Anastasia Forever – Deleted Scene!

I am thrilled  to host the reveal of a deleted scene from book three in the Dreaming Anastasia series, Anastasia Forever.  This is a fantastic series full of Russian folklore, action and romance.

Here is a bit of background on the scene from Joy:
“The Anastasia Forever deleted scene is my favorite. I had originally envisioned Anne turning into a full blown Baba Yaga much earlier. And so I wrote this scene where she and Ben and Tess and Ethan all go to that Swedish film festival, but in the middle of the story. And there’s all this wonderful tension and just at the moment that Ben decides to confront Anne about Ethan and her feelings, Anne realizes that smelling Ben’s cologne is making her hungry. Really hungry. And well, she almost eats him. And after that much wackiness ensued. But in the end, I didn’t go this route. But it is fun to see what might have been had my editor seen it.”

We stop at the base of the Grand Staircase – all pretty marble and elegant looking. I’ve always loved those stairs – regal in a way that most things aren’t these days. Once when I was five, David chased me up and down the stairs until we were both red-faced and out of breath and Mom was pissed that we wouldn’t settle down and let her show us the paintings. The stairs were more fun.
“My stomach hurts,” Tess observes.
“It should,” Ben comments testily. “You just ate your body weight in Red Vines.” Then to all of us: “Coffee’s in the other building if that’s what you want.” Since we walked into the lobby, he’s been directing his comments sort of generally into the air.
“In a minute. Let’s run to the top. I need to stretch.” I don’t wait for group agreement, just lope up the stairs and assume they’ll follow me, which after a few beats, they do.
On the second floor landing, I stretch my arms into classic ballet third position – arms over my head, elbows rounded, palms inward but fingers not touching. My gladiator sandals aren’t the best footwear for this, and I’m wearing a pair of gray cargo pants and a short white tee – hardly ballet clothes –  but that’s okay. Until I’d started back subbing at Miss Amy’s, I’d forgotten in the mess that is my life, how much I love dance.
“Your form needs work,” Tess says. She rises up on her toes as much as she can in her black Chucks and skinny jeans and pirouettes around me. She’s a way better dancer than I am these days, even goofing around. Of the two of I us, I’d always been more focused and disciplined. Not any more.
“Coffee?” Ethan asks again. “Wasn’t that the plan?” I know he thinks this is a waste of time – and also dangerous since everything’s at risk for girls who make bargains with witches. Ben needs to man up and move on. But I can’t just push Ben under the metaphor bus like that, and I’m sure he knows this.
I ignore his cranky tone and try out my arabesque – also in need of some serious work.
“Let’s get that coffee.” It’s Ben’s turn to sound cranky. He beckons toward the stairs. “You know that first movie won an award at Sundance. It’s really–”
“Your after shave is really strong.” The comment pops out of nowhere and I feel my cheeks redden. What a stupid thing to say. But suddenly the smell of his cologne is all I can think of. My stomach rumbles, embarrassingly loud. Maybe I should have had some of that popcorn.
I jump on the coffee train. “You know what? A latte would be great right now.”
I’ve just spent almost four hours trying not to fall into a coma while watching Swedish people look unhappy and occasionally have sex in metro bus stations and in one instance, a barn. My fingers feel all tingly. My skin feels sticky and clammy. Am I having a panic attack?
Other museum-goers stream around us. The light overhead through the huge skylight dims noticeably. I look up. Thick gray clouds. The faint sound of thunder rumbles. My heart kicks into overdrive. Am I about to throw up? Maybe it’s the flu.
“You want to talk,” Ben says. “So let’s talk. You’re right. I can’t keep pretending all those things didn’t happen. I dream about them, you know that? Your boss, Mrs. Benson? Those things – those mermaid things – they surrounded her. I heard them breaking her into pieces. You know that, right?”
“Ben.” I’m feeling sicker now, but I try to focus. But Ben doesn’t want to be interrupted. He glances at Ethan  – something dangerous brewing in his eyes and the set of his jaw.
