by V L Moon
“You’re mine. NEVER forget that.” Leaning in close, Laziel kissed him one last time, gently drawing in his fuller bottom lip to suckle away the small droplet of blood that quivered upon its rim. He licked his own lips and then turned and walked away. A smirk teased at the corners of his lips when Lachi’s fury at being so adamantly taunted practically singed the small hairs along his neck. Payback was a bitch. A deliciously sinful and sexy motherfucker Laziel was sure Lachi was hell bent on collecting.
Lachi’s anger drew closer with each step he took. As he closed in on Laziel like a predator hunting its prey, Laziel couldn’t hide the delight he felt at turning the tables on his male and making him wait for more. He shivered at the vampire’s close proximity to him and had to stifle his laughter when Lachi growled at Arial in disapproval when he stepped between them and placed a quietly sleeping Destahny into his outstretched arms.
“Cool it, big boy, before you end up getting down and dirty in front of the Elders. Don’t think the old coots would take too kindly to seeing their king’s ass on full display. But, hey. What do I know? Nothing you vamps do seems to shock me anymore.” Arial’s words were laced with good intent; yet, the Fallen seemed distracted, weighted down by something that was obviously playing on his mind.
“Motherfuckers can kiss my God damned ass for all I care,” Lachi sneered as he gently cradled Destahny and turned to look at Laziel.
“This isn’t over until the fat lady sings, angel. You’ll be singing fucking soprano before I’m through with you!” Lachi threatened.
“Promises, promises, Batman, but don’t forget who’ll be wearing the cape. Because this time, my lovely, you’re sure as hell going to be donning those tights. Making your toes curl is now my mission in life. Get used to it, sweet thang. Your ass is mine!” Laziel quirked a brow, waved his hand in front of Lachi’s face and turned on his heels to give his best swagger. Amid a chorus of chuckling Fallen, vampires and one hell of a horny wolf, Laziel swung open the doors to the Elder’s court and swung his arm out wide in welcome. “After you, sugar lips, I got your back.”
~*~*~*~
Chapter Forty-Six
~*~*~*~
A heavy cloak of silence fell across the crowded court. Before them, the curious faces of the Vampire Council, its affiliates and Elders alike stood motionless in shock. With a bow of Lachi’s head, all but two Elders took their presiding seats along the first row. Roman stood with them but the empty space before Laziel sent a feeling of unease through Laziel. The blatant camaraderie between him and Lachi slipped away, and in its place, stood the guard elite. But this time, there was more at stake than just keeping Lachi safe. Now there was Destahny to protect as well.
Laziel shifted from his station at Lachi’s right hand side and moved closer, edging toward the throne where Lachi sat with their daughter cradled in his arms. As sweet as the scene may have been, Laziel could tell by the void of life in Lachi’s eyes and the permeating chill in the room Lachi felt the danger in the air. Darklon’s absence was never a good sign. It could only spell trouble for Lachi and those that supported him.
Obviously sensing Laziel’s unease, Arial moved to the back of the throne. His ominous form cast a shadow far and wide across the fearfully silent court. In unison, Roman and Tobias took the left flank as Saul and then Lance took up stations at the front of the dais steps. Their hands casually rested on the hilts of their swords and defied the tension of the moment as Lachi slowly rose from the throne.
~*~*~*~
Facing the Elders, Malachi balanced precariously on the edge between savage and rational. Laziel’s taunting kiss stoked the fires of his lust. His entire body throbbed in time with his cock. The savage within demanded he claim the male who so blatantly teased him and then walked away. But, in his arms, Destahny demanded he retain his composure and confront the Council like a civilized male. Problem was; the win to loss ratio fell heavily in favor of the savage side. Destahny hiccupped and stretched. Her tiny fist waved and hit against his chest. With her exposed to the world, the savage roared, and then receded. He’d promised Laziel he would protect their daughter and that meant keeping a clear head. Her safety was paramount. He lifted his head and squared his shoulders.
