Authors in the Park

December 16th, 2012

Copyright 2012

All excerpts used with permission. Layout and arrangement copyright 2012 Mark Miller. Please contact the author regarding copyright and permissions for individual works. No part of this work may be reprinted or transmitted without express written

permission. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Introduction - 1

Janet Beasley - 2

Jean E. Lane - 15

Amy I. Long - 26

Mark Miller - 36

Theresa Oliver - 51

1

Authors in the Park

www.FB.com/AuthorsInThePark

Authors in the Park is a celebration of local authors from

Central Florida centered in the picturesque town of Mount

Dora.

Mount Dora is known for its lakeside charm, quaint

shops and an eclectic variety of artists.

JLB Creatives and MillerWords.com teamed up to bring

together talented local authors and give them a new venue to

show their stuff.

What you will find in this sampler are several selections

from authors that participated in the inaugural event on

December 16, 2012.

Please follow our Facebook page to be updated on future

events and authors.

We hope you enjoy the sampler!

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From

Hidden Earth Series

Volume 1

Maycly

The Trilogy

By

Janet Beasley

Amazon Author Page: http://goo.gl/DU9ah

http://www.hiddenearthseries.com/

http://jlbcreatives.blogspot.com/

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Chapter 7

The Journey Begins

“OK. Deep breath.” Iona’s sweaty hand shook when she

picked up the envelope the little man had placed next to the

Dream Decanter. Wiskee placed one paw on her lap, and she

let him sniff the envelope. “The words on this envelope are

falling over a lifelike picture of a waterfall–JOY,

ENCHANTMENT, PEACE, LOVE, TRUTH–and my name

appears between the words. And look, the background

pictures behind the waterfall keep changing...this is strangely

familiar.”

“I was there for you then, Iona, and I’m here for you

now. Trust Me again, like you once did.”

“Who’s there?” She looked around and saw no one. “Did

you hear someone, Wiskee?” Wiskee’s head was tilted with

his ears perked.

She turned the envelope over and there was a dark

purple seal with the letter “I” melted into it along with the

outline of a rose. For several moments silence dominated the

room. Iona pondered and eventually yielded to the feeling in

her heart. The audible voice she knew she heard was causing

her to rethink her position on trusting SUL. Wiskee did not

6

make a sound. After much consideration she finally chose her

answer to her most daunting question: is SUL real or not?

Her answer was “Yes.” When she genuinely accepted

the answer, she felt relieved and her confidence grew.

Wiskee stood with his front paws on her chest and gave her a

kiss.

“Well, it can’t get any stranger if I open this...can it?”

She looked Wiskee in the eye. He barked when his paws

landed on her lap. Before she could give herself a chance to

change her mind, she bent the envelope and SNAP. The wax

cracked. “WOW! That was so cool! Did you see those sparks

fly when I broke the wax seal? Unreal!” Wiskee leaned in for

a sniff. Eagerly Iona pulled the card from the envelope and

could not wait to see what would happen next.

“A purple rose, my favorite flower, on the front of this

card. And it keeps blooming over and over. And I can smell

it, but it doesn’t smell like a rose.” She took another whiff of

the aroma it emitted. “That smells far better than a real rose.

It’s like jasmine and orange blossoms combined.” Iona’s

eyes widened, and she chattered some more. “I think it’s

some kind of poetry, but it’s written in a foreign language.

See?” She turned the card toward Wiskee. “I love poetry but

haven’t read any in ages.” Iona gave Wiskee’s chin whiskers

a gentle tug. “Wait a minute...the words are changing into my

language. Unbelievable. This is a stellar prop!”

7

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“Yap, yap!” Wiskee persuaded her to continue by

putting his paw on the poem.

“OK. OK. I’m gonna read it.

It’s the day when you shall discover your worth,

Only because you are so special.

Never in your deepest thoughts will you find that there

Are no words to describe your magnificent destiny.

The lamp holds your wildest dream.

How can this be?

Engaging, I know.

Quietly finish reading the words on this parchment.

Understand that you and Wiskee will no longer age.

Examine yourself and find the true you.

Embrace Wiskee by your side.

Now take one last look at where you live;

Only then may you touch the lamp that is

Facing you from where it sits on your nightstand.

Magic will begin to happen

At the first touch of your fingers.

You’ll need to take the lamp into your hand,

Clutch it tightly in your palm,

Let fear escape, and rejoice because

Your lives will be changed forever.

9

****** Trust Me. • SUL •”

Bewildered, Iona cut loose again with her gift of

chattering. “Let’s see...today I’ve seen a...a...gnome-like guy

pop out of a cloud and leave a Dream Decanter on my

nightstand. It spewed musical fog that my feet and legs are

now dangling in causing my legs to heal. And let’s not forget

the three-inch-long buzzing something...whose name, by the

way, was apparently Jit? And he...she...I think it was a

he...had a face like a human and wings like a dragonfly that

he used to fly by my eyes leaving a trail of sparkles. Then he

disappeared into the cloud with the little gnome

guy...man...thing. I opened a magic letter signed by SUL, and

now my birthmark is warm. Are you kidding me?”

She tried to put all of the recent events together. The

poem on the card faded. It and the envelope burst into flames

in her hand, making her jump. “Too weird. It didn’t burn me.

Well, that was interesting.”

She went silent, pondering to herself. I will never see

this place again. Though it might have been guilt forcing

these feelings, she wanted to believe she was truly thankful

for the provisions she had received.

“Yap! Yap! Yap! YOWLY-WOWEEE.”

“Well, there’s another new noise from you. I guess

you’re getting a little anxious? All I can say is, it’s a good

10

thing you can’t talk because you’d chatter on more than me!”

Iona calmed him with her touch. “OK. OK. I’m on it.”

She brushed her hands together and resituated herself on

the bed. She thought about her job–she was no longer going

to be visiting those in need, and this troubled her.

“I will see to it they are cared for.” Iona could not

believe she was hearing what she thought was SUL’s voice

again.

She looked at Wiskee and whispered, “And we’ll never

see our strange but lovable friend, Dumpster Man, again.”

She had grown quite fond of him.

With his nose, Wiskee pushed her hand toward the

Dream Decanter, but she was still admiring the apartment.

“Holy smokes! I can’t leave those!” She jumped from the bed

and gathered the only remaining tangible memories of her

family and put them safely in the waistband of her pajama

bottoms.

She sat back down on the bed and clutched Wiskee

under her arm without thinking. He made the noises to let her

know she was holding him a little too tight. “Oh, I’m sorry

little buddy.” She loosened her grip. Saying goodbye to her

home was all too familiar and unpleasant. Iona closed her

eyes and silently beckoned. Please let this be true. Please,

SUL, I want to trust You with all my heart, and believe that

You will take me to my family. She reached for the Dream

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Decanter, never letting Wiskee out of her grasp, and did just

as the poem had instructed.

