It's no secret I love writing about both military and cops in my stories. Being as I'm from both worlds, it's easy to write what I know.  More so, it's simple to capture and relay the true fashion on which these men behave.  

In one of my first novels published, Feral Craving, I've teamed up a group of Special Force members who are also something not entirely human.  These boys not only kick some ass while serving their country in Afghanistan, but they also whoop it while at home fighting the war they were set on Earth to do.  

We learn all about just how a Justice Demon and a Special Forces Operator can mix to becoming something deadly.

Feral Craving is book one of my Justice Demon series, and up next in book two is Mike.  I'm showcasing this book in the Wicked Warriors Hop because of their link to the United States military.

I'm looking give away a copy of Feral Craving to one lucky respondent who can give me their best choice of a song they'd want to listen  to while driving through the desert in the Middle East.  Trust me when I say music goes a long way when you're hundreds of miles from any type of civilization.

Hit me with your answer below in the comments and then hop your way to the next blog for more chances to win!

Thanks for hopping on by!  We're having a hell of a time including excerpts that sizzle from our books.  I've included one from my paranormal romance, Feral Craving.  Bari had fought against his desire for far too long ... and his lust exploded.  When you're done reading, make sure to follow the directions for your chance to win! Enjoy!

(Copyright, 2013, D.C. Stone)

Shock and pure, unadulterated lust pooled deep in his gut. Bari sucked in a sharp breath at the first press of her lips and shook with the amount of force it was taking to hold him back as she paused and waited for his reaction. Fuck—this was all he dreamed of for years but now felt unsure of how much to push. His mind pinged off about a dozen warning bells. Watching her response carefully, he brushed his lips on Mackenzie’s, tempting, enticing her to part her lips, and she did. His tongue darted out, licking the seam of her lips slowly, tasting her. He heard Mackenzie’s breath catch, felt her lips part on a sigh and took advantage, plunging his tongue deep inside her mouth. Her taste assailed him, gripped him, and entranced him to continue. He kept the kiss slow and cautious, not wanting to push her, and gave in to the temptation she offered: a sweet sip of Mackenzie Walters.

His tongue guided over hers, caressed and curled around it. He leaned in to her, pulling his hand from the mug, and palmed her face, deepening the kiss, unable to get enough of her. Something primitive took over. Something deep inside craved her more than should be possible. He was a drowning man in a sea full of water. So damn thirsty.

Mackenzie moaned, and Bari swallowed it with his mouth, answered with a low growl. His hands left her face, guided down the length of her neck before rolling across her shoulders and down her back. He wanted to mold her, wanted to trace and learn every curve, every dip of her body with his hands before retracing it all with his mouth. He wanted so much, yet not enough, to give and take, to conquer and plunge.

Dropping his hands to her slender waist, he curved them over her enticing rear and squeezed her body tight to his as he rose from the stool he was sitting on at the center island. His cock strained in his pants, begging to be set free.

Down, boy.

His hips rolled, the action intentionally slow, and as another groan escaped her, he caught it with his mouth. Lifting up, he palmed her rear and turned, setting her on the counter as he stepped between her legs. She tasted of heaven and home, of apple and spices, of the sea and sky; so many different flavors, all identified to that of his Mackenzie. His muscles coiled tight, his need hammering nails in the coffin of his restraint.

Mackenzie broke her mouth from his with a gasp, and she groaned as his mouth trailed down her neck, nipping and suckling. The sound was as sweet as sugar would be on his tongue.

“Bari, don’t hold back.”

An answering growl, a labored groan. Bari’s hands hooked under her thighs and pulled her closer as he bent her body back on the counter. She wrapped her legs around his waist and curled her body to his like someone hanging on for their life. His mouth came back up to hers, and as he captured her lips, he heard a tortured sigh.

“Mackenzie.” The sigh came from him.

Dishes clattered as he swiped them across the counter. Bari hovered above Mackenzie, his hands roaming with frantic movements before he dipped his hand beneath her shirt to seek skin. Under his palm she was so damn soft, like velvet, so warm to his touch. Warmth he yearned for on a cold night. He wanted to brand and possess her. The surge of it shocked him. Bari pulled back and stared down at her. Heavy-lidded eyes stared up at him, unblinking and heavy with anticipation. His hand paused just under the swell of her breast, and his fingers moved back and forth in a teasing caress, just barely brushing the sensitive skin.

