I had an interesting conversation with Sloan recently. I find it kind of funny, but after years of him giving me nothing, all of a sudden he’s visiting on a regular basis, sharing all kind of cool things with me.
And when he stops by to chat, I listen–avidly. Read on to find out what we talked about…
IN CONVERSATION WITH SLOAN:
I’ve never been one for midnight runs, but lately, restlessness has been chasing me. It happens sometimes, so every once in a while, I find my feet hitting the street. Not my favorite nighttime activity, but the walk to the diner isn’t the worst one either. Mel’s Place. A haven with good coffee and chocolate cake when the writing’s not going well, and I can’t sleep.
The restlessness is Kruger’s fault.
He’s being a pain in the butt, doing what he always does, withholding what I need to get rolling. Experience tells me it won’t last long. Kruger’ll cave and begin to trust me…eventually. But until then, I need a mochaccino and lots of fresh air.
As I turn the corner, the gloom deepens. Streetlights flicker. Night air thins as a heavy chill thickens. A prickling sensation gathers along my spine, delivering a sense of something.
Something I know well.
Shoving my hands into my jacket pockets, I slice between two parked cars and cross the street. There’s an alley on my left. A bus stop to my right. Mel’s neon sign flashes pink up ahead. I keep my pace steady, boot soles striking concrete, knowing I’m being watched, but not caring. If whoever’s out there wants to talk, he’ll—
“You should’ve left my chair out of it.”
The deep voice rolls out of the alleyway. Prickles intensify as I stop and gaze into the darkness. Cloaked in shadows, a man looms large, shoulder propped against the brick wall in front of a dumpster, dark gaze shimmering light green.
I tip my chin. “Sloan.”
“Scribe,” he says in greeting.
“You’re out early tonight.”
“Gotta bone to pick.”
“Yeah?”
“You shouldn’t have—”
“People needed to know.”
“Not that much.”
I sigh. “We’ve been over this already.”
“We need to go over it again.”
“Sloan,” I murmur. “I’m in the inner circle. You and B put me there. Time to stop being pissed about it.”
With a grunt, he pushes away from the wall. The beat of footfalls echo as he walks out of the alley into the light. The urge to retreat claws through me. A natural reaction. Sloan possesses a certain something, and not just because he’s nearly seven feet tall. Everything about him points to dangerous—the intensity of his expression, the lethal vibe he throws off like pheromones, the hard glint in his eyes.
He stops five feet away.
I tense, but manage to hold my ground.
He scowls at me. “Some things are private.”
“Not that.”
His eyes narrow.
I suffer the immediate need to explain. “You needed a push. I gave you one, now you’re talking about it, giving it to Theo, healing in ways you’ve always needed. Your son was beautiful, Sloan. Simeon deserves better than to be kept a secret.”
“He was everything.”
“Yes.”
“Everything.”
“I know.”
“And now, I have Theodora and Violet.” Dipping his head, he leans in, getting closer, the intensity in his gaze making my chest ache.
Fighting to stay even, I nod.
“You gave them to me.”
“They were always meant to be yours.”
He shakes his head. “You did that.”
“Sloan—”
“Thank you, kazmea,” he murmurs, using the nickname Bastian gave me.
I take a shaky breath. He’s been through so much. Too much. Has suffered more loss than any Dragonkind warrior should be made to bear, so…
“No need to thank me,” I say, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “The kind of guy you are, you deserve the best. All the—”
“We done with the love-in yet?” Deep voice. Eastern European accent. Irreverent attitude out in full force.
“Frigging hell,” Sloan grumbles, glaring at someone behind me. “You mind, brother?”
“Nope.” Footfalls beat across pavement.
I glance over my shoulder. “Hey, Ven. How’s it going?”
Shoulder-length hair in a messy man-bun, Venom steps onto the curb. Big boots planted beside the bus stop, he meets my gaze with his ruby red one. “I knocked up Evie.”
My lips curve. “So, you’re feeling good.”
He grins. “Yeah.”
“Congrats, man,” I say, pleased for him. “I know how big that is for you.”
