Just posting an update here: I've released a new paranormal / urban fantasy novella (with vampires this time) on Smashwords and Amazon - it's still being processed on Amazon so I thought I'd give a coupon for a free copy from Smashwords. If you would like to give it a read go here -
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/31557
And use the code CT22B (the code runs out on the 7th of December 2010).
As for Cursed, I am going to work on it next year, possibly as part of the ROW80 writing challenge. I'm a sponsor so if you want to sign up, check out this link:
http://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com
I'm seriously considering making the second book in Nathan's point of view so let me know if you have an opinion on that. I'm still waiting on more beta readers for the first book before I send it to an editor because I want to do the story justice. If anyone wants to be my beta reader than send me a message or email aboutit - claire_farrell@live.ie
Here's a taster from the novella, if it takes your fancy go get a free copy. I would love honest reviews on Smashwords and Amazon (when it goes live) but you can have a free copy even if you don't want to review it. Thanks for reading. :)
The scent of fear mixed with fresh blood stopped me in my tracks. My fangs slid out rapidly - too many missed meals. I made an effort to retract them, feeling like a monster, and sniffed the air again. Definitely human, definitely in trouble.
I closed my eyes and listened to my senses, the extra ones I usually ignore, relishing the opportunity to indulge. In my mind, I sensed rather than saw the streets around me. Nothing but darkness filled with the occasional red throbbing of a human heart.
Probing further into the dark, I found the injured human's presence easily. He stood in an alleyway nearby, his pulse calling to me - strong and loud. An emptiness appeared, too close to the human. A void in my other sight screaming supernatural. A dead, soulless vampire stalking his prey, tantalised by the scent of fear.
Just like me.
That's why the guilt hits me so hard. If I don't help then I'm just as bad as the vampires. I can't conquer the thirst but I can keep my humanity, even if I do my best to avoid humans. It's safer that way.
Sometimes I interfere and help humans escape from prowling vampires. It's never a big deal, usually over before anyone gets hurt. The vampires never realise what I am, because they don't believe someone like me can exist. The humans never realise they've almost been slaughtered by a mythical creature they don't believe can exist.
Adrenalin coursed through my body at the thought of confronting a vampire with a bleeding human. I knew I had to calm down or the vampire would hear my heartbeat a mile away. I took fourteen steps. A good number because one plus four equals five. Five is safe. Unlike six. Too many sixes scare me. Fourteen more steps. Relief. My pulse slowed.
Too human to be stealthy, I embraced my clunky stride. Swallowing my fear, I walked into the alley as if I owned the place. Fourteen steps.
A dark cloud blocked the moon, leaving me pretty much sightless. I rested my hands on my hips and waited, hoping I made a believable vampire. My eyes didn't adjust to the dark straight away but that racing heartbeat drew my head in the right direction, hiding my lack of night vision. My eyes focused in time for me to see the vampire's surprise. He drew back from the human's throat, revealing a gaunt face with concave cheeks and desperate eyes that glittered with hunger.
Nineteen, twenty, twenty-one . . . I thought I had long grown out of counting people's heartbeats, but there I was using my fingers to keep track of every batch of forty-one. Almost as good as fourteen.
The vampire kept his eyes on me, his dark hair slicked back behind his ears. In life, he might have been handsome once, but not anymore. Most vampires are ugly. Death will do that to you.
I looked him up and down, hoping to intimidate him. He hadn't yet noticed anything off about me and I counted on the human's stench covering me until I got him away.
The vampire watched me but didn't make a move. He had already tasted the human but I could tell the wounds were shallow. He was still at the taunting stage vampires seem to like so much. As cruel as cats, they enjoy playing with their food. My insides tensed with anticipation. I tapped my foot five times, faking confidence while I stared him down. He licked blood from his lips with slow, careful movements.
14, 28, 56, 112 . . . I hoped I wasn't mouthing the numbers I doubled in my head.
Mr. Vampire finally relaxed, but his hand remained on the human's chest, keeping him pinned. I stayed mute and prayed the human would stop making those cornered animal noises. They provoked me so I could only imagine what they did to a real vampire. Creatures without a soul, vampires don't bother trying to control their instincts. However, they are smart enough to rein it in enough to survive. Although this one didn't seem to be particularly clever. He still hadn't noticed my heart beating.
"Share?" The vampire spoke at last, his voice hoarse. I raised my eyebrows and tapped my foot another five times. I don't know that much about vampires so I tend to trust my instincts and hope for the best. It's worked so far.
"He's yours?" the vampire asked, his voice holding a more respectful tone. He thought I was above him on the pecking order, I realised.
"Yeah, he's mine," I said, meaning it. I gestured toward the human. "Come here."
The human pushed aside the vampire as if he were made of cardboard. I tried to act unsurprised when he trotted to my side like an obedient puppy.
The vampire bowed his head. "Apologies. I didn't smell a bond on him."
I shrugged and turned to leave, my anxiety growing. I had already seen the strange query spark in the vampire's eyes, as if he noticed my own eyes lacked the red tint his held - or maybe he realised he could hear another heart beating. Unsurprising, considering how much my heart rate had increased since the still-bleeding human moved closer to me.
I grabbed the man's arm and dragged him out of the alleyway after me. Thankfully, he didn't panic and followed me without protest. Most people lose the plot when total strangers bite them, so it was a relief to see he was able to hold it together.
"Run!" I hissed, as soon as we were out of the vampire's sight. Despite his dazed expression, the human sprinted onwards, forcing me into a run just to catch up to him.
A forceful sensation washed over me, making me shiver. The vampire knew something was wrong with me and he was going to follow us. It was as though he'd sent a silent message straight to my brain, letting me know his intentions. Creepy and invasive.
