Grimm Consequences

Book 0: Transplanted Tales Novel

by Kate SeRine

Genres: Action & Adventure Romance; Fantasy Romance; Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

"Dark twisted tales that will keep you on the edge of your seat." --Book Lovin' Mamas "An incredibly talented author. . .this series is one everyone has to read." --Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks "SeRine takes urban fantasy, crime thrillers and fairy tale characters and creates magic." --Caffeinated Book Reviewer "I can't get enough of this amazing paranormal series!" --Paranormal Cravings "One hell of a story." --The Romance Reviews "Not to be missed!" --The Demon Librarian, 5 Stars "I can't get enough of the Transplanted Tales. . ." --The Romance Reviews "Unique, suspenseful, tempting, and oh so much fun! Kate SeRine knows how to pack a punch!" -- Donna Grant, New York Times bestselling author You reap what you sow. . . Saying Nate Grimm has a dark past is an understatement. Fortunately, no one's bothered to look too closely at the Fairytale Management Authority's lead detective and part-time Reaper. And that's the way Nate wants to keep it. For after centuries of torment and loneliness, he's finally found happiness with the hot and hard-charging love of his life, Tess "Red" Little. Of course, his love for Tess is the reason there's a posse of Reaper judges after him, led by a sadistic bastard acquainted with Nate from once upon a time. Now, Tess will pay the price for Nate's transgressions unless Nate severs his ties to the transplanted Tales--and Tess--forever. His enemy has the advantage in speed, malice and brutality. But the Reapers have underestimated the depth of Nate's love and devotion. And the fury of his wrath. . . 31,000 Words

Release date: April 1, 2014

Publisher: eOriginals

Print pages: 102

Sample

I woke with a start. I’d been dreaming again, remembering that day so many years ago when I’d first met Tess. For one brief, heart-stopping moment, I was terrified that I was still searching for her, that I’d never taken the assignment with the Tales in the Here and Now to be near her, that we’d never become friends . . . and now lovers. But then I felt her stir beside me in the bed we’d shared every night for the last two months, and turned toward her, watching her sleep. In many ways, my life still felt like a dream. But as I peered down at Tess, I knew it was real. More real than anything else in my life ever had been.

Still, my routine was the same tonight as every night. If I managed to doze off at all, my heart would seize with panic and I’d immediately check to make sure Tess was still safely beside me, within easy reach should something nefarious creep from the shadows.

And then, when I could no longer convince myself that all was well, I’d check all the doors, the windows, every dark corner of the house, and eventually end up back at the window to watch the darkness until the first tentative rays of light broke across the sky. Only then could I rest easy, perhaps catch an hour or so of sleep.

Daytime was safe. The Judges only came out at night. I knew that from experience. They weren’t strangers to me, that was for damned sure. The first time they’d come was when I’d refused to take Tess’s soul in Make Believe. To disobey a direct order was to upset the balance of the universe and was not to be taken lightly. But I had done it without hesitation, without remorse. I’d gladly paid the price. And would continue to do so a thousand times over if it meant keeping Tess safe.

I glanced down at the black flames upon my forearms, the physical evidence of the punishment I’d endured over the centuries. There were more flames of penance—along my arms, on my back, across my chest, down my abdomen. Every time I’d intervened to save Tess’s life, more times than I’d even admitted to her, my penance had been still more severe. Within twenty-four hours of each act of disobedience, the Judges had arrived and dragged me away for my “session.”

Until this last time. Which is why I was worried.

Not only had I refused to allow Tess to be killed by that raving lunatic, Sebille Fenwick—whose desperate grab for power had left several Tales dead and more than one of my friends in harm’s way—but I’d also committed one of the worst sins a Reaper could. I’d committed murder. Pure and simple. I’d used my position as Reaper to kill someone before the appointed time.

But I’d had good reason. I’d known Tess was once more on my list and I’d had to pull some strings at the FMA to get me assigned as her partner so I could get even closer to her, have ready access should things go south. But at that final moment when her life was in the balance, I’d only arrived just in the nick of time. There was literally a split second to make my choice: save the woman I loved or take another life before its scheduled time. I didn’t even hesitate. I’d killed Sebille. Ripped her soul from her body in my blind rage. And now I was going to have to pay the price.

