Halloween Between the Sheets: A Reverse Harem Anthology of Spooky Scenes that Get to the Point

by L. A. Boruff

She’d moved through their lives, always connecting, always bonding, always refusing.

  The first time they saw her was in the Court of King Arthur. She was a companion to Queen Guinevere. They were knights of his court, but not of the round table. Being lower in station they thought she was out of their reach. But it wasn’t just them who noticed her. She noticed them. They began an affair, the five of them that was as passionate as it was natural. They were hers. She was theirs. It was fate, destiny.

  Morgan Le Fey lusted after the four knights and demanded they leave Arthur to become hers. Their refusal was instant, their love for Mildred too strong to leave her. Morgan was incensed, and had Mildred killed. For their rejection of her, Morgan cursed them to walk the earth for all eternity as beasts. Merlin had prevented the curse from taking them over completely. But all he could offer was a half-life—they would be able to control the effects of her curse, but they could never fully shed them. He’d given them a life, and then he gave them a hope.

  To wait for her soul to be reborn.

  They became harden in battle, taking on the fiercest of opponents, swearing fealty to each king in the hopes that maybe they would find their Mildred born again, or at least her soul.

  Centuries passed before they found her again.

  But they’d had only one day with her. One day to convince her they were her fate. That she was their destiny. It wasn’t enough.

  One day of travel, escorting her to the convent in Wotton-by-the-Water. She’d felt the connection, but it hadn’t been enough to break through the vow she’d made. They’d watched as she’d gone through the gates of the convent and vowed to remain close by. They stayed in Wotton-by-the-Water for forty years, never once seeing her behind the convent walls. But they felt the moment her soul left the earth in death.

  Years passed, and when they found her again she was wife to a missionary. She didn’t love her husband, but she did respect him. And she loved her four children unconditionally. Once again they watched her walk away.

  Time and again as the years passed they would find her. Like a magnet is drawn to true north, they were drawn to her. And every time they lost her, sometimes from fear, sometimes circumstance, and always by the hold of the church.

  The last time they found her had been September 1940. She was working in an ammunition factory for the war effort. Raphe had given her his last piece of chocolate and kissed her. Her memories of them had swamped her. The horrors of seeing two wars had knocked the hold of the church. This time when they asked her, there was no refusal. She would gladly join them, craved to join them. She wanted one last day of sunshine before she walked into the night with them.

  The direct hit on Braydon Street as she was running to the air shelter ripped her from them.

  Once again they’d lost her.

  Her dreams had been filled with memories. Ravaging, gut-wrenching, loss, fear, and regret drenched memories. Her children were long gone as would be their children, and grandchildren. It left a hole in her heart that would remain.

  “I didn’t think you wanted to die from cancer.”

  She grinned, not looking back from where she was leaning in the open door of the mausoleum. She hadn’t smoked for seventy years, and she wasn’t starting now. It’d just felt right to steal a cigarette from Tristan’s jacket and light up.

  “The last time I smoked one of these Hitler decided to blow me to bits.” She looked at the burning cigarette in her fingers before holding it out to Tristan who was further back in the shadows of safety.

  He took it from her but remained quiet.

  “What I want to know is why was I never skinny? Not even as a bloody nun.”

  An explosive laugh told her Aldrich had joined them. “You weren’t fat, Mildred. You never were. And you aren’t now.”

  “I am by today’s standards.”

  “Fuck today’s standards,” Raphe said. “You’re perfect for me.”

  “For us,” Fredrick added.

  He was the only one who could walk in the sunshine and not get hurt. He’d take fox form, but he’d be unhurt. Aldrich would turn into the stone gargoyle he’d been cursed as. And Tristan and Raphe would catch fire, turning to ash like the vampires they were.

  “Mildred, I can’t…”

  “Milly.” She’d slept the day away and was now staring up at the red sky. “I like Milly. Never could stand Mildred, made me sound like someone’s stuffy old aunt.”

