Chapter 2 by Kari and Khadaji While the men confronted each other, Sive had the time to assess her would-be saviour. He had the look of no nonsense about him. She put her knife back in her boot, trying to decide how to put herself in the best possible light.If I play my cards right this might just be my ticket out of this hell hole. Damsel in distress? No, he would see right through that one...hey, I could be just a helpl...

Old warrior searching for sanctuary It was foretold A candle burning in a north facing window to light the way A fair maiden to end his madness So it was written when time was an infant Sword and shield pitted and scarred Battle ax rusted and dull Spirit and soul weary from war His path long and winding hard from toil An old warrior still proud and bold Wishing to find peace for his soul Dreaming of his days of youth and...

By Kari and Khadaji Chapter 1. Jason DeBois watched the last of the cargo off-load onto the dock for the client's inspection. Now came the moment of truth. Was this one honest or would he try to cheat? Jason had already ordered the steward into the dorsal turret with instructions to have it pointed near the client's vehicle. Not at it, no need to be rude. But close enough to blast it into next week if something went wrong...

When Leona gasped, Slade stood up, spun towards the door as the lone dark figure ran out. Rather than chase the person, he opted to stay with the women and assist the wounded officer. Leona pushed the emergency button, nurses came running to the room and security arrived shortly behind them. As the door flew open, Slade stood up pointing at the wounded officer. The nurses moved as if they were a swarm of bees and hovered...

I sit at my desk thinking of you, as our minds link and join as one. We sit on the rocky shore of the Pacific Ocean in Northern California watching the sun slowly sink. It is this time, that makes our love so precious and wonderful.

Here is my hand. Take it in yours. Put it to your face Against your cheek. Brush it with your lips. Caress it with your hair. Put it to your chest. Allow it to feel your heart beat. Let it feel your love. Hold it by your side. OR Take my hand. Twist it. Squeeze it. Hurt it. Break it. Throw it down. Smash it. Toss it aside. Only you know. What is in your heart. Now choose what you want. Please make the choice, But choose w...

Leona stood in the warehouse watching Gustaf walk to the car with Sam, his bodyguard driver. They left her behind to fume some more and make her appeals to Slade. She flipped open her phone, dialed Slade and waited for him to pickup. The phone on his desk rang and went to voicemail. She hung up not leaving a message. She tried his other number, which was his cell phone. He answered on the first ring, gave his typical gree...

Slade noticed Leona relax, when she closed her cell phone. The tension drained from her body, her posture went from sitting up straight widely alert to comfortable. He wanted to know what happened, but decided this was not the time and the place to ask questions. Leona took Slade's hand, picked it up and nuzzled it against her cheek showing how relaxed she really was now. She kept his hand not wanting to let go. They fini...

Slade sat at his desk, looked over the squad room and thought of his missing partner. Connie was not there, she was in the hospital in a coma caused by an explosion when she visited The Main Artery's owner Gustaf. It appeared the explosion concentrated on his office and destroyed his sleep chamber. Gustaf was the master vampire of the city and had many friends and just as many enemies. This explosion targeted him, but onl...

Yes, it sucks to sleep alone.Wouldn't we all like a warm body beside us?To cuddle, to kissthe affection we missCould I give it to youtonight?Oh, how I want toand if drunk I just might.But during this episode of sobrietyI'll pass.Next time you ask(if you ask) I promise to reconsider.Just be sure it's notthe beer talking.

Music softly playing Shes sits hidden in plain sight Unremarkable to the random eye The cotillion swirls with a riot of color Long skirts rustle like leaves in the fall She sits in the corner watching No one notices the sparkle in her eye Her smile undetected by those who pass by She becomes invisible blending into the wall She longs to join the laughter going on She yearns for a spin around the dance floor So she sits lo...

Connie wondered why Slade left so early. He usually waited until she was ready to leave, walked her to her car and said goodnight. Tonight he left, never said goodnight and was very secretive about it. She went to her locker, grabbed her workout bag and left the squad room quietly. She had a post midnight rendezvous with Gustaf, the master vampire of the city at his club The Main Artery. She headed home now where she show...

Connie sat at her desk staring at the words on her screen while shock and surprise washed across her face. She pushed the print key and printed four copies. The data was there, she read and re-read the screen in disbelief but computers do not lie. Connie took the four copies, filed three where they belonged and carried the fourth over to Slade. She silently handed the fourth copy to Slade, watched as he read it and waited...

“David, is that you? Are you back?” she asked. There was no answer. It was a Red-tailed Hawk that had landed on a branch above. She had heard his wings flutter. She stared up now as she raised her arm, opened her palm, managed a smile and waved. A small celebration of being alive. “Are you after the berries on those brambles, Mr. Hawk?” she asked. Then she said “No, probably not. You’re a meat eater. Sorry if I insulted y...

The day was coming to a slow end, as Slade and Connie came back to the squad room. After they filled out their reports earlier, they left until their duty shift began in mid-afternoon. The weather took a downward turn with the sun blocked by dark clouds and the threat of rain. To Slade, it seemed as if every time he went to see Leona or Gustaf, the weather was foggy or rainy. At least now, Slade was back in the squad room...