Category: Uncategorized

From Protector of the Grey House:

“Our master’s favorite human is acting out of sorts. From what you described, it’s the way the valet acted before he was taken over.” She looked to Angie, then back to Joseph. “And I suspect the master’s favorite human may know there is a secret to find.”

Joseph’s eyes went wide. He looked to Angie. “How much may I take?”

“I haven’t been fed off of in three weeks.”

He nodded, turned back to her arm, and drank what he needed. Once full, Angie moved out of the way, and Joseph stood. He grabbed his pants off the floor and turned to Rebecca, who held out a key. He took it then slipped on his pants.

“Thank you, Angie.”

The woman nodded as she wrapped her bite. She left to tend to it elsewhere. Joseph looked to Rebecca.

“Are we sure?”

“No, but when’s the last time she seemed agitated or nervous? Not angry, mind you, but nervous?”

Joseph reviewed the events of the past few days in his mind and nodded. “Go back to the security room. No one witnesses this but you.”

“Yes, sir.”

They parted ways and hoped for a good outcome.

From Protector of the Grey House:

“Are you well?” The question was still a growl.

“My head aches, as do my shoulders and stomach.” Her breath sounded ragged due to her pain and her desire. She wanted to sleep, to get rid of her pain, but she also wanted to screw her lover. She got off him, stood then stretched her neck and upper body to relieve the tension. It worked well enough, but Vincent’s touch worked better. “If there’s nothing else you need from me, I’m going back to bed.”

He caught her hand as he stood. “You’re needed in the training room. Rebecca is back and wishes to speak with you. Also, Kim expects a rematch.”

Natalia nodded. “I’ll go, but don’t expect me to do any fighting, especially in this dress. You took a lot out of me last night and I’m having trouble focusing my thoughts.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

“What about Lorraine?” She caressed his cheeks again, loving the feel of him against her fingers.

“What about my sire?” He was tired of talking. She was distracting him too much. He contemplated biting her neck to quiet her words but couldn’t reach her neck from his lower position.

“Will she seduce you?”

“Yes.” He didn’t seem to want the questions to continue.

“Will you let her?”

He looked in her eyes, to ensure she saw he told the truth. “Yes.”

“Even if I’m there?”

He was quiet as he stared into her trusting, loving eyes. He closed his eyes then stood and sat her on the table. He started to pace to avoid answering. He felt her hand on his arm and turn to look at her.

“Your answer, vampire.”

“Yes. I will sleep with her, even if you’re there.”

“Why do you want me to accompany you?”

“Because I desire your body and blood every day that I’m with you.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

She shook her head and looked away as her entire body seemed to sag from exhaustion. Natalia leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. “I’ve lived through this enough. I don’t want to relive it again.”

She gasped as he was suddenly before her. His hand was on her chin, guiding her face to look into her eyes. “Tell me.”

“If you hadn’t stopped me in time…”

He inhaled sharply at the devastated look in her eyes. His eyes narrowed a touch as he caressed her cheek. He had never seen her this distraught. Vincent’s own expression grew soft as he drew her into his arms. He kissed his woman and held her tightly to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. After a moment he pulled away and whispered into her ear.

“Tell me you’re still mine.”

“Yes.”

He shifted a bit, then, “Tell… tell me I’m still yours.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent pulled back a little, to stare down into her face. “Are you well?”

Her fingers caressed his face, passed his cheeks to entwine in his silky blond hair. “Is talk really necessary?”

He traced her features with his eyes but refused to have her draw him down to her. He wanted nothing more than to delve into her, except for that look. Above all else, he wanted to know what she had been thinking. She was warm and willing though, and her blood had been replenished. He could drink if he desired. As he desired greatly, he decided to cut to the chase.

“What did you think happened when you woke in the training room and scurried to the wall in fear?”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Next to her, Rebecca took slow deep breaths. She laid a hand on Natalia’s knee, to calm her. All were silent; all were tense. They could smell the battle adrenaline. The wolves wanted to be out of the car. Vincent wanted the element of surprise, which meant the wolves and Natalia had to stay put until they received the text. The other werewolves meditated, breathed deeply, and tried not to think about the fight, in order to stay calm. It wouldn’t do to start a fight in the car. By contrast to Natalia’s dress, the wolves were in older jeans and t-shirts. Their clothing would be ripped once they changed.

It was three a.m. before the text came. Natalia nearly jumped out of her skin. Orlando, who sat to her right, opened the door, and stepped out. He held the door open for Natalia then helped her on with the scabbard as the others left the car. Once the sword was strapped on, she stood a little taller. Orlando took a step back; a little disturbed by the way she looked. He still wasn’t used to seeing that look on a human. It was an animal look. It was the look a cat had right before it pounced on an unsuspecting mouse; meaning to toy with it until the poor thing was dead of fright.

Those words are not in this section of my work in progress, but it’s what it’s about.

