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CHAPTER 18
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 19
Stephan couldn't understand how Aya had managed to evade him for years, he was getting rusty.He was tired of working with the German mafia, he needed a new plan.He flipped through the unopened mail on his desk. Electric bill. Gas bill. Here was a stack that was postmarked several weeks ago. He shrugged. What was three weeks when you were more than nine hundred years old? Besides, he hated being connected to the mundane, mortal world.He ripped open the first envelope. Oh, his lucky day. He was eligible for life insurance. Morons. He tossed it into the trash.An ivory envelope caught his eye. Return address— Baaltech Industries. A growl vibrated low in his throat. He had the envelope and contents almost completely torn in two when he paused. Why would that accursed Malcolm Baal send him mail? They weren't even speaking to each other.Stephan removed the card and laid the two halves side by side on his desk.
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 20
it was a shame mortals needed so much blasted light to see. Malcolm closed his eyes against the glare of the overhead lamp. He was stretched out flat on his back in the dental office with an infantile bib around his neck. At least, so far, the mind control was working. He could hear Aya moving about with robotlike efficiency. As long as he kept everything calm and controlled, the procedure should be a success. Nothing could be allowed to jolt Aya out of what she thought was a dream."Open." Her voice was quiet and monotone.He felt a sharp prick in his gums. He opened his eyes. She was removing a syringe from his mouth."What was that?""A local anesthetic, so you won't feel any pain."Too late. The shot itself had caused pain. But Malcolm had to admit that dentistry had come a long way since his last encounter with the profession. As a young child, he'd seen the village barber wrenching out people's rotten teeth
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 21
She dropped the gloves on the tray, then closed her eyes. Slowly she swayed to the side."Aya?" Malcolm stood. He caught her as her legs gave out."What's wrong?" Gustavo grabbed for a button, but there was none left. "It was all going so well.""It's fine. She's sleeping." Malcolm laid her on the dental chair. He'd done this to her, telling her that once the job was finished, she would sleep soundly for ten hours."I'd better call Jacob." Gustavo withdrew his phone from his pocket and headed for the waiting room.Malcolm leaned over Aya. "I'm proud of you, sweetness." He brushed her hair back from her brow. "I shouldn't have told you to fall asleep afterward. What I really wanted was for you to throw your arms around me and give me a passionate kiss. That would have been so much better."He ran a fingertip along her jaw. Ten hours she would sleep. That would make her wake up around four in
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 22
She'd slept with a corpse. Granted, the few men she'd shared a bed with in the past hadn't exactly set the world on fire. And after a while, they generally walked away, never to return. Aya had never considered their mobility a plus before.Even after her earth-shattering screech, Malcolm was still lying there, peaceful as ever. He had to be dead. No, dammit!She screamed again.The door slammed open. She jumped and turned all at once."What's wrong?" The man she had seen earlier in the hallway was now standing outside the door, a pistol in his hand.Aya pointed at the bed. "Malcolm Baal is… dead.""What?" The man slid his gun back into its holster."He's dead!" Aya pointed once more at the bed. "I woke up and found him in my bed. Dead."With a worried look, the man approached the bed. "Oh." His frown vanished. "No problem, miss.He's not dead."
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 23
Elizabeth's eyes widened. "That is not what I meant."Aya grimaced. "I might have overdosed him. Or I was too heavy for him to carry. Either way, I think I killed him.""Don't be silly, child. Why do you blame yourself?""I don't know. It's what I do, I guess." Aya's eyes filled with tears once again. "I blame myself for what happened to Karen. I should have helped her somehow. She was still alive when I found her.""She was your young friend who died in the restaurant?"Aya sniffed and nodded her head."I am so sorry. I know this is hard for you to believe, but once the anesthesia wears off, Malcolm will wake up, and you will see for yourself that he is perfectly fine."With a groan, Aya sprawled onto the couch."You like him very much, don't you?"Aya sighed, staring at the ceiling. "Yes, I do, but I don't have much hope for a lasting relationship
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 24
Malcolm Baal woke up with no memory of how he had returned to his bed. He was lying on top of the suede comforter with his clothes and shoes still on. He ran his tongue along the inside of his mouth. The wire splint was still there. He felt the fang with his fingers. Solid. Of course, he wasn't sure if the fang could still extend and retract, and it would be impossible to put it to test as long as the tooth was wired in place. He'd have to convince Aya to remove the splint.After a quick shower, he threw on a bathrobe and padded into his office to check for messages.Elizabeth's spidery handwriting caught his eye. She'd completed the shopping for Aya. Good. She was going to Baal corp early to make sure everything was ready for the Vampire Ball. Since she was now working night and day, she felt she deserved another raise. Another one? Fine.Van Nilsen and Henri Guisan, northern and southern europe coven masters, were due to arrive a
