I Am the Wild (The Night Firm #1)- Karpov Kinrade Page 0,91
your capacity for forgiveness, I wonder? I suppose we'll find out in time."
Another tremor rocks the world around us, sending waves of movement through the land. Most of the partiers don't notice, too lost in the revelry and booze. But a few do, and this time they look around, alarmed.
A small smile creeps onto Dracula’s lips. "It has begun. Guard yourself, Miss Oliver. No one in the Otherworld is truly innocent."
I shrug. "The same can be said of anyone anywhere. I choose faith and love over doubt and fear. It's a happier way to live."
He nods, then lifts my hand to his lips, kissing it softly. "Then I bid thee farewell. May you hold onto that optimism as long as you can."
And with that he disappears into the shadows, and I wonder if we'll ever see him again. I think of Liam's baby daughter and hope we don't. She's safer that way.
I'm about to turn and head back to the party when something in the grass glints in the light of the Dragon's Breath. I bend down to pick it up and see it's a Memory Catcher.
Curious, I activate it.
I see a familiar room before me.
Cream walls.
White carpet.
I appear to be looking at things through a window.
Looking straight into Mary’s chambers.
There’s a scream, and the image tilts to the side, revealing Mary on the bed, dressed in a white gown, half-way through labor. Alone. Crying, calling out for help.
I know what happens next.
Jerry will come in soon. He will kill her and the baby, though a young girl will live. I am ready to stop the memory, unwilling to see the gruesome sight, when a person comes through the door.
A person who isn’t Jerry.
The man wears a long black cloak I have seen before. When he walks, his steps are achingly familiar.
And when I see his face, my entire body shakes.
This is impossible.
It can't be real.
And yet the memory unfolds.
He steps closer to the bed, silent, expression cold, and Mary pulls back, frightened, confused. Racked with pain.
As she delivers her own baby, the man grabs the child and—
I look away.
I can't have that image in my mind forever.
But I hear it.
What he does with the child. What he does to Mary.
And when I look back at the memory, she is dead. They both are.
A few moments later, Jerry arrives, a letter in hand he quickly shoves into his pocket. He runs to Mary’s side, screaming, trying to revive her though she is clearly dead. When he finally realizes his efforts are futile, he notices the blood all over his jacket, his hands. And then he runs.
Minutes pass. Minutes that feel like hours.
I see her belly moving after a moment, and then Liam runs into the room, a look of utter horror on his face as he witnesses the devastation.
I stop the memory, not needing to see more. I know the rest.
I fall to my knees, a sob building in my throat. My nails dig into the wet earth as I feel the pain wash in waves through me.
This has to be a trick.
The memory has to be a fake.
Otherwise, everything I have ever known will shatter.
And then I see his feet, dark, mud-caked boots.
Then his legs.
And I pull myself up, my beautiful dress covered in dirt, as I face the man I thought I knew.
The man I thought I could trust.
And I face Mary's real killer.
A scent of cinnamon and honey catches on the wind, and I am racked with sorrow as blue eyes I know better than my own look back at me. And when he holds out his hand, my heart lurches in my chest.
"Hello, sister."
My voice catches in my throat. "Adam?"
~ TO BE CONTINUED~
THE SAGA CONTINUES…
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Did you know we also make music? I AM THE WILD has an official fantasy soundtrack that you can find on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play and more. We also have soundtracks for OF DREAMS AND DRAGONS and MOONSTONE ACADEMY, as well as vocal music all under Karpov Kinrade.
For even more vampire romance,check out Vampire Girl: A complete USA Today bestselling series with 7 books and 3 spinoffs.
Note from the Author
This novel ended up being very personal to me. It deals with themes of suicide and domestic violence, both of which I (Lux) have experienced. (In the case of suicide, with my brother, much like Eve.)
If you are struggling with thoughts of self-harm or of ending your life, please reach out for help.
And if you are in an abusive relationship, I know how hard it is, but please get help. There are resources for you.
There is hope. There is light.
In lumen et lumen.
~Lux
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233)
TTY: 800-787-3224
About the Author
Karpov Kinrade is the pen name for the husband and wife writing duo of USA TODAY bestselling, award-winning authors Lux Karpov-Kinrade and Dmytry Karpov-Kinrade.
Together, they live in Ukiah, California and write fantasy and science fiction novels and screenplays, make music and direct movies.
Look for more from Karpov Kinrade in Vampire Girl, Of Dreams and Dragons, The Nightfall Chronicles and The Forbidden Trilogy. If you’re looking for their suspense and romance titles, you’ll now find those under Alex Lux.
They live with their three teens who share a genius for all things creative, and seven cats who think they rule the world (spoiler, they do.)
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Also by Karpov Kinrade
In the Vampire Girl Universe
Vampire Girl
Vampire Girl 2: Midnight Star
Vampire Girl 3: Silver Flame
Vampire Girl 4: Moonlight Prince
Vampire Girl 5: First Hunter
Vampire Girl 6: Unseen Lord
Vampire Girl 7: Fallen Star
Vampire Girl: Copper Snare
Vampire Girl: Crimson Cocktail
Vampire Girl: Christmas Cognac
Of Dreams and Dragons
Get the soundtrack for I AM THE WILD, OF DREAMS AND DRAGONS and MOONSTONE ACADEMY wherever music can be found.
The Nightfall Chronicles
Court of Nightfall
Weeper of Blood
House of Ravens
Night of Nyx
Song of Kai
Daughter of Strife
THE FORBIDDEN TRILOGY (complete sci fi thriller romance)
Forbidden Mind
Forbidden Fire
Forbidden Life
Our ALEX LUX BOOKS!
The Seduced Saga (paranormal romance with suspense)
Seduced by Innocence
Seduced by Pain
Seduced by Power
Seduced by Lies
Seduced by Darkness
The Call Me Cat Trilogy (romantic suspense)
Call Me Cat
Leave Me Love
Tell Me True
(Standalone romcon with crossover characters)
Hitched
Whipped
Kiss Me in Paris (A standalone romance)
Our Children's Fantasy collection under Kimberly Kinrade
The Three Lost Kids series
Lexie World
Bella World
Maddie World
The Three Lost Kids and Cupid's Capture
The Three Lost Kids and the Death of the Sugar Fairy
The Three Lost Kids and the Christmas Curse
Acknowledgments
FEATURED POEMS FROM THE KK COVEN inspired by I Am the Wild
by Jennifer Borak
I am the daughter of the moon
Part darkness, part light
One with the stars
Forged with twilight
My betrothed, my love
With whom I’m beguiled
Beautifully paradoxical
I am the wild
by Rhena Le Moucheux
I walk through the darkness but do not fear the light,
I stare at the sky and the stars so bright,
I have seen this sky before so many times,
I can map the stars without a second glance,
for you are my sky my stars so bright
you will always be with me my guiding light.