Ramos had never listened to the drums before until Alisa crossed his path. Nor did he cross the path of the demon who he shared his town with. However, when Alisa came to help her sister, something about her drew him. He had to keep her safe even though the demon had first claim.
Alisa just wanted to help her sister fix up the new house she bought. With the townspeople acting weirder and her sister going a bit whacky, Alisa turns to the only man who can help her. Ramos.
Together they face the darkness in the town. When the drums start, Alisa is drawn to them to learn how she is the key to defeating the demon even if it means her soul.
EXCERPT
“Hey Bub, you really think this place is okay? It gives me the creeps.” The one with the ball cap asked.
“Hush. I told you there’s nothing to worry about. You losing your nerve? I thought you wanted to make some money.”
“I do, but…you’ve heard the same stories about these woods we all did growing up. Something dark lives within them. Can’t you feel it?” The firelight flickered off his face. The tightened features and his weary eyes showed his scared expression. He shifted back and forth on his feet.
Ramos chuckled. You have no idea what lurks in the dark. His fangs descended. This time he didn’t will them back into his mouth. The lust for blood came upon him, but he didn’t want to spook the prey yet. At least not show them his true face.
“Idiot. Those are folktales the old biddies tell us to keep us from going out in the woods at night. ‘Oh look, there’s the Mothman. He’s going to take you away with him. Over there is the Swamp Ape. He’s going to eat you. The mountain lights are the souls of dead warriors seeking revenge on those whose took their land.’ It’s all a bunch of malarkey. There is nothing to fear in the night. You got your rifle. I’ve got mine. The only thing in these woods are cougars and bears. We got them covered.”
His kicked at a pine cone at his feet. “I guess.”
“Gentlemen, do you have a permit to be on this land?” Ramos stepped closer to the fire, but remained in the shadows so they couldn’t see his face.
Both men jumped from his presence. Bub grabbed his rifle and aimed it at him. His companion remained calmed. “Sure do.”
“Great. Can I see it?”
“Well, I’m not sure if I have it on me.”
Ramos crossed his arms over his chest. “If you don’t have a permit, you have permission from the land owner, I presume.”
“Not exactly.”
“Then I suggest you collect your still and the rest of your things and get out.”
“Look, Mister, I’m not sure what you’re doing here the middle of the night, but—”
“Time for talk is over. You had your warning.” Ramos lunged at the one talking to him. A gunshot went off. It split the silence of the night and nearly deafened him. A stab of pain pierced Ramos’ shoulder, but it didn’t stop him. He landed on top of the man who thought he had the authority to be on his land. Ramos sunk his fangs deep into his throat, tearing a couple of gouges. The blood helped revive him. The throbbing in his shoulder passed as threw the depleted corpse to the ground.
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