Tension and anticipation permeated the Council chambers. Every pair of eyes in the room locked on the blanket wrapped bundle in his arms. Malachi stood silent, his ferocious gaze sweeping from side to side searching out any danger to his daughter. Behind him, he knew Laziel, Arial, Roman and Tobias did the same. He refused to dwell on Darklon’s absence though he noted the Elder’s failure to appear.
Malachi cleared his throat, drawing their attention to him. “This is the first, last and only time, I will ever appear at your fucking demand.” His fury lashed out across the room. Gasps of fear erupted at the virulent force. “I am your King. I am not a fucking puppet to dance at the strings you think you hold.” His midnight gaze traveled Elder to Elder while he spoke.
“There are those among you who want the throne. I challenge you to try and take it. Stop hiding behind your illustrious robes and closed doors.” A savage smile tilted the corners of his mouth. “I took the throne by force and will maintain it the same way. I am not adverse to bloodshed and death. To protect the race, I will annihilate any who challenge my authority.” Silence prevailed when he paused.
“Synta, step forward,” he demanded. The Elder of the Asian enclaves broke ranks to kneel at the foot of the dais.
“How may I serve you, Malachi-Sama?” Small in stature and dressed in his ceremonial kimono, the Elder appeared fragile. Malachi knew him to be a fierce warrior and loyal to a fault. Besides Roman, he was the only Elder Malachi trusted.
“Tell me, Synta. Why have your peers demanded my attendance? We all know it’s not because they are desirous of my stellar personality.” From his place behind the throne, Tobias smothered laughter. The wolf’s hilarity drew a few smiles from the Elders. Ones that quickly vanished when Synta spoke.
“Rumors abound, Malachi-Sama. Darklon reported your mistress taken and held captive and that you’ve done nothing to apprehend the kidnappers. You’ve not addressed the Council about her disappearance so there are questions,” Synta explained. “Gossipmongers profess Laziel-Sama to be absent from your side and that his absence portends you have lost favor with the Creator.”
“Poor fuckers need to find a new slab of shit to suck on. I’m right fucking here, and I ain’t going anywhere, anytime soon,” Laziel growled. The angel’s voice sent electric awareness down Malachi’s spine and straight to his cock. His eyes narrowed. He so fucking could not go there, not with Destahny in a room full of threats.
Synta’s forehead touched the bottom step as he bowed. “I am most pleased to see your return Laziel-Sama.” The sincerity in his words could not be mistaken. When he straightened, his lifted his head and his eyes came to rest on the bundle in Malachi’s arms, but he didn’t speak.
“Return to your place, Syn,” Malachi ordered. He waited until the Elder sat and raked his eyes across the line of his Council.
“I know the last question. The one Synta refuses to voice.” Malachi took a step forward. Arial, Laziel, Roman and Tobias fanned out from behind the throne. “You have all demanded I mate and produce an heir.” Gazes dropped. Elders studied their feet. Without Darklon to feed their courage, none except Synta dared look at him.
“This one explanation is the only reason I have answered your summons, and ultimately, it will answer all three of your questions.” He glanced down and met golden eyes full of awareness and intelligence.
“Lorenza is dead,” he stated matter-of-factly. To his right, Laziel drew in a harsh breath. The angel’s confusion slammed into Malachi before the celestial controlled his reaction. Malachi didn’t turn his head. He hadn’t warned the angel of his intentions, or the announcement to come after Destahny’s introduction. The angel wanted to know Malachi loved him. He intended to tell the world, starting with the Elder Council. No more hiding, no more
demands that he mate. He was mated. To Laziel. And nothing anyone said or did would ever change that fact.
“Although Laziel tried to save her, Lorenza died giving birth to my daughter. I came tonight to present to you, Destahny Lorenza Denali.” The Elders sat in stunned silence. Enclave members scrambled out of the doors to spread the news. A tense silence ensued. Malachi let it stretch.
“How do we know she is your daughter? We have the right to demand proof,” Nikolas Sorokin from the Russian enclave questioned. Big, burly and covered in hair, the male was in Darklon’s hip pocket.
“I witnessed the birth, motherfucker,” Arial snapped and strolled forward. The big Fallen stretched out his tattered wings, crossed his arms over his massive chest and scowled at the Elder. “You want proof; I’ll beat the shit into your fucking bones.”
