THE BLENDED LIVES CHRONICLES A BATTLE OF CHOICES 50 PERCENT OFF DURING READ AN EBOOK WEEK!
MARCH 2 THROUGH MARCH 8, 2025
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The Blended Lives Chronicles: A Battle of Choices
Words for Alt Text:
Book 2 square photo – A blood red background with white font. The title, The Blended Lives Chronicles sits on the top in smaller font. A Battle of Choices is in the center, with larger font, displaying this as the main focus. Patty L Fletcher is on the bottom right hand corner in medium font. The logo sits on the center.
The logo is a white skeleton key with its top key ring angled to the right and the bottom angled to the left. The key sits inside the space of a crescent moon, also in white, but with a thin black border. The crescent moon opening is angled down to the bottom right.
About the Book:
Lady Laya MoonWalker and Derrick Gibbous find themselves, once again, at odds with those who would segregate and purify anyone deemed unworthy. When Laya begins to fulfill a prophecy set by higher powers, she must learn to wield her magick in new ways. Amidst the fight to protect their loved ones, they each must choose when to sacrifice and when to hold strong to their beliefs, their love, and their morality.
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*** Spoiler Alert ***
While the following excerpt doesn’t at all make it so you won’t enjoy finding out how all what’s here comes to be, it is a spoiler none the less. So, beware when reading.
The Bonding
Laya and Wolverine lay listening to the steam puffing from the gurgling jets and Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun blasting from Wolverine’s new smart speaker on a shelf by the door. They each enjoyed a glass of what Mother Crone called Spring in a Bottle, which translated to Old Earth dandelion wine. She assured Laya it would not hurt the twins if she had it in moderation. Wolverine had been concerned at first, but tonight she felt they both deserved a glass.
“You know Mother Crone said you could have a Casimian Red from time to time as well,” Wolverine suggested hopefully.
Laya laughed. “We’ll share one before dinner with Derrick. I understand he’s been gifted a box of them.”
“Oh! Yes.” Wolverine said, drawing the words out in long, wistful sighs. “Uncle Randall let me have a smell as he was wrapping them.”
“He will share. Don’t worry, dear.”
“Mistress Laya? Is it truly okay for you to go without me? Mother Crone—”
“Yes. I know Mother Crone said we must not be separated for extended periods of time. But you were there when she gave her blessing. Sweetheart, you’re going to be promoted. You’ll be doing my job and assisting me, and I’ll be caring for the babies, and assisting Derrick directly. We’re not always going to be together. Let’s enjoy this night.” Laya climbed out of the tub.
“Let’s you, Derrick and I bond together. Let’s make it so that even when we’re apart, we can all be in touch with one another when needed. But you and I will be able to communicate differently and no one but the two of us will know. You and I will bond apart from Derrick. It will be our little secret. A little safeguard just between the High Priestess and her assistant. Okay?”
“Yes,” Wolverine managed to say. She’d not expected Laya’s reaction. She’d expected to at least be chided for her childish behavior. Instead, her mistress was validating her fears and providing a special safeguard. “Mistress? What is it that troubles you?”
“I do not know, Wolverine, but my instinct says do this, and so I’m doing it.”
“I must not drink from you alone. It is dangerous for me as much as it is for Derrick. Your blood is rich in many things we love. Are you certain you don’t want Derrick here to…”
Just then the air swished beside them, and Mother Crone stepped into the steamy room, her retriever parrot sitting neatly on her shoulder. She wore a long silvery robe, with emerald green lace at the cuffs of the sleeves and around the hem.
“Ah! Vanilla. Wonderful choice for such a lovely occasion. Laya, I hope you didn’t stay in there too long. You must be careful, dear. Wolverine, did you not read the book I gave you? Why are you so surprised at this ceremony?”
Wolverine’s eyes widened. “I thought we were just celebrating my finishing the first round of training. I still have another level to go with Uncle Randall. Do you mean? Do you mean, this is the Ceremony of Mistresses? Oh! Great Morrigan! I passed? When you talked of my being promoted, I thought you were just being hopeful. Oh WOW!”
