Title: The Calling
Author: M.D. Neu
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: January 1, 2018
Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 108300
Genre: Paranormal, paranormal, gay, dark, immortal, magic users, psychic ability, vampires
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis
Being a nobody isn’t Duncan Alexander’s
life goal, but it’s worked for him. He has a nondescript job, a few good
friends, and overall he’s content. That’s until one fateful trip to San Jose,
California, where he is “Called” to meet the mysterious Juliet de Exter. Juliet
is a beautiful, wealthy, powerful Immortal who is undertaking The Calling—a
search for a human to join her world of Immortals. Inexplicably, Duncan’s
calling is more dangerous than any of the Immortals, even Juliet, ever thought
it would be.
life goal, but it’s worked for him. He has a nondescript job, a few good
friends, and overall he’s content. That’s until one fateful trip to San Jose,
California, where he is “Called” to meet the mysterious Juliet de Exter. Juliet
is a beautiful, wealthy, powerful Immortal who is undertaking The Calling—a
search for a human to join her world of Immortals. Inexplicably, Duncan’s
calling is more dangerous than any of the Immortals, even Juliet, ever thought
it would be.
There is more to this nobody, this only
child of long-deceased parents, than anyone thought. When Duncan experiences
uncontrollable dreams of people he doesn’t know and places he hasn’t been,
Juliet and the other Immortals worry. Soon, his visions point to a coven of
long-dead witches. The dreams also lead Duncan to his one true love. How will
Duncan navigate a forbidden romance with an outcast Immortal? How will he and
the others keep the balance between the Light and Dark, survive vicious
attacks, and keep the humans from learning who they truly are? More
importantly, who is this implacable foe Duncan keeps seeing in his dreams?
child of long-deceased parents, than anyone thought. When Duncan experiences
uncontrollable dreams of people he doesn’t know and places he hasn’t been,
Juliet and the other Immortals worry. Soon, his visions point to a coven of
long-dead witches. The dreams also lead Duncan to his one true love. How will
Duncan navigate a forbidden romance with an outcast Immortal? How will he and
the others keep the balance between the Light and Dark, survive vicious
attacks, and keep the humans from learning who they truly are? More
importantly, who is this implacable foe Duncan keeps seeing in his dreams?
Excerpt
The Calling
M.D. Neu © 2017
All Rights Reserved
Chapter One
What is death?
I once believed there was only one
definition: your body stops functioning, your soul leaves and what’s left turns
to dust. That was what I thought, until it wasn’t.
definition: your body stops functioning, your soul leaves and what’s left turns
to dust. That was what I thought, until it wasn’t.
I’ve discovered when you’re a nobody,
the world can be an amazing place if you want it to be. Your life can change in
a heartbeat and not make the least bit of difference to anyone but you, or so
it would seem.
the world can be an amazing place if you want it to be. Your life can change in
a heartbeat and not make the least bit of difference to anyone but you, or so
it would seem.
That was my case.
I’m by no means whining or complaining.
I had a job, a small place to live, and friends, but no real family, and that
was something I desperately missed and wanted. My life wasn’t bad and I was
happy. However, I was just a random person, one of the many faces you see on
the street and never glance at twice. It was dull. Of course, as with me, the
majority of society didn’t know our world had hidden secrets, unseen by most.
I had a job, a small place to live, and friends, but no real family, and that
was something I desperately missed and wanted. My life wasn’t bad and I was
happy. However, I was just a random person, one of the many faces you see on
the street and never glance at twice. It was dull. Of course, as with me, the
majority of society didn’t know our world had hidden secrets, unseen by most.
The other important thing I want you to
realize about me is that before I met her, I wasn’t a lucky man, not with money
and certainly not with love. I made enough to live on, but never enough to take
fancy trips. My idea of travel was staying at home and watching movies. That
was my price range. And as for love, it was forgettable.
realize about me is that before I met her, I wasn’t a lucky man, not with money
and certainly not with love. I made enough to live on, but never enough to take
fancy trips. My idea of travel was staying at home and watching movies. That
was my price range. And as for love, it was forgettable.
The day my life changed was like all the
others, until it wasn’t. It was August 19. The year isn’t important. But we had
finished celebrating the Olympics, and in a few short months, the country would
be picking between the lesser of two evils for president.
others, until it wasn’t. It was August 19. The year isn’t important. But we had
finished celebrating the Olympics, and in a few short months, the country would
be picking between the lesser of two evils for president.
I sat at an outdoor café in Santana Row.
I’d spent the afternoon going on a tour of the Winchester Mystery House. Once
my stomach had started to growl, I decided to grab a bite to eat.
I’d spent the afternoon going on a tour of the Winchester Mystery House. Once
my stomach had started to growl, I decided to grab a bite to eat.
