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CURRENT PROJECTS:
Memory In Shadow
Status: In Progress
In one night, Rasleigh Innsward lost everything he cared for most. His wife and son gone. Even his memories burned away by the flames. It seemed to him that his life was at an end, until an unexpected gift and a second chance changed what he knew.
Lahn Aurris was given a task by his dearest friends - to unite the fiends and bring peace between his brethren and their mortal counterparts but he's finding the task daunting and somewhat lonely. Two men are thrown together under circumstances neither one of them can control.
Will they defeat their demons and find a place with each other?
Excerpt:
*Please be advised this is unedited*
"I don't like this," Lahn Aurris let his eyes travel across the open field. "How well do you know this self-styled general?"
His companion, a fiend like himself smiled slightly. "Well enough."
"That's reassuring," Lahn rolled his eyes to the heavens. Dane, how by the gods did you do this type of thing?
Thinking of his old friend brought a pang of longing to his soul, or whatever resided there in his chest,
since Lahn was by all intents dead. He missed Dane. He even missed that mortal pup Vanlyn Sarn. Why they'd
chosen him for the task of diplomat was still beyond his understanding.
For the past two years Lahn had fought to unite the various factions that were gathering all throughout Ordwyn.
In his mind he wasn't very successful. Although no new rifts were reported in that time, the number of fiends
escaping back to the living world was increasing. Those who followed Lahn, who considered him their general,
thought this was good news. Lahn didn't. For in that time, he'd felt a - stirring. He'd tried to explain to others.
It was a gnawing in his gut as though something beyond those rifts was growing agitated, impatient.
She did not appreciate being left behind.
However as far as Lahn was concerned he was performing the task that had been ordered of him. Drive the mortals out, take what they deserved. Lahn supposed if Dane knew of these thoughts he would have been disappointed. Dane thought they should make peace with the mortals. Lahn had tried. He'd tried to be diplomatic, to be civil.
Yes, there were mortals who worked with him. Who wanted the same things, such as Lady Dacien of Gan and the fiend who walked by his side, Taren Valryce.
But others, like this General Varaen were more content to take by force. They'd attempted to meet with him in the past to negotiate. Varaen had taken several of the smaller outlaying villages of Gan. Although the women of the province were proficient fighters, they were simply too far removed from the cities to have any formal training. Besides Varaen destroyed those who chose to fight.
It was better to merely abandon the villages. It was the influx of refugees into the Gan capitol that had drawn High Lady Dacien's attention. So here Lahn found himself in the midst of the General's encampment. He preferred to be away from the village and conducted his business in the city of tents that dotted the landscape. Varaen had finally agreed to meet with Lahn to negotiate peace.
Of course, Lahn would be quite content to rip Varaen's heart out and settle the matter.
But that wasn't they way it was done, or so the diplomats told him. Lady Dacien was aware of his feelings and had warned him to hold his temper. Lahn allowed himself a smile. Despite her constant admonishments, he really did like Lady Dacien. He knew that she would be quite content to shove a sword in his gut and settle the matter if he pushed her too far.
"What are you smiling at?" Taren cocked an eyebrow.
"Thinking of that damnable Lady Dacien and how she seems to enjoy getting us into a fix," Lahn glanced around at the gathered soldiers and various hangers-on. "Look at this. No one to meet us or tell us where to go."
"I believe there's someone." Taren nodded to the three men walking towards them.
Their sudden appearance put Lahn on the defensive. They did not look happy to see their fellow fiends. When they stood before Lahn and Taren the oldest stepped forward and spoke. There was that old knowledge of the dark world the fiends had come from in his eyes. They clearly reflected the horrors the old one had seen. Lahn had to give him an inward nod of respect.
"You're the ones sent by the woman?" The older fiend stressed the word with an insulting tone.
The respect diminished considerably, "Lady Dacien has tasked us with speaking to your general to negotiate peace," Lahn extended his hand, "Lahn Aurris at your service, this is--,"
"Follow me," the man turned his back, ignoring Lahn's proffered hand. His ire rose as his jaw set, Lahn opened his mouth but before the words could come Taren muttered, "Leave it be."
