Prequel in the works among other things.

There are people out there that think like me--scary.

So I just happened across this picture on Tumblr the other day:

It was like someone reached into my brain and pulled out the Penthouse bedroom where Jake kept Karla locked up in Ch. 15 of An Other Kind Of Fury.

"The suite was nowhere she would have dreamed Jake would be staying. It was uncharacteristically luxurious for Steel Panther standards. The large (here Karla’s mind skipped over the details) four poster bed was on a dais. She stepped down; the marble floor was cool to her feet, black and white furs scattered the floor and she imagined they were of the real variety; Jake wasn’t exactly a card-carrying PETA member. The walls were varying shades of gray and the accents were black and rose and white. The furnishing she discovered were made of rare and priceless ebony; Heavy, dense and dark.

A large landscape mirror hung over two empty ebony dressers and with a fluttering feeling in her stomach like a nervous butterfly trying to escape she noticed her reflection revealed the black draped four poster directly behind her. She turned away abruptly.

Like the bed the high-backed chairs in one corner were draped in luxurious silks. In the parallel corner of the room, Karla found herself standing on the edge of a sunken marble tub. Goosebumps rose on her arms and shoulders at the thought of the intimacy implied at its presence. She felt her cheeks prickle as the blood left her face. At the farthest end of the room was an open arch through which she could see a large marble fountain sink with a mirror reflecting the water above it. A quick glance inside confirmed an open stand-up shower in one corner and the usual facilities in the other. No doors, no locks, no privacy. It was a cage. Pretty if one could appreciate the trappings, but a cage nonetheless."

I can practically see Jayce leaning against one of the posts. So amazing to see something in my head come to life...

We've moved!

Obviously. My site helenaperry.net was giving me major attitude so I transferred everything here. Sorry 'bout the confusion. It's made me wonder about what else I could be doing with the website, so if there are any suggestions feel free to pass them along in case I look at bigger and better horizons.

It's gonna get bad before it gets worse - excerpt

            Karla was huddled on the couch when Bryan returned, rubbing a towel through his wet hair. She pulled her wrap tighter around her shoulders and hugged her long legs. Kidd was dumping the broken dishes into the garbage; he watched their exchange silently from the kitchen.

            Sitting next to her on the couch, Bryan examined Karla for a moment. Her black hair slid over her shoulder and provided an effective curtain while she gathered her thoughts. She knew he was waiting for an explanation.

            “Jayce was looking for me,” she said finally.

            Bryan couldn’t help the chill at her words. “How?”

            She looked up at him, “He can sense where I am. He . . . he did something to create a . . . tie with me.” Though her words were said vaguely Bryan and Kidd could read into her statement and imagine how Jayce had managed to do something so invasive. Unaware of their darkening gazes, Karla continued, “The others can’t sense me now. Or talk to me, y’know, telepathically because of him.” She glanced warily at Bryan.

            “Does he know where you are now?”

            She shook her head slowly, “I don’t think so. He was too angry.”

            “I need to understand how he almost made you leave,” Bryan asked. His voice was a quiet rumble of unease.

            Karla’s fingers closed tightly into a fist. “It’s hard to explain,” she said weakly. “The . . . tie . . . he can control me with it.”

            “The Café!” Kidd barked suddenly.

            Karla jumped, eyes wide.

            “That’s how he fucking got to you!!” He slammed his hands down on the counter. “Son of a fucking bitch!”

            “Kidd--?” Karla whispered.  She inhaled, “Wait—what?!” She stood up abruptly, the color draining from her face. “No! It’s not what you’re thinking! I mean he was there! But it was Jake! Jake--!”
            Oh shit, thought Bryan. He shot a pained glance to Kidd hoping the other man would get the hint and stop revealing how much they knew. Shut up you fool!

            Kidd came out from behind the counter. He held his hands out to Karla. “It’s okay! You don’t have to keep the secret anymore—”

            Bryan was pretty sure he heard when Karla’s heart stopped. “Goddamn it Kidd!!” he snarled.

            He jumped up as Karla shakily began backing away.

            Kidd ignored him. He didn’t dare look away from his girlfriend. Her eyes were filled with betrayal as she looked back and forth between him and Bryan. She shook her head. “No!” she moaned, “No! How do you know?!”

            “Sit back down Karla and I’ll tell you how, babe. It’s okay . . .” he spoke calmly.

            Her hand covered her mouth. She looked at Bryan, lost and devastated.

            “Fuck!” Bryan exploded, “Shut UP, Kidd!”

            He anticipated Karla’s next move and his muscles bunched with tension.

            They know about Jayce? Karla wanted to wrap her arms around her waist because she was convinced someone just gutted her. The cold feeling of losing all her insides in one swift shining arc reminded her of the nightmares she used to have after sword fighting with Alex. Only she easily would have traded her blood for what spilled instead. Oh GOD they know what my brother did to me!!

