Two Halves Series (82 page)
Authors: Marta Szemik
Tags: #urban life, #fantasy, #adventure, #collection, #teen, #paranormal romance, #young adult, #magic, #box set, #series, #shapeshifters, #ghosts, #vampires, #witch, #omnibus, #love, #witchcraft, #demons
“Ahem.” Someone cleared his throat behind me, breaking my dreamlike state.
I turned around as Mira said, “Hello, Father.”
“Mira.” Castall’s gaze became like a hawk’s. “Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”
“You’re the shifter?” I asked her, my astonishment over her beauty justified.
“I gather you’ve met my daughter.” Castall circled around me to Mira’s other side.
As he made himself comfortable on the bar stool, Mira leaned toward me, lowering her gaze while lifting her shoulders, and whispered, “You don’t think these grow this firm on humans, do you?”
I’ve met my match!
Then, like an innocent child, she swiveled on the stool toward Castall, kissing him on his cheek.
“Xander couldn’t make it, but I’ll fill him in on everything. Now, how do you know him.” She pointed her finger from the warlock to me, crossing her legs. Her leather pants squeaked.
“Shouldn’t you be keeping your identity a secret and blend in while in town?” Castall asked her, obviously referring to her city night-life outfit.
“He may as well know who he’s dealing with.” Mira looked from her father to me.
“Sugar, I don’t think
you
know who you’re dealing with.” I smirked, leaning back. Finally, we had something in common: immortality. Her lifetime could be the same as mine. Castall had told me about his kids before, but I’ve always thought of them as only that: kids. Mira was not a kid.
With my gaze locked on her, I said, “Castall, I mean this with respect, but why didn’t you introduce us before?”
“She’s my daughter. I don’t meddle in her personal life, and now I’m beginning to think this meeting was a mistake.”
“That’s right, Father, how come you didn’t say you knew... who exactly are you?”
“My name is Eric.” I raised my head.
“He’s an evil-bender and works for me,” Castall added.
As if to say I was off limits. Only he didn’t know I’ve already decided I would push this creature in leather pants over the limit.
“Ah, you’re the secret Father has been keeping.”
I never thought of myself as a secret.
“Mira, I only have a few minutes. This is a town you need to familiarize yourself with. Tell your brother to do so as well.”
“Why? Is this where we’ll be marked?” she asked.
“No, but it is where your first task will begin once you are marked. You need to understand the residents here, be aware of the community, and know the town’s darkest alleys. Should someone breach the city limits, you will be able to sense them.”
“Seekers?” I hissed.
Castall nodded. “And you will guard Pinedale as well. When Mira and Xander need help, you will step in.”
“Of course.” I bowed my head. Castall was a powerful warlock, one whom I respected. Any advance I wanted to make on this shifter goddess would have to wait until her father left.
We discussed the brewing conflict between vampires and humans as well as the increasing disappearance of warlocks until Castall left.
If I were to bet, I’d say Mira didn’t hear a word her father had said, because I had a difficult time concentrating as well.
“So, an evil-bender?” She leaned in closer. Her knees touched mine.
“Yes.”
“Could you bend the evil out of me?”
I’d like to bend you, but not the way you think.
“I think I like the bad girl image you’re trying to portray, sugar, but there’s not an evil hair on your body.” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Would you like to check?” she offered, her breath mingling with mine. If there was one thing I was certain off, it was that this fearlessly blunt beauty belonged at my side.
“I’m sure I will.” I grinned.
We stayed at the bar, talking, until the night fell, then sat outside until morning light. By dawn, I knew I found the love of my immortal life.
###
About the Author
Marta lives with her husband and two kids in Cambridge, Ontario. A great skier (in her kids eyes), she loves the outdoors and quiet mornings on the porch with a cup of coffee. She can often be found creating new worlds in front of her computer. She has a sarcastic sense of humor and those very close to her know that she can make a joke out of almost anything; but she would fail at standup comedy.
If you enjoyed the Two Halves Series, please consider leaving a review. All authors depend on the support of their readers to find an audience
Books in the Two Halves Series:
Book 1:
Marked: A Two Halves Novella
Book 2:
Two Halves
Book 3:
Two Equals
Book 4:
Evil-Bent: A Two Equals Novella
Two Halves Collection (Book 1-4)
is available at discount
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Coming Fall 2013
Racidiuum
A Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian Fantasy
Connect with Me Online:
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/martaszemik
My Blog:
http://martaszemik.blogspot.com/
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to be surrounded by many, many loving people who support me, my fantasies, and my writing.
First and foremost my family, without whom my work would never be in the hands of my readers. Thank you for your continuous support, faith and encouragement.
Alex and Maya, you are my orchids. Michael, you gave me two of the most important gifts you could, I can never thank you enough for that as well as your love. My mom, whose imagination is just as wild as mine, who never doubted Two Halves would be finished; words cannot describe how lucky I am to have you. My dad, thank you for giving me the humour that I have: I know it’s from you.
Rana, thank you for keeping the faith, your feedback and excitement about my characters was awesome: you were my morning cup of coffee.
I am grateful to my editors Marg Gilks, and Nicole Zoltack, my reader and editor friends, for their invaluable input, critique, support and love. All my blogger buddies – you rock! A big thank you to Robin Ludwig Design Inc. for the beautiful book cover.
“Never say Never” is a quote I’ve lived by for the past twenty years. It takes me beyond what I think I’m capable of.
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Table of Contents
Evil-Bent: A Two Equals Novella
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