Dark Memories: Fae Wilds Series, #9

By W.J. May

What could be more frightening than a blood bond with a vampire?

Finding out that vampires are the least of her worries.

 

Hollie is trapped between formidable forces who want to use them in their sibling war for power. Only by deepening the bond with the dashing vamp who wants to claim her as his mate can she hope to escape. But the vamp can't do it alone. She needs all of her Fae friends to survive.

 

The only problem is: Fae and vampire are mortal enemies. If she can't win the battle between friends, there's no way she'll win the war against worse. 

 

Fae Wilds Series

• Twist & Turns
• Curse of the Fae
• Force the Truth
• Crown & Glory
• Enemy & Rivals
• Light in the Dark
• Dusk and Shadows
• Called by Midnight
• Dark Memories
• Above the Curse
• Myths and Muses
• Chase and Hunt

 

USA Today Bestselling Author, W.J. May creates a new paranormal series with a world of Fae and Magic. Escape into a realm of fantasy creatures, love and deception, betrayal and jealousy.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Sep 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223354321

W.J. May

About W.J. May Welcome to USA TODAY BESTSELLING author W.J. May's Page! SIGN UP for W.J. May's Newsletter to find out about new releases, updates, cover reveals and even freebies! http://eepurl.com/97aYf   Website: http://www.wjmaybooks.com Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-WJ-May-FAN-PAGE/141170442608149?ref=hl *Please feel free to connect with me and share your comments. I love connecting with my readers.* W.J. May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario. Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy. After her father passed away in 2008, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off. She is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.

Book preview

Have You Read the Kerrigan Series?

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The Chronicles of Kerrigan

Book I - Rae of Hope is FREE!

BOOK TRAILER:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gILAwXxx8MU

How hard do you have to shake the family tree to find the truth about the past?

Fifteen year-old Rae Kerrigan never really knew her family's history. Her mother and father died when she was young and it is only when she accepts a scholarship to the prestigious Guilder Boarding School in England that a mysterious family secret is revealed.

Will the sins of the father be the sins of the daughter?

As Rae struggles with new friends, a new school and a star-struck forbidden love, she must also face the ultimate challenge: receive a tattoo on her sixteenth birthday with specific powers that may bind her to an unspeakable darkness. It's up to Rae to undo the dark evil in her family's past and have a ray of hope for her future.

The Queen’s Alpha Series

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Eternal

Everlasting

Unceasing

Evermore

Forever

Boundless

Prophecy

Protected

Foretelling

Revelation

Betrayal

Resolved

Find W.J. May

Website:

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Facebook:

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Newsletter:

SIGN UP FOR W.J. May's Newsletter to find out about new releases, updates, cover reveals and even freebies!

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Fae Wilds Series

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Twist & Turns

Curse of the Fae

Force the Truth

Crown & Glory

Enemy & Rivals

Light in the Dark

... THE SERIES CONTINUES...

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Dusk & Shadows

Called by Midnight

Dark Memories

...THE SERIES CONTINUES...

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Above the Curse

Myth and Muses

Chase and Hunt

Dark Memories

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WHAT COULD BE MORE frightening than a blood bond with a vampire?

Finding out that vampires are the least of her worries.

Hollie is trapped between formidable forces who want to use them in their sibling war for power. Only by deepening the bond with the dashing vamp who wants to claim her as his mate can she hope to escape. But the vamp can’t do it alone. She needs all of her Fae friends to survive.

The only problem is Fae and vampire are mortal enemies.

If she can’t win the battle between friends, there’s no way she’ll win the war against worse.

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Contents

Have You Read the Kerrigan Series?

The Queen’s Alpha Series

Find W.J. May

Fae Wilds Series

Dark Memories

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Epilogue

Above the Curse

Fae Wilds Series

Find W.J. May

More books by W.J. May

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Prologue

Eye with solid fill

THE YELLOW LIGHT OF the realm’s meager moon bathed everything around him a sickly glow. To get to the entrance where he currently stood, he’d passed by hovels and shanties stacked haphazardly against a ridgeline made of burnt porous orange rock that left every surface covered with red-tinged dust. Few beings showed their faces this late in the evening, and the ones that did stuck to the shadows, scuttling around like insects who knew they were better off hidden.

It didn’t matter to him what this world was called. It was just another shabby realm on the rim of the known universes. Where he found himself was not important. The only thing that mattered was capturing his quarry and getting the answers he sought.

He was relieved to escape the oppressive atmosphere outside when he ducked under a rock overhang in the ridgeline to enter a stone tunnel. That relief lasted about a dozen footsteps until the smell hit him.