 “Mackenzie, I’m not going to be able to stop until you tell me to. You understand?” His voice sounded thick, guttural.

She answered by raising her head and pulling him down to her seeking lips. Heat pooled low in his stomach as his hips rolled against hers, eliciting a gasp as he rubbed right against her sex. His hand brushed under her bra, wrapped around her breast. She felt like heaven, silk, sweet temptation. Mackenzie moaned into his mouth and pressed her hips up to meet his in a primal movement as old as time, mimicking the movements of his tongue in her mouth with her body.

“Mommy!”

*winks* That's all we have for now.  Interested in reading more?  Make sure you check out Feral Craving here or here.  For your chance to win, make sure you click on the picture above which will direct you for your chance to win any of the following prizes.  I'd love to hear what you think happens next.  Post below and we'll chat!

You could win......

Grand Prize #1
An iPAD MINI
(US ONLY)
(Alternate prize for international winner)

OR

Grand Prize #2
$50 Amazon/B&N Gift Card
+ Several Surprise Digital Books


OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #1
+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC
+ Several surprise digital books
(US ONLY for Swag)

OR

Fabulous Swag Pack #2
+ $10 Amazon/B&N GC
+ Several surprise digital books
(US ONLY for Swag)

So great news today!  Feral Craving is now out in print format!  As of today it is available here, and within the next week or so you'll be seeing it on Amazon as well. 

I'm running a promotion on Goodreads as well and giving three free copies out at random.  If you get a chance, make sure to input your entry below. 

This summer comes a lot of exciting times.  As many know, I've ventured in romantic suspense and currently have my first two books of a series completed.  This series is called the Empire Blue series and it's slated to have a total of seven books (possibly more) by the time it's completed.  The first book, Different Faces of Danger, has been requested with three separate publishers and an agent, so hopefully in the next few weeks we'll have some huge news with that project.

I've also started in on book two of the Justice Demon series, which will tell Mike's side of the story.  Here in the next few weeks there will be a few postings so many of you can learn who Mike is and why his story is going to shock everyone, himself included.  So in the essance of time, I will apologize now.  "Mike, I'm sorry, but it's gotta be done, buddy."

The erotica project is still in the works, and more postings on the different phases will be up soon. 

As many know, about ten weeks ago I quit smoking and since that time I have been focusing on keeping myself tobacco free.  As a result, my attention was shifted from my writing, to my body.  I've been sucessful in my attempts and plan to keep it that way.  There are a few other projects that are coming up and one I'm really excited to announce, which I will, as soon as it's ready. ;)

In the meantime, I'll be out at two signings within the next three months and will be announcing those shortly.  Keep watch and if you get the chance, please stop by.  Would love to get the chance to discuss your favorite characters and your thoughts on just where you think the series is going next.  *grin*

DC

Book Boyfriends...

They can be strong and sexy, dark and dangerous, rebellious and reckless or cute and quirky. We love to fall in love with these irresistible heroes and Evernight Publishing has them all!

The authors of Evernight invite you to a Speed Date challenge. Their cowboys, Doms, detectives, millionaires, royalty, vampires, soldiers, shifters, even steam-powered heroes are waiting to meet you on each author website. 50 heroes in 7 days! Are you up for the challenge?

Pull up a chair and get to know every single one. I’d love to introduce you to my hero...


I’m staring at the screen; trying to possibly think of all the reasons Bari Daxter deserves his spotlight. You see, he is a hard man to explain and more so, there’s no possible way to elucidate who the man is. For one, he’s completely different from who he used to be. And two, Bari is not your average, everyday human. He’s much more and he’s the reason the world continues to spin.

Yeah, no shit.

In order to sum up my meaning as easy as I possibly can, the best description I can give you is Bari is a six-foot, four, two hundred and sixty-five pound, man—a black hair and ice blue eyes, cool as the ice caps of Antarctica, Justice Demon.

