As I mentioned last week, for amusement – and perhaps some nostalgia – I re-wrote Cat and Bones’s first meeting from Bones’s point of view (if you haven’t read it yet, it’s HERE.) Then I posted it, thinking, “The handful of readers who still remember this book might enjoy this.”
Over five hundred of you left comments across my social media pages saying the equivalent of “MORE!” For comparison, I normally get only a few comments per blog post. I can’t tell you how touched I was reading them. After seven novels, two novellas and a book-size outtakes collection, I was pretty sure that readers had had enough of Cat and Bones. Looks like more than a few of you would disagree :). Group hug, Night Huntress fans! And, as you requested, here’s more.
Now, it’s not a lot more because (1) I write slow and (2) I still have to work on the book that I’m contracted to write or my editor will literally kill me. But here’s the rest of the that first meeting from Bones’s point of view. Same disclaimer as before: It’s unedited so there are probably spelling and/or grammar errors. It also might not read the way YOU think Bones would see things because I don’t think I could ever match what’s in people’s minds when they think of Bones. But again, I hope you enjoy it :).
Chapter One, part two
On paper, Catherine Kathleen Crawfield was a small-town girl whose most notable accomplishment was a recent scholarship to Ohio State University. She lived with her mother and grandparents on the latter’s cherry orchard, which, according to recent tax returns, barely covered the bills for the household.
Catherine had no social media presence; a bit unusual for a twenty-two-year-old. The only online images of her were from yearbook pictures and an old family photo on the Crawfield Cherry Orchard website, which of course neglected to mention that at least one vampire was buried in the back of it.
Bones discovered that when he followed Catherine last night. She’d switched vehicles back at the club, transferring Devon’s body from the trunk of his Volkswagen to the back of a Ford pickup that looked to be twice her age. Then she’d driven home, parked on the far edge of the orchard, and planted Devon in the ground as if he were nothing more than a new tree.
She’d gone to sleep after that. Soundly, from the snores he heard from his perch in a nearby tree. He hadn’t slept at all. He’d spent the rest of the early morning hours looking up everything he could find on Catherine.
By appearances, she was a normal college girl who should have no reason to want him dead. But she’d zeroed in on him last night, and it couldn’t be coincidence that she’d tried to pick up the only other vampire at that the club. No, someone must have sent Catherine after him. Which of his many enemies had done it? And how did Devon fit in? Simple misidentification? Catherine might have confused Devon for him, if she’d only been told to look for a blond male vampire.
Then again, the shadowy head of the cabal Bones was investigating could have found out that Bones was after Devon. Perhaps he’d decided to get rid of them both as a precaution. If so, a human woman was a poor choice of assassins, although Devon might disagree.
Catherine went to the same club the next night. As soon as she entered, she did what Bones was starting to realize was her usual sweep of the premises. When she didn’t find what she was looking for, she sat down at the bar. Bones was behind her before she could order a drink.
“I’m ready to fuck now.”
A line offensive enough to send all except a person with ulterior motives running. Last chance to show you’re a lamb instead of a wolf, Catherine.
“What?” she gasped, spinning around. The outrage in her expression died as she recognized him. Oddly, she flushed as if embarrassed by remembering what she’d said. Then her chin lifted and determination filled her gaze.
“Ah, yes, well…umm, drink first? Beer or…?”
“Don’t bother,” he said, waving away the bartender she’d started to hail. “Let’s go.”
“Now?” She looked startled.
“Yeah, now.” When she hesitated, he said, “Changed your mind, luv?” and turned as if to leave.
She grabbed her purse and practically lunged toward him. Not a lamb at all, then. “Lead the way.”
Bones grinned. As if he’d turn his back on her even once tonight. “No, no.” His arm swept out. “Ladies first.”
She glanced over her shoulder at him so much, he was surprised she didn’t trip on her way to the parking lot. When they were outside, she opened her mouth as if to speak, but he beat her to it.
“Well? Get your ride and let’s be off.”
“My ride?” she all but stammered. “I-I don’t have a ride. Where’s your car?”
“I drove a bike here,” he lied. “Fancy a ride on it?”