Window shades dropped with a whoosh and a thud. Iona

freaked and spoke from the pitch dark, “I didn’t know we had

window shades.” All of the outside noises ceased; the silence

was spooky.

Guarding Wiskee with her life, she crossed her legs

underneath her and felt the bed begin slowly turning and

moving upward through the darkness. She was afraid of

hitting the ceiling but was also afraid to jump because she did

not know how high they really were. She reached high above

her head and felt nothing. “STAY PUT WISKEE!” She hated

to let go of him, but was concerned at their height. Carefully

she stood on the bed but could not feel anything above them;

she knew she could reach the ceiling if she stood on the bed.

Frightened she sat back down and immediately grabbed

Wiskee. If we’re floating in space, where are the stars?

Where’s the moon? What are we...suspended in time?

With her next breath she gagged. “What is that awful

smell. Ack! That certainly isn’t roses! This can’t be right.”

She saw what she thought was a fireball heading toward

them. It came up fast from below and just missed the bed on

its rapid ascent. Iona screamed. The fireball fizzled out high

above their heads like a dud firework. She tossed the Dream

Decanter to her pillow and scooted to the center of the bed,

12

not letting Wiskee out of her tight grasp. She felt him

trembling.

She had always longed for adventure, but this was not

exactly the adventure she had pictured in her mind. Somberly

Iona spoke into the darkness, “What have I done?”

13

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About Janet Beasley Janet Beasley, author of The Hidden Earth Series is

successfully carving her niche` in the inspirational epic fantasy

genre for middle grades and YAs. Even the young at heart are

enjoying the escape her writing presents. Her debut novel, Maycly

the Trilogy, raised to the top 5 on Amazon Religious Fantasy

charts, and landed ahead of the Hunger Games. By appearing at

local and out-of-state events, book signings, and speaking

engagements, audiences are now perking up when they hear this

author’s name…and it’s not just for her fantasy novels. Janet

works with her sister and full time illustrator, Dar Bagby, to create

more than just stories. Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy expands with

two companion books (a full color illustration book and a cook

book), as well as an online memorabilia shop, and – gourmet dog

treats. Janet is multi-talented when it comes to her creativity. She

excels in multi-media presentations, event planning, has developed

a training center and its curriculum for AV technicians, and

produced – directed – and served as a theater technician. She has

written fiction - non-fiction – stage plays - and an autobiography.

She has crafted award winning poetry, been published in

anthologies, and trade specific magazines. Janet enjoys the

outdoors by kayaking and hiking with her husband, and

photographing nature. She also loves animals (dogs are her

favorite), spending time with her family, and baking cupcakes.

15

From

Lill and Mewe

and the Secrets of Mars

By

Jean E. Lane

Amazon Author Page: http://goo.gl/fK32F

www.FB.com/AuthorJeanELane

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Chapter 1

Lill and Mewe

Lill, a tired dark haired, blue-eyed girl, sat cross-legged

on the edge of her bed, with one hand holding her book and

the other petting Mewe. She just finished reading a story to

her large amber-eyed pet about the struggle between two

alien cultures racing to colonize a water-bearing planet in the

Andromeda Galaxy.

“We live in the Milky Way Galaxy, this galaxy would be

our neighbor,” she commented to Mewe.

Mewe raised her head and slightly cocked it to one side

as if to study Lill’s words but made no comment in return.

Lill was drenched in soft, gleaming moonlight streaming into

her room from the large skylight above her bed. She could

almost read by moonlight alone on this late iridescent

evening.

Lill loved science. She felt science fiction had factual

roots, and imagination was all it took to unlock the door to

possibilities beyond our current knowledge. Wow, she

thought, am I beginning to sound like my father? Seems like

he could have said those very words.

This young sky-gazer was particularly curious about the

planets and stars that filled tonight’s velvety black, infinite

18

canvas. They were there all right and they were real, every

one of them, she thought. There are so many I can see, but

what about the vast amount of these glistening wonders I

cannot see?

She started to study them with fervor, began learning

their names, and tracked them across the endless night sky.

That brilliant star, I need to know the name of that one, she

thought. Aiming her new, powerful telescope to the west, she

could view this celestial sight via her large skylight, which

was a clear solar panel used for lighting and cooling. Lill

wondered, like most of us, is there life somewhere else? I

mean, are there people and pets and flowers and such, and

what in the universe would they look like?

It was just past bedtime, but her mind was still traveling

at warp speed. Her eyes fell upon the colorful, woven floor

rug she created with the help of her mom. This triggered

thoughts of her mom, a doctor who assisted people in staying

well. She is very dedicated to her work at the care center to

help people, so they may lead happy and productive lives.

Mom believed that happiness was a key factor in a long,

healthy life. She would be pleased if I pursued her life path,

but I already know that isn’t for me, and I’m sure she

suspects that.

Now, Dad is an astrogeophysicist and understands the

very things that spark my imagination.

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Just then, she raised her head to see him standing in her

doorway.

“Why aren’t you sleeping, young lady? I know it’s your

birthday, but aren’t you the least bit tired?”

“Yes, but I just had to finish my story about

Andromeda...and, Dad, I found a brilliant star in the western

sky! I really need to know what it is.”

“Really, well give me the coordinates, and I will let you

know,” Dad said. He told her she was very wise for her

young age and to never stop wondering and learning. He

promised to teach her how to calculate the distance between

objects in the sky based on the Standard Parsec Formula,

which is the distance for measuring light-years.

Then Dad said, “Lill, if there are people out there, even

lightyears away, we will find them—just hope they are

friendly like us, huh? But for now, be patient . . . study, learn,

and grow, so that you may explore other worlds and perhaps

even join me in proving some of my theories.”

Lill liked that idea a lot. As soon as Dad disappeared

from her doorway, she rushed over to her computer to record

the coordinates of the star that intrigued her. Then she sent

her findings to her Dad with an e-note that read, “Here are

my findings. Please let me know as soon as you can; it glows

so beautifully!”

20

At this very time, the scientists knew of two alien robots

that are on the surface gathering rock and soil samples of the

planet. They have been here for a few years, but people

didn’t want to cause alarm about such events. They needed to

confirm the origin of these robot gatherers first. They were

confident this is just a peaceful, scientific mission, and since

the robots are unarmed, there is no need for contact with

them at this time. However, scientists theorized the origin to

be a planet familiar to them, inhabited by people who were

somewhat hostile, and one that they had been carefully

watching for quite some time but were not ready to make

contact.

Nevertheless, Lill’s dad had some facts and a theory.

Perhaps someday soon, we might be welcoming an alien

people to this very planet and sharing information about our

medical advances and advances in eco-technology.

Lill thought she’d better sleep now; it’s going to be a

busy day tomorrow, and she had much to learn. She took one

last look through her new telescope at her two moons,

Phobos and Deimos. She could see their cratered and

irregular shapes clearly as they shined brightly in the dark

night sky.

