Marked By Pain (The Marked #2)(49)
One Night series-Strip for me (Book one) Live for Me (Coming soon)
The Marked Series (Co-written with Cece Rose)-
Marked by Power (Book one) Marked by Pain (Book two) Marked by Destruction (Book Three)
Snow and Seduction anthology-
Triple Kisses
The Forest Pack series-Run Little Wolf- (Book One)
Protected by Dragons series-
Wings of Ice- (Book One) Wings of Fire (Coming Soon)
Please continue reading for two short samples of individual works from the authors!
You can pre-order Blood Sea on amazon now by clicking here.
You can pre-order Wings of Ice on amazon now by clicking here.
Blood Sea
Don't go in the water; Never go out at night.
For in the seas and darkness, are creatures that will bite.
I've always been drawn to the water, sneaking away to swim in the hidden cove. I know the dangers, but the water calls to me, its song luring me into the depths.
All my life I've been home by dark, but just once I want to swim in the moonlight. The vampires haven't come to our isle in years anyway, it's a stupid precaution to stay inside.
How could I know that the one night I choose to take a moonlit swim, the waters around our island would run red with blood?
Blood Sea Prologue
His black pupils dilate wide, covering the blue irises of his eyes and stretching out to fill the whites, so all I can see is black. I try to dart away, but he grips my shoulders tightly, holding me firmly in place. “Do not fucking talk to me like that, Azula. You have no power here. This is my ship, and you will do as I say.”
“I'll talk however I damn well please, you aren't my captain,” I retort brazenly. I regret the words after they've left my mouth, though, as his grip tightens on my shoulders. The thought occurs to me that I should probably be a lot more afraid than I am, and I should definitely start acting a little smarter if I want to make it out of here alive.
“While you’re aboard my ship, I’m the authority because I’m the captain. I am the fucking god of all that lies aboard this vessel. Do you understand me, Azula?” he asks. His voice is low, not needing to shout to make his point. The power in his words is enough on its own. Shaking slightly in his grip, I manage to nod, licking my suddenly dry lips to moisten them. “Tell me that you understand,” he demands, my nod clearly not enough for him.
My mouth feels so dry as I try to summon words. I can barely breathe, my heart racing with fear. I can't look away from his pitch-black eyes, and I couldn't even move if I did try with his hands keeping me in place.
“I understand,” I whisper.
“I understand, Captain,” he corrects me, and he leans down closer, his face inches from mine as he does.
“I understand... Captain,” I choke out. He draws away, releasing me and stepping back a few paces.
“You will stay in here and not cause any trouble until we reach land. Once there you will leave, and I or my crew will never see you again, do you understand?” he questions.
“I understand perfectly.” He steps closer again and my heart jumps in my chest from fright. “I understand perfectly, Captain,” I correct myself, taking a deep breath in and out.
“Good. There's a bed behind the curtain there, rest for now. Whatever you do, do not cut yourself on anything. You cannot let your blood spill. If it does, I will not be able to keep the crew away from you,” he says as he heads for the door.
“Yes, Captain,” I reply quietly, and he nods, hearing my words. “How far away from land are we? And what port do we near?” I ask, my voice coming back to me easier now that he's on the other side of the cabin and about to leave.
“A few days at most, depending on the winds. We are passing by Asmia, and it is there we will leave you before continuing on our way,” he answers. “Now sleep,” he commands, leaving and closing the door with a slam behind him.
Blood Sea Chapter One
Smiling across the dinner table at James, I ignore our two fathers’ droning on about the merchant ships troubles at seas, not that I ever really pay much attention. James is dressed more formally than usual—the mix of white, black, and bright, royal blue standing out against his sun-kissed skin and pale eyes. His usually messy, dark blond hair has been tamed, the natural highlights showing off even more than usual. I feel his foot nudge mine under the table, I nudge his back and bite my lip to keep in laughter from the amused look on his face.
“Azula, are you listening to what Mr Burcham has said?” my father asks me, snapping my attention away from James.
“Sorry? What was that, Mr Burcham, I didn’t quite catch it?” I ask, smiling innocently. My father sighs, not falling for it for an instant. I tune back out as James’ father starts talking again. I take a sip of the ridiculous wine they brought over to be polite. It tastes like bath salts and I try not to gag as I swallow it.
“Azula,” my father says again.
“Yes, daddy?” I ask, turning back to face him again.
“Do you have anything to say about what Mr Burcham has kindly repeated for you?” he asks. I shrug.
“Not really,” I reply, taking another sip of the fowl wine to escape more small talk. As much as I enjoy James’ company, his father is a total bore and speaks about the same topics every time they come for dinner. Thankfully, I learnt to tune out the drivel years ago; James had too.