Scarlet Night Trilogy Collection COLLECTION
Megan J. Parker
Nathan Squiers
This is a work of fiction, Names, characters places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 by Megan J. Parker & Nathan Squiers
Cosmetic Editor & Consultant: Nathan Squiers
Cover Art by: Covers by Christian
All rights reserved. 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 the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Check Out Other Novels by Nathan Squiers in the Mythos World
The Lover
Serena’s Prequel to Scarlet Night
The Fighter
Zane’s Prequel to Scarlet Night
Scarlet Night
Preface
1. A Scarlet Night
2. Flash-back
3. Free the Beast
4. Chaos
5. Downfall
6. Passion
7. Plotting
8. Collapse
9. Depths
10. Monsters
11. Pain
12. Revelations
13. Boiling Over
14. Anticipation
15. A Game of “Stronghold”
16. JUST (ice) US
17. Settling
18. Deadly Reunion
Scarlet Dawn
Preface
Prologue
1. The Chase
2. The Beautiful People
3. Soul Society
4. Love is Dead
5. Love Crime
6. I Write Sins Not Tragedies
7. The Light I Shine On You
8. The Hand that Feeds
9. There and Back Again
10. The Ghost of You
11. Another One Bites the Dust…
12. Losing His Mind
13. Lullaby of the Crucified
14. Start of Something Good
15. Closing In
16. Break the Spell
17. Moon Dance
18. Rising Darkness
19. Open Arms
20. Dark and Stormy
21. Battlefield
22. Lesson Learned
Scarlet Dusk
Preface
Prologue
1. Nightmares & Chaos
2. Past to Present
3. Valuables
4. Forget Me Not
5. (un) Dead Heart
6. Lighting the Way
7. After the Dragon
8. Battle with the Dragon
9. Love & Losses
10. The Challenger
11. Distant Dreams
12. “A Necessary Tragedy”
13. Past Regrets & Present Secrets
14. Tracking Down Maledictus
15. The Dragon’s Den
16. The Miller Family’s Morning
17. Hope Awakened
18. “Growing in Nicely”
19. Fast Forward
20. Reunited
21. Love You to Death
22. Nothing Ever Dies
23. My Week as the Devil’s Concubine
24. Suit Up
25. The Great Pandemonium
26. End of the World (as we know it)
Epilogue
About the Author
Acknowledgments
After a rather exciting year of founding Tiger Dynasty Publishing and getting both Nathan Squiers (my wonderful fiancé) and my pieces along with our other authors published, I am very happy to see “Scarlet Night” back up in publication. However, I’d like to shout out to everyone who has supported me in my writing and the tremendous efforts others have put forth in either just leaving me a review, or sharing my work on several pages.
First off, I’d like to thank Jenny Bynum, an amazing supporter in the indie community. She puts forth such an effort in order to help indie authors grow in the community.
Secondly, I want to give a shout out to Danael McGuire! Danael, without your amazing organization and planning, Tiger Dynasty would be lost. Also for always having an open ear when I needed it and willing to beta anything of mine! No matter the difficulty, you are always there to lend a hand!
Last, but not least, I’d like to thank Nathan Squiers for making me dream a possibility. Without his dedication and attention to details and editing, Scarlet Night would not be what it is now. You are the best fellow author and fiancé ever! These past ten years have been incredible with you!
And then there’s one more important individual here…YOU! I wouldn’t be anywhere without my readers. So, thank you!
Xoxo
Megan J. Parker
Check Out Other Novels by Nathan Squiers in the Mythos World
NATHAN SQUIERS:
NOIR (Book 1 Crimson Shadow series)
SINS OF THE FATHER (Book 2 Crimson Shadow series)
FORBIDDEN DANCE (Book 3 Crimson Shadow series)
DANCE WITH THE DEVIL (Book 4 Crimson Shadow series)
THE LONGEST NIGHT (Book 5 Crimson Shadow series)
GODS & MONSTERS (Book 6 Crimson Shadow series)
The Lover
Serena’s Prequel to Scarlet Night
“Serena, I’m here for you.” Devon whispered as his warmth filled my body and I sprawled across the bed.
I drifted into sub-consciousness with Devon with me; not just spiritually, but how I remembered his physical appearance. His voice fell into the back of my mind as the warmth spread between my legs. My fingers clutched the sheets as his warmth turned into a blaze of passion and I knew I couldn’t last much longer.
Then it ended.