You see Lill lived in a subterranean city called The

Friendly City, located just west of the Noctis Labyrinthus or

Valley of the Night and east of the Tharsis volcano region in

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one of the many enormous caverns. All the people have been

living underground for a thousand years or so, ever since the

planet’s surface grew harshly uninhabitable.

No one really knew the exact date this happened because

all information and technical data of the surface had been

destroyed by meteor showers so long ago. However, they do

know their city is located beneath the equatorial area of the

planet at 5 degrees latitude and 112 degrees longitude. The

thermo heat of the many nearby volcanoes of Tharsis warms

these subterranean cities. The volcanoes are no longer active,

but they still produce heat. The scientists found a way to

harness the lesser source of the geo thermo heat along with

the natural methane gas to make enough energy to power

their underground life systems indefinitely.

They found a way to make their shallow air rich in

vitamins. Their underground water already contains most of

the minerals they need to ensure proper growth and health,

especially for the children. Thanks to innovative solar panels

providing light, the tunnels were drenched in bright light that

rivaled the nature of the sun during the day with ambient

lighting during the evening. Each bio dwelling is capable of

maintaining a desired level of comfort, lighting, and much

more by giving voice activated instructions to the Identify

Biological Environmental Needs (IBEN) computer system.

The cavern and some of the dwelling walls are a warm,

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natural, reddish-brown hue, which is a color of comfort and

well being for Martians. All of this created a self-sustaining,

healthy environment that once mimicked that of life on the

surface so long ago.

Laced throughout the city are beautiful crystal-green

flowing rivers and placid lakes, pink, orange, and red-striped

lily-like flowers that grow from rocks, hydroponic gardens

that offer fresh food, learning centers for the children, and

care centers for anyone in need. Children of all ages frequent

the several large “Amuspheres” that provide different games,

activities, and creative contests for all of them. You could

ride a transporter like the neon green Automated G-force

Elevated Rail (AGER) and travel from city to city

comfortably at extreme speeds or simply take a personal

Telport if you were really in a hurry.

The Friendly City is truly a breathtaking place—the kind

of place you would think could exist only in a dream. It is not

at all similar to the likes of any city that you have ever seen.

It is made up of part natural caverns and part modern city

with shining buildings and transportation system. The people

of her city are content, friendly, and somewhat shy. Their

main focus is on education because they are ready to expand

their knowledge and broaden horizons so they may

effortlessly soar to new worlds beyond their galaxy, trying to

answer the question, “What is out there?”

23

But, let’s not forget about Mewe, a colorful ivory,

orange, yellow, and brown “felis aquatos” or water cat with a

distinctive brown and yellow-striped tail and oval webbed

paws. Once indigenous to this region of Mars, now this

curious creature is almost extinct with only about thirty

remaining.

“Congratulations, Mewe, for winning first place in your

swim race!” said Lill.

Mewe raised her head, looked at Lill and said, “Happy

fifth birthday, Lill. I am so tired; go sleep.”

Lill nodded, chuckled, and said, “I know, Mewe, me too;

I must sleep. We had a long and exciting day. IBEN lights

out, 68 degrees and wake me for learning, please.”

“Yes Lill,” replied IBEN.

Oh yes, and Lill’s dad read her e-note and responded

with one that read: “Lill, that bright star you wondered about

is not a star at all, but a blue water planet. Try using the next

high-powered lens to see its true beauty . . . she’s called

Earth! And by the way, it takes them only 365 days to rotate

the sun, unlike our 687 sols. A sol is what they call a day on

Mars. You would be nine and a half years old in Earth

years!”

24

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About Jean E. Lane

Jean grew up in the once active steel town of

Youngstown, Ohio. She has lived in the Orlando area for the

past eleven years and considers this her home. About ten

years ago, she met and later married her husband Ken, and

settled in their home just northwest of Orlando.

She studied Journalism at Writers Institute and Finance

at Penn State. Most of her life was spent working in

Accounting and Purchasing. Although she loved working

with numbers, she knew she had an aptitude for writing at an

early age. Jean had several poems published in Seacoast Life

Magazine, Wide Open Magazine and was a poetic

contributor to The Copy Desk Flash which was a school

newspaper. Later she signed a contract with Creative

Directions as a free-lance writer of verse for greeting cards.

It was her love of science and science fiction that

prompted her to write her first children’s novel, “Lill and

Mewe and the Secrets of Mars”, the first in her Lill and

Mewe series. Her inspiration came with the birth of her niece

Lily and shortly afterwards a nephew, Andrew. As with all

children, she wanted them to enjoy reading…and there’s

nothing like a good adventure.

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From

The Untold Legend:

The Warrior Queen

By

Amy I. Long

Amazon Author Page: http://goo.gl/aVt6U

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Chapter 37

The return trip home was not an easy one. We

encountered a sandstorm, and even lost a number of men in a

sinkhole. The sand quickly swallowed them up. We had no

chance of saving them. Sandstorms were a constant

occurrence, but encountering a sinkhole was rare and deadly.

Upon reaching Monarch, I admitted to myself that I had

missed being away. I missed the land, the people, the smells,

and the noises, all of it.

Keldrick was true to his word. My spies returned, telling

me that he sent them away.

As the days passed, my life fell into a routine until one

day when Nya arrived. I met her in my dinner hall.

She had brought some familiar faces with her.

“I am returning these four girls back to you,” she said.

“Well, good,” I remarked.

I turned to face them.

“Go and do whatever your tasks are. Whatever position

you are trained to do, do it,” I ordered.

After they left, I felt nervous and looked to Nya.

“I knew this day would come,” she said.

She took a seat in front of me. From the sorry look she

gave me, I felt dread at what she was about to say.

“Every time I visit a kingdom, I have always received

that same look you now give,” she uttered.

29

“That is because whenever you do show up somewhere,

it means trouble,” I volunteered.

“Ah, I will get to the point. Voda, I can tie you up and

blindfold you, or you can accompany me peacefully. You

will come,” she said.

Fearfully, I interrupted, wondering what punishment I

faced and why.

“I am guessing you came here to me because I am still

yet unmarried?” I asked.

“Yes, exactly,” she replied.

“Where am I to go?” I pushed further.

“To meet your intended, and from there you will be

married,” she replied.

“What?” I asked in shock. I jumped up from my chair

and began to pace.

“How can you do this to me?” I asked angrily.

“It is not easy,” she replied.

“You sit there and say that. Why not just leave me be? I

am doing fine without you meddling in my affairs, especially

when it comes to the heart,” I pleaded.

“I have been notified about every suitor you rejected.

Their fathers have all come to me thinking that they might be

able to force a marriage upon you. I cannot let you be. I have

no choice myself but to take action.

30

Voda, you are not young, and you need an heir to the

throne. If I sit back too long, those wishful fathers will take

matters into their own hands because I did not,” she

explained.

“Please, tell me you did not choose one of them for me,”

I begged.

