Now Available: Vampire Prince

I'm very happy to announce that Vampire Prince is now live at MLR Press! It's also up at AllRomance eBooks and Amazon. I've been waiting for this moment, and I couldn't be happier to see it finally come. This story has been on quite the journey, but the hope of seeing this day is what kept me going through the long battle to get my publishing rights back on it. I'm grateful to MLR Press for giving this book a new home, and so incredibly appreciative to all my readers who've shown so much support. I hope everyone will enjoy the return of Vampire Prince!

Blurb:

Three years ago, Sebastian Beaumont, was starving and struggling on the streets. An offer for safety and shelter was nothing but the lies of a vampire. Since then, he’s been trapped, surrendering his blood and body as a blood slave to vampires, all for the hope of gaining one more day of life and maybe, someday, his freedom.

Having crossed more than three hundred years of life, Valentin Wyndham, is a prince among vampires. Memories of betrayal still haunt him and love isn’t something he seeks. When his need for blood becomes too strong, he breaks his usual habits and visits a blood house. Though he tries to resist, he can’t help but be captivated by the beautiful Sebastian.

Unable to deny the intensity between them, Valentin frees Sebastian from the blood house, but danger follows them both from those who don’t want to let Sebastian go.

Excerpt: Vampire Prince

This week, Vampire Prince is returning, and I couldn't be happier! On the 27th, Valentin, Sebastian, Basil, and Sal will make their debut at their new home, MLR Press. And I feel like they're exactly where they're meant to be. With them about to make their return, I wanted to post a little excerpt to let those who've read the book before get reacquainted with Valentin and Sebastian, and to introduce the guys to those who haven't met them before. I selected the first half of Chapter 3 from the book, because I thought this part did both of those things nicely. It shows Valentin and Sebastian interacting at the beginning of their first night together and hints at what's to come between them.

I hope everyone will enjoy this peek at Valentin and Sebastian :D

Blurb:

Three years ago, Sebastian Beaumont, was starving and struggling on the streets. An offer for safety and shelter was nothing but the lies of a vampire. Since then, he’s been trapped, surrendering his blood and body as a blood slave to vampires, all for the hope of gaining one more day of life and maybe, someday, his freedom.

Having crossed more than three hundred years of life, Valentin Wyndham, is a prince among vampires. Memories of betrayal still haunt him and love isn’t something he seeks. When his need for blood becomes too strong, he breaks his usual habits and visits a blood house. Though he tries to resist, he can’t help but be captivated by the beautiful Sebastian.

Unable to deny the intensity between them, Valentin frees Sebastian from the blood house, but danger follows them both from those who don’t want to let Sebastian go.

Excerpt: Part of Chapter Three

Sebastian closed the boudoir door. Unlike his bedroom, the boudoirs were finely furnished and comfortable, all draped in velvet, satin, and silk, and each held a large bed. And now, in the center of this room, was a vampire unlike any he’d ever met.

He slowly turned, putting his back to the door. Valentin gazed around the space, his posture casual, his hands clasped behind his back and his cane dangling between his fingers.

Was he really some kind of vampire royalty? From how Wesley was addressing him, he must be. He’d never heard of such a thing, but that wasn’t surprising. Vamps weren’t much for chitchat when they came in, and Wesley sure as hell never told him anything. The more ignorant the blood slaves were about vampires, the better, seemed to be the code here.

One thing he was sure of, it was the highlight of his past three years to see Wesley stumbling over himself to please this vampire prince. He’d give Valentin a small bit of respect for that and for standing up for him. He nearly fell over when Valentin addressed his question directly and spoke to him as if he was an intelligent being with feelings.

Of course, that was the second time he felt as though he could fall over. The first came when he saw Valentin. All the vampires that had come through here and never had any of them compared to this one in beauty. Black hair, straight and silken, fell past Valentin’s shoulders. He was dressed in a black three-piece suit, immaculate, cut to perfection for his slender form. His facial features were delicate with sweeping cheekbones. The ivory color of his skin seemed even more pronounced with his ebony hair. And the way he carried himself, with the sophistication and grace of a gentleman from a faded era bringing elegance into this age.

But what stood out to him the most were the vampire’s eyes, so light a blue they looked as though they were only frosted with color. And they’d looked as cold as ice when Valentin faced off against Wesley.

For the first time in longer than he could remember, arousal rose within him. True and genuine arousal, not just his body’s reaction to being touched.

Sebastian stomped it down. How much of a fucking idiot could he be, getting turned on by a vampire? Where the hell was his head? All this vampire wanted was to use him. One look at Valentin’s pretty face and suddenly he was humanizing him. Stupid. A monster wasn’t human.

His defenses reinforced by his thoughts—and reality—he walked toward the bed to set out the lube and anything else the vampire might want. All boudoirs were well stocked with sex toys and items.

“Well, this room is as garish as the rest of this place.”

Sebastian slowed in his steps. The sound of Valentin’s voice rattled his defenses. But how could it not? Deep and soothing, the vampire’s words rolled with an elegant English accent. He glanced toward him. “Yeah, Master Wesley’s not much of a decorator.”

“I don’t think Master Wesley is much of anything at all.”

Sebastian couldn’t hold back his grin. He looked at Valentin, who was smiling at him. A vampire who smiled? Actually good-humoredly and not with malicious intent? Seriously, who was this guy?

Sebastian turned away and continued toward the bed. Reaching the nightstand, he opened the top drawer, retrieving a bottle of lube and tossing it onto the bed. “So, your highness, this is going to be my first time with a vampire prince. I never knew vampires had a monarchy.”

“We don’t, not in the true sense of what a monarchy is. Prince is merely a title of formality. Among us, for every century of life, you’re given a title until your five hundredth year. When we vampires reach one hundred, we’re given the title of knight and that title goes to the female vampires as well. For the two hundredth year, the title changes to Duke or Duchess. The three hundredth year, we become a Prince or Princess. Four hundredth is marked by the title of King or Queen. Five hundred years is when one is referred to as being an Elder. We do have a ruling body of High Elders, but truth be told, they don’t do much. They’re only summoned together for matters of the highest importance.”

Sebastian stared at Valentin, stunned. He had answered. Valentin actually answered him, with a complete and thorough explanation.

Valentin tipped his head to the side in a contemplative look. “Did I give too much information too quickly?”

Sebastian shook his head. “No, not at all. I’m just shocked you answered. I don’t get many answers around here. I don’t get any, really.” 

“I see. I’m sorry to hear that. How long have you been here?”

“Three years and ten days, not that I’m keeping track.”

Valentin’s slender eyebrows rose. “Three years? That’s quite a long time for a blood slave.”

Sebastian looked away, their comfortable moment broken with the reminder of what he was and how his mortality loomed over him every night to preserve the immortality of vampires.

