Dark Siren

Eden Ashley

Dark Siren is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Eden Ashley

All rights reserved. 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 critical articles and reviews.

Smashwords Edition

Summary: 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...

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Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Epilogue

Preview Banewolf

About the Author

Other Works

PROLOGUE

The sound of her screams reached him as he neared the dorm. Pausing at the threshold, the man stepped inside. Death and the wind were at his back. Dozens of hollow-eyed students turned to observe his presence. Fear had twisted their youthful faces into horrific masks. A few of them wept. Others clung together as another scream echoed into the night. The man flinched. Then he steeled himself against all emotion. His kind was supposed to feel nothing.

He made his way through the crowd, students eagerly shuffling aside to let him pass. It was as if somehow they sensed in him the power to end her suffering. When a young man dressed only in boxers and a lettered shirt stepped forward from a cluster of solemn dorm mates, the man stopped. He recognized the boy.

You are William. You are the one who called.

Yes, sir, the young man said while nodding. His eyes were wide and frightened as he pointed ahead to a closed door painted prison grey. She’s in there, sir.

The man looked at the door, and then back at the boy. Is she alone?

William’s shoulders slumped with embarrassment. I tried to stay with her but… his voice trailed, dropping to a hoarse whisper. She looks bad, sir. She wouldn’t stop screaming for me to get out. I got scared. I’m sorry.

It’s alright, son. You have done well. The man laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder with an encouraging smile that reflected none of the sadness he felt. She’s going to be okay.

But her cries were becoming more tormented by the second. He quickly continued down the hall to the grey door. Behind it, he found her all alone. Her thin, pale body was curled on a beaten sofa in the center of the room. She was drenched in sweat. Dark hair plastered against her face, framing a beautiful canvas contorted with anguish. He placed a hand gently on her forehead.

Her eyes fluttered open. Daddy?

I’m here, sweetheart. Everything is fine now.

Sobbing in relief even as another surge of agony ransacked her strength, she gritted her teeth. It hurts.

Squeezing her hand, he spoke in a voice thick with regret. I know. I’m sorry. Letting you come here was a mistake. I’ve waited too long.

She was lost in the pain and didn’t seem to hear him. I see horrible things. I did horrible things. There was so much blood.

It hurt him terribly to see her in such distress. No matter what the others said, this girl had truly been his daughter. But right now, his love for her could not matter. He had a job to do. There were things he needed to know. There were questions he had to ask.

What do you see?

"Bodies, hundreds of bodies littering the ground… The words broke off as she rolled with another wave of misery. They’re burned…old and young, women and children. She sobbed again. I think I burned them."

I’m going to give you something to stop the pain. It will help you sleep.

Please hurry, Daddy. Make it stop. Her body shuddered. I can’t take any more of this.

She lifted her head, giving him a good look at her face. Surging veins had crept like black spiders from the corners of her eyes, transforming the surrounding skin into dark pools. She was deteriorating rapidly. If the process wasn’t slowed, the human form would soon be lost. He kicked himself for making such a foolish mistake, for letting emotion get in the way of duty. It could have jeopardized everything. He hurried into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later carrying a red mug filled with steaming liquid. Can you sit up? She nodded and struggled upright. She took the mug. Drink all of it, he said and helped steady her hands.

The liquid smelled awful. But after the first sip, her violent trembles began to subside. She downed the rest without hesitation, draining the mug until the last drop was gone. The grey tint that had taken over receded as the color of her skin returned to normal. The girl peered at her hands. They no longer shook.

An uncertain smile spread across her face. It’s over.

He shook his head. No. We must start over, he said sadly.

I don’t understand.

He stood from the couch and held out a hand. Come with me.

What? She yawned sleepily. Everything about her was like a normal teenager again. Dad, I can’t. I have finals tomorrow.

Come with me, he repeated.

