Dark Siren (Dark Siren #1)
To survive, their bond must be unbreakable.
When the mysterious and passionate Rhane rescues Kali from an attacker in the theater parking lot, they form an immediate, smoldering connection. But Kali doesn't remember Rhane or anything from their past. As far as Kali knows, she's just a seventeen-year-old kid coping with an insatiable hunger for the “spark” or energy of others, feeding on classmates to survive.
A unique artifact—one that may hold the key to returning Kali’s memories—is uncovered by the archaeology firm where she works part-time, sending Kali and Rhane on a dangerous journey that leads them to the Forbidden City, into the unforgiving Gobi, and into the ruins of Rhane’s ancient homeland. As they fight for survival, Kali begins to discover who she really is and the true power she possesses.
But Rhane still harbors a secret that could destroy Kali…unless old enemies kill her first.
About the Author
Born and raised in a small sunny town in South Carolina, Eden finds thunderstorms to be inspiring. There are few things she loves more (except maybe cake) than curling up with a good book on a rainy day, often reading into the wee hours of morning when something really grabs her. DARK SIREN is her exciting debut novel. BANEWOLF, the thrilling continuation of Rhane and Kali's journey, was released winter of 2013. Look for book 3 in 2014!
Author Links
I loved the uniqueness of this book, It had a paranormal element i had never read about before. The Siren part that is. I was hooked in from the start. I think the author did a great job with character development too.
The author keeps us guessing a bit to what exactly Kali is, as well as Rhane. I was a bit confused on all that too, but figured it was part of the suspense of the ongoing series. I think we will learn lots more in Banewolf, the 2nd in the series.
I was so shocked on how it ended, and really hope it really didn't end that way. Can't handle that kind of loss. lol, Can't loose a favorite character!
I really need book 2 now, but have to make myself wait for now.
If you like paranormal books, and some suspense, then you will enjoy this book.
I give this 5 out of 5 stars.
I received this book from the author for my honest review.
This review is also at Goodreads and Amazon.
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Chapter 4
The end credits rolled and Kali bolted straight for the exit. Looking back as she took the stairs, Kali saw the stranger had yet to rise from his chair. Everything about him was perfectly stationary, except his eyes. They tracked her every move. Beneath that unsettling gaze, her skin warmed. Her stomach fluttered. A bizarre sensation percolated in her fingers and toes. It was like nothing she had ever felt before.
Gasping as her foot missed the next step, Kali stumbled wildly down four more before she caught herself on the railing. She wanted to die. The room and everyone in it became a blur as she sprang back to her feet. Taking the remaining stairs two at a time, Kali shoved through the double doors that opened into the hallway. She didn’t stop until she reached the restroom and locked herself inside. Leaning against the sink, Kali tried to slow her breathing. She had never felt so stupid in her entire life.
She lifted her head. The person she saw wasn’t her. This girl was trembling. Her pupils were dilated, her cheeks flushed. Kali was suddenly very hungry…and not for human food.
“This shouldn’t be happening,” she whispered.
Pressing her forehead against the cool surface of the mirror, Kali brought her hand against the glass. “What are you?”
It took some time, but she eventually regained enough composure to face the world again. When she cautiously stepped into the corridor, it was downright deserted. No one, not even a theater worker, was in sight. Kali was relieved. At least if she made a fool of herself again, nobody would see it.
Kali made for the exit, and immediately got the impression of someone watching her. Half expecting to see the stranger having another laugh at her expense, she whirled around. No one was there. Why am I so jumpy? Relax.
But as she went outside, her anxiety only multiplied. She blamed it on the dark and crossed the parking lot as quickly as possible, searching for the car keys as she did so. Kali shook her purse and heard them jingle somewhere near the bottom. “Come on. Come on,” she said nervously. Someone or something was out there.
What if it’s the wolf again? Kali almost squealed aloud at the thought. Then she shook her head. She was being silly.
“I’m going to have to give up scary movies,” she muttered.
Clenching the keys in her fist, Kali closed the distance between herself and Greg’s SUV in four long strides. It was the only vehicle in sight. She climbed inside and promptly hit the door locks. Exhaling deeply, she started the ignition and vaguely wondered why the smell of stale popcorn filled the interior.
Maybe it’s the dumpsters. Her stomach rumbled, and Kali remembered that she had yet to have dinner. She glanced at the clock. There was time enough to grab something from a drive-thru before she needed to pick up Rozzy. A gruff whisper came from the back seat, interrupting her thoughts of fast food.
“Hey, pretty girl.”
Kali jumped violently. The eyes of the villain leered at her from the rearview mirror. Twisted onto his face was the smile of a predator. Her veins turned to ice. The sweaty pervert had broken into the car.
