Rapture: Crimson Forest, #5

By Tarisa Marie

The final two segments of the Crimson Forest series are among us! In this action-packed novel, we get a much anticipated glimpse into the mind of Devon.

In the wake of the deadly demonic disease that has nearly wiped out the Bryxx in a matter of days, including his own mother, Devon comes up with a plan to stop the slaughter, but it means giving up his livelihood and freedom in doing so. He will have to leave his life behind and begin a new one in hiding, away from other immortals. 

Crysta, a strange immortal woman Devon met at random turns out to be the best thing that's happened to him in ages. She doesn't care what he is or what he's done, she just wants a companion and like him, she has nowhere to go.

Being shacked up with a beautiful woman isn't easy for Devon. Anyone who knows the guy, knows he's a major ladies man, but for some reason, he can't bring himself to make a move on Crysta. She brings out the best in him and he can't risk harming her.

Just when Devon thinks things can't get any worse, he learns his plan, the one that risked everything, hasn't exactly been a success. There's a new problem on the rise. The demons are killing off the remaining Bryxx and it's only a matter of time before they move on to the humans. He can't let that happen, even if it means risking his own life and his new found love in the process.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tarisa Marie
• Release date: Jun 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386879145

Tarisa Marie

Tarisa Marie loves interacting with fans on her Instagram account @TarisaMarie_Author and encourages them to send her selfies with her books. You will be her favorite person if you review one of her books, she reads every single one and appreciates them all. 

Book preview

Chapter 1

Devon

D o you have to ruin my home? Henry grumbles, coming downstairs in only a pair of slacks, his hair tousled.

I squeeze my fist tightly and refrain from sending it into the brick kitchen wall again.

Take it outside. Do you want to spar? Will that help? he asks me casually, leaning against the side of the fridge.

I mumble something unintelligible before answering. No, I have to go. I won’t bug you and Candice. I straighten my shirt and head for the door. I need to run.

Henry lets me go. I don’t even offer to pay for the damage I caused because that man is rolling in as much money as I am. It isn’t a problem and we have a mutual understanding of such.

I leave through the front door and plow through Henry’s very crumbly wards. They’ve been through a lot of forced entry lately and need a bit of work.

I run through fields at top speed until I get to the highway where I stop and walk along the side of the road until a car nears me.  I use compulsion to stop the elderly driver I the red beater and I jump into the passenger seat. Take me wherever you’re going.

He pulls back into traffic. Sure thing, son.

I lean the seat back and take a gulp of the man’s soda from the cupholder before cranking up the rock station on the radio.

You like Foo Fighters? The balding man asks as I close my eyes.

About as much as I like meatloaf. I hate meatloaf.

The man chuckles gruffly. They’re good.

No they’re not. Where are we heading anyway?

He clears his throat. To see my girlfriend in California.

Swing by Portland to drop me off. I’ll rent a car from there and drive up to Seattle. I’m not a coward. I face my problems head on. It’s past time I deal with this one. I need to speak to Kai. The kid already hates me so I can imagine how this will go. Badly.

Alright. I can do that. Why are you looking so bummed? Did you and your girl get in some sort of fight? Is that why you were on the side of the road? She dump you off there?

I snort at the thought. As if any woman or man for that matter would have the power to kick me out of their car. Car troubles, I lie, taking pleasure in this thoughtless small talk with this regular human man.

"Ah, alright. Handsome guy like you and no girlfriend then or is that what’s in Portland?"

I scoff and cross my arms at my chest. Nope. I’m single guy. I like it that way.

He looks me up and down. You’re young yet. One day you’ll change your mind.

If only he knew just how old I really am. May’s face pops in my mind and I clench my jaw. Something about her... She was my one but she didn’t feel the same. The thought makes me nauseous. I see her with Kade in my mind and I have to force the thought away before I become angry. I should be happy for her but I’m not. I’m just angry, hurt, sad, emotions that I’m not used to feeling. It makes me uncomfortable. It makes me feel weak. One thing I’m definitely not.

Maybe, I reply plainly to the man and rest my head back on the seat, willing him to stop talking so I can relax and get lost in my thoughts.

By the time I pull into Seattle in my rental, I’m shaking. I’m not sure if I’m more nervous to see my grandson or May. I find the address I had Henry send me and input the door code he relayed. Then I go up the elevator and stop in front of Daniel and Kai’s door. I raise a fist to knock but hesitate. This hesitation is unlike me. I shake my head at my ridiculousness and knock.

