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Madeline Baker/Amanda Ashley

NIGHT’S MASTER

Chapter 1

Most said it was going to be the end of the world as we knew it. Some said that was ridiculous, but those who weren’t too busy or too blind to see the signs knew the truth. Mankind had been heading for this showdown ever since the preternatural creatures decided that, although they were small in number when compared to humans, they possessed the strength and the Supernatural power to pretty much run the planet any way they saw fit. And since the nations of the earth had finally achieved universal peace, most of the world’s armies had been drastically reduced or done away with altogether, leaving only local law enforcement agencies to protect the citizens, while national governments debated how to best handle a possible future threat.

In the last six months or so, there had been an escalating number of battles between the two major baddies - the Werewolves and the Vampires.

No one really knew who was winning the war. In the past, when the humans had made war, everyone knew who was winning. The number of casualties, both civilian and enemy, had been reported far and wide. Pictures of those killed in battle had appeared in newspapers, on television, and online. The nightly news had flashed brutal, graphic images of the dead and wounded being carried off the field of battle.

It was different with the Supernatural creatures. Their battles were fought in the dark hours of the night in remote areas around the world. The bodies of the fallen were never found. The Vampire dead disintegrated in the sun’s first light. The Werewolves were carried off by others of their kind; some said the dead were eaten so as to leave no trace.
Smart humans quickly learned two things: how to repel the preternatural folks and how to stay out of their way. Those who weren’t so smart usually ended up as someone’s dinner. Except for a few reporters who had more curiosity than brains, human casualties had been few so far.

Of course, everyone knew that sooner or later, mankind would have to stand up and defend themselves against whichever side won the war between the Werewolves and the Vampires, but until then, the smart thing to do was just stay out of the line of fire.

Being a pretty smart girl myself, I high-tailed it out of the big city and took up residence in a small town in the Midwest, figuring there wasn’t anything in Oak Hollow to attract either the Vampires or Werewolves. After all, the town wasn’t big enough to appear on most maps, and since the Werewolves and the Vampires seemed to like bright lights and big cities, moving to a sleepy little community like Oak Hollow seemed like the perfect solution.

I bought a cute little house made of logs for practically nothing, opened a new and used bookstore on the corner of Third and Main, and figured I’d stay out of danger while the Werewolves and the Vamps killed each other off.

Of course, you know what they say about the best laid plans…


NIGHT'S PLEASURE

Prologue

The magician billed as The Remarkable Renaldo stood alone in the center of a large, well-lit stage. A pair of tight black trousers clung to his long, muscular legs. His feet were shod in a pair of supple black leather boots. A long black cloak hung from a pair of broad shoulders and swirled around his ankles when he moved. Posed against the blood-red curtains behind him, he was a formidable sight, one to make nine year-old Savanah Gentry press closer to her father. Savanah didn’t know what the devil looked like, but she had always imagined him as being ugly and wearing a long black cloak. The Remarkable Renaldo had the cloak, but he definitely wasn’t ugly, and as far as she could see, he didn’t have horns or a tail.

The magician looked out over the audience. “For my final illusion of the evening, I will need several volunteers.”

Savanah Gentry nudged her father. “Raise your hand.”

“What?”

“Raise your hand!” She was eager to know how the magician did his tricks. Perhaps, if her father got on stage, he could find out. “Hurry, Daddy!”

William Gentry looked at his only child. As always, he could deny her nothing that was in his power to give, and so, with a shake of his head, he raised his hand.

“You, there in the fourth row,” the magician said, gesturing for Savanah’s father to come forward.

“Is it all right if my daughter comes with me?”

The Remarkable Renaldo turned his attention to Savanah. The touch of his gaze on her face sent a shiver down her spine. It wasn’t fear; it was more like the feeling she had on Christmas morning when she knew the present she had hoped for all year was waiting for her under the tree. Hardly daring to breathe, she waited for the magician’s decision.

“If you wish,” Renaldo decided at last.

Savanah’s felt like her heart was trying to jump out of her chest as she followed her father up the stairs and onto the stage, which was empty of props or scenery save for an ordinary-looking white door that was mounted on wheels and stood in the middle of the floorboards.

The magician quickly selected three other men. Then, with a flourish, he moved across the stage to stand beside the door. He opened it, stepped through, and then turned toward the men.

“Gentlemen. And little lady,” he added, sketching a bow in Savanah’s direction, “please examine the door and see that it is quite ordinary.”

Savanah’s father was the first to step forward. He ran his hands over both sides of the door, inspected the frame from top to bottom, and then step through the opening.

The other men all did likewise.

Feeling self-conscious, Savanah stepped through the opening, then hurried to her father’s side.