  “Milly, we…”

  “I never thanked you for saving me from team moron out there.” It was Tristan she cut off this time.

  She knew what they were trying to ask. But the red skies took her back to when the red was caused by London burning. She’d never got to see the sun slide below the horizon. She wouldn’t this time, the mausoleums blocked her view. Unless…

  She moved out into the last rays of the day to climb up the tomb. In the daylight she could see better, and she found an easier way up. The sun hung like a giant ball of melting orange, kissing the top of the hills in the distance.

  She could hear the children out on the road shouting Trick or Treat as they made their way from house to house in search of candy. She saw a few children darting amongst the stones in the newer part of the graveyard. A parent came, shouting for them to get out and stop mucking about. To leave the dead to rest in peace.

  The sun dipped below the horizon, sinking fast, before finally disappearing.

  They joined her when the rays could no longer harm them. Sitting around her, they remained quiet.

  “Well, I’m still in one piece this time, so that’s a plus.” She drew a deep breath and let it go. “So, where do we do this then? And more importantly, did you say there was chocolate in that bag, Raphe?”

  Laughter surrounded her as Aldrich caught her up and jumped to the ground.

  “Are you sure?” He caught her gaze as he stepped through the open doorway.

  “I’m sorry I was never strong enough before.”

  “You were strong, it was your strength of character and morality that prevented you from shirking your duties.” Fredrick leant over her and licked her cheek. “Um, you taste nice, like chicken.”

  “Well don’t eat me for goodness sake.” She patted Aldrich’s arm. “Let me down, please.”

  “One second,” he rumbled and dropped down the stairs that led to the lair under the crypt. He set her on her feet, and she looked over at the bed.

  “We will not hurt you.” Tristan and Raphe stood in front of her.

  She was leaving everything behind, her shitty life, her shitty job, her cosy apartment, her cat… her cat!

  “I can’t! I can’t leave Mr Tootles.”

  “Who?” Tristan frowned at her.

  “My cat.”

  “We can get your cat, Milly. Just get yourself on that bed, you’re in for a biting time.”

  “That is so lame, Tristan, so lame. You were never good at…” Her words cut off as she was thrown onto the bed, her mates joining her. She lost all track of time, all ability to think as they claimed her, completing a binding that had started over a thousand years ago.

  Tristan licked a droplet of blood from his mark and sighed. She’d fall asleep naturally later, and when she woke she’d be the same as Raphe and him. A creature of the night.

  “I’d better still be able to eat chocolate.”

  They were curled around each other again, and she was stroking Fredrick’s hair as he licked her wrist.

  “You will. Do you want to know the best part?” Aldrich traced his fingers around her ankle bone.

  “What?”

  “You can eat chocolate, and you won’t put on weight.”

  His words sank in, and she sat upright as a bolt of excitement rushed through her.

  “Hey, guys, let’s go to Bournville in Birmingham for a day or two.”

  “Bournville?”

  “There’s a chocolate factory there.” Fredrick purred and resumed licking her wrist.

  “And you get to ta
ste it,” she announced.

  “Yeah, why not, we can do whatever we like now. But let’s just taste you again, for good measure,” Raphe suggested.

  “Again?” She melted back onto the bed, her arms already opening for her mates, her pack, the other parts of her soul.

  She’d never walk away or refuse them again.

  The End

  A note from the author:

  Thank you for reading Mildred’s story. I hope you enjoyed it.

  Mildred is a short story that I’ve been mulling over for a few years, but never had a reason to write. I love the idea of a love that transcends time. And I like to think that we all have our soul mates out there, be they human, fox shifter, vampire, gargoyle, or all of them.

  Here are a few links to other stories of mine and where you can find me on the internet.

  https://www.amazon.com/RM-Walker/e/B01M5IOKAM/

  www.facebook.com/rm.walker.180

  www.rmwalkersite.wordpress.com

  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rm-walker

  TL Reeve & Michele Ryan: Radio Sass

  Revelations: A TSU After Dark Extra Scene

  Dear Readers,

  Welcome back to TSU.

