mleigh's Blog

I have a new short story released this week from Torquere Press. Hunter's Bond is a sequel to my story Hunter's Kiss, which was released in Syd McGinley's Another fine mess Anthology.

Blurb:

Casey and Jack are in the dangerous business of paranormal investigation, and they're in it up to their necks when an error in judgment nearly costs both of them their lives. Now, Casey is ready to leave the hospital, but he's not sure he's ready to face Jack while Jack is struggling under the weight of his guilt. A little time together in the middle of nowhere gives them some peace and quiet, but can it heal their relationship in time to save it?

Excerpt:

I can walk, you know." Casey looked up at Jack as an orderly moved behind the wheelchair and gripped the handles, ready to wheel him out of his hospital room.

"It's hospital policy, Case." Jack replied.

"Come on, Jack, I've been lying around in a hospital bed and letting others do for me long enough. It's not like Shi--" Casey swallowed the name. He didn't want to go there. "It's not like I'm a cripple. D'you think that sadistic physiotherapist spent two weeks bullying me onto my feet just so I can let someone else push me around?"

"I don't make the rules, baby." Jack looked down, his smile getting a little thin at the edges. "You were in a coma for weeks. I know you just want to get back to normal, but you need to take it easy at first. Just humor us, huh?"

Casey sighed. He wasn't going to win this one. He hated it, but it was better to choose his battles. He wasn't getting out of the hospital on his own two feet, and that was that. He closed his eyes as the chair started to move, the hefty orderly throwing his weight behind it and wheeling him out of the room.

Casey listened to the squeak of rubber tires on the polished linoleum floor. It was a distraction. Anything that could take his mind off the fact that he'd attacked Jack twice was welcome. Most of it was a blur, but he knew he'd wanted to kill Jack the second time. Worse, maybe he'd meant to turn him.

Casey could still taste Jack's blood on his tongue, still recall the thrill he'd taken from feeding on it. He shuddered and opened his eyes. That taste still tainted everything, killing Casey's appetite for food and flooding him with guilt whenever he thought of it.

Casey stared ahead of him as the hospital entrance drew closer with every step. He was glad to be leaving, but the thought of being alone with Jack where there would be nothing to prevent them talking filled him with dread. Casey's grip tightened on the arms of the wheelchair as the wide doors slid open and they passed through into the bright, spring day.

Buy Link:  http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1645