Merry Christmas - Rainbow Advent Calendar!

 


Welcome to day 24 of the Rainbow Advent Calendar! Each day this month so far authors have drop fun and free holiday stories. I was given the wonderful opportunity to join in and it just so happens I am the final story. That means there are days of free short stories before me! To check all those out click for the Master list and check out the Facebook group


On to my free 8 chapter short story! 


A Christmassy Adventure in August
(An Undead Detective Agency Short Story)


My story features Octavius and Turney of the Undead Detective Agency! Click below to read about how the two set off to solve a case at a year-round Christmas Village resort in Alaska. Let the fun begin!


I'd love to hear what you think so leave comments below or on Facebook! 

So, Octavius and Turney are something else, aren't they? Want to find out their beginning? Check out the first book in The Undead Detective Agency! Book two will be coming out soon enough. 




Get It Together
(The Undead Detective Agency 1)


BUY HERE


Blurb: 

Hello, there! I’m Octavius Evander. And this is the beginning of my story—well…sort of. It’s not the very beginning. As a vampire, that story would be way too long to write down—think, before the Romans. Rather, this story is about how I met the love of my unlife. Okay, it will be mostly about the cool and fancy detective agency I opened and solving mysteries, but also a little about love too.


So, what does one need to open a detective agency, you may ask? Well, for one, a detective. As it was my idea, and I paid for everything, I, of course, filled that role. Next, I needed a secretary. My beautiful and marginally dangerous best friend Scarlett filled that role. Now, I will admit, at that time, I had not thought further than that, and simply skipped to getting my detective license, an office, and some other necessities.


My mind might have been too full of the fun adventures I was about to have. My hope was that those in and out of the paranormal communities would keep me entertained for a very long time. I quickly realized I still needed a driver, a tech person, and a witch that was good with ghosts. This is the story of how I found those people. And who would have thought the first to walk through the door would be human, with no knowledge of the paranormal—my precious Turney.


CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance book. There will be blood, violence and death. Please do not read if you find any of the previous triggering.




Keep It Together
(The Undead Detective Agency 2)
~Coming March 2023~


Pre-Order Now!


Blurb:
Back again I see. Well, you are in luck, for the story of, I, Detective Octavius Evander continues! To start off on a positive note, prepare to be amazed as my precious human, Turney, falls into my hands!

Okay, technically I already had my hands on him—all of him—but that didn’t make him mine, mine. But now it is time to show how I captured his heart with my lovable personality! No doubt that my adorable and sparkly new hobby had something to do with it as well!

But enough about the gooey emotions. On to the cases! As there will be a new adventure or two with my team to entertain. Though the adventures this time, well, not all end as pleasantly as one might hope. While, I would say to prepare for the return of old faces, none of you have seen them before. Just know that their reappearance in my life leads to an unfortunate event. But in the paranormal world fun and death go hand and hand does it not?

 
CONTENT WARNING: This is a M/M paranormal romance book that ends on a cliff hanger. There will be violence and a main character death—a temporary death. 






Black Friday sale! 11/25 - 11/28


 🏷️Shelby’s Black Friday Sale!🏷️

🎉4-days only  Friday-Monday!🎉


🧛Get It Together🧛: Perfect time to grab both a copy of the ebook and the audiobook through the whispersync deal! 

mybook.to/GetItTogether


Blurb: Hello, there! I’m Octavius Evander. And this is the beginning of my story—well…sort of. It’s not the very beginning. As a vampire, that story would be way too long to write down—think, before the Romans. Rather, this story is about how I met the love of my unlife. Okay, it will be mostly about the cool and fancy detective agency I opened and solving mysteries, but also a little about love too.

So, what does one need to open a detective agency, you may ask? Well, for one, a detective. As it was my idea, and I paid for everything, I, of course, filled that role. Next, I needed a secretary. My beautiful and marginally dangerous best friend Scarlett filled that role. Now, I will admit, at that time, I had not thought further than that, and simply skipped to getting my detective license, an office, and some other necessities.

My mind might have been too full of the fun adventures I was about to have. My hope was that those in and out of the paranormal communities would keep me entertained for a very long time. I quickly realized I still needed a driver, a tech person, and a witch that was good with ghosts. This is the story of how I found those people. And who would have thought the first to walk through the door would be human, with no knowledge of the paranormal—my precious Turney.

CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance book. There will be blood, violence and death. Please do not read if you find any of the previous triggering.


🧺Little Red🧺: 

mybook.to/LittleRedSR

Blurb: Follow along and you will see a tale retold in a world of unimaginable creatures, gods, and goddesses. A world filled to the brim with magic. Our story begins with a sorcerer with too much power without the age to match.

Ryder, our hero, who just so happens to be a painfully short redhead, has found himself burdened with the fates of thousands, in a life where he has so far received very few answers. In order to find the cure to the plague that has overtaken the Kingdom of Solais, he sets off on a quest to seek out his slightly crazy grandmother, in the Yore Forest.

Add in one flirty, handsome werewolf Prince, a sarcastic sorcerer-hating werewolf, some full-blown insanity, and a bit of magic, and Ryder finds his momentous task doubling in difficulty and stress. But all is not what it seems, and sometimes life takes you to places you never wished to stand. In the end, Ryder's decisions and paths are not choices but destiny. And in said destiny lies insurmountable magic, death, and maybe even love.

Please Note: Little Red is low heat and a more story focus romance book.


👑Adrian’s Bodyguard👑: 

mybook.to/AdriansBodyguard 


Blurb: Vampire King Adrian Bloodhart has faced many challenges in the thousands of years he's been reigning. However, he had thought he'd moved past the stage of his life that was littered with assassination attempts. And, as if the attacks weren't irritating enough, he finds himself saddled with a personal bodyguard he doesn't feel he needs or even wants.

When Xavier Dayden had agreed to guard King Adrian, he had expected to be guarding a mature adult, but what he got was a petulant child. Adrian is odd as hell and too sexy for Xavier's peace of mind. When Xavier finds his control slipping, he's conflicted. Giving in could lead to so much more than a one night stand, but was it worth the possible heartbreak?

The choice is made when tragedy strikes where it is least expected and, as Adrian's walls crack and fall, Xavier is there to pick up the pieces. Through the heartache, love is finally in their grasps.

Adrian's Bodyguard - Republished!

(look at the gorgeous new cover!)

 Adrian's Bodyguard has finally been republished! So a bit about the book. It is my first published book. I released it under a publisher in 2017 and I just got the rights back in the last few months. The book follows the story of King Adrian and a his new Bodyguard, Xavier, who was forced on him. While the story is still the same, with the same lovable characters, I did add 5 new chapters (About 6k new words). So for those who were here when it first came out there is new content, new craziness to discover! 

Anyway, you can find the book here: Mybook.to/AdriansBodyguard


Blurb: Vampire King Adrian Bloodhart has faced many challenges in the thousands of years he's been reigning. However, he had thought he'd moved past the stage of his life that was littered with assassination attempts. And, as if the attacks weren't irritating enough, he finds himself saddled with a personal bodyguard he doesn't feel he needs or even wants.


When Xavier Dayden had agreed to guard King Adrian, he had expected to be guarding a mature adult, but what he got was a petulant child. Adrian is odd as hell and too sexy for Xavier's peace of mind. When Xavier finds his control slipping, he's conflicted. Giving in could lead to so much more than a one night stand, but was it worth the possible heartbreak?


The choice is made when tragedy strikes where it is least expected and, as Adrian's walls crack and fall, Xavier is there to pick up the pieces. Through the heartache, love is finally in their grasps.

 




Get It Together Released!

 The first book in The Undead Detective Agency has been released!! 

It is available to buy and borrow in KU

Buy here!


Get It Together will also be available in paperback and hardback. I'll post once those are up for sale!


Get It Together



Blurb:   Hello, there! I’m Octavius Evander. And this is the beginning of my story—well…sort of. It’s not the very beginning. As a vampire, that story would be way too long to write down—think, before the Romans. Rather, this story is about how I met the love of my unlife. Okay, it will be mostly about the cool and fancy detective agency I opened and solving mysteries, but also a little about love too.

So, what does one need to open a detective agency, you may ask? Well, for one, a detective. As it was my idea, and I paid for everything, I, of course, filled that role. Next, I needed a secretary. My beautiful and marginally dangerous best friend Scarlett filled that role. Now, I will admit, at that time, I had not thought further than that, and simply skipped to getting my detective license, an office, and some other necessities.

