Brief synopsis:
Kara McBride has been
abducted by a secret organization known as The Liaison. Their mission:
intervene and neutralize dangerous supernatural situations. They accidentally
discovered Kara's unique psychic ability to manipulate thoughts and emotions.
Her powers could be the essential key in saving a pack of werewolves from self
destruction. The Liaison persuade her to join their covert operation. In the
woods surrounding Hamlin, Kentucky, a few rogue werewolves have split off from
the main pack and committed violent crimes, bringing unwanted attention to the
area, and risking their hidden existence from society. Kara will attempt
creating mental connections with the wolves to calm their aggression, thus
modifying their behavior. But, in the midst of chaos and danger, a love
triangle develops. Kara must choose between a human... or a werewolf. Her
decisions could be life-altering for her and others as she delves
into the unknown.
~~~~~
Excerpt from
UNKNOWN TOUCH: Werewolf Series, 1
UNKNOWN TOUCH: Werewolf Series, 1
Chapter 13
By Gina Marie Long
By Gina Marie Long
We held
our positions and remained motionless. Guarded, Daniel walked across the
clearing to the front porch. Everyone completely tuned into our surroundings,
listening and watching for anything suspicious. I tried to slow my rapid
breathing. But my heart pounded with anxiety because no one knew what might
happen next.
The cabin was falling apart from years of
neglect. Rickety old steps, rotted wood with peeling paint, curled and missing
shingles. I’m
surprised anyone would attempt to live in it. Then again, we weren’t dealing
with a human, but a savage werewolf.
I sent a mental message to Zac and Tessa, Do you have Daniel and the front door
clearly in your line of sight?
They answered in unison, Yes.
Daniel stood on the front porch and braced
himself. He pounded on the door twice and shouted, “Hey, Stephen! It’s
Daniel. I know you’re in there. We need to talk.”
A distinct snarl came from within the
cabin. Could Stephen be in the shape of a wolf? A few moments passed. Daniel
stood patiently waiting, and took two steps backwards. I assumed we caught
Stephen off guard, possibly sleeping, or maybe he needed to get dressed before
coming outside. The growl obviously conveyed his anger with Daniel’s unexpected visit.
And then the door flung open. Stephen
stepped onto the porch, making his grand entrance.
Daniel and Isaac had showed me very
accurate images of Stephen during my previous failed attempt to enter his mind.
I now gazed at him in the flesh… an extraordinary, supernatural creature, on so many levels. And
he knew it. His arrogant, tough guy attitude dripped off him.
Still, I couldn’t deny it, he was
handsome, in an Old World sort of way. I memorized his features, specific
traits, and any interesting idiosyncrasies he displayed. Then, I tried
connecting to his mind, but it stayed locked. Nothing. No sign of a way in.
Just a big black wall. I kept concentrating.
“What
do you want?” Stephen glared at Daniel. “You’re in my territory.”
Daniel took a deep breath, and calmly said,
“I’m
not here to fight with you, Stephen. I know you’re looking for any excuse to
let loose on me. I am here to talk and ask you some questions. I hope you’ll
give me honest answers.”
“Well,
now, I’ll see what I can do,” he replied.
Daniel and Stephen remained on the small
porch. Stephen closed the front door and leaned against it. Daniel positioned
himself a few feet away, near one of the porch’s rotting posts.
“I’ll
get straight to the point,” Daniel began, “I heard the news about the dead
cattle and the hunter who was killed. Did you do it?”
Stephen slowly shook his head from side to
side and laughed in mockery. He said, “No, it wasn’t me. Although I’m sure you
sniffed out my scent in the general area, didn’t you?”
Stephen wanted to play games. Daniel knew
this would be like pulling teeth, trying to get accurate information from him. “If it wasn’t you that
committed these acts of violence, then tell me who did it.”
“That
is the big question of the day, isn’t it? Well, I’m not at liberty to say at
this time. He’d prefer to keep his identity private.”
