Red Queen Read online

  Red Queen

  Others of Seattle Novelette

  Brandy L Rivers

  Copyright 2014 Brandy L Rivers

  Smashwords Edition

  http://brandylrivers.com

  Cover Design by Brandy L Rivers

  Edited by Shaner Media Creations

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Also by Brandy L Rivers

  Box Sets

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 1

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2

  Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3

  Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1

  Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2

  Others of Edenton

  New Beginnings

  In Too Deep

  Shadows Fall

  Shadows of the Past

  Falling Into Place

  Fated Love

  Breaking Free

  Mending Scars

  Labor of Love

  Light in Darkness

  Blissful Agony

  Entangled Darkness

  Deadly Design (Coming 10-24-16)

  Untitled: Declan’s story (Coming Summer 2017)

  Others of Seattle

  Nights Embrace

  Storm Mistress

  Accepting Fate

  Red Queen

  Seductive Solutions

  Changing Destiny

  Coming Together

  Storm Wrath

  Twisted Bonds (Coming Spring 2017)

  Nights Embrace Spin Off

  Summer Rhythm

  Stand Alone Contemporary Romance

  Heart on Fire

  Falling Star

  Sweet Tooth

  Backburn (Coming 1-6-17)

  Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke

  Cursed Vengeance

  Vengeance Unraveled (coming 2017)

  To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my

  Website – Facebook - Twitter

  Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans

  Dedication

  To Tara, who loves Joey, this one is for you.

  Chapter 1

  Joey sat at the Jitterhouse, tapping an angry rhythm on the marred table surface. He was having a brilliant day until he saw the Bumbershoot flier.

  Sorcha might have his balls before the day was out, and it wouldn’t even be his fault. Last time he’d tangled with the lead singer of one particular band, Sorcha had wanted to kill him when he was the fucking victim.

  Trevor walked in and waved before heading to the counter to order coffee. Bastard was bound to laugh his arse off at the present situation.

  His finger drumming became harder, faster, as he wracked his brain for ideas on how to stay away from the woman who let fame go to her head, warping and twisting her into a psychotic witch with a penchant for head games.

  Trevor slid into the booth with a raised brow. He watched Joey’s incessant beat on the table-top. “My, aren’t we grumpy this morning.”

  “Aye, you’d be too if you knew who’s playing on the main stage same time we’re on.”

  “And who might that be?”

  Joey clenched his jaw so hard it popped before looking away to mutter, “Red Queen.”

  “She’s still around?”

  “Mmhmm, and apparently gaining popularity, too. She doesn’t seem to understand her level of fame is bound to have the masses digging through her past and noticing she doesn’t age. I’m surprised they haven’t raised questions already.”

  “When was the last time you saw Desire?”

  “Eight fucking years ago.” He let out a bitter laugh and scrubbed his hand over the back of his neck. “Sorcha mangled her face pretty damned bad. Didn’t think she’d live the way my girl tore into her.” He dropped his hand and shrugged.

  Trevor smirked. “Maybe Desire learned her lesson?”

  “One can hope, but luck’s never been on my side where that crazy bitch is concerned.”

  “Have you ever figured out why she stays so young?”

  “Don’t want to know her bloody secrets. Wished to hell I didn’t know her at all.”

  “If she shows up, we all got your back. Sorcha’s too.”

  * * * *

  Desire paced the tour bus, sick and tired of the cramped space. Maybe tonight she could get her claws back into Joey Mullins. Letting him slip through her fingers three decades ago had been both the best, and worst, thing she could have done.

  Thirty years ago, she was singing her last song for the night in some Dublin club. A big, brawny man cut through the crowd wearing the sexiest grin she’d ever seen. His deep brown eyes rooted her to the stage as she belted out the final chorus.

  She said her goodbyes, but instead of engaging the rest of the audience, which usually gave her the biggest rush, she was captivated by the man watching her with a predatory stare.

  As soon as she was off the stage, he stepped into her path. “Have plans?”

  “Not unless they involve you and no clothes.”

  “Oh, they do.”

  He took her to some crummy motel and fucked her on every surface before disappearing the next morning. Her pride kept her from looking for him right away. He’d warned her it would only be a good time, nothing more, but she didn’t believe him.

  Two months passed and she finally ran into him again. This time she seduced Joey, and kept him interested for a week, before the tour picked back up.

  On her last night in Dublin, she dropped naked into his lap. “Come with me. Let’s explore the world together.”

  “Can’t.” He pushed her back and looked into her eyes. “You knew all along this wasn’t a permanent arrangement—only sex. I’m not yours.”

  “You are. I can make you mine.” She started chanting, planning to take his will and leave him craving her.

  A massive hand wrapped around her throat, abruptly cutting off her spell. “Oh no you don’t. If I ever settle down, it will be when I can’t stand to live without a woman.” He threw her on the couch and stormed out of the motel room.

