Beastly Desires: Lords of Penumbra Syndicate 2, page 1
Beastly Desires
Lords of Penumbra Syndicate 2
Cassia Briar
Copyright © 2021 by Cassia Briar
Wednesday Ink, LLC
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover design by Fantasia Cover Designs
Lords of Penumbra Syndicate Series
Captive Beauty
Beastly Desires
Brazen Hearts
Contents
1. Emma
2. Lucas
3. Emma
4. Cade
5. Emma
6. Zane
7. Emma
8. Lucas
9. Emma
10. Cade
11. Emma
12. Zane
13. Emma
14. Emma
15. Emma
16. Emma
17. Emma
18. Cade
19. Emma
20. Emma
21. Emma
22. Lucas
23. Emma
24. Zane
25. Emma
26. Lucas
27. Emma
28. Emma
29. Lucas
30. Emma
31. Emma
32. Cade
Authors Note
Acknowledgments
Brazen Hearts - Blurb
About the Author
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Also by Cassia Briar
For Jay,
Your support
means everything.
Love you.
1
Emma
Snippets of memory, more like sensations, leaked through my consciousness. I’d been dragged, then carried for a while, until I was roughly dropped to the ground. My body crumpled onto the smooth concrete. Voices echoed in a long corridor as lights flickered overhead. A door closed on quiet hinges and the lock audibly clicked into place. Silence followed. The lack of sound was almost smothering.
My eyelids fluttered open. I lay on my stomach, head turned to one side, a cool hardness pressed against my cheek. At first, all I saw was the expanse of the concrete floor merging into a wall of the same material. The space was illuminated by dim lights in the ceiling.
My head hurt like a son of a bitch and even the meager light shot splitting pain through my temples. I cringed away from the assault. Shielding my eyes with one arm, I hauled myself up to a seated position on the floor.
The room was about ten feet in all directions—a concrete cage—except for the partial wall of glass beside the door. I gazed out at a wide grey corridor, my only view from this vantage point. Inside, the room held a metal framed cot with a thin mattress and even thinner blanket. No pillow. In a far corner was a toilet with a tiny sink attached to the wall.
Apparently, the hunters were going to keep me here for a while. I pushed that thought from my mind.
How the fuck was I going to get out of here? They’d taken my wand. My brother had… turned on me, handed me over to 5th Circle, and Forrest—the sadistic bastard. My headache worsened as I tried to sort out all of that, especially Orion… A half-sob escaped my throat. Why had he betrayed me? What the fuck was going on?
I groaned. My mouth was dry. I needed water.
Using the wall for support, I gained my footing and went to the sink. The faucet was too low and tiny to angle my face under. I’d have to scoop water into my palms to drink. My hands were grimy, so I decided to wash them first. I twisted the knobs, finding that both produced cold water. Once my hands were somewhat dirt free, I cupped mouthfuls of water and slurped them down. The cool elixir coated my tongue, soothed my throat, and spread in my abdomen.
Next, I washed my face. One side of my head was tender where I’d landed on that rock while trying to get away in my backyard. I rinsed the area with frigid water. Red rivulets streamed into the sink from the wound. All of it was from dried, crusty blood.
I felt a bit more refreshed afterward and my headache eased. Leaning both hands on the edge of the sink, I blew out a long breath. The hunters had caught me. This was my worst fucking nightmare come to life.
At least I didn’t have to worry about Orion. He seemed plenty safe, even at home, with 5th Circle—the dark witches who’d hunted us for the past seven years. He’d found new friends, and I’d landed in hell.
A high-pitched giggle escaped my lips. Ah fuck, I’m losing my shit.
I turned and let my gaze wander the cell. There had to be a way out of here because I was not going to die like this. Not now, when I finally had a purpose that extended beyond keeping me and Orion safe. I wanted to learn about hybrids. I was half wolf, for fuck’s sake! I needed to find others like me if there were any others.
I needed to get out of here.
The only part of this room that seemed vulnerable was the glass wall. A perk I’d found from being part wolf was extra strength. Though I suspected the glass was several inches thick, and probably made from some kind of indestructible material, but I had to test that theory. Right?
One, two, three. I sprinted to the glass wall and shoved my shoulder forward to take the impact. My body bounced off of it like a bug off a windshield. I writhed in pain on the floor, holding my arm against my chest.
Fuck, fuck, fuck! Yeah, that had been a brilliant idea. I rolled my eyes.
The cell door swung open, and I froze. Forrest’s icy blue eyes, under his shaggy brown hair, pinned me in place. He closed the door behind him and leaned back against it, surveying me.
“We imprison hybrids in here, Emma,” his voice rasped. “Did you really think even an inch of this cell would be vulnerable to any kind of strength or magic?” He shook his head, as if he were disappointed in my underestimating him.
