Wicked After Dark: 20 Steamy Paranormal Tales of Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and More

by Mina Carter

  “Will the trees and flowers stay here?” Peri had queried.

  The man looked a little uneasy. “Well, this is where the new plots are, if someone buys a plot, then the flowers will probably go.”

  Peri frowned, she liked it just as it was. She didn’t want the flowers to disappear as new graves surrounded her friend.

  “We’ll buy up the plots adjacent in each direction, that’ll make sure the flowers stay, correct?” Josef’s tone was like ice, as his eyes bored into the funeral director.

  “What? Oh yes, indeed, they would then be yours to use as and when required. We are talking about an additional six plots, sir.” The man was obviously delighted at the sales and it annoyed Josef immensely.

  “It doesn’t matter. My only stipulation – and it must be in the paperwork – is that the flowers remain and are tended, agreed?” Josef’s tone wasn’t one the man was about to argue with, so he nodded vigorously instead.

  Peri smiled at her Vampire. “You didn’t need to do that.”

  “Yes, I did,” was Josef’s only reply.

  The rest of the arrangements went quickly. Josef insisted on a notice being put up at the dojo telling people of the funeral time, and that people were invited back to a restaurant for drinks and a buffet. Peri was unsure how many, or indeed if any, would appear. Josef assured her it didn’t matter, if it was one or a thousand, he would pay for it.

  Peri’s eyes filled with tears at his thoughtfulness and knew she had been right on not putting makeup on that morning.

  Josef sent Donovan to Daiki’s to collect something suitable for the undertaker to dress the man in. Even if nobody would see him, it was obviously a closed casket affair.

  Finally, they got back to the hotel. Peri refused anything to eat or drink and went to lie down.

  Gabe was pacing back and forth. “She needs to eat, Jo!”

  Josef heard his shortened name and knew that Gabe was very worked up. He rarely used Jo when speaking to him.

  “I know, Gabe, but I think we need to give her a bit of space just now. I can feel her and she is in utter turmoil. Once we get home, we’ll fatten her up...don’t worry, young Wolf. We’ll take care of her.” Josef tried to get Gabe to sit down, but his Wolf was so restless that he paced around for hours.

  Peri got up several hours later, had a hot chocolate with marshmallows that Josef had demanded from room service, then went back to bed.

  Josef moved to the bedroom and sat in the chair in the corner. He sat for hours watching his little Witch. Scared for her and worried at what he knew would come later, after the mating.

  Gabe came in after drinking a full bottle of the finest malt whisky he could order, undressed and moved in beside Peri. His arm encircling her waist and holding her close.

  After another few hours, Josef sighed and stood up, undressed and moved to Peri’s other side. His body mirrored Gabe’s and he dozed fitfully, too many things going through his brain.

  The next morning Peri wakened with such sadness in her that it physically hurt. She blamed herself for Daiki’s death, and it was eating away at her soul.

  If she hadn’t asked to come here, then he would probably still be alive, and she didn’t know how to come to terms with that.

  Josef rubbed her tummy, a gentle movement of his hand, and she knew he was aware of her thoughts. His touch eased her torture a little, and she was grateful to have him by her side.

  Gabe was still snoring lightly and she turned into her Vampire. “Today’s going to be hard, Josef. I’m glad I’ve got you and Gabe with me. I couldn’t face it otherwise.”

  Josef placed a kiss on her nose. “I know, princess, but we’ll get you through it, and then we’ll go home.”

  Peri snuggled up closer and kissed his chest softly, just a caress, and wished they were already back in Vegas.

  “Soon, little Witch, we’re leaving straight after the wake.” Josef didn’t want to spend another night in this place. He doubted he would ever come back.

  “We need to get ready. Do you want Gabe to join us in the shower?” Josef asked quietly, and Peri shook her head.

  “No, let him sleep. I can smell the whisky on his breath. Did he drink a lot?”

