A Vampire To Watch Over Me

By C.L. Scholey

Trapped in a lonely world of ice and snow, Honor vows to break free of the restraining heartache her ice dwelling leader has placed their clan under. It's a world of sadness; no touching, no kind words—love is a hateful, profane four letter word and is against the law. Emotion is as frozen as the icy ground Honor walks. Laken is a sixteen thousand year old vampire, sired to The Brethren of Tavish. When the heated beauty all but falls into his lap, Laken feels his heart is transported back in time before he was turned. The lookalike to his favored love tumbles from her frozen furs. The angry little vixen won't be tamed. Laken has been taught from birth there is nothing more important than honor. In order to save both her, and himself, he must break a law. The last time he broke a law the consequence was death to his timid, beautiful mate-to-be. The blow was devastating. Now Laken must decide just how far he will go for his Honor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Torrid Books
• Release date: Apr 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781611604740

C.L. Scholey

Guardian [New World Book 6] Wandering a shattered, dying Earth, Roam despises the loneliness. Alien vessels he must avoid circle overhead. When he collides with a Tonan deep in the heart of a jungle, Roam engages in a brutal battle. To his surprise, a human female comes to the Tonan’s aid. The Tonan, Taz, has six females under his protection, including his mate and child. Jinx hates Castians and Tonans alike. The handsome man Taz brings home is breathtaking. He’s also the only male besides Taz she has seen in four years. Jinx falls for Roam immediately. Her world is shattered when she discovers her new lover is masquerading as human. How can she not hate him when a thieving Castian stole her sister? What’s worse is discovering Taz is a Tonan. Evil creatures who murdered her father. How can she forgive either of them?   Defender [New World Book 7] Endless destruction defines human life in a world run amok. There are those who will pick the uncertainty of the alien sky, are the Tonans life or are they death? Macey learns first hand a Tonan warrior doesn’t apologize for who or what he is or will do. In an unforgiving new world there is one who battles his heritage. Can Taz be the defender Macey needs, or are his four hundred year old decimating roots buried too deep to refuse? Taz needs to make the decision fast. His mentor slash tormenter will come looking for him. Krish will kill Macey. Indecision rules Taz’s life until in a heartbeat he decides his fate, Macey’s fate and Earths fate. Either way—death will follow.   Mine! [New World Book 8] "Mine!" One of the most powerful words in the human language, possession. Desperate need to hold onto what you love with every fiber of your being. Until Huck realizes in order to hold onto what he loves most he will have to let not only Becky go but a part of who he is, what he is, perhaps the best part. For Becky no matter where she has gone in the universe, no matter how many planets she set her wandering feet on, home wasn't a place, it was a who. Until her father and lifeline died. When a half evil alien presents himself demanding love and acceptance, Becky is determined to fight the hardest battle in her life. Home will become one powerful male, if Huck can be saved. There is no greater war at times, than the fight fought from within.  

Book preview

VAMPIRE COVEN

BOOK 2:

A VAMPIRE TO WATCH OVER ME

by

C.L. Scholey

TORRID BOOKS

www.torridbooks.com

Published by

TORRID BOOKS

www.torridbooks.com

An Imprint of Whiskey Creek Press LLC

Whiskey Creek Press

PO Box 51052

Casper, WY 82605-1052

Copyright Ó 2013 by C.L. Scholey

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

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

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 publisher.

ISBN 978-1-61160-474-0

Credits

Cover Artist: Gemini Judson

Editor: Melanie Ann Billings

Printed in the United States of America

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT

TITLE

New World Book 2: Armor

Armor is book two in C.L. Scholey's New World series…I was pleasantly surprised. Although I still don't like the fantasy/fairy tale elements of the world-building, the action elements kept me turning pages as fast as I could read, and I loved the character development in this second book…

Merrylee - Two Lips Reviews

Other Books by Author Available at Torrid Books:

www.torridbooks.com

New World Series

New World Book 1: Shield

New World Book 2: Armor

New World Book 3: Impenetrable

         New World Book 4: Apparition

         New World Book 5: Engulf

Vampire Coven Series

Vampire  Coven Bk 1: The Brethren of Tavish

Dedication

For Julie

Prologue

1400 BC

It was a huge beast. A huff huff sound emanated from the creature as her feet splayed an impressive size on the forest floor turning leaves, twigs and dirt as she lumbered along. She looked as though she hadn’t a care in the world. There was no doubt in Laken’s mind, she could not have known he was following her. He was too good a hunter—one of his tribe’s best. The soles on his moccasin feet were but a breath of air. He was downwind. A crafty hunter was he and Laken smiled at his prowess.

The two-thousand-pound polar bear had been terrorizing his village. Normally the white bears didn’t travel this far south. They were snow dwellers most often. Laken had seen them before, twice on a hunting expedition when meat became rare one winter. They were cunning animals: beautiful, proud, fearless and intelligent. Laken respected them a great deal. Their massive bodies yielded a great deal of sustenance yet his tribe tried not to hunt the beasts; they were deadly, unless faced with a bold, powerful warrior such as he.

