Penny's Choice

by Annette Archer

  Her earpiece suddenly hissed to life in her ear. “The coven approaches,” Charles whispered.

  And right after that transmission, Charli, on the other side of them, let everyone know, “So does the Brotherhood. And they don’t look happy.”

  “Do they ever?” Thomas joked. Penny laughed and wondered how he could keep a sense of humor at a time like this.

  Behind them, the Djinn leaned in between them. “I don’t suppose we could just let them beat on each other? Work this out with their own fists and teeth?”

  Penny still wasn’t sure what to make of the Djinn. The fact that he had filled her shoes with strawberry jello didn’t really help her opinion of him.

  “No, it wouldn’t work,” Thomas explained. “They won’t stop until they get to us.”

  Mr. Wolf waved to them from across the clearing, behind two birch trees. The groups were getting close.

  “You remember what to do?” Thomas said. Penny could hear the concern for her behind his words.

  She leaned into Thomas more, putting her hand on his. “Yes, Thomas. I remember. Don’t worry about me.”

  His hand gripped hers. “I do worry about you. Just, remember that.”

  A crashing through the trees on their right signaled the approach of the Brotherhood. Penny couldn’t hear the vampires approaching. But she knew they were there, slipping through the woods.

  She was right. With growling faces and bared fangs, dozens of vampires poured through the trees. They were blurry impressions of movement, spreading out across the field.

  “Now?” the Djinn asked.

  “Not yet,” Thomas said.

  From their right, roaring at the top of their lungs, came the Brotherhood, all in black and armed with short swords or other weapons. Their leader caught sight of the vampires immediately, and even if their targets were Penny and Thomas and the others, they weren’t going to pass up the chance to exterminate the entire Brotherhood. The two groups soared toward each other, blood in their eyes.

  “Now!” Thomas yelled over the sound of colliding enemies.

  “Yes!” the Djinn roared, a look of incredible happiness on his face. “NOW!”

  The Djinn raised both arms upward and soared into the sky, his greyish skin glowing. Using his magic he now unleashed the traps he had set up before. Piles of earth exploded into the air underneath the charging feet of the Brotherhood. Bodies lifted into the air from the force of the exploding magical charges, to come crashing back to the ground again, on top of their brothers if they were lucky, smacking hard against dirt and stone when they weren’t. Either way, they didn’t get up again.

  The same thing happened under the feet of the vampires, exploding them up and out and over each other.

  The difference was, the vampires landed back on their feet and kept coming.

  Thomas and Penny looked at the Djinn. The expression of triumph slid slowly from his face. “Oops,” he said.

  “Oops?” Thomas echoed. “Seriously?”

  “It’s not my fault!” the grey-skinned magic-wielder blurted out.

  With a growl, Thomas’ eyes turned blood red and his fangs bared and he raced into the fray.

  “Thomas, no, wait!” Penny called to him, but it was too late. She set her lips in a thin line and raised her gun. She tried to clear the approaching vampires out of Thomas’ way. Every vampire that fell in her sights got a fire bullet through the middle of their forehead or their hearts. The explosions of the modified bullets tore them open from the inside out. She only missed twice. Once her shot tore through a vampire’s knee to explode on the ground behind and sent her target falling to the ground just before Thomas got to it, grabbed it by the throat as it fell and ripped its head clear of its shoulders, turning it to dust.

  The second time her bullet grazed a vampire’s neck without impacting. It turned and glared at her with blood pouring from the wound and then it raced across the moon-lit field straight at her.

  Penny turned to the Djinn for help. It was gone.

  She pulled the trigger. The gun made a sickeningly soft click sound. She was out. She had time for a single thought. She was going to die.

  Black forms poured over and past her, leaping, jumping, howling. The werewolves.

  The vampire who had set itself upon her faltered and slipped and fell to the ground only to be grabbed in the huge jaws of a large black werewolf that crushed its neck in a single bloody bite.

  Penny let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Thomas,” she whispered, remembering that he was out there, among the attacking vampires and the Brotherhood alone. She touched her earpiece. “Charles, Charli, where are you?”

  “Oh, now you care?” Charles asked.

  “Shush, Charles,” Penny heard Charli say. “Just do your part.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Go soak your teeth.”

  Penny smiled at the playful banter between the two siblings. But then she looked back out on the horrifying scene in front of her. Death was everywhere. Brotherhood agents turned raging vampires to dust as vampires and werewolves tore and rent everyone with tooth and claw. And she stood there, watching, helpless.

  The Djinn appeared here and there around the battlefield, working mischief and mayhem. Here it appeared and a vampire found itself sinking into ground suddenly soft as quicksand. Here it popped into view long enough to blow dust into the face of one of the Brotherhood, blinding him painfully. Each attack of the Djinn was followed up by either the slashing claws of a werewolf or the furious attack of Charli or Thomas.

  Thomas. He was a sight to behold. Beautiful and mesmerizing. She couldn’t take her eyes from him.

  This was why she missed the vampire coming up behind her until it grabbed her arms and shoved her to the ground painfully, the air rushing from her lungs.