I sat up, covered in sweat, and glanced around the empty cabin. My sheets were still damp with the essence of my dream and I sighed longingly, though no one was there to hear it. My chest ached as I reacquainted my mind with the memory of the last year. I glared at the glass of water next to me and lifted it, throwing it across the room. The shattered pieces glistened in the moonlight drifting through the window and I felt my chest tighten.
“Devon…”
~1 YEAR AGO~
I knew this was a mistake.
I could never go back.
“Serena, if you turn your back on us now. You are no longer welcome within these walls!” Gregori snarled at me.
He was nothing more than Gregori to me now. “Father” was meaningless to me.
“I don’t care! You killed Mom! You and your cursed clan are dead to me.” I growled, cursing the tugging emotions for trying to betray my anger for sadness.
“Serena, do you—“
“Don’t bother, Gregori!” I hissed out his name and I caught a glimpse of agony in his eyes before I turned away and left.
The city streets were empty around this time and I sighed. Sadly, even the clubs were dead. I could’ve used a dance or two; at that point I would’ve even left with one of the first guys that harassed me.
I felt warm tears fall down my face and I let my sadness overcome me as I fell into the cold arms of the alleyway. I fell against the brick building and cast my gaze upward as the tears flowed freely.
The shadows were my savior.
“You are beautiful.” A soft, male voice whispered from the depths.
I turned my face and quickly wiped my tears away, replacing them with a mask of confidence. My
eyes adjusted to his features and I gaped for a moment. He was tall, lean…
…and hot.
His hair was brown and was tied behind his back, his bangs hung over the most gorgeous green eyes I had ever seen. I felt a blush creep up on my face and I growled at my carelessness.
“You looking for a show, big boy?” I smirked, running my tongue across my fang. Who cared if he saw what I was? Let The Council take me!
His eyes beckoned to me as I stepped forward without even realizing it. He smiled a moment as he watched me. I felt the heat rising and I smirked, licking my lips again habitually.
“Well? It’s not polite to make a lady wait.” I grinned.
“Indeed.” He stood up, his eyes looking determined as he stepped closer. “You don’t need to hide your emotions. I won’t judge you.” He smiled warmly, “I won’t hurt you either.”
Damn, his words struck a chord more than they should have. I fell forward and was embraced in his warmth. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist and I felt myself sinking further into this stranger.
He was the warmth I needed.
As we stood in the alleyway, time seemed to stop and I felt myself losing all my strength.
“I’ll take you to my place.” He whispered in my ear.
Even his words were warm.
I could only nod against his chest; I could barely find my own thoughts let alone words to respond. He began to carry me.
“H-hey! I can walk!” I grumbled, struggling a moment.
“I know.” He chuckled as he continued to carry me and I felt another blush creep up my face. He made me feel so much and I didn’t know how to react to it.
The city streets weren’t filled but as we walked down the sidewalk, I caught glances of people walking by who were staring at us. I looked at a group of girls who giggled and I realized they were staring at him.
“Are you always this popular with the girls? Or seeing you with a new plaything makes the other toys jealous?” I forced my usual banter, looking up at him.
“Maybe a bit of both.” He shrugged it off, his eyes focused only on me and I realized he hadn’t even noticed the others.
“You know what I am, yet...you don’t care?” I frowned, biting my lip.
“I should, shouldn’t I? Especially since I hunt your kind.”
I froze and glared, beginning to struggle more in his embrace and his arms only tightened around my body. The bastard! I hissed and continued to struggle from his grasp and finally I was freed. I rushed away from him, running through the streets as a flash of lightning pierced the sky.
The rain began to pad the streets as I continued forward; I couldn’t go into overdrive here.
As I found myself drenched and panting in another dark alleyway, I smirked at the irony. At that rate, I would more than likely end up living in one.
“There you are!” I heard heavy breathing and I glared over at him as my purple aura began to wrap around my hands.
“I won’t hurt you!” He stepped forward, glaring as he added, “I only wanted to help you.”
“Yeah! Like I’m supposed to believe that! You used my emotions to try and capture me! You are the worst!” I glared, hissing as my aura faded slightly.
Suddenly, the lightning struck and he moved forward, grabbing my waist and bringing me into his chest.
His lips found mine.
For a moment, I thought I had been struck by lightning. My lips began to move on their own, matching the pace he set in this uncomfortably passionate kiss. I grabbed onto his shirt for support. The rain came pouring down on our bodies as we continued. Even the cold rain could not squelch the inferno within his arms and I felt myself begin to succumb but for the first time, it wasn’t my hunger.
