Catching Temptation (In Darkness She Fades (Book 1) (20 page)

Mrs. Linn shrieks.

I beam. Warm arms encircle my
waist. Unlike humans, I can see perfectly in the dark.

Silus’ handsome face registers my
own. “I told you I’d come back for you.”

My eyes turn an electric green
and the black part of my hair fades away, leaving a beautiful white shine. My
figure morphs into sharper features. I can feel the mark on my neck heal
instantly. “I didn’t know if you were alive.”

Silus chuckles. “Did you really
think Jenkins could defeat me?” Conjuring a single blue rose from his pocket,
he hands it to me. Raking a claw through my hair, he massages his fingers down
to my shoulders. “Will you come back with me?”

I smile and snake my arms around
his neck. “Tempt me.”

Pulling me into a tighter
embrace, he kisses me. I deepen the kiss, loving every second of our
connection. The way he smells of pine and a single strand of his black hair
slashes across his eye. I finally have a family. I can finally go home.

The surrounding goblins cheer,
except for Remorse. He is staring at the photo on Mrs. Linn’s desk. Picking up
the photo, he strokes the picture of the plain girl. His eyes flicker to Mrs.
Linn when she makes a gurgling noise. A lamp lay on the floor with light still
emitting from its’ flashing core. “Be this yer daughter?”

Mrs. Linn’s body freezes, but she
manages to nod.

“Yer a witch, but human, so her
father be the immortal.” Remorse frowns and points a spidery finger at Mrs.
Linn. “Be warned, yer daughter’s life be in danger. He be huntin’ her at de
moment. He can feel her and yer disguise ain’t gonna fool him. Teach yer
daughter how to do the spell or she’ll be found before the week is out. Yer not
alone in this world anymore and yer daughter be not the only one of her kind.
Jenkins woulda taken her if he’d lived. But he be not as powerful as the
creature seeking yer daughter.”

The goblins cackle loudly. The eclipse
is about to end. After all, they only last about five minutes.

Silus holds me – his new queen –
as the wind picks up. “Return to Rosewood!”

The goblins pop out of the room
and into the blackness of the world. I smile – happy for the first time – to
fade into the darkness.

Acknowledgments

I’ve
been fortunate to have a very supportive family who has cheered me on from the
first day I began writing. To the blueboarders on Verla Kay’s Message Board,
the overwhelming encouragement and dedication to each other is priceless. To
author Talia Vance on the blueboards, who believed in Temptation, and
encouraged me to keep seeking publication. My sister, who helped me create
Temptation’s song,
Alice Demented
, from a short poem I wrote as a
teenager. To my two darling girls, Karma and Isis, for reminding me of the
wonder and curiosity of a child’s imagination, as well as the beauty of
unconditional love.

Most
importantly, to my favorite author Clare B. Dunkle, who took the time to give
me advice over the years, and inspired me to be the author that I am today. Her
dedication to her fans is truly inspiring and is something I hope to achieve
for my fans. Thank you
J

About
the Author

Sarah Erber
spent her childhood growing up around the lush forests and
beautiful lakes around Interlochen, Michigan.
Since childhood, she moved
to Central Texas where she is rearing her two beautiful little girls, Karma and
Isis. Between raising children, working, going to College, and writing novels,
she still finds time to dip into a good book.

Works
in Progress

The
In Darkness She
Fades Series
: Book 2: INCURABLE KARMA is in the editing stages.

Book 3 of the
In
Darkness She Fades Series
is half written.

My New Adult fiction
novel
A Martyr for Freedom
is still in the development stage.