~~~~~
Stephen stomped past Daniel, slammed into
his shoulder, and stepped off the porch into the yard. He scanned the property,
using his heightened senses of sight, sound, smell and even calling upon his
sixth sense of perception. I could see it and feel it… His body stiffened and
he prepared to defend himself. He suspected an ambush.
Stephen swung around and glared at Daniel. “Who’s out there?”
Daniel tried to remain calm, and answered, “I brought several people
with me. They want to help you if you will allow it.”
“Humans.
I knew it. I can smell them. You’re dealing with The Liaison again, aren’t
you?” Stephen asked, his anger rising.
“Yes,
I am. And all for the purpose of getting your emotions under control. We want
to understand what’s happening to you and offer our help,” Daniel pleaded. He’d
moved off the porch and stood a few feet from Stephen.
Mentally, I asked Zac and Tessa, Do you still have a clear shot of Stephen?
Zac replied, Yes.
Tessa replied, No.
My heart sank, but at least one of them sat
in a good position. Better than none.
I psychically relayed this information to
Daniel, Zac has a clear shot. Tessa doesn’t.
Daniel said, Do not kill him. Shoot for the shoulder if he attacks.
I mentally pushed this message into Zac and
Tessa’s
minds. Dominic read my thoughts, so he knew the situation.
During the confrontation, I kept trying to
access Stephen’s
mind, but with no success. Dom didn’t have any luck, either, although I’m the
one who would have to mentally and emotionally manipulate Stephen, not Dom. I
picked up his emotions better than ever, but could not break through the mental
barrier. If I had physical contact with him or at least be a few feet from him,
I believed it would help. Just something about Stephen’s mind wouldn’t let me
in. He’d been blocking Daniel for quite some time, and maybe his constant
withdrawal from psychic connections interfered with my ability to gain access.
Suddenly, Stephen pressed his fingers on
the sides of his head, aware of someone trying to read his mind. And he knew it
wasn’t
Daniel.
He scrutinized the trees and abruptly zoned
in on my location. I held my breath and gradually exhaled as Daniel took a step
closer to Stephen.
“There’s
someone new added to the mix…,” Stephen said. “A female who tried this with
your help before. I’d seen a flash of something, but thought it was my
imagination. I don’t appreciate anyone, a stranger especially, trying to mess
with my mind. Seriously, Daniel, who do you think you are trying to control me?
I will live the way I choose to. I won’t play by your rules anymore. I suggest
you leave.”
Stephen’s fury escalated. Whether intentional or
sparked by rage, his body shuddered and he transformed into a werewolf. As did
Daniel. I gasped, watching with amazement and terror.
The two faced each other in a stand-off.
Zac wasn’t
sure if he should shoot or not. Eli, Dom and I actually rose up from our
crouched positions behind the bushes. It didn’t matter anymore if Stephen saw
us. He knew we were there.
The two powerful wolves circled one
another, snarling and jaws snapping, around and around. Neither taking their
eyes off the other. Their lips curled back, displaying long, sharp, deadly
teeth meant to kill prey. But both filled the role of predator at that moment.
Saliva dripped from their open mouths; ears flattened to their heads. Daniel
looked much more beastly, more barbaric, than I remembered from the first time
I ever saw him transform. He seemed friendly at that time, but not now.
Daniel had only come here to question
Stephen. Well, that and to let me get closer so I could psychically manipulate
his twisted emotions. Daniel would not attack first. He didn’t plan to be the
aggressor in this duel, but had to transform to meet Stephen equally on the
playing field.
