BRAZEN MOON by Ruth D. Kerce, Multi-Published Erotic Romance Author

BRAZEN MOON by Ruth D. Kerce
copyright © 2010, all rights reserved

Published by Ellora's Cave
Book Cover Designed by Syneca

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To fulfill an ancient covenant, half-demon and Hell Hunter, Asherton Karlitis, turns against his kind to fight demons bent on destruction. He must save one special female from becoming a victim and breeder—a woman he craves for himself.

After meeting Ashe, Dalila Na’eem helps him with paranormal research, an interest of hers. He’s super sexy and their attraction is undeniable. Soon they are indulging all her erotic fantasies.

When she finds out the truth about Ashe, she is shocked and afraid. But her need and love for him is enough to accept what he is and to trust this half-demon who says he knows how to love.

THE BUZZ

Scrupulously gripping and wonderfully suspenseful. I was hanging on the edge of my seat with enormous anticipation, eager to discover the outcome - Contessa, Romance Junkies Reviews

The plot was spine-tingling, suspenseful and full of super-hot passion... Readers, this is one steamy novel that you don't want to miss! - Nikita Steele, Veiled Secrets Reviews

Non-stop action, tight writing, vivid characters with so much sexual tension ... I didn't want to put it down - RomanceReader, Seriously Reviewed

HOT!!...definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you want your erotica sizzling then this is a must have for your collection - Jennifer Leigh, Just Erotic Romance Reivews

If you want a story with plot twists galore, hot sex, and a couple that can't keep their hands to themselves, then you need to read Brazen Moon - Tiger Lily, Whipped Cream Reviews

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Chapter One

Decree of Demonic Desecration

During the Brazen Moon, from the deepest pits of hell,
the incubi arise.
With their black demon seed, they seek Earth’s bitches,
to desecrate and chastise.

In blood and darkness, the cambion born
will destroy all purity and light.
With the covenant then broken, the Houses of Lucifer
shall bring evil’s delight.

Prince Asmodeus, The House of Asmodai

Asherton Karlitis, born into the House of Haborym but now turned Hell Hunter, stared up at the night sky with trepidation. The Brazen Moon had risen over St. Eden.

The sexual appetites of the incubi would be at fever pitch this night and each night hereafter until they captured and—with their demon seed—impregnated certain human females who possessed special paranormal abilities.

Each year the sexual raids took place and typically lasted from one to three nights. The offspring from the joining of mortal and non-mortal ultimately served to strengthen the House of Asmodai and its powers across the land as well as deep within the nether regions of Lucifer’s Kingdom.

Normally, on nights such as this, he would not plan a hunt nor attempt any human rescues. The collective powers, in force, were too strong. However he knew one of the targeted women.

Dalila Na’eem.

She held a position as a psychology and history professor at the local community college. Her specialty was paranormal beliefs in ancient cultures. She often helped him with historical research of the surrounding New England territories where he hunted down the demons sent into human civilization to cause chaos and pain.

The ministers of the nether regions denied any knowledge of such demons, admitting nothing and saying all rogues were disloyal followers on unauthorized missions. He knew better. He knew how the royal houses worked and had long turned his back on his own royal roots from the House of Haborym, ruled by the duke himself.

Ashe had not chosen the path of a Dark Lifer but had been born into it. Now he rebelled against it, fighting his own kind and fulfilling the covenant set forth long ago by the opposing sides of darkness and light, as it had been originally intended. The powers must remain balanced or all of creation would implode.

The incubi were not destined to be victorious this night. He would see to it and help the woman, who had so generously helped him time and again, not to become one of their victims.

Only mildly telepathic, as far as he knew, she seemed an unlikely target. Asmodai’s followers had more likely chosen her as a way to strike out at him, a way to exact revenge for his betrayal. Though few Hell Hunters existed in the modern world, compared to the number of demons, the ones who did were all experts at causing their own chaos and pain for those who sought to instill terror in humans. Dalila would not become one of their Seed Breeders, and as such an incubus’ whore, as long as he had breath and blood in his body.

She believed him to be a former police detective turned paranormal investigator. He had built his cover well over the years as he moved from place to place. She would soon learn differently. But he swore that he would not be the cause of her desecration and descent into darkness.

From across the empty field, Ashe stared up at her apartment building. Behind one of her curtained windows shone a soft light, indicating she was home. She would not understand what he had to do for her own well-being but he had made up his mind. It was the only way to guarantee her safety from any dark attacks now or in the future.

A buzz caught his attention and he pulled the cell phone from his leather jacket. The modern world provided many conveniences that he had grown accustomed to. He checked the number—an informant from the House of Zepar, whose residents caused temporary or sometimes even permanent insanity in human females. They often worked closely with the House of Asmodai. He would need to take the call.

* * * * *
Dalila heard the clunk of heavy boots and looked up from the research report she was studying. A shadow caught her eye and her gaze immediately lowered to the wooden floor and the crack at the bottom of her apartment door. The light coming in from the hallway turned to black. The hair on the back of her arms rose and a shiver skittered down her spine.

Her nerves were shot from examining controversial academic documents on supposed Toltec Shadows of Terror. Now a shadow stood outside her door. Fate’s timing did not amuse her.

She waited. Whoever stood out there moved on and the light under the door returned. She let out a sigh. People were always coming and going. Normally she didn’t think much about it but there seemed to be something disturbing in the air tonight. She was about to return to her reading when the shadow suddenly reappeared.

Another shiver swept through her and she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling of impending danger. She wasn’t expecting any visitors. From the sound of the stride and weightiness of the steps, she knew a rather large man had to be standing out in the hall. He simply stood there and her uneasiness grew. Well, either knock or go away.

Slowly the doorknob began to turn.

Oh, God.