Haunted (A Secret Salem Novel 3)

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Haunted (A Secret Salem Novel 3) Page 25

by J. N. Colon


  “Gold” by Chet Faker

  “Come Undone” by Duran Duran

  “People Are Strange” by The Doors

  “Hammock” by Howls

  “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” by Marilyn Manson

  “With Teeth” by Nine Inch Nails

  “2 Wicky” by Hooverphonic

  “If I Was Your Vampire” by Marilyn Manson

  “Dark Horse featuring Juicy J” by Katy Perry

  “I’m a Man” by Blue Van

  “Rumour Has It” by Adele

  “I Put A Spell On You” by Annie Lennox

  “Change (In The House Of Flies)” by Deftones

  “Cry Little Sister” by Gerard McMann

  “Beast” by Nico Vega

  “Moon And Moon” by Bat For Lashes

  “Pet” by Perfect Circle

  “Season Of The Witch” by Donovan

  Thank you for downloading this book. Connect with me online.

  www.jncolonbooks.com

  www.facebook.com/JNColonAuthor

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  Subscribe to my email list at www.jncolonbooks.com and get entered to win an eBook copy of Blood Lies (The Iron Series Book 3) out this August.

  Tormented

  A Secret Salem Novel 4

  Written by J.N. COLON

  Chapter 1

  Strong, familiar hands slipped around my waist, pulling me into the planes of a hard chest made only for me. “You didn’t peek, did you?” Lips tickled my ear while warm breath blew down the back of my neck, spawning a shiver across my spine.

  “How can I peek with a blind fold squished against my face Mac?” I asked, trying not to giggle from his fingers moving in tiny circles at my hips, which was exactly what he wanted.

  “You have your ways.” His deep, husky voice vibrated around me, turning my skin hot. “There’s no little ghost whispering my surprise in your ear?”

  “No. I told them to leave us alone tonight.”

  The tip of Mac’s wet tongue flicked my earlobe before giving it a little nibble. “Yeah ‘cause that worked out so well last night.”

  I grimaced, remembering the intimate moment Mac and I were having in our room when a ghost popped in to say hello. “I can’t help it if your parents picked a haunted island to visit.”

  “It didn’t used to be.” Mac chuckled. “He followed you here.”

  “Possibly,” I admitted.

  The moment winter break began the Davenports whisked us away to a small private island in the Caribbean to spend Christmas. My parents and the Dragonivs arrived the following day. That poor cook had his hands full, trying to feed vampires, shifters, and vegans. He might quit tomorrow after Christmas dinner. He’s never even worked with tofurky before.

  Royal guards and shifters were in abundance on the small tropical island, even stationed on boats off the shore. After Hudson’s murder, the vampires were on high alert. The hunters had a poison that could easily kill us. Only a small dose was needed to enter the bloodstream and bam! vampire dead.

  That was probably why Whitmore decided to buy a private island. We could enjoy our holiday while being surrounded by guards. And by surrounded sometimes I meant suffocated. I loved Daedalus and Rufus, but they had been stuck to mine—and now Mac’s—side for months now.

  I had a feeling that was why Mac dragged me out of bed in the middle of the night—to get some real privacy.

  We were deeper into the vegetation instead of on the sandy shore, waxy leaves heavy with dew brushing across my arms as Mac led me through. Humidity thickened the air and the smell of sea mixed with sweet, pungent flowers lit my nose. I also smelled fire and candle wax.

  “Well…?” I prodded. “Can I look now?”

  Fingers slowly slid up my sides, teasing before slipping the blindfold off. My eyes blinked to adjust, slowly taking in the scene laid out before me. Jungle foliage cocooned us, thick leaves arching around to form a jungle universe all our own. A campfire illuminated a hand woven bamboo mat covered in vibrant red rose petals, more spilling over on the damp bracken.

  My heart lodged in my throat and my eyes blurred with unshed tears. Ugh. Yes. I was doing that girly thing.

  “Mac.” My voice was barely a whisper as I glanced over my shoulder to meet his stunning jade eyes flecked with silver. “What is all this?”

  His lips curled into a devilish smile, a secret hidden within those green irises. “I just wanted to do something special for my baby.” He grabbed my hands and pulled me onto the mat, settling us down.

  A new scent hit my nose, making my mouth water. I absentmindedly licked my lips. “I smell meat.”

  A chuckle vibrated in his chest as he pulled the leaves of a small plant away, revealing a silver domed platter. “Steak and lobster.”

  Cue the drool now.

  “Yummy.” I reached for it until Mac moved his body, putting his thick muscles between me and my food. “Hey! What gives?”

  “That’s not the only reason I brought you out here.” He tapped my head. “Focus for two minutes and then we can eat.”

  I bit my bottom lip, hiding the put trying to break through. “Okay.” Mac knew better than to tease me with food.

  Mac shook his head, throwing his wild, midnight locks in his face. “Anyways…” He grabbed my left hand and twirled the silver and garnet royal ring around my left finger, his also glinting in the firelight. “My birthday is coming up soon then graduation and then summer and then your birthday.”

  “Our eighteenth birthdays,” I pointed out, a grin stretching from ear to ear. At Mossgrove Academy we’d decided once we were both legally adults we would tie the knot.

  He kissed my palm before continuing. “You’re already Princess Rubi Davenport to the supernatural society, but I want the entire world to know we’re married.” He grimaced. “Maybe then your dad can stop giving me the evil eye thinking I’m defiling his only daughter.” He leaned forward and crushed his lips against mine in a hot, devouring kiss. “I’ll be your husband and I’ll have every right to defile you as much as I want.”

