Fall of kNight
kNight Series Book 2
Written by
T.L. Mitchell
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author"s imagination or are used factiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
kNight Romance Publishing
Port Richey, Florida
Copyright © 2010 by T.L. Mitchell
ISBN-13: 9780982918647
ISBN-10: 098291864x
Second Edition kNight Romance Publishing , November 2010
http://www.knightromancepublishing.com
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 articles and reviews.
Cover Artist Dara England
Editor Gateway Editorial Services
Praise for Dark of kNight
“A Secret Legacy with a Supernatural Destiny! Now that's my kind of story!”
Shannon Bailey, Author
“The author writes with a youthful voice, but does not talk down to an older reader. It is obvious that the author loves what she does. Her characters are rich and vibrant.”
Romance in the Backseat
“T.L. Mitchell delivers an exciting and suspenseful debut paranormal romance novel that will captivate you from the start and will have you wondering what would happen next for Julie and Daniel as well as the rest of the wonderfully written secondary characters. “
Talk About My Favorite Authors
It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.
~Charles Darwin~
PREFACE
The sound of ghostly drums beat all around me, drawing my soul into another realm or dimension. I was not sure which one. The only thing I was sure of was the fact that I was in pain. Does death come easily to those who choose it?
I wondered. It was a question that clearly stood out in my mind. My body and mind were in complete torture as the war raged inside of me, killing me slowly and indefinitely. My knowledge of the present or past was not clearly identified. Even the future was not certain at this point.
My agony was my own demise. My decision. My choice. I barely noticed the days as they swept past me as my body continued its conflict. Visions swept across my mind of war, a battle actually, between a Lycan and a dark being. Was it real? Or was I actually dead and caught in the infinity of hell?
The already tortured heart inside my body, burned beyond recognition. A woman scorned. Finally, it stopped beating. Yes, this was the end. The last ounce of the precious blood squeezed from my heart. The pain was intolerable as my mouth opened to gasp for the last moments of air. I wanted to scream. To cry for help in some way, but I remained silent in my agony.
Visions of recent events flashed before my eyes, glimpses of all the madness and deception. My mind flooded with the lies that had brought all this to a head. Yet, there was one unsettling factor that I held onto like a safety net; it was not over. The words, spoken softly by an angel, held the only glimmer of hope that drove me through this agony. “I love you, Julie.” His words whispered against my neck as they etched themselves in my heart forever. His love for me was far greater than I could have ever imagined. It was patient, kind and everlasting. The kind of love you gladly die for.
The darkness that clouded my mind vanished abruptly. Clarity hit me like a strong northern wind, chilling me to the bone. In one unfathomable moment, I realized my life was not as it had seemed.
CHAPTER ONE
The darkness crept closer, surrounding me with the eeriness of the night. My footsteps were only echoes against the silence of the darkness. Slowly, I padded along the path in my dream.
Deep within the wooded area, I smelled them. The werewolves. It was the stench of rotten flesh that clung so tightly to their wicked bones that lingered in the mid night"s air. I gave in to my senses, moving slower, cautiously, through the depth and darkness of the night. I tilted my head upward, lifting my nose higher into the air. A new scent of lilies and carnations filled my nostrils. It was a scent I was all too familiar with. Vampire.
One must be close by.
Behind me, I heard the sound of footsteps as they approached and I stopped. My ears perked forward. I listened intently as the pace quickened. The leaves and twigs crunched under its feet as it approached. My breath held tight as I braced myself for the oncoming attack. The thick brush parted as the creature moved into full sight. Its fierce teeth bared as its red glowing eyes flared with killing rage. It would be over soon now.
The killing. The death.
A low growl rumbled from deep within my chest. My lips curled back revealing my threateningly sharp teeth. I firmly planted my feet onto the ground as I braced myself.
Involuntarily, my wet tongue slipped through my teeth as my lips quivered against the vibrations of my growl. This time I sent one last warning; a snarl of deadly valor.
One clean bite and it would be over. A shiver prickled up my spine. The hairs on my back bristled on their ends. My head lowered closer to the ground. Cautiously, I circled the creature as our dance of death began. My heart quickened its pace. A huff of air escaped my mouth as the muscles in my hind legs tensed. My eyes firmly locked on my prey. The dance came to an abrupt halt. My front paws braced against the cold hard ground and I bolted forward.
The powerful muscles in my shoulders tensed. The leg muscles underneath my skin flexed as I gained speed, pushing my body forward. My feet pounded against the earth beneath me, lifting my body higher in the air. I moved toward the wiry-haired beast. The chill of the air blistered against my face and the breath held in my chest as the cold wind blew into my nostrils. My senses were alive with the foul stench of werewolf as the killing rage overtook me. Death was certain, but it would not be my blood spilled this night.
My eyes locked onto the creature. I focused on the hind leg. I knew I was faster and could make it. There was no time for mistakes.
Out of nowhere, a white flash moved in front of my eyes, momentarily blinding me.
Distraction. Not good. A pale arm wrapped around the creature"s neck. On top of its head rested a pale hand. A quick jerk and loud cracking noises filled the air. It was over.
