Talon's Hurricane (Satchel Pride Book 4), page 1
Talon's Hurricane
Satchel Pride 4
C.K. Noel
High Garden Publishing
Copyright © 2024 by C.K. Noel
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact www.highgardenpublishing.com
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Book Cover by OliviaProDesigns
PUBLISHER
High Garden Publishing
www.highgardenpublishing.com
Contents
The Betrayal of Domi'zel
Unspoken Bond
Is He?
Jealousy and Soulmates
Oh, Shut up!
Moving On
Blast from the Past
Boiled Over
Two Hops Forward, One Lion Back
Two Mates
Storm Prep
Hunkering Down
Take Cover!
I'm Sure
Minions
Prophecy Fulfilled
Mark...
Bondar Confrontation
Little Demon
Killing Time
Dinner Discord
Say What?
Terrible News
Connection Lost
Eye of the Storm
The Emperor....Oz?
Ring of Retribution
Bedlam, Blades, and Babies
Storm's End
I'm a Masochist
About The Author
Books By C.K. Noel
The Betrayal of Domi'zel
Dominic
Seven millennia ago, the Obsidian Desert, outskirts of the Nether Realm…
The pungent stink of sulfur permeated the air. It mingled with the smoky residue that veiled the black sands. Fallen minions and demons lay scattered, their lifeless forms a testimony to the battle’s ferocity. The remains of the once mighty were now extinguished in the aftermath. They silently spoke of a conflict that had lasted days. But now, we stood victorious.
With a lingering burn in my chest and adrenaline coursing through my veins, I couldn’t suppress the overwhelming surge of pride. Drawing a deep breath, I unleashed a triumphant roar, its resonance echoing through the shadowed expanse. It was a shout not just of conquest but a declaration that I, Domi’zel, would not be easily defeated.
Mal’ek, an upstart demon lord of the southern firewoods, thought he could usurp my territory and position. He quickly discovered that I had staunch allies and an unyielding determination to defend my dominion.
Another roar sounded beside me. I turned to see Jul’phanar, radiant in victory. Molten patches played across his bronzed gold skin, and his auburn hair, now a fiery red orange, seemed alight with dancing flames. His pristine white wings, a sharp contrast to his fiery demeanor, extended majestically from the openings in his luminous armor. The gold glow of his eyes mirrored the brilliance of his triumph.
“We did it, Juls. We did it,” I said, my voice filled with delight.
A grin spread across his beautiful face. Tossing aside his helm, he rushed over and wrapped his arms around my waist. His bronze skin contrasted with my obsidian color.
I laughed as Juls, with surprising strength, lifted my larger frame off the ground and joyfully swung me around.
“We sure as hell did! Mal’ek and his forces are destroyed. The realm, the emperor even, will think twice before turning against us,” he said, setting me down and smashing his lips to mine before I could scold him.
We shouldn’t be taunting the emperor. Aw fuck, his lips tasted as sweet as ever. I’ll admonish him later, I thought, before moaning and pressing into his embrace.
The clanking of our armor rubbing against each other caused me to pull back. I wanted more; I wanted to feast and dive into my carnal desires.
“We should take this elsewhere and get more comfortable.” I paused. Looking around, I spotted the smooth, polished onyx skin of my faithful minion and the captain of the guard, Jorin.
“Jorin!” I yelled. “Ensure the men are taken care of. Share the spoils with them.” Jorin, stoic as always, simply gave a nod.
I grasped Juls’ arms, focusing on our command tent. In an instant, the landscape shifted around us, and we were within the safety of our quarters. This ability, known as ‘mist-flashing,’ was a testament to my rank as a demon prince, allowing for near-instantaneous travel. It was a privilege few possessed and one I wielded with pride.
Juls chuckled, a mischievous glint in his gold-hued eyes. “You’re not the only one with tricks,” he teased. With a deft snap of his fingers, our armor disappeared. I looked down to see my dark, shimmering loincloth made of an ethereal fabric that moved as if alive against my skin. Juls’ covering was different—a golden fabric intertwined with strands of fire, accentuating the fiery tones of his physique.
“Impressive,” I remarked with an amused grin, noting the detail in his loincloth that seemed so fitting to his nature, “but let’s see who can truly outdo the other.”
Juls smirked, “Challenge accepted.”
Juls closed the distance between us, his golden eyes reflecting a familiar fire. As his lips met mine, the world faded. Between lingering kisses, I tried to keep a steady voice.
“Juls,” I murmured against his mouth, “be wary of speaking out against the emperor so openly.”
He pulled back slightly, a playful smirk replaced by confusion. “Why? After the battle, he surely fears us now.”
I took a deep breath, cupping his fiery cheek with my hand. “Power dynamics can shift quickly, especially in our realm. You know this. Speaking out openly against him might make us targets.”
His eyes searched mine, perhaps looking for some hidden meaning. “You fear him,” he stated, not as an accusation but as a realization.
