Silver Flash

We've got bling-bling, virgins and . . . hot guys, with fangs and without. How do you like yours?

Welcome to this week's Silver Flash . The prompt this week was, "Wouldn't that be romantic?"

Here's the last chapter in Brody and Marek's story . . .

Broken Promise, XII

“Can you read lips in the dark?” Brody said. “No.”

Marek made Brody walk behind him. At the mouth of the tunnel, armed warriors waited in a ring of deadly impatience. A black Jeep Cherokee hulked behind them. The wheels went well past Brody’s knees. A warrior opened the back door. Marek ushered Brody inside, hurrying him without quite pushing.

“Where to?” Greyson said from the driver’s seat.

Brody was relieved at the sight of the half-breed. He’d been scared Greyson might have been a casualty in the fight.

His arm around Brody, Marek said, “Home.”

“I thought you lived here,” Brody said. He found himself undoing Marek’s shirt. He wanted to rest his face against him, skin on skin. Marek moved to let Brody press closer and wrapped both arms around him.

“I rule from here,” Marek said.

Brody had so many questions, he didn’t know where to start. “Who was at the door?”

“Renegades,” Marek said, smoothing his fingers through Brody’s hair. “Vampires who don’t accept me as their king.”

“What do they want?”

A short, humorless laugh came from Marek. “As Julian would say, ‘before or after they take off my head’”?

A shiver went through Brody.

“Just less than two centuries ago, I battled the reigning king and won. A small number of his warriors remain loyal to him.”

“They didn’t sound like regular vampires,” Brody said, remembering the snarls and growls outside Marek’s door.

“They were bred to be ruthless fighters. It backfired. They have more fighting instinct than thinking mind. Their numbers dwindle with every uprising.”

“They’ve come to your house before?”

“Many times,” Marek said.

“What did you do?”

“I led Julian’s mercenaries and my warriors into battle against them.”

“But this time?”

Marek tilted Brody’s head back for a soft kiss. “I couldn’t risk you. Your scent was maddening to them.”

“You left because of me?”

“Would it be any other way?” Marek seemed surprised. “You’re my mate. I would die defending you.”

Brody rubbed his face against the smoothness of Marek’s chest, and kissed down his hard belly, licking softly.

“My heart,” Marek said in a deep voice ragged with hunger. “You will wait.”

The moment the command slipped from his lips, Brody felt his lover tense. He slid his hand between Marek’s legs. “What?” Brody pressed his soft lips to the cloth of Marek’s suddenly tight pants in tiny kisses. “That sounded like you were ordering me around.”

Between panting breaths, Marek said, “No, my heart. I wouldn’t do that.”

Brody laughed against his trousers, making Marek jerk his hips upward. “Yeah you would.”

“No more,” Marek’s voice was low, almost begging.

“You want me to stop?”

“Brody.” No doubt about it. The king of vampires was begging.

“What?”

“Two,” Marek said.

“Three.”

“Very well.” Marek groaned. “Yes.”

With that small word of surrender, Brody let Marek pull him close for a hard kiss. Three long nights. No interruptions. No king business. Just him and Marek and all the pleasure a vampire could lavish on his mortal lover.

***

A week had gone by since Brody had come to the castle. He didn’t know what else to call it. They were high in the mountains of Tennessee in a sprawling mansion that had turrets and towers and warriors armed to the fangs.

Marek had given Brody four nights. They had gone by in a whirl of maddening desire that Marek had teased to a merciless fever pitch until Brody writhed under him in an agony of lust and need.

Now, watching Marek spar with Julian, both of them naked to the waist, Brody could hardly believe the vampire king was his mate. In a low fighting stance, his knees bent, thick arms raised, his muscled body was just short of terrifying. He dropped Brody a slow wink that brought back memories of the long nights of slow loving. Brody’s knees went weak.

Julian’s leg snapped out in a lightening quick move that landed on Marek’s belly. He grunted.

“Focus, brother,” Julian said. “Don’t make me kick your ass in front of him.”

Marek made little “come on” gestures with his fingers. They both had hints of smiles on their hard faces. Sparring like this was the vampire brothers’ version of quality time. They loved it.

Greyson came in and carefully stood to the side of the vampires. They were moving so fast, they were blurs. The heavy thud of fleshy hits made a staccato, tireless rhythm. “Julian. Phone call. It’s from New York.”

Julian blurred into being, sweat pouring down his face, and took the phone from Greyson. “No. Nothing important,” he said, still breathing hard. “You all right?” He paused, listening. “Who’s following you?” Julian paced, his lithe body tense. “No. Don’t find out who it is.” He glanced at his brother. “Just stay where you are. I’ll be there,” he said, and ended the call.

Taking the towel Grayson offered, Marek said, “It’s the reporter, isn’t it?”

“Don’t start.” Julian got his own towel from a low stool near the mats.

“How long before he finds out what you are?”

