Click on image to enlarge.

Category: Erotica/Paranormal Erotica/Romance
Description: Six months ago Orenda Sherman was a normal woman, a divorced physical therapist trying to get back into the dating game. A trip to Atlantic City with her best friend altered her life forever. She learned she is part of a world that hides from humanity. They are The Evolved, species that look human but have altered DNA. They are the stuff of legend, vampires, dragons, centaurs and others who have remained hidden among us. Orenda is a Sensay, a rare evolutionary breed. She has heightened abilities of taste, touch scent, sight and hearing. It has been foretold that she will be the one to unite all of mankind. This prophesy has made her a target for elimination. In order to protect herself, Orenda must learn how to control her powers. To do this she trains with Cheve a handsome Native American who dedicates his life to making sure she fulfills her destiny. Interrupting this crucial training are the two sexy vampires Orenda became entangled with in Atlantic City, Roberto who claims her heart and Alex who claims her soul. Orenda's destiny will take her from a hidden Native American village to a special resort reserved for The Evolved in the Bahamas where she will confront not only her ties to the two vampires, but those that seek to destroy her.
eBook Publisher: Solstice Publishing, 2010 2010
eBookwise Release Date: February 2010

17 Reader Ratings:

Great	Good	OK	Poor

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [316 KB]
Words: 76975
Reading time: 219-307 min.

Chapter 1

I was going to die. They would find my body floating in Lake Ontario. I had done something stupid. This was the first stupid thing I'd done since Roberto left two weeks ago to wrap up some business dealings before we began searching for my tribal clan to continue my Sensay training.

A few short months ago I was a normal physical therapist trying to re-enter the dating world and then wham! I find out I'm a uniquely evolved being who has special abilities. And I fell in love with a freaking vampire who was going to be really mad at me for getting myself into this predicament. I promised him I would take little steps with my abilities and until now that's exactly what I had done.

I was down by the dock practicing reaching out with my senses, when I amazed myself by hearing a school of salmon out in the lake. I wanted to watch them. I got a sense from the school they were feeding on some plankton. Spotting a row boat on the shore, I worked hard to get it into the water and was quite proud when I paddled the hundred or so yards to where the salmon were. When I reached my destination I closed my eyes and put my feet up to relax. I reached out with my senses and marveled at the images I got from the school. They were frenzied. The plankton they found was rich with vital nutrients. All in all it was a good day to be a Chinook salmon. Not such a good day to be a Sensay that wasn't a strong swimmer.

The first inkling something was wrong was when I put my feet on the floor of the row boat and found water above my ankles. I promptly grabbed the oars to start back towards the shore. There was one thing I was unaware of. It's really hard to paddle a boat that was sinking. I tried to paddle for a few minutes but got nowhere with the increasingly weighted down boat. I knew I would have to make a swim for the shore but was not happy about it. I could swim, but I don't think I'd ever gone the distance that would get me safely back to the shore.

With a great deal of trepidation I jumped into the cool water. I started out pretty good. I was pleased with myself and then a severe cramp hit. I doubled over with excruciating pain and promptly sank. I fought panic as I tried to stay afloat by flapping my arms. In no time at all my arms were burning and felt leaden. I began to sink again. This time, with a certainty I wouldn't be coming back up, I wondered who would be at my funeral. Probably only my best friend Janel, since the rest of my recent acquaintances were vampires who only go out after sunset. I hope she remembers that I want to be cremated.

I got the sensation I was floating...it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. When the blackness surrounded me, I felt my mother's arms close around me. A feeling of peace engulfed me until a voice rudely shouted in my head, "OLIVIA! I will not allow this! Open your eyes and swim. You will obey me or so help me God, I will paddle your sweet luscious ass the next time I see you."

That tone was not something I was used to hearing come from that voice. Struggling, I managed to break free of the darkness to see why he was angry with me.

Alex? I spoke back to him with my mind. Where are you? I'm confused. It's the middle of the afternoon.

"I'm in Sweden. It's almost nine p.m. here. Listen to me Baby, you need to swim. I know you're tired and your arms ache. Listen to the sound of my voice. Concentrate on that. I need you to live, Baby. I refuse to let you go."

I forced my tired limbs to start moving. I didn't want to die. Not yet. I have a purpose. I need to avenge my parents' deaths. I need to make sure The Guardians didn't kill anymore innocent people.

"That's it, Baby; use your anger to push yourself. Don't let them get away with taking your Mom and Dad away from you."

I pictured my Mom and Dad as I found them several weeks ago with their throats slit. I concentrated on that and took one stroke at a time. Remarkably, the pain seemed to flee as I became determined to get to the shore. When I reached the shore I was able to pull myself out onto the sandy beach.

"Alex?" I spoke out loud, but there was no reply. "Alex? Are you still with me?" Nothing.

Maybe I imagined the whole thing though it sure sounded like Alex, even though I had never heard him raise his voice to me. We connected like this once before when he was taken by The Guardians and tortured. It's been several weeks since I last saw him. Six weeks and three days to be exact. But who's counting? I still missed him, but he wasn't the one I chose.

