tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75243942309600130982024-03-19T06:04:35.254-07:00Off the wall writerTammy Mazzaferrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224914264111158070noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524394230960013098.post-36789807162668342082010-12-29T19:07:00.000-08:002010-12-29T19:07:03.066-08:00<h1 style="font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">Washington Irving said, “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.”</h1><div style="font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">I think we could all shed a few more tears and the whole would be come a better place.</div>Tammy Mazzaferrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224914264111158070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524394230960013098.post-5522589759700560492010-12-04T08:36:00.000-08:002010-12-04T08:36:53.399-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP3VTfTdcGUbJkKoN7fFOfsxQh8KzA4xSbjF62RTIVqogbIwHsTV4rmWiY-oKu5PFtng_taGSUF2ntje9c0HG3zdlZdflhqDm9VR8ljLBvkIOcdvX2Wf799ImoOwsTc1QKP17Qc3Ewl0/s1600/bb_gosmr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP3VTfTdcGUbJkKoN7fFOfsxQh8KzA4xSbjF62RTIVqogbIwHsTV4rmWiY-oKu5PFtng_taGSUF2ntje9c0HG3zdlZdflhqDm9VR8ljLBvkIOcdvX2Wf799ImoOwsTc1QKP17Qc3Ewl0/s320/bb_gosmr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"Oh, for shame! Just look at those fingernails! My, I'll bet you monsters lead in-teresting lives. I said to my girl friend just the other day, 'Gee, I'll bet monsters are in-teresting.' I said. The places you must go and the things you must see -- my stars! I bet you meet lots of in-teresting people too. I'm always in-terested in meeting in-teresting people.Tammy Mazzaferrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224914264111158070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524394230960013098.post-39953660362343547052010-11-08T14:09:00.001-08:002010-11-08T14:09:40.487-08:00second entry for the beast within<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You are all crazy.” she looked around the parking lot. “This place is getting busy.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“They might be missing us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stepped closer to her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What are you doing?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Smelling you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He answered truthfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I like how you smell.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“And how do I smell?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amusement colored her scent and voice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Like warm chocolate.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What?” she asked as he stepped to within centimeters of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His large lean body almost brushed hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never back down from anyone, but this time her instinct was to run and never look back.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I think I could become addicted to chocolate.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“This is not a good idea-“</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“No, this is a great idea.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He concluded as his lips captured her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He did not ask permission to sample her lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lapped at them until, she open hungrily for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world became centered, just his lips on hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feel of them taking, searching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt his claw slip lose as he used it the free her hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One hand fisted in it as the other held her neck to ease his plundering.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She had known his touch would consume her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She finally felt relaxed yet excited in her skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like the moment right before a kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt no need to run, no desire to hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was where she wanted to be.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She could smell his arousal and feel his heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she welcomed it, stepping closer to bask in both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His lips were warm and mobile as his tongue map the recesses of her mouth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">And without thought she allowed her passion free rein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her lips and teeth and tongue battled with his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While both became more aggressive, fighting to control the passion between them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Her hand tugged on his butterscotch hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as warm and soft as she had thought it would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was sure his fur would be just as wonderful.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">His large hand spanned the back of her waist as her pulled her snug against his arousal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shivered at those long fingers touching her bare skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could not wait to feel them touch every part of her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">At the sound of the crunch of gravel, his head shot up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara slipped from his grasp and disappeared into the shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to find her as her as he searched for source of the noise.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t sneak up on me, pup, you are not very good at it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara grouched as the young male was dropped at Vincenc’s feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She eyed him angrily and stomped into Gregorio’s.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Wow, Vincenc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was on me so fast I never knew what hit me.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Anything broken?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked of the pup that had destroyed his evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One look at Mara and he knew she was not going to let him near her soon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“No, she just picked me up and tossed me at your feet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">While still young the male was almost 6 feet of gangly limbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara had hauled him by his belt as if he was a feather. There was more than just beauty to this female.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“The gravel.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know, but I wanted to see her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grinned unrepentantly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, you got to see her up close.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not as close as you did.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Vincenc sighed in memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been fabulous up close and personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the fire that had burnt between them he would have thought she was his mate. He had searched for the scent that called to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the scent of his mate was not there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just the thought of another having her filled him will uncontrolled anger.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He would have her now and he would not share her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 200%;">∞</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara grumbled all the way into the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How had she let herself be so distracted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If their uninvited guest had been anyone other than a young pup they both could have been dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they had not been alone in the area.