Ravon Silvius's Blog, page 18
March 18, 2014
Teaser Tuesday-Freshmen Blues
Today we have something a little special--a scene from Freshmen Blues, the first few chapters of which are still available for free on the website!
____________________________
“Nothing to eat?” Skye asked. He held a steaming cup of coffee, cream flecking the sides. The girl at the counter scowled at his back while they walked toward the door, and Chris wondered if it was because of the uniform jacket.
“No, I’ll eat later. Or drink later, I guess.” Chris wished, for once, he could not say something dumb.
Chris paid close attention as he followed Skye through the winding halls of the student center. He still wasn’t used to the entire campus—it was way too big—and hadn’t even known that small café in the basement was there. They passed tables of chattering students, and one girl working on a laptop looked up as they walked by, but Skye made no move to sit down until he found a table, by itself, on the edge of the room.
“Ah,” he sighed when he sat down. “I watched the entire club fair. You saw the most exciting event of the day.”
“Oh.” Chris wished he had bought something so he had something to do with his hands. “Um, is getting written up bad?”
“If it happens three times you get pulled into a disciplinary hearing.” Skye sipped his coffee, the steam curling around his face. “And then depending on the case, you can end up with lots of different outcomes.” He checked his watch. “But that’s not what you’re concerned about, is it?”
“No.” Chris took a breath, trying to get his stampeding thoughts in order. “I was just…thinking about Frederick.” Skye smiled into his drink and nodded. “Um, I’m picking up psychology. I’m hoping I can get an ability so I can talk to Frederick more. Or help him.”
Skye hummed, setting his drink down. “I don’t really know what to say about that, honestly. But you’d have a better chance than I did, for sure.”
“Huh?”
“I know you’re not necessarily majoring in psych, but I did, along with criminal justice. There are two types of people who major in it, and they each tend to get the same kinds of abilities. Those who really want to help people end up with things like enhanced empathy or an ability that will help you figure things out about people, like how at risk for mental illness someone is. One guy I knew could monitor someone’s dopamine levels.” Chris didn’t know what that was. “Alternatively, you get people like me, who can tell if someone is lying, or even people who can convince someone of things—they usually end up in marketing.” Skye grinned. “Point is, if you want to help people, you’re probably going to end up with abilities like that. I mean, I don’t research them, but that’s what I’ve seen.”
Chris nodded. It made sense.
“Anyway, you want to help Frederick? Why? Is something wrong?”
Chris wondered how Skye could have dated him and not noticed. Of course, it was possible Chris was just being paranoid or oversensitive. “Well, I don’t know…Oh. Did you know he gets migraines?”
“Yeah. Bad ones, too, but he only mentioned them, I never saw him sick.” Skye frowned. “Why?”
“I don’t know…” Chris tapped the table. He felt like he was being weird. “I just feel like he’s sad.”
“He’s lonely, I know that much. I told you before.” Skye sipped his drink again. “And I guess he might be stressed if he doesn’t have an ability yet as a senior.”
Chris kept quiet. Skye was partially right—Frederick was worried about graduating, but it was because he thought his ability wasn’t useful, not because he didn’t have one.
That thought brought him back to his own fears about getting abilities. He was so concerned with Frederick, when he should be worrying about his own college career.
“I take it you aren’t dating him yet?” Chris glanced around the room, making sure no one had heard. Skye raised an eyebrow. “And I also take it you’re still snug in the closet.”
“I…I might go to the GSA meeting this Monday,” he said.
Skye smiled. “That’s awesome,” he said. “I’ll see you there. Are you curious about it?” Chris nodded.
“Well, the first meeting of the semester after the club fair is usually for freshmen, so if you’re going to come, now is a good time for it. Not everyone who comes to the meetings is gay, though, so don’t go expecting to find a date. Not that I’d think you would, but some do.” He waved a hand. “We usually go over events, and introductions, of course, though if you’re nervous you don’t have to talk. We do have a coming out day sometime in the future, which may be helpful for you. Do your parents know?”
“Yeah.” Chris ran a hand through his hair. “It’s just…college, you know.”