And in this stranger’s embrace, I succumbed.
“You don’t need to let the memories come, Serena. It’s not your fault.” Devon hovered by me and caressed my back with his warmth.
I sighed and looked over at him, his aura was so warm against my back and I desperately wished I could feel his touch. He smiled down at me and I felt comfort in just his gaze.
“I don’t just…” I sighed, “… remember the pain. There were a lot of happy times too, you know.”
He watched me as I closed my eyes, exhaling and I fell back against the bed.
As the memories began to form, I lost consciousness.
~6 MONTHS AGO~
“Devon! Let me go!” I laughed as he carried me from the club and out the backdoor.
“No way! You are going to pay for what you did in there!” He laughed and gestured to the bulge in his pants.
“Not my fault!” I pouted, licking my lips as the moonlight illuminated his features. “He seemed lonely on the dance floor. I figured he deserved a little dance.”
He had let his hair down today and it was wild. Even as a human, his eyes seemed to glow as he watched me and I smiled. His lips caught mine and we were lost in our passionate frenzy once again. It was our six-month anniversary and since then we’d spent all our time together in his cabin outside the city.
Our relationship continued to soar to new heights. I was afraid to admit it, but he made me feel something I had never felt before.
“Devon! What are you doing?” A voice called out and I looked over, seeing two men and one woman step forward dressed in military-style gear.
I took a cautious step back and hissed, instinctively sensing the danger. I shot a glance at Devon, trying to see into his mind but he had already put a mental block up.
What the hell was going on?
“Why are you here? I quit months ago!” He glared, standing protectively in front of me.
“Yeah...We were wondering about that. Now, we see some fanged cunt is to blame,” one spat out.
I watched as his fists clenched and shook from the pressure, the calmness in his voice resounding with a greater energy than their curses.
“Did you come here just to die?”
There was a mutual shudder between the four and I could see why. I had never seen him like this. Despite the seriousness of the situation, I couldn’t help but smirk. His strong side was sexy. His posture was rigid but his eyes were filled with promises of exactly what he could do. I shivered instinctively and grinned.
I was so going to rock his world later that night.
"Run along now, bitches. Practice kissing your hands and maybe one day you fuckers will have some trim all your own" I zeroed in on one of the men with a face like a brick, "You might want to get used to your hand, though I'm guessing that's not a stretch.”
Devon gave me a quick glance that told me not to involve myself any further before glaring at the group that turned and started off. I watched as the woman stopped and turned.
“Is this really what you want?” she asked.
Sensing where this was going, I hissed and started moving forward. Devon’s arm shot out and stopped me.
“Yes, I choose her. I’m sorry, Kristine.”
I frowned as I watched the hunter step under a light by the exit to the club that we had walked through. Her dark hazel eyes burned with malice. She had black hair that just barely covered the nape of her neck and her skin was tan. It was like staring at my complete opposite; her desperate and serious eyes contradicting my smug and condescending own.
However, those serious eyes mirrored Devon’s perfectly. I suddenly questioned myself.
Was this jealousy?
I hated it.
She glared over at me, before turning back to Devon. “We could’ve had so much more. What sort of a future could you have with her?” she hissed.
“That’s enough, Kristine. I’ve made my decision.” He glared; his voice was deeper than usual.
I frowned and looked down, realizing she was right. I held my arms at my side and kept my eyes to my feet. What sort of a future indeed?
Eventually, the bitch must’ve left. Satisfied that we were alone, Devon turned to me and his arms wrapped around my waist as he tilted my
face to his.
“I’m sorry about that. You don’t need to worry about them anymore. I promise.” He smiled, running his hand across my cheek.
I felt the tears in my eyes and I realized then how afraid I was. It terrified me knowing that when I was with him, I became so emotional and fragile.
The old me would have said I was becoming weak.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yeah...I’m fine.”
He took me in his arms as we started back to the cabin. Walking in silence, I was thankful that he didn’t ask any more questions.
“Serena, are you all right?” Devon’s voice brought me back and I looked over at him.
I could feel the worry radiating from his aura as he floated beside me. He continued to watch me and I frowned, knowing he was hurting just as bad as me. I was being selfish. “I’ll be ok. We’ll find a body for you. I promise.” I forced a smile.
Scarlet Night: The Complete Trilogy Page 1
