Happy New Year!

I want to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year! Thank you all for making 2013 an amazing, exciting and fun year! I'm so glad I've been given a chance to meet all of you and to make so many new friends! Here's to hoping 2014 is just as good and holds some new stories! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!

Ravening Book 3, Reclamation cover, release date, and description

Answers will be found January 28, 2014

   Hunted by alien enemies and desperate to survive the invasion, Bethany and Cade are forced into situations they never imagined were possible. As danger seems to lurk around every corner and new people enter their lives, they discover that not everything is what it seems, and that sometimes the answers they seek may lie in the last place they ever thought to look.

    In order to survive, they all must make a choice, continue to hide or make a stand. But all choices have consequences and those consequences lead to roads they never thought they'd travel. Roads that may very well divide them in the end. Sacrifices will be made, not everyone will survive, and through it all there is one question driving them all, who will prevail... mankind or the aliens?  

Merry Christmas!

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope you all have a wonderful day with your loved ones!

Christmas Giveaway!

To enter simply leave a comment on your favorite Erica Stevens or Brenda K. Davies book. Ten winners, chosen at random, will receive a paperback of their chose of either Erica Stevens or Brenda K. Davies. You will also receive some SWAG in the form of magnets and bookmarks. As an added bonus if you go to Book Flirts https://www.facebook.com/bookflirts like the page, and tell her Erica sent you, you can be entered to win a $5 gift card from Amazon!

The Contest will end Friday, December 20th at 9:00 am EST. Good luck everyone!

Q & A Today!

Don't forget today is Erica Stevens and Airika Phoenix day at the 24 Days of Christmas Sale! I'll be answering questions at the event so stop by and check it out!

If you have a question for me just leave it in the comments under the Arika... Phoenix and Erica Stevens pinned post and I will get back to you as soon as possible! Hope to get a chance to talk with some of you!

https://www.facebook.com/events/170151469847018/181794852016013/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

Q & A Session

On Dec. 7th I will be answering some questions for the 24 days of Christmas Sale! Hope to talk with some of you there! Think of your questions now :)

The next two authors for the sale are now up! Stop by and check them out. December 5th~Cameo Renae/Amy O`Neill.

https://www.facebook.com/events/170151469847018/?source=1

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just want to give a big thank you to all of the fans for all of your continued support, your kind words, and your patience and understanding. You make everyday a little brighter and are one of the top things I am most thankful for this year!
To everyone celebrating Thanksgiving today I hope you have a happy and wonderful day with all of your loved ones! If you're not celebrating today just remember it's almost the weekend :)
Again thank you all! You are all amazing!

Teaser 1, Book 3 Ravening Series!

Cade,

   I had stayed away from her for so long, stayed away to keep her safe, and if I hadn't felt her intense agony through the bond that we shared when she'd been injured, I never would have come back for her. I would have let her live her life, but after feeling her pain I hadn't been able to stay away. I'd told myself I would be able to control myself around her, but I'd never be able to control myself if I felt our bond irrevocably severed by her death and I hadn't been there to save her.

   Now however, as my eyes cracked open and landed upon her I knew that I couldn't control myself. The golden aura or halo that enshrouded her, and none of the others, instantly drew my attention to her. It seemed to pulse with vitality as it called to me, begging me to taste her, to take from her what I had longed denied myself and had only just recently got a brief taste of.

   That brief taste hadn't been enough, I wanted more. I wanted it all and I wasn't sure I could be denied anymore as my veins lit with fire and hunger blazed to life within me.

24 Days of Christmas Sale!

24 Days of Christmas
Virtual Book Store
hosted by author Virginia McKevitt
I will be joining a multitude of wonderful authors in November and December for the 24 Days of Christmas all genre book sales event. From award winning to newly published, there will be something for everyone. With over fifty great e-books and --- equally great authors you will not be disappointed.
The event promises to be fun and entertaining, with armloads of interesting e-books and hot prizes, all starting on November 27, 2013 and ending on December 22, 2013! But that’s not all~you will be able to talk to your favorite authors (how cool is that) and try your hand at some you don’t know yet. Every author attending will be available on a pre-arranged day listed ahead of time for a live chat.
It gets better~you will be able to buy that authors book on their given day for .99 or free and at the books regular price, unless specified during the rest of the event. Do we have your attention now? Come on. You know you want to be there.
Great authors~great books~great prizes, and a chance to mingle with some of the best people on the planet!
WHERE
https://www.facebook.com/events/170151469847018/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
WHEN
November 27th ~December 23, 2013

You can also vote for your favorite cover on the page!

Edited Versions of The Kindred Series

I just wanted to let everyone know that thanks to my awesome editor Leslie at G2 Freelance Editing there are now edited versions of all the books in The Kindred Series! :)

Webpage is live!

The Erica Stevens and Brenda K. Davies webpage is now live! Stop by and check it out and let me know what you think! Under Books, Ravening Series, you can get your first chance to see what I think the cast of characters look like :) Hope you enjoy it! https://ericastevensauthor.com/

Third Ravening and Webpage

I have two awesome things to announce tonight! First, I'm so happy to announce that the third Ravening book has an end!!!!! It needs a lot of fine tuning before it can be sent out for its first round of editing, but it's looking good for a January release! Second, thanks to the hard work of my very talented, amazing and determined friend Kristine, the Erica Stevens webpage has been put together and will go live this Friday November, 15th! Your first chance to get a glimpse of what I think the cast of the Ravening Series would look like will be on the website. You may want to start searching for your own pictures to share as that's my favorite part! Thank you everyone for being so patient and understanding! You are all amazing and the best!

The Captive Series, Jack's Story

Hi everyone! I wanted to let you know that as soon as I am finished with the third Ravening book I will be starting Jack's story from The Captive Series. I'm hoping to have it out in the spring of 2014!

The 24 Days of Christmas Virtual Bookstore!

Holy mistletoe Rudolf!!!!

Something big is right around the corner and just in time for Christmas.
 

Starting on November 29th (Black Friday) and running until December 22nd, author Virginia McKevitt, with Theresa Johnson and Lisa Angel Miller will be hosting The 24 Days of Christmas Virtual Book Store.
 

This is a huge event, with over FIFTY authors, all giving you a really great Christmas gift. Every author attending will have a special day to be available to chat and share a little about themselves with readers and fans alike. They will be giving one of their books for only 99 cents that day also. Where else can you spend fifty bucks and have enough gifts to share with the whole family?
 

