Something TOXIC is brewing – Addison Moore
Addison Moore

Something TOXIC is brewing

Since TOXIC is officially at the editor’s, I wanted to
celebrate and thank all of you for your beyond awesome support. So here’s an entire chapter that I would love to share with you. I thought since the boys
get so much attention during the Tuesday Teasers I’d focus on someone a little more,
well, toxic—Chloe.
Enjoy~!
*(Skyla accepts a ride from Chloe rather than Gage.)
Chapter 26
Shut Up and Drive
Chloe glides her hand over the wheel with an erotic display
of affection.
The night lights up in an electrical blaze as a storm begins
to rage overhead. I haven’t seen this kind of climactic action in weeks. I’m
not sure if this is a natural phenomenon or perhaps Chloe and Gage have
harnessed the power to dictate the weather much like Marshall and Demetri.
After all, who knows what cash and prizes they were awarded once they shipped
Logan and me off to the fluid factory? This snazzy new sedan Chloe seems to
have scored recently might have been just the incentive she was looking for to
lure me over to the stone of sacrifice. I’d like to think I was worth more than
a mid-sized luxury vehicle that doesn’t even have the modern day boast of
hybrid slapped on its rear fender. I’d like to think I was worth more than the
sum total of scrap metal on earth to Gage but then I would have never pegged
him for a set up to begin with. I would have bet my life on the fact I could
trust Gage Oliver, and in a way I did.
“Come on Skyla—entertain me.” Chloe stares out the
windshield in a daze as the rain surges its aggressive assault over Paragon.
“Why don’t you dish about how you can’t believe Gage put a spear through your
gut.”
I glance out the passenger window as we pass the familiar
streets en route to the Landon asylum for lunatics and killers alike—me
included since I’m riding in a car with Chloe who I might very much like to
kill again.
Driving in a car with Chloe.
Honestly? I’ve abandoned any morsel of good sense I might
have had. But in my defense, I was forced to choose between the lesser of two
evils. Besides, I need to get home a.s.a.p. to begin my dream date with Logan.
“By the way,” I start, “I’m totally unaffected. You and Gage
can live happily ever after for all I care.” The lie jags from my mouth thick
and unnatural like talking though a mouthful of peanut butter. “And,
technically speaking, it was you who speared me.” Literally.
“You’re always so black and white,” she snarks.
“I’m being sarcastic Chloe. Maybe you’re the one who can’t
see past the analogy in the room.”
“I can look past a lot of things thanks to this Noster
eyeball your Sector friend was kind enough to gift me. Why do you think he gave
me such a spectacular specimen?”
“Because he was trying to please me.” Marshall would do
anything in the world I asked as long as he were able. “Again, you can’t see
past the deeper meaning of things.”
“And, again, Skyla—you can’t see past yourself.” She pulls
in high on the driveway right behind Tad’s free ride from Althorpe, the
establishment at which he is a modern day indentured servant. “But then,” she
says, shaking her head, “for some bizarre reason, Dudley, too seems beyond
smitten with you.” She mock shoots herself in the temple. “Fill me in on the
powers of your persuasion. Do tell—I mean we’re practically sisters now that
we’re living together. And one day, I might even become your sister-in-law just to piss you off.”
“What about Gage?” I’m stunned to hear she’d choose a Landon
over an Oliver, especially the shady Oliver in question.
Chloe presses into her seat for a moment. Her face flashes
with surprise as though she had just caught herself off guard.
Strange.
Chloe Bishop is a fully devout follower in the church of all
things Gage. How she could possible forget the first commandment—to worship ad
nauseam and commit herself to full throttle obsessive behavior is beyond me.
“What’s the matter Chloe?” I revel in the taunt. “Gage still
locking you out physically? You running a little short on cash to buy his
affections? That is how you got Brielle to befriend me, right? A thousand cool
crisp bills?”
Her dark hair coils around her face, her sharp features
gleam with pride under the glimmer of the porch light.
“You know…” I tilt my head into the vibrating window as I
feel the rain drum through my temples like a cheap replica of Marshall’s
special brand of oscillating love. “I thought all I felt for you was hatred, but
to be honest, you’re not worth the energy.”
“The feeling’s mutual.” She’s quick to add.
“In fact, I feel nothing but pity. You spend all of your
energy destroying others so you can steal the good things from their lives and
claim them as your own. You played so well into Demetri’s plan of killing my
father—Ethan, bringing me to Paragon. Why have a well-placed boyfriend at all?
Why the big ruse of the diary? Why put him on your shit list in the back of
your diary and not Logan? Why have Gage by my side twenty-four seven whispering
his profession of love to me, outfitting me with tokens of his affection?
Touching me like he meant it. What were you so afraid of? Was it Logan and me
you were trying to keep apart all along? The Counts did that without your foolish
aid. I really don’t get you Chloe. I don’t get your stupid games or why the
hell you’ve invited yourself to live at my house and date my stepbrother. Why
are you so richly invested in taking me down? Obviously I missed something
because nothing about you makes any sense.”
“You killed me.”
“Only after a long list of grievances you imparted on me and
my family—killing my father toping off the list,” I fire back. “I’m onto you
Chloe. I know for a fact there is a bigger picture brewing. I will find out whatever
the hell has you so riled up against me. And even though I haven’t a clue what
you have planned next on your make-Skyla-miserable to-do list, I can tell you
with confidence that you will not prosper. You will never take me down. I will
not lie under your feet, not now, not ever. I will win. I’ll have love and
happiness and the very last word on any lame-ass decision the Faction Council
tries to make after the war. You, and the rest of the Counts, will be beneath
Celestra. I will stamp out your wickedness once and for all.”
“Are you done?” She flips her hair, bored with the
conversation.
“Not by a long shot. When I’m done, you will wish you never
knew me—that you ran in the opposite direction once you heard the whisper of my
name.” I pause and take her in. “All you’re good for is manufacturing drama,
and manipulating people. I guess that’s the sort of thing Gage is into. I wish
you a very unhappy life together.”  
I open the door and Chloe snatches me back by the wrist.
“I will have a very happy life, Skyla. For the record, I
never once paid Gage for his time or affections.” Her chest heaves into her
words. “I paid him for yours.”
 I kick the door
wide open and run like hell inside the house.   
46 comments
Ursula says July 27, 2012

