by Lola Taylor
Every time we were out in public, I felt like we were walking on thin ice, like one false step and it would all be over.
I hated it.
For the past few months since becoming a self-defense instructor - and having my life subsequently change for the better - I’d become more bitter about the whole “secret love” with Hector. At first, it had been romantic, but now? Now, it just pissed me off more than anything.
Who the hell cared whom I loved? Why should it matter?
Why was I not allowed to truly be myself and be with whomever I damn well pleased?
“Easy, tiger,” Hector murmured as we started walking down the last hallway leading to Musashi’s office.
I followed his gaze and noticed my hands were clenched into fists. Even with my nails biting into my palms, I hadn’t noticed. Flexing my fingers and rolling my shoulders, I pasted a friendly smile on my face, as I was accustomed to doing out in public, and walked with Hector into Musashi’s lair.
I said “lair” because she had redecorated yet again, this time going with a sort of Dungeons and Dragons theme. With the iron chandeliers, fur rugs, and stone walls and wooden floor, I felt like I’d stepped back into the Dark Ages.
She changed her room’s appearance almost as frequently as she did outfits. Sometimes, it amazed me all the wonders magic could provide, then it bummed me out knowing I could never do anything like that. My lack of “cute clothes,” as Monique called them, wouldn’t matter if I could conjure up something whenever I felt like it.
Musashi, clad in a sweeping crimson gown that left little to the imagination, sat behind her desk, an impressive piece of furniture composed entirely of antlers. She held her arms wide as we approached. “My dear friends, thank you for joining me.”
“‘Dear friends’ my ass,” I mumbled under my breath, and Hector elbowed me as we sat down.
Musashi also took a seat and leaned back in her overstuffed chair, kicking her heels up on the desk. I marveled at her shoes, which seemed to have a small fishtank in each heel, along with a small fish. Her ivory legs seemed even longer, thanks to the thigh-high slit in her skirt. “As you may or may not know, I am well acquainted with the headmaster of one of our sister campuses, Hades.”
I nearly snorted. Cheerful name. I wondered if that reform school really looked more like a dungeon and less like a vacation resort.
Musashi’s color-shifting eyes narrowed as her expression grew serious. “In times of urgent need or emergency, it is customary for sister schools to reach out to one another aid. My friend, Headmaster Cross, has asked us to help with a matter of civil uproar on campus.”
“Civil uproar?” I said, puzzled. “You mean, as in the students going out of control or something?”
The look she gave me could have frozen hell over. “You think this is funny?”
I immediately fell solemn. “No, ma’am. I’ve just never heard of things getting so out-of-control at a reform school.”
“That’s because PR usually keeps such matters covered up,” she said with a flippant wave of her hand. “At any rate, you two have been selected to join the party that will assist Hades in their endeavors to restore peace at the school.”
I blinked. It was the first time someone had really entrusted me with anything important. Elias never would.
I pressed my lips together, at a momentary loss for words.
Hector was quicker to respond. “Thank you so much for this opportunity,” he said. “We’ll do the best we can.”
“I hope so. It’s imperative we restore balance as quickly and efficiently as possible. The system is only as strong as our weakest link. If word gets out, it could damage the reputation of the school and harm our future.”
I bit back a smirk. Musashi and Prescott had that much in common - they both worried about funding.
A phone rang from her desk, and Musashi glanced at the caller ID. “I have to take this. You are dismissed. The representative from Hades will be here tomorrow to debrief you on the situation and get you prepared for what to expect.”
How bad can it be? I thought as Hector and I rose, but I kept my mouth shut.
When we were almost to the door, Musashi flicked her wrist and the door slammed shut.
“Oh, and before I forget,” she said in a dark voice, “should you fail to meet your objective or cooperate in any way, I may let your ‘relationship’ slip at one of the board meetings.”
Bitch. Sometimes, I wondered if we hadn’t traded in one tyrant for another, far more dangerous one. The power rolling off of Musashi was ten times greater than that of Prescott’s, and that was saying something.
“Understood,” I said coldly.
Hector’s features tightened, though he didn’t say anything.
Musashi smiled pleasantly. “Good.”
The door creaked open on its own a moment later, and we took our leave.
I sighed once we were well away from her office, though it wouldn’t surprise me if she had spells and enchanted objects planted about the place to spy on us. “What do you think? Doesn’t the whole thing sound odd?” I asked.
Hector shrugged. “Eh, it happens from time to time. Usually when there’s a weak headmaster or mistress.”
His gaze grew troubled and I studied him. “But this one’s not, I take it?”
He shook his head. “Cross is an aristocrat, one of the seven vampire princes, but he’s no pushover. I’m surprised he lost control this quickly. He’s only been headmaster for a few months.”
“Weird,” I murmured. “Guess we’ll find out, huh?”
Hector’s warm hand wrapped around mine, squeezing. “Guess we will.”
Despite the comforting gesture, I couldn’t help but feel like we had bitten off far more than we could chew.
Want to be notified when it’s released? Then, sign up for my new release newsletter! It’s free and I promise not to spam ya. Visit www.lolataylorbooks.com for more information, or click here to sign-up!
You can also receive email notifications on Goodreads when the book becomes available if you’ve added it to your To Read shelf. Just sign in, go to edit my profile, click the email tab, then under “Newsletters and Other Mail,” check Email me when a book on my To-Read shelf becomes available. That’s it!
CALL FOR RATINGS AND REVIEWS
If you have a moment, I’d really appreciate some honest ratings and reviews, especially over at Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, All Romance, and any other online retailers. They help authors stand out in a busy marketplace, plus they give browsing readers the nitty-gritty on books they’re shopping. Everyone wins when you rate and review, so please do! Your opinion counts!
ABOUT ME
Lola Taylor is a pen name for my, erm, “steamier” novels. I like books that make me laugh, gasp, and swoon, which is what I try to shoot for in my stories. I’m a sucker for fantasy books, particularly those involving vampires and the supernatural – especially while said vampire is sweeping a gal off her feet. I like horror movies, playing around in Photoshop, and wearing the battery down on my e-reader. I have two rescued kitties, and a husband who hates to read but gives me his unconditional support, all the same. During the day, I work in a cubicle for customer service and hash out new story ideas in my many notebooks. At night, I get down and dirty with my keyboard. I love Game of Thrones, reading manga, and have a slight Hobby Lobby addiction.
WHERE TO FIND ME
Come friend me or shoot me a message. Unlike my characters, I won’t bite!
Website: http://www.lolataylorbooks.com/
User ID for all my social media sites is sitename.com/lolataylorbooks
Goodreads
Pinterest
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Email: [email protected]
Carnal, Book One of Her Dark Desires
All Romance ebooks Edition, 1st Edition
Copyright © 2013 Lola Taylor
All rights reserved. The author has worked
very hard to bring you this story. Please do not redistribute this book without purchasing additional copies. Thank you for your understanding and support.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, organizations, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Cover designed by Lola Taylor. Images found at Shutterstock.com.
Special thanks to beta reader extraordinaire, Marion of Making Manuscripts.
http://www.lolataylorbooks.com/