My mind might have been too full of the fun adventures I was about to have. My hope was that those in and out of the paranormal communities would keep me entertained for a very long time. I quickly realized I still needed a driver, a tech person, and a witch that was good with ghosts. This is the story of how I found those people. And who would have thought the first to walk through the door would be human, with no knowledge of the paranormal—my precious Turney.


CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance series with a bit of heat. There will be blood, violence and death. Please do not read if you find any of the previous triggering.


Excerpt:

    “License, check! Office…” Octavius Evander spun around in his spinney chair. The practically empty office and his secretary—slash—friend's face blurring as he did so. Octavius had to admit it wasn’t much of an office at the moment. 

      The building he had purchased was located in the busy side of the city of South Windsall, Connecticut, where many other businesses thrived. Did he need the whole four-story building? No, not really. 

      But Octavius had no intention of using all of it, or any plans to remove the current businesses working inside. His only interest had been a small office space on the third floor. Why rent one space when you can buy the whole building? Besides, now he didn’t have to worry about gaining permission to make changes, or about getting noise complaints from nosy neighbors. 

      The office in question was rectangular, with white laminate floors and white walls. It was only about 1000 square feet and had a completely open floor plan. Practically empty except for a few bits of furniture left by the previous tenants. Bonus, the large window on the far side gave a gorgeous view of the ocean. It would do until they had time to renovate! 

      Octavius stopped spinning to finally say, “CHECK! Now…” He tapped his chin, thinking. “I just need a flyer! And maybe an accountant. Though, I suppose I can use my current one. We may need some cameras and a few candles, some decorations, a sign, a witch, a car—”

      His eye twitched, as the last time he drove flashed to the forefront of his mind—the smell of burning metal wafted forward, as did the charred flesh and feeling of broken bones. Shuddering, he gasped. “No! No car, a driver. Okay, I need a lot more, but it’s a start! But first off, a flyer!”

Octavius grabbed a blank piece of black paper from the rather large stack on his desk,  before he pulled a pair of glasses out of his pocket and put them on—for aesthetic purposes only—and started to write and draw on it with a white colored pencil. Octavius worked on it for the next few minutes, scratching his brow every so often, before exclaiming in excitement that he had finished!

      “How does this sound?” He cleared his throat and began to read out loud. 

 

The Undead Detective Agency

 

Lost something? Relative dead and never told his secrets? Think your spouse is cheating or

maybe a werewolf?! Got a 100-year-old murder to solve?! 

The Undead Detective agency is here to help. We will find, summon, and uncover all you

need to know, before you even know you need to know it. 

Contact: XXX-338-8267

Currently hiring: a decorator (temp), a driver, a tech person (must be good with cameras and computers),

and a witch (good with ghosts). PAYS WELL!

 

      “How does that sound?” he asked Scarlett again, after she remained silent. His friend was giving him a rather incredulous look, he thought.

      “Like you are a nutcase,” the redhead mused dryly.

      His smile fell. “But I think it’s eye-catching! Don’t you? I made a tombstone design and everything, look!” Octavius held it up to show her. 

      “Last time I checked, humans still outnumbered us paranormal creatures. Who are you planning to draw in with this?”

      “Everyone!” he said, spinning in his chair again.

      “Why is the paper black?”

      Octavius really didn’t want to answer that. “Just for fun.”

      “Okay, but why are the four boxes of paper in the corner marked ‘office paper’, the paper I asked you to get, also all black?”

      He scrunched down under her judging gaze. “Well, you see, we are The Undead Detective Agency. And I thought, well, why not stick with the spooky theme and only use black paper!? So, I bought it instead of white. I did then realize the issues we would have reading what we printed. So, I, being the smart person that I am, canceled our printer orders, and instead bought a few modified printers that print on black paper in white ink!”

      “You couldn’t have just returned the paper?”

      Octavius gasped. “But the theme!”

      She let out a long-suffering sigh. “Should you not at least put the hiring info on a different flyer?”

      “But that would be such a waste of paper! Think of the environment!” Or rather, he had just spent all that time and didn’t want to spend even more time remaking not one but two flyers. 

      “As much of a waste as an ancient vampire suddenly deciding to open a Detective Agency, for no other reason besides that he is bored?” She deadpanned, not even blinking—not that she generally needed to blink.

      “Well…you eat brains. What do you know?”

      “I can also eat delicious sweets, unlike someone I know. What about it?”