  “Now,” she heard it rasp into her ear, “I will take your life, little human girl. I will take your blood and soak my flesh in it. I will—”

  Its words cut off as a shower of dust fell around her and the vampire was no longer holding her.

  “Stupid vampires. Always talk too much.”

  Penny turned over to find Charles standing over her, a knife still in his hand, which he must have used to kill the vampire before it could take her.

  “Thank you,” she said. Everything that had been between them now hung heavy in the air. The love he had professed for her, the way she had felt for him, her choice to be with Thomas. It was there in his eyes as he looked at her. And then he blinked, and waved a hand, as if to say it all didn’t matter anymore.

  And then he raised the detonator in his other hand and spoke a simple command through his earpiece. “Fall back.”

  The command went out from those who had the earpiece communicators to all of their allies on the field. The Djinn whisked here and there to give the signal. And almost as one, the clearing emptied of everyone who was not Coven or Brotherhood.

  And Charles pressed the red button.

  (CHAPTER 10) To New Beginnings

  Penny felt the smooth satin sheets caressing her bare skin and bolted upright. She was disoriented from all the battles and traveling. She looked next to hear and saw Thomas napping. Then everything came rushing back to her and she slid back under the covers.

  “Ya alright,” he asked without even opening his eyes.

  “I'm not getting out of bed,” she said, grumbling and turning over. Thomas put an arm around her waist and softly kissed her ear.

  “I suppose you don't have to get out of bed...ever,” he said, kissing down her neck. With each new kiss, a tingle crept down her back. “But, I think Paris will miss your fabulous presence.”

  Penny shot out of bed again. Paris. She forgot they were in Paris. Penny had always dreamed of going to Paris. Actually she would have been happy anywhere in Europe. She had been thrilled when she learned that Thomas had purchased them tickets to Paris. They wouldn't be able to stay long – they would never be able to stay anywhere for long – but even one night in Paris
was a dream come true.

  “Okay, I'm ready!” She said, hopping out of bed. She felt a grumble in her stomach and suddenly had a craving for an authentic croissant.

  “While I may enjoy the view,” Thomas said, sitting up in bed, “I think that it would be best if you at least put some underwear on before you went out. We're trying to lay low remember?”

  “Right, and I probably need a shower too,” she said as she headed toward the bathroom and took in their surroundings. They were in a suite with lush carpets and beautifully upholstered furniture. Long silky drapes whispered in the open windows. It was as opulent as the Brotherhood sanctuary, but it was much more tasteful and confusing. She was glad that she could look out onto the streets instead of walls.

  The bathroom tickled every fantasy that Penny had ever had. She contemplated talking a long bath in the Jacuzzi, but she decided that she would much rather save that for later with Thomas. Right now, she wanted to hit the streets.

  While Penny was in the shower, she heard a knock on the door. She heard Charles in the room and decided that she should probably hurry up. She brushed her teeth, comb out her hair, and slapped some clothes on. Penny was a low maintenance girl.

  “Chuck!” she said walking out of the bathroom. “We did it!”

  “We certainly did,” he said with a slight smile on his face. “You ready to go?”

  “Yep. Thomas aren't you ready yet?” She asked when she noticed the Thomas was still mostly undressed.

  “It's the day time Penny,” he said. “I can't go out. Besides you are going to get food and well, I don't eat real food.”

  “So, it just me and Charles for the day?” Penny was a little nervous of spending the day with her now ex-boyfriend.

  “Just for a little while,” Thomas said, pulling a shirt over his mop of curly hair. “The rest of us will join in a couple hours when it is dark.”

  “I'm starving, Penny,” Charles said holding his stomach. “I need a pastry!”

  Thomas laughed at his brother. “Mmmm and I need a Frenchman or two,” Thomas said, showing off his teeth. Penny realized another reason that Thomas wasn't going to come with them. He needed to eat too. And she didn't really want to be there.

  Charles wrinkled his nose in disgust and walked out the door. Thomas kissed Penny on the cheek before she followed Charles out the door.

  “I guess we have to get used to living with vampires,” Charles said after Penny closed the door.

  “Yeah, at least he's trying to be polite about...in a Thomas kind of way,” she replied, trying to keep pace with Charles's long legs.

  “Charli was not quite so 'polite' as Thomas,” Charles said. “But then again, she is my twin... And I must say, I would rather have her here and...never mind... I haven't slept that good since I was separated from her.” Even though they were not part of the Brotherhood anymore, or never even really agreed with the policies, it was still hard to accept some the realities of life with vampires. Penny wondered if Charles would ever actually be able to say that his sister fed on people's blood.

  “So you’re okay with this?” Penny asked. They hadn't had time to talk since Charles found out that she had left him for Thomas. Penny suspected that was another reason that they had been sent out alone.

  “Well... the blood...thing and,” he stuttered around.

  “No, I mean us. Or me and Thomas now,” she said and looked into Charles's eyes. The elevator door opened and they stepped in.

  “Oh, that. Yeah. I think you are a better fit for Thomas anyway,” he replied. “I mean maybe I'm not completely okay with everything, but we're still stuck together, so the sooner we get over this 'break up' thing, the better.” He pressed the button down to the first floor.

