Seduced by Magic

Praise for CHEYENNE McCRAY and

Forbidden Magic

“Wildly erotic and dangerously sensual, this explosive paranormal thriller sizzles. McCray erupts on the scene with one of the sexiest stories of the year. Her darkly dramatic world is one readers won't mind visiting again . . . McCray knows how to make a reader sweat—either from spine-tingling suspense or soul-singeing sex . . . McCray cleverly combines present-day reality with mythological fantasy to create a world where beings of lore exist—and visit the earthly realm.”

—Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine

“McCray's paranormal masterpiece is not for the faint-hearted. The battle between good and evil is brought to the reader in vivid and riveting detail to the point where the reader is drawn into the pages of this bewitching and seductive fantasy that delivers plenty of action-packed sequences and arousing love scenes.”

—Rendezvous

“
Forbidden Magic
is a spellbinding, sexy, superbly written dark fantasy. I couldn't put it down, and you won't want to either . . . [a] fabulous plot . . . [Cheyenne McCray has an] incredible skill at keeping readers engaged in every moment of the action. Long-time fans and newbies alike will be enchanted and swept away by this enduring tale of courage, love, passion, and magic.”

—A Romance Review

“If one were going to make a comparison to Cheyenne McCray with another writer of the supernatural/sensuality genre, it would have to be Laurell K. Hamilton . . .
Forbidden Magic
definitely puts McCray in the same league as Hamilton. The book is a very sexy work . . .
Forbidden Magic
is dark and filled with danger at almost every turn. Magic and mystery abound in San Francisco, with a major battle between the forces of good and evil, and the outcome is always in doubt when it comes to demons.”

—Shelf Life

More
. . .

 

“This terrific romantic fantasy with police procedural elements grasps the audience from the moment that Silver meets Tuatha and Darkwolf and never slows down until the final twist of their triangle . . . fans will take great and immense pleasure with this strong thriller that both genres will treasure.”

—Harriet's Book Reviews

“Cheyenne McCray's
Forbidden Magic
is an intoxicating blend of luscious eroticism and spine-tingling action that will have you squirming on the edge of your seat.”

—Angela Knight,
USA Today
bestselling author

“Cheyenne McCray has written a sexy adventure spiced with adventurous sex.”

—Charlaine Harris,
New York Times
bestselling author

“McCray does a remarkable job of blending the familiar and the fantastical, creating a rich paranormal world with sexy and engaging characters.”

—Kelley Armstrong,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Erotic with a great big capital E. Cheyenne McCray is my new favorite author!”

—Bertrice Small,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Forbidden Magic is a fabulous faery tale. The writing is sharp; the story hot!”

—Virginia Henley,
New York Times
bestselling author

More
. . .

“Cheyenne McCray has crafted a novel that takes the imagination on an exciting flight. Full of fantasy, with a touch of darkness, a great read for anyone who loves to get lost in a book that stretches the boundaries!”

—Heather Graham,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Not for the faint of heart!
Forbidden Magic
is
Charmed
meets Kim Harrison's witch series but with a heavy dose of erotica on top!”

—Lynsay Sands,
New York Times
bestselling author

“McCray's magical tale will thrill and entrance you!”

—Sabrina Jeffries,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Explosive, erotic, and un-put-downable. Cheyenne McCray more than delivers!”

—L.A. Banks,
bestselling author of
The Vampire Huntress Legends
series

“Magical mayhem, sexy shape shifters, wondrous witches, and warlocks . . . in
Forbidden Magic
, Cheyenne McCray has created a fabulous new world. You won't be able to get enough!”

—Lori Handeland,
USA Today
bestselling author

“Fans of dark paranormal fantasy will enjoy the fast-paced, spine-tingling twists and turns of Cheyenne McCray's
Forbidden Magic
.”

—Toni Blake,
author of
In Your Wildest Dreams

“Cheyenne McCray's
Forbidden Magic
is a rich mix of witches, demons, and fae in an epic tapestry full of conflict and desire.”

—Robin Owens,
author of
Heart Choice

“Chock-full of emotion and action, Cheyenne McCray's
Forbidden Magic
will find a spot on the keeper shelf of every reader who enjoys a touch of the paranormal along with her erotic romance. I highly recommend it!”

—Ann Jacobs,
author of
A Mutual Favor

“Cheyenne McCray has written a tempting, exciting novel rich in magic and pleasure.”

—Lora Leigh,
author of
Megan's Mark

“McCray's knowledge of Fae, Fomorii, elves, and ancient Irish magics shines in this book of witches, warriors, and dangerous desires.”

