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Title: Shifting Forces

Series: Protect and Serve 8

Author: Cassidy McKay

Publisher: Changeling Press

Release Date: Sept 1

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Female/Male (No Male/Male interaction)

Length: 70 pages

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Women's Fiction, Action Adventure, Bisexual, Multisexual & Pansexual, Elves, Dragons & Magical Creatures, Military, Veterans, and First Responders, Multiple Partners, Shapeshifters

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Aurora Monroe has detailed plans for her life -- and not one of them includes being barefoot, pregnant and under the thumbs of two decidedly alpha males. But what's a girl to do when she has two sexy shifters both trying to claim mating rights?

When two paranormals on opposite sides of the war save an injured human, they unintentionally mark her as their wife. Bonded by blood, fire and passion, the gryphon and phoenix shifters do everything they can to keep their new human mate safe.

Getting her to go along with the plan is a different matter. She has no intention of following their orders. Found in defiance of both human laws and paranormal traditions, the battle for their rights turns into a fight for their lives.

Sex between a human and her two shifters can be spectacular, but is it worth risking everything for a chance at forever?

Copyright ©2023 Cassidy McKay

Varick's Blog

"Paranormals are just like us. They deserve equal rights, equal status under the law, and no less than our full understanding and cooperation!" I watch from the outskirts, close enough to hear, but not a part of the crowd. A smattering of applause greets the pretty redhead as she finishes her speech on the stairs in front of the white columned government building.

A heated, spicy tingle warms my body as she steps down, her nipples tight and visible in the oh-so-proper sweater she wears over a blouse against the chill wind. Staid, gray slacks demurely outline her curvy figure. Mmm. Definitely my kind of woman... proper on the outside, but all fiery and full of fight on the inside.

Only a few dozen people brave enough to show up for the rally now stand in the square. It's mostly your typical malcontents and troublemakers, but there are a few who look like they might actually give a damn.

I can't decide whether the woman has balls of steel or is dangerously naive. More than likely, a little of both. A tall, unkempt man makes his way to the front of the group, standing on the concrete base of a light pole like a monkey, spouting obscenities and tossing crap about how humans are better than paras. The crowd grows, becoming restless as the man yells, gaining the attention of the cops outside City Hall.

I stay in the shadows of the storefront across the street, where I can watch without being seen. Easier said than done most times, but I've gotten good at it. Most of us have. Coming out as a paranormal isn't a fashionable, celebrity thing to do anymore. It's a life sentence. The government took care of that. So much for equality.

I'm Varick Gerard. Used to be a paramedic, but now I'm labeled a criminal. Just because I'm a shifter, I was legally forced out of my profession, my home, and the comfortable life I once lived. Phoenix shifters aren't inherently evil. Given the choice, I'd rather save lives than take them. I don't like to fight. While some of the other paras here live for nothing else, it just isn't my thing. I don't steal, I don't destroy things, and I don't kill people unnecessarily. I may have lost everything else, but I still have my principles.

Me, I'm a loner. It's a phoenix thing. Most of us are. I don't mind being around people, I'm just not into long-term commitments. Sex? Yeah, I'm definitely into that. I can burn up a bed like nobody's business. And that woman up there -- she'd be right at the center of my pyre of passion on most days.

But not today. Something's in the air, I can feel it. I've been chased out of more cities than I can remember, just because I choose to survive. What's left of the local police force musters in front of the building. Riot shields and batons at the ready, the leader shouts into a megaphone for the crowd to disperse. Chaos has a strong following in this town.

The cops advance in a restless, unsteady line -- a phalanx of toy human soldiers pitting themselves against the evil paranormals. Same shit, different location. That isn't what's bothering me, though. There's something else, just on the edge... It's like I can almost feel it, taste it, but it keeps slipping past me.

"Hey, phoenix-dude, come on! The goon-squad is coming out to play." A short, pimply vampire pauses, motioning for me to join the unruly mob gathering in the shadows, waiting for their chance to pick someone off.

He's annoying -- hangs around all the time, always trying to get me to kill something with him. I think he just wants to see what a phoenix can do. Lucky for him, I'm not really a joiner. "No thanks, I'm heading out. Good luck with that."

He shrugs and sprints off, his fangs standing at attention and ready to rumble. Idiot. Time to leave this burg. I don't need the cops on my ass or any more problems than I already have. It's not worth the trouble.

A woman's annoyed yell yanks me to attention. "Leave me alone! I haven't done anything wrong!" The redhead struggles against one of the officers, landing a solid whack on his neck where the protective gear doesn't protect.

My smile fights to break free -- the girl's a fighter, all right.

"Submit willingly, Miss, and you'll just be charged with disorderly conduct."

The cop doesn't look old enough to have graduated high school, let alone wear a badge. He can't seem to decide between juggling his shield, going on to a more willing arrestee, or grabbing his cuffs and taking his chances against the wildcat.

My bet is on the girl.

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Cassidy lives in the beautiful state of Washington and is surrounded by mysterious rain forests, tempestuous oceans and enough gorgeous scenery to inspire stories for at least another two hundred years. She's been reading romances since she was thirteen, and writing them since she was fifteen. However, the serious writing bug didn't bite until much later in life, inspired by her talented husband (who is also a writer!).