“A motorcycle?” she said with such obvious consternation, he stifled a laugh. Was she imaging how difficult it would be to transport his body on one of those? “Um, we’ll take my vehicle instead,” she offered. “It’s over there.”
She began to walk toward the old Ford, staggering after a few steps as if remembering that she was supposed to act drunk. Bones let her act out the pretense for a moment before calling out, “Thought you didn’t have a ride?”
She stopped, turning around guiltily. Sweet bleedin’ hell, she was terrible at improvisation once off her game. Perhaps he’d pegged her wrong. She might be more of a lucky one-off murderess than a human hitwoman someone had sent after him.
“I forgot it was here, is all,” she said in a too-bright tone. Then she started to slur her words. “Think I drank too much. You want to drive?”
“No thanks,” he said at once.
Anger flashed across her features before she covered it with a sloppy smile. “Really, I think you should drive. I’m feeling woozy. I’d hate to wrap us around a tree.”
And be distracted while she launched a new attempt to murder him? Not a chance. “If you just want to beg off until another night…” he said, turning away again.
“No!” she replied with such obvious desperation, he almost laughed. She must have realized she’d revealed too much because at once she tried to backtrack. “I mean, you’re so good-looking and”-her brow furrowed as she thought up more flattery-“I really, really want to get it on,” she finished.
This time, he couldn’t stifle all of his laughter. She blanched and he almost pitied her, except he’d seen how coldly she’d dispatched Devon. That could have been him. Nothing about her hinted at “assassin” so he’d never have suspected the danger. Little chit might have plugged silver into his heart while he was being a Good Samaritan and driving her home.
His tongue traced the inside of his lip as he stared at her until she flinched. But then he said, “Right, then, let’s be off.” Relief filled her face until he added, “You’re driving.”
With that, Bones climbed into the passenger seat of her pickup truck. Your move, luv.
She shifted on her feet for a few moments. Then, decision made, she got into the truck.
Bones didn’t take his eyes off her as she drove. She must have felt his gaze, but she didn’t look at him. Instead, her breathing hitched, her heart rate sped up, and her scent wavered between fear and resolve. Didn’t she know vampires could scent emotions? She should have worn perfume. The harsh chemical odor could’ve helped mask her true feelings.
Ten minutes into the silent standoff, she said “What’s your name?” in a sharp, tense tone.
Trying to verify your target? “Does it matter?”
She finally looked his way. Uncertainty filled her features before an almost desperate form of determination tightened her jaw.
“I just wanted to know. Mine’s Cat,” she said as she left the freeway for a gravel road.
“Cat, hmm?” he mocked. “From where I sit, you look more like a Kitten.”
She shot him an irritated glance. “It’s Cat. Cat Raven.”
“Whatever you say, Kitten Tweety,” Bones drawled.
That upset her so much, she slammed on the brakes. “You got a problem, mister?”
I don’t, but you do. Temper, temper. Bones raised his brows as if confused. “No problem, pet. Have we stopped here for good? Is this where you want to shag?”
She flushed again, then looked away. His would-be murderess was a prude. How priceless.
“Um, no,” she said. “A little further up. It’s prettier there.”
And well off the main road so no one could stumble across them. Prude or no, she was still doing her level best to kill him. Pity he’d have to disappoint her.
“I just bet it is, luv,” Bones said with a chuckle.
After a few minutes, she stopped at the edge of a lake. Bones didn’t move. He only watched with more amusement as she fidgeted and kept glancing at the pocket on her right thigh. Even though her trousers were oversized, Bones could still see the outline of her weapon inside it. She couldn’t pull it out without being obvious, and without the element of surprise, he could snatch it from her before she could raise it to stab him.
She had to know that. How would she attempt to distract him? She couldn’t play the helpless, frightened victim if she wasn’t being attacked. Frustration nearly boiled off her as the minutes ticked by. Bones hid his smile. She had no idea what to do now, did she?
“Don’t you want to go outside and…shag?” she said at last.
Bones didn’t attempt to conceal his grin. “Oh no. Right here. Love to do it in a truck.”
He could hear her teeth grind as she said “Well…” while doubtless searching for an excuse to leave his sight long enough to pull her weapon. “There’s not much room in here,” she settled on, and began to open her door.
