Next on Writer's Sanctuary – Introducing Poplar Mountain – An Historical Romantic Suspense

Though I have some historical romance novels, this is the only story I ever set in this time period, 1939. I've wanted to share this story for several years, but this is the first time that it felt right.

Lucius Henry is a dirt farmer in the mountains of Kentucky. He works hard with his father, but also works at the local boarding school in the valley of Poplar Mountain. Dorothea Belloit is from the big city. She and her sister, Patty, work at the school. Lucius has taken a shine to Dorothea (Dollie to her friends and family), but is too shy to say so. That is, until Fate lends a helping hand.

His courtship seems to be going fairly well, until a dead body is found in the nearby creek. The discovery throws their lives into a tailspin from which they may not recover. Something dark and insidious lurks in the shadow of Poplar Mountain.

I'll share this story in segments, every Tuesday and Thursday, staring on June 4^th.

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Below is a Short Teaser from Chapter One

Dorothea Belloit, commonly known as Dollie, walked up the grassy path to the log cabin. Holding her hat in hand, she swung her arms freely, enjoying the sun on her dark brown hair. Her light cotton spring dress blew in the stout breeze that whipped around the curve of the mountain. Smiling, she admired the view. From here, the valley spread out below her, the creek wound along looking more like a snail trail than the rapidly moving mountain stream.

"Lo, Miss Dollie!" Rachel Henry called from the front porch of her split log cabin.

"Lo, Rachel! Is Lucius home?"

"He's up the holler, Miss Dollie. Kin I fotch him for ya?"

"Yes, please. I need his help down at the school."

"Sit down, rest a spell. I'll send one the young'uns for him." She stood, calling into the house. "Sally, go git Lucius!"

"Yes, Mama!" A barefoot, girl with sand colored braids darted out of the house and ran up the hill as nimbly as a mountain goat.

The women watched her go. Dollie smiled at her companion. Rachel Henry was a slight built woman with golden blonde hair and dancing green eyes.

"She'll be old enough for school next year, won't she?"

"Day school, m'bee," Rachel replied. "Her daddy and me ain't sure we want her overnight."

"Oh, she'd do fine in day school. And six is a little young for boarding. Besides, with you so close, there's no real need for her to board."

"Reckon Lucius could fotch her most days."

"Of course he could. They hope to get a bus up here soon."

Rachel Henry made a rude noise of disgust. "Them new fangled inventions! Don't trust 'em. Gimme a mule any day."

"Rachel, cars are hardly new fangled. And they're such fun. In fact, I just bought a new Studebaker Champion. I named her Bonnie Blue."

Rachel's eyes widened and she bit her lip. "A real car, Miss Dollie? Why, that'd be a sight for sure!" Used to trucks, she still puzzled over cars a little.

"When you get a chance, come down with Lucius and I'll give you both a ride."

"Not sure Big Earl would like that much."

Big Earl was Rachel's husband. True to his name, he was a large man—brutish and slow witted. Dollie often wondered what had attracted the pretty, vivacious, intelligent Rachel to a man as boring and dull witted as Earl Henry. Love could be blind, but this bordered on insane.

"We don't have to tell him," Dollie replied.

"Oh, shucks, no. Someone'd see us and tell him for sure," Rachel replied, fear obvious in her eyes.

"We'll talk about it another time then," Dollie said, ending the uncomfortable subject.

"Hey-o, Miss Dollie!" a pleasant male voice called.

Dollie looked up, smiling. Sally was back with her older brother, Lucius, in tow. He was a taller version of his mother, lean and sandy haired with eyes as green as mountain hemlock. He brushed his palms on the seat of his dungarees. Grinning, he stepped forward to shake her hand.

