Category Archives: paranormal romance

My favourite scene from Ascension

Posted on 8th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

I have the hard task of choosing my favourite scenes from some of my books to share with you this weekend. It might sound like a lot of fun, but sometimes there is more than one scene that I really love in a book and choosing between them can be very tricky. Add to that the fact that I can’t choose a scene that gives something major about the plot away and it becomes doubly tricky!

My next favourite scene is from Ascension, which is a romance between a half-demon hero and a powerful witch heroine.

Taig, the hero, has a hard time accepting his demonic side and nothing shows how vulnerable he is beneath his brash exterior than this chapter, and that’s why I just had to choose it as my favourite scene. It says so much about both Taig and Lealandra.

My Favourite Scene From…

Ascension

Taig pulled the car to a halt just down the road and turned off the engine. It was unmistakably the Upper East Side.

â€œWe can walk from here.â€ He exited the car.

Lealandra followed, confused as to why he had brought her to such an affluent neighbourhood. She had thought he was taking her to his place. They walked for a while, passing beautiful apartment buildings and high-end expensive stores. When he turned and walked into a tall building, she paused on the pavement. The old sandstone faÃ§ade was as graceful and stunning as those they had passed, exuding class and a high rental price tag with its elegant canopied walkway that extended out to the road. She stared at the uniformed man stood holding the highly polished glass door open. Taig lived here now?

Taig came back out, her bag in his left hand. Her raised eyebrows didnâ€™t fall even when she looked at him. They stayed there in silent question.

He shrugged. â€œI fancied a change.â€

A change? She followed him in when he turned around and glanced at the doorman as she passed him. This was more than a change. Taigâ€™s old apartment had demons for neighbours and rats in the garbage, and the only doorman had been the superintendant, a demon who had over-indulged in food to the extent that he barely fit in his human skin and liked nothing more than sitting on the steps terrorizing the local women with failed amorous advances. This was a whole new world for Taig. She studied the bright cream corridors with their perfectly polished brass and mirrors, and the polite staff that stopped cleaning as she approached and smiled at her as she passed. This was a very human world.

The only demon in the vicinity was Taig.

Had things gotten that bad since she had left him? Her shoulders slumped. Was she the reason he had moved? She hadnâ€™t left him because he was a demon. Only afterwards had she considered what kind of effect her leaving might have had on him. She had convinced herself that it wouldnâ€™t have pushed the wrong buttons. Obviously it had and in a major way.

Taig looked back at her. A hint of nerves touched his eyes for some reason and she smiled, hoping to alleviate whatever was playing on his mind. When he turned away again, her smile faded. She stared at his broad shoulders and the back of his head. This wasnâ€™t his world. He didnâ€™t belong here. A couple exited an apartment ahead, waving farewell to someone standing in the door. Lealandra guessed from their outfits that the party they had attended well into the early hours of morning wasnâ€™t the sort that would wake the neighbours and have the police banging down the door. The man wore a fine suit and the woman carried off a sparkling plum-coloured cocktail dress to perfection. Their laughter died when they spotted Taig and her. Lealandraâ€™s eyes met the womanâ€™s as they passed. Disgust shone in them.

This was their world, a human world of rules and societal structure, one in which Taig would never fit. He was the opposite of these people. Money and finery werenâ€™t things that he lived for. He was fooling himself by being here. Did he think that by standing in this world, surrounded by this kind of human, he would become one of them? They would never accept him.

Not if they knew the real him.

He stopped at a wide mahogany door, opened it and walked in, leaving it open for her. She peered in to see him slinging her black holdall onto an equally black couch in a large living room. He came back and turned into the room to her right.

Lealandra frowned when she stepped through the doorway and something tugged at her power. She turned and closed the door, and then froze when she saw the wooden doorframe.

Cuneiform-like symbols covered the wood, scratched deep into it. She couldnâ€™t understand them, just as Taig didnâ€™t understand the ancient language of witches, but they radiated power in waves so strong that she felt sick and her magic retreated. She looked at Taig where he stood in the brightly lit kitchen, rummaging through a massive dark red refrigerator.

â€œI take it you donâ€™t invite the neighbours in.â€ Markings like the ones on his doorframe would make humans question his sanity.

He didnâ€™t answer her. He kept his head in the refrigerator.

When he straightened at last, he was holding two dark brown bottles of beer in his right hand, their necks wedged between his fingers.

â€œDrink?â€ He grinned and waggled the bottles.

He was ignoring her. She nodded and he opened the beers and handed one to her. She swigged it and walked further into the apartment.

It was sparsely furnished and the refrigerator provided the only colour. Everything else was either black or white. The pale walls caused the already huge apartment to appear massive. The kitchen cupboards were shiny and black, matching the polished granite work surfaces below them and on the long counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. A flat screen television that had to be over fifty inches took up a large portion of the wall to her right at the end of the living area, and a large black couch faced it, devoid of pillows and as lifeless as the empty black coffee table and the rest of the apartment.

She walked towards the couch, her footsteps loud on the wooden floor.

It looked like a showroom for expensive designer furniture and minimalist living. Not the Taig that she knew. It didnâ€™t suit him.

A closer look at the black door to the right of the television revealed that there were also markings on that doorframe. She turned to the two huge windows on her left, opposite the kitchen. The black blinds were up. Symbols covered the wooden window frames and sills.

Taig might have moved into human territory to feel more like them but his protective instincts had gone haywire because of it. Surrounded by demons, he hadnâ€™t needed to defend himself to this extent. The other demons he had lived with would have alerted everyone if they had sensed something wrong. Out here, in this human world, Taig was alone.

And it showed.

Lealandra took another swig of the beer and stared out of the windows at the myriad of buildings that crowded the scenery. She couldnâ€™t see Central Park but it was there somewhere. They were facing west. Taig always liked his apartments to face west. It was a demon thing. He had never been able to explain it rationally but she suspected it had something to do with the setting sun and the onset of night.

Night was on its way out right now. The sky was slowly lightening. She looked around the apartment for a clock but found none. No pictures or anything personal adorned the walls and table in front of her. Nothing that made it feel lived in, like a home. She wrapped one arm about herself and frowned. The whole place felt cold and lifeless. Was that how he felt inside? Was this void a physical representation of what Taig held within him?

She didnâ€™t like it. It wasnâ€™t Taig, no matter how much he believed it was.

He moved out of the kitchen, leaned his broad frame against the counter next to the square white column at the corner nearest the front door, and swigged his beer. The messy black spikes of his hair threatened to cover his equally dark eyes. He had them glued on her and they sparkled under the white ceiling spotlights.

What had happened to the man she had fallen for all those years ago?

Lealandra took a step towards him but he walked away, disappearing into the room beside the television. She rocked back on her heels when she caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye. It was odd and as out of place as Taig was in this stark environment, but it gave her hope. She walked over to the long black side cupboard that lined the back wall of the apartment and stared at it.

A picture.

It sat alone on the expansive low cupboard, right in the middle of it, as though on display. The only sign of life. A glimmer of the Taig she used to know.

The picture was no bigger than six inches tall and framed with silver. She lowered her beer to her side and studied the photograph it contained.

A dark haired and dark eyed very handsome man was smiling up at her. In his arms, a lighter haired pretty woman stood with her back against his chest. He had his arms looped under hers and his fingers tangled with hers over her stomach. Her pregnant stomach. It was large and round, stretching the seams of the flowing white top the woman wore. She looked happy enough to burst. They both did. They radiated love so strongly that Lealandra felt a hint of envy. Her gaze fell to their hands, clasped together over their future baby.

Taig.

It was such a human picture and a very human thing for him to have. It sent a chill through her, made her smile but want to cry at the same time for the things he had lost. His parents. She was sure if they had still been alive, he would have grown up differently. He would have seen his demonic power as a gift rather than a curse.

She reached out to touch it.

â€œDonâ€™t!â€ Taigâ€™s voice made her jump, the harshness and volume of it startling in the quiet room.

Lealandra withdrew her hand and then held it out a little again, fingers hovering just above the intricate markings engraved on the silver picture frame. It exuded power more potent than that protecting the doors and the windows. She closed her eyes and tried to understand it, tried to decipher what it would do if she dared to touch it. It was marked so only he could take hold of it. Her eyes opened and she stared at the photograph of his parents as her power deciphered his. It would kill anyone other than him.

He was protecting the picture more than his apartment.

Lealandra looked over her shoulder at him. He stood halfway between the bedroom door and her, shirtless and perfect, as beautiful as she remembered him. Bronzed skin stretched taut over the powerful muscles of his torso, the sight of them rekindling the desire he had stirred with his kiss in the bar. Her gaze wandered upwards, over hard pectorals and strong collarbones to the tense corded muscles of his neck, and then to his face. All sense of desire fell away when she saw his lost look and the way he was staring at the picture.

Her heart went out to him.

Taig turned away and pulled a black t-shirt on over his head, and her eyes betrayed her. They dropped to his back, watching the delightful way his muscles shifted with his movements. The mark on his left shoulder blade was barely visible, a shade or two darker than his skin. His lineage. A symbol so intricate and beautiful that it outshone any witchâ€™s mark. She had traced it with her fingers in the past, following the swirling lines and trying to distinguish their path. The whole symbol looked almost like a heart. Taig didnâ€™t see it, but then he never had liked to talk about his mark.

He never liked to talk about himself at all. He hadnâ€™t told her much about his parents, only that his mother was human and his father was a powerful demon, and that they had disappeared when he was thirteen and he believed they were dead.

She couldnâ€™t imagine how hard it had been for him to lose his parents when he was only a teenager, how hard it must have been for him to live not knowing what had happened to them, and how difficult growing up alone had been. He had gone from a world full of love to one completely devoid of it.

Taig walked away, back into the bedroom, and reappeared a few moments later with a pillow and a blanket.

â€œYou take the room. Iâ€™ll sleep out here.â€ He flung the pillow down at one end of the black couch.

His prickly demeanour was a warning not to argue and that he wanted to be alone. Lealandra took another look at the photograph, at the happy family, and then grabbed her bag off the couch and went into his bedroom. It was as void of life as his living room and kitchen, with a solitary large double bed standing against a black wall, and two small side cupboards. The wardrobes were built-in, white to match the rest of the walls, and the black blinds on the two windows were down, blocking out the morning light. She opened them and idly traced her fingers over the markings on the frames as she stared out at the dawn.

She took a deep breath and sighed.

This room smelt like Taig.

It smelt of spices and warmth.

It comforted her.

Lealandra set the beer bottle down on the side cupboard and sat on the bed. Her dark red coat blended into his bedcovers. She ran her hands outwards, feeling the lingering presence of him in the room and on the bedclothes. At least she would feel safe while she slept, imagining him wrapped around her, holding her close. She shut her eyes and fell back onto the bed. She wanted to ask him to hold her but that would only lead to trouble and she still wasnâ€™t sure what Taig wanted from her or if he still had feelings for her.

Her focus shifted to him.

Was he lying in the living room wondering what she was thinking, just as she wanted to know what was going on in his mind?

Rolling away so her back was to him, she frowned when she noticed the slim black phone beside his bed.

Matthew.

She picked up the phone and dialled his number. It was early enough in the morning that he might already be awake. If he wasnâ€™t, then she hoped it waked him. She had to speak to him. The call connected and she listened to it ringing at the other end.

â€œHello.â€ The sound of Matthewâ€™s sleepy voice swept her back to her old life and a time when magic had been all about having fun.

Now it was anything but that. It was dangerous and she was forever on the verge of losing control to it. She longed to go back to those happier times and then her senses shifted to Taig and she didnâ€™t want to go back after all. Even though her magic was more powerful now and life was difficult, no longer carefree and full of laughter, she wouldnâ€™t sacrifice it and her tentative relationship with Taig in order to return to her old life.

â€œItâ€™s Lea.â€ She swallowed and didnâ€™t give him a chance to say anything. â€œI know my coven have contacted you. Donâ€™t come to New York, Matthew. Itâ€™s too dangerous and I… I donâ€™t want to see you hurt too.â€

He yawned and she heard material rustling as he moved.

â€œLea, whatâ€™s wrong? This Gregori calls me out of the blue and says that youâ€™re in trouble and need a new Counter-Balance, and now youâ€™re calling me to tell me to keep away? Iâ€™m coming to see you. Just tell me where you are.â€

â€œNo.â€ Her heart beat faster at the thought of him trying to find her. She didnâ€™t want him anywhere near the city. â€œI mean it, Matthew, stay away. Iâ€™ll be fine. I have all the protection I need, but I might lose that if you come here. I canâ€™t guarantee your safety. Once Iâ€™ve made it through this, Iâ€™ll come to see you and everyone, I promise.â€

â€œDoes your protection have a name?â€ There was a smile in Matthewâ€™s voice. She smiled too. When she had left Taig, she had spent a few days with her old coven before leaving for her new one. Matthew had been her shoulder to cry on. He had held her together, spending almost a day listening to her and letting her cry all she wanted and not saying a word out of place. Without him, she would have fallen apart completely.

â€œI think you know his name.â€

â€œI also know that Iâ€™m not needed then. I wonâ€™t come… but if you do need me, you only have to call, okay?â€

â€œOkay.â€ She nodded and held the phone for a moment. â€œDonâ€™t tell Gregori. Just… go abroad for a while or something.â€

â€œYouâ€™re that worried? You donâ€™t need to answer that. I can almost see your frown from here.â€ He laughed and then sighed. â€œIâ€™ve always wanted to visit Europe. Maybe our coven will go out of town for a while. How does a month sound?â€

â€œPerfect… thank you.â€

â€œNo, thank you. I might have walked into a war and the last person I want to fight with is you. Call me if you need me and Iâ€™ll be right there. Stay safe, yes?â€ The concern in his tone touched her and she held the phone tighter, wishing she could see Matthew and hug him instead. He would be a powerful ally in her time of need, and could help her survive her ascension, but she couldnâ€™t risk him. It was better that he stayed away until everything blew over.

â€œYou too.â€ She ended the call before she faltered and asked him to come to her, and her attention moved back to Taig.

The impulse to go to him was strong and almost impossible to resist. She wanted to talk to him, to unlock his secrets and ease his pain. It laced his aura, a physical thing that she could sense as if it were her own.

Her brow furrowed and she stared at the wall, not seeing it. Just feeling him.

Lealandra knew that he didnâ€™t like himself and that his part-demon part-human status left him feeling as though he had nowhere to belong. If she could find her voice, she would tell him that he did belong somewhereâ€”he belonged here on Earth, with her.

But she couldnâ€™t.

Countless times, she had planned to tell him that and every time she had failed. No matter how often she had practiced it in mirrors or recited it to herself while she showered, whenever it came time to say it to his face, the words fled her lips and her voice died.

She lay on the bed, not brave or strong enough to face him and make him believe her.

He would argue against it and she would crumble.

She had to find the right moment, the precise point when Taig would actually believe her, and then she would try to tell him. All she could do right now was let him know that he wasnâ€™t alone in the world and that her feelings for him hadnâ€™t changed. If he wanted her, all he had to do was come and claim her, to make her see that he still felt something for her too and the games he was playing were only because he had been hurt.

Lealandra stood and removed her coat, folding it neatly and placing it on one of the side tables. She pulled her boots off and then began to unlace her corset but stopped. It had to be now. This was the perfect moment for giving him at least a sign that she still loved him.

Her footsteps were silent on the beech wood floorboards. She crossed the room to the door and hesitated on the threshold.

Taig lay on his back on the couch, bare chest exposed and one arm under his head and the pillow. His other hand rested on his stomach. The slow rise and fall of it said that he was asleep. Well, at least one of them was relaxed enough to sleep. Clearly, thoughts of her hadnâ€™t been playing on his mind and keeping him awake after all. She crept into the room. The light was low with the black blinds down and she knocked the coffee table. Taigâ€™s empty beer bottle wobbled at the corner nearest him, threatening to fall and spoil the moment, and then stilled again. She edged around the table and eased to her knees at his head.

Her fingers trembled as she brought her hand up and swept the long strands of black hair from his face, clearing his eyes. He really was beautiful when he wasnâ€™t shooting his mouth off or trying to make her angry. She ran her fingers over his brow, following the line of his dark eyebrows, and then trailed them slowly down over the contours of his cheekbones and jaw.

