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BLOODLUST Book One of the Casting Stones Trilogy
Tiffany Luv Wright
Copyright ŠTiffany Luv Wright 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission from the publisher. Correspondence is received at: thehivepublications@gmail.com.
Published and Distributed by the Hive Publications The Hive Publications is a DBA of ONE Legacy Works, Inc. For the latest news, information and publications please visit www.HivePublications.com
Publication Design: Paul Smit Cover Art: Stuart Clement Editing: MDJ Business Concierge
About The Hive Publications: The Hive Publications is an independent multimedia publishing company. The intention behind The Hive is to inspire and uplift the individual to live from the core of their creative expression. We create publications in various formats because the insights we share are vibrant, organic and expansive, taking on a life of their own. We believe the exchange of energy and ideas is what nourishes the individual and that to sustain a global audience many forms of communication are needed. The initial publications shared in this community are adapted from the writings of Paul Smit, Author and Speaker for "One" and Visionary Adriana Story Hill as well as many other spiritual partners and creative individuals. Over the years our titles have expanded to cover healing and wellbeing, fiction, poetry, self-discovery, children and family, relationships, biographical works, lifestyle and more. The Hive Publications is dedicated to cultivating a community of authors, artists, and inspiring teachers. We do this by offering training for emerging writers, producing highest caliber printed works, mixed media production, as well as live events. It is our belief that each author, artist and teacher we introduce the world to has a unique gift to share which the world needs to connect to. Each work we produce bears a unique signature of love and hope behind it. As such we celebrate with you a life that is diverse, rich, abundant and limitless. We invite you to learn more about us at www.HivePublications.com.
Chapter 1 Over-privileged, spoiled brat and, well off! She had lots of descriptions over the years from those she had grown up with. She and her family had been un-welcome transplants at one time early in her schooling. Local competition was never a good thing in a smaller community. Their family had moved to New Mexico from the Pacific Northwest coastline. Dark auburn hair, fair skin and hazel eyes mixed with the freckles, had kept her from fitting in the small town of Apache and Spanish descendants early on. Her Irish coupled with Eastern Band Cherokee roots were prominent. She had strong features, and an Indian nose, but incredibly beautiful once she grew out of the childhood awkwardness. If there had been much to complain about it was the Indian nose. She could deal with that. It kept her from the mousy look she hated so much. Teeny tiny and super straight noses were a huge fad. She hated to conform to a passing fad, always opting for what she could predict was coming, that way she was ahead of the crowd. Seemingly, the Spirits had been good to her upon conception.
Passing by the full length mirror, catching a glance of her smaller, curvaceous build on a frame of 5’ 5� was pleasing. She liked to look better than those in the near vicinity. Her hair just a few inches past her shoulders was the absolute perfect length. It had taken a couple of years to get it there after a short pixie cut on a dare from Arianna. After all, she had never really worried about succumbing to trends, pretty much owning all of the local fashion the girls her age were sporting now. She had hazel eyes, framed by thick and long lashes. She and the group of girls that had learned to 5 www.HivePublications.com
smiled at her. "Well, I'm sorry but I just can't let you take a glass. It's my job you know." He was beyond cute, a word she loathed when the other girls used it and above strikingly handsome. Fumbling over her own thoughts she tripped over her own words "well, I could probably just run back out to my car" and that's all she could get spat out.
