Over the course of my Birthday Bash weekend, I’m sitting down with some of my favourite heroes from my books to pick their brains about their stories and to get them talking about themselves. They will also be answering reader questions too!
If you want a hero to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I’ll pass it on to the vampire / angel / demon / etc in question and he’ll answer it for you.
First of my interviews this weekend is with Veiron.
If you’re new to the Her Angel series or you haven’t read the latest book in the series, Her Guardian Angel, then you probably don’t know who Veiron is. I’ll paint you a pretty visual picture of this Hell’s angel. For starters, he’s a major character in Her Guardian Angel and also the hero of the next novel in the series, Her Demonic Angel.
Veiron was originally an angel of Heaven, but in the course of his current life he fell and pledged himself to the Devil instead. This caused part of his appearance to change. Veiron now has crimson feathered wings that match his long scarlet hair, and the red that can emerge in his dark eyes at times. He’s six-feet-plus of otherworldly beauty and often appears wearing his obsidian and crimson armour. At times when he loses his cool, his true appearance comes to the fore and his skin turns black, his eyes burn red and his teeth sharpen, and the feathers fall off his wings to reveal the dragon-like ones beneath. Veiron is dangerous, and has a vicious streak ten miles wide, but he’s also fiercely protective of those he cares about and would die to protect someone he loved.
Veiron’s book in the Her Angel series will be out in September 2012.
FH: I have Veiron here with me today. Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself?
VEIRON: Charming. Gorgeous. Deadly. That’s me. (shrugs his broad shoulders) But I suppose you want more information than that. Why do I get the feeling this interview is going to leave me with a bitter taste in my mouth?
FH: You didn’t have to agree to it. Now, tell the lovely readers about yourself, or the bitterness you’ll be tasting in your mouth will be your blood after I sock you one.
VEIRON: (glowers) Are you threatening me, mortal female? I find it highly unlikely that you would hit me. You need me after all. You wouldn’t want to upset me. I’ll play along though because I do find you amusing. I was an angel. That’s what you want me to say, isn’t it? Shall I outline my fall from grace and every sordid thing I have done since? I was an angel… and yes, I fell. Worse than that, I pledged allegiance to the Devil and became one of his angels. Angels can fall and redeem themselves, but if they change sides and join with the Devil, there is no turning back until death claims them and they are reborn. When I die, I will return to Heaven. For me, that is not a comfort. I no longer do the Devil’s bidding. I have grown tired of him and the whole game between Heaven and Hell. I refuse to play anymore. I want to live a quiet life now and enjoy it. It is more difficult than you would think when you’re high on the hit list of both sides. (sighs) I won’t stop fighting for my freedom though, and I will have my vengeance.
FH: That was more of a moody statement of intent rather than talking about yourself, Veiron. You said you would play nice with me today. Now, answer my next question nicely. Your story is next in the series, but you had a role to play in the latest book too, Her Guardian Angel. Can you tell us about what happened in that story?
VEIRON: (huffs) Stage one of my revenge was successfully put into action. I have been through hell, no pun intended, with this eternal game between the two realms. Now I have finally given up going along with the Devil’s desires and have taken a stand with the help of Marcus, the hero in that particular story. Amelia is safe for now but who is to say how long this peace can last? There are already pawns in motion and plans unfolding. I won’t go down without a fight though. I won’t go back. Never again. We made a stand and no matter what happens, I’ll continue with what I’ve started.
FH: You’ve been through a lot in the past two thousand years, and have plenty of reason to be angry with a lot of people. Did it feel good to get your own back a little?
VEIRON: Insanely good. (grins) It is difficult to ignore the Devil. He holds sway over his minions as Heaven holds sway over the angels. Sometimes I find it hard to go against his orders but his power over me is weakening. He’s less than pleased with what I did but he’ll have to catch me if he wants to punish me, and since he can’t leave Hell, well… I guess he’s pretty *bleeped*. Did you just censor me?
FH: Yes. Not everyone wants to hear such foul language. I know you’re a Hell’s angel, but try to keep it clean. Can you give us any sneak peeks into your book in the Her Angel series?
VEIRON: Well, *bleep* me, I never knew you were such a prude about this sort of *bleeping* thing. Stop that.
FH: No! Now, answer my question.
VEIRON: *bleep* Hey! I didn’t even swear then. I said ‘fine’!
FH: Sorry. I was anticipating a rude word.
