The Fae Next Door: Love Next Door Series, #1

Janna Thompson believes she’s going downright mental. In the past few weeks, she’s seeing things no one else can see and can’t shake an ominous presence. Yet, when a hot cop with a protective instinct moves into her apartment building, things might be looking up.

Cade Lanter is no ordinary being. The son of a human policeman and a Queen of the Fae, he lives in the mortal world for now. When an enemy of old threatens the balance of both the human world and Eiru, Land of the Fae, he must fight the would-be usurper in the human realm. Of course, that might require more focus than he can muster lately since a certain, sexy neighbor keeps him distracted.

Their two, unlikely worlds collide when he becomes The Fae Next Door.

The Fae Next Door

by

Cherie Marks

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either 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 Fae Next Door

COPYRIGHT© 2014 by Cherie Marks

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or except in the case

of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: authorcheriemarks@gmail.com

For more interesting reads, visit the author at http://www.authorcheriemarks.com

Published in the United States of America by Cherie Marks

Thank you for downloading this e-book. This book is the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please put a review at your favorite online book retailer and either share with or encourage your friends to download their own copy, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

Dedication

This is dedicated to the best aunts anyone could ever ask for. Lois, Susan, Marcella, and Wanda, when I think of some of my favorite childhood memories, they were often at your homes. Thank you for sharing your character and love.

Acknowledgements

Teresa, you are still an amazing editor! Thank you for being there for me again.

Thank you Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Arby’s, Fazoli’s, and Steak and Shake. Without your prompt service and variety of dinners, my family probably would have gone hungry many nights while I was writing this book.

Table of Contents

The Fae Next Door

About Cherie Marks

Other Books by Cherie Marks

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Chapter 1

SOMEONE...OR SOMETHING...was following her.

Janna Thompson moved quickly down the sidewalk toward her apartment building, throwing furtive glances over her shoulder. An acrid smell of smoke and decay floated in the air, yet no one else around her reacted to it. Couldn’t they smell it? Couldn’t they feel the impending doom that hovered like a cloud, smothering the light and any sense of goodness? No one behind her stood out as a creepy creeper, but she could feel darkness, like a chasing fog, inching toward her to engulf her. This wasn’t the first time in the last week she’d felt it, and even more nerve-wracking, it was growing stronger and, to be perfectly honest, scarier.

A hot, bubble bath had been calling her name after a few grueling tests today. Her classes were getting harder at South-central Community and Technical College, and so far, she’d risen to the challenge. She’d loved every minute of her anatomy class—until today. Studying for exams was obviously going to require more than an overnight cram session. But, somehow she’d survived it, and pulled a slightly above-average grade. A little celebration had been on her mind. But not now. Now, that was completely wiped away. She clearly had a blip on her radar—one that felt particularly threatening.

God, what was she thinking? A darkness chasing her? Could she just be imagining the whole thing? Not quite sure how to integrate this incident, the latest in a series of inexplicable episodes, she hurried on, hoping to make it to her apartment before whatever it was caught up to her.

What was wrong with her? Was she just shoulder-deep in a paranoid delusion? When she had no history of them? It was beyond strange and frankly made her concerned for her sanity.

Janna picked up her pace as her building came into view. She was close now, but as she drew nearer, it became obvious, like a flashing storm cloud, the dark presence had shifted to the front of her. What the... Without thinking, she veered toward the park across from her building, preferring complete avoidance to a possible confrontation with some unknown evil manifestation. Since when had she become the ghost-freaking-whisperer?

Her attention was still focused on the energy behind her as she turned past the hedges and iron fencing that fronted the park. She didn’t see the body in front of her until she’d collided full on with a tall figure clothed all in blue. She let her gaze start on the heavy, dark utility belt and rise up the shirtfront, past the buttons and the strong chin, past the straight nose into the impossibly blue eyes under his adorably wrinkled brow. He was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. And though she clearly had never met him, something about him felt familiar, like she did know him somehow. But without a doubt she’d never forget someone like him if they’d ever met before.

Whoah! Everything okay? His voice ran over her like warm, soapy water and heated her up from the inside out. Relief bloomed in her chest as she recognized the blue uniform of a police officer. And a gorgeous one at that. The burning in her lungs began to ease as her pounding heart thudded still. She suddenly became aware of his hands wrapped around her upper arms and his concerned gaze scanning her face and body. He’d asked her a question, and she needed to give him a believable answer.

But what could she say? There’s something evil blocking the entrance to my apartment building. Her breathing sawed in and out heavily at the very real possibility. Yeah, that would go over like a pile of smelly garbage in the middle of a pristine white showroom. More than likely, he’d rush her off to the nearest in-patient treatment center. But he was staring at her, and she needed to say something.

Um...think I’m fine. She worked to catch her breath. With a glance behind her, she felt the darkness dissipate until she could literally feel it disappear as if sucked into a vacuum, and she heaved a heavy sigh. Like that, it was gone. It’s...it’s nothing now. Didn’t mean to run you over... Of course, one long look at his gorgeous face, and she had to admit she couldn’t completely regret plowing into him. Where did she know him from? She dropped her gaze briefly to the name on his chest before finishing her thought aloud, Officer Lanter.

Not a problem. Sure you’re okay? You seem upset.

He acted reluctant to let her go, and she grew self-conscious. She had to reassure him she was okay, even if she really, really wasn’t. Seriously. Everything’s fine now. Just need to go home.

He nodded and stepped back from her. Where do you live? I’ll walk you there.

She chewed at her lip. It would give her some security to have him by her side until she’d made it through the door. He was a policeman after all, and whose company could be better under current circumstances? I live in the building across the street.