      He dramatically grasped at his chest, his mostly unbeating heart under his palm, and let out a high-pitched whine. “How could you?! And what is so wrong with trying to get a hobby?” 

      Octavius’ despair at never being able to taste, to savor solid sweets again, hit him like… well, much like that truck had hit him the last time he had driven. He still had hot chocolate, but it wasn’t the same! 

      Scarlett Beaufort, his best friend, and the gorgeous zombie who perpetually appeared fed up with his existence, walked over and patted his back almost robotically. “There. There,” she said, voice as stiff as wood.



Also up for pre-order are the other four books in the series! (all scheduled to be released sometime next year) CLICK THE IMAGES TO PRE-ORDER!!





Little Red - NOW ON KINDLE UNLIMITED AND IN PRINT!

 Little Red is now on Kindle Unlimited! 

Click here now: mybook.to/LittleRedSR

Little Red is also now available in Print on amazon! Something special about the print books is that for each chapter there is a special drawn drop cap.

For example: 





Little Red - Now AVALIBLE!

 Just Released! 

Little Red By Shelby Rhodes

 Buy Here! 


Blurb:

      Follow along and you will see a tale retold in a world of unimaginable creatures, gods, and goddesses. A world filled to the brim with magic. Our story begins with a sorcerer with too much power without the age to match. 

      Ryder, our hero, who just so happens to be a painfully short redhead, has found himself burdened with the fates of thousands, in a life where he has so far received very few answers. In order to find the cure to the plague that has overtaken the Kingdom of Solais, he sets off on a quest to seek out his slightly crazy grandmother, in the Yore Forest. 

      Add in one flirty, handsome werewolf Prince, a sarcastic sorcerer-hating werewolf, some full-blown insanity, and a bit of magic, and Ryder finds his momentous task doubling in difficulty and stress. But all is not what it seems, and sometimes life takes you to places you never wished to stand. In the end, Ryder's decisions and paths are not choices but destiny. And in said destiny lies insurmountable magic, death, and maybe even love.


Excerpt:

      Bane sprinted into the forest, running faster than Ryder could ever hope to. The thudding of the man’s bare feet on the dirt path almost lured Ryder to sleep.

      It would have been to their detriment. The danger was not over. Escaping his grandmother would take more than physical strength and a little magic. She would not give up that easily.

      Ryder had barely had that thought when he felt it—magic. The air became electric as it surged closer. He could taste it. Ryder could feel it permeating his very bones. But something was wrong. Instead of fear or apprehension, his very soul felt elated.

      Ryder felt energy build inside him. Strength he shouldn’t have had, it called for his magic to rise. And as the unknown force sped towards them, his heart started to race in anticipation.

      At first, there was only a thundering rumble. Then the ground began to shake, and a roaring symphony of cracking, snapping, and explosions followed—sounds of pure destruction. Screeching beasts could be heard in the distance, the creatures dying as they are unable to get out of the way of his grandmother’s spell. And soon, the already dim sky darkened further.

      He watched Bane quickly glance back. When the werewolf swore and started a brutal pace, he knew they were probably screwed.

      Even knowing that, Ryder couldn’t stop his eyes from widening in horror when he finally caught sight of what was after them. It was not something anyone could outrun. Headed their way was a tsunami-size wave of dirt, rocks, and trees. He could see nothing beyond it. Not only was it coming from behind, but from all sides, leaving only an increasingly narrow path in front of them. 

      And as the two waves began to swell over them, stealing away their path, Ryder’s first thought was that they were going to die. But then the defiant part of him, that always pushed him to defeat the odds, screamed no—no, he would not die this way! Ryder refused!

      He let his magic consume the mysterious energy—he let it free. Instead of recoiling from the all-consuming spell coming for them, his magic flew towards it. As their magic collided, a spell he had never learned filled his mind. The language was old, foreign to him, but he somehow understood.

      When the world turned to darkness, the wave mere seconds from crushing them, time slowed for Ryder. 

      His body hummed, and the spell he shouldn’t have known past his lips. “Îgňaęϋe těŕrvʼna ɋȏnǹ ȸrǽ relǽg’uɱ Ťę môrʋǐtȕs!” 

      He began to emit a red glow. That glow became brighter and brighter, until it was blinding.

