Dodging one knife, Kent let the flashlight slip from his fingers, catching it by the thin wristband. As the second knife sliced through the air, Kent slung the flashlight forward, smacking Carla right between the eyes.
That had to sting.
She stumbled a step, but Kent took every advantage of it to catch her arm and crank it back. Her muscles betrayed her and dropped the knife. Kent caught it in midair and brought it back to bear, but the bitch was fast.
The butcher knife blade glanced off his arm, slicing a little fillet of Kent off. German engineering, man. He held onto the knife though, coming back around as Carla lurched forward, knocking her forehead into his.
Either he was getting osteoporosis, or that chick had one thick skull as their bones cracked together and Kent stumbled backward. His vision blurred as he tried to keep his feet. Carla, however, raised the butcher knife overhead and swung downward with all her might. Kent braced for the pain. Braced for the blood loss. With any hope, there would be an ambulance close by.
But the blow never landed. Instead, Carla teetered to the side as her body shook from a blow from behind. The woman tipped forward to reveal Lyla, board in hand. She hit her mother again, knocking her to her knees.
Kent struggled to rise, fighting off double vision and rolling nausea. “Lyla, no!”
Lyla struck Carla again, the knives dropping harmlessly to the ground, but Lyla didn’t stop. She raised the board again and again.
Finally, he gained his feet, wrapping his arms around Lyla, keeping them at her side so she couldn’t swing again.
“Whoa, there, Lizzie Borden.”
Lyla fought to break free as her mother lay motionless at their feet. “But doesn’t she deserve it?” she asked, the whites of her eyes bloodshot, and her blonde hair matted against her head. “Doesn’t she?”
“Of course she does,” Kent answered. “But do you?”
Lyla looked into his eyes. He knew that line she wanted to cross. He also knew what it felt like to have to live on the other side of it.
He let go of her and backed away an unsteady step. “It is your call.”
The girl held the board like a bat, gripping the raw wood as if it weren’t depositing a thousand splinters in her hand. She gazed defiantly, almost daring him to go back on his word. When he didn’t, a shudder passed through her body, and the board pitched out of her hand.
“Kent!” Nicole yelled as she ran into the tunnel. “Carla’s the killer!”
Lyla looked at Kent as Kent looked at Lyla, and they both chuckled.
“Um, yeah,” Kent said as he put pressure on his arm wound. “We kind of figured that out.”
Nicole knelt down to check Carla’s pulse. She was still alive. Others poured out of the passageway. Uniformed cops, EMTs, and Kent even thought he spotted a firefighter in there. Where were they two minutes ago? He could have at least used the ax.
His partner tried to herd Lyla away. “Come on, hon.”
But the girl turned back, hugging Kent, burying his face in her chest. He smoothed her sweaty hair, careful not to drip blood onto it as he guided her to the exit.
Nicole raised an eyebrow.
“What?” Kent asked. “I told you I was great with kids.”
Afterword
Thank you so much for taking the time to explore Harbinger’s world! Hopefully you found it was disturbing and intriguing as I hoped you would!
If you enjoyed Dark Lullaby, I would love to ask a favor of you and have you go back to Amazon and leave a review. We indie authors live and die by our reviews!
If you are looking for more Harbinger action or more of my books, check out the next section!
Other Works by Carolyn McCray
If you enjoyed the twists and turns of Dark Lullaby, you might want to try Harbinger’s first novel the #1 Bestselling (Police Procedurals and Hard-Boiled Mysteries)…
Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware.
In the words of New York Times best-selling author, James Rollins (Altar of Eden and Devil Colony)…
“Wickedly macabre and blisteringly paced, PLAIN JANE marks the debut of a thriller for the new millennium. Brash, funny, terrifying, and shocking, here is a story best enjoyed with all the lights on. Don’t say I didn't warn you!”
More praise for Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware.
"This book is so creepy. I made the mistake of starting in one night before bed. Not only did the story line keep me turning pages, it freaked me out to the point that I didn't want to turn off my light."
The Book Goddess
Book Reviewer
"This one had me flipping pages until 2 in the morning. I knew when I saw the quote from James Rollins (one of my favorites) that I would get at least my money's worth out of the book, but I had NO idea what laid in store for me."
Mimi - Novel Ideas
The purchase or sample Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware simply click here.
* * *
If you are in the mood for some more great serial killer catching I also have, All Hallow’s Eve: The One Night it’s BAD to be Good.
People are being martyred but not for their faith. Instead the deaths are part of a serial killer’s sick game as he chooses his victim by their name… then kills them in that Saint’s grisly manner.
What people are saying about All Hallow’s Eve…
“Scary and smart, All Hallow’s Eve is perfect for anyone who wants to read a horror story that makes them think. From the intricate psychopathology of the serial killer, to the hair-raising tension, to the skewering of pop culture, All Hallow’s Eve is simply a great read.”