“Outside,” I gasp. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Anne?” Ethan’s voice rises above the buzzing in my head, but I ignore him, too.
I turn and stumble down the stairs. My ears are ringing. Or is it just the thunder getting louder? I shouldn’t be doing this. But I can’t seem to think of anything but putting distance between myself and Ben. In my head, I see us a few weeks ago – my hands burning his face. Me running then, too, and calling Ethan.
I’m in the lobby now, shoulder against the heavy front doors of the Art Institute. Out onto the cement landing and then down the stairs – running onto Michigan Avenue. It starts to rain – small drops that get larger and fatter, falling on my head, my face, my hands. Even in my panic – it is pure panic right now, mixed with something else I can’t identify – I wonder if it’s somehow me that’s making it rain.
“Anne!” All three of them are calling my name – Ben and Tess and Ethan. The sound of it echoes in the air around me.
On the sidewalk, standing between the two huge lion statues that flank the Art Institute steps – the ones David and I used to love to shimmy so we could straddle their backs while Dad snapped pictures – I force myself to stop. This is ridiculous. Why am I running? What is it that I’m afraid of? My heart skips then steadies, then skips again. That weird feeling skates the inside of my stomach.
I turn. Ben’s reached me first and he puts his hands on my shoulders. His hair is wet from the rain and a drizzle of water inches down the side of his face.
“Should I be afraid?” he asks, his face serious now, his brown eyes locked on mine.
It’s the question that sparks everything inside me like a lit match falling on dry wood.  Not  What’s wrong? or What do you need? But “Should I be afraid?”
“Ben,” I say slowly because I understand now what’s happening and I don’t know if I can stop it. “I think you need to run. I think you need to do it now.”
He stares at me like I’m crazy. “What are talking about?”
“You need to get away from me,” I say again, but I can see that he’s not going to. That even after everything he’s seen, he still doesn’t get it. “Oh God, Ben. Go. Ethan!” I look blindly around me and even though I’m sure Ethan is right there, my vision is red and hazy and I can barely make him out. “Oh no. Ethan. You  have to–”
I’m her then, not completely, but more Baba Yaga than me. Her power stretches inside me, a spiderweb of fury. I clench my fists; try to hold it back.
Ben doesn’t get it yet – how could he? He presses a hand to my cheek, palm against my skin.
“You’re burning up,” he says. And all I can think is how good he smells. How good he’ll taste.
Ben pulls his hand back. I lean toward him, my face close to his. Someone – Ethan maybe? Maybe him and Tess? – tries to pull me back, but I’m too strong. I hold my ground. Watch the confusion in Ben’s eyes.
No one should underestimate your power, says a voice inside me that sounds like Baba Yaga’s.
Anne, says another voice that I think is Ethan. Don’t. Don’t give in to it. Hold on.
“I can’t.”
“Can’t what, Anne? Anne, are you okay?” Ben sounds scared.
I try to stop. I really do. But I can’t. Or maybe I don’t want to. This scares me more than the sound of Ben’s voice.
Lightning, I think.
It shears through the sky.
Thunder, I think.
It crashes overhead.
Roar, I think.
And the two lion statues open their mouths and howl.
I press my lips to Ben’s. Will him not to pull back. His eyes widen as I sink my teeth into his lower lip – hard, then harder – until I draw blood. I lick it from his lip. Swallow. My stomach muscles ripple, seize, ripple again. My jaw loosens; the bones pop. My breath comes in ragged gasps. Pain. Red hot and everywhere.
“Anne!” I hear my name again. “Anne.”
My jaw loosens some more. I press my lips shut, a tight seam, desperate to stop it. My teeth dig into my lower lip so hard that blood starts to trickle. The taste of it mingles with the taste of Ben. The combination is suddenly the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I’m not just hungry anymore. I’m ravenous.
Understand crashes through me. No. God no. If I open my mouth, it will unhinge like hers. I know it. I know it.  It’s not Ben’s cologne. It’s just Ben. He smells so good because he smells like food. And if someone doesn’t do something right this second, I’m going to eat him whole. 

