Author: catstark

This scene includes a description of a pair of boots I own and love.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia ran to the end of the hallway, grateful for the head start. The door at the other end of the hall was open, which made things easier. She didn’t know what a ghul was but knew it would kill Franklin if she could throw him into the pit. She heard Franklin behind her and smiled. As her blood pumped harder, her vision started to blur, darkening around the edges. Her determination surged forward, and a little more speed escaped her. She was through the door, leapt across the hole, and slammed into the wall before he could reach her.

Franklin knew where she was going and grinned. He followed her into the room, leapt the distance, and was immediately hit in the face with her fist. He didn’t think she had the strength in her to push him back, but she did. The blow pushed him back enough to make him land on the edge of the hole. His feet slipped out from under him and he plunged. His hands dug into the ledge and his blood curdled with the howl from below. He stared up at the woman grinning at the edge.

“Help me!”

“Go to Hell.”

When she dressed earlier, before Franklin drugged her, Natalia had the urge to wear her favorite boots. They were a deep rich red, made from hard leather with a steel toe tip. She wore the boots whenever she was headed for a fight as they were almost weapons unto themselves. She was delighted she had gone with the impulse as she prodded his fingers with the inch thick, hard rubber soles. His face turned to pure terror as she very slowly and very carefully stepped on his fingers and ground his bones with her boots. He and the creature below him howled in unison as pain, then fear, echoed in the oubliette. Franklin fell when she stepped onto his other hand. Her smile was pure pleasure when she heard his bones crunch. He apparently didn’t know how to fall.

From Protector of the Grey House:

When Natalia drank his blood one week later, Vincent couldn’t tell if he had her under his control or not. She was generally willing to try anything he suggested; this time was no different. Or so he thought. Half an hour after giving her his blood he pulled away frustrated and seething with annoyance. He was downstairs in the security room confronting Joseph in seconds.

“Break my hold on her.” His annoyance was showing in his voice. Joseph was not worried; Vincent was annoyed with the situation.

“You wish me to break your control on your woman? And why would that be?” Joseph smiled, watching as Vincent’s hands formed into fists.

“I want a willing, experienced woman with a mind of her own. Not a child who needs to be told what to do at every movement.” He paused, took a breath and calmed his raging emotions. “Go break my hold.”

Joseph’s smile grew wider. “Does this order supersede the order that I’m not to touch her while she’s yours?”

Vincent grabbed Joseph by his shirt and pulled his friend into a standing position, staring him down. “I could locate Mierka and have both women for the night. Would you prefer that, friend?”

Joseph pulled his master’s hands off his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles. He indicated that Vincent should lead the way and followed his master up the stairs to the man’s bedroom. Vincent’s hold on Natalia was easily broken, as she wanted her usual lover and not a stand in.

From Protector of the Grey House:

“Her name was Laura Lynn McGarity. She was the last woman I loved before you. We met in San Francisco over fifty years ago, the first time I lived in this area. She was a reporter and had heard about the wealthy businessman no one ever saw during the day. There were rumors back then that I was connected with the mob. I’ve always let those rumors fly, as it makes a good cover story. As long as all my paperwork is in order and everything looks legal and reported on my current identity’s taxes, no one arrests me.”

Vincent paused as the memories came back, flashing through his mind like an old movie reel. “Laura Lynn decided I was her big break. She found ways of integrating herself into my life, getting herself invited to my closed parties and sneaking into my clubs. Finally, after finding out who she was, and falling for her tenacious behavior, I courted her. We were together for a few months before I started showing her the real me. I bit her when I desired, and she seemed to enjoy it, but she never understood what was really happening.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

The priest stood up and forced Ashley to do the same. “You will not leave here alive.”

Natalia’s smile of confidence did not waver and neither did the looks on her friends’ faces. The humans and werewolves were ready for bloodshed. “What’s your name Father?”

“What does that matter?” He sounded righteous and angry, Natalia’s favorite kind of lunatic.

“I like to know the name of the people I kill. Makes it easier to pray for their souls.” She was mocking him.

He visibly grew more righteous. “You will beg for mercy before the end comes.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent got up and started pacing. Anthony took two steps back and pulled at Julia’s elbow, moving her back to his side. Markus and Kari looked at each other but otherwise did not move. They had center stage now; it had been left up to them to watch Morgan. They performed a poor job and knew it. Vincent was extremely disappointed with Markus. He expected far more from the man, who seemed to have fallen for Kari. She was teaching him bad habits. Vincent would have to have her watched, to make sure his youngest member wasn’t led too far astray.

“Did you have any spies on him?”

“Yes, two. One at his home and one at his favorite club.”

“Did you have anyone following him or his top Sergeants?”

“We didn’t think it was necessary.”

This brought a hard stare from Vincent. “You didn’t think it was necessary? This is a man who was planning on killing your Captain, and you didn’t think it was necessary?” Vincent had been halfway across the room. In less than a second, he was standing menacingly in front of Kari and Markus. “I’m not happy with this news. Tell me why I shouldn’t strip you of your ranks right this moment.”

