Fae Redemption: Zoey's Revenge, #6

By Amelia Shaw and Maggie Shaw

An ancient Fae princess. Two men to love. A world of danger.

Since the magical mayhem caused all of us to lose our powers, and gain some others, life has been crazy. I've been training to become a Bounty Hunter with Hawk and Zoey, but mages are dropping like flies. So we need to work together to solve the puzzle before they come after us.

 

My relationship with Helix is on tenterhooks, our past getting in the way of any future we might have. Whereas Hawk and I are literally stuck together, and I can't see my life without him.

 

How do I choose between two of the best men I've ever known, who both seem to want me.

Slow Burn #whychoose romantic Urban Fantasy series.

*** Author warning: There IS a cliff hanger ending and will lead straight into book 2!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harley Romance Publishing
• Release date: Mar 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201131579

Book preview

Chapter One

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE wrote, All that glitters is not gold. 

I’d painstakingly etched the quote into a bracelet years ago, after I learned there were worse things than growing old of boredom.

In my fifties, or maybe it was my sixties... I can’t remember now which decade it was, I learned something special about age. Seeing as I never looked a day over thirty, it taught me that age is a number depended on by the weak. And not everyone had the luxury of weakness.

I stared down at my worktable. It was littered with glistening scraps of steel, gold, and silver. A total mess, thanks to the magical onslaught it took during the fight with my brother, Esteban’s, minions. Every time I looked down at the table, I was reminded of how hard I’d had to fight to stay alive all these years. Now that he was dead and the world was meant to be calm, I couldn’t stop vibrating with energy, waiting for the next assault. It was like my brain and body didn’t understand I was safe.

But how could I ever really be safe with mages out there who hunted people like me? The fae.

Hunted for our power.

We were more protected now, thanks to Zoey and Fin, but it didn’t change the fact that every day when I woke up, I saw the cage threatening to close me in again.

I shoved away from my worktable and headed out into the hall. Workers had already begun to repair everything, but the contractors need time to finish. Part of me hoped that when they completed the job and my home was restored, I’d feel better. But the rational part knew that it wasn’t that simple.

I reached inside myself and touched my magic. It was always there.

In the past, even when I was on the cusp of being drained, I’d cling to the last dregs of it to keep my soul alive. But the magic felt different now, colder, stranger. Something that was part of me, but apart from me. I couldn’t even try to explain it to anyone else.

It was still dark outside when I slid the patio door open and stepped onto my deck. My little townhouse had a narrow patch of land out the back but I preferred my deck. The cold morning air soothed my nerves. I wrapped my arms around my body and breathed in the sharp, chill-tinged morning air.

If the others knew I hadn’t been sleeping much, I’d never hear the end of it. Especially from my brother, Fin, or my protector, Helix.

I shivered at the thought. I’d kept these little overnight jaunts to myself. They all worried about me enough.

Once I spotted the first rays of sunlight peeking over the horizon, I headed inside to my room. Happily, my bedroom had made it through the war pretty much unscathed.

I threw on a pair of leggings and a long tunic, then quickly swept my hair up into a messy bun. I used to hide under wigs and odd clothes that weren’t me, but I didn’t need to do that anymore. Or at least, I pretended that I didn’t need to.

Zoey, the strongest woman I knew, wouldn’t hide, even if she was scared. She’d fight. She’d always fight. So that’s what I needed to do too.

After I was dressed, I made my way over the debris in the hallway, then down toward the stairs that led to the kitchen. As usual, I wasn’t paying attention and ran smack into a hard male body in the dark.

It was Helix, the only man I usually allowed in my house—well—our house. I stumbled away from him before more of my fingers could meet warm skin.

Even in the dark, his tattoos were stark against his skin. They twined and wound around his body in intricate patterns I could likely draw from memory I’d seen them so many times. 

Melinda, are you okay? he asked, gruffly.

