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  Acknowledgement

  Thank you to all my close family and friends. A special one to my parents for their support and My Light, my BFF Denise, who has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and helped make them possible.

  Copyright

  Tainted. Light in the Dark Book One. Copyright © 2018 by Farrah Phoenix. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  About

  Vivka Dark is running away from the life her family expects her to have to a life she never dreamed a vampire could have. Vampires are cold callous creatures and up until she met Nick and his pack she would have agreed. Now she is hiding out with them but she can't be honest with them about who she really is. No that secret could get her killed.

  Nick and his pack finally find their mate but how is it possible that she is a bloodsucking vampire? He lost his family to vampires. Nick has hated vampires his entire life, but it only took one look at her to change his mind. His pack knows she is meant to be with them and will protect her at any cost. If she was a wolf she would feel it but vampires can't feel emotions and they definitely don't mate to an entire pack.

  This story is for mature readers only (18+) It includes a pack of sexy shifters that all fall in love with one incredibly hot but very shy vampire. There is sexual content, steamy situations. and plenty of adult language. We are are just trying to get to know each other in book one. Multiple point of views. Book does end with a cliffhanger and there is not HEA in book one.

  Tainted

  Light in the Dark

  Book One

  Farrah Phoenix

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Forever Night

  The Masks of Eden

  Chapter One

  Vivka

  Well I am here. My final fitting before the big day. The day that most girls dream of...well most normal girls anyway. Of course most people look forward to their wedding and want to eventually have a family. I guess that may be true for most people but it is definitely not true for me. That is because I'm not like most people, I am Vivka Dark, the princess of House Dark. What does that mean exactly? The short story... it means my future is something I have no control over.

  I am the daughter of Lord Viktor Dark, leader of the ruling vampire family all vampires and most supernaturals living within the United States. I say most because he does not rule the Fae or the wolves. They both have their own territories and governments. There are three sovereign territories that lie within our territory, one governed by the Fae and the other two are occupied by the wolves. I live in Moldta, which at one time, was once and sometimes is still called Phoenix, by the human population that currently resides here.

  The Fae also have a king and rule similar to the vampires. Vampires and Fae tend to get along for the most part. Fae are very powerful and they have managed to stay out of our war against the wolves. Their power, allows them the option not to take a side. They could probably destroy both the vampires and the wolves but have a ‘leave me alone and I will leave you alone’ kind of attitude.

  The wolf territories that are in and surround Moldta are ran by the western council chapter, with an alpha from each pack on the board. The western council works amicably with my father to keep the peace between our two species, since the war. Vampires and wolves agreed to end the fighting but neither side actually won the war. There were too many casualties on both sides so they agreed to certain terms, before the war eradicated either species.

  My father, more than most vampires, does not have a good history with the wolves. During the war, my mother was kidnapped by a pack of wolves. She was beaten, raped, and left on the side of the road, like a bag of garbage, but not before one of the mutts bit her. A wolf's bite can kill a vampire, just as a vampire's can kill a wolf. I guess you could say we were made to kill each other. Natural born enemies, I suppose. My mother was bitten when she was pregnant with me. I almost died before the doctor decided to do an emergency cesarean. I was delivered before the venom had a chance to move into my bloodstream. I carried a fever for three days, the doctor thought I wasn't going to make it. I made it but my mother did not, shortly after I was born, she died.

  I never really missed her growing up. How could you miss something you never had? But today, for the first time, I wished she was here with me. I could really use her support with getting ready for my wedding. Maybe if she was here I could enjoy this moment more? Hell I don't know, maybe if she was here, I wouldn't be forced to marry a complete stranger?

  My marriage was arranged by my father, last year, to Price Synk of House Le Boursier. It is an alliance that supposed to make our families stronger and the vampire race stronger. The Le Boursier family is one of the most wealthiest clans, and after House Dark, probably the most elite and powerful.

  The Le Boursier clan rules most of the northern part of the continent and a small part along the east coast. Not quite as big as my father’s but he seems to still be impressed with their clan and couldn't wait to trade me for a piece of their pie.

  I met Synk once when our engagement was announced. Actually, a very handsome man. Blond wavy hair that reached just to his chin. Very tall, lean and a lot of very nice muscles. Unfortunately, he wasn't interested in getting to know me during our engagement party, but rather screwing two of my ladies in the parlor, while our fathers spoke of our impending nuptials. I could smell my ladies on him when he finally joined us at the table. I knew our fathers did too but they continued on discussing their contract. Prince Synk didn't care for the terms of agreement. He started on his second bottle of champagne and I just wanted to pick it up and bash it across his beautiful face. Nothing about marrying him excited me. I felt nothing but dome and boredom, which are two feelings a bride should never have towards her groom.

