Black Fang

By Susan Blexrud

Someone is deliberately infecting bats with a deadly fungus. The flying mammals are dying by the thousands, and along with them, a significant number of vampires in bat form have also succumbed. Enter John and Lauren Wright. The vampire couple has conquered evil enemies in the past, but the perpetrator behind the bat deaths is more cunning than any they’ve encountered. Though John initially suspects that werewolves are the culprits, he discovers he is up against a colony of Unseelie faeries. The intoxicating scent of the faeries has been known to deceive vampires, pitting friend against friend—and wife against husband.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DCL Publications
• Release date: Apr 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9780983807889

Susan Blexrud

Susan Blexrud is the author of numerous romance novels, including Valentine Vote, His Fantasy Maid, and The Gettysburg Vampire. When not researching and writing her next story, she can be found bird watching, quilting, reading, or attending Zumba and Yoga classes. She divides her time between the mountains of Western North Carolina and the flatlands of Orlando.  

Book preview

Black Fang

By

Susan Blexrud

DCL Publications, LLC

www.thedarkcastlelords.com

© 2011 Susan Blexrud

All rights reserved

First Edition August 2011

DCL Publications

1033 Plymouth Dr.

Grafton, OH 44044

ISBN 978-0-9838078-8-9

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information and storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Cover design by Annie Marshall, Beyond the Book Productions

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Chapter One

What the… Dr. Lauren Marsh sprang back from the French doors just as something small and furry crashed into a mullioned pane and shattered glass across the floor of her kitchen. Her toddler, Avery, who’d been wobbling hand over fist from one wrought iron counter stool to another, lunged toward the brown object, which was now quivering on the Spanish tile floor.

Lauren scooped up Avery and called for her husband. John! She looked through the arched doorway to the living room, where she’d left him only moments before, engrossed in the morning’s Orlando Sentinel.

What is it? The six-foot-two Vampire Vigilante was at his wife’s side quicker than the human eye could detect movement. He followed her expression to the object on the floor. Bloody Hell!

While Lauren held their squirming toddler, John knelt in front of the bat and nudged the animal gently with a finger. Do we know you? He leaned in closer, tucking a forelock of wavy black hair behind his ear.

The bat vibrated on the floor. Looks like he’s trying to morph, John said. The little mammal was bleeding from its mouth, which was ringed in a chalky powder.

Has he been snorting cocaine? Lauren asked as she turned her daughter’s face away from the bat.

Cocaine would be easier to deal with than what I think it is. Still crouched in front of the animal, John looked up at Lauren. Get Avery out of here. When the bat morphs, he may spew some nasty stuff.

I’ll take her upstairs to Doreen, but I’m coming right back.

I can handle this, Lauren. John’s stern look mirrored his protective nature.

I’ve heard that before, like the time you tried to take out six thugs in Venice.

Lauren rolled her eyes but didn’t waste another moment to dash up the stairs and pass Avery into the arms of Doreen, the couple’s wacky Gal Friday. Keep her occupied, will you? We’ve got a situation downstairs. Lauren hurried out of the room and rejoined John in the kitchen, where the bat had morphed to a groaning vampire.

Get me a towel, John said to Lauren, and a glass of blood. He put a hand under the vampire’s neck and raised his head gently. Richard, what happened to you?

Though she’d never met him, the name registered with Lauren. Richard was a friend of John’s from England with whom he’d had a centuries-old history of aiding Scotland Yard. He’d assisted John in the eradication of a dangerous vampire coven only a year ago in London. Lauren remembered that chaotic time well. It was just after she’d joined the ranks of the undead and a few months before she became pregnant with Avery.

Richard’s eyes, which had been squeezed shut, opened slowly. I wasn’t sure I could change, and this may be the last time.

Lauren handed her husband a clean washcloth, which she’d dampened with cold water. He took the cloth and applied it to Richard’s brow and temples. Lauren knelt next to her husband and his friend, offering the injured vampire a glass of B positive with a straw.

Thank you, Richard said as he took a sip of the blood, coughed, and then tried to prop himself on his elbows. Instead, he collapsed in John’s lap.

Lauren put her hand on John’s shoulder and listened as Richard continued. I have a fungus…white-nose syndrome, he said, gasping. Got it…in Connecticut…looking into…bat deaths. Richard took a labored breath. Only way to learn…where the fungus came from…was to join bats. He reached up for John’s arm and squeezed it.

Richard’s voice was so faint that Lauren could barely hear him.

Vampires…need…help, Richard whispered. It’s a…conspiracy. His eyes grew wide, and