“Plenty of room, Kitten,” Bones replied. “I’ll stay here.”
“Don’t call me Kitten,” she said, anger sharpening both her tone and her scent.
Lucifer’s bouncing balls, she had to be the worst faux-seductress he’d ever encountered! Devon should be spinning in his grave over letting her slay him. With only a little more prodding, her pretense would fall away entirely.
“Take off your clothes,” Bones said while raking her with a gaze. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Now the red in her cheeks was from rage. “Excuse me?”
“You weren’t going to shag me with your clothes on, were you, Kitten?” he taunted her. “Guess all you’ll need is your knickers off, then. Come on. Don’t take all bloody night.”
She shot him a look of pure hatred before her expression turned crafty. “You first.”
She thought modesty would be his downfall? Bones grinned. “Shy bird, are you? Didn’t peg you for the type, what with walking up to me and practically begging for it and all. How about this? We’ll do it at the same time.”
Her expression mottled with more fury, but either she gave up on her attempt to kill him, or she continued on with the seductress charade. She chose the charade and began to unbutton her trousers. When Bones undid his and pulled up his shirt, her fingers actually shook.
Once again, he almost pitied her. Then he saw her hand slip to the weapon in her pocket. As soon as she touched it, her trembling eased. She wanted him dead so much, the prospect of it calmed her.
She’d made her move. My turn, Kitten.
“Look here, luv, see what I have for you,” Bones said, pulling his cock out.
Her cheeks flamed and she looked away. It was all the distraction he needed.
His fist shot out and connected with her head. She slumped into his arms, her right hand still curled around the weapon she’d tried so hard to murder him with.
Bones pulled it out. A wooden stake? That wouldn’t kill any vampire…wait. It was heavier than it should be.
Bones broke off a piece of the wood…and smiled. “Well,” he said to his unconscious companion. “Aren’t you full of surprises, Kitten?”
***
Thank you so much!!!!!!
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
I just read chapter 1 part 1 and 2, Is there more?
I can’t find it.
More more more…..
Yes, there are eleven total chapters posted as of now, with more to come. You can find them here: https://www.jeanienefrost.com/2019/10/the-other-half-of-the-grave/
Thank you soooo much! I love it. I guess I have to reread the series for the probably 20th time after that. 😁
I am so grateful I justed loved this part of there encounter when I was read cats view I always wondered how Bones view so thanks for that
I love reading Bones’ view of things. Please keep it coming.
This was cool!
Keep going! The last little bit sent me back to rereading the entire series again.
I hope you eventually do compile it into a book from his point of view, but I understand you have other deadlines first. This is fantastic though! I may have to read Cat and Bones for a 4th time haha.
I need more
I love Cat and Bones…
I’m addicted! !!!! Love sooooo much!!! More pleaasseee lol
Thank you sooooo much.
Ahhh how I have missed these two!!! I might have to just grab my books and start all reading them over again!!
oy oy oy…I KNOW you HAVE to finish writing your other book, but this is more of a tease than anything…PLEASE set time in your calendar to continue this…I HAVE to have more from this perspective… Saddes me when I read the last word and then know I have to wait (hopefully) for more!!!!
Thank you!!!
I’m fairly new to the Kat & Bones bandwagon…within the past 18 months or so (4/2018)…but they have quickly rose to be one of my favorites!! Thank you for giving a little more of their story!
Please write more!
Relisten time! I have missed Cat and Bones! When you can, keep going! This is awesome.
Amazing!
Now I need to read the series again! It was awesome though! Would love more from Bones point of view!
That was amazing..just reminded me how much I love Cat and Bones
This is amazing!! I wish you had more time to continue the retelling! Thank you!!!
Love Bones POV!
OMG! Thanks so much for this. If you were to do a version of Halfway to the Grave from Bone’s perspective it would be so awesome and an automatic buy for me.