“Like I said before, college is more open than you’d think. Oh, and Frederick might open up to you more if you tell him you’re gay.” Skye shrugged. “It’s worth a shot, although he always refused to join the GSA too.”
Chris’s face heated. “Right.” Somehow, he didn’t think Frederick would care if Chris was gay or not. Frederick certainly hadn’t shown any interest.
“Anyway, I should be getting back to work. I’ll see you Monday evening, though.” Skye stood, coffee cup in hand, and paused for a moment before speaking. “You know, if it doesn’t work out with Frederick, you have my number.” He grinned. “No pressure, of course, but you’re pretty cute for a freshmen.”
Chris froze for a second. “Thanks,” he stammered. Skye clapped him on the shoulder before heading off down the hall.
Chris waited until he was sure his face wasn’t flaming red before getting up. He had way too much to think about.
____________________________
“Nothing to eat?” Skye asked. He held a steaming cup of coffee, cream flecking the sides. The girl at the counter scowled at his back while they walked toward the door, and Chris wondered if it was because of the uniform jacket.
“No, I’ll eat later. Or drink later, I guess.” Chris wished, for once, he could not say something dumb.
Chris paid close attention as he followed Skye through the winding halls of the student center. He still wasn’t used to the entire campus—it was way too big—and hadn’t even known that small café in the basement was there. They passed tables of chattering students, and one girl working on a laptop looked up as they walked by, but Skye made no move to sit down until he found a table, by itself, on the edge of the room.
“Ah,” he sighed when he sat down. “I watched the entire club fair. You saw the most exciting event of the day.”
“Oh.” Chris wished he had bought something so he had something to do with his hands. “Um, is getting written up bad?”
“If it happens three times you get pulled into a disciplinary hearing.” Skye sipped his coffee, the steam curling around his face. “And then depending on the case, you can end up with lots of different outcomes.” He checked his watch. “But that’s not what you’re concerned about, is it?”
“No.” Chris took a breath, trying to get his stampeding thoughts in order. “I was just…thinking about Frederick.” Skye smiled into his drink and nodded. “Um, I’m picking up psychology. I’m hoping I can get an ability so I can talk to Frederick more. Or help him.”
Skye hummed, setting his drink down. “I don’t really know what to say about that, honestly. But you’d have a better chance than I did, for sure.”
“Huh?”
“I know you’re not necessarily majoring in psych, but I did, along with criminal justice. There are two types of people who major in it, and they each tend to get the same kinds of abilities. Those who really want to help people end up with things like enhanced empathy or an ability that will help you figure things out about people, like how at risk for mental illness someone is. One guy I knew could monitor someone’s dopamine levels.” Chris didn’t know what that was. “Alternatively, you get people like me, who can tell if someone is lying, or even people who can convince someone of things—they usually end up in marketing.” Skye grinned. “Point is, if you want to help people, you’re probably going to end up with abilities like that. I mean, I don’t research them, but that’s what I’ve seen.”
Chris nodded. It made sense.
“Anyway, you want to help Frederick? Why? Is something wrong?”
Chris wondered how Skye could have dated him and not noticed. Of course, it was possible Chris was just being paranoid or oversensitive. “Well, I don’t know…Oh. Did you know he gets migraines?”
“Yeah. Bad ones, too, but he only mentioned them, I never saw him sick.” Skye frowned. “Why?”
“I don’t know…” Chris tapped the table. He felt like he was being weird. “I just feel like he’s sad.”
“He’s lonely, I know that much. I told you before.” Skye sipped his drink again. “And I guess he might be stressed if he doesn’t have an ability yet as a senior.”
Chris kept quiet. Skye was partially right—Frederick was worried about graduating, but it was because he thought his ability wasn’t useful, not because he didn’t have one.
That thought brought him back to his own fears about getting abilities. He was so concerned with Frederick, when he should be worrying about his own college career.
“I take it you aren’t dating him yet?” Chris glanced around the room, making sure no one had heard. Skye raised an eyebrow. “And I also take it you’re still snug in the closet.”
“I…I might go to the GSA meeting this Monday,” he said.
Skye smiled. “That’s awesome,” he said. “I’ll see you there. Are you curious about it?” Chris nodded.
