M.O. Kenyan's Blog

Chapter One Umworthy

Hey guys i need a rating of 1-5 if this makes a good chapter one or if it should be a prologue. It takes place before Book 5 Worthy of love and shows the friendship between two men that was destroyed by an affair.

AA ROMANCE -UNWORTHY-The Betrayal (Explicit Scene)

In a crowded room, all he saw was her, she was surrounded by men and women, and everyone was drawn to her. She was an ethereal vision with white-blonde hair and the most captivating, beautiful blue eyes he’d ever seen. The way the corners of her eyes crinkled when she smiled, the way she tucked her long blonde hair behind her ear, and the way she bit her lip when she tried to recall something. He was mesmerized by her. Her alabaster skin shone as the last sunshine fell with romantic affection on her glowing face, the sweet melody of her laughter compelled him forward, breathlessly he hung on every word she said. She met his gaze and the twinkle in her eye told him of only one thing, a secret that they shared. He excused himself from the group he was talking to, went up the stairs to his bedroom, and entered the bathroom waiting. He took out a condom and lay it on the sink so that he was ready to go. A few minutes of him sitting on the bathroom floor, wondering if she had changed her mind had him catching up with his conscience. This was wrong but it was too good to stop. It was almost a decade of their secret love, and although he wanted more, she wasn’t ready. He scrambled to his feet when he heard the bedroom door open and then close. He was breathless as his heart beat a tattoo in his chest, it was like a stampede of stallions inside him. He felt faint as all the blood rushed south from his head. His erection pushed painfully against the zipper of his jeans. The bathroom door slowly opened and in she walked. She was majestic, beautiful in a floral sundress that stopped just above her knees and dipped in the front to show her well-rounded bosom. Unable to control himself he pounced on her, pulling her in his arms and covering her face with kisses. She pushed him away and then slapped him. He stumbled and landed on his ass, missing the toilet by mere inches. He didn’t attempt to stand up, he sat there, eyes wide, his heavy breathing echoing off the white tiles. He followed her hands as they caressed her neck, dipping in the cleavage of her dress, and down her sides, until they grabbed the floral dress and held it up to her waist. She didn’t have any panties on. His erection jumped like a puppy that had just seen his master, begging to be petted as his mouth went dry. She kept holding the dress up, and with a nod of her head, he knew he was now allowed to touch her. On his knees he moved closer to her, his hands on the closed door behind her, he stabilized himself. He wasn’t allowed to touch her thighs, she bruised way too easily, and they didn’t want to leave any evidence behind. With his tongue he licked the seam of her pussy, teasing her clit before closing his mouth over her. She tasted sweet, like heaven’s kiss. He dreamed of tasting her, waiting for this day to arrive was not easy for him. He hadn’t been able to see her all week because she travelled back home to see her parents. But now that she was here with him, he was determined to take his fill of her. Her fingers dug into his hair, grabbing hold of his short braids using it as a handle to hold him in place, to push his head forward so that she could grind her pussy against his mouth and ride his face. She began to purr like a kitten and her legs began to tremble, she was about to cum, then it would be his turn. She mewled his name when she orgasmed, and he rushed to his feet. He spun her around, her ass grinding against his erection. She pulled out of his arms and moved to face the mirror, holding on to the sink. He moved behind her, grabbing the condom. He was just about to release his erection when she shook her head, instead, she took his hand and put it between her warm thighs. He touched her wetness, the mix of his saliva and her orgasm. He massaged her clit first before fucking her with his fingers. He watched the both of them in the mirror, her cream skin, against his dark chocolate, they were the perfect match. They locked eyes as her face scrunched, her expression, that of frustration before relief. Her ass jutted back grinding against him as he moved his fingers faster. Her orgasm came faster this time, determined not to let her push him away again, he released himself and slammed inside her. He held her in place against the sink and watched her face as he fucked her from behind. He moved faster and harder knowing that he was bound to cum soon. He had waited for her for so long, all his desire and lust bursting out of him barely half a minute later. He stumbled back and sat on the closed toilet seat and watched as she wiped herself of all the evidence, of him. His heart broke a little, knowing that there will never be a day when she didn’t do that, erase him in that way. He wanted to bury himself inside her, cum over and over again, knowing that she had no reason to wipe him away. “Tara?” His next breath choked him when he had that voice, all too familiar. A pang of guilt hit him square in the chest, he knew what he was doing was wrong, but he was in love. As he panicked, Tara was the perfect picture of calmness. “Yes,” she responded as she smiled at him, there was evil in the twinkle of her eye and instead of being repulsed by it, he was obsessed. “I’m in here babe.” Tara winked at him as she tossed the cloth, she had used to clean up at him. She barely gave him time to hide when she opened the door. “Are you okay?” he heard him say. “I’m perfect Theo,” Tara responded. “We should go, I have an early flight tomorrow,” Theo said. “Before that, maybe we should have a bit of fun.” Jack recognized the mischief in her tone, he knew what she was about to do. He was excited in a way, there was no way Theo wouldn’t notice that there had been another man inside his wife just a few minutes before. He would notice how sleek she was, how much wider she was, even if it was just for a second. Through the small crack of the door, Jack watched. He cursed at himself as he saw Tara go on her knees before Theo. She was too smart, she too knew that Theo would notice, why else would she do something that she hated? At least, that was what she told him, but as Jack watched Tara suck on Theo’s dick, he knew she lied to him. It wasn’t that she hated giving blowjobs, it was that pert little mouth was reserved for her husband.

Pre-order https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CFZ6Q4D7

#blacklovestory #romancebooks

unworthy…. the worthy review

I always planned for the Worthy series to only have 6 books. But then the title Unworthy came to mind, after a review of my first book, and I thought I would make it Dean’s story and how he came to be, but then the last time I wrote in the point of view of the antagonist POV, it didn’t go well.

But then I was like, who could be Unworthy of love, Cheaters the lesser sinners, so came the Jack Daniel story. We’ve all read stories about cheaters on Reddit and we rejoice when they get their karma. What if they make it through their karma to a potential HEA?

Read the series here Book 6&& will be released in October and November respectively.

Here’s a bit of Dean’s life, not sure if I’m going to update it tho.

Dean stood at the kitchen door and watched as his father lifted the cleaver above his head and brought it down on his mother’s unmoving body. It was a blood bath. Everything around his parents were now painted crimson red. Not much had been left untouched.

His father looked up at him, his face covered in blood, made the white of his eyes stick out. He looked deranged, madder than he had before.

“She disrespected me,” he said. “Never let a woman disrespect you.”

A scream cut through the silence and Dean looked up to his father’s other woman. She often came when his mother wasn’t around. She would make Dean a sandwich once he was back from school. His mother never knew about his father’s friend. But it seemed like she now did.

Dean walked out of the kitchen and headed for his room. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do about the situation in the kitchen, s he did nothing. His mother had told him that, not to get involved in the fights between them. She had often told him his father was in the right.

So, Dean assumed that he was right this time too.

Dean had seen Khadija around school. She was the most beautiful woman on campus and had earned the nickname of ice princess because of how she rebuffed men’s advances. But he was different, he was better, his father told him so. It didn’t take much to get Khadija to fall for him, he paid attention to her, not focusing on her beauty but everything else. She wanted to be seen as more than just a pretty face and that was what she did. In return he became more popular in school. He saw the way his classmates and every other guy in school looked at him with envy.

He relished it.

Then he went back home with Khadija and saw Rebekha. She was everything a man like him needed by his side. Smart, beautiful, and determined. She was someone he could fall in love with. So he told her, but she didn’t feel the same way.

Now, he hated her.

Dean had done everything he could to make sure that Rebekha would fall in love with him, but she never did. For years he watched her from a afar never going close, telling himself that all he needed to do was to give her time. Besides, he was busy with something else. People at work were beginning to suspect him. The attention that he had paid his senior manager had earned him a few side eyes.

But Dean couldn’t help himself, he was attracted to him. Everything about James Smith reminded him of his foster father. Dean had been removed from his home at the age of fifteen. His grandmother was on her death bed, his mother was dead, and his father was in imprison on death row. He was taken to a different home, one not that different from his previous one.

His foster father had taught him a different lesson than the one his father did. Dean Thompson Senior had taught him that he could have as many women as he wanted to satisfy his needs. That was why he wanted both Khadija and Rebekha. He knew people would revere him with those two by his side, a literal combination of beauty and brains. But his foster father had taught him something else, women were not enough. They were there to meet his domestic needs, but a man would meet his deepest desires.

His foster father taught him that every night since he had gone to live with them. And he was right because Dean did fall in love with his foster father. His foster mother, watched them from a far, never interfering. That was how Dean was taught it should be. When Khadija interfered with his advances towards Rebekha, he got angry, and when she kept questioning him about James Smith, it just enraged him.

Dean married her. That was what he was expected to do, to marry Khadija, but he had no intentions of starting a family wit her. His children would be borne through Rebekha. He had planned it all perfectly, waited a decade to finally have his happy home.

