Sunday Snippet: Kings of Chaos

Hello!

My new favorite show, Orphan Black, only has one more episode before it goes on hiatus. Honestly, I'm sort of on pins and needles to see where it goes. I have no doubt a cliffhanger is in store and I'll be dying for the next season to begin. J

Tonight's post is from an urban fantasy short story, Kings of Chaos. I'm thinking it might become something of a series, but the sages are being very tight lipped at the moment. LOL

Here's the tagline:

Ainslee and Witt are stranded during a charity ride for their local children's orphanage. Foul play is involved and they have to determine which rival club has the most to gain or if someone closer to home is the culprit.

And the preview snippet…

"Geez, what the hell is their beef with us?" Ainslee kicked the tire of her downed motorcycle.

Witt shrugged and spit out a sunflower seed shell. "I'd lay odds Hot Dog's got something to do with it."

Ainslee snarled, "Son of a bitch. I'm gonna send that massive pain in the ass to hell when we get back."

Witt snorted. "It's just a theory, Ains. For all I know, the old man pissed someone off again."

Ainslee turned and flashed a grin. "Either way, I get to kick ass. That's win-win, right?"

Witt shot her a look. "If you say so." He crouched down and poked at the fire.

Ainslee paced. "I say so." Her boots trudged heavily on the dusty ground. "We're on a god damned charity ride. Rival shit is supposed to be checked at the start and it's truce time until the finish." She leveled her gaze on Witt. "Someone broke the code. They need to pay for that."

Witt kicked back and propped his shoulders on his saddlebags. "Didn't say otherwise."

Ainslee dropped down beside him. "No, but you're too damned calm about the whole deal."

Witt's lips turned up. "Maybe I don't mind being stuck out here with my woman for the night." He wrapped an arm around her. "No interruptions. No club business. No stupid shit to referee between Argathorn and Rytol."

Ainslee rolled her eyes. "Karrie needs to pick one already and stop leading both around by their dicks."

Witt countered. "Or say fuck it and choose both. Their damned rivalry gets in the way."

Ainslee nodded. "It's bad for the club. Their votes always cancel each other out." She angled around and straddled his lap, hip to groin. "Good thing I don't have to worry about you."

Witt lifted a brow. "You do plenty of leading by the dick, too. Don't think you don't."

Ainslee agreed, "Yeah, but when I do it, it always leads to really, really hot sex." She flicked her tongue against his ear. "And you love it."

Witt grabbed her ass, tugging her forward, grinding his erection into the apex of her thighs. "I damned well do."

Ainslee cursed the tight leather keeping them from being skin to skin. It would be so easy to lift her hips and slide over his hard length.

Leaning forward, she pressed feathery kisses along his jaw. "Your chaps have to be uncomfortable. Want me to do something about that?"

Witt caught her mouth in a hot lip lock and her brain went from zero to scorching. She didn't need any other answer, her hand working between them to pop the button and carefully ease his zipper down. Scooting backward, she reached up and grabbed the waistband, waiting for Witt to lift his ass so she could tug his pants down past his hips. His beautiful cock sprang free, thick and hard, and Ainlsee couldn't wait to wrap her mouth around the flared head to nibble and suck until Witt begged for mercy.

And yep. I'm gonna leave it there. LOL Needless to say, the temperature rises quite a bit and the fire has nothing to do with it. *wink*

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: The Beast in the Belfry

Greetings!

I have to open with kudos for one of my favorite shows currently airing on television: Orphan Black. Seriously, the writing, the acting, the pacing…top notch stuff. I can't say enough about how awesome this show is. It always takes me by surprise and never quite goes where I think it will. If you're not watching…give it a whirl. You won't be disappointed. :D

Tonight's post is from The Beast in the Belfry, a novella about a woman cursed to be alone by her mad professor. The funny thing about curses? They're not always made to last and sometimes a stronger magic will render the hex null and void. And man, oh man, is it fun to write. :D

Here's the tagline:

A curse leaves artist Vittoria Blahm disfigured and marred for life. But Cal Gilligan sees the true woman under the scars and he falls hard for her when she saves him from plunging to his death. Vittoria can't quite believe anyone wants her and fears risking her heart to the possibility.

