Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Coming soon: TEXAS HEAT @DenyseBridger #RomFantasy

TEXAS HEAT
Coming soon from New Dawning Book Fair
Cover: Kayden McLeod
Short contemporary erotic Western

Blurb:

Chase Jordan is a man with half his life missing since his return from the war in Iraq. He arrives back in Texas, a drifter looking for home. When he arrives at the Double D ranch, the owners know him, even if he can’t remember them. Cheyenne’s been infatuated with Chase since her high school days, but Deke MacKenzie’s already made it clear to Chase that his kid sister is off limits.

A loner by nature, and even more so now as PTSD plagues him, Chase rejects Cheyenne’s efforts to seduce him. He senses complications he wants no part of if he gets too close to her, and part of his soul is very much at home on the Double D. When an old boyfriend of Cheyenne’s goads him into a fight, his anger put him on all kinds of edge–and Cheyenne’s determination to turn up the Texas Heat get her in over her head...

Chase has warned her, he doesn’t play nice. When she ignores his invitation to leave, she puts herself at the mercy of his anger, his lust, and the most explosive passion she’s ever experienced... But what happens when the “job” is over, and Chase turns his back on her again? Memories are waking, the kind that will change both their lives in dramatic ways.

Excerpt:

“Miss MacKenzie,” he said with a nod as she walked around the truck and looked over at him. The look in her eyes was speculative, and Chase felt the tingle of uncertainty kiss the back of his neck. He was always edgy around her, like something was close but still eluding him. He didn’t like it.

“It’s Cheyenne, Chase,” she reminded him.

He nodded again. They’d done this dance a time or two before. There was something too familiar about her, but he didn’t know what it was, couldn’t pin it down. He felt the now customary flare of annoyance wake inside him. Half his damn past was missing since he’d come home from Iraq. Maybe he’d known her once, though he couldn’t imagine forgetting someone like her.

“Something I can do for you, ma’am?”

She laughed and dropped the tailgate on the pickup, bending over with what he knew was deliberate intent. There was no denying the appeal of her well-shaped ass in the tight jeans, and his cock twitched in response to her action. She turned, tossed him a beer, and sat on the tailgate looking over at him while she took a swig of her own drink.

Chase opened the can of beer and drank half of it. He slowly strolled to the truck, arm braced casually on the side as he stared at her. “You haven’t answered my question, Cheyenne,” he stated.

She twisted around until she was facing him, and cradled the cooler between her breasts, drawing his attention to nipples that were clearly outlined and pushing against the thin cotton of her tank-top. He could see the dark outline beneath the gauzy white material, and one corner of his mouth quirked upward. He met her candid stare and grinned at the challenge in her expression.

“Why don’t you like people, Chase?”

“I like people just fine, ma’am,” he said, tone sardonic. “I just prefer my own company to that of idiots.”

She appeared to consider that for a moment, then she shrugged. “Do you consider me an idiot, Chase?”

He laughed. “No, ma’am,” he drawled.

“Good answer,” she said.

“I have work to do, Cheyenne,” he told her after he’d finished his beer and tossed the can into the ice filled hamper that contained the rest of the six pack she’d brought with her.

“You work for me, too, Chase,” she reminded him softly.

He took a long look at her, his appraisal meant to be offensive it was so blatant. At only a little over five feet tall, Chey was stacked and curvy in all the right places. Her long auburn hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, and she wore no makeup. He dropped his gaze to her breasts, fingertips tingling as he contemplated what her skin would feel like, and taste like if he leaned in and took one of her ripe nipples into his mouth. She slid a little bit closer to him and he shook off the heat that was building inside him.

“Thanks for the beer, ma’am,” he murmured. “I’ll be getting back to my work now.”

He would have left but she grabbed his arm and he was too aware of the pebbled point of her nipple brushing against his bicep.

“I want―”

He put a finger over her lips, silencing her as he shook his head. “Baby, I know what you want, but I’m not playing that game.”


Thursday, October 24, 2013

Sensuous Promo’s Presents - Book Tour for The Beginning of Forever by Vallory Vance


Welcome to the 3rd stop in Sensuous Promo’s Book Tour for Vallory Vance’s, The Beginning of Forever.

