BLAZE ERUPTING: Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella Read online

  Blaze Erupting

  Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella

  By Rebecca Zanetti

  1001 Dark Nights

  BLAZE ERUPTING: Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella

  By Rebecca Zanetti

  Copyright 2018 Rebecca Zanetti

  ISBN: 978-1-948050-06-7

  Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose

  Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  Book Description

  BLAZE ERUPTING: Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella

  By Rebecca Zanetti

  From New York Times bestselling author, Rebecca Zanetti, comes a new Scorpius Syndrome/A Brigade Novella…

  Hugh Johnson is nobody’s hero, and the idea of being in the limelight makes him want to growl. He takes care of his brothers, does his job, and enjoys a mellow evening hanging with his hound dog and watching the sports channel. So when sweet and sexy Ellie Smithers from his college chemistry class asks him to save millions of people from a nuclear meltdown, he doggedly steps forward while telling himself that the world hasn’t changed and he can go back to his relaxing life. One look at Ellie and excitement doesn’t seem so bad.

  Eleanor Smithers knows that the Scorpius bacteria has and will change life as we know it, but that’s a concern for another day. She’s been hand-picked as the computer guru for The Brigade, which is the USA’s first line of defense against all things Scorpius, including homegrown terrorists who’ve just been waiting for a chance to strike. Their target is a nuclear power plant in the east, and the only person who can help her is Hugh, the sexy, laconic, dangerous man she had a crush on so long ago.

  **Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

  About Rebecca Zanetti

  Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense and dark paranormal novels, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, BnN, iTunes, and Amazon bestseller lists. She has received a Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review for Wicked Edge, Romantic Times Reviewer Choice Award for Deadly Silence and Nominations for Forgotten Sins and Sweet Revenge, and RT Top Picks for several of her novels. Amazon labeled Mercury Striking as one of the best romances of 2016 and Deadly Silence as one of the best romances in October. The Washington Post called Deadly Silence, “sexy and emotional.” She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Find Rebecca at: www.rebeccazanetti.com

  Also from Rebecca Zanetti

  Click to purchase

  SCORPIUS SYNDROME SERIES

  Scorpius Rising

  Mercury Striking

  Shadow Falling

  Justice Ascending

  Storm Gathering

  DARK PROTECTORS

  Fated

  Claimed

  Tempted

  Hunted

  Consumed

  Provoked

  Twisted

  Shadowed

  Tamed

  Marked

  Teased

  Tricked

  Tangled

  Talen

  REALM ENFORCERS

  Wicked Ride

  Wicked Edge

  Wicked Burn

  Wicked Kiss

  Wicked Bite

  SIN BROTHERS

  Forgotten Sins

  Sweet Revenge

  Blind Faith

  Total Surrender

  BLOOD BROTHERS

  Deadly Silence

  Lethal Lies

  Twisted Truths

  MAVERICK MONTANA

  Against the Wall

  Under the Covers

  Rising Assets

  Over the Top

  Dedication

  This one is for MJ Rose, who’d be a well-organized leader if the apocalypse really did come to pass. Thank you for your vision and for all that you do.

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  Thank you to Elizabeth Berry and MJ Rose for bringing together this wonderful group of authors and friends. The combination of your vision, your hard work, and your dedication is an inspiration to us all.

  Thank you to Jillian Stein, who is not only a phenomenal social media guru but a wonderful friend.

  Steve Berry, thank you for your generosity with sharing your insights and experience in the book industry.

  Thank you to Kimberly Guidroz, Fedora Chen, and Kasi Alexander for their dedication and awesome insights.

  Thanks also to Asha Hossain, who creates absolutely fantastic book covers.

  As always, a lot of love and a huge thank you goes to Big Tone, Gabe and Karly, my amazing family who is so supportive.

  Finally, thank you to Rebecca’s Rebels, my street team, who have been so generous with their time and friendship. Thank you to Minga Portillo for her excellent leadership of the team. And last, but not least, thank you to all of my readers who spend time with my characters.

  ~ RAZ

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One

  Click here to explore

  FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black

  CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham

  CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom

  DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake

  AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione

  NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones

  SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair

  ROPED IN by Lorelei James

  TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian

  THE FLAME by Christopher Rice

  CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner

  Also from 1001 Dark Nights

  TAME ME by J. Kenner

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two

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  WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan

  WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham

  EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby

  MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair

  CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner

  ADORED by Lexi Blake

  HADES by Larissa Ione

  RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton

  DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James

  RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  DRAGON KING by Donna Grant

  PURE WICKED by Shayla Black

  HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye

  STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian

  ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham

  KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice

  DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster

  TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti

  THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  Also from 1001 Dark Nights

  THE SURRENDER GATE By Christopher Rice

  SERVICING THE TARGET By Cherise Sinclair

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three

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  HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan


  BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham

  SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst

  DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice

  ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey

  DEVOTED by Lexi Blake

  Z by Larissa Ione

  FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige

  EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby

  UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton

  HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye

  DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant

  KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  STRUNG UP by Lorelei James

  MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian

  TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti

  DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black

  THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely

  SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four

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  ROCK CHICK REAWAKENING by Kristen Ashley

  ADORING INK by Carrie Ann Ryan

  SWEET RIVALRY by K. Bromberg

  SHADE'S LADY by Joanna Wylde

  RAZR by Larissa Ione

  ARRANGED by Lexi Blake

  TANGLED by Rebecca Zanetti

  HOLD ME by J. Kenner

  SOMEHOW, SOME WAY by Jennifer Probst

  TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey

  HUNTED by Elisabeth Naughton

  EYES ON YOU by Laura Kaye

  BLADE by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  DRAGON BURN by Donna Grant

