Excerpt from Death Angels

……..“Hey, you’re that girl that sends Searus all those cutesy letters all the time, right?”  Crossing his arms over his bare chest, Vice laughed, a teasing tone in voice.

Apparently the Punishers’ dressing room was close by because all of them were standing around the hallway half naked, some of them standing around in nothing but towels.  Vice on the other hand, was still mostly dressed, the only thing he was missing was his shirt.

Looking at Hailey and then back at Vice, Adrianna  frowned a little, the long ribbons in her hair bouncing as she shook her head.  “Letters?  What letters?”

“The ones you write to Searus all the time.”  Motioning towards her with his hand, Vice let out a playful laugh, wringing his shirt in his hands as he spoke.  “You know, the ones that you write about how much you love him and can‘t wait to see him again.”  Smiling as he looked at Adrianna, Vice noticed her flabbergasted expression as he spoke,  “And you always put those cute little stickers and girly pictures on ‘em and stuff.”  Motioning to Hailey, Vice sent her a devilish smile as well.  “So this must be your best friend Hailey, huh?”

“How did you know that?”  Putting her hands on her hips, Hailey sent Vice a dirty look, not really liking the fact that Searus had shown Vice his letters from Adrianna or that Adrianna had sent Searus letters like that in the first place.

“I saw those pictures of you and Rianna that Rianna sent Searus.”  Nodding his head to a couple of the other Punishers as they walked ahead of them, Vice smiled at them while he continued to talk to the girls.

“He-”  Looking a little sick from embarrassment, Adrianna struggled to choke out her words, “Let you see my letters?”

“Yeah, he showed them to all of us.  He would always show us what you wrote him and we’d all laugh at the little stickers you put on your letters.”  Letting out a few chuckles as he continued to keep his eyes on Adrianna, Vice didn’t seem to feel bad at all about telling her what Searus did with her letters.

“That’s kinda mean, don’t you think?”  About to cry, Adrianna latched onto Hailey’s arm, her hands clenching the fabric on Hailey’s uniform and making it crinkle under her fingers.

“Yeah that is.”  Giving Vice a dirty look, Hailey stood in front of Adrianna, blocking her from Vice’s view.  “How could he do something like that?  And why the hell can you two get pleasure out of making Rianna cry?”  Putting her hands on her hips, Hailey’s angry blue eyes scanned Vice’s smiling face.  “That’s really mean if you ask me.”

“Oh, really?”  Shrugging his shoulders, Vice’s facial expression was unchanging and he looked like he didn’t think what Searus did was wrong.  “I don’t think so.  He wasn’t doing it to mean, he just wanted to show ‘em to us.  If you ask any of the Punishers, they could tell you who Rianna is.  Her name is a common word down here ya know.”

“Who is she then?  A sucker?  Is that what she is?”  Still holding her hands firmly on her hips, Hailey’s face was stressed as she spoke.

“If you don’t believe me, just go and ask one of them for yourself.  She‘s kind of little celebrity around here.”  Pointing to the men behind her that were all engaged in their own conversations, Vice looked a little annoyed with Hailey.  “Go ahead.  Ask them.”

“Those are the Punishers?”  Looking at the half naked men behind Vice, Hailey’s voice was a little low as she blushed slightly.  “The Punishers…from the-the Blood Rivalries?”

“Yeah…”  Letting out a small laugh as he looked at Hailey like she was an idiot, Vice shook his head.  “Duh, don’t you know where you’re at little girl?”  Pointing to a large blue sign that was further down the hallway the girls had come down, Vice pointed out to her that it said ‘Punisher’s dressing rooms’.

Excerpt from Moon Flowers

                “You know how to get to Paradise?”  Standing up, Junis’ excitement was apparent on his face even though there was hint of distrust in his eyes.  Junis’ set his entire attention on this man, ignoring Blaze’s whining about how this guy was full of crap and was lying.  Junis just hushed Blaze, Blaze rolling his eyes and leaning back on the table lazily, not really caring about what this man was saying.  “Have you been there?”

The man nodded slowly, a cocky smile on his face as he watched Junis’ excited face with a renewed confidence.  “That is where I met Dr. Sendal.”

“Dr. Sendal’s been to Paradise!”  Junis was flabbergasted, his words spilling from his mouth like he was out of breath.  “How?  I mean-“

“You’re excited?”  Crossing his arms over his chest, the man’s smile continued to grow.

“Oh course!”  Junis shook his head quickly as he spoke.  He began to pace a little in the small area ahead of him, unable to sit still.  “I can’t believe this, it can’t be….”

“Really?”  The man smiled devilishly, pulling something out of his robe, his light skinned fingers slowly opening and revealing a red Moon Flower.  “This is a red Moon Flower.”  Junis’ eyes opened wider than they have ever been, his jaw dropping.  Blaze looked a little amazed himself, his eyes never leaving the sparkling red flower the man held in his hand as he pushed up on Junis’ gapping jaw.  “You both look interested.”  The man gently rubbed his fingers over the flower’s petals, the sparkling light giving it an unlifelike glow.  “With one of these flowers you could have anything you want.  One wish, one life changing wish that could make your whole life a paradise.”

“Gimme that.”  Blaze gave the man an angry look and reached for the flower but the man ripped it back, shielding it from Blaze’s grasp as he pulled it closer to him.  Blaze reached for it again but the man quickly smashed it in his fingers, the petals turning to dust and falling like sand to the floor.  Junis dropped on his knees, trying to pick up the fine grains of the red Moon Flower.  “Hey!  Why’d you do that?!  Those things are rare!  Why didn’t you just give it to me!”

“As I said earlier, I want something from you in return.”  The man seemed to take enjoyment out of smashing the red Moon Flower in front of Blaze and Junis, knowing that both of them wanted one.  “Now are you ready to honor my request in return for a red Moon Flower?”

Looking worried as he quickly glanced at Blaze before speaking, Junis nodded, Blaze nodding too.  “I want to use the flower to take Hope to Paradise.”