This beast had overstayed its unwanted welcome and had frightened his Nanya. Sweet little Nanya with raven-colored hair to her waist. Eyes as dark as blackened soot. Beautiful, high round breasts she bared in the heat of summer were now covered in the cooler air with the wolverine pelt Laken had hunted just for her, to show her his expertise. She would be made to know he was the best provider for her. The tribe must be shown that Laken was worthy of a mate.

Any man who wished for a woman was tested in some type of hunting fashion geared to their expertise. A younger hunter wouldn’t have been given so great a challenge. Laken would not prove his worthiness on a wolf pup or mere cougar. This was a formidable test to challenge a formidable hunter. Laken was no exception to their laws, even though his mother had been mate to the tribe’s leader before she died. His mother’s mate, Kalen, still lived. Laken knew more was expected of him because he was a child of the leader’s hearth. He was up to the challenge—Laken had chosen to hunt the white bear. Laken had been trained by the best warrior in his tribe—his sire. There was no doubt in either man’s mind Laken would prove victorious. Kalen was happy Laken was finally seeking a mate.

When Laken chose Nanya to be his mate, Kalen was pleased. Laken was waiting for Nanya to be of age—it had been a hard wait. It was Laken’s duty to protect the weaker members of the tribe. Nanya was born frail. Laken would have enough strength for the both of them. This challenge would prove it. Nanya was also the most beautiful woman Laken had ever set eyes on.

Laken couldn’t stand his soon-to-be mate’s tears. Nanya's pitiful weeping turned the normal thump thump in his chest into a pounding ache when the beast had killed her mother’s mate. Nanya’s mother already walked the next world. Her sadness did odd things to him. The chest thumping sensation was strange—as though he had run a great distance and yet he hadn’t. It had been a shock to them all to come across the remains of a fine hunter. Tayok had been a fierce warrior, a protector of the village just as Laken was a protector. No one was allowed to harm Laken’s people. The beast must die.

The spear Laken held was his finest. Normally a somewhat humble man, he admitted this was his best piece of work. The long hard shaft was a decent weight, too heavy for a lesser man. The tip had been heated and crafted to a deadly point. The weapon was a foot taller than Laken’s five-year sapling height—exceptionally tall for a man. With his weight surpassing a mature arctic tundra wolf, the beast would have much to fear.

The white bear disappeared around a cluster of rocks. Laken pulled up short. Her wide white ass ambled out of view with a shake of her stubby tail as though taunting him. Laken would have none of that. No animal would best him with trickery. Laken scaled the hill, fully expecting to see his quarry beneath him. He frowned as he viewed the empty forest below.

Hmmm.

Laken rested the bottom of his spear on the ground near his furred moccasin feet; for a moment, his fingers brushed lightly against the wood. A cool breeze ruffled his wolf furs reminding him the cold season would soon be upon them. The tribe could use the bear meat. Nanya would be well pleased to receive the gift of a large white skin for her mating. She would be the envy of the tribe, as it should be—soon she would mate the next tribe leader. Already Laken could envision his first son crawling, then walking, across Laken’s proud and fearless kill. As soon as the child was old enough, Laken could tell him his hunting tales—as Kalen had regaled Laken with his. All Laken needed was to mate, have a son and—he just needed to find the bear.

The wind picked up and Laken’s shoulder-length black locks covered his eyes for a moment. He should have brought a thong to tie his hair back. After gripping his hair in a fist Laken noticed the ground near his feet was dark. There were times when he had caught sight of his spirit leaving his body when the sun or clouds shifted in a strange way. The elders called the strange happening a shadow walker. Looking closer Laken realized this spirit was larger. Rounder. It was clawed.

Laken spun to face his foe but it was too late. He caught sight of the massive white paw as it struck him across his back, and Laken was toppled off the hill onto the unyielding forest floor. He landed with a hard thud onto his chest. The beast was standing over him—eyes snowy white, fangs as long as knives. This was no ordinary snow bear.

What manner of creature are you? Laken whispered horrified as he twisted to look up—way up.

Crab-like he backed away, mindful of the ache in his chest and the pain emanating from his back. His breathing sounded off, it was raspy and a small gurgle and wheeze rolled within him. The white beast roared; it was a fearsome sound. Laken staggered to his feet and ran. He went no more than half a spear throw before the beast was in front of him. Laken skidded to a halt. On swift feet, he took off in a different direction. Again, the beast was before him, forcing a sudden halt. Laken’s chest heaved with his tortured breaths. Never in his twenty-seven summers had he seen a creature move so swiftly. The beast was and was not of this earth.

By the sun of a fire dancer, you’re a changeling hybrid, Laken whispered.

Laken had heard of such creatures but they were always man not beast. They were legend not real. But here it stood, a paw’s swipe away. Standing on hind legs, its massive bulk towered over him. Laken was unarmed.

