by W. J. May
“Feel familiar?” Stein whispered menacingly.
Simon lifted his eyes in horror as the doctor knelt down so they were both at the same level.
“That was just a few months ago. When Tristan here attacked you in the Oratory. As I recall, he gave you several minor concussions that day.”
Simon was trying desperately to clear his head, when the doctor turned to Tristan.
“And you.”
There was a terrifying rip, and the next second Tristan screamed in pain. Stein watched impassively, making mental notes with a clinical stare.
“Simon literally almost tore your arm right out of its socket. I couldn’t believe when just a week or so later, the two of you were best friends. But who am I to fathom the adolescent mind?”
Simon was scrambling to his feet now. At least he was trying to scramble. But the strangest feeling was sneaking its way through his body. A cloying numbness. One he was sure he had felt somewhere before. It took him a minute before he realized what it was.
The paralyzing agent. The one Bullseye shot me with. It’s come back.
“You see,” Stein continued softly, “that’s the funny thing about my gift. The thing nobody knows. Healing is only the half of it. Every hurt I mend, I remember. And every hurt I remember, I can return at a whim. Every single one.”
It was a pain unlike Simon had ever imagined. More than his body could stand.
Every cut. Every break. Every one of the hundreds of burns he’d received over the last few months with Beth...they all came back to him at once. Like someone was painting his skin.
In less than a second, he was screaming louder than he’d ever shrieked before. Crying out for a death that seemed perpetually imminent, while remaining forever out of reach. Only a solitary sound could reach him at this point. The cries of the boy lying beside him.
Tristan was lying on the floor in front of Stein. His shirt, which had been hanging on by just a thread since the tunnels, had finally torn away, and Simon watched as one by one each of the jagged scars on his back ripped open anew.
A torrent of blood poured out of him, pooling on the cheap studio room floor. His hands clenched, then relaxed ominously on the floor beside him. There was a sudden rush of air, but it wasn’t until Simon felt a sudden hand upon his own face that he realized he had actually thrown his broken body upon Stein.
“Get off of me, Kerrigan!” the doctor cried, reeling from the fact that Simon had somehow been able to move so quickly. He raised his hand to hit him again, but instead it hovered in the air right in front of him. Instead, Simon felt Jason, and Isaac, and Tristan, and Jen hit him.
A hundred times over.
Finally defeated, Simon collapsed onto the floor. Tristan was no longer moving, and with most of his blood soaking into the carpet Simon didn’t see him ever moving again. His own eyes were flickering open and shut as his mind began drifting away. As the room around him began to dim, he was only vaguely aware of the fact that Stein was still talking.
“Don’t worry about him,” he said with disdain. He glanced down and Simon realized that, just like in the hospital, he had reached over to take Tristan’s hand. “I’m not going to let him die quite like that. For him, I saved the best for last.”
The coma.
A weak shudder ran through Simon’s body as he tried his best to shield his friend from view.
“Please,” he whimpered, “please don’t.”
Stein looked down in disgust. “You know... I don’t know why he thinks you’re so special. You’re just a stupid, worthless kid.”
Simon pulled in a ragged breath, but he knew it was too late. A creeping blackness had settled into the corners of his eyes, making it look like he was seeing the entire room through something narrow, like a tunnel.
He was barely able to make out the pair of old-fashioned riding boots that walked silently into the room behind the doctor. He was barely able to hear Stein’s gasp of surprise, the murmur of low conversation, and the crack of the gun as a bullet was fired into the air. He was barely able to feel the impact as the doctor dropped to the floor in front of him.
Dead.
Simon tried to lift his head to see what was going on, but it was no use. A warm hand pressed gently against his back. Or maybe it didn’t. Maybe he was only imagining it.
Then, the blurry face of a man drifted slowly into view.
Simon couldn’t make out the details, just vague colors and shapes. The only thing he could make out, something that stood out quite clearly, was the man’s smile.
“You’ve had a rough night, Simon Kerrigan.”
A feeling of that same warmth rushed through Simon’s back as the man spoke, bringing with it a soft sense of relief. At the same time, the room sharpened into better clarity, the dark clouds chasing each other through Simon’s mind began to clear.
“But no matter the circumstances, I’m happy to finally meet you in the flesh.”
The man had his hand on Tristan now, pressing it softly against his back. Simon was about to struggle to protect his friend, when, before his very eyes, the bleeding suddenly stopped. The cuts lacing themselves across Tristan’s back vanished as if something had merely washed them away.
Not even the scars remained.
“Who...” Simon tried to sit up. “Who are you?”
The man clicked his tongue disapprovingly and pressed him back down. “No, not so fast, young man. Healing isn’t one of my strong suits. I’d hate to have you undo everything I just did.”
