Quench your Thirst with the finale to the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Christopher Pike.Sita has lived for centuries. She has seen more than most people could ever imagine.She has loved and she has lost; she has killed many, and she has given life.Now, at last, Sita’s story culminates in an epic—and satisfying—conclusion to the enormously popular Thirst series.About the AuthorChristopher Pike is the author of more than forty teen thrillers, including the Thirst, Remember Me, and Chain Letter series. Pike currently lives in Santa Barbara, where it is rumored he never leaves his house. But he can be found online at ChristopherPikeBooks.com. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.ONEI’m back in the motel room, staring down at Shanti’s headless body and a mound of shattered glass. The glass is from the window that broke when I threw her head into the parking lot in a fit of rage. Rage that was very close to pleasure. “Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti,” I say to myself. The repetitive sounds constitute a famous mantra in India. It means “Peace, peace, peace.” It is similar to the Christian prayer “Peace be with you.” How ironic, I think, that the demon I have fought since I first became aware of the Telar and the IIC should have chosen to possess the body of a young woman with such a sacred name. Yet I feel no pity for the original Shanti. The demon could not have penetrated her heart without her permission. Only at the end did Shanti reveal how much she enjoyed causing others pain, just like her master. Well, she is dead now, thank God. But is the enemy? Have I even scratched his armor? Unfortunately, I haven’t a clue. If only Umara were still alive. She was the world’s expert when it came to demons. But Matt’s mother sacrificed her life so I could destroy her people, the Telar, and the evil forces arrayed behind them. The cynical part of me wonders if her sacrifice was in vain. How does one destroy an evil that doesn’t have a physical body? I hear approaching footsteps and know their source. There’s only one other in the miserable motel who has my hearing. Matt must have heard the breaking glass and come to investigate. He knocks lightly and I call to him. He pokes his head inside my door. “Why is Shanti’s head sitting on the hood of our SUV?” he asks. Matt has on white shorts, no shirt or shoes. His well-muscled body is deeply tanned, his dark hair a mess from jumping up from sleep. But even though I just woke him up, his eyes are highly alert. How his eyes remind me of his father, Yaksha, the first and most powerful of all vampires. Matt is half vampire, half Telar, an immortal coin from his head to his toes. Looking at him, mostly naked in the room’s dim light, I feel heat stir down below. Despite the circumstances, the lust does not surprise me. My attraction to him has been there from the start. “She was the one. She was the spy,” I reply. Matt steps into the room. “You’re sure?” “She told a few lies, and when I confronted her . . .” I shrug. “She confessed who she was before I killed her.” “What does this mean?” Matt asks. His question appears simple but it is multilayered. Like me, he wants to know if we’ve finally destroyed the demon. He’s also asking if Shanti’s death means the computer program that was planted on the Internet by the Cradle—a group of psychic children—is going to stop hunting us. We have been on the run since we blew up the IIC’s headquarters and supposedly killed every member of the Cradle except for one, Ms. Cynthia Brutran’s five-year-old daughter, Jolie. The two are asleep three doors away. I can only assume they failed to hear the breaking glass. “I’m not sure,” I say. “But at least with Shanti out of the way what we talk about will no longer be heard by those who are trying to kill us.” Matt’s puzzled. “You were close to her. You miss nothing. How was she able to fool you for so long?” The question stings. “She played me. It’s no excuse, it’s just . . .” I pause, searching for the key to her deception. “She made me care for her.” Matt glances out the motel door, at the trickle of blood that runs over the SUV hood from the base of her severed skull. “You weren’t alone. You know Seymour loved her. This is going to kill him.” “Let’s not tell him until morning.” “Fine.” “I don’t want him to see her like this.” Matt nods. “Don’t worry, I’ll take the body and bury it in the desert. No one will find it.” “Thank you.” Matt reaches down and lifts Shanti’s headless torso with one hand. The blood of Yaksha and my daughter, Kalika, flows through my veins, which makes me almost invincible. Yet I know Matt is stronger than me, although I’m not sure of the extent of his power. He’s reluctant to show it, even to me, but I don’t take offense. In this way we are alike: He has a hard time trusting people. That’s why his question continues to sting. I was the first one in the group to meet Shanti, and trust her. “While I’m taking care of the body, go through her things,” Matt says. “You never know what you might find.” “Good idea.” I had already planned to do that. “Are you sure you don’t want help?” “It’s not necessary. I have a shovel in the trunk.” “What made you bring a shovel?” “Times like this.” Matt stuffs the torso and head into several large-size garbage bags and walks off into the desert. He doesn’t take the SUV; he doesn’t need it. I feel a wave of relief as he disappears into the dark. Seymour’s a night owl. There’s always a chance he’s up, watching TV or reading. He could even be writing a new