Page 248 of The Curse Trilogy

“I know you will, baby. Until then, just stay low. I don’t want them coming after you just because you’re different. I love you,” he says before letting his lips dance across hers.

The gentle touch becomes a passionate fueled fire as they slam into the wall behind them. She’s his, and Araya Crush nor Hale Banner will stop him from having the queen he deserves when it comes time for him to take the throne.

He won’t just have one queen though. His needs require another… One who he has sought for far longer than she knows. One he will force to love him when she refuses, and then she’ll live her life wondering what is truly missing.

Gifted Curse

Book one of the Curse Trilogy

Published by C.M. Owens at Smashwords

Text Copyright 2013 by Christie M. Owens.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, events, or incidents are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to places or incidents is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1

Waves of Anger

The red waves crash against the black sand as the mercury filled sea claims its radioactive victims. Its roaring crashes remind all trespassers the beach belongs only to itself.

I lie on the top of my car as I listen to the objections the sea offers for my very presence, and I stare up at the tinted sky threatening to go into full glow.

I feel at peace here. No one has bothered me for two weeks, other than the occasional fool who crosses my path. My looks have been rather misleading to the wanderers I’ve come into contact with. It should be easy to steal from a pretty girl, but not when she can launch your sorry ass five hundred yards away. It’s been rather cathartic to teach dumbass men a lesson in misconception.

My blood red bikini allows my skin to anxiously await the full glowing beams of the sun. Such an attire was meant for seduction rather than solitude, but I do love the color red.

I roll my eyes when I hear the sound of footsteps stealthily sneaking up on me, and I slip my fingers over the triggers of my guns before leaping up on my hood and facing my trespassers.

“Easy, Araya. It’s just us,” Hale murmurs while holding his palms up innocently.

Brazen’s pale eyes beg me for forgiveness, and then the hybrid blue ones of Hale share the same plea. They both look like sexy pieces of art as the wind twists and turns their shirts. I keep my guns pointed at them as a devilish smirk appears on my face.

“You’re supposed to say something that doesn’t make me want to shoot you,” I snark.

Hale lets half a grin cock up, but Brazen’s tortured expression remains as his eyes beseech mine.

“Araya, we need you to come back with us. You’ve been gone for two weeks. Clay has convinced everyone you took a vacation, but I don’t know how long that will fly,” Brazen exasperates, and it sounds as though he’s been awake for days on end.

Hale doesn’t look as though he has slept very much either, and he walks over to pull my guns out of my hands with a cocky grin spreading across his face. His daring eyes trail up and down my body as he takes in the slinky red bikini, and I roll my eyes at his crude behavior given the circumstances.

I should have shot them both. It’s not like they wouldn’t heal.

“You can tell Clay to kiss my ass because I’m not coming back. Send the whole damn fleet after me if you want to. It won’t make a difference. I’m no longer property of the United.”

“Araya, you know it doesn’t work that way. Come back with us. We need you,” Hale pleads.

“Not going work. You should go back and play with your new toy, Angelica. I’m sure she’s probably sitting in corner begging for a hero right now,” I snarl out.

“Angelica helped save our lives once already, including yours. She has been training intensely, and she’s now an officer with the United. She’s good, and she hasn’t let one tear fall since you sliced her in half the night you left,” Brazen scolds, and Hale’s eyes show he’s siding with him.

“I really don’t give a fuck if I hurt the princess’s feelings. Call me crazy, but if I provoked her to toughen up before fully committing to the United, then I did her a favor. As for going back, I’ll still pass.”

I casually strut back over to the hood of my car just as the sun peers out of hiding. The tinted sky has dropped its shield, and the ball of fire breathes its rays down to earth. I breathe in the heat, and I lie back while stretching out under the glorious rays too potent for the humans or most full bloods - with the exception of mine of course.

“I should get back in the car before someone sees me out here,” Brazen huffs.