Booktip: Imagine being a hard-working 23-year-old with an adopted teenage daughter Sounds like quite a task doesnt it. What if you were a hard-working 23-year-old witch with an adopted teenage daughter who was being stalked by a telekinetic half-demon and an all-powerful cabal of sorcerers. Kelley Armstrong introduces us to the world of Paige Winterbourne and her daughter Savannah in the mystical detective thriller Dime Store Magic. Paiges life is actually pretty normal. Shes living in a nice neighborhood. She doesnt have any warts and doesnt fly on any brooms. She just happens to be someone who can do magic. Everything is going fine until of course Paige and Savannah are accosted by a half-demon and a sorcerer. To make matters worse the neighbors find out and arent all that pleased that their white picket fence existences are being threatened If you like mystical things, perky heroines, surly teens, mystery, intrigue, romance and a lot of action then this is the book for you I know I loved it ~ AceofHearts_1@hotmail.com

@all – Uhm… I kinda got a question here… What exactly happens when Season 2 starts up? I saw some comments in the HAUNTED update by bvhall and JanetM and got a horror image of not being able to finish this fic before the season starts and seeing it disappear altogether… Which is awful cause I’m having a blast… Can anyone clue in this particularly clueless individual?

@Katey471 – Well… I do try to please ~bats her eyelashes and tries to sound like Scarlett failing miserably… pout~

@JCScantling – Hihi… Crawling into Alice’s head is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done… I’m in constant danger of getting hit by a pinball… ~rubs her bruised cheek… you can decide whether the cheek is on the northern or southern hemisphere hehe~

@Amazed – ~throws you a rose for making her blush and continues to ponder when she’ll be seeing more of Helen and Shane~

@Liz – Hahaha… whenever I’m writing an update for this fic I feel like my head is a pinball machine… As for Belle… no that doesn’t narrow it down… Keep on guessing…

@CFone – The roses are the least you deserve chre… When you gonna start writing fics for us? I bet with all those amazing ideas in that pretty head of yours you could blow us all away…

@JanetM – Damn… I hate getting up early… But beware chre… cos one of these days I’m gonna get you ~slinks off into the shadows waiting to pounce~

@bvhall – Mmm… Cherie as Belle Morte? Well she’s screwy enough for it I suppose… But is she really? And what about grey guys? People who walk the fine line between good and evil? Do they exist? And if they do who are they? And what part do they play? Oh… so many questions… Ah well… patience is a virtue… Is it one of yours?

@m_rave – You are too kind… Ok… so I suck at sounding like Scarlett ~gives up on the accent and continues pouting~

@Berks – I kinda feel sorry for Dane… Who ever thought she’d have to come out of the closet twice… hehe… Mmm… changing to a werewolf? Patience, chre, patience…


BLOOD HEIR

Chapter 16 – Assault

Uhm ok I hate to be the dolt in this little ensemble, but why exactly does Gabby sorry I mean evil wicked hot vampire ***** want Shane. Alice looked Shane up and down as if she were checking her out. I mean I know shes hot, but even I wouldnt go to that much trouble to get into Shanes pants. Besides you never know where that, and her gaze rested on Shanes groin, has been. I mean its not like going where no woman has ever gone before.

Al, Shane said sharply starting to feel embarrassed now. Could you please stop referring to my dating habits. Alice snorted.

Like you ever date. Shane turned even more crimson if that was even possible. She risked a glance at Anita who seemed quite unperturbed. Instinctively Shane tried to capture her gaze. Anita looked at the young woman she had only known for a short while and the moment their eyes met, she felt herself drawn to her. She almost felt like getting lost in those beautiful green eyes. Her mind seemed to start withdrawing itself from her body and the harder she looked, the more intense her feelings started to become. She felt an ache start in her chest and move to other parts of her body. Only it wasnt painful, it felt wonderful. It was like a soft yearning. A desire to be touched and caressed. She imagined those wonderful soft lips trailing over her skin from her bare shoulder to her neck and moving on to her jaw. Her skin actually started tingling in the places her mind imagined Shanes lips wandering.

Earth to Shane Shane could hear the voice faintly in the background but her thoughts were only for the woman standing a mere few feet away. She imagined what it would be like to slowly slide the silk blouse of her shoulders and kiss her way from her shoulders to those full red lips. She could almost sense Anitas skin under fingers as they moved from the base of her neck slowly towards her *****. Just barely touching the sides of her ***** trailing lower to her stomach resting on that sweet spot just above the leather of her skirt. Her other hand moved down Anitas back along her thigh and pulled up the soft leather. Her hand softly brushed over her panties.

