BloodSworn Read online

  THE LAST BLOODSWORN WITCH MUST CONFRONT HER FATE IF SHE HOPES TO SAVE THE MAN WHO FORCED HIS WAY INTO HER LONELY HEART.

  Ten years after they bound her powers and banished her, Trina Weyebridge had successfully carved out a new existence in the human world. She put her life as a witch behind her. But, her magic would not be denied, the bindings holding them in check are weakening. Vampires who crave a taste of the powers stored in her blood are hunting her with deadly force and have kidnapped her sister to lure her out. In a desperate bid to free her sister and gain her own freedom, Trina bargains with the all-too-tempting lion shifter who calls out the long forgotten wild side in her…she would be his concubine in return for pack protection. She’d be safe…until they found out the truth.

  UNDENIABLE DESIRE. FORBIDDEN LOVE. INESCAPABLE DESTINY.

  When Merrick spots a female intruder living on his property, he’s intrigued by her daring. Curious to find out more, he follows her and comes to her aid when she falls prey to an attack. After weeks of unnatural silence, his beast awakens at her touch, and he suspects that she might be the only one able to save his race from a disease killing his kind. Not willing to take the chance of losing her, he binds her to him the only way he knows how…by claiming her as his own. All he has to do to save her is uncover the secrets of her past, stop a pack revolt, convince her that she’s desperately in love with him in return, and prevent a war.

  STACEY BRUTGER

  This is a work of fiction. Names, character, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations for articles or reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials.

  Copyright © 2013 Stacey Brutger

  Published by Stacey Brutger

  Cover artist: Amanda Kelsey of Razzle Dazzle Design (www.razzdazzdesign.com)

  Editor: Erin Wolfe (www.wordwolfe.wordpress.com)

  All rights reserved.

  Table of contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Sneak Peak: Electric Storm

  Sneak Peak –The Demon Within

  About the Author

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  A book is a huge project that I could never have finished on my own.

  To my wonderful cover artist, Amanda Kelsey, who created this gorgeous cover and made my characters come alive.

  To my editor, Erin Wolfe, who read the book almost as many times as I have. This book is better because of you. Any mistakes are my own.

  To the generous people who’ve offered support along the way.

  And to my husband and family for believing in me. You make it worthwhile. Also, a special thanks for my sister for being my first reader. I appreciate it.

  Lastly, I want to thank the readers for giving me a chance. I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I had writing them.

  Chapter One

  “It’s been six weeks since you’ve been shot. Ever since this latest incident, you’ve locked yourself up in this house like a hermit. All you’ve been doing for the last two weeks is stare out that damn window. People are becoming suspicious of your long absence.”

  Leo ignored the harping and gripped the cane until the wood groaned in protest as he waited for the shadows to part.

  She was late.

  From his third-floor home office, he had a clear view of his backyard, but more importantly, the entrance to the large storage shed where a little slip of a woman had successfully hidden from his men for weeks. He resisted the need to wake up the household and send everyone out to search for her. Worry tightened his muscles, and the wound in his back throbbed in protest, but he couldn’t relax. Not until she’d returned.

  “Are you even listening?”

  Leo scowled at Victor’s prodding. Then all annoyance vanished when a wisp of a figure gradually took shape out of the darkness, her ever-present stocking cap stuck firmly on her head. She darted toward the shed and disappeared inside with light feet that left no trace.

  Despite his keen eyesight, he couldn’t distinguish much about her. Though frustrating, it didn’t matter. She was his the moment she’d set foot on his property.

  She just didn’t know it yet.

  Once her sleek form vanished from view, whatever spell that had ensnared him finally broke.

  “So that’s why. Who is she?”

  Leo turned to find Victor at his shoulder, gazing with speculation at the shed. He clenched his fists, barely resisting the temptation to crack his cane over his friend’s thick head.

  Goddamn lack of privacy. “Leave it alone. She and the shed are off-limits.”

  He would not have them scaring her off.

  He took a step toward his desk, gripping the cane harder when the muscles of his back spasmed. He lowered his bulk into the leather chair and heaved a sigh to be off his feet. The bullet that had torn through his back had missed his spine but destroyed nerves and muscle in its wake. Only his accelerated healing had kept him alive and able to walk. Even with his shifter DNA, he wasn’t healing as fast as he should.

  At the back of his mind, he wondered if he’d hit CreedMark. When a shifter came down with the symptoms, there was no reversal, no turning back. After the disease ran its course, the animal part of them, their very soul, was stripped away. Few shifters survived the loss of their beast, their death similar to a slow strangulation.

