Olivia shuddered. The Pure Bloods were like the creatures of Jules Verne's classic tale. No longer completely alien, but not fully human... Did their blood thirst come from vampire bats? Their love of the hunt from the wolves?
I would like to meet this Jules Verne and his Doctor Moreau. It seems we have much in common.
Olivia willed herself to look away from her fiancé, but found she could not. Her focus was locked on his, her feet frozen in place. From the corner of her eye she witnessed Drucinda cease her careful inspection and take a step back. Moreau with his parents at his side approached her, taking slow deliberate steps.
"It is time to become one with the family Alpha, Lauren," Drucinda said out loud. The priestess clapped her hands again. The remaining dinner guests silently turned and encircled her. "It is time to enact the most ancient of traditions."
"Square dancing?" Olivia forced a nervous chuckle.
Drucinda's attempt at a crooked smile did not show in her eyes. "Once you are one with us, you will be forever Alphan. You will be part of our world... alone."
"No! I'm too young to be in this situation. I want out." Olivia twisted and tugged at her legs, but her feet remained planted. "Please?"
Moreau stood mere inches in front of her. His cobalt blue eyes ablaze with an inner light. Olivia was a moth to his flame, drawn to the fire within. Her breathing slowed. She could hear her pulse beating like a gong in her ears, but she did not feel panicked.
It's all right, Olivia. Moreau's mental voice soothed her jagged nerves. You will become one with Clan Alpha. You will be part of us. You will never turn against us.
You...you called me Olivia?
Yes. Olivia is your true name, and you have been here before. Drucinda recognized your scent.
Oh, no...Olivia fought the building feeling of warmth and sleepiness threatening to overtake her. I-I have to get out of here. I don't belong here.
You will. You will belong to us soon, Olivia—and you will never be against us ever again.
BloodDark Book Three: Olivia's Decision
Coming August 2017
About the Authors
Cindy and Adrian Matthews are a married writing team who met through a mutual publisher. They each have been published multiple times in SF/fantasy/paranormal and contemporary fiction. Cindy writes SF/fantasy and contemporary romantic fiction under the pen-name Cynthianna. She also writes adult SF/vampire fiction as Celine Chatillon. Adrian writes SF/paranormal/historical and contemporary fiction as A. J. Matthews. Together they have created the exciting world of BloodDark, a tidally-locked world inhabited by the Pure Bloods, a vampire-like race, along with abducted humans and their offspring. Find out more about the BloodDark series at their web site: http://blooddarkbooks.blogspot.com/
Cindy and Adrian regularly attend science fiction conventions as panelists. They enjoy chatting on writing/publishing and sci-fi fandom topics. Adrian also creates SF/fantasy/steampunk three-dimensional artwork for sale. One of their goals is to someday have enough wall space to hang all of their extensive speculative fiction art collection.
While Adrian paints, Cindy keeps busy as a manuscript evaluator, feature writer and blog editor. When Cindy and Adrian aren't writing, reading, painting or watching science fiction, you can find them working in their organic garden or on any number of home projects.