From Burton Mayoria (work in progress, working title):

“I would like to know how Thomas died, but I didn’t want to bring it up. I’m sure it was painful to lose him.”

“It was harder the second time.” Ray stated softly.

Burton looked sharply at Ray. “What?”

Ray looked at Burton as sadness filled his gaze. “Thomas Lancaster died in his sleep at the ripe old age of 73. I was there when he died.”

“Seventy-three. That’s a long time.”

Ray nodded. “I’ve been following the Lancaster family for a while. Thomas died a year before Beth’s great-grandmother was born.”

Burton grew quiet. After a moment Ray continued.

“He made me promise, as a joke at first, then in seriousness on his deathbed. ‘Don’t bring me back, Ray. I’ve lived a long time. Let me go.’”

“You didn’t listen, did you?”

“I was devastated when he died. We met when I was barely nineteen. I’d spent most of my life with him. I loved him – still do. When he died, I contemplated joining him. Then I decided to raise him. It took me a year to go through with it. I think I knew I was going to do it the moment he died. When I raised him, he looked like he did a few days before his death, energetic and full of life. Then I looked in his eyes and saw anger, hate and disappointment. It crushed me.”

Burton covered his mouth with his hand. There was so much pain in Ray’s eyes.

“I thought he would yell at me. I reached out to stop his words, but he took my hands, and his eyes cleared. Love and understanding blossomed and he placed his hand on my chest. ‘Ray, I know why you did this, but you can’t hold on to me forever. I know the rules. Even if I accept the boon, whatever it may be, it won’t last forever. Eventually, you will have to let me go.’ I was speechless. Tears ran down my cheeks as I looked away from him. He moved toward me and wiped the tears from my cheeks. I turned back. He caressed my lips with his thumb. ‘Let me go my love. Remember me for as long as you live. That is how I stay alive. But not like this. Let me go.’”

Ray cleared his throat. “I had no words. I simply nodded, then held him close. I kissed him one final time and uttered the phrase that would release him. I collapsed on the ground and cried. That was when I started to grieve.”

Burton reached out and placed a comforting hand on Ray’s shoulder. Tears ran down their faces. “I’m sorry, Ray.”

“Thank you.”

“What boon were you going to ask?” Burton asked softly.

“I was going to try and cheat. My boon was, ‘spend the rest of my life with me.’”

From Protector of the Grey House:

His eyes wandered out the window, then back inside. He barely glanced at the other men until he reached Joseph, who held his gaze. Vincent scowled and fought the urge to check his cell again. He and his people had arrived two days ago. Rebecca called the first afternoon to inform him Natalia’s meetings went well. She called again yesterday afternoon to ensure him all was still well. He didn’t expect another call until this afternoon when Rebecca would report again. He was not in the habit of calling his home when he was away to check up: it showed distrust. Although at times he didn’t trust all the men he sheltered in his house, he did trust Mierka, Rebecca, Angie, and Natalia. He knew they would call if they needed help.

Nevertheless, the disquieting feeling was almost overpowering.

It subsided as the limo drew closer to the house and he let himself relax. Perhaps it was just anxiety. He pushed it to the side and allowed himself to rely on the women who ran his house. The car finally stopped, and the back door opened to reveal Lorraine in a black silk robe. Vincent was the closest to the door and went straight for Lorraine. He kissed her on the cheek, and stepped back to admire her in her rather inappropriate outfit.

“Sire. Your warriors have returned.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent stared at Natalia as she and Anthony stared each other down. His emotions were under his control again, after some hunting in Reno, Nevada. He’d done things carefully, and had not drawn Slayers to the area. It helped calm his hunger better than Lorraine’s runner in the forest preserve. Now, he waited for the blood experiments to start. They were in Anthony’s living room. Four weeks had passed since Vincent found he could control Natalia with his blood. She wanted to test Joseph’s theory of whose blood could possess her and whose could not. They decided to start with the most unlikely candidate.

Natalia stood with arms crossed, her eyes narrowed. Anthony looked annoyed and bored. Julia stood behind him, a slight smirk hidden in her eyes. Vincent was beside them, and waited to see if the two would put aside their differences long enough to run the experiment. A smile came to Natalia’s face as she decided to goad Anthony.

“Do you fear me? Is that why you don’t want to do this?

He frowned and his arms were crossed. “This has to be done?”

“No real harm to you, vampire. I’m the only one at risk.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Edwin yelled the three short lines of Latin he knew and watched as two pillars of smoke formed into hideous beasts in front of him. Christopher taught him the lines when he had placed him in charge, and told the younger vampire never to utter the words unless absolutely necessary. The demons the words called forth were unpredictable at best and would only perform one task for their temporary master before running off.

Edwin stared at the horrors that stood before him, pointed to one then to Vincent. “Kill him.” He pointed at the second then at Natalia. “Kill her.”