Eliza March's Blog, page 34

Facing The Darkness - DEFEAT THE DARKNESS by Eliza March

If you just started reading my blog, you should probably know my muse abandoned me last year when I went through some personal medical issues. I began writing this story weekly to give myself the kick in the butt I needed to keep it moving forward. The story (originally intended to be a short story) has gotten bigger, more intricate, and expanded into a full length novel. Warning: It's also unedited. This is the first book  in the Hearts in Darkness Trilogy, which,  believe it or not, is almost completed. The two other books are close to completion as well. Read about all the characters at the link below.Chapters posted in March through May are here on the weekly blog list. Chapters posted prior to March are at  the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page. Start there to read the book from the beginning.
This story is about to heat up. You go ahead and read this chapter, I'm going to work on the next scene. After the pain, will come the pleasure.~~~~When Shelby opened her eyes, she was in bed in a darkened room, but she could see detail as if it were fully illuminated. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was talking to Kyle before she suddenly began to shiver and sweat. That was followed by nausea and excruciating pain. Finally, it stopped, and then she passed out. Her hair was in her eyes. She tried to brush it out of her face but in her weakened state, her arms were too heavy to lift.In her drowsy state, she was still able to hear Kyle’s voice register. He was speaking with someone in the next room. The other man’s voice wasn’t familiar. His dialect was American, but when she listened more closely, she caught a slight Scottish burr in a word or two.He stopped speaking as if he sensed her listening, and as soon as she struggled to sit, he said, “Ack, Kyle. Yer Shelby’s awake.” What the heck? Still from her prone position on the bed, she quickly checked the room for a camera. Seeing none, she was still busy wondering how the Scot knew she was awake, when Kyle called her name. “Shelby?” he said, “I’ll be right there.”Then more male mumbling followed. A familiar voice with a soft Spanish accent she knew to be Victor Salazar’s, argued with another—a deep, gruffer voice that made all the fine hair on her back stand on end. She felt the urge to stand and fight or claw her way from the house. Weird reaction. Panic like she’d never known before filled her with dread even though her rational mind dismissed it.The Scotsman said, “Hurry. She’s reacting to Garr.”Kyle appeared at the side of the bed as if out of nowhere and gripped her shoulders to still her. With a strength she didn’t remember him having, he lifted her off the bed. Cradling her in his arms like a baby, he sat back down and calmed her with his soothing voice.“Shh, relax. Everything will be all right.” He reached for a glass from the nightstand beside the bed. “Here, drink this.” She took a sip and choked. “This is terrible.”Kyle stood his ground. “Drink it. All of it. Victor says it will help ease your symptoms.”“What symptoms?” When she woke up without any memories of how she got here, she figured that was what Kyle meant. “Do you mean, what happened in the car?” “That and other symptoms you’re about to experience. Drink up. Victor made the concoction just for you.”  “The stuff tastes like a combination of old, dirty socks and cut grass,” she said. Kyle cocked his head to one side and asked, “You know that because…?” “Okay, never mind. I stand corrected.” She was too tired to argue. “It tastes like what I would expect that combination to taste like.”Scrunching her nose before she did as he asked, she held her breath and quickly drank the rest down. Swallowing the potion actually soothed her parched throat and immediately eased her stomach cramps. He looked tense when he took the empty glass from her and put it down on the night table. “What will I begin to experience?” she asked, watching him closely for a reaction.“Come into the den so we can talk,” he said. That didn’t sound like it was going to be good news but the blank look on his face didn’t give away anything. She usually could read Kyle, but not now.He helped her stand, allowing her a moment to get her balance. Having him touch her triggered every sense in her body to a fevered pitch. The immediate sensation was at first not unlike touching an open circuit. She had to shake his hands off to regain her composure.He moved away from her, edging closer to the door. “Victor is here already.”“What about Max?“He took some blood and returned to his lab. Come. I want you to meet our host, my friend, Dylan. We’ll stay here while you recuperate and hope the authorities track down Amyra soon.”“Is he the one with the Highland brogue?”“Brogue? Yeah, come to think of it, the old accent does pop out when he’s excited.” Kyle laughed. “I think he’s been in this country for a long time, though.” “Tell me how you and Dylan met?” she said, as she tested her feet.“An old friend of Victor’s put us in touch. They arranged for me to finish recuperating from the jungle ordeal here at his place when I returned. He freelances for local and state police as a consultant and when necessary, also for the FBI.” “That’s handy under the circumstances.” She took one tentative step then another. Kyle opened the door wider, and she halted mid step when she caught a strange scent in the air.“Who else is out there? I thought I heard someone else.” “Deep, gravelly voice?” The sense of panic set in again. She couldn’t control the trembling in her hands or the vibrations rising from somewhere deeper inside her. She nodded at him but had to stop when the room spun. “That’s Dylan’s friend, Garr. He’s here to help with Dylan’s ward, Jackson. You okay?”Shelby winced and slowly shifted her attention to the doorway. “What’s that smell? Wet dog?” “No. But I understand why you might think that.” Kyle looked like he was holding back a grin when he approached her and wrapped her in his embrace. “You’re trembling. There’s nothing to be frightened of here. You’re safe with any one of us. Do you understand that?”“Yes,” she breathed. “I do. But something inside me doesn’t trust… I think it doesn’t trust Garr.”Smothered by Kyle’s enticing scent, an overwhelming need for him sparked within every cell in her body. Relaxing into his familiar embrace, she was inexplicably drawn to the power of his presence. Suddenly, an exotic fragrance, emanating from both her body and his, permeated the surrounding air blocking the other repulsive dog scent. Leaning into him, she gripped his t-shirt and buried her nose in his chest.“God, you smell…amazing!” She fanned her fingers over his broad chest, testing the feel of him as he nuzzled her ear.Kyle tilted her chin up with a knuckle and stared at her mouth. He brushed a finger over her bottom lip then bent his head to take her lips with his. The kiss started as if he moved in slow motion, but the longer his lips lingered, the stronger the pull between them grew. He opened his mouth enough to slip his tongue across the seam of her lips and tested the entrance. Opening to him, their tongues tangled in that old familiar dance. A sigh escaped from her when he pulled her closer, and she didn’t miss the moan of arousal Kyle released against her lips when he pressed her hips against his obvious erection.His muscles bunched and bulged beneath her touch, and his scent caused something beneath her skin to ripple. She shivered when she felt the same ripple answer beneath his. He held back some kind of unleashed power in the muscles beneath her fingers. Lost in the frenzy of her desire, she didn’t notice when Kyle took control until he moved her away, holding her at arm’s length.“We shouldn’t keep them waiting,” he said with what appeared to be some amount of effort. His chest rose and fell with ragged breaths, so she knew he wasn’t unaffected. That didn’t prevent her from being mortified by her lack of self-control. This behavior was out of character for her. Back in the car, she’d played into the role of damsel in distress. Here she was dropping at his feet the first time he glanced in her direction again, and she’d practically climbed his body. All the while, the image of him with that woman played repeatedly in her head.The urge to hide her face in shame and run was so overwhelming that she shuttered her expression against him, refusing to allow him to see the emotions clearly expressed there. She wanted him, she needed him, and dammit…she loved him. The fact that she was behaving like a cat in heat was even more mortifying under the circumstances. All that was left, that could be more humiliating, was for her to wrap herself around his body and rub all over him. That impulse almost surpassed the sudden desire she had to throw herself down on the bed and beg him to mount her. The urges were just so freakin’ irresistible. And the idea that it all sounded so damned appealing pissed her off even more.…and that other scent, what is this feeling it’s causing? Although not unpleasant, the scent plagued her like a dream she couldn’t recall. Not foreign, but not entirely unfamiliar to her, either. I know what it is… No, the identity was not quite revealing itself, yet.The closest state she could compare it with was hunger. Hunger for Kyle? Yes. But hunger for something else, too.~~~~ “It’s blood,” the Scotsman said from outside the doorway. “Follow me. I’m Dylan MacGregor. And that wet dog smell is coming from Garr over there.”“How?” She gasped and felt heat rush to her cheeks when she noticed a darkly handsome man across the room glaring at her.“Sorry,” Dylan said, “I didn’t mean to intrude. I’m a very sensitive psychic, and sometimes I can’t shut out strong emotions.”“Oh, sorry.” Shelby glanced at Garr in the way of an apology said, “I-I didn’t mean to imply… It’s just my senses are off. I’ve never been so hypersensitive to… well, everything.”“Nothing to be sorry about.” Dylan chuckled. “Come to think of it, he does smell a wee bit like wet dog after a good drizzle.”The man named Garr emitted what Shelby could only compare to a low growl of warning. The sound made her hair stand on end the same way his scent had. Kyle stepped in front of her, and to her amazement, growled back. Victor came out of nowhere and held Kyle back.This looked like the ultimate pissing contest. Testosterone reeked in the air. There was no mistaking it. Shelby not only smelled it, she felt it battering her like waves pounding the shore after a bad storm.“Ah, men, I think yer frightening the lady.”The wet-dog smelling man broke into a hard grin. “Sorry, Kyle. I was growling at Dylan. No offense, ma’am.”“Uh, none taken,” Shelby said, and let out a sigh when the tension in the room eased. Kyle had been coiled like a snake ready to strike and his growl had been different. Not like the sound a dog makes—or even a wolf. It was otherworldly in a way she’d only seen in horror movies. For a moment, she thought his eyes glimmered with a crimson light.“What is going on? I feel like Alice when she fell into the rabbit hole.”Victor held out his hand to her and asked, “May I?” But he was watching Kyle for a reaction. “We’ll explain everything. You should sit. Dylan will help you relax while we show you a few things.“Of course.” Shelby glanced at Kyle and noted the tension still present in his jaw. He was working hard to control himself, but something else inside was fighting him for power. Instead of taking the hand Victor offered, she took Kyle’s. “You’re coming with me? Right?”For a split second, a shudder visibly traveled through Kyle, and then he forced a smile along with the composure that once seemed so natural to him. He rubbed the inside of her wrist with his thumb, and along with the heat it sent to her core, he sent reassurance. The dog man stood. No, she couldn’t think of him like that now. There was nothing canine about him. Too big, too  much power. More like wolf and hunky, intimidating male.Garr strode to the door. “Why don’t you all get settled? I should check in with the guards.” He picked up a backpack of sorts before he moved toward the hallway. On the way out, he looked over his shoulder, made eye contact with Shelby, and winked. “Nice meeting you, doc. I’ll take a shower before I stop in again.” She gasped, heat rising in her cheeks once more. “Oh, no. Please that’s not...” Then she heard his deep rolling laughter all the way out the door.Everyone moved around the room, settling on their spot, each finding a comfortable position like a battle station. Relaxed isn’t what she’d call it. What she found was even she looked for a spot with certain vantage points. Vantage points she wasn’t aware off until that moment. Chair. Door. Escape.Windows? None. Even more strange. “Your thoughts are instinctive. You are feeling the beast within you practicing survival techniques,” Dylan said. Beast? She was already getting used to having the man in her head, although it was highly disconcerting to think he could rummage through her thoughts, so easily.“I only hear what you’re projecting so loudly I can’t shut it out. I’d never invade your privacy unnecessarily.” Dylan sounded insulted.“Of course you wouldn’t.” And she believed it. “I’m going to have to turn down the volume I guess. It may take a while though. You know, I’m still freaking out about all this.”Victor interrupted. “The world holds many secrets the average person is unaware of. You are about to be introduced to some of those secrets. There’s no need to be afraid. You will be shocked, surprised, disbelieving at times, but it is all true and we will all be here to see you through this.”“But what? Why me?” she asked and glanced from one man to the other.Victor answered first. “While you were in Guatemala you were exposed to a virus that caused your blood to mutate. The change in your blood is causing other changes, too.”Shelby’s stomach dropped. As a doctor, how many times had she been present when a patient was given the bad news? Hundreds? “What sort of changes? Cancer?”“No, nothing like that,” Kyle said. “What you have won’t kill you as far as we know.” Dylan spoke next. “Before we go into more detail, I’d like to offer you access to my mental link. I can keep your emotions from becoming involved while we explain everything and it will seem to be a movie, a visual explanation under controlled conditions.”“I don’t know—”“It’s best this way, Shelby. There’s so much you need to know.” Kyle looked deadly serious. “Any other way is too difficult for the mind to absorb. I don’t want you to suffer any more than you will.”“Uh, that sound ominous.” Shelby pulled her hair out of her face and asked, “Just how much suffering?”“You saw me shortly after I was infected. How did I look?”“Okay,” she said and turned to Dylan. “If there’s an easier way, I’m in. I’m no glutton for punishment. My mind is in your hands. And I know I haven’t said so, but I appreciate what you are all doing to keep me safe.”“You’re welcome, doctor. As I told Kyle, someday I’m sure you’ll return the favor.”
...All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March

Defeat The Darkness: Blood Moon Rising Installment by Eliza March

Inspiration for
Shelby & Kyle

Chapters posted in March and April are here on the weekly blog list. Chapters posted prior to March are at  the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page. Start there to read the book from the beginning.

DEFEAT THE DARKNESS last week ....“You need a ride somewhere?” Max asked.Kyle patted him on the shoulder. “No thanks, my ride’s just down the road.” “You going back through the woods?”“No. Through the cemetery... 
Continuing on from last week... 
"I parked on a side road back there. I’ll call you.” Kyle walked away with remarkable control considering how volatile his insides felt. As soon as he was well hidden by the underbrush, he traced to where Dylan had met up with Garr and the wolves.“What do you think?” he asked Dylan.“I think if you want to keep her alive, you need to bring her back here. We’ll help her through this.” “If what he said about her blood is true, someone or something infected her,” Salazar said.“I keep having flashes of memories, but nothing more than the scent of her blood.” Kyle licked his lips and remembered the fragrance and the rich sweet taste. His head swam and his knees buckled. He sat on an old headstone close by, before he fell down and embarrassed himself.“It doesn’t matter now.” Garr offered him a hand up and clapped him on the back. “The full moon is less than two nights away. We don’t have much time to prepare her for her first shift. Go get her.”“I don’t know if I can face her. What the hell have I done?”“Kyle, there’s no choice,” Dylan said. “Garr’s right. You want me to come with you?”“Allow me,” Victor Salazar offered, stepping forward. “She and I have met before, and although it was under terrible circumstances, I believe she came to trust me.”“Good idea, Victor. Being a doctor, you can spew all that medical mumbo jumbo with confidence,” Garr said. “Dylan, will just go all mental.”“You may need me to probe her memories to discover if this was you, Kyle or some other jaguar, or worse yet, Amyra. It will help to know what she’ll be facing,” Dylan pointed out.“You’ll get your chance, Dylan. Victor and I will bring her to your place. Now all I have to figure out is what to do about Max. Have any suggestions?” He’d just finished telling him to keep her away. Now he was ready to go in and kidnap her if necessary.“Tell him what he would expect to hear—you’re hiding her out until Amyra is located. He’ll believe that,” Garr suggested.“He may believe it, but he isn’t going to like it,” Kyle mumbled. “He won’t be comfortable being out of the loop.”Dylan added, “We’ll come up with something else later when I have a chance to talk to the council. Now get going, Kyle.”“Hop in, doc, and buckle up,” Kyle opened the passenger side for Victor and walked around to the driver’s side. When he slipped into the seat, he told Dylan, “I’ll call Max and fill him in on the way. He can be prepared to take our side when Shelby balks. I’ll make sure he doesn’t warn her that we’re coming.” He punched the button, put the phone on speaker, and waited for the call to go through.Kyle assumed Max would go along with the plan for the time being, but when he had time to think it over, they had better have some reasonable explanation to account for the change in Shelby. Max wasn’t going to accept a line of bull—not when it came to her. “Max? Is Shelby at home?”“No. She’s volunteering at the clinic. Why?”“Victor Salazar and I are heading into town. I need to take her some place safe. Remember that danger I mentioned? It’s worse than we thought.” “You also said you were the danger. You didn’t want to endanger her—”“Doctor Hamilton, this is Victor Salazar. I reviewed the DNA data you sent me. I need to examine Shelby and run a few more tests, but Kyle wants to do them some place where she’ll be protected.” “I don’t think she’ll agree to go with you.”“I’m counting on you to talk her into it. Max, Victor says this mutation could be serious.” Kyle shook his head at Victor when he started to interrupt. “We’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Can you meet us?”“I’m heading out the door now. Where do you plan to take her?”“I’m not going to tell you that and put you in danger, too. And Max, don’t warn her that we’re coming. If she bolts, we’ll lose valuable time.”“Doctor Hamilton,” Victor interrupted, “I promise I will stay in constant touch with you. I may need you to run some tests for me. You have the means, correct?”“Uh, yes. I-uh… Kyle, we’ll talk about this when I see you.” Max disconnected and Kyle punched the power off button.“Damn. He’s going to figure out what we’re up to sooner or later.” Kyle sighed. “I don’t know how to keep all this from him when he’s already seen the scientific evidence that beings like us exist.”“Dylan will make the decision about what to do with him after he goes to the council. It won’t be the first time they have made an exception, especially if the human in question can help us.”“What else can they do?”“Several of the members have the ability to do a powerful mind wipe. Dylan is one of them.”Kyle stepped on the gas and Victor white knuckled the sissy strap. “My driving making you nervous, Victor? Being three-hundred years old and an immortal, seems like you’d be immune to fear?”“We can be injured.” Victor looked a bit sheepish when he answered. “The pain is as painful now as it was when we were human. Although fortunately you have not experienced a mortal injury yet, returning from death hurts the most.”“Wimp. Shifting the first few times was no party, either.” Kyle snorted at the immortal. “Don't worry. I won’t get you killed, Victor.”“I always thought if I learned how to drive one of these—”“What? You don’t drive?”Victor shook his head. “I didn’t have a need—”“It’s not about need, man. When I lived in Boston, I didn’t need to drive, either, but no red-blooded young man hits sixteen now-a-days without getting his license. It’s a ‘rite of passage’.”Still weaving in and out of traffic, Kyle glanced over at Victor. His hand no longer held the sissy strap with a death grip. “Listen, when all this is over, and after you’ve taught me how to manage my demon, I’ll teach you to drive.”Victor looked unsure until Kyle added, “We’ll buy you a sweet little Lamborghini like Dylan’s—”“Yes!” Salazar perked right up. “I would like a—how do you say? A ride like Dylan’s.” Victor’s face was as animated as a sixteen-year-old boy’s contemplating his first naked girl.“Well, let’s save the princess, fight the demons, and thwart the evil Queen’s plans, first.“You are joking?”“Not really. All this sounds like a Grimm’s fairy tale.”“Ah, the brothers Grimm. I met them once. The council wasn’t happy with all their diaries getting out.”“Really? So I guess they weren’t writing fiction after all.” Kyle shook his head and released a sigh. He was doing a lot of that lately. His head wanted to explode. This was too much for him to take in. How was he going to break it to Shelby?He turned the wheel, rounded the corner, and brought the Jeep to a screaming halt behind Max’s Vette. He jumped out and checked the interior on the way by. His friend had already gone inside.Victor turned three-hundred and sixty degrees and said, “Smell that?”“Yes. She’d been here.” Kyle’s gut churned. "Not long ago, either." As he and Victor bounded up the steps, Shelby was unsuccessfully struggling to break free of Max as he dragged her out the door. When she bumped into him she stopped fighting Max.“You!” she gasped and went limp, deflating like a burst balloon.He held on and Max backed away. “I’ll take her now.” Kyle said, “You and Salazar go in your car. We’ll meet up at the same place where I met you earlier.” Max stared at Shelby who’d gone pale at the sight of him and nodded. He asked, “Shelby, are you okay with this?”“I’m not sure.”“You wanted me to find Kyle for you,” Max said, sounding defensive. “I found him.”“How?” Shelby’s lips continued to move but no sound escaped.Kyle hated to see her so distraught, but it was for her own good. She was going to be tired of hearing that before this was all over, and he was going to take the brunt of her anger. Victor moved closer to Kyle and Shelby. “We must go.” The scent of brimstone grew stronger. “You’re in danger, Shelby. We’ll take you to safety.”Her attention shifted to Max for approval.“Go ahead. They’ll explain everything, and I’ll call you later. Take care, babe.” He kissed her cheek before helping Shelby into Kyle’s car. After the door closed he said, “We’ll be right behind you. Be careful.”