I scrambled away from him and stood. The tightness of the scar on my left palm was a reminder of the pain he liked to inflict. I thought I’d killed this bastard back at the mansion. I’d stabbed him in the neck. There’d been blood everywhere, but it hadn’t been enough to end his life. If I ever got another chance to kill him, I’d make sure to do it properly—and thoroughly.
“And, since you’re a pup who has never shifted,” he started, “you haven’t even come into your full wolf shifter strength. And you never will.” He lifted one hand, showing me a pair of metal cuffs.
“What are those?” I asked. What did they have to do with wolves?
“These,” he twirled the cuffs, “are a relic from the days of the Tromara. You see, when I put these on you, all your magic and other supernatural abilities will be suppressed. Gone. Genius, really.” He stepped forward. “Since we don’t want you shifting at the full moon, or any other surprises, you’ll wear these now.”
“No, I won’t.” I lifted my chin.
Forrest smiled. “Oh, yes, you will.”
I backed away, scurrying around the cot. If the Tromara—those despicable creatures who once ruled over us—had created those cuff things, I didn’t want them anywhere near me. To even think that 5th Circle was using tools left from the Tromara… such hypocrisy. The Tromara had been abominations in their own way, unnatural. The very thing 5th Circle claimed to want to wipe from this earth.
Forrest advanced on me, and I retreated until my back hit the concrete wall. I crossed my arms, hiding my wrists to protect them. Forrest slammed his fist into my stomach, and I doubled over, gasping. He brought his knee up and hit me again. I slid down the wall to the floor, tears blurring my vision, my mouth open and gasping for air.
“I owe you for the last time we did this little dance.” He kicked me in the ribs. “For stabbing me—twice.” Forrest’s boot connected with my ribcage again.
My breath caught as agony exploded in my side. With a long groan, I curled into a ball, trying to protect myself from further attacks.
The sadistic bastard kicked my lower back, and I arched. He yanked my hair and when I reached for his hand with both of mine, he slipped the open cuffs around my wrists and closed them with a click.
A muting sensation spread over my skin. It went deeper, through my muscles, then settled into my bones. The world around me dulled further, sound dampened, and my strength fled.
I was a prisoner in my own body.
Forrest spat on the floor near my head, then released my hair. “You don’t deserve a quick death, you little bitch.” He kicked me again. “You’re going to pay.”
All the fight left me. I whimpered, curled up on the floor, and breathed through the pain. I knew what he was going to do to me—the same thing he’d been trying to do last time. He’d carve into my flesh. He’d slice off my skin in strips, flay me, and make me beg for death.
Last time, he’d promised I’d be made an example of for any other hybrids who thought they could outrun 5th Circle. The fact that I’d fought him, almost killed him, was sure to fuel his rage. No, this time would be far worse. Unless I escaped. My only other option was to push him, poke at his rage, until he overdid it and killed me by accident. I sure hoped reanimation wasn’t in his black magic spell book, because I didn’t want to come back once this was over.
“By the time I’m done with you, you’ll know your place, you filth.” He strode to the door and let himself out.
I sighed in relief, which was cut short by the agony that blossomed in my ribs. I swallowed a cry of pain. Forrest liked to hear me scream. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.
Time warped and blurred. I was given bread once a day, I thought. It was difficult to tell with the constant artificial light and no time indicators. All I knew was my stomach ached with emptiness between meals.
Forrest came in several more times to torment me. He hadn’t brought out his knives yet. Instead, he seemed content to crack my ribs and dig his booted toe into my sides until I cried out. He’d only leave once I was a whimpering pile of crumpled pain on the floor.
Once alone, my mind would slip away from the aftermath, calling forth images of Lucas and Zane, mostly. Remembered conversations, touches, and emotions floated through my trauma-hazed brain. I thought of the sexually charged chess games with the dominating, lustful vampire, and of the black ink tattoos I’d once glimpsed on his forearms, and how he’d called my scars beautiful.
Lucas’s musky pine scent teased my memory. I released a shuddering sigh, aching on the hard floor, remembering how I’d felt safe with him, even though his wolf was always so close to the surface. He was wildness and violence. He was home.
At one point, I startled awake, swearing I heard the sorrowful melodies of Cade’s piano. But it vanished, leaving me with only the hum of the overhead lights.
How I craved his massive form and brute strength. Even though he’d invaded my privacy—my mind—and had threatened to bury my body in the woods, I didn’t think I hated him. He’d protected me during the fight at the mansion when Eclipse and 5th Circle had attacked Penumbra Syndicate. Him doing so, and killing Garrett, left me feeling floaty and warm inside.
I was drawn to all their violent natures. Their ferociousness cocooned me in a blanket of protection. Was I crazy for equating aggressive, feral men with safety? Probably. But I didn’t care. It was the truth.
Another truth? I never should have left those three beastly men. Regret was cruel company.
2
Lucas
When I started my search for Emma, I’d immediately gone to Bryon Vexx’s house in Seattle. He was the leader of 5th Circle and, since they were still hunting her, he’d know where she was last seen.
