Danners

These cliffhangers are worth the plunge later on, believe me.

Woohoo! I’m glad you changed your mind. This being the end would’ve made me gnash my teeth and throw a very quiet temper tantrum. There’s too much story here for it to be … short. Jacques has more depth than I initially gave him credit for and this chapter brought it out for me. I look forward to you (and he) pealing back his layers and sharing/discovering new facets of his personality. Alex too. While Jacques is a book whose cover I judged — misjudged really — Alex needs an entirely new jacket. “Victim” doesn’t fit him anymore, I think. At least that’s my hope. And the Hellraiser puzzle box that is Solomon. Love him. No notes other than a suspicion that he’s kinky. So yeah. Full novel, please and thank you! P.S.: I so wanted to mention plumbing Alex’s depths but he had enough of that for one night. Tee hee.

We meet Lucien Noir in the protoplasm at last, or at least the part of him not housed under Alex’s skin. And he appeared to his descendant no less. At least I expect Jacques, as a Black, is Noir adjacent, especially when Lucien seemed to recognize him (in a number of ways) and after Solomon exerted his control over a member of that bloodline. Jacques’ connection to Alex takes on even more depth if he’s also drawn to what — or who — is inside him. Did their kiss awaken the magic within him? Last but not least: I’ve heard of hungry bottoms but that took it to a whole ‘nother level! I’m curious to find out if it was a defense mechanism, a product of the Noirs’ magic, or a supernatural symptom of our zombie boy’s illness.Is it wrong that I pictured a disembodied hand, fingers wrapped around each invading member, inside the Alex’s rectum? This chapter was wonderful! You needn’t have worried.

Especially if they’re meant to seal their vows with a kiss. Riley’s going to need meds before they’re hitched.

Here’s hoping Solomon really was tailing Alex during his exploration of the city. Or Jacques making another appearance costumed as the proverbial knight in shining armor. Or both. Mostly, I hope Alex’s attackers are the ones who get boned in the graveyard. You continue to paint an enchanting picture of this environment, @Jack Poignet, and I’m properly entranced.

An intriguing start. I love the gothic setting and the romantic undercurrent beneath the potential horror. If this was a novel — or, better yet, a trilogy — I’d gobble it up.

I wonder if Emmet’s absence isn’t just emotional fallout. As sensitive and open as he is, some sort of purification ritual being necessary after being attacked by a corrupted fae isn’t a terrible idea. Either way, hope he’s doing better than he was. Offended protector mode Fin may be my favorite yet. No second guessing himself, just pure actions and words from the heart. (If only he’d left Mo a little crispier around the edges.) Anyone else think Mo doth protest too much? The man harbors so much negativity that some of it has to be internalized. Which makes Ben going after him — sorry cough to the restroom — and his subsequent conversation with Fin all the more troubling. Lastly, dragon matriarch? LOVE. Keep Lydia on ice.

This is only the beginning for Bruce. I hope he and Kate remain a team despite no longer being partners — at least I assume an amicable divorce is in the works — and Damien can join the roster as seamlessly as possible after they’re reunited. In my head, Eden’s Edge presents the perfect backdrop for a wedding. Bruce and Damien exchanging vows with Kate (who can do literally anything she puts her mind to) officiating. Camilo as best man, Ryan a groomsman and Kate’s arm candy. Karen sucking an egg because she isn’t a bridesmaid, she isn’t a bride — hell, she isn’t invited. Bur no instant gratification, hopefully. Bruce seems like the kind of guy who will form a plan of action and who will want to make his intentions known before taking action. Really sweep Damien off his feet — y’know, ensure the blonde knows he is Bruce’s end game. Keep ‘em coming! Oh, and is it wrong that I want Karen’s inarticulate shrieking as a ringtone?

Karen needs to chill or get the haircut. The probability of chilling is low, so … does Eden’s Edge have a salon available?

Why do I get the impression that Emmet isn’t so much an elf as a unicorn — half unicorn? — and Finley won’t have to worry about his lifespan being naturally shorter than his own? Ticks a lot of boxes in our boy’s’ relationship. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it! (And, honestly, I’m also hoping because that means a potentially happy ending.)

That . . . was a doozy. Poor Mick keeps being victimized by the authority figures in his life. By Lester repeatedly and now by multiple police officers, not to mention the Unseelie badness I don’t know if Parsons was bad copping in order to get a reaction or motivated by an ex-cop being the suspect (and a suspect who may have enough connections to tamper with evidence), but the tail end of that interview was a travesty. Don’t keep us waiting on the next chapter, ‘Kay? And welcome back!

