tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37102217583154397042024-03-13T09:56:28.715-05:00TeasersSneak Previews of upcoming chapters or stories.Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-7694379416020593132013-01-30T10:50:00.000-06:002013-01-30T10:50:38.839-06:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 17 Snippet<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Only one chapter to go and it'll be a fairly short epilogue. Sad to see this one end but excited to begin working on the new projects.</i></span><br />
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxxxxx</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Chapter 17</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Where the <i>fuck</i>
were you?” Alicia hissed. Her talons clicked together as she stifled the urge
to wrap them around her father’s neck. “You swore you’d be there and then you
just fucking walked away. You never called or explained or nothing. Marie’s
legs stayed permanently open which eventually brought Markus into the picture.”
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Alicia…” Johnston stepped towards her but she flashed her
dual sets of fangs and launched into the air out of his reach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Did you know what he was doing to me? Did you even give a
shit?” Huge tears rolled down her cheeks as she vented over a decade of hurt,
anger, and frustration. “For years, I tried to figure out why you hated me so
much. What did I do, what was so wrong with me that you’d leave us like that?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“No! Honey, no, no, no,” the newly-appointed General of the
Seventh Circle held his arms out to his only child in desperate entreaty as
fiery tears rolled down his cheeks. “You did nothing wrong, pumpkin. <i>Nothing!</i> It was never your fault,
Alicia.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Then why? Why didn’t you come back for me?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dark fire of her wings dimmed and she drifted to the
floor. Though Johnston ached to take his daughter in his arms and comfort her, Blake
shook his head. The vampire stepped forward and pulled her against his chest in
a warm embrace, noting absently that her fiery wings neither burned his flesh
nor gave off any discernible heat. He slipped her arms into the sleeves of his
ripped shirt and covered some of her nudity with the thick material. It fit
oddly, backwards as it was, but at least she was partially clothed. Regardless
of familial attachment, the presence of the demon near his naked mate sat
poorly with his beast’s possessive nature. The shirt eased that instinctual
reaction somewhat. Running his hands soothingly over Alicia’s back, he brushed
his lips over the shell of her ear but remained silent. She deserved her
answers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“He wouldn’t let me.” Johnston growled harshly. His human
form wavered with his struggle to remain in control. “I’ve spent the past
fifteen years trying to tear myself away from Malphas’ will in order to come
back to you. I fought him, and suffered for those fights, until he swore that
you were being cared for.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And you believed him? A demon?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Yeah, I believed him. I believed him because he hadn’t lied
to me until then. He explained about the changes. He helped me manifest the
wings. He kept me sane down here in this Godforsaken place! How was I to know
it was only a means to an end? He wanted it hurt when I discovered the truth.
He wanted me to hate him. Hate feeds a wrath demon like nothing else, and my
hate fed more than just myself; in some strange way, it fed him, too.” Johnston
paced the oddly changeable floor, tugging on his hair in frustration. His path
was meandering but managed to be one step ahead of, or behind, the columns of
fire that periodically shot into the sky. The more agitated he grew, the more
frequent the geysers until it looked like a fiery fountain at a casino.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You were bound to him by blood, Johnston. That’s why your
anger fed him.” Blake’s eyes carefully followed the demon lord’s path. They
were uneasy allies at best, and he wouldn’t let down his guard when his mate
was involved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“He said as much. Rejoiced in it, even. He said the
connection of our bloodline gave him greater control over me. I would have
believed that until I learned he’d sent the Marquis. It didn’t matter what kind
of pull he had over my will, I wasn’t about to leave my little girl in the
hands of a fucking lust demon.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You did,” Alicia hissed, burrowing in her vampire’s embrace
and surrounding herself with his scent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“When I heard about the Marquis, I stormed into his tower
ready to take his fucking head. He batted me aside like a kitten and then he
laughed. He fucking laughed, Alicia, as he strapped me into that damn frame and
forced me to watch that bastard touch you and my Marie.” Flames shot from the
floor as his rage soared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Johnston’s human form melted away to reveal the demon lord
in all his glory. He stood over nine feet tall with spiraled horns jutting from
his bald head. His wings unfurled twice the length of his height before draping
over his shoulders like a leathery cloak. A black loincloth tied around his
waist covered his genitals but left his trunk-like thighs bare. Unlike his
predecessor, he bore no trace of feathers above his cloven hooves – instead, a
layer of coarse fur covered his legs from knee to hoof. The fur was the same
color as his hair had been when he’d been human.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I spent ten human years in the Pit, Alicia.” The demon’s voice
was little more than a growl as he continued to pace the cavernous chamber. His
hooves echoed in the silence. “Ten years of constant torment and torture. Ten
years of having the skin flayed from my body only to have it grow back just so
they could do it again. Ten years of fighting in the arenas, pitted against the
foulest of infernal creatures. Ten fucking years of being screwed by any demon
who pleased the General, castrated and forced to eat my own dick, dismembered
with dull blades… only to be put back together just so they could <i>do it all over again!</i>” Flames shot from
the walls and floor and the entire building shook as he stomped around the
room. He reached the metal frame that had recently held his child and ripped it
from the floor. The metal bent and twisted as easily as a wet noodle before
melting into slag at his feet. Outside, the mephits and lesser demons that had
been preparing to test their new General’s strength cringed and slid out of
range of his fury. They would challenge him another day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Oh, God.” Alicia’s swirling eyes widened with horror and
she eased from her vampire’s embrace. How could anyone have survived such
torture? How could he care for her that much?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“So do not tell me that I did nothing!” Johnston snarled,
sending foul magic to strike at one of the slowest of the mephits. The creature
shrieked as it slowly burned away. The rest flew much faster to avoid a similar
fate. “My only reason for survival was you, Alicia. My only shred of sanity
concerned you. My final, wavering scrap of humanity centered solely on keeping
you safe.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And in the end,” Alicia walked cautiously towards the demon
lord, “you did. Daddy, you kept me safe. If you hadn’t brought Blake with you,
I’d still be strapped to that cage. You succeeded, Daddy.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Did I?” His blood-red eyes met her swirling
crimson-and-black ones as he reached a tentative hand towards his child. His
fangs had pierced his lip where he’d bitten through them to hold back his tears
and the blood dripped from his chin to sizzle on the stone floor. “Did I save
you or did I just prolong both of our torment? You’re not a demon; you’re not
even a tiefling anymore. You don’t belong here but I can’t bear to let you go.
Not yet. Please, pumpkin, not yet.”</span></div>
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Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-80394531333918851062013-01-16T07:15:00.000-06:002013-01-16T07:15:08.924-06:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 16 Snippet<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>No warnings or comments this time (which is kind of a lie since I commented, but oh well...). Enjoy!!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Chapter 16</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malphas and Alicia barreled through the portal and onto the
charred stone floor of a cavernous chamber. The impact sent the tiefling
tumbling off the demon lord’s back and jarred the sunblade from her hands. It
bounced and skittered across the floor to rest in a far corner of the room, well
out of her reach. Alicia slammed her fist into the floor and released such a
string of vulgarity that she was certain she’d pay for it later with her ass.
Her fangs lengthened at the thought of her vampire’s discipline before she
wrestled her mind away from her delectable mate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She glanced around the room in search of the celestial sword
and was struck by the strangeness of the building’s materials. The smooth walls
looked to be worn away by years of friction rather than tools, and stretched
upwards until they faded from sight. A closer look at the stone showed black
and dark-red waves undulating just beneath the surface, breaking through in
unexpected bursts to shoot geysers of fiery lava into the air.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Once more you meddle in things of which you know nothing,
Tiefling!” The demon growled his pain as the severed wing began to heal. The
one she’d sliced with the glowing blade showed no signs of repair. Her lips
curled into a cruel smile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Yeah? Well, consider it a character flaw.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I will do more than that.” Malphas chuckled evilly as he
rose to his full height and stretched his newly grown wing. “I will ensure that
you will be unable to make such foolish choices in the future.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You think so?” Watching the infernal’s every move, Alicia
rose into a crouch and matched his steps to maintain the distance between them.
“Blake hasn’t had much luck with that, you know, and I adore my vampire. Can’t
really say the same for you, Gramps.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Your insignificant feelings have no bearing here other than
the joy it will bring me to watch them crumble to my will.” Malphas’ tail
stabbed from the left, causing her to roll to the right to avoid the deadly
appendage. The floor opened up beneath her and she barely managed to avoid a
burst of fiery brimstone that shot almost two feet into the air. The demon’s
grin of delight was terrifying to behold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You really need to see someone about that god complex
you’ve got going on. You’re never gonna get a date that way.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Foolish child, haven’t you learned, yet? Here, I <i>am</i> a god! This is my domain and all here
bow before me or face my wrath!” His bellowing voice echoed in the large
chamber and a cacophony of wails and cries of agony and terror rose in an
answering chorus. The sound chilled her to her very core and she gazed
longingly at the celestial sword. “Since you gave up your humanity for that
blood-sucking parasite and ruined plans centuries in the making, I will drain
the vampiric blight from your soul and create a pure creature of the Seventh
Circle. You will become mine for all eternity, tiefling. Mine to keep or
destroy. Mine to cherish or ravage. Mine,” he stabbed again from the left,
moving her further and further away from the softly glowing sunblade, “to
command and control.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Good luck with that, asswipe. I checked my to-do list, and
nowhere did it say ‘relocate to a place that smelled like an egg fart factory’.”
She hesitated for half a second to gauge the distance to the sunblade and the
third jab from the demon’s tail sliced through her thigh, drawing a hiss of pain
and anger from between her fangs. Instead of dodging to the right as the demon anticipated,
Alicia dived between his legs. While he was off-balance in the midst of a
right-handed grab at her former location, the tiefling placed both her feet on
his upper thighs and kicked hard. Though it was like kicking a Sequoia, her
vampiric strength enabled her to affect the demon lord’s balance. Malphas
struggled to remain in place but had to stagger forward to stay upright, giving
Alicia the time to move towards the blade. She checked the cut on her leg as
she rose and was pleased to see that it had already begun to heal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Deny it all you wish, but it’s already begun, tiefling.”
Malphas chuckled and slowly turned as Alicia scrambled for the glowing sword.
“Pick up that blade you’re so anxious to get to, hellspawn, and feel the pain
as it burns away at your very nature.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The fuck?” The scent of burning flesh mingled with the
sulfur and brimstone already present in the hot air. Though she gritted her
teeth to ward off the pain, Alicia couldn’t maintain her hold on the celestial
blade for more than a few seconds. Hissing in frustration, she allowed the
sword to drop from her fingers. “It didn’t burn before. Why do you always have
to fuck with shit that’s not yours, demon?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’ve done nothing to the <i>blade</i>, tiefling.” The demon lord’s triumphant grin was a hideous
display of vicious fangs and cruel triumph as he approached. With her back now
against the wall, there were few places for Alicia to go and, though it burned,
she was still unwilling to abandon the sword that seemed to inflict permanent
damage on the infernal. “It is you who are changing. Just being here is
leeching away all but the demon inside you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You’ve finally snapped, haven’t you?” Alicia’s eyes darted
around the room looking for something to wrap around her hands so she could
pick up the glowing sword at her feet. “I mean, I’ve heard that some humans get
a bit delusional as they get older so I can only imagine how totally bat-shit
crazy you’ve gotten over the centuries, Gramps.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You already feel it. Don’t you, tiefling? How much stronger
the demon within is growing. How much weaker the blood-sucker has become. The
pull of my will increases, influencing, forcing you to obey me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“In your dreams, you overgrown bat,” Alicia sneered, but
inwardly she trembled. She <i>did</i> feel
the changes and they terrified her. Where would that leave her vampire if
Malphas had his way? Would he think she had died and abandon her to her fate?
Would he discover her altered form and abandon her still? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“That’s it, tiefling. Give in to me and you shall be
stronger than the vampire who’s enslaved you. He’ll leave you like all the
others – all but me. I have never abandoned you, tiefling. I have watched over
you from the day your worthless father broke his promise and a young child’s
heart by walking away without a second thought.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>Hissing in fury at her lingering doubts, she steeled herself
for the pain and reached for the sunblade. In an awkward move borne from
desperation rather than skill, Alicia grabbed the hilt as she rolled to the
demon’s left side. The celestial blade sliced through Malphas’ calf before she
flung it away with a cry. “I will never be yours, Malphas,” she ground through
her clenched fangs as she cradled her injured hands to her chest. “I’ll fight
you for all eternity if I must, but I <i>will</i>
return to my mate.”</span></div>
<br />Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-10129081596596763442013-01-02T09:42:00.000-06:002013-01-02T09:42:30.544-06:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 15 Snippet<i>A/N: This snippet is entirely unedited by anyone but me so don't blame Archangel for my goofs :)</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Chapter 15</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Blake stalked the encampment coiled and ready for battle.
