Shadowlove-Stalkers

By Claudy Conn

What do you do when your father wants to turn you into a vampire and the man who offers you protection has his own, dark agenda?

Shawna Rawley has no choice but to run. Pentim Rawley, one of the most evil vampires who has ever lived, has just discovered that she is his daughter. Now he’s obsessed with finding and turning her. She doesn’t want Pentim to find the people she loves and use them to get to her. She doesn’t want him to find and turn her. She has only one ace up her sleeve. The human in her may be at risk, but in addition to being half vamp, Shawna is also a white witch!

Chad MacFare has an offer for Shawna he thinks she can’t afford to refuse: he’ll protect her from Pentim and his minions. But Shawna doesn’t trust the sexy immortal. She knows he has his own agenda—he wants to kill her father, and he wants to set her up as bait...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Claudy Conn
• Release date: May 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452443560

Claudy Conn

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Claudy Conn is a multi published author who got her start with her bestselling historical/regency romances.She tells us that she fell in love with the fantasy/paranormal genre and created a world of paranormal.She hopes you will read and enjoy and join her on her facebook where she loves to interact with her readers.page.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claudy-Conn-Paranormal-Romance-Author/135826686471445

Book preview

ShadowLove—Stalkers

He had to interfere with Shawna’s future …

The alternative was, for him, unthinkable.

Excuse me. Shawna sidestepped the big hunk of a man, who seemed to purposely get in her way, and started across the street.

Chadwick MacFare fell into a clipped walk beside her, and his voice was low but intense. "Listen to me, Shawna Wellsly—you are in terrible danger, and you know it. I know it. They might not know where you are yet, but eventually they will find you."

"You’re nuts," Shawna scoffed as she kept on walking—faster then before.

He didn’t miss a step. You know otherwise.

Get away from me before I call the cops.

You won’t do that. It would draw attention to yourself—and you can’t afford that. Suddenly he had her shoulders in his large hands. His green eyes stared hard into her silver pools. Just stop!

Stop! You are a total stranger, talking nonsense, and I am warning you … Shawna grimaced at him. Get your hands off me.

* * *

He gave it up. The way he saw it, at least for the moment she was not in any immediate danger, even though he had seen more than the ordinary number of vampires since he had arrived last night. He could try again later, but not too much later, not with the vision he had still taunting him.

This time he had to succeed. He had to interfere with Shawna’s future.

The alternative was, for him, unthinkable.

Also by Claudy Conn

Shadow Series

ShadowHeart—Slayer

ShadowLife—Hybrid

~

Legend Series

Prince Prelude—Legend

Spellbound—Legend

Aaibhe-Shee Queen (novelette)

Shee Willow—Legend

Prince in the Mist (novella)

Trapped—Legend

Free Falling—Legend

Catch & Hold—Legend

~

Time Series

Through Time-Pursuit

~

Risqué Regencies

Myriah Fire

Oh, Cherry Ripe

Runaway Heart

Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

Taffeta & Hotspur

~

DarkLove (published by Wild Rose Press)

What reviewers are saying about Claudy Conn’s books

Five-star reviews for the Shadow series

5 Stars for ShadowHeart—Slayer

Great sequel! Couldn’t put it down. Don’t miss.

This second in Conn’s Shadow series is filled with vampires, a vampire slayer, demons, wizards, a Fae prince and an unlikely romance. I think this paranormal romance is actually better than the first book in the series.

~ Wild About Bones

ShadowLife—Hybrid: Everything a Reader Could Want

I loved this entire series and all books were all worth the time to read. The two main characters of this story were perfect for one another. Chase and Roxie made a lovely pair. Just loved the book. The book became a page turner right from the beginning with lots of laughs, humor, mystery and tons of danger to keep your interest in the story.

The story was a wonderful read  … The book had everything a reader could want: strong characters, humor, sexy men, beautiful sexy heroines, tons of mystery, magic, vampires and the Fae all while taking place in the glorious highlands even making the story even more magical. Even though this story had an ending I believe if the author at some point wanted to write another to this series or a continuation mayhap going in another direction she could easily do that. Loved the entire series and if a reader choose to read the books out of sequence they would not have a problem catching on.

Be sure to put Claudy’s books in your to read pile if they are not there as you don’t want to be missing out. Currently reading her Fae series and loving it. She is a wonderful author and is worthy of being in your current library!

