Blaze Erupting
Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella
By Rebecca Zanetti
1001 Dark Nights
BLAZE ERUPTING: Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella
By Rebecca Zanetti
Copyright 2018 Rebecca Zanetti
ISBN: 978-1-948050-06-7
Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose
Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Book Description
BLAZE ERUPTING: Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella
By Rebecca Zanetti
From New York Times bestselling author, Rebecca Zanetti, comes a new Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella…
Hugh Johnson is nobody’s hero, and the idea of being in the limelight makes him want to growl. He takes care of his brothers, does his job, and enjoys a mellow evening hanging with his hound dog and watching the sports channel. So when sweet and sexy Ellie Smithers from his college chemistry class asks him to save millions of people from a nuclear meltdown, he doggedly steps forward while telling himself that the world hasn’t changed and he can go back to his relaxing life. One look at Ellie and excitement doesn’t seem so bad.
Eleanor Smithers knows that the Scorpius bacteria has and will change life as we know it, but that’s a concern for another day. She’s been hand-picked as the computer guru for The Brigade, which is the USA’s first line of defense against all things Scorpius, including homegrown terrorists who’ve just been waiting for a chance to strike. Their target is a nuclear power plant in the east, and the only person who can help her is Hugh, the sexy, laconic, dangerous man she had a crush on so long ago.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
About Rebecca Zanetti
Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense and dark paranormal novels, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, BnN, iTunes, and Amazon bestseller lists. She has received a Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review for Wicked Edge, Romantic Times Reviewer Choice Award for Deadly Silence and Nominations for Forgotten Sins and Sweet Revenge, and RT Top Picks for several of her novels. Amazon labeled Mercury Striking as one of the best romances of 2016 and Deadly Silence as one of the best romances in October. The Washington Post called Deadly Silence, “sexy and emotional.” She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Find Rebecca at: www.rebeccazanetti.com
Also from Rebecca Zanetti
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SCORPIUS SYNDROME SERIES
Scorpius Rising
Mercury Striking
Shadow Falling
Justice Ascending
Storm Gathering
DARK PROTECTORS
Fated
Claimed
Tempted
Hunted
Consumed
Provoked
Twisted
Shadowed
Tamed
Marked
Teased
Tricked
Tangled
Talen
REALM ENFORCERS
Wicked Ride
Wicked Edge
Wicked Burn
Wicked Kiss
Wicked Bite
SIN BROTHERS
Forgotten Sins
Sweet Revenge
Blind Faith
Total Surrender
BLOOD BROTHERS
Deadly Silence
Lethal Lies
Twisted Truths
MAVERICK MONTANA
Against the Wall
Under the Covers
Rising Assets
Over the Top
Dedication
This one is for MJ Rose, who’d be a well-organized leader if the apocalypse really did come to pass. Thank you for your vision and for all that you do.
Acknowledgments from the Author
Thank you to Elizabeth Berry and MJ Rose for bringing together this wonderful group of authors and friends. The combination of your vision, your hard work, and your dedication is an inspiration to us all.
Thank you to Jillian Stein, who is not only a phenomenal social media guru but a wonderful friend.
Steve Berry, thank you for your generosity with sharing your insights and experience in the book industry.
Thank you to Kimberly Guidroz, Fedora Chen, and Kasi Alexander for their dedication and awesome insights.
Thanks also to Asha Hossain, who creates absolutely fantastic book covers.
As always, a lot of love and a huge thank you goes to Big Tone, Gabe and Karly, my amazing family who is so supportive.
Finally, thank you to Rebecca’s Rebels, my street team, who have been so generous with their time and friendship. Thank you to Minga Portillo for her excellent leadership of the team. And last, but not least, thank you to all of my readers who spend time with my characters.