He frowned and turned his face towards her before opening his eyes. Their black depths met hers and she smiled.

Confusion filled his eyes.

Lealandra leaned towards him, closed her eyes, and brushed her lips against his. It took him a moment to respond and butterflies danced in her stomach and chest when he kept the kiss light. His tongue traced her lips and hers came to meet it, softly tangling with his and luring it into her mouth. He tasted of beer but she didnâ€™t mind. She was sure that she did too. She dropped her hand to his neck and leaned in closer, wanting more, and then reminded herself that this wasnâ€™t supposed to go anywhere, not tonight, and if she kept going, it would do just that.

After one final brush of her lips over his, she pulled back.

Taig stared at her, eyes wide and lips parted.

â€œThatâ€™s how I kiss goodnight,â€ she whispered and rose to her feet.

His gaze tracked her across the room. She trembled inside, wondering if her goodnight kiss had been a wise idea and whether Taig would come to her.

She fell flat on her front on the bed and sighed.

It had been a stupid idea.

She touched her lips.

It had been nice though.

She focused on Taig and realised that he was doing the same, using his power to sense her.

The ball was in his court now.

Remember you can download Ascension for FREE today on Amazon Kindle!

Ascension
Felicity Heaton
A witch on the verge of achieving phenomenal power, Lealandra must turn to her half-breed demon ex-lover Taig for protection from the dark force that is after her and also from her own magic.

With her Counter-Balance dead and her coven against her, Taigâ€™s blood and power is the only thing that can help her control her magic and survive the ascension and gain the strength to defeat her enemy.

Old feelings come flooding back as Taig allows her into his world and Lealandra finds herself fighting not only for survival but to win his broken heart again and heal the pain in their past. Can he forgive her for walking out on him all those years ago and will he ever believe her when she tells him that heâ€™s not a monster but the man that she loves?

genre: paranormal romance
length: 91000 words

Posted in Ascension, demons, paranormal romance | Comments Off

Interview with Kearn from Forbidden Blood

Posted on 8th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

I’ve lured a rather handsome silver haired vampire venator into my lovely interview room. I shall introduce you all to Kearn, the leading man in my vampire romance book, Forbidden Blood.

The book is FREE this weekend on Amazon Kindle (see the end of the interview for links)

(Kearn enters, swiftly crosses the room, dressed in a very fine white shirt and black trousers, and sits in the black velvet armchair opposite me. His silver-white hair is tucked neatly behind his ears and his green eyes pierce mine. I glance down to catch a glimpse of the elaborate silver markings that cover his right hand to his fingertips. The design covers all the way to his shoulder and isn’t a tattoo, it’s a link to the endless dark given to him by the Sovereignty when he took on the role of Venator. A Venator is a sort of hunter.)

REMEMBER: If you want Kearn to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I’ll pass it on to him and he’ll answer it for you.

FH: So, Kearn… it’s great to see you again. How about we start off with you telling everyone a little about yourself?

KEARN: I am a Venator for the vampire species. I was chosen to succeed my father in his role as Venator for House Savernake. I was not happy with this, and I still resent the Sovereignty for the pain they caused my family and myself by forcing this role upon myself rather than passing it to my older brother, Kyran. A Venator is a hunter. It is my duty to carry out the sentence on vampires known to have broken the law. It is not a duty that I relish. I wish I were free of it, but that can only come through death or retirement, and I am a long way from either. I have a reason to live now. It was given to me by my beloved Amber.

FH: Can you tell us about what happened in your story?

KEARN: Most certainly. I was pursuing a known Source Blood abuser and had been hunting him for several years prior to the night I stumbled upon Amber under attack by a group of vampires. As a Venator, it is my duty to protect humans from my kind. I had not realised that she was a Source Blood, and by chance, the man who had sought to control her turned out to be the one I was looking for. He is elusive as the wind but with Amber’s help I was finally able to track him down and sentence him. It was difficult for me, and I do not think I could have done it without Amber’s assistance.

FH: As you mentioned, you meet Amber in your story, Forbidden Blood. How did you feel about her initially?

KEARN: (sighs) The benefit of hindsight is a beautiful thing. Now I can see with clarity that I was falling for her from the moment I set eyes on her, before I first tasted her blood. At the time, I believed myself indifferent and purely under the influence of her blood. Source Blood is rare. It is a gene in the blood of a specific line of humans, and it can bestow godlike powers upon vampires. It is also highly addictive. When we first met, I was reluctant to interact with humans. Amber was the first human I had actually worked with. Most of the time they are dead by the time I reach them. She entranced me so quickly that I was under her spell before I could realise what was happening, and that only put her life in more danger. She was an easy target for the man I was hunting and he knew that he could use her to weaken me and drive me to act on impulse rather than rationally.

FH: Your relationship with Amber was complicated because she’s human, and a Source Blood, and it’s illegal for you to taste her. Was it difficult around her after you had taken a sip of her blood?

KEARN: Extremely. It had been a long time since I had tasted Source Blood and the effects of Amber’s on me were stronger than I had anticipated. Her blood is divine, a drug more addictive than anything else on this planet, and once I had tasted it, I wanted more. I could not help myself and it was difficult to control myself around her. That one sip triggered hunger in me stronger than any I had felt before and I craved her. Not just her blood though. I craved the whole of her. I needed her to be mine and I knew it was asking a lot of her after everything I had already put her through, but she is so beautiful, and she did not shy away or think me a monster because of what I was or what I desired from her. She accepted me and she brought me back to life and filled my world with light, chasing back the darkness.

FH: That’s beautiful. For all your growl and menacing edge, you’re a big softie when it comes to Amber. How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?

KEARN: It has been quiet for the past few months. Amber is settling into her new life and says that she learns something new each night that we wake together and I teach her about the ways of my kind. Society has accepted her in a way I could not have wished or hoped for. Archduke Pendragon saw to that. We still turn heads at the balls and Amber’s name is on everyone’s lips. They are very eager to see how she turns out. I have been working with some of the other vampire Venators and the Sovereignty on matters regarding our species. It keeps me busy but I always find time for Amber. I want her to never feel that she is alone. She comes with me wherever I go when she can, and is becoming a very good ambassador for better treatment of humans who are brought into our world and are in transition.

FH: Your story, Forbidden Blood, is a book in a series. Can you tell us a little about the series and can we expect see more of you in other stories in this series?

KEARN: I believe that we are in the next book. The whole series follows the vampire Venators in their missions for the Sovereignty, a ruling body of demons that govern the nine demon species. They are the remains of their species, and countless centuries old, and extremely powerful. They bless their Venators with the power to sentence those who break the law. For a vampire, the weapon comes in the form of silver markings that cover the length of our strongest arm, in my case my right, but some are left-handed. Vampires have only a few laws that we uphold, and they are all related to Source Blood. I am not sure of the laws of the other species. Vampires do not tend to interact with them if we can avoid it, although I am aware that many of them share a complex society like ours. Lycanthropes and therianthropes in particular. I am told that the therianthropes are generally broken into two groups, the ailuranthropes, or those who shift into a cat form, and the rest. Vampires do not tend to associate with either group, but there are times when we are required to work together.

FH: Describe yourself in one word?

KEARN: Loyal.

FH: Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that you’d like to add before you leave?

KEARN: I wish to thank you for taking this time to interview me, and I also hope that you will be able to interview Amber too as she was very excited to hear that I was coming to see you to answer these questions. I am sure she would find it a pleasant change to her usual daily routine, and would like to meet with you again. I would also like to extend my thanks to the humans reading this, and to offer words of comfort in that the Venators are there to protect them should any of them be Source Bloods. I hope they will read, and enjoy my story, and also the glimpse it gives of my world.

FH: Ah, you’re always so very eloquent. I’ll let you get on now as I’m sure you’re busy as always.

(Kearn nods, rises from the seat and leaves the room without a backward glance. I have the feeling he’s going to tell Amber about the interview)

Did you all enjoy this interview with Kearn? If you would like to know more about this vampire and his love story, then you can download it FREE today on Amazon Kindle!

Forbidden Blood
Felicity Heaton
In a dark world where vampires exist and where Source Blood, a rare human blood type, can bestow godlike powers upon them, the vampire Venators of the Sovereignty fight to protect the humans by banishing those who drink it to the endless dark.

Exiled from his family and with only his duty to sustain him, Kearn has been on the trail of an elusive Source Blood abuser for three years. When he saves a beautiful human female from the vampireâ€™s grasp, it turns out sheâ€™s the lead heâ€™s been waiting for. Amber is a Source Blood and the perfect bait, but for who?

As they race to catch the vampire and survive the cruel games he plays, Amber is pulled deeper into Kearnâ€™s world and discovers the painful secrets he hides behind his handsome but emotionless exteriorâ€”hurt that she has the power to heal if she is brave enough.

Forbidden Blood is book one in the Vampire Venators series and a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.

FREE on Amazon Kindle this weekend!

Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK | Germany
France | Italy | Spain

REMEMBER: If you want Kearn to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I’ll pass it on to him and he’ll answer it for you.

Posted in character interviews, paranormal romance, vampire romance | Comments Off

My favourite scene from Forbidden Blood

Posted on 7th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

My next favourite scene is from Forbidden Blood and I had a hard time choosing this one again. I have other scenes in this book that I really love but I can’t share those as they give too much about the book away!

I’m a sucker for dance scenes and this is one I just had to post. This one needs a little scene setting though. Amber, the heroine, is a Source Blood (a human with very powerful blood that can turn a vampire into something god-like) and was saved from a vampire by Kearn, who is also a vampire and a Venator. Venators hunt vampires who break the law by attempting to use Source Blood. He’s been on the trail of the Source Blood abuser for years and Amber is the perfect bait. The game between Kearn and his enemy heats up when the vampire says he might be at a masquerade ball held by Duke Montagu. Kearn doesn’t want to show his face in society but must go there with Amber, and she gets her first glimpse at the world of vampires, and draws the attention of the host. Duke Montagu threatens to have them removed from the premises unless Amber dances with him and she reluctantly agrees, and when Kearn offers to teach her the waltz by using the remnants of her blood in his to control her so she impresses the duke, she can’t resist the chance to be in his arms.

My Favourite Scene From…

Forbidden Blood

Amber looked around her to see what everyone else on the dance floor was doing. The ladies curtseyed to their partners so she did too, going low enough that she would make the right impression on Kearn and the watching vampires, but not so low that she wouldnâ€™t be able to get back up. She rose again and the ladies stepped forwards into their partnersâ€™ waiting arms.

She went to touch Kearnâ€™s arm and take his hand.

Kearn stepped back.

â€œThe first thing you need to know is never touch me or anyone above your rank.â€ His voice was stern again. She had committed a faux pas by grabbing the duke. Everyone here was probably above her. â€œYou must allow your partner to place your hands.â€

Kearn gently placed her right hand on his shoulder and held her left, their palms pressing together. His hand was warm and his fingers curled tightly around hers. Both of his hands were steady. Hers shook like crazy.

She swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat but it didnâ€™t help.

â€œI need a drink,â€ she whispered and Kearnâ€™s gaze slid to her neck and then back to her eyes. A shiver tripped through her at the flash of red in his irises.

She jumped when his left hand settled against her waist and then they were moving. The tempo of the orchestra was slower than before. It was a triumphant sounding piece, with rising strings and deep brass. The choir sung beautifully but she didnâ€™t hear it. She was lost in Kearnâ€™s eyes and the way he was holding her, moving with her. They turned in slow circles and it didnâ€™t feel as though he was moving her feet for her. She felt in control.

â€œSee,â€ he whispered and smiled into her eyes, â€œnothing to it.â€

She smiled and his look turned serious, his head tilting to one side. His eyes dropped to her mouth, briefly enough that she might have missed it had she not been watching him so closely. Did he want to kiss her? She swallowed again. She wanted to kiss him.

â€œTell me about your brother,â€ he said.

She stumbled slightly. â€œI donâ€™t think this is the time for conversation. I need to concentrate.â€

â€œNo, you do not. You will only make it more difficult for me. I can concentrate for both of us.â€

Amber tried to think of what to tell him. It was hard not to focus on her feet when she knew she was dancing.

â€œHeâ€™s around your height and build, funny and smart, looks like a male version of me and lives in Paris,â€ she said and no longer noticed the way the vampires stared, the couples glancing their way as they passed, or even the duke. The music and Kearn filled her world. He was so handsome, looking at her with warmth in his eyes and no trace of loneliness. She felt as though she had helped erase his hurt after all. â€œHeâ€™s always trying to get me to move to France and it must have finally worked because Iâ€™m going to Paris soon.â€

Kearn frowned. â€œYou are leaving England?â€

She nodded. â€œIâ€™m moving there for work.â€

The warmth in Kearnâ€™s eyes dissipated, leaving ice in its wake. He turned his face away, looking in the direction that they were moving with the music, and her feelings shifted. The excitement and happiness she had felt on mentioning her move to Paris gradually changed into something darker.

Anger?

That feeling winked out of existence and she stumbled, barely keeping herself standing as she turned with Kearn again.

Cold swept through her.

He had shut her out, relinquishing control of her and leaving her in the dark about his feelings. Why?

Amber focused hard, biting her lip and tripping her way through the steps. This wasnâ€™t good. She panicked, the feeling blasting through her so quickly that her temperature shot up and her heart skipped. She caught her foot on Kearnâ€™s boot and her eyes leapt to his, her apology balancing on her lips.

It fell away when her feet suddenly knew the way and her legs no longer shook. Was he controlling her again? The anger she had felt before he had surrendered control of her wasnâ€™t there anymore. She searched his eyes for it and found nothing. The desire to question him burned in her heart but she couldnâ€™t find the courage to go through with it. What was she going to ask him?

Was he angry because she was leaving England? Didnâ€™t he want her to go to Paris? Did he want her to stay?

Did he want her?

Amber glanced down at the bright silver buttons on the breast of his black jacket, focusing on herself instead of him, studying her own feelings. What did she want? The thought of Paris had excited her before she had met him, but now her move felt like something to fear rather than look forward to. Her eyes roamed up over his chest and neck to his face, lingering on his sensual mouth. Fire skittered over her skin at the memory of their kiss. The thought of kissing him again excited her, sent her blood rushing and her mind leaping forward to imagine how everything would unfold from even the gentlest of caresses.

She forced her eyes onwards, until they met his. There had to be something that she could say to break the ice between them again.

â€œIâ€™m not really sure Iâ€™ll like it in Paris,â€ she whispered, looking deep into his eyes. She had loved the thought of it just a few days ago but meeting Kearn had changed her whole world, knocking it off kilter, and now she wasnâ€™t sure of anything. She shrugged. â€œIâ€™m not even any good at French.â€

Kearn leaned over and her eyes widened when his cheek brushed hers, heating hers through. He whispered in French into her ear, his breath tickling her neck, and continued to turn with her. Her eyelids fell to half-mast and she melted into him, savouring the feel of him against her and the relief that blossomed deep in her heart as she realised he was no longer angry with her. Only warm feelings danced inside her now, and a part of them were his. He drew back again and she shook some sense into herself, enough to look him in the eye.

â€œWhat did you say?â€

He just smiled.

She wanted to know. Whatever it had been, it had sounded distinctly romantic.

The choir began to sing again, slower now but rising with the music, sweeping over the room and carrying her along. Their words sounded as beautiful as Kearnâ€™s had and she listened to them.

â€œIs that Latin?â€ She turned with Kearn. They had moved closer together. His chest brushed hers as they spun to the music, galloping around the room. It was still hard for her not to think about the steps. Whenever she stopped speaking, her focus went back to her feet. She used Kearn as a distraction, keeping her eyes on his face, and floated along in his arms.

He nodded.

â€œDo you understand it?â€ What other languages did he know? He was over three hundred years old. He had probably learnt many languages and studied all sorts of things in his years.

He nodded again and looked ahead of them.

â€œWhat are they saying?â€

â€œYou do not want to know.â€

Amber gasped when they collided with another couple. The sandy haired man glared at her. Marquess Pendragon. Had he bumped them on purpose? Amber didnâ€™t recognise the woman in his arms.

â€œIgnore them,â€ Kearn said and she focused on him again, only this time the world didnâ€™t melt away. She was aware of everyone staring and the intent behind their glares. She could sense they wanted to harm her.

