{Cover Reveal + Giveaway} Enemy Within by Angeline Kace

Today on Seeing Night Reviews we are revealing the cover for Enemy Within by the wonderful Angeline Kace. I love the colors and of course the fierce girl on the cover! What do you all think?

Enemy Within

Coming August 30, 2012

Two guys who’ve stolen her heart.

Three races and only one of them worthy.

Countless enemies with insatiable bloodlust for power.

Will one girl's curse ultimately save her?

Half-vampire Brooke Keller barely survived the slaying of her worst enemy, only to learn that Zladislov—the world's most powerful vampire, leader of the vampire world, and her father—wants her dead. However, this time, she's not only fighting vampires but a raging monster within her that endangers what's left of her humanity. And when a deadly disease threatens to take her best friend's life, Brooke tries to convince Kaitlynn to accept a monster of her own: becoming a Zao Duh.
As a former slave to the Pijawikas, Mirko is driven to protect the innocent at all costs, but he has never faced a foe more formidable than Zladislov. And when the Commission bears down on Brooke, Mirko finds the stream of enemies runs deeper than he ever imagined.

CHAPTER ONE

Mirko

Immortality is a lie. Itís something the Pijawikas tell themselves to feel godly. Pijawikas and Zao Duhs donít age like humans, but we do age and we can die. With Pijawikas directing the Zao Duhs to do their dirty work, the lie that they will never die is a lot easier for them to believe.

Not so for Zao Duhs. Death doesnít just haunt me. It slaps me in the face, then holds my eyelids open as person after person dies. Iíve watched people I have known, loved, and who didnít deserve to, die. Pijawikas donít mind. As long as the person dying is only a Zao Duh or a human, nothing is lost to them.

Brooke is part Pijawikan and instead of them adding her to their list of sacred lives among the chosen, they see her as an abominationóa death sentence deserved. One I canít allow them to make good on. Iíve fought for and against the Pijawikas, but I have never felt as strongly as I do now about not giving them what they want.

Brooke is innocent, and she holds a place in my heart so deep I didnít think it existed before I met her. Pijawikas have broken my heart, and broken my body and almost my mind, but I canít let them harm her. Not this girl.

When she ran out of her fatherís house, the look on her face sent a cold chill through my limbs and sinking horror in my gut. Whatever we thought we conquered had come back tenfold.

She was tired and battered, barely able to clean the dirt and blood off her face and change into clean clothes. Even her nap on the plane couldnít replenish her. Although she still had enough fight in her to make sure we went home and not on the run from her father.

ìHeíd find us anywhere,î she had said. ìPlease. I just want to go home and see my mom and Kaitlynn.î

She was right, and the bruised and heart-wrenching look she gave me melted any resistance I would have put forth. I wasnít prepared to fight this battle. Not against the Head of Pijawikas. We needed resources and a plan. Garwin could provide the recourse. I still had to come up with a good plan, but no matter how creative a solution I could find, I knew my time with Brooke was limited. Zladislov would hunt her down and kill her. Realistically, I couldnít save Brooke from her father, but I sure as hell had no doubt I would die trying. I knew my days were numbered.

Garwin came out the front door as we made our way up his steps. He met Brooke with open arms, and even though she whimpered a little when he squeezed her tight, the relief on her face was palpable.

ìIím glad youíre all right. I have been so worried about you,î Garwin said as he walked us inside.

Garwin had increased his security since the last time I was there. Strange faces littered the hallway, and a burly man stood by the marble statue. I took note to test his reflexes and agility later. We needed more than to look like a strong force. I needed everyone to deliver when Zladislov arrived.

ìWhereís Mom?î Brooke asked as she looked around and eyed the security detail.

ìSheís on her way,î Garwin said. ìSheís been worried about you. I havenít told her anything yet, only that you were coming home.î He eased Brooke down on the couch and then took a seat in a large chair by the fireplace. Jaren and I sat on the couch with Brooke across from Garwin. Yes, Jaren was still hanging around. I couldnít seem to get rid of the kid.