I had come to San Jose, California for a
vacation that I couldn’t afford and didn’t particularly want to take. Why San
Jose? Why not San Francisco or Monterey or Vegas or Yosemite? To be honest, I
don’t know, but it’s like everything inside and around me pulled me there. Out
of the blue, I got emails from the San Jose Visitor Bureau. My dreams were
filled with images of the city and the surrounding hills and mountains. It
seemed that old song, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” by Dionne Warwick
constantly played. Still, San Jose isn’t the place most people consider for a
ten-day vacation, especially someone alone who had never been to the Bay Area
before.
vacation that I couldn’t afford and didn’t particularly want to take. Why San
Jose? Why not San Francisco or Monterey or Vegas or Yosemite? To be honest, I
don’t know, but it’s like everything inside and around me pulled me there. Out
of the blue, I got emails from the San Jose Visitor Bureau. My dreams were
filled with images of the city and the surrounding hills and mountains. It
seemed that old song, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” by Dionne Warwick
constantly played. Still, San Jose isn’t the place most people consider for a
ten-day vacation, especially someone alone who had never been to the Bay Area
before.
Despite my appreh, from the moment I
arrived, I immediately felt at peace. I’d never been this calm or relaxed
anywhere before, not even at home. There was another reason for me coming here,
one I didn’t understand yet, at least not on a conscious level.
arrived, I immediately felt at peace. I’d never been this calm or relaxed
anywhere before, not even at home. There was another reason for me coming here,
one I didn’t understand yet, at least not on a conscious level.
I would find out why soon enough.
I don’t want to get things out of order,
so back on point. I sat at this Italian-style outdoor café watching people walk
by, enjoying the scent of roses and vanilla that filled the air. The aroma
tickled the back of my brain. I smelled it everywhere, which should have been
my first clue that something was different.
so back on point. I sat at this Italian-style outdoor café watching people walk
by, enjoying the scent of roses and vanilla that filled the air. The aroma
tickled the back of my brain. I smelled it everywhere, which should have been
my first clue that something was different.
After enjoying my Italian-style chicken
marsala, and while I sipped my strawberry lemonade, I felt a sharp pull in my
brain. It wasn’t like I heard voices—it was more like vague images filled my
head: a house, a woman, gardens, a gate, hills covered in trees, and a pair of
eyes. My hands shook, and my glass fell to the floor and shattered. An intense
pressure grew between my eyes, and I pinched the bridge of my nose to ease it.
marsala, and while I sipped my strawberry lemonade, I felt a sharp pull in my
brain. It wasn’t like I heard voices—it was more like vague images filled my
head: a house, a woman, gardens, a gate, hills covered in trees, and a pair of
eyes. My hands shook, and my glass fell to the floor and shattered. An intense
pressure grew between my eyes, and I pinched the bridge of my nose to ease it.
When the tug came, three things happened
to me at once.
to me at once.
First, I had the realization that I had
an important meeting in Los Altos Hills. I had never heard of Los Altos Hills
and even had to look it up on my phone to see if it was real. I would have to
check my GPS when I returned to my rental. I knew the address of the house and
who I was going to meet. She had blonde hair and mysterious eyes. I knew her,
but I didn’t understand how.
an important meeting in Los Altos Hills. I had never heard of Los Altos Hills
and even had to look it up on my phone to see if it was real. I would have to
check my GPS when I returned to my rental. I knew the address of the house and
who I was going to meet. She had blonde hair and mysterious eyes. I knew her,
but I didn’t understand how.
Second, the waiter came to my table.
“Sorry about the drink,” I said.
He gave me an odd look and informed me
my meal had been paid for and to enjoy my evening. Flabbergasted, I stared at
the server.
my meal had been paid for and to enjoy my evening. Flabbergasted, I stared at
the server.
I glanced around the café and wondered
who paid the bill and why. I wasn’t even done yet.
who paid the bill and why. I wasn’t even done yet.
“Mr. Alexander, are you all right?” The
waiter scanned me up and down. “Do you need me to call someone? You look pale.”
waiter scanned me up and down. “Do you need me to call someone? You look pale.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m fine.”
How did the waiter know my name?
Stranger still, when I checked the table, my drink sat there and nothing had
fallen to the floor. I wasn’t sure what was happening.
Stranger still, when I checked the table, my drink sat there and nothing had
fallen to the floor. I wasn’t sure what was happening.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Sorry. Just a headache,” I said.
“All right. I hope you have a pleasant
afternoon.” He smiled and started to walk off but turned back. “Oh, I almost
forgot. I’m supposed to remind you about your meeting tonight.”
afternoon.” He smiled and started to walk off but turned back. “Oh, I almost
forgot. I’m supposed to remind you about your meeting tonight.”
A lump stuck in my throat, and I nodded.
It was spooky, but I wasn’t scared.
It was spooky, but I wasn’t scared.
The last thing: I got a text from my
closest friend, Cindy Martin. Good luck tonight. I’m sure it’ll be you.
closest friend, Cindy Martin. Good luck tonight. I’m sure it’ll be you.
