by Bianca D'Arc
“If the Venifucus was supporting him, then where were they when he came after us at the cabin? Did he just escape their control? Or were they still helping him? And is that why he was apparently able to take out four of those soldiers and get into Belinda’s room without anybody noticing?”
Grim faces turned to regard her and Lindsey felt uncomfortable under their scrutiny for a moment before she realized they weren’t angry at her, but at her words. They didn’t like contemplating the danger to the Redstones any more than she did. She’d found common ground with the new people, but none of them really liked the basis for it.
“All good questions,” Grif replied after a quiet moment. “And unfortunately I don’t think we have the answers, but you better believe we’re going to find out. If you’re right, the Venifucus have been targeting our family in particular for much longer and more thoroughly than I thought.” Grif looked angry with a hint of terror in his golden eyes that only Lindsey could see. “If they really caused Timmons to turn on Jackie, as you believe, their interference goes back years longer than I anticipated. And if they were there, in Wyoming, helping Timmons, then we might not be as safe as I thought.”
“And don’t forget mom,” Steve said softly, but with a determined growl to his voice. “Those two who murdered her were supposedly rogue elements, but they definitely had Venifucus ties. Maybe they weren’t so rogue after all. Maybe doing damage to our family is all part of some deeper plan.”
“I don’t like this,” Grif spat. “Not at all.” He turned away and paced for a moment, coming back a few seconds later. “We need to operate as if the threat continues. We’ve seen what they’re capable of now. We need to guard against it. More than that,” he pounded one fist on the picnic table. “We need to go on the offensive.”
“Amen, brother,” Steve muttered under his breath but they all heard him. Slade just frowned, but he also had that determined light in his spooky grey eyes.
“From this moment forth, I’m declaring the Redstone Clan at war with the Venifucus. We will hunt them where they live and we will end the threat against our family and against our Clan, or die trying.”
Even Lindsey felt the weight of his words as Grif declared his private war and she knew in her heart they were doing the right thing. They’d already lost too many innocent people to the evil cult. She didn’t want to see any more of the Redstones taken out by an enemy that didn’t fight fair.
“I’m sorry I brought you into this at such a time, Lindsey,” Grif turned to her and took her hand in his. “I’d send you away, but I can’t. I need you like I need my next breath.” She put her hand over his mouth to forestall his next words. She understood.
“I wouldn’t be any other place than at your side, Grif. The Great Spirit changed me and put me here for a reason. I know that deep in my heart. I will help you and your family to the best of my ability. I don’t know what I can contribute, but I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. I love you.”
It was just that simple. Love made her brave when just thinking about the danger that possibly faced them should have made her tremble.
Grif kissed her in front of everybody, but she didn’t mind. Let them witness the power of their love.
“This is as it should be,” Kate said softly after Grif let Lindsey go. “The Alpha is stronger for having a mate and the Clan is stronger for having a matriarch. You will grow into that role in the fullness of time, Lindsey. I have no doubt about it. Let your love guide you and the Lady will show you the way.” Kate raised her hand and for a moment, Lindsey thought she saw little rainbows of light dancing around her and Grif, like some kind of magical benediction. “Whatever comes, you will face it together. Now and until the end of time.”
Lindsey liked the way that sounded. Apparently, so did Griff. He bent her back and laid a kiss on her like something out of a fairy tale. Dimly she heard laughter and even a little applause from those gathered around them and off in the distance…she thought she heard the flapping of great wings, as if an angel watched over them and had suddenly taken to flight.
# # #
A Word From Bianca D’Arc
About Her Paranormal Series
Since I started writing paranormal romances in 2005, much has happened behind-the-scenes to affect the way in which these stories have been released. Originally, there were two very separate series—the Brotherhood of Blood for vampires, and the Tales of the Were for werewolves and their werecreature friends.
The main reason for this separation was that each series was with a different publisher. The publisher that originally had my vampire short stories and novellas went out of business some years ago and I began the process of bringing those stories over to Samhain Publishing, which had been publishing my Tales of the Were novels. I took the vampire short stories and novellas, expanded them—in some cases significantly—and republished them with Samhain, where they remain as of this writing. Those stories are: One & Only, Rare Vintage, and Phantom Desires.