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Why had she allowed him to touch her? She would forever remember the feel of his lips on her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking and commanding a response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shivered and controlled herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would not get both of them killed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She was here for one night and then she would finish the job she was sent to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would fulfill her promise to the matriarch and leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resolved she grabbed her tray and went to work.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Vincenc stood at the bar and barely refrained from growling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara worked with speed and efficiency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She spoke to everyone and made eye contact with none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She brushed off all personal comments and had more than one customer laughing heartily as she walked away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">But none touched her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not sure if it was because they had heard what she done to the wolf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or that his scent still clung to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">His beast rumbled it was his scent but another part had watched as the males stirred cautiously around her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She moved in a way that belayed her scent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a commanding predator in a room filled with predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">They were more afraid of her than him at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He almost laughed at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she had smelled of his mate he would have marked her and none would dare step between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she did not carry his mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now all in the bar knew it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“How is it going?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raised a brow as she stepped to the bar.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Fine. Three beers,” she turned to the kitchen “three steaks, rare.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then stepped away without a smile.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She had not spoken to him since their kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how he had tried to engage her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had dismissed him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara avoided the temptation that the male at the bar presented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew he watched her and she felt his possessiveness tugging at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His beast was confused. And she could not tell him the source.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara eyed the clock, still hours to go before she could leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled at the warlock as she placed his drink in front of him. He smiled in return and magic whiffed around him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Put that away before I pull it out of you and strangle you with it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She whispered in his ear. None in the place needed to hear this conversation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You think you have the power to do that.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Warlock, either I spill your blood here or in the parking lot.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stepped out of his personal space and waited.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Follow me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stated arrogantly laying money on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He rose gracefully and head towards the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paused and raised an eye brow as she finish delivering her last two drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled to the other waitress and continued out the door.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara stomped pasted the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m on break.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Vincenc brow rose but he did not follow her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother was tending bar with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he would not leave her alone in the crowded place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tracked Mara’s scent as she stomped into the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She went no farther.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He breathed a sigh as he continued to serve the drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gregorio only served drinks compactable with humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was never a need to watch the type of being drinking and speculate if a customer would lose control in front of a human. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Gregorio’s was a place for the other species to interact comfortable with one and other, unlike some of the club where no humans were allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things were changing in their world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had heard that the Demon, Lycanthrope and Vampire kingdoms had united.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it still had not affected them here, other than to make him more cautious.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He sniffed the air again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara was still close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was very little magic in the place tonight. The lone warlock had left already.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No vampires tonight?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Zephyr asked as he slid into his seat as the bar.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“No so far.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vincenc returned unconcerned.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Full house.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The demon was wearing some glamour to hide his horns from a human accidentally seeing them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dark haired demon was always good about obey the rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And tonight he appeared to be in the mood for some conversion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Mostly the ususal crowd.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leaned on the bar and wiped it clean again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“So, that an eagle with those lions?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“First time he has been in.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hear there was a problem with the wolves earlier.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“The waitress handled them all by herself.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“That was what I heard.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“From where?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“From the wolves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are jonesing after the pretty thing.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“They will keep their paws to themselves.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vincenc barely kept a handle on his temper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fang flashed as he spoke.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tarben the bear slide into the spot next to </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Zephyr, “I did not see a mark on the little thing.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You plan on drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or do I need to take you out back?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I have no plans the tangle with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just needed to make sure there is no mark.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He snickered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You mess with her and you will be sorry.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But it will be worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what the wolf said.