Valentin took a step toward him, extending a hand. “I’m sorry. That was ill-phrased.”

Sebastian focused on the open drawer and the sex toys inside. “You don’t have to apologize to me. Blood slave, remember? You can do whatever you want to me. Fuck me, beat me, kill me, and who’ll care? No one. So the last thing you have to do is say you’re sorry. And at least you’ve got the balls to call me what I am. Not trying to call me a donor.” He closed his eyes tight, mentally kicking himself. He really was going to get himself killed sooner rather than later talking to a vampire this way. He needed to try to smooth things over. “I’m sorry, Prince Valentin. I shouldn’t have been talking like that. Like Master Wesley said, I’ve got a shitty attitude.”

“Given your circumstances, I think it’s understandable. And all things considered, I’m rather enjoying your shitty attitude.”

Sebastian snapped around to look at him. Another smile rested on Valentin’s lips.

Gracefully turning, Valentin walked to a nearby armchair and propped his cane against one arm. He unbuttoned his suit jacket, slipped it off, and tossed it over the back of the chair. “Propriety is so dull. I far prefer honesty. So please, speak freely with me and also, feel welcomed to address me as Valentin. What’s your full name?”

“Sebastian Jonathon Beaumont.”

“Do you prefer Sebastian, or do you shorten your name to Bastian?”

“No one’s ever called me Bastian before.”

“Would you mind if I did? It has a charming sound to it.”

“Yeah, sure. That’d be fine.”

Valentin removed his vest and laid it over his jacket. He faced Sebastian, one index finger hooked over his black silk tie as he loosened the knot. “Tell me, how did a smart lad like you end up here?”

Sebastian continued to stare at him in silence. With Valentin now wearing only the black dress shirt, he could easily tell Valentin’s body was hard with muscle. The arousal he’d tried to stamp out earlier returned, stronger. He forced his mind away from it and on Valentin’s question. “By accident, on my part. I didn’t know where I was being brought. And if you want to know the truth, I still don’t know where this place is. I was blindfolded and—”

“Savannah, Georgia.”

Sebastian paused, his mouth dropping open slightly. “What?”

“You said you don’t know where this house is located. It’s about thirty minutes northeast of Savannah, which I think is the largest closest city. I’ve only recently moved here, so I’m still familiarizing myself with the area.”

Sebastian’s breath rushed from him. All these years of not knowing where he was and now he had a general idea. He wasn’t far from Savannah. His mind spun with the thought as if he’d been given information to one of the greatest secrets in the world. Knowing where he had lived all this time felt that amazing to him, and it was because of this strange and beautiful vampire who spoke so freely to him.

Sebastian nodded his gratitude to Valentin. “Thank you.”

Valentin stayed quiet for a moment, seeming to study him. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry I interrupted, but I thought you should know. What else were you going to say?”

Sebastian took a breath, trying to clear his mind from reeling with the revelation. “I, uh, was just saying I was blindfolded and didn’t see anything on my way here.”

“You said you’ve been here three years. How old are you now?”

“Twenty. Coming up on twenty-one next month. When I was seventeen, my mom went in my room to use my computer, because hers was broken, and she saw some gay porn sites in my browsing history. It was my own fault. I always deleted my history after going to those sites, but I’d been on a marathon masturbating streak the night before and after my last orgasm, I fell into bed and passed out.

“When I came home from school, my dad was waiting for me. He asked me to explain the sites. I told him I couldn’t explain them any other way than I liked watching them because I was gay. I always knew if he found out I was into guys, he’d either kill me or kick me out. I guess I should be glad he didn’t kill me, but then again, considering where I ended up, maybe not.

“I didn’t have anywhere to go. I was too embarrassed to go to any friends’ houses. I’d hid my sexuality from everyone, and I was afraid if I did go to someone else for help, they or their parents would do the same thing, kick me to the curb. I was running the streets in Atlanta for about three months before Wesley and a couple of his servants came across me. He offered me a roof over my head, food, a bed, and that was all I cared about. From what he said about this place, I had the impression it was some kind of underground sex club, and I was okay with that. I was tired and hungry and scared. I didn’t care who he was, I just wanted to feel safe and have a full stomach.

“The thought of him being a vampire never crossed my mind. I mean, seriously, of all the things, it would be my shitty luck to get picked up by freakin’ mythical creature. I never knew vampires were real. Never even thought you guys could be. You were supposed to be stories told to little kids in the old days to keep them from going out at night. And in this day and age, the things of horror movies.”

Valentin offered him a sympathetic smile. “I understand. Even for myself, it was a shock when I first learned about vampires’ existence. Even more of one when it was my best friend and cousin, Basil, informing me of the fact by showing me his fangs. But as I learned then and have learned many times over the years, all legends hold some truth.” He stepped closer to Sebastian. “I’m sorry for how you found out about us. I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy.”

Sebastian snorted. “Putting it mildly.” His throat tightened with anger rising in him, not at Valentin, but at Wesley and all the vampires he’d met. “Do you have any idea how terrified I was the first time a vampire took my blood? Can you even imagine? I was fully alert. No trance used on me. Wesley wanted me to know the whole experience, because that’s how things are done here. The blood slaves need to be obedient enough where vampires don’t have to use their power to make a blood slave submit. So good ol’ Master Wesley had me held down while a vampire stole my blood.

“In the three fucking years I’ve been a prisoner here, I’ve never once gotten to go outside. There’re no phones, no internet, and no TV, but I guess I can’t complain, because there’s a huge library and I know I’ve gotten smarter from reading so much. Not a bad thing, since I never got the chance to finish high school. Of course, all the books are Master Wesley approved, so nothing about vampires to help give us blood slaves a little more knowledge on our masters.

“And food, it’s regulated, too. Healthy shit to keep us recovering from being sucked on all the time. I’d give both my nuts for a piece of pizza with extra bacon and a Pepsi. So that’s been my life and that’s why I’ve got a shitty fucking attitude.”

Valentin opened his mouth to speak, but only a breath came out, as he seemed too shocked for words.

Sebastian turned away from him, leaning forward and bracing both hands on the nightstand. He closed his eyes tight. He was losing it, cracking deeper than he realized. With almost every word he spoke, he was bringing on his death. And he couldn’t even control himself. All he’d spoken to Valentin had poured out of him.

Maybe it’s what happened to all blood slaves. Eventually, if they lived this life long enough, they cracked. Still, he felt bad for talking so harshly to Valentin. None of what’d happened to him was Valentin’s fault.

Sebastian straightened his posture and took a deep breath, resting his hands on his hips. “Looks like now I’m the one who needs to say he’s sorry. I didn’t mean to dump all that shit on you.”

“You needn’t apologize to me. Besides, I was the one who asked.”

Sebastian let out a single, humorless laugh. “Regretting that yet?”

