When Lightning Strikes

Breaking the Storm

Infinity

Infinity Unleashed

And more…

Visit
sedonavenez.com

When Lightning Strikes

Credence Curse

Copyright © 2014 by T.L. Clarke

All Rights Reserved

No part of this work may be reproduced in any fashion without the express, written consent of the copyright holder.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed herein are fictitious and are not based on any real persons living or dead.

Visit the author’s website:
sedonavenez.com


Formatting by Inkstain Interior Book Designing

The characters, locations, and events portrayed in this book are a work of fiction or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

There are many adult situations in this book that might be offensive to some readers: sexual situations and strong language especially.
When Lightning Strikes
is intended for mature readers.

This book is the second in a series. It is encouraged for you to read
Breaking the Storm
(1
^st
in the series) before continuing.

I love listening to music while writing. It helps me set the mood and tone for each scene. The songs listed below are my top ten tracks that I played on a constant loop while writing
When Lightning Strikes
. Follow Sedona Venez on Spotify.com to find the full
When Lightning Strikes
playlist.

Animals – Martin Garrix

Burn – Ellie Goulding

Dark Horse – Katy Perry

Neon Lights – Demi Lovato

Do I Wanna Know? – Arctic Monkeys

The Worst – Jhene Aiko

Adore You – Miley Cyrus

Unconditionally – Katy Perry

Survival – Eminem

Not a Bad Thing – Justin Timberlake

“Beware, so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance.”

—JEAN DE LA FONTAINE

M
Y EYES DARTED TOWARD THE
door.
Where is Storm?
Storm’s tardiness was so out of character that my fingers trembled as I took a large gulp of tequila.

I snorted, thinking about our earlier phone conversation. There was no way in hell she was actually serious about me attending this meeting without her. She couldn’t be. Not after I specifically told her the last time I was around Detective Prick, I picked up some weird vibes. His emotional compass is not stable. I would crack under pressure if she wasn’t here. Shit! I was already cracking.

I wasn’t proud to admit it, but I was desperate. I needed her. I frantically tapped out a text message to Storm.
Where the hell are you? I’m not playing, Storm. Get your ass over here.
Now!

I waited. No response. My eyebrows furrowed.

What the hell?

Reason pursed her lips with displeasure while drumming her well-manicured nails against her desk. “So, Light, let me get this straight. She’s not coming to this meeting because she had some emergency?”

Leaning back into the chair, I tried to refocus my mind by absorbing the sleekness of Reason’s pristine midtown Manhattan office suite. “The last time I spoke to her, she sounded panicked. And that’s not like her.”

Reason leaned forward with eyes narrowed, like she was interrogating me on the witness stand. Her drumming increased.

My lips curled up with distaste. Her loud tapping was like fingernails on a chalkboard. “Reason, I swear if you don’t stop that, I’m going to fly over this damn desk and fucking cunt-punt you.” I was already pissed off with Storm for dodging this meeting. I sure as hell didn’t need lawyer extraordinaire pumping me for answers I didn’t have.

Reason flashed her canines. “Watch it, Light. I’m not putting up with your mood swings today.”

Irrationally, my temper flared as I leaned forward. “I don’t give a flying fuck, vampire!”

Reason’s hazel eyes narrowed with concern. “What’s up with you lately?” She sat back, examining me like a lab rat while drumming again.

I stared at her fingers pointedly. “I’m not fucking kidding,” I hissed. I was out of control. I knew it. Reason knew it. But I couldn’t rein it in. I wiped my damp forehead with shaky fingers. My empath symptoms were getting worse and there wasn’t shit I could do about it. What once worked at controlling my raging migraines and wild mood swings—my large consumption of alcohol—now failed. I tossed back a glass of tequila, gritting my teeth with frustration. My symptoms were making me a nervous wreck and even worse, I was slowly alienating everyone I loved with my erratic behavior. One minute I was bawling my eyes out; the next, I was dripping with rage. There was no middle ground anymore.