Far from settling his mind, the brief mental contact with his mate had driven
his beast into a ravenous fury. He needed to see and touch and verify for
himself that she was well. He needed to know why the bond had formed now and
not the day they mated or in the days since. He needed her back by his side
where he could keep her safe. All who stood between him and satisfying that
need took their lives into their own hands, regardless of which side of the
battle they favored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It was the waiting that was driving both his human and beast
insane. Though his human side understood the need, his beast chafed at the vast
amounts of daylight hours spent amongst the humans who pestered those setting
up the encampment. He and Elizabeth dodged questions from the local police,
dismissed reporters, and oversaw the growing arsenal that would outfit and arm
a small Third World country. Though his beast urged him to drain the curious
and concerned locals to corpses and leave them for the packs of stray dogs and
other vermin, and Blake saw the advantages to having such peace, the greater
attention that would garner wouldn’t be worth the transient pleasure. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Elizabeth had worked alongside him for several hours after
he’d communicated with Alicia but even their centuries of friendship couldn’t
withstand his peevishness and simmering violence. The only one who appeared
unaffected by his mood was the tiny pixie, Sapphire. She sat upon his shoulder,
chattering about this or that or singing in her lilting voice, until he
threatened to rip off her wings and use them to plug his ears against her inane
babbling. Where others cringed at the barely contained menace in his voice, his
minute companion merely tsked in disapproval as she faded away. She promised to
return only after he’d regained some semblance of control.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They’d heard nothing from the Royal Advisor, Lysavar, or the
Celestial, Camael, since their meeting in the ruined Simons Building. The
silence from the pair served to further degrade the vampire’s foul mood. Even
though Sapphire and Opal had reassured him that his friend would return in time
for the assault on the church, Blake scowled any time the elf’s name was
mentioned. Devereux’s faith in Camael wasn’t as solid and the normally
flamboyant vampire was unusually somber. He wanted to believe his extra-planar
mate’s promise to return and join the fight but their bond had yet to be firmly
established and the Celestial didn’t have the best track record.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile, the Others began arriving early Wednesday afternoon.
Most came by car – a large caravan of black SUVs escorted by a choice number of
enspelled or nonhuman members of the state and local police forces. Before the
sun had fully set, the 20’x30’ canvas structure contained over sixty nonhumans from
nearly half a dozen races. Such a disparate group was rarely found together outside
the annual Summit and they each eyed the others with a mixture of curiosity and
suspicion. None were aware that a tiny pair of spies flitted amongst them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The vampire covens sat in distinct clusters, sipped glasses
of <i><i>Sangue Vino</i></i>
from Elizabeth’s private stock, and contemplated the advantages of potential
political maneuvers. Occasionally, one of each group would stand as if choreographed,
glide elegantly towards one of the other covens, and sit to exchange names,
business cards, and tentative promises. The Russian and Persian covens were
especially keen to establish mutually beneficial ties while the New Orleans
coven watched it all with amused, and affected, ennui. They all made a grand
show of checking and loading their weapons as if there was a prize for who
could conceal the greatest number of pistols and knives in the most creative of
ways. Opal rolled his eyes at their posturing but flitted amongst the vampires
to ensure their plotting wasn’t against their host.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Along the back of the tent, six of the Eurytion Herd’s
finest Hunters checked buckles and retied cords while awaiting the start to the
meeting. The centaurs carried enchanted lances, sheaths with short swords resembling
Ancient Rome’s gladius, and a horseman’s bow with quiver slung low on their
withers where their human torsos melded with their equine bodies. Each warrior
wore modified horse barding crafted from a combination of metal and leather to
maximize both protection and maneuverability that melded seamlessly into a
metal breastplate to protect their vulnerable chests. Their tails were braided
and bound to avoid tangling in the branches and underbrush surrounding the
desecrated church on the hill. They ate little and spoke less, preferring to
hydrate before the coming battle to offset the humidity that still lingered in
the muggy autumn air.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Shifters filled the rest of the metal folding chairs
placed in the tent and performed their own rituals before battle. Scents were
gathered and memorized so that recognition during battle was swift and
instinctual. Craig Leroux, the alpha’s younger brother, commanded the Pack’s fighters
and was eager to exact some measure of vengeance for the haunted look that
remained in the eyes of his favorite niece. After speaking with Kazeem Obasanjo, the wolves and tigers began working
out fighting tactics that utilized their particular skills. Sapphire perched
upon the back of a chair as they planned herding and ambush strategies. While their
tactics were sound for land-based prey, they were close to useless for the
flying creatures they would encounter like mephits and demons. Clearing her
tiny throat, she decided to point out the flaws in their plans and how she
might be of use to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the sun began to sink into the horizon, Blake and
Elizabeth stepped into the tent, followed by Augustin, Johannes, Devereux and
the young Karen Walker. The Investigator’s crimson eyes scanned the impressive
number of nonhumans with cold satisfaction. He wasn’t foolish enough to believe
that the battle would be easy, but he was now more confident that the battle
could be won. As the small band of friends and compatriots moved through the
crowd, a slim and regal elf entered the tent and awaited the vampire’s notice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lysavar.” Warmth colored his voice as Blake moved to greet
his elven friend. “I’m pleased to know I won’t have to kill you after all,
elf.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could try, vampire,” the Royal Advisor chuckled softly
and gripped his friend’s forearm in welcome. “I come bearing good news, bad
news, and surprising news.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not the time for games, Lys.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“If this is the not the time, it never will be, my
friend. We laugh or else we cry and no one wants to die with tears on their
cheeks.” </span></span></div>
Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-58033000863905142132012-12-18T17:11:00.004-06:002012-12-19T17:39:26.688-06:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 14 Snippet<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>A/N: As we wind down towards the end of the story, things will get pretty tense: both the situations and the people involved. This will probably be the last graphically violent chapter though there are still a couple of large battles left to be fought. Before the battles and the violence, however, there is planning...and that's where we begin...</i></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;">xxxxxx</b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Chapter 14</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the bottom of a small hill, the crowd of nonhumans was
steadily growing in number. Blake, along with Sapphire, Opal, Devereux, and the
councilwoman, Karen Walker, had arrived the day following the attack on the
Simons Enterprises building. The rapidly growing number of tents, crates,
people, and security measures caused curiosity and some suspicion amongst those
in the small town and, by noon, the local police force arrived to investigate.
With the formidable vampire ready to tear the throat of any who delayed his
planned rescue of his mate, the pixies intercepted the officers and used their
fey magic to ‘persuade’ them that the camp was part of a routine exercise by
Homeland Security. They even accompanied the officers back to their captain and
‘showed’ him their credentials and permits until he assured them there would be
no further trouble from his people. In a show of unity, he drove the pixies
back to the camp and then blocked the roads so the locals couldn't interfere. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile, Blake paced. He paced and hissed and rode the
very edge of control over his feral nature. Without the full vampiric bond most
mates enjoyed, he didn't know if Alicia was alive or dead, injured or well, or
suffering any of the thousands of indignities his fertile mind could conjure
forth. The delay in bringing the necessary numbers to attack the stronghold was
tearing him apart as he alternated between praying to a God he’d never fully
believed in to bring his mate out whole and well and cursing that very same God
for subjecting her to even more torments. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Blake?” Elizabeth approached the volatile vampire and
handed him a glass of <i>Sangue Vino</i>.
“Augustin called. He will be arriving tomorrow with ten of the best warriors
the al Zarqua coven out of Persia has to offer. They should get here about the
same time as the eight constituents from the local Vampire Council, though they
will be of unknown age or abilities. Also arriving are five from the New
Orleans Council and twelve from the Kovalensky Coven of Moscow. Those who owe
you and me favors consider this trip payment in full.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Understood.” Blake drained the warmed bloodwine and did a
quick tally of the numbers. “This will give us forty-one vampires of various ages
and power. Have the pixies heard from Lysavar?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The Royal Advisor is still in the elven lands handling a
few issues that stemmed from an issue with Michael’s mating. He has promised to
return no later than Wednesday night but is hopeful that he’ll be able to
arrive that morning. The king has promised at least one unit of elven warriors
and they were going to appeal to the Academy for mages.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The elf is cutting it close,” Blake growled and sat his
empty glass on a crate and started walking towards one of the large canvas
tents. “I’m not waiting for him to decide to stop playing the lovesick fool for
Urúvion. We’ll attack at dawn on Thursday as planned whether he’s deigned to
join us or not.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’ll be here, Blake.” Elizabeth followed Blake into a tent
where a human quartermaster was organizing the weaponry and rationing out the
ammunition. “Lysavar has always been exceedingly fond of you. He won’t let you
fight this battle alone.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ms. Pierce?” A youngling vampire hurried into the tent and
handed the petite brunette a cellphone before casting a wary look at her
intimidating companion and exiting just as quickly. The call was short but
brought a fierce smile to the vampire lady’s face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tomorrow will also see the arrival of ten of the Leroux
Pack’s finest betas, four fox scouts from the Ingram Troop, six of the finest
hunters from the Eurytion Herd of centaurs, and seven toms from the Obasanjo Pride of tigers.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“More political maneuvering from the Summit, Elizabeth?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not at all or, at least, not entirely. Each family had a
child taken by the Colonel and your mate was instrumental in helping them
escape. They are eager to return the favor.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blake’s lips curled as his pride in his beautiful mate
swelled. She had always dismissed the things she’d done during her captivity
and escape as necessary and unimpressive. His tiefling didn’t realize how much
her actions had affected those around her. He would be certain to impress upon
her again just how incredibly special she was, and to more than just him. After
he’d spent at least a month checking every inch of her delightful body for
signs of trauma.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What of the Celestial?” The vampire forced his mind away
from the pleasurable thoughts of having his enchanting mate in his playroom and
back to the situation at hand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Devereux assures me that Camael will return on the morrow. The
Celestial is reporting to its Gatekeeper in the hopes of securing at least a
few warriors for the battle.” Elizabeth picked up one of the semiautomatic
handguns, a Glock 19, pulled back the slide and ejected the magazine for a
quick check before snapping it back into place and sighting down the barrel.
Satisfied at the weight and balance of the weapon, she nodded to the human
armorer and placed it back in the crate. “It’s also requesting a second
sunblade for you to carry, though Devereux feels that will be categorically
denied.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How is he doing?” Blake nodded to the human workmen before
escorting his friend from the tent. He followed Elizabeth to the RV she shared
with Johannes and accepted another glass of bloodwine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He is amazingly well, all things considered.” She gestured
towards a confined sitting area and sighed in relief when her agitated friend
actually sat. “He’s fully recovered from both the battle as well as the blood
poisoning.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And mentally? I know the Celestial has claimed him as mate
but Armentage didn’t look too keen on the idea. We can’t afford the two of them
having some kind of personal meltdown when the situation turns critical.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Devereux has a personal stake in this fight, Blake. His
focus is probably better than yours right now.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What the hell do you mean by that, Elizabeth?” The fierce
hiss through rapidly elongating fangs had the petite vampire rolling her eyes
in exasperation. “There is <i>nothing</i>
more important to me than rescuing my mate!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You know exactly what I mean! When was the last time you
slept, Blake? Had more than just a sip or two of blood? You won’t do Alicia any
good if you’re on the verge of going feral by the time we attack. You’re
skirting that edge already and every day I see you inching closer.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t feel her, Elizabeth! I don’t know if she’s alive or
dead. I don’t know if she’s injured or well. I don’t even know what that
fucking demon is doing to her.” Blake pushed up from the chair to pace the
cramped area, plunging his hands into his hair and giving it an aggravated tug.
“It is driving me insane.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And I have lost forever one of the only two Children I have
ever Sired.” Rising to step directly into his path, Elizabeth’s crimson eyes
flashed with devastated fury. “Every single second since his death I have felt a
hole in my very being where my Francisco once lay, but I refuse to give in to
the pain. I don’t have time for the luxury of grief; not yet. Not if I want my
vengeance. Grieve on Friday if she is truly lost, Blake, but keep your wits
about you until the coming battle. It will get you killed if you don’t regain
control.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blake raised himself to his full height and glared down at
the petite vampire who challenged him. His bearing was that of a feudal lord of
the Dark Ages. His anger and power as a Primary Investigator for the Primus
Concilium swirled around him like a maelstrom. Elizabeth never twitched, never
blinked or looked away. The air grew thick with suppressed violence and coiled
tension.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am in complete control, Lady Pierce,” he bit out through clenched
teeth. With a snarl of fury, he stormed from the small trailer and into the
dappled sunlight that filtered through the towering pines.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Damn you, Blake Simons,” Elizabeth whispered. “I refuse to
lose you as well.” Slipping from the trailer, she stalked through the camp
looking for someone who might be able to get through to the stubborn vampire.</div>
Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-53426711090589303252012-12-06T16:56:00.001-06:002012-12-06T16:56:44.373-06:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 13 Snippet<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>After a brief hiatus for NaNoWriMo, I'm back with the teaser for Chapter 13. As the last chapter left off with Blake fearing for the fate of Alicia, this one starts with his mad search for her in the Simons Enterprises skyscraper. This chapter isn't pretty. The next few chapters aren't pretty. Hell, this </i>story <i>for the most part hasn't been pretty so do expect some violence, blood, gore, and good old fashioned ass-kicking. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Oh, and pixies. This chapter will definitely have pixies.</i></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;">xxxxxx</b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Chapter 13</b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>“Alicia!”</i></b> Blake’s roar
echoed up the deserted stairwell. He took the stairs at preternatural speed
with Augustin close at his heels. If he had met anyone on the way other than
his mate, that unsuspecting soul would have met a cruel and instant death. His
fangs ached to tear into his enemy. His claws screeched with every contact with
the metal handrail. One hundred floors sped by but he knew in the deepest,
darkest chasm of a heart few believed existed that he’d be too late. The
mephits had been nothing more than a distraction, used to keep him occupied and sever loose ends
while others were sent to take his mate to their master.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The vampire burst through the door with enough force to rip
it from its hinges. A quick glance of the short hall revealed nothing out of
the ordinary so he sped into his apartment. Blake pulled up short in the
doorway, shocked by what he saw. Or rather, by what he did not see. Though he
gave the living room a frantic but thorough search, nothing appeared amiss
beyond a single overturned chair. The scent of blood and brimstone wafted from
the master bed chamber and he stalked forward, every move that of a skilled and
deadly predator. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bedroom was reminiscent of a war zone. Plaster, glass,
and shattered furniture littered the once luxurious carpet. The hand-carved bed
where he’d last seen his beloved mate was missing from the room and blood, both
thick pools and dark smears, coated the walls, ceiling, and floor. Inhaling
deeply, he cycled through the known scents and could not detect his mate’s
unique and heady aroma. Her blood had not been spilled in this room. Carefully
stepping around the wreckage, he advanced on the gaping hole in the exterior wall
which revealed the intruders’ point of entry. The lack of debris from such an
opening sent a frisson of fear straight to his un-beating heart. He knew of
only two beings that could perform such a feat: his mate and her ancestor – the
demon general, Daevas Malphas. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a gesture, August caught his attention and pointed to a
smaller hole in the floor nearly hidden beneath the debris. Kneeling, Blake
scanned what he could see of the empty office when the faint scent of his mate
wafted to his sensitive nose. With a fierce growl, he dropped through to the
floor below before his Child could advise greater caution. The elderly vampire
quickly followed his Sire and their senses were assaulted by the overpowering
stench in the confined space. Blood and gore coated the floor in a slick,
viscous mess. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The vampires separated and searched the barren room for any
hints as to what had happened. It was clear there had been a life-or-death
struggle. Deep gouges marred a floor and the wall also scorched by hellfire.