“No, their fathers have pushed me too far for me to even

consider them. I look elsewhere,” she replied.

“That means a man will rule my land. I will no longer

have control of Monarch. What if he is cruel to my people?”

I asked.

“I would never do that to you. Calm your fears, gather

your things, and tomorrow we will leave,” she said.

I could picture Nya forcefully removing me from my

own castle. With that thought, I walked out and went to my

chambers to cry. In tears, I informed my personal servant of

the news and demanded she inform the others.

Chapter 38

The next day, my eyes were swollen from the tears I had

shed. I felt sick inside but forced myself to do whatever was

necessary to accompany Nya. With my head held high, I

accompanied her halfway across the desert. I had to show my

men I was strong. I had asked for a hundred volunteers and

31

insisted that if there were not enough, I would take

whomever I needed.

However, I received a dramatic response and had to

make someone else choose from all of the volunteers. I had

too many that volunteered.

I had to escape. I knew I could not go through with this

marriage. I could not marry a man halfway across the desert,

for my alliance with my neighboring lands would not accept

it. I did not want to be owned by a man and have no control

over my kingdom. I would no longer be its leader. How

could I go through with this marriage? No, I could not. How

could I escape with my men under Nya’s surveillance? It was

impossible. I had to leave alone. I could not stay, so I would

leave in the cold night alone, return to my land of Monarch

and wait for her to see what would happen next. I could not

follow her in what she wished or believed was right. I could

not even imagine my outcome.

Late that night, after setting up camp in the middle of the

desert, I left quietly and returned to my kingdom.

I was scared, not knowing what had happened to my

men, or even what Nya’s response had been when she

discovered I had left. Once I reached my land, I gave a

speech to my people, told them everything that had happened

and prepared for a war I really could not even attempt to

fight. I could never kill Nya, and never wanted to try. Now

32

what to do? I had gotten myself into a deep mess, and had no

idea how to get out. I could not kill the high priestess. What

would she do to me? My people were even hesitant and

scared. I knew she would attack, and I just waited.

It did not take long for her army to arrive. I had carefully

placed men to watch for her approach, knowing that she

would come. Now I waited for battle because I had no other

choice. Because of the way I left, she had no choice but to

come to me, and what choice did I have but to fight back? I

just knew I could not do what she asked, so what approach

should I take? I had no idea what I could do to save myself.

She approached Monarch, but never tried to enter. If she

had, she could have caused a lot of damage. Most people

who waged a battle would never have missed that

opportunity. She had honor. I was told she waited for me and

my men to meet her a good distance outside the gates. After

gathering my army, I approached to meet her and found her

there, along with the men I had abandoned. I could not kill

my own men.

Somehow, they now were hers. I could not battle men

who once served me under any circumstance. Men from the

same kingdom now faced each other in battle. I was their

leader. What was I supposed to do? I could not fight. I had

already lost before I had begun. I marched to face Nya’s

army. I just could not fight in the battle that faced me. As we

33

stood face to face, I gave the signal for my men to halt a

good distance from the army we faced. Nya watched every

move I made as I dismounted and walked alone in their

direction. She dismounted and walked to meet me before I

came too close to the men who stood behind her.

Once we faced each other, I saw the determination in her

eyes, and knew I had no choice but to yield or lose. I had

done her and my land a great dishonor. Facing her, I knew

not what to do. I had already lost. I disobeyed the high

priestess, so what was my punishment this time? To prove a

point, was she going to kill me? I knew not. I knelt down

with my sword held high in both hands. I offered it for her to

take. If she wished to kill me with it, I offered her a quick

end for me by her hand. I found no other option but to meet

my death if she so felt. Her eyes flared with fury as she

walked over to retrieve it. She yanked it from my hands and I

quickly looked up. I saw that she intended to use it. I lowered

my head, remembered those eyes and waited for my death.

When it did not come, I looked up to find her furious eyes

upon me.

“Now you shall learn never to disobey me,” she said,

and I watched her bring the sword high above her head.

Then I watched it fall towards my head. She was going

to chop off my head with my own sword, I thought, but made

no move to defend myself. I prepared myself for death. When

34

the sword fell, it hit the sand in front of me instead. I thought

I was to die, and now I lived. I had no idea of what to do

next. I just stared at her.

“Do you wish to accompany me to the land of your

intended?” Nya asked.

“Yes,” was all I could say.

“Well then, get off your knees and tell your men to

retreat,” she stated.

“That I will do,” I said.

I walked back, explained to my men why I could not

fight and informed them I would be married against my will.

I would do whatever she asked. I told them that for their

lives, I would give up my freedom.

I told them to return to the castle and wait to meet their

king. I left with a hollow feeling when I left with Nya.

I felt dazed and sad.

35

36

About Amy I. Long

Amy was raised in Sanford, Florida. She is working

toward a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and hopes to

apply that knowledge to the field of disease control. She

loves watching sci-fi movies, reading historic romance

novels, studying history, medical botany, and astronomy. The

inspiration for this book was Boadicea (Boudica or

Boudicca), a queen of a Celtic tribe who led an uprising

against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire. “I

especially like strong, outspoken women of earlier days but

little known in modern times. Perhaps that is what sparked

my enthusiasm to write about my own queen.”

37

From

The Empyrical Tales Book I:

The Fourth Queen

By

Mark Miller

Amazon Author Page: http://goo.gl/IglPH

www.MillerWords.com

www.FB.com/MarkMillerAuthor

38

39

Chapter 1

A Bad Night

Two sisters, Zandria and Olena, lived in a village by the

sea at the eastern edge of the kingdom of Empyrean. Their

story starts here.

The hooves of the two horses ripped the ground as they

pounded forward, every muscle rippling, every sinew

stretching at the speed. Wrath, the lead horse, drove them on

side-by-side at this impossible pace with a will more

powerful than any driver’s whip. The carriage that they

pulled bounced and rocked through the ruts left by thousands

of years of travel on this ancient path that had only one

destination. The Castle Empyrean stood waiting in the

distance.

Wrath could see the enormous castle for the last two

days as they rampaged forward without stopping. An urgent

message was dispatched and carried by the castle’s guardian

hawks. Wrath knew the four hawks flew in four directions,

with scrolls tied to their claws directing each recipient to

come to Empyrean. In Wrath’s experience, this meant

without delay.

40

After six days with almost no stopping they were now in

sight of the main gate, its sheer massiveness was both

inspiring and frightening every time he saw it. Wrath looked

up to the tallest spires of the castle piercing the night sky and

parting the threatening clouds. He sensed the storm coming

since only moments before the hawks arrived for his

mistress. The whole of the castle appeared to be made of

glass, but he knew it was impenetrable to any army and

unbreakable to any giant’s club. Over the edge, the lowest

cellars clung to the wall of the bottomless canyon that

protected three sides of the structure and the towers grew out

of the top in every direction like a blooming tree. Wrath had

seen Empyrean in better times and knew it looked

magnificent in the sunlight, but tonight under the full moon,

even partially covered by clouds, it looked alive.

