Darkness Awakens: Snakeheart, #6

By Damien Benoit-Ledoux

Lucifer has been waiting for me to awaken…

…and now I welcome the growing darkness inside me as I become who I'm meant to be.

The Vampires are afraid of me, the Lycan want to disembowel me, the Spellcasters want to harvest my power, the Fae want to control me, and the Roman Catholic Church wants to murder me. The Soul Hunters… well, who knows what they want with me.

I've never been on the run from anyone before, but after I started running from the Devil, I decided the only way to survive was to run back to him and embrace the evil power within and claim my destiny.

My name is Dante Coranguis, but you might know me as The One, the Herald of Satan, or the Antichrist. From here on out, you can call me Snakeheart, the most feared man throughout the ages.

Darkness Awakens is the sixth book of The Snakeheart Series (Season 1), a supernatural novelette series about Dante Coranguis and the ancient prophecy of the End Times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purple Spekter™ LLP Press
• Release date: Oct 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9798215674246

Damien Benoit-Ledoux

Damien Benoit-Ledoux is an author and freelance editor. His mind is a magical and nerdy place where fantastic heroes defend amazing worlds from dangerous villains who run amuck in an epic struggle to take over the universe. Recently, the brightest and best from this colorful cast of characters have made their way into notes, plots, stories, and novels for you to read and enjoy. Damien strongly believes the real world we live in should be a place where LGBTQ equality and respect are second nature and never questioned. When he's not working or spending time with his husband, their son, and their dog, Damien weaves this philosophy into the exciting lives of his characters and the fantastic space battles and romances they endure so they'll stop taking over his dreams at night. And finally, he wants you to remember a very important thing: No matter how bad your day is at work, it’s always important to be grateful that you don’t work for a Sith Lord.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Dante Coranguies awoke first and felt the unexpected weight of a man's arm draped around his torso. A warm body pressed against his back, and he felt the slow breathing of the person slumbering in his bed. The man's face was pressed against the back of his neck, and he could feel the warmth of his breath.

He smiled as realization pushed through the fog of sleep. Tanner Cohick spooned him, and it felt good.

No—it felt amazing.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, content in the warm embrace of his… What was Tanner to him? A servant? An aid? An attaché? He wasn't a lover or boyfriend, but the single bed in his hotel suite required them to share the bed. After sleeping in the stone prison cell and the Vampire’s lair, a soft bed in the warm embrace of an attractive man felt like heaven.

Dante quietly chuckled.

Heaven.

If there ever was a time for God to reveal Himself, it’s now, before I enact Lucifer's plan to destroy the world He created….

Unless there’s another way…

Dante heard Tanner softly gasp, and the arm around him became tense. He gently grasped Tanner's arm and said, Stay. Please.

Tanner immediately relaxed and snuggled in behind Dante, apparently unashamed of the sizable erection pressing against Dante’s lower back and buttocks.

He's just as lonely as I am and craves companionship and affection.

With a soft sigh and a gentle squeeze, Dante sensed Tanner drifting back to sleep as his body relaxed. Moments later, both men slept, comfortable in the peaceful quiet the universe afforded them. Both men, it seemed, decided creature comforts were more important than a grueling workout in the hotel fitness center that morning.

Sometime later, Dante awoke to the sound of running water. He rolled over and checked the time: it was seven thirty.

Shit, I haven't slept in this late in a long time.

He glanced over at the empty space next to him and assumed Tanner was in the shower. A warm, fuzzy feeling descended upon him as he recalled how comfortably and closely they had slept. Then he sat up in surprise. I didn't have the nightmare! Why is it that when I sleep with Tanner, I don't have the nightmare?

The smell of coffee distracted him and tantalized his nose. He groaned and pushed himself out of bed, crossing the suite to the kitchenette, where he poured himself a mug of coffee. Tanner hadn't shut the bathroom door, so Dante poked his head in.

Good morning; I'm up.

Great, Tanner called out from behind the foggy shower glass. Even through the steam and the dripping water, Dante admired the magnificent physique that belonged to Tanner Cohick. I made coffee.

I found it, thanks.

Dante walked into the living room and switched on the television. The local news didn't report anything unusual, which meant Detective Bartholomew had managed to keep the supernatural murders away from the media—for now.

Tanner stepped out, his towel wrapped around his waist. All yours.

Thanks.

Twenty minutes later, and with fresh coffee in hand, they climbed into Dante’s car and began the morning commute to Hyperion Dynamics. Tanner pulled out his iPad to crank through a bunch of emails, and Dante gave him the silence he needed until he couldn't hold back.

I really enjoyed cuddling with you last night, Dante said, unsure if he was pushing Tanner's boundaries. Still, Tanner was the one who had spooned him.

Tanner looked up from the tablet and offered a small smile.

I did too, Dante.

Thank you for not calling me master.

That would've been awkward.

Dante chuckled. I won't stop you from calling me that in front of Sandor or Nothing.

Thanks. They'll expect that formality. You should expect they may call you that as well, once they're convinced you're fully on board.

Fully on board? Dante repeated, glancing at Tanner. Then he slammed the horn and swore at someone who cut them off.

Basically, that you meet and satisfy their expectations of the Chosen One.

Do I meet your approval or expectations?

Tanner made a funny sound, and Dante could tell he was hesitant or nervous to reply.

I value honesty, Tanner. Just say it.

None of us expected the Chosen One would have to learn about his role. We expected a strong leader who would come in, take charge, and make things happen.

And I'm not that leader?

Tanner chuckled. Not yet. Not to them.

And to you?

I don't know how to explain the things I've seen or heard of around you over the past few days. I believe you are the Herald and my master.

I prefer the title ‘cuddle buddy’ over ‘master,’ but whatever.

Tanner looked over at him, his entire face and piercing blue eyes smiling as one.

Dante smiled back, curious. Whatever was going on in