“He doesn’t have to know.” Julian avoided his brother’s eyes.

“If he finds out, you will take him for your mate.”

Julian’s face hardened into fury, then relaxed into what Brody thought of as his don’t mess with me and you won’t die look. “Wouldn’t that be romantic? ‘Skylan, now you know. I’m a vampire. Let’s fuck.’” He shot Marek a look that would have made a mortal tremble. “I’ll let you know how that works for me.” He stalked out and slammed the door so hard, it bounced open.

“I fear for him,” Marek said, looking after Julian. He turned to Brody with a slow smile. “I need a shower. And ever since you’ve been in my life, I hate taking them alone.”

Brody was on his feet in an instant. Marek swept him into his arms and ran up the castle stairs three at a time, nearly flying.


****Stay tuned. Julian's story starts next week . . .

I'm really excited!  Just six more days before my big *KINDLE* give away!
Just for today. . . post a comment here on my blog today, and you'll be In To Win a *KINDLE*!

Flashers on stage this week are:

Julie Hayes (m/m)

Heather Lin (m/f)

L. M. Brown (m/m)

Victoria Blisse (m/f)

Lindsay Klug (m/f)

Sui Lynn (m/m)

Lily Sawyer (m/m)

Pender Mackie (m/m)

Nicole Dennis (m/m)  <<<<*virgin!**

RJ Scott (m/m)

Silver Flash

We’ve got bad guys, good guys and those . . . you know. . .in between types.

It’s Wednesday, and that means it’s time for the Silver Flash!

There were two prompts this week. I chose "What's that noise?"

Here’s the next to last chapter in Brody and Marek’s story . . .

Broken Promise, XI

“You need new friends,” Brody said, letting Julian pull him into the dark.

“They’re too close,” Marek said in a voice that made Brody’s belly curl into a tight ball. The king of vampires sounded scared. “Use the mover.”

“In position.” Julian stopped moving so fast, Brody ran into his broad back. “Marek? Talk to me.”

The floor shuddered, which scared hell out of Brody because the room was pitch black. Then the creaking started. “What’s that noise?” he said.

Marek wrapped his arms around Brody. “I have him. Go.”

A mini earthquake shook the floor, then they were going down. No. They were falling like a rocket that didn’t know which way was up.

Julian’s phone made a sound like a spaceship landing. When he answered, it lit up his lean face with a blue white glow that gave him the look of a creature not at all human. A very angry creature. “Yeah,” he said, “all of them. No survivors.”

He flipped the phone shut, plunging them into darkness again. From far above—much too far, Brody thought—came the faint sound of agonized screams.

No survivors.

The mover slowed, then came to a trembling halt.

“Stay close,” Marek said.

As if Brody planned to wander off into darkness so complete, they could have been on a world where daylight had never happened.

“Take him with you.” Julian’s voice came out of the dark. He was pushing Brody into Marek. “Warriors are standing by with an armored truck at the tunnel exit. I’m going back up.”

“No,” Marek said. “I know what you want with the invaders. You will not do that in my name.”

“Don’t worry,” Julian said. “I won’t mention you.”

A gush of faintly metallic air brushed dirt against Brody’s face, followed by a high creaking. Then Marek cursed roundly.

“Does he ever do what you say?” Brody asked.

“I’m going to pick you up and run,” Marek said.

There, in a dungeon so deep it could have been at the center of the earth, Brody smiled. Even when Marek was trying hard to be his lover and not the king of vampires, he didn’t quite make it. Maybe it was the fear running through him like high voltage current, or maybe it was that he needed to feel Marek closer than close. Brody didn’t know why he leaned into Marek and kissed him thoroughly, sliding his tongue over his soft lips, moving against his hard body, aching for Marek to mount him and take him deeply. He’d never felt that strong a need for his lover. It was delicious and hot and terrifying all at once.

Marek ran his big hands down Brody’s back and growled softly in his ear. “Later my heart, I’ll break my promise, over and over.” Then he swept Brody into his arms and raced through the utterly remorseless night.

Small rocks hit the close walls of the passage as Marek pounded down the narrow way. “Can you see?” Brody said.

“Of course.” Marek wasn’t even breathing hard. “I came into my manhood in a place like this.”

The running seemed to go on forever before Brody caught a reflection off wet shining rocks on the ground ahead. The air felt slightly fresher and they were moving upward when Marek put Brody on his feet. He pressed a finger to Brody’s lips and whispered into his ear, “Stay here. Wait for me.”

What? Was he kidding? 

******

You're seconds away from a chance to be In To Win a *KINDLE*!

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******

Flashers onstage this week are:

M/F: Lindsay Klug  Victoria Blisse  Heather Lin

M/M: Pia Veleno Rj Scott Julie Hayes Lily Sawyer Sui Lynn Pender Mackie

Silver Flash

We’ve got vampires and saber tooth cats and spaced out lovers, oh my!

