by Simon Kewin
“Engn is an exciting and richly textured novel.”
“I was completely enthralled by this book. Simon Kewin's writing is vivid. The premise of the book reminded me slightly of The Hunger Games and the Ironclads were describes similarly to the ringwraiths from Lord of the Rings.”
“With elements of Hunger Games and Ender's Game, Engn stands on its own and shrugs off genre classifications.”
“Engn is a mashup between two of the hottest trends in young adult fiction right now: dystopian worlds and steampunk.”
Simon Kewin was born on the misty Isle of Man, but now lives in England with his wife and daughters. He is the author of over 100 published short stories. He writes fantasy, science fiction, contemporary literature and some stories that can't make their minds up.
He can be summoned from the aether at simonkewin.co.uk, on Facebook or on Twitter.
The Cloven Land Trilogy, Copyright © Simon Kewin 2016
Hyrn, Copyright © Simon Kewin 2015
Hedge Witch, Copyright © Simon Kewin 2014
Wyrm Lord, Copyright © Simon Kewin 2015
Witch King, Copyright © Simon Kewin 2016
Simon Kewin has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
This story is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the author, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author's rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
Edited by Stephanie Lorée.
CROW•25
Post Credits Scenes
Nox walked through the shattered ruins of the White City.
Now that Menhroth was gone the towers and domes of his city were crumbling too, the necromancy that held them together failing. The walls shook and writhed, clattering to the ground around him. Beautifully carved bone lay in jumbled piles where towers and spires had toppled.
There were no guards, no people anywhere. Nothing at all moved. Even the crows were gone, their borrowed life turning to dust along with everything else.
The White City would soon be no more. No doubt the witches would turn their attention to the place at some point. They'd cleanse the ground, lay the bones to rest. Bury them or commit them to the river. It would keep them busy for a long time.
He had other work to do. The portal through to the refinery still stood, although its frame sagged badly, looking like it could collapse at any moment. That was where he had to go. Everything would be in chaos for a time, in both worlds, and in the confusion there would be opportunity. Genera would be vulnerable as it tried to adjust to losing its distant masters. And he knew how to exploit vulnerabilities.
He needed to understand what he was now capable of. Menhroth had given him considerable powers, intending to use him as a weapon against Cait if necessary. Now he was free from Menhroth's control, and he could do as he pleased. Cait had given him a rare gift. Perhaps he would turn himself into another Witch King. Perhaps he would destroy Genera and everything it stood for.
He hadn't decided yet. His life had been interesting and it looked like his death was going to be even more interesting.
He stepped into the portal to cross to the other world.
Bethany Weerd clung to the shadows of the shattered refinery. She'd remained after leaving Fer, helping to shepherd the lost and confused souls that howled through the place, offering what guidance she could. There were so many of them.
The buildings lay in broken ruins. The fires that had raged through them had left them as twisted and blackened piles of pipes. The great black engine was a smoking stump of metal, a jagged hole in its cylinder where the life had burst from it.
The people had gone; they'd either died or fled to safety. It was time for her to leave, too, back to the city where she belonged.
Then a figure stepped through the portal. He emerged from the roaring waterfall and stopped for a moment to take in the scene around him. She knew who he was, of course. They'd travelled together in Angere although he hadn't known about it. He was one of the Masters, and Cait had hated him. But she'd grown to like him, too. Trust him, even. It was complicated.
She realised with a jolt of alarm he was one of them now. How was that possible? They'd all been destroyed. The undain in this world had dissipated just as they had in the other, yet here was Nox, dead and now alive, burning with his own private rage.
Bethany shrank back into the shadows. She'd follow him, watch him.
The story wasn't over yet.