Bits of flesh, both human and demonic in appearance, provided bloody testimony
that the fight wasn’t altogether one-sided. Near the door that led to the hall lay
gruesome evidence of the fate of at least one of his mate’s guardians. A
bloodied hand had been discarded as if it was mere trash. From the amount of
flesh and blood beneath the clawed fingers, the vampire had fought valiantly
against the creatures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Damnedable cockroaches!” Augustin hissed as he picked the
lifeless hand off the floor. The shattered radius protruded from the gnawed
flesh of the wrist and the marrow had been sucked from the bone. “If there was
ever a creature that should be extinct, they are it. I’m not too familiar with
his scent, but I believe this belongs to the newling, Francisco.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Elizabeth will be most displeased.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blake’s deep crimson eyes locked onto the door as the fire
alarm suddenly went silent. From somewhere in the hall, he could hear the
muffled sound of a struggle interspersed with a pair of raised voices. Pulling
his weapon and flipping the safety, the vampire silently moved to the door and
eased it open. The hall was dark other than the harsh glare of the orange
emergency lighting. The sprinklers sprayed a constant mist creating a hazy,
otherworldly atmosphere in the deserted building. Nodding to his Child, Blake
slipped into the hall and moved efficiently towards the sound, zig-zagging
across the hall from doorway to doorway in an effort to gain some protection
from potential ambush. It was in the third such doorway that he found a second
gruesome remainder of his mate’s dearest friend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When August joined the seething vampire, Blake wordlessly
handed the former monk a bloodied foot still encased in a shredded leather
boot. This disembodied extremity also showed signs of the mephits’ barbarous
appetites with sections of the tibula gnawed in half in order to reach the
juicy marrow inside. The flesh around the exposed bone was as shredded as the
leather that surrounded the discarded foot. Though even a newling could recover
from either of the wounds in time, regenerating the missing extremity with
copious amounts of fresh blood, both might prove to be more than his body could
handle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They were two doors away from the public elevator when the
sounds of struggle grew louder. Alicia’s alluring scent was stronger here and
Blake’s fingers tightened on the grip of the pistol. Nodding to August, who
also drew his weapon, the dark-haired vampire turned the knob and eased open
the door a crack. Wind whistled through the room and blew the scent of
brimstone though the open doorway. Blake entered first, stepping to the right
of the door, and was followed by August to its left. As they crept around tall
stacks of cardboard boxes and metal storage cabinets, the voice became louder.
Neither belonged to the powerful vampire’s mate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alicia’s scent clung to a stack of boxed equipment and
discarded office chairs along with the sickening stench of sulfur. The pale
light of the coming dawn shone through the yawning tear through the exterior
wall and reflected off the unending mist from the sprinklers. Blake suspected
that his young mate had hoped to hide from the mephits who had destroyed her
friend but had been found by the demon lord himself. Judging by the sounds in
the room, he was going to get an opportunity to extract a confirmation of those
suppositions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the faint light, a pair of mephits fought over a gruesome
trophy: the disembodied head of Elizabeth’s newling and Alicia’s friend,
Francisco. With a roar of fury, Blake leaped upon the closest mephit and sank
both claws and fangs deep into the creature’s back. The hellspawn shrieked in
furious agony and beat its leathery wings in an effort to dislodge the vampire
from its back. The second mephit chortled with glee as it snatched the bloody
prize from the floor. It hopped on its short bowed legs towards the door with
every intention of abandoning its fellow mephit to its dire fate. Augustin, on
the other hand, had other – more creative – ideas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leaping around his savage Sire and the screeching creature,
August tackled the remaining mephit and brought it to the floor with a hiss of
glee. Francisco’s head rolled to the far corner, his lifeless eyes staring
sightlessly at their battle, his handsome face forever frozen in horrified
agony. The sight of the newling’s remains spurred the former monk’s righteous
fury, reminding him of another young vampire similarly destroyed so many
centuries before. Claws slashed through the mephit’s wings until they were
little more than bloody ribbons attached to the body by thin strings of sinew
and flesh. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where is she?” Blake’s hiss reverberated eerily in the
empty room as he methodically tore his prey apart. “Where is my mate,
cockroach?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bloody claws dug into the skin and muscle that surrounded
one wings joint and slowly contracted. The longer the mephit shrieked his pain
but failed to answer the vampire’s question, the tighter Blake’s grip became
until one wing popped free. Tossing the bloody thing into a corner, Blake dug
into the second joint. The mephit’s clawed hands and toes scrabbled at the
floor, seeking purchase in the tile in an effort to escape the pain the
apoplectic vampire was inflicting.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Where is she, roach?” Changing tactics, the vampire pulled
his bloody fingers from the creature’s back and began systematically breaking
every necessary bone in the remaining wing. When the mephit still refused to
answer, he slashed at the thin, leathery membrane before digging his claws into
its back muscles once more. “Where is she?!”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“He’ll have her by now, vampire,” the mephit sneered through
its anguish. “The General isn’t happy that you’ve diluted her blood. He’ll make
her pay for that. Pay with her blood. Pay with her body. Pay with her mind.”</div>
<br />
Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-20491423275897490352012-11-07T10:10:00.001-06:002012-11-07T10:10:31.577-06:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 12 Snippet<br />
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<i>The bad guys never let the good guys have sexah night club fun, do they? This snippet is calm but the chapter is not. As the old maps used to say: here be monsters!</i></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;">xxxxxx</b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Chapter 12</b></span></div>
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“I’ve been
looking for you, Mr. Mathewson.” Blake glanced over at his mate, noting her
pallor. A silent message was sent to his Child for him to fetch the others. He
was assured that Augustin would bring the two even if he had to throw a pail of
freezing water on them to pull them apart. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“So I’ve heard, <i>My Lord</i>,” the captured vampire sneered.
He’d been twisting and pulling against his metal and steel bands and felt them
begin to crack. “It must be quite the blow to your impressive ego to not have
everyone falling over themselves to serve you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You were issued
a summons by an active Investigator of the Primus. You are required to attend
or suffer the consequences.” A motion at the edge of his periphery confirmed
that his Child had been successful in rounding up the amorous pair. “By the
authority granted to me by Hauhet of Saqqara, Leader of the Primus Concilium, I
take you, Angus Mathewson, into custody for questioning and sentencing. Will
you come quietly?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You’re a fool,
Simons.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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With an alarming
crack, the vampire finally broke through his unusual restraints and leapt for
Blake. They came together with a thud, momentum sending them crashing into a
nearby table which splintered beneath their combined weight. Angus was slightly
older with more physical bulk, but Blake had spent centuries perfecting both
offensive and defensive fighting techniques. He shifted his weight and rolled
so that he was on top of the aggressive vampire. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“You’re only
making things worse for yourself, Mathewson. Attacking a Primary Investigator
during the course of executing his mission is a punishable offense.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Fuck you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“How eloquent.” In
a move too fast to be seen by all but the eldest vampires, Blake grabbed two
jagged pieces of the broken table and speared Mathewson through each hand –
pinning him to the floor. The vampire’s screams were swallowed by the thumping
music and yelling partiers. “Now, I ask you again. Will you yield?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Go to hell,” the
bleeding vampire spat. “Malphas will have your bitch soon enough and then
you’ll know what it’s like.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Don’t take that
prediction to Vegas.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Blake rolled
Angus to his stomach, ignoring the vampire’s renewed screams when the makeshift
stakes were wrenched from the floor, and placed a knee in the small of his back
to hold him in place. He took a rope from August and wrestled his captive’s
hands behind his back. Using his expertise in Shibari, Blake efficiently bound
Angus’ hands from wrist to elbow in a series of close knots. The rope’s narrow
diameter was deceptive. A gift from Lysavar, it contained several enchantments
that improved its strength and grip. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Armentage, if
you would, help August escort our new…friend…to my vehicle. He knows where to
drop off the trash.” Blake rose and moved over to his mate. His fingers lightly
touched the healing wounds and fading bruises on her throat. “Alicia? Where all
did he hurt you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Just there, my
vampire.” She winced at the pain in her raw throat. Blake leaned down and
brushed his lips and then his tongue over each of the pinpricks to aid in their
healing. With a low groan, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight
against his chest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I died a little
inside, Beautiful One, when I saw you in that creature’s grasp.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m sorry,
Blake,” Alicia trembled against him, the shock and adrenaline wearing off to
leave her shaken and scared. “I shouldn’t have come here. We should have stayed
at home and…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Shhh.” Kissing
the top of her head, he loosened his embrace enough to rub her back in soothing
circles. “Don’t let him ruin this day for you. Remember the fun you were having
before. I’ve never seen such joy in your eyes. Well, at least not while you
were fully dressed.” Her shaky laugh was his reward and he kissed her head
again.<o:p></o:p><br />
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“Can we go home?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Definitely.
August knows where to take Mathewson.” Blake glanced over at his friend’s
newling. “di Luca, will you drive us?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Certainly, Mr.
Simons.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Blake climbed into
the back and cradled Alicia close to his side while Francisco maneuvered his
small sedan though the spotty traffic. The vampire was worried about his mate;
she was drifting in and out of consciousness as if exhausted. He’d never seen
her attempt to use her abilities in such a way and was concerned that she’d
overtaxed herself. Meanwhile, Alicia was thinking of the side of her mate she’d
witnessed that night. He’d been brutal, ruthless, almost cold but then he’d
touched her with such tenderness. Her vicious vampire teddy bear. She scooted
closer until she wriggled onto his lap then nuzzled at his neck. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“I love you,
Sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Alicia.” Blake
breathed her name like a prayer as he tightened his arms around his precious female.
Her even breathing alerted him that she’d succumbed to her exhaustion before he
could reply. Burying his face in her feathered-streaked hair, he allowed his
joyful tears to fall. He’d suspected her heart had finally given in to the pull
of the mating bond but it felt like heaven to hear her admit it. Though she
slept, he whispered into her hair, “I love, cherish, and adore you, my
beautiful angel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-35038666393283707762012-10-24T09:36:00.000-05:002012-10-24T09:36:07.884-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 11 Snippet<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Now that our couple's delightful weekend has passed, Blake continues his search for both Malphas and the vampire who aids him. This snippet contains my favorite pixie minx doing what she does best: push the limits of a very dangerous vampire. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Hold on tight, though, as things are about to start moving and get really bumpy real soon!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Enjoy!</i></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;">xxxxxx</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Chapter 11</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Blake
reviewed the file on Xanthe Petrou, the Councilwoman representing Virginia and
Washington DC. She’d been the first to be interviewed that week about the
vampire working with Malphas. Though none of the women were under suspicion,
Petrou had been a staunch advocate of an emergency override for the Council’s
drop box system. Since the traitor had managed to accomplish just that, it
placed her position on the matter under scrutiny. It wasn’t beyond the realm of
possibility for the traitor to have had help within the Council. Blake just
wasn’t placing bets that the aid came from Petrou.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
was the daughter of a minor Greek prince and a housemaid, raised amongst luxury
and riches but forbidden to possess them. The royal blood that ran through her
veins meant little when her mother was of the lower classes. As she grew, the serving
class envied her royal lineage while the nobles looked down on her common parentage.
She was part of both worlds and yet belonged to neither. Her need to rise above
her detractors, to make them pay for the pain of her youth, took root at a very
young age and only grew with time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was easy to believe that Petrou was capable of participating in, or even
developing such a plot. Her father had commanded she learn from the premiere
tutors of the time and she’d continued her education long after she’d thrown
off her mortality and embraced the life of a vampire. She was intelligent and
cunning, but her ambition twisted her knowledge towards darker ends. She had a
thirst for power that had only grown since her childhood. Xanthe Petrou was more
than capable, but she’d never bow to anyone – much less a demon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Putting
the report aside with a few new notes in the margins, he pulled out the next
candidate’s file. Karen Walker was a young vampire whose rise to the council
had been sponsored by the missing Lucas Davenport. Though the identity of her
Sire was listed as unknown/not provided, it was a fair bet that her sire and
sponsor were one and the same. The fact that such a young vampire – she was
less than a century old – was trying to hide the identity of her Sire sent up
the red flags to the Primary Investigator. Unless he (or she) was wanted by the
Primus, involved in something the council might consider unacceptable, or
unknown, there was little reason not to provide the information. Granted, the
council was unaware of August’s heritage but allowances were made for age -- most
vampires of his Child’s age had survived their Sires. Regardless of the reasons
why the information had been suppressed, it was definitely something to denote and
ask the girl when she arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re
looking all gloom-and-doomy this morning, Pointy Teeth.” Sapphire fluttered down from one of the air
grates to perch upon his desk lamp. “What’s got your tighty-whities in a
bunch?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good
morning, Sapphire,” Blake murmured without looking up from the file. “How was
your weekend?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not
as good as yours, I bet.” The tiny pixie wrinkled her nose and drifted from the
lamp onto the desk, walking along the edge of the grooves Alicia had cut into
the expensive mahogany. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Perhaps
not.” Blake chuckled softly and closed the file. “Was there something you
wanted, you little blue demon, or did you simply wish to torment me this
morning? I don’t have anyone scheduled until after ten.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
know.” Dancing over to the laptop, Sapphire leaped and pirouetted around keys
to spell out a taunting message: <i>I know
something you don’t know</i>. “When you told me to leave for the weekend, I was
going to see Opal. It’s not fair that you get to see your mate but I don’t.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
what prevented you from visiting your mate?” Blake smothered a grin while
watching the tiny fey creature dance to music only she seemed to hear. He could
easily imagine her saying the typed phrase in her sing-song voice. “I was
assured that the distance wasn’t too far for either of you to fly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of
course it wasn’t too far, Pointy Teeth, but someone was trying to be sneaky.”