~ Angels with Attitude Reviews

Acclaim for Spellbound—Legend

One hot and thrilling book

I fell for all three of the main characters, fun loving Maxie, dark and brooding Julian, and one hot Fae, Breslyn. However, it wasn’t just the characters that kept me on the edge of my seat, it was the entire involved plot that included jealously, betrayal, magic, murder, and, of course, hot passion … Like all good thrillers, it seemed as one problem was solved another would spring up. The last few pages had me hoping that this is the first of a new series that will be worth each torturous wait for the next book. The well-written out mixture of myth and legend, not to mention the characters, all in today’s world has me Joyfully Recommending Spellbound-Legend as one book you won’t want to miss.

~ Jo, Joyfully Reviewed

This is one book I’ll never forget

The author has done a magnificent job of creating the world of the Tuatha De Danaan, the Druids and the humans who interact with them. She succeeds in making them so realistic, I found myself believing they really exist—and who knows, perhaps they do … Their dangerous situations had me on the edge of my seat, while the loves scenes had me enthralled. I am excited about this book, which, apparently, is the first of a series, and will definitely begin collecting them as they become available. This author will become one of my favorites.

~ Jaye Leyel, The Romance Studio

Praise for Shee Willow—Legend

Five Stars! A Joyfully Recommended Read, June 2011

Once again Conn ignites the page with hunk madness

Shee Willow carries us deep into the world of Fae intrigue and danger … exciting and fast paced, this is a novel with plenty of plot twists and surprises to support the romance … Conn brings back the cast of Faery characters we fell in love with from Spellbound—Legend, deepening the Seelie intrigues, romance, and dangers in part two of the series. Conn is in high form and never shorts her heroine or her reader. Once again Conn ignites the page with hunk madness, as every which way Willow turns brings hot potential for love and misdirection. It is pure torture deciding which of the men or Fae to fantasize over, and I do so love the bad ones!

~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey

A great combination of paranormal, scorching romance, and suspense!

Ms. Conn again brings readers a different side of lore and allure surrounding the Fae. Willow and Shayne’s storyline was magical, in the sense that you knew something greater, deeper was in store for them. Then add Breslyn, the Dagda Prince, childhood crush of Willow, into the mix  … just get comfy, because you are in for a heck of a rollercoaster  … Thankfully, another title will be released soon. I cannot wait until the simmering conflict between the Seelie Fae and Unseelie Fae reaches its boiling point!

~ Monica Solomon, The Romance Readers Connection

ShadowLove

Stalkers

Shadow Series, Book 1

By

Claudy Conn

Copyright Page

ShadowLove—Stalkers

By Claudy Conn

http://www.claudyconn.com

Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn

Edited by: Karen Babcock

Cover Artist: Rae Monet

All rights reserved

Published in the United States of America

First edition, June 2011

Second edition, February 2012

Smashwords Edition

Third edition, October 2012

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.

Names, characters, and events depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

Excerpt of ShadowHeart—Slayer

Copyright © 2011 by Claudy Conn

Excerpt of ShadowLife—Hybrid

Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn

Excerpt of Prince Prelude—Legend

Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn

Discover this and other titles by Claudy Conn at Smashwords.com:

Shadow Series

ShadowLove—Stalkers – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/63037

ShadowHeart—Slayer – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/84350

ShadowLife—Hybrid – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/143173

Legend Series

Prince Prelude—Legend – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/159840

Spellbound—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/96103

Aaibhe—Shee Queen – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/110252

Shee Willow—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/103389

Prince in the Mist – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/104045

Trapped—Legend – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/112028

Free Falling—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92368

Catch & Hold—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/124602

Time Series

Through Time-Pursuit – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210166

Risqué Regencies

Oh, Cherry Ripe – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/135532

Myriah Fire – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109011

Rogues, Rakes & Jewels – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/171997

Taffeta & Hotspur – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/179452

Wildfire Kiss – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/221331

Runaway Heart – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/239110

Dedication

To our daughter, Dawn, who has created a world of joy and spoiled us with her love.

~ Prologue ~

A LONG, LONG time ago  …

Little was known of the infamous Dracula’s mother, and during the first twenty-five years of Dracula’s somewhat normal life he knew nothing of her at all. Hers was a name no one in his father’s household was allowed to speak, and Vlad Dracula grew to manhood believing she was dead.

That was what his father had told him.

He discovered her name when he was just coming into his teens. At first, he used to whisper it on the wind—Elizabeth.

