Expecting Darkness: An Immortal Ops World Novel (Immortal Ops: Crimson Ops Series Book 2) Read online

  Expecting Darkness

  An Immortal Ops World Novel

  Mandy M. Roth

  Raven Happy Hour LLC

  Expecting Darkness: Part of the Immortal Ops Series World (Crimson Ops)© Copyright 2017, Mandy M. Roth

  First Electronic Printing June 2017, Raven Happy Hour LLC

  Trade Paperback Printing June 2017

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  All books are copyrighted to the author and may not be resold or given away without written permission from the author, Mandy M. Roth.

  This novel is a work of fiction and intended for mature audiences only. Any and all characters, names, events, places and incidents are used under the umbrella of fiction and are of the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or events or places or locales is merely coincidence.

  Published by Raven Happy Hour LLC

  Oxford, MS USA

  Raven Happy Hour LLC and all affiliate sites and projects are © Copyrighted 2004-2017

  Contents

  Suggested Reading Order of Books Released to Date in the Immortal Ops Series World

  Praise for Mandy M. Roth’s Immortal Ops World

  Immortal Ops Series Helper

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  About the Author

  Suggested Reading Order of Books Released to Date in the Immortal Ops Series World

  This list is NOT up to date. Please check MandyRoth.com for the most current release list.

  Suggested reading order of books released to date in the

  Immortal Ops Series world

  Immortal Ops

  Critical Intelligence

  Radar Deception

  Strategic Vulnerability

  Tactical Magik

  Act of Mercy

  Administrative Control

  Act of Surrender

  Broken Communication

  Separation Zone

  Act of Submission

  Damage Report

  Act of Command

  Wolf’s Surrender

  The Dragon Shifter’s Duty

  Midnight Echoes

  Isolated Maneuver

  Expecting Darkness

  More to come (check www.mandyroth.com for new releases)

  Books in each series within the Immortal Ops World.

  This list is NOT up to date. To see an updated list of the books within each series under the umbrella of the Immortal Ops World please visit MandyRoth.com. Mandy is always releasing new books within the series world. Sign up for her newsletter at MandyRoth.com to never miss a new release.

  You can read each individual series within the world, in whatever order you want…

  PSI-Ops:

  Act of Mercy

  Act of Surrender

  Act of Submission

  Act of Command

  And more (see Mandy’s website & sign up for her newsletter for notification of releases)

  Immortal Ops:

  Immortal Ops

  Critical Intelligence

  Radar Deception

  Strategic Vulnerability

  Tactical Magik

  Administrative Control

  Separation Zone

  Wrecked Intel

  And more (see Mandy’s website & sign up for her newsletter for notification of releases)

  Immortal Outcasts:

  Broken Communication

  Damage Report

  Isolated Maneuver

  And more (see Mandy’s website & sign up for her newsletter for notification of releases)

  Shadow Agents:

  Wolf’s Surrender

  The Dragon Shifter’s Duty

  And more (see Mandy’s website & sign up for her newsletter for notification of releases)

  Crimson Ops Series:

  Midnight Echoes

  Expecting Darkness

  And more (see Mandy’s website & sign up for her newsletter for notification of releases)

  Paranormal Regulators Series and Clear Sight Division Operatives (Part of the Immortal Ops World) Coming Soon!

  Praise for Mandy M. Roth’s Immortal Ops World

  Silver Star Award—I feel Immortal Ops deserves a Silver Star Award as this book was so flawlessly written with elements of intrigue, suspense and some scorching hot scenes—Aggie Tsirikas—Just Erotic Romance Reviews

  5 Stars—Immortal Ops is a fascinating short story. The characters just seem to jump out at you. Ms. Roth wrote the main and secondary characters with such depth of emotions and heartfelt compassion I found myself really caring for them—Susan Holly—Just Erotic Romance Reviews

  Immortal Ops packs the action of a Hollywood thriller with the smoldering heat that readers can expect from Ms. Roth. Put it on your hot list…and keep it there! —The Road to Romance

  5 Stars—Her characters are so realistic, I find myself wondering about the fine line between fact and fiction…This was one captivating tale that I did not want to end. Just the right touch of humor endeared these characters to me even more—eCataRomance Reviews

  5 Steamy Cups of Coffee—Combining the world of secret government operations with mythical creatures as if they were an everyday thing, she (Ms. Roth) then has the audacity to make you actually believe it and wonder if there could be some truth to it. I know I did. Nora Roberts once told me that there are some people who are good writers and some who are good storytellers, but the best is a combination of both and I believe Ms. Roth is just that. Mandy Roth never fails to surpass herself—coffeetimeromance

  Mandy Roth kicks ass in this story—inthelibraryreview

  Immortal Ops Series Helper

  Immortal Ops (I-Ops) Team Members

  Lukian Vlakhusha: Alpha-Dog-One. Team captain, werewolf, King of the Lycans. Book: Immortal Ops (Immortal Ops)