            Her reality began to fragment. I have nothing. Jayce was right. Darkness began to pull at her. I can never see them again; she decided dully, it’s over.

            Through their bond Kidd could sense something of her decision. “No!” he rasped.

            She had already spun around and focused her growing tide of desperation at the door. It blew open with an explosion of shame fueled panic. Karla leapt for the empty freedom waiting beyond.

Everything happened in a blur of motion but Bryan was only an arm length behind her and Kidd only seconds behind him. She’d hit the hallway at a sprint, trying to throw the door closed behind her to slow them down. Bryan plowed through it like a wrecking ball.

            As soon as Karla’s feet touched the carpeted floor of the hallway it was like a drop in a pond. An undetectable ripple began to spread out, reaching for a distant shore.

            Jayce sat to attention. Something shivered against his awareness. It was a touch like a feather against his cheek and then THERE she was.  A crooked grin spread across his face. He was back in business.

storyboard for chapter 3 - an other sanctuary

Irish Eyes

disclaimer-images are not my own they are complete and utter eye candy.

Just a quick little St. Patrick's Day wisdom, inspired by Kidd. :P 

Friday the 13th Freebies!!

From Friday March 13th to Tuesday March 11th Kindle is offering a Free Promotion for my books! Head on over to Amazon to get a digital copy of An Other Kind of Fury and/or An Other Sanctuary. Immerse yourself in my dark, twisted, trigger-y world. 

An Other Kind Of Fury 

An Other Sanctuary (A Call Of Blood)

Author note: So I noticed that it wasn't exactly the 13th...more like the 14th. I blame it on migraine brain. 

Authors note #2: ZOMG the date was supposed to be the 14th to the 18th!! 

I need a working . . . thinking . . . thing. 

Excerpt - Chapter Two - An Other Kind Of Fury

“We should do a report on your attack while the details are still fresh,” Bryan interrupted her thoughts.

“Report?” Karla said dumbly.

“The Panthers,” he coaxed her gently. “I know the regular police handle gang related reports, but I can take a statement and pass it on to one of their officers once the weather lets up. At least it will be taken care of.”

“Uh, no. That’s not necessary,” she told him, avoiding his gaze. Her fingers tightened on the mug. This is bad.

His eyes narrowed. “Did they threaten you? You know you’re safe now right--?”

“No. I know. It’s...just not necessary.” Karla tried to reassure him. “I’m safe. I’ll be smarter next time I go out.” And armed.

He didn't like her answer. “They will never be held responsible if you don’t.” His voice was curt.

“Don’t tell me they’ll be held responsible!” Karla snapped, “That’s a load of shit, and you know it! The police don’t mess with the gangs, especially those with hot lawyers like the Steel Panthers!”

Bryan wanted to tell her she was wrong but he knew he’d be lying. Didn't mean he had to like it. “You could have been hurt.” He didn't like how much that bothered him.

Her blue eyes flashed. Too late, she thought bitterly. “Yeah, well it’s a good thing I have a stalker in blue.”

He coughed as his hot cocoa went down the wrong pipe. He chuckled, “Found me out did you?”

Okay, you didn't have to prove me right, Karla wanted to say. She just shook her head in exasperation. She opted out of that line of conversation quickly. “I should call the Cafe and let the others know I’m safe. Phone?”

Bryan handed it over to her. She ignored the little jolt of electricity that tingled through her fingers as their hands brushed. Damn it, she fumed at herself.

Karla dialed the Cafe. Liesl’s face appeared on the video screen.“Karla! Where are you? We were worried!”

“I’m fine, Lis.” Karla assured her. “I've got a place to stay.” She didn't elaborate, but her cheeks warmed knowing that Pandora would know exactly where she was.

“Scott, Drew and Jesse landed here,” Liesl informed her.

Oh hell, Karla thought desperately. Don’t let them know where I am!  I’ll never hear the end of it!

“Look, I have to go,” Karla said abruptly. “I’ll be home when the storm’s over.”

Liesl’s brown eyes were wise. “Stay safe.”

She hung up. Well crap. This night can’t possibly get any better.If her siblings got wind that she was at Bryan’s apartment she’d never live down their knowing glances and teasing jokes. Kidd was closest to Scott and it would only be a matter of time before he got the wrong idea.

Karla wanted to sink into the armchair in utter misery.

“Want to watch a movie?” Bryan asked her.

“Sure,” she mumbled. She wanted to add, only no romantic comedies or dramas, and definitely no porn.

Her cheek was throbbing. Karla absently pressed her fingers lightly to the spot and Bryan caught the motion. He leaned forward with a sudden change in expression. She froze at the look on his face. “What--?”

“They hit you?” he growled angrily.

“It’s nothing,” she murmured, cursing her double-crossing fingers.

