Betrayal: Immortal Protectors, Book 1 Read online

  Betrayal

  H.M. McQueen

  Betrayal

  Hildie McQueen

  Writing as H.M. McQueen

  Editor: Gayla Leath

  Cover Artist: Robin Ludwig

  Ebooks/Books are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  © Copyright Hildie McQueen 2015. All rights reserved

  For Kurt, the best husband ever.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Emma Blake felt at home in the shadows. It was where she survived, always concealing the truth from those around her.

  Now as she hid in the doorway of an abandoned building, she couldn’t help but compare the current situation to her life.

  The dampness of the brick wall behind her seeped through to her skin, as she pushed further into the shade it provided to avoid being noticed. The putrid smell of trash and urine barely registered as the scene unfolding mesmerized her.

  What happened in that moment evoked images of the endless battles dark and light forces had been waging since the dawn of time.

  Although beautiful to behold, the warrior who fought before her wasn’t exactly an angel, but he was as close to one as she would ever get. Emma took a big chance sticking around because once he noticed her presence; there would be one of two possibilities for her.

  He would either help her or kill her.

  The air blew chilly on this damp, drizzly day in Atlanta. A city that for some unknown reason, in the last few years, had become a hotbed for the dark Fae, or as most prefer to call them, demons. With such an influx of demons, human assaults were on the rise.

  Emma continued to watch from the shelter of the doorway as the Protector fought his aggressors, ten huge, low-level demons armed with medieval-type swords.

  She tensed, but didn’t flinch as a demon’s severed arm flew past her and hit the ground next to her foot with a sickening thud.

  In her mind, there was no doubt as to whom the victor would be in the end. The fluidity of the Protector’s movements and the speed of the fight enthralled her. Her gaze locked on his thick biceps. Muscles bulged on his right arm as he swung his sword in a seemingly effortless motion. Impressive, for the weapon he wielded had to weigh at least twenty pounds.

  He dodged a blow and struck out with his sword to slash through one demon’s chest. A dagger flew from his left hand and found its target in another’s heart.

  He already fought the next opponent as both demons fell.

  The Protector was magnificent —she had to give him that. He was one of an army of immortal warriors trained for battle against demons. They kept a low profile from humans to avoid discovery. Yet anyone who happened upon them in battle would most likely mistake them for angels.

  Avenging angels.

  As she watched the Protector now, Emma could understand why people would make that assumption. He was not an angel, but a warrior that fought for good. His golden skin glistened from the rain as he fought. His long blonde hair flew around him like a halo as he swung his sword.

  His face was a masterpiece that God surely had enjoyed creating. Perfectly arched eyebrows framed his ice-blue eyes. A shallow cleft softened his strong jaw. The sensuality of his full lips was not diminished by the snarl that remained constant as he battled.

  Two demons left.

  One of them looked in her direction. Did he see her?

  No. I’m well hidden in this doorway.

  Emma didn’t panic. The demon was more worried about his survival at this point than feeding on her blood. The best option for him would be to run and save himself, while the Protector was distracted fighting another.

  He chose self-preservation. Scant seconds later, the scent of the demon’s fear assaulted her nostrils as he raced past her.

  The demon disappeared around the corner, and she debated the advantages of running as well. Once enraged, only a fool would stick around and try to talk to a Protector. They were slow to calm.

  She was one of the few that could see both Protectors and demons in their true forms.

  Because of her demon heritage, she was also the Protector’s mortal enemy.

  The soft plop of droplets from the overhang splashing into puddles alerted her to the sudden silence. Emma froze and held her breath. The thumps of her heart echoed in her ears, yet she chanced a peek.

  The Protector stood very still. He no longer fought. The body of the last demon lay at his feet, its blue blood pooled around his boots. In the next instant the body evaporated into a translucent blue vapor and swirled around the magnificent male.

  Emma swallowed hard as the Protector raised his head to sniff the air. His actions slow and steady, as if he knew someone stood nearby. His frosty stare began to scan the alley, his eyes narrowed in her direction. She let out a breath of relief when he peered down at his left shoulder. He grimaced as he rotated it. One of the demons had gotten lucky. A bloodstain seeped through his gray t-shirt. He lifted the sleeve up and studied the wound, as if oblivious to her presence. He applied pressure with his right hand for a few moments. When he moved his hand away, the bleeding had stopped.

  Emma shrank back when he raised his head and glanced in her direction again.

  All air left her lungs when he stalked toward her with an alert expression, as if he expected her to flee in terror before he reached her. The thought did cross her mind.

  As the Protector came closer, Emma gritted her teeth and balled up her fists to keep from running in the opposite direction. Her heart thumped inside her chest.

  His face remained expressionless. He kept his hands relaxed at his sides. His movements smooth but methodical. His sword, no longer drawn, was sheathed in a scabbard and slung across his broad back.

  Fear surged again when the Protector stopped a few feet from her. Her blood ran cold and she could not suppress a tremble when his ice-blue eyes locked with her own and his nostrils flared. Narrowed eyes skimmed over her.

