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A/N: Please check out this update on where we’re at with the IndieGoGo Campaign.

“So it’s a war, then,” Anthony said. “And not the one we expected.”

“We were expecting a war?” Andrew asked.

“Yes,” Sarah said. “Or more accurately, we wouldn’t have been surprised if the dragons had invaded.” Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Readers!

There’s currently just over a week to go in my IndieGoGo campaign to raise the prepublication costs for the Storm Child campaign and I’m really happy because I’ve already beaten the total raised for the first book. So thank you! X-D

As it stands I’m currently only $145 from hitting the $500 target and this is a big deal. If I don’t hit target I pay 9% of the total in charges to IndieGoGo. If I hit target that is reduced to 4%. Five percent is a massive difference and would really help. So I’m asking you if you read and enjoy my stories please consider contributing if you can or sharing the campaign with your friends and family.

There’s some really nice perks including not only the books but also the chance to get a Christmas Card from me and the chance to have a personal Skype or Google+ conversation/reading of your favourite scene.

If you need more encouragement to contribute check out this awesome blog post Tony (one of my long time readers) wrote about me and about why people should back me. 🙂

Thanks again,

Becka

ps If you want to comment telling me if you’re going to contribute or not I’d be happy to hear from you. I always like to hear from you guys. 🙂

Start | Chapter Twenty Three Part One| Index | Chapter Twenty Three Part Three

A/N: As of posting the Presale Campaign for The Storm Child is up to 22 backers and $345 with 11 days to go.

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Two bottles of cow’s blood later Ragnar felt a lot less shaky but he knew for certain that he would have to find more before he hibernated if he didn’t want to be asleep for years. The combination of rowan poisoning, werewolf claws and severe injury did that to vampires. But first he needed to hide his scent from the werewolves.

He opened the chest in the corner of the cellar of the old Victorian house and pulled out the aconite infused oil he kept there and anointed himself with it, especially across the wounds Anna had left. Then he wrapped silver bracelets around his wrists, wincing as they irritated his skin – the last thing he needed with his injuries. Fortunately he wouldn’t need to wear them for long before the link broke.

While he waited he sipped from the third and final bottle of cow’s blood in this stash considered his options for getting more. Human would be best but in his current state he didn’t trust himself not to attract attention. He would have to visit his other stash, he supposed, and hope that another two bottles of animal blood would be enough to shorten his hibernation. He emptied the bottle, waited a few minutes more to be sure the bracelets had done their work before removing them and headed out to his final house and emptying the bottle there as well.

Dawn was not far off when Ragnar finally headed into the wooded hills of the nature reserve seeking a quiet spot with the right energy where he could bury himself in order to finish healing. It was fortunate that there was such a place close enough to Haventon to appease the town because it was way too soon for him to leave Haventon after it had drawn him back.

A hum of power from the soil beneath his feet caught his attention and he stopped and knelt down to lay one hand on the ground. A pleasant energy shot up his arm and washed away the last of his anger. He nodded to himself – the perfect place for his hibernation. It had the right energy and was far off the path where no one would come

He dug away at the mossy earth between the roots of a great oak with his hands and made a burrow large enough to crawl into where it’s presence would be less obvious. The first rays of the sun were just breaking through the leaves as he crawled into his hiding place backwards and pulled the earth back on top of him before collapsing into a long, dark, healing sleep.

A/N: As of posting the Presale Campaign for The Storm Child is up to 22 backers and $345 with 11 days to go.

Don’t Miss Out! Please contribute if you can! There’s some great perks! Thanks!

Start | Chapter Twenty Three Part One| Index | Chapter Twenty Three Part Three

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A/N: As of posting the Presale for “The Storm Child”  has 21 backers, $340 and only 12 days to go!

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Lyrrekka sat down on the arm of the chair and took Anthony’s proffered hand with a smile. Both of them closed their eyes and their auras flared up and fused. Just a moment later he jerked back and gasped.

“Oh, Lydia! It is you.” He sounded close to tears.

