Cassie Pull the Trigger (excerpt)

"Just the smell of you excites me….The smell of cedar and pine and all things living," Chaste purred. His breath on her ear was enough to send a chill down her spine. "It's been so long since I've smelled…. Anything but decay….. It's wonderful…. Cassie, I want you to touch me. I want you to share with me, your life, the thing that makes you human…. Share it with me, Cassie…"

She winced as he unfastened her cloak with his long fingers, his lips brushing the curve of her neck with gentle, breathless kisses. She closed her eyes, her hands clenching with hatred. Don't touch me.

His warmth was suffocating, the very feeling of him so near at hand, causing her head to whirl with a sudden bout of claustrophobia. His hands moved down along the line of her tiny arms, his nose brushing her shoulder, and his teeth grazing the flesh of her back. From behind her, a stifled moan and the sound of clothing being recklessly discarded. "I need you Cassie… I need you…"

She averted her eyes from the bureau mirror, and immediately her thoughts turned to Rhian. Pure, gentle, loving Rhian. In the darkness of her mind she could see him. His wild hair falling into his face, his soft features pulled into a teasing smile. She could hear traces of his laughter even now. Rare, but resonant in their brassy quality. His eyes were narrowed demurely, and within their depths she could see nothing but tenderness. When she felt the caress of Chaste's hand against her cheek, the rough tug as he pulled her against him, she envisioned Rhian inviting her affectionately into his arms.

"Cassie…. Let me set you free…. Let me find you Cassie," Chaste growled, his voice deepening and his eyes growing dark.

Cassandra, I love you, my darling! Come on now, stop hiding! Let me find you already. Hide and seek isn't supposed to be this hard. Rhian's voice.

"Don't…."

"… There is only one way to be found…"

Cassandra!

"Don't touch…."

"….Cassie…."

Cassandra….

"Don't touch me!"

And Cassie Pulled the Trigger.

By: Lauren Hatch

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