Free Raphael | Parish by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright Page A

beat.
    Goddammit. That stubborn female was going to get locked in his house and never let out again.
    He gathered his waning strength, desperately grasping his attacker’s arms to keep him from reaching the gun. At the same time, Ashe stepped into view, her arms held over her head as she swung a heavy stick toward the back of the man’s head.
    There was sickening crunch as the skull busted at the impact, and the man’s eyes glazed.
    Raphael didn’t hesitate. Grabbing the man’s face, he jerked his head to the side with enough force to snap his neck. Instantly the stranger went limp and Raphael tossed his dead body aside.
    Rising to his feet, he stepped over the corpse so he could glare down at his mate in frustration.
    “I thought I told you to run?”
    She rolled her eyes, tossing the stick aside so she could wrap an arm around his waist. Only then did he realize that he was swaying like a drunkard.
    “You know how well I take orders,” she reminded him with a wry smile.
    He brushed his lips over the top of her head, allowing her to keep him balanced as they continued their interrupted journey through the bayou.
    Once he reached the Wildlands he would send someone back to check the body for a brand.
    For now he had to get Ashe to the safety of his people.
    “That’s something we’re going to have to work on,” he assured her.
    She tilted back her head to meet his weary smile.
    “Together.”
    “Together,” he breathed, wondering if a word had ever sounded so sweet.
    Leaning against each other, they managed to stumble their way through the swamp, combining their strength as only a truly mated pair could.
    They reached the Wildlands just as the sun crested the horizon, and Raphael wasn’t remotely surprised when a cat padded forward to greet them.
    Dark as the shadows, the lethal feline regarded them with a predatory gaze.
    Then, with a low roar the creature surrounded itself in a silvery mist, shifting to reveal a tall, grim-faced warrior.
    “So it’s true, Raphael. You return with a mate and a child,” the leader of the Hunters drawled with a taunting smile. “I don’t know whether to congratulate you or have you thrown into the psych ward.”
    “And a happy fucking hello to you, Parish.”
    With a shared chuckle, they stepped into the Wildlands, the magic wrapping around them as overhead a raven screeched in fury.

 
     
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
     
     
    Alexandra Ivy is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Guardians of Eternity series, as well as the upcoming Sentinel series. Alexandra Ivy graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. An active member of RWA, she also writes under the name of Deborah Raleigh. She lives in Missouri with her husband and family.
     
    Book list:
    Guardians of Eternity
    Darkness Avenged
    June 4, 2013, Zebra
    ISBN 978-1420111385
     
    Fear the Darkness
    September 1,2012, Zebra
    ISBN 978-1420111378
     
    Bound by Darkness
    December 6,2011, Zebra
    ISBN 978-1420111361
     
    The Real Werewives of Vampire County
    November 2011, Kensington
    ISBN 978-0758261588
     
    Supernatural
    September 2011, Kensington
    ISBN 978-1420109887
     
    Yours for Eternity
    September 2011, Kensington
    ISBN 978-1420112283
     
    Devoured by Darkness
    November 2010, Zebra Paranormal
    ISBN 978-1420111354
     
    Beyond the Darkness
    April 2010, Zebra Paranormal
    ISBN 978-1420102987
     
    Darkness Unleashed
    November 2009, Zebra Paranormal
    ISBN 978-1420102970
     
    Darkness Revealed
    March 2009, Zebra Paranormal
    ISBN 978-1-4201-0296-3
     
    Darkness Everlasting
    May 2008, Zebra Paranormal
    ISBN 978-0-8217-7939-2
     
    Embrace the Darkness
    November 2007, Zebra Paranormal
    ISBN-10: 0821779370
    ISBN-13: 978-0821779378
     
    When Darkness Comes
    January 2007, Zebra Paranormal
    ISBN 0-8217-7935-4
     
    Immortal Rogues Series
    * Please note this series is a reprint from the 2003 Historical Vampire Series