I have since added to that series at Samhain with the novella Forever Valentine and the crossover novel, Sweeter Than Wine, which is the point where it became quite obvious that all of these stories happened in the same contemporary paranormal world. Matt Redstone plays a significant part in that book.
Those five stories are united by the fact that they follow the love stories of five female college friends. All five find that they are mated to vampires. But there is a sixth college friend and her story is told in the RT Award nominated novel, Wolf Hills. She is mated to Jason Moore, who is mentioned briefly in the book you just read. He is the Alpha of a large werewolf Pack in Wyoming, and his brother, Jesse, heads up the team of ex-Spec Ops shifters who comes to the aid of Grif and his family in Wyoming and beyond.
At this point, the Brotherhood of Blood series will begin to follow the story line begun with Wolf Hills, and the next novel in the series, the upcoming, Wolf Quest, is Jesse Moore’s story. It will be out late in 2013. There is quite a bit of crossover now between the Brotherhood of Blood and the Tales of the Were, but the timing is tricky. The internal chronology of the stories has been, at times, difficult for me to reconcile because of all this confusion in the way the initial stories came out, went out of print, then were re-released.
The Tales of the Were series will branch off from this point and follow the five Redstone brothers in the sub-series I’m sub-titling Redstone Clan. You’ll notice a little graphic to that effect on the cover of this book and the subsequent four books left in the series.
We’ll learn more about Steve, Bobcat, Mag and Matt. With any luck, these stories will come out every few months during the rest of 2013 and into 2014. Where we go from there, I’m not sure yet, but I can guarantee, it’ll be a wild ride!
Come over to The D’Arc Side…
WWW.BIANCADARC.COM
One & Only
By Bianca D’Arc
Brotherhood of Blood, Book 1
A deadly crash changes the fate of one lonely vampire.
Vampire enforcer Atticus Maxwell stands at the edge of his own oblivion…until the faint heartbeat of a desperately wounded mortal woman calls him back. The terrible crash that almost took both their lives has brought him a charming, intriguing woman who just might give him a reason to live again.
Lissa was headed for a conference at a resort in a last-ditch attempt to find a job. Instead, on a rain-slick mountain road that almost killed her, she finds the love of her life. A love with the most eligible, reclusive vineyard owner in Napa Valley—one that isn’t quite human.
No barrier—not even breaking the news to Lissa’s friends—seems too great to hold back their blossoming love. Until they learn the accident that brought them together wasn’t an accident at all, but a murder attempt by an unknown enemy.
Atticus saved Lissa once. Can he keep her that way in the face of a renewed threat?
Lords of the Were
By Bianca D’Arc
Tales of the Were, Book 1
An ancient evil is stalking the twin alpha rulers of the werefolk and the half-were woman who is destined to be their mate…if she lives long enough.
Fulfilling her mother’s dying wish, Allie climbs a wooded hill just before midnight on Samhain—All Hallow’s Eve. At the top, she finds an overgrown, magical stone circle, and her destiny. Waiting for her there are twin alpha werewolves who will be her sworn protectors, her mentors…and the loves of her life. If she lives long enough.
Overprotective is just one word to describe Rafe and Tim. Sexy is most definitely another. But their newfound love and all their skills-both mundane and magical—will be tested by an ancient evil. A hostile human mage and a misguided vampire hunt them, servants to secret plans of the ancient Venifucus, a society dedicated to destroying women like Allie.
They will earn unlikely allies, including a half-fey knight imprisoned Underhill for centuries, but will it be enough to battle the evil that stalks them? Will Allie’s men be strong enough to let her aid them in her own defense? Only together can were, fey and vampire defeat this latest threat and learn that love does truly conquer all.
Keeper of the Flame
By Bianca D’Arc
Dragon Knights, Book 7
A warrior, a maiden...and a passion that could set the whole world aflame.