© 2019 Dellani Oakes

Demon's Destiny, book one of the Dark City Guardians by TW Knight

Demon's Destiny is book one of the Dark City Guardians.
Garrett Duex Sabres is handsome, wealthy, brilliant and a demon with a split personality feeding on the living energy of humans. However, unlike others of his kind, Garrett chooses not to feed off pain and misery, he’s discovered a more palatable and just as potent source—sexual energy. Exploiting his charms, Garrett spends many evenings moving from one “dinner-date” to the next siphoning off small amounts from willing playmates. When Kay walks into Garrett’s life, his entire world is flipped around.

Set in the world of the Dark Knights of Heaven 

Ten entertaining biographical stories set in Dickens County, Texas portray rural life during the Great Depression. They reflect the straitened circumstances, strong work ethic and close sense of community of the time, as well as the resilience and ingenuity of that generation. Despite the difficulties, or perhaps because of them, Benji’s childhood was marked by strong family ties and sheer love of life.

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The Ninja Tattoo by Dellani Oakes

When Teague meets beautiful and sultry Vivica, he thinks his life is taking a turn for the better. Little does he know that he's been targeted for death by a violent biker gang led by Vivica's psychotic older brother. Now Teague must put his skills to the test to protect himself and the woman he loves.

To Buy The Ninja Tattoo

Take a Bite Outta Crime is Over

It's rare that I take a story idea from someone, but I've been lucky that they've worked out well for me. This one was written when my older sister challenged me to write a story about vampire caterers who solved crime. I hope I did her proud.

I'm not sure what to share next, but I promise you won't be disappointed. I'll figure something out to entertain you. Meanwhile, check out my books on Amazon—To Buy Dellani's Books You'll find blurbs for each below.

So Much It Hurts by Dellani Oakes

Alone in the big city, Pia Donvan is feeling rather lost when she finally arrives at the majestic, old hotel in the downtown area. All that changes when she meets Flynn Chancellor. He and his roommate, Yancy Fredrick, take an interest in Pia, introducing her to their city. Pia seems to have found her niche, making friends with the friendly residents in the old hotel. Life seems perfect, until one weekend when everything changes forever,

The Ninja Tattoo by Dellani Oakes

When Teague meets beautiful and sultry Vivica, he thinks his life is taking a turn for the better. Little does he know that he's been targeted for death by a violent biker gang led by Vivica's psychotic older brother. Now Teague must put his skills to the test to protect himself and the woman he loves.

Under the Western Sky by Dellani Oakes

It's small town Nebraska in the late 1970's and life in the small Midwestern town is quiet and uneventful. That's what Libby Marshall and Bobby Menedez think until Bobby's cousin, Ramon is beaten by a group of white boys. Racial tension is high after the beating and it's soon revealed that something quite evil lies hidden Under the Western Sky.

Undiscovered by Dellani Oakes

Someone wants Kent Griswald dead. Could it be his browbeaten younger brother? His haughty personal assistant or the disgruntled director of his next movie? Whoever it is, misses the first time, shooting someone else instead. It's up to Detective Walter Scott to uncover the truth before it's too late.

One Night in Daytona Beach: #17 in Tirgearr Publishing's City Nights Series by Dellani Oakes

He hadn't seen her in 10 years, but there she was, dressed in black leather, straddling the Harley. Draven Wick is back home, on a break from filming his vampire themed TV show, when he spots Jamie Humphrey at a Bike Week raffle. The love of his teen life, Draven never thought he'd see her again. Rekindling their romance after 10 years is the easy part. Unfortunately, Draven has been blamed for the death of a notorious bike gang leader. Staying ahead of the police, and the biker gang bent on revenge, takes Jamie and Draven to the brink of disaster.

Conduct Unbecoming by Dellani Oakes

When Aileen calls asking Teague to look for their friend, Nadeya, he can't say no. Nadeya is dangerous and damaged, having seen her fiancé murdered. She's spent the last few years tracking down the men who killed him, seeking justice—or, at least, vengeance. When a body turns up on the beach, identical to a man Nadeya said she was looking for, suspicion targets her.

