Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf (Black Swan 4) Read online

  Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf (Black Swan 4)

  Victoria Danann

  Copyright 2013 Victoria Danann

  Published by 7th House at Smashwords

  Read more about this author and upcoming works at VictoriaDanann.com

  Smashwords License

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

  Special THANK YOU'S...

  Thank you to Kelly Danann who gave me the confidence to publish the first book.

  Thank you to Julie Roberts, world's best editor.

  Thank you to my friend and bridge partner, Michele Murphy. I'm so lucky to have a native French speaker to trust with my outrageous translations.

  Victoria is a big fan of the Black Swan A Team.

  Anna-Marie Coomber

  Brandy Ralston

  Christine Merritt

  Cristi Riquelme

  Dawn Dow

  Dee Bowerman

  Diane Nix

  Elizabeth Quincy Nix

  Joanette Fountain

  JoBeth Sexton

  Judy Fox

  Kelli McDonald Young

  Kim Staley Schommer

  Leah Barbush

  Leslie Miner

  Lisa Jon Jung

  Lovena Stover-Stump

  Maggie Nolan

  Mark Reeves

  Megan Root

  Nelta Baldwin Mathias

  Pam James

  Patricia Smith

  Preksha Thaker Lakhia

  Rochelle Taves

  Sherry Evans Botelho

  Tabitha Schneider

  Talisa Martin

  Teri Zuwala

  Ticia Morton Hall

  Tifinnie Henry

  Tracie Runge

  ***

  author's note...

  One of the questions that I'm most often asked is, "What inspired this story?" Or, "How do you create your characters?"

  For the first three books I was stumped for answer. The reason why I never knew how to answer these questions is because it doesn't feel like I created a story or characters. It feels like I'm just reporting events, chronicling the lives of certain "people" along with their friends, families, or associates.

  Readers tell me they get the sense that the characters and world are so real that you might find them just around the next corner. I love hearing that because it's a reflection of my own perspective. I confess to entertaining the idea that I am reporting in fact on a world that is every bit as real as this - in a similar, but alternate dimension.

  My best,

  Victoria

  TABLE OF 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

  CHAPTER_17

  CHAPTER_18

  CHAPTER_19

  CHAPTER_20

  CHAPTER_21

  ***

  PROLOGUE

  This series is also a serial saga in the sense that each book begins where the previous book ended. READING IN ORDER IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED in order to fully enjoy the rich complexities of this tapestry in book form.

  There is a very old and secret society of paranormal investigators and protectors known as The Order of the Black Swan. In modern times, in a dimension similar to our own, they continue to operate, as they always have, to keep the human population safe. For centuries they have relied on a formula that outlines recruitment of certain second sons, in their early, post-pubescent youth, who match a narrow and highly specialized psychological profile. Those who agree to forego the ordinary pleasures and freedoms of adolescence receive the best education available anywhere along with the training and discipline necessary for a possible future as active operatives in the Hunters Division. In recognition of the personal sacrifice and inherent danger, The Order bestows knighthoods on those who accept.

  BOOK ONE. The elite B Team of Jefferson Unit in New York, also known as Bad Company, was devastated by the loss of one of its four members in a battle with vampire. A few days later Elora Laiken, an accidental pilgrim from another dimension, literally landed at their feet so physically damaged by the journey they weren't even sure of her species. After a lengthy recovery, they discovered that she had gained amazing speed and strength through the cross-dimension translation. She earned the trust and respect of the knights of B Team and eventually replaced the fourth member, who had been killed in the line of duty.

  She was also forced to choose between three suitors: Istvan Baka, a devastatingly seductive six-hundred-year-old vampire, who worked as a consultant to neutralize an epidemic of vampire abductions, Engel Storm, the noble and stalwart leader of B Team who saved her life twice; and Rammel Hawking, the elf who persuaded her that she was destined to be his alone.

  BOOK TWO. Ten months later everyone was gathered at Rammel's home in Derry, Ireland. B Team had been temporarily assigned to The Order's Headquarters office in Edinburgh, but they had been given leave for a week to celebrate an elftale handfasting for Ram and Elora, who were expecting.

  Ram's younger sister, Aelsong, went to Edinburgh with B Team after being recruited for her exceptional psychic skills. Shortly after arriving, Kay's fiancé was abducted by a demon with a vendetta, who slipped her to a dimension out of reach. Their only hope to locate Katrina and retrieve her was Litha Brandywine, the witch tracker, who had fallen in love with Storm at first sight.

  Storm was assigned to escort the witch, who slowly penetrated the ice that had formed around his heart when he lost Elora to Ram. Litha tracked the demon and took Katrina's place as hostage after learning that he, Deliverance, was her biological father. The story ended with all members of B Team happily married and retired from active duty.