“It’s not about fear,” I sighed, trying to find the right words. “It’s about strategy. There are threats and challenges we haven’t yet considered.”
He tilted his head slightly, the mischief returning to his eyes. “What if I told you there are ways, Dom? Ways we can become even more powerful than the emperor? We could rule.”
I hesitated for a moment, intrigued but cautious. The allure of the throne was a temptation most demons would find hard to resist. Yet, I respected our current emperor. Oz’gelon was far superior to his predecessor, and I’d thrived under his reign. However, Juls didn’t know that my relationship with the emperor was more complicated than mere fear. Not that I feared the emperor; instead, I believed the emperor saw my abilities as a threat. My recent discovery that it was he who incited Mal’ek to attack only cemented my suspicions.
“What are you talking about?” I asked slowly, careful of my words.
Juls leaned in, whispering so softly that I had to strain to hear him. “Legends, ancient beings, and secrets are hidden deep within our world. With their help, we could become unstoppable.”
My eyes narrowed, a twinge of suspicion prickling the back of my mind. “And how would you know this?”
His lips brushed my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “There are many things you don’t know about me. But in time, all will be revealed.”
Drawing back to look into his eyes, I saw a depth of intrigue and promise. Yet, unease welled within me, warning me to tread carefully.
“Explain what you mean,” I said plainly.
I needed to know what he was speaking about. Juls didn’t say anything. He smirked and stepped back, turning to the side table and pouring a chalice of wine. The more he didn’t answer, the more tense I felt.
“Julian?” I asked, using his human name—a more intimate, direct form of address compared to our usual nicknames. It was a deliberate choice meant to convey the depth of my concern. Speaking his actual demon name, Jul’phanar, was rarely done. For a demon, his real name held power—especially in the hands of a witch. As a result, most demons kept their demon names hidden well.
Juls sighed before taking another sip and saying, “I’ve been speaking with the Crone.”
“The Crone! Have you lost your mind?!” I couldn’t keep the sharpness out of my voice.
Chills ran down my spine at the mere mention of The Crone. I’d heard whispers in shadowed corners about her deals. Many say that she could bend time itself, but every favor had its price. She rivaled demons in negotiations. With our cunning minds, we demons reveled in twisting deals to find the smallest loopholes. She kept to herself and was considered neutral.
“Relax, Dom.” Juls touched my arm gently. “She’s not that bad and can help us take over. Think about it.” He reached over and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Me and you, ruling the realm—the ultimate powers that be.”
“Julian,” I murmured, my voice weighed down by a mix of temptation and dread. Dealing with The Crone wasn’t a good idea but ruling
“Just hear her out, Dom. We don’t have to do anything but hear her out.”
I closed my eyes and tried to silence the storm of thoughts swirling inside. My gut told me not even to test the waters, but what could it hurt to hear what she could offer? And perhaps, by listening, I could at least appease Juls for now and gain information. It was never bad to have information that could get us out of trouble or be used to my advantage.
“Dom, this could mean big things for us. Just hear her out,” Juls said.
Opening my eyes, I exhaled a loud breath. “We just hear what she has to say. I make no promises.”
Juls’ grin was instantaneous. “Fantastic.” He gripped my arm and snapped his fingers.
The room dissolved around us, and immediately, we were in a cold, dark cave. A green fire glowed in the distance, and runes and sigils were etched on the black rock walls. A chill ran through my spine as Juls guided me deeper through the tunnel. As we walked the rocky paths, the runes and glyphs glowed a bright purple and red, casting eerie shadows around us and illuminating the misty haze that filled the cave.
“I’m not sure about this, Juls,” I said, as the uneasy feeling I had from the start amplified a thousand times.
Juls continued to guide me. “It’s fine. You said you’d listen to what she has to say.”
“Indeed. Welcome, Prince Domi’zel,” a seductive voice said.
My breath hitched as I took in the woman standing before me. She was startlingly beautiful, with flawless, luminescent skin and draped in a cloak of midnight blue that shimmered with each movement. Her long, silken black hair flowed like a dark river from beneath her cowl, framing piercing eyes that glowed with an otherworldly light. How can eyes shine so brightly and not illuminate the room? It’s as if she can see into the darkest corners of my soul, I thought. It was mesmerizing, yet unsettling. I jerked my gaze to Juls, realization dawning. She knew my true demon name.
“Don’t look at him, your highness. I know all true names, just like I know Jul’phanar’s,” she continued, and Juls flashed his sharp teeth at her.
“I told you never to call me that, Crone,” Juls snarled.
“I think I’ve heard enough—”
“Come, Your Highness. Do you not wish for more power, more prestige?” The Crone interrupted me as she raised her hand.
Green, hazing smoke filled the cavern, and on it showed images of me and Juls lifting our arms in victory. Another image flashed of me sitting on the black throne, the epicenter of demonkind. The more images I watched, the more I craved for it to be true.