“Everything you just...” Simon’s hand drifted up to the back of his head. In shock he realized that the giant gash, burned there by the girl’s lava, had suddenly disappeared. “How did you—”
“Yes,” the man’s eyes twinkled as he stared down at him, “you’ve had a very busy night indeed. First there was the alarm in the tunnel. Then there was the scientist...”
The air between them seemed to suddenly heavy.
“...the scientist you stuffed into the trunk of your car.”
Simon froze dead still, staring up at him in shock.
How did he know? How could he possibly...?
“Who are you?” he asked again, a little stronger this time.
The man chuckled, re-buttoning his coat as he prepared to take his leave. “I’m afraid you don’t get to know that at this time, Simon. Rest assured, all will be explained later. But for now, you may know me simply as ‘C.’”
As Simon blinked in confusion, trying to gather his wits, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a permanent marker. Then, with the utmost delicacy, he took one of Simon’s hands and smoothed open the palm.
In a wide looping script, he wrote down the letter.
“So you’ll remember me.” He smiled as Simon stared at his hand. “So you’ll know that this really happened. That you weren’t imagining it.”
Tristan began to stir beside them, and the stranger moved suddenly to the door.
“In the meantime, I’ll be taking that scientist with me, Simon.” He paused in the frame. “But don’t worry, if you decide you’d like to continue your work with him you need only say the word.”
“How?” Simon blurted. He didn’t know who this man was, or what exactly he was offering, but before he walked out of the door forever Simon had to know the truth. “How will I find you?”
The man smiled again, eyes twinkling fondly as he stared across the room.
“Try going for a walk,” he suggested lightly. “That’s a beautiful park you live by. You should visit it more often.”
With that, he was gone. Leaving Tristan struggling beside him and Simon lying there on the floor, staring wide-eyed down at his hand.
C
THE END
ALONE IN THE DARKNESS
Alone in the Darkness Blurb
LEARN HOW IT ALL BEGAN ... before Rae Kerrigan.
The sins of the father are the sins of the son.
What did Rae’s father do that put fear in pe
ople’s eyes at the name Kerrigan?
Simon Kerrigan is standing at a crossroads. Torn between two paths.
The life of a Privy Council spy—complete with friends, white picket fences, and an undisclosed relationship with the girl he loves. Or another life. A life in untested waters, pushing the boundaries to see what lies beyond—no matter the cost.
While playing the role of a dutiful boyfriend and crazy-talented spy, Simon finds himself sinking ever deeper into the darkest part of his consciousness. What happens if you mix different kinds of tatùs? Why was it so wrong? What if he left the PCs? Who would stand by him? Who would join him in the inevitable fight? Could it be possible that such a little device could bring an entire county to its knees?
More importantly, who is this mysterious C?
In a twisted quest for knowledge and a growing obsession with the ‘ultimate power,’ he crosses one line after another. Until finally, he crosses so many, he has to ask himself the question...
...Can he ever go back?
THE ENTIRE CHRONICLES OF KERRIGAN SERIES:
THE CHRONICLES OF KERRIGAN: PREQUEL –
Christmas Before the Magic
Question the Darkness
Into the Darkness
Fight the Darkness
Alone in the Darkness
Lost the Darkness
THE CHRONICLES OF KERRIGAN
Book I - Rae of Hope is FREE!
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gILAwXxx8MU
Book II - Dark Nebula
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca24STi_bFM
Book III - House of Cards
Book IV - Royal Tea
Book V - Under Fire
Book VI - End in Sight
Book VII – Hidden Darkness
Book VIII – Twisted Together
Book IX – Mark of Fate
Book X – Strength & Power
Book XI – Last One Standing
Book XII – Rae of Light
THE CHRONICLES OF KERRIGAN SEQUEL
Matter of Time
Time Piece
Second Chance
Glitch in Time
Our Time
Precious Time
The Chronicles of Kerrigan: Gabriel
Living in the Past
Present for Today
Staring at the Future
Kerrigan Chronicles
Book 1 – Stopping Time
Book 2 – A Passage of Time
Book 3 – Ticking Clock
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WHEN THE KING IS MURDERED, his only daughter, Katerina, must flee for her life. She finds herself on a strange and dangerous path. Alone for the first time she’s forced to rely on her wits and the kindness of strangers, while protecting her secret at the same time.
Because she alone knows the truth. It was her brother who killed the king. And he's coming for her next.
Alone and struggling she finds herself an instant target, until a mysterious protector comes to her aid. Together, and with a collection of the most unlikely friends, the group must navigate through an enchanted world just as fantastical as it can be deadly. But time is not on their side.
With her brother’s hired assassins closing in at every turn, Katerina must unlock a secret that’s hidden deep inside her. It’s the only thing strong enough to keep the darkness at bay.
Can she find the answers she needs? Will she ever take her rightful place on the throne?
Only one thing is certain...she’s running out of time.