If you must fight me, let me have my weapon as you have yours, beast. I have no claws or fangs. Where is your honor?

In answer, Laken was struck across the chest and sent flying. There would be no fair play in this animal. Laken struck a tree when he landed and flopped to the ground, floundering like a helpless fish out of water. Blood seeped from his mouth and nose; he felt it trickle from his ears. He tried to stand and faltered. A warrior must face death on two legs. Why wouldn’t his work? One leg pained terribly and was twisted back. His knee was gone, a strange sight to behold.

Nanya’s delicate facial features swam before his eyes. If he couldn’t have her, another warrior would take his place. The idea made Laken tremble in fury. He grabbed a rock to his left and flung it with precision at his attacker. The rock merely bounced off the bear’s solid chest. She exposed more of her fangs. She was toying with him. Laken realized his end was near. Honor was everything to a warrior. Honor was taught to him from birth. Honor was not just who a man was but what he was—all he was. Laken would not sob like a small boy. He had been raised well. It was a good day to die. He would make peace with the elements.

I am Laken. I am a warrior. I would have been a good mate to Nanya and a good provider to any children of my hearth. Laken’s face was raised to the sun as he said this. There was no hope for his survival. They would come across his body’s remains as they had Nanya’s mother’s mate. Poor little Nanya, must she lose both of her protectors? It didn’t seem fair to one so fragile. Worse, others may assume she was bad luck—having been surrounded in death. Filled with new panic, Laken again struggled to rise, he couldn’t let that happen.

It was his last valiant effort as a powerful warrior and protector and proved too much, Laken slumped to his side. His chest was wheezing in a strange odd way. His right arm was bent back and try as he might, Laken couldn’t get it to unfold from the odd angle it sat in. A warrior should die straight.

The image of another spirit walker moved within Laken’s sight. It floated to him from a tree until a man stood less than a pebble’s toss away. Laken looked up. The man was as big as Laken and blocked the setting sun from his view, dressed all in black fur. His hair reached the tips of his shoulders and was dark as night. His eyes were as white as the bear’s. Fangs glistened from his mouth. Another hybrid oddity.

I will not beg, Laken said, his breath came in short pants. I only ask you keep this beast from harming my people. There have been too many losses. If you kill many more warriors my people will not survive the cold season. Prey on someone else for a time.

The man-creature squatted near Laken. He cocked his head for a moment then reached to touch Laken’s chest. Laken cringed but he would not cry out. If the beast and man wanted to play with him there was nothing he could do.

You are dying. The man’s tone was neither smug nor amused.

I know, Laken muttered. Once more little Nanya’s face flashed before his eyes and Laken couldn’t stand the thought of her dying, or being cast out. Please.

I thought you would not beg.

Not for me—never for me. Laken was gasping for air. My tribe—leave them be.

You mean leave your female be?

The hybrid man was astute. Nanya could harm no one. She is small in stature, afraid of bugs. She cries if I bring home a dead rabbit. Funny, I know. But she is sweeter than air after a rain storm and as helpless as a newborn fawn. She would be little more than a snack for a bear so large.

Ursus, my bear friend, stopped eating female flesh long ago.

And you?

I do not eat flesh. Blood is more to my liking.

Then take mine before it all spills to the forest floor and be done with it.

I will give you a last chance to beg for your life. I may find it amusing to spare you.

I cannot. I have made my peace with the elements. I will beg no man. I am no coward.

The hybrid man turned and looked at the white beast. What say you, my friend? Shall we treat ourselves?

The bear offered a gruff reply in return, and Laken couldn’t help but think the man and creature were talking. The man smiled and nodded. He then sighed. The hybrid man reached out to take Laken’s hand in his. It was a touch of compassion.

My friend thinks I have walked the earth alone for too long with only a bear for a companion, the hybrid man muttered. A thousand years is a long time.

A thousand years alone? Laken’s voice was little more than a whisper. No wonder you are so cruel. Sadness can do many things to a man.

If I were cruel, I would ram my hands against your broken bones.

True enough. Please, just leave my little Nanya alone.

You are dying. The man hybrid reminded him again. I can fix you.

How?

Do you wish to live?

Yes, but how…

You must follow my rules, or there will be consequences. If you choose to obey, I can make sure you watch over your little Nanya for the rest of her life.

I will follow you into death and beyond, Laken swore.

For some reason the hybrid man laughed. Everything went dark as Laken felt sharp fangs pierce his throat.

* * * *

When Laken woke he was in a strange cave stretched out on a huge pile of furs. The polar bear was lying near his feet watching him. The next thing he noted was his arm that had been at an odd angle looked fine and straight. His knee was back to normal, he could still be a warrior. There

Reviews for A Vampire To Watch Over Me

[Blanca · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excelente novela post apocalíptica mas graciosa que la primera y al mismo tiempo te alienta a crecer y saber que lo que se tiene que cambiar es uno mismo no podes cambiar el mundo