The Essence of Sin

By Britny Kelly

Tara Lawson is just trying to live her best supernatural life, until a megalomaniac demi-god tears her world apart. In a single night, she becomes hunted for the power she possesses. Eluding capture for 15 years, fate intervenes again, causing her to learn things about herself that she isn’t prepared for. As Tara navigates these confusing paths to find out who she is, she finds strength she has never known, burning passion, and answers to her questions about her purpose in life. Secrets come to light, loyalties are tested, and the hint of betrayal is ever present as the people in her life are forced to ask themselves a single question. Would you sacrifice another to have what you believe you deserve?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9781312623538

Book preview

The

Essence of

Sin

Britny  Kelly

Copyright Notice

All materials, including, without limitation, the characters, design, text, graphics, other files and the selection and arrangement are Copyright © 2021. 

Disclaimer

Any similarities between names, locations or any other information is strictly coincidental. 

If you have purchased this book without a cover you are committing a crime and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent for copyright infringement. 

Dedications: 

This book is almost 20 years in the making. I started this as a project when I was a sophomore in high school and continued to develop it from there. First, I want to thank my wonderful family for always having my back and telling me to finish this and get it published already. My kids, who loved coming up with new ideas to put in my book. Josh and Kristina, you guys were always the inspiration behind two of my favorite characters. You guys are amazing, and I love you. And James. You inspired me to write in a time in my life that I did not have the desire, urge, or even will to write anymore. You gave me back my passion and I will be forever grateful to you. 

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Chapter 1

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Tara Lawson pulled her long, ebony curls back from her pale face, put them in a high ponytail, and kept walking through the dark cemetery. It was nearly sunrise, and anyone else out would have been bothered by the dark and cold, but for a dhampir, these were old comforts. The sun was not even a concern because it did not affect her at. Tara was anxious to head home so that she could attend to her nasty wounds that were staining her clothes crimson through the makeshift bandages on her shoulder and around her torso. Her shirt stuck to her skin with the blood that had already dried, so she knew it would hurt like hell when she had to pry it off. She was physically exhausted after four different fights tonight. And the thought of replacing her clothes again was causing her more anxiety than her wounds at present.

Living for over two hundred years had its’ downsides, but you grew accustomed to things like the frost and shadows. She had never envisioned this type of life when she was a young girl in Ireland, but things did not always go as planned when you had a run-in with a powerful vampire. Thankfully through a random act of fate and the kindness of another, she had escaped the conversion to a full-blooded vampire. No one knew why, least of all her. She had developed many of the strengths of full-blooded vampires with a minimal number of weaknesses, including blooddrinking. Or drinking anything in general. The lack of need for food and water was a definite perk.

To give back for the eternal life that she had been given, she tried to become almost like the neighborhood watch. She watched out for mortals that were out at night, offering help when they needed it, which seemed to be very often. Even after being betrayed by them years ago, she still felt the need to give back. She was sure somewhere that there was a shrink who would have a field day with the self-loathing implications of that choice. 

Which was why she was out in the bitter cold alone. She was not out for a leisurely stroll but was on the prowl as much as a dhampir could be on the prowl when the night was waning. Vampires were notorious for bedding down when the sun was about to rise, so Tara expected a relatively quiet end to the official night. At least she was, until she heard a high-pitched giggle that sounded like an annoying cheerleader coming from behind her. 

Shit, she thought, so preoccupied with her other thoughts that she had not been paying attention to her surroundings.

Turning around slowly, she swept the area with her emerald green eyes, and they widened instantly with surprise. There had to be at least ten vampires, and judging by their rosy complexions in the ever-increasing light, they had fed recently. Tara was concerned that they had fed; obviously, the taking of human life was abhorrent to her, but the fact that they were out so late when the sky was visibly lightening, is what drew Tara’s attention more. These vampires had such a lack of concern about the approaching dawn that she had to wonder if this was a suicidal horde. 

Well, well, well. 

A petite blond vampire stepped forward and sneered at Tara. 

Judging by her nasal voice, Tara knew that this was the laugher from a moment ago. It seemed that she was right in her cheerleader assumption. This one practically screamed peppy youth with her bleach blond waves and petite stature. 

So, the little Huntress is out playing late. Where are your friends? she laughed to no one, surveying the cemetery with a hand over the top of her eyes as if she were looking for something in the distance. 

Tara had to stop from rolling her eyes at the vampire’s dramatics. Vampires usually were dramatic creatures as a rule of thumb, but this blonde was practically the drama club leader. Tara crossed her arms over her chest, wincing slightly at the tug on her shoulder wound. She tried to show no trepidation, but this was quite several vampires to take on all on her own, even at full strength. She wished she had friends there, strength in numbers and all that.

