Author: catstark

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent waited impatiently for the prey to come closer. The man jogged along the path oblivious of any dangers. He wore headphones and looked to be lost in the motion of running. During the day, this path was well used by joggers, bicyclists, and walkers. As it was two in the morning, it was empty of people. The large vampire was surprised there was anyone here. Lorraine informed him this path was rarely used this early in the morning, and generally only by one or two people. Vincent kept himself hidden as he thought of his next steps.

They were in a Nature Preserve. Technically, the park was closed. Technically, neither he nor the man should be here. Lorraine looked for these types of things, to find humans they could use for sport, if it were needed. His sire assured him it was safe. The man lived nearby and snuck into the park every night after work. He was a supervisor at a nearby call center. If he went missing, humans would look for him; Slayers would not.

All this information ran through the large vampire’s head as the man came closer. Satisfied with the situation, Vincent used his full speed and ran at the human. The man didn’t even notice. When Vincent slammed into him hard, the man screamed, but it was cut short. Vincent banged the human against a nearby tree which knocked the air out his lungs. As the man gulped for breath, Vincent laid his hand over the man’s mouth. The man tried to scream again, but Vincent grinned, elongated his fangs, and hissed.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Anthony nodded, but gave Joseph a quizzical look. “Where is Vincent?”

“In his room with Mierka.”

He gave a short laugh. “I will never understand why you allow her to sleep with him.”

“Mierka does as she feels is best, and she returns to me every time.” The smirk on his face stilled further questions and Joseph left the room.

He took the stairs at a leisurely pace, but his mind thought to the possible confrontation in the bedroom. If Vincent were awake, he might have to explain things. He pulled out his phone to text Mierka, but knew there was a chance she would not respond. In the sitting room, he paused for a moment to allow her to respond. When none came, he continued on his way, his phone in hand. It did not go off, but by the time he reached the tower bedroom, he knew what to say.

Though three of the main vampires in this trilogy are French, and I speak French, I only French once in the novel. I like seeing foreign languages in English writing, but if it’s a language I don’t know, I’m not taking the time to translate it. Do I think other writers should follow my lead? Fuck no. Do what you please, though a footnote translation would be amazing. Thank you.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Rebecca shrugged and led the way outside. They found the limo quickly and got in. Rebecca went to the front with the driver, and Mierka ordered Natalia into the back. Once the ladies were situated, Mierka informed the driver to head back to the estates, the long way. The entire time, Natalia did not move, as if she waited for instructions.

Mierka looked to Natalia as the car started to move. “Sit back and relax.”

Natalia did as told. Mierka also sat back in the seat but turned to look at Natalia.

“If any part of you can hear me, I don’t want you like this. If we are to sleep together at some point, it will not be while you are under my control.” Mierka reached out and caressed Natalia’s cheek. “I too, prefer strong, willing women. Can you hear me, Natalia? Can you break my hold on you?”

Natalia stared at Mierka while the vampire talked but didn’t seem to understand.

Mierka sighed. “Merde.” As she stared at the human, she decided. “I wonder if pain will do it?”

From Protector of the Grey House:

“What is this?” Lorraine stretched her neck a little to insure everything was in place.

“I was told once, that should I break another’s neck in this room, the hurt vampire would be healing the wound with my blood.”

“I wasn’t made aware of this.” Vincent’s hand was on her shoulder, as if to protect her.

“You weren’t here when it happened.”

“This isn’t happening.”

“I am offering my blood to her, not to you. It is her decision to take it or not as she sees fit.”

“Not in my house.”

Natalia brushed off her lover’s hand. “You don’t trust your sire?”

*though I will be using the terms ‘woman’ and ‘woman’ I mean anyone with a uterus.

Today, I’m getting an endometrial biopsy to find out if the odd things my uterus is going through is cancer. My OB/Gyn tried once before to do this procedure, but my cervix did not open. As she did not want to put me through that much torture, she said we would wait. She was pretty sure it was Peri-menopause issues anyway. She said if something happened to make this procedure necessary, she would give me medication to help my cervix open.

Today, I’m getting the procedure due to finding endometrial cells in my otherwise clear pap smear.

Yesterday, I looked online to see if the meds she gave me, misoprostol, had any interactions with Tylenol as I want to take something for the pain that may come. No interactions, but it did suggest Advil, so there’s that.

Then another search caught my eye. Misoprostol is an abortion drug.

I have no issues with abortion. If a woman needs one, or wants one, it should be safe. No ifs, ands or buts.

Texas recently effectively banned abortions. Because Texas wants to control women.

As I stared at the information and let is sink in that the drug I have to use today is usually used for abortions I had to wonder: how far will law makers go if abortion is actually banned in the United States?

I am using this drug to try and find out if I have cancer. If I lived in Texas, could someone say I was getting an abortion? Could they get $10,000 for reporting myself and my doctor and my nurse? I don’t know.