  Josef chuckled. “A whole bottle. He was worried about you, and that was the only thing he could do to settle himself.”

  “I thought as much. Leave him for a bit, he gets ready quick anyway.” Peri moved as soon as Josef did and followed him into the shower.

  They were out and dressed before Gabe stirred. “Uhm, you two ready already? Shit, I’m not late am I?”

  “No, Gabe, you’ve time for a shower and breakfast, if you hurry.” Josef had already placed the order for food and doubted Peri would eat, but he knew Gabe would.

  Gabe jumped up and ran to the bathroom. He was showered and dressed, as the food was delivered. Peri admired him, as he entered the room.

  Gabe preferred casual clothes and almost lived in jeans, he had many pairs, but today he was dressed in a dark grey suit with a white shirt, open at the collar. He looked very handsome.

  Josef, as usual, was in another of his very expensive designer suits. This one was black, and he also wore a white shirt, but he had a black tie on. His face was impassive, as he watched the Wolf eat and Peri not eat. She only managed a few sips of orange juice.

  Josef realized if she didn’t start eating soon, she would become ill. That, he could not permit. If needs be, he would enchant her and have her eat, although he was loathe to do that. He would if he had to, if it meant she was healthy then he would do it.

  Donovan knocked on the door. “Car’s ready, sir.” Donovan’s eyes moved to Peri, seeing the distress in her face.

  Peri took one hand of each of her men in hers and they left their room.

  They had decided on just a small ceremony at the graveside. Peri had no idea if Daiki was religious or, if he was, what religion. Josef told her Liam’s search revealed he was married in Japan, but since his wife’s death, he had not followed any kind of religion. So she had gone with what she knew. A priest waited on them, and as they got out of the car, Peri’s eyes widened.

  Hordes of people were at the grave. Parents and children, some dressed in their martial arts outfits. Her throat almost closed completely, as she neared them. Three seats set out for her and her mates.

  Peri smiled shyly at some of the people there and sat down. As she sat, Josef’s Vampire sight caught the positions of the undercover officers, from both forces. He was taking no chances that those that had killed Daiki would use his funeral to get to his little Witch.

  The service was short. After all, the priest didn’t know Daiki, didn’t have any input from family or such. Peri thought it was wrong and stood up, making her way to where the priest stood.

  Peri took a deep breath and started to talk. She told of Daiki’s kindness to her as a young runaway. How he taught her to defend herself on the streets. How she came back time and again to visit and learn more from the master. She smiled, as she told some funny stories of their training sessions and cried, as she spoke of his loss.

  Josef looked around and saw the people enthralled with his little Witch. He also saw that there was not one dry eye in the crowd.

  Peri couldn’t go on and Josef went to her, he cuddled her close and reminded everyone there would be drinks and a buffet at the restaurant he had booked, then led her back to the car.

  The undercover officers were going to be present until they left for Vegas. A restaurant and a hotel were very public places, but Josef wouldn’t put anything past them that hunted Peri. The more officers that were there, both human and Super, could only help to ensure that nothing happened, like what had at the dojo.

  At the restaurant, many appeared that had been at the grave and every single one spoke to her. Told her that Daiki had meant so much to them and their children, how he always took a great interest in the well-being of just about everyone he met or trained.

  Slowly the people started to leave a
nd all thanked Peri for the ceremony, saying her words spoken were the truth of the man. He was one of the good ones and now he was gone. The earth would be a worse place because of his passing.

  Peri agreed wholeheartedly and wished everyone goodbye. As the last left, Gabe and Josef flanked her. “Time to go home now, Peri,” Gabe said softly.

  Peri smiled at both of them, kissed both on the cheek, before lifting her head high. “Yes, time to go home. It’s time we made this official, guys. Time to mate. Then I’m going on a hunt, care to come along for the ride?!”

  “Hell yeah!” Gabe smiled, and Josef led them forward.

  “I always did like a good hunt!”

