All Chapters of The Cure (Book 2 Tugurlan Chronicles): Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Tatyana was hungry. Whether it was done intentionally or simply because they themselves didn’t eat, food had rarely been presented to her while she was held captive in Nandru’s den. When it was, what she was given was of such an intolerable taste and texture she could barely get it down.  She was starving.As much as he wanted to go out and raid the nearest farm for a fresh chicken, or even their eggs, it was agreed that it wasn’t safe for either one of them to leave the inner sanctuary of the mountains.  Not yet, anyway.  So, they’d have to make a meal out of whatever they managed to find living in their desolate looking surroundings.Bruce was thrilled with Tatyana’s ability to read his thoughts telepathically when he was in werewolf form. They were communicating so well that, at times, he almost forgot he wasn’t speaking the words. As they followed the stream inside the mountain, they stumbled upon yet

Nandru did his best to hide his dismay at the arrival of Dragomir and his young protégé.  This was disastrous.  He was aware of Dragomir’s jealousy over his bond with Dracula and knew that Dracula’s firstborn was searching for centuries for a way to destroy that relationship. Now, of all things, he’d arrived at a time that was most crucial for Nandru.  He’d lost the girl, which meant that he’d lost his bargaining chip with the old woman. If Nandru wasn’t careful, Dragomir just might succeed in his mission of destruction.Doing his best to keep his guests occupied while he continued to search for Bruce, Nandru opened the doors to his concubine’s quarters.  When Dragomir expressed his desire to taste something of a more prestigious rank -meaning one of Nandru’s private mistresses- Nandru snarled.  He knew he couldn’t refuse. He’d never subject Lucinda to such degradat

Elsa shouldn’t have been surprised at the news that Dracula sent Osip to search for Charles.  Even so, hearing the news from me shook her to the core. A world full of vampires to hold off was bad enough, but to hide from a brother who shared the same family genetic ties would be next to impossible.  She felt old, tired, and overwhelmed. What she wouldn’t give to have the power to squash those vampires like the bugs they were.Shen felt the need for some release of physical and mental tension and went to a nearby martial arts studio to train. He telephoned, stating that he’d lost track of the time and would do his best to fight the traffic and return as quickly as possible.  So, we waited; each in deep thought and barely remembering the presence of the other.Nandru was the first to spot Shen getting out of the cab. He hopped anxiously to his feet while announcing his arrival. Shen wasn’t even given the opportunity to enter the mot

Osip ran his hand along the smooth twelve-foot mahogany table in the oversized great room of Nandru’s den.  How he longed to be lord of such a magnificent place as this.  He’d often fantasize about being in such a position. Who would be his queen?  Would it be the lovely young vampire who serviced him so well last night?  He chuckled as he thought of the erotic pleasures she bestowed upon him over and over again. No. His queen would be pure when she came to him.  He’d keep a small harem for his pleasures, but his queen would be a pure virgin that was made vampire by him.His musing was interrupted by the entrance of Lucinda. Expecting to find Nandru, she gasped her apologies before backing out of the room.Osip was immediately struck by Lucinda’s strong European beauty. “Wait!  Come back!” he bellowed in a commanding tone that was fitting of any great lord.Lucinda eased her way back

I waited patiently for Shen to join me in the ice cream shop.  I’d decided to take a little time to think things through and ease my nervous tension. I’d walked through Old Town Scottsdale and ended up in a fifties style ice cream parlor with a dish of homemade ice cream in front of me that was just the ticket. Feeling calmer and more amiable, I’d called Shen on my cell phone and asked him to join me. Shen smiled as he entered the fifties style ambience.  He enjoyed the decor of that era and I knew it. Sitting down opposite me, he ordered a root beer float before stretching his legs out in front of him with a satisfied grin.“You’re so predictable,” I chuckled. “Just once I’d like to see you order something other than a root beer float.”“I happen to like root beer floats,” he said with twinkling eyes.I hadn’t seen him this relaxed in months. It was infectious!