Omg I SO LOVE this!! Please please PLEASE KEEP GOING!!!! I will never get enough of Cat and Bones and to be able to get his POV is awesome!!! I have yet to find another series that tops their story (and all the spinoffs) and your amazing writing. ❤️❤️❤️ Still praying that one day the entire series will be published in hardcover. 😉🙏🏻🙏🏻
More please! Would love to read the cave scene from Bones’ perspective when he realizes Cat is what she says she is. Oh, and yeah, the rest of the book too! 🙂
Thank you I have so miss those 2, like your other fans have said, i just have to get reading the series again, appetite whetted, i do hope you manage time to do more from Bones pov xxx
It is SO AMAZING to get more of this story. Thank you!!!!! Can I add a vote to one of the comments from Twitter and beg you to consider giving us Bones’ perspective on the infamous “Chapter 32”???
Honestly, I would pay to read that!!!!
Pretty please!??!!
Omg! Now you’ve done it. Now we are gonna need the entire thing from Bones perspective. And I’m gonna need to reread the entire series. Lol PLEASE keep going!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
You are making my day thank you sovery much!!!! Never enough C&B for me ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I love this so much! Reading Bones’ perspective is such a treat!! <3
Thank You! This is so fun!
Absolutely brilliant!! Love it so much ❤️ I just can’t get enough of it.
Just love it! I miss Cat and Bones so much. I’ll take any scraps you offer. You should do the whole series from Bones POV. Or at least some of the really important/emotional chapters. I’ll have to re-read/listen to the series again. Thanks.
Omgggg please I need moree!!!
Love it!!! I love Cat and Bones I love the whole series. I read them over and over. Please write mpore from Bones point of view. I would love to see what goes through his head when Cat shows him her eyes turn vamp green.
Love love love this series I literally can’t get enough. And bones POV just makes me so excited. I’ve now read through this series about 7 times and I can’t put it down. Thank you for the in-site to bones I hope we get to see more in the future
Ahhhhhh! I NEED more!!!
Thank you. Would love to have more when your workload allows 💕
Loved it! And I don’t know about anyone else, but I could never be tired of Cat and Bones! I will read anything you ever write featuring them. Love them!
Hola. Desde Argentina. Queremos más!!!!
I need more!!! 🙂
MOOOOOOOORRRRREEEEEE! Please! At least give us the next scene when she wakes up! 😀
I’m starting it over from the very beginning now for maybe the 4th time 😁. Absolutely love this series
Thank you, Jeaniene. Really appreciate this, what with you being on a tight schedule. Absolutely love the point-of-view change.
👍
I would read the whole series if you rewrote it from Bones point of view. Love it.
This makes my heart happy. You know that feeling – knowing you can never relive the first time you read a book or met a character? This is such a gift; a chance to go back. Thank you so much! ❤
And there you have it. I am reinvigorated to read the entire series again for what could possibly be my 10th time. I’ve lost tract through the years. It would be so awesome if it were picked up by HBO or some other network. This would be amazing on the screen!
In so in love with this i can’t even put it into words. I love cat and bones and i wish their journey never ends!!!
Love it! Miss Cat & Bones so much, that series is awesome💕
I will rebuy the entire series if you write it from Bones POV. I love everything to do with this couple. I keep watching the shows that come up each season and wishing that Cat and Bones was one of them. I love your work
Oh my god. Lol. Yup, I need more. I love bone!
Doing my happy dance 😁😁😁 loved it!!! Thank you soooo much 🤗
Oh how I love Cat and Bones. I was swept back in time to when I first discovered this fabulous series. Thanks and please please chapter 32 from Bones would be awesome! 😜
I always wanted to know when he is in the cave with her does he feel bad hitting her or does he thinks its justice
Would love to read more!!!! LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!
More more!! Loved this so much
I’m in love ❤️
Thanks a lot =)
OH Man!! I think this calls for a re-read of the series… sigh. I have missed them so much. <3 <3
Please do more!!! This is fantastic!
Ok this is my second comment but wth . So I will start with thank you. This series these characters have gotten me thru a 8 surgeries and the loss of my parents and that is priceless I really appreciate that. Anything with these characters I want MORE! It was so good<3 I am pretty sure I will always want more<3 Seriously thank you for what you do 🙂
holy hell now I have to reread this again….wow I forgot how much I love Cat and Bones….thank you for this POV it was bloody brilliant
So good again!!