  Geoffroi (Roi) Majors: Alpha-Dog-Two. Second-in-command, werewolf, blood-bound brother to Lukian. Book: Critical Intelligence (Immortal Ops)

  Doctor Thaddeus Green: Bravo-Dog-One. Scientist, tech guru, werepanther. Book: Radar Deception (Immortal Ops)

  Jonathon (Jon) Reynell: Bravo-Dog-Two. Sniper, weretiger. Book: Separation Zone (Immortal Ops)

  Wilson Rousseau: Bravo-Dog-Three. Resident smart-ass, wererat. Book: Strategic Vulnerability (Immortal Ops)

  Eadan Daly: Alpha-Dog-Three. PSI-Op and handler on loan to the I-Ops to round out the team, Fae. Book: Tactical Magik (Immortal Ops)

  Lance Toov: Werepanther, current status is unknown.

  Colonel Asher Brooks: Chief of Operations and point person for the Immortal Ops Team. Book: Administrative Control (Immortal Ops)

  Paranormal Security and Intelligence (PSI) Operatives

  General Jack C. Newman: Director of Operations for PSI North American Division, werelion. Adoptive father of Missy Carter-Majors

  Duke Marlow: PSI-Operative, werewolf. Book: Act of Mercy (PSI-Ops)

  Doctor James (Jimmy) Hagen: PSI-Operative, werewolf. Took a ten-year hiatus from PSI. Book: Act of Surrender (PS
I-Ops)

  Striker (Dougal) McCracken: PSI-Operative, werewolf

  Miles (Boomer) Walsh: PSI-Operative, werepanther. Book: Act of Submission (PSI-Ops)

  Captain Corbin Jones: Operations coordinator and captain for PSI-Ops Team Five, werelion. Book: Act of Command (PSI-Ops)

  Malik (Tut) Nasser: PSI-Operative, (PSI-Ops)

  Colonel Ulric Lovett: Director of Operations, PSI-London Division

  Dr. Sambora: PSI-Operative, (PSI-Ops).

  Immortal Outcasts

  Casey Black: I-Ops test subject, werewolf. Book: Broken Communication

  Weston Carol: I-Ops test subject, werebear. Book: Damage Report

  Bane Antonov: I-Ops test subject, weregorilla. Book: Isolated Maneuver

  Shadow Agents

  Bradley Durant: PSI-Ops: Shadow Agent Division, werewolf. Book: Wolf’s Surrender

  Ezra: PSI-Ops: Shadow Agent Division, dragon-shifter

  Caesar: PSI-Ops: Shadow Agent Division, werewolf

  Crimson Sentinel Ops Division

  Bhaltair: Crimson-Ops: Fang Gang, vampire. Book: Midnight Echoes

  Labrainn: Crimson-Ops: Fang Gang, vampire.

  Auberi Bouchard: Crimson-Ops: Fang Gang, vampire.

  Searc Macleod: Crimson-Ops: Fang Gang, vampire. Book: Expecting Darkness

  Daniel Townsend: Crimson-Ops: Fang Gang, vampire.

  Blaise Regnier: Crimson-Ops: Fang Gang, vampire.

  Paranormal Regulators

  Stamatis Emathia: Paranormal Regulator, vampire

  Whitney: Paranormal Regulator, werewolf

  Cormag Buchanan: Paranormal Regulator, master vampire.

  Erik: Paranormal Regulator, shifter.

  Shane: Paranormal Regulator, shifter.

  Miscellaneous

  Culann of the Council: Father to Kimberly; Badass Fae.

  Pierre Molyneux: Master vampire bent on creating a race of super soldiers.

  Gisbert Krauss: Mad scientist who wants to create a master race of supernaturals.

  Walter Helmuth: Head of Seattle’s paranormal underground. In league with Molyneux and Krauss.

  Dr. Lakeland Matthews: Scientist, vital role in the creation of a successful Immortal Ops Team. Father to Peren Matthews.

  Dr. Bertrand: Mad scientist with Donavon Dynamics Corporation (The Corporation).

  Blurb

  Expecting Darkness

  Book Two in the Crimson Ops Series

  New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Series the Immortal Outcasts! Part of the Immortal Ops World!

  Searc Macleod is an immortal vampire special operative with Paranormal Security and Intelligence’s “Fang Gang.” He’s fought for the side of good for nearly a century. But it turns out; his past is never far behind him. When his sire summons him, demanding Searc protect the master vampire’s only daughter—a woman Searc has lusted after since she became of age—he knows things can only end badly. He can barely resist the temptation of Jessie Buchanan as it is. Finding out she’s been subjected to testing at the hands of madmen, sets his demon on edge, and ignites his hunger for her. He’ll do whatever it takes to protect her and the precious cargo she’s carrying.

  Chapter One

  Four months ago…

  Searc Macleod woke in a panic, rubbing his chest, his head fuzzy, his fangs distended, feeling as if he’d tied one too many on the night prior. As a special operative for an organization humans weren’t to have knowledge of, he often found himself globe-trotting. The past week had been no exception. The last thing he recalled had been parting ways with his teammates on the tarmac after their private jet had landed near headquarters.