Welcome to Silver Flash. . . come on in. . . bite size fiction, big time fun . .

The story of Marek and Brody is winding down to an end. Julian is up next. But for now, here’s the nearly final chapter of Marek and Brody . . . 

Broken Promise, X

“What do you mean gone?” Marek shut his eyes, jamming the phone closer to his ear.

Brody stepped around Marek, heading for the sound of low groans coming from the darkness. But before he’d gone more than two steps, Marek was in front of him, one hand out, like a traffic cop. He shook his head and ran his fingers absently through Brody’s hair.

“Come back,” Marek said, and ended the call. He reached behind him and pulled his office door shut. “Let me take you up to my rooms.”

It was happening again. Marek his lover was gone. Brody was with the warrior king, and he wasn’t asking. He was telling. But still. “I’m done letting you move me around like I’m the car in Monopoly. I’m not budging till you tell me what’s going on,” Brody said.

“Apologies, my heart.” Marek took his arm and herded him toward the steps, moving so fast, Brody was nearly swept off his feet. “Greyson, seal the house.” He stopped and turned to the half-breed. “Every door, every window, on every level. Understood?”

Greyson ran his big hands down his body, fingers subtly pressing, probing. Checking that arsenal he walked around with, Brody thought.

“Who’s coming?” Greyson said.

With a glance at Brody, Marek said, “Do as I say.”

They were almost to the second landing when the front door blasted open. Julian was there with two of his warriors hulking in the shadows behind him. The mercenaries eased past him and spread out on the ground level, knives drawn. Julian climbed the steps, his eyes on Brody. “I can smell him from the front gates. Get him behind stone and glass.”

“What’s - - ”

But Marek didn’t let Brody finish. He muscled him up the steps, murmuring softly, “I’ll be with you. There’s no danger to you. Hurry, Brody.”

No danger? Then why were they practically running up the steps two at a time?

Julian breezed past them in a rush of metal and leather. From the dark at the top of the steps he said, “I told you it would go like this.”

“Share your thoughts on my reign later,” Marek said between breaths. “How many did you see outside?”

“Three.”

Marek stopped moving so fast, Brody was yanked back as he leapt from one step to another. “That’s hardly an invasion force.”

Grabbing Brody’s other arm, Julian said. “They’re scouts. Get him up here.”

Feeling a little like a wishbone caught between two giants, Brody said, “If you don’t both let go of me, I swear, I’ll cut myself.” He looked from Julian to Marek. “Then they’ll smell me for miles, won’t they?”

The vampires froze, met each other’s eyes, then let their hands fall away.

His eyes on the front door at the bottom of the steps, Julian said “His guards are gone, probably dead. I can seal the top floors, but I won’t do you any good if you’re standing here looking at my pretty face. Go.”

Marek, whose face had gone desperate, swung Brody over his broad shoulder and ran up the next two flights. The walls went by in a blur.

Behind them Julian had drawn his knives, and he was coming up the stairs backward and fast, as if he’d done it a hundred times.

“Don’t just pick me up like that,” Brody said. “What the hell?”

“That will come back to haunt you,” Julian said over his shoulder. “Humans have long memories when you piss them off.”

Marek put Brody down as fast he’d picked him up, and turned to Julian. “Brother - - ”

“I know you’re mad at me,” Julian said. “Take a number. The line’s backed up to China last time I checked.” He gave his brother a hard shove. “Move.”

Low rhythmic banging started on the front door. A steady scratching sound, as if long, sharp talons were gouging the wood made the hairs on the back of Brody’s neck stand up.

“Come out and meet us, your Grace,” a guttural voice shouted. “We seek the honor of your presence.”

This was followed by laughter that dissolved into snarls and grunts.

Brody turned to Marek. “You’re king.” His voice was shaking. “Who would attack you in your own house?”

“My friends,” Julian said, moving into the dark, pulling Brody with him.

******

Did you know you could be seconds away from winning a *KINDLE*?

Just for today, send me an email (pennandquill@gmail(dot)com) that says, "I'm In To Win With Marek and Brody", and I'll enter your name to win a *KINDLE*!  Drawing is coming up on April 26 . . .

Flashers on stage this week are . . .

Julie Hayes (m/m)

Sui Lynn (m/m)

RJ Scott (m/m)

Heather Lin (m/f)

L. M. Brown (m/m)

Lindsay Klug (m/f)

Pender Mackie (m/m)

Silver Flash

We’ve got virgins, bling-bling, and really, really short stories. . .It must be time for the Silver Flash!

This week the prompt was three items: highlighter, hourglass, coffee mug

Marek and Brody’s story continues . . .

Broken Promise, IX

Narrow slashes criss-crossed the Hunter’s chest and face as if some wild animal with cruelly sharp claws had been at him. Marek’s face froze into a smooth, neutral mask. “There will come a day brother, when your hourglass with me has run out.”

