Deception Cove (A Rainshadow Novel) Read online

  Praise for

  THE LOST NIGHT

  “[Castle] has created a fully imagined futurist world in Harmony . . . The real achievement here, though, is something considerably more old-fashioned: the establishment of vital interactions between the characters, whether in love, hatred, or friendship.”

  —The Seattle Times

  “Castle’s deliciously dry sense of wit, delightfully amusing characters, and devilishly imaginative plot, spiked with plenty of thrilling twists and turns, all add up to another stellar romance from one of the genre’s most consistently entertaining writers.”

  —Booklist (starred review)

  “Another fascinating journey into the world of Harmony complete with the author’s beloved dust bunnies . . . One can’t help but be enchanted by yet another mesmerizing tale set on the world of Harmony.”

  —Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)

  “A mysterious island, a dangerous and unknown preserve, and a hot passion combine together in The Lost Night. I could see the sparks that came off of Rachel and Harry and knew this was going to be one hot book. It was in more ways than one . . . The wonderfully suspenseful plot, slight touch of humor, and exploding passion make The Lost Night a must-read for me.”

  —Joyfully Reviewed

  “Vivid world building . . . I never knew what to expect . . . A satisfying return to the world of Harmony, and I look forward to seeing what happens next on Rainshadow Island.”

  —The Bookpushers

  “Engaging characters.”

  —Fiction Vixen Book Reviews

  CANYONS OF NIGHT

  “Jayne Castle has delivered another captivating romance in Canyons of Night, the conclusion to the addictive Looking Glass Trilogy. No matter who she’s writing as, whether it’s as Castle, Jayne Ann Krentz, or Amanda Quick, this is one author who never, ever disappoints . . . [A] spectacular read that’ll have you reading nonstop for hours only to lament the end when you turn your final page.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “Writing as Castle, romance supernova Jayne Ann Krentz delivers another irresistible addition to her Harmony books while, at the same time, cleverly freshening the series up by setting things in the new locale of Rainshadow. With its danger-infused, passion-rich plot; captivatingly wrought characters; and sharp humor, Canyons of Night is both a must-read for Harmony addicts and also an excellent introduction for newbies to Castle’s unique brand of romance.”

  —Booklist (starred review)

  “Complex, bold, funny, and hot, this darkly tantalizing tale, uplifted by dust bunny antics and zingy dialog, masterfully concludes the captivating Looking Glass Trilogy. It lays the groundwork for Castle’s new Rainshadow series, which will explore the remote island’s mysterious Preserve and promises to be one of her most intriguing projects to date.”

  —Library Journal

  “I really enjoyed the romantic chemistry between the hero and heroine . . . Several action scenes keep the story interesting and the description of the inside of the Preserve includes some creative delights.”

  —Romance Book Scene

  Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Jayne Castle . . .

  “Castle is well-known for her playful love stories, and this futuristic tale of romantic suspense runs delightfully true to form . . . An appealing, effervescent romance mildly spiced with paranormal fun, this novel won’t disappoint.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Writing under Jayne Castle, Jayne Ann Krentz takes her trademark combination of witty, upbeat action, lively sensuality, and appealing characters to [a] unique, synergistic world.”

  —Library Journal

  “Jayne Castle, one of the pioneers of the futuristic subgenre, continues to set the standard against which all other such books are judged.”

  —Affaire de Coeur

  “As always, the characterizations and plot blend perfectly for a thrilling, funny, and fully satisfying read.”

  —RT Book Reviews (4½ stars)

  . . . and Jayne Ann Krentz

  “Good fun.”

  —Cosmopolitan

  “Entertaining.”

  —People

  “Fast-moving . . . entertaining . . . highly successful.”

  —The Seattle Times

  “Fast-paced . . . interesting characters . . . A good time is had by the reader.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “Along with Nora Roberts, Krentz is one of the most reliably satisfying romance writers publishing.”

  —Sunday Times (CA)

  “Jayne Ann Krentz is one of the hottest writers around.”