  TRIPPED OUT by Lorelei James

  STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely

  MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED by Lara Adrian

  HALLOW BE THE HAUNT by Heather Graham

  DIRTY FILTHY FIX by Laurelin Paige

  THE BED MATE by Kendall Ryan

  PRINCE ROMAN by CD Reiss

  NO RESERVATIONS by Kristen Proby

  DAWN OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  Also from 1001 Dark Nights

  TEMPT ME by J. Kenner

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  Discovery Bundle Three

  Featuring stories by

  Sidney Bristol, Darcy Burke, T. Gephart

  Stacey Kennedy, Adrian Locke

  JB Salsbury, and Erika Wilde

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  About Rebecca Zanetti

  Also From Rebecca Zanetti

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four

  Foreword

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Five

  Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights

  Discover More Rebecca Zanetti

  An excerpt from Vampire’s Faith by Rebecca Zanetti

  Special Thanks

  One Thousand and One Dark Nights

  Once upon a time, in the future…

  I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.

  I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and

  the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast

  library at my father’s home and collected thousands

  of volumes of fantastic tales.

  I learned all about ancient races and bygone

  times. About myths and legends and dreams of all

  people through the millennium. And the more I read

  the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered

  that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually

  become part of them.

  I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher

  and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I

  would not be telling you this tale now.

  But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off

  with bravery.

  One afternoon, curious about the myth of the

  Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to

  see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar

  (Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then

  sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written

  and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade,

  the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand

  women.

  Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived

  in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged

  places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had

  never occurred before and that still to this day, I

  cannot explain.

  Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have

  taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can

  protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to

  protect herself and stay alive.

  Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.

  And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a

  point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.

  And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that

  he might hear the rest of my dark tale.

  As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new

  one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before

  you now.

  Chapter One

  I convinced my boss that Hugh is the guy to help us. I think he is. But it’s possible… I just want to see him again.

  —Dr. Eleanor Smithers, Brigade Notes

  Hugh Johnson knew within a second of entering his bungalow that somebody else was inside. First, his hound dog didn’t bother to meet him at the door. Second, a vaguely familiar scent of wild bluebells wafted in the air.

  He tossed his keys near the bowl sitting on an entryway table his mama had insisted he own and kept walking down the hallway, striding into his comfortable living room with its floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased trees and a bubbling brook outside. There he stopped cold. “Ellie,” he murmured, his normally relaxed body going on full alert as he took in the small woman lounging on his worn couch with the dog’s head in her lap.

  She smiled pretty pink lips, her blue eyes sparkling behind wire-rimmed glasses as she stroked the dog’s head. “Your door was unlocked.”

  Heisenberg groaned happily beneath her palm, keeping his eyes closed in pure bliss.

  Hugh had the oddest desire to change places with the dog. “Not much crime out here in eastern Kentucky,” he murmured, studying the woman he hadn’t seen in…what? Ten years? “You’re all grown up, Eleanor.”

  “I should hope so.” Even though she was wearing a black pencil skirt and fancy silk shirt, she’d kicked her shoes off and had her legs, her long and bare legs, on the hunting and fishing magazines scattered across his coffee table. She’d shoved a tattered and well-read Steve Berry thriller to the side.

  Her ankles were crossed, and her toenails were painted with purple sparkles. Her blonde hair reached her shoulders in the wild mass he remembered. “You’re looking…good,” she murmured, a slight pink filling her cheeks.

  He’d always liked how easily she blushed. Then he glanced down at his ripped jeans and threadbare Metallica T-shirt. “I’m on vacation.”

  “It’s over,” she said softly, her gaze sob
ering.

  His heartrate ticked slightly. Not much, but some. He scratched behind his ear and then stuck his thumbs in his jeans pockets. “It’s great to see you and all, but what are you doing here?” He hadn’t seen her since they’d both graduated with their bachelor degrees in chemistry from Kentucky.

  “That’s it?” She tilted her head to the side in a way he remembered as being cute. Now, on her all grown up, it was sexy. Very. “No Southern hospitality? No…have a beer?”

  All right. He’d never been much of a game player, but he was on vacation from his job after a pain-in-the-ass month, and a beer sounded fucking fantastic. Not much threw him off balance, and right now, he wasn’t liking the feeling in his gut. So he moved for the kitchen, leaned down to open the short and round fridge, and drew out two bottles. A quick flip of the tops, and he strode for her, handing over the ultra-cold brew. “If I remember right, you don’t like beer,” he murmured before lifting his bottle and taking a big swig.

  She eyed him over hers and took a delicate drink. “I’m surprised you remember me at all.”

  His eyebrows lifted of their own accord. “You were my lab partner for two years. We were friends. Why wouldn’t I remember you?” Not once had he ever truly understood what was in the woman’s head.

  She lifted a small shoulder, her gaze even and veiled. Interesting. That was a skill she’d acquired after college, apparently. “You were always surrounded by girls. Figured I was one of many.”

  He sat in the chair adjacent to the couch and kicked a pair of boots out of his way. “I was the quarterback on the football team.” Which had led to a bunch of dates. “Until I wasn’t.” The day he’d blown his knee out in his senior year had changed the life he had planned. One hit and it was over. Completely. He grinned. “We never slept together, Ell. That made you one of…one.” It was true, and they both knew it.