That is only a small part of what’s happening during the 24 Days of Christmas. We are having not one but three tremendous rafflecopters during this spectacular event with NINE winners!
The prizes are amazing! But that’s not all, lol. We are hosting a cover contest for all of these wonderful and talented authors, and you the reader will pick your favorite covers and the authors will win a fabulous prize. A twist, wouldn’t you say.
 

So come on, be a part of something big. Big prizes, great books, wonderful authors. What more could Santa bring this year?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/227157674106105/

The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide is now Live!

The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide is now live! The epidemic starts today, Happy Halloween everyone!


Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FYWT24O

iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/survivor-chronicles-book-2/id721702281?mt=1...1&uo=4

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-survivor-chronicles-erica-stevens/1117054028?ean=2940045310185

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-survivor-chronicles-book-2-the-divide

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/364301

Paperback http://www.amazon.com/The-Survivor-Chronicles-Erica-Stevens/dp/1492779571/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382022942&sr=8-1&keywords=1492779571

The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2 Removal

Hi everyone I just wanted to let you know that on Wed. October 30 I will be removing the chapters from Book 2 of The Survivor Chronicles from my blog and facebook. If you haven't had a chance to read them yet than grab them now! :)

Third Ravening Book update!

Hi everyone! I thought I'd give an update on the third Ravening book. I had been hoping to have it out this fall but between moving and getting Loki I fell behind on my schedule. I am working on it now though and I'm more than half way done with it. I'm hoping to have it done by the first or second week in November and sent out for its first round of editing shortly after. If all goes well it should be ready to go by mid/end of January I'm sorry for the delay but I promise I will be working hard on it until its done!

Caption contest winners!

The winners from the caption contest have been chosen! Due to a tie there will be seven copies sent out. The winners are Melissa La, Katelyn Anderson, Alex Maleknia, Tiffany Johns Kimble, Dawn Beardsworth, Jackie Kennedy Dickson, and Nina Chantharack! To claim your prize message me through facebook or email me at ericastevensgcp@gmail.com. Congratulations!

Book 1 In The Survivor Chronicles is on sale!

Another amazing photo from Author Stalkers Book Club! Book 1 in the series, The Upheaval, is now on sale for .99 until October 31! Book 2, The Divide, is available for pre-order and will be out on October 31!

Pre-order links for Book 2 below.

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FYWT24O

iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/survivor-chronicles-book-2/id721702281?mt=11&uo=4

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-survivor-chronicles-erica-stevens/1117054028?ean=2940045310185

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-survivor-chronicles-book-2-the-divide

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/364301

Paperback http://www.amazon.com/The-Survivor-Chronicles-Erica-Stevens/dp/1492779571/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382022942&sr=8-1&keywords=1492779571

Caption this giveaway contest!

All you have to do to enter the contest is post one caption and like someone else's caption (liking your own caption doesn't count). The five captions with the most likes at the end of the contest will be the winner. The top five people will each receive an autographed copy of The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide. The contest ends Fri. 10/25/13 at 8:00 am EST. Good luck everyone! 

You will have a better chance of gaining more likes if you go to the facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/ericastevens679

CAPTION THIS

 

 

 

 

Amazon pre-order for The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide

I'm happy to announce that The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide is now available for pre-order on Amazon and in Paperback!

The kindle version can be found at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FYWT24O

The Paperback at http://www.amazon.com/The-Survivor-Chronicles-Erica-Stevens/dp/1492779571/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382022942&sr=8-1&keywords=1492779571

Giveaway for The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide

Starting Friday October 18 at 8:00 am EST I'm going to do another Caption Contest for The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide. The contest will run for one week and you, the fans, will choose the winners by voting for your favorite captions! The 5 people with the most likes will each receive an autographed paperback copy of the book!

Note: It will probably be easier to win if you go the Erica Stevens facebook page to participate. https://www.facebook.com/#!/ericastevens679

Pre-order The Divide on iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Smashwords!

The edited version of The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide is now available for pre-order on Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords and Paperback!

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FYWT24O

iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/survivor-chronicles-book-2/id721702281?mt=11&uo=4

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-survivor-chronicles-erica-stevens/1117054028?ean=2940045310185

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-survivor-chronicles-book-2-the-divide

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/364301

Paperback http://www.amazon.com/The-Survivor-Chronicles-Erica-Stevens/dp/1492779571/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382022942&sr=8-1&keywords=1492779571

Boston Book Festival!

The Boston Book Festival is just a little over two weeks away! I need to figure out which books to bring and need some help. Even if you can't make it which books would you most want to see there?

Interview with Christina Ow!

Check out the interview I did recently with Christina OW for her blog. She was very interested in Brenda K. Davies :)

http://christinaow.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/introducing-the-elusive-author-brenda-k-davis-part-1/

The Survivor Chronicles Book 3 Cover and Title!

The Survivor Chronicles: Book 3, The Forsaken

The Story Continues 10/7/13

Thank you!

I just wanted to say a BIG thank you again to all my amazing fans who offer such unwavering support! Every single one of you make every day a little better!

I also wanted to let you know that The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide will be available to the larger markets on October 31. I think it's a good Halloween read!

Also, even though there won't be a chapter for the third book on Monday, I will be revealing the new cover and title for the third book so there will still be some Survivor available!

Again thank you everyone, I couldn't do any of this without you!

Giveaway Winners!

The winners for the giveaway have been chosen and they are Karen Taylor, Michelle Manning, Veronica Murden, Princess Labell, Kristin Erker-Campbell, Tina Tame, Elayna, Alana Kim, David, and Robin! Check your e-mails and congratulations everyone!

There will be another giveaway for The Survivor Chronicles: Book 2, The Divide coming soon!

Giveaway!

Just ten hours left to get into the giveaway! The winners will be announced tomorrow!

Giveaway!

Just a little over two days left to enter the giveaway!

Captive Video!

Check out the amazing video that Anitra from Can't Read Just One made for The Captive Series! http://youtu.be/U27PAgwve6Q

The giveaway has been extended!

I wanted to let everyone know that I have extended the giveaway by a week and have put all 10 prizes onto it. I plan on running a giveaway for the second book in The Survivor Chronicles so I had to shorten this one a little. Don't forget to get your answers in!

Giveaway contest

The first question for the giveaway contest has been posted on the side! Good luck everyone!