  —Albuquerque Journal

  Titles by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle

  DECEPTION COVE

  THE LOST NIGHT

  CANYONS OF NIGHT

  MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL

  OBSIDIAN PREY

  DARK LIGHT

  SILVER MASTER

  GHOST HUNTER

  AFTER GLOW

  HARMONY

  AFTER DARK

  AMARYLLIS

  ZINNIA

  ORCHID

  The Guinevere Jones Novels

  THE DESPERATE GAME

  THE CHILLING DECEPTION

  THE SINISTER TOUCH

  THE FATAL FORTUNE

  Titles by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Amanda Quick

  THE MYSTERY WOMAN

  CRYSTAL GARDENS

  QUICKSILVER

  BURNING LAMP

  THE PERFECT POISON

  THE THIRD CIRCLE

  THE RIVER KNOWS

  SECOND SIGHT

  LIE BY MOONLIGHT

  THE PAID COMPANION

  WAIT UNTIL MIDNIGHT

  LATE FOR THE WEDDING

  DON’T LOOK BACK

  SLIGHTLY SHADY

  WICKED WIDOW

  I THEE WED

  WITH THIS RING

  AFFAIR

  MISCHIEF

  MYSTIQUE

  MISTRESS

  DECEPTION

  DESIRE

  DANGEROUS

  RECKLESS

  RAVISHED

  RENDEZVOUS

  SCANDAL

  SURRENDER

  SEDUCTION

  Other titles by Jayne Ann Krentz

  DREAM EYES

  COPPER BEACH

  IN TOO DEEP

  FIRED UP

  RUNNING HOT

  SIZZLE AND BURN

  WHITE LIES

  ALL NIGHT LONG

  FALLING AWAKE

  TRUTH OR DARE

  LIGHT IN SHADOW

  SUMMER IN ECLIPSE BAY

  TOGETHER IN ECLIPSE BAY

  SMOKE IN MIRRORS

  LOST & FOUND

  DAWN IN ECLIPSE BAY

  SOFT FOCUS

  ECLIPSE BAY

  EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

  FLASH

  SHARP EDGES

  DEEP WATERS

  ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY

  TRUST ME

  GRAND PASSION

  HIDDEN TALENTS

  WILDEST HEARTS

  FAMILY MAN

  PERFECT PARTNERS

  SWEET FORTUNE

  SILVER LININGS

  THE GOLDEN CHANCE

  Specials

  THE SCARGILL COVE CASE FILES

  Anthologies

  CHARMED

  (with Julie Beard, Lori Foster, and Eileen Wilks)

  Titles written by Jayne Ann Krentz and Jayne Castle

  NO GOING BACK

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA)

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

  USA | Canada | UK | Irel
and | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa | China

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  For more information about the Penguin Group, visit penguin.com.

  DECEPTION COVE

  A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author

  Copyright © 2013 by Jayne Ann Krentz.

  Excerpt from After Dark by Jayne Castle copyright © 2000 by Jayne Ann Krentz.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  Jove Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group.

  JOVE® is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA).

  The “J” design is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA).

  For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA).

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  ISBN: 978-1-101-62513-2

  PUBLISHING HISTORY

  Jove mass-market edition / September 2013

  Cover illustration by Craig White.

  Cover design by George Long.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  Contents

  Praise for Jayne Castle

  Also by Jayne Ann Krentz

  Title page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  A Note from Jayne

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  A Special Excerpt from After Dark

  This one is for Houdini.

  When it comes to a vanishing act,

  no other magician does it with more style.

  A Note from Jayne

  Welcome back to Rainshadow Island on the world of Harmony.

  In the Rainshadow novels you will meet the passionate men and women who are drawn to this remote island in the Amber Sea. You will get to know their friends and neighbors in the small town of Shadow Bay.

  Everyone on Rainshadow has a past; everyone has secrets. But none of those secrets is as dangerous as the ancient mystery concealed inside the paranormal fence that guards the forbidden territory of the island known as the Preserve.

  The secrets of the Preserve have been locked away for centuries. But now something dangerous is stirring . . .

  I hope you will enjoy the Rainshadow novels.

  Chapter 1

  THE TWO LOW-RENT THUGS WERE WAITING FOR ALICE when she left the darkened theater through the stage door. She sensed their presence as soon as she started walking toward the street. They were hiding behind the large garbage bin in the middle of the alley. They were not the subtle type.

  “I do not have time for this,” she said to the dust bunny perched on her shoulder.

  Houdini chortled enthusiastically and bounced a little. At first glance he looked like a large wad of dryer lint that had been decorated with six paws and two baby blue eyes. He had a second set of eyes—they were a very feral shade of amber—but he only opened them for hunting or when he sensed danger. He was still wearing the elegant red satin bow tie that Alice had put on him for the night’s performance of the Alien Illusions Magic Show.

  A born ham, Houdini adored the limelight. He was always up for a performance. Somehow he sensed that they were about to give one here in the alley. True, it would be for an audience of two, and neither of the lowlifes had purchased a ticket, but he wasn’t particular about the size of the crowd and the concept of money was lost on him. He took a more pragmatic approach to finances. Pizza worked for him.