A grimace on his scarred face, he covered his nose, bracing himself for whatever sat at the end of the tunnel. He’d been in hostile environments before, his demon heritage ensuring his presence on various hell realms, but his years spent among the Fae had accustomed him to the air smelling pleasant and sweet. Whatever scents were roiling out of the location to which he was currently heading could never be called ‘sweet.’

He had no problem adjusting to the absence of light as he made his way underground. His remaining eye could see as clearly in the dark as it could in noontime sun. It was one of the perks of his supernatural sight, but it hadn’t come cheaply, the leather patch and scar tissue covering the hole where his left eye had been remained as a testament to the true cost. His entire identity was tied up in that one act of sacrifice, an act he refused to regret.

It will be worth it when I finally achieve my goal. The name he’d been given by others no longer bothered him. There were worse things than being called by a defining feature. The Eye knew that one day, when the depth of his sacrifice was revealed to all, the name would no longer be used in a pejorative sense. The Eye is the only one who saw clearly, they’ll say.

I just need to find the one I seek.

So far, that feat was easier wished than done. He’d tracked his prey across realm after realm, ever since he’d heard the rumor of the imp who’d been caught talking about a mysterious Princess of Darkness one night while in his cups. The Eye had been scouring the Web for any news of the prophecy and coming apocalypse, which is how he’d stumbled across the story of the mythical princess.

Well, she’s mythical to most everyone else, having kept herself hidden for millennia. But I know she exists. And if someone else has seen her, then that is someone I need to find, to learn the truth.

He’d discovered that the imp was a gambler, and apparently an itinerant one at present, as he took himself from world to world, from game to game, as easily as crossing a quiet street, not even bothering to stop for sleep or a fresh pair of trousers. By the time the Eye arrived on the scene, the imp had vanished with either a purse overflowing with coin or an empty one, his mood varying based on his winnings or losses. He left in his wake either grumbling players still stung by his victory or smug ones who were happy to tell a scarred stranger all about how they’d fleeced the irritated imp.

Even though he could travel across the multiverse in a blink of the eye thanks to his demonic abilities, he’d begun to grow weary of the chase. Only his zeal to see the plan he’d been fixated on for eons come to fruition kept him moving, kept him searching realm after realm for the answer he might have prayed for, if he had any respect for the gods.

The rock tunnel opened up at last, the smell just as powerful in the candle-laden chamber in front of him. It was about as wide as a standard tavern drinking floor, and a few paces past the entrance was a bar in the shape of a square. A creature with a multitude of eyes and too many arms for the Eye’s comfort blinked through the gloom at him as he approached. The thought that the beast must have arachnid ancestors would have given him chills if he’d still had the good sense to fear things.

What’s yer pleasure? it asked, not bothering to wipe the bar clean in front of where the Eye stood. And before you answer, know that we only accept currency that clinks, none that folds.

As it spoke, the wavy image of a horde of gold rising in gentle waves across the floor of a massive cavern arose above the creature’s head. The demon was not startled by the image. He’d seen many such images over the millennia since his ocular sacrifice, images that had helped to guide him on his path toward the end of the multiverse. They were little glimpses of the future, scenes of significance in the bearer’s life that would lead to meaningful and irrevocable changes.

Ignoring the floating image, the Eye shrugged in response, not planning to spend any of the coins tucked in the pouch that hung low around his neck to remain tucked out of sight behind his studded leather tunic. I’m looking for an—

PIZDOE!

The shriek cut off the demon’s words, and his eyes traveled to the figure who’d shouted loud enough to cause echoes in the underground space. His exhortation was followed by a chorus of groans from the others gathered around the oval table in the far corner of the room. The Eye watched as the figure leaned in to scoop a pile of coins in his direction. Blond hair. Fine clothing. Smug grin. It seems as if I’ve found my quarry at last.

But it was the image that shimmered into place over the man’s head that startled the Eye, making his fists clench and his heart pound with excitement. The picture of a raven, its beady black eyes shining, its beak cracked open as if it were cawing out its doom-laden cadence of squawks, gave him chills. It was all the confirmation he needed.

In an instant, the Eye was at his side, close enough to make the figure start and take a step backward. It looks like people are lining up to lose to me, the stranger said with a nod in the Eye’s direction. Show me the coin, and I’ll make sure to give you a head start.

Laid out on the oval table was a complicated board with pieces strewn about it, all seeming to follow a path that weaved through obstacles made of abstract shapes. The Eye wasn’t interested in the game at all, but before he could alert his prey to the reason he’d approached, a beetle-shaped being waved its antennae fitfully, its voice coming out in a buzzing drone. That is your fifth pizdoe in as many minutes. It profits no one to continue such a cursed game.

