by Kiki Howell
“Much better.”
WATCHING JACOB AND Kirsten tease each other, with that tiny heartbeat in counterpoint to everything—and now that he’d heard it, Nicholas doubted he could ever not notice it again—something slotted into place, like a piece of a puzzle finally revealing the larger picture.
The spell would work. Nicholas was sure of it.
It was as though everything since Jacob had met Kirsten had slowly led them to this point: Jacob’s fighting skills, Kirsten’s magical abilities, their romance, their estrangement, her return, their accidental trip to the demon dimension... All of it had taken them to this point in time, when Kirsten was confident she could help repair a little the damage done when Jacob had come to exist.
It had to be fate, Nicholas thought to himself. He wouldn’t dream of saying the word aloud in front of anyone, and especially not Andrew. But still, he did believe in fate, and had believed from the time he first met the vampire who was to become his Sire and partner. Some things worked out too perfectly in the end not to be preordained.
And so, the spell would work. Humans and vampires would improve their odds against the demons. And maybe, just maybe, when the child Kirsten carried grew too old for lullabies, he or she would never have to choose to pick up a sword—or put it down—the way Jacob had.
Time would tell, but Nicholas wasn’t worried, not when fate was on their side.
About the Author
KALLYSTEN’S MOST EXCITING accomplishment to date was to cross a few thousand miles and an ocean to pursue (and catch!) the love of her life. She has been writing since her teenage years, and always enjoyed sharing her stories and listening to the readers’ reactions. After playing with science fiction, short stories and poetry, she is now trying her hand, heart and words at paranormal romance novels.
Where to Find More of Kallysten
Website | Twitter | Newsletter Signup | Bookbub | Facebook Author Page
Backlist
Fangs & Lullabies
A child’s birth. His first teeth and first steps. School friends and bullies, recess, school plays and science projects. A girl, a crush and a broken heart. These childhood experiences are shared by countless little boys from different horizons.
And yet... Jacob is anything but average. For as long as he has been able to understand, a secret has shaped his life, kept even from his closest friends: his father, Andrew, is a vampire. And so is his other father, Nicholas.
In a strange era when demons are beginning to appear all over the world and threaten humans and vampires alike, the three of them form quite an extraordinary family. And yet, at the same time, they could hardly be more normal.
Two fathers raising a son neither of them ever thought he would have. A Sire and Childe resuming their relationship after years of estrangement. Through snapshots covering Jacob’s life from birth to adulthood, discover this unusual family, and how, in the end, all it takes is love.
Maybe Another Time
After a century and a half, Lucien has no illusions about vampires being treated fairly by humans. All he hopes for is to find willing prey to feed from without having to kill—and occasional company to break the monotony of lonely nights. A large scar, however, a frightening souvenir from his siring, scares away many humans, and more often than not he gets kicked out of blood bars and dance clubs for little more than his appearance.
When a new club opens in town that is touted as a meeting place for vampires and humans, he reluctantly gives it a try. On his first night there, he is pleasantly surprised... until the young woman with whom he shares a glass of wine and pleasant conversation at the bar realizes what he is.
If Zoe had had her wish, the bachelorette party for her best friend would have taken place anywhere but at On The Edge—anywhere vampires are not welcomed so openly. Unlike the rest of the bridal party, Zoe has a healthy wariness of vampires... Or could it be more than wariness, and less than healthy?
Every aspect of her life seems governed by patterns she can’t overcome, from the way she yields in conflicts to her inability to believe anyone might be interested in her extra curves. Could changing one thing—her fear of vampires—be the one small step that starts her on a new life journey?
Life On The Edge
When bar owner Brett Andrews meets the sexy vampire Lisa, he has no idea that his entire life is about to change.
While he never had any ill feelings toward vampires, he was never entirely comfortable around them either. And yet, he soon gets very, very close to her... and not merely in a physical way. They become business partners as well as lovers.
