Archive for the ‘25 Days of Christmas Blog Hop -2011’ Category
December 26th, 2011 | 
Author: 
True Colors by Thea Harrison
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Shape Shifter
Length: Novella
Summary:
Meeting your soulmate? Great. Preventing your possible murder? Even better.
Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she’s just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime—and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate.
But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim.
Product Warnings: This book contains a hot police detective, a violent murderer on the hunt, and a heroine that can blend in anywhere…
CONTEST WINNER!
EVELYN
The book is in your inbox. Happy Holidays!
Posted in 
True Colors by Thea Harrison
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Shape Shifter
Length: Novella
Summary:
Meeting your soulmate? Great. Preventing your possible murder? Even better.
Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she’s just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime—and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate.
But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim.
Product Warnings: This book contains a hot police detective, a violent murderer on the hunt, and a heroine that can blend in anywhere…
Excerpt
Don’t move. Stay perfectly still.
The enormous monster plunged through the apartment with the lethal speed of a stealth bomber. A Molotov cocktail of pheromones and Power spewed through the blood-tainted air, the classic signs of a strong male Wyr in a rage. Alice clung to her perch, her heart knocking so hard she thought it was going to burst out of her chest. Had the murderer returned?
Then the monster slowed. Alice heard him utter vicious curses under his breath as he came upon Haley’s still-warm body. Alice took the New York subway daily to work. She thought she had heard it all but she learned a few things as she listened to him. Did he curse because he saw the murdered woman for the first time, or because he realized he had made some kind of mistake?
Alice had only just arrived at Haley’s apartment herself. She had found the door open and rushed inside to discover that her friend’s body had been laid out on her bed. Haley’s torso had been cut open, organs strewn across the flowered bedspread like a child’s abandoned toys.
Alice had gone numb at the sight, the normal cool gentle logic of her mind seizing in shock. Then she had heard someone running up the stairs. She had barely gotten to her hiding place before the monster appeared. If he was the murderer and he had returned to clean up some clue he had left behind, neither Alice nor the police would know what it was now.
He prowled through Haley’s home in complete silence. Alice couldn’t even hear the soft pad of footsteps. Her awareness of him was excruciating, as though someone had stroked the flat of a razor blade along her bare skin with the smiling promise of a cut. His presence was a violation of Haley’s private space. He paused not two feet away from Alice, so close she could see the pocket of his worn leather jacket out of the corner of her eye and hear the almost imperceptible sound of his steady breathing.
She wanted to scream and strike at him. She wanted to run away and dial 911. The shadowed apartment hallway was a million miles long, the open front door too far away for her to make a run for it and hope she wouldn’t be noticed. She didn’t dare move, did not dare even shift her gaze for fear a glancing light might reflect off her eyes and give her position away. She hardly dared to breathe. The only thing she could do is taste the air and know that, if nothing else, she could recognize this man again by his scent. Underneath the scent of violence, he smelled warm and clean. If they were in any other kind of situation, she would have found his scent sexy. She fought the sudden urge to vomit.
Wait. If she could scent him, then what kind of trail had she left behind? Could he scent her as well? Would he be able to recognize her again, too? Oh gods.
To be entered in the contest, just leave a comment.
PRIZE:
One (1) lucky reader will receive an electronic copy of this book.
RULES:
This is an overnight contest; therefore, you have until Saturday, Dec. 24th at 12:00 Noon (CST) to leave a response in the comments section.
1. Must be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower of The Readers Roundtable (Main Site) – 1 Entry
2. Must be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower of Infinity & Beyond (Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy Site) – 1 Entry
3. Must leave your name and email address in case you win
4. Must answer the question
5. Hope you have some fun!
Who Wants A Nook Touch? It’s your thirteenth chance in the 25 Days of Christmas Blog Hop and I’m running out of questions right now, so let’s make this easy! LOL!
Okay, before I continue, as promised, I want to remind everyone of the rules so you don’t miss out on entering your name in the pot for a chance at the Grand Prizes, which in this case is the Nook Touch.
You can only enter one entry per day for a total of 24 entries for 24 days on the posts for the Grand Prizes. However, as stated before, there are ways to get additional entries, such as becoming a Google Friend Connect of each of the sites, so be sure to check out the first post that explained the rules. Here’s the link in case you missed it: http://theblackraveneroticcafe.com/?p=11069.