She took his hand and let the empty mug fall to the couch. He led her out into the hall where everyone waited anxiously, some visibly grateful to see the young woman leave. Averting her gaze to the floor, she avoided their eyes. Everyone’s staring, she muttered.

They were worried about you. He reached back and drew the girl forward to his side, planting a kiss atop her hair. As they reached the front door, he saw her try to stifle another yawn. Even the crisp night air couldn’t shake the veil of drowsiness that would lower over her mind.

Dad, I’m really tired.

You can sleep on the way. He smiled again. To him, the reassurance felt forced and painful because on the inside, his heart was breaking. He hoped his daughter wouldn’t know it.

Wrapping her arms about him, she hugged him tightly and buried her head into his shirt like she had when she was little. On this night, he couldn’t hug her back. Afraid that if he did, he wouldn’t be able to let go. What he had to do was cruel. He wished he didn’t have to. To have so much power and still be powerless was a wretched existence.

#

It was daylight when she awoke. The car wasn’t moving and the girl was alone inside. She recognized nothing of the surroundings, had no idea how far her father had driven. It wasn’t unusual for him to whisk her away on a spur-of-the-moment weekend getaway to the beach. Her father’s spontaneity was one of the things she loved most about him. But this wasn’t the beach. And the girl was positive she’d mentioned to him that she had a final to take—she glanced at her watch—in three hours. Sighing, she opened the door and slid out of the car. The sound of a child’s laughter came drifting through the trees. Joined with it was another voice she easily recognized.

With growing curiosity, she started up the hill. Her feet sank into the moist carpet of undergrowth as she walked beneath trees of brightly changing foliage. Fallen heralds of orange, red, and yellow hues blanketed the ground. Not far away, on the other side of a patch of dense forest, the girl found her father. Oddly enough, he was entertaining a small child. The two of them sat in an amply filled sand box, busily constructing a castle with the aid of a small bucket and plastic shovel. The little girl’s hair was like her own, as black and shiny as a raven’s feathers. She was four years old at most.

Looking up, her father saw her. No emotion crossed his face. Hello.

She stopped a few yards short. Hi. After the mostly uphill hike, her reply was somewhat breathless.

Hi, the child greeted her happily. Deep brown eyes and a winning smile made her truly a rare beauty, even at such a young age.

The young woman turned to her father, her entire face a question. She waited for some sort of explanation.

His golden hair ruffled in the breeze as he nodded toward the child. I found her for you.

She shook her head. I don’t understand. Where are we?

Please come and sit, he said quietly.

Hesitant at first, her feet didn’t move until the little girl echoed the man’s words, Please come and sit with us.

She accepted the invitation and sat in the sandbox. Her legs automatically folded to mirror the child.

Did you dream last night?

No.

Good. I’d hoped the tea would help. He took her hand. His grasp was both tender and desperate. I promise you, this will be the last time.

What’s going on? Although she trusted her father with her very life, his behavior worried her.

As they conversed, the little girl had never paused at play. And this is the tower for the princess, she announced proudly, while molding a lopsided chunk of sand.

Her father gazed down at the child fondly. Why does the princess need a tower? Shouldn’t princesses be allowed to be free?

The child paused thoughtfully. Then she shook her head, sending a mass of radiant curls bouncing in the morning sun. No. The prince can’t find her unless she’s in a tower.

He smiled and turned to his daughter again. Yes…it is time for the prince to find her.

He took the child’s hand and pressed it into his daughter’s. The young woman stared in bewilderment as a warm glow filled her inside and out. Then, as if someone had flicked a switch, everything went dark. She slumped forward. The man caught her lifeless body, easing it down gently onto the sand. Then he leaned over and kissed the child’s forehead softly. I will always be close. Not moving, the child sat wide-eyed, staring blankly at nothing.

Hoisting the body of the young woman into his arms, he quietly strode away with tears streaming down his face. The trees hid him from view as the little girl blinked twice and resumed building the tower in the sandbox.

