Fate Hexed: Fated Huntress, #3

By Tiffani Skye

When Fate refuses to release its grip, my life takes an unexpected turn. 

Discovering the depth of my friend's betrayal leaves me beyond distraught, furious even! I refuse to waste precious time thinking about him. Instead, I embrace moments of happiness during my brief respite at the academy. Better yet, I indulge in some much-needed girl time and try on a few wedding dresses. 

However, all of it comes to a crashing halt. 

Jordan commands an attack, upending my life once again. There's no chance I'll allow him to get away with this. One way or another, his day of ruin will come. Until that time, we'll regroup in New Orleans. 

Downing in despair, I throw myself into finding the remaining crystals. To accomplish this, I must rob one of the most powerful men alive. With the help of a world-renowned thief, we just might succeed. 

The Dark Master and his minions loom over me, and I never imagined the lengths I'll go to survive. 

Fate Hexed is the third book in the Fated Huntress paranormal urban fantasy series. It features Vampires, Shifters, Sorcerers, and Hunters. It's filled with adventure, humor, and a slow-burn fated mates romance. 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tiffani Skye
• Release date: Sep 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223598398

Tiffani Skye

Tiffani Skye is a paranormal fantasy romance author who is a Dr Pepper addict, a mom to three kids, and married to her best friend. When Tiffani was little, she wrote stories for the fun of it, but it wasn’t until she became a mom that she realized this was her dream—to share her imagination with others to make them smile. Her hope is to provide you with an escapism from your everyday worries and leaves you happier than when you picked up the book.

Book preview

Chapter One

Fate. Such an unwelcomed houseguest. You knew where everything in your home was located—in its purposeful place. Fate decided to take matters into her hands and rearrange… well…everything. Now you wandered around the house and couldn’t find a single item. Only to discover your most prized possession was missing. 

I couldn’t see. All my surroundings were dark. Not even my enhanced sight could help me. 

Stupid blindfold. 

Fingers gripped my biceps and pushed me forward. 

How about now? I asked any of my captors.

Not yet, sweetie, Caroline’s singsong voice replied. 

Yeah, you have to wait to meet your Fate. Chantel’s teasing tone came from behind me.

I wrinkled my nose. The air smelled of mothballs and BO, so I knew we were still at Eastland Hunter Academy. Our exact location? I had no idea. 

Mom—Caroline—had arrived last week to visit. We had a heart-to-heart, and what was once a dagger to my soul was now just an unfortunate memory. I told her she was my mother no matter what our DNA said. She had cared for and clothed me. She had been there when I was sick and when I mouthed off. We had a bond no one could break. Love.

A brownie oughta be waiting for me at the end of this, I complained and shuffled along like a good detainee.

The fabric around my eyes was soft and silky, but the longer I was without sight, the more the anxiety ball in my chest grew. The lack of depth perception had a claustrophobic effect. 

Stop your whining. We will be there soon. Agrona’s voice came from in front of me. 

I would forever be amazed she could hide her French accent day to day. The only time it slipped was with extreme emotion. 

And where exactly are you kidnapping me to?

Hush, child. Patience is a virtue. You must cultivate it, Caroline said.

Twenty minutes ago, I’d met Caroline at the library, only to be jumped by my two best friends. Agrona had held me against the floor, and Chantel had placed the slender cloth over my eyes. They’d led me through the academy, and I tripped down the stairs, and it was then when Caroline had taken over the guiding responsibility. 

I pursed my lips. I would exact my revenge on them. And it would be finger-licking sweet. 

The door creaked, and my heart thumped erratically. Any longer without vision and I was going to go Jackie Chan on them. Kung-fu fighting and all that jazz. Whatever they wanted to show me better, be worth it. 

Caroline stopped me, and her hold eased off my arms. With a small tug on the blindfold, it slid off, and light assaulted my retinas. A giggle sounded from Chantel, and she shoved me into the room. 

I stumbled and quickly caught my balance. I glanced around to get my bearings. It was a nondescript classroom, free of any desks. Off-white walls were tinged with years of neglect. Matted carpet lay beneath my black Adidas. The room hadn’t been used in a while—the mustiness was overwhelming. What captured my full attention were the four racks of dresses in front of me. These weren’t your average clothing store dresses. No, these were of wedding variety. 

Surprise! three voices shouted. 

My eyes widened. I stepped closer to the racks and ran my fingers across the pristine garments. Poofy sleeves, bouffant skirts, and I couldn’t forget the Bedazzler that had thrown up on several of them. 

What’s going on here? I asked.

Since you and Blayde have talked about completing your bond and having the ceremony, we thought we would help you find your dress. The corners of Caroline’s mouth moved upward in a smile. It was one of pure happiness. 

