Fated: Myra and Ryan's Story (A Keeper of the Flame Novella) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Mailing List

  Summary

  Excerpt of BROKEN

  About the Author

  Fated (Myra and Ryan’s Story)

  A Keeper of the Flame Novella

  by

  LILA KANE

  FATED

  Copyright © 2018 by Lila Kane

  Previously published as Kenna Avery Wood

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  Table of Contents

  ________________________

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Mailing List

  Summary

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Excerpt of BROKEN

  About the Author

  There are exciting times ahead with my books. Look for a lot of new releases and updates of old books. All romance, all the time. If you’re interested in receiving periodic emails about my novels as well as learning about promotions and having the chance to read my stories before they release, sign up for my newsletter with the icon below.

  S

  ummary

  This book tells Myra and Ryan’s story, which takes place during the third book of the Keeper of the Flame series. Reading books one through three in the series is recommended before reading FATED

  In the town of Shadow Hill, shapeshifters and vampires are enemies. But as their powers start to heighten, Ryan feels the curse of imprinting hit him. And he’s imprinted on Myra, a vampire. Even as he fights his destiny, he starts to fall in love and is unable to fight it anymore.

  Myra is ready for a full life—including the bakery she wants to open, friends in Shadow Hill, and love. Even if it is with a shapeshifter. But she’s up against more than just fate. She’s dealing with the threat of her evil vampire brother in town and the possibility of getting sick again, ruining her chances at love forever.

  Chapter 1

  Ryan stood at the windows facing the gardens at Myra and Logan’s house, trying to tune out the low hum he felt from Myra. It had started off as irritating, like a fly he couldn’t seem to swat away. And then it had grown, a strong, steady link between him and her. It was still irritating, but he found it harder and harder to want to swat away when it felt so good.

  Cheyenne and Myra chatted behind him, boiling something on the stove and acting like Willow hadn’t just attacked them in the living room. Or they hadn’t just had a confrontation with a very dangerous vampire in the gardens.

  But he had to admire their resolve. He had to admire that they could move on so easily, because really, what else were they supposed to do?

  Except Willow was gone with Logan, whisked away to someplace safer, which he agreed with. But that had taken his only confidante.

  Willow knew he’d imprinted on someone but she didn’t know it was Myra. And there was no way in hell he was telling anyone else.

  The spell was getting closer to being reversed, that’s all it was. If he became a full shapeshifter, sure he’d have to deal with imprinting. But they weren’t going to let that happen. Willow was going to put the binding spell back into place–or break it altogether–and he’d go back to Ryan. Just Ryan. Normal. In control–of his shifting and his emotions.

  He didn’t need some damned curse telling him how to feel. If he wanted to fall in love with someone, he would. And–shit, he’d just thought the word love.

  Frowning, he turned and froze when he saw Myra standing there.

  She looked so young and alive. Which seemed like a contradiction because she was a vampire. Or almost. Either way, she looked radiant. Happy. Living her life to its fullest.

  Too bad this wasn’t another time. Another place. Another shapeshifter instead of a vampire, and maybe he’d let himself feel something for her. On his own terms.

  “If you’re going to brood, you might as well do it with a beer,” she said, passing one over for him.

  It was already open, so he accepted it and took a long swallow before thanking her. “What are you making?”

  “Meat and cheese ravioli, because it’s quick and easy. With homemade garlic knots and a Caesar salad.” She flashed another smile that hit him like a punch to the gut. “So, I hope you’re staying for dinner because we need someone to help us finish it all.”

  He opened his mouth to protest, but Cheyenne walked over and shook her head. “Nope, you’re not getting away that easily. Ryan, you need to relax. Take a load off. Eat.”

  “I should probably get to the site, make sure we’re still on track.”

  “It can wait, can’t it?” Myra asked, blue eyes wide and certain.

  It felt like a kick to the gut this time. Did she even have any idea what those eyes could do to a man? Damn it, being around her wasn’t helping.

  It would go away. He had to keep reminding himself of that. This whole thing would be over soon and the feelings would go away.

  “Yeah,” he managed. “Dinner would be good.”

  There went her smile again. Wide enough he swore he saw a tiny dimple in the corner. Logan would kill him if he tried anything with Myra. He allowed a grin. Yeah, that alone might be worth it all. Almost.

  “What are you grinning about?” Cheyenne asked.

  “Nothing.”

  He followed her to the island and pulled out a stool. His muscles protested when he sat. It had been a long few weeks and he was feeling the toll. Especially because the shapeshifting hadn’t stopped. He had, however, started to get used to it. He could tell when it was coming on. And now, he could almost, almost stop it before the shift.

  “Research tomorrow,” Cheyenne announced from next to him. She sipped her wine and pulled out a notebook.