He didn’t know that she had only been sixteen and full of life, with eyes the color of fresh spring grass and hair the color of gathered honey, the day his father saw her. He didn’t know she had been an innocent approaching maturity with an enormous secret she kept well hidden from the outside world.

She kept those secrets still.

When Count Wendall Dracula came to the Highlands, locals looked away in fear, for his behavior was brutish. They were suspicious of him and recognized that he was a warrior with a ‘rough old Eastern mindset’. He rode out on his horse every morning, and on one of those mornings he saw Elizabeth.

She had been picking wildflowers for her grandfather—her parents had been killed in a wagon accident the year before, so it was just she and her grandfather. Wildflowers for the wine her grandfather was making.

The count took one look at her and decided he had to have her, cursing whatever consequences there might be. He wanted her—that was all he cared about. And in the stealth of night he managed to abduct Elizabeth MacFare from her grandfather, and her home.

During those first ten months Elizabeth’s grandfather and village friends searched for her everywhere. They had no idea who had taken her. Wendall Dracula left behind no clues.

Back in his country, the count didn’t court her, he didn’t cherish her, and he didn’t really love her. Elizabeth was a possession to him, and she despised him—all the while, planning her escape.

She became pregnant almost immediately, and when she discovered she was pregnant with twins, she enlisted the help of her young midwife and friend. Together they kept the knowledge that she was pregnant with twins a secret from the overbearing count. He only knew she was going to have his child, and for him that was enough; it was what he wanted.

She got larger during those first months of pregnancy, he lost interest, and he left her to her own devices while he pursued other women—and other entertainment. It gave her the freedom to plot out her course.

Elizabeth had made up her mind that as soon as they were born, she would take one of her twins and run …

Her plan was well thought out. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the only way she knew to save at least one of her children, and herself, and return home.

She did not fear for the child she would leave behind. She knew that although the count was a selfish, often mean-spirited, and willful man, he wanted a child with all his heart, and she believed that he would love his child.

Her twins were born, and her plan was put into action. The count was enamored with the one son that was put into his huge hands and had no clue he had twins. He no longer had any interest in Elizabeth, for she had served her purpose. When the midwife told him she had a difficult delivery and needed rest, he was more than willing to leave her to her sickbed as he coddled his son and cavorted with his court.

Thus, with one son hidden in her arms, she ran for the border and there bought her way home to her grandfather.

In the ‘old country’ the count poured all his time and endeavors into the hearty son Elizabeth had given him before she fled his house. He didn’t bother trying to follow her. His pride prohibited him from caring.

He had not allowed her name to be mentioned in his presence, and he told everyone that he had gotten news of her death.

His son, Vlad Dracula, gave him great joy, and as Elizabeth expected, Vlad’s childhood was a pleasant one.

As Vlad grew to manhood and took on the duties of a warrior, his father slapped shoulders of his friends and proclaimed his son’s prowess with great pride. Truly, his son was strong and capable. However, in his quiet hours he thought to himself, If only he were less gentle of nature—less good-hearted.

And then, Vlad fell in love and married a lass as beautiful of heart as she was of face. Vlad adored her, and she softened his combative nature and drew on the gentleness that was, and should have remained, his.

Vlad’s father was furious. He wanted war with other lands. He wanted to take on and destroy any that opposed war. He needed more land, more gold, and his son was being swayed against such things by his new bride.

While Vlad was away defending their territory, the count engineered the death of Vlad’s beloved bride. And so the legend began.

Vlad discovered his father’s hand in his bride’s death and responded by picking up his long sword, which he plunged deep into and through his father’s heart. His rage not assuaged, he then sliced across his father’s neck so vigorously that the count’s head, splattering blood everywhere, went flying across the room.

His father was not immortal. His father was not a vampire. Dracula looked at the corpse of his father and felt only one thing: rage.

Vlad became Count of Dracula, and he went on the bloody rampage that won him the title Vlad the Impaler.

It was then that he discovered that he was immortal. He knew at once that this had not come from his father’s side of the family. He had often seen his father sustain an injury that took as long as most to heal. He realized that all his life, his wounds had healed quickly—too quickly to be a natural thing.

And so a curiosity that had always been in the back of his head was revived. His mother—what had really happened to his mother? If she had given him this self-healing ability he possessed, surely she had not died. Was she also immortal? Why then had she left him?

However, his new and decadent life enveloped him, and he put the question aside.

