Dante Eternal's Virtual Bookshelf: Deception by: Isaiyan Morrison w/ Guest Post & Giveaway

Title: Deception

Author: Isaiyan Morrison

Series: Deamhan Chronicles (#3)

Genre: Adult/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Dark Fiction

Publisher: Self Published

Release Date: Feb 11 2016

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

The death of prominent Deamhan elders has left a gaping hole in their society.

Amenirdis, the Queen of Limbo and the Dark Mother of Deamhan, is now loose in the world. Her plans for total annihilation of her kind rests on the blood of Maris and the Dark Curse tablet.

News of her release has also awaken the Dorvo Coven; vampires who consider themselves the arch enemies of Deamhan. One in particular hunts for the Dark Curse tablet with a means to exterminate every Deamhan on the face of the planet. In order to do so she must collect the broken Dark Curse tablet and the blood of Maris.

However, there are some Deamhan who won’t go down without a fight.

No one is safe. Not even the supernatural baddies who hide in the shadows of their dark underworld.

“I planned on killing you, but now,” —she folded her arms and continued to eye him like a piece of meat— “I’m not so sure.”

He decided to change the topic to keep her mind off her indecisiveness. When it came to personal matters of the heart, or in her case, lust, she could never make up her mind. “Where’s the other one you always hung around with? Boyd?”

“Dead.”

Well, that didn’t work. “My condolences.”

“Thank you for your attempt at sympathy.” She turned and walked back to the chair in the middle of the floor. “You and I both know that you never liked him anyway.” She lowered herself into the seat.

“But I knew how much he liked you.”

“I have a new lover now.” She flicked her wrist.

Remy felt the air tighten around him when Alexis nodded.

“Her?!” He couldn’t help but to laugh. “I don’t think Lambert will be happy about that.” With his past business out in the open, Alexis gave him a stare that he had never witnessed or seen before. It was ice cold, filled with confusion with just a sprinkle of anger.

“Not her. Another Deamhan,” Ruby replied. “He’s loyal, beautiful, and a beast in bed.”

From behind, he felt the Dorvo vampires homing in close. He took one quick glance over his shoulder. “I’m assuming that you aren’t here to get back together, then?”

“No, I’m looking for something—someone,” she replied. “Maris.”

“Oh, her? I thought you were looking for Anastasia. Didn’t she kill your maker?” He tapped his chin. “Wait. You squashed your differences with her, right? I could never get those details straight.”

“We came to an agreement, yes. Still I’m surprised she’s protecting her offspring. She’s not the same Deamhan I had the pleasure of tracking all those years ago.”

“Don’t you now feel a little betrayed?”

“Hardly. So, where is Maris?”

“I have no clue. I’m not her sire and I’m not her keeper.”

“I know she’s not at that awful place you call a sanctuary. What’s the name again?” She looked at Alexis for an answer

“Blind Bluff Manor.”

“Thank you.” Ruby’s beautiful eyes jumped back to Remy. “Alexis has been really helpful. She told me that a sickly old human, a scared Metusba, Anastasia,” —her eyes narrowed— “and you lived there.”

“Sounds about right.” He turned his body toward Lambert’s consort. “So what else has your new vampire loyalist told you?”

“You shouldn’t be angry with her or her sire. I didn’t give them a choice in the matter. I told them about the consequences of ignoring a demand from the Dorvo Coven.” She folded her legs. “This city is renowned for Deamhan attacks. I couldn’t believe how many unsolved murders there are here. It’s beyond me how the nightlife functions; how humans are not tuned into what’s happening around them. I gave Lambert my word that his business would run as usual. That I and my coven would bring calm to the city. All he has to do is cooperate.”

“So you think by being here, you’ll be able to magically solve all the violence and the scared humans will have their perfect Utopian city?” By now the group had crowded around him and, feeling smothered, Remy reacted by allowing his eyes to take shape.

Seeing this, Ruby waved her hand and they took a step back. “Where’s Maris?”

“I told you. I don’t know.”

She uncrossed her legs and placed her hands on the chair’s armrests. “So how is it?”

“How’s what?”

“Living with a human? Does it remind you of living with me?”

He flinched. “I don’t know why you’d think that.”

She stood up. “I’m sure it has its ups and downs. For one, they sleep all night. And I can’t imagine how hard it is for someone like you to hold back your hunger.” She strutted over to him.

