I steeled my back. Okay. I had to be strong. I wouldn’t fall apart, even if I was holding on by a thread. Once I got them safe—safe in their home, safe from me—then I’d cry and fall apart. Not that I deserved tears. I’d brought evil right to their doorstep. Colton and Thorn had been fine before me. I’d make sure they were fine again.
I thought I hadn’t been any of the things the people in this town had accused me of being. Instead, I’d been so much worse. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t do this one good thing and save the only good people I’d ever really known. I’d make this work.
Bolstering myself up to handle my exhaustion, I ran back through the school to grab Oliver’s truck. I drove fast. The streets were empty. Eerie didn’t begin to describe any of this. I shivered. Something was wrong with me. Maybe I was getting sick. I’d have to deal with it later.
Like a zombie, I managed to get them one at a time onto the gurney and pile them into the truck. I… I hoped I wasn’t hurting them. I just had to get them out. Get them home. Think… somehow. Of what to do.
My body shook and my teeth chattered, but soon I had them ready to go. Ray. Jacinda. Oliver. Aaron. With Kelly across their laps. Colton and Thorn squished into the front. I placed my hands on the side of the door, fingers gripping the cold metal.
I stood there, panting, trying to wrap my mind around the next steps when my gaze landed on the gurney. What the fuck had I been doing?
Inside the truck, Colton groaned, slumping into the driver’s seat. Right. Home.
Except my home, and all the frightening clown dolls, had been blown up. Poof. What house was closest? Thorn’s apartment? Colton’s house?
The Chees?
I got into the car, not knowing where I was headed until I put the car in drive. My knuckles were white, I gripped the steering wheel so hard. I had to squint into the darkness, and each action seemed to take me a second longer than it should. There was the road to the Chee house, but I took the turn too late and ran the truck up onto the curb. Sweat dripped down the back of my neck as I straightened the car and bounced back onto the road.
Later on, when I thought about that night, I couldn’t remember how I got everyone into the house. I just knew that I puked on the lawn, and the next thing I knew, I had signed my name to the note on the kitchen table. I thought it read, “I’m so sorry. All my love, Lacey.” But I could have been imagining it.
Sometime later, I found myself at a bus station. The truck was parked across three spaces, and I had a backpack and a handful of cash that was quickly depleted after I bought a ticket for Vancouver, Washington.
I was going as far north as I could get.
Collapsing into the musty smelling upholstered seat, I stared out the window. This would be my last glimpse of the desert—of my home. This darkness inside me? It was dangerous, and I couldn’t risk it hurting the people I loved.
I pulled my knees to my chin, shivering. Colton. Thorn. Oliver. Aaron. They were better off without me. If this was the only way I could keep them safe and show them I loved them, then it was what I would do.
No matter how much it hurt.
Please don’t stress, dear reader. Voices in the Darkness is well on its way to being released and you will see Lacey and the guys again. We promise. Their story is not anywhere near done (though the second book is). In the meantime, please turn the page for a complete list of our books and visit our reader groups to chat with us and other fans.
Ripley: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ireadripley/
Rebecca: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebeccasrandomness
We thank you for reading!
about rebecca
As a teenager, I would hide in my room to read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework.
I am the mother of three adorable boys and I am fortunate to be married to my best friend. I live in Austin Texas where I am determined to eat all the barbecue in town.
I am in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and try to use all of these elements in my writing. I've been told I'm a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. I love to write series because I love to see characters develop over time and it always makes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.
In my world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.
I'd love to hear from you! Please visit my website at www.rebeccaroyce.com to sign up for my newsletter and learn about my books!
Here’s where you can find me online:
Rebecca’s Randomness Reading Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/RebeccasRandomness/
https://www.rebeccaroyce.com
https://www.facebook.com/authorrebeccaroyce/
www.twitter.com/rebeccaroyce
Instagram: rebeccaroyce79
MeWe: RebeccaRoyce
Cheers!!
Rebecca
About Ripley
Author Bio:
Ripley Proserpina spends her days huddled near a fire in the frozen northern wilds of Vermont. She lives with her family, three magnificent cats, and a dog she doesn’t deserve.