      Ryder blinked as time returned to normal. The wall of dirt, all of it was gone. The only evidence of it having been there was the barren land all around them.

       “That was...insane,” Bane rasped, voice shaking. The man had a death grip on him, and the werewolf’s voice wasn’t the only thing shaking.

      In a slight daze, Ryder peered up at the man. Fearful brown eyes met his. It was the look one cast at a monster. Ryder quickly glanced away.

      Clearing his throat, Bane announced, “We should get going.”

      Going where, Ryder thought weakly. He found he was too tired to ask. The energy and magic that had saved them had dissipated, the spell that had been so clear moments before was lost to him.

      Bane started off again after a moment of hesitation, carrying him into the barren wasteland the spell had created. Listening to the werewolf’s speeding heartbeat, Ryder let his exhaustion take him.

      While he did not know where they were going, or what was going to happen, the one thing he did know was that this was far from over.


Little Red Coming January 30th!

 


Blurb:  
Follow along and you will see a tale retold in a world of unimaginable creatures, gods, and goddesses. A world filled to the brim with magic. Our story begins with a sorcerer with too much power without the age to match. 

 Ryder, our hero, who just so happens to be a painfully short redhead, has found himself burdened with the fates of thousands, in a life where he has so far received very few answers. In order to find the cure to the plague that has overtaken the Kingdom of Solais, he sets off on a quest to seek out his slightly crazy grandmother, in the Yore Forest. 

 Add in one flirty, handsome werewolf Prince, a sarcastic sorcerer-hating werewolf, some full-blown insanity, and a bit of magic, and Ryder finds his momentous task doubling in difficulty and stress. But all is not what it seems, and sometimes life takes you to places you never wished to stand. In the end, Ryder's decisions and paths are not choices but destiny. And in said destiny lies insurmountable magic, death, and maybe even love.  

COMING JANUARY 30th ON AMAZON AND OTHER EBOOK RETAILERS! 

Little Red will also be available for print shortly after release! 



!New books very soon but not for Vampires Of Vadin!

First off I'd like to say a book is coming very very soon but not for my Vampires of Vadin series. I thought I should explain why. To be honest it will be a few years before any books are released in my Vampires of Vadin series or really any series related to that series. 

Haven't really talked about it much. But I have never been exactly pleased with who I published through. And the cons outweigh the benefits. The last book I publish, Kaiden's Fire will be the last I publish with them. All future books I plan to self-publish. 

What this means for the series as of now. I cannot publish new books related to the world or characters until my contracts are up. The only reason I sent in Kaiden's fire (which sadly extended the time) was that I hated that you all had been waiting so long. But what's done is done. 

That being said for two of my books I will be getting the rights back next year. My plan is to re-release the Vampire of Vadin series with new covers and with extra stories on those characters depending on the book. I'm expecting I may extend book 1 as it was my first book and I feel there is a lot that I have learned through writing since then and I feel I can flesh it out more. Not necessarily change the story but add more scenes etc to it.  Either way, book 1 will likely be re-released next year for digital and print. 

So basically this is the reason why I will be strictly focused on other series for now. Which I am very excited about and I hope you all enjoy these new and different worlds I introduce you to. Little Red  (Fairy Tales Retold book 1) is coming up very very soon ( 👀 January)! After that, I have a detective story I am working on as well as a few stories I wrote shorts for but never completed. Vampires of Vadin, and all those characters will return one day but I hope while you are waiting for them you enjoy my other characters as well.

-Shelby

Asher's Fire - Available now!

Asher's Fire is available now: HERE

It should be available on Amazon and other stores in a few weeks. 



BLURB:

As a phoenix, Asher is doomed to live losing those around him and then slowly have his memories ripped from him, sometimes by the fates themselves. Yet he foolishly still fell in love. His latest was more hopeless than the last. Maybe even more so as the only emotion he received from Kaiden was anger.

Kaiden Voltair would admit he was struggling to move past the death of his son. He knew he needed to let go of the pain and guilt, he just didn’t know how. What he did know was he had to stop lashing out at the very person who had pulled him from his deepest despair. Asher deserved better.

Summoned by the Phoenix Council, Asher and Kaiden go on an adventure into the Third Realm. There Kaiden discovers all that he’d been overlooking. A battle follows, a grave is robbed, a secret crush is discovered, along with a lot of questionable behavior in between, but finally, Asher grabs hold of what he always wanted—Kaiden’s heart.