ìI understand you had to be discreet while talking to me on the plane, but I canít wait for Brookeís mom to get here. Whatís going on?î Garwin had a calm demeanor, but I could feel the anxiousness stirring below the surface.

ìZladislovís my father and he wants to kill me,î Brooke said. She didnít sound scared, but she did sound hopeless and tired.

ìOh, dear God.î Garwin ran his hand along the outside of his mouth and stood. He walked over to his liquor cabinet and dropped two ice cubes in a glass, then poured his favorite brandy in after. He picked up his glass, swirled the liquid a couple of times and then took a swig. The whole time he stared ahead as if looking at something but seeing nothing. Wherever his mind was, it wasnít in that room.

I had never seen Garwin speechless before. He always had someone to call or a brilliant idea to offer as a solution.

Brooke tensed. ìGarwin? Say something.î

I knew our situation was daunting, but I never expected that eerily distant look in Garwinís eyes, which only set Brooke further on edge. She was scared but fought to stay awake. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier with every exhale.

Garwin stared on for a moment longer before he turned to us. ìI have a lot to think about and you need to get some rest,î he said, then looked at me. ìWill you make sure she gets to her room all right?î

ìOf course.î I stood and gently tugged Brooke up by her arm.

She yelped and guilt sliced through me. She was injured and anywhere I touched her Iíd cause her pain. However, she didnít appear to have the strength to get off the couch, let alone climb the stairs to the bedrooms. I bent over and caught her underneath her knees. They buckled with ease and she rested in my arms.

Jaren rose with a scowl on his face and his footsteps sounded behind us. There was a reason Garwin asked me to take Brooke up to her room and not him; I was best suited to handle her.

Brookeís breathing was rough and deep, full of both exhaustion and pain. I hoped once I laid her down, she would fall asleep and the pain would subside.

I walked as smoothly as I could and paid attention not to jostle her as I climbed the stairs. ìWhich room?î I whispered to her.

ìItís the second to last door on the right,î Jaren said. I didnít like the idea of Jaren knowing which room belonged to Brooke.

ìHmph,î I huffed, and Brooke stirred slightly. I wouldnít make any more of that. Brooke needed to rest, not worry about Jaren and me.

Jarenís footsteps sped up as he went around us and then turned the doorknob. I paused for a second before entering. A part of me didnít want to put Brooke down and that side struggled with the part of me that wanted her to be in a painless sleep. The selfish side lost and I moved forward and set her on top of the bed. A content sound escaped her lips, telling me she needed the rest as much or more than I assumed.

ìThanks for carrying her up,î Jaren said, as if I were doing him a favor.

ìI didnít do it for you.î A fuzzy blanket lay at the foot of the bed. I grabbed it and covered Brookeís arms. She seemed to calm and her breathing became more relaxed.

I kissed her forehead, comforted because she was.

I walked away, but Jaren stepped around me and kissed Brooke on the cheek. Anger and possession flared up inside me. She had yet to choose me, but she was mine. My days with her were numbered and I wasnít sure how many of them I could deal with this kid trying to one up me. I focused on Brooke to read her response to Jarenís sign of affection, but there wasnít one. I expected at least some sort of reaction, even in the slightest, but there was nothing. Almost as if he kissed the cheek of a corpse.

I had seen this before, but I had to make sure. I strode back over to Brookeís side and shook her shoulder. ìSlatki.î

Nothing.

She was still as a stone. My fears were confirmed.

ìWhatís wrong?î Jaren asked from behind me.

ìSheís in a sleep.î Not even her eyes fluttered from behind her lids.

ìAnd that means what?î

I turned to face him so he knew exactly how serious I was. ìIt means no one comes into this room alone. When she wakes up, sheís going to be ravenous for blood. Anyone in here when she comes to will not be you, or her mother, or anyone else she recognizes. Until she feeds, she will be completely controlled by that hunger. You are not to call Kaitlynn, and no one is to come in here without me with them. Is that clear?î

He glared at me and his jaw tightened but he nodded.