  After several long discussions with Michele, we have decided to open our world up for the things that go bump in the night. When we first started TSU, we hadn’t even contemplated the whole demons, vampires, or witches aspect. However, when I got invited to Milly’s Sassy world—a world where there are shifters, humans, demons, witches, vampires and such... Well, Michele and I got bold.

  We have created a new subseries for TSU: TSU After Dark. A whole series dedicated to those creatures who are night dwellers. Radio Sass is the first book. We also have plans for more demons and vampires. We’re just putting it all together now, so we can start this new chapter of our series. We are so stinking excited, I can’t even explain it.

  Some of the original characters from TSU will make appearances in each book, and some will even transfer over into our other Window Rock World series. Until then, here is a small scene between Keiji, Taichi, Maël, and Natasha, along with Natasha's brothers Erik and Sebastian, and their mates, Jacob and Greer. It’s the first time Natasha and her brothers are meeting their uncle and it also happens to be All Saints night as well.

  Did I mention they’re also the heirs to the Nemescu company and fortune?

  We hope you enjoy the scene. As always you can drop us a line at authortlreeve@hotmail.com or michele.ryan@hotmail.com and if you’d like, you can join our facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/RandRravingreaders/ Also, if you want to follow along with our Window Rock World you can do so @ www.apachecountyshifters.com or https://www.tsuafterdark.blogspot.com/

  Until next time, keep reading!

  Natasha stood in the middle of the dressing room she’d been shown to earlier in the evening. The ‘dressing room,’ which was more like a museum, had vaulted ceilings with a medieval scene displayed across the expanse of it. The light sconces, strategically placed around the room, were made of gold—not gold leaf as she’d first suspected, giving the space a warm glow. The marble floors shimmered under her feet, illuminating the veins of real gold inlay traversing the polished surface, and the antique furniture was probably older than anyone who lived there, her uncle being the exception.

  She glanced at her reflection in the mirror and frowned. The crimson gown she wore, flattered her figure and made her feel like a princess, but it was too much. She traced the jeweled bodice with her fingertips. The real diamonds, not crystals, sparkled. Whoever made her dress spent countless hours on it. Beside her, a mask layer in a bed of silk and tissue.

  No expense had been spared.

  The stylist who’d been sent to help Natasha with her hair left it down, curling Natasha’s long multi-colored locks then added jeweled clips to some of the strips. Her makeup had been flawless. Natural tones to match her complexion except for her lips, which matched her dress.

  Her uncle Yevgeni wanted to throw her, and her brothers the grandest soiree she’d ever attended on All Hallows Eve. Little did he know, the biggest thing she’d ever heard about, but never attended, had been a scenting ceremony.

  “This is way too much, Natasha. I can’t...I can’t accept this.” Greer stepped into the opulent area and joined her by the mirror. “I’m afraid I’ll spill something on it, or worse.” She wrung her hands; a nervous habit Natasha realized the human had.

  She instantly liked her brothers’ bonded. The girl had a quiet strength about her. She also had her brothers and Jacob wrapped around her little finger. Greer’s red hair had been pulled up in a French twist and adorned a bronze fan comb with small sapphires along the base. Like Natasha, Greer’s makeup had been subtle, expect her lips which were royal blue with a hint of dark purple. Her blue dress hugged her petite frame perfectly. Whoever picked out the dress knew exactly what they were doing. The lace half-sleeves drew attention to the jewels embroidered into the bodice of the gown. Unlike Natasha’s frock, the skirt hadn’t been gathered and pinned in place with gemmed designs, it fell in satin and silk layers.

  “Don’t I know it,” Natasha whispered.

  “Your dress is amazing.” Greer bit the corner of her lip. “What am I doing here? I can’t be fully bonded to your brothers until I become one of them.”

  Natasha snorted. “It’s a small technicality. Besides, if you weren’t nervous about being welcomed into our family, I’d worry there was something wrong with you.” It had been what her uncle said anyway. When he found out she’d not only mated a vampire but also two demons, he’d welcomed them all. “You’re going to knock their socks off.”