—Linnea Sinclair,
author of
Gabriel's Ghost

“Cheyenne McCray delivers a scorching tale of modern witches and ancient Fae, a winner rich with lore, fantasy, gritty action, and heart-gripping romance.”

—Annie Windsor,
award-winning author of
Arda: The Sailmaster's Woman

“This modern-day tale meets ancient-world paranormal isn't just a book, it's an event. The elements all come together in this paranormal romance. You start reading for the story and end up reading for the characters. You're left at the edge of your seat, needing more until the very last satisfying word. You won't be able to put it down once you start reading!”

—Sheila English,
CEO of Circle of Seven Productions

St. Martin's Paperbacks Titles
by Cheyenne McCray

Forbidden Magic

Seduced by Magic

Cheyenne McCray

 

 

 

 

 

SEDUCED BY MAGIC

Copyright © 2006 by Cheyenne McCray.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

ISBN: 0-312-93763-6
EAN: 9780312-93763-8

Printed in the United States of America

St. Martin's Paperbacks edition / October 2006

St. Martin's Paperbacks are published by St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

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To my husband, Frank Federici–
after twenty years, the magic is still there.

Thank you as always to the special people in my life. My mom and dad for their support, my children for giving me the space to write when under deadline, and my friends for being there when I need them. And thank goodness for coffee shops and bookstores to write in when I need to escape!

Thanks bunches to Peggy Phillips for help with reading tarot cards.

Special thanks once again to my editor, Monique Patterson, along with my wonderful critique partners—Annie Windsor, Mackenzie McKade, and Patrice Michelle. Couldn't have done it without you
all
.

San Francisco
Fifteen months prior

Copper Ashcroft moved through the fog-shrouded San Francisco night and shivered. Everything looked and felt exactly as it had in her dream-vision.

Rocks and twigs crunched beneath her running shoes as she made her way down the darkened trail to the sacred stretch of beach below, with only her wand light to illuminate the path. Tonight was a new moon and it was foggy as hell. But she knew her way and didn't pause.

Her arms strained as she gripped the carved wooden chest bearing the tools of her witchcraft at the same time she carried her wand. Her breathing came easy. She was fit from regular exercise, playing softball, and toned from working out at the health club. She'd been a track star and a mean softball pitcher in high school, as well as being the lead pitcher on the California Bears team at UC Berkeley during her undergrad years.

Copper stumbled over a root and almost tumbled down the path. She grimaced and steadied herself. “Bless it,” she murmured. She'd known the root was there. “Too bad being fit and athletic doesn't make me any less clumsy.”

Zephyr buzzed at her ear, but she ignored her honeybee familiar. She sensed Zeph's unhappiness that she was attempting this moon ritual alone, but in Copper's dream-vision she'd performed the ceremony with no one else around. For some reason the goddess wanted her to do this by herself.

She stepped from the dirt path onto sand when she reached the small portion of beach known only to the Coven of D'Anu witches to which she belonged. Her Coven was one of thirteen scattered across the United States. Many more Covens existed around the world, working to keep the cities they inhabited safe from dark magic. Descendents of the Ancient Druids, the D'Anu were powerful witches who used only white witchcraft.

Well, besides Copper and her sister, Silver. The sisters believed in utilizing gray magic to protect their world from the evils that preyed upon the innocent. If their father found out . . . they'd be in a world of trouble. Victor Ashcroft was high priest of the D'Anu Coven in Salem, Massachusetts, and he was a rather formidable man. Their mother, Moondust, was more an ethereal being, the calm in the storm. But she would agree with their father.

White witchcraft just wasn't strong enough as far as Copper was concerned. She was somewhat of a rebel when it came to choosing between white and gray, and she had no fear of the gray or ever slipping to the black.

With white magic, their skills were limited. Several of the D'Anu could affect the weather but they didn't dare tip the natural balance. Most could heal and work with animals, “talk through trees,” and make plants grow like crazy—even fast enough to help them bind an enemy. Useful, but . . . not strong enough.

Sand shifted beneath Copper's jogging shoes as she heaved the chest higher in her arms and carried it across the small beach. Her jeans felt snug and comfortable and her cropped T-shirt allowed the coolness of the night to
brush her flat belly. In the distance she could see a portion of the Golden Gate Bridge, its lights looping up and down in the darkness. A foghorn added to the eerie quality of the night, and despite the familiar sound, goose bumps prickled her skin and tiny hairs rose up on the back of her neck.