And yet the Judges had not come. Not yet. And the longer they waited, the more anxious I became. I could feel them drawing near, could feel the darkness closing in.

Instead of rising from bed tonight to watch for their arrival, though, I reached for Tess between the sheets and pulled her into the curve of my body, needing to feel her in my arms. She nestled close, her arm snaking up to encircle my neck and pull me to her for a sleepy but still sultry kiss.

“Just can’t get enough of me, can you?” she teased with that throaty chuckle I adored, her lips still near mine.

“Ah, sweetheart,” I drawled, pulling her on top of me, “I’ll never get enough of you.”

“You sure about that?” She grinned down at me, her eyes sparkling with wickedness as she rolled her hips seductively, making me groan. “I’ve been told I can be difficult.”

“Difficult?” I said with an anticipatory shiver as her fingertips drifted lightly across my chest. “You can be a major pain in the ass.”

“Well, in that case . . .” she said, feigning a pout and acting as if she was going to move away.

“Oh, no you don’t.” I laughed, grabbing her hips and keeping her right where she was. “You didn’t let me finish—”

“Well, we can’t have that now, can we?” Her mouth lifted at one corner. Then she rose up on her knees and came back down, slowly sheathing me. “Hmm,” she murmured, rolling her hips in a maddeningly sultry motion. “Now, what was it you were saying?”

“Hell if I know,” I ground out between clenched teeth, thoughts of anything else vanishing as my attention was riveted on the feel of her.

I’d never believed such perfect happiness was possible. But as we slowly made love, reveling in the warmth of each other’s body, my hands roaming, savoring every beloved inch of satiny soft skin, fears and sorrows and regrets faded away and there was only Tess. Only love.

When I felt her tensing, her release seconds away, I sat up and wrapped my arms around her so I could feel her heart beating against mine. “I love you,” I whispered in her ear as we moved together.

“Oh, God, Nate,” she breathed before burying her face against my neck, clinging to me as she shattered apart with a husky gasp. The sound alone was enough to draw me along with her, but I held back, not willing to be parted just yet.

I eased her down onto her back, determined to worship every inch of her before giving in to the orgasm building in the base of my spine. I kissed her again as my hands roamed. They already knew every curve, every inch of her, but still they never tired of the journey. I broke our kiss long enough to allow my mouth and tongue to join my hands in exploration, but when Tess shuddered with another release, I let her pull me back up and claimed her mouth once more. No longer able to hold back, I let go, bracing myself on my elbows. She wrapped her legs around my waist, her body arching into mine, accepting all I had to give. Her moan of pleasure sent a chill down my spine, making me shudder.

Christ, she was amazing.

My head dropped down between my shoulders, my breath ragged as aftershocks rippled between us for several moments more.

“So, how was that for a finish?” Tess murmured, pressing kisses to my jaw, my neck. “Was I wrong to interrupt you?”

“Are you kiddin’ me?” I panted. “You can interrupt me for that anytime you want. And often.”

She kissed the corner of my mouth, a tantalizing tease that I couldn’t ignore. I captured those teasing lips once more, hungry for the taste of her, my appetite never satiated. I was hard again in an instant. Tess chuckled as I broke our kiss to nip at her neck. And just as it seemed the night was just getting started, our cell phones on the bedside table both started going off, their ring tones competing for dominance.

“Speaking of interruptions,” Tess grumbled as we rolled apart to grab our phones. “This is Red.”

I saw her brows draw together as I answered my own. “Nate Grimm.”

“We have a situation.” It was Al Addin, the director of the Fairytale Management Authority and our boss, which made me wonder who had called Tess. “There’s been an escape from the Asylum.”

I ran a hand down my face, scrubbing away the last vestiges of sleep. “I’m on my way.”

“Asylum?” Tess called over her shoulder as she grabbed a fresh set of clothes from those I’d suggested she keep in my closet for just such occasions. I didn’t miss the note of excitement in her voice. She loved the chase. Lived for it.

“Yeah.” I rose to my feet, already missing the warmth of Tess in my arms and damning whatever head case we were about to go after. . .