THE TRIUMVIRATE Series Excerpt 2

By J. Hali Steele

White Blood-Book 1: https://www.amazon.com/White-Blood-Triumvirate-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01H6C8JEI/

I Won’t Stop-Book 2: https://www.amazon.com/Wont-Stop-Triumvirate-Book-ebook/dp/B01H7RGD40/

Twice the Burn-Book 3: https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Burn-Triumvirate-Book-3-ebook/dp/B01LBRK0GY/

Multicultural/Interracial Vampires with M/M/F

Three bloody good stories—three awesome blood suckers to enjoy this Halloween!

Try one of New York’s Jekyll and Hyde Club’s most popular drinks: TRANSFORMATION! It’s made with rum, orange juice, blackberry brandy, and strawberry puree. Find the full recipe at Delish: http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a43893/halloween-cocktail-ideas-transformation-cocktail-recipe/ —I’m going to give this one a try because blackberries are my favorite berry; plus it’s pretty!

2^nd Excerpt from White Blood:

How could a human who seemed so forward moving be so goddamn backward? Getting Barton Covett to let go of old fashioned southern plantation values was like pulling teeth. Julius had grown tired of his shit. “If you continue questioning my ability to handle things in Curtain, I’ll walk away from this project.”

“You can’t. Oil is needed badly and I want to see my state thrive again.”

“Then stop your incessant whining.”

Barton stood and paced the boardroom. “You promised my son would not be placed in danger.”

Julius laughed loudly. “By now you should understand the connections we make with humans.” Walking behind his large oak desk, he sat down heavily. “I’m only going to tell you this once more.” Forming a steeple with fingers beneath his chin, he said, “My blood courses through Cay’s veins at your request. Not a vampire alive who knows I made him will harm a hair on his pretty head.”

“I have a right to be worried. I’ve heard you speak of hunters with their holy wooden bullets.”

His glib lie angered Julius who sat back in his chair. “Really?”

Barton stopped to look out of the large window thirty stories above New York’s famous Central Park. Spinning to face Julius, he gritted his teeth. “You know what I mean, damn you. It’s that…that…”

His oldest friend, Layne Indigo, watched Barton from where he stood. Aware what brewed inside the human’s mind, Julius cautioned, “I wouldn’t say it if I were you.” He groaned when foul words burst from Covett’s mouth.

“That nigger…”

Layne, an ancient and beautiful black vampire, flashed across the room. “Racist prick.” He lifted and slammed Barton through triple thick windowpane. Pivoting, he told Julius. “I’m not catching his ass.”

Julius rose and strode to where Layne stood. “Well, I don’t think he’ll use that word in front of you again.” Dropping out, he reached Barton just before he hit pavement. Snapping his fingers, Julius glanced around making sure everyone returned to their pursuits. Flying up and into his office, he unceremoniously deposited Covett in a chair before returning glass to its rightful place. “I warned you.”

Shaking like a leaf, Barton yelled, “That fiend is crazy, Julius.”

“Racial affronts tend to send some into a fury. I’d suggest you learn every being has rights to freedom and they can love whom they choose.”

“Not. My. Son.”

Resting his hip against the desk, Julius said, “Surprised you don’t call your own son anything out of his name.” The look on Barton’s face revealed something Julius had missed. “Thank God you managed to bury that so deep not even I found it.”

“I know for a fact your kind screws anything that moves.”

“You’re lucky I prefer pussy.” Layne stepped closer. “Otherwise I’d rip you a new asshole.”

“For God’s sake, Layne, stop!”

Barton snarled, “Why would such a superior being turn someone like him?”

Julius’ lips curled. “Layne is multicultural and he is my master.” That set the jackass back in his chair. “He’s far older and stronger than me and I consider myself lucky to call him friend.”

“You mean to tell me…he looks like a nig… There are other black vampires?”

“Bart, you’re a Neanderthal.”

“Good thing whatever put us here wasn’t a racist piece of shit like you.” Layne jerked around to face Julius. “If I had to deal with his ass every day, I’d drain him dry in seconds.”

“Perhaps I made a mistake aligning myself with vampires. You’re all killers.”

Julius regretted divulging who made him. No other vamps discerned his ancestry thanks to the power of Layne’s life force. He wiped all traces of it from Barton’s mind. “And you’re not? Your kind keep hundreds on death row waiting for death. Why not kill them and have it done with instead of letting them think about it for days on end? That is cruelty beyond belief.” Julius moved back to his seat. “We were put on earth too, Barton, we are not aliens from some distant planet. Cay’s alive and he’s mine. Understand?” Julius couldn’t contain the heavy breath that whistled past his lips. “Cayson is in South Carolina under the guise of seeing to Covett Petroleum’s newest development. Should he mistakenly realign himself with one known as a hunter, Layne will complete his assignment.”

Layne reached out and grasped the collar of Barton’s shirt. Leaning closer, he growled, “Cay’s sleeping with a black man is the least of your worries.”

Growl and roar-it’s okay to let the beast out. – J. Hali Steele