A male vampire stepped forward, curling his arm around the blonde’s shoulders, and nuzzled at her neck. He was wearing a football jacket that was so cliché that Tara almost laughed herself. They looked like they had been the It couple in high school that had become undead creatures together. Blondie laughed and nipped his chin.

I don’t know, babe, she looks pretty tired. Maybe we should put her to bed? Permanently. The male said loud enough for Tara to hear. 

They were trying to intimidate Tara with the delay, to throw her off guard so that she would be stupid and attack first. As a fledgling, that tactic might have worked, but at nearly two hundred and forty years old, Tara had the patience for them to play out their little games and be done. Tara was busy thinking about the twin Berettas tucked in her jacket that her fingers were barely brushing. 

In general, bullets and guns were not always the best method of ending any type of supernatural creature; most of the time, they just made things worse by pissing things off. However, Tara’s guns had bullets of a unique magic blend, courtesy of one of her acquaintances specializing in mystical concoctions. These bullets would burn a vampire from the inside out. All Tara had to do was wait for them to grow tired of their game, let them charge her, shoot them, and she would be home in time to watch the news. 

No! I want to rip her throat out! Blondie whined, which made Tara roll her eyes. 

Clearly, this was a new batch that did not know drinking from a dhampir was poisonous, as in barfing up blood that was coagulated in their veins. The supernatural world generally steered clear of them for any reason, but this was the main one. Obviously, these vampires lacked that critical knowledge. 

Without warning, the male vamp flew at her with phenomenal speed, the wind rippling his hair as he moved. An average human would have only seen a blur, but for Tara, he was moving relatively slow. Tara spun in a lazy circle, dodging his entire attack, and ended up right behind him, a gun barrel from her left hand pressed against the back of his skull. 

Tag, you’re it. She laughed, pulling the trigger.

Blood and brain matter rained down on her face, but Tara gave it no thought. She was already covered in her own gore and would be replacing this outfit anyway, so she might as well enjoy the fight to come.

Tara smiled a broad smile, her fangs finally showing for the first time in front of the vampires. They poked out from beneath full lips, giving her the allure of a pout. The vampire screamed as his brain liquified, and his skull began to melt and cave in on itself. Skin bubbled and started dripping off as he continued to scream in agony. As he doubled over, his shrieks loud and gargling, another scream went through the air.

No, Evan! 

She ran to his side, trying to grab him, but globs of melted flesh coated her hands instead, taking on the appearance of bloody putty as she pulled them away. His body parts that remained continued to bubble, small puffs of steam escaping. Collapsing on the ground, he pooled around his vampire girlfriend in a thick pile of goo that she became streaked in. Tears of black mascara cascaded down her cheeks as she tried to pile him back together before realizing that her mate was deceased. She sat in the pile of bubbling, bloody flesh for a solid minute, her body perfectly still, before she turned an icy glare at Tara. 

You bitch! she screamed, You killed him!

Tara held up her gun, drops of blood still coating the muzzle. 

Obviously. She replied sardonically. You were just sitting in your boyfriend’s body. You couldn’t tell he was dead when you were playing in his slime?

The female snapped and rushed her. Tara aimed her gun and fired between the vampire’s eyes, watching her go down and begin burning as well, her body mixing with her boyfriends’. The other vampires dashed for her with the intent of taking revenge for their comrades.

Tara turned quickly, grabbing her gun out of her right holster, and aimed both at the abdomen of the two males coming at her. Three more followed close behind. 

As the one on her far-right aimed claws for her face, Tara dropped to one knee, replacing her left Beretta, and snaked a hand into the holster of her boot, drawing out a knife six inches long and coated in the same mixture as her bullets. She slammed this up into the jaw of the vampire on her left, shooting the one on the right simultaneously. She did not have enough time to hit the middle one before his hand was on her throat. 

He slammed her to the ground. Pain radiated through her shoulder and ribcage, and she felt a fresh gush of blood. She still held one gun, but the vampire covered her hand with his own, squeezing her fingers so tight the bones cracked. 

Aww, does the huntress have a little booboo? He laughed at her, spraying her face with rancid spittle. 

Tara ground her teeth together and kneed him in the groin. He let go of her hand and throat and cupped his balls while howling in pain. Tara raised her gun and shot him in the chest, the force throwing him back from her. Not even getting up off the ground, Tara raised her Beretta and shot the last two.

As the vampires around her screamed and melted, Tara sank back down to lay on the ground for a minute, trying to catch her breath and steal herself from the pain in her shoulder. She closed her eyes for a brief second in reprieve before the sound of a single set of hands clapping filled her ears.

Tara was up like a shot; her wounds be damned. Both guns were out now, and her patience was gone. She was ready for round two if they wanted to play this game.

