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From Protector of the Grey House:

“She did not set out to betray you. She was controlled by a powerful item. One we have seen take over others previously. It took the ring a long time to find her. To avoid future issues, I removed certain other items and placed them into Anthony’s holdings.”

Vincent nodded. His hand was near his mouth which helped to hide his reactions.

“Are you satisfied?”

Before he could answer, the intercom buzzed. He narrowed his eyes and reached for the answer button. “This is not good timing.”

“Lilly is back with her new apprentice.”

Vincent looked to Joseph. “Send her to me.”

When the intercom clicked off, Joseph went to the door and opened it. Once the ladies were in the room, Joseph closed the door and stood out of the way.

“Lilly.”

“Good evening, Vincent. This is Diana. Diana, this is Vincent LeGris. He’s our benefactor.”

Vincent looked the new healer up and down then let his eyes move back to Lilly. “She’s young.”

Lilly nodded. “Though she is young, she knows the arts well. She comes from a family of healers and has been studying the arts from birth. She is worthy of Natalia. Is she awake? I would like the ladies to meet.”

“She’s in our bedroom. You may leave.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

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.”

Vincent continued to glare at Anthony.

Anthony glanced to his side as both men heard a buzz. He looked back to his boss. “I have a meeting soon.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia shook her head. “Good. Now that you have more to think about, perhaps you’ll change your mind about me.”

“That remains to be seen. What else do you remember?”

“Does it really matter? You have the information you need to make a decision, don’t you? I wasn’t in my right mind. That ring took me over. Do you really believe I betrayed Vincent?”

He stopped pacing and stood quietly for a moment, then looked her way. “I will only tell Vincent my decision.”

“As if he’s not watching from the security room.”

Anthony shook his head. “I will only tell Vincent.”

Understanding descended upon her and she nodded. Natalia finished the brandy, stood, and placed the glass on the desk. “That sounds like I can leave then.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

“You think you’re too good to be a vampire?”

“Never said that.” Natalia circled with Lorraine, glad for the moment to assess her target and allow for tactics. She already knew of two things she could try, one if she were quick enough, which she wasn’t, and one she would do if she were desperate, which she was.

“So why not allow him to change you?” Lorraine continued to circle slowly.

“He will. When I’m ready.” She readied herself for her opportunity, which would present itself shortly.

“Has anyone informed you it isn’t your choice?”

Natalia frowned. “Everything in life is a choice.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

“Tell me another, weaver of tales.” He growled into her neck, to chill her jugular. She shivered in anticipation, and desired his bite. She cried out in frustration when he pulled away and sat back down on the seat. She glowered at him as she propped herself up on her arms.

“Which is it, Vincent? You act as if you’re going to ravish me despite my predilections against it at this time. Then warn me against enticing you.”

He gave her a hyena smile from his seat. She shivered: prey caught in a predator’s lair. “I plan on worshipping you, love, but I still would prefer waiting until we were in our bedroom, as there is more space.”

She glared at him. “You’re toying with me.”

“Perhaps.” He held his hand out to her and helped her up. She gave him an angry look as she sat next to him and crossed her arms. She had never seen him in such a mood. Generally, he was more predictable, and only changed his mind once per night. Currently his mood and mind seemed to be changing within seconds.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Annoyed beyond reason, Edwin stormed over to Natalia. He stopped ten feet away from her, confusion evident on his face. “Who dares call me out, at my party, in my house?”

Natalia twisted the sword in her hand as he advanced. Light glinted off the steel and she smiled. It would be a pleasure to kill this one. Too bad she had to leave him for Vincent. “Natalia Mirela Liliana Dveski. Protector of House LeGris. I demand you leave this city and turn over control to your betters or face me and die.”

Edwin stared at her, then started laughing. “On whose authority do you order the Captain of this city to do anything, human?”

“She’s already told you who she speaks for. Weren’t you listening, you malodorous twit?”

All turned to see Vincent leaning against the table. He looked rather relaxed and in control. His attitude seemed to suggest he was in his home dealing with a disobedient child.