The shining, black horses pulled the carriage along the

only path leading up to the entrance of the castle. The stocky

driver pulled at the reigns. Wrath laughed to himself knowing

that the human was not trying to control the horses, but was

trying to keep from being thrown from his bench.

This face of the fortress was not protected by the canyon,

but by an unyielding field of briars and thorns. Although the

path was blocked, Wrath did not allow his apprentice to slow.

From inside the carriage, an aged hand pulled back the

thick, red velvet curtain. The venerable woman carefully

41

poked her head out the window and whispered to the

impending vines. The thorns bowed and retracted, pulling

back row upon row, like a theatre curtain at the start of a

performance. Not a single twig brushed the carriage as the

stallions rushed through.

Wrath knew, once upon a time, this woman was known

as Snow White, but for the past two hundred years, she has

only been called the Queen of the Northern Wood. He never

doubted her intentions and followed every order without

question. As they raced toward the thorns, Wrath did not

hesitate because his queen would not fail him. He knew that

only by the speaking of the magic word from one of the four

queens would the floral guardians let anyone pass into this

sacred place.

He did not slow as the queen let the night air rush upon

her porcelain white skin and ripple through her regal mane of

midnight black hair. Her ruby lips parted again as she

whispered another magic charm to seal the path behind her.

Wrath wondered how long it had been since the first time she

came to Empyrean. How long since the noble dwarves saved

that young girl in the very forest of which she was now

queen? Snow White let the curtain fall closed with what

seemed like the weight of those forgotten years and waited

for the journey to end as her trusted steeds led the way across

42

the immense drawbridge made from the tallest and sturdiest

trees of the Northern Wood ages before she was born.

As the carriage rolled from the wooden planks onto the

carved stone inlaid in the great circle courtyard, lightening

flashed in the distance. Under the flash, Wrath saw two tiny

scratches in the middle of the bridge that he never noticed

before. He suspected it was some animal claw marks, but he

did not take any more time to think about it. He got inside

quickly because the storm was approaching faster than

anyone had predicted. Still, the two fastest horses in all of the

Northern Wood had beaten it here.

Wrath silently instructed Fury to slow their gait now

safely inside their mistress’ sanctuary. The elder horse

addressed his friend and student, “Fury, I told you we would

beat the storm.”

Fury, the younger and less experienced of the two

Friesians, shook out his mane and turned a wild eye towards

his mentor. His ears flitted front to back and he was trying to

catch his breath, “Come on, old dam. You couldn’t have

done it without me. And you definitely could not have done it

if we stopped at every watering hole you wanted to.”

Wrath let out a scoffing neigh at his friend’s

overconfidence and the two stepped on in silence. The driver

leaned back on his bench, looking happy to be at the end of

43

the treacherous ride. Now he calmly listened to the echo of

their diamond horseshoes clicking on the stone.

It had been some time since Wrath, Fury or even Snow

White had been to the castle, but both horses knew to stop

where the engraved stones gave way to the sculpted glass

staircase. The stallions twisted their necks around to watch

the driver climb down from his perch. The man was new to

his post, but Wrath could tell that he took great pride in his

work. He watched the man fold the steps into place and then

check to make certain they were secure. Then the man held

his breath as he opened the door. This caused Wrath to suck

in his own breath and Fury took the cue to stand at attention

as well.

Snow White, the Queen of the Northern Wood, emerged

from the carriage. She was an old woman, but time had been

generous to her. The vestige of her throne had instilled her

with power, but underneath was the pure and simple beauty

to which so many innocent men had fallen victim. The driver

looked at the ground, afraid to stare at her radiance and she

touched his shoulder as she stepped past him, trailing the

green velvet of her robe across his arm. Even Fury was not

sure if he should dare to gaze.

But Wrath watched her. He had carried her on his back

many times since he was a young colt and had become one of

her most trusted advisors, as his father was before him. Their

44

eyes met and she blew him a gentle kiss. The enchanted

breath swirled and sparkled faintly as it drifted over to the

old warhorse. It filled him with the minty smell of fresh

evergreens and a musical thank you danced at his ears.

The queen turned and made her way to the stained glass

doors where an elven butler waited to escort her inside.

Wrath knew that not one of the four queens dared the mazes

of the castle without a guide who had been born inside its

walls.

Wrath stood, watching his queen for a moment longer,

while the driver busied himself with unbridling the amazing

animals.

As soon as Wrath and Fury were loose of the leather

straps, they both shook their entire bodies and stretched their

legs, glad to be free of the oaken carriage. Both knew where

they would spend the night, but waited for the driver to lead

them across the courtyard to the stables. Wrath watched his

young friend staring up the castle walls.

Fury responded without being asked, “You know, I

thought I could see the top.”

Wrath looked up into the darkness. He could make out

the shapes of the circling hawks, nested in the highest peaks

of the castle and slightly beyond that, more of the curved

crystalline wall that reflected the last of the moonlight. On

the brightest summer days, he had never clearly seen the

45

opening, so far beyond even the reach of the guardian hawks,

which marked the top of Castle Empyrean.

The handcrafted diamond shoe embedded in Wrath’s

hoof clicked sharply on the glass surface at the entrance of

the stable, so he waited to respond to Fury.

Fury was still craning his neck skyward when his front

hooves left the stone to meet with the glass pathway and he

lost his footing sending him hard to the ground. His legs

slipped out in front of him like a newborn deer’s first time

walking on an icy pond, but he recovered and was standing

upright before the driver could react.

Wrath did his best to hold back his laughter. “The top,

huh?” he asked. “It seems to me that the only thing you could

see was the bottom. And so, you are still my student.”

“Hey, I passed your tests, old dam.” Fury was as

indignant as the day he first set hoof into the academy.

“If you are so wise, then tell me what two lessons did

you forget?” said Wrath.

Fury seemed annoyed, “I give up. You tell me.”

“First,” Wrath was using his gentle, teacher’s voice,

“Your mind was on the future and objects in the distance and

not where it should have been, on the events right in front of

you. Second,” he switched to his rough military voice, the

one Fury hated, “never look like a gelding in front of the

ladies.”

46

The driver had led them beneath the pointed archway,

directly in front of six glistening, beautiful, golden

Andalusians. Their long, braided tails swished gently in the

awkward silence, while Fury attempted to recover from his

misstep. Wrath nodded and issued a polite greeting to the

mares, until he could move closer to the only one he knew.

Fury was now trying to posture for the two fillies and they

seemed to be excited in the presence of a soldier. Wrath

moved close to his friend and she whispered something in his

ear. They shared a quiet moment and then he gestured to

Fury that it was time to move down to their stalls.

Fury began to canter down the hall, showing off, as he

turned into what he thought was an empty stall. At the last

moment, Wrath blocked him to keep him from crashing into

the massive black shape that filled the stall. The shape, like a

boulder larger than Wrath, heaved and fell with the steady

breath of a creature deep in sleep after a tiresome journey.