His life changes even further when she invites Leo, an old friend of hers, into their bed, causing Brett to realize she knows what he wants and needs even better than he does himself...
Mated – as part of the Prowlers & Growlers Box Set
When the Ileos clan invites shifter clans from the Firelands to watch their new leader take power, Maikel Argonis doesn’t have much choice but to attend. As second in line to the throne, his lack of interest for this kind of social function is not reason enough to stay home. His father, the king of the Firelands, rules over his sons with as firm a hand as he rules a realm where power-hungry shifters don’t hesitate to start wars.
The chore, however, takes an unexpected turn for Maikel when he meets Celly Ileos. Second-born like he is, quick-witted and rebellious, she captures both Maikel’s interest and his dragon’s—even though she’s a phoenix.
Celly doesn’t mind seeing her older brother take power like he was always destined to. However, she does mind that he’s already trying to use her as a pawn in his power games, intending to strengthen their clan through her marriage to one of his allies. Her heart is her own, and she wants to choose her own mate.
But if that mate happens to be a dragon prince, will she be strong enough to endure the fire of disapproval raging from his family and her own?
Anando’s Journey (3 Novels Box Set)
It starts with one spin on the dance floor, one night like many other nights: vampire Anando takes new prey to his bed, takes her body and her blood.
But one dance turns into two, two nights turn into three, then more. Inviting others to join them only draws them closer. Virginia isn’t just prey any longer. Bedroom games give way to feelings. And Anando, confronted with his deepest fear, has to choose between clinging to the past or moving on to a future with a human lover, a child... and maybe even a Childe.
Biting The Vampire (as part of the Steamy & Dreamy Box Set)
Darius is usually careful about allowing humans to find out he is a vampire. It helps that, with one locked gaze, he can control their minds. But there’s no need for mind control when Amara shows him she knows what he is: far from being afraid, she’s eager to talk to him, flirt with him... and get to know him intimately. Will she enjoy herself, however, when she discovers the kind of bedroom games he likes to play? Or will she run off before he can say ‘kink’?
Blood Moon
When Zaan sensed power gathering across the world, he followed his instincts all the way back to Allendra. He already knew what she was planning to do just as he knew he would not be welcome after centuries of estrangement. He soon finds out he’s right on both counts.
After he pleads with her to change her mind, Allendra challenges the breeds they created together. They will have to choose love over everything else before the Blood Moon, or risk losing their powers. Zaan realizes he, too, has a role to play here... but is it a role Allendra chose for him, or did he get caught in the challenge by accident?
Either way, trying to find a way back into her heart will not be an easy task when Allendra seems intent on living in the past...
Love & Magic: A M/M Collection
In this collection of two short stories and one novella, it’s all about love, and how magic can bring lovers together... or tear them apart...
Includes The Thirteenth Halloween, Christmas Magic and Under His Skin
Switching Si
des
Ray’s relationship with Grace is usually simple: he is a vampire and her submissive, and she is Mistress Red, his Domme. Tonight, however, when they go to Carte Blanche, their favorite BDSM club, things are a little different. Ray isn’t a simple sub; he’s a switch, and sometimes his mood and needs are better suited to being on the Dominant side of the equation. When Grace suggests that he turn Dom for the night, there are only two questions: who will he play with... and how will Grace react when she sees him in this new role?
Serenade – The Complete Serial
For six centuries, the vampire Irene has hunted human prey to feed from their necks, sometimes taking them to her bed, too. For almost as long, she has preserved her memories in music, composing on her piano but never sharing her work.
So when, during a trip to Paris, she stumbles onto a bar in which a pianist plays her music for the patrons, she’s flabbergasted that anyone might be enjoying her compositions and outraged that they’ve been stolen from her.
Her first instinct is to take the pianist’s life as retribution, but a few words—and a torrid night—shared with the talented, intriguing and insolent Rachid change her mind. She can’t understand what is so special about him, just like she can’t understand how listening to him play her music on the piano touched something inside her so that she’s able to compose again after decades of being blocked.
