A trio of spooky short stories ...
In A Song of the Sea, Jared is working on a new piano piece and unexpectedly draws the attention of a beautiful siren.
Even in the Grave, All Is Not Lost is the story of Edgar, detective and psychic, brought in to consult on a strange serial killer who steals victims' hearts, and the handsome officer assigned to assist him.
And in Off the Beaten Track, Greg finds himself utterly captivated by a demon hunter and determined to find out if the interest is mutual ... and he doesn't care the man is mute, or about the warning from his boss.
EXCERPT FROM "Off the Beaten Track"
"Hey, I wanted to ask you something, if you don't mind?" Warwick says quickly.
Theo looks him up and down and then nods once.
"If you're not into dudes, cool, but I'd like to spend some time with you. And before you think we can't communicate ..." Warwick takes his cell phone out of his jeans pocket and brings up the talk type function. "Whatever you type it'll say. Not as discreet as signing, I know, but if me sitting here doesn't want to make you punch me in the face then maybe give it a try?"
Theo takes the phone and types. "I don't want to punch you. That's not the kind of pain I picture you in."
A shiver slides down Warwick's spine and he feels a mixture of fear and hope. Theo could either be an evil fiend who wants to torture and kill him, or he could be into kink. He has that kind of vibe: the quiet power of a good Dom.
Warwick takes a breath. "I came over planning to seduce you, but I don't like playing games."
"No games is a good start," Theo types.
"Do you have somewhere private we can go? I live above the bar, not ideal."
"Motel room." Two small words with enormous possibility.
Warwick is placing a lot of trust in a stranger if he leaves with Theo, but he gives over trust whenever he subs, and it is such a risk, to his body and his mind. He craves submission and his senses are finely tuned to danger, in many ways like the hunters he works around. He has learned from them to trust his gut and he doesn't sense danger here. He doesn't doubt Theo has the ability to be dangerous, it's in the nature of the people who hunt the supernatural.
"The one right up the road?" Warwick asks, mind made up that he's at least going to enter more private negotiations with Theo.
Theo nods once and gets up from his seat, pushing the chair back in, and starts heading for the door, giving Warwick two choices: he can stay here and go to bed alone, or he can get up and follow Theo, see what the night could hold.
Warwick gets up and heads for the door. The brisk night air knocks any exhaustion right out of him, bringing a shine to his cheeks. He looks around and spots Theo waiting for him under the light in front of the bar. Most people would look like an angel under the light, but Theo looks like some kind of demon ready to make a deal. Which is always a possibility, especially if hunters are in the area. They seldom show up when there isn't a problem, after all. Warwick is glad Theo isn't a demon as he'd probably be sorely tempted to sell his soul tonight. Demons can't come into the bar, though, since it has protective spells on it.
With excitement bubbling in his stomach, Warwick joins Theo. Two deep breaths help steady him. "I'm ready if you are."
"Stay close, bars like this attract danger," Theo warns via the cell phone.
Warwick nods and they head off in the direction of the local motel. It's only a ten minute walk, but Theo is right to be careful, especially late at night as some paranormal creatures will seek out hunters and their hangouts.
"I don't get to do this often," Warwick admits, nervous about what will happen, scarcely able to believe he gets to spend time with Theo.
Theo types, the glow of the phone lighting his handsome face and the vicious scars on his neck. One curls under his chin just to the front of his face. He supposes he should be put off, but he’s used to hunters and a lot of them have scars. He has his own scars, despite not being a hunter himself, and he has never found them ugly -- he thinks they tell a story.
"I don't care if you've took a dozen lovers this week or one your whole life, that kind of thing doesn't matter to me and I hope my number of partners doesn't matter to you."
Warwick smiles in the dim light. "I don't need to know, nor do I care how many people you've gone to bed with. Call me selfish but I only care that you're interested in me."
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