  There was no cure. No way to track the progress as it varied in each host, afflicting shifters of any age. Nor was it communicable. Mating helped stave it off, but with fewer matching pairs, there were more cases each year.

  “Why are you here in the middle of the night?” He set aside the cursed cane and grabbed the topmost papers on his desk, not really seeing them. Could Victor suspect CreedMark and come to check on him?

  Despite his fear, that was not what had him on edge. He could beat CreedMark by sheer will and simply refuse to succumb to the disease. No, what had Leo perched at the edge of the seat like some virgin at her first bedding was Victor’s apparent fascination as he continued to stare out the window.

  Claws slowly emerged from his fingertips, shredding the document in his hands. Every instinct howled at him to protect the girl. His beast was in agreement, one of the few signs he’d had of the lion since the accident.

  “It’s practically morning. I wanted to warn you Dame Judith will be attending the meeting. She wants an answer to her proposal.” Victor took his time as he turned away from the window as if bastard didn’t know it irritated the shit out of him.

&n
bsp; “A partnership with the clans.” Leo studied the ruined paper, his mind on the girl, worried if she found enough food, if she was warm enough at nights with early frost hitting hard, and how to keep her hidden from his own clan.

  Victor snorted and stretched out in a chair in front of the desk. “You in her bed more like it. She’s been chasing you for years. Now that she has you where she wants you, she’s not going to let you go.”

  “Then we’ll have to convince her otherwise. I’m not available.”

  “Hell, Leo, as of two months ago, you kept a harem of women at your beck and call. What’s the harm in adding one more?”

  He lifted his attention from the mangled paper, the hackles at the back of his neck rising. “She has no intention of being one of many. She wants to be the only one. The role of concubine is not open.”

  All humor vanished from his second-in-command. “People are asking questions about your position as Leo.”

  “There is nothing wrong with my leadership abilities.” Frustration twisted through Leo at their continual prodding and doubts. He’d been in charge of the clan for over twenty years, having taken them from a pack of strays to one of the most powerful clans in the northern region. He’d devoted his life to bringing the pack back to the grandeur of his grandfather’s era. Since he’d been injured though, a subtle shift had rippled through the pack.

  “They’re just concerned.”

  Neither of them believed that. There had been rumblings long before he’d become wounded, discontent about his iron fist and demand for absolute obedience. “Find me someone capable enough to rule, and I’ll step down.” Both of them knew that there was no one else. Without him as leader, the pack would disintegrate from within.

  Victor didn’t say anything for a moment, all serious, so unlike the devil-may-care mask he presented the world. “Maybe it’s time to let them find that out for themselves.”

  “Pull back the pride?” Leo had yearned for that very thing for a while. They were so close, but he shook his head. “We’re not strong enough. With less than a dozen of us, we wouldn’t survive an outright attack from another clan, let alone the vampires. We can’t chance the younger lions.”

  “Can’t we? Each of us left our pride younger than they are now, and we survived. The pack is stronger than you give us credit.” Victor stood and paced, his movements sharp, agitated. Light tinged the skyline, sparkling off the glass buildings of the city in the distance, heralding a new day. “The meeting begins in an hour. Tell her yes. Hell, tell her no, but you can’t keep hiding behind these walls.”

  Leo glanced at the clock then ran a hand over his buzz cut, absently noting that his hair needed to be trimmed again. He’d love to be able to go outside, but without the use of the blasted cane, each step would be agony. He couldn’t remain standing long without its assistance. After an hour or so, the stress grew too much, and his limp became noticeable. The pack wouldn’t tolerate any show of weakness from its Leo.

  So until he was healed, he was trapped in this house, in these rooms, caged like an animal.

  He was slowly going insane.

  The only distraction from his problems was the mysterious woman who had set up living quarters in his shed some two weeks ago.

  He’d watched her sneak past his security system and guards time and time again. Each night she used different methods.

  He envied her the freedom and the thrill of adventure.

  His fascination with her was a danger for both of them with the leadership of the pack so unsettled. Without his full strength, he wouldn’t be able to protect her. If anyone found out about his preoccupation with her, it would only put her in more danger.

  He’d walked across the lawn last night after she’d disappeared, hoping to catch her scent, desperate for more information about her.

  Only to discover nothing.

  He had to be content to watch.

  At least for now.

  He purposely turned away from the window, a little disturbed to catch Victor staring at the shed once more. Protective urges roared through him, prodding him to give the boy a swipe for daring to look at what was his.

  Instead, he tucked the blistering anger away, not questioning his ownership of his unexpected houseguest.

  Chapter Two

  Dame Judith sailed into the room ten minutes after the start of the meeting, the click of her stilettos stabbing at his last nerve. Two overfed goons trailed behind her like eager puppies.

  Leo remained seated, tapping his finger against the desk as she sprawled in her chair, crossed her legs, shooting him a sexy smile as if expecting him to come to heel at her feet like one of her dogs. She stroked the chair, glancing around his office as if already claiming ownership of everything she saw.

  They jokingly called her Dame Judith, but her smug attitude ruffled his fur the wrong way. He had resigned himself to bedding her, but the repugnant thought had his claws pressing against his fingers, ready to rend the bitch apart.

  Victor must have sensed the change, for his eyes widened and he cleared his throat. “After careful consideration, we feel the joining of our two packs would be beneficial for both.”

  Dame Judith’s chin rose, a smirk on her lips.

  Leo couldn’t contain himself. “Unfortunately, we can’t concede to every demand.” He hid his pleasure at the way her face froze. Her eyes darkened, and she glared at him. Retribution would follow, no doubt, but his flesh crawled at the very thought of touching her.

  He might be part animal, but even he couldn’t be put to stud to one like her. He liked his balls right where they were.

  “You insult us.” The she-wolf slowly stood. The men at her back bulked up, their wolves shedding their humanity just short of a challenge.

  Leo waved away his men as they rose to answer the threat. “None was intended, I assure you.” He shrugged one shoulder, keeping an eye on Judith, half-expecting her to leap across the desk to set her claws at his throat. He hadn’t expected to take such pleasure out of her reaction. “There is no doubt the wolf clan is the strongest portion of the pack, but joining the lions would alienate the rest of the pack. It’s my job to keep the peace between all clans.”

  Red flagged Judith’s cheeks. “My wolves do more than their share.”

  “No one is questioning your devotion, but there are some concerns that you are growing too powerful and seek to unbalance the pack by forcing the smaller clans from our protection.”

  A snide laugh twisted her face, and she glanced at everyone else in the room. “Excuses. This pack needs a strong leader. Vampires have been reported at our borders. We’ve been growing fat and need to cull the herd to protect ourselves. We’re vulnerable so large.”

  The bear clan leader, a big hulk of a man who could pass for a pro-wrestler, nodded agreement, though they often complained a pack of two was too large. The rest of the room looked aghast at the accusations. Most of them wouldn’t survive without the pack to protect them. Heated arguments erupted, and he let them squabble.

  If the wolf clan broke away, the rest of the pack would lose territory. The separation would leave the very people they were supposed to protect, the humans, vulnerable to attack.

  He suspected that there was a spy in his household, monitoring his movements or lack of them. Could the wolves know about his injuries and suspect CreedMark? As long as he was still sane, he wouldn’t allow his pack to be plunged back into chaos.

  A knock at the door broke the tension, and the babble of voices rose to be heard. Victor crossed the room to answer the summons.

  As soon as the door opened, Victor bulked up, transforming to his half-human form, fangs and claws at the ready, a growl erupting from deep in his chest. The rest of the shifters quickly followed suit, their clothing shredding at the change.

  Vampires.

  The slight scent of decay swept through the room, clogging his nose. Leo cursed himself for being distracted by Judith and not sensing them sooner. As a pair, they stepped through th
e entryway then halted. They lifted their arms to indicate they were unarmed. Not a muscle moved, not even their chest, neither bothering with the pretense of breathing.

  The pack advanced.

  “Halt. No bloodshed. They are allowed entrance under the truce.” Leo stood to intervene, but thankfully, everyone heeded his command. The war between vampires and shifters had ended one hundred fifty years ago with a shaky truce that neither race would encroach on the other’s territory.

  This was the first time since then a vampire had elected to appear at the monthly meetings.

  “We are here for the meeting.” Both vampires were dressed in identical dark suits, the color stark against their alabaster skin. Both were skinny, their blood diet whittling their frames down, easily identifying them as vampires. Their appearances were deceiving, their strength easily rivaling that of a shifter. Their pale blue eyes almost glowed as the meager light reflected off their gazes. Something about the color allowed vampires to see in the dark but nearly blinded them in daylight.

  Leo knew of only one set of vampire twins, and recognition hit him in the face like a punch. Aggression rippled across his skin, his animal struggling to surface. The Ferguson twins were personal assassins for the vampire king and reported to be two of the oldest vampires in existence.

  And they were in his house.

  Fuck.

  He went to the window, yanked the blinds closed and then stood there, unconsciously standing in front of the shed and the girl. No one else bothered to shut the second window. Sunlight streamed through half the room where the majority of the pack crouched.

  “To what do we owe the honor?” Leo didn’t bother to smile and neither did they. Those eyes of theirs settled on him as if the rest of the pack didn’t matter and were of no threat.

  They bowed as one.