All at once, Stephen dove at Daniel’s throat. In that split
second a shot was fired by Zac. He hit Stephen squarely in the shoulder, as
Daniel requested. Stephen hit the ground with a yelp of pain, and he retreated
immediately, limping off, trailing blood. He knew
he would not win this fight today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unknown Scent: Werewolf Series, 2:
Brief Synopsis:
Danger awaits Kara and her
friends on unfamiliar territory when their covert operation fails. Werewolves,
a vampire, psychics and black magic witches face-off in fast-paced battles of
good vs. evil. Time is running out for The Liaison. They must locate the
witches' hideout and prevent a sacrificial ritual before it's too late and
everyone suffers the consequences. Major upheavals cause self-control issues
among Kara's friends, nearly destroying them. A gift Kara receives proves
priceless in a life or death situation. Her powers of mental manipulation and
mind reading are instrumental to her own survival and others, especially when
caught in the clutches of evil. New alliances form, not all are human.
Throughout the mayhem, Kara remains conflicted over who she loves more: her
best friend (a psychic human) or her boyfriend (a werewolf). A choice needs to
be made that could be life altering. Especially as she continues to delve into
the unknown.
~~~~~
Excerpt from
UNKNOWN SCENT: Werewolf Series, 2
UNKNOWN SCENT: Werewolf Series, 2
Chapter 10
By Gina Marie Long
By Gina Marie Long
We parked across
the street from the old building. Josiah stepped out from the darkness. Under a
streetlight, he gave us a single wave to approach him. Without speaking, we
walked around to the back of the building and spotted a door.
Josiah spoke in
our minds, The witches are here. Can
everyone sense them?
Zac looked
frustrated. He was the only one that didn't have some form of psychic ability.
The werewolves didn't have much, but could sense that something wasn't right,
something evil permeated this area. Not only that, but with their heightened
senses, along with Josiah's, they could hear distant sounds and smell certain
scents indicating the ritual was being performed.
Dom tried to
focus on Lexy, not able to read her mind but snatching a word or image every
few seconds. I sensed dread and fear pulsing through her and picked up what
sounded like an incantation.
Josiah
stiffened. I smell human blood.
Free-flowing. They must be cutting themselves and using their own blood for the
sacrificial offering. We need to move now!
The door was
locked. Dominic gave it one quick look and used his telekinetic ability to
slide the deadbolt open. Josiah held up one hand in a warning gesture to
prevent us from charging inside and touched a finger to his lips reminding us
to stay quiet and use telepathy to speak.
With incredible
stealth, we crept through a stock room and an office like professional
burglars. The next area revealed the huge, wide-open space where the
resurrection ritual was taking place.
The chanting
reverberated in my ears and sent chills down my spine. I smelled herbs and
burning candles and a revolting odor of decay. We stayed hidden in the darkness
for another moment, gathering our bearings as we observed the witches. Dom and
I wouldn't leave that spot when the others decided to raid the scene.
The only
electrical source of lighting came from one fluorescent fixture hanging on the
far left side of the store. There must have been fifty candles lit around them.
The witches were
totally oblivious to our presence while they recited the incantation. They
stood within a large circle traced on the floor, surrounded by other painted
symbols and letters. We viewed their right sides, although they were turned
enough for us to see some of their backsides. That was an advantage as opposed
to trying to rush them face on.
A cold wind
whipped through the building. The candles flickered; a few went out. The air
sizzled and a section of the floor cracked. A vaporous outline was taking shape
in front of them but the chanting never stopped, instead it grew in volume and
intensity. My pounding heart and rapid breathing seemed compelled to match the
rhythm of the chant. Josiah shook my arm to warn me not to slip into a trance.
Daniel and Isaac
stripped off their clothes and tossed them to me. Silently they transformed
into the true werewolf shape of the beast and were ready for action.
Blood dripped
from several of the witches' hands. All wore black, hooded robes that covered
the length of their bodies and brushed the tops of their feet, making it
impossible to identify who was who. Then one witch stepped forth from the rest,
but did not leave the protection of the painted circle. This particular witch
seemed to be the leader. Suddenly, all the hoods were pulled back, revealing
each individual.
The leader was a
[spoiler: information removed!]
We were shocked.
Josiah held back gasping...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unknown Taste: Werewolf Series, 3:
(COMING SOON... APRIL 2015)