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned and headed to his seat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Vincenc struggled to control a possessiveness he had no right to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been close enough to know if she was his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she had not smelt right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However he was not about to share her with the lot of them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 200%;">∞</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara sidled across the parking lot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warlock stood arrogantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no idea what awaited him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had already blocked his scent from those in the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Your time is up.” Mara said as she threw the warlock to the ground.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">His magic sparked yet made not contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She quickly overpowered the frightened warlock and pulled him into cypress trees.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Who are you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He demanded.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What did you think you were going to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you think you could control me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hissed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“How did you know?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He whispered the smell of his fear overwhelming her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It would take someone much more powerful than you to control me.” Rage filled the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will send you back to him in piece.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Xiomara.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He whispered horrified.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Never speak that name.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stabbed the warlock in the heart with a blade stolen from the kitchen, and pulled the knife and his heart from his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">As she knelt in the grove of cypress tree she waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warlock had been after someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone here was a target. She drew the symbol on his stomach. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Reveal, and return to him that controls you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She commanded the magic in him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His last breath would tell her who the warlock was after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarben, the bear’s name, appeared and the warlock returned to his master.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara shook as she looked at the blood on her clothes. Magic coated her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell of the warlock she had defeated covered her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She breathed in and his power slid over her skin. She trembled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garvan would know his warlock was dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not who had stolen his power.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She wiped her hands over the blood, absorbing it and the power within.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did not waste the precious power to remove his scent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon it would not matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact his scent would hide her from Ranulf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled at the thought.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Garvan thought she would not use all those around him against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought she was weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon he would know how wrong he was.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Into the light of the parking lot she returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had to find her target and bring in the bear. Tonight.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Mara, what are you doing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vincenc asked</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She had felt the itch grow on her skin and known he was near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did not like her reaction to him. She shrugged her shoulder and continued toward the back door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vincenc’s nostrils fared as he smelt a warlock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She felt him move just as he grasped her arm and swung her around. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knocked his hand from her and leapt away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She landed automatically in a defensive crouch.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Do not mess with me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She rumbled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He could feel the beast within her struggling to be free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so close to turning Vincenc’s great cat snarl to be free also. He was sure he did not want an untried shifter changing in the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how bad his beast wanted her to be free.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Easy sweet-” he stopped as she growled, “easy Mara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t we calm down and take a walk by the water?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She hissed at him, her dark eye narrow and anger filled. If she released the beast within he was afraid he would have to injure her to control her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One moment he heard her dark rumble and the next she sprinted into the trees.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Ranulf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That meant their prey was near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She breathed deeply they were in pursuit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prey had escaped four wolves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ranulf was getting sloppier and sloppier.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He was a worthless peace of fur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one day he would pay.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara could not believe Vincenc continued to silently follow her through the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why had she met him now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was too close to her goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would not let him distract her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eye on the prize.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Vincenc chased the now silence female.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a beautiful sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her long bare legs and feet quickly covered the ground. He chased her for more than an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could not believe the speed and stamina she had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One minute she was on the ground and the next she was in a tree.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You make me loose him and I’ll remove a favorite part of your anatomy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hissed and stretched across a branch.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Vincenc settled into another tree and waited silently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who was she stalking?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He did not have to wait long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hear them coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A single male vampire was being hunted by four wolves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw a momentary flash of white as Mara smiled. It was the only move she made.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The vampire ran right under Mara’s tree. The stake in his heart prevented him from dematerializing away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never moved until two of the wolves pasted under her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she attacked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">One wolf had a chopping blade, one Vincenc was sure had been in Gregorio kitchen, through his skull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he lay on the ground screaming in pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Vincenc leaped from his tree landing on the two wolves that had turned on Mara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His claws pierced ones ribs as he began to release his wolf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vincenc barely restrained his beast as he heard Mara growl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“That’s for the ribs.