Cursed by Moonlight (Torrid Tarot) ISBN 9781419915888 Publisher Ellora's Cave Release Date May 2008 By day, Alric is a fearless warrior who rules his people fairly and protects them fiercely. But when the full moon rises, he becomes that which he hates — a beast whose ferocious impulses he cannot control. Caasi belongs to a wandering people who have set up camp on Alric's land. From the moment she first catches sight of the lord of the land, she is enchanted by him. And he is no better off — it's no wonder his people call her a witch. Alric is desperate to find an end to his curse, and he calls upon Caasi to help him. But as a mysterious old crone has hinted, only he can free himself...

"I told ya, she's a witch." Godric clasped a metal collar around Alric's throat before securing it in place and him to the stone wall. "Her people are different in their thinking. This makes her of the right mind to help you. She can tell ya your future."

He grunted. Earlier while he waited for darkness, he hadn't been able to keep from listening to the serving wenches who came and went from his room.

The wenches had whispered about fortunetellers.

Fortunetellers.

Utter madness. No one could tell the future. Still, he couldn't keep his gaze from the woman. She intrigued him. The black eyes that stared back at him were full of intelligence like they had earlier in his rooms. She had no simple mind. Why wasn't she frightened? Surely, she knew what was happening wasn't right. His gaze didn't leave hers as she played. "What is she called?"

"Caasi. Easy to look at, if ya ask me."

He shot another glare his friend's way. "I didn't ask."

Caasi.

Yea. She was easy to look at with her dark skin, hair and eyes to match. The clothing she wore hid a lush body full of curves. Curves he wanted to see naked. In his chamber, he'd barely been able to think clearly. Much the same happened to him now.

What he wouldn't give to be a normal man.

Caasi continued to play her music. The tune turned haunting.

Godric set about latching shackles to his upper arms and legs. The stone was cold against his back and arse.

Alric pulled at the chains. They left him little room to move. "She shouldn't have been brought here."

His friend turned his graying head toward the stairs. "Come here, girl."

The music stopped. A man's voice he didn't recognize murmured something in a tongue he didn't know. A growl vibrated in his chest. He'd caught the other man's scent. The smell reminded him of the female. The animal assured him they were related. Still, the relationship, no matter what it was, mattered not. This fascinating woman that turned him into knots could be nothing in his life. After many beats of his heart, light scuffs sounded as she made it down the steps.

The tempting mouth pressed tightly closed, and the black eyes now refused to meet his. Her uncertainty clear in her gaze, she moved not one toe into the room. She wasn't as brave as he'd given her credit for. Fear radiated from her skin in the sweet scent of sweat.

"My brother, he wants me to stay outside." Her voice sounded as pleasing as the music she'd strummed from her harp.

His cock twitched in urgent need. "What man would bring a loved one to a place such as this?"

"Nassar is a fine man, a fine warrior." Fires blazed in her direct look. "I'm no whore, if that's what your men told you."

He grunted at the tightness of the shackle latched around his chest. The links clenched him painfully.

"I told ya, fucking isn't on the earl's mind this night." Backing up a step, Godric pulled out the hammer from the sheath that hung from his side. He rolled the handle of the weapon around in his palm. The heavy war hammer would easily split his skull, or kill with its deadly spiked end. "Your people are full of secrets." A bushy brow lifted as Godric waited for the female's response.

Alric frowned, unsure where his friend headed with the question.

"Yea." She moistened her plump lips.

Godric smiled. "Good. Then ya won't mind one more among friends?"

Her throat worked, and she met Alric's gaze a final time. "Your tale is safe with me."

His companion dismissed the woman by giving her his back. The old man tugged on a chain. "Ya good and tight?"

The chain around Alric's neck bit into his throat when he tried to nod. Nay, he wasn't going anywhere—at least, not in his human form. The beast rose up to snarl at what was next. A shudder racked his body as he began to turn, the beast awakening to take its place. Alric gritted his teeth as pain tore through him and ligaments and tendons twisted and stretched.

Godric raised the hammer high and brought the flat end down on Alric's head with enough force to buckle his knees. Pain flashed in a white haze.

A shrill scream rattled his fading thoughts.