That the Hunter was hurt didn’t seem important to Marek. It was obvious that Julian doing it without his permission mattered far more. Brody reminded himself that Marek was king of vampires, as in not human.

“I’ll leave him where you can find him.” Julian’s sleek, muscled body faded into the dark.

“Is the Hunter dead?” Brody said.

“My brother has his own way of doing things,” Marek said thoughtfully. “Remember that. His ways are not my ways.”

Greyson had stopped the truck in front of narrow steps leading up to Marek’s front door. Walls rose on either side of the stone staircase, making it look like an angled tunnel. Two guards stood at the top. They were naked to the waist and all muscle. Even standing still, their eyes straight ahead, there was no question they would die protecting Marek.

Brody slipped by them the way he always did—as close to Marek as he could. Inside, just to the left was a winding staircase that led up to the second level where Julian lived, and beyond that to Marek’s rooms.

“I would ask that you go up to my rooms with Greyson,” Marek said.

When Marek fell into his ‘king’ talk, he was desperately trying not to give Brody orders. Being the vampire king’s mate was hard work. And Brody tried, he really did, but tonight there was no way he could be the brave mate who sacrificed for his lover. He folded himself into Marek’s arms and said quietly, “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Marek ran a gentle hand through Brody’s hair. “Will you wait in another room with Greyson? I won’t be far.”

Hard as he tried, Brody couldn’t get the Hunter’s limp, blood-streaked body out of his mind. “What did you mean Julian’s ways aren’t yours?”

Julian eased out of the darkness, moving with the stealth of a seasoned assassin. “I got rid of the paperwork and your lap top and the highlighters and all the other bullshit you don’t need. He’s on your desk,” he said. “Sand’s falling, brother. You need to make a decision.”

Among themselves, vampires measured time by falling sand in hourglasses. Turning so he shielded Brody with his body, Marek said, “Leave my presence.”

“You’re welcome,” Julian said, and stalked past them to the door. It banged shut behind him hard enough to jangle Brody’s ragged nerves.

In the moment of silence that followed, the shadows seemed to grow deeper. 

“Greyson?”

The half-breed had been waiting on the steps. “You want me to send him flowers and a make-up note?”

“See to it my brother and his warriors are paid for their work tonight,” Marek said.

“I’d send him silver from the coffee mug that used to be on your desk, but it’s all over the floor in pieces,” Greyson said, “real little pieces.”

Marek gave him a withering look and opened his mouth to say something. But his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, eyed the caller ID and said, “What is it, Julian?”

***KINDLE Contest!***
Just for today, if you leave a comment *AND* follow my  blog, I'll enter you in the *KINDLE* contest. New followers: Be sure your comment includes "I'm In To Win"!

Flashers on stage this week are:

Julie Hayes (m/m)

Pia Veleno (m/m) <<virgin!!

Victoria Blisse (m/f)

Heather Lin (m/f)

Lily Sawyer (m/m)

Sui Lynn (m/m)

L. M. Brown (m/m)

RJ Scott (m/m)

Lindsay Klug (m/f)

Pender Mackie (m/m)

Diane Adams (m/m)

Silver Flash

Here we are again for the Silver Flash!

Come on in and a read a bit.

This week's prompt is. . . "It was 4 am and . . . "

Marek and Brody's story continue. . .

Broken Promise, VIII

Marek called it a road. Brody called that a joke. Trees crowded near on either side of the rocky dirt path. Up ahead was the fortress Marek called a house.

Greyson stopped. A tall iron gate loomed over them, its black horizontal bars fatter than light poles. Marek pulled out his phone, speed-dialed and spoke in what Brody knew was the Old Tongue. A few seconds later, the gate parted in utter silence and revealed thin jagged teeth-like projections. Brody was sure those steel jaws could snap shut any second. Anything that wasn’t out of the way fast enough would have to be flossed out.

He hated this part the most. They were trapped between two gates, the one behind them, and its twin in front of them. Red light probed the truck, leaking through the windows like pale blood. Marek said they were ‘sniffers’. If something smelled wrong, a few thousand volts would fly. Instant barbecue in a box.

“No need to be afraid.” Marek drew Brody into his arms, smoothed his hair back and kissed his forehead. “You’ve had very long nights, my little heart. It would please me if you went up to my rooms when we go inside.”

That was Marek’s way of saying he didn’t want Brody to see what Julian might do to the Hunter. But it was 4 A.M. and no, Brody was most definitely not going upstairs in the vampire king’s house. What Marek called his rooms was the entire third floor. No electric light. No windows. It was shadowy, creepy and too damn dark. After sleeping under a bed, waking up to Greyson and his personal arsenal and then getting trapped in a circle of vampires armed to the fangs, no way.

“I’m staying with you,” Brody said. “I know it’s vampire business. But I’m not going up there without you. Not tonight.”

