21 Shades of Night Read online

  21 SHADES OF NIGHT

  A Collection of Bestselling Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy

  Including works by ~

  SARAH MÄKELÄ

  ANNA ZAIRES

  CONNER KRESSLEY

  REBECCA HAMILTON

  J.E. TAYLOR

  JC ANDRIJESKI

  ANGEL LAWSON

  NOREE COSPER

  K. DE LONG

  SUSAN STEC

  TERRY SPEAR

  JACQUELINE SWEET

  LISA CARLISLE

  EDEN ASHE

  LJ SWALLOW

  AMBER ELLA MONROE

  LAXMI HARIHARAN

  JOANNE WADSWORTH

  CJ FLYNN

  SKYLA MADI

  C.P. MANDARA

  CATHERINE STINE

  21 SHADES OF NIGHT is a Multi-Author Bundle, copyright 2016 by Bestselling Boxed Sets. All individual titles copyrighted by the individual authors. Published July 12, 2016 by Bestselling Boxed Books.

  Cover Art Design 2016 by Rebecca Frank

  All rights reserved.

  Ebook Edition

  21 SHADES OF NIGHT

  A Collection of Bestselling Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy

  “Haunting and Otherworldly...”

  With one million words of romantic paranormal fiction, this set will light up your night with vampires, witches, warriors, and more! This limited edition omnibus is packed with today’s NY Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling authors to create a collection you won’t soon forget.

  This collection is packed with a gorgeous combination of bone-chilling urban fantasies and steamy paranormal romances. With sexy shifters, hot vampires, wickedly cool witches, gargoyles, and so much more, this boxed set has something for everyone—Take your pick!

  * * *

  From NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling Author, SARAH MÄKELÄ, BENEATH THE BROKEN MOON –– Carmela struggles to choose between the alpha werewolf she's destined for and the vampire she's enchanted by, but the wrong decision could lead to deadly consequences.

  From NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling Author, ANNA ZAIRES, CLOSE LIAISONS –– His people took over her planet. Now he wants her.

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Authors, CONNER KRESSLEY & REBECCA HAMILTON, TAKEN BY THE BEAST –– It's not until a missing girl is found chained up in her boss's home that this beauty realizes her romantic interest is a beast.

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Author, J.E. TAYLOR, NIGHT HAWK –– Sentenced to death at the hands of a demon, Naomi Hawk has a firsthand lesson in betrayal. Now, she thirsts for justice...and revenge.

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Author, JC ANDRIJESKI, ROOK –– Yanked out of her life by dangerous seer and spy, Revik, Allie is thrust into an inter-species war and discovers her blood may not be as "human" as she always thought.

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Author, ANGEL LAWSON, THE LOST QUEEN –– Nadya learns that love, power and destiny lies not in this world but the next.

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Author, NOREE COSPER, A PRESCRIPTION FOR DELIRIUM –– Gabby, a demon hunter cursed with immortality, must join forces with the descendants of Abraham Van Helsing to defeat an ancient evil plaguing a small town.

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Author, K. DE LONG, REAPER –– When an assignment comes between Imogene and Abel, the undead assassins will be pitted against unheard of enemies- including each other.

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Author, SUSAN STEC, PURGATORY –– A myth with no name, no flesh, no sex, and no identity... Unless it wears one of you.

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Author, TERRY SPEAR, FORBIDDEN LOVE –– Huntress Alena's mission: to work uncover a rogue vampire's secretive work, then terminate him. But Ephraim knows Alena is his Elizabeth from an earlier time, and he's determined to return to the past and end her curse before it's too late–again.

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Author, JACQUELINE SWEET, THE WOLF, THE WITCH, AND THE WASTELAND –– Her heart desired the pirate, but her wolf howled for the shifter prince. How could she love two men at once?

  From USA TODAY Bestselling Author, LISA CARLISLE, KNIGHTS OF STONE: MASON –– A forbidden romance between a gargoyle shifter and tree witch on a mystical island.

  From International Bestselling Author, EDEN ASHE, HUNTER UNDONE –– He was her salvation. She would be his downfall.

  From International Bestselling Author, LJ SWALLOW, SOUL TIES –– Hunters sent to capture Keir's Nephilim soul never return, but Ava has no choice. Bring his soul in return for her freedom - or die trying.

  From International Bestselling Author, AMBER ELLA MONROE, WOLF IN EXILE –– A human and a wolf shifter survive exile, but will their love last when the devastating truth that brought them together is uncovered?

  From International Bestselling Author, LAXMI HARIHARAN, AWAKENED –– Armed only with the sexy cop gone rogue Vik Roy, Ruby Iyer must save her city, save her friend, save her soul from total destruction.

  From International Bestselling Author, JOANNE WADSWORTH, HIGHLANDER’S KISS –– Tavish is a Highland warrior shifter who's traveled back through time to find his soul bound mate. Now, he encounters his greatest battle to claim her.