Blaze crossed his arms over his chest, a cocky smile on his face, “I just want one.  I’m not sure what I’ll use it on yet but if I have to listen to your stupid request to get one, it might be worth it.”

“Alright.”  Nodding, the man’s face took on a more serious expression, his eyes looking down as he paused.  He took a deep breath, the words he wanted to say not quite ready to released.  “I want you to tell me where Dayzahnee is.”

“Why do you want her?”  Shaking his head, Blaze looked confused.  The chains on Blaze’s jacket jingled a little as he stepped forward, his movements a little slower than normal.  “I thought you were handing out-“

“I need to ask her something.”  Looking Blaze deep in the eyes, the man’s sky blue eyes had a desperateness reflected on their surface.  He held his hands out in front of him as he spoke, a softer tone in his deep voice.  “I’m willing to offer you access to Paradise if you help me.  I have something she wants as well so she will be happy to meet with me.”

“You know where her mother is.” Blaze’s normally loud and obnoxious voice was soft, a gentleness in it that was hardly ever expressed around other people.  The man looked down as he crossed his arms over his chest, not answering Blaze.  “You’re Creton aren’t you?  The gatekeeper from Paradise.”  The man sighed, shaking his head but still not looking up at Blaze.  “What could you possibly want from Dayzahnee? Hope told us about you.  She said you’re looking for Paradise’s sun.”

“I am Creton.”  The man, Creton nodded again, slowly looking up at Blaze.  His eyes stopped to meet with Blaze’s, “And yes, I am searching for Paradise’s sun.”

“So it’s true. Paradise is really dead.”  Junis frowned, all the excitement drained from his face.  He hung his head low and sat back down in the chair, holding his head as he stared at the floor.  “That means there’s nothing left there for me and Hope.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”  Smiling, Creton bent down on the floor next to Junis, forcing him to look up.  “I know how to make it eternally beautiful again.”

“You do?”  Looking up at him with confused eyes, Junis shook his head, no glimmer of hope left in his eyes.  “How?”

“I need Dayzahnee.”  Standing up, Creton’s velvety voice took on a more hopeful tone.  “Bring her to me and I will give both of you a red Moon Flower and you can have any wish you desire.”

“What do you need her for?”  Blaze’s voice came out low, his eyes staring Creton down as he spoke.  “And what if she doesn’t want to go with you?”

“I see.”  Crossing his arms over his chest, Creton eyed Blaze suspiciously, “You have feelings for her don’t you?  I can see the jealousy in your eyes your majesty.”  Smiling as he leaned slightly closer to Blaze, Creton let out a small laugh.  “Do you know she’s not human?  Dayzahnee Sendal died 16 years ago.”

Running his fingers through his hair nervously, Junis looked upset.  “The accident…”

“She alive.  I’ve felt her, touched her, I know she’s real.  She’s got a beating heart and nothing about her is dead.”  Blaze stood up, getting close to Junis, a shocked look on his hurt face. “Junis, tell this idiot.  Dayzahnee’s not dead.”  Banging his fist on his chest to annunciate what he was saying, dark strands of hair fell into Blaze’s shining red eyes.  “He’s lying Junis!  Don’t just sit there, answer me! Dayzahnee is as alive as you and me!  This guy is lying!”

Feeling a sharp pain in her leg, Stella’s eyes shot open.  To her horror her eyes fell upon the sight of a demon chomping down on her leg.  Stella belted out a loud scream as she frantically kicked at the demon trying to eat her.

He growled back at her, the dog like demon not letting up on the grip it had on her leg.  The ground around her was bare, the flat land like endless dunes of dirt.  Everything was dead in the shadow world, the nothingness that seemed to stretch on forever the sandy earth like the ashes of the dead.  There was nothing near her that she could fight off the beast with so Stella continued to kick at him.

Stella landed a good kick right in the demons nose, forcing him to let up on her a little.  Screaming out in pain, Stella yanked her leg back, the demon’s teeth ripping her flesh and tearing off a chunk of it. Stella bounced to her feet and even though the pain in her leg was excruciating she attempted running anyway.  Soon this short burst of strength would leave her, Stella falling to her knees.  She tried to get up but she couldn’t, Stella’s fearful eyes glued on the demon getting ready to pounce on her.

Feeling a blast of air come from behind her and send the demon flying, Stella turned around to see where it had come from.  Gasping when she saw Apollo, Stella reached her hands up to him as she sobbed. “Apollo….you came for me.”

“My treasure.”  Bending down next to her, Apollo picked her up and carried her in his arms, Stella wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.  Wiping at her tears, Apollo looked into her red eyes, the darkness of the shadow world making her features a little faint.  “I finally found you.”

“Why did you come here Apollo?  It’s dangerous.  You shouldn’t be here.”  Stella’s lip trembled furiously as her eyes darted all over his face. “What if you can’t go back?  I don’t want you to get stuck here again.”  Stella’s sobbed as she frantically grabbed at Apollo’s face, “Apollo…..”

“Hush now Ella.”  A sad smile filled Apollo’s face as he gently stroked her cheek.  “Do not worry so my love.  You’re the gateway, you can take us back.  Everything will be alright I promise.”

“But what if I can’t do it?  I-”  Stella frantically grabbed at his hand, pulling it from her face and holding it in his.  “What if I can’t do it again?  What if I can’t save us?”

“You can Ella.”  Apollo nodded, forcing a small smile for Stella.  “I believe in you.  I know you can do this.”  Apollo traced the small frown on Stella’s lips, “Now hurry and take us back.”  Letting out a small chuckle, Apollo set Stella down on her feet again but had to help her stand because of the wound on her leg.

Stella nodded, taking a few stumbling steps away from him.  “I’ll see you soon Apollo.”  Sniffling, Stella held her hand out to Apollo as he took a step away from her.  “Wait for me okay?  I’ll come back for you.”

Stella held her hands in the air and prepared to open the gateway but a strange feeling swept over her and she stopped.  Stella’s body felt like jelly and her legs could no longer support her own weight and she fell to her knees.  Holding a hand to her neck, Stella’s voice came out cracked and mouse like.  “I feel strange.   Something’s happening to me Apollo.”

