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37 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2021
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:
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