~~~ DangerThe interior of the Jeep never felt so stifling to Kyle before. With the outside noises muffled by the hard top, the silence inside the car hurt his ears. Besides, the beat of her heart and the scent of her blood distracted him. Everything about her called to his basic instincts—to claim, provide for, keep, and protect.  Catlike attributes
formingDylan had to be right. Shelby was his soul mate and now, with the scent of the cat in her blood, his jaguar roared for release.Maybe he’d been right from the start. He wasn’t the best choice of guardians under the circumstances. Who would heed the danger he posed to her?“Did Max know where you were all along?” Her voice sounded thick with emotion, and he didn’t dare risk looking to see if there were tears.“Not until today. I made him promise not to say anything to you—” “What changed your mind? Not only did you suddenly show up where I work, what the three of you just did came damn close to the definition of abduction. If I hadn’t agreed, would you have taken me anyway?” Her voice sounded stronger, more indignant. To his way of thinking, that was a good sign even if his answer wasn’t going to make her a fan.“Yes. Absolutely.”“Dammit, Kyle—”“I warned you this was serious. After that drugging in Guatemala, I’d think you’d believe me. I won't risk your safety.”She shivered although the night was hot and humid. When he stared at her to gauge her reaction, he noted the perspiration on her upper lip glistened in the moonlight. Ready or not, the moon approached its zenith, and the fever was upon her. “What’s happening?” She turned and stared directly into his eyes when he turned toward her. “And where are you taking me?”“The where is simple enough. I have a friend who lives in a remote Parrish out by the bayou. He offered us his guest house until the authorities track down the danger.”“And what exactly is the danger? That woman?”“Yes.” There was no point in denying it. “But under the circumstances, I’m not sure how safe you are with me either.”“What are you saying?” “I’m not the same man I was when I left here.”"I trust you, Kyle." She shivered again, doubled over, and more sweat formed a sheen all over her face. “What’s happening to me?”“Victor thinks he knows what’s wrong with your blood. He brought some jungle plants known to ease your symptoms. Max said you hadn’t had many, but you don’t look so good now, Shelby.”“I’m on fire, and every muscle in my body aches. It’s getting worse.”Kyle glanced at the moon and cursed. It was going to be a blood moon. He stepped on the gas and drove faster as Shelby slumped over in her seat. She was better off being unconscious until he reached Dylan's and Victor could dose her with the medicine he brought with him. Too well, he remembered the fever and the aches. When her joints began to stretch, the pain would feel like every bone in her body was breaking. It was excruciating to experience, and he'd like to spare her as much of that as possible. His protective instincts wouldn't survive her pain.
...All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March

Bonus Chapter - Defeat the Darkness by Eliza March

Take off your tie
and...stay a whileDEFEAT THE DARKNESS
Book 1 Hearts of Darkness Series By ELIZA MARCH
My WIP is getting more interesting page by page. When I wrote some of the other chapters, I must have subconsciously known where I was going. But some of these twists I never saw coming. I think that's the most interesting part of writing a story. What about you? When You're writing what makes you grin? When do you feel that sense of accomplishment?

Read on...some things are getting clearer and the danger is mounting.

Chapters posted in March and April are here on the weekly blog list. Chapters posted prior to March are at  the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page. Start there to read the book from the beginning.
~~~Grieving
Shelby opened a bottle of wine, checked the shrimp creole in the pot,and thought about the strange sensation she sensed when she left for work thismorning. Someone had been watching her for weeks. But lately it felt different.She poured the chilled Bordeaux through an aerator into a wine snifter.As she swirled it, watching the translucent red liquid coat the inside of theglass, she suddenly shivered, remembering the slow drip of blood from longwhite fangs. Recently, she hadn’t been able to get Kyle out of her head, day or night.Some nights she woke up and swore she could smell him. This morning, rightbefore daybreak—in that moment before conscious thought takes over—she sensedhim in the bed beside her. There was something else, too—the scent of the wildswamp, a sharp hint of cinnamon, and another scent. A coppery, metallic scent. Blood. When she rolled over and openedher eyes, there was no one there but the scent remained.Taking a long sip of wine, Shelby closed her eyes and inhaled. Anotherimage materialized—a predator, a black jaguar, and a dark winged demon—morphinginto a man. It could have been Kyle, but in the dark, in the shadows, it couldhave been anyone his size. Like the shadow in the alley this morning.Hallucinations. Nightmares. Dreams. Max said the effects of the drugwere long lasting according to Victor. At least the nightmares had eased intomore pleasant, if not equally distracting, dreams. The reoccurring dreams eachwent from an HD version of she and Max making love together in a sweatyembrace, and eventually ending up with Kyle joining them. Neither man seemed awarewith the other’s presence. When they were all exhausted and satisfied, thedreams ended with Max on one side of her in the morning light and Kyle on theother side in the dark shadows. The dreams were occurring nightly. Probably because she was horny ashell. Knowing the pleasure Max was capable of bringing her set her teeth onedge. Because if, and when he joined her in her bed, now they kept it platonic.He tried not to touch her—something they’d both agreed on. Heat shifted inside her and her panties got wet thinking about thehard broad planes of his chest. Apparently, she was confused about what she reallywanted. They decided that rebound sex and a long-term affair were two differentanimals. Nothing prevented them from trying again with Kyle out of the picture.But they both knew that wasn’t the case. Kyle wasn’t completely out of thepicture—not while she was dreaming about making love to him nightly. It wasn’tfair to make love with Max until she sorted out her feelings. Max wanted more.The continuous dreams of the two men started after she’d been back afew weeks. Every time she closed her eyes, she could taste Kyle on her lipswhen Max kissed her. In her vision, it was Max entering her and filling her.Then, when she opened her eyes, Kyle was the one inside her, staring deep intoher eyes, silently pleading for forgiveness. The sexual dreams were so vividand realistic she always woke up startled and feeling as if his hands were stillon her in the dark. In all the dreams, he had fangs—the fangs she’d remembered from thatnight in Guatemala. In these dreams, they didn’t repulse or frighten her theway they had then. In these dreams, his eyes bored into hers. He teased herthroat with his fangs, and licked her neck with his rough tongue, sendingripples of pleasure through her. The nails on his hands were sharp and pointedwhen he stroked her back. Intriguing how gentle he could be, considering theway his muscles rippled with power beneath his flesh. The oven timer went off bringing her back to the present with a shiver.When she opened the oven door, the delicious smell of corn bread filled the air.Perfect! What southern girl didn’t know how to make a batch of melt-in-your-mouthcorn bread that could fill up a belly and satisfy any hunger? Nothing satisfieda craving for home like corn bread.A glance at the clock reminded her that Max would be home any minute. He’dbeen staying with her after that first week. She got over being uncomfortableabout him replacing Kyle in the apartment. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t spent timehere before. Besides, her place was closer to the clinic and bigger than hisapartment. He moved most of his clothes in and slept over, but he used thespare bedroom. One of the things they’d agreed not to agree about, were the sleepingarrangements. Although they’d had world rocking sex back at his place, theyhadn’t slept together since that first week. He was adamant about when she didinvite him back into her bed, that she be sure her feelings for Kyle were gone.That didn’t make resisting Max any easier. Hard as it was to abandon thecomfort of being in his arms, she fought back her need and desire for him. Each night, she dreamed her dreams of Kyle and Max, knowing shecouldn’t stop them—not wanting to really. They were so vivid—so real—sosatisfying. It was as if Kyle was right there, in her room, making love to her,the way he once had. The dreams continued, even after Max said the drug was outof her blood. Tonight, dinner was a special occasion—a thank you for all Max haddone and a chance to ply him with drink and ask him for a favor. Now that she’d had time to think about it, something had been verywrong about that night in the jungle. In her heart, she knew Max had been rightabout Kyle all along. He wasn’t capable of hurting her. Certainly, not likethat. The sound of Max’s keys in the lock drew her attention to the entry. Wow,he looked great. A long lock of hair escaped the rest, clasped neatly at hisnape. His tie was loosened, and a tuft of light blond hair peaked out from hiscollar.“Shelby? What’s that scrumptious smell?” His grin was broad andteasing. Something in her heart shifted. “Your favorite from Mama Leon’s,shrimp creole, and I made my mamma’s corn bread.” “What do you want now?” Max tweaked her nose playfully and took theglass of wine she handed him.He knew her too well. She huffed a little, but he was right, so shewrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him with her sweetest smile.“You’re not going to like it.”“I figured that out when I smelled dinner.” He chuckled good-naturedlyand kissed her lips. It was playful but a pulse beat later, it heated. Anawkward moment, she felt him harden against her. Both of them moved apart atthe same time. “Go on and sit down,” she said breathing roughly. “I’ll bring in thefood. It’s all ready. Bread’s on the table. Go on, shoo.” Here was her chanceto make up for her self-centered behavior and a way to soften him up.She went back into the kitchen to catch her breath and picked up therest of their meal. From the time she and Max had been kids, to as recently aslast week when he discovered a new Thai take-out, they had agreed on almosteverything. Tonight, she hoped he’d agree to help her find Kyle. She couldn’tstop wanting him or loving him despite what happened.She carried the food to the table and sat down. Max was alreadybuttering his cornbread and eyeballing the creole. “You must want a big favor,”he said, grinning broadly.She poured him more wine and he raised an eyebrow. “Plying me withliquor, too?”“Don’t be ridiculous. A little wine won’t affect your senses. Now tellme about your day.” She took a sip from her glass and exhaled, forcing herselfto relax. No matter how he felt about her, surely he cared about Kyle as much asshe did. The men had formed an almost brotherly bond from the start. It seemed inevitable—adeep connection—one neither could deny. “Uh huh,” she replied to something Max said then went back to herthoughts.When she entered the picture, she fit right into their friendship. Eventually,she succumbed to the attraction she felt toward Kyle, but that didn’t changeher relationship with Max. Where Max complimented her in so many ways, Kyledrew out her inner strengths—challenged her to move outside her comfort zone. HadMax been drawn to Kyle for the same reasons, she wondered? It had been Kyle whoencouraged Max to follow his heart as a researcher instead of becoming asurgeon like his father. Max and Kyle, two such differentmen—so diverse yet so similar—they were opposite sides of the same coin. Did Max miss Kyle as much as she did? Damn. Had she been so lostin her own pain she failed to see his?“Shelby? Are you listening to a word I’ve said?” Max had the lastpiece of the cornbread in his hand and his plate was empty.“Of course—do you want more?”“You were not listening and yes, I want more. But you eat, and I’llget it myself. You haven’t touched your dinner.”  “Sorry, I was wool gathering.” She picked up her bread and took a biteas Max went to the kitchen for more.With him or without him, she was determined to find Kyle and confront him.He was the only one who could put an end to her nagging questions. Why? Why? Why? Not knowing kept her frommoving forward. They had to figure out why her emotions were all over theplace.He would help her find Kyle.~~~~~ “What do you mean? No?” she shouted at him. Shelbyscowled and her face turned bright red. Max thought back. Had he everturned her down before? No, probably not judging from her reaction. This timehe had to, because there was no way to keep Kyle’s secret and make Shelby happy,too. If Kyle thought she was in danger then Max was going to keep her out ofit.“I don’t want to be cruel, buthe knows where to find you if he wants you.” He spoke softly to ease the impacthe knew his words would have.Shelby turned away from thedishes and gasped. When her eyes filled up with tears, he hoped he hadn’t gonetoo far. But she blinked back the tears, narrowing her eyes, and glared at himas if he’d grown two heads. “That was cruel and justdownright mean, Max Hamilton.”“But true. Right?” Determination flashed in hereyes before she glanced away. Clearing her throat, she stared out the kitchen window.“What’s the matter with you? You’ve never been mean to me like this before.”“Look, I’m sorry. You’reright. That was mean.” He sat in the kitchen chair and pulled her into his lap.“I admit, I’m confused about my feelings. If he’s out of the picture, it leavesus a possibility, but—” He held up a hand holding back her argument. “You knowI don’t want you on those terms. I want you to be happy, but I want you alive.If it means keeping you away from Kyle’s crazy ass bitch, then so be it.”“I get it. Tell me, Max, doyou miss him?”“Like my right nut—" Shelby giggled."Oops,sorry.” He laughed. “It’s an expression he used.”“I never heard—”“He wouldn’t aroundyou. Just the guys. We’re attached to our privates in a way you gals can’tunderstand.”“Then you do miss him?”Max thought for a long moment.He liked having Shelby to himself, but nothing was ever as good as the three ofthem together. They laughed harder and worked better together. Of course, hemissed Kyle. It pissed him off that his friend could walk away from him andShelby. But if he was as worried about her as he hinted  this morning, Maxunderstood. “Yes. Even though I want youmore than anything, babe, there are moments I miss him like hell.”“I’m sorry I’ve been so self-centered.I should have realized since you’ve known him longer than I have. How can youstand it?”“Being with you has helped.”He nuzzled her neck and she swatted him.“You men are so shallow.”“Yeah, we are. Perfect wouldbe all three of us together again.”“Are you that into Kyle?”Max couldn’t hold back thelaughter. “Hell, no. Not like that. But think about how much more fun it wouldbe having two of us pleasuring you.”“Oh, you are teasing me now,”she said. Max noticed how fast her gazeflickered away when he mentioned a ménage. Her cheeks flushed and she did thatnervous blink—not much, just enough to make him wonder. Had she considered it? And why had he mentioned it? He’dbeen joking, but since he brought it up, how did feel about sharing her withanother man? It would be better than not having her at all. If the other manwas Kyle, Max realized he was okay with the idea.“Of course I am.” No pointmaking her uncomfortable with something that would never happen. Kyle wouldwalk away, but he’d never share her.Unless it was for her own good. He wasn’t sure if Kyle wouldever adjust to that way of thinking, but two of them could keep her safer thanone.The sooner he met with Kylethe better. They needed to discuss the virus in Shelby’s blood.
~~~Discussion
 Kyle arrived right after sundown and settled in, waiting for his friend to show. He hadn’t been surprised to receive the text from Max late last night. After seeing him in the alley yesterday, he figured he had more questions. The text sounded ominous. Max warned him he had information about Shelby that Kyle should know about. Kyle still had questions about her condition so they were even. Kyle glanced at his watch. Maxshould be there any minute.Meeting him at the cemetery inSt. Loupe Parrish was Garr’s idea. The wolves were usually too territorial toinvite humans into their midst, but they wanted to be sure Max wasn’t followed. Thewolves could watch out for strangers and remain hidden in the trees. He and Maxcould speak freely, while Dylan stayed in the shadows in case Amyra showedup. “What made you come up withthe gruesome idea of meeting here?” Max tilted his head in the direction of thelarge mausoleum gate with the head of a snarling wolf. “It’s quiet. Isolated. I can think out here.”How much did they have to say to each other under the circumstances? Kylefelt Max’s tension sending waves of anger into the surrounding air.  “Look, Kyle, I won’t pretendto understand what happened to you in the jungle, and if you don’t want to talkabout it, fine—”“You said something aboutShelby’s blood?”“Yeah, besides the drugs, Ifound something else. The virus I found in her blood is unidentifiable by ourstandards. It appears to be mutating her blood cells.”Kyle’s blood turned to ice inhis veins, and he had to fight back his fear or risk unleashing his demon.Lately, it was closer to the surface, waiting, ready for the first opportunityto burst free. Now wouldn’t be the best time for him to lose it. “What kind ofvirus?”“The closest I could come, whilecomparing it to other viruses with similar characteristics that infected humans,was cat scratch fever. But it isn’t that either.”Kyle was careful not to showany emotion, even though his heart raced within his chest wall. He racked hismemories of that night in Guatemala trying to remember details. Had Amyratouched Shelby? Had he? “What sort of symptoms is she manifesting?” “That’s just it. None, sincethat first week. I attributed most of her nightmares and hallucinations to thedrug. She was eaten-up with bites when she returned and suffered fromreoccurring fevers, so I checked her for Malaria.”“What kind of bites?” “Bug bites, mosquito and flies, I figured. Shetested negative for everything. I contacted Dr. Salazar, but he didn’t have anyexplanations about the fever. He sent me information about the drugs that womanused, and I did a blood cleanse on her. But after I sent him her blood testswith the strange blood cell mutation, he never returned my calls.”“He’s actually here. Heprobably never got them.” That idea worried him. If Salazar left before Maxsent the reports, then Amyra could have access to them. If he was the one whoinfected Shelby, it meant they’d been together that night. Why couldn’t heremember the last few hours? Max gripped his arm. “Can youtalk to Salazar? Ask him if he’d be willing to look at my data?”“Of course. Don’t worry, Max.If her symptoms aren’t getting any worse, maybe she’s fighting off whatever shehad.”Max shook his head and droppedto sit on a nearby stone. He scrubbed his hands down his face and then staredup at Kyle. “I tested her blood yesterday. It’s still mutating.”“I’ll talk to him and get backto you. You stay close to Shelby. Don’t let her out of your sight. I think thatwoman may be in town.”“What’s her deal with you,anyway?”“I don’t know. A womanscorned, maybe. I wasn’t interested, so she was determined to get even. I neverimagined she’d go this far.”“How far?” Max looked worriedand damn well should be. Kyle had to convince him that this was dead serious.“Murder. The police called ina friend of mine who occasionally consults for them. A couple was foundmurdered not far from Shelby’s apartment. The eerie part about the killing wasthat the guy looked remarkably like me and the woman, like Shelby.”“Coincidence?”“Her heart was ripped out ofher chest and placed in the guy’s hands.”“Geeezus!”“Amyra is just evil enough tohave done something like that.” Kyle poked Max in the chest, warning him,“Watch your back and Shelby’s. I have a few friends who are operating aneighborhood watch in the area. But I feel better knowing you are with her.”“What are you going to do?”“I’m going to find that bitchand turn her over to the proper authorities.” That sounded normal enough, eventhough the proper authorities were the vampire council and the wolf pack. Noneed to go there.“Don’t do anything stupid—”“I’m going to be the bait, butI’ve been assured the authorities are going to keep close track of me.”“You should know Shelby wantsto find you. She’s trying to solicit my help.”Kyle stared at Max and heldhis breath. “What did you tell her?”“I told her that you knewwhere to find her if you were interested.”“What the fuck?” The curseescaped without thinking. It must have been hard for Max to say something thatcallous to her. It was more like the attitude he took with most other women.Never with her. “That was cold, even for you.”“Yeah. She said the samething.” He shifted uncomfortably under Kyle’s scrutiny. “You wanted me to keepyour secret. I needed to distract her. She can always tell when I’m lying.”“So you hurt her to keep heraway from me?”“You said it was for her owngood. Was that the truth? Because I believe if you could find a way to makethis right, you still would.”“If. But it’s not likely.”“I want her, Kyle. And I don’tfeel right pursuing a relationship with her under the circumstances. You twoneed to settle what’s between you.”“I settled it that night inGuatemala.”“She doesn’t think so, notanymore.”“What are you talking about?”“She’s remembering moredetails. She heard you call out her name and realized you had to have beendrugged, too.”“Well, talk her out of it. Idon’t want to be the reason she gets hurt, Max. Not again. And if she pursuesthis, believe me, I’ll hurt her.”“What the hell does thatmean?”“I told you. She’s in danger.”“Are you saying she’s indanger from you?”The sound of multiple lowrumbling growls started coming from deep in the woods. “Max, leave this alone. Ican’t explain—” “Did you hear that?” Max jumpedup, glancing around then into the woods.Kyle knew the wolves werewarning him to shut up. They’d made it clear that no humans were permitted to know about their existence. This lineof questioning skirted the subject too closely.“Sounds like growling comingfrom that stand of trees?” Max started in that direction but Kyle grabbed hisarm and held him back. “Careful. May be a pack of wilddogs out there.”“Yeah, you’re right.”“Hey, I need to get back andfind Salazar. You keep Shelby safe and away from me. I’ll call you as soon as Ican setup a meeting with Salazar.”The growling stopped, but Maxglanced back in the direction where Garr and the others were positioned. “Youneed a ride somewhere?” “No thanks, my jeep’s justdown the road.” “You going back through thewoods?”“No. Through the cemetery.”
