When half-elf Gideon's elf brother Braden runs afoul of a powerful old vampire, Gideon steps in to help him, suggesting it might be a good idea to recruit a dhampir. Reluctantly, because the only one he knows enjoys flirting with his lover, the witch Delilah, Braden agrees. Thus sexy Edan joins the team, and immediately sets his sights on Gideon.<br><br>Vampire Vicario lives in New Orleans, so the team heads down there, staying at a B&B owned by another witch, Maeve. She agrees to help them, and together they come up with a plan to destroy Vicario. A plan complicated by the fact Vicario's tame sorcerer can see dhampir when they're invisible, thus potentially making it impossible for Edan to take Vicario's head.<br><br>To succeed in saving Braden will require all their combined skills. At the same time, Gideon is facing a personal battle: how to deal with his growing attraction to Edan. The sex is great, but there is more to a relationship than that, as he well knows. Can the two of them move beyond the physical -- if they survive the conflict with Vicario -- or will their differences tear them apart?

The Half-Elf and the Dhampir

“Wow. You have real points, better than Gid’s,” Danny exclaimed, gently touching one. “Yep, you’re a whole elf.”


With a laugh, Braden got to his feet again. “Time for your lesson, I think.”


“Uh-huh.” Danny took the pad and pencil Gideon gave him then followed him outside. Braden joined them on the porch, settling on the glider to watch while Gideon explained the basics of making a sketch to the boy and then let him practice.


A while later, Gideon squeezed Danny’s shoulder, telling him he was doing very well, for his first time. “Keep the pad and pencils and keep practicing while I’m gone.”


“Braden and I have to take a trip,” Gideon replied. “I don’t know for how long.”


“Oh.” The boy took a deep, sad breath. “What if I need help?”


“I’d say ask your mom. She can tell you what to do to make a flower or a tree look better just by seeing what you’ve drawn. Then try again until you get it, okay?”


Chapter 5