“What’s wrong?”  Taking a step towards her, Apollo was confused.  The buckles on his boots chimed softly through the still air as they banged together.

“I…..I….”  Looking down at her hands, Stella noticed patches of her skin disappearing as she studied the surface of her arm.  “Apollo…I’m disappearing.”  Tears streamed down Stella’s face as she looked up at Apollo, her arms frantically reaching out to him.  “What’s happening to me?!  I’m scared!  Apollo help me!”

“No!  They can’t do this!”  Apollo ran towards her, memories of his own imprisonment flooding back to him.  Stella was disappearing before his eyes and he could do nothing to stop it.  He tried to grab her but his hands went right through her.   Tears fell down Apollo’s face, his voice weak and breathless as he held his hand out to her,  “Ella…don’t leave me alone again.”  Falling to his knees, the soft earth under his knees gave way a little.

Stella tried to speak but her voice wouldn’t come, her body fading away in a soft light that flashed on her skin briefly.  Soon Apollo found himself alone, the silence of the shadow world like a million needles to his ears.  His eyes turned toward a tower in the distance that hadn’t been there before.  Standing up, his eyes glared at the sight of it.  He knew Stella was imprisoned inside and he had to save her.

Anyways….kudos to Mr. Adams, your pictures are beautiful

……….You must conquer this weakness you have, and I will soon help you do so.”

Stella’s lip trembled as she looked up into Apollo’s sinsister face, his face only inches from her own as she whispered.  “How?”

“I have a surprise for you Ella.”  Letting out a low chuckle, Apollo pulled away from her and looked back at Delvinos and Spectra.

Spectra picked Skylar’s limp body up from the ground, a proud smile as he looked back at Apollo.  “I will dispose of this man for your majesty.”  Spectra bowed to Apollo before walking away and leaving the throne room.

Smiling, Apollo grabbed Stella’s hand and made her stand up with him.  “Come Ella.”  He was dressed in all black, a red cape flowing as he walked.  He motioned for Delvinos and then to the group of people gathered at the back of the throne room.  “Bring me Hannah.”

Cringing when she heard her sister’s name, Stella looked up at Apollo, squeezing his hand tightly.  Speaking in a mouselike voice, Stella’s lip trembled as she looked into Apollo’s smiling face.  “My sister?”

Letting out a small chuckle, Apollo didn’t answer her.  He stood behind her, bending down a little as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close to him.  Leaning his head against the top of hers, Apollo rubbed his cheek into her soft curls.

“Here she is your majesty.”  Delvinos led Hannah over to where Apollo was standing with Stella.  He forcefully yanked down the hood on her white cloak, revealing Hannah’s face.  “Hannah  Martin.”

Hannah’s scared face looked at Stella, then over at Apollo.  Her hair was standing up a little, it’s staticy state a result of being contained inside her cloak for so long.  “It is an honor to be in your presence majesties.”

Letting out a low chuckle again, one of Apollo’s hands moved down Stella’s back and rested on her waist.  He took his other hand off her shoulders and pulled her close to his body with his hand on her waist.  “Now my little one…”  Apollo kissed Stella’s cheek before putting his face against hers and cooing in her ear.  “You will initiate your first servant.”  His words were seductive and smooth, “This is an important passage for a new demon.”  Apollo wrapped his other arm around her shoulder again, a small sword now in his hand that he held close to Stella’s face.  “Test her loyalty to you by using this blade.”  He could feel her jump back a little, her body now trembling in his arms.  “If she passes, you may take her as your servant.”

“I….”  Looking at her sister, Stella began to cry, her breathing quickening and erratic.  “…can’t.   She’s my-she’s my…sister Apollo.”

Apollo kissed Stella’s cheek before grabbing her firmly by the shoulders.  “Yes you can.”  His eyes were glued on Hannah’s fearful ones, an intense expression twisting his face into an evil expression. “Pleasure me with this request my treasure.  Display to me your obedience as my queen.”  Apollo’s hands slid down the ruffled sleeves of Stella’s dress and seductively down her arm.  He linked his fingers in hers, picking up their linked hands and holding it over her chest.  “Calm down Ella.  Your heart races beneath my hand.”

“I’m scared Apollo.”  Stella’s voice was whiney and she tried to turn around to face Apollo but he held her to him tightly and forced her to turn back around.

“Only when she is inches from losing her life you may stop and make judgement upon her.  Do not be weak and allow her any favoritism.  This is a test for you my treasure.  Do not fail this test set before you.”  Apollo opened her hand he held to her chest, placing the blade in her fingers and gently wrapping them around the handle of the blade.  “Now go.”  Shoving her forward, Apollo made her take a step closer to Hannah.

Holding the blade firmly in her hands, Stella sniffled as she took a few steps towards Hannah.  Speaking in a breathless voice, Stella’s eyes met with Hannah’s.  “….Hannah…”

Like a brainwashed robot, Hannah’s face looked expressionless as she spoke, “I vow to serve you my queen.”

“Ella…”  Smiling, Apollo walked behind her again and grabbed her elbows, sliding his hands down her forearms and wrapping them around hers that were clinging tightly to the blade’s handle.  He took one of them off the blade so she wasn’t gripping it as tightly.  “Take this blade and test her.”  Apollo then let go of Stella and took a few steps away from her and stood next to Delvinos.  “Pleasure me with her pain Ella.”

Stella looked at the knife and then at Apollo’s hard expression.  He had a hand poised at his chin as he watched her intensely.  When he saw her looking at him, he shooed her away with his hand and motioned for her to do as he had instructed her too.

“Hannah…”  Sniffling, Stella held a shaky hand out to Hannah.  Stella held her hand holding the blade at her side, her fingers so shaky it seemed like a lead weight in her hand.

Hannah looked directly into Stella’s sad eyes, Hannah sending her a small smile as she whispered something to Stella that the others couldn’t hear.  “Don’t be afraid my queen.  Let me prove my worth.”  Hannah held her hand out to Stella, her palm facing the ceiling.  “My life is yours, your majesty.”