Thanks for the chapter. Dying to ready the entire book. Cannot wait!

Carla Blackburn says July 27, 2012

Oh that was good thank you. Awaiting the book so badly. Thank you. Your fan, Carla Blackburn

Carla Blackburn says July 27, 2012

Oh that was good thank you. Awaiting the book so badly. Thank you. Your fan, Carla Blackburn

Apie J says July 27, 2012

Ugh im dying!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Amy says July 27, 2012

Oh man, I have a feeling my heart is going to be hurtin' while reading this one. I love Logan but Gage still gets my heart every time, that boy. He just needs to suffer for a bit first. 😉

Thanks for the great excerpt. Back to Team Aw Hell for me!

    kelly jenkins says July 30, 2012

    Team aww hell! Love it! I think that's exactly what I sad at the end of the last book!! I love gage! I don't want him to be bad!!!

Amy says July 27, 2012

By the way, I am absolutely thrilled that Toxic is going to be long and have to be split up in a way (did I understand correctly about that?), and I can't wait for Ephemeral as well! I've been so disappointed with the books I've read lately that I can't wait to dive into something I know I'll love, and it will be a long one at that. I'd gladly pay extra for an unedited version of it if you ever feel so inclined! 😉 😉

Andrea @The Bookish Babes says July 27, 2012

Woohoo! Can't wait to read this!

Amber Banfill says July 27, 2012

I love it….can't wait till the release thanks for the preview!!!!

The Autumn Review says July 27, 2012

Can't wait!

ClovisSassyGirl says July 27, 2012

This is so good, damn…. what am I suppose to read now? Hot Dogs!!!

ClovisSassyGirl says July 27, 2012

This is so good, damn…. what am I suppose to read now? Hot Dogs!!!

ClovisSassyGirl says July 27, 2012

This is so good, damn…. what am I suppose to read now? Hot Dogs!!!

ClovisSassyGirl says July 27, 2012

This is so good, damn…. what am I suppose to read now? Hot Dogs!!!

Michelle Knox says July 27, 2012

Way to wet our appetites for Toxic! LOVE it and thanks so much for sharing with your fans! 🙂

AddisonMoore says July 28, 2012

Ursula – You're welcome! Can't wait to get it to you!

Carla Blackburn – I'm so glad you enjoyed! I'm very anxious to get the rest to you. It's being buffed and polished and perhaps the most important, edited.

Apie J – TY! No dying allowed. 😉

Amy – Team 'Aw Hell" I love that! That team has my heart as well. And as for the unedited version your eyes would sting and not in a good way, lol! As far as spitting TOXIC I'm leaving that up to my editor. It will be split for the paper version so it probably should be spilt from the beginning. Each part will be equal to one EPHEMERAL and that's a long one in itself. I only take partial blame for the word counts, I blame Marshall for the rest. 😉 Thank you for the kind words about my books. I can hardly wait to get both of the new novels to you!