Lahn supposed Taren was right. Then again he supposed he'd feel quite nice beating the old bastard into a bloody mess.
They followed the three to a larger tent at the very outskirts of the city. There was no one guarding the outside and the old fiend entered without announcing himself.
The moment Lahn stepped beneath the folds of the tent, he sensed something was amiss. Besides the three that they had followed within there were eight more people within the tent.
It was a common scene. Four assembled around a large table where a map lay but there were no markers showing where they'd situated troops and supplies. The four did not have the bearing of officers. Lahn noticed it as they turned to look at one at Lahn and his companion.
The others were armed guards situated at each corner of the tent. The village was taken, the residents had fled. There was really no reason from all those guards to be there unless it was pure paranoia on Varaen's part. But those weren't the true reasons why Lahn had his suspicions. These were instinctual, arising from the charged atmosphere around him.
"Where is Varaen?"
Three words that confirmed Lahn's suspicions and proved to be the trigger. The guards moved, drawing their swords. The two youngest, which Lahn saw were barely out of their teens, were hesitant and clumsy in their attempts. Lahn had scant time to guess they were either ill-prepared or had been coerced.
It wasn't Lahn's concern. He transformed at the same time as he leapt backwards with a beating of wings. Taren raised his hands and extended them outward. It seemed he was trying to ward them off but Lahn knew it was for a different purpose.
The winds blasted into the tent, churning up the hard packed earth in a stinging cloud. Lahn continued his retreat, allowing Taren the space he needed to concentrate. The last thing Lahn wanted to do was to be caught up in Taren's power.
Blade and Thorn - M/M Fantasy Erotic - Novella
Status: In Progress - Being Re-Written
Trevant Kendaric is an Earth Conjurer. A geomancer of the highest skill. Ransom Hage is a sergeant in the city guard. The two men meet when Trevant steps in to save Ransom from an untimely demise. The conjurer intrigues the guardsmen, and Ransom decides he wants to know Trevant better. But Trevant has his secrets and fears and Ransom must fight to gain his trust.
Excerpt:
*Please be advised that this is unedited*
"You're a dead man," Trevant observed the guardsman over the rim of his tea cup. The light floral scent as always soothed his frayed nerves. The tavern was the one place in this part of the city that was willing to make the tea for him.
Trevant half-lowered his lids and continued to follow the guardsman's progress across the room. In fact, since entering the tavern the man was the focus of not only Trevant's interest but that of the gang of rouges as well.
"Stupid," Trevant muttered before taking a sip, he swirled it around on his tongue enjoying the fruit and spice taste. "You'll get a knife in your back and a battalion of your comrades will converge on this place."
The thought brought back a memory. Of the night when everything he knew went up in flames. For a moment Trevant's ears were filled with the roar of flames and the screams of the suffering. It had taken them two years to rebuild.
A chair scraping back brought him out of that dark place. Trevant looked up, realizing at that same time that his hands trembled as they clutched the cup. The guardsman was leaning over one of the tables and in a heated conversation with one of the rogues, a man named Jidan. Trevant knew the man would cut a throat without the slightest bit of consideration.
It was a second man, the one who rose from his table across the room, who now held Trevant's attention. He moved with care towards the exposed back of the hapless guard. Trevant didn't know this man's name but the glint of the dim light on the blade he drew from his coat told Trevant his intent.
Souls Inflamed - M/M Paranormal Contemporary - Novella
Status: In Progress - Being Re-written / Submitted as Proposal
The first time Myles Bryce lays eyes on Demetrius Jordan, the attraction is immediate. But there's something about Demetrius that frightens Myles. A power that the other man exudes that even Myles with his insight can't fathom.
Excerpt:
*Please be advised that this is unedited*
The man who walked into Myles' bookstore caused an unexpected tremor to race across his skin. His insight never reacted so quickly. Myles usually had to be within their personal space for his power to touch the recipient. What Myles referred to as 'insight' was his ability to not only sense the emotions of others but to turn them inside out. He could never find a better explanation for what he could do. If there was anger, Myles could pull that anger from whoever was threatening him and surround them with it, making it seem to the recipient that Myles was the greater threat. Myles had only used his power in that manner once and after seeing the results, swore he'd never do it again. But as to the man, Myles had never seen him before and he was quite noticeable.
