Author: catstark

So far this year, I’ve written over 167,000 words in 2 different novels. I can’t wait to share both of them with the world.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent stood waiting, letting the tension in the room grow. He watched patiently while Anthony nodded to Joseph then went to join Julia, who was standing with the other vampires. Vincent stepped forward, crossed his arms behind his back and waited for silence. It didn’t take long. There was a feeling of anticipation. All under his protection were present. The only creature that didn’t know something was amiss was Natalia.

Vincent turned his attention to her and caught her eye. “Natalia, front and center.”

Natalia gave him a quizzical expression. Even with her headache a memory, she didn’t want to fight, and had already informed him of such. She crossed her arms and shook her head. “I’m not fighting today Vincent.”

He stared her down, giving her a stern look. The look was very much a master instructing a disobedient servant. “Natalia, do as I ask.”

You know it’s not going to be a good day when the alarm wakes you up and the first words out of your mouth are “Fuck this shit.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

The place was a mess. Donald’s rig was resting in the driveway. The weeds around it were high, proving it had been parked for a while. There was garbage strewn everywhere and the house needed painting. Natalia wondered if it had been this bad the last time she was here, but couldn’t clearly recall.

Natalia walked up the sagging steps with the cross held out in front of her and tried the door. It was unlocked. She opened it slowly and looked around. There were dishes and dirt and dust everywhere. A kitchen chair was overturned. Natalia walked to the living room. She stepped in carefully and dropped the cross when she saw her mother sitting in the recliner staring at a blank TV screen.

Trying hard not to share spoilers. Picking away at some of the conversation around this paragraph to make sure nothing is given away.

From Protector of the Grey House:

“There’s a difference?” He continued to watch her intently.

Natalia yawned as exhaustion gripped her. “Donald…kills,” she yawned, “anyone he chooses; uses women. Vincent has built…a network of humans…he can…” she yawned again, “protect and…” Her voice was soft. She shook her head. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, bringing her thoughts back in line. “Vincent doesn’t kill anyone unless they’ve hurt him or someone he protects.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

“We were waiting to have you present to gauge your response.”

“Shit.” Her hand went to her face to rub her eyebrows. She turned from Julia, paced a few steps then turned back around. Her voice showed her determination. “Is anyone else present for this revelation?”

“All in Vincent’s household, and all his Lieutenants.”

Natalia closed her eyes and gave her head one single shake. She opened her eyes again and looked steadily at Julia. “It is absolutely imperative that we, meaning Anthony, Vincent and I, speak privately before Anthony tells the room his news.”

“Why? So you can weave your spell and get him under your control?” Her voice was inquisitive, but not mean.

“Do you believe that’s what I do?”

Julia caught Natalia’s gaze and stood stock still for a moment. Finally, her expression broke and she shook her head. “No. No I don’t. But it’s hard to ignore the truth.”

Lava is based off a bar that used to be in my current area. Love 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.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Determined to hear her cry out, he brought the flail down on her back, using every ounce of strength granted to him by his vampire blood. He saw the look in her eye, the absolute pain, knowing she would scream. But she didn’t. She tensed greatly, then went slack, closing her eyes. He brought the flail into his other hand, twisting and gripping with all his strength. His teeth were grinding together, anger flowing out of him in waves.

Vincent brought the flail back for another blow, when a female voice stopped him.

“What are you doing?” The feminine voice was stern and disgusted.

I woke this morning feeling rested. That doesn’t happen a lot. Then, the first think I see on social media this morning, is that a friend and fellow writer bought my book. I have coffee, and breakfast in front of me. I feel pretty good and hope that continues into the day. I hope you all have a good, peaceful day too.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent felt the bite and his body reacted. He crushed her to him, curling his fingers into her back. His eyes closed, hiding the passion that swan there. Controlling himself, Vincent pulled away from her gently; knowing the situation with Anthony wasn’t done. He spoke softly to Natalia. “Go upstairs, shower, change, relax and forget the past three days.”

“I’m angry and riled up. I want release.” The fires of her furious passion burned beneath the surface of her calm exterior. Vincent could smell her heat and blood rising up through her skin. He ground his teeth, closed his eyes, and dipped his head down to her neck. He growled softly onto her jugular. His hunger grew as she whimpered and dug her fingernails into his arms.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia didn’t head for her mom’s house right away, but went to the corner market first. She bought a water pistol, and two small empty jars with cork stoppers. She went to the Catholic Church up the street and filled the jars and water pistol with holy water. She read that holy water affected younger vampires, and hoped Donald wasn’t ancient. There was a table filled with candles and wooden crosses. She took a wooden cross and stuffed some money in the donation box, not sure if a cross would work. Her research wasn’t too clear on holy symbols and their effect on vampires. She stuffed the jars in her pocket and made sure the paring knife she took earlier had not fallen out of her jacket pocket. If she were wrong about Donald and he was just some asshole human, a knife would be more effective than the holy items.

I get a half day of work today. My day job decided, for the second time this year, that their employees need a mental health break. They are giving us half a day off, but it doesn’t come out of our PTO. My work has done a great job of taking care of us during this odd year.

From Protector of the Grey House:

In minutes, his people were out the door, in the cars and headed back home. The sun was starting to show itself in the east. Humans drove the limos and moved dividers up as soon as they could. Vincent and Natalia were in the back of the medium sized limo and the rest of his people had found their way into the large limo. He had not planned on this arrangement, but knew his people made it happen to give their leaders some privacy. Natalia was leaning against him, sighing as battle instinct left and his lover returned. He turned his head and kissed the top of her head, inhaling her scent.

A vacation when you work from home and a pandemic is going on is not the same as a vacation where you can actually get away. Do the best you can and carry on.

From Protector of the Grey House:

When he pulled back, she was breathing hard, clutching at his shirt. “Make love to me.”

“You’re in no condition.” He started unbuttoning his shirt, wanting to feel her fire against his skin.

“Then why are you undressing?” She pulled him to her by his shirt, kissing his neck and exposed chest.

“There are two thoughts in my head when I see you, Natalia. One is to take your body; the other is to take your blood. I have no control over what I’m doing.”