Into The Spirit Read online

  Table of Contents

  Legal Page

  Title Page

  Book Descriptions

  The Fire Within

  Dedication

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  About Marie Harte

  A Spartan's Kiss

  Dedication

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  About Bill Jean

  Deadly Vision

  Dedication

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  About Kris Norris

  Spirited Away

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  About Ranae Rose

  The Soul Within

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  About Nancy Adams

  Publisher Page

  A Totally Bound Publication

  Into the Spirit

  ISBN # 978-1-78184-850-0

  The Fire Within ©Copyright Marie Harte 2010

  A Spartan’s Kiss ©Copyright Billi Jean 2013

  Deadly Vision ©Copyright Kris Norris 2009

  Spirited Away ©Copyright Ranae Rose 2012

  The Soul Within ©Copyright Nancy Adams 2012

  Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright October 2013

  Totally Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2013 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers.

  INTO THE SPIRIT

  The Fire Within

  Marie Harte

  A Spartan’s Kiss

  Billi Jean

  Deadly Vision

  Kris Norris

  Spirited Away

  Ranae Rose

  The Soul Within

  Nancy Adams

  ‘The Fire Within’ by Marie Harte

  The Prince of Fire needs a woman hot enough to withstand his heat, and he finds one who’ll set his heart and body on fire, in more ways than one.

  The land of Tanselm will fall to evil if four identical princes wielding elemental powers fail to find their intended brides. Thrust into the parallel realm of earth to escape death and insure a future for their world, they have one mission and one mission only—to find their destined affai.

  Darius Storm, the Prince of Fire, is impatient and frustrated to be so far from his home. The foreign world into which he’s been thrust lacks magic. And the women lack the inner power and strength to truly connect with him. His work at a local nightclub only brings him into contact with more unsuitable prospects.

  Until Samantha Brooks walks through the door. She’s a beauty with the fiery passion to meet Darius head-on, and a special magic all her own.

  ‘A Spartan’s Kiss’ by Billi Jean

  After enduring centuries of life, Aeros, the captain of the immortal Spartans, discovers his grey existence may end—in the arms of Tabithia. Only Tabithia is a witch guilty of crossing Ares, the god responsible for Aeros’ existence.

  Tabithia has feared meeting the warrior an ancient hag once predicted would someday command her obedience. But when Tabithia takes a job guiding Aeros and his team of Spartans to a stolen artefact, her fear disappears under his slow, wicked seduction.

  Aeros will battle anything to claim Tabithia and the future they could have together—even his god Ares—but when he learns the battle might be within Tabithia, he learns that true love does not come with a command.

  ‘Deadly Vision’ by Kris Norris

  A dark voice summons her in the night, and Fallon can't deny the truth…the visions are back. But will these be her last?

  As a 911 operator, Fallon Kinkade loves her job, but lately, it isn’t enough. And it doesn’t seem to keep the memories of her ex-lover, Gil
, and the surreal last night she spent with him and his partner, Charlie, at bay. She still dreams of him every night, leaving her hot, wet and so damn horny she could cry. She’d do anything to have one more night with him.

  But when the city’s latest serial killer starts phoning her cell, and throws her headlong into the investigation, not to mention Gil's arms, will she play the part of the duty-bound professional? Or will she do everything she can to ensure the killer isn’t the only one who'll wear Gil’s handcuffs?

  Federal Agent Gil Grant has only two problems. He can’t catch a break on his newest case and he can’t forget Fallon. He remembers—in vivid detail—how he controlled the bedroom. But she’d never take him back…or would she? When a strange twist reunites them, will he let his past keep him from showing her how much he still cares? Or will he remind her screaming isn’t only for when you’re afraid.

  ‘Spirited Away’ by Ranae Rose

  Nothing can kill Caitlyn’s love for Aaron O’Brien—not being whisked away to the spirit world by the legendary bean sidhe of her homeland—not even death.

  When Irish settlers gather from miles around to celebrate Beltane at the O’Brien family’s North Carolina estate, Caitlin McCarthy finds herself unexpectedly in the arms of the family’s striking heir, Aaron O’Brien.