  “You would have gotten bored of me anyway,” Penny said, staring ahead at the door.

  “Well, um, in that way. I have a hard time expressing my feelings Penny. And...well, I felt very protective of you and couldn't ya know, tell you...and so I just mixed them up with romance and...it was stupid. I should have just tried to be your friend from the start, but I've never had a girl that was just a friend.”

  Penny enjoyed watching Charles wriggle around and try to explain how his was feeling. She had a feeling that this would be the only time that he would ever talk about how he felt. She liked hearing it, but knew that he was uncomfortable and would just keep rambling until she stopped him.

  “Oh Charles, you're not getting all sappy on me know, are you?” She said and laughed at him as they exited the elevator. The smell of fresh baked French pastries met their noses.

  “How about a snack before dinner?” Charles said, abruptly changing the subject.

  “Sounds good to me!”

  And just like that Penny started her new life. A life that she felt finally fit her. She had a family that understood her and support system. She would be on the run probably for the rest of her life, but that didn't matter. She was in Paris, the City of Love, with the people that she loved. She was happy.

  If you enjoyed reading “Penny’s Choice” (or even if you didn’t) please consider leaving a review on Amazon.com or wherever else you may have purchased the book.

  Thanks,

  Annette J. Archer

  Titles by Annette J. Archer

  - Savior (by Annette J. Archer)

  Angel (Angie) is a shy, quiet and somewhat awkward girl lost in the jungle that is middle school. Even Mason finds her a little awkward the first few times he sees her. Being the new guy in the school he is intrigued as to why she doesn’t seem to have any friends and sits alone even at lunch.

  After a Science class in which they are paired together Mason decides to find out about Angel. Despite her obvious choice of avoiding social interaction in school something about her intrigues him.

  It takes a while for Angel to open up but soon Mason finds out why she is the way she is. Mason is flabbergasted by what he hears but has promised not to tell anyone about it. The problem is it may one day cost Angel her wellbeing and ultimately her life.

  Mason must now take it upon himself to be Angel’s ‘Savior’.

  Purchase “Savior” from the Amazon Kindle Store @ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009KYMV90

  - Miracles (sequel to “Savior”) by Annette J. Archer

  In Miracles Angel finally gets to meet her long lost brother. Her relationship with Mason hits the rocks as they both struggle to come to grips with the feelings they have for each other. Even harder is communicating those feelings.

  Purchase “Miracles” from the Amazon Kindle Store @ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009L4OFLQ

  - Penny’s Choice (by Annette J. Archer)

  Nobody believes Penny when she says she sees Vampires and Werewolves. Including her family. Even after her family is killed by some of them nobody believes her. Even her own grandmother who she moves in with.

  Now all Penny wants is revenge. The only way she can get this is by joining “The Brotherhood”. An organisation that fights against Vampires. Just one thing, they are not what she expects to find.

  Charles is her mentor/trainer at the Brotherhood. He just happens to have lost his family in a similar manner to Penny. Oh yeah, and he just happens to be very good looking.

  Penny soon learns to fight and starts getting some revenge for the deaths of her family.

  After finding herself in danger with Charles Penny is rescued by a vampire who turns out to not only be Charles’ brother but also the vampire that had ensured she had not been killed on the day she and her family had been attacked by the group of vampires. Penny also finds herself falling in love with him. Now Penny has a choice to make.

  When Angel goes to visit her brother’s place over the summer she finds a new home and family she was never even aware of but at what cost to her blossoming relationship with Mason?

  Purchase “Penny’s Choice” from Amazon Kindle @ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JY5CGA

  For information on the latest books released by Annette J. Archer visit; http://
www.FictionBattle.blogspot.com

  Other Titles From Nazarite Limited Publishing

  - Grape Juice (by Chris D. Ags)

  In “Grape Juice” Iris, who has just lost her mother to a long-time illness, moves into her Father’s house. It just happens that she will not only be living with the Father she never really knew but also have to stay with the step-sister she wished she never had. Fortunately, it doesn’t involve her step-mother.

  Lorelei (Iris’ step sister) is not too keen on the arrangement herself but quickly sympathises with Iris’ situation. After all she had just lost her mother. It’s just that Iris can be a handful to spend time with.

  In this story about family, friends and the angst of life we follow the two sisters as they learn about life, nearly lost their lives, argue, cry and laugh through their experiences in this coming of age story.

  Purchase “Grape Juice” from the Amazon Kindle Store @ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JXHIYU

  - 3 Women Scorned (by Chris D. Ags)

  Michael Kalla is only a young boy when his mother dies of cancer. He blames his Father who was abusive to his mother while she was alive. After leaving home in a dramatic fashion at the age of fifteen Michael makes a success of himself. Sure, he is in the illegal business of importing wines but using his charm and the business wit of his friend Lenny, Michael quickly becomes a success.

  What should have been the dream life quickly turns into a nightmare once Michael finds himself with a gambling addiction. Owing “Big Jacques” (the local gangster) more money than he can pay off Michael with the help of Lenny realises he needs to disappear. Lenny ends up dead, while Michael escapes with his life, something he refuses to forgive himself for.