The door almost immediately opens. Daniel stands there in the doorway appearing groggy. I must’ve woken him. I look at my watch and cuss. It’s only six in the evening. Not sleeping, messes with my schedule and anyway I didn’t know if they were on a day or night schedule. I’d heard they were in school and assumed they’d be up during the day.

Sorry, uh, didn’t mean to wake you, I apologize quickly, feeling like an idiot.

Daniel chuckles. No problem. I just passed out watching TV. Long day.

I nod. Is Kai home?

Daniel rubs his left eye with his palm sleepily while shaking his head. No, not yet. Any minute though. Uh, did you want to speak to him?

I simply nod again. If I could.

Daniel nods in reply. Yes. It’s about time you guys spoke.

If only Daniel knew what it was I’m here to talk about. He moves aside so I can enter and I kick off my shoes. He motions for the couches and plops down where he must’ve been sleeping until I disturbed him. I take the smaller couch and look over their large apartment. Nice place.

Daniel releases a deep breath of air. Thanks, man. May designed most of it. Neither Kai or I are any good at that sort of shit.

I grin and cock a brow.

Daniel shakes his head at me. No, not all gay men are good at that. That is a stereotype my friend.

I know this. Hell, I’m bisexual. I’ve known a fair amount of gay men with no style taste.

How is May? I find myself asking.

Daniel grins and relaxes. Great actually. Her blood really helped with her transition.

I slowly nod and the front door opens.

Hey, I picked up some milk on my way- Kai stops short when he sees me on his sofa. What are you doing here? He sets the gallon of milk on the counter, face falling.

He just wants to talk, Daniel mutters. Please, Kai. You need to get over this.

Kai’s face begins turning red as he stares at his fiancé shaking his head. You know how I feel about him. Why would you let him in here?

Daniel stares back at Kai. He made a mistake. Just hear him out.

Kai, clearly having inherited my stubbornness, turns and begins walking towards the front door. Before he can jerk it open, I blurt, I heard you’ve been looking for your grandfather. I know who he is.

Kai stops dead in his tracks and turns to me. You’re lying.

I shake my head. Swear it on my life.

Kai nibbles his bottom lip. That’s not saying much. He sighs in resignation. Fine. Tell me who he is and I’ll hear your apology out.

Here it goes. The entire way here I debated how I was going to go about doing this.

Who is he? Kai asks again, and now Daniel appears further intrigued. He perks up. All signs of exhaustion disappear.

I set my hands down in my lap. Sit down. Kai doesn’t hesitate to follow my instruction and sits beside Daniel on the long couch. First, I want to say that I didn’t know about this until earlier today when my father spoke to me.

"Your father?" Daniel blurts loudly.

I grimace. That’s another story for another time. Anyway, Kai, I knew your grandmother years ago. She was in an arranged marriage but the man she was with...well, they were not in love. She became pregnant with your mom and I helped her escape the community. She told me that he was abusive and would harm the child. I assumed it was his and didn’t question anything. She and her daughter lived with the immortal guardians for a while then when your mother was old enough, after your grandmother passed on, she chose to go back to the community where she could raise kids in safety under a new surname. She, too, was placed in an arranged marriage but she did love your father. Being that I was so close to your grandmother, I felt the need to make sure your mother was taken care of. She and your father tried to conceive without luck and they eventually adopted Meredith.

Kai’s lips twitch downward and I realize he had no idea his sister was adopted.

Then a few years later, your mother conceived you and you were born. People started questioning who I was and how I was getting into the community to visit your family so for your family’s safety, I stopped coming around. Today, I learnt that the reason your grandmother wanted to leave the community wasn’t because her husband would’ve beaten your mother, or maybe he would’ve but that wasn’t the only reason. Your mother wasn’t his child. She wasn’t entirely Bryxx and if the Bryxx found out, they’d have killed both she and your grandmother. I don’t know how much of this your mother knew. Maybe not much. I can’t imagine she’d have returned to the community if she’d known that she and her future children would have demonic blood and be killed if that was ever discovered. As you know, it’s almost impossible for a demon and Bryxx to have children together. You and I are exceptions to that. We’re very rare. Your grandmother slept with one demon once and she conceived your mother...one half demon. I look up from my knees to see Daniel and Kai’s reaction, to see if they’ve caught on.

Kai seems to still be processing this all, but Daniel stares bug eyed back at me. You didn’t come here to apologize, did you?

I shake my head. No, I came here today because this morning I found out that my friend’s child that I helped raise, was actually my own biological daughter, and that I have a biological grandson and a granddaughter as well.

Daniel sucks in a sharp breath and squeezes Kai’s hand in his.