  Joey effectively avoided her for years. Yet she couldn’t keep him off her mind. She craved his power, his dominance, and of course his feral sensuality.

  Then eight years ago—thanks to his girlfriend—she discovered the key to youth.

  Okay fine, mate. Whatever.

  Without Joey’s bitch, her beauty would have faded.

  Desire snuck backstage at a Lunar Storm gig in San Francisco. Joey was the last off stage. She reached out and grabbed his arm. When he whipped around, she covered his face with her hand and whispered the words to entrance him.

  Everything went as planned. He followed like a puppy dog to her five star hotel, where she stripped him down before shackling him to her bed with silver cuffs.

  The spell snapped when he came into contact with the metal. That hadn’t happened before. She later learned exactly what Joey was and knew better than to use silver, unless she wanted to hear him scream, and she would occasionally.


  Joey went ballistic. She tried blindfolding him, but that didn’t help.

  The door burst open, and in stormed a petite fiery redhead with blazing ice blue eyes. Her gaze landed on Joey with a vicious snarl.

  For half-a-second, Desire thought the woman would leave.

  Then Joey screamed, “Sorcha, kill the bloody bitch!”

  The redhead’s clothes shredded as her body doubled in size, fur flowing across her skin, and claws came out. Some kind of upright half-wolf stared down at her, from tiny to ginormous in two blinks.

  Bastard shouted, “Get her, Babes!”

  Desire hissed, “He’s mine, bitch. Go back to wherever the fuck you came from. You can’t have him.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” Sorcha snarled as she closed the distance with long strides.

  Desire jumped from the bed and put her hands up to cast a spell.

  One massive clawed hand snapped her jaw shut, then sliced into her skin and tore what felt like half her face off. She was slammed into the mirror several times as shards of glass rained down, then dropped to the ground like a rag doll as the world went black.

  When she woke up, Joey and Sorcha were gone, and the world was a blurry haze of pain, nearly split open by a woman’s screeching.

  Desire tried to sit up, but didn’t have the strength. Her hand wrapped around something sharp as the young woman bent over her. “You’re alive?” she squawked then started to yell for help.

  The frantic shouting nearly shattered her skull. Without conscious thought, Desire’s hand shot up with the shard of broken mirror. She hit the woman in the throat and crimson blood splashed exposed skin.

  Her face mended and her vision cleared as the housekeeper’s blood soaked into her skin. The door burst open and her mentor, Hans, charged in. A smile spread on his face as he shut the door and warded in the sound.

  “Finally, someone who inherited my queen’s gifts.” Hans had taken care of her since her mother passed away.

  He’d always been family, like an uncle. He taught her how to use the magic Mama warned her against. Proved to her the threefold rule was nonsense, designed only to hold witches back. He knew what potential lie dormant in her blood, but she needed the blood of her victims to unlock it.

  The music called to her. She was tempted to wander Seattle Center and listen to the first band who pulled her in, but she had to plan her approach. Joey was playing that night, and she had every intention of taking the one thing she didn’t have. Love.

  * * * *

  Scowling at her long nails, Sorcha filed them to sharp points. She was so focused she almost didn’t hear Roxy’s amused laugh.

  “Out to kill someone?” Roxy teased.

  “Might need to tonight.” Her eyes flashed up and a sneer twisted her lip. “Joey’s ex-ho thinks she has a claim on my mate. Bitch is wrong.”

  One dark brow arched. “Who’s that?”

  “Desire from Red Queen.”

  Blinking in surprise, Roxy half-laughed. “She always came off as too full of herself. What the hell did Joey ever see in her?”

  “She’s a mind-raping, cock-guzzling cunt!”

  Roxy snorted, then covered her mouth. “That might just wind up in a book.”

  She returned a wicked grin.

  “Seriously though, how long ago were they together?”

  “By choice—which I still don't believe—or by mind-fucking him?” Sorcha set her file down and leaned forward.

  Her brow pinched. “Both, and now I need more of the story.”

  “They had a casual fucking arrangement for a week or so thirty years ago. Then she tried to claim him through some love spell or some shit.” She studied her nails with a satisfied smirk. “Eight years ago, she had the audacity to try to get him back—forcibly. Had Joey chained to the bed with silver. He was blindfolded and no clothes in sight. The only thing that saved his arse was that he was struggling against the bonds and demanding the bitch release him.”

  Roxy swallowed. “Honestly, I’m not sure I would have stuck around for an explanation. I mean, how did he wind up naked in her bed?”

  “You know it’s different when you’re mated.” She sighed. “Though my first instinct was to kill the bitch and leave him there. But he started yelling at me for help when he realized I was there, and honestly didn’t seem at all happy to be in his position when I barged in. Plus, he went ballistic as soon as I attacked her.” Sorcha grinned. “He was cheering me on, telling me to rip her open even as he tried to break free.”

