Author: catstark

Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent smiled. “Turn around.”

Natalia turned, sighed as his arms encircled her. She laid her head against his shoulder, pulled her dress away from her shoulder. She tensed as he growled softly into her neck and then traced her vein to her shoulder. She dug her fingers into his thigh as she became aroused. She moaned when his teeth sank into her flesh, succumbing to his lustful sucking. He took three swallows then pulled away, placing his handkerchief to her shoulder to stop the flow of blood. She reached up to hold the kerchief in place as he brought his arms in front of her. He tried hard not to contemplate the taste in his mouth as he used his nail to cut into his wrist and instructed her.

“Take three swallows.”

Sex scenes were a a lot easier to write before MS hit. Seduction scenes are still pretty easy for me, but then my brain fizzles.

From Protector of the Grey House:

She kissed him softly on the lips. “Would you like to know what we did to each other?”

“Every detail.”

“Because it excites you or because you need to know if Mierka did anything you haven’t thought of?”

“Both.” He pulled back and started to undress. Natalia followed suit. Once they were undressed and laying comfortably in the bed, Vincent took her in his arms and started to suck on her breasts.

Her hands found his hair and pulled painfully as he bit into her breast and started suckling her blood. He sucked slowly, causing her to moan. He pulled away, using her discarded shirt to help stop the blood flow.

“What did Mierka do? Please tell me.”

There is a bar in this trilogy I use once or twice. It’s called Lava. The layout is based on a bar that used to exist, not in the San Francisco Bay Area, but in Rockford, IL, which I used to live in. A lot of good memories in that place.

From Protector of the Grey House.

Lava was packed, and Natalia didn’t want to be sitting in the booth. She hadn’t been back to the club since a week before she was kidnapped by Zechariah. Bethany had convinced her to come out to listen to a local band. The band that night was good, if she remembered correctly. She and Bethany had a great night. Natalia brought her thoughts back to the present and looked around. Tonight, there was a DJ and people were dancing. She was playing good music, and Natalia wanted to join the crowd. She didn’t see Bethany, or anyone else she knew, but that was a good thing. She didn’t need the complication of old friends to disturb her outing with her new friends. Natalia suspected Mierka was going to try and hypnotize her tonight. It wouldn’t do to be interrupted.

I like the use of the word ‘dance’ to describe something that isn’t actual dancing.

From Protector of the Grey House:

“Calm yourself Mierka, he was only doing his job.” Vincent turned from the window, regarded the only silent one in the room. As always, Joseph was keeping his opinions to himself, until he had Vincent’s ear only. Wondering at his loyal friend’s thoughts, he caught Mierka and Anthony’s gazes. “Leave us. Go train. We’ll join you shortly.”

The two left without a word, having been through the dance before. Joseph stepped out of the corner he was almost hiding in and poured himself a glass of brandy.

“You never ask my permission.” Vincent accepted the glass Joseph handed him.

“You have a case of this in your cellar, which I gave to you.”

I may have shared this before, but I don’t keep a record. I’m ok with that. Enjoy your day!

From Protector of the Grey House:

“I think it’s time you told him the truth of his first meeting with Natalia. It might be better if he knew why he didn’t trust her.”

“Do you think he would trust her if he knew?” Vincent set the untouched glass on the windowsill next to him.

“Possibly.” Joseph slowly spun his glass, letting the brandy breathe.

“Then I keep my secret.”

“Why? After seven years with her, why have one of your top men be suspicious of her?”

“Keeps me from having to.” Vincent strolled to his desk, leaving his glass on the windowsill.

There is a run on in this section. I’m working on it. This isn’t the final edit.

From Protector of the Grey House:

There was nothing she could do about that now. She had to get inside. She knew there were still a few hours before Markus, Kari, Ben and Owen would try and lure their targets out and allow Vincent the few moments he needed to feed Mayor Lawrence his blood. They had to arrive before visiting hours were over, though and would be waiting in various out of the way places for midnight, when there would be fewer humans.

Natalia nodded, readied herself mentally, stepped out of the shadows and stopped cold when a familiar form turned the corner. The lone figure moved closer and Natalia took a deep breath to stop shaking. Ashley. What was she doing here?

The word today was ‘give’. 90 variations of that word appear in this novel. Here’s the first appearance that doesn’t give anything too important away.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Her hand went to her neck, where the marks were still evident, if you were looking. Her silver necklace had been pressed into her skin hard enough to pierce the skin in a few areas. She was grateful her necklace had not broken.

“How did you escape?” Mierka’s voice was almost too quiet to hear.

Natalia turned her head to look at the lady. She sighed heavily before continuing. “The one who believed me gave me back my cell phone. When I was sure they had all left the house, I used my cell phone to call the police.” She paused, an odd look in her eye. Ashley, the youngest of the four Slayers, the only one who believed her story, had given her back her cell. She shook her head and continued her story.

Why does Natalia drink Vincent’s blood? And what is it doing to her?

From Protector of the Grey House:

“Take three swallows.”

Crimson spilled from his open wound. Natalia’s hands went to his arm; one near the elbow, the other gripping his fingers. She brought the bleeding wrist to her mouth, breathing deep to calm her doubt. She closed her eyes as her lips closed around the wound. Vincent’s sigh of pleasure was a whisper past her ear. She sucked at his wound carefully, not wanting to have a mouth full of blood.

His salty, coppery blood spilled over her tongue and down her throat. It wasn’t pleasant, but it wasn’t disgusting either. She took her three swallows and pulled back, trying not to react badly. She was able to contain her distaste long enough for him to turn her around, and by then the taste was mostly gone. There was a small tremor in his face; he seemed to be clenching his jaw. Natalia wondered at the barely suppressed emotions she saw swimming under the surface, but her head swam, and her vision blurred, and she waited for him to tell her what to do next.

More on Anthony and how he feels about Natalia.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Anthony was watching the scene in front of him with growing trepidation, understanding what it meant that Mierka and Joseph were protecting the human from their master. Anthony started to shake. Should he step out of line too much regarding Natalia, he would have Vincent’s most powerful allies against him. His discomfort eased though, as he realized the inverse was true as well. If she were to betray Vincent or any one of his top people, her pain would be infinite. She had integrated herself well into this household. Should she step out of line, her punishment would be glorious. Anthony settled into his skin and his place and waited to see if he were needed.

The words keep leading me back to this scene. Eventually, all will be revealed, just not in order.

From Protector of the Grey House:

“I’m hoping she’ll stay. I have every reason to believe she will. She has told me of her desire to be changed, eventually. And soon, I may give her one more reason to consider it.”

Anthony stilled his movements. His voice showed his anticipated terror. “How?”

“Calm yourself Anthony. It doesn’t concern you directly.”

“With all due respect sir, will you allow her the blood she demands?” Anthony was wondering how far Vincent would go to keep the human here, and she had demanded his blood earlier.