by Belita Renn
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Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright ©2006 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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DOUBLE YOUR TROUBLE
by
Belita Renn
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Published by
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052
Casper, WY 82605-1052
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright ©
2006 by Belita Renn
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN 1-59374-634-2
Credits
Cover Artist: ESCORPIO
Editor: Gail Simmons
Printed in the United States of America
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
DOUBLE YOUR TROUBLE
"I cannot say how tasty this morsel of a book is; vampires and Carpathians, as well as the local small town people make this book worthy of a look. Immersed in the book, I was sorry to find I had read the whole thing. A nibble, a lick, make this book your pick!
"Double Your Trouble is just the book you need in this cold weather to heat you up. Coldness is not in this hot book of an erotic tale worthy of a steamy night. Belita Renn is on my must have list as all her books are a tempting, teasing and oh so pleasing look into erotic romance."
Wendi
Fallen Angel Reviews
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
FALSTRO
"Watch out for Falstro! The book is so good that you will be scrambling to read anything and everything that Belita Renn has ever written. If erotic stories are your favorite type of reading, you have to read this. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape in an erotic, steamy short story that takes place in 1799 with Dukes, Lords, and Ladies.
Falstro by Belita Renn is a hot erotic short story that gets the motors running as it heats up; it just gets hotter and hotter page after page. If you are looking for a hot steamy erotic read this book is just for you. I've let my fingers do the running, not walking, to order more of her books! As summer heats up so does Falstro! This is a definitively must-have, must-read book!"
Wendi FallenAngelReviews.com Recommended Read
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
COVERING CINDE RELLA
"Covering Cinde Rella is a very erotic tale with a twist on the old-fashioned Cinderella story. While there are no wicked stepsisters, there is a somewhat careless stepbrother and a very outrageous stepmother, both whom encourage Cinde's seductive nature. This is a story for fans of love at first sight because in many ways, when Victor gets a look at the mature and beautiful Cinde, it is most definitely his first look at love. Overall, this is a sweet story, with a decidedly wicked bent to it. Readers will enjoy the sparring between Cinde and Victor as they both strive towards their happily ever-after. While this is technically labeled a historical story due to its setting, readers who aren't too interested in historical romances don't have to worry as the setting doesn't play much of a role in the story. Due to its very erotic content, the reader will feel as if Covering Cinde Rella is almost a contemporary story, and will get lots of enjoyment out of it."
Reviewed by: Sarah W FallenAngelReviews.com
Dedication
To my family, friends, and fans, thank you for your dedication and support of my work.
Chapter 1
Gana Gordon squatted in the dark corner of the castle that had been abandoned since before she could remember. Only it was no longer empty. If the reports of attacks were to be believed, then this killer was a vampire. In her opinion, this was the location the fiend would hide. The derelict place was dark and eerie; the perfect location for a vampire to make its lair. However, no one thought the deaths were caused by vampire attacks, aside from her.
Mentioning her theory to a group of villagers, she had received blank stares, derisive snorts, and it had been snidely referred to as “woman's thinking.” Luckily, she didn't allow the majority to rule her opinions. Once she had been convinced she was correct, she began making plans that didn't involve seeking help. Therefore, unknown to the villagers, she huddled in the dark waiting to attack the fiend.
The raging mob of the hanging party had been tipped that the killer was hiding in the castle dungeon by an anonymous note using the name Anne, which was common in the village. These were her people, and she wasn't going to sit back and allow them to be killed one by one when she might be able to save them. She wanted there to be enough of a distraction that the vampire wouldn't hear her racing heartbeat before it was too late, and the villagers were supplying the ruckus.
Cries of outrage accompanied the pounding of a log being rammed against the dungeon door. The steel bands holding the door intact prevented easy access to the angry villagers. They were searching for a mere mortal, a vicious murderer. The recent attacks had left them nowhere to hide. Their homes, their work in fields, as well as the shops, and now the jail, were all preying grounds for the killer. Had the villagers suspected the truth, none of them would have braved the castle in the dark. They didn't suspect it was a vampire they hunted, nor had she wasted breath trying to convince them. It didn't matter what the villagers thought, Gana was convinced she was correct and she had a plan.
It was the ease with which the villain had slipped into the jail that convinced Gana it was a vampire. Suddenly the ridiculous theory that had formed in her mind held the ring of reality. The killer had murdered poor drunk Stanton as he was sleeping it off in the holding cell, ripping out his throat and severing his head from body. It was also a good way to cover a bite, and prevent the victim from rising as a new vampire. All the dead had been decapitated, and she believed a tremendously strong female vampire had done this on purpose.
