the kitchen before surveying the cafeteria. I only allow employees back here. She pointed at the portable steel counter that flipped up, allowing them access behind the food bar. Are you sure it’s locked down?

Yeah. Dannika stirred a tray of pasta before covering it with plastic wrap. It was nothing. Just my imagination running wild, I guess.

Margo touched her arm. Honey, you have had a tough go. Hell, everyone in this room has a backstory. None of them are good. You don’t end up at Graydon County Shelter because your life has been sunshine and roses.

Society tended to stereotype folks that came to the shelter. Many arrived timid, quiet, and embarrassed. Like they had somehow failed at life, despite most of the residents’ stories being things that were beyond their control. Some were former vets or people who had lost their entire families. Many had fallen in with the wrong crowd and had succumbed to addiction. All had a safe haven, thanks to Margo.

Despite the challenging nature of Dannika’s job, she loved it. She had been on the other side of that counter and now enjoyed assisting people the way Margo had helped her.

Are you sure you weren’t an angel in another life? Dannika said with a smile.

Margo laughed. Me? Hardly. You, on the other hand, were born for this job. You’re a natural at bringing lost souls back into the light.

Dannika pulled her long, dark hair out from under her cap. She refastened her ponytail before replacing her hat. I’m sure...

Margo and Dannika turned as shouting erupted in the corner of the room. Kenny, a shelter regular, shook his fist at a man sitting at the table. He wore a long black leather jacket with a brown cowboy hat.

What’s going on over there? Dannika said to Margo.

Margo threw her rag on the counter. No idea, but there’s no fighting at my shelter. Let’s break this up.

Dannika flipped up the silver food counter and strode with Margo to Kenny who continued to yell at the stranger. Margo scowled with her ‘don’t mess with me’ look. The patrons at the other tables put their heads down, and all conversation ceased. Disregarding the rules would get you removed from the shelter.

Margo stopped at the table where the men argued. There better be a good reason for this, Kenny. Half the county can hear you.

Kenny’s dirty face was dusted with red before he pointed at the man in black leather. He stole my Jell-O. While Kenny had been a long-time resident of the shelter, having lost his family in a house fire fifteen years ago, he was rarely adversarial and always obeyed the rules.

Margo stared down at the man, in the leather jacket and cowboy hat, stirring his food. Did you take Kenny’s Jell-O?

The man shook his head, but remained silent.

Margo put her hands on her hips. Did anyone see this man take Kenny’s Jell-O?

Several patrons gave a quick shake of their heads. Margo looked at Kenny. Did you see him eat it, Kenny?

Kenny’s hands fisted at his sides. I didn’t see him take it, but I was sitting right in front of him. One moment I had it, and the next, it disappeared.

Margo stepped up to Kenny. Go to another table or find another place to sleep tonight.

The shelter, with its buffet-style, basic food and evening floor mats for sleeping arrangements, didn’t seem like much to give up, but it was a four-star hotel for the residents of Graydon County shelter.

Kenny bit back his retort and nodded. Sorry, Margo. It won’t happen again.

He grabbed his tray and went to the far corner of the room.

Margo touched Dannika’s arm. I’m going to follow up with Kenny. She pointed at the man at the table. Get his information. If he plans to spend the night, he needs to fill out a form.

Dannika sat on a chair opposite the man in black leather, clasping her hands on the table. Are you new to Graydon County? Are you just passing through, or do you plan to stay in town for a little while?

The man swirled the spoon in his soup.

Dannika had assumed he didn’t like the minestrone, as he hadn’t taken a single bite, but thoughts on how to improve Margo’s recipe evaporated when his gaze met hers.

Her heart skipped several beats. Air froze in her lungs while attempting to remain quiet. His black eyes had no distinction between the pupil and the iris, but that wasn’t the part that turned her blood to ice. His obsidian eyes flickered with red flames.

When she whimpered, he reached out to trace a finger over her hand. The cool fingers sent prickles of fear racing through her body. It’s nice to meet you, Dannika.

She sucked in a breath as his eyes turned from solid black to glowing red. He placed a pair of aviator glasses over the crimson orbs. His pale skin darkened to a healthy hue.

She pulled her hands under the table. Was this another hallucination? Had she finally cracked?

Who are you?

He smiled with unnaturally long incisors. That’s the wrong question.

She pointed at his teeth. You aren’t the first person to augment their teeth. Vampire dentures are pretty common around here.

His tongue curled over a pointed tooth. I’m not a vampire. But the question isn’t what I am—it’s what you are?

She twisted her fingers. What am I?

His eyes flickered red. It’s a spring moon, Dannika. Why don’t we find out?

Margo! she shouted, pushing back her chair.

Margo hustled over. Is this guy causing trouble?

Sweat beaded Dannika’s brow. She nodded, unable to form words.

Margo pointed at the door. Out. Now. Harassing the staff is strictly prohibited.

The man in black leather stood. He tipped his hat to Dannika, then left without another word.

Dannika rocked back and forth in her chair before Margo approached. Goosebumps formed on her skin, making her tighten her arms around her body. Were the hallucinations getting worse? Had the whispered voices turned to physical manifestations? Were her imaginary monsters real? She was so focused on her internal struggle she didn’t realize Margo shook her.

Dannika, honey. You need to snap out of it.

Dannika rubbed her chest. I’m sorry. That guy scared the crap out of me. I heard him earlier, but I didn’t see him.

Margo rubbed her leg. You go home. Your shift is almost over, anyway. I’ll finish cleaning up.