  Daylight had been nearing, and Searc could remember heading home, bone tired. Why did it feel as though he’d made a pit stop to get shit-faced? He hadn’t, but that didn’t change the way he felt. It took him a moment to get his bearings and retract his fangs—a natural defense mechanism.

  The term for his kind within the supernatural community was a vampire. But he knew the best label was cursed. He wasn’t a born vampire, as some were. He’d been made—sired by Cormag Buchanan, a Highland Warrior, clan chieftain, and master vampire. That had been almost three hundred years ago.

  While a lot of things had changed in the span of three centuries, some things hadn’t. Like Searc’s vampire side sensing danger long before the human side did. As was the case now. His demon had always been able to pick up on things deeper and faster than he could. When he’d first found himself turned, he’d seen the world through new eyes. Sights, smells, and sounds had been so intense that they’d bordered on overwhelming for his first few months. Thankfully, he’d had someone there to guide him, to walk him through the change—the thirst.

  Not every newly turned vampire was so lucky.

  Focusing as best he could considering he felt drugged, Searc looked around at his surroundings, wondering where he was and if he’d been captured by the enemy again.

  He hadn’t. He was home, in his bed, no sign of anyone near him.

  He exhaled a small sigh of relief.

  The last time he’d fallen behind enemy lines was nearly a year ago. He’d ended up being taken to a holding facility full of laboratories. The bad guys had numerous scientists and doctors working with them, who’d collected samples from Searc between the tortures the guards inflicted on him. He’d suffered worse in the past and didn’t break.

  Though he couldn’t recall anyone other than his employer collecting various samples from him in his life. The people who’d held him had taken everything from blood to semen. And having the latter collected was something he didn’t want to go through again. It had been a gross violation of his body, but the man who had dared to force it upon him had paid a heavy price. The kill had been perfect and much needed. The moment he’d gotten free from his bindings, Searc had surged up, bitten the man’s throat out, and feasted upon his blood before snapping the man’s neck.

  “I should have taken my time with his death,” he whispered, meaning every word of it. He’d been too quick to kill the man who had dared to touch him, dared to force a release on him and take from him that which Searc hadn’t wanted to give.

  He closed his eyes, hating that his body had betrayed him back then. The fucking bastard scientist had come in with a dress that smelled like jasmine with hints of roses. The scent had driven Searc mad with need, making him think of the one woman who seemed to make him bend with desire with but a thought—Jessie Buchanan.

  Images of her long dark red hair, full rosy lips, chocolate eyes, and pale skin had come over him so quickly that his cock had hardened at once. The scientist had grabbed hold of his prick, stroking it, shoving the dress in Searc’s face, laughing as Searc’s demon surged forward, unable to stop what was happening because there had been too many drugs in his system at the time and he’d been shackled. He’d hung by chains, helpless as his body reacted to the scent of the dress, and the scientist’s hand jerked him off until he spilled his seed into a container.

  Bastard!

  It had been nearly a week before his teammates had tracked his location and come for him. A week of that fucking bastard scientist returning daily, jerking him off and collecting his semen, all while shoving the dress in his face—mocking him. The scientist had taunted him, telling him that he’d never get to really feel the dress owner’s tight cunt wrapped around his cock. He’d never know the pleasures of her body. And that they’d have her in their hands soon enough. That they’d do to her what they’d done to him and so much more. That they’d make him watch as they tortured her too.

  Searc had struggled against his shackles, wanting to kill the man then and there for daring to threaten a woman he didn’t even know. A woman whose scent reminded him of Jessie.

  He hung his head, hating that he’d gotten lost in the memories of it all once more. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t suffered through far worse in his long life. Falling into the hands of the enemy happened more than one would think, especially with what he was and what he did. Thoug
h since he’d gone clean and to the side of light, the incidents had been fewer and farther between. And he’d been one of the lucky ones. One of the men taken who’d gotten out after a short period, or gotten out at all. Much had come to the surface in the past year, and he now knew the enemy was organized.

  The Corporation was a giant conglomerate that had been working diligently behind the scenes to pull together different and normally warring factions of the supernatural underground. Where once certain species had fought to the death against one another, they were now standing shoulder to shoulder, making alliances and deals. The Corporation was smart, well funded, and doing a lot of damage. No one knew the full scope of their reach and more than likely they never would, but what PSI had learned was enough to keep a person up at night with worry. They seemed to have their hand in everything, including traitors in the very organization Searc worked for—Paranormal Security and Intelligence (PSI).

  Searc had seen the reports on what some of the samples they took from others had been used on. And apparently, the testing wasn’t new. It had started over a century ago, but it was gaining traction and getting results. Its organizers were getting bolder and trying new things. The most recent had been the creation of hybrids, creatures they were blends of many supernatural at once, but who had been made from adults, not infants or babies still in the womb—which had been the best way to manipulate the genetic makeup of those being tested upon.