Time stretched out as he stared at her a few long seconds before lifting his hand and pointing behind her. That one? The large, beige building with the green awning?

Yes. Wright Towers. If you could just walk me to the front door, I think I’d feel a little safer.

He chuckled low and the sound smoothed through her mid-section, causing all sorts of tingly sensations. You live in Wright?

She nodded slowly, wondering why he looked so confused.

Then, we’re neighbors. Just moved in. Is there something I should know about the place? Is it a hub for criminal activity? She could tell he was having a little fun at her expense. Yet she couldn’t blame him. It wasn’t like this was a high-crime neighborhood. It was one of the most desirable locations to live in the whole city, but right now, with her fear riding high, it didn’t feel very safe.

No. It’s a great place to live. I just...I mean... No way could she make this not sound crazy. I thought I saw an ex-boyfriend waiting in front of the building. Okay, that might do it. That seemed believable enough.

A knowing look came over his face. Oh, yeah? I’m not unfamiliar with the –ex-significant other situation. No worries. I was just heading back to the apartment anyway. We can walk in together, Ms... He trailed off, clearly expecting her to finish the sentence.

Thompson. Janna Thompson.

Now that I know we’re neighbors, call me Cade.

For the first time, Janna noticed the long leash connecting Mr. Hot Police Officer Cade to the cutest little fluff-ball she’d ever seen in her life. She bent automatically and cooed as the adorable dog ran to her on four tiny legs, propping herself on Janna’s knees. How beautiful are you! She looked up. Is this one yours?

Yeah. This is Gertie. She’s my girl.

Janna gave one last brush over Gertie’s fur, stood and stared at him, her head cocked to the side. She couldn’t hide the confusion on her face. She didn’t like the idea she might be one of those people who bought into stereotypes, but Gertie seemed like such a...petite dog to belong to the big, bad cop standing in front of her.

I know what you’re thinking. Not exactly a manly kind of dog, but the ex- I mentioned and Gertie didn’t hit it off as well as expected, so she got the condo, and I got the dog. To be honest with you, I got the better end of the deal. The condo was overpriced and the neighbors seemed to herd elephants day and night.

Well, she seems like a little sweetie, and if you really don’t mind, I could use a little back-up until I’m inside the building. And maybe she could get a glimpse at which floor button he pushed in the elevator.

As they made their way across the street, he put his hand in the small of her back, and the warmth seared her through her clothes, almost as if he burned hotter than normal. Probably did, hunk of hotness that he was. He’d only meant to be protective, she was sure, but she couldn’t help but revel in the slight touch. She continued to sneak glimpses of him out of the corner of her eye. He was too beautiful to be human.

Now that was a crazy thought. Of course he was human. What else would he be? An alien? But the more she looked at him, the more she noticed just how unreal gorgeous he really was. The light from the sun mottling through the trees seemed to search him out and make golden streaks she hadn’t noticed before practically glow throughout his brown hair. As his blue-eyed gaze followed her through the front doors of the building, she felt his stare like powerful sunbeams on her skin. What was such a hot guy like him doing in her apartment building? It all seemed so fantastic...too fantastic...to be real.

They got on the elevator, and she watched, fascinated, as he pushed the button for the third floor. It took a minute to register that he was waiting for her to give him a floor number. Her confusion was perfectly understandable, at least in her head, because he’d already pushed it. But after a few awkward seconds, she finally explained, That’s where I’m going, too.

He looked at her suspiciously a few seconds before nodding his head and crossing his arms, leaning back against the wall of the elevator. The doors closed and they began to move upward. So, Janna, what do I need to know about the third floor?

Did he doubt the truthfulness of her address? Or were they both just naturally paranoid? Could be legitimate curiosity on his part. She shrugged and decided to go with the least controversial option. There are five apartments on the floor. Mr. Wong lives in the one to your immediate left as you exit the elevator. Keeps to himself mostly, but he’s good for a genuine hello when you see him coming and going. There were two empty apartments, but now I guess one is occupied. Then, there’s Ms. Gregory. Your best bet is to avoid her if at all possible. If she does happen to catch you unaware, she’ll give you a hard time about Gertie and make you feel like a speck of dust in her pristine existence. She’s kind of on a high horse, twenty-four-seven.

Now, what could she possibly have against Gertie?

Nothing specific. Just hates dogs, probably children, too, and all things adorable.

A corner of his mouth lifted, and his eyelids dropped to half-mast. Lord, he couldn’t get any sexier without causing women to spontaneously spark into flames on sight. How was he not in movies or on TV or something? All she could do was stare, probably with a big stupid look on her face.

The elevator stopped and broke the spell as they exited onto the third floor. The smell of freshly cleaned hall carpeting wafted up as they stepped forward. Another reminder that this was a safe environment, and she’d probably just imagined the whole dark presence thing anyway.

Except, she knew she hadn’t.

I’m at the end of the hall. She lifted and pointed at the door facing them.

Not a bad location, facing the street.

Lucky me. Of course, as it turned out, fortune was on her side most of the time. Sure she got down sometimes, but it never took long for her to bounce back, and good things to practically fall into her lap. She’d never really analyzed it, not looking the gift-horse in the mouth and such, but she had to admit she was pretty lucky.

Well, I’m here. He turned to the door to the right, and she couldn’t help but groan.

One of his perfect eyebrows lifted in question. Something wrong?

You share a wall with Ms. Gregory. Trust me you’ll know what I mean soon enough. Best to let him figure that one out himself, but too often Ms. Gregory gave her grief over imagined noises, even when