D.B. Reynolds.com

STILL ALIVE AND DEEP IN THE CAVE!

Posted by dbreynolds on January 11, 2021

Hi everyone! This is just a very quick note to let you know I’m still breathing and still deep, deep in the cave, which is why you haven’t heard much from me. You (and I) will be happy to know that Nick’s book will be finished THIS WEEK! (if you hear sobs of relief, that’s just me.) I had to trim my original outline, because it would have taken two complete books to do it right. Nick’s had a very, very long life, so I had to do some judicious editing about the details of his history between soon after he took that big leap into the maelstrom of time, and his modern day present, which is his life and adventures once he reunited with Antonia (which he did at the end of DRAGAN.) I don’t know about you, but I wanted to learn how Nick, Antonia, and all four warriors get their revenge on Sotiris. I’m happy with the way it’s turned out, though being a trained historian, I cried a little. There’s a reason I don’t write historical romances, I’m too big of a stickler for accurate details.

Other than writing, I’ve watched the occasional movie (WW1984!) I’ve also bought a frontpack for my 6 mo. kitten, Eddie, so we can take walks together. Where I live, it’s not safe to walk her on a leash. She needs to be secure and protected against marauding coyotes. The pack does have a bubble front though, so she can see where we’re going. We’re taking a road trip later this month, so she’ll be ready for walks in the great outdoors.

For any of you who want to read the earlier books, or if you know someone who does, RAPHAEL‘s ebook is on sale for only $0.99, for two weeks only! This is a super low price for him, so get it while you can.

And finally, I hope you’re all enjoying (is that a word we can use these days??) the new year, and are holding out hope for a better 2021. By the end of this year, maybe we’ll be able to travel again? Maybe? I live in California where things are bad right now, so…fingers crossed for better times for everyone, especially those fighting for their lives, and the ones helping them fight.

Stay safe out there.
Wear a mask, protect yourself and others.
xoxo
DBR

Categories: Books on Sale - Where?, Holiday Greetings, Life in the Time of Corona, NICODEMUS, RAPHAEL, Stone Warriors

IN THE CAVE and a SNIPPET……….. (as promised)

Posted by dbreynolds on December 7, 2020

You all know what this means, right? Yep, I’m in the cave again. Although it seems to have gotten colder since I’ve been gone…there’s ice everywhere! Nothing’s been the same since we locked down in March, and now we’re locked down again. Fortunately, I have Eddie to keep me company now. My hands might be covered in scratches and little fang bites, but she’s a good companion, and even permits the occasional cuddle when she’s in the mood. lol
There she is, awake for a change, keeping guard while I write, and thankfully not offering any “helpful” suggestions.

I have the fireplace going, calming music playing, and hot water for tea and cocoa close at hand, so we’re doing great. NICODEMUS’s story is flowing, though it doesn’t want to end. Nick’s life was long, which means I’ve had to decide which parts to include. Otherwise, I’d still be writing this book next summer. lol

As promised, however, today I bring you a snippet. Fair warning: This is an UNEDITED piece of a larger scene that hasn’t been read by anyone but me. So when the scene shows up in the book, it might look very different from what you’re about to read. The snippet’s still covered by my copyright, however. Heh, heh.

So, have a look, and enjoy the first time Nicodemus meets Antonia…
—————————
Nico lifted a flagon of ale, intending to wet his throat, when the soft scuff of a footfall on the stone stairs made him set down the ale and turn, a defensive spell on the tips of his fingers. His servants had standing orders never to climb those stairs, and his four warriors would never have stepped so softly.

He was on his feet, eyes focused on the final turn of stair visible through the open door, when the very last person he’d have expected came around the curve and, seeing his martial pose, went perfectly still.

“Lord Nicodemus.”

He’d never heard her voice before, and was surprised to find it as melodious as the morning birdsong outside his bedroom window. He lifted his gaze from the automatic perusal of her feminine form, and caught the slight twinkle of amusement in pale gray eyes.

“Lady Antonia.” He managed to utter her name without embarrassing himself, and wondered what had overtaken him. He did not become flustered in the presence of even the most beautiful women. But this one, who was lovely but not the equal of some, had him as tongue-tied as a raw youth. Not to mention that she belonged to Sotiris, which surely made her an enemy. For all that she never appeared on the battlefield, it was well known that she had significant power, and was particularly skilled at both conjuring and casting spells.

