99: Change in Command – Pt. 3

“GET UP!” Rowan shouted as Victoria lay sprawled on his floor, huffing for a breath. Sweat poured from her face and her heart felt like it would explode at any minute. “I said get up!” The iciness in Rowan’s tone fueled the anger boiling inside her and she growled as she struggled to her feet.

Her chest heaved with every breath, but she dug her heels in, refusing to give up. The day started with a test of magic that moved into hand-to-hand combat but now evolved into Rowan turning her into his personal punching bag. When he insisted on having Marcel participate in a two versus one situation, she thought for sure she was gonna break beyond repair. 

And yet, despite the number of times he’d put her on her ass, it still felt as though he was holding back. He hadn’t caused any serious damage or pain; like a snake toying with its prey before swallowing it whole.

Continue Reading: "99: Change in Command – Pt. 3"

98: Change in Command – Pt. 2

First thing in the morning, Victoria entered Rowan’s Tudor-style mansion. Upon entry, she was met with a group of large, muscular vampires congregating in the billiards room to the left. One of them caught her eye and stood as she waited in the foyer. From her peripheral, she saw him nudge another bloodsucker seated at the bar with his back to the door. He immediately turned at the gesture and noticed Victoria standing alone and followed the other toward the front room. “Hey there, Sweet thing,” the first man spoke, licking his lips as he circled around Victoria. “Are you lost?” he asked in a deep voice, smiling down at her from where he stood at least five or six inches taller.

“No. Are you?”

“You look lost,” the second man spoke, moving in behind Victoria. “But, mmm my, oh my, you smell delicious. I was just saying how I was feeling a bit famished. Who knew this place had a delivery service?” He moaned, reaching up to grab a strand of her hair and rubbing it between his fingers briefly.

“Yes, I could really go for a bite myself. It’s just like our host to cater to his guests, and you are just our type.” As Victoria prepared to defend herself, the man behind her threw her up against a wall, knocking the wind out of her, stunning her momentarily and the other moved in quickly. “What do you say we have a little taste?”

Continue Reading: "98: Change in Command – Pt. 2"

97: Change in Command – Pt. 1

“Hey, handsome,” Victoria said, wrapping her hands around Derrick’s waist from behind. He glanced over his shoulder toward her with a smile and felt her hands tighten around his midsection. “Wow, this looks like a lot of work! What are you making me now?”

“Braised Rabbit Pie. I thought I’d pull out an old family recipe and give it a whirl.”

“Oh yum! I can’t wait. Slow torture as I smell it cooking all day. I’m sure it’ll be well worth it though. Have I told you that you are an exceptional chef?”

“Someone’s in a good mood this morning. Might I know the reason?”

“Do I really need a reason to be so cheerful around the most incredible man I’ve ever known?” she asked, leaning up on her tiptoes to steal a quick kiss.

“No. Never. Please, go on.” Victoria laughed hearing him fish for compliments and slid herself in front of him as he pushed the cutting board to the side.

Continue Reading: "97: Change in Command – Pt. 1"

96: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 3

“Shelly, thank you for coming in,” Victoria said, placing a bottle of water on the coffee table in front of her before sitting next to her. Mike took a seat across from them both and Derrick leaned against the bookshelf in the back of the room, observing the discussion.

“Of course. Will was a close friend, even though we were exes. I wanna help you find who did this to him,” she said, cozying onto the couch in the lounge.

“We understand you and Shawn are currently seeing each other?” Mike asked.

“That’s correct.”

“How did your evening start?”

“At work; like always. I’m a medical resident at the local hospital. I’ve been putting in countless hours trying to prove myself to the hard ass attending I have. After work, I went home, showered and got to Ryan’s place at 8:30.”

Continue Reading: "96: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 3"

95: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 2

Madison County Jail & Detention Center – Present

The metallic clang of doors echoed in the tiny interview room as Ryan Turner was escorted inside. Dressed in prison orange and handcuffed in the front, Victoria and Mike watched as he was transferred from one guard to another and his restraints were removed.

“Hello, Ryan. My name is Victoria and this is my partner, Mike,” Victoria smiled, making introductions.

“Nice to meet you. Elena said you’d be reaching out,” he sighed as he made himself as comfortable as possible in the seat across from them.