When she tries to figure out what is it with this one human, she meets his vampire companion, Oliver, and soon finds herself entangled in their lives...
Lust
by Liz Gavin
Copyright@Liz Gavin 2017
Edited by Kover to Kover
Cover by Dokeshi’s Book Services
Acknowledgements
Alpha Readers keep my creativity going with their new perspectives and some even suggest storylines. Right, Jaime? *wink wink*. The team who worked with me in Lust did an amazing job in an insanely short time, so I can never thank them enough for their invaluable feedback. Thanks Carla, Chantal, Colleen, Diane, Jaime, Joy, Kate, Kimberly, Linda, Lisa, Monique and Ola. You rock, ladies!
This was the third time Kim Birdsell at Kover to Kover worked her magic with a text of mine and I’ve got to say she did an outstanding job. Again. Thank you for your commitment, professionalism and high-quality work.
Lust
by Liz Gavin
Magical, sinful New Orleans attracts many lost souls who find haven at kinky Club Desire. Marcel Revault is the real deal: bound to the house, haunting it for over 150 years. Clara Hervaux, movie-star extraordinaire, indulges in her dark side as a club regular. As an empath, she’s gotten hooked on Marcel’s otherworldly sexiness. When Clara goes missing, Marcel uses their empathic link to find her, but can he break the curse to save her? Or will Clara fall prey to the jealous witch who cursed him?
Chapter One
MARCEL – NEW ORLEANS - 1860
Every time I think of my murderer, it takes me back to how my lifestyle led to that single event. As the sole heir to one of the oldest families in New Orleans, I was born to privilege and raised in abundance. Family wealth and natural good looks assured me an endless supply of willing bed partners. Or so I felt. Women would throw themselves at me - single, widowed or married. Since I was not one to turn down temptation, I indulged in the pleasures those women enthusiastically offered me.
After a while, the affairs would cool down. Sometimes the ladies would find other young studs to pursue; other times, I would meet new women who caught my fancy. Either way, the former partner and I would go on with our lives without much fuss and certainly without hurt feelings.
On other occasions, some poor sap returned home unannounced and caught me in bed with his wife. When that happened, close friends would help me skip town for a while so I’d avoid having to respond to a challenge of a duel. None of those women were worth the sacrifice because I would certainly die. I was a pacifist who refused to learn to shoot, so I didn’t have the ability to survive a duel.
Anyway, such carefree existence preceded Marie-Claudette Gris. Before I met her, I had heard people talk about a powerful witch, born in the Caribbean, who reigned in the voodoo world of New Orleans. I was a proud skeptic back then, who didn’t believe in any gods and thought magic didn’t exist. Supernatural powers of any kind were a creation of those who wanted to control simple-minded folks. I still haven’t proved the gods part of my theory one way or the other, simply because I didn’t meet any supernatural beings after I passed. Boy was I wrong about the voodoo stuff, though.
When I met Marie-Claudette by chance during a charity event, I was impressed. She turned out to be an exotic beauty with smooth skin the color of caramel and dark eyes that pierced like a hawk’s. Intelligence shone bright in them and that attracted me just as much as her physical appearance. She was a free spirit just as I was. It was no surprise we ended up in bed that same night. And many subsequent nights. We had some wild sexy fun. Until we didn’t anymore. Which was not a problem for me. I mean, I thought we had an understanding since neither of us were looking for a permanent commitment.
At least I wasn’t. In hindsight, I probably should have checked with her to know what she expected from our relationship before my interest waned and my eyes wandered. I still remember as if it were yesterday, the day I broke the news to her. Marie-Claudette had spent at least an hour trying her extensive repertoire of sex tricks to make my cock hard enough so she could ride me. It finally came to life and pleasured her, but I wasn’t a willing participant. My mind was elsewhere.
“What the hell is wrong with you these days?”