Dark lashes fell demurely over those pale eyes as she stepped into the room, and when she looked up again, all traces of humor were gone, hidden behind a mask of polite perfection. “Forgive me for intruding, my lord. I would not have done so, if the situation were not,” she hesitated before choosing her next word, “critical.”

Intrigued enough that his unusual first reaction to her presence fell away, Nico swept his arm toward the small, sunlit seating area, which was much neater than the rest of the room, solely because he never used it. “Sit, my lady. I have ale, but I can ring for tea, if you’d—”

She laughed, and his heart seemed to pulse harder against his chest for a beat. By all the gods in heaven and hell, how had Sotiris managed to hold such a light spirit for so many years? And what was she doing here? Now?

“I am not so delicate that I don’t enjoy a fine ale, my lord.”

At his charming best—which was damn good—Nico smiled and filled another flagon, giving her the same full measure as when he topped off his own. He delivered hers with a courtly bow, before sitting on the chair opposite and waiting politely until after she’d taken a sip to ask the obvious. “My tower is always open to a lovely woman, my lady. Though it is rare that one has sufficient magic to make it this far without mishap.”

“You flatter me, my lord. I am more than aware of your own power, and have no doubt you permitted me to approach you.”

It wasn’t true, but he wasn’t going to tell her that. He was intrigued, however, because he was aware of her power, too. And she didn’t have the strength to approach him without notice, much less to access his most private tower. Though he doubted she’d have been able to cross the room’s threshold without serious injury to herself, had he not invited her to do so.

He remained silent, waiting for her to venture her reasons for being there, sipping his ale as if her visit was nothing unusual.

She shot him a quick glance, then another, before a sigh offered her surrender to their unspoken test of wills. “May I speak frankly, Lord Nicodemus. And with assurances that this conversation will not reach my lord Sotiris’s ears?”

Nico cocked his head curiously. “I can assure you for my part, Lady Antonia.”

“That will do, since I value my life too much to whisper a single word of it myself.”

He came alert. “If you are in danger, my lady—”

She waved one delicate hand. “Nothing so drastic. Not yet, and not ever, if you hold to your assurance.”

“I give you my word, on my honor.”

She met his gaze steadily, as if looking into his soul. “And I have heard that you are that rare being…an honorable man of power and title.”

Nico dipped his head slightly, acknowledging the compliment, but held to his patience, waiting for her to begin.

“I had not heard,” she said tartly, “that you were a man of such patience.”

It was his turn to laugh. “My mother will be pleased that you think so. What brings you here, my lady?”

“Save your breath and time. Call me Antonia,” she said impatiently.

“And I am Nico,” he said, too charmed to tease her any further, and surprised that he’d been inclined to do so thus far.

“Nico,” she repeated, as if tasting the name. “I had wondered if your family shortened the name any. Sotiris never calls you anything but Nicodemus. When he’s being polite, that is.”

“Which brings us to my surprise at finding you on my doorstep.”

—————————

Well, that was fairly long. More of an excerpt than a snippet. An exppet, maybe?

Hope you enjoyed it anyway. I don’t have a firm release date yet, but I expect it to be in the early spring. I’m going back to working on it now. I’ve set a deadline for myself, and I’m determined to make it. I did “win” NaNoWriMo again this year, which means I wrote at least 50K words in the month of November. Did you know that RAPHAEL was my very first NaNo project? And I’ve been doing it every year since, although there have been a couple years when I didn’t make the cut.

Stay safe out there. Wear a mask!

xoxo
DBR

Categories: Just checking in with misc. stuff, Life in the Time of Corona, NaNo, NICODEMUS, Snippets, Stone Warriors, Uncategorized