But then James-

James had been Dean’s secret. That was how his foster father had a taught him. Sure, he had seen other men go public with their male lovers, but they were gay. It was different. Dean wasn’t gay, he was an Apex man. He needed Khadija, Rebekha and James to live his life successfully, that was what he had been taught.

But his life began to unravel, and it was Khadija’s fault. She had gone to Rebekha to confront her, and now Rebekha had a restraining order against the both of them. Khadija was threatening the image he had created for himself. When people at his office had watched him get served with the restraining order, he had been embarrassed.

How could she do that to him, challenge his masculinity and jeopardize everything he had worked so hard for. It didn’t help that she served him with divorce papers only mere days after the restraining order.

Dean had returned home that evening to find himself locked out. At his in laws, there were guards at the gate waiting for him. He tried calling Rebekha, but Morgan had picked up. He lost everything in a blink of an eye, and it enraged him.

Now Dean was skulking around in the shadows after escaping from prison. He went to the one place he thought he would find help, James. Dean couldn’t sneak into the building with his orange jumpsuit, so he waited in the bushes. Dean had stood there watching people walk by him, not noticing his presence.

It was almost midnight when James got home, but he wasn’t alone. Dean staid hidden as James and his companion went into the building. Dean knew who it was, not his name or his identity, but this was another Morgan. James had replaced Dean just as Rebekha had. He had learned from his encounter with Morgan back in South Carolina, so he patiently remained in the bushes as the night passed and the sun began to rise.

James walked his companion out his apartment building. It took everything in Dean’s power to keep himself from revealing himself while James kissed his companion.

“Hey,” Dean stepped out of his hiding place once the companion was gone.

“Dean, what are you doing here,” James looked around panicked.

“Who was that?” Dean asked.

“None of your business,” James yelled.

James wasn’t much shorter than him, or smaller. They were relatively the same size, so when he pushed Dean, he stumbled. Being the same size didn’t mean much because Dean was stronger. Dean grabbed James by the neck and dragged him into the bushes with him.

“Stop!” James yelled.

Dean didn’t care if he screamed to the high heavens, nothing was going to stop him from asserting his superiority. Dean threw James to the ground, straddled him and hit him. He couldn’t control himself as his body was driven by rage, one punch after the other, Dean didn’t know how many. But when James stopped moving, he flipped him over and stripped him of his dignity. That was what his foster father taught him to do. This was how he showed he was in charge.

When Dean was done, he tried to pull James to his feet. He had nowhere else to go but James’ home. But James wasn’t moving, he wasn’t even breathing.

He was dead.

Find out how Rebekah and Khadija survive Dean’s obsession. Buy here

WORTH YOUR TRUST #Writerslift #RomanceNovel #WritersofTwitter

He stood at her front door, his anxiety setting his body aflame, nausea rolling through him and his hands wet and clammy. It had taken him some time before he could finally track her down. Hillarie was an introvert, his friends had become her friends. And until the moment he begun looking for her, he never realised that she didn’t have any friends of her own. It was just luck that his Ex-girlfriend Gigi had remained friends with Hillarie. They shared a common hate for Martin, and he could not blame them.

Martin had cheated on Hillarie with Gigi, then left Gigi for Hillarie. He could not pick what was more important to him. His sexual needs or his emotional one. He wished he had handled the whole situation better. If he had a time machine and had to make it all right, he would have stayed away from a sweet, inexperienced girl that was Hillarie. He would have just stuck to Gigi, a girl who had more life experience than other girls her age. Plus she had had just as many sexual partners as Martin. In the double digits. So sex wasn’t sacred to her, it was just something she did.

Something she did.

That was how he had altered Hillarie’s brain chemistry. He had soured her fairy-tales and doused her with the bitter realities of what it meant to date in this century. Hillarie’s romantic notions of relationships, suited novels, make belief worlds that helped young girls escape the realities of what men were in the two thousand and twenties.

Martin wished he had never met her. Actually, scratch that. Meeting her, had snapped something in place inside him. It had attempted to alter what his true nature was, who he was on the inside. It had made him want to become the man that she needed, the man of her dreams. But trying to become that man had frustrated him.

He loved sex and was an overly sexual man.

Hillarie was a virgin.

He had tried to wait, tried to introduce her to stuff that did not require penetration, but she was too shy and blushful for that too. So, he decided to eat his cake and have it too.

Hillarie would be there to feed his emotional needs and ease his mental anguish. While Gigi satisfied all his sexual fantasies. He had almost not given into her seduction, but she offered him something every man dreamt of, and he could not turn down. A threesome with her best friend.

That friendship ended when Gigi’s bff decided she wanted Martin to himself. He didn’t want that. He wanted to be with Hillarie, she was good for him, even though he was the worst thing that happened to her.

Martin stood in front of the small apartment that Hillarie shared with Gigi. It hadn’t been easy to get that information from her. But a quickie in the changing room in the department store Gigi worked at, earned him the address as a reward.

Martin knew that if he was to make it work with Hillarie and their kid, the first thing he would have to do is get Gigi out of their lives.

He knocked on the door once more. He leaned in and pressed his ear against the door. He could hear someone shuffling about inside. He took a step back and waited patiently.

Martin was six foot one, and inch shorter than his big brother. Hillarie was five foot six. It made sense that the first thing he should see when she opened the door to be her head, but it wasn’t. Call it gravity, instinct or whatever, but his eyes settled on her middle even before he saw her face.

She was big. The curved extension of her belly was not subtle. She was six months pregnant by his calculations. He didn’t know what he had expected her to look like. Sure, he had expected the belly, but seeing her round with his baby in her belly, did strange things to him. A myriad of feelings he could not name of put into words coursed through him.

He was going to be a dad.

“What do you want?”

The icy tone in her voice pierced through him, dragging the cold spike from his chest, and ripping through his torso. He ached, the way she spoke to him, the way she looked at him, so much hatred in her eyes. It caused him more pain than he was willing to admit to himself.

Martin’s gaze held hers. Where there was once a cheerful bubbly girl, was a jaded woman with no life in her eyes, but just cold hate. He preferred this. He didn’t know what he would do if she was indifferent to him.

“I want you.” Hillarie took a step back, and flung the door shut, barring him from her life.

Still to Come #IWriteRomance #WritersLift #RomanceAuthors

Worthy Book 4-6

June 30th, July 30th, August 30th

Picking up from Alex, Robin, Rebekha & Morgan, the story continues with their siblings. Khadija, SJ & Martin discover what love is and how easy it is to be loved, but how difficult holding onto love is.

Read book 1-3 to get a glimpse of the sibling rivalries that lead to new discoveries of self. Worthy on Amazon.

All

October 1st, November 1st, December 1st.

There can be no falling in love without heartbreak.

Ian, Ashton & Byron had been friends since they were in college. That friendship made them business partners. They build a ranching and hospitality business that make them millionaires. But even though they have business figured out, love is a problem they weren’t ever able to crack. That is until they meet three women, who push them into stepping out of the shadows, breaking the walls built around their heart, and giving them no choice but to fall in love.

They need to embrace the roles life has given them, Father, Protector and Husband.

Loving Triplets

February 14th, March 14th, April 14th 2024

Three sisters trying to find their way in the world as individuals after their love bond is broken when one betrays the other.

Alexandria, Alexis, and Alexa were the only children to their parents. Their father Alex, always wanted a son, but after the triplets traumatic birth, he gave up on that dream. Instead he turns his first born, into the son he always wanted, and the other two as his little girls. This differential treatment, makes the relationship between the oldest Alexandria and the youngest Alexis. As the middle child, Alexa often goes unnoticed. But it soon comes to light, that she is the bond that hold their sibling relationship together.

Love was what destroyed their bond the first time, and now they are too scared to give it another shot.

Read my free blog series Curse of the Moon

Chapter 45- BLUE MOON #fantasyromancereads #romancereads #writerslift

Scarlet’s hand shot back to the wheel, she turned her head to the back. It wasn’t a voice she recognized so she knew it was one of the vampires who were here to kill them.

“Why is it that every time I look for Stephan’s breaking point, I am always meeting beautiful women?” Zen had a grin on his face, a light wind blew against his long leather coat. 

“What do you think men, should we kill them to spite those men who dared to fight me, or should we keep them as pets?” Zen was talking to the two mean-looking Vampires at his side.

Kayla and Nikki didn’t speak back to him. She knew what he wanted, he wanted to kill Stephan’s mate but he didn’t know who she was. She planted the thought in Nikki’s mind.

“I am looking for Scarlet and Kayla,” Zen said in a cool tone that almost sounded friendly.

Scarlet’s body froze at the mention of their names. He knew them. Her hand shook at the ignition. She was ready as soon as Kayla was.

“The other day, I was at the diner. I met this lovely young lady I think her name was Marcie. She was such a delightful girl.” Zen was smiling, he was basking in the death of Marcie. 

Kayla’s fists clenched at her sides. She was calculating her distance from Zen and how fast she could get to him before his henchmen killed her.

