Darlings of Paranormal Romance (Anthology)

by Chrissy Peebles

  As much as she wanted in on it, she wasn't sure she wanted to know more. This had been an unbelievable couple of days.

  Her guilt had subsided – but not abated. She hoped Jared made a full recovery. She knew now she wasn’t responsible for his getting kidnapped, and honestly, she didn’t know that anyone could have found him any faster – but still, her people had done this to him.

  Her mother came over to her. "Tessa, do you want to lie down here for a bit? Help is on the way, but they're going to be a couple of hours yet."

  Tessa cringed. "No. I don’t want to sleep in this place. It gives me the creeps." All she saw when she closed her eyes was that damn tubing running through every person, pumping out their life force. She couldn’t imagine a worse type of existence.

  "Oh, honey. You’re safe now. No one is going to get you here." She brushed Tessa’s long hair back off her face. "I love what you did with your hair. Did I tell you that?"

  "No. The last time…didn’t you ask what happened to my beautiful hair?" Tessa grinned at the pinched look she got in return.

  "Yes, well, I think that’s when I was looking at my daughter’s beautiful black hair bleached to nothing."

  "Oh. I thought it was the length."

  Her mother looked puzzled for a moment. Then her eyes widened and she came rushing around the end of the bed. "You didn’t cut it, did you?"

  "Just kidding Mom." Tessa laughed out loud. It felt good to find something humorous amongst the living dead here. "I didn’t cut it. I wouldn’t."

  "Damn right." Rhia sniffed and walked back toward Serus who stood guard at the entrance. "I’m going to discuss strategy with your father. You get some rest. Sleep or not, but at least lie down. There are plenty of beds here; you might as well use them."

  Tessa considered the rows of empty beds. She was tired. There wasn’t anything more she could do at this point. And there were plenty of vampires here to watch over Jared. It honestly felt like a major crash-and-burn session had hit her, with the crash part winning.

  She studied Jared’s face. He didn’t look like he’d be coming around any time soon. How they were going to move him and all these other people was beyond her.

  "Maybe I should. Just for a minute." She wandered the long line of beds, then choose one across from Jared. She didn’t want to be where she could be seen from the warehouse or where she could see who and what hung there. What a horrible last vision to take into dream state.

  She stretched out and closed her eyes.

  ***

  Cody walked over to where the adults were deep in discussion. "How long will it take for the teams to get here?"

  "Probably another hour, possibly two. We've connected with Sian and Taz. They’re sending an assessment team in first to determine what needs to be done, followed closely by medical teams and equipment."

  "Right. That could take a bit." He turned his back to the macabre scene. He had enough visions to keep him in horror movies for a long time. "There isn’t much we can do now then, is there?"

  "Just be aware. Just because we couldn’t find anyone else, doesn’t mean there aren't any others – waiting for an opportunity to pick us off one by one. Everyone needs to stay together, at least in pairs."

  "Speaking of everyone, where's Tessa?"

  "She’s lying down, on my orders." Rhia frowned. "She’s exhausted."

  Serus patted her arm. "She’ll be fine. She comes from good stock."

  "That may be, but she’s only a girl. She shouldn’t be exposed to horrors like this at her age." She rubbed her eyes. "I hate what she’s gone through."

  "So do I. However, it’s happened, and she’s come out a trooper. She’s really come into herself over this. I wouldn’t want to have cheated her of that." Serus snagged her shoulder in a quick hug.

  Rhia looked up at them, smiled slowly. "She did well, didn’t she?"

  "Yes, she did." He smiled proudly down at her.

  Cody couldn’t help adding. "She’s really grown these last couple of days. It's been amazing to see."

  "Thank you, Cody. For helping her and believing in her."

  Not used to compliments, Cody felt something uncomfortable crawl across his skin. He turned away mumbling, "No problem."

  He headed back to the sick room to check on Tessa and Jared.

  ***

  Tessa couldn’t sleep. She kept thinking about needles and tubing and blood. So much blood. Once, she’d opened her eyes thinking she’d heard Jared and had sat up, but there hadn’t appeared to be any change in him. After a moment, she lay back down. The room was otherwise empty. Her friends and family stood just around the corner. She could hear their voices, a distant murmur, but normal sounding.

  Everything was fine.

  She yawned. Grabbing up the folded blanket off the end of the bed, she threw it across her legs and pulled it up to her shoulders. Her clothing pulled every time she tried to get comfy.

  This time when she closed her eyes, she slept.

  Once again she dreamed. She dreamed of her blanket being pulled back. Of a needle being slipped into her arm and of a piece of tubing being attached. She stretched out her arm and the tubing dangled down on the bed. Drip, drip, drip went the drugs into her veins. Her dreams took her deeper and deeper.

  ***

  Cody rounded the open doorway and found Jared sleeping, if that’s what you called sleeping – more like being comatose – on the one bed on the right. He walked over to him and stared down at the slack face. So this was Tessa’s friend. His competition.