Grinning even wider, the man with the clear, ice blue eyes chuckled. "I'll wait, I am great with names. I'm Chase, and you would be? I'd like to address you appropriately when you return." He said with a warm smile. It made Jaxx’s heart beat faster. Ugh, polite too, she thought to herself. Furious with this boy who seemed to be standing between her and her flute of bubbly for the night, she took a step back. She quickly bumped into someone and as she turned, was instantly flushed once more. It was Bill Browning, her arch nemesis for the time being. He stared directly at her. Giving her one look up and down, he grinned. That snarky, hateful, ‘I'm better than you’ grin. The same grin that used to make Jaxx swoon now infuriated her. He was so cocky and full of himself. "Yes, excuse you" she said turning back to the boy who just introduced himself as Chase. "My name is Jaxx, and when I come back with my ID you can kindly have a glass of that waiting for me". She stared directly at him, waiting for a response. She wanted to run away and hide from this moment. She was usually quicker on her toes. Chase, sensing the awkward tension between the two past lovers, stated promptly "Jaxx huh? Interesting name, is it short for anything?" As she started to proclaim that it was not short for anything, Bill stepped into the conversation that she quickly wanted out of "Why yes, actually, it is short for Jacqueline Grace. Isn't it, Jaxx? 16 www.HivePublications.com
strength or privacy anywhere else. Coming around the corner with cat like silence, Mau had already stripped off the boots. "My feet are killing me, the price I pay for this look..." she mumbled. “You girls ready or what? I had the waiters slip some bubbly up to the room for us, they don't know you are coming Jaxx." She said laughing out loud. "I had to work around the hot one with the blue eyes; you already busted yourself with him". Jaxx punched her in the arm. "Whatever Mau, I totally would have gotten my glass if Bill hadn't shown up". Inside she knew she was lying, so did the others, but they just all giggled it off. Heading towards the back room after their overnight bags, she spotted Chase bussing a table. She could see the chiseled back, and the sleeves of his arms were rolled halfway up. He was incredibly beautiful. White was definitely his color. Thinking to herself some not so appropriate thoughts, he suddenly turned and caught her. His eyes were like the bluest ice you could imagine. He smiled and winked. Jaxx blushed and rushed to catch up with her girls. Gretta turned and gave her a smirk. Gretta was so intuitive. Jaxx knew she knew. Sometimes their silent communication was just what Jaxx needed. Excited to start their girl’s night, they rushed over to the hotel. Mau’s dad had spent a large amount of money to lavish the girls for the next two nights. Two days and nights off with the incredible females was just what all of the girls needed. Unlocking the door, they piled in, thousand dollar purses tossed carelessly on the floor, shoes tossed in the closet, each slipping into their pajamas and finally settling on the couch and loveseat in the living area. Plates of snacks 23 www.HivePublications.com
Thank goodness he had. It was what had saved Jaxx’s life from the attack by Petra. The girls had been taken in by Chase’s stories. He knew so much, and yet they had so much to learn from their own bloodlines. Each felt slightly robbed of the ability to protect themselves all these years. So much was changing now. The smell was what seeped in first. Was it incense? Patchouli? Sage? Her head was clouded. She could hear low voices. Jaxx felt her eyes cemented shut. She could only listen vaguely to what was being discussed. First she heard Gretta, then the other two girls voices leaked in amongst the chatter. They were whispering loudly, talking intently amongst themselves. She heard Chase’s voice, then another she didn't recognize. It was a woman’s' voice. The strong accent was familiar to her. "You should have brought the lassies here before tonight. You have known for so long Chase MacNabb. Now the danger is imminent. They should be trained. They should be informed. Now, look!" the woman said in a stern voice. "I'm sorry mamma. You were right. I didn't expect an attack right out in the open like that. I saw the girl in the cafe. I trusted she had more sense than this."