She snorted in derision and returned to the eight large gashes in the desk’s
varnish. “I expected them to be deeper,” she murmured with a twinkle in her
crystalline blue eyes. “I suppose it’s to be expected at your age.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“At
my age--?” The pixie’s melodic laughter
forced the vampire’s indignant reply to come to a spluttering halt. Narrowing
his eyes, he gave the creature a terrible smile that promised payback. “Never
mind that, you mentioned someone being sneaky?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,
I said he was <i>trying</i> to be sneaky. Pay
attention, vampire. He wasn’t doing a good job of it at all. Pitiful attempt,
really, even for an Infernal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Blake
tensed immediately. “Enough games, Sapphire. Explain yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
<i>fine</i>. You never let me have any fun,
you know. And I missed being with my mate and everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sapphire.”
The single word was hissed between elongated fangs as the vampire’s patience
was tested to the breaking point. The fey realized she’d pushed him a bit too
far and nervously faded out of sight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Right.
The Infernal. Well, he was just standing outside the building trying not to
look like he was watching it, which meant he looked even more like he was
watching it because, you know, when someone tries not to look like he’s spying
it makes him look even more like a spy.” A low growl cut off the pixie’s
nervous babbling and she gulped audibly. “Yes, anyway, he stayed until you
returned with your mate and then he left. I followed him into a building with a
sign that read <i>Devil’s Playground</i>…
Did you know that it was full of males of all races watching as the females
removed their clothing to music? The women were dancing very oddly; like a
nymph who’d eaten one too many overripe glisterberries.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
a strip club, Sapphire. The women are paid to remove their clothing for men to
watch. That’s irrelevant.” Blake waved his hand as if brushing away a
bothersome fly. “Did this Infernal make contact with anyone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
yes! He met with the First Circler, Vergil Merrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-47564719133584897222012-10-10T08:31:00.000-05:002012-10-10T08:31:12.121-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 10 Snippet<i>Well that last chapter was a bit of a doozy, huh? The demons are getting restless while Blake and Alicia continue their delightful weekend of pleasure. Things are about to rock their world but for now...a happy interlude.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;">xxxxxx</b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Chapter 10</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I have a meeting
this afternoon I can’t miss, beautiful.” Blake’s voice whispered over her
shoulder and a wave of goosebumps followed in its wake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Alicia lay on her side with her vampire’s body
molded against her back. His left arm served as her pillow and was angled in
such a way so that his hand maintained a gentle but possessive grasp of her
small breast. The fingers of his right hand danced along her upper thigh, hip,
and the curve of her waist. Not even as a child had she felt so secure and
cherished. Why had she ever fought this? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You’re the boss, Blake,” she grumbled. “Just
reschedule it.” She knew she was being pouty and petulant, but didn’t much
care. A meeting meant he had to get dressed, and covering that gorgeous body
with anything other than <i>her</i> should
be a crime. Punishable by death, if she had her way. Feeling needy, she
wriggled even closer to his warmth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Behave, brat.” He twisted her nipple until
she whimpered and then teased it until her whimpers turned to soft moans. “I’ve
been granted the backing of the Primus to discover who’s working with Malphas.
Though today’s interview is with someone I trust implicitly, it is still
necessary. He may have information for me, and this is the safest way to
deliver it. I’d also like for you both to meet.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Oh?” Lifting his hand from her breast, she
pressed light kisses along each finger. “Who is it?” Having lavished her
affection on each long digit, Alicia teased his index finger with her tongue
before easing her lips over it. She smirked at her vampire’s soft hiss of
pleasure and nipped at the sensitive pad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Alicia….” Blake’s fingers dug into her hips
as she practiced the art of fellatio on his trembling finger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“What’s his name, my vampire?” Her breath was
a cool contrast to the moist heat of her mouth and Alicia felt his body shake
with repressed need. She nipped him with her newling fangs before sliding him
between her lips once more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“August,” he panted. Unclenching his fingers
from her hip, Blake grasped her thigh and pulled her leg over his. She was
exposed and vulnerable, and so wet it was dripping down her thigh to the
sheets. He gritted his teeth against the pleasure as he slid his cock deep
inside her. “His name is Augustin Calmet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Oooooh, fuck!” Tender and sore from earlier,
Alicia’s slick walls nevertheless welcomed him into their snug embrace. His
hand struck her inner thigh with stinging precision on the lingering
disciplinary marks he’d left earlier. Her language simply refused to improve
when he was assaulting her senses with such bliss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blake tightened his grip on her upper body and
held her motionless against his hard chest. His thrusts were slow and measured,
withdrawing completely before returning to nestle between her tender folds.
When she tried to move, he tightened his grip on her shoulder and thigh and
pinned her free leg to the bed with his. She may have begun this game, but he
was damn sure going to finish it his way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You delight in pushing my control, don’t you,
Beautiful One?” His growling whisper stoked her desire and she arched her back
to take him deeper. When she didn’t answer, he released her thigh long enough
to land a stinging slap to her throbbing and exposed clit. She cried out at the
exquisite pain and flooded his thrusting cock with a warm rush of liquid
desire. “Don’t you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes, Sir!” Alicia’s sobbing reply caught in
her throat when one short claw scraped against her aching clit. The sharp burn
as he scraped that razor-like talon across her sensitive nub caused her body to
stiffen with her oncoming orgasm. The slight fear that teased her senses only
heightened the pleasure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blake shifted her in his arms until he was able
to nuzzle against the pulsing vein in her neck. He planted a series of gentle
kisses along the soft skin before sliding his fangs deep. Her blood flowed over
his tongue just as his orgasm shook him and he coated her silken walls with his
seed. Alicia whimpered and sank her own small fangs into his wrist, drinking as
she shook with the force of her own climax. Her warm tongue lapped at the wound
as she floated on the cloud of ecstasy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You’re going to be the death of me yet,
beautiful.” Blake’s amused voice was muffled against her throat as he cradled
her close, their bodies still intimately joined. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Shush. Never apologize for desiring me.” He
pulled her closer and kissed the healed bite on her neck. “You simply do not
know how much you please me, mate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-61918301941359620342012-09-26T10:36:00.000-05:002012-09-26T10:36:58.267-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 09 Snippet<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">The snippet for this chapter is not from the beginning, as is normal, but further in. It gives the reader a hint of the horrors to come without revealing too much. Again, please remember that my demons are evil...the demons of legend and myth and nightmares. They are, for the most part, without virtue or morality. The closer to the center of the Infernal Plane (or Hell), the more horrifying and black are their souls. Lust, from whence the Marquis hails, resides in the Second Circle. Malphas controls Violence, the Seventh. There are only nine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;">xxxxxx</b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Chapter 9</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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Beneath a recently renovated church in a dying
town in central Alabama, a young woman and her father huddled together in an
iron cage. Both had aided in the renovations of the main chapel by giving their
time and efforts to repair pews, paint walls, and clear brush around the
beautiful church. Neither had known of the basement in which they were now
being held. A basement decorated in reds and blacks. A basement that bore the
most disturbing paintings upon the walls. A basement with a single pristine
altar in the center of a nine-pointed star the color of blood. Candles
flickered at each point, each a different color to represent the circles of
Hell.<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“We have the sacrifices, My Lord Marquis.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The sniveling voice of the greater mephit
grated the demon’s nerves even as it gloried in the creature’s subservience.
Unfurling his leathery wings, the Marquis turned to observe the humans its
underlings had procured for him and smiled. Yes, this pair would do very well
indeed. He might even allow the cockroach to have some fun once he and his underlings
were bored with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The girl?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Her aura is pure, My Lord,” the mephit
simpered. “The man is her Sire. It…it is the eve of her wedding, My Lord.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Really?” The demon’s fangs gleamed in the
flickering light of the many candelabra that stood around the summoning
chamber. His smile was the distillation of all that was wicked, evil, and
sinful and it was directed at the trembling young woman desperately trying to
hide in her father’s arms. The Marquis stalked towards the cage, his red eyes
glowing with anticipation. “Delicious! You’ve done well, imp. Prepare the
altar. It’s time to anoint it for our General’s purpose.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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The mephit bowed low, sniveling and groveling
its obeisance as it awkwardly hopped to the carved marble block that dominated
the center of the chamber. Metal shackles were unlocked and chains were looped
through iron rings set into the tile floor. Cold iron padlocks were set near
the chains, opened and ready to restrain their first victim. And a lovely
victim she was. The mephit violated her nubile body with its eyes; it hoped it
would have the chance to do the same with its cock.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Marquis sent a mental command to the pair
of lesser demons guarding the couple. Fangs flashing in the flickering light,
they eagerly reached into the cage and pulled the male’s arms through the bars.
The underlings cackled at his struggles and protests and wrenched his arms
securely behind his body, holding him in place with Infernal strength. Opening
the door with the flick of one clawed hand, the demon lord let his crimson gaze
drift from his minions to assess the value of his prizes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The male was probably considered handsome
enough. The puling human females lusted after one with his sandy blonde hair,
strong jawline, and pale blue eyes. He appeared to be a strong specimen, in
good health and with little body fat; his shoulders were broad, waist narrow,
and hips slim. The man’s thighs looked muscular beneath his twill slacks. The
demon hoped the rest of him was proportionate. They would know soon enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The girl was a prize, indeed. Her hair was as
fair as her father’s and it hung over her back in tangled curls where it had
fallen from its careful coiffure. She had dark eyes and a smattering of
freckles across a pert nose. Her plump lips looked suitably fuckable and he
couldn’t wait to get them around his cock as he violated her tender throat. The
human’s dress, now torn and dirty from her struggles with her captors, hugged
her slender figure and showed off her firm breasts and gently curving hips. The
Marquis licked his lips as he imagined pounding his cock into her tight pussy
while she screamed in fear and pain. Oh, yes. Definitely a prize.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Undress him.” The lesser demons giggled in
anticipation as they waited for their master’s command to take over the girl’s
consciousness. She struggled, her horror plain on her tear-streaked face, but
no ordinary human could ignore a demon of his power and status. Her trembling
hands began working on the buttons of her father’s shirt. “Enjoy him as you
do.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-65302073311861981012012-09-12T14:54:00.001-05:002012-09-12T15:06:08.856-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 8 Snippet<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>This is the lead-in to Chapter 08, the mating of Blake and Alicia. This chapter is full of sex, BDSM, sex, bondage, sex, sadomasochism, sex, and...oh yes, SEX. Unfortunately, there is none in this snippet. Don't be greedy! This will be submitted on Sunday and should post on Lit around the 18th of September depending on when they process it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>xxxxxx</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Chapter 08</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blake deftly maneuvered the sleek sports car
through the few twists and turns along the mostly deserted street while
stealing glimpses of his silent companion. He’d verified that his mate fully
understood what would occur should she choose to return to his suite and spend
the weekend with him. Though it was clear that she was nervous, she had also
been adamant. He’d had to wrestle for control from his overly eager beast to
keep from taking her then and there, and the struggle had shown in his crimson
eyes. Nipping at her plump lower lip, he’d removed the bindings from her
delicate wrists, helped her rise from the bed, and instructed her to wear
something comfortable for the trip to his apartment. He grimaced as she dressed
casually in jeans and a t-shirt emblazoned with The Bill from Schoolhouse Rock.
They would clearly have to discuss her appalling taste in clothing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“What?” Looking down at her outfit, Alicia
wondered if she was perhaps dressed a bit too comfortably. “Hey, man, don’t
diss The Bill! He’s totally cool.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Really, beautiful? The entire ensemble is
atrocious. Isn’t there something a little nicer in there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Make up your mind, Blake. It’s either “nice”
or “comfortable.” The two don’t mix.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Are you going to fight me on everything?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Probably.” Alicia chuckled softly while
rising on her toes to brush her lips against his. “But you know you love it, my
vampire.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Not too sassy, brat,” Blake growled lowly,
pulling her flush against his hard body and giving her a punishing kiss, “or
there’ll be hell to pay later.” Stepping back, he swatted her jean-clad ass
smartly with the crop and grinned at her yelp. “Fine…to the car with you, brat.
Once we’re at the apartment, I’ll simply have to remove the offending garments
as quickly as possible.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After the initial small talk and laughter of
the first few miles, his mate had grown quiet and contemplative and he worried
she was regretting her hasty decision. He’d verified several times that she
understood her decision to be final; he wouldn’t return her to the Pierce’s
estate before the weekend was up regardless of her second thoughts. Reaching
over, he trailed his fingers lightly down her neck, where he’d recently bitten
into her delectable throat, and smirked at her quickly indrawn breath. Damn,
but she was responsive to his slightest touch!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Blake, please don’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Changing your mind already, beautiful?”
