Shadow of the Blood Moon

By Robin P. Waldrop

Genevieve Labreck is back with a score to settle. Her mom has been kidnapped by Zane, hybrid and all-around monster. Rumors fly that Gen’s mom is holed away in Prague, a city recognized by humans for its serene beauty and intense culture, but Gen and Will know something humans don’t. Prague is haunted by dark, evil forces.

Can Genevieve and William save her mom, or will they be too late?

Some will live, others will fall. At what price do you walk away from those you love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robin P. Waldrop
• Release date: Aug 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476425191

Robin P. Waldrop

Robin hails from Miami, but lives in Alabama with best friend, business partner, and husband John. She is a mother of five, grandmother of five, and owner of a variety of different animals. She's recently stepped down from the family business, and is now a full time author.Still a newbie to the writing world, Robin originally wrote edgy Suspense/Thrillers, until about a year ago when she wrote the first novel in her YA/Paranormal Fantasy series, TIES TO THE BLOOD MOON, which quickly became an Amazon best seller. She has since released the second novel in the series, SHADOW OF THE BLOOD MOON, and is currently writing the third novel, which has an expected release date of february 25, 2013.Robin loves hearing from fans, and other authors, too.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Someone followed us. I knew it and so did William. He didn’t say anything, but then he didn’t have to. His actions emulated my thoughts. I watched from the corner of my eye as he continuously checked his mirrors. I had the distinct feeling it had everything to do with a man I spotted eyeing me at the curb just outside the airport exit. The same style headlights had been following us since we left the airport. Staying back just far enough, trying to appear inconspicuous, but close enough to never lose sight of his intended target.

An hour earlier, when we had stepped off the jet William borrowed from his dad, we walked arm in arm across the tarmac and in through the double doors. Once inside, we found the line and waited to go through customs. We had depleted the last of our blood supply in flight and he acted somewhat worried. He had good cause, though. I would be hungry soon.

Vampires normally fed every five to seven days. But newly turned vampires craved blood much more often. And for some reason, with me, it had been worse. Sometimes, I just couldn’t get enough. The more I drank, the more I wanted. Maybe it had something to do with the fact before William turned me I had been a werewolf. A werewolf’s sense of smell was many times more sensitive than even that of a bloodhound.

William said it would take my body some time to adjust. Until then, being around humans would almost certainly prove to be a challenge. The smell of fresh blood in the air drove me mad. Just thinking about it made my mouth water and my heart beat faster.

When we approached the line of people, William leaned in close and whispered, Remember what you learned? Hold your breath as much as possible. It’ll help to block out the smell.

After William convinced me vampires didn’t need oxygen, he spent hours, while we were on the plane, helping me to train my mind to accept the fact. He’d also said, at the same time we held our breath, we needed to move our chests in and out to simulate breathing, just in case someone took notice. I really had to concentrate hard to make my chest move while also remembering to not take in a breath.

My amplified sense of smell took over inside the crowded building. My heart sped up and William took hold of my hand and gave it a couple of gentles squeezes, just to reassure me. An airport was not the ideal place for a newly turned vampire’s first major outing. When we left Alaska there had been all of five or six people at the tiny airport. William and I, mostly I, fed on several bags while in the car, so I felt quite satisfied before getting on the jet.

Inside Prague International Airport had been a different story all together. I forgot and took in a breath. My senses went berserk. I couldn’t believe how many different blood smells lingered everywhere. Sure, there were other smells too, like brewed coffee, grilled hamburgers, and freshly baked doughnuts. All the aromas I used to love made me nauseous.

We stepped a little too closely to a slightly older couple in line directly in front of us. Her scent captured my attention causing my mouth to salivate. She wore her hair in a messy bun. Bad move on her part. My eyes fixated on the back of her neck visible above her round neck shirt.

Concentrate, Genevieve, William whispered. We’ll be through the gate in a few minutes. His soft lips tickled my ear as he spoke, and the woman standing in front of us, glared at me over her shoulder when she heard me giggle.

We made it through customs without me attacking her. William scooped up our bags and led me through the crowd. There really wasn’t much difference between Prague’s International Airport, and LAX except I could understand most of the people at LAX. I couldn’t understand anything these people said.

I stopped when I spotted the same woman, who had given me ‘the look’ while in line, walking into the bathroom. William, I, uh, I have to go to the bathroom. FYI—vampires still pee. Blood is a liquid, and our bodies don’t absorb everything we drink.

