No you didn't miss it...

Come on! You know you can't be mad at a puppy!

It's true. Chapter 19 of In The Blood did not post this week. It wasn't a fanfic.net alert fail or anything like that. The truth is due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, the chapter got delayed. We profoundly apologize and fervently promise that it will be there, come hell or high water, that we'll post it this coming Wednesday, March 3rd or earlier should the Almighty decide to stop treating fragile like the 21st Century Job.

In the meantime, I have this message for my co-author:

*ahem* Hello? Fragile?
This is Doctor Lemon.
I know you've been under the weather.
So I'm giving you a prescription.

Take two of these:



and go to bed for the rest of the night.
Heck, take the rest of the week, baby!
With two of these bad boys, you're going to need it!
*wink*

Feel better soon, fragile!!!!!!!!!!

In The Blood Chapter 19 Teaser

Edward called her ISABELLA!!!! *squee*  Okay, now that I've gotten that out of my system, here's this week's teaser:

Standing over Edward's crumpled body, Bella was terrified. She knew what Jane was capable of; she'd seen Jane wield her dark weapons time and time again. Regardless of how Edward now felt about her, if she'd been too late to save him she would never forgive herself.

Bella fell to her knees at his side and, unable to suppress the need to touch him, brushed the disordered hair from his face. "Edward," she whispered.

Clasping her hand in his, Edward closed his eyes. She expected him to shove her away in anger, but she gasped as his soft lips kissed each of her fingertips. She'd dreamed of his lips for 91 years, of their tender touch and the electricity that resulted from it. She never thought she feel the overwhelming sensation again, yet, here she was, drowning in it.

So, if the teaser is B & E, why is the pic above Rosalie and Emmett?  Oh, you'll see...*evil grin*

The playlist song for this chapter is "Killer Queen" by...well...Queen:

In The Blood Chapter 18 Teaser

While Emmett and Bella are learning just how innocent (or NOT) Angela is, Edward's getting some life lessons of his own.

This image is of an actual chair
that you can buy, should you be so inclined,
on eBay

As Edward crumpled under the weight of Jane’s torment, he barely registered being picked up and flying away from his house. Jane made sure he was incapacitated throughout the entire journey. As Jane’s torture burned through him, Edward had no way of knowing where he was being taken. His mind, normally able to focus on multiple things at once, was completely incapable of processing anything other than the agony he was in. When it stopped abruptly, Edward found himself sprawled out on a dank cement floor in a dark and musty room. His eyes fluttered open to see a tiny pair of black, lace-up, steel toed boots standing in front of him.

“Don’t move or I’ll do it again.” Jane’s voice was almost bored as she turned her back on him and walked toward a chair she had set up in the center of the room. The way the room was laid out reminded Edward of something, but he just couldn’t quite place it in his hazy state. When Jane twisted around to sit on the ornate, gold-adorned piece, it finally clicked into place. It was a throne. This dark, desolate place was Jane’s throne room. And, as he might have expected, it was but a hollow shell of the glory she sought. For a moment Edward felt very sad for the tiny child-monster before him. But only for a moment.

The playlist song for this chapter is Contact in Red Square by Blondie:

In the Blood Chapter 17 Teaser

Jane's on the warpath, and Bella is on her way to Edward's office. Who does she find? Why, innocent little Angela, that's who.

Closing the distance between herself and the moaning girl, Bella winked at Emmett over Angela's shoulder. "My, aren't you a pretty little thing?" Bella cooed, threading her fingers through Angela's silky hair. "I bet you taste so sweet."

"What the hell are you doing here? Get your hands off her!"

Bella turned her head and looked straight into Edward's blazing eyes. Smirking, she tugged Angela's hair, giving Emmett access to kiss her exposed neck. "Well, hello there, Edward. Emmett and I were just playing with your little toy." She laughed as she watched his jaw tighten. "So, how did your grudge fuck go?"

Edward's eyes widened then narrowed into angry slits. "You two...my office...now!"

Bella and Emmett shrugged as they pulled away from a panting Angela and followed Edward into his office. Once they were seated in the guest chairs, Edward slammed the door soundly.

The playlist song for this chapter is "Heart of Glass" by Blondie:

ITB Nominated for an Indie!

Could you all HEAR me squeeing? Because when I got the email from fragile last night that In The Blood was nominated for not one but TWO Indies I squeed louder than a tweenager at a Jonas Brother's concert!

That's right! In The Blood has the distinction of being nominated for an Indie Award in both the Best Love Triangle (WIP) category and the Canon or AU story that knocks you off your feet (WIP) category!!!

We are truly grateful that our readers enjoy this story to the point that they would nominate us for this awesome award. And the competition is quite stiff! But we truly are just happy to be nominated. You guys make our day...everyday!

Thank you so very much!

PS - is it crass to mention that voting begins on February 20th? It is? Oh, well then...nevermind. *wink*