Easing her hand toward the door handle, Kali took a bet on the safety feature that would automatically unlock the door when pulled from inside. She didn’t take her eyes away from the man as she made her move, attempting to jump from the car before he could react. But the man’s size belied his speed. He seized a fistful of Kali’s hair and yanked hard enough to snap her head backward. She screamed. The sound became a painful gasp as her neck stretched over the head rest. Air couldn’t reach her lungs. Needles stung like fire, pouring through her scalp and radiating into her shoulders.
Kali really did not want to end up in the backseat with the maniac. She managed to hook both feet into the steering wheel. But her back was arched over the console, every fiber in her upper torso wrung beyond its limit. The pain was excruciating.
As the man continued to pull, a cry slipped from Kali’s lips. She had to do something. Kicking wildly at the keys dangling from the ignition, Kali finally hit the right spot. The horn blared repeatedly. The car’s lights began flashing. Panic buttons had a purpose after all.
“You’re going to pay for that,” he snarled into her ear.
He didn’t waste time delivering on that promise. With strength reflecting madness, the man pulled even harder. Tears blurred her vision and wet her cheeks. Pain gripped Kali’s head like a vise. It was difficult to see anything beyond it. She was either going to have to let go of the steering wheel or hide a bald spot the size of a small grapefruit.
Kali shut her eyes and let go. A second later, the pressure on her skull relented and she was snatched into the backseat. Her attacker’s enormous girth actually softened the impact. The smell of popcorn got stronger. Kali realized he was the source.
She struggled to reach for one of the rear passenger doors but couldn’t move. The man was holding her back with an iron grip. Something cold and sharp pressed against her neck. Kali froze. She prayed it was not a knife but knew in the same instant that it was.
“Where’s your boyfriend now?” he taunted viciously.
When she didn’t respond, he flicked the blade against the delicate hollow of her throat. Kali felt her blood trickle and went limp with fear. Behind her surrender, the man relaxed his hold. Hard calluses scraped against her soft skin as his hand explored her body. When his fingers slipped underneath her bra, she bit back a sob.
“I told you I’d put my hands wherever you wanted them.” He laughed. His belly quivered against her back. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
Her stomach rolled in revulsion, and Kali fought the urge to vomit. Clenching her teeth, she refused to make a sound. Fear was what he wanted. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she could not believe the attack was really happening. What a horrible way to start off the weekend. Raped and then killed, or killed and then raped, or just raped. The options weren’t looking so good.
“You’ve already met my little pet. He liked you but you got away.” He kissed her neck. “I’m going to have to show you how a little girl like you should behave.”
Kali whimpered. She didn’t want to think of what would happen next, knowing she was powerless to stop it.
Suddenly, the rear window exploded and shattered glass rained inside. Kali instinctively closed both eyes and turned her face. She felt the fat man’s body convulse and the knife fall away from her throat. Another window shattered. More glass flew. Someone was screaming. The villain. It was his voice shrieking into the night. Kali opened her eyes to see him being pulled feet first through the opposite window. But the opening was much too small to accommodate his bulk. The man’s face contorted with agony. Blood spilled where his skin split against broken shards of glass. Red streamers poured down the door panel. The villain had become the victim.
He cried out and clawed at the seat, desperate for anything to hang on to. He even tried reaching out to Kali. She plastered her body against the door to keep away from his flailing hands. Eyes bulging, his blubbery face vanished. His final scream was cut short.
Kali was shaking uncontrollably. She stared through the shattered window. Nothing but the empty night lay beyond it. The inside of the SUV had gotten a serious makeover. The leather was ripped. Blood covered the doors and seats. Greg is never going to let me use this car again.
Then a face appeared in the window. It was the hero, the stranger who had rescued her before the movie. Even while slipping into shock, Kali was somehow able to appreciate how attractive he was. The dimly lit theater hadn’t done the guy enough justice. Set aglow in street-light, his features were absolutely stunning.
“That’s twice in one night I’ve saved you.” His voice was calm and reassuring. Kali’s fear started to melt away. “Don’t move,” he told her.
But when his face disappeared, panic seized her chest. In the next moment, the stranger was behind her. His arms were gentle as they wrapped around her waist, tugging her free of the backseat. Kali’s knees buckled as soon as her feet touched the pavement. Every ounce of adrenaline was spent. She sagged against him. Strong hands steadied her.
“It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
Those soothing words would be the last thing she heard that night. The world around her muted as if someone had remotely pushed a button. Her vision dimmed. Black tendrils weaved between gleaming pin-points, blurring the sight of his face. And then there was nothing.
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