Ravaged, page 1
part #2 of Oblivion Series
Ravaged
Oblivion Series - Book 2
Barb Shuler
RAVAGED (The Oblivion Series; Book 2 )
© Copyright 2018 Barbara Shuler
Published by Barbara Shuler
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction which is only recommended for those 18 and older due to violence, strong language and adult content. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), places or actual events is purely coincidental.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Cover Design by: Madhat Books
Edited by: Mindy Seal & Emily Maynard
Formatted By: Tattered Quill Designs
Other Books by Barb Shuler
Shattered Lives Series
My Own Nightmare
Somewhere I Belong
Shatter Me Whole
Sparks Of Deception
Living In Your Hell
Edge of Danger
The Cowboy Way Series
Wrangled By Love
A Rescue Series Novella
A Marshal’s Courage
Her Savior
Flashpoint
Primal Darkness
Harmony Duets
Finding Harmony
Through The Eyes Of Madness
(Co-written with KA Graham)
Shifting Shadows
The Oblivion Series
Shifted
Anthologies
The Parlour: All Access - Ultimate Control
Coloring Books
Shaded With Love: A coloring Book for a Cause Volume 5
Cooking With Love: Shaded With Love Volume 6
For everyone who fears the changes inside of themselves; embrace the change.
Dare to be different.
Dare to be you!
Acknowledgments
My team deserves so much praise for helping make this book happen! I’d be lost without you all!!
My beta readers (Mindy Seal, Kelly Graham, Jade Lindaas, Emily Maynard, Laura Nelson, Annamarie Gardner), editors, and my awesome formatter, Annie, thank you. You are all the reason I can do what I do. Without you, I’d be the chick running from the killer bear in the woods. Haha
I owe a special thank you (again) to Author Jen Winters who helped with the latin needed at times in this book.
Thank you to Shari J Ryan, my cover designer. This cover - as with the others - you nailed the vision I was needing! You did an awesome job.
With each new break in the mirror, your true self emerges.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
RAVAGED ~ PLAYLIST
About the Author
Prologue
The last few months have been a whirlwind of new things for me. My father, Alexander, has been promising me for years that he would build me a barn so that I could get a horse, or two. In truth, he probably only agreed because he felt guilty. He and I have moved several times between the various houses he owns to keep me safe and hidden from anyone wishing to do me harm.
Our home in the mountains of Canada has the best memories for me. We have not been here since I was about six. I feel like a princess in this big house. Not to mention the fantastic views around us. Woods, mountains and the array of wildlife that I can spot from my reading bench in the bay window upstairs, is amazing.
I spend a lot of my time reading, diving into the worlds of others. Why? Well, my father is a vampire, but not just any vampire. He is a prince, or at least he was born a prince. I had been told long ago that my father had relinquished his title for reasons he wouldn’t discuss with me. He said that he would explain it all to me when I was older. Of course, that never happened because, in my father’s eyes, I will forever be the little girl playing with dolls, too innocent for the ugly truth. Even so, being a member of the royal family should mean castles and people to do your bidding - not that I want that - but for him, it’s the opposite. It means hiding and keeping your loved ones, namely me, safe and alive.
I’ve heard the stories. Father and his brothers, Trenton and Bart, have all gone into hiding. Their mates were all killed and their evil, malicious uncle crowned himself asis now the reigning king of the vampire race, which has caused an uproar. This means that for the last twelve years we have stayed out of sight and kept to our quiet little space, always staying two steps ahead of our enemies.
I am Alexander’s only daughter, his only heir, and that means that Daddy has always taken this whole protection thing a little too far. Sometimes it’s worse than others. Like, he got me a nanny, though he calls her a handmaiden. Which means she’s here to help me if I need it.
She’s a warden… though I have learned how to slip away from her quite easily.
However, there are rules set into place that I’m expected to follow. I’m not allowed to go into town, or anywhere else, alone. I’m not allowed to wander off deep into the woods like I long to. I’m not allowed to let anyone in the house, ever. There is a safe room on both floors of the house in the event that something bad happens.
It’s scary, but it’s my life. These things have been told to me over and over again...
Everytime I dared to try to break one of the rules, I got caught. My father, the big loveable crazy man, just knows things. It’s a talent or gift of his. It’s a curse for me. He always knows where I am and what I’m doing. I can’t even skip a rock on the water of the creek a few miles from the house without him knowing the size, shape and color of the rock. So, I do my part as the good little dutiful daughter and keep to the grounds around the house.
