{Excerpt} Shadow of the Blood Moon by Robin P. Waldrop

Posted October 14, 2012 by Michelle @ Book Briefs in excerpt / 2 Comments

Check out my review of Book 1 HERE

Title: Shadow of the Blood Moon

Series: Blood Moon, #2

Author: Robin P. Waldrop

Release Date: August 27, 2012

Pages: 321

Buy Links: Amazon | Smashwords

Blurb:

Genevieve Labreck is back with a score to settle. Her mom has been kidnapped by Zane, hybrid and all-around monster. Rumors fly that Gen’s mom is holed away in Prague, a city recognized by humans for its serene beauty and intense culture, but Gen and Will know something humans don’t. Prague is haunted by dark, evil forces. Can Genevieve and William save her mom, or will they be too late?
Some will live, others will fall. At what price do you walk away from those you love?

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And now, please enjoy the first chapter of the third book in the Blood Moon Series!

Chapter 1

Claw-fingered shadows hung over my bed in the darkness and shredded my skin. I screamed out in terror, blood spewing everywhere. Then, like almost every night since my capture, I woke up. My clothes, soaked in sweat, clung to my body, tears stained my face and I shivered.

I remained under Laszlo’s watchful eye. He needed me, this he’d made abundantly clear. Actually, he needed my blood. Convinced, since I had become a Rafe, that drinking my blood would renew his youth and give him the same power I held. Healing.

After showering, I sat on the couch staring blankly out the window at the darkness. The door slammed and I jumped, then slumped back against the couch, too exhausted to argue with Peter. He entered carrying a tray topped with several blood bags. The same as he’d done each day since shortly after I arrived.

“I told you I won’t drink it,” I scoffed, not bothering to open my eyes and look at him. “You drink it and just tell Laszlo I did.”

“I can’t do that, Genevieve. He is not stupid and will know I am lying,” Peter said, his tone sounded frustrated.

I peaked from beneath one eyelid, watching a he cut open the top of one of the bags. The smell made my mouth water. I was starving, but refused to eat. “I’ll die before Laszlo drains my blood so he can live forever.”

Peter’s muscle’s flexed when he placed the tray on the glass topped coffee table sitting in front of the couch. I swear I felt my insides gnawing at each other. I grew weaker by the day, but I’d never let Peter know.

“I’m not doing this for Laszlo. I’m … I’m worried about you,” he uttered, dropping his gaze.

I wanted to believe him, but couldn’t. Not with him being Laszlo’s ‘nephew.’ “Get out and take the tray with you,” I said, aggressively.

“You are so damn stubborn! I don’t know how William ever put up with you.” Peter snatched the tray off the table, slinging one of the bags to the floor. He didn’t even bother to pick up the stupid thing.

I remained frozen until he slammed the door behind him, then scooted forward and stared at the bag laying on the floor. When I couldn’t stand it anymore, I snatched it up, bit off the top and guzzled it down. “Mmmm,” I moaned, closing my eyes while the sweet nectar ran down my throat.

After I finished, doubt filled my mind. I’d spent the last several months believing I was strong. Physically and emotionally. In reality, though, I was a scared little girl who could throw cars and kill mythical creatures.

I took the bag and squeezed the remaining few drops into the bathroom sink, hoping I could convince Peter I had poured it out.

My head snapped toward the door when I heard someone knock. I glanced back at the mirror and made sure no traces of the blood got left behind. “Who is it?” I snapped.

“It is Dahlia,” she called from outside my door. “Are you okay, Genevieve?” Her voice, soft and dainty, reminded me of my mom’s.

“Yes, I’m just freakin wonderful,” I groaned, opening the door. “Still kidnapped. Still Laszlo’s intended lunch in a couple months. Still no way of knowing if William is coming for me. But I’m peachy,” Sarcasm dripped from my voice as I stepped to the side allowing her entry.

Dahlia’s long flowing golden hair got caught in the door when I closed it, jerking her head back. “I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to do that. Her hair fell past her waist, nearly the same length as mine. People often told me my hair flickered like fire because of its flaming red color. She always wore a long black robe with hood, which she normally kept her hair tucked inside, but lately she’d been letting it hang loose. Sometimes I found her being William’s mom hard to grasp. She didn’t look a day over thirty but was, in fact, almost two-hundred.

I moved to the couch and plopped down, then sounded like a tire after it sprung a major leak.

“Oh darling,” she said, her head tilted and the corners of her mouth dipped downward. She wrapped me in a hug and stroked my hair. I would have found it weird coming from anyone else, but from her it seemed … right. “Don’t lose hope. I am trying everyday to get word out to Angelica.”

Angelica, another seer and close friend of Dahlia’s had given my twin sister, the Adlet warriors, and me a place to stay while we devised an escape plan for William. Laszlo had taken him hostage in order to get to me and his plan worked perfectly. William and I had simply swapped places.

We both sat quietly, staring out the large tower window. “Will I have to stay locked inside this room until …” I trailed off, thinking about my fate and growing more depressed by the minute.

“Peter and I have both asked Laszlo to let us take you outside of the tower, even in chains, but he won’t budge. Not yet anyway. Give Peter a little time. Laszlo has a soft spot for him.”

I couldn’t see Laszlo having a soft spot for anyone, even if he had been in love with Peter’s mother. She had been dead for a long time. Raped and killed by rogue vampires.

My shoulders sagged and I sighed. “Yeah, whatever,” I mumbled.

After Dahlia left, promising to come back later, I trudged over to a little writing desk, took out pen and paper, and began another letter to William.

Dearest William,

I’m barely holding on to the hope that you will find me before … well, just before. I can’t breathe in this place. Laszlo has me locked inside a tower with tungsten steel doors, locks. It’s even woven inside the windows.

As I said before, all I know is I’m inside a castle tower in the mountains. Where are you? Each day that passes brings me one day closer to my eighteenth birthday and the night the blood moon will rise.

Dahlia says Peter is working on getting Laszlo to let him take me outside. If I can get out, I’m going to gain Peter’s trust and when the time is right, run away. Even if I’m caught and killed it has to be better than what Laszlo has in store for me. Just thinking about such a crazed lunatic makes me want to hurl.

I love you and time is running out. I have even thought of removing my ring. We both know what the end result would be. I’m not giving up on you, just trying to be realistic.

Hurry up and find me … please. I can’t take much more of this.

Love Always,

Genevieve

Book 3 coming later this fall

About the Author:

I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, business owner, and author of YA/Urban Fantasy paranormal novels. TIES TO THE BLOOD MOON is book 1 in my series and is available on all digital sites, and also print and audio as well.

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