“Yes, we spoke to her about your situation and wanted to hear your side so we’ll know where to begin our investigation,” Mike explained.

“What’s the point? No one believes I didn’t do this. The prosecution is doing a great job of railroading me and making that jury believe I belong here. There’s no way I’m getting out of here,” he said hopelessly, dropping his head into his hands.

Continue Reading: "95: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 2"

94: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 1

Ryan Turner’s Apartment – Three Weeks Ago…

“Finally!” Ryan exclaimed as his last guest, Dan, arrived. After a quick look around, he grabbed a drink and took a sip before addressing his friends. “I hope everyone has had enough time to study over their invitation. We will begin in just five minutes. This is going to be a much different experience than previous parties. Tonight, I’ve pulled out all the stops.” 

Continue Reading: "94: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 1"

93: Never After – Pt. 3

“Chaos demons are some of the toughest supernatural beings to vanquish,” Derrick said, realizing they were in for a difficult battle.

“That’s great to hear, Derrick, for a minute there, I thought you were going to say we were doomed,” Victoria joked. “How do you propose we fight a demon that feeds off magic?”

“And therein lies the crux,” Derrick replied.

“Kron has been consuming the life forces of our residents. He has made it nearly impossible to sustain any kind of living without the constant threat of war. Our combined magics have not been able to drive him out and at this point, he’s become immune to our spells and enchantments. But you, you’re not of this world. We are hoping, desperately, that somehow your magic can defeat him,” Callon said.

“I don’t know how successful I’ll be, Callon, but I’m willing to try. Where can we find him?”

“He’s taken up residence near Serenity Falls. It’s the large waterfall near the center of Niellon.”

Continue Reading: "93: Never After – Pt. 3"

92: Never After – Pt. 2

“Where are we?” Aria asked, taking a step closer toward Mike. He wrapped an arm around her waist as she looked at their surroundings. “Are we stranded on a deserted island?”

“Aria,” Mike sighed, “There’s something I need to tell you and you may find it a little hard to believe.” He glanced over at Victoria and she nodded. It was something she needed to hear because whatever awaited them in that jungle was certainly of mystical origins. “Magic is real.”

“What do you mean?”

“Fairytales, folklore, myths all of it; it’s real. Witches, vampires, even leprechauns, all of it is real.”

“Mike, are you concussed? What are you talking about?”

“Show her,” Mike said, looking again at his partner.

Continue Reading: "92: Never After – Pt. 2"

91: Never After – Pt. 1

“Hurry up or we’re going to miss our flight! We still have to pick up Mike and Aria before heading to the airport.” Derrick said, rushing Victoria to the car. They were on their way to a couples’ retreat. Five days of sun, fun and relaxation in a tropical setting courtesy of Derrick. He wanted to do something nice for Victoria and treat her to a lovely vacation. But when she’d mentioned the package to Mike, it piqued his interest as well. And being the nice guy he was, Derrick splurged and purchased an additional getaway for Mike and Aria.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” she sighed, dragging a large suitcase behind her. Derrick grabbed it from her as if it weighed nothing and tossed it into the trunk with the others.

“Got everything?” he asked, taking one last look at the house.

Continue Reading: "91: Never After – Pt. 1"

90: Photogenic – Pt. 3

“As I was saying, I know where the threat is coming from. In your time, I took down Al Capone?”

“That’s right. You and your ‘Untouchables’ singlehandedly ended the threat to prohibition and organized crime in Chicago,” Mike said, the huge grin never leaving his face. “Honestly, you’re like one of my biggest heroes!”

“It’s true. He has a framed picture of you in his office…which is kind of surprising he didn’t recognize you,” Victoria smirked at the displeasure on Mike’s face. “Anyway, you’re thinking it’s a threat from Capone, Eliot?”

“I am indeed. I’ve just been appointed to the Bureau of Prohibition on assignment from the U.S. Treasury Department. I’ve been tasked with destroying all lines of illegal smuggling and thereabouts ending the reign of these gangs that are plaguing the city. I haven’t been personally assigned to the task force for Al Capone but, my department is working up to creating individualized teams who will cover different parts of the state. And you’ve ruined the surprise as to which city I’m getting.”

“Yeah,” Mike smiled sheepishly. “Sorry about that.”

Continue Reading: "90: Photogenic – Pt. 3"