~ RAZ
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
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FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black
CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham
CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom
DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake
AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione
NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones
SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair
ROPED IN by Lorelei James
TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
TAME ME by J. Kenner
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WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham
EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby
MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair
CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner
ADORED by Lexi Blake
HADES by Larissa Ione
RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton
DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout
STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James
RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON KING by Donna Grant
PURE WICKED by Shayla Black
HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham
KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster
TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti
THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
THE SURRENDER GATE By Christopher Rice
SERVICING THE TARGET By Cherise Sinclair
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three
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HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham
SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst
DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher R
ice
ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey
DEVOTED by Lexi Blake
Z by Larissa Ione
FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige
EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby
UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton
HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye
DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant
KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
STRUNG UP by Lorelei James
MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian
TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti
DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black
THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely
SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four
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ROCK CHICK REAWAKENING by Kristen Ashley
ADORING INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
SWEET RIVALRY by K. Bromberg
SHADE'S LADY by Joanna Wylde
RAZR by Larissa Ione
ARRANGED by Lexi Blake
TANGLED by Rebecca Zanetti
HOLD ME by J. Kenner
SOMEHOW, SOME WAY by Jennifer Probst
TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey
HUNTED by Elisabeth Naughton
EYES ON YOU by Laura Kaye
BLADE by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON BURN by Donna Grant
TRIPPED OUT by Lorelei James
STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely
MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED by Lara Adrian
HALLOW BE THE HAUNT by Heather Graham
DIRTY FILTHY FIX by Laurelin Paige
THE BED MATE by Kendall Ryan
PRINCE ROMAN by CD Reiss
NO RESERVATIONS by Kristen Proby
DAWN OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
TEMPT ME by J. Kenner
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Table of Contents
Book Description
About Rebecca Zanetti
Also From Rebecca Zanetti
Dedication
Acknowledgments from the Author
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four
Foreword
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Five
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
Discover More Rebecca Zanetti
An excerpt from Vampire’s Faith by Rebecca Zanetti
Special Thanks
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Chapter One
I convinced my boss that Hugh is the guy to help us. I think he is. But it’s possible… I just want to see him again.
—Dr. Eleanor Smithers, Brigade Notes
Hugh Johnson knew within a second of entering his bungalow that somebody else was inside. First, his hound dog didn’t bother to meet him at the door. Second, a vaguely familiar scent of wild bluebells wafted in the air.
He tossed his keys near the bowl sitting on an entryway table his mama had insisted he own and kept walking down the hallway, striding into his comfortable living room with its floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased trees and a bubbling brook outside. There he stopped cold. “Ellie,” he murmured, his normally relaxed body going on full alert as he took in the small woman lounging on his worn couch with the dog’s head in her lap.
She smiled pretty pink lips, her blue eyes sparkling behind wire-rimmed glasses as she stroked the dog’s head. “Your door was unlocked.”
Heisenberg groaned happily beneath her palm, keeping his eyes closed in pure bliss.
Hugh had the oddest desire to change places with the dog. “Not much crime out here in eastern Kentucky,” he murmured, studying the woman he hadn’t seen in…what? Ten years? “You’re all grown up, Eleanor.”
“I should hope so.” Even though she was wearing a black pencil skirt and fancy silk shirt, she’d kicked her shoes off and had her legs, her long and bare legs, on the hunting and fishing magazines scattered across his coffee table. She’d shoved a tattered and well-read Steve Berry thriller to the side.
Her ankles were crossed, and her toenails were painted with purple sparkles. Her blonde hair reached her shoulders in the wild mass he remembered. “You’re looking…good,” she murmured, a slight pink filling her cheeks.
He’d always liked how easily she blushed. Then he glanced down at his ripped jeans and threadbare Metallica T-shirt. “I’m on vacation.”
“It’s over,” she said softly, her gaze sobering.
His heartrate ticked slightly. Not much, but some. He scratched behind his ear and then stuck his thumbs in his jeans pockets.
“It’s great to see you and all, but what are you doing here?” He hadn’t seen her since they’d both graduated with their bachelor degrees in chemistry from Kentucky.
“That’s it?” She tilted her head to the side in a way he remembered as being cute. Now, on her all grown up, it was sexy. Very. “No Southern hospitality? No…have a beer?”
All right. He’d never been much of a game player, but he was on vacation from his job after a pain-in-the-ass month, and a beer sounded fucking fantastic. Not much threw him off balance, and right now, he wasn’t liking the feeling in his gut. So he moved for the kitchen, leaned down to open the short and round fridge, and drew out two bottles. A quick flip of the tops, and he strode for her, handing over the ultra-cold brew. “If I remember right, you don’t like beer,” he murmured before lifting his bottle and taking a big swig.
She eyed him over hers and took a delicate drink. “I’m surprised you remember me at all.”
His eyebrows lifted of their own accord. “You were my lab partner for two years. We were friends. Why wouldn’t I remember you?” Not once had he ever truly understood what was in the woman’s head.
She lifted a small shoulder, her gaze even and veiled. Interesting. That was a skill she’d acquired after college, apparently. “You were always surrounded by girls. Figured I was one of many.”
He sat in the chair adjacent to the couch and kicked a pair of boots out of his way. “I was the quarterback on the football team.” Which had led to a bunch of dates. “Until I wasn’t.” The day he’d blown his knee out in his senior year had changed the life he had planned. One hit and it was over. Completely. He grinned. “We never slept together, Ell. That made you one of…one.” It was true, and they both knew it.
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