Monsters (Vengeance Book 3) Read online

  Contents

  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

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Epilogue

  Extra Scenes

  Marabella

  Palo

  Marabella

  Palo

  Marabella

  Palo

  Marabella

  Palo

  M. Sinclair

  Copyright

  Copyright © M. Sinclair, 2019. All rights reserved.

  No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  ∞∞∞

  Fantasy Reverse Harem

  Gray and her guards swear a lot. As well, please be advised that the book contains darker themes such as gore and violence. Additionally, sexual themes are suitable for mature audiences +18.

  For those who love our over the top alpha males AND our kickass heroines.

  “Create an empire together.”

  Description

  Fantasy RH

  If King Mario wanted a war, he would get one.

  It has been one week since I promised war against the Dark Fae. One week of planning and aligning all the pieces on my board to assure victory. Then he did something unexpected. Now, I have no idea which way to move. Offense? Defense? Offense? Defense?

  Good news? I’ve got some quality drama to keep me entertained. From the Marabella and Palo show to Bobby and Esmes return, my days have been filled. What about time with my boys though? No worries! Even in war we have time for romance.

  Right?

  At least I have my cat Lunatic. Though, I have to admit she sometimes seems more human than cat. Is there something I’m not seeing?

  Hopefully, we will figure it out because if not… well I would rather not consider that! Stay positive… right?

  I have only one rule and I plan to follow it.

  Always punch first.

  This 53k third installment of the Vengeance series is filled with fantasy, adventure, and a ton of steamy steam. Get your fans and water bottles ready because this is going to be a hot one! Not to mention the substantial blood, violence, and swearing that we’ve come to love! Be ready for this fast paced and exciting continuation with Gray and her guards!

  A note to readers of both the Red Masques & Vengeance: There will be spoilers!!! The plot lines intertwine so I am releasing both books at the same time. Feel free to pick either release but I just wanted to give you a heads up! Enjoy!

  Also, don’t forget to follow my FB group Sinclair’s Ravens for new updates!!!

  Chapter 1

  Gray

  He was here.

  I could feel him stalking me through the forest, my footsteps silent and eyes watchful. His energy felt lethal even from afar and I felt a smile tilt my lips in excitement. It was rare that someone could actually hunt me successfully. Honestly, the picture would be complete if we could get that National Geographic voice-over actor to narrate this. My magic pushed against me in protest but I kept it reined in.

  It wasn’t time yet.

  With an easy movement, I grasped one of the many massive trees that inhabited the forests in the Horde. I loved how the tree changed at my touch and tipped just enough that I could scale it and sit comfortably on one of the branches. Despite being the end of November, the Horde was painted in stunning fall colors and the pines a thick healthy green. The land had begun to flourish and I didn’t want to toot my own horn or anything, but it was totally because the True Heir, me, had taken the throne.

  Palo had explained that my ascension to the throne did something to the magic in the land and after about one moment of soaking in the ego boosting, I zoned out. I didn’t feel terrible, however, because Taylor had as well and Palo was his own brother. Plus, if I ever needed anything repeated I could just ask Marabella. The woman was sharp as a tack with an amazing memory, which could have its drawbacks.

  As in, sometimes she would remind me of something I’d said despite me wanting to change my opinion.

  “Gray,” she chided. “Hadn’t you just said you were going to give your brother a chance to prove himself?”

  “I said that after a glass of wine and a family dinner!” I exclaimed. “I was just feeling sentimental. The guy sucks.”

  Shit like that.

  Silas wasn’t a bad guy but he was just a lazy piece of shit. Still, I had found a job for him and, oddly enough, it was coordinating large events. The man had a knack for party planning. It was also why I’d been kicked out of my own damn castle today.

  My own castle!

  Despite being the ONLY one from Earth Realm and it being Thanksgiving, Silas didn’t want me to help plan the festival. It was bullshit. Although I had felt pretty proud of myself for bringing such a fun holiday to the Horde. Now if we could only get some cars and equal rights here.

  I’m surprised I’m even allowed to be queen with the sexist undertone of this place.

  Yet, there had been no riots thus far, so I had to be doing something right. Or, and this was likely the better guess, the inhabitants were scared shitless and didn’t want to risk getting their asses handed to them.

  You know, because I’m a total badass.

  My head whipped to the side as a small noise down below caught my attention. I knew he was close but for the life of me couldn’t find him. If I expanded my power, I might be able to…

  “Fuck!” I squeaked as a pair of arms snapped around me.

  I’d been caught.

  “Got you,” the deep and rumbling voice whispered against my ear.

  I turned to look up at Adyen with a scowl. How the hell did someone fifteen inches taller than my five-foot-two-inch-self move so quietly? The dragon offered me a dangerous smile as he leaned closer his nose trailing my cheek bone.

  “How did you do that?” I demanded feeling rather inadequate in my hide-and-go-seek skills.