  He straightened and snorted. This sack of meat was no competition for him. Disgusted and more than a little concerned that he’d even had that thought, he turned around to search for Tessa. Only she wasn’t there.

  Hadn’t her mom said she come in to lie down? Tessa had already proven she didn’t take orders well. Puzzled, he walked down the center aisle. At the end of the room he turned around and walked back. As he approached Jared again, he frowned. One bed had a blanket tossed to the floor. A series of indents showed on the sheets of the still-made bed.

  Just then, Rhia came in.

  "Where did you say Tessa was?" Cody asked her, an inkling of worry attaching itself to his spine.

  "In here." She stopped, put her hands on her hips, frowned and looked around. "She was right there on that bed beside you. I saw her just a moment ago. She didn't go past me. We've been standing here at the doorway the whole time."

  Cody pointed to the blanket on the floor. "Was this here before?"

  She shook her head slowly. "No." She hurried over. "She was lying here with the blanket pulled up to her shoulders." She walked to the front of the bed. "Where is she?"

  Bending down, Cody picked up a plastic tip. Like the kind that protected the end of a needle. Worry turned to fear. "Look what I found."

  Rhia stared at it uncomprehendingly. Then her eyes widened, fear turning them to dark obsidian. "Please no."

  Cody stared at the piece of plastic, unable to look away. Just the thought of a needle being used on Tessa made his heart pound in fear. Who knew what they'd do to her?

  "Dear God, I hope not," he whispered. He spun around. At the back was a door. They'd checked it earlier. He thought it was just a supply cupboard. But it was the only other way for Tessa to have left this room…willingly, or not. He raced toward it, calling over his shoulder, "Go get the others."

  "Oh, my God!" Rhia raced out to get help.

  ***

  Tessa opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the tube in her arm. She frowned, blinked several times to clear her vision and then reached for the tubing. Her hand touched the needle taped to her wrist – her eyes widened in comprehension. She tried to close her fingers around the needle, to pull it free. Her fingers didn't want to work.

  Drugs dripped steadily into her arm. Pulling at her, drawing her down, deeper and deeper.

  Oh, dear God, no!

  She screamed – endlessly – soundlessly – in her mind.

  A
bout the author:

  Dale Mayer is a prolific multi-published writer. She's best known for her Psychic Visions series. Besides her romantic suspense/thrillers, Dale also writes paranormal romance and crossover young adult books in several different genres. To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. All her books are available in digital and print formats.

  Published Young Adult books include:

  Family Blood Ties Series

  Vampire in Denial

  Vampire in Distress

  Vampire in Design

  Vampire in Deceit

  Design Trilogy

  Dangerous Designs

  Deadly Designs

  Darkest Designs

  In Cassie's Corner

  Gem Stone

  Published Adult Books:

  Psychic Vision Series:

  Tuesday's Child

  Hide'n Go Seek

  Maddy's Floor

  Garden of Sorrow

  Knock, Knock…

  Second Chances…at Love Series

  Second Chances

  By Death Series

  Touched by Death

  Haunted by Death

  Novellas/Short Stories

  It's a Dog's Life – romantic comedy novella

  Sian's Solution – a Family Blood Ties short story (Sian and Taz's story)

  Riana's Revenge – a fantasy short story

  Connect with Dale Mayer Online:

  Dale's Website – www.dalemayer.com

  Sign up for her newsletter - www.dalemayer.com/blog

  Twitter – http://twitter.com/#!/DaleMayer

  Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/DaleMayer.author

  Book 11 – W.J. May

  Seventh Mark

  Hidden Secrets Saga

  Part 1 of

  Book I

  By

  W. J. May

  Copyright 2013 by W.J. May

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright 2013 by W.J. May

  Cover design by W.J. May

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews.

  Website: http://www.wanitamay.yolasite.com

  Cover design by: Patrick Griffith

  Edits by: Regina Mitchell

  The Hidden Secrets Saga

  Book I – Seventh Mark

  Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_vVYC1gvo

  Book II – Pride and Passion Coming 2014

  Acknowledgments

  To my husband and kids – Love you and all our crazy ways. I wouldn’t change it for anything!

  Proper thanks—with jumping up and down cheering, waving hands and shouting at the top of my lungs needs to be sent out to:

  Dawn Dowdle, my amazing agent who is the agent above all agents. So proud to be part of her team!

  Patrick Griffith, who blows my mind with his talent on creating covers. Double thank you!

  Chrissy Peebles, for being such a great writing buddy and always available and willing to help. Thank for you for pushing met to get this story out, I’d have never done it without you.

  Regina Mitchell, a lovely editor who I have no idea how she finds the time to edit so fast.

  And above all else, to my Lord and Saviour who gave me this wild imagination.