  “I want an exit clause.” I announce, interrupting their negotiations. All three men eyed me like they couldn’t believe I was capable of speaking. “If I find my fated mate before the wedding, I don't have to continue on with the marriage.“There. I said it, even though I should not of had to ask it. Every supernatural knows that your mate was promised to you and would break any betrothal. I watched the men negotiate my marriage for over two hours, they treated me like some kind of bargaining tool. One man versus the other, both wanted the best deal. Who would of known, that what court my nonexistent offspring grew up in even mattered? I only asked for the small piece of hope because I wanted a chance out of this sham, even if very minuscule.

  “Honey that is not necessary.” My father said, looking towards Lord Synk for a reaction. He didn't even consider taking my request seriously. “What are the chances of her to find her fated? A child’s dream.” He blew me off with a wave of his hand.

  “No” Prince Synk said, looking at his father. “I agree father. It is a reasonable request that should be honored.” Did I just want to hit this vampire in the head with a champagne bottle only five minutes ago? His eyes lightened with almost a look of understanding. It was a very different look than what I was used to.

  “Very well.” Lord Synk agreed. “It’s a simple request from both our offspring. We can add it to the contract”.

  My girlfriends and I have talked about our marriage since grade school. They were always a little more excited than I. Most of them can marry whoever they want, great for them. I have always known that I would never have that option. The only way that could ever happen was if I found my mate. My fated mate was the one person my father couldn't deny me.

  Most souls never get a fair chance to find each other. Members of royal families have even a smaller chance of finding their mate. Most ruling family members are married once they turn the age of twenty. Leaving even less time for one to search the billions of people in the world, just to find the one person who is the other half of your soul.

  What happens if you find your mate after you are married? Well all supernaturals mate for life so if you are bonded to someone, other than your fainted, you remain married to that person.

  My oldest brother Vince was also arranged
to be married at the age of twenty. He met his true mate a year after he married, at the hospital maternity ward, awaiting the delivery of his first child. He told me that his heart must of stopped at the scent of his mate. Once he looked into her eyes his body went numb and he blacked out. The blacking out was probably the sedative the hospital staff gave him, after he ripped a man's throat out, right in the middle of the break room of the maternity ward. The man's only crime was being unlucky enough to be standing next to his fated, at the time of their recognition. Vampire males tend to be real territorial and this poor unsuspecting guy offered his mate a cup of coffee, so you see, he had to die, right?

  My brother’s fated now lives at home with our family. His wife is not happy about it, the baby and her are kept in one wing of the house, while his fated lives in another wing, both pretending the other doesn't exist. I guess a perk about royalty is that most tend to have harems so the arrangement isn't that uncommon.

  He cares for his wife, he explains his love for her as if only a result of her being the mother of his heir. If that is your justification of love, is it really love? He can only remarry in the event of his wife's death so right now, his wife can only give him legitimate heirs.

  He acts very different with his fated. My brother told me once, that he could feel more, taste more and even breathe more, once he found his fated. Could that be love? I don't understand it. A vampire in love, should be a strange thought but I could see the change in his eyes, when he looked at her. If I was getting married to someone that looked at me like that, I would be a little more excited about this wedding.

  So here I was, getting ready for a wedding, that I didn’t want. Obviously, I never found my mate. My father was right, it really was a child's dream. Yesterday was my twentieth birthday and today I am at Lux Bridal shop, in the middle of my final fitting for my wedding, which is happening in four days. The dress is beautiful. A very simple white dress with capped sleeves, it streamlines my body, it’s not one of those dresses that flare out and take up a bunch of space. Very simple but elegant. I nervously run my hands down the front, smoothing out the dress over my belly, and inhale deeply. “You can do this Vivka and you can be happy.” My mental pep talk, I've been doing a lot of it lately. I pull back the curtain, to find my best friend Sadah and my escort Mikka, waiting for me on the other side.

