Penetrating the Darkness: Darkness, #6

By Shiela Stewart

Amara loves her job caring for Felicity, the child stolen from her parents by the vampire queen. Gifted with more power than a child should possess, Felicity escapes to look for her mother and father and takes Amara with her. Thrust into a strange, dark world, Amara's loyalty and caregiving skills will be put to the test.

 

Dusty hoped to finish college and become a biologist. Until a sadistic vampire kidnapped, tortured, and turned him. When he's taken out to find his own victim, Dusty's chance to free himself arrives in the form of a bright white flash, a beautiful young blonde, and a small child with the ability to incinerate anything and anyone with merely a thought. As the three work together to find Felicity's parents, Dusty and Amara discover a deep affection for each other.

 

Can their budding relationship survive the power struggle between warring vampire factions?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Champagne Book Group
• Release date: Dec 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781771552752

Book preview

Champagne Books Presents

Penetrating The Darkness

Darkness, 6

By

Shiela Stewart

HIGH RIVER, AB

CANADA

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 Books

www.champagnebooks.com

Copyright 2015 by Shiela Stewart

ISBN 978-1-77155-275-2

March 2017

Cover Art by Ellie Smith

Produced in Canada

Champagne Book Group

19-3 Avenue SE

High River, AB T1V 1G3

Canada

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 with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Champagnebooks.com (or a retailer of your choice) and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Other Books By Shiela Stewart

Seducing The Darkness

Desiring The Darkness

Embracing The Darkness

Charming The Darkness

Tempting The Darkness

Dedication

To my children, Christopher, Matthew, Angela, Alyssa and Cheyenne. You are the light of my life, the air I breathe, and the stars in my sky. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.

One

Jacob’s Cove, 2026

Eleven months of darkness…

"My name is Dusty Ryder, and I am twenty years old. My parents are Alan and Eleanor Ryder. I have two sisters, Alana and Leah. I’m going to attend MIT to become a biologist.

My name is Dusty Ryder, and I refuse to give in. I won’t let them win. They will not beat me down. I am stronger than that.

Yet it was so tempting to give in, to slip into a comatose state, to tuck his mind away to a better place where animals didn’t torture and starve and beat humans, a place with bright sunshine, green grass, and a warm summer breeze...

That was exactly what they wanted.

So he fought to stay sane, to keep even a small portion of himself alive.

He shivered in the cold cell he’d been kept in for months now. No use asking for a blanket. They wanted to make him as uncomfortable as possible so he would eventually break.

He should never have stopped to help the young woman with the broken-down car on the side of the road. But she had been all alone at night, with the nearest city miles away. It would have been wrong of him to drive away. Dusty wished he’d known it had all been a ploy to capture him. That three vampires waited in the trees, ready to jump him. He hadn’t even known such creatures existed.

He knew differently now.

The jingle of keys startled him. As Dusty curled in a ball, tucking himself as tightly to the wall as possible, the door swung open.

Hello, my boy.

No, not him. Please, anyone but him.

The door clicked shut. He refused to look up.

I’m told you’re refusing the blood that is being brought to you.

Don’t look into his eyes, don’t acknowledge him, and maybe this time he will go away. Yeah, right.

The bed creaked, giving way to the pressure of the body sitting on the end. Dusty inched a little closer to the wall, wishing desperately he could melt into it.

Have they told you what happens to vampires if they don’t feed?

He didn’t care. He just wanted him to go away.

Have you ever seen a drug addict go through withdrawal? It is very similar, only the lack of oxygenated blood in your system causes your mind to go a little crazy. Because the moment you drink a vampire’s blood, it takes over, killing off the human blood that remains in your system. Vampire blood has less oxygen, hence the sickly gray color. As long as you drink the blood, your body is okay, but the instant you cut off the supply, your body goes into a state of frenzy and starts killing off brain cells. And if that weren’t bad enough, your lust for blood grows tenfold encouraging you to do anything to get it.

Icy fingers grabbed his chin, forcing him to look into cold yellow eyes. Including ripping open a human to drain it as quickly as possible. Is that what you wish to have happen to you, my boy?

I’m not your boy, Dusty spat. He refused to show the pain he felt when the nails dug into his face.

Oh, but you are. The instant you drew my blood into your veins you became mine. It has been some time since I was treated to virginal blood. Yours was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate myself after that infidel, Fritz, kept me drugged and locked away. I feel so much stronger now, and I wish you to feel the same way.

Go to hell! My name is Dusty. I’m twenty years old. I’m going to MIT. I’m human, I’m—

So be it.

The vampire slammed Dusty’s hand against the wall. A glint of silver blinded him right before a knife pierced his palm. He screamed. His vision blurred and bile rose to sting his throat.

Now, do you wish to drink, or shall I do the same to the other hand?

His throat burning, he managed to swallow the vomit threatening to spill. Go to hell!

Have it your way.

Another knife jammed into Dusty’s other hand, and this time he couldn’t keep it down. Hot vomit spewed from his mouth, and darkness clouded his vision.

The sting of a hand slapping across his face drew him back. Drink?

Please. Why are you doing this to me?

Because I can.

I won’t give in. Those long, icy fingers squeezed his throat, and as he looked into the face of his tormentor, the man’s lips parted into a grotesque smile. His free hand lifted, and he twisted the knife in Dusty’s palm.

