This Week's Releases by After Dark

Fantasy Friday: Erin R. Flynn

The Turning

A Dr. Kelly Murphy Novel

Now Available at Amazon

Graduate medical school, start competitive internship, don’t get cut from the program, become a surgeon. It was a great plan. One Kelly Murphy loved and had dreamed of most of her life… And it was blown to hell in a night with an uninvited bite.

Now she’s missing three days of her life, trying to handle her freaked out best friend and parents who called the police when she went missing, all as she realizes she’s not the same person she was before. She’s different. Like has fangs different.

When he shows up on her doorstep claiming to know what happened to her, Kelly’s not sure that makes things any less confusing. But at least he can guide her, right? Either way, she has a plan and a choice she didn't make won’t stop her… Even if she might have the urge to bite her patients from now on.

EXCERPT

“Well then, if I had known that was what it would take to get you to kiss me, I would have opted for that sooner,” he purred. “Come to me, Kelly.”

“Come to me? Who says that?” I laughed. Still I found myself crawling on my knees over to him and sitting on my feet right in front of him. I grabbed him behind the head, my other hand went on his shoulder and over to his back. The kiss I gave him was one of my personal bests, if I did say so myself.

“I felt that all through my body. Wow,” he whispered against my lips. That reaction caused me to move around him and start to touch his back. Slowly I started to rub his wonderful, firm muscles. “I have never had a woman touch my back like that. Where did you learn to do this?”

“I had a friend in high school who was training to teach people how to be a masseuse. He needed people to practice with and I offered. I learned a lot that way.”

“Well my regards to your teacher.” He let out a small moan and that was my cue to go back to the card game. I took my seat on the other side of the table and dealt the cards. “Why did you stop?”

“I stopped because it would have meant the end of the card game. And I was having fun kicking your over four-hundred-year-old ass,” I replied with a wink.

“Really? Well maybe I should pick up my game a bit. Gin.” He gave me another smirk that made me want to stomp my foot like a little kid. “And I’d like my kiss.”

“I choose the shot, and if you want a kiss, get your ass over here,” I grumbled like a sore loser. And with that his lips were on mine much faster than I could move. If I could still breathe, it would have taken my breath away. I couldn’t help myself, when he pulled away I pulled him right back and took a deeper kiss. “That one was for free.”

“I appreciate it. My deal.” Then he took the cards and tucked my hair behind my ear before he went back to his side of the table. “Are you drunk yet?”

“Almost, you?” I asked, grinning like a fool. The man did know how to kiss, I’d give him that.

“Yes, hence my switching to removing my clothes in front of you. I really am sure I have never played strip gin before.” He snorted, laughing at his own joke. “I like it and you. Are you upset I turned you?”

“I don’t know yet, to be determined. Let’s leave it alone for tonight,” I answered honestly as I grabbed another card. Looking at my hand, I wiggled my eyebrows at him. “Gin, and no kiss this time” After several minutes, and a few more rounds, I was so drunk I started to opt for removing clothing and Brain was down to his boxers. “I’m enjoying the view from over here very, very much.”

“The same goes for me. Gin, and I want my kiss,” he chuckled as he showed me his cards. I took off a sock and leaned over the table for a quick kiss. “That does not count as a kiss. That was a peck.” This time I gave him a real kiss that gave me chills all over my body. “Now that was a kiss, Kelly, one I would like to repeat as often as possible.”

I lost the next three rounds. Took one shot, then removed my other sock, and jeans very slowly while watching Brian watching me. I thought I saw drool before I said, “Brian, come here and claim your kiss. Unless you don’t want one now that I’m down to bra and thong?”

Again, in an instant he was by me, but this time he also picked me up in his arms. I wrapped mine around his neck when he didn’t kiss me immediately. Brian first kissed the base of my throat and worked his way up my neck, little by little. Then he started nibbling on my ear, running his tongue all around it. The moan I let out seemed to be the green light Brian needed to make his move. He had me in my bedroom and on my bed so fast the room blurred.

“I want to feel your body beneath me, Kelly. More than I ever wanted to feel a woman’s body. Mo mhile stór,” he hissed while unclasping my bra. Once gone, he had one hand in my hair and the other caressing my chest.