Wow!  I can’t wait to read this if the deleted scene are this good!  Haven’t read the series, yet?  Come back on Monday for a fantastic giveaway!

A former English teacher, Joy is the author of the DREAMING ANASTASIA series (Sourcebooks), which blends paranormal romance with historical fiction. The second in that series, HAUNTED, is out now, and the final book of the trilogy, title TBA, but currently ANASTASIA FOREVER, is due in Fall 2012. Another paranormal – about a sixteen-year-old stoner turned guardian angel – THE SWEET DEAD LIFE – is set in Houston and slated for May 2013, from Soho Press. Joy grew up in Chicago but now lives with her family in Houston where she writes full time and frequently gets into wild rumpuses and other mischief. She is not a fan of the Houston summer but does love cowboy boots, going to the rodeo, and the coffee drinks at Empire Café.

Kate

Share:

234 responses to “Anastasia Forever – Deleted Scene!

  1. The Absent Game…

    Amongst me and my husband we have owned extra MP3 gamers over the years than I can count, like Sansas, iRivers, iPods (basic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of gamers….

  2. more info 27…

    I was pretty pleased to discover this great site. I want to to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely liked every bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff in your site….

  3. My site…

    Blood circulation in and out with the penis settings an erectile. During lovemaking arousal, the blood flow boosts to two spongy, buildings (corpus cavemosum) that will lie parallel for the urethra, which usually carries urine in addition to semen. All…

  4. Игра престолов скачать торрент…

    «Игра престолов» (Game of Thrones) – американский драматический телесериал в жанре фэнтези, созданный по мотивам цикла романов «Песнь Льда и Огня» писателя Джорджа Мартина….

  5. great…

    whoah this blog is great i love reading your articles. Stay up the great paintings! You understand, lots of individuals are searching around for this info, you can help them greatly….

  6. best ever…

    Great function you have got performed, this page is absolutely amazing with superb details. Time is God’s way of retaining all the things from going on simultaneously….

  7. thats good…

    I know this if its off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% positive. Any recommenda…

  8. Woman of Alien…

    Ideal operate you have accomplished, this web site is de facto cool with fantastic details. Time is God’s technique for trying to keep everything from taking place simultaneously….

  9. Maude Calway…

    A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should write more about this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t talk about these topics. To the next! Many thanks!!…

  10. Maude Calway…

    An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you should write more about this issue, it may not be a taboo subject but usually people do not talk about these subjects. To the next! All the best!!…

  11. Ryan Lamont…

    I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your content. This article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new information about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too….

  12. site…

    magnificent put up, very informative. I\’m wondering why the opposite specialists of this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing. I am sure, you\’ve a great readers\’ base already!…

  13. Lucy Dipierro…

    You’re so interesting! I do not think I have read through anything like that before. So nice to discover another person with a few original thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s nee…

  14. great…

    Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I\’m very glad to see such magnificent information being shared …

  15. nice…

    Great site. A lot of helpful information here. Iˇ¦m sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you for your effort!…

  16. great…

    Someone necessarily lend a hand to make severely articles I might state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular post amazing. Excellent task!…

  17. Third Flower…

    My spouse and i are actually now delighted that Albert could carry out his research due to the ideas he had through your website. It really is from time to time perplexing to just always be giving freely actions which a number of people might have been…

  18. The Ships’s Voyages…

    I believe engineering just makes it worse. Now there is a channel to in no way care, now there won’t be considered a chance for them to discover….

  19. Third Flower…

    My wife and that i have already been now delighted that Albert could execute his scientific studies thanks to the suggestions he had via your web page. It really is now and again perplexing to simply normally be making a gift of methods which a number …

  20. Souls in the Waves…

    Very good Morning, I just stopped in to visit your internet site and assumed I would say I enjoyed myself….

  21. The Absent Game…

    Among me and my husband we’ve owned extra MP3 players through the years than I can count, like Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of gamers….

  22. OK…

    My brother suggested I might like this website. He was once totally right. This publish truly made my day. You can not consider simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!…

  23. Woman of Alien…

    Excellent function you’ve completed, this site is de facto great with fantastic facts. Time is God’s strategy for retaining everything from occurring at once….

  24. Third Flower…

    My spouse and that i are already now delighted that Albert could perform his reports as a result of the tips he had by means of your website. It truly is every so often perplexing to only constantly be giving away actions which a lot of people could ha…

  25. The Silent Shard…

    This will likely almost certainly be really useful for some within your jobs I want to you should not only with my website but…

  26. Great information…

    This is very good. Issue watch this is what created when we are astonished. We’re curious about one of these the issue. All of us appreciate their recommend, and evaluate doing while in this. Please keep cutting. They are specifically precious help an…

  27. OK…

    wonderful post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don\’t notice this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers\’ base already!…

  28. The Ships’s Voyages…

    I believe technology just causes it to be even worse. Now there is a channel to never care, now there will not likely be a possibility for them to find out….

  29. Awesome…

    I’m excited to uncover this website. I wanted to thank you for ones time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it and i also have you book-marked to look at new things on your web site….

  30. shoes…

    I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I will book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once per week. I opted in for your Feed too….

  31. The Absent Game…

    In between me and my husband we have owned far more MP3 players over time than I can count, together with Sansas, iRivers, iPods (typical & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few decades I’ve settled down to one line of gamers….

  32. footwear…

    Hello! I just would like to offer you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you’ve got right here on this post. I will be coming back to your site for more soon….

  33. OK…

    I needed to post you one very little remark so as to thank you very much the moment again over the superb tips you\’ve contributed on this website. This is simply incredibly open-handed with you to give openly all that most of us would\’ve advertis…

  34. Woman of Alien…

    Great perform you have got accomplished, this page is actually cool with fantastic details. Time is God’s means of trying to keep everything from occurring simultaneously….

  35. Cool…

    An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch due to the fact that I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! …

  36. footwear…

    Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am going through troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else having similar RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly …

  37. The Absent Game…

    Concerning me and my husband we have owned more MP3 gamers through the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (common & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few a long time I’ve settled down to one line of gamers….

  38. Healing’s Dragon…

    to locate issues to boost my web site!I suppose its ok to make utilization of a couple of of your principles!!…

  39. Woman of Alien…

    Excellent operate you may have finished, this great site is absolutely interesting with superb facts. Time is God’s means of retaining every little thing from taking place directly….

  40. site…

    Great work! That is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared around the net. Shame on the search engines for now not positioning this put up upper! Come on over and consult with my site . Thank you =)…

  41. My site…

    Circulation of blood to send and receive in the penis settings an erection. During lovemaking arousal, the blood flow increases to two spongy, structures (corpus cavemosum) that will lie parallel for the urethra, which will carries urine and also semen…

  42. The Absent Game…

    Between me and my husband we have owned more MP3 gamers over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (typical & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few ages I’ve settled down to one line of gamers….

  43. The Ships’s Voyages…

    I feel technological know-how just makes it worse. Now there is a channel to never treatment, now there would not be considered a chance for them to discover….

  44. The Absent Game…

    In between me and my husband we have owned much more MP3 gamers through the years than I can count, such as Sansas, iRivers, iPods (typical & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few several years I’ve settled down to one line of players….

  45. picture…

    Pinterest is a beautiful social media site, because it is a big picture site. There are many types of picture such as food related, animal related, nature of beauty and more….

  46. picture…

    Pinterest is a beautiful social media site, because it is a big picture site. There are many types of picture such as food related, animal related, nature of beauty and more….

  47. Google plus…

    Social networking site means Facebook, Google plus, Blog, Forum and more.When business owner upload business related photo in pinterest, many people can see this photo….

  48. The Birch of the Shadow…

    I think there may become a couple of duplicates, but an exceedingly useful checklist! I have tweeted this. Many thanks for sharing!…

  49. Cool…

    Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the challenges. It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Many thanks for sharing!…

  50. trust…

    You can get help from some company who are expert in making flowers or friend. If you trust on us then we will show you the real power of social network….

  51. actualize…

    LinkedIn, an able business-related networking site, allows companies to actualize able profiles for themselves as able-bodied as their business to arrangement and accommodated others….

  52. actualize…

    LinkedIn, an able business-related networking site, allows companies to actualize able profiles for themselves as able-bodied as their business to arrangement and accommodated others….

  53. fashion…

    Hello there! This post could not be written much better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I most certainly will send this article to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. Man…

  54. hello…

    Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still …

  55. customers…

    If increase page rank in a search engine, visitors or customers can go web site and get business information easily when they search via search engine….

  56. optimization…

    It reason may be marketing and search engine optimization. Business Company should spread business related information in their web site,…

  57. Awesome…

    Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows the answer will you kind…

  58. clothing…

    Hello there! This blog post could not be written much better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. I appreciate y…

  59. site…

    What i don\’t understood is if truth be told how you\’re no longer really a lot more neatly-liked than you might be now. You\’re very intelligent. You know thus significantly in the case of this matter, made me individually imagine it from a lot …

  60. fashion…

    I absolutely love your website.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my very own site and would love to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Many tha…

  61. site…

    you are actually a just right webmaster. The web site loading speed is incredible. It seems that you\’re doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a great process in this topic!…

  62. games for Girls…

    Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROC…

  63. fun games…

    Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for a related topic, your website came up, it looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks….

  64. Awesome…

    It’s hard to come by experienced people for this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks…

  65. Awesome…

    A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you should publish more on this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t talk about these topics. To the next! Cheers!!…

  66. Awesome…

    Good day! I simply wish to give you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon….

  67. recommended sites…

    Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my …

  68. Play the game…

    I in basic terms had to thank you vastly a great deal on one occasion further. I’m not confident what I would have ended to materialize in the absence of the real solutions documented by you regarding my field. It absolutely was a unfeigned frightening…

  69. nice…

    I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I¡¦ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site?…

  70. site…

    It¡¦s in reality a nice and helpful piece of information. I¡¦m glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing….

Leave a Reply

(Enter your URL then click here to include a link to one of your blog posts.)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.