Snow Blood: Season 4: A Vampire Mystery Thriller, #4

By Carol McKibben

Continuing the paranormal adventures of Brogio, the First Vampire, and his kindred dog, Snow Blood…

Just as Snow Blood secures Nova's love, a dark stranger in the forest warns of impending danger. The vampire clan is forewarned of new approaching threats. This time two daunting enemies return for blood, threatening both Brogio and his beloved children.

A Kresnick hunter, out for revenge, is dead-set on Brogio's destruction and places Snow Blood's pack in the crosshairs. All the while, another familiar force of evil threatens Brogio's kindred.

As the family comes together to strategize ways on how to overcome this new menacing threat, Snow Blood is led to another intriguing path. He discovers a heavenly interest in the continuing evil that haunts his loved ones.

Trying to discover secrets to help in the defeat of the new foes unravels the role of Kane's friend, Seth. What part does he play in the returning evil? Along the way of these new journeys, he is surprised to discover the white witch's true nature.

Relentless and merciless enemies plague our favorite vampire family at every turn. Snow Blood again fights to protect all of those he loves against destruction. A dangerous plot to draw out the elusive enemy could save innocent lives, as well as their own. All the while, the future of mankind hangs in the balance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Troll River Publications
• Release date: Dec 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781939564986

Carol McKibben

Carol McKibben was a magazine publisher for 20+ years. She has published Luke’s Tale, Riding Through It and the Snow Blood Vampire Mystery Thriller Series. Luke’s Tale and Snow Blood are targeted to a YA market. Luke’s Tale was included in the Summer Solstice Top 12 Book Pick List. Carol writes from the heart of a dog’s eyes. Her books help support her dog rescue efforts and focus on unconditional love.  Carol, her labradoodle Neo, lab Thor and Siberian Husky Ty are currently working on new adventures. Go to http://www.carolmckibben.com or email [e-mail].

Book preview

Snow Blood

A Vampire Mystery Thriller (Season 4)

––––––––

Carol McKibben

www.trollriverpub.com

Snow Blood

A Vampire Mystery Thriller (Season 4)

Copyright © 2016 Carol McKibben

ISBN: 978-1-939564-98-6

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted, with the exception of a reviewer who may quote passages in a review, without written prior permission from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, events, incidents and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

Dear Reader,

Carol has worked very hard on this particular piece of entertainment. This book was brought to you by hard labor and love. Please respect an artist’s work for the enrichment we try to bring you. I humbly ask that you don’t outright steal this child born on paper and brought to you by love. If you come by this book by nefarious means, and you are simply unable to give the change in your pocket for the purchase price, then take it with my blessing. But if you can purchase it and would like Carol to continue to bring you great books, please purchase a copy to support her.

Thank you,

Troll River Publications

Dedication

For Aramis, my winged Friesian angel, who will forever live in my broken heart.

Episode One

Foreboding

She was finally mine, in body and soulless soul. Bound together, eternal. Nova pressed her silken fur along my side. Her downy hair tickling my ribs had me almost purring like a cat. Born a domestic Siberian Husky made my fur soft, but Nova’s had the extra fluff of being born a full-blooded wolf. Now we walked together forever as kindred. Her pillow-soft hairs reminding me she was all mine.

Snowflakes fell across her salt and pepper coat, making the love of my life glisten with radiance. The tiny jewels hung to her coat as though she wore the finest of diamonds. If I were human, I would bring her any type of gift she wished. She need only ask. But, we were not human. We weren’t even canine anymore. Not really. We were hellhounds, kindred, vampire demons. But love is found in the oddest places, and even the devil has a cherished love of his own. Had she rejected me, I would have wanted the true death. Instead, she gave me her love and devotion.

We combed the dark forest, running alongside each other, as we headed homeward after our mating. Taking in the deep forest, I smelled frightened quail and ducked under the evergreen brush housing the birds. They took flight. I did not chase. Though we were looking for prey along the way, Nova provided all the nourishment I needed.

Too caught up in the afterglow of our mating, I missed the tell-tale signs of swaying branches and the soft crunch of snow Nova instantly sensed.