Venom tips his chin. “Wick says hey.”
I snort. “No, he doesn’t. Wick hasn’t talked to me in months.”
“He’s too busy banging J.J.” A wicked gleam in his eyes, Venom shrugs. “No room for anything else but killing rogues.”
Sloan chuckles.
Expression moving from teasing to alert, he glances at Sloan. “Time to fly out, man.”
“Yup,” Sloan says, treating me to a chin lift. “Later.”
“Later,” I return, and then they’re gone.
One moment there, suddenly absent, leaving me alone on the street a block from Mel’s, wondering when Sloan and the other Nightfury warriors will visit me next.
I hope you enjoyed the snippet. I’m in the process of writing a BONUS EPILOGUE for FURY OF AGGRESSION, so stay tuned for that as Sloan gives me (and you!) a little bit more of the goodness he’s so good at delivering.
~ Coreene
PS: Leave a comment below and let me know you were here!
I really enjoy your writing. Just love to sit on day off and relax reading them. Thank you
I love this it’s just awesome to get so much joy out of a small conversation
thank you
Love the little extras x
Loved it!! The little extras are always welcome – please continue…can’t wait for the next book.
I am presently reading Dark Tarot by Christine Feehan.
Loved the visit from Sloan and glad he’s talking to you scribe. I agree with you his chair needs to be addressed. I don’t remember if it was ever addressed what’s the deal with the chair . Why is he holding on to it. Congrats to Ven. Geez their all so hot.
Thanks Scribe
enjoyed the conversation love those dragons
More venom and evie!!!!!!!
I feel like their book was cheated out of serious them time and we need an epilogue of them!
I want an update please I mean who could not love his big heart British accent and his mazleiha!!
You made my lunch time fun today! Tbank you
I love all the guys, but Sloan and Wick just melt my heart. It will be interesting to see how they treat Nial? and his lady.
I think Wick maybe just a little bit jealous of Venom whose about to become a father again!!!
Can’t wait for the next one
Loved that visit.. hopefully there will be more..am anxiously awaiting a new read..as I reread some of my well loved books.
I totally love the Nightfury crew…I love the Scottish bunch, too. I am always keeping my fingers crossed that all your books are able to release in audio simultaneously with the ebook. If that happened, it would probably mean your books are selling at the rate they deserve!!!…Honestly, there are a boatload of us that love Dragon stories, and yours are fabulous!!!!
Wow, how nice of Sloan and Ven to have a quick chat with you. Right now, I’m reading Jessie Donovan, Stonefire Dragons and Lochguard highlands dragons. You’ve given me dragon shifters on the brain. I recently had a reread of all your dragon books. I’ve dreamed of being a writer since I was a kid and have played around with it but have never gotten the courage to do more than just play around. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading.
LOVE!!! Thank you!
The visit from Sloan was awesome. I can’t wait for the next book. Until then I’m reading Lynsay Sands.
Loved it!!! Please give us more.
I really enjoyed reading this. I’m a 90 woman who loves to read and this is all I do most of the time. I live in a Senior residence apartment I can’t afford to buy books but any time you are offering them free I would love to read more of your books Thanks for helping me start my day so pleasantly. I look forward to to reading more of your books.
Very enjoyable story. I look forward to reading more of their story.
Wonderful to see this. Now, what about the Metallics?
Very nice. I is kind of weird and wonderful at the same time when you put yourself in the story. Sloan was very different than I thought he would be. Much softer in the ways of the heart but no less possessive. His bedroom was a complete shock. I am a little confused as to what level it is in Black Dimond. I think it is on the lower level as I always thought there were 2 levels in Black Dimond but not completely sure of the layout now.
Looking forward to the next book.
I am so glad to have stumbled on Fury of Fire all those years ago! Fallen in love with dragon kind and your words! Thank you for building the world. I can never get enough of!
I love these books. More dragons, please!!! Can’t wait to see Ven as a dad!!
I love this! I’m so happy Slone has come out to play. And Ven… Wow!!!
Loved this!