“Well, the first meeting of the semester after the club fair is usually for freshmen, so if you’re going to come, now is a good time for it. Not everyone who comes to the meetings is gay, though, so don’t go expecting to find a date. Not that I’d think you would, but some do.” He waved a hand. “We usually go over events, and introductions, of course, though if you’re nervous you don’t have to talk. We do have a coming out day sometime in the future, which may be helpful for you. Do your parents know?”
“Yeah.” Chris ran a hand through his hair. “It’s just…college, you know.”
“Like I said before, college is more open than you’d think. Oh, and Frederick might open up to you more if you tell him you’re gay.” Skye shrugged. “It’s worth a shot, although he always refused to join the GSA too.”
Chris’s face heated. “Right.” Somehow, he didn’t think Frederick would care if Chris was gay or not. Frederick certainly hadn’t shown any interest.
“Anyway, I should be getting back to work. I’ll see you Monday evening, though.” Skye stood, coffee cup in hand, and paused for a moment before speaking. “You know, if it doesn’t work out with Frederick, you have my number.” He grinned. “No pressure, of course, but you’re pretty cute for a freshmen.”
Chris froze for a second. “Thanks,” he stammered. Skye clapped him on the shoulder before heading off down the hall.
Chris waited until he was sure his face wasn’t flaming red before getting up. He had way too much to think about.
March 14, 2014
New Cover!
Today we have a cover reveal for the series of short stories I'll be putting out soon. They are all erotic short stories, about 25 pages each, featuring cyborgs.
The cover was designed by the awesome Kim Killion. Now, without further ado:
Expect a release date announcement for the first story soon!
The cover was designed by the awesome Kim Killion. Now, without further ado:
Expect a release date announcement for the first story soon!
March 12, 2014
Teaser Tuesday-A scene from Alpha
Today we have a short scene from Alpha!
Nick arrived to work late, though no one would notice, considering the building didn't tend to fill up until ten. The first message on his screen told him that the coffee machine had broken on the twenty-seventh floor—the precinct. Great.
Just keep your head down. That‟s the advice Riki had always given him when dealing with police in any fashion and wandering into their domain, especially when they hadn't yet had their coffee, could be a nerve-wracking proposition.
At least the dogs were cute, and Nick patted one of the enormous shepherds on the head as he passed by.
He groaned when he saw the mess. The coffee machine hadn't just broken, it had exploded. Half- finished coffee dripped from the base of the machine onto the floor, and the entire area smelled like burnt french roast. Now he had to act like an old-fashioned janitor as well as mechanic because the cleanerbots couldn't wipe down the innards of the coffee machine.
He knelt down on the ground, swiping at the spreading puddle of coffee, and for the next half hour, he became absorbed in his profession, ignoring the graceful movements of the Alpha officers around him and their snide grumblings about not being able to drink coffee. Fucking Alphas and their ten hour a night sleep requirement.
“Nick!”
Nick jolted and sat on his heels from his kneeling position. Was that Julian?
“Hey, you should have told me you worked in this building.”
He turned around to see the tall brunette, clad in the uniform of an investigator. Nick's heart hit his throat and stuck there. One thought boomed in his head—if Riki found out, he would kill him.
“What are you working on there?” Julian smiled down at him, his eyes kind, a sharp contrast to the vicious glare that Riki was currently giving Nick in his mind.
“It...it will be fixed soon,” he managed, turning back to his work.
“Hey, don't worry,” Julian‟s voice sounded distant, drowned out by the humming of the machine. “People here don't mind that much. Hey, can I call you tonight?”
Why didn't he just go away? Nick's hands shook as he reached his keycard around the machine to fiddle with the settings. “Sure. Later though. Like eight or so?”
“Sure thing. I guess I'll leave you to it then.” Julian sounded confused, almost hurt, but Nick couldn't risk looking at him.
The Alpha would be sure to see the panicked fear in his eyes.
As soon as the job was done, Nick retreated back down to the basement. His heart pounded in his head and his stomach roiled.
He had fucked up. He had fucked up royally, and all for two nights of arguing and fucking with a man—an Alpha, for fuck's sake! As soon as he had realized Julian was an Alpha, he should have told him to get lost. Now he was stuck trying to stay unnoticed and accomplish his dream with an investigator attracted to him.