STILL WRITING…MOSTLY

Posted by dbreynolds on November 16, 2020

So, it’s November, which means NaNoWriMo, even in 2020. I’m NaNo’ing this year, combining it with my work on Nick’s story (officially NICODEMUS.) This story has turned out to begin differently than I’d originally planned. My first thought was to hit the moment Nick’s four warriors disappeared, finish off the battle, and send Nick on his way after the warriors. And that’s what I wrote. But then I realized…we need to hear Nick and Antonia’s love story. We need to know who Antonia is! And I loved writing it. This is a less cynical Nick, younger in many ways, a powerful sorcerer who’s never really faced any problem his power couldn’t solve, much less any real tragedy. But now it’s back to the battle and the day he lost everything. He’ll be heading for our world, during the Bourbon Restoration in France. I’d like to give you a snippet…but maybe next time.
Since this IS 2020, I’m in my house most of the time, with (mostly) daily walks out into the fresh air. I did manage a weekend to attend my niece’s softball tournament, and was once again impressed by the physicality and discipline of the players. Great “heads-up” playing. But mostly I’m home, so when I need a break from writing, or just something to watch while I eat dinner, I’m searching Netflix and Amazon, along with everyone else. In the interest of saving others the search time, I have recommendations. “The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix is excellent. Whether or not you’ve read the book, you’re going to love this. “The Impossible” also on Netflix, is the story of one family in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, and a very young Tom Holland lead an excellent cast. And finally, on a much lighter note, Dash & Lily is a sincere but lighthearted look at two 17-18ish kids who don’t quite fit in, and the unique way they find each other. Oh, and if you want something with more episodes, but requiring less attention to watch, there’s always Emily in Paris.
Just so you know, this is whom I’m spending Covid with…my sweet (sometimes) Eddie, who’s got her eyes on the squirrels outside my bedroom window. She was a tiny kitten, weighing about a pound, when she first came to live with me, but she’s officially mine now. The adoption went through and I’ve registered her chip. Sharing lockdown with another living creature makes a difference, especially since it seems we’re about to lock everything down again.
For anyone—or their friends—who haven’t read it yet, the e-book of the second volume of Vampire Vignettes is currently on sale on all the usual e-retailers.

And now back to writing. Nick’s about to take his great leap into the future.

Stay safe, wear a mask!
xoxo
DBR

Categories: Books on Sale - Where?, Life in the Time of Corona, NaNo, NICODEMUS, Stone Warriors, Uncategorized, Vampire Vignettes

DBR IS WRITING

Posted by dbreynolds on October 15, 2020

So what else is new, right? I’m almost always writing, but sometimes I’m pushing up against a deadline, and then I’m WRITING (all caps!) lol But right now I’m just writing, working on NICODEMUS, which is a uniquely challenging story. Nick’s been alive a very long time, and significant events that shaped who he became by the time we meet him in RAPHAEL occurred sometimes centuries apart. His story has to begin back in the time/world where he first met his warriors and Antonia, and what happened that day on the battlefield. But then his search begins. Not only for his warriors, but for Antonia. And, of course, somewhere in there he meets Cyn, and then Raphael. (heh,heh)

But let’s talk about XAVIER!!
“If you want something different in your vampire world I suggest you give author D.B. Reynolds’s XAVIER a try, you will not regret a moment and probably be looking for more of this author’s exceptional style of writing.”
-Fresh Fiction
FreshFiction.com posted the first editorial review, but not the only review. My most sincere thanks to all who bought XAVIER, and especially to the many wonderful readers who left reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. Most of you loved his story and are looking forward to reading more about Xavier and Layla, along with all the new vampires and their mates, as the stories move into the rest of Europe. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. XAVIER was written completely under COVID lockdown, and I along with most writers and other artistic types, continue to find lockdown very dampening to our creativity. My editor Brenda Chin was brilliant in digging into my head and reminding me what the story was supposed to be about. So she deserves huge thanks for this book.

So, yeah, here’s something I’ve always known, but that lockdown drove into my head. You can’t work all the time, even when you can barely leave your house. I’ve been working at home ever since I’ve been writing, and counted myself lucky to do it. I love writing, and frankly, I’m an introvert and so mostly love staying home. Of course, I loved it a lot more when I had a choice about it, which is something we’re all feeling right now. I took one road trip, which helped, but then I adopted a brand new kitten. She was adopted from a shelter, barely 3 weeks old and a day off the bottle when she came to live with me. She’s too young to road trip just yet, and though I know she’d be in good hands with family, I don’t want her to feel abandoned again. She’s very attached, since it’s only the two of us mostly 24 hours day.

