Second Skin (Skinned)

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Second Skin

COPYRIGHT © 2012 by Tracy A. Belsher

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Leap Books except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information:
[email protected]

Leap Books, LLC Powell, WY

Visit us at
www.leapbks.com

Publishing History

First Edition 2012

ISBN-13 978-1-61603-017-9

ISBN-10 1-61603-017-8

LCCN 2012931097

Published in the United States of America

Without the enduring support of my husband, Shawn, this book would not have left the safety of my imagination to the reality of the printed page. I’m also indebted to him for throwing out wicked-cool ideas when I’m just about to give up on a scene. We both know who really writes this stuff, don’t we? Thanks to my editors Susan Yates and Kat O’Shea who push me to go deeper into the story. They understand Eryn’s world and believe in her as much as I do.

MORE THANKS TO: early readers Jo-Ann and Aly who provided invaluable feedback; authors Amanda Ashby and Joy Preble for reading and supplying amazing quotes; critique partners, Dawn Dalton and Kitty Keswick, for their keen eyes and willingness to re-read chapter after chapter; Adline, aka The GODDESS, for all the cheerleading; my family and friends – where would I be without you? – and the pups, Willow and Higgins, for dragging me away from my laptop to do nothing more than play.

And finally, to you dear reader, thanks for coming along for the ride.

“Under My Skin is a roller-coaster romp through a supernatural world filled with scary beasties, otherworldly magic, and characters you’ll root for. Eryn is a tough but likable protagonist whose paranormal problems make a compelling story full of mystery, magic, action, and romance. A fun and engaging read. I’m looking forward to the sequel.”

~
Rosemary Clement-Moore
, award-winning author of
Prom Dates from Hell
,
Hell Week
,
Highway to Hell
, and
The Splendor Falls

“Judith Graves sinks claws into you and doesn‘t let go. Her stories overflow with nail biting adventures, hot heroes, and equally tasty villains, not to mention wise cracking heroines you‘ll love.”

~
Kitty Keswick
, author of
Freaksville
and
Furry and Freaked

“…fans of paranormal YA fiction will appreciate a protagonist with attitude and anticipate the next volume in the planned trilogy,
Second Skin
, to be released in 2011.
Recommended
.”

~
CM Magazine
, the Manitoba Library Association

“Smart, sassy and more than a little scary, Second Skin hits all the right notes. I adored reading about Eryn and her attempts to deal with her life!”

~Amanda Ashby
, award-winning author of

Zombie Queen of Newbury High
and
Fairy Bad Day

“If tasked to recruit a monster-hunting army, I’d want Eryn on my side—her tongue is as sharp as the athame she brandishes.

In Second Skin, the second book in Judith Graves’ thrilling SKINNED series, Eryn goes head-to-head with a chilling new paranorm, has lingering feelings for two of Redgraves’ hottest boys, and is surrounded by an endearing cast of family and friends. Prepare to be engrossed—Graves digs in her claws and doesn’t let go until the mesmerizing cliffhanger end.”

~Dawn Dalton
, author of
Thread of the Past

“In Judith Graves’ Second Skin, book two of her Skinned series, shapeshifter Eryn McCain is fighting the paranorm baddies again and cracking wise while she’s at it. A wild ride of snark, chills and romance, Second Skin poses the creepy question: what if your worse nightmares came to life?”

~Joy Preble
, author of
Dreaming Anastasia
and
Haunted

“But Second Skin, WOW…I simply love the progression of Eryn’s story. There is a love triangle, danger and mystery throughout this book making it a definite page-turner. I can’t wait for the next book in this series: Skin of My Teeth.”

~A Simple Love of Reading
, 5 Dragon Hearts of “Love”

A snarl. A lunge. A bite.

We stood in the clearing. A fine mist of fog hovered a foot off the ground, snaking through the tall grasses. The damp earth smelled fresh and inviting. A gentle breeze carried the savory aroma of the forest to us. Pine. Wild strawberry. Sage. One scent stood out above the others. As one, we turned our heads. A deer pranced at the edge of the woods.

Mom shot me a mischievous glance. “It’s time.”

Her elegant form shimmered before me, her dark hair whipping around in a wind of paranorm making. Energy crackled in the air. A sleek black wolf stood in my mother’s place.

The change reinvented me.

We charged through the grass. Two black wolves. Wolven. The deer bolted.

We separated, flanking the panicked creature. The complications of human life slipped away. We had no more questions, just the thrill of the hunt. I was strong. Invincible.

A different scent lit the air. I darted after the more intense lure, ignoring the black wolf’s sharp cry.

A snarl. A lunge. A bite.

I feasted as if I’d never had a fresh kill.

A surge of energy rippled the air. Mom stood at my side in her human form. “Eryn, what have you done?” Her beautiful porcelain skin paled to a chalky white, delicate features twisting into a grimace. Her eyes gutted me as if she’d swiped a claw across my belly.