Lady
of the Dead
Night World Series
Book 1
Gretchen S. B.
Genre:
Paranormal Romance
Cover
Artist: Gretchen S. B.
Book
Description:
A
Lady of the Dead only comes along once in a century. Gwen knows this makes her
valuable but she hates the constant supervision of her Warrior guards. Her
increasing power has gifted her some independence until rumors of war spook her
guards enough to report to the King
Cesar
has been King of North America through several wars and rebellions. When one of
his generals informs him these new rumors involve the Lady of the Dead he flies
to Seattle himself to investigate, posing as his second-in-command. The instant
attraction he feels to Gwen becomes increasingly hard to ignore.
Will
Cesar be able to protect Gwen while battling his lust? Will Gwen stay with her
warrior guards or will Cesar’s dominating nature push her to switch sides?
Hidden alliances begin to surface in Lady of the Dead.
Excerpt:
When Gwen finished eating, she closed her eyes, and leaned back in
her chair. She felt every person at that table go on guard. Gwen almost
laughed; they were so protective of her, even when it wasn’t something they
could protect against. Taking deep breaths, Gwen lowered her head and slowly
rolled out her power into the Spirit World around her. She was trying a
technique Oracle showed her, exiting her physical body to reach farther away.
Since it was a new skill, Gwen struggled with it. It had taken four tries this
morning to finally get it right. This time she headed north. She didn’t know
the area too well so Gwen concentrated on the directions she took. The last
thing she needed was to get lost outside her own body, where she couldn’t
defend herself.
After several minutes, Gwen passed over a school playground in a
residential area. A huge shadow creature hunkered down on all fours watched a
group of teenagers who stood on the opposite side of the fence. Gwen could feel
the malice vibrating from the creature. He was strong but bound to the
schoolyard. He seemed to be weaker in the waning sunlight that still
illuminated his surroundings.
Gwen landed on the far end of the fence, away from the teens but
careful to keep the fence between her and the creature. Once she began hovering
near the fence, the thing slowly turned its head to look at her. Gwen gasped
and fear flooded her system.
Its head was twice the size of hers and round. Its jaw protruded
slightly and when it smiled evilly at her, she could see every single one of
his teeth were razor sharp. His eyes were narrow and the irises black. The body
was bulky and almost disproportioned. Gwen knew if this thing stood on its hind
legs it would be somewhere around eleven feet tall. She couldn’t stop the fear coursing
through her.
It moved much faster than Gwen expected it to, crossing the yard
in under ten seconds. He moved like a gorilla, putting weight on his knuckles
and swinging his back legs forward. He didn’t stop until his face was up
against the fence. He straightened slightly so his face and Gwen’s were only
feet apart. His breathing was ragged with excitement. Gwen knew her fear rolled
off her and this creature could feel it, but she stood her ground. She could
feel the spells put on him and the playground. He couldn’t get to her as long
as she was on this side of the fence. But he was still damn scary.
“What brings the Lady of the Dead to my corner of the world?” His
voice was inhumanly low and high at the same time.
Gwen’s fear spiked, he knew who she was.
That voice laughed at her.
It was one of the scariest things Gwen ever heard, and she
automatically shuddered. “I’m looking for information about some men.”
It gave her an unblinking stare. “You are not yet strong enough to
force answers from me. I can smell your fear and weakness.” It sat down on its
haunches. “I also smell your determination, and that interests me. I may or may
not answer your questions.”
Gwen wasn’t quite sure how to take that. This thing was clearly
evil, but it might help her. She knew she needed to tread lightly because
without a doubt he had an ulterior motive.
“There are three rogue Warriors that may be in the area. They may
be trying to start a war.”
The thing’s pointed ears twitched and he interrupted her. “What
kind of war?”
Gwen fought to keep her voice steady. She knew the effort was
pointless since he knew she was terrified, but she needed to try for her own
sake. “We believe an all out one in this kingdom.”
Its breathing slowed and he closed his mouth, staring at her for several
beats. “No, they will fail.”
The answer was so abrupt Gwen actually blinked. “What?”
It smiled at her again and Gwen’s fear rose. “The Warriors you
speak of, I know of them. Though they are not stupid enough to try recruiting
me, they may have recruited Basilix, an enemy of mine. He is too strong for
them to handle. Eventually he will eat them, or use them. It is hard to tell
with Basilix. These Warriors you seek have been making alliances will all
manner of Night Worlders. Now run along back to your body, little girl.”
One giant clawed paw contorted through the chain link fence and
slashed across Gwen’s stomach. She screamed as pain shot through her and the
shock from it broke her concentration, sending her shooting through the Spirit
World back to her body.
The crash back in was jarring and made her feel like she had been
hit by a bus. Her stomach burned so bad she screamed. She was only dimly aware
of a hand over her mouth. The pain was stealing her consciousness. She barely
heard Sivia’s muffled voice from far away.
“Lucia, quick, mask her and clean the blood. We need to get her
out of here.”
Pain consumed her and the world appeared to go a dull red. Gwen
swore she could hear that creature’s voice laughing. Then there was silence.
About
the Author:
Gretchen
happily lives in Seattle, Washington where she spends her time creating new
characters and situations to put them in. She also enjoys cheering on her local
sports teams, even though it sometimes seems they are allergic to winning.
She
has loved reading and telling stories as far back as she, or anyone else, can
remember. Currently, she loves to read
the same genres she writes. She also loves exploring her home state. At the end
of her adventures she unwinds by curling up on the couch, knitting while
catching up TV shows.
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