  From International Bestselling Author, CJ FLYNN, THE WATCHER’S DAUGHTER –– A young woman discovers that her grandfather's ramblings of seers and the undead are not creations of his dementia, but the keys to unlocking family secrets long buried.

  From International Bestselling Author, SKYLA MADI, DARK WINGS –– Violet Ashton is an exemplary angel with ninety-nine kills under her belt.

  From International Bestselling Author, C.P. MANDARA, DESIRING DEATH –– Vampire Vs. Huntress. When death is this sexy, resistance is futile.

  From International Bestselling Author, CATHERINE STINE, WITCH OF THE CARDS –– Fiera discovers she's a sea witch, but someone is out to stop her blossoming powers forever. Secrets, lies, even murder, lace this sizzling historical fantasy.

  BENEATH THE BROKEN MOON

  BY SARAH MÄKELÄ

  Copyright © 2015 Sarah Mäkelä

  Carmela struggles to choose between the alpha werewolf she's destined for and the vampire she's enchanted by, but the wrong decision could lead to deadly consequences.

  Werewolf relationships are all about influence and offspring, especially as they are becoming extinct. But Carmela Santiago resents that type of life. She dreams of falling in love, not following the example her parents have set.

  When sensual vampire Derek Ashmore rescues her from dangerous hunters, she tumbles head over heels for him. Not a wise decision since werewolves and vampires are mortal enemies.

  Meeting her caring mate-to-be Brendan Kelly has her further questioning the future. Regardless, her life has forever changed now that she’s met not one, but two men who pull at her heartstrings...

  Beneath the Broken Moon © 2015 Sarah Mäkelä

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

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, without expressed written permission from the author.

  Editor: Word Vagabond

  Cover Artist: Yocla Designs

  Chapter 1

  Carmela

  BULLETS PEPPERED THE big screen of the Teatro de la Noche. Screams rang out around me, and I dropped to the floor, pulling my cousin Chandra down with me. Tension ached in my shoulders, and my heart pounded in my chest like a trapped animal, desperate to escape.

  Gunpowder stung my sensitive nose, but through the overpowering scent, I caught a whiff of a hunter heading our way. “Chandra, we have to move.”

  If Chandra and I didn’t get out of here we’d end up dead—or worse, test subjects for the Cazador—human hunters ordered to scour the land of nocturnes by the plutocratic government.

  “How? They’re all around us.” Chandra peeked over the seats before dropping back down beside me. “A few of them are chasing down those who ran from the first assault, but two more are heading straight for us.” She ran a manicured hand through her honey-brown hair, which was only a shade darker than my own. “Come on. I have a plan. Let’s try to sneak out the side door.” She crawled in the opposite direction, down the row of seats.

  The sight of my cousin’s butt cheeks hanging out of her short skirt filled my vision; some things were better left unseen. I lowered my gaze, particularly since Chandra had forgone panties. She almost always held herself with an air of power and purpose. Perhaps that’s what it took to get attention from other werewolves. Chandra got it in heaps, but her lower social status stopped a lot of relationships.

  While it was a horrible time to second-guess my modest fashion sense, I couldn’t help wonder if I should take a lesson from my cousin. My own blouse and dark blue jeans had much less pizzazz. But I doubted my father would allow me to dress like Chandra; we had a privileged image to uphold.

  I bit my lip, struggling to turn my thoughts back to the problem at hand. This was all too much. How could we get out of here unscathed when the r
oar of gunfire continued to close in?

  We reached the end of the aisle. Chandra moved to glance over the seat, when a shout came from the opposite end, startling us both.

  “Run, Chandra!” I barely kept my voice to a whisper.

  She sprinted toward the bright red exit sign at the front of the theater, and I chased after her, trying to keep my pace natural though her long legs made it challenging. Maybe if they suspected we weren’t nocturnes, they’d leave us alone.

  The stomping of heavy boots on the theater’s plush carpets said otherwise. Then again, they weren’t opposed to taking their fellow humans down too. The very rich in power thrived on oppressing those less fortunate. What better way to keep the populace down than to have their thugs strike whenever possible.

  “We should split up.” Chandra shoved a heavy trashcan in front of the door, but that wouldn’t be much of an obstacle to the pseudo-military bastards.

  “What?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “No way. If we do that, we’ll—” The trashcan scraped the cement as the hunters tried to open the door. Maybe she was right. If we were together, there was a better chance of them catching us both. Alone, we might survive the night.

  I nodded to her, and we took off in opposite directions down the alleyway behind the Teatro. The door slammed open, smacking the wall hard, as I turned the corner and headed toward the main street. I had to find somewhere to hide out before the hunters spotted me again.

  In front of me, another group of Cazador chased a few werewolves down the main road. I slowed to keep my distance from them, but if I didn’t get somewhere fast, they were going to catch me. Ugh. As much as I loved getting out of the house and going to the movies, I wished I’d listened to my instincts tonight and stayed home.

