Cider: Book Six of LEVS - ON HIATUS

No, I’m not dead. I’ve just been working my ass off to get CAKE ready for publishing. Yeah, I keep saying that but this time it’s a go. One problem, the dang thing was too large. Apparently I write too much. HA! Cake has been divided into two novels otherwise the thing was more than 1100 pages. As a trade paperback that just doesn’t fly. So, cliffy in book one. Sweet satisfaction in book two. You know if that trend continues, I will have twelve books instead of six. Wow. Noodles the noggin!

So Cider is back on track. My apple press is all ready and squeezing. (Minds out of the gutter) here is your first taste of Cider. Enjoy.

Oh and give me some luving, cause dang, I missed you guys. *mauh*


Chapter 1: Russian Caviar

The hotel the band was checked in at was questionable. Of course Lex couldn’t pull out his platinum card and book the top floor of the Ritz for Pack Von D and all the roadies on the tour. Well, he could but that would only show off how else they were different they were from the rest of the rock n’rollers. It was enough that he had to hide behind the allergic to the sun medical condition. Wolf was still a pup and under the sway of the full moon so he had to book back to the family for the “Run” and Jax...well he was acting like a normal drummer in a rock and roll band. Oxymoronic statement there. Chesterton would have a heart attack if he had an inkling of what his sexual magnet of a son was doing.

This ‘Altstyle’ tour was only six weeks long and PVD’s first professional gig and the first time the boys were away from home. Forget the fact that they had bodyguards disguised as bouncers and roadies, a killer keyboardist and another killer axeman, everyone here was a bachelor, of sorts. They could party hearty and soak up the thrill of being young and talented without the fear of other Blood interference and the Moms were content with the chaperones. Little did they know that they chaperones were worse than the kids. Not that my Sasha was out spreading Russian caviar around on under aged and overdeveloped melba toast, cause I would Hand of Light his ass back to...well the first challenge in the warehouse. ‘Dead’ was a hit with all the lovely young wannabe slutties in training. I couldn’t flick a wing without hitting one of them. It was only the fact that my man’s arctic blues were firmly settled on me kept my jealous streak in check.

Ripley on the other hand. OMG. I had heard the rumors about fairies. I mean Fey. He would so pixie dust my ass if he heard me call him that. Well the rumor is that they are insatiable. Those Fey festivals that the humans have written about – orgies. Even when I was out there grabbing up the gusto with two hands, I was never that...well, I was, but I didn’t have the stamina that the Black Fey does. Ripley picks out his partners with one thing in mind, survival. There’s nothing worse than having to be so aware and careful with your partner that you can’t even enjoy the festivities. So why Ripley and I might see eye to eye height wise, he can take on a rugby player, an arm wrestling champion and a classically trained dancer all in one night and wring them out.

The morning after was an early sound check so that left me entertaining Ripley’s bed buddies over the breakfast bar. The euphoric expression on all their faces was...well it couldn’t be ignored. They just glowed. This way Ripley gets his jollies without draining his partner. I’m not up to snuff on the Fey. I should know more about these Bloods but it’s a touchy subject with him. With every member of his Blood Nation spitting at him or cursing his name, I guess he had the right to be a little fly-of-the-handle-ish. So, as I basked in the light of –the-best-sex-ever triplets over my western skillet I realized that all three of them were truly grateful for the experience. Before Ripley booked he put down all their contact info into his blackberry, sucked face equally with all three then left me with breakfast. They were all fine. The arm wrestler challenged me for the check and damn if she didn’t come close to dislocating my elbow. I would like to say that I threw the match but it was over before I was even set.

Other than Ripley building up a harem across the eastern seaboard, everything was going just peachy with the boys. So far they had to only bow out of a gig near the beginning of the tour because the sun was still up and too intense for Lex to handle. I heard the flack about it from the other bands that had to move their set times up.

I guess the crowd got raucous and more than a little rowdy when the Pack didn’t play. The tour promoter had told Jax that since they didn’t play their time slot, they didn’t get to play at all. The crowd had other ideas. In the end, the promoter announced that PVD had a medical emergency and couldn’t perform. The crowd was mollified but disappointed.