“This isn’t working for me anymore,” I stated matter-of-factly, as I had done with countless women before her.
Marie-Claudette was not like the other women before her and I learned that the hard way. She sat up in bed and pinned me with her stare as if probing my soul. “What do you mean? You’re not breaking up with me.”
Still under the assumption my relationship with Marie-Claudette was like the others that came before, I didn’t realize she wasn’t asking. I shrugged, chuckled and cupped her cheek before stating in an appeasing tone, “Come on, gorgeous. We’re not looking for long-term, remember? We agreed to that when we started this.”
“We said we’d keep our options open, but I...”
“Exactly.”
I jumped at the idea she was of the same mind as I before she could finish her thought. First big mistake. “I recently reacquainted myself with a childhood friend of mine. Bessy moved to Boston when she got married, but after becoming a widow, she returned to her family’s house not far from mine.” I moved around the room getting dressed as I spoke so I didn’t notice Marie-Claudette’s reaction to my words until it was too late. Second big mistake. As I laced my shoes up, a delicate china lamp smacked my back, knocking the wind out of me, before smashing into a million pieces on the floor. “What the hell?”
Looking up, I saw the terrorizing voodoo witch for the first time. Marie-Claudette’s usual serene beauty turned into a distorted mask of fury that I should have taken for what it was. I put it down to mere pride. That was my biggest mistake.
“Marcel Revault, who do you think you are to dismiss me as if I were an old piece of clothing? You don’t get to use me and discard me as you see fit,” she spat out the words in shrill anger. “You don’t get to say we’re over. We’ll never be over. I love you. Can’t you see that, crétin?”
Never a fan of confrontation, I decided to deflect the situation instead of tackling it. One more mistake on a downward spiral of bad choices. “No need for name calling, now, ma chère. I get it. You’re upset. We’ll discuss this another time.”
I kissed her mouth, effectively silencing her, and got out of her house before she got riled up again. I did my best not to be seen anywhere near Bessy for the following weeks, trying to avoid the grapevine so zestfully enthusiastic in the French Quarter of those days. I hoped if Marie-Claudette didn’t hear about Bessy, she’d forget my fias
co of a breakup. After that, I planned to make her see we had no future together. Despite her unquestionable physical beauty, I had lost interest in Marie-Claudette, so I was certain she would agree our relationship wasn’t going anywhere.
The situation dragged on for months. I was at my wits’ end and didn’t know how else to convince the clingy woman that my heart wanted nothing to do with her. Hell, not even my body reacted to her allure any longer. She kept repeating she loved me and that only made matters worse.
Last time I saw Marie-Claudette, she came to my house intent on seducing me with one of her kinky tricks. I had indulged in our sex games in the beginning, so I thought if I let her try and fail, she’d finally get it and move on. Last and fatal mistake. She tied me up to the bed in the master bedroom and employed all her tricks, yet my cock wouldn’t cooperate. I couldn’t fake an erection. I tried. Still straddling me, Marie-Claudette sat up and barked, “What’s it going to take for you to fuck me?”
“I would if I could, ma chère. Too bad my cock’s not in the mood today.”
“It’s never in the mood for me lately. I love you. But I’ve got my pride, you know. I can’t take this.”
As Marie-Claudette got off me and grabbed her clothes, I sighed in relief, thinking she had finally let go of her infatuation. My first clue to her real intentions should have been the fact she did not untie me. I thought she was just distracted. As she got dressed, I tugged at the silken scarves, which would normally loosen easily. They didn’t give. Suspicion whispered in my mind, but I smothered it. Magical powers did not exist. That was my belief. I got impatient and tugged harder at my shackles. Nothing. Numb limbs, cold ass and sore dick. I was miserable and getting angry. “Untie me, woman.”
“Last chance, Marcel. Will you fuck me?”
“Would if I could.”
“Very well then. Your choice. But know that if I won’t have you, nobody else will.”