Gulping, Stella’s red eyes looked at her sister in shock.  Hannah wanted this, in her eyes she was begging Stella to hurt her.  The sight made Stella sick as she looked down at the blade in her hand instead.

“Ella!”  Screaming at her, Apollo’s voice snapped Stella out of her own thoughts, making her quickly turn to him.  “Do it now!”  Apollo was glaring at her, an anger on his face she had never seen him direct towards her before.  His hands were crossed over his chest as he stood up straighter.

Pressing her lips together as tightly as she could, Stella grabbed Hannah’s hand.  Holding Hannah’s hands by the ends of her fingers, Stella looked down at Hannah’s palm.  She paused for a few seconds, letting the blade hover above Hannah’s skin.  Looking briefly at Apollo, Stella sniffled, a few tears making their way down her painted cheeks.

           From Chapter 18:  Nero’s Guilt

……“Didn’t I ever tell you….”  Nero’s lip began to quiver, his voice low as his face twisted into a sad frown.  “That I-I-” Kicking the dresser again, Nero put a shaky hand to his forehead before running it through his messy dark hair.  “After my father my father left-I-went to her.”  Clearing his throat as he sniffled but didn’t cry, Nero went on.  “She was still alive…..I knew she was infected but-I just wanted to-hold her-one last time…..”  A few tears began to fall down Nero’s eyes, no longer letting the frozen black tear on his face hold them back anymore as he forcefully wiped away some of the tears that clung to the tip of his nose with his hand.  “…I killed her.  Jennavieve was still alive and I killed her.”

“Nero!”  Reaching out to him as she got off the bed,Madison’s face wore a sad expression, one of guilt and of her own sadness.  “I didn’t-”

“Stay back!”  Pulling out his sword again, Nero pointed it at Madison, making her back off.  Both Taylor and Madison’s eyes reflected a look of great terror as they jumped back in surprise, not sure of what Nero was going to do next.  “This sword was stained with her blood.  It was my sin…..I killed my Jennavieve.  That’s why Norbert said I had selfish wishes-but-there‘s no way I can get Virus. I just can’t…”  The strength in his fingers failing him as his hands began to shake, Nero dropped his sword to the ground, unable to hold the heavy sword in his hands anymore.  “..No one understands that.  I’m not a hero…..I’m just like my father.  A murderer.”

“But you had to Nero!”  Holding onto the bedspread,Madison tried to get Nero to calm down, her voice strained as she spoke.  “It wasn’t your fault.  You have to forgive yourself.  Don‘t blame yourself anymore….it‘s not your fault, Reinhold‘s the one to blame.  Not you.”

“You don’t understand….”  Collapsing to his knees, Nero closed his eyes tightly, covering his face with his hands, not able to look at Madison.  “…It’s my fault….everything-I couldn‘t save her.  I‘m so weak.”

“Nero…” Madisonwalked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder but Nero shoved it off.

“Don’t touch me!”  Not looking up at her, Nero kept his face covered not wanting to talk to her anymore.

“Listen..”  Picking his sword up off the floor,Madison tried to smile.  “I have something to tell you about that day that you obviously don’t know….”

From Chapter 9: Encounter with the Lost Princess of Grey Hills

Looking around the room frantically, a disappointed look came over Madison’s face because she didn’t see Jennavieve anywhere in the room.  “Jennavieve?  Are you in here?” Madison’s voice was low, her voice barely a whisper.

Anna pointed to the closet as she walked towards the other end of the room, Taylor and Madison following her.  “Let’s check the closet.  Maybe she’s in there..”   Walking closer to the closet, Anna noticed a small metal pole stuck between the two ornate handles on each door, it looked almost as if someone had purposely put it there to lock something in the closet, not someone out.  Shaking her head before pulling out the small metal pole, Anna looked at the other girls.  “What do you suppose this is for?  Do you think that maybe…”

“I don’t know..” Taylorshrugged, her growing impatience showing on her face as she grabbed the metal pole out of Anna’s hand quickly, wanting her to hurry up and check the closet.  “And I don’t care.  Let’s just check the closet and be done with it.”

“Fine…”  Anna spoke very quietly, turning away from Taylor and Madison and back to the closet door as she prepared to open the doors quickly, just in case someone really was in there.  Holding up three fingers, Anna counted to three, taking away one finger at a time as she counted down to one.  When she reached one, Anna threw the doors open and Madison and Taylor grabbed Jennavieve, who was partially hidden behind some of the dresses in the closet.

Falling into Taylor’s arms, Jennavieve’s body fell forward like a lifeless rag doll.  Realizing that she had Jennavieve in her arms,Taylor held onto her tightly, not letting her escape once she had a hold on her.   Madison’s hand covered her mouth as Jennavieve attempted to scream, Jennavieve‘s body slowly sinking to the floor as Taylor struggled to keep her hold on her.

Jennavieve’s body was covered in hundreds of small bruises, her wrists baring the imprints of someone’s hands having held her down tightly and her face wearing the anguish left from their sick fantasies.  Her clothes were covered in small blood spatters and the girls couldn’t tell if she was bleeding or if she had just been around other people who were.  From what they could see the blood looked like it was old, apparently blood that had splattered onto Jennavieve when someone else was injured and didn’t appear to have come from her.  Anna stared at Jennavieve in disbelief, recognizing the face staring back at her and unable to move at she stood dumbfounded in front of them.

Sending Anna a dirty look,Taylor motioned for Anna to hurry up and help her hold onto Jennavieve because she was having a hard time holding onto her. “Anna, get your butt over here and help me already. I can’t hold her by myself….”

Anna shook her head, trying to shake the thoughts that were running through her head as she helped Taylor hold onto Jennavieve.  Squirming underneathTaylor’s hands, Jennavieve struggled to break free but couldn’t because she was weaker than she normally was and wasn’t able to fight back very well.

