Surviving the Darkness: Darkness, #8

By Shiela Stewart

Surviving an abduction, and running home to hide, might seem like a good idea. Except home is now run by vampires.

Deborah Carmichael had it all.  Fame, fortune, and an amazing gift bringing songs to life on her piano. Until a madman began stalking her. At first he seemed harmless, attending her concerts, asking for autographs. Then he turned creepy, sending photos of himself, wearing identical dresses she wore, including dressing up mannequins in her likeness. But one night she made a deadly mistake: sending her bodyguard away. It was the perfect opportunity for her abductor to strike.

Rich, debonair, and owner of the only vampire/demon establishment in Jacobs Cove, Zachary Adams has it all. Or so he thinks. When a beautiful, troubled young woman walks into his club, he is instantly taken by her.  As he helps her overcome her fears, teaching her to stand up and fight, Zach discovers she is the one. His light.

When her abductor finds her, and takes her captive, Deborah fears this will be the end. Will Zach locate her in time, or will Deborah find the strength to fight?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Champagne Book Group
• Release date: May 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781947128262

Book preview

Champagne Book Group Presents

Surviving the Darkness

Darkness, 8

By

Shiela Stewart

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ALBANY, OREGON

U.S.A.

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

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.

Champagne Book Group

www.champagnebooks.com

Copyright 2019 Shiela Stewart

ISBN 978-1-947128-94-1

May 2019

Cover Art by Sierra Hart

Produced in the United States of America

Champagne Book Group

2373 NE Evergreen Avenue

Albany OR 97321

small book group logo USA

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, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not buy it, or it was not bought for your use, then please purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Other Books by Shiela Stewart

Darkness Series

Consuming the Darkness, 7

Penetrating the Darkness, 6

Tempting the Darkness, 5

Charming the Darkness, 4

Embracing the Darkness, 3

Desiring the Darkness, 2

Seducing the Darkness, 1

Chapter One

Visions of soft frothy bubbles in her head, Deborah took the keys out of her purse, unlocked the door, then entered. So good to be home and—

He came out of the kitchen, threw an arm around her waist, then clamped a hand over her mouth. Panic and fear froze her in place as he kicked the door shut, the sound reverberating through the room like thunder.

His hot breath on her neck scorched like fire. Finally, I have you.

He dragged her to the bedroom, her shoes falling off in the process. His hand tasted bitter and salty. She tried to scream, but the sound refused to come out. Then she saw the ropes tied to her bedposts. The taste of acid coated her throat and stuck there, refusing to move.

She knew exactly what he had in mind.

He tossed her, face down onto the bed, pinning her with a knee to the small of her back. The hand-knitted blanket on her bed smothered her cries.

If you move, I’ll kill you. Got it? he murmured.

All she could do was whimper.

He removed his knee, and she heard him moving about, his feet shuffling on the hardwood floor. Her dresser drawers opened and closed with a snap. Her heart beat so hard she could feel it against her chest. When he flipped her over and sat on her hips, she had only a moment to breathe before he shoved something soft and silky into her mouth. She quivered as she came face to face with her abductor.

Peter Milligan.

She stared at the man who she’d seen at every concert, who sent her numerous notes, called her, promised to make her his, threatened her. He’d mailed images of himself naked, straddling a mannequin with a picture of her on the doll’s face. In some, the mannequin wore clothing identical to the ones she’d worn at her concerts. He’d posed her in not just casual positions at a table, on a sofa, but the sexual images of he and the doll made her sick to her stomach. She had a restraining order against him, yet here he was, holding her hostage.

His lips peeled back in a sneer as he slipped something a small roll of silver duct tape from his back pocket. He ripped off a piece, then slapped it against her mouth, pressing hard to secure it. Smiling at her, he kissed her head.

Do something. Don’t just lie here and let him do this to you. Fight! But fear squelched the voice inside her head.

Now, the finishing touches. He yanked her left arm up above her head and tied it to the post, then the right.

She winced with each knot. The rope he used cut into her skin and stung.

Now, you’ll finally be mine.

Shifting to sit beside her on the bed, he patted her leg. I’ve been waiting a long time for this, and I had to make everything perfect. Do you like the atmosphere? I know how much you like candles so I thought filling the room with them would help you relax.

The candlelight flickered on the walls, doing very little to calm her. How could she relax when he’d tied her to the bed, knowing full well what he had in mind? He’d vowed many times in his letters that when he finally had her, he would never let her go. And the only way they would ever part would be in death.

I’ve been here all day, preparing for when you came home. I bought brand new bed linens for you. I know how much you like blue. They’re silk. Can you tell? No, probably not. You will once I get you undressed.

Dear God, no! She stared at him wide eyed as tears slid along the side of her face and into her ears. She flinched when he touched her face. As his fingers grazed over her cheeks, down her chin along her cleavage she sobbed. Why was this happening to her?