I focused on the Crone woman. “How can I achieve this glory?”
The Crone dropped her delicate hand, and the images disappeared. “Step forward, and I’ll endue you with the strength and power to defeat the emperor and rule.”
I wasn’t sure about this. I liked the emperor. Did I really want power and glory? I shook my head. No, this was wrong. I stepped back.
“I will get there on my own. I’ve heard enough,” I said, determination filling my veins.
“Dom, didn’t you see? We can be stronger than ever. We can rule. We have to do this, trust me,” Juls pleaded, grabbing my arm.
I shook off his grasp and focused on the Crone. “What’s the catch? What do you get out of this witch?”
“I am no witch!” she bellowed, her voice echoing with ancient might. It shook me to my core. “I was here at the beginning. I see all. I know all. This is my bargain for you. I will infuse you with the strength to take control. The only thing I require is the blood of your emperor.”
Before I could process her demand, Juls interjected, “He’ll do it.” He shoved me towards her.
My eyes widened in horror, realizing the depth of Juls' treachery. The Crone chanted. Ethereal chains coiled around my limbs, pulling taut, anchoring me to the spot. I roared and jerked, trying to break free, but it was useless. The Crone spoke louder in a language I didn’t understand, and a foreign sigil blazed onto my chest, each etched line a fiery brand.
Amidst the searing pain, the weight of Juls' betrayal crushed my spirit. "Why, Juls?" I croaked, despair evident in my voice.
With malevolent satisfaction, he sneered, “Only one of us is fit for the black throne. And that’s me.”
The crone’s chants grew louder, and I writhed in pain. I felt my power, my magic, slipping away. I cried out again. It was as if a thousand demon blades were gutting me, and the heat of the sigil sizzled on my skin.
Pain—unimaginable, excruciating pain—consumed me. I threw my head back. A guttural scream escaped my lips as my body contorted. My once-impenetrable obsidian skin paled, and my powerful limbs withered before my very eyes. The sensation of my wings shriveling was agonizing, like a part of my soul being ripped away. And my majestic horns, a symbol of my heritage, crumbled to dust. I cried as the weight of what was happening hit me. I was betrayed—I was human.
The Crone wasn’t finished. Her chants grew fervent, reaching a crescendo. What more can she do to me? I thought. A shimmering portal opened on the cavern wall, and fuck; it got worse. The primitive human realm appeared.
"In the shadow of lost power, a bond forged thrice shall return the fallen prince to his throne. Betrayed love shall seek its revenge, a Duša’s union the key to restoration." The words left the Crone’s mouth in a voice not her own, imbued with superior authority. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head as if surprised by her own utterance.
Before I could grasp the full meaning of her words, she regained her composure and flung her arm, causing me to hurl through the portal. Landing on the hard ground, I heard Juls' mocking laughter before things went dark. Betrayed, powerless, and transformed. I had lost everything.
Unspoken Bond
Lucas
Present Day….
“Take that!”
Louie’s voice, high-pitched and triumphant, cut through the room. I glanced up from my phone, watching him and his cousin Simon, engaged in their video game duel. It was reminiscent of the countless battles I had with my siblings. As one of ten kids, our house was always a battleground of playful rivalry.
Leaning back, I let the sounds of my nieces and nephews playing envelop me. I was the designated babysitter today. My mom, sisters, and brothers all had to work or were in school. So, I was stuck watching them. It wasn’t a chore, and I didn’t mind. The kids were a much-needed distraction.
I flicked my phone screen again. The absence of messages from Talon twisted a knot in my gut. The first time I saw him, his majestic lion form had both terrified and fascinated me. It scared me that he was a predator shifter. I didn’t have the best track record with them. And Talon was a huge ass lion with a full golden mane and sharp teeth. But seeing and meeting him also caused my rabbit and heart to patter happily—we met our mate.
It was the moment I realized what the bond meant - a connection that was supposed to be unbreakable. But now, that connection felt as if it was fraying, thread by thread.
Why the hell won’t he call me? I thought. I was his mate, damn it. He should want to be with me. Granted, our first meeting wouldn’t have been the best time to announce our connection.
My parents had just found out my older brother Brian had found his mate in a predator shifter, the king of the lion pride, and they, especially my mother, weren’t happy. But now, they accepted my brother’s bond. There was no reason for Talon not to even talk with me.
The game ended with triumphant music, and Louie jumped up, his face alight with the simple joy of victory. “I won! Uncle Lucas, did you see that?”
I mustered a smile, a pang of nostalgia hitting me. “You’re a champ, Louie. Reminds me of the gaming battles I had with your father and uncles.”
“Hear that, Simon. I’m a champ,” Louie said smugly. He was definitely his father’s son. My brother, Noah, used to brag like that all the time.
Simon’s nose wrinkled, his brow creased, and fire blazed in his eyes. I struggled to smother a laugh. “I let you win. Let’s play again, I’ll prove it!”