Timok has become an anime antagonist or, I suppose, an anti-hero cast in the role of supporting character/ comedy relief. He makes me laugh so hard! I. Love. It. What the stars? I jerked nearly off my feet, smacking into Garjah’s chest. “What are you doing here?” The lack of privacy was atrocious, and I glared at him. “Shouldn’t you be off torturing and studying something?” “I am.” His eyes gleamed in the pale light in the underground room. Absolute perfection, @Cia

I wonder if the Kardoval fear their own stagnancy. Garjah's authority legitimized their iron fisted dominance, translating their will to the people. Beyond that, Garjah's duty -- his birthright as dictated by their society's line of succession -- is perhaps the only role, within their society, that can supercede their wishes. Garjah's influence is greater than their own. ESL (nickname, fight me) can overcome his mate's trauma but he will need to remember that Garjah's "job" is also who he is as a person. By convincing him that he failed his mate, they convinced him that he failed his role, he failed his reason for living. ESL needs to remind him that the Kardoval failed, that the artificial absence between them actually strengthened their bond, their resolve to be together. In other words, teh smex.

Yay! It's been too long! Something tells me Virgil isn't just a good guy and he is neither selfish nor "venial" (for the times) in his interest in Wyatt. Yes, he is hot for the boy's tamale. Yes, he is "woke" for a man of the times. I suspect he had a mentor cut from the same cloth as him or was shown mercy when death would've been the prudent option. Double yay! Your characters are so layered, I know I'm going to be surprised despite all my theories! I missed you and your stories, @Headstall. (Even if this is a short story, you absolute tease!)

Prove them right, Essell, but not in the way they predicted. Turn the planet against them and expose them for the luddites that they are. With Ases' recordings, you can prove -- and broadcast -- their involvement in wreaking chaos for the sole purpose of manipulating the populace.

I love everything about this chapter, especially my favorite ship chugging along. That, and Wyn finally getting his way with Talon. Oh, and Eon's sly revenge for being kept out of the loop. That was masterful. Poor Talon. Hopefully Kalian is resting enough for the both of them.

Omigosh, #teamFilecforever. When Alec drops in on his mother, he should bring her a broomstick and tell the wicked witch to take a flying leap.

It's funny how the negative elements of your past can skew the present positives and I yhink that's exactly what Alec is experiencing. He hated the town, he hated his mom and how she rained her bullsh*t down on ecery aspect of his life as a teenager, but the beacons of light -- Finn, Milo, River, that bunch -- float on the surface of his mind while the dark elements eventually sink to the bottom (to be forgotten). I hope his subconscious self keeps leading him to Finn. The little girl is Milo's and, even if she isn;t, the fact that she is Finn's and he loves her will be enough to temper Alec's feelings. Again, he may hate the town, but someone like Finn will weather distance, will weather time. Finn is, like, the definition of "absence will make the heart grow fonder," Alec.

“Guilty,” he sang. “But causing trouble is so much fun. And you’ve been having a lot of fun.” Ases is my spirit animal, and he brought me back to:

Worth the wait! Not only was it passionate, but you captured how intimate their joining was. It was breathtaking.

I'm torn between sadness, anger, and giddy anticipation. That something like that occurred without consequence makes me sick. I mourn the loss of Scarlett's innocence, as well as the other girls', and yet the first hint of justice fills me with excitement, the anticipation of witnessing the Mortereros' house of cards toppling is . . . delightful. Beyond all that, Mr. Bosson's story also made me curious. I wonder if that party, that gang rape, was the catalyst for what the Terrible Trio would become. Was this a trial run? When they learned they could orchestrate travesties and get away with it, did that inform their decision to truly become monsters? I know we'll find out eventually. Every chapter, every excerpt, leads us closer to the truth -- its unveiling. Aaaaand on that note: can we have the next chapter, please? Pretty please?

You gave us another gripping chapter so, really, it was well worth the wait. I kind of like that this chapter gave you so much trouble, y'know? It shows you really grappled with your characters' psyches, their reactions. Plus the subject matter was heavy all around and yet you managed to inject some humor and even a glimmer of hope into your work. Whether regularly or sporadically, keep 'em coming!

My favorite character dead and my second favorite character broken with grief. Why do you hate me?! The only positive is that Lyme is in a position to comfort Eon and I ship them so effin' hard.

Garjah and Bouncer remain my heroes.