Guest Blogger: Dante Mullins of Saltmarch

I stepped into the coffee shop and knew
three things in an instant.

There were humans everywhere — flesh in
motion, sweat glistening, blood pulsing.

There wasn’t a hint of colors.
Holly — sweet, delectable, foolish creature
that she is — calls them “Technicolors.”
If only the communication between demon
and auguren were as simple as movie magic
technology.

But no matter. I saw not a single swipe of
color in the room, which was
enough to confirm no auguren was present.

Ah, you delicious humans — you should
know better than to come to my party
without one of your so-called saviors.

The third sensation that washed over me was
auditory:

They were playing my song.

Devil Inside.
The Strangest Party.
Need You Tonight.
Afterglow.

Take your pick, my tasty ones. If it’s the
sensual strains of INXS, it’s my song,
play it how you will.

Of course, none of the humans saw me as I
slipped in among them; I needed neither
human nor salt layers to enjoy myself in
this venue.

Without senses, I sensed them:
listening in, brushing an elbow here,
caressing the back of a neck there. I tasted
the heat of their breaths on the air.

My name was on their lips as they chatted
and flipped pages and sipped their lattes.
The syllables of my name echoed above the
crowd, rising to mix with the throbbing, savory
notes of my favorite music. If I had blood, it
would have pounded in that luscious rhythm.

If I had limbs, I would have danced and driven
them all wild.

The choice morsel who penned my story
signed her name again and again, never
knowing I stood at her shoulder, whispering
my appreciation. If she frowned once or
twice, it was only because, for one fraction
of a second, her soul felt my presence.

If her eyes scanned the crowd and met
another’s in the briefest of shared, troubled
looks, it was only because their exquisite
hearts trembled at the hunter’s nearness.

Ah, my tempting ones. Indeed, how I
longed to taste you. Just for a moment.

As I roved among them, old friends greeted
each other. New friends introduced themselves.
The baristas kept the coffee flowing. My own
favorite drink was not on tap — or, rather, I
restrained myself from tapping into it.

From a human perspective, blood and coffee
are not the best mixture. Nor do gobs of
flesh pair well with walnut brownies.

They laughed, all of them, those succulent,
frail humans. They mingled, they talked,
they congratulated the happy author. They
bought more books for her to sign, never
realizing that they were taking a piece of
me away with them.

How I shall enjoy getting to know them better.

Until next time, I remain most cravenly —
and cravingly — yours,

________________________________

The author would like to express (or espresso?) her gratitude to Vintage timeless Coffee for hosting the Colors of Deception Book Launch Party. Great fun was had and much coffee was imbibed by all. Everyone’s looking forward to launching Shadows after Midnight, Demons of Saltmarch Book 2, at Vintage in October!