“And now, if you will examine the floor,” the magician requested. “All of it. I wish you to assure the audience that there are no hidden trap doors.”

Amid some laughter from the audience, all the men got down on their hands and knees and crawled around the stage, running their hands over the floorboards. One by one, they gained their feet.

“Are you all quite satisfied?” Renaldo asked.

The men nodded in the affirmative.

“Very well.” The magician turned to face the audience once more. “May I please have four more volunteers?”

Hands went up all around the room, along with shouts of “over here” and “pick me”.

When the new volunteers had been chosen and were onstage, the magician pointed to one of the men and said, “I would like you to move the door to a place of your choosing. Anywhere at all. On the stage, of course,” he added with a smile.

The man looked thoughtful a moment. After closing the door, he pushed it toward the middle of the stage, as close to the footlights as possible.

“Very good,” the Remarkable Renaldo said. He turned to the other volunteers. “If you will all follow me, I would like you to form a circle around the door so that you will be able to see me clearly from every angle.”

Savanah looked at the magician, wondering if he meant her, as well, but afraid to ask.

As though reading her mind, he turned toward her and smiled. “You, too, my little lady,” he said with a courtly bow.

Everyone on the stage moved toward the door’s new location, making a loose circle around it.

Savanah felt her cheeks flush with heat as she took a place in the circle, with her father on her right and another man on her left.

The eyes of everyone on the stage were focused on the magician as he stepped into their midst and instructed them to hold hands.

When they complied, the Remarkable Renaldo opened the door. He stuck his arm through the opening, waved to the crowd, and then closed the door.

“I hope you have enjoyed this evening’s performance,” he said, looking out at the audience, “but the time has come for me to bid you adieu.”

And so saying, he opened the door, and stepped across the threshold.

And disappeared from sight.

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REVIEWS FOR NIGHT'S MASTER

ROMANTIC TIMES SAID:
Continuing the story of the Cordova family from NIGHT'S TOUCH, Ashley delivers another edgy yet sensitive story. With vivid, beautiful characters, plenty of action and a mix of vampires, were-creatures and vampire hunters, it's no surprise that readers keep begging for more. Emotions come alive and sensuality reigns in this captivating new installment.

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Rho at A Romance Review said:
Night’s Master is book three in the Night series but is written as a stand alone so anyone can enjoy it. To get the full measure of enjoyment I recommend reading the entire series.

I loved the hero in Night’s Master but I also felt sorry for him. While I completely understand Kathy’s reticence to involve herself with a vampire, Raphael’s charm and kindness won me over. He is a wonderful hero who deserves Kathy’s wholehearted affection.

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NIGHT’S MASTER by Amanda Ashley was the first book that I’ve read by this extremely talented author. I was hooked from the first page and immensely impressed with the writing. The dialogue flows brilliantly, the romance is hot, the danger is scary, and the suspense is exciting.

While I normally shy away from longer books, this one being a heavy 364 pages, I didn’t want the book to end. There were no boring spots where I yawn and yearn to skip over nonsense. NIGHT’S MASTER is perfection from the beginning to the end. Overall I adored and loved everything about this book and can’t wait to read all of Amanda Ashley’s backlist books!
Posted by RachaelfromNJ
Enchanted by books

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How can a book be charmingly sweet yet edgy at the same time? I don't know how, but Amanda Ashley invariably makes it happen and in a unique way that keeps me impatient for her next book. The family ties she forms that provide the foundations of her worlds make you care about them, whether it's the Cordova family, or Edward the hunter turned vampire, or any other set. Night's Master is almost impossible to put down, but is also gentle enough to be relaxing. I love how she conveys the sensual without being graphic and how Rafe respects his lady's morals. We need more of that in this world, in both reality and fiction. My hat is off to my fellow Amanda.
Amanda Killgore

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Online reviewer Crystal said: "Amanda Ashley’s book Night’s Master is just perfect. I am an avid reader and follower of Ms. Ashley’s work and with each book she continues to surpass my expectations of her. I find myself smiling, worried, and in the mindset of that one of a kind love with the picture she paints with words. Ms. Ashley skillfully pens a paranormal romance that brings your emotions right to the surface, everything is so vivid and beautiful. I am ready, Ms. Ashley, for the next book in the series, it just can’t get into my hands quick enough! If I could give a higher score than 5 hearts, I would, because she well deserves it!"

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copyright Madeline Baker 2007

ALSO FROM ZEBRA BOOKS:

After Sundown
A Whisper of Eternity
Night's Kiss
Desire After Dark
Dead Sexy
Night's Touch
Dead Perfect
Night's Master
Night's Pleasure
Immortal Sins
Everlasting Kiss