“You will, but we don’t have much more time. He’s coming.” He turned to face him. “We still have surprise on our side. I’m shielding your thoughts from him, so he doesn’t know you’ve made the transition.”
“How—never mind,” he said, shaking his head. “What do I need to do?”
“Just do what comes naturally to you,” he replied with a wink.
They didn’t have long to wait. Pavlo arrived slipping into the cave like a breeze.
“Gentlemen,” he said, nodding to them both. “I trust I have not kept you waiting long.”
Kanati dropped into a defense crouch. His knife materialized in his hand.
“Easy, boy,” the vampire laughed. “I will deal with you shortly. First I have some unfinished business to attend to with your friend here.”
Kanati watched as Niccolo sprang into action. Even with his newborn eyes, their movements were hard to follow. They danced in a tight circle, bodies colliding, claws piercing flesh, teeth gnashing.
He felt the burn grow even more fierce in his throat as the blood began to flow. The scent was heavy in the air, stirring some unknown feeling from deep within him, driving him mad. He felt his gums begin to swell, then burst as his fangs shot forth. Running his tongue over them, he marveled at their sharpness.
The combatants whirled in their dance of death, creeping ever closer to the center of the cave. Neither seemed to tire or slow. His chest heaved with anticipation. He could wait no more.
With a guttural cry, he sprang into the air. The vampire let out a startled gasp as he pounced on him. Sinking his teeth in deep, he was overcome by the sheer volume of information that flooded his brain. He tried to channel the stream, only reliving portions of the man’s life. What he felt astounded him. This creature had lived for hundreds of years.
The connection suddenly vanished and he flailed, trying to claw his way back to his victim.
“Enough, Kanati,” Niccolo yelled. “It’s over. He’s all but bled dry. We have but to take his head to make our victory complete.”
“He was a warrior,” Kanati said, staring down at the dying fiend. “A Spartan. A true legend right out of the history books.”
Niccolo twisted Pavlo’s head free and tossed it onto the embers of the dying fire. “He may have been at one time, but I assure you, he washed away any semblance of his honorable beginnings.”
“Was he an ancient?”
“No,” he replied with a visible shudder. “I doubt either of us would still be here to discuss it if he were. At the rate he was changing though, I’m sure he wasn’t far from becoming one.”
“What now?” Kanati asked, still trying to make sense of Niccolo’s answer.
“What do you mean?” Niccolo asked, his head cocked to one side.
“I have so much to learn… I don’t even know enough to ask where to start.”
“We have all of eternity to work on your skills.”
The weight of his words sank in, and Kanati lowered his gaze. Yes, but it will be an eternity without my beloved Selu. What have I done?
He smiled as a thought forced its way to the forefront. Perhaps he had not lost her, but merely acquired the ability keep them together forever…
“And what about Selu?”
Niccolo’s shoulders slumped. “Would you really rob her of her life at such a tender age?”
“She is as young as I,” he insisted.
“Yes, but you can see why I had to turn you. You know I wouldn’t have, if I thought there was any other way to protect you.”
“So, I will live an eternity, but do so without the love of my life?” Kanati swallowed hard. “What kind of hell have you condemned me to?”
“No, I didn’t say you would never be reunited with her, but now is not the time.”
“Why put off until tomorrow what we could do today?” Kanati gave his most charming smile.
“Do you have any idea how hard it would be to train you both at the same time? You’re love struck; the constant distraction would definitely hinder your progress.”
“Then when I’ve learned enough, we can bring her into the fold?”
“When the time is right, I give you my word, we will revisit the subject. We will go to see her and if she hasn’t moved on with her life, if she isn’t happy with what has become of her, she will become one of us.”
“You will turn her for me?”
“When the time is right,” he began with a wink. “I won’t have to.”
Kanati stewed in silent contemplation. If she hadn’t moved on? She wouldn’t do that, would she? He loved her more than life itself. He was sure she felt the same. How long would it take for Niccolo to consider him trained? Could she really find someone else to make her happy during that time? He was torn. He loved her enough to want her to be happy no matter what the cost. He would have to live with his decisions for all eternity. Would she be able to accept what he had become, or would it be better to let her think him dead? Was immortality a blessing or a curse? He thought for the second time that night. Only time will tell.