Chapter 1

Thirteen years later…

In the small town of Ridge Creek, South Carolina, a typical fall day often boasted temperatures reaching the upper sixties. With cloudless skies, endless sunshine brought those numbers even higher. Today was different. A cold front had blown in from the north. There were a few townspeople that resented it, but most welcomed the change. At least for high school girls, it made for a rare opportunity to show off their stylish overcoats and knee-high boots.

Seventeen-year-old Kalista was less concerned about fashion and more worried about not killing the boy who currently had his tongue stuck in her ear. The trendy jacket she had worn to school that morning lay in the grass, tossed aside only moments before. But Kali was oblivious to the chill. If anything, the icy air made a nice contrast to Trevor Walker’s warm embrace. Each time his fingertips grazed her bare skin, she shivered. If Trevor got his way, a lot more of her clothing would join the jacket in the dirt.

He nuzzled Kali’s neck, pulling her closer. Her body gave in to him willingly, while her mind channeled all its energy into rigid concentration. That concentration slipped a fraction when Trevor lifted her onto his lap. You have good upper body strength.

She took a second to acknowledge.

He mumbled something unintelligible.

What?

Trevor paused mid-kiss. "I said you have a great body."

Thanks, she replied with little enthusiasm. It wasn’t the most original compliment.

Kali had remained flat and straight until her second year of high school. But in the summer that followed, she had eaten an hourglass. Ample curves appeared out of nowhere to fill out Kali’s athletic figure, exponentially complementing her already olive-skinned, dark beauty. A well-above average height lent her the illusion of maturity, and people constantly mistook Kali for a college student. More than one old geezer had tried picking her up. Teenage girls envied her, but most of the time Kali felt like a freak. Her secret urges only added to that feeling.

As a sophomore, the hunger got worse. Kali’s feedings gradually increased in frequency and intensity. But the population of teenage boys available for mealtime remained the same. So the newfound sex appeal had benefits. It made boys want her. She needed them. Everyone was happy. Well…everyone except for Callan.

One of Trevor’s hands moved higher beneath her shirt and edged toward the band of Kali’s bra. His gaze was questioning, as if to ask, is that alright? Kali smiled. That’s just what I needed.

Closing her eyes as he leaned in to kiss her again, she thought of Trevor. She pictured the person that he was and what he must look like on the inside. She found the spark that made him, that was him, and concentrated until it became bigger and brighter. Then she called to it softly, drinking at its edges. The feeling that had plagued Kali for days began to subside as her hunger slowly dulled. His spark remained bright. He was strong.

Trevor pulled away with an expression that was a little confused. Kali? He sounded dazed.

She looked at him through lowered lashes, bringing her lips to his in a heated kiss. Then her mouth left his lips and trailed down to his neck. She slid his collar aside and kissed his shoulder, nibbled at it slightly. That did the trick. Trevor was suitably distracted. And Kali dared to drink deeper. As she was beginning to feel satisfied, Kali was interrupted by the high pitched screaming of Trevor’s girlfriend, Stacy.

Trevor?! Ohmigod! Trevor!

All it took was a second. Kali lost focus, and the flow that was being carefully drawn away, spiked. His spark dimmed alarmingly. She broke away, but not fast enough. Trevor slumped over to the ground and didn’t move.

Crapola, Kali muttered. She threw a resentful glare at the brunette.

Stacy was screaming again. Ohmigod, you tramp! You total slut! What did you do?

Hurriedly, Kali bent down alongside him. He was still breathing.

Get away! Stacy yelled. Get away from my boyfriend. She rushed over and shoved Kali backward.

It was a struggle, but Kali remained calm and kept her voice level. He’s okay. He’ll be fine. Give him a sec.

With perfect timing, Trevor sat up, rubbing his head. His face was blank. Then it turned brilliant red as he took in the two young ladies facing off. Hi, Stacy.

"Hi?" the girl repeated. Is that what you have to say to me? Helping him up from the ground, she steadied him before shoving angrily at his chest. "Why her? Anyone but her, you pig."