“What does that mean?” I asked, letting out a loud groan. He lowered his head to mine, looked right in my eyes, and then touched our lips ever so softly.

“It means my thousand treasures. My darling, I want to kiss every inch of your body.” And he did. Each touch and each kiss made me shiver. “Why are you trembling?”

“Your hands and kisses are driving me insane,” I panted, even if I didn’t need the air anymore. It seemed old habits really did die hard. “They are cold and everything feels so sensitive. It’s never been like this before.” It seemed he had my panties and his boxers off at the same time. His hands spread my thighs. Then his fingers were everywhere, inside of me while also playing with my sensitive nub. Brian’s mouth and tongue sucked and licked my nipples while my hands grasped his hair as I held on for the ride.

After I finished my earth shattering orgasm, I quickly flipped us over so this time I was on top. “Thank you,” I whispered then nibbled on his ear, kissed my way down his neck and chest. I licked all around his perfect abs just to tease him before I took him in my hand.

“Rath Dé ort! You thought waiting a year was long, I have waited over a hundred,” he yelled. I knew he was telling the truth since there was no cold wave. “Please do not stop, I love the way you touch me. I love the way you kiss me. Go raibh maith agat, go raibh maith agat!” After he finished, I rolled off him and lay against him as he gently played with my hair and kissed me softly.

“What does that all mean?” I asked quietly while rubbing his chest. It was completely smooth, firm, toned, and hairless.

“I said god bless you, and thanked you over and over again for giving me such great pleasure. I do have an insatiable appetite, I should warn you. I want more,” he said with a smile and his eyes gleamed. I could spend weeks looking into Brian’s eyes and still never see everything there was to him. I was still thinking about that when he rolled on top of me, wrapped my thigh around his hip, and entered me slowly.

Also from Erin R. Flynn…

Accidentally Wolf

A Seraphine Thomas Novel

Available at Amazon

Special Agent in Charge, Seraphine Thomas, lives for her job at the FBI. One of the youngest female agents with her own team, she thrives in undercover work to make the city she loves safer. But Sera's on-track life is thrown into chaos when she's attacked during a bust gone bad and is left figuring out what it means to be a werewolf.

Right away, she learns that she’s more powerful and able to do things that she shouldn’t be able to do so quickly after her transition. The rules of her old life don’t seem to apply to much now that she’s a shifter, and knowing who she can trust is even more complicated.

When she’s transferred to a special branch of the FBI made up of paranormals policing others of their kind and given a promotion, things start looking up—until her abnormal level of power creates a list of enemies for her before she’s even learned who her allies are.

About

Growing up on the northwest side of Chicago, Erin is a loyal Cubs fan, but she also admits to being a die-hard Green Bay Packers girl. From target practice to candle making, she enjoys an eclectic list of hobbies that feed her outgoing and creative personality.

Feeling unfulfilled with her life in corporate America, Erin decided to pursue her true passion, and her first novella was published in May 2010 under the pseudonym Joyee Flynn. To date, she has published over 70 books in the erotic romance genre, and her dedicated readers eagerly await each installment to her numerous bestselling series. Wanting to give her characters a bit more action, mystery, and adventure, Erin decided to branch out from romance and her Joyee pen name to create successful, strong, independent women with a paranormal twist.

Living near the Rocky Mountains, Erin spends her days curled up on the overstuffed chair with a Mountain Dew and her 8 year old Weimaraner, Marius, at her feet, telling the stories her characters whisper in her ear.  Her love of the written word hasn’t changed much over the years. The only difference is that she no longer has to hide in her closet to read after bedtime.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Blog

Tuesday's Teasers: Siobhan Muir!

Tuesday

 

Teasers with Siobhan Muir!

 

 

The Beltane Witch, Cloudburst, Colorado

 

Blurb:

Magic, mayhem, and motherhood… a witch’s work is never done, but Sabrina draws the line at the Fae.

After almost two decades as a practicing witch in Cloudburst, Colorado, Sabrina Foxglove is done with men, magic, and the fertility rituals of High Beltane. She’s dealt with all three before and ended up with a young daughter and no partner. Twice. She’s looking forward to a magic-free May Day, with nothing more exciting than making brownies for a kindergarten class and decorating a May Pole. She definitely doesn’t have time for a handsome, Fae-touched man.

