Free ficlet: Dark Fascination

In celebration of my release today, I wrote a ficlet starring the main character, Pierre D'Argent, and Keenan von Klein from Destinies in Darkness. It offers some insight into Pierre's character, and it's only a spoiler if you haven't read the rest of the series.

Title: Dark Fascination

Pairing: Pierre/Keenan – stories: Destinies in Darkness, Mending Shattered Souls

Timeline: prior to main arc, after the prologue in MSS

Summary: Pierre struggles with his inner demons, but he cannot defeat his dark fascination for Keenan von Klein. He doesn’t even want to.

Pierre watched with anxiousness as his brother spoke on the phone. He could sense Jean Luc’s anger and frustration, and it didn’t bode well. “What do you mean a hundred are dead?” Jean Luc asked. “Damn it!”

Few things in this world could make Jean Luc react with such vehemence. If Jean Luc’s words hadn’t warned Pierre of the seriousness of the situation, Jean Luc’s emotions did a pretty good job of emphasizing it.

Jean Luc exchanged a few more words with the person on the other side of the receiver then cursed once more. There was a slight peak of power in the room and the communication device blew up, sending bits of plastic and metal all over the place.

Pierre winced as the telephone rotary landed in front of him, mentally counting the item as the fourth telephone Jean Luc destroyed. He hoped the Sidhe engineers could come up with something more enduring than the humans could.

That aside, he was concerned about the conversation. Restlessness had increased in Parisin the past few weeks. The paranormals did their best to keep their head down, but Jean Luc tried to take precautions regardless. Apparently, it hadn’t worked out.

“How bad is it?” Pierre asked his brother.

Jean Luc sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Very bad. I knew it wouldn’t end well. War never does.” After a short pause, he continued. “There were several paranormals, both Sidhe and of other races, who ignored the warnings and went out in the streets. The hunters took advantage of their foolishness and attacked them. Michel estimates up to one hundred are dead.”

“Mon Dieu,” Pierre murmured. The realization of death never sat well with him, especially when his own kind was concerned.

All of a sudden, a dark voice emerged in his mind, startling him. “So what if they are dead? They were idiots, and deserved to die.”

Pierre hastily silenced it, pushing it back in the recesses of his brain. This wasn’t the time for his little problem to manifest. He had to do his best to help his people. “What can I do?” he asked Jean Luc.

“There’s little we can do,” Jean Luc replied. “The other races are sending representatives. We’re meeting Keenan von Klein in a little over an hour.”

Pierre’s heart started beating faster at Jean Luc’s words, and this time, not because of anxiety. He’d met Keenan shortly after Jean Luc had returned from his voyage. The vampire was so handsome, elegant, well-mannered and wicked at the same time. Merely being in Keenan’s presence, no, hearing his name, made Pierre’s blood pulse.

“Remember, Pierre,” Jean Luc said, “stay out of the streets. I don’t have time to babysit.”

Pierre felt a surge of irritation at his brother’s words. It annoyed him that Jean Luc, and everyone else for that matter, considered him useless and helpless. He just knew that the voice would have emerged again if not for Keenan’s impending arrival. “I know,” he replied. “I’ll be careful.”

Keenan was the only one who didn’t compare Pierreto Jean Luc and find Pierre lacking. For that reason, Pierre would ever be grateful to the vampire.

“What about the injured?” Pierreasked. “Have they been transported to the hospital?”

Jean Luc looked at his watch. “Michel encountered some trouble in making sure the issue stays away from the eyes of the general public, but I’ll take care of it.”

Jean Luc rushed out of the room without another word. Pierre was left, as always, alone, stuck in the Sidhe compound with nothing to do.

Unwilling to drown in yet another bout of self-pity, Pierre proceeded to occupy himself by studying the reports still on his father’s desk. He found nothing of real concern there, and Pierre often did paperwork in the king’s stead. It was the only thing he seemed to be able to do.

Still, time passed him by while he went through the mind-numbing files and swept through the varied accounts of purchases or investments. Before he knew it, he heard voices in the hallway and felt the distinct presence of Keenan von Klein.

Immediately, Pierre shot to his feet, eager to greet the vampire. As he stepped out of the king’s office, he saw Jean Luc approach, with Keenan close behind him. “Greetings, Monsieur von Klein,” he said. “Welcome back, brother. How are things out there?”

“Hello, Pierre,” Keenan replied with a smile. “You look as beautiful as ever. Too bad our reunion had to be in such awful circumstances.”

