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Leech

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Aiken hated him. He hated him more than he feared him.

Eleven years ago, a vampire saved Aiken’s life. A vampire he had been trying to kill. A vampire whose intense blue eyes and deep voice Aiken never forgot.

On a cold winter night, with the Empire on the edge of war, Aiken meets that vampire again. He’s overwhelmed by his own long-nurtured but unwanted feelings for the man, and feels himself inescapably drawn to him.

Aiken wants to keep hating him, and he wants to keep fighting him, but there’s no denying his desire.
His desire for a leech.

37 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2021

16 people are currently reading
42 people want to read

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Eryn Ivers

10 books78 followers

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5 stars
48 (34%)
4 stars
48 (34%)
3 stars
35 (25%)
2 stars
8 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Rain.
2,623 reviews21 followers
March 2, 2024
*4.5* Such an excellent short story! Filled with deep emotion and character depth.

Aiken Woods was only 24 when he was attacked by a vampire and left for dead. He doesn’t remember who saved him, but he thinks of those eyes often in the evenings. Fast forward 11 years, and he is now unmatched in his profession of hunting vampires. He is horrified when asked to join partnership with his nemesis to fight a common foe.

“We know much about fighting against each other,” Price clapped him on the shoulder. “We know nothing about how we will fight together. You two will be a trial of sorts.”

Very impressed with how much heart was infused in this tiny story. It read like a prequel to a promising series, and left me wanting so much more.
Profile Image for ⋆。°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°。⋆.
1,200 reviews248 followers
November 13, 2024
3.5⭐ - because it's too damn short, but make no mistake - this sounds like the start of a very, very promising series.

🟣 Human / vampire
🟢 A fictional Empire with werewolves, vampires and humans
🔵 Leeches are vampires
🟣 Humans and vampires were enemies for the longest time
🟡 The Empire is under attack by the Cursacks and werewolves
🌶️ Some smut; oral; hinting at staying together

Aiken, a young human officer runs into Kenneth Hall, the tall, handsome vampire who rescues him on one of his missions. After that they don't see each other for over a decade until the truce is made and they're suddenly working together side by side, getting rid of bad vampires along the way and preparing for war.

There's an unspoken dynamic between them - they're very attracted to each other, in fact, Aiken has been sort of crushing on Kenneth for 11 years, so when they finally do get closer is when the story ends.

Not enough time with them together. I liked the setting, I'd definitely want to read an extended version of the story.

It was a good story and as I've said, a damn good prequel to a potential series - let's hope!
Profile Image for Monika .
2,349 reviews39 followers
June 7, 2022

It's too bad this was so short, it seemed like a really promising story.

QUICK THOUGHTS
-- Paranormal -- Vampire/Human hunter pairing -- combatant (on one side) to lovers -- meeting again -- learning to work together -- likeable enough MCs... Hall & Aiken -- promising story -- wish there was more to it -- too short -- less than 30 pages
Profile Image for Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine).
1,214 reviews34 followers
June 14, 2023
For years, Aiken saw that achingly handsome face when he closed his eyes. When he stood in pools of blood with pain lancing through him after a barely successful hunt. In bed, in the moments before sleep.
Whenever he was alone and took himself in hand.
He still hated him.
— Aiken Woods

Warnings: none of note.

This is unexpectedly gorgeous and undeniably sweet. I adore Aiken Woods and Kenneth Hall (referred to as Aiken and Hall respectively). They have this wonderful opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers chemistry. Their dynamic moves easily and fluidly between friendship, romance and battle. Eryn Ivers presents all the events using a single protagonist, Aiken's, it feels like we are missing pieces of information, pieces that Hall chooses not to reveal to Aiken. Honestly, I appreciate it. They've known each other a month, for about a third of which Aiken had no real trust in his new partner. At 37 pages this is a short story, but I found it to be well-developed for a story the length it is. Eryn Ivers uses an exceptionally minimal cast to tell their story, in this case that definitely works to the story's advantage. I recommend this if the blurb appeals to you. I would suggest trying to get it either free (keep an eye on giveaways) or Kindle Unlimited.

