Blood bonds, p.1
Blood Bonds, page 1
Blood Bonds
Book 3 in the Written in Blood series
S. F. Rae
Sunset Wren Press
Copyright © 2022 S.F. Rae
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real
persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Any opinions
expressed by the characters in this book are not representative of the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without express written permission of the publisher.
Cover design by: oliviaprodesign
BLOOD BONDS SYNOPSIS
What started as a hunt for the truth,
became a tale of revenge.
With the body count rising,
and the end goal in sight.
The stakes have never been higher.
Things are a whole lot more complicated.
They are not the big fish in the small pond any longer, instead the sharks are circling.
But you know what they say about cornered animals . . .
That's when they are the most deadly.
Trigger Warnings
This is a slow burn, dark romance aimed at adults. It will be steamy and violent. A lot of
topics are covered in this book, however I know that triggers can be very different for
different people so if you do have any questions or queries about any of the triggers listed,
please email me and I will try to ease any and all concerns.
SFRaeAuthor@gmail.com
Sometimes my characters can be offensive, and do not represent my personal views at all.
They are just characters, and they are notorious for surprising me and not doing as they are
told. Any offence caused is not intended, and if you wish to discuss content with me further
feel free to get in touch.
Potential triggers:
Kidnapping
Torture
Dismemberment and Death
Knife/Axe Use
Swearing
Sexually Explicit Scenes
M/F/M AND M/F
Blood and Gore
Drugging and Drug-Induced Forced Compliance
Non-Consensual Sexual activities/ Male NonCon
Voyeurism
Blood Play
Praise Kink
Breeding Fantasy/Kink
Mentions of Suicidal Thoughts
Previously in the Series
Below is a little refresher if you don’t want to reread the first two books in the series, which is cool, but I am but one person and chances are I have missed things so do not take this as a shortcut if you haven’t read the earlier books.
Previously in the series . . .
Blood, murder, and mayhem.
Nyx wakes up surrounded by the bodies of pretty much everyone she’s ever loved. We finally know who is to blame. Mr Keith Ryker was behind the hit on Haven, using goons kindly provided by the Jula family. Goons that were meant to be part of a wedding dowry of sorts.
Nyx is the (un)luckiest person on the planet.
Not only does she lose everyone she cared about, she then gets kidnapped. I think Creed is still feeling the nut shot she gave him, when he scurried away with her on Kaiden’s orders. When she meets Kaiden she goes a little batshit, let's be honest, but it turns out that’s just the type of crazy Kaiden and Creed need in their life. Did you think Kaiden was going to share? Nope, neither did I, but that Creed and Kaiden scene still lives on in my head.
Keith Ryker
Can I get a collective URGH? I hate the man, and writing his dialogue makes my skin crawl. The guy is a prick. The voice Nyx remembers when she visits Haven belongs to him. Is he bothered? Nope. Instead he shoots Creed (NOOOOOOO) and chases Nyx through the woods while remembering how he killed his wife. I am not writing it out again because blergh but it was all in the last chapter. He killed Maria, because she was trying to prove the truth about Evelynn’s death.
Luckily he is starting to feel the tide of change. He’s currently in hiding after losing his left and right hands, and the Jula family want his head on a platter. Will they get it and deny our characters their revenge? Or will he slip away causing as much pain as possible during his escape? Only time will tell.
X
Oh our little damaged cupcake. From psycho to martyr, I think he’s the most misunderstood character out of them all. He’s a unique brand of chaos that is all his own, but I think he cares a lot more than people think. Will he be able to survive the Jula daughter? Or will it end up brother against brother as he becomes a mindless puppet?
Kamus
Kamus is an organisation that is as big and as bad as you can get. They have their fingers in every pies. They are split into five family branches who each have their own expertise.
Atmus - Politics and management.
Igni - Wet work and mercenaries
Veyris - Deal in information and are amazing with tech
Melrra - Food and resource management
Jula - Transport and smuggling.
The Jula family was the one that Keith Ryker was trying to get into bed with, and he was going to leverage his son to get what he wanted.
Let Blood Bonds begin.
Contents
1. Chapter One
2. Chapter Two
3. Chapter Three
4. Chapter Four
5. Chapter Five
6. Chapter Six
7. Chapter Seven
8. Chapter Eight
9. Chapter Nine
10. Chapter Ten
11. Chapter Eleven
12. Chapter Twelve
13. Chapter Thirteen
14. Chapter Fourteen
15. Chapter Fifteen
16. Chapter Sixteen
17. Chapter Seventeen
18. Chapter Eighteen
19. Chapter Nineteen
20. Chapter Twenty
21. Chapter Twenty One
22. Chapter Twenty Two
23. Chapter Twenty Three
24. Chapter Twenty Four
25. Chapter Twenty Five
26. Chapter Twenty Six
27. Chapter Twenty Seven
28. Chapter Twenty Eight
29. Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter One
Curled up in the warmth, skin against skin, I let the events of last night drift through my mind. I know I made the right choice inviting Creed into our room, sharing Nyx takes none of her love away from me. She’s an infinite source, free with her feelings in a way none of us have ever known. Having Nyx in my life makes me a better man, it gives me a reason to fight.
