Witches
Be Burned
Magic & Mayhem # 2
Magic & Mayhem # 2
By: Stacey Kennedy
Releasing May 19th, 2015
Loveswept
ABOUT THE BOOK~
In
Stacey Kennedy’s steamy paranormal romance novel, a rookie guardian sworn to
combat the undead risks life and love in a world of violence, witchcraft, and
seduction.
Nexi Jones has lost her family, she’s been stripped of her guardian duties, and she’s still learning the ins and outs of white magic. At least she has Kyden, the smoldering hot elite guardian who’s been there for her every step of the way. But just as Nexi completes her training, tragedy strikes the Otherworld when a fellow guardian is murdered by a group of rogue vampires. Ready or not, she and Kyden trek into the Earthworld to hunt down a killer—and Nexi alone will be put to the ultimate test.
Although Kyden knows that Nexi must fight her own battles, his guardian instincts are raging as he struggles to keep her close. The ruthlessness of these vampires is like nothing he’s ever seen. And at their helm is the Black Witch Astoria, a demon with one burning desire: to shed Nexi’s blood in the name of vengeance. What troubles Kyden even more, though, is the warlock who covets Nexi’s heart. Let the devil do his worst . . . all Kyden can do is love and protect Nexi until his last breath.
Nexi Jones has lost her family, she’s been stripped of her guardian duties, and she’s still learning the ins and outs of white magic. At least she has Kyden, the smoldering hot elite guardian who’s been there for her every step of the way. But just as Nexi completes her training, tragedy strikes the Otherworld when a fellow guardian is murdered by a group of rogue vampires. Ready or not, she and Kyden trek into the Earthworld to hunt down a killer—and Nexi alone will be put to the ultimate test.
Although Kyden knows that Nexi must fight her own battles, his guardian instincts are raging as he struggles to keep her close. The ruthlessness of these vampires is like nothing he’s ever seen. And at their helm is the Black Witch Astoria, a demon with one burning desire: to shed Nexi’s blood in the name of vengeance. What troubles Kyden even more, though, is the warlock who covets Nexi’s heart. Let the devil do his worst . . . all Kyden can do is love and protect Nexi until his last breath.
LINKS~
BUY ME~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Stacey Kennedy is
the USA Today bestselling author of the Club Sin series. Growing up, Stacey’s
mind wandered the path less traveled, and that path most often led to love. She
has always broken rules and she continues to feed off emotion—always staying
true to her heart. Those traits are now the bones of her stories. She lives in
southwestern Ontario with her husband, who puts any of the heroes in her books
to shame, and their two young children. If she’s not on Mom duty or plugging
away at a new story, you’ll find Stacey camping in the summer, hibernating in
the winter, and obsessing over Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones, and Sons of
Anarchy.
AUTHOR LINKS~
EXCERPT~
Arms crossed, and with a glare
firmly fixed on her face, Nexi said, “We. You do mean if we need
him on the case, right?”
Kyden stiffened before he turned
around. His light brown hair hung messily over his forehead, and his tanned
skin gleamed under the light coming from the porch light. Standing a good two
heads above her, he pressed all her on buttons. This man was
gorgeous—perhaps not classically beautiful, but more rough and edgy. Honed
cheekbones, perfect lips, squared chin, he had that charm that bedazzled women.
His light emerald eyes that always sent heat through her blazed in a way that
might scare a weaker guardian. “You don’t need to be here. Go home.”
“Wow. Aren’t I the luckiest gal in
the world?” she retorted with a loud snort. “You are such a romantic.”
Alazar laughed.
Kyden didn’t.
His frown was fierce, as he crossed
his arms over his squared chest. Nexi boldly
inspected his delicious high pecs,
noting how she wouldn’t mind tracing her tongue over them. She slowly lifted
her eyes when he added in a steely voice, “We’ve got this handled. There is no
reason for you to be here.” One determined brow lifted. “Besides, as the
Elite Guardian, it is in my right to force you to go home.”