Something watches us... follows us. Her telepathic message jarred me into alertness. We both circled each other, she-wolf to husky, eyes outward, looking for the intruder. I felt the presence of something... not of this world. Searching the trees with my keen vampire vision, I glimpsed the shadowy outline of a... horse? I sprang in its direction with Nova on my heels only to discover nothing.

Our noses to the ground, we searched for a scent around trees, shrubs, and underneath the loosely fallen Nova Scotia snow. Small animals scattered about us, but we remained focused on ferreting out the intruder. After many minutes passed with nothing to show for our investigation, the tension and anticipation of being watched dissipated, and we turned south toward my master’s wine estate a mile away.

No signs remained of the hearty celebration of the Titan witch goddess, Hecate’s, defeat from the night before. Brogio’s ever-present but rarely seen servants carted away the last of the multitude of barrels filled with precious blood. But the large Victorian estate surrounded by my master’s extensive vineyards and winery blazed with light and music inside.

Only Ian and Leslie remained of the ten thousand kindred children of Brogio that came to rescue me from the witch.  Nova and I watched as we approached them. They crossed the entryway leaving its massive ten-foot-tall mahogany front door hanging open invitingly. Ian’s green eyes glowed into Leslie’s dark ones. He placed his arm around her small waist and stepped into the courtyard, calling back over his shoulder, We will be here whenever you need us next.

Ian pushed back a strand of dark hair from his eyes and spied us approaching. He raised his free hand and waved and smiled. Leslie gave us a dazzling, dimpled smile that spread across her brown skin. Nova and I barked our thanks to them, and they turned and disappeared into the woods with vampire speed.

We crossed the threshold to the estate. The fireplace in the den crackled with its ever-present blaze, and Selene’s tinkling laughter floated through the air, enveloping us with joy.

She curled next to her sire and mate, Brogio, my master, in front of the fireplace. Heads together, their long, blonde-silver hair almost intertwined. His deep, purple eyes glowed as they gazed adoringly into her intense blue ones. Both unusually tall, she was dressed in a long, silver dress, and he in his constant black pants, shirt, and jacket. I imagined when humans see them together Brogio and Selene take their breath away.

Kane, my human blood brother, sat with his legs draped over one of the plush chairs to one side of the fireplace. His black hair hid part of his sardonic face as he peered into his drink. Spotting us, his dark-brown eyes smiled as he raised his wine glass to us. Tonight he wore the navy-blue tuxedo Brogio and Selene had gifted him.  

Selene and Brogio glided to our side, knelt down, and greeted us warmly.

It’s about time the two of you drug in. Brogio tweaked my left ear while Selene rubbed Nova’s head. We’ve been waiting to celebrate your new union.

Kane leaped to his feet. Yes, remember, he’s Italian. His heritage demands rituals to celebrate your union. He bowed from the waist, grinning at his blood father, who ignored his remark.

Their relationship combined Kane’s devotion to his sire with his need to apply his intellect to taunt Brogio, while his master could read his every thought or gesture. Brogio more often than not ignored Kane’s barbs just to irritate his first-born blood son.

My wolf pack waited until Brogio and Selene stood up and then swarmed us, bombarding me with questions. How’s it feel to wear a ball and chain? You know this is a life sentence; no wait, it’s an eternal sentence. Scrawny, my second- in-command, and Joker interjected unwanted humor that I ignored. Thor, Chase, and Gaspar rolled around on the floor like a bunch of spastic dorks.

Only Fergus, the wise, imparted a welcoming comment. It is now as it should be, Snow Blood. May your life together be only joyful.

Nova reached out and licked the side of Fergus’ face, and he turned, almost in embarrassment. I thought all my wolf progeny were a little bit in lust with my mate.

Striding to the wine bar, Brogio opened a bottle. Only the best for the newlyweds. He poured the golden liquid into champagne flutes. This is Prosecco, an Italian version of champagne.

Selene disappeared into the kitchen but returned quickly carrying white porcelain bowls she placed on the floor for us. Opening several more bottles, Brogio poured the yellow liquid and motioned to Nova and me, along with our pack, to taste. He raised his glass. Per cent’anni. It means a century of good luck for the both of you.

We communicated on a telepathic level only because we have discovered our enemies – often comprised of gods, goddesses, and Titans - could overhear our conversations. Our silent connection assured us some sense of privacy.

Nova and I cautiously approached the bowls and lapped the