I feel like I’m floating on a cloud, sated, and for the first time in a while, I can feel hope blooming in my chest. Hope for a family, and a future for us all where we’ll be okay. I tighten my grip on the body pressing into mine. I sleepily run my nose across the shoulder in front of me, revelling in the feeling of warmth under my touch. Remembering last night, the noises, just everything about her, her touch, her taste.
I need more.
I press against bare skin, feeling goosebumps rise in my wake.
“Er . . . boss?”
My eyes fly open, instead of Nyx’s soft curves, I’m holding onto Creed’s bulk while he plays little spoon.
I let out a noise I’m not proud of as I hastily put distance between us. Creed chuckles as he lazily rolls over, stretching out across the bed, making no effort to hide his nakedness.
“Don’t panic, bossman. I’m not going to jump you, even if you are a really good cuddler,” he teases.
“I’m not panicking,” I snap back, already searching the room for Nyx.
“She probably went for a drink or something.” Creed tries to soothe the growing knot in my gut. “We did put her through quite the workout last night.” He grins. I pick up his boxers, and chuck them at him, before I find my own.
“I think it’s time we catch ourselves some breakfast, don’t you?” I know a certain Wildcat will be the perfect start to the day. I want her face to be the first thing I see every morning, and the fact she slipped away from me . . . Well it’s almost unforgivable.
Oh yes, my little Wildcat is going to pay and I’m going to take my payment out on that ass of hers.
I’m sure if anyone walked into the room right now, they’d see both myself and Creed naked except for the stupid dreamy looks on our faces, but it just can’t be helped. It’s not like anyone would dare comment anyway.
“Nyx!” Jason’s urgent, worry-filled shout, ricochets through the quiet house, just as we’re putting the last of our clothes on. Creed’s gaze snaps to mine, all business. I toss the spare gun I keep nearby to him, already knowing his one is still in his room, and take the safety off my own. Nodding back at me, he takes point and we go to find out what the fuck is going on.
Seeing Nyx laid out on the cold ground, unmoving, without a soul around her, my heart instantly jumps into my throat. I wasn’t thinking when I screamed her name and ran out after her. I can’t think as I pull her chilled body into my arms. Moisture clings to her skin, and I try to rub it off. Anything to warm her up. Her usually delicate pale skin has taken on a deathly hue that makes me sick.
Please don’t be dead.
Please don’t be dead.
Please don’t be dead.
I repeat the words over and over to myself, pulling her onto my lap, away from the cold, hard ground. I’m numb to the feeling of the morning dew seeping into my jeans, all I can think about is Nyx. I cradle her to me, willing life into her, willing her to open her eyes, so much like Maria’s, but with a spark that’s all her own. I press my cheek to hers, willing my body heat into her unresponsive self.
“I can’t lose you, Spitfire. Please,” I beg. “I’ve only just found you, don’t leave me.” I don’t even know if she can hear me, but my words do nothing to rouse her. I notice blood on her neck, and brush it away, feeling the flutter of her pulse under my fingertips.
At the sound of footsteps, my eyes snap up, I wrap myself around her, shielding her from any and all threats. I don’t care about me, all that matters is her.
“Nyx!” They call out, the same worried tone laces their words.
Creed and Kaiden stand on either side of me, but I can’t force myself to let go.
“Creed.” Just that one word, in a cold business-like tone instantly commands the situation while I just fall apart.
“On it,” Creed replies, before one set of feet moves away.
A warm palm presses onto my shoulder, and I fight the urge to shrug it off, snarling at him like a wounded animal.
He’s worried too. He could order me off her, he could try to take her away, but he doesn’t. I must look desperate, pathetic. This isn’t helping anyone.
Kaiden’s presence helps calm my mind, and helps me to think more rationally.
“We need to get her back in the house.” My voice is strained, and lacks Kaiden’s natural authority, but right now I don’t care. I just need her to be safe. I pull back, allowing Kaiden to notice the pale colour in her cheeks, the slight blue tinge to her lips. He holsters his gun, before he offers his arms out, carefully showing his intentions. I lean back, to allow him to wrap an arm around her shoulders and under her legs, lifting her from my lap.
“If you’re up for it, can you take my gun and help Creed secure the perimeter?” Kaiden asks. For a brief moment I wonder why he doesn’t just order me, but who cares?