“She kept on calling Scarlet and Kayla when I asked her to call Stephan. So I think that these two women have something to do with him.” his gaze turned to them a deathly grin creeping on his face. “I am going to kill them.”

Zen looked over them to the car, he could smell a human but wasn’t sure who it was. He only knew it came from the car.

Scarlet sank deep into the seat not letting her grip on the wheel or key drop.

“I am Scarlet, what do you want from me?” Nikki spoke up, trying to distract his attention from the car.

“You are Scarlet, so you must be Kayla.” he turned his head towards Kayla. “A beast and a vampire, Stephan knows his stuff.”

He turned back to where his men stood, “Kill them.” Zen ordered their death in such a casual way, a grin on his face.

Kayla and Nikki stood back to back as the vampires circled them. Kayla was in her defensive crouch while Nikki waited for the opportune time to phase.

Zen stood back and watched an amused look on his face, he thought about the human, who was evidently in the car, he decided to leave her alone. She could tell Stephan what had happened to his two female friends. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard and smelled the scent of the others. They were headed towards them and fast.

“Kill them now, Stephan is coming.” His relaxed voice turned to that of urgency.

Kayla used the distraction to her advantage. Her defensive instinct took over, evident in the shouldering red color her brown eyes had turned into. She bounced off the car so that she could land on the vampire’s shoulders. She wrapped her thighs around his neck and forced her body backward. She flipped her body and he followed. As soon as his body crushed on the ground, Kayla locked his head with her knees and brought her elbow down forcefully on his head. She crushed his head and watched as half slid off on the side.

Nikki wasn’t as fortunate, she attacked the vampire head-on and tried to phase midst the attack. The vampire grabbed her neck and lifted her off the ground. Her once black eyes were fading back to their original green. She was choking.

Kayla stood between them and the car. She wasn’t sure of what to do. She wasn’t willing to leave Scarlet unprotected and didn’t want Nikki to die. She decided to tell Scarlet to drive off, she had heard Zen’s earlier thought and knew he wouldn’t bother to go after her.

Drive off NOW!

Scarlet GO!

Scarlet turned the key in the ignition she had heard her loud and clear. She was glad that Kayla was able to kill one of them but now Nikki was in trouble.

Kayla charged at the vampire who choked Nikki, but Zen caught her mid-air and shoved her into the vampire’s other hand. “They are here. We are going to need them alive after all.”

Scarlet looked up the rearview mirror and saw the twins first, Stephan and Solara, and the beasts followed behind.

They stopped a distance away, they didn’t want to agitate the vampire and cause him to kill them. 

“Nikki, Kayla are you all right?” Vincent took a step forward.

“Nikki?” Zen chuckled once when he realized the deceit. “So if you are Nikki, so that means the human is Scarlet, am I right?” Zen kept his eyes on the bigger group looking for a confirmation of his assumption.

SCARLET GET OUT OF HERE!

Scarlet stepped on the gas of the already roaring vehicle as hard as she could. Zen had found out the trick they had played on him and now she had to get out of there as fast as she could.

Stephan ran for the car just as Zen headed for it. He dropped his foot on the bonnet of the already moving car, the force sent it up flying. The others watched as they expected him to let it crash into the ground.

Zen caught the car in his hands as it came rushing down. “So this is what you have been up to Stephan. A human isn’t that a downgrade.”

“Put her down.” Stephan had stopped as soon as Zen had caught the car. He could see Scarlet still in a sitting position, she had her seat belt strapped on.

Tears streamed down her face, Scarlet had never thought that this was how she was going to usher in the New Year.

“Stephan!” Her hand stretched down at him.

Stephan looked at her for a second then shifted his gaze to Zen. He didn’t want him to see how much she cared for her. “Put her down Zen.”

“Don’t worry, I will in a minute.” Zen was taking slow steps towards the edge peer. “Don’t you think this is poetic, a romantic tragedy at the very least?”

Stephan knew what he was referring to but he ignored him. He didn’t want Scarlet to be more terrified than she already was.

“This is the exact spot where your other mate died. Not the exact spot but give or take a couple of meters.” Zen continued to slowly move towards the edge, his eyes never leaving Stephan. “What was her name again, oh yes, Sotera.”

Solara stepped forward when Zen mentioned his sister. He didn’t move far from where Kayla dangled from the arm of the vampire.

How do we get you down, any ideas?

No don’t worry about me, go to Stephan make sure Scarlet is safe

Kayla?

Don’t argue, Vincent’s think of something.

Solara left Kayla and Nikki to Vincent and the rest. He moved to Stephan’s side. He looked up at Scarlet, he could see the fear in her eyes. She stared at Stephan. He could hear her tell herself that she was going to be fine and that Stephan would save her.

Solara was thinking of a way to get Scarlet out of the car. His head turned back to Kayla, he was annoyed to find that she was still in the hands of the vampire and the others were just staring at them.

Kayla tells her to jump out of the car and I will catch her.

Ok, what about Stephan don’t you think he should be told of your plan?

Solara lightly tapped Stephan’s shoulder. They needed him to let his shield down so that Kayla could explain to him what he wanted Scarlet to do.

When Solara saw Stephan’s fist clench and his body stiffen he knew he had been informed. He didn’t want his permission, he just needed him to know.

Did you tell Scarlet?

Oh, No! I can’t tell her, she can’t hear me.

Kayla was clawing at the vampire’s hand but his grip only tightened. She had to get away from him.

What’s wrong Solara, Kayla what’s going on?

Stephan shot a look at Solara for a second. Scarlet was still in the car.

She can’t hear me. I can’t access her mind it’s a blank.

Scarlet saw the looks of terror on their faces. She knew they were silently planning something, but Kayla looked distressed. Scarlet wondered why they weren’t telling her anything.

She saw Kayla looking straight at her, her forehead showed signs of straining. Scarlet realized where the problem was. The baby must be awake that was why she could hear what Kayla was trying to tell her.

Her hand dropped to her baby bump as she caressed the buffer inside her. They would have to come up with a new plan.

Kayla got desperate. She and Solara could see Zen’s plan. He was going to hurl her into the ocean. Scarlet needed to jump out of the car as soon as possible before Zen got to the edge.

“JUMP SCARLET JUMP!”

 Kayla resolved to use the only means of communication they had. She shouted as loud as she could to her friend who was being held six feet above the ground.

Scarlet heard her and sprang into action. She knew one of the men would catch her as the other restrained Zen. She rushed to undo her seat belt, but it was too late. 

Zen took a step back and turned toward the water, with all the strength he could master he threw the car as far as he could.

 Scarlet felt the force then, felt the car soaring into the air. She wrapped her arms around her lower body as she bent over. She could see the water rushing up to meet them. She hit her head on the wheel and passed out on impact.

A few seconds later they heard the car splashing into the water. Stephan and Solara dove into the water and swam to where they saw the car land. They forgot about Zen who immediately became Xavier and Sam’s problem.

With all the chaos going on the vampire didn’t know what to do.

Kick yourselves against his body as hard as you can

Kayla could hear a voice that sounded so much like Vincent. It was Victor. Vincent quickly picked up on his idea.

Tell Nikki that on the count of three you both kick yourselves against him.

Nikki on three we kick into this idiot. You got that.

Kayla could see her strain to breathe, she knew in a few more minutes she would be out cold. Nikki nodded against the pressure around her neck. Kayla did the counting to make sure they all heard. They didn’t want to give the vampire any warning. He could tighten his hold and choke Nikki.

One Two Three

Nikki and Kayla kicked as hard as they could. They heard the sound of their feet crushing into his sides. This was followed by the sound of a stone crushing, as Victor and Vincent ran into his arms that unbelievably still held them up in the air. Kayla and Nikki fell to the ground, Vincent and Victor shielding each of them.

They watched as Eric leaped into the air, phasing into a wolf mad mid-air. His animal jaw trapped the vampire’s head in his mouth and broke it free from the rest of his body. 

Eric landed on the other side as the blue-eyed, blonde-haired boy they knew. The vampire’s head rolled on the ground at his feet. His body still stood not affected by the lack of arms or head. Vincent took out light and set him on fire.

They ran to the edge of the peer and looked into the water, hoping that one of the two men would surface with Scarlet. 

Kayla closed her eyes and focused her attention on the ocean, hoping she could hear a thought from any one of them. She could hear Stephan swearing and making promises to the almighty. She could hear Solara urging Scarlet to hold on for just a second.

Stephan emerged from the water with Scarlet in his arms. He and Solara swam side by side as they pulled Scarlet through the water with them. When they got to the peer, Kayla took Scarlet’s lifeless body from them and laid her on the damp wood.

Kayla sat holding Scarlet’s hand as she watched Stephan try and pump life into her. He pumped her chest as hard as he could as Vincent blew into her mouth.

“You are going to crush her Stephan.” Nikki’s voice filled the silent air. “You are going to kill her if you keep doing that. You are putting too much pressure on her.”

“I can’t hear anything, not her heart, not a pulse or her thoughts. Her body is so cold.” Kayla held her hand tightly in hers as her eyes looked over her friend’s cold lifeless body. Her eyes stopped when they got to her belly.