After almost two centuries as the human chamberlain to the Fae’s Summer Court, Darius Winterbourne is a man accustomed to getting his way. So when the Summer Queen tasks him with finding a witch to perform the annual rituals and strengthen the ancient warding magicks, he figures it should be easy. He doesn’t expect Sabrina’s hardheaded refusal, her untrained abilities, or his attraction to her. With less than a week to Beltane, he must gain Sabrina’s trust before he loses his home, his position…and his heart.

Snippet (Adult excerpt):

He hadn’t expected her power to be so strong or so pleasurable. He’d never communed with anyone outside his family before, but her magic had slid over him like a tailored glove, meshing with his own abilities perfectly. He’d only wanted more. His suggestion to try again had been made more from desire than from encouragement.

Even now his cock rose in response to the sensation memory of her glorious energy.

Quiet, you. Go to bed.

He resettled his body against the cushions and closed his eyes, but the arousal followed him down into his dreams. He found himself standing in Sabrina’s room beside her bed as she slept. She’d thrown off the covers and lay on her back in nothing more than a gossamer silk nightgown. The finely woven fabric cupped her breasts, offering the barest hints of dark areolas and taut nipples. Another dark smudge marred the cloth at the juncture of her thighs and his cock flexed happily against his trousers.

“Holy Goddess,” he whispered. He could no more stop himself from bending to kiss her than he could stop the rain.

Sabrina smiled sleepily and opened her eyes. “Darius.”

“Shh. Let me pleasure you, acushla.” He traced her neck and shoulder with kisses as he slowly pulled aside her nightgown.

When he exposed one full, plump breast to his lips, he sucked the nipple into his mouth, laving it with his tongue. Sabrina moaned and writhed beneath him with sensual, sleep-slowed motions.

“Oh, yes, Darius. Please.”

The pleasure in her voice sent blood rushing to his cock, impossibly hardening it more. Her rich taste against his tongue took his breath away and he couldn’t get enough of her. He thrust his hand under her gown and stroked the other breast, reveling in the taut nipple against his palm as she gasped.

“Oh, Goddess, that feels wonderful.”

Encouraged by her response, Darius released her nipple and gently worked the silk up over her hips to expose her legs and mound. To his delight, she kept it neatly trimmed and short, a perfect triangle pointing to the treasure between her thighs. He watched her hand slide down her body and stroke over the lips of her pussy as if she ached for stimulation. Darius just about swallowed his tongue and he groaned as his cock flexed.

“I want you, Darius.” Sabrina’s hand swept through her short curls and the scents of sex and aroused woman filled his nose.

“Sweet lady, I’m going to savor your nectar and drink my fill of your cream.” He fell head-long into her perfume, pressing his nose into the hot flesh between her legs.

“Oh, my glory…” Sabrina wriggled her hips, spreading her thighs wider to allow him access to inhale her hot, sweet scent.

He’d never smelled anything as exquisite as Sabrina’s womanly juices. Her scent varied from sweet to tangy and back, alternately teasing and soothing his palate. He shifted his weight onto his belly and spread her fleshy lips apart with his hands. Her pink pussy glistened in the light of the bedside lamp and wept her juice as he watched.

It was too tempting. He sealed his mouth against her weeping slit and stroked the hot flesh with his tongue. Sabrina wailed with pleasure, her hands grasping his head as her fingers stabbed into his hair. Her soft lips and tight opening caressed his tongue, drawing it deeper into her as he stroked her.

Darius delighted in the sounds she made and the involuntary motions of her body as she succumbed to the pleasure he offered her. He licked her clit, stroking it until it hardened beneath his tongue then sucked it into his mouth, tugging on it. Sabrina keened her approval and her fingers dug into his scalp as she raised her hips, thrusting them imperatively at his face.

“Oh, Goddess! Please, more, Darius, more!”

“Your wish is my command, acushla.”

Her honey flowed at the sound of his voice and he slowly inserted a finger into her quaking pussy as he sucked on her clit. An earthy groan erupted from her lips at the intrusion and her inner walls tightened around his hand. He teased her by gently tugging his finger out then returning it with measured motions.

Darius increased the pressure of his mouth on her nubbin as he inserted his hand harder and faster. Sabrina whimpered in time with his thrusts, rocking her hips to receive more and more of his attention. Her heady scent intensified as she built her orgasm, the sounds she made increasingly desperate.