If for some reason, you forget and leave your response in the comments section of one of Bonus Posts, please take an opportunity to resend it to the email address show below, so that you don’t miss out on an chance to win the Nook Touch. You will have until midnight on Christmas Eve, Central Standard Time to enter.
Now for the rules:
1. Must be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower of The Readers Roundtable
2. Must answer the question and follow the instructions – Tell us about a new author that you read this year and enjoyed.
3. Must leave your real name and mailing address in the email so that we can contact you if you win
4. Must put “Day Thirteen – Blackraven’s 25 Days of Christmas Blog Hop – Nook Touch” in the subject line
5. Must send your response to aj@ajcarmicheal.com
6. Must have a Jolly Good Time!
REMEMBER: If you don’t abide by the rules as stipulated, your entry won’t count. Don’t worry, we’ll remind you of all the rules with each Bonus Round post.
You can answer any question at any point. I will cut off all questions and responses on December 24th at Midnight, so that I can fire up the generator and announce the lucky winner on Dec. 25th – Christmas Day.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Good Luck everyone!
It’s Day 12 of the 25 Days of Christmas Blog Hop and here’s another chance for an entry to win one of the $25 Gift Cards . Woo-hoo! Stay tuned because we have more goodies coming your way.
Before I continue, as promised, I want to remind everyone of the rules so you don’t miss out on entering your name in the pot for a chance at the Grand Prizes, which in this case is the $25 Gift Card (Winners Choice).
You can only enter one entry per day for a total of 24 entries for 24 days on the posts for the Grand Prizes. However, as stated before, there are ways to get additional entries, such as becoming a Google Friend Connect of each of the sites, so be sure to check out the first post that explained the rules. Here’s the link in case you missed it: http://theblackraveneroticcafe.com/?p=11069.
If for some reason, you forget and leave your response in the comments section of one of Bonus Posts, please take an opportunity to resend it to the email address show below, so that you don’t miss out on an chance to win a $25 Gift Card. You will have until midnight on Christmas Eve, Central Standard Time to enter.
Now for the rules:
1. Must be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower of Infinity & Beyond (Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy website) – 1 Entry
2. Must be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower of Th Readers Roundtable (Main Site) – 1 Entry
3. Must answer the same question and follow the instructions – When do you normally take down your Christmas decorations?
4. Must leave your real name and mailing address in the email so that we can contact you if you win
5. Must put “Day Twelve – Blackraven’s 25 Days of Christmas Blog Hop – $25 Gift Card –Inspirational Moments – Readers Roundtable” in the subject line
6. Must send your response to aj@ajcarmicheal.com
7. Must have a Jolly Good Time!
REMEMBER: If you don’t abide by the rules as stipulated, your entry won’t count. Don’t worry, we’ll remind you of all the rules with each Bonus Round post.
You can answer any question at any point. I will cut off all questions and responses on December 24th at Midnight, so that I can fire up the generator and announce the lucky winner on Dec. 25th – Christmas Day.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Best of Luck!
Demon Bait
Series: Children of the Undying , Book 1
By: Moira Rogers | Other books by Moira Rogers
Published By: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: Nov 29, 2011
ISBN # 9781609285548
Summary:
His mark could bind her forever—or finally set her free.
Children of the Undying, Book 1
Fifty years after a demon apocalypse devastated the world, summoners still bear the bulk of the blame. Marci lives in secret, hiding the gifts that could cost her a secure spot in one of humanity’s underground cities, and access to their virtual world. After all, her chances of avoiding the genetic-testing lotto are better than her chances of surviving topside.
The bastard son of a terrifying incubus, lust heats Gabe’s blood and sex fuels his magic. Innate charm and charisma help him navigate the cultural gap between the outcast town he calls home and the human settlements he infiltrates for trade. His latest mission nets him an unexpected asset—a summoner strong enough to soothe his darkest needs.
Trust a half demon, especially one who uses a lockdown to trap them together? Not in this lifetime. Yet Marci can’t resist Gabe’s offer to see her safely to a selective outcast settlement where she can live without fear. The journey alone is as dangerous as the way Gabe makes her heart race, but it could be her one hope of a real life.