The mate bonding ceremony. It was more permanent than a wedding but just as glamorous. It was the final step in solidifying our bond—to forever join our souls for all eternity. Once completed, fated mates discovered the complete spectrum of their magical bond. Each couple had a different magic. Some had telepathy. Some had astral projection. Some always knew the other’s feelings. The list went on and on. Nobody had successfully predicted which gift—or gifts—would be blessed upon the fated couple. 

He hasn’t asked yet. He might never ask. Besides, we have only been talking about it. I brushed my fingertips along the silk fabric of one of the wedding dresses. It looked like an eighty’s nightgown. 

Nonsense, dear. Blayde is head over heels for you. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for you. Everyone can see how in love he is with you. You are the other half of his soul. Caroline held up a mermaid gown to me and pursed her red-stained lips. 

I think an A-line would fit her body type better. Chantel pushed a dress against my torso. 

Or perhaps something more showstopping? Agrona wiggled her brows. She picked a wannabe Cinderella gown from the rack, pressed it against her chest, and twirled. Her dark locks gently swayed and covered her face in the process. I could almost imagine the medium-complexion goddess dancing at a real ball. 

This is ridiculous, I said, my eyes wide and unbelieving. 

I couldn’t pick out a dress when Blayde and I hadn’t even officially decided to move forward in our relationship. Yes, we had discussed it, but a proposal hadn’t been made. And we definitely hadn’t set a date. 

I scratched the side of my neck. Maybe I’ll just wear the dress Mom gave me. You know, the one that was given from the Fae King to the Siren Princess, aka my mother.

Before I arrived at the academy, the Council orchestrated a banquet in my honor. Mom had gifted me a magic-infused dress that was a peace offering from the Fae King. To say the white and gold gown was stunning was an understatement. It was a perfect fit and flattered my curves like no other outfit could duplicate. The problem? Thinking about it brought back memories of that night of Jordan’s betrayal.

Agrona’s nose scrunched. "Oh, come on! You can’t wear that. With everything going on—having to find the crystals and dagger, having Jordan here at Eastland, and the Dark Master wanting to kill you, what better time do you have than to plan your future? To choose the dress you’ll wear when you complete the mate bond with the love of your life?" 

Yeah, what she said. Chantel used her thumb to point at Agrona. 

I stared at the pair. They were my best friends. My ride or dies. Maybe they were right. Maybe I needed to enjoy my life while I could and embrace this moment. 

All right. I exhaled. 

Chantel jumped on the balls of her feet with endless energy. Her dark spiral curls bounced against her light-brown skin. Agrona joined her, and for a brief second, I thought Mom would as well. 

Come, come, dear. We will each pick one for you to try on and we’ll go from there. Caroline placed her hands on my back, directing me by force, behind a pearl-colored changing screen. A pale-yellow ribbon ran diagonally from the opposite corners, intersecting to form a repeating pattern of X’s. 

Here, try mine first. Caroline handed me a mermaid-style dress. 

I held it in both hands and gave it a once-over. It had a sweetheart neckline, and the top half had delicate beading. It had so many sparkles, a disco ball would be jealous. Around the lower thigh area, the skirt flared and puffed out dramatically. 

I stripped out of my plain white t-shirt and jeans and kicked off my shoes but kept on my navy-blue ankle socks. Picking up the dress, I shimmied into it. Even though it widened a few inches above my knees, it still restricted the pace at which I could walk. It was beautiful, but it didn’t inspire any feelings in me. 

I walked out from behind the changing screen, and the three of them had seated themselves in a singular row. My gaze landed on Caroline and her strawberry-blonde hair. Her smile was wide, reaching from ear to ear, and her glistening eyes were two beacons of love. The transformation of her face into a beaming proud mother shot a warm tendril of emotion through me. 

How could I ever have been so hurt that she wasn’t my birth mother? She was my mother in every way that mattered. She’d fed me. Burped me. Changed my diapers. Took me shopping for my first bra. Taught me my personal worth didn’t come from male validation. She built up my self-esteem and instilled in me pride in who I was.

You’re beautiful. If only your father were here to see this. Caroline choked back a sob, and a small tear escaped. 

Agrona wrapped her arm around Mom’s shoulder and pulled her in for a side hug. Chantel snagged a box of tissues resting next to the clothing rack. She set it on her lap and freed a single tissue. She leaned over and brought the Kleenex to Mom’s eyes and dabbed. Mom’s head jerked, and she swatted at Chantel’s hand. 

Even though you are gorgeous, it’s not the one. Here, try mine. Chantel stood and thrust a dress into my chest. 

Once again behind the partition, I swapped the mermaid gown for Chantel’s pick. It wasn’t as tight as Caroline’s, but it was still form-fitting and hugged close to my body. It was all lace and reminded me of a grandmother’s doily. Two thin straps held up the yards of fabric, showing off my small dragon tattoo bestowed upon me by Arlo. In the back was a low scoop, exposing enough skin to make a priest blush. I was sure this design was popular for a beach wedding, but something about it still didn’t feel right. 