The look that came over Marek’s face always tickled Brody. The king of vampires wasn’t used to hearing no. “I’ll send Greyson with you,” he said.

Brody put on a puzzled expression. “I’m thinking but . . . no . . . I don’t remember saying I wouldn’t go without Greyson. Do you?” He leaned into Marek’s unyielding body, and let the tension flow out of him. Somehow when Marek was near, everything was right with his world. “And anyway, you feel too good.”

“I can feel much better.” Marek tilted Brody’s head back for a kiss. ”Do you want to know what I’ll do to you when I go up there and find you naked in my bed?”

Oh yeah. Brody wanted to know that almost as much as he wanted Marek’s kiss to last roughly forever. Greyson got the truck moving, but Brody barely noticed because Marek pulled him onto his lap, and kissed down the side of his neck. “I’ll make you say my name all day long,” he whispered.

Writhing on his lap, Brody undid Marek’s shirt and ran his fingers over his hard chest, down to his ridged belly. God. He wanted more. A whole lot more. Giving into the feverish need firing through him, Brody said, “You won’t take long?”

“Knowing you’re waiting for me? Naked between my sheets?” he said. “No. Such beauty and pleasure is meant to be enjoyed.” He kissed Brody. “Again.” Another kiss. “And again.”

His arms around Marek’s neck, Brody yielded to his mate’s sweet, tender kisses, and would have given in completely if not for the shadow that fell over them.

Greyson must have powered the window down. A blast of cold air made Brody press closer to Marek.

“He’s healthy.” The Hunter’s body was draped over Julian’s arms. His hard, unforgiving eyes were on his brother. “Just lost a little blood is all.”

EXTRA! EXTRA! 
Just two days to the release of Warrior Angel, Heart's Desire. . . and my biggest contest ever starts on my release date, March 26th!

Trailer Contest: Warrior Angel, Heart's Desire is in a contest on You Gotta Read Videos. Stop by and vote for your favorite.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming. . . .

Flashers on stage this week are . . .  

MM

• LM Brown
• Lily Sawyer
• R J Scott.co.uk
• Sui Lynn
• Pender Mackie
• Julie Lynn Hayes
• Ryssa Edwards
• Pia Valeno

MF

• Lindsay Kleug
• Victoria Blisse

Silver Flash

It's that time again!  We've got it all here. . . vampires, hot lovers, and sweethearts who get closer than close. . .
The prompt this week was, "Don't look at me like that."

And, Marek and Brody's story continues . . .

Broken Promise, VII

Marek hated the way Brody shrank away from him. It was true. He was a breath away from taking off the Hunter’s head. But his mate didn’t need to know that. “On your feet,” he said to the Hunter. “Your false honor is more of an insult than rising against me.”

The Hunter vampire rose to his feet and backed away, putting Julian between himself and Marek. It infuriated Marek that the Hunter trusted his brother—a mercenary—but not him.

“We didn’t rise against you,” the Hunter said.

“Then your knives are for play?” Marek said, barely controlling his anger.

“Protection,” the Hunter said. “Breeders think nothing of slaying us and making it look as if our clans make war with each other.”

“I grant you audience. Come to my home alone.”

 “Why?” Julian said. “He’s here. You’re here.” He pushed the Hunter in front of him. “Talk.”

The male hesitated. He peered into the snow dunes beyond the truck, as if he wanted to hide inside them.

 “What can be worse than what you’ve already done?” Marek said in a quiet voice.

The male whispered a word.

“What?” If Julian had been impatient a moment ago, he was well beyond that now. His hand fell to the hilt of his knife. “I didn’t hear you. Say it again,” he said.

“Farms.” A drop of blood-sweat rolled down the Hunter’s temple. He wiped it away, glanced at Julian. “One compound is complete. Hidden. Underground.”

Farming humans for blood was a capital crime. Marek enforced the law ruthlessly. He gave Julian and his mercenaries free reign to execute any vampire found doing it.

Farms began as a small number of humans living with a vampire. When the humans realized they were walking blood banks, they tried to escape. But vampire farmers imprisoned them, then sold their blood to vampire criminals too well known to hunt in cities, where Warriors might find them. In small towns, a vampire was a stranger under suspicion the moment he crossed the town limits. Farms were much easier.

“The one that has been completed,” Marek said. “Is it in my territory?”

“Yes, my lord,” the Hunter said. At a hard look from Marek, the male hurried on. “We try to tell you, but your council ignores us. They say we bring them tales against the Breeders to bring down your anger on them.”

The Breeders—the vampires who ran the farms—had been at war with the Hunters for centuries. With the rise of cities, and the need to hide a war from human eyes, tactics had changed. Outright warfare had been replaced with accusations of farming or draining humans to feed. If Marek’s council found proof, executions followed.

“You don’t have farms?” Brody said.