“That is Apis. You do not want to disturb him,” said

Wrath.

“Apis the bull?” Fury sounded excited by this.

“The one and same.”

Fury understood the implication, “With the girls back

there and the black bull himself, that means almost everyone

is here. The four queens haven’t been together at Empyrean

since before your time, old dam.”

47

Wrath started to answer, but was interrupted by a

muculent snort from Apis.

“Sorry, big fella,” Fury was trying to be friendly.

“Don’t expect a reply. He never speaks.” Wrath turned

away from the stall.

Neither horse wanted to wake this hulking beast, so they

continued to the far end of the stable.

The two soldier-horses positioned themselves in silence

for their hard-earned rest, quietly hoofing the straw into the

shape of a bed. Wrath had slept on hard ground many times

and found a comfortable spot more quickly than his partner.

Fury, despite being trained as a warrior, was used to the

pampered life in the stables of the Northern Castle and so

there was much stamping and brushing of the straw in his

stall.

This gave Wrath time to consider what was happening

tonight. He knew the six mares were responsible for the

pumpkin coach of the Queen of the Western Sun and Apis in

his many reincarnations was solely responsible for guiding

the chariot of the Queen of the Southern Valley. The only

queen yet to be present was the Queen of the Eastern Sky.

When she arrived, Fury was right, that would be the first time

all four queens met at Empyrean in all of Wrath’s eighty

years. That meant only one thing to Wrath, that some great

evil was rising across the land, something so powerful that

48

the Empyrical Wizards summoned the queens from their four

realms.

If there was to be a war, no one was prepared. Only the

Northern Friesians and their men were trained as an army.

And of those, only Wrath had seen an actual battle and that

was when he was still a colt. Peace had reigned for so long

under the skies that Castle Empyrean touched that perhaps

even the queens had forgotten the old wars.

Wrath was going to warn his young friend of the threat

that he suspected, but Fury had fallen asleep almost as soon

as he made his bed. Now Wrath would wait for the twin

Alkonosts to arrive with the Queen of the Eastern Sky or any

news from the halls and chambers in the glass towers above

him.

He had only met the Alkonosts once and tried hard to

remember what they looked like. He pictured their feathered

wings and fanned tails, identical down to the pointed black

claws ticking against the tempered floor. Even he was struck

by the beauty of their human heads, both young, vibrant

females, who were truly as old as the mountains that marked

the gateway to the East.

Wrath was used to the dwarves and occasional trolls that

inhabited his country, but he was not so experienced to know

the many creatures of this world. He knew that the Eastern

country was by far the largest of all the domains and he knew

49

that was where the last few dragons had been hunted, but he

never imagined the possibility of so many amazing creatures

sharing the same sun. He came to know a few. Aside from

the extinct unicorns, the Alkonosts were his favorite.

Wrath drifted into sleep, with the sweetness of their long

forgotten voices easing his worries of the impending storm.

50

51

About Mark Miller

Mark currently resides in Florida with his wife and four

children. Mark has completed five novels, a screenplay, three

digital short story series and several other short stories. The

first three books of his Empyrical Tales are available in print

and eBook. Helping Hands Press published his adaptation of

the Christian movie Daniel’s Lot, a spiritual series called

One, and a children’s educational adventure series called

Small World Global Protection Agency. Inspirational stories

with positive messages are his goal with everything he

writes.

Mark believes being a father of four makes him uniquely

qualified for young people and adults alike. He hopes his

writing sends a positive message with strong role models and

a beneficial moral element. His two young daughters

unknowingly provided the models that helped create the main

character sisters in The Fourth Queen.

52

From

Starland Vamp Book 1:

Star

By

Theresa Oliver

Amazon Author Page: http://goo.gl/atUAf

www.TheresaOliver.com

www.FB.com/pages/Theresa-Oliver/222240647830818

53

Chapter 1: Bodyguard

“You can have a seat, Ms. Star,” a pretty receptionist in

her mid-twenties greeted me with a friendly smile. “I’ll let

Dr. Abbott know you’re here. He’s expecting you.”

Nodding curtly, my stiletto heels tapped rhythmically as

I walked toward the seat she had indicated. I like heels. They

make me look older. I know, usually women want to look

younger, but I’m not like most women. Most women aren’t

vampires.

Seated, I looked around the sparse, metallic room and

breathed in a sigh, feeling the rush of air fill my lungs. I

really don’t need air to live. In fact, I can go for long periods

of time without the life giving substance; hours, possibly a

day if I have to. But to go without it for an extended period

of time feels more and more uncomfortable the longer I go

without it, until finally my lungs feel as if they might explode

if I don’t breathe in. Breathing deeply now, feeling the air

rush into my lungs, feels comforting, life giving.

Although I don’t need air to live, blood is another thing

altogether. Yes, I eat human food and it sustains me for a

time, but not for long. But blood? That is my primary source

of nourishment. Fulfillment, I guess is more the word. For

you see, blood is life giving, too. It flows freely through my

veins like a human’s, but my body actually metabolizes it for

54

food, unlike a human. For humans, blood renews itself

creating an unending source of life. But within my body,

blood isn’t renewed. It’s used. Blood carries oxygen

throughout my body as it is for a human, but it’s also used for

food. This leads me to my primary source of replenishment.

Relax, I once fed on humans. In fact, human blood tastes

better and is more satisfying than any other source. Luscious,

life-giving, human blood carries oxygen and metabolizes

better within my body than any other kind, probably because

it’s closer to my own, since I once was human. But I swore

off human blood long ago. After all, how can I protect

humanity if I’m destroying it? It’s an oxymoron, really. A

contradiction. You can’t protect the sanctity of life if you’re

taking it, so I swore off human blood.

My heart beats and my body functions just fine on

animal blood, thank you very much. But I don’t like rabbits,

squirrels, and Bambi. I prefer big game. They present more

of a challenge. I like the fight, the hunt, and the kill. I guess

the killer instinct within me never left, even though I’ve

sworn off killing humans centuries ago. But I don’t kill

unless it’s necessary. In fact, I will go out of my way to keep

from killing, but just don’t piss me off. Even though I’ve

sworn not to kill humans doesn’t mean I haven’t been known

to slip upon occasion.

55

As for the sun, I don’t suddenly burst into flames, and I

don’t sparkle. My skin glows and shimmers in the sun as if I

had just slathered baby oil over my skin. My shimmering

skin is not enough to keep me out of the sun, but it is enough

to draw the attention of the humans. So I cover up in the sun,

unless I’m at the beach, of course. Even though we try not to

draw the attention of the humans, there are some of us that

relish the attention. Hence, super models. Let’s just say that

many supermodels and I have a lot in common.

Even though the sun itself poses no threat, fire is my

biggest enemy. When humans are burned, their skin blisters

and peels, but when a vampire is burned, that part which was

burned disintegrates, vanishing completely with no hope of

repair.

