Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress Blog Tour and Giveaway

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress: Excerpt IV, from Chapter 7, “Living Nightmare”

Our room proved very cozy, having two beds--one for the boys, though they wouldn't be sleeping a wink, and one for me. The dumpy woman popped in to see if everything was to our liking. We told her it was, and I inquired about where the restroom might be. She stared at me inquisitively until Aaryn prompted, "The water closet?"

She smiled and gave me directions downstairs, and I thanked her, though gazing at her curiously as she exited.

"Water closet?" I asked, turning back to Aaryn.

He smiled. "Remember that we're in a different world, one that still lives in the past in some aspects. Water closets are rare and valued."

Grateful that there was a bathroom at all--the thought of outhouses always disturbed me--I announced that I should be back in a few minutes' time and headed downstairs.

I'd just located the bathroom and walked in that direction when I stopped short.

He stood only a snatch away, the tall figure, leaning over the counter, resting his arms casually on top, staring at me with that smile which unnerved yet drew me to him.

"Hello, young lady," he said, voice smooth as butter.

"Hello," I said shyly, then hurried past him to the restroom, muttering, "Please excuse me..."

His gaze followed me as I walked past, shuddering. Something lingered in that bright blue gaze, something both familiar and foreboding. I dreaded the walk back to my room, but I plucked up my courage and headed back out.

I scurried past the counter, avoiding the strong pull of those blue eyes which followed my every step. As I placed my hand on the banister in preparation to head upstairs, a soft voice reached me. And, though it was gentle, barely audible, I understood the command for what it was.

"Chrystine."

I froze.

"Chrystine..." he beckoned, and half against my will, half agreeing with it, I turned.

"How do you know my name?" I asked quietly.

He ignored the question. "I hope you're enjoying your stay at my inn." His voice filled me with the urge to draw nearer to him.

"Your inn? So, you got us the room?" I muttered, aware that I was moving toward him and unable to stop myself. Warning flashed in my mind, but just as back in my house, I seemed to possess no will to heed that warning. In fact, his pull on me was much stronger than the vampire's at my house had been.

"Yes. Upon seeing such a pretty thing as you, well, I decided it was worth it to give up my own room."

"Oh, well... thank you, Mr..."

Wait. When did I reach the counter? How did I stand here now, my face inches away from his as he leaned towards me. A thousand warnings darted through my head, yet those bright blue eyes held me captive as I asked, "What is your name?"

"Oric, my lady. Tis a pleasure to meet you again."

He suddenly rested his hand on mine, and a thrill went through me, though not exactly a pleasant thrill. A tremor very cold at first, then very hot. I tried to pull back.

His grip was impossibly strong. Something was terribly wrong. Oric...I tried to recall the meaning of the name from the depths of my memory, but there was something in his touch that clouded my senses, distorted my thinking. And suddenly, he released his hold on me, his look one of triumph.

"Good night, Chrysty." He glided noiselessly behind the curtain and out of sight.

I stood staring at the spot, transfixed for a few moments, then turned and started back up the stairs, only to come to a sudden halt.

My vision fogged, then blackened. My head hit something--I knew I must've fallen--but felt no pain. A cloudy vision played before me, gradually growing clearer.

It was Aaryn, and he was fighting against someone with a golden sword. The person speared his heart with the sword, Aaryn stumbled back, I found myself screaming--

The person holding the blade was Oric himself, and suddenly it struck me--Oric, my crazed ex-boyfriend whom Aaryn had rescued me from on several occasions--

Chrysty had been his special name for me --had just touched me and cast who knew what kind of curse that now plagued my mind with horrible nightmares--

I tried to stand, only to stumble helplessly. I scrambled up the steps, crawling.

Again the terrible vision flashed through my mind, making me weaker with each movement, as though my very life was being slowly sucked out of me. Then, Aaryn and Lund suddenly stood at the top of the stairs. A moment later, Aaryn knelt beside me.

I closed my eyes, letting darkness enshroud me once more, but I could still hear their voices.

"She's been attacked by an Incubus!" Aaryn snarled. "Being seen is no longer an issue. Speed is what we need now. Only the Stregoni Benefici can help us now. I must fly to them. She'll never make it in time otherwise."

"Then go," Lund said. "I'll take care of the Incubus and catch up with you later."

Aaryn swooped me up, grasping me gently but securely. The cool night air brushed my cheek as we stepped outdoors. Suddenly the wind rushed past us at an impossibly fast rate. My eyes fluttered open just long enough to see the hard, determined look etched on his face. Then I slipped into unconsciousness.

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Christine E. Schulze has been creating books since she was too young to even write them in words. Her collection of YA fantasy books, The Amielian Legacy, is comprised of series and stand-alone books which can all be read separately but which weave together to create an amazing fantasy. Her fanatsies also incorporate many other genres, such as Christian fantasy, romance, and even a spark of horror at times. She hopes to inspire readers throughout the world with these books by publishing in both traditional and electronic formats to make them available to all readers.

Christine has published several stories with Calliope and Kalkion magazines and is an active member of the WEbook online writing community. She has also published several Christian/fantasy books which are available at various online retailers, as well as publishing several eBooks via Writers-Exchange.

Her latest and most exciting venture includes her publications with Old Line Publishing: Bloodmaiden and Tears of a Vampire Prince: the First Krystine. She also anticipates her upcoming publication with Old Line, Lily in the Snow, as well as releasing The Chronicles of the Mira with Writers-Exchange in both paperback and electronic forms.

Christine currently lives in Belleville, Illinois in her first and most thrilling apartment. 

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