Out of Darkness Read online

  Out of Darkness

  By Billie Turner

  Digital ISBNs

  EPUB 978-0-2286-0394-8

  Kindle 978-0-2286-0395-5

  WEB 978-0-2286-0396-2

  Print ISBN 978-0-2286-0398-6

  Amazon Print ISBN 978-0-2286-0397-9

  Copyright 2018 by Billie Turner

  Cover Art by Michelle Lee

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.

  Dedication

  To my beautiful daughter Kianna, Kesalul. You are amazing and a great inspiration for me.

  To all the people who helped me get through the writing and editing of this novel, thank you.

  And to Pat, you’ll probably skip straight to the story, but I want to thank you anyway for putting up with me in general.

  Prologue

  The lone hunter had split away from the group four days ago. He was the greatest hunter in his Clan, possibly the greatest hunter the world had ever known. No other woodsman possessed his mastery of tracking or his preternatural instincts. He sensed the slightest movement, heard the accelerated heartbeat of his prey as he closed in for the kill. He would not allow a beast get the better of him. He would not admit defeat now. His clan depended on his skills to provide meat for the fast approaching winter. The hunt was essential to the survival of his people.

  A water pouch, bone dry, hung flaccid across his chest. He cursed his colossal arrogance through cracked lips. His instinct to survive moved him forward, ever deeper into unfamiliar territory. Dark. It was so dark the sun’s light couldn’t reach the interior of the thick forest. The hunter leaned against the rough bark of a gnarled ancient trunk and rubbed his eyes. Huge evergreen trees danced and swayed, back and forth, moving and changing places.

  The thick interlocking foliage steered him through the metamorphosing forest until the hunter stumbled through the woods into a small clearing. A large spring bubbled up from the earth, forming a pool and giving life to the lush plants surrounding it. Water! The hunter stumbled toward it, dropped to his knees and plunged his face into the coolness. He gulped the precious liquid until he’d slaked his desperate thirst then he tore off his torn, sweat-stained garments and dove into the pond, splashing until relieved exhaustion drove him to the waters edge. He dragged himself from the water and collapsed naked on a fragrant bed of grass, finally allowing himself a brief rest.

  Time to go home. His gaze swept the clearing while he re-dressed. He was no longer alone. A feminine, silvery figure glided toward him, but whether real or a lingering hallucination from his thirsty delirium, he did not know. When the figure spoke, her voice resonated like several voices spoke at once. He understood her words, even though he’d never heard the language before.

  “Thief! This spring is a forbidden place! You had no right to steal immortality from its waters. It is a privilege to dink from the spring. A privilege that must be granted and the penalty for stealing the water is death.” She clasped the jeweled hilt of a long sword, its lethal tip pointed in his direction as she advanced.

  His life for a drink of water? The penalty hardly fit the crime.

  “But I did not know! I did not seek immortal life! I am lost and only sought to quench my thirst!”

  “Do you expect me to believe that you never meant to find the spring?”

  “Yes! I never dreamed such a thing existed. I was desperate for water, nothing more.”

  The Guardian lowered the sword. She believed the hunter. She’d seen the exhaustion etched in every line of his body as he’d stumbled into the pool. “I believe you.” The hunter’s relief was short lived. “However, because you did not pass the challenge and prove your worthiness before you drank from the spring, the penalty I am bound to demand is your life.

  “No! What evil did I do? What crime did I commit but drink water?”

  “You still do not understand. Do you?”

  “No I do not understand at all!”

  “This spring is special. Mortals who drink from the water will live forever.

  “No. That is not possible.”

  “It is true. However, you have convinced me this was done in ignorance and desperation not for personal gain.”

  “It was. I didn’t know. I only wanted water.”

  “I am sorry. I must still do my duty. You must pay with your life. However, I have a solution.”

  “Anything!”

  “I warn you, your immortal life comes with a price. I must take your life, however instead of death you will serve the mortal world. From this day forward, you will protect the mortal world from evil creatures that cross from the underworld. The veil between is strong but not impassable. Every evil thing will be your enemy and will seek to destroy you. You will defend and protect against dark creatures that cross over to do harm.”

  “For how long?”

  “Until you prove worthy and return.”

  “But my people! They need me! I am their leader and protector.”

  “Another will take your place. You are on a new path. All people are now your people.”

  “And if I fail to prove worthy?”

  “You must die.”

  Chapter 1

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  Emma Carlisle threw a furtive glance over her shoulder and increased her walking speed. Where exactly had she parked? A table of hockey players with no ambition to leave stayed past closing time. Was there some unwritten law of the universe that decreed it was her turn to deal with rowdy jocks every time she pulled a late shift?

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  There it was again, a rhythmic sound like footsteps echoed off the concrete walls. Emma glanced back again. A young man in his late teens, maybe older, walked behind her. He’d shoved his hands deep in his pockets and hunched his shoulders forward. He whistled a familiar tune as he ambled along behind her. Trouble. One after another, more figures emerged from the shadows and joined him. How many were there?