While we’re on the subject, let’s clear up a few myths.

Many myths were created with the sole purpose of giving

humans the idea that they stood a chance against us, or else

they wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. So go on believing

and rest easy tonight, safe in your bed. Sure.

Anyway, the myths: (1) Yes, a stake in the heart will kill

me, that is, if you can catch me first. Of course! My heart

beats, although much more slowly than a human, therefore, it

is fallible. It can stop. And if it stops for any length of time, I

will die, but my rib cage is as strong as steel, so my heart is

well protected. (2) Yes, I have super-human strength and

56

reflexes. I can move at lightning speed, faster than a human’s

eye can see. (3) I don’t have fangs, but I do have venom, and

my venom can kill or turn a human into a vampire. If I bite a

human, I must drain them completely, taking their life, or

they will become like me. And they would not be happy with

me once they recover, but most don’t mind. (4) Garlic is

great over pasta. (5) Coffins are for the dead. I only sleep

when my body needs to rejuvenate itself, then I go into

almost a coma, appearing to be dead … until I awaken. Once,

I gave a coroner a heart attack, literally, when I sat straight

up on the table in the morgue. He didn’t suffer.

I’ve been trained in every mode of self defense known to

man. I’m a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, but would

probably be a 5th degree if I tested. I am a master at Jujitsu,

Judo, Karate, and Kung Fu, as well. For a good work out, I

do Kickboxing and Kumdo, which means “way of the sword”

in Korean.

As for weapons, I am a master at all types of swords and

guns, especially standard military issue weapons such as the

M-16 rifle, the AA-12 automatic shotgun, Scar-H assault

rifle, Barrett 50 cal sniper rifle, M-134 Gatling Gun, and

grenade launchers. The usual. Also, I’m well versed in many

ancient weapons that are currently obsolete such as the

musket, and modern illegal weapons such as the Uzi and

Ballistics Knife, a projectile knife primarily used by Russian

57

military personnel. Oh, and I’m the military’s greatest, most

deadly weapon.

I have experience in every war since the Revolutionary

War, and yes, I am American through and through. Why am I

the military’s greatest weapon? Because I’m a covert CIA

operative. I don’t exist, as far as the military is concerned.

The government caught word of my existence when I got

a bit sloppy singlehandedly wiping out some mobsters in

Chicago in 1929. They called it the St. Valentine’s Day

Massacre, promising to keep my identity—along with the

fact that vampires exist—a secret. I mean, could you really

sleep at night knowing we exist? It would cause mass panic

and change the world as we know it.

Getting back to the CIA, they made me an offer I

couldn’t refuse—monetary, of course—and promised me the

opportunity to save the world. I really didn’t need the money

since I was already very wealthy, but the opportunity to save

the world? That I couldn’t refuse. I’ve been working for the

CIA since its inception during WWII, but I’ve been working

for the government in some form since the Revolutionary

War. Military intelligence has been important to the

government since the time of George Washington. Believe

me, I should now.

As I said before, I work for a covert branch of the CIA

that doesn’t exist, and Dr. Sam Abbott is my contact. Or, at

58

least, that’s the name I know him by. This branch is so

secretive and covert that we are only called in times of dire

emergency to do a job. It doesn’t take many of us. Yes, don’t

be so shocked, I’m not the only one. Anyway, a few of us can

go in without anyone knowing and create the devastation of a

whole army. Ten of us can take down a human army with

ease. Then, of course, humans take the credit. That suits me

just fine, since our existence must remain secret.

Also, vampires are not made frivolously. For one thing,

most of us do not want to take over the human race. Notice I

said most. But every few years, a sadistic idiot comes along

that wants to take over the human race and thinks he can rule

the world. Then we’re called in to take him, or her, down

quietly. Does Hitler ring a bell? Another oxymoron. He

wanted the perfect human race, but if they only knew what he

was … anyway, we were called in to make sure the job was

done correctly.

“Ms. Star?” the pretty receptionist asked, bringing me

from my reverie. “Dr. Abbott will see you now.” Dr. Abbott

was the fifth human I’ve worked for within my time here.

Although my bosses age and gradually die, never once have

any of them asked me why I do not age. They already know.

“Very well,” I nodded, giving her a gracious smile. She

was used to seeing me now. I remember the first time I

59

smiled at her five years ago. She was young and, even though

we were both female, she staggered a bit.

“Ms. Star,” Dr. Abbott began, rising from his desk; a

gentleman. “It’s so good to see you again.” He acted like he

hadn’t seen me in a while. This must be important.

“Likewise,” I said, smiling. “And please, call me

Abigail.”

He didn’t shake my hand. “Do you mind?” Dr. Abbott

pulled a digital scanner from inside his desk.

“Not at all,” I replied, smiling sweetly, then held out my

hand. Any other human would have been dazzled, but he was

unmoved, all business.

A moment later, the scanner glowed blue after he

scanned my hand. A second later it beeped and he checked

the reading. “You’re clean.”

I sat down politely in a stiff, wooden chair across from

his high power desk and daintily crossed my legs. I was not

impressed. “Let’s cut the bullshit, Sam. What can I do for

you?”

Dr. Abbott smiled. “I see you haven’t changed, Star.”

My sweet smile returned. “Abigail, please.”

“As you wish,” he said, clearly enjoying the dangerous

exchange. He knew who I was and how dangerous I could

be. “The reason why I’ve called you here today is that I need

you for a secret mission.”

60

“I kind of gathered that,” I said, matter of fact. I

wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t secretive and dangerous.

Again, he smiled. “And I need your ultimate discretion.”

“Of course.” I crossed my hands over my knees. To him,

I didn’t look a day over 16. In reality I was changed when I

was 18. I look young for my age. “Let’s cut to the chase,

Sam. What’s the job?”

“I see some things haven’t changed,” Dr. Abbott

laughed. “Patience never was one of your virtues.”

“Among others,” I replied, still smiling.

“Here’s the deal,” he began, running a hand through his

salt and pepper hair. “I need you to be a bodyguard.”

“Bodyguard?” I almost shouted. “I haven’t been a

bodyguard for years! Come now, Sam, I’ve been on covert

missions, an assassin for the government, but a bodyguard?”

It was too easy. I’d be bored stiff within the matter of a week.

“Yes, a bodyguard,” Sam replied sternly.

“No,” I said curtly, rising from my seat.

“Sit back down,” Dr. Abbott directed, pointing to the

chair.

“You’re treading on dangerous ground,” I said, my green

eyes flaring as I pushed a lock of wavy brown hair away

from my face.

“Please,” Dr. Abbott replied a bit sarcastically, gesturing

toward the chair.

61

I slowly sat down. After a moment of silence, I asked,

“Who is it, anyway?” Maybe it was the president or a

dignitary. Once, I had to pretend to infiltrate a drug cartel to

be the bodyguard of a drug lord. He didn’t live long.

