Forbidden Embers

Table of Contents

 

 

“Written in a compelling voice,
Dark Embers
introduces a sexy and intriguing new world. I’m looking forward to seeing where Tessa Adams takes her dragons next.”

—Nalini Singh,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Archangel’s Consort

 

“
Dark Embers
is a blistering-hot, fast-paced adventure that will leave readers breathless. Dylan and Phoebe have great chemistry and a romantic story that will captivate you and keep you turning pages long into the night. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series!”

—Anya Bast,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Jeweled

 

“This darkly seductive tale will have you longing for a dragon of your very own.”

—Shiloh Walker, national bestselling author of
Veil of Shadows

 

“A fantastic debut to a new erotic paranormal series that will take you on a scorching-hot adventure and leave you wanting more.”

—Among the Muses

 

“If you’re looking for a fast paranormal read featuring suspense, hot shifters, and even hotter sex, then look no further.”

—Smexy Books Romance Reviews

 

“A wonderful shape-shifter tale.”—

ALSO BY TESSA ADAMS

HEAT
Published by New American Library,
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices:
80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 

First published by Heat, an imprint of New American Library,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

 

First Printing, October 2011

Copyright © Tracy Deebs-Elkenaney, 2011

All rights reserved

 

HEAT is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:

 

Adams, Tessa.
Forbidden embers: a dragon’s heat novel/Tessa Adams.
p. cm.—(Dragon’s heat; 3)

ISBN : 978-1-101-54498-3

I. Title.
PS3623.O57F67 2011
813’.6—dc22 2011020487
Set in Minion Pro

 

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are 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.

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A
s always, there are so many people to thank-at NAL and at home.

First off, I have to thank my amazing, wonderful, fabulous editor, Jhanteigh Kupihea, who is incredible to work with and who always has time for me, no matter how small the question or crazy the idea. You’re the best, Jhanteigh, and I am so grateful to have you.

I also must thank everyone at NAL who helps create such amazing books for me. I am so lucky to write for such a wonderful, talented house.

Thank you to Shellee Roberts and Emily McKay for the fun, companionship and chocolate cake. Not to mention all the emergency brainstorming sessions, when I was certain I wouldn’t find the way to Logan and Cecily’s HEA.

As always, thanks to Emily Sylvan Kim, who truly is the best agent and friend anyone could ever ask for.

And to my fans, thanks so much for your enthusiasm for this series. I appreciate all your e-mails and encouragement and suggestions more than I can ever say.

H
e was dreaming. He knew it, understood it, yet could do noth ing to wake himself up.

In the world of his mind’s creation, it was already too late. But then, it always was. Part and parcel of his gift, these little trips into dreamland were his psyche’s way of foretelling the future. His future. And as the dreams were never wrong, he knew within a few minutes of falling asleep exactly what he had to do.

Even as the
idea
came to him—even as he continued to sleep—Logan Kelly searched for a way around it.

But there was none, just as he’d known all along. Better minds than his had been working on this for months now. Years. All to no avail. The thought that had snuck into his dreams, and expanded until it already felt like reality, really was the only rational solution.

That didn’t mean he had to like it.

As he slept, the walls and ceiling of the cave seemed to be closing in on him, the stalactites closer and sharper than they had ever been before. Without conscious thought, he reached up and broke off one of the very sharp ones and shoved it into his pocket before using a burst of preternatural speed to go outside.

Under the stars.

Amid the sand and cacti.

In the middle of the desert that had become more of a home to him than the rolling green hills of Ireland had ever been.

The thought destroyed him, made him dizzy. Nauseated. Not the knowledge that he’d forsaken Ireland, but the sudden recognition that he would soon be forsaking the endless caves and deserts of New Mexico, as well. And with it the only men and women he’d ever considered friends. Family.

Bending over, he braced his hands on his knees and sucked huge, gulping breaths of air deep into his lungs. One after another, until the world around him stopped spinning. One after another, until the burst of short-lived panic receded.

I will do this for them,
he told himself,
because I am the only one who can.
That realization was enough to steady him, when just moments before he’d been certain that nothing would ever be able to do so again.

Unable to bear his thoughts—his own stillness—for one second more, he began to walk. Around him, the desert teemed with life. Night predators searching out prey. Prey searching out new and better hiding spots. In the distance, an owl swept down toward the still-warm sand at an amazing speed. Seconds later, a small animal squealed in pain.