Anita gasped as she felt a hot lingering touch there where she desired to be touched the most. Her skin was tingling all over and the soft ache had turned into a burning desire begging to be fulfilled. She moved her own hands to where she imagined Shanes hands to be. She felt Shanes hand find the waist of her panties and find its way inside. A moan escaped her lips when she felt Shane caress that hot throbbing pulse of desire. She was dimly aware of someone calling out her name but she surrendered all her senses to the sweet gentle touch that could only belong to a lover.

***** the ardeur, Asher yelled out. He looked at Jean Claude in alarm and they moved towards Anita like they were one. Jason relinquished his position at the door and moved closer. But they were careful not to touch her knowing that a touch would cause the ardeur to spill into them making it impossible to turn back.

Anita! Jean Claude yelled trying to get her to come back to reality. But Anita was having none of it. Her mind was only on one thing and that was having Shane quench that enormous thirst that seemed to consume her.

Alice and Dana were growing more confused by the minute. It seemed like Anita and Shane were having a good time. Well as good a time as could be had without touching each other, but Alice thought that the three men were overreacting slightly. Maybe they were testy that they werent part of the fun. Alice felt the couch rock as Shane shocked next to her rocking her head back with her eyes closed. Instinctively she reached out to touch her arm.

NO! Jason yelled but it was too late. The moment Alices hand touched Shanes bare skin she felt the desire flood her. It was unlike anything that she had ever experienced. Her skin seemed to be crawling with liquid molten desire. It was as if a hundred hands were touching her everywhere searching for her most sensitive spots. She saw glimpses of naked bodies everywhere. Her vision was blurred and Alices eyes glazed over.

Jason moved in and pulled Dana away before she could touch her friends and have the ardeur spill even further. Jean Claude and Asher watched as the three women writhed under the force of the ardeur. Even though it had not spilled to the rest of them the air was heavy with it. It was pressing on them like a heavy fog making it hard to breathe.

We have to help them before it consumes them, Jean Claude gasped breathless. He closed his eyes and called his power then directed it to Anita trying to force her to break the hold the ardeur had on her. But his powers seemed futile. Instead of strengthening Anita he felt himself weaken, as his powers seemed to be drawn into a black hole. The harder he tried the more he felt the ardeur starting to invade him.

I cant, he whispered before falling to the floor on his knees clinging to the final remains of his self-control. Asher rushed to his side helping him up.

I fear we have no choice but to let them ride it out, mon ami.

The desires of Alice, Anita and Shane somehow found a way to each other and when their desires touched each of the women felt hers intensify to a point where the ache was almost unbearable. Anita let out a soft cry. She embraced the desire but even as she did this there was another undeterminable feeling that was gnawing at her. She tried to concentrate on that feeling and slowly the desire faded to the background. Not much but it lessened slightly.

The room was suddenly pierced when all three women cried out, but it was not a cry of pleasure. It was a cry of pain. Tears started streaming down their eyes as a voice filled their heads.

It is not wise to refuse me, Executioner. The voice sounded angry and it was invading their very being. Anita crumbled to the floor grabbing her chest as the pain tore through her. Shane and Alice werent faring much better.

Belle Morte, Anita whispered as another shot of pain tore through her even more painful than the one before. Jean Claude looked in shock at Anita lying on the floor almost next to him. He wanted to reach out and touch her but he knew if he did there might not be any way to return.

Yes I was most disappointed to hear that you had denied that which is mine. Belles anger seemed to fuel the pain because it seemed to intensify. Shane and Alice cried out simultaneously holding on to each other.

She is not yours, Anita managed to let out before she folded in on herself. She now knew why she had felt that pull between her and Shane only moments before. It had been Belle who had triggered the ardeur from afar as she had done several times before. Only it had never been this intense before. She suspected Shanes powers to heighten emotions had somehow heightened the effect Belle Morte had on them. Anita struggled to clear her thoughts. She had to fight the ardeur. Fight Belle Morte before she killed them all. Anita blindly thrust out her own metaphysical powers. Thin vibrating lines of power surged through the room.

Shane opened her eyes a moment as she felt the hot line of power enter her body. She sensed a shift in that ache that had started out as desire and had turned into one of the most painful things she had ever experienced. Without even thinking her own power embraced that thin line of power and she could almost see that thin line solidify as if it were a tangible thing.

