Firestorm: Heart of a Vampire #5 (23 page)
Read Firestorm: Heart of a Vampire #5 Online
Authors: Amber Kallyn
Some in the room hushed, bowing their heads as the ancient woman walked by. Others seemed to freeze, as if hit by the power roiling off her.
It hit Sean. He took a half step forward, somehow drawn to the woman’s magic.
She stopped, glanced at him. Then she smiled kindly, before continuing to the front of the room.
The king and all those arguing with him fell silent and took a few steps back, making way for the woman.
When she spoke, her voice was impossibly strong. Magical. “Everyone out but those in charge.”
Jordan repeated her edict, “You heard her. Out.”
Vamps and other creatures began filing out, most avoiding looking Sean’s way.
From the front, the old woman whipped out a sheet of paper and gave it to Jordan.
“Connor, Ashlyn, stay.” He continued reading the list of those the woman wanted, then he hesitated, sending the crone a sharp glance.
“Aye. I want the man,” she said.
“Sean,” Jordan finally stated, looking up briefly.
Ashlyn opened her mouth to speak, but Connor shushed her.
Surprise coursed through him as he slowly made his way nearer the front of the room.
The other leaders began to grumble, but a quick glare from the crone shushed them.
Just great, he thought. Yet another one trying to keep him safe.
When everyone but those on her list were gone and the doors closed and barred, the woman whipped out a long black cloth from a hidden pocket and laid it over Jordan’s throne. From another pocket, she pulled out a silver cup. Something clattered inside as she shook it, then dumped the contents on the cloth.
Sean watched the small bones tumble over one another, only for them to stop prematurely as if guided by magic rather than gravity.
The woman didn’t look at the bones, but rather the small crowd around her.
“Most of ye know me. Some call me Jezamine. Others call me witch, seer, prophetess. Call me what ye will, no mind to me. But I have seen the next step needed if we not be dyin’ in this comin’ darkness.”
Niki, one of Jordan’s vampires held her husband’s hand. Shane, the local sheriff and Keeper of the Peace between the Arcaine, stared at the bones scattered over the throne as if entranced.
Dalia stepped closer to the throne, also staring at the bones. “What do you see?” she asked, twisting a piece of pink hair.
“There be one we need.” Jezamine glanced up sharply, staring at every single person. Then her gaze landed on Sean. And stayed.
He looked into the crone’s black gaze, feeling as if he was falling into endless depths.
“Demon,” she said.
Unable to shake his head, or move in any way, Sean denied her words. “Only half.”
She shrugged and with a smirk, stated, “Close enough.”
She finally looked away, leaving him feeling as if she hadn’t been looking
at
him, but rather
into
him.
“It be a demoness we need. She can see the future, she knows about the slimy darkness comin’ over us all.”
Jordan stood straighter. “We’ll gather our best men—”
“Nay,” the crone interrupted. “Only one shall go.”
Sean stepped forward. “I’ll go.”
His mother snorted. “You will not.”
With an exasperated sigh, knowing no matter how much he argued, his mother’s cousin, and the King, would never choose him, Sean slumped on one of the benches.
Before he even noticed her movements, Jezamine stood before him. She slid one long, sharp nail beneath his chin and raised his head.
Once more he fell into her gaze, but she blinked and glanced away before he could try to break free.
The crone stared at his mother. “You coddle this one like he be child. Do ye not see the man?”
She blinked, opened her mouth, then closed it.
Jezamine nodded to Jordan. “This one. He shall go, retrieve the one who can be our help. Alone.”
The room erupted in anger from nearly everyone, shouting over his blood, how a half-breed could never be trusted.
Sean caught his father’s assessing stare. There was not only confidence in Connor’s gaze, but approval as well. Though his mother looked like she was about to cry.
Standing tall, Sean faced Jezamine. “Thank you,” he said softly.
“It not be easy,” she warned. “But ye have it in ye to succeed.” Then she smiled beautifully, and for a split second, he could see a much younger woman shining from her gaze. “Succeed in many ways, if ye choose,” she chortled.
“We’ll get you prepared, packed—” Connor began.
Jezamine shook her head. “He leaves tonight.” She pulled out a few sheets of paper form yet another hidden pocket and handed them to Sean. “Trust yerself. That be yer key.”
Coming Spring 2014
Dedication
Like always, to my favorite writers and the critiquers who kick my butt into shape ~ The Seven Evil Dwarves. You guys tell me when it’s great... and when it sucks. I wouldn’t be here without you, so Thanks.
Also to my family who puts up with my wandering mind and my strange imagination. Love you guys.
I’d also like to say thanks to all those authors out there who are extremely helpful and giving of their knowledge and time and helped this newbie along. You all rock!
Last, but not least, to you wonderful reader. I write for you. Thanks for being willing to dip into the strange inner worlds of my mind. I hope you enjoy the journey... and don’t get lost.
Wishing you all the Best,
Amber
Praise for Heart of a Vampire Series
When duty forces a shaman to stop a vampire from her revenge, love doesn’t just burn... it bites.
“Ms. Kallyn delivers a whirlwind of magic & intrigue that will have your heart racing for more”
~ Jami Gray, author of Shadow’s Edge
“Loved It! Wonderfully written and with a fascinating plot, Bloodstorm will keep you wanting more”
~ Crystal
After centuries alone, can a vampire king trust the woman who’s woken his heart?
“These vampires are so HOT, and their lives are so intertwined with the need for a mate and family, that you can’t help but feel everything with them....”
~ Lyssa Reviews
“There is love, doubt, betrayal and action in the 2nd book of the Heart of a Vampire series.”
~ Rhonda D
Praise for Dragos Series
What happens when a dragon falls in love with a fireman? Someone’s bound to get... Burned.
“Intense and incendiary...I recommend this for all of the dragon lovers out there...”
~Whipped Cream Erotic Romance
“Ms. Kallyn takes the paranormal world and adds a dangerous twist of dragons, fires, and a mysterious past to make this an intense read...”
~ Coffee Time Romance
A bounty hunter and a dragon on opposite sides of the law? Even dragons can be Scorched by love.
“SCORCHED is a wildly passionate, captivating, ‘steal your heart’ read that is sure to bring a smile to the reader’s face...”
~ Romance Junkies
“intriguing moments in the story when things become much more than two people coming together, and these surprises make this a very good reading experience...”
~ Whipped Cream Erotic Romance
(Paranormal Romance)
Heart of a Vampire
Bloodstorm
Hungerstorm
Darkstorm
Magicstorm
Firestorm
(Erotic Paranormal Romance)
The Dragos Series
Dragos 1: Burned
Dragos 1.5: Mistletoe
Dragos 2: Scorched
Dragos 3: Blazed
Dragos 4: Inflamed
Red’s Wolf (Short story series)
Volume 1: Beginnings
Volume 2: Changes
Volume 3: Obsessions
For free goodies and stories, visit my website at
About the Author
One of those rare breeds, Amber Kallyn is an Arizona native who can trace her family’s history through six generations in the state. She lives with her four very active children. Included in the menagerie are four cats (though there’s always room for more) and a snake.
Amber loves the paranormal, from dragons to werewolves to vampires. She’s currently at work on her next book, probably running around the house acting out a fight scene with her collection of swords and daggers. Or maybe, wishing she had claws to practice the other fight scenes.
A voracious lover of the written word, Amber found at an early age that she could read fast. Really fast. She devours novels by the day, novellas by the hour, and is always looking to get her hands on more.
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