Blade to the Keep Read online

  Blade to the Keep

  By Lauren Dane

  Canny and ferocious, with the power of an ancient Goddess in her belly, Rowan Summerwaite is the only person who can renegotiate the fragile Treaty between the Vampire Nation and the Hunter Corporation, the last line of defense for humanity. A meeting of this Joint Tribunal, as well as her new status as Liaison, sends Rowan straight to the last place on earth she wants to be, the childhood home she’d escaped so many years before—The First’s Keep.

  Raised at the knee of The First—the oldest Vampire and leader of the Vampire Nation—honed into a weapon by the Hunter Corporation, wielding ancient knowledge from the Goddess within, Rowan must navigate bloodthirsty Vampires and Hunters alike. And she’s got to do it while managing a politically awkward but undeniably deepened romance with Scion Clive Stewart. Failure in her role as Liaison could mean all-out war, with humankind in the crosshairs. No pressure.

  Walking the path between her two lives has already made Rowan a pariah. The choices she’ll have to make will mean she becomes something even more Other and as a result she may lose those last shreds of home she has left.

  See how Rowan’s story began in Goddess with a Blade.

  72,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  It’s unbelievable to me that the holiday season is here already. I feel as though I was just stuffing myself full of holiday cookies, spiced wine and all of the wonderful chocolates sent to me during the holidays. But here we are again in what some call the season of joy, while others call it “the season where I avoid all shopping malls for at least two months.” If you’re one of those avoiding all of the seemingly endless holiday tasks, preparations and shopping, let us help you procrastinate with another fantastic lineup of books. If you’re one who revels in the season of joy, not to worry, these books will only add to your enjoyment of the season.

  This month, we have so many returning authors who are fan favorites, I’m not sure where to start. So instead, I’ll start with those who are new, either to readers, to Carina Press, or both. Beginning with debut author Michele Mannon, whose book first came to my attention two years ago during a cold-reads session at a meeting of New Jersey Romance Writers. During that session, I gave Michele some suggestions for strengthening her opening and she worked on it for several months before going on to win a few contests and eventually pitching it to me, at which point I acquired with great enthusiasm. I hope you’ll check out her fantastic love story of a former ballerina turned ring girl and a brooding, sexy fighter in Knock Out, book one of the Worth the Fight trilogy. And don’t mind me while I claim partial credit for the opening line...

  Joining Michele with a debut book is Timothy S. Johnston and his science-fiction thriller. It’s Agatha Christie meets Michael Crichton in The Furnace as homicide investigator Kyle Tanner travels to a remote space station to solve a mysterious death that may have enormous consequences for the human race.

  Our third debut author makes her appearance in one of my annual holiday collections. These have become a tradition at Carina Press, and one that I love, since I get a chance to work with a new variety of authors every year. This year, we have four collections. Last month saw the release of two of them: Gift of Honor, a military holiday collection, and Season of Seduction, an erotic holiday collection.

  This month we release the two contemporary holiday collections, and it’s in For My Own that Shari Mikels makes her writing debut with her novella Christmas Curveball. Joining her in this contemporary romance collection are new-to-Carina author Kinley Cade with her novella Kissing Her Scrooge, and fan-favorite Alison Packard with A Christmas for Carrie.

  In the second contemporary romance holiday collection, returning authors Christi Barth, Brighton Walsh and Kat Latham join together to offer some holiday love and forgiveness in All I’m Asking For with their novellas Tinsel My Heart, Season of Second Chances and Mine Under the Mistletoe.

  Also new to Carina Press this month are authors Keri Ford, Ann DeFee, T.C. Mill and Daryl Anderson, each offering up something different for reader entertainment. Keri Ford brings us a fun contemporary romance in Never Stopped Loving You, in which the heroine has to remind herself: don’t date your friends—and definitely don’t ever date your friend’s brother. Ann DeFee’s Beyond Texas is a fast-paced contemporary romance of mystical lights that dance across the desert as the hero and heroine, Cole Claiborne and Twinkie Sue Carmichael, discover love while thwarting an evil cult, giving new meaning to the old saying “Don’t Mess with a Texan.”

  In T.C. Mill’s male/male fantasy novella, Gardens Where No One Will See, Nemaran’s gentle attentions inspire Renad to go beyond the boundaries he’s set for himself for so long—but can they help him break free of even crueler bondage?

  And last in the new-to-Carina category, Daryl Anderson is on the scene in Murder in Mystic Cove. In this new mystery, a former Baltimore homicide detective thought she’d put murder cases behind her—until she discovered a resident in her father’s retirement community shot dead in his golf cart.

  Returning to Carina Press with contemporary romance Love Me Not, Reese Ryan introduces us to struggling artist Jamie Charles, who finds refuge from the painful secrets of her past in her art and prefers living on the edge—without the complications of love—until she encounters charming ad exec Miles Copeland, who is harboring his own dark past and is determined to have her heart.