  Chapter 1

  Ear buds stuffed in, I cranked the volume on my iPod and clicked my exercise shuffle. I jogged down the gravel driveway and turned to follow the last bit of sunset. If only I could draw or paint…

  Crossing an intersection, I headed left and let my legs carry me away from the small houses, run-down yards, cracked door screens and broken-down cars into a block of bigger houses. The lawns rolled further away from the sidewalk and the houses grew farther apart. Maybe one day I’ll buy a place like this. I snorted at the thought.

  Even though I’d never admit it to anyone, a part of me is cursed. Like poison running through my veins, I’ve always believed it would catch up with me. I didn’t know the whys or hows, but deep down it seemed inevitable.

  Except now fate intervened, and for once in my life, thank goodness. If it hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here, in this awesome place on the other side of the country. The whole curse thing was probably just in my head.

  I gazed straight in front, between the old giant trees lining the roads. The jagged pink and white peaks reflected snow from the remains of the setting sun made me appreciate the beauty of nature. West coast, oh yeah! I smiled, unable to keep the giddiness inside. I’d lived all my life in Niagara Falls, but this—words couldn’t begin to describe this beauty.

  Inhaling real fresh pine scent, not the kind from cleaning agents from the past two days, I savoured the moment. If Family and Children Services hadn’t approved Jim and Sally’s request, I wouldn’t be seeing real mountains for the first time. As quick as the bubble came up, it burst.

  Next January I’d be eighteen and no longer at the benefit of the government. Jim and Sally were decent foster parents, but they also made it clear they couldn’t afford to help me with college. I quickened my pace. I didn’t want to think about where I might be in a year.

  You’ll be on your own…no family. Nothing. Unwanted again. The imaginary little devil on my left shoulder laughed at me.

  Music shouted in my ear, “You’re supposed to be alone. Alone…lone…lone…” I glanced at my left shoulder and pretended to flick the imaginary devil off, nearly crashing into the old high-stoned wall lining the neighborhood. Regaining my balance and focus, I pulled the iPod out of my pocket and skipped to the next song.

  Street lights flickered on. My eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness without even letting my brain know. I should turn around before it’s completely black. Didn’t want to be out on my own when I barely knew the area.

  A gap ahead in the high wall caught my attention. Curiosity won. Instead of heading back, I pushed forward. A public park entrance came into view. Heavy black iron gates led me onto a smooth paved entrance. A large raised garden split the road in two.

  A plaque set into the garden’s stone wall made me smile. End of an Era. From the raised stones peeking behind the garden flowers, this was a cemetery, not a park. The owner obviously had a sense of humor along with the desire to create one of those resting places with a welcome. A twenty-something looking woman whizzed by on roller blades, waving as she passed.

  The pathways were lit up with those new solar green energy lights. I took the first lane along the outer border and slowed my pace. The tall slate and marble gravestones were erected on the left side with an ancient forest lining the right. As I jogged, I passed through a part of the cemetery that must’ve been the original lot with worn-down, ancient-looking stones. I paused or weaved between the stones to read the odd one: “1886 John Hartzel -- 18 years of age, 1892 Patrick O’Reilly -- died too young, Tammy Fortune 1802 -1822.” What’s with this place? Can’t come here if you’re over thirty?

  Squinting, I jogged closer to a raised tombstone with a concrete angel resting on top. Using my hand, whic
h carried my iPod, I rested it on the corner of the stone to steady myself. I leaned forward for a better look at the inscription. Poor thing, same age as the others. I straightened and pushed off to finish my run. The cord from my iPod snagged the angel’s head, yanking the buds from my ears—the iPod went flying from my hand.

  “Crap!” I skidded to a stop on the damp grass and used my palms to hug my ears. It hurt like a bitch. I glanced up at the stone figurine and grimaced. Imagine trying to decapitate an angel. People were probably rolling in their graves right now.

  Double crap! My iPod. It better not be busted. Night had fully descended, which didn’t work in my favor. I got down on my knees and began groping in the dark, futilely trying to scan the grass. The little solar lights were useless. “Of course, I had to buy the black case,” I mumbled and shook my head as I crawled to check under a nearby bench. Cobwebs caressed my face, which had me doing a karate twitch dance as I tried to knock off any possible spiders and remove the webs.

  A twig snapped, followed by a muffled laugh.

  I froze, waiting, tense, my head cocked to the side. It was dead quiet. As it should be in a cemetery. No noise. Not a sound.

  “Dummy.” I got out from under the bench, sat up and brushed off my sweatshirt. It’d taken months to save for the iPod. I dropped down to search again clawing at chunks of grass. I’m not leaving till I find it, even if I have to swallow some hairy, icky spiders.

  “You lose something?” A low, gruff voice broke through the dark. “Or are you digging your own grave?”

  Chapter 2

  My heart leapt to my throat. I smacked my head on the bottom of the bench. “Flippin’ heck!” I scrambled back, rubbing the sore spot, paranoid about how high my butt hung in the air. My luck, it was probably some graveyard rapist.