Everyone was depressed and packed up the cargo van. I mean even my Sasha had a case of the blues. We were supposed to drive to the next location but no one had the heart. Instead we ended up in a bar. Sasha gave me an eyebrow arch of a question and I nodded. They were still underage but this was a major blow to the band. He bought everyone a round of beer, except the Loyal who were on duty.

The bar was a little dive with a small stage. The crowd there was a little older and bit more rowdy. Everybody was still in performance leathers so the band looked a little out of place. It happened to be open mike night. The acts up there were getting booed off the stage. Wolf stared at his glass for about half and hour before he got up and slapped Lex and Jax on the shoulder. “I got up this morning ready to sing.”

“Sorry, man.” Lex muttered into his beer.

“Not your fault. There’s a stage. There’s a crowd. Let’s jam.”

Jax looked at the setup. “Going to be cramped.”

“Unplugged.” My Sasha added to the conversation. “Besides, I am not hauling out my keyboards again.”

It did my heart good to just hear sweet music. Not that I don’t like rock ‘n roll but sometimes it’s nothing but racket and screaming. I appreciate acoustic. I love hearing my wingkitty tinkling the ivories. My favorite place was still on the floor under the piano. PVD took the stage. It was just two guitars. A kinder softer rat-ta-tat-tat from the usually maniac drummer and Wolf’s haunting vocals that gave me shivers. He sounded so much like Haley, his Dad, it brought tears to my eyes. Sasha caught my mood and hugged me to his side.

When the crowd let out from the altstyle tour they had to drive passed this place to get to the main highway. Since the cargo van was parked out front and the PVD logo was plastered all over it suddenly the bar was overrun with fans. The place almost turned into a riot as they found out that PVD went acoustical. My boys were on youtube probably less than five minutes after they finished singing.

Record sales boomed. Popularity rose. Pack Von D got moved to the end of the set to close out the tour. This meant the danger of drying up like a wet sponge on a hot day was no longer an issue for my oldest son. There are times being a fledgling sucked.

All was right with the music world so that was why shit was starting to hit the fan back in the business world. This was also the reason I was back here again. I slid the cardkey into the lock and then pushed my way into the room. My hearing zeroed in on the rapid heart beat and the excited breathing. Someone was in Claudius room. I flicked my wrist and caught the silver blade as it slide from its holder.

I closed the door behind me and slowly walked forward not turning on any light. My eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness. There was a rustle followed by a throaty giggle. Giggle? I peered around the corner of the hall. There was a lump in the middle of the queen-sized bed. The lump giggled again. I scanned the area with my mind, allowing the time to search every cranny for compliances and weapons. The Loyal were on PVD detail. They were posted outside of the boy’s rooms at all times just to prevent something like from happening.

I was being out groupied.

I could see the outline of a brass lamp on either side of the bed. I sent out a little flick with my thoughts and the room was flooded with light. The girl gave a shrill shriek. I took the time to slip the dagger back up into my sleeve. I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms in front of my chest and waited for the interloper to emerge from the blankets.

“Dead?” Oh, God. The voice sounded so young.

“Try again.” The lump stilled for a moment then a goth black head peered out over top the off white bed sheets.

“Eddie?”

“And you are?”

“Amanda.”

“You want to get dressed and get out of Dead’s room?”

She bit the bottom of her lip. “I want to wait for him.”

“You can do that dressed standing outside.”

“Where is he?”

I folded my arms across my chest. This might have looked like a defensive position but in actually it was to keep my hands and wings to myself. As Lord Emperor in waiting I have made it known that while the Vampire Nation might be the top of the food chain, we are not the end all and be all of the Blood Nations. I am trying to promote inter-Blood relations. Tolerance leads to alliances and alliances lead to a stronger Nation. Who would have thought that the Northern Lycan and the Western Vampire would be getting along so famously especially after Britta the Elders policy on ‘if it’s not us, it’s nothing.’ The Human race while not a Blood Nation, they are the most prolific on the planet and we needed to treat them with a little more respect than just meals in wheels. So, me using my wings like a fly swatter on this pesky nuisance was a big no-no. Even though I was itching to do it.

“Let’s go over the three G’s of groupiedom. Get up. Get dressed. Get out.”

A pout formed on her lips and I swear I saw her fingers curl into the mattress. It was going to be a bugs bunny cartoon moment to get her the hell out of here. I could already imagine trying to shove her out the door with her fingernails and toenails stuck in the wood of the door jam so I couldn’t throw her out.