Laya laughed and clapped her hands together, causing multicolored confetti and balloons to float through the air in pure delight. “Oh! Mother Crone! We pulled it off. She truly is surprised. Yes, Wolverine. It is time. Derrick and I will complete our ceremony bonding on the full moon just before the Solstice this year. Are you ready, Wolverine? This is the day we’ve been working toward for many moons. If you’ve any doubts, now is the time to speak to them.”
For a long moment Wolverine stood in the water, head down in deep thought. When she finally looked up again, her eyes were moist, and her voice was thick with longing and fear.
“Yes, Mistress. I am ready. I am Wolverine Castell, and I am honored to take this role. I will serve as Mistress of Novices to the absolute best of my ability, for I’ve been trained under the tutelage of High Priestess Lady Laya MoonWalker and Second-in-Command of the Order of the Night, Right-Hand Guard to Randall Jennings and Derrick Gibbous. I am prepared to the best of the Order’s Knowledge and to the best of the Book of Shadows. May I be blessid with their spirit and gifts.”
Laya turned to Wolverine and helped her from the tub. Then gently brushing her hair out of the way, offered her vein.
For a moment longer, Wolverine hesitated. Then, as Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington Jr. featuring Bill Withers began to play, Mother Crone said gently, “It’s now or never, child. Are you or are you not your Mistress’ girl?”
Leaning forward, too quickly to see, Wolverine grasped her mistress’ arm and bit. Moments later, the music washed around, over and through the two women as they stood together. Wolverine was engulfed in the deepest hunger of her life. She drank and drank, but never seemed to fill. As she did, she began to know things of her mistress’ life. Hurts she’d endured, both physically and of the heart. She saw Laya in various stages of her life, from first learning to talk to just after her sixteenth birthday, as she sat in an isolation room in one of the many mental health facilities her parents had shipped her off to over the years.
Wolverine continued to drink. Gods, I’m never going to get enough, she thought as she fought for control. Then, as she felt she might go over the edge, she witnessed the night of the second ceremony between Derrick and Laya. As she gorged on her mistress’ blood, she helplessly watched Laya’s memory of allowing herself to be picked up and placed over Derrick’s lap like a wayward child and spanked until she howled. Wolverine could relate to how her mistress had felt as Derrick’s hand came down repeatedly.
She felt all the emotions of her mistress, and smelling Derrick upon her skin, she soon knew him too. The desire he and Laya had for one another poured into her and she thought she would go mad with the wanting. Just when Wolverine believed she would not be able to stop, Mother Crone’s retriever parrot Stanley began squawking, “Enough, girl! Enough!” Two ancient but strong hands gripped her shoulders, ripping her away like a scab from an old wound.
“No!” Wolverine cried, her breath coming in short gasps. “No! Give her back!”
“No, child.” Mother Crone said softly. Wrapping the shivering, struggling girl in a towel, and rocking her for a moment in her arms, with Stanley off his tether flying round and King on full alert. “No, child. It’s okay now. That is enough.”
Slowly Wolverine came back to herself. When she did, she thought furiously, “Music! Off.” Then, she saw Derrick holding Laya in a tight embrace, and he was feeding her.
In the silent room, Wolverine heard Derrick say, “There. There. That’s enough, my sweet. No more. It’s alright now. Rest.” His voice drifted slowly across the steam-filled room to Wolverine, but it evoked no fear. He did not sound angry. Only slightly concerned.
Once he had sent Laya from the room with Mother Crone by her side, he turned to Wolverine, who shrank back from his gaze.
“No fear,” he said in a soft purr. “No fear, Wolverine, for I’ve hunted this night in the land of the lightning. I have drawn from the darkness in order to protect the light. Do you understand, Wolverine? Do you understand what you have just agreed to? I realize this was thrust upon you more suddenly than you were prepared for. You have done well.”
“Yes, I know what I’ve agreed to. However, I don’t understand why, after all this time, must we involve those beings? Why, Mister Derrick?”
Derrick stood for a moment, disconnected, still as a stone. No breath passed between his lips; no beat of his heart came. Then he said, “It is the darkness of night which makes the day seem so bright.”
Appearing to come all the way back to himself, taking her hands in his own, Derrick continued, “No one deserves this promotion more. You’ve made all within the magickal worlds proud and some shiver. You are Wolverine Castell. You are of the Order of the Night. You are Mistress of Novices, apprentice to Lady Laya MoonWalker. From this day forward, until the babies are born. On the day of their birth, you will graduate to a full rank. For now, use what you’ve learned to help shape and grow the work ahead. For there are many battles yet to fight and win. Be ye well in the protection and love of Randall Jennings and Derrick Gibbous. For you have proven worthy.”