I quickly moved out from the modesty barrier and in front of my entourage. Chantel squealed. She pumped her fist in the air to a rhythm none of us could hear. 

Yes. Yes. Yes! She screamed and ran behind me. She tugged on my hair and twirled it into a makeshift French twist. Can’t you imagine standing next to Blayde, feeling like a duchess? 

Not really, I wavered. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings and blurted out that I disliked her choice.

More like a hippie than a duchess, Agrona teased and stepped toward me. She lifted her pick and extended it to me. This is going to be the one. 

Once more, I slipped into another dress. I stifled a groan. It was all types of wrong. This had to be a prank. It was a ball gown—not all ball gowns were bargainers of evil, but this one might be. The tulle skirt was wide enough to hide a petting zoo underneath it. No joke. The top was a mixture of lace and beading that bled into strips on the bottom half. My eyelid twitched. This monstrosity either belonged in a museum or a woodchipper. 

Gathering the skirt in my hands, I walked out, or at least attempted to. The atrocity was heavy from the layers of fabric and was hard to move in. Not exactly how I pictured myself on what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. 

Um, you’re… Agrona paused and pressed her hand over her mouth, preventing the laughter from escaping. 

Bite me, I spat.

I huffed. My irritation was still prevalent. Unable to murder my best friend, I turned on my heel. I didn’t even glance at Mom’s and Chantel’s reactions. There was no need to see the expressions to know the dress was ridiculous. 

If a horror movie could be summed up into a single dress, it would be this one. 

I slid the itchy sleeves off, and Mom sauntered behind the privacy screen with a new option. I snatched it to cover my girly bits. Just because she was my mother didn’t mean I was comfortable being exposed.

Honey, humor me and try on this one last dress. Please. Mom’s words were sweet and gentle. 

Before I could answer her, she set the dress down and left. 

Shimmying out of the nightmare that paraded as a ball gown, I raised the next dress off the worn beige carpet. I didn’t even bother to glance at the detailing. There was no point. None so far had imbued what I’d been searching for. None had given me the feeling that this was the dress I’d wear when I joined my soul with Blayde’s. I was losing hope that somewhere out there was a dress that was worthy. 

I walked out, ready to face the firing squad, and the material gently brushed against my skin in a caress. I was met with three stunned faces. Mom’s lips quivered, and she touched her fingers to her mouth. Agrona sucked in a breath that was quickly replaced with a small smile. Chantel’s jaw dropped open and her eyes went round. 

I swept my hands down the length of it, touching the smooth texture beneath my palms. The dress wasn’t heavy but had enough weight that I didn’t feel naked. The fabric moved with my body without restriction. 

Oh, mon Dieu. You’re… Agrona started. 

There are no words to describe, Mom said in a hushed tone. Her eyes were coated with unshed tears. 

Ah-mazing! Who knew you could clean up so good! Hot dang, Chantel exclaimed with a whoop.

Warmth filled my chest and shot straight into my heart. There was no malice or jokes in their words. No lies to be detected. They really did think I was beautiful. 

I ran my fingers through my blonde hair, snagging on a few tangles. I wasn’t aware of what I looked like. Spinning, I searched for anything to catch a glimpse of my appearance. A full-length mirror rested against the wall. I stepped closer to it, not believing the sight before me. 

Wow…

My own dreams couldn’t have imagined a more perfect dress. It was as if it had been sewn for me. Every inch of it. The pristine white A-line had a drop waist and flowed around my legs. The top was striking and hugged my torso. The sleeves were beaded, transitioning to my back. The back of it was covered in the same beads that were attached to the sleeves. That was the only embellishment on the gown. It was classy but understated. 

It’s stunning, I whispered. 

I didn’t drift my sight from my reflection. How could a dress feel like it was created for you? 

Mom moved to my side and wrapped an arm around me. You are so grown up. If your father were here, he would be bawling to see his little girl in a white dress, getting ready to complete a fated mate bond. I can’t find the right words to express how beautiful you are. She sniffled and dabbed the corners of her eyes with a Chantel-free tissue. 

Agrona walked up behind me and placed a veil on my head. It was simple, and the edges were lined with the same beading as my dress. 

Now you’re a bride, she said. 

Why am I crying? I’m not the one completing the ceremony. You made me do this! My mascara is smearing, Chantel joked and wiped the moisture from her cheeks. 

A collective chuckle emitted from us. This was a perfect moment. The three women who meant the most to me in a room with the dress I would be wearing when I united my soul with a man who made my body hum with rightness. This was a memory I’d remember forever. Utterly perfect. 