AddisonMoore says July 28, 2012

Andrea @The Bookish Babes – I SOO cannot wait to share it with you! Really, I mean it! I heart you! *crosses fingers that you'll enjoy it*

Amber Banfill – TY! For some reason I thought it read when it 'comes out tomorrow' and my heart skipped a beat, lol! I felt like I was late with a paper for school. I might pull an all-nighter polishing that bad boy anyway just to be safe. 😉

Autumn – I So cannot wait to share. xoxoxo for you!

ClovisSassyGirl – I love your comment! But alas I wish you happy reading until TOXIC and EPHEMERAL. I hope to keep you plenty busy once they come out! Thank you for all of your wonderful support! 🙂

Michelle Knox – You're so welcome! I hope you're enjoying the teasers over at Facebook as well. Enjoy the weekend~!

kcasanova88 says July 28, 2012

Can't wait to read the book. Thanks for sharing.

lakeyre says July 28, 2012

Love it !!!!!!!!! I can't wait to read the whole book and Ephemeral. Thank you for sharing.

Misty Craps says July 29, 2012

OMG…Dying to ready the entire book. It needs to hurry up and come out!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!

Heather says July 29, 2012

I love the excerpt! It made me want to read more SO bad! And your cover for Ephemeral, AWESOME!

Piglet says July 29, 2012

Im beyond impatient i wanna know what happend with skyla and gage actually with all of the boys that are in her life

Arianna says July 29, 2012

Thank you for the excerpt
I'm really hoping she ends up with either Logan or Marshall, I love them both so much. (I was never a big fan of Gage)

AddisonMoore says July 29, 2012

kcasanova88 – You're welcome! I'm excited to get it to you!

lakeyre – I'm super excited to get EPHEMERAL to you. It comes out before TOXIC. This makes me all kinds of happy. 😉 *needs to set dates*

Misty Craps – I'm so glad you loved it! It's the most demure chapter in the book. It was hard to find one that wasn't too spoilery.

Amber J. says July 30, 2012

I literally gasped at Chloe's last line lol. What does it all mean? I can't wait for TOXIC 🙂

AddisonMoore says July 30, 2012

Heather – Really? Thank you! And thanx for the cover luv. 🙂

Piglet – I can't wait to share, especially the part about the boys.

Arianna – Logan and Marshall are hoping the same thing! Of course, for themselves exclusively. 😉

Amber J. – lol! I'm glad it elicited a viral response. Chloe is rather viral in nature anyway.

kelly jenkins says July 30, 2012

I hope that's an early on chapter so her and gage have time to fall back in love!!!! I want gage but the gage we all know before the team up with Chloe was revealed! Gage doesn't need money so why would he help Chloe for cash?? There's gotta be a twist somewhere!!! Thanks Addison!!!!! Cannot wait!!

Denise says July 31, 2012

Yay it's comming! I'm going to have to re-read some of your older books to get through until "Toxic" is released. The chapter teaser made me happy!
Thanks,
Denise

AddisonMoore says July 31, 2012

kelly jenkins – Hi Kelly! It is an early-ish chapter! Skyla wishes he were the old Gage, too. 😉 TOXIC tells all.

Denise – Wow, thank you for rereading!! And yes, TOXIC is coming and its coming in bulk. It takes place during summer and I don't miss a beat. Hope you'll enjoy!

Mila Deguzman says August 2, 2012

Ooh… I love how Skyla just intimidated me just a little bit. I can feel Chloe's tension to the topic of Gage. Oh how I loved that boy, I want to know his story and let him suffer a bit >;) You're amazing Addison!

AddisonMoore says August 2, 2012

Mila Deguzman -Thanks girl! And lol about Skyla's intimidation factor. That pleases her to no end. 😉

The Crafty Photographer says August 2, 2012

Well that was just nasty lol. I have only just 10 minutes ago finished reading book 6 and am just dying for this one to be released…such a tease 🙂

Rachael Burridge says August 2, 2012

This entire series captured and is holding me captive. I can't wait for toxic. I'm so drawn in to this entire series!!! Every twist an turn surprises me each time!! My husband thinks I've gone crazy!! I love this series!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing:)
Hopefully one day I can be as good of an author as you!!!!