Malachi held up a restraining hand. “The ones you see here with me have been delegated her personal guard. Each of them has been given the proof of her lineage. Roman was chosen as the Elder delegate. Surely, you do not question Darklon’s son or his integrity?”
Synta rose to his feet. “Congratulations are in order, Malachi-Sama,” he spoke reverently and bowed. “We are honored you share your joyous news with us, and we will mourn the loss of your mate.”
“She was not my mate,” Malachi interrupted. Synta’s eyes widened. Around him, the eyes of several Elders narrowed and grew predatory. Nikolas’s fingers curled into fists. Malachi’s own gaze flipped to a challenging crimson.
“I have the heir all of you wanted so my duty to reproduce is done. I am your fucking king, and I will rule as I see fit,” he snarled. “Who I mate is my concern and the decision…”
Splintering, crashing wood exploded into the room. Elders scrambled out of the way. Malachi retreated to the throne with Laziel at his back. Roman, Saul, Lance, Arial and Tobias formed a semi-circle before them. Before the dust settled, something large was thrown through the twisted doors to slide haphazardly down the center aisle. Darklon filled the entrance sporting a sadistic, insane smile. Faster than Malachi could track, Laziel circled him and planted a booted foot against the projectile. It bounced off of the angel’s heel and groaned. Malachi’s heart thudded.
Vischeral Bourne.
The male was quickly blocked from his view. Laziel’s six wings spread wide and glorious, a silky fall of midnight black that stretched from one side of the chambers to the other. He was magnificent and fucking pissed. Malachi shoved Destahny into Arial’s arms. He took a step toward his angel and froze when Laziel’s voice boomed into the room, shaking the newly restored plaster from the walls.
~*~*~*~
“That’s close enough, cocksucker.”
Eyes darker than midnight and filled with pain flitted between Lachi and the male at his feet. Laziel’s heart seized as Vischeral looked up and turned his gaze to meet the vampire king’s stunned stare. At Laziel’s back Destahny announced her blatant disapproval. A wall of feathered wings and muscle protected the child; yet, for a split second, Laziel wished for an attempt—any excuse to rend flesh from bone and draw the last drops of blood from Darklon’s throat. Heckling laughter broke through the ebony curtain of Laziel’s violent gaze. Keeping the heel of his foot against Vischeral’s throat Laziel sneered in disgust. “You just signed your own death warrant motherfucker. I hope you like it in Hell.”
~*~*~*~
To Be Continued…
Music is a great inspiration when writing, especially when you find a song that fits both your mood and the mood of the character you're writing at the time.
Below is a selection of the songs that helped mould The Crimson Nights Saga.
Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up
Muse - Undisclosed Desires
Labrinth Ft Emeli Sande - Beneath Your Beautiful
Thirty Seconds To Mars - The Kill (Bury Me)
LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It
Evanescence - My Immortal
Your Guardian Angel-The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Dead Can Dance - The Host of Seraphim
INXS - Never Tear Us Apart
Ed Sheeran - Kiss me
Muse - Follow Me
A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera - Say Something
Savage Garden - I Knew I Loved You
Celine Dion-The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
John Legend - All Of Me
James Arthur - Wrecking Ball
Sam Smith - Nirvana
Lady GaGa Teeth
Christina Perri - A Thousand Years
Al Green - How can you mend a broken heart
Three Days Grace - I Hate Everything About You
Breaking Benjamin Anthem Of The Angels
LifeHouse-Sick Cycle Carousel
Muse - Sing For Absolution
Joan Jett - I Hate Myself For Loving You
God Gave Me You - Blake Shelton
London Grammar - Nightcall
Fun.: We Are Young ft. Janelle Monáe
My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay
Chester See God damn you're beautiful to me
Blink 182 - I Miss You
Limp Bizkit - Behind Blue Eyes
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
Linkin Park - In The End
Linkin Park - Papercut
Breaking Benjamin - Dance with the Devil
Crazy Bitch - Buckcherry
Pearl Jam - Black
Wonderwall - Oasis
Warrior - Disturbed
I Will Not Bow - Breaking Benjamin
I Adore You - Miley Cyrus
Stay with Me - Sam Smith
Little Things - One Direction
In the Arms of an Angel - Sarah McLachlan
I'll Stand by You - Carrie Underwood
Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne
Just Give Me a Reason - Pink, featuring Nate Ruess
True Love - Pink
Headstrong - Trapt
Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day
My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark - Fall Out Boy
~*~*~*~
DISCOVER OTHER TITLES
BY V.L. MOON & J.T. CHEYANNE
Crimson Reign,
The Crimson Nights Saga (Book One)
by
V.L. Moon & J.T. Cheyanne
A pulse of light preceded the gift of life breathed into the coldest and darkest of souls. Bathed in the glow of celestial love and swathed in a blanket of black satin wings nestled a king among kings, a vampire born to destroy the decay threatening to eradicate the race he was destined to save.
