by B. N. Toler
“Your little bully tactics don’t work on me anymore, Sarah so if I were you I’d stop before shit gets real.” My inner self stares at me with wide eyes not recognizing this emboldened version of me.
“Yes ma’am, all mighty hybrid.” She bows down in front of me sarcastically.
“You’re a hybrid?” Carter and Thomas ask in unison.
Well shit. So much for keeping that on the down low. I snap back to Thomas. “Is there a problem with that?” I hiss.
“Aldo!” Daniel says my name and I turn away from Thomas as heat flushes my face, embarrassed by my behavior. “We’ll discuss this later,” Daniel intervenes and I shrink back as he gazes at me with a look of disappointment. “We have to finish off the other vampires and blood healers that are loyal to Andre.”
“Fine,” Sarah and I both say in unison, but the conversation is far from over. If she thinks she can just steam roll me when it comes to my family she’s got another thing coming.
As everyone agrees on the next course of action, I stay quiet. Daniel stands beside me, but doesn’t touch me. I worry my outburst with Sarah has upset him more than I originally thought. Daniel puts Bridge in charge of handling the take down at the compound and nest, and sends the other hybrids with him. As we leave the club, he places me in his car and drives us towards his apartment without speaking a word.
Once inside his place, Daniel whisks me into his bathroom, quickly stripping me of his shirt I’ve been wearing and peeling off my shoes and thigh highs. In no time he’s removed his shoes and jeans and we’re standing under the warm water in his shower. Dried up blood caked with Andre’s ashes coat my skin. Daniel’s hands rub roughly and frantically against my body, as if he can’t stand the sight of the dried up blood all over me.
“Hey.” I take his hands and hold them still. “What is it?” I look into his gray eyes and find they are wild with some emotion I can’t identify.
He quickly jerks his hands from my grip and continues in his efforts to scrub my skin raw.
“Daniel.” I take his hands again and meet his gaze. “Talk to me.” I search his face for some clue as to what is playing through his mind.
“I need to wash him off of you,” he says so low I almost don’t hear it. “I need to wash you.”
I swallow back the giant lump in my throat and drop his hands. I had no idea what he saw me do with Andre tonight would affect him this way. I knew he’d be upset, but he looks as if he’s on the verge of losing it.
“Okay.” I stand still while he squirts body wash onto my loofa and proceeds to scrub me. The loofa agitates my skin, but I don’t dare say a word. Daniel needs this; to wash me clean. I hate that I’ve done this to him, but what’s done is done. Now all I can do is help him cope with it.
After he’s washed my body, he shampoos my hair. I finally manage to take control of the situation and wash him, taking my time, nipping and kissing his skin as I do. Short hisses escape him, but he remains still, letting me finish. When I’m done rinsing him, I drop to my knees in front of him.
“I’m sorry I did this to you. Please know I would never do anything to hurt you.” Without another word I take him in my mouth and he lets out a moan. Water cascades over us; I can’t see his face, but his hand rests on my head, guiding me, letting me know I’m pleasing him.
Suddenly, I’m jerked up and pressed against the shower wall. The cold tile feels intense against my warm, wet skin as Daniel presses against my back so his erection rests on the upper part of my ass. He lifts me at my hips and he slides into me with a desperate thrust. His hiss is muffled by the loud moan I let out.
“Mine, kitten. This is all mine. You fucking understand me?” he breathes in my ear.
The shock of his entrance has barely dissipated and I’m still trying to force my body to relax and stop tensing his cock like a vise grip that’s inside of me. “Yes,” I manage.
“Fuck, you are so tight.” he breathes, but still doesn’t move. “I knew the first time I saw you that I wouldn’t be able to get enough of this tight, little cunt.”
My eyes widen. Holy shit! Did he just say—”
“Now fucking say it,” he orders me pulling me down further on him making me gasp because my body fights it. “Tell me you’re mine.”
“I’m yours,” I bite out as I claw at the wall, so lost in his touch, his words, the feeling of him inside of me.
With my words he pulls out and spins me so I’m facing him. His hands grip my ass and he lifts me, pressing the head of his length to my entrance. “Please Daniel,” I beg trying to push down and force him inside of me, but his strong grip holds me up, stopping me.
“Say, Daniel you fucking own my sweet, tight, little cunt.” His gray eyes are fierce, determined. My body heats and it covers my face. No one has ever talked to me this way. His words are so hot…and I know he’ll tease me until I say it.
“Daniel, I’m yours. All of me. You own my sweet, tight, little cunt.” I swallow, hardly believing I managed to get the words out.
His body tenses and with one quick thrust, he’s inside of me again. I know Daniel loves me. I know there are parts of him that have needs, just like me. We’ve made love, but right now we’re fucking. It’s hard, it’s rough, it’s unforgiving. My body belongs to him and he’s punishing it for what I did tonight. I hurt him. I scared him. I made him think he might lose the other part of himself.