The smell of death was imminent. The creature slowly dropped to its knees, the foul scent of werewolf blood filling the air. I snorted twice to clear the offensive odor from my nostrils.
Richard MacArthur stood before me. The pale skinned, inhumanly beautiful vampire. The most dangerously seductive vampire or human I had ever known. As always, his attack on the werewolf was flawless. A killing method he had perfected over a century.
The thick mist on the ground moved under my feet as I exhaled slowly. My body jerked forward and I was human again. The coolness of his pale hand reached under my arm, pulling me to my feet. Richard could kill me with one quick snap. Even though I was extraordinarily strong even in my human state, he was faster. He slowly pulled me to him. The blue diamond-like eyes deeply peered into mine. Fear screamed through my body. I was afraid. The words I wanted so desperately to say to make him stop fled my mind. I wanted him to release me and set me free. Release and save me from the end I feared, the end he would have gladly given me.
With a gentle cooing whisper, he shushed me as his hand slid behind my neck. The coolness of his fingers lingered against my burning skin. Lightly they caressed my warmth. Richard held me inches from his face. The coolness of his breath fanned against my skin, haunting and tempting me. My eyelids dropped at the soft sweet floral scent of his breath. Under his c
ontrol, my head tilted backward. Hot fire pulsated through my veins as my heart pounded loudly. My breath came out in quick gasps as I struggled to breathe. The sanity I once held onto so tightly had left me, and I was under the spell of this beautiful vampire.
The blood that coursed through my veins was a woman in need of her lover. She called to him. She pleaded to him. She arched herself to him and begged him to take her so passionately. The muscles in my body trembled as she pushed my will aside. I felt the coolness of his tongue as it slowly traced the vein up to my ear. My senses ran wild. The world swirled around me as their love affair began. My body waged war against my own will, surrendering itself to every touch and smell of this inhumanly beautiful vampire.
With each beat of my heart, my blood called out to him. Tempted him. She gave herself willingly to him as the vein in my neck arched to meet the lips of this vampire.
He inhaled deeply, intoxicating himself on the savory scent. The coolness of his lips pressed against my skin, kissing the vein containing the woman who desired him.
His once cold lips were warm as they grazed over my mouth. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. His mouth left mine only to find my neck. His lips touched my neck again as he inhaled a deep and solemn breath. Ever so slow and gentle, his lips moved down my throat to the base of my neck. Fire burned within me as I felt the softness of his tongue on my bare skin.
I prepared to force the protest from my mouth as I inhaled a deep breath. Then I felt it, a sensation like no other. The razor sharp cold teeth as they gently grazed over my bare skin. A tremor ran through me, exciting every nerve in my fevered body. My mouth opened as I exhaled a ragged breath. My body trembled against his lean statuesque form.
“No,” I whispered in a ragged breath.
“Yes,” he hissed softly. His words burned against my skin.
My heart raced and my mind whirled. Hot flames rushed through my fevered veins. Intense burning and desire welled within me. In that one moment, I knew I wanted him. I wanted all of him. It was his spell. But as the bells of fear tolled again, I left all caution behind and ignored the warning signs. My will was not strong enough to save me. I had fallen deeply and unendingly under his control. Richard had left me with a need that only he could fill. A need that screamed through my body as his cold hands felt like fire skimming over my skin.
Richard"s fingers feathered against my cheek. His crystal blue eyes peered into mine, piercing into my very soul. Searching. He sought out an answer I wasn"t willing to give him. The hunger was clear in those diamond-like eyes, wanting more than my blood offered. It was the type of hunger that needed to be quenched and satisfied. The hardness of his need pressed against my body, making me completely aware of his desires.
With one gentle motion, his lips were on mine again. Searching. Taunting. Desiring more. He called to him the woman of desire inside of me, beckoning her to him. Slowly, his lips left mine. I exhaled another ragged breath. I felt the softness of his lips on my neck, tasting the flesh he so desperately desired. Richard unleashed the she-wolf inside of me, and I shuddered as his lips parted against my throat.
Richard inhaled a quick breath followed by a soft growl that rumbled from his throat. In one instant, one breath of a second, I felt it. The sharp piercing pain as his fangs entered my flesh. My breath seized. My eyes widened with fear and I couldn"t scream. I was immobilized under his spell. My heart raced wildly, forcing more blood to his lips.
The rush of fear ran through me, screaming for me to wake up. I fought hard to find my way back, searching my soul for salvation, as I knew my death was near. My body slowly drifted away as my blood spilled across his thin cold lips. Wake up! Wake up!
Fear called to me.
“JULIE! For the love of Fate! Wake up!” a voice shouted to me.
Violently my body trembled. My eyes opened. No, I wasn"t trembling. Someone was shaking me. The words became clearer, like I was fine-tuning a radio station, but my mind was still in the dream. I found myself screaming. Reality finally settled in and I quieted. My eyes remained clouded by darkness, and my heart pounded loudly. My breathing was erratic, but I left that dark and illusive dream.