Caption contest winners!

I know I said there would only be one winner but Ellen Hendry and Jessica Lynn Leonard worked really hard and came up with more votes than I'd ever expected. Though Ellen was the winner I think both of them deserve to have characters named after them. Congratulations and thank you so much for this, it really means a lot to me :) You can message me through facebook or email me at ericastevensgcp@gmail.com to let me know which of the three stories you would like to be a character in. Thank you everyone else for making the caption contest such a success and so much fun! I will definitely be doing another one in the future!

Caption contest and Giveaway!

Last day to get in your captions and votes in for the caption contest! The winner will be announced tomorrow. A question for the next round of the contest will be posted for a signed paperback of the winners choice! The question will run from 8:00 am EST. Fri. 9/13/13 until Thurs. 9/19/13 at 11:59 PM. EST time.

Caption This Contest!

All you have to do to enter the contest is post one caption and vote for someone else's caption by writing yes under it (voting on your own caption doesn't count). The caption with the most votes at the end of the contest will be the winner. The winner of the contest will get to choose to be a character in either the third Survivor Chronicles, the third Ravening book, or in Jack's future story (hopefully out this spring). Though you can enter on my blog, you may have a better chance of winning by going to my facebook page as I feel there will be more people voting there. https://www.facebook.com/ericastevens679 The contest ends Thurs. 9/12/13 at 11:59 pm EST. Good luck everyone!

                                                                            

                                                                        CAPTION THISl win an eBook copy of The Survivor Chronicles by Erica Stevens. This contest will go on until 9pm EST and the winner will be announced shortly there after. (This contest is in no way sponsored or endorsed by facebook) Good luck to everyone.                 CC

 

Giveaway!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to thank all of you for being such amazing and wonderful fans. I love talking to all of you and you have truly made this an amazing experience! To say thanks for how great you all are I am going to be doing a five week event starting tomorrow. The first week will be a caption contest where you, the fans, will vote for the winner of the competition. The winner of the cont...est will get to choose to be a character in either the third Survivor Chronicles, the third Ravening book, or in Jack's future story (hopefully out in the spring). The following four weeks will be trivia book giveaways where the winners will get to decide which autographed paperback they would like to receive. The caption this contest will start tomorrow Fri. 9/6/13 at 8:00 am EST. and run until Thurs. 9/12/13 11:59 pm EST.

I just want to say thank you again! You are all amazing!

Boston Book Festival

I'm happy to announce that this fall I will be attending the Boston Book Festival! This year is the first time they are setting up an area for Indie authors entitled Indie Alley. I will be there on October 19th from 10am-5pm, weather permitting. I'll have more details as the date draws closer. It would be nice to meet some of you!

Copley Square

560 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02116, United States

Get directions

‎

+1 617-635-4505

http://www.bostonbookfest.org/

Updated link for Phoenix Rising on Barnes and Noble!

Here is an updated link with book description.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/phoenix-rising-heather-gilmour-cox/1116777586?ean=2940148773566&itm=1&usri=2940148773566

Phoenix Rising is now live!

Phoenix Rising is now available on Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and in paperback!

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESUGX9K

Apple iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/phoenix-rising-book-5-kindred/id683930269?mt=1...1&uo=4

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/phoenix-rising-michelle-stevens/1113575351?ean=2940045188197

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/phoenix-rising-book-5-kindred-series

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/343357

Paperback http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Rising-Kindred-Erica-Stevens/dp/1490581898/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377591625&sr=1-1&keywords=phoenix+rising+%28the+kindred+series%29

One more day!

The final book in The Kindred Series will be available tomorrow!

Two days till Phoenix Rising's Release!

Just two more days until Phoenix Rising is released! Don't forget you can pre-order it on Apple iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords!


Apple iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/phoenix-rising-book-5-kindred/id683930269?mt=1...1&uo=4

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/phoenix-rising-michelle-stevens/1113575351?ean=2940045188197

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/phoenix-rising-book-5-kindred-series

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/343357

Last Phoenix Rising Trailer!

   He grabbed hold of the first Halfling and jerked it back. Picking it up, he heaved the miserable creature against a tree. The sickening crack of bone echoed through the trees, but the creature was still alive as it slumped to the ground and tried to stumble back to its feet. He ignored it though as he rushed forward to take down the other one. He knew, even before he saw it chewing on Patrick’s flesh that the man was not going to survive. He felt no remorse over it; in fact he felt more remorse about pulling the Halfling off of him and ripping his heart out of his chest.

   The creature’s mouth parted in surprise and then tears sprang forth in its eyes. “Thank you.”

   Devon dropped the heart, disgusted with himself and this hideous situation. “Look out!”

   Devon jumped and nearly toppled over as Cassie’s voice rang through the forest. He spun around as the other Halfling came at him with a hideous shriek and a severe limp. Over the creature's shoulder he spotted Cassie standing amongst the trees, but he didn’t have time to ponder it as he grabbed the final Halfling and drove it into the ground. He twisted its head to the side and swiftly freed it from its neck.

   He looked up as Chris and Melissa skidded to a halt behind Cassie. Luther caught up a few seconds later and took a startled step back. Devon could only sit there and gape at her as she took a small step forward. It wasn’t till part of her arm disappeared within a tree that he realized it wasn’t really her.

Final giveaway question winners!

The winners for the final round of the contest have been chosen! They are Amy Baker, Trudy Yockey, and Amber Kemp! Congratulations everyone! There will be more contests and more chances to win in the future!

Final Question Phoenix Rising Giveaway!

This is the final question in the Phoenix Rising giveaway. All answers must be in by 8:00 am EST. on Aug. 20. Three winners will be chosen and announced on Aug. 20.

"You have no idea what kind of a man I am, or was. No idea what goes through my mind when it comes to you.” Who said it?

Good luck everyone!

Winners of third round of Phoenix Rising Giveaway!

The winners of the third round of the giveaway are Gina Struthers, Becca Schandel, and Cassie Sansom! Congratulations! Don't forget there will be one more chance to win tomorrow starting at 8:00 am EST time!

Question 3 Phoenix Rising Giveaway!

There will be 24 hours to answer this question. Time for answering this question will end at 8:00 am EST on Aug. 18. Three winners will be chosen on Aug. 18. The Fourth and final question will be posted on Aug. 19. This one is a little different as it is a quote and you have to answer who said it.

“I would know you anywhere.” Who said it?