On that note, Kali walked away while the two of them were busy arguing. She overheard Trevor begin an explanation ripped straight out of a cheater’s handbook of lame excuses.

It’s not what it looked like.

"Then tell me what it was—because it looked like you were making out with Kalista Metts under the bleachers!"

Swinging her long legs over the fence, Kali landed easily on the other side. A purple messenger bag sat leaning against the chain links exactly where she had left it. She grabbed it and jogged across the field, taking the rear entrance to the gym in a hurry. The clock over the basketball court displayed a time that meant the period would be ending soon. Kali was grateful for it. Once Stacy finished with her two-timing boyfriend, the girl would certainly seek out the evil seductress who had lured Trevor astray. But the bell sounded and Kali was saved. She quietly slipped out of the gym just as the happy couple reentered.

In less than an hour, the backlash hit. It was lunchtime. As usual, Kali sat alone at one of the blue, circular tables until her boyfriend, Callan, joined her. He was one of the tallest boys in the school and a star athlete, great at anything that involved hitting or carrying a ball. With perfect blond hair and flawless skin, Callan was also one of the best looking guys around. Needless to say, he was very popular.

He and Kali shared a volatile, on-again, off-again relationship. When he pushed her buttons, she retaliated by taking a steel bat to his. But for some reason the guy had stuck. Kali figured him to be some kind of glutton for punishment.

Cal walked over to their table. His gorgeous blue eyes were stormy. Kali focused on her lunch as he neared. He took the seat beside her, slamming his lunch tray down before he sat. Kali didn’t flinch or look up. If he wanted her attention, acting like a Neanderthal wasn’t going to win it.

I just heard the craziest thing… he trailed off, no doubt noticing the painstaking detail with which she was eating a stale slice of cheese pizza. Babe, will you look at me? When Kali did, he continued, Stacy broke up with Trevor.

She took another bite of lukewarm pizza. How is that news?

Those two have been going out since grade school. She’s crazy about him.

Oh. Maybe it was time for a change then, she said flippantly.

Cal worked his jaw. He was pretty sexy when he was angry. The word is that Trevor was caught red-handed, spit-swapping with another girl beneath the bleachers. A girl who looked a lot like you. Can you explain that to me?

Kali wasn’t a slut. And she didn’t necessarily enjoy stepping out on her boyfriend. But she couldn’t draw energy from Cal again. She couldn’t revisit that darkness…

So realistically, it was either kiss other boys or experience the agonizing pain of starvation that came with not feeding. But Kali couldn’t possibly tell him that. She shrugged, feigning indifference. What’s there to explain?

Cal pounded his fist on the table, causing several students nearby to jump. His temper was nothing to kid around with. Once he had slammed a teammate’s face into a locker because the guy made the mistake of making a joke about Cal’s family life. Nearly two years ago, at the age of sixteen, Cal emancipated himself from an abusive home. The same tenacity that ensured his survival often collided with Kali’s bull-headedness. "Tell me why my girlfriend is letting some other guy feel her up again."

She hesitated, her eyes studying Cal. He was leaving soon anyway. Rip the bandage off. Kali took a deep breath. Maybe you should go find your girlfriend and ask her.

He didn’t even blink. Maybe you should grow up and decide what you want.

The remark instantly pissed her off. Kali hated it when Cal talked down to her like she was child. He knew that but did it constantly anyway. Stabbing her fork into the pizza, Kali narrowed her eyes. I don’t know what I want. But I do know what I don’t want—you or this crap right now.

You don’t mean that.

Kali stood up, banging her chair back. The whole cafeteria went silent. With a dark glare, she turned away from Cal and started to leave the room. He caught her arm. The cold look in his eye stopped her from jerking away.

Pulling Kali outside, Cal closed the door behind them. Then he put his face directly into hers. I’ll get over this. You know it. But this slutty trash you keep slinging around school isn’t making you any friends.