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She back handed the second wolf. He went flying into a tree branch and she attacked him. She reached into his stomach and pulled out his intestines out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then she stalked towards were Vincenc was fighting the last wolf standing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Had to call in help little girl?” Ranulf snickered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“No needed.” She laughed wickedly, “I just like to watch you have your tail handed to you by anyone.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Mara, get out of here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vincenc commanded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They are not dead.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Ranulf laughed and Vincenc smashed the wolf’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jaguar was amazing to watch in battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Ranulf was not the brightest bulb in the pack, he was the strongest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a vicious and deadly killer and Vincenc was controlling him with little problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too bad she could not stay to watch Vincenc finish him off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You cheating little whore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wolf shouted as she turned to run.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Four on one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I cheat.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her laughter filled the grove of trees. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She breathed deeply and filled her lungs with the scent of the vampire’s blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not even know enough to not leave a trail behind him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara quickly hunted the vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unable to dematerialize he had not been able to outrun her. While she preferred to wait for the prey to come to her, this time she chased him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ranulf and his goons already had him on the run.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara attacked the vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laying open his flesh, the smell of vampire blood covered the area they fought in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ranulf would not hold against Vincenc long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alone without a pack the wolf would quickly concede.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She needed this vampire restrained.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Within minutes enough of the vampire’s blood was on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was too weak to fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without blood he was trapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Conceded.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Never, will I concede to Garvan’s minions!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara stomped on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the vampire slid into oblivion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara sniffed the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warlock’s blood hid her scent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one would see her here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She used magic to wipe the blood from the vampire and seal his wounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tossed the vampire over her shoulder and began to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon she found an abandoned shed and placed the vampire inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One repulsing ward and she took off running. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">If anyone found him they would smell the warlock she had sent to Garvan but not Mara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ranulf would not be looking for the warlock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she neared Gregorio’s she brushed the scent of all the other away from her skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warlock had indeed proven useful this day.</span></div>Tammy Mazzaferrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224914264111158070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524394230960013098.post-28701023810643547652010-11-02T19:24:00.000-07:002010-11-02T19:24:30.489-07:00The Beast Within<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Xiomara spit blood on the ground as she came to a grinding halt. She rolled to her feet and shifted into a crouch all in one movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tangled black hair swung around her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ranulf had laughed as he tossed her, naked, from the still moving van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He intended to disgrace her as she had done him, yet again. She sent the cretin a one finger salute as the van raced out of the upscale neighborhood.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Her long black hair covered most of her body as she crouched near a bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked around and raced between the houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was early morning in the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She should not see too many children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But housekeeping and gardening staff would soon arrive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She needed to get out of sight and find some clothes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Half an hour later she neared the tree line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A clothes line?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned and backtracked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small rundown cabin, she laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the last hold out to the American housing market.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She grabbed a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she looked around the yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here there might be something she could use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pulled on the shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It covered just a bit more than her hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jeans were another matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too short and too big, she would have to make them work.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She head back into the neighborhood. She collected a pair of scissors left on a patio table. And a twenty from a bulging wallet left lying on a poolside chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she discovered a pair of flip flops abandoned beside a swing set. And thankfully they fit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She headed into the trees with her supplies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ranulf thought he could slow her down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought he would win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would make him pay.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She cut the legs off the jeans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And quickly cut one leg into thin rope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She cut three pieces and braided them into a belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pulled on the short jeans and belt. The other leg she turned into a bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cutting and tying the bottom, then adding another braided for a strap. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She pulled off the tee shirt, a couple of quick cuts and ties later and she was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pulled the shirt back on. She placed the money, scissors, and left over denim rope in the bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She smiled her dark eyes flashing as she slipped the flip-flops in to the bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took off running in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew Ranulf, the inept cur, would not place her near her target.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 200%;">∞</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Victor looked around his brother’s bar and grill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gregorio and his bride, Catalina, had just left for their honeymoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be watching the place until their return. They deserved this time away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would not begrudge them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though Gregorio was his baby brother and now he was the only member of his family without a mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother would have all her focus on correcting that abnormality.