Prey (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

  New Crescent 3

  Prey

  When Jade Adams' abusive father dies, she's finally free to return to the place she calls home. She lands a plum job working with childhood crush, Sam Daniels.

  Sam is still as devastating as ever and he's showing an unexpected interest in Jade's sex life. Is there a chance he's stopped thinking of her as the tubby kid who'd thrown herself at him all those years ago? Does he see the vibrant woman she's become?

  With Christmas approaching and her friends around her, Jade's life in New Crescent is ideal. Ideal that is, until several people are found eviscerated. Is the killer a human or an animal? Even Sam's skills as a vet and Jade's amazing ability to communicate with animals fail to uncover the truth. After a few deadly close calls, Jade suspects that Sam isn't the only one interested in her. Has the killer caught her scent? Will she be next?

  Sensuality Rating: SENSUAL

  Genre: Paranormal/Romantic Suspense

  Length: 75,000 words

  PREY

  New Crescent 3

  Mary Lou George

  ROMANCE

  www.BookStrand.com

  A SIREN-BOOKSTRAND TITLE

  IMPRINT: Romance

  ABOUT THE E-BOOK VERSION: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to one LEGAL copy for your own personal use. It is ILLEGAL to send your copy to someone who did not pay for it. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book.

  PREY-NEW CRESCENT 3

  Copyright © 2008 by Mary Lou George

  E-book ISBN: 1-60601-072-7

  First E-book Publication: October 2008

  Cover design by Jinger Heaston

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2008 by Siren-BookStrand, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  www.BookStrand.com

  DEDICATION

  For Sue, my sister, my champion.

  PREY

  New Crescent 3

  MARY LOU GEORGE

  Copyright © 2008

  Prologue

  Bloodlust tore through its veins when it caught the scent and sight of its mate. Sex and death, when intermingled was so bittersweet. Resisting the urge to breed was exquisite torture, but how much better would the coupling be after the wait? Instinctively it knew now was not the time for them.

  Oblivious, people milled about unaware they were in the midst of greatness, ignorant of the danger walking amongst them. Their flesh and blood would be the food that fed its hunger until the time was right.

  Lifting its head, once again savoring the scent, tasting its flavor, it stared with naked need. Together they would create a supreme race the like of which the world had never known. A foamy drool threatened to drip from the corner of its mouth, the urge to change was almost beyond control. Its tongue darted out and caught the telltale saliva in one lightning quick motion. No one even noticed.

  Chapter 1

  “I do.” No two words were ever spoken so decisively and with them Regina Stanton became Regina Stanton McCann.

  It was about time too. Jade Adams finally had the sister she’d always wanted. Her stepbrother Chase had been in love with Reggie since they were kids. Everyone was overjoyed he’d finally won her love.

  Jade turned her head smiling at her new friends Hank and Maggie as they stood next to her. She rarely saw one without the other these days. It made her happy to see them. She figured everyone should have a mate, or a best friend, or whatever. Weddings seemed to bring out that desire in most people…except Jade. She knew that Hank and Maggie were as happy for Chase and Reggie as they were for recently betrothed, Travis Sinclair and Gillian Watson. The people of New Crescent were pairing off, but Jade had no desire to follow suit.

  “Here, have some before Reggie eats it all.” Sam Daniels stood before her with a piece of wedding cake in his hand. He smiled crookedly. “You’re way skinny. Don’t you ever eat?”

  Jade grinned back at him, but she had to tilt her head up, way up, in order to do so. At 5’ 2” she was much shorter than him. “I eat just fine.” She wrinkled her nose.

  Sam shook his head. “It doesn’t look like it. It looks like you haven’t eaten since you left here ten years ago.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, I was so tubby I didn’t need to eat in ten years.” Jade had been a roly-poly little girl, but happily not anymore. Now she had a lithe boyish figure without an inch of excess. Just to make sure that hadn’t changed in the last few minutes, she pressed a hand to her abdomen.

  Gaining confidence, she took a second and looked him up and down boldly. He was physically beautiful. It was hard to take her eyes off him. Six feet, two inches tall, Sam still maneuvered his perfectly proportioned body with great ease. He was an elegant man who fit in surprisingly well anywhere he chose to be. She’d had a wicked crush on him when she was a kid. So much else had changed since then, but one fact remained, Jade loved to look at Sam.

  He raised his glass of champagne and saluted her. They both laughed when he spilled some on his chin and had to wipe it up with his handkerchief.

  Jade’s eyes widened as a perfectly manicured hand took hold of his handkerchief and dabbed at his face. The owner of that hand leaned in and pressed red tinted lips against his. Sam’s date, Michelle Thompson, was just as beautiful as he was and hadn’t strayed far from his side. To Jade’s uncritical gaze she seemed okay, if a little out of place in their small town. They made a stunning couple though, both so impeccably turned out. Her long blond hair was the perfect foil for his thick dark hair. They belonged in a bridal magazine.

  He spared a quick glance for Michelle, but still addressed Jade. “I’d ask you to dance, but I’m afraid I might snap you in half.”

  In a low voice, she said, “Your dance card is full.”

  When she spoke, he blinked a couple of times then smiled at Michelle.