No, not her. She stared into Kearnâ€™s eyes. These were his feelings again.

The tempo of the music increased. Her legs were growing tired but she kept going, determined to finish the dance.

â€œYou must curtsey to the duke and allow him to place your hands. Do not speak unless spoken to and do not look him in the eye. Keep your gaze on his chest.â€ The warmth was gone from Kearnâ€™s face and voice, but at least he wasnâ€™t shutting her out again.

â€œWhy?â€

Kearn turned with her and she caught a glimpse of the duke. He was still watching her.

â€œBecause regardless of what he said to you, you are beneath him, just as I am.â€

Amber wanted to ask why he was beneath the duke but the hurt was back in his eyes. Would he really tell her later or had he been using it as an excuse to keep her quiet on the subject so she would forget about it? She would never forget the way the people had treated him tonight.

â€œRemain polite at all times and maintain the proper distance between you and him.â€

Kearnâ€™s hand slid around her back and he drew her closer to him, until their chests were against each other the whole time they danced. That wasnâ€™t proper distance, but she didnâ€™t care. It felt too good to be this close to him, in his arms. It didnâ€™t matter that her feet were tired and her legs ached. She wanted to keep dancing so she could remain like this with him.

Her eyes met his just as he was about to speak and his mouth closed. He stared down into her eyes, warmth resurfacing in his. She was glad the loneliness was gone again. They shone now, and deep contentment filled her. It wasnâ€™t only her feelings.

Kearn raised his left hand and trailed his fingertips down her bare arm and then over her long black satin glove. The touch was light and sensual, teasing her and stealing her breath. Her lips parted and her gaze fell to his mouth. His parted too, an invite to a kiss that she wanted to take more than anything. The world disappeared again and she was drifting with him with nothing but the sound of her heart beating and the light strings of the orchestra filling her ears.

She raised her gaze to his. Red tinted the edges of his irises. What was he thinking to make them look like that?

The dance ended.

He took her hand from his shoulder, raised it to his lips, bowed low and pressed a kiss to it.

Amber smiled, warm all over, and then realised that she wasnâ€™t the only one looking at him. Half of the room had stopped to stare again and were whispering to each other. Her gaze stopped on Kyran. He stood a few metres away, blue eyes narrowed behind his black mask. The woman in his arms looked disgusted.

Kearn rose, turned Amberâ€™s hand in his, and led her from the dance floor. Either he was oblivious to the dirty looks they were receiving or he didnâ€™t care. They stopped in the spot where they had been before, near the wall and away from everyone.

â€œYou danced well.â€ He smiled.

Amber smiled too and touched the spot on her glove that Kearn had kissed. Was the kiss why everyone looked so shocked? She had wanted far more than such a tame moment of intimacy. She had considered kissing him on the mouth.

â€œThat was quite a spectacle.â€ Venom dripped from the male voice.

Amber looked up to see Kyran stood beside Kearn, glaring at him. Kearnâ€™s expression was void of emotion as he stared back. The tension between them was palpable. Kyranâ€™s red eyes darted to her and his lips compressed. None of the usual kindness and charm touched his face now.

â€œA Noble lowering himself to a human.â€ Pure disgust tainted his expression and his tone. She had been wrong. The kiss hadnâ€™t shocked everyone. It was the fact that Kearn had bowed to her. Kyran smirked. â€œDo not expect such behaviour from Duke Montagu.â€

She wasnâ€™t sure how to react or what to say.

Kyran snorted in her direction and then grabbed Kearnâ€™s upper arm.

â€œExcuse me, I must speak with my little brother before he ridicules the entire family.â€ He turned on his heel and dragged Kearn away.

Kearn didnâ€™t seem to care that he was in for an earful. He looked back over his shoulder at her.

â€œDo not move from that spot. I will not be long. I will bring you a drink.â€ He actually smiled.

Amberâ€™s eyebrows rose. She stood rooted to the spot, watching the brothers. Kyran jerked to a halt and shoved Kearn out in front of him, pushing him back towards the wall near the corner of the room. She was too far away to hear them but their thunderous expressions said they were arguing. Kearn threw Kyranâ€™s hand from his arm and stepped up to him. She wanted to know what they were saying.

â€œThat was quite a dance.â€

Amber turned quickly to face the owner of the female voice.

A short dark haired young woman and two other women, both of them closer to Amberâ€™s height, stood before her. They were all wearing black empire-line dresses with a lot of cleavage on show, and a lot of make-up in sombre tones. They looked like death, ashen and dull.

Amber smiled politely. Kearn had told her that there would be other humans at the ball and they might be unmasked. These women were going through the transition from human to vampire. If she were bitten, would she look this bad when changing?

Heat touched her cheeks when she thought about Kearn biting her. She had dreamt of it today while sleeping in his bed and had tossed and turned so much that Kearn had woken her by knocking hard on the door and asking whether something was wrong. She had blushed ten shades of red then and hadnâ€™t been able to tell him the truth. Instead, she had said it was nothing and had hurried into the shower. He had gone out and when he had come back, he had given her the dress.

She felt incredibly sexy in it.

Especially when he told her that she looked beautiful.

â€œHe is quite the catch.â€ The blonde woman in the group looked past Amber.

Amber followed her gaze. Kearn was still arguing with Kyran. The other vampires nearby had moved away and were warily watching them. What were they arguing about? It couldnâ€™t just be about her. Was it about their family name too?

â€œAnd so subservient.â€

She looked back at the three women. They all smiled at her. She didnâ€™t think that Kearn was subservient but she smiled anyway.

â€œTo think a Noble would behave such a way.â€ The short dark haired one cast a wistful look in Kearnâ€™s direction and then her brown eyes found Amberâ€™s again. â€œI have never seen anything like it.â€

The third woman, a brunette with a bob, stepped forwards and looked Amber over. â€œHow far along are you?â€

Amber glanced down at her stomach. She looked pregnant?

â€œI thought the dress was quite flattering.â€ She skimmed her hands down her sides. Kearn definitely liked it, and sheâ€™d had a duke and Kyran call her beautiful too.

All three women laughed.

â€œIn your turning.â€ The brunette smiled. â€œYou must be far along for a Noble to behave in such a way. It shocked the crowd something terrible.â€

Amber hadnâ€™t failed to notice that.

The blonde twisted her hair around her fingers. â€œIâ€™ve almost completed my transition but my Lesser Noble wonâ€™t even dance with me.â€

Kearn had also warned Amber that humans going through the transition never danced. Most Nobles and Lesser Nobles didnâ€™t associate with them until they had fully turned. It seemed strange that they went to the trouble of courting a human to convince them to become a vampire and then discarded them during their transition. It was almost cruel. Kearn hadnâ€™t said what happened when they had finished becoming a vampire.

â€œSo how far along are you?â€ the brunette prompted.

Amber smiled politely. â€œIâ€™m not a vampire.â€

They all laughed again.

â€œNo.â€ The blonde took Amberâ€™s black gloved hand and patted it. â€œYouâ€™re what my Lesser Noble refers to as a chrysalisâ€”the transition from disgusting worm to beautiful butterflyâ€”and you must be close to spreading your wings.â€

Amberâ€™s smile faltered at the corners. â€œIâ€™m afraid youâ€™re all quite mistaken. Iâ€™m the caterpillar.â€

They gasped and backed off a step. The blonde woman dropped her hand and wiped hers on her dress, glaring at her as though she had been the one to take hold of her.

â€œA human.â€ The dark haired one sneered and flicked her long locks behind her shoulder, revealing a set of scars on her neck.

The three women turned their backs on her, looped their arms together, and moved off as one, disappearing into the black-clad crowd.

Heat burned through Amber, a remnant of her dream. Kearn had bitten her neck. She had worn marks just like that woman. If she did in reality, would Kearn treat her differently? Was he merely courting her with the intention of sending her through the transition and then discarding her until she had become like him?

No. He wanted to protect her, even from himself. He had slipped tonight and allowed a glimmer of his feelings to shine through, but she was sure that he wasnâ€™t out to make her into a vampire.

She turned to look for Kearn and found Duke Montagu standing before her. Instinct whispered that it was dangerous for her to be alone with him. He frowned over her head towards the women and then at her, his red eyes intent and cold behind his black mask. He was over one thousand years old. How powerful did that make him?

â€œI hope they have not upset you,â€ he said with charm and grace. â€œIf they have, I will see to it that the young Venator is punished.â€

Amberâ€™s eyes darted towards Kearn. He stood a few metres behind the duke, a glass of champagne in his hand. His eyes were wide. Stunned? She couldnâ€™t feel anything of the sort. He could definitely control the connection between them and had shut her out again.

â€œI was not offended.â€ She smiled, not wanting him to punish Kearn for what he had done. It was an honour to have such a noble man lower himself to her regardless of the rules.

There wasnâ€™t a trace of cruelty in the dukeâ€™s smile this time. His red eyes held hers.

â€œJealousy is such an ugly thing.â€ His eyes narrowed as his smile widened. â€œThe presence of such a beautiful creature will always upset those desiring to attain beauty beyond their grasp.â€

Amber wished that Kearn had been the one to say those words. If he had been standing before her, telling her again how beautiful she was, she would have kissed him. She wouldnâ€™t have cared if they had thrown them out for it either.

She glanced past the duke to Kearn. He no longer looked stunned. The warm edge to his eyes told her that he believed the dukeâ€™s words and what he had told her earlier. When he looked at her like that, with a shine to his green eyes and a smile starting to tease at his lips, she felt as beautiful as he painted her to be.

She blushed and looked back at the duke. He stared in the direction of the three women.

â€œThey had hoped to believe you almost a vampire, desiring that they would become as beautiful as you on their transition, and that their master would show them such attention.â€ His gaze dropped to her and a serious look replaced his smile. â€œThey are still foolish enough to believe it will happen. What they will find when they join us is nothing more than they have nowâ€”empty vanity and a male who will move on to a new female.â€

The women had been nasty to her once they had realised that she was human but she felt sorry for them. They only wanted their vampire to love them. They were alike in that respect. She barely knew Kearn but she was falling for him, and she wanted him to fall for her too. She had come here tonight with the intention of keeping his attention on her, desiring him to be as lost in her as she felt in him. Regardless of their differences and the fact they walked in two different worlds, she wanted to be with him.

â€œBut you,â€ Duke Montagu said. â€œIf you changed, you would attain that beauty and the heart of your Noble. You would rule absolute.â€

A shiver danced through her and her gaze roamed to Kearn. Would she really win his heart that way?

No trace of denial touched Kearnâ€™s features. His eyes were open, allowing her to read his feelings in them, but she couldnâ€™t decipher them and she desperately wanted to.

â€œI said a Noble.â€ Duke Montaguâ€™s tone was darker, commanding, and her gaze snapped back to him. â€œNot a Venator. Such a creature is unworthy of you. I spoke of someone like myself.â€

In the corner of her vision, Kearnâ€™s eyes turned vivid red.

Duke Montagu raised an eyebrow and his gaze slid to the side, towards Kearn, but he didnâ€™t turn to face him.

â€œYou dare to threaten me, Venator?â€ The dukeâ€™s voice was pure ice. His red eyes narrowed behind his mask.

Kearnâ€™s irises melted back to green and he lowered his head.

Duke Montagu held his hand out to one side, towards the dance floor.

The music stopped.

The crowd parted and left the large dance floor bare.

â€œAllow me to show you how a true Noble behaves.â€

Amber looked at Kearn.

He cast his gaze to one side. She could feel hurt inside her, a dull ache in her chest, that wasnâ€™t just hers.

She followed Duke Montagu onto the dance floor, her heart too heavy to care whether she made a fool of herself. When she stopped opposite the duke in the middle of the dance floor, she glanced back at Kearn.

He was watching her now.

She wanted to go to him and tell him that he was worthy of her.

She didnâ€™t want the duke or anyone else for that matter.

She only wanted him.

Remember you can download Forbidden Blood for FREE today on Amazon Kindle!

Forbidden Blood is book one in the Vampire Venators series and a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.

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Free Paranormal Romance Ebooks and $0.99 Ebooks – This weekend only!

Posted on 7th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

Just taking a break from the insanity of all my Birthday Bash fun to remind you all to grab your FREE ebooks and the discounted ebooks before the offers on them end.

FREE paranormal romance ebooks on Kindle on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th only:

Forbidden Blood is a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.

genre: paranormal vampire romance
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genre: paranormal romance
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In Heat: Mating Call
Felicity Heaton
The English winter weather has no chance of cooling Kim down when her dreams of Erik return, and this time theyâ€™re hotter than ever! Having spent the past two years waiting to be in heat again so she can mate with her black panther shape-shifter lover, Erik Blackwell, Kim is excited about the prospect that sheâ€™s ready at last. But thereâ€™s one thing that she isnâ€™t ready for…

The handsome white tiger shape-shifter that walks into their visions and then into their life, proclaiming himself to be her potential mate too!

Torn between two lovers and unable to stop herself from joining in the carnal pleasures in their visions, will Kim be able to resist the lure of Kristian in real life? Will Erik believe everything that happens or will he see past the lies to the truth and fight for the woman he loves?

genre: paranormal shape-shifter romance
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Vampire for Christmas
Felicity Heaton
It was one last mission. Shannon, a demon hunter with the agency, is looking forward to leaving behind the small town and the vampire sheâ€™s been stuck with for the past two years. Things are getting complicated fast and she wants out. A fresh start, free of her vampire partner, awaits her if she can survive their final mission and the lonely Christmas holidays.

It was one last mission. Rafe, a vampire doing time with the agency, watches it approach with dread weighing heavily in his stomach. Two years of working with Shannon has been difficult, especially since he started falling for her, but he doesnâ€™t want their partnership to end. He has barely a few days to make her face her feelings and stop her from leaving, and he intends to do just that.

When a slimy demon threatens the season of peace and goodwill, itâ€™s the chance Rafe has been waiting for and the moment Shannon secretly fears. Rafeâ€™s determination to prise open her heart and her own resolve to keep it closed clash as violently as they do with the demon, and threatens to end as messily.

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Reunion
F E Heaton
The Law Keeper for the Venia bloodline, Marise doesnâ€™t want to return home but duty dictates that she must investigate the attempt on her lordâ€™s life by another vampire.

When she sets eyes on her lord, Marise realises that she might have been called for another reason and that the attack on her lord might not have been by a vampire after all. Her only source of information is a guard who was mortally wounded during the attack, a guard who turns out to be the man who broke her heart fifty years ago.

The sight of Jascha so close to death triggers a battle in Mariseâ€™s heart that will see her struggle to turn her back on him and her family again, and maintain her sense of duty. Is fifty years enough to forgive the one you love for breaking your heart? Will Marise finally confess to everything sheâ€™s held inside and kept hidden from him? And can Jascha convince Marise to listen to what he has to say and make her love him again?

Available as a FREE direct download:
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Heart of Darkness
A vampire prince on a four hundred year old mission to avenge his murdered sister…

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Rescued from werewolves by the most breathtaking man she’s ever seen, Lauren is dragged into the fight of her life and a dark world she never knew existed. There, she discovers that she’s the latest reincarnation of a goddess and must drink the blood of her immortal protector, Julian, in order to reawaken and continue her three thousand year old mission to defeat Lycaon, the original werewolf.

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Her Dark Angel
An angel without a mission, Apollyon lives trapped in Hell guarding the bottomless pit. Surrounded by endless darkness, he longs to fly free on Earth once more but his master hasn’t called him in centuries. When the call finally comes, it’s to serve a new master, a beautiful woman he has often watched over, a woman who has always captivated him.

Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. He’s no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she can’t resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel as dark as Apollyon ever fall for a mortal woman like her?

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Prophecy: Child of Light
A vampire unlike any other, Prophecy lives life in the dark until the night she encounters Valentine, a gorgeous vampire who is both her enemy and the man who will change her life forever.

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Interview with Apollyon from the Her Angel series

Posted on 7th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

I have the pleasure of interviewing Apollyon today… and I’m sure many readers out there would agree that it is a pleasure to be sitting near him, basking in his dark, gorgeous glory…

If youâ€™re new to the Her Angel series and havenâ€™t read any of the books, then you wonâ€™t know who Apollyon is so Iâ€™ll try to describe him for you. Apollyon is one of the darkest angels in the series and the oldest. He was one of the original angels and spent time as the angel of death, and heâ€™s also the Great Destroyer, an angel who will rain Hell down on Earth during the Apocalypse. On top of that heâ€™s the king of the bottomless pit and often fights the Devil to keep him imprisoned there. Apollyon is talk, dark and as deadly handsome as they come, with long black hair he often wears in a neat ponytail and sapphire blue eyes. He has stunning black wings and since heâ€™s of the division of angels of death he has beautiful black armour edged with gold, and his is decorated with gold lions to distinguish him from your average angel of death. Heâ€™s phenomenally powerful and is more than happy to wreak havoc on his enemies, but his black heart has been tamed by a petite French witch called Serenity.

He is also a particularly impatient man when it comes to interviews, so Iâ€™m going to get on with it.

REMEMBER: If you want Apollyon to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I’ll pass it on to him and he’ll answer it for you.

FH: I have Apollyon here with me today to talk about his book, Her Dark Angel. Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself?

APOLLYON: Indeed I can. I was last reborn several thousand years ago into my usual role. I am one of the few angels who carries what is known as an eternal duty. That is a duty, or series of duties, that was given to me upon my creation. Because of my eternal duty, I am always reborn as an angel belonging to the division of death… and because of my eternal duty it is almost impossible for me to leave Heaven. Although I no longer report to them or work for them, I am still under the influence of my duty, and should need arise or events occur that trigger that duty, I will have to do the bidding of Heaven and fulfil it as only I can. Originally, I was the only angel of death, but mortals became intent on war and fighting, and so there is now a fleet of angels who carry out that responsibility. One of my main duties was to guard the Devil in the bottomless pit, and to fight him to keep him contained there. If I lose, the Devil will be free to roam Hell and then Earth.

FH: You mentioned the bottomless pit. When your story, Her Dark Angel, starts, youâ€™re in Hell guarding the Devil, and you had been down there for some time. What was that like?

APOLLYON: Horrible. I had begun to tire of my time down there and my master had not spoken to me in many long centuries. I was alone with only the pool of history there. It is a pool in which the events in the mortal realm are recorded. There are pools in Heaven that have a similar function, but the one in Hell is unique. I would watch the world from the pool and it was the only contact I had with others. I grew tired of my duty there, alone and forgotten, left to suffer the oppressive heat and stench of Hell and endure the voice of the Devil. When I first saw Serenity in the pool, it was like seeing sunlight for the first time, or breathing fresh air again. I did not even realise I was manipulating the pool so I could see her. I thought it was chance that it would keep focusing on her.

FH: How did you meet Serenity and how did you feel about them initially?

APOLLYON: I heard someone calling me. It is difficult to explain what it feels like, but it is a sense that someone is speaking directly to my heart and compelling me. It was hard at first to discern the location of the call. I thought it was my master as only his voice was strong enough to call me from Hell. I took my chance to leave and made my way up to the mortal realm. When I reached the location of the call and discovered it was not my master but Serenity who had called me, I was surprised to say the least. A mortal should not have the ability to call an angel. I was curious and wanted to meet her and discover how she had called me. She saw straight through my glamour, the spell all angels cast to hide our wings and armour from mortal eyes and make us appear human. I knew then that she was different but I had not anticipated that she was a witch. Unfortunately, she knew of my reputation and fled. When I finally convinced her that I was not going to kill her and that I did not appreciate being called the angel of death since it was no longer my role, she confessed what she had been doing when I heard her call to me… and I realised that it was not her voice that had called me but rather that her heart had called to mine. I had felt her pain over the betrayal she had suffered at the hands of her ex-lover. Without caring about the consequences, I offered to serve her and give her the vengeance she needed in order to heal her heart. I wanted to crush him for what he had done to her.

FH: Serious words from a very serious man. It must have been strange at first being around a witch considering that she can see through your glamour and see your black wings and armour. Did that cause problems between you?

APOLLYON: I believe it did at first. Serenity knew all about angels and had no problem accepting what I was in the sense of believing I was real, but she had difficulty accepting my growing feelings for her. As did I. The moment I met her, I felt as though she had cast a spell on me. I could think of only her. When we first touched and then danced, I knew I had to have her. My little French witch had entranced me. I would have done anything for her and anything to have her, and I was intent on proving that it was possible for me to love her and that we could be together.

FH: How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?

APOLLYON: I wish I could say that is has changed in the way I had hoped it would but while Serenityâ€™s voice is strong and I am under contract with her, I still have to continue to carry out any of my duties that are intrinsically linked to me and my creation. I do live in the mortal realm now, with Serenity in Paris, and we frequently have visitors in the form of my fellow warriors and their women. I have grown to hate it when anyone calls on me to go to Hell. That place is a prison to me and I know that Serenity fears for me whenever I have to go down there. The Devil doesnâ€™t have a voice strong enough to sway me but I understand her fear.

FH: Your story, Her Dark Angel, is a book in a series about several angels from different divisions. All of them are angels youâ€™re familiar with and many would see you as their leader. Is that how you see yourself?

APOLLYON: (laughs) No. Not at all. I am the oldest and possibly the strongest, but I would never see myself as their leader. We are all on an equal footing. At least, that is what I believe. We all have different strengths too. While my power might be stronger than that which others bear, they have strength where I do not. Einar is an incredible hunter, able to track the wiliest of prey, and has the ability to heal injuries. Lukas has an amazing strength of heart and is often the one to keep a level head in a crisis and convince those of us bent on violence to look at things clearly before taking the leap, and he is an incredible warrior. Marcus is one of the strongest angels I know and his skill with his spear is unparalleled. He is also a keen strategist and uses intelligence in his battles. Of course, we all have our weaknesses, and they all seem to be the same. We have all lost our hearts to our women. No matter how level-headed we try to be, the moment our women are in danger, all hell breaks loose.

FH: Describe yourself in one word?

APOLLYON: Destructive.

FH: The Great Destroyer finally admits that he can be a touch destructive? I suppose it comes with the territory and after witnessing you in Her Guardian Angel, I can agree with that word choice. Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that youâ€™d like to add?

APOLLYON: Only my gratitude to those reading this interview with me and my hope that this has given them better insight into myself and my fellow angels. I believe that since my story is the first in your series, that you have put a special price on it as an introduction to the series. I am not sure whether to be flattered by this or dismayed. (waves his hand dismissively) Never mind. I am sure you only desired for more mortals to read my story and fall in love with our world.

FH: Maybe I wanted them to fall in love with you. (he looks uncomfortable) Youâ€™re very popular in my series, you know? Anyway, youâ€™re right and itâ€™s only a limited time offer on your book, Her Dark Angel, and I hope that readers will check it out. Iâ€™ll let you get back to Paris and Serenity now.

If you want to read a little more about Apollyon and fall in love with him for yourself, his book is just $0.99 this weekend.

Her Dark Angel
Felicity Heaton
An angel without a mission, Apollyon lives trapped in Hell guarding the bottomless pit. Surrounded by endless darkness, he longs to fly free on Earth once more but his master hasnâ€™t called him in centuries. When the call finally comes, itâ€™s to serve a new master, a beautiful woman he has often watched over, a woman who has always captivated him.

Serenity is shocked when a gorgeous black-winged angel shows up in her city of Paris claiming that she called him when she was only casting a simple vengeance spell. Heâ€™s no other than the angel of death! When Apollyon offers to obey her and help her have revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she canâ€™t resist the temptation, but can she resist him? Can an angel as dark as Apollyon ever fall for a mortal woman like her?

Dark, passionate and erotic, Her Dark Angel is a tale of intense desire and deepest forbidden love guaranteed to get your heart racing.

REMEMBER: If you want Apollyon to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I’ll pass it on to him and he’ll answer it for you.

Posted in angel romance, character interviews, paranormal romance | Comments Off

My favourite scene from Her Dark Angel

Posted on 7th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

My next favourite scene is from Her Dark Angel and this time it wasn’t difficult for me to choose it… it was difficult to know when to stop!

My Favourite Scene From…

Her Dark Angel

Apollyon perfected his image, smoothing his long black hair back into his neat ponytail and tightening the knot of his blue tie. Serenity walked beside him through the dark streets. Her plan was simple, yet likely to be effective. He glanced across at her, taking in how different she looked in her short black sleeveless dress that hugged her breasts and flared out from the waist, and the black high heels. She had tied her blonde hair up into a loose chignon. Dark kohl lined her eyes and her lips were stained red, adding to her allure.

It had been difficult not to look at her before, but now it was impossible. She drew his eyes to her and he didnâ€™t want to look away. He wanted to stare at her forever.

He reminded himself that it was alright now. He was supposed to look at her, to be attentive and charming, to be romantic with her.

â€œHeâ€™ll be here.â€ The tremble in her voice betrayed the nerves he could easily feel in her.

Was she having second thoughts? Her form of revenge was far more gentle and lenient than his. He could happily cast her unfaithful lover into the bottomless pit to suffer there with the Devil and the other sinners.

Her heartbeat quickened. He looked ahead, following her gaze, and saw the neon sign. She had mentioned the club to him. It was one she had frequented with the man called Edward. Apollyon had yet to get a description of his target but she would do better and point him out if the man was in the club.

â€œI shouldnâ€™t be asking you to do this.â€ Serenity stopped and turned to face him. â€œItâ€™s really not right.â€

â€œYou are only asking me to pretend that I am your new lover. It will be an easy charade, and it will not contravene any law of the contract that lies between us.â€ He smiled at her and she nodded. Nothing could contravene the laws of their contract. He hadnâ€™t invited her to create any or made any of his own. Whatever she desired of him, she would have.

Sin or no sin involved.

And he was fine with that.

Serenity moved closer to him. He had forgotten how good females smelt. Her light perfume teased his senses with its floral notes, and lured him to her as much as her appearance. She had never looked this beautiful in the pool.

She went to move away but he caught her wrist and she stopped.

â€œYou are nervous.â€ He grazed his fingertips over her skin, enjoying the silky warm feel of her. Whenever he touched her, he didnâ€™t want to let her go. He wanted to run his hands over every inch of her and feel the subtle differences across her body, studying her and memorising every supple plane and curve.

â€œYou would be too if you were about to walk into a club with an angel on your arm.â€ There was a hint of a joke about her tone but he knew that she was being serious. His appearance to her disconcerted her.

â€œI do not look like an angel to them.â€ He took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face the dark window of the shop behind her.

Her eyes widened. Whatever ability she had, she evidently couldnâ€™t see through an illusion he cast on something else. He was projecting his image onto his reflection, so she would see what other mortals did when they looked at him.

â€œYou look like that?â€

He nodded and leaned forwards until his chest was close to her shoulders, and looked down at her face.

â€œDoes my reflection satisfy you?â€

She looked at him over her shoulder, her face close to his. â€œI think I prefer to see you as you are.â€

The honesty in those words touched his heart. His gaze fell to her lips and he stepped back, away from the temptation they presented.

â€œYou have taste though,â€ she said and he looked back at her. â€œIn suits and in armour.â€

Apollyon smiled. â€œIf you are satisfied, then let us begin your revenge.â€

He held his hand out to her, only meaning for her to take it as a hint to go to the club rather than for her to hold it but she slipped hers into it. Her hand was small in his, delicate. He held it and walked with her to the club, trying to remember if he had ever held someoneâ€™s hand before. If he had, it was too long ago to recall and it couldnâ€™t have felt this good. He wouldnâ€™t have forgotten it if it had.

The man on the door stepped aside the moment they neared. Serenity looked at him. He shrugged. Some mortals were easier to use compulsion on than others. The bouncer had been an easy target. A message sent straight into the manâ€™s head saying that he wanted to let the beautiful woman pass had been enough to make him lift the red velvet rope for them.

Apollyon led her down into the dark interior of the basement club and then she moved in front of him when they reached the crowded space at the foot of the stairs. Blue neon lit the black bar, white spotlights casting pale light over the bartenders and the patrons gathered there.

Serenity walked further into the club and Apollyon put his surroundings to memory. The dance floor was small and busy with mortals performing what he could only interpret as clothed sex. Blue strobes and lasers made their movements stuttered and broken. Clusters of tall round black tables surrounded by stools lined the edges of the room. Most of them were full. The music was too loud, a fast and hard beat that made him miss the relative peace of Hell.

Serenity stopped again and he bumped into the back of her. The feel of her warm body against his stirred him as badly as the coffee had done and he backed off a step so she wouldnâ€™t notice. She looked over her shoulder at him and motioned with her eyes towards the dance floor.

If she expected him to be able to pick out Edward from a crowd, she was overestimating his abilities.

She took hold of his arm and he felt her fingers against his skin rather than the jacket of his suit. She could reach through his glamour too. He burned where she touched, growing hungry for more, for her to touch other parts of him.

He was starting to see why his fellow warriors had pledged themselves to mortal women.

She tiptoed, her breasts pressing against his arm and his chest, and he lowered his ear to her mouth when he finally clawed back enough sense to realise that she wanted to say something to him.

â€œThe mousy haired man, white shirt, exposing far too much chest,â€ she shouted into his ear and he grimaced. He should have told her that he had sensitive hearing.

He looked for his target, gaze scanning the dancers, and zeroed in when he spotted him. He was showing far too much chest, his white shirt had at least the top three buttons undone, and he was dancing with a slender dark-haired woman in a revealing tight pale dress.

â€œIs that the female he betrayed you with?â€ He frowned. The woman was nothing compared with Serenity. His gaze shifted to her and she shook her head.

What sort of womaniser had Serenity been involved with? The thought of her with such a man made him desire to change plans and send the man to Hell after all.

â€œDo you want a drink?â€ she shouted over the noise of the music.

Apollyon shook his head. â€œI do not think alcohol would be wise. I have not tasted it before and I am not sure whether it is still forbidden.â€

Serenity looked past him to the bar. â€œWell, I need a drink.â€

â€œThen a drink you will have.â€ He released her hand. â€œI will be just a moment.â€

He heard her gasp when he disappeared. A woman looked right at him when he appeared in a space next to her, accidently knocking against her, and he smiled his apology. The anger that had been in her dark eyes disappeared in an instant.

â€œCan I buy you a drink, Handsome?â€ She fluttered her long lashes at him and smiled.

He had never been in the game but he knew when a woman was flirting. He looked over towards Serenity where she stood by the dance floor, staring over the heads of the crowd at him, the shock still on her face.

â€œI am here with someone.â€ He sensed the womanâ€™s gaze leave him.

She snorted. â€œReally, you ought to trade up.â€

Was she insinuating that Serenity wasnâ€™t good enough for him and that perhaps she was?

He laughed. He had never heard something so ridiculous. Why would he want to leave Serenity for the woman before him? Serenity was kind, warm, he looked back at her and his smile slowly fell as it began to dawn on him, and beautiful.

She really was beautiful.

And he wanted her.

He had never wanted a mortal woman before.

But he wanted her.

He flagged down the bartender and compelled him to make the same brightly coloured drink as the flirtatious woman had in front of her. The man made it and slid it across the bar to him. Apollyon took it and left, disappearing and reappearing beside Serenity.

She gasped again and then smiled when he held the drink out to her.

â€œI am not sure what it is.â€

â€œDid your new friend recommend it?â€ She was still smiling but there was something different about her.

Something darker that came with a strong sense of power.

Jealous?

â€œShe recommended something else and I refused.â€ He offered the drink again and Serenity took it this time, moved the small black straws around and then sucked on them.

Apollyon stared at her mouth, mesmerised as she removed the straws and licked her lips.

â€œGood?â€ he said and she nodded.

The power that had radiated from her disappeared and she smiled. He had never dealt with a witch before. Could she curse him? He wasnâ€™t sure if his own powers would stand against hers and he didnâ€™t want to find out.

The table nearest them became free and he placed his hand against her elbow, guiding her over to it. She slid into the tall black stool and placed her drink down on the round black table. Apollyon sat opposite her, watching her sip her drink and waiting.

The music continued to pound but soon changed to a new song. Some of the dancers left the floor and walked past them towards the bar. Apollyon reached across the table and placed his hand over Serenityâ€™s when Edward walked past.

He smiled at Serenity when he felt Edwardâ€™s gaze light on them and then he moved on. Her eyes widened and then she looked at Apollyon.