Andrew jumped when Anthony used Lydia’s name but then remembered that Lyrrekka’s human name had been Lydia as well. He was about to comment when he felt Lyrrekka reach out to him and Naria.

Would the two of you come into the link? He’s willing to trust me because he knows me but he wants proof that Naria-alra isn’t evil. Read the rest of this entry »

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A/N: As of posting the Presale for “The Storm Child”  has 19 backers, $300 and 15 days to go! Please Contribute if you can! Thanks!

While Laxmi was composing herself, Lyrrekka got to her feet. “Is Anthony awake?” she asked.

“Yes, he’s with Selene,” Sarah said. “I think he wants to be sure she’s better before he has to face you. I think he’s worried.”

“Yes,” she said. “I would imagine he is. Let’s let Matt deal with learning how to ward against the Lost Ones-”

“I wish you wouldn’t call us that,” Laxmi interrupted. “It’s not- I don’t know- It’s upsetting.”

Lyrrekka looked at her for a long moment before nodding. “I’m sorry. But then what should we call them? You really aren’t human any more.” She paused and looked thoughtful. “Well you might be human again, I’m not sure. But most of your fellows aren’t.”

“I’m not human,” Laxmi replied. “But I’m close. I don’t know what you should call us. Can’t you just call us people?”

Lyrrekka tilted her head and smiled. “It’ll do for now. Anyway, I’m going to confront Anthony and let him see I’m really me.”

“I’ll come with you,” Sarah said.

“I’d like to come as well,” Naria said. “He owes me a debt for attacking me.”

“I’m not sure that’s wise,” Lyrrekka said. “Not until we’re sure he’s got his head on straight. Once he has, I’m sure he’ll agree.”

“I’ll wait outside then,” Naria said firmly. “I want this sorted today so I’m not fretting about it any more.” She dragged Andrew to his feet. “You come along as well. We’ll talk to him about training you.”

“I’m not sure I want to be trained by a homicidal maniac,” Andrew said blandly. “And virus or no virus I’m not convinced he isn’t. But if he can prove that he isn’t, I’ll consider it.”

Lyrrekka sighed and nodded. “Come on, then.” She gave Andrew a pointed look. “You keep your temper.” They headed up the stairs to Selene’s room and knocked on the door.

In spite of her determination to be there, Naria made a squeaking sound and pressed herself against the opposite wall as Anthony opened the door.

He looked at Lyrrekka and Sarah standing there. “Ah, I guess it’s time for that conversation then.”

“It is. How’s Selene?” Lyrrekka asked.

“Much better. She’s gone back to sleep, but she was much better when we were talking. She’ll be fine. Shall we go back to my room?”

“Yes,” she said. “Though I think we might want to borrow the gym later.”

Anthony winced at that as they headed to his room. “If you really are who you say, I don’t want to fight you.”

“I am,” she said. “But if you won’t see sense I will kick some sense into you.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” he muttered as he opened the door to his room. “Come in.” He looked over at Naria who was hiding nervously behind Andrew. “You too, dragon. I’m not going to attack you again unless you attack me first, I promise.”

Naria didn’t reply but Andrew felt her relax slightly and she followed them into the room.

Anthony sat down on the chair by his bed and offered Lyrrekka his hand. “Let’s do this then.”

A/N: As of posting we have 19 backers, $300 and 15 days to go! Please Contribute if you can! Thanks!

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Start | Chapter Twenty Two Part Five| Index | Chapter Twenty Three Part Two

A/N: As of posting the Presale Campaign for The Storm Child is up to 18 backers and $260 with 18 days to go. Please contribute if you can! Thanks!

The surge of speed Ragnar had used to flee from the accursed werewolves had torn open his wounds and as soon as his panic had faded the pain had made him collapse. The last time he had been in this much pain he’d been a vampire for less than ten years.