Frowning, he withdrew his hand and clenched the steering wheel with more force
than was necessary to maintain control of the powerful vehicle. “You are the
one who set this night in motion, Alicia. I told you before we left that I
would not return you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You’re totally bat-shit crazy, you know that?
Ow!” His hand had landed with unnatural precision upon the marks the crop had
left earlier, and the sting brought tears to her eyes. “Sorry! But you’re
nuttier than a fruitcake if you think I wanna go anywhere right now without
you. I’m trying very hard not to pounce on you like some depraved sex-fiend, my
vampire, and you touching where you last bit me with those wicked fangs is <i>so</i> not helping.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Sex-fiend, beautiful?” His grip relaxed on
the wheel, a pleased smirk curled the edges of his lips as he watched the blush
work its way up his mate’s neck, to her cheeks, and deep into her hairline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yeah.” Alicia rubbed her smarting inner thigh
while desperately trying to maintain control over her baser urges. Shrugging as
nonchalantly as possible, she crossed her arms over her chest and attempted a
glare. “What can I say? You bring out the worst in me, fang face.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Oh, I think I bring out the best in you,
Beautiful One. I adore seeing that passionate fire in your eyes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I bet you do but I’m not sure even your
ancient vampire skills can hold this car on the road if I …if … um …” Voice
trailing off in embarrassment, Alicia’s gaze wandered down his body to rest at
the considerable bulge pressing against his trousers. She could feel the hunger
of her shadowy self and unconsciously licked her lips at the remembered taste
of her mate. Her hand had just crossed the center of the car when it was
gripped firmly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“None of that, beautiful. Besides, we have
much to discuss before we arrive at my home.” Tilting her head in a distinctly
bird-like manner, Alicia attempted to pull her hand free from his implacable
grip. “And put away the talons, mate, or you’ll finish the rest of the trip
naked and bound fast.” Her struggles against his hold ceased immediately.
Withdrawing her talons took slightly longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Fine. What’s there to talk about?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Watch your tone, Beautiful One. I’m not
adverse to providing discipline for more than just your language, you know.” He
waited until she acknowledged the point before continuing. “Now, the last time
we were in the playroom I failed to fully explain the rules.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Rules? There are rules?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes, there are rules. You already know one; I
gave it to you before we began last time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You did?” Alicia nibbled her lip, thinking.
“Oh! You mean the whole ‘red means stop’ thing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Precisely. Any time you reach your absolute
limit and feel you can’t take any more, say your safeword and everything stops
immediately and without question.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Okay, but things will start again, right?” He
nearly chuckled, as her blush was nearly bright enough to light up the car’s
interior, but he refrained. Blake was just so damn proud that his mate was
curious enough to overcome her reluctance to question things. “I mean, once
whatever it was stops or…or whatever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“No, Beautiful One. Red means an end to all
play until we’ve had a chance to discuss the incident. We might be able to
resume later or it may have to be put off until the next day or even later than
that. It’s a powerful word, Alicia, and one not to be used lightly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I guess I understand but why not just use
“no”? And what if, well, I need you to stop but only for a bit? You know, like
something’s poking me that’s not supposed to or I need to take a pi…er, use the
bathroom?” Alicia sighed happily when Blake gently stroked the healed bite on
her throat. “What’s that for, my vampire?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Self-correction is to be rewarded,
beautiful.” He trailed his fingers along her jaw line and laughed when she
caught one in her small teeth and teased it with her tongue. “Behave, brat. As
for your other questions, we won’t use “no” because you might have cause to say
it without meaning it. As much as you like the feel of the flogger, your
instincts will be to deny me or beg me to stop when, in reality, you want me to
override your wishes and whip you harder. Understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yeah. It hurts like a son of bitch but…GOD!
Blake, dammit, stop…OW! Okay, okay! I’m sorry.” Rubbing her stinging thigh from
the two exceedingly sharp smacks from his preternaturally quick hand, Alicia
wondered just how he knew where to hit in order to find the already-sore spots
from earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You <i>will</i>
moderate your language, mate, or I shall continue to do it for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes, Sir. I’m sorry, Sir.” She seemed to
shrivel under his scowl of disapproval and Blake felt a momentary pang of
regret for his harsh tone. Pulling his eyes away from her lest he soften, he
acknowledged her form of address with a brief but gentle caress along her
abused thigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Now, as for your other question, think of it
like a traffic light. If Red means stop, then a brief pause would be Yellow.
Use this for anything that isn’t dire but needs immediate attention such as
needing to use the ladies’ room or having a cramp or numbness. You will not
disappoint me for using either of your safewords, Alicia, so don’t try to
suffer through something that can be easily remedied. If I find that you have
caused yourself an injury due to a reluctance to use your safeword, then and
only then will I be disappointed as well as extremely angry. Do you
understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes, Sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blake pulled the car onto the shoulder,
slipped it into neutral, and pulled the emergency brake. “Look at me, mate.”
Holding her chin firmly, he waited until her eyes rose to his before speaking.
“Your safety is my first priority, Alicia Johnston, and I will be most
displeased should you place yourself in danger when it could have been avoided.
There is no shame in using your safewords and I will not think less of you
should you have to.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“But…if I was really into this kind of thing,
shouldn’t I be able to handle anything you do to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Everyone has their breaking point, Beautiful
One, and your past may well rise to haunt you. I need to know when it gets to
be too much and the only one who can tell me this is you. This doesn’t make you
a failure nor does it mean that you’re weak.” Blake gently caressed her lips
with his thumb but never released her from his dark, serious gaze. “I want to
have you cuddled next to me in our bed delightfully sore and struggling not to
curse me; I do <i>not</i> want to have to
hold you as you cry tears of pain and distress simply because you thought you
could, or should, be able to handle everything. I will do my best to ensure
your well-being but only you can tell me when you are truly reaching your
limit. Now do you understand, beautiful?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes, Sir.” He still saw shadows in her eyes
and narrowed his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Remember, beautiful, there are consequences
to all actions. Don’t test me on this one for you will most definitely not like
the outcome.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes, Sir!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This time, her voice was stronger and the
shadows had fled. Satisfied, Blake gave her lips one final caress and
maneuvered the sports car back onto the road for the final leg of their
journey. He pulled into the private entrance of the parking garage and
navigated the dark, spiraled path to his secure carport. Parking alongside a
modest domestic compact, he helped Alicia from the Veyron and held her close
during the entire trip up the elevator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-43317275087125947962012-08-30T07:25:00.001-05:002012-08-30T08:46:37.929-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 07 Snippet<i>This is the intro to the next chapter of There's a Fine Line and the lead in to two of the most graphic chapters I've ever written. There are further BDSM elements of Blake and Alicia's relationship in this chapter (though not in this snippet) which will be explored in greater detail in the near future.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Enjoy!</i><br />
<br />
<b>xxxxxx</b><br />
<b>There's a Fine Line...</b><br />
<b>Chapter 07</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Narrow
bands of sunlight filtered through the curtains, waking Alicia from a most
inappropriate yet extremely arousing dream. After Blake’s parting words the
night before detailing all he wished to do to her, all he planned to do to her,
there was little wonder that her dreams had been full of him. And her.
Together. Rolling over, she groaned into her pillow as desire flooded her body
and moisture pooled between her thighs. She’d already had a taste of his
expertise in carnal pleasures and, even if going further scared her, she still
craved more. She craved her mate. She flipped onto her back and snorted in
disgust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Mate.
He’s my fucking mate. Son of a bitch.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Admitting
it aloud didn’t upset her like she’d expected. Instead, it seemed to grant her
a peace that she’d only felt once before: the night Blake had strapped her to
his bench and flogged her. Grumbling as much from the revelation as from the
early hour, Alicia rose from the bed and wandered into the shower. In a few
short weeks, her entire life had been turned on its ear. Even after the Reveal,
she’d never given much thought to the nonhumans except as either potential
employers or unaware “clients.” In the cutthroat world of the homeless, race
mattered little over what someone could give you. To think of herself as
belonging to one of them, mating with one of them, and possibly even becoming
one of them, were frightening yet oddly reassuring thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As
she smoothed the soapy sponge over the taut plane of her stomach, her dreams
returned in vivid detail and she couldn’t help but imagine that <i>he</i> was touching her, learning her
curves, teasing her with those insanely skillful fingers and lips. Closing her
eyes with a soft moan, she dropped the sponge as she hesitantly slid her hands
along her wet, slick skin. For the first time in her young and troubled life,
she explored her body to learn what she liked. For once, she could think of
herself as a sexual being without shame. For that, she would always owe her
vampire more than she could repay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">With
the force of the heated water beating down upon her, Alicia explored the body
she thought she knew. Cupping her small breasts, she stroked the rounded globes
and was amazed by their softness. She wasn’t as large in the bust as many of
her peers but Blake had seemed to enjoy stroking and licking them. And biting
them. With a whimper at the memory of sharp fangs sinking slowly into delicate
skin, she lightly pinched the hard nubs that graced their peaks. It felt
pleasant enough but seemed to be lacking…something. Again, she pinched her
nipples but added a twist that caused her to catch her breath. Yes…this is what
she was missing and what she needed. Gripping the reddened tips firmly, she
gave them both a cruel twist and gasped as the pain shot pleasure straight to
her neglected core. Leaning against the cool tile, she gave her abused nipples
a second twist, harder and crueler than the first and moaned at the dual
sensations. Pleasure from pain; pain that became pleasure. She didn’t entirely
understand yet but she was beginning to learn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Needing
more, she closed her eyes and pictured Blake’s ruggedly handsome face as she
let one hand trail slowly down her stomach to the soft bed of curls that lay
below. As she gently tugged and twisted her nipple almost absently, Alicia slid
a finger along her soft folds. She shifted her feet a little wider in the
stall, pressing her back against the wall as she stroked the small bundle of
nerves that had given her so much pleasure at her mate’s command. It radiated
warm pleasure with even the gentlest of touches and she spent many minutes just
enjoying it and thinking of all that was to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How
would it feel to finally give her mate that last piece of herself that she’d
guarded so closely for so long? Would it hurt in that painfully pleasant way,
or simply hurt? Would he be the gentle lover or the domineering vampire? Which
would she prefer? Teasing her clit almost absently, she accidentally scraped
the tender nubbin with an errant fingernail and inhaled sharply. God, the pain
was delicious! Praying that Blake wouldn’t be gentle, she altered her caresses
until they bordered on vicious. As she built towards her ultimate ecstasy, she
gripped the small bit of flesh in her fingers. Moaning loudly as she brutalized
both her nipple and her clit, she gave the tender flesh in both her fingers a
savage twist. Her cry was loud, echoed with a hint of her avian tones, and
filled with the pleasure of her release. Slowly sinking down in the small
shower stall, Alicia trembled as the last aftershocks of her orgasm passed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once
she was certain she could stand without stumbling, she rose to complete her
shower. She dressed comfortably in a pair of relaxed jeans and a loose t-shirt
with a pair of backless sandals. Glancing at her clothing, she frowned at what
she saw. The clothing was certainly comfortable but that was all that could be
said for it. It was concealing and shapeless and, quite frankly, unattractive.
It had been a necessity on the streets; curvy little girls were prime targets for
the stronger sexual predators but shapeless or plump ones were often
overlooked. Rummaging through her closet, she was dismayed to see that all of
her clothing fell into the same style. Perhaps she could persuade Ms. Pierce to
take her shopping for an outfit that would shock her vampire? Alicia grinned as
her eyes faded to black. Oh, what delicious punishment would he offer? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">She
nearly skipped down to breakfast, humming a silly tune from her youth as she
piled her plate with eggs and bacon while waiting on her toast. Not daring
enough to go for something truly slutty, Alicia thought she could pull off a
mini-skirt and midriff top, perhaps. Her legs were decent enough and though she
hadn’t seen the inside of a gym since high school, her stomach was nothing to
be embarrassed about. She was about to pour a cup of coffee when a glass of
orange juice appeared before her eyes like magic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I
think you’d do better to drink this, McNugget.” Francisco grinned at her yelp
of surprise and swirled the pulpy liquid in the glass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Ok,
Cisco. What’s with everyone pushing juice on me all of a sudden and why can’t I
have my coffee?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You
need your energy replenished, Alicia. Your mate has been rather fang-happy, and
it shows.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“It
does?” Alicia looked horrified for a moment while wondering just what else was
so readily apparent to her hosts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Yup.”
Her friend grinned and sat her glass in front of her before taking the opposite
seat at the table. “You’re too pale, a bit shaky, and it’s plain that you’re
sometimes dizzy when you first stand up. You have a mild case of anemia,
sweetie – very common in a vampire’s human companion and a near constant
condition to the human mate of one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“So,
that’s what he was talking about.” A blush rose in her cheeks as she petulantly
speared her eggs. “How long will it last? I want my coffee, dammit.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Francisco
chuckled and rose to pour her a cup. “You can have coffee after you finish your
juice, little girl.” His teasing set her at ease, as it always did, and she
shared in his laughter. “As long as he keeps his fangs to himself, you should
be fine in a day or so. You’ll need to get some red meat into you, though.”
When her cheeks flushed nearly purple with embarrassment, his laughter echoed
throughout the room. “You naughty human, you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Fuck
you, Cisco!” Alicia gave him a rude gesture before turning her burning, yet
smiling, face towards her breakfast. Totally unperturbed by her mock hostility,
Francisco finished fixing her coffee and sat it before her once her juice was
gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Elizabeth
is working from home today, by the way.” The young vampire moved easily around
the kitchen preparing his own version of a meal – a warmed glass of bottled
blood mixed with a spicy V8. His announcement was spoken casually yet he
watched his human friend closely. Blake had spoken to the small coven about his
mate and all were eager to help her to understand and accept her needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Oh.
Ok. D’you think she’d see me? I need to talk to her about something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Of
course she will, Alicia. Shall I let her know to expect you after breakfast?”