“Not at all.”

Sebastian turned around, giving him a curious look. “No offense, but you’re kind of an odd vampire.”

Valentin laughed softly. “Some would say I’m an odd individual all the way around.” He walked toward Sebastian. “I think, though, the problem here is you were taken in by the wrong kind of vampire. Certainly we can all have our beastly moments, but this group—and by that I mean Wesley—seems to be more uncouth than is usual. What I don’t understand is, if you hate it here so much, why have you renewed your blood contract each year?”

Sebastian shook his head in confusion. “What’re you talking about?”

“Blood contracts are usually for the duration of one year. After that, the blood slave can either renew with their patron or house, or they can leave.”

“That’s great if other blood slaves are given that option. Wesley’s never once asked me about renewing my contract and I don’t even know what the thing said. I never got the chance to read it. I was jacked in the cheek, held down, and had a pen shoved in my hand. I was too afraid to do anything except sign it. I really don’t even know what the point of a blood contract is. It’s not as if I could take him to court for any violations in it.”

“Not to human court, no. But among vampires, a blood contract marks who owns you and whom you serve so others can’t claim you.” Valentin stood quiet for a long moment. As he spoke, his voice was low, anger underlying his tone. “The fact you’ve been able to survive as long as you have is testament to what a strong will you have.”

Sebastian held his thoughts, stopping himself from saying his will was growing weaker by the day. That it wouldn’t be long before it burned out completely. What would it matter if he did make that confession? It wasn’t as if Valentin was a knight in shining armor come to rescue him. Or maybe prince charming was more fitting, given Valentin had surpassed knightly status to princehood among vampires. He’d done more than enough confessing for one night, anyway.

Sebastian glanced back to the drawer. “Yeah, I guess. Thanks. But I know you didn’t come here to waste your time talking to a blood slave. I already got the lube out, is there anything else you want? There’re dildos, vibes, plugs, paddles, restraints…”

His voice trailed off as Valentin stepped close to his side. His arm brushed Valentin’s chest, and that single accidental touch sent his heart racing. Sebastian took a deep breath to settle himself, only to have it backfire with pulling in Valentin’s alluring scent, a subtle intoxicating spice.

Valentin pushed the drawer closed. He leaned toward Sebastian, bringing his lips close to Sebastian’s ear. “What I want is, to know if you feel any desire toward me, and if you want to give me your blood of your own free will.”

Sebastian slowly faced him. With Valentin slightly taller than him, he tipped his head back to meet Valentin’s gaze. Those frosted blue eyes…it was as though they could look through him and know his thoughts. And actually, Valentin could. He hadn’t felt him try to touch his mind yet, but all vampires had that ability. But it was more than Valentin’s power, those beautiful eyes made him feel things he’d only dreamed of.

Feelings, though, were the last things that mattered here, and he wouldn’t let himself be swayed by them. “You can answer that for yourself.”

“If you’re referring to my ability to sense the arousal coming off you right now, then yes, that basic part of my question is answered. However…” An arrogant smirk tipped up one corner of Valentin’s lips. “I have that effect on nearly everyone I meet, so I wanted to ensure your mind and heart are in agreement with your body.”

Sebastian felt another smile rising to his lips. Goddamn it. Valentin might be a bloodsucking monster, but he was liking this vampire prince more by the minute. And growing more attracted to him. “Well, if you wanted to know if my mind was in agreement, all you’d have to do is take a look.”

“Are you giving me permission to do so?”

“You don’t need permission. Again, you can do what you want to me.”

Valentin curled his finger under Sebastian’s chin and tipped his head up. “How about we do without Master Wesley’s rules, hmm?”

Sebastian had no response. He’d lived so long not being given a choice in anything, now that he had one, he didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t even sure how to handle his arousal.

He wet his lips, catching Valentin’s gaze lowering to his tongue. As Valentin looked up again, lust warmed his eyes. There was no doubt Valentin wanted him. That was another thing he didn’t know how to deal with. He’d gotten picked off the streets for his looks, because Wesley knew others would want him, but the heat in Valentin’s gaze was more than he’d ever seen in anyone’s.

“And your answer is…?” Valentin prompted.

“You said you value the truth, right?”

Valentin nodded.

“Then no, my mind isn’t in harmony with my body. It’s confused. And I don’t listen to my heart. I don’t even give it a chance to feel what it wants. If I did, I would’ve been dead long ago.”

Valentin gazed into Sebastian’s eyes for a long moment. He bowed his head and took a step back. “That’s all the answer I need.” He moved away from him, walking toward the chair.

Panic rose in Sebastian. He didn’t understand it and it went along with all his other confusion, but he didn’t want Valentin to leave. He rushed a few steps after him. “You’re not going, are you?”

Valentin collected his vest and suit jacket, slinging both over his forearm. “Yes, I am. I only take blood and have sex with those who wholly desire me.”

“Bullshit.”

Valentin swung around to face him. “Excuse me?”

Glaring at him, Sebastian closed the distance between them. “I said, bullshit. You’re a vampire. You can’t tell me you don’t use your power, mind reading, entrancement, persuasion, to get what you want out of people. And I can’t believe you’re going to stand there and tell me you won’t take my blood because I’m feeling a little confused about you. I know for damn sure you never tell people you’re feeding from, unless they’re a blood slave, that you’re going to take their blood. It’d blow your whole human cover.”

Valentin tossed his vest and jacket over the chair again, folding his arms. “Your points do have some validity, however, I use my powers to ensure a person’s desire for me, hence, I rarely use persuasion. Entrancement is necessary, because as you pointed out, unless one is a blood slave, another vampire, a demon, or another who knows of us, it’s prudent to keep our existence unknown. With you being a blood slave, I was simply trying to show you respect by giving you a choice.”

“Being a blood slave isn’t about making choices. It’s about doing what you’re told. Just like how you told me to speak freely and now you’re using that against me by walking out the door.”

Valentin took the single step separating them. “I’m not using it against you.”

Sebastian forced himself to ignore his arousal and that it seemed connected to how close Valentin came to him. “No? Do you have any idea what’ll happen to me if you walk out of here and Wesley thinks I didn’t please you? That I mouthed off and drove you away? He’ll beat me and torture me until I’m dead. I know my time’s running out anyway, but I’d really rather it expire at the hands of some random vamp than give him the satisfaction of killing me.”

“I could explain I’d lost my desire.”

Sebastian snorted. “Like he’d buy that.”

Valentin gazed at him in silence for a long moment. As he spoke again, he voice was husky and low. “If you say you want me to stay and that you want to give me your blood and body, then I’ll stay.”