  Fantasy romance author Shawna Thomas has the third installment in her Triune Stones series, Journey of Wisdom. It’s not too late to catch up before the series wraps up with the last book, Journey of the Wanderer, in February 2014.

  If you’re looking to spice up your holidays with a BDSM erotic romance, The Dom Project by Heloise Belleau and Solace Ames will keep you warm, even when it’s cold outside. When buttoned-up university archivist Robin Lessing agrees to spend one month submitting to a sexy, tattooed colleague, she presents her new Dom with a firm set of rules. But once they begin their stimulating sessions, it’s not long before she’s ready to beg him for more—much more.

  Also this month, we have three powerhouse fan favorites with new books. Shannon Stacey returns to the Kowalskis with the much-anticipated Love a Little Sideways. When Drew Miller had a casual rebound fling with his best friend’s sister, he thought she’d go back to New Mexico and stay there, but now Liz Kowalski has come home to stay, and Drew’s feelings for her might not be as casual as he thought.

  After a two-year wait, Lauren Dane is back with Blade to the Keep, the follow-up to Goddess with a Blade. Rowan Summerwaite is no ordinary woman. With the power of an ancient goddess in her belly, she’s the perfect candidate to re-negotiate the fragile Treaty keeping the peace between the Vampire Nation and the last line of defense for humanity, The Hunter Corporation. And she’s got to do it as she attempts to manage a politically awkward romance during a trip back to a place she escaped nearly fifteen years before. No pressure.

  Wrapping up this month is The Principle of Desire, the final book in the Science of Temptation trilogy from Delphine Dryden. 1 Sexy Switch + 1 Nerdy Newbie = A Master Class in Seduction.

  Last, no matter what your religion, or what you celebrate, books are a common bond, so from all of us at Carina Press, we wish you a wonderful season of reading. May there be incredible books, stories and characters on your ereaders all year long!

  We love to hear from readers, and you can email us your thoughts, comments and questions to [email protected]. You can also interact with Carina Press staff and authors on our blog, Twitter stream and Facebook fan page.

  Happy reading!

  ~Angela James

  Executi
ve Editor, Carina Press

  www.carinapress.com

  www.twitter.com/carinapress

  www.facebook.com/carinapress

  Dedication

  This one goes out to the bad asses who make hard choices and keep everyone safe. Even if no one really knows they do it.

  Acknowledgments

  Any author who claims a book is all their work is deluded. Or maybe lonely. This author fully realizes and appreciates that none of her books is created without the support and help of an important cast of characters. Thanks to the copy editors, the line editors, art, marketing, etc.!

  As always, big, huge thanks go to Angela James, my amazing editor. It’s impossible to understand how special it is to have an editor who truly gets you and who you get right back. I’m so fortunate to have Angie in my corner with her editrix whip and chair. She spends a great deal of time and energy on my books, always pushing me to do better and better. She’s made me a better writer over the years, and her comments always make me laugh, even when I want to cry too. LOL.

  Frauke—thank you for this cover. Perfect as always.

  A special shout-out to Lillie, who loved this series from the start and who kept at me to write more. Those words really did make a difference. And I promise there will be more Theo in the next book too.

  Readers—what can I say other than to continue to thank you for the support and love you’ve shown my books over the years. You’re all awesome!

  Contents

  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

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  The Hunter Corporation Motherhouse in London sat in one of those upscale neighborhoods where Rowan felt seriously outclassed by everyone else’s boots and coats and the like.

  Sleek luxury cars glided in and out of traffic silently, pausing to disgorge chic, elegant people.

  Normally she didn’t care about that sort of thing. Quite often what was fashionable made it harder to get at her weapons or made it harder to kick someone in the face.

  But being in Mayfair made her think about a certain well-bred British Vampire and miss him more than she wanted to. She bet Clive had lived here or in Belgravia when he was based in London.

  At her side, the Hunter Corp.’s escort. As in the person they’d decided to toss to the wolves to bring Rowan to the meeting of the full hunter council. He’d shown up at her door all spit-shined and innocent. Like a virgin sacrifice.

  He tried not to look her in the eye, and every time she moved too quickly he shrank back.

  “What’d you do, anyway?”

  He started, nearly stumbling. “Pardon?”

  “What’d you do? To merit having to be my keeper, that is.”

  “Oh, no, ma’am, it’s not a punishment. I mean, I’ve admired you since I was a kid.”

  She burst out laughing. “Ma’am, and you’ve admired me since you were a kid? I’m only thirty. Not quite ancient.”

  He blushed furiously. David, her valet and friend, walking to her left, gave her a chiding look and she rolled her eyes, momentarily abashed. Still, the kid was clearly in training to be an assistant to a Hunter like David was. He had to toughen up.

  “Oh, no, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

  “I’m teasing, kid. I won’t bite. Not you anyway. Still, seems like you drew the short straw. I do know how to get from my hotel to the Motherhouse.”

  “Ms. Portman just wanted you to know we were pleased to have you with us here in London once again.”

