Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    And to Cherish: Vampire Assassin League, #23
    And to Cherish: Vampire Assassin League, #23
    And to Cherish: Vampire Assassin League, #23
    Ebook116 pages1 hour

    And to Cherish: Vampire Assassin League, #23

    By Jackie Ivie

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    WARRIOR GODDESS

    Cherish is known for a cold, brutal, pitiless demeanor.  She learned those traits while she’d lived – a penniless orphan in a cruel world.  Born illegitimate.  Her presence barely tolerated in life.  Vampirism set her free.  Gave her value.  Nobody knows the soft heart she keeps hidden behind her carefully crafted personae. Protected.  Safe.  No one will ever find out.  But then fate sends the ultimate problem… 

    RAPTOR SPECIALIST

    Doctor Samson Reid is a late bloomer.  He couldn’t get a date.  He ceased trying.  He focused on birds.  They didn’t care what he looked like.  A self-described ‘bird-nerd’, he excels at handling the most savage of birds.  The raptors.  And then life hands him handsomeness.  Women come out in droves to see him and his birds.  He feels like a stranger in his own life.  The entire world is weird.  And it’s about to get a lot weirder…   

    PREDATORS

    Cherish can’t believe this.  She’s mating?  How is this possible?  And why now? Shouldn’t she want one first? Suffer loneliness? Ache for companionship? And shouldn’t a mate be difficult to find? Surely, he wouldn’t appear one night in her hometown? Without one bit of searching?

    She can’t be mating.  She refuses to accept it. 

    And him.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJackie Ivie
    Release dateJan 19, 2015
    ISBN9781939820525
    And to Cherish: Vampire Assassin League, #23

    Read more from Jackie Ivie

    Related to And to Cherish

    Titles in the series (20)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    Fantasy For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      In The Spotlight: Your Writing Genre - Busting

      Apr 4, 2024

      What an inventive lot the WM writers proved themselves to be with the ‘Genre-busting' submission call! The response was terrific, with a postbag full of playful, off-the wall writing that read as if its creators had a gonzo riot mashing up elements f

      5 min read

    • Article

      A Book for the Moment: On Helen Weinzweig’s ‘Basic Black with Pearls’

      Jun 1, 2018

      This post was produced in partnership with Bloom, a literary site that features authors whose first books were published when they were 40 or older. 1. In our current moment, a chorus of “nasty women” has flooded social media with grievances. Unfortu

      5 min read

    • Article

      Draw Me

      Jul 5, 2023

      Draw Me
      2 min read

    • Article

      Meeting Eve Babitz

      Jan 7, 2019

      Meeting Eve Babitz
      7 min read

    • Article

      Story Time

      Sep 9, 2020

      Child psychologist Dr Julia Cates takes her seat at the courthouse, a defendant in the trial of a child killer, one of her patients for three years. She has been dodging the press, who along with the parents of the dead children, want to know why she

      2 min read

    • Article

      The William Trevor Reader: “Flights of Fancy”

      Oct 11, 2022

      Great fiction thrives on secrets and secret-keeping. The post The William Trevor Reader: “Flights of Fancy” appeared first on The Millions.

      2 min read

    • Article

      The Peeper’s Routine

      Jul 23, 2019

      The Peeper’s Routine
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Devil Inside Her

      Aug 11, 2023

      The Devil Inside Her
      9 min read

    • Article

      Mourning a Stranger’s Suicide in Prison

      Aug 23, 2019

      It was an average Texas prison weekend when it happened. Chow had just finished, and the dorm was settling into its routine. The bolted-down metal tables in the dayroom were cluttered with bowls and commissary food as several women started cooking in

      6 min read

    • Article

      Hoax Or Healer?

      Nov 3, 2021

      Hoax Or Healer?
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Alice Show

      Mar 20, 2020

      The Alice Show
      12 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Apr 16, 2021

      Books
      4 min read

    • Article

      Jude THE OBSCURE

      Jun 18, 2021

      Jude THE OBSCURE
      5 min read

    • Article

      Hoax Or Healer?

