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CHAPTER 23
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
ABLAZE ( 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 : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 27
Aya's mouth dropped open. Could it be true? Could Malcolm have three dozen live-in girlfriends?"No." She shook her head.The ladies watched her with smug looks. Scarlet leaned against the doorjamb, her smile triumphant.A chill crept across Aya's skin. No, it wasn't true. These women just wanted to hurt her. "Malcolm is a good man.""He is a bastard," Linda declared.Aya's head reeled. Malcolm is a good man. She had felt it down to her soul. He wanted to protect her, not hurt her. "I don't believe you. Malcolm cares about me. He gave me this." The crucifix had slid to the side beneath her blazer. She pulled it out.The women cringed.Scarlet stiffened with a hiss. "We are his women. You do not belong here."Aya gulped. Could Malcolm really have three dozen lovers?How could he kiss her when he already had so many women? Oh God. She pressed the cros
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 28
Malcolm wandered across the Feastroom, accompanied by Elizabeth. A small army of janitors was at work. Three men crossed the floor, swinging their buffing machines from side to side, as they polished the black and white checkered linoleum to a glossy finish. Others were cleaning the plate glass windows that looked out onto the garden.Elizabeth had her clipboard in hand and was checking off each item on her list. "I called to make sure the ice sculptures would be delivered on time tomorrow. Eight-thirty sharp.""No gargoyles or bats, please," Malcolm muttered."And what would you have? Swans and unicorns?" Elizabeth eyed him impatiently. "Need I remind you this is a vampire Feast?""I know." Malcolm groaned. Ten years ago, he had insisted on eliminating the ghoulish decorations.It was a spring conference, after all, not a Halloween party. But everyone had thrown such a fit, he was now stuck with the sam
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 29
She gazed at the ceiling as if to communicate with God and let out a long, silent groan of frustration. Why me? All I ever wanted was a normal life!She purchased a box of hair dye and a cheap nylon zippered tote bag for her meager belongings.Then she found a reasonably priced hotel on Seventh Avenue and registered under a false name, paying cash. With a great sigh of relief, she locked herself into her room. She'd done it. Escaped the Germans. Escaped Malcolm the Pig and his house of horrors. She didn't know which upset her more— Malcolm's taste in women or the coffins in his basement. Yeech! She shuddered.Forget them— think of the future and how you will survive.In the bathroom, she applied the hair color, then settled on the bed to wait thirty minutes. She ate pizza while flipping through TV channels. When a local news channel flashed by, she stopped.Good God, it was the SoHo SoBright Dental Clini
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 30
By seven-forty-five that evening, she was ready for her trip to the safe house. The clothes Elizabeth had purchased were not designed for blending into the woodwork. With her hot-pink pants and camisole, and a big cotton shirt of neon orange and pink plaid, she could be spotted a mile away.Oh well. She would just think of it as a disguise. No one would expect her to look like a hot-pink version of Marilyn Monroe.She packed up her belongings and took the elevator down to the lobby. She waited a few minutes in the taxi line in front of the hotel. The sun had set, but the city was still bright with lights—bright enough that Aya spotted a black SUV parked across the street. She caught her breath. A coincidence, that was all. There were hundreds of black SUVs in New York City.The next cab was hers. She climbed in and was instantly assaulted by the smell of hot pastrami. She leaned forward to give the driver the address and noticed hi
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 31
Gustavo studied his scuffed black loafers and twisted a button on his rental tux.Henri shifted in his chair, his expression grim as he looked Gustavo over. "Who would threaten this man?""We believe it was Stephan." Malcolm closed the door, then crossed the room to his desk."Och." Henri frowned. "The German coven master here in America. According to my intelligence reports, he works as a paid assassin. But who would pay to kill yer wee chemist?""The Malcontents would want to kill anyone who is involved in the making of Artificial blood,"Van-nilsen said."Yeahh, that's true," Henri agreed. "Is that the case then?"Malcolm sat behind his desk. "We haven't heard from them since last October when they left their little Halloween present at my front door.""You mean the explosives?" Van-nilsen turned toward the Swissman. "You're the expert. Who do you think
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,