At that, the beetle shambled off, followed by the rest of the creatures arrayed by the game table. The imp in human disguise laughed, shaking his head. Then he looked the Eye over, a grin returning to his face. Their loss is your gain, demon. Have a seat and we will start the game anew.

When the Eye didn’t move, the imp’s smile slipped a little, then returned. If you’re not a fan of this game, we could play another. Dice perhaps? Or cards if you prefer?

He answered the man’s query by pulling the bag of coins from his tunic and dropping it on the table. It hit with a heavy clink, and the Eye could see the other’s eyes light up. I’ve got a bet, if you’re brave enough to take it. All my coins against all of yours.

The imp licked his lips, sniffing twice before the cocky grin returned to his face. I like a man with confidence. What’s the bet?

I bet that I can guess the number you’re thinking.

The figure stared hard at him, his expression serious. An interesting gamble, to be sure. And I suppose you plan to pluck the number out of my mind by telepathy?

I am not telepathic, the Eye responded, his eyes fastening on a vampire who was lurking at the bar, nursing a cup of red liquid. But we can control for telepathy. He gestured toward the leech and saw a look of resignation on the imp’s face.

Right, vamps are resistant to telepathy, aren’t they? The imp sauntered over to the bar and said a few words to the vamp, who looked entirely disinterested until the promise of coins for his cooperation came into play. The pair returned, the imp strutting more than walking, so sure was he that the bet was already won.

I will inform our new friend here of the number I’m thinking, and he will confirm whether your guess is correct. Before I choose my number, are there any parameters you want to establish? Only numbers from 1 to 10? One to 100?

Shrugging a shoulder, the Eye shook his head. Any number of any size will do.

The imp tried to temper his smug expression then, but his struggle was evident. From the images appearing around him now, the Eye could tell he thought things were well in the bag. Too bad he’s about to lose.

The imp scratched his chin, then leaned over and cupped his hand over the vampire’s ear, giving him the number he’d selected. The vampire nodded once when he’d finished, and both sets of eyes turned to look at the demon.

The Eye didn’t hesitate. His abilities to see the future meant that the demon already knew what number the imp would select before he himself had. Three billion, four hundred and seventeen million, six hundred and three.

Jaw dropping, the imp’s face filled with disbelief. The vampire let out a gruff laugh, then bent to the table to take a portion of the pile of coins in front of his companion before the Eye could claim his winnings. There is no way you could have guessed that, the imp gasped, his eyes narrowing. Unless you’ve got some charm affecting your luck...

The Eye shrugged, then made a move as if he were coming to sweep the coins in his own direction. Wait, the imp said, putting a hand on the pile. Give a man a chance to get his winnings back.

You have nothing to risk. I’ve already won all of your coins. The Eye had expected an exchange like this. A degenerate gambler wouldn’t be satisfied with a quick and simple loss, so the demon had built that notion into his plan.

I have something more valuable than coin. Connections. If you win, I can get you an audience with some of the most powerful beings in the Web. I’m sure a demon like you is familiar with the Archons?

It was difficult for the Eye not to reveal his eagerness at their mention, these Archons who were more commonly called the Princes of Darkness. That is an interesting offer, he said, pretending to think it over. But are you really so sure I won’t be able to guess the next number with ease?

Only if you agree to play fair and neutralize your luck charm. It was clear the imp believed that was how he’d been able to win. Because so few creatures could see the future with any clarity, it was a natural conclusion, even if it was the wrong one in this instance.

The Eye decided to play along. Fine then, he said, his voice gruff, his expression begrudging. Reaching within his tunic, he pulled out an old compass he’d carried around for ages. It had been given to him by someone special long ago, someone whose sensual curves and playful eyes he still thought about from time to time. The last time he’d seen her, she’d told him in her sultry voice that he could use it to find his way whenever he was lost.

He hadn’t bothered to tell her that he wasn’t the one who was lost. The compass still worked, but he had no use for it, his other abilities being much more beneficial for navigating the Web. Still, he could tell by the way the imp was watching him carefully that the man was hooked. He would believe the compass was a luck charm long enough to make one final bet.

I will forsake the charm, the Eye said, making a motion in the air as if releasing a spell, but if you lose, you must agree to accompany me to the Archon of my choosing. Swear the oath before accepting, so I know you won’t try to give me the slip.

I swear it, the imp said, gesturing dismissively. He was riding the wave of anticipation, ready to risk his freedom to win the bet. The Eye nodded, and once again the imp leaned in to whisper something to the vampire.

Okay, he said when he’d straightened, jerking his chin at the demon. Let’s hear your guess.

Negative thirteen point three five three seven eight four six three to the tenth power.

The words hung between them, and the Eye could tell from the ashen expression on the imp’s face that he’d guessed correctly. Then again, it wasn’t