QSFer M.D. Grimm has a new MM paranormal book out:
Agent Pan has spent most of his adult life protecting shape-shifters from the Knights—an organization bent on their annihilation—and keeping the secret war in the shadows where it belongs. But the Knights are growing bolder, and a new threat has resurfaced after being buried in the ocean for decades.
The ancient scroll, a key to a devastating weapon, is now in the hands of a recalcitrant Russian hawk shifter named Viktor. As a bird shifter, he knows his duty is to protect the scroll, but he wants nothing to do with the war. He leads a quiet life and wants to keep it that way. But when agents come knocking on his door, he finds it difficult to resist the charms of Agent Pan, especially since this isn’t their first meeting.
Two years earlier they spent a passionate weekend together, neither aware of the other’s true identity. Viktor never really got over Pan. Now with sexual tension at its peak, they must learn to trust each other and work as a team to protect not only their loved ones, but every shifter in the world.
The Shifters Book 11
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Excerpt
But first he must find a place for the fucking scroll. Once again he reluctantly grabbed it and walked into his small office. He pushed aside a filing cabinet to reveal the wall safe. He soon had the scroll inside and was just pushing the cabinet back into place when a sound came from the front door.
Startled, wary, Viktor edged into the living room and realized the sound was of a key being put into the lock. He didn’t have to wait long before the door opened and Tommy walked in. Two men followed him.
“Tommy.” He knew he cared for the lad, but the unexpected twist in his stomach showed just how much. The rest of the worry he’d held on to since the moment he discovered them missing finally vanished.
“Viktor,” Tommy said, looking awkward and nervous. He was obviously waiting for some sort of reprimand.
Viktor stepped forward, eyes only for his ward.
“Um, these are Agents Pan and Jin,” Tommy said, gesturing.
Without looking at either man, Viktor gave in to impulse and pulled Tommy into a tight hug. Tommy jerked in shock before hugging him back just as forcefully. Only then did Viktor turn his attention to the agents, eyeing them over Tommy’s head. He knew he had an intimidating, brooding look. He hoped it made them think twice before fucking with him.
Agent Jin was of obvious Asian descent, wearing all black, a toned body apparent under the tight clothing. His expression remained blank, indicating neither interest nor boredom. It was impossible to determine what he was thinking.
But then he looked at Agent Pan and… it felt like Viktor was punched in the gut with the fist of recognition.
Agent Pan was beautiful. Viktor knew him to be of Greek descent, and it showed in his olive skin, rangy body, and dark hair and sultry eyes. Viktor had seen marble Greek statues in museums, and it seemed this man might have been one that decided to come to life.
Viktor also had reason to know Agent Pan had a firmly packed body, great stamina, and a husky voice when aroused. Memories flooded back and whipped through him like a vicious storm. His hawk crooned and fluttered his feathers in need, in hunger. It had been two years ago when they first met. Two years since their utterly satisfying and much-too-short weekend of sensual delights.
Viktor swallowed hard as he eased away from Tommy. His body sprang to life, his cock stirring with interest and remembrance. How was this possible? Was fate truly such a cruel bitch? He stared into those chocolate eyes again and wondered why the name “Pan” didn’t seem right. Viktor could have sworn he had another name two years ago. But he couldn’t remember it. How could he have forgotten such a thing? Especially since neither he nor his hawk had ever really gotten over him. Despite his own mixed feelings upon seeing Pan again, his hawk was simply happy. That didn’t really surprise him; his hawk was simpler when it came to most things, especially emotion. His hawk wanted to claim Pan once again, to remember that happiness, that connection.
Agent Pan winged an eyebrow, and that familiar smirk graced his elegant face. Viktor didn’t doubt Pan remembered that weekend, just as he did. Pan shifted his stance, appearing almost casual. He even stuck his hands in his pockets.
“Um, did Stacey make it home okay?” Tommy asked, yanking Viktor back into the present.
He had to clear his throat before answering. “Da. She is upstairs, safe. Go and see her.”
Tommy blinked rapidly in obvious surprise but then smiled. “Thanks,” he said before darting to the stairs. He stopped at the base and looked back at them.