Follow Her…
On the web: www.ripleyproserpina.com
Sign up for her newsletter here: http://bit.ly/2yfGRnV
Also by Rebecca
Wings of Artemis
Kidnapped By Her Husbands https://amzn.to/2BQdUxy
Rescued by Their Wife https://amzn.to/2Rr9as4
Crashing Into Destiny https://amzn.to/2VkyXRL
Meeting Them https://amzn.to/2BLPaXm
Reclaiming Their Love https://amzn.to/2GKAw8E
Loving Them https://amzn.to/2BKDmEK
Ship Called Malice https://amzn.to/2BNputj
Saving Them https://amzn.to/2SsrBtH
Dark Demise https://amzn.to/2VidXv3
Light Unfolding https://amzn.to/2GO6Yqr
Still Waters https://amzn.to/2CFePT8
Rising Tides https://amzn.to/2MCdTlM
Lost Star (coming soon)
Last Hope (completed series)
Tradition Be Damned
Past Be Damned
Destiny Be Damned
Compassion Be Damned
Future Be Damned
Dragon Wars (completed series)
Forever
Eternal
Always
Evermore
Endless
Wards and Wands (completed series)
Hexed and Vexed
Curse Reversed
Meow, Baby (novella, co-written with Ripley Proserpina)
Tragic Magic
Safe Haven
Everywhere and Nowhere
Dimension X (coming soon)
More coming soon….
Soul Bound
Prisoner of the Dragons
More coming soon….
Shadow Promised
Strange Days
Weird Nights
Bizarre Years
More coming soon…
The Warrior (completed series)
Initiation
Driven
Subversive
Redemption
Justice
Warrior World (spin off of The Warrior, completed series)
Deacon
Micah
Jason
The Westervelt Wolves (completed series)
Her Wolf
Summer’s Wolf
Wolf Reborn
Wolf’s Valentine
Wolf’s Magic
Alpha Wolf
Angel’s Wolf
Darkest Wolf
Lone Wolf
Fallen Alpha
Alpha Rising
Alpha’s Strength
Alpha’s Sacrifice
Alpha’s Truth
Alpha Enticing
The Capes (completed ser
ies)
Seductive Powers
Adrenaline Rush
Last Ascension
Illicit Minds
Illicit Senses
Illicit Connections
Illicit Alliance (coming soon)
The Outsiders
Love Beyond Time
Love Beyond Sanity
Love Beyond Loyalty
Love Beyond Sight
Love Beyond Expectations
Love Beyond Oceans
Love Beyond Flames
Love Beyond Lies
Love Beyond Death (coming soon)
Cascade (completed series)
Haunted Redemption
Phoenix Everlasting
Fragility Unearthed
Persuasion Enraptured
Reverse Harem Story (completed series)
Unconventional
Unexpected
Undeniable
Kiss Her Goodbye (completed series)
Hard Truths
Dark Truths
Deadly Truths
Shifter World
Planet Bear
Planet Wolf (coming soon)
The Swamp
Hidden
Pursued
Caught (coming soon)
Stand Alone Titles
Under The Lights
No Quitting Allowed
Mr. Wrong
Bite Marks
Bitten Surrender
The Vampire and The Virgin
Demon Within
Crimson Lust
Call Me Crazy
The Storm (writing with Ripley Proserpina) completed series.
Lightning Strikes
Thunder Rolling
The Deluge
Heart of the Nebula (writing with Heather Long)
Queenmaker
Deal Breaker
Throne Taker (coming soon)
Stupid Boys (writing with C.R. Jane)
Stupid Boys
Dumb Girl (coming soon)
Through the Gates (writing with Skye MacKinnon)
Purgatory City
Infernal Land (coming soon)
The Coveted (writing with Ripley Proserpina)
Eyes in the Darkness
Voices in the Darkness (coming soon)
Also by Ripley Proserpina
Books by Ripley:
Midnight’s Crown:
Briar
Shadow of Thorns
Diadem of Blood and Bones
Daylight’s Crown:
Rose
Echoes of Blood and Glory Coming soon!
The Searchers Series:
Finding Honor
Finding Nora
Finding Valor
Finding Truth
Finding Courage
Finding Strength
Finding Unity: (coming soon)
The Replacement Duet:
Forge and Fire
Iron and Ashes Coming soon!
Wishes and Curses Series:
Wrath and Ruin:
Revolution and Rising
Valos of Sonhadra:
Whirlwind
Standalones:
Just Jayne
The Darkest Fall
The Ice Bride
Missing Linc
While Beauty Sleeps
Co-Written with Rebecca Royce:
The Storm Series (completed):
Lightning Strikes
Thunder Rolls
The Deluge
Wards and Wands:
Meow, Baby
The Coveted
Eyes in the Darkness
Voices in the Darkness (coming soon)