Sam’s grey eyes searched mine as I waited. He sighed.

“He’s my son.”

“Your son?” I replied, getting to my feet. “Okay, I’ve

heard enough.”

“Star,” he yelled. “Sit down!”

Within a second, I was around his power desk with my

hand on his throat. “Tread very carefully, Sam.”

“Let him go,” a male voice called out as he entered the

room. It was a voice I knew well.

“Fredrick!” I shouted, surprised. He was the vampire

who changed me during the Revolutionary War when I was

dying. He saved my life and quickly became my mentor and

friend, and had taken the place of my father since.

“Abby,” Fredrick said with a smile. “They call me Rick

now.”

“Not Fred?” I asked, letting go of Dr. Abbott as if

nothing had transpired.

“No, I never liked it,” he said, moving to my side with

lightning speed. “Rick is much more modern.”

I wrapped my arms around him in a hug. I didn’t have to

worry about being careful hugging Fredrick, or Rick, as he

62

now wanted to be called. A moment later I released him, and

walked at human speed to the front of the desk, while Dr.

Abbott coughed and rubbed his throat.

“I wouldn’t be asking you this if it weren’t important,”

Dr. Abbott began. Then, I looked at Rick and he nodded. So,

he was Abbott’s bodyguard. Figures.

“Dr. Abbott here was just telling me about a job he

wants me for,” I explained to Rick.

“So I’ve heard,” Rick replied. So, he was in on it.

I nodded, then turned my attention back to Abbott. “Why

me? Why not one of your human CIA agents? Or, better yet,

a Secret Service agent?”

“This matter has to be handled delicately,” he replied,

then I understood.

“He doesn’t know about this, does he?” I asked, putting

the pieces together.

Abbott shook his head.

“And you don’t want him to know about this, do you?”

“No.”

“How old is he?”

“He’s 18.”

“High school?” I asked, incredulous, sinking back into

my chair.

Rick suppressed a smile.

“You fit the bill,” Dr. Abbott calmly replied.

63

“Meaning, I look like I could be in high school,” I

finished. I looked at Rick, but he was no help. He just

shrugged his shoulders, innocently suppressing a smile. I

released my breath in a gust. “Why do you need me? Or

someone like me?”

Dr. Abbott knew my meaning. “My son is in grave

danger. They’ve found him.”

I nodded, understanding. “The Others.”

“Yes. Please protect him at all costs,” Dr. Abbott

continued, “but be discrete.”

“Don’t tell him,” I added, understanding.

“And keep him alive at all costs and with any means at

your disposal,” Dr. Abbott continued, looking deeply into my

eyes.

I understood. He knew what I was and what I could do.

He was even willing for him to become a vampire if it was

necessary to save him. “I understand.”

“And one more thing,” Dr. Abbott continued. “Never

grab me like that again, if you want to live.”

I raised an eyebrow, incredulous, and smiled sweetly.

“Are you threatening me, Sam? Because I don’t like to be

threatened.”

“Okay,” Rick intervened. “That’s enough.”

“Just don’t do it again,” Dr. Abbott reinforced.

“Then don’t order me around.”

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He nodded. “You haven’t changed.”

I sighed and sat back down again. “Who am I going in

as?”

He knew exactly what I meant. I didn’t mean a disguise;

I was a shape shifter. A vampire shape shifter. That was why

Dr. Abbott didn’t shake my hand when I came in. A vampire

shape shifter must touch the people they wish to impersonate

to get their body print. If I wished, I could now impersonate

him. That was also why he used the digital hand scanner on

me when I came in. When I change into another person, only

my fingerprints remained the same. The CIA developed the

hand scanner to detect and determine the identity of

fingerprints immediately. It was the only way he could be

sure it was me and not an imposter.

“You’ll be going in as yourself,” Dr. Abbott answered.

I nodded understanding. “What’s my cover?”

“You’re a high school student. You can choose your

cover.”

“Thank you,” I nodded sweetly.

“And Rick will pose as your father.”

“Oh, come now, Sam,” I replied, crossing my arms. “I

don’t need a body guard.”

“Not for you. For my son,” Dr. Abbott supplied. “Rick

will help you with your cover.”

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“Your son needs two bodyguards?” I asked, unable to

believe the turn the assignment had taken.

“There will be more than one of them coming for him,”

Dr. Abbott replied. “And we don’t know if any are … well

… like you.”

“Meaning, a shape shifter,” I supplied, rolling my eyes.

Great. I was going to babysit a teenage boy and didn’t know

how many or what exactly was coming after him and I was to

pose as a teenage girl with a father. I must be insane. “I’ll do

it. When do we leave?”

“Immediately,” Dr. Abbott replied. It was certainly

dangerous, probably entailing more danger than he revealed.

I’d known Dr. Abbott for years and, despite our exchange, I

liked him and trusted his judgment. It must have been very

serious, indeed. “Rick will apprise you of the details on the

way.”

“On the way?” I asked Dr. Abbott, unbelieving. “He

doesn’t live here in Washington D.C.?”

“No,” his faded grey eyes turned sad. “He lives with his

mother and she’s refusing protection.”

“I see.” It was serious. I thought for a moment,

remembering the vow I took to preserve human life, then I

turned back to Abbott. “Sam, I’ll take care of him. I

promise.”

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He nodded, taking my hands into his. I already had his

body print, after all. Then, Dr. Abbott looked directly into my

bright green eyes with all the seriousness he could manage.

“I’m counting on it.”

I nodded, understanding. He wouldn’t be sending us

unless it was serious.

“We’d better be going,” Rick said, interrupting my

reverie. “We have a long ride ahead of us.”

I nodded, squeezing Sam’s hand one last time. And

within moments, we were in Rick’s black Mercedes GL450

SUV on our way to who knows where to be a body guard to a

teenage boy I didn’t know. God help me.

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About Theresa Oliver

Theresa Oliver is the author of Star, Starland Vamp

Series, book 1, and Cambria, Cambria Series, Book 1. Her

short stories have also appeared in the following anthologies:

The Christmas Wish in Angels Among Us, the angel

anthology by Write More Publications; The Christmas

Cottage is in A Home for the Holidays, the Firefly and Wisp

Publishing holiday romance anthology; and The Door is in

13 Tales of the Paranormal, a paranormal romance

anthology by Firefly and Wisp Publishing. Theresa’s books

Thou Shalt Not Kill and Crystal the Christmas Angel are

coming soon, both with Write More Publications. Theresa

has also published over 125 news articles in newspapers in

Tennessee and Florida. In addition to being a published

author, Theresa is also a teacher, publisher, and the mother of

three wonderful boys.

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December 16, 2012

Community Building, Mt. Dora, FL

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The event included live music and a gift basket raffle

donated by local Mt. Dora businesses. With nine authors in

attendance, we look forward to a bigger show next time.

Thank you for reading!