Cal was right on so many levels. And it was selfish to keep him around, to keep hurting him just for the sake of feeling like a normal girl who had a normal boyfriend. End it now. She moved her face even closer to his, showing no sign of backing down. You’re going to college in a few months. This will mean nothing to you when a twenty-one year old sorority Barbie is sitting on your knee helping you chug a beer.

Is that what this is about? Jeez, Kal. Just because I’m going away to school doesn’t mean it has to be over between us.

Callan, we barely make this relationship work as it is. How on earth do you expect us to make it long distance? We’ll be over next summer, so why wait until then? It’s not honest.

That’s ridiculous. You cheated on me because you think we’re going to break up five months from now?

I didn’t cheat on you.

Throwing both hands up, his eyes flew wide with bewilderment. What would you call it then, a casual exchange of DNA?

She explained it as simply as she could. He had something I needed.

Why, Kali? Why can’t I be what you need?

She bit back the first reply. Something about you is too dark, and feeding from you makes me want to hurt people. The next one wasn’t good either. Your spark can’t satisfy me, Cal. The last time I took from you, I slapped my science teacher and almost got expelled. At a loss for a response, Kali said nothing.

Her silence had always driven him nuts. Looking as if he were at his wits end, Cal did what he usually did whenever they had a fight. He walked away.

Chapter 2

Kali missed the bus that afternoon. If she had gotten to the stop three seconds earlier or run the last fifty feet a little bit faster, she would not have had to walk home. At least the subdivision she lived in was only a few miles from school. And there was a shortcut; taking it was almost as fast as riding the bus. Wooded trails started in the schoolyard, meandered through Ridge Community Park, and finally dumped right into a cemetery that practically resided in the backyard of Kali’s subdivision. Good thing it wasn’t a creepy one.

Kali looked up. No rain had been forecast, but the clouds had darkened enough to threaten it. She quickened her pace. Cutting through Hall’s Cemetery, she passed wrought iron gates that framed an especially beautiful scene of autumn. Dozens of maple and tulip trees lined the graveyard. Transformed near death, the foliage had ripened into a pretty assortment of red and golden hues. Hundreds of fallen leaves littered the ground. And when a light drizzle began to fall, they became slippery beneath Kali’s feet.

The gate was less than a hundred yards behind when the shadow darted across her peripheral. She turned her head quickly to the right. Nothing was there except trees and old headstones. Not one to be spooked easily, Kali continued on without changing her steady stride. Seconds later, there was more movement ahead. Someone or something was in the cemetery, moving incredibly fast. She was sure of it. Hearing a noise behind her, Kali stopped walking. She looked around but saw nothing. Starting forward again, Kali froze.

An abnormally large wolf blocked the path. Clumps of matted, brown fur covered most of its body, but in some spots, patches of bare skin were exposed. It was locked in place, silent, head lowered. Its menacing red eyes glared at Kali. She was too scared to move. Almost afraid to breathe.

The animal’s lips peeled back to reveal several rows of darkly colored teeth that oozed with black saliva. Seeing those fangs helped shake Kali from her trance. Backing away slowly at first, she broke into an all-out run. She left the path, darting between mausoleums and stepping on graves, hoping the dead wouldn’t mind her intrusion. Kali was running as fast as she could. But the wolf was gaining. She could feel its hot breath on her neck.

Over the thudding of her heart, came the sound of another pursuer crashing through the surrounding woods. At first, the blur ran parallel to the chase. Then it leapt and collided soundly with the maddened wolf. Vicious snarls and yelps resonated through the air. Kali didn’t look back again until she reached the edge of the graveyard. A smaller animal was holding its own against the much larger wolf.

Choosing not to stick around to be victory dinner for the winner, Kali hit her fastest stride and did not slow down. She ran into the subdivision and down her driveway. Dashing onto the front porch, she fumbled with the lock. The key always stuck at the most inopportune times. She swore. Today had to be one of those times. Stumbling into the safety of her house, she slammed the door shut and fell against it.