  But will they ever share more than a single kiss?

  When a flood traps Caitlin on O’Brien property and leaves her at Aaron’s mercy, it seems so. Their sensual whirlwind courtship quickly escalates, but just as Aaron approaches Caitlin’s father to request her hand in marriage, Caitlin finds herself whisked away into the spirit realm.

  Can she reunite with Aaron again, or does being Bean Sidhe mean leading a loveless existence?

  ‘The Soul Within’ by Nancy Adams

  Alex’s body is in a coma. His soul, however, is not. Desperate to become whole, he must first convince stubborn beauty Evening Sinclair that he is not dead.

  For generations, the Sinclairs have been healers. Using a gentle touch to heal the body and a soothing word to heal the soul. Evening Sinclair is no different. Yet despite her secret abilities, Eve has a somewhat normal existence. She enjoys her small physiotherapy practice, dotes on her eight-year-old daughter and occasionally helps souls get back into their bodies—that is until Alex, with his brooding good looks and glowing eyes, appears in her kitchen.

  Alex is desperate to get back into his body—two innocent lives depend on it. His only obstacle is Eve and her stubborn fear. Unfortunately for Eve, Alex is ruthless and just as stubborn. He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He will not ‘go away’ and no matter how much Eve tortures him with her lush body and perfect mouth, he will not change his mind. Eve will merge him, and if it takes him haunting her day and night, she will merge him back with a body—any body.

  The Storm Lords

  THE FIRE WITHIN

  Marie Harte

  Dedication

  Thanks Claire, for giving the Royal Four a home.

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Jeep: DaimlerChrysler Corporation

  BMW: Bayerische Motoren Werke

  Twilight Zone: CBS Broadcasting Inc.

  Disneyland: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

  Chapter One

  “Damn it, Darius.” Arim glared as a blast scorched the stone archway above his head. High atop the battlements of the castle, Tanselm’s legendary sorcerer stood, an intimidating defence against the invading army. Normally safe from attack within the enchanted castle, Arim suddenly ducked to avoid another bolt of blue fire from the ground far below.

  When he straightened, he noticed the oldest of the Royal Four, Prince Darius, returning a fiery storm of destruction upon the encroaching Netharat. A haze of heat surrounded the prince as he leaned over the stone wall and narrowed his eyes at the enemy. With outstretched hands he summoned his internal fire and directed its path to destruction through flaming fingertips.

  Arim frowned and with a wave of his hand changed the Netharat attacking the castle gate into bodies of solid rock. He turned to Darius. “The shields will hold. Go and gather your brothers in my chamber, now!”

  Darius turned to argue, but the red fury darkening Arim’s eyes told him he’d pushed as hard as the sorcerer would tolerate. Though it grated him to withdraw, he left Arim and the other spellcasters to fetch his brothers.

  He found Marcus, Cadmus and Aerolus staking the eastern turret, raining deluges of water, rippling shocks of rock and powerful blasts of wind upon the enemy steadily approaching the castle’s defensive perimeter. Muttered spells and intent stares, stabbing hands and sweeping arms commanded the elements to do his brothers’ bidding. He watched them battle, impressed despite his familiarity with such sights. But Arim’s words recalled him to purpose.

  “Cease your attacks and come with me,” he called to his brothers after torching one wraith bent on bridging the now frozen moat surrounding the castle. The creature shrieked and flailed trying to douse the flames. “Arim orders us to his chamber.”

  “But—” Cadmus tried to protest.

  “No buts.” Darius looked out over the castle wall and cursed as he spotted the dimensional gateway through which the enemy had entered. Far in the distance, the gateway looked like a molten pool of fire against the pale blue sky. Unfortunately, cascading down from that pool onto the ground came another wave of Netharat, a foul river of corruption staining the very land they touched.

  “We have to go,” Aerolus agreed, his voice calm in contrast to the chaos surrounding them.