  Adyen’s honey-colored gaze looked over my face affectionately as his slow, blinding smile grew and made his handsome golden face light up. God damn handsome bastard. Honestly, I wondered why there wasn’t a rule regulating how attractive someone could be. I mean it just made sense. What if he caused an accident? It was inconsiderate if you really think about it.

  “You’re actually upset I snuck up on you,” he chuckled while lifting me so I was more securely resting on the branch. I ignored how the tree shifted so there were more branches to cradle us while thirty feet in the air. Gods. Good thing I like heights, huh?

  “No,” I denied but put my chin up. “I just want to know. For tactical purposes.”

  A cool breeze blew over both of us and shifted his dark short hair as the scent of ashes and cinnamon wrapped around me in a comforting blanket. Despite wearing only a pair of leather hunting pants and a light sweater, I wasn’t cold. I totally moved closer as if I was.

  “Right,” he offered me a patronizing look before those eyes smoldered. I stilled as he lifted a thumb to my lips and smirked. Lately, I felt as though I
was going crazy and had no release from it. Every single touch or smile from the boys made me feel like a teenager with a stupid crush. I blamed my total lack of sexual attraction to anyone before meeting them.

  Now they had all of my attention and the bastards knew it.

  “So, what do I get for winning?” he goaded in amusement. I couldn’t help but get distracted by how massive his hands were on my waist. Their mere touch made me want to squirm. Who knew my type was massive warrior men with rough hands and perfect smiles?

  Said no one, ever.

  “The feeling of accomplishing such a daring task.” I winked.

  A low rumble sounded in his chest as he lifted me easily I straddled his large form. I shivered as my hands steadied on his shoulders.

  “I don’t think that was what we agreed on, little brawler,” he responded in a deeper tone.

  “We didn’t agree on anything,” I accused with wide eyes.

  “No.” He shook his head. “I think we did. Now, hand it over.”

  What was he talking… oh no.

  I felt my eyes widen as I tried to escape. “No, Adyen.”

  His booming laugh scared some birds as he kept me trapped with a knowing gaze. “Come on, Gray. You have to play fair.”

  “This is the fifth one this week. They don’t even sell them in the Horde,” I complained in a soft whine.

  Instead of responding he just fixed me with a look. I reached behind me with a grumble and pulled out the elastic band that held back my veil of dark hair. Until recently, the dragon possessed a treasure hoard that used to be made of precious stones. Now, however, it was all my fucking shit.

  It was totally cute until he started taking all my hair bands.

  “Fine,” I growled.

  His eyes flashed black as his dragon took it before drawing me closer so that my pelvis pressed against his own. I let out a small sound as he began tracing my collar bone with his nose. I didn’t bother pulling away knowing his dragon was more in control than he was.

  It was a dangerous game to play with shifters because, while fun, if they were antagonized enough, they got a bit crazy. Adyen was a perfect example. The man was loving, reliable, and persistent in his affection with me. He didn’t always say how he felt but I could feel it in the way he acted and looked at me. I could also feel other things that made me want to just spend all day up here. Preferably naked.

  Anyway. The point is that he is all of those things and so much more. His dragon, though? That motherfucker is one possessive bastard. I mean truly. Even now, I could hear a low rumble trying to escape his throat and Adyen really wasn’t fighting it all that much. I swear if I let him, his dragon would add me to his hoard of things.

  “Mate,” he nipped at my neck as my core melted and I felt the rate of my breathing increase.

  “Adyen,” I cooed and gently leaned forward to kiss his nose. I had figured out that trying to break away from his hold was a futile effort, and I really had no reason to. There was nothing but food and celebration on my schedule so his dragon could love on me all he wanted.

  In fact, I preferred that.

  It had been a long fucking week since the last coronation. I mean truly. I was thrilled to have the academy members here, mostly Esme and Bobby, but it was a massive job to get everyone situated. That was in addition to the numerous logistical meetings I had held to plan for the pressure I intended to put on Mario’s army. We needed to act soon before we had to play defense at our borders.

  Every night, I tended to just collapse in bed with exhaustion. So, yeah. Time with my men? It had been nonexistent. It was odd because I lived so long without any affection. Now that they’d been in my life all of a month or two, I was attached. It didn’t bother me so much as surprise me. The sneaky bastards had just slipped through the cracks of my defenses.

  Sneaky, sexy bastards.

  “Kitten,” a voice prompted both of us to look down as my smile grew. I placed my head on Adyen’s chest as he fingered my hair with massaging patterns.

  “Yes, Rhodes?” I asked curiously with a small smile. I knew exactly what I had done.

  “Any chance you want to explain why I was tied to my bed this morning? Lunatic sat on my chest staring at me like she was plotting my demise.”

  Lunatic was our adorable kitten.

  “Maybe she didn’t want you to leave,” I noted with amusement.

  “I am finding it hard to believe she was the one who tied my wrists to the headboard,” he growled softly as I felt my excitement jump. I. Wanted. His. Control. Gone.

  Mission in motion.

  “You’re always teasing about tying me up,” I drawled as I stood. Adyen followed, holding me protectively, “Maybe, I just wanted to see what the big fuss was about.”