Hidden Secrets Saga:
Download Seventh Mark part 1 For FREE
Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_vVYC1gvo
LIKE MOST TEENAGERS, Rouge is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to be. With little knowledge about her past, she has questions but has never tried to find the answers. Everything changes when she befriends a strangely intoxicating family. Siblings Grace and Michael, appear to have secrets which seem connected to Rouge. Her hunch is confirmed when a horrible incident occurs at an outdoor party. Rouge may be the only one who can find the answer.
An ancient journal, a Sioghra necklace and a special mark force life-altering decisions for a girl who grew up unprepared to fight for her life or others.
All secrets have a cost and Rouge's determination to find the truth can only lead to trouble...or something even more sinister.
ONLY THE BEGINNING
BE PREPARED. THERE are werewolves in this story, and they are NOT friendly.
Peace comes at a price...
Rebekah and Jamie are happy, but discontent. Sometimes, it feels like everything important has already happened, that the peace their parents fought so hard to bring them is just a strange limbo they can’t break out of. They want adventure, they want to make memories of their own. When a pair of new kids shows up at their school, it looks like they might finally have their chance.
It isn’t long before the twins open up to the mysterious new strangers. Sharing secrets they thought they’d never tell. Asking questions they never could have imagined.
When a party in the woods leads to near tragedy, they find themselves caught in the middle of a fight they never saw coming. Trapped between two sides and put to the ultimate test.
Will they choose their family? Or their future?
Rouge’s adventure may have come to an end, but the twins’ is just getting started...
NEVER LOOK BACK
THE WISE LEARN MANY things from their enemies.
My name’s Atlanta Skolar, and I’m a huntress. No, not the vampire-slaying type, or like the ever-brooding Winchester brothers from Supernatural. I live a relatively normal life—during the day at least. I go to school, have friends, and try my best to survive Uncle James’ horrendous cooking.
However, the nights in the city of Calen are not always calm. There’s a thin veil between our world and the world of monsters, the good and the bad. I'm one of the few who stands between the two. With the help of my uncle, who’s taken me in since my parents’ deaths, I spend the nights making sure the balance is maintained and that each side keeps to their respective places.
At least, that was until something rattled the cages and everything hit the fan. There’s a new evil in town, an evil that’s been here before, and it may be responsible for my parents’ deaths. An evil that isn’t satisfied with the balance. It'll do all it can to make sure darkness falls over Calen and the rest of the world once again.
Scary? That ain’t the half of it.
It’s particularly interested in me.
Why? No idea.
But it’s my job as a huntress to make sure the evil is stopped, no matter what.
RADIUM HALOS - THE SENSELESS SERIES
Book 1 is FREE:
Book Blurb:
EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE a hero at one point in their life.
The small town of Elliot Lake will never be the same again.
Caught in a sudden thunderstorm, Zoe, a high school senior from Elliot Lake, and five of her friends take shelter in an abandoned uranium mine. Over the next few days, Zoe's hearing sharpens drastically, beyond what any normal human being can detect. She tells her friends, only to learn that four others have an increased sense as well. Only Kieran, the new boy from Scotland, isn't affected.
Fashioning themselves into superheroes, the group tries to stop the strange occurrences happening in their little town. Muggings, break-ins, disappearances, and murder begin to hit too close to home. It leads the team to think someone knows about their secret - someone who wants them all dead.
An incredulous group of heroes. A traitor in the midst. Some dreams are written in blood.
Courage Runs Red
The Blood Red Seri
es
Book 1 is FREE
WHAT IF COURAGE WAS your only option?
When Kallie lands a college interview with the city's new hot-shot police officer, she has no idea everything in her life is about to change. The detective is young, handsome and seems to have an unnatural ability to stop the increasing local crime rate. Detective Liam's particular interest in Kallie sends her heart and head stumbling over each other.
When a raging blood feud between vampires spills into her home, Kallie gets caught in the middle. Torn between love and family loyalty she must find the courage to fight what she fears the most and possibly risk everything, even if it means dying for those she loves.
Daughter of Darkness - Victoria
Only Death Could Stop Her Now
The Daughters of Darkness is a series of female heroines who may or may not know each other, but all have the same father, Vlad Montour.
Victoria is a Hunter Vampire
TUDOR COMPARISON:
AUMBRY HOUSE—A recess to hold sacred vessels, often found in castle chapels.
Aumbry House was considered very special to hold the female students - their sacred vessels (especially Rae Kerrigan).
Joist House—A timber stretched from wall-to-wall to support floorboards.
Joist House was considered a building of support where the male students could support and help each other.
Oratory—A private chapel in a house.
Private education room in the school where the students were able to practice their gifting and improve their skills. Also used as a banquet - dance hall when needed.
Oriel—A projecting window in a wall; originally a form of porch, often of wood. The original bay windows of the Tudor period. Guilder College majority of windows were oriel.
Rae often felt her life was being watching through one of these windows. Hence the constant reference to them.