Obviously, William hadn’t seen her enter the bathroom or he would never have let me to go. His forehead wrinkled when he kissed my hand and then held it another brief second before he turned it loose. Remember, don’t breathe. Don’t talk. Don’t even look at anyone, he said, staring intently into my eyes.

Right away when I stepped through the door I noticed the bathrooms in Prague were different than in the States. The stalls were individual rooms. Each one fully enclosed floor to ceiling with a locking door. Perfect for complete privacy and muffling sound.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply through my nose and knew instantly which room she occupied. I strolled over to the sink and pretended to wash my hands while I watched the doorknob to her stall in the mirror.

When I heard a click and saw the knob begin to turn I dashed across the room, my hand flew over her mouth the second she opened the door. Quietly lifting her feet off the floor I pushed my way inside. The moment she looked into my eyes she stopped trying to fight. As I sank my teeth into her neck her body went limp and she moaned in soft whispers. Her blood tasted rich and sweet like nectar. The thick liquid flowed a little slower with each beat of her heart. I had only meant to drink a little, but with the taste of fresh blood being so much more delectable than bagged blood, I couldn’t stop. I continued to drink and probably wouldn’t have been able to stop before killing her, but a sudden terrifying vision flashed through my mind.

A horrifying scene of a woman being tortured, slashed open by long claws, blood oozing from her chest. And finally, she lay dead, her heart had been ripped out, and I could see clearly as it beat a few more times before stopping.

A wave of panic washed over me and I sat her on the toilet, propping her against the wall. I hurriedly cleaned her neck with wet tissue before disappearing from the stall. My saliva would make the wound heal in a matter of seconds and when she woke, she wouldn’t remember anything.

I stopped for a second just inside the door, smoothing my hair and wiping remaining traces of her blood from my mouth. I forced a smile and tried to act calm when I exited the bathroom. Okay, I said to William. I feel much better now. I looked toward the front of the building, trying to avoid his eyes.

I felt his eyes on me for a really long few moments before he quietly grabbed my arm, and jerked me through the airport. He didn’t say a word until we exited the airport, then he spun me around to face him. What did you do, Genevieve? He had a wild look in his eyes. A look I had never seen before, and it frightened me.

I wrinkled my brow trying to appear confused. What are you talking about? I asked with my most innocent voice.

Your heart sped up while you were in the bathroom, he said with a hint of suspicion and reached for my face, then rubbed at the corner of my mouth.

What? I asked, but knew. Damn.

He didn’t say a word, but he didn’t have to. Once he held up his finger, I saw a smear of blood.

Well, she … she deserved it, I justified in a hushed voice. You saw the cavalier way she looked at me—like she thought herself better—and I told you I needed to feed, I snapped. Besides, I stopped on my own. I shoved my nose in the air. I had no intention of telling him about the terrifying vision I’d had as the reason I stopped.

You can’t just bite somebody and act like it’s nothing, he whispered through clenched teeth. Not here. Not in this country. These people are different, Genevieve. They know about vampires and they know the signs. Tourists think this is a wonderful old country with Vampire Folklore. Hell, Genevieve, the locals still secretly hunt them here … hunt us here. he huffed, shook his head a few times, then looked everywhere but at me.

My eyes widened. I’m sorry, I said sincerely. You’re right. It was stupid and I didn’t think it through. I bit at my thumb nail. I knew I could hypnotize her and she wouldn’t remember anything. I leaned left and right trying to get him to look at me. I made sure the wound closed, and she was sleeping peacefully when I left her.

William kept looking behind us. What are you looking at? I asked and tried to turn around to see, but he tightened his hold on my elbow and shuffled us to the curb.

Get in, he said, holding open the door of a waiting car he’d rented before we left Haven. He tossed our bags into the back seat and shut my door before rushing around the driver's side where the valet held his door.

As we pulled away from the curb I had this nagging feeling we were being watched. When I turned my head to the right, I locked eyes with a man in a long black rain coat with the collar pulled high. He stood at the curb and stared at me as we drove away. I turned my attention to William for a brief second. Uh … William? I shot my glance back toward the curb where the man had been standing. He melted into the crowded sidewalk. I sat forward, and craned my neck. Somehow the stranger had slipped away.