“Come for me, acushla. Give me your cream.”

Where to find Siobhan-

MY LINKS

Website: http://siobhanmuir.com

Blog: http://siobhanmuir.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/siobhan.muir.35

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SiobhanMuir

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5760938.Siobhan_Muir

Google Plus: http://plus.google.com/u/0/118081545120488658410/posts

BUY LINKS

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329349

All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thebeltanewitch-1225059-340.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Beltane-Witch-Cloudburst-Colorado-ebook/dp/B00DL4INB0/ref=sr_1_1

 

 

Author Spotlight: Lexi DeHalo

lexi.dehalo@gmail.com

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK

Lexi DeHalo lived in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina until she left for college to study Chemistry and Forensic Science. Despite her love for science, Lexi’s heart has always belonged to the arts. So, after moving to the big city, she decided to pursue her creativity by writing hot stories about hot men who love other hot men.

She welcomes questions and comments from her readers on Facebook, Goodreads, or her website.

Questions

Author Questions:

What inspires you to write?

Everything. I love drawing inspiration from movies, books, comics, songs, a beautiful picture. There’s lots of things that can make me feel that spark of inspiration.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what kind?

Definitely. It depends on the mood of the scene I’m writing. If it’s happy and upbeat, then I’ll throw on some pop or hip hop music and for those more intimate or darker scenes, I prefer rock.

Do you have a favourite character from your books?

My favorite character in my published works would have to be Adam. I absolutely love him and his depth. He’s not a character that can easily be stereotyped and I had a lot of fun writing him.

Reader Questions:

What are your favourite genres to read from?

I don’t limit my genres. I love all sorts of books, but I prefer the darker paranormal stories. Whether they’re erotic romance or young adult, I love them all.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

Jana Downs – I love her creativity in her stories and her hot man love scenes.

Yuu Watase – I grew up reading her mangas. I love her unique storylines. They are what first inspired me to write my own stories.

Lisa Jackson – she’s my go to author when I’m in need of horror/suspenseful book.

What’s the one book you can’t live without and why?

Okay, well it’s actually a group of books. My recent addiction has been the Black Bird mangas I’m currently reading and I’m so in love with this series, I’d have a seriously hard time parting with them.

Quickies:

Night or Day?

Night.

Leather or Lace?

Lace.

Chocolate or Sex?

Sex.

Moon Resonance

Saturday's Spotlight: Jess Buffett, Honor James & After Dark Writers

Fantasy Friday: Blog Tour With Leontii Holender

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Leontii Holender lives in the sleepy little town of Greenville, South Carolina. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts and was raised all across the United States. She has lived mostly in the southern states with large cities. She's called New Orleans, Memphis, and Atlanta home, just to name a few. She moved into the area in order to help take care of her ill mother and has since found herself with a plethora of free time to write.

Leontii has been writing for about eight years now and is a full-time author. The writing bug bit her rather early in her life and since she discovered she enjoyed it, she hasn’t stopped. She started writing short stories in high school and has since moved on to focus on novels. She likes writing erotic fiction the most and tends to lean towards strong elements of horror, suspense, fantasy, mythos, and the paranormal.

Now Available for Pre-Order from BookStrand!

CHARACTER INTERVIEW with

Sivney Forsàidh

Q: Do you have any scars? How did you get them?

I have too many to count. Years of work in the human life as a warrior and blacksmith along with a second life as a enforcer and investigator put me in the direct line of conflict often.

Q: What is your biggest fear?

My biggest fear is that of failure. Failing at work, protecting those that are close to me, or not preforming the best I can are worse than something like spiders or snakes.

Q: When is the last time you really laughed out loud? What made you laugh?

Wow, that’s something I haven’t thought about in a long time. I guess I laugh when I’m at the Garden’s main headquarters. The fellow enforcers in my division are about as crazy as they come, so they are great for a good laugh.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Kyrien?

Kyrien is amazing in every sense of the word. There’s no one favorite thing I can pinpoint about him. He forces me to see the world in a way that I haven’t in ages. He’s as refreshing to be around as he is tempting…

Q: What are you plans for the future?