So, I’ve been haunting Netflix, Prime, Apple+, and just about every other channel, looking for movies/series for me and Eddie (the cat, named after Edgar Allan Poe, of course) to watch on weekends, which I take off from “work.” I’ve encountered the good and the bad, so I thought I’d share a couple recommendations.
The best movie I’ve watched lately is Meru which is the story of three climbers and their struggle to climb the “Shark’s Fin” route on Meru Peak in the Indian Himalayas, which had never been done. It’s similar in style to Free Solo, which is another fantastic movie about the first free climb of El Capitan’s dawn wall. Both movies share the incredible cinematography talents of Jimmy Chin, who is also one of the three climbers in Meru. He’s filming and climbing. It’s an amazing story of perseverance, courage, and more than a little crazy-ass.
With Halloween coming up, everyone’s making a list of the best scary movies to watch. I read the critic’s list in Vanity Fair and one of their top five (they only listed 5) was The Evil Dead by Sam Raimi (1981.) This movie was originally shown at one of those movie festival viewings, where the backers are looking for money and distribution. Stephen King happened to be in the audience and (no surprise) LOVED it. He was vocal during the showing and wrote about it later. It’s generally believed that King’s support was a major factor in Raimi securing distribution. So, I had to watch it. Well (cough,cough) I should have known, right? Stephen King doesn’t exactly go for warm and fuzzy, does he? It’s an exceptionally gruesome movie, and having been made in 1981, it hasn’t aged well. BUT that said, Raimi’s direction can’t be faulted and you see the birth of techniques he uses over and over again to this day in movies like the Spiderman trilogy, Darkman, and… Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful! You’ll see his talents next in the new Dr. Strange movie (2022, unless we’re still locked down!!)

That said, I have to have a bit of fun with The Evil Dead, right? Because what we have in the very first truly disturbing scene is…the most frightened girl (the one WITHOUT a boyfriend) who hears a noise, puts on her robe, and goes out into the foggy night at a cabin in the middle of nowhere woods, where they’ve already heard scary noises and found a weird diary.
ME WATCHING: What the hell is she doing?
GIRL: “Is anybody out there?”
ME WATCHING: Are you kidding me?
She’s attacked (I won’t say by what) escapes, runs, TRIPS (of course,) screams and pounds on the door, which her bad friends don’t hear (probably having sex—-filthy teenagers!) And I won’t tell you what happens next. You have to watch for yourself.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

And that’s it for me. Sorry this is late. Eddie’s been keeping me running. We’ve only hit a good routine this week, so that I can both work and sleep in sufficient quantities. Furry little dictator.

Stay safe out there. Wear a mask.
xoxo
DBR

Categories: Books on Sale - Where?, Facts, Videos and Amusing Links, Life in the Time of Corona, RAPHAEL, Reviews, Stone Warriors, TV/Media, Uncategorized, Vampires in Europe, Writing, XAVIER

XAVIER EXCERPT!!

Posted by dbreynolds on September 29, 2020

XAVIER will be released THIS WEDNESDAY, September 30, 2020. The e-book is still on pre-order everywhere. The print books are available to purchase on BN.com, but they’re showing out of stock on Amazon. Weird. It’s possible Amazon’s pre-orders exhausted their inventory. I know the print process has been slowed down by COVID, so Amazon might slow in restocking. But hopefully they’ll have it by release day.

AMAZON.com
AMAZON Canada
AMAZON UK
AMAZON Australia
BN.com
KOBO
KOBO Canada
GOOGLE Play

—————
Barcelona—exquisite architecture, masterful artists, and just down the coast, an ancient fortress where an old and powerful vampire lives…and rules all of Spain.

Tall, dark, and deadly, vampire Xavier Prospero Flores waded through blood to destroy his enemies and reach the pinnacle of vampire society—Vampire Lord. He has only one regret in his long life, and that’s the day he rejected the advances of Layla Casales. She’d been too innocent, too naïve, and far too young. But she’d also been his.

Layla Casales was only nineteen when she left Spain, brokenhearted and humiliated by Xavier’s rejection. But now, ten years later, the ties of family are pulling her back, not only to Spain, but to Xavier’s fortress. Her father, the vampire lord’s military commander, is critically ill. Layla has spent years fighting on battlefields around the world, so when her father asks her to come home, she can’t say no.

Though Xavier’s rule began on the ashes of his enemies, it’s not vampires trying to kill him now–it’s humans. He needs to eliminate his enemy before more of his people die. Layla arrives just in time to help, but while she came for her father, the minute she and Xavier see each other, desire burns as hotly as if they’d never been apart. Xavier isn’t going to let her go this time. But before they can rediscover the love they walked away from, they must first keep each other alive.

——————–
XAVIER Excerpt

Catalonia, Spain, 1859
XAVIER FLORES Prospero raced into Barcelona far ahead of his companions. He’d been in Madrid when he’d known, just known, that his Sire was dead. Every vampire on the continent would have known that someone powerful had died, but Xavier had known who it was—Vampire Lord, the Lord of Spain, Josep Alexandre, centuries old, a power beyond reckoning, and in an instant, he was gone. Xavier’s grief had been real, his fury unmatched. For if Josep was dead, someone had killed him. And that someone was now Lord of Spain, except . . . . His far-reaching sensitivity to the balance of power told him that the vampire who’d murdered Josep was too weak to rule, unable to contain the power released with the vampire lord’s death. And that left the territory leaderless, its vampires desperate and gasping for the strength and leadership they needed to survive.