And a preview snippet…

"It's your choice, Vittoria. It should be simple enough to decide if you want to live or die." Hessler Shaouk made a slow circle around the wingback chair.

Vittoria Blahm kept her silent and stony countenance. She wouldn't feed into her professor's madness any more than she already had.

"Hess, dear brother, you know I won't stand by and let you kill her."

Vittoria's eyes focused on the beautiful blonde for one brief moment before she blinked and cast her gaze downward again.

Hessler scowled. "Jejune, my sweet, you have no business meddling in my affairs."

Jejune laid a hand on her brother's shoulder and Vittoria's eyes widened when he slumped to the floor, struggling against unseen bonds.

Jejune knelt beside him. "Maybe not, but no one else will rein you in when necessary."

"Let me go, you damned fool woman." He writhed on the floor, but remained prone. "She needs to die, Jejune. By my hand. She spurned my love."

The lovely blonde sighed. "Vittoria, do you have any feelings for my brother?"

Her hand remained on his shoulder, but Hessler could move his head. He angled slightly to meet Vittoria's gaze.

She answered honestly. "Not the kind he wanted me to have. I respect his work. And his brilliance." She focused on Jejune. "But I'm not attracted to him otherwise."

Resignation settled over Jejune's features and she nodded. "Did you give him any reason to believe you held him in high regard?"

High regard? Vittoria wondered if she'd somehow crossed over into an alternate timeline. No one she knew spoke with such formality.

Her head shook back and forth. "Not intentionally. Your brother sees what he wants to see." And he'd mistaken her thirst for knowledge and technique for something deeper.

To date, she hadn't managed to feel what qualified as love for anyone, always choosing to neatly sidestep emotional entanglements. Too many goals to achieve to get involved in a relationship.

Jejune closed her eyes. "And now? What do you feel for him?"

Again, Vittoria answered with honesty. "Pity."

Hessler went wild at the admission and finally broke free of his sister's binding. He shot to his feet and rushed Vittoria, stopping barely a foot away.

He roared, "You stupid bitch. I don't want your damned pity." Hate and venom laced his words. "I deserve more. Better. What I've shared with you has a price and if you're not willing to pay up, your life is forfeit."

He raised his hand and Jejune rushed to his side, grasping his palm and jerking it hard.

Her voice rose. "You will not kill her. I won't allow it."

Hessler shouted. "I demand recompense."

Jejune spoke softly. "Then curse her to be alone as you are."

A sinister smile graced Hessler's face. "So be it."

A terrible feeling of dread settled over Vittoria, but nothing could prepare her for the horrifying pain a flick of his wrist brought. Her face burned, the left side peeling away or melting or both. Vittoria screamed, agony tearing through her. She struggled against the restraints, the need to flee overwhelming.

A harsh gasp from Jejune gave Vittoria something else to focus on, but didn't end the brutal carnage taking place.

Jejune called her brother out. "Hessler, I demand you stop. You've maimed her sufficiently."

A madness-fueled grin twisted on his face. "I don't think so, dear sister. Not until she's suffered the same amount of pain I have."

Through a haze of agony, Vittoria's eyes went wide when Jejune summoned up a whirlwind of power, sending Hessler flying into the next room. The door slammed shut and Jejune rushed to Vittoria, laying a hand on her face. The pain stopped, but the heartache didn't.

Jejune spoke quietly, "I can't remove the disfigurement. But I can get you away from here." She cut the physical bonds and waved a palm, freeing the invisible ones. "Hessler will have no choice but to leave, I'll see to that, too."

Vittoria said nothing, her mouth and lips marred too badly for speech. Jejune hauled Vittoria out of the chair and dragged her out of the sitting room, through the house, and out to her vehicle.

Shoving Vittoria into the car, Jejune rushed around and got behind the steering wheel. "I'm taking you to the quad. The groundskeepers start early, 6 am, they'll find you."

Vittoria slid her gaze sideways, the pain creeping back in an intense wave. Jejune flicked her wrist and Vittoria fell into blessed unconsciousness.

So far, this manuscript is coming together very nicely. I'm enjoying writing something a little darker with spots of humor. J

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Kidnapped

Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome moms out there!

If the past few weeks hadn't been insanely busy, I would have planned ahead and had something featuring a mother/child dynamic. Sadly, I didn't think of it until just now.