I nod, sliding the gun from his holster.
I watch Kaiden carry Nyx back into the house, and it isn’t until the door closes behind them that I go in search of Creed. Now rational thinking is back in play, I’m embarrassed at how recklessly I acted. I should have secured the area, checked no one was still around, I could have walked straight into a bullet, and then who would have helped Nyx? I should bloody know better.
“There’s no one here.” I jump at the sound of Creed’s voice. Somehow he’d gotten behind me and I hadn’t heard a damn thing. “It’s okay,” he adds with a chuckle. “It’s just me.”
I awkwardly flick the safety back on the borrowed gun, but I don’t have anywhere to put it, so I just hold it awkwardly at my side.
“Any clues who did this?” I ask.
“I followed the footprints, but it’s hard to tell just how many people were here. There are some tyre tracks up ahead, but whoever did this is gone.”
“I doubt there will be witnesses. I mean we picked this place so we’d be out of the way, it’s not like we have neighbours to canvas.”
“Something about this is bugging me.” Creed frowns.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Keith wants Nyx right? Why just leave her on the ground like that? What does it achieve? I doubt he’d do it just to prove he can, it’s not his style.”
Now he said it, it does seem really odd. I mean he could have taken her right then.
“Where’s Kaleb?” I ask.
Creed’s eyes widen, realising the same thing I do. He hasn’t come to check on Nyx, and my shout was loud enough to rouse Kaiden and Creed, which meant it was loud enough to permeate every room in the building.
Where the fuck is he?
“If he—” Creed snarls, anger swirls in his blood soaked gaze.
“Calm it, we don’t know anything yet and running off half cocked won’t get us anywhere. First things first, let’s go check on Nyx, maybe she will have some answers for us.”
Creed nods, but doesn’t speak.
I have a sudden sense of deja vu as once again I need the answers locked away in Nyx’s head, but this time she isn’t some stranger. This time she’s not some scared victim. She’s my daughter and abyss help the fuckers who’d done this. They will be begging for death once I am through. I see the same darkness clawing at Creed’s insides, as we walk along in silence, back towards the house.
We find Kaiden and Nyx in her bedroom. Kaiden’s on the bed by her side, holding her hand, whispering words that are not meant to be overheard. He barely even notices us entering the room. Creed heads to her other side leaving me standing awkwardly by the door.
“What happened?” Kaiden asks. His voice is cold—his signature brand of glacial, the one which promises violence, without a single drop of guilt or remorse.
“Tyre tracks, but whoever did this is gone,” Creed explains.
“Who?” Kaiden asks.
“We don’t know,” I reply. “It doesn’t make any sense, who would do this?”
“Boss?” Creed brings Kaiden’s attention to him, squirming uncomfortably under his anger. “Kaleb’s missing.”
“I see.” Kaiden’s response is short and sweet and gives no indication of how he feels.
“We don’t know if he’s responsible or just not here,” I offer, as a way of explanation. I don’t want to see all the progress they’ve made come undone when we don’t have proof either way.
“Kaleb . . .” Nyx whines, her forehead creasing, as she fights her way to consciousness. Kaiden’s jaw tenses, and Creed lets out a low growl. Suddenly her eyes fly open,but before we can bask in our shared relief that she’s going to be okay, she starts to try and get out of bed, mumbling in a panic.
“Princess, please,” Creed whines, dragging her attention to his and Kaiden’s attempts to get her to stay put. She must pick up on the desperation in their voices as she stops fighting and lets Kaiden guide her back into bed.
“I’m so glad you are okay, Spitfire.” The words come out of my mouth without conscious thought, and the smile she gives me releases some of the tension in my gut. It’s forced, but the fact she was trying to soothe our worry proves she’s going to be okay. Right?
But what about next time?
How many times would I fail to protect her?
Just how many times will she have to forgive me for being a disappointment?
I had one job, to keep her safe.
“We need to rescue Kaleb,” she announces, spearing us with a look that says ‘what the fuck are you doing just standing around.’ Maybe it’s just my imagination, but she’s clearly pissed about something.
“Kaleb?” Creed asks.
“What? You didn’t think he left me lying unconscious in the cold, did you?” she snaps.
I don’t miss the brief expression of relief which crosses Kaiden’s face before it is gone again, his poker face firmly in place. He must feel relieved that Kaleb isn’t behind this, I can’t imagine how he would have felt if his brother betrayed him.
“Yeah, there was this woman,” Nyx explains.
“What woman?” I ask.
“Keith wouldn’t use a woman to do his dirty work, he sees them as lesser. Are you sure, Princess?” Creed adds.
“Let her speak, save your questions until the end. If Kaleb needs our help, time will be of the essence,” Kaiden orders, leaving very little doubt who’s in charge here.
