The Moon Goddess: A Marradith Ryder Series Novella: The Marradith Ryder Series

By Lori Titus

After Nora's father mysteriously disappears, she is faced with the task of helping her family pick up the pieces. The situation becomes complicated when fast money requires bloodshed, and the involvement of a powerful female vampire who holds sway over men in high places.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lori Titus
• Release date: Feb 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386887058

Lori Titus

USA Today Bestselling Author Lori Titus is a Californian with an affinity for speculative fiction. Her work explores mysticism and reality, treading the blurred line between man and monster. She thrives on coffee and daydreams when she isn't writing or plotting out her next story.

Book preview

In the time when the Others roamed freely amongst man, Wolves worshipped the goddess of the moon. They danced and sang to her in their lupine form. Her story was passed down through all the races: Wolf, Vampire, Human. All formed their own rituals and traditions surrounding her. Many temples were raised, and worship was forged in many tongues.

These are the beliefs of the Wolves.

She has many names and forms:  Diana. Artemis. Luna. She is the goddess of love. She rules the cycles of the moon, and is the protector of wolves and mothers. She is a bitter goddess; separated from true love, she cares nothing for the object of her desire, but lavishes in the possession of him.

At the end of autumn, she leaves her throne in the sky, and kills all that remains of the harvest. Her one true love cast himself into the sea and drowned, dying in the arms of another woman. She is a giver of life, but in her frustration, she is the reaper as well.

Like her symbol, the moon, she is cold, beautiful, unfathomable, and untouchable.

The woman who shares any aspect of the goddess, by accident or design, bears a heavy burden.

She is created to be soldier, mother, hunter and hunted.

PROLOGUE

United States, 1989

***

You do realize that this is a blood for blood contract? Paul said with a raised eyebrow.

He leaned forward across the desk, handing the woman a set of papers. He watched as she picked up her pen and signed the contract without reading it. The dim light from the ceiling cast gray shadows against the curves of her face. Tina frowned, almost an imperceptible movement of her mouth.

Yes, she said calmly, crossing her arms. I know.

It’s not guaranteed that any member of your family will be allowed out once they are captured, so let me be clear about that. Just because we cut a deal with you doesn’t mean there will be any for them.

She shrugged. And your point is?

They will have to face their crimes. You know that the punishment most probably will be death.

I don’t care, she batted her eyes at him. Kill them all. Just give me my freedom.

Seven Months Later

Paul was in the middle of a dream when the ringing of his phone shook him awake.  As he sat up, the dream receded into the darkness, leaving behind a pang of dread.  He cleared his throat, and picked up the phone.

Yes? he muttered into the receiver.

This is Granthem. Listen. That target we have been after for a while? I just brought her in.

Luna? he said.

Yeah. I heard you wanted first crack at her. Better get down here.

You tell Castillo yet?

Granthem paused. No. Why?

Don’t say anything to him yet.

Alright. See you soon then?

Give it an hour. I’ll be there.

~*~

When he arrived, Justin Granthem was waiting for him at the door of his office with a ring of keys in his hand.

You got into a cat fight? Paul said with a grin. He noticed a long, raised scratch along the side of Granthem’s face.

He shrugged. She got in one good lick. Come on, I’ll take you down to see her.

Who’s on duty tonight?

Granthem paused. Edwards and Brauer.

That’s good.

The two men walked together to the end of a hall, and then took an elevator down. The machine hummed as it slowly descended underground.  Not feeling too confident with the security staff? Granthem asked.

Not too confident in Castillo’s people. He’s been authorizing tactics lately I don’t approve of. Between you and I—-it may be time for him to take an extended leave.

I see.

The elevator stopped and they exited.  They descended down a narrow, white hallway. The air was cool and thin.  It was past midnight, but there were no windows down here, only bright artificial light. It was easy to lose track of time in the Compound. Paul checked his watch twice. The sub levels always made him claustrophobic. He’d spent enough time in closed, underground spaces. At the end of the hallway was a steel door. Granthem unlocked it and smiled.

Have fun, he said.

Get some ice on that, Paul replied, and stepped into the room.

~*~

The woman was seated at the table with her legs crossed. She wore a long black gown. Her left shoe was missing.  Her brown red hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She glared up at him angrily. The other foot was clad in a black stiletto. He wondered if the missing heel had made the thin cut that marked Granthem’s face.

Paul sat down and opened her file before saying anything. He’d read it all before.

Why do you call yourself Luna? he asked.

Why not? It’s a name. Like any other. I needed a name for my work. You know who I am, though. Why else would I be here?

We do.

What’s your name? she asked.

I’m Paul Ryder.

My name is Lenora. Everyone calls me Leny, she said coolly.

Leny, he said. You have been very active these last few months. Taking jobs. Stacking up a lot of money.

She stared at him. He saw her shoulders and neck shift, the tension in her posture.

And?

It would be in your best interest to talk. Tell me about how you got involved in all this.

In all what?

Your friend Percival must have told you. Or maybe he was paying you enough money to keep you from asking questions?

She sighed. I don’t know who you people are, but you’re not police. You can‘t hold me here.

The police can’t help you. And your friends...well, they’re more business partners than friends. Trust me when I tell you they are out for their own interests. Whether you wind up dead or not doesn’t matter to those people.

So what is it that you want?

I want you to tell me everything that you know about Emma Mercier and Percival Ivers.

That’s all you want? That’s it? You had me dragged here because you want to talk?

Paul crossed his arms. It’s a start.

What’s your interest in this?

You’re serious, aren’t you? Paul asked. You really don’t know who we are or why we want to know about Emma and Percival?

I don’t.

Either you’re lying, or you have been duped.

I’m not lying.

Then you need to tell me everything. Don’t leave anything out.

How do I know I can trust you?

I am going to tell you what it is you‘ve really gotten yourself into, and you can decide who you trust. But if you want leniency, you‘re going to have to tell me anything.

She sat back, shifting uncomfortably in her chair. Can I get some water? she asked.  I’ll tell you everything. But this is going to take a while.

Part One

Everyone said Emma Mercier is the oldest vampire anyone knew of in the Parish.  Percy took his stupid ass to her to get himself turned. She had eyes like a little rat. Her brown skin was unwrinkled, but there was a hardness to it that spoke of death. Her hair, thin and straight, was sparse enough that the flesh of her scalp could be seen through it.  Her long dark nails were sharp and pointed (either through design or lack of hygiene, I can’t be sure).

I’ve heard it said before that Emma was a looker once. I guessed that