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 25
Aya was trying hard to mask the pain. She really did care about him, and he was fumbling about like an idiot, frightening her during the day, and now hurting her feelings. He had so damned little experience with mortal females.The microwave dinged once more. He strode toward the machine and yanked the plug from the socket. There, it would stop tempting him with warm blood. Unfortunately, Aya presented a temptation much harder to resist. She was fresh."I'd better be going now." She retreated to the office door. "I… I'm happy you're alive, and that your tooth is fine. And I appreciate your protection and all the nice… gifts, which I really can't keep.""Aya."She reached for the doorknob. "You're a busy man, so I'll stay out of your way. In fact, I'll be leaving—""Aya, wait." He moved toward her. "I need to explain."She refused to look at him. "There's no need.""Yes, there is. Last n
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 26
On the way down the stairs, Aya's thoughts centered on Malcolm. Thank God he was alive! The question now was should she stay under his protection or make other arrangements with Bob Mendoza? It was very tempting to stay with Malcolm. She'd never felt so attracted to a man. Or so intrigued.She sauntered into the kitchen and found Erling at the sink, rinsing out bottles and setting them in the dishwasher."Are you all right, ?""Sure." She noticed a box of Band-Aids that was sitting on the counter. "Did you cut yourself?""Nay. I thought ye might be needing one." He peered closely at her neck. "Och, a silver chain.That'll protect you.""Malcolm gave it to me." Aya admired the antique crucifix."Yeah, he's a good man." Erling swept the box of Band-Aids into a drawer. "I should not have doubted him."Aya opened a cabinet. "Where do you keep your glasses?"
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 56
Sophie Armsdale came to an abrupt stop inside the lobby of AVC. She could hardly see the black and red decor, the room was so crowded. There had to be over fifty Vamps here, all jabbering with excitement. Good God, were they all seeking employment?Jacob bumped into her from behind. "Sorry," he murmured, his gaze wandering about the room."I didn't expect so many." Her hands trembled as she made sure the combs were still holding back her long hair. She checked her leather portfolio one more time. Her neatly typed résumé was still there, looking the same as it had five minutes ago. How could she compete with so many? Who was she kidding? She would never get this job. The familiar tentacles of panic curled around her, squeezing the air from her lungs. She would never be free. She could never escape."Sophie," Jacob's sharp voice cut through the rising panic. He waited 'til she met his eyes, then he gave her the Look.In
ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 55
Four months later."Eight-twenty P.M., male Caucasian, five-foot-ten, pounds, mid-twenties, leaving a white Honda Civic," Arthur Lugard murmured into his mini-recorder. He adjusted the telescopic night lens on his binoculars and zoomed in on the subject across the parking lot. The guy didn't appear to be armed. More importantly, he was carrying a king-sized cup of gourmet coffee and a bag of doughnuts. Lucky bastard. Normally, that would be considered… well, normal. But this was the parking lot of the All vampire channel. Nothing was normal here. Especially after sunset.Arthur exchanged his binoculars for a 35-mm camera and took another look at the guy. "Subject is human. He's going in."The guy was taking breakfast inside AVC? Didn't he realize he could be breakfast? A shaft of light cut across the parking lot, then slowly disappeared as the door swung shut. It was dark once more.Arthur had parked his black Ac
ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 54
It was after midnight when Arthur's cell phone buzzed. By his respectful tone and the way he kept glancing at her, Aya suspected he was talking to her father. She'd been worried all evening about the possibility of a vampire war. Her attempts to contact Malcolm mentally had failed."I understand, sir." Arthur handed his phone to Aya. "Your father wants to talk to you."She lifted the phone to her ear. "Dad?""Aya, I thought I'd let you know what was going on. We have a tap on Stephan's phone, so we heard him talking to Baal.""What's happening? Are they going to war?""Well, it appears Baal was ready for one. He claims to have two hundred warriors.Stephan's been on the phone all evening, ordering his followers to show up. We think he has about fifty at the most."Aya exhaled with relief. "Malcolm has him outnumbered.""Well, not exactly. You see, Baal made a dea
ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 53
Malcolm dropped the receiver into place and stood."you can not do this," Guisan shouted. "I will not have it."Malcolm placed a hand on his old friend's shoulder. "This is my choice, Guisan. It will save the lives of my friends.""I am the best swordsman among us." Van Nilsen's eyes flashed an icy blue. "I demand to go in your stead. It is my right.""Don't worry, Van Nilsen." Malcolm gripped the Frenchman's shoulder. "You taught me well. Wasn't I the one who delivered the fatal blow to Vladimir?"Van Nilsen scowled at him. "Only because I was watching your back.""You are no' thinking straight," Guisan insisted. "You are too distraught over that Mayhem woman leaving you."Malcolm swallowed hard. Was there any truth to Guisan's claim? If Aya were here, would he be so willing to risk himself? Still, he wasn't trying to kill himself. He certainly planned on winning.
ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 52
Malcolm woke with his usual sharp and sudden intake of air. His heart lurched in his chest, then settled down to a steady beat. He opened his eyes."Thank God," a voice muttered. "We did not think you'd ever wake up."Malcolm blinked and turned his head toward the voice. Guisan was standing next to his bed, frowning at him. In fact, there were several people crowded around his bed. Van Nilsen, Erling, Edward cafe, Jon, Jacob, and Gustavo."Hey, bro." Jacob smiled. "We were worried about you."Malcolm glanced at Gustavo. "Are you all right?""Yes, sir." The small chemist nodded. "Thanks to you. You can't imagine how relieved I was to wake up in your house."Guisan crossed his arms over his broad chest. "The question is, how are you? I hear you were up and about during the daytime.""Yes." Malcolm sat up and glanced at his bedside clock.God's blood. The sun must have set over an hour ago. "I overslept.""I have ever heard of that happening before," Erling said."Possibly a side effect
ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 51
Karl grabbed the phone, examined the number, then raised the phone to his cheek. "Who is this?"He frowned at his daughter. "They hung up." He closed the phone and dropped it in his pocket."What's going on, Aya?""Nothing." She swung her purse onto her shoulder in a nonchalant gesture. "I'm ready to go." It didn't matter if her dad had the phone. Malcolm could use any phone in the house to teleport home.And when he got home, Edward Cafe and Jon would be able to explain what had happened to her.Right now, she needed to get these vampire slayers out of the house and away from Malcolm."Shall we?" She moved toward the foyer."Wait." Karl reached out to stop her. "You didn't seem very surprised about vampires." He studied her carefully. "You spent a lot of time at Baal's house. You know what kind of evil creature he is, don't you?""I think we'd better leave before the mafia guys find us."Karl shoved her hair back and examined each side of her neck. "Did that monster bite you?""He's
ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 50
"Are you sure you want to go in there alone?" Jon asked as he parked down the street from Stephan's house."I won't be alone for long." Aya checked her purse. It was stuffed with lengths of rope for tying up prisoners. She pulled out the cell phone she'd borrowed from Edward Cafe and punched in the newly memorized phone number for Malcolm's house."Cafe," the head of Malcolm's daytime security answered."We're in place. I'm going in.""Good. Keep the line open," Edward warned her in his nasal voice. "Here. Malcolm wants to talk to you.""Be careful," Malcolm warned her."I'll be fine. Jon's here if I need him." Aya opened the car door. "I'm setting the phone in my purse now. See you soon." She propped the open phone on top of everything in her purse.Jon gave her an encouraging nod. She climbed from the car and walked toward Stephan's house.At Baal corporation, she'd given Malcolm another dose of the formula before they teleported to his house.There, with Edward Cafe's advice, they'
ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 49
The paramedics wheeled her away. Police officers arrived. Flashes lit the room as the crime scene investigators snapped pictures."Damn." Malcolm moved back. "I have to leave.""Why?" Aya asked."I don't think those are digital cameras." Malcolm grabbed Aya's hand and headed for the door.A paramedic stopped beside him. "Sir, you have severe burns. You should come with us.""No, I'm fine.""We'll take you in an ambulance. This way.""I'm not going.""I'm Dr. Mayhem." Aya smiled at the paramedic. "This man is my patient. I'll look after him.Thank you.""Fine. Suit yourself." The paramedic rushed off to join the others."Thank you." Malcolm led her out of the cafeteria. "We'll go to the silver room." He opened a door to the stairwell, and they descended the steps. "This is so aggravating. I really want to see what kind of
ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 48
Malcolm had made it to the closet and was opening the door.Suddenly a loud blast deafened her. The ground shook. She grabbed at the blinds to steady herself, but they swayed, causing her to stumble. Alarms rang out. And another sound that Aya realized was people screaming."Oh my God." She peeked out the window. In the glare of the morning sun, she spotted a plume of smoke."An explosion?" Malcolm whispered. "Where?""I'm not sure. All I see is smoke." Aya glanced back. He was sagging against the closet door, deathly pale."They timed it this way, so I couldn't do anything."Aya peered through the blinds again. "It's the wing across from us. The cafeteria! Elizabeth was there." She ran to the phone and dialed 911."There… will be many people there." Malcolm pushed away from the door, stumbled forward a few steps, and fell to his knees.When an operator answered,
