Works in Progress (AKA A Complete List of Titled Works)
- Competing Blood
- What Lasts Forever
- Dancing With Fate
- Games
- Innocent Temptation
Lydia - The Secret
- Love as if You’ve Never Been Hurt
- Adventures in
Leisure Island - Finding Jane’s Wings in the
Forest ofBrown - The Dragon Series
- Jealous Love
- Price of Love
- Survival of Souveo
- Honor – autobiography
- Sisters of the Heart
- As you Wish
- Setting Love
- Roxanne
- The Table
- Moon’s Lily
- Elements
Brown Mountain - Dancing With Hearts
- Escape With Love
- Confessions of the Deep
- The Cursed Heart
- Dishes of Fortune
- Stand
- Love is Just a Game
- Men: and the Women Behind Them
- When The Moon Goes Crazy
- Wanted Heart (bellydancing gypsy vampire princess assassin temptress)
- Lust of Love (mermaid vampire)
- Faith’s Fate
- Attack
- Dark Love
- Innocent Admiration
- Midnight Hour
- Irresistible
- A.C.O.S.
- Cold Love
- Butterfly Love
- Arabian Daze
Is that 44? Yes it is. Why are some highlighted? I have no idea. :) Curious about any? Ask and I'll get as many answers as I possibly can! :)
7/10/11 Here it is, chapter 1 of Competing Blood. The Author Notes are from 2008 when I started writing chapter 1. Finally finished chapter 3 a few minutes ago. :) Again the goal is to finish a chapter every day I have off work until it's finished! Then I'll need an editor and publisher...but we'll see to that later.
Shelby
Shelby
7/10/11 Here it is, chapter 1 of Competing Blood. The Author Notes are from 2008 when I started writing chapter 1. Finally finished chapter 3 a few minutes ago. :) Again the goal is to finish a chapter every day I have off work until it's finished! Then I'll need an editor and publisher...but we'll see to that later.
A/N – so I started writing this story November 7, 2004. That’s almost 4 years ago! And the idea for the story actually came in April of that year. It began as an idea for a play that was to be a comedic tragedy. It ended up as a novel form idea as a dramatic tragedy. Although once I finish the novel, I think it would be awesome to go back and write the play because it would be quite hilarious and entertaining. We’ll see what happens. I hope everyone enjoys the first chapter. Please review!
Competing Blood
Chapter 1: So It Begins
Sitting inside the restaurant to escape the on pour of rain, the fragile couple stared silently at their steamy coffee cups. Both knew they were experience their last moments as a couple. The inspiring college student, Leslie, had found the perfect jock sweetheart boyfriend of 8 months, Donnie, in bed with another woman the night before. The steam rose against her face as Leslie took a sip. Deep down she knew she couldn’t be the one to break things off with Donnie. It would ruin her self expectations of her perfectness. He would have to be the one to break up with her. Would he do it though? After another sip, Leslie realized Donnie was staring at her.
“I’m sorry about last night,” spoken with sincere quietness.
No answer from Leslie, he went on, “Tara and I have been seeing each other secretly for two weeks now.”
After the confession, only silence followed. Leslie waited patiently for the break up as a robot with no feelings waits for the next task to be done. She knew breaking up was the best thing to do. After all, no matter how much she loved him, it was obvious his love was not equal and completely devoted to her.
“Leslie, say something,” came the pleading voice. Her silence always made people uncomfortable.
“Is it over then? Us I mean? Surely you don’t plan to give up on your two weeks of progress,” she responded acidly.
“Tara still wants to be with me. She knew that I was dating you before we started seeing each other. She’s happy you found out because now things can be right between us.”
“You choose her then?”
“I didn’t think you’d still want to be with me.”
“You know me too well,” came a miserable smile from Leslie.
It was too simple. A set-up for Leslie to find out the truth before breaking up. Tara had told Leslie to come over to study for a chemistry midterm. She had found Donnie and Tara together when she arrived her usual fifteen minutes early. They knew she would be early. Something about it was merciful though. In letting Leslie discover the truth, a break up with Donnie could be based upon a truthful conflicting event instead of a general “my feelings have changed”. At least Leslie knew the truth even though the hurt was far worse than any lie could have done.