About The Beginning of Forever ~

The story of Amber Grayson and Kevin Miller began with a flash fiction piece, Rainy Day Surprise, about the couple enjoying a rainy afternoon with the help of a new toy. Much to my amazement, I received a lot of encouragement from readers to write more about this sexy man, his uptight girlfriend and the naughtiness that went on when they closed the doors.

In the Moment, was born. This short story chronicles how the sometimes pushy office manager managed to wrangle herself a cowboy. Amber is in full dictator gear in this one. And she should be because she’s the Project Manager and Kevin’s boss. Undaunted by the towering woman in her constricting black suit, Kevin has a lot of fun peeling her out of it.
I am pleased and little sad to let this couple go after our year together. It has been an awesome ride with them and one I hope you’ll take.

View the book trailer on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LhtuGJCEpU


The Beginning of Forever by Vallory Vance

Amber Grayson, a conservative executive, found true love with fiancé, Kevin Miller. He infused her life with a sense of adventure and challenged her thoughts about appropriate bedroom behavior. After such a steamy affair, Amber was expecting nothing less during their engagement.

Even with the rushed timetable for the wedding combined with the stress of merging their households and finances, Amber is excited to begin a family with the man of her dreams. However, the beginning of forever is more difficult than either of them thought.

Locked in a battle of wills, Amber and Kevin find their commitment to each other and their future tested. Is this the beginning of their lives together or the end?

Excerpt (R) ~

“Of course I love you.” She scooted forward and kissed him.

He quickly caught her neck, held her so that he could feel the warm rush of her breath. Her kiss held no passion, and felt like one you’d bestow on a friend. He needed assurance that she was with him until the end, no matter what.

“How about ‘I want you so bad’?” He moved his lips over her throat and felt a beat brush against his mouth.

“Tell me.” He nipped at the delicate skin of her neck, tasting the spray of scented mist on his tongue.

“I want you so bad.”

The husky pant of her desire pounded in his head and stilled the quiver in his chest. She was his again.

He yanked the rim of the T-shirt over her head, ripped the short shorts and panties down her legs. Reclining back on his haunches, he massaged between her legs, his fingers slickening with the motion. His.

Her hands twisted into the pillows, flopped at her sides and her moans filled his ears. He slipped his fingers into her, watching her move, while his cock thumped unmercifully against his zipper.

“Just let go, Amber.” He bent over, caught her mouth, and thrust his tongue inside. Her moaning deepened and her eyes squeezed shut. Bucking wildly beneath him, she tore her mouth from his and warmth rushed around his fingers. He kissed her gently and rose from the bed, removing his clothes slowly.

Dark wisps of her hair fanned out of her braid onto the cream pillow bunched beneath her head, and her large wide-set eyes fluttered open to meet his in a soft gaze. Her lips parted to speak but only expelled a shallow breath. There was a part of him that wanted to watch the trailing of her hands from her neck on their languid journey down between her breasts. And there was a part of him, a stronger part, which draped her trembling thighs over his forearms and lunged into her.

Buy Links


About The Beginning of Forever ~

The story of Amber Grayson and Kevin Miller began with a flash fiction piece, Rainy Day Surprise, about the couple enjoying a rainy afternoon with the help of a new toy. Much to my amazement, I received a lot of encouragement from readers to write more about this sexy man, his uptight girlfriend and the naughtiness that went on when they closed the doors.

In the Moment, was born. This short story chronicles how the sometimes pushy office manager managed to wrangle herself a cowboy. Amber is in full dictator gear in this one. And she should be because she’s the Project Manager and Kevin’s boss. Undaunted by the towering woman in her constricting black suit, Kevin has a lot of fun peeling her out of it.
I am pleased and little sad to let this couple go after our year together. It has been an awesome ride with them and one I hope you’ll take.

View the book trailer on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LhtuGJCEpU

Connect with Vallory Vance online:

The Vallory V Blog: www.valloryv.wordpress.com




Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Valia's Villain @JocelynDex #RomFantasy

Title: Valia’s Villain
Series: Sempire Seductions, Book 2
Author: Jocelyn Dex
            
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave                  
Cover Artist: Syneca Featherstone             
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Length: 36,000 words
ISBN: 9781419948275          

Valia’s Villain Blurb
When Valia approaches the Ferox demon, hoping for scorching sex and a feed, she doesn’t expect to be handcuffed, transported to the demon realm, accused of dirty deeds she has no memory of committing and held captive for three days.  Even though she believes her captor to be crazy, she feels a connection to him she’s felt with no one else.