“Indeed,” Jean Luc snapped irritably. “The situation is worse than originally estimated. We have to do some damage control. Pierre, have you received any news of Father?”

Pierre shook his head. King Laurent and Queen Jacquelyn had left a few months back on a second honeymoon and had yet to return. It was, in fact, at Jean Luc’s insistence, as Jean Luc feared the seriousness of the situation in Paris would escalate. Pierre was glad his parents were, at least, safe. “Last I heard they’d reached Brazil. They should be fine there.”

“We should contact them tonight,” Jean Luc mused. “Pierre, go ahead and see the doctors. They need all the help they can get.” Turning to Keenan, he said, “Come, Keenan. This way.”

Jean Luc passed Pierre, gesturing for Keenan to follow. The vampire did, but not before raking his gaze over Pierre in honest appraisal. “See you later, Pierre,” Keenan purred.

Pierre ignored his brother’s dismissal and took the invitation for what it was. So far, Keenan had manifested general interest in him, but without giving an outright offer. This time was different, though. This time, he’d get what he’d wanted for so long.

But his selfish desires would have to wait. Keenan had a job to do, and Pierre himself needed to help out at the hospital.

It took several days for the commotion to break down. Finally, between Keenan and Jean Luc, the arrangements were made and some damage control accomplished. Pierrehelped out with the injured, and this gave him renewed sense of purpose.

Five days from his arrival, Keenan announced he would be leaving the next morning. At once, Pierre knew he needed to act, lest he lose his chance.

That night, Pierre sneaked out of his room and made his way to Keenan’s. To his shock, Keenan was waiting in the hallway, arms crossed against a naked chest. He gestured Pierre in, having obviously known the Sidhe would come.

Pierre should have left. He should have clung to his dignity and retreated. He didn’t. Instead, he entered Keenan’s room, for once deciding to take what he wanted.

That night, Keenan descended upon him with the force of a hurricane. And when morning finally came, Pierre vowed to one day make Keenan his, forever.

Happy Valentine's Day! A short for my readers

Happy Valentine's day! To celebrate the occasion, I wrote a short ficlet bringing together characters from my two series, Deadly Mates and Kaldor Saga. They'll never actually meet in the main arc, but I thought it would be fun to imagine it just the same. Enjoy!

Title: Our first Valentine
Pairings: Kaiden/Viktor – Deadly Mates 1: Moon's Sweet Poison
Gabriel/ Lucien – Kaldor Saga 1: Enraptured
Summary: Viktor goes to look for a last minute present for Kai and meets an unusual person.