As he spoke, Derrick walked a circle around Wolverine. At each quarter, he stopped and called a pillar of that element. When the circle was complete with a pillar of air in the east, fire in the south, a waterfall in the west and a rock wall in the north, Derrick came to stand by Wolverine.
“I, Derrick Gibbous, your guardian for life and commander in the Order, give you my blessing.”
Reaching out with liquid speed, he struck. For a moment Wolverine’s instinct was to fight, to fight and run. With this instinct came a scent, and when Derrick caught it in his nostrils, he felt a sudden loss of control. Drawing energy from Mother Earth, he grounded himself more firmly. A moment later, he struggled back, finished his needed drink to seal the bond, and quietly stepped away.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. Derrick. I’m fine. This is the most terrifying and happiest moment I’ve known. Thank you.”
For a moment, neither spoke. Then Wolverine held out her hand. “I, Wolverine Castell, acknowledge you as guardian and commander. I am protector of High Priestess Lady Laya MoonWalker. I vow on all the powers that are, ever have been, or will be for all time, to love and protect her and her younglings, even at the cost of my life.”
Derrick smiled. “As it is cast, so shall it be delivered.
“As it is delivered, so shall it be done.
“Blessid Be.”
Then, as quickly as Derrick had struck a moment before, Wolverine sank her teeth into the vein on Derrick’s arm. Derrick felt himself ready to fight. Taking a moment to slow his body’s responses, he settled and placed a gentle hand on the inside of her naked thigh, and acknowledged their bond, allowing her to feed.
When she finished, Derrick released the circle, and he and Wolverine joined hands and stepped through the curtain into Laya’s rooms. They stood in quiet awe as Mother Crone circled the bed in which Laya and King lay bathed in a soft green healing glow. There was no sound but the shuffle of Mother Crone’s feet, followed by a severe thump from the wooden cane which was always by her side these days. When she had completed the circle and set the incense brazier back into the holder above the bed on the wall, the old crone turned and sent Stanley to perch on a shelf.
She quietly said, “You all did a bit too much pre-celebrating. Mother and pup are in bed for the night. You and Derrick and Randall too, if you like, may have dinner here in Laya’s private chambers, but no great excitement. She must rest. King too, for he must be on high alert for much of the time they are gone. If Laya is to travel the day after tomorrow, she and Wolverine must have all day together. Wolverine and Randall can work together while you and Laya are gone. Isn’t that right, Wolverine? I’m certain you and your uncle have some last-minute things to finish up, don’t you, dear?”
“Yes. Mother Crone, it is just as you say.” Wolverine smiled. Derrick watched the two with interest. Mother Crone was relating a message to Wolverine, as clear as a shout, standing right in front of him, knowing he couldn’t understand their communication if his very life depended upon it.
Then, as quick as they had flashed thoughts at one another, it was over. The energy in the room was back to normal.
Laya was saying, “This is ridiculous. I’m fine. I can get up and go out to dinner.”
“Fine, dear.” Derrick said, as he observed the way her face paled when she moved. “Let us have you get up and come here to me, to start. You must pass me to reach your changing rooms, anyway.”
Sitting up in the bed, Laya was hit with a nauseating bout of dizziness that almost took her breath away.
“Oh, okay,” she said miserably, as she lay back against the pillow. “You all win. But I don’t understand. We did nothing different from what we’ve ever done except for the blood ceremonies. They weren’t that extreme.”
“Child!” Mother Crone said in a disapproving tone, “You are carrying twins, the father of which is a vampire, and oh, yes, there’s this little detail of your being fifty-six years old. Just to name a few reasons for you to be feeling this way.”
Derrick finally found his voice and stepped forward. “Mother Crone, this is a stressful time for all. Laya only went into the bath with Wolverine to have a glass of wine and get ready for the ceremony to come. I think it’s a combination of several things.”
For a moment he held the old crone’s gaze then, giving a slight nod of acknowledgement, she smiled softly at them all, then leaned over and kissed Laya’s cheek.