He wanted nothing more than to dig into the earth right here and sleep until his wounds healed but in his current state that might take decades. Things were moving too fast – he didn’t think his kind had decades. Anyway the werewolves would find his resting place if he didn’t break the link they would have formed to him. He needed to find a place the moon would reach him when it rose and allow it to heal him as much as possible, then he could find some blood and make sure the accursed ones lost his scent. Then he’d be able to bury himself and finish healing knowing it shouldn’t be more than half a year or so. That shouldn’t be too long. He gritted his teeth and began crawling laboriously through the woods just outside Haventon towards the top of a hill where he could await the healing light of the moon.

He was nearly at the Crown when he felt the blood link between him and Caroline snap. He bit back a snarl and reminded himself it had been inevitable once they took her from him. In daylight and weakened by his wounds he wasn’t even sure if the werewolves had used a ritual to break the link or killed her. He almost hoped it was the latter because he dreaded to think why they might keep her alive. Then again that blonde witch had been with them and she wouldn’t want Caroline killed or harmed.

He paused in his thoughts and he finally reached the top of the hill and rolled onto his back, waiting for the moon and hoping the wolves were too preoccupied with Anna to come after him again that day. He couldn’t fight any more until he had healed.

And how could Anna be one of the accused ones when he knew that he had sensed the moon’s blessing in her? It made no sense to his pain-addled mind and he feared that it wouldn’t even once he was healed. Maybe the healing sleep would bring inspiration. It sometimes did.

He lay there for some time drifting in and out of a pain filled stupor but unable to rest properly with the sun shining on him. Eventually the sun set he felt the light of the moon caress his skin. The pain of his wounds eased as they began to knit together and he realised just how intense the hunger roiling in his gut was. It took a supreme effort to remain where he was and wait for his wounds to heal as much as possible rather than charging off in search of blood immediately. And where was he going to get blood without being obvious? If he had known what was going to happen he would have kept George alive long enough to drain him. Of course he would have done a lot of things differently had he know what would happen.

It took nearly an hour of lying in the moonlight for his wounds to close as far as they were going to. Once he was sure they had he climbed carefully to his feet, aware they were still raw and bleeding slightly, and headed back down the hill considering his options. The ritual to hide himself from the werewolves was simple enough since he always kept the elements needed at several of his safe houses but blood was still a problem. He needed it to finish healing but he doubted his supplies of animal blood would be enough even if he visited all his stashes. Still it would take the edge off his hunger and maybe help him think more clearly. He got his bearings and headed for the nearest of his houses that would have everything he needed.

A/N: As of posting the Presale Campaign for The Storm Child is up to 18 backers and $260 with 18 days to go.

Please contribute if you can! There’s lots of great perks. Thanks!

Start | Chapter Twenty Two Part Five| Index | Chapter Twenty Three Part Two

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“Are you okay, Laxmi?” Andrew asked in concern while they waited for the others to arrive. “You don’t look happy.”

Laxmi looked up from where she was staring into the cup of tea that sat untouched on the table while she twisted a servette in her hands and worried at her bottom lip with her teeth.

“No,” she said finally. “I really don’t want to do this. I mean I do, but I don’t. The rest of my kind – the ones who lost their moral compass – they have to be stopped. But I don’t want to see them banished back to that place. It’s horrible and dark and painful. They don’t deserve that. Even if they had control, they wouldn’t deserve that.” She shook her head angrily. “I’m pretty certain they made it that way deliberately.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Lydia had been reading and considering getting up when the  knock came at the front door. She leapt out of bed, dressed rapidly and got to the stairs in time to see Daniel and Karen heading to kitchen with Laxmi. Matthias was coming up the stairs with a couple of flasks.

“That’s the antidote?” she asked.

“Yes. Darlryan sent it with Laxmi; he thinks she needs to tell us about her people.”

“That’s probably a good idea,” Lydia said. “I think I’ll join her and Karen. I’m nosy and I want breakfast anyway.”

She slipped into the kitchen and sat down at the table opposite Laxmi. “Good morning.”

Karen looked around at her and smiled. “Morning, Lyd. I’m just pouring Laxmi a cuppa before we head to the lounge. Do you want some?”

“Yes, and I’ll make myself some breakfast in a minute as well.” She looked over at Laxmi curiously. “This is probably a totally inappropriate thing to ask but can I see your claws, please?”