“Say it!” he barks out as his shoulders bunch and his thrusts become shortened.
“I’m yours. You fucking own me,” I yell out so close to my own orgasm I can barely speak the words.
With that he touches his thumb to my clit and I’m undone, moaning into his mouth as he lets out a groan, finishing himself. Our chests collide as we breathe heavily holding onto one another for dear life. When Daniel finally eases out of me he turns me so that I’m underneath the running water and uses his hand to gently wash away our fluids while he kisses my shoulder softly.
After a few minutes he shuts the water off and he leads me out, wrapping a towel around me and then one around himself before taking me to bed. We lie beside one another, staring into each other’s eyes. His usual gray gaze is almost black tonight, as if he’s lost in thought.
“Are you okay?” I tremble as he strokes my arm.
“I’m really fucked up tonight. Just give me some time to calm down.”
“Are you angry with me?” The uncertainty in my voice is evident.
“No. I know why you did what you did, but I almost lost you tonight. I never want to feel like that again. I almost snapped. For someone like me, that’s very dangerous.”
“What do you mean?”
“I told you I feared what caring for someone this way might do to me. I struggle every day to let the human part of me lead me and it’s not easy. The darker part of me wants to lead sometimes. The darker side doesn’t know reasoning or rationality. It only knows what it wants and will stop at nothing to have it, keep it safe.”
“Darker side? Your savage side?” I question.
“Yes.” He kisses my shoulder gently. “Am I scaring you?”
“In a way. I don’t want to be your undoing.”
He runs a hand over my hair. “You won’t be. You’re the only thing that could bring me back from it.”
Our mouths collide again and in seconds he’s on me, inside me, biting me and drinking from me. I’ve never felt anything this consuming. I feel devoured. It’s the best thing I’ve ever felt. There’s something so intense between us it’s hard to describe. Like my world would crash without him, I couldn’t exist and with that thought I realize what he means. We are savage especially when it comes to what is ours. I am his and he is mine. I would burn the world a thousand times to keep him safe. Maybe that is a little scary.
We drift off to sleep in each other’s arms before waking to Daniel’s cell phone ringing. With a few short words to the person on the other end he rolls out of bed and begins dressing.
I pout, “Where are yo
u going?”
“That was Bridge. Jamie got away. We didn’t realize it at the club.”
“So what does that have to do with you?”
“I need to search his quarters and computers for clues to where he might have gone.”
“How long will you be?” I sit up in bed and watch him as he dresses.
“Not long, kitten.”
“Daniel.”
“Yeah?”
“Why do you call me that ridiculous name?”
A smile plays on his lips and he gets a thoughtful look in his eyes. “Because kittens are small, adorable, and a part of you wants to pet them and love them. But they are also feisty, curious, and will claw the shit out of you even though they are so young and fragile. They fight beyond their years and never seem to know when to stay out of trouble.”
“Sounds really sexy.” I roll my eyes and flop back embarrassed.
He climbs on top of me fully clothed and plants a soft kiss to my lips. “I think so.” He leans down and sucks one of my sensitive nipples and I tremble. “When I get back, you’ll drink from me. You’re going to need your strength.”
“Hurry back.” I kiss him again as he rises to meet my lips.
“Nothing will ever keep me from you.” He kisses my shoulder.
“I know.”
He quickly slides off of the bed and adjusts his erection where it sits strained under his jeans. “Be back shortly. Stay here!” He gives me a wide eyed look and I laugh.
“I promise.” And I mean it. I will listen to him from now on. He’s right. I needed to grow up and stop letting the hurt from my past blind me. No more going solo. I’m part of a team now.
Four hours later I wake to a knock at the door. I slip on Daniel’s robe and look through the peephole. It’s Bridge.
“What are you doing here?” I ask annoyed.
“Daniel sent me and Nick to pick you up. Nick’s down in the car waiting.”
“Pick me up for what?”
“We’re getting out of here because there’s no sign of Jamie. He’s worried he may know where this apartment is.”
I open the door and turn before he enters. “Let me dress.”
I grab my phone from my purse and there’s no message from Daniel. Something in my gut tells me to call him so I dial his number.
He answers on the first ring. “Aldo?”
I pause a moment, a little stunned he used my real name. “Hey, I was just checking if you sent—” The phone is knocked from my hand and something pinches my neck.
“Easy, kitten,” Bridge whispers in my ear. “Wouldn’t want Daniel knowing I’m the one that took his girl.”
My heart thumps rapidly against my chest and I try to pull away from him, but my vision blurs and my body lulls.
“Don’t worry, Aldo. You wanted inside the nest and that’s exactly where you’re going.” His words are the last thing I hear before it all goes dark.
I hope as you’ve journeyed through Hybrid, you haven’t lost patience with Aldo. She is a far from perfect character and I wouldn’t make her any other way. Not every heroine in every novel can be wise beyond her years. My goal has always been to allow the reader to grow with Aldo. I think Daniel said it best when he told her, “I’m waiting for this young girl to turn into a woman.” In Savage, you will get to see Aldo really become everything she is meant to be. You’ll also get to see a bit from Daniel’s POV.