Look for
Darkness on the Plains: The Awakening
By Jayme Malvagio
Coming April 2010 from Resplendence Publishing
About the Author
Jayme Malvagio began life in Dover, Delaware, but has since become a world traveler. Adrift, Jayme is on a constant quest to absorb as much of the world around us as possible. To that end, there is no place called home. Only staying in one place long enough to learn a bit of its history, Jayme is constantly on the move.
Jayme is also a fan of the vampire. There are many alluring qualities of the immortals: The temptation of eternal life, preternatural abilities, and let’s face it, the sensuality of these creatures all play into the allure of these creatures. When not immersed in writing, Jayme’s nose is usually buried in a vampire novel.
Jayme strives to capture the true beauty of the often-feared children of the night. The vampires of the Darkness on the Plains series are beautiful, strong, and their burning thirst is only rivaled by their sexual desires.
Thank You!
We appreciate your purchase of this Resplendence Publishing title. We hope your reading experience was a pleasurable one, and invite you to take 10% off your next electronic book purchase from website.
Visit www.ResplendencePublishing.com, select any title, and enter the following code when you check out: ReadRP10. This code is valid only on our website, for electronic book purchases only.
During your visit to www.ResplendencePublishing.com, you can enjoy Free Reads from RP’s hottest authors, obtain information on our Read Green charitable donation program, or sign up for our quarterly newsletter and our RP Reader Rewards program, which awards loyal readers with a $10.00 gift certificate for every $100.00 spent.
You can also join us on MySpace, Facebook, and Blogspot. You will find regular updates, information on upcoming releases and appearances, as well as contests for free RP titles. We love to hear from our readers, and hope to see you there.
Thank you again for your purchase, and we look forward to becoming your number one resource for high quality electronic fiction.
Best,
The RP Team
Also Available from
Resplendence Publishing
Dragon’s Blood by Brynn Paulin
For centuries, there have been legends of Vampires—the fault of one careless dragon. But humans only know part of the story. Walking amongst us are Dragons, shape-shifters who feed on blood.
Reluctant Dragon Elder Janos Aventech’s vacation in New York is about to come to an abrupt end. Riding on the subway, he stumbles across a Dragon mate—one of the few human women with whom his people can unite and be truly happy. And his people’s enemies are out to get her. As his attraction to this woman grows, he knows he must find her mate and see her safely into that man’s arms. It’s destined. But as every minute passes in her company, Janos begins to see he’ll never willingly let her
go, mate or not.
If only she were his mate…
On the subway, Scarlett couldn’t stop staring at him—then he turned crazy. When he essentially kidnaps her off the train, she knows she should be irate and terrified. Instead, she finds her initial attraction growing. But what’s all this stuff he’s spouting about mates and enemies? She only wants to return to her life, not get caught in the middle of a war. But it’s too late for that. She’s destined for a Dragon’s bed, and in Janos’ arms, she can only hope it’s his.
Drums of the Nunni’hi by James Goodman
Carl and Jessica fell for each other during their final year of high school. Unfortunately, they come from different worlds. The people of their small Oklahoma town were taught from an early age that they should steer clear of the kids from the Cherokee reservation, and the animosity flows both ways. Carl’s mother is heartbroken to learn that her only son has strayed from his people by falling in love with a white girl, while Jessica’s family sees any relationship with a ‘Rez Kid’ as the ultimate betrayal—and they want Carl to pay for their daughter’s mistake.
What happens next will awaken an ancient power thought long gone from the world of man. The pounding of the drums may mark their coming, but it’s the screams that will let you know the Nunne’hi have arrived...
Kissed by the Sun by Catrina Calloway
Carlee Davis is a free spirit, an artist of Native American drawings. She creates beautiful sketches of her secret loves—two Native American Indians she’s known since childhood, Ben and Dan. When the matriarch of Carlee’s family dies, she places the reigns of the family business in Carlee’s reluctant hands. Carlee has other plans for her life, but so does someone else - someone who is jealous that Carlee is now in charge of the family fortune.
Someone who wants Carlee dead.
It’s a double dose of desire for Ben Strong and Dan Swift, the two Montauk Indians of Carlee’s dreams. Montauk means ‘uncertain’ in Ben and Dan’s language, but they’ve always been certain of one thing: Carlee is the one woman for them—and they don’t mind sharing.