Before Viktor could say anything, Pan did. “You’re home, Tommy. We got this.”
Tommy nodded uncertainly before running up the stairs.
Viktor turned his back to the stairs and drew himself up to his full height and silenced his hawk’s continued insistence that he claim Pan again. He crossed his arms over his chest and made it perfectly clear he would act as a wall between these agents and those under his charge. And the scroll.
#
Pan nearly laughed. Now he knew why the combination of “Viktor” and “Russian” tickled his mind. He now happily remembered that wonderful sex-filled weekend, despite it being around two years ago. He’d been on one of his “shore leaves” when he happened by a bar along the coast of Oregon. The moment he walked in, he was intrigued by the large, gloomy figure sitting halfway in the shadows at the corner of the room. It was like he’d heard a siren’s song, and he hadn’t bothered to resist it.
They had struck up a conversation, and Viktor’s accent made Pan weak in the knees. He always did have a soft spot for accents. Then it was a coy “want to see my place?” and Pan experienced one of the top five sexual experiences of his life. And he’d had more than a few. He wasn’t going to apologize for liking sex and having a lot of it. However, he’d been deprived of that for several months, ever since the Agency infiltrated the Knights’ headquarters. He’d just been too busy, and vacation time was only granted under great scrutiny.
Pan forced himself out of the past and into the present. And presently Viktor was literally and figuratively standing in their way. Pan highly suspected he remembered their encounter—if the startled look on his face and heated eyes were any indication—but it didn’t seem to soften him in the least.
Viktor had been hunched over upon first viewing, but now he stood straight and tall, his height fully on display. He was a big man. He had a slight gut, but it went well with his broad shoulders and thick chest. He certainly knew how to wear his size, and the obviously tailored blue-and-black suit emphasized his best features. Keen blue eyes blasted out of a face too sharp and angular to be traditionally attractive. Pan remembered running his fingers through that neatly cut black hair. Viktor put Pan in mind of a vulture instead of a hawk shifter, and he felt lust curl in his stomach. It was odd, like he was seeing Viktor for the first time all over again, yet had the benefit of memories to know what the results of such a dalliance would be. Shape-shifters had their own sensual pull, something primitively sexual, and Pan never let the Agency’s strict rules control his sexual appetite. He could spot a shifter a mile off, and he found they made the best lovers.
Viktor had a face made for scowling—as he was now—and that Russian accent completed the package. But Pan knew this was not the time to allow his libido to dictate his actions. They weren’t simply two men in a bar this time. He had a mission to complete. There would be no tryst. Dammit.
“You know why we’ve come,” Pan said, keeping his posture nonthreatening.
“I do not care,” Viktor said, his accent thick but not affecting his words. Pan had to struggle against his lust. Blast that accent! His knees wanted to buckle.
“I thank you for returning Tommy,” Viktor said. “Now you must go.”
“I’m afraid it’s not that easy.” Pan shrugged. “We have orders. Where’s the scroll?”
Viktor’s scowl deepened. “Leave now.”
“Listen—”
Viktor took a menacing step toward them, his arms at his sides with fists clenched. Pan’s eyebrows shot up as he took a discreet step back, and Jin followed his lead. Was the hawk really going to get violent?
“I do not need help from Agency,” Viktor said. Then he pointed to the front door. “This is shifter matter. You will leave now.”
“Shifter matters are our matters,” Pan said. He wasn’t at all surprised by the resistance. Half the shifters they met were suspicious or downright hostile to the Agency. “That’s why we were created in the first place. If you could just—”
It was amazing how fast Viktor could move, especially considering his size. Viktor grabbed the scruff of both Pan and Jin’s collars, managed to yank open the front door, then shoved them out into the morning daylight. Pan stumbled, and Jin’s eyes widened with shock. Neither of them had time to react.
“You will leave now.” With another scowl thrown at them, Viktor slammed the door shut, and Pan recognized the distinct sounds of locks being turned.
Author Bio
M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things actually, but not that!). Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!).
After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?) she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier. Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, (or else what’s the point?) finding their soul mate in the process.