I ducked my chin, not making eye contact. I didn’t want him to see the truth I’d kept hidden from him. That I wasn’t okay. Yeah, fine. Just going to get some breakfast before Hawk gives me something to do or someone to hit, I suppose.

He nodded once, and I could feel his eyes scanning me from my toes to my messy bun. I squeezed by him now, needing to escape. The kitchen was blessedly silent, and the scent of coffee hit me as I entered.

There was already a mug waiting, a napkin, a spoon, and sugar in the bottom of the cup. I didn’t doubt Helix had already portioned out how much I needed so I could pour the cup and go.

Once upon a time, he’d brought it to me in my studio after a long night of working.

Once upon a time, I’d have let him care for me after I spent most of my magic on my latest project.

Once upon a time, he and I had been friends.

I had no clue what we were now.

Two strawberry Pop Tarts sat in the toaster, waiting for me to push the button. I poured my coffee, hit the button, and stared at the stainless-steel appliance while it toasted the pastries.

A swirl of air was all the warning I got before Helix walked into the kitchen and grabbed the mug I didn’t notice on the counter. He was still shirtless and still endlessly distracting, so I kept my focus on making my breakfast and tried to pretend he wasn’t there.

You can’t ignore me forever, he said from the countertop bar behind me.

I cleared my throat and took a step toward the toaster to push a button or do something with my hands. Anything but focus on him. I’m not trying to ignore you. I’m talking to you right now.

That little hallway chat was the first thing you’ve said to me in two days.

I didn’t need to see him to picture the stark disapproval on his face, tinged with his signature scowl, of course. The heavy weight of his regard made me tense my shoulders and poke the cancel button on the appliance. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why the twenty questions? I just want to get my breakfast and eat it in peace.

I was so focused on grabbing my food and making a run for it, I didn’t feel him come up behind me. His hands cupped my upper arms and he spun me around to face him. Will you please look at me when you talk to me? This is getting tiresome. You’ve been treating me like I hurt you somehow, when I’ve dedicated my life to keeping you safe.

I lifted my arms and brought them down on his forearms to force his grip to slip. He could have held on tighter, but he let them fall away. Without his touch, I could breathe easier. You kept me safe for a lot of years, but the same rules don’t apply anymore. I need to get out there and try to do something with my life, especially since I don’t have the same skills to offer that I once did.

Just because you can’t metalsmith the same any more doesn’t mean you’re worthless.

Ouch. I took a step back and bumped into the white granite counter on the opposite side.

Wow. Who said anything about worthless? Tell me how you really feel. I didn’t bother hiding the hurt in my voice. I’m not trying to save the world. All I want to do is be like Zoey. She’s the one who saved us all, and I owe her a debt because of it.

He looked like he wanted to get closer, but something in my gaze no doubt forced him to maintain his distance. You don’t owe anyone anything. You gave just as much as any of them to save us all. Why do you still want to fight when you can spend the rest of your life being protected? Cared for.

I groaned aloud and faced the toaster again, just to keep from throwing my hot breakfast at his too pretty face. You don’t get it. I don’t want to be pampered and cosseted. I’ve never wanted that. And if I let you treat me that way while you’ve kept me safe then that’s my fault, and I need to correct it now. Don’t you have an interest you can pursue outside of lurking around here waiting for me to stub a toe?

Is that all our bond means to you? he whispered.

Another low blow. I spun around to look him straight in the eye. When I saved your life and you agreed to protect me, it was out of necessity. You don’t have to stay here anymore. If I could get rid of this bond and free you, I would, in a heartbeat. I don’t need you to protect me anymore.

He tightened his jaw so forcefully I could hear his teeth grinding together. Why are you so determined to push me away? We were friends once, weren’t we? Or was that all a lie?

A flash of an image hit me hard. So hard, I had to grip the cold counter for support. The image was replaced by a sensation. The warm, sultry sweep of a man’s mouth as it traced my neck. It had been so long since anyone had touched me like that, I barely managed to stifle a groan.

Not here, not now. Please.