Viktor scanned through the available products, the overflow of fluffy hearts and stuffed animals making his head swirl. It was Valentine's day, and much to his shame, it had completely slipped his mind. He'd never had to celebrate it before, as he'd been single and alone, but this year, he had a mate, a very beautiful, sexy mate who deserved the most romantic present in existence.
He'd been amazingly busy with reorganizing the pack, but that didn't make for an appropriate excuse for his forgetfulness. Viktor knew Kai had never celebrated Valentine's – snake shifters simply did not do that sort of thing. All the more reason why he'd have liked to find a nice present for his mate.
Unfortunately, the best presents couldn't be bought at the last moment, and Victor desperately tried to find something to at least compensate for the lack and hope Kai would forgive him.
He browsed through the fluffy animals and caught sight of something that looked like a tail. Could it be? No, it wasn't possible. No one in his or her right mind would make a snake plushy.
He made an attempt to reach for it, and his hand hit the one of another person. He looked up only to meet a blue gaze that, strangely, reminded Viktor of his own eyes. A tall blond blinked at him and pulled his arm back. "Apologies," he said.
His voice sounded accented, low and slightly awkward. Viktor didn't know why, but it made him amazingly curious. "Looking for a last minute present?"
The blond nodded. "I just found out about the celebration. My people don't have it."
Viktor suppressed the urge to gape. Where had this guy lived before, another world? But he did look confused, so Viktor just made a sympathetic comment. "I forgot. My mate is going to be so upset."
The word "mate" slipped out so easily, but the man didn't even blink. Viktor judged that the his new acquaintance was some sort of supernatural being. He certainly didn't smell human, although his scent wasn't familiar to Viktor at all. "You're having trouble finding the right gift," the blond said. "Well, what does your loved one like?"
That was easy. Kai liked warmth. But he couldn't exactly buy his mate a blanket. They had tons in the house, and it wasn't a romantic gift. "He likes to be warm."
Viktor very much liked to keep Kai warm, in interesting and sexual ways, but a sexual gift did not suffice in this case. As if guessing Viktor's thoughts, the man grinned at him. "I see. Perhaps a dinner might work. I hear some dishes can have that effect. And in the end, don't people here say it's the thought that counts?"
Viktor considered the other man's words. It made sense. Of course, he'd have liked to make something more elaborate, but Kai did enjoy spicy dishes. Next year, Viktor would have to remember to order something beforehand.
As Viktor contemplated his options, the man picked a pretty plushy with a baby holding a heart. "Congratulations," Viktor said, guessing the man would be a father soon.
The blond's expression turned incredibly tender. "Thank you. Children are a wonder, aren't they?"
Viktor didn't know, since he didn't have children and he probably never would. Nevertheless, he nodded. "That's true. I appreciate the advice. I think I'm going to go find a catering company to arrange it."
The man looked confused, but in the end, he said, "By any chance, would you happen to know if this company sells flowers?"
"Err… No. But there is a florist's on the way, if you'd like to try."
They left the shop after the blond paid for the plushy – far too much, apparently. The cashier's eyes boggled and she stammered as she thanked them.
Viktor's companion didn't pay her any heed. "Where is this shop?" he asked.
Still confused as to the man's behavior, Viktor led his companion. to the florist's store. He waited for a few minutes while his companion selected his new purchase. He'd have liked to hurry to buy his own presents, but he couldn't just leave. Thankfully, the blond didn't take long and chose a beautiful bouquet of white roses. Strangely, he had the florist put the roses in a bag.
"Well, I guess I'll find my mate now," the blond said. "It was nice talking to you. I'm Lucien by the way."
Viktor extended his hand and they shook. "Viktor."
As they exited the florist's, Viktor spotted a small brunet rushing in their direction. The young man reached them and turned blazing black eyes toward Lucien. "Where have you been, Luce? I've been looking all over for you."
Lucien pecked the smaller man on the lips. Under Viktor's very eyes, the purchases vanished into thin air. So this was why Lucien had placed the flowers in a bag. He'd know his mate was in the area and wanted to keep the presents a surprise. "Just looking around, Gabriel. Where are the others?"
The young brunet – Gabriel, apparently – blushed. "I left them in the café."
Lucien gave Gabriel a scolding look. "I told you a million times I don't want you to be alone."
"But you were taking so long…" Gabriel answered. "I missed you."
Viktor now felt like the third wheel, and the obvious love between the two made him ache for his own lover. "Well, Lucien, I'll be off."
The blond turned toward him, having obviously forgotten about his presence altogether."Good luck with your mate."
"Likewise," Viktor answered.
The two men walked away, leaving Viktor confused and shocked. But weirder things had happened in his life. Shrugging to himself, he walked away, busy plotting his romantic dinner.
That night, armed with an oriental meal he'd spent an inordinate amount on, Viktor waited for his mate to come home. Thankfully, he'd managed to distract Kai by asking him to visit the home of their pack's Beta, Flame.
He'd just finished arranging the final details when he heard the front door open."I'm back," Kai called out.
"In here," Viktor said.
Kai walked into the dining room and promptly froze in his tracks. "What's all this?" Kai asked. His beautiful lips twisted into a barely perceptible smile and his gold eyes shone in pleasure. Anyone else might have missed it, but Viktor saw the sheer happiness and honest glee.
"A gift," Viktor answered. He walked around the table and to his mate. Wrapping Kai into a tight embrace, he whispered, "For my sweet love."
"Oh, Viktor…" Kai murmured. "Thank you. I… "
Their lips met into a sweet kiss, and Viktor groaned as he felt his mate's chilly skin warm under his touch. They broke apart panting and Kai offered him a small smile. "I did get you a little something," he said in a small voice.
Viktor arched a brow. "Oh?"
Kai retrieved a small package from his jacket and fidgeted uncomfortably. "It was an impulse buy. It's stupid. I'll throw it away."
Viktor snatched the present from Kai's grip before his mate could do such a thing. He opened in, curious to see what his lover had bought. Much to his surprise, he found a small bottle inside. It was a bottle that said, "Anti-fleas." Viktor opened it, sniffed it and grinned. "It would have been such a waste if you'd thrown it away."
A waste, indeed. They both enjoyed warming lubricant a lot, and Viktor planned to enjoy this particular one tonight. "Happy Valentine's Day!" Kai said, the hiss in his speech obvious now.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Kai!" Viktor answered.
Their romantic dinner was left forgotten and cooled off while they put Kai's present to good use.