  Where the hell was her car? She gripped the keys in her hand with a death grip and wished she could afford a car equipped with a panic button. Finally! Her little red hatchback was just a few steps away on the opposite side of a nearby pillar. Just about there! She stepped around the pillar and collided with the thin, youthful chest of yet another grungy wannabe.

  “What’s your hurry, sweet thing?” The kid was stronger than he looked. His fingers dug into the soft flesh of her upper arms when she tried to step back form him.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.” Emma stared into black eyes, searching for some sign of his intent. An unnatural darkness flashed in the cold depths. For a moment, even the whites of his eyes appeared black. She blinked and shook her head as a shiver passed through her. Nah. Couldn’t be. When she looked at him again, the amused eyes staring back at her were a golden brown. A trick of the light? She must have imagined the change.

  “You can let me go.” Her steady voice surprised her and encouraged her to straighten her spine, even though invisible spasms of fear swelled like waves on the ocean, rising and falling. Her heart thundered against the inner walls of her chest.

  “You can let me go now, I’m fine,” she repeated.

  “Why would I wanna do that? Me and the boys were just lookin’ for a bit of fun, and you look like you could be lots of fun.”

  All the figures Emma had spotted behind her converged and formed a loose circle around her, a circle tightening by the second as they moved closer. The steel bands of her captor’
s arms forced the length of her body into further intimacy with his own.

  “Let go of me!” Her heart pounded, pumping her blood so hard she felt it pulsing through her veins. She braced her forearms on his chest and shoved hard against him, trying to create a small degree of breathing space. The flight or fight response tried to take over but her captor’s steely grip kept her from flight. “Come on baby, you don’t wanna leave the party.

  “Yeah, baby! You are the party!” Another chimed in.

  “Let me GO!!”

  The leader laughed as she struggled and he pulled her tighter along the length of his wiry frame, grinding his pelvis against her.

  Desperate to be free, Emma wriggled her arm up between their bodies and gouged the car key she still held in her hand the length of his face. Blood welled in the narrow stripe that just missed the corner of his eye as it swiped down his cheek toward his jaw.

  There it was again! Onyx eyes widened like saucers, and again, even the whites turned black. “You bitch!” He hissed as he hauled back his arm and slapped Emma hard across the cheekbone with an open hand. Her head whipped to the side from the force of the blow, pain exploding from the point of contact and radiating to her eye. Her vision blurred and tears trickled down her cheek.

  “You’re gonna pay for that!” He snarled as he shoved her backward.

  Emma stumbled and dropped her keys, her only lifeline and protection. He followed her and shoved her again, this time into another of the young thugs. This one’s fetid breath mingled with the pungent stench of sweat and filth around her and wafted into her nostrils. She fought the urge to gag and turned her face away, but only long enough to steel herself for what she was about to attempt. She couldn’t afford to waste a moment or an opportunity for the element of surprise. Flight’s out. So fight!

  She curled her hand into a fist and swung. Blood spurted from her captor’s nose and splattered her crisp white shirt. Emma attacked again, a wildcat scratching, punching, kicking and shoving. She fought with everything she had, thrashing in wild, chaotic surges.

  “You’re pretty tough for such a tiny thing. Too bad all you’re doin’ is pissing us off.” The leader’s jaw tightened. He wiped blood from his cheek and nodded to the others.

  The two remaining delinquents grabbed her flailing arms. The leader leapt on her and smashed his mouth against hers. His hands tore at her blood speckled blouse, ripping the fabric. This can’t be happening to me! Terror clawed its way through Emma. The helpless feeling fueled her anger, giving her the strength to renew her fight. I will not be another victim! They might have her outnumbered, but she wasn’t about to make it easy.

  Groping hands fondled and squeezed her breasts and bottom, pawed at her against her will. This was it. The reason mothers caution their children to never talk to strangers, never walk home alone in the dark. All the horrors that could befall the unsuspecting, the careless, were about to happen to her. She felt powerless to stop it. That feeling made her more than just scared. It made her angry.

  Emma raised her chin and faced the gang leader, eye to eye, then kicked out in every direction with her feet. She stomped and thrashed and jerked her arms until her fists were free to join the fight. She started swinging and landed a solid punch to the side of the nearest boys’ head. She caught another in the throat. She never got a chance to swing again. The leader swung his arm up. Emma’s head snapped back as his fist caught her under the chin.

  She reeled from the force of the blow and fell backward, twisting mid-air to catch herself on outstretched arms. A sickening clunk echoed through the car park as her head whacked against a concrete pillar. She slumped to the concrete floor. Darkness swept over her and welcomed her into its cold embrace. Emma lost the battle to regain consciousness. Her eyelids fluttered closed and the world slipped away from her as everything faded to black.

  * * *

  Kai stepped out onto the darkened street. He pulled the collar of his denim jacket up, blocking an icy blast. It’s gonna be a cold winter. Kai wanted to wrap up his business in the city and move on before the snow flew. Maybe he needed a bit of R and R at his mountain retreat.