You are so beautiful, Debbie, and I love how you don’t have one of those stick figures like so many women these days. It’s a tragedy that women think they need to starve themselves in order to look beautiful. Not that I think you’re fat. Far from it. You’re just not anorexic. He squeezed her shoulder before climbing off the bed. Well, enough chatter for now. I better go lock up. Wouldn’t want anyone waltzing in here right now.

At the doorway, he paused, resting one hand in the left front pocket of his jeans, the other on the doorjamb. Especially not your guard. Where is he tonight, anyway? He never leaves your side. When all she did was stare at him, he slapped a hand to his forehead. How stupid of me. You can’t respond with that tape over your mouth. Oh well, it doesn’t matter. I’m prepared in case he comes back.

She stiffened when he lifted his pant leg to reveal a hand gun. I’ll be back in just a bit.

Deborah wished now she hadn’t told Bruce he needn’t come up with her. Maybe if he had, he could have overpowered Peter, and she wouldn’t be here now. No amount of wishing would change her situation.

Please don’t let me die.

Her heart pounded as chills ran over her body from head to toe. She should fight, but she was terrified. Even if she did break free, she had no chance of getting out. He was bigger than her, stronger than her. She was no match for him.

Please, someone save me.

His feet clomped on the hardwood floor, growing louder the closer he came. Her breath grew faster with each step and when he entered the room, the air in her lungs caught. I’ve locked the door and the balcony, closed up the curtains, and now we’re ready to go. I’ve been waiting a long time for this, Debbie. How is it you don’t own a pair of scissors? I searched the entire apartment, but came up empty. I guess this will have to do.

Deborah gasped when he held one of the butcher-block knives in the air. The flickering candlelight glinted off the steel blade as he turned it over. This is it, she thought, her death facing her. She didn’t want to die. She had so much she wanted to do with her life. She wanted love. She wanted children.

I should have undressed you before tying you up, but I didn’t want to take the chance of you escaping. He straddled her again, and she shook. Let’s get you out of those clothes.

Her sobs were muffled beneath the tape.

Now, now, this doesn’t have to be unpleasant. Placing the blade under her pant leg, he sliced along the seam. As long as you stay still.

She trembled as the cool blade trailed up her leg, his knuckles grazing her skin.

Brown isn’t your color. I think I’ve told you that before. You should wear yellow and reds. You have the complexion for those colors.

The blade slid along her other leg, repeating the action, then he angled the blade over her crotch, pausing for a moment before he cut her panties. Beautiful. Just as I imagined.

She panicked, breathing so rapid her vision blurred.

Now, now, no need for hysterics. He spoke in a low, calm tone before grabbing her shirt with his free hand then running the blade down. With every pop of a button, she flinched.

Instead of cutting her bra, he simply undid the front clasp, exposing her breasts. I just knew your breasts would be milky white.

He laid the knife beside her on the bed, then cupped each breast in his hands, squeezing them hard enough to make her wince through her crying. Picking up the knife again, he waved it in front of her face. Stop bawling, or I’ll give you a reason to cry.

She couldn’t stop, her chest heaving with the effort. When the tip of the blade pierced her skin, slicing along her gut, she screamed. The pain was so great, it blurred her vision.

I said stop crying! he bellowed.

He pressed the blade deeper while dragging the knife up, finally stopping at the crease beneath her breasts. She arched her back, crying though the cloth and tape even though the sound was muffled.

Hey Deb? It’s me. Are you still up?

Oh God no, Bruce! As glad as she was to hear his voice, she was afraid it would be his last. She didn’t want him to die.

Fuck! How’d he get in? Peter dropped the knife, rolled off her then jumped off the bed. Again, he took the gun from his sock.

She repeated no over and over, the tape muffling it. She froze when a shot rang out. Don’t let Bruce be dead. She heard a commotion and what sounded like fists hitting flesh, grunts, and groans.

Then all went quiet.

Fully expecting Peter to come back into the room, Deborah closed her eyes and choked through her tears.

Deb? Oh, sweet Jesus.

She opened her eyes to see Bruce staggering toward her, the sleeve of his left arm drenched in blood, and his face bruised and bloody.

He’s alive.

What the hell did he do to you? He came to the side of the bed, his brown eyes dark with sympathy. This might hurt.

With a quick tug he yanked the tape from her mouth. It stung like hell, but such a relief to finally have it off. When he took the cloth out, she took a deep breath.

I need to call an ambulance. This cut is deep.

You need an ambulance too, she managed through her dry throat. He shot you.

This, he nudged his head at his bleeding arm, just a flesh wound. Let’s get you free. But before he began untying her, he took the blanket from the chair by the window and draped it over her.

Is he…?

Bruce shook his head. Dead? No. I knocked him out and tied his hands and feet with the silk curtain ties. Wish I could have killed the bastard. He freed her wrist, his touch gentle as he unwound the rope from her torn skin. One down.

She did her best not to flinch. Why did you come back?

Casey’s out of town visiting her parents. I didn’t feel like sitting around alone, thought I could crash here, he said as he untied the last knot. "Oh, Deb. I am