Last Breath (Haunted Collection Series)

Manic laughter echoes through the night as victims struggle for their last breath…Mysterious deaths continue with every haunted item Stefan Korzh releases into the world. Horror and mayhem are felt everywhere, from trailer parks to the hallowed bayous of New Orleans. But as he finds himself pushed into a corner by those who want him dead, Korzh goes to great lengths to establish an unlikely alliance.The only thing more threatening than his desire for revenge is the new ghost he has set loose. Appearing as a frail elderly woman, Martha’s inviting smile is as deceitful as her looks. It masks a terrible cruelty as she draws the final gasps of air from her victims, and delights in their pleas for mercy.Meanwhile, there’s no rest for the trio caught in the midst of Korzh’s games. Victor and Ariana are close to uncovering the key to mysteries that haunt them, and come face to face with secrets that will change the course of their lives forever. Even Tom’s attempts at an ordinary life are shattered with a stark reminder that nothing about him can ever be normal.With terrors closing in from all sides, each will have to go to great lengths to survive. There’s no escaping the horrors they must face, or the pain they must endure.The stakes have never been higher, and one mistake could end up being their last…

From the Inside Flap

Chapter 2: Frustration "I know where he is," Bontoc said.Tom, sweating and sore from working out, hesitated, lowered his shirt and asked, "What was that?""Stefan Korzh," the dead man replied. "I know where he is."Tom licked his lips, tried to focus, and found he couldn't. "Then we have to go there."Bontoc shook his head. "No. Not yet.""Then why did you tell me?!" Tom snapped."Because," the dead man answered, "I am certain you are planning on striking out on your own, Tom Daniels, and that is a path that would lead directly to your death.""That doesn't matter!" Tom yelled, his voice continuing to rise. "He needs to die!"Bontoc looked at him for a moment, then responded in a calm tone, "I do not disagree. He took my life, if you recall, Tom. But in the sense that your own death doesn't matter, then I would have to argue against that. Do you think that Iris would agree with you on that subject?"The mention of her name was like a bucket of ice water thrown upon him, ripping a gasp out of Tom and silencing him."No," Tom whispered."And Victor," Bontoc continued, "would he be pleased to bury you?"Tom shook his head."I am pleased that you can see this," the dead man stated, sitting down in a chair. "Your death does not need to be Iris's introduction to grief. And as for Victor, he loves you as a father, and your death might as well be his own. You see him when he is alone as much as I do. The man is, how do you Americans say it, damaged? He will never be whole. He will never love another woman again. Oh, at some point he might meet a woman he finds peace with, but I do not believe he will love the way he did with his wife."Tom remained silent."So, tell me, Tom," Bontoc said, leaning forward, "is your life meaningless to them?"Tom cleared his throat and answered, "No. It's not.""No," Bontoc agreed, shaking his head. "It is not."He straightened up and gave Tom a smile of understanding. "Now that all of that has been said, let us discuss what happened with you in the world beneath our own."Tom flinched at the memory, but he did as the dead man asked. The words came out haltingly at first, then picked up a normal rhythm for a short time. When he reached the portion of the story where he killed Cane, his words rushed out of his mouth.Bontoc seemed to have no difficulty in understanding what had occurred, and when Tom finished, the dead man was nodding."We must keep our eyes open for Leanne Le Monde, I think," Bontoc said, rubbing his chin. "I do not believe we have heard the last of her, just as I do not believe we have heard the last of Anne Le Morte."Tom winced at the mention of the dead woman's name and glanced at his prosthetic."Yes," Bontoc said, "it is good that you remember how dangerous she is. If you were to go after Stefan Korzh, you would have to face her and whomever she has with her. And should you make it by her, well, then you would have Korzh to deal with.""Yeah," Tom grumbled. "Yeah. I know.""Good," Bontoc said sternly. "Do not forget it.""I won't," Tom said, his face reddening at the realization of how foolish he had sounded.Bontoc chuckled. "Do not be embarrassed, Tom. I understand hatred and passion all too well. Let us speak of something pleasant. Have you decided to go to a cemetery yet?"Tom grinned at the thought of a cemetery being pleasant."Yes," Tom said. "I think it would be a good thing to do. Maybe find someone who needs help getting to where they need to be.""My thoughts exactly," Bontoc said, standing up. "It is a muscle that must be exercised. A strength to cultivate and build upon.""Okay," Tom said, getting to his feet. "Let's go do that."Together they left his room, and Bontoc chatted about the joy of headhunting when he was a younger man.

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