  I tried to push him away in mock protest, but let’s face it—I wanted him to defile me all night and all day long. “Don’t think you’ll get by unscathed. You know my appetite.”

  “I’m counting on it.” His deep voice sent heat through my belly.

  I reached for his shirt but he pushed me away. “Oh, come on! If we’re not eating then what else are we doing out here all alone!”

  His head tilted back, deep rumbles of laughter pealing out, shaking his entire body. “Oh god, I love you Rubi.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Okay, okay. No more stalling.” Mac reached in his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. “I just wanted to make it formal, a real engagement from now on and announce it to the world.”

  My heart fluttered uncontrollably as he flipped the box open to reveal a stunning platinum band with a princess cut diamond and two small garnet stones flanking it. My hand went to my mouth, eyes watering again and blurring the glistening ring. Don’t make fun. There isn’t girl in this world who wouldn’t shed a few tears at the sight of an engagement ring. And if there is they’re big fat liars. “Mac. It’s beautiful.” My voice cracked with emotion.

  “Awe, baby.” Mac crushed me against his chest with his free arm, filling my nostrils with his warm, wild forest scent. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.” His lips pressed against my forehead.

  “I’m not,” I lied, forcing a snort from him. “Oh, whatever. Are you going to put it on my finger already?”

  With a laugh Mac released me. He pulled off the royal band then slipped the diamond on before sliding the band back into the place. It was a perfect match. “I love you Rubiks Moon-gem McHale Davenport.”

  I wouldn’t even let him speaking my full name annoy me. My insides were bursting with happiness—even more happiness than that surf and turf was going to give me. “I
love you McCollum Cambridge Davenport.”

  Mac twisted me around so I was pressed against his chest, his arm wrapping around my torso. His lips trailed kisses down my jaw before he rested his head on my shoulder. “It looks perfect on you baby.”

  I held my hand out, moving it so the stones glistened in the flickering firelight. “I love it Mac. I can’t wait to show everyone.”

  “I just hope your dad doesn’t try to behead me with one of his swords.”

  I patted his thigh with my other hand. “It’ll be okay baby. Besides, he didn’t bring any with him.”

  He snorted on a laugh—a habit he picked up from me clearly. “He’ll probably make one out of coconuts, bamboo, and sharks teeth.”

  “It’s possible. Stranger things have happened.” Another point for sarcasm.

  “Oh well, dodging him will be good practice for when I inform him we’ll be moving in together right after graduation… before you turn eighteen.”

  I sucked my teeth. “I hope I’m not there for that conversation.” His laughter tickled my neck. “Of course we could always run away and live in the woods like…” My voice was cut off as Mac stiffened. “What…?”

  Before I realized what was happening a whoosh hit the air and I was forced to the ground by Mac’s unrelenting arm. A grunt echoed followed by heavy silence.

  My breathing was so loud as I shifted, looking up and coming face to face with the shaft of an arrow… sticking out of Mac’s chest.

  Air caught in my throat as I bolted up, wide-eyed and trembling. “Mac!” I could already hear the rumbling of feet as guards were alerted to the intruders.

  It didn’t pierce his heart. It didn’t pierce his heart.

  Panic drove my motions and I reached for the arrow to yank it out.

  “No Rubi.” Mac blocked my hand. “Don’t touch it.”

  My heart violently slammed against my ribcage and blood thundered in my ears, creating a brutal staccato that throbbed through my entire body. I knew the meaning of his words, I knew what they meant. Yet it couldn’t be true. Not him.

  But his lips were already turning pale.

  “Mac no!” I choked out.

  He grabbed my hand, his still warm. “I love you Rubi. Always.” He fell back.

  “No.” I scrambled up to his side and put his head in my lap, tears falling down my cheeks. I was aware vampires and shifters were around us, but I paid them no mind. “Mac don’t leave me.”

  His jade eyes shimmering with regret and guilt met mine. “I’m so sorry baby. I can’t stay.” He reached up and brushed the tears from my cheek, his fingers quickly turning cold to the touch. “There’s not… much time…” Mac took a shuddering breath. “Let Demy take care of you. He promised… me…”

  I grabbed his hand as it fell away. “No, you take care of me Mac. You!”

  “Rubi…” Blood seeped out his mouth moments before his back arched up and face twisted in a painful expression.

  Someone grabbed my shoulder, but I shook them off, watching Mac fight off the poison. Because that was what he was doing. He was fighting. Not dying. He was Prince McCollum Davenport. He could beat anything.

  Finally after several painstaking moments, his body relaxed and green eyes met mine. “Love… you…” His chest sank down as his breath left him in those two words. His last breath.

  Dread, panic, and blinding pain punched a hole in my chest as I clung to Mac, shaking him. “No Mac!” I cried. “No. Come back.” I kissed him, not caring about the blood, thinking it would be like a fairytale.

  It wasn’t.

  “NO!!!” My agonizing scream tore holes through the atmosphere and ripped apart the world. My world.

  ***

  I gasped awake in bed, sweat beading my hairline and dripping down my neck. My breathing was ragged and my tank top and shorts stuck to my body along with the Egyptian cotton sheets. My hand swiped the moisture from my forehead, the diamond ring and band catching in the silvery moonlight drifting in through the windows.

  Get the entire book from Amazon here.

  Tormented (A Secret Salem Novel 4)

  Thank you for downloading this book. Connect with me online.

  www.jncolonbooks.com

  www.facebook.com/JNColonAuthor

  Goodreads

  www.twitter.com/JNColon

  [email protected]

 

 

 


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