Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page. If you are interested in becoming a Wednesday Briefer, please leave a comment or email me at shelley_runyon@yahoo.com.

Dracula #33(7.3) by J L Hayes

Relief swept through Avram at the sight of the wagon. Andrei’s arrival was a timely one. Avram was grateful that he did not have to try to explain to Dracula why it would be unwise to steal the smuggler’s boat, when neither one of them could operate the craft and neither were they familiar with the route they would need to take to reach the Danube. Prior to this, their travels had always been accomplished over land, not water.  Not to mention that Andrei’s cousin would not be happy with them for abandoning his relative/business partner and would probably refuse to take them to Vienna. That in itself would only lead to problems as the vampire was not good at being told no when it came to getting what he wanted.

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page. If you are interested in becoming a Wednesday Briefer, please leave a comment or email me at shelley_runyon@yahoo.com.

Jonlyn and the Urionites: Part 16 by J Ray Lamb

The Urionites settled into a détente with the Ulmites.  Spies were active on both sides.

The return of the cold season was not severe but the relative warmth wasn’t enough to start life returning to the land but it was warm enough to gather non-food supplies around the village. The village stores were being built up with enough wood to last through the change of seasons, well into the season of rebirth while also allowing the weapon smiths a near limitless supply of wood. The smiths were busy making the materials for Narthun’s new fire arrows…

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Dracula #32(7.2) by J L Hayes

Whatever Dracula might have been about to say became lost the next moment when a plaintive howl arose from nearby, drawing his attention. He was no stranger to that particular sound as packs of wolves were often to be found roaming near the castle, and it was not unusual for him to interact with them during his nocturnal rambles. This one appeared to be young and in distress, no doubt due to the impending storm. Much like himself, wolves had keen senses, and a disturbance in the air could be painful to them. Perhaps it had wandered from the safety of its elders, and now cried its frustration.

He sensed a movement among the trees,

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Dracula #31(7.1) by J L Hayes

The decision to disembark had been an impulsive one, but one not out of keeping with his nature. Stretching his long legs after being cooped up in the hold of that miserable boat, trapped among the various barrels and crates of sundries the smuggler was ferrying up the river—some of which smelled rather foul—felt good. He did not deal well with confinement of any sort, although few knew of this idiosyncrasy as he found it easier to dissimulate than to reveal truths regarding himself. Sometimes in the middle of the night, while Avram slept, Dracula would wander through the forest outside the castle, seldom venturing as far as the village, however. At these times, he felt more at home among the denizens of the night, over many of whom he held sway, than he did with most people, Avram being the exception. Unfortunately, he did not always have the luxury of the splendid isolation he preferred. As in the current circumstances.

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Dracula #30(6.7) by J L Hayes

Avram saw no use in arguing with a stubborn vampire. “If you say so,” he muttered under his breath. Although there was no such thing as whispering around Nico. He had the heightened senses of his kind and heard everything.

They strolled in silence for a few moments. Perhaps this walk was a good thing. Nico spent far too much time shut up in the castle, seldom venturing outside for any reason. Avram understood his need for privacy, all things considered, but such a lifestyle was not healthy. Even for a vampire. The thought made him chuckle. Dracula would be amused to hear him express such a concern.

“Something is funny?”

Avram coughed,

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Dracula #29(6.6) by J L Hayes

“I do not hunger,” Nico replied.

Well, that answered that question, at least for the moment. But that was still a situation Avram intended to monitor. For Nico’s sake, as well as his own.

After a time, Dracula straightened, perhaps tired of staring at himself, although Avram would have sworn that would never happen. He began to pace the length of the boat, as he’d done before, in the space beneath the church floor, his expensive black Venetian boots thudding heavily against the wooden deck. At least there was more room for him to walk here, although Avram didn’t think Nico would appreciate that fact as he hated confinement of any kind. He assumed that’s why he didn’t spend his days resting in a coffin as other vampires were said to do. But that was hearsay, of course. He had no personal knowledge of any other vampires and had no wish to meet any should they actually exist. If he hadn’t already been aware of Dracula’s nature, he would

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Jonlyn of the Urionites: Part 15 by J Ray Lamb

The council meeting ended after an attack plan had been worked out. Everyone left the chamber after delivering their final information to Jonlyn.

Once alone, Jonlyn grabbed Narthun and kissed him passionately.

“The battle questions you asked were amazing! I’d not even thought about that. I was only thinking of wiping the Ulmites out and not thinking of our own protection.” Jonlyn said as he continued to aggressively make out with Narthun.

“Jonlyn, stop for a moment.” Narthun commanded as he pulled away from Jonlyn’s onslaught of kisses, “What about our defense? We will need to consider the people

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Jonlyn of the Urionites: Part 14 by J Ray Lamb

Jonlyn found himself in his council chambers while Narthun was in the small outdoor enclosure outside Jonlyn’s lodge. Jonlyn quickly found Narthun and brought him to the council chambers.

“My council will be here in just a moment. The situation is quite serious and I am asking you as your teacher to be here. I want you to see what goes into being a leader.” Jonlyn said dryly.

“Understood. Am I allowed to speak?” Narthun asked humbly.

“I want to say yes,” Jonlyn paused, “but given my absence and how quickly the Ulmites have gathered…

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Dracula #27(6.4) by J L Hayes

“Someday I’ll be married, I suppose. My brothers too.” Andrei didn’t sound overly excited at the prospect, more resigned to its inevitability. What society expected, even in such a small place as Bistritz. “Still, it would be nice to know some of those ladies,” he added wistfully.

“Some of them are nice,” Avram admitted. To be honest, his acquaintance with the ladies who frequented the seamier sides of Vienna was limited and was usually on Nico’s behalf, never his own. Not in a sexual way, either. But occasionally, his needs weren’t easily met by other methods, and there were women who didn’t mind being paid for their blood. Avram let them believe his employer was a bit eccentric but harmless, and Dracula always blurred their minds so that their time together was a fond memory. He never harmed

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Jonlyn of the Urionites: Part 11 by J Ray Lamb

Jonlyn and Narthun walked into the master bedroom. A large bed took up most of the room, made up for two. Narthun and Jonlyn looked at each other, then looked at the closet on each side of the bed. Each was stocked with clothing and grooming needs that catered to each.

“Is that a tub of hot water for bathing?” Narthun asked.

“Yes, yes it is. I should have asked Bipeon if there was another bedroom prepared for you. They’ve assumed that you and I are bedding together. I didn’t know that this would be happening.” Jonlyn all but whispered…

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Dracula #25(6.3) by J L Hayes

“So you are traveling to Vienna?” Andrei asked between hearty bites of bread and cheese. He offered a hunk of the cheese to Avram as well, who accepted it, appreciating its salty flavor.

“We are,” Avram replied cautiously. He had no reason to think the smuggler would betray their whereabouts. Not like he wasn’t aware of their destination anyway. He knew what the next leg of their journey was and where his cousin would conveying them from there.  But Avram was concerned that the man not possess any information that could potentially bring him trouble. Maybe he was just being paranoid, but better he should err on the side of caution than see an innocent person be hurt.  Truth be told, he didn’t believe the villagers would even have the desire to track them down, much less the extra resources. Why would they bother? Out of sight, out of mind. Life would

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