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He smiled as he wiped the bar top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lunch crowd was still small. Fiontan was working the grill in the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved when humans came in to eat; most of the shifters in the place preferred their meat rare. The fire demon loved the smell of roasting flesh. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Berdine, the waitress, was working the crowd easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her French accent lilting as she teased her way around the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her brown hair was piled on top her head in a sloppy topknot; she was always struggling to contain it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The non humans in the club knew how hard that was for the slim bear.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Gregorio believed in giving everyone a fair shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even had a couple of humans on staff. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brother was much more tolerant than he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But working the bar would give him a place to hide from his mother until Gregorio returned or one of his other brothers announced the arrival of their cubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had decided withhold that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>information from their mother until after Gregorio celebration was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Victor had smelt the change on the females immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Victor, when are you going to allow me to be a grandmother?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Esparenza asked.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why are you not with Imelda?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She sniffed in return, taking a sat at the bar, “Ramon had me removed this morning.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Victor closed his eyes and cursed under his breath.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I can still hear you.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, don’t listen.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ordered as he walked away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She continued to sit at the end of the bar. The blond hair female was attracting more than one male’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she would just release his father’s memory, Esparenza would have a number of companions to keep her busy and out of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It was time. There had to be a male worthy of his mother’s time and attention.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Victor felt the female enter the bar and automatically turned to assess the species and therefore the dangers of the new customer. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He had never smelt one like her before. She was a curvaceous beauty with waist length midnight black hair tied at her nape. Low slung cutoff left miles of dusky lean legs exposed. A strategically cut tee shirt hugged her full breast, baring a taunt tan stomach and flaring hips. She had some kind of barely there foot ware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More was exposed than covered by her outfit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">His body reacted instantly to the heat she produced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living in a world of shifters he had been raised to think nothing of the nudity of another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to not react to the nudity of a female was ingrained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet as this female entered the bar he had to shift to remove his discomfort.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">His mother noticed as the female caught his attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would not do at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her warm brown eyes were speculative as she watched the female approach the bar. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The female sat at the bar placing herself in Victor’s favorite place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her back was naturally to the wall and all those in the bar were in plain sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had chosen the best place for a female traveling alone. She knew not to expose herself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He approached unhurried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Esperanza was watching.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What can I get you?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“A sprite and a burger, med please.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small smile accompanied a whisper soft voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her dark eye never rest for more than a moment as she observed the others in Gregorio’s.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Victor stepped away to place her order and not give his mother any more to speculate about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had not even taken the deep breath he had wanted to in her presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still could not tell her species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not human, but clouded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Feline, maybe, she had to be an immature one who had never experienced the change. That placed her completely out of the area where he would spend his time getting to know her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was no cradle robber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had jeans older than her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook his head and took the burger and drink to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I have never seen you here before.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Just passing through.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never met his eyes and quickly inhaled the sandwich.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The female ate like she had not seen food in a while and did not know when she would see it again. He tilled his head as he viewed the puzzle before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did not smell human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she did not eat alike a shifter. No one worth their salt let a fire demon do more than touch their meat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He stepped to the other end of the bar to pass a beer to the bear that walked up. The one who not half an hour ago had been targeting Berdine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dark male was indeed trying to make the rounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had attracted more attention than just his own.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara swallowed the bite she had been chewing. She could not believe how good the meal had tasted. The fire demon she smelt in the back had done a wonderful job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The humans in the place attested to that. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She noted the massive dark bear that had moved to the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was eyeing her luviously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other patrons of this mixed specie establishment were more speculative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bear was easy to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was hunting a female.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The bear picked up his beer and slid closer to her. “Can I buy you a drink?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t think that would be a good idea.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara worked to hide her accent.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He leaned in closer even through he had no cause to do so to hear her words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bear was going to be a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I could buy you lunch then.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She smiled softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too soon for them to know she was in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had only stopped to eat and relax for a couple of minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This bear and his death would draw too much attention, she thought angrily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No thanks.