Tonight's post is from Kidnapped, a novella with some fantasy and magical elements mixed in. Throw in preconceived notions and a long standing feud between the nobility and the commoners and Seb and Jaina have some hurdles to leap over.

Here's the tagline:

Jaina Wraith discovers Seb Morrison is a member of the nobility and she kidnaps him, fully intent on having him executed. When Seb reminds her how many times he's come to her aid, she has to decide whether to help him escape or leave him to a tragic fate.

And the preview snippet…

A blast of cold hit Seb in the face, the water sluicing down his cheeks, soaking the collar of his shirt. A quick shake of his head cleared most of the liquid and definitely jolted him back to consciousness. He blinked, removing a few droplets from his eyes and got his first good look at his kidnapper.

Jaina. Son of a bitch.

She smirked. "Did you really think you'd get away with playing the commoner?" Her boot heels clattered to the floor and she shot up out of her chair. "Did you honestly believe I wouldn't discover your charade?" She bent forward, her face inches from his. "Your noble blood will run in the streets…soon."

Seb growled. "You’re letting the circumstances of my birth dictate how you see me. You have no idea how I feel about what happens to those who aren’t born under the protection of nobility. No. Idea." He struggled against the restraints, trying to loosen the bonds.

Jaina scooted the chair closer and sank back down. "So, you’re an idealist then? I’m supposed to believe that?" A sneer marred her otherwise beautiful face.

Seb snorted. "Why would you? I’m the dreaded and despised, yes?" He worked the ropes, feeling a little more give. "But you don’t know what I’ve done, do you? You have no concept of the lengths I’ve gone to for your cause." Just a little more and he could escape.

Jaina met his gaze and tilted her head sideways, studying him with serious intent. He stopped moving, hoping against hope she'd put the picture together and connect his behind the scenes deeds with her exploits. He held firm and steady, letting her see the truth in his eyes, opening up completely for the first time—maybe ever. Seb wanted her to know and understand he'd back her up with whatever means he had at his disposal. If she failed to see how much he could do, he didn't care if she turned him over to the Common Means.

Jaina leaned back and folded her arms across her chest. "I think you better start giving me an idea or there will truly be no hope for you."

Seb finally got his hands free, but did nothing more than rub at the chafed skin. Her eyes widened and her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip.

A tinge of respect crept into her gaze. "You have very little time. Are you going to run, or start talking?"

Seb lifted a brow. "You know I won't flee. I have no means." She'd seen to that by causing the crash.

A guilty flush bloomed across her cheeks. "Yes, well, I might have a way to set things right, but…" a hand shot out and grasped his, "I have to know if I can trust you."

Seb squeezed her fingers and leaned forward, holding her gaze. "Jaina, think about it. I've saved your life twice."

She reached down and pulled a knife from her boot, cutting the bonds at his feet. "Time for me to return the favor." She rose and hauled him upward. "We have to hurry. They'll be arriving at any moment."

Seb grabbed her arm, halting her progress. "Jaina. Just show me which way to go. I have a price on my head. You don't have to come with me."

She shrugged. "I know. But I want to." Tugging him forward, she cast a quick glance over her shoulder. "Especially since I’m the one who put it there. You'll at least have a chance if I'm with you."

Her logic sound, he didn't argue. He'd much rather have her by his side, not only might it buy him some time if caught, but also afford him the opportunity to act on the blossoming attraction they shared.

Quite honestly, he'd never met anyone like her and he didn't plan to let her out of his sight anytime soon.  

I'm not very far into this one but the sages have some interesting ideas for throwing roadblocks in Seb and Jaina's way. Should be so much fun to maneuver around them. J

That's all for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Juvenile Behavior

Hi!

Oh wow, gorgeous weather today and I got to spend the whole day outside enjoying it! Seriously, it's so great to have an actual spring season. Usually we go from really crisp and cold to horribly hot and humid within a twenty-four hour period. Mild temps and lovely breezes are a total win. :D

I'm spending my night with my new TV boyfriends, Stonebridge and Scott, from Strike Back. And you know, Baxter is pretty kick ass, too. Only one more episode of the third season to mainline and then I get to play the waiting game for the fourth. Maybe I'll have to rewatch the episodes a couple of times to make the wait more bearable. :D And hey, I have two more eps of Arrow, so there's that. J

Tonight's post is from Juvenile Behavior, a short story where my two characters spend a lot of time doing silly things to avoid acting on their attraction. The Principle Mage reaches his boiling point and decides to force their hand. :D He also happens to be Owen's dad, so it's a fun dynamic to write.

