Shades of Amber

by Morgan Smith

  When the words faded, I threw my arms around his neck and gave into my desires. I had witnessed life without him, and I couldn’t go back. Troy seized my heart and soul the moment he asked for them.

  “I’m sorry if I seemed indecisive.”

  He wiped the tear from my cheek. “It’s alright. I’ve always known how you felt; I just needed you to realize it.”

  The first brush of our lips was slow and delicate, but Troy was a master at turning a simple kiss into a feverish possession. Instead of running, I gave it everything I had.

  My heart had always wanted a second chance with the man I loved, and now I had it.

  “Do you think the Phantom will get the girl this time?”

  He adjusted his mask and helped with mine. “I’ve no doubt.”

  Our banter stopped once he opened the door. In place of mummies and blood dripping fiends, stood old world icons and storybook legends.

  As he introduced me to a group of celebrities from the 1950s, I studied the portion of his face exposed by the mask. Would we ever outgrow our likeness to the Phantom and Christine? If we succeeded in finding the cure, we might.

  Troy pulled me closer, interrupting my reverie. “Jade, meet Andrew.”

  “Nice to meet you.” I shook hands with the tall, sandy haired man.

  “And you as well.”

  When the doorbell rang, Troy smiled. “Excuse us.” The instant he touched my back, a blaze of fire spread beneath my skin, absorbing all my attention.

  By the time we reached the door, it took me longer than necessary to recognize my friends. He waved them in, shaking hands with the guys, while I hugged the girls. I smiled at the sight of everyone’s costumes. Garrell was a pinstriped mobster, Amelia had a mask and dress made of peacock feathers, and Tyler, Graham, and Cricket were The Three Musketeers.

  It was interesting to see my two worlds fully entwined—the one with Troy and the one without him. He sat and talked with us for a little while before leaving to mingle.

  “So, how are things going?” Elizabeth’s voice was high and soft to match her good witch costume.

  “Things are still different, but then so is he. I find myself trying to raise my guard toward him, but it’s pretty obvious that my heart still wants him.”

  Faith lowered her red sequined mask. “So it’s just your heart that wants him?” She aimed her bow and arrow at my chest.

  “Okay.” I raised my hands. “Every part of me wants him, but my mind is having a hard time accepting that I’m not making a mistake.”

  Shanika scooted closer. “What kind of mistake?”

  I slid further away when her blue and black wing poked my arm. “Stay where you are, I wouldn’t want you to draw any blood with those sharp fairy appendages.”

  She fluffed her skirt and smiled. “You’re just jealous because I have the sharpest costume here!”

  A few minutes later, they were talking movies, but my thoughts were elsewhere. It was rare for me to turn around and not find Troy’s lingering gaze.

  Mariah’s purple butterfly costume caught my eye for a moment, but then I tapped my foot, anxious for a lull in the conversation. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked.

  I bit my lip as everyone looked at me.

  Would I admit I was going to look for Troy?

  “I need the restroom.” Several girls offered to accompany me, but I declined.

  “Okay. Don’t get lost.” Kayla said as she plucked lint from her black cat suit.

  “No worries there.”

  When I didn’t spot him on the first floor, I made my way upstairs. The music was almost too quiet compared to the noise in the living room. I turned to the right, following the faint melody like a siren song. Since I hadn’t received the full tour yet, I could only guess what was at this end. Perhaps a guest bathroom or bedroom, maybe even a library.

  “Who throws a party just to hide from their guests?” I tried to spot him from the doorway, but it was dark except for a candle on the mantle. “What kind of game are you playing and how many fire places does this house have?”

  After a moment’s hesitation, I crossed the threshold. “Troy?” My skin prickled as cold air whipped through and snuffed the flame. I shifted from foot to foot. My gold stilettos were two inches too tall and far too uncomfortable for me to humor him.

  “I refuse to do this tonight.” I turned on my heel, but something plowed into me before I could take another step. I rolled to my stomach and crawled toward the door, but the glow of the hall seemed miles away. I moved faster, unsure of where he was lurking until his hands circled my neck.

  My vision blurred as I kicked out. I should’ve screamed more, but I thought I could get away before he saw or heard me. Circles appeared and faded when his hands fell away. Then I flew across the room as his foot connected with my stomach.

  Once I landed, I screamed like a banshee and summoned every self-defense tactic I knew. Silence and the element of surprise were my best options. My body and throat ached as I rolled onto my back. Bringing my hands above my head, I did my best to whimper once and play dead.

  His weight pinned me down as he straddled the layers of tulle at my waist. I expected him to speak, but he leaned forward until his hot breath touched my skin.

  Gathering my courage, I clawed and jabbed at his face. My screams filled the room again, growing louder when I felt the half mask.

  This couldn’t be Troy.

  My assailant fell back in an attempt to protect his face. Which is when I brought my feet up and slammed my heels into his torso.

  He growled, but I crawled until I felt the heavy leg of a desk and scurried beneath it.