“You use a human to challenge my rule? What absurdity is this?” Edwin tried to intimidate Vincent with his tone of voice. “If she kills me, it means nothing. You can’t be Captain if a Slayer kills me. My first lieutenant would receive the honor.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia watched her lover come into the room and wondered at the look on his face. It was a surprise to see all the people present. Natalia went straight to Rebecca, as she knew she could ignore the rest of the room if she spoke with her friend. As Vincent caught her eye, she felt the peace that had crept over her while she talked to Rebecca try and slip away. She held onto it. If the feeling left, her stress and headache would return. She took a deep breath and continued her conversation with Rebecca. The Alpha wolf was explaining how the dynamics of her family worked. It seemed that due to the pact they made with Vincent, it was easier for Rebecca’s parents to raise the twins. Rebecca’s grandfather raised her and her brother. They continued the conversation as Natalia tried to ignore the look on her man’s face.

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

When ‘aisle’ came up as the word of the day, the passage below popped into my head. It is not from “The Grey House” trilogy. It’s from my latest word in progress. I decided to share it as I am enjoying working on it. It’s tough though, as the novel (series?) is set in the late 1800s early 1900s. I don’t fully understand how to approach etiquette from that era, but I’m working on it. I’ve also decided to wing a lot of it in the first draft. Oh, and the terror in the doors being opened? Yeah, you think being homosexual is tough now? It was rougher back then.

Without further ado, here is the passage from “Burton Mayoria” (working title):

Burton looked incensed. “Who the devil is Tommy?”

Mr. Garcia stood a little taller as several emotions played on his face. Burton saw fear, love and hope and it confused him to no end until the man spoke. “Tommy is Thomas Lancaster.” He took a slow breath. “My lover.”

Burton fell heavily in his chair and stared at Mr. Garcia, not believing a word and at the same time, he knew full well this man told the truth. His hand stole to his mouth and a stray noise from outside the room compelled him to look at the doors. They were still open. Burton stood, said nothing, and moved. He used his full vampiric speed to check the main library doors and all the aisles in the library. When he found no one, he went back to his office, and stopped just inside the doors. He closed them, and turned to face Mr. Garcia, who looked a bit terrified.

“The doors were open?”

“No one was in the library. You and I are currently the only vampires in this household.”

Mr. Garcia nodded, but frowned. “What about witches?”

“None that can move faster than I. No one heard.” He moved to his desk. “Please sit down, sir.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

The talk stopped as the pair walked into the room. Joseph let Natalia’s arm go and went to whisper with Diana before he sat in the empty chair. Vincent stood and greeted Natalia with a kiss. Then, to Anthony’s chagrin, Vincent led his lady to his throne. The head vampire chose to stand behind her as he continued to talk.

“As I was saying, Ben, Anthony and Joseph will be accompanying me. Mierka, you will be in charge. With Edwin still at large, I want everyone on guard, as we have been for the past six months. If Morgan finds Edwin, have him brought here and lock him in my dungeon. We leave in half an hour. Get ready. The rest of you know your posts; go to them. Lilly, Angie, Rebecca, a word with you.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

He could see her on his bed in the tower room, olive skin marked with streaks of glorious crimson. She appeared dead, but he knew better. In his vision, she turned to look at him and opened her mouth. Though she lay on her back, the blood in her mouth poured out as if she were on the ceiling. It surrounded him, soaked him, and aroused him beyond his original state. Vincent grunted in pain as the vision continued to wrap its hideous claws into his psyche, dug its nails of delusion deep within his mind until he couldn’t distinguish between reality and fantasy.

The large vampire clutched the edge of his wooden desk in an attempt to funnel his appetite away from himself, as he knew he couldn’t release it on his woman. She wouldn’t be able to take it. As he felt the wood dent, he knew he had to leave for a day or two. He had to be with a woman who could take him on and feed his aggressive tendencies. After this evening’s affairs he would visit Lorraine. It would be easier to sleep with Mierka, but that was dangerous. The idea of releasing his hunger on one woman when Natalia would be accessible down the hall terrified him. Should he take another with the knowledge that his true lover was within reach, he would go to the human and conceivably harm her.