I smirked and waited at the door until he cleared it, then I shut it, letting him see that I alone controlled the access to Brooke. I wanted it clear that my commands went deeper than any boyish possession over her. Lives were on the line.

He marched across the hall, opened a door to another room and then closed it behind him. Did he think he was going to stay in the room across the hall from Brooke? I shook my head and looked to the doors next to Brookeís. I moved to the one on the left and opened it. Furnished but bare of any personalization. Iíd talk to Garwin about taking that one.

Brooke being in a sleep complicated things. It wouldnít be easy to move her in her condition and any plans we made would have to be implemented without her input. We couldnít wait for her to wake, though.

I descended the stairs two at a time and stopped at the burly guy standing at the stairsí base. I didnít need to ask Garwin his thoughts on him as the guyís mere presence told me everything I needed to know. ìZao Duh?î

He nodded.

ìGood. Donít let anyone go inside her room. Sheís in a sleep, but if you hear her come out, grab her.î

His nostrils flared. He knew what that meant, but I wasnít sure if heíd seen it or just heard about it. ìAre you Mirko?î

ìYes. And you are?î I was familiar with many Zao Duhs, but this one was unknown to me. That would normally make me unsettled, but I trusted Garwinís judgment. Especially when it came to Brooke. He did hire me at the onset, which was the best call he couldíve made for her.

ìRorik.î He struck his hand out and I shook it. His grip was firm and assertive, a good indication he was confident in his stature. ìIíve heard a lot about you. Itís a pleasure to finally meet the infamous Mirko.î

I grinned. Damn right heíd heard of me. I lead some of the fiercest and most sought after group of Zao Duhs on the planet. ìIíd like to say the pleasure is mutual, but I need to know a few things first.î Business before anything else. Thatís the way I worked, which was what kept people alive. I wasnít about to let my guard down because some guy was impressed with my name and told me so.

ìI assume Garwin filled you in on why youíre here?î

He frowned. ìZladislov is after the girl.î

ìAnd you care because?î His answer was crucial in gaining my trust.

ìI had a sister about her age who was killed by Pijawikas. I aim to protect the innocent. No matter who the perpetrator is.î

ìDo you understand if you get caught, youíll be arrested for treason?î Not only was that a loaded question, asking him if he knew the full implication of his actions, but I wanted to see the look on his face when the idea of his death became fresh in his mind.

He didnít even flinch. ìYes, sir. I do.î

I shook his hand again. ìGood. I think we can work together.î That was one down. I only needed about one thousand more to call it a fair fight.

To get a few more, I went to the rental car for my phone and dialed Ace.

ìHey, man. Howíd it go?î

ìJelena was neutralizedóby Brooke, actually.î

ìNo shit? Howíd she do that?î

ìThat will have to wait for later. I need a favor and what Iím about to ask you is huge. Iíll understand if you canít do it, but I need you.î

ìBro, you know whatever it is you need, Iím there. Whatís up?î

ìZladislov knows about Brooke and heís going to kill her. I need reinforcements. I know itís as close to a suicide mission as you can get, and Iíd never ask this of you, but I have to put up some resistance for herósomething to make Zladislovís men think twice when they come for her. I canít let her go down without a fight. Iím sorry, Ace, but I love her. I canít not ask this of you.î Ace knew how deep my feelings for Brooke went. Iíd made them clear when he and Brooke talked me into using her as bait for Jelena.

ìWhoa. Thatís pretty steep.î Silence hung in the air, and I almost regretted asking him. ìBut you know Iím with you. Where are you? Are you guys on the run?î

Relief the strength of something unnatural washed over me in waves. The kinship Ace offered was unlike anything I couldíve asked for in my life. Sure, Iíd been there to save his ass more than I could count on two hands, but every time I was in a bind, he was there. Just like the time we met.

I was on a mission to save a kidnapped Pijawikan girl from a rogue Zao Duh. Heíd captured her and threatened her life in exchange for money. Life as a Zao Duh is tough, but you donít use a child like that. Ever. Let alone a Pijawikan child. Theyíre rare and almost revered within Pijawikan culture. It wasnít just a recovery mission, though. It was a rescue and assassination. Things went wrong and when I thought my life was over, Ace came out of nowhere and rescued me. Bros ever since.