Your Need To Read
Book Reviewer
“Even in her horror novels, Carolyn McCray still brings her amazing ability to create believable characters that you love to root for. All Hallow’s Eve is no exception. Thank you, Carolyn, for writing such intelligent horror! Still scary, but so great to read.”
Amber Scott
Author
“Fierce Dawn”
“Beautifully written and masterfully executed. You will keep guessing until the end who could have planned such a horrific night! Do not read this while alone in the house!”
ParaYourNormal
Book Reviewer
“Carolyn McCray does it again. After her international best seller, Plain Jane, Carolyn brings to life another thriller that takes you to the edge and beyond. Not for the faint of heart, All Hallow’s Eve is macabre, yet still manages to be heartfelt. But with people dying in the manner of the saints, we knew the body count would be high, and Ms. McCray did not disappoint!”
ThrillersRockT
Book Reviewer
To sample or purchase All Hallow’s Eve, click here.
* * *
And for those of you who enjoy your thrillers with a supernatural twist, I have a new urban fantasy out, Rook: Let’s Avoid the Apocalypse, People.
“Saving mankind is a crappy job, but somebody’s gotta do it.” And yes, Rook would like you to quote him on that.
Because in his world the earth is nothing more than the DMZ between Heaven and Hell and the only thing that stands between all is Rook and his team. Like Rook said, crappy job.
What others are saying about Rook…
"Wow. Can you say page turner, roller coaster ride, and great characters three times fast? Rook grabs hold of you from the first scene in a torchlight cave and doesn't let go until the last word. Amazing."
Your Need To Read
Book Reviewer
"Any book that has angels, vampires, and giant attack lizard is okay with us! This book takes urban fantasy to a whole new level. Exciting yet with some truly heartfelt moments. We cannot recommend Rook enough! Can't wait for the next in the series."
ParaYourNormal
Book Reviewer
"While not a 'thriller' per se with its Urban Fantasy vibe, Rook is the definition of thrilling. McCray really knows how to turn up the heat and keep you flipping through the pages so fast you fear they will i
gnite! Even if urban fantasy isn't your thing, READ ROOK. You won't regret it!"
ThrillersRockT
Book Reviewer
"McCray always writes smart, gripping mysteries (Plain Jane and All Hallow's Eve), but it was great to see her bring that same flare to her new Urban Fantasy, Rook. I just wanted to climb in the car with them, even though it was being chased by winged demons! Rook leaves your heart pounding, wanting more!"
Amber Scott
Author
"Fierce Dawn"
* * *
I also have a contemporary historical thriller, titled 30 Pieces of Silver. This one makes The Da Vinci Code look like a Sunday school lesson! Trust me, if you took offense to The Da Vinci Code, 30 Pieces of Silver is not for you! :-) However if you hunger for a nail-biting alternative to the Code, check out 30 Pieces of Silver.
But don’t believe me….
“Carolyn McCray’s 30 PIECES OF SILVER proves that Dan Brown's crown is up for grabs. Part minefield and all roller-coaster ride, here is a story as controversial as it is thrilling. Hunker down for a long night, because once you start this book won't be putting it down.”
James Rollins
New York Times bestseller of Devil Colony
To sample or purchase 30 Pieces of Silver, click here.
About the Author
Carolyn McCray is a social media and sales consultant to indie authors and publishing houses alike. Her own controversial thriller, 30 Pieces of Silver, hit the #1 spot on the Amazon “Men’s Adventure” list, (beating out the likes of Clive Cussler), and all sixteen of her indie-published books are Kindle Bestsellers.
If you would like to know more about Carolyn, just follow this Contact Info link and sign up for her newsletter so that maybe you can join her at an in-person signing.
Contact Information
Carolyn McCray can be found just about everywhere social media exists…
Email: [email protected]
Her personal social media links:
Website
Twitter
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
LinkedIn
Technical Publishing articles on DigitalBookWorld.com
Acknowledgments
My very first acknowledgment must go to Gary. Somehow through everything, he raised me right.
Then, of course, must come Jim. My best friend for over two decades. Mentor, hero, and fellow video game junkie.
And Dee Dee, always loud and proud. Who has somehow convinced me to #ack go out and meet new people #weird
Copyright Information
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, places, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DARK LULLABY
An Off Our Meds Project/published by arrangement with the author
FIRST EDITION
Copyright 2012 by Carolyn McCray
All rights reserved.
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 critical articles and reviews.
Any inquiries can be made to:
3524 South Star Lake Rd
Auburn, WA 98001
Email
Table of Contents
Main Menu
Afterword
Other Works by Carolyn McCray
Plain Jane – A Patterson-style thriller with a dash of Hannibal
All Hallow's Eve – The one night it's BAD... to be good
Rook – Earth is the DMZ between heaven and hell, and that's the good news
30 Pieces of Silver – Extremely controversial historical thriller
About the Author
Contact Information
Acknowledgments
Copyright Information
Chapters:
Prologue
Chapter 1
To go back to the Main Menu, click here.
Dark Lullaby Page 5