Rain Play - M/M Erotic Contemporary - Short Story
Status: Complete - Accepted by Ai Press!
Zach knows better than to get in a relationship with someone who just broke it off with their current lover,
but he's lusted after Mark Davis for so long, he doesn't give a damn. But Mark has something special in store for
Zach, a little outdoor recreation.
Excerpt:
*Please be advised that this is unedited*
"Are you okay?"
I accepted his hand gratefully. A serious spark jumped between us when our skin touched. "Yeah man, thanks," I brushed the dirt off my jogging suit.
"Don't I know you?" His brow furrowed as he looked at me.
"We work for the same company."
"Yeah right," he stuck out his hand again, "Mark Davis."
I grasped it and shook it, keeping hold longer than I needed to, "Zach Wilder."
It began to rain while I jogged. Actually it was overcast most of the day with the weatherman threatening every time I turned on the TV. But after a few hours with nothing happening I figured, hey a quick round in the park was in order. I realized belatedly that the 'dirt' I was brushing off was mud that I was smearing all over my clothes. "Damn."
To add to my troubles the drizzle was fast becoming a torrent. Did Mother Nature have it in for me or something?
"You sure you okay?"
I'd taken a dive, dumb-ass me. I was really into the rhythm when I'd tripped on fucking nothing. Then Mark shows up and helps me. I've wanted to fuck him like forever.
"Just fucking great."
He laughed but I couldn't be mad at him. One look into those eyes and I was totally gone. They were gray. I didn't know anyone with gray eyes. Storm gray came to mind if I really had to describe them. Some of the raindrops were stuck to those long dark lashes of his. His hair curled when it got wet, dark just like those lashes that I couldn't stop staring at. Damn, I loved the look of him. His full lips and dark brows quirked up like he knew I was thinking something I shouldn't. And he didn't seem pissed.
We didn't say anything for awhile and the rain was coming down all around us. I shivered but it was for a different reason. It was the sound of thunder from not far off and the electricity that was between us.
"You ever fuck outside in the rain?"
"What?"
He crossed his arms. "Don't act surprised. I know you want me. Don't you think I've noticed you looking at me?"
My eyes tracked down to his pants. He had the biggest damn hard-on I'd ever seen.
Hard Labor - M/M Contemporary - Novella
Status: In Progress
Excerpt: Coming Soon
Crave the Dark - M/M Paranormal Contemporary - Short Story
Status: Complete - Submitted
Excerpt:
*Please be advised that this is unedited*
It took Cade only a second to strike. Even less time for his prey to expire.
Always meticulous with his weapons, Cade took a moment to clean the blade of his sword. He looked down at the corpse of the businessman who'd won numerous humanitarian awards.
"That's a fucking joke," Cade had found so much dirt on the bastard that there was no question the man had to die. He couldn't figure out why no one else had seen it. Then again it had been Cade's experience that most people did and just ignored it. Money is God.
"Another hit wasted on some lying sack of shit," Cade said. He supposed he shouldn't be upset. Maybe he was crazy trying to find satisfaction in killing. But damn it all, he wanted a challenge and this fat SOB definitely wasn't it.
"Gotta pay the bills," he muttered as he slammed his sword into the back sheath he wore, ran a gloved hand through his hair, stepping over the body as he made his way out. But he knew that wasn't really the reason why he killed people.
***
"That's not why you kill people," Thanatos grinned as he steepled his fingers, and watched Elijah Cade from within the flames of the fireplace. The killer was meticulous and Thanatos liked that. Even took the time to clean up after himself even though it wasn't really necessary. Cops knew an assassins work. Yes, some were sanctioned by the ATF, but they weren't called assassins.
The ones that were operated under the belief that even though what they did was technically illegal, there was sort of an unspoken agreement between law enforcement and the organizers of these above the law enforcers that allowed them to do their jobs.
Of course Thanatos didn't have a problem with causing death. Well not normally, even he had damn rules to follow, which was part of the problem. Yes, he believed he'd made a good choice in Cade to take care of some unfinished business.
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