September 2024 WipWordSearch Excerpts Week 1

There was no way to #hide the exhaustion from his friends. Heavy bags drooped under his hazel eyes, and his face seemed thinner and longer.

“I hope I’m not embarrassing you,” Thomas murmured into his wine glass.

She made a #heroic effort not to giggle as she replied, “Oh no, you certainly aren’t. It’s barely noticeable.”

“Looking like that? #Hope these friends aren’t girls.” Gary half-smirked.

Thomas glanced at the clock, smiling. “Hey, I changed. What more do you want from me? Besides, these friends won’t care. They’re into the tired look.”

Thomas squinted as he stepped around deep cracks and unrelenting ice patches in the cement driveway. Large patches of white paint were flaked along the #house sides and piled on the porch under a couple of rocking chairs.

Great with her hands, Artemis supported herself by selling her custom arts and crafts online. It was #hard for Thomas to see the appeal, but she had quite a serious and devoted following.

“I’m done,” Thomas said, taking off his hospital watch and dropping it on the ground. He turned to stalk away down the #hall. “I quit.”

“You should watch your tongue, boy. I’ve killed thousands and wouldn’t #hesitate to add you to the pile,” he whispered, his voice lethal.

Slow, heavy footsteps dragged along the walkway around the side of the house. The steps used to be shorter, lighter. How could he have let this #happen to Artemis?

For all this talk of peace accords and keeping the supernatural community #hidden and safe, the fact of the matter is that our relationship with vampires is like their relationship with humans. At the end of the day, they are food.

She’d ended up in a nomadic circle that encompassed most of North Africa and the Middle East, which was where she was bitten. With her newfound strength, she’d quickly become a #heroine to her people.

This was her time to talk, to explain before they could jump to their own dangerous conclusions. She just #hoped she could say the right words.

Colesbrooke was everyone’s #home. Every single one of them would be ready to fight to keep it, be they werewolf or vampire.

“Don’t worry.” Donald grinned. “It’s not #hard. The wolf’s belly will be full, and it’ll be tired. You’ll slip in easily. Once everyone has fed, you can lock it up.”

“He never changes, does he?” Chelsea asked in a low voice further down the #hall.

“You know how stubborn he is. He doesn’t let anyone in. Lost too many people, you know?”

“But if I think for one second that you are going to hurt him in body or in spirit, I will not #hesitate to take action.”

“I’m glad Artemis is safe. She’s a lovely person, and I’d hate for anything to #happen to her. But what about you? Do you feel unsafe?”