Some comments and quotes.
Sharp cheekbones, a well-trimmed beard, and piercing blue eyes filled his vision. And then nothing. — I think this is a fantastic way to end what is basically an introduction. The eleven years earlier part of the story. It makes it easy to see why memories of Hall haunt Aiken. (Aiken)
There was nothing supernatural about Hall’s voice, though Aiken had never forgotten the richness and clarity of it and the hint of good breeding. It was the same kind of voice he had always fallen for in bars. It was ridiculous that it should belong to a leech. — It does feel like there is something left unsaid here. We do learn that Aiken has been pretending every man he's with was Hall for eleven years. But it feels like more than that. (Aiken)
“Just because you want me dead does not mean the feeling is mutual,” — This is Hall's answer to Aiken's question "Why did you save me?" It is the sort of answer that lands like a bomb, that puts Aiken into shock. This is from a vampire to a human. I kinda wish we'd had a whole explanation for this. (Hall)
Aiken didn’t dream of the vampire’s eyes that night, but of Hall laughing as he wiped off his sword. — There is something appealing in this. Hall haunts Aiken in the best way. It kinda makes sense to me that Aiken would find Hall somewhat attractive around fighting. They are both fighters by nature and vampires are warriors. (Aiken)
• Ivers has a creative and well-rounded set of vampire lore. The social taboos of turning, shadow morphing and cold among other things. I'd like to see what she could do with a full-length novel.
• The open leech/bloodbag insults made me laugh. Every rarely is a vampire referred to as such, it is usually just leech or bloodsucker.
“They’re not ready to hear it yet, but the men in the Order have more in common with the leeches than with civilians.” Aiken rested the back of his head against the wood behind him and looked at the stars through the hole in the ceiling. “Up with the moon, soaked in blood, fighting in the streets…At this point sometimes our humanity feels like a technicality.” — I have nothing to add to this. It makes sense. (Aiken)

As a random aside, I really dislike the cover (by Cormar Covers). It is using the male body to appeal to the reader. I can see why you use this type of cover if the model has some physical resemblance to the character, in this case, Hall, but from the description I'm seeing he doesn't. I'm pretty sure there was a better cover that could have been used either completely or just a better model choice.

“Can you control yourself, leech?”
A scowl flashed across his face. “I am perfectly capable of self-control,” he said, but a slight tremor in his voice belied his prim tone. “As much as any self-respecting man when faced with temptation.”
“Am I a temptation?” Aiken asked, stepping closer to him. He knew the lust in Hall’s eyes was for his blood, but goddamn it felt good to have him look at him like that.
“You know you are.” He didn’t move away when Aiken stopped in front of him, too close for propriety.
— Aiken Woods and Kenneth Hall

A representative gif:
description

Look Aiken and Hall are a Vampire Hunter and Vampire respectively why else do you think I'm using Spuffy? Ok that and I've had a thing for Spike since I was not even 13

Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews367 followers
December 26, 2021
Outstanding Story - Aiden and Hall . . .

Aiden Woods was hunting the Leech in a dark alley, trying to convince himself he hated him more than he feared him. Yet his mind definitely feared him. When he heard a voice say, “You’re bleeding,” he whirled around, tripped on the cobblestone, and rolled quickly to his back to face the man. But no one was there. He scrambled to his feet, blood pouring from his side, and ran toward a church to find safety, but the voice calmly told him he would bleed out. And suddenly the man was standing in front of him. He grabbed for his stake, but his feet were knocked out from under him and the leech caught him in his arms. That’s all he remembered before everything went dark.

Someone had left him at the hospital, bandages around his wounds. He even got a promotion since his captain had died. He was afraid for months that he had been “turned”. He had been relentless in going after vampires across the Empire, but he never saw the face of the one who saved him. Eleven years later, Major Price handed him an envelope with pictures. Apparently lycanthropes who hadn’t been seen for decades were now fighting alongside the Empire’s enemy, the Cursacks. No one is trained to fight them now. The Order needs help, and they have found it. Two men suddenly appeared before him and, as he grabbed his stake, strong hands held his wrist as he stared into the blue eyes of the leech who saved him. The other identified himself as Lord Campbell. With a common enemy now, they would join forces to destroy the shape shifters. Then Lord Campbell introduced Aiken to his new partner -- Kenneth Hall. They would be the test to see if the two “enemies” could now fight together. Both are considered the best of each of their Orders. Aiden quietly asked him why he had saved him. Hall’s response, stunned him: “Just because you want me dead does not mean the feeling is mutual,” and they continued walking together to deal with their first assignment. On subsequent assignments, he saw Hall’s gentleness in comforting a frightened child, his polite manner with everyone, his inquisitive nature.

For the past 11 years Aiken could not get this man out of his mind. Was he ready to accept his feelings for him now? Did Hall reciprocate those feelings? Or would they complete their assignment and go their separate ways?

