Melany Logen - Torc's Salvation

Soul Shifter Series 1: Torc's Salvation

ISBN :: 1-4199-0815-4
Release Date :: October 2006
Publisher :: Ellora's Cave
Cover Art :: Syneca

Torc has been hired to retrieve a Delicant, a prized pleasure slave, and return her to her birth family. Rescuing the beautiful slave is easy for the solitary killing beast. Being able to harness his lust as she constantly offers herself to him is another story.

Enslaved since childhood, Ailyea has no concept of life without a Master ordering her every move. She's completely selfless, knowing only how to give pleasure. Ailyea is terrified when she finds herself under Torc's control, and it's not just his fangs that throw her for a loop. He doesn't abuse her—won't even use her for sex. And she finds herself wishing he would.

Torc is determined to teach Ailyea to become her own person before he leaves her alone in a dangerous, bloodthirsty universe where females are scarce and in high demand. Ailyea has a few lessons for him, too—if she can convince him that she genuinely wants the sex she offers. Along the way, both must confront the deeper feelings between them—before they reach her planet and have to part ways forever.

Torc's Salvation won the third place in the Futuristic / Fantasy / Sci-Fi category of The 2006 Passionate Plume Contest!

Torc's Salvation won the second place in the Steamy/Erotica category of the 2005 FTHRW Golden Gateway Contest!

Ailyea looked down at the man lying on the bed.

"Master? Master?" Panic curled tight in her belly, her heart raced and sweat seeped from her palms when he did not answer.

Sitting down beside him, she'd wait until he woke up. She could do this. Then she'd give him her body, and he'd tell her what to do. It would all be fine.

She wrapped her arms around herself and studied the shuttle. She'd been on one before, to get to her third master's home. Or maybe it was the second. She couldn't quite remember, but she'd been on one once. Though she'd been many places, she'd never gone anywhere in the midst of such violence before. She cocked her head, puzzling out what had happened.

Ailyea's gaze flickered to the man lying beside her. He was solid muscle. She reached out a hand and ran it, back side down, over his chest.

She watched the man—her new Master—sleep. She wouldn't call him the prettiest thing she'd ever seen. But he had become her Master. She had no say in who possessed her.

She studied him more. He looked darkly beautiful, with black hair to his shoulders and skin so much ruddier than her own. His eyes had glowed bluish silver when open, piercing in their scrutiny. His nose had once been broken, and he had a long matted scar down one side of his face. It gave him an air of danger.

She wanted to trace his face with her fingers, run them through his hair. Desire pooled down low in her belly.

That thought and her reaction alone made her straighten her back. It didn't matter what she wanted. When he woke up, she'd have to do his bidding and never acknowledge her own needs and wants. She wasn't sure she had such desires anymore.

For now, she'd take this time when she didn't have to stare at the floor and kiss his boots to look at him.

She'd changed masters so many times it no longer fazed her. She would be with him until he didn't want her anymore, or someone took her from him. It was the way of Delicants. Where would he put his mark of ownership?

His arms bulged, rippling with muscles. Even more reason to bring her behavior under control now. She shuddered. He could hurt her. She'd show him how submissive a Delicant could be and avoid that physique being used against her. Not that it mattered. All her masters had found reasons to punish her.

He groaned in his sleep and rolled, turning his back to her. She winced and bit her lip. The laser blasts had marred and torn his skin, leaving open wounds. Ailyea frowned. Maybe she should try and tend them.

She got off the bed.

After a few steps, she stopped in mid-stride. He wasn't awake to tell her to do it. What if he woke up and got angry because she'd acted on her own? She swallowed. If he hadn't told her to do anything, she had no permission to help him.

Ailyea sat back down on the bed and rocked herself. He'd be awake soon and tell her what to do. He had to wake soon.

::

The Master moaned and shifted onto his back. Ailyea started. She watched him warily from her spot on the bed as he opened one eye, and then the other.

"Well, damn, I'm not dead," he muttered.

"No, Master. You aren't dead."

He tried to move to look at her and groaned.

"Are you hurt, Master?" Her voice, hesitant and soft.

He made a rough sound. "What do you think, lady?"

She waited. Sat on the bed, head down. Waited for her orders.

The Master looked at her. "Why in Hades are you sitting there?"

"Waiting for your orders, Master."

"Orders?"

"Yes, Master." Ailyea's kept her eyes to the floor.

He muttered something and tried to move again, only to grimace at the pain and give up.

She looked at the first aid kit attached to the wall. She'd noticed it as she waited for him to wake. Please let him tell me to use it. Please, please, please.

"Bring me the first aid kit," he ordered, his voice gruff.

She got up without hesitation and brought it to him, placing it in his hand.

He struggled with it, trying to get out the bandages and antiseptic.

Ailyea looked down at the floor.

She couldn't ask him to let her bandage his wounds, no matter how much she wanted to. He had to give her orders. She risked another peek at him. So why wasn't he giving her orders? He was her new Master, after all.

He growled, slamming shut the kit as he got the last of the wounds bandaged. He'd had to contort himself to do it, and a few times he looked like he would ask for help, but he kept at it and finished.

He got up and staggered. Before she could stop herself, she asked, "Where are you going, Master?"

She winced and looked down, waiting for the blow that would rattle her teeth and make her head swim. But it never came.

5 Angels and FAR Recommended Read! The reader will be pulled into Ms. Logen's story and not want to leave when that last page is turned. I hope she'll give us more of this future worlds as the secondary characters deserve their own stories and the readers will want them. Torc's Salvation is a book that any reader that loves a good futuristic story that will keep them turning the page will want on their keeper shelf. I highly recommend it to one and all. :: Donna, Fallen Angel Reviews

Ms. Logen has an appealing, inventive and passionate story. Torc's Salvation was not at all what I expected, which is always a nice surprise if the author can pull it off. The love story is truly what shines in Torc's Salvation and I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy a true romance. :: Julie Esparza, JERR

Blue Ribbon Rating: 4.5! I was prepared for a good read. What I got was a tremendous read with an inventive plot and wonderful characters. :: Natasha Smith, RomanceJunkies

5 Hearts! Torc's Salvation is a highly imaginative action-packed adventure and erotic romance. :: Anita, The Romance Studio

The partnership of Melany Logen is one I will be watching for many years to come. :: Jo, Joyfully Reviewed

The attraction between Torc and Ailyea will reach out to you from the printing on the pages. :: Paige Lovitt, Reader Views

5 Lips! My emotions ran the entire gamut while reading Torc's Salvation. I felt everything from happiness to despair, arousal and elation, to most importantly, the deep connection between Ailyea and Torc. As Ailyea searches for the meaning of free will and Torc struggles with his desire for something he believes that he doesn't deserve, I fell in love with these two characters and cherished the many dynamics of their relationship. Ailyea's transformation was amazing and Torc's dedication to her, devastating in its beauty. :: Kerin, TwoLips Reviews

4 Stars! An unlikely couple finds romance in this dark and gritty space thriller. The action moves quickly, and there are imaginative characters and alien planets. Emotions run high as the main couple relives the traumatic experiences that defined them and are forced to face new conflicts. Stomach-churning confrontations and narrow escapes keep up the suspense. :: Gail Pruszkowski, Romantic Times BOOK Reviews Magazine