Searing Betrayal

Copyright © Emmi Lawrence

All rights reserved. No part of this story may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission from the author.

Edited Nov. 25, 2014: This story has been removed and below is only an excerpt. To read the entire Dark Phoenix novella you can go to the Books page for links to your preferred retailer.

He was just turning around, the shells clinking, but hopefully not breaking, when the surf roiled, reflecting sunlight straight into his eyes. Landon blinked, then blinked again at the womanly figure pulling herself through the shallow water like a creature from a horror flick.

She had long green hair, almost neon-shaded, with strands of seaweed and bits of kelp twisted in. Scales of green, blue and white coated her body, shimmering in the morning sun as she paused within the wet line of sand to let the water course back with the tide.

Her tail—her tail—flipped out of the water as she cocked her head. Eyes, pale orange and blue, gazed up at him.

Landon thought about running, Jak’s warning ringing in his ears. That same warning he’d reiterated every time he’d shown up on Landon’s doorstep for sex and food before he’d disappeared again. Never staying the night because he claimed it would leave far too much of himself clinging to Landon. Not as if that seemed to matter given his present predicament.

“You have the markings of a dark phoenix,” she said, her voice melodious and sweet in the way he was sure syrens always were…right up until they tore your throat out with razor-sharp teeth.

“I think I need a drink,” he said faintly.

Other excerpts from Dark Phoenix are also available on the Excerpts page.