There is so much more I want to know, even after the last page has been finished. I do hope that the author will continue this story and do an entire series based on it. This is just the beginning of what could be an incredibly awesome series. The characters are so good, believable, and likable. There is something very special about these two. I really hope this is not the end.
Profile Image for Juniper.
3,414 reviews24 followers
December 25, 2021
This short story reminded me of how much there is to love about short stories as a genre: when done well, like this one is, there’s such a beautiful intensity of character and experience – no words are wasted, and the effects are greater than the sum of the word-count. “Leech” covers a surprising amount of ground, from an initial meeting between vampire and vampire hunter that defies the dystopian expectations of the world they both inhabit to a reunion years later that fleshes out both that world and those connected within it. I loved the focus on Aiken, and how he’s kept one memory alive for so long, against his every intention, and it’s become ingrained in his psyche and shaped every aspect of who he is. Hall’s patience and care are a perfect compliment to his impeccable manners and sly (or shy? Both? Hard to tell) sense of humor– he’s so gentle with Aiken’s emotions and so obliging of his need to set terms it’s hard not to see what made him so unforgettable. I’d love to read more stories set in this world– I want to know how the war turns out, and more about the previous history that built to the moment Aiken and Hall are occupying.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Dan.
3,720 reviews650 followers
March 22, 2024
“Am I a temptation?”
“You know you are.”



A bizarre dystopian setting, somewhere in the United Kingdom.

Flashing back to eleven years ago, Aiken is severely wounded. But he’s rescued by a mysterious and stunningly handsome vampire.

Now 35, Aiken is a member of The Order. Their mission is to hunt and take down supernatural beings all over the Empire.

But when the Cursacks team up with the werewolves, The Order must also forge an…uneasy…alliance.

Kenneth Hall becomes Aiken’s new partner. And there’s something awfully familiar about him…

Did he remember Aiken like Aiken remembered him? Did he want him to?

Class difference: Aiken impoverished; Kenneth, quite affluent…

Skittish but longing, Aiken solicits help with his weapons. First the shotgun…then the revolver…

Cautious flirting…but the lycanthrope attack is the real catalyst.

Fights and skirmishes are well choreographed. The…other…action is adequate. The physical does not quite measure up to the pining and lust.

Cool and unique. We only get Aiken’s POV, and it works that way.

The cover is oddly discordant. Everything about this story suggests an historic dystopia, like 1800s London or Dublin.

Nevertheless, good emotional work. Surprisingly strong ending. The couple that fights together…


“I-I’ve been alone for a long time.”
“I want to stay with you.”
Profile Image for Reads_Must .
975 reviews13 followers
April 23, 2024
Leech
Fantasy
Eryn Ivers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• ᴡᴀʀ • ʟᴏɴɢɪɴɢ • ᴅᴇꜱɪʀᴇ •

This was a good, but short, read.

Despite the length, there was a surprising amount of detail packed in without it feeling like constant info dumps.

I really liked the setting, the war and the group of vampire hunters.

I liked that werewolves were also included but I wish they featured more.

The characters were well developed. Captain Aiken and Hall were both likeable. Their pasts were revealed in a way that was easy to follow and it made them feel more human, even the vampire, Hall.

The chemistry between Aiken and Hall was strong and at times I wanted to give Aiken a shake and make him confess his feelings 😂. Their steamy scene was written well and it was timed perfectly. It actually added to the plot rather than being there just for the sake of it.

I liked the ending and I'd definitely read more books by this author.
Profile Image for Guardian.angel54 .
988 reviews40 followers
March 19, 2022
Vampire and human team

This short story was pretty interesting and put kind of a historical feel to the paranormal trope. Aiden is a vampire hunter - or leech, as they call them - in what feels like an older time, reminiscent of Victorian England. He is dispatched by the Order, the human governing organization, to kill a particular vampire. When he is gravely wounded this same vampire saves his life, and so it is with ironic humor, that eleven years later he is partnered with this same leech in a test run to see if humans and vamps can work together to take down a mutual foe - lycanthropes!