  “I can’t leave you alone for a minute.” Michelle pressed her incredible body against him. She grabbed his arm, stepped around Hank and Maggie and looked at Jade.

  “I go to the ladies room and he’s already found another woman.” She kissed him.

  Sam shook his head. “Jade could never be another woman. She—”

  Michelle interrupted him with a laugh. “Glad to hear it.” She smiled at Jade. “You don’t look the type, of course. You make a lovely bridesmaid.”

  Jade decided it was a compliment and smiled at her. “Thank you.” She touched the silk of her dress with her fingertips, enjoying the feel of the natural fiber against her skin. “Reggie’s always had wonderful taste.”

  Instinctively knowing when they were persona non grata, Maggie and Hank walked away silently. Jade wanted to go with them, but was too polite.

  Sam opened his mouth to speak to them as they melted away, but was interrupted by a gushing Michelle.

  “I love what she’s done to this house! I’m positively green with envy.” She squeezed his arm and pouted at him. “Now, when are you going to find a lovely house like this for me here in New Crescent?”

  Sam raised his eyebrows at her. “Believe me, there are no other houses like this one.” He exchanged a glance with Jade, and they both laughed.

  “
This one comes with its very own ghost,” Jade explained.

  “Don’t all old houses?” Clearly, Michelle wasn’t impressed. “I swear some realtors create them just to sell decrepit old places. People love that kind of stuff these days.”

  “I wonder if Constance, Reggie’s ghost, will make an appearance? Have you ever seen her?” Jade looked at Sam.

  He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not sure. Maybe on the night Chase and Reggie announced their engagement. I saw something suspicious in the garden. I didn’t investigate. I’ll leave the ghostbusting up to Chase and Reggie.”

  Michelle looked skeptical. “Surely you don’t believe in ghosts?”

  Jade smiled serenely and said quietly, “This is New Crescent. Of course I believe in ghosts.”

  Sam lifted his glass to salute her, and she took a dainty bite of the wedding cake he’d brought her.

  “Ah, that looks divine.” Michelle nodded at the cake. “Does it taste as good as it looks?”

  Jade closed her eyes with pleasure and nodded her head. “Mmmm.”

  She heard a noise from Sam and opened her eyes, but he was looking at his date.

  Michelle ran a hand down one hip and caressed her own thigh. “I don’t dare. There isn’t a spare inch in this dress.”

  “Well, you’re right there, sweetheart. How are you holding this thing up? Glue?” He laughed.

  She narrowed her eyes, looked at Jade smugly then turned back to her date. “We girls have our secrets, darling. You’ll find out exactly what’s keeping this up later tonight.” She took his hand. “Come and dance with me.”

  Ever the gentleman, Sam excused himself and let her lead him to the dance floor.

  “Nice girl. Just Sam’s type, the fool.” Jade turned to see Travis’s great aunt Ernestine standing beside her.

  Jade put her arms around the old woman. “Aunt Ernestine! It’s wonderful to see you. I’m so happy to be here at last.”

  Ernestine flashed a knowing smile. “It’s time you found your way back home. We need you here, my girl.”

  Jade put her cake plate down and linked her arm with Ernestine’s. “I’m on to you lady. You’re just being nice. But I appreciate it.”

  “I’m never nice just for the sake of it.” Ernestine patted Jade’s hand and straightened her shoulders regally. “I am a Guardian of New Crescent. I do not waste my words.”

  Amused by the old lady’s adjusted posture, Jade’s voice was filled with excitement. “Of course you don’t. And don’t think I forgot about the whole Guardians protecting-the-fortunes-of-New-Crescent-thing.” She started to walk with Ernestine to one of the tables. “I’m told Gillian and Reggie are Guardians too. Now there are three. Doesn’t the legend say there’s always supposed to be three?”

  Ernestine shook her head. “That part’s unclear. I was the only one for quite some time before Gillian showed up.”

  “Yes, I heard about that. Unexpected. Outsiders are rarely Guardians, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, my dear. It’s been a while since you were home, so you may not remember the way our town attracts people who possess knowledge beyond this world, people with special talents. People like Gillian. She felt the pull and made her way to New Crescent not knowing how badly she was needed. Usually gifts like hers are inherited from town founders, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Morgan Goode. Reggie got hers from Rebecca. She’s the last female in that line.” The composed old lady gave a rusty bark of laughter, “At least until Reggie has that baby she’s carrying.”

  Jade’s normally low, husky voice climbed an octave. “So it’s a girl?”

  “Now child, I didn’t say that.”

  “Yes you did! I’m going to have a niece! Yippee!” She clapped her hands and did a little twist. “I feel like dancing. Chase isn’t on the floor. I think I’ll nab him.” She helped Ernestine into a chair located in an advantageous position to watch over everyone.

  “Please excuse me, Aunt Ernestine,” she bowed, “but I think I’m gonna bust a move with my brother, the father to be.” She kissed Ernestine’s powdered cheek and walked away.

  Chase greeted her with a special smile. Jade liked to think that look was the one he saved for her alone. It overflowed with love but contained equal parts admiration and wonder. He was always so gentle with her, as if he was afraid she might break. She, of course, knew she wouldn’t and took pride in the fact that she was tougher than she looked.

