Coming July 1st, 2014 from Jess Haines: ENSLAVED BY THE
OTHERS
EXCERPT:
If I hadn’t already been so stunned by the contents
of the room, I quite possibly would’ve been shocked immobile by the palpable
interest of over a dozen—old—no, ancient—vampires
locked on me. This included Max, whose steely grey eyes had widened as he sat
up in the oxblood leather chair he had been lounging upon, clearly taken aback
by my spectacular entrance. The weight of age in this tiny room was crushing; a
football stadium would be too small to contain the power they were
unconsciously radiating. It only took a few seconds for me to figure out that,
whatever the hell they were doing here, obviously they now considered me part
of the menu. I hastily backed up, using my arms to cover as much of myself as I
could, while Max schooled his own features into a passably blank expression.
“Of course,” Max said, his smooth voice carrying only
the tiniest hint of irritation as he eased back in his seat and nodded in my
direction, “I had not intended to showcase her so soon, though I don’t suppose
there’s any harm in it. She is newly arrived, and has not been groomed properly
for servitude yet. I doubt you would be interested in one so fresh, Kyle.”
I skittered back, but a guard who had been standing
to one side of the door barred my escape and I backed right into him. He
laughed at how I jumped at the unexpected contact before giving me a little
shove in Max’s direction. I pivoted and darted to the side so I could press
against the wall instead.
No weapons, no way out, and surrounded by vampires. I
was on the verge of hyperventilating, and Max didn’t seem keen on stopping the
guy he’d addressed as Kyle from approaching me.
This new vampire was well dressed in a tailored “I
make a thousand dollar suit look like cheap trash” way. He set aside a cane
with a freaky demon-looking thing crouching on top with what I would swear were
real diamonds for eyes before approaching me. The power of his mien paled to
the invasive metaphysical touch that brushed over my skin, tasting some
intangible part of me and making me want a piece of sandpaper, a pumice stone, and
the world’s hottest shower to scrub the feel of it off of me. His manicured
nails were blunt, shining as brightly as that whiter-than-white smile when he
ran a smooth fingertip over my cheek, the other hand lifting to toy with one of
my bra straps. I flinched and batted his hands away before twisting aside and
putting some much-needed distance between us.
“Mm, perhaps you’re right. Aside from being fresh,
she’s got facial scars. I do hope you weren’t intending on offering damaged
goods.”
Though I wasn’t often hung up about my looks, his
comment sent my hand flying to my lower lip in reflex. I often did my best to
forget about the scar left behind when Peter bit me, nearly tearing my lip in
half in the process of assaulting me.
Another vampire spoke up, his tone dripping disdain.
“Look how scrawny she is. No meat on her where there should be. And that skin
of hers is a wreck—the mark on her face is not the only one I see.”
And another. “This one is disappointing, Euphron.
Very disappointing.”
Scowling, I dropped my hand away and balled my
fingers into tight fists of rage at my side, finding the condescending laughter
of the others in the room too much to bear. Max started speaking but I cut him
off, shouting loudly enough for most everyone to flinch.
“I’m not a fucking pet, I’m not your fucking plaything, and
who gives a flying fuck if I’m scarred? Ask Max how it happened. I got it while
I was busy killing one of your own, you fucking leeches.”
Stunned silence followed my pronouncement, and I took advantage
of the moment to dive for the door again, shoving the surprised guard out of my
way.
“Stop.”
The word was quiet but forceful. Every muscle in my body went
rigid and I found I couldn’t move.
“Come here.”
The other vampires watched with interest as I turned around,
breaking out in a cold sweat as I fought the command. I managed to hold out
until I made the mistake of meeting Max’s eyes. Though I didn’t want to do it,
one foot lifted, then the other, bringing me closer to him. After three steps,
I was back in the room—and found at that point that I could stop, though
I couldn’t withstand the power of his spell enough to run again.
“Extraordinary,” commented another vampire that had been
quiet up until now, his fangs glinting as he favored me with a wolfish grin. “I
do believe this one doesn’t care for you, Euphron.”
A few of the others seemed to find this funny, smirking or
making wry comments of their own. Catty bastards.
_____
AUTHOR/BOOK
DETAILS:
Author Bio: Jess Haines writes about furred and
fanged things that go bump in the night. Best known for the H&W
Investigations urban fantasy series, she's been writing since she was a
teenager and was first published in 2010. Visit her at www.JessHaines.com for the latest news
and updates.
Follow Jess Haines on the web:
Enslaved
by the Others Book Description:
Vampires,
werewolves, magi and worse—the Others have joined the mortal world, and there's
no turning back now…
As a New York P.I. and Other specialist, Shiarra Waynest has
been in plenty of trouble before. But waking up in a windowless room the
prisoner of a vampire slave trader is a shock for anyone. Shia has her wits,
her bravado, and a couple of used staples, so maybe she can take on a mansion
full of serious evil.
But although she's desperate to escape, Shia needs some
answers too. Her friends are in danger. There are betrayers and spies among
them. And even if she can figure out what's going on and somehow get a message
out, she's still a captive of the worst kind…
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