Ryley Duggan resented his family for forcing him home on his twenty-first birthday to perform another stupid fire ritual, instead of letting him go out and get shit-faced like normal people his age. He’d never believed in the stories his grandmother told him about the reason behind what they were doing. That was, until he walked outside to the bonfire to see bloodcurdling creatures that no Hollywood studio had ever come close to replicating, killing his family.

Since an early age, Eirik had one job, to protect the descendants of the one who’d cursed him and his friends. It hadn’t been what he’d ever imagined for his life, but after nearly a millennia Eirik had learned one thing, life never went as planned. Never had that been truer than when he’d rescued Ryley from certain death.

Now the two must learn to work together to save humanity. Will all be lost? Or will they discover a way to heal their hearts by opening themselves up to love?

WARNING: Unseelie monsters run amok in this story!

That niggling feeling that had been plaguing Ryley became an insistent urgency.  He wasn’t sure why, but the need to be out there with his family consumed him.  He changed as quickly as possible into the traditional garb of an emerald green tunic that was belted with a blue sash across his abdomen over tan loose fitting pants.

The outfit’s material was created from the softest of cotton, causing them to feel more like well-worn pajamas than something worn for a ritual.  Not that Ryley was complaining.  If he had to endure the hours of chanting and dance steps he never seemed to master, at least he would be comfortable.

Slipping on a pair of flip flops that would be taken off when he arrived at the bonfire, Ryley headed out of his room.  He could hear Meghan humming in her room.  “Almost ready, squirt?”

He smiled at the growl he heard her give and the stomp of her foot from the other side of the door.  “I told you not to call me that.”

Ryley chuckled at her antics.  “And I told you that wasn’t gonna happen.  You coming?”

“I’m almost done.  I just have to finish braiding my hair,” she called out.

He would have waited for her, but there was something driving him to move as quickly as he could.  “I’ll meet you down there,” he called out as he raced down the steps and headed to the back door.

He moved around the pool and angled across the backyard, cutting through a small grove of trees.  He couldn’t put his finger on what was pushing him to hurry, but soon he broke out into a run.

The bright orange glow of the bonfire could be seen through the last remaining trees as he nearly reached the clearing.  The smoke wafted through the air, stinging his eyes and searing his lungs as he continued forward.

Just as he was about to step out of the tree line a hand grabbed him from behind, clamping over his mouth, while a second wrapped around his waist, pulling him back against a wall of solid flesh.

“Don’t make a sound.” The soft breath coming from a deep voice brushed over his ear.

A shiver went straight down Ryley’s spine, while his dick twitched in interest.  He had no idea what was going on, but he didn’t fear the man who held him.  If anything, Ryley wished he could turn around and see if the stranger looked as good as he sounded.

That was when he noticed something was wrong.  Terror flowed through Ryley even as his gaze took in the sight before him.

Staring over at the bonfire he could just make out figures moving around but something didn’t seem right.  The distance was still quite far, but Ryley knew the figures he saw weren’t his family.  They were too tall, and their bodies seemed… off.

Ryley felt his mind scream as he took in humped forms littering the ground.  He couldn’t see them clearly, but he knew, in his soul, who those bodies belonged to.

 

Who is Shea Balik, you ask?

 

Best Selling author of the Cedar Falls Series, Paranormal War Series, and Miracle Series, Shea Balik has always had a vivid imagination with stories running around in her head. Often her stories are taken from observations of other people with her own spin.

Traveling is one of her favorite ways of fulfilling her passion of people watching. You never know, one day you may spark her imagination for her next book.

Whether at home or traveling she is usually in front of her computer writing or curled up with a good book.

You can stay up to date with everything Shea by following any or all links below!

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