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CHAPTER 30
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ABLAZE ( 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 : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 32
Stephan checked the address Kaye had given him. "This is it, Vidal. Pull over."Vidal located a parking space not far from the safe house in New Rochelle. Both sides of the dimly lit street were lined with tall, narrow, wood-framed houses. Covered porches looked out onto tiny front yards. Most of the houses gleamed with light from their windows, but the safe house was dark.There was no female vampire Stephan respected more than Kaye, and once again, she'd proven herself worth her weight in gold. A longtime member of his German coven, Kaye was every bit as vicious as he. She'd been the one to locate and seduce the U.S. marshal in charge of Aya Mayhem. With the marshal completely under her control, Kaye had easily set this trap.Stephan instructed Vidal to stay with the car, then zipped toward the safe house with vampire speed. He stopped at the back door and waited for Elvo and his harem girl Aliya to catch up. They slipped inside
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 33
That had probably been her favorite line as mistress of a torture chamber. Malcolm exchanged a look with Henri."Enough!" The reporter waved the makeup person away. She touched a miniature earphone in her right ear and tilted her head to listen to someone's voice. "We're on in thirty seconds. Places everyone." She posed in front of the cameraman, her black dress revealing much of her oversized bosom.Implants, indeed. She must have gone to Dr. Slovak in Sweden. He was the only vampire plastic surgeon in existence, and for a large fee, he could help a vampire spend eternity looking young and beautiful. The reporter's implants had probably helped her nab one of the coveted jobs at AVC. The Digital Vampire Network was still fairly new and flooded each week with hundreds of hopeful vampires, each dreaming of being the next big star.Catching vampires on film had been impossible until the advent of digital cameras. Now digital technolog
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 34
How sick could you get! She pushed her way through the crowd. Where the hell was Elizabeth? And was that Malcolm going up on the stage? He'd see her for sure. She hid behind a broad-chested man wearing a black T-shirt. AVC. He was holding a digital camera."You're on." The man cued a woman with huge breasts."This is Amanda Amanni reporting for Live with the Undead. What an exciting evening! As you can see behind me"—the reporter motioned to the stage—"Malcolm Baal is about to welcome us all to the twenty-third annual Vampire feast Feast. As you know, Malcolm is CEO of Baal corporation, inventor of Fusion Cuisine, and master of the largest coven in North America."Coven? Who met in covens? Witches? Aya looked around. Were these people all witches? It would explain the black clothing and the gory details like coffin coolers."Would you like a drink?" A waiter stopped in front of her, holding a black tray filled with gl
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 35
He stiffened with a jolt. Oh great. She'd hurt his feelings. But shoot, she had every right to be upset.So why did she feel bad about lashing out at him?She cleared her throat. "I may have been too harsh.""Your description is essentially correct. However, since I have never been to hell, it's notappropriate to say I have come from there." His shadow moved slowly across the room. "Though it could be argued that I'm there now."Ouch. She'd really hurt him. "I—I'm sorry."There was a long pause. Finally he responded. "I don't need an apology. You're not to blame for this. And I certainly don't need your pity."Ouch again. She wasn't handling this very well. But then she didn't have much experience talking to demons. "Uh… can we turn on a light?""No, it would be visible through the window, and Stephan would know that we're here.""Where are we, exa
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 36
Malcolm leaned back in the easy chair and stared at the ceiling. He had serious doubts about this. The last time he'd told this story to a woman, she'd wanted to kill him.He took a deep breath and began. "I was born in a small village in Italy in 1127. I had two brothers and a little sister." He tried to conjure up their faces, but his memory was too vague. He'd had such a short time with them."Wow," Aya breathed. "You're over Nine hundred years old.""Thanks for reminding me.""Go on," she urged. "What happened to your family?""We were poor. Times were difficult." The red blinking light in the corner over the bed caught his attention. The digital surveillance camera was working. He sliced the air with a cutting motion, and within seconds, the red light was off.He continued with his story. "My mother died in childbirth when I was four. Then my sister died.She was only tw
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 37
He pulled the tie free and tossed it on the kitchen table. "You don't understand vampire culture. TheBrides is a symbol of a coven master's power and prestige. Without them, I couldn't command any respect. I would be a laughingstock.""Oh, poor baby! Trapped in an evil custom against your will. Wait a minute, I think my eyes are tearing up." Aya held up her hands and waited a few seconds. "Oh no. False alarm. Probably allergies."He scowled at her. "More likely indigestion from your acidic wit."She glared back at him. "How amusing. Excuse me for not fawning over you like one of your ten Brides girls.""I wouldn't want you to."She folded her arms across her chest. "That's why I left, you know. I found out you're a womanizing pig."His eyes flashed. "And you're—" His angry expression slowly cleared into a look of wonder."You're jealous.""What?"
Last Updated : 2024-10-29ABLAZE ( A SACRED Romance) CHAPTER 38
Ausiro slid a sword out of his walking stick. "No one wants to listen to you.""Will the vampire feast end in bloodshed?" Amanda Amanni whispered in a loud voice. "Don't touch your remote!"Stephan made a small mocking bow as the music ended. Unfortunately, the bow left his neck misaligned, so he had to pop it back into position.Amanda Amanni faced her camera with a beaming smile."Stephan, German-American coven master, is about to make a speech. Let's hear what he has to say.""It has been eighteen years since I attended one of these feasts," Stephan began. "Eighteen years that I have been forced to witness the tragic decay of our superior way of life. Our old traditions are laid to waste. Our proud heritage is ridiculed. A new politically correct philosophy of the modern-day Vamp has insinuated itself into our midst like a plague."A murmur began in the crowd. Some didn't like his messag
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,