 

 

Good luck everyone!

Round 2 Giveaway Winners!

The winners of the second round of the giveaway are Emily Cobble, Stephanie Harami, and Robert Haight! Congratulations! Don't forget there will be another chance to win tomorrow starting at 8:00 am EST time!

Question 2 Phoenix Rising Giveaway!

There will be 24 hours to answer this question. Time for answering this question will end at 8:00 am EST on Aug. 16. Three winners will be chosen on Aug. 16. Question three will be posted on Aug. 17.

What does Melissa do every time they leave B's and S's?

Good luck everyone!

Phoenix Rising, Teaser 5

   Luther’s breath was trapped in his chest as he took in the mayhem unfolding outside. He rested his hand on the kitchen sink and leaned closer to the window. Anarchy, complete and utter anarchy reigned as more vampires emerged from the woods in a bloodthirsty wave bent on death.

   “What did they do?” Luther muttered as his heart leapt into his throat. The Elders had come here in the hopes of destroying them and instead they had unleashed Hell on earth. Instead they had lit the catalyst that would most likely end their own lives, and could very well alter the course of history as these creatures had no care for anything other than death and mayhem.

   These were not controllable vampires. These were not creatures that respected the old ways and The Elders that had forged the history of their race. These were creatures that would destroy them all.

   A glimmering flicker pulled his attention away from the invading pack. He’d thought that he’d seen it all, thought that he couldn’t be surprised anymore, but he’d been completely wrong as his heart plummeted into his toes and a cold ice began to encase his body.

   Luther could feel the heat from the blaze even from this distance as the fire beat against the window and illuminated the kitchen. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Hell on earth had just been unleashed, and that it wasn’t in the form of the vampires.  

 

Round 1 Giveaway Winners!

The winners of the first round of the giveaway are Sheila Goodwin Isbell, Kirstie Pullman, and Claire Goulding! Congratulations! Don't forget there will be another chance to win tomorrow starting at 8:00 am EST time!

First Question in Phoenix Rising Giveaway!

There will be 24 hours to answer this question. Time for answering this question will end at 8:00 am EST on Aug. 14. Three winners will be chosen on Aug. 14. Question two will be posted on Aug. 15.

Question 1: What was the name of the lake Cassie and Chris went to as children and how long did they stay there?

Good luck everyone!

Pre-order Phoenix Rising on certain sites!

I have some very happy news to announce regarding Phoenix Rising! The release date has been changed from Aug. 31 to Aug. 27! Also, it is available for pre-order on iBooks, Nook, Kobo, and Smashwords! Unfortunately it will not be available for pre-order on Amazon.

Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/phoenix-rising-book-5-kindred/id683930269?mt=11&uo=4

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/phoenix-rising-michelle-stevens/1113575351?ean=2940045188197

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/phoenix-rising-book-5-kindred-series

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/343357

Phoenix Rising Giveaway!

   On Tuesday I am going to start a week long giveaway for autographed copies of Phoenix Rising. 12 copies will be up for grabs. I will post a question at 8:00 am EST time on Tues. 8/13 everyone will have 24 hours to answer the question. Three winners will be chosen on Wed. 8/14. Another question will be asked at the same time on Thurs. 8/15 and another three winners chosen on Fri. 8/16. Another question will posted on Sat. 8/17 and three more winners chosen on Sun. 8/18. The final question will be asked on Mon. 8/19 and the final three winners chosen on Tues. 8/20.
    The winners will be randomly selected! Good luck everyone!

Interview with Clarice's Book Nook

Hi everyone! Check out the interview I recently did with Clarice's Book Nook!
http://claricesbooknook.blogspot.com/2013/08/surprise-interviewand-author-is.html

Phoenix Rising, Teaser 4

   Annabelle’s eyes fixed on Dani, who looked a little too frightened. “Dani?” she demanded.

   They all turned to her as she nervously chewed on her bottom lip. “My ability has gotten stronger,” she admitted on a whisper.

   Annabelle grabbed hold of her arm and pushed her forward as Devon was knocked to his knees. “Robert, go for Robert!”

   “If we attack The Elders…!”

   Annabelle shot Luther a look that silenced him instantly. “Go for Robert.”

   “You’re declaring war,” Luther told her.

   She glared at him. “Robert killed Cassie, they already declared war. Now it is essential that we save Devon.”

   “I don’t know how strong it is on the second blast,” Dani mumbled.

   Blood bloomed across Devon’s forehead as a rock bounced off of him. “Just stop Robert,” she whispered fervently. “It will be ok.”

   Annabelle hoped that was a promise she could keep. Devon was struggling back to his feet when another rock hit his shoulder and knocked him back again. The ground pulsed and began to vibrate as Dani drew power from it. Annabelle kept hold of her shoulders, trying to give her courage and strength. The blast shot out of her and hit Robert forcefully enough to push him back a few steps.

   The rocks Robert had been gathering to throw at Devon clattered to the ground as his power was temporarily squashed. As one, creepy unit, The Elder’s turned scorching, ruby eyes upon all of them. Terror curdled through Annabelle as a small whimper escaped Dani. Annabelle shoved the smaller girl behind her, prepared to take the blunt force of their attack, but Liam stepped in front of her.

   “Liam!” she cried.

Contest Winners!

The winners of an autographed copy of The Survivor Chronicles are Jason Daunhauer, Melodie Chacon Marin, Natasha Hardman, Teresa Rose Munsill, and Victoria! To claim your prize email me at ericastevensgcp@gmail.com Congratulations everyone!

Giveaway Question for The Survivor Chronicles!

Five winners will be randomly chosen between the blog and Facebook pages. Contest ends tomorrow, Sat. 7/27, at 11:00 am EST time.  The winners will each receive an autographed copy of The Survivor Chronicles: Book 1, The Upheaval.

To enter the giveaway simply answer the question...

Who is your favorite Survivor?
A. John
B. Mary Ellen
C. Riley
D. Carl
E. Al
F. Xander

Good luck everyone!

The Survivor Chronicles are now on iBooks!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/survivor-chronicles-book-1/id677693948?mt=11&uo=4

Survivor Chronicles Giveaway!

On Friday I will be running a one day giveaway for 5 Autographed copies of The Survivor Chronicles on facebook and my blog! It will start at 11:00 am EST on Friday 7/26 and end on Sat. 7/27 at 11:00 am EST. The winners will be randomly selected and announced on Saturday!

