Hey, I have a huge surprise. In addition to “Yugen,” coming out later this year I’ve decided to publish “Lethal Reckoning” as a blogged book… book that’s been bloged. Boolgd? Booklog? Whatever.
Woo so exciting! Starting this Sunday, 26 February 2022, I’ll be writing the chapters and posting a new one each week.
Since you’ve been with me since the start of my writing career I wanted to let you have an early preview of the first chapter.
Here we go:
Lethal Reckoning, book 1 of the Immortal Blight series
June did what she’d always been forced to do in life-threatening situations.
Watched.
Helpless as people suffered and died. Knowing that if she tried to do anything, she would just get herself killed.
Crouching lower, June peered between the dried leaves and dead branches of a brush.
Three different types of nightmare creatures gathered up the thirty or so villagers. The first nightmare was a cat-like humanoid covered with fur, the second a tall statue made or swirled orange and brown stone, and lastly was a humanoid predator-like creature. When June looked at it she couldn’t see anything other than the Egyptian God Anubis.
Their mannerisms were as different as their appearances. Where the creature covered in blue-gray fur paced around the humans, his tail lashing back and forth like cats. Almost like he was playing. The Anubis creature was perfectly still. Waiting. And the stone-like humanoid stood at the far perimeter, like a wall to keep everyone in.
The only thing the same about the three different types of creatures were the clothes they wore. Black gothic coats, with red embroidery on the high collars. All the same fashion. A uniform.
The man who had dumped June here wore the same uniform. The difference being that his coat was a deep maroon, with black embroidery on high black collars. He’d told her she would be safe here, that the hunters wouldn’t find her.
The creature with grey fur walked around the gathered villagers, the tales of his black steam punk style coat fluttering with his every step. Forcing the villagers into a tighter pack. His eyes flicked over them, dismissing them as threats the moment his gaze touched them.
The people should flee, most would escape but they weren’t. They stood frozen – afraid to make themselves a target by stepping away from the safety of the herd.
This village had taken her in and hidden her for months. Had given her food from their tables and a warm, dry place out of the elements to sleep. While it lacked the basic necessities she was used to, like running water, wifi, and air conditioning they had been kind and generous. She was always invited her into their homes, to share their meals and their fun.
June let her eyes run over the thirteen mud shacks with woven grass doors.
Generations of families lived and died there. Nothing special. Rather un-special. The only thing unique about it was the people who called this place home. They survived by sheer force of will. Weathering hard winters, scorching summers, and freezing rains together.
“I’m looking for someone,” The furry creature said, his tone was too casual – too normal. Like he was asking his waiter which meal was the best. As he circled the group his tail lashed back and forth in a rhythmic pattern that June couldn’t ignore. “An outsider. Someone who wasn’t born here.”
June swallowed, looking down at the black ring on her index finger. The thing that was supposedto stop these creatures from finding her. The ring the man swore would hide her. He’d also said she’d be safe and happy here. June didn’t want to know what those beings were capable of doing, or what they were willing to do. She’d spurned these supposed gods, and their training. They hadn’t been gods. Just aliens from another world. Creatures with some kind of advanced abilities, or maybe technology she didn’t understand. But not gods. She’d wanted no part of their war. Now though, with people she’d come to care for in danger, she wished she hadn’t. She yearned for the education she’d turned away.
Now the war was here. It had tracked her down. It demanded blood. Her presence in this village had doomed all these people to a violent and painful end. These creatures would kill the villagers one by one until they got the answers they wanted. In the end they would find her, and their sacrifices would be for nothing.
June shook herself of the images in her mind and focused on finding a solution. For a few breaths she thought of running for help. But it was miles away. By the time it arrive, all they could do was bury the dead. Or if they got here soon enough, they could all die together.
The creature stopped in his pacing in front of Karina and her family. Grabbing the youngest boy, Nakidir, by his long brown hair the furry creature dragged him away from those who loved him.
The man shook Nakidir and said, “If you tell me I won’t have to do anything. If not…” The man’s grin was ear to ear showing off his sharp teeth. The smile seemed to say he wanted them to hold back so he could do something they wouldn’t like.
June’s mouth went dry, thinking about what those teeth could do to Nakidir’s throat.
Karina cried out, choking back a sob as she pulled her other children close. Last year she lost both her parents, her in-laws, and her husband to a sickness that hadn’t touched the rest of the village.
The man’s tail lashed back and forth. Eager. “No?” He was looking Karina in the eyes. Staring her down. Almost as if he were challenging her.
If you enjoyed the chapter, feel free to share this with your friends and family. It will give you something to talk about during awkward family meals with your parents.
Thanks for joining me on this journey. I can’t wait to see how this turns out!
Devin Vandriel 