  If he sensed demon first, she was dead.

  At this distance, the male was magnificent. Now so close, he towered over her, at least six four and the male exuded pure power.

  Emma remained tense and mentally cursed as fear seized her while she waited for his reaction. This was it, time to confront the man she’d been seeking for so long.

  Protectors had more strength than demons and although her demon half made her stronger than most humans, no way in hell could she hope to defend herself if he decided to attack.

  Cyn pushed fury aside, and took a deep breath to calm. He wasn’t in the mood for more surprises. The low-levels that attacked him were less than a threat. What infuriated him the most was that he allowed the ambush.

  Now a female waited for him, a small one at that. Just what he needed, another annoyance to deal with.

  He’d taken his time pretending to inspect the cut to his shoulder, giving her time to run away.

  She hadn’t.

  Interesting.

  At this point, he didn’t care if she’d seen him fight demons. Who would believe her anyway? As he stalked towards her, her eyes widened and she shuddered, but then squared her shoulders and held her ground.

  Even more inte
resting, the petite woman barely flinched when Cyn stopped just a couple feet away and studied her.

  Who was she?

  The longer he watched her, the more frightened she appeared. Her heartbeat picked up, her lips parted, and her breathing accelerated. He inhaled the familiar scent of fear. Could she have witnessed what had just transpired between him and the low-level demons?

  Regardless, she was afraid of him.

  His inner voice urged him to erase her memory and move on. Curiosity stopped him.

  He tried to determine what she was. She didn’t seem like a demon. Her skin lacked the telltale blue tinge visible to Protectors.

  Fully human? Perhaps, but he doubted it.

  Cyn leaned forward and peered into her honey-brown eyes as he tried to read her thoughts.

  He could not.

  She could be one of the few humans that were difficult to read, or did she intentionally block him?

  This is trouble. Move on.

  Once again, he ignored the voice in his head.

  The woman swallowed, but didn’t budge; as if afraid he’d attack at her slightest move. Not a bad assumption on her part.

  He took advantage of her stillness, Cyn’s eyes traveled over her body again. In her gray business suit and conservative black pumps, she looked like she’d just stepped away from an office. Certainly, there were better places for her to be than this alley on such a damp, dreary day. Almost as if in response to his thoughts, a rumble of thunder boomed over them.

  Both ignored it.

  The woman became increasingly nervous as he continued to study her. Her breaths now came in small pants as she shuffled, putting weight on one leg and then the other. Her hand shook slightly when she raised it to brush several strands of golden brown hair away from her flushed, heart shaped face.

  Pretty was not an adequate word to describe her. She was exquisite. His eyes lingered on her lips.

  How would her lips feel under mine?

  The fact that she took his breath away gave Cyn pause. After hundreds of years and many attractive women in his bed, it was rare that beauty affected him so intensely.

  The female narrowed her eyes at him and her nostrils flared. She interrupted his thoughts. “I know this is probably not the best time, but I need to talk to you. There’s no one else who can do what you do. I need your help.”

  Cyn’s interest spiked as she spoke. No accent, so that didn’t help him.

  He didn’t answer her. Instead, he inhaled deeply and concentrated on isolating her scent that floated in the air. She smelled of tropical islands, a hint of coconut mixed with her natural essence. The heady fragrance forced him to take a step back. His entire body reacted to her.

  Definitely time to leave.

  Like any normal male, it wasn’t unusual for him to become aroused in the presence of an attractive female. But this reaction was different. It was intoxicating. Unlike any other he could remember.

  His heartbeat quickened, his hands tingled urging him to reach out and touch her. A rush of heat coursed through his body. A feeling not too different from what he experienced in battle, but this time lust, not rage caused it. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.

  The female appeared normal. Yet something about her that he couldn’t quite explain pulled at him.

  A witch? He didn’t believe so.

  Another type of immortal? He hoped not. He’d have to kill her if she posed a threat to humans.

  She seemed to sense his thoughts, and took a step back. “Can we go somewhere to talk?” she asked him in a confident voice.

  When he reached out to touch her, she held her hands up defensively. “Wait, don’t kill me. Just give me a couple minutes to explain….”

  “Believe me, sweetheart, killing you is not exactly what I have in mind right now.” His fingers curled around her forearm and he drew her to him.

  She yelped as if his touch burned her. She tried to yank her arm from his hold and glared at him. Her eyes flickered to his hand. “Let go of me, you're hurting me. Just please let me talk to you, it’s very important that I tell you something.”

  The woman was either crazy or very brave to stand up to him. He released her forearm but kept his hand on her shoulder, to make sure she didn’t bolt. “Alright, talk.”

  Before speaking, she eyed the hand on her shoulder. “My…. my sister, she’s been taken and I need your help to save her. Demons took her hostage. I know you can help her. You’re sworn to protect innocents.” Her bottom lip quivered, it made him wonder if she acted the part, but the plea in her eyes gave him a jolt.