  Valerie Portman was an uptight, sanctimonious tight-ass bitch. Rowan loathed her and had since the first time she’d come to London and Valerie had told her she was a half breed whose motives where sketchy and she’d never be as good as the rest.

  So if Portman sent this kid to collect Rowan, it was meant as an insult. But it was at the expense of a boy who probably could only recently buy alcohol on his own.

  It was a petty and weak shot across the bow. One Rowan had no intention of reacting to. She smiled as they strolled up the sidewalk. She didn’t need to engage in juvenile back-and-forth. Valerie would be feeling threatened by Rowan’s being made Liaison, which replaced one of Valerie’s toadies who’d been mismanaging the position for years. As a bonus, it also raised Rowan’s position in the Hunter Corporation.

  That in and of itself was her revenge. She didn’t need to play power games with people who thought more of themselves and their base within Hunter Corp. instead of their mission.

  Hunters like Valerie believed the only relationship they should have with the Vampires was through war.

  Costly and stupid, that viewpoint. Of course, it was easy for them, the Hunters who sat behind desks and never had to risk themselves or kill anyone in service to the corp. They sent others out in service. Others like Rowan, who’d had to bear the cost of killing and the scars of what it took to keep the Treaty together.

  Rowan hated politics. But she hated Valerie and her mind-set even more. And now she had the power to be sure it didn’t take over the Motherhouse and send them sprawling into another war.

  “Ah, here we are.” The boy motioned to the stately front steps leading to the shiny red front doors of the Motherhouse.

  “Thanks. I got it from here.” She moved up and around him, and David held the door for her. “I’ve got an escort already. He’ll make sure I don’t stick anything into a light socket or set something on fire.” She made an X over her heart. “I promise.”

  “Oh, I don’t think... I’d never...”

  David gave a very soft huff of breath before he stepped between Rowan and the boy, to soothe him most likely. Rowan let that happen and moved ahead.

  The reception area was quiet and lovely and elegant, and Sarah Foster, Hunter Corp.’s very own Moneypenny, sat behind an equally lovely and elegant, gleaming walnut desk.

  “Rowan, it’s wonderful to see you.” Sarah stood and moved to Rowan, taking her hands.

  Rowan squeezed Sarah’s hands lightly. “You too.” Sarah had always been kind to her, even in her earliest days in London when she didn’t quite know whom to trust or if she’d stay on. Plus, Susan Espy, Rowan’s mentor and most trusted ally within the Hunter Corporation, adored Sarah, and that meant a great deal.

  Rowan had given herself stern lectures to accept kindnesses without outward discomfort after a very long conversation with her best friend, Thena, back home in Las Vegas. Sometimes she even succeeded.

  Within, the Goddess was pleased she was making an effort. Being nice took a lot of energy.

  “You know your way back. The meeting is in the main conference room near Susan’s office. There’s tea.”

  “Thank you.” She felt an irrational need to text Clive right then to say, See, I have manners.

  Clive was Clive Stewart, Scion of North America. Bigwig, starched suit, ridiculously handsome Vampire she had...been dating? Seemed a tame word for what they did. Having sex with? Also tame considering what they did.

  Whatever. He was sort of her boyfriend. Definitely a pain in the ass. More arrogant and condescending than anyone she’d ever let see her naked before.

 
Rowan headed up the curved staircase to the second floor where most of the Partners’ offices were. David followed silently, ready to serve her whenever she needed it. For a long time it had bothered her and she hadn’t quite known what to do with all that helpfulness. Now he was simply part of her life but in the best sort of way.

  “I’m going to stop off in my office to check my messages and then I’ll go to the conference room. You can take the afternoon off, you know. This meeting is going to last hours and hours and hours.” She keyed her door open. Her office was smaller than some of the others. It was the first one she’d been given when they’d made her a full partner, and as she spent so much time in the field, she’d never really felt the need to grab a bigger one when they came open. And then she’d transferred to Las Vegas and really only occupied the space the few times a year she traveled to London for meetings and the like.

  “I’m fine here. I have friends to visit once you’re safely in your meeting.” He busied himself opening the drapes, flooding the room with light.

  “I promise I’m not going to make a run for it.” She opened her email and nearly closed it again when she took note of over a hundred messages waiting for her.

  He sniffed delicately and gently moved her aside. “I’m too fast anyway.” His teasing face disappeared. “Déesse, go about your business, and I’ll sift through all this to cull out what is unnecessary.” Déesse meant goddess, and he called her that because that’s what she was. The first human Vessel for a goddess, Brigid, in modern history.

  Freed from the weight of her inbox, she sighed and stepped away. “I’d totally kiss you if it wouldn’t be sexual harassment.”

  He blushed, and with a wave and a last thanks, she headed down the hall.

  Susan stepped out of her office and caught sight of Rowan, smiling warmly in response. “There you are, darling.”

  Rowan grinned and allowed a hug and a kiss of each cheek. “I texted you to let you know my flight had arrived and I was settled at the hotel. Not like David had let me out of his very efficient sight since we got in anyway.”