Thank you for reading Aldo’s story and I look forward to bringing you something that will knock your socks off in Savage.
Best Regards,
B N Toler
Healer: Mortal. One born with the ability to pull energy from one human and transfer it to another for healing illness, injuries, and sometimes death.
Vampire: Immortal. Feeds on human blood. Can eat or drink any food or beverage, but there’s no advantage. Blood is their main source of nourishment. Vampires cannot walk in the sun and must be staked through the heart to be killed.
Blood Healer: Immortal. A born healer turned vampire. Unlike healers, they can only pull energy from the blood they consume. Blood healers can heal illness, injuries, and death. They can also walk in the sun.
Hybrid: Immortal. Occurs pre-birth when a female healer is bitten while with child. The child is born a healer and will not turn hybrid unless they drink blood. Hybrids are more powerful than vampires and blood healers. As long as they maintain a healthy blood intake, they cannot be killed. Hybrids need food and water, just like humans in addition to blood.
Dream Walker: One with the ability to connect their mind with others and walk their subconscious. Dream walkers can disguise themselves while in other’s dreams.
Endless Source: A human with unlimited energy; healers love them because they can draw energy from them and the source will not become fatigued.
Aldo: A born healer, later turned hybrid. She can also absorb energy from those she touches, but cannot sort out the information until she dreams.
Whit and Hudson: Aldo’s twin brothers. (They are triplets) Whit possesses the ability to pull energy while Hudson pushes it. Hudson would die without Whit pulling energy for him.
Lucy: Deceased. Healer. The triplets’ aunt.
Lila: Endless source
Thomas: Healer/Dream Walker
Rhett: Blood Healer/Dream Walker
Sarah: Blood Healer/Physic. Sarah can dream walk if Rhett moves her.
Daniel: Strongest of all hybrids. At least…we think he is.
Bridge: Hybrid. Human lie detector. When one lies to Bridge, he automatically sees the truth in vision.
Flynn: Hybrid
Eileen: Hybrid
Nick: Hybrid
Cassia: Hybrid
George Carter: Healer
Corbin: Endless source
Andre: Vampire. Leader of vampire nest in South Carolina.
SAVAGE
Coming 2014
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A savage is barbaric.
It attacks without restraint or pity.
It is fierce, merciless, and brutal.
Aldo has let that part of herself take over, drive her actions. I thought saving her from Bridge was my biggest problem.
I was wrong.
Something happened while she was missing. And it has altered her in a way that she is almost unrecognizable.
But she won’t tell me anything.
Instead, I’m forced to watch the young and naïve woman I’ve fallen in love with transition into everything I knew she could be; strong, fearless, and unstoppable. The problem is, she’s cut off her humanity, and coupled with those things, she’s a loose cannon.
She’s a savage.
My name is Daniel O’Sullivan and I’m in love with a broken woman. I will bring her back and remind her of who she really is no matter what it takes.
Even if it kills me.
Oh, Toler, how I love the. Let me count the ways….
Thank you for being the best husband, friend, and father. So many days you have taken over and let me hide away in the cave that is our bedroom and write. I’m grateful for your love and support. I love you. You are the shake to my bake.
A big thanks to K8te the great for always reading my manuscripts even though you hate reading anything besides your kindle and I give you a stack of copy paper. You’re the best!
Thank you Red, Leah, Ashley, and anyone who has been around me for the last year for always encouraging me and listening to me talk about writing all of the time.
Thank you to Cover to Cover Designs for making an AMAZING cover for Hybrid. I love it!
Thank you to Ellen C. Sallas for formatting and always answering my every question, because I have a ton!
Marilyn with Eagle Eye Reds, you have been amazing. I truly looked forward to each ‘chunk’ you’d send to me just to read your notes. I love that you loved Daniel and were rooting for him the entire time. Thanks for your hard work editing!
I have t
o thank the first two bloggers that accepted my novel. It’s really hard getting out there and marketing your book, so I was incredibly grateful when Krystle with The Booknatics and Rose with Rose’s Book Blog accepted Healer for review. You guys are great!
Finally, to those of you who bought Healer, from an unknown author, thank you. I hope that you enjoyed Hybrid as much as Healer.
B N Toler is a happily married, mother of three who lives in Virginia. She enjoys reading and lives for a good book she can’t put down.
HEALER is her first self-published novel. Part two of the HEALER series, HYBRID, is available now and Part three, SAVAGE, will be available in December 2014.
WRECKING BALL was B N Toler’s first New Adult/Contemporary Romance and is available now, along with THE SUIT her second New Adult/Contemporary Romance.
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Table of Contents
dedication
prologue
one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
ten
eleven
twelve
thirteen
fourteen
fifteen
sixteen
dear reader
glossary
acknowledgements
about the author