  He lifted his eyebrows. “Really?”

  “What? This is serious,” she said.

  He held back a smile. “Serious. You’re right. But you’re trying to organize chaos here.”

  “I’m trying to make a plan. Willow needs to put that spell back in place–or get rid of it completely.”

  Myra turned with an oven mitt in her hands. “What do you mean get rid of it completely?”

  “I mean completely strip our powers.”

  “She could do that?”

  Cheyenne shifted on her stool. “I don’t know. I mean, the original coven was more than strong enough to bind everyone powers so we couldn’t use them at all and barely felt any effects of them. I think, with a strong group and some research”–she sent a pointed look at Ryan–“she might be able to do something permanent.”

  Ryan frowned. “That’s a pretty big spell. She doesn’t even have a coven. And her mom–”

  He broke off and took another swallow of beer. Faye was in a coma. And he couldn’t help but feel responsible. It was his job to take care of the witches. Yeah, Willow was headstrong and a hell of a lo
t more stubborn, but Faye had always been easy. She’d made sure he knew where she was and really, there hadn’t been much danger to keep her safe from. And in the span of a few weeks, she’d gotten kidnapped and then hurt, resulting in a coma.

  Granted, he hadn’t betted on a ghost witch from the past getting involved, but still. It was his job and he hadn’t done it all the way.

  “It’s not your fault,” Myra said, leaning across the counter like she was going to touch his arm.

  He straightened. No touching. He could only handle so much.

  Cheyenne cast him a strange look, but Myra didn’t seem to notice. She only turned back to the stove, snatched something off a tray and passed it to him. “Here, try this. It’ll make you feel better.”

  He stared at the garlic knot in his palm, exasperated and amused at the same time. “Are you one of those people who try to fix problems with food?”

  Myra laughed and nodded. “Yep.”

  He bit into the flaky roll and the spices hit his taste buds right away. It reminded him of being a kid. His mother used to try to fix problems with food, too. But his father had still messed it up.

  “This is really good,” he told Myra.

  She smiled. “Good. Now, don’t worry. Cheyenne’s right. We need to make a plan and you’ll see, it’ll work out.”

  He wished he could share some of her same optimism, but she was right about the food. It was helping. And for now, that was enough, because he didn’t have the energy to think about anything else.

  Myra was used to being alone, but when Cheyenne and Ryan left, she wasn’t sure she wanted to be. She’d gone to Paris on her own, moved to San Francisco all by herself and now, here, in Shadow Hill, with family close by for the first time in years, she felt alone.

  My walked to the windows in front and closed the blinds. It wasn’t going to keep anyone out if they wanted to come in, but Myra still dutifully locked up as well and made sure the grounds looked clear after the sun sank low behind the horizon.

  When her phone rang, she pulled it from her pocket and answered the call from Logan.

  “Everything okay there?” he asked.

  “It’s quiet.”

  “You can come here, stay with us tonight.”

  Myra wandered to the kitchen to refill her glass of wine. “No. I’ve had too much wine and you two need some space.”

  “We have plenty of space for you and I could come get you if that’s what it takes.”

  Myra laughed, setting the bottle aside and picking her glass up. “Three’s a crowd, haven’t you heard?”

  And she hated that trace of bitterness in her tone. It wasn’t aimed at Logan. It wasn’t meant for him at all. She was happy he’d found Willow. It was crazy and spontaneous, but she’d never met two people who were better suited to each other.

  Which was exactly what she wanted for herself. She’d spent too much time being sick and chasing cures and letting life slip from her grasp. Now that she was healed, she wanted everything. She wanted a job and love and friends and a home. Not necessarily in that order. In fact, not in any order. She wanted all of it right now.

  But that was asking a lot of fate–especially since she’d already changed it. Better to take one thing at a time and appreciate what she already had.

  “You’re still welcome here,” Logan said, his voice low.

  “No, I’m fine. Really. Take care of Willow. She’s had a rough day. And things are probably going to get harder before they get easier.”

  He sighed, sounding weary himself. “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”

  “I’ll be fine here. Call me tomorrow. I’m going to see if I can help Cheyenne, too, since we need to find a spell.”

  “Good. Okay, let me know if…you know…”

  If Kane came back. That asshole. He was supposed to be their family but he was just out for himself.

  “I will,” Myra assured him.

  She ended the call and paused next to the island to push in the chairs from dinner earlier. She shouldn’t feel too bad for herself. She had friends here already. Willow and Cheyenne. Even Ryan–though he didn’t seem too interested in being her friend.

  She got it. She was a vampire, he was a shapeshifter–they weren’t exactly the best match for friends. At least in this town. But to her, he was just a steady albeit haunted man who needed this group of friends as much as she did. And he wasn’t bad looking either.