When Rydin senses the Sempire who locked him up, fed on him and used him as a sex slave many years ago, he knows his wait for revenge is finally over. Burning with the need to punish her, he imprisons her in the demon realm, where she is at his mercy, but as much as he tries to ignore it, a connection sparks between them every time they touch.


Valia’s Villain Quickie Excerpt

Valia couldn’t remember ever wanting another being so desperately. Her body hummed as his tongue worked her into a frenzy. Bossy son of a bitch, he was, but she expected no less from a Ferox.

She shuddered and moaned as he rolled his tongue around her clit, the pressure building in her lower abdomen. With her free hand, she wrapped her thumb around one of his horns as her fingers dug into his scalp, urging him to send her over the edge.

He growled and bit the inside of her thigh.

 “Stop,” Rydin commanded.

“Stop what?” Valia asked.

“Don’t touch my horns.”

“But they’re so sexy.” She gave him her best pouty face.

He blinked at her, a look of surprise crossing his face, quickly replaced with a scowl. “Are you teasing me, female?”

“I told ya, my name is Valia, male. And no, not teasing. Your horns are super sexy and I wanna touch them.”

He looked at her for another long moment as if searching for something. He dipped his head and bit the inside of her other thigh. God, he was going to drive her crazy. He looked back at her and said, “They are sensitive and I am already too stimulated. I want to fuck you. I’m going to fuck you. If you do as I say, I may give you permission to touch them later.”

Oh wow. She hadn’t known his horns were an erogenous zone. Now she really wanted to touch them. His tongue lapped at her clit furiously. She avoided his horns but couldn’t stop herself from grabbing a fistful of his hair. Her hips ground against his tongue, his lips. Intense pleasure knotted deep inside. Little sparks began erupting inside her but just as she was about to fall over the edge, he stopped.

She groaned and still with a fistful of his hair, tried to force him to continue.

His eyes dark and his lips glistening with her pleasure, he said, “You were about to come. I did not give you permission.”

She choked out her words. “If you don’t want me to come, you shouldn’t lick me like that.”

His lips quirked into a cocky smile. “My tongue pleases you?”

“It’d please me if you’d put it to better use than asking me stupid questions,” she grouched.


Author Bio

Jocelyn was born in Iowa and currently resides in hot-as-hell Texas. She shares her home with her very own 6'4" alpha male and varying numbers of spoiled cats and dogs. Teaching one of her dogs to file his nails is one of her all-time favorite accomplishments.

She thinks dragonflies are awesome, spiders are creepy and it’s rumored that she sleeps with a machete by her bed in case zombies attack in the middle of the night. Jocelyn loves to paint, loves to read, and loves to write sizzling erotic romance about yummy demons that would make your momma blush.

Here’s where you can find Jocelyn on the web

Here’s where you can buy Valia’s Villain



Giveaway - Runs from 10/23 to 10/31:

1 Ebook Copy of Araya’s Addiction, Book 1 of the Sempire Seductions Series
1 Swag Pack - Various Stuff
1 $15 Bitch Face Cosmetics Gift Card



Sunday, October 20, 2013

Big Cocks and Broomsticks Giveaway Hop @DenyseBridger #RomFantasy

The WINNER of the 6 book Prize Pack is NayNay - thank you all SO MUCH for being part of the hop, and stopping by to comment. You are ALL wonderful!!


 


Welcome to the hottest and coolest Halloween Hop around. In keeping with the theme, I decided to showcase a reader favourite among my vampires. The hot and decadent Stolen Rapture. I hope you'll enjoy a peek into this very sensual world, and don't forget to leave a comment and an email, because I'll be giving away a prize package of 6 paranormal ebooks to at least one person!

