Free Together By Chance (#1 The Together Series) by Elizabeth Veatch, Crystal Smith Page A

shoulder.  There just like in her nightmare was the thing that was after her.  Black smoke with no shape was beginning to close in on her.  Swirling faster and faster as it came closer to her.  She stood there almost frozen in place willing her legs to move.  The smell of death and decay abruptly took over all of Keira’s senses and the feeling she would vomit was close. 
         Fighting the urge to throw up, she heard a loud drumming that sounded very close.  Then she took note that the drumming was in perfect rhythm with the thumping felt in her chest.  It wasn’t drums at all, but her heart beating fast and hard enough for her to hear. 
         Suddenly the eerie feeling in the still alley was gone and being replaced with violent winds tossing debris and dirt into the air that began to cloud her vision.  She began to run frantically down the alley, making out the outline of a body lying beside a dumpster.  As she neared she saw that the body was a man and he appeared to be watching the scene unfold in front of him causing her to feel even more uneasy because his eyes seemed familiar to her.
         For a moment she was lost in the sad, lost, deep grey eyes of this stranger that seemed to be tugging at her inner will to stop and question where she had seen him before or if she knew him from somewhere.  But the survival instinct sent a surge of adrenaline to keep running for her life. 
         The screeching sound coming from the inside of black entity that was now flying through the air chasing her down the alley was her warning that if caught it would eat the life from her.  Swallowing the scream that was threatening to burst out of her she seen the end of the alley that seemed to be moving further away from her. 
         Squashing the feeling that she would never make it to the end she seemed to get a surge of energy from deep inside her and her feet began to move even more quickly.  Almost like they were not even touching the ground.             
         Suddenly another form took shape at the end of the alley glowing with a bright, calm aura surrounding it.  The debris and dirt swirling in the air blocked a clear view of the object that was now sprinting towards her.  A ferocious growl filled the air causing goose bumps to erupt across her body.  It leapt through the air past her growling even louder and she turned watching this object charge at the black smoke that had been chasing her. 
         The smoke quickly flew up into the air and over the building out of sight and the alley returned to as before.  Calm, no wind, clear view, but remaining eerie.  She continued to stare up at the building tops, waiting for the black entity to return when a touch to her hand caught her attention. 
         The form that has just saved her life was now clear to her.  She was startled at the form at first. But the coolness of a pit bull’s nose nuzzled her hand as if saying it was okay now making her feel more at ease.  A white muscular shape with patches of black and brindle across the body with gentle blue eyes and a wagging tale gave her hope he was not a threat to her.
         “Chance.”  Called a deep voice from the end of the alley.  There stood a tall male figure with wavy shoulder length light brown hair, welcoming shimmering bright blue eyes, a stubble showing evidence he had not shaven in a day or two.  Wearing a brown trench coat left open showing evidence of a muscular form.  His long legs covered by tight levis ending in pair of brown cowboy boots matching his trench.
         Slowly she felt a pull, tugging her towards him.  She wanted to be cautious and yet her movement was against her will.  The only comfort she had was that the dog that the stranger had called Chance was by her side matching her step for step.  Gazing up at her as if again silently saying you are safe with me.
         She looked back down the alley at the stranger and as she