Despite the fact he is the largest of his half-dragon brothers and better suited to fighting, Hugh has been sent on an undercover mission. Forced to stay in human form, he must discover if the land of Helios is truly the Draconian ally it pretends, or something more sinister.
When he witnesses injustice in the form of a misshapen baby gryphlet kicked out into the cold, he cannot remain in the shadows and watch the child suffer. All he can hope for is that his act of kindness will go unnoticed so his mission can continue.
But someone does notice. When Lera cautiously approaches Hugh, she is drawn to his strange, foreign magic. She is entranced by its irresistible allure -- until assassins come calling and reveal her true identity.
She is Valeria, queen of Helios, Keeper of the Flame. And she has been betrayed. Together they must risk everything to uncover the traitors and reforge the alliance between their lands. Yet beneath their blazing passion, both are still keeping secrets. Secrets that the Sacred Flame will reveal—if their love survives its cleansing fire.
Warning: When a dragon prince and a Flame Keeper come together, the conflagration is definitely too hot to handle!
King of Swords
By Bianca D’Arc
Arcana, Book 1
David is a newly retired special ops soldier, looking to find his way in an unfamiliar civilian world. His first step is to visit an old friend, the owner of a bar called The Rabbit Hole on a distant space station. While there, he meets an intriguing woman who holds the keys to his future.
Adele has a special ability, handed down through her family. Adele can sometimes see the future. She doesn’t know exactly why she’s been drawn to the space station where her aunt deals cards in a bar that caters to station workers and ex-military. She only knows that she needs to be there. When she meets David, sparks of desire fly between them and she begins to suspect that he is part of the reason she traveled halfway across the galaxy.
Pirates gas the inhabitants of the station while Adele and David are safe inside a transport tube and it’s up to them to repel the invaders. Passion flares while they wait for the right moment to overcome the alien threat and retake the station. But what good can one retired soldier and a civilian do against a ship full of alien pirates?
Note: This novella was previously available in an anthology titled Fortune’s Fool, which is now out of print.
Titles by Bianca D’Arc
Now Available:
Brotherhood of Blood
One & Only
Rare Vintage
Phantom Desires
Sweeter Than Wine
Forever Valentine
Wolf Hills
Tales of the Were
Lords of the Were
Inferno
The Purrfect Stranger
Rocky
Slade
Tales of the Were – Redstone Clan
Grif
Dragon Knights
Maiden Flight
Border Lair
The Ice Dragon
Prince of Spies
Wings of Change
FireDrake
Dragon Storm
Keeper of the Flame
Resonance Mates
Hara’s Legacy
Davin’s Quest
Jaci’s Experiment
Grady’s Awakening
Jit’Suku Chronicles
Arcana: King of Swords
Arcana: King of Cups
Arcana: King of Clubs
End of the Line
Sons of Amber: Ezekiel
Sons of Amber: Michael
Gifts of the Ancients: Warrior’s Heart
String of Fate: Cat’s Cradle
StarLords: Hidden Talent
Guardians of the Dark
Half Past Dead
Once Bitten, Twice Dead
A Darker Shade of Dead
The Beast Within
Dead Alert
Print Anthologies
Ladies of the Lair
I Dream of Dragons Vol. 1
Brotherhood of Blood
Caught by Cupid
Coming Soon:
Dragon Knights
The Dragon Healer
July 2013
Dragon Knights
Master at Arms
August 2013
Tales of the Were – Redstone Clan #2
Summer 2013
Brotherhood of Blood
Wolf Quest
December 2013
For a complete rundown of upcoming book releases, be sure to check Bianca’s website.
About the Author
Bianca D’Arc has run a laboratory, climbed the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of lower Manhattan, studied and taught martial arts, and earned the right to put a whole bunch of letters after her name, but she’s always enjoyed writing more than any of her other pursuits. She grew up and still lives on Long Island, where she keeps busy with an extensive garden, several aquariums full of very demanding fish, and writing her favorite genres of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romance.
Bianca loves to hear from readers and can be reached through Facebook, her Yahoo group or through the various links on her website.
Website
WWW.BIANCADARC.COM