“Jennavieve…”  Keeping her hand firmly over Jennavieve’s mouth,Madison got close to Jennavieve’s face as she spoke softly, trying to calm Jennavieve down.  “We just need something from you…we’re not going to hurt you…”  Looking into Jennavieve’s dark blue eyes,Madison noticed the fear that flashed in them as they slowly fluttered open and shut, her breath rapid onMadison’s hand as Jennavieve began to hyperventilate.  “It’s okay…” Madisonstarted to get scared, feeling Jennavieve’s warm tears fall onto her hand.  Reaching her hands to cover her eyes as a vision came to her,Madison doubled over, holding her head as she fell to the floor.

“Madison!”  Taylor and Anna looked down at Madison, who was slumped over on the floor, clutching her head as she moaned.  The girls couldn’t let go of Jennavieve so they couldn’t go over to Madison and help her.

Getting up from the floor quickly, Madison looked at Jennavieve,  a confused look on her face.  “I just had another vision…”  Madison walked back over to them, watching Jennavieve begin to sway back and forth in Anna and Taylor’s arms, concern growing on her face.  “Jennavieve was infected with Virus…she might even have it now and may have not fully turned yet.  I just had a vision of her death…”  Madison had a terrified look on her face as she looked at Jennavieve, her face full of fear as she looked at the woman who looked like she was dying in front of her eyes.  “Look how weak she is…” Madison pointed to Jennavieve, “She’s not even fighting back anymore…we better hurry up and go.”

“Eww….Virus!” Taylor’s face turned sour, quickly dropping her hold on Jennavieve as she ran towards Madison, a fearful look in her eyes.  “I don’t want to catch that!”

“Taylor!”  Falling to the floor as she got stuck with the blunt of Jennavieve’s weight, Anna gave Taylor a dirty look.  “Don’t just leave me here!”  Anna struggled to get another grip on Jennavieve so she could pull her up again but Jennavieve reacted by letting out a blood-curdling scream as if she were in extreme pain.  Looking down at Jennavieve as the rest of the group ran to the door, Anna noticed there was fresh blood dripping off of her hands.

Now free from Anna’s grip, Jennavieve stumbled a little as she tried to stand up but she quickly fell down again, knocking something down that was hidden behind the dresses in the closet as she reached up to grab some of them to catch her fall.  Nero’s sword slowly slid down from it’s propped up position against the wall of the closet and fell to the ground with a small thud, the shiny metal covered in bright red blood.  Turning her head to the sound of the falling sword, Anna looked at the blood dripping from the sword and realized why Jennavieve was so weak, now noticing the blood that was dripping down the front of  Jennavieve’s dark red dress.

A fearful expression came over Anna’s face as she looked at the dying woman in her arms,  noticing a smile spread across Jennavieve’s face as if she wanted to die.  Anna lightly touched Jennavieve’s face, understanding that Jennavieve was dying in her arms and these might be her last moments in this world.  “Are you okay…?”

Jennavieve reached a shaky hand towards Anna’s, the gentle smile on her face wavering.  “Please….forgive me….for my sin….our sin….it was my…..fault…”  Jennavieve’s words were faint, her eyes slowly closing as her life energy began to leave her body.  “…I’m so sorry….Nero…please…forgive me….”

Chapter 1:  Welcome to Our Dysfunctional Family

………… “Miss Catalina!”  Standing up, Roos swung his paper in the air, giving me an eager look like he was ready to move onto something different than school work.  “I’m done with my test!”

“Alright..”  I got up from the makeshift desk I had put together and walked over to Roos, looking over his test that was scribbled on with various drawings and some answers, not many but there were some answers.  I gave Roos a disappointed look, which was a little hard for me to do because I didn’t get mad easy.  Okay, I admit it, I was kind of a pushover.  “Roos, this test isn’t finished.”

“Hmm…”  Roos stood up next to me, eagerness in his eyes as he stood close to me.  I heard him sniffle as he got closer to me but I wasn’t really sure what he was doing, did he have a cold?  “I guess I didn’t did I?”

“No.”  Shaking my head, a small laugh escaped my lips that I tried to keep in because I was supposed to be a disciplinarian, not a very good one but I was trying.  “This is the chapter test, it‘s very important that you finish it.  Can you do the rest for me?”

“Can you help me?”  Roos was talking in a slightly babyish voice, something he had been doing with me lately and I wasn’t really sure why.  After all, Roos was practically a teenager, he was too old for baby talking.

I sat down next to him and pointed to the first answer that he didn‘t answer, “What’s the answer to this one?”

“I don’t know.”  Roos shrugged his shoulders, a small grin on his face as he played dumb.  I knew he knew the answer and he knew I knew.  “I can’t read the question…see?”  Roos leaned over me and pointed to where he had scribbled over all the questions, blocking them out so that they were illegible.

“Roos…why did you do that?”  I must admit it, I was really getting annoyed with Roos and when he did stupid things like that I wondered if I was even making any progress with him at all.  “Come on, what’s the Capital of Morgen?”  Pointing to the paper I wanted him to write the answer but he said it out loud instead.

“Weiss Enden.”  Roos smiled at me, his hands held behind his back as he rocked back and forth on his toes.

“Roos!”  Giving him a dirty look, Bella stuck her tongue out at Roos, her short pink hair jumping as she stood up.  Her ponytails that I had put in that morning were slightly crooked now because she had been playing hard after lunch and had ripped out her hair a little but at least she managed to keep them both in this time.  “You’re cheating!”  Picking up her test, Bella’s tender little face was filled with scrapes as she glared at her twin brother, her small little fist going up to his face as she ran over to his desk.  “You looked at mine you piss wad!”