 “These are different,” Marek told him. He didn’t have the heart to tell Brody what happened on the farms. “Why haven’t I heard this from you?” he said to Julian.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Julian said. “You tell me to keep the peace. I do. You tell me and my warriors to stay out of a vampire’s business. We do. A crime’s a crime. We take care of it and move on.”

Marek turned his eyes to the Hunter, who’d backed away a step. “Bring him,” he said to Julian. “And when we arrive, brother, he had better be as healthy as he is this moment. Is that understood?”

“The Hunters threatened you,” Julian said. “And your mate.” He turned his flat dark eyes on the Hunter. “On his orders. Why should I let him live?”

Marek derived a small satisfaction from the surprise that came over the Hunter’s face. Julian was a mercenary, and he might fight Marek fang to fang, but to those he loved, Julian was loyal unto death.

The votes are in. Julian gets his own story. Coming soon. . .

Flashers on stage this week are. . . .

Lindsay Klug (m/f)

L. M. Brown (m/m)

Lily Sawyer (m/m)

RJ Scott (m/m)

Sui Lynn (m/m)

Pender Mackie (m/m)

Heather Lin (m/f)

Victoria Blisse (m/f)

Julie Hayes (m/m)

Silver Flash

It’s time for . . . the Silver Flash!

What do a playground, a pier and a diamond have in common?

Those three words were the prompt items for this week. Read on to find out how the Silver Flashers put them together.

And a special shout out to Reese Dante for designing our awesome Silver Flash badge artwork. . . thanks Reese!

Broken Promise, VI

The three trucks barreling through the snow were big enough to be tanks. The circle of Hunter vampires broke like water in the wake of speed boats. Julian’s phone rang.

“We’re out of gas,” he said. “And you’re late.”

The trucks came straight for them. They skidded to a stop an inch too close for Brody’s comfort. Suddenly they were surrounded in a ring of impassable steel. Doors opened and slammed shut. Warriors dropped to the ground in a crouch, knives and short swords in their hands. The wind whipped their long hair around their hulking bodies. Four of them took up positions in a circle around the truck, facing outward, long curved knives in their hands.

Greyson reached for his door, but Julian stopped him. “No. I’ll check the tank. Be ready to go.”

He was out and moving almost before the last word was out of his mouth, then Brody felt something sliding under the truck. In seconds, Julian was up and running. A warrior met him halfway and tossed him a red plastic gasoline container. Whatever else he might be, Julian was all business when it came to defending his brother. He moved so fast he was a blur, then he was banging on the window and signaling Greyson, two thumbs up.

He glanced in the rearview mirror, and met Marek’s eyes. “Boss?”

Marek opened his door, but Julian was there, blocking his way. “My men say the Hunters want you to talk to them.” He looked away before he said, “They feel safer talking if you stay in the truck.”

“They trust mercenaries, but not their leader?”

Julian didn’t roll his eyes, but it was close. “You giving an audience or not?”

Brody shivered in the frigid air blasting in through the open door.

“Greyson,” Marek said. “The heat. It’s too cold for him.”

The truck started with a throaty roar and Brody leaned between the seats, grateful for the warm air blowing against his face.

Marek ran his fingers through Brody’s hair and turned to face his brother. “Bring the Hunter. I agree to remain inside the truck until the talking is done.”

Julian nodded over his shoulder. One of his mercenaries came out of the snow. His blonde hair flew in the wind. His blue eyes were hard and cold as diamonds glinting in sunlight. He threw a vampire to his knees. The Hunter landed between Marek and Julian.

“What do you ask?” Marek said.

“We have no voice in your counsels. Our needs go unanswered,” the vampire said. “We had no choice. You wouldn’t listen.”

“So you lure us onto your playground with knives and threats?” Marek said.

Brody didn’t know if the snow felt cold to the vampire on his knees, but he looked uncomfortable. And scared. Like a man heading for a long walk off a short pier. “We meant no disrespect,” the Hunter said.

“If it was me,” Julian said, “I’d be telling him what I’m asking for. He’s about two seconds from taking off your head and starting in on the others.”

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about Julian. If you think Julian should get his own story, leave a comment and let me know. That way Julian’s alligator at the door won’t think you’re snack food on the way out. . . kidding. Sort of.

Silver Flashers on stage this week are . . .

Julie Hayes (M/M)

Diane Adams (M/M)

Lindsay Klug (M/F)  (!!flash virgin!!)

RJ Scott (M/M)

Lily Sawyer (M/M)

Sui Lynn (M/M)

Pender Mackie (M/M)

Victoria Blisse (M/F)

Heather Lin (M/F)

Silver Flash

We’ve been hard at work to bring you bling-bling, virgins, bite size fiction and big time fun!

Welcome to the Silver Flash . . . .

The prompt this week is, “There’s only one way out of this . . .”

Marek and Brody’s story continues . . . 

Broken Promise, V

They’d been driving for less than half an hour when Greyson started cursing in a low monotone that would have made a sailor sound like Mother Goose.