  “Now that I can see. And I really wish part of it wasn’t playing through my head in graphic detail.” Roxy groaned, pressing her palms against her eyes as if she could ward off her imagination. “The bloodthirsty part I can handle. Joey tied down? Thanks to you, I know what that looks like. I wish to god I could banish those images.”

  Sorcha batted her lashes with an innocent smile. “Not my fault you walked into our room while we were busy.”

  Roxy shot her a dangerous glare. “It was silent. How was I supposed to know what kind of kinkfest you were engaged in? You two are typically loud.”

  “No one is as loud as you and Trevor.”

  A smirk twisted her lips. “What can I say? Trevor knows how to rock my world.”

  Sorcha waggled her brows. “Ah, but restraint can be fun.”

  Chapter 2

  Torn between wanting to get on stage, and hiding out until Desire was out of town, Joey couldn’t stand still. He paced the small space backstage.

  Ten minutes before they were due to begin and he anxiously anticipated the rush of playing for an audience. There was only one thing better than the crowd cheering them on while he drove the rhythm to their music—Sorcha. Nothing beat being with his little firecracker.

  Sorcha came strolling over with a grin. “I hear Desire has kept herself locked in her bus all day. Maybe we won’t have to worry about her.”

  Joey caught Sorcha’s hand with a grin. “I bloody hope not.” He didn’t mention the sense of dread twisting through his gut. It wasn’t often his instinct perked up like this, but he’d learned it was wise to pay attention.

  Scooping Sorcha up and dragging her to the cabin for the rest of the weekend seemed like a fanfuckingtastic idea.

  Fiona, the oldest in their clan, quietly walked over. She held out a thick bronze chain with a Celtic knot. “I warded this against her brand of magic. She shouldn’t be able to hypnotize you again.”

  “Thanks. You’re the best.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder to pull her into a hug. “You’ve always been there for all of us.”

  “Can’t have you dragged off and taken away,” Fiona teased. “I’m not sure any of us could handle Sorcha if we lost you.”

  “Aye, this is true. She’d call a hunting party and make you all track Desire down.” He took the necklace and hooked it around his neck.

  Trevor knocked his shoulder. “We still on for the party tonight? The one at Shenanigans? Roxy’s looking forward to kicking our arses at pool again. Really doubt Desire would come out to a blue-collar bar these days.”

  Sorcha nodded enthusiastically. “Can’t wait.” She tiptoed up to give Joey a quick kiss. “Go break a leg.”

  “We’ll keep it short provided these two,” he tipped his head toward Roxy and Trevor, “don’t go overboard like they usually do.”

  “I heard that.” Roxy playfully shoved Joey. “We won’t get carried away tonight. Don’t want Sorcha using her dagger claws and landing herself in jail.”

  Catching Sorcha’s hand, he pulled her palm up to examine her sharpened claws. Grinning, he took her face and kissed her hard. “Love you, my vicious wee spitfire.”

  “Mmm, you’ll be showing me how much later. Now get on stage.”

  Roxy took Trevor’s hand. “Let’s get this show started so we can slip out before Red Queen finishes her set.”

  * * * *

  Sorcha watched from the wings. The crowd was huge and lively. Thankfully, Trevor and Roxy were
singing the last song much earlier than she expected for the final time slot on Sunday night. Bumbershoot was the first festival Lunar Storm had played, and the first Sorcha managed to attend. Things had been hectic, and they weren’t going to go see other bands until the next and final day of the festival, at least she hoped they would. Joey kept hinting at a visit to the cabin.

  So far, no one had seen Desire, but Red Queen was closing out Sunday on the main stage. She was a drama whore who fed off attention. According to rumor, Desire was a loon whose antics were getting bigger, and crazier, every year.

  When she wandered over to check the crowd at Red Queen’s venue, it wasn’t very full. Lunar Storm and Nights Embrace had packed theirs. Local bands, but they drew a bigger crowd than the ten-time Grammy winner.

  Both bands had been offered contracts through the years, but they chose to keep it local and independent. Not even Jordan, from Roxy’s band, wanted to be in the spotlight 24/7. They all had their own reasons, but for Lunar Storm excessive media attention wasn’t an option with them all being werewolves.

  Roxy and Trevor harmonized the last verse, and the crowd went silent, lost in the moment. Their chemistry off and on stage was insane. They sounded like angels making love.

  The song wrapped up, and Joey broke tradition by slipping onto the wing while Trevor closed down the show with his goodbyes. Normally he didn’t leave the stage until they all did.

  Her mate closed the distance with long strides before sweeping her into his arms. His mouth descended on hers and the world fell away.

  Sorcha was panting for more. It took everything she had to push him back before pouncing on him right there.

  She groaned. “Gotta wait ‘till we get to the bar. We can sneak away there—have dirty alley sex.”