  Author’s Note:

  Thank you so much for reading my book, I hope you enjoyed it. Look out for book 2 – where we find out what’s in store for Peri!

  Have a look for my other books, details in following pages. My authors Facebook page details are below, so come and join me for a chat and let me know what you thought of the book.

  If I could ask for a moment of your time to leave a review it would be very much appreciated. Have a great day.

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  Vampire Next Door

  ANGELA SNYDER

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Copyright © 2013 Angela Snyder

  ISBN: 1492149640

  ISBN-13: 978-1492149644

  CHAPTER ONE

  Bedford Valley, Pennsylvania

  GEORGE EDWARDS TREKKED through the snow-covered woods. It was the morning of the first day of deer season --- one of his favorite times of the year. The sun was starting to rise over the mountain he was climbing, cascading sporadic rays through the leaves of the tall trees. At seventy-three years old, he felt as fit as a fiddle and looked forward to the hike ahead of him.

  The thin layer of snow over fallen branches and leaves on the forest floor crunched under his feet as he walked. The air was cold and made evident by the small puffs of white air billowing from his lips. His old, trusty Remington was slung over his right shoulder, and a small backpack, which contained the lunch his wife had packed that morning, was slung over his left.

  Halfway up the mountain he paused by a group of trees to take a rest. Placing his weathered hand against the bark, he caught his breath and grumbled. He hated getting old.

  Reaching into the backpack, he produced a thermos of coffee and took a few sips. The hot liquid warmed his throat as he drank. After one last swig, he replaced the thermos and continued on his journey. The tree stand, which he and his father had built when he was a boy, stood only a few yards away. He stared at the old structure, and it brought back memories instantly. His childhood seemed like just yesterday, but he had not been a young boy for quite a while.

  As he took another step forward, his foot hooked on something on the ground, and he tripped. The gun and backpack went flying as he landed on the soft, snow-covered ground. He cursed, and it echoed through the quiet woods.

  Slowly, he stood and glanced back at what he had stumbled over. There was a large lump on the ground. He gave his eyes a moment to adjust, as they weren't as reliable as they used to be. He squinted in the breaking daylight and cautiously moved towards the object to get a better look.

  At first, he thought maybe it was a fallen deer. He kneeled down and nudged the object that he had tripped on. It rolled over, revealing the face of a woman.

  "Jesus H. Christ!" George yelled, stumbling back. He quickly fished his cell phone out of his pocket and walked around the area until he could get a good signal. His hands shook as he dialed 9-1-1.

  While the phone rang, George stared down at the girl. She was badly beaten and covered in blood. Her clothes were soiled and dirty, and she had blended in perfectly with the surroundings of the forest floor. She wasn't covered from last night's snowfall, so he knew she couldn't have been there for more than a few hours.

  "Hello? Hello? Is anybody there?" the operator called.

  George put the phone to his ear so he could hear the man more clearly. "Yes. My name is George Edwards. I'm up here on Blue Crest Mountain, about two miles from Route 220. I found a girl in the woods. She's in bad shape. She's covered in blood." He swallowed hard at the lump forming in his throat.

  "Can you tell if she's breathing, sir?"

  George looked down at the girl. She looked dead, but perhaps she had some life in her. His worn knees creaked as he knelt down beside the woman. Leaning in close to her, he stared at her mouth. A weak puff of white air escaped her lips. "She's breathing! She's alive!" George cried, relieved.

  "Sir, I need you to cover her and try to keep her warm. Do not move her. The ambulance is on its way."

  George stood and stripped off his outer jacket. He was thankful that his wife had nagged him that morning until he had put on the extra layer. He carefully draped the coat over her. "Hang on, honey," he whispered to her, reassuringly. "You're going to be all right."

  CHAPTER TWO

  JACK WALKER STROLLED through the hospital. It was late at night, and he had finished all of his rounds except one. He stopped at the nurses' station and leaned over the counter. A young nurse with blonde hair looked up at him through her long lashes. "Dr. Walker, how are you this evening?"