Nexi sighed, refusing to lose the
staring contest. This issue between them wouldn’t go away. She knew
that, and she also knew she had to lay the smack down soon. Yes, only three
months had passed since Lazarus had nearly killed them, but enough was enough.
If the Council thought she was ready to return to her job, then she was.
’Nuff said.
Ignoring Kyden’s dismay, she turned
to Alazar. “What do we have?”
“Newly made vampire gone rogue,”
Alazar replied, glancing between her and Kyden.
vampires are my specialty.”
A specialty she suspected Kyden
wished she didn’t have. He might want her safe and
protected in the Otherworld, but she
needed a damn purpose to keep moving forward. Most of all, she needed to stop
thinking of everyone she lost at the hands of an evil vampire and wishing she
could somehow bring them back.
Six months ago, after her mortal
family had been murdered, she’d left her human life behind to work for the
Council’s Guard—which was fine and she accepted it. But Kyden needed to accept
it, too.
“Are we going, then?” Alazar asked
tightly, staring solely at the guardian in front of Nexi, exuding irritation.
She’d had enough of Kyden’s
protectiveness. “Which way?” Alazar pointed to the left, and Nexi started
walking. “See, this is us going.”
Kyden cursed.
She held back her chuckle and then
embraced the silence that fell between them as they strode along Salt Lake
City’s dark and dreary streets. Alazar eventually punched forward, leading the
way, still in human form, sniffing the air. The only time a werewolf tracker
shifted into his fur was when the scent was weak. Since Alazar hadn’t, that
meant there was a good chance they’d find this vampire.
This part of the city was likely
full of activity during daylight hours, but being two in the morning, the roads
were empty, with a few cars passing. Nexi decided then and there that she
preferred the quiet. It meant innocent humans were safe. Though if a mortal
were to pass by them right now, the human’s eye wouldn’t see the leather kilts
and swords on their backs, they’d see typical earthly clothes. Only
supernaturals saw their true forms due to a magical glamour placed on their
clothing.
With each and every step, she shoved
the rest of the annoyance away. Kyden might object to her being there, but he wasn’t
stopping it, either. And she knew part of his objection was because she was so new
to his world. She had been living as a human just a short time ago.
Nexi had already had one vampire targeting her because of her uniqueness and
the rich power in her blood. And more than likely she’d probably have to face
that all over again.
Alazar darted down a few more
streets before he finally stopped. He pointed to a building on his right. “The
vamp’s scent is strong in there. I suspect he’s inside.”
Nexi looked at the Starbucks that
had been long closed for the night. “He’s inside the coffee shop?”
“I believe so.” Alazar angled his
head back and took a deep sniff of the dry air. “But I suspect that”—he looked
to the sidewalk—“he’s in a basement. His scent is beneath us.”
Kyden groaned.
Nexi understood completely—if they
entered the building, the alarms would sound. Mortal cops getting into the mix
of a vampire in the throes of bloodlust was bad news.
“He must’ve gotten in somehow
without setting off the security system,” Kyden said, voice tight, indicating
his annoyance at Nexi remained. “Let’s find out where and go in the same way.”
“Awesome plan,” Nexi said,
disregarding Kyden’s gruffness. She wouldn’t tiptoe around this problem
anymore.
Kyden’s long-suffering sigh slid
through the dark night.
Alazar’s mouth twitched, clearly
hiding his smile. “Call me if you need anything.” He retreated down the street
in the opposite direction.
Nexi turned to Kyden and grinned,
eyeing her sexy beast of a man, spotting the flares of irritation in his
bedroom eyes. She knew he wasn’t angry with her, but was fearful of losing her.
Her heart warmed, of course it did, but even if their love was strong and
solid, that didn’t mean she wouldn’t do her job.
“Ready?” she asked.
“I’m not sure how I can manage to
both love and hate your willfulness, but that seems to be the case.” Kyden’s
mouth flattened. “Let’s go.”
She blew him a kiss for that one.
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