Chapter 2

We had been driving for over an hour. Where exactly are we staying? I looked out the window catching an occasional glimpse of houses dotting the countryside. Even in the blackened abyss of the night, we had no trouble seeing. William called it built-in night vision. I called it one of the many perks of being a vampire.

I told you my father has friends here. We’re going to a friend of the family’s house. He has a place in the mountains. Until we find out exactly where Zane took your mom we need to stay out of sight. If he finds out we’re here he might take her and disappear. If he does, we may never find them.

Just the mention of Zane’s name made me shake with hatred. Zane, an evil hybrid, had kidnapped my mom and made everyone think she’d died in a fire. A hybrid usually happened as the end result when a vampire turned a werewolf. Maybe it sometimes warped the brain, because Zane had this twisted plan to keep me from taking the throne and ruling all the werewolf breeds by threatening to kill my mom. When his plan backfired, and I almost killed him, he fled to Prague dragging my mom along with him. Not knowing exactly where in Prague Zane took her or even if he’d been hurting her tore me up inside.

I tried to block the thoughts from my mind by changing the subject. What exactly does your father do? I mean, you never talk about him. I’ve only seen him once and I’m sure I didn’t make a good impression either. My face flushed, still feeling a little embarrassed.

William’s mouth curved upward in a sideways grin. I told you girls fall at my feet all the time. My father’s used to it.

I punched him in the arm. You jerk, I teased.

I’d first met William and his father at my aunt’s house. Of course, I had seen him at school a few times, well actually drooled over him at school a few times, but we never really met until that day. I’d walked into the kitchen, took one look at William and passed out. Since then, he prided himself on reminding me every chance he got.

He’s CEO of a fortune five hundred company based in Europe. He travels most of the time. William reached across the seat and took my hand, interlacing our fingers. Relax. He smiled and gently kissed my knuckles. We have a little bit of a drive ahead of us, he said, and wriggled his fingers loose long enough to turn on the stereo.

I loved music, so when the familiar beat of Whatever You Like by T.I. hummed through the speakers I perked up a little until the singing started and it sounded like someone played the track backwards. I sighed and slumped further into my seat. Oh brother, I grumbled and rolled my eyes.

William looked over at me and snickered. You’re too cute.

I closed my eyes trying my hardest to block out the song while William tapped on the steering wheel and even sang part of the song.

Really? I stared at him. I hope you don’t get to used to this, because a truly great song has just been ruined by some wanna-be band. I laid my elbow on the armrest and propped my chin on my hand. Boredom had officially captured me.

Looking out the window at the starry night, I had just started to relax when a woman’s voice interrupted the music. She said a few sentences in, what I assumed to be, the same foreign language as the band, then it changed to a man’s voice.

Zenske tělo bylo nalezeno. Opakuji, že je ženské tělo bylo nalezeno, the male reporter said. He spoke in the same language as the female, but with an urgent tone.

I had no idea what he said, but William did. He listened closely until the man finished, then switched off the stereo and hit the brakes hard enough I slammed into the dashboard.

I guess I took a pretty hard hit to the forehead. A trickle of blood dripped from my brow. Damn it, William! What in the hell did you do that for? I snapped, then looked behind us to see if maybe William decided to do a brake check on the car still following us. Nope. Not the case. I spotted headlights sitting on the roadside a couple hundred feet back.

When I turned back around, I rubbed my throbbing head and found the source of the blood. William ripped one of the sleeves off his shirt and pressed it against the wound.

He stared at me. Are you sure you didn’t kill the woman at the airport? he asked, but before I could even answer, his expression grew dark. Did you?

My jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe he would even ask such a question. When I didn’t answer right away he automatically assumed the worst. Why didn’t you tell me you had made a mistake? That you couldn’t stop? Why would you lie to me about something so important? I told you a new vampire can’t feed on humans until their bloodlust is under control. He grabbed my wrist and squeezed until the bones cracked.

You’re hurting me, William. I cowered in my seat.

His eyes turned black. Do you realize what you’ve done?

I haven’t done anything, I interrupted. I told you she was perfectly fine when I left the bathroom. He didn’t believe me. Even though I’d told him—promised him—I hadn’t killed her, he didn’t believe me. Didn’t even give me the benefit of the doubt. How could he say he loved me when he didn’t even trust me?