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“How about you join us for some fun?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She looked at the bear and then his friends and smiled wickedly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t think you could handle me.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The three bears from the table saunter over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She eyed each one, young, cocky and full of themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to defuse this now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned to them and cross one long leg over the other.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Boys, I don’t have time for all of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you want to fight over me and then see if you can catch me afterwards, I might think about it.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Now come on!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fair haired bear grouched. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">They all knew if she got a head start they would have to spend the day hunting her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did not know that if she got a head start they would never see her again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not until she killed them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Or we could play a hand of black jack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one of you can come up with some cards.” One dark brow rose over a sparkling brown eye.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Black jack?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What do you have to play with?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, after I pay for lunch, about 10 dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have something you want more.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Black jack!” they cheered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">They all slid to the table as she paid for her lunch. She nodded to the male behind the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something she had not appreciated as she struggled to control her hunger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With her stomach full another hunger was sweeping though her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He had hair the color of warm butterscotch, perfect to drive into. He was feline, 6’3”, lean with whip chord muscle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She just bet he was beautiful as he ran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smelt of warmth and sunlight and wonderful male. And his warm brown eyes had noted and dismissed her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mistake.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Victor watched as she picked up the money from the bar and saunter to the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kicked a chair into the spot she wanted and straddled the chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tilled his head intrigued despite his hand off policy of avoiding young females.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had lived to many centuries to change now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Let’s see those cards.” She demanded her long limbs wrapped around the back of the chair she straddled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beringar pulled a deck from his pocket.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Give me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dark brow rose as she waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you accusing us of cheating?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bear growled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I am not prey.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She snapped her fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Bartender, you got a new deck back there?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The bears snickered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They knew who was tending the bar, who the female had insulted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The head of the North American jaguar clan strolled to the table with a new deck of cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Victor smiled as he watched the bears. The female was not intimidated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She barely acknowledged him as she handed him the bear’s cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt the faint hum of magic as she took his deck. She had picked up the magic before she touched the cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The female had been exposed to magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe she was a witch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Many witches hide who they were in a club filled with shifters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magickind were some of the physically weakest beings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely a disadvantage when they traveled alone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Do you want to check the deck?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all mumbled in the negative as she pulled the clean new deck out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You may deal.” she handed the cards to one of the bears.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Can we know who we play with?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Mara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you are?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never took her eyes from the cards</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Arturo.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shuffled easily and pointed to his left. “Beringar and that is Tarben.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m Ursus.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dark bear from the bar said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Deal, before you wear the color off those cards.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tarben laughed as the first of the cards hit the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Lunch is on the house.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Victor said as he slid her money back to her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She never acknowledged him nor touched the money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An hour later she had cleaned all four male’s pockets, yet still they watched her stand and stretch appreciatively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She slid some of the money in her pocket and some in the bag she carried.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You have to give us the chance to win our money back.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarben wheedled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Arturo, don’t play with these guys anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just fleecing you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned to the bar and laid the ten back on the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thanks, but I pay my own way.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“And where would that take you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Victor wondered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“To many ferocious and diverse places.” Mara stepped away from the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had the money she needed for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plenty, she could buy food and maybe some clothes and if she was very careful a bed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Young lady, where are you going?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">This was the first time the matriarch had address her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had known the lady jaguar was present but had avoided her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she approached softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara bowed her head and stepped backwards away from her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Difference and respect in every move she made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had hoped the matriarch would not acknowledge a lone female.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I must go.” She never met her eyes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Where?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question stopped her short.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth hung in the air.