An investigator...no wonder he had been able to tell Nick's emotions that first night and pick up on his arousal. Nick thought he was just sensitive, not a fucking trained questioner with enhanced vision.
He slumped in his desk chair, ignoring the beeping that told him a sink was broken on the thirtieth floor. He had to break it off, tonight.
Nick arrived to work late, though no one would notice, considering the building didn't tend to fill up until ten. The first message on his screen told him that the coffee machine had broken on the twenty-seventh floor—the precinct. Great.
Just keep your head down. That‟s the advice Riki had always given him when dealing with police in any fashion and wandering into their domain, especially when they hadn't yet had their coffee, could be a nerve-wracking proposition.
At least the dogs were cute, and Nick patted one of the enormous shepherds on the head as he passed by.
He groaned when he saw the mess. The coffee machine hadn't just broken, it had exploded. Half- finished coffee dripped from the base of the machine onto the floor, and the entire area smelled like burnt french roast. Now he had to act like an old-fashioned janitor as well as mechanic because the cleanerbots couldn't wipe down the innards of the coffee machine.
He knelt down on the ground, swiping at the spreading puddle of coffee, and for the next half hour, he became absorbed in his profession, ignoring the graceful movements of the Alpha officers around him and their snide grumblings about not being able to drink coffee. Fucking Alphas and their ten hour a night sleep requirement.
“Nick!”
Nick jolted and sat on his heels from his kneeling position. Was that Julian?
“Hey, you should have told me you worked in this building.”
He turned around to see the tall brunette, clad in the uniform of an investigator. Nick's heart hit his throat and stuck there. One thought boomed in his head—if Riki found out, he would kill him.
“What are you working on there?” Julian smiled down at him, his eyes kind, a sharp contrast to the vicious glare that Riki was currently giving Nick in his mind.
“It...it will be fixed soon,” he managed, turning back to his work.
“Hey, don't worry,” Julian‟s voice sounded distant, drowned out by the humming of the machine. “People here don't mind that much. Hey, can I call you tonight?”
Why didn't he just go away? Nick's hands shook as he reached his keycard around the machine to fiddle with the settings. “Sure. Later though. Like eight or so?”
“Sure thing. I guess I'll leave you to it then.” Julian sounded confused, almost hurt, but Nick couldn't risk looking at him.
The Alpha would be sure to see the panicked fear in his eyes.
As soon as the job was done, Nick retreated back down to the basement. His heart pounded in his head and his stomach roiled.
He had fucked up. He had fucked up royally, and all for two nights of arguing and fucking with a man—an Alpha, for fuck's sake! As soon as he had realized Julian was an Alpha, he should have told him to get lost. Now he was stuck trying to stay unnoticed and accomplish his dream with an investigator attracted to him.
An investigator...no wonder he had been able to tell Nick's emotions that first night and pick up on his arousal. Nick thought he was just sensitive, not a fucking trained questioner with enhanced vision.
He slumped in his desk chair, ignoring the beeping that told him a sink was broken on the thirtieth floor. He had to break it off, tonight.
March 9, 2014
March 4, 2014
Teaser Tuesday: A scene from Noble Magic
Last week we got a snippet from Capture, but now lets flash back to the original book in that series. Thorn and Kenneth's first kiss!
Kenneth breathed deep. A date. He wanted another date. He was actually considering seeing an inventor—a talentless! His mother had been disappointed enough when she learned that Kenneth liked men.
“...Perhaps we can...explore more of this area. I don’t know it well.” He would have liked to show Thorn more of what he did, but other magi would raise eyebrows at his bringing a talentless around the collegium. Staying in the slums was safer.
Thorn smiled. “I would like that, but why not come to my lab tomorrow afternoon? We’ve talked about your alchemy, but I want to show you my work too.”
Kenneth squashed disappointment. He wanted to spend time with Thorn, but he didn’t relish looking at what was sure to be inventions for war. “That sounds nice,” he managed. “I can do that.”
“Excellent.” Thorn stepped close, and Kenneth froze as the brunette grabbed his arm, his grip like a vise, and kissed him on the lips, a light question.
