Prologue
The steam swirled and danced within the inipi lodge, filling his body with the sacred medicine of the earth--cleansing his soul. His heart beat in sync with the rhythm of the drum, luring him to the underworld. The atmosphere within the lodge changed as the darkness retreated.
Her aura was bright--so bright that it seared into his brain, tearing at his mind until he was sure he would go mad. Just when he was certain that he could take no more, the light dimmed to reveal her angelic beauty. It was her ... the one he had to find, had to protect against the darkness.
His need for her burned deep within his groin until it erupted into uncontrollable desire. Her innocence was so complete that it sent shards of guilt into his heart.
He must find her, save her ... but he couldn't take her innocence.
The Soul Eater was taunting him, tormenting him with the girl's beauty. It wanted to destroy her for she was a threat. Her light could chase away its darkness and starve its hunger. The Soul Eater's need for her was as strong as his own, but it would devour her soul, and the light of her power. The vision wavered, changing until she stood before him, seductively beckoning him to caress her naked flesh.
The mist crawled over her peach-colored skin, stroking her with its ghostly fingers. Her, dark nipples stood erect, inviting him to nibble them. Luscious full lips parted as she gasped, revealing her pleasure at the phantom's touch.
Lust overwhelmed him. He could almost feel her flesh wrapping around his swollen thickness, squeezing until he erupted within her.
The Soul Eater would use his passions against him, tease him ... blind him with lust until he was sightless to its evil ... until he forgot his purpose.
The shadows crept ever closer to his angel. Its hunger would devour her as he watched, helpless to stop it.
The vision changed abruptly. She was gone and in her place was his little brother. The sweet ring of the child's laughter filled the air. Happiness reflected in the boy's large, dark eyes.
Finally ... a new bike! He'd wanted a new bike for a long time. He'd take the dirt trail and only be gone a moment. His parents wouldn't even realize he was gone.
Night was falling quickly and with it would come the coldness of the grave.
Couldn't he see the darkness, the evil that stalked him?
Watch out little brother! Go faster ... don't let it catch you!
A slight uneasiness descended on the boy and he pedaled the bike faster, but it was gaining on him. The darkness was close to him. It would rip the life from him in its quest for the soul's essence.
The vision wavered and broke apart to become one with the thick mist of the inipi. He was seized by violent trembling. Terror such as he had never known before gripped his heart.
"The evil of the Soul Eater reaches through your dream to touch your heart." The old shaman's voice brought him out of his vision. Raven Heart stared at him from across the lodge.
"I saw her," he told the old man. "It's coming after her and it will come after my brother."
Raven Heart nodded.
"I didn't see where to find her, though."
The old man's bony finger pointed toward the mountain. "You will find her in the shadow of its lair."
)
For fifteen years something evil had stalked the people of Sinister, Wyoming. Brody Silver wolf had always known Jenna was the only one who had the power to stop it. When she was drawn back to Sinister by the latest murder--it was waiting for her. Rating: Spicy.