book. He once told me he seldom went a whole day without writing a few pages. Shanti has a small suitcase in our motel room but a larger one in the back of the SUV. I find it interesting that she went out of her way to leave it in the vehicle. When I first open it, I’m disappointed. It’s stuffed with clothes, a few magazines, a pair of boots, running shoes, a watch, and a cell phone—devoid of any stored numbers. Yet when I have finished emptying the suitcase on her bed, I notice a faint bulge on the interior of the lid, beneath the leather lining. Human eyes would never have noticed it. The area is sewn shut; indeed, it looks as if it has never been exposed since the day the suitcase was constructed. If I were to hide something, I think, and it were important to me, I would put it in exactly the same place. I tear off the inner lining of the suitcase. There’s a manila envelope inside. I open it with a swipe of my fingernail. Inside are two items: a business card and a photograph. The card lists the name of a lawyer: Michael Larson of Pointe, Wolf, and Larson, 1250 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. The card is made of high-quality paper, the printing is impeccable. It smells of money. Written on the back of the card, with a dull pencil, is another New York phone number. The photograph is of a middle-aged couple. The woman looks familiar, even though I’m certain I’ve never met her before. The couple sits smiling on a couch beside an open window that looks out on rolling grassland with a lake in the distance. They appear to be a typical couple. The man has his arm around his wife. I’m certain they’re married. There’s an ease between them that only comes from having lived many years together. I see their love for each other in their eyes. Looking out the window, behind them, I’m pretty sure I see a piece of land that belongs to North Carolina. The type of trees, the color of the lake, the way the green fields slope—I’ve visited the area before. On a small end table, to the right of the couch where they sit, is a black-and-white photograph. The picture is handsomely framed but it was taken with a primitive camera. The print is grainy, the focus questionable. I suspect the photograph was snapped in the forties or fifties. Once more, there’s a couple, although these two are younger and they’re standing on Ellis Island, near the foot of the Statue of Liberty. They’re not alone—a hundred people mill in the background. Most look weary and I can understand why. They have just crossed the Atlantic and arrived in the New World. But the couple at the forefront of the group don’t look exhausted. On the contrary, they’re bursting with excitement to be standing on the doorstep of New York City. Studying their faces I can see all the hopes and dreams they have for their future. But I also see their joy is tempered with sorrow. Even if I didn’t know them, I’d still see the pain in their eyes. But I do know them. Their names are Harrah and Ralph Levine. I met them during World War II, in Paris, and spent time with them in the most hellish place the modern age has ever known: Auschwitz, the concentration camp where over a million Jews were slaughtered. It was only because of Harrah and Ralph that I survived the camp. Now I know why the woman on the couch looks familiar. She’s the granddaughter of Harrah and Ralph. I’m still staring at the photograph when Matt returns. I hand it over, along with the card, and tell him who the people in the pictures are. Matt listens closely and studies them with a penetrating gaze. I don’t bother to point out the numeric codes imprinted on Harrah’s and Ralph’s forearms. Matt misses nothing. “How did you happen to become friends?” he asks when he hands back the picture. “We worked together in Paris, with the French Resistance.” “Did you stay in contact after the war?” “Not exactly.” I pause. “We were all sent to Auschwitz.” Matt is stunned. “You’re not telling me you were a prisoner?” “I wasn’t a guest.” “Sita, how could the Nazis contain you? I don’t understand.” Those days are difficult for me to talk about. “It’s a long story, an unbelievable story. Toward the end of the war, I decided to help the Allies defeat the Nazis. My reasons were complex—I’d just as soon not go into them now. But I never imagined for a moment that I&rsq... Views: 33
Mama had always forbade Mike from going to the old house...she said it was pure evil, that the devil lived there. Grandmamma did, too, back when she could still think straight. Hell, everybody in the poverty and crime-ridden Oak knew to stay away from it. But when a drug deal goes bad, and Mike is left penniless and desperate, he and his younger brother, James, do the unthinkable. In the dead of night, they sneak onto the unkempt property in search of rumored treasures. Beneath the thick shadow cast by the deserted home, they find what they are looking for. But brothers get greedy. Enticed by the promise of enough riches to get them out of the doomed neighborhood, the pair enters the house. And soon discover that the truth can be much worse than legend. Time is ever rotting, and the flies and maggots will devour every moment before it passes. "Shane McKenzie has a wonderful grasp of the dark and terrible. He truly understands what terrifies us and his love for the horrific comes through in every ghastly sentence he composes." -Wrath James White, Author of THE RESSURECTIONIST Views: 33
For Weatherby Stein and Morton Candle – private detectives specializing in the paranormal – life normally isn’t easy.