He screamed, he cried, and he begged. Okay, okay, please make it stop.

I knew you would come around. The creep released the handle of the blade and pressed a wrist to Dusty’s mouth.

Though Dusty wanted to refuse, something inside, something unfamiliar, pulled at him and made him crave what he couldn’t understand. Looking down at the arm in front of him, alien instinct compelled him to take it. He clamped his teeth into the flesh, and though he wanted to vomit as the skin tore under his teeth, the thirst took over.

His name was Dusty Ryder, and he had given in.

~*~

Once again Amara found the child sitting in the cell. She stepped inside and knelt down beside her. You know you shouldn’t be here, little one.

The girl looked up at Amara. The child’s chubby face and bright blue eyes always struck her heart. She was an angel, and yet her mother, the queen, treated her like a prisoner. Amara often wondered if the woman truly did care for the child. She’d gone to all the work to get Felicity, so it seemed to Amara that her majesty would cherish her more.

Sometimes I can still smell her perfume.

Amara knew who she spoke of. She’s been gone for weeks, sweetie.

But I can still smell it.

She sat beside her, holding her hand. But you shouldn’t keep coming here. Come on now, before your mother finds you here.

Felicity stood as Amara did, her little face turning sad. I know mother says they are evil, but she didn’t seem evil. Trinity. Her name is Trinity. Isn’t that a pretty name?

It’s a lovely name. Come now. Amara held out her hand.

Felicity hesitated before she took it. I just want to go down and see the world for just a day. Have you ever been there?

The child was full of questions. Since Felicity had been brought to the mystical world, and put in her charge, Amara had done a lot of reading. She knew nothing about children before, and she was still learning now. What she did know is that five-year olds were very curious. I’ve never been there, either. I hear it’s scary. They have vehicles that can run into people, buildings so tall you can’t see the top. Things that fly in the sky, and the people are often cruel. I don’t think I would like it there.

But I heard it was beautiful.

Who did you hear that from? Amara asked as she led the child to her room.

From some of the Messengers and the Censors.

The Messengers were sent down to evaluate the vampire population, and the Censors documented it all. What have you been doing, going into the servant’s quarters? You know you don’t belong there, Amara scolded as she set Felicity on her bed.

She smoothed out her nightgown. They give me candies from down below. And they make me laugh with their silly jokes.

Be that as it may, you should stop going there. Your mother will be very cross with you. Amara leaned down and kissed Felicity’s head. It’s your bedtime. Now go to sleep, little one. She tucked Felicity in, then turned down her lamp until a soft yellow glow illuminated the space. Amara knew how afraid of the dark Felicity was. As she left the room, she clutched her chest where her heart ached for the child. If only she could find a way to make her happy.

~*~

Laying on his cot, the blood he’d consumed coursing through his veins, Dusty felt no pain, his body warm, tingly, healed, and utterly calm. He’d never experienced anything as glorious. Though it repulsed him, he couldn’t deny enjoying the euphoria. It sickened him that he’d drunk from his tormenter, and he loathed himself for giving in. But he was so tired of being tortured, teased, and kept like a dog.

The door to his cell opened, and he cringed, hating himself for flinching. When the vile man who had made him a vampire entered the room, he fully expected more torture.

I am going to reward you, my boy.

Guarded, Dusty waited.

I am going to let you out of this room for a while. How does that sound?

What’s the catch? Really?

Truly. He sat on the cot. Dusty shifted a smidgen further away. I thought it might be nice if you were to join us for a meal.

Us?

My followers. It’s been a while since we had a gathering. Given the fact that I’ve been missing lately. But I digress. He shook his head as he stood. Care to join me?

If this were a trick, a set-up for more torture, Dusty would deal with it, because he certainly wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to escape. He stood, giving a nod. I would love to.

Excellent. His tormentor knelt at his feet.

Perfect. Dusty could kick him and get away.

This is simply a precautionary method.

Before he had a chance to lift his foot, his tormentor snapped something around his ankle. The device beeped twice before a green light began to flash. A tracker? An uncontrolled rage rose in him. He clenched his hands, curled them into fists, and waited for the perfect moment to slam them into the guy’s face.

Indeed. You are a smart one.

The instant the man stood, Dusty lifted a fist. I am going to enjoy smashing your face in, you bastard. He wasn’t fast enough.

The vampire grabbed his fists, squeezing hard enough to make him wince. I am going to enjoy having you around, my boy.

My name is Dusty, he snapped with a growl.

Is that your birth name?

It was my grandfather’s name.

Hmm…I think I would rather call you Destroyer. Yes, I rather like that.

Dusty didn’t, but he stayed silent on the fact. And what do I call you? Besides pig?

Chaos. I once had an average human name, but my maker wanted me named Chaos. I much prefer the name over what my parents gave me.

Okay, he’d play. What was the name your parents gave you?

Clovis. Chaos shuddered.

Dusty bit his tongue and tried desperately not to laugh. Okay, so Chaos was a better name. Still, Dusty liked his own real name.

Chaos swept an arm toward the open cell door. Shall we, Destroyer?

Dusty tightened his jaw and nodded.

Chaos led him from the room. As they walked through the building where he’d been kept for months, Dusty made a mental note of every nook and cranny along with every exit. Even if he had a tracker on him, it wouldn’t stop him from attempting to escape.

Ah, they are ready for us. Right this way, Destroyer.

Cautiously,