All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March

Free Read Plus A Bonus Chapter - Defeat the Darkness by Eliza March

Take off your tie
and...stay a whileDEFEAT THE DARKNESS
Book 1 Hearts of Darkness Series By ELIZA MARCH
My WIP is getting more interesting page by page. When I wrote some of the other chapters, I must have subconsciously known where I was going. But some of these twists I never saw coming. I think that's the most interesting part of writing a story. What about you? When You're writing what makes you grin? When do you feel that sense of accomplishment?

Read on...some things are getting clearer and the danger is mounting.

Chapters posted in March and April are here on the weekly blog list. Chapters posted prior to March are at  the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page. Start there to read the book from the beginning.
~~~Grieving
Shelby opened a bottle of wine, checked the shrimp creole in the pot, and thought about the strange sensation she sensed when she left for work this morning. Someone had been watching her for weeks. But lately it felt different. She poured the chilled Bordeaux through an aerator into a wine snifter. As she swirled it, watching the translucent red liquid coat the inside of the glass, she suddenly shivered, remembering the slow drip of blood from long white fangs. Recently, she hadn’t been able to get Kyle out of her head, day or night. Some nights she woke up and swore she could smell him. This morning, right before daybreak—in that moment before conscious thought takes over—she sensed him in the bed beside her. There was something else, too—the scent of the wild swamp, a sharp hint of cinnamon, and another scent. A coppery, metallic scent. Blood. When she rolled over and opened her eyes, there was no one there but the scent remained.Taking a long sip of wine, Shelby closed her eyes and inhaled. Another image materialized—a predator, a black jaguar, and a dark winged demon—morphing into a man. It could have been Kyle, but in the dark, in the shadows, it could have been anyone his size. Like the shadow in the alley this morning.Hallucinations. Nightmares. Dreams. Max said the effects of the drug were long lasting according to Victor. At least the nightmares had eased into more pleasant, if not equally distracting, dreams. The reoccurring dreams each went from an HD version of she and Max making love together in a sweaty embrace, and eventually ending up with Kyle joining them. Neither man seemed aware with the other’s presence. When they were all exhausted and satisfied, the dreams ended with Max on one side of her in the morning light and Kyle on the other side in the dark shadows. The dreams were occurring nightly. Probably because she was horny as hell. Knowing the pleasure Max was capable of bringing her set her teeth on edge. Because if, and when he joined her in her bed, now they kept it platonic. He tried not to touch her—something they’d both agreed on. Heat shifted inside her and her panties got wet thinking about the hard broad planes of his chest. Apparently, she was confused about what she really wanted. They decided that rebound sex and a long-term affair were two different animals. Nothing prevented them from trying again with Kyle out of the picture. But they both knew that wasn’t the case. Kyle wasn’t completely out of the picture—not while she was dreaming about making love to him nightly. It wasn’t fair to make love with Max until she sorted out her feelings. Max wanted more.The continuous dreams of the two men started after she’d been back a few weeks. Every time she closed her eyes, she could taste Kyle on her lips when Max kissed her. In her vision, it was Max entering her and filling her. Then, when she opened her eyes, Kyle was the one inside her, staring deep into her eyes, silently pleading for forgiveness. The sexual dreams were so vivid and realistic she always woke up startled and feeling as if his hands were still on her in the dark. In all the dreams, he had fangs—the fangs she’d remembered from that night in Guatemala. In these dreams, they didn’t repulse or frighten her the way they had then. In these dreams, his eyes bored into hers. He teased her throat with his fangs, and licked her neck with his rough tongue, sending ripples of pleasure through her. The nails on his hands were sharp and pointed when he stroked her back. Intriguing how gentle he could be, considering the way his muscles rippled with power beneath his flesh. The oven timer went off bringing her back to the present with a shiver. When she opened the oven door, the delicious smell of corn bread filled the air. Perfect! What southern girl didn’t know how to make a batch of melt-in-your-mouth corn bread that could fill up a belly and satisfy any hunger? Nothing satisfied a craving for home like corn bread.A glance at the clock reminded her that Max would be home any minute. He’d been staying with her after that first week. She got over being uncomfortable about him replacing Kyle in the apartment. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t spent time here before. Besides, her place was closer to the clinic and bigger than his apartment. He moved most of his clothes in and slept over, but he used the spare bedroom. One of the things they’d agreed not to agree about, were the sleeping arrangements. Although they’d had world rocking sex back at his place, they hadn’t slept together since that first week. He was adamant about when she did invite him back into her bed, that she be sure her feelings for Kyle were gone. That didn’t make resisting Max any easier. Hard as it was to abandon the comfort of being in his arms, she fought back her need and desire for him. Each night, she dreamed her dreams of Kyle and Max, knowing she couldn’t stop them—not wanting to really. They were so vivid—so real—so satisfying. It was as if Kyle was right there, in her room, making love to her, the way he once had. The dreams continued, even after Max said the drug was out of her blood. Tonight, dinner was a special occasion—a thank you for all Max had done and a chance to ply him with drink and ask him for a favor. Now that she’d had time to think about it, something had been very wrong about that night in the jungle. In her heart, she knew Max had been right about Kyle all along. He wasn’t capable of hurting her. Certainly, not like that. The sound of Max’s keys in the lock drew her attention to the entry. Wow, he looked great. A long lock of hair escaped the rest, clasped neatly at his nape. His tie was loosened, and a tuft of light blond hair peaked out from his collar.“Shelby? What’s that scrumptious smell?” His grin was broad and teasing. Something in her heart shifted. “Your favorite from Mama Leon’s, shrimp creole, and I made my mamma’s corn bread.” “What do you want now?” Max tweaked her nose playfully and took the glass of wine she handed him.He knew her too well. She huffed a little, but he was right, so she wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him with her sweetest smile. “You’re not going to like it.”“I figured that out when I smelled dinner.” He chuckled good-naturedly and kissed her lips. It was playful but a pulse beat later, it heated. An awkward moment, she felt him harden against her. Both of them moved apart at the same time. “Go on and sit down,” she said breathing roughly. “I’ll bring in the food. It’s all ready. Bread’s on the table. Go on, shoo.” Here was her chance to make up for her self-centered behavior and a way to soften him up.She went back into the kitchen to catch her breath and picked up the rest of their meal. From the time she and Max had been kids, to as recently as last week when he discovered a new Thai take-out, they had agreed on almost everything. Tonight, she hoped he’d agree to help her find Kyle. She couldn’t stop wanting him or loving him despite what happened.She carried the food to the table and sat down. Max was already buttering his cornbread and eyeballing the creole. “You must want a big favor,” he said, grinning broadly.She poured him more wine and he raised an eyebrow. “Plying me with liquor, too?”“Don’t be ridiculous. A little wine won’t affect your senses. Now tell me about your day.” She took a sip from her glass and exhaled, forcing herself to relax. No matter how he felt about her, surely he cared about Kyle as much as she did. The men had formed an almost brotherly bond from the start. It seemed inevitable—a deep connection—one neither could deny. “Uh huh,” she replied to something Max said then went back to her thoughts.When she entered the picture, she fit right into their friendship. Eventually, she succumbed to the attraction she felt toward Kyle, but that didn’t change her relationship with Max. Where Max complimented her in so many ways, Kyle drew out her inner strengths—challenged her to move outside her comfort zone. Had Max been drawn to Kyle for the same reasons, she wondered? It had been Kyle who encouraged Max to follow his heart as a researcher instead of becoming a surgeon like his father. Max and Kyle, two such different men—so diverse yet so similar—they were opposite sides of the same coin. Did Max miss Kyle as much as she did? Damn. Had she been so lost in her own pain she failed to see his?“Shelby? Are you listening to a word I’ve said?” Max had the last piece of the cornbread in his hand and his plate was empty.“Of course—do you want more?”“You were not listening and yes, I want more. But you eat, and I’ll get it myself. You haven’t touched your dinner.”  “Sorry, I was wool gathering.” She picked up her bread and took a bite as Max went to the kitchen for more.With him or without him, she was determined to find Kyle and confront him. He was the only one who could put an end to her nagging questions. Why? Why? Why? Not knowing kept her from moving forward. They had to figure out why her emotions were all over the place.He would help her find Kyle.~~~~~ “What do you mean? No?” she shouted at him. Shelby scowled and her face turned bright red. Max thought back. Had he ever turned her down before? No, probably not judging from her reaction. This time he had to, because there was no way to keep Kyle’s secret and make Shelby happy, too. If Kyle thought she was in danger then Max was going to keep her out of it.“I don’t want to be cruel, but he knows where to find you if he wants you.” He spoke softly to ease the impact he knew his words would have.Shelby turned away from the dishes and gasped. When her eyes filled up with tears, he hoped he hadn’t gone too far. But she blinked back the tears, narrowing her eyes, and glared at him as if he’d grown two heads. “That was cruel and just downright mean, Max Hamilton.”“But true. Right?” Determination flashed in her eyes before she glanced away. Clearing her throat, she stared out the kitchen window. “What’s the matter with you? You’ve never been mean to me like this before.”“Look, I’m sorry. You’re right. That was mean.” He sat in the kitchen chair and pulled her into his lap. “I admit, I’m confused about my feelings. If he’s out of the picture, it leaves us a possibility, but—” He held up a hand holding back her argument. “You know I don’t want you on those terms. I want you to be happy, but I want you alive. If it means keeping you away from Kyle’s crazy ass bitch, then so be it.”“I get it. Tell me, Max, do you miss him?”“Like my right nut—" Shelby giggled."Oops, sorry.” He laughed. “It’s an expression he used.”“I never heard—”“He wouldn’t around you. Just the guys. We’re attached to our privates in a way you gals can’t understand.”“Then you do miss him?”Max thought for a long moment. He liked having Shelby to himself, but nothing was ever as good as the three of them together. They laughed harder and worked better together. Of course, he missed Kyle. It pissed him off that his friend could walk away from him and Shelby. But if he was as worried about her as he hinted  this morning, Max understood. “Yes. Even though I want you more than anything, babe, there are moments I miss him like hell.”“I’m sorry I’ve been so self-centered. I should have realized since you’ve known him longer than I have. How can you stand it?”“Being with you has helped.” He nuzzled her neck and she swatted him.“You men are so shallow.”“Yeah, we are. Perfect would be all three of us together again.”“Are you that into Kyle?”Max couldn’t hold back the laughter. “Hell, no. Not like that. But think about how much more fun it would be having two of us pleasuring you.”“Oh, you are teasing me now,” she said. Max noticed how fast her gaze flickered away when he mentioned a ménage. Her cheeks flushed and she did that nervous blink—not much, just enough to make him wonder. Had she considered it? And why had he mentioned it? He’d been joking, but since he brought it up, how did feel about sharing her with another man? It would be better than not having her at all. If the other man was Kyle, Max realized he was okay with the idea.“Of course I am.” No point making her uncomfortable with something that would never happen. Kyle would walk away, but he’d never share her.Unless it was for her own good. He wasn’t sure if Kyle would ever adjust to that way of thinking, but two of them could keep her safer than one.The sooner he met with Kyle the better. They needed to discuss the virus in Shelby’s blood.
~~~Discussion
 Kyle arrived right after sundown and settled in, waiting for his friend to show. He hadn’t been surprised to receive the text from Max late last night. After seeing him in the alley yesterday, he figured he had more questions. The text sounded ominous. Max warned him he had information about Shelby that Kyle should know about. Kyle still had questions about her condition so they were even. Kyle glanced at his watch. Max should be there any minute.Meeting him at the cemetery in St. Loupe Parrish was Garr’s idea. The wolves were usually too territorial to invite humans into their midst, but they wanted to be sure Max wasn’t followed. The wolves could watch out for strangers and remain hidden in the trees. He and Max could speak freely, while Dylan stayed in the shadows in case Amyra showed up. “What made you come up with the gruesome idea of meeting here?” Max tilted his head in the direction of the large mausoleum gate with the head of a snarling wolf. “It’s quiet. Isolated. I can think out here.” How much did they have to say to each other under the circumstances? Kyle felt Max’s tension sending waves of anger into the surrounding air.  “Look, Kyle, I won’t pretend to understand what happened to you in the jungle, and if you don’t want to talk about it, fine—”“You said something about Shelby’s blood?”“Yeah, besides the drugs, I found something else. The virus I found in her blood is unidentifiable by our standards. It appears to be mutating her blood cells.”Kyle’s blood turned to ice in his veins, and he had to fight back his fear or risk unleashing his demon. Lately, it was closer to the surface, waiting, ready for the first opportunity to burst free. Now wouldn’t be the best time for him to lose it. “What kind of virus?”“The closest I could come, while comparing it to other viruses with similar characteristics that infected humans, was cat scratch fever. But it isn’t that either.”Kyle was careful not to show any emotion, even though his heart raced within his chest wall. He racked his memories of that night in Guatemala trying to remember details. Had Amyra touched Shelby? Had he? “What sort of symptoms is she manifesting?” “That’s just it. None, since that first week. I attributed most of her nightmares and hallucinations to the drug. She was eaten-up with bites when she returned and suffered from reoccurring fevers, so I checked her for Malaria.”“What kind of bites?” “Bug bites, mosquito and flies, I figured. She tested negative for everything. I contacted Dr. Salazar, but he didn’t have any explanations about the fever. He sent me information about the drugs that woman used, and I did a blood cleanse on her. But after I sent him her blood tests with the strange blood cell mutation, he never returned my calls.”“He’s actually here. He probably never got them.” That idea worried him. If Salazar left before Max sent the reports, then Amyra could have access to them. If he was the one who infected Shelby, it meant they’d been together that night. Why couldn’t he remember the last few hours? Max gripped his arm. “Can you talk to Salazar? Ask him if he’d be willing to look at my data?”“Of course. Don’t worry, Max. If her symptoms aren’t getting any worse, maybe she’s fighting off whatever she had.”Max shook his head and dropped to sit on a nearby stone. He scrubbed his hands down his face and then stared up at Kyle. “I tested her blood yesterday. It’s still mutating.”“I’ll talk to him and get back to you. You stay close to Shelby. Don’t let her out of your sight. I think that woman may be in town.”“What’s her deal with you, anyway?”“I don’t know. A woman scorned, maybe. I wasn’t interested, so she was determined to get even. I never imagined she’d go this far.”“How far?” Max looked worried and damn well should be. Kyle had to convince him that this was dead serious.“Murder. The police called in a friend of mine who occasionally consults for them. A couple was found murdered not far from Shelby’s apartment. The eerie part about the killing was that the guy looked remarkably like me and the woman, like Shelby.”“Coincidence?”“Her heart was ripped out of her chest and placed in the guy’s hands.”“Geeezus!”“Amyra is just evil enough to have done something like that.” Kyle poked Max in the chest, warning him, “Watch your back and Shelby’s. I have a few friends who are operating a neighborhood watch in the area. But I feel better knowing you are with her.”“What are you going to do?”“I’m going to find that bitch and turn her over to the proper authorities.” That sounded normal enough, even though the proper authorities were the vampire council and the wolf pack. No need to go there.“Don’t do anything stupid—”“I’m going to be the bait, but I’ve been assured the authorities are going to keep close track of me.”“You should know Shelby wants to find you. She’s trying to solicit my help.”Kyle stared at Max and held his breath. “What did you tell her?”“I told her that you knew where to find her if you were interested.”“What the fuck?” The curse escaped without thinking. It must have been hard for Max to say something that callous to her. It was more like the attitude he took with most other women. Never with her. “That was cold, even for you.”“Yeah. She said the same thing.” He shifted uncomfortably under Kyle’s scrutiny. “You wanted me to keep your secret. I needed to distract her. She can always tell when I’m lying.”“So you hurt her to keep her away from me?”“You said it was for her own good. Was that the truth? Because I believe if you could find a way to make this right, you still would.”“If. But it’s not likely.”“I want her, Kyle. And I don’t feel right pursuing a relationship with her under the circumstances. You two need to settle what’s between you.”“I settled it that night in Guatemala.”“She doesn’t think so, not anymore.”“What are you talking about?”“She’s remembering more details. She heard you call out her name and realized you had to have been drugged, too.”“Well, talk her out of it. I don’t want to be the reason she gets hurt, Max. Not again. And if she pursues this, believe me, I’ll hurt her.”“What the hell does that mean?”“I told you. She’s in danger.”“Are you saying she’s in danger from you?”The sound of multiple low rumbling growls started coming from deep in the woods. “Max, leave this alone. I can’t explain—” “Did you hear that?” Max jumped up, glancing around then into the woods.Kyle knew the wolves were warning him to shut up. They’d made it clear that no humans were permitted to know about their existence. This line of questioning skirted the subject too closely.“Sounds like growling coming from that stand of trees?” Max started in that direction but Kyle grabbed his arm and held him back. “Careful. May be a pack of wild dogs out there.”“Yeah, you’re right.”“Hey, I need to get back and find Salazar. You keep Shelby safe and away from me. I’ll call you as soon as I can setup a meeting with Salazar.”The growling stopped, but Max glanced back in the direction where Garr and the others were positioned. “You need a ride somewhere?” “No thanks, my jeep’s just down the road.” “You going back through the woods?”“No. Through the cemetery.”
