TWISTED FATES BOOK 1: THE FIRST TWIST by Jacklyn Rogers (e book reader for pc txt) 📗

concern may, in fact, be the same thing that is burdening you as well. What do you think, Jareth ... am I correct with my assumptions?"

The vampire stood silent, his hands balled into tense fists at his side. She knew she had struck a nerve in the impervious Jareth Mickelsen.

She analyzed him with her penetrating pale grey eyes, scrutinizing his hesitance to respond to her.

Finally, Jareth broke the silence that permeated the small establishment. His interest in Maleyna's recent female client was too great to be dismissed.

"Fine then," he began, "please do me the honor of humoring me and tell me about the woman that just left your shop prior to my particular arrival." It wasn't a request. Maleyna knew by his preceding reputation, Jareth wasn't one to be underestimated. He was, after all, an ancient, powerful, and very, very, ruthless vampire. None the less, it didn't mean that Maleyna was going to divulge any information freely. After all, where was the fun in that?

Jareth could see that he had struck a chord in the old woman, as the smile she once held quickly faded from her lips.

"Jareth, why are you so concerned about my clientele?" She asked smugly. "Surely, this Samantha woman's wretched life is of no concern to you. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you are perhaps interested in ending her life, then I would highly deter you from such a cruel act. Another has already cursed this pitiful creature's outcome."

She was cursed by who and for what reason? Jareth pondered.

It felt as if a thousand silver daggers shot straight through his chest.

Jareth elected then and there; he needed to save this woman. Indeed, there must be something that could be done to remedy her dire situation. He regarded Maleyna. The predator within him was biting beneath his imperturbable exterior, craving to protect Samantha by any means necessary. There was something about this, Samantha women that drew his attention. He wanted her, completely in every way possible. He wanted to claim her as his own, feeling her naked body writhing in ecstasy, moaning his name out of her plump lips. God, he was already obsessed and hadn't even introduced himself to her yet. Jareth's ability to contain the darkness within him was generally above reproach, but for some anomalous reason, his desire to protect and claim someone he'd only glimpsed but once had overtaken his rationality.

If Maleyna wouldn't oblige him the information regarding how he could save Samantha freely, he'd have to resort to more ruthless methods to incite her cooperation.

He genuinely hoped, for her sake, that it was not the latter.

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Being a woman of unprecedented survival instincts, Maleyna understood that she was in no position to deny Jareth's demands. Thus far, she remained alive following those predispositions and intended to continue to do so for several more years. Besides, she wasn't a fan of Dasha's underhanded means at deceiving the poor woman who was under the misconception that Dasha was her friend. Samantha couldn't be further from the truth. Dasha was no one's friend. To be more precise, the entire bleak situation that Samantha was suffering from had been fully orchestrated by Dasha's manipulation, and Maleyna was in no position to divulge this information so candidly to the poor unsuspecting woman.

Dasha and Maleyna belonged to the same Coven. Each was bound by an oath to never betray a member of their sacred Coven to a human. To do so was considered a crime that could be punishable by removal of the betrayer's tongue. So, despite her desire to save the young woman from Dasha's underhanded intentions, Maleyna was powerless to do so. Nevertheless, Maleyna had always been a cunning witch. She knew where to find the loopholes within every situation.  Jareth, who was no longer considered human, was that loophole. Not that she would admit to him, however. Maleyna had already planned on exposing Dasha's misconduct to Jareth. She'd already devised a plan. The spell she'd cast on Samantha in order to attract the ancient vampire would only solidify Jareth's willingness to protect the ill-fated young woman.

Aware of the outcome of her magics that she had provided Samantha, Maleyna had already devised a plan to ensure Jareth's ability to remain at Samantha's side. Of course, despite the possible risk of angering the unsuspecting vampire, Maleyna also cast a spell on Jareth unbeknownst to him. After she explained Samantha's plight's specifics, save the particulars regarding the poor human girl's current mateship to a werewolf, Jareth took his leave of Maleyna's establishment.

Just as he was about to leave, Maleyna placed her hand on Jareth's forearm and quietly chanted the words that would allow him to remain unaffected by the timeline's shift.

Mutata in tempore

Nexus vincula shifting

Praeter Unum

Erit memorias manere

Jareth's eyes glazed over briefly before he regained his faculties. The incantation of Maleyna's spell remained undetected. With a quick nod, Jareth was gone.

Maleyna smiled at herself. Dasha underestimated her, but she would soon find out that Maleyna was more cunning than expected.

Yes, Maleyna truly was a clever, clever witch indeed.

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***FYI if you're wondering - here is the translation of what Maleyna said in English:

Altering time

shifting links in chains

except for one

will memories remain

Chapter 15

Jareth's POV

Present Time

Bloody Hell!

How could I have been so damn incompetent? I was so fucking daft. This evening wasn't even over yet, and still, I allowed Samantha to persuade me to let her out of my eyesight for a few brief moments. And it was in those moments when Dasha's minion attacked Samantha. Meanwhile, I was waiting in the damn limousine in nothing but my pants, all chuffed like a bloody Nancy-boy.

Bollocks!

Maleyna had warned me. All I had to do, was keep Samantha alive until past midnight on her twenty-fifth birthday, and Dasha's curse would have been thwarted.

I smelled her blood before I