by N. M. Howell
"Just kill it and be done with it," he growled.
The second torch illuminated the cavern so that I could finally see my captors clearly.
Fear flooded my veins and froze my body in place. My heart thundered wildly, threatening to burst through my ribs.
Two massive dark wolves and three men stood around me. They could only be the werewolves Draven had warned me about.
"It's a vampire, kill it," the newcomer repeated. "You know what they're capable of."
Before I could blink, two large naked men stood where the wolves had been. The speed of their transformation took my breath away. I scrambled backwards, feet slipping on the dirt and rocks, until my back was pressed against the damp wall of the cavern.
The five large men advanced on me, the light from the torch illuminating their chiseled bodies tense with anger and distrust.
"Please." I threw out a hand to stop them, cursing at the fear in my quivering voice. "I'm vegan!"
That was enough to stop them. The flickering light made it hard to read their faces but I could swear the newcomer looked almost amused.
"What?" asked one of the other werewolves.
I pulled my torn clothes tighter around me. "I don't feed on humans. Not even once. And it was my birthday. Well, tomorrow is my birthday. I'm going to be twenty-one. They were going to make me! Force me to complete the ritual. Force me to…to kill a human. I couldn't do it. I can't do it." The words tumbled from me, spilling all my secrets. "So, I ran, and this is where I ended up. Please. Don't kill me."
Darkness hovered at the edges of my vision and my head swam with dizziness.
One of the men knelt down beside me and held my chin up with his strong fist, turning my head from side to side, inspecting my frail face. His fingers burning hot against my skin, so different that the cold touch of the vampires. The heat burned into me, filling me a strange new energy, and I took a closer look at my captors.
They were all tall and rugged, their hair long and disheveled, and their wolf-like eyes piercing. I had never seen anything like them. They were mesmerizing. Beautiful. Terrifying.
The man who knelt beside me dropped his hand and released my face. Standing up, he joined his brothers as they surrounded me.
For a long moment we stared at each other, my eyes connecting with each one in turn. I opened my mouth to speak, but my body betrayed me and a cold darkness flooded my vision.
Helpless to prevent it, I slid into unconsciousness. The world was black once more.
About the Author
N.M. Howell is an author, publisher, and all-around nerd from the West Coast of Canada. She has an obsession with coffee, spicy food, and the rain, and she absolutely hates sleeves (seriously, they’re like little fabric prisons)! When not working on her latest book - or latest ten books, more realistically - she spends her time designing buildings and fighting with her micro-wolf pup over who gets the best spot on the couch. Hint: the dog often wins.
Sign-up for new newsletter HERE, and be the first to know about new releases, giveaways, and freebies.
Find N.M. Howell Online:
www.nmhowell.com
[email protected]
Also By N.M. Howell
Winter Reign: Rise of the Winter Queen
Broken Gods:
Shattered Heir
Arcane Realms:
Portal
Moonlit Harem:
Moonlit Harem - Part 1
Return of the Dragonborn:
Marked by Dragon’s Blood
Fueled by Dragon’s Fire
Called by Dragon’s Song
Immortal Nights:
Broken Beloved
Brimstone Bay Mysteries:
Murder Any Witch Way
Witch Way to Hallows’ Bay
Bewitch You a Merry Christmas