  “Oh you look like a princess Vivka.” My best friend said, as her eyes begin to pool with water. Sadah is human, which also means she is a very emotional creature. Not many humans know about supernaturals nor do supernaturals hang out with humans regularly. My father doesn't approve but we've been friends for over a decade. She found out I was a vampire only a few years ago though. We both snuck out to go to this hot new club downtown and when we were leaving a man tried to rob us. I fought off our attacker, exposing my super vampire speed, but wasn't quick enough, he got a round off and shot me in the chest. Sadah saved me by forcing me to drink her blood. Another few inches higher the bullet would have hit my heart and there would have no longer been a Me to save.

  “She Is a princess.” Mikka barks back with a bored tone, never looking up from his phone. Mikka has been our escort ever since that night. Father lets me out but only with him now.

  Suddenly, I am overwhelmed once again with the reality of what is happening. I can feel another panic attack coming on. They have been happening a lot lately but this one feels different. The room is rocking back and forth so much I have to lean over and grab the table next to me for support.

  “Are you okay?” I hear Sadah’s muffled voice ask. Her words are not clear, almost like my ears are clogged with water.

  “Yes, just..I need a minute please.”

  I see Mikka look up from his phone out of the corner of my eye. “You don't look good. Are you hungry? I am sure they have blood here.” Mikka is up and leaves the dressing room before I can answer. Lux is owned by a couple witches so I'm sure they have bagged blood but my instincts tell me blood is not what I need right now. I am not hungry at all.

  I look towards Sadah. “Maybe just some fresh air?” I say and walk in the opposite direction, away from her and towards the front door. “Sadah will you grab my stuff from the dressing room? I will meet you both out front. I can't go back in there so I guess I’m wearing the dress home.” She nods her head and disappears behind the curtain.

  Outside, I lean against the cool brick wall of the shop. The darkness of the evening hours is starting to creep over the buildings of downtown Moldta. The streetlights are illuminated but not enough to cast any light in the darkest corners. My vision isn’t clear, making the shadows seem to grow in size.

  The cool air is helping me breathe better but my head is still spinning. I close my eyes, “Calm down Vivka.” I whisper. I push myself off the wall and start walking to the corner. Something smells delicious, or is it, someone who smells delicious? “What is that?” I sniff the air and continue walking towards the unfamiliar scent. Maybe Mikka was right and I am hungry? I think of the blood Mikka is getting for me and my head spins faster. My senses are confusing me. I can hear the cars driving down the street and see the people walking past me on the sidewalk but I can’t focus on anything or anyone around me. I have no control of my mind, it is foggy and I can’t control my thoughts. Hunger. Lust. Agitation. Confusion. My heart is beating so fast I can hear it drumming in my ears. ‘This is the worst panic attack I have ever had.’ Headlights are the last thing I see before everything goes black.

  Chapter Two

  Seth

  What is taking him so long?" He only went in there for a coffee. "Come on Jace." I say only to myself. He has excellent wolf hearing but I know he can't hear me from inside the the coffee shop. I can't believe I am sitting in the fire lane during downtown rush hour traffic waiting on this goof.

  I don't like driving into the city. I am always nervous when I am in vampire territory. I have never had any issues but you always hear of a wolf getting caught up in vampire politics and it never turns out in the wolf's favor.

  Wolves are allowed and for the most part welcomed in Moldta but they are also under the jurisdiction of the Moldta enforcers. There is little the wolf council can do if you find yourself caught in their bloody fangs. It's all part of the peace treaty between our two species. Each side enforcers their own rules inside their own territory and no one is granted amnesty.

  A pack mate of mine was charged with a crime inside Molta. He ended up keeping his head after the witch admitted to lying. He used the witch to get high on curbane, a drug that can kill a wolf in high doses but is mostly abused by wolves to get high. The witch wanted more from my brother than to be a part time side piece but my brother only slept with her to maintain his supply of curbane. One night while in the city, in the middle of a high, he told the witch how he was just using her and that he would never mate with her. She gave him enough curbane to knock him out, almost killing him, and called in the enforcers. She accused him of raping her, she was even covered in bruises and blood to prove it. Later, after she realized my brother was literally going to lose his head she confessed to making the whole thing up.

  The last wolf I heard about getting caught up in Moldta's legal system wasn't so lucky. He was a young wolf and was inside Moldta during his first full moon change. He was a runaway and had no alpha to help him through the change. The poor pup had no control and killed a couple of humans making out at the park. The council and his old Alpha pleaded with the Moldta enforcers to have mercy on the pup, saying he had no control and he was too young to be punished, but he was sentenced to death anyway.