An angelic heart torn by yearning, suffering and pain throbbed to the rhythm of the life he created; a life prophesied in the scriptures by the Creator’s own hand. A vow of servitude given in blood sealed the fate of a Seraphim's heart and tied it eternally to the creation he craves, protects…loves.
Ancient treaties are lost and reborn, rising from the ashes as the Nephilim ravaged Malachi's race. The deviant desire that soared in his blood threatened to bring Rome to its knees when Malachi's world, his soul and his heart are brutally shattered and torn apart. Will purity born of an angel's love be enough to calm the savage mind of Malachi Denali? Or will Laziel be doomed to a life of purgatory for loving the life he was gifted to create…
This is not a HEA, or even a HFN....Who knows what will happen to seal their fate....Only time will tell. Vampires, angels, demons and wolves together with love, betrayal, sadness and yearning make up the ongoing story that is...
The Crimson Nights Saga.
Reviews:
“Crimson Reign is full of complex layers and takes you on twists and turns that
keep you guessing what will happen next.” - Cover to Cover Book Blog.
“This story builds in intensity, until, as I said, I was screaming for more by the end. I love this book and look forward to the next part!” – Warren Collen, GGR-Reviews.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Love Life & Circumstance
by
V.L. Moon & J
.T. Cheyanne
Born the son of a preacher man, Elijah Deacon always conformed to his father's strict religious teachings. He worked hard, devoting his time and energy to the family owned construction firm, leaving little time to focus on the deplorable state of his private life. Small town America was no place to be when all a man craved was the touch of another man. Elijah hid his sexuality and tried in vain to convince himself he could be happy with a woman. Urged on by the dream of having the family he craved, Elijah couldn't know a drunken one night stand would see him pay the ultimate price.
Leaving the bright lights of Atlanta and placing his own life on hold, paralegal, Seth Jacobs, moved to Alabama hopeful that with a baby on the way, his twin sister Bethany would settle down. His older sister by five minutes, she gave him the confidence he needed while growing to come out and be proud of who he was. It was his turn to return the support. On arrival in Headland, Seth endeavored to make her see the dangers her behavior presented to her and her unborn child. But, to no avail.
When destiny deals a cruel blow, and the life of a newborn baby hangs by a thread, Seth and Elijah are flung together to deal with the tragic circumstances. The grief threatens to consume them, while joy and fear work to unite them. Jealousy, love, lies and bitter truths rise to the surface and threaten to tear them apart. Can the powers of love and life bring them together and heal the loneliness that death leaves behind? Or will circumstance prevail and fuel the embers of love that draw them together?
Reviews:
“Emotionally satisfying, a unique story and a relationship that will melt your heart. This is what Love, Life and Circumstances is all about in the real world.” - Susan Mac Nichol, Best Selling Author of Stripped Bare, Saving Alexander, Waiting for Rain, Double Alchemy and more.
“Seth and Eli have such a beautiful story, and given their circumstances, they are an inspiration to us all. They teach us to focus on what's important, what's positive, and not dwell on past tragedies that we can never change.” Alina Popescu, Author of Edge of Night.
