MASTER Book 1: Crimson - Jane Bled

WINNER - Best Ebook from Hollywood Book Awards - Congratulations, Jane!

Paranormal m/m - World-famous actor Gabriel Colin desperately wants to recruit Raiden, a beautiful singer, to co-star in his upcoming film. Beneath the angelic façade, however, Raiden harbors a deep secret—and a sharp set of fangs. Little does Gabriel realize what he’s getting into…or the price he will pay for his obsession.

Raiden, a popular musician, has led a double-life for over five years. By day, he's an adored celebrity; by night, a vicious vampire. As if deceiving the world weren't enough of a problem, he gains an even one: Gabriel, a well-known TV actor who happens to have an obsession with him.

Though Raiden initially plans to dismiss Gabriel at the soonest chance, fate forces him to change his plans. After a case of mistaken identity results in blood, the two celebrities become unwitting partners. When Gabriel gains deeper insight into Raiden's true nature, he starts to reexamine his own views on humanity and the society in which he lives.

As the two grow closer, they both struggle for dominance over the other, but each has clearly met his match. The end result of their strife will either break them apart for good...or save their damaged relationship from its predicted doom.

Excerpt:
“I love your crucifix,” spoke a sudden voice in slightly accented, yet otherwise flawless English. Startled, Raiden almost dropped his cigarette, but his sharp reflexes kicked in before it could happen. Squinting up, he tried to locate the source of the voice. He saw a tall man, dressed impeccably in Chinese silk and leather, dark sunglasses obscuring the upper part of his face. Alcoholic fumes were fairly radiating off him, and Raiden couldn’t help his sensitive nose from wrinkling just the slightest bit. Damn these vampiric senses.

“It does the trick,” Raiden replied sarcastically, wondering how much the mystery man would love it if he knew how powerless an object it really was.

"You’re Raiden-san, are you not? From Scent?”
Raiden nodded his assent, absentmindedly sipping his drink as he desperately tried to scheme a way out of the conversation. Damnit. All I wanted was some fucking peace and quiet, and now I have to deal with some obsessed foreign groupie—

“I’m Gabriel Colin, from Mesmerized. I don’t expect you to know my work—”

“Of course I know your work. It’s nice to meet you,” Raiden interjected swiftly. He warmly extended his hand as he forced a smile to grace his features. Oh, right. He’s that shitty French-Canadian actor who made it big in America, though God only knows why. Once, Raiden had tried to watch Mesmerized to see what all the hype was about. After about five minutes of the camera zooming in dreamily on Gabriel’s good-looking, though often tear-stained face, he had aimed the remote at his flat-screen TV and fired. What a waste of five minutes!

Raiden suppressed a chuckle as Gabriel goggled at him and returned his handshake with exaggerated force, slightly swaying on his feet. He’s three sheets to the wind. So much for composure. Gabriel was still holding his hand. The singer swiftly withdrew it and fired up another cigarette. Gabriel watched him, tilting his head to the side to study Raiden’s face. He was used to this sort of treatment, but it was rather disconcerting for someone as famous and ubiquitous as Gabriel to blatantly administer it.

“May I join you?”

Gabriel took off his sunglasses in a practiced, polished manner. Raiden again fought the urge to bark laughter. The exaggeration in Gabriel’s gestures positively tickled him. But at the same time, it was potentially annoying. He hesitated before answering Gabriel’s question, voices warring within him.

Blow him off. Then he’ll see what a jerk you really are and leave you alone. And you won’t have to worry about him bothering you anymore.

This party is more boring than a Catholic mass. If you let him sit down, maybe no one else will bother you. Hell, maybe the night will even go by a little faster.
Raiden gestured to the chair across from him.
“Be my guest.”
He pretended not to notice Gabriel’s sigh of relief as the actor took a seat.
“You know, Raiden-san, I’ve really been anticipating our inevitable introduction.”

Gabriel set his sunglasses on the table with a small, calculated clink. Raiden stilled the urge to roll his eyes.
“I think we’ve actually met before,” Raiden deadpanned, keeping the ever-present smirk of amusement from revealing itself too obviously.