STOLEN RAPTURE
Erotic/vampire/ménage/Dom/s

Buy the book here:


Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  


Blurb:

When work brings Deluna Jordan face to face with a man who knows her better than she knows herself, she soon discovers he shares everything with his boss, including lovers…and a thirst for blood…and she is about to become the lucky recipient of all their desires…

Excerpt:

Deluna looked up from the contact sheets she was examining when she sensed someone in the doorway of her office. "I thought you weren't coming tonight." She straightened, and her smile was something she couldn't control had she wanted to. Cord took her breath away every time she saw him. Tonight, dressed in casual jeans and leather jacket, his raw sensuality hit her like a physical blow.

He leaned against the doorframe and she dropped the pages, letting them flutter to rest with the other piles on her desk. "Are you alone?"

"Were you expecting someone else?"

She arched an eyebrow and shook her head. "You did say earlier if we were going to have dinner you'd be here an hour ago, and that you might be bringing your boss."

"Rahve was called away just after we got here. Guess you'll have to settle for me."

"I think I can live with that," she replied.

"You sure?"

She looked closer at him, sensing something dangerous in his mood. He was angry and edgy, but there was more to it than that. His entire body screamed predator as he lounged in illusory ease, his odd eyes traveling over her in blatant appraisal.

"What if I told you I wanted to fuck you right now, how would that make you feel?"

She sucked in a gasp of air, swallowed it before he could hear it, she hoped. The intense fire in his gaze took any teasing from the statement and she squirmed a little at the rush of heat that flared inside her and created wet warmth between her legs. Her nipples tightened, and her breasts felt heavy. Her skin suddenly seemed stretched too tightly over her flesh.

"I…I'm not sure…"

His eyes seared into her, and he smiled. "I'm thinking you'd like it. A lot. I can hear your heartbeat from here, and your pussy is wet already, isn't it, baby?

His voice was a caress rumbling sensuality as his words brushed over her sensitized skin like an actual touch.

"Answer me!" He snapped the demand softly, but it struck like a whip and she shivered.

"Yes."

His eyebrow arched. Her eyes widened and she realized he wanted more than her affirmation as an answer.

"Yes what?"

"Go to hell!" she said.

His smile was smug, but he didn't move or say another word.

"I want you to leave now," Deluna said. She winced inwardly at the breathless quiver that was her voice.

He shook his head. "Honesty. Let's have some, or we'll never get past this room. Tell me what you really want right now?" He took a step into the office and closed the door, twisting the lock as he did. They were the only ones in the small studio/theatre, but he obviously didn't want to chance any unexpected interruptions.

"I want you to go, Cord." This time the words came out a little stronger.

"I think you want me to strip you down and make you beg for my cock."

Another pulsing wave of heat and longing rushed through her, and the pulse deep inside her pounded a frantic tempo in her ears. She crossed her arms, hugged herself tighter. Confusion swirled in her brain.

"What the hell has happened to you tonight?" she snapped. "Have you been drinking or is it something else?"

"Maybe I'm just drunk on the sweet scent of you," he suggested. He reached her and took her wrists, tugging firmly so that she was no longer clutching herself defensively. "That's better," he said approvingly.

She tried to free herself and her knees just about buckled when he leaned in and his teeth closed over one of her tight, hyper-sensitive nipples. Through the thin material of her silk blouse and the sheer lace of her bra, he started sucking, and she clamped her lips together to silence the whimper of pleasure that wanted to escape her throat. She'd been attracted to Cord from the moment she'd spotted him at Dane's show, but the few times they'd gone out, he'd never made any serious moves. Suddenly, she was the focus of all his attention. It was exciting and frightening at the same time.

"Stop…"

He drew back and looked into her eyes, standing so close she was forced to tilt her head back to hold his gaze. She was overwhelmed, caught in the throes of arousal and the need to retain some measure of control over what was happening.

"Control is vastly over-rated, baby," he whispered, and watched her eyes narrow as she became fully aware that he'd answered her thought. Before she could question what had happened, he leaned close, his hands stroking over the silk of her shirt until he held both breasts in his palms, his thumbs brushing indolently across their turgid tips. Before she could anticipate him, one hand began flicking open the buttons of her shirt, and the other skimmed over her hip and started a return trip up her thigh. Deluna's body vibrated with tension and she closed her eyes when the backs of his fingers started a slow glide over her lacy panties.

"Tell me now you want me to stop," Cord's low, growling voice was next to her ear. He hooked the damp strip of cloth between her legs and tugged it aside, one finger gliding into her with a slick, wet sound that was louder than it should have been.

