Death of Darkness
by Dianne Duvall
Immortal Guardians Book #9
Release Date: August 20, 2019
Seth has led the Immortal Guardians for thousands of years. With them fighting by his side, he has protected humans from psychotic vampires, defeated corrupt mercenary armies, defended military bases under attack, and more. But the latest enemy to rise against the Immortal Guardians has proven to be a formidable one, wielding almost as much power as Seth. His goal is simple. He wants to watch the world burn. And he will use every means at his disposal to accomplish it. Seth and his Immortal Guardians have succeeded thus far in staving off Armageddon despite heartbreaking losses. But they have never before faced such danger. Seth has only one wish: to protect his Immortal Guardians family and ensure the continuation of humanity by defeating his foe. But then Leah walks into his life and sparks a new desire.
Leah Somerson has suffered losses of her own. It has taken her a long time to rebuild her life and find some semblance of peace. Then one night a tall, dark, powerful immortal with what appears to be the weight of the world on his shoulders stumbles into her shop, and everything changes. Peace and contentment are no longer enough. Now she wants more. She wants to find happiness. She wants to erase the darkness in Seth’s eyes and replace it with love and laughter. She knows he’s different in ways that make most fear him. Even some of his immortal brethren keep a careful distance. But Leah will not. Nor will she shy away when danger strikes.
Excerpt:
Seth entered Little Gifts, using telekinesis to silence the bell overhead so it wouldn’t ding and alert Leah to his presence.
Her back still to him, she stretched up to hang some little blouses on another rack. As she lowered her hands, she drew them down her sides in a sensual stroke and began to move more to the music, believing herself alone.
Seth crossed his arms over his chest, leaned against the wall, and just enjoyed watching her. She wore a pink T-shirt that hugged her hourglass figure. Every time she raised her hands to hang more garments, his gaze went to the breasts he could glimpse the sides of as she twisted and rocked to the beat. Full breasts he’d brushed his arm against. Twice. Full breasts that would fit perfectly in his hands.
Her jeans clung to a shapely ass and legs that seemed to go on forever, ending in feet tucked into sneakers instead of high heels. She was so self-conscious about her height that Seth doubted she ever wore the latter.
Personally, he thought her height perfect.
Leah grabbed some blue T-shirts. Hips still swaying enticingly, she spun around, then jerked to a halt and let out a squeak of surprise. A wide range of emotions swept across her expressive features as she stared at him. Fear at discovering she wasn’t alone. Recognition and relief. Pleasure at seeing him again. Then a great deal of embarrassment.
Smiling, he mouthed, “Caught you.”
Cheeks flushing, she laughed and raised the T-shirts to hide her face.
The music faded as the song drew to an end.
“Brittney let me in,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
She lowered the shirts. “Not at all. But I really wish you hadn’t seen that.”
“Why? You’re a wonderful dancer.”
Acoustic guitar music began to play.
“You’re just trying to make me blush again,” she called over the music.
He grinned. What was it about her that seemed to instantly lighten his spirits?
Drums joined the guitar, providing a Latin beat.
Setting the shirts aside, she started to move toward the back room, no doubt intending to lower the volume. After just a couple of steps, however, she stopped and looked back at him. She eyed him speculatively, then extended a hand to him.
Seth tilted his head, unsure of her meaning. Did she want him to accompany her to the back room?
Turning her lithe body to face him, one hand still extended, she began to move her feet in a salsa step that was damned alluring as her hips joined in.
Surprise flashed through him. She was asking him to dance?
Smiling, he shook his head.
Narrowing her eyes playfully, she held out her other hand as well, waggling her fingers in a come on, you know you want to gesture.
His heart gave an odd little leap. He did, he realized with a great deal of surprise. He did want to.
Seth straightened away from the wall and would later wonder what imp had seized control of his mind and body. Because all it took was one more waggle of her fingers to compel him to doff his coat.
The simple truth, however, was that he liked her. Whatever light burned inside her called to him and alleviated—at least for a time—the darkness that seemed to constantly dog his footsteps.
What the hell are you doing? the voice of reason inquired.
Ignoring it, he hung up his coat.
Leah’s pretty face brightened with a delighted smile.
Abandoning his cares, his concerns, and his many obligations, Seth strode toward her.
