Amanda Bonilla Guest Post & Giveaway: Deleted Scene from Vengeance Borne

Thanks so much to Chelsea and the crew from Vampire Book Club for having me as a guest today! XOXO

I don’t often delete scenes from books I’m working on. I usually have to go in and add stuff rather than take away, but when I do delete a scene I like to hold on to it. This one was scrapped in edits, but I saved it, though, and I thought I’d give you all a peek. 🙂

A Deleted Scene from Vengeance Borne

“Jax, look, a palm reader!” Libby exclaimed, sounding a little too much like an excited fourteen year-old girl. “Let’s go check her out.”

The carnival buzzed with anxious energy. Clear round light bulbs illuminated booths and Carnies leaned over counters shouting at the passers-by, enticing them to spend their money on obviously rigged games. Popcorn littered the ground with the paper cones that had once been wound with swirls of sticky pink cotton candy. Wrappers and discarded red tickets lay strewn along the way, like rose petals leading to a wedding altar. Children squealed with delight on high, spinning swings and Tilt-a-Whirls that looked too old to be safe. And at the far end of the fairgrounds, an outdated band played outdated songs for a diminishing audience.

A sharp, piercing wail rent the night air, the sound clearly audible over the din of carnival-goers, music and games. Jacquelyn stiffened, her body half in and half out of the palm reader’s tent, a lick of anxious energy skittering up her spine. “Great,” she muttered and rubbed her suddenly clammy hands against her jeans “Just great.”

“Ambiance, Jax.” Libby laughed as she pulled aside the heavy canvas tent flap. “Relax.”

Ambiance my ass, Jacquelyn thought. She was no stranger to the cry of the Banshee, recognized the sound as the shepherd of the deceased called out to the chosen. A life would be claimed tonight, and a chill settled deep in Jacquelyn’s chest, spreading out toward her limbs with icy fingers. Well, shit. So much for a night at the fair. Jacquelyn needed to get her ass home to prepare for what could be a very busy night. But taking off like Bruce Wayne when the Bat Signal flashes wouldn’t exactly deter Libby from asking questions Jacquelyn didn’t want to even think about answering and so, Jacquelyn prepared herself for the gut-wrenching task of staying put.

Oh sweet lord. As she stepped fully inside the palm reader’s tent, Jacquelyn cursed under her breath. Give me a break. The woman sitting at the table, draped in decidedly cheesy velvet was anything but a palm reader. Or human for that matter. “Come my darlings,” the palm reader said in an over-the-top accent that made Jacquelyn cringe. “Sit, and let me tell you of your futures.”

“You go first, Jax,” Libby urged with a gentle nudge to Jacquelyn’s shoulder.

My pleasure. Jacquelyn took a step, and then another, toward the table, her eyes locked on the palm reader. A vampire in her territory. She was almost offended. Most vamps—well, the smart ones, anyway—knew better than plant a foot inside this county without permission. In the five years that Jacquelyn had served as the local Hunter, she’d managed to keep the small town of McCall, Idaho clear of unauthorized visitors. Apparently, this particular blood sucker hadn’t gotten the memo.

“Waerd.” The word escaped the fortune teller’s lips in a low hiss, too quiet for even Libby to hear. Jacquelyn took a seat and smiled, but not before she gave the vampire a head to toe appraisal that let her know she was being sized up.

“Yup,” Jacquelyn replied, leaning forward across the table, palms up. Most supes recognized her on the spot for what she truly was and vice-versa. Just one of the job perks. “And you’re on my turf without permission. Which, seriously, is just so rude.”

She wondered, as the vampire took one of Jacquelyn’s hands carefully in her own, why vampires were all so damned good looking. It’s like they all got a bonus of supermodel DNA with their immortality. Totally unfair. This one was no different. Shining black hair, flawless pale complexion, shining azure eyes, full lips…the whole nine yards. Un. Fair. “See anything interesting?” Jacquelyn asked innocently.

The vampire smiled, the barest trace of fang protruding from under her upper lip. “You have a bright future ahead of you,” she crooned. “A very long life, indeed.”

Jacquelyn quirked a brow. “You don’t say?”

“And love,” the vampire whispered as she traced a long nail across Jacquelyn’s palm. “I see romance for you in the months ahead.”

Libby snorted behind her and Jacquelyn couldn’t help but cast a sidelong glance at her friend. From the sounds of it, Libby doubted the woman’s abilities to prognosticate as much as she did. Good. Then they could wrap this up and get the hell out of there. She didn’t have time to trifle with vampires; she had a Banshee to track.

“Awesome,” Jacquelyn replied, her tone downright caustic. “I’ll be on the lookout for my true love.” She leaned in close to the vampire until their noses were damned near touching and whispered, “I’m going to trust that none of your customers have doubled as dinner tonight. And I’m also going to assume that you’re leaving town in the morning with the rest of the carnies?”

An almost indiscernible nod answered her.

“Great.” Jacquelyn wanted to pat herself on the back for her cheery tone. “And if you decide to blow through town again…” She lowered her gaze pointedly to the vampire’s chest. “Don’t be a stranger.”

“Of course,” the vampire replied, her voice a melodious purr.

“Let’s go, Libs,” Jacquelyn said as she pushed out her chair and headed out of the tent. “I want to get a scone before the booth closes for the night.”

Vengeance Borne Giveaway!

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