There is no use in fighting me. The girl will be mine sooner or later. Belle thrust more of her power down the connection she had managed to forge between the Executioner and herself and the pain shot through Anita moving its way across the room to Alice and Shane. It tore a scream from their throats and for a moment the line started dissolving again. Shane took a deep breath and she could almost feel herself pushing that heat she had in her down the line through Anita to Belle. They heard Belle gasp as she was hit with the pain she had so relentlessly shoved down that line. They felt the pain receding slightly.

Anita looked up and her gaze locked with Shane. Simultaneously the women reached inside themselves and pulled that last bit of energy they had left and pushed it outwards up that line connecting them to Belle. The next scream of pain that rung through the room however was not theirs. They heard Belle Morte scream as her own pain cast through her intensified tenfold by the power the women had pushed through that metaphysical connection.

What have you done? she gasped. And then it was silent. Shane and Alice slumped on the couch as the ache disappeared just as it had appeared. Without warning.

Damn if that hadnt hurt so much I would say it was the best thing I had ever experienced. Alice pushed herself off Shane and leaned her head back on the couch still trying to regain her breath.

Too bad, she gasped.

What? Shane said turning her head to look at her friend. Alice turned towards Shane.

Too bad Im not into S&M cause then that would definitely have been the best experience ever. Shane let out a soft chuckle.

Always a silver lining right, Al? Maybe its time to explore new things, Shane wiggled her eyebrows. She pushed herself up till she was no longer slouching but sitting upright.

What the ***** was that? Dana was looking at them in shock. At first they had seemed to be having a good time, but towards the end they had looked horrible. Are you hurt?

Shane ran her hands up and down her chest trying to see if there was any damage. Witnessing that one movement Anita felt the heat flare again. Only this time it wasnt the ardeur that was causing it and that awareness scared her more than the ardeur had only moments before. Was she about to blur the line of her own morality even more?

Nah, Dane, were fine. Not sure what that was though?

That mes jeunes amies was Belle Morte. Alice blinked at this.

***** that was the bervamp? Damn, and shes not even here. Also Dana didnt quite know what to say. Shed heard some of Shanes troubles but she hadnt even come close to guessing the extent of the trouble she was in. If Belle could do this much damage from hundreds of miles away, how would it be if she were actually in this room in the flesh? She didnt even want to think about it and she felt rather foolish for her own hysterics earlier.

But why? I still dont get why Gabby, I mean Musette, or is it Belle Doesnt matter. Why is everyone after Shane? Alice looked first at Shane and then at Anita and the men huddled around her. It was Jean Claude who took the lead.

Were not quite sure actually.

You mean, someone just tried to rip us apart and you dont know why? Alice shook her head. You know, you people would make terrible reporters. If I went to my editor with a story like that, hed laugh me out of the room. Have you done any research? How about asking her? Did you even ask her why she wants Shane?

Al, Shane interrupted as she could already see that little pinball bouncing all over the place in that perky blonde head.

Asher moved a little away from the group and towards where the two women were seated. Anita saw Asher push his hands in his pockets and she knew this was a telltale sign of guilt. He felt guilty because it had been his responsibility to try and uncover why Belle Morte was so *****-bent on acquiring Shane.

No, we did not ask.

Why not? Asher looked at her the lines in his face tightening with the first hint of anger.

Because it is not done. Belle Morte is the fountainhead of our line. You do not question her. Alice shook her head. No matter how many articles she read about the fangy and the furry she would never get their politics. It was worse than the politics in DC. At least with those you knew everyone was trying to ***** everyone. And not always literally.

Well, if you dont ask how will you find out? Alice asked the question as if it was obvious and to anyone else it would be obvious. But Asher had made a sound point when he stated that one could not question Belle Morte for Belle answered such questions in one way. Torture didnt even come close to describing her way. Before Asher could answer thereby fueling his anger even more Jean Claude interrupted.

We believe Shanes new powers have made her curious.

Powers? What powers?

Al, I can do certain stuff. Shane looked at Alice and for a moment considered showing her, but quickly changed her mind. If she showed Alice, she would never let it go. She could only imagine some of the nicknames Al would come up with. Not to mention the fact that by tomorrow half of LA would know. Best to skip over the details and just touch on the main things.

I can do sort of vampire stuff.

She can roll people. At the dumbfounded expression on Alices face Jason elaborated. She can more or less crawl into peoples heads and manipulate them. She can also read minds and sense emotions. Alices head swiveled towards Shane who was glaring at the blonde werewolf. So much for keeping Alice in the dark.

Ok you can tell me the truth. Are you a vampire? I can handle it if you are you know. After all I did ***** the big bad

Al Al I am NOT a vampire. I just have some of their powers.