Room 103 by Dellani Oakes

Back for her college reunion, Deputy Marshal Marice Houston doesn't expect to hook up with an old boyfriend. Nor, does she expect to be a witness to a deadly assault, which was motivated by a decade old rape case. Orson Roberts is dead, killed by the owner of the motel where she's staying. Was it really self-defense or was it murder? Can Marice discover the truth of what happened that night in Room 103?

Room 203 – A Marice Houston Mystery by Dellani Oakes

Having just moved in with her fiance, Kris, Marice isn't too happy to be given an out of town job. She has been sent to Daytona Beach, Florida. There's been a huge sting operation, and the local FBI is under scrutiny. The Marshals have been called in to oversee prisoner transfers.

Things get sticky when Marice and her team are ordered to transport the ringleader, China Finetti, from Daytona Beach to a federal prison in Kansas City. Someone sets a car bomb, injuring Marice and Butch—and that's only the tip of the iceberg. Everything seems to point to China Finetti pulling the strings from prison—if so, how do they prove it?

It Takes a Thief by Dellani Oakes

Jason Banes is a thief, he readily admits that, but he's quick to deny that he's also a murderer. Accused of multiple homicides, and theft, he agrees to help a multi-national task force find the real killer. When he's assigned to an FBI team for protection, he meets Agent Taylor Driscole. It's a race to find Orchid before she kills again. Though she's reluctant to use Jason's skills, Agent Driscole realizes that sometimes, It Takes a Thief to catch a murderer.

Lone Wolf by Dellani Oakes

The year is 3032 and Mankind has conquered the stars. Two organizations control the majority of the business and trade: The Navigation Guild and The Galactic Mining Guild. Both vying for supremacy, the balance of power is often in flux. Now, though, the Mining Guild has a secret, the largest known deposit of Trimagnite—the liquid ore that's life's blood for the Navigation Guild. That's just the tip of the iceberg and it's up to Wil VanLipsig, the Lone Wolf, and Matilda DuLac to control the situation before it's too late.

Shakazhan: Lone Wolf Book 2 by Dellani Oakes

Book 2 in the Lone Wolf series, Shakazhan picks up where Lone Wolf ended. Things are in a right state, but this time Wil and Matilda have some new friends. With the help of the Kindred, they just might make it out of this mess alive.

The Maker by Dellani Oakes

Book 3 in the Lone Wolf series. The small Shakazhan Force has already withstood enemy attacks and anticipates more. Knowing they aren't strong enough to withstand a concerted attack, they hope for reinforcements, but aren't quite prepared for those who respond.

Lone Wolf Tales – Companion to Lone Wolf Series by Dellani Oakes

This is a collection of nine short stories and novellas centered in the Lone Wolf world. Discover new characters, and delve into the lives of some familiar ones. This volume includes: And Itza Danced, Blackened, Brothers at Arms, Call Me Penny, Fractured, Gone But Not Forgotten, A Little White Lie, Painkiller, There Shall Be Great Rejoicing.

Indian Summer by Dellani Oakes

It's the spring of 1739 in sultry St. Augustine, Florida and something's amiss. It seems a British spy has wormed his way into their lives and he's bent upon leading the British Army in an attack against the fort and town. It's up to Gabriella Deza and her fiancé, Manuel Enriques, to stop the spy from being successful.

Savage Heart by Dellani Oakes

It's the summer of 1740 and rumors of war haunt the small community of St. Augustine, Florida. Already, Oglethorpe's troops are on the move. Scouting parties of Creek Indians have moved south, skirting the town, attacking outlying farms. Meli Chasseur's home came under attack and she is the only one to escape. Injured and afraid, she stumbles into Sailfish's camp. Could this be his next chance at true love?

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Primed for Revenge: Sydney Jones Novel Series by Carolyn Bowen

Practicing law in a large partnership, Sydney Jones was primed for making partner. Then her life turned upside down after a disagreement with her boss at Birdman & Birdman.