â€œDid he see?â€ She leaned towards him, affording him a glorious view down her black dress to her breasts.

Was she trying to tempt him?

â€œHe saw.â€ Apollyon looked over his shoulder, tracking Edwardâ€™s progress across the room.

Edward was shorter than him, and his build was slighter. He seemed plain in the face but it was difficult to tell in such poor light. He must have some good qualities to draw Serenity to him and make her care for him. Right now though, Apollyon couldnâ€™t see anything good in him. He saw only a sinner, a man to be punished and made to suffer, just as his mistress desired.

Edward reached the bar and looked back at him.

No, at them. He was looking at them. He would have seen that Serenity was with him and that they were more than just friends.

Serenity sipped her drink again and Apollyon grazed his thumb lightly over the back of her hand, staring at them. She didnâ€™t seem to mind him touching her, or was it all part of the act? His blue gaze rose to her face, studying her as she sucked on the two small black straws. Her blonde hair shone blue in the lights. The colour of them washed out her skin and made her make-up even darker.

She looked up from her drink and released the straws. Her smile teased him, curving her dark lips and tempting him to take this charade further just to see how she would react.

â€œWhat sort of spells can you cast?â€ he said over the noise of the music.

She slowly stirred her drink with the straws, staring into his eyes the whole time. Did she have to think that hard about it? Could she cast spells on men that made them her willing slave? If she could, he would swear that she had cast one on him.

â€œMy mother told me only to do magic that benefitted others, and I had until today.â€ She lifted the glass to her lips, pushed the straws aside, and took a long gulp of the drink. She set the empty glass down. â€œIâ€™ve done minor curses for people, spells to aid maternity and conception, and love spells of course.â€

Love spells.

Perhaps she had cast that spell on him.

She had never used magic to benefit herself before today.

He had seen enough of the world to know that she was unusual in that respect. Her warmth, her selflessness and kindness, spoke to his heart, making her more beautiful. She thought only of helping others when most who possessed her powers would use them to profit from other humans. Power was a drug to mortals. He had seen the effect it had on them. Another person with her abilities would have used it to make them rich, important and popular, lured in by the promises of false happiness it gave, addicted to it.

Serenity seemed immune to it, and when she had finally succumbed to using it for herself, it had been to heal the pain in her heart and have vengeance. The hurt her ex-lover had caused her had driven her to use her power.

And Apollyon had heard her call and responded.

Perhaps he was the result of her spell after all. Her magic could have amplified her voice and he could have heard it because his focus had been on her at the time.

â€œYou are never tempted to use them?â€

She shook her head and then glanced away. â€œPerhaps sometimes.â€

Sometimes.

Her gaze snuck back to him, meeting his, and her cheeks darkened. It would have been impossible to see it if he hadnâ€™t been watching for it. She had considered a spell. On who? On Edward or on him? Revenge or love?

Serenityâ€™s other hand settled over their joined ones. It was cold from holding the glass but soon warmed on contact with his skin. She turned the hand beneath his, trapping his between hers.

â€œDo you think we should dance?â€ There was a nervous edge to her expression and her gaze flickered past him, over his shoulder.

â€œIs he still watching?â€ Apollyon could already feel the manâ€™s gaze on his back.

She nodded.

â€œThen we should definitely dance.â€

She hesitated. â€œIs it okay to dance… to do any of this?â€

How many times was she going to ask him the same question? His answer wasnâ€™t going to change. Whatever she wanted, he would do it.

Apollyon took hold of her hand, stood and walked around the table to her. His smile seemed to give her the answer that she was looking for, bringing another dark blush to her cheeks, and she slipped from her stool and followed his lead towards the dance floor.

The music was heavier now, harder, and slower. The people on the dance floor were bordering on clothed sex again and, for a moment, he wondered if it really was a good idea. He wasnâ€™t sure where a dance would lead, but the look in Serenityâ€™s eyes said that wherever it took them, it wasnâ€™t pretend.

He pulled her into his arms, so her hands were against his chest, and stood there with her, looking down into her wide eyes. Her pupils dilated, darkening her irises, full of passion and hunger that he could feel beating in her heart.

Whenever she let go of her nerves and of the fact that he was an angel, she was more confident, sensual in her movements and almost flirtatious in her air around him. He wanted her like that now, and not because it would make Edward jealous to see it.

Apollyon slid his hands down to her waist from her ribs, and over her hips. She felt too good beneath his touch. Her eyelids slipped to half-mast and her palms pressed against his chest, not on his suit but on his armour. Did she like the feel of his hands on her?

He tightened his grip on her hips and drew her against him, starting to move slowly to the heavy beat. Her hands slid up over his breastplate and then over his collarbones towards his neck. He shivered when she lightly swept her fingers across his shoulders, and stepped into him, her body moving against his. Each time they brushed, each step that had them rubbing against each other, drove him a little farther towards the edge of control.

Serenity slipped her hands around the back of his head, twirled the dark hair of his ponytail around her slender fingers, and then settled them against the nape of his neck. He shifted his hands, easing them around her back, until they met in the small of it, feeling the way her hips moved as she danced with him. Her leg slid between his and his between hers, and her eyes half-closed again when he brushed the apex of her thighs. He groaned and moved closer to her, eager to feel the whole of her body against his, his thoughts diving down routes they hadnâ€™t traversed in a long time. How good would she look naked? He wanted to explore every supple inch of her with his mouth and hands, wanted to worship her body until she cried his name and collapsed into his arms.

Apollyon stepped back a little, unable to bear the torture and needing a moment to breathe. He was too close to letting go.

Serenity stared into his eyes, hers full of invite, asking him to give in to her. He would do so willingly if he could be sure that this wasnâ€™t an act. It was a charade, nothing more than pretend so they would make Edward jealous. That was all it was.

So why did it feel so good to have her in his arms?

She ran her hands down over his biceps, slowly, her gaze following her right hand as it traced the curves of his muscles, and her heart beating faster, as though exploring his body excited her. Her eyes darkened and he could feel the hunger in her, could sense the growing need.

Why did his body burn wherever she touched?

His gaze flickered to her mouth.

And why couldnâ€™t he keep his eyes off her cherry red lips and his mind off how good it would feel to dip his head and kiss her?

It had been a long time since he had desired a woman, but he knew it had never felt like thisâ€”so strong and irresistible. He loved how she moved against him, her body brushing his, teasing him into submission, sending shiver after shiver over his skin and sending his temperature soaring. He loved the way she looked into his eyes and smiled at him, so full of honest emotions and desire. It didnâ€™t feel like an act.

It felt so real and he was sure that she would welcome a kiss from him.

It couldnâ€™t be the glamour because it didnâ€™t work on her. She had to be attracted to him.

She smiled up at him, her hands resting lightly by his elbows, burning him with her touch. He wanted to feel her hands on his chest but this time without his armour in the way. He needed her to touch him, to feel what she did to him and how hard she made his heart beat.

He moved against her, satisfying himself as much as he could in public and without overstepping the mark. She didnâ€™t seem to care. Her eyes slipped shut again when he ran his hands down to her backside and he groaned under his breath at the way the twin peachy globes moved beneath his fingers. He slid his hands lower, until he cupped her bottom, and drew her against him, so her hips were close to his.

He wanted her.

Her wide eyes met his, pupils swallowing her irises, and her lips parted.

He wanted to kiss her.

It couldnâ€™t be pretend.

He wanted to wrap her in his arms and his wings and never let her go.

What had she done to him?

What spell had she cast to make him like this?

Her fingertips caressed his arms, working back up to his shoulders, and she traced the line of the leather straps that held his armour in place. She toyed with the buckles, making his body tremble with the thought that he might get his wish and she might remove his breastplate and touch his bare chest.

He wanted that so much.

Her chest rose and fell with her hard breathing, luring his eyes there. Deep hunger bolted through him at the sight of her breasts pressing against her small black dress. He lost track of what they were doing, until they were only holding each other, staring into each otherâ€™s eyes, both of their hearts racing.

His gaze drifted back to her mouth and he couldnâ€™t fight the temptation.

Apollyon lowered his head towards hers, wrapped her in his arms, and tilted his head to kiss her.

She giggled.

He pulled back, frowning. She laughed then and wriggled against him. He groaned when her hip pressed against his aching erection.

She was beautiful when she laughed though. She brushed her shoulder and then down her arm, and he realised that it was his wings. He lifted one and swept the black feathers over her shoulder. She laughed in his arms, genuine and full of happiness.

She seemed to have forgotten her heartache.

They both seemed to have forgotten this was make believe.

If you want to read a little more about Apollyon and Serenity, and how that revenge turns out rather sweet for them both, Her Dark Angel is just $0.99 this weekend.

Dark, passionate and erotic, Her Dark Angel is a tale of intense desire and deepest forbidden love guaranteed to get your heart racing.

Posted in angel romance, Her Dark Angel, paranormal romance | Comments Off

Interview with Aleksandr from Heart of Darkness

Posted on 7th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

Ah… one of my joint number 2 heroes is here with me today. Aleksandr from my vampire romance novel Heart of Darkness holds the spot with Julian from my other vampire romance book Love Immortal, and both of them are sexy as hell (and a little damaged)…

Now let me paint a pretty portrait of Aleksandr so you can picture him in your mind.

Aleksandr is born of royal blood, the eldest son of the Nemov bloodline that rules all vampires in Europe. At over eight hundred years old, he appears to be in his mid thirties by human standards. Heâ€™s an imposing man, of broad build and tall stature, as handsome as a prince should be, and quick witted and intelligent. With his dark short hair and piercing steel-grey eyes, and sensual mouth, he can get any womanâ€™s attention but is very focused when he pursues the one heâ€™s set his sights on. He has old-world charm in spades, can waltz his way into your heart without a single misstep, and has the kind of honour that drives him to do all in his power to protect the object of his affections. Heâ€™s dangerous, deadly, and has a track record of fighting vampire hunters that is four hundred years long. When provoked, his eyes burn red and his fangs emerge. Itâ€™s the only warning a vampire hunter gets before he meets Death a few seconds later.

REMEMBER: If you want Aleksandr to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I’ll pass it on to him and he’ll answer it for you.

FH: I have Aleksandr here with me today to talk about his book, Heart of Darkness. Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself?

ALEKSANDR: I am Aleksandr Nemov, former heir prince of the Nemov household, the royal family of European vampires. I disinherited myself and abdicated the throne, leaving it to my younger brother Vasiliy to inherit upon our fatherâ€™s death, so I could pursue the vampire hunter who murdered my sister and wipe his progeny from the Earth. I have spent the past four centuries of my eight hundred years in this world seeking out all related to the man who took my sisterâ€™s life and bestowing justice upon them.

FH: Was it really necessary to break ties with your family so permanently in order to purse her killer and his offspring?

ALEKSANDR: Absolutely. The Nemov household is responsible for leading vampire society into a brighter future. They were the ones who discovered that we could attain humanity through limiting our kills and because of them, vampires were able to slowly evolve from little more than mindless bloodthirsty beasts into people who could function socially and blend amongst humans. My family teaches pacifism. What I desired to do went against everything they stood for. I had to sever all ties with them in order to protect their cause and not bloody it with my actions. It was painful, but necessary.

FH: That seems quite sad to me. You sacrificed your life in order to pursue your sisterâ€™s killer and protect your people from his entire family line. Isnâ€™t it dangerous too? You mentioned about gaining humanity through limiting kills. Surely what youâ€™re doing goes against that?

ALEKSANDR: Unfortunately it does. I have killed thousands since beginning my vendetta. Hunters from that manâ€™s bloodline as well as others. I lose a little of my humanity each year. The darkness is rising within me and sometimes I fear that I will lose myself to the black abyss within my heart and devolve into a beast.

FH: Itâ€™s not all doom and gloom for you though, is it? In Heart of Darkness, you meet Elise. How did you meet and how did you feel about them initially?

ALEKSANDR: Elise came upon me in Prague after I had killed a female vampire hunter. Butchered might be a more appropriate word. The darkness had me in its grip but just the sound of her voice and the sight of her made it recede faster than it had ever done before. She fought me and I found I didnâ€™t have the heart to fight her back. I was surprised I could even bring myself to defend against her attacks. She was beautiful, breathtaking in every way. Not just looks. It was her strength, how she fought me, her skill. All of it combined to still my heart and steal my breath. I ended up beneath her, pinned against icy ground that couldnâ€™t chill me while I was looking at her. I knew then that I had to have her.

FH: Your relationship with Elise is complicated because you donâ€™t exactly start out on the right foot. You didnâ€™t exactly make it easy on her, or yourself, did you?

ALEKSANDR: No, I can see that now. I had thought of nothing but hunting for four hundred years and before then I had thought only of bedding whatever woman took my fancy at court back at the palace. I was what your readers may affectionately call a rake. A man with only the pursuit of satisfying empty lusts on his mind. I made my pursuit of Elise into a game, a hunt for her, desiring that she come to my bed and behave as the women at court had around me centuries before. It did not take me long to realise that modern women were completely at odds with the women I had known back then, and my pursuit of Elise was only made more complicated by the fact she is a guard. A strong female, with a strong mind and a strong distaste for being made to feel inferior and weak. My actions towards her just served to push her further away from me at first. Eventually I adjusted enough to modern society and learned enough about Elise that I realised my mistake and also that I needed more than just her in my bed each day. I needed her love. I wanted her to save me from the darkness within my heart.

FH: Thatâ€™s so sweet. Iâ€™m glad you realised in the nick of time that you were being an egotistical womanising rake. *smiles* Can you tell us about what happened in your story?

ALEKSANDR: I came to Prague pursuing the final member of the murdererâ€™s bloodline. We had chased each other for long years, clashing at times but never dealing the killing blow. When I met Elise, I wanted to stay around her. She mesmerised me and I felt compelled to know more about her, to convince her to be my lover. I did the one thing I hadnâ€™t done in the four centuries since my hunt began. I entered the house of a bloodline and sought their assistance. I had remained outside society because I didnâ€™t want to involve them. My pursuit of Elise saw me break that rule, and my presence placed her family in grave danger.

FH: How has life been since the events that happened and brought you together?

ALEKSANDR: I am learning temperance again. We have remained at the mansion in Prague and Elise has continued her duty as a guard. She walks with me sometimes in the city at night, teaching me more about it, and I learn more about her at the same time. I am fortunate to have my sweet Elise. Without her, I would not have survived the darkness. She risked everything for me. I dote on her when she lets me, which is not often. She prefers me to teach her new fighting techniques to fine jewels and dresses, but I am learning to accept that. The darkness within me is beginning to fade but it will be long decades before I have completely mastered it again. Elise fusses over me because of it and I find myself unable to stop her. In fact, I secretly enjoy it… but do not tell her that. I fear she would stop if she knew.

FH: We wonâ€™t. Iâ€™ll end on something a little more fun. Describe yourself in one word?

ALEKSANDR: Honourable.

FH: That does suit you. Whatâ€™s your favourite colour?

ALEKSANDR: Red… I like to see it emerge in Eliseâ€™s eyes whenever I excite her a little too much.

FH: A little bit TMI there.

ALEKSANDR: What is this TMI?

FH: Youâ€™re so antiquated sometimes. It means too much information. Favourite smell?

ALEKSANDR: Freshly fallen snow. It smells like blood.

FH: I know that. I should have guessed. Favourite city?

ALEKSANDR: It would have been my home city in Russia once, but Prague has a certain charm about it. It is beautiful and old, and I am starting to feel I do not want to leave it for a long time to come.

FH: I think Elise will be glad to hear that. Favourite past time?

ALEKSANDR: Training Elise. You have to see it for yourself. The woman is so graceful and strong, but it is her dedication that always astounds me. She will train for hours, honing skills that I have taught her and perfecting her moves. I often sit out halfway through the session and let Andrej take over. There is only so much beating a manâ€™s pride can take. It is nice to watch Andrej suffer defeat at her hands too.

FH: Thank you for meeting with me today and chatting. Is there anything else that youâ€™d like to add?

ALEKSANDR: Thank you for interviewing me. I am looking forward to seeing your interview with my sweet Elise too so I can read what she says about me. I hope that readers have enjoyed this interview as much as I have.