Kenneth put his arms around him and deepened the kiss, thoughts of other magi and talentless and what his father would think vanishing. Thorn pushed him lightly, up against the wall of the alley, flicking his tongue against Kenneth’s lips.
Kenneth could barely breathe, but he didn’t much care. The man against him was strong, his lips soft, his tongue slick and wet. Kenneth opened his mouth, twining their tongues together, panting at the heat and wetness. Thorn moved so that his body was flush against Kenneth’s, pressing against his hardening length, and Kenneth fought not to move his hips.
Impossibly, his magic responded too, a light thrum, like the unfolding petals of a flower. Strength flared, and for a moment, he wondered if this was what finding a lifemate must feel like.
As quickly as it had begun the moment ended, Thorn pulling away, his face flushed. “I’ll see you tomorrow then. I should get Chocolate back to the stables.” He leapt up into the saddle, a playful smirk on his face.
Kenneth adjusted his suddenly too warm robes, aware that his erection was obvious. “Tomorrow, then,” he said after a moment to collect his thoughts.
“Good luck with your alchemy.” Thorn clucked his tongue, Chocolate setting a quick pace, and soon he had vanished out of the alley.
Kenneth breathed deep. A date. He wanted another date. He was actually considering seeing an inventor—a talentless! His mother had been disappointed enough when she learned that Kenneth liked men.
“...Perhaps we can...explore more of this area. I don’t know it well.” He would have liked to show Thorn more of what he did, but other magi would raise eyebrows at his bringing a talentless around the collegium. Staying in the slums was safer.
Thorn smiled. “I would like that, but why not come to my lab tomorrow afternoon? We’ve talked about your alchemy, but I want to show you my work too.”
Kenneth squashed disappointment. He wanted to spend time with Thorn, but he didn’t relish looking at what was sure to be inventions for war. “That sounds nice,” he managed. “I can do that.”
“Excellent.” Thorn stepped close, and Kenneth froze as the brunette grabbed his arm, his grip like a vise, and kissed him on the lips, a light question.
Kenneth put his arms around him and deepened the kiss, thoughts of other magi and talentless and what his father would think vanishing. Thorn pushed him lightly, up against the wall of the alley, flicking his tongue against Kenneth’s lips.
Kenneth could barely breathe, but he didn’t much care. The man against him was strong, his lips soft, his tongue slick and wet. Kenneth opened his mouth, twining their tongues together, panting at the heat and wetness. Thorn moved so that his body was flush against Kenneth’s, pressing against his hardening length, and Kenneth fought not to move his hips.
Impossibly, his magic responded too, a light thrum, like the unfolding petals of a flower. Strength flared, and for a moment, he wondered if this was what finding a lifemate must feel like.
As quickly as it had begun the moment ended, Thorn pulling away, his face flushed. “I’ll see you tomorrow then. I should get Chocolate back to the stables.” He leapt up into the saddle, a playful smirk on his face.
Kenneth adjusted his suddenly too warm robes, aware that his erection was obvious. “Tomorrow, then,” he said after a moment to collect his thoughts.
“Good luck with your alchemy.” Thorn clucked his tongue, Chocolate setting a quick pace, and soon he had vanished out of the alley.
February 28, 2014
Erotic Cyborg Short Stories: update
Hello all,
Sorry for missing teaser Tuesday this week--I spent the whole day moving to a new apartment, and getting internet set up was a chore!
Right now, I have several short stories that are waiting to be released--but I'm working on cover art first! But I'll tell you a little about the world.
The stories are all set in the same setting--the world of the future, with cyborg technology, except the war that set off the events of Remembrance and Perils of Forgotten Pain never happened. In this alternate world, cyborg technology is used not to fight wars, but to augment interstellar travel and help people endure living in zero-G or on new planets.
Cyborgs still work for the government, but are men and women who choose to undergo modifications so that they can perform off-planet jobs or go on long, exploratory missions into deep space. They routinely travel back to Earth to get new assignments or to relax after a long mission--which can consist of years off-planet.
