Touch of Darkness: Scythe of Darkness, #0.5

By Dawn Husted

Wanting to leave his supernatural family behind, seventeen-year-old Thanatos runs away. Against his better judgment, he befriends an ordinary girl. But it won't be long until the darkness he's hiding from comes calling--he can't hide forever.

 

Touch of Darkness is a short-story prequel to Scythe of Darkness. If you like sexy heroes, mythical twists, and throbbing suspense, you'll love Dawn Husted's riveting, urban fantasy. 

 

Read Touch of Darkness today for a book you can't put down!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn Husted
• Release date: Jan 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393061250

Dawn Husted

Dawn Husted has a degree from Texas A&M University. In September 2018, she was nominated as a panelist for Teen BookFest by the Bay. When not writing, she’s either camping or dreaming about camping. She lives in central Texas with her husband, two kids, a feisty black cat, and an adorable golden retriever.  Her readers will find twists and turns around every corner! She loves to know what readers think of her books, so reach out at the connections below or write a review. How to connect with Dawn: www.dawnhusted.com www.AWordyWomansGuide.com Twitter: @TheDawnHusted Instagram: TheDawnHusted Facebook: DawnHusted

Book preview

Most people take taxis, Molly says as I open the passenger door.

I had parked a couple of blocks away from Bamboo Sushi. Parking closer wasn’t a choice, the spots either filled with cars or signs warning against parking.

Times Square is only three blocks away.

You don’t like taxis, I murmur, realizing I know more about my new friend than I thought. I’d only known her for three weeks.

Her eighteen-year-old body is frail, arms too skinny and legs lacking muscle. The breeze whips through her spiky red hair as she steps out of my Impala.

And neither do you, Thanatos.

No, I just like my car better. Fleeing home, I bought it with cash when I reached New York and had the horrid exterior re-painted.

Molly’s legs lack definition but they don’t wobble as she stands. Dozens of people traipse up and down the sidewalk. The city noise bounces off skyscrapers, trapped between stone buildings blanketed with windows. There’s more air-flow from exhaust fumes than actual oxygen.

I lock my doors.

Thick clouds loom overhead, threatening to burst any moment, but neither of us brought an umbrella. Who cares about a little rain?

A group of girls jogs down the sidewalk, and a shoulder brushes against my back. I flinch, eyeing one who’s wearing short shorts, smiling at me. My shoulders relax. I smile back casually, because that’s what people are supposed to do.

Oh, bugger off. Molly rolls her eyes at no girl in particular. Gawd, it’s like you’re Clark Kent without glasses.

I shake my head. What’s your fascination with Superman? When I first met Molly, she’d mentioned him then, plus every day since in one way or another. I’ve never watched Superman movies—don’t much like movies in general.

Molly reaches for my hand, and I quickly avert her attempt. When people touch my palms, bad things happen. And I know she wasn’t doing it out of fondness. She and I are only friends.

She punches my arm and laughs. "Your germ thing is annoying. Until you get over that, I won’t get over Kent. Now, let’s get on with my last night in the city—last night in the country for that matter. Let me celebrate like a normal teenager."

Going to the Central Park Zoo isn’t celebrating like a ‘normal teenager.’

How would you know, Mr. Weirdo?

I shrug. She finds joy in so many things. I’m not used to that. I come from a serious family and am an unfortunate recipient of an insidious personality trait passed down from my father, limiting my social options. I hadn’t hung with many fun people prior to meeting Molly.

She points into the open street. The restaurant is that way.

I’m good with directions and know where to go, but I don’t protest as I follow her.