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” Alice said. “We’ve got an empty refrigerator waiting back at the apartment and a mean landlord who will be expecting the rent tomorrow, remember?”

  She did not have the money for the rent. The Alien Illusions Magic Show had folded without notice tonight. That kind of thing happened in show business, but in this case she was pretty sure she knew why the owner of the theater had cancelled all future productions. He had been bribed to dump the act.

  She was now towing a wheeled suitcase crammed with costumes, wigs, stage makeup, and everything else she had been able to salvage from her tiny dressing room. A large blue tote filled with props was slung over her shoulder.

  It had not been a good day, and the night was turning out to be worse. Not only was she once again unemployed, she’d been experiencing the all-too-familiar edgy sensation for the past several hours. During the past year she had learned the hard way that the icy little jolts of warning were coming from her intuition. Someone was watching her. Again.

  And now a couple of street creeps were about to try to mug her.

  “Really, how much can any woman be expected to take?” she said to Houdini.

  Houdini chortled again, eager to go on stage.

  One of the thugs emerged from behind the far end of the garbage bin. His head, which had been shaved to better display the tattoos on his skull, gleamed in the light cast by the fixture over the stage door. He had a knife in one hand.

  The second man popped out of hiding and moved toward her along a parallel trajectory. He wore a stocking cap over his long, straggly hair. The blade of his knife glittered in the light.

  “Now what’s a nice girl like you doing out here all alone at night?” Tattoo Head asked. “Didn’t anyone tell you this is a dangerous neighborhood?”

  His voice was high-pitched and over-rezzed with the sort of unnatural excitement that indicated he had been doing some serious stimulants earlier in the evening.

  “Get out of my way,” Alice said. She adjusted the weight of the tote on her shoulder, tightened her grip on the suitcase, and kept walking. “I’m not in a good mood.”

  “Now why you wanna go and talk like that to a couple of guys who just want to party?” the man with the stocking cap crooned. “We’re gonna show you a real good time.”

  “A real good time.” Tattoo Head leered. “What’s that thing on your shoulder? Some kinda fluffy rat?”

  Alice ignored him, closing the distance between the three of them as she trudged toward the alley entrance. No doubt about it, a really bad day was turning into a really bad night.

  “Listen up, bitch,” Stocking Cap snarled. “Stop right there. First, put that big purse down on the ground. You hear me? You’re g
onna take out all the money you got inside, and if my friend and I like what we see, we’ll all have some fun. If we don’t like what we see, why then, you’re gonna have to give us a reason not to cut you up a bit.”

  Alice ignored the threat.

  “Hey, my buddy told you to stop,” Tattoo Head hissed.

  Alice continued walking. She felt Houdini’s little claws grip her shoulder. He was no longer chortling. He growled a warning and sleeked out, his scruffy gray fur flattened against his small frame. He opened his second set of eyes and watched the knife-wielding pair closely. He was ready to rumble.

  “There’s an old saying about dust bunnies,” Alice said to the thugs. “By the time you see the teeth, it’s too late. Turns out Houdini and I have our own little twist on that bit of wisdom. If you can’t see the teeth or anything else, you’re in trouble.”

  “What do you think you’re doing, you stupid woman?” Stocking Cap said. He skipped and danced across the pavement, closing in on her. “You asked for it. I’m gonna have to cut up that face of yours to teach you a lesson.”

  “Oh, for pity’s sake,” Alice said. “I’ve got some real issues at the moment. You shouldn’t mess with a woman who has issues. Never say you weren’t warned.”

  She jacked up her senses and pulled hard on her talent. She had never met anyone else with the same kind of psychic ability that she possessed—light-talents of any kind were rare. Those strong enough to do what she could do were considered the stuff of fairy tales.

  She cranked up her aura and used the energy to bend the wavelengths of normal-spectrum light around herself and Houdini. The process was similar to the way a rock diverts water in a stream. To all intents and purposes, she had just gone invisible to the human eye.

  She pushed a little harder and extended the shield to her tote and suitcase. It took a lot of power to bend light around not only herself and Houdini but the objects she was touching as well. She figured she wouldn’t have to do it for long. She had learned over the years that people tended to freak out when they realized that, in her case, going invisible was not merely a magic trick.

  As paranormal talents went, the ability to vanish for a short period of time was not nearly as useful as one might think. Career options were limited. Having concluded that she was not cut out for a life of crime, she had tried various other professional endeavors ranging from the food-and-beverage business to a job as a clerk in a museum gift shop. The last one had nearly gotten her killed.