“You let Derrick fuss over you now, dear. There will be plenty of time later when you’ll wish for his help.”
Then, making certain Stanley was properly tethered, she shifted away.
“Mister Derrick, why don’t I go to the kitchen and see what’s keeping the cook? I can bring back some cheese and sausages with some nuts and fruits for everyone.”
“Yes, that would be lovely. But don’t go down, dear. Remember who you are. Call for it to be dealt with, and while you’re at it, ask them to send up a fresh bottle of Blood Whiskey and a bottle of the special Elfen wine for you and Laya. I believe it’s going to be a lovely night.”
Embarrassed, Wolverine said, “Yes, Mister Derrick.”
Derrick laughed. “Oh, don’t sweat it. I still have trouble asking others to do something I could do myself. But in this case, you’re needed here, so let those who are here to do so serve. Many take immense pleasure from it.”
As Wolverine picked up her communicator to place the call, she turned quickly and asked, “Blood Wine for Mistress Laya?”
“Yes.” Derrick answered. “She needs a bit of blood now and then for the babies. Mother Crone says she’s already showing signs at least one of the two has a vampire within.” As he spoke, there was no mistaking the pride filling his voice.
As Wolverine placed the order, Laya called, “Wolverine, ask them to make a pizza with everything but those little nasty Casimian anchovies. Those things make me sick.”
“Cravings already?” Derrick asked.
“I don’t know. All I know is I want a pizza. I’m glad carrying babies of this sort allows me to still have some pleasures in life. Now, Derrick, help me over to the lounger. I do not like to eat in bed.”
Just then, Randall shifted into the room.
“I don’t know about cravings, but pregnancy seems to have made your Laya a bit demanding.”
Laya started to protest, as Derrick settled her onto the cushions and tucked a blanket around her, but before she could, Randall laughed softly. “Laya, I’m only teasing you. Tonight is no time for corrections. Tonight is a time of celebration and love. You and Wolverine make a grand team and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Walking over to Wolverine and placing his hands on her shoulders, he said with much pride and a note of tears in his voice, “I always knew you were destined for wonderful things. Your mother and father would have been quite proud of you. The name of Castell will live forever. Go forth in the Light of the Order and serve well.”
Later, as Laya lay propped on pillows in a lounger and Randall, Wolverine and Derrick relaxed round the little table nearby, enjoying dinner together, Laya said, “Well, Wolverine, I promise a better celebration for you when we return from Korponious. You deserve so much more than pizza, wine, and cookie cake.”
“What’s wrong with cookie cake?” Derrick and Wolverine asked as one.
Laughing, Laya said, “Well, it’s just you’ve worked so hard. I meant to take you out and spoil you.”
Getting to his feet, Randall said, “Mayhap Derrick and I have a little something up our sleeve.”
Joining Randall at the door, Derrick said, a sneaky smile playing about his lips, “Now, if you don’t like this, just say so and Randall and I will figure out what to do with it. No matter what Laya says, we are not too old for it.”
Reaching out, Derrick draped a fur robe around Laya, then taking her hand, as she and King stood to join him, Derrick said, “Let’s walk out to the drive a moment. I understand it’s a lovely late fall evening.”
Suddenly, feeling apprehensive, Wolverine stepped in front of Derrick and Laya. Randall, catching Wolverine’s thought, began walking point behind them.
Just as she reached the drive, a hovercraft came whizzing past, as low as it could, while still remaining in the air. When it passed directly overhead, two younglings could be heard chanting, “The new guard is coming. The power is changing direction. We are the Purified.”
Without thinking, Wolverine leapt into the driver’s seat of a sleek fiery red sports hovercraft parked off to the side on the main drive. Finding the keys in the ignition, Wolverine powered the craft up and as she lifted off, she cried, “Not sure who’s craft this is, but I’ll get the little buggers and be right back.”
“Derrick, what the hell?” Laya asked.
“I’m not sure. Randall?”
Before Randall could speak, a hovercraft on full power with one in tow could already be heard. A moment later, Wolverine landed the crafts and, after securing everyone in place, stepped out and announced, “Michael Henderson, and Teresa Clevenger. Wayward pups from Raymond’s new clan. He is going to blow a gasket. By the way? Thanks a heap for the new ride. I couldn’t believe it when I saw my name hanging from the mirror. It’s too much.”