I made my choice all those weeks ago, and I didn't regret my decision. The last six weeks with Roberto have been heaven. It was very much like a honeymoon, though we didn't legally tie the knot or anything. I think Roberto is waiting until I get through my Sensay training. And, of course, there was my bond with Alex that still needed to be broken. Both Roberto and Alex were looking into a way to sever the bond. Alex bound himself to me without my permission. I had feelings for Alex at the time, but when I bind myself to someone I want it to be my choice.

Even though I love Roberto with all of my heart, I wasn't sure that we were ready for that step yet. I looked down at myself. My khaki shorts and tank top were soaking wet and my pretty sandals were more than likely ruined. My long brown hair hung unattractively in clumps around my face. I wasn't looking forward to the teasing I would get from Antonio when I returned to the house.

I thought back to the day Antonio, one of the day guards, arrived here. Andy, along with Mark, were the two day guards here in Oswego when I arrived. Mark was still here and as talkative today as he was then. In the few months I'd known him he maybe spoke a dozen words to me. Andy on the other hand was an easy going sort who had swept my best friend Janel off her feet and absconded with her to the Bahamas.

While starting the short hike back to the house I thought about how much I missed Janel. She and Andy had gone off on a romantic trip to the Bahamas several weeks ago. It was only supposed to be a two week vacation, but after a few weeks, Janel called me to tell me she wanted to stay a while longer. It seems the Bahamas is a popular destination for The Evolved. Who would have thought it? Andy had taken her on an excursion to Cat Island, a small island off the beaten track.

There she had encountered several different evolved species partying and decided she needed to stay and study them. I was a little bit jealous she was learning more about The Evolved than I was, and I was a member of the so called club. Still, I loved this last month with having Roberto all to myself and wouldn't trade places with Janel for all the money in the world, but I was growing anxious to learn more about what I am.

Finding out I was a Sensay not too long ago was a shock, but I was slowly learning more about my abilities every day. My sense of smell was my first ability to manifest and it was the one I was learning to control better than the others. Thank goodness, I thought to myself. It truly was not pleasant to have to smell a garbage dumpster in ninety degree weather when you were miles away from it. On the other hand, there were some scents that made me weak in the knees. While taking a walk with Roberto one night, I came across the smell of cinnamon. I stopped in my tracks, closed my eyes and breathed deeply. The fragrance was absolutely magnificent. The scent was rich and strong and made my mouth water.

Roberto laughed and said, "Piccolina... am I going to have to be jealous of Tomas?"

I opened my eyes and gave him a perplexed look. "Who's Tomas?"

"Tomas is the baker at the Oswego Bakery and Deli. He is making his famous cinnamon rolls for the morning rush. And by the look on your face he just gave you an orgasm."

I laughed. "It was close to one. Did you smell that too? Sometimes having this sharp sense of smell really pays off."

Roberto's eyes turned dark. "I do smell the cinnamon...and it smells good, but I much prefer your scent Olivia, especially when you're aroused. Let's go home and I will sprinkle your delicious body with cinnamon and lick every bit off."

I sighed remembering how he did just that. Roberto was very talented with his tongue.

I still was having trouble controlling my sense of touch. Though, I was getting better at it. I've learned to block unpleasant feelings by focusing on the sensation and picturing a barrier between the pain and my skin. It was almost as if I were putting on body armor. The one problem I keep coming up against is that I lose focus when the pain becomes extreme. The same goes for pleasure which I would have thought wouldn't have been a problem but sometimes it frustrates me.

I tend to get overwhelmed with passion and have desires I can't control. So far Roberto hasn't complained, even when some business associates came to meet with him a few weeks ago, and he asked me to stay while they discussed expansion plans for the Platza del la viva, Roberto's casino in Atlantic City. Roberto was dressed casually in black pants and black t-shirt. When he leaned against the desk in his office I couldn't help but stare at his muscular thighs and daydream about how powerful his thighs were. I began picturing his naked body and how he moved in and out of me and the next thing I knew I was breathing hard and aching with a sexual need that was painful.

I excused myself and headed up to our bedroom with every intention of taking a cold shower and had just started ripping off my clothes when Roberto burst in the room saying "Dio Olivia...I can smell your arousal...let me help you Piccolina."

And he did....he made me come so hard that day I thought I was going to pass out from the intense sensations. Like I said, Roberto didn't mind, but sometimes I really disliked being a slave to my senses.

When I reached the top of the slope, I saw a car parked in the driveway and wondered who was visiting.

We didn't get many visitors here. Roberto liked to keep his home concealed. The only people allowed here were other evolved ones and those who were on the inside with Roberto.

So, I was curious to see who the car belonged to. Roberto wasn't due home until the weekend which was two days away. I went around to the back of the house as was my usual custom and sitting on the patio was a tall stunning blond and my best friend in the whole world.

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming home today? I'm so glad to see you!"

Running to give her a big hug I skidded to a stop when I saw her face. "Sweetie...what's wrong?" I asked concerned.

Janel was upset, which made my stomach do somersaults. Janel didn't get upset over little things. She was one of the most positive people I know.

Janel took a deep breath and opened her mouth and shut it again. Uh oh...if she's at a loss for words this was going to be bad.

Trying to start her talking I asked, "Did Andy break your heart? Where is he? I will tae kwon do his ass if you want me to." I teased.

Janel was trying to smile at me but failed miserably. I was getting scared. "Janel, just tell me what's wrong!"

"Roberto's married!" she blurted.