Here's the tagline:

Freddie and Owen, top Adepts putting cadets through their paces at the Mage Academy, are very much in love, but refuse to act on their attraction. But when the Mage Principal has enough of their antics, he strips them of their rank and tenure and pushes them to act like grown-ups instead of juvenile delinquents.

And here's the preview snippet:

Orville Parker glared in his son's direction. Owen tried to muster up an appropriate response…but hell, he'd had too much fun to even try and deny the charges his father made. Cooling his heels in the maze with Freddie had been worth finishing off the bottle of Amberlane, even though the potent alcohol had been banned since the elder Parker's days at the Mage Academy. The stuff went down smooth but packed quite a punch, and sometimes the amber liquid induced hallucinations and could also trigger a dormant ability. Still, nothing his dad could say would change Owen's mind.

"You're both barred from classes."

Except that. Owen wouldn't stand to have something he'd achieved taken away because he'd actually gone and had fun for once. He opened his mouth to protest.

Freddie beat him to the punch. "Are you insane? You can't lose your two best instructors."

Ha, best argument yet. "Yeah, what she said." Owen held his dad's gaze. "Who else do you have on the roster that can teach new cadets how to master the gyroscope with their minds?" Exactly no one.

Orville shrugged. "We'll get by. You two aren't getting back into a study room until you've cleaned up your acts."

Freddie snorted. "What's to clean up? We have the highest percentage of cadets who make it through. No one else is even close."

Orville acknowledged her words with a brief nod. "True. But…" He paused. "When my top two Adepts are acting like recalcitrant teenagers, something must be done about it. And treating you like the age group in question seems a good place to start."

Owen didn't like the inference. "Since when does blowing off steam get lumped in with juvenile behavior?" Geez, his dad needed to relax a little.

The elder Parker lifted a brow. "Invisible shaving cream in the west corridor…" He held up a finger. "Levitating candelabras in chapel." He added a second. "Exploding confetti balloons in the main bathing suite. Cheap parlor tricks and beneath Adepts at your level." His hand slammed down onto the heavy oak of the desk. "You're supposed to set the example. The cadets follow your lead. You're the grown-ups." He growled. "Act like it, dammit."

Owen didn't have an argument, except… "Look, Dad, no one got hurt. That should count for something."

Freddie chimed in again. "Damn straight. Do you have any idea how much skill it takes to pull off half the stuff we did without putting anyone in the healing chambers?"

Orville shot her a blistering look.

She lifted a shoulder. "Okay, stupid question. Of course you do." She met his gaze. "What do you want from us here?"

Orville rose from the edge of the desk. "Sixty days probation where you two have to refrain from doing any kind of spell casting or conjuring." He held up a hand to stop any protests. "If you refuse, that's it. You lose all privileges and any tenure you've gained."

Freddie gasped. Owen didn't blame her, the punishment didn't quite seem to fit juvenile role his dad had cast them in. But…the man had a point, even if Owen hated to admit it.

He stood. "Fine. What do you suggest Freddie and I do to alleviate stress and tension?"

Orville lifted a brow. "You've got sixty days to figure it out. And I if I have to explain the myriad of methods you can use to bust boredom, you can't be my kid."

Freddie chuckled then laughed outright. Owen blinked and looked at his dad a little closer. The man couldn't be serious. Except…yes, he could.

Well, hell's bells. He'd be happy to oblige his old man.

Shrugging, Owen reached out and grabbed Freddie's hand, hauling her out of the chair. "Let's go, Freddie. I'm pretty sure we can figure out some grown up stuff to do."

Freddie smirked. "Sixty days, right? Yeah, plenty of time to get and be creative." Turning, she gave Orville a backhanded wave. "Just remember, you're the one who made this rather grand suggestion."

The sages tell me Orville may have opened a can of magic he didn't quite want. LOL

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye