Character Interview with Ram from Untouchable Lover

Where are you from?

“Cincinatti.” Ram quirks an eyebrow. “How about Portland, Oregon? What difference does it make?”

What is your main purpose in life?

“Mind if I sit?” Ram grips his fingers over the back of the chair. As the feet scrape across the wooden floor, the screech is enough to send a tingle over my shoulder. A smile pulls at Ram’s lips, as if he could sense my discomfort.

The chair squeaks as he sits. “My purpose…hmmm. To rid the Earth of the Lemurians, enslave the humans, and start transporting water back to Lemuria.”

He glances at me, and his black eyes penetrate into my soul. Why did I ever agree to interview him? I don’t know.

He places his hand on his knee and leans forward. The bitter tang of rubbing alcohol, the telltale sign of Gossum, scorches the fine hair in my nose.

“When I accomplish my goal, my god Zedron will be pleased. I will rule the humans…” He blinks and leans back in his chair. With a quickness born from his preternatural speed, he whips his baseball cap around on his baldhead, the brim now partially covering his eyes. I can’t help but notice the scales that run down the back of his neck. “…all humans, except one. Sheri, my love, will rule by my side.”

I raise my eyebrows.

“You don’t believe me, but you will.” He smirks and a soft, eerie chuckle escapes his lips.

Next topic, please, I think to myself.

Who is your greatest enemy and why?

Ram abruptly stands, knocking the chair over with a loud bang. His hands clench at his sides. “Noeh, that stupid Stiyaha king. That damn male just won’t die.”

“Why is he your enemy?” My words come out a whisper.

He unfurls his fingers, his body relaxing before me, but somehow, I think he’s anything but relaxed. “It’s part of the game. The ones the gods on Lemuria play—for the water.” He exhales and his breath reeks of alcohol. “I fight for Zedron who believes we should enslave the humans and take the water by force. Noeh fights for Alora who wants to barter knowledge and technology for the water.”

Do you think you can ever reconcile with this enemy?

He raises a hairless eyebrow, but doesn’t respond. Ok, then…let’s keep going.

Do you have a love interest?

The briefest flinch crosses his face, and his gaze bores into me once again. “Didn’t you hear me earlier? Sheri, her name is Sheri. Sound it out with me now, Sh-er-i.”

He raises a bony finger, the nail extending from the tip like a ragged knife, and points toward my left ear. “Would you like me to clean out your ears? They must be full of wax.”

My breathing increases as my heart beats double time. “Th…that won’t be necessary.” I rise from my chair and step back, knowing him well enough to not give him the benefit of the doubt.

What is your weapon of choice?

He glances as his knife-like fingernail, but then he smiles, revealing his serrated teeth. “You tell me. Which is the better weapon?”

Did a cold draft enter the room, or was that my imagination?

Do you have a code of honor?

“Not that I’m aware of.” He taps his finger against the side of his face. “Hmmm…let me check my back pocket. Nope, nothing there.” He crosses his arms. “Anything else?”

I swallow. “Just one more question.”

Name one person you trust.

Ram’s lip curls at the corner. “Myself.”

Bio

After finishing a rewarding career in finance and accounting, it was time for Rosalie Redd to put away the spreadsheets and take out the word processor. She writes Fantasy/Science Fiction Romance inspired by classics from the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres layered with a good, hot dose of romance.

Her debut novel, Untouchable Lover, won or was a finalist in several contests sponsored by local chapters of Romance Writers of America.

She lives in Oregon, where rain is just another excuse to keep writing. When not at her computer, you can find her at Jazzercise, waterfall collecting in the Pacific Northwest, or relaxing with her husband and their pesky cat, Snookums.

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Purchase links:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019ZVIC8G?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1123057770?ean=2940152720044

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/untouchable-lover

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1064134542

Book blurb:

A devastating war…

Across the globe, shape-shifting Lemurian warriors battle against a deadly enemy in the dark of night. The prize—Earth’s most precious resource—water, and the fate of humankind. To unite the soldiers, Lemurian gods send the diverse species to the underground Keep to join forces with their brethren and contend against their adversary.

An illicit allure…

While searching for his missing healer, King Noeh didn’t expect to find an unusual, green-eyed female chained to the wall in an abandoned asylum deep in the woods, evidence of her torment in the branding iron at her feet. Captivated, he rescues the petite female and brings her to his underground home. Despite the requirement to select a queen of his species by the next new moon or lose his crown, a forbidden attraction blooms.

A tormented soul…

Haunted by the memory of her dead mate and child, Melissa can’t escape her past or her future. On the run from her controlling master, she didn’t intend to get captured by the enemy, or be rescued by a brooding, handsome king. When she succumbs to her need for a male’s blood and drinks from the honorable king, she can’t ignore the compelling desire he ignites in her soul.

Excerpt:

Chapter 3

Ram grabbed the tongs and pulled the beaker filled with the female’s blood off the burner. He swirled the contents and brought the vial to his nose. Steam rose from the mixture. A rich copper-like aroma filled his senses, and the smell left a pungent tang in his mouth. If the mixture were correct, he’d possess the shield, gaining an advantage against his enemy.

His God, Zedron, would be pleased. They’d be well on their way to defeating the Lemurians and winning the war. He delighted in the opportunity that would allow him to subjugate the humans and bring Earth’s precious water home to Lemuria. He’d enslave and torture them like his brother had tortured him. A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth.