(Hands brush aside my fingers)

Bari is a mutherfucking God is what he is.

“Bari! In case you’ve missed it, I’m the one writing here.” For the love of …

“And doing a piss poor job at it, if I might add, D.C.”

Heat creeps over my face.  Really, the gall of this man. “Excuse me,” I begin.

“Did you fart?” he asks.

Sputtering, I stare at him in disbelief. This man truly has no shame. If I did not know any better, I’d think the ass of the past has returned.  However, the twinkle in his cobalt eyes, the slight laughter-lines surrounding his eyes, and the twitching of his lips has understanding dawning as I figure out his plan.

You see, long gone is the tortured man of the past, one who was lost in a world so big. A man who led a team of Special Forces through the dry deserts of Iraq, who ran away from home, tearing out his heart in the process. One who had vivid, painful memories—more so nightmares, if you ask me—of his mother being killed before his eyes. If all of that wasn’t bad enough, he had to watch as his mother was slain by the only hero he had known, one meant to protect and cherish their child—his father.

But things always have a way of growing complicated just when you thought they couldn’t get any worse, right?

Sensing a presence inside his body, something he’d suspected for so long, this inner company rose to the surface—the demon—after he was shot trying to protect his best friend, Mike.

(The chair spins away from the desk.)

I’m a fucking hero. Yeah, people, you’re reading right. Bari Daxter is not only one good-looking hunk of a man. But, he’s also a hero, a God, and he has a really big co--

I hold up the plug for the keyboard, scowling at him. For real now, he has absolutely no shame. 

He frowns at the screen, and then glances over at me.  Dark indigo eyes widen, then narrow on the cord I dangle in my hand.  Bari straightens, rising to his full height.  He turns toward me.

“D.C …” he croons.

Okay, the guy is intimidating as hell.  I step back and force down the lump of fear in my throat. It’s not just Bari’s power, which I feel sliding along my skin like little sparks of electricity, the kind of shock you get when you drag your feet across the carpet during dry, winter months.  But, it’s because even without saying a word, he emits a raw kind of sensuality, one that calls to the submissive in any one, regardless of their gender.

“Don’t D.C. me,” I stammer, attempting, but failing to mimic his voice.  Clearing my parched throat, I try again. “Where’s Mackenzie? Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”

He smiles and it spreads across his face like a slow sunrise. Just because the expression is on the features of a harden male, it makes it no less beautiful. Bari’s a gorgeous man.

“Come on,” he says. “They all want to hear about it.”

“They?” I ask. “It?”  Really, I should know better by now, but yeah, I really did ask.

He crosses his arms across his chest, the smile turning too smug for my liking.  Oh hell …

“Yeah, the guys want something to compare themselves to, and the ladies all love my coc—”

“Bari!” I shout over the last word, my face on fire now.  Laughter dances in his eyes. The sigh that escapes my mouth cannot be contained. This man has done a complete one-eighty in such a short amount of time. Whereas before I was scared he’d bury himself under the hate and despair sitting on his shoulders, he now stands tall, eyes stress-free, laughter open and unrestrained. 

I know the reason for this change, too. It includes a green eyed, petite, yet curvy woman. 

But really, Mackenzie could bring out the best in anyone.  Trust me on this.

Sitting back at the desk, keyboard once again connected, I try to ignore the menacing presence behind me. It’s pretty hard to concentrate though. The weight of him watching me is almost too much.

Unease skitters across my skin like a million spiders picking their way across a field. Sweat pops along my temples, and the screen in front of me goes blurry. Words slide together until it’s a jumble of figures vying for attention.

“Breathe, D.C!”

His words snap my mind and body. I inhale a long gulp of air noisily.  It takes me several moments to get my body under control, but once the oxygen is flowing smooth again, I turn in the chair and face him, crossing one leg over the other.  His gaze dropping to the action does not escape my notice and I raise a brow, and fold my arms across my chest.  I’m not concerned about his wandering eyes though, I know this guy is head-over-heels.

“I need you to leave. Scamper, take off,” I say.

He matches my brow. “Why? You love me.”

