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  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright 2015 by W.J. May

  Cover design by: Book Cover by Design

  Edited by: PBYP

  ––––––––

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews.

  ––––––––

  More Books Coming Soon!

  4 authors will each take a different daughter born from the Prince of Darkness, Vlad Montour. (Also known as Vlad the Impaler, an evil villain from history)

  Blair – Chrissy Peebles

  Jezebel – Kristen Middleton

  Victoria – W.J. May

  Lotus – C.J. Pinard

  Victoria, Book 1 by W.J. May

  Huntress, Book II by W.J. May

  Blair, by Chrissy Peebles

  Blair is half witch and half vampire. She lives with a coven of witches and hasn't had any contact with her vampire heritage. Blair is living the perfect life until one day, everything crashes down around her. She is forced to leave everything she knows and loves, and must go on the run to save her life.

  This is Blair's story by Chrissy Peebles. This is a novella. As a courtesy, the author wishes to inform you this novella does end with a cliffhanger. The next book will continue the story.

  ***This is an adult book series and this series does contain scenes for readers that are 18+***

  W.J. May Info:

  Website: http://www.wanitamay.yolasite.com

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-WJ-May-FAN-PAGE/141170442608149

  SIGN UP FOR W.J. May's Newsletter to find out about new releases, updates, cover reveals and even freebies!

  http://eepurl.com/97aYf

  Victoria

  Only Death Could Stop Her Now

  The Daughters of Darkness is a series of female heroines who may or may not know each other, but all have the same father, Vlad Montour.

  Victoria is a Hunter Vampire

  Description:

  Victoria

  Only Death Could Stop Her Now

  The Daughters of Darkness is a series of female heroines who may or may not know each other, but all have the same father, Vlad Montour.

  Victoria is a Hunter Vampire, one of the last of her kind. She's the best of the best.

  When she finds out one of her marks is actually her sister she let's her go, only to end up on the wrong side of the council.

  Forced to prove herself she hunts her next mark, a werewolf. Injured and hungry, she is forced to do what she must to survive. Her actions upset the ancient council and she finds herself now being the one thing she has always despised—the Hunted.

  This is Tori's story by W.J. May. This is a novella. As a courtesy, the author wishes to inform you this novella does end with a cliffhanger. The next book coming out in early Autumn (or sooner) will continue the story.

  ***This is an adult book series and does contain scenes for readers that are 16+***

  Contents

  W.J. May Info:

  Description:

  Preface

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  * * *

  Chapter 9

  Blair Excerpt

  COURAGE RUNS RED EXCERPT

  Blood Red Series:

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  * * *

  Chapter 4

  More from W.J. May

  Preface

  ––––––––

  Darkness – it’s the first thing I remembered and it’ll be the last thing I will ever forget.

  When I changed, it was dark and cold,

  Kind of like that book that starts out; “It was a dark and stormy night...”

  I should have been terrified, but I didn’t feel any fear. Something inside of me changed that night. Something died.

  That was a very long time ago...

  * * *

  Chapter 1

  The howling of the wind muffled another type of cry, which pierced the night air. I leaned over on the tree branch where I perched. Another scoundrel had been caught. They were getting harder to find these days. Time had caught up with the hunters. All the others had grown smarter or, more likely, run and hid. Survival of the fittest.

  Vampires were the strongest species. I believed it without a doubt.

  A branch snapped about forty feet away from me. I tensed and held my breath. I moved my arm to collect an arrow from behind me and nestled it into the bow. The black leather outfit I wore fit tight but snug. It made no sound, just moved like part of my body. All the hunters wore the same material. Another sound had me swinging the bow and aiming it a few feet in front of the tree I sat in.

  I blinked and focussed, trying to determine if the noise maker below me might be friend or foe. Vlad preferred to kill first, then check who it was. The guy was an idiot – and also my father.

  “Victoria?” Hamish called up.

  I kept my arrow trained on him and glared down, knowing my sapphire blue eyes would flash against the moon’s reflection. “What?” I barked.

  He ducked and cowered. “Don’t shoot me.”

  “What is it?” My hands remained in their position.

  “One of the dogs found a scent. He says it’s what you’re looking for.”

  Without hesitation, I slipped from the branch and fell the fifty feet. Midway down, I released the arrow still trained on Hamish. I landed like a cat, perfectly on my feet, and threw my head back to toss my jet-black hair over my shoulders.

  Hamish jumped and squealed. His reflexes were fast for a human, weak for a half vampire. He annoyed me, but he was loyal. One of the few I trusted. “You almost got me!” He touched his ear and swore. “You nicked my ear! I’m bleeding.”

