Pandora's Ring (16 page)

Eli took the knife, studying Francis.
 
The other man was certain, that he could see. “How many?” “More than twenty thousand,” Francis said, smiling. “You’ll have her whipped.”

Eli nodded, and thenclosed his eyes. “Thanks, Francis.”

“Give that bitch hers.” Francis growled. “See you on the inside.”

Not allowing himself to think about it too hard, Eli leaned forward onto the knife and slid it between Francis’s ribs. Francis gasped and stiffened immediately. Eli gritted his teeth, waiting for the torrent of souls as Samantha had experienced only a few days previous, but it never came. There was just a gentle shift, as if one rope were being woven into another, and then, without any fanfare, Eli felt a million things click at once. It didn’t hurt, or even shock. It was rather like the pleasant tingle of feathers up his spine. The world was so much
wider.

He stood and walked to where Samantha was fending Cyrene off. Cyrene whirled to smash him as before, but he caught the hand. “You made a miscalculation, Cyrene,” he rumbled, and tossed her away.

Samantha stared with wide eyes, stopping dead . “Eli?”

He nodded.

Cyrene scrambled to her feet as her crow fluttered away from Hammy’s remains and to her shoulder. She stared at them with narrowed eyes as Samantha reached out and stroked Eli’s arm in wonder. “I see.” Cyrene finally growled. “So that’s how it is.”

Eli nodded. “That’s how it is,” he repeated. “I suppose we’ll be seeing you later.”

“I’m not stupid like you two,” she snarled, and turned. The crow squawked, and they disappeared.

Eli snaked an arm around Samantha’s waist, looking around. The cornfield was destroyed. A smoldering mass lay where Hammy had been. “Damn good dog.”

“What happened?” Samantha asked.

“Francis.” Eli gestured behind him, where Francis’s body lay. “He’ll dissolve in a few minutes.”

Samantha swallowed, looking up at him again. “So you have him?”

“And Hammy,” Eli smiled down at her.

“You’re taller” she said.

“Maybe you’re shorter,” he replied with a smile. “Is it okay?”

Her lip trembled, and she threw her arms around him. Where they had reached all the way around before, now her fingers could hardly touch around his chest. “More than okay,” she whispered, weeping. “More than okay. Let’s go.”

Kaitlin R. Branch

Kaitlin graduated from college for Biology, taught English in South Korea, briefly entertained a stint as a zookeeper, and finally decided that after all she wanted to write books.
 
It just so happens that she married a man who had the same idea.
 
She loves to read mysteries, but writes romance and high fantasy.
 
Go figure.
 
She also happens to be completely wild about Greek myth, which might explain a bit about The Cinereal Series.

You can find Kaitlin and her Husband, Michael, at
www.kaitlinandmichaelbranch.com
and on twitter with @theatheleseries.

Valeria

Sometimes, ya just gotta let your hair down.

Mache Harcming is an airfoil pilot having a bad day.
 
Forced to make an emergency landing on an unmarked dirigible, he discovers a genius inventor, Valeria.
 
She is beautiful, fascinating, and unlike any woman he has ever known before.
 
Sheís also dangerous.
 
Mache is certain f the CEO of her company, Elthgo Inc., discovers his presence aboard her aircraft, he will die.

But Valeria begs him to stay. And stay he does, hiding in the vents of the airship whenever the CEO visits.
 
How can he refuse such a beautiful woman?
 
More importantly, how long will the ruse last before he's found out?

WARNING: Brief torture scene.
 

Sword’s Blessing

Cinecreal, #2

Can she find the strength to love without fear?

Giselle and Armand were born within months of each other, died within minutes of each other, and ascended to be angels in the same moment. They have always been together, and will be for the rest of their existences. Or so Giselle thinks.

The two angels are sent on a mission to find a rogue damned and an in-betweener. But a run-in with another damned nearly kills Armand, and though he survives, his memory does not. Giselleís faith in her station and her love are shaken to the foundations.

Giselle is faced with a terrible choice. Stay with the man who barely recognizes her, or have faith in the love they shared in days past?

CONTENT WARNING: Suggestion of molestation, threat of rape.

Lyrical Press books are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2013 Kaitlin R. Branch

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

First Electronic Edition: May 2013

ISBN-13: 9781616504618