  "Good. How is our Jane Doe doing?"

  "No change," she said, handing him the manila folder that contained Jane's chart.

  "No visitors?"

  The nurse checked her notes and then shook her head.

  Jack frowned. "All right." He walked down to the end of the hall and into the last room on the left. Jane Doe was resting peacefully in her bed like she had been day in and day out for the past few weeks.

  Jack sat down in a leather recliner in the corner of the room. The rhythmic beeping of the monitoring machines was hypnotic, and he crushed the heels of his hands into his tired eyes. He was exhausted. The day had been busy and long with surgery after surgery in the operating room.

  Yawning, he flipped through the folder and glanced over the nurses' notes. "Well, Ms. Doe, no changes today," he commented. He glanced up at the girl lying serenely in the bed. She had been in the hospital for almost a month, and every night Jack found himself coming to her room before heading home. It seemed that in some way she gave him peace at the end of a long and tiring day.

  He stood and walked to the side of the bed. The girl had been found in the woods and beaten within an inch of her life. When she arrived at the hospital, she was broken and barely alive. Jack had put her back together and saved her life. It was touch and go in the operating room, but no matter how many times her body tried to quit, Jack wouldn't let her give up.

  He noted the fresh bandage around her head. He closed his eyes and shuddered at the memory of her cracked skull the morning she had been rushed into the hospital. Someone had wanted her dead, and yet she was alive and still fighting a good fight.

  "You were in a medically-induced coma for three weeks," he said as he retrieved a penlight out of his coat pocket. He shone the light into her eyes, one at a time. Her irises were a hauntingly beautiful light green. The pupils sluggishly dilated from the light. Frowning, he said, "Now you are off the meds, and we need you to wake up so we can find out who you are and who tried to hurt you."

  Jack found himself tremendously curious to find out who she was, and he wasn't the only one. The police detectives investigating the case wanted information, and they kept in regular contact with the hospital. They wanted to talk to Jane Doe and get a lead on who had left her for dead.

  "Your face has been all over the news." Even with the bandages and bruises, Jane Doe was beautiful. She was young and thin with long brown hair, porcelain skin and full lips. He had no doubt someone would recognize her even from the composite sketches. "I don't know why anyone hasn't come for you yet," he said quietly. He re
ached out and squeezed her hand gently, something he always did before leaving her room for the night. "I know you are a fighter, Jane, so fight."

  There was no response from Jane Doe, as there never was. Sighing, he stepped away and moved his head around in a circle. His neck cracked several times from the manipulation. He groaned, hating the sound. "Well, I'm heading home. I'll see you tomorrow."

  Jack left the room and returned the chart at the nurses' desk, smiling at the blonde as she took the folder back. "Goodnight, Dr. Walker," she said.

  "Goodnight," he said as he walked down the hall.

  He stood in front of the double elevators and pushed the down button. A few seconds later, he heard a ping, and the doors on the right opened up. As he rode the elevator down, his thoughts strayed to Jane Doe. Eventually someone would come for her. Perhaps her mother or father --- or perhaps a boyfriend or husband. He scowled. The thought of her being married upset him even though he knew deep down he shouldn't feel like that. Jane was his patient and would never be anything more than that. Even though he would be extremely disappointed if she were married, he would also be glad to see her happy and provided for.

  Jack shook his head, clearing his thoughts as the elevator doors opened on the lobby level. He exited the hospital and walked to his car, which was near the back of the parking lot.

  The drive home was short. He had chosen a house in the center of town because of its location being so close to the hospital. He lived for his work, and sometimes he begrudgingly thought he would be married to it for the rest of his life.

  The house was empty as he entered. He often thought of getting a dog that would greet him when he came home, but the thought of the responsibility scared him. In reality, he worked too many hours to take care of a houseplant let alone an animal, and he had at least two dead plants in the house to prove that theory.