New house, new book, new start.

Ok, so apparently living half your life in past and half in present isn't the best thing to do. I learned it the hard way trying to cling to my old life-work-apartment, and deal with the new ones. Thankfully it's the last week of this dual life. Today I finished most of dragons #2. Only the last scene is left for the book to be finished and I'm so very happy. Now two other books are vying for my attention. I'm still not sure, if I should finish the 3-rd dragons, or concentrate on Bigwell #2. Well, anyway it's going to be decided in the next week.
In the meantime I'm leaving my day-job and staring a new one. Also, I'm ninety-percent moved to the new house. Changing from an apartment to a house and changing flat-mates takes a lot of effort and money, but I hope it is worth it.
Also just a week ahead of me is my week-long holiday. A chance to see my friends, visit my family and be at a cousin's wedding. It suddenly seems that me and my brothers are the last of the family to settle down. It's a strange feeling, but as I was writing today it suddenly occurred to me, It is worth, waiting for the one meant for me. I do realize, it is highly unlikely that I'll find the love of my life just like that, but it's better to live a fulfilled life waiting for my love, than to be  miserable doing so.
Anyway, I'm going to finish my book tomorrow, then start on the next one. Then I'll take care of the rest of many things that needs to be done when it comes to the move.
All in all, life is good.

Captive or Captor #4

Lowell saved his document and turned off the computer. Closing his eyes he stretched his arms up and behind his head. Spending time with his characters was fun but it made his back and shoulder muscles tense. Rolling his head around on his shoulders he felt a few pops and grimaced. It was gross but necessary. With everything properly stretched Lowell gave himself a few minutes to relax and center himself, before getting up and going to do some physical work.

While Lowell’s stay in the mansion was basically an exile he was still the owner’s son. He had no duties around the house, there was enough staff to deal with all the cleaning and day to day running of the big household. Still, Lowell didn’t like being idle. He needed something to keep him occupied and he found it in gardening. There were several gardeners who dealt with the grounds, but Lowell had his own private little garden at the back of the property where he grew flowers, vegetables and herbs. He even had a few young fruit trees. He was the only one taking care of that private sanctuary of his. Deciding it was time to do some weeding he changed into his “business clothes” as he jokingly called the old tattered jeans and hoodie, which he used for his gardening. Waving to some of the staff on his way out, he marched straight to the shed. Grabbing a wheelbarrow filled with all the items he’d need he whistled under his nose as he pushed it to his sanctuary.

Lowell left the wheelbarrow a couple metres away and took the few steps to the small wooden door hidden in an overgrown hedge. His private little garden was hidden well from the prying eyes and no one except himself was allowed in there. People in the mansion knew about the rule and expected it. Lowell decided to introduce the no-trespassing rule to have a place where he could be alone and, if it was possible, bring Purr there. His tiger loved their little garden as much as Lowell did and he often offered his input on the plants Lowell should have there. Lowell would bring his tiger there every chance he got and they would spend an entire days there.

Lowell grimaced at the thought. It was so unfair that Purr had to stay cooped up inside the basement when the weather outside was so lovely. Looking around Lowell noticed that several of the vegetables were ripe and ready to be picked. A smile entered his face as he thought of bringing those to his lover. He could cook a nice dinner for Purr, maybe cheer him up a bit. A plan for the evening all worked out Lowell got to work. He had some weeding to do, then he could take care of his lover.

* * * *

Lowell stood up and patted his jeans to get rid of the soil that clung to it. The weeding took him longer than he expected and it was already getting grey outside. Despite nice, hot weather autumn was bringing with it shorter days and Lowell realised it was time to go. He quickly picked up the vegetables he’d need for his planned dinner and he loaded all the tools on the wheelbarrow. He set the vegetables on top and marched towards the house.

There was a sudden feeling of unease creeping up his back. He couldn’t say what was wrong exactly, but there was definitely something not quite right about his surroundings. A strange stillness, an air of anticipation, as if something was about to happen. Just as Lowell quickened his steps, the unease getting the better of him, there was a loud noise from the direction of the mansion. A startling band, then a lot of shouting. Lowell dropped the wheelbarrow and run to the house. He noticed strangers in a combat gear standing outside, corralling the nervous looking staff on the front driveway. Completely ignoring the sight Lowell rushed to the house.

It was about Purr, it had to be. His father’s spies learned about the shifter finally and his father send his people for him. Lowell wasn’t about to let the man win. His father wasn’t about to take the most important person in Lowell’s life from him.

