Blade is the story of a kidnapped Pantera shifter and a kidnapped human woman who are tortured into an unbelievable circumstance: a pregnancy by force. You can read this story without having any knowledge of the world Ivy and Wright have created; they give you enough info to understand the what, where, and why of it all and jump right into the story of Blade and Villi.
Villi was kidnapped and inseminated against her will by Benson enterprises in their attempt to study the Pantera and find ways to use them as super soldiers. Villi and Blade both eventually escape and the story begins about 2 months later. Blade knows he has to find Villi and protect her. The story is a bit of his attempt to find her, then his attempt to convince her he is good, and then the attempt to keep her safe from Benson. Benson wants her back because she was one of only a few humans whose insemination was successful. Poor Villi-she was impregnated against her will, now has to come to terms with having a Pantera cub as a baby, finding a mate, and still being hunted by evil.
Since Blade is part of the 1001 Dark Nights series, it is short and sweet. I love these stories because sometimes a short story is exactly what I need to help break up my reading! I enjoy the world of the Pantera, I love the fated mates trope, and have enjoyed every Bayou Heat book I have read so far! If you like PNR that pits the shifters against a human enemy, Blade and the Bayou Heat series is perfect!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: shifter, fated mates
- Triggers: kidnapping and insemination against her will
- Series/Standalone: standalone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: no
- HEA: yes, no epilogue
Stone Cold Fox by Evangeline Anderson, Drakon's Plunder by NJ Walters, Black Bullet by LD Rose...then you will probably like Blade!
Blade didn’t miss her shudder of relief, the quick glimmer of tears in her eyes. Warmth filled his heart, and a rush of gratitude. Whatever her confused and angry feelings toward him, it was obvious she cared deeply about their child.
“Then why am I here?” she demanded, trying to sit up.
The Healer placed another pillow under her head so she could be slightly upright. “Blade was concerned when you fainted.”
“Blade?” She whirled back to study Blade with a skittish gaze. “That’s your name?”
His lips twisted into a humorless smile. “A little late for introductions, I know, but yes.” He nodded toward the male across the bed. “And that’s Jean-Baptiste. A Pantera healer. One of our best.”
She frowned. “I don’t get this. I thought there was nothing wrong with me. Why would I need a healer?”
“I said nothing was physically wrong,” Jean-Baptiste clarified.
Her stunningly beautiful face tightened, as if she was offended by the words, her hand reaching up to brush away Jean-Baptiste’s hand.
“I’m not crazy,” she ground out.
“No one said you were,” Blade said, reaching to grasp her hand, which lay on top of the light blanket covering her body. Thankfully she made no effort to pull away from his grasp this time.
He hated it, but he needed to touch her.
To feel the heat of her skin and hear the steady beat of her heart.
“Then what are you saying?” she demanded, once again turning her attention to the Healer.
Jean-Baptiste chose his words with care. “I suspect that the doctors at the clinic used hypnosis to distort your memories.”
Valli flinched, her fear scenting the air. Blade’s cat pressed beneath his skin, wanting out. It didn’t understand human deceit or betrayal. It only knew that this female was afraid and in need of comfort.
“No,” she breathed. “You’re just trying to protect your friend after what he...” She didn’t finish.
This time it was Blade who pulled his hand from hers.
With a growl.See full review on The Book Disciple