  Business had been hectic lately. Increased underworld activity on his side of the veil had depleted his energy and made him question his mission. Why did he continue to fight? Everything that mattered to him was gone. He had nothing left worth saving.

  It would be easy to walk away and forget everything, but he couldn’t do it. Not yet. Everything he’d lost wouldn’t mean a damn thing if he gave up. Despite his disappointment in humankind, a tiny spark of hope still flickered inside him. As long as the spark existed, he would remain faithful to his vow.

  The downtown area was quiet and unusually deserted. Where’s the nightlife? The city’s core didn’t sleep. Night usually brought thrill-seekers and the underbelly of society out in droves. Kai felt the strong familiar presence of evil pulsating through the city. He scanned the streets for dark, renegade creatures cavorting on the wrong side of the veil. He didn’t care what they did in their world. But running amok terrorizing the human world was off limits. They weren’t equipped to deal with underworld games.

  Kai followed the same pattern every night. The places changed but his mission didn’t. He hunted. That’s what he did best. Unlike his humble beginnings when he’d only hunted for food, now he scoured the concrete jungles for intruders from beyond the veil. Few mortals knew that veil even existed, or that it shielded them from a dark hidden world. They certainly didn’t know the wards protecting the barrier were weakening. Over the last century breaches between the worlds happened with alarming regularity. It was Kai’s job to keep evil from the other world from doing harm in this one. Witches, shape-shifters, even vampires and like creatures blended unnoticed with the masses. Cities provided abundant playgrounds for them to feed both literally and figuratively. In the distant past people believed in magic and mystical beings. Not anymore. They’d evolved and traded knowledge acquired through past ages for technology and science. All the old ways were just superstitious nonsense. The arrogant humans believed they were top of the food chain. They were wrong.

  They were vulnerable in their ignorance. Dark unnatural creatures lived among them. Some were careful not to bring attention to themselves, others didn’t care. Some evil entities could inhabit other life forms. In Kai’s experience evil preferred to manifest in human form, easier to manipulate. The elusive enemy Kai had tracked to this city was one of these. Kai felt the dark energy of his old enemy twisting through the underbelly of the city. That enemy, Garrick, could be a charismatic leader when he chose. He could easily convince a horde of shifters and shades to follow him. Kai believed such devotees had penetrated the criminal scene, making the city darker and more dangerous than ever. It was time to end their feud. It was time for Garrick to die.

  Tonight, Kai tracked a gang of suspected saurian shifters who’d been wreaking havoc downtown for weeks. Petty theft and minor scuffles had escalated and the situation reeked of underworld interference. People were getting hurt. The public was bombarding local news stations with unbelievable tales. His investigation of the bizarre reports had led him here, to this underground parking garage. “Hey, I want in too!” The whiny voice was close. Adrenaline surged in Kai’s veins. His eyes searched the shadows of the dingy concrete parkade for the source. There!

  Four grungy thugs surrounded an unconscious body. Kai crouched low and inched around a black SUV. A young woman lay motionless on the ground while the predators tore at her clothing. The leader fumbled with his button fly as he shoved her legs apart.

  Rage fueled Kai’s leap onto the would-be rapist, the force of impact knocking him off the girl. Kai rolled and sprang to his feet, whirling toward the snake before he could retreat. The rapist flew through the air and collided with the hood of a shiny sedan several yards away. Before the others had a chance to react, Kai grabbed another assailant off the girl and tossed him through the air. The boy crashed into a crumpled heap against a
concrete barricade.

  A wiry youth, shaggy hair draped over half his face, drew a knife from his pocket. He waved the weapon at Kai, waiting to strike. Kai spun and kicked the knife from his attacker, sending it skittering across the ground. Another thug attacked from behind. Kai hauled him over his shoulder and slammed him onto the pavement. Breath whooshed from the attacker. Winded, his panic-stricken eyes darted back and forth. He gasped and clutched his chest while he struggled to pull air into his lungs. Kai shoved the kid with his booted heel. The kid scrambled away, wheezing as his breath returned.

  Kai turned back to the shaggy kid, who’d retrieved his knife. He swung the blade and caught Kai across his belly. Crimson seeped into the torn fabric. Eyes narrowed, a feral curl to his lips, Kai advanced on the kid and swept his feet from under him. The kid landed on his back, the knife dropped and skittered away. Kai snatched up the knife, skilled at throwing knives, he flipped the blade and threw it. The sharp blade nicked the youth’s ear then thudded to the ground. Color drained from the kids face. He rolled away, sprang to his feet and ran, leaving behind his fallen comrades.

  Kai dropped to one knee beside the young woman. He checked her vital signs, relieved to find she was still alive. Her pulse beat faint but steady. Kai watched the rise and fall of her chest until satisfied her condition was stable enough to move.

  Her ragged top revealed more than it covered. Her skirt twisted and bunched at her waist. Her legs lay apart with the lace panties stretched to their limits. The fabric was torn and pushed aside, leaving her half bare and vulnerable. Kai nudged her knees together and tugged the skirt over her hips. He tried to pull the tattered edges of her shirt together but nothing could salvage the damage done to her blouse.