The Survivor Chronicles Paperback and smashwords!

Here is a link where The Survivor Chronicles can be purchased in paperback.
http://www.amazon.com/Survivor-Chronicles-Book-Upheaval/dp/149102321X/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374669148&sr=1-10&keywords=the+survivor+chronicles

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/230103

The Survivor Chronicles on KOBO

The Survivor Chronicles is now LIVE on KOBO!

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Books/the-survivor-chronicles-book-1-the-upheaval

Survivor Chronicles link at Barnes and Noble!

The Survivor Chronicles is now LIVE on Barnes and Noble!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116157270?ean=2940148636090

Survivor Chronicles on Amazon!

The Survivor Chronicles is now LIVE on Amazon! The other markets should be following soon!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Survivor-Chronicles-Upheaval-ebook/dp/B00E3ZBCFK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374611171&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Survivor+Chronicles+Erica+Stevens

New Cover and Release Date for The Survivor Chronicles

The World Ends July 26!

The Survivor Chronicles: Book 1, The Upheaval

The First tremors of the earth were felt at 7:22 EST. time. Every single person felt the rumbling, and experienced the tremors that would forever alter the course of history. Most did not survive. These are the accounts of some of those that did.

Phoenix Rising Teaser 3

   “No,” Chris whispered. “There is no getting him back. There is nothing to get back Julian. There is no man in there anymore.” He grabbed hold of Julian’s arm as he swayed on his feet. He forced himself to focus on the vampire, to make Julian acknowledge that what Chris was saying was true. “There is nothing but a monster left.”

   Julian’s gaze moved deliberately to Chris’s hand on his arm. Chris became acutely aware of the fact that this was the first time he had ever touched Julian. Julian could now see any aspect of his life, but Chris didn’t care. Julian finally seemed to register what Chris was experiencing, what Chris felt and understood. There was only pure evil and hatred within Devon now.

   “Oh.” Julian’s eyes were wide with horror and pain as they met Chris’s.

   “He’s gone Julian.”

   Julian stood still as he gazed at Chris. “Maybe not forever though.”

   “Julian…”

   “I’m not giving up,” he insisted. “Not yet anyway. I promised her. Now, we are going to need your help, can I count on you?”

   Chris swallowed heavily. He tried to seize hold of Julian’s determination but he couldn’t escape the crushing sense of doom that was suffocating him. “Yes,” he whispered.

   Julian turned away, but before he did Chris caught the brief glimpse of defeat in Julian’s eyes. Annabelle’s eyes were as round as a baseball as she gaped at him. “Chris…”

   “It’s that bad,” he said softly.

   “I have to get to Liam,” Annabelle insisted. Chris nodded his agreement. They had already lost Cassie and Devon today; they couldn’t afford to lose Annabelle and Liam too.

   “No,” Julian said.

   “No? What do you mean no?” Annabelle demanded.

   Julian wasn’t looking at either one of them though; his gaze was focused on Cassie’s prone figure. “No, not yet.”

Phoenix Rising Cover Unveil!

   Reeling from the aftermath of Cassie's death, they find themselves trying to survive in a tumultuous world filled with more enemies than friends. Struggling through the rage consuming him, Devon must come to terms with the fact that the woman he loved has died. He has little time to deal with his grief though as The Elders want them dead, the Halflings are still running free, and the missing children have become the focal point of concern.

   On a mission to rescue the children, they set out on a journey from New York to Canada that will forever alter the course of their lives and make them realize that sometimes what rises from the fire may be something even more dangerous and deadly. That it may, in fact, be the death of them all.

Phoenix Rising, Cover Unveil

Hi everyone! I wanted to let you know that on Tues morning 9:30 EST. time I will be revealing the cover for Phoenix Rising and the book description!

Survivor Question

In the coming weeks there will be a death in The Survivor Chronicles. Who do you think it will be?

A. Al
B. Bobby
C. Carl
D. Lee
E. Josh
F. John
G. Mary Ellen
H. Riley
I. Rochelle
J. Peter
K. Xander

Kindred 5, Phoenix Rising, Teaser 2

   Annabelle’s hand flew to her mouth as she took in the destruction that littered the ground around her. Though there were still a few Halflings left most of their bodies littered the ground around her. Bile rushed up her throat, the brutality and ferociousness of the atrocity around her left her shaken and stunned. She had always known that there was a cruelty within Devon she had never witnessed before. She was witnessing it now, and it was far worse than anything she’d ever seen before.

   He had not only destroyed a good chunk of the Halflings within this town, but he had ripped them to bits and left their remains scattered about. It looked as if a bomb had gone off, and that bomb was Devon. She tore her attention from the savagery as she instinctively sought out Liam amongst the dwindling crowd. She had to be reassured of his health and well being, at least for now.

   His gaze met hers; his beautiful silvery eyes were filled with revulsion and disbelief. Melissa, Luther, and Dani stood by his side looking just as distraught and disgusted as Liam. Though they appeared to be in no danger, not right now anyway, Annabelle knew that wouldn’t last. Julian believed Devon would hand himself over to The Elder’s once he killed his brother, but Annabelle didn’t think he would. Especially since she now understood that Chris had been right in his assessment. There was nothing left of the Devon they knew.

   Devon was in the throes of a bloodlust so severe and destructive that attempting to stop him seemed futile. Even after he destroyed Robert, there was no way to know if Devon would stop, or if he even could stop.

   Devon tore the head off of one of the Halflings and used its body to ram another one that rushed at him. Annabelle winced and fell back a step as the thing broke in half. Devon was oblivious to the fact that his hair and clothes were caked with blood and his eyes were the same color. The Elder’s had fallen back beneath his savage advance, too astonished by it to react quite yet, but that wouldn’t last much longer.    

   What could she possibly do to stop this?

Interview

Recently I was lucky enough to be able to do an interview with Melly from Vampire Forums. You can check it out here! http://vampireforums.com/interviews/erica-stevens/

Kindred 5, Teaser 1 and Title.

The final book in The Kindred Series will be entitled Phoenix Rising. Here is the first teaser from it. *This has not been edited yet and is subject to change.

   “We have to think of something, we have too,” Annabelle muttered. “Devon cannot know yet, he’ll kill us all if he does.”

   Chris was shaking so bad that his muscles throbbed and his teeth chattered together. He managed to get his hands braced against the floor, even though his arms shook so intensely that he almost fell over again. He even managed to raise his head an inch off the ground as he struggled to regain control of himself.