Leaving the office, she was swiftly kidnapped and taken to her assailants’ hideaway, beaten, and raped. With no memory of whom she was put her at a disadvantage with her captors. Through gritted teeth, she promised a day of repercussions for their actions while mentally visualizing her revenge.

Warned by her assailants to keep her mouth shut or else, she was delivered to her home. Not recognizing her former living quarters, she was careful in exploring her options for regaining her memory.
Piecing together the reasons for her kidnapping brought her into contact with people, some she could trust and others risky. The problem was the amnesia prevented her from recognizing the difference.

Tapped for crime once nudged her toward caution for something afoul was going on at Birdman & Birdman. She prepared for a fight. With a vision of fury she made a chilling decision – never to be a victim again.

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Your Heart to Keep by Amanda Mackey

We don’t choose fate. It chooses us. Or so we are led to believe. Holly Jenkins is about to receive a new heart, thanks to a donor match from accident victim, Chloe McQuade. The victim’s boyfriend, bad boy Jax, is angry and grieving for his lost love. He hates everything and everyone, including Holly. It isn’t until he meets her that he realizes there is something about her he can’t explain. Could it be the beating heart of his dead girlfriend- the very one he owned, that calls to him? Is the intense pull towards Jax coming from Holly’s own emotions or are they Chloe’s? And why is she suddenly craving things she never has before? How do they decide what’s real and what’s not? Is fate at play or is it something more?

 To Buy Your Heart to Keep

Take a Bite Outta Crime Part 33 by Dellani Oakes

The vampires are celebrating after a successful battle. Andres makes a surprising pronouncement.

"Actually, I thought it took you far longer than I'd anticipated. You can be abysmally dull witted when you're dipping your wick in a new woman."

Andres moved so quickly, they hardly saw him. He grabbed Heinrich by the throat, lifting him off the floor.

"You dare to try a coup? You sniveling bastard! You were nothing when I found you! A gutter rat of a man, stealing your way across London. If I hadn't turned you, the bloody night watch would have killed you! And now, after all I've done for you, this is how you repay me? I could crush you!"

Heinrich fought hard to free himself. Andres dropped him on the floor. Ringed by security, Heinrich picked himself up off the floor.

"You arrogant prick! You lord over the rest of us because you were a minor, petty aristocrat nearly a thousand years ago! If that old sod of a vampire hadn't turned you after the botched dual, you'd be dust, forgotten."

"Are you finished?" Andres drew himself up seeming to vibrate from anger.

"I suppose, unless you'd like me to grovel before you kill me."

Andres grabbed the hapless vampire, fangs descending as he turned his head to clamp down on Heinrich's throat. Staggering back, Andres clutched his side, Heinrich's dagger wobbled in his chest. Pulling it out, Andres sliced Heinrich's throat, roaring with fury. Blood sprayed everyone in the room, bathing even the humans in crimson gore.

Heinrich crumpled to the floor, his head bouncing along the floor, landing at Phillida's feet. She kicked it away from her even as it began to degrade. The body and blood fizzled and hissed, falling to dust.

"Bloody hell," Silas said from the doorway. "You've ruined the canapes, Andres!" Muttering and grousing, he picked up the tray of dust covered food and carried it to the kitchen.

Silas' exit broke the tension in the room. Even Andres laughed as the large chef stomped off.

"So, Heinrich was behind all this?" Vincent said, glaring at the place where the body had been only seconds before.

"He'd been building his army for some time," Phillida said, shaking dust from her Jimmy Choo's. "He got too bold, greedy. He didn't want to wait."

"So it was his people who targeted us?" Drea asked. "Why?"

"He wanted you to go to Andres for help. He hoped to recruit you to his side when Andres refused to help. Only he didn't," Phillida replied. "Heinrich was so sure he could drive us apart. He was almost successful."

"Let me guess, he introduced you to Carley," Tommy said with a smirk.

