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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781466921399 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Trafford Publishing |
| Publication date: | 03/30/2012 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 284 |
| File size: | 451 KB |
Read an Excerpt
ILL FATE
By Monzella Smith
Trafford Publishing
Copyright © 2012 Monzella SmithAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4669-2138-2
Chapter One
It begins ...
It was after midnight. The mountainous background with black pine tree fingers grasping at the pale moon, foretold of ominous doom. Natalie had never been out so late hunting, but she had lost track of time following a shady man to a cottage where he attempted to break in the window of a little girl's room. He slowly approached the house and had the window half way open when he felt a hand grab him by the neck and yank him to the ground. Startled, he turned to hit the person who assaulted him.
"What the hell?" he yelled. As he raised his fist, he stopped just as he noticed it was a young, beautiful lady. Her skin was pale but glistened like pearl in the moon light. He groaned, "Give me a break!" She raised her hand to his face and waved one finger at him. She whispered, "Tsk, Tsk. I don't think so."
To his horror she suddenly grew fangs. Mesmerized by not only her beauty, but the sight of her fangs, he was frozen. He was unable to fight back as she pulled his head back and lowered her mouth to his neck. Natalie finished him off and left his body lying there.
She took the form of a bat and flew back into town. She landed and returned to her vampire form. As she began to walk home through the woods, she suddenly felt something following behind her. She turned to confront him, fully prepared to fight, fangs bared, crouched to jump, when something stronger than her grabbed her by the throat. She lashed out with her nails trying to claw out his eyes. He grabbed her arms, dangling her in mid air. She pulled up her legs and started to wrap them around his neck. He released her arms and before she could hit the ground, he grabbed her by her legs, again hanging her above the ground.
Somewhere from deep inside him he let out a deathly laugh. As she watched in horror his whole body suddenly began to shake and convulse. Where he stood was now a black as oil, shimmering void with glowing orbs suspended in the place his eyes were.
She stared unbelieving, cursed, and started fighting again. Desperately grabbing at the black cavity, she was unable to touch anything. All she could feel was an intense nothingness, a malevolent presence, a feeling she had never experienced before in all her years on this Earth. With another morbid laugh, he pulled her legs apart, ripping her in half, down the middle. He turned his back and started to walk away.
The only thing going through her mind was the agonizing pain, the loss of blood, and the fact that if she were to ever make it home she'd have to take time to mend and feed again to get back her strength. Never before had there been anyone, mortal or immortal, with strength enough to do this to a vampire. With a body like granite, what could possibly toss her around like a rag doll? She had to recover and warn the others. She thought she had a chance, but then he turned back around and shifted forms again taking on the appearance of a man. Her thoughts were of how ugly he looked, and that there was a familiar smell about him. Her and her brothers and sister had run across this smell before when they were out hunting.
She managed to reach into her pocket and pull out her cell phone. She pushed the speed dial to call her brother. She saw his name flash across the screen of the phone, Shinu, and started to yell for help. Just then the evil man-thing leaned over her body and whispered, "Nana' se'ew kooshdaneit wa.e'!" She recognized the language and just as she started to say something to him, he reached down and ripped out her heart. Blackness slowly consumed Natalie. Shinu's voice trailed off in the background, "Natalie?"
* * *
For a long time now, Sadie had not been able to bare any children. Sadie and her mate, Thomas, had been nervously anticipating the birth of their third pup. For nine weeks she took it easy, resting a lot. Now tonight, the night of the new moon, their long awaited child was to be born. Nervously, Thomas paced back and forth outside the house as Dr. Whitcraft took care of his wife. He had kicked Thomas out because he was making Sadie even more frantic.
His second in command, Natasha, was inside to help Sadie through the delivery. Along with Natasha, Emily Silverstein, the packs newest member, sat on the bed beside Sadie wiping her head with a cold towel. Natasha's brother, Elliot, paced just as nervously outside with Thomas.
Thomas was mumbling and praying under his breath. He turned to Elliot with a look of dread. Trembling he said, "Births of a new pup are one of the hardest things our women must endure. I should have just stayed satisfied with the two pups we have already. They are beautiful, but both female and they have married and moved on to another pack. She insisted we try again for a male pup. Now I don't care what it is. I just want them both alive and healthy. What if ...?"
Elliot placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Don't even think like that. They will be fine. We are all aware that for generations our pack has lived on through your lineage. Your male pup will become leader of this pack. It is only natural and expected that you and Sadie try. Have faith. Everything will be ..."
He trailed off as a blood curdling howl emanated from inside the house. Before Elliot could stop him, Thomas bolted up on the porch, almost falling over the patio furniture, and inside the house, transforming into his wolf form along the way. He was up the steps in three bounds. Throwing the door open, he practically knocked over Dr. Whitcraft on his way to his wife's side. Sadie lay there, drenched in sweat, and covered with blood from the waist down. Her hair was plastered to her pale face. He changed back to human form when he saw there was no danger and knelt at his wife's side.