The series of stories are short, erotic romps about cyborgs finding love and pleasure with each other and with unmodifed humans. Each story has a hint about upcoming stories, too.
I hope, once I secure cover art for the series, to release the first one soon. You can pick them up in singles or, once I've released a fair number, as an anthology. Keep an eye on the blog for an announcement on release dates!
Sorry for missing teaser Tuesday this week--I spent the whole day moving to a new apartment, and getting internet set up was a chore!
Right now, I have several short stories that are waiting to be released--but I'm working on cover art first! But I'll tell you a little about the world.
The stories are all set in the same setting--the world of the future, with cyborg technology, except the war that set off the events of Remembrance and Perils of Forgotten Pain never happened. In this alternate world, cyborg technology is used not to fight wars, but to augment interstellar travel and help people endure living in zero-G or on new planets.
Cyborgs still work for the government, but are men and women who choose to undergo modifications so that they can perform off-planet jobs or go on long, exploratory missions into deep space. They routinely travel back to Earth to get new assignments or to relax after a long mission--which can consist of years off-planet.
The series of stories are short, erotic romps about cyborgs finding love and pleasure with each other and with unmodifed humans. Each story has a hint about upcoming stories, too.
I hope, once I secure cover art for the series, to release the first one soon. You can pick them up in singles or, once I've released a fair number, as an anthology. Keep an eye on the blog for an announcement on release dates!
February 23, 2014
Mental Health in characters
I've always been interested in mental health, and how it interacts with personality. Tackling characters with psychological or mood disorders is tough, but worth the challenge when the result is a much more well rounded, interesting character who works with or works to overcome that aspect of their psyche.
You have to tread carefully, though, if you're going to write characters with mental illness. One of the most frustrating things I see in novels, especially lately, is to have a character be defined completely by whatever mental quirk the author chose to give them. It's like starting out with a Flanderized character. (For the definition of Flanderized, I refer you to TVtropes: Flanderization). If you're going to have a character who is depressed, autistic, has OCD, or some other illness or quirk, don't make that character revolve completely around that aspect. People with mental illnesses have a ton to offer besides just being constantly anxious or neurotic or what have you.
It also helps to have other characters react believably to whatever manifestation of mental illness your character displays. Many people don't understand mental illness, and may act unsympathetic. Others may want to help. Yet others may not even realize there's a problem--and trust me, as someone who used to have ever present anxiety, its shocking how most people will not even notice when you're in the middle of a panic attack at the mall. But the point is, how other characters react and how your character deals with their reactions is a way to flesh out both the mentally ill and the supporting characters.
Last, and this probably goes without saying, but it helps to get mental illness accurate. It can be downright offensive if an author portrays a character as having a certain illness, but nothing about the illness is correct.
It was tough getting Aldric, a soldier with PTSD, to be accurate and well-rounded. It's even tougher now getting Frederick, a stressed and depressed college student facing the real world, accurate. But to do so, it helps not only to know the character but know about the illness they have and how it affects them as a person.
You have to tread carefully, though, if you're going to write characters with mental illness. One of the most frustrating things I see in novels, especially lately, is to have a character be defined completely by whatever mental quirk the author chose to give them. It's like starting out with a Flanderized character. (For the definition of Flanderized, I refer you to TVtropes: Flanderization). If you're going to have a character who is depressed, autistic, has OCD, or some other illness or quirk, don't make that character revolve completely around that aspect. People with mental illnesses have a ton to offer besides just being constantly anxious or neurotic or what have you.
It also helps to have other characters react believably to whatever manifestation of mental illness your character displays. Many people don't understand mental illness, and may act unsympathetic. Others may want to help. Yet others may not even realize there's a problem--and trust me, as someone who used to have ever present anxiety, its shocking how most people will not even notice when you're in the middle of a panic attack at the mall. But the point is, how other characters react and how your character deals with their reactions is a way to flesh out both the mentally ill and the supporting characters.
Last, and this probably goes without saying, but it helps to get mental illness accurate. It can be downright offensive if an author portrays a character as having a certain illness, but nothing about the illness is correct.
It was tough getting Aldric, a soldier with PTSD, to be accurate and well-rounded. It's even tougher now getting Frederick, a stressed and depressed college student facing the real world, accurate. But to do so, it helps not only to know the character but know about the illness they have and how it affects them as a person.