Sebastian clenched his jaw shut. He didn’t know if Valentin wanted him to admit those things for his own assurance or if this was some power game, trying to make him feel weak by saying he wanted him. What he said was true, if Valentin left, Wesley would beat him bloody. Maybe not to death, because that’d be an inconvenience, but the probability was high. Trying to avoid that really was part of him wanting Valentin to stay. The other parts…those were exactly what Valentin wanted him to confess.

Sebastian swallowed in an attempt to loosen his tight throat. He reached with a tentative hand toward Valentin, so unused to making the first move. He rested it on Valentin’s chest, the pectoral firm beneath his palm, the heat of Valentin’s body seeping through his shirt. That was one thing about vampires he hadn’t expected. He’d thought they would be cold since they were supposed to be dead, but as he found out, they weren’t dead. At least, he didn’t think so. Vampires had heartbeats and pulses, so they couldn’t be dead…probably.

It was just one of many things about vampires he didn’t understand and was sure he’d die without knowing. Just as he had no idea how they became vampires. All he knew about them was they fucked hard, drank blood, didn’t age, had special powers, and didn’t like the sun. Really, what else did he need to know?

Sebastian took Valentin’s hand and stepped backward toward the bed. “You said you could sense the arousal off me. Do you know how long it’s been since anyone’s turned me on?”

Valentin walked slowly with him. “No, I don’t.”

“Neither do I. It was before I came here, I know that much. That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed some of the sex once it’s going. There’ve been a handful of vamps who’ve tried to make it okay for me. But as far as feeling as if I wanted them or was attracted to them, that hasn’t happened.”

The arrogant smirk with its wicked edge returned to Valentin’s lips. “So you’re saying you’re attracted to me?”

“If that’s how you want to take it.”

“It is, but is that how you mean it?”

Reaching the bedside, Sebastian put his back to him. “You’re really making this more difficult than it needs to be, trying to bring all these emotions into it. How do you want me? Standing and leaning over the bed? On my hands and knees?”

Valentin pressed against him, slipping an arm around Sebastian’s waist and pulling him back so Sebastian’s ass nestled against his crotch. “Let’s just see how we end up. And you’re very good at dodging questions, by the way.”

“Yeah, it’s a developed skill.” Sebastian’s concentration wavered as Valentin’s hard cock pressed against him. Even with the soft cloth of Valentin’s pants between them, his own cock responded, filling fast. Valentin caressed Sebastian’s chest, the touch so soft, so gentle. No one ever touched him in such a way.

Valentin brushed Sebastian’s hair back, exposing his neck. He placed a tender kiss on the curve. “Where do you like to have your blood taken from? Your neck? Your wrist? Your groin?”

More choices. Why was Valentin doing this? Did Valentin really want to treat him as if he was an equal? Give him respect? In a way, it was almost more cruel than how most vampires shoved him to the bed and did whatever they wanted to him. How Valentin was treating him fed his hope, and that hope would make him guard his life believing an escape from this hell could happen someday. Whatever Valentin was trying to do, he wasn’t going to let it affect him.

“Just do whatever you want.”

Valentin sighed against Sebastian’s neck. “You’re very difficult. If you want to continue to play by the house master’s rules and not express what you want, then I’ll follow my own and do what I’m certain you’ll enjoy.”

Valentin spun him around, sinking his fingers in Sebastian’s hair and closing them in a tight fist. He lowered his head, touching his lips to Sebastian’s.

Sebastian tensed. A high, startled noise sounded in his throat.

Valentin drew back, confusion in his eyes and expression. “What’s wrong?”

“I…it’s just, I don’t get kissed much. Like, at all. Ever.”

“I thought you said some vampires tried to make it good for you.”

“Yeah, by doing a little prep work instead of just shoving their dick in, using lots of lube, and stroking my cock. Kissing…it doesn’t even cross my mind as being part of it. Not anymore. When I was younger it did, but I lost all thoughts about that after being here.”

Valentin studied him for a moment. “Please tell me that wasn’t your first kiss.”

“Not technically. I dated a girl in high school for a while, to keep my cover of really wishing I could date a guy, and I kissed her a few times.”

“So then, you’ve never kissed a man?”

“Up until a moment ago? No.”

“Then we’ll have to remedy that. We won’t count those other kisses with the girl or the one I just gave you. I’ll give you a better one, with you prepared for it this time.”

Once more, Sebastian felt himself smiling. It’d become such a rare thing for him to smile in the past three years, he was now acutely aware each time he did it. In his short time with Valentin, he’d smiled more than he had in months combined. “I like that idea.”

“Then I’m glad for the honor of giving you your first kiss.”

Valentin brushed his thumb over Sebastian’s lips. He lifted his other hand, gently cupping Sebastian’s cheek. Angling his head, he brought his lips close to Sebastian’s.

Sebastian felt Valentin’s warm breath wash over his lips. His anticipation grew. He leaned, ever so slightly, toward him. A deep, hushed moan came to his ears, as though Valentin appreciated his moving closer, asking for the kiss. Sebastian rested his hand on Valentin’s chest, no hesitation this time. He wanted it. Valentin’s kiss, his body, all the things the vampire prince promised.

Valentin touched their lips together, soft, gentle, keeping the kiss chaste for several quick heartbeats. He sucked Sebastian’s bottom lip. Without thought, Sebastian opened his mouth wider for him. Valentin accepted the invitation, sliding his tongue over Sebastian’s, closing their mouths together.

As Valentin’s soft tongue massaged his, Sebastian let his defenses drop. He wrapped his arms around him, thrusting his tongue along Valentin’s. Valentin sucked Sebastian’s tongue, ended the kiss with a light nip to Sebastian’s bottom lip, then claimed his mouth again. He caressed down Sebastian’s back and slipped his arm around him, pulling Sebastian in…

Copyright 2015 by S.J. Frost and MLR Press

Vampire Prince - New Cover Art

Hello, everyone! I'm ecstatic to share with you all the shiny new cover for Vampire Prince! I had wanted a cover that would be very vampy, but also have class and sophistication, to match the gentleman that Prince Valentin is. I have to say, I'm in love with this cover and I think it's absolutely perfect!

I must give credit where it's due. This cover was made through Scarlet Tie Designs by amazing author and artist, Zathyn Priest. My heartfelt thanks goes out to him for using his beautiful talent to create this cover. He surpassed what I'd hoped for and delivered something even better. You may notice on the cover that it says Paranormal Nobles. This is the series name now, since a sequel will be coming :-)

Along with the new cover, the book has a new blurb and a tentative release date. Valentin, Sebastian, Sal, and Basil will make their return on November 27th. I've been revising, revising, and revising some more on the manuscript, and just this week, sent it off to my awesome editor at MLR Press. It's on the road to re-release now!

Thank you, so incredibly much, to everyone for the support and kindness that you've shown. I'm looking forward to this book's return and what's to come!