If only she could be sure Gabe’s telling her the whole truth…
Warning: Contains a virtual world where humans flee to escape the demon-infested earth, a dangerously seductive half demon with sex magic to burn and a network-hacking summoner brave enough to make herself vulnerable to him.
CONTEST WINNER!
PATTI
The book is in your inbox. Happy Holidays!
Secret Santa by Sierra Dean
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Shape-shifters, Vampires, Holidays
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Publication Date: 11-29-2011
Length: Novella
ISBN: 978-1-60928-635-4
Series: Secret McQueen
Summary:
’Tis the season for ho-ho-homicide.
Secret McQueen, Book 2.5
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The season for mistletoe, Christmas lights…and a killing spree. When Secret’s friend, Detective Mercedes Castilla, asks for help to solve a series of murders longer than a string of lights, Secret resigns herself to the fact her holidays will be anything but peaceful.
It seems someone is killing New Yorkers in an unusually gruesome way, and as the bodies pile up faster than presents under the tree, the police are no closer to finding the killer than Secret is to finding the perfect present for one of her boyfriends, Lucas.
Tracking down a monster in Manhattan the week before Christmas is almost as difficult as shopping for her ever-expanding collection of loved ones. When tragedy strikes close to home, Secret must do everything in her power to put an end to the horror in time for Santa to come down the chimney.
Product Warnings
Contains a less than merry McQueen with a sword and a reason to use it; a festive new use for mistletoe; and a promise that will haunt Secret like the Ghost of Christmas Future.
CONTEST WINNER!
KATHRYN
The book is in your inbox. Happy Holidays!
Demon Bait
Series: Children of the Undying , Book 1
By: Moira Rogers | Other books by Moira Rogers
Published By: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: Nov 29, 2011
ISBN # 9781609285548
Summary:
His mark could bind her forever—or finally set her free.
Children of the Undying, Book 1
Fifty years after a demon apocalypse devastated the world, summoners still bear the bulk of the blame. Marci lives in secret, hiding the gifts that could cost her a secure spot in one of humanity’s underground cities, and access to their virtual world. After all, her chances of avoiding the genetic-testing lotto are better than her chances of surviving topside.
The bastard son of a terrifying incubus, lust heats Gabe’s blood and sex fuels his magic. Innate charm and charisma help him navigate the cultural gap between the outcast town he calls home and the human settlements he infiltrates for trade. His latest mission nets him an unexpected asset—a summoner strong enough to soothe his darkest needs.
Trust a half demon, especially one who uses a lockdown to trap them together? Not in this lifetime. Yet Marci can’t resist Gabe’s offer to see her safely to a selective outcast settlement where she can live without fear. The journey alone is as dangerous as the way Gabe makes her heart race, but it could be her one hope of a real life.
If only she could be sure Gabe’s telling her the whole truth…
Warning: Contains a virtual world where humans flee to escape the demon-infested earth, a dangerously seductive half demon with sex magic to burn and a network-hacking summoner brave enough to make herself vulnerable to him.
Excerpt:
Copyright © 2011 Moira Rogers
All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. publication
Chapter One
“Did you hear that Lee came up in the last lottery?”
Marci hesitated in her typing and turned her head just a little toward Asha’s soft whisper. The woman knew every rumor that floated through the network, no matter how large or small, but she only passed on the ones she’d been able to confirm. “He’s fine, right?”
“Nothing was uncovered in the research phase, but he still has to take a blood test.” Asha’s fingers never stopped their dance across her keyboard. “Some of the techs are getting nervous. That’s ten of us this month.”
“Ten techs doesn’t mean anything,” Marci said quickly. “It could be a coincidence.” Except nothing ever was, not when it came to the city heads’ determination to cull danger from their midst.
“People are talking.” One of the mill supervisors appeared on the other side of the room, and Asha’s voice dropped again. “Like maybe the trouble with the ADS grid is related.”
It had been tetchy lately, with several close calls and even one system failure, though it lasted a matter of seconds before they managed to bring it back on line. “Keeping the anti-demon signal operational is the most important part of network maintenance. If they thought someone was sabotaging it, they’d launch an investigation, not mess around with the lotteries.”
“Good point.” A rueful smile curved the other woman’s lips. “That was the most reasonable rumor. Some guy tried to tell me last night he had proof they’re using the blood tests to install brainwashing hacks on our chips.”
“At least we won’t know the diff—” Marci’s words cut off with a single indrawn breath. A man had come in with the supervisor, one with dark hair and piercingly blue eyes. She tried to drop her gaze, look away, but she couldn’t.
Asha followed her stare and nearly whistled. “Wow. Those are some eyes.”
Some everything. “I’ve never seen him before.”
“You think he’s from the city center? We’re not due an inspection, are we?”
“I don’t know.” All the committee flunkies Marci had encountered had been suits. This guy was dressed in rough leather and homespun fabrics, with a knife strapped to one hip and a gun on the other.
He looked like an outcast.
Asha resumed typing, then frowned. “No arrivals from Nicollet today. Not on the schedule, anyway.”
Where was he from? The closest settlement was a place called Rochester. Quiet, with a policy of open acceptance but a reputation for a strict code of conduct. She’d done her share of research and carefully considered Rochester as a possible place to settle, should she be forced to leave Nicollet.
The supervisor stopped near the row of servers that powered Gold Mills’ network and waved a hand toward the windows overlooking the main floor. Though the stranger nodded and appeared to be listening, he kept looking away, studying each of the seven workers in the control room.
He reached Asha, but watched her only for a moment before drifting away. Most men stared at Asha, with her dusky skin and effortless beauty. But when the newcomer looked toward them again, his gaze locked on Marci instead.
And stayed there.
The supervisor continued to speak in low tones. After a moment, he tracked the man’s intense stare to Marci and flashed the man a faint frown of confusion that left her bristling. She was used to being casually considered and dismissed, but the bewilderment pissed her off. She might be plain, damn it, but she wasn’t hideous.
The stranger’s blue eyes stayed fixed on hers for another few seconds, then he abruptly turned away.
Asha leaned in close. “He’s checking you out. Hard.”
He was, no denying that. The question was why. “Maybe I remind him of someone.”
“Maybe. Or maybe he—”
The lights flickered.
Marci clenched her hands around the edge of the desk until the power stabilized. The building was secure, fortified against any and all unauthorized access. Unfortunately, that meant no ambient light filtered in from outside. A power failure would plunge them into utter darkness.
Christian, another of the technicians, spoke from across the network control area. “I’ve got an alert in sector sixteen-B. Infrastructure failure.”
“Hell.” Asha settled into her seat again and reached for her glasses. “I’m going in to do a diagnostic.”
“No, wait—” Marci grabbed her arm. Silly. Stupid, even—nothing could hurt you, not in the network. “Just…wait for the automated—”
Before she could finish, the spinning red lights above the doors activated, along with the blare of sirens. Lockdown in fifteen minutes, which could only mean—
“We’ve lost ADS,” Christian shouted. “The entire regional grid’s down.”
Asha’s fingers tightened on her VR glasses. “Go, Marci. I’ll be okay.”
As senior tech, Christian had to stay, and it was the other woman’s week to pull emergency call as his backup. “I don’t like it,” Marci muttered. “The whole grid? You two can’t fix that. You should be underground with everyone else. Let the city programmers handle it.”
“We can get our backup ADS running, at least.” Asha gave her one last look and slipped on her glasses. “Fourteen minutes, Marcelle. Go.”
Everyone else had already stampeded for the door, desperate to get to their loved ones before the sirens fell silent. Marci grabbed her bag, ducked out into the hall and ran full-force into a broad chest. “Sorry, excuse—”
It was the outcast, the one with the beautiful eyes.
“The ADS is down.” It wasn’t a question. His hands closed around her arms, firm but not painful. “Where are you going?”
It was stupid to answer, stupid and dangerous. “It’s a lockdown. We’re supposed to grab emergency supplies and head to our quarters.”
He blinked at her once, then nodded. “Which way?”
He said it so matter-of-factly that it took her a moment to stammer out a protest. “No. No, you can’t come with me.”
“No anti-demon signal,” he said roughly. “You shouldn’t be unprotected.”
Marci started walking. If she didn’t hurry, she’d be stuck in the endless, serpentine corridors with the crazy man, no matter what. “I won’t be unprotected. I live underground.”
One of the steel workers rushed past them, slamming into the stranger’s shoulder hard enough to push him back a step. He regained his balance, but his expression had changed. Worry—maybe a hint of fear. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”
Damn it, of course he didn’t. And if he was an outcast, he would be used to being shoved aside, no matter what. “Come on, I know a place. We’ll get you some supplies too.”
Relief suffused his features. “Thank you.”
He had a tiny scar on his left cheek, and Marci wasted precious seconds staring at it. “This way.”
It had taken her a while after her arrival at Gold Mills to memorize the route from the control hub to her quarters. It was a long walk, almost a mile, and by the time they made it to the supply station closest to her wing, the loudspeaker announced only four minutes left until full lockdown.
Marci panted for breath. “Water and rations. We’re supposed to grab enough for three days.”
Extra bags lined one wall. He took down two in silence, handed her one, and began to fill the other. “Looks like a lot of people have been through here already.”
“We don’t have much time.”
“How secure is the lockdown?”
Right now, Marci wished she’d paid more attention to the minute security details. “Everything underground should be sealed off completely. If any demons get past the locks, it’ll mean a total breach.”
The corner of his mouth twitched, as if he took wry amusement from her words. He shoved another bottle of water into the bag, looped the strap over his neck and helped her. “And it lasts three days?”
“Up to.” She let him finish loading her bag because he moved so efficiently, as if he was used to doing this sort of thing every day. “It gives the city time to mobilize defense forces.”
“Mmm.” He slipped the supply bag’s strap over his neck and reached for her shoulder bag. “I can move faster carrying it. We’ve only got a couple minutes left.”
She relinquished it. “There’s a lounge area not far from my place. I’ll take you there first.”
Less than two minutes remained, and a computerized voice began to count down the passage of every fifteen seconds. Marci hurried faster. The stranger kept up, even carrying three bags, and they reached the lounge with a minute to spare.
She didn’t have time for pleasantries, so she snatched one bag and shoved him into the room. “Stay clear of the outer doors. Network connections should still work. I’ll—”
His hands closed on her arms and dragged her inside. “I know what you are.”
He’d grabbed her before, and she’d been oddly calm. Panic surged this time, and not just at his unshakable grip. “Let go of me.”
“I’m sorry.” He took a step back, pulling her with him—deeper into the lounge and away from the door. “You’ve got summoner blood. With the ADS down, you’ll call to them.”
Her secret, the one thing her mother had tried so damn hard to hide, laid bare. “Who are you?”
The voice announced thirty seconds left. His hand slid to her stomach, holding her body tight against his chest. “I’m someone who can keep you safe from demons.”
Marci tightened one hand around the strap of the bag. She’d never make it to her own quarters, not now, but she’d be all right in the hallway. With her supplies, she could survive.
She tensed for a fight, drew back and kicked him hard in the shin.
A curse escaped him. One knee bent, like he hadn’t expected her to fight back, but his grip didn’t waver. “Damn it, woman, I’m not going to hurt you.”
Like he’d tell her if he was. A completely inappropriate laugh bubbled up. “And you might be crazy, but you’re not a liar, right?”
“Oh, I lie all the time.” It seemed like an easy admission. “But I’m not lying when I tell you I could make you stop fighting. I could lean on you and make you think the sky’s pink, honey. Someday I want you to remember that I didn’t.”
“I—” The heavy door to the hallway slammed shut with an odd, echoing clang, leaving her alone, maybe for days, with a man who’d just threatened her. A man who claimed not only to recognize what she was, but to be able to protect her, even from a demon onslaught.`
CONTEST
Happy Holidays everyone,
Welcome to the 10th giveaway in the 25 Days of Christmas Blog Hop. We are moving right along! This morning, we’re giving one (1) lucky winner a copy of Moira Rogers’ latest release, Demon Bait: Children of the Undying, Book 1.
To be entered: What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received?