  Two sets of feet pounded the sidewalk behind me. Perhaps they’d spotted me before I reached the corner.

  I picked up speed a little, pumping my arms as I struggled to keep to a human speed while staying out of range. The temptation to race through the streets nearly drove me to action, but I glanced back, seeing my pursuers for the first time.

  One of the men had greying hair and a rounded belly, which explained the slower, heavier footfalls, while the other guy appeared younger and super-athletic. No wonder I was having trouble getting away. If he hadn’t been so scary, he might’ve been attractive. Pure masculine aggression raged through him, tensing his shoulders as his gaze focused solely on me, his prize. Each man carried a large-caliber handgun. I was just glad they were too busy running to try to shoot me...for now, at least.

  My sandal hit an uneven patch of concrete in the sidewalk. My body lurched forward, but I caught myself before I could go down. I should’ve been paying more attention to the street. Up ahead on the opposite side of the road, I spotted a dark alleyway running alongside a row house. If I cut through, I could safely turn up the speed without exposing myself, and lose them.

  The older hunter slowed; his breathing had become increasingly labored. He cocked his revolver’s hammer, and I darted across the empty road, making a beeline for the alley. The last thing I wanted tonight was to see Dr. Matthews. Just a little bit farther. A bullet smacked the ground at my feet, hitting me with fragments of pavement. I bit back a yelp, not wanting to give them the satisfaction of knowing my fear.

  “I got this one, old kook,” the younger hunter grumbled, and his footsteps slowed too.

  Another gunshot pierced the hazy night air. White-hot pain rocked my shoulder, nearly toppling me to the ground. I screamed, unable to hold it in, and picked up speed, no longer caring if I appeared human or not. The faint creak of a door barely registered before a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, jerking me inside the dark row house.

  My rescuer softly shut the door, careful not to make a sound, and shoved a hand over my mouth. “Sshhh,” he whispered. “I won’t hurt you. You’re safe.” His voice was deep, with an English accent. He pulled me away from the door and hunched down in the darkened room, holding me close, waiting and listening.

  Agony clouded my thoughts, but I couldn’t let myself lose focus.

  Footsteps thundered through the side alley. I stiffened at the sound. The hunters’ harsh voices and the clanking of metal were the only differences between them and a herd of cattle. They made no attempt to disguise themselves, taking delight in the fear they provoked. The Cazador weren’t true predators, but they held power over their fellow humans and the weaker of the nocturnes.

  I stayed silent in my mysterious savior’s arms. Thoughts of my cousin Chandra sparked inside my mind. She was still out there. What if the Cazador found her and killed her as they’d tried to kill me?

  This man had saved my life. I needed to do the same for my kin.

  His large hand flexed slightly, crushing my mouth. I placed my hand against his wrist, hoping he’d release me, since I no longer heard the disgusting Cazador who hunted me like an animal. How had I gotten myself into this mess?

  Shifting my weight, I groaned as my shoulder brushed against his smooth chest, my arm hanging limply by my side. The bullet must be impairing my movement. I doubted even shifting into wolf form would fix this right now. What was I supposed to do? Not even my people were immune to blood loss.

  The scent of death crept into my nostrils, which could only mean one thing: my savior was a vampire. In this weakened state, he could easily end my life, and I wouldn’t be able to stop him.

  But why would he save me? Maybe he required his next meal. An icy shiver slithered down the length of my spine. For the first time, I felt real fear.

  If only I’d insisted on returning home from the Teatro sooner instead of catching the night’s second movie, we wouldn’t have been there for the raid. Already my energy waned due to the rocky power of the three raging moons. The added exertion of running from the Cazador and getting shot strained my body even more.

  Somehow, the Cazador had known nocturnes frequented the Teatro. Who would give that kind of information away? Wolves wanted the same pleasures in life that humans desired.

  My savior readjusted his grip on me, brushing against my upper back. I swallowed a scream, unwilling to alert anyone who might be listening outside this man’s home. This vampire’s home. Clenching my teeth, I pulled at the vampire’s wrist. I would not be his victim.

  He remained steadfast, proving my weakness. “Don’t scream. Don’t run. Don’t do anything that would force me to hurt you, because I’ve had a lot of practice.” His crisp voice caressed my ear, and his breath moved tendrils of light brown hair, tickling the flesh on my neck. “Do you understand?”

  While he meant the words as a threat, I couldn’t help the way my body responded to his intensity. I nodded, forcing my thoughts back into place. If he attacked, I needed to remember my Militia training.

  The vampire released me, but he stayed still, as if waiting for my next move.

  Slowly and carefully, I scooted away and turned to face him. My eyes had gradually adjusted to the darkness, allowing me to see more clearly in the dimly lit room than a human would. What a sight he was. I brushed my fingertips over my sore lips.

  Crouching in the shadows, he wore a navy-blue dress shirt with the buttons undone to show off his pale, sculpted chest, and dark jeans that snugly fit his long legs. I’d only seen a few vampires, and none of them had looked this exquisite.