Eventually I’d like to retire from the direct position of enforcer and run my own division of enforces and investigators like the Director. I know Kyrien would be happy if we didn’t have to travel so much, but it’s nice to get to see familiar places with him. It’s like they’re brand new again.

Q: Who was your first love?

Funny story. Kyrien’s uncle Johann was my first real love. It’s a long and sordid story, and there’s not much else I’d like to say on that one.

Q: How has your opinion on love changed since meeting Kyrien?

My opinions on a lot of things have changed since I met Kyrien. When that special someone walks into your life, it has a way of opening your eyes to things you were too stubborn or too self absorbed to see before.

Q: What is one thing that annoys you about Kyrien?

Kyrien drags me out to all the theme nights at his club Calamity. From BDSM, westerns, fairytales, and motorcycles. It never fails and he always makes me dress up in a costume! Doesn’t he get I’m not a people person, much less when I’m in assless chaps?

Q: Boxers or Briefs?

Neither. *Winks.*

Q: Other than Kyrien, what is the one thing in life you can’t live without?

Blood. It’s kind of a vampire thing.

Facebook Event

Tuesday's Teaser: Lynn Crain

lynncrain@cox.net

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | SEXY SATURDAY BLOG

A Viennese Christmas (A Taste of Vienna Story)

Sign language interpreter, Amanda Kranz, wants to find her soul mate but fears her chance has past due to the death of her childhood sweetheart. Finding sexy historian Henry Jager during an outing in her new home of Vienna, Austria, may have been a stroke of luck. When his ex-fiancée shows up just as their relationship starts to sizzle, Amanda must decide if standing up for what she really wants will give her lifetime happiness. Or will she be destined to spend her life alone?

Snippet: 

Her disappointment must have been plain on her face as she found herself suddenly gazing into the greenest eyes in a very handsome male face. A question in German followed as she tried to ascertain just what he said.

“I’m sorry,” she stated, her confusion obvious. “I’ve only picked up a word or two since I’ve been here. Do you speak English?”

“You’re American?” he questioned without the accent most Austrians possessed.

“Don’t make it sound like such a curse. There are a lot of us, you know.” Her indignation evident in her tone.

His rich laughter filled the space, warming her to her bones in ways she hadn’t expected. “Sorry. I guess one does pick up the attitudes of where they live.”

She looked at him puzzled. “That’s that supposed to mean?”

“Henry Jager, American, at your service ma’am.” His sweeping bow brought a smile to her lips.

“Amanda Kranz and I hardly think I qualify as a ma’am.” She stuck her hand toward him. His firm grasp sent an electric sensation as she felt the spark deep within her. She swore he felt it too as his eyes darkened.

“Do you prefer Amanda or Mandi? I know there’s not much of a choice with Henry.” His serious gaze spot of his interest.

Laughter bubbled up in her, the first such emotion in weeks. “Henry is a fine, strong name. And it doesn’t matter much with mine.” His hot look made her want to shiver in anticipation of what she could only speculate.

“Really? I would have thought your business associates would call you Amanda. Now your intimate contacts I expect call you Mandi.”

She gazed at him. Intimate contacts, now there was a misnomer. It had been years since she’d had any intimate contacts of the male persuasion. “Sounds good to me.”

“You gave in too easy.” He reluctantly let go of her hand as his look took on a more serious aspect. “Are you meeting someone?”

She shook her head. “No one to meet.”

“Good.” He grabbed her hand again, placing it in the crook of his arm. “Have you ever been to one of these before?” Henry expertly meandered around people, baby carriages and more as he led her to the next booth.

“Not really. I saw them last year but being so new to the city, I couldn’t bring myself to go to one alone.” She gazed at the Rathaus beyond them, remembering how intimidated she’d been by building even though it had a Christmas tree in front.

His eyes narrowed. “Sounds like you’re still a relative newcomer.”

“I suppose so. I got here in November of last year.”

“Ah – your impression?” His brows lifted when he drew back as if to study her face.

“Very commercialized. I expected something more – ” she struggled to find the right word. “– more homey, more authentic – more Austrian.”

Henry gazed around a moment before looking back at her. “I see your point. This is probably the one Christkindlemarkt that’s got the least to offer in specialized, authentic goods in my opinion except it does have a certain ambiance. And of course, there’s the skating rink as well as the park decorations.”

Her brow arched in amazement. She really hadn’t expected anyone to agree with her. All the women she knew gushed over every one of them. “You agree with me?”

His naughty smile was breathtaking. “Most definitely. This is the one where most of the tourists come. While there are some very Austrian things here hidden amongst the drivel, most are not unique or special in any way.”

“My thoughts exactly. Where exactly does one find more traditional items?” Astonishment spread through her. She had not once heard anyone say a negative comment about Vienna. All her colleagues gushed over the city but as far as she was concerned, it was just another place to live.

They stopped in front of a food booth, the aroma tantalizing. “Would you like something hot to drink?”

The brisk breeze nipped at her cheeks and she felt the cold through her coat. She definitely could use something to warm her up. “Sure.”

Featured Author: Imogene Nix

Imogene @ Imogenenix.com

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TOTAL-E-BOUND | TWITTER | BLOG

BIO

Wife, mother and nutty bookstore owner all describe Imogene Nix, but the real secret is Science Fiction, Paranormal Romance with a hefty dose of Romantic Suspense is what she adores. Dedicated to high quality romance, with a dollop of erotic interactions, Imogene has dipped her toes into Science Fiction, Contemporary Rural Romance and Paranormal Romance featuring feisty headstrong female leads.

This Weeks Featured Author

Author Questions:

What inspires you to write?

I’m not actually sure where it initially started from, but I continue because I have these voices in my head.

Are you plot or character driven?

I would say I’m very much character driven.  I want my characters to be front and centre, the reason for writing the story.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what kind?

It really depends on my mood.  If I do it’s usually Gregorian chants and more eclectic choices like Enigma.

Is there a particular genre you prefer to write?

No, I’m not terribly picky.  I write across Contemporary, SciFi/Futuristic, Paranormal and even Romantic Suspense.

I can’t help myself. There’s so much to write!

Reader Questions:

What are your favourite genres to read from?

Romantic Suspense and SciFi mainly.  I like a good paranormal as well. J

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

This is one of those questions I get asked a lot. JD Robb is right up there, together with Julia Spencer-Fleming, Stephanie Laurens, Cynthia Eden, Cat Adams... I could keep going of course!

I think the reason these stories appeal to me is that for each of these authors the females are broken on some emotional level and strong. They don’t care that they live outside the restrictions of the society they live in. They have their moral code and stick to it.

What’s the one book you can’t live without and why?

One??? I don’t think I could just say one...

Quickies:

Night or Day?

Daytime J Always

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee.  No choice!

Leather or Lace?

Lace please

Chocolate or Sex?

Sex (but just!)

Pajama movie night or Cocktails at the bar?

PJ’s have to win.

Formal or Casual?

Casual

The Blood Bride

Hope and Xavier must fight for their lives and those of the innocents in a battle for good and evil. But will it be enough?

Hope just wants to be an ordinary nestling. She went to college and escaped, but now she’s back and there’s a secret everyone is keeping from her.

Xavier is the new master of the nest, ready to welcome home the daughter of the house who he has never met. He’s unprepared for the woman who steals his breath and enchants him.

Now Hope and Xavier must fight for their lives and those of the innocents. After all, it is only by overcoming the rogues that they will have a chance of a timeless future together. But will it be in time?

Excerpt

Hope hauled the last heavy box up the stairs of the manor house, occasionally catching glimpses of the way her midnight black hair shone in the sunlight, when she passed the window in the living room of her apartment. "Thank heavens this is the last one," she muttered to herself, sliding the box down to rest on the floor, before straightening and rubbing the nagging ache in her back. She could have had help, all she needed to do was ask, but now that she was an adult she needed to stand on her own two feet, she reminded herself.
Straightening up, she looked around at the mass of boxes waiting for her to delve into. "Well, gone away and back again. Where do I start first?"
The phone trilled and she started for an instant, before extending her hand to the receiver on the shelf beside her. "Hope."
"Miss Hope, do you require any help? Lisi is wondering if you require her assistance." The muffled voice of one of her guardians flowed out of the earpiece. She had forgotten that living at the manor meant the goldfish bowl lifestyle she had tried her best to escape at college. Not that she’d had much opportunity to live a free lifestyle. She’d been lodged with a guardian family within the college grounds. Even then, her personal team of five guards had shadowed her every move—to classes, shopping and even to the hairdresser’s.
They hadn’t escaped her notice, the looks some of her classmates had thrown her way. Longing for the lifestyle they’d thought she enjoyed. Little did they know, Hope would happily have swapped, a lot of the time. Downtime had existed within a carefully vetted group of companions, each from houses of similar status. The cloying atmosphere she hated, but, nonetheless, she had submitted to her parents’ will. Only a few times had she sought to do activities that they would have deemed inappropriate, but her conscience had always kicked in, and she had derived no enjoyment from the guilty feelings that had overcome her.
"No thanks, Jeffrey. I have all the boxes up here and I am going to take my time going through everything." How could she explain that she needed a freedom that had been denied? That this small and almost insignificant rebellion was one she embraced? But she couldn’t. It wasn’t fair to Jeffrey to share that.
"Fine, Miss Hope. Oh, and I am supposed to remind you, the new Master has requested your presence in his library after sundown."
She nodded, knowing it was expected that she would take her oath of fealty. "Oh. Right. I’ll be down for sunset." She laid down the receiver. It’s one thing to owe your continued safety to a vampire nest Master, but quite another to be at his beck and call all the time, just as her parents had been. Her temper spiked momentarily. The emotion coiled through her then she shuddered, pushing away the negative thought, while absently reaching for the boxes she needed to stack, store or unpack. The rough exterior of some of them brushed against her hands. For now, she had time. Lots of time.
Ripping the tape off the first box, she then started to root through it, unwrapping reminders of her slightly more free college life, formulating arguments to put to her parents, knowing that the dice were stacked against her. Her life had been mapped out since her birth, but perhaps she could find a way around some of the roadblocks. At least she hoped so. With that thought, she set to work.
* * * *
He stretched in the bed, feeling the cool sheets around his body, savouring the experience of knowing he could rise when he wanted to. Luxuriating as he came to full awareness of his surroundings. His bed. His home. His nest. A feeling of exultation swept through him. One he had experienced several times in the last six months since he had become Master.
Xavier had only recently been transferred to this nest, after Cyrus had been called to ascend to a seat on the Council with his predecessor Cressida, the most senior of the vampires on the Council.
A new Master had been required for the nest, a situation arising from the ascension of Cressida who had saved the child Hope from the rogues. The death of another of the Council meant that Cyrus had answered a call to accept a seat. It was an almost unheard of event for a nest to have two new Masters in under a hundred years, but Xavier had accepted his unexpected promotion. Not that he would take it for granted—no, he worked beside his vampires as required, so they knew he would ensure their safety while they ensured his.
The household he had taken over was well run, and he had no fears for the financial status, even though they had lost the manor and many assets during the dark days of clearing the rogues who had attacked the house. Indeed, he had been with Cyrus the night he had ascended and had seen the great strides Cyrus had made during his Mastership.
He swiped a hand over his stubbled face and a voice to his left said quietly, "Master, refreshments for you." A crystal goblet appeared in a white hand at the edge of his vision. He accepted it with a grunt, the ruby red liquid inside calling to him on a primal level. Blood wine. Sustenance that would ease the clawing hunger he always felt on awakening.
His teeth extended and his mouth opened. The first drop touched his tongue and a frisson moved through him, the ecstasy of drinking flowing into his body. He took his time, savouring the flavours.
Young.
Full bodied.
Tart aftertaste. The wine, the only human sustenance he could now enjoy. Food was relegated to a memory of things long past.
He closed his eyes as the last drop flowed, and breathed deep. Yes, a Master could very quickly become accustomed to this lifestyle, but not now and not today. He needed to meet this Hope, the one who had turned their entire world upside down. James had told him little about his daughter, save that she would need to remain within the house, protected from the world. That someday she would assume the mantle of leading the house from within, while her brother oversaw the legal and financial affairs of the nest.
He pushed the bed covers away, unconcerned about nudity as he padded to the bathroom. He might be a vampire, but he still bathed and shaved, a thought that made him chuckle. Even after all these years, when vampires had made their entry into the human world, humans outside nests thought vampires had no need for those daily rituals.

He moved through his ablutions. She would be waiting for him, but he would present himself to her in his most urbane incarnation. She would take her oath of fealty, then he would meet with his advisers, James and David leading the human contingent.