Of course, I couldn’t show up empty-handed, even though all I wanted to do was break down Vexx’s door, get the information I needed, then slaughter them all. Payback. Instead, Zane had worked up an offer to try to sway 5th Circle away from their alliance with Eclipse and back to us—back to Penumbra. He wouldn’t let me begin my search until he had all the details in order. For all the good it did.
I showed up at Vexx’s mansion and the fucker refused to let me enter the grounds. He wouldn’t hear me out and threatened to dispose of me if I turned up on his doorstep again. So much for that idea.
Next on my list of places to check out was Emma’s most recent address, a farmhouse in Olympia. I hadn’t checked there first because I knew she wouldn’t stick around. It was too dangerous with 5th Circle hunting her, and they knew about the house. How could they not?
I parked my Harley in front and cut the engine. The house had seen better days—white paint peeled to expose weathered, grey wood beneath, a couple of shutters missing, and the porch was a deathtrap. All around, looming evergreens shielded the dilapidated structure from its neighbors. I inhaled the scent of wet pine, dirt, and the faintest whiff of rosebuds and honey—Emma. She had come here, but as I’d expected, she hadn’t lingered.
Avoiding the rotting porch, I strode around to the backyard, peering into windows as I went. The house was dark. That, mixed with the stale scents, told me no one had been here in a couple of days.
If I didn’t turn up any leads here, I’d be headed south to Oregon and Academy Obscura. School would be back in session soon, if it wasn’t already, and Orion should be there. Hopefully, I’d find his sister there too, though, again, Vexx would have the same thought.
Damn. I wished I knew Emma better—understood how her mind worked. Better yet, I should have fucking marked her and mated with her when I had the chance. Then I’d be able to at least sense her presence and emotions. There’d be a connection between my essence and hers. If—when—I got her back, I’d set this right and mark her as mine.
On entering the backyard, I inhaled deeply, then stiffened when numerous scents assaulted my nose. Chief among them was a newly familiar smokey-herb odor. It belonged to the witch who’d hurt my mate, who’d tried to kill her in the attic, right under our noses. A growl rumbled in my chest.
Forrest had been here. So had Orion and several others. Emma’s lingering smell was as faded as theirs, which made my blood roar in my ears. 5th Circle had her. They’d taken her from here. No, that couldn’t be right.
I sniffed around the rest of the grounds. She could have teleported away when they came upon her. She could have escaped. I clung to hope until I found a good-size rock with blood smears. Emma’s scent was stronger there. It was half protected from the rain by the house’s wide eaves.
Wherever she was, she was hurt, and possibly taken prisoner.
I raked a hand through my rain-soaked hair and pulled out my phone. It was time to call in some help. With a few thumb strokes, I sent a text to our informants all across the country. The local ones were part of Penumbra. The rest were hired on, either when needed, or when they picked up rumors of the enchantress’s activities. Someone, somewhere, would get a lead on Emma.
Unless 5th Circle had taken her, then that was on us to deal with because none of our informants would get near the dark witches. I sent a separate text to Cade and Zane.
Lucas: Emma was at her house in Olympia. 5th Circle found her here. She’s wounded. Unknown if she teleported out or was captured. Sent instructions to our informant network.
I didn’t have to wait long for their responses. My phone chimed twice in as many seconds.
Zane: We need to find where 5th Circle holds prisoners. I doubt she’s at Vexx’s mansion. Too obvious.
Cade: On it. Net is cast.
Was Vexx’s residence too obvious of a location? He could easily hold prisoners in a basement or an underground bunker. I started typing my reply to tell them that I wanted the mansion searched too.
A twig snapped. I spun toward the sound at the same time as my nose caught the scent of wolves. Five pairs of glowing golden eyes shone through the trees in the afternoon gloom as the men strode forward. Light glinted off the guns in their hands, aimed at my chest.
I snarled as they approached, closing in on me, forcing me to take a step back. Two more of them rounded either corner of the house and stepped into the yard. Seven against one were not great odds.
Every one of them was marked with the black ink neck tattoo of a solar eclipse. After the battle at our house, Damian Garcia and his wolves had disappeared from the Seattle area. Obviously, they hadn’t gone far.
I raised my hands in surrender to buy myself some time. My skin tingled with the start of the shift; I’d have a better chance of making it out of here alive in my wolf form. My teeth sharpened, my fingernails elongated and curved into claws, and white fur sprouted from my skin. My bones began to crack.
Four shots rang out—deafening.
I stumbled backward from the impact. Shock halted my shift, then it reverted. I stared down at the red spots blossoming on my chest. Dizziness made me sway. My legs gave out, and I landed hard on my knees.
The only way to heal was to shift forms. I called upon my inner beast, but only whines answered me. My wolf and I were both fucked. We were going to die here today. The realization settled over me further as a cold metal barrel was pressed to the back of my head.