Stroking her hair, he laid his head on her chest thinking the worst. As he began to cry, he heard her heart beating, very slow and shallow, but still beating. He raised his eyes up to meet hers and a smile slowly crept across his face. Sadie brought up her hand and gently caressed his face, saying, "Do you honestly think I'd leave our son to be raised alone by his worry-wart father?" She gave him a bright loving smile as recognition crossed his face. Stunned he whispered, "Son?"
She shook her head yes, and he let out a howl that would wake the whole town. Standing quickly he looked around for his new pup. Emily was holding him, cleaning him off and wrapping him in the blanket that had been passed down through Thomas' family. She proudly smiled and handed him to his father. Thomas held his son, hugging him and crying, "Thank the gods! Nanuk, my son, you will one day lead our great pack!"
Natasha worked diligently on Sadie cleaning her up. When she finally made a sound, Thomas jumped a little startled and said, "Natasha! I am so sorry. I almost forgot you were here too. Thank you so much. For all you have done and are doing for my wife." He turned and looked at Dr. Whitcraft, smiled and said, "Doc. You are a miracle worker!"
Dr. Whitcraft nodded and stepped aside revealing a young girl standing beside him. She looked drained and soaked with sweat. He motioned to her and said, "My dear boy. You're welcome. But, I can only take credit for the delivery of your son. My daughter, Amber, has to take credit for saving your son and your wife's lives."
Thomas handed the pup to his wife and walked over to Amber. He hesitated and crying again he said, "You, you're a healer! Oh, god bless you. My family will be forever in your debt."
Amber hugged him back, and with a weak laugh she replied, "You're welcome. No need for debts. Just invite me to all his birthday parties. But please do not be afraid or alarmed. I had to save them. So they are now a part of me as I am of them. They now have a little touch of my magic. We will always be connected. At any time they need me, I will know and I will be here for them as well as you."
Thomas released her and let out a small howl that sounded a lot like a laugh. He smiled and said, "I could never be afraid or alarmed. You are always welcome. You are a member of my pack now. We all will look out for you like you were one of our pups."
They all smiled, cried and hugged. After all was well and Sadie was doing well, Thomas took Nanuk outside and introduced him to the pack that had all been anxiously waiting. They all let out howls of joy.
* * *
Skye woke suddenly from a deep sleep. She looked around her room half expecting someone or something to be there. After she was fully awake, she walked to her window, pulled back the curtain, and opened the window. Outside she could hear a painful howl. Silently, to herself, she felt an impulse to reach out to them with her mind and strength. She whispered to herself, "I give you my strength and power to do what must be done." She felt a tug, like something drawing on her inner force. After a short while, and after feeling completely drained, she could hear the howls fill the night air. But, this was no ordinary howl. Skye knew a new pup was born. Not just any pup, the pack leader's heir. They had finally had a son. She closed her curtains, but, left the window open. Their howls always soothed her or warned her of danger. Either way, she loved to hear them. Smiling to herself she returned to bed.
* * *
Two weeks had passed and Nanuk was already growing into a strong and handsome pup. He had already mastered alternating between his human form and wolf form with ease. Thomas knew it was early, but he was playing hunter and prey with Nanuk in the woods. The sun was high and daggers of golden light filtered through the branches and leaves. They had been laughing and playing for a few hours now and Nanuk had become very good at hiding.
Thomas figured it was time to quit and rest since he was still so young. He called out, "Nanuk, son? It's time to return home and rest."
He listened for the familiar padding of his son's paws on the soft grass, but heard nothing. A sudden eerie feeling crept up Thomas' back. All his hair stood on end and he instantly changed into his wolf form. Something was not right. There was an air of something wicked hanging over the woods. More worried now, he began circling the area where him and his son were playing. Nanuk was nowhere in sight. That eerie sense of an evil aura hung in the air, thick, then slowly dissipated.
Panic set in and Thomas began frantically searching and yelled, "Nanuk! Son! No more hiding. Come out please!" He found the spot where Nanuk was last. He could smell him strong right there by a tree. Another odor hung heavy there too. The odd evil odor and evil presence he had felt several minutes ago, oozed from the same spot where his son last played. Nanuk was gone. Thomas howled out in anguish.
* * *
That was not the end of the chaos that weekend. Several other vampire, werewolf, and shape-shifter children and loved ones disappeared or were found mutilated.
Chapter Two
The Meeting ...
It was a typical Monday morning at the school. Everyone was gathered outside, in their individual cliques. I pulled into the parking lot, turned off the engine in my car, and turned to open the door and get out, when I noticed one small group seemed out of place.
