Hello everyone, and welcome to the second installment of “Tease Week!” As promised, I’ll be posting excerpts from both books in the Seeder series, in anticipation of the release of “Changeling: Book Three of the Seeder Saga.”

Rain has been sent to take care of a man seen as a direct threat to her people. Little does she know, she’s going to help him get to who he’s been hired to look for. Their first encounter was meant to be their last, but Ajan sees to it that things don’t go as planned….

Rain was nervous.

She backed into the room, after a cautious glance inside. Once she’d assured herself that the bed was empty, she began scanning the room for the best place to hide. The man must still be behind closed doors with Parmet, and if she could surprise him upon his return, she could kill him easily and be on her way before anyone could sound an alarm.

Their intelligence had accurately predicted the Hunter’s arrival, giving the rebels time to plan a pre-emptive strike. If Parmet thought he could hire an off-worlder to come in and fight his battles, he was going to be sorely demoralized when he found his magical off-worlder trussed up like a waterfowl and his plan completely blown.

She paused, wincing, as a floorboard creaked. These mountain houses weren’t always built well. Not that she found it surprising. The craggers were always in such a hurry to build and develop and change and destroy. She tried to walk more carefully.

She briefly considered the balcony, but that would be too obvious – especially with the moonlight coming through to highlight her silhouette once he dimmed the lamps. No, she needed to be well-hidden if she had a prayer of subduing the interloper before he called for help.

She surveyed the room again, deciding that the drapery covering the bath closet offered the best option. She’d have the element of surprise on her side, and if things went badly, she could let him bleed out there. They might just think he’d left the room for some reason.

It was a good plan, and she was known for her good plans. She headed over to the corner, keeping her face turned toward the door and her back to the balcony.

She only had time to draw a short breath when his arm came around her, and his hand covered her mouth, stopping her scream.

He turned her around roughly and she came face to face with the object of her plan. Rain’s first thought was that he was much taller and more heavily muscled up close. Not overly bulky, but very, very strong. Her second thought was that she needed a new plan.

“I’m sorry.” His voice startled her, but not as much as his words did. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. Why didn’t you knock?” He loosened his grip, his hands rubbing her upper arms, as if to soothe her.

He was apologizing? When she was here to kill him?

“I sometimes react a bit too quickly,” he continued. “I had forgotten that Parmet was sending you.”

He thought she was here to share his bed. Of course. She hadn’t missed the reactions she’d observed from the mountain women in the dining chamber during the evening meal. The man was a good head taller than the other men at the table, and with that long, dark golden hair and those very blue eyes, he stood out like a freak. The women thought him insanely good looking. Of course, they didn’t see him for what he was.

Interloper. Hired Murderer. Killer.

She gave him a smile that she hoped was convincing. She’d never been much for using feminine wiles, but if she could maneuver him into letting his guard down, she could still finish the job.

The man smiled back. “I am Ajan.” His hand came up to slide around the back of her neck. She stiffened, and then remembered he wasn’t trying to kill her – yet. He thought he was going to bed her. He looked at her curiously, his eyes lingering on the scar at her throat. A mountain woman wouldn’t have a scar like that, in all likelihood. Her mind worked frantically.

“Rain…ya,” she stammered. “My name is Rainya.”

Did that sound like a mountain name? She hoped so. She almost gave everything away. She needed to keep her wits about her, but it was difficult because he was standing so close and his thumb was slowly stroking the side of her neck.

“Don’t be nervous, Rainya,” he said softly. “I know I’m larger than the men you’re accustomed to, but I assure you, we’ll fit together nicely…”

~~~

And oh yes, they most certainly do. Read the book, and you’ll get all the steamy details, plus you’ll get to know Indar, who features prominently in book three. You can buy “Rain In The Moonlight” at Amazon and Smashwords.