Deluna bit her bottom lip, but her tiny moan of response quivered between them.

* * * * *

PRIZES ARE:

Grand Prize: $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift card (Winner's choice!!)

Second Prize: $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift card

Third Prize: $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift card





Saturday, October 19, 2013

Demonic Revenge Concludes! #BadGirl #RomFantasy @cindyjacks @denysebridger

Demonic Revenge concludes:
Part One  |  Part Two  |  Part Three  |  Part Four  |  Part Five  |  Part Six  |
Part Seven  |  Part Eight  | Part Nine


The trip back to Chateau Arcadia was the first truly relaxing time Denysé had known since leaving it a mere few days earlier. They were now tucked into a lovely horse-drawn carriage and Rémy’s estate was less than an hour away.  She sighed softly and leaned into his side, inhaling the intoxicating scene and aura that was Rémy. She felt his smile, and looked up at him.

“What are you thinking about?”

He kissed her, a soft, lingering caress. “About how good it feels to have you back where you belong, ma cher.”

“There were times when I wondered if I’d live long enough for you to find me,” she admitted, voice small and still shaken.

Rémy held her tighter, lifting her into his lap and stroking the thick fall of her hair. “Why did you choose to be the scribe for the Viscount’s clan?”

“I happened across their history,” she replied. “Vasya was fascinating to me, and I wanted to know more about him.” She felt him tense, and drew back to peer at him. “Rémy! Don’t tell me you’re jealous of Vasya?” She tried to suppress a grin, but knew it was a dismal failure when he scowled.

“Do not expect me to like him overmuch,” he said. “It was because of him you spent several days in hell at the hands of a demon!”
She nodded, and leaned in to kiss him, slow and deep, shivering when he held her head and ravished her mouth with rising hunger. They eased back and looked at each other, green staring into blue until she was drowning in him.

“I love you, Rémy,” she murmured and snuggled close.

* * * * *

Her next memory was waking in Rémy’s arms as he carried her into the vast master bedroom of Chateau Arcadia, all the while barking out orders to staff who tripped over themselves to do as he requested. She shifted enough that he knew she was awake again, and he smiled.

“Relax, cheri.” He kissed her forehead. “Let me take care of you for a little while.”

He put her down on the bed, and she watched as he directed his staff, until everything was just as he wanted it. Then he turned to her and held out his hand.

She rose and went to him, drawing in soft scents that grew as they approached a huge, steaming bathtub. Rémy pulled her into his arms again, hugging her tight for long moments, then he eased back and grinned.

“Would you like to undress, or may I have the pleasure of removing your clothes?”

She actually felt the stain of a blush warm her cheeks, and Rémy’s gaze grew hotter than flames. He didn’t wait, he started to carefully remove the skirt, blouse, and her underwear, until she was standing naked in front of him. He held her hand, kissed the palm, then indicated she was to get into the tub.

The water felt heavenly and she groaned with pleasure as she sank into the warm, aromatic water. She looked up at Rémy, who was watching every move she made.

“Are you going to join me?”

He sat on the floor next to the bath and poured bubbling wine into two flutes, handing her one as he leaned on the edge of the tub.

“I’m considering not allowing you out of my sight again,” he informed her, his voice rough with emotions so complex it was impossible to distinguish what prompted his declaration.

“That wouldn’t really work for us,” Denysé answered, and slid closer to the side of the tub so she could touch his face, and kiss his cheek. “But thank you for the thought, my Big Bad Wolf.”

Rémy’s low growl made her grin.  He shook his head. “I think you need to be taught a lesson about the dangers of provoking the big bad wolf,” he said very quietly.

She laughed low in her throat and one eyebrow rose in challenge. “And are you to be my teacher, my Lord Rémy?”

He set aside the glasses of wine, and picked up the soft cloth, pouring sweet-smelling soap over it. He started at her shoulders, slow, lazy swipes that left bubbling lather over her skin. Her heartbeat picked up in tempo until it was a steady drumming inside her body, one she was certain her heard. He rinsed away the soap, the warm water drizzling over her skin, then he began again, this time using his hands, slipping them into the water, the lather like silk against her skin, masking his strong, battle scarred hands. He cupped her breasts, testing their weight, fingertips circling her nipples as they hardened and peaked against his palms.