   “We have to get back out there, we can’t leave them alone,” Annabelle continued. “We’ll figure it out later, somehow.”

   Gathering his strength, Chris finally managed to get a breath into his tortured lungs, was finally able to get words past his constricted throat and clenched teeth. “He already knows.”

   A sad look of resignation settled over Julian’s face. “No.” Annabelle’s gaze darted to the covered window. “Oh yes, I would know also,” she breathed.

   Chris bent over again, his forehead touched the ground. A bellow rent the night with enough force that it rattled the windows within their panes. Chris couldn’t breathe anymore; he could barely think straight, there was nothing left to him as the force of Devon’s rage and grief shattered him. Julian cursed loudly as he stormed across the store. With a quick flick of his wrist he ripped one of the boards from a window.

   “He’s going to kill them all. Including us,” Julian muttered.

   “Liam.” Annabelle hurried to Julian’s side; she was shaking as she pulled the curtain back. “What do we do?”

   Chris couldn’t see out the window, he couldn’t even get his head off the floor to look at them. “My God!” Annabelle gasped. Whatever she saw caused her voice to shake as she took a small step back from the window.

   “There is no God here,” Julian remarked coldly, his voice still hoarse with unshed tears. “If there was…” his voice trailed off as his eyes briefly settled on Cassie’s lifeless body.

Salvation is in Kobo!

Salvation is now available in the Kobo market!
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Salvation-The-Captured-Series-Book/book-BGWbdRj_5UuaV4gxSTHKnQ/page1.html?s=-xkOz8I2wEC5Bxwt_RFZ8w&r=7

Salvation is in Apple!

Happy to announce that Salvation made it into the Apple market faster than I had anticipated! Here is the link for it! Enjoy!
 https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/salvation-captured-series/id660333145?mt=11&uo=4

Apple and Kobo users

Apple, Kobo, Versent, Diesel, and Sony users it may still be some time before Salvation reaches those markets as it has to go through a screening process. You can use the smashwords link to purchase it for those products though.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/322659

Two days left!

Just two days left to get the first three books in The Captured Series on sale!

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZF81PY

B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-captive-series-books-1-3-erica-stevens/1115420839?ean=2940016762043

Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/captured-series-books-1-3/id649105254?mt=11&uo=4

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/314623

Thank you!

I just want to give a big BIG thank you to everyone! You have all been amazing while waiting for this, and I can't believe the amount of support you have all given! I am so unbelievably happy that everyone seems to be enjoying Salvation! I simply can't thank you enough for being the best fans in the world! I have plenty more books in me, and though Aria and Braith may not have more to tell, there are others in their world that do! Thank you so much everyone, you truly are the best!!!

Salvation early release!

I have decided to release Salvation early!

You can find it on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Salvation-The-Captive-Series-ebook/dp/B00D6K1EZQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370368149&sr=1-1&keywords=salvation+erica+stevens

Barnes an...d Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/salvation-erica-stevens/1115477163?ean=2940016591483&itm=1&usri=2940016591483

And smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/322659

Apple users it may still take a little bit to get into the apple market but you can use the smashwords link in order to purchase it!

I hope you enjoy everyone!

Chapter 1, Salvation

CHAPTER 1

 

 

   Braith’s shoulders were heaving, his chest was tense, and his arms sore from the amount of damage he’d just rendered. His vision was blurred by a hazy cloud of red that coated his eyes and made it nearly impossible to see. He’d never experienced anything like it. When he’d lost his vision, the world around him had consisted entirely of blackness. Then Aria had come into his life and brought the illumination back, brought color back and given him the gift of vision again.

   Now the blackness had become the deep hue of blood. Instead of being completely blind this time though, shadows still moved across his field of vision and he could make out the blur of other obstacles in the clearing.

   He couldn’t see them clearly but he knew that Gideon and Ashby had retreated far from him; David, Daniel, and William were standing by something solid, perhaps a rock, maybe a tree, only Jack was brave enough to remain anywhere nearby. He didn’t know what had caused this shadowed haze, he’d never been able to keep his vision this far from her, but it had been steadily improving when he was away from her. He thought it was due to the increasing amount of her blood within him.

   She had strengthened him, and he’d let her down. He’d lost her.

   He never should have agreed to her going into that town, never should have let her go. However, there was no letting Aria do anything. One way or another she was going to go, and he’d vowed to let her have the freedom to spread her wings. He’d been trying so hard not to squash her wild and beautiful spirit with his heavy handed, overbearing manner.

    He’d been concerned about her safety, but he hadn’t actually thought that it would be overly risky for her in the town. The weather had driven most people inside, the dark servant’s cloak would cover her, and though she’d been his blood slave few people within that town had ever seen her, and even fewer would remember her. Or so he’d thought.

   He’d been an idiot.

   His entire body shuddered as he grasped hold of a small tree. His muscles rippled as he ripped it from the ground and hurled it through the air. Gideon and Ashby scrambled to get out of the way as it bounced in their direction. Braith stood, shaking as he tried to gather some semblance of control, but he was quickly spiraling toward something dark and dangerous.

   This dark spiral was worse than when he’d fed from his own kind, worse than when Aria had first left him in the palace. The only thing allowing him to hang on was the fact that he knew she was still alive, and that he could find her. Soon. Now. He spun on his heel as he stormed across the clearing toward the town.

   Jack moved to intercept him. “Braith you have to calm down, think about this rationally. We don’t know where she is…”

   “I can find her,” he grated.

   “Yes, yes you can, but if you go charging after her you’ll ruin every aspect of surprise we have. Until we know who has her, and where they have taken her, you have to stay in control, you’re our leader…”

   Jack broke off mid-sentence as Braith began to move toward him. Apparently Jack’s survival instinct was firmly intact as he held up his hands and took a couple of steps back. A muffled sound in the woods whipped Braith’s head around. He strained to make out the figure emerging from the forest, but it was nothing more than a dark shadow amidst the red. Even his heightened sense of smell seemed to be failing him, or it was buried beneath the crushing wrath and worry consuming him.

   “Max,” Gideon murmured.

   “Max,” Braith snarled. The boy had been lost in the confusion and hadn’t returned with William and Daniel.

