Mortal Queen: Shadow Shifters, #4

By Tia Didmon

A Mortal. A Demon. A Queen.

When the reapers begin massacring humans and shadows alike, Dannika is forced to confront the brother that wants her dead. As the clan traitor attempts to sabotage an uneasy truce between the shadows, the depth of his betrayal is revealed, sending Dannika on a quest for vengeance.

Dannika sets out to destroy the reapers, but her bid for revenge opens a portal to the demon realm, and the only thing that can close it, is a talisman in her brother's hands.
Will she embrace her reaper heritage and risk losing her soul, or become the bride of the demon lord, planning to enslave humanity?

Find out what hides in the shadows by reading MORTAL QUEEN, the new Paranormal Romance Series readers are comparing to Donna Grant and Patricia Briggs.

One click MORTAL QUEEN and continue your paranormal adventure today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bold Butterfly Publishing Inc.
• Release date: Oct 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215841228

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 needle punctured her skin but the burning sensation couldn’t stem her anticipation. Black ink ran in a rivulet down Dannika’s arm. This was it. Raine was hers, and the world would see the evidence of their union etched on their skin till they took their last breath. She had never thought she would get inked, but she couldn’t shift jewelry into the shadow pathway. While some shadows had that unique ability, she was confined to her reaper blade.

Thank you for doing this, Ezra, she said.

Ezra winked. The low light cast by the forge flickered against his tanned skin and reflected the bits of steel imbued in the rock walls. Many warriors request a tattoo of their rune, but this is my first mating tattoo. It is I who should thank you. I understand why the first blade chose you.

Because I’m a woman and I’m awesome?

Ezra laughed. That, and you represent a future we lost hope in. You are much more than a female shadow shifter, Dannika.

She narrowed her eyes on him. Though he was muscular, his long hair was white, and he possessed faint wrinkles beneath his vibrant blue eyes.

If you mean babies, you have to stand in line. I’m not ready for that, but Raine is hoping I will change my mind.

Ezra wiped the excess ink from her skin. While a shadow child would be a miracle, you have much more to offer than your womb.

Her heart stuttered. It wasn’t just the words. She appreciated that he saw her as more than the lone female. It was the implication she had yet to fulfill her destiny, as if her life as a shadow shifter was simply a precursor to something more.

Can you foreshadow, Ezra?

Ezra ran a finger over the fresh ink and red skin. No. I am a weapons master. My secondary ability is a receiver.

Why do I think there is more to this?

He placed the thick needle on the shelf that held his rag and a bottle of black ink. When a new warrior comes to me, and I must choose their blade from the fallen, I get a sense of purpose. I can’t tell you what that purpose is, only that no shadow warrior has had a more important role than you, since the first shadow wolf shifter. Our first leader.

Dannika pursed her lips. Are you sure you gave me the right blade? Is there an exchange program?

She felt Raine before he entered the forge. Her soul. Her shadow. Her wolf and cougar. All reached for him before his form coalesced into the sexy man she had chosen to spend her life with.

Ezra is never wrong about a blade, but if it’s any consolation, I questioned his choice for me when I was a fledgling, Raine said before he kissed her forehead.

Dannika glanced at Raine’s arm. She admired the moon with the outline of a wolf head. While she had seen Raine’s tattoo many times, the three circles with a sword running through them now rested beneath the moon. She acknowledged the pride she took in having her rune inked below his. Your tattoo makes sense. You’re a shadow wolf.

Ezra grabbed the rag from the shelf and began cleaning the ink from the needle. The wolf head is only bestowed on a clan leader.

Dannika blinked. Then Maddock knew you would lead.

Ezra nodded. Maddock sought to control destiny. Alter it. That is not the way to our salvation. If we wish to have another generation of shadow shifters, we must be willing to step aside when it is their time to rule.

Raine touched Dannika’s arm, inspecting the tattoo that matched his own. It’s perfect. Thank you, Ezra.

Yes. Thank you, Dannika said. Her voice was low and unsure.

