So a new meme thing… actually writing related so hey… this IS work.

From I’ll Be Hunting You… in ebook from Ellora’s Cave. FYI, it’s erotic romance so if that’s not your thing… although this snippet isn’t racy.

“Who could do this?” Eli muttered. The vampire had the face of a fallen angel—high cheekbones, a mouth that was almost too pretty for a man and eyes the color of old gold. His blond hair was tied back in a stubby ponytail.

He was pissed. His eyes glowed with fury and Tori could see a muscle jerking in his jaw as he stared at the kids who were gathered around his wife. The youngest one sat in Sarel’s lap, playing with the witch’s braid. The middle child was lying on his belly, drawing a picture. “This is my mommy. She died. She got sick. There was a bump in her chest and it got bigger and bigger…”

“She had cancer.” It was the first thing the oldest child had said since Eli and Sarel had arrived. Her voice was soft and timid and she wouldn’t look at anybody. The fear inside that child broke Tori’s heart. Her straw-yellow hair hung in her face as she said, “She just kept getting sicker and sicker. I tried to make her feel better. I tried to help. But I didn’t help enough. It’s my fault she died.”

“No.” Sarel’s voice was firm but gentle. She reached out and touched the girl’s arm—one quick, light touch and then she pulled away. Tori still thought the woman was a bitch and a half but she had a way with kids that Tori envied. Kids adored her. “It wasn’t your fault, Beth. Sometimes people just get sick. And it’s nobody’s fault.”

Beth shook her head. “It was my fault. God took her because I’m bad. I’m evil.” She looked down at her hands and Tori could see they were shaking.

“You are not evil.” Sarel’s eyes were flashing, burning with anger but no sign of her fury showed in her voice. “You’re a kid. God doesn’t punish little kids. He loves them.”

Sarel continued to talk to them and by the time Tori left the room twenty minutes later, even the oldest one had a small smile on her face. Eli followed her out of the room and Tori gave him a grin. “It’s still hard to believe how good she is with kids.”

Eli’s lips curved upward in a smile and he arched a brow at her. “You know why the two of you don’t get along, Torrence?”

“Because you fell in love with a mean bitch?” Tori offered helpfully.

He just laughed. “Sarel can be mean when she wants. Just like you. That is the problem, pet. The two of you are entirely too much alike. Stubborn, hot headed, willful and arrogant.”

Tori curled her lip in a sneer. “Bite me.”

“I already have.” Eli laughed. “And as delightful as it was, any more biting on my part and Sarel will rip my balls off.” He passed a hand down her hair and then rested it on her shoulder. “Go on. I know you want to catch up with Declan. We’ll take care of the children. They are in good hands.”

She smiled faintly. “I know they are.” She turned around and moved to hug Eli but as she moved toward him, she stumbled. Bent over. A deep, racking cough choked her.

Couldn’t breathe.

Smoke. Choking her.

Fire. Searing her flesh.

“Declan…”

Distantly, she heard her name being called. Felt big, strong hands on her arms, shaking her. Another voice. A hand touched her face. She forced her eyes open, found herself staring at Sarel. “Declan…”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Okay, so I’m done with my first Friday snippet.  You can read more about it here. If you’re a writer and wanna participate…leave your link with Mr. Linky!