  BOOK THREE. Istvan Baka was captured by vampire in the Edinburgh underground and reinfected with the vampire virus. His assistant, Heaven McBride, was found to be a "summoner", a person who can compel others to come to them when they play the flute. She also turned out to be the reincarnation of the young wife who was Baka's first victim as a new vampire six hundred years before.

  Elora Laiken was studying a pack of wolves hoping to get puppies for her new breed of dog. While Rammel was overseeing the renovation of their new home, she and Blackie are caught in a snowstorm in the New Forest. At the same time assassins from her world, agents of the clan who massacred her family, found her isolated in a remote location without the ability to communicate. She gave birth to her baby alone except for the company of her dog, Blackie, and the wolf pack.

  Heaven was instrumental in calling vampire to her so that they could be intercepted and given the curative vaccine. Baka was found, restored, and given the opportunity for a "do over" with the wife who had waited for many lifetimes to spend just one with him.

  ***

  CHAPTER_1

  "What do you know about my sister and that prancin' prick of a fairy prince?"

  Elora blinked, but in the space of that flutter he learned all he needed to know. He had found out the first ti
me Storm brought her to poker night, back at Jefferson Unit, that her very expressive face telegraphed even the tiniest nuance or feeling or thought. By now he knew her so well that she was as transparent as air.

  She was caught off guard because she hadn't expected that question while Ram was cooking a leisurely Sunday breakfast. She recovered and tried to cover.

  "Say that three times fast?"

  "No' goin' to work this time. Stay on topic."

  "You just don't like him because he can stand toe to toe with you and not be cowed by the H.O.H. elfster."

  "ELFSTER!? What in Paddy's Name, Elora? And what is H.O.H.?"

  "Hall of Heroes."

  Ram turned away from frying bacon and gave her a look. It probably didn't have the effect he intended. He was wearing jeans, a long sleeve black tee that stretched across his chest enticingly, and a black Jack Daniels apron tied around his waist. She thought perhaps nothing was sexier than watching Ram's muscles ripple while cooking her breakfast.

  "Do no' try to deflect. 'Tis I. And Paddy knows I can tell when you're hidin' somethin'." Ram looked determined.

  "Speaking of hiding. You're going to have to do something about all these guys overrunning our property. Our home - the one that was intended to be our very own, very private property. Please, Ram. Make them go away."

  His expression softened a little as he decided to allow himself to be temporarily derailed.

  "Sol, Simon, and every one of your friends agree that we can no' leave you and Helm vulnerable after the threat those alien buggers left hangin' in the air. That goes especially for your friend, Sir Storm."

  "My friend, Sir Storm?"

  "Aye. Your friend. The bloody wanker suggested that I'm no' responsible enough to be entrusted with lookin' out for you. Said, 'You're no' takin' good care of my namesake's mother. I'll be forced to give the job to someone else if you do no' shape up and begin takin' it seriously'."

  Elora laughed. "He said that?"

  "Aye. As if 'twas all my doin' that you ended up givin' birth alone in a freezin' wolf cave. With. No. Phone."

  "Well..."

  Ram narrowed his eyes at her. "Think very carefully about what you are about to say before you say it."

  Elora smiled brightly. "I was going to say that no one in his right mind could fault you."

  Ram nodded and resumed turning the bacon. "Exactly. I should have reminded him what happened when he was in charge of the Baka interview at Unit Drac. He pouted for hours after learnin' first hand that the Lady Laiken does as she fuck-well pleases."

  Elora concurred by nodding vigorously. "It's a burden, but you bear it well, my love."

  "All kiddin' aside, I do. I really do." He began setting strips of cooked bacon out to drain the grease.

  "Well, Sir Storm is going to be plenty busy with his own burdens."

  "What's your meanin'?"

  "They're expecting."

  "Expectin' a baby?"

  "No. They're expecting Publishers Clearing House to pay for their villa renovation."

  Ram gave her a look. "You know, I'm thinkin' there's only enough of this lovely bacon for one and, since I cooked, I really should be keepin' it for myself."

  "Yes! They're expecting a baby. Litha thinks it's a girl."

  "A girl!" Ram practically whooped. "Paddy's Great Balls Afire. I can no' wait to see Storm try to be da to a girl." He laughed enjoying that idea, and then grew serious. "As for the buggers who violated my grandda's forest, I'll no' be givin' 'em a second chance at my family."

  "Rammel. I hear you and I understand you."

  "I do no' suppose the next sentence will be 'and I obey you'?"

  Elora smirked while she snagged a piece of bacon. "Have I ever mentioned you make great bacon?" She nuzzled his ear on the way back to her stool. "Almost as good as chocolate."

  Ram pointed a spatula at her. "I swear to Paddy you have that thin'... that ADDD."

  "ADHD?"

  "Aye."

  Elora started laughing. "Pot."