Standing off to the side of the building was an adult male, Emily Silverstein, Amber Whitcraft, another boy, and another girl I only recognized as a junior. What was odd about the gathering was that the adult male was a werewolf, Emily was also a werewolf, Amber was a witch, the boy was a warlock, and the other girl, also a werewolf. I was born with the gift of sight. I am a seer. Very rare now days, but, according to my mom, there used to be a lot of us. They seemed to be in a serious conversation, not so much mad, but worried looking.
I hadn't realized that I had slowed down and was staring over at the group. I over heard just a little of the conversation. Something about a lost pup. Before I could stop myself, I gasped in shock and dropped my backpack. Bending down to pick up my things, I wasn't thinking when I whispered, "Oh god! Not the new pup." It dawned on me at the last second that werewolves had keen hearing and probably heard everything I just said. I tried to cover for my idiotic slip up, "Not my new book." They all turned when they heard the noise and stared.
The adult male looked at Amber and asked her, "Do you know who that is?" Amber and Emily answered in unison, "That's Skye. Skye Rainwater. Why?" He rubbed his temples, and said, "Not sure. I could have sworn I just heard her say something about the new pup. Anyway, Amber, please come by the house after school as soon as you can. Sadie is so sick over this." He headed back to his car and drove off, but not before he got a good look at me as he passed.
Moving on I entered the building and noticed other oddities. There was a crowd standing around Shinu Takai. Not only were there the usual smart kids that followed him around, but a few other kids as well. Again, like a lost, mutated zombie, I slowed down to listen. One of the smart kids was telling Shinu they were sorry he lost his sister, Natalie.
Before I could catch myself I again mumbled too loud. I keep this up and I'll need a muzzle just to get through the day. I knew Natalie. She graduated last year and was supposed to be heading off to college this fall. I just have to keep my thoughts to myself. Come on Skye. A vampire? You know they can hear a pin drop on a bed of feathers in Australia when they're standing in America.
I just headed on to my first class, wondering to myself, What the hell is going on? Something isn't right. I should have felt something, picked up something. I was so deep in thought that I hadn't noticed that I was being followed. When Shinu spoke, I thought I would have a heart attack right there in the hallway. That would really raise my popularity status. He snarled, "What do you mean you should have felt something? And, and just what are you? And why can I hear you now? And what do you know?"
We were at the door to our class when I was finally able to catch my breath. Startled, I said, "I should have felt you behind me. We can talk after class. I think it's about time. Ok?" He nodded yes, but still looked at me like I was one of the undead with pieces of my flesh dropping to the ground leaving a bloody trail.
His face was like stone. I could feel the anger and confusion pulsating off him in heat waves, directed right at my back. He sat four seats behind me in history, and I could still sense him through the other students directly behind me.
Class seemed to go on forever. I couldn't concentrate for nothing today. One reason was due to Shinu, the other was the strange things that were happening. Reaching behind my neck I rubbed it, I swear he's going to give me a sun burn on my neck with all the heat he's throwing at me. Suddenly I heard his voice in my head. Maybe I should just burn your head off! Ok, now I was really getting irritated. Get out of my head Shinu Takai, son of Renji and Sue Lin Takai!
I knew better then to address him like that, but I was getting very agitated. I wanted to take it back just as I thought it. I was just so upset, confused, and worried that I spoke before I thought. I always did that. That just made Shinu's temper flare even more and I thought I would have a fight on my hands. Not that I'd win. But, I could do some damage. I had trained with my dad my whole life to fight. We both stood at the same time and faced each other. He flipped his desk when he stood up. Shinu stared at me like he could rip me in half, which he could easily do. I tried to give him a look that said I am so sorry. The whole class stared in shock at us and the teacher stopped mid lecture.
Mr. Johnson was a little perturbed and yelled, "Mr. Takai and Miss Rainwater. I can sympathize with your loss Shinu and I have no clue as to what could be wrong with you, Skye. But you both interrupted me. Office. Now!" Shinu grabbed his things and pushed past me and almost knocked me on the floor. Grabbing my things, I followed him out. Once we were in the hall he stepped right up to me, eyes flaring, gritting his teeth and growled, "I think you'd better start talking fast Skye Rainwater, daughter of, of, ... damn!"
Shinu started pacing in the hall trying to calm down. By the time he had managed to cool down, I had already started toward the office. He walked off after me and blurted out, "Hey. We need to talk. All school year you have just been another person at this school. Now all of a sudden, it's like you popped out of thin air as, as, as something. Why now? Why now that something's going on? Who are you, really? What are you?" Turning around and stopping right in front of him, I was calm which is odd for any normal person coming face to face with an angry vampire. Smiling, I said, "We have exactly twenty minutes before next class. Mr. Johnson forgot to give us our pass to the office. We can stand here and argue, go to the office, or go in the band room and talk real quick."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from ILL FATE by Monzella Smith Copyright © 2012 by Monzella Smith. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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