Stephan knew he had failed once again.

Kayla watched as Stephan tirelessly pumped his hands against her heart. His hands were so close to their child. The child she was protecting. The others stood around them and watched as he desperately tried to bring the dead back to life.

Scarlet’s hands lay limply palm up at her sides. Her body stiff and pale and her eyes closed from the world.

Unimaginable grief tore through Stephan as he moved slowly away from her body. He bellowed from the weight of guilt and pain that assaulted him. Once again his love had taken away a life.

 Kayla’s eyes rested on the little bump, a tearless sob escaped her lips. The baby she fought so hard to protect was dead just as she was. A whisper seeped through her lips. “Scarlet.”

Chapter 44- BLUE MOON #fantasyromancereads #romancereads #writerslift

Mathias shadowed his men’s moves, he didn’t want them to die or get injured. Some of them lacked the skills and training that he and the others had. He made sure they didn’t have a lot to do.

Xavier, Eric, and Sam focused on beheading them in any way they could. They used their hands and teeth.

The twins double-teamed, they were lethal this way. They fought through the army of vampires back to back, killing at the same time watching each other’s backs. Solara kicked a vampire towards them, they leaped into the air caught him on each side, and split him, as they landed on the ground.

Stephan weaved through the vampires he was looking for one in particular but couldn’t find him. He assumed that Solara, Xavier, or Mathias had him, they were the only ones who hated him and had as much reason to want him dead as he did.

Scarlet slouched in the back seat. She was worried and not knowing what was happening was driving her crazy. She watched Kayla as she pulled into the Warf, she had a blank stare on her face.

Kayla never liked not knowing, her gift had given her the chance to always be in the loop. As for now, she was too far away to know what was going on with the guys. 

When the car came to a halt, Kayla dropped her head on the steering wheel, “I can’t take this. Not knowing whether they are dead or alive. Whether or not they need help.” She turned back to face Scarlet.

“How are you and the baby holding up?” She sighed as she dropped her eyes to Scarlet’s hand, where it lay protectively over her belly.

She caressed her baby bump. “We are fine. I think he is awake, he won’t stop fussing.”

“I know he is awake. Your mind is blank again. Nikki, I assume you have been through enough battles in your lifetime, what should we expect?” She turned to the front.

“I don’t know. The only guys who have seen any action are Xavier and Sam. Sam has seen most of it.” Nikki sighed and put her feet up on the dashboard. “He knows how to handle himself and he always watches the backs of the guys he is with. The only one is worried about is Eric. He is new to this and young.”

“Is that why you wanted to take his place? Why wouldn’t Xavier let you?” Kayla had just sold herself out. She had heard Nikki mentally curse Xavier out.

“Because I am a female. That is the only reason they brought me to San Francisco in the first place.” She chuckled at how absurd it sounded. “Women aren’t encouraged to join the army. We are given the same if not half the training the men are, and we can sign up if we want to, but it isn’t encouraged.”

“Isn’t that kind of nineteen fifties?” Scarlet looked up from her belly.

“Well, you have to understand that most of the elders are from the fifteen fifties let alone the nineteen fifties.” She pulled her hair up and tied it into a ponytail.

“Fifteen hundred? Some of you are older than Stephan. I thought that only vampires could live that long?” Scarlet didn’t want to sound ignorant but they didn’t teach a unit in immortal creatures at the university.

“So how old are you?” Kayla looked over Nikki her lips curling into a grin.

“I am fifteen and that is technically forty-five.” She returned Kayla’s smile. “Eric is the youngest of the four of us, he is seven which is twenty-one, and Xavier is eight which is twenty-four. Sam is the oldest he is fifty which is one fifty.”

“You age once in three years?” Scarlet was worried about her baby, she didn’t know how she was going to pass a three-year-old as a newborn.

Nikki and Kayla heard the panic in her voice, they turned back to look at her. Scarlet was terrified about how her life was going to turn out with her unique child.

“I don’t think you should go Scar. This is going to be too much for you.” Kayla reached out to touch her knee.

“It will be dangerous for you to try and bring this child into the world on your own. Scarlet, you may not survive this.” Nikki was looking right at her hoping that she could hear the concern hidden in the words.

“I know, but I can only make that decision after Stephan gets here.” She thought of her plan to leave in the morning. 

Scarlet thought about staying in San Francisco. If Zen was killed she could, but for how long. How long would it take for them to send more vampires after Stephan? How many more times would he send her away to hide while he fought for his freedom? How many times would his past put her in danger? Put her baby in danger?

Scarlet had a lot to think about and not much time to do it. She knew the fight would soon be over. How long did it take immortals to kill each other?

“Besides the both of you could fly to Washington and help me with the birth.” Scarlet referred to them both, Kayla was her friend and Nikki was the only one she knew with an idea of what she was going through.

***

The numbers were reducing. They were becoming less on the field. Stephan knew that soon it would all be over, he wasn’t sure who had the upper hand. 

He slammed one of the vampires into the ground and stomped on his head as if he was putting out a small fire. He stood still and looked around. He saw one of Mathias’ men he was dead, other than him the rest were still fighting.

They pilled the bodies on top of each other and set them on fire. Mathias’s friend has burnt aside from the others. Stephan had sifted through the dead bodies but hadn’t seen Zen and two of his men were also missing.

“Stephan these are only twenty-three bodies, and Zen isn’t here” Solara was upset he looked cheated out of something. 

“Victor are you sure they were twenty-five?” Stephan turned to the twins not sure who he was directing his question to.

“Yes, I am sure. Zen must be planning something.” Victor answered back.

“What if, he went back to the house? Vincent!” Stephan’s voice boomed it was lined with panic.

The twins took off in the direction of the house, Victor leading the way, he was the tracker and they would find them faster together.

“I will stay here with my men make sure this is cleaned up, you should go,” Mathias shouted at them

Stephan and the others didn’t need his permission. They took off after the twins trying to catch up with them. They weaved through the trees and came up to the road. It was dark and at the speed, they were moving in, Stephan didn’t think any human could see them. 

He ran down the streets, following the twins as closely as he could. Stephan stopped for a second when he realized where they were headed, the Fisherman’s Warf. He broke into a run, his heart beat-matching the pace of his feet.

It was the perfect setting, he had given Zen his stage. He had to reach Scarlet before he got to her.

***

Nikki pushed open the door and stood behind the car. Her body tensed.

“Scarlet I need you to stay in the car.” Kayla tried to calm her voice. She could hear the thoughts approaching them. She tucked her hair behind her ear and gave Scarlet a fake smile.

“What’s wrong, K?” Scarlet saw the panic in her eyes, as much as she had tried to hide it from her, it was evident. “Tell me.”

Kayla swallowed hard trying not to choke on the lump forming in her throat. “Someone’s coming and their thoughts are not exactly friendly. You need to stay here and lock the doors.”

“K, if a vampire is headed this way I doubt me locking myself in this stuffy Mustang will keep them out.” Scarlet was rubbing her belly frantically. She had planned to run away to protect her baby and now that she was almost gone a vampire was coming for them.

“Scar, you need to think about the little one in here.” she placed her hand over Scarlet’s and stopped her from rubbing her skin off. “I will protect the both of you.”

She looked up out the back window. Kayla could see Nikki pace around, she was waiting for the attacker.

“They are getting closer.” She called out to them her eyes darting around the Warf.

Kayla knew how far they were, she didn’t need Nikki to echo the thoughts that were loud and clear in her head.

“They? What does she mean by they?” Scarlet turned back and stared out the window. She began to panic, there was no way Kayla and Nikki could survive an attack from a group of vampires. They were going to get killed because of her.

“Scarlet look at me!” Kayla’s voice was firm, she needed Scarlet to have a clear mind just in case she needed to run and leave them behind. She wasn’t going to be able to that if she was hysterical. 

“If things go bad I want you to get out of this car and run.” She held Scarlet’s face in both her hands and looked into her eyes.

So many thoughts were going through her head, the vampires who were after them, Kayla and Nikki not surviving the ambush and she wondered where the other guys were. If vampires were coming after them, did it mean that Stephan and the rest were dead?

“No, they aren’t dead.” Kayla was glad that the baby had chosen this time to sleep. “They slipped away from the fight. I can hear them loud and clear Scar, so don’t worry the guys are fine and they will be here any minute.” Kayla was sure about the first part, but she wasn’t sure how long it would take Solara and Stephan to get to them.

“Lock the doors behind me. The key is in the ignition. If you have to drive to the airport, wait for your flight and leave this place.”

“I can’t just leave without knowing you are ok.” She grabbed her hand and held it on as tightly as she could.

“Scar, Nikki, and I can take a beating, on the other hand, can’t. So please do me a favor, do Stephan a favor get out of here. Think about your baby and what a hot family you and Stephan will have.” She loosed her grip on her hand and got out of the car.

“I love you Scar.”

“I love you K.”

Kayla circled back to the car and stood at Nikki’s side, they were almost there. 

