Disarming (23 page)
Authors: Alexia Purdy
Tags: #paranormal romance, #zompires, #postapocalyptic, #Fantasy, #Las Vegas, #gore, #Dystopian, #Adventure, #urban fantasy, #blood, #Vampires, #paranormal fantasy
I had never considered the fate my mother had chosen. I never would. It wasn’t something I could ever want. Sitting here, contemplating her reasons, and trying to understand the complexity of everything. I let the tears slip out of my eyes and stream down my cheeks, dripping down into the still water below. I watched as the fish flipped over each other under the surface, breaking it with their sharp fins and slippery bodies. They squirmed as they grouped together, involved in some dance of their own. I wondered what it was like down there, with them. Dark and murky with filth and mud. Not that much different from up here.
I had not heard the slam of a car door or the tentative footsteps that closed in on me. I already knew who it was. I could feel it in the marrow of my bones. It was like static dancing over my skin and tingling in my fingertips. I pretended I hadn’t felt it. The day had brought me nothing that I wanted. It had twisted my future and blurred the present so much, I wasn’t sure my warped senses would ever recover. Especially not with Christian lingering around.
“Leave me alone,” I muttered, hoping he’d get the message and leave me to dwell in my misery. Instead, he swung his black boots over the side and joined me on the ledge of the dam. I shifted to avoid touching his skin. He was too close. “How’d you find me?”
“I can always find you now.”
I turned and glared at him. If I had known the dire consequences of binding myself to him, would I have preferred death over this? Studying his unusually colored eyes as they reflected my face, I felt utterly lost. I couldn’t answer my own questions. It bothered me because I wasn’t used to such confusion. I blamed myself for my mother’s death, and I didn’t loathe Christian’s company like I thought I should.
The light darkened across the cloudy sky, and the sunset continued to fade. Knowing the wrath of night was upon us, we didn’t get up, we didn’t move. Eventually wiping the tears from my face, I retreated from the ledge. Without further words, I followed him to the car and let him take me back to my new home—the hive. Back to Jeremy. Back to Rye and Miranda.
Nothing was the way it ought to have been. Would it ever be? It would probably all eventually come crashing down anyway, but no one had given up on me yet. I had to let that be enough. I had to let it fill the emptiness inside that my mother had left behind and pull myself out of its grip before I let the despair win.
Another night had arrived, like many more to come and many behind us. The darkness poured its inky black veil over the city while I let Rye’s arms hold me close, listening to the silence of the concrete walls and the soft thumping of our hearts. For now, sleeping in his warm embrace was solace enough, even if it was only a temporary peace.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to our Lord above for your gifts and love.
I want to say thanks to some friends I have met throughout this crazy adventure as a writer. Always to my writing family: Madison Daniel, Jenna Kay, Linna Drehmel and Kyani Swanigan. You guys are amazingly talented, and I am privileged to have you at my side.
A huge thank you to the following people. Without you, this couldn’t happen. I hope I didn’t miss any of you, if I have, please forgive me from the deepest parts of my heart. You are not forgotten: Michael K. Rose, Amy Conley, J.T. Lewis, Lori Parker, Jay Ellis, Katie Shelby, Wendy Lovetiggi Nielson, Carly Wallace, Tiffeny Moore, Lauren Reidy, Amber Garza, Jacquie Talento, Cherry Crawford, Julia Crane, Ella James, Jenny Phillips, Nikki Archer, Lavinia Urban, Annie Walls, Sheika Doctor, Cameo Renae, Merisha Abbot, Melissa T. Lee, Terri Dion, Monique O’Connor James, Alicia Battista, Emily Walker, Jenny Bynum, Candice Terry, Jaime Hutchison, Benjamin Daniels, Anne Nelson, Frankie Rose, Christy Weaver Kuykendall, and Emily Goodwin.
You all have been there for me, and I appreciate all the advice, chats and friendship you have given me. YOU ROCK!
About the Author
Alexia currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada–Sin City! She loves to spend every free moment writing or playing with her four rambunctious kids. Writing has always been her dream and she has been writing ever since she can remember. She loves writing paranormal fantasy and poetry and devours books daily. Alexia also enjoys watching movies, dancing, singing loudly in the car and Italian food.
Connect with Alexia Purdy
@AlexiaPurdy
Alexia Purdy’s Facebook Fan Page
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Reign of Blood Series Facebook Fan Page
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