If you want to read a little more about Aleksandr and fall in love with him for yourself, Heart of Darkness is just $0.99 this weekend.

Heart of Darkness
Felicity Heaton
A vampire prince on a four hundred year old mission to avenge his murdered sister…

Aleksandr Nemov wonâ€™t stop until the last of the vampire hunterâ€™s progeny is wiped from the Earth. Each kill has stolen a piece of his humanity, pushing him towards the black abyss all vampires hold within their hearts. Now he is teetering on the edge, close to devolving into a beast, and time is running out as he tracks the last hunter to Prague. There he finds a beautiful woman who could be his one chance for salvation, but is it already too late for him?

A vampire guard who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves…

Elise is dedicated to her duty. Itâ€™s the only thing she has left. All that changes when she meets Aleksandr in Prague and her master grants him permission to stay at her bloodlineâ€™s mansion. She knows all about Aleksandr but none of it prepares her for how she feels when the legendary princeâ€™s hunt becomes one for her heart. Elise battles him with all of her strength but can she stop herself from falling for the handsome hunter? When he reveals the depth of the corruption in his soul, will she have the strength to face the pain in her past and do whatever it takes to save him?

Only $0.99 from:
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REMEMBER: If you want Aleksandr to answer your question, leave it in a comment on the post and I’ll pass it on to him and he’ll answer it for you.

Posted in character interviews, paranormal romance, vampire romance | Comments Off

Three FREE Paranormal Romance Ebooks on Amazon Kindle

Posted on 7th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

I have a further three fantastic free paranormal romance ebooks for Amazon Kindle users to grab this weekend. The novels are free on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April only, so be sure to download your copies asap, and don’t forget to tell all your friends so they can get themselves a copy of each book too.

Here are the free ebooks that I’m offering on Amazon Kindle.

Forbidden Blood is a dark, sensual tale of betrayal, revenge and a love that knows no bounds.

genre: paranormal vampire romance
length: 126000 words

genre: paranormal romance
length: 91000 words

The handsome white tiger shape-shifter that walks into their visions and then into their life, proclaiming himself to be her potential mate too!

genre: paranormal shape-shifter romance
length: 63000 words

Don’t forget to grab your free copies of my other paranormal romance books too…

Available as a FREE direct download:
.mobi | .epub | .pdf

Or get the FREE ebook from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
UK only

Apple Stores:
iBookstore US | iBookstore UK | iBookstore Australia | iBookstore Canada

Other Retailers:
Barnes and Noble | Sony Reader Store | Smashwords

Available as a FREE direct download:
.mobi | .pdf

Or get the FREE ebook from:
Amazon Kindle Stores:
US / World | UK

Apple Stores:
iBookstore US | iBookstore UK | iBookstore Australia | iBookstore Canada

Other Retailers:
Barnes and Noble | Sony Reader Store | Smashwords

Posted in Amazon Kindle, Apple iBookstore, Ascension, Barnes and Noble Nook, forbidden blood, free stories, paranormal romance, shapeshifter romance, urban fantasy, vampire romance | Comments Off

My favourite scene from Heart of Darkness

Posted on 6th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

My next favourite scene is from Heart of Darkness and again it was really difficult to choose between them. It’s a long scene this time, close to 6000 words, but it’s one that I really love and I think it shows Aleksandr in all his beauty.

My Favourite Scene From…

Heart of Darkness

Elise rubbed the sleep from her eyes and hurried down the dim corridor on the second floor. Was Aleksandr alright? The knock on her bedroom door had startled her but not as much as the request of the servant on the other side. The young male vampire had hastily relayed an order to join Aleksandr in his reception room and then quickly left. She couldnâ€™t blame him for being nervous when the sun was up. Or had the trace of fear she had felt in him been because of Aleksandr? She raced down the stairs to the first floor and stopped near the bottom, cautiously peering around the wall to the entrance hall. The shutters were down, blocking out the noonday sun. The sound of footsteps broke the silence, heavy on the hardwood floor below. She glanced down at the immense man dressed head-to-toe in black fatigues. One of the day guards that her family employed. The werewolves had always been more than happy to protect her kind in return for an exorbitant amount of money. He looked up at her, golden eyes sharp and curious. Elise moved on, driven by curiosity herself.

Why was Aleksandr awake and why did he need to see her?

Red spots had stained his bandages. Perhaps he was hurting again, in too much pain to sleep. She hadnâ€™t done a good enough job. Heâ€™d said that she had but she didnâ€™t believe him. If she had done her job properly, he wouldnâ€™t have bled again.

Elise cursed herself.

She should have allowed the medical staff to assist him. The thought that he might be in pain because of her twisted her stomach and made her feel sick. It had been foolish of her to try to keep him all to herself, to desire to return the favour and make him better, to look after him as he had her.

She slowed when she reached the double wooden doors to his rooms and then knocked without hesitation.

â€œCome.â€ His voice was heavy and quiet through the doors.

Elise opened them, slipped into the room, and closed them silently behind her. The fire was the only light in the dark red room. She moved forwards, wanting to see Aleksandr. He sat shirtless in the leather armchair with its back to her and the door. There were blood canisters and an empty glass on a small round wooden side table next to the armchair. It reassured her that he was feeding well, but she still wanted proof that his injuries were healing and that she hadnâ€™t left him in pain. He had said the bleeding was his fault, and she had seen him grab his brother, but the guilt still lingered inside her, adding to her worry.

It wasnâ€™t only that he was hurt. She feared that he had seen things in her blood.

He didnâ€™t look at her as she came to stand beside him, with the small table between them and the red couch to her left. She smoothed down the loose black jogging bottoms and camisole, her hands shaking as she did so. Perhaps she should have dressed properly before coming to him. She had panicked when the servant had given her the message and had thrown on the first clothes she had found. Now she felt oddly naked around him, exposed even when she wasnâ€™t.

She felt vulnerable without her uniform to protect her. Did she hide behind her duty so much that it had become her shield, her way of keeping people from getting too close to her?

Elise wrapped her arms across her chest. Aleksandr still didnâ€™t look at her.

He stared at the flames, quiet and distant, the air around him heavy as though affected by the weight of his thoughts.

Not wanting to disturb him, she stepped back and turned to leave.

â€œStay,â€ he whispered and she looked at him over her shoulder. He was still staring at the fire.

â€œWhat are my orders?â€ she said, trying to draw a reaction from him. His expression didnâ€™t shift, not even to show the slightest sign of emotion.

â€œOrders? No orders.â€ He slowly turned his head and looked up into her eyes. There was such fatigue in his handsome face, and so much weariness in his grey eyes, but she couldnâ€™t fathom his feelings. He was too old for her to read easily. â€œSit a while. I need company.â€

She didnâ€™t have the heart to protest, not today, not when he looked so tired and lost. She could have considered his words to be an order but heâ€™d made it clear that they werenâ€™t. They were a request, and she granted him it, because he looked as though he genuinely needed the company.

Elise sat in the leather armchair opposite him, her rising nerves churning her stomach. The fire was warm against her legs but she pulled them up, placing her bare feet on the seat of the chair, and wrapped her arms around them. She didnâ€™t want to be too close to the flames. Aleksandr didnâ€™t seem to care about the danger it represented. He was staring into it again, his head propped up on his right hand, his long black trouser-clad legs crossed.

He said nothing.

She took him using his arm as a good sign and took his silence as an opportunity to check the bandage. Someone had placed a new one on him and, judging by how untidy it was, they didnâ€™t have medical knowledge. Had his brother helped him?

Without thinking, she frayed the ends of the strip of bandage around her right wrist, her gaze lingering on Aleksandrâ€™s face. He was undeniably handsome, even when he was thinking so hard that there was a focused edge to his eyes, his dark eyebrows knitted tightly. His mussed dark hair told her that he had slept at some point. Why was it eluding him now?

Elise wanted to ask him what was on his mind so he would feel better for sharing it but it wasnâ€™t her place to behave in such a way, and she feared where it might lead. Instead, she stayed with a safe question but one she wanted an answer to nonetheless.

â€œAre you in pain, Sir?â€

He turned his frown on her and she held his gaze, unafraid of the darkness in his eyes. Her use of a rank for him had annoyed him. She had no right to call him Aleksandr. She had been far too friendly with him recently and had acted out of place. Someone of her rank didnâ€™t belong with him, and they certainly didnâ€™t have the right to act so familiarly around him.

He shook his head, his frown remaining in place. His gaze fell to her wrist and his frown disappeared.

â€œYou worry about it.â€ He held his hand out to her. Elise placed her feet down on the rug, leaned forwards, and offered her wrist to him. He carefully unpinned the bandage and removed it. She shivered when his thumb grazed the two dark spots on her skin and ached at the memory of how it had felt to have him bite her. â€œYou worried about it in the hall when my brother had arrived, and after in this very room when you came to enquire about my health. You worry too much, dearest Elise.â€

Did she? She didnâ€™t think that she did. He had bitten her and she knew that she had done a terrible job of keeping her thoughts and feelings hidden from him.

â€œI did see things in your blood,â€ he whispered, his thumb continuing to stroke her wrist, sending shiver after shiver racing up her arm. He looked deep into her eyes. â€œI saw nothing I can use against you, if that is what you fear.â€

â€œI do not,â€ Elise lied with ease, not wanting him to see her weakness, and took her hand away from him. What had he seen? She desired to press him into telling her but knew it was pointless. He was already staring at the fire again, his expression becoming heavy once more. â€œYou seem tired, Sir.â€

â€œIf there is anyone in this world worthy of calling me Aleksandr, it is you, Elise. I tire of your formality. I am not your commander in these long hours of day where sleep eludes me. I am a selfish man who woke you so I might not face the day alone.â€

Elise drew her feet back up onto the chair and hugged her legs. Nothing but a man? He was more than a man, even when it was day, and the hour didnâ€™t change her respect for him, or the fact that he was her commander. He wanted it to though. She could see that in his eyes. He wanted her to treat him as though he was only a man in need of company, something which she could give him. He didnâ€™t want to be a prince or a commander to her. She knew what he wanted, and she was too afraid to give it to him. He couldnâ€™t be her lover.

But he could be a man.

A friend for now at least.

â€œWhy does sleep elude you?â€ She studied his face as he stared into the flames. They danced in his eyes, turning the grey golden, making him look like one of the werewolves even when she knew he wasnâ€™t. The werewolves didnâ€™t suffer the call of darkness as her kind did, as Aleksandr did.

â€œI have not had that dream in many years,â€ he whispered to the fire and pressed his fist against his lips. â€œIt has not shaken me in decades.â€

â€œDream?â€ Elise lowered her feet again and leaned forwards, wanting him to see that she was here for him and would listen to anything he had to say if it would help him to find sleep again. He needed to rest and heal.

â€œKatyaâ€™s death.â€ He kept looking at the fire.

An ache settled in her chest, burning in her heart. Who was Katya? The way Aleksandr had said that name with so much pain but an edge of affection too, a spark of love in his eyes, hurt Elise. She looked away, trying to rearrange her jumbled feelings into some semblance of order. Katya. Who was this woman whom Aleksandr had loved?

She felt his eyes come to settle on her but refused to look at him when she was struggling with her emotions. Aleksandr was a prince, a vampire of the noblest bloodline, and handsome. She was under no illusion that he hadnâ€™t been with many women in his life.

But the thought that he might have loved one of them, that he loved her still, made her want to leave the room, made her want to surrender any foolish hope she had of ever claiming Aleksandrâ€™s heart, and made her want to cry.

â€œElise?â€ he whispered and she blinked away her tears, hiding them from him. She started when his fingers grazed her cheek, a light caress that both warmed and chilled her heart.

Taking a deep breath, she brushed his hand away, switched off her feelings and looked at him.

He sat with his hand outstretched to her, an edge of pain in his stormy eyes. He was still a moment, and then curled the hand she had swept aside into a fist and withdrew into his chair, the hurt in his expression increasing. He had wanted to comfort her and she had pushed him away, even when she had been craving the contact between them and the reassurance.

â€œYou seem to take offence at the sound of my sisterâ€™s name,â€ he said in a quiet voice and Elise felt like a fool. â€œDo not worry so much. There is room in my dark heart for you both.â€

She blushed, her cheeks burning hotter than if the sun had touched her. Room in his heart? Her gaze leapt from the flames to his, wanting to search it for the truth behind those low spoken words, but he looked away from her, staring back into the fire.

â€œEkatarina Nemov.â€ She needed to be sure that they were talking about the same person and that his sisterâ€™s death was the reason he was so upset.

â€œKatya to myself and my brother, Vasiliy.â€ Aleksandr was quiet a moment and then sighed. â€œI wish he had not come. He is too much like her. When I see him, I cannot help seeing her too.â€

Elise waited for him to continue. She didnâ€™t know the full story behind his sisterâ€™s death. Over the centuries it had become legend more than anything else and Aleksandr had begun to slip into legend with it. But he was here now, sitting in front of her, a man so vulnerable and in so much visible pain that she wondered what burden his heart bore because of his sisterâ€™s death.

â€œMy sister was younger than me,â€ he whispered in a broken voice. The golden light of the fire warmed his features but all she could feel in him was cold and hurt. â€œShe was beautiful, kind, kept away from the violence of our species because she was female. She had never killed.â€

He looked at her now, his grey eyes open and earnest, as though beseeching her to hear his words and know the truth in them.

â€œIt had been her duty to maintain the peace and be seen as the example for our people to follow… delicate and like a human… not a beast inside. Not like me.â€

Elise didnâ€™t think he was a beast. Not yet. She moved forwards, perched on the edge of her seat. She wanted to reach across to him, to take his hand again and hold it, to comfort him.

â€œI was taught to fight, in case need arose, and had learned to kill. I had the skill to protect my people in war if needed, but I failed to protect her.â€ Aleksandr looked away again, at the fire, tears lining his eyes. They were gone when he blinked, erased as easily as his emotions. She couldnâ€™t feel his hurt now, couldnâ€™t sense anything from him.

â€œWhat happened to her?â€

â€œThere was a raid on the palace. I tried to get to her but I was not fast enough. The hunter killed my sister and fled. She was defenceless, Elise. He slaughtered her maids and the guards that protected her. He butchered my sister.â€ Aleksandr closed his eyes and clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles burned white. A wave of anger washed over Elise and her brow furrowed when she felt the sharp raw pain that laced it. â€œI could not save my sister and my heart could not rest until I had avenged her.â€

â€œYou hunted him.â€ It wasnâ€™t a question. The answer was in his eyes when they met hers. Violence echoed in their depths. He had looked that way when he had killed the hunters in the city.

â€œI soaked my hands in blood and left my family so my actions did not taint their ideals or their name.â€

In that moment, Elise felt as though she was looking at a different person. Not the Aleksandr she knew but the one that she feared. He was so distant as he looked at her, and as he spoke, and she was afraid that he was seeking his death and that the duty heâ€™d undertaken weighed too heavily on him.

He had bloodied his hands and he was paying the price for it. His need to avenge his sister was turning him into a beast. How many more times could he kill before he succumbed to the darkness within him and devolved into the demon their ancestors had been? How close to the edge of the abyss was he now?

How could so noble a man have lost himself to the dark urges living within them all?

Elise knew of his time as their heir prince and that he had been a good man, one worthy of leading their people into a new era of peace. He had been strong, and had upheld the ideals of his family, preaching pacifism over violence and setting an example. The example he had become now was a cautionary tale to all vampires. Follow the rules of the monarchy or face the future Aleksandr had chosen. How could he do this to himself?

Wasnâ€™t he afraid of what his future held for him?

Aleksandr sighed and looked into the fire again, his gaze distant and thoughtful. She didnâ€™t press him to speak to her because she couldnâ€™t find her voice when she wanted to ask him things that might hurt or anger him. She wanted to know more about his sister and what had driven him to forsake his family and lead a life of danger and darkness. She wanted him to show his eyes to her so she could see the truth in them and see once and for all that he was treading the fine line between humanity and depravity.

She wanted to take his hand and promise him that she would find a way to fix him, to redeem him and stop him from slipping into the endless black within his heart and soul.

It was ridiculous to think she could do such a thing, but she wanted it with all of her heart. She would find a way to save him. He didnâ€™t deserve to become evil, not when he had only been doing something honourable and beautiful in trying to avenge his sisterâ€™s needless horrible death.