Vlad Dracula, father of all vampire tales, was not by the true definition of the word a vampire. He did not die, to awake a vampire. He did not die and awake with a thirst for blood. He did not die and awaken an immortal. He was born an immortal. His lust for blood and killing was born from the need for revenge and the loss of his soul in black magic.

He became skilled in the Dark arts as he denounced God and all religion. He dove into wicked pursuits in an effort to eradicate the memory of his beloved. Memory was too painful; memory left him empty.

And then he began turning humans. He discovered quite by accident that if he allowed humans he had impaled to drink his blood they would die, yes, but they would be reborn with a thirst for blood—and a need to kill. This amused him for a time.

One day, something someone said made him remember that his mother was an immortal and must have untold abilities. He grew bitter when he thought about her. Why she had left him was a question that ate at the soul he had not quite lost. His soul was a dark, dense shade of black, but it was there somewhere inside him.

Thus, in the nineteenth century he began his search for her. He only knew his mother’s name had been Elizabeth.

In the Highlands of Scotland, his mother and his twin had prospered over the centuries, keeping their secrets to themselves. Elizabeth MacFare’s grandfather had died shortly after her return and had left her his fortune intact. She knew her grandfather was not immortal, she knew of course neither of her parents were immortal, and she wondered how it was that she was. At that time, she hadn’t realized the truth of the matter.

Elizabeth had named the son she kept with her John, and he took her family name—MacFare. Together they went forward.

She never ceased to mourn the empty spot she had for her other son, Vlad Dracula. She knew one day he might discover that she and John were alive—

And tales of what he had become made his mother’s gentle heart tremble.

"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."

Judy Garland

~ One ~

CHADWICK MACFARE STOOD on the stone steps of Darby Bray Grange, his Scottish home, and stared up at the stars. They were bright and appeared full of untold stories. Some of the stars seemed to take shape, forming a warning in the night sky.

He had just walked Mary Beth to her car, and he watched as she started to drive off. Her convertible top was down, and her red hair glowed in the dim lights that lined his courtyard.

He had felt nothing but relief as he watched her leave. She was a lovely, experienced young woman, and he thought she had understood the rules. He had told her from the start he was looking for ‘fun’—not friendship, not a romantic tie, nothing stable …

He had told her they could never have a future together. She was a worldly lass, and he was sure she understood what he had said to her. However, apparently he had been off the mark.

Lately every expression on her classically lovely face had warned him she wanted permanence, at odds with the fact that everything about her told him she was not in love with him. She wanted position, money, and power.

Lately, every word she spoke seemed to hold less affection for him, seemed calculated. This night, more than ever, she had tried to force his hand. She had suggested that, if he weren’t ready to declare himself, she might have to start ‘seeing’ other men.

He had given her a long look. He had already decided it was over between them. He answered softly, Aye then, Mary Beth, you are entitled to do that and have the life you want.

I want it with you, she snapped at him.

You want it with what I own.

You are being cynical.

I am being truthful.

She had dropped the subject and had instead returned to enticing him physically, but he had already made up his mind to say goodnight.

He sensed her resignation as she turned away. She knew he was saying good-bye, and he knew she wouldn’t be deterred. You want me. You will always want me. We are good together.

He had frowned. She didn’t want to see the truth, and he knew Mary Beth’s history was such that she still wanted to parade him about as hers. He knew she would fight losing him.

She had stroked his dark blond hair and kissed his hard chin. You know I more than want you, Chad.

Do I know that? Mary Beth … come on—

But … we are good for each other.

No—in fact, we are not.

She pulled away. Ah—this sounds like good-bye. She wasn’t looking at him as the words were spat from her pretty red lips.

Mary Beth … I told you what I wanted—didn’t want—from the start.

However, she was already out of his bed and throwing on her clothes. Don’t ye worry none about it, love. Ye be in the right of it. I knew where this was going the first time you kissed me. It was always about good-bye. She’d grabbed her purse and coat, and he had hurriedly followed her out.

Now, he sighed over it all and looked up at the night sky bright with stars, and those stars reminded him of Shawna’s silver eyes. The last time he had seen her he had wanted to reach out and touch her … but she was a vision, only a vision.

And then his body rippled with pain. A hiss made its way up his throat, but he controlled the savage sound. He wouldn’t make animal sounds. He sighed heavily as he thought of the Blood Orchard. He hadn’t needed it in so long.