For a short story there was a surprising amount of world building and even character backgrounds. It would make a very good full length book and I enjoyed this brief foray into this world.
1,600 reviews8 followers
December 31, 2021
I really enjoyed this story by a new-to-me author. This is a true enemies to lovers romance, as a human (Aiken) is saved from death by the vampire (aka leech) he is trying to kill. His rescuer then disappears, leaving Aiken to hunt (and unwittingly pine) for him for the next eleven years. When they meet again, their higher-ups expect them to work together for the greater good of both races. The connection and heat between these two was compelling, and I was spell-bound hoping Aiken's would give in to his suppressed desires. I loved the story, but it was too short. I want more of these two.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Latecia Jennings.
2,360 reviews10 followers
December 26, 2021
Oh WOW...this short story was a pleasant surprise. First time with this author and I wasn't disappointed. This story had elements I like...paranormal...enemies to lovers and a little dark thrown in. I wouldn't call this a full blown romance but with romantic hints. Aiken and Hall working as a team was entertaining...there was some intense chemistry and all in all this was quick and a page turner til the end. The ending made me smile...NICE!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Teeny.
1,640 reviews47 followers
March 19, 2022
It was an okay read and I understand that it was barely 25 pages long but I would have appreciated some minor world building, at least timeline wise. I wish I could say that the chemistry between Aiken and Hall was as big as the story made it to be. Maybe it was but it got overwhelmed under everything in those 25pgs? I think the story would benefit but a great expansion since its bones are good.

Also I gotta say it has been some time that I read a story with the Vamps being the good guys (or at least standing in the lighter shades of grey).
Profile Image for Jen.
Author 9 books115 followers
September 5, 2021
Great little story

The problem with short stories is feeling like the end is an HEA, and this didn’t have an HEA. It feel more like a to be continued in a series where you read about other couples and get glimpses of this one from time to time. This is like a pre-war prequel. Good in and of itself, but incomplete without the rest of the series. I hope it’s not the only book in the world the author writes.
Profile Image for casvec.
7,458 reviews76 followers
December 27, 2021
Leech is a fast paranormal story with a bit of action, danger and heat. Years ago, Aiken is saved by a handsome blue-eyed man. When destiny brings them back together to fight for the same cause, the pull they felt those years ago grows.

Aiken and Hall's story is a fast romance that builds over the years and months, and is perfect for a quick escape.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,244 reviews53 followers
December 6, 2021
Leech was so, so good. I wish it was longer..I wish Eeyn Ivers, the author, expanded the story to include the war with the werewolves and see how Hall and Aiken and the alliance with the Order and the vampires hold up, even after the war. But it was still a good read. It was some short goodness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,303 reviews20 followers
December 25, 2021
Tension and Release

This short story is of a vampire Hunter and a vampire; natural enemies, unnatural partners, plus there’s a seething underlying attraction. My first book by this author and I thought it was great! I would have loved to read more about Aiken and Hall, but this story is still satisfying on its own. A great short read.
Profile Image for Amber.
1,717 reviews7 followers
January 25, 2022
I loved it!

I loved this short story. Hall and Aiken are great together. They have great chemistry and a hot scene in the book that cements the start of their relationship, taking them from work partners to real partners. I want more of their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jay Purse.
296 reviews4 followers
September 2, 2023
Slightly Underdeveloped

The end kinda smacks you in the face outta nowhere... Rushed maybe, yet... The author had such a great moment unfolding to just abruptly cut the reader off at the knees basically... I gave it a four because, it really does capture a moment... But, lacking in the spice department...
Profile Image for Nina Diab.
5,343 reviews50 followers
December 23, 2021
A good story. I really enjoyed it. It's a very short read and I hope there will be a sequel in the future. It feels like there should be a continuation to include the war, and Aiken and Hall's relationship through it. The overall story doesn't feel complete without it. 4 stars.
929 reviews3 followers
December 25, 2021
3,5*
This is a short, quick tale. It felt incomplete as if it was taken out of a larger story. I would like to see where the storyline will progress to in future work by the author.
I was given a arc copy.
Profile Image for Nessa.
1,858 reviews21 followers
January 6, 2022
This was an enemies to lovers type of story (at least where Aiken was concerned). It was well written and the two main characters eventually realize where home truly is within each other. I just love stories like this. Fascinating read.
2,894 reviews12 followers
December 16, 2023
good

This was a good very quick read. I’m a little sad about the length, definitely wanted more of these two. But it still got a sort of happy ever after, even though they’re facing a tough fight.
Profile Image for Amy.
90 reviews
January 20, 2022
I hope there is more to come. This was such a great short story.
Profile Image for Marlene.
62 reviews5 followers
May 7, 2022
Really good short story! I need more!!!
71 reviews
May 11, 2023
This is one of those short stories where you impulsively want to give a 1 ⭐ just because you want a full series and you're upset it's over.
Profile Image for Chloe .
42 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2025
it was alright for a short story I feel like it could have been longer but I did enjoy it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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