Dark Siren (44 page)

The thing spoke. Cal reeled, stunned by the quality of its voice, like serrated knives against rough granite.
What do you want?

Summoned by the creature, images of Kali poured into his mind. Her laughter, her body, and her lips appeared before him as clear as the day. Cal’s hands curled into fists. “Don’t you dare go near her.”

The images changed. Instead of Kali, the thing in the darkness showed Cal someone else. It was the imposing stranger, the guy with the weird eyes who had taken away the girl he loved. The shadow lured him closer.

“I don’t understand.”

The creature’s answer grated into Cal’s head.
Have all you want and more. I will give you her. And I will give you power.

“And what would I have to give you?”

Gabriel stood, revealing himself. His immense form filled the room. Both shoulders remained hunched, unable to straighten beneath the low ceiling. A thin web of moonlight filtered in through the window, reflecting eerily upon his leathery gray hide. Cal was terrified. But what the creature offered lessened his fear, appealing to some darkness in Cal’s nature the boy hadn’t known existed. He took another step. The step put him closer to Gabriel, too close to turn back.

“I said… what do I have to give you?”

It had gotten so cold. Cal’s breath came out in white puffs. But he barely noticed. The creature moved toward him, lowering its massive head to meet the boy’s face. Cal didn’t flinch away.

Gabriel finally answered.
Your soul.

THE END

Author Bio

EDEN ASHLEY
was born and raised in a small sunny town in South Carolina. But it’s the summer thunderstorms that have inspired her best ideas. When she’s not writing, there are few things she loves more than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee on a rainy day, (except maybe chocolate cake. She loves cake.) often reading into the wee hours of morning when something really grabs her.
Dark Siren
is her first novel. Don’t miss the reunion. Get the thrilling sequel,
Banewolf
, in 2014!

Join Eden Ashley’s website at http://edenbynite.blogspot.com and get the latest news on Dark Siren and the upcoming sequel.

If you loved
Dark Siren
, like Eden Ashley on Facebook to get news about the paperback release (which will include a three chapter excerpt of the sequel) and to see the unveiling of Banewolf’s cover! https://www.facebook.com/EdenAshleyAuthor

Aspiring writer? Follow Eden Ashley on Twitter: Eden_byNite, for writing tips, publishing help, and daily updates.

T
o Pixie

You were mean. You were patient. You were overly critical. You made me spend an entire year rewriting this book.

In short, you were everything this story needed.

Love you to the moon!