He riffled through the rusty scalpels and yellowed plastic tubes until he found a syringe. The barrel had a slight crack, but wouldn’t leak. As he gripped the beaker with his bare hand, pain registered in the back of his mind, but he didn’t care.

The smell of scorched flesh mixed with the copper coming from the solution as the contents filled the syringe. He ran his fingers over the needle’s tip like a lover, and his pulse quickened. A low groan escaped his lips.

He adjusted the cap that covered his head. Leaning against the worn, wooden table, he rolled up the sleeve of his torn and grimy sweatshirt. A bit of rope he’d found was a perfect way to stop the flow of blood in his arm.

“Curiosity killed the cat.” The anticipation for the power made him giddy.

He brought the syringe to his lips, giving the vial a gentle kiss. The liquid’s warmth penetrated through the plastic. He shivered. With the skill of an ex-heroin addict, he drove the needle into his engorged vein and depressed the plunger. When he released the rope, the fluid surged through his system. Seized by ecstasy, his heart raced. He closed his eyes, and his head fell back.

“But satisfaction brought the cat back.”

Like a jolt of electricity, power filled his body. His skin warmed. A flush raced up his neck, flaring the scales at the base of his scalp. He hadn’t felt this good in months, not since the last hit of heroin, his once favorite choice of human drugs.

He raised his hands into the air. “Shield!”

Nothing happened.

He looked at his hands. How did she use her power?

He tried again, applying more force. “Shield!”

A glow emitted from his fingertips, and a spark popped in the air. His chest tightened. He wanted to lash out, force the power to bend to his will. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He wiped the perspiration away with the back of his hand.

Brow furrowed, he focused the current into a pinpoint. This time, a shimmery energy engulfed him. He managed to maintain the shield for several seconds before the force blinked out. His lip curved at the corner into a satisfied grin.

He would master this. When I do, Noeh, I’m coming for you.

A loud crash rattled overhead, as if something heavy fell to the floor. Pounding feet shook the wooden slats in the dilapidated ceiling. Muffled grunts and groans filtered through the holes. Dust wafted into the air. He sneezed.

“Damn it.”

He ran out of the room and headed straight for the prisoners. A young Gossum stood guard in the hallway outside the captives’ cell.

“What’s happening?” The young sentry’s voice cracked. “Should I—”

“Stay here and protect the prisoners. Make sure nothing happens to them.”

“Yes. I—I will.” The guard’s fingers trembled, and he placed them behind his back.

Ram’s sensitive nose picked up the distinct smell of fear emanating from his soldier. “I’ll return when I can.” The lie rolled off his tongue. He didn’t give a rat’s ass about the guard. Weakness in his males was not something he tolerated.

He continued down the corridor and climbed the stairs with careful, measured steps, listening as the battle raged. His muscles shook, fueled by his excitement.

He peered around the corner. His heart pounded with anticipation when he saw who was there. Six large Stiyaha, including his nemesis, Noeh, were in the ancient dining hall. Long abandoned chairs flew through the air, and tables smashed as Stiyaha and Gossum fought in the enclosed space. A broken knob off the bottom of a chair skittered across the wooden floor like a child’s toy.

He smiled. They didn’t know he hid in the hallway.

A Stiyaha warrior battled one of Ram’s soldiers nearby. Engrossed in their own world, they were oblivious to him and the new power he possessed.

Perfect.

He leapt into the air and landed on a nearby table. The wood creaked and wobbled under his weight. He lashed out with his tongue. The jagged tip extended to its full length of six feet, ripping into the skin of his enemy. The warrior dropped his sword and cried out, his hand numbing from the poison. Ram bared his serrated teeth and launched himself.

Noeh pushed his injured comrade out of harm’s way. Ram tried to adjust his jump to avoid his enemy’s sword.

Screeeeeee. The weapon cried out as the sword slashed through the air.

The blade ripped through Ram’s jeans and connected with his thigh. Intense pain flooded his mind. Heat radiated in his leg. The smell of his own blood filled his nose. He didn’t have time to worry about the wound as he hit the ground and rolled to his feet.

Noeh stood battle-ready. He raised his sword for the next blow, tracking Ram’s every move. “Where’s Gaetan?”

“You should be worried about your own demise.”

Now was Ram’s opportunity to test his new power. His pulse hammered. He smiled, unable to contain his elation, and raised his arms over his head. “Shield!”

A small current of energy engulfed him.

Noeh’s sword crashed down and ricocheted off the force-field. The Stiyaha king’s eyes widened as he stumbled against the wall.

A jolt of elation raced across Ram’s skin. He didn’t get time to relish it, though. The shield blinked out, the energy dissipating into the air. He looked around the room. His soldiers were losing ground. Stiyaha used their swords and preternatural strength against his brood.

Outnumbered, his stomach hardened at the realization. Time to go.

He caught the stare from his first lieutenant, Jakar, and the same understanding crossed his face. He took one last glance at Noeh, who pushed himself away from the wall, his eyes filled with killing intent.

Ram dashed down the hall, leg pounding with pain. He pushed open the old steel door and ran into the night. The forest shadows swallowed him. Any Gossum that survived the attack would meet up with him at the cabin, their safe house.

He had proof the shield worked, and this gave him confidence in his ability to defeat Noeh. Now, he just needed more practice and another opportunity.

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