  He hated how she fogged his ability to think straight. He shook his head to clear it.

  “I don’t do rescues,” he snapped. “Why are you really here? Who are you?”

  “I just told you, I’m a woman who’s desperate enough to come to you for help,” she replied.

  He studied her for a moment longer before her eyes slid away from his and focused on his lips.

  All of a sudden he was able to hear her thoughts. “His mouth, it’s so perfect...”

  His gaze fell to hers.

  Thunder clapped simultaneously as he gave in to the powerful connection and drew her to him, ignoring her surprised gasp.

  His mouth crushed hers. Caught off guard, she parted her lips and he dove in allowing his tongue to explore. She responded almost immediately. The woman clutched his arms and leaned into him. He hardened, aroused at the lush pliant body pressed against him.

  With strength that belied her size, she ran her hands up from his forearms to his shoulders and drew him closer. Her lips were as soft as the rest of her. The woman’s entire body molded into his now, and the warmth of it enveloped him. He closed his eyes and allowed the wonderful feel of her to consume him. He deepened the kiss as his hands traveled down her back and cupped her butt. When he ground his hardness into her, he was rewarded by a soft moan.

  Time seemed to stop as his lips traveled over her mouth. Aroused beyond thought, his fangs dropped and he used the tips to tease her bottom lip.

  The tingling on the back of his neck, alerted him of a demon presence nearby. The defensive warning jolted him back to reality. He broke the kiss and raised his head to look around while he held her against him. The sound of their heavy breathing filled the quiet of the alley until a growl came from deep in his throat.

  More demons and they were headed for them.

  “Damn it,” he said, reluctant to move away from her.

  When he released her, the woman swayed, blinking repeatedly. An expression of shock and disgust crossed her face. Her upper lip curled and she covered her mouth with her hands. “Oh God! I can’t believe I let you kiss me.”

  Cyn ignored her comment at first. “Demons are headed this way. You gotta go,” he told her and then narrowed his eyes at her and added, “and for the record, you not only let me kiss you, but you kissed me back.”

  Putting her hands on his chest she shoved him away. A light blush confirming she'd indeed enjoyed the kiss.

  She narrowed those beautiful honey brown eyes at him. “What did you expect? You killed a bunch of demons. They are going to send an army after you now.”

  He shrugged. “So, what else is new?”

  This female was spunky.

  Too bad he’d never see her again.

  He bowed his head at her. “Nice meeting you.”

  Turning away, he rushed towards his Harley.

  “Wait!” Emma held up both hands and shouted as the Protector ran toward a massive black and chrome motorcycle. He hesitated for a second and she thought he’d heard her.

  But, without a backward glance, he straddled the seat and sped off.

  “Damn it! Now I have to find him all over again.” She jerked around and scanned the alleyway. He’d said demons were headed there. It wouldn’t be good to be there alone when they arrived. She hurried out of the alley.

  She felt foolish. After all that work to find the Protector and getting up the nerve to tal
k to him, she didn’t even get the chance to tell him the rest of the information. It’d taken her almost a week to find him. Night after night spent skulking through shadowy alleys and streets, following demons all over Atlanta.

  Now she was forced to start all over again. She dropped her head, and allowed exhaustion to take over.

  It began to rain harder so she hurried across the street toward her office.

  # # #

  Minutes later, Emma sat at her functional wooden desk at Georgia Bank and Trust with her chin in her hands and stared at the bleary words on the papers in front of her. Her thoughts were far away.

  When she found him again, she would not allow her attraction to the Protector to hinder her. Her priority was to find her sister.

  Emma opened her eyes and scanned the almost empty bank lobby through the glass office walls. The wet weather kept most customers home this day.

  It was her last day at the bank. She’d requested an extended leave of absence. With no appointments scheduled, the rest of her afternoon loomed ahead.

  Since Briana’s kidnapping, the days had been unbearable for her. It was hard to concentrate at work while the demons held Briana. She didn’t want to imagine what her sister was going through at the hands of the evil beings.

  Hostage, until she brought the ransom.

  Now, after she’d failed to convince Cynden Fraser to help her, a heavy sense of hopelessness engulfed her.

  “What happened?” Wendy, her friend and coworker asked from the doorway. She didn’t wait for an answer and walked in closing the door behind her. Wendy plopped down on a chair with a hopeful expression on her face. Wendy leaned forward, her vivid green eyes searching Emma’s face, as she waited for her answer. Emma’s mood lightened.

  Wendy was one of a handful of humans Emma had ever met who knew about demons and Protectors. Wendy was attacked by a demon one night and a Protector rescued her. Although she’d never seen the Protector again, Wendy could describe him in great detail, which she did every chance she got. By Wendy’s description, the Protector who rescued her had an uncanny resemblance to Cynden, except for the eye color. She swore her rescuer had clear green eyes. Cynden's eyes were a very definite shade of blue.