Scarlet scrambled into the driver’s seat, strapped herself in, and firmly put one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the key in the ignition. She was going to give her child a chance at life. Kayla was right, she was more fragile than they were and she wouldn’t survive a hit from them.

Scarlet kept her eyes on the rearview mirror, her hand tightening on the wheel. “We are going to be ok baby, your aunty K won’t let anything happen to you. And your daddy, he won’t let anything happen to your mommy.” Her hand dropped from the wheel to her stomach and she caressed it gently.

“Hallo!” 

I’d love a cup of coffee

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Chapter 43- BLUE MOON #fantasyromancereads #romancereads #writerslift

“How could you even think that I would abandon you?” Victor’s voice was raised, something Vincent had said offended him. The conversation had turned verbal and everyone listened intently.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to doubt you.” He placed his hand on his shoulder and turned to Stephan. “As you have probably realized by now, this is Victor my brother. He says that the hunters are on their way. They are here for you and you alone.”

“What does that mean, you alone?” Scarlet was looking up at Stephan.

“It means that they don’t plan to leave anyone alive,” Xavier spoke before anyone else.

Solara flipped his phone open and dialed Mathias. “They are here. Yes. I don’t know, just hurry.” He wrapped his arm around Kayla’s waist when he finished.

“How many are they and who is leading them.” Stephan was walking across the room with Scarlet at his side, dragging her along with him.

“About twenty-five and Zen is leading them,” Victor responded without hesitating.

“Zen.” Scarlet could feel her body going weak. Her breath caught in her throat as she began to hyperventilate. Her hand was rubbing up and down her belly.

“Scarlet?” Stephan was staring at her, he was worried. He looked at her hand rubbing over her belly but was distracted when her breaths became shallow and hard.

“Relax, Scarlet everything will be alright.” He was holding her closer and talking into her hair.

Kayla appeared beside her and her face scowled. She couldn’t access her mind. “Come with me, Scarlet. Let me take you upstairs so that you can calm down.” She was trying to hint that the stress was not doing her any good. She took her from Stephan’s arms and supported her up the stairs.

“Stephan?” She turned her hand stretched out towards him and the other never leaving her belly.

“Go with her. I will be up as soon as I can. Kayla, Nikki wait until we have them distracted them to make a run for it.” He tossed her, the keys to the mustang. He knew they wouldn’t be able to trace their scent in the car. Nikki followed them up the stairs to her room.

Stephan turned back to the other men to the room as they planned how to proceed. They were seven of them at the moment, they would have to hold them back until Mathias and his men arrived.

“How long did Mathias say they would take?” Stephan directed the question to Solara.

“Fifteen minutes tops. They are running as fast as they can.” He was glad they chose to run. He wasn’t about who would see them but how fast they would get there.

“Solara when Mathias and his men get here, tell Kayla to take Scarlet. Take her to the Warf and stay with her there until I come and get them.” Scarlet was his main concern, he knew they were after him but the others who stood with him were more important.

“Sure.”

“We need to lead them away from here. There are too many humans here.” Xavier was the only one who thought about the audience they would undoubtedly attract fighting.

“I passed a beach on my way here,” Victor suggested. But Stephan shut it down. He wasn’t going to let the one place that he and Scarlet had turned into a battlefield.

“What about Red Wood. Not many people are there and there are enough trees to cover us.” Vincent’s suggestion was more to his liking. “My brother and I will make sure they follow us. The rest of you can get a head start.” They were the only ones who were fast enough to outrun them.

“I’ll call Mathias.” Solara walked to the side to make the call.

“I will be right back.” Stephan went to Scarlet’s room to inform them of the new plan and also to check on her.

She was sitting on her bed, staring into thin air. Kayla had her arm around her. She jumped to her feet and rushed into Stephan’s arms when he walked in.

“What’s going on? What’s happening?” She was anxious but was at least composed.

“We are going to lead them to Red Wood. Vincent and Victor will hang back for a while to make sure they follow us. Then Kayla and Nikki will take you away from here.” He stroked her hair from her face.

“Solara filled me in already.” Kayla stood when Solara and Vincent walked into the door.

“We need to get going, Stephan. They are almost here.” Solara deeply kissed Kayla before releasing her. 

Stephan grabbed his flannel trousers and disappeared into the bathroom to change. 

Vincent hugged Scarlet and Kayla at the same time. “Be safe sisters. As soon as it’s over we will come to fetch you. Kayla, keep her safe she is more fragile than the rest of us.”

“Sure. You better keep yourself self safe too.” 

“Watch each other’s backs.” They kissed his cheeks and let him go back downstairs.

Stephan emerged from the bathroom, clad in nothing but his trousers. She ran her hands over his bare chest and hugged him. “Be careful.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Stephan kissed her and hugged her as tight as he could. Taking all that he could from her.

She thought about telling her about the baby but decided not to. He needed to have a clear head. He kissed her forehead and followed Solara to the living room.

Scarlet dropped on the bed, she was getting dizzy. She didn’t know whether it was all the danger approaching or if it was the pregnancy. “Kayla I need to leave here.”

“We will as soon as they tell us.” Kayla sat beside her.

“No, I mean that I need to leave.” She looked at her friend in the eyes. She made it simpler for her to understand. She thought about Washington. 

She didn’t want to leave, but she had to. This was the perfect opportunity, Stephan wasn’t there to stop them. She knew he would understand why she left. Her safety was more important.

Kayla took out her bags from her wardrobe and started packing in super speed. She threw her clothes into the bags, emptying her draws one by one. She took out her toiletry bag and dropped everything on the bathroom shelves in it. Scarlet helped her zip up the three bags.

“Are you going to tell him?” Nikki spoke. She was leaning against the window. “Are you going to tell him that you are leaving him… leaving with his child?” 

Scarlet and Kayla froze, they stopped what they were doing and stared at her in disbelief.

“I am a female, with an exceptional sense of smell. I know when a female is carrying and besides your hand is always protectively placed on your belly.” She looked straight at her belly, where Scarlet’s hand only proved her right.

“I know that there is no love between us, but you can not tell him.” Scarlet walked around the bed.

“I know you are only trying to protect your young, how can I hold that against you?” Nikki seemed more humane than she ever did the last couple of weeks.

“Good.” Kayla spat out as she continued to pack.

“You do know how dangerous this will be for you. My kind barely survives childbirth and you are human, besides you are carrying both a vampire and a beast.” Nikki took a step towards Scarlet.

“How about we worry about that bit later, Scarlet knows what she is doing. So can we make sure that there is a baby to deliver by getting ready?” Kayla piled the bags near the door and waited for the signal.

“You are right.” Scarlet slipped on a hoody and a pair of tennis shoes, she wanted to be as comfortable as possible. She didn’t want anything to restrict her movement.

***

“Let’s go.” Xavier, Sam, and Eric took off their jackets and shirts. They were clad exactly like Stephan apart from the different color trousers, and Sam’s dark skin.

The four of them and Solara began running in the direction of the Redwood forest. Zen’s thoughts were close enough for him to hear. Mathias and his men were already there they were waiting for them. Vincent and Victor stood in the streets a distance away from the house but close enough for Kayla to hear their thoughts. They wanted Zen to see them and follow them.

“Kayla, we are off.” Vincent thought out when Zen and his men chased after them.

“That’s the signal come on let’s go.” Kayla picked up two bags, Nikki picked up the others. Scarlet grabbed her purse and her phone. She needed to call the airport and change her flight.

They packed the bags into the boot, Kayla drove and Nikki rode in front with her. Scarlet made herself comfortable in the back, her phone on her ear. “Hello, I would like to change my flight to Washington to today. My name is Mc Kyle Scarlet. Do you have anything for tomorrow morning? Eight o’clock, yes that’s fine.”

“Tomorrow eight o’clock.” Kayla echoed what she said. “Don’t worry we’ll make sure you get on that flight. In the meantime let’s get to the Warf.”

They drove the rest of the way in silence, Kayla exploiting the car’s full potential.

***

Stephan, Solara, Mathias, and Xavier stood at the center in the small clearing Mathias was able to find and the others stood behind them. There weren’t many trees around but it was the best they could find. Besides it was ten miles away from any civilization, it suited just fine. Their numbers had grown to thirteen, twelve less than the hunters but enough for a fair fight and possibly a win.

“How far?” Stephan’s head leaned towards Solara. 

“I can almost hear the twins.” Solara’s eyes narrowed as he tried to concentrate. Because of the distance between them, he was having a hard time trying to find their thoughts.

“They are getting clearer. Any second now.” Solara changed his stance to a low crouch. 

His fists clenched at his side. Solara’s gaze was intense as he stared straight into the trees. 

Stephan knew it was time when Solara’s lips pulled away revealing his teeth, a low snarl erupted from his throat. Stephan took a step forward he didn’t want Solara to attack first it would be a careless move. He needed to see them, if not all of them then most of them. Stephan needed to know where Zen was first, he planned to kill him first.

The twins ran past them and turned to a stop behind them. They had also bent into their attacking posture growls coming from each of them.