Usually….
One day, I had to get away. I needed to breath. I needed air and I was sick of looking at the walls of this house. So… I did what I wasn’t supposed to do. I went to town by myself.
Daddy didn’t call me on it, so I didn’t think of the consequences of it. Well, I did, but I was distracted on my way back home. That day, my innocent trip into town to pick up more books to read was when I met Demetrius. He and I collided in a rush of arms and books. Totally my fault, but it happened nonetheless.
From then on I would spot him here and there whenever I went into town with Daddy, which wasn’t often, as he wasn’t home a lot. His work kept him on the go, which made for a lonely house as I got older.
I’d even seen him a few times in the woods around the property. Sorena, my handmaiden, or warden - depending on which mood she woke up in - found him in the barn one night. They argued loudly enough that it drew me outside. That was when I found out the truth about the hunky, kind-eyed, Irishman.
He wasn’t what he seemed. He had been lying to me the whole time.
“You’re here to keep her safe, not to be traipsing around the woods where she can see you!” Sorena’s voice dripped with menace.
I was able to slip closer to the partially opened door without drawing their attention. My gaze landed on Sorena, hands on her hips, glaring up at Demetrius. He, in turn,was glaring back at her.
“Aye, I am here to protect her. I will do that how I see fit, lass.”
“Dontcha be lassin’ me , boy!” The growl that left her lips made him go wide-eyed.
“You will not push me away from my mate. There is a connection there. You hear me? I am not leaving her.”
“Alex will not be happy with this.”
“You let me deal with Alex. He can’t deny me my mate.”
Mate?
I was trying to be stealthy and push myself closer to the door, but me being me, I tripped over the pail by the door. For a half vampire chick, I suck at the whole walking and not falling thing. I shrieked and crashed into the barn door, slamming it shut. This, of course, drew their attention to my presence.
It also starts a fight between Demetrius and I.
I was devastated... and left him to be, alone.
I wanted nothing to do with him or his lies… I tried to stay firm, but I was drawn back to him. I just couldn’t do it, I couldn’t not be with him. He called to me, deep down in my soul. Though, that didn’t mean it wasn’t hard.
When Demetrius and my father were taken to the King, I secretly followed, with the help of my “guards”. Yeah, see, I might just be a girl. I might just be a vampire hybrid - who trips over air - but I don’t let anyone hurt my family. No matter how pissed off at him I was, I’d not let him or my father be hurt by anyone.
It was after we left the castle that the stress of everything unleashed something in me.<
It was on that day that I learned I was so much more than what I had been told.
It was then that my life took on a whole new meaning.
1
Demetrius
“For the love... What is that thing?” I asked, dumbfounded. I had to let out a low chuckle.
“What does it look like? It’s a puppy. Are your eyes going bad, old man?” Mari shot back at me, a laugh falling from her lips as she carried the biggest ball of fur and feet to the front of the house we were in.
How had I let her con me into this? Oh yes, her father disappeared again. She needed something to distract her from the constant changes. After her birthday last month things have been… off.
She was so sad. It’s the only way to get my sweet, yet hard-headed mate, to smile again. My mate was nothing if not determined and stubborn when she needed to be. She wanted a dog. So, I agreed. However, that thing she was carrying - haphazardly, mind you - was not a dog, it was a small horse.
We had driven west for three hours to pick this dog up from some woman who bred them. Why? Because this is what Mari wanted. I had to keep reminding myself of that.
“I’m naming him Thor. He’ll be the best dog on the planet.”
“Thor?” I gave her a quizzical look.
“Yes. He’s a Giant Alaskan Malamute. He is going to be huge, so Thor is a good name. He will-”
“No a good name would be Hulk, or Kong, or-” I was cut off when she growled.
I gave her another look. Was she testy, or was this her magic about to show again? I really hoped it was just her being testy.
“Stop making that face, you look constipated,” she huffed as we walked out of the house and towards the car.
I glared. “I do not, ya hush ya mouth, woman.”
“Ooh.. I’m scared of the big bad vampire...”
She had the nerve to laugh.
I narrowed my eyes and growled softly. Least this was a good sign that she was in control.
She loved to tease me, and God love her, I loved it too. I followed her out to the car and helped her get the dog, or small horse, whatever ya want to call it, in the back seat. There was a crate for its ride that was strapped in and all. Ugh!
“Can we go now, before someone sees us shoving that monster in a cage?”
“Stop being a jerk, Demetrius Cavanaugh!”