“I thought you checked the engine,” Marek said, barely holding back the rage behind his words.

The truck stalled out, leaving them in eerily silent falling snow. “It’s not the engine,” Greyson said. “We’re out of gas.”

In a perfectly even voice Marek said, “Have you betrayed us?”

“Yeah.” Grayson jammed the gear stick into Park. “I always wanted to freeze to death in the snow after two pissed off vampires ripped out my guts.”

The swirling white beyond the windows grew faint shadows. Men moved toward the truck like hunters stalking prey. In their hands, steel glinted in the rays of the full moon’s light. They had to be vampires because Brody didn’t see any coats. Some of them were shirtless, their muscled bodies bared to the blowing  snow.

“There’s only one way out of this . . .  ” Julian said.

But Marek cut off his brother before he could finish. “I won’t bargain with them.”

“I’m not after a bargain,” Julian said, his grim eyes on the wide circle of vampires. “I’ll settle for not waking up staked in the sun.”

“Shouldn’t they be attacking?” Brody said. The Hunters weren’t closing in. They stood utterly still, unmoved by the wind, undaunted by the numbing cold that was creeping into the metal cab of the truck.

“It’s one thing to defy me,” Marek said. “Even challenge me to battle.” Brody barely stopped himself from flinching at the dark fury on Marek’s hard face. He was all warrior. The lover who held him tight and whispered his name just before he came was gone.  “It’s another to offer harm to my mate.”

The circle of vampires seemed ready to wait forever. Cold air seeped into the truck, stealing through secret places. “They won’t hurt me?” Brody said, wondering how he’d ended up in the middle of a vampire battle. “I mean, I don’t smell like barbecue on the grill to them or anything do I?”

“They can’t,” Julian said. “Other Hunters would go after them. It’s against our Ways.”

Brody moved fast. “Then I go first.” He unlocked his door, and even there, about to risk his life, he took a secret delight in saying to Marek, “Big bad vampires stay behind me. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Good one,” Julian said, before Brody even saw Marek move.

Marek lunged across Brody and slammed down the lock on his door. “Sometimes you act as though you had as much sense as my brother.”

“He means that in a good way,” Julian said.

Marek shot him a narrow look. “Where are your warriors?”

“Late.”

Beside Brody, Marek’s face slipped into something less than human, as if a beast lurked just under his skin. Brody didn’t think he needed any mercenary warriors. He looked fierce enough to take on all the Hunters by himself. “If this is one of your games, brother, I’ll fly you to the Sahara and stake you in the dunes.”

Eyes closed, his head against the backrest, Julian said in a low, unhurried voice, “With or without sunscreen?”

Silver Flashers on stage this week are. . .

Julie Hayes (M/M)

Diane Adams (M/M)

RJ Scott (M/M)

Lily Sawyer (M/M) <<flash virgin!!>>

Sui Lynn (M/M)

L. M. Brown (M/M) <<flash virgin!!>>

Pender Mackie (M/M)

Victoria Blisse (M/F)

Silver Flash

Hey!  You're back for Silver Flash #4!


Come on in, and get flashed. . .
This week's prompt is, "I've got a bad feeling about it this time."

Brody and Marek's story continue . . .

Broken Promise, IV

The sun had been down for an hour. Greyson was outside, standing guard. Julian was checking the black-bladed knives strapped across his chest.

“You can hardly see those,” Brody said.

Julian glanced up at him. “Can’t see them at all in the dark.”

There was an amused glint in Julian’s eyes that said he wanted to scare Brody. But after watching Greyson tote in enough weapons to start a private war, Brody was beyond scared. “Why do you need knives no one can see?” he said.

“Night work,” Julian said quietly, adjusting knives that could cut down a man in seconds.

“Come,” Marek held out a harness to Brody. “Help me.”

“You’re letting a human arm you for battle?” Julian was at his brother’s side in an instant. “No.”

Marek stood up to his full height, his hard eyes boring into Julian. “Stand aside. It’s time my mate learned our ways.”

Brody, who thought Julian had a point, said, “I don’t know anything about knives.”

“I’ll teach you.”

Marek guided Brody through buckling the complicated harness under his arms, across his back, and over his chest. With each guiding of the heavy duty leather around his big body, Marek stole quick kisses, caressed Brody, soothed away his fear.

“Julian will be angry with me for losing his knives,” Marek said.

 “They wouldn’t get lost if you didn’t throw them away.” Julian was going through the black duffel bag Greyson had brought in from the car.  “Here. Try to hold onto them.”

“Take them, Brody,” Marek said.

After a moment’s hesitation, Brody let Julian fill his hands with small, neatly packed throwing knives. Marek slid them into his harness, criss-crossing his broad chest with metal teeth. When he was done, he took Brody’s shaking hands and kissed his palms. “My sword is in the bag. Bring it to me.”

