No Werewolves Allowed Read online

  Praise for these other novels fromNew York Times

  bestselling author

  CHEYENNE MCCRAY

  DEMONS NOT INCLUDED

  “The hot new Night Tracker series promises plenty of thrills and chills. McCray does an excellent job establishing this world and its host of intriguing characters. The action is fast and furious, and the danger escalating. Add in some sexy sizzle and you have another patented McCray gem.”

  —Romantic Times BOOKreviews (Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars)

  “McCray weaves a supernatural tale of mystery, murder, and blossoming romance. Demons Not Included has a well-rounded cast, a captivating storyline, and plenty of suspense to keep readers guessing.”

  —Darque Reviews

  DARK MAGIC

  Winner, Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Paranormal Action Adventure of the Year

  “McCray does a stellar job layering the danger, passion and betrayal. Awesome!”

  —Romantic Times BOOKreviews (Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars)

  “Action, romance, suspense, love, betrayal, sacrifice, magic, and sex appeal to the nth degree! [McCray’s] heroines kick butt and run the gamut from feminine to tomboy, and her heroes…well, they’re all 200% grade-A male. YUM! Her love scenes left me breathless… and I’m surprised I have any nails left after the suspense in this last book.”

  —Queue My Review

  “Vivid battles, deceit that digs deep into the coven, and a love that can’t be denied.”

  —Night Owl Romance

  “Besides a fabulous finish to a great urban fantasy that sub-genre fans will relish as one of the best series over the past few years, the romance is the one readers have been waiting to see how it plays out since almost the beginning. Master magician Cheyenne McCray brings it all together in a superb ending to her stupendous saga.”

  —Harriet Klausner

  SHADOW MAGIC

  “Erotic paranormal romance liberally laced with adventure and thrills.”

  —Romantic Times BOOKreviews(Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars)

  “A sensual tale full of danger and magic, Shadow Magic should not be missed.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “Cheyenne McCray has created a fabulous new world. You won’t be able to get enough!”

  —Lori Handeland, USA Today bestselling author

  WICKED MAGIC

  “Blistering sex and riveting battles are plentiful as this series continues building toward its climax.”

  —Romantic Times BOOKreviews(4 stars)

  “Has an even blend of action and romance…. An exciting paranormal tale; don’t miss it!”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “Cheyenne McCray shows the best work between good and evil in Wicked Magic. The characters are molded perfectly… sure to delight and captivate with each turn of the page.”

  —Night Owl Romance

  SEDUCED BY MAGIC

  “Blistering passion and erotic sensuality are major McCray hallmarks, in addition to a deft and exciting storyline. This magical series continues to develop its increasing cast of characters and complex plotline; the result is erotic paranormal romance liberally laced with adventure and thrills.”

  —Romantic Times BOOKreviews(Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars)

  “The slices of humor, the glimpses of the characters’ world through fantastic descriptions, not to mention fascinating characters, landed this book on… [the] keeper shelf.”

  —Romance Divas

  “Witches, drool-worthy warriors, and hot passion that will have readers reaching for a cool drink. Cheyenne McCray has created a fantastic and magical world where both the hero and heroine are strong and are willing to fight the darkness that threatens their worlds.”

  —A Romance Review

  FORBIDDEN MAGIC

  “Wildly erotic and dangerously sensual, this explosive paranormal thriller sizzles. McCray erupts on the scene with one of the sexiest stories of the year. Her darkly dramatic world is one readers won’t mind visiting again… McCray knows how to make a reader sweat—either from spine-tingling suspense or soul-singeing sex… McCray cleverly combines present-day reality with mythological fantasy to create a world where beings of lore exist—and visit the earthly realm.”

  — Romantic Times BOOKreviews (Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars)

  “McCray will thrill and entrance you!”

  —Sabrina Jeffries, New York Times bestselling author

  “A yummy hot fudge sundae of a book!”

  —MaryJanice Davidson, New York Times bestselling author

  “Charmed meets Kim Harrison’s witch series, but with a heavy dose of erotica on top!”

  —Lynsay Sands, New York Times bestselling author

  “McCray’s paranormal masterpiece is not for the fainthearted. The battle between good and evil is brought to the reader in vivid and riveting detail to the point where the reader is drawn into the pages of this bewitching and seductive fantasy that delivers plenty of action-packed sequences and arousing love scenes.”

  —Rendezvous

  “Forbidden Magic is a spellbinding, sexy, superbly written dark fantasy. I couldn’t put it down, and you won’t want to either…[a] fabulous plot… [Cheyenne McCray has an] incredible skill at keeping readers engaged in every moment of the action. Longtime fans and newbies alike will be enchanted and swept away by this enduring tale of courage, love, passion, and magic.”