  My thoughts crashed against each other as I held my aching side. Nothing made sense.

  What were the odds that one of Troy’s guests would have the same costume?

  It couldn’t be Troy. He wouldn’t try to kill me.

  Or was he trying to turn me into a vampire? If he did try, I would kill him myself.

  Tears streamed down my face at the idea of losing him.

  It had to be someone else.

  The floor creaked as my assailant got to his feet. I wanted to scream and curse, but couldn’t do anything to draw his attention.

  Why did he come after me?

  The sound of gunfire brought me back to the room. I closed my eyes in an attempt to concentrate.

  Did he shoot someone?

  Light exploded behind my eyelids, followed by a cacophony of voices.

  “Jade! Jade! Where are you?”

  I crawled out when I heard my friends.

  “We were so worried,” Amelia said as she and Faith dragged me to my feet. I stiffened when I saw the dark haired cowboy by the door. He nodded and slid a long gun into the holster at his side.

  “He saved you,” Faith whispered, hugging me tight.

  The rest of my friends and a bunch of other guests crowded behind him, but I couldn’t spot the person who mattered most.

  “Where’s Troy?”

  Amelia’s face turned pale.

  Hypnotic

  What's this yearning

  that my heart speaks?

  When I think of you

  it gets harder to breathe.

  This image of you...

  And me...

  Stays in my mind

  like a melody.

  Your love is hypnotic,

  Your soul is unique.

  And when we're face to face...

  Cheek to cheek...

  How can I fight these memories?

  You’re in my blood like a virus.

  Yet, I can’t shake or deny it.

  -Jade

  Chapter 31

  I followed the trail of crimson as if I was walking to my own death. My knees gave out when I saw the dark hair and broad back.

  It couldn’t be Troy.

  Blood seeped through his white vest as I rolled him over. I didn’t have to take his pulse to see that he wasn’t breathing.

  Ame
lia rested her hand on my shoulder, but neither of us spoke.

  It couldn’t be Troy.

  The room fell silent when I traced the edge of the white mask. My trembling fingers slid to the chin as I struggled to catch my breath.

  Troy might be a threat to my heart and sanity, but never my life.

  I slid the mask over his hair, devastated by the face underneath.

  “What was he thinking?” I asked Amelia.

  Someone touched my shoulder before she could summon the words.

  The tears stopped when I saw Troy kneeling beside me. His mask was gone, so there was nothing to hide the concern on his face.

  “Are you okay?” He ran his hands over my body twice before squeezing me against his chest.

  “No. Where were you?”

  “I had to take a conference call with my father.”

  I extracted myself from his arms and stood up. “Did you know Chance was on the loose?”

  “I’m sorry, Jade.” He rubbed his face. “I wasn’t sure he’d return, but I hired extra security. I won’t be using them again, though.” He stared at his cousin’s body as two men covered it with a sheet. “You thought he was me.”

  I looked away and applied pressure to my aching side.

  His gaze narrowed. “How bad did he hurt you?”

  “It’s fine.”

  Troy surveyed the room and pulled me into his arms.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Making sure you’re alright.” His fingers trailed the back of my neck as he pressed his forehead to mine. “I love you.”

  My lips formed the words, but I was too wary to speak.

  This was all too familiar.

  “Look at me.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

  His grip tightened. “Just let me take the pain away.”

  “I’m good.” I held my breath as he caressed my side.

  “Really?”

  “Yes—ah.” I hissed and slapped his hand. “That wasn’t necessary.

  “Relax.” He touched my forehead. “It will be just like this.”

  I put my arms around his waist and peeked over his shoulder. The room was empty except for a small group near the cowboy. It was a difficult choice, but in the end, my low tolerance for pain won out.

  “Okay.”

  His soft lips fell upon mine, erasing every ounce of pain. I held him tighter, wishing we were in his bedroom. The instant I thought it, his hand slid up my leg until someone tapped his shoulder.

  The cowboy smiled as we broke apart. “Sorry to interrupt, but it seemed like the right time.”

  I looked between them. “Yes, your timing is impeccable, and so is that gun. What are the odds?” I asked when Troy put his arm around my shoulder.

  “I know these aren’t the best circumstances to get acquainted, but what can I say? Life is unpredictable.” He held out his hand. “Sebastian Peridot.”

  He was handsome, from the top of his brown suede hat to the toes of his authentic cowboy boots, and beneath that was tan skin, black hair, and the bluest set of eyes.

  I took his hand and said, “You’re accent doesn’t match your costume, Mr. Peridot.”

  “I suppose Romanian cowboys are hard to come by.” He winked. “Lucky for you, I’m not into toy weapons.”

  “Yes, thanks, but that doesn’t look like a cowboy’s.…”

  “Thank you for saving her,” Troy said as they shook hands.

  “Are you okay?” A blonde cowgirl asked as she looped arms with Troy’s friend.

  I didn’t know what to say.

  Was I okay?

  My side didn’t hurt anymore, but I doubted Troy’s blood would erase the mental anguish.