Normally, Dannika would never leave a half-hour early. Cleanup was the worst part of the job, and they were short-staffed, but her heart refused to resume its natural rhythm. Thanks. I’ll come in early on Monday.

Margo stood up. Don’t you worry about it. You help out all the time and never miss a shift. You’ll be running this place one day.

That was Dannika’s goal. To take over when Margo retired. It was a few years away, but it gave her time to brush up on the ordering and accounting aspects of the job.

The shelter had a small break room. A quiet place where the employees could have lunch and plan the next meal. It was also the location of the lockers. Dannika grabbed her backpack, pausing to glance at the picture of her and Carmen, before relocking it.

Margo handed her a takeout container. This is for Don. He didn’t come in again today.

Dannika smiled, putting the container in her backpack. You’re a good person, Margo.

Margo huffed. Hardly, but Don is getting up there in age and he forgets to eat. I can’t get him to sleep at the shelter, but his tent is in the alley on your way home.

I’ll make sure he gets it. Dannika slipped on her backpack and headed out the door, pausing outside as it chimed.

The shelter was on the outskirts of the Graydon County industrial area. Like most small towns, Graydon wished to keep its homeless population on the outlying area, unseen by the citizens who weren’t down on their luck. But the alleys between the warehouses and shipping containers all led to the city hub. She wound her way through the back streets until she arrived in the alley a block from her apartment.

Don had set up his green army tent beside a rusty blue garbage bin, beneath a steel stairway.

Dannika knelt in front of the zipper. Don, are you in there? Margo sent food.

When the roar of traffic from Main Street was her response, she unzipped the flap, intending to put the container inside.

She fell back, cutting her hand on the broken glass that littered the pavement. Pain sliced through her palm as she scrambled away from Don’s body. The smell of iron assailed her nostrils, causing her stomach to roll. Bile rose in her throat as the sight of torn flesh, and dripping blood painted a macabre picture of death.

Dannika blinked several times, praying this was one of her hallucinations, but the smell and Don’s milky eyes were all too real.

She stood, fumbling through her backpack for her phone and dialed 911. Someone knocked her to the ground, sending her phone skittering across the pavement. She struggled to catch her breath.

From beside her, a figure reached for her. She snapped up her elbow, connecting with the man’s face. She turned quickly, kicking him in the groin. Familiar red eyes flared from under the cowboy hat. She leapt to her feet and sprinted down the alley, away from the man.

As she ran, gray mist formed in front of her. She tried to keep going, but the mist obscured her vision. She skidded to a halt.

The dark shadow materialized into the man with red eyes.

She gasped. That’s impossible.

His fanged smile made her heart stutter. I promised you answers, Dannika. Our leader is eager to meet you. You should feel honored.

She held up her hands. I’m not going anywhere with you.

He arched his eyebrows. You say that like you have a choice.

His form dissolved into gray mist, then reformed behind her. His arm circled her neck like a steel band.

I like a woman who fights, he whispered.

She twisted, elbowing him, then stomped on his foot with the heel of her boot. Nothing dislodged his hold. He chuckled as he dragged her backward.

Please, she begged.

His lips touched her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. I will not let you go, but I will free you.

His fangs punctured her neck, shocking her senses. The pain radiating from her neck was to be expected, but the razor blades racing through her blood, attacking every cell in her body, was an excruciating torture unlike anything she had imagined. While the gulping noises echoed in her ear, her internal organs burned in agony. She dropped to the ground, praying for death. A shock of pain radiated down her spine. Her temple rested on a rock embedded in the pavement, cutting into her skin.

The dark mist surrounding her became a tornado of black molecules and angry growls. It swirled around her body like a living blanket of darkness. She panted, on the brink of oblivion, as wind whipped past her face.

Her hallucination multiplied as a second body of black mist turned into a large, snarling white wolf. The wolf ripped into the leather-clad man. Razor sharp teeth ripped chunks of flesh from her attacker’s body, causing black blood to ooze from the wounds. He screamed before dissolving into nothing. A dark shadow racing along the ground.

The pain ceased, but Dannika found herself too weak to move. She lay on the ground, struggling to breathe.

Her eyes fluttered as the white wolf shifted into a tall, muscular man with dark hair. His iridescent blue eyes flickered as they focused on her wounds. He picked her up and cradled her against his chest. She imagined him as her angel, releasing her from the depths of her pain.

Thank you, she croaked.

He looked down at her as the beautiful blue pupils, turned black. Don’t thank me, sweetheart. I didn’t save you. The worst is yet to come.

CHAPTER 2

Fire burned through Dannika’s blood like liquid lava. Her insides boiled, making her take deep, dry breaths in an attempt to ease the excruciating pain whipping her body. She groaned as darkness surrounded her, beckoning her with the promise of death and peace.

She assumed her savior would return her to the shelter, maybe a hospital, but the light in the distance was dimming as she tried to focus on the rough rock walls. Thick wooden beams supported the sides of the girded roof. Bits of rock debris crunched under the man’s boots.

Who are you? Where are you taking me? she asked between gasps. Despite the pain, goosebumps reformed on her skin. Had she exchanged one dark fate for another?

His powerful arms tightened around her, cradling her to him. My name is Raine. I’m taking you to my home.

She tried to focus on the spinning walls and the musty odor that surrounded them. I need a hospital.

No human hospital can help you. His tone was curt, but she detected something else. Regret?

Human hospital, like there are inhuman ones. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. That wasn’t a request. It was in order.

Raine huffed. It’s amusing that you think you’re in a position to order me to do anything. Most shadows would have killed you and put you out of your misery. I feel you deserve an explanation.

Dannika was unsure she