Created Darkly by Gena D. Lutz Page A

looked over at the blond again. “Of course, he is. Our bodies sensed it as soon as he arrived. Our eyes, even now, still glow.”
    He shook his head, then leaned in close, sliding his chin over the hand he’d placed on my shoulder. A soft whisper overtook my senses, and I listened to his words raptly. Jude leaned in so he could hear. I imagine we resembled a bunch of gossiping ol’ biddies.
    “That’s a phantom,” he whispered.
    Jude and I looked at each other, clueless. My head jerked up, face to face with Rush. I blushed when our lips almost touched. Ignoring the sudden jolt of heat that zapped between us, I mumbled, “You’re the only one here who knows what a phantom is. Do you mind explaining?”
    With a nervous eye, Rush watched the phantom as he meticulously began setting things up on a narrow shelf at the head of the metal table. He paid us no mind.
    “Have you ever watched or heard of the movie Body Snatchers ?” he asked.
    Jude and I both nodded.
    “That’s pretty much what a phantom does. After centuries of existing as a restless ghost, they build up enough negative energy to squat inside a human’s living body. They hijack it, taking it over. Think vampire, without a thirst for blood and very little consideration for human life. Most kill their hosts eventually.”
    I began to say something, but words failed me. I tried to focus on the phantom, but found my world wasn’t quite as steady as usual. I closed my eyes. Was it possible? There were actually creatures roaming the earth more dangerous than vampires? My head spun at the thought. The only thing I could do or think to say was, “You have got to be kidding me.”

Chapter Eleven
     
    T he phantom fumbled around the room, placing things on a makeshift alter. Rush, Jude, and I stood awkwardly off to the side, watching his every move. I felt bad for the person whose body was stolen and wished there was some way to help him.
    “What is he doing?” Jude asked, leaning forward on the tip of his shoes, trying to get a better look at the phantom.
    “I don’t know. But I can guarantee one thing…” I began.
    Rush finished for me, “We’re not going to like it one bit.”
    I kept watching the phantom’s movements. Then the object of our scrutiny spoke to us with a commanding tone, the unexpected boom, startling.
    “You and you,” he said, pointing at Jude and Rush. “I need a body. Any one of those meat-bags out there will do.”
    Rush said, “I will do no such thing. Those bodies are…”
    I released the breath I was holding. He’d almost spilled the beans about being affiliated with the Center. I kept my facial expressions neutral as Rush tried not to fumble the ball he set into play.
    “What I mean is that those corpses were once living and breathing people who deserve to have their final resting places, as well as their last wishes, respected.”
    Nice recovery, Rush .
    The phantom stormed over to Rush. He thrust his arm forward, fisting a large portion of Rush’s shirt in his hand. He put his face an inch from Rush’s while he hefted Rush up onto his tip-toes, slamming him into the wall. Apparently, the guy didn’t like to be argued with.
    Well, I had news for the jerk-off; I didn’t like anyone screwing with my friends. Without thinking of the consequences, I pulled the gun from my waistband and leveled the barrel to the blond’s temple. Phantom or not, a direct shot to the head would really do some damage.
    “Drop him,” I ordered, keeping my arm steady, gun leveled. 
    “Kris, back off. I can handle this asshole.” Rush seethed, piercing eyes filled with unsuppressed rage locked onto the phantom. “Put me the fuck down now, scumbag, or I will light this whole place up, and you know for damn sure you stand zero chance of living through that kind of heat,” Rush warned.
    What was Rush talking about? What heat? Could he siphon the life-energy from supernatural creatures like I could?
    “Try it, punk, and Torra is dead,”