They deal with cases that pit them against ferocious demons in the Tokyo underworld, Satan-worshipping teenagers in a seemingly normal suburb and lizard-men in a Lake Tahoe lounge, and they still manage to come out on top.
But now one of Weatherby’s ancient ancestors, the villainous Viscount Wagner Stein, has been resurrected and is looking to stir up trouble – and he’s not alone.
Facing down dangers from the past like the Viscount and the newly arisen Dracula, Lord of Vampires, Weatherby and Mort have no choice but call in help.
They’ll bring in Weatherby’s sister, a college student studying folklore and her beatnik boyfriend.
They’ll bring in Morton’s squad mates, a tough bunch of soldiers who stormed through Europe together.
And they’ll bring in a hulking monster named Adam, with another connection to the past of Weatherby’s family.
Weatherby, Morton and their allies make a stand to stop the evils of the past from corrupting of the future – and only one faction will make it out of the battle alive. Views: 33
THERE IS A METHOD TO HIS MADNESSHe chooses his tools with precision. Stalks his victims with cold efficiency. Plans his attack using mathematical logic. And now he is ready to play...THERE ARE RULES TO HIS GAMEWhen the killer's first letter arrives at the station, NYPD profiler Lee Campbell suspects the writer is daring him to match wits with a dangerous—and brilliant—criminal mind. But once this "Alleyway Strangler" starts leaving specially targeted messages with each surgically carved corpse, Campbell realizes it's not just personal. It's perfectly calculated—to destroy him...Praise for the riveting thrillers of C. E. Lawrence"Criminally compelling...Lawrence nails you to your seat."—Gayle Lynds"Dark and atmospheric...unnerving."—Steven James"Startlingly suspenseful...an extraordinary page-turner."—Cody Mcfadyen"An intense psychological ride." —J. T. Ellison Views: 33
Whitney, the so-called tyrant boss of E Magazine, is in trouble. Her best friend Clarice is getting married and has asked her to be one of her bridesmaids, which requires wearing beautiful feminine gowns. That's fine by her, but how is she to keep up her persona of the militant boss when Darcy, her submissive personal assistant, will be tagging along too? What makes everything worse is the more she knows Darcy outside of work, the more she realizes that distinct black and white guise of hers is starting to become a blurry grey line.Darcy is also in trouble. After tasting the forbidden fruit, the hatred he feels for his boss has now somehow turned to heated desire. Now he can't stop thinking about her. But Darcy knows one thing for sure. When it comes to matters of the heart, Whitney may be the dictator in their office, but only he will come out on top in the bedroom.This story of a tyrant boss and her submissive personal assistant is about to get interesting when mistaken identity... Views: 33
One of the biggest bestsellers of all time, and one of the first and most influential spy novels of the twentieth century, is back in print for the first time since 1948Alan Furst fans will note that train passengers in his bestselling thrillers are often observed reading The Madonna of the Sleeping Cars. It's a smart detail: First published in 1927, the book was one of the twentieth century's first massive bestsellers, selling over 15 million copies worldwide.It's the story of two tremendously charming characters who embark on a glamorous adventure on the Orient Express--and find themselves on a thrilling ride across Europe and into the just-barely unveiled territories of psychoanalysis and revolutionary socialism.Gerard Seliman--technically, a Prince--is so discouraged by the demise of his marriage that he flees to London to become the personal assistant of a glamorous member of the British peerage, Lady Diana Wyndham. But he soon finds... Views: 33
Love, death and war... The Morrigan goddess represented all three to the ancient Celts. Read stories of love, war, hatred, revenge and mortality - each featuring the Morrigan in her many guises. If you are searching for a rich blend of dark fantasy, then this is a collection perfect for you. Features: Katharine Kerr, Elaine Cunningham, C.E. Murphy, Anya Bast & more! Views: 33