He had other things on his mind as well. He was going to come out of the shadows of anonymity and make certain Pentim Rawley’s life force disintegrated by his own hands. And he was going to have to use the pretty, blonde-haired, silver-eyed innocent, Shawna Wellsly, to accomplish his goals.

He had known that for months. He could no longer do what his father and grandmother required. He could no longer be content to stand along the edge and keep out of the fray.

His grandmother had already objected to his plan. She had called Shawna an innocent who should not be drawn into the new war, but he no longer had a choice … and at any rate, Pentim was already searching for the girl.

She couldn’t escape Pentim and his clan without help. There were too many of the Rawley Clan, and some of them had powers singularly suited for stalking.

No one knew the secrets his grandmother and father harbored. None knew his own deeply personal sorrows—sorrows born of power he wished he didn’t possess. However, as of late he was glad for the mana he owned. It gave him an edge, an edge he knew he would need soon.

He had turned to go back into his home when it hit him. A blast of darkness assaulted him, and he put a hand to his head. He felt as though he were being pulled into a black hole and then discovering himself on the other side—another episode.

He stood close to her. He reached out, but of course he was in a vision; she couldn’t see him or feel his presence. He couldn’t touch her, but damn, he sure as hell wanted to.

She was wearing a black silk nightgown. One thin strap fell from her shoulder, and her full breasts captured his attention. She stretched and then climbed into her bed. He felt a blast of desire, and his sudden hard-on made him uncomfortable. She was so incredibly beautiful with her golden hair a mass of waves around her intoxicatingly lovely face.

Shawna had been the woman that occupied his visions. In his nightmare vision he had seen Pentim Rawley take her and turn her.

He couldn’t let that happen—she was too important to him. He needed her to play a role in his plans to take down Pentim and his Rawley clan. All at once and with that thought, he realized where he was—on his front steps. He shook it all off as he went inside and closed the door at his back.

He still had a hard-on, and the image of her face and body swam around his mind, keeping him hot with desire.

There was no way he was going to allow himself to get involved with the beauty. He wanted one thing from her only, and that was to set her up as bait!

He had goals to accomplish. He had his family’s anonymity, so deeply treasured, to protect. He would have to proceed with stealth.

Another night to the full moon, and then he would be prepared for what lay ahead …

* * *

Had she known, Shawna Wellsly would not have agreed with his summation of her abilities—and innocent? She did not think so. Had the question of her innocence come up, she might have conceded that in some ways perhaps she was, but in most ways, she was streetwise and more. She had to be—she wanted to live, and she wanted to find a life more fulfilling than just staying alive.

However, now, staying alive would be good.

Pentim and his clan had other plans for her, and she would have to be at her most cautious if she were to elude them. Her grandparents had warned of this day, and here it was up close and way too personal.

The clan she feared the most—the clan all others feared—was searching for her. Some young were raised without the help of a father because the father had died or walked away. Shawna’s father would have done much worse had he known of her existence. He would have turned her and then used her special abilities. The thought she could be turned—made to kill, to take human blood—sickened and terrified her.

And now when her entire life lay before her, she had to give it up because Pentim had accomplished the unthinkable—he had discovered he had a daughter.

Six months ago she had one of her ‘dreams’. In it she saw Pentim Rawley—leader of the Rawley clan, or as he liked to think of himself, vampire prince—in the moments after he learned that he had a daughter. And Shawna knew what she had to do.

She immediately took to the road. She had a plan, and it was simple: she had to keep running.

She had another plan as well, but it was too complicated, too tricky, too involved, and might even give her away. Oh yeah, she thought with a dark scowl, that plan needs some serious tweaking before I can put it in use.

Shawna nimbly glided down the Avenue of Americas towards Forty-Fifth Street in Manhattan. Traffic was as usual totally wild. The sounds of the city were at their peak as rush hour would soon take the city into high gear.

She picked up her steps. She would have to hurry to make her appointment with her attorney on time. She glanced at her watch. Late—she was going to be late. Story of her life: running and late.

She had to have funds transferred to a bank

Reviews for Shadowlove-Stalkers

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The vampire/witch and the nephew of Dracula meet, get hot, and plan the downfall of an evil vampire who just happens to be her unexpected father. Lots of action, suspense, betrayal, jealousy, and plot twists. Entrancing writing! Grabs you by the brain and won't let go!Valerie Gilbert is totally AWESOME as narrator!

[Erato1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Loved this read on the series