“Hey!”  Standing between them as they both tried to kill each other, I closed my eyes, barely able to keep the twins apart as they screamed obscenities at each other.  When these kids fought they really fought, the last time Bella broke Roos’s arm, it was terrible.  “Stop this at once!”  I tried to keep them apart but amazingly those little buggers were stronger than me and if I wouldn’t have gotten out of their way they would’ve beaten me up too.  Standing on the sidelines I begged them to stop, watching helplessly as the children beat on each other like they were little beasts or something, it was crazy.  “Bella!  Roos!  Stop it!”  Stomping my foot, I think I pouted a little because my helplessness in the situation was really starting to get to me, this fighting was an everyday occurrence that I still wasn’t used to.  “Someone’s going to get hurt and-”

Suddenly, to my amazement, both of the children stopped fighting, Bella walked over to me and put her arms around my waist, the ponytails in her hair now had completely fallen out.  Her sad eyes looked up at me with such guilt, those tender little brown eyes looked like little chocolate candies against her rough skin.  Of course I forgave her and put my arm around her, patting her on the back and smiling because I was happy that they had stopped fighting, “See Bella, Roos is-”

“Hey you little piss ants, you better not be giving Miss Cat any trouble.” Turning around I saw the reason why the children had stopped fighting when I heard Striker’s voice behind me.  He looked a little annoyed and there were a stack of papers in his hands that he tossed onto the empty table near the door.  “Or else your daddy’s going to hear about it.”

Roos, who idolized Striker, ran to Striker and started jumping on him, glad that Striker had come to visit our class.  I think Roos was also just a teensy bit happy that he was getting out of doing school work too but anyway…

“Striker!  Hey, whatcha doin’ in our classroom?”  Roos looked up into Striker’s ice blue eyes that were intensified by his dark lashes.

Speaking of Striker’s eyes, I always tease Striker about his them, saying that he looks like he has girly eyes because his eyelashes are so dark they look like he’s wearing mascara.  He doesn’t like when I do that, in fact it’s a good comeback for the here kitty kitty jokes.

“Hey Miss Catalina?”  Roos looked back at me, a look on his face that I knew he was about to ask me something that would require some persuasion, hence the girly tone to his voice and the baby begging that Roos began to do.  “Can we quit for today?  Pleeease?  Striker might have something important to talk to you about, right Striker?  Something that requires us to stop lessons for a while?”

“What?”  I saw Striker run his hand through his jet black hair, ruffling up the streaks of dark red in it.  He had a confused look on his face, not seeming to want to play along with Roos’s game.

Bella looked up at me, pulling on my skirt, I have to wear long ones because Roos’s looks up my skirt if I wear anything short.  Bella was whispering to me, obviously not wanting the boys to hear what she was saying.  “Miss Catalina?  I think Roos asked Striker to come because he didn’t study for his test on Morgen and he’s trying to get out of it.”

Looking down at Bella, I whispered to her, my voice low as we carried on our own conversation, which kind of made the boys a little mad.  “Oh, really?”

“Yeah.  Roos was with Striker last night practicing his fire magic instead of studying.”  Bella held onto my hips tightly, she had a tendency to hang on me lately.  She was like a magnet, the farther I was away the faster she’d cling to me.  I think she’s really missed having a mother figure around and that’s why she’s so gotten so close to me since I‘ve been here.  After all I am the only decent motherly figure around the ship anyway so I didn‘t mind being her role model.

“Bella, go get me my green folder would you?”  Smiling down at Bella, I pointed to my desk, Bella smiling back at me because she knew what I was about to do.  She quickly ran and got my folder, handing it to me before I could get my next words out.  “Hmm….”   I looked over at Striker, who was giving me a questionable look.  I wasn’t really sure what he was thinking or what he was up to.  “Soo…what have you come to our class for today Striker?  You bring good news I hope.”  Looking down at Roos, I pointed to his desk as I took a fresh test out of my folder, putting it down on his desk as I picked up his pencil that lay there.  “Here you go Roos, I’ve got a new test just for you, with readable answers and everything.  Now, go finish your test and then you can join our conversation with Striker and since I‘m sure you studied really hard for this test last night then you will have it done in no time.”  Handing him the pencil, I watched Roos groan and curse me out under his breath as he sat down at his desk.  “And there will be no going anywhere until that test is finished young man.  I want answers this time, not artwork.”

“Ha, ha Roos, I’m finished and your not!”  Bella stuck her tongue out at Roos as she held onto me, shoving her finished test in my face when I was trying to talk to Striker, which was really annoying.  “I’m done!  Miss Catalina, I finished my test!  Look, see, it‘s done!”

“That’s good Bella.”  Smiling at Bella, I motioned towards Roos with my eyes, “And as soon as Roos is done we will check them together.”  Bella began to pout because she wanted me to check her test right now but I ignored her, instead switching my attention to Striker.

“Ooo…meow ouch!”  Making a hissing sound, like he often did when he began a conversation with me, Striker began to laugh, pretending to be a cat and making clawing motions with his hands.  I didn’t find it funny but Bella did, she was laughing hysterically, a little too much laughter for such a stupid joke if you ask me.  “You don’t let anyone have a break do you?  Man, I’d hate to have you as a teacher.”

“Well, never ask me to teach you anything and you’ll never have to.”  Giving him a dirty look, I was slightly hurt by his comment.

“Jeeze Catalina, you’re in a bad mood.”  Letting out a small laugh, Striker seemed calm, thinking that I was in a bad mood.  Who was he to judge what I was feeling?  He didn‘t care about my feelings or my mood, the only thing he every cared about was trying to make me mad.  “I was just coming to ask you something.”

“What is it?”  Handing Bella a piece of candy that I had in my pocket as I spoke, my action forced her to loosen up her iron grip on my hips as she took time to open up the wrapper around the candy.

“Degan said that I said I should take a partner with me on the princess mission.”  Holding his hand out when he saw I had candy, Striker just assumed I would give him some and didn’t ask for it.  Of course I did give him some and I also secretly slipped a piece onto the desk of the little boy that was actually taking his test like I had told him too.  I did it secretly because I knew Bella would be mad if she saw me give Roos a piece.  “I suggested you because we needed a girly girl, you being the first name that slipped off everyone‘s tongues.”

“A girly girl?”  Gathering up Bella’s messed up ponytails, I tried to fix them so that they looked nice again, her pink hair slipping through my fingers as I finished one ponytail.  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well…”  A sly smile came over Striker’s face and I knew that if he wasn’t trying to convince me to help him then he would’ve said something smart just now.  I could see his little mind working and his halt button going on his nasty comment.  “…You’ll make a good decoy for distracting the guards while I kidnap the princess.  We need a hot looking girl, a girl that looks like-”  Looking slightly annoyed, Striker ran his fingers through his hair, not looking at me as he spoke, “..an actual girl.”