He was rewarded by a renewal of her blush but she nodded immediately. Touching
on the very light bond they still shared, he could feel that she was happier
and more at peace than at any time in the past few weeks. Dropping a brotherly
kiss on the top of her head, he nearly danced from the room to alert his Lady.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-31056348962048481082012-08-15T09:38:00.001-05:002012-08-15T09:38:31.568-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 6 Snippet<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><i>This chapter is a bit short, just barely 2 Lit pages, so the teaser will be short as well at just under 1000 words. This chapter will also introduce a new character (not included in this snippet) whose bio I posted recently. You'll also get some info on our baddies. So, short chapter, lots of info. This should go live early next week but for now, enjoy the snippet!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>xxxxxx</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Chapter 6</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Alicia
aimlessly wandered the spacious gallery of the Pierces’ home, paying little
attention to the elegant sculptures or the exquisite artwork that graced the
large room. Francisco had vouched for the slender elf and called his sires home
to discuss the spells the shaman wished to place around the estate at Blake’s
behest. The two men had spoken of trivialities, the kind of small talk one
indulges in at a cocktail party, while she had fumed in a barely civil silence
and fled the moment Elizabeth had arrived. For all his talk of the importance
of honesty, it seemed that Blake Simons held himself to a different standard
than he did others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He’d
been attacked by six creatures – three from a totally different plane of
existence – but didn’t feel she deserved to know. If he didn’t think she
deserved to know when he wound up in a situation that could have meant injury
or even death, then what did she deserve? Was she nothing more to him than what
she’d originally feared: a quick and easy fuck? She snorted unhappily at the
thought. He hadn’t even tried to have sex with her when she’d spent the night
with him, so that was out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Gripping
her hands tightly to avoid grabbing the nearest priceless treasure and throwing
it violently against the wall, Alicia stalked from the room, no longer trusting
her self-control. With a manic gleam to her pearly black eyes, she entered the
small gym on the ground floor and approached the punching bag hidden in the
corner. Even during those horrible months with Markus, she’d never felt so
angry and upset and betrayed. She was supposed to be his mate, not a plaything
he could use then discard and forget. Tears ran down her cheeks as she attacked
the heavy, cylindrical bag, uncaring of the bruises on her knuckles and unaware
that her avian cries of rage and pain echoed through the empty room. Jagged
tears were beginning to form in the thick leather when powerful hands clamped
firmly but gently around her wrists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You’ll
hurt yourself, Beautiful One.” Blake’s murmur as he pulled her back against his
chest seemed to dispel all of her aggressive anger and left her feeling numb.
She neither struggled nor responded to his touch, though the tears continued to
fall in silent streams. “I’m sorry I didn’t call, Alicia. Though I’ve tried to
convince myself that I was only trying to protect you, the truth is that there
is no excuse for my actions.” Still holding her wrists, he wrapped her in his
embrace and nuzzled tenderly into her hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Were
you hurt?” Alicia’s voice was low and hoarse from weeping, and she was thankful
for the arms that held her. She was suddenly exhausted and doubted she could
stand without aid for, as angry as she had been at him, she couldn’t refrain
from asking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“No,
beautiful. They never even got that close.” Daring to place a light kiss upon
her cheek, he tightened his hold when she sagged in relief. “There were six.
Two vampires not much older than Johannes were being led by a third who might
have passed his first century. They were still too human in their ways to be much
of a threat, even had I been unarmed. I’m rarely unarmed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You
use weapons?” Still soft, her voice was slightly stronger and full of confused
curiosity. A quick glance told him that her tears had slowed to a mere trickle,
which lightened his heart considerably. Joyously, he chuckled softly at her
disbelief and gave her a brief squeeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Yes,
my sweet. I prefer handguns in such situations, though I’ve trained in most
firearms from shotguns to sniper rifles and everything in between. I keep the
pistols out of sight unless they’re needed, and then they’re easily accessible.
The younglings had little opportunity to do more than annoy me because I’d
dirtied my suit.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You
said six…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“The
other three were Mephits, small creatures commonly referred to as the
cockroaches of Hell. They’re easily manipulated by those with a stronger will,
but vicious when ordered to attack. They don’t just obey their masters, they
enjoy it. Their pitiful existence is only made bearable by transferring their
abuse onto others.<span style="color: red;"> </span>They posed a problem simply
because of their tendency to shoot bursts of hellfire at their opponents.” She
shivered and his arms tightened around her. “Some singed hair and a ruined
shirt was all they managed before they were eliminated, Beautiful One.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“They
were after me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Not
directly.” Blake sighed, wishing he didn’t have to reveal the reasoning behind
the attack but unwilling to make another glaring error in judgment. He slid his
hands from her wrists to entwine their fingers, his thumb stroking her wrist
soothingly. “They were after me as a means of getting to you. The loss of a
mate is a thousand times worse than the loss of a loved one, Alicia. Many fall
into a despair so great they slowly waste away, while others can’t handle the
pain and either go rogue or commit suicide. It is our belief that Malphas’ plan
was to eliminate me in hopes you’d be more susceptible to his manipulations.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“How
could he think I’d have anything to do with him if he was responsible for
taking you from me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I
don’t think he planned on us figuring that part out so soon, Beautiful One, or
he has something more to use as leverage. What that may be, however, we don’t
know. Yet.” When the silence stretched, with only the sound of their breathing
to break it, Blake turned the precious human in his arms to face him and cupped
her cheek tenderly. “Talk to me, Alicia. Yell, scream, hit me…whatever it
takes, but tell me what you’re thinking right now.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-4405909765207447532012-08-02T16:35:00.000-05:002012-08-02T16:35:53.081-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 05 Snippet<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">All good things must come to an end, much like Blake's and Alicia's date. Chapter 5 will be submitted to Lit on Sunday, 4Aug12, but here's a teaser to tide you over.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>xxxxxx</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>There's a Fine Line...</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Chapter Five</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Reluctantly
pulling away from the Pierce Estate, Blake watched his mate in the rearview
mirror until a curve in the drive blocked her from his sight. His beast
grumbled and paced at leaving Alicia behind with other vampires, especially
when one of them was <i>unmated</i>, but was
partially soothed to see that she stayed on the stairs until he had disappeared
from her view as well. The only thing that prevented the creature from
demanding they bring her back to their suite was the fact that he’d have to
forbid her from leaving should he have to go to the office or attend a meeting.
He didn’t want to cage her and, at least with the Pierces, she had some freedom
of movement. The wrought-iron gates latched shut behind the silver sports car
and Blake shifted into gear with a sigh. No matter the reasoning, it was still
difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
road was deserted as he sped across the asphalt though his mind was occupied
with thoughts of his beautiful mate and their night together. Their time in the
elevator had been interesting, to say the least, and he’d already requested an
associate with some basic skills in magic to look at the wall and see if it
could be repaired. He was tempted to leave it as it was but it had seemed to
upset Alicia on their ride down to the garage so he’d fix it if it brought her
peace. Hell, he’d change buildings if that’s what it took. Smirking ruefully,
he shook his head at the thought. How his friends would laugh to see him so
wrapped around the little human’s finger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
was clear, however, that he needed to spend some serious time with his mate in
the playroom. He’d never seen anyone take to the flogger and the paddle the way
she had. She’d even gotten sassy with him when she realized there was pleasure
to be found in the pain. Grinning, he knew he’d have his hands full with his spirited
little brat and he was eager to take on the challenge. Her susceptibility to
subspace, though, had surprised him. He’d only had a few submissives over his
many centuries that were able to fly beneath the flogger; he supposed he
shouldn’t have been surprised that his mate would be one of them. They were
truly well matched. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Downshifting
the powerful roadster to enter a sharp turn, Blake’s musings had distracted him
just enough that he didn’t notice the large rocks that had been rolled onto the
lane until it was too late. Clutch, brakes, and handbrake were all applied
immediately as he turned the steering wheel sharply in an effort to avoid
destroying his nearly two million dollar vehicle. The smell of burning rubber
joined the shrill shriek of the tires on the asphalt as the car slid sideways
towards the boulders. When the dust settled and his ears quit ringing from the
noise, Blake was relieved to see that he’d stopped half a foot from the closest
rock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
then the figures emerged from the blowing dust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">From
a small bush near the cliff side of the road, one vampire rose and began to
slowly advance towards the car while another appeared from behind one of the
large rocks. Blake curled his lip in a sneer as he watched them. <i>Younglings</i>. He took his time leaving the
vehicle, unbuttoning his suit’s navy blue jacket and tossing it carelessly into
the passenger seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I
really wouldn’t recommend doing anything…unfortunate.” The elder vampire
drawled as if bored while rolling up the sleeves of his pristine white shirt.
“I’ll get upset if I have to make a mess.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“There’s
gonna be a mess, all right.” One of the younglings grinned, crimson eyes
glowing malevolently. “But I think I’m gonna take that shiny toy you’re driving
after it’s all been cleaned up. Ain’t seen nothing like it except on the TV.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blake
merely smiled and leaned against the closed door with his arms crossed over his
chest. His mind was racing as he worked out just how to dispose of the two
vampires. The one who’d come from the bush and taunted him had stopped his
advance and stood mirroring his stance. The other was moving as quietly as he
was able…which counted for little in the face of Blake’s age and skill. His age
had also taught him patience, which the younglings had yet to learn. The chatty
one’s eyes darted around the ambush site, landing on more than just the single
vampire on the rocks and their victim. There were more to this group than he’d
originally thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hearing
the scrape of a boot on the rocks to his right, Blake dropped to the asphalt as
the vampire made his move. Had the situation not been quite so dire, he’d have
laughed when the enraged youngling hit the road face first. Instead, he quickly
rolled beneath the Bugatti to grab the pair of pistols he kept in a magnetized
box attached to the front passenger wheel well. Sliding off the safety, he took
aim and shattered the ankles of his talkative attacker and the rock diver.
There wasn’t enough space between the roadster and the rocks to use the car as
a barrier, so he rolled back out the way he came in. In a single smooth motion,
Blake rose to one-knee and quickly put two rounds into one of the screaming
vampire’s heads, removing him from the equation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Who
paid you to commit suicide?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Fuck
you, Simons! You ain’t leaving here alive.” Chatty snarled as he waved to
someone over Blake’s head. “Get him!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
smell of brimstone filled the air just seconds before a stream of fire singed
the elder vampire’s hair. Cursing, he dove towards the back of the small
vehicle and searched the sky for his attackers. Hovering about ten feet above
the ground were three short creatures straight from nightmares and fantasy novels.
Neither male nor female, they needed no garments to cover their leathery,
humanoid bodies. Approximately four feet
tall with broad bat-like wings, the lesser Infernals were a deep brick red and
completely hairless. They bore only three digits on each hand and had hooves
instead of feet. Upon their heads were two small horns that curved back away
from faces that held large black eyes and a canine snout above a set of vicious
fangs. A thin, whip like barbed tail completed the horrific image. The
creatures grinned down at the trapped vampire as they gathered the energy
needed for a second fiery attack. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Mephits?”
Attempting to hide his concern, his scornful words were directed to the vampire
he thought of as Chatty, who was clearly the leader of this little band.
“Someone is getting a bit desperate to be working with the cockroaches of the
Lower Planes.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One
of the mephits snarled and dove for the trapped vampire. Blake nearly grinned
as he easily dodged its clumsy attack and grabbed the Infernal’s tail, yanking
him from the sky. A quick twist, a slash with his razor sharp incisors and
there was one less fire-throwing creature to worry about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You
can’t win, Simons. Four against one ain’t good odds, no matter how old you
are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Four?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Blake took a quick glance around
the site in an effort to find the missing fourth attacker. Since Chatty hadn’t
counted the dead vampire in his numbers, it stood to reason that the dead
mephit wasn’t included either. His beast growled. No matter the numbers, it was
eager to dive into the fray. The human held it back for the moment but soon, it
would be allowed out to play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As he
scouted his surroundings one last time, he managed to pinpoint the hidden
vampire. Snorting in disgust, he realized it was slightly older but still
little more than a youngling. Either he was being insulted by the caliber of
his attackers or he was being severely underestimated. He didn’t appreciate
either option. Widening his stance and checking the slight difference in weight
of his guns, he got ready for the rest of the fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Time
to show me what you’ve really got, kiddies!" he murmured with a wicked
grin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-91233692799902396462012-07-19T09:30:00.001-05:002012-08-01T11:14:10.128-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 04 SnippetIn Chapter Three, Blake and Alicia take their relationship to a new level. The following chapter, like the following day, continues to build upon that foundation as well as brings new issues to light.<br />
<br />
<b>xxxxxx </b><br />
<b>There's a Fine Line...</b><br />
<b>Chapter Four</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Warm
rays of sunlight filtered through the heavy drapes, throwing streaks of light
here and there around the room. As the sun rose higher into the sky, one beam
stretched across the large, four-poster bed and into the eyes of the petite
female that lay upon it. Alicia grumbled sleepily and shifted, burying her face
into the warmth of a hard, bare male chest to get the light out of her eyes.
The warmth and scent that filled her senses had her sighing softly in
contentment. That contentment lasted about ten full seconds before her brain
latched onto one very important fact: namely, that she was pressed against a
hard, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bare</i> male chest. Suddenly wide
awake, her light brown eyes sprang open as she fought down her initial surge of
panic. A soft kiss was placed upon the top of her head as warm hands soothingly
caressed her skin. Her <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bare</i> skin.