  As one the four brothers raced through the castle to Arim’s chamber deep in the heart of their home. The moment they approached the hardy oak door, it swung open, allowing the brothers entry into a room teeming with magic.

  Like the steady droning of bees, a subtle hum vibrated within the stone walls, making the air crackle with energy. A narrow bed lay along one wall while a nearby desk filled with parchment and quills graced the adjoining wall. Tables and flat workstations filled the rest of the spacious room. On every surface except the bed lay glass pitchers and clay bowls filled with the sorcerer’s spell castings.

  “It took you long enough.” Darius nearly jumped as Queen Ravyn closed the door with a wave of her hand, stepping out from its shadow. She narrowed her eyes, lingering on Cadmus. “When Arim gives an order, you obey.”

  Tall and stately, with the catlike eyes and dark black hair she’d passed to all her sons, Queen Ravyn watched the Royal Four like a bird of prey about to swoop. Her understated power seemed to thrive in Arim’s chamber, her cheeks flushed and her eyes blazing as she studied her sons.

  “Mother,” Darius said, his body taut with the effort to contain the powerful energy seething around him. He noticed his brothers looking equally uneasy. “Shouldn’t you be in your tower under guard?”

  She scoffed and motioned him and his brothers farther into the room. “You do take after your father, don’t you?” She smiled sadly, a grim reminder of his father’s recent passing. “I am just as strong as Faustus was, Darius. I may not command the winds, but there’s more to my strength than elemental magic.” Her eyes narrowed. “And not one word about my frail state of mind. I just lost my husband, but I’m not an invalid. And I’ve power enough to stop these invaders from taking my crown.”

  Darius blinked at the reprimand. He glanced at his brothers to see what they made of the ’gentle‘ queen and saw them equally confused. Indeed, his mother certainly appeared more warrior than royal lady. Her green eyes were lit with an inner fierceness; her stance was both battle-ready and aggressive.

  Gone were her royal robes of blue and the seal of power draped around her throat. She wore a long-sleeved red tunic and black trousers, very similar to the garb Arim had been wearing.

  As if his thoughts had conjured the sorcerer, Arim suddenly appeared in a corner of the room,
bringing a rush of energy into the already intense area.

  “Quickly, we have little time.”

  “Time for what?” Marcus asked, looking as irritated by Arim’s vague orders as Darius felt.

  Ravyn frowned but Arim shook his head. “No, Ravyn, they need to know before it’s too late.”

  Darius and his brothers stared in surprise. Never had Arim spoken so informally with their mother. Always before it had been ’Queen Ravyn‘ or ’Honourable Lady’.

  “The Netharat attack this day with one purpose and one purpose only. To kill the Royal Four and thus destroy the royal line.”

  “All the more reason to meet them in opposition. The Storm Lords do not bow to anyone,” Darius said, sure of his brothers’ support. That anyone could think to destroy the peace and beauty of their land… The familiar rage built, and heat festered inside him begging for release.

  “No,” his mother interjected. “We cannot risk you four now.” She glanced at Arim, then continued. “Word arrived this morning that’s changed everything. The other kingdoms have weakened.”

  “What do you mean?” Marcus asked, his clear blue eyes clouding with suspicion.

  “Before the sunrise this morning, your uncles passed into the Light, along with your aunts and cousins.” Ravyn’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “We are all that remain of the Storm Lords.”

  Darius stared at her in shock. Tanselm had always been protected by the Tetrarch—four identical brothers of royal blood. For one thousand years peace and tranquillity reigned over a prosperous land filled with precious life-giving soil and ever-spawning wildlife. That evil should now retake what the original Storm Lords had once fought so hard to obtain was unthinkable.

  As his home, the western territory, was under attack, the other three territories lay even more vulnerable to a Netharat onslaught. It just didn’t seem possible that the power of the Storm Lords could have let such a thing happen.

  “It’s true,” Arim stated quietly, his voice vibrant with authority. He gazed at each of them. “Your father was poisoned, like the other monarchs, by an evil the Djinn concocted. If we don’t get you four out of here, you will certainly die, killing the rest of us as surely as we stand here talking.”