Heat arrowed downward, the heavy throb of desire pulsing between her legs.  Rémy’s lips touched the side of her neck, tongue gliding over the erratic pulse there. One hand moved deeper into the water and parted her thighs. She gasped, eyes closed, and moaned softly when his fingers found the slick wetness of her pussy. He parted her swollen folds and slid two fingers inside her, while his thumb found the tight nub of her clit. Her hips pushed into his touch, begging for more, and Rémy started a slow, rhythmic thrusting into her, all the while flicking teasing touches to her clit. She was panting and calling his name in no time, and when he withdrew his fingers and pinched her clit, her entire body shook with the sudden orgasm that ripped through her. She clenched her teeth, holding back a scream, and he covered her pussy with his hand, holding her as her muscles started to relax.

When she was able to breathe again, he helped her to stand. Her knees shook badly, and Rémy’s grin was wicked, and hungry. He didn’t wait for her to towel off, he simply scooped her up and deposited her in the middle of the bed. Dazed and still quivering, she watched as he stripped out of his clothes and tossed them aside. A moment later, he crawled onto the bed, kissing his way up her body until she was staring into the azure ocean of his eyes.

He lifted her legs and she completed the action, wrapping them around his waist. Rémy held her face between his hands, his gaze locked with hers as he slid into her, his entire body shaking in reactive pleasure as he was sheathed fully inside her. She arched upward, needing, and he laughed, a low rumbling chuckle.

“Do you still want to leave my chateau, cher?” he breathed into her ear when he ducked his head to kiss her shoulder.

He thrust hard and sudden, and she moaned loudly, her arms going around him, nails digging into the smooth muscles of his shoulders. “Rémy....”

His hands moved to her hips and he held her in place, his body finally giving into desperate need. She tightened her hold on him, clinging as she answered the rapid motion of his thrusts. He drove deep, filling her, over and over, and she shuddered as every muscle began to tremble against him. He lifted her hips, changed the angle, and slid into her again as his release flooded over him and into her welcoming body. She cried out his name and he held her tightly while the walls of her pussy clutched him and rippled in another powerful orgasm.

For a few minutes, she was certain she’d fainted with the intensity of her climax. When she was able to see and breathe again, Rémy rolled over onto his back, taking her with him so she was sprawled over his heaving chest.

“Once I can move again, we’ll have to discuss further lessons in the dangers of provoking the big bad wolf,” she murmured, and grinned as he laughed, the sound rumbling against her ear, the sound rich and warm.

“Heaven and hell in one day,” she said when he was quiet, and they were snuggled under the blankets. “You certainly know how to show a girl a good time, my lord.”

Rémy pulled her against his chest, and she fell asleep with the music of his heartbeat close to her...


Can't get enough? Meet the Brothers des Quatre-Frères HERE:

Book One: Hour of the Wolf (Matéo)

Book Two: Thrown to the Wolves (Sébastien)

Book Three: Cry Wolf (Aimé)

Book Four: Wolf at the Door (Rémy)
Coming Soon

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Demonic Revenge - Part 8 #BadGirl #RomFantasy

Demonic Revenge continues:

Vasya turned to Cindy, and his expression gentled. He touched her cheek and leaned in to kiss her forehead. “We will continue this,” he murmured softly, and smiled down at her.

Rémy’s low growl was barely discernible, but clearly heard by the prince. He winked at Cindy, then stepped back.

“Aimé, I would like your help with a small project.”

Startled, Aimé nodded.

“Do we need to post a guard at Cindy’s door?” Rémy asked, his voice betraying the seething anger that was still bubbling beneath his outward calm.

Matéo spoke his name quietly, warning implicit, and the younger des Quatre-Frères gave a curt nod of understanding.

“Try to get some rest, bella,” Vasya suggested after the brothers had filed into the next room. At her hesitant nod, he paused and smiled. “All will be well again soon, cara mia,” he promised.

* * * * *

“I will need Acacia and Asafoetida,” Vasya told Aimé once they were all seated. Rémy had returned to his work on the sword, and it didn’t escape the ancient’s notice that he handled the rapier with near reverence as he restored the blade to working order. He was a gifted weapons master.

“Acacia for protection and psychic powers, and Asafoetida for exorcism?” Aimé questioned.

“Asafoetida is also used as protection, as well as exorcism and purification,” Vasya informed him, watching as the meaning of his request was understood.

“You intend to take Cindy with us?” Matéo voiced the question that wasn’t really a question at all.

“If we expect to save her, and get out alive ourselves, we need her to cast the incantation to trap the demon,” Vasya replied calmly.

Uneasiness settled over the room like a mantle, and Vasya braced for a potential rebellion from the des Quatre-Frères. Aimé rose and nodded. “I’ll find what you need.”

Grazie,” Vasya said as he rose from his chair. “I need fresh herbs, but only in a small amount.”

Aimé nodded his understanding, and left the room.

Matéo eyed him closely for several moments, and Vasya withheld a scrutiny that would have made most look away.

“Why now?”

Vasya considered ignoring the query, then chose to answer. “Change is coming, even in the hallowed history of Venice. We need unity among the European Clans again,” he stated. “My brother, half-brother,” he corrected, “wants to take control of things he does not understand. Were it up to me, I would still be walking the plains of Siberia.”

“Will you lead,” Matéo asked. “Or simply unite the Clans again?”

“If I am to unite them, I must be prepared to lead them into a changing world,” Vasya said with a heavy sigh. “A world I barely recognize myself.”

“Should you need us, Clan des Quatre-Frères will stand with you, Viscount Petrova.”

Vasya held the Alpha’s steady gaze, then bowed to him. “My gratitude to you, Lord Alpha,” he said formally.

* * * * *

Morning came much too quickly, and when Cindy entered the adjoining room of the suite she was supposed to share with her friend, the four powerful males all rose. Vasya stepped toward her first, and lifted her hand to kiss it.

“Let us hope this days ends well, bella mia,” he murmured. “So we can continue to get to know each other better.”

Cindy saw Rémy’s scowl from the corner of her eye, but he said nothing. Vasya drew her attention back to him when he pulled a pendant from the pocket of his dark silk shirt. It hung on a long silver chain, and looked like a round locket. As he placed it around her neck, he explained.

“The incantation I taught you has been captured here,” he told her. “If you falter, it will help you remember, to hear the words as I have spoken them to you.”

She nodded and hugged him tight. Looking past him, she met the serious gazes of each of the brothers, lingering longest on Rémy, who managed to appear both fierce and lost.

“Where are we going to do this?” Matéo asked.

“There is a garden not far from here, just outside the hallowed grounds of the church we visited when gathering what was needed to fight the demon. It is remote and will serve us well,” Vasya decreed.

“Young one,” he addressed Rémy, who glared at him. “The Aducător de moarte, if you will?”

Rémy handed over the sword, once again a weapon of rare beauty. The silvery steel gleamed in the light, the runes appearing to shift in the heavy metal. Vasya tested the blade to find it honed to a sharp, lethal edge. “You have done your work well,” he said. “Shall we?” He indicated the door.

A short while after leaving the hotel, they stood in a small circle, Cindy in the middle, surrounded by the males. Vasya took out the wicked looking dagger, sliced it across his forearm, and turned to allow his blood to anoint the ground where they stood.

“Always blood,” Cindy muttered.

Vasya actually smiled at her. “Blood is life. Life is power.” Before she could reply, he began to speak the ancient words of magic...

* * * * *

Denysé shuddered when the suffocating heat was suddenly leeched from the room. She scrambled to her feet and backed up a couple of paces, until she hit the wall and for a moment was certain it wanted to suck her into itself. The heat burned, and she started to look around, wondering where he’d appear from this time.

“Well show yourself, Asshole,” she shouted, after a few minutes. The cell was breathing, she felt the air currents. It made her skin crawl with apprehension, and terror.

A claw-like nail skittered up her spine and she whirled around. He was once again in black, looking deceptively human.

“They are coming for you,” he informed her.

She stood facing him, hands clenching into fists. “Then I guess I’ll be leaving soon,” she snapped. It was bravado and they both knew it. Azazel laughed, his mirth seemingly genuine.

“You might have been amusing if you hadn’t been laying with dogs,” he noted.

“Fuck you!”

He took a step toward her, menace pouring off him as his urbane exterior gave way to his true form. She was dead, and she knew it.

Closing her eyes, she waited, and the roar that ripped through the air was picked up and echoed over and over, shaking the ground she stood on. When she dared to open her eyes, they were no longer in the cell, she was standing between two lesser demons, and Azazel was leering down at her. A flick of his hand was all it took, and the demons on either side of her chained her to the wall. Azazel turned his back and waited, the rising screams reaching a deafening crescendo before sudden silence enveloped them.

Stepping out of thin air, the ancient and powerful wolf prince appeared first, and her breath left her when she saw who was with him. A pale and freaked out Cindy, and behind her, three of the des Quatre Frères. The Alpha, the shaman, and her beloved Rémy. Hope screamed to life inside her, and terror ran on its heels.

* * * * *

“We meet again, Hell-spawn,” Vasya said, moving to stand directly in front of the towering demon. “You have something of mine, I want it back!”

Azazel’s laughter boomed, and he gestured for the two demons on either side of his prisoner to attack.

Vasya drew the sword, and the brothers fanned out at his back. Cindy moved to one side, and the moment the demons attacked, she began to do what she’d been instructed to do.

Snarls of rage filled the room as Matéo and Aimé and Rémy shifted and attacked in their wolf form. Howls and barks of rage were unnerving. Cindy tried to block out the battle as it raged so short a distance away from her, and began to chant the incantation. She was having trouble remembering the Romanian spell. Shaking she held the locket in both hands and concentrated, starting again. In her mind, she heard Vasya’s voice, as though it whispered from inside the locket, and she spoke the words as she had the previous day, reciting exactly what he taught her. Once it had begun, she felt tingles of power, like small jolts of electricity running along her nerve endings. She pulled the dagger and ran it across her palm, wincing at the pain, but  determined to do as she’d been instructed.

Vasya let the des Quatre-Fréres take care of the two lesser demons, and he continued his assault on Azazel. Blow after blow rained down on the demon as he sliced into demonic flesh, blood running in rivulets along the sticky blade of the sword. Rémy had used the sacred holy water generously, and each time the blade made contact with the demon, it cut and burned that much deeper. The sword hummed in his grip, but he knew the power it should have was not present. Azazel found a weakness and he sent the prince sprawling with a crushing backhanded blow. Dazed, Vasya rolled away, his grip on the weapon still firm. Above the din, he heard Cindy reciting the incantation for the second time, and knew the circle had been drawn.

“Now!” he ordered, and the brothers began to circle the demon, pushing him closer to the circle that would allow them to destroy him. The three huge black wolves were deadly, narrowing the distance quickly, working swiftly to keep Azazel off balance. Vasya moved so fast he was a blur when the demon lord captured the smallest of the wolves and began to choke the life from him. The lethal blade sliced off the hand that held Aimé and the demon roared to shake the entire area. As he fell, Aimé shifted back to human form, revulsion filling his expression as he threw off the limb that moments before had almost killed him.

Azazel turned on the other two des Quatre-Frères, but Rémy was already falling back to make a full on attack. Vasya measured the distance and decided to take a risk. He dropped the sword, and shifted. For the first time, his wolf form was seen by everyone. He was almost as tall in his natural form as he was in his human body, his coat deepest brown, with silver markings around onyx eyes. He launched at the demon and threw him back into the circle as Cindy jumped clear. Vasya tore into the demon’s throat, blood spraying from the gaping wound he’d created.

Azazel’s rage erupted, and he flung the prince aside, regaining his footing, then he began to stalk in for the kill. Rémy leaped, his wolf form shifting even as he landed near the sword and lifted it. He finished the graceful spin, throwing every ounce of strength he had into the sweeping arc of the sword as he severed the demon’s head from his body. The body fell back into the circle, and the sword screamed with power as the body of Azazel exploded into flames...

Part Nine tomorrow at: http://cindyjacks.blogspot.com

Can't get enough? Meet the Brothers des Quatre-Frères HERE:

Book One: Hour of the Wolf (Matéo)

Book Two: Thrown to the Wolves (Sébastien)

Book Three: Cry Wolf (Aimé)

Book Four: Wolf at the Door (Rémy)
Coming Soon