Her eyes widened when he shoved weighted racks of clothing to either side as he did, clearing a dance floor for them.
A man began to sing in Spanish.
As soon as he was within touching distance, he took Leah’s hands and drew her close. Their feet began to move in tandem, their hips to sway. Seth knew many of the steps she chose and followed them easily. Salsa. Merengue. Bachata. And the two of them danced as though they’d been doing so together for years. Always touching.
Leah laughed as he twirled her around and around and back again. Seth grinned, his heart light. Tugging her closer, he slid an arm around her waist and settled his hand above those sexy as hell, swaying hips. She grinned back and smoothed a hand up his chest, curling it around the back of his neck. His skin began to tingle, his heart to race. He spun her again, then again and again before he drew her against him—this time with her back to his front. As they moved, he rested a hand on her flat stomach, slipping it up and splaying his fingers until his thumb rested just beneath her tempting breasts.
His pulse leapt. Her hair brushed his chin as he drew in a deep breath. Her scent hit him like an aphrodisiac as she inched closer, her ass brushing against him as their hips touched, rocking from side to side.
Fire flashed through him, heating his blood as long-dormant lust struck hard.
Seth spun her away to put a little distance between them, clasping both her hands as they returned to the salsa. She seemed completely unaware of the effect she had on him, caught up in the moment, the music, and the dance.
He twirled her again, grinning when she laughed.
She moved around behind him and stepped up close. Her pelvis brushed his ass as she slid an arm around him, splaying her fingers on his chest.
Holy hell, it felt good. He had missed a woman’s touch. And Leah’s affected him so strongly that it was all he could do not to moan. Slipping his hand back between their bodies, he clasped her free hand, ducked, and twirled under their arms to face her, then spun her around and around. When he stopped, she danced away a bit, raising her arms high as she sent him a flirtatious smile.
It’s not personal, that annoyingly reasonable voice tried to warn him. She isn’t flirting with you. It’s just the dance.
Seth ignored it and moved forward. Resting his hands on her hips, he drew her close, too tempted to resist.
She stared up at him, her face flushed, her heart pounding as loudly as his beneath the music.
So beautiful.
He slipped a thigh between hers, hips still moving to the beat.
Her other thigh slipped between his as her breasts brushed against him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she closed her eyes and nuzzled his chest.
Seth wrapped his other arm around her and settled his hand on the small of her back, as close as he dared to her lovely ass. He wanted so badly to slide his hand down, palm the firm flesh there, and urge her even closer against his hard body. But she had asked him to dance, not to grind on her and simulate sex.
He spun her away from him, afraid he might be making her uneasy.
But she smiled, unoffended, when she looked up at him. “Tease,” she called good-naturedly.
Laughing, he relaxed back into the dance and sent her into a flurry of spins that ended with him bending her back over his arm in a deep dip as the music ended.
Both were breathless.
Seth straightened, keeping his arms around her until she was steady, then stepped back.
Neither spoke.
Loud trumpets and drums introduced the next song.
Turning, Leah hurried into the back room. The volume lowered.
Seth… didn’t know what to think as he struggled to bring his body back under control. What had just happened?
Leah returned. “That was awesome!” she exclaimed with an infectious grin. “I mean, that was so much fun!”
He laughed. “Yes, it was.”
The Immortal Guardians Series:
Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians series and The Gifted Ones series. Reviewers have called Dianne's books "fast-paced and humorous" (Publishers Weekly), "utterly addictive" (RT Book Reviews), "extraordinary" (Long and Short Reviews), and"wonderfully imaginative" (The Romance Reviews). Her books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and are routinely deemed Top Picks by RT Book Reviews, The Romance Reviews,and/or Night Owl Reviews.
Dianne loves all things creative. When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and has even appeared on-screen, crawling out of a moonlit grave and wielding a machete like some of the vampires she creates in her books.
For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit DianneDuvall.com. You can also find Dianne online . . .
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1 — Immortal Guardian & The Gifted Ones Prize Packs that includes; a Death of Darkness tote bag, signed paperback copies of Blade of Darkness and Awaken the Darkness, 13 bookmarks, 13 collector cards, and 5 postcards.
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Can't wait
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Lynn! I hope that your readers enjoyed this peek into DEATH OF DARKNESS - out now! - Crystal @ Author's Taproom
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! :)
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