I must admit I’m quite impressed with you, dhampir. It has been a lifetime since I’ve seen anyone with such fighting prowess. Outnumbered, wounded, and yet you still managed to emerge victoriously. Granted, these were young and inept vampires, but I wager you would have given them hell regardless of age. 

A deep voice cut across the headstones, seeming to come from all around and right next to her at the same time. Tara circled slowly, her gaze cutting through the first light of the coming day. 

I might not be at my best, but I can still kick your ass too. I don’t have to wait long. The sun is coming, so either way, you will be toast, whether I win or not. Tara spat with distaste. 

Oh, you think I’m a vampire? he laughed, a deep rumble that menacingly shook the air. 

I barely taint myself by being in their presence, let alone lowering myself to be considered one. As lowly as a dhampir is, even you are a step up from those creatures. 

Tara       bristled       at       his       backhanded compliment but wisely kept her mouth shut. The longer he talked, the better chance she would have to find this mysterious entity and end him. 

He stepped out of what seemed to be thin air, materializing in a way that even Tara’s dhampir eyes could not see. It was as if the very air had just parted for him, and he was suddenly there.

He had hair the color of flames that stood out around his head like the element it so resembled. His eyes were two pinpricks of ice, so clear and light that they practically cut Tara to the bone with their intensity. He was very tall, but his presence itself was towering, and Tara had to resist the urge to shrink back from its’ force. She could have mistaken him for a vampire, his otherworldly allure obvious, if it had not been for the radiated power the likes of which Tara had never encountered before that slashed through her. 

What do you want? She demanded as respectfully as she could.

She did not know what he was, but she knew deep in her heart that this was something she did not want to piss off. 

What do I want? Well, that’s a complex question because it changes from day to day. I could simplify it for you a little and say that I want what anyone wants. Money, power, the world.

He smiled, displaying a mouth of razor sharp teeth, his eyes growing even colder as he began walking towards her.

Hate to break it to you, but the world is going to Hell in a handbasket, so I think the market value is at an all-time low. 

Tara hissed, taking slow steps back, her now useless Berettas still out in front of her, offering little comfort against this unknown threat.

Ah, you’re an amusing little dhampir, aren’t you?

Tara continued to back away from him, but when her foot hit a headstone, she knew she had gone as far as she could. This creature, whatever he was, running was not an option. Power radiated from him in waves that nauseated her with its strength. He continued to walk forward until his chest was pressed against the muzzles of her weapons. Waving a hand, her weapons suddenly grew scalding hot, and she dropped them with a painful gasp. 

His shark-like grin widened, and he stepped even closer. Tara pressed herself up against the headstone, weaponless. He reached out a hand and caressed a loose curl that had dropped forward from her ponytail, his fingers lingering over the end. He ripped it from her head without any indication, and Tara winced. 

You could be so much more than what you are, dhampir. Do you realize how rare you are? He whispered, holding the hair to his nose, and taking a deep whiff. 

You walk in both worlds and are a part of neither. Think of what you could achieve if you would harness the power you locked away. So much strength, so much potential. 

He held up her hair and seemed to be observing the strands as if they held great secrets.

I can see your life in these strands. Such a short human life. Meager, unfulfilling. Cut so short to be reborn as so much more than you could have ever imagined.

A life stolen. She whispered.

A life given, squandered by an emotional reaction instead of a welcome attitude. 

He       tossed       the       hair       aside       almost disdainfully. Moving even closer, his breath caressing her face as he peered down with eyes that held an age Tara could not begin to fathom.

I’ve heard enough. Are you going to kill me? she demanded.

He laughed, and it felt like knives sliding along Tara’s soul. So ancient, so condescending.

No, Tara. Contrary to what you may believe, you are special, and I want you for something else.

Tara was surprised that he knew her real name. The vampires knew her as an unnamed huntress; only two others knew her real name. 

The creature understood her surprise and laughed again.

If I can see your history from a few strands of hair, it shouldn’t surprise you that I was able to know something as simple as your name. And even if I had not, those dazzling eyes would have given you away, he stated with a bored look as if reading her mind. 

Damn her eyes. Most vampires lost the pigment of their natural eye color when they turned. Their eyes simply glazed over grey. Her eyes had maintained the color they were at birth, despite her transformation. It gave her an advantage when she was hunting because, by the time vampires got close enough to see her eye color, they were usually in the process of dying. 

"I do not want to kill such a valuable creature such as yourself, huntress." 

The       man       added       the       last       part condescendingly as if challenging her to defend her secrets. 

Tara gave this a thought. She did not understand why he sought her, but she did know that she was a rare creature. In over two hundred years since her turning, she had never met another dhampir. It was not surprising, but it was lonely. It