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then stay here.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I cannot.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth again. She could not stay and continue to hustle the customers. Once in the bar was enough.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Victor, do you not need an extra waitress until Catalina returns?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tone stating the decision was made.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You know we are short one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never looked at her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She knew every male that was watching her move. These past months she had grown more and more uncomfortable in her own skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She needed to move, to run, and to hunt.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I could not.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara began backing away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would never turn her back on another female.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Mara, would you please help me by working at Gregorio’s?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mara bowed her head and turned towards the door to run. “I would consider it a personal favor.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes, Matriarch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She whispered, feeling trapped. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Son, find this young lady an apron to wear and she can work this afternoon.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Matriarch stepped behind the bar<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Esparenza.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded to his mother.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 200%;">∞</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Victor slowly walked from behind the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother had hired the female and as such he could not fire her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He led the way into a back storage room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed to get rid of this female now. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You do not have to stay and work here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Victor said as she stepped into the room.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I told the matriarch I would do it and I will.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hissed her brown eye now cold and flinty.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I just thought you did not want to be here.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I do not do what I don’t want.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He handed her an apron with Gregorio’s logo on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hissed at him and started to turn away. As his hand would have touched the bare skin on her arm she leapt to the side.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He lowered his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The female was quick to be agitated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not need this in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stayed still as she calmed and a reserve slid over her beautiful face.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He stood admiring her as she backed away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had beautiful skin the color of milk chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the thought of which was enough for him to want to lick her all over and see if she tasted as good as she looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her cheek bones were high and hinted of an ancient American heritage. Long straight locks of black hair hang down her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he wondered how those locks would feel wrapped around his fist as he feasted from her mouth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">This female was even more dangerous then he had thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would need to avoid her and the machination of his mother until she left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara backed away from the heat in the male before her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had no time for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would do as the Matriarch asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she would run at the first opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ranulf was most likely hunting their prey even as she stood here.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">This delay could cost her more than she was willing to pay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for a male who was fighting his interest in her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 200%;">∞</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Ranulf stocked about the shambles of the empty offices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every piece of furniture had been attacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leather torn from the couch floated in the air with circuits from the pair of destroyed computers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Claw marks covered the desk and paneled walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The realization that their prey had escaped them infuriated him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In fact he had not been in this location in quite some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scent was cold now. His informant was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Find the jackal and skin him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kicked a chair across the room embedding it in the wall. “I want to know where he went to.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Four wolf trackers stormed out of the office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would find him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would not be able to hide from them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 72pt; line-height: 200%;">∞</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara strolled down the hall and out into the parking lot behind the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She should never have stopped here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she was trapped by her word to the Matriarch. And as if her grouchy thoughts had called to her the Matriarch appeared.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“So Mara.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled as the females chin dropped. “What interest has you in my son?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Your son?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes the bartender.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Mara was not fool. The males rules by their strength, but they all bowed before a Matriarch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ruled her family by her wits. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I have no interest other than he is a beautiful specimen.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Beautiful specimen.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She chortled, “If only his brothers could hear that.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Dark brows rose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He is not beautiful?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He has always been beautiful to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But too few others.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you warning me away? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or drawing my curiosity?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It is time my son had a mate-“</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Warning me away!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She exclaimed turning to run.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Mara, you promised.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Her head crashed to her chest as the matriarch’s soft voice reached her at the tree line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two more seconds and she would have been out of her reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stalked back and picked up the apron.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tonight only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She growled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Esparenza watch the young female storm into the bar and grill<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with a smile on her lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If her son needed more than one night to claim his mate she would eat her hat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Victor watched as Berdine walked Mara through a few orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waitress explained all she would be expected to do that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara preformed all that was asked of her but not happily.