Table Of ContentPraise for the writing of Brenda Bryce
The Society 1: Regulating Archimedes
With its eclectic cast of characters, Regulating Archimedes is sure to entertain.
The first in Ms. Bryce’s The Socie y
t series, this book has humor, action, romance, and southern hospitality. What
more could a reader want?
--Cyndi Friberg, author of the Rebel Angel series (Loose Id)
Brenda Bryce excels at writing fun and quirky characters and Regulating
Archimedes is no exception. Angela is as quirky as they come and Stephen is as
fun as he is sexy! Ms. Bryce's unique spin on vampirism will leave you wanting
more. This is the perfect start to a great series. It has humor, suspense and
romance all rolled into one story.
--Jeigh Lynn, author of A Lover's Moon (Loose Id)
An action packed adventure along with a wealth of well drawn characters, The
Society 1: Regulating Archimedes will keep you on the edge of your seat. The
world of vampires that Brenda Bryce has created is an exciting one that will
leave you wanting more.
--Mechele Armstrong, author of Blood Kiss (coming soon from Loose Id)
Stephen Westlake comes alive under Ms Bryce’s prolific hand. He is the newly
appointed Regulator and he has a hell of a good time regulating the new
Archimedes, the sassy and spunky Angela Heissman. Of course, Angela gave as
good as she got. I enjoyed reading Regulating Archimedes and can’t wait for the
next one!
--Kai Andersen, author of Tales of Enchantment 2: The Quest (Loose Id)
A sexy vampire cowboy and a feisty heroine are the perfect combination for
scorching sex and everlasting love. Brenda Bryce has created a romance with all
the touches of an entertaining paranormal.
--Tiffany Aaron, author of The Veil: Angels & Demons (coming soon from
Loose Id)
THE SOCIETY 1:
REGULATING ARCHIMEDES
Brenda Bryce
www.loose-id.com
Warning
This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be
considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id e-books are for sale to adults
ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase.
Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged
readers.
*
This book is rated:
For explicit sexual content, graphic language, and some violence.
The Society 1: Regulating Archimedes
Brenda Bryce
This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual
historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and
incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used
fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business
establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Published by
Loose Id LLC
1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-29
Carson City NV 89701-1215
www.loose-id.com
Copyright © August 2005 by Brenda Bryce
Excerpt of A Lover’s Moon copyright July 2005 by Jeigh Lynn All rights
reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part
of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not
limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written
permission from Loose Id LLC.
ISBN 1-59632-142-3
Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader
Printed in the United States of America
Editor: Sherry Lynne
Cover Artist: Laura Givens
Dedication
This one is to Jeigh, who asked for it, and for Dale, who put up with it.
Chapter One
He really hated stakeouts. The word alone gave him the willies. With his
stakeout perch consisting of a narrow ledge halfway up and on the outside of a
twenty-story building ... well, that made the job infinitely worse. Hoo-boy!
Falling from this height would be a true calamity. Luckily, he could fly.
Like a birdie in his tree, Stephen Westlake cooled his heels, just waiting for a
juicy morsel to come into view. As he leaned one shoulder on the glass window
of the office he was monitoring, he looked out into the darkness and could make
out most of the Society’s vast science complex. Buildings were scattered about,
and an electrified fence encompassed the entire complex. Few cars were parked
in the lots at this late hour; however, armed security guards with their canine
companions still monitored every movement. At ground level, anyway.
Stephen tapped his cigarette on the wall behind him and put it to his mouth.
Cupping a hand around the end, he created a small flame to light it. Keeping the
cherry cupped in his palm so it wouldn’t be visible to anyone, he smoked and
waited. Boy howdy! If Archimedes is dirty, he’s not gonna have a pleasant trip to
visit the Leader.
Stephen’s job, as the newly appointed Regulator --a position that had not
formerly been in existence --was to find out which office heads were dirty and
bring them in to be tried. The Society, a network of vampires around the world,
was self-governed, and Albert Unger --a human --was under suspicion of
treason. He was the current Archimedes, the job title given to the Society’s head
scientist, and was in charge of the tests conducted for and on vampires.
One individual held the supreme office of Leader. Shiye Moonshadow had
recently taken the position from the previous Leader in the standard way --battle.
As far as Stephen
2 Brenda Bryce
was concerned, there were only three men besides himself and the new Leader
who were above suspicion: Mykil, who held the title Midas, Alexi, the Head
Enforcer, and Johann, the Head Guardian. Stephen had known these men for
centuries and knew them and their actions to be above reproach. Besides, he had
already checked them out. He’d investigated the other position-holders as well,
the ones he didn’t know personally, all of whom came back clean. But this final
job wasn’t ending up as neatly. In the past couple of weeks, since he had
received his position and his assignment, he had been systematically weeding
out the chaff. Archi turned out to be the only chaff that he had found. Albert
Unger, the last person on his list, had an unexplained, sporadic income and had
bought high-ticket items recently. Stephen had found all kinds of curious things
going on in and around the science department. It all smelled fishy to him. As he
had suspected, when he waited around long enough, the bull pucky hit the fan.
Normally, he was the epitome of a laid-back Texas cowboy. He had a noticeable
drawl, looked like he needed a shave, and he dressed casually in faded jeans,
snap flannel shirt, scuffed cowboy boots, and a well-cared-for black felt cowboy
hat. It had taken him decades to perfect the persona, and it was impossible to tell
he hadn’t been born a son of the West. Tonight, however, he was antsy.
Something was going to happen, and he wanted it to happen already.
He narrowed his eyes as the light in the office he was monitoring flickered on.
The room was well-decorated but not overstuffed. The furniture included a large,
wheeled chair and a massive, shiny desk. Surprisingly little had been placed on
the surface, only a small reading lamp and a stand that held pens. They were
centered and as far away from the chair as possible without falling off the desk
and onto the carpeted floor. Two chairs were aligned neatly on the other side of
the desk for guests. Bookshelves, filing cabinets, and other items of interest were
scattered around the part of the room he could see. Unable to see any more of the
room, he pitched his cigarette over the side of the building and started to adjust
his position so he could get a better view. He froze when he heard voices and the
footsteps of two men entering the room. Dang! I’ve got a blind spot --and
wouldn’t you know it, one of them dudes is in it. “But, sir, how am I supposed to
do that?” whined the man he could see.
Stephen nodded. This has got to be Albert Unger. He was short and, from what
could be seen under the white lab coat, thin.
“It doesn’t matter how you accomplish your mission; I just expect results.” The