  In fact, he was really hot. And Logan would probably kill her if she kept looking Ryan’s way, but that was his problem. He couldn’t be the only one happy, or at least getting some, around here. Sure, Ryan probably wouldn’t have the time of day for her. And he was kind of moody.

  But a girl could dream, right?

  Taking her wine with her upstairs, Myra grabbed a book off her nightstand and tried as best as she could to forget about the spell and Kane and especially hot shapeshifter, Ryan.

  Chapter 2

  Myra woke with the sun, her book still sitting next to her on the bed and her unfinished glass of wine on the end table.

  She rolled her eyes at herself. Yeah, she really needed to get a life if she was falling asleep alone without even finishing her wine.

  But sometimes early mornings were the best. And after deciding last night that she wanted it all, wanted to live her life to the fullest, she had a plan.

  She might not have love like Logan, or a steady group of friends–yet–like Cheyenne, but she could work on the career part of it. She’d known forever that she wanted to bake. Cakes, pastries, muffins, scones, anything and everything. She’d spent several months in Paris as an apprentice. She knew her stuff.

  And since she was stuck in Shadow Hill for who knew how long, she wanted her own bakery.

  To get herself in the mood, Myra padded to the kitchen and started with muffins. She baked two trays, piled high with cinnamon crumbles and filled with fresh apples. Then, because she had another idea, she made lemon blueberry scones as the sun continued to rise behind the gardens and warm the day.

  As the scones finished baking, she pulled on a pair of shorts and sandals, and then braided her hair on each side.

  Just in time for Logan’s call to meet them at the Shadow Hill Hotel. Willow was insisting on Logan going to work and, if she knew her brother, he was flat out saying no to the idea. But if she came, she could help look out for Willow, and she appreciated that he was compromising. He couldn’t watch Willow all the time.

  And Myra was more than happy to help. She owed Willow that much and more. The woman had saved her life. Myra had no idea how to thank her except to help keep her safe and do whatever it took to end the spell if that’s what she thought was right.

  Myra didn’t give a shit about being a vampire. So far, the perks hadn’t been much anyway. She wanted a real life and being a vampire wasn’t going to get her there any faster.

  Once the scones finished, she tucked a few, along with muffins, into a backpack and pulled on a pair of sandals. She braided her hair to each side and flashed herself a smile in the bathroom mirror. She might be dealing with a psycho vampire brother and a little lack of direction in her own life, but she was alive. She felt better than she had in years. That had to count for something.

  And she was going to appreciate every moment of it.

  Myra grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and stuffed it in the backpack as well before getting in her car and heading toward Shadow Hill Hotel.

  Logan and Willow were already standing out in the sunshine when she arrived and she gave them her brightest smile because they both looked a little tense.

  Myra hooked her arm around Willow’s shoulders. “Hiking buddies. Good thing you called. I was getting so bored all alone in that house. It’s better when you’re there‒”

  “You know she can’t be there,” Logan snapped.

  Myra frowned at him. “She’s a witch, Logan, we can probably figure out some sort of spell or something, right?”

  Willow nodded. “I s
hould look into it.”

  She understood. No sense in making things more stressful than necessary, right?

  Logan shook his head, but his gaze strayed the group gathering close to the hedge maze. “Stay close,” he told Willow.

  The tour group looked enthusiastic and ready for a warm day in Shadow Hill. Myra stayed near Willow, hoping to make her feel more comfortable and maybe get her advice about the bakery. She needed another head and Willow was probably her closest friend here, despite the unusual circumstances that brought them together.

  As they waited outside the hedge maze, Myra offered Willow one of her muffins and started to tell her about the plan. She should tell Logan first, but he had so much else he was dealing with. And she could tell it was weighing on him. He felt personally responsible for Willow’s safety. It was even harder for him because his feelings were so strong for her.

  They walked to the remains of an old home, and while she chatted with Willow, Myra kept her senses on alert. Just in case. She didn’t think Kane was going to do anything more than formulate a plan at this point. But he had his eye on Willow and he had been unpredictable in the past.

  After Logan checked in again, Myra and Willow sat on a grouping of rocks out in the sunshine. Myra opened her backpack and convinced Willow to eat a muffin. Then pulled out a paper bag.

  “What else do you have in there?” Willow asked.

  Myra grinned. “Scones.”

  And if she liked her muffins, Myra knew she’d like the scones. That was a good first step. Consumer interest.

  “You’re going to make me fat.”

  “Moderation,” she said. “They’re lemon blueberry.”

  Willow gave in faster than Myra expected. “Okay, I agree, this town needs a bakery and it needs these scones.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So, what’s the plan?”

  This was the fun part. “I buy one of those shops down on Main Street‒there are two for sale close to the library‒and open a bakery.”