Available now at Silver Publishing

Blurb:

Cameron Gamble was a simple man who ran away from an awkward life. He found a new city to start over in, a new job and the perfect best friend, Mel, a large chocolate lab. It wasn’t long before they were inseparable and Mel had a permanent place in Cameron’s heart. One night, as Cameron recovered from a nightmare, the bright light of the moon revealed Mel’s true nature. All was well in Cameron’s world from that day forth until his ex-lover showed up with the intention of bringing him home.

      Excerpt:

      Baptiste walked a few blocks behind them. Reynaud’s arm rested lovingly around Angele’s shoulder, holding him close. Angele’s feathery blond hair rested against Reynaud’s chest as they moved leisurely across the streets. Turning onto Decatur Street, they went inside their home and Baptiste took up a position outside the bedroom window.

      Reynaud and Angele entered the room pulling and tearing at each other’s clothes until they were naked. Reynaud lifted Angele’s petite frame and lowered him into the bed. His large body completely covered Angele’s when he captured Angele’s lips again.

      Angele’s hands looked childlike as they glided over the large corded muscles of Reynaud’s back and bottom, gripping and kneading them. Suddenly Reynaud flipped them over reversing their position.

      Baptiste adjusted himself against the window to get a better look inside.

      Angele laughed and leaned over to put a quick kiss on Reynaud’s smiling face. He shifted his weight to move forward so Reynaud’s erect cock rested against his ass. Angele gripped the powerful organ and stroked it while his other hand moved across the well-built dimensions of Reynaud’s chest.

      Baptiste’s face twisted in revulsion as he watched the lovers indulge in each other’s caresses.

      Reynaud lifted Angele’s small frame and lowered him onto his waiting lance. When Angele was seated, Reynaud gripped Angele’s protruding shaft and started to pump it as his little lover rode him. They continued in such a fashion until Angele threw his head back and Baptiste witnessed his seed spilling over onto Reynaud’s hand and stomach. Angele fell forward to lean on Reynaud’s shoulder. A few moments later Reynaud lifted Angele once again to cradle him in his arms.

      Baptiste remained hidden, watching them for a time while they slept. Finally, Angele turned away from Reynaud to hug his pillow and a small smirk touched Baptiste’s lips. He raised his hand along the window frame and wiggled his fingers. The lock turned slowly with a slight click and soon the window rose. He entered the room and moved smoothly across the carpet. Standing by the bed, he looked down on the couple with disdain.

      Baptiste reached down and scooped Angele’s sleeping form into his arms, but when he walked to the door, Angele’s eyes popped open. Baptiste’s own gaze widened at the revelation, but he recovered quickly, clamping his hand down over Angele’s mouth. He closed the door behind him with a small kick and moved further away from the bedroom before dropping Angele onto the floor.

      Angele looked up at him, fear evident in his big green eyes. Baptiste almost laughed out loud. He advanced and Angele scurried away, tears already falling down his cheeks. His hand gestures were frantic and meager. His mouth moved swiftly as he spoke. Baptiste continued moving forward, the harsh look on his face unchanged. Angele scrambled to his feet retreating until his back hit the wall. His hands shook terribly and he tried again to defend himself, but Baptiste raised his own hand, effortlessly blocking Angele’s feeble magic.

      Baptiste stood looking down into Angele’s panicked face. His large physique dwarfed Angele’s slight form. Angele shook his head negatively, shrinking down the wall away from Baptiste. The larger man wrapped his hand around Angele’s slender throat, raising him up the wall to eye level and held him there until his feet stopped kicking. 

* * * *

      “His eyes were bulging so much it was easy to keep eye contact,” Baptiste continued aloud, severing the connection to Reynaud’s mind. “The second the light of life left his gaze, the magic in his soul transferred to me. It was such a rush!” Baptiste shook the bars. “I had no more use of him afterward so I returned him to you,” he added with a dismissive wave in calmer tones.

      Baptiste’s treachery horrified Reynaud. Such a deed had never been done intentionally. The forbidden act of taking another’s magic remained the highest undocumented law. Everyone generally assumed no one would ever do such a cruel, cold-blooded and evil thing to another Creolyte. The transfer itself had been discovered by accident many years ago when a Creolyte woman embraced her dying lover. He held her gaze, whispering his love and with his final breath his magic transferred to her.

      Reynaud closed his eyes tight, pushing away the dreadful feelings Baptiste’s words created inside of him. But he could not remove the scene forced into his mind. He saw Baptiste carrying his beloved Angele’s lifeless body back into the bedroom, returning him to Reynaud’s side as clearly as if it were happening at that moment. Reynaud’s heart pounded behind his chest and tears welled behind his lids. He took a deep breath and swallowed his pain before opening his eyes. The smug grin on Baptiste’s face inflamed Reynaud’s anger.

      “You have shown me the treachery at your hands, and I am about to pay the price for it, Baptiste. Now tell me why. Why would you kill Angele if he posed no threat to you?” Reynaud asked through gritted teeth.

      Baptiste’s smirk turned into a sinister smile. “Angele’s death was essential to my plan, my good man.”

      Reynaud’s confusion continued. Baptiste chuckled.

      “You have held your station long enough, Reynaud Leduc. It was only because you caught Madame Cousteau’s eye as a child that you became her favorite. It was her favor that elevated you to your post. I think it is time someone else had it… namely me.”

      Reynaud scoffed. “That’s what this is about… jealously?”

      “I am not jealous!” Baptiste snapped then quickly cleared his throat. “This is not about jealously, Reynaud,” he amended in a calmer tone. “This is about due process. It is simply my time. My magic is strong, but never as strong as yours. However, with Angele’s magic added to my own, it is just as powerful. They will give me a mate and I will finally have the prestige I deserve.”

      “What you did was unspeakably heinous! Why attack an innocent? If you wanted to take my place, why not just come after me?” he asked incredulously.

      “Oh no, Reynaud. It was not that simple,” Baptiste explained, shifting his position against the bars. “You are Madame Cousteau’s favorite… well you were, anyway. I could not openly attack you without reprimand. I had to make it so even she could not help you.” He paused, pressing his face between the thin iron poles. “I had to destroy you,” he emphasized, his voice dripping with ice.

      Abruptly Baptiste’s head jerked to look over his shoulder. The sneer on his face had disappeared when he turned back to Reynaud. In its place was an almost pleasant smile.

      “I can hear your welcoming committee coming, Reynaud. Good luck in your next life as a beast,” Baptiste said lightly.

      Baptiste left Reynaud sitting on the bench filled with bewilderment and anger. He leaned his head back against the wall and listened. The clumping of the shoes the guards wore came closer and Baptiste’s satisfied laughter moved further away.

      “The council is ready, Reynaud.” A man appeared before the cell.

      Reynaud rose and went to the door with his hands before him. The magical binding took place, pressing his wrists together and suppressing his magic as soon as he stepped out of the confined space. The guards returned him to the room where the elders sat, but no one else remained.

      Once again, Madame Cousteau came to her feet to address him. “We wish you luck, Reynaud and hope you find love with a human so you may return to your Creolyte body someday.”

      Reynaud thought for a moment about telling them what Baptiste had confessed, but decided against it. He had no proof to exonerate himself and the sentence would be carried out anyway. Accepting his punishment with his head high, Reynaud held his tongue. The other elders joined Madame Cousteau, forming a circle around him. They muttered the incantation in unison. He closed his eyes, feeling the change come over his body, and vowed to be more diligent in his mission in the future.