Trembling, and with her memory of the night before still fuzzy, she furiously
wracked her brain as to just how she ended up in this situation and how quickly
she could extract herself from it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Good
morning, beautiful.” The sleepy murmur of Blake’s deep voice rumbled through
his chest and she was mesmerized by the sensual play of skin over muscle as he
stretched. That slight delay prevented her from scrambling from the bed,
however, and his arms returned to her waist and pulled her close once more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Her
mind was working at ninety miles an hour trying to remember what had happened
and what hadn’t. Though mostly naked, her vampire mate still wore some sort of
underwear as she could feel the scrape of cloth against her skin. She blushed
furiously as she realized, and then remembered, that her own lacy panties had
been shredded and discarded towards the end of the night. And what a night!
Alicia wasn’t certain which was worse: the things she’d told him or the things
she’d let him do. Let him? God, she’d have been begging him for more if he’d tried
to stop. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Searching
her brain for something, anything, to say to break the silence that was
stretching towards discomfort, she blurted out the first thing that came to
mind. “You’re still here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Of
course I am, beautiful.” He caressed her cheek softly and, laying her on her
back, rolled onto his side and propped up on an elbow to gaze tenderly down at
her. “I made a vow, Alicia. I don’t make them often but, when I do, I will move
heaven and earth to keep them.” His free hand rested lightly on her stomach as
his thumb rubbed the smooth skin soothingly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Thank
you.” Her words were soft, barely a whisper, but her soft brown eyes glowed
with gratitude – and growing affection. He smiled and dipped his head to kiss
her leisurely. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“That
look in your eyes is all the thanks I need, Alicia.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Squirming
slightly under his intense gaze, she hissed as the soft sheets rubbed against
her sore and bruised skin. The brief stab of pain was followed by remembered
pleasure and she couldn’t stop herself from deliberately moving again. When
Blake’s fingers gently caressed her cheek, she trembled and let her eyes drift
closed as she sank back into that cloud of peace she’d felt immediately after
his final spanking. Something about the mixture of pain and pleasure and his steady,
gentle touch soothed her like nothing she’d ever known before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Alicia
drifted along on pure sensation. Each time she started to descend from the
peaceful feelings, all she had to do was wriggle just enough to scrape her
bruised rear on the sheets to send those awfully wonderful darts of
pleasure-pain shooting through her once more. She was aware of her vampire
holding her, touching her, whispering words of tender care into her ear as she
flew, weightless and carefree, above a world filled with pain and hurt and
confusion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">She’d
lost track of time when she heard her mate’s deep, seductive voice calling for
her. At first, she resisted. She’d found a place where she felt safe, loved,
even cherished and she didn’t want to lose that. As Alicia slowly returned to
herself, Blake’s firm hands continued to pet her and stroke her while he
promised her that, no matter where she was, she was cherished more than all of
his most prized possessions combined. Even the pain could no longer hold her
there for he’d cradled her close to his chest and her bruised and striped
bottom no longer pressed stingingly against the mattress.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“It’s
time to come back to me, Beautiful One.” When her eyes fluttered open, the
hazel-brown orbs dreamy and soft, he smiled and rubbed his lips across hers in
the softest of butterfly kisses. Her answering smile was slow in coming but it
made his heart sing with joy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What
happened?” Shyly, Alicia brought a hand up to caress Blake’s face – one of the
few times she’d initiated any kind of contact between them. He leaned his cheek
into her touch, his eyes drifting closed in pleasure. “It felt like I was
flying and nothing could ever hurt me again.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Nothing
ever will if I can prevent it.” He brushed her hair from her eyes tenderly and
wondered just what the fates saw in this young girl to make her so dear to him.
“And what you felt is something called subspace. If you look it up online, and
I encourage you to do so, you’ll find that nearly everyone’s description about
it will vary as each person experiences it differently. You’ll find that what
sends one person into subspace does nothing for the next; you may even learn
for yourself that what sent you there last night and this morning will not at a
later date. You may learn, with time, that even how you experience it varies.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“If
it’s so hard to define, then how do you know that’s what happened?” She spoke
softly as she explored the lines and planes of her mate’s face. She dared not
risk shattering this moment with anything above a whisper.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Because
you described it perfectly.” Chuckling softly at her confused frown, Blake
captured one errant finger with his lips and licked the sensitive pad. Alicia
shivered in delight and blushed at his smile. “It is often described as a
feeling of flying or floating, but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way
for you. Like I said, look it up. Read many different accounts and you’ll
understand more what I mean. No matter what you find, however, know this: I
will never leave you during this time. You would be vulnerable in ways you
cannot even imagine.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Like
you didn’t leave me last night.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Just
like that, Beautiful One.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After
another gentle kiss, she watched her vampire slide off the mattress and stretch
leisurely. The muscles rippled along his back and down to his tapered waist to
where a pair of black cotton briefs hugged his toned rear. Her fingers itched
to trace a path from his shoulders to that aggravating bit of material that hid
his body from her greedy eyes. With a knowing smirk, he turned to catch her
avid stare and watched as her desire grew. There was a faint dusting of ebony
curls along his toned chest that tapered to a solid line disappearing beneath
his briefs. Briefs which, at that moment, were straining to hold what looked to
be a rather impressive erection. Licking her lips, she wondered how he’d feel
in her mouth, how he’d taste. Fuck, he was gorgeous! Even if he only wore a
burlap sack, she had a feeling that he could turn a nun into a whore. Her eyes
swirled with shadows until their light brown shade shifted darkly and gleamed
like polished jet. Under their lustful gaze, more than just his smug smile
grew.</span></div>Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-13101867510934608132012-07-05T20:30:00.001-05:002012-07-05T20:30:28.525-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 3 Snippet<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Yes, you finally get to see Blake and Alicia together! Yes, this is a short snippet! Yes, I'm evil! Enjoy :D</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>xxxxxx</b> <br />
<b>There's a Fine Line...</b><br />
<b>Chapter Three </b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Alicia
nervously smoothed and re-smoothed the expensive little black dress Elizabeth
had helped her pick out that morning. When she’d tried it on in the store, it’d
seemed a lot more…well, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">there</i> than it
did now: more length to cover her shapely legs, more lace to cover her small
but overflowing cleavage, more cloth in general instead of possessively hugging
her curves. Knowing her mate, he’d be searching for the tiny zipper that ran
from the back of her neck to her waist before they’d even gotten in the car.
She tugged on the hem again in the hopes that she could pull a few more inches
from some hidden wrinkle and paced the Library awkwardly in her new heeled
sandals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Catching
a glimpse of her image in the large bay window, her shoulders slumped. Whatever
made her think she could impress a centuries old vampire? Though the window
reflected the gentle waves of her black tipped and streaked sandy blonde hair,
her petite but curvy body, and the way the dress set all her best features off
to perfection, Alicia only saw the street kid she still felt herself to be –
the little girl playing dress up in someone else’s fancy clothes. She’d never
forgotten her mother’s thoughtlessly cruel comments as she bemoaned her
daughter’s small bosom or slim hips. Coupled with Markus’ harsh words the first
time he saw her completely naked, that she looked more like a young boy than a
grown woman, and she’d always been extremely self-conscious of her body. Lewd
comments from the men on the streets weren’t helpful; they’d fuck a knot-hole
in a fencepost if you tied fake tits on it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“You
are determined to make me feel unwanted, beautiful, if you continue to look so
unhappy to see me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">With
a jump, Alicia turned towards the door to where Blake Simons lounged casually
against the frame. Dressed in one of his tailored black suits with a blood-red
and black striped tie and crisp, white shirt, her vampire mate looked like he’d
walked straight off the cover of GQ. As her hungry eyes took in his every
detail, from his polished, black wing-tipped shoes to his dark brown hair that
her fingers itched to touch, he was heaven and sin wrapped in a deliciously
gorgeous package. When his lips quirked in amusement as her eyes shifted to bottomless
black pools of aroused hunger, her gaze focused on the movement. She licked her
lips in response, remembering the taste of him. The dark side that’d been
dormant for so long rose just that little bit more to bring her closer to her
goal – closer to her mate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blake
straightened from the doorway and watched the girl stalk him from across the
room. In reaction to her new shadowy nature, his beast surged forwards with
lustful glee. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This</i> was the creature
who was to be his. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This</i> was the
passion he knew she suppressed. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This</i>
was the mate who’d been promised him since the day of his creation. Stepping
forward, more vampire than man, Blake took her wrists and pulled them behind
her, securing them in one of his large hands. The fingers of his free hand
tangled in her gloriously streaked hair and pulled her head back so he could
drag his fangs along her bared throat. Her moan and the rising scent of her
desire urged him to continue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Is
this what you want, beautiful?” His lips and the moist heat of his tongue followed
the scraped and burning path of those sharp incisors, licking and teasing and
healing the marks he’d placed upon her neck. When she struggled to get free, he
pulled harshly on her hair and growled against her fragile skin. “Seeing you in
this dress, with so much of your warm, luscious skin bared to my greedy eyes,
is both a pleasure and a torment. Do you know what you’re doing to me,
beautiful?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I’m…I’m
not doing anything,” her pleasure-filled denial was answered with a swift
strike of those deadly teeth into the thick vein that pumped her life’s blood.
Blake took only a single mouthful, nearly losing his tenuous hold on his
self-control and ruining his designer suit at the taste of his mate, before
swiftly healing the wounds with more laps of his teasing tongue than was
needed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“No?
This dress is positively sinful, beautiful. The lace teases me, dares me to
explore its secrets and seek out the treasures it hides. Shall I go hunting, my
mate?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Alicia’s
knees nearly buckled when his hand released her hair to trail over and tease
along the edge of the aforementioned lace. “Oh, god.” Unaware of her actions
and only knowing she needed more of this man – his lips, his touch, even those
razor-sharp teeth – she arched her back to try and force his hand lower</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Smiling
with evil triumph, Blake’s long fingers returned to her hair and pulled until Alicia
was stretched backwards across the iron band of his arm as if suspended in the
dip of an erotic dance. Her eyes closed and her breasts heaved as his fangs began
a new journey, this time along her collarbone to the dip of her throat where a
slight pressure was followed by an even slighter sting. His low, satisfied
growl when his tongue lapped at the tiny bead of blood he’d drawn sent a flush
of heat throughout her body. Further still traveled that sinfully wicked mouth,
nipping and lapping and suckling her skin until she thought she’d go insane.
When his lips edged under the black lace and closed around a diamond-hard
nipple, pleasure exploded through her body. Her scream of release echoed oddly
around the small room with a shrill, birdlike resonance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blake
released her hair and wrists in time to catch her limp body as her trembling
legs gave out completely. Holding her close to his hard and aching body, he smiled
with justified male pride at the satisfaction he’d just given his mate. He
couldn’t wait to unleash their passions freely and drink in her pleasure-filled
blood. Running his hands soothingly along her back, he hid his smirk in her
glorious, slender neck while her trembling slowly calmed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Blake?”
Alicia whispered softly against his chest, slowly easing her arms around his
waist and holding him equally close to her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Yes,
beautiful?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What
just happened?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chuckling
softly, he drew back and brushed her hair from her flushed face. “I think you
know the answer to that.” When her blush deepened, he chuckled again and
ghosted his lips across hers. “Are you alright?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dropping
her eyes shyly, she nodded while a small smile danced over her lips. Alright? She
was more than alright; she was positively brilliant! It wasn’t like it was her
first orgasm, Markus loved to torment her with her body’s reactions to his
disgustingly skilled touch, but it was the first that nearly made her weep with
joy. It was the first she’d had without guilt. It was the first given to her by
her glorious mate. Thinking he couldn’t feel it through the layers of clothes,
Alicia pressed a soft kiss of gratitude and (dare she admit it?) budding
affection to Blake’s heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“God,
beautiful, you’re making it very hard to be good.” His pained groan, coupled
with a gentle grind of his granite-hard erection, sent the color back to her
cheeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What?
Oh…” Embarrassed, Alicia started to pull away but his arms tightened into steel
bands around her and held her firmly in place. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled into
his tie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blake
dropped a kiss on her head. “Don’t be. I treasure the kiss, beautiful, but I’d
like for our first time together to be somewhere other than Elizabeth’s antique
desk…and her throw rug…and maybe even that tapestry-print chaise.” His heart
soared at her choked giggle and he willed his body to behave. As much as he
wanted to pin her over that desk and bury every inch of his aching hardness
into her delightful body, he knew she wasn’t quite ready for that just yet. He
didn’t want to scare her off just as she was beginning to accept him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Not
the chaise, Blake, really.” She murmured softly with a faint blush still
staining her cheeks.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“And whyever
not, beautiful?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“It’ll
stain and I’d have to explain that to Ms. Pierce. That’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so</i> not a conversation I wanna have, ok?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Laughing,
he pulled back and tucked a black strand of hair behind her ear. Intrigued, Blake
ran his fingers gently through her hair and noticed that the texture of the black
strands and tips were different from the rest. Coupled with her unusual cry of
release earlier, certain details were beginning to fall into place but to what
result? When she closed her eyes and smiled, he couldn’t resist pressing a
gentle kiss to her lips once more.</span></div>Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-35563757410011518602012-06-24T14:30:00.002-05:002012-06-24T14:31:16.581-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 2 Snippet<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
Introductory snippet of the second chapter of Blake and Alicia's story. Things begin to heat up, both for the good and the bad. No contest this time around, just the preview.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<b>xxxxxx</b> <br />
<b>There's a Fine Line...</b><br />
<b>Chapter Two </b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Alicia
prowled restlessly through the small garden of the Pierce Estate. It had been
three days since Blake Simons’ last visit. Three days since he’d pressed her
against the wall and nearly made her melt by telling her all he wished to do
with her. Three days since he’d bitten her and then walked away as if it had
meant nothing! What the hell was he thinking? Raising a hand to the smooth skin
of her throat, she shuddered at the memory of his lips pressed so seductively
to her skin – the fangs that slid deep to pull her life’s blood from her body.
