The great Kasi Blake is kind enough to share this week’s Tuesday Teaser. Take a peek at Bait!
Out of every room in the entire school, all one-hundred and twenty-six of them, the Meditation Room was Nick’s favorite. The walls were covered in thin black curtains with braided gold cords hanging down, waiting to be pulled so the material could slide back to reveal numerous weapons. Sometimes he took down a sword or dagger so he could practice his moves. In the center of the polished hardwood was a thing that looked like a cross between a huge silver cauldron and a fountain. Delicate metal branches shot up from the cauldron/fountain to the ceiling, and a magical flame burned inside, a fire that never died. It wasn’t a real fire. There wasn’t an ounce of warmth or heat, just a brilliant reddish-orange light.
Then there was the issue of privacy. At this hour the students were in their dorms or in the cafeteria, so he didn’t have to worry about being gawked at. Balancing on one foot, a blue yoga mat beneath him, Nick grabbed his other leg by the ankle and lifted it high in the air behind his head as he leaned forward. Dancer’s Pose. His other arm reached straight out, stretching his fingers as if trying to grab something precious. Under his breath he counted to thirty. Mind and body synchronized.
“Exactly when did you lose your mind, and where was I when it happened?” Mike’s booming voice bounced off the walls, startling Nick. He came close to losing his balance. His former lead guitarist wore a dark suit complete with a strangling tie.
Nick wobbled but quickly recovered. “Where are you going dressed like that?”
“To your funeral,” Mike said with a wry expression. “Van insisted the band be there when he buries Tyler Beck. It’s going to be videotaped for the hungry masses, so he doesn’t want anyone to get suspicious. I think your grave will be close by.” Mike made a face. “Hey, maybe he’ll set you up with a lakeside view.”
Disturbed by the news, Nick said, “Go then. I have things to do.”
Undeterred, Mike asked, “Like mentoring Van Helsing’s daughter? Are you insane?” He walked slow circles around Nick while speaking. “I couldn’t believe my ears when Tony told me you’d volunteered.”
Mike placed a hand on Nick’s forehead.
“What are you doing?” Nick asked.
“Checking for a fever. You must be delirious.”
A brick of tension landed on Nick’s shoulder. Yoga usually relaxed him, but it wasn’t going to work if Mike kept verbally pushing him. He let go of his ankle and performed a flawless headstand with hands flat on the mat. Unfortunately, Mike’s boots were in his line of sight. “No one else was going to agree to mentor her,” Nick mumbled.
“Oh, so you were doing everyone a favor? Is that it?”
“They would have sent her away.” Talking while upside-down was not an easy task. Nick pushed with his hands and started to walk around the room on his palms.
“Good. Then you’d be free. Happy days are here again. The prophecy wouldn’t have a chance to come true.”
“It isn’t going to come true, because I’m not going to let it.” Nick grinned. “She’s pretty, but she is not irresistible.”
“Try to remember that.”
“You worry too much.”
“And you don’t worry enough.”
“If I ever feel myself starting to fall for her, I promise to give you a call. You can be like my sponsor in a drug abuse program.”
Nick flipped all the way over to land on his feet, giving up on the yoga. He grabbed a discarded black tee and pulled it over his head while Mike circled him. The annoying guitarist said, “You are playing a dangerous game there, bud.”
“But you’ve got my back,” Nick said.
“Always.” They bumped fists and Mike smiled. “Now tell me the real reason you decided to mentor this girl.”
Need more? (Of course you do!) Take a look at her website here and order Bait here.
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