Arcanum 4: Trinity

By Mychael Black

When Dr. Ben Roland's lab is destroyed, he finds himself caught up in an Arcanum case involving shapeshifters, vampires, and a militant group hellbent on starting a war. Thankfully, he has two men who will do anything to keep him safe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arian Derwydd Books, LLC
• Release date: Oct 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781955467964

Mychael Black

Alter ego of Katherine Cook, Mychael focuses on gay erotic romance stories in many genres. She lives in the eastern US with her family.

Book preview

ARCANUM, #4

When Dr. Ben Roland's lab is destroyed, he finds himself caught up in an Arcanum case involving shapeshifters, vampires, and a militant group hellbent on starting a war. Thankfully, he has two men who will do anything to keep him safe.

eBooks are not transferable.

They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. It is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Arian Derwydd Books, LLC

https://arianderwyddbooks.com/

Arcanum 4: Trinity

Copyright © 2023 by Mychael Black

ISBN: 978-1-955467-96-4

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

Prologue

What the hell?

Dr. Ben Roland sat back from the microscope. Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him. He'd been in the lab for the past several hours, trying to figure out what the hell had made the vampire, Riley Pierce, so sick. He'd treated many vamps in the past few years, but he'd never seen anything like this. Had they not realized Riley had an allergic reaction, the vampire detective would have died a painful, final death.

Ben raked a hand through his hair. He needed a break. That's all it was. He got up and started for the door of the lab when glass shattered out in the hall. Ben dove under the nearest desk and clamped a hand over his mouth a split second before the door of the lab burst open. Booted feet ran into the lab.

Find it now!

He didn't recognize the man's voice. The guy barked out orders so fast, Ben couldn’t make them out. More glass smashed to the floor. Ben realized they were at the table where he had the samples Jonah Pierce had brought him.

Found it, sir!

A pair of boots stomped over. Good. Let's get the fuck out of here.

What about witnesses?

Ben squeezed his eyes shut, praying with every fiber of his being they didn't find him.

Get out, the leader ordered. Everyone cleared the room. Then something round rolled across the tile floor.

Ben barely scrambled from his hiding place and into the next office before the grenade took out the entire lab. Ben landed face-first on the floor, glasses in pieces and cuts on his face. He dragged himself up and winced when pain lashed through his left leg. He didn't want to see it. He got to the window and shoved it open. Thank God the building was only one level. Ben hissed and managed to climb out. He landed on the ground, dizziness setting in even as sirens wailed, growing closer.

The last thing he remembered was someone shining a light in his eyes and asking his name.

* * *

Good evening, Mr. Knight, Mrs. Knight.

Gerard Knight handed the attendant his coat, then slipped his wife's fur stole off her shoulders. The attendant took it and disappeared into the coat room. Gerard smiled and waved down his old friend, Max Stewart. He kissed his wife's cheek, then headed for Max while Doreen made her way to her own group of friends.

Gerard! Max slapped him on the back. Great to see you! How've you been?

Good, good, Gerard said, nodding and taking a glass of champagne as a waiter brought the tray by. Where's Martha?

Somewhere, Max laughed. I'm sure we'll find the girls gossiping eventually.

Gerard looked around them, taking in the crowd. He hadn't seen this many bigwigs in quite some time. Max Stewart and his wife Martha always hosted the grandest parties, and this one was no exception. Gerard sipped his drink and watched as another gentleman approached them.

Ah! George, there you are. Max grinned and shook the newcomer's hand. "Gerard Knight, this is George Williams, head of the Acquisitions Department in London. George, this is Gerard