February 18, 2014
Teaser Tuesday: A short scene from Capture
Hello all,
I'm going to start something a little new on the blog. I used to have techno tuesdays, but now I'm going to start Teaser Tuesdays--Just a little 500-1000 word excerpt from one of my books. Today it's Capture, my newest release.
The other Enforcers’ words had sucked any enjoyment of the capital city out of Kenneth’s mind. He didn’t notice the glowing evening lights, the thrumming power, or the intoxicating scents that emanated from buildings they walked past, promising pleasure of all varieties.
He had known Ariel’s words were true. He never would have said it to Thorn like that, calling him a weak link, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. Thorn had the earring, and even now his presence thrummed in Kenneth’s mind. But it didn’t give him magic. Against a powerful mage, man-to- man, he was helpless, especially a mage as vicious as Alder. His pistol wouldn’t help against a paralysis spell.
How had the talentless done so well in the war? Kenneth couldn’t imagine it. Then again, he didn’t have to. They had lost in the end. Talentless were...he hated to think it. But they were weak.
He would have to protect Thorn. That was all there was to it.
Thorn had been mostly quiet since meeting with Sasha and Ariel, and every so often his hand traveled to his hip, where the pistol would be if he wore it. He was frightened, though he would never admit it.
Sasha and Ariel had heard nothing unusual about the Circle of Ten. And despite wandering all over Arktaine and paying careful attention to what people said, they had not seen a single sign of the Circle of Ten having more influence than would be expected. According to them, the Circle had not been present when they gave their own report on their investigations, which had involved talentless losing their memories mysteriously. In a way, it was comforting, as there was no sign they were being hunted, but it also frustrated Kenneth to not have any leads whatsoever. All he had received all day was the usual fawning over a noble mage, and when they didn’t fawn over his noble status, it was over his status as an Enforcer.
It got old fast when all he wanted was information.
Kenneth was too lost in thought to notice when a man dressed in leathers and an overcoat nearly crashed into him. A hammer fell from the man’s hand, and his face went white when it struck the ground near Kenneth’s foot.
The man flung himself into the street, next to a one wheeled carriage. It took Kenneth a moment to realize he was probably repairing it.
“I’m sorry, my lord!” he babbled. “It was an accident!”
Kenneth blinked. “It’s alright—”
“Please!” The man crawled forward. “I...”
Thorn knelt down and hefted the man to his feet. “Relax, man,” he said. “No harm’s been done, see? The hammer didn’t touch him. The wards aren’t going off.”
The man turned pop eyes onto the hammer, then to Kenneth. “I...thank you.” He let out a shaky breath. “I thought...I thought I was gone.”
“Gone?” Thorn asked.
“Don’t you know?” the man told Thorn. “Attack a mage here, and you’re dead in seconds.”
Thorn’s face went pale, and his eyes met Kenneth’s. Kenneth’s stomach dropped.
“Don’t worry. Arktaine is the safest city in the world.” His father’s words to his mother echoed in his mind, from a time when he was a child. “No talentless, not even the remains of the army, will harm me there. The new wards will kill any talentless who tries anything.”
How could he have forgotten?
I'm going to start something a little new on the blog. I used to have techno tuesdays, but now I'm going to start Teaser Tuesdays--Just a little 500-1000 word excerpt from one of my books. Today it's Capture, my newest release.
The other Enforcers’ words had sucked any enjoyment of the capital city out of Kenneth’s mind. He didn’t notice the glowing evening lights, the thrumming power, or the intoxicating scents that emanated from buildings they walked past, promising pleasure of all varieties.
He had known Ariel’s words were true. He never would have said it to Thorn like that, calling him a weak link, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. Thorn had the earring, and even now his presence thrummed in Kenneth’s mind. But it didn’t give him magic. Against a powerful mage, man-to- man, he was helpless, especially a mage as vicious as Alder. His pistol wouldn’t help against a paralysis spell.
How had the talentless done so well in the war? Kenneth couldn’t imagine it. Then again, he didn’t have to. They had lost in the end. Talentless were...he hated to think it. But they were weak.