Brody, who’d never handled so many weapons in his life, brought the thick short sword, but he balked when Marek turned his back. “What if I don’t get it in the sheath right?”

“Then I could get injured or die,” Marek said. “All of our lives depend on each other tonight.”

“Just slide it in real slow,” Julian said, “watch your fingers.”

Brody could hear in Julian’s voice how badly he itched to arm his brother himself, the way he’d probably done for centuries. This was Julian’s way of accepting him into the family clan of warriors.

His hands shaking, Brody slid the heavy sword into the sheath, sure he would either gut Marek from behind or cut off his own fingers, or both. But the sword slid into the worn leather with a whisper.

“Time for us to be on the move.” Marek took Brody’s hand. “If anything happens to me, go with my brother.”

“But - -”

“Don’t worry,” Julian said with a slow wink. “I take care of stuff I inherit.” He shrugged into his heavy leather duster and caught Marek’s eye. "I've got a bad feeling about it this time.”

“You always have bad feelings before battle.” Marek slipped thin gloves over his big hands. “And your mercenaries always win.”

“Something’s not right.”

Marek gathered the duffle bag from the floor. Metal clanked heavily inside. “You may be right for once,” he said. “Their scouts should be close by now.”

From just beyond the door, there came the sound of low snarls, then a body thudding to the floor, then a groan of pain. Greyson opened the door as calmly as if he were bringing room service. His face was smeared with blood. “If we’re going,” he said. “Now’s a good time.”

Silver Flashers on stage today are . . .  

Julie Hayes
Victoria Blisse
Sui Lynn
RJ Scott
Diane Adams
Pender Mackie

Leave a comment, feed a writer.
 Just kidding about the feeding part. . . sort of.

Silver Flash

It's Wednesday, and we're getting our Flash on!

This week's prompt is "The hotel was $19.99 for a reason. And you were there for reasons of your own ... but not the kind everyone might think." I got a lot of requests to continue Marek and Brody’s story, so here it is . . .

Broken Promise, II

With a blizzard lashing snow against the window, and the sun just below the horizon, the closet was my only hope.

“You will tell me,” Marek said. He gripped Julian’s hair so hard, I was sure I’d see blood at the roots. “Or I will make your eternal life a nightmare.”

Between clenched teeth, Julian said, “You’re too late for that party. Get off me.”

With a casual toss, Marek threw Julian across the room, sending him crashing into a paper thin wall. Someone thumped on the other side of the wall and cursed in muffled tones.

Julian got up, shook off plaster, and moved past his brother to the tiny window where the storm was rattling the glass.

It was definitely lighter outside. I went over to the closet, opened it, and peered inside. Barely big enough.

I closed the door, leaned against it, and eyed both vampires.  They were as far from each other as they could get in the small room. There was no way to tell they were brothers. Julian’s blonde hair was low to his scalp in a military cut that emphasized his blue eyes and his high cheekbones. In his worn black leather jacket, with blood trickling from his lips, he could have been a biker after a long night drinking and brawling.

Marek’s black hair fell past his wide shoulders, straggling around his face from the fight. His floor length leather duster did nothing to hide his muscled, harder than stone body.

 “Are you two planning on killing each other or are you just going to stand around and melt in the sun?” I said.

“Brody, this - -”

I finished for Marek. “Is none of my concern,” I said. “Yeah. I know. But I’m caught in a blizzard in a $19.99 a night hotel in the middle of nowhere with two pissed off vampires. One of you is the man I love.” I met Marek’s eyes. “And the sun’s about to rise. So answer my question.”

Julian eased down on a rickety wooden chair and put his booted feet up on a table that wobbled under the weight. “I was thinking I’d wait till the storm got so bad, we’ll be snowed in till next March, then I could stake my brother and put his body in deep freeze outside.”

Marek crossed the room in a second, his teeth bared, growling. He smashed his fist into his brother’s chest, driving him to the floor, shattering the wooden chair to splinters. “You take the fate of our people as a joke. For centuries, I have allowed it.”

 “You worry too much, brother.” Julian pushed himself up and brushed off dust.

“And you,” Marek said, “worry too little.”

“It’s just a Hunter uprising. “ Julian was back at the window, his eyes on the snow. “My warriors are trained, armed, blooded. What do you think can go wrong?”

“You expect me to trust your band of mercenaries?”

“Doesn’t look to me like you have a choice,” Julian said quietly.

None of this made sense. Barely two weeks ago Marek had swept me into his arms, carried me all the way home, and marked me as his mate. Now he was at war.

I didn’t know who the Hunters were or why they wanted a fight, but I knew the sky was getting too light too fast. I eyed the closet. If they squeezed in, they would both fit. I could stuff sheets and towels along the bottom to keep out the light. But I had no idea how I’d get them in there.


For more bite size fiction and big time fun, check out these Silver Flashers:

Julie Hayes
RJ Scott