"He did, at a party after a show. He knew exactly how to turn my head." He touched Phillida's arm with more tenderness than Drea had ever seen. "I'm sorry, Philly."

She kissed him, her eyes soft. "You're forgiven, Andres. If you ever betray me like that again...." She didn't need to finish that statement. Her meaning was implicit.

"What I don't understand," Kirk interjected. "Why kill Jay? He was just a fish monger."

"He figured out about the caterers," Andres replied. "He supplied them too. When the illnesses were blamed on bad fish, he did some investigating. He'd tried to contact me, but Heinrich intercepted the call and murdered him."

"What will you tell Carley?" Drea asked. "Surely this will break her heart?"

Andres shuffled his feet, cursing quietly. "She's young. She'll recover. I thought I'd call...."

"You won't!" Phillida said, horrified. "You'll go see the girl and apologize for leading her on. You'll do all you can to make that girl happy or you'll have me to contend with."

"And me," Drea said.

"And me," Margo added.

Every woman in the room glared at him angrily. Andres ducked his head. The men laughed, not unkindly, as their leader looked more like a child than a centuries old vampire.

"As you wish, my love."

"When is the wedding," Margo asked Phillida.

"It will take weeks to put together. You'll cater, of course?"

"And piss of Silas?" Kirk shuddered. "The idea of having that behemoth angry with me fills me with dread. How about we do the cake?"

"Acceptable," Philly replied, smiling for the first time in ages.

"We'll help you plan," Drea volunteered. "It will be the best wedding ever."

"With the exception of mine," Margo added. "But we'll wait until after yours."

Phillida laughed, hugging the women to her. She even hugged Sandra. "Thank you. All of you."

"So," Scott said almost too loudly. "How do we write this up? The missing persons aren't missing anymore. A lot of people died, but there's absolutely no evidence linking anyone with anything. We have a huge mystery and no official statement. What do we tell our lieutenant?"

"Tell him whatever you like," Andres said. "We'll back you up."

"Time to get creative," Scott said to Sandra.

"We'll think of something," she replied.

"In the meantime, supper's getting cold!" Silas bellowed from the doorway. "Do you not hear me? Are you deaf? I've been calling you the last five minutes."

"Coming, Silas," Andres said, offering Phillida his arm.

The rest followed, chatting happily. Drea and Kirk lingered a moment after their friends exited.

"So, it was Heinrich all along. How sad. I always thought he'd make a fine leader one day," Drea said sadly.

"You get treated like crap for long enough, you learn to fight back the best you can. Much as I hate to say it, Philly and Andres brought this on themselves. They treated him like scum."

Drea nodded. "But it's over and Tommy's one of us now."

"We make quite a quartet, the bunch of us."

"We sure do. The best caterers in the city—Barr Nunne."

© 2019 Dellani Oakes

THE END

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Can she set her fear aside and save Zach before she loses him to the darkness forever? His Soul to Save (Dark Knights of Heaven Book 3) by TW Knight

Soulless and exiled from Heaven the Dark Knights have spent millennia protecting humanity from Lucifer and his demons. But the longer they live the closer they come to joining Lucifer’s ranks in Hell. Their only hope is to find their soul keepers, and love. After an attack by a demon left her injured and weak Amber Fitzpatrick welcomed the attention and caring of her rescuer Jacob—until he turned into an abusive monster. 

The night Amber flees the possessive, extraordinarily toxic relationship Jacob reveals his true demonic nature. Zach has more than Lucifer’s minions to contend with. Each day brings him closer to Hell. For fifty years he’s walked the thin line between sanity and giving in to his dark urges. Urges that go against his calling as a healer and a teacher. Every battle drives him closer to the edge, feeds his inner demon and pushes him to find a permanent solution to death. When Zach meets Amber he sees a chance for salvation. But Amber’s experience with Jacob makes her afraid to start any kind of relationship with Zach, especially discovering he’s not that different then the man she walked away from. 