By all accounts, the murderous fool had managed to escape the city before being killed himself, but the result had been utter carnage, as one vampire after another went on a killing spree in a bid for power. No one had managed to hold the territory—which encompassed all of Spain—for longer than a few days. Xavier hadn’t needed anyone to tell him the territory was in crisis. He was powerful enough to sustain himself and his vampire children without a vampire lord’s assistance, but most vampires weren’t. In every city and village he’d passed through on his race back to Barcelona—every place where one or more vampires had lived—he’d had to linger long enough to revive dying vampires, to share his blood and make them his, to save their lives.

And still the challenges and killings continued. It was a constant noise in his head, his instinct straining to forge a connection to one new ruler after another.

But he’d finally reached Barcelona, the center of Spain’s vampires because it had been Josep’s home for the hundreds of years he’d ruled. Racing down the crowded streets, Xavier ignored angry shouts and thrown objects from pedestrians protesting his horse’s thundering passage, until he pounded through the gates of Josep’s home, his mount’s hooves skidding on the polished stone in front of the dead vampire lord’s mansion.

Leaving the horse to the care of his companions, who’d been close behind him when they’d drawn even with the city and would arrive soon enough, he stormed up the steps two at a time and walked into a bloodbath.

The entrance hall, once a gaudy excess of gild and crystal, now stank of old blood and worse, much worse. The pink marble that had been imported from Italy to grace the floor was now dark red with blood stains, the grooves between the huge slabs still slick and shining. Jesu Crist, how many had died here? And why? Vampires didn’t bleed like that when they died, which meant humans had been slaughtered like cattle to feed . . . hell, he didn’t know whom. The instincts that had told him the territory was in turmoil hadn’t provided any names. It didn’t work like that.

Xavier walked deeper into the mansion, more cautious now. If vampires had been reduced to butchering humans, there was no telling what state they were in. He was confident enough in his ability to destroy anyone who dared attack him, but he wouldn’t enjoy having some feral beast of a vampire launch itself at him from hiding and sink fangs into his flesh. Dios mio, wasn’t that a disgusting thought?

“Sire.”

He turned and found Chuy, his lieutenant and the first of his vampire children, moving slowly into the room, his expression reflecting the same revulsion that Xavier himself was feeling.

“Walk carefully, Chuy. I don’t know what’s going on here, but there are almost certainly a few mad ones lurking about.”

“Where will you go, my lord?”

“There’s only one choice, my friend. Forward.” At a grim nod from his lieutenant, Xavier strode deeper into the wrecked mansion, confident that his back was covered.

“Xavier.” A familiar figure appeared in the open doors to what had been Josep’s drawing room.

“Dênis.” It was an effort to keep the dislike from his voice, for all that he and this vampire shared the same Sire, and had lived in Josep’s court at the same time. “You’re alive.”

Dênis gave an elegant shrug. “The one who killed Josep was not a serious, or even intentional, contender for the territory.”

“What does that mean?”

“He attended one of Josep’s weekday receptions. You remember the kind. No one of significance ever bothered, but our Sire felt the need to socialize with the common man . . . for reasons of his own,” he added in distaste. “The assassin, for that’s what he was, maneuvered close to Josep and detonated some sort of magical device. It killed Josep instantly, along with several other vampires. And a few humans,” he said offhandedly.

“Magic. Are you certain?”

“Oh, yes. There was another sorcerer in the crowd. You know, the one who gained such favor with Josep when he restored Sakal’s magic.”

“Sakal?” he repeated and immediately wondered if the sorcerer was involved in this. He’d never forgiven Josep for making him Vampire. But that had been well over one hundred and fifty years ago. Had Sakal been plotting his revenge all this time? “Was Sakal at the reception that day?” he asked Dênis.

“No, he left two days prior for France, with Josep’s permission.”

“And where were you?”

Dênis chuckled. “I didn’t hire the assassin.”

“But you didn’t try to stop him, either, did you? Why did you not protect our Sire, as I would have?”

“You were always his favorite, Xavier. The one who had free access to the most beautiful women, the best horses and accommodations. Did you ever consider what it was like for the rest of us?”

“You let him die.”

“And now Spain is mine.”

“Do you believe you can hold it?” Xavier sneered. “Against me? There was a reason that Josep favored me.”

The other vampire’s expression hardened. “You’ll bow to me before the end. I might even make you kiss my feet.”