I let out a deep breath and pull my eyes from his intense gaze. “I do love you. I love each one of you so much. But right now, I’m trying to make you shine. This is your spotlight and because I adore you so much, I want to make sure I can give you justice. Make sure I show just how bad ass and delectable you are to those who’ll be reading your story.”

“Really, D.C. You don’t have to do much to make me shine. Two minutes into my book, they’ll see it for themselves.”

The arrogant ass.  “Ego, Bari!  Careful, you might not fit your head through the door.”

“Confidence, D.C. But my coc …”

He stops speaking and gives another heart-wrenching smile. “You sure I can’t stick around and help?”

Oh hell, when he asks like that, it kills me to turn him away.

“You’re distracting, Bari.  I can’t concentrate with you here. Intensity is something you’re definitely not lacking in.”

He crosses the floor, takes my chair, and spins me back toward the computer screen. His breath washes over the side of my face as he leans down.

“Then get writing, D.C. And one more thing …”

I’m losing the ability to think with him so close, but I manage a, “What?”

It may have come out all airy, and he laughs in his knowing way, but leans in to give a chaste kiss on my cheek.

“Thank you, and we love you, too.”

With those parting words, I don’t have to look to know he’s done that flashy thing and gone off to terrorize someone else—Tyler most likely. Bari’s words give me pause as my heart turns into melted dark chocolate, all warm and smooth. When he shows affection, really, that’s why I think he would make the best boyfriend. Because when he gives you his full attention, he makes you feel like you are his world.

Settling back at the desk, I take a deep breath and start typing: “All the reasons why Bari would and does make the best boyfriend …”


What’s up for grabs?

•              One lucky hopper will win a KINDLE PAPERWHITE eREADER sponsored by Evernight Publishing.

•              Every book blogger/reviewer site is giving away one free eBook from Evernight (winner’s choice of any eBook from Evernight Publishing’s website).

•              Plus, each author offers their own unique prize! So visit each blog hop stop for a host of fabulous prizes to win.

How to enter?

Who's life did Bari save in Iraq? Be sure you leave the answer and your email address in the comments below to be eligible to win a prize.

Keep hopping to the next author or blogger. After you’ve met each hero click here to vote for your favorite book boyfriend. You’ll earn an extra grand prize entry!

You’re one step closer to meeting your next Book Boyfriend...

(Alright folks, if you want to vote for Bari, then let me help you out toward winning that grand prize, which is listed through Evernight.  You must not only comment, but you must leave your email address below.  

For my main prize I'm giving away, I've created a basket full of items, to include Bari's book, Feral Craving, a bag of dark chocolate, and a $5 gift card to Evernight Publishing's website.  In order to win this, all you gotta do is follow me on Twitter, if you have it, or Facebook, or share the giveaway. Links are below for easy access!  When you comment with your answer to the question above, be sure to remember to leave your email so I can get in contact with the winner! 

Best of luck!)

YAY!  Today is release day for my dear, sweet, brooding hero, Bari. 

Feral Craving is book one of a series I deemed The Justice Demons. Justice Demons, you ask? Yes, it is a paranormal romance, where a group of Special Forces members find out they aren't exactly human, and have been created by a Goddess to help ward of the battle of good and evil. Their sole job is to protect the world, keep things in balance, much as they did in the military. 

Within Feral Craving, the first member finds his mate, someone he ran from nine years ago, thinking he was not good enough to have her. He wanted her life to be happy, and without doubts, something that he is not in shortage of.

Needless to say, while he's been gone, she hasn't had said happiness, and things have changed...

So…that being said, you ready for an excerpt?

Without warning, the room started to spin; a sudden, wicked wave of dizziness assaulted him. Bari lifted a hand, reaching for the wall, and grunted through the nausea. He wobbled on his legs, tried to reboot his mind. Christ, not this shit again! He needed his head. He had to get away, but in a desert half the size of the US of A, he didn’t have any fucking options.

A sound—a whisper to his left. He snapped his head up. Nothing. Just air and trash. The whisper moved to his right, suddenly magnified. Like nails on a chalkboard. Bari whirled, lifting the pistol at his leg, his M-4 rifle now forgotten at his feet. The room spun without warning. He held the pistol in front of him, wavering, pointing at who the fuck knew and nothing all at once. He rocked back on his heels and blinked, and his vision immediately focused. His stomach still rebelled against the spinning sensation, and he breathed through the bile rising up his throat.