“You deserve it.” Randall said.
Derrick couldn’t decide if Wolverine was angry or happy at what lay directly ahead, but, in that moment, he and Laya agreed, too soon or not, Wolverine would be the one to manage this from first to last.
“Wolverine,” Laya said. “Let’s have Daniel take charge of our youngling guests. I believe he can arrange housing for them, don’t you?”
“Yes, Mistress Laya, that’s a lovely idea. They can have new clothing too. It’s just one of the amenities we provide.”
Stepping around to the back hatch, Wolverine flipped the tailgate down. Just before she reached in to retrieve the younglings, she snapped her fingers, causing two leashes and collars to appear.
“Wolverine!” Derrick gasped.
“No, Derrick,” Laya said, picking up Wolverine’s thoughts. “We agreed. Wolverine is to deal with this as she sees fit. If she proclaims them behaving as mutts from her race and treats them as the disobedient pups they’re currently being, that’s fine. Now, you leave her to her task. It’s not as easy or fun as Wolverine claims.”
Ignoring Derrick and Laya, Wolverine snapped, “Out! Now! Both of you!”
The two frightened younglings climbed out of the craft, blinking in surprise at their surroundings.
Slipping a collar over each teen’s head, clipping a leash to the live ring set into the front of their collars, in a soft, barely controlled voice, Wolverine asked, “Do you know where you are?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The two said at once. Then Michael blustered, “We are standing in front of the entrance to the main compound of Derrick Gibbous. the Blood Son and second-in-command of Randall Jennings. As to who we are? We are the Purified.”
“Michael!” Teresa said angrily. “Shut up!”
“Ah, a little smart mouth, I see,” Wolverine growled. Giving a sharp tug on his leash, she commanded, “Down, youngling.”
Appearing to have no other choice, Michael sat on the drive, curled his legs underneath himself and seemed to doze.
Turning to the frightened girl, Wolverine said, “And you are, young miss?”
“My name is Teresa Clevenger. But my father took us from the Clevenger clan shortly before his death. I’m now part of Raymond Noel’s clan, at least until he kicks me out,” she answered softly, dropping her eyes.
For a moment no one spoke, then Wolverine said, “I’m sorry, youngling. Unless you wish to come into the Order for sanctuary, I have no choice but to hold you, just as we are going to hold Michael. Each of you can have us call one person or we can call the same person on behalf of you both. Teresa, how old are you?”
“I turn eighteen next month, ma’am.” The red-haired girl stood looking at Wolverine with large, frightened eyes, fingering the collar around her neck. “I am sorry, miss. We didn’t really mean any harm.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Wolverine sighed. “So, what’s it to be? Would you like me to call your uncle or are you going back?”
Teresa thought quietly for a moment. She knew Raymond was going to be furious. She expected everything she did for the next few days would be done standing. Her uncle would be just as furious with the same results. Maybe worse. In a few days, after she healed, she could earn Raymond’s trust again, and he would keep her. Wouldn’t he?
Finally, she said, “Yes, ma’am. I’m going back.”
Handing the leashes to Daniel, Wolverine said sadly, “When you put them in the cell, leave the collars. I’ll see them once they’re settled.”
“And if they want their communique?”
“Then they get their communique.” Wolverine snapped. “We aren’t on some Old Earth TV show. Now, take them and be quick about it.”
Daniel handed the leashes to a guard on his left. “I want them stripped, searched, placed into jail jumpsuits, and put into holding cells. Do not let them out of your sight. If anything goes wrong, I’ll see to your correction myself. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.” The guard said.
When they were gone, Wolverine turned her anger on Derrick and her Mistress. “This is ridiculous. How did those little punks get into our airspace without someone alerting us? And Daniel, what about you? Where were your men when those little buggers were invading?”
Derrick reached a calming hand toward Wolverine. “Wolverine, calm down. Everyone is fine here. Those are good questions. I expect you to find the answer but right now, I’d like you and Laya to go inside. You have pups to deal with and Laya needs off her feet.”
“Don’t speak of me as if I’m not here.” Laya said, hating the waver of exhaustion in her voice. “Derrick, take me in, please? We have security and Wolverine to see to things here.”