The element of surprise had helped the evil female control the situation until she prevented an escape or call for help. The first had been killed in his bedroom in the early morning. The second was found in the field where he had worked until dark. The third was found dead in the stockroom in the rear of the millinery, and the fourth had been locked up in the building used to punish the unruly. Thankfully, the stock was no longer used to embarrass the person before the whole village.
It was nearing dawn. The vampire would be returning to its lair only to discover its hiding place was invaded. It was logical that it would come in this direction through this windowless hall to reach another section of the castle to wait through the daylight hours.
Clutching a bottle of blessed water in one hand and a stake in the other, Gana waited. Her heart pounded so hard, it shook her whole body. Hearing the sound of a deep giggle in the hall, she straightened in the corner. Her muscles were tense and ready to spring. There could be no hesitation, or it would be her last mistake. If she was wrong, the only harm she would do to the villain was wet them d
own—and perhaps seal her fate at the same time. Either way, she could die, but she was willing to risk everything to save the innocent lives the vampire was stealing.
Rushing into the room, the woman dressed in black was a blur of shadow. Gana determined her height and build thanks to the dark red glow of her shoulder length hair within the waning moonlight spilling through the doorway. Sensing her presence too late, the female vampire spun around, fangs extended, hissing. Her hands rose and curled into a claw of long pointed fingernails to rip out Gana's throat. The fiend prepared to leap on the current threat—Gana. Terrified, Gana reacted. Jerking her arm, she sent the holy water flying onto the female's fierce countenance. Her black eyes glared with hatred one moment, then melted as the holy water dissolved them. The creature's fierce screech of rage rent the darkness. The gory sight made Gana's stomach clench in revulsion. She didn't have time to worry if the sound carried, or if the villagers would come searching for the person screaming. It did flash in her mind that the villagers would think she was the killer and hang her if she was found standing over the dead vampire's disfigured body. It was a worry she didn't have time to contemplate. Shoving the thought aside, she moved quickly to finish the task.
Gana didn't know how long it would take for a vampire to regenerate damage, or if it could. She rushed forward, tugging the hammer from beneath her arm. Holding the stake up, she positioned the hammer, and struck a fatal blow into the faceless creature's heart. She struck the hammer against the stake with all her strength. The wood easily entered the chest as though there were no bone cage protecting the heart, and the vampire, moving with incredible speed, was able to strike Gana, her fist connected with Gana's jaw. Sparks flew in all directions in her mind.
She flew across the room, and crashed into the wall. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs. Her head connected and it felt as though her skull cracked open and splattered against the wall. Everything went black.
When she awoke, it was dark. Her head throbbed. She felt for blood and open wounds, and found a tender lump. Touching it gently, she massaged the lump she found. She pulled her feet beneath her and rose on trembling limbs.
Immediately, she felt a rush of relief that she had killed the vampire at dawn. However, she wasn't pleased to be in the castle after sundown. There was a possibility that the vampire had made a cry for help when she screeched, or sent a silent signal to another of its kind before Gana had driven the stake into the thing's fiendish heart. She didn't know if they defended or avenged each other, but it was safest to assume they would. Seeing no sign of the vampire's body, she assumed it had turned to dust as the legends claimed. She was certain the stake had found its mark and pierced the vampire's black heart. The stake lay on the floor several feet away. She had to pray the stake had done its work and the vampire hadn't crawled off to heal while she had been unconscious. She had no way of knowing if a stake would actually kill a vampire, as she was relying on legend. Either the female or one of her kind could still present danger. Gana needed to get out of this castle. Only time would reveal if there were more vampires in the valley. Wondering why the vampire had chosen her village, she decided to get out of this place.
Moving on swift feet, she hurried down the hall to the staircase. Bits of stone had crumbled onto the floor, so she avoided stepping on it when possible with the aide of moonlight. Hearing a scratching noise, she froze with her foot dangling above the top step of the staircase. While the debris offered assistance in allowing her to hear approaching footsteps, it also gave away her location. She grasped the handrail, and hurried down the steps. At the bottom of the stairs, she heard the crunching sounds of movement similar to the sounds she was making among the strewn fragments. Praying it was a mouse rattling around the rubble, and not something else, she hurried across the great hall toward the entrance. Reaching the door, she heard the pounding of running steps behind her.
Dear heaven, there is another one; and it was following her. Her heart pounded hard in her chest as she ran down the front entrance steps and across the stone-strewn courtyard.
A swooshing sound above her head attracted her attention. A breeze fluttered her hair around her face. Do vampires really fly? She was vaguely aware of the clear night and bright stars were sprinkled across the black blanket overhead. It was too beautiful a night for danger to be prowling.
This evil isn't lurking; it is flaunting itself.