   Max’s blurry figure staggered, he fell to his knees and attempted to get back up, but fell back again. David, William and Daniel fled the safety of whatever they had been hiding behind to reach Max’s side. They helped Max back to his feet and hoisted him between them. The cloying scent of Max’s blood hung heavily in the air, but Braith couldn’t see the extent of the damage that had been done to him.

   “How bad is he injured?” he demanded.

   “He’ll survive,” Jack assured him. 

   An extreme thirst for blood was beginning to ravage his veins as he stalked toward Max. “Where have you been?”

   “I followed them,” Max croaked out. “I had to make sure I knew where they were taking her. I broke away when they entered the gates of the palace walls.”

   Braith’s hands fisted as he fought the urge to rip everything around him to shreds in order to assuage the volatile monster looking to burst free of him. The palace, his father, it was the worst imaginable fate for her, but if he got to her soon…

   He would get there soon, now. He would tear that palace apart with his bare hands if it became necessary.

   “The soldiers will take her straight to father,” Jack muttered.

   “Not soldiers,” Max inserted. “It wasn’t soldiers that had her.”
   There was something in the boy’s voice, a tremor that briefly pierced through Braith’s cloudy haze. He nudged Jack out of the way as he struggled to focus on Max. “Who? Who has her?” he barked.

   “It was your brother.”

   Braith felt as if he’d been kicked in the gut, Jack let out a low curse. “Caleb?” Braith managed to choke out.

   “Yes.”

   This time it wasn’t rage that overtook Braith, but a fear so intense that it left him momentarily immobile. Caleb would destroy her; Caleb would break the spirit that Braith had been trying to keep free. In that moment he didn’t know who he hated more, himself or his brother. Red suffused his vision once more as a bellow of anguish ripped from him.

   Broken. He felt broken, but nowhere near as broken as Aria would be when Caleb was done with her. Even if he could reach her right now, it may already be too late for her.

  

***

 

   Daniel spread the papers out before him; his nimble fingers ran over the lines of the street and homes that he’d hastily sketched into the plans. Jack kept one eye on the drawings and the other warily focused on Braith. His brother was wound to the point of breaking, his arms folded firmly over his chest, and his jaw locked as he kept his head bowed. This silent, seething Braith was even more frightening than the one that had ripped trees from the ground and snapped them in half with a flick of his wrist. This Braith was a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode.

   If they didn’t get into that palace soon, Jack was worried that Braith would turn on them in order to get to her. He prayed that Braith’s reason, and ability to lead, would win out over his determination to get to Aria, and the unraveling Jack could sense slithering beneath his brother’s still exterior. He’d been hoping and planning that Braith would be able to keep it together without Aria, but he sure hadn’t expected this to happen.

   The worst thing he ever could have imagined happening to Aria was Caleb getting his hands on her. It made him sick to think of what his father and brother would do to her, made him feel like heedlessly rushing into the palace to get her back. She didn’t deserve such a hideous fate.

   “We can split up through the streets,” Daniel stated. The drawing wasn’t Daniel’s best, but then he hadn’t exactly had the time to put the detail into it that he normally would have. The other group they had planned to send into the town to survey it, had become more of a rescue team when they stumbled across Daniel and William trying to escape the king’s soldiers.

   Daniel’s fingers trembled as he pointed to the two main roads that split through the town. His left eye was nearly swollen shut, and his cheek bore a nasty bruise that Jack suspected shaded a broken or at least a fractured, bone. William was pale beside him, his face nearly as bruised. His lip had been split open, and dark stitches had been required to repair it. Max had fared slightly better than the brothers, but his focus had been on staying with Aria, instead of trying to fight through the soldiers that had been with Caleb. If it hadn’t been for Daniel’s sensibility, Jack was certain that William wouldn’t have returned at all.

   “The town won’t divide us as much as we had thought. The roads are big enough for us to move through in large groups that won’t be easily taken down by the people, and whatever vampires remain there. Though, I suspect that after today the king will increase his forces within the town.”

   “Or he’ll pull them all behind the palace walls and into the palace town in order to strengthen his forces there,” David murmured. “We know he cares little for human life, it is the palace he’ll look to protect the most.”

   “David’s right.” Braith’s voice was strained but he didn’t lift his head to look at them as he remained focused on the ground. “The king may even send some troops into the woods to search for me, but from here on out the full force of his might will be concentrated within the walls surrounding the palace.”

   “How will he know you’re here?” David inquired. “Just because Aria was discovered it doesn’t mean he knows that you’re here, that any of us are here.”

   Braith’s jaw grated back and forth, his hands clenched on his biceps. “He may suspect that there is a militia within these woods, but he will know that I am here because he will smell my blood in her.”

   Jack was motionless as he awaited David’s reaction to Braith’s blunt statement. David blinked once, twice, and then his mouth parted. “I see.”    

   Daniel’s fingers tapped on the drawing as his focus turned to Braith. “I also believe the town should be razed as we move through it.”

   Jack did a double take at Daniel’s words. Braith’s head slowly turned toward him; even behind the thick glasses Jack could see the burning ruby coals of his eyes. A chill crept down his back, he wasn’t entirely certain it was even Braith standing over there anymore, or if it was something far more hazardous and feral.

   “There are humans in that town,” Braith reminded him.

   Or perhaps Jack was wrong; his interest was piqued as he studied his brother. He was showing signs of concern and reasoning beyond Aria again. Was it possible that Braith was actually going to keep it together? Was it possible that Aria and Braith could be separated? He felt no hope at the realization. If Aria survived this, the worst thing Jack would ever do in his lengthy life was take her away from Braith again. They had all done things they didn’t want to do though, and they would all do far more before this war was over. 

   Daniel was paler than normal, but his eyes were unwavering. “That town is a death trap. If the king doesn’t pull all of his soldiers from the town, and they somehow get the chance to come up behind us, there will be nowhere for us to retreat to if it becomes necessary. There are far too many homes and places for them to hide and wait for us. It should be burned as we move through so they can’t be given the chance to set a trap for us.”

   Jack was taken aback by the ferocity behind Daniel’s words. Gideon quirked an eyebrow as he nodded approvingly. Xavier’s head cocked a little, a small smile played across his lips as he studied Daniel, William, and David with that same strange look he’d been studying Aria with ever since he’d met her. Jack found it bizarre, even for Xavier.

   Daniel’s gaze darted to his father. David was just as pale as his son, his lips were pressed firmly together as he stared at the hastily scrawled plans. “There are innocent casualties in every war and it needs to be done,” David confirmed.