  “Aren’t you nervous?” Greer glanced at her then back to the mirror.

  “Very,” Natasha answered. “At least we’re all together. Hey, where’s your mask?”

  "With the box, my dress came in." She pointed in the direction from where she'd changed. "Even the mask is expensive."

  Natasha laughed. “Yes, it is.” She picked up the lacy eye covering. “Tie mine for me?”

  “Sure.”

  Natasha handed Greer the mask then turned to face away from her. When the ribbon was tied, she opened her eyes and stared at her reflection. She didn’t look like herself anymore. The red flakes in her blue eyes darkened becoming more pronounced and her skin took on a porcelain quality. The brands on her chest glowed to life, changing her appearance more so. Who are you?

  “Wow,” Greer whispered. “Do they always do that?”

  “Uh...”

  “The tattoos.” She pointed to Keiji and Taichi’s claiming brands.

  “They’re not tattoos,” Natasha said. “They’re claiming brands from Taichi and Keiji.”

  “Kind of like the bite marks then?” Greer touched the one on the left side of her neck.

  “Yep. I have a set of those too.” Courtesy of Maël.

  “Everything is changing so fast, don’t you agree.”

  “Yes.” From the moment she left Blue Creek, her life hadn’t been the same. Cliché, sure, but she felt as though she’d been on the longest roller coaster of her life and now, she was pulling into a whole new station, filled with expectations and responsibilities she wasn’t prepared for. “I think it’s why I’m dragging my feet right now.”

  Greer giggled. “I thought I’d been the only one.”

  “Not by a long shot.” Natasha grinned. “Go get your mask and I’ll help you with it.”

  While Greer retrieved her mask, a knock came at the door. The clip of Natasha’s heels echoed off the walls as she crossed to it. The rough murmurs of voices had a bit of the nervous energy in her stomach dissipating. The knock came again, this time a bit more insistent and she pulled it to, revealing her brothers, Jacob, and her bonded, Taichi, Keiji and Maël. Their chatter ceased, and six set of eyes were on her. Taichi, Keiji and Maël stepped forward, blocking her brothers.

  The spit in her mouth dried up. Her heart skipped a beat. They looked delicious in thei
r suits. Maël went with a simple crimson tie and black jacket paired with tailored slacks, while Keiji wore a three-piece suit accented in crimson and blue, and Taichi wore a tuxedo with a blue bow tie and a crimson pocket square.

  Their masks were amazing as well. Each one fit the guys. Keiji’s reminded her of his demon. The red jaw and teeth covered the lower half of his face, giving him a sinister quality. Taichi’s had been delicate. Silver and blue filigree formed the outer edges of the disguise and became a maze of lines and shapes as it grew closer to the eye hole and nose covering. It might have only covered the left side of his face, but he looked sexy as hell. Then there was Maël, the vampire went all out with his. In a way, it matched hers. The black lace had been shaped into a full mask. Blood-red gems outlined the bridge of his nose and around his eyes. Teeth, the shape of spades lay across his upper lip, giving it a skull quality. It darkened his features, making him appear more intimidating than he already was.

  She took a step back, trying to gather her wits. She failed miserably. The guys wouldn’t let her get away so easily. Lust burned brightly in their eyes, turning the nervous knots tightening her stomach into clusters of desire. They hadn’t even said a word to her yet, and she wanted to rip their clothes off and fuck them until none of them could move.

  “I don’t have ties for mine, looks like—” Greer paused, as though she’d been a deer caught in the headlights.

  A vicious growl came from Natasha’s right. Sebastian snatched her up into his arms. “This won’t do.”

  Jacob and Erik were there, crowding Greer. They should leave. If the intense way her brothers stared at their bonded was any indication, the poor girl was about to get fucked three ways to Sunday.

  “How do they expect us to get through all this shit when all I want to do is rut,” Jacob grumbled.