A deep throat clearing came from behind us. I knew it wasn’t Blayde—I hadn’t felt the feather-like brushing sensation our bond gave us when he was nearby. 

Reluctantly, I turned toward the interruption. Fire bubbled in my stomach, and I clamped my jaw shut. Out of all the people to ruin this special occasion, it was them. The Council.

Chapter Two

Ugh. Not these guys. 

The fun suckers—aka The Council—were a ruling body that ran the magical world. It was constituted of five members, each from a predominant species. Vampire, Sorcerer, Shifter, Fae, and Hunter. Fortunately for me, only three of them were here. Unfortunately, I didn’t consider any of them to be allies. 

Ralph, Victor, Regina, I didn’t know you were going to be checking in on me. The bitter sentence rolled off my tongue.

It’s not every day that the only Huntress proclaims to have a mate. Victor scowled, the lines on his forehead deepening. The angles on his face were tight and pointed. There was an unnatural beauty about him that forced you to wonder if you should worship him or run away. Victor was a Vampire.

His icy demeanor and his condensing disposition made me want to act out irrationally.

Yes, Regina purred. Our Huntress has picked an animal. Her long locks shimmered with every move of her head. There was a regal grace about her that was hard to ignore. She might look like a fairy princess, but she used words like a shank. She welcomed any opportunity to dominate. 

A Huntress? Incredibly rare. A Hunter mating a Shifter? Uncommon. A Huntress mating a Shifter? Unheard of. This is something we all take very seriously, Ralph said calmly and rationally, but the tic of his jaw revealed a different story, one of forbiddance and hatred. 

I had met Ralph at the academy before I’d left for the Woodpine Pack. Prior to learning his name, I’d referred to him as the gray-haired man. I was sure his hair had turned early from being such a busybody.

For months, the Council had tried to set me up with other Hunters. I’d told them over and over and over I didn’t want nor need them to play matchmaker, but they never stopped until Blayde took me to Colorado, where we claimed each other as mates. The Council wanted to control me and decide my future. For some reason, they couldn’t get it through their thick skulls that I was in charge of my own destiny.

Now it isn’t every day you see washed-up magical beings clinging on to their last shred of power by bullying the only Huntress. The remark spat out of my mouth with anger dripping off each syllable before I had the chance to think better of it.

Mom placed her hand on my shoulder. Dear, these are Council members. Show them the respect they deserve. She focused her attention on the intruders. How about the three of you stand in a circle and see what the other has shoved up its butt, because I’ll tell you this, it isn’t manners. Her tone held a ferocity of a mama alligator protecting its young. 

Regina’s eyes widened, and her lips parted. Well, I never! This is not how you treat the Council. 

And bullying a Huntress into a match you deem acceptable is not only archaic but demoralizing. It takes respect to receive respect. Agrona stepped in front of me and placed her hands on her hips, creating a protective wall between them and me.

Oh, foolish girl. Your clan will hear about this. We are Vampires. We treat others of our species with esteem. It’s disappointing that the head of your clan has not taught you as such. Victor’s upper lip raised to show an elongated fang. 

Agrona didn’t flinch. Didn’t cower. She stared at Victor as if saying she wasn’t afraid of him. She wouldn’t be kissing his ego—metaphorically or otherwise. 

We were having a private moment, so if you guys could come back in, say about fifteen years or so, that would be peachy, Chantel added. Even though her tone was pleasant, the underlying go away was unmistakable. 

It seems you also need a lesson, Chantel. It would be unfortunate if something were to happen to your grandfather. He is getting up there in age. The threat Drugan laid before her was clearly spelled out.

Mom cleared her throat and moved forward, blocking the three of us. None of you intimidate me. I think it is time for all of you to leave. Her adjure was sleek and velvety. The corners of her mouth tipped upward, and she tossed her strawberry-blonde curls over her shoulder. 

The Council members’ eyes glossed over, and they turned and walked out of the room. I watched in silence, and the smooth-grained door closed behind them. 

What just happened? I asked no one in particular. 

Siren magic, dear, Mom said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

I shot her an incredulous look. I had no idea what that meant. I didn’t know much about Sirens besides they used to lead sailors to their deaths. 

Sirens influence people. Their magic is spoken or sung. If the Siren is powerful enough, they can make anyone do anything. And Caroline is. Luckily for us, she believes so strongly in free will. Though I do believe she taught you a few of her tricks, Agrona informed me. 

"That’s where the story of the Little Mermaid comes from. She lost her voice which caused her to lose her magic. Storytellers hardly ever get all the facts straight." Chantel shook her head. 

My mind was spinning. Mom was that powerful? Something clicked. Mom had smiled and tossed her hair over her shoulder when she’d used her magic, just like all those times she’d taught me to command a room. How long had I