  I smelled the blood before he noticed it. I could feel my eyes burn and knew they would be a bright sky blue now. The human part of him still smelled toxic. I blinked and ignored the burning in my throat. “You’re fine.” I tucked the bow in the case behind me and pulled the gun from the holster on my hip. I pointed it behind Hamish. “He’s not so good.”

  Some sort of Halfling or supernatural lay forever silent on the ground behind Hamish. How the idiot never heard it... I puffed a breath out. It didn’t matter. “Where’s the wolf?” I started in the direction Hamish had come, not bothering to wait for him.

  He raced to catch up, hanging close on my shoulder. “It’s by the water. It stinks like wet dog.”

  “So do you.” I sped up my pace and sniffed the air. The werewolf was maybe two hundred yards away. I edged my way close to the stream and leaped across. Hamish tried to copy and landed halfway in the water.

  Malcolm, my hunting partner, stood leaning against a tree waiting for me. He pointed to the black and gray wolf by the water. “Finally!” He pushed away from the bark and came to stand by the wolf.

  The wolf lifted its massive head and watched me with its amber eyes. He had to be nearly
ninety now. I’d had him since he was a pup. I rubbed his right ear, near the missing chunk of fur and skin. “What did you find, sweetie?”

  Malcolm snorted. “You talk nicer to the bag of fleas than anyone else.”

  I ignored him and grinned when Eddie growled from deep in his throat. “Don’t piss him off again, Malcolm.”

  Eddie backed away from my hand and moved around the large oak tree Malcolm had been leaning against. He came around the other side in human form. “The scent disappeared here at the water, I think she’s traveling in it to hide from us.”

  “She? Are you sure?” It had to be the one we wanted.

  Eddie nodded, his shaggy hair shaking in agreement. “Positive.”

  I looked at Malcolm, who seemed as surprised as me. “Can you tell which way she went?”

  Eddie pointed west. “I think this way. The current pulls the scent down so I’m guessing she went against it to try and throw you off.”

  I hitched my gun back in its holster. “Then let’s go. It’ll be daylight in a couple of hours and we’re going to need to find somewhere to go underground or out of sunlight. I don’t want her getting any more of a head start than she’s already got. She’ll be dead either tonight or tomorrow. Preferably this evening.”

  “I don’t know if she’s alone,” Eddie said quietly. He hunched down, uncomfortable in human form. He spent most of his time as a wolf now, and usually by my side.

  “She’s got a posse?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  I froze and sniffed the air. “I smell blood.”

  Malcolm and Hamish stopped behind me. “Lots of it,” Malcolm added.

  “Oh shit.” I started running. “It’s already begun.”

  “What has?” Malcolm kept up easily with my pace. Beside him, Eddie turned back to wolf form.

  I had no idea where Hamish was. He’d catch up eventually. It annoyed me I had to take him along. Three was not company. My dog didn’t count. “We’re hunting a witch. Or half witch, she’s not turned yet. The massive blood scent makes me think someone else wants her turned.”

  “Or wants her dead more than we do.” Malcolm squinted across the dark sky.

  Moments later I grabbed his jacket to hold him back. “Shhh!” I hissed, my incisors extending in excitement. “I hear her. She’s nearby. Listen to her heart.”

  I held my finger to my lips and pointed to the left. I moved toward the right, Eddie close on my heels. One of his paws caught on a branch. It snapped, cutting the crickets and insects of the nights’ songs.

  “Who’s there?” a soft, unsure voice called out.

  The crickets resumed their chirping.

  A gust of wind picked up and blew my hair into my face. Annoyed, I pushed it behind my ear. I edged my way to the heartbeat and motioned for Malcolm to come around the rear. He nodded. I crept through the foliage and stepped clear in front of it.

  A beautiful girl, looking about the same age as me, stood panting about twenty feet away. Dark hair, light, smooth skin. She had the potential to be beautiful, she just didn’t know it yet. The age thing might be deceiving though, I looked twenty, but had been born too long to remember when. I stared at her eyes; they had a purple hue. “You think you’re royalty or something?”

  Her hand clutched near her heart. She was scared, but strangely, she also seemed angry.

  “Looks like a lot of people want you dead.” I glanced down at her blood-splattered clothes. “Me, included.”

  The girl swallowed hard, her pulse thrusting against the artery in her neck. I licked my lips and felt the burning in my eyes as they changed. I held my breath, not wanting the scent of blood in my nostrils. It would only entice me.

  Her lips trembled. “I was just living this normal life, and suddenly everyone wants to kill me.”

  “I’m only interested in doing my job.”

  “Please let me go,” she begged.

  Seriously? Why did people still ask these days? “I can’t do that.” I shrugged. “You have something my boss wants.”

  She snorted. “Yeah, my powers.” She paused, as if trying to think of a way to stall the inevitable. “What’s your name?”

  I stared up at the sky then back at her. “Really? At this point, does it matter?”