Raine’ narrowed his eyes on her. She didn’t want Ezra to suspect she was anything but thrilled with her tattoo. She grabbed Raine’s hand, leading him from the forge.

Raine stopped her before they could enter the shadow pathway. What is it?

I love the tattoos. I do, but Ezra gave me the feeling he saw something more. I’m a female shadow, co-leader of the wolf shadow shifter clan. What more could I be? What more could I do?

Raine placed her hand over his heart. You are not required to do anything. Just be my mate, my partner, and the love of my life. The rest will come.

I would like to try navigating the shadow pathway for both of us. I need to be able to direct a fledgling in the event of an emergency.

Raine grinned. It’s been a very long time since I’ve taken a backseat.

Dannika smiled in spite of herself. Think of this as a limousine ride with me as your driver.

I’ve never been in a limousine, but I’m looking forward to this experience.

Dannika pictured their suite before opening the shadow pathway. She connected with Raine as her body dissolved, conveying without words the route they would take. He was power and perfection, yet he allowed her to take control. Their molecules separated then formed an opaque cloud. They were forever entwined, but loosened their hold on one another at Dannika’s request as they entered the slipstream.

The pathway from the forge was particularly narrow and fast. They shot through the thin tube like a bullet before veering off into a larger stream. She slowed their descent as they approached their suite and exited in their front room beside the couch.

Her clothes reformed on her body before she realized Raine’s had not. I forgot to replace your clothing.

His eyes flickered with black flames. If I were a fledging, you would need to assist them, if they forgot. I, however, left my clothing in the pathway on purpose.

She didn’t need to ask why he’d remained naked. She felt his need as if it was her own. Her clothing shifted to black mist before it disappeared.

Raine pulled Dannika against his body. The hard muscles of his abdomen were taut steel bands beneath velvet tanned skin. Perfect. Powerful. Hers.

Grasping his hair, she angled his lips towards hers. Their shadows reached for one another as their emotions collided, heightening every sensation. His hair slid along her cheek as she moved to his earlobe. The whispering caress sent an erotic fire racing through her blood. He slid his hands to her breasts, rolling an erect nipple between his fingers before tracing down her ribs and along her belly.

She used to complain she had small breasts, but Raine had assured her everything about her and her body was perfect. Now she reveled in the sensations his erotic touch produced. Every stroke left a firestorm in its wake, a dark hunger that needed to be sated. She wanted to scream for relief, but the air caught in her throat.

Wrap your legs around me, he growled.

His thick cock pressed against her stomach before he lifted her. Dannika moaned when his cock slipped between her slick, heated flesh, parting her tender lips and pressing inside her.

She arched toward him, riding him slowly, almost coming apart as he set a leisurely pace. His mouth tugged hard on her nipple, and liquid rushed between her thighs, coating his shaft in her warm juices. He pumped harder as his tongue lavished her nipple. The sensations coursing through her body had her heart pounding in her chest. It was heaven. It was hell. She never wanted it to end.

Raine’s eyes blazed with blue hunger. He would devour her, consume her body and soul. She wanted everything he offered and more. He kissed her neck, then thrust hard through the tight folds of her silken sheath.

Air rushed from her lungs when he cupped her ass, holding her in place as he impaled her over and over. There was no thought. No reason. Only hard, unmitigated bliss, fueled by passion and dark power.

She clutched his shoulders as if they were the only haven in the tornado of emotion assaulting her body.

Don’t stop. She should be embarrassed, but her body was on fire, a bomb teetering on the brink of detonation. A fire only he could extinguish.

He pumped harder, anchoring her hips with his hands. She put a hand on the couch to combat the building pressure. Her nails dug into his flesh, and blood welled up on his skin. The sting of pain spurned his aggressive nature. He was in no more control than she was, and she loved it. Loved him.

Rippling waves of pleasure washed over her skin. She screamed his name as he went over the apex, holding her to him like he would never let her go. She allowed her legs to slip from his waist when she was sure they would support her weight.