Excerpt

STORY EXCERPT

“Dorian!” Kaiden gasped, breaking free of a nightmare that had plagued him for years. Grabbing at his chest, he struggled to calm his fast-beating heart as much as he struggled to gain a calm breath—he succeeded in neither and instead started to gag and cough.

Kaiden took a staggering step out of bed and ran to the bathroom in time to dry heave into the toilet. Sweat dripped down his face, mixing with the tears he had continued to cry even upon waking. Kaiden let the weight and exhaustion of his body take him down to the tiled floor and lay there against the toilet as he waited for his body to overcome the stress and anxiety the dream caused him.

It was unlikely he would sleep again tonight. His mind frustratingly seemed to take each precious memory, small or large, didn’t matter, and twist and taint it with that of his son’s final moments. Though Dorian had never blamed him. His sweet boy would have never done that. Luckily enough, Kaiden blamed himself enough for the both of them.

Body back under control, he picked himself up off the floor. Grabbing a washcloth, he started the water and washed off his face—followed by quickly brushing his teeth.

Exiting the bathroom, Kaiden checked the clock on his nightstand and winced when he saw it was only 3 a.m. He had only been asleep for a measly three hours. Having flown back on Adrian’s private jet, he and Asher had arrived back at the castle just that past morning. Kaiden had then spent most of the day in meetings after the flight.

Going to his wardrobe, he opened the right door, pulled out a plain black long-sleeved shirt, and promptly pulled it on, slipped on a pair of black slippers, and exited his room, heading towards the garden. Entering the garden, he took a deep breath to take in the fresh air. He needed it after his nightmare. But another scent other than the flowers hits his—burning oak. Knowing the scent, Kaiden followed it to the source.

He heard him before he saw him, as Asher was once again grumbling in a language he did not know. While he was not exactly sure what he was saying, judging by the way it was being said, he surmised that Asher was cursing.

Turning a corner in the maze-like castle garden, Kaiden found Asher sitting on a bench, swearing down at a letter grasped tightly in both hands. His hair was once again on fire, floating all around him. But at least that seemed to be all that was on fire this time. Curiously enough, the letter looked to be the same as the one Asher had grabbed in the room.

The flames extinguished, and the man looked up, no doubt having sensed him. Asher put the letter in one of his sleeves and asked, “Kaiden, what are you doing up? More importantly, why are you here?”

“I couldn’t sleep and decided to take a walk to tire myself out,” Kaiden lied effortlessly

“You look plenty tired already,” Asher drawled.

No doubt, he did. “You would think that, yet I’m wide awake.” Kaiden laughed lightly as he strolled over to Asher and waved towards the empty spot on the bench. “You mind?”

Asher sighed. “Why not? Not like you’d leave if I asked.”

Kaiden sat down. “Are you still angry with me about what happened?”

“Already forgotten, Kaiden. I’m not so petty to hold a grudge over such things. Nor do I have the energy or the memory space to bother.”

“Then what is wrong, Asher? You have seemed on the verge of destroying everything around since that night at the hotel.”

“It’s complicated, and we both know you are not ready for complicated.” Asher huffed, shoulders slumping, looking both tired and sad.

Not wanting to even begin to try to understand the last part of Asher’s statement, he chose to not acknowledge it at all and instead ask, “Does it have anything to do with that letter you just put away? The same one from the hotel, is it not?”

Sighing, Asher pulled out the letter and held it in front of him. There was a red seal on the front and what Kaiden believed was a phoenix in flight and words in a language he didn’t know.

“Who is it from?”

“The Phoenix Council.”

That wasn't exactly what he was expecting when he had asked. Then again, Kaiden didn’t know what he had been expecting—possibly a message from a family member. For being from such an important governing body, it seemed a bit too unopened.

“Correct me if I am wrong, but should you not open that?”

“I decided I would burn it instead,” Asher declared.

“What? Asher, you can’t…”

“Well, at least I would burn it if it could be burned.”

“Why do you not want to open it? They are your governing body, are they not? While at times you seem easy to anger, from what little I know of you, you are not one to let petty things and anger guide your way when it comes to important things. So, what has this council done to draw such anger from you?”

“THEY STOLE EVERYTHING FROM ME,” Asher exploded, his voice booming and full of malice. A quick burst of flames flared upward from the man’s hair before retreating and leaving behind a puff of smoke.