Now for the rules…
1. Must be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower of The Readers Roundtable (Main Site) – 1 Entry
2. Must be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower of Infinity & Beyond (Urban Fantasy/Sci-fi Site) – 1 Entry
3. Must leave your name and email address in case you win
4. Must answer the question
5. Hope you have some fun!
Of course this is an overnight contest; therefore, you have until 12:00 Noon (CST) on Sunday to leave a response in the comments section. Around 1:00 PM, we’ll begin announcing the lucky winner using the True Random Number Generator.
Good Luck Everyone!
Secret Santa by Sierra Dean
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Shape-shifters, Vampires, Holidays
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Publication Date: 11-29-2011
Length: Novella
ISBN: 978-1-60928-635-4
Series: Secret McQueen
Summary:
’Tis the season for ho-ho-homicide.
Secret McQueen, Book 2.5
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The season for mistletoe, Christmas lights…and a killing spree. When Secret’s friend, Detective Mercedes Castilla, asks for help to solve a series of murders longer than a string of lights, Secret resigns herself to the fact her holidays will be anything but peaceful.
It seems someone is killing New Yorkers in an unusually gruesome way, and as the bodies pile up faster than presents under the tree, the police are no closer to finding the killer than Secret is to finding the perfect present for one of her boyfriends, Lucas.
Tracking down a monster in Manhattan the week before Christmas is almost as difficult as shopping for her ever-expanding collection of loved ones. When tragedy strikes close to home, Secret must do everything in her power to put an end to the horror in time for Santa to come down the chimney.
Product Warnings
Contains a less than merry McQueen with a sword and a reason to use it; a festive new use for mistletoe; and a promise that will haunt Secret like the Ghost of Christmas Future.
Excerpt:
Copyright © 2011 Sierra Dean
All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. publication
Chapter One
I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Literally.
A wall of solid limestone was digging into my back, and in front was a vampire trying his hardest to shove me through it. His arm was on my neck, jutting my chin upwards and grinding my scalp against the jagged rock.
I swatted at his arms, but he just laughed at me.
“Some assassin you are,” he mocked.
Oh, so we were going to play it below the belt? I was an expert at that. I thrust my knee up, driving it into his groin, and when he dropped his arm from the surprise, I dug my heel into his foot before smashing my elbow across his face. There was an audible crack of grinding bone when I connected with the delicate tissue of his nose.
Before he could respond—and it was only a matter of time—I bounded across the small space and looked for anything I could use to my advantage.
“Son of a bitch,” the vampire growled. “Did you have to break my nose?”
“I thought this was no-holds-barred.”
“I didn’t think you’d play dirty.”
I rose out of my fighting stance, lowering my fists, and walked over to the vampire, who was straightening the broken bones of his aquiline nose.
“You’ll heal. Don’t be such a pussy,” I taunted, but when he didn’t rise to the jab, I put a hand on his shoulder. “Holden?”
Holden Chancery, once my vampire liaison and council superior but now technically one of my flock, was crouched low to the ground, cupping his nose like a dramatic schoolgirl who’d been struck by a dodgeball. I wanted to tease him some more, but I had to be sure he was ready for it.
Since I’d been promoted to a seat on the Tribunal, I now had to worry about stuff like undeads’ feelings and the other day-to-day concerns of pulse-challenged Americans everywhere.
“I’m sorr—”
He grabbed my extended arm, locked the elbow and swept his leg out to knock my feet from under me. I landed flat on my back with a loud thud, and the breath was forced out of my lungs. Holden jumped on me, sitting on my stomach with one leg on either side of my ribs and well out of reach of my knees. My arm was still extended, and he grabbed my fist as I was swinging for a punch.
“Hmm. This feels familiar,” he said.
“Who’s playing dirty now?”
Holden leaned in close so his face was only inches away. “Do you want to play dirty?”
A thrill rocketed through me, but I kept my breathing even and my pulse stayed level. His brown eyes were fixed on me, waiting for some sort of invitation. A not-insignificant part of me wanted to give it to him, especially knowing how magnificent his kisses were, but I wasn’t free to indulge in what he was offering.
So I headbutted him.