Blurb:

Three years ago, Sebastian Beaumont, was starving and struggling on the streets. An offer for safety and shelter was nothing but the lies of a vampire. Since then, he’s been trapped, surrendering his blood and body as a blood slave to vampires, all for the hope of gaining one more day of life and maybe, someday, his freedom.

Having crossed more than three hundred years of life, Valentin Wyndham, is a prince among vampires. Memories of betrayal still haunt him and love isn’t something he seeks. When his need for blood becomes too strong, he breaks his usual habits and visits a blood house. Though he tries to resist, he can’t help but be captivated by the beautiful Sebastian.

Unable to deny the intensity between them, Valentin frees Sebastian from the blood house, but danger follows them both from those who don’t want to let Sebastian go.

New Release: Protective Instincts

And they're back! I'm absolutely thrilled to announce the return of my Instincts vampires! Book 6, Protective Instincts, is now live at MLR Press! And a day sooner than expected! And it won't be long before it's hitting Amazon, AllRomance eBooks, and other vendors. Woo hoo!

I've said it more than once and in more than one place, but I so loved writing this story. Same as I loved writing Acting on Love, which was released earlier in the year. Whenever I go back to one of my series, whether it's Conquest, Instincts, or Terra, it always feels like hanging out again with loved and familiar friends :-) With Protective Instincts featuring Daniel and Ryunosuke in the lead roles, it felt especially this way. I hope everyone who picks it up will enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it!

Blurb

Daniel Valente and Ryunosuke Kimura knew each other for centuries, and when Daniel saw the love Ryu had for him and how it had endured for lifetimes, their lives became forever entwined. In recognizing that love, the two vampires became eternal partners, those with a bond deep and unbreakable.

They’re living in peace and happiness, until a call comes inviting Ryunosuke to interview for the Tribunal, the ruling body of vampire society. Both Daniel and Ryu know everything is about to change. Danger will come with the position and the greatest threat may be from one of the Tribunal members. Daniel and Ryunosuke’s protective instincts are strong, their love even stronger, but when old grudges demand retribution, will those instincts be enough to keep each other safe?

Cover Art and Blurb: Protective Instincts

Hi there, everyone! After being quiet for a while on the writing front, I have some news to share...an update on my next release, Protective Instincts. This is going to be Book 6 in the Instincts series, and if you've read the series, you just might be familiar with the two leads vamps. Yep, Daniel Valente and Ryunosuke Kimura have returned! They previously were the main characters in Book 2, Enduring Instincts and have made several appearances in the series.

I just got the cover this past weekend, made by the awesome Lex Valentine, who along with being a wonderful cover artist, is also a fantastic author. I'm always thrilled to get another cover by Lex. I love in this one that she included the Tokyo skyline and the man drawing the katana :D

The story is still in edits with MLR Press. As of this moment, it has a tentative release date of August 28th. It'll go live at MLR Press first, then will quickly roll out to Amazon, AllRomance eBooks, and other vendors.

I absolutely loved working with my Instincts vampires again! I hope everyone will enjoy seeing them come back!

Blurb:

Daniel Valente and Ryunosuke Kimura knew each other for centuries, and when Daniel saw the love Ryu had for him and how it had endured for lifetimes, their lives became forever entwined. In recognizing that love, the two vampires became eternal partners, those with a bond deep and unbreakable.

They’re living in peace and happiness, until a call comes inviting Ryunosuke to interview for the Tribunal, the ruling body of vampire society. Both Daniel and Ryu know everything is about to change. Danger will come with the position and the greatest threat may be from one of the Tribunal members. Daniel and Ryunosuke’s protective instincts are strong, their love even stronger, but when old grudges demand retribution, will those instincts be enough to keep each other safe?

New Release: REFINED INSTINCTS

Hello again, everyone! If you stopped by earlier today for my post about news and the giveaway coming up tomorrow, I said I might be back later today because there was a chance REFINED INSTINCTS would drop a day early at MLR Press. Well, it has! I'm absolutely thrilled to announce REFINED INSTINCTS is now available on their website in all ebook formats! It'll soon be rolling out to other vendors, like Amazon and AllRomance eBooks. Woo hoo!

I'm over the moon happy about my vamps dropping early on Halloween! Seriously, how cool is that?! It might be just me because I love Halloween and vampires, but it think it's incredibly cool!

To everyone planning on getting the story and who have stuck with the series, welcome back to the Instincts world! I hope you'll enjoy getting to know Renart and Troy more! For everyone thinking about meeting my vampires and stepping into their world, I hope you'll enjoy them and it if you do :D

And once again, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

BLURB:

Troy Raines wants it all to end. His pain, his heartache, his regrets. Having been in hiding to avoid capture from the Tribunal, he returns to Chicago believing since that's where everything began for him, that's where it should end, as well.

Renart Bellerose has known many regrets in his long life as a vampire, but few are stronger than what he has regarding Troy Raines. As the one to make Troy a vampire, he gave him power, money, anything he thought Troy wanted, but he restrained on giving him what they both needed.

When Renart and Troy face each other again, anger and passion explodes between them. Renart wants to help Troy find redemption, but as danger closes in, it might be too late to set right the wrongs of the past.

Sneak Peek: REFINED INSTINCTS, Book 5 in the Instincts series

Hello, my dears! Guess what? It's time for another sneak peek at an upcoming book from me! I know, it's kind of deja vu-esque, isn't it? I just posted a sneak peek of MODEL LOVE not long ago, with that book now being available at Ellora's Cave, Amazon.com, and AllRomance eBooks. Yay! Now here we go again with a peek at my next upcoming release, REFINED INSTINCTS, Instincts series Book 5, to be published by MLR Press on November 1st! These books were actually finished months apart, but with how schedules worked out, they've ended up releasing close together. I think it's pretty cool! Even if it has kept me one busy little author. But if things hold to the pattern they have in the past, even though the official release date for REFINED INSTINCTS is November 1st, there's a good chance it could go live on the MLR website, October, 31st! Now that would make for a happy Halloween!

I know there's some anticipation for REFINED INSTINCTS for those who have followed the Instincts series all this time and I can't tell those of you who are looking forward to it how much I appreciate that. I think this one has a little bit of a different feel to it than the others. Mainly because there's not as much of Titus, Andreas, Daniel, and Ryunosuke. With Troy Raines being one of the main characters, it gives more of his perspective of what happened during the rebellion, and it also a deeper look at Renart Bellerose. Timeline wise, it would fall after ADAPTING INSTINCTS, so the series is still moving along a chronological timeline and is still best read in order, I think. But I also think you wouldn't have to read ADAPTING INSTINCTS to follow this story.

So, there you go! A little insight into the story. And now, I should quit my rambling and let you all read the excerpts! For this one, I'm going do what I did for MODEL LOVE, post this first two chapters. I thought it'd be a good way to re-introduce everyone to Troy and Renart, and welcome you all back to the Instincts world.