Her shadow swirled around her as she clothed herself. She rubbed her arms, though she wasn’t cold.

Raine tipped her head back. It appears I was unsuccessful in alleviating your fears of leadership. I feel your apprehension.

It isn’t leading the wolves that concerns me. I look forward to helping you with the wolf clan.

Then what is it? Raine asked.

She slipped her arms around his waist as his clothes reformed on his body. Tell me about the previous owners of my blade. My rune. There is more to the story, isn’t there?

His hand stilled on her back. This is what vexes you? The history of your reaper blade?

She bunched her fingers in his shirt. I need to know.

Raine sat on the couch and nestled her in the crook of his arm. The years following the shifters’ decision to accept the demon soul and become part of the shadows were ones of chaos, indecision, and death. Leaders died, and new ones took over the clan, but reunification, organization, and political alliance didn’t resume until Raster took leadership.

Raster was the first owner of my reaper blade? Dannika asked.

He ran his fingers up and down her arm. Yes. We consider him the first shadow wolf shifter leader. His mate was one of the female shadows to accept a demon soul. She died years before, but was one of the last to hold on. Their son transitioned when he was of age and fought at his father’s side. When Raster was over three hundred years old, he was killed and his blade passed to his son.

Did Markham become the next shadow wolf leader?

Briefly. He died two weeks later. His blade was returned to the armory by the weapons master at the time, and it has never been called to service until you.

Dannika caressed Raine’s thigh, allowing his words to seep into her soul. She wasn’t prone to indecision, but she was still experimenting with her foreshadowing ability, and the results had been sketchy, to say the least. It just seems like a lot to live up to.

He kissed her forehead. Ezra doesn’t make mistakes. Trust him.

I do, but there’s more to that story. I try to foreshadow with my reaper blade in my hand and the results are all over the map. I can’t explain it, but there’s a darkness that surrounds the blade.

Raine sighed. I’d hope to give you more time before recalling this part of the story.

Why?

You take time to trust. It’s not an unfavorable trait, considering your new world, but it will take faith to embrace your destiny as both a woman and a shadow shifter.

I trust the wolf clan. What are you hesitant to tell me?

Raster was killed by someone he trusted.

A wolf member who turned reaper? she asked.

I wish that were the case, but Raster and his son were murdered by a member of the shadow wolf clan—his best friend, Markham’s uncle.

Dannika clutched the material of her shirt on her chest. Why?

Barthol never truly recovered from losing his mate. He had no children and fought at Raster’s side for hundreds of years. Perhaps he was on the cusp of turning reaper, but he never made a human kill. He betrayed Raster. He set him up for a reaper trap.

And no one knew Barthol had betrayed Raster until Markham died?

They never suspected anything until Barthol murdered Markham and walked the tunnels with his nephew’s head in his hand. The shadow wolf lieutenants were forced to kill Barthol.

That’s pretty grim. I wonder—

They both stood as shouts echoed in the tunnels.

Raine’s eyes turned black. Reaper attack. Get to Darren.

He dissolved into black mist, entering the pathway before she could respond.

Dannika willed her molecules to dissolve. Her body shifted to smoky transparency before she entered the dark slipstream, coursing through the pathway to Darren’s suite.

She coalesced into his front room. He was pacing the floor but stopped as soon as her body formed.

Are you all right? she asked.

Darren nodded. Dayton is outside, guarding me. The rest of the lieutenants have gone to the sanctuary.

Raine entered the suite through the door, followed by Dayton. Darren was not the target.

Who did they kill? Dannika asked.

The reapers abducted Maverick. The light circle that protects the sanctuary will dissolve in three hours. We sent the children to the light domes, but they can’t live there indefinitely. We need him back.

Dannika’s heart stuttered in her chest. Can we track him?

Black mist rolled off Raine’s shoulders. The whites of his eyes had become opaque as he fought to keep his alpha under control. We already are. Let’s go.

She allowed him to control their entrance into the pathway. His movements were precise and quick as they traversed one stream to the next, following