She turned and weaved in a different direction. Panting, she ran from the cart path toward the tree line. Another swoosh of air buffed the right side of her body. In the distance, she heard a deep male chuckle.
God, he is playing cat and rat with me. Changing directions, she ran back the way she had come and broke from the trees. Turning sharply to the right, she ran toward the road, and hoped she might find help in town. She feared there would be no help. Who might possibly believe her tale about vampires?
No one knew about the woman Gana had killed. She hadn't told anyone about her conviction that a vampire had taken up residence in their little town after they had mocked her initial theory.
A male chuckled behind her.
Gana ran as hard as she could holding her painfully throbbing side. She heard a sound similar to clothing flapping in the wind overhead. Refusing to give in to her fear, she kept her eyes on the moonlit road ahead. She felt as long as she could keep the road sighted, she had a chance of reaching it. If it weren't for the large moon, she didn't believe she would have made it as far as she had.
A male figure stood by the side of the road as she turned the next bend, his arms crossed over his chest. His ankles were crossed, and his legs stretched slightly out before him for balance. He appeared to be leaning against a boulder protruding from the bank. A multi-caped coat reaching his ankles hung open at his sides revealing his body dressed in black. She wasn't able to see his shape because his clothing was much darker than the moonlit night. His body was a black shadow. Going by the size of the stout shadow, he appeared to have a muscular frame.
Gana had to keep moving, and risk running past him. He didn't appear interested in leaving his comfortable position. Perhaps he had tired of the game and merely wanted her to know he could have won if he had wished.
Casting her gaze to the road, she gauged the distance to the far side from his location. There was room to pass, as long as he didn't move to block her path. Not slowing her pace, she ran on the opposite side of the road from the man toward the village and salvation. It was too late to turn and go in a different direction. The banks on the roadside prevented her from making a new path that would veer away from the male. Puffing breaths, her heart pounding rapidly, she continued to run.
He didn't move as she advanced along the dirt road. She intended to remain beyond his arm's reach, so she hugged the roadside. There would be nowhere to go should he decide to lunge for her.
Gana wasn't going to merely run into his arms and give up. He was, at the very least, going to be forced to come to her. She ran past him and kept running, too afraid to look back.
His deep, amused chuckle followed her down the road.
Monster! Her mind screamed. She hoped he could hear her thoughts; she wanted him to know how despicable she considered him to be. She struggled for air to keep her body going.
As she rounded another curve, the man was waiting for her. His arms were tucked behind his back, holding the sides of his coat away from his large body. Swerving to the side of the road, again he didn't attempt to stop her as she ran past.
Her heart felt like it was going to explode in her chest. Her lungs burned with each rapid breath she sucked in. The stitch in her side hurt, and she held it with her hand. She stumbled over the rocks scattered across the road. He was playing with her, and she hoped he was foolish enough to wait too long before pouncing on his prey, which would give her time to escape. Would he enter the village if she were yelling for help? Could she yell? Did she have the breath?
Reaching the last stretch to the village, she saw the
light from the first house ahead. Relief blossomed in her chest. Perhaps he had only intended to frighten her. He had certainly succeeded if that had been his goal. She didn't think she would ever again venture out at night. Of course, she would need to make her home secure, then convince the villagers the danger was real.
Suddenly, she was jerked to a halt. Her body was slammed against a hard wall of muscle and bone. The hard band of his arm about her waist prevented her from stumbling to the dirt at his feet. No longer were her toes touching the earth, although she stretched them downward.
"Lady, if you keep running, I do believe you're going to kill yourself,” an amused, deep-timbered voice said behind her head. She would have known it was the voice of evil, even had she not been aware the vampire was chasing her. No human could sound that good. It was rich with seductive temptation, urging her to give everything over to his care. It was a voice that could convince the unsuspecting that this person could be trusted completely. It was a voice that could lure many an unsuspecting fool to their deaths. Had she not known what he was—or that he was going to kill her—Gana felt certain she would have been as susceptible as anyone.
She swung her fist at his face, knowing as soon as she did that she was too exhausted to cause him any pain. He captured her clenched hand in his large palm.
"Now that isn't polite when I just saved your life.” He released her, and she crumpled to the ground at his feet. Gana stared at the smooth leather of his knee-high boots as she tried to lift her body from the ground. She struggled to catch her breath, too exhausted to run any farther. She slid her hand into her pocket, and pulled out a cross to ward him off. She held it up so the moonlight reflected off it.
He quickly covered his face with his arm, and stepped back from her, shying from the holy relic.
"Stay away,” she gasped between struggling breaths. Pushing with her arm, she managed to sit up, and prepared to stand. She held the cross before her, braced a hand on the ground and got up. An arm, coming from behind her, knocked the cross from her hand and quickly encircled her body.