“That’s an exceptionally good idea. Wolverine?”
The two vampires looked at one another for a moment and then, gently lifting Laya into his arms, Derrick was gone.
The front door slammed, and Wolverine was left with the guards outside. Before she could speak, a craft hovered up and docked in the visitor’s space in front.
By the time Wolverine and her four-man guard team reached the main gate, Raymond Noel stood in front, awaiting admittance.
“I assume you’re here for your pups?” Wolverine growled.
Speaking soft and clear, Raymond stated, “I was told Michael Henderson and Teresa Clevenger are here. I understand they trespassed into your airspace and, in fact, hovered directly over the area where we now stand. Correct?”
“Yes.” Wolverine said.
“What are their charges, and when may I claim them?”
“Their charges are trespassing in private airspace and overtop private housing with intent to disturb.”
“Are you certain of the intent? You’ve barely had them long enough to book into your holding area.” Raymond asked.
“Yes, Raymond. I am certain. They were chanting your newly revised slogan.”
“All right, Wolverine!” Raymond said in exasperation. “What in bloody hell do you want?”
“I want your promise, and you will swear to your promise, that you and yours will leave Laya alone. She is pregnant, Raymond, and while that might not matter as much to you as you’d have others believe, it is sacred here, and if we’re bothered again, I will consider it a personal attack.
“You may follow Daniel, and he will take you to collect your pups.”
“They’re not pups, Wolverine.”
“Yes, Raymond, they are a youngling vampire and witch-in-training. They are considered ‘Mutts’ by many people and today they acted like undisciplined pups, proving every terrible thing ever said about us. No, we’re not really dogs and they’re not literal pups, but today their behavior made them appear so. Take the little brats and be gone.”
Turning on her heel, Wolverine shifted, and for a moment the energy was so disturbed no one dared move.
Finally, Daniel, who had been standing by the door, stated, “If you’ll follow me, sir?”
Standing in the observation room, Derrick watched as Raymond waited to collect his wayward pups. He and Laya had observed Wolverine and Raymond together in the front drive, and any lingering worries they had about Wolverine’s being able to manage Raymond Noel disappeared.
Raymond already looked angry enough to burst into flames, but when the two younglings were led in on leashes, wearing the bright neon blue jumpsuits stamped with “Property of the Order of the Night Department of Corrections,” he went nuclear.
“What in bloody hell do you mean, having these younglings leashed as if they’re dogs?” Raymond roared. “Get those bloody collars off them now!”
“Sir.” The guard stated, “Until they’re released back into your custody and are off the Gibbous property, they’re ordered to remain leashed and collared.”
“On whose authority?”
“Mine,” Wolverine said, as she entered the room. Her heels clicking deliberately on the tile. Derrick noted she’d changed clothes. She now wore the white Mistress of Novice’s dress with its navy-blue stripes ringing its hem and the pendant of the Goddess Morrigan hanging from a shining silver chain round her neck as well. Laya had obviously been ready with everything Wolverine would need for her new role. He had to admit, it suited her well. Wolverine had lost a lot of weight, and developed a nice figure since beginning her physical training, and he noted Raymond trying not to stare. Laughing to himself, Derrick wondered, Did she practice that step?
For a moment, no one spoke or moved. Then, in a barely controlled voice, Raymond said, “What must I do to reclaim my younglings?”
“Fill out this paperwork, sign off on this contract, and swear an oath to the conditions. Then, you may have your younglings.”
“Wolverine, it is going on midnight. Are you telling me our lawyers cannot oversee these things tomorrow?”
Stepping forward until she was right in Raymond’s face, Wolverine said, “I am telling you, Mister Noel, that if you would like to have these pups returned to you by sunrise, you’d best get busy. I have things to tend to, and I would like to get about my business. In the meantime, I’ll escort these pups back to their pens.”
“Wolverine, you’re taking this pup thing too far.”
“Raymond, you deal with wayward younglings your way. I’ll deal with them mine. The sooner you finish with that paperwork, the sooner you can begin doing it your way and see how well it works for you. If they were left with me, I can assure you they’d have a different attitude within a couple of days. I have things to do, though, and I really don’t have time to retrain your wild beasts.”
