Deborah LeBlanc - Witch's Hunger

THE DANGER IN THEIR DESIRE

As a Triad witch, Vivienne François knows better than to let Nikoli Hyland get too close. Her family’s ancient curse means Viv can never be with the sexy human warrior. If she succumbs to her forbidden desires, she risks losing everything and putting all humanity in danger. Still, Nikoli affects her like no other...

Nikoli swore an oath to protect the world from the Cartesians, interdimensional beasts bent on destruction. He needs Viv’s help to defeat them, but the feisty beauty’s company makes focusing on the mission difficult. Viv and Nikoli know how to fight evil; it’s battling their hearts that could be their undoing.

“I’ll get the bloodstones,” Viv said. “How many do you think we’ll need?”

“Twelve should do it.”

“I’ll bring sixteen. Always better to have more than not enough, right?”

Nikoli gave her a sultry look. “It’s always better to have more.”

Viv cleared her throat and rummaged through the bloodstones, but she felt her breathing quicken. There was no ignoring Nikoli’s scent—a mixture of leather, musk and fresh, rain-kissed air. No one had ever affected her this way. Viv narrowed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the bloodstones.

“I think we’re good,” she said, chancing a look at Nikoli’s face. Big mistake. When she’d turned to him, they were but a breath apart.

Both of them froze, eyes locked, and in that moment the rest of Viv’s world disappeared. All that existed was the scent of him, the brawn of him. The only thing either of them had to do was move a fraction of an inch and...

Award-winning and bestselling author DEBORAH LEBLANC is a business owner, a licensed death-scene investigator and an active member of two national paranormal investigation teams. She’s the president of the Horror Writers Association, Mystery Writers of America’s Southwest chapter and the Writers’ Guild of Acadiana. Deborah is also the creator of the LeBlanc Literacy Challenge, an annual national campaign designed to encourage more people to read, and Literacy, Inc., a nonprofit organization with a mission to fight illiteracy in America’s teens. For more information go to www.deborahleblanc.comand www.literacyinc.com.

Witch’s Hunger

Deborah LeBlanc

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For Pookie and Sarah.

It’s been a long, hard road without you...

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text THE DANGER IN THEIR DESIRE As a Triad witch, Vivienne François knows better than to let Nikoli Hyland get too close. Her family’s ancient curse means Viv can never be with the sexy human warrior. If she succumbs to her forbidden desires, she risks losing everything and putting all humanity in danger. Still, Nikoli affects her like no other... Nikoli swore an oath to protect the world from the Cartesians, interdimensional beasts bent on destruction. He needs Viv’s help to defeat them, but the feisty beauty’s company makes focusing on the mission difficult. Viv and Nikoli know how to fight evil; it’s battling their hearts that could be their undoing.

Introduction “I’ll get the bloodstones,” Viv said. “How many do you think we’ll need?” “Twelve should do it.” “I’ll bring sixteen. Always better to have more than not enough, right?” Nikoli gave her a sultry look. “It’s always better to have more.” Viv cleared her throat and rummaged through the bloodstones, but she felt her breathing quicken. There was no ignoring Nikoli’s scent—a mixture of leather, musk and fresh, rain-kissed air. No one had ever affected her this way. Viv narrowed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the bloodstones. “I think we’re good,” she said, chancing a look at Nikoli’s face. Big mistake. When she’d turned to him, they were but a breath apart. Both of them froze, eyes locked, and in that moment the rest of Viv’s world disappeared. All that existed was the scent of him, the brawn of him. The only thing either of them had to do was move a fraction of an inch and...

About the Author Award-winning and bestselling author DEBORAH LEBLANC is a business owner, a licensed death-scene investigator and an active member of two national paranormal investigation teams. She’s the president of the Horror Writers Association, Mystery Writers of America’s Southwest chapter and the Writers’ Guild of Acadiana. Deborah is also the creator of the LeBlanc Literacy Challenge, an annual national campaign designed to encourage more people to read, and Literacy, Inc., a nonprofit organization with a mission to fight illiteracy in America’s teens. For more information go to www.deborahleblanc.com and www.literacyinc.com .

Title Page Witch’s Hunger Deborah LeBlanc www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication For Pookie and Sarah. It’s been a long, hard road without you...

Prologue

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

Chapter 24

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

The triplets had known trouble since birth.

Near the north wall of a vast cavern southeast of Marseilles stood a wide stone table. Behind the table sat the Council of Elders for the Circle of Sisters—Magda, head of the council, Bayonne and Palmae.

Magda, shaking with fury, glared at the three young women standing before them. Esmee, the eldest of the triplets and most outspoken, and her sisters, Lisette and Julianne François. The girls’ shadows danced across the stone walls from the multitude of candles that illuminated the dank cave.

They were forced to wear sackcloth and walk the many miles to the meeting area. They stood dirty, sweating and trembling with fear at what they were about to face. They were identical in appearance save for their eyes. Each held a unique color. Esmee’s were brilliant blue, Lisette’s a shiny copper and Julianne’s blacker than any shade of night.

All three pairs of eyes were now downcast, the girls’ heads bowed in sorrow and submission. Coal-black hair fell across alabaster skin. The cave smelled of their sweat, burning candles and the earthy scent of the dirt beneath their feet.

Magda, as head of the council, held the staff of judgment so tightly in her right hand her knuckles had turned white. Her fury was undeniable. The staff of judgment was eight inches long, made of thick, polished Elder-wood and topped with a bloodstone the size of a small woman’s fist. The staff was the ballast used only in severe cases, of which this was definitely one.

Being responsible for an entire clan of witches spread throughout France, especially in the fifteenth century, was no small feat. She held fast to being firm and fair, and unwavering from protocol. Despite her anger, looking at the triplets made her heart ache and cluttered her thoughts.