He would have to protect Thorn. That was all there was to it.
Thorn had been mostly quiet since meeting with Sasha and Ariel, and every so often his hand traveled to his hip, where the pistol would be if he wore it. He was frightened, though he would never admit it.
Sasha and Ariel had heard nothing unusual about the Circle of Ten. And despite wandering all over Arktaine and paying careful attention to what people said, they had not seen a single sign of the Circle of Ten having more influence than would be expected. According to them, the Circle had not been present when they gave their own report on their investigations, which had involved talentless losing their memories mysteriously. In a way, it was comforting, as there was no sign they were being hunted, but it also frustrated Kenneth to not have any leads whatsoever. All he had received all day was the usual fawning over a noble mage, and when they didn’t fawn over his noble status, it was over his status as an Enforcer.
It got old fast when all he wanted was information.
Kenneth was too lost in thought to notice when a man dressed in leathers and an overcoat nearly crashed into him. A hammer fell from the man’s hand, and his face went white when it struck the ground near Kenneth’s foot.
The man flung himself into the street, next to a one wheeled carriage. It took Kenneth a moment to realize he was probably repairing it.
“I’m sorry, my lord!” he babbled. “It was an accident!”
Kenneth blinked. “It’s alright—”
“Please!” The man crawled forward. “I...”
Thorn knelt down and hefted the man to his feet. “Relax, man,” he said. “No harm’s been done, see? The hammer didn’t touch him. The wards aren’t going off.”
The man turned pop eyes onto the hammer, then to Kenneth. “I...thank you.” He let out a shaky breath. “I thought...I thought I was gone.”
“Gone?” Thorn asked.
“Don’t you know?” the man told Thorn. “Attack a mage here, and you’re dead in seconds.”
Thorn’s face went pale, and his eyes met Kenneth’s. Kenneth’s stomach dropped.
“Don’t worry. Arktaine is the safest city in the world.” His father’s words to his mother echoed in his mind, from a time when he was a child. “No talentless, not even the remains of the army, will harm me there. The new wards will kill any talentless who tries anything.”
How could he have forgotten?
February 15, 2014
Capture: Book 4 of the Enforcer's series, released today! Special offer!
Hello all!
Book 4 of the Enforcer's series is released today over at Extasy Books!! To celebrate, the first person to sign up for my new mailing list will get a free copy of the book!
Sign up for the list and leave a comment on this post to enter! :D
Book 4 of the Enforcer's series is released today over at Extasy Books!! To celebrate, the first person to sign up for my new mailing list will get a free copy of the book!
Sign up for the list and leave a comment on this post to enter! :DFebruary 13, 2014
Book 4 of Enforcers, and a mailing list!
Hello all!
First up, we have the cover and the blurb for Book 4 of the Enforcers series!
Blurb:
Kenneth and Thorn have put a stop to Alder’s cruel experiments on Talentless, but their work as Enforcers is far from over. In the heart of the magi capital, they find out that Alder is part of a larger organization—and Alder has allies that are quite upset with Enforcers who think they can put a stop to their plans.
Kenneth assumes Thorn, a talentless, is the one who is most vulnerable—but when Kenneth is the one put in danger, Thorn will have to find a way to save his lover.
Second major announcement of the day today: I have a mailing list! If you want to hear about new releases from me, including new releases in the Enforcers series, short stories, and new projects, please do sign up! Just click over to the "mailing list" tab!
First up, we have the cover and the blurb for Book 4 of the Enforcers series!
Blurb:
Kenneth and Thorn have put a stop to Alder’s cruel experiments on Talentless, but their work as Enforcers is far from over. In the heart of the magi capital, they find out that Alder is part of a larger organization—and Alder has allies that are quite upset with Enforcers who think they can put a stop to their plans.
Kenneth assumes Thorn, a talentless, is the one who is most vulnerable—but when Kenneth is the one put in danger, Thorn will have to find a way to save his lover.
Second major announcement of the day today: I have a mailing list! If you want to hear about new releases from me, including new releases in the Enforcers series, short stories, and new projects, please do sign up! Just click over to the "mailing list" tab!