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I never thought I would see that scowl leave her face.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Berdine said an hour later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Victor asked, as he pasted the beers over the counter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Berdine nodded to the far side of the room where three wolves were eyeing the new waitress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apron tied low on her hips drew their attention to her flat stomach that was now dancing as she struggled to hold in her laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a beautiful sight with her dark eye flashing and her lips quirking.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Jaguars on the other side of the bar slid to the tables away from the anger that momentarily filled Victor’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could not believe the possessiveness that filled him at their attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at her response to them, she had never smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet she was almost laughing at the wolves.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Son, you are frightening all the customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you continue this way, Gregorio’s will close and your brother and his new bride will move in with you.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“And why not you?” he glowered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Because, I am not glaring daggers at them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled and shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She is quite beautiful.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“She is young, and works here.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Is that the reason you are trying to keep them away for her?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She nodded to the customers ogling the new waitress.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“She should not have to deal with having them paw her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He filled another glass while trying not to keep one eye on Mara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One young girl should not cause this much chaos inside him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“She is no one’s mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no one to protect her-“</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Suddenly a body slammed to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And laughter from the front of the bar captured everyone’s attention.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You want to regrow that paw.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mara growled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Now sweet cheeks…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She leaned down giving everyone in the place a view of the sweet curves exposed by the short denim. She flipped the wolf on his back and raised his arm to an uncomfortable angle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She crouched over him angry.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Sweet, this would be so much more fun if you would just flip me back.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded to where her lags straddled his shoulders.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Can a wolf think with nothing except his-“</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Mara, do you need help.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Victor asked as he stepped to her side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had launched himself across the bar so fast. Those around drew in startled breathes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She squeezed the wolf’s wrist until she heard a bone crush. “No, we have an understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t we?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Sure, sweet thing,” he said eyeing her over his shoulder. “It was worth it.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She leaned down, then said with a whisper and a smile. “Next time I will cut something off you will miss as it regrows.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The other wolves laughed as they helping their friend scrabbled from under the dark female. Meanwhile Victor pulled her angry form away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was ready to attack them and he was most sure Gregorio would disapprove.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“The waitresses are not here for you to paw.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Come on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They whined.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Next time I’ll let her carry through her threat.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He returned placing his hands on Mara’s shoulders and guiding her away from the wolves, and out the back door. “Never worked in the public?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He is likely all I broke was his wrist.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She snapped stepping away from the warm male.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I told her this was not a good idea.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, you don’t have to worry none of the others will touch you,”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why, because you say so?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“No, because to have that part of your anatomy remove while you have an erection can cause serious blood lose.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mara’s stance relaxed and one corner of her mouth rose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was her taunt stomach that caught his attention. It rolled and wiggled as she controlled her laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing showed on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that inviting skin laughed with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It drew him and one hand reached to touch it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you trying to lose some blood now?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He touched your stomach?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“And I broke his wrist.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He wanted to feel your laughter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason that angered him more than the thought of the wolf grabbing her, he did not want her to share her laughter with others.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What?” confusion filled her soft voice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“When you laugh the only place it is visible is your stomach.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, that is nice to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more bare stomach for me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She growled disgusted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I like it.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Enough to risk your parts?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her stomach rippled again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“As the wolf said it was worth it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raised one dark blond brow.</span></div>Tammy Mazzaferrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224914264111158070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524394230960013098.post-34736221813707084582010-10-18T17:51:00.000-07:002010-10-18T17:51:07.631-07:00My first blog.Tomorrow is the day New Voices announces the final four. New Voices was the first writing contest I have ever entered. I got some good comments on the first chapter. <br />
<br />
I have been editing the Queen. I have got the word count down to 127k. I have been trying to find an agent and I even sent the Queen into Carina press to see if they would publish it as an ebook. Check out their site <br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.carinapress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0068cf;">www.carinapress.com</span></a></span></div><br />
I have entered an RWA writing contest. It is the First Kiss Contest. The contest does not close until November 1, 2010. I can't wait to see what they think of it.Tammy Mazzaferrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02224914264111158070noreply@blogger.com0