VEIRON: (huffs and shakes head) You have no faith in me. All Hell is breaking loose in my story. It’s pandemonium. The wheels were set in motion far quicker than any of us anticipated and we certainly didn’t expect that Erin would turn out to be a target. When Marcus and Amelia asked me to go to Hell, I knew it was important. They wouldn’t ask me to risk my neck going back down there if it wasn’t. I also knew that Marcus would never allow Amelia to head into Hell. It’s too dangerous for her. If she dies… well, we just have to keep her alive at all costs. I went because I knew the land well and could move around relatively undetected and with only minor problems as long as I stayed away from the Devil. I certainly wasn’t expecting to find such a beautiful and fiery woman as the object of my rescue mission.
FH: Your leading lady, Erin, goes through a lot in the story and is caught up in the same vicious game as you are. How did you feel when you met her, and when you realised that she was another pawn on the chessboard?
VEIRON: Erin is… well… she’s amazing. She’s beautiful, feisty, and really strong. She has to be. When I met her, I wasn’t sure how to feel. I knew she was different to anyone I’ve met before and I wasn’t blind or dumb enough not to notice that I couldn’t keep my eyes off her during our journey out of Hell. When we made it out and she was safe, and I realised that it wasn’t over, I was madder than hell. Erin is more than just another pawn. She’s so much more important than that, both to me and to the game between Heaven and Hell. I won’t let them have her though. I’ll protect her, no matter what it takes or the cost.
FH: That’s very romantic and very like you. You were involved with Taylor, who is now Einar’s woman, and you met her again in Her Guardian Angel, and in your story too. Was it difficult for you, especially in your story?
VEIRON: Yes. It was a nightmare. I was happy for her when I realised that she had found someone who could love her and give her everything that she wanted and needed in life. Einar is a good man and he takes care of her. I was no good for her. We were no good for each other. Being apart from her really hurt at first, but my duty meant a lot more to me back then and she didn’t want to be in Hell all the time, so it was never going to work. She was very understanding when I showed up on her doorstep with Erin, but I know it must have hurt her. I don’t think Einar was impressed, but at least he didn’t turn us away. Erin needed help and Einar was the safest person I could think of at the time.
FH: I’ll ask some fun questions now to brighten the mood and stop you from giving too much away. Describe yourself in one word?
VEIRON: Dashing. (grins)
FH: You would say that. I would have gone with evil, annoying, egotistical, vicious… anyway. What’s your favourite colour?
VEIRON: Red.
FH: Speaking of red. Is your scarlet hair colour natural?
VEIRON: Of course. I don’t dye it to match my wings and eyes if that’s what you’re thinking! The carpet matches the curtains.
FH: Thank you for that outburst of TMI. Weapon of choice?
VEIRON: Swords. It should be spears, but… I went off them after falling. I like swords… but my demonic weapon is a double-ended spear.
FH: Caffeine has rather stimulating effects on angels. You’re fallen and have gone over to the other side. Since you changed biologically, did it also change this about you?
VEIRON: What sort of question is that? That wasn’t a fun question, and you said I was doing the whole too much information thing and then ask that! I don’t really think it’s any of your business whether caffeine still has me rock hard in two seconds flat.
FH: So it does! (grins when he blushes so red he matches his hair) It’s good to hear that not everything changed about you when you switched sides.
VEIRON: *bleep* off. (grumbles) And stop saying I switched sides. It’s not as though I had much *bleeping* choice. It’s their fault that it happened and I will make them pay for it. They’ll pay for every time they *bleeped* me or someone I love, and I will bathe Hell in a river of blood before I’m through. And stop censoring me! You’re doing it on purpose now. I’m pretty certain some of what I said wasn’t a swear word. It was. You ‘bleeped’ when I said ‘wronged’. Oh, that’s low. Now it reads as though they were screwing me and those I love. Honestly. I said they’ll pay for every time they wronged me or someone I love… ah, so you didn’t bleep that one then, huh?
FH: (smiles) You love me really. Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
VEIRON: I really hope you’re not censoring every time I swear in my book, because that *bleep* will get pretty boring pretty quickly. Hah… man, you’re funny… Uh, Erin and Taylor said I had to be polite and tell you that it was lovely being interviewed by you and I had a great time. So, yeah, thanks and all that. Now can I go?
FH: It’s a little late for being polite but yes, you can go now. Thanks for the interview. After the trouble you’ve caused me in your book, I’m not surprised you couldn’t help stirring up trouble in your interview too! Sometimes I pity Erin…
Remember: If you want a hero to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I’ll pass it on to the vampire / angel / demon / etc in question and he’ll answer it for you!