“I mean, I’ve really been looking forward to making your acquaintance. I’ve longed for the opportunity to actually sit down and talk with you,” Gabriel corrected. He leaned forward and stared into Raiden’s eyes.

“Well, I’m really not all that interesting,” Raiden said with a dismissive wave, breaking their eye contact. He decided that Gabriel must be genuinely tipsy in order to admit something like that. Or maybe he’s just hard-up for me. That wouldn’t be too surprising. The vampire hid his wry smile behind a deep drag of his diminishing cigarette. Undeterred, Gabriel pulled his chair closer to where Raiden lounged on the couch.

“Of course you’re interesting. I don’t waste my time with boring people.”
Surprised at Gabriel's straightforward response, Raiden let out a small laugh. Is this guy for real?
“Oh?”
“Yes. I’ve admired you for quite some time, for both the quality of your artistry and your natural magnetism,” Gabriel gushed. Raiden decided to put a swift, brutal end to all this unwanted flattery.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
“Eh? I’m not quite sure I grasp your meaning, Raiden-san.”

The actor creased his forehead in the faintest frown while widening his eyes to ridiculous proportions. In that moment, he looked more like a mentally retarded child than a highly prized TV sex symbol. Raiden savagely wished for a camera so that he could capture the awkwardness of Gabriel’s expression.

“I mean that it must be disappointing for you to meet me in person, since the image you’ve grown accustomed to is nothing more than my stage persona,” Raiden clarified. He stubbed out his cigarette with a curt twist of the wrist. The man’s very presence was trying his patience. With regret, the vampire reflected that allowing Gabriel to join him was likely the wrong decision.

The actor stared at him uncomprehendingly for a few seconds before throwing back his head and barking a hearty laugh.

“Raiden-san, forgive me for saying so, but that is perfectly ridiculous! You’re even more captivating in person,” Gabriel cooed, pretending to wipe mirthful tears from the corners of his eyes. Against his will, Raiden snorted. The bastard sure knows how to kiss someone‘s ass. Their eyes met. Gabriel caught his lower lip between his teeth and smiled hopefully. Alarmed, Raiden cursed himself for having made the mistake of allowing the actor to sit so close. It seemed the man’s proximity had somehow broken through the first barrier of his defenses. His alarm softened, however, when Gabriel launched headfirst into a conversation about music, seemingly unaware of the damage he had inflicted upon Raiden’s resistance.

As they talked, the vampire tried to ignore the increasingly obvious fragrances his nose refused to forget. The combination of alcohol and ardent conversation coaxed Gabriel’s blood closer to the surface of his skin, heating it with a rosy flush that caused Raiden’s mouth to positively water. To top it off, the actor had applied a generous amount of potent cologne, its scent perfectly complimenting the delectable perfume of blood emanating from his flesh. Indeed, it was a heady combination. Raiden focused intently on the topic of their conversation, currently the downward spiraling of American pop culture, in an effort to ignore the bloodlust practically pulsing through every part of his body. One part in particular. Raiden grimaced, and delicately shifted positions in an effort to hide his raging hard-on. Alas, the aroma of blood never failed to arouse him…

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Author Bio:

Jane Bled is delighted make her debut as a published author at loveyoudivine. The first installment in her homoerotic vampire series, MASTER Book 1: Crimson, and her short yaoi story about brutal passion, Poison, are now available for purchase! Look for MASTER Book 2: Luna later this year! 

In addition to penning dark tales of forbidden lust and the supernatural, Jane, an up-and-coming singer, also composes the lyrics & melodies of her own original music. In the future, she hopes to lead an accomplished career in the art of writing while entertaining audience members nationwide.

In her spare time, Jane spends quite evenings at home with her beloved, cozies up with a good novel, and acts in the occasional play.

During downtime, Jane spends quite evenings at home with her beloved, cozies up with a good novel, and acts in the occasional play. She loves vampires and chocolate, though not necessarily at the same time. In the future, she hopes to travel around the world with her husband while continuing to enjoy the wonders of life.