Bari narrowed his eyes as a shape started to form before him. Fuzzy, gray and brown colors mixed and swirled. He blinked, trying to make his eyes and mind decipher what took shape. It was huge, as big as he, but what the fuck was it? Lines of blue intermingled beneath its brown and gray spots and, as it grew clearer, he saw what he pointed his muzzle at. Adrenaline rushed him. It couldn’t be. But the image was unmistakable. He stared at the figure that stared back at him. Then, it vanished—the shadow of what he swore was himself, disappeared.

“What the hell?”

A whisper caught his attention to his left. Suddenly, he remembered where he was, then turned and lifted his SIG Sauer handgun. Tony’s eyes widened, and his hands lifted in the air, one leather-covered hand around his rifle.

“Fucking shit, Bari. It’s me.” Pushing Bari’s weapon away from him, Tony narrowed his own stormy gaze at Bari. “You tight, man?”

Bari clamped his jaw shut, not really sure how to answer.

Tony’s lips thinned, then he glanced over his shoulder and tossed his head back. “Let’s get moving.”

Tony nodded down another dark hallway. Bari shook his head, clearing it of the fear bubbling inside of him. His stomach gurgled and he swallowed, forcing the still rising bile down. Something was off, something he couldn’t quite grasp. He felt as if he had walked into a dream—ventured into a dark tunnel. But he knew better, knew that the sun shined high and bright—hot as hell, outside.

The house was filthy, filled with dilapidated couches and mounds of trash and bottles. It couldn’t have been occupied for long. Hell, the place didn’t even look livable for New York City rats. His task set on what lay ahead. Bari worked slow but efficiently cleared each room he passed. In his ear, he heard Mike and Tyler mark their rooms, bringing the four of them together once again as the halls connected. One room remained, its door closed.

They stacked up, lined up as they had outside, their weapons trained on the door, then busted inside. Bari scanned the room as he led the way, expectant and ready.

They were met with nothing. Not one damn person. Whoever had run into this house seemed to have just disappeared into thin air. Cursing, Bari dropped his guard, lowered his weapon, and paced the room. His mind scrambled over the reports they’d studied, trying to recall every detail and feeling as if he had forgotten something. All eyes of the team were on him, waiting for a decision.

With a frustrated growl, he ripped open the front of his vest and breathed deep, letting air fill his tight chest. A bunker was supposed to be here, somewhere, but they had seen no evidence of it. It was like they’d been set up to clear an empty house. None of it made a damn lick of sense.

“Shit, we should have found something here. Where in the fuck did they go?” His team answered with silence. Shaking his head, he pushed his helmet off and scrubbed a hand through his hair.

Mike pulled a piece of gum from his pocket, unwrapped and shoved it in his mouth. The sound of his chewing snapped through the room. “Yeah, Bari, this looks like a dead-end. Doesn’t make any sense.”

Grabbing his pack of smokes from his own pocket, Bari popped a cigarette in his mouth and lit it.

Needing to get some answers, Bari stepped around Tony. Adrenaline still rushed inside of him, his skin itchy with unused energy. He moved back down the hall and into the living area.

He glanced up. And time froze.

 He would later tell himself he could have been faster, or ducked down. But Mike, a father with a six-year-old daughter back home, had followed behind him. So he didn’t move. Instead, he froze as the gunman stepped out from behind a door. Mike must have missed it. Fear stole up the back of his neck, the sensation reminiscent of a winding serpent. The gunman lifted his rifle. Low shouts rang out around Bari. Seconds ticked by like molasses dripping. Bari closed his eyes and braced for the pain, understanding he might not make it out alive. A shot rang out, the sound echoing through the walls. Pain exploded in his chest, his body. The cigarette he lit earlier dropped from his mouth, fell to the floor. He raised his eyes, meeting the gunman’s stare from across the room. Death sat in the man’s blank gaze, reflecting darkness, emptiness.