“AndMedinadoesn’t look like an actual girl?”  I didn’t look at Striker as I spoke, I just continued redoing Bella’s hair. Medinawas the other woman that worked on the ship, she was very muscular and intimidating looking.  I was a little put off by her mannerisms and pushiness so I never really talked to her that much but I knew Striker did.

“No.”  Shaking his head, Striker smiled, his perfect eyes twinkling.  “She looks like a man dressed up as a woman, you know that Cat.”

“You mean a transvestite?”  Smiling, I looked at Striker, a small laugh escaping my lips, I knew he hated when I corrected him.  That’s why I did it, I loved to do things to see how mad I could get him.  It was kind of a game we played with each other, a strange game, but a game nonetheless.

“I wouldn’t talk pussy cat, we all have our little quirks don‘t we?  Hey Roos, come here!”  Giving me a slightly evil look, Striker laughed, his eyes meeting with Roos’ as Roos stood up and walked over to Striker.

“What’s that supposed to-”  I tried getting a word in but Striker just ignored me, talking to Roos instead of  getting on with the conversation he had been having with me.

“I just saw the most disgusting thing on my way down here.”  Striker pointed towards the door behind him as he looked down at Roos, giving Roos a high five.  Both of them exchanged a few manly shoves and punches, laughing at their pain hysterically like it was something that was enjoyable.  “Medina’s making out with that fish guy from Greco, you wanna go check it out?  I didn‘t know fish had that many holes!”

“Hey!”  Putting my hands on my hips I gave Striker a dirty look, “You better not let him watch that kind of smut Striker, I don‘t think it‘s-”

“It’s like school, daddy says if I’m gonna be a man I got to know how one acts.  That includes watching naked girls and stuff.”  Roos laughed, watching my face that probably got a little red because I was furious.  I couldn’t believe that Degan and Striker let Roos watch that kind of stuff, I thought it was disgusting, not to mention inappropriate for an twelve year old boy to be watching.

“You better not-”  Pointing my finger at Roos, I was about to lecture him but Striker cut me off.

“And that includes your teacher?”  Covering his mouth, Striker seemed to be trying not to laugh, Striker’s comment appearing to be funny to Striker but it made Roos really mad.  Of course I knew that Roos had a slight crush on me so that’s what I assumed Striker was talking about.

“No Striker…”  Looking into Roos’s reddening face, I gave him a slightly accusing look, my voice coming out a little low as I let out a small laugh.  “I don’t think Roos needs to see me like that.”

“Miss Catalina?”  Bella was pulling on my dress, her hands still digging into my hips, her sweet chocolate eyes looking into mine.  An angry expression came over her calm face and she suddenly pointed an accusing finger at Roos, screaming at him as she spoke, “Roos does spy on you!  He’s a little pervert!  I saw him do it!  I did Miss Catalina!”

“Shut up Bella!”  Roos raised his fist up to Bella, ready to go over and hit her but Striker held him back, a few laughs escaping Striker’s lips that he tried to contain, well pretended to try anyway.  I think that Striker found the whole thing quite humorous, just another little thing to tease me about.

“Well…”  Looking down at Roos, who he had his brown black gloved hand over his mouth, Striker laughed, looking to me as he held the raging little boy.  “I guess it’s time that Roos confesses, huh?”

Striker had two large tattoos on the sides of his face, they were like two large sweeping black wings that hung around the corners of his eyes and down into the upper part of his cheeks.  Whenever he wrinkled his nose, like he was doing right now to me, his tattoos would bunch together when his dimples raised, making the tattoos look like a part of his dark eyelashes.

If you didn‘t know it before Striker is a demon, a shape shifting one that can change his form whenever he wishes.  His tattoos are supposed to be some sort of mark he had gotten from his rite of passage when he turned into a man, or something like that.  I don’t really understand the whole thing.  I think it’s just some dumb thing Striker made up to make himself sound more cooler.

Looking at Striker, I gave both of the boys a questionable look, “What do you mean, confess?”  I really didn’t like the sound of what Striker was saying or the direction in which the conversation was headed, especially because it concerned me.

“Don’t be too hard on the boy but-”  Letting go of Roos, Striker’s eyes turned towards the door behind him as he watched Roos take off out of the room.  Looking back at me, Striker shook his head as he crossed his thick muscular arms across his chest, his tight black flight jacket half zipped up so I could see the brown shirt he wore under it.  “He kinda saw you getting dressed the other day.”

“Kinda?”  Putting my hand to my mouth, I was shocked, I couldn’t believe Roos had snuck into my room again, this time watching me get dressed on top of it.  “What do you mean by kinda?”

Smiling, Bella looked up at me, her hands filled with the blue fabric of my long skirt, “Roos was smiling all day after that.  He told me that Miss Catalina is even more beautiful than Miss Gregan and Roos has a huge poster of her naked in his room, she‘s wearing her pageant crown and everything.  Daddy bought it for him last time we visited Telemare.”

“Oh my god…”  I felt like puking, honestly I did.  I couldn’t believe that Roos had seen me getting dressed but to think he might have even seen me naked, now that was just unthinkable.  I felt so sick and of course I felt extremely embarrassed.  “He saw me-I mean he-he-”

“Settle down Cat.”  Waving his hand in the empty air between us as he walked towards me, Striker placed a calm hand on my shoulder.  To tell you the truth I did smile a little when he touched me, not on the outside, but on the inside I did.  “It’s not that bad.  Roos said he didn’t get to see you naked because you put your undies on in the bathroom.  He did say that you have a killer rack though.”  Giving me a slightly mocking look, Striker was going to start teasing me, I could tell by the way his voice got higher and the way he started to hang on my shoulder.  There was also this devilish look that came into his ice blue eyes, a sort of challenging look.  “..does that make you feel better?  Being the lusty lady of a teen boy’s fantasies?”  Punching my shoulder, Striker laughed when he saw the frown that came over my face, taking that as an okay to keep teasing me some more.  “He probably thinks of you now instead of Miss Gregan every time he-”

Striker was about to make an obscene gesture, referring to something sexual of course but I quickly grabbed his hands and stopped it before he got the chance to make it.  I didn’t like him talking about such things around Bella, even though I knew her mind was already tainted I was trying my best to untaint it.