Thunder sounded as Leslie put down her cup and stood.
“Where are you going?”
“An interview for a part time job. See you around, Donnie. Take care of yourself,” she said steadily as she walked outside the door into the pouring rain.
The tears from her eyes were disguised from that blissful rain. Thus she walked alone on the busy sidewalk, the only one not under an umbrella.
Donnie had been the one to cause the breakup. He made the mistake. Leslie’s guilt told her otherwise. She had not shared the responsibilities of a healthy relationship. Her studies came before him. Even though he made several personal sacrifices for her, such as missing sport practices, she would not miss even two hours of study to go to even one of his games. And that’s what she expected out of the relationship. To receive everything and give nothing. She had neglected him, and she knew it. She knew it then and didn’t care enough about the relationship to change. Now she cared though. More than anything.
Donnie was her first and probably last boyfriend. No other guy could put up with her ambitious and life-consuming study habits. If that didn’t scare a guy off, her contrasting views, thoughts, and conversations would. She had an imagination of a seven year old with the ambition and knowledge of a 21 year old. Her immature nature was accompanied with a charming intellect that made her appeal to younger children and adults, although her own age found her confusing, if not weird.
Leslie continued her silent walk through the rain towards 44 Anlek Dr. She knew very little about the job she was applying for. The college part time job agency had given her the business card and told her to go by for an interview, so that’s what she was doing. Perhaps a job would introduce her to the man of her dreams, or even better, rid her mind of Donnie, the man of her nightmares.
She checked the business card again to verify she was going the right direction. The card was a simple white with the address in black and with the sentence “eternal youth and wealth guaranteed” written in deep red. Perhaps it was a plastic surgery clinic where eternal youth came in dishonest operations. Although, no matter her opinion, she wanted the job – the money that would pay for more classes and books.
The path of the sidewalk came upon a heavy forest green iron gate with the number 44 engraved among gargoyles and other beasts of nightmares. Leslie opened the gate that remained silent as the rain began to lighten until it was gone, like the tears from her eyes. She walked up to a huge granite building that was highly different from the surrounding buildings of the city, even the old fashioned ones. The towers and balconies were dark with mystery. The miniature castle was definitely not one from a happily ever after fairy tale. Leslie looked up to avoid facing the fear of opening the giant oak door. The mature fear changed to immature curiosity as Leslie opened the door without knocking and stepped foot into the biggest entrance hall she had ever seen.
Immediately, as her eyes swarmed the ancient paintings on the walls, a tall sinister man approached her with a towel.
With the most proper monotone voice, the man spoke, “My name is Tom Andrews, the butler for Lord Kyle Ramsus. If you’d please prepare yourself, I will inform the master of your arrival, Miss Tallin.”
With that he left Leslie with a towel and a strong curiosity to why he knew her name. She patted her soaked clothes with the white towel with very little progress, even after she removed her overcoat, sweater, shoes, and socks leaving her in a black tank top with dark khaki pants. Inappropriate, but at least she would not be dripping water all over the place.
As Leslie folded her soaked removed items, she realized two eyes were watching her. Those two blue eyes belonged to a youthful red head sitting with her chin resting on her hands on a lavish marble stair case. Her gaze was curious and calculating. After their eyes were locked, the young woman stood up to show a lean shimmering body hidden in an emerald evening gown that accented her red luscious locks quite nicely.
“So you’re the final girl, then?” the red head beauty asked while gliding down the staircase towards Leslie.
Leslie stuttered for an answer to the unusual question, “I…I’ve come for an interview. Do you work here?” Instantly Leslie felt foolish. How could such a gorgeous richly dressed woman work?
Instead of laughter or haughtiness as Leslie expected, the women’s eyes went wide with a grin that Leslie would know in the future, brought mischief.
“You haven’t talked with the master yet?” was the response.
“No, I haven’t spoken to anyone, except Mr. Andrews who went to tell Mr. Ramsus that I was here.”