To Buy His Soul to Save

Follow Their Inspiring Story of Faith and Serivce. From Sea to Sea by Nelda Bedford Gaydou

From a three-week voyage of more than 7000 miles from New Orleans to Buenos Aires in 1964 through an eight-day, 3258-mile round-trip drive between Evanston, Illinois and Clovis, New Mexico in 2017, whether in their prime or in their nineties, the Bedfords have packed a lot into their life's journey. Follow their inspiring story of faith and service, set in fascinating times and places in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

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Introducing Marice Houston, intrepid Deputy Marshal from Kansas City. Room 103 by Dellani Oakes

Back for her college reunion, Deputy Marshal Marice Houston doesn't expect to hook up with an old boyfriend. Nor, does she expect to be a witness to a deadly assault, which was motivated by a decade old rape case. Orson Roberts is dead, killed by the owner of the motel where she's staying. Was it really self-defense or was it murder? Can Marice discover the truth of what happened that night in Room 103?

To Buy Room 103

Can Kate rise to these challenges, discover the truth and re-emerge as a stronger, smarter version of herself? The Long Road Home: Romantic Murder Mystery by Carolyn M Bowen

After a lifetime of being protected and sheltered by her parents, Kate is thrown into a state of turmoil after their sudden death. With nowhere else to turn, she finds herself living with her fiancé, a conniving businessman who is well on his way to becoming a corrupt super-lawyer. At the same time, Kate’s father’s law firm houses more secrets than a politician’s hard drive. Later, she receives a shocking surprise when a long-lost half-brother enters her life. Can Kate rise to these challenges, discover the truth and re-emerge as a stronger, smarter version of herself?

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Life is sweet in The Sanctuary—until Lillian Harris is thrown the curveball of her life. Pain by Amanda Mackey

Lillian is perfectly happy cocooned within the lofty perimeter fence of The Sanctuary. Her Sanctuary—a vast oasis for rescued lions, tigers, and elephants. The animals are her world. So when Lillian’s dad tells her a nineteen-year-old criminal who’s fresh out of prison is coming to The Sanctuary as part of a rehabilitation program, Lillian is more than a little apprehensive. She interacts with animals more than humans—and definitely not criminals.

Justice Armstrong is more arrogant than a Silverback, but something darker lurks behind his eyes…

It isn’t until Justice swaggers toward her from the parole officer’s car—pierced, confident, and more than a little hot—Lillian knows she has her work cut out for her. His stare has the power to rob her of all thoughts. His words, although crude and nefarious, bring a part of her to life she never knew existed. How is this criminal suddenly turning her world upside down?

He has the power to drag her to the dark side....

Pain is his drug of choice, a vice he can’t survive without. Then he meets Lillian Harris. Little miss hellcat. Fiery, strong, and all woman. She challenges him at every damn turn, and watching her tame those fierce big cats makes his need for her that much stronger. He wants to do things to her…wicked things. She makes him crave pain in a whole new way.

When a teen with a dark past bumps heads with a feisty rescue worker, will it be love over lust—or a matter of life and death?

To Buy Pain by Amanda Mackey

Take a Bite Outta Crime Part 32 by Dellani Oakes

Phillida is a force to be reckoned with. She leads a charge at the front of the castle, with Drea, Margo and Sandra. Margo is called away to help Tommy.

"Tommy!" Afraid she was too late, she bit her wrist again, dripping more blood into his mouth.

Suddenly, he shivered and took a deep breath. Coughing and hacking, he struggled to sit up. Vestigial fangs brushed his lower lip and he ran his tongue over them experimentally.

"Tommy!" This time, full of joy, Margo hugged and kissed him. "I thought I'd lost you!"

"I'm okay," he said with a smile. "Wow, everything's different!" He looked around him with awe.

"Enjoy it later, kid," Nero said gruffly. "First we have to get the hell outta here and get you something to drink."