Zen and his men ran into the clearing. They stopped a few feet away from where Stephan stood. “I see you have brought more fools to die with you.” He lifted his right hand and signaled his men to attack.

Stephan didn’t move, he watched and waited. He could hear Xavier telling the other beasts not to go on all fours. He was right they needed the use of their arms.

Stephan could feel the heat rise in his body and hear him and the other beasts’ bones crack and bend as they took shape. Xavier, Sam, and Eric moved next to him, they took the form of wolves but on two legs. Their bodies were robust and hairy. Their hands turned into lethal claws. Their mouths hang open revealing the long sharp teeth hiding underneath.

The form was appropriate. He took the same form, but he wasn’t hairy as they were. He kept his pearly white skin and his face. The only thing that changed was his body shape, he seemed taller although he was slightly hunched over. His arms were longer and bigger. His nails were long and black and his eyes had turned pitch black with a ring of red around them.

His chest heaved as his left leg stepped back. He steadied himself, ready for the impact of their bodies against his. 

The vampires rushed at him, hitting themselves against his hard body. Stephan wrapped his arms around the three who pushed against him. He squeezed as tight as he could, crushing their stone bodies. Once he had them in halves he tossed them aside.

Solara moved through the fields, anticipating and knowing their every move as they thought it. He used this against them and was able to kill them faster. He ripped them apart from one by one adding on to the pile Stephan had started.

Chapter 42- BLUE MOON #fantasyromancereads #romancereads #writerslift

It was the weekend, she had two days to go before she left for Washington. She thought it was a good time to go to the beach with Stephan and was going to spend the rest of the weekend with the others.

“So I was thinking,” she turned to Stephan ignoring everyone else in the room, “that we should go to the beach today. I would love to go there before I leave.”

“Sure babe, whatever you want.” This was Stephan’s answer to everything these days. He was trying desperately to make her happy, so he gave her anything and everything she asked for.

“What beach?” Vincent looked up from the television. Eric had introduced him to the wonders of PlayStation three and he was hooked. He never left the game unless he was going to hunt or when he was asked to do something.

“Their special place.” Kayla sang it out. She was looking into Scarlet’s head and was mockingly making goo-goo eyes at her.

Scarlet ignored her, “Can we leave at six?” it was three in the afternoon, they didn’t need much to go with. She only wanted to carry the flannel dress he bought her and some food. A lot of food. She was chomping down food every fifteen minutes, they had noticed her change of diet but Kayla always made them back off when they asked too many questions.

Scarlet had noticed that Nikki was looking at her strangely these days like she knew something. She guessed she was happy because soon Stephan would be alone and she wouldn’t be around as a buffer.

“That’s fine, we don’t need to carry anything. Are we going to spend the night there?”

“Definitely. We need a night away from this madhouse.” She loved the madhouse but needed this time alone with him and their baby.

“Ok, we still have the stuff we used before, so we are set.” He gave her a hard smile and kissed her temple.

“Are you planning to take some of us along?” Xavier asked, not because he wanted to join in the romance, but because they never went anywhere in a number less than four. And Stephan going with Scarlet alone made him uneasy.

“I don’t think anything will happen. Zen hasn’t attacked for almost five weeks so I don’t think he will come today just because we are taking a trip to the beach.” Stephan knew Xavier was only concerned but it annoyed him to think that they would be standing around watching when they made love. He didn’t need an audience or a distraction.

“Am just saying that you need to be careful. Scarlet is almost crossing the finish line and we don’t want to endanger her.” Xavier was still insisting.

Scarlet’s hand dropped to the bulge, she caressed it as she thought about what Xavier said.

Scarlet, you’re tracing it.

She looked up at Kayla and followed her eyes to where her hand lay so naturally. Her bump was showing, she jerked off her hand and pulled the pleated top over her knees.

Thanks.

Solara looked at them both confused at the odd discussion. He could hear what they were thinking but couldn’t make sense of it. Kayla didn’t offer any information and Scarlet started thinking of bananas on toast.

“Am sure they will be fine. Stephan won’t let anything happen to her. Ease up Xavier she is leaving in two days and they want this time with each other.” Kayla came into his defense.

Stephan nodded in gratitude and smiled at her. “Besides, the beach isn’t that far. If anything happens I will call you and Vincent will be there in five minutes max.”

“Make it two minutes.” Vincent was being cocky, but they knew he could manage it.

“Come on Scarlet let me help you pack some stuff.” Kayla stood up and took her hand.

“Sure.” She wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted her to pack but followed her.

“So what do you usually take to these getaways?” Kayla was rummaging through her closet.

“Other than myself, the white flannel gown, and Stephan usually takes care of the rest.” She plopped down on the bed and rubbed her hand over her belly. 

“You know for the next two days, you have to stop doing that.” She sat next to her on the bed and moved her hand off her belly to replace it with hers. “Isn’t he a busy baby? I think he just woke up because your mind just went blank.”

“I know, isn’t it too early for him to be moving around like that?”

“I think I should remind you that you aren’t having a human baby.” She chuckled once, “So Stephan is a half breed, and so what exactly is this little fellow.” She rubbed her hand over her belly, following the baby’s movements. “A third breed?”

“It doesn’t matter what he is, all I know is that he is mine.” She smiled as she watched her friend mirror the awe that she had for her child. “Am hungry.”

“You are always hungry.”

***

It was five-thirty that evening, Stephan was loading the car with things they would need for the beach. Scarlet was in the kitchen fixing a snack for herself and packing some food for the night. 

Nikki was watching her from the corner of the room where she stood. It made Scarlet uncomfortable and she was glad when Vincent and Eric joined her in the kitchen blocking Nikki’s view.

“I thought you were only going for one night,” Eric asked when he picked up one of the sandwiched Scarlet had made for herself.

“Yeah, we’ll be back in the morning, noon latest, why?” Scarlet pushed another sandwich towards him.

“So why all the food? It is just you who’s going to eat it or are you taking one of us along?” he was stuffing the sandwich in his mouth as he talked.

“Just me. Am just being prepared.” She continued to pack the cooler.

Stephan walked into the kitchen and planted a kiss on her neck. “Are you done with that?” he looked down at the almost full cooler. “Where are we taking all this food?”

“To the beach, and yes it’s just for me. Could you all just get off my case?” She pointed the kitchen knife at them, driving home her point.

“Yeah get off her case. But seriously Scarlet you have put on a little… Ow!” Solara was cut short when Kayla drove her elbow in her chest.

“She looks just fine and she can eat as much as she wants. Right guys?” The men in the kitchen looked at each other not sure of how to respond.

“Right guys.” Her eyes slit and her voice was low it made her sound all the more dangerous.

“Right!” The four of them said in unison.

Stephan closed the cooler and picked it up to take it to the car. He got halfway to the living room when he froze.

When Scarlet looked up from her sandwich she realized that all of them were frozen looking towards the window. The eight of them all looked like statues adorning her kitchen and living room.

Stephan dropped the cooler to the ground and it startled her. The sandwich in her hand didn’t hit the counter before Stephan had his arms around her his eyes still in the same direction.

Kayla and Solara flanked them, hovering around them protectively. Xavier and Sam rushed to the door and stared out as if looking for something. Nikki and Eric moved behind them and Vincent didn’t move from his original position.

Scarlet noticed that they were forming a protective shield around her. Something was wrong. Something was wrong. They all wore grave faces and didn’t act or move.

“What’s going on?” Scarlet was whispering afraid of whatever was out there hearing her. She trembled in Stephan’s arms. One hand dropped protectively over her belly while the other circled Stephan’s waist. She pressed her body against him, at that time her being found out didn’t matter. She firmly pressed herself against his body to protect their child.

“Something’s coming. I can hear him.” Solara was the only one who spoke.

“Kayla, Nikki take Scarlet upstairs.” Stephan had loosened his hold on her, but Scarlet didn’t move. She knew the safest place to be was with him and she wasn’t going to move.

“No, am not leaving here.” Scarlet was adamant and tightened her grip on his shirt. He loosened the grip she had on him.

“It’s fine I know who it is.” Vincent finally spoke. “Xavier, Sam, come away from the door. He is afraid you will attack him.”

Confused they did as he asked. Stephan stopped struggling against Scarlet and let her press herself against him again. Solara and Kayla relaxed their stance but didn’t move.

A second after the guards at the door moved, a figure blew into the room and stood toe to toe with Vincent. Everyone in the room except Kayla and Solara was shocked. 

There with Vincent stood a man who looked exactly like him. The only difference was that he didn’t have the blonde streaks that Vincent had in his hair.

“Victor.”

“Vincent.”

No one spoke beside them. A circle had formed around them and everyone just watched them. Besides their names they didn’t say another word, they were having a private conversation that only Kayla and Solara could hear.

I am here to warn you. They are on their way here

How far are they

Ten minutes. They plan to kill everyone except the half-breed.

Solara and Kayla exchanged looks that made the rest of them tense. They wanted to hear what they were saying but they knew they had to wait.