I’d love to read Bones’ POV of the next chapter where he questions her and they fight, when Bones realises he’s fallen in love 😍
+ 1
+1 I’d love to read his thought process through that whole conversation.
+1 <3 <3 <3 <3
+1 😍😍
I really miss Cat and Bones. So, thank you for this!
Please do the next chapter when he falls in love with her!
Okay… I’m convinced that I want the whole book in bones’ point of view! And the next book too! I love all of your books, but these characters are my favorites!
I so miss Cat and Bones… thank you for this.
Thank you for this!! I love their story, hopefully there will be MORE :)))))
Now I really want to read the whole book from his pov…
Thank you! I hope that brief interlude helped get the juices flowing for the rest of your contracted book.
(…but it would be super awesome if you did decide to do more from Bones’ POV at some point!)
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, more Bones chapters!!!!!!!
That’s it. I’m off to re-read the series for the 3rd time. Now I’m really having Cat and Bones withdrawals. Can.Not.Handle.It.
Love it! Looking forward to maybe a bit more?!!!! Please!!!!??? But I’m also waiting to hear more about Ian!!
Thank you for taking the time to write more from Bones’ POV. I hope one day you will write more of the same!
Love reading Bones’ thoughts! Thank you so much for writing these! I really enjoyed them. Would be happy to read more if you decide to do more!❤️
I could read this series over and over. How I have missed Bones and Cat! LOVE Bones’ point of view!!! MORE, MORE!! Can’t get enough!
No :O As Bones would say, Lucifers bouncing balls, you can’t just leave it like that! This was absolutly bloody brilliant!!!
Yeah …I can actually hear him saying that!!!!
I wish you would write this book from his POV !! I cant get enough of cat and bones !
Jeaniene, this was fabulous!!! If you ever have nothing to write, you should totally write the entire Cat and Bones series from his point of view because I’d totally buy it all again!!! So good!
ME TOO ME TOO I SECOND THIS!!!!!! Not that you’ll ever not have anything to write but if you ever need a break from Ian!
Thank you!!
I need more like the hole book I wanna know bones thought when he realizes cat is not human and when he falls in love. Also would die for vlad’s POV as well I’m curious what was going there his mind. But I beg you more for bones and cat with bones POV
Now I’m going back to reread the series. Love Bones and Cat. Keep the new POV chapters coming. I’ll read them all!!
Thank you!!!! I really loved these book.
Please, please write more of their story
OH my god YES. This fuels me. You can’t imagine how I’ve waited for more Cat and Bones!!!!! The post series depression after reading those books was too real. Thank you for this lovely piece, you are awesome and I love your brain so much. *gushes* <3 <3 <3 <3
I’ve been dying for a Bones POV book for ages; thank you so much for doing this! I desperately hope that one day you’ll do the entire first book (if not more, if I dare to dream) from his POV. I’d buy the entire series all over again just for that! I love all your books, but Cat and Bones have a special place in my heart. 🙂
This is so amazing! Bones’ POV is more fabulous than I could have ever imagined! Also, this is making me want to reread the entire series again.
Thank you thank you thankyou!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please one more!!! I want to know what Bones think abouth her in the interrogatory!!!
So good!!! Thank you!!!! I want the whole book from his perspective now, but especially the cave scene!! Might need to go re-read these for the third time now! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you, now I want more of his pov. I would buy a book with Bone’s pov!
This is fantastic! It would be great to read the whole interrogation from Bones perspective. Please write more!
Love it! Have to go reread now. Bones is one of my favs.
This was awesome. If there is a chance for a second chapter it would make waiting for your next book so much easier. Thanks for so many great characters!
We could never get tired of Cat and Bones!! My favorite book series for the past 10 years!! Keep it coming! ❤️
Amazing! It brought me back to the first time I met Cat and Bones, almost 10 years ago! I have read and listened to the series so many times, but i may have to have another reunion with my favorite power couple! Thank you again for this! Hope you do more!
The first vampire couple that I’ve never been able to shake! The interrogation scene…the first glimpse of Bones finally falling in love after centuries of lust??? Yes, please!