  She straightened, her hands going to her hips. “I deserve to know the name of my executioner.”

  “Back in King Henry’s time, the job was held in high regard. Nobody knew the executioners. They were revered and feared.”

  The crazy girl held her ground. I could almost hear Malcolm chuckling behind her.

  “Tori. Think of me as a supernatural bounty hunter. Unfortunately for you, you’re my target. I don’t make the hit list. I just do what I’m told. We all have a job. It’s nothing personal.” My eyes burned again as my incisors pressed against the flesh behind my lips. I ran my tongue over them, their points sharp and familiar.

  She shook her head. “You smell like a vampire. I can’t believe you’d kill your own kind. How sick and twisted is that?”

  “Twisted is my middle name.” I glanced at Malcolm behind her. Did he know she was a half vamp? That wasn’t in her file. I pulled both guns from the holsters on my hips and pointed them at her. I’d had enough of this conversation.

  The girl sucked in a sharp breath and her hands began to glow.

  “Shit!” I crouched, ready to spring at her or away – whatever move was necessary. “Her magic’s been activated.”

  Malcolm raced to my side, glaring at the girl. “When?”

  I gripped my weapon tighter. “I’ve no idea.”

  He moved closer so our shoulders touched. “We should’ve been told about this.” He pulled the gun from his belt out.

  “This changes everything.”

  “She doesn’t know how to use it. She’s a baby wizard with nobody to guide her.”

  “Looks like she’s doing a good job to me.”

  “She’s winging it!

  The glow in her hands turned into a ball of fire. “She’s dangerous!”

  Malcolm stepped toward her. “She won’t kill us. I’ve studied her case file. She’s got way too many morals. She’s a nurse and lives to save people, not hurt them.”

  What was Malcolm thinking? You back any animal into a corner and they’re going to come out fighting, especially if the weapon’s aimed at them.

  “Just let me go.” The girl stared directly at me.

  I raised both guns and aimed them at her, daring her to move.

  Her hands glimmered stronger, glowing with energy. Red balls of light centered in the palms of her hands, some kind of sparkling electricity. Screw fireballs. This was some sort of sun ray, or something vampires couldn’t deflect.

  Eddie growled at my side, ready to defend me, even if it meant his own death. When the girl moved, he lunged at her. She threw crackling balls of fire at him. Dirt and leaves exploded all around us like grenades on a battlefield.

  “What happened to those high morals of hers?” I snapped at Malcolm as I scrambled to my feet.

  “Oops. I thought I had her pegged.”

  Oops? He nearly got us and my dog killed!

  The girl sprang into the overgrowth and sped off.

  I wiped the mud off my face and straightened. “I’m going to kill that bitch.”

  * * *

  Chapter 2

  “What’s the girl’s name?”

  “Blair something.”

  I glared at Malcolm as we walked in the direction the girl, Blair, had taken off in. “Eddie!” I called out. “Find her scent. Hundred bucks says she’s back in the stream. On purpose this time.”

  Hamish came crashing through the forest, arms floundering as he tried to avoid the brush and branches hitting his face. “What’d I miss?” He glanced around. “Where’s the mark?”

  “Running like a scared rabbit.” Malcolm glanced up through the trees. “We don’t have much time.”

  “Then we’d better not let her get
away a second time.” I sped through the forest, following Eddie this time. We moved with supernatural speed, leaving Hamish to try and keep up again. The guy was such a casualty. I didn’t understand the need to take him with us, except I had Eddie, and well, Malcolm had Hamish. I couldn’t argue.

  We trailed the water, close behind my werewolf. The sound of rushing water grew louder.

  “The water’s going to divide soon.” I pointed to my right, through trees we couldn’t see through.

  “How do you know?” Malcolm asked.

  “I can hear it.”

  Sure enough, the water split by rocks and a large sewer pipe drain. The distinctive smell of sulfur immediately rose through the grate. Eddie paused in his run to sniff the air and around the mud and rocks. He’d lost her scent.

  “I’ll go right, you head left.” Malcolm pointed to the sewer as he cut across the running water in one easy stride and continued along its bank.

  “Jerk.” I glared at his retreating figure and then followed the ribbed metal pipe, trying to hear anything. Eddie followed behind me this time. I bent down and touched the metal. The vibrations of dripping, bugs, and running water ran under my hand. “She’s too prissy to go down here,” I said to Eddie and then stopped. Another vibration ran through my fingers. A rhythmic pounding. Like someone running.

  Eddie released a low, guttural growl to get my attention. He repeated it again, his snout facing slightly to the left. The sewage had an extension.

  I rolled my fingers in the air, cueing Eddie to turn to human form. He moved behind the tunnel and changed. When he stood, I ignored his nakedness and tossed him the small spare shorts I always carried with me. He slipped them on, his human body still fit and smooth.