Also, if you guys would like to take a minute, I have a poll running right now over to the left column. I'd just like to know what you'd like to see for future sneak peeks at stories, so that way I can be sure I'm doing what most of you like to see :-) Please feel welcomed to cast your vote for what you like!

To everyone who has stayed with the series this long, thank you so incredibly much! I hope you'll enjoy this next installment. And for those who are thinking of starting the series, if you do give the books a read, I hope you'll enjoy them!

BLURB:

Troy Raines wants it all to end. His pain, his heartache, his regrets. Having been in hiding to avoid capture from the Tribunal, he returns to Chicago believing since that's where everything began for him, that's where it should end, as well.

Renart Bellerose has known many regrets in his long life as a vampire, but few are stronger than what he has regarding Troy Raines. As the one to make Troy a vampire, he gave him power, money, anything he thought Troy wanted, but he restrained on giving him what they both needed.

When Renart and Troy face each other again, anger and passion explodes between them. Renart wants to help Troy find redemption, but as danger closes in, it might be too late to set right the wrongs of the past.

Chapter One

The silence in the dark alley broke with the shuffle and drag of uneven footsteps. Troy slowly made his way, his keen eyesight picking out trashcans, litter, dips and holes in the pavement. He may bear an eternally broken body, but his other vampiric senses were still sharp, so much stronger than when he’d been human…those three short years ago.

Troy shook his head, wishing the motion would scatter his memories. But like his shadow behind him, they were dark ghosts that forever clung to him, never parting from him. Even when he couldn’t see them, just as a shadow waits for light to show itself, so his memories waited for a moment of weakness to bring him down.

He should’ve known returning to Chicago would strengthen them…and weaken him, but he needed to come back. This was where it all began. This was where he wanted it to end.

And he did want it to end. All of it. The memories, the regrets, the guilt, the pain—physical and emotional. He no longer wanted eternity. He wanted peace.

Gazing up the alley, he could almost hear the phantom laughter from him and Isaac, taunts from their fellow young vampires aimed at Andreas Nikandros as they dragged him into this alley. And another who’d spoken with calm authority that demanded to be obeyed. His own voice replying, filled with his temper and righteous indignation, telling Lord Titus to stand down, that Andreas was theirs to play with. All it took was a glare from Lord Titus to send a cold shiver of fear through him, despite how bold he tried to remain on the outside.

For his disrespect, Lord Titus could’ve ripped his throat out, and for that, he loathed the weight Ancient vampires carried in their society. Since then, he’d come to see how well deserved that respect was and how ignorant he’d been to challenge that power. While he and Isaac had already set their plans to bring down the Tribunal and eliminate Ancients and elder vampires, that night was the catalyst in the chain of events that brought him to this exact moment, the lowest of his life. 

Troy moved through the alley, dragging his right leg across the wet pavement with every step. When Daniel Valente threw him from the building, his right side had taken the brunt of his impact with the ground. Or maybe it was when he fell through the overhang and hit the steel supports. He couldn’t be sure. It’d all happened so fast, his memory of it was faint and blurred.

He didn’t hold a grudge or hard feelings toward Daniel for tossing him over the building’s edge. Not now. Looking back, he saw the path he was on, all the death and destruction he was destined to bring. Sir Daniel had inadvertently saved a hell of a lot of lives. And, he gave him a chance to open his eyes to the horrors he and Isaac were on the fringe of committing. He was thankful to Daniel for that, even if at this moment he did feel mild bitterness toward the beautiful vampire for not ensuring he’d finished his kill.

And that’s why he’d returned. To finish what Daniel Valente had started.

Troy glanced up, his destination lit by a single dim light over a steel door. He limped toward it and stopped on the outside of the circle of light, keeping on the edge of darkness. He gazed up at the metal sign above the door, reading, La Rose Rouge.

Memories slammed through him. Two years of happiness, of feeling like he finally belonged, he was finally part of something…a family, maybe…of having support, care, food, shelter, all he needed provided for him. Friends. Laughter. Love. Love for two men, but returned from neither.

Isaac. Friends since junior high, lovers since high school, they’d had their ups and downs, their fights and making up, but no matter what, they were always there for each other. Their relationship wasn’t what he would’ve preferred. He hardly remembered a time when it wasn’t open. Isaac always wanted to either bring in a third, or go out in search of partners who could satisfy the needs Troy couldn’t, as much as it hurt him to say that there was anything sexual he couldn’t provide for Isaac. But Isaac was…rough. Even before becoming a vampire, Isaac enjoyed pain and blood in the bedroom. After becoming a vampire, it intensified to a fierce magnitude.

He never minded Isaac satisfying those needs elsewhere. If anything, it was a relief to him. There were times Isaac scared him. During those moments when he was in the erotic throes of a whipping or beating, drawing blood and playing with it, Isaac seemed on the edge of sanity. He relished seeing pain, giving it. Every time, it sent him raging with arousal and it’d been getting worse.

He saw the progression in Isaac; each time the beatings, the ripping of skin to see blood, was growing stronger. He supposed it made sense. Like anyone who developed a tolerance for a type of drug or alcohol, it took more to create the desired effect. That’s how things had gotten with Isaac, with him needing to become more brutal to reach the state of arousal he sought.

It’s how he knew Isaac cared for him. Yes, there were times Isaac was rough with him while they had sex. He’d occasionally hit him, choke him, but Isaac always held back on doing the things he knew Isaac was capable of.

Troy closed his eyes. And there it was again. Even now, nearly a year after Isaac’s death, he still tried to deceive himself into believing Isaac had cared for him. But maybe it wasn’t a total deception. Isaac had loved him once. In the end, though, all Isaac loved was power. He’d felt that from him when he drained the last of Isaac’s lifeblood. The only emotion from Isaac was rage at being brought down, murderous to the point where Isaac wanted his blood so he could rise again to kill Daniel Valente, Ryunosuke Kimura, Titus Antonius Calidus, Andreas Nikandros, and all others who’d dare to defy him, including their mutual master, Renart Bellerose.

Renart…

An ache echoed through Troy’s heart. It was a feeling he’d long since become accustomed to. He had so many regrets regarding the elegant vampire who’d Turned him…the other man he’d loved once.

The first time he met Renart Bellerose, he’d gone to an underground BDSM club with Isaac. A fight broke out, he still wasn’t sure of the details, some longstanding issue between two Doms was the most he ever found out, and they were two vampire Doms. Heedless of who was around them, the two attacked any who came close to them as they fought each other, one nearly landing a punch to his cheek.