However, when it comes to ALL of your characters, I’m more greedy than a fat girl eating cake. I gotta have more Jeaniene!! 😂😍
Such a talented author you are. Thank you for bringing a world of so many amazing characters and adventures to life. Well done ❤️
Omgee I cant believe I came across this gem. Bones’ POV. I really really want to know what bones was thinking when he first beheld Cats green eyes. I’ve always imagined that that was the moment he actually fell in love with her. You write fantastic stories and I basically drool over all the snippets you post from your Night Rebel. Thank you so much.
Really like this series. Can’t wait for Ian’s book.
More please! And thank you!
Geez. Leave me wanting more. Guess i need to go back and reread this much loved series. I realized I miss it soooo much.
I LOVE IT!!! (I use lots of punctuation marks too 😉) I can’t wait for more! Btw, what grammar and/or spelling errors? Lol You are amazing and look forward to you’re next masterpiece! ❤
I love reading everything you write. Reading from Bones’s POV is a wonderful treat. It makes me realize how much I miss Bones and Cat.
As they say, there are always two sides to every story, and it’s so interesting to get the other side of Bones and Cat. <3
It always wonderful to read some Bones and Cat.
Thanks for this and more please!!!!!!!! It’s a good thing a have the series because now I will be rereading it!!!!!
I absolutely love Cat and Bones. I would love to read all of the books from his perspective!!
Hi, I love reading bones’ POV, thank you so much, cant wait for the next chapters to follow.
I loved it!! I miss Cat and Bones.
I would love the whole series from Bones point of view. It is one of my very favorite series.
I have read this series at least 10 times. It is my all time favorite series. And to get it from Bones POV. I can’t get enough. Please finish writing the rest of the series from Bones POV.
Me too! Couldn’t believe it when I saw this today! By aren’t we blogging about them again? This is def my top 2 vampire series! Love Bones & Cat and all other characters. Wish she’d come back w more!
Omg. What a gift. I’m rereading whole series for the 5th time and clicked here to see if you had new novels on Cat & Bones.. and saw this! Please continue your series? Please? Specially this from Bones POV! Blogs still have them as top 5 Best Vampire series ! You wouldn’t believe how many of us still hope to see them back!! All of them! Thank You for this gift and please continue all of it. They’re still beloved!
Loving this!
Please continue this POV. Your books have given me one of my all-time favorite couples – can never have too much of Bones and Cat!
I agree with the others. Please gives us more with Cat and Bones.
<3 sooo much winning! I’ve reread the e series so many times! Love this perspective
Wish u would put it into a book I would love to read it from the start
Absolutely we want more!
Omg I loved these series!! I might have to go back and re-read them!! Bones is my favorite character!!
Love you…Bones. Reading this makes we want to read the whole series again!!!
I have so missed Cat & Bones. Can’t wait to ead the next chapters. I loved this series.
I love Cat and Bones and would love more! Wish you would continue from their last book. I know they have cameo appearances in other books but as far as I’m concerned, it’s not nearly enough. Thank you for write this from Bones’ perspective. Can’t wait for more!
More PLEASE!!!
Please do another book, on Bones and Cat.
Better still, PLEASE continue their series..
Wish this was a book I could read. I really am loving from Bones perspective.
Eu amo esta série! Ainda não acredito que acabou. Chorei muito.
It’s so good! I love Bones. It’s great to hear his side. Poor Cat, thrown off her game. Can’t wait to read more. I appreciate you sharing this. I have read alllll of your other books. Multiple times.
I’m a long time fan and reviewer for Amazon. ” Loves to read and review. ” Looking forward to everything you and other favorites write.
I was amazed at your comment. Handful of people remember cat & bones! That’s funny. These two are a favorite. Rank right up there with those other vampires who’s writer is from Ohio. You know the “brotherhood” who has the king, dragon, sadist, cop, half blooded queen etc. I love cat & bones and so does everyone else I know.
Bones is a hoot. Thank You for bringing them back.
Going to reread the series, especially the first book, so I can switch back and forth between Cat’s story and Bones’ story. This is definitely awesome! Thank you Jeaniene!
Give me more!!!! ……. PLEASE???