Of all the things Rachel had expected to find in Cranston Asylum, a half-naked man was not one of them. She had to admit, he was extremely handsome, with a boyish twinkle in his green eyes and tousled dark blond hair. Her gaze travelled over his sculpted chest and for a moment she wondered if he might be a male model, but what would such a fine specimen be doing in Colby's Cove, the hotbed of supernatural activity in the western hemisphere?
When he lifted his hand to shield his eyes from the relentless glare of her flashlight, Rachel cast all fantasies aside.
"You're a shifter,"she announced casually. "Should have known. "
"How did you?"he asked and she motioned with her head toward his hand. His nails had grown and his hands and arms were covered in golden-brown fur.
"What kind?"she asked, watching the tell-tale signs disappear, until he was completely human again.
"Wol
More than a week had passed since Peter's funeral and Rachel was preparing for her first day back at work. Buck had graciously given her some time off and she had to admit, she was excited to get back there. Sitting around the house wasn't her style. And now she had so much more to think about other than crossing over spirits. With Peter gone, she would have to clock up major overtime and double shifts, to make ends meet. He'd left her with nothing, not even an insurance policy to cover the tough times ahead. If only she never met him!She considered selling some of the antiques her late Aunt Tilly had left her and there were a few nice pieces of jewellery she could pawn too. Her wedding ring was at the top of the list. Hell, she'd paid for it herself, so she could do whatever she wanted with it.She even considered selling the house, but that would mean one of two things. Move in with Becca or move in with her mother and neither was a via
Galen wiped at his brow with the back of his hand, throwing the shovel to the ground and sat down in the shade of the nearest tree. Just barely after eight in the morning and already the sun was beating down like it was noon. He reached for the bottle of ice-cold water next to him, taking long, deep gulps to alleviate some of the burning discomfort in his parched throat.He'd cleaned up the garden pretty well, this last week. He'd also cleared most of the weeds, mowed the lawn and dug up a few very suspicious looking plants. He'd resolved that when he was finished cleaning up, he'd fix the beautiful angel fountain in the middle of the garden. He didn't know why, but it fascinated him.Almost as if he was drawn to it.He had to get the place in decent viewing order. Some of the investors would arrive in a month's time and the owners expected him to at least get the garden in a respectable state. He didn't mind the backbreaking work; they w
"And you're only telling me about this now?"Becca looked fit to be tied as they stood outside the diner while Rachel was on her break.Business was indeed slow. For the entire morning, they'd served three customers and the heaviness in her heart, at the prospect of possibly losing her job, just added to all the stress she was under. And now this."Becca, come on. You know as well as I do, that spirits aren’t always the most reliable source of information. And if there was indeed a Sister Evangeline, bent on coming after me, why hasn't she?"Becca scoffed, pouting and twirling her dark curls. A habit from childhood she never quite shook."We also know, that when they issue dire warnings, sometimes they come true. Have you been back to the asylum again?""No, "Rachel answered, averting her eyes. "I haven't had the time. "Which was a complete lie of course. Now that her work schedule
Rachel pulled her white sweater over her head, casting a quick glance at the clock. Just before eight and the night was already pitch dark. She really didn't feel like going up to the asylum, not after the way Galen called her out earlier, but for the sake of the little boy, she knew she had no choice.This was what she did, what she had been doing for most of her life. Helping those in need to find peace and that little boy was definitely due for some. Whoever this Sister Evangeline was, she had to find a way to stop her, before she hurt her or anyone else. And to do that, she would have to risk running into her wolf.My wolf, what a joke, she chided herself. As if he'd declared his undying love and not merely flirted with her.It was jarring, the way he crawled under her skin. It wasn't just that he was so damned sexy, but also the gentle way he had about him. A quiet strength, the outcome of a fragile and perhap
Rachel walked up the steps, leading to the asylum's front door. The screams were so much louder now. She walked through the door, people rushed past her, a nurse and a doctor. They were running toward the room opposite the nurse's station on the ground floor. Another piercing scream disturbed the silence and Rachel turned toward the room, opening the door when she reached it."Just one more push. . . that's right Allison. . . just one more!"she heard the doctor say. She looked toward the bed, at the young girl, no more than fourteen, with her legs raised, her face a mask of pain and terror."Such is the price of sin and a whore's ways. "Rachel searched the room, to see where the voice was coming from. Behind the door,a nun, her voice stern and authoritative.With an almighty scream, the girl pushed one last time and the sound of a baby, its f
In a flash she was against him. He pinned her arms behind her back, the firm yet gentle grip of his hands causing her breath to catch in her throat. She was pressed against him, feeling every delicious inch of his body against hers. He bent his head down, inhaling the scent of her hair, his lips gently nibbling on her ear.Rachel found herself quivering inside as she inhaled his freshly showered scent while his lips trailed wanton fire down her neck. She heard his raspy intake of breath as his eyes met hers. There was no turning back from this moment."I'd rather be cuffing you to my bed,"he said huskily. "But only of your own free will."His mouth came down on hers, the gentle pressure of his kiss opening her lips, allowing his tongue to probe her mouth in fast, snake like movements. She leaned in, until it seemed their bodies were one, surrendering to his kiss. Slowly, achingly, he pulled away from her, releasing her a
Her flashlight cast a solitary glow in the darkness as she pushed open the front door to the asylum. Everything was quiet and literally not a soul was in sight. The nurses' station, the one she'd seen in her vision, stood as a grim reminder of the past. How long had the asylum been out of commission?For as long as she could remember, at least.As teenagers, her mother brought her and Becca up here, countless times to hone their craft. Both of them had crossed over their first spirits in this very building, under Liz Banning's watchful eye.Her mother told them back then, that the asylum was not merely used for the mentally disturbed, but at times for the homeless and destitute as well, specifically orphans. Perhaps the souls of those very orphans were the ones being used by Sister Evangeline, in her quest to return to this reality.But why would she want to do that?What kept her restless spirit bound to
"Rachel?"For a moment, Galen felt alarmed. Perhaps she'd fled after their tryst, but then he noticed her purse and cellphone were still on the nightstand. He breathed deeply in relief. She didn't buck and run. Which could mean only one thing. This was more than a one-night stand and she felt the same way about him, as he did about her.He sat up in bed, looking around the cabin. She must have gone up to the asylum. Crossing over the dead was her thing, as being a shifter was his.Galen smiled in the darkness, reliving their encounter in his mind. Of all the women he'd known in his life, none of them affected him as much as Rachel. The sheets were still drenched with the evidence of their passion, but it was so much more than sex. Something about her, brought out a side of him he never knew he had. He would gladly give up his life to protect her and it would all be worthwhile. This must be how Jax felt about M