He snorted his opinion of that. “How many challengers have you killed so far?”

“More than I can remember. It’s amazing the weaklings who think they can hold power.”

Xavier stared at him lazily. “Yes, it is.”

Dênis growled, fangs bare. “Leave or challenge, you bastard.”

“I’m not the bastard here, Dênis,” he said. “Shall we do this in the courtyard? This building stinks of old blood.”

“Those refined senses of yours too delicate for a little blood?”

“Not as long as it’s yours.” An instant later the defensive shields he’d created from the power of his blood alone sizzled to life, as he deflected the spear of pure energy aimed at his chest. But it hadn’t come from Dênis. He swung his gaze to the right and caught a flash of blond hair. Sending a focused rope of his power to wrap about the fleeing vampire’s throat, he dragged the attacker back into sight.

The vampire emitted a high-pitched whine, struggling to grip the invisible rope around his neck, his eyes rolling white with terror as he silently begged Dênis for aid. Xavier could have told him no help would be coming. Dênis had never cared for those who looked to him for protection. Not even when the one seeking help had risked his life to help Dênis.

“It was a foolish move,” Xavier told the whining vampire. “Did Dênis tell you it would work? That your pitiful attack would be the distraction that gave him the kill? That you’d earn his favor and reward after he was made vampire lord?”

The pathetic vamp had pink tears running down his cheeks, when his gaze switched to Xavier, pleading for his life.

“Will you save him, Dênis? Please, proceed. I’ll wait.”

Dênis’s gaze filled with furious hatred for Xavier. Without so much as a glance, he flicked a hand at the begging vampire. A moment later the pleading vamp fell to the floor, blood soaking his shirt an instant before he fell into a greasy pile of skin and bone that betrayed his youth.

“And that,” Xavier said, pointing at what was left of a vampire who’d been loyal enough to risk his life for his master, “is why you will never be Lord of Spain.”

Dênis’s grin was a vicious baring of teeth. “No. That is why I will wade through your dust to the throne.” A crackling sword of flame shot from his hand as he moved with vampire speed, appearing so close that when he swung the blade, it would have taken Xavier’s head had he not snapped his shields up.

“You never did have a sense of honor,” Xavier said almost cheerfully as he formed his own blade, this one burning blue and gleaming like the finest carbon steel. “Don’t worry. You’ll be too dead to crawl.”

They fought blade to blade at first, fire against steel, heat against ice. Xavier could have taken his opponent in the first few minutes, but it had been a long ride to get there, and his muscles needed warming. And so he fought until he saw sweat beginning to roll down Dênis’s face, until he noted the strikes coming a little slower, carrying a little less force. Until he saw the knowledge in the other vampire’s eyes. Death was imminent, and so unnecessary.

“You should have fled in shame after permitting our Sire to die,” Xavier said.

“O diabo te leva,” Dênis snarled.

Xavier laughed. “The devil? It’s not me he’s after.” In an instant, he’d shifted from the almost comfortable strike, parry, strike they’d been exchanging. Knocking Dênis’s fiery blade aside with a casual blow, he spun the length of his own gleaming weapon in midair, sliced through his enemy’s neck, and stepped back to watch as the vampire’s gaze recognized his own death, then disintegrated into dust.

“Sire.”

Xavier took the wet cloth Chuy offered him. Dênis had been old enough that his death was fairly tidy. But he’d been a big man—not tall, but thickly built—and Josep’s mansion had always been drafty. The dust that had been Dênis floated through the air.

“What now?” Chuy asked, taking the cloth and throwing it aside. This room . . . hell, the entire mansion, was so wrecked that one more piece of debris would hardly matter.

Xavier sighed. He’d hoped to rest in Josep’s basement quarters, but though he hadn’t yet made it downstairs, he doubted it was safe for anyone—human or vampire. “We’ll try my townhouse. It’s been some time since I was in this city. It may have escaped notice. The others?” he added, referring to the two vampires and one human who’d accompanied him to the city.

“Waiting outside, my lord. They have your horse.”

“Good. Let’s go. There’s nothing here for anyone.”

——————–

I’ll be sending a newsletter this Wednesday, celebrating XAVIER’s release, which will include a “XAVIER plus gift card” giveaway. If you’re not already signed up for the newsletter, you can do it HERE.

Until then, stay safe and wear your mask.

xoxo
DBR

Categories: Books on Sale - Where?, Contests, Snippets, Uncategorized, Vampires in Europe, XAVIER