I have always felt that banning abortions was a bad idea. It’s a medical procedure. Banning abortion does not stop it, it makes it less safe. Banning abortion also, in some laws, bans multiple types of birth control, including the IUD, which I use.

The amount of insanity that arises from abortion – a fucking medical procedure – being banned, and rendered unsafe, is so much more far reaching that any law maker has ever thought of. Learning what I learned yesterday about my medication makes me realize I didn’t understand fully either.

If abortion is banned, will meds like misoprostol, a drug used to help the cervix open to find out if a woman has cancer, be banned as well?

Abortion is a medical procedure and should be safe and legal no matter what. Stop fucking with out health and our bodies.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Joseph said nothing as Vincent turned his attention back to the desk. He pulled open the drawer he had unlocked and pulled out a flat red velvet box. He looked down at the box, then presented it to Joseph.

“I suppose this won’t make any sense to you or Mierka.” His stoic expression was broken by a glint of trepidation in his eyes. Joseph saw the odd look and wondered about it and the statement. Though the head vampire asked for Joseph’s opinion on a regular basis, he never acted as if it mattered. Curiosity filled him as he placed his glass on the desk, took the jewelry case, and opened it slowly.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia sat on the edge of the tub, and watched as the light danced off the mirrors and reflected off the tiles. Her hand tapped on the tile next to her, unnoticed. She thought the low light would confuse the cameras enough. She wanted a little bit of privacy and time to examine the room. In the security room, she deduced Vincent must have a secret room. The entrance was probably in the bathroom, which is why he turned off the security cameras in here. All the doors that led to the bathroom were locked, and the keys were in her pocket. The werewolves and vampires could break down any locked door, which only gained her a minute or two per door. She would have this puzzle figured out before anyone came in, anyway.

Natalia continued to stare at the wall next to the shower, as her fingers tapped out a nervous tune. There was a space of about five feet long next to the shower stall. Most of the walls had something on or against them: shower stall, toilet, sink, shelves or mirrors. That spot was oddly empty. She wondered why she had never thought about it or the large empty area of the second floor beyond Vincent’s room. She realized it didn’t matter. She pushed off the tub and went to the wall, as she wondered what the trick was. There was a door here; she would find it.

From Protector of the Grey House:

“Not really. Rebecca drove me home, held onto the ring as I went inside the house. I drank more than I needed, and Rebecca drove me close to the foundry. She kept it in the car as I used my abilities run reconnaissance. Once I knew where to throw the ring, I ran back to the car for the ring. I then used my abilities again to throw the box and ring into an open furnace.”

Vincent stared at Anthony for a long time before he spoke again. “Did the ring call to anyone as it melted?”

“There has been no news of anyone throwing themselves into the furnace.”

“How do you know it didn’t spread the monk’s will to all the metal in the furnace?”

“That will be fairly easy to find out, Vincent.” He stated this as if he spoke to an infant.

Vincent narrowed his eyes. “I don’t appreciate your attitude.”

“It was not a good question, and you know it. We know that destroying artifacts breaks them and does not spread their magic.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Joseph watched briefly as the human struggled with her environment. When she started to crawl toward the exit, he frowned softly and wondered at her game. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back gently. She looked to him and grimaced.

“Where are you going?”

“Out. I need…” but her thoughts stopped her. She clamped her mouth shut and refused to speak.

He stared at her with curiosity and wondered again if her adventures into Vincent’s secret bedroom had been of her own doing – either time. It would not be the first time that ring took over the mind of a human. Natalia, usually strong willed, had been through more in the past few days than she had in a long time. And Vincent’s blood had hypnotized her. Perhaps it had made her more susceptible to the ring’s call.

“Natalia. Where are you going?”

Natalia glared at Joseph. “I’ll tell you nothing, Hell-”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia watched through binoculars from across the street as yet another Slayer walked nonchalantly into the corner café. She sighed, hung her head, and wondered how many she would have to kill to get out. She currently sat on the roof of the apartment building kitty corner to the arranged meeting place. She told Ashley that she needed to get her some information, and to come alone. Ashley decided to disobey her wishes. Natalia sighed again and slung her backpack across her shoulders. She left the roof the way she came, by the back wooden steps that at one point had been a fire escape.

It took her two months to decide whom to tell about the demons Edwin summoned. It took three months to convince Ashley to meet her, and another month to plot the best place to meet. Natalia watched the place for the past two weeks, to find as many ways out as possible. There were two conventional ways: front entrance and back kitchen door. The two walls that faced the street were adorned with beautiful picture windows. She was sure the windows were regular glass and could be busted with a diner chair or Slayer if necessary. She also noticed who were regulars and who were not. Half of the people frequenting the small café today were not regulars. She was ready for the battle she hoped she wouldn’t have to fight.