Prologue
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
The beautiful blonde froze.
Silence.
She peered down the darkened corridor of the cellar beneath the Vaengar Stadium. No one.
The Morgon with black hair and black eyes at the bar had told her the restroom was this way. The only sound was the wafting crackle of the torches. The only sight was long shadows cast by flickering flame. An eerie tendril of fear snaked up her spine. Even half-drunk, something primitive warned her of danger, like the innate foreboding a deer senses when the tiger stalks unseen from the trees.
She shook it off, flipped her long hair over one shoulder, and walked on, knowing the restroom must be just around the bend up ahead.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
She stopped again and spun around, unable to tell from which direction the sound came.
“Bennett? Is that you?” A hollow echo of her voice reverberated down the empty corridor. “Stop it! You’re scaring me.” The last came out a faint whisper. A presence—corporeal, malevolent, and drawing closer—plunged her into icy fear. Her pulse quickened. A hiss of wind pressed the thin fabric of her mini-dress to her thighs. The flame on the wall guttered to nothing, then relit anew.
Tick.
Tick.
Directly behind her. She whirled and stared up at a massive Morgon man who stood only feet away. A behemoth silhouetted by the flambeau. His pointed wings, half-open and huge, kept the rest of him in shadow, as if the light itself repelled him. She could see nothing but his eyes—amber orbs with serpentine slits, bright as the torch-flame. Her breath hitched in her throat. She fell back against cold stone, scraping her bare shoulders against the rough cavern wall.
He passed near a sconce, the light illuminating hard, angular planes, the ancestral lines of the dragon sculpting his face in stark relief—more beast than man. Her heart thrashed against her ribcage.
“I—I lost my way, I think. I should go.” She gestured in the direction she had come, inching along the wall.
He moved with lethal grace, angling closer in slow, even steps.
Tick.
Her gaze dropped to his large hand. Claw-tipped fingers spread wide, the sharp nail of the index tapping the stone. She bolted left, only to find a wall of six Morgon men blocking her exit. They’d materialized out of the shadows in silent stealth. Unmoving, watching. Backing against the wall, she swiveled her head from those blocking her path to their master stalking closer.
“What—what do you want from me?” Her voice cracked, primal fear ripping through her gut.
By now, she’d reached the pinnacle of terror, petrified in place. Tangible evil seeped into her skin as the sinister creature loomed, enveloping her in his shadow. Something screamed for her to run, while a compelling power rolling from the beast kept her pinned in place. It was as if his very presence demanded obedience, subservience.
The beast braced one arm next to her head, her panic filling up the confines of their space. He inhaled a deep breath, drinking her fear in like the sweetest nectar.
“Will she serve, my lord?” A voice of authority from one of the Morgons in shadow—sultry but edged like a razor.
Her chest rose and fell, drawing the beast’s gaze. He leaned closer, trailing one claw lightly over her swelling breasts. Viper-swift, he clamped her mouth with his other hand, stifling her screams, and continued his exploration of her naked skin with the blade-like nail. Her rapid pulse beat frantically at the base of her neck.
“Perhaps.” One word, grating and broken. The voice of a monster.
He snaked his claw across the bottom of her throat, then down the line of her cleavage, pressing just enough to scrape the skin, a thin line of red rushing to the surface. Keeping her immobile with his crushing weight, he scraped a drop of blood from her breasts. He opened his mouth, revealing a row of sharpened teeth, the canines most prominent. Reeking of menace and power, he licked the tip of his claw.
“Perhaps.”
His voice fell to a raspy whisper. A rumbling growl rattled her bones. A flash of flame and shadow and all was black.
Waking the Dragon
Vale of Stars
Book One
Juliette Cross
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Date of Publication: June 9, 2015
ISBN: 978-161650723-7
ASIN: B00ONTR98A
Number of pages: 288
Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs
Book Description:
The Gladium Province is on the verge of civil unrest as humans and Morgons, the dragon-hybrid race, clash once more. But amid disorder can also arise passion…
When the bodies of three human women are discovered in Morgon territory—with the DNA of several Morgon men on the victims—it’s just a matter of time before civil unrest hits the Province. But for ambitious reporter Moira Cade, it’s more than just a story, and it may mean risking her own life.
Descending into the dark underworld of Morgon society, Moira is paired with Kol Moonring, Captain of the Morgon Guard, for her protection. Fiercely independent, Moira bristles at his dominance, and defies his will at every turn. Yet resistance proves futile when passion flares between them, awakening powerful emotions within both, body and soul. But as the killings continue, can their fiery newfound bond survive an even greater evil—one that threatens all of humanity, Morgonkind, and Moira’s very soul?…
Available at Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Kensington – ARe
** Check out My 5 Star Review HERE! **
Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance–brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.
Juliette is a multi-published author, including her Nightwing series with Kensington Publishing and The Vessel Trilogy with Samhain Publishing.
Website – Amazon Author Page – Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest – Goodreads – Newsletter
Tour Giveaway
$20 Amazon GC
2 bundles of Soulfire and Windburn, books 1 and 2 in the Nightwing Series
tracee
June 16, 2015 at 8:30 pm
Sounds like a great read. I love a good mystery with a bit of excitement thrown in.
Amy Bowens
June 16, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Sounds like an interesting read!
Sandy S
June 11, 2015 at 2:31 pm
I have this one on my TBR list…loved the novellas. Great series. Congrats to Juliette on the new release !
Angela
June 12, 2015 at 1:15 pm
Sandy thank you for checking out this stop and good luck in the giveaway!
Juliette Cross
June 13, 2015 at 9:05 pm
Thank you so much, Sandy! So happy you enjoyed the novellas. Not too much longer and the third will be out. 🙂
JoannaM
June 11, 2015 at 10:42 am
I’m just getting into the dragon shifters wave so this appeared on my radar just in the nick of time. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Angela
June 12, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Always happy to help a fellow reader discover a new series, genre, or author. Thank you for stoping by Joanna and good luck in the giveaway.
Rhianna
June 11, 2015 at 7:40 am
I love dragonshifter books and this sounds right in that vein. I am so going to have to check this out.
Rhianna recently posted…Cover Reveal: FORBIDDEN THINGS: DISSIDENT by Nikki McCormack [+ #Giveaway!]
Angela
June 12, 2015 at 1:13 pm
I’m like you Rhianna I LOVE dragon shifters too and I try to get my hands on them when I can. I have enjoyed a verity of dragon books and Juliette does an interesting twist on them. I hope you enjoy and good luck in the giveaway.
Juliette Cross
June 11, 2015 at 5:19 am
Thank you for hosting me today and for the wonderful review, Angela!
And thanks, Mai, for the compliment. 🙂
Angela
June 11, 2015 at 7:45 am
It was my pleasure to feature you today Juliette and I just love your dragon books. Looking forward to more! ^_^
Juliette Cross
June 13, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Yay, Angela! Such music to my ears. Lol! Lots more to come. 🙂
Angela
June 14, 2015 at 7:22 am
I can’t wait Juliette. Love your dragons and looking forward to more amazing books from you!
Angela recently posted…Sunday Post/Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged #66
Mai T.
June 11, 2015 at 1:45 am
Impressive cover and intriguing excerpt!
Angela
June 12, 2015 at 1:12 pm
I agree Mai it’s a great cover and excerpt! Have a great day.