“Uh?” Laxmi looked flummoxed by the request for a long moment before she nodded. “Yes, of course.” She stretched her fingers out on the table and the shadowy claws appeared around them. “But why?”

“I’m curious about them and you.” Lydia leaned over for a closer look. “Can I touch them?”

“I-I suppose, but I doubt you’ll like the feeling of them. Be careful not to cut yourself on them – the wounds don’t heal easily.”

“I know,” Lydia said absently as she studied the claws some more. “I saw what they did to Halia.” She reached out cautiously and prodded one. Immediately a slimy cold feeling shot up her arm and she pulled her hand back with a startled cry.

“I’m sorry, I did warn you it would be unpleasant,” Laxmi said.

“Unpleasant yes,” she said. “But it’s intriguing as well.” Lydia reached out and stroked the same claw again, shuddering at the cold feeling but managing to not to pull back. “What makes you feel like that? I mean obviously it’s part of what you are, but do you know why?”

Laxmi shook her head. “I think our energy is out of sync somehow, but I don’t know how or why.”

“I’d agree with that,” Naria said from the doorway. She was standing there with Andrew. “It would explain why you taste so horrible.” She paused. “That was creepy of me, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” Karen said as she put the teapot onto a tray with several cups.

“Not at all,” Laxmi said simultaneously. “You just spoke the truth.”

“Well I think it’s creepy.” Karen picked up the tray. “Let’s head into the lounge and check the news like we were going to.”

***

Much to Karen’s relief, the news showed no further flare ups like the one they’d responded to yesterday, though there were a lot of talking heads speculating about what was happening – and inevitably the supernatural was being mentioned more seriously. After all, what else could have caused the rip in the sky?

One piece of news did make her stomach knot up though.

“Parliament is being recalled.” She chewed on her lip. “Here we go.”

“I’m just amazed they didn’t do that immediately,” Laxmi said. “I would have expected them to.”

“Yeah, that is a bit odd,” Lydia said. “I wonder why they didn’t?” She poured herself a cup of the tea before biting into her toast. “I wonder what they’ll do now.”

“They’ll want to quell the rioting,” Karen said. “The worst case scenario is martial law. Hopefully they’ll do something less aggressive. Martial law would be awkward if we need to move to help someone else like those kids yesterday.” She looked around as their parents came in. “Won’t it?”

“Well it won’t help,” Matthias said. “But it could be worse. We can work around them if needed.” He looked around the room and hummed thoughtfully. “Selene and those two kids from Birmingham will be fine now and there’s still enough antidote left for one or two more people. We’ll wait for the others come down and the Laxmi can tell us about her kind.”

 A/N2: The Crowdfunding Campaign for The Storm Child is now live. Please consider contributing.

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Start | Chapter Twenty Two Part Four| Index | Chapter Twenty Three Part One

Leisa and Michael were sitting at the other side of the room with damp cloths tied across their noses as Tanya crushed the garlic and rose petals for the ritual. David watched her with interest – this had been mentioned briefly in his training but only as an example of dangerous superstitions that could have the opposite effect to what was intended. When he commented on that she gave an amused snort.

“They don’t know what it’s actually for only that it was supposed to be protective and holds a risk of becoming a vampire,” she said. “And it seems too close to magic for them to be comfortable with. I only know what it’s for because I learned about it from the pack.” Read the rest of this entry »

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It was just past sunrise when Karen finally abandoned her bed and headed downstairs. She just couldn’t sleep, not with her stomach so knotted by anxiety. If only they’d managed to stop Emms before he tore open the sky, this wouldn’t be happening. She just hoped the meeting of the families that her father and Sarah were arranging would come up with some plan to stop it before it did trigger a witch hunt.

She padded down the hallway towards the kitchen and was only half surprised to find Daniel already there, rooting through the cupboards and mumbling to himself. She cleared her throat and he stood up so quickly that he banged his head on the top of the cupboard.

Karen covered her mouth and chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head and looked at her sheepishly. Read the rest of this entry »