Bari felt consciousness slipping away. Funny how some people claim your life flashes before your eyes when you face death. Because the only thing that flashed before Bari’s was the life he never had and the woman who would’ve been in it: Mackenzie Walters.

Buy links:

Amazon

Evernight

Barnes and Noble: Coming soon, follow along to find out soon.

So this week I've got lots of really good news.  Rather than jumble it all down in one block of a paragraph (hint, hint, dear fellow writers), I'm gonna break down a few things.  So hold on to your coattails, it's about to get a bit windy.

1) This past week I celebrated my 21st birthday. *grin* I can't even write that without laughing.  Eh, to be 21 again would be great, but to be a kid again would be even better.  You'll have to add some twelve years and change to that figure in order to get the true age, but you won't hear it come out to me.  For the b-day though, I took the day off, sent the kids to school, the hubby out of the house and did nothing but write and edit.  Good news on that day, I got the remaining pieces of an opening book for a series completed, and also added some twelve thousands words to another piece. Whoot!

2)  I just signed with Decadence Publishing as well.  I'll have more information on this, but I'm super excited about this new turn in my career, seeing as this series I'll contribute too also has an author who I not only admire, but respect ten fold.  Stay tuned for more information on that.

3) Last, but certainly not least, Feral Craving (previously known as Coming Home) is being released this week.  I know--finally!  If you're curious to what Feral Craving is about, click here.  This is the first book of my paranormal romance series involving a group of Special Forces who turn about to be something more.  Intrigued yet?  You won't regret it.  As we get closer to the release date, links for the book will come out and be available.  In the meantime make sure again, you click here, to check out the cover art for this fantastic new book.

I’m sitting there waiting, fifteen minutes past the time he said he’d arrive, my foot tapping against the
floor with the irritation I feel rising in my veins.  I don’t like waiting around. And what’s worse is I’ve been asked to do this as a favor for her.  “He’s as a harmless as a teddy bear, D.C,” she said.  Remembering this thought brings a snort from my chest and I push up, my patience about done with waiting on him. Bari has to realize I’ve got books to write.

Just as my body unfolds from the chair, the door opens before me and I freeze. “Going somewhere, D.C?” An involuntary shiver works its way up my spine; a combination of fear and lust spreading. 
Who would blame me?  

Standing at six foot four, about two-hundred and seventy pounds; Bari’s sudden presence sucks all of the air from the room.  His size alone would make any one shiver in fear but it’s his eyes that tell a different story.  They’re the color of glaciers at the northern part of Alaska. Merely saying they were ice blue didn’t give them enough justice.  It was the color you’d find just as snow hit the dark blue ice. They both
glowed and cooled the room, creating such a conflicting response in anyone; one that spoke of fight or flight. One that screamed for your own survival.  Set in features that most would call beautiful (if they weren’t looking to die immediately – they’d do so behind his back) the glacial eyes were set on a face that held a strong jaw, full lips, and were surrounded by midnight black hair that fell to his shoulders.

Bari screamed sensuality and death in one shot; a tool he could use on just about any one, of any race, gender, or being. Bari was death on legs – or how she liked to refer to him – sex with legs.  That thought brings a bubble of laughter up in my chest and I fight to hold it in, failing miserably in the end.  Bari’s dark brow arched in response. 

“Something funny, D.C?” He leaned casually against the wall, all lethal grace held behind a man who screamed of awareness.  

I cleared my throat, taking a quick glance at the door and tried to gauge my odds on making it out alive. 
They weren’t good.

A soft, dark chuckle whipped my head back to Bari who still stood there, menacing and oozing a calm “I-don’t-give-a-shit type of attitude.” 

“Awe, come on, D.C; I’m not going to touch you.”  Both my brows pop at this, not fully believing for one minute it could be so easy.  Bari’s arms uncrossed and he lifted both palms in the air, holding them
up. “I give you my word.”

I narrowed my eyes.  This wasn’t the Bari I knew.  The man I knew liked to rip heads off before he even learned their names, lived for the moment of a fight, had a favorite color of red, dreamed of different ways to kill, new ways to cause pain.  Shall I go on?  A sudden thought entered my mind.  “She made you promise."
                 
