QSFer Jana Denardo has a new paranormal short story out:
The 1930s have more to worry about than the Depression. Demons walk the earth, leaving the human race relying on those who can see the demons to fight them.
As the Soldiers of the Sun make their way back to their base in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Caleb, Temple, and Agni find themselves snowbound in Mount Washington. With nothing to do but wait for a break in the weather or the next demon attack, whichever comes first, the three partners have the luxury of time to explore their mutual attraction and affection. Before they get far in that exploration, they end up in another fight for their lives—a fight Temple might lose.
Note – It is #2 in a series but all the stories are stand alones.
Excerpt
Swing music blared out of the static Temple had been dialing through, making him grin. “That’s better. I want to dance.”
“Must you do that here?” Agni asked. “I was listening to the orchestra before you barged in.”
“You go be boring somewhere else.” Temple waved him off. “I’m going to dance and this is the only radio, so….”
Agni cast a look at Caleb. “I’m regretting not taking him up on his earlier offer.” When Temple perked up, Agni added, “On going out in the snow. I could have buried him up to his eyes. Maybe that would have kept him out of trouble.”
“I honestly doubt it,” Caleb replied as Temple started gyrating to the music.
Agni lost interest in his book and his tea as he watched Temple. Caleb knew the look in Agni’s dark eyes: honest amusement. “You look very silly dancing by yourself, Temple.”
Nonchalantly Temple danced his way over to the bay window. He pulled the curtain shut, then spun over to Caleb, yanking him up from the couch. “Dance with me.”
“I don’t know how to swing,” Caleb protested, stumbling after Temple.
“I’ll teach you.”
“I’m a horrible dancer.”
“He really is,” Agni put in.
“Nonsense, you’re trainable,” Temple assured him. “I’ve seen you fight. You know how to move. You just have to figure out how to do it to music.”
“Don’t blame me when you lose a toe,” Caleb said, trying to find the beat in the wild music. He gave up and let Temple spin him around.
Agni laughed, watching them. Temple managed to make the complicated dance steps look easy, but Caleb felt like he was wrestling a many-armed demon. The occasional seductive touches Temple lavished on him only served to help that image. Finally Caleb managed to trip them both, and Temple ended up half-over the back of the couch.
Temple buried his fingers in Agni’s curls while he dangled over the couch, trying to drag Agni in for a kiss. Agni put his hand over Temple’s face.
“Don’t even think it.”
“Come on, dance with me, Agni. You’re right, your partner’s awful. He’s going to maim me.” Temple pouted.
“I warned you,” Caleb snorted.
“I’m busy, Temple.” Agni hefted the book he hadn’t been reading for a while.
Temple pushed it down, leaning in for that kiss, then froze. He cocked his head, listening intently. Caleb shut the radio off. The sounds of screams echoed loudly in the night. Cursing, the trio ran for the door where boots, winter gear, and weapons waited for them.
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Author Bio
Jana is Queen of the Geeks (her students voted her in) and her home and office are shrines to any number of comic book and manga heroes along with SF shows and movies too numerous to count. There is no coincidence the love of all things geeky has made its way into many of her stories. To this day, she’s still disappointed she hasn’t found a wardrobe to another realm, a superhero to take her flying among the clouds or a roguish star ship captain to run off to the stars with her.