After glaring at me a few more seconds, William released my wrist. He jammed the shifter into gear, causing the tires to spin wildly after mashing the hell out of the gas pedal. He didn’t look at me or say a word until we pulled into a dark driveway leading up a hill. The car snaked along the winding path, and then came to rest next to a large house. We’re here, he said, his voice flat. I refused to acknowledge him.

I climbed out of the car and stared up at a large stone house, ivy covered parts of the two sides I saw. A large rounded tower thingy stood at one end, rising up three stories reminding me of a castle. Massive, but in an elegant way, made it appear more like a mansion.

He tried to carry my bag, but I snatched it away and slung it over my shoulder. I made him walk ahead. Consumed with hurt, I didn’t want him near me. Grateful he could no longer read my thoughts, I knew my anger and hurt would pass, but at that moment in time, I hated the man I had fallen so deeply in love with. His refusal to believe me had cut so deeply into my soul I feared everything I felt for him would spill out and leave me with a void feeling.

William took the waiting key from underneath a loose stone next to the stairs. After opening the door, he stepped to the side and waited for me to enter. I just stared at him until he understood and walked ahead of me into the house.

He disappeared down the hallway, a few seconds later I saw light coming from one of the doorways. You want me to show you around? he asked with the same cold stare.

No thanks. I’d only like to see my room, please, I said flatly, refusing to meet his gaze. I kept my eyes to the floor as I followed him up the stairs.

He pushed open the door to an elegant bedroom and reached inside, flipping on a light switch. He stepped back and I felt his eyes on me, but I couldn’t look at him. Instead, I brushed past him and closed the door, leaving him standing on the other side.

I stood in the middle of the room and gazed at the most amazing pedestal bed I’d ever seen. Queen-sized with white eyelet bedding, pastel shades of pink colored throw pillows in stripes and flowers splayed across the bed pillows. Pink chiffon draped over the canopy, giving it an elegant look. An antique dressing table with a large oval mirror sat against one wall with a wardrobe of matching wood standing against another. A large fireplace lined the open wall with a velvet, oversized chaise facing it.

I dropped my bag onto the bed, then crossed the room and sat on the end of the chaise. With my mind numb, I leaned forward and propped my chin on my hand. I thought about calling Luna, but I didn’t even know what time it would be in Alaska. And if I did call, what would I say? Hi Luna. I’m in Prague. Oh, by the way, I bit a woman in the airport bathroom, and now she’s dead, but I swear I didn’t kill her.

Luna and I had met my first day of school in Alaska. Come to find out, she and her three brothers were all royal warriors sworn to protect the Adlet princess, which to my surprise turned out to be me. Luna, my best friend, and Joseph were twins. The two older brothers, Joshua and James, oddly enough, were also twins. And according to Luna’s grandfather, the chief of the Adlet tribe, even though William turned me, I remained the princess of the Adlet wolves.

There would be no question. Luna would believe me hands down, but she would probably hate me for leaving without even telling her. I did sort of run off in the middle of the night, after I told her I’d call her back and didn’t, and I dreaded for the verbal lashing I’d get from her.

I lay back and closed my eyes. Thoughts of William filled my head and my eyes stung with hot tears. I didn’t understand all the changes happening to me. Among other things, vampires weren’t supposed to be able to make tears, but my body had taken on aspects of both werewolf and vampire. After William turned me I should have lost any werewolf abilities, but that certainly had not been the case. Staring at the ceiling, I wondered what else could go wrong.

Chapter 3

Genevieve … I’m sorry. The faint sound of Williams voice filled my head. So faint in fact, I thought maybe I had imagined it. Please forgive me.

I loved him. I loved him more than I thought it possible to love anyone. When I thought about him not believing me, my throat tightened and I grew nauseous. I had to go find him and convince him I didn’t kill the woman at the airport.

I jumped up and ran for the door. Just before reaching the knob, it swung open and I froze. William stood in the open doorway; his eyes drooped, reminding me of a sad little puppy.

I cleared my throat. I, um … I was just coming to look for you, I stammered, unsure of the reason he had come to my room.

He stared at me for a long moment. We need—

Wait! I interrupted. I didn’t kill that woman. I swear. I paused, trying to swallow the huge lump stuck in my throat. When I left the bathroom she was alive. You have to believe me, I pleaded.

I believe you believe she was fine. I don’t know what happened, but I do know I love you, and I’m sorry for … everything. He dropped his shoulders and sighed.