Those were the magic words and Beth knew it. How many times had I uttered that phrase to Ms. Robinson in guidance, the standard answer for what I wanted to do with my life? CHANGE THE WORLD. Did I still have the strength and determination to get it together and try to make a difference? Was it my destiny, my vocation?Or was I just trying to impress a girl? As I looked at Beth, I wondered if the reason why even mattered.The indefatigable Larry is back, and this time he takes on the American political system After falling off the wagon and becoming what he so clearly and strongly resisted-a consumer-Josh Swensen (aka Larry) finds himself in a hyper-paranoid state of no return. That is, until he's kidnapped and coaxed into resurfacing as his old persona. Before long, Larry is back on the scene with much more on his mind than a gospel Web site-this time Larry wants to affect change in government. What starts out... Views: 33
Wounded during a military rescue, Commander Max Ford returns to a naval base on Whidbey Island to recover. And part of his treatment involves working with a therapy dog. Max is surprised to learn that the dog's owner is Winnie Armstrong, widow of his closest friend. She and Max were close in those months following her husband's death. But they drifted apart, until that one night two years ago. The night friendship turned to passion...Now he's even more shocked to learn that Winnie has been keeping a secret from him. A baby girl. His daughter. It's even more important he heal so he can be a part of his child's life--and Winnie's. Because all the attraction that pulled them together that one night is still there...only stronger. Views: 33
Strong, independent, willful Ella Fitzgerald is changing, evolving - Awakening. Her life hasn't always been easy and predictable, but never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined the twist it was about to take. Nausea and headaches lead to heightened senses and unimaginable bursts of strength and speed. A gorgeous stranger appears, claiming to have answers but wanting something in return. She finds herself torn between the normal life she's always known, a love unlike anything she's ever imagined, and an evil that she alone can defeat.This is a young adult paranormal romance containing some language, violence, and sexuality. It is intended for mature readers. 221 pages Views: 33
How soon is too soon for another relationship--or even for a quickie--after your husband has been killed in a tragic motorbike accident? Being catapulted into early widowhood and lone-parenting had never been part of Rachael Russell’s game plan. Neither had post-funeral sex with her ex, local government maverick, Shaun Elliott. So, on discovering that Shaun is now married, Rachael ends the affair.But a burgeoning relationship with Government Minister, Michael Chiswick, brings a new set of dilemmas for feminist leftie, Rachael. She isn’t too happy about the latest tabloid newspaper exposure where she stars as the Minister’s Mystery Blonde Biker Bimbo from Brindleford - Manchester’s toughest housing estate. And then she is faced with an unexpected re-appearance of Shaun, who wants to up the stakes.Should Rachael opt for the addictive and adrenalin-fuelled pull of the past? Or head for the uncertainty of Ministerial meanderings with a man from a wholly different class system ... Views: 33
Charles Cranbrook, collapses and dies a horrific death at The Priory, the neo-gothic house bought with his wealthy wife Cecilia's money. Was he murdered, or did he take his own life? In the course of the inquest, it emerges that beautiful Cecilia had been involved in a scandalous affair that is the talk of London. In Fell the Angels, based on the notorious Victorian murder involving Charles and Florence Bravo and Dr James Gully, proponent of the 'water cure', John Kerr reaches beneath the veneer of Victorian respectability and twists the ingredients of enormous fortune, sexual adventure, domestic abuse, avarice and jealousy into a satisfying whole. Expertly researched, Kerr reaches an intriguing solution to the case. Views: 33