“Oooo…”  Sticking his tongue out at me, Striker wiggled his hands free from mine, of course making a big deal out of my gesture even though his was much more outrageous, well for my standards anyway.  I could hear Bella laughing behind me, thinking that Striker’s playfulness with me was hilarious. “Teaching him geography, huh?  All about forests and mountains I gather..”

Rolling my eyes, I tried not to let what Striker was saying get to me, pretending to change the subject because I was getting a little annoyed with his teasing, well maybe a lot.  “Yes I teach the children about those kinds of things, don’t I Bella?”  Looking down at Bella, I forced a smile, “And about history and art…all kinds of things.  Geography is not the only subject that I teach.”

“That’s not what I meant pussy cat.  Roos likes your-”  Giving me a devilish smile, Striker was about to say something else but Bella cut him off.

“Hey Miss Catalina?”  Looking up at me again, Bella pulled on my dress, a slightly confused look in her eyes.  “Is it true what Striker and daddy tell the new recruits?  That your nickname is pussy cat because you don‘t like boys?”

“What?  Striker said I was a-”  Looking at Striker, I gave him an angry look, not happy about the comment I had just heard come out of Bella’s mouth.  I couldn’t believe Striker would tell someone, let alone a bunch of people that I was a lesbian.

“Ahh…”  Putting his hands up in surrender, Striker looked at me with guilty eyes and I knew that he had said that and what Bella had heard was true.  What I didn’t understand is why Striker would tell people that because I was definitely not a lesbian.  “That’s not what I said.  You misunderstood the conversation…”  Looking slightly confused, Striker ran his fingers through his spiky jet black hair, giving Bella a dirty look because obviously she had said something he was mad about.  “Talking about privacy, that was a private conversation Bella.”  Making a big X in the air in front of him, Striker tried to avoid my angry eyes, his own dark lashes concealing his ice blue eyes as he looked down at the floor.  “An adult conversation that me and your dad were having with the recruits, it had nothing to do with kids.  You had no right to be listening in on us, you know your dad doesn‘t allow you and Roos to get involved with his business matters.”  Business matters?  More like Degan’s heist and thievery plans, nothing about Degan’s business was legal or openly shared for that matter.

Some of my books are virgin reads, so be gentle.  Not all of the books I have written are up for review because they might need some editing yet.  If there’s one not on this list you’d like to read just ask (ex. One of my WIP’s or rough drafts) and I’ll see what I can do.  I’m not asking for someone to read a whole book (unless they want to) I’m just asking for some feedback on a chapter or two.  And yes, if you aren’t a good editor and just simply want to read one and give me your opinion, that’s fine too.

So….that said I am hoping for some volunteers.  Just drop me a line and I’ll send you a few chapters.  I wouldn’t mind helping you as well if you want to do a swap.

Here’s a list and sats of my sexy singles that need some lovin’.  I also have a tab (My Books) at the top of my home page that has a summary for each one.

1. The Bloodlust Prince 61,300

2. Death Angels 36,000

3. Moon Flowers 49,000

4. The Heart of Valerus 27,000

5. The Firebirds  58,000

6. Carter’s Curse 49,300

7. Demons and Kittens 46,300

8. Chaos in the Skies 44,000

9. Scent of a Demon 38,000

10. Armageddon’s Angel  141,000

11. Nero the Hero 118,000

12. Journey to the Black Castle 29,000

Still fidgeting nervously, Anja watched Kara begin to cry as Jenn told her about how she was born and about Dr. Astris still being alive.  Putting her hands on the cold glass in front of her, a deep frown set into Anja’s face.  She leaned her cheek on the glass, the coldness a comfort to her hot tears as they began slowly falling from her green eyes.  Dragging her fingers down the glass as they shook, her fingers made a squeaking sound with the motion, a high pitched wail almost identical to the one softly coming from her lips.

Her heart raced, memories of the war and all the terrible things that Dr. Astris had done all coming back to her.  Closing her eyes tightly, Anja turned her eyes from Kara who was now sobbing in Anna’s arms.  Balling her fists at her sides, Anja turned from the mirror, her back slowly falling down the wall until her body rested in a sitting position.

Holding her hands over her face, Anja thought about Drake, about the day they all found out Dr. Astris was destroying the world.  She could remember the hurt in his eyes, all the pain around her when she watched everyone die.  All the events of that tragic day flooded her brain, playing over in her head as she held her hands over her head, her fingers getting lost in her soft chestnut curls as they hid her tears.  She could hear Drake’s crying, Tracker’s voice as he tried evacuate the people from the city and then there was the smell of death….a scent that could never be forgotten.

She could remember standing on the edge of the cliff with the Firebirds, deep holes that looked like entrances to hell littering the ground that was once their home.  There wasn’t a sound in the air except for the sound of their own breath, deep shallow breaths as they looked down upon the destruction in shared silence.  Anja remembered her feet aching, every part of her body tingling as Drake held her in his arms.

Does you have certain things that make them write better or just plain get you in the mood for writing?  I know it’s weird but I like to write in bed, probably because it’s the most compfortable place in the house.  Being all warm and snuggled in bed with my laptop is a great feeling.  I don’t get to do that much though because I don’t get a lot of private time in my house.  I go to take a shower or go and do the dishes and leave the baby (My son hates when I call him my baby) with his dad, he almost finds his way to me.  Most of my writing is done on the recliner in the livingroom. 

I’ve been listening to Pandora radio a lot lately on the t.v. too.  My son loves dancing to it and listening to a good hard rock song seems to get the writing going.  It also puts me in the mood for writing an action scenes. 

I picked this song to post because it reminds me of going to airshows in the summer and I want it so to be summer already…..