Mindfucking her was a big no-no too. You can’t kill them. You can’t play with them. Damn why do I have to be so noble? Trying to reason with a hormone riddled sexually frustrated teenager was akin to playing with a rabid skunk. There was no telling when she was going to go off and create such a big stink.

“What makes you think Dead is yours?”

“Well first, I don’t call him Dead. That’s not his real name.”

“I know his real name.”

“Really?” Wow, I was getting a major dose of snarky to combat her petulance. “What is it?”

“Claude.”

“Wrong.”

“That’s what it said in that magazine.” There was a little note of panic in her voice.

“Typo.”

She dropped her sheet. For a moment I thought I was going to have avert my eyes but thankfully she had a black bra on. “What do you got that I haven’t?”

Two arms sneaked around my shoulders and I was pulled backwards to a warm chest. I was so intent on marking my territory that I didn’t even hear Claudius come in.

“Well there are three things that Eddie has that you do not, young lady.” His tone was cool and I could just imagine how icy his eyes were right now. A total contrast to the way he draped his warm and hard self across my back.

Her hands tightened on the sheet she dropped.

“One, Eddie is invited to my bed.”

Her face blushed crimson.

“Two, you are lacking something vital.” I squeaked as Sasha reached down and cupped my once burgeoning erection. Something like finding a woman in my bed just killed the mood. His knowing touch was more than enough to make my pants tighter.

“Three...” Sasha stroked his hand up my midline and centered it over my heart. “I have given Eddie my heart.”

Ohmygod. I’m going to cry.

“You’re supposed to be bi-sexual!”

“Love does not care about gender. I love Eddie. He makes me happy. Would you throw that away if it were in your life?”

The black dyed hair fell forward over her crimson face. “No.”

“Respect my heart if you love my music. Without him, there is nothing in my soul to give to others.”

She pulled the sheet up and around her until it was a toga. I spied that she had on black panties to go with her bra. I was afraid that she was there butt naked. Claudius let me go and retrieved the girl’s t-shirt and jeans. He ushered her to the bathroom then turned and leaned against the door jam in a balantly sexy bad boy pose.

I drooled.

From head to toe in black leather, he was smoking hot. Sex on legs. I couldn’t wait to get on him. Neither could he.

He laughed and took two steps to me. His hands cupped the side of my head and hauled me forward. I turned into his kiss. It was hungry and wanton. It let me wanting more. So much more. Spicy. My clove mill. I missed the taste of him while he was out on tour. “I so wanted to find you in my bed, all naked and naughty.”

“That was the plan.”

“Have I told you I appreciate your naughtiness?” He rested his forehead against mine.

“Oh, a couple of times...I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.” I smiled up at him.

“N is for the way you never disappointment me.” Another sucking kiss with a tantalizing hint of tongue.

“A is for the ass that fills my palms so sweetly.” His hands slipped down from my head across my shoulders, down my back to rest on the oded body part.

“U is for the way you undulate so...”

“Ahem.” The queen of bad timing was out of the bathroom. Sasha sighed and then turned around. “I’m... I mean...I’m sorry.”

“You need to turn your attention to someone a little closer to your own age.”

“Your only six years older than me.”

“Sweet...” Claudius paused.

“Amanda.” It was a poor stage whisper on my part.

“Sweet Amanda. There are days a six year difference can feel like four hundred and twelve gap. You are a precious and very young child. There is someone out there for you.”

“Just not you.”

“I am off the market as the saying goes.”

“Eddie is bishie so I guess its okay.”

Bishie? What the hell is that? Who are you calling bishie?!

“Uh...can I have a kiss at least, Dead...I mean Claude.”

“It is Claudius.” I kept my hands to myself as my vampire walked over to the little girl. She closed her eyes and lifted her face up for an adult kiss. Sasha placed a chaste, almost fatherly kiss, on his forehead. She was disappointed but then she looked over at me and saw my jealousy plainly on my face. I must have looked a little daunting because she smiled and backed towards the door.

“There is a bodyguard outside the door. Give him your address and he will see to it that get home safely, Sweet Amanda. There will be limited edition swag in the back of the car. It’s been autographed by the whole band.”

