Seduced by Darkness
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Blurb:
Geneva Chilton, warned against human contact, betrays her family in order to be close to the world she longs to join. Intrigued by an artist’s work and his ability to capture life on canvas, Geneva steps too close to the boundaries and discovers love, but what price will she have to pay?
Lewis Hunt, intrigued by Geneva’s beauty and determined to capture it on canvas, discovers he needs more. Lewis needs the real woman behind the beauty. His course leads him to her, but also to danger. How hard is he willing to fight for a woman of darkness, a vampire?
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Geneva licked her lips, savoring the hint of sweet metallic blood. Allowed only a small amount of the delicacy, she craved more. As she stepped from the moonlit night into the quiet gallery, a shiver laced through her body. With each forbidden step, she searched for hidden dangers. If the clan discovered the deception, she’d be punished – of that she held no doubt.
With only her pale face visible beneath the black cloak, Geneva moved in front of the large painting. A majestic tree cast shadows over the landscape, children danced in play, and a young couple kissed by a lake. The sun glinted off a wine glass in the woman’s hand. Geneva ached to join such a scene, yet destiny tore her in the opposite direction – darkness. Gliding a finger across the canvas, she longed to be pulled within.
A hand gripped Geneva’s shoulder. Instinct screamed for her to flee. Instead, she prepared for the worse and turned. A scrawny man fidgeted in place. A starched, blue security uniform hung loosely from his wiry frame. He recoiled, stammering incoherently.
Geneva cringed at the reaction, but wasn’t at all surprised. The pale skin and death-filled eyes scared humans. Their fear saturated her soul with pain. She wished to be a part of their world, yet they refused to accept the breed. The paintings provided a brief connection to human normalcy, but it wasn’t the same as the physical, the joy of holding another.
“Miss, you aren’t allowed to touch the artwork.” The security guard stuttered, bowing his head.
“I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
The man nodded and scurried away into the shadows. Just another mortal afraid of the death wrapped tightly around her – without even realizing the source of fear.
Geneva lingered, prolonging the return to her dismal abyss. She wandered further into the gallery, beyond the normal viewing area. Gasping, she stared at the collection, each canvas bore her image. The clan would be furious. How had she been noticed? Every care had been taken, so for a mortal to have noticed … should she run?
Stepping closer, weak pulse quickening, Geneva studied the artist’s name scribbled across the bottom, Lewis Hunt. The normal life scenes were replaced by an overcast of death, her death, her lethal darkness. She’d allowed the dismal destiny to affect the life of a human, dragged him into the isolation. Now, yet again, she’d be exiled from walking among them, just like before. Geneva stepped away from the paintings. Love, lust, loss – like claws shredding flesh– swept her away to another place in time. She brushed away the lone tear and stared at the faint pinkish color. “Momma, Tessa…”
Pain squeezed what little heart she possessed. She had to get out of there, had to return home. Stumbling into someone, Geneva tried to go around, but he matched the movements, blocking every attempt. He gripped her shoulders. She looked up, half expecting the security guard.
Geneva Chilton, warned against human contact, betrays her family in order to be close to the world she longs to join. Intrigued by an artist’s work and his ability to capture life on canvas, Geneva steps too close to the boundaries and discovers love, but what price will she have to pay?
Lewis Hunt, intrigued by Geneva’s beauty and determined to capture it on canvas, discovers he needs more. Lewis needs the real woman behind the beauty. His course leads him to her, but also to danger. How hard is he willing to fight for a woman of darkness, a vampire?
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Geneva licked her lips, savoring the hint of sweet metallic blood. Allowed only a small amount of the delicacy, she craved more. As she stepped from the moonlit night into the quiet gallery, a shiver laced through her body. With each forbidden step, she searched for hidden dangers. If the clan discovered the deception, she’d be punished – of that she held no doubt.
With only her pale face visible beneath the black cloak, Geneva moved in front of the large painting. A majestic tree cast shadows over the landscape, children danced in play, and a young couple kissed by a lake. The sun glinted off a wine glass in the woman’s hand. Geneva ached to join such a scene, yet destiny tore her in the opposite direction – darkness. Gliding a finger across the canvas, she longed to be pulled within.
A hand gripped Geneva’s shoulder. Instinct screamed for her to flee. Instead, she prepared for the worse and turned. A scrawny man fidgeted in place. A starched, blue security uniform hung loosely from his wiry frame. He recoiled, stammering incoherently.
Geneva cringed at the reaction, but wasn’t at all surprised. The pale skin and death-filled eyes scared humans. Their fear saturated her soul with pain. She wished to be a part of their world, yet they refused to accept the breed. The paintings provided a brief connection to human normalcy, but it wasn’t the same as the physical, the joy of holding another.
“Miss, you aren’t allowed to touch the artwork.” The security guard stuttered, bowing his head.
“I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
The man nodded and scurried away into the shadows. Just another mortal afraid of the death wrapped tightly around her – without even realizing the source of fear.
Geneva lingered, prolonging the return to her dismal abyss. She wandered further into the gallery, beyond the normal viewing area. Gasping, she stared at the collection, each canvas bore her image. The clan would be furious. How had she been noticed? Every care had been taken, so for a mortal to have noticed … should she run?
Stepping closer, weak pulse quickening, Geneva studied the artist’s name scribbled across the bottom, Lewis Hunt. The normal life scenes were replaced by an overcast of death, her death, her lethal darkness. She’d allowed the dismal destiny to affect the life of a human, dragged him into the isolation. Now, yet again, she’d be exiled from walking among them, just like before. Geneva stepped away from the paintings. Love, lust, loss – like claws shredding flesh– swept her away to another place in time. She brushed away the lone tear and stared at the faint pinkish color. “Momma, Tessa…”
Pain squeezed what little heart she possessed. She had to get out of there, had to return home. Stumbling into someone, Geneva tried to go around, but he matched the movements, blocking every attempt. He gripped her shoulders. She looked up, half expecting the security guard.
previously published by eTreasures Publishing (November 2011) - Paranormal Romance - Novella - currently not available
previously published by eTreasures Publishing (December 2011) - Brides and Dark Secrets - Anthology - no longer available
previously published by eTreasures Publishing (December 2011) - Brides and Dark Secrets - Anthology - no longer available