 

ADULT EXCERPT

 

“You’re cute.”

“Thank you.” Asher smiled and tried to lean in to return the kiss, but Kaiden's hands on his cheeks stopped him. “Oh,” he complained.

Kaiden chuckled. “Want something?”

Swatting the man’s hands away, he tackled him down, kissing the vampire senseless before pulling back. “Tease.”

Kaiden licked his lips with a smirk and rubbed Asher’s hips. “Always.”

Asher dragged his hands down the man’s chest feeling the solid, sculpted muscles hidden by the loose sweater. “Did no one ever tell you that it's dangerous to play with fire?”

“And am I going to get burned, Firefly? Or maybe just lightly toasted?”

“Well, maybe just lightly toasted this time. My wing is completely fireproof.”

Kaiden's grin slowly grew wider. “All of it?”

“All of it.”

“Maybe we should test it out to be sure?”

Asher let out a giggle at the devilish idea and lightly slapped Kaiden’s chest.

“Right. I suppose there simply is not enough time to do that today. But…we could try.” The man wiggled his eyebrows at him.

“Kaiden!”

“Right, right, how about we settle on testing this bedroom for now?”

“That, I think, can definitely be arranged.”

“Can it?” Kaiden asked in a low husky voice.

“Mm,” Asher responded, leaning in to give the man a slow deep kiss as his hands reached down to unbuckle Kaiden’s belt, rubbing and squeezing the bulge in black boxer briefs before yanking them down to free Kaiden’s cock.

Kaiden groaned into his mouth. Asher felt the other's chest tense up in preparation to move, but he pushed him back down. “Not today. I’m in control today.” He grinned and tilted his head. “Though you can help by removing this yourself.” Asher lightly tugged at the bottom of Kaiden’s sweater before letting go.

Leaving, Kaiden to it, Asher reached over to open the drawer of his nightstand and pulled out the lube. He tossed it on the bed beside him for easy reach before quickly stripped down to his bare skin, haphazardly throwing his clothes to the floor. That done, Asher grinned down at the now very naked man that was all his to feast on. Kaiden’s chest was impressive, but his interests lay elsewhere at the moment. Asher slid down until he was eye level with the Kaiden’s prick. Without warning or teasing, he took him entirely into his mouth—Kaiden cried out in shock and pleasure.

He glanced up at Kaiden’s face and swallowed around the shaft in his mouth. A drop of pre-cum spread across his tongue and he relished at the tangy and bitter taste of the man.

Kaiden tossed his head back on a moan before lazily staring down at him, blinking slowly with half-parted eyes, watching his every action.

Asher’s body heated up under the other man’s gaze, his prick standing up proud—it wouldn’t be long before the entirety of him would ignite. Asher gently massaged Kaiden’s sack with his right hand as he began to suck and move his mouth up and down on the man’s prick.

Grabbing the lube with his left, Asher flipped the bottle open with his thumb, maneuvered it to squirt a bit in his hand, and reached behind to prep himself to take Kaiden. While average in length, he had quite a bit of girth to him, way too thick for Asher to attempt to take him without prep.

Asher opened himself up, first one finger, then a second, and so on while he continued to pleasure Kaiden. Asher moaned around Kaiden’s cock, his own prick jerking, as one of his fingers brushed against his prostate.

The vampire’s sack clenched hard in his hand, Kaiden no doubt reacting to the vibration. “Asher.” Kaiden growled.

 Enjoying the feeling of the other in his mouth, he peered at the man under his eyelashes, and almost laughed a Kaiden’s expression. The vampire seemed unsure where to look, his gaze flinting from him sucking his dick to trying to peek at whatever Asher’s hand was doing.

The sight of Kaiden’s fang fully lengthened, however, sent a shiver through him.

Fire leaked off his hair and skin the longer it went on. And once again, Kaiden’s fire answered his own. The feeling, Asher wasn’t sure how to describe it, but the meeting was a new level of connection he had never felt with another. It was as if his fire was claiming a part of itself long lost. The feeling was in itself orgasmic, driving his fire to rise to new heights.

Kaiden’s breath and moans increased, the man’s cock thickening and pulsing in his mouth. Asher pulled back, giving the base of the Kaiden’s shaft a tight squeeze to stop him from going over the edge.