â€œWhat do you think while you look at me with such intent, Elise?â€ He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

â€œOnly that it is a noble thing you have done and that your people are grateful that you have chosen to protect us and have put us before even your own safety.â€

He scoffed and waved her away. â€œNoble? Everyone believes me to be that way. I do not think it very noble to choose to bloody my hands, and I am no longer fit for the crown or to lead my people.â€

â€œI still believe you are noble, Aleksandr.â€

His eyes widened. Was the disbelief in their grey depths because she had used his name or because of what she had said? She did believe that he was noble. No other man she knew would do such a thing for a blood relative.

â€œYou still think like a prince in your heart,â€ she said and he frowned now, his eyes darkening with it. â€œDo not deny it, because I have seen it is true. You say that you hunt with vengeance on your mind but you go after other vampire hunters too, ones not related to the man who killed your sister. That is noble, and you do it with the intention of protecting those weaker than you.â€

He looked away from her, as though ashamed to hear her words about him. He deserved praise for what he had done and the sacrifices he made, even if he didnâ€™t think he did. He needed to hear that he helped his people, made their world a safer place to live in and saved many from having to resort to violence.

The monarchy, his family, had chosen their path to saving their people and Aleksandr had chosen his. Both of them did so to protect their kin from the darkness and the hunters.

â€œYou are noble, Aleksandr. I will say it however many times it takes for you to believe it.â€

He rubbed his shoulder and she watched his hand, following his fingers and checking to see whether the wounds were aggravating him. He didnâ€™t look as though he was in pain.

She glanced at the blood canister and glass on the side table and then back at him, her gaze catching on his bare stomach and the mark above his right hip. No matter what he thought, he was still worthy of the name of Nemov. He still protected their kind.

â€œWould you do something for me, Elise… something which would help me?â€ he whispered and she dragged her eyes up to meet his. He looked uncertain and then held her gaze. â€œYou may say no if you wish.â€

She didnâ€™t even know what he was going to ask her so she was hardly going to say no outright. There was a nervous edge to his expression. It was strange to see such a strong person so vulnerable. What did he want to ask that made him look this way?

â€œSpeak,â€ she said, wanting to hear what it was he had to ask of her.

He hesitated a moment, looking around the room, and then held her gaze again.

â€œWill you come to me?â€ He held his left hand out to her and her eyes fell there. â€œAllow me to hold you… only for a while… I only need to hold you.â€

Nerves skittered over her skin and her heart fluttered against her ribs. She couldnâ€™t see how it would help him and she wasnâ€™t sure if she trusted him to only hold her as heâ€™d said. He kept his hand outstretched to her and she stared at it, feeling as though he was reaching for more than just her hand.

He was reaching for her heart and she was afraid that he would take it if she went to him, and she would never feel again when he left her.

Just as he was about to take his hand back, Elise placed hers into it and bravely stood on trembling legs. She swallowed, her throat and mouth dry. It was insane of her to do this, to place herself into his arms, but he needed her and she couldnâ€™t deny him. She wanted to comfort him and ease his pain. She wanted to take away his nightmare and give him peace.

She needed to.

Her heartbeat quickened when he drew her towards him and leaned back into the chair. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and then eyed his lap. The look in Aleksandrâ€™s beautiful grey eyes stilled her heart. There was so much affection in them now and no trace of the pain or the loneliness that had been there before. Seeing the effect she had on him bolstered her courage and she sat on his left thigh, facing the fire, and curled her legs around so her calves rested against his shins. He looked at her as though she was an angel for coming to him, a merciful creature to have given him this moment he so clearly needed with her.

She wasnâ€™t afraid when he placed his left arm around her waist and held her side. It warmed her to feel his hand against her, his thumb lightly brushing her skin through the black camisole.

â€œNo one will disturb us.â€ He continued to look up at her, into her eyes, so close that she could easily kiss him if she wanted to.

And she did want to.

But this moment wasnâ€™t about such things.

She was here to offer him comfort only, to give him the reassurance he craved and to give him back his strength.

â€œI just need to hold you for a while, if that is alright with you?â€ he whispered and Elise nodded.

She swallowed again when he drew her close and rested his head against her chest and her shoulder. His breath was soft against her chest, his arm gentle around her waist. He sighed and she felt him relax, sensed the calm that washed through him and chased away his pain. This close to him, skin-on-skin, it was easier for her to sense his feelings, especially when he was letting her as she knew he was. He had opened his heart to her, allowing her to catch a glimmer of his emotions. He feared his dreams of his sister. The pain he felt was strong, buried deep in his heart, and Elise wanted to make it disappear for him even when she knew that was impossible.

Not even the death of the hunter that he sought or the achievement of his vengeance would erase the hurt Aleksandr felt when he thought about his sister. The way that he had spoken of her, with so much affection and so much pain, made that clear. He would never forgive the hunterâ€™s bloodline for what it had done to her. Elise could understand his feelings, felt a similar way about someone she had lost. That pain would never go away. It would haunt her for the rest of her life and she had to live with it.

He sighed again and his head became heavy against her shoulder. He wasnâ€™t sleeping but it felt as though he might be. He was a dead weight on her chest but Elise didnâ€™t mind. She was only glad that she was making him feel better.

It was strange to be this close to him and not have him try something with her. A fragment of her heart had been convinced that he would attempt to touch her or kiss her. She started to relax too, glad that he wasnâ€™t going to push her into doing anything. She was too weak for him. If he kissed her, she wouldnâ€™t be able to resist him, no matter how much sense told her to. Her heart would always overrule her head.

Aleksandrâ€™s breathing slowed, becoming deep and gentle. She liked the feel of him against her, holding her close and sharing a quiet moment with her.

Elise placed her arms around him and stroked the bandages covering his right shoulder and arm. She placed her hand against his back, trying to sense whether he was healing again now.

â€œDo not worry so much,â€ he sighed against her skin and raised his right hand and caught hold of her left. He brought it away from his shoulder and, for a moment, she feared he was going to kiss it but then he held it against his chest, over his heart. â€œYou are disturbing me with it.â€

She didnâ€™t mean to. It was difficult to control her emotions when they were in each otherâ€™s arms, as though they were lovers. Aleksandr wanted them to be that. She was tempted to probe his feelings for her and see what they were, but resisted and pushed away her worry instead. He would be able to sense her feelings clearly, far more easily than she could sense his. To him, it would be as though he was feeling everything that she was. His age granted him such power over her, one that he would always hold because of the difference in their years. If she lived to be his age, he would still be able to sense things more easily than her. His power would never stop growing stronger.

He sighed when she touched his neck with her right hand and before she could stop herself, she was stroking the soft short hair at the back of his head to soothe him.

The flames mesmerised her along with the feel of his hair beneath her fingers and his arm around her waist. It was quiet and peaceful, and she wasnâ€™t afraid. She felt so incredibly comfortable with him and a part of her wished it wouldnâ€™t end.

It was nice to have such a strong man need her and rely on her. It made her feel strong too.

She liked how he held her, and how he felt against her, and that he genuinely seemed to need her. She ran her fingers through his hair and cradled his head to her, wishing he could find in her arms the sleep that eluded him. She would watch over him and keep the bad dreams away if she could. She would make them stay away forever.

Elise lowered her lips and barely stopped herself from kissing the top of his head. She breathed him in instead, taking his warm scent down into her lungs and holding it there. There was power in his scent, strength that she had sensed the moment they had met. He had let her defeat him then and she wasnâ€™t sure why. She had never thought to ask him and now didnâ€™t seem like the right time.

She sighed, tilted her head to one side, and rested her right cheek on her fingers where they held the top of his head. He moaned softly and held her closer. Elise smiled and stared into the fire, losing track of the minutes as they held each other.

Just as she was beginning to have to fight off the urge to fall asleep, Aleksandr stirred and released her. She blinked several times and focused her drowsy senses.

â€œI am sorry, I have kept you here all day,â€ he said in a gravelly voice that betrayed his fatigue.

Elise shrugged and then rubbed her eyes. She looked down at his right hand where it rested over her left knee. It was strange how quickly she had grown used to being so intimate with him. She had been ready to sleep this way, curled up on his lap and in his arms. It had felt like the safest place in the world.

â€œThank you.â€ He reached up and swept the backs of his right fingers across her cheek, a slight frown marring his brow. â€œYou are tired. Sleep. I will take a different guard tonight.â€

Those words forced any shred of tiredness from her. â€œI donâ€™t understand. You said we were off duty tonight. Youâ€™re not hunting?â€

He nodded. â€œI must.â€

The thought of him going into the city with the other females in his guard tightened her insides.

â€œIâ€™m not tired,â€ she said so fast that it was almost one word. â€œIt is my duty to guard you.â€

â€œThat will not do. You are tired.â€ He stroked her face and smiled at her, his grey eyes brightening with it. â€œYou forget I can see straight through you.â€

She hadnâ€™t forgotten, just as she hadnâ€™t forgotten that he had seen things in her blood too, things that he wouldnâ€™t tell her about. Did he know her feelings for him and her fears? She wasnâ€™t sure whether she wanted him to know them or not. If he did, would he treat her differently, would he be more careful with the heart that he was stealing from her?

â€œYou are tired too, Sir.â€ She quickly corrected herself when he glared at her. â€œAleksandr.â€

â€œWe are far too intimate now for such formal terms.â€ He smiled, his hand falling to her knee again, a not so subtle reminder that she was still perched on his thigh. His gaze held hers. â€œElise.â€

She blushed at the way heâ€™d whispered her name, saying it with such force and passion that her mind raced to imagine him speaking it against her skin between kisses and into her ear as he made love with her.

â€œYou must rest. I have told the guard that we are off duty tonight and they are excited because of the ball our master is arranging for your brother and you… you must rest…â€ Elise placed her hand against his injured shoulder, looked at it and then back into his eyes. â€œYou are not healed yet.â€

Aleksandr took hold of her hand, curling his fingers around so their tips grazed her palm. His grip was strong but gentle. The hard look in his eyes softened and he nodded.

â€œI will rest, but only because you have asked me to.â€

It shocked Elise that he would take such a command from her and she couldnâ€™t make out whether he was being genuine and had accepted it to ease her mind, or whether he had done so only to get into her good book and make her surrender to him. She didnâ€™t want it to be the latter. Couldnâ€™t he see that she hated the thought of him making her weak like the other females? She had never been reliant on the males of her species and it wasnâ€™t going to be any different now that Aleksandr was in her heart. She could take care of herself. She didnâ€™t want to change. She didnâ€™t want him to make her into something that she wasnâ€™t and could never be.

â€œCome,â€ he said and she stood, leaving the comfort of his lap and quickly distancing herself. The look he gave her said that heâ€™d noticed her change in attitude towards him.

He looked as though he was going to say something about it and then picked up his white shirt where it lay crumpled on the couch. He slipped his arms into it but didnâ€™t bother to do up the buttons.

Elise wasnâ€™t sure what to do. She considered apologising for hitting him before he had left for Budapest, but now wasnâ€™t the right time. It would have to wait, and the longer it did the worse she felt about it.

She would return to the second floor, shower and dress, and think about everything before finding the right point at which to apologise to him. She couldnâ€™t do it now, not when she was wrestling with her desire to kiss him. She couldnâ€™t let that happen again, at least not until she was sure of a few things and could no longer resist the temptation.

Elise went to back towards the door but Aleksandr closed the gap between them and took hold of her shoulder. Her gaze immediately fell to his lips, taking in their sensual curves and she was unable to ignore her growing desire. Who was she kidding? If he tried to kiss her, she would be all over him.

â€œGet some sleep. The sun is only just setting. There is time before the ball.â€ His hand slipped from her shoulder.

Elise nodded and her gaze tracked him across the room. He went into his bedroom and closed the door.

Now she was confused. He had held her without trying anything, had shown a side of himself that she was sure no one else saw, and now he had left her in his reception room and had gone to bed alone.

What had happened to the Aleksandr who had pursued her relentlessly, who had let the entire world know that he wanted her, and who had kissed her in this room?

If it hadnâ€™t been for the events of today, she would have been convinced that he didnâ€™t want her anymore. But he did. His desire was unchanged, so what was different?

A quiet voice said that it was what heâ€™d seen in her blood.

Elise stared at the dark wooden double doors, trying to sense him on the other side.

What had he seen?

She had half a mind to knock on the doors and demand to know. It wouldnâ€™t get her anywhere though. He wasnâ€™t going to tell her.

Elise went to the door that led onto the corridor, opened it, and paused. The moment she was dressed, she was going to come back and apologise for hitting him and she was going to find out why he was different.

She had to know.

Because the new Aleksandr had her falling for him faster than ever.

In fact, she was in love with him.

This weekend, Heart of Darkness is available for only $0.99 / Â£0.99 / EUR 0,99 from Amazon Kindle and from Smashwords (using a code). That’s a $4 saving.

Heart of Darkness
Felicity Heaton
A vampire prince on a four hundred year old mission to avenge his murdered sister…

A vampire guard who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves…

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Posted in Heart of Darkness, paranormal romance, vampire romance | Comments Off

Free Paranormal Romance Book – Reunion!

Posted on 6th April 2012 by Felicity Heaton

The next book in my Vampires Realm series comes out in May so now is a great time to catch up on the series. You can get the first book in the series, Prophecy: Child of Light, for only $0.99 right now too! More about that later (or see the sidebar).

Reunion is the sixth book in the series but the books stand alone and are joined by the world rather than plot, so you can read them out of order. Download Reunion now for FREE!

Available as a FREE direct download:
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EXCERPT

Dull violet eyes greeted her as his heavy lids opened. He blinked languidly and with too much effort for her liking. Blankets covered him but she could see how badly injured his arms, neck and face were. A thick bandage wrapped around his throat, the side of it stained with dark blood, and gashes covered his arms, long lacerations that were edged with angry red and were weeping.

Marise shook her head and fought against the feelings inside her and the tears rising into her eyes.

â€œJascha?â€ she whispered his name again, wishing now that she could hear his voice and have him tell her that Timur was overreactingâ€”he was going to be fine.

He wasnâ€™t going to die.

Before she had time to stop herself, she was kneeling beside the bed, his right hand held firmly in hers and her cheek pressed against it. She closed her eyes and tears escaped them when his fingers closed around hers.

She wanted to ask who had done this to him. He was strong, far stronger than she had been, and yet someone had hurt him. No, this wasnâ€™t hurting. This was butchering. Anger boiled up inside her. Someone had butchered him and left him to die. Death could be as swift for a vampire as it was for a human. Whoever had done this knew what they were doing and they had made sure that Jascha wouldnâ€™t die that night.

This was a message. Someone was telling her species that they were stronger than them.

Her jaw tensed and she growled.

Someone was going to pay.

Jaschaâ€™s fingers flexed weakly against hers and he muttered something that made no sense. She raised her head, taking in the extent of the damage done to this face. It was covered in rich bruises and fine cuts. His split lip and swollen eye made her heart ache for him.

His eyes met hers, pupils dilating and contracting as he struggled to focus.

A tiny frown made his eyebrows shift.

â€œMari?â€ he breathed so quietly she almost didnâ€™t hear him.

The sound of that name brought back all the pain and she dropped his hand, standing and distancing herself from him as her heart broke all over again. She turned her back on him while she pushed all of her feelings back down inside and tried to lock them away in her heart.
â€œMari?â€ he whispered again.

She turned on a pinpoint and stared at him with cold eyes.

â€œMy name is Marise,â€ she said and steeled herself against the darkness that entered his eyes. It was what he deserved. She couldnâ€™t remember exactly what had been said during the fight that had parted them but she still felt the pain each day.

She moved to the foot of the bed, buying the time she needed to get back in control of the situation and herself.

He sighed.

It said so much.

She knew she wasnâ€™t the only one who had been hurt that day. They had both said things and done things that were the undoing of what theyâ€™d had together. Only she had accepted the position as Law Keeper and ran away, and he had been willing to heal the breach.

She folded her arms across her chest.

â€œIf youâ€™re up to it, Iâ€™d like your opinion on what happened the night you were injured.â€

He gave her a look that conveyed exactly what he was thinking. He was right. It was cold of her to stand here, distant and uncaring while he suffered, but that was what a Law Keeper did. They didnâ€™t mix business with pleasure. Pleasure was a thing of the past for them. To hold this position meant being impartial about the bloodlines and being emotionless. Emotions got in the way and clouded your judgement.

