Devils Roses 01 - Cursed

CURSED
    Book One of the Devil's Roses

    A Novel by Tara Brown

    Copyright 2012 Tara Brown
    http://TaraBrown22.blogspot.com

    Kobo Edition

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. No alteration of content is permitted. This book is a work of fiction, any similarities are coincidental. This book contains materials not suited for people under the age of 18. All characters in this fictional story are based entirely on the crazed mind of the author and are not based of any human. Any similarities are by chance and not intentional.

    This book is dedicated to my fans—thank you so much. The interest and support has been amazing. I also must thank my husband and children. You supported me even when I was in my writer’s frenzy.

    Cover Art by Once Upon a Time Covers
    Edited by Andrea Burns

    I have enjoyed writing this series and hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much.
    Thank You Nick J (sexiest Proofreader ever).
    A special thanks to Mani and Katy and my friends The Nators. Thank you all.

    Other B ooks by Tara Brown :

    Bane, Book Two of The Devil's Roses
    Hyde, Book Three of The Devil's Roses
    Witch, Book Four of the Devil's Roses
    Death, Book Five of the Devil’s Roses
    Born, Book One of the Born Trilogy
    Born to Fight, Book Two of the Born Trilogy
    The Light of the World
    Vengeance, The Blood Trail Chronicles
    Blackwater
    The Lonely
    The End of Me
    Imaginations

    Portland, Oregon - 2012

    The heels of her boots clicked with every strike against the cold, soaked cement. The dank, night air crept in through her thin sweater. She wrapped her arms around herself and tried to keep up with his pace. She rounded the corner, staying across the street from him. She tried not to let him get too far ahead of her. His outdated pleather jacket made it easy to keep him in her sights. No one but an immortal would be wearing pleather. She never would have noticed it before, but diversions were a necessity and fashion seemed like a reasonable one.
    He turned down a dark alley. She grimaced, and wondered if perhaps, he looked for his next victim. He never looked behind himself. He was overconfident. They always were. His kind always believed they were the strongest animals in the urban jungle. His instincts lied to him and allowed for a false sense of security. He just didn't know it yet.
    She fingered the platinum ring on her right middle finger with her thumb. The small band had a thin red line running through the middle of it. On the under side of the ring, sat a red rose. The ring was her mark. It was her badge. It permitted her to follow the man. It made her brand of deadly force acceptable.
    She winked her right eye, flashing in front of him.
    She lifted him into the air, before he had a chance to change into a worthy adversary. She gasped when her bare hands made contact with the warm, fleshy meat of his throat and the spark started to fill her. The touch of his skin made every moment magnify, as her senses heightened from the feast. He choked and fought, but it was useless.
    His eyes shot to the ring on her finger, recognition and fear spread across his face.
    "You're a Rose."
    His last words.
    Eager for her meal, she shivered in anticipation. The satisfaction filled her like a rich chocolate bar, melting into her taste buds. It sent chills through her arms, where the fire soothed her hunger.
    “ Stop!” a man's voice echoed through the alley.
    The spark of the fire died, taking her meal with it.
    She dropped the dead man to the cold ground and the tingle stopped. She didn’t like ending her meal that way. She licked her lips, wondering if her eyes still glowed like molten steel from her feast. She looked down the alley to where a policeman stood, with his gun drawn. She observed the way his hands shook, with the sizable gun in them. She smirked, knowing it was from lack of confidence. He was clearly new to the force. She knew the feeling.
    “ Stay where you are.” His voice never wavered, but she could sense the fear coming off him. It was a scent that rode on the wind, as if searching out her nose. His voice was