He was suddenly examining her and Karla found herself unable to move as he carefully tilted her chin up to get a look where she’d been belted twice across the face. Her cheekbone was starting to discolor. “Shit! I didn't know you were hurt--!!”

She didn't trust her voice to respond. His touch was shockingly gentle. It fried any working synapses in her brain that would have provided a snappy comeback, or at the least, a coherent response.

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” Bryan demanded, his blue eyes bored into her with a mixture of concern and anger.

Biting her lip, she began to shake her head no. At the simple action, the shirt she had borrowed, gaped open at the neck and slid to bare one of her shoulders. She jumped in surprise when Bryan suddenly yanked it down further to bare the angry weal where the chain had caught her.

“For fuck sakes woman! Why didn't you say something?” he snarled at her.

Her heart raced. All she could do was stare at him in mute dismay.

“Fuck. I’m sorry!” He let go of her abruptly, realizing that he was manhandling someone who’d just been physically assaulted. “I’m no good at this shit...wait here.” He stormed out of the living room, leaving Karla in a shaken state.

*Karla? Are you alright? Where are you? What happened?* Scott’s unexpected telepathic interrogation only added to Karla’s raw nerves. It was clear he was picking up on her distress.

*I’m fine!*

*Are you?  Damn it, I’m worried!  The Panthers were spotted in our area...*

*Yes, I know!  And no, I’m not going to tell you any more until I get back to the Cafe!  Leave me alone!*

With that, she slammed down her mental wall and cut off any reply that Scott may have had.

Bryan returned with his first aid kit. His lips were pressed tightly together as he cleaned and bandaged her shoulder. She watched the forgotten TV over his shoulder with unseeing eyes. He finished by retrieving an ice pack from the kitchen. “Lay back,” he said brusquely, holding the pack to her cheek.

He noticed the new silver necklace around her neck, and the ring, and guessed what it symbolized.

“I can hold it.” Karla placed her hand over his to claim the ice pack for herself and gain some personal space. He stared at her for a long moment before he relinquished his hold. She closed her eyes briefly in relief as he returned to his spot on the couch.

A blast from the past--who wants a prequel?

Kidd tromped up the stairs to the second floor. He fished his keys out of his pocket and flicked through the bunch, trying to find out the room key. He almost didn't notice the huddled figure pressed against the balcony railing.
It was the off key strain of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Sexual Healing’ that caused a chill to fission down Kidd’s spine. He froze in mid-step.His eyes zeroed in on a strangely dressed figure. It was a girl; she looked like she’d wandered away from a Steampunk gathering with her odd getup. A black top hat was pulled low over her face, hiding her features. Ultimately it was the voice Kidd identified, though it hitched and skipped like a broken record.“Rae?” Kidd called her name in disbelief.Her head flopped back and indeed it was her. He saw that she had trouble focusing on his face and recognized the telltale pupils.“You’re high.” He said shortly.“You’re here.” Rae chirped happily. “Hiiiii!”Kidd shook his head impatiently. What the hell?
“Did you bring the pretty stars for Karla?” Rae asked him, “She likes presents! She liked my fireworks!!” Then the happy expression on her face dimmed, “She’s mad at me.”Kidd knelt down and grabbed Rae’s shoulders. “Karla? Is she here?”The smile came back but this time it was coy. “Uh uh. Can’t tell you. You’re a kitty cat.” She growled at him playfully. “A bad kitty cat.”That almost sat him on his ass. She knew he was a Panther? That explained a lot. Shit!“I’m not going to do anything bad to Karla, Rae. You have to trust me.” He said urgently. “Is she like you? Is she high? Where is she?”“Are we playing twenty questions?” Rae asked him soberly. “Cause that sounded like twenty—”Kidd wanted to growl in frustration but he didn't dare scare her. She’d lock up tighter than a bank vault. He took a slow breath through his teeth, “Rae. Where’s Karla? I have to give her my present.”
“The stars?” Rae guessed excitedly. “Oooh! I can’t wait to see her face!!”He nodded quickly, “That’s right. Let’s go show her the stars--!”He was about to help her to her feet when Rae pulled back with a frown.“No, we have to wait our turn.”Kidd wanted to shake her. He was getting worried. “Wait for what Rae?”“Sexual Healing,” She said like ‘duh’.He was going to throw up. It took him a few deep breaths to gather enough control to ask, “Is it Karla’s turn now?”Rae nodded, blinking guilelessly.Kidd couldn't wait any longer. He started searching Rae for a key. “Rae, so fucking help me, you have to tell me where Karla is--!” He snarled.
She was too far gone. As he searched Rae frantically, she giggled as though he were tickling her. All Kidd could think of was that somewhere in the building behind him was Karla. She was being hurt by someone and he couldn't fucking help her because her best friend was out of her mind high!
“God dammit Rae!” Kidd exploded impatiently.Hang on Karla!