Like hers were right now.

Marise turned her back again and paced across the room. She didnâ€™t need the distance it broughtâ€”she needed the darkness. It robbed her sight of its sharpness and meant she couldnâ€™t see his injuries so clearly.

â€œA simple nod or shake of your head will suffice. That is, if you can manage it?â€

Jascha gave her a tiny nod and grimaced, his hand coming up to touch his throat. His eyes closed and she could see the pain in his face and feel it in her blood. She had forgotten the wound there. A part of her said to give him time to recover before questioning him, but the rest overruled it and said to get it over with and get out before the feelings stirring inside her became dangerous.

He was a soldier. She was sure he understood. She needed answers for her investigation and so she could judge whether this case required a Law Keeper or not. This couldnâ€™t get personal. She couldnâ€™t go there again.

â€œDo you think thereâ€™s a reason you were left alive?â€ Marise held the tremble from her voice so he wouldnâ€™t know how much the sight of him so injured was affecting her.

He nodded.

â€œI think so too. Timur hasnâ€™t a clue what happened. You do though, donâ€™t you?â€

He nodded again and swallowed with a grimace.

She moved a step closer so he could see her better through his one good eye, but kept far enough away that she couldnâ€™t clearly see his wounds.

â€œWho did this to you? A vampire?â€

A shake of his head, tiny and almost imperceptible.

â€œI didnâ€™t think so. Were they human?â€

He hesitated. There was uncertainty in his eyes.

â€œNiet,â€ he said, voice strained but the accent that had always melted her was still there.

It was just like him to fall back on his native tongue. She hoped he would keep his answers simple. She never had grasped the language.

â€œDid they look human?â€

â€œDa,â€ he croaked and rubbed his throat again.

Marise stepped closer and had to look away when fresh blood seeped into the bandages around his neck. Her stomach roiled at the thought that she was hurting him by making him speak. She wanted to ask him to stick to nodding or shaking his head, but she couldnâ€™t let him see how much it was all affecting her.

â€œDo you think they were demon or were they wholly human?â€

â€œYa ne paniâ€™mayu.â€ His voice sounded tight and he pushed himself up as he coughed.

Blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth.

â€œDamn it, Jascha! I told you to shake or nod.â€ She stormed across the room and sat down on the bed beside him. Her hand was against his cheek, holding him and forcing him to look at her. Everything she was ready to say slipped away and instead she wiped the blood off his chin with her thumb.

She took her hand away from him, gathering herself while she wiped her thumb on the dirty cloth beside the bed.

There was a canister of blood and a stained glass pushed to the back of the small table. They were feeding him old blood? How was he supposed to heal? Anger stirred inside her and she shot a black look at the door. She could sense Timur outside with the guards. Was Tynan there too? Surely he wouldnâ€™t let Jascha suffer like this?

Marise undid the buttons on her jacket sleeve and pushed it up her arm before setting to work on the buttons of her shirt cuff. She rolled it up and tugged it out of the way.

Thinking about what she was doing, she justified it by telling herself that a dead witness was of no use to her. This was about the case. This wasnâ€™t personal.

She extended her claws and pressed one into her wrist.

Blood beaded against her skin.

This wasnâ€™t personal.

She looked at Jascha. He was lying back on the bed again, eyes closed and his jet-black hair falling loose from his ponytail. Rogue strands of it criss-crossed his face. She ignored her temptation to clear them away and extended her arm to him.

His nostrils flared.

His eyes rolled as he opened them and gave her an incredulous look.

She moved her arm closer, frowning at him, but silently pleading him to drink. Without fresh blood, he would never heal. Her blood would suffice until she could get Tynan to hunt for her. Was there any way she could have words with Timur about the canister of blood without it looking as though she was bringing her feelings into this?

Her eyes widened when Jaschaâ€™s mouth latched onto her wrist and she gasped when he bit her. It was the last thing she had been expecting. She half closed her eyes when he began to drink, stirring all too familiar feelings inside of her. He was the last person to do this to her. She looked at his face, studying him and taking everything in.

Was it really fifty years since she had seen his face?

No. She saw it each day in her dreams. He was always with her. She was just too stubborn to admit it.

His drinking slowed and before she knew it, it was over and he was licking the wound on her arm. She held it there for a moment when he stopped, the smallest part of her heart hoping he would continue. He didnâ€™t. He lay back on the bed, his eyes still closed.

â€œJascha?â€ she said and he looked at her. It seemed to take a lot of effort. Her blood was probably making him drowsy as it worked its way into his body. It wouldnâ€™t quicken his healing as fresh human blood would, but it would restore some of his strength, more so than the stored blood he had been given. â€œWas it a vampire hunter?â€

â€œDa,â€ he said.

â€œBut not one like weâ€™ve met before?â€

â€œNiet,â€ he whispered and closed his eyes again.

Marise smiled now that he couldnâ€™t see her. Ghosting her fingers down his cheek, not brave enough to touch him, she looked at him a moment longer and then rose from the bed.

â€œIâ€™ll arrange for fresh blood for you. I have more questions I need to ask. If you remember anything, please ask for me.â€ She hated how cold she sounded.

Rolling her sleeve down, she stopped when she saw the marks on her wrist and stared at them. They were shallow and it wasnâ€™t because he was weak. It was because he hadnâ€™t wanted to hurt her. She ran her fingers over the marks and then buttoned her sleeve, covering it with her jacket.

Marise walked to the door, paused and looked back at him. It hurt to see him, to have the memories of their time together come back, and to see him in so much pain. She hurt so much. He had taken her feelings and smashed them. That much she could remember. They had broken each otherâ€™s heart that night.

She wanted to say something more but couldnâ€™t bring herself to go through with it. She had already brought enough emotion into this investigation. If anyone found out, she was likely to be punished.

She reached out behind her and took hold of the door handle.

Turning, she opened the door.

She hesitated a moment when he spoke.

â€œDa sviâ€™daniya, lubov moya.â€

Marise held the smile inside on hearing such familiar words. Was she still his love?

â€œIâ€™ll see you tomorrow,â€ she said and closed the door behind her.

She killed all her feelings the moment the door clicked shut and turned to look at the people in the corridor around her. The two guards were still there and she didnâ€™t recognise either of them. They looked wet behind the ears. Younglings no doubt.

Her eyes sought out Tynan but he was nowhere to be seen so they settled on Timur.

â€œI will have more questions for him come sunset tomorrow. For now, he must rest. His injuries are extensive, severe enough that a full interrogation may be the end of him. If that happens, I will have no answers to support my involvement in this situation and you will have no Law Keeper to protect you from this human.â€

Timurâ€™s eyes widened, showing the white around his irises and exposing his fear to her again. He fidgeted and she frowned. He was petrified of the thought of this human coming after him. Having seen what this person had done to Jascha, she could understand that fear, but as lord of his bloodline, he shouldnâ€™t allow himself to be ruled by it. He was safe in his home. Or did he think that he wasnâ€™t?

â€œI will speak with the other guards and see what they know,â€ she said, hiding her true intention. She had to find Tynan. It was unlike him to leave Jascha suffering like this. She wanted to know what had happened to change him. â€œEnsure that only your guards are allowed out to hunt for the house.â€

Timur swallowed, hard enough that she saw it.

â€œWhat is it?â€ She didnâ€™t give him an inch as she stepped towards him, straightening to her full height and staring down into his eyes. He was still hiding things from her and all the secrecy was starting to annoy her. How was she supposed to do her job if she was being kept in the dark about things?

â€œNo one is allowed to hunt,â€ he muttered under his breath.

She frowned, her eyes narrowing.

â€œAre you insane?â€ She was tempted to take hold of his shirt collar and rattle him. Either that or she was going to throttle him. She took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm. If he saw how shaken she was by the sight of Jascha so hurt, he wasnâ€™t going to give her the respect she needed and deserved.

â€œThey are still out there.â€

Marise ignored his worried look and the childlike pleading in his eyes.

â€œYou are weakening your house. You are letting Jascha die!â€ She clenched her fists and struggled to rein in her anger.

A dark look entered his eyes and for a moment she thought he was going to remind her who ruled their bloodline. She couldnâ€™t believe how weak he had become. She couldnâ€™t believe that he was risking the lives of everyone in his house because he was frightened of a vampire hunter.

â€œI am sending your guards out to hunt whether you like it or not. This house needs fresh blood. You have to keep your people strong or they will be lambs to the slaughter should this vampire hunter attack with allies.â€ She didnâ€™t wait for a reply. She turned and stormed down the hall towards the guardroom.

Fury fuelled her as she took the steps down into the basement level of the house. It had been given over to the servant ranks and the guards long ago, before she was turned. The guards had their restroom down here and the training rooms. She was sure she would find Tynan there. How could she have thought that it had been his choice to feed Jascha old blood? She shouldâ€™ve known that he would never willingly allow Jascha to die like this. Timur had effectively tied his hands behind his back and forced him to watch his brother die.

Pushing the door to the guardroom open, she strode in and scanned the faces. She recognised some of them. They all looked stunned to see her. Before she could locate Tynan, he was standing beside her, silent as always. She didnâ€™t acknowledge him, instead she kept her eyes fixed on the others.

â€œYou are to hunt in groups. Bring fresh blood to the house. Timur will not punish you. I have seen to that.â€ She held their gazes and then whispered out of the corner of her mouth to Tynan, â€œI need a word in private.â€

He nodded and left the room. She waited a moment and then followed him out into the hall. Looking around, she caught a glimpse of him heading into the armoury. She casually walked to it, her whole body shaking with the release of emotions that the idea of speaking to him brought. She knew that with him, she had no chance of remaining cold and business-like. Her heart said that he would never tell anyone about how she acted in private with him, and it seemed to give her feelings free rein to do as they pleased. She couldnâ€™t control them no matter how hard she tried.

It was a dangerous way for her to feel.

â€œI need a moment,â€ Tynan said as she entered the room.

The guards gathered there nodded and left without questioning Tynanâ€™s order. He must have gained rank in their time apart. Her eyes traversed the room while she waited, taking in the assortment of swords, spears, bows and axes that lined the dark walls.

She had never liked it in the armoury. It was gloomy and reminded her of death. Her family never took up arms lightly, so being assigned to work in the armoury was almost a punishment. No one came here and the long hours each guard had to work were often passed alone.

Tynan turned to face her.

Marise avoided looking at him for as long as possible and then lifted her eyes to meet his. He looked concerned. She wished he didnâ€™t. She was having enough trouble holding herself together without him encouraging this revolt by her feelings.

He sighed, his broad shoulders heaving with it. He was taller than Jascha and had a far broader build, but other than that they looked so similar. Their hair was black as midnight, although Tynanâ€™s was short, and they were both incredibly handsome, their fine features lending them an unusual air of grace and distinction.

When she had first met Tynan, she had never seen a man as beautiful as he was, until the night she had seen his brother Jascha.

He had made her feel as though her heart was pounding even when that was impossible.

Tynanâ€™s dark eyes searched hers. She was glad that he differed from his brother there too. It meant that he could never wholly remind her of Jascha.

No one had eyes the stunning colour of Jaschaâ€™s.

And no one could set her heart on fire with a single look like he could.

Marise paced the room and fought for control, gathering her scattered emotions. This was no time to fall apart, not even if Tynan would keep her secret for her. She had to be strong, as a Law Keeper should be, and stick to procedure on the case. Her old feelings for Jascha shouldnâ€™t be allowed to interfere with her work. Even this meeting with Tynan shouldnâ€™t be taking place.

She convinced herself that if she could get Jascha on the mend again by having this talk with Tynan, then she could get on with her work and forget about him again. Not that she had ever forgotten. He had always been at the back of her mind. The trouble was, now he was at the front of her mind and she couldnâ€™t concentrate. She had to find a way to put him to the back of it again and this seemed like the most reasonable solution.

â€œTheyâ€™re feeding him old blood,â€ she said, barely holding Tynanâ€™s gaze for a split second, but it was long enough to see in his dark eyes that he already knew and he didnâ€™t like it.

She paced across to the other side of the room. Tynan leaned against a table and folded his arms across his chest, making it clear to her that he was waiting to see why she had wanted a word with him.

â€œWhy didnâ€™t you get him fresh blood?â€ She didnâ€™t give him a chance to answer before stepping up to him, a frown darkening her face. â€œYou should have gone out to hunt regardless of the orders from Timur. You know as well as I that the lord of our bloodline is not thinking clearly. This vampire hunter has made him weak with fear.â€

â€œI did,â€ Tynan said.

The sound of his voice made her think of Jascha, lying in his death bed with no company and no comfort. She bit back the tears and reminded herself of her duty and her position.

Tynan stepped past her, running his fingers over his short black hair and sighing heavily. â€œI hunted for the first two nights, but Timur threatened me… if I disobeyed his orders again, I would be tried.â€

â€œTried?â€ Marise frowned, trying to understand just what was happening in her house.

â€œFor sins against my bloodline.â€

â€œRidiculous. The Law Keepers would never condemn you for trying to help your brother.â€ She turned on the spot, following his progress around the room.

Her senses told her that he was agitated, angry, and she had witnessed how he could be when enraged. Timur had been treading a very fine line with him.

â€œWere you with Jascha that night?â€ she said.

He paused, eyes fixed on the floor, shoulders tense.

â€œNo.â€

â€œDid Jascha say anything when they brought him in?â€ She took a step towards him, torn between giving up her questioning and continuing. She didnâ€™t want to cause him hurt by reminding him of his brotherâ€™s plight, but he might be able to give her the answers she needed to make a decision about this case.

â€œNo, nothing coherent.â€ He hesitated a moment and looked at her. She knew that look. It was about what had happened between her and Jascha. He was scared of bringing up things from the past. â€œHe mentioned your name.â€

She froze, feeling as though he had just hit her in the stomach and knocked the wind from her. She hadnâ€™t expected that, but then, when she had gone into the room, Jascha had known it was her and he had called her by her old nickname. He had thought about her all these years too. It wasnâ€™t a ridiculous idea in the slightest. He had been the one willing to reconcile after all.

â€œNothing else?â€ she said, regaining her focus and pushing away from the dark, sharp thoughts trying to creep in at the corners of her mind. She didnâ€™t want to remember that night. She didnâ€™t want to remember how painful it had been and how it had felt to leave him.

â€œNothing.â€

Marise stared at him, hating how much he looked like his brother. It brought images of Jascha back, lying in that bed, covered in cuts and blood. Stinking like death.

Turning her back on Tynan, she straightened her cuffs and lightly ran her fingers over the marks on her wrist. He had been so gentle with her, even in his dire state. She had expected him to be rough if anything, greedy with hunger, but he had taken barely a sip. It spoke volumes to her, pages about how he didnâ€™t want to hurt her. In a way, it had felt like an apology. She wished she could accept it.

â€œI have to call this in.â€ She went to leave but stopped herself and looked at Tynan again. â€œJascha needs fresh, strong blood. Hunt for your brother.â€

She was about to turn around again when he spoke.

â€œDid you find out anything from him?â€ His voice trembled the tiniest amount and his eyes showed her that he wasnâ€™t just worried about his brotherâ€”he was worried about her too.

It had felt horrible to see Jascha like that. It still felt horrible. She couldnâ€™t erase the sight of him from her mind and couldnâ€™t imagine how Tynan had felt on seeing him beaten and broken. It must have been worse for him than the night Jascha had been turned and killed, reborn into his world.

She shook her head and gave him an apologetic look, wishing she could bring herself to shrug off the restraints of her position and comfort him.

â€œHe was in too much pain,â€ she said and then smiled. â€œHeâ€™s speaking Russian at me. The boy still hasnâ€™t learned that I donâ€™t speak the language.â€

Tynan smiled but she could see the sadness in it.

â€œBe careful tonight, Tynan. Whoever did this is still out there.â€

Leaving him, she walked along the corridor and up the stairs to the ground floor of the expansive mansion. She tried to gather all the evidence in her head and thought about what she was going to tell the others. She couldnâ€™t leave here without finding out more about this vampire hunter.

She couldnâ€™t leave until she knew Jascha was well again.

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