Fanged

By Matt Di Spirito

Through the centuries, two species war with each other over the human race. One needs mankind's blood to survive; the other needs human love.

In the past, two knights track the fanged creatures to a village where all the people are slain. One of the knights will not survive the confrontation.

In the present, a federal air marshal sits on a plane surrounded by the fanged ones. She knows them all too well, being the survivor of a village massacre centuries before.

In the future, a platoon of space marines responds to a distress call only to find the research station overrun with the fanged. All but one will die and he will take many with him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matt Di Spirito
• Release date: Apr 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458013811

Matt Di Spirito

Well, I'm just an average joe. I don't have a great career or do anything that contributes to society in a meaningful way. I go to work, pay my bills, and raise my family.Life is an interesting journey. I've spent time in the military; it wasn't my cup of tea, but it was a worthwhile experience. I went to college for a few years, acquiring the credits for an Associates' degree in General Studies. There weren't too many subjects I didn't take. That's my life story: experience. I'm interested in so many things, it can be hard to focus on one thing for too long.My myriad hobbies include writing stories, reading books and e-books, surfing the web, watching blu-ray movies, drawing, discussing philosophy or religion or politics, playing xbox games, dungeons and dragons, and probably a few more. If only I could figure out how to make money off of hobbies!Writing is a hobby I've enjoyed since I became literate. Notebooks went hand-in-hand with computers. I used to write down little stories about my action figures, scenarios about school mates, and anything else to cross my mind. I used to make up games for my friends to play, and roll dice to find out who would win. Creativity, imagination, and technology are intertwined--at least to me.Smashwords, Amazon's createspace, and kindle publishing opened the door for self-publishing, especially for authors--like myself--with little or no start-up capital. For all the woes of technology, there are some wonders to be had.

Book preview

FANGED

By

Matt Di Spirito

© 2011 Matt Di Spirito

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced without the consent of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, places, or events is coincidental.

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedicated to everyone who enjoys a good story.

Keep reading so us aspiring authors can keep writing!

CONTENTS

Part 1: The Past

Part 2: The Present

Part 3: The Future

Author's Note

PART 1: THE PAST

Bodies lay strewn about the village. Fires burned on the walls and roofs of cottages, shooting sparks into the overcast night sky. Togar, sitting atop a chestnut stallion, rode slowly through the settlement. Beside him, mounted on a sea-gray mare, his mate, Chey, kept pace; her feral green eyes swept back and forth, searching restlessly.

He is here somewhere, Togar thought.

I know, Chey replied; but he is not alone.

They dismounted before the village hall, a wide structure built from a stone foundation and whole timbers. Bronze doors were shut fast and dull light glowed beneath the door and from the narrow windows.

Togar met his mate's eyes. Chey nodded.

He drew a great blade of gleaming steel; the blade bore ornate scrollwork of knotted lines and sharp angles and polished silver strands wound about the crosspiece. It was nearly the height of common man, but Togar towered above many men.

His heavy chain mail shifted but made little noise as he climbed the broad steps, sword held upright at this side. Nothing stirred outside and no noise came from the hall.

Be careful, Togar. Chey's thoughts were troubled. I feel him. He may be waiting for you. Remember: we need him alive.

Togar nodded over his shoulder. He stepped onto the porch in front of the doors and reached out a hand, pressing on the bronze gate: it moved inward easily.

It is unlocked. Togar stepped back and tightened the grip on his sword. Chey, the door is open. He knows—

There is a reason we always escape you, a deep voice spoke, filling the air with a dull chill. Your methods never change. You never adapt.

Togar whirled around with the blade raised above his head. His eyes widened and lips curled up in a snarl. Release her!

You are in no position to give me orders.

Chey was bent back, her hands clutching at the arm wrapped about her throat. She gasped for air; veins bulged at her neck and temple.

He was shorter than Togar—shorter even than Chey. His muscled arms and stocky build marked him as a northerner, but the smiling face betrayed his true nature: sharp fangs akin to a serpent's teeth unfolded from the roof of his mouth, gleaming in the firelit night.

Release her! Togar commanded.

Or what? Will you ssshow me mersssy? His forked tongue flicked out, stroking Chey's neck. He purred. Oh, ssshe tastesss delectable. Is ssshe a fine mate? Does ssshe please you, mighty knight?

Togar stalked forward. You will die today. Release her and it will be painless.

He laughed then; it was a sibilant, hissing sound that raised bumps on Togar's arms and legs. Look closssely at the dead lying about your feet. Notice anything… unusssual? His tongue caressed Chey's neck.

Togar glanced at the body of a peasant woman, her eyes staring off into oblivion. He nudged the corpse with a toe, exposing the woman's neck: she had been bitten. Two holes marked where the fangs had penetrated.

Moving quickly, Togar checked other villagers and found the same marks on their neck. There must have been a hundred or more dead that they had seen on the ride toward the bronze doors of the hall.

Yesssss, the fanged man whispered. All mine… all ready to take my place. He met Togar's eyes. "Ssslay me… give