I’d been having these erotic sensation sort of visions since that day with Esteban, where our magic got swirled up and thrown out into the world. They weren’t premonitions exactly, but I certainly wouldn’t be trying to explain them to anyone. 

Are you okay? Helix asked, bringing his hands up to cup my cheeks. It was the intimacy of a friend, of a partner, and I couldn’t stand it. Not when it didn’t mean anything. Not when nothing could happen between us.

I gently pried his hands off my skin and shook my head. I’m fine. Please don’t touch me. I can’t handle it if you touch me. I can’t handle if it I lose you. Of course I don’t say any of that.

A flash of hurt rose in his eyes before he cleared them to the same indifferent gaze he always gave me. Fine. But please know I don’t agree with you. For fuck’s sake, you’re fae royalty. You should have a guard with you at all times.

I waved around the mess of my house, indicating to the plaster dust and the broken glass everywhere. Yeah, this sure looks like the house of royalty. No one is standing outside my door offering to be my knight in shining anything. If I want to be saved, I have to do it myself. Besides, what does royalty matter in this world?

On that note, I grabbed my too hot Pop Tarts and shoved past him into the hallway. Careful not to touch him. Not feel the heat of his skin as I brushed by. Thankfully, he didn’t follow me to continue our argument on the way to my bedroom.

Once the door was firmly closed and locked, I set my food on my desk and checked my phone. There was a missed call from Hawk and a voicemail. I checked it quickly and smiled when I heard his voice on the other end of the line. He was always so gruff with everyone, and yet I saw a softer, gentler side to him.

I also tried to ignore the fact that my heart was beating harder just listening to him ask me to come into the office for my first solo but supervised assignment.

I ate quickly, gave my hair a proper brushing, grabbed my bag, and headed back down to the front door. Helix was waiting beside it dressed in black jeans, a tight black t-shirt, and way too much fucking attitude for this early in the morning.

I take it he called you, Helix said.

Hawk has a name, and you can use it, if you’re trying to be a little nicer to him. He did train me, after all.

Helix eyes narrowed. You don’t have to remind me. I was there through every step of it. But training isn’t the only thing Hawk wants from you.

On that parting shot, he opened the door and waved me out. He was right on my heels as I made it to the car parked on the curb.

It wasn’t time yet to tell Helix I wanted more from Hawk, too.

Chapter Two

THE OFFICE WAS NOTHING more than a group of converted warehouses in the middle of the city. We’d spent considerable time there after the fight with Esteban while Hawk trained me to be a bounty hunter. Despite his encouragement, I knew I would never be like Zoey. It didn’t matter as long as someone gave me something to do, soon, before I went out of my ever-loving mind.

Hawk’s call had directed me to come to The Office, where he would go over my first real assignment. I was excited to finally put the skills I’d learned to good use. There were only so many times you could review how to use a high-powered camera without going crazy. I only hoped my first assignment wouldn’t be one of the cheating spouse situations some husbands contracted us for instead of a private investigator. Apparently, they were under the assumption a bounty hunter might rough up their spouse’s lover for an additional fee. Based on how Zoey told that story, I couldn’t figure out if she’d taken that deal or not.

When I got inside the door and the now ridiculous security features, I was greeted with an empty warehouse. No Hawk, no Zoey, no Fin. Not even the secretary Hawk employed to come in twice a week.

I pulled out my phone and checked Hawk’s most recent text message. He definitely wanted me to come to The Office, which always meant the main building, or else he would have specified the training room, the armory, or another location.

There was no warning, just a movement that caught me off guard from behind. I spun around, putting my forearm up to protect my face as Hawk barreled into me. At the last second, I swung to the side, and thanks to my small stature and his not so small one, he went right past me without making contact.

What the fuck? I yelled.

He didn’t say anything, only took up another stance. This was some kind of test. Shit. I didn’t have any weapons on me, something I only now considered poor planning. Hawk reached down and drew a blade from his boot. Of course, he wouldn’t actually stab me, but I had scars across my forearms from reacting