"Bah!" the woman snorted. "These Bloodlusts DO NOT have sense, Chase MacNabb. Your father would be disgusted. They are inhuman. They are monsters. Breeching every country’s border, to prey on the young, to live on souls. We are trained for this. There are not many Elemental Circles left to assist us." "Thank you for the food, Mrs. MacNabb" she heard Gretta say. She could hear the other girls agreeing softly. She felt a hand on her forehead. Then the hand held hers. "I'm so sorry." she heard Chase say softly. She tried to squeeze his hand. 52 www.HivePublications.com
not come. Her body was exhausted. Jet lag. Didn't she pack something for this? Lorna had sent her with something. Chase was fast asleep, snoring softly. He was so beautiful in the moonlight. Jaxx silently crept out of the bed. Would it be possible to make her way downstairs to grab a cold drink to wash down the stiff potion? She would try. She quietly slipped out the door. She went down the hall, through the massive second story foyer, and down the massive staircase, only to find the kitchen light was already on. She wasn't the only one up looking for something. Waltzing through the door, she was surprised to find Testa sitting at the table. He smiled at her. Again, he was dazzling, but only for a fleeting moment. Jaxx was a strong enough female to know that the bond she and Chase had was unbreakable. Only by death would she ever forget how he made her feel. The very core of their existence had led them to this moment. Besides, she wasn't sure there was a female alive who wouldn't get a spark from taking in Testa’s beauty and power. It was normal. She smiled back at Testa and took a seat. She still felt wobbly from too much of the raspberry truth wine. The water felt good. Nice and cool on her throat. Testa was staring intently at her. Head cocked to one side and a smirk on his face. "The truth serum really pissed a lass off, huh?" he asked. Was he giggling? "I don't like to be fooled into spilling my guts out in front of a table full of strangers." Jaxx snapped back. Looking him back directly in the eye. "Really though, none of them, or none of us are strangers to you Jaxx. We've always been here. Always watching, leading, and protecting" was his response. "You should never be afraid of what the 133 www.HivePublications.com
About The Author “There isn't any greater gift than that of imagination.” TLW Tiffany Luv Wright tastes life in big gulps. Her Cherokee and Blackfoot Indian heritage gives her a powerful sense of place yet she also is possessed by a spirit of adventure, having travelled and lived abroad over the years. Ms. Wright has a deep appreciation for all things natural, whimsical, artistic and original. Tiffany has left decades of work in business fields to emerge as a powerful creative voice for Fiction with the Hive Publications. In her debut, she is launching the first of a trilogy of Young Adult Fiction told in a gripping paranormal romance novel: ”Bloodlust” Casting Stones, Book one. She loves writing this genre of story and feels it is so important for the younger generation to immerse themselves in imagination and the creative process. According to Tiffany, “there isn't anything better than taking characters to a whole new level, bringing to life new worlds, or weaving stories out of our everyday lives.” She takes inspiration from daily living and incorporates it into her fiction work. Ms. Wright is a very active mother to 5 children, all of whom love books. She motivates them to question everything until the right
answer reveals itself. Despite living a very busy life, her devotion to writing has been immensely rewarding and readers all over the world have a hard time putting her books down. In very candid, eloquent and poignant manner, she truly has a feel for the way young adults navigate the stories of their lives. Tiffany Luv Wright is a must-read author currently working on several different fiction and non-fiction projects with the Hive. Ms. Wright and her partner live with their 5 kids in Ozark, Missouri where they run a vintage and antique shop named Blackberry Lane. We invite you to learn more about Tiffany at www.HivePublications.com, and her blog at: www.tiffanyluvwright.blogspot.com.
About Bloodlust Young Jaxx had everything a girl could dream of, until she discovers her life’s mission in the mines of New Mexico, beginning a descent in to a world of witchcraft, ancient demon enemies, and Immortal lives. It is on this journey she realizes that growing up means coming to terms with the eternal battle between good and evil, and the line blurring at every turn. “Bloodlust”, the first in the Casting Stones trilogy by Tiffany Luv Wright, introduces powerful enemies and fictional characters, as well as a strong and independent young heroine. Jaxx had moved around her entire life, until settling in Silver City, NM., where she meets the best friends she cannot imagine her life without.
Our heroine enters into a world of witchcraft handed down in her family for centuries, and learns that sometimes you have to hold on to those friendships in the physical and spiritual world in order to continue the journey. Gut-wrenching losses, eternal battles between good and evil, and finally able to let go of the material world, Jaxx slides in to an Underworld where witches, spirits, Immortals, Lusts, and other demonic creatures rule. Jaxx loses some of the people closest to her and gains new relationships that are furious with love and purpose. The evil lurking right around the corner is bad enough, but when she realizes how fine the line is between good and evil, it threatens to consume all of the love she has known. She draws her power from earthly stones, and each person has a power connected to the elemental stones destined to them. As her battle pushes on, she realizes that she has only tapped the surface of what exists in our world. Join the beginning of Jaxx’s journey with The Hive Publications’ irresistible Bloodlust, Book One in the Casting Stones Trilogy. 141 www.HivePublications.com