Midnight Surrender: A Paranormal Romance Anthology by Alyssa Rose Ivy, Airicka Phoenix, Shannon Dermott, Charlotte Abel, Kelly D. Cooper, Laura A. H. Elliott, Amy M. Jones, Kris Kendall Page A

she’d trusted me with important things including her heart. When she told me after that first time she loved me, I felt honor bound to be there for her. I wasn’t going to be that guy. So, I hung out less and less with Maggie and Mercy and more with my girlfriend.
    Yet, tonight was different. I could feel it. Mercy didn’t go to parties. Not many at least. She hadn’t even dated. Then Brent had asked Maggie out. The guy had a thing for her and once Doug was out of the picture, he’d pounced. So here we were. Parking the car, I came around and opened Amber’s door getting me a smile. She kissed me, before I’d even closed the door. And I kissed her back. I didn’t love her. I wanted to, but I didn’t. The heart wants what the heart wants. Still, I was trying to turn that corner.
    Inside, Jay’s house was brimming with people. The music was pumping and people were getting their drink on. Amber got two cups for us while I asked where everyone was at. I didn’t see the crew including Flynn and Luke.
    “ I think they're down the hall in that room over there,” a drunk guy said, slurring his words.
    “ Thanks,” I replied, tugging Amber with me. I was sure this was the private party invitees only.
    The Elite liked to play games, especially anything that could get them horizontal. It was weird at first how they would play these games and flirt with each other, but I’d gotten used to it now. A few drinks and I wouldn’t care very much either.
    Opening the door just a crack, I peeked in to make sure it was cool before I pulled Amber in. And there she was, sitting between Luke and Flynn. She wore different clothes, ones that showed off her curves, but it was her inviting smile that drew me further into the room. All the way in, I held Amber’s hand. That’s when I saw it. Mercy’s smile dimmed just a bit before recovering somewhat. She had to still feel it between us like I did.
    My hand went instinctively up to my head. My cap was missing. Amber didn’t like me wearing it much. Mercy never minded, I thought quickly. Pushing a hand through my hair, I said hello quickly to everyone.
    “ You’re just in time,” Flynn announced to me. “Mercy here was about to take her turn in a friendly game of truth or dare.”
    My stomach clenched. Flynn would not be an asshole to Mercy that was a promise. I saw the bottle in the middle of the circle. They’d been playing spin the bottle. The bottle neck was pointed at Mercy.
    What the hell had happened? I caught her eye for a second before Flynn spoke again. “So what will it be,” he said to her. “Truth or Dare?”
    Did he know something? Had she kissed someone here? Was this just an alternative to her not kissing anyone? The questions were bouncing around my skull. Something had definitely happened. Even Luke seemed a little off. I just needed time to talk to her alone.
    Amber tugged on my arm. I looked into her eyes. She was smiling like she wanted my attention. Had I been starting at Mercy? Smiling back at her, I heard Mercy in the background say, “Truth.”
     
     

    Learn more about Shannon Dermott and The Cambions Series at: http://www.shannondermott.com
    Beg for Mercy is available now

Intentions  By Airicka Phoenix

The card gaped at me. A single word and a series of numbers marred the rectangular cardboard. They called to me, pouring reason into the black void blanketing all hope.
    Outside, fury boiled the heavens into dark cyclones of vengeance. Fat raindrops plummeted to the ground, shattering like glass across the pavement and bursting against the windows. The storm raged as though feeling the injustice prodding on me. I had no choice.
    My thumbs, nails jagged, skin torn and bleeding from hours of abuse beneath my teeth, moved over the buttons on the phone. I held my breath.
    Please don’t be there! My head begged, too sensible, too rational to believe such an impossibility existed.
    Please be there! My heart begged, too weak, too scared to take another