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  Liz pressed her top teeth into her bottom lip, her face flushing. “How do I know this isn’t some musty, useless old book you’ve gotten from your father’s extensive library?”

  Blake’s muscles bunched, as though he was ready to coil and pounce. Alexia pressed a thigh against his, willing him to stay calm. “I think we both know that to lie wouldn’t be in either of our best interests. Like I said to you on the phone, I hand you the book—minus the two pages with the names of the shape-shifters and a map of the sacred site where my father found the bones—and you release Shad. Tonight.”

  She didn’t need to remind the reporter about Blake’s hunting abilities. Didn’t need to reveal to Liz that shape-shifters weren’t allowed to kill humans.

  Liz nodded. “I’ve always trusted my instincts, so I’m running with them now. You have yourself a deal.”

  Neither Blake nor Alexia said a word as Liz took hold of the journal, hid it beneath her jacket and retreated the way she’d come. Only when the reporter was out of sight did Blake turn to her, clasp her face in his hands and kiss her with a tenderness that left her fighting back tears.

  His face swam above hers when she said huskily, “I’m sorry you had to give up your journal…your history.”

  He shook his head, his stare warm. “Don’t be sorry. If some ink on dry parchment can save one of my own, then so be it. Besides, I doubt Liz will ever find an expert capable of deciphering the journal’s writing.”

  Alexia managed a smile. “I only hope she honors her promise to let Shad go.”

  “My instincts tell me she’s in over her head and will do as she said and release him.” A growl rumbled in his throat. “Especially after the warning I gave her the other night at Club Shrine.”

  Alexia nodded at the memory. “She’ll do anything to protect her own skin.” Just as Alexia would spend the rest of her life protecting Blake and his Illawatti tribe.

  She smiled up at the man she loved with all her heart and stretched to brush her mouth against his.

  “As long as we’re together, things will work out. I’m certain of it.”

  About Mel Teshco

  Mel Tescho lives in rural Australia with too many animals, too many children and not enough hours in the day to write!

  Her loving husband is in training as a real–life hero and waits patiently to retire on the success of his wife’s writing.

  Mel welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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  Also by Mel Teshco

  Alien Hunger 1: Galactic Burn

  Alien Hunger 2: Galactic Inferno

  Alien Hunger 3: Galactic Flame

  Carnal Moon

  Discovering Sofia

  Enraptured

  Kallie Revealed

  Nightmix 1: Lusting the Enemy

  Nightmix 2: Abducting the Princess

  Nightmix 3: Seducing the Huntress

  Moon Thrall

  Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 1 anthology

  Winged and Dangerous 1: Stone-Cold Lover

  Winged and Dangerous 2: Ice-Cold Lover

  Winged and Dangerous 3: Red-Hot Lover

  Print books by Mel Teshco

  Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 1 anthology

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing

  www.ellorascave.com

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  ISBN 9781419991165

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Scratch Copyright © 2014 Mel Teshco

  Edited by Elizabeth London

  Cover design by Kelly A. Martin

  Cover photography by Andreas Gradin, Andrey_Kuzmin

  Electronic book publication June 2014

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