  I tried to smile as I met her brown gaze. “I’ve been better.”

  He pulled her close. “This is Lily.”

  “I’m Jade.”

  I looked from Troy to the Romanian cowboy. “So how do you know each other?”

  Troy kissed my cheek. “We’re old friends.”

  ###

  Also by Morgan Smith:

  What do you do when the person you yearn to be with is the one you need to stay away from?

  When Lily met Sebastian, she had no idea how many skeletons lined his closet. Now, she finds herself tangled in a web of lies that aren’t even hers—and one secret so massive, it could shatter her entire world.

  A Touch of Sapphire

  (The DisEnchanted Series Book 2)

  “Would you love me no matter what?” he asked as we lay on the bed, watching the shadows dance on the ceiling.

  “What do you mean? Would I love you if you cheated on me? No! …If you broke my heart? Probably not…. But if you were sick or dying? Of course, I would love you.” I froze. “Are you sick?”

  He shrugged. “You could call it that.”

  I rolled onto my side and looked at his tan skin and vibrant blue eyes. “You’re not dying are you?”

  He laughed. “I’m far from dying.”

  I bit my lip, “What is it then?”

  His words weren’t loud, but I could have sworn he said, “I’m cursed.”

  “What did you say?”

  He kissed my forehead. “I didn’t say anything.”

  <>

  They say life and death go hand in hand, but when you lose the person you love... you stop caring about how normal it is. After years of waiting, everything is falling into place, but someone is determined to stand in the way.

  Reincarnate

  (A Paranormal Romance Novel)

  There was something behind me. I could feel it. I moved quickly, but my feet went out from under me as the ground gave way. I gasped for air, knowing there was nothing but water below—and maybe rocks.

  Some things just shouldn’t happen, I thought as my life evaporated before my eyes. Thousands of images filled my vision, warming me to my core. My family, my friends, my routines—nineteen years played out like a 60-second trailer.

  One final wish played on repeat as water burned through my lungs. I wish I could have told everyone how much I cared just one more time.

  The world went quiet and still as I lay suspended in time—seeing everything, yet nothing. And just when I thought the end was here, a dark haired angel swam down, put something around me—and then, my heart made one final thump, and stopped.

  <>

  There’s nothing like the thrill of a new face in a small town, but when people begin to disappear, the rumors start to fly.

  Lies Through the Grapevine

  (A Mystery Fiction Novel)

  Normally, I might rush to get away from him, but I don’t want to risk running into something. I round the corner and open the kitchen door, surprised to see Miss Sophia shoving sheets into a washing machine.

  She looks up as the door swings shut.

  “I don’t remember seeing these the last time I was here.”

  “They’re usually hidden behind these doors,” she says, demonstrating how it conceals the dryer and washer. “There’s no stain too tough for this guy.” She slams the lid. “Have a seat and I’ll whip up some sandwiches.”

  I look at the table, noting the bottle of pills on the placemat.

  She sets a mug in front of me. “You’re a real trooper. Most people wouldn’t want anything to do with death.”

  I take a sip of my tea, not quite sure how to respond.

  “There you are.” He sits next to me. “I was afraid you’d gotten lost.”

  She takes a butcher knife from the drawer and starts on the tomatoes. “Are your parents shopping for a new washer and dryer?”

  “Yes,” I say, but I don’t think he’s buying it.

  “I strongly recommend this brand; there’s no stain it can’t overpower.”

  <>

  …Coming Soon…

  What do you do when every step forward destroys a piece of your past?

  Jade and Troy aren’t the only ones who know about the cure. There’s a wager on the table and the price is steep. So, h
ow far would you go to spend your life with the one you love?

  Emerald Darkness

  (The DisEnchanted Series Book 3)

  Screams seep through the cracks in my brain.

  I’m damaged. I must be if I’m in here.

  I open my eyes to the brightest blue, hindered only by white clouds. There’s wood at my sides and back, and water as far as I can see. I scoot closer to the side and gaze at the crystal liquid.

  A woman stares up at me.

  She’s in her twenties with rich brown eyes and dark hair. I finger my wild curls as she touches hers.

  She opens her mouth when I open mine, but nothing comes out.

  Mesmerized, we gaze at one another until she reaches forward and yanks me over the edge.

  <>

  A Note from the Author

  Hi,

  It has been four years since Jade and Troy first hit the book scene. If you’ve read the first edition, you can see how much their story has evolved since 2011. Pieces have been added, tweaked, and described in a way that should make you fall for them, whether it is your first time or your third. And yes, I am working on a sequel that will take you on a ride that will be worth the wait!

  Shades of Amber began as a screenplay for a short film. After I wrote it, I decided to turn it into a book so you could see Jade and Troy’s story on paper.

  You can find the short films/trailers of Shades of Amber on YouTube under the csm3dia (Chattanooga State’s Media Club) page.

  I believe that when you read a book, it should play in your mind like a movie. I hope you enjoyed Jade and Troy’s story as much as I enjoyed telling it!