      Nov 3, 2021

      Hoax Or Healer?
      7 min read

    • Article

      HEATHER MITCHELL The Naked Truth

      Oct 5, 2022

      HEATHER MITCHELL The Naked Truth
      9 min read

    • Article

      Love & miracles

      Aug 14, 2022

      Delia Ephron, the screen-writer, novelist and wit, was in her apartment in Greenwich Village in New York City when I phoned. She was disappointed we weren’t doing the interview via video. “That’s too bad. I look fabulous.” She is appearing, virtually

      7 min read

    • Article

      Cristina Rivera Garza

      Jun 15, 2018

      She would remember everything, out of the blue and in full detail. She would see the jade ring wrapped around her ring finger and, immediately, she would see the other jade ring. She would open her eyes wide and, without knowing why, would fall silen

      13 min read

    • Article

      Now There’s No Doubt Meghan And Harry Had To Leave

      Mar 8, 2021

      A seldom remembered fact about the royal family is that, before the death of Princess Diana, it was not normal to be interested in them. Tabloids were fascinated, but it was more of a convention than news – like a splash about tomatoes causing cancer

      6 min read

    • Article

      Writer Rachel Eliza Griffiths: ‘There’s A Strength You Don’t Realise You Have Access To’

      Jun 17, 2023

      Rachel Eliza Griffiths arrives at the Observer’s offices and I tell her at once, as I greet her, that I recognise her from the striking publicity photo at the back of the proof copy of her debut novel Promise – our reason for meeting. Lady Rushdie, k

      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for And to Cherish

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      And to Cherish - Jackie Ivie

      CHAPTER ONE

      Quick. Clean. Efficient.

      Her sword hand lopped off the man’s head. The other hand caught it. A rivulet of blood pooled in her hand, starting the hunger. Her teeth grew. Her lips parted. The need to feed was sharp. Intent. She fought it. Her sword flashed bits of light as she shook. And then finally, willpower won. Her canines receded. Her victim’s body had finished a slow drop from the sofa onto the floor. She placed his head back in position atop his neck. As if he slept. She stepped back. Looked him over. Nodded her approval. They called her Cherish. It didn't fit. Nobody had treasured or cherished her in her mortal life. She hadn't expected it. And after a time, she hadn't wanted it.

      So now, she returned the favor.

      With a quick glance over her shoulder, Cherish was gone. And that’s when the man’s girlfriend finally started screaming. Other than a quirk of her lips, Cherish didn’t respond. Said girlfriend was easily overlooked and just as quickly forgotten. She wasn’t even the one that had been in the man’s photo. She must be a new model. So new, she probably didn’t even qualify as a mistress. So. New girlfriend had two options. Report the murder and what she’d seen. Or run. That’s what came of taking up with a married man. A rich married man. Cherish added to the description. The girlfriend was not only cheating, she was consorting with a man known for the further complication of a jealous, vindictive, and very vengeful spouse.

      Cherish rather suspected the girlfriend would take option two.

      Not that she cared one way or the other. The night was young. A full moon bathed the St. Louis arch in shades of blue and gray. Moonlight also touched the Mississippi River, lifting the slightest haze of fog. St. Louis was a beautiful sight. Especially when viewed in her afterlife. Maybe she’d drop by the Rock House later, if she had time. That building was a supposedly haunted section of Edgewood Children’s Center. She could always add to the rumors attached to the place. It would be like a homecoming. Only back when she’d lived there it had been called the Orphans’ Asylum. St. Louis hadn’t been nearly as large then.

      Nor as beautiful.

      Cherish turned from the view. She had one more hit on her list for the evening. A woman this time. A rich woman in her mid-fifties with frosted blond hair and a surgically toned frame. That façade hid a heart as evil and black as her newly deceased husband. Cherish didn’t deal in names. She didn’t want to know anything more than she needed to get the job done. It was rather amusing if she stopped to mull it. Rich man had paid for a hit on his middle-aged wife. Wife had paid for hit on her philandering husband. It would have made a great murder/suicide headline if they’d spent the night together.

      But no.

      The husband had taken his newest arm-candy to a fabulous restaurant, followed by a trip to his company-paid apartment. As for the wife? That woman was attending a charity function of some kind, featuring birds from some wildlife sanctuary. Cherish arrived at the hotel within moments. Skulked around the lobby for a bit. Absorbed the music. People. Ambiance.