His shocked, wide eyed look said it all.  “No, she didn’t.”
                 
A grin started to spread across my face, his sudden shifting calling him for the liar he was.  “She did
too!”  I clapped my hands in front of me and started to laugh.  “She totally did!  Oh Bari, you are so
whoo—“
                
He was in front of me in less than a second, cutting of my words.  “I wouldn’t finish that statement if I
were you, D.C.”
                 
My mouth was hanging open, the word begging to come out. “W-wh-woooonderful. You are wonderful, Bari.”  I smiled, a sweet, innocent smile; one I hoped hid the fact that I was about to piss my pants. 
Had I mentioned how scary Bari was…period?
                 
He responded with a grunt and stepped back. “Now that you’re done kissing my ass, D.C, how about we get this out of the way?”
                 
“Um, sure?” I took a step back, wanting more space between the two of us.  Hell, if I could have it my
way, I would have done this over the phone.  Unfortunately for me, Byron had wanted to see me and well, I really had a hard time saying no to that little man.  
                  
“Sit down, D.C.”
                
I sat immediately and fought the urge to stand back up right away.  Bari grinned down at me and resumed his position on the wall, arms crossed, as if he knew exactly that.  Pulling out my notebook and pen, I fought to hide the shakiness in my hands and wished like hell I had a drink – one of an alcoholic variety.  I cleared my dry throat.
                
“Okay, Bari.  What is your idea of perfect happiness?”
                
A dark brow rose slowly and I watched as Bari got this far away look in his eyes, one that made the hard lines of his face soften and one that I had often seen associated with thoughts of her. I tilted my head and studied him, opened my mouth to comment on the look but was immediately cut off.
                 
“Next question, D.C.”

“But, you didn’t-“

“I said, next question.” The hard glint in his eyes had me pushing my chair back ever so slightly in fear.
    
I glanced down at my notebook and fought yet another urge to run.  “Okaaaay, what is your greatest
fear?”

Bari shot me a look that said it all.  Screamed of,“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”  “Seriously, D.C?
Fear?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but again, was cut off.  “NEXT!” I jumped in my chair as his deep voice boomed through the room.  Geesh.  “Fine.” I huffed and heard a low growl come from Bari’s direction but quickly forged on. “Who’s your favorite fictional character?”
                
Bari snorted – loud.  “Little Bow-fucking-peep.  For Christ sake, D.C.  I thought this was supposed to be an interview?”
                
I met his gaze and felt my own irritation start to boil deep in my gut.  Glancing down, I searched
through the previously written questions and dismissed them all; realizing now that if I wanted a real answer from Bari, I was going to have to dig deep.  My mind searched frantically for one, hearing each one of the seconds ticking down loudly as our time drew to an end.  Nothing was coming to mind and I glanced up as Bari shifted and pushed from the wall. 

“Well, D.C, can’t say it’s been fun, but-“

“Wait!”  I jumped out of my chair, and held the notebook in his path.  As if that will stop him?  Good Lord. 
“I mean,” I cleared my throat again and fought for something, anything. “What – what is your favorite journey, Bari.”

Bari let out a deep, heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair, sending the dark blades haphazardly in every direction. He dropped it and turned towards me, stepping closer as his head dipped down. 
“D.C,” he began; his voice low, deep, mesmerizing.  “My favorite journey has and always will be…the one you’ve put me on.” My jaw dropped open, forming a circle as shock ran through me. Do what?!  Bari stood to his full height and looked down at me, capturing me once again with his lethal, yet extremely beautiful gaze.  I swallowed hard, having to force my throat to work as fear and desire slammed
into me.  “You tell anyone that, D.C; and there’s going to be hell to pay.”

With those final words, Bari turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving me standing there, gaping at his back. Minutes ticked by and finally a slow smile started to spread across my face.  Yeah, the big bad demon was in fact, just a big ole teddy bear.  

“I HEARD THAT, D.C!” The words shook the entire house and I froze, fear embedding my body frozen before flight and the need for survival kicked in, sending me running.  Oh shit. “Next time remember he can read minds, D.C,” I muttered as I fled the room.