The Eve of Publication

I don't exactly know the release date, only that it is in March. Since it is so close to March, I decided to go ahead and post this now and show the world my cover and give ya a sneaky peak.

Here it is... the excerpt for Immorati by MK Mancos
Published by Triskelion


Blurb:

When the corpse of an unidentified species is found in the woods near Pine Haven, New Jersey along with a human female, anthropologist Edie Campbell is called in by local law enforcement and the medical examiner to help identify the strange humanoid male. The discovery of a heretofore unknown species is thrilling for Edie, up until she realizes the creature has recently mated with the human female.

Questions form with no apparent answers until Aidan LaMont arrives in Pine Haven to identify his cousin’s body. But the secretive Aidan hides as much of the mystery surrounding the strange creature as he explains. And Edie has no doubt that behind his simmering sexuality, and amber eyes, he knows much more than he’s willing to tell.

Set up:

Edie has invited Aidan and his best friend Cletus over for dinner to welcome them to the building. After the recent wave of attacks by the Jersey Devil (Corpesetti) in Pine Haven, they have rented the bottom apartment of the Victorian where Edie lives in order to protect her and subdue the beast.

What should have been a simple trip to the grocery store for Edie has turned into a fight for her life, with the Corpesetti determined to kill Edie in the same manner he has killed before: by consuming the heart of his victim in a bid to reach immortality. Though Edie has heard stories of the Immorati all her life, she has no idea they are the sworn enemy of the Corpesetti, or that she is their next victim.


***This excerpt may vary slightly from finished copy***


The Corpesetti stood on his hindquarters not six feet from her, and roared to the heavens. Long sharp fangs flashed like pearl daggers under the parking lot lights.

Edie turned the key again and jumped into the truck just as the animal reached out to her.

She slammed the door and engaged the power locks.

The entire truck shook as the Corpesetti hit it full force on the driver’s side.

Edie screamed. Her throat burned. Long claws scoured the roof trying to peel back the metal like a tin can.

The truck continued to rock as the Corpesetti tried to get at her. Without warning, a large fist came through the driver’s side window, showering her with glass.

She reached through and pulled its long hair, slamming its head against the metal doorframe.

The creature yowled in anger then jumped back from the attack.

Quickly, she started the truck and put the vehicle into gear. She gunned the gas and left the parking lot to the squeal of tires and smell of rubber.

The Corpesetti followed her for a few blocks, until the wail of sirens made it veer into the woods and away from the town proper.

Edie hit the parking lot for her apartment so fast the truck bounced over the curb and landed sideways in a spot.

She bent over the steering wheel and gulped in quick breaths. Damn, that had been way too close.

Blood dripped down the front of her blouse from various cuts on her neck and chest. A cut on her cheek stung. She surveyed the damage, convinced all were surface wounds.

A loud yell filled the night, and Edie looked up through the windshield, afraid the Corpesetti had returned, and was surprised to see Aidan running down the front stairs.

***

Aidan knew he should have insisted he accompany her to the store. But, no, the woman was too independent to rely on help for something as mundane as grocery shopping. Now the evidence from the Corpesetti’s most recent attack marred the side of her truck and bathed her in blood.

His heart pounded in his throat as he opened her door and reached in for her. She came to him without hesitation. Her arms tightened around his neck. Tremors moved up and down her body and radiated out to her limbs.

“Come on, love, let’s get you inside and cleaned up.”

“It tried to get into the car. It was waiting for me…”

“That’s how they hunt.”

He could feel her swallow and she buried her face in his neck. He’d wanted her in his arms since he’d first laid eyes on her, but this was not the manner in which he wanted her to come to him.

She brushed her bloodied cheek against his. Her warm breath stirred his hair. Painful lust raced through his body and made his body ache for her.

He breathed against her skin.

“Edie.”

She moved her face and their mouths slid together. That was the only invitation he needed. A low moan filled his throat as he took her mouth.

Nothing had ever tasted quite as sweet. Hunger for more of her gnawed at his mind.

Of their own volition his hands slid down her back, molding her body to his as he slanted his mouth in the opposite direction to kiss her more deeply. Breath escaped her and filled him when he gently sent his tongue inside to explore.

Her hands slid down his neck and pressed against his chest.

“Cletus.” She pulled away and looked up at Aidan in confusion.

Aidan looked up to see Cletus standing on the porch with a peculiar look on his face. “Could you bring the groceries in? I’m going to take Edie upstairs and settle her down.”

His best friend nodded and shoved his hands down into his front pockets before coming slowly down the stairs. Aidan would discover the cause of Cletus’ odd behavior after he saw to Edie.

He’d almost lost her.

After several attempts, where she just stood there as if not knowing what to do next, Aidan finally managed to herd Edie up the stairs and into her apartment. He took her into the bathroom and set her on the closed toilet lid.

“Do you have a first aid kit?”

She shook her head. “No, just some peroxide, some anti-bacterial salve and bandages.”

“Good enough.” He looked around the tiny bathroom for a moment, opening doors and cabinets. He found the supplies, but no washcloths. “Where do you keep the bath linens? I want to wash your cuts first.”

She looked up at him, her eyes huge. “I can do it. They aren’t as bad as they look.”

He gave a grunt. “You have glass in your hair.”

A bloody hand reached up and shook the heavy blonde mass out. Pieces of glass fell to the floor.

“I’m a mess.” Her voice sounded as if she dangled on the edge of losing whatever composure she had managed to maintain.

Aidan leaned over and started the water in the tub. When he had the temperature adjusted he turned the shower on. “Take a shower and get cleaned up. Cletus and I can handle making dinner tonight. You just relax.”

He was about to shut the door when she looked up at him. She hadn’t budged from the toilet seat. “Aidan?”

“Yes.”

“Why does it want to kill me? Why is it coming after me?”

“Because it thinks you have something it wants.”

“What?”

“Time.”

She cocked her head like she didn’t understand then her eyes widened a little. Aidan closed the door before she could ask any more questions.