An hour later, Raymond had signed off on all the paperwork and sworn his oath. As Wolverine walked to the front gate, heeling the two younglings on each side, she said, “Younglings, if I see you here again, it needs to be by invitation or because you’re seeking sanctuary. Are we clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The two answered as one.
“Very good. Now, step through the gate and into the craft.”
Michael started toward the craft as instructed, but as soon as Teresa cleared the gate, stretching the leash as far as it would go, she ran to Raymond, crying.
“Raymond! Oh, Mister Raymond! I’m so sorry. I—”
Gripping her by the arm and taking her to the back of the craft, Raymond placed her inside and snarled, “Not nearly as sorry as you’re going to be, youngling. Now, be quiet. You will have plenty of reason and time to cry later.”
Once the two younglings were in the back of Raymond’s craft, Wolverine released them from their collars and leashes and slammed the back hatch. “Good to see you, as always. Please say hello to Susan for me. Oh, Raymond?”
“Yes.” he grumbled, glancing back to see what she wanted now.
Leaning on her new craft, which was the color of the fiery red hair flowing long and beautiful all around her, Wolverine crossed one thinly strapped ankle over the other. “Teresa’s hair is the right color. You’re getting better. But sweetie, there will never be another me, and there’s no chance in all the hells of all the worlds I’ll ever return to you. Give it up. We are through. Don’t beat the girl too harshly. Unfortunately, she’s falling in love with you, and she’s only trying to prove herself. When I questioned her, she was polite and respectful. She looked me straight in the eye and answered everything asked truthfully. When given a choice whether she would like to remain here or return to you, she chose you of her own free will. Michael is too big for his britches and could use something to keep him busy.”
Raymond didn’t reply. Instead, he climbed into the craft, closed the hatch and roared away without looking back.
Now the drive was empty. Her guard had fallen into the darkness to keep watch. The moon sailed high in the sky. Wolverine stood listening to the quiet, and just when she was considering having a little hunt of her own, the air shifted beside her, and Randall stood looking down at her.
“You did very well tonight, Wolverine. I’m quite proud of you.”
“Have I passed my test now?” Wolverine asked.
“Yes.” Randall said. “I’ll not lie to you. That was a test. Derrick could’ve easily overseen that situation. But you’d already taken charge of it by the time we knew who was responsible for the disruption, and to have taken it from you would’ve said we didn’t trust you. Laya had made her mind up about it as soon as the scent of the younglings hit the air. With her senses still on hyper alert from having tasted Derrick’s blood, there was no avoiding it. But I agreed with her, and you did exactly as I expected.”
“Now we’ve only got to get through the next few days and the Solstice, then maybe we can settle for the winter. Mother Crone warns of rough times ahead for Laya as the babies mature. Things like what happened this night cannot be repeated.”
“Agreed. For now, what do you say to a hunt with your uncle for old time’s sake?”
“I say that sounds like a wonderful idea. I’ll race you to the woods.” Wolverine said, “Look sharp. The fog is rolling in.” Then she shifted away.
Randall, ever cautious, glanced quickly around. Just as he gathered himself to shift, movement caught the corner of his eye. Turning his head slightly, he saw Derrick standing at the edge of the yard.
“Randall, remember, it’s the darkness of the night which makes the day seem so bright. Tell Wolverine.” Then, as the fog rolled through the hedges and across the path where Derrick stood, he vanished.
Randall hesitated only a moment more, cataloging everything he had observed, then went after Wolverine, thinking, I hope she doesn’t hunt and eat everything.
Wolverine stood just out of sight as a young bull moose grazed in a small clearing. Making certain to stay downwind, she slunk through the fringes of the woods, waiting for her chance to make a move. Suddenly, a noise to her left distracted her, and when Wolverine turned to look, Randall leapt out and struck.
“No!” Wolverine howled. “That’s mine.”
“I really should make you hunt another to teach you a lesson about being aware. However, I am in a generous mood. So, if you stop whining like the pups you had hold of earlier, I’ll share.”
Together, they fell upon the young moose and began to feed.
Later, as Randall and Wolverine stood on the bluff overlooking the woods where they had feasted, Wolverine asked, “Now, uncle, will you please tell me the whole of it? Why did Derrick pick tonight, ten days before the Solstice?”