“Really?!!” She squealed. The pitch made me wince. Yup, she was a younging.

The door to the bedroom was closed and locked and I was flat on my back on the bed. Whoa...

Blue flame burned hot in my lover’s eyes. “I have missed you every second of every minute of every day since the start of this tour.”

“That happen often?”

“No...” Sasha buried his nose in my hair and breathed in my essential essence. I returned the favour. Secretly I still thought that cloves and cinnamon smelled like Christmas. December was a bitch of a month to get through because just the aroma was enough to get little Eddie at wooded up.

Speaking of being wooded up. Sasha was grinding me into the mattress. Damn it. If little miss jailbait hadn’t been here, we could have been consummating our love right now. His hand was inside my pants.

“Sasha...uuuh...nnngh...sa...sasha.”

“Where was I? Oh, yes. G is for the way you gryate.”

I wanted to flame so damned back. Just to ignite with him. All work and no sex makes Sex well a little crazy. I reached down into my back pocket just as the zipper of my pants was sliding open. Damn it. Damn it. I wanna...

I slapped a white envelope on Sasha’s forehead.

There is no such thing as retirement from the House of Assassins. Those who lose their ranking are still a part of the organization but are more like the Reserves. They have the opportunity to get called back up to active duty. Since Marcus was still off hunting and killing Orel Wessel cells, this left the bulk of information retrieval to the blue line – which was me. Since I can’t be in two places at once, Carnage was called back to active duty with all rights and privileges of the last rank he held.

Who would think that a little 5x7 inch envelope could be such a mood killer?

Sasha sat up and I realized how debauched I was. My shirt was hiked up past my nipple rings. My pants were opened and pulled back like a banana peel. Sasha was pretty mussed up as well. He took the white envelope from my hand.

“Your calligraphy has improved.”

“I learned from the best.”

He ripped open the flap and pulled out the card. “I’m working information retrieval?”

“I didn’t realize how much work Marcus did on his own. I can’t keep up not along with begin Head. This is the Board of Director’s solution.” I sat up rolling my shirt back down to my waist. “So, will you be my acting First, Claudius Du Bussey Von Drachenfeld?”

“That is not my name.”

“Claudius Von Drachenfeld.”

“Still not my name.”

“Alexander Kornasov.”

“Gods, no. What name do you call out...”

“Sasha Wingkitty.”

“So ask me correctly.”

I shifted to my knees well aware that I was deep breath from ending up hanging out of the zipper of my pants. “Sasha, my love, my heart, my rock god help me protect and run the Vampire Nation. Be my First. Be my Carnage. Be with me.”

His great black wings extended from his back, spreading wide and filling up the span between the walls. They curved forward wrapping around me in a feathery hug. He urged me closer until I was straddling his thighs.

“I am with you, Sex.” His hand cupped the back of my neck and I got a kiss that threatened to leave me in pool of mushy goo on the bed. Only the hands on my back kept me upright. Stupidly I blinked up at him. A self satisfied smile quirked his lips. His closed his eyes and concentrated. When he looked down at me again, his Flame was banked.

“Let us get this assignment over with. I plan on making all your dreams come to fruition tonight.”

“Oh, and what would that be?”

“I plan to overwhelm your senses with sexual stimuli until you cannot even lift your pretty head.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

Sasha wings dissolved in a shower of blue light. He slipped off the bed then held out his hand to help me get back to my feet. “Do you need relief or can you wait?” He glanced down at my member that worked its way free of the confines of my jeans. It was a rhetorical question. If Sasha touched me again, there was no way we would be working that assignment tonight.

I might not have lain on the Stone of Punishment back at the Shadoe Inc but the brotherhood's body did. I knew the consequences of failing the House of Assassins. It didn’t matter if you were the Blood Emperor in training or the former Blood Emperor, abdicated, you fuck the House of Assassins, they fuck you hard right back and not in the fun away.

Before Sasha and Eddie could get down to some serious loving, Carnage and Azrael had to get to work. I staggered off to the bathroom to take matters into my own hands. It was safer that way.

“Tick tock, Sex.” Sasha called through the door.

It was just a matter of time until I got my greedy little mitts on my keyboardist. It was just a simple investigation. No other orders other than search and report. Then, wings and bed in that order. Oh, yeah. Tick, tock.


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