I remember thinking, What does she know
that I don’t?
that I don’t?
I’ve known Cindy for years, and for her
to say anything that short and sweet was rare. In fact, I don’t suppose I ever
got a message from her without any emoticons.
to say anything that short and sweet was rare. In fact, I don’t suppose I ever
got a message from her without any emoticons.
As bizarre as all of this was, I
realized that no matter what, everything and everyone I cared about would be
okay. Clearly, there was something more to this trip and my being here. I
didn’t know what. But it wasn’t just some free meal. It was bigger than that.
If I was selected for what? I had no clue. And if I wasn’t, then I would get to
see them again. There would be no questions.
realized that no matter what, everything and everyone I cared about would be
okay. Clearly, there was something more to this trip and my being here. I
didn’t know what. But it wasn’t just some free meal. It was bigger than that.
If I was selected for what? I had no clue. And if I wasn’t, then I would get to
see them again. There would be no questions.
Part of me wanted to worry, but I wasn’t
bothered, which in itself surprised me. I’ve been a pessimist for as long as I
can remember. It probably had to do with the strange death of my father when I
was a kid. A death never fully explained. So, for this not to make me worry was
one more mystery. What was about to happen was something that would just be.
Instead of freaking out and worrying, I was calm and accepting of whatever
adventure or fate awaited me.
bothered, which in itself surprised me. I’ve been a pessimist for as long as I
can remember. It probably had to do with the strange death of my father when I
was a kid. A death never fully explained. So, for this not to make me worry was
one more mystery. What was about to happen was something that would just be.
Instead of freaking out and worrying, I was calm and accepting of whatever
adventure or fate awaited me.
Even though I was short on time to get
to the house in Los Altos Hills, I wanted to enjoy my lunch. Reflecting on it
now, I’m pretty sure that was the cynical part of my brain trying to exert some
kind of control. I took my time, finished my meal, and when I was done, I
tipped the server and left.
to the house in Los Altos Hills, I wanted to enjoy my lunch. Reflecting on it
now, I’m pretty sure that was the cynical part of my brain trying to exert some
kind of control. I took my time, finished my meal, and when I was done, I
tipped the server and left.
I walked back to my rental car. I wanted
to take in as much of the classical European architecture and lush landscaping
of the outdoor mall as I could. I managed to get a few decent cell phone
pictures of the place.
to take in as much of the classical European architecture and lush landscaping
of the outdoor mall as I could. I managed to get a few decent cell phone
pictures of the place.
I stopped my lollygagging and got
moving. I had someplace to be and what appeared to be no choice in the matter.
Before you go crazy, understand this wasn’t like one of those stupid movies
that you watch, shaking your head, yelling at the screen for them not to go
into the dark forest or spooky house or whatever. It wasn’t like that.
moving. I had someplace to be and what appeared to be no choice in the matter.
Before you go crazy, understand this wasn’t like one of those stupid movies
that you watch, shaking your head, yelling at the screen for them not to go
into the dark forest or spooky house or whatever. It wasn’t like that.
I’d like to hope I’m explaining this
well enough so you don’t sit there and think, “Oh this is stupid. I’d never do
anything that dumb.” It wasn’t like I had a choice. I had to go—something
compelled me to her. I had to meet this woman, calling me. It was hard-wired
into me, no matter how much I tried to slow down or stall, I moved forward.
well enough so you don’t sit there and think, “Oh this is stupid. I’d never do
anything that dumb.” It wasn’t like I had a choice. I had to go—something
compelled me to her. I had to meet this woman, calling me. It was hard-wired
into me, no matter how much I tried to slow down or stall, I moved forward.
I moved toward her.
When I finally got in the car and took a
breath, I wasn’t clammy or shaky, and my heart wasn’t pounding in my chest. I
should have been anxious, but I wasn’t. I was fine.
breath, I wasn’t clammy or shaky, and my heart wasn’t pounding in my chest. I
should have been anxious, but I wasn’t. I was fine.
Knowing without understanding what I had
to do, I headed to the freeway.
to do, I headed to the freeway.
Purchase
NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Meet the Author
M.D. Neu is a LGBTQA Fiction Writer with
a love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San Jose,
California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated with
what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal television
and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas,
Stephen King, Alfred Hitchcock and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination,
but one that has influenced his writing.
a love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San Jose,
California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated with
what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal television
and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas,
Stephen King, Alfred Hitchcock and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination,
but one that has influenced his writing.
Growing up in an accepting family as a
gay man, he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was.
Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society,
M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting to
tell good stories that reflected our diverse world.
gay man, he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was.
Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society,
M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting to
tell good stories that reflected our diverse world.
When M.D. Neu isn’t writing, he works
for a non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest
critic, Eric, his husband of eighteen plus years.
for a non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest
critic, Eric, his husband of eighteen plus years.
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Giveaway