The next he knew, he was dodging blows and blocking hits, until he grabbed a beer bottle and smashed it across the face of the vampire, who he hadn’t realized was a vampire at the time. It was enough to stun everyone to stop and over the silence in the club came the single, slow beats of applause. He’d turned and looked into the deep brown eyes of the most beautiful man he’d ever seen.

Renart had moved across the barroom with graceful strides, confident and unhurried. His hair, a rich mahogany brown, was bound in a long braid trailing past his shoulders. His features were sharp, aristocratic. Others parted before Renart, respectfully lowering their gazes. And while he moved, Renart’s eyes remained focused on him.

He hadn’t known vampires existed. He thought the man walking toward him was probably the club owner, or possibly a mob boss. One or the other. But when Renart spoke, his deep baritone colored with a French accent made the latter seem a less likely possibility. Of course, in that exact moment, it still would’ve seemed more likely than Renart being a vampire.

Renart had stopped before him, smiling wide enough to reveal his fangs, and said, “Mon cher, with your grace and moves, you have an ancient warrior for your soul, there’s no doubt. I could help you awaken him.”

And with those words, Renart owned him. He didn’t fully understand what Renart meant, but something, so very deep down inside him, responded. He knew he would do anything Renart asked, follow him anywhere.

Only, the moment broke with Isaac stepping up to his side, throwing a protective arm around him. He still remembered the glare Renart gave Isaac, but it seemed Renart was willing to tolerate Isaac, for him.

Troy continued to stare at the sign and backdoor for La Rose Rouge. Why had he asked Renart to Turn Isaac? How stupid had he been? Yeah, he could say it was love. What a shitty reason. And really, could he even say it was love? Or was it for comfort, familiarity, and security? Isaac had always been there for him. He couldn’t imagine him not in his life, even if that life extended into centuries. And, it was also what Isaac wanted. There were times he thought Isaac wanted to be a vampire even more than he did, and that was probably true. They were both twenty-three, still believing in the invincibility of mortal youth. To become a vampire would only make that invincibility even more true. Or so they thought.

They’d been wrong. Very, very wrong.  

Renart had been resistant to Turning Isaac. But he’d begged and pleaded Isaac’s case, saying he loved him, he wouldn’t consider becoming a vampire without him. That was the only reason Renart consented. His master saw something in him and wanted him to be a vampire badly enough to make Isaac one as well.

If only he knew what it was Renart saw in him. Whatever it was, he’d lost it. He was sure of that. He wasn’t even close to the man he’d been before he became a vampire, and he certainly wasn’t anything like the vampire he’d become. He really didn’t know what he was anymore.

Broken. That’s all he was. Just broken. And who would want him like that? No one.

The sound of footsteps from the other side of the door came to his ears. Troy turned away, limping back down the alley. Rain slowly began to patter down and from the heavy scent of it in the air, he knew the small lull from the earlier shower was over and this rain would last through the night.

The door opened behind him, but he didn’t stop. Light steps came out with no hesitation, the walker familiar and confident in his surroundings, but they stopped short.

A voice, young, male, called out, “Sir?”

Troy slowed his steps to a halt and half turned toward the young man, dressed in the black slacks and white shirt of a waiter in La Rose Rouge. His short blond hair was well styled, and even across the distance separating them, he picked up the scent of flowery cologne and young masculinity.

The waiter took a step toward him. “Can I help you, sir? Were you looking for the entrance to the restaurant?”

Troy shook his head and turned away. “No on both. I’m just a shadow going back to the darkness.”

Without looking back again, he continued up the alley. It seemed his words had confused the young man enough to leave him alone, as he heard footsteps slowly retreat inside, the door closing softly. He was glad for that. He hadn’t meant to come here to confront anything but memories. He’d done that. Now he could do as he planned; go to the building that brought him so much pain and let it bring him peace.

Chapter Two

Renart stared at the monitors in front of him, leaning one elbow on the arm of his plush leather chair, his cheek resting on his fist. Each monitor showed a different area of his restaurant, but no one interesting had walked through the doors of La Rose Rouge tonight. He’d like to blame it on the poor, rainy weather, but no one interesting ever walked through the doors anymore. Not since Lord Titus Antonius had left Chicago, taking all interesting company and gossip with him.

A heavy sigh left Renart. He couldn’t believe he was about to admit it—even alone and to only himself—but he missed Titus. He’d never been fully certain if they were friends or enemies, and while he felt they were closer to friends now, having Titus around always kept him on his toes. He didn’t want to say Titus had been an adversary, but in a way, he was.

Titus had been the oldest and most powerful vampire in Chicago, a position he wanted. For as old as Titus was, he could go almost anywhere and have that status. While he never would’ve done anything to bring harm to Titus, he had wished on more than one occasion for him to be gone from the city so he could attain that honor, especially since Titus cared nothing for the respect and notoriety it brought him.

Only, now that Titus was gone, left to live in Tanzania with his eternal partner, dear Andreas, he cared little for his new status as the oldest vampire in Chicago. He knew now why Titus cared nothing about it, because the position was just that; nothing. He didn’t feel any more powerful or respected. Yes, his reputation had taken a hard blow from the rebellion some of his Turned had put on, but his role in stamping out that same rebellion helped him recover the majority of his lost respect.

But, if foretold plans came to fruition with the Tribunal creating court districts for vampire society and he became one of five appointed judges for this region, now that would bring power, respect, and notoriety. It wouldn’t be a hollow title, appointed by none, earned by default. It would be an official mark of superiority.

He must get that position. He would like to think it’d be easily done with nearly five hundred years of existence on his side, but while many were willing to forgive his transgressions with Turning a high number of individuals and the rebellion, as he knew, forgiveness was not a strong feature in the Tribunal. Fortunately for him, when the rebellion led by Isaac broke out, he’d been able to prove the only thing he was guilty of was making poor choices in who he’d Turned. Had he not been able to do that, he wouldn’t be breathing now.

The heat of anger spread through his chest, burning stronger as his thoughts focused on the one who’d nearly brought about his death and that of so many others. Isaac.

He wished it’d been him who’d sucked the last drop of Isaac’s blood and made the last sound that came from Isaac an anguished scream. Rather, Isaac was granted a mercy he didn’t deserve; a peaceful passing at the fangs of one who loved him.

Renart closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead with his fingertips. A low growl rumbled in his throat. All the way to how he died, Isaac was a torment for him. He’d never understood Troy’s attachment to Isaac. They had a history together, he got that, but the darkness in Isaac’s soul betrayed Troy’s light.

He never should’ve given in to Troy’s request to Turn Isaac. But back then, there was little Troy could’ve asked of him that he wouldn’t have done. Admittedly, in his arrogance he thought he’d be able to win Troy away from Isaac. With Isaac always putting on a face of absolute respect toward him, he never suspected that behind his back Isaac was whispering poisonous words to Troy, turning Troy against him, along with so many others.