He released his grip, and I squirmed out from under him and ran. He was hot on my heels, and when I was out of the tunnels I got as far as the winding stone staircase before he caught up with me. Strong arms locked on to my waist, and we both tumbled to the floor, where I narrowly avoided cracking my jaw on the bottom step. Before we had a chance to rise, someone grabbed Holden and someone else came to stand between us.
The vampire warden blocking Holden from me had fixed my former handler with a hard stare. Holden, for his part, looked ready to kill the guard who was holding the sentry’s arms behind his back.
“Wardens,” I snarled. “Stand down.”
The two guards looked at each other in silent debate over whether or not it was safe. I balled my hands on my hips and tried to look as menacing as a five-foot-four girl could. It was the power radiating off me that seemed to settle the matter for them. Holden was released, and the guards moved aside.
“Our apologies, Tribunal Leader Secret.”
The title made my blood run cold. This new job was going to take a lot of getting used to. I no longer faded into the background of the vampire council. Now I was in charge of it.
“Chancery will escort me to my next location,” I instructed.
“I—” One of the guards tried to argue, but I wasn’t having it.
“Look, we both know Sig will have me followed regardless. There’s no harm in the sentry walking with me.”
The guards nodded, and Holden and I left the council headquarters without further incident. It was bad enough I’d been taken off assassin duties, but now it seemed like I couldn’t brawl in the confines of the council without getting someone in trouble.
The building housing the council was in SoHo just off Green Street, and as luck would have it, my next meeting was only a few blocks south at Bloomingdale’s.
I tucked my arm through Holden’s as we walked together in the chilly winter air.
“Thanks for the fight,” I said to break up the uneasy silence.
“Anytime.”
“I feel so useless since Sig and Juan Carlos barred me from hunting rogues.”
“You’re more of a target now. We’ve talked about this.”
“I know.” I rested my head against his shoulder as we walked. “I’m just not used to standing by and watching the action. And none of these freelancers are worth s**t when it comes to killing rogues.”
“You’ll never think anyone did it as well as you.”
“Are you disagreeing?”
“As much as it might be detrimental to my long-term health to question the opinions of a Tribunal leader…” he elbowed me in the ribs, “…I think some of these freelancers make up for what they lack in experience by bringing a modicum of subtlety to their work.”
“I resent that. I’m going to suggest to Sig we have you killed.”
Holden shrugged, but when I looked up he was smiling. “You’d have to save me all over again.”
“Pff. I learned my lesson last time. It’s not worth the effort.”
We came to a stop outside the department store, and Holden stared at me for a long moment. When I opened my mouth to speak, he dipped his head. I turned my face at the last second and his kiss caught my cheek, but there was no hiding the new jump in my pulse.
“Secret,” he whispered.
“They’re watching.”
Whenever I was in highly visible public areas, especially when I was going to and from the council, I had protection. Just because I couldn’t see them all the time, didn’t mean they weren’t there. Sig originally planned to have me followed all the time, but I’d put a stop to that plot before he could put it into action. I already had one permanent werewolf guard living in my house, and I was never alone for long, so I’d whittled my warden detail down to the bare minimum to appease the Tribunal leader. This close to the council headquarters, they’d still be trailing me, and if they were watching, my actions would be reported back to Sig. I didn’t need them to see anything that could be held against me.
Holden straightened and took a step backwards, bowing his head with stiff propriety. Then he vanished before I had a chance to say anything else.
But what else was there to say?
CONTEST
Happy Holidays everyone,
Welco
me to the 4th giveaway in the 25 Days of Christmas Blog Hop. We are moving right along! Tonight, we’re giving one (1) lucky winner a copy of Sierra Dean’s new release, Secret Santa. Doesnt’ she look wicked???
To be entered: Just leave a comment! It’s that simple!
Now for the rules…
1. Must be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower of The Readers Roundtable (Main Site) – 1 Entry
2. Must be or become a Google Friend Connect Follower of Infinity & Beyond (Urban Fantasy/Sci-fi Site) – 1 Entry
3. Must leave your name and email address in case you win
4. Must answer the question
5. Hope you have some fun!
Of course this is an overnight contest; therefore, you have until 12:00 Noon (CST) on Sunday to leave a response in the comments section. Around 1:00 PM, we’ll begin announcing the lucky winner using the True Random Number Generator.
Good Luck Everyone!