"You're still weak," Margo said. "Can the others walk?"

They nodded agreement, saying little. Struggling to stand, the less injured helped those in worse shape. Stumbling and tripping over one another, they headed in a tight group across the foyer to the front door. Phillida and the others had secured this part of the house, though fighting raged in other parts of the castle.

Once outside, a limo pulled up, the door popping open automatically. As many as would fit scrambled in behind Margo and Tommy. Nero, Kirk and Oded kept a watchful eye as the others loaded into other limos and headed back to Andres' compound.

Soon, the remaining occupants surrendered. Phillida had them gathered in the ballroom, secured with silver lined handcuffs. They were very subdued, some almost comatose. Andres appeared shortly after. Tattered and dirty, he'd been in the thick of things in another part of the castle assault.

"Thank you, Philly," he said. "We couldn't have done this without you." He kissed her. "Be my queen, Philly," he murmured.

"What of your little pet?"

"I've been a fool more than once," he said. "But it's time I settled down with a woman my own age."

Phillida laughed, accepting his proposal. Celebration would wait until later. Now, there were prisoners to interrogate. None of the vampires seemed ready to cooperate. There was no one better at extracting information than Andres. The messy business of questioning began.

Kirk and Scott hitched rides with other teams who had lost members. There were far fewer of them than had made the ride out. Thinking back over the battle though, Kirk realized that they'd fared better than he'd expected. The best part was that he and all his friends had lived through it. There would be huge gaps in their ranks, but they'd get past their sorrow. They always did.

Back at Andres' compound, they availed themselves of the hospitality of the house. They were given rooms and clothing. After bathing, the friends joined in the parlor. Even Scott and Sandra were treated like honored guests. Tommy was given his first dose of their medicine and a large glass of synthetic blood. At first, he was dubious of the liquid, but Margo took a sip, kissing him afterward so he could taste it in her mouth. Little by little, she persuaded him to drink.

"I almost lost you," she said over and over.

"I'm okay. I'm here with you now—forever."

Acting much like a newly married couple, they were making the others somewhat uncomfortable. Silas' entrance with a tray of canapes put an end to it. His loud, boisterousness made them all laugh as he castigated Margo for her antics.

"Stop acting like a school girl in heat," he boomed. "You'll make my souffle drop."

They laughed and teased one another until others joined them. Among the first to seek them out were the twins. Vincent was with them as well as Rubina. They shared a glass of blood mixed with brandy and enjoyed some of the canapes.

"I never thought I'd get out of that horrible place alive," Rubina said with a shudder. "It was horrible there. For the first few days, I was there alone."

"What did they want?" Kirk asked.

"We couldn't be sure," Vincent replied. "They tortured us but never asked any questions. It was as if they were toying with us."

"What happened to Gene," Tommy asked. "The first human they took."

Rubina looked sad. "They killed him," she whispered. "They wanted to turn him, but he refused. They ripped his throat out in front of us." She shuddered. "No one should have to die like that."

Heinrich joined them a little while later. Not long after, Andres and Phillida came in arm in arm.

"So, you've decided on Phillida as your wife after all?" Heinrich sniffed, annoyed by something. "I thought you were set on that insufferable child."

"A passing fancy. We all have them from time to time."

"Indeed we do. You more than some. I'm glad you've come to your senses at last." He raised his glass to the couple. "And you, Margo, a new pet to play with? How delightful for you."

"Thank you, Heinrich. Tommy and I are getting...."

"And you, young man." He turned to Scott. "Such a fine display of heroism today. Why you accounted for more kills than the rest of us combined, I warrant."

Scott blushed, ducking his head. "I doubt that, but thank...."

"Overall, quite the display of heroics. Too bad it takes a crisis to bring out the beast in us."

"Did you really think you'd get away with it, Heinrich?" Andres asked calmly. "Surely you knew I'd figure it out eventually."

© 2019 Dellani Oakes

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