If he’d stripped her bare and taken her body against that wall it couldn’t have
been more intimate or soul shattering.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
then he’d smirked in that supremely smug and superior manner and walked away.
Walked away! Giving a barely suppressed screech, Alicia grabbed a rock and
hurled it over the garden wall and into the trees that surrounded the house. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Son of a bitch!</i> Why did she have to find
her mate in the most aggravating, arrogant, egotistical, gorgeous pain in the
ass on the planet? Why did she have to find a ‘mate’ at all? She’d had plans! She
was going to be different than her mother and be independent, not needing a man
to make her feel whole or fulfilled. She was never going to place her happiness
so firmly in the hands of another only to watch him willfully shred it into
pieces too small to repair. She was never going to…but, in finding a mate in
one of the other races, she was terrified that she already had. Besides, once
he truly knew her, he’d leave her anyway. Not even the mating pull would be
strong enough to overcome his disgust if he only knew… Dropping to her knees on
the well-maintained gravel walkway, she buried her face in her hands with a
sob. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">She didn’t remember the first
time Markus had crawled into her bed. He’d claimed that she’d had a nightmare, though
she couldn’t remember it. He said that she’d been crying and begging for
someone to save her. He had promised that he’d save her because he loved her.
Didn’t she want him to show her how much he loved her? Alicia had cringed away
from the man who once seemed the answer to their prayers but that hadn’t stopped
him from grabbing her, touching her, making her do things she’d never wanted to
do. Afterwards, when she was sobbing and covered in his disgusting seed, he’d
grabbed her by her hair and pulled her into the small bathroom, tossing her
under the frigid spray of the cold shower.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Tell your mother and I’ll kill
her slowly while you watch,” he’d growled lowly while she’d huddled in the
corner, still trying to cover her nudity as much as possible. The glint in his
steely grey eyes and the deathly-cold menace in his voice convinced her that
he’d do just that. “Tell anyone at all and I’ll make you help me as I flay the
skin from their body. Don’t test me on this, girl; you won’t like the results.
Until I tire of you, you’re mine. Bit too young to fuck just yet, but you’ll
soon be old enough to appreciate what I’ve got to offer.” His lewd grin as he slowly
stroked his naked, hard cock had her pressing even more tightly against the
back of the tiny shower. Laughing at her distress, he stroked himself to
completion and coated her body once more with his hot cum before he walked out
of her room.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Alicia scrubbed everywhere he’d
touched, every bit of skin his filthy fluids had tainted, but even after it was
red and raw she still felt dirty. She brushed her teeth and gargled at least
ten times but she could still taste him on her tongue, still feel him invading
her once-virgin mouth. Nothing could erase the memory of him, however, and she
wrapped herself in a blanket and cried for the first time since her father had
disappeared. The next morning, she dressed and went to school as if nothing had
happened and, though she longed to tell someone – anyone, she’d believed that
he would hurt anyone she turned to for help. </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He returned that next night…and
every night after that. </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He’d changed in other ways as
well. When he’d first met her mother, Markus had been loving and kind, a
genuinely sweet man who’d eased Marie away from her self-destructive lifestyle
and back to being a respectable wife and mother. Then, one night, she’d caught
him leaving her daughter’s bedroom. Their argument was fierce and loud, disturbing
the teen almost as much as her stepfather’s unwanted visits; Alicia noticed the
bruises her mother tried so hard to hide the next morning but said nothing. She’d
had little success in coping with her own hell and no energy remained to deal
with this new turn of events. </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After that night, the situation
in the modest home deteriorated more and more. Markus had gone from threatening
Alicia if Marie discovered them to openly flaunting his sick desires for the
teen in front of her mother. To further enforce his will, clothing was no
longer worn inside the house and he took great delight in comparing the women’s
bodies. Marie had aged well but was carrying a few extra pounds; Markus didn’t
let her forget that. She was often in tears as he belittled her about her
weight, her stretch marks, her hair or makeup. If she cried, she was pathetic
and he’d often whip her for being weak. If she didn’t, he’d whip her harder.
Then he’d force Alicia to watch as he violated her mother in every way possible
while telling her all that was in store for her.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It was the day he’d thrown a
party for his friends that finally pushed Alicia over the edge. Her mother had
been fair game to the men her stepfather had invited; sometimes being forced to
take not just one but sometimes two or three at once. Meanwhile, Markus had
held her naked body in his lap, touching her while forcing her to suck his
friends’ cocks or forcing her to suck him while their hands roamed her body. That
night after Markus had left her room to slake his remaining lust on her
mother’s body, the teen quickly showered, dressed, and left the house. She knew
her mother would never forgive her for abandoning her to the monster she’d
married but Alicia couldn’t stay any longer. As he’d sauntered from her room,
he’d told her that her time was coming soon and she’d be damned if she was
going to allow Markus Andrealphus to finish raping her body.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></div>Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710221758315439704.post-23843498340316121542012-06-11T09:10:00.000-05:002012-06-11T09:11:00.909-05:00There's a Fine Line: Chapter 1 Snippet<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Before I get to the teaser/snippet, I offer a bit of a contest. For those who've read my other works, you might be aware that I am somewhat obsessed by a certain book that became a stage musical. Contained below is a reference to that <i>book</i> hidden amongst the beginning of my little tale. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What you need to do is:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1. find that reference</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2. identify it in the context of the book</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3. post your answer in the comments :) Yes, I'm a comment whore. Sue me. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What you win:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I"ll ask the winner for their email (privately, don't want the spam bots to pick up) and will send them an inspiration pic for Daevas Malphas (which will go in the bios eventually) and the following chapter by email when that chapter's snippet is posted. So, not terribly early, but before anyone else.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Good luck and enjoy!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>xxxxxx</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>There's a Fine Line... </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Chapter One </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blake
Simons drummed his fingers upon the conference table and idly contemplated
murdering his terminally boring Chief Financial Officer. Today’s meeting was focused
on the annual budget review of the multi-billion dollar company as well as
voting on the proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. The dark haired
CEO hated reports in general but reserved a special level of loathing for
financial reports. They were generally a regurgitation of the same report from
the previous year with little changes beyond accounting for inflation and
increases in the costs of living. While such reports were considered necessary,
he could see little advantage to listening as the thin, prune-faced man droned
on about the financial stability of Simons Enterprises as well as the <i>instability</i> of several of the
large conglomerate’s select clients. He’d heard it all before at the last
financial review and once more began plotting his advisor’s death. A simple
grip on the man’s narrow head, a quick twist, and the torture would be over for
the day. He could go home and have a glass of Madeira and relax. How charming
that would be!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“…and
the figures from the third quarter indicate that Leroux, Inc., has experienced
a marked decrease in…”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><i>A marked decrease in your incessant
tediousness would be far more welcome</i>, Simons grumped silently to
himself. He wondered, yet again, why he hadn’t turned over the running of his
company to some younger underling and just raked in the profits. Oh, yes…he was
a controlling bastard who trusted no one. That was it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Deciding
that a nasally tone of voice and pedantic manner of speech were insufficient
reasons to go through the trouble of covering up the man’s death, he, instead,
allowed his mind to wander to a subject that was as equally appealing as it was
appalling: Alicia Johnston – his mate. Like every other wide-eyed, fresh faced
youngling, he, too, had once believed in the drivel poured into his naïve ears
about soul mates that would make the interminable years ahead bearable. But
when the years passed – years, then decades, and then centuries – without this
mythical being, he felt the veil forcibly ripped from his eyes. Nothing could
soothe the utter dreariness of outliving your friends, family – even their
grandchildren’s grandchildren were now dust and forgotten. Until that damnable
Summit; until <i>her</i>.<span> </span>His scowl grew fierce and the CFO nervously
stumbled over his words before falling silent. Though he much preferred the
silence, Blake sighed and motioned for him to continue.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Um…yes,
well…meanwhile, Poligny & Debienne has seen a steady increase in…”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><i>The only increase I want to hear about,
Barnes, is the speed of your damned speech before I rip your tongue from your
mouth and force you to eat it,</i> the vampire owner and Chief Executive
Officer thought sourly. He really hated meetings. As the CFO droned on, he
allowed himself to drift back to the events that led up to his finding his mate.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Had
it only been two months ago that he’d been approached by a member of the
Vampire Council to investigate the leader of the hate group, the Human Purity League,
Colonel Friedrich Hunsinger? That he’d been chosen as the Primary Investigator
hadn’t surprised him; he was one of the few high-profile nonhumans who hadn’t
stepped forward after the Reveal. He’d enjoyed a fair amount of speculation
from both colleagues and rivals alike over the last five years and it had
amused him to fuel the fires of both opposing opinions. When he learned that
the Colonel had planned to capture several of the children of the attending
Ambassadors, he passed the information on to his contact and gave it little
additional thought. Vampires couldn’t have children so what did it matter to
him if some Shifter’s brats were kidnapped? A few less mutts in the world
couldn’t be a bad thing, could it? So, he’d made his report but failed to
follow up with the Council to discover their next plan of action.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
Council had remained silent on the matter which had surprised him. With
Elizabeth Pierce as the local Council Chair and the Colonel being her mate’s
mortal father, he’d expected some kind of official stance on how to handle the
situation. Instead, his reports had been met with nothing but silence. It was
only the interception of a wayward pixie spy that informed him that the
Colonel’s plan had been implemented and he’d been furious. He’d stormed the
hotel to confront his friend only to discover that his reports had somehow gone
astray. The Council hadn’t reacted because they hadn’t known. It seemed there
was someone amongst the council members with their own agenda.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
lights in the meeting room dimmed, pulling Blake from his thoughts. His eyes
shifted closer to those of his inner beast’s, more crimson than his dark brown,
in order to pierce the low light. When the projector flared to light, he barely
stifled his groan. PowerPoint was the bane of every meeting in the corporate
world and he had half a mind to hunt down Bill Gates and kick <i>his</i> ass for allowing the
damned thing to be created.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“As
you can see by this table, the changes in the Board of Directors of Larrabie,
Inc., has caused stockholders to…”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><i>Holy fuck, was the man still talking?
Ripping his head off was far too kind. Perhaps he could pin him to the wall
like a wingless butterfly and peel the skin away in small squares…</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Immersed
in the pleasurable contemplations of his CFO’s torture, Blake returned to his
thoughts of the recent past. When the others had left the room, he’d remained
behind – drawn by something he couldn’t name. It wasn’t until he’d paced the
room more than a dozen times that he’d learned whom the elves had been tending.
The young human female wasn’t what he normally indulged in when it came to sex
or food, but her scent had captured his attention the instant he’d gotten
close. Once those annoying elves had moved out of his way, he’d gotten his
first good look at the girl. His beast had hissed his pleasure…and his need.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">She
was a little thing, short and slim, with gently waving light brown hair that
fanned out over the pillow like a honeyed halo. Dark brown lashes kept her eyes
hidden but the scattering of freckles across her cheeks and bridge of his nose
had his fingers itching to trace each and every one. In sleep, she looked far
younger than her nineteen years and yet the gentle swells of her breasts beneath
the thin sheet had belied her childlike appearance. She wasn’t, perhaps,
classically pretty but she was petite, cute, and called to him on such a deep
level that, in his eyes, she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever been
privileged to see.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
blood that stained her shirt had been the evidence of a vicious wound and he
barely remembered asking the elven shaman how she’d obtained the injury. The
answer had been a dagger straight to his soul. Alicia had been injured helping
the children – those same children he’d written his reports about and then
dismissed. The pain he’d felt when he’d gazed upon a near-mortally wounded,
young, human girl and realized that his complacency had caused her injury very
nearly crippled him. It was his fault she was injured; he should have
confronted the Council after his first report went unanswered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
then there was the knowledge that another of his kind had drank from her –
placed their bloodied and savage fangs upon the creamy flesh of her delicate
throat and defiled what was <i>his</i>.
He didn’t care if it had meant their escape; reason had little to do with the
vampire’s visceral and instinctive reaction. Blake’s inner beast rose sharply
at the thought with but one purpose, to kill, but he ruthlessly subdued his vicious
nature. For as cruel and bestial as his inner beast was, it had learned quickly
in the earliest days of their shared existence that the human was far colder,
more cunning, and deadlier than it could ever aspire to be. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
now, both were undone by a girl. <i>A
Girl!</i> His low growl caused those nearby to shift uncomfortably in
their chairs but he paid them little mind.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once
she’d healed, he’d visited her in her room and asked her to dinner. Granted,
she’d been in the shower when he’d entered and it had been quite a struggle to
keep from joining her. Just the thought of the water flowing over that young,
nubile body to wash away the frothy bubbles that hid her delightful curves from
his eyes had very nearly shattered his monumental self control. Fuck, it was
damaging it even now as the memory of her in that fluffy robe, with her hair
wet and tousled, had him hard as granite in his pricey A. Caraceni. The
surprise on her face when she’d found him in her room, followed quickly by a
perfectly thrown knife aimed for his head, had him ready to ruin his expensive
tailored suit.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
then he’d tasted her.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">If there was a
heaven, it had been found upon his Alicia’s lips. She’d tasted minty and sweet
and so totally <i>his</i>
in a way he never could have dreamt possible. If her kiss had been heaven, then
the scent of her arousal had been pure, unadulterated sin. His beast had nearly
taken control when she returned his kiss; Blake had nearly let it when her
honeyed fragrance had washed over them. The temptation to fuck her hard against
the wall of her hotel room had been nearly impossible to resist. If she’d been
anyone other than his mate, he would have. But she was his soul, his
redemption, and he needed more than just a quick screw. He needed her to want
and need him at least half as much as he did her. And so, instead of doing what
his beast demanded and what his body craved, he’d taken her to dinner instead.</span></span>Mazurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00737625386129501643noreply@blogger.com2