  —A Romance Review

  “If one were going to make a comparison to Cheyenne McCray with another writer of the supernatural/sensuality genre, it would have to be Laurell K. Hamilton…Forbidden Magic definitely puts McCray in the same league as Hamilton. The book is a very sexy work… Forbidden Magic is dark and filled with danger at almost every turn. Magic and mystery abound in San Francisco, with a major battle between the forces of good and evil, and the outcome is always in doubt when it comes to demons.”

  —Shelf Life

  “Cheyenne McCray has written a sexy adventure spiced with adventurous sex.”

  —Charlaine Harris, New York Times bestselling author

  “Erotic with a great big capital E. Cheyenne McCray is my new favorite author!”

  —Bertrice Small, New York Times bestselling author

  St. Martin’s Paperbacks Titles By

  CHEYENNE McCRAY

  LEXI STEELE NOVELS

  The First Sin

  The Second Betrayal

  NIGHT TRACKER NOVELS

  Demons Not Included

  No Werewolves Allowed

  THE MAGIC NOVELS

  Dark Magic

  Shadow Magic

  Wicked Magic

  Seduced By Magic

  Forbidden Magic

  ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

  Moving Target

  Chosen Prey

  ANTHOLOGIES

  No Rest for the Witches

  Copyright © 2010 by Cheyenne McCray.

  Excerpt from Vampires Not Invited copyright © 2010 by Cheyenne McCray.

  All rights reserved.

  For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

  EAN: 978-0-312-94642-5

  Printed in the United States of America

  St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / June 2010

  St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  To Tara Donn, one of the bestest friends a girl could have. It’s time for another appletini-and-lychee martini marathon!

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thank you, Daniel, for being my cheering section and sounding board.

  Many thanks to Frank, for information that sparked just the right idea.

&nbs
p; A huge thank you to Vincent Abbatiello for your support of Brenda Novak’s fifth annual online Auction for Diabetes Research.

  Congrats, Nancy, on new beginnings.

  WELCOME TO NEW YORK

  CITY’S UNDERWORLD

  Present Day

  Dark Elves / Drow: coming right up.

  Demons: eh, got rid of the loose ones a while back.

  Doppler: a paranorm who can shift into one specific animal as well as their human form. You should see muscle-bound Fred turn into a golden retriever. Way cool.

  Fae: sigh. We could be here all day if you want to go through every single species. Your choice.

  Gargoyles: live inside statues. You so do not want to get in their way if something wakes them up.

  Light Elves: how art I better than thou?

  Magi: delicate, frail beings who forsee the future and vision the past. If an evil force were to possess a Magi, the Magi’s abilities, used for evil, would be beyond catastrophic.

  Metamorph: paranorms who can mirror any human. And not in a good way. But when it comes down to facing a Tracker’s blade, they’re all big wusses.

  Shadow Shifter: a paranorm with the ability to shift from human into shadow. If your shadow looks like the Incredible Hulk and you’re the size of Pee-Wee Herman, hide. Behind a door with at least a dozen bolt locks and tape any cracks with duct tape. Most importantly, make sure you have the space under the door blocked. With something made of steel.

  Shifter: can transform into any animal of their choosing as well as take human form. Apparently they have one weakness, but they’re not telling. Well, I’m not sharing my version of kryptonite with anyone, either.

  Vamp: bloodsucking, waxy-faced… They have the ability to mask themselves in an illusion of beauty or handsomeness. Stay away if you want to keep your blood. And your life.

  Werewolves: can take normal wolf form almost any time. However, during the full moon they become dangerous creatures that resemble neither man nor wolf. Creatures that are not self-aware and would rip a non-Were to shreds… so not good.

  Let’s save Necromancers and Zombies for when we have a little extra time to spend. Like never.

  Fair warning: having your soul stolen by a Succubus or Incubus might not be exactly the direction you want your life to go. The sex isn’t that good.

  I know indeed what evil I intend to do,

  but stronger than all my afterthoughts is my fury,

  fury that brings upon mortals the greatest evils.

  —Euripides (484 bc–406 bc)

  PROLOGUE

  Abominations.

  From his hiding place behind a stand of large-trunked oaks surrounded by thick bushes, Johnson narrowed his eyes. Disgust made him sick, hot pressure expanding in his chest.

  Two young beasts that had the appearances of human boys—perhaps five or six years of age—would soon be in his possession. The beasts were running into the same clearing they had played in for the past three days, since Johnson had first discovered they existed.

  Johnson was entirely protected by his dark green suit, watching the beasts from behind the clear shield of his hood. He breathed in pure oxygen from tanks that ensured none of the airborne contaminants from those vile beasts could get to him.

  The suit was similar to one worn by HAZMAT, but more efficiently designed for scientific research. The scientist and intern who accompanied him wore identical suits.

  The suits had also been sprayed with a special chemical Johnson had developed for other reasons, but was perfect for what he must do now. Anything that breathed in the chemical at full strength would be unconscious immediately. After a few minutes, only remnants of the chemical would linger.