  She looked up at her brother. The disparity in their heights was more than generous. Chase was 6’7” which was just fine for Reggie who topped out at 5’10”, but he was almost a foot and a half taller than Jade. When he was particularly happy, which Jade noted was just about every day lately, he fancied picking her up in his arms and carrying her around. For some reason she hadn’t yet fathomed, he didn’t like the idea of her walking anywhere when he could so easily carry her. When he learned of her desire to dance, he swept her up and walked to the dance floor. She accepted his exuberance with equanimity. He put her down in front of him and they danced like crazy for the next fifteen minutes. Their joy was infectious as Hank and Maggie joined them, prancing around and between them. They appeared to be dancing. Wedding guests watched, delighted by the spectacle.

  Jade burst out laughing as once again she was nudged and thrown off balance by Hank. Shrugging she looked up at Chase. “Only in New Crescent do you find dogs who dance with you.”

  As if understanding her words, Hank barked twice and appeared to smile.

  Chapter 2

  Breathless, she finally staggered off the dance floor and collapsed in a chair. The dogs promptly found another couple to dance with. With tireless energy on this happiest of days, Chase moved away, promising Jade a glass of water. She looked down at her bright red silk dress. She was wrinkling it, but was far past caring. The formal ceremony was complete, the wedding pictures taken, this was the fun part and she planned on enjoying herself.

  “I never knew it could be so difficult to get water at an open bar.” Chase handed a glass to her. “The bartender looked at me as if to say, ‘Hey dude, why not have a real drink, it’s free.’ I think I actually hurt his feelings when I wanted just plain water.”

  Taking a deep drink, Jade pretended to feel sympathy. “The poor fellow, I’ll make it up to him after I drink this. I’ll order something exotic, so he can showcase his talents.”

  Chase looked at her, and she could tell he was overflowing with emotion. That could only mean one thing. He wanted to bear hug her again. She gave him a quelling look, and he shrugged.

  “Well then, I’m going to go where I’m appreciated.” His warm gaze zeroed in on his bride, and he was gone.

  Sitting alone watching everyone celebrate made Jade happy. She was shy by nature and had a tendency to sit on the sidelines and watch the action. She liked it that way. Jade was never afraid of being alone. Not that she was ever truly alone. She always had company of another species. Today was no different. The music had slowed and walking off the dance floor by himself, Hank ambled over to Jade. She smiled at the big white beast serenely. This was a New Crescent wedding. Of course everyone brought their dogs. Jade had forgotten that fact and had left her own canine companion, Rags, behind. She regretted it and Hank, bless him, recognized her need for furry comfort.

  He was massive, an incredible specimen, a Great Pyrenees. He belonged to Gillian Watson, Jade’s fellow bridesmaid. Gillian was engaged to Travis Sinclair, one of Chase’s closest friends.

  Jade looked into the big dog’s eyes. As intelligent as any human, he blinked. He was happy, but ever vigilant. Jade knew that Gillian was nervous in crowds so she was happy to see that Hank kept a watchful eye on his mistress, despite the dancing. The tables of irresistible food were a great temptation to him, but he knew that sampling it uninvited would be impolite. And Hank was always polite.

  Jade smiled and stroked his majestic head. She knew in her heart that Hank would readily give his life for Gillian. He’d proven that. In his short life, the dog had know
n want and neglect. Gillian was the one who rescued him from it and, in so doing, earned his lifelong loyalty. Jade scratched his favorite spot behind an ear and broke eye contact.

  She could hear Sam and Michelle laughing on the dance floor. They danced well together. Big surprise. For a moment Jade regretted not bringing her own date then scolded herself for being foolish.

  She bent and whispered in Hank’s ear. “I don’t know what I’m mooning about. I don’t know any guy who’d have come with me to this wedding anyway.” It didn’t embarrass her in the least to be seen talking to a dog. “I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. I’ve dated men, kissed them, even had sex with a few. What’s the big deal? Sex is okay, but to tell you the truth, it’s a bit anticlimactic, so to speak. Maybe I’m just not cut out for passion the way some women are.” It made perfect sense to her that she’d closed the door on romance and hadn’t yet found an occasion to open it again.

  With narrowed eyes she looked deep into Hank’s opaque gaze. Distracted, he didn’t appear to be listening to her ramblings. She breathed a rueful sigh. Great, she’d bored even the dog.

  Her laugh got caught in her throat when she saw confusion then concern in the dog’s eyes. He bid Jade farewell with a doggy nod and trotted over to Gillian, who touched him instinctively as if knowing he was there, knowing he would come to her.

  “Whew. I tell you that man has stamina. Aren’t I the lucky one?” Michelle dropped on to a chair next to her. Jade offered her a sip of water, but she shook her head.

  “Thanks, Sam’s bringing me something.” She stroked her hand down the length of her long thigh, stopping just above the knee and shifted to adjust her couture dress. “What are you doing sitting all alone? I know most of the guys here aren’t quite top drawer, but surely there’s someone you could dance with. I mean other than your brother, of course.” She smirked.