If only he’d known that once gaining vampire strength, Isaac’s darkness would slowly begin to overpower Troy’s light. He would’ve killed Isaac without Troy ever knowing who’d done it, then Troy would’ve grieved and moved on. But no. He wanted Troy happy. That’s all he’d ever wanted for him.

His thoughts fueled Renart’s anger toward Isaac. It was a ridiculous thing, to still hold so much hate for someone who was dead. He knew that. But he couldn’t help it, because with his death, Isaac finally took Troy away from him. At least he gained some comfort in knowing Troy was alive, somewhere. When he’d believed Troy was murdered, thrown off the roof of a building, the sense of loss, the pain, that’d risen in him…

Renart inhaled deep, a heavy sigh leaving him. He wouldn’t think of that again. He couldn’t.

Opening his eyes, Renart looked to the monitors again to see if anyone new had come to La Rose Rouge. He needed a distraction. He would not allow his thoughts to travel down the path of regrets and what-ifs. It was an even greater waste of time than hating someone who was dead and he couldn’t unleash his wrath upon.

A soft knock sounded on his office door.

Renart glanced over his shoulder to the double wood doors, painted cream with gilded roses and vines. “Enter.”

One door cracked open, a young and beautiful face peering through.

Sweet, obedient Lucas. The young man came into his service six months ago after a bad encounter with a vampire who’d used him and taken his blood by force. One of his Turned told him about the incident, informing him of the traumatized Lucas, who was still recovering from the ordeal and living in fear.

He knew the vampire who’d brutalized Lucas, a fiend named Carlo who he’d had past run-ins with. While he sent some of his young vampires to retrieve Lucas, he went to Carlo to personally give him a message; leave the city. Carlo chose to stay. It was a poor decision on his part, and if Carlo were alive, he was sure he’d regret it. Certainly as Carlo thrashed under him as he took the last of his blood, the bastard seemed to know then he’d chosen wrongly.

He wouldn’t suffer rogue vampires in his territory. He’d seen what happened when one fool broke the rules of their society, the chaos and death that followed, the majority of those deaths being innocents. That was one of the reasons he Turned so many. He needed a strong force to support him in those efforts. Now, though, since Isaac’s rebellion, he’d stopped Turning as freely as he used to and would never Turn anyone again unless he had strong and undeniable reasons.

Which was a pity for poor Lucas. After he’d taken him under his care and the young man realized he was among “good” vampires, Lucas felt he’d found a safe haven and wanted nothing but to serve him. Not in an intimate sense, and he was fine with that. For as lovely as Lucas was, he knew if he took him to bed, it’d only feed the adoration he already saw in his bright blue eyes, and that he most definitely didn’t want.

He was fond of him, but fond was the deepest his emotions would go. For anyone. Love, in all its forms—intimate, friendship, familial—was pain, and he’d had more than enough of pain and love in his life.

Lucas stepped fully through the doorway, smiling at him. Balancing a silver tray and glass on one hand, he closed the door. He made his way across the spacious office toward Renart’s large, ornate desk, moving with such grace the deep red liquid in the glass didn’t so much as waver. “My lord, I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Renart swiveled his chair toward his desk, his back to the monitors. “You never disturb me, mon cher.”     

Lucas glowed with a bright smile and placed the tray before Renart. “You haven’t had any refreshment since you came in. I thought you could do with a little something.”

Renart breathed through his nose, taking in the fragrant warm scents of the red wine and blood…Lucas’s blood. A quick glance at Lucas’s wrist revealed a bandage. Whenever he requested a drink with an additive—or even didn’t request it, like now—rather than taking from the stored stock of blood he kept in supply for their vampire patrons or allowing one of the other servers to give their blood, the sweet boy always bled himself. He knew it was Lucas’s way of trying to take care of him, and the efforts touched him. It was one of the reasons he was fond of him.

Renart wrapped his fingers around the glass, warmth leeching through from not only Lucas’s fresh blood, but also him gently warming the wine. “You’re so very thoughtful. I don’t know what I ever did before you.”

“My guess is not take care of yourself as well as you should.”

Renart smiled at Lucas’s teasing. “And now I have you to help me with that.”

“And it gives me so much pleasure to do so.” Lucas glanced behind Renart to the monitors. “It’s slow tonight.”

Renart swirled the wine and blood in the glass. “Oui. It seems so most nights these days.” He tapped a button, shutting off the monitors, then hit another, making the wall slide shut to form a mural of lavender covered fields in the French countryside.

Lucas clasped his hands behind his back. “I like that it’s quiet. But I did have an interesting encounter just before coming up to see you.”

Renart lifted the glass to his lips, taking a sip. Sweet and succulent, Lucas’s blood slid over his tongue. The young man’s essence washed through him with a soft hum of pleasure, though it was drastically diluted from what it would be if he was taking directly from the vein. “Oh? And what was that?”

“Right after I bled my vein, I stepped outside for a few breaths of fresh air while your wine warmed, and there was a man in the alley. At least, I thought he was a man at first, but then I thought he felt like a vampire, because I got a chill when I spotted him. I asked if I could help him, and he said no, he was just a shadow going back to the darkness and he walked away. Or more to say, limped away. He was dragging his right leg. So, he must’ve been a man, because a vampire wouldn’t have a limp, right?”

Renart froze with his lips still on the glass. He slowly lowered the glass, swallowing hard. “Did you say he had a limp?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“On his right leg?”

Confusion drew Lucas’s pale blond eyebrows closer together. His voice came with more hesitation. “Yes.”

Renart set down the glass and shoved away from the desk, springing to his feet. “What way down the alley did he go?”

Lucas followed behind Renart as he darted around the desk. “Up the end further from the street. When you go out the back door, to the right. Is everything okay, my lord? Should I call some of your guards?”

Renart grabbed a door handle and spun back toward Lucas. “No. Tell no one anything of what you saw. This is between us.”

Lucas nodded once. “Yes, Lord Renart. Anything you desire.”

“Good boy.” Without another word, Renart tore open the door and raced toward the stairs. He’d left his security doors open for vampires and staff to be able to come see him easily if they needed. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he slowed just enough in the foyer to not appear to be in a mad dash and draw attention to himself.

Striding quickly through the dining room, not bothering to look at any of his patrons, only barely hearing the string quartet on the half circle stage, he aimed for a door leading to a storeroom. Once he pushed through the swinging door, he broke into a run, rushing past shelves of wine and liquor, and burst through the steel back door.

He slid to a halt, extending his senses. Faint…very faint…very weak…but it was there, the presence of another vampire, one so very familiar to him.

Renart spun to his right, racing down the alley. Rain pattered on his face, in his eyes, but his instincts guided him. He wasn’t going to allow this shadow to become one with the darkness.

Copyright 2013 by S.J. Frost and MLR Press