All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March

Are You Reading DEFEAT THE DARKNESS by Eliza March?

This Menage scene from
The Vampire Diaries is
actually based on
a love triangle
DEFEAT THE DARKNESSBook 1 Hearts of Darkness By ELIZA MARCH
Chapters posted in March and April are here on the weekly blog list. Chapters posted prior to March are at  the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page. Start there to read from the beginning. 
REMINDER: Comment here or there and leave an email address before April 30th to receive a finished copy of the ebook when it's released. 
Thank you for sharing. ~~~Eliza 

DEFEAT THE DARKNESS Continued ...

~~~~Guardians

The  stasis effect was exactly as Dylan described. Kyle grew more and more tired, and felt heavier and heavier as the sun rose, until he could barely move. As Garr predicted, the stasis came upon him less than twenty-four hours after he and Dylan found the murdered couple. Jackson, Dylan, and Garr moved him into what he’d come to think of as the old mausoleum. It was located on Dylan’s property in a private cemetery. The ground was high and dry for this area of Louisiana and the overgrown trees and brush made the place hard to find even if you knew what you were looking for. All the marble monuments were old, covered in moss, and overgrown ivy. The chamber where they placed him was one of many and impossible to differentiate from the others.The concrete bunker lined with rich earth beneath the marble would protect him like a cocoon while his body permanently absorbed all the DNA he’d acquired—that from Amyra, that from the rogue jaguar who bit him, and the original supernatural DNA from his own genetic code. If he had the energy, he’d be frightened to face what he would become. Except now, with Shelby in danger, he stood to become the only thing that could stop Amyra.All week, while the others watched after Shelby, Kyle remained in the final stages of his transition. Dylan looked for other ways to stop Amyra. Salazar had arrived two days ago and was hunting the demoness. Her careless killing could have exposed them all if it hadn’t been for the fast thinking, beat cop who remembered Dylan Macgregor handled the gruesome ritual murders in New Orleans for the local police. Amyra had to be losing her mind to risk discovery. All the elders were aware of her error and the consensus was that she had to be stopped. The consequences would be dire.

 ~~~~Meeting

With Dylan's help, Kyle lived as  a vampire and practiced existing as a night stalker. He hunted in the swamps or roamed the streets at night, afraid to reveal himself. Despite the  desperate need he felt to claim his soul mate, he was.reluctant to destroy Shelby’s comfortable existence and her new relationship with Max.The alley across from Shelby’s apartment was shaded all day by the surrounding buildings. Kyle purposely drifted back into those shadows when Max stepped out of Shelby’s apartment. Damn him. Kyle swore his old friend looked straight at the spot in the alley where he stood hidden. Max couldn’t know he was there and he purposely wore dark clothes to help him blend in. The alley worked to Kyle’s advantage in many ways. During the day, he could stay out of the direct sunlight, and at night, he merged in with the dark. From his private spot, he could watch Shelbyas she came and went from the apartment they had once shared without her knowing he was there.The gruesome smell kept even the most desperate vagrants away. The garbage hadn’t been emptied in days. Kyle didn’t care about the smell. He could deal with the stench and mentally mask the odor. Being a vampire had taught him how to control his senses, especially since Dylan helped train him. He’d discovered after Shelbyreturned from Guatemala, Max stayed with her most weekends. Kyle wasn’t surprised. He figured she’d fall back on her old friend, once he was out of the picture. Watching them, she and Max, moving on with their lives so soon after he’d lost his and her, still hurt.His heart almost stopped when Shelby stepped out and locked the door behind her. Maxglanced back at the alley again before he turned and gathered Shelbyinto his arms and kissed her. He was good for her, and Kyleknew it, but he couldn’t watch anymore. Their emotions slammed into him like a battering ram. Block out everything. Recalling Dylan’s lessons, he set up his defenses. Once in place, the intimacy of sharing their emotions no longer bothered him. He’d understood Max’s need for Shelby from the beginning, and he was prepared to feel Shelby’s attraction to Max. What he hadn’t been prepared for were his own emotions, the feelings that gutted him when he saw them together. He missed them. Both of them.Max slowly released her and kissed the tip of her nose. Kyleheard him offer to meet her for lunch and saw Shelby shake her head. “I’m working through lunch. See you tonight.” She turned west as Max shoved his hands in his pockets and turned east. After another glance back at the alley where Kylestill stood barely breathing, Max walked off. Kyle breathed a small sigh of relief. Shelby was safe despite how sad she seemed when she turned slowly and walked away. She could survive “sad.” She couldn’t survive Amyra. Standing in the shadows and hiding from her while she walked in the sun was one more form of torture for him. Even though he couldn’t risk Shelbydiscovering he was back, neither he could he resist the opportunity to see her again, to see with his own eyes that she was okay. If this was all he could have of her, then he’d settle for these few moments. What was best for her, wasn’t going to be easy for him. What he should do is find the courage to walk away for good. For a moment, Kyle was distracted when Shelbyglanced back as if she sensed him staring at her. Wondering how much of his own sentiments he was broadcasting, he immediately shut down his senses and emotions, then shrank deeper into the dark recesses of the building. “What the hell are you doing here?”Kyle jumped when Max stepped up behind him. His friend had only been able to shove him against the damp brick wall because he allowed him to. However, Kyle had to admit, Max managed to surprise him. Dylan would be disappointed to discover, after all his training, that Kyleallowed a human to best him—even his jaguar. His inner cat growled, and he shrugged the beast back. The cat was right, Kyle couldn’t believe he’d let down his guard enough to allow Max time to sneak up on him. He held his hands up in defeat, knowing there was no way Max could hurt him, but the fact that he saw the potential to kill in his friend’s eyes wasn’t a big shock.“Calm down Max, I just wanted to make sure she’s all right.”“She’s not. No thanks to you.” Max held him by his shirt with one hand, clenching his other into a fist. “You know, I swore I’d beat the hell out of you if I saw you again. Do you have any idea what you put her through?”“Yes. But it was always for her own safety.”“Really? You and that woman. What’s going on, Kyle? I told Shelbyyou’d never hurt her like that. Were you drugged or what?”“Yes, I was.” “I knew it!” Max spit the words out, shaking his head. “And so was Shelby. The side effects were hard on her.”“I was preventing Amyra from discovering how much she meant to me. She would have used her against me like she did with the boys and their mother.” “Was it drug related? A cartel?”It would be easy enough to lie, but Kylewouldn’t lie to Max. “There’s nothing else I can tell you.”“Why don’t I believe you?”“You’re better off not knowing. You wouldn’t believe it anyway.”“Why don’t you try me?”Kyle frowned and shrugged. “Maybe someday.”“At least tell me where you’re staying.”“With a friend of a friend.” “That’s pretty general. You working?”“Yes.” Kyle nodded. “In a clinic outside of town.”“Shelby’s volunteering over on Rampart Street. The free clinic.” Max flicked his head in the direction Shelby had gone. “I don’t like the neighborhood.”“I know. I followed her to make sure she made it there safely the other night.”“She walked?”“Yes.”“Damn, I told her to call me or take a cab if she needed a ride. She should be more careful.”  “She has a mind of her own. You should know that better than I do.”Max looked Kyle over. “You look good. Shelbysaid, you looked like hell the last time she saw you.”“I’d been lost in the jungle for almost two weeks at the time. I was sick when she saw me.”“She told me some pretty tall tales. I chalked it up to hallucinations. Were they?”“Are you falling under New Orleans’ spell, Max? All these witches and voodoo queens finally spooking you?”“Her blood is fucked up. I’m a researcher. If I have questions, I gather data. I want evidence and answers, Kyle. Nothing about this makes sense to me. Even days later, Shelby’s blood tested positive for a hallucinogen. Why would someone drug her?” “You should leave this alone. I’ll stay away.”Max took Kyle’s arm when he tried to walk away. “She cried, Kyle. Sobbed like I’ve never seen.”“Crying is better than what could have happened.” “Not this kind of crying. You broke her, Kyle.”At least Max was devoted to her and the needy people in the French Quarter needed her talent as a physician. “Take care of her, and Max, don’t tell her you saw me.”Kyle wouldn’t take this life from her or her from the man who loved her. For what? This? He looked at the shadows. A life with a monster? A demon? A beast?Her blood is fucked up. What the hell was Max talking about?


Everyone who leaves their email address with a comment on my blog or on the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page between now and April 30th, 2013 will receive the complete EDITED VERSION  of this ebook for FREE when it is released. Thank you for reading my WIP version. Installments each weekend.
All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March

Bloodlust DEFEAT THE DARKNESS by Eliza March

DEFEAT THE DARKNESSBook 1 Hearts of Darkness By ELIZA MARCH
Chapters posted in March and April are here on the weekly blog list. Chapters posted prior to March are at  the
 DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page. Start there to read from the beginning. 
REMINDER: Comment here or there and leave an email address before April 30th to receive a finished copy of the ebook when it's released. 
Thank you for sharing. ~~~Eliza 

DEFEAT THE DARKNESS Continued ...
Until Kyle learned to control his blood lust, Dylan suggested he stay away from contact with most humans. Fortunately, the estate was well out of town and isolated. So far, the few people Kyle had been introduced to weren’t what he would call, actually, human. The downside was that he hadn’t been able to feed without Dylan's help. Soon he'd have to face the process by himself. Until he completed his transition, human blood from the vein was the only way for him to progress. Dylan provided the humans and Kyle practiced erasing their memories. Although he was never at a loss for volunteers, Kyle knew that one day he’d have to handle the hunt and learn how to wield the vampire art of persuasion on his own.Between human volunteers, Kyle used bagged blood to control his vampire bloodlust, but for strength, the jaguar inside him needed the hunt. Deep in the dark, desolate swamps, he shifted alone, and nightly hunted everything from swamp deer to gators. Even then, he avoided straying too far from the estate and always stayed within the Parrish. He didn’t know how long it would be before he could risk going near humans, let alone the old neighborhood where he and Shelby had lived.There would be no point opening that old wound. Besides, there was too much to learn from Dylan and his friends before he risked being on his own. During the time he spent with them, he grew stronger both mentally and physically. He even developed new friendships within the local community. A few of the werewolves and most of the vampires provided him with support and advice. Despite their help, losing Shelby and his old life had emotionally crushed him. The depression settled like a dark mourning veil. Working out was one way to suppress the anger.“You know I promised to fill you in on Nicolai’s story. Now might be a good time.”“Why now? Am I broadcasting my thoughts again?”“No. I’m still blocking them when you get like this.”“Like what?” Kyle hadn’t realized he was so transparent. Being back in the New Orleans vicinity only intensified his black moods. Sometimes the darkness rose like that demon lurking within him.“You think I haven’t noticed your moods?”Kyle sensed the evil like a distant hum in the back of his mind whenever frustration or anger got the best of him. Leaving Guatemala hadn’t changed anything. Just because the demon hadn’t manifested itself didn’t mean it wasn’t there threatening to engulf his humanity. Dylan probably sensed it too.“What does it matter? Nothing can change what I’ve become.”        “Kyle, listen to me. Perhaps you can come to understand why you’re feeling so dark.”“It’s the demon—”“Don’t be so certain to blame this on something you haven’t seen yet. Let me tell you about Nicci while we work out today. Maybe you’ll discover it’s something else.”“I’m all ears.” Kyle grinned.Dylan shook his head and started his story.“Nicolai Xenos is one of the oldest living vampires. He doesn’t share much about the ancients, but he is notably trustworthy. After living thousands of years, he discovered the natural born vampires were becoming sterile. The only way to continue the species was to create new vampires from other supernatural species.”“I can’t believe there are so many other species. Are all the created vampires descendants of some other species with supernatural DNA?” Victor already had told Kyle about how the transition worked.“Yes. There are more beings with more potential than we believed. Apparently, the chromosome doesn’t have to be on a dominant gene. In fact, from the studies I’ve read, it’s more than likely found on a recessive gene. Which is why we don’t see the change coming. Most of us have no idea our ancestors had special abilities.”“What about you? Did you know?”Dylan’s expression grew distant. “Yes. My father was a descendant of the berserkers and my mother had fae blood. By the time I encountered Nicci, I knew what I was.”"Berserker? Fae? What the hell is a berserker?" Kyle walked to the storage compartment where the bagged blood was stored and took out two bags. He tossed one to Dylan, fed, and waited for him to get to the point."You know. You've seen them in movies." "The huge, crazy-ass warriors wielding hammers and battle-axes?"“Yes.We can review my past one day in gory detail if you'd like. All that aside, you need to understand more about what you are. Vampires, for the most part, are a promiscuous lot. We live a long time and sex is closely associated with feeding. But mating is different. Vampires mate for life when they find their soul mate. If that soul mate dies, the vampire’s grief is so overwhelming he or she goes insane. The only remedy is for the vampire to go to ground until his mind heals. Unfortunately, it takes some a very long time to find a soul mate. Some never do. The older the vampire, the longer it takes to heal.”“Nicolai is grieving for Jackson’s mother?”“Yes.” Dylan sat down on the weight bench and gazed at nothing. “I believe he foresaw all this. I don’t know how, but before he turned me, we sensed a connection between us. I swore my allegiance to him and we both knew I’d never let him down.”That made sense. Dylan was just that kind of guy. “What does this have to do with my moodiness?”“Don’t you know? Haven’t you sensed it? Shelby’s your soul mate—”“No—”“Yes. Sorry, Kyle. You’re reacting like a vampire who hasn’t claimed his soul mate. It won’t impact you as badly because you’re new and haven’t fully bonded with her as a vampire, but never-the-less, you’re suffering from denying her. It’s better to face the situation than wonder about it.”“Say you’re right,” he said, knowing Dylan was exactly right, “what if we never bond?”“You’ll be a surly son-of-a-bitch to be around. Worse than you are now.” Dylan laughed. “I might have to skewer you on my broadsword every now and again if you piss me off, but you’ll live.”“Dylan? Have you ever…?”“No. I haven’t found a soul mate. I’ve been in love and lust plenty over the long years, but a soul mate I have not encountered, yet.”“Probably just as well, given the potential for pain.”He chuckled. “I’ve been told the pain is worth enduring for millennia, so great is the pleasure of a soul mate bond.”Kyle shook his head. “In my case, it can never be. I would never expose Shelby to this dark side, and if I ever weakened, and succumbed to the soul mate bond, I would inevitably lose her and find myself in the same predicament Niccolai is in now.”“True. But I thought you should know. It should be your choice.”“Then, my choice is to keep her out of this.”~~~~When Kyle could, he volunteered at the clinic in St. Loupe Parrish, the haven where the wolves lived. If he couldn’t go back to his old life, there was still plenty he could do for the locals. His new specialty was becoming supernatural health care.The next week, Dylan brought in more human donors than usual. Kyle mastered controlling his hunger and erasing their memories when he was through feeding. There were still many finer points to learn about his abilities from Dylan and a wolf shifter named Garr when he discovered he harbored another ability.The old wolf who was in charge of Jackson’s training agreed to help Kyle out, including him in Jackson’s lessons with a few other younger wolves. While Dylan researched Kyle’s family tree, Garr taught him how shifting worked. During the last few nights, the jaguar retreated during practice.The cat refused to surface around the wolves. Last night, after a few failed efforts, Kyle’s jaw elongated and his vision changed. Surrounded by Jackson and his pack, the animal that emerged from Kyle was a wolf. Within moments, he discovered his shifter ability and the wolf he’d been shielding inside him his whole life.“Garr told me about the wolf shift last night. You okay with that?” Dylan asked.“Me? Hell yes. I can add it to the other weird shit I’m dealing with. At least the pack is more comfortable around a wolf than a jaguar.”“How’s your control coming?”“Garr says I’m catching up with Jackson. Why?”“I figured you’d want to test yourself. I need an assistant for an assignment in New Orleans. You up for it?”“Me? Are you sure?” Dylan worked freelance with federal and local governments when they had cases they couldn’t explain. Kyle had never seen him use his gifts, but his work sounded fascinating. Sure, he’d love to see him in action, but did he trust himself to get that close to town? “Garr thinks I make begin my transition tonight or tomorrow night.”“Stasis will hold off this night. I’ll arrange for you to go to ground tomorrow.”“How can I help?”“I thought you might have the most sensitive sense of smell around. Not only do you have the ability as the wolf but as the jaguar as well.”“Lead on, Dylan. I will gladly be your loyal bloodhound.”
 InvestigationThe quaint house on the cobblestone street, lit by old-fashioned streetlamps, didn’t look like a crime scene from Kyle’s perspective. When Dylan opened the back door to let him in, his opinion immediately changed. The scent of death resided here. He caught the rank odor in the entryway as soon as the door opened. “You didn’t need my special sniffer for this, Dylan. Hell, anyone can smell the blood.”“I didn’t bring you here to sniff out the dead.” Dylan led him into the foyer. Suddenly another scent turned Kyle’s stomach. The stink was one that he remembered, one he thought he’d smelled once before and it overwhelmed him with horrible visions. Evil. Brimstone. The strong sulfuric scent burned his sensitive nostrils, reminding him of an old memory he couldn’t bring into focus. It overpowered the week old rot of blood and death.“Up here,” Dylan called from the top of the stairs.The closer Kyle got to the crime scene, the stronger all the scents grew, and the more he inhaled the filthy scent, the more irritated he became.Two corpses, drained of blood, were discarded on the floor like rag dolls. The red hair on the female drew Kyle’s attention first. He couldn’t breathe. He tried to take several deep breaths to steady his queasy stomach, but her appearance made his heart stop and the condition of her body made him want to vomit. “What did this?” he asked,“I’m not sure. I was hoping you could tell me. Check out her wounds,” Dylan said, pointing at the female body. “Looks like someone was very angry and went wild on her.” Not a problem. Kyle couldn’t tear his attention from her. The skin across Kyle’s back buckled and blistered like a recent road burn. Pins and needles prickled along his spine, up his back, and across his shoulder blades.Control.Blood was everywhere, but she’d been thoroughly drained. The fact that some beast also mauled her sickened him. Inspecting the physical damage to the female, he noted the tears at her throat and the claw marks on her arms and legs. She was shredded like so much used paper.“Where’s her heart?” Kyle asked. It was difficult to tell from all the gore, but there was a definite hole where her heart should be. Something had torn the young woman’s heart from her chest. “You think whoever or whatever did this, took it for some kind of voodoo ritual or what?”“No. It wasn’t voodoo. Look at this.” Dylan stepped aside to give Kyle a better view of the other victim.Kyle stepped closer, avoiding the puddles of blood and allowed the rage to rise inside him. The poor woman’s heart was in the guy’s hands, resting on his chest. A reminder. A threat. A promise?“Notice anything else strange about this guy?” Dylan stood and waited for him to examine the male’s body.“Yeah. He looks like me,” Kyle said before returning his attention to the other body. The guy, covered in blood, was about his own age with a similar build. “And Dylan...” he said and walked back to the other body. He knelt on one knee, his legs too weak to hold him, “She looks like my ex-fiancée.”Until he’d realized the poor victim wasn’t Shelby, he hadn’t taken a breath.“What? Kyle?” Dylan shook his shoulder to get his attention. “Are you saying this girl looks like your Shelby?”“Yes.”Dylan turned and glanced at the male then back at the female. “Shit!”Unlike the male victim, who’d only been killed, the young woman, who probably had once looked enough like Shelby to have been her sister, had been purposely mutilated. She stared up at Kyle with dull, lifeless eyes, her red hair spread around her like a burial shroud.Kyle sniffed the air. The purpose of the young woman’s death was suddenly crystal clear. “Amyra,” he[DC2]  whispered. “She was here. I smell the demon. She’s what did this.”“She can’t do this here.” Dylan placed a call, and when he pocketed his phone he said, “The bitch is sick.”“Very.”“I’m sorry. I’ll put more security on Shelby. We have plenty of man power to keep her safe—”“If it isn’t too late. This kill is at least a few days old.”“I’ve had a team watching Shelby since I spoke to Victor about the demon. Maybe that’s why Amyra had to settle on murdering two strangers.”Dylan was right. Kyle exhaled, unclenched his fists, and shook out his fingers. “ What can we do to stop her?”“Victor said only another with demon blood would be strong enough to defeat her. You did say you sensed the demon within you—”“Me? I’m on the verge of going into stasis and I haven’t even thought about letting my demon rise. To tell the truth it scares me brainless. I can barely contain it. I’m as likely to let it go wild on innocents as she did.”“Then we’ll band together and find another way until you emerge from stasis. By then, you’ll be stronger and I should have more details from Victor.”“No. Dylan. How can I—?”“What? Go into stasis at a time like this?” Dylan frowned. “You won’t have much choice when the moment strikes. You can’t afford to get caught alone with Amyra or in the sun when the time comes." He pointed a finger at him so Kyle knew he was serious. "Let me explain what will  happen. Without warning, you’ll drop into a deep coma-like trance. Then she would have complete control over you, and even if you manage to elude her. You'll need the rich earth in the mausoleum and the concrete to provide the proper protection from the sun. while you're in stasis, you would fry even from diffused light let alone direct sun.”“How can this end well? I can’t go into stasis while Amyra is running loose, threatening Shelby.”“Trust me. I’ll protect your soul mate for you. and should the day come that I need to call on you for help, I know I'll be able to depend on it.”"That goes without saying, Dylan. I already owe you and so many a great debt.""Trust me, it would be considered paid in full immediately if you become the vampire to stop Amyra."
Everyone who leaves their email address with a comment on my blog or on the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page between now and April 30th, 2013 will receive the complete EDITED VERSION  of this ebook for FREE when it is released. Thank you for reading my WIP version. Installments each weekend.
All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March

Two Scenes from DEFEAT THE DARKNESS by Eliza March

Inspiration...DEFEAT THE DARKNESSBook 1 Hearts of Darkness By ELIZA MARCHChapters posted in March and April are here on the weekly blog list. Chapters posted prior to March are at  the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page. Start there to read from the beginning. 
REMINDER: Comment here or there and leave an email address before April 30th to receive a finished copy of the ebook when it's released. 
Thank you for sharing. ~~~Eliza 
ResearchMax stood shirtless at the counter, looking like a Chippendale in his black slacks and skin as Shelby came downstairs for breakfast. She would have put the thoughts of sex out of her mind if her muscles weren’t reminding her how damn good it had been. After several months of celibacy, she hurt in places she’d forgotten existed. “Coffee smells awesome. Any beignets left?”He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “I saved two for you,” he said, turning and handing her a cup. She took a step back to get a better look at him and sipped to test the temperature of the coffee. It was just the way she liked it, sweet and creamy, and so was the man. It took all her self-control not to openly ogle him, and the way those broad shoulders flared, narrowing to his waist and tight ass, were definitely ogle-worthy. If he caught her admiring him, she’d never live it down. Turning aside, she drank her coffee and tried to concentrate on anything else.
“Two for me?” She picked up one of the beignets and asked, “What about you?” “I ate my share while you were in the shower. Not taking any chances. For a little thing, you sure know how to pack away the food.”“I never wanted to be known as one of those delicate Southern Belles who acted like they never ate.” She shoved a sweet powdered piece in her mouth and moaned as she licked her lips.Max’s eyes lit up with interest.“Thanks. This is perfect.” She lowered her lashes and lifted the mug to her lips.  “You need a ride to your place to pick up a few things before I take you to the hospital?”“No,” she snapped before she realized it. She couldn’t face the apartment, not after what happened with Kyle or last night. “It’s okay,” she added, trying to cover her over-reaction to his simple question. “Thanks, anyway. I have clean scrubs in my locker.” She finished the coffee and wiped her lips with the napkin, then went to the sink to avoid looking at Max while she washed out her cup. “Maybe tomorrow, after my shift.” “Ah? Are you ready to go back to work?”“Don’t be a pest about this—”“Not about him.” Max growled. “The drug.”“Oh. Oh, I-I’m okay, I’m sure.” But was she? “I want to get started on your tests before my committee meeting this morning.”A sharp pain from the memories choked her. She’d forgotten about the tests. Perhaps “forgotten” wasn’t the word. She’d “blocked” the memories. Every time one pushed into her conscious thoughts, she fought back, replacing it with childhood and adolescent memories of Max. Those she could face, those carefree days before puberty interfered. Despite her denial, she did feel strange about hopping into bed with him. World class rebound sex or not, seducing him was highly unlike her.“How long will it take you to get ready to leave? “Give me ten minutes. I have to do something with my hair.”  Max’s gaze rose to her hair. He raised an eyebrow and smirked. She tried to smooth it by running her fingers through it, but it was wild and snarled from the shower. “Don’t say anything. I ran out of detangler.”“Sorry, I used the last of it. Not used to sharing.” Max’s hands went palm out and his eyes opened innocently, but she saw the twitch tempting his lips. “There’s probably spray something or other in the guest bathroom that will help.” Yes, there would be. The subtle reminder of her presence in his bed and using his bathroom sent heat to her cheeks. She wasn’t ready to discuss the multitude of intimacies they shared all night and as usual, Max intuitively sensed her reluctance to examine what happened between them.“Come here.” The tone in his voice signified his determination and a sexual spark of interest glimmered in his expression. It made her heart race, but she was drawn to him anyway. Was she afraid to face her feelings for him? She couldn’t refuse without creating suspicion.“Okay, but I’m not counting this in my ten minutes,” she said as she approached.He lifted her chin with one finger and ran his thumb across her lower lip. “We don’t have to talk about anything yet. Okay?”Damn. She blinked and swallowed. Shelby didn’t dare try to speak. She nodded as he scooped her into his arms and kissed her. Wow! What a kiss. Max released her and she stumbled back trying to catch her breath.“Don’t think there won’t be more where that came from.” He turned her, swatted her ass, and then pulled his shirt off the chair. “Now get going. We have a lot to do today, and I want to get home early so we can go over the test results.” When she glanced over her shoulder, he’d already put on his shirt and was tucking it in. It was a crime to cover up all that golden muscle.~~~~ Ten minutes later, almost to the second, Shelby crossed the kitchen, heading to the garage. “Meet you in the car,” she hollered into his study.“Be right there.”The garage had no window, so without the overhead florescent, it was dark when she stepped down the first step and started to close the door behind her. She backed up and tried the light switch. Nothing.Goosebumps rose over her skin and the hair on the back of her neck bristled. An unusual scent in the garage almost sickened her. What was it? She couldn’t recall. It was one of those scentual memories leaving you with the emotion without being able to identify the cause. Sometimes the memory was positive, making you suddenly think of comfort and a warm spring day. Not this one. Fear consumed her, froze her to the step, and prevented her from flipping the switch.Was this reaction a result of the drug? Some sort of flashback? A rebound side effect?  Max’s arm reached around her, and he pushed the garage door opener. As the door lifted, light flooded the garage.“The switch didn’t work when we drove in last night. I need to look at it, later.” He stared at her as she scanned the garage and shook off the hallucination.  “What’s wrong?”“Nothing. I just freaked myself out.”“After your experience, it’s not a surprise.” He took her arm and immediately stopped. “What the hell? You’re shaking. What happened? It’s more than you’re letting on.”“Yeah, well, I remembered something. The scent of sulfur. I thought I smelled it when I stepped out here.”Max sniffed the air. “I don’t smell anything. Maybe you should be checked out physically when you get to work.”“Please, no.” The last thing she needed was sympathy from her coworkers. “I don’t want anyone to know what happened.”“All right, but we may need to run more tests. The drug could have affected something besides your olfactory senses. I’ll add a few other tests to the chemical analysis, too.” Max helped her into the car and then walked around to the driver’s side. When he climbed in, and closed the door, he looked serious. “Promise if anything else happens you’ll tell me.”“Promise. Scouts’ honor.” She held up two fingers.“You were never a scout.” He glanced at her then back to the rear view mirror.“True. Mrs. Dalton ran the program like a Confederate General. What a pain. I had to learn all my scouting tips from you.”“Swear on our friendship.”Shelby puffed out a breath. “Good grief, Max. You’re getting paranoid.” He glared at her. She knew that look. She wasn’t winning this argument. He was stubborn that way. “Okay! On our friendship.” She flipped him the bird.“Geezus!” Max laughed and shook his head. “You are incorrigible.”“I think it’s one of my finer traits, and one you always admired most about me.” She grinned proudly at him. “We have that in common.” The streets were busy, yet traffic was light. Max turned into the hospital parking garage and found a spot near the elevator. Shelby didn’t wait for him to open the door. She stepped out of the car and took a deep breath. Suddenly a flashback of the smothering humidity in Guatemala assailed her senses. Her knees buckled. She gripped the door, took a deep cleansing breath, and shook off the dizzy spell.“Shelby, are you okay?” The concern was evident in his voice as he rounded the car and took her arm.  “I’m fine. This heat is already oppressive, and it’s not even seven yet. Any rain evident in the forecast?” “No. Just more of this wet heavy air.” Typical city scents like exhaust, garbage, and old urine assaulted her, not the dank moldy scent of the jungle even though the similar humidity hovered around ninety-nine percent. “Look Shelby, I want to see you at lunch. Can you get away?”  “Sure. I wasn’t supposed to be back… Anyway, I just need to check in and pick up a new schedule. I’ll walk over to your department and wait for you when I’m done.” The familiar hospital neighborhood calmed her nerves. It was good to be back, she thought as she stepped in when the elevator door opened..He pushed the buttons for their respective floors and held the door open when the car reached her floor. “ Wait. Shelby, are you going to be okay?”“Sooner or later.” She stepped back into the elevator and gave him a quick friendly kiss. “Stop worrying. I’m tougher than I look.” She stepped out as he said, “Tough is good. Brittle isn’t.” “See you in a few…” When the door closed between them, Shelby exhaled and glanced around, still feeling a little shaky. What was she doing here? Was he right? Was it too soon? She couldn’t risk hallucinating while working with patients. What the hell was wrong with her? Getting the results back from her drug tests were looking more important than she’d first thought. She’d have to put off starting her work schedule for a few days. That should be enough time for Max to figure out what the drug was and by then the damn effects would clear her system.~~~~Max carried the bag with the specimens for testing to his lab. The place was empty for the time being. He had about an hour alone to run his tests before his team showed up for work. By then he’d have the results programmed into his personal computer to avoid questions.Besides, he wanted to start Shelby on a blood cleanse if he could talk her into it. After the incident in the garage this morning, he was more concerned about the long lasting side effects of the drug she ingested than he’d been at first. If it hadn’t cleared her system by last night, he needed to run more tests as soon as possible to find out what was going on with her. She wasn’t sharing everything. Those hallucinations were serious. The sooner he finished the tests the sooner he’d have the results. He put the bag on the table, prepared the specimens, and ran the centrifuge. After he set up a few slides with her blood samples, he made a pot of coffee and waited. Once the coffee was finished dripping, he intended to examine the slides briefly before the first tests results began printing to his computer. The first glimpse of the slides drained the blood from his head. It was a good thing he was sitting down. He picked up the first one and the next, physically rechecking to make sure they were the ones he’d just prepared. There weren’t any other samples around or anyone else to mess with his head. He opened the files that started popping up on his screen and held his breath. Something was wrong. Her blood contained some sort of mutated blood cells he’d never seen before. The sick feeling in the pit of his stomach wouldn’t lighten up. It tightened as he considered and rejected every option. The computer program was spitting out error messages with every result.He entered the data into the computer and added the details as the computers recalculated the new results from the tests he’d run.   “Fuck!” Nothing looked good. The hair contained remnants of a paralytic drug, probably some native plant. The urine sample confirmed small traces left even after more than forty-eight hours. That confirmed that she’d been heavily drugged, or this stuff was extremely potent.    He reached for his phone, scrolled the recent calls, and pressed send when he reached Dr. Salazar’s number. If anyone knew about the effects of Guatemala’s native plants, he would. After three rings, Max found himself clenching his teeth, impatient for an answer. Fortunately, the doctor answered on the fourth ring. Max couldn’t take much more tension.He explained what happened to Shelby and his findings so far to Salazar. He left out the part about Amyra and Kyle sprouting fangs. The doctor confirmed the potency of the suspected drug and the potential side effects, but the blood mutation didn’t factor into it. He suggested Max run a DNA panel on Shelby’s blood to determine the cause of the mutated blood cells and asked about hallucinations. Desperate for answers, Max decided to share the whole story, vampire hallucination and all.Salazar didn’t sound surprised considering the weirdness factor. He offered to look at the test results if Max didn’t mind sending them. Finally, he asked about Shelby’s physical and emotional condition and then offered his condolences when Max told him about the bites and the break up with Kyle.He breathed a sigh of relief after the phone call. Dr. Salazar had an international reputation for being one of the foremost authorities on third world health problems. If Shelby picked up something while she was in the jungle, Max felt better knowing Salazar would look over the results. He punched in the codes and sent the data to Salazar. The rest of his team was due in any time, so he cleared all the data and samples out of the lab. He locked them in his personal office. After he checked to make sure he didn’t miss anything, he collapsed into his chair and exhaled. He had no idea what he was going to tell Shelby when she showed up for lunch.If he couldn’t convince her to take more time off at least he could bully her into more tests. He had to find out more about that mutation in her blood.
 Training with DylanBefore dawn and after sunset Dylan, Jackson and Kyle practiced an ancient form of Tai Chi. After the evening ritual, Kyle hunted the swamps as the jaguar to build his strength and Jackson joined the wolf pack for more training.  The late afternoons, Kyle spent working out with Dylan in the weight room. The gym in the lower level of the estate was better equipped than any he’d seen. The Olympic sized pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna rivaled the best anywhere. Kyle noted Dylan apparently took training seriously.Although he was significantly stronger in his jaguar form, training as a human built muscle more effectively. He flexed his biceps that were now twice their normal size and checked out his torso. He’d packed on some bulk since he’d arrived. Kyle wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and repositioned the weights before he tested their weight. They felt like nothing to him now compared to when he’d started working out earlier. He was gaining ground fast. Kyle added extra plates to the bar and lifted. Good. He felt the difference. He had a lot of ground to cover before he completed his transition and training. Stasis would begin any day now. “How long before I complete my transition?” he asked Dylan.“There’s no way of telling. It’s different for different people.” Dylan picked up the other set of barbells and pumped them as if they were feather-light. He pumped so fast Kyle could barely make out the plates. “Take advantage of this time to build yourself up physically.” Kyle never saw anyone work out with Dylan’s vengeance. He claimed he worked out for the pleasure—but Kyle suspected it was more than that. The truth was Dylan needed a way to derive those near-death-experience endorphins he used to get after a good battle. Swords and axes weren’t weapons of choice anymore and he claimed guns just didn’t give him the same rush—too impersonal. Although he claimed to be a leader, appreciative of the finer things in life, the mercenary warrior mentality he’d once had was still evident. His body hadn’t changed in over three hundred years and neither had his need for action. He enjoyed his workouts, especially the ones Kyle knew he did in private. Last week, Kyle accidently intruded. He observed Dylan swinging a battle ax, beheading, and gutting a straw soldier in his private garden. He moved like a dancer, all grace and power, effortlessly wielding the weapons and an old beat up shield in rapid choreographed actions until he was nothing more than a blur of motion. When he finished, he glanced over at Kyle and said, grinning broadly, “With a bit more practice you can take the dummy’s place.”Kyle shook his head, “Never. You’re too good for the likes of me. I’d never take you on at your own game. Now let me stalk you out in the swamp and it might be a slightly more even match.”Dylan tossed Kyle his broad sword. Even with his added muscle and strength, the thing weighed a ton. Dylan wielded it as if it weighed little or nothing.He wondered, “You think I’ll ever be able to function or adjust to this life as easily as you and Victor have?” Dylan took a swig from the flask filled with his favorite blood type. “Ask yourself that question later. In three hundred years see how you feel then.”“Point taken.”“If you develop strength in your weakest state, then when you shift into the jaguar, you’ll be many times stronger. Look how well you’re doing. When you emerge from stasis you’ll be a force to be reckoned with.” “I hope so.”Stasis was the time when new vampires went to ground to finish their metamorphosis. Dylan likened it to a caterpillar going into a chrysalis and coming out as a butterfly. Kyle wondered what he’d be when he emerged.“Is something wrong?” Dylan asked. “No, nothing. Just tired.”“There’s not much time left before you go into stasis. Don’t forget you’re building muscle for eternity.” “Yeah. I get the drift.” Kyle puffed out a breath and returned to his weights. Dylan didn’t break a sweat while Kyle grunted, breathing like a locomotive chugging uphill. At times like this, when his tolerance was being tested, his vision narrowed and the light in the room grew brighter. If it was either his jaguar or vampire testing his control, his peripheral vision usually broadened. Since Kyle hadn’t finished his transition, he hadn’t reached his full potential—not with his vampire powers. Thank goodness the demon powers hadn’t begun to manifest, either. He took a few deep breaths and cleared his mind of negative thoughts the way Salazar taught him and focused on the work out. The more strength, control, and power he accumulated before he entered stasis, the stronger he would be when he emerged. And if he had an eternity to deal with the likes of Amyra, he’d need every bit of power he could muster.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anyone who leaves their email address with a comment on my blog or on the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page between now and April 30th, 2013 will receive the complete EDITED VERSION  of this ebook for FREE when it is released. Thank you for reading my WIP version. Installments each weekend.
All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March

Dizzy From the Drug or the Hunk? DEFEAT THE DARKNESS by Eliza March

Inspiration...DEFEAT THE DARKNESSBook 1 Hearts of Darkness By ELIZA MARCHChapters posted in March and April are here on the weekly blog list. Chapters posted prior to March are at  the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page. Start there to read from the beginning. 
REMINDER: Comment here or there and leave an email address before April 30th to receive a finished copy of the ebook when it's released. 
Thank you for sharing. ~~~Eliza 
ResearchMax stood shirtless at the counter, looking like a Chippendale in his black slacks and skin as Shelby came downstairs for breakfast. She would have put the thoughts of sex out of her mind if her muscles weren’t reminding her how damn good it had been. After several months of celibacy, she hurt in places she’d forgotten existed. “Coffee smells awesome. Any beignets left?”He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “I saved two for you,” he said, turning and handing her a cup. She took a step back to get a better look at him and sipped to test the temperature of the coffee. It was just the way she liked it, sweet and creamy, and so was the man. It took all her self-control not to openly ogle him, and the way those broad shoulders flared, narrowing to his waist and tight ass, were definitely ogle-worthy. If he caught her admiring him, she’d never live it down. Turning aside, she drank her coffee and tried to concentrate on anything else. “Two for me?” She picked up one of the beignets and asked, “What about you?” “I ate my share while you were in the shower. Not taking any chances. For a little thing, you sure know how to pack away the food.”“I never wanted to be known as one of those delicate Southern Belles who acted like they never ate.” She shoved a sweet powdered piece in her mouth and moaned as she licked her lips.Max’s eyes lit up with interest.“Thanks. This is perfect.” She lowered her lashes and lifted the mug to her lips.  “You need a ride to your place to pick up a few things before I take you to the hospital?”“No,” she snapped before she realized it. She couldn’t face the apartment, not after what happened with Kyle or last night. “It’s okay,” she added, trying to cover her over-reaction to his simple question. “Thanks, anyway. I have clean scrubs in my locker.” She finished the coffee and wiped her lips with the napkin, then went to the sink to avoid looking at Max while she washed out her cup. “Maybe tomorrow, after my shift.” “Ah? Are you ready to go back to work?”“Don’t be a pest about this—”“Not about him.” Max growled. “The drug.”“Oh. Oh, I-I’m okay, I’m sure.” But was she? “I want to get started on your tests before my committee meeting this morning.”A sharp pain from the memories choked her. She’d forgotten about the tests. Perhaps “forgotten” wasn’t the word. She’d “blocked” the memories. Every time one pushed into her conscious thoughts, she fought back, replacing it with childhood and adolescent memories of Max. Those she could face, those carefree days before puberty interfered. Despite her denial, she did feel strange about hopping into bed with him. World class rebound sex or not, seducing him was highly unlike her.“How long will it take you to get ready to leave? “Give me ten minutes. I have to do something with my hair.”  Max’s gaze rose to her hair. He raised an eyebrow and smirked. She tried to smooth it by running her fingers through it, but it was wild and snarled from the shower. “Don’t say anything. I ran out of detangler.”“Sorry, I used the last of it. Not used to sharing.” Max’s hands went palm out and his eyes opened innocently, but she saw the twitch tempting his lips. “There’s probably spray something or other in the guest bathroom that will help.” Yes, there would be. The subtle reminder of her presence in his bed and using his bathroom sent heat to her cheeks. She wasn’t ready to discuss the multitude of intimacies they shared all night and as usual, Max intuitively sensed her reluctance to examine what happened between them.“Come here.” The tone in his voice signified his determination and a sexual spark of interest glimmered in his expression. It made her heart race, but she was drawn to him anyway. Was she afraid to face her feelings for him? She couldn’t refuse without creating suspicion.“Okay, but I’m not counting this in my ten minutes,” she said as she approached.He lifted her chin with one finger and ran his thumb across her lower lip. “We don’t have to talk about anything yet. Okay?”Damn. She blinked and swallowed. Shelby didn’t dare try to speak. She nodded as he scooped her into his arms and kissed her. Wow! What a kiss. Max released her and she stumbled back trying to catch her breath.“Don’t think there won’t be more where that came from.” He turned her, swatted her ass, and then pulled his shirt off the chair. “Now get going. We have a lot to do today, and I want to get home early so we can go over the test results.” When she glanced over her shoulder, he’d already put on his shirt and was tucking it in. It was a crime to cover up all that golden muscle.~~~~ Ten minutes later, almost to the second, Shelby crossed the kitchen, heading to the garage. “Meet you in the car,” she hollered into his study.“Be right there.”The garage had no window, so without the overhead florescent, it was dark when she stepped down the first step and started to close the door behind her. She backed up and tried the light switch. Nothing.Goosebumps rose over her skin and the hair on the back of her neck bristled. An unusual scent in the garage almost sickened her. What was it? She couldn’t recall. It was one of those scentual memories leaving you with the emotion without being able to identify the cause. Sometimes the memory was positive, making you suddenly think of comfort and a warm spring day. Not this one. Fear consumed her, froze her to the step, and prevented her from flipping the switch.Was this reaction a result of the drug? Some sort of flashback? A rebound side effect?  Max’s arm reached around her, and he pushed the garage door opener. As the door lifted, light flooded the garage.“The switch didn’t work when we drove in last night. I need to look at it, later.” He stared at her as she scanned the garage and shook off the hallucination.  “What’s wrong?”“Nothing. I just freaked myself out.”“After your experience, it’s not a surprise.” He took her arm and immediately stopped. “What the hell? You’re shaking. What happened? It’s more than you’re letting on.”“Yeah, well, I remembered something. The scent of sulfur. I thought I smelled it when I stepped out here.”Max sniffed the air. “I don’t smell anything. Maybe you should be checked out physically when you get to work.”“Please, no.” The last thing she needed was sympathy from her coworkers. “I don’t want anyone to know what happened.”“All right, but we may need to run more tests. The drug could have affected something besides your olfactory senses. I’ll add a few other tests to the chemical analysis, too.” Max helped her into the car and then walked around to the driver’s side. When he climbed in, and closed the door, he looked serious. “Promise if anything else happens you’ll tell me.”“Promise. Scouts’ honor.” She held up two fingers.“You were never a scout.” He glanced at her then back to the rear view mirror.“True. Mrs. Dalton ran the program like a Confederate General. What a pain. I had to learn all my scouting tips from you.”“Swear on our friendship.”Shelby puffed out a breath. “Good grief, Max. You’re getting paranoid.” He glared at her. She knew that look. She wasn’t winning this argument. He was stubborn that way. “Okay! On our friendship.” She flipped him the bird.“Geezus!” Max laughed and shook his head. “You are incorrigible.”“I think it’s one of my finer traits, and one you always admired most about me.” She grinned proudly at him. “We have that in common.” The streets were busy, yet traffic was light. Max turned into the hospital parking garage and found a spot near the elevator. Shelby didn’t wait for him to open the door. She stepped out of the car and took a deep breath. Suddenly a flashback of the smothering humidity in Guatemala assailed her senses. Her knees buckled. She gripped the door, took a deep cleansing breath, and shook off the dizzy spell.“Shelby, are you okay?” The concern was evident in his voice as he rounded the car and took her arm.  “I’m fine. This heat is already oppressive, and it’s not even seven yet. Any rain evident in the forecast?” “No. Just more of this wet heavy air.” Typical city scents like exhaust, garbage, and old urine assaulted her, not the dank moldy scent of the jungle even though the similar humidity hovered around ninety-nine percent. “Look Shelby, I want to see you at lunch. Can you get away?”  “Sure. I wasn’t supposed to be back… Anyway, I just need to check in and pick up a new schedule. I’ll walk over to your department and wait for you when I’m done.” The familiar hospital neighborhood calmed her nerves. It was good to be back, she thought as she stepped in when the elevator door opened..He pushed the buttons for their respective floors and held the door open when the car reached her floor. “ Wait. Shelby, are you going to be okay?”“Sooner or later.” She stepped back into the elevator and gave him a quick friendly kiss. “Stop worrying. I’m tougher than I look.” She stepped out as he said, “Tough is good. Brittle isn’t.” “See you in a few…” When the door closed between them, Shelby exhaled and glanced around, still feeling a little shaky. What was she doing here? Was he right? Was it too soon? She couldn’t risk hallucinating while working with patients. What the hell was wrong with her? Getting the results back from her drug tests were looking more important than she’d first thought. She’d have to put off starting her work schedule for a few days. That should be enough time for Max to figure out what the drug was and by then the damn effects would clear her system.~~~~Max carried the bag with the specimens for testing to his lab. The place was empty for the time being. He had about an hour alone to run his tests before his team showed up for work. By then he’d have the results programmed into his personal computer to avoid questions.Besides, he wanted to start Shelby on a blood cleanse if he could talk her into it. After the incident in the garage this morning, he was more concerned about the long lasting side effects of the drug she ingested than he’d been at first. If it hadn’t cleared her system by last night, he needed to run more tests as soon as possible to find out what was going on with her. She wasn’t sharing everything. Those hallucinations were serious. The sooner he finished the tests the sooner he’d have the results. He put the bag on the table, prepared the specimens, and ran the centrifuge. After he set up a few slides with her blood samples, he made a pot of coffee and waited. Once the coffee was finished dripping, he intended to examine the slides briefly before the first tests results began printing to his computer. The first glimpse of the slides drained the blood from his head. It was a good thing he was sitting down. He picked up the first one and the next, physically rechecking to make sure they were the ones he’d just prepared. There weren’t any other samples around or anyone else to mess with his head. He opened the files that started popping up on his screen and held his breath. Something was wrong. Her blood contained some sort of mutated blood cells he’d never seen before. The sick feeling in the pit of his stomach wouldn’t lighten up. It tightened as he considered and rejected every option. The computer program was spitting out error messages with every result.He entered the data into the computer and added the details as the computers recalculated the new results from the tests he’d run.   “Fuck!” Nothing looked good. The hair contained remnants of a paralytic drug, probably some native plant. The urine sample confirmed small traces left even after more than forty-eight hours. That confirmed that she’d been heavily drugged, or this stuff was extremely potent.    He reached for his phone, scrolled the recent calls, and pressed send when he reached Dr. Salazar’s number. If anyone knew about the effects of Guatemala’s native plants, he would. After three rings, Max found himself clenching his teeth, impatient for an answer. Fortunately, the doctor answered on the fourth ring. Max couldn’t take much more tension.He explained what happened to Shelby and his findings so far to Salazar. He left out the part about Amyra and Kyle sprouting fangs. The doctor confirmed the potency of the suspected drug and the potential side effects, but the blood mutation didn’t factor into it. He suggested Max run a DNA panel on Shelby’s blood to determine the cause of the mutated blood cells and asked about hallucinations. Desperate for answers, Max decided to share the whole story, vampire hallucination and all.Salazar didn’t sound surprised considering the weirdness factor. He offered to look at the test results if Max didn’t mind sending them. Finally, he asked about Shelby’s physical and emotional condition and then offered his condolences when Max told him about the bites and the break up with Kyle.He breathed a sigh of relief after the phone call. Dr. Salazar had an international reputation for being one of the foremost authorities on third world health problems. If Shelby picked up something while she was in the jungle, Max felt better knowing Salazar would look over the results. He punched in the codes and sent the data to Salazar. The rest of his team was due in any time, so he cleared all the data and samples out of the lab. He locked them in his personal office. After he checked to make sure he didn’t miss anything, he collapsed into his chair and exhaled. He had no idea what he was going to tell Shelby when she showed up for lunch.If he couldn’t convince her to take more time off at least he could bully her into more tests. He had to find out more about that mutation in her blood.
 Training with DylanBefore dawn and after sunset Dylan, Jackson and Kyle practiced an ancient form of Tai Chi. After the evening ritual, Kyle hunted the swamps as the jaguar to build his strength and Jackson joined the wolf pack for more training.  The late afternoons, Kyle spent working out with Dylan in the weight room. The gym in the lower level of the estate was better equipped than any he’d seen. The Olympic sized pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna rivaled the best anywhere. Kyle noted Dylan apparently took training seriously.Although he was significantly stronger in his jaguar form, training as a human built muscle more effectively. He flexed his biceps that were now twice their normal size and checked out his torso. He’d packed on some bulk since he’d arrived. Kyle wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and repositioned the weights before he tested their weight. They felt like nothing to him now compared to when he’d started working out earlier. He was gaining ground fast. Kyle added extra plates to the bar and lifted. Good. He felt the difference. He had a lot of ground to cover before he completed his transition and training. Stasis would begin any day now. “How long before I complete my transition?” he asked Dylan.“There’s no way of telling. It’s different for different people.” Dylan picked up the other set of barbells and pumped them as if they were feather-light. He pumped so fast Kyle could barely make out the plates. “Take advantage of this time to build yourself up physically.” Kyle never saw anyone work out with Dylan’s vengeance. He claimed he worked out for the pleasure—but Kyle suspected it was more than that. The truth was Dylan needed a way to derive those near-death-experience endorphins he used to get after a good battle. Swords and axes weren’t weapons of choice anymore and he claimed guns just didn’t give him the same rush—too impersonal. Although he claimed to be a leader, appreciative of the finer things in life, the mercenary warrior mentality he’d once had was still evident. His body hadn’t changed in over three hundred years and neither had his need for action. He enjoyed his workouts, especially the ones Kyle knew he did in private. Last week, Kyle accidently intruded. He observed Dylan swinging a battle ax, beheading, and gutting a straw soldier in his private garden. He moved like a dancer, all grace and power, effortlessly wielding the weapons and an old beat up shield in rapid choreographed actions until he was nothing more than a blur of motion. When he finished, he glanced over at Kyle and said, grinning broadly, “With a bit more practice you can take the dummy’s place.”Kyle shook his head, “Never. You’re too good for the likes of me. I’d never take you on at your own game. Now let me stalk you out in the swamp and it might be a slightly more even match.”Dylan tossed Kyle his broad sword. Even with his added muscle and strength, the thing weighed a ton. Dylan wielded it as if it weighed little or nothing.He wondered, “You think I’ll ever be able to function or adjust to this life as easily as you and Victor have?” Dylan took a swig from the flask filled with his favorite blood type. “Ask yourself that question later. In three hundred years see how you feel then.”“Point taken.”“If you develop strength in your weakest state, then when you shift into the jaguar, you’ll be many times stronger. Look how well you’re doing. When you emerge from stasis you’ll be a force to be reckoned with.” “I hope so.”Stasis was the time when new vampires went to ground to finish their metamorphosis. Dylan likened it to a caterpillar going into a chrysalis and coming out as a butterfly. Kyle wondered what he’d be when he emerged.“Is something wrong?” Dylan asked. “No, nothing. Just tired.”“There’s not much time left before you go into stasis. Don’t forget you’re building muscle for eternity.” “Yeah. I get the drift.” Kyle puffed out a breath and returned to his weights. Dylan didn’t break a sweat while Kyle grunted, breathing like a locomotive chugging uphill. At times like this, when his tolerance was being tested, his vision narrowed and the light in the room grew brighter. If it was either his jaguar or vampire testing his control, his peripheral vision usually broadened. Since Kyle hadn’t finished his transition, he hadn’t reached his full potential—not with his vampire powers. Thank goodness the demon powers hadn’t begun to manifest, either. He took a few deep breaths and cleared his mind of negative thoughts the way Salazar taught him and focused on the work out. The more strength, control, and power he accumulated before he entered stasis, the stronger he would be when he emerged. And if he had an eternity to deal with the likes of Amyra, he’d need every bit of power he could muster.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anyone who leaves their email address with a comment on my blog or on the DEFEAT THE DARKNESS page between now and April 30th, 2013 will receive the complete EDITED VERSION  of this ebook for FREE when it is released. Thank you for reading my WIP version. Installments each weekend.
All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March

DEFEAT THE DARKNESS: Escape from Guatemala by Eliza March

Escape
The sound of the rain hitting the tent kept up a steady beat. The drizzle started as a downpour and had only stopped for a few minutes for nearly five days. If it kept up, there would be more mudslides, and Kylecouldn’t face another week in this place. He sorted through the paperwork he’d filled out. The new surgeon’s training was complete, and all Kyle needed was his new I.D. The final papers would guarantee his return trip home. Nicolai, Victor’s vampire friend from New Orleans, wasn’t available for some reason. A younger vampire, some guy named Dylan Macgregor, was assigned to watch over Nicolai’s assets. Apparently he was trustworthy since Nicolaihad left his only son in his care. Dylankindly agreed to help Kyle out—new identity, new home, new life. Amyra would have a difficult time tracking him in the midst of a community of vampires, at least for the time it took him to get up to speed with his powers. A courier was supposed to arrive with the details in a package. So far, no one that Kyle was aware of had shown. One last time, he checked his inbox for messages then packed up his computer to put it with the rest of his gear. The only thing he could think about was getting out while Amyra was gone. He was growing antsy, unsure he’d survive a confrontation with her. Getting away now would mean escape. He needed training and strength to reach his potential before he confronted her. No one knew better than he did that he wasn’t strong enough. He’d accidentally breached the dark recesses of her mind, and found she had no intention of freeing him. She’d never be satisfied. There was something else she wanted from him—something she was hiding. As far as he was concerned their bargain was complete.The tent flap barely moved as Victorentered, an envelope in his hand. “Macgregor will be waiting for you when you land. Here are the details.” Victorhanded him a sheet of paper. “Your passport and everything you need are in the envelope. Follow the directions he sent, and I’ll send updates when I can.”“Thanks.” Kyle skimmed the dates and times. He looked up at Victor. “How? I have to be in Puerto Caracas tomorrow.”“Julian and his father will take you there tonight. They are readying the launch now.”The villagers had been feeding him, he’d been training with Julian’s father, and Victor had been working with him about uncovering his hidden powers. Now they were smuggling him home at risk to their own safety. “I owe these people a debt of gratitude for helping me survive.”“You gave up your life for Julian and his family. These people won’t forget that, Kyle.”“Why do I feel like I’m abandoning them?”“You aren’t. She used them against you. She finds everyone’s weakness and uses it to her advantage. Do not concern yourself. I will not allow Amyra to hurt them.” Victor smiled at Kyle. “I can handle her. How do you think I have survived?”Kyle frowned. “It’s not that. I thought I was the one going to destroy—” “That day may yet come. For now, your fate lies elsewhere. Go home. Do the work you were born to do and when you’re ready—find your Shelby. Tell her the truth.”Kyle shook his head. “I don’t want this life for her.”“She will be safer with you if Amyra decides to leverage her options.”“I’ll watch over her. She’ll never know I’m there. If I learn how to mask my feelings and thoughts, Amyra won’t find me, either.”“Doctors, the boat. It is ready.” Julian said. “Come.” Victor picked up Kyle’s bag and handed it to him. “Take this and get going. I will send news when I can.”“Erase their memories. I don’t want anyone to know who helped.” Kylestarted down the path with Julian then turned to wave to Victor before they headed into the dense foliage. With strength he derived from the human blood, shifting became second nature to him. The benefits like healing, stealth, and increased stamina manifested when he was in his jaguar form. They far outweighed his puny human nature. The native paths through the underbrush were still difficult to navigate. The only way he would make his way through the jungle to the boat like this was with the boy’s help. When he shifted, his jaguar could see in the dark, smell the animals and plants, sense danger or find the river by instinct alone. The animal inside him knew the jungle like a hooker knew Basin Street. It took Kyle’s party of three over a six hours to paddle the distance even though he and Jose, Julian’s father, did most of the paddling. He’d regained his strength, and then some, since Amyra left last week. Now, stronger than the muscular Jose, he did the majority of the work. The incentive to escape was a great motivator. The sooner he was out of the jungle, away from Amyra, and back in New Orleans, the better. As far as he was concerned his deal with the devil had come to an end.
The Plan
At the airstrip outside Senebreeze, Kyle removed his jungle clothes and washed up, changing into his jeans and black, pullover t-shirt before taking off. Several hours later, after landing in another small private airstrip outside Baton Rouge, he thanked the pilot, then the customs agent and pocketed his new passport and papers. The name change wasn’t much, but his photo reflected the difference in his size and appearance. The air was hot and muggy, not much different from the jungle heat, but out here, the midday sun hurt his eyes. Victor said the sensitivity would diminish over time given his background. The dark glasses he slipped on were more for protection than style, although that hadn’t always been so. Shelby once mentioned she thought he looked hot in them. The memory hurt his chest. He pulled them off and shoved them into his pocket, opting for the watering eyes and the burn. Pain. It was what reminded him how much things had changed. His senses went into hyper-drive. Sound, light, thoughts. Sensations rushed at him. With a little concentration he could mellow the effects enough to focus on one at a time. Scents. He sniffed the air and muted the thoughts and sounds. The air was full of so many different scents, some barely discernible. Others overpowered everything else. He couldn’t tell one smell from another. He was improving though.Today, the worst of the odors wasn’t him, even if he still needed a bath and a shave. The jet fuel and exhaust fumes topped everything as he headed in the direction of the exit to meet Dylan. The only person or vehicle out front fit the vampire’s description. “Kyle?” Dylan asked from behind his own set of designer shades.“Yeah, right here.” Kyle waved and picked up his pace. He wiped his watery eyes with the back of his hand. Stupid! He patted his pants, digging for his glasses and surrendered to couture before he reached the car. “Kyle MacLachlan.” He used his new last name. Wiping his hands on his pants, he checked them before holding out his hand. “Sorry, about the mud and all, man. I washed up before I boarded but it was a long trip out of the jungle. No time for luxuries along the way.” “Dylan Macgregor.” To his credit, Dylan took his hand and shook it. “No need for apologies,” he said and pointed to the open the trunk. “Toss your gear in there and make yourself comfortable up front.” The car was too clean for the likes of him. He kicked his boots against the curb to knock off any remaining mud while Dylan closed the trunk and climbed into the driver’s seat. Kyle opened the passenger door and sprawled out in the luxury of air conditioning, quiet, and the fresh scent of leather. “I can’t tell you how much this means, you going to so much trouble and all for me.”Dylan checked the rear view mirror and pulled out. “No problem. Do I detect a hint of Bostonin your speech?” Kyle chuckled. “I think it’s more than a hint. But you? You have a touch of the Highlands in yours.”“Aye. That was a very long time ago but it stuck like a burr.” He pointed to the back seat. “There’s a bag with a couple of pints of warm O-positive back there. I figured you might be hungry.”“I am. My senses are on overload and I think I’m drained from the sun.” “Tired?” “Yeah. I fed,” he looked at his watch, “yesterday. I need to hunt. When blood straight from the vein isn’t available, I discovered I’m better off hunting as the jaguar and feeding. But, I get by with bagged blood.” “Good to know. We’ll find a safe place for you to hunt. I’m just glad we could get you back home without incident. We like to keep a low profile.”“Understood. Doing a good job, too. I had nooo idea the stuff of horror flicks and nightmares was all true.” Kyle shook his head and waved his hands to emphasize his statement.“That’s good to know.” Dylanglanced over at him and chuckled. “You’ll need a place to crash and a few lessons in being...well...what you’ve become.” “Right,” Kylemuttered. “Whatever that is.”“I think we can help you out.”“Hell, I hope so. I’m not sure what I inherited from Amyra’s blood.” The burning sensation along his spine was new. Lately, when Kylewas at full strength and angry, he experienced different indicators that he was changing. One was the burning sensation. It ran across his shoulder blades and down along his spine. Another made his head feel like it was going to explode. “So much depends on what you started with. You know you had to have a supernatural background in order to survive the transmutation, right?” “Yeah. Victorfilled me in. Is that where you came up with the idea for my last name?” “I figured I could explain your presence better if you were a long lost relative. Victorsaid something about believing you had shifter blood. I added the Mac to Lachlan from an old Werewolf clan.” “Makes sense.” Kylenodded and grinned. “So, how am I supposed to be related, again?” “Nicolai’s mate was a MacLachlan on her mother’s side.” Dylanchuckled. “We’ll figure out the details when I get a chance to go through some of Nicolai’s old records. The closer we stick to the truth, the likelier the story will hold up.”“That’s sound thinking.” Kyleglanced around, checking the road signs on the highway. “Where are we going? I don’t think I’ve ever been out in this direction.”“We live out near the bayou in a small Parrish nobody hears much about.” Dylanglanced at him and smirked. “As you can imagine, we prefer it that way.” “Like I said, you’re doing a damn good job.”“We work diligently to prevent drawing attention to our ways.”“Yeah well, you’re not on FOXNews, yet.”Dylan groaned. “And hopefully never will be. Nicolaiwould rise and have my head.” “Literally?”“Hell, no.” Dylanburst out laughing. “I’d just have to clean up the mess. Therefore, the reason my place is in an even more remote location. It’s not far out of town, just far enough to avoid detection. You have to know where to look to find it.” Kyle sighed, relieved to have a place to disappear until he was more prepared to deal with what he’d become. He had a million questions. More kept surfacing in his thoughts.“Go ahead. Ask your questions. It’ll be easier for me to answer them than to keep trying to block your thoughts from my mind. I can feel them pounding at me.”“Blocking my thoughts? You can you read my mind? I thought there had to be a blood link?”“A gift and a curse from my mother. I can read anyone’s mind, but I won’t. Intruding would be rude.”“Rules?” Of course.There would have to be rules and laws, and Kylewould be expected to learn them and abide by them. Like his old world, even these creatures had to establish laws to live by and rules of engagement. Dylan merely nodded. “Aye. Laws, social norms, politics. Typical bullshit.”“Right. I see.” He scrubbed his hands down his face and shook his head.“Do you?”“I have a lot to learn. How long will it take for all this to become second nature?”“Depends. How much do you know? Start with Nicolai. What have you been told about him?”Kyle shrugged. “Only what Victortold me. He’s a born vampire, more powerful than Amyra, and he’s a friend of Victor’s. Salazar said, he’s working on fertility research. Said he had a hybrid son or something.”“Well, that about sums it up the obvious. Except the important parts, like how Nicolai’s mate died in childbirth along with his second child when his son Jackson was fifteen. Nicolaiwent to ground to control his sorrow and left me in charge.”“He just left?” “I’ll cover the details regarding the vampire psyche later. For now you need to know about the Parrish. The area houses wolves, shifters of all sorts, witches, some super human hybrids, and a few vampires. The vampire council meets here and so does the wolf pack. The other groups usually fall under one or the other’s jurisdiction since they are a minority. To simplify everything, I head up both groups in Nicci’s place.”“How does that go over with the wolves and the others?”“They aren’t always happy, but I’m still training Jacksonto take over his rightful position as head of both groups. Jacksonis Nicolai’s hybrid son—half born vampire and half wolf shifter. He’s the perfect choice to embrace both worlds.”“I can see how that could work. Where do I fit in? Victor thinks my background is shifter and the reason I survived the jaguar bite and eventually the transmutation to vampire.”Dylan grinned. “Maybe you are related. That would make all this so much easier. Lachlan? Could you actually be descended from the MacLachlan Werewolves?”“I don’t know.” Frowning, he thought about the question, then smiled at Dylan. “A few times I sensed an internal struggle. I think there’s more than one beast inside me. If you’re right, the jaguar and my lupine nature are not happy sharing the same space.” “Sounds like an identity crisis.” Dylan snorted. “Bet your lupine nature was surprised when you shifted into a cat.”“Yeah, well my human nature was pretty damned surprised, too.”Dylan out right belly laughed. “I’m not laughing at you, man. But you have to admit you’re beginning to sound like a supernatural schizophrenic.”Kyle chuckled at that. “I am,” he snarled. “And it’s a good thing I have all those parts fighting off the damn demon that bitch shared with me when she forced me to take her blood.”“Oh, hell. A demon, too? So you’ve a bit of the dark in you, eh?”” “You could say that. I saw it rise in Amyra once. Frightening. Thank God, I’ve had no manifestations so far, and I’d like to keep it that way. Let’s just say I don’t want to ever fight back that kind of darkness.”“Completely understandable. You’re going to need a lot of training. Salazar was right to send you here. We’ll look after you until you get the sum of your parts under control.” “I appreciate your help, Macgregor.”       “Don’t mention it. We all need to stick together. I’m sure one day you’ll return the favor or pay it forward.” 


Read the earliest chapters of Defeat The Darkness at the Hearts of Darkness page. The character sketches are there and so is the synopsis and rough blurb. If you're an aspiring author, I hope this example helps you. To Be Continued Next Week....All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March 

New Chapter - Rebound Sex DEFEAT THE DARKNESS by Eliza March

It's a long weekend. Here's a long excerpt, the next chapter from my WIP. I hope you'll enjoy it and continue following the chapters, week by week. ~~~Eliza
Rebound
New OrleansThe bites that had hived up felt a little better after the shower and the lotion. In all honesty, having Max’s hands on her made Shelby feel better. And damn if that didn’t freak her out. Could she ignore being aroused by the way his hands stroked her? Her body remembered what her mind had suppressed. 
He knew just how she liked to be touched. And where. 
She hadn’t missed the surprised desire in his eyes when she’d stepped out of the shower and caught him there. For a moment she tried to cover herself, then a need she tried to suppress overwhelmed and confused her. 
Those broad shoulders of his flexed beneath his shirt when she touched him and the muscles in his jaw clenched. He smelled like Max, a scent she’d always loved. Although he’d tried to hide it, he’d been hard when she bandaged his finger and harder still when he tried covering it up with his shirt in the bedroom. Removing her towel had been a deliberate act. A test. A woman scorned and humiliated needed to feel sexy, desirable, wanted.
Shelby shook off the disturbing thoughts and dressed. This wasn’t fair to him. She was being selfish. If he actually still wanted her, she should leave, not encourage him—not if she cared about him.Or maybe it meant nothing. Maybe he was just being a typical guy—a little naked flesh and he was ready.
The smell of steak broiling in the kitchen worked its way down the hall and her stomach growled. An hour ago she didn’t think she’d ever want to eat again. Here she was, less than twenty four hours after experiencing the worst moments in her life, thinking about boinking her old boy friend and ready to chow down. Either something was seriously wrong with her, or she had a great instinct for survival.
Despite those instincts, her throat closed up every time she thought about Kyle. Max avoided mentioning his name, but he’d checked out her hand and she knew he noticed the ring was missing. Sooner or later, he’d expect some sort of explanation for her return and the mental state she was in when he picked her up.
God, she dread recounting the story. She rounded the corner and stopped dead in her tracks. Maxwas fixing dinner and looked catch-a-breath gorgeous in his apron with no shirt on. The Bar-B-Que apron had a picture of a bull on it with the words “Kiss the Cook.”
“Nice look.” She furrowed her brow. “Where’s the shirt?”
“Laundry. Had blood and…” He scrunched up his nose and gave her a half grin. “...snot all over it.”
“Ewe, Max, gross.” She made a face at him and then thought about what he’d said. “Oh! I’m so sorry!” Her hands flew to her face.
“No problem, I’ve had worse. There was your senior prom when you puked on my shoes if I remember— ”
“Yes, but it was your fault. You got me drunk.”
“Me? You lied. Said you’d done shots before.” He chuckled and gave her the once over. “There. You look like yourself again.”
“I doubt that.”
“You know… How long have we known each other? Twenty-five years?”
“Maybe twenty-six, counting the diaper years.”
Max put the spatula down and walked toward her, put his arms around her waist then chucked her under the chin with his knuckle. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen you so distraught. I didn’t like it. I don’t ever want to see you like that again, sweetheart.”
Her eyes filled and that lump formed in her throat again. Damn! She shook her head.
“If that’s so, stop being so nice to me or the water works may start up.” She turned aside moving out of his arms. “Give me something to do.”
“Go toss the salad while finish up here. You know where the spices are. The bowl is over your head.”
She picked up her glass of wine and took a long sip before she did as he suggested. “This is good. Kendall Jackson?”
“Yup. ’02. My favorite.”
“Mine, too,” she said.
They turned toward each other and made eye contact at the same time. Shelby considered how they complimented each other in so many ways. Besides, he was hunky, handsome, and hot for her, and when he turned off the stove, something inside her stirred. The golden hair on his forearms glistened under the kitchen lights. She stopped tossing to admire his muscular ass when he turned aside and moved to the oven. She studied the way his capable hands held the tongs as he turned over the steaks. She recalled how those same hands felt when they touched her. 
His shoulders bunched and flexed in that familiar way she remembered and she suddenly realized... I want him.
She carried the salad to the table and stood staring at him, speechless with her revelation.
“Go ahead. Sit down and eat before the steak gets cold. I’ll be right there,” he said.
Shelby began eating finally finding something to talk about. “This is delicious.” She was hungrier than she thought.
“When you’re ready, if you want, you can tell me your side of the story.” Max brought the wine to the table and refilled her glass before he sat down. “Kyle already told me his.”
“He what?” Shelbystopped eating and lost her train of thought. It was probably a good thing anyway. She didn’t need to be thinking about Maxlike that.
“He called me yesterday to confirm I got your messages. Wanted to make sure you were safe.”
“Asshole.” She slammed down her knife. Anger replaced her self-pity. 
“That’s better,” Max said, arching his brow at her hands. "I think.
Shelby unclenched her fists and released the knife, smoothing her fingers over the smooth dark wood of the table. “Safer, anyway.” She laughed and shook her head at nothing.
Max never took his eyes from her. He had a way of appreciating her worst traits.
“So what did he tell you?” She took a bite of bread and picked at her salad while Maxskimmed over Kyle’s story.
“Something about sleeping with some woman, and you being gone in the morning.”
She stared at her plate. Pick up the fork. Bring it to your mouth. Chew. Swallow. Repeat. Shelbyshuddered.
“Bad as all that?” he asked and touched her cheek. “Or worse?
“Spoken aloud, the words sound terrible.”
“The betrayal is terrible. The way you looked when I reached you made me want to beat the hell out of him and I’m not usually known for my violent streak. Want to tell me?”
The red wine barely covered the bottom of her glass and her plate was almost empty. She’d been able to eat but she wasn’t ready to talk.
“No.” She felt his fingers caressing her wrist and knew. “What I want...” She stared into space and said nothing.
“Shelby? What do you want?”
“It’s not fair to ask you this, Max.”
“Why don’t you let me decide what’s fair?” He stabbed at his salad but held-on to her hand.
“I need you to make love to me. Then maybe I’ll be able to talk.”
Max’s mouth slammed shut. His fork stopped in mid air and he didn’t move.
Yes, he looks as stunned as I feel for asking.
“It is unfair of me, isn’t it? If you don’t want me I’ll understand. It’s just...you know we never had a problem in that department. You’ve always appealed to me. I’ve never lost my desire for you even though I loved…”
Kyle’s name would not take form on her tongue. She cleared her throat and left it unspoken as the moisture in her eyes blinded her.
Max was up and on his knees in front of her before she could blink. “Don’t,” he said and put a finger to her lips. “Don’t doubt that I want you.”
He pulled her out of the chair and tilted her chin so she had to look at him when he spoke. “I’ll never stop wanting or loving you.”
“Don’t you care that I’m in love with someone else?” Not past tense? She hadn’t even thought in past tense. God help her.
He took her hands and placed them on his broad shoulders. “Not as long as I know you love me too, Shelby.”
Heat radiated off him as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. He wasn’t lying. He wanted her—his body did, but what about his heart?
He cupped her face in his hands and when he kissed her it was gentle and comforting. At first, she kissed him back the same way. Then she reacted to her feelings. She took the kiss deeper and he followed her lead, finally taking a tiny nip at her lip.
“Max?”
He titled his head to one side waiting for her to finish her question. She lowered her lashes, not daring to meet his gaze when she told him what she really wanted.
“What, Shelby? This is me. You can ask me anything.”
She blew out a breath. “I want you to take me hard. I want you to fuck my memories out of me so there is only you in my mind tonight.”
Max smacked her ass and his lips curved into that devilish grin he knew she so loved and hated at the same time. He couldn’t resist teasing her. “Any way you want it, sweetheart,” he said and purposely gave her the cocky grin he’d heard had the power to melt women’s hearts. He’d used it for years from Atlantato New Orleans, and even Shelbywasn’t immune. For tonight he’d make sure she’d only be able to focus on him making love to her. She still looked unsure.
“From past experience, you know I can handle rough, and I bet you’ve heard through the hospital grapevine that I’ve gotten even better over the years. Like fine aged whiskey.”
A mix of emotions washed over her face. Her eyes glinted in challenge then she burst out with a guffaw. 
“Fine aged whiskey? That line get’s you laid?”
“It has.” The laugh was the reaction he was looking for. Best friends knew how to call each other out. They still had it.
“Okay, Shelby, enough laughing. No need to be mean.”
This would help. She was going to grieve for a long time over the bad way she and Kyleended. If all he could be for now was rebound sex, he’d provide her with an emergency treatment. Perhaps it would stem her pain, even if it was only a temporary solution. He’d focus on the cure later.
He sat down and pulled her into his lap. When he took her hands in his, he said, “Seriously, darlin’, you’ll be okay. Not many women are forced to watch their fiancés fuck another woman. Right now, what you need to know is that you’re still desirable and that you can still respond. I can handle that for you.”
“Thanks for the psycho babble, Dr, Kinsey. Let’s leave it at ‘I’m glad you’re willing to be that man for me,’ Max, because I wouldn’t trust this to anyone else.”
He’d been the first man in her bed and messed that up. The timing had been wrong. He’d made mistakes but so had she. Maybe now was the right time.
“Good, because it will never be any other man,” he growled out the words, surprised at his sudden jealous reaction, but certain he felt as possessive as he sounded.
There’d been a jealous glint in her expression that he’d noticed when he was with other women. Maybe time apart was what they’d needed and other people. Time to grow and proof that what was between them was real and good, not just easy or convenient or comfortable.
It was all those things as well.
He leaned in to kiss her, and she kissed him back. He tongue fucked her mouth until they were both breathless, the results hopefully leaving her with no doubt how much he wanted her.
The way he dominated a partner or gave up control to sub was almost intuitive on his part. Because he had no inhibitions or self doubt, he was comfortable in either role. She wanted to be dominated tonight and he wanted to make sweet love to her.
A sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach swept through him. Was this sudden nervous reaction over sex? Or because it was the most important role of his life?
Fuck the role.He’d play himself, love her the way he’d wanted to these last few years, and risk it all. “Look at me. Open your eyes, ” he demanded. Shelbywould not compare him with Kyle’s memory. Max wouldn’t allow it. She’d know exactly who was making love to her. Every kiss, every touch, every thrust and sensation would remind her of their connection and their history together.
Now that she asked, he planned to be the one in her bed in the future. No way was anyone pushing him out this time. As much as he hated seeing Shelbyhurt, Kyle’s mistake gave Max an opportunity he hadn’t even thought about in years.
“Focus on me. Feel what I’m doing to you,” he said.
She opened her eyes and stared into his, then he kissed her along her jaw and up to her earlobe. He inhaled her flowery scent and whispered, his throat raw with desire, “Put everything out of your head except how your body feels.”
“Max, I don’t know what I’m feeling.” Her body tensed and trembled against his. He didn’t want to lose her or the moment.
“Don’t over-think. Don’t worry. I’m okay no matter what it means or doesn’t mean to you. Relax and go with the flow.”
If he had to talk all the way through the night to keep her with him, he would. Satisfying her and making her forget everything else was his ultimate goal. Tomorrow would be soon enough to for her to remember her heartbreak, and hopefully her well-used body would carry enough reminders of their night together to ease the pain.
“How’s this feel?” He touched her breast, cupping her fullness in his hand and squeezing. She exhaled with a sigh and he nipped her earlobe, allowing his breath to drift around to her sensitive nape.
“Mmm, good.” Arching her breast against his fingers, she shifted closer to him, her nails digging into his biceps.
The pain barely registered. He didn’t care. The desperation in her touch was what he wanted from her. It was as if she couldn’t get enough of him.
She closed her eyes and dropped her forehead to his shoulder, and sniffed. “Mmm. You smell...right. I’ve always loved the way you smell. Like mountain air on a cool winter day.”
“Touch me,” he ordered, out of patience.
“Where?”
“Anywhere. Everywhere. Enjoy how it makes you feel watching the way you turn me on. It’s like riding a bike. Here, feel this?” He took her hand and placed it over his heart. “It’s beating for you, darlin’.”Her fingers drifted over his chest as if she were reacquainting herself with the texture of his skin and the ridges and planes of his body. He wanted her so badly ever fiber of his being had to fight to control himself and take things slow.
“I’ve always loved you, Max.” She cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to make eye contact with her this time. “I’ll always love you. But I love him too. What’s between us is... I don’t understand it. We’re connected.”
“It’s okay, Shelby. I know you loved...him. Hell, I love him. He’s my best friend besides you.”“It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t matter. Here.” She shook her head at him. “This is important. I want you to know that when you’re finally inside me I’ll be thinking of you. Only you.” Her voice sounded rough with emotion and arousal.
“Oh, yeah.” He chuckled and casually kissed the tip of her nose. He made an effort to sound flippant, but the sincerity he saw in her eyes had a knot forming in his throat.
He reached between her thighs. “I know you will.”
“You are such an over-confident SOB.”
Her hand dropped to skim the heavy fabric covering his cock and his groan made her smile.
Game on.
“Uh hmm.” He nuzzled the cleavage between her breasts murmuring into the plump flesh. “You are so going to love the way I pound into you tonight. There are more positions than there are hours.”
“Max?”
“What?” He looked up and noticed she was frowning.
“Stop talking and take me to bed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”~~~~
Several hours and many more inventive ways later, Shelbycollapsed on top of Max, breathless, spent, and sexually satisfied—a state she hadn’t believed she could achieve without Kyle. Thank goodness for Max. He’d never failed her in bed or out. Their sweat soaked bodies slid against one another in a sexy glide. 
Catching her breath, she inhaled, barely able to ask, “Have you been reading the Kama Sutra?”
She kissed his shoulder then licked the salt from her lips while she waited for an answer. She lifted her head and stared at him. He actually blushed and punched his hands through his hair.
“Yes, among other things.”
Shelby looked at him incredulously. “Really?”
He rolled her over to her back and straddled her. “I don’t know if this is exactly socially correct pillow talk, but remember Chloe, that resident I dated last year who was all into the Zen arts?”
“How could I forget? She was awful. I didn’t understand half of what she was talking about when we went out to dinner, and all she did was complain about the food we were eating and how it was going to kill us—”
“Yeah, that’s the one.”
“What happened between you two?”
He shook his head and cocked one eyebrow. “She was too much work, but she did have some outrageous moves in the sack that I never saw coming.” He sat back on his knees and casually inspected Shelby’s breasts then continued. “No inhibitions. She came unhinged in bed. Brought the books with her and read to me. Thanks to her, I discovered a variety of new ways to satisfy myself and a partner before I decided I couldn’t stand any more Kashi.”
Shelby snorted. “Her? Zen girl talked you into reading the Kama Sutra?”
“Yeah, laugh it up. You weren’t laughing a minute ago while you called my name and God’s in the same breath.”
Contrite, Shelby said, “I’m sorry I laughed. You are incredible. The hospital grapevine doesn’t know the half of it. And if the Zen creature had anything to do with instructing you, good for her. After experiencing a record number of multiple orgasms, I will bow to you as the ultimate sex god.”
“Thanks, but not necessary. My pleasure entirely.”
“Yeah. Well, you learned how to satisfy and then some.” Shelbyrelaxed her hands to the bed, weakened by pleasure. “I feel like limp spaghetti.”
“I like making you limp.” Moving onto his stomach beside her, Max turned his head in her direction and kissed her shoulder. “Mmm, salty.”
“Uh, you too.” She licked her lips again, “So all that great sex, and Zen girl still wasn’t enough to hold you?”
“Hell, no. She was a freak about foods, uptight about nearly everything, and wouldn’t let me watch sports.”
“Ah ha. No Braves? The dreaded anti-sport girlfriend. Doomed despite awesome sex lessons.”
“I can read on my own, and there are plenty of willing subjects to practice with who do like sports.” He ran his hand down her body.
“Speaking of practice—you know, I especially liked that last rotation move.” She stroked his ass while they verbally teased each other.
“So did I,” he said with his voice growing rough. “The way your tight pussy flexed around me while I thoroughly explored every internal inch of you almost did me in. By penetrating you from all those angles, I discovered where all your most sensitive spots are. Now that I’ve identified your g-spot,” he wiggled his eyebrows at her playfully, “I can stimulate it and make you squirt every time.”
Max traced his fingers slowly over Shelby’s skin, barely touching her, raising goose bumps. The sensation had her skin itching for more—her insides aching for his attention too.
“I’ll hold you to that,” she said and kissed him. “Tonight was wonderful. I appreciate your detailed explanations about what you were doing and what was happening to me when I came. Really I feel like I should honor Zen girl some way for introducing me to this higher plane of sexual awareness—”
“Shut up.” Maxkissed her and parted her thighs.
Within seconds his cock was touching that special spot driving her temperature higher and making her body scream for completion.
“Please. More. Don’t stop. Please. Please.” She arched her body as he suckled her nipples, drove his hard length inside her faster and faster, and kept pressure on that special electrifying spot with his thumb. Where did he get the stamina?
God, she was going to explode, burst into a million shards of light, ignite into the flames licking at her soul. The orgasm kept threatening with such sensual promise that the impending pleasure was almost unbearable. She teetered on the edge wondering if the ultimate leap would ever come. And then she did. The warm creamy fluid, spurt from her body to the beat of Max’s strokes until there was no more and she was like pudding in his hands.
His tongue danced inside her mouth, tangling with hers as he brought her down from the crest, slowly, patiently. He brushed her hair from her face and stared at her. “I love watching you come. I always have. Now, knowing you’re capable of this...” His fingers smeared her creamy liquid over her mound. “It’s even better.”
“Mmm.” She had to agree. The strength of her orgasm had ejaculated a stream of warm liquid out from inside her when he stimulated her g-spot. She’d come that hard once or twice before, but Maxhad the moves down to an art form.
He stroked her shoulders. Running his fingers lightly over her skin he paused at her neck. “Your bug bites look better, all except this one. It’s inflamed.”
“It’s sensitive. Must have gotten over enthusiastic scratching.”
“How do the rest feel?”
“Stop hovering. Ifeel wonderful all over. The bites are better but I need another shower” At that precise moment her stomach growled. “And I’m starving again.”
He sat her up in bed, brushed her hair away from her face, and tried to smooth it like he always did.
“There’s a hair band in that drawer. ” He pointed to the nightstand. “Go ahead and shower. I’ll bring the food.”
She glanced at his semi-erect penis and licked her lips. It would be fun to tease him—suck him to another erection and take him down her throat so deep he wouldn’t be able to keep from coming.
“Damn, Shelby, don’t look at me like that. Tempting as your mouth is, your stomach’s thinking about something else this time,” he said. “We need real sustenance.”
“Okay, but my idea of real food sustenance means you bring the beignets and chocolate with the wine. I need comfort food to go with my orgasms.”
“Deal. But you will tell me what happened in Guatemala—your side of it—when I get back. Let’s chase the elephant from the room and kick the ghost out of our bed.” He tilted her chin up. “May as well get it over with so you can move forward.”
“Right. I should pull off the bandage in one quick jerk.”
He kissed her nose. “And I promise to give you another orgasm like those other ones anytime you want.”
“Ah, such a selfless lover.” Shelbysnickered and put on a brave face, but her stomach churned at the thought of describing the scene she’d witnessed.
She squared her shoulders and said, “Okay. Deal. Beignets first, please.”
Once Maxleft the room, she washed up in the bathroom and, once again, tried to do something with her wild hair. The mirror wasn’t her friend today, but Max was right—her bites had calmed down. Her cheeks were flushed from the orgasms, and she had beard rash on her breasts and between her thighs.
She felt wonderful. In the aftermath of their lovemaking, she couldn’t believe she’d want more of him but she did.
Or was she stalling?
He’d better hurry back with her chocolate courage before she lost her nerve.
The noise from the tea cart coming down the hall brought a smile to her lips as she dove under the covers and waited. The thought of the arrival of her comfort food made her stomach growl again. But the sight of muscular Max, shirtless, wheeling the dainty cart into the room almost made Shelby giggle. “Did your mother ship that from home?”
“Yes. She claims no self respecting household should be without a tea cart. Apparently, this was my late grandmother’s.”
“I recognize it. If I recall, your mother hated your father’s mother.”
“I guess Mother couldn’t wait to get it out of her house.” The grin and the shrug indicated he didn’t care one way or the other.
He pulled the cart up to the bed on Shelby’s side and climbed over her, wrapping himself behind her. 
“Mmm, I could get used to eating in bed with you.”
His warm, naked body felt good against hers while he hand-fed her from the plate—first a beignet, then a chocolate, and every other time, he interjected a sexy kiss with lots of chocolate tasting tongue.
Sipping her wine, she helped herself to another chocolate, and licked her fingers between bites, all the while lying back, relaxed against his broad chest.
“At times like this I could kiss your mother,” she said.
He tilted his head to look at her and cocked an eyebrow in question.
“Well, one for giving birth to you.” She kissed his shoulder. “Two for the tea cart. It’s just the right homey touch. Perfect with comfort food and comfort sex.”
Max stilled. The pitch of his voice went flat. “Is that all this was?”
Was it?She didn’t think so. Shelby didn’t miss the way his whole body tensed against hers. She hadn’t meant the comment to suggest the sex had been nothing more than sex or that anyone would do.
“No, that’s not at all what that was. But I’m about to tell you what happened in Guatemala. All of it. Then you’ll think I’m crazy, and I’m sure what sex we have afterwards will be comfort sex.”
“Shelby, sweetheart,” Max cupped her face and shook his head. “Don’t you know it may start off like comfort,” he smiled a lop sided grin at her, “but it will not be comfort sex by the time I’m finished with you.”
“Good.” Shelby felt her smile spread. “Have I told you how damn cocky you are?”
“Yes, ma’am. I believe you have. My cockiness is what you love most about me.” He scooped her closer and covered them with the silky sheet. “No more stalling. Spit it out.”
She sighed and began the story. “Earlier in the day, I thought he looked haggard. When he first saw me, he’d no sooner said hello then he was trying to stick me back on the boat. He acted distant and strange. I felt like I was intruding on something. I even wondered if he was dumping me. When she showed up at dinner, it was obvious there was something going on between them.”
Shelby cleared her throat and continued. When she got to the part where she thought she’d been paralyzed by some native drug, Max sat up.
“Jesus, Shelbythat’s incredible. When Kyle described it, I thought he meant paralyzed as a euphemism—like frozen in shock.”
He stood and paced the room naked, looking so good he distracted her from the ache in her chest.
“What kind of person does that? Could Kyle have been drugged, too?”
“I hadn’t thought of that, not at the time.” She sat up straight. “But I guess. Earlier at dinner, she was all over him. Now that you mention it, he wasn’t all that into her. But I thought it was because I was there.”
“She could have drugged him like she did you.”
“No, it couldn’t have been the same drug.” She plopped back against the pillow. “I couldn’t move and... Hell, he was performing juuust fine.”
“That’s confusing.”
“He hadn’t shown any enthusiasm toward her. Not until the part when I was forced to watch them...you know. He was definitely enthusiastic then.”
“Are you sure?”
“Definitely.” Her voice cracked.“I’m sorry, Shelby. I don’t want to lose you, again but I don’t want you by default, either.”
“That’s not what this is—”
“Shelby, I’ve seen you two together. I’ve been friends with Kylesince I got to town. He’s just not the type to screw around on you. I never would have backed away from our relationship if I hadn’t known how much you meant to each other. Hell, he’s a real one woman kind of guy. Exactly what I wasn’t all these years.”
“Apparently, she’s the woman. He called you and admitted what he did. Did he sound remorseful? Did he apologize? Did he claim he’d been drugged?” She waited and Maxsaid nothing.
“No. He didn’t, right?”
“Uh, I don’t think I gave him much of a chance.”
“Look, you don’t have to make excuses for him. He’s not coming back for me. I wouldn’t take him back under the circumstances. It’s a done deal. I’m going to get over this if I can learn to deal with the hallucinations.”
“What hallucinations?”
“While I was paralyzed, I swore that woman grew fangs and sucked Kyle’s blood. She lifted her head and smiled at me with blood dripping from her lips. And when Kyle turned his head to look at me, he had blood on his face and fangs protruding from his mouth. His eyes were flat, unseeing black pools like tar pits. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Have you had any other after effects? You slept in the car on the way here. Did you dream?”
“No. I was too tired. Maybe it wore off. The paralysis effects only lasted while I was in the tent with them. I dozed off on the plane, too and remembered the vision of the woman and Kylewith blood all over their faces then.”
“I’d be curious to know what she used on you. I wonder if there are any residual traces left. I need to test your blood.”
“I doubt anything’s left. What’s it been? Over twenty-four hours, now.”
“We should do a blood and urine test anyway.”
“This conversation was supposed to finish up with sex, remember?”
“Okay, I’m all in. But...after the test.”
Doctors! 
He went into the bathroom and returned with the necessary supplies. “Shelby, would you mind giving me a clean catch?”
“Really? You want me to pee in a cup?”
“You could have serious side effects. We need to know what we’re dealing with. I’ll also need a blood sample to test. Oh, and a hair sample too. There’s bound to be something left in your hair.”
Shelby huffed into the bathroom and left the sample on the toilet tank. This was so not what she had in mind.
“Researchers are the worst.”
“What are you mumbling about?”
“Just talking to myself.” She hopped on the bed and held out her arm. “Take your blood, Dr. Vampire.”
“Hey, I’m not the one imagining people turning into vampires.”
Max was a pro at drawing blood, so the whole procedure took less than five minutes. He stored the blood in the refrigerator with the urine sample and stashed her hair sample in an envelope.
When he returned to the room he dropped his jeans and climbed into bed. He nudged her hair away from her ear and his words dropped into a sexy purr. “I’m sorry. I got clinical when you needed sexy.”
“I’m fine. Honestly, maybe clinical was the perfect approach.” Shelbycurled up beside him and thought about his reaction. He’d been concerned not just for her health but about her emotional well-being.
He wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer. His long hair framed their faces as he bent in to touch his lips to hers. “I’m not feeling clinical now.” He took her hand and moved it to his groin. He was already erect and hard as steel.
“No, I’d say that’s not clinical at all.” Her breath caught in her throat, and she melted under his caress. Time to put yesterday out of her mind. She didn’t believe for a moment the pain could be put aside so easily, but for now she was going to self medicate with sex as long as Maxwas willing and able.
Read the earliest chapters of Defeat The Darkness at the Hearts of Darkness page. The character sketches are there and so is the synopsis and rough blurb. If you're an aspiring author, I hope this example helps you. To Be Continued Next Week....All rights reserved. No part of this may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2012, Eliza March