   “They aren’t that innocent,” William growled. He tugged at his hair as he strolled around the table and continued on toward the edge of the woods. “Burn it then. Burn it all, and I’ll make sure we burn that bitch with it.”

   “William,” David’s tone of voice was low and warning. “This is not for revenge, no matter how badly we want it to be, that is not what we are about. We will limit the amount of innocent blood that is shed.”

   William shot him a dark look; his busted lip curled in a sneer, but for once he held his tongue. David stared at Braith for some sort of confirmation, but when none was forthcoming, Jack responded. “We will.”

   David didn’t look overly relieved but he didn’t press the issue. Jack anxiously watched Braith as he approached the table and plans. The other aristocrats stood behind him as they awaited his decision. Jack knew they sensed something off in Braith, but for now they seemed to be willing to trust his judgment. Jack didn’t know what would happen if Braith refused to see reason and put them all in peril, didn’t know what would happen if Braith turned on them to vent his wrath.

   “If we set the town on fire it will also provide an effective distraction for you to slip into the tunnel you spoke of,” Daniel continued.

   “We’ll take what weapons we can from the town, and level it as we go,” Braith declared as he settled his glowing eyes on William. “I will have the girl that recognized Aria though, she is mine.”

   William’s jaw clenched and unclenched, a muscle jumped furiously in his cheek. Please stay quiet, Jack pleaded silently. It wasn’t William that spoke though. “If you mean the girl that grabbed Aria, she’s not in the town anymore,” Max informed him.

   Braith’s nostrils flared. “She grabbed Arianna?”

   Jack swallowed heavily, he stepped forward, but he had no idea what he was going to do if Braith lost control again. He didn’t even know who Braith would go after first if he did go berserk. He certainly couldn’t stop him, and he would likely be killed in the process if he tried. Max nodded. “Yes, she seemed to know Aria from the palace. I don’t know how…”

   Max broke off as Braith rested his hands on the table and leaned forward. The muscles in his forearms and biceps rippled beneath the simple, short brown tunic of the rebel people that he had taken to wearing in the woods. “Was she a blond?” he growled.

   Max glanced anxiously at Jack, he nodded in response to Max’s unspoken question. Unfortunately, lying to Braith wasn’t going to help in this situation. “Yes.”

   Jack felt a crack, a sizzle of power that shot through the air like a lightning bolt. He’d never experienced anything like it, not even when his father was at his deadliest had he radiated a destructive force as strong as the one that radiated from within Braith. Even the aristocrats took a step back as the hair on Jack’s arms stood on end. He’d known that Braith could destroy their father if it became necessary, but he realized now that he wasn’t entirely certain Braith would survive it. Jack wasn’t sure if Braith would be able to return from the depths he would delve into if he completely lost it and allowed the monster within him to rule.

   Jack was completely immobile as Braith became as still as stone. He could feel the impending unraveling in the air but Braith somehow managed to keep himself restrained. Though, Jack suspected that a few more trees would be destroyed when this meeting was over. 

   “Lauren.” Jack had no idea who that was, but the name appeared to leave a bad taste in Braith’s mouth. “Where is she?”

   “She went to the palace with your brother.”

   The strange stiffness overtook Braith once more. “We’ll move on the palace tonight.”

   “Not tonight,” Jack inserted quickly, half frightened he was going to have his head ripped off. “We require more time to plan, more time to maneuver Braith. Not all of the humans have weapons yet, we’re still working on carving the stones for arrowheads, and we have to gather supplies in order to be better prepared, and trained. Not all of the vampire’s we recruited from the outer villages have arrived. If we go in before we’re fully prepared we’ll lose.”

   Jack was trying to ignore the crimson eyes glaring at him from behind those lenses. It was a disconcerting, awful spectacle that left him a little rattled. For the first time he truly realized the cruelty Braith was willing to unleash and inflict for her. Braith was holding onto control because he knew where she was, knew that she was still alive. Although they all suspected what might be happening to her, it wasn’t confirmed, and Braith was certain that he would get her back. If something were to happen to her before then…

   There would be no control, and there would be many deaths before Braith was stopped.

   Jack realized that he’d been completely wrong; his plan with Aria and Gideon never would have worked. Braith would hunt her to the ends of the earth and back, they never would have been able to get far enough away from the rampage Braith would go on. And when he found her, Jack shuddered at the thought. It wasn’t a side of Braith he ever wanted to encounter. Braith hadn’t killed him when he’d taken Aria before; he wasn’t fool enough to believe he would be so lucky a second time.

   That was a problem for another time though. For now they had to keep Braith calm enough to see reason, to wait and organize, and to get them successfully into the palace. To get Aria back from Caleb.

   “She’s my daughter.” Though David spoke, Braith’s gaze lingered on Jack before he turned away. To David’s credit he didn’t flinch when those glowing red orbs turned on him, but his eyes did widen slightly. “I want her back as much as you do. I can’t bear to think about what she’s going through, I’ve already imagined every horror known to man when she was in that palace before, and she was lucky that time. From the way you talk about this Caleb…”

   He broke off as his voice hitched, his throat worked furiously as he fought back his tears. “She is my daughter, I created her, the circumstances of her life and her family have formed her, and one thing she understands and accepts is sacrifice. She knows that we won’t be coming for her, at least not right away, and she will forgive us for that. She won’t forgive us if we fail because of her.”

   “You don’t know Caleb,” Braith grated.

   “I don’t, but I know my daughter and she will put the greater good above herself.” Jack glanced at Gideon as he shifted nervously and lowered his head. “She would never forgive us if we rushed in and ruined everything. I want her back as badly as you do, but we will fail if we aren’t prepared. If we lose because we’re careless, what will they do to her after…?” It took a moment for him to regain his composure again. “I know you understand her; it’s why you let her go into that town in the first place. She won’t be caged, and she can’t be broken, no matter what they do to her. We must be organized, and fully equipped, if we’re going to have any hope of getting her back alive.”

   Braith remained still for a moment, then faster than the human eye could see he picked up the table and heaved it. The heavy slab of oak flew through the air before shattering against a tree across the clearing. Daniel and William jumped back as papers and debris scattered about their feet. David closed his eyes as his head bowed. He had stated his opinion, but he’d still hoped that Braith might choose the course of action they all knew to be wrong.

   “Get the supplies and make sure those vampires are here soon!” Braith snarled before he disappeared into the woods.