Kai remains quiet, staring down at the coffee table in front of him. You must be joking.

You have his eyes, Daniel whispers. He’s telling the truth.

Kai remains silent and I stand, knowing that he has a lot to process. If and when you’d like to speak to me, Daniel has my number. I’ll give you your space. I walk to the door and place my hand on the knob. I slightly turn back to the two men. I’m well aware that I’m not who you were expecting, but Kai, I truly am sorry for what I did to you, and if you ever want to get to know me, I’d love to get to know you. I open the door and let it click shut behind me. My heart races as I race down the hallway towards the elevator. As the doors slide open, I’m greeted by May and Kade.

Hey, I utter and jump in, pressing the down button. The two vampires look at one another as they leave the little car and the doors close separating us from each other.

When the elevator stops, I impatiently wait for the doors to open before taking off to my car and starting the ignition. I turn the radio on to an old country station and find myself flying out of Seattle at full speed, winding through traffic. A cop turns his lights on and I send my compulsion out to him, stopping his pursuit.

Once I’ve shot all of my excess emotion through my foot and converted it to brute speed, I slow down and pull off the highway into a park. I park in front of a large lake and get out. Spring flowers are in bloom and I can’t help but take a deep breath in. I’ve always loved the smell of nature. I walk down to the water and remove my shoes and socks before stepping into the still chilly water. I yank my pant legs up even though I have no need for this. It only takes me a single thought to change my clothing. Some things are just comforting and normal. I’ve always wanted to be normal. Bryxx or demon or especially human. What it would be like to be a simple human. Instead, I’m a one of a kind half breed.

I slosh through the water and stop when I see a school of small fish swimming closer to me. I let them swim around my feet. They don’t come too near to me. Animals seem to sense I’m not normal and keep their distance. Actually, all living things seem to keep their distance from me until they’ve gotten to know me, a lot of the time even after this they continue to steer clear of me. I have to actually compel people to not resist me. It doesn’t help that I can read most minds and I know the unexplainable fright people feel while around me. I’m an outcast.

I reach down into the water, willing one of the fish to stay still. I then cup it in my palms, making the fish a small aquarium in my hands. I bring it up to my face and watch the little animal’s mouth open and close. I don’t hold it long, before releasing it back into the water.

Did you just catch a fish with your bare hands? A female voice asks from behind me. I turn to find a dark-skinned human woman watching me in surprise.

I smile kindly. Yes.

She raises a charcoal brow. Are you a fish whisperer, an alien or are you just super-fast? I notice then that she is teasing me, that although her question is only half joking, she’s smiling. She’s unafraid of me.

I’m Devon, I introduce myself, evading her question.

She extends a hand out to me and I take it firmly. Crysta. She eyes me carefully. Are you Bryxx or demon?

I drop her hand and take her in again. She appears human. My mind wanders into hers and I find I can’t read her thoughts. What is she? Human Bryxx? She must be.

She giggles, her eyes brightening as she does. Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I mean no harm.

"What are you?" I ask in return, keeping my expression stoic.

Crysta shrugs. You don’t know?

You seem human.

She cringes. That’s what all the Bryxx and all the demons I’ve met have told me, but if so, how am I three hundred years old?

I continue taking her in. You don’t know what you are?

Shaking her head, she crosses her arms briefly then fixes one of her pant legs so it doesn’t get wet. I was adopted and I stopped aging at twenty give or take.

If she were demon, I’d be able to sense it. If she were Bryxx, I’d be able to smell it. I consider that she could be like me, but I’d be able to sense that too. I could sense Terrance. I’ve been alive for millennia and I’ve never heard of such a thing. Besides your age, tell me what else is different from a human. I find myself surprised and intrigued by this woman. If I didn’t know better, from her explanation, I’d think she were some sort of wraith, but she stands solid and in the flesh in front of me.

She purses her lips. Not much...I can move things without touching them.

Telekinesis. A demonic ability. Perhaps she has a demon ancestor. That doesn’t explain it though, those mixed blooded humans are rounded up. I’m no expert on this kind of thing, but Henry is. He’s spent more time reading books and learning random crap than anything else. I have a friend who might know something, I supply. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m curious or because I really want to help this woman.

Her shoulders stiffen and her eyes widen ever so slightly. Really?

Nodding, I pull out my cellphone and press Henry’s number.

Henry here.

"Hey, I know you’re probably...busy with Candice, but if I stop by there tomorrow do you think you could lend me some of your knowledge? I think you’ll find this interesting. I can’t really explain over the phone."

Henry chuckles. Come on over. Candice and I have all the time in the world thanks to your family.