Hmpf Let me get this straight Dana is a wolf and youre a a mortal vampire who doesnt suck neck. This is totally wrong you know Im the reporter, but you guys get all the good stuff. How am I supposed to write a decent story if none of this happens to me?

Wow, Jason whistled softly, You DO have a one track mind dont you?

I do NOT have a one track mind I think of other stuff. Recreational stuff. Mmm ok maybe I have a two track mind And the pinball just kept on bouncing.

Be glad, Alice, that none of this is happening to you. I mean, does it sound like fun? Dana spoke not having said much since the incident.

I still dont get how Shane got these powers. Shane shook her head in amazement. Once Al smelled a story she was indeed like a dog with a bone. She doubted there was anything that would distract Alice except maybe for a hot piece of *****.

I dont think anyone does, Al? Dana said as she looked at the faces scattered across the room. If they knew, they would know how to handle it. Or they would at least know why this vampire was after Shane.

Why Ms. Fairbanks, youre not nearly the big dumb jock you make out to be. Dana growled at Alice who just stuck her tongue out.

You can growl all you want after all, growling wolves dont bite Dana picked up one of the pillows and threw it at Alice.

Ooh pillow fight Is it true that girls get naked when they have pillow fights? Anita punched Jason in the arm and he winced as if it had hurt. But Anita knew that a blow like that would barely have registered unless shed been wielding a sledgehammer.

Dude of course we dont get naked for the pillow fight we get naked for the hot steamy ***** after the pillow fight. Shane wiggled her eyebrows at Jason suggestively. And then we hop in the shower well, except of course for Dana shed just end up clogging the drain with all that fur The look on Danas face was priceless and before they knew it Shane and Alice were on the floor trying very hard not to cry from laughing too hard as they saw an indignant look cross Danas face.

Ladies ladies Jean Claude tried to calm them and bring them back to the matter at hand.

I think our young friend has made a very valid point. It IS time we find out where these powers come from. He glanced at Asher who nodded and left the room almost as if he was gliding.

So now what? Alice asked the obvious question as the danger seemed to have subsided if only temporarily.

I think its time we all get some rest. Shane can stay with Anita till we figure this out. Shane looked at Anita to see how she would react to this, but her face was completely neutral. She reached out and briefly felt fear and confusion and desire battling for supremacy before Anita glanced her way and slammed her shields back into place.

You two can just go home. Im sure your friend can keep you informed of whats going on. Alice heard the words and she felt a sinking feeling. She knew she had just stumbled on the story of a lifetime and she was about to lose it. She shook her head vehemently.

I think we should stay with Shane. Were her friends and we should look after her.

Al, both Dana and Shane said. Shane could see the pinball bouncing away again and she wondered what Alice was up to. She was fairly certain it was a certain Pulitzer Alice had just gotten a whiff of.

Besides Im the one who fucked Gabby, I mean Musette Damn this whole name thing is confusing What if she tries to get to Shane through us. Anita and Jean Claude exchanged a glance.

She has a point ma petite. Shane didnt need to read their minds to hear the mental groan Anita just let out. Finally Anita looked at Alice and Dana.

Fine. You can come. But the moment I feel youre getting in the way you go home. Do you understand? Alice nodded her head up and down. It reminded Shane of those little dogs with bobbing heads people kept on their dashboards.

Wait a minute I dont want to go. I just wanna go home. I have practice tomorrow.

You know, no one is forcing you to come Alice said. Of course, if you go home youll probably run into Tonya. Evil ***** Tonya. Who wants to kidnap Shane. And chop her into itty little bits. And probably eat her. Literally.

Enough, Al. Could you please stop talking about people eating me. Youre starting to give me the creeps. Alice just smiled. She saw several looks cross Danas beautiful features so she decided to drive it home.

You know, Dane Tonya looked kinda horny Dontcha think Shane? I bet shell want to have her wicked ways with Dana. Guess that wouldnt really be girl on girl anymore. More wolf on wolf. Horror flicked across Danas face and she abruptly started for the door.

Lets go. Were staying at Anitas. Alice smiled triumphantly and followed Dana doing a little victory dance.

Cool, were staying with the Executioner. This is totally excellent. Suddenly she stopped at the door causing Anita and Shane to nearly collide into her. Say is it true, that you got all these gorgeous men in your house? she said turning around. She tapped a finger on her lips. Isnt it like murder I mean how do you keep your hands off of them?

Al! Shane pushed Alice through the door before she had a chance to say anything else.