Why did you come to warn us? Don’t you work for them?

I am your brother and I will protect you  

Chapter 41- PITCH BLACK #fantasyromancereads #romancereads #writerslift

“Yeah! My stomach has been misbehaving. The doctor gave me something so I’m cool.” She was nodding over her plate, her eyes firmly set on the pastry in her hand.

“As long as you are ok now that is all that matters.” He kissed her temple before taking a seat in front of the T.V. he wasn’t watching it but he didn’t want to hover over her especially when Kayla was with her.

Scarlet looked at the frustrated look on Kayla’s face, she didn’t need to be told what was bothering her. Her hand dropped to her belly and she caressed it. She chuckled as veins started forming on Kayla’s forehead.

I give up. Kayla mouthed at her. She needed a way to talk to her without Stephan hearing, and his miniature version was making it impossible. “Speaking of doctors, Scarlet you have an appointment today.” Kayla inhaled deeply hoping that Scarlet wouldn’t sell her out in her lie. “A follow-up, remember it’s today.” She raised her eyebrows at her then darted her eyes at her belly.

She looked up when Stephan did. He wasn’t trying to understand what they were saying. He gave up on understanding the two of them when he and scarlet started dating. To him, Kayla was another of Scarlet’s limbs.

“You have a doctor’s appointment. Do you want me to take you?” He was concerned. Everything about her concerned him.

“I was thinking I could take her. Maybe squeeze in some girl time in between.” Kayla spoke up before Scarlet did. She didn’t want her to say anything that would block her plan.

“Thanks, honey but it seems that K is dead set on taking me. But I will see you later.” She wrapped what was left of her breakfast to take it with her.

She leaned down for a kiss before grabbing the keys to her Clio from the table. “No! No! No! We are not going anywhere with that junk. I am not going to push it if it decides to stall.”

“Well, you can run there. My junk and I will meet you there. Good luck with that.” She was almost out the door when Kayla appeared before her.

“Jeez, you need to stop doing that.” 

Kayla was trying to tell her something she couldn’t understand. It took her a while to notice that her head was leaning towards Stephan.

“Stephan, could we please borrow your car,” Kayla asked in a sweet gentle voice that even had Scarlet startled.

“Sure.” He tossed the keys to her midst Scarlet’s protests.

“I don’t understand you Scar. He is willing to give it to us so stop being a buzz kill.” She gave Stephan a thumbs up before dashing to the black car parked outside.

“It’s fine I don’t mind.” Stephan got up to hug Scarlet.

“You enable her.” Her hands circled his waist.

“It makes her happy which in turn makes you happy.” He was kissing the back of her ear.

“You would do anything to make me happy wouldn’t you?” she was glad to hear that because it meant he had her best interest at heart. “Is that why you are letting me go on Sunday?” she pulled his head back to look into his eyes.

“Yes. You will be happy because you are going to follow your dreams. And you will be safe because you won’t be anywhere near me. Not until I sort this mess out.” He kissed her forehead. “Now go. Sadly I can’t protect you from illnesses.”

She walked to the car where Kayla was impatiently waiting. She glanced back at him a couple of times. Wondering what she would miss the most. His beautiful silver eyes were brought out by his long jet-black hair. The way his t-shirt hugged his perfect chiseled body. His strong muscled arms held and cradled her every single night since she met him. Or his hypnotic smile that tore her will to bits every time he looked at her adoringly.

She got into the car and stole one last look. Her hand dropped to her belly once more hoping that their child would be the exact image of his father.

Kayla put her arm on her shoulder as she drove off. “Let me guess, he’s asleep.”

“Finally, I don’t like it when he does that. Do you hear me?” she was now looking down where Scarlet’s hand caressed gently.

“K you do know that you sound psychotic?” she couldn’t help but laugh. She could always rely on her to make her laugh.

“It is not too early to teach good manners. Especially for this kid, his genes are already against him. Not to mention everyone close to him is a vampire.” She patted Scarlet’s hand. “This kid has all the odds against him when it comes to manners. But he will be the safest kid in the world.”

Kayla’s voice was almost a whisper, “He has a brave mom, a father whose powers I can’t even explain. Two other crazy vampires.” She looked into Scarlet’s eyes then said, “An aunt who would die for him that is if she wasn’t dead already.” 

“Thank you.”

“Always Scar.”

“So where are you taking me.” Scarlet thought it was best to change the subject. They had enough time to mop about her departure.

“To the doctor, I was very serious about that. We need to know how fast that little monster is growing. He looked four months a week ago, so let’s go find out.”

Scarlet could tell that she was worried. She had thought about it before especially because she would probably be alone when he was born. She would need to prepare for that. But now they had to get the mathematics part of it right.

“So where are we going? We can’t go back to the same doctor.” She didn’t need him looking at her like a science experiment again.

“No. Don’t worry I will turn anyone into a snack if they dare look at you wrongly. I thought we would see someone else. We just need an ultrasound. He just needs to tell us how far along you are.”

“That sounds easy enough.” That was all they needed for now.

After half an hour of Kayla’s insane driving, of her trying to explain to her the engine the car had they drove into a small private clinic.

“I think you are hanging around Vincent and Solara too much K. You are acting more boyish than usual.” 

“Well if you and Stephan would reduce the bedroom conversations to a minimum, then maybe I can move back into my room and hang out with you for a while.”

Scarlet knew it was more of an accusation than anything else. She felt guilty for ignoring her best friend but she needed time with Stephan. Unlike Kayla, she didn’t expect to see him for a long time. She had permitted Kayla to visit her from time to time, on the condition she behaves and doesn’t turn her neighbors into snacks.

“Sorry about that. Promise to make time for you before I leave.”

“That is ok, besides we will have time to ourselves when I come to visit you. You should spend this time with the guy who knocked you up.” She chuckled under her breath. “Scarlet Mc Kyle knocked up.”

They talked to the nurse on duty, she had her fill some forms first. Scarlet decided not to use her real name since they were paying cash. She didn’t think it was a good idea to leave a record of her visit. She was called into the examining room where her pressure and temperature were taken. Kayla followed ignoring the laser eyes the nurse darted at her.

She had better stop eyeing me or I will empty her into a canteen. Scarlet was glad that she alone was privy to the thought. She didn’t think the nurse would take it too kindly being referred to as liquid lunch. She was then escorted to the doctor’s office and took a seat near his desk.

“Hello. My name is Doctor Madden. Please lie on the bed.” He took the folder the nurse handed to him and read it. He looked at her under his glasses making small sighing noises.

She climbed on the bed, trying not to laugh at the strange noises he was making. After a series of questions, she lay back and lifted her top. She already knew the drill having done it twice before. She prepared herself for the cold gel they would put on her belly. Kala moved closer, although she could get a better look from across the room she didn’t want to chance missing something.

“Ms. Jeraldi.” She couldn’t help but giggle when the doctor used her alias. It was another one of Kayla’s ideas. She had to admit she loved the sound of Stephan’s name as hers.

“How long do you think you have been pregnant?” The worried crease on the old man’s face made her nervous.

“About four months. Why? What’s wrong?” she lifted her head to look at the monitor, hoping she could tell what he was getting at.

“I don’t see anything. I mean I can’t see a thing.”

Scarlet was too shocked to talk. She was sure the baby was there a week ago. She was glad when Kayla joined the conversation. She knew she could sense or hear her fear.

“What are you trying to say? What exactly can’t you see? How can you see anything at all this thing doesn’t look like it’s even on?” She lifted her hand like she was going to tap the top of the monitor when the doctor stopped her.

“It is on. Could you please step back? All the preliminary tests done do show some signs of pregnancies. But sometimes they can be false positive. I can’t tell because all I see from this is a dark cloud. I can’t even see any of your other organs.”

Another frustrated wrinkle appeared on his brow. He tested the machine on his arm to make sure it was working. It was because they could see the many veins in his arm. He placed it again on her belly and nothing. Openly frustrated he turned off the machine and took a seat behind his desk. He was swinging on his chair tapping his temple trying to figure it out. When Kayla thought he was distracted enough not to notice them, she took Scarlet’s hand and they made a break for it. When they were safely back in the car and homebound Kayla explained her theory. She was laughing in between her sentences. Scarlet didn’t see what was amusing about the dark cloud where her baby was supposed to be. She had seen the baby before in her earlier examinations and didn’t understand what happened.

“It is very funny when you think of it. I am no expert in this but this is what I think, the baby is in a shield or something. I’m not making much sense am I?” she paused for a moment thinking o how best to put it.

“My skin is like diamond, leather. And Stephan isn’t just a vampire he is also a beast. So am guessing that your womb has changed in some sort of cocoon to protect him. Like the membrane has become a lot thicker.” 

Scarlet was still confused but was able to make sense of some of what she had said. “So what you are saying is my baby is in a diamond leather membrane. Am I right? That is why it isn’t visible. What about a week ago?”

“I have a theory about that too. As the baby grows it is adopting its genes. It’s developing in stages and taking all its forms. Human, vampire, and beast.”