Lowell reached the kitchen door and run inside. There was a shouting behind him, the armed men spotted him and shouted for him not to enter. Lowell ignored it. He didn’t care who these people were, he wasn’t letting them take Purr from him. The shouting grew louder, angrier, but he couldn’t listen. As he run down the corridor and up the stairs he noticed smoke coming from the direction of his room. No, it wasn’t happening! He had to get to Purr, he had to save his lover!

Alas, it wasn’t happening. There were more shouts behind him and then he felt a horrible pain in his back. They shot him! These bastards actually shot him! Lowell gritted his teeth and pushed on. He reached the top of the stairs, he had to only go down the hallway to get to his room. From there he could barricade himself in, open the secret passage and go free his lover. They could run away, hide somewhere, where his father wouldn’t find them, they could live happily, just the two of them.

Even as Lowell thought that his vision grew blurry and the word started spinning. Before he could brace himself on the wall hi knees gave out under him, and he fell face-first on the rug-covered floor. He had enough time to see black combat shoes stepping into his line of sight, before his body gave up and he fell into a total darkness. His last thought was about Purr and what was going to happen to the shifter, now that Lowell failed to protect him.

The move and other horror stories

The move is now underway and I am losing my mind. There's packing that seems neverending, paperwork, and I need to be in at least two places at the same time on Monday. The money is tight and time is even tighter. It is also incredible how much stuff one can gather in less than a year. I'm feeling like a director of a circus. Trying to herd all the monkeys and lions and camels in their pens, deal with clowns and acrobats and stay sane. I don't think I'm succeeding. Add to that the need for final edits to Credo Quia Absurdum and trying to finish second book about dragons... Yeah call the people with straitjackets, will ya? Anyway it's just one more week and then it all should calm down slightly. I crave blessed silence and ability to drown in my stories for hours on end. Let's hope I survive long enough to have it once again.
Wish me luck people!

Captive or Captor #3

Lowell left the secret passage and went into his bedroom. He’d forever be grateful to his ancestors for building a mansion with secret passageways. It was what made visiting Purr possible. Everyone working in the mansion knew not to disturb him when Lowell was in his rooms. He had a suite consisting of a bedroom, bathroom and a study. He’d often go into the study pretending to work on a book. Everyone in the mansion knew Lowell was working on writing a book. He was, however most of the time he pretended to write he was actually spending with Purr.

When he had first been sent to the mansion Lowell had no idea what to do with his time. Nobody in the nearby village would hire the son of the dreaded politician, especially since he wasn’t in his father’s good graces. No one wanted to cross Sir Iain Hayes. Frustrated Lowell took to pouring all of his feelings on paper. After a while he turned his frustrations into fictional stories were heroes defeated foes who suspiciously resembled Lowell’s father. Craving real love and romance Lowell created stories were good always triumphed over evil and everyone found their happily ever after with the love of their lives.

It wasn’t until Purr showed up in his life and they became friends that Lowell decided to send those stories to a publisher. It was only after Purr’s insistence that Lowell did so. Surprisingly he was accepted and people actually bought his books. After a while Lowell’s pen name became recognized as an author of erotic shifter romance. Purr was his muse. Every love story he wrote was a story of his and Purr’s love. It was always different characters, but the feelings he wrote about were his true feelings for Purr, they permeated each and every one of his books.

His father wasn’t bothered by his writing. Romance novels were way beyond great Sir Iain Hayes. It suited Lowell. He saved quite a nest egg with his writing. He could probably support himself and Purr if they were to start a new life somewhere. The only thing holding him back now was fear of what his father would do. Lowell wasn’t about to risk his lover’s safety. Purr was more important to him than anything else. He’d gladly give up his life for the shifter.

Lowell closed the hidden door and put a potted plant in front of it. He made sure that nothing indicated that there was an entrance to a hidden passageway in this room. He has made a habit of moving the furniture around in his study quite often. This way it was harder to guess there was anything odd about the room if someone became suspicious. Lowell’s every thought was about Purr’s safety first, his comfort next. Lowell’s whole life was built around Purr.

Satisfied that the passageway was well hidden Lowell powered up his PC and opened the file with his newest book. Taking a deep breath he tried to clear all the thoughts from his head. Emptying one’s brain of all the worries was necessary to let the story flow in. Well, at least it was for Lowell, he didn’t know how it worked for other authors.

Settling in his comfy hair Lowell let his imagination take over. Words flew easily spinning a story of love, danger and betrayal, leaving Lowell oblivious to the outside world.