She turned to glare, her hands on her hips. I grinned. I loved seeing that spark in her, one that said she was pissed. I pulled her to me and shut the door. I pushed her back against the car and growled against her lips.
“I like it when you get feisty.”
She was tempted to fight me. I could feel it. I wanted it and she knew that. She always knew just what I wanted. Today was no different but instead, after a moment of her eyes darting around, she relaxed into me. I leaned down and let my mouth claim hers. A growl escaped us both as I pressed her harder into the car. Moments later she pushed against my shoulders. When our lips parted she was panting. I met her gaze as my fingers ran softly down her pinkened cheek.
“I love you,” she whispered.
I grinned down at her.
“Aye, I love you, too, Acushla.”
There was a woof from inside the car and I raised a brow. “Saints...”
“Don’t you dare finish that, mister.”
“Ya know he’s going to be a lot to handle, right? I’m not cleaning up his puddles or anything else, that’s all on you.”
She swatted my arm. I chuckled, kissed her again, and moved to open her door. Once she was inside I moved around and got in. In a few hours we would be home and introducing the poor monster of a dog to Sorena… she was not going to like this one bit. That thought made me smile wider.
“Deeeeeeeeem!”
I heard my name roll across the yard, accompanied by loud barking and a shriek. I cursed, dropped the axe I had mid-swing to the chopping block and ran for the barn. I knew that shriek. It would be comical if not for the consequences of what followed. I heard the back door slam. Sorena ran across the yard, heading for the barn.
I flung the door open, took two steps and moved up the ladder to the second floor loft. The stairs would have taken too long.
“What.. the…?” My words trailed off as I came to a sudden stop.
“Sweet heavens…”
Sorena gasped and I moved slowly towards Mari, my hands up in a placating manner.
“We heard screaming? What the...”
Both Kristos and Jocelyn raced up the stairs, their golden irises gleaming bright. Their beasts were on the surface. I held up a hand and waved them back. If they burst in here with glowing eyes and sprouting fur, Mari would freak out.
I gave them a hard look and turned my attention back to my mate. I could see from here that she was shaking. The purple arc of power flowing from her made my skin tingle.
“Lass, I need ya to look at me,” I spoke softly. She stood there speechless, her hands held out before her as small arcs of purple danced across her fingers. “Mari, love, look at me!” I spoke a little stronger this time.
“I- why is this happening?”
“Marissa, I need ya to look at me. Please, love.”
Her eyes came up and met mine.
I moved closer to her, my eyes never wavering from hers.
“That’s it, love. Remember what happened last time?”
She nodded.
“I’m going to take ya hand and we are going to make it stop. Try to relax for me, okay?”
“O-okay?”
She didn’t sound at all reassured by this, but I would get her to calm down. The barking coming from Thor was making my eyes twitch.
“Sorena, can you take the dogs outside for me, just in case?”
I heard a growl from behind me and shook it off. Kristos and Jocelyn were not worth the jousting this time. I turned to see Sorena grab Thor’s collar, a smirk pulling at her lips.
“Sure thing. You take care of our girl!” she ordered.
“Always.”
I turned back to face my girl. I moved forward, slowly, so I didn’t freak Mari out. This was going to hurt like a mother, as I had learned the first time it happened, but it was the only way to calm her. I needed to touch her. To let her feel that I was really here.
I took a shaky breath and reached for her hands. The zing of energy that shot through me mademe lock my jaw to bite back a growl.
Fuck that hurt!
If I showed any signs of pain she would freak out even more and, with the way things run around here, the barn would lose it’s roof… or worse. My grip tightened as she shook. I pulled her closer, taking in more of her energy. My bones felt like they were rattling but I would not let her go.
“Easy, love, I’ve got ya.”
“I can’t…”
“You can. I’ve got you. Take a calming breath. In and out.”
It took a few minutes but she finally started to calm down. Her heart rate slowed, as did her breathing. Finally, I felt her body slump against mine. I moved to sit on the blankets under us. I brushed her hair from her face and kissed her temple. These episodes always pulled all of the energy out of her.
“Can you tell me what happened, love?”
I ran my fingers along her check gently as I looked down at her. Her gaze moved to meet mine and she nodded.
“I was reading, I guess I fell asleep… I had a dream…”
“What kind of dream?”
She let out a heavy sigh. I moved my arms to pull her tighter against me.
“The castle… we were at the castle. It was the day you and Daddy were there. He… he killed you both.”
