Search for the Vampires' Curse

By Lauralynn Elliott

The third and final novella of the Libby Fox Series, Search for the Vampires’ Curse, takes Libby, Adam, and friends from the bayous of Louisiana to the rain forest in Brazil. In this story, the search for the deadly cross introduced in book one continues. Meanwhile, Libby and Adam continue to question whether or not a relationship between them is possible. Will Libby take a chance and ignore her fears, or will she let Adam go for good? Find out the answers in the conclusion of the Libby Fox series.

Approximately 25,700 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lauralynn Elliott
• Release date: Dec 14, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466009233

Lauralynn Elliott

Lauralynn Elliott is an independently published author of paranormal and fantasy romance books, as well as some horror. She started the indie journey several years ago and has never regretted it, loving the freedom to publish what she wants when she wants. You will find everything from vampires and ghosts to elves and wizards in her novels and novellas. She enjoys putting a little bit of a different twist on some of the old ideas about our favorite fictional characters. Lauralynn lives in the southeastern United States with her husband of many years. She has two grown sons whom she adores. Reading, playing computer games, and spending time with friends are some of her favorite activities.

Book preview

Search for the Vampires’ Curse

Lauralynn Elliott

Published by Lauralynn Elliott at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Lauralynn Elliott

Cover Art by Anya Kelleye

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental.

Chapter One

I sat at my desk, chewing on my lower lip. I don’t know why I was so nervous. I had seen Adam many times, a few of those times in fairly intimate situations. But I was a bundle of nerves knowing he was coming here to my office to talk about an old case that we were coming back to. A private detective should be tougher, more cold-hearted…but I lost all my nerve around Adam. I guess it was because we had kind of called it quits, and this was going to be strictly business. Could I keep it all business with the man I loved?

My heart leapt to my throat when I heard the soft knock on the door right before it opened and he walked in, looking as good as ever. I swallowed hard and determined to be professional.

Hello, Libby, he said, his violet eyes focusing on my green ones.

Hi, Adam. It’s nice to see you again, I replied. Could this be any lamer?

He sat down in the chair across from my desk. I remembered the first time he had sat there, back when the chair was shabby, and he had looked as if he would catch something from it. Now, thanks to him and the other cases he had thrown my way, I could afford a nice chair for my visitors.

You’re looking well, Adam said.

You, too. It had only been a couple of weeks since we had seen each other. We were making it sound like years.

Are you ready to get down to business? he asked.

Yes, here is the information I have on Fiona. You were right; she had been in Tennessee. But I’ve tracked her down to New Orleans as of yesterday. It looks like she’s planning on staying awhile. She’s rented an apartment instead of a hotel room.

Adam frowned in concentration as he scanned the file folder I had handed him. As I waited for him to finish reading the file, I studied him. Our two week separation hadn’t seemed to take the same toll on him that it had me. He looked as well rested and, frankly, gorgeous as ever. But I guessed vampires always looked that way when they were well fed. Unfortunately, he was well fed on someone besides me.

Is something wrong? he asked as he looked up. He had caught me staring.

No, not at all, I said. I was just waiting on you to finish reading the file.

Since it looks like Fiona is there to stay for a while, I’ll be taking some of my coven with me to New Orleans. While we’re there, I would like to stay in touch with you in case we need information.

I shook my head. No way am I staying here. I’m going with you. Fiona kidnapped Julie Bowman and almost killed you. If you’ll remember, I had to give you my blood to save your life. I’m in this right along with you.

Adam sighed. Libby, I know you want to be involved in this, but Fiona is dangerous. I don’t want you hurt.

You don’t want me hurt? I asked incredulously. This bitch is much more dangerous to you than she is to me as long as she has the relic. All she has to do is point that thing, and every vampire near her is dust.

That’s why we’ll have to be very careful. It will have to be a surprise attack.

You know she’s going to be on guard all the time. Every vampire around will be gunning for her. Of course, she can kill them all at once if she has the artifact in her hand, I said.

I’m aware of the risks. But it’s partly my fault she has the cursed thing. It’s up to me to take it away from her.

I can help you, Adam. I’m not a vampire, so I can’t be hurt by the relic. I’m the best person to go after her.

No, he said. I can’t risk you.

Why do you even care?

How can you ask me that, Libby? he said, a pained expression on his face.

I looked away from him. I guess that was kind of a low blow. But I’m going.

No, you’re not, he said firmly.

Fine. I’ll go by myself. And I’ll deal with her alone.

Libby, you can’t do this! She will be well guarded, and I doubt you’ll be any kind of match for those guards.

And you aren’t any kind of match for the relic. I guess we’re even. Hey, here’s a novel idea. Why don’t we work together?

I’m not sure I like your sarcasm, he said.

Tough. You know I’m right. You can deal with her security, and I can deal with the little witch myself. It’s a perfect solution.

The stubborn look on his face was replaced with resignation. You’ll go anyway, won’t you? I guess it’s safer for you if you go with us. All right. You’re in.

I smiled. I knew you would see it my way.

After we decided on the details of our trip, Adam walked out of my office, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I was feeling a little shaky from the sensory overload of being around Adam. My broken heart was as much my fault, maybe more, as it was Adam’s. First, I didn’t want to share him with his donor, but I didn’t want to let him drink from me. When I finally decided to have a relationship with Adam and also let him have his donor, he realized he couldn’t make love to me without biting me. So we were at an impasse. I guess it was just better to end the whole relationship. But my heart didn’t see it that way.

I tied up some loose ends on other cases, and left the office. When I arrived home, my cat, Sherlock meowed for his dinner. I put his food in a bowl and called the neighbor in the apartment next to me and asked if she would take care of Sherlock while I was gone. She said that would be no problem, so I checked that off my mental list.

I went into the bedroom to pack enough for about a week. I really hoped this trip wouldn’t last longer than that. I picked up the carved wooden cat from my dresser and almost put it in the suitcase, but changed my mind. I didn’t want to depend on the charmed statue to calm me down. It could be addictive.

A couple of hours later, there was a knock on my door. My heart skipped a beat, and I had to make myself calm down before opening the door to Adam. He smiled at me in that way that always made