Bun Mom says August 4, 2012

Oh my gosh…. i can not wait…. that last line,wow. Im am so ready to dive into toxic. I have been so back and forth with all the guys. I love and hate them all at diffenert times. I kinda just want her to be like screw all you guys i dont need you. Love it. Cant wait

Emilie says August 4, 2012

Thanks so much for the excerpt! I love these books so much I read the entire series twice in a matter of two weeks. Well actually I havnt quite gotten to the end of expel for the second time because the end is so heart wrenching i almost don't want to read it again until I know I can just continue onto Toxic and hear what in the world Gage is thinking!
I love the characters in the book so much. There is no way I could choose who I am rooting for Gage, Logan, or Marshall?
Thanks so much for writing these and I can't wait for Toxic.

AddisonMoore says August 5, 2012

The Crafty Photographer – Really? I love that you just finished EXPEL! I'm so close to putting out TOXIC. My editor is going over it now and then I'll give it a big polish. I'm hoping to have the cover work done soon as well. I'll be putting EPHEMERAL out before TOXIC. Hopefully I'll commit to a date soon!

Rachael Burridge – Oh my gosh you are so sweet! I am so thankful and humbled that you are so enthusiastic about the series. Thank you so much for reading and enjoying the books! I really can't wait to share more of Skyla's world with you! I hope you'll check out the teasers I have on Facebook as well! Here's the link to the page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Addison-Moore/140192649382294

Hi Emilie! Wow, super HUGE thank you for reading them twice! And I totally don't blame you for not wanting to read the end of EXPEL a second time, lol! I would have done the same. Soon TOXIC will be out and you'll have a clearer picture of who Gage is. 😉 I can't wait to hear your thoughts on him! Catch me on Fb, the link is above!

AddisonMoore says August 5, 2012

Bun Mom – I loved the last line of your comment, lol! Wouldn't that be nice? She does seem to have or had her heart embedded with three different people. She has quite the decision to make and soon! 🙂 Thank you for reading and I really hope you'll stop by the Facebook page as well! The link is above and also to the left. See you there!

Kidwallace says August 7, 2012

Oh my lord ! I can't wait until I can get this book ! You have me soo hooked on this series ! I've read all 6 books in less than 2 months . And i cannot wait until your TV series and other book series come out(: Thank you for keeping me entertained !

Kidwallace says August 7, 2012

Oh my lord ! I can't wait until I can get this book ! You have me soo hooked on this series ! I've read all 6 books in less than 2 months . And i cannot wait until your TV series and other book series come out(: Thank you for keeping me entertained !

AddisonMoore says August 7, 2012

Kidwallace – You are so welcome~! Thank YOU for being so kind to stop by! I'm super glad you're enjoying the books. I'm very excited to bring you more of Skyla's story. I can't wait until the TV series, either, lol! I'm keeping hope alive! I hope TOXIC entertains you as well~!

Monica says August 8, 2012

Hello!

My name`s Cristina and I`m the admin of fantasybooks-27.blogspot.ro. I would love if you yould like to send me a SwAG.If you want, contact me at madison97madi@yahoo.com.

Loveleen Saini says August 10, 2012

I can't wait anymore!! I'm dying to read if my Gage is good or bad! The first 6 books were amazing I read em all in 5days I stayed up night after night they were just that good!! Ah I've been waiting all summer!! I hope Gage isn't bad or on Chloe's side! Thank you so much for such entertaining and amazing books! In all honesty I started to love reading again cus of you

AddisonMoore says August 11, 2012

Monica – I'm low on swag on the moment but will be restocking soon. In the meantime I'll be sure to check out your blog~!

Loveleen Saini – Ack! I'm so glad you enjoyed and I hope you caught up on some serious sleep~! I'm so happy and humbled to have brought you back to the love of reading. Reading is truly a wonderful gift. There is no better escape. 🙂

Laura Musgrove says August 18, 2012

You are amazing! I love these books so much, I could not put them down I got through them in less than 6 days and I work full time at that. I cried at the end of book 6 with the possibility of Gage being on Chloe's side, although not surprised at the same time. These books have emerged me into a world that I just can't get enough of. That's why I am gonna start them again tonight. Addison thanks and keep up the great work… I just can't wait to see what's going to happen next and how the story unfolds 🙂 x x

holly brooks says August 24, 2012

i dont get it u posted a thing about gage meeting skla from his point of view and it seemed like he really did like her

Sarah Ritter says August 26, 2012

luv all 6 books! can't wait for 7th! LUV these books

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