  If any human, animal, or thing passed by, the remaining chemical signature would alter the sense of smell. How long depended on how much was inhaled and the length of time the subject was exposed to it. Johnson had ensured that this clearing had been well-sprayed daily.

  He ground his teeth while he watched the “boys.” Such childish innocence on the faces of heinous beasts.

  Evil descendents of Eve’s offspring from her affair with Satan.

  The boys were laughing. No doubt mocking God.

  God had willed him to find these beasts and exterminate all such abominations.

  After witnessing the act that proved these tiny spawns of Satan were not human, Johnson had spent countless hours using every means available to locate possible adult beasts to ensure he exterminated all. He had found an encampment nearby filled with the spawn, all appearing as if they were human adults and children—until times when they changed.

  A renowned scientist and a survivalist, Johnson had collected much equipment and created an extensive laboratory in a once-abandoned facility. Far below where he now stood was almost everything he needed to locate all of Satan’s spawn. Satellite photos and an extremely high-tech means of examining a being’s energy signature had allowed him to detect a difference between the beasts and humans.

  The spawn called out to each other, using human names, and continued to laugh. To giggle.

  Johnson sickened more, the pressure in his chest filled with so much hate he wanted to burn them all and be done with it.

  He had no doubt that Satan’s spawn must exist elsewhere and not just here in the Catskill Mountains. Whatever it took, he was going to find something that could spread across the world and eliminate all such abominations.

  While the beasts laughed and brandished long sticks at each other like swords, Johnson turned his head to where Lawson hid behind a large tree and several bushes. Johnson met Lawson’s eyes through the junior scientist’s facemask—he needed to ensure Lawson was prepared. The junior scientist gave a slight nod and Johnson turned his attention back to the beasts.

  After letting his gaze slide over the spawn, Johnson glanced to his left at his lead intern, Harkins. She gave a nod, indicating she was ready. He looked back at the beasts, the necessary chemical in his grip.

  Pure disgust and anger tensed the muscles in Johnson’s neck and back as the male spawn got to their hands and knees and began to transform.

  Johnson didn’t know what else to call the change from what appeared to be humans into beasts.

  When he had rested on his hands and knees, one of the boys faced the direction where Johnson was standing. Johnson shook from the power of his fury as he watched the wicked thing change into a dog. A wolf pup.

  The abomination’s face shifted, its face elongating into a snout, clothing vanishing as hair began to sprout from its body. The other beast changed as well. Like the first, it no longer had arms. Instead they both had front and hind legs. And a tail—like Satan.

  When he believed it was the right time, Johnson turned his head and looked at Harkins. Of the three of them, she stood in the perfect position where the breeze blew at her back and toward the boys.

  Johnson raised his finger and pointed to the beasts. Harkins grasped the small glass chemical bottle in her hand. A couple of sprays carried to them on the wind would ensure that the spawn would be his to capture, then destroy after experimentation.

  Harkins raised the bottle and pressed her finger three times. Opaque puffs of spray turned invisible and were carried on the wind to the beasts.

  The abominations dropped to the ground the instant the spray reached their nostrils. They lay completely still, as if dead.

  They weren’t dead now. But not long and the young spawn, and others of their kind, would be completely eradicated.

  ONE

  Was it so difficult to grasp the concept of by appointment only?

  I met the alpha Were’s tawny-gold eyes and tried not to let irritation show in my gaze. And hoped Olivia would keep her mouth shut.

  As usual, my hopes were futile.

  “Your appointment is for nine tonight at the Pit, Furry.” Olivia stood in front of Dmitri Kral Beketov, her hands propped on her hips, her five-two to his six-four forcing her to look up. Way, way up.

  Beketov
scowled.

  Touched by the afternoon sunlight that spilled through the window, Olivia was as stunningly beautiful as ever. From her Puerto Rican and Kenyan ancestry, she had rich golden skin and sharp black eyes. Add high cheekbones and striking features, and she could have been a model—if she had been about a foot taller.

  A petite package, Olivia was usually underestimated. But not for long. A third-degree black belt and former officer on the NYPD SWAT team, she kicked “major ass,” as she would put it.

  Beketov and Olivia were having a scowling contest. Her tone had been sharp, but a wicked glint was in her dark eyes.

  Uh-oh.

  She looked up at the Were with total confidence and not an ounce of fear. “We don’t take drop-ins, no matter how important they think they are.” She gestured toward the front door where that fact was presented in iridescent purple and blue on the door’s window.

  NYX CIAR

  OLIVIA DESANTOS

  PARANORMAL CRIMES

  PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

  by appointment only

  When she adjusted her hands back on her hips, the movement pushed aside her New York Mets sweat jacket. The vivid green T-shirt that stretched across her melon-sized breasts was classic Olivia.