Calm down, she chided herself. It wasn’t a wolf. They were both dogs. Stray dogs. Some moron let his stupid mutts off their leashes.

Kali took a deep breath and then another. South Carolina hadn’t been a habitat for wild wolves since the 1960s. But if enormous wolves with sinister, red eyes had existed south of the Mason-Dixie line, Kali was pretty certain the animals wouldn’t have been hanging out in graveyards.

She probably should’ve been more upset about the bizarre encounter, but Kali sucked the life out of teenage boys on a weekly basis. Her lifestyle was a far cry from ordinary. It would take more than a mangy dog on steroids to scare her.

Firmly shaking the incident from her shoulders, she grabbed at her bag to readjust the load. What she got was a fistful of air. The book bag was gone, most likely dropped while running. But she wasn’t going back there anytime soon. Fear aside, Kali wasn’t stupid. The woods were going to be off limits for a few days. That would give the wild dog enough time to move on. Homework just wouldn’t get done over the weekend. Kali shrugged and wandered into the living room.

It was a complete wreck. Her parents worked demanding full-time jobs, and neither was much of a housekeeper. Her sister, Rosalyn, was an absolute slob. And Kali…well, Kali kind of liked the mess. The layers of their lives piled and scattered about reminded her of being at a dig site, unearthing some lost civilization. When any cleaning took place, it was a barter done for a greater good.

And true to form, Kali was only cleaning because a cool new horror movie was opening at the theater in town, and she needed wheels. Rozzy was older, so her needs took priority on a weekend. The only way for Kali to get dibs on the car was to clean house from top to bottom and then beat her sister to the punch in taking credit for it. She usually didn’t have to share the car, but Rozzy was taking a semester off from college. It was actually the third semester her sister had taken off from school, making everyone wonder if she was ever going back. A bit of a free spirit, Rozzy had commitment issues with almost everything. And though she and Kali had known each other since they were eleven and eight years old respectively, the two had never been close.

After a solid hour at work in the living room, Kali was done and moved on to the laundry. Of the three loads to be washed, most of the clothing belonged to Rozzy. An overwhelming stench radiated from Moses’ litter box in the corner. Kali cast a disgusted glance to where it sat, dangerously close to spilling over. The old urine clogged her nose and mouth, making her feel as if she literally tasted a cat’s butt. She wasn’t going to empty the box though. No matter how much she suffered, cleaning up after Rozzy’s stray was not on the to do list. It was not her responsibility. Kali didn’t even like cats.

She grabbed a basket of clean laundry and took a deep breath, savoring the artificial scent of fresh spring flowers. As she headed to the living room to start folding, her foot sank into cold and soggy carpet. Reflexively, Kali jerked her foot up. The movement wasn’t quick enough. Muttering a few colorful expressions, Kali took several hops away from what she thought to be spilled detergent. Balanced precariously on one leg, she tossed the basket aside and hunched over to inspect the damage. A dark yellow stain with seeping edges saturated the entire bottom of her sock. Her foot was almost to her face when the awful smell hit her.

Rosalyn! She screamed at the top of her lungs to be heard over the rap song playing from upstairs. Moses pissed in the floor…again!

The music muted and was followed by the sound of footsteps running down the stairs. Kali peeled the sock off with two fingers and held it so that when Rozzy rounded the corner, she almost put her face in it. Her sister turned away and wrinkled her nose.

Yuck. Kali, that’s disgusting.

No, she said and thrust a finger at the grey tabby in Rozzy’s hands. "That is disgusting. She peed on the floor and I stepped in it. I want to chop my foot off."

Rozzy turned her body protectively, shielding Moses from another angry jab of Kali’s extended finger. Then she patted the cat’s head reassuringly. "She peed on the floor because her box is practically running over. Moses doesn’t