Randall stood in the midnight mist as the fog thickened around them and he tried to judge how much to divulge. He knew he must trust someone, but his choices were limited.
“Wolverine, the last thing he said to me before he disappeared into this fog was, ‘It’s the darkness of night which makes the day seem so bright. Tell Wolverine.’ Honey, what does he mean?”
“I have no idea. This evening, after Laya and I bonded, Derrick gave me a drink of his blood. No one would say, but I took a little more than I should’ve. Derrick was not upset. Just concerned. In fact, he asked if I was okay. As we were readying for our part of the ceremony together, Derrick and I spoke about his having hunted in the Land of the Lightning. I wanted to know why in all hell we needed to involve those beings. He said, ‘It’s the darkness which makes the day seem so bright.’ Uncle, I think we should return home. I’m uncertain Derrick is safe. It’s possible he was contaminated while there, which scares me because I drank from him. And now I don’t know what to do. When I drank from him, I looked carefully and found nothing which would explain this.”
Taking her arm and biting as gently as he could, Randall took a small drink. “I see nothing amiss. I believe you are fine. As for Derrick, the first thing that young man will do is answer to me as to why he went in the first place. Old Earth cliches are fine, but that isn’t an answer.”
Before Wolverine could answer, or either of them could move, a scream ripped through the night.
“Geez! What the hell?” Randall asked.
Wolverine raised her head, scented the air, and said, “Oh great Morrigan! Mistress Laya, Derrick. Uncle, come now!”
Reaching a hand to her uncle, Wolverine quickly shielded them both under the cloaked power of protection she’d been walking under for weeks now and shifted them away.
*** Who is Raymond and what connection is he to Wolverine?
What is the secret Derrick carries?
Who is the spy? And what was this special bonding for?
Will the Horn regime stand or can the Blended Lives planetary Federation bring balance back to the land before it’s too late?
Find out
THE BLENDED LIVES CHRONICLES A BATTLE OF CHOICES 50 PERCENT OFF DURING READ AN EBOOK WEEK!
MARCH 2 THROUGH MARCH 8, 2025
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Review of A Battle of Choices
By sponsoring member Author Trish Hubschman
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second book in Patty Fletcher’s futuristic series, “The Blended Lives Chronicles; A Battle of Choices.” I loved the first one AND EQUALLY ENJOYED THIS ONE. It is a different type of story, but the same characters. I keyed into the romantic relationship between Derrick Gibbous, second in command of the Order, and High Priestess Lady Laya MoonWalker. The dialogue between all the characters is stupendous. At times, they spoke in poetry form or incantations, metaphors, puns. I cannot wait to see the third book in the series.
Thanks Trish, for your lovely review.
Now, here’s a plug for you.
More Gayle’s Tales
by Trish Hubschman
C 2025
In paperback, hardcover, and e-book on Amazon / 165 pages in print
Cover image by Kevin Hubschman
Note: This is the sixth book in the Tracy Gayle Mysteries series.
Author’s website: https://www.dldbooks.com/hubschman/
Synopsis (written by the author):
Danny’s Tide’s big project is in full swing. He’s having an abandoned coal mining town, Century End, rebuilt. The support from local townspeople is overwhelming. But then odd things start occurring on job sites. They’re small at first: undelivered equipment and materials, mislaid tools, minor workers’ accidents.
Danny asks his new bride, Private Investigator Tracy Gayle, to look into it. At that moment, she’s on Long Island, tidying up an older case with the FBI. Danny’s in Northern Pennsylvania, overseeing the decorating of their new East Coast house and preparing for his band’s upcoming tour. His long–time drummer has walked out on him, and he has to find a replacement fast.
When Tracy returns to Pennsylvania, she gets right on the Century End case, but she’s short on time to come up with answers. The small “inconveniences” have grown into much bigger, more dangerous things.
Description of the cover for blind and visually impaired readers (by Leonore Dvorkin, editor):
On the yellowish–green background of the cover, several buildings of a mining town and a large truck are seen in the distance, with pine trees on the hills and a lake or river in the foreground. There is a dark cloud in the sky. In the right foreground, propped up on the ground, is a large badge that reads “Private Investigator.” The scene evokes mystery and possible menace. The title letters are in dark red at the top, and the author’s name is in white at the bottom. The synopsis is on the back cover in black letters.