âThe only person I trust to protect you is me. Donât ever forget that, Dani.â
I held his gaze. âWhy is that?â Taking a chance, I placed my hands on Samâs face, wanting to connect with this warrior. I wanted to know what went on inside him, what made him so fierce.
âWhy only you?â
Terror filled him. I felt it throb into my hands, and I almost pulled away, the feelings were so intense. Something had happened to him. Heâd never forgotten it and never forgiven himself.
âListen to me, Dani. Iâm the only one who can protect you. Weâre connected like never before.â
He couldnât put it into words any better than I could, but I knew what he meant.
âThe Resurrectionist is a wildly sexy thriller that breathes new life into the paranormal genre. Literally.â âNew York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones
SIERRA WOODS grew up in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains where folklore, mysteries and superstition surrounded everyday life. Sierraâs interest in the paranormal began in her childhood and hasnât stopped yet. Today she works in health care, where interesting and unusual situations may be taken and used in her fiction writing.
She lives in New Mexico, in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. If youâd like to drop Sierra a line, sheâd love to hear from you at [email protected].
Dear Reader,
Thank you for picking up The Resurrectionist. The world of the paranormal has been a favorite of mine for many years. I still have the original copy of Dracula that I read when I was in eighth grade. Another important area of my life has been about doing the right thing. In this book I have combined the two into a story about justice for victims who can no longer speak for themselves. I hope that you enjoy the way I have created this world and I would love to hear from you!
Sierra Woods
This book is dedicated to the victims of crime who can no longer speak for themselves.
The inspiration for this book was yet another news story about a murder for which the motivation was pitiful. I so wanted there to be justice for this victim whose killer was caught in just a few days.
My wish is that all victims find justice for crimes committed against them.
Resurrectionists are a breed all their own. Some are born into it, some are called into it and some are murdered into it. Resurrectionists have been a constant presence on the earth plane since humanity learned right from wrong. During ancient times, superstitions forced resurrectionists to remain hidden, secretive and fiercely protective of their rituals. Over the centuries, superstition battled religious fervor, and resurrectionists remained underground.
Teachings passed from one generation to another, then the information was destroyed for the safety of all. Zombies and witches took much of the blame for the good deeds of resurrectionists, who only sought to right the wrongs humans committed against one another. With no support for their efforts, resurrectionists stayed hidden.
In this century, technology, the Age of Aquarius and an opening in global consciousness have enabled a few gifted resurrectionists to forge new trails, bringing their fight for justice into the light.
Albuquerque, NM
September Office of Dani Wright, Resurrectionist
Chapter 1
âIâm not going to have to walk around with a bullet wound in my forehead forever, am I?â Betsy Capella looked at me, her eyes not quite focused. After being deceased and in cold storage for nearly a year, it was understandable. The senses take a little while to warm up and remember what theyâre supposed to do.
âI donât think so. It should fade as you recover more fully. These things take a little time.â Not exactly a lie, not exactly the truth, and I hope I interjected enough sympathy into my voice. I donât know the answer to her question, as Iâve been performing resurrections for only a year or so. Not long enough to come up with a stat sheet. Each resurrection is different, just as each death is different. The state and success of recovery depends on how long the deceased has been gone, and on whether weâve stored the body or it was buried in a traditional manner. Embalming is not a good thing if you intend to return to a living state. Yeah. Cremation is a bad idea, too. Way bad.
Betsy sat more upright and smiled, the corners of her mouth a little tight and dry. âIâll bet some makeup will help.â
Yeah, and a spackling trowel to slap it on with. âGive it a go. I hear there are sales on this week.â Looking down at the contract she signed, I added the date. Having been dead and on ice, she wasnât up on current events. âDo you want to go with us to the âyard? You donât have to, but if youâd like to, someone can drive you and follow us to the site.â