“He does look rather tasty from time to time.” The smile withered from his face and his body tensed. If he didn’t tell her what she wanted to know, she’d soon switch to the menacing ‘jewel’ he knew her to be.

When she stood close to him, she lifted her right hand and placed it underneath his chin. “You were never a great liar.” She squeezed and he felt her fingernails digging into his skin.

The fluctuating pain didn’t sway him from his stance. It was easier and smarter to tell her exactly what she wanted to know but at the same time, he loved the leverage he had. He tried to turn his head but her grip kept his upper body locked.

“Where is she, Remy? Don’t make me ask again.”

“Why don’t you ask Anastasia? I’m sure you both have a lot to catch up on.”

“In time.” She lifted her left hand toward his face. “Hmmmm, those full, dark eyes. I miss them.” She moderately began to push her forefinger toward his left eye. Remy attempted to pull back, but he felt cold hands grab onto his shoulders, holding him still.

Ruby continued to apply more pressure toward his eye and the pain elevated, making him bite his lower lip. His eye popped and he bellowed.

She stopped her attack. “Don’t worry. I have plenty of time to reminisce with Anastasia.” She studied her forefinger, which dripped with his dark, thick blood.

Her companions pushed Remy to his knees. He held his head low while the pain steadily continued. Anger rushed into him.

“Why so chafed?” she asked.

He clenched his teeth, careful to not show his pain. “I loved that eye.”

“That was to remind you of what you lost and why you shouldn’t fool yourself any longer.” She turned around. “Don’t worry. You’ll heal.”

From the corner of his right eye he saw Alexis’ face fill with excitement. “I know what this is.”

“Excuse me?” Ruby faced him again.

“You think I have a thing for her.” Remy nodded his head in Alexis’ direction. “But don’t worry, baby. There’s only one vampire bitch that’s ever had my heart.”

“That wasn’t about her. It was about that Veronica human.”

“She isn’t the first woman who has replaced you.”

Ruby leaned over him. “Maybe I should have taken your tongue instead.”

“Then what tool would I have to please you with?”

“The other tool you were born with.” She slapped her hand on his chest and slowly lowered it to his groin. At any other time, he would have welcomed her gesture but as her hand slid, he feared she’d discover the amulet in his pocket.

“Oh, I forgot about that.” In an attempt to stop her, he jerked his body forward. He moved too late.

“What is this?” She reached her hand into his pocket and pulled out the amulet. She glared at its smooth surface and then brought it up to her nose, sniffing it.

“Consider it a gift from me to you.” He wanted the object to work its magic like it did on Kei and turn her into a pile of blood and bones. From what he still knew about it, the amulet only killed Deamhan.

“This must be important to you.” When she pushed it toward him, he crouched back, afraid of its magical touch. She took notice. “Or dangerous.” She stood up straight. “I’ll find out what it is sooner or later.” She twirled the amulet in the air by its chain. “But for now, give me one good reason why I shouldn’t stake you.”

“Easy. You still love me.”

Amazon Kindle

"WHAT IN THE WORLD?"

In an alternate world, works of fiction are banned and the punishment is death.

What do you do?

This scenario reminds me of the movie, Equilibrium, starring Christian Bale. Set in the future, fascism rules the land. Feelings and forms of expression, including artistic forms, are against the law and in order to comply, people take injections of drugs to suppress these human traits.

Bale’s character is an officer who is enforces this law. Those who object the law live underground and put their lives on the line to preserve paintings, books, music, ect. I would rather be dead than live in a world where works of fiction are banned. I’d have my hidden collection and to the outside world, I would be just like any law abiding citizen. However, I would work to overturn this law and to expose the society to how beautiful and important fiction is to the human mind.

One by one, I would expose others to the beauty that is fiction and the idea of thought. After all, if society can ban fiction, what other works of art would they ban next? I would also preserve books from all genres, including non-fiction.

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A veteran of the Armed Forces, Isaiyan Morrison was born and raised in Minneapolis.

Her passions include writing, reading, and researching historical events. She also spends her time gardening, playing video games, and hanging out with her three cats and beloved Pitt bull.

She's the author of The Deamhan Chronicles, The Deamhan Tales, The Brotherhood Files and the novel, Old Farmer's Road.