  When his brows drew together she smiled, because Helm looked at her with that same expression several times a day. They made him accidentally in a snow-covered cottage, but he was made with love and now he was a little bit her and a little bit him. A miracle indeed.

  "You can no' concentrate 'cause you've been smokin' dope?"

  "No! 'Pot' as in 'you're the pot calling the kettle black'."

  Ram stared at her for a few beats, finally shook his head and said, "No idea."

  "You don't have an expression here about the pot calling the kettle black?"

  "We do no' that I know of, but I think I begin to follow your point. You're tryin' to say that I should no' be accusin' you of short attention because mine is even shorter?"

  Of their own accord, his eyes drifted down to the cleavage showing between the henley buttons she'd left undone.

  She chuckled. "See?"

  "See what?"

  She did a little shimmy and he grinned sheepishly. "Guilty." He put an orange juice in front of her. "And be careful of the sexy dancin'. You'll be gettin' Helm's milk all over your clothes again."

  Elora rolled her eyes. "He gets enough. Have you seen how chubby his little face is getting?"

  "Well, blood will tell."

  Elora narrowed her eyes to slits. "Rammel. Paddy help you if you're saying what I think you're saying."

  "All I'm sayin' is that chubby cheeks do no' run on my side of the family." When she took a mock threatening step toward him, he laughed. "Just teasin', darlin' girl. Just teasin'. You know I would no' change a hair on your head. Or his."

  "Okay. All I'm sayin' is that insanity doesn't run on my side of the family." A look of horror slowly covered her face as she realized what she'd just said. She hadn't yet personally confronted what the assassin in the woods had said about the Laiwynn clan, but if it was true, it meant that cruelty and despotic behavior might run in her family.

  Ram put his utensils down, wiped his hand on his apron, and offered himself for a hug. She stepped into the comfort of his arms.

  "What I was trying to tell you earlier is that I've never made any secret of the fact that I won't give up my freedom to live a restricted life, no matter how luxurious or comfortable. Not for anything."

  "No' even for Helm? And me?"

  "That's not fighting fair and you know it."

  "When it comes to your safety - and our son's - you think I care about fightin' fair? 'Tis the very last of my concerns."

  "Let me put it this way. You need to come up with a more agreeable Plan B and you need to do it while I'm still in a listening mood."

  "Any ideas?"

  She looked down at her pretty Holland china plate, part of the set they got as a wedding present from Kay and Katrina. She had a picture of how good life was going to be there in their new home. Had the Ralengclan assassins spoiled her vision of the future to the point of ruin? Was it time to confront that possibility?

  "No." When she looked back up, Ram thought he might have seen her look just a little worn. Like her aura hadn't been buffed in a while. Sometimes he caught her looking off into space and he suspected that she was thinking about what she'd been told by the Ralengclan assassin, wondering if the massacre of her family was really a coup d'état." Armed people guarding the house. Hardly what I pictured."

  "I know." Ram sat down next to her and took her hand in his. "We'll figure it out. Monq's workin' on it." He pulled up like he had an idea. The change was so subtle that no one besides Elora would have even noticed it.

  "What?"

  "He's workin' on detectin' interdimensional activity - identifyin' the source and location. He says 'tis a logical first step toward the defense system we're goin' to be needin'."

  "Yeah. I heard."

  "Well..." She knew she was in trouble when he turned on that look that he had given her the first night they had met, the puppy dog plea that was so irresistible she could be manipulated out of her socks with full knowledge and complicity. She ha
ted that. It was... manipulation by consent.

  "Stop that right now!"

  "Was just thinkin' that, for the time bein', just while we're sortin' this out, maybe we should move back into Jefferson Unit. You and Helm would be safe there. I know 'tis no' ideal, but there is the courtpark, food, and babysittin' on demand. 'Tis no' this." He looked around the room and gave a little sigh. He had put a lot of himself into renovating the property and somewhere along the way had come to understand why she loved it and pictured their little family living happily ever after there. "But we were happy at Jefferson too. We could even help Monq. Maybe speedin' thin's along a bit?"

  "I'm expecting puppies."

  "I truly hope no one is recordin' this conversation." Ram's mouth softened at the corners making him look so beautifully kissable that she had to lean in and remind herself if those kisses were as good as she remembered. He didn't seem to mind complying with her wish. When she pulled back, he said, "We could get Glen to keep an eye on that. The wolf pups I mean."

  "This is not just some ruse that's going to get us sucked back into active duty?"

  Ram cocked his head like he was having trouble with that question. "Why would I go to so much trouble to keep you safe only so I could risk gettin' you killed?"

  Elora stared at Ram for a few seconds. "I'm not the only knight in the room and we both know how persuasive Sol can be when he wants something. Before I even consider this proposal, I need some reassurance that none of us, not you, not me, not the baby - none of us - are going to end up on any field assignment. Not in any capacity."

  Ram nodded. "Deal."