“My name is Matilda, the nicest one you’ll find in the castle.”
Leslie was taken a back by the upfrontness of the statement, “My name is Leslie Ta…”
“Tallin. Yes, at last you’ve arrived,” Leslie jumped at the voice of the ungentle stiff woman who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
Matilda backed away with a slight bow of her head, “Shelby
“Matilda, why are you not upstairs in your quarters? It’s not your place to be roaming the castle. I’d hate to have to use my authority over you to…”
“Shelby
“Silence!” Shelby
They both turned to Leslie, whose mind was working quick to work through the confusion of the conversation. It seemed as if these two beautiful women worked here. It was obvious the blonde one, Shelby, had more power than Matilda. Her light blue dress was finer and her body more cunning. Both seemed to agree that they did not want her there though. Their conversation sounded like Leslie’s presence in the castle would cause unpleasant changed for them. Now both of them wanted to take her upstairs, no doubt to keep her away from seeing Mr. Ramsus. Leslie knew she could not go with them if she wanted this job. She had to wait for Mr. Andrews to return.
Matilda’s soothing voice interrupted her thoughts, “Come with us, Leslie. We want to show you the master’s riches.”
Leslie’s mind cleared as she began to imagine the riches that could be found in the ancient lavish castle.
“You can have them, Leslie. You can take as much as you want. They’ll pay for the rest of your classes and books for your entire college career,” Shelby
How had she known Leslie’s desire? Their voices seeped through Leslie’s mind and seemed to know everything about her. Leslie could feel her head nodding as the other two females took hold of her arms and began to lead her up the stairs describing the treasures waiting for her. Matilda’s voice was excited and animated causing Leslie to be as well, while Shelby
The three females were halfway up the stairs when Tom Andrews returned. He did not seem surprised to find Matilda and Shelby working together for once to stop Leslie from seeing Master Kyle.
“Ladies,” he pronounced loudly. Matilda and Shelby winced and turned their head with guilty faces and a tinge of anger in their eyes. Tom returned their look with one of duty and complete fearlessness. They had no power over him, especially since he could report any of their wrong-doing to the master.
“Yes Tommy?” responded Matilda who was quicker to resume an act of innocence. The sound of her voice did not hold the soothness and Leslie’s head jerked towards Tom Andrews, recovering from her first encounter of being under a trance.
“The master will see you now, Leslie,” Tom stated. Matilda and Shelby released Leslie’s arms as she rushed down the stairs to her rescuer.
“Thank you! Anything could have happened to me and I wouldn’t have…”
“If you’ll follow me please,” he cut her off and began walking towards a door with an ivory paneling. Leslie followed him, glad to be getting away from the two strange women, whose eyes still had not left her form.
Matilda had began biting her bottom lip in nervousness and frustration as Leslie left with Tom.
“Would you stop? Attractive as that tactic is, it gets annoying when you do it without purpose,” Shelby
She hated admitting to herself the obvious attractiveness in Matilda. Matilda has been her first kill for her master. She was proud that she had done well in finding such a beauty. Although now, she felt only regret for doing too well. The master had been so pleased he had decided to turn Matilda for Shelby
“Maybe he won’t like her,” Matilda said with hope.
“Doubtful. She’s beautiful. He’ll find everything he needs in her,” Shelby
“He won’t love her though. Will he? The way he loves us?” Matilda continued asking.
“Ladies,” Tom interrupted their troubled thoughts, “the master wished to speak to you. Together. About his decision to keep Leslie after her interview. If you’ll kindly wait in the parlor outside his office.”
The three of them entered the room next to the one Leslie was having her interview in.
Matilda was excited, “Maybe we can convince him to send her home!”
“You two are hopeless,” Tom muttered as he listened at the door to the interview taking place.
“Oh! Let me listen!” Matilda shrieked as both girls rushed to the door.
What the girls heard fulfilled their worst doubts.
A/N – I’m sure everyone has figured out what Kyle and the women of the castle are. Pretend to act surprised when all is revealed in the next chapter, ok? ;) Thank you for reading. I hope you found it interesting and are kind enough to review!