  The tree shifted, the branches creaking, to form makeshift steps that allowed us to descend the thirty feet as I came face to face with our lean and lethal leader. I loved the heat in his eyes.

  “Adyen took my ponytail,” I complained as my dragon’s eyes reverted back to honey. He winked.

  “Wasn’t me.” He shrugged and began trailing towards the castle with a proud smirk. I turned to look back at Rhodes. My heart jumped as my spine hit the tree and he loomed over me.

  “If you wanted to know what the fuss was about,” he purred gently, “I could have just shown you.”

  I bet you could have.

  My pulse jumped as he easily stretched my gathered wrists above me. A tremble worked through my system. I let out an eager gasp as his lips found my neck and he trailed soft kisses along my carotid. His knee separated my legs. I absolutely loved being pinned like this. By Rhodes, specifically.

  “Rhodes,” I made a soft noise. “Stop teasing me.”

  He chuckled against my skin as goose bumps broke across my entire body. The man with pale green eyes pulled back and I saw his jaguar break through just a bit as gold grew more apparent.

  “I’m not teasing,” he grinned. “I would gladly tie you up, kitten. You just aren’t ready for what that would mean between us.”

  “You don’t know that,” I muttered as a strand of golden hair fell from his sexy man bun. Words I thought I’d never say, I might add. His golden, shadowed beard and strong jaw looked especially hot this close up. It really didn’t help the man had a crisp English accent.

  “I do,” he grinned. “Because when, not if, I claim you as my mate, it’s forever. I’m going to bury myself deep inside your tight body and mark you, head-to-toe, with bites.”

  My breathing ceased as I struggled to hold in a moan. His primal declaration had me squirming and feeling flushed.

  His lip twitched. “Just say the word, though, and I’ll trust you’re ready.”

  “Bastard,” I muttered. He was right. I saw them in my future, all five of them, and it wasn’t going to change. I wasn’t naïve, though. I knew that we were still working through things not only from my past but theirs as well. It didn’t stop me from falling in love.

  Ignore that.

  Love? After all, what’s love? I don’t love anyone.

  Lie.

  I totally do. I was completely and hopelessly falling in love with them. Every last one of them.

  Gross.

  A small meow had me chuckling as Rhodes sighed, hiding his amusement, as a fluffy white fuzz ball trotted out across the forest floor. She was so sassy. Lunatic’s golden eyes narrowed at Rhodes as he scoffed. He shook his head. Despite acting like she hated Rhodes, she followed him around nearly as much as Adyen. I leaned down to pick her up. She curled around me and fixed him with a glowering stare.

  “She thinks you’re her mom,” he rationalized, humor in his tone.

  “How do you know that?” I kissed her head as she purred in this small humming noise.

  He chuckled. “I’m a feline shifter, kitten. Of course I can tell what our kitten is thinking.”

  Got him.

  “Our kitten, you say?” I grinned. He grunted at my catch. “I had no idea you thought
of her as ours. I like that, Rhodes. Although, you should have asked me to marry you or something to make it official. Make an honest woman of me and all.”

  He put his head skyward as if the Maker would help.

  “Meow,” Lunatic stated emphatically as I tried to not bust out laughing.

  “I know,” he snarled quietly at the small cat.

  “What did she say?” I tilted my head.

  The man’s ears turned pink. He shook his head. “Not important. Come on let’s go back.”

  I gasped as I trailed after him. “Rhodes! You can’t do that. I need to know. This is every cat owners dream! I have to know what she is thinking at all times. Is there a way for me to talk to her? Please, Rhodes! Tell me!”

  “Sorry, love,” he grinned, firmly aware he had regained some degree of control. “Can’t do that.”

  Lunatic huffed and stretched across my shoulders as I pet her. My plan was to annoy him more but as we reached the clearing behind my private quarters, I was distracted.

  What in the ever living hell?

  “Bobby?” I tilted my head as he met my gaze. Marabella stood between him and Palo as the two men exchanged low, harsh words. I’d never seen my lady-in-waiting and friend look so frustrated.

  “Will you both stop!” She yelled, her dark eyes flashing as that crimpy, wheat hair blew out of its up-do. It was sort of glorious. The shy woman was slowly becoming a total badass and it looked awesome on her. Just today she’d finally, after much convincing, tried on a pair of leather riding pants. Bitch looked fabulous.

  “What is going on?” I frowned as Lunatic sighed. Yes, sighed.

  True cat, or opinionated small person in a feline body? The jury was still out.

  “What’s going on is that he’s being purposefully obtuse!” Bobby exclaimed motioning to Palo.

  Maker. Some heavy vocabulary for this early in the morning.

  “Explain.” I looked at my friend.

  “Palo,” Marabella drawled staring accusingly at Taylor’s brother. The demon was nearly ethereal looking - lean muscular body, crimson hair, and black eyes. Eyes that were possessively trained on the woman he’d crushed on for years, but regrettably had done little about it. Also regrettably, he wouldn’t let her move onto anyone else either.