Daniel was in clear view. The expression on his face matched my dream. Pure horror. I opened my mouth to speak. Tears burned against my cheeks as they fell. He pulled me into his arms, sheltering me from my nightmare, sheltering me from the vampire Richard. The fact of knowing it was Richard in my dream was more terrifying than the dream itself. Had he left such a mark on me? A mark that haunted even my dreams? It was time I had to fear the worse. Worse yet, fear him.
Daniel pushed me back, his hands firm on my arms. My tears subsided, lingering to a soft whimper. The beautiful hazel eyes, hidden behind those dark and luscious black lashes peered into mine. He searched for the answers to my nightmare. His thoughts were clear in my head. Richard was a threat.
“Jewels? What happened?” his voice was velvety soft. His hands gently caressed my arms.
“It was…a bad dream,” I managed. I didn"t know how Daniel would take the news of Richard biting me, much less seducing me with his vampire ways.
“I gathered the obvious,” he sighed. “What happened? Werewolves?”
I hesitated, “No.”
He released a long sigh. “Jewels?” he warned. Daniel was not one who liked to be kept in the dark. I knew better than to avoid it. He had to know. We were mates. I could hide little from him. Even my thoughts were difficult to keep secret with the bond we shared.
“Vampire.” My gaze met his. “It was Richard. He bit me.”
The expression on Daniel"s face changed. His jaw tightened. “What exactly happened?” His voice remained tight and controlled while his hazel eyes darkened.
“In the dream I was hunting for werewolves. Richard appeared out of nowhere. He killed the one I found. Then he…well…he somewhat seduced me, then bit me.” There, I said it.
Daniel took the news of my dream well, or so I thought. His eyes intensified into a dark black cloud of anger. The muscles in his jaw line twitched slightly as his teeth tightly clenched together. Then he released a long breath. With curiosity, I watched as his eyes mellowed from black back to his usual soft shade of hazel brown. All this happened within a matter of seconds. It was hard to tell whether or not he was actually losing his temper. Lately, he was doing a great job of keeping it under control. Still, I didn"t want to push him too far, especially mentioning Richard.
“Okay.” Daniel was still calm.
It was a statement I didn"t expect to hear, especially coming from Daniel. I studied his face for a long moment, contemplating his reactions. Daniel surprised me with his controlled behavior. This was unusual for him.
“Daniel?” My voice came out almost in a whisper.
His gaze dropped to my trembling hands. Lovingly, he took them into his and he gave me a gentle squeeze. I watched as the beautiful dark lashes lifted, revealing to me the depth of love in those hazel gems.
“Julie, it was a dream.” Pausing for a moment, he sighed again. “I also know your dreams are related to premonitions. Which leads me to believe Richard"s interest in you is exactly what I thought. We know very little of vampires.” His voice was still soft and controlled.
For a long moment, Daniel and I stared at one another. The connection with Daniel was one which mates commonly had. Our souls and hearts were as one. It was easy to hear one another"s thoughts. This was the reason I was so cautious of my own thoughts of Richard. I loved Daniel with all of my heart and soul.
Those beautiful hazel gems traveled down to my hands again. He took them into his, raising them to his lips. I watched in awe as he pressed a soft kiss on my fingers then placed them to the side of his face. His heart ached. I could feel the earnest fear he had for me. I leaned forward then pressed my face against his, snuggling against his warm body. Daniel"s head pressed against mine. Slowly he shifted, nestling against my neck. It was our way of communicating. It was the nature of the wolf within us.<
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In my heart, I wanted to soothe him, assure him in my own way. I pulled back slowly. My lips lightly touched his, as his lips parted slowly to mine. I felt his tongue touch my lips. Gently, I went for the kiss, keeping it soft and warm. Daniel teased and taunted me with his tongue but I knew he wanted more. I gave in to the kiss as it became more passionate and sensual. He was satisfied as he pulled back slowly, allowing the kiss to linger on our lips.
“Daniel,” I softly caressed the side of his face with my fingertips. “You know I love you with all of my heart.”
His eyes softened to a mellow brown. “I know,” he whispered. “I would do anything to protect you. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
My heart froze as the anxious feelings crept back into the very depth of my soul.
Daniel"s thoughts overwhelmed me. The fear, which consumed him, consumed me.
“You"re afraid Richard will do something to me, aren"t you?” I sat back on my heels.
He studied my face for a moment. “We must be careful. We do not need to take any unnecessary risks.” His finger touched my lips. “From now on, we stay together when we hunt.”
In my heart, I knew something else bothered him. I felt his anxiety. Daniel had a gift of knowing certain things that would eventually happen. It wasn"t exactly like he could see into the future. He had a strong sense of premonitions. Chills ran down my spine even as I could feel my determination setting in. Richard was not going to come between us. My heart truly belonged to Daniel. I was his, and his alone. Daniel would try to kill Richard, if necessary. One question remained in my mind, could Daniel actually kill a vampire? I feared for his life, and did not want to put this question to the test. Richard was extremely dangerous, in more ways than one.
Daniel turned away from me, moving over to his side of the bed. He pulled the bed covers over himself. With one hand under his head, he laid back against the fluffy pillows. I could hear him contemplating the fact he may have to kill Richard. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach.
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