Unfinished Business: Snakeheart, #5

By Damien Benoit-Ledoux

I thought I was done with Vampires…

…but I should have known they'd come back for me.

I can't trust the people around me, and it's become clear everyone is after my power. The problem is, I don't understand my power, and I certainly don't want it because it comes from the Devil himself.

Ever since age thirteen, the Devil visited me in my nightmares and tormented me. Nowadays, he drops into my mind and thoughts whenever he wants to and I'm thoroughly confused. Am I Dante Coranguis, or am I this other being named Snakeheart?

I need help, but I don't know who to turn believe anymore. I see plots to drain my powers or kill me, but the only thing keeping me alive is the last thing I want—the power of the Antichrist.

Unfinished Business is the fifth book of The Snakeheart Series (Season 1), a supernatural novelette series about Dante Coranguis and the ancient prophecy of the End Times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purple Spekter™ LLP Press
• Release date: Sep 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9798215692745

Damien Benoit-Ledoux

Damien Benoit-Ledoux is an author and freelance editor. His mind is a magical and nerdy place where fantastic heroes defend amazing worlds from dangerous villains who run amuck in an epic struggle to take over the universe. Recently, the brightest and best from this colorful cast of characters have made their way into notes, plots, stories, and novels for you to read and enjoy. Damien strongly believes the real world we live in should be a place where LGBTQ equality and respect are second nature and never questioned. When he's not working or spending time with his husband, their son, and their dog, Damien weaves this philosophy into the exciting lives of his characters and the fantastic space battles and romances they endure so they'll stop taking over his dreams at night. And finally, he wants you to remember a very important thing: No matter how bad your day is at work, it’s always important to be grateful that you don’t work for a Sith Lord.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Asharp sound woke Dante. He lifted his head off the pillow and listened, but all he heard was silence until someone knocked at the hotel room door again. He groaned. Then he sat upright. Wait, maybe it's Tanner.

He pulled on the gym shorts he had tossed onto the floor when he went to bed and padded over to the door. When he looked through the peephole, his heart skipped a beat when he saw a ragged, exhausted Tanner on the other side. He unlocked and pulled open the door and studied the younger man with wide eyes. Tanner's face, chest, unbuttoned shirt, and jeans were covered in dried blood.

Holy shit, what the hell happened to you?

I don't know, but it was a fucking bloodbath. I fled when I saw myself covered in blood. Can I come in?

Dante’s right eyebrow went up at Tanner’s unexpected curse word. He stepped back and let Tanner enter the room. Closing and locking the door, he turned and faced Tanner, casually observing how the young man's hands trembled.

Tanner looked at Dante with sad eyes that were ready to burst with tears. I think…I think I killed that woman.

You mean the psychic?

Tanner nodded.

She wasn't human, Tanner. She was some kind of demon.

But I killed her.

And in the process, you saved me.

Tanner stumbled forward, and Dante caught him in his arms. The younger man's shoulders heaved as he wept, his face pressed against Dante's left chest and shoulder. As Tanner wept for several minutes, the dried blood on Tanner's clothes stuck to Dante’s skin.

Dante realized they would both need a shower before climbing into bed. Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?

Tanner rocked his head from side to side on Dante’s chest and shoulder. No.

All right, then, we need to get you showered.

Yeah, I need a shower, Tanner mumbled.

When Tanner didn't move, Dante realized he would have to help him, because the man was in shock. Immediately, he felt both arousal and pity.

I can't take advantage of him, not in this state. I need to get him cleaned up and get him to bed.

I think I need you to help me, Tanner said.

Dante detected the sincerity in Tanner's voice and willed away the slow-boiling arousal he felt in his groin. Come on, let's go to the bathroom.

Thanks, Tanner replied.

When Dante stood Tanner in front of the shower, he reached in and turned on the water. Tanner fumbled with his buttons but couldn't unbutton his shirt. He was still crying, and his eyes were wet with tears.

Let me help, Dante said. Tanner dropped his hands, and Dante unbuttoned the shirt and pulled it off Tanner’s shoulders.

To his surprise, he didn't pop a boner while he undressed Tanner. He was gorgeous, and his chest and abs were perfect, covered with the right amount of body hair that would have normally turned him on.

When Tanner stepped out of his bloody jeans, only a pair of neon green–banded black 2(x)ist briefs remained between Dante and Tanner’s impressive bulge.

Jesus, that thing looks huge.

Dante glanced at the shower and saw the glass had steamed up. Um, so it’s nice and warm for you. Can you handle this part?

I think so, Tanner replied. He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his briefs and pushed them down.

Surprised, Dante stared at the thick, soft cock that popped out. He swallowed, then stared at Tanner’s perfect bubble butt as the younger man stepped into the warm stream of water. Dante slid the shower door shut, unable to pull his eyes from Tanner’s nude body. His gym shorts began to tent, and Dante unconsciously grasped himself with his left hand.

Tanner began sobbing and slid down the opposite wall to a sitting position with his heels tucked against his buttocks. There, he helplessly cried into his hands and knees.

Fuck.

Dante’s boner faded. Are you okay?

Tanner rocked his head from side to side.

I’m coming in.

Tanner didn’t respond.

Dante pushed down his gym shorts and slid open the shower. He sat down next to Tanner, who immediately leaned over as Dante wrapped his arms around him. Dante tucked his dick and balls between his extended legs as Tanner awkwardly turned at and fell into his arms to cry. Dante took a deep breath as the younger man’s body heaved with sadness in his arms.

It seems no matter what Sandor prepared Tanner for, nothing could have prepared him for the bloody business of the damned.

Fifteen minutes later, when Tanner stopped bawling, Dante grabbed the bar of soap from the small shelf and began washing the blood from Tanner’s muscular body. Tanner exhaled and relaxed, neither pulling away nor speaking against Dante’s kind gesture. Instead, to Dante’s surprise, Tanner leaned back and allowed