Now Carlee’s back in town, and a threat on her life stirs old feelings, new desires, and heats their blood. Sometimes, it feels like she’s been... Kissed by the Sun.
Circle Star by Tatiana March
After thirteen years in the East, Susanna Talbot stands to inherit the Arizona ranch she grew up on, but only provided she marries Connor McGregor, the young drifter who once forged a bond with her father. Susanna will do whatever it takes to claim her right to land—even seek a union with a man who believes she ruined his life.
But first she must find him.
Connor McGregor rode into the desert without a backward glance thirteen years ago, believing Susanna had banished him from Circle Star. Now a man of twenty-eight, he has no interest in coming to her aid. Will he bury his bitterness, or leave Susanna on the mercy of the ruthless neighbor Burt Hartman, who covets the ranch and will stop at nothing—including rape and murder.
Compromising Liaison’s by Melinda Barron
A racy Victorian novel paves the way for three very different women to find the loves of their lives.
· A Duchess-to-be who is curious about what will happen in her wedding bed.
· A widowed companion who is not afraid to tell her the truth, and cares nothing about what society thinks.
· A Lady who is afraid to follow her heart for fear of being branded a harlot.
All three of these ladies’ lives are changed forever when they come into contact with The Duke’s Mistress, and learn that some liaisons, no matter how compromising, are perfect.
Beyond Death by Jinger Jackson
Allana Simpson is cursed. Love only brings death to everyone around her. She longs for a normal life with one man that she can give her heart to without killing him.
Tom Haugan never believed in curses until he met Allana. She opens up a world for him that he never knew existed. A world he never wished to learn about.
Tom wants to protect Allana, to heal her heart and take away her pain. The closer he gets, the more “accidents” occur. He’s not willing to give up on what they could have. Allana’s longing for Tom and the dream of a future filled with happiness weakens her resolve to remain alone. She trusts him and decides to let him in. Now death stalks them both…
In for a Penny by Carol Lynne
What’s the old saying…you can never go home again? Raven Black resigned himself to never returning after being ordered from the only real home he’d ever known. Now, seven years later, Raven is back to face the man who sent him away.
Zane Conner is not only Raven’s foster brother but the only man Raven ever loved. Despite his mixed feelings about the situation, Raven can’t deny Zane when the older man asks for his help in saving the Lazy C Bar Ranch. A boy found dead on the ranch clinches Raven’s decision.
Why did the young boy look so much like he had at that age—the same age he’d been when his own father had beaten him and left him for dead?
The Hunt for the Elixir Series
by Midnight Dupree
Blood Quest
The Assassin was sent to ensure that the Vampire Queen died, and to recover the Elixir that would restore his kind back to their glory. He endured years of training and sexual restraint in order to become the best at what he does.
He is on the hunt for the Elixir of Life.
Micah and Sasha are vampire servants to the Queen. When she is murdered, they believe their lives are coming to an end as well, but the Queen has left them one special gift and a mission...
Winter’s Blood
When Angelina’s sister is kidnapped, she is forced to steal a much sought-after formula. Fortunately, fate has paired her with a handsome vampire who has promised to help save her beloved sibling.
Dante wants to break through the frozen barriers of Angelina’s heart, and will do almost anything to accomplish his goal. But first, he and Angelina must fight the evil and keep the precious formula out of evil hands.
Will Dante and Angelina be successful in their quest? Or will the blood spilled be their own?
Blood Red Rose
With the threat of danger high, Eli’s world is on the verge of being destroyed. The Elixir of Life is needed by the Other’s now more than ever. Their assassin has Eli in his sights. Eli is ready for this threat, but he finds an unexpected, yet intriguing distraction.
Rose is a beautiful female vampire on the run and doesn’t realize how much she will need Eli. Yet, in the end, will she need to save him?
Find Resplendence titles at the following retailers
Resplendence Publishing
www.ResplendencePublishing.com
Amazon
www.Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
www.BarnesandNoble.com
Target
www.Target.com
Fictionwise
www.Fictionwise.com
All Romance E-Books
www.AllRomanceEBooks.com
Mobipocket
www.Mobipocket.com
DarknessOnThePlains_TheBeginning Page 19