Dealers of Light

Dealers of Light
by Lara Nance

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Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-9841805-8-5
Length: Novel
Publication Date: August 2011
Cover art by Patricia Schmitt

A malevolent group of Light-Dealers have surfaced in Cara Collin's hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. Led by an ancient Aztec demon, the "Takers" are torturing and murdering their way to world domination. As the horror spreads, Cara—who has the ability to send "Light" into others to augment healing—receives a special power from a patient making her a crucial weapon in stopping the Takers. But, she must figure out how to use the gift before the Takers make her their next target.

When mysterious Rolf Van Harding shows up in town with information that may help her, she's torn between joining his quest and running for her life. When she discovers he's a powerful, ancient Light-Dealer she fears their growing passion will be a weakness—a weakness that could allow the Takers to murder the last remaining Light-Dealer capable of stopping them.

Excerpt

"Vampires, Nicki? Come on, this isn't funny." Cara Collins swept her gaze over the shivering girl perched on the edge of the exam table. A cut on her bruised cheek oozed blood, and raw scrapes ran down one arm. A whiff of stale beer wafted from the clothes Nicki had discarded in a heap on the floor. Dear Lord, had she slept in a bar instead of her apartment? "Let's talk about what happened to you, not vampires."

"I just wanted to know if you believe in them." Nicki clutched the thin exam gown at her neck with shaking hands and her wide, sunk-in eyes followed Cara's movements.

"Stop joking and tell me what the hell happened to you." Cara frowned and placed her stethoscope on the girl's chest. A throbbing pulse tapped out a fast staccato rhythm. It was too early in the morning to deal with the evasions her patients offered to avoid snitching. She'd only had a sip of coffee before Nicki stumbled into the clinic, looking like a scrawny, wrung out street cat as the doors opened at eight.

"I'm not joking. Oh, God." Nicki gulped, and her shivering morphed into jerky sobs. Cara put an arm around the girl's thin shoulders to steady her on the narrow table. Lord, Nicki was really frightened about something.

Nicki's weeping increased. Cara grabbed a blanket from under the exam table and draped it about her. As she tugged it close against Nicki's chest, she slipped her hand to the area just beneath the girl's right collar bone. She concentrated on the glow of Light floating in the core of her being and drew out strands of power. Focusing on her fingers, her thoughts guided the Light to flow into the shivering girl. Nicki's skin warmed a fraction, and the shaking eased immediately. She sighed and her shoulders slumped.

Cara withdrew her hand, and the strands of power retreated into a heated, glowing center. The tingle of energy passing through her body subsided, and the Light settled into a dormant tickle of warmth. The small amount of Light lost didn't faze her. She rubbed Nicki's shoulders and murmured soothing words until Nicki sat straighter and rubbed her head.

Satisfied she'd stabilized the distressed girl, Cara sprayed wound cleaner on the cuts and scrapes, then patted them with gauze. Next, she applied antibiotic ointment and covered the worst areas with bandages and tape.

"So?" Nicki twisted at the waist to face her, brow wrinkled.

Vampires, did she say? Good grief, what a bizarre question, but then she never knew what went on in the girl's head. Nicki had tossed out crazy questions before. Cara held Nicki's chin and flashed the scope to check her eyes. Good, pupils equal and reactive to light.

Cara opened the back of the exam gown and ran her fingers down Nicki's bony spine. Poor girl probably hadn't eaten a good meal in a year. On her lower back, a dark tattoo of a dagger with a snake twisted around the hilt contrasted with her pale skin. The tattoo hadn't been there six months ago when she gave Nicki her regular check up. But at least she found no other injuries than the ones on Nicki's face and arms.

Cara smoothed back the shaggy black hair falling across Nicki's forehead and obscuring one eye. Her skin felt cool and clammy. An eyebrow piercing glittered in the harsh overhead lighting-a new addition to the already impressive collection adorning Nicki's nose, tongue and lip.

"Vampires? No, I don't believe in them. So, tell me what happened to you. We might need to call the police." She hoped Nicki hadn't been raped.

Nicki bolted upright, eyes wide. "No police." She scooted to the edge of the table, poised like a frightened bird ready to take flight.

Cara held one hand high in surrender. "Calm down. I can't call them unless you agree. I'm trying to help. To keep you from being hurt again."

The poor girl sagged back and hung her head, twisting her hands in her lap. "I just want to know if you believe something can suck the life out of you."

Cara planted her hands on her hips. "You mean suck the blood out of you? As in Dracula?" Nicki must be protecting someone with this crazy story-a violent boyfriend or drug dealer maybe.

The girl didn't answer for a moment, then leaned forward, eyes intent. "Not Dracula. Be real, he's just in the movies. But something like that."

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