ìI couldnít talk her into running. And this might be her final days, so she should get to spend them the way she prefers. But sheís in a sleep right now, so any persuasion I would normally use to get her out of here wonít work, and I canít just take her. No matter how bad I want to, itíd be wrong, and sheíd never forgive me. I canít do that to her.î

ìA sleep? Talk about worst-case scenario.î

ìGod, you have no idea.î

ìSo where are you now?î

ìLexintgton, Virginia. Garwin Johnsonís home. Come and bring everyone whoís willing. Tell them whatís at stake and ask anyone whoís willing to please come. I canít thank you enough for this, Ace.î

ìIím with you. Just hang tight. Weíll be there soon.î

I hung up the phone and smiled, an unexpected happiness started to take root within my chest. I may not be able to stop Zladislov completely, but I was one step closer to delaying him.

The next step was a plan and I needed Garwin for that, so I went back inside to find him. My phone rang before I reached the den. When I pulled it out of my pocket, Unknown read across the display. ìThat was quick,î I told Ace when I answered.

ìYes, I do pride myself on my efficiency.î

Acid rose in my throat. ìDikan.î

ìIt really is heartwarming to find you remember my voice. Weíve had some good times, havenít we?î

The bastard taunted me. His idea and my idea of good times were not even in the same hemisphere. ìHow did you get this number?î

ìA little birdie from The Base gave it to me.î

I growled.

ìAh, now donít take it out on the little birdie. Iím a hard one to resist, as Iím sure youíre well aware.î

I knew exactly how hard it was to resist him. Resentment took hold of me so swift and strong I heard the phone creak as I squeezed it. I forced myself to release some of the tension in my fingers. I couldnít afford for the phone to break and end the call. Dikan called for a reason beyond taunting me. Everything he did had ulterior motives. I had to hang on long enough to figure out what they were this time.

My jaw clenched beyond my control, so I had no choice but to speak between my teeth. ìWhat do you want?î

Dikan chuckled. ìIím calling out of consideration for you, old friend. I saw how much you were taken by the young melez. Itís sweet really. And disgustingly fitting for you. Too bad it wonít last.î His smirk was layered within his tone. ìJelenaís death will be avenged. Your time with Brooke should be well spent as it will end soon.î

ìYou come near her and Iíll kill you. You have nothing to use against me this time.î

Dikanís maniacal laugh filled the line. ìIím afraid thatís not so. But until then, I bid you farewell and a pleasant time spent with your lady friend.î

The call ended, and hatred I had long ago conquered swelled up inside me. Its tentacles took hold around my heart, in my gut, and possessed all possible thought within my mind. I rode it for a flurry of a few minutes until I realized I could no longer allow myself to be controlled by hatred and resentment. I had a purpose beyond revenge and bloodthirsty justice for a past so ugly and wrong. Brooke was my focus now. I pushed harder and harder on the hatred, trying to quell and lock it up enough to clear my mind and get a handle on the proper move I needed to take.

I concentrated on Brooke: her laughter, her blush, the smell of her hair, and the memory of her velvety skin as I stroked her cheek. The acute memory helped ebb the anger, but what replaced it was less satisfying.

I looked down on the phone and hit redial. Ace answered on the second ring.

ìI know I said warn the others and to ask those who are willing to come. But I need more than that,î I said, hopelessness thick in my words. ìOffer them money. If they wonít come for me, or for Brooke, or because protecting the innocent is what we stand for, offer them money. Iíll split everything I have with those who will be persuaded by it. Just get anyone and everyone you can.î

ìSure, sure. What happened?î Ace knew me and he knew it was unusual for me to sound like thatódesperate.

ìDikan called. Heís up to something and I donít think it has anything to do with Zladislov.î

ìOh, shit. Iíll see what I can do.î

Oh, shit was right.

Copyright 2012 Angeline Kace

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