We both stood a few feet apart, silently looking at each other. William wrinkled his nose and I leaped into his arms. I grabbed both sides of his head and peppered his face with kisses. He pulled his head back just enough to look into my eyes. Let’s not fight anymore, he said.

Deal, I replied, then found his mouth. His icy lips were smooth and soft compared to the cool hardness of his iron-like body. His kiss, gentle and soothing at first, turned hard and passionate. Almost savage.

Back before I accepted what William was—I say accepted because somewhere deep down in my soul I always knew—he would wear several layers of clothing to try and shield me from the coldness of his body. Since my body temperature equaled his he didn’t have to hide it anymore and I loved the feeling of being close to him.

Baby, I’m sorry for doubting you. I’m just so stressed right now.

Why? I asked looking into his troubled eyes as he let my feet slowly drop to the floor.

He had such a pained expression on his face. This place isn’t what it seems. It’s evil underneath all the culture and beautiful old gothic buildings.

But … I prompted and waited.

It hasn’t always been like this. There once was a time when vampires ruled openly. Over time they were forced to take the lifestyle underground.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and snicker. No where in any history book does it say vampires were real, let alone ruled anything. When he didn’t smile I realized he just might be serious.

William took my hand. Come with me. I want to show you something.

I followed him down the winding staircase to the main floor. He led me down a dark hallway, stopping in front of a set of carved oak pockets doors. William slid them apart and revealed a room the size of a four-car garage. Book filled shelves, two stories high, ran along opposite end walls, each with a rolling ladder attached to the shelf fronts. I had never seen so many books in one place … except maybe a few public libraries I had visited.

I gazed around the room in awe. A French-style antique desk spanned six feet from end to end, sat in front shelves holding old leather bound books. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the writing to be in a foreign language, so I had no idea of their titles. A stone fireplace with a marbled white mantle occupied its own corner of the room. Two overstuffed tufted leather chairs with matching ottomans faced the fireplace. To complete the look, a bearskin rug stared at me from the floor.

Over the fireplace, I noticed a portrait of a man wearing a high-necked ruffled white shirt with dark hair pulled into a ponytail. His features looked soft and he appeared to be in his early twenties. However, something about his face haunted me.

Who’s the man in the picture? I asked and pointed, unable to break my stare.

It’s not important, William said without looking. His eyes remained focused on a particular section of history books.

William pressed a lever on the ladder and began pushing it towards the books behind the desk. Once in position, he released the lever and climbed half way up. His eyes roamed over each title, one-by-one, before he yanked a leather-bound brick from the shelf. He hopped down and motioned for me to follow him to the desk.

I looked on as he opened it and thumbed through the pages. His expression seemed to brighten when he found what he’d been searching for. There it is, he said. His finger moved back and forth across the page, then suddenly stopped. His heartbeat increased a little and I couldn’t help but get excited. The faster his heart beat, the stronger his scent became.

He tensed. Concentrate, Genevieve. He angled the book where I could see it better. Read this, he said, and tapped on the page.

I started reading and quickly became so fascinated that I pulled the book across the desk and sat down to read more comfortably. I read a few pages then turned to William. It says here that vampires started ruling in, like, the ninth century. Really?

Actually, I think it was even before that, because the Amalric took over in the ninth century. And you know they didn’t just walk in and announce they were taking possession of the castle, he said in his most serious tone.

I had relaxed in the chair, absorbed in the history recorded on the pages in front of me. The hairs on the back of my neck raised and I jumped up. Someone’s coming, I said. I had no idea how I knew, but I did.

William’s head snapped toward the window. He’d sensed it, too, and the concerned look on his face told me he wasn’t expecting anyone. His heartbeat quickened in time with mine as he hurried to the window with me following closely behind. He pulled back the curtain, but let it drop before I had a chance to see anything.

I knew someone waited outside, but still jerked when a loud knock came at the front door. Who is it? I whispered to William, but he didn’t answer. A weird feeling and a few knocks on the door turned me from a big, strong hybrid into the scared teenage girl I’d once been.

He stepped away from the window and I drew back the curtain a tiny bit. I saw a dark blue sedan parked in the space next to our rental.

Who is it, William? I uttered nervously.

Stay here while I found out, he ordered and hurried from the room.

I loved using my new power to move like the wind.