      One thing was certain. She wasn’t going to fit in. Not in tight denim pants, corset top, leather boots and jacket...and most damning, a recently used sword at her back. Not exactly what was expected. This charity function looked like a black-tie affair with a fairly strict dress code. Women of all ages and descriptions milled about. All of them were adorned in gowns of various designs and materials, sparkling with jewels. Most were middle-aged, in very good shape, and quite a few had frosted blond hair. There weren’t many gents. That was odd. Didn’t events like this bring out men, too? Cherish tagged three men in the foyer area, mainly because they were taller than most of the crowd. They all looked fairly uncomfortable in their finery. Like penguins in a bird-of-paradise gathering.

      Nobody seemed to notice her much, despite her attire. Not that it mattered. She was an efficient assassin.

      Anytime.

      Anywhere.

      She was merciless. Fast. Impossible to photograph. And eye witnesses were notoriously inaccurate. Cherish lifted from the floor, subconsciously hovering a foot above everyone. Her job was gaining difficulty by the moment. She might have to call for more specifics. She’d reached the cell phone in an inner jacket pocket when she spotted the woman.

      Her hit was wearing a sparkly gold dress that looked glued onto her. Her frosted blond hair was in an up-do, showing off all kinds of spray-tanned flesh. The extent of it was displayed as the woman turned about, showing a fountain of multi-colored jewels cascading down her bare back. That was stunning. Especially if they were real. The woman was heading away from the crowd. Along a hall...

      Cherish followed, tagging shadowed doorways as she went. Using her diminutive size and nondescript attire to advantage.

      This was interesting. And advantageous. Separating a victim from the herd was a predator’s prime modus operandi. Cherish almost smiled at the simile as the woman turned down yet another long hall. This one probably led to an indoor pool if the heated moisture in the air was an indicator. Beads of it mottled the glass-lined walkway, while outside the moon continued to shed a pale glow on shrouded lawn furniture. Cherish watched her mark enter a locker room for women. She passed by the dressing and shower area. Entered a stall. Clicked it shut behind her.

      Ah.

      Her woman wanted privacy. How...helpful.

      Cherish was waiting as the woman exited, washed her hands, took an amazing amount of time freshening her makeup from items fished out of her bejeweled evening bag. Never once did the woman look over her shoulder. As if she was alone. That was interesting. And naïve.

      The woman patted at stray strands of hair, before finally turning. Her gasp, followed by the clunk of her evening bag as it dropped was gratifying. It even echoed. And that made Cherish smile. This one was too easy. She should probably give a discount.

      Who are you?

      The woman regained her composure as easily as she did her bag. She really did have a spectacular dress although the waterfall of jewelry cascading down her back didn’t look real. Maybe it was just the reflection in the mirror. She was a very cool customer, however. She didn’t sound or look concerned as she demanded Cherish’s identity.

      Vampire assassin, Cherish replied.

      Is Gary dead, then? Is that why you’re here?

      Not exactly.

      Cherish’s smile vanished. As did any good humor. She didn’t want to know anything about her kills. Names. Birthdates. Likes or dislikes. The woman had just violated the code and made it personal. Damn her.

      He isn’t dead?

      Oh. I didn’t say that.

      He is dead then?

      Cherish nodded.

      Then what? You want more money? Is that it? You’re extorting now?

      Not exactly. Cherish drew her sword from over her shoulder. She watched the woman’s eyes widen, but that was the only sign she gave that it mattered. Nothing about her reflection changed, either.

      Are you threatening me?

      You should have paid for a divorce attorney. Or used a different service.

      What?

      Isn’t it obvious? You newly-deceased husband paid for your assassination. Too.

      You have got to be kidding me.

      No. I’m not. We charged more for you. In case that helps.

      No. It doesn’t.

      The woman was fearless. She’d fished a small gun from her handbag and aimed it at Cherish as she spoke. Her voice didn’t even waver. If Cherish had the ability to sigh, she’d have done it. Instead she shook her head.

      That won’t work, Lady. I’m a vampire.

      Vampires don’t exist.

      Cherish shrugged. Fair enough.

      The

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1