“So it’s growing stronger with each month or week. So that trip was a waste of time. We still don’t know how far along I am.”

Kayla was silent for a while. The thought of the baby growing stronger and taking its father’s form didn’t sit well with her. They would have to find out about the beast’s birth process to be sure. She was scared for Scarlet and how it would turn out for her.

“Scarlet how do you think this will all turn out. I think you should tell Stephan and cancel your trip. I have a very funny feeling about this.”

What she was saying wasn’t new to Scarlet. It wasn’t something she hadn’t thought about countless times. But she had made up her mind.

“Stephan told me once that beasts were born. So am assuming it’s not that different from humans. Am hopeful.”

She placed her hand on Kayla’s trying to reassure her, “Besides when he comes you will be there with me.”

“Always,” Kayla swore.

Chapter 40- PITCH BLACK #fantasyromancereads #romancereads #writerslift

They had one too many close calls with Stephan’s past, now she had to think about the person who wasn’t involved. She had to protect her child the same way her father protected her.

Her thoughts were derailed by the song on the radio. A particular line appealed to her, ‘I got you memorized so when I close my eyes all I have to do is keep loving you in my heart’.

As the song played, she convinced herself what she was doing was right although it didn’t feel right. She hoped that one day Stephan would be able to sort out his life and they would come back home to him. But for now, when danger seemed to follow him, she would have to leave.

“Am sorry, but soon you will get to know your father.” The apology was only meant for the person inside her. She hoped they would all understand someday and forgive her.

“Who are you talking to?” Kayla burst into the bathroom, she wasn’t sure what she heard. She looked around and saw that Scarlet was all alone in the tub.

The sound of her voice startled her. “Jeez!” Scarlet tried to pace her racing heart.

“K. I am trying to take a bath here.” It was more of panic than anger in her voice. She didn’t need her to know. It was hard enough not to think about it when she and Solara were around. She didn’t want anyone to know. Not yet.

“Who were you talking to Scar?” Kayla suspected something wasn’t right about her but didn’t pick up on anything, not from the lack of trying. But every time she tried she hit a wall. Scarlet’s mind was a complete blank for her and Solara. Now she heard what she said.

“What are you talking about?” She was panicking now. She knew she was found out but wasn’t ready to admit to anything.

“Scar! You better tell me what it is or I will find out for myself.” It was a toothless threat but she had to try it. Her awkward behavior had her on edge. She was always worried that she would sneak away and leave without telling any one of them.

“What exactly did you hear K?” she wasn’t going to confess to anything until she was sure.

“Whose child are you apologizing to?” Kayla almost had it out of her and hoped her bluff would work out.

“Mine.” She gave up trying to hide it. It was useless and it would be a relief not hiding it from her.

She looked as Kayla stood stiff looking at her, an expression of disbelief on her face. It took a couple of minutes before she sank to the floor. Scarlet could see her trying to process it all.

“You are planning to keep this from Stephan.” Kayla’s voice was low like she was struggling to get it out of her throat.

Scarlet stepped out of the bath and reached for her robe. She knew Stephan would be back soon and she wasn’t ready to explain the immobilized vampire on the bathroom floor. She sat next to her, her back against the door.

“I have to keep my baby safe K. You have seen how much craziness Stephan seems to attract to himself.” She shrugged taking in a deep breath. “I need to do this. That is the only reason why am leaving. Am not going to sit here and wait to be caught in the crossfire.”

She took Kayla’s hand hoping she would understand her. “If it was just me I wouldn’t mind but now…” she put Kayla’s hand on the bulge on her stomach. “Someone else is involved.”

Kayla turned to face her, a new expression of shock on her face. “How long have you known. I am no expert but it feels like you have been pregnant for a while.”

“A month.” She tried to explain it in a way that she wouldn’t sound crazy. “The first time I went to the doctor was a month ago, and at the time I was only two weeks along. Then it started getting weird and I went back…” she looked up at her friend’s face. She didn’t want to miss the shock on her face. The situation was not amusing at all but she was determined to take all the humor that came from it. 

“The doctor told me I was three months along.” She was right the humor was worth it. She let out a laugh at her confused expression.

“I had to stop going there because he was convinced that my body had been inhabited by an alien.” She joked.

“Scarlet there is nothing funny about this. So what are you going to do now?” Kayla was worried. “You don’t know anything about having a human baby let alone an immortal one.”

Scarlet knew what she was going to do. At the end of the week, she was going to leave. Have her child away from the madness then plan when she was going to come back. The details of the future weren’t sorted yet, but she was sure of the immediate. But she would figure out her baby’s needs one day at a time.

“You need to tell Stephan. This isn’t your usual pregnancy. You could die because of this. You need to stop thinking with your hormones and use your head.”

“Stephan won’t be any help. Remember he understands himself as much as we do.”

She remembered the time when the thought of having children with Stephan had crossed her mind. It was the same time as Kayla’s transformation when she was thinking about leaving him. She couldn’t help but laugh. All this while she thought he couldn’t sire children and now she had one inside her growing at super speed.

“What’s so funny?” Kayla was curious what part of the mess was so hilarious.

“I was just thinking… wait … why don’t you just read my mind it will save me from telling the whole story.”

Kayla decided it was time to come clean, she already got the information she wanted. “I can’t read your mind. Ok not can’t exactly.”

Scarlet didn’t seem to understand because she thought her friend was losing her gift. “What do you mean?”

“At times you are a complete blank and then you come on again. It’s like your mind like a broken T.V or something. Wait a minute…”

She turned her full body towards her and pointed an accusing finger at Scarlet’s belly. “That kid is jamming my frequency. Not yet born and already are getting on my nerves.”

Scarlet slapped her finger away, trying to understand the accusation made at her baby. “What do you mean?” She couldn’t help but laugh.

“Now we know he has his father’s vampire traits, I wonder what else he can do.” A wave of shock hit her when she finally realized the danger. If it could shield her thoughts it meant that it could also shapeshift. She wondered if she could handle the child phasing inside her.

“That is what I have been trying to tell you.” It was Kayla who brought her out of her thoughts. “Ah! Looks like he’s asleep or something. Because I can hear you more clearly now.”

Scarlet was too preoccupied to listen to her new findings on monster fetuses. She needed to know more about this but she didn’t have anyone to ask. Asking Stephan would be useless because he wasn’t born he was created. And her asking about the birthing process of beasts was bound to get her discovered.

“That doesn’t matter right now. I will figure something out. But you have to swear not to tell anyone. Don’t even think it K because if Solara finds out he will tell Stephan. He won’t let me leave. Besides, he doesn’t think he is capable of procreation.”

Kayla knew it was idiotic to make such a promise but she had to. She was her friend and she owed her loyalty. “Let me ask you why it took you this long to get pregnant. Or are his swimmers slow, considering he is half-vampire…” she had a smile on her face.

Although the joke was inappropriate she needed to lighten the mood. Scarlet had a lot to think about and if ridiculous humor distracted her even for a second she was happy to do it.

Stephan was back. He had her breakfast set on the kitchen counter. He stayed downstairs because he had their laughter and didn’t want to interrupt. He had taken most of the time available with Scarlet that the two girls didn’t have much left to themselves. 

He couldn’t help but think that in a week he wouldn’t be playing house anymore. She was going away to live her life away from the madness. Although she had promised to live with him once the danger was over, he didn’t think it would happen. The danger would always be there. As long as the Conselho existed the danger would too. Scarlet was everything to him, and her safety was above everything else. He could not be selfish towards her ever. He was happy that they would have this week together. At the end of the week, he would have to let go. The thought of it weakened him and brought a new feeling of sadness in his heart.

***

Kayla and Scarlet headed towards the kitchen. Scarlet had grown unbearably hungry and Kayla impatient. She assumed that the fetus was awake because her mind was blank. She was hitting the same invisible wall as Stephan’s. Scarlet attacked the patisseries he had brought with him. She was eating for two, although at the time she seemed to be eating for ten. Who could blame her she was carrying a different kind of species in her and needed all the strength she could get.

Stephan watched her in shock a smug look on his face. “I thought you didn’t want anything that wasn’t salty.”

“What’s your point?” She giggled. 

When her eyes locked on his, a wave of cocktail emotions hit her. All the feelings she feltwere familiar. All, except one.

Guilt over hiding the truth from Stephan denying him knowledge of something they both created in love.

Pain because she was about to walk away from the one man she had ever loved and wanted.

Love and joy. Because he was always there for her to hold her to comfort her. Anticipating her every need. Making sure she was happy every single moment.

But the new feeling of yearning to be held was different. She loved being in his arms but this was different. She wanted to be rocked and cuddled. It was a different feeling from every other that she had. At those rare moments, she didn’t look at him as her lover but as something else.

“My beautiful human seems to be hungrier today. I must admit that you had me worried the past couple of weeks.” He sighed.

She knew what he was talking about. For a while, she never wanted anything to do with food. The mere smell of his would have her throwing up. A part of her was always thankful that his knowledge of the human anatomy was outdated.