This scene is part of the large amounts I plan on changing. But, as I like it, I choose to share it as I can.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia caught Vincent’s eye again and felt the storm subside. She looked back at Ben and smiled a confident smile. “The day I’m afraid to face the man I sleep with is the day I leave but thank you.”

Ben stood, moved the chair, and started toward the door. At Vincent’s side he paused, turned back to face Natalia. “Should something unforeseen happen to our leader, lady, do not hesitate to come find me and ask for my protection. It would be an honor to have you as my child.”

Ben bowed to her then turned and bowed to Vincent. He left under Vincent’s hard stare, smiling wide. Vincent watched him leave then came into the bedroom to lean against the bedpost. He stared at his human, wondering at her expression. It was unreadable. Or maybe he just didn’t want to guess at her thoughts. She lay in bed, her robe almost open, the comforter hiding her legs. Her hands were folded on her lap. Her posture suggested a child waiting for a teacher’s attention; her expression was all woman: defiant, deadly, beautiful and confident.

“Will you stand there all day, or will you join me in bed?” Her voice was clear and crisp.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were under the control of my blood?”

From Protector of the Grey House:

It led to a door with another lit keypad. She entered Vincent’s code as Joseph bellowed her name in the room from the other entrance. The door slid open and she took two steps in. She entered Vincent’s code into the next keypad and waited for the door to close. She took a chance and entered a random set of numbers. The keypad blinked red. She waited for the light to turn off, then entered in another random sequence. The keypad flashed red, then went back to its normal hue. She waited another second, then entered another set of numbers. This time the keypad flashed and went dark. Natalia closed her eyes, sighed, turned, and ran up the stairs. That ought to buy her a little time.

She reached the top of the steps, took a deep breath to calm her nerves and stepped into the room. The room opened to either side of her. There were doors all along the wall to each side. The canopy bed, crimson curtains hiding its occupants, was centered on the far wall. She closed her eyes and turned her head away as an old dream came back to her. She took another look at the wall to the right of her and saw the difference in the wall. Two of the doors were windows. She walked to the windows slowly, entranced by what lay beyond.

From Protector of the Grey House:

The room was in shambles. None of the equipment was whole. All the screens were blown out, the shelves were twisted metal, and the chair was bleeding stuffing. The walls were blackened as if from an explosion. If a human or werewolf were here when the explosion occurred, they would not have survived. The onlookers could only hope Mierka was at full blood when she went on duty last night. Vincent took a moment to assess the damage, then motioned Joseph forward. His bodyguard went in without a thought, turning quickly to grab Mierka as she attacked.

She was a mess. Her clothes were torn although she had no wounds. It was clear from her hungry attitude she had sustained massive damage and used a great deal of blood to heal herself. She was ghul.

Joseph released her slightly and allowed her to turn and sink her teeth into his flesh. He knew he could sustain the blood loss it would require to bring his woman back to sanity. Vincent beckoned to one of the humans and indicated he should remain at the ready when more blood was needed. The human nodded, handed off his weapon and bravely walked into the security room.

From Protector of the Grey House:

“Have you no words for me?” He was behind her, having moved in the space of a breath. He brushed her hair away from her neck, pulled the strands slightly, and reminded her of his hidden abilities. “I don’t expect you to run to my bed each night Natalia, but an acknowledgment would be pleasant.”

“I’m…sorry. I’m not sure…Will he consider this a betrayal?” She stepped away from Joseph’s touch, as she did not want to accept her body’s reaction to his caress. She knew how to unleash the devil. And the devil was a fine lover. Both Vincent and Joseph used pain to enhance pleasure, but Vincent carefully pushed her limits and stopped when she said no or stop. With Joseph, safe words were necessary, and he only stopped when she used them. Her body tingled with slight pain in various areas, but it only reminded her of the pleasure she felt.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia continued to back up wracking her memory for the demon’s weak spot. It was something obvious, but she couldn’t remember. She slowed her breath to calm her nerves and give herself time to think. It wasn’t moving any faster than she was. It bellowed and threatened but didn’t attack. It was possibly assessing her strengths. Natalia backed up again, dancing out of its way as it swung and realized her mistake. She had forgotten where she left her shoes and stepped on one of them, almost stumbling to the ground. Rebecca caught her and pulled her to the right as a dark brown form leapt from her left and hurled itself at the advancing demon.

Natalia yelled a warning too late. The Blitzkrieg howled in the same instant as it landed on the deadly creature. The Blitzkrieg’s foot long claws broke in succession; ten dry twigs under the pressure of a heavy boot.  The bits of glass and metal sank deep into the pads of his feet and flesh of his hands. The wolf still flung its mouth open and tried to sink its teeth into the demon’s nonexistent flesh. The wolf gave a mangled howl as his snout, gums and tongue were ripped into ribbons. The demon brought its glass hands up almost leisurely as the wolf tried to pry his teeth off the demon. As the wolf continued to struggle, the demon wrapped its deadly hands around the Blitzkrieg’s throat and started to squeeze.