Carl Prescott and the Demon Queen

by Karl Morgan

  “You think they might come back here? The wormhole is only two dimensions, right?”

  Manny sighed. “I don’t know for certain. I have no control over that universe.”

  “None?”

  “Who can say? This has never occurred before. Perhaps, I do have some measure of control. I suppose time will tell.”

  “What do I do now?”

  “Enjoy your life, Carl, but keep an eye on that stone. Probably, nothing will ever happen, but if it does, it will again be up to you to stop it.”

  “I’ll do my best, Father.”

  Manny smiled and patted his knee. “I know you will.” Manny faded away.

  Carl woke up in bed. “It was a dream.” He felt something around his neck. The pendant was still there and seemed to be vibrating slightly. He put it to his ear and heard a soft buzzing sound. “That can’t be a good sign.”

  ###

  Thanks so much for reading Carl Prescott and the Demon Queen. As an indie author, I sincerely hope you will review my book on Amazon.com. If you enjoyed it and are wondering what other stories I have, please consider joining the Adventurers Club by signing up on my webpage (www.karljmorgan.com). If you do, I will keep you up to date on my stories and you will also be the first to hear about new books and special deals. You can also check out my other books on Amazon by clicking this link. I honestly want to connect with you and learn what you like and dislike. Also, feel free to email me at karlmorganauthor@yahoo.com with any questions or comments.

  Carl Prescott and the Demon Queen is the second book in my Carl Prescott Series. These books are my first venture into Young Adult Fantasy writing. The next two books are in process and should be released over the coming months. Keep an eye out for Carl Prescott and the Vengeful Gods and Carl Prescott and the Empty Universe. I am not certain what will come next, but it will be exciting and adventure filled. As part of my club, you’ll see samples and hear about them first.

  Finally, whew, I bet you’re glad to hear that, you are welcome to check out my website (www.karljmorgan.com) and connect with me on Facebook and/or Twitter. That’s it! Thanks again.

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  About the Author

  Karl Morgan has a lifelong fascination with stories in the science fiction and fantasy genres, whether it was the Tom Swift novels by Victor Appleton he read as a young boy, or television like Lost in Space and Star Trek, and especially films like Star Wars, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. All of those tales put the protagonist in terrible situations where the odds are against them and, yet, somehow they prevail. The reader/viewer is always left with a sense that something greater than ourselves is watching over us.

  In his new Carl Prescott young adult fantasy series, the journey continues as our hero faces terrible danger and odds to help his friends and family. At the end, he will learn new things that will change his perspective on life.

  Karl lives in the San Diego area with his best, four-legged friend, his toy poodle Chachis.

  To read more about Karl and his projects, please visit his website and blog and other social media: http://www.karljmorgan.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/karlmorganauthor

  Twitter: @karljmorgan.

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  Other Books by Karl J. Morgan

  Dave Brewster Series

  Science fiction series about a man chosen to travel into the future in order to restart humankind’s expansion away from Mother Earth. He will venture to new worlds, discovery new alien civilizations, find the true home of humanity, and learn that progress do not always improve human life. The books are:

  Showdown Over Neptune, The Second Predaxian War, The Hive, The Tears of Gallia, and The Accord.

  Heartstone Series

  Science fiction series about how an earthquake near San Diego changes the course of Henry Marshall’s life. He will find connections to other worlds through the Heartstone hidden in the Earth. He will also discover new worlds and many vengeful adversaries. Only the stones can save him now. The books include:

  Heartstone: Sentinels of Far Sun and Heartstone: The Time Walker.

  Modern Prophet Series

  Fantasy stories about heroes who discover their divine connection, which enables them to overcome impossible odds to save themselves and their world. These are stories of divine intervention, except The Reluctant Prophet, which brings back characters from the Dave Brewster Series. Each story is independent of the others. The books are:

  Two Doors; The Reluctant Prophet, Hand of God, and Demonic.

  Revolution Series

  Dystopian fiction books about Jack Kennedy, a boy growing up in the early 22nd Century. National debt and corruption have bankrupted the United States. Criminal gangs and terrorists roam the countryside and cities. Life is miserable for all but the elites living under their domes. Now, cannibalism is on the rise. Jack and his family will flee, but the danger only increases with each passing day. These stories feature graphic violence and profanity. The books are:

  2121: Twilight’s Last Gleaming, 2122: The Perilous Fight, 2123: Dawn’s Early Light, and 2125: Home of the Brave.

  Carl Prescott Series

  Young adult fantasy stories about Carl and his friends, Grace, and Burt. Their families worry about their strange abilities. All are sent to the Thorndike Academic Institution to explore their talents and cause less damage. As they grow and learn, each will find their talents are far beyond expectations. Those talents will draw foes who wish to prove their mettle, and take over the world. Only the first book has been published. The others are coming soon. The titles are:

  Carl Prescott and the Sleeping One; Carl Prescott and the Demon Queen; Carl Prescott and the Vengeful Gods; Carl Prescott and the Empty Universe.

  Books not in a series

  Remembrances

  A treatise on our connection to the Divine. It was designed as a tool to help others acknowledge and accept their personal divinity.

  Whistlestop

  A fantasy novel about a family who discovers their lives have been a lie. They are actually descended from the Knights of Winterpast, who protected the free worlds of the universe until destroyed by the Emperor of the Universe and his demonic helper. Now each must rediscover their unique talents in order to restore justice.

  The Old House: An Everlasting Love Story

  Young Simon Carter is about to learn he will inherit the multi-billion dollar family fortune, if he lives in the old house for two years. The old house is a connection between Simon, his past, and future lives. He must uncover its secrets before his uncles or an evil apparition kill him.

  All books are available in ebook and paperback version on Amazon. Just follow this link.

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  Vengeful Gods- Chapter 1

  Following are the first two chapters of the next book in the Carl Prescott series, namely Carl Prescott and the Vengeful Gods. This story picks up right after the end of Carl Prescott and the Demon Queen. I hope it will intrigue you enough to check it out when it is available.

  Carl Prescott woke to the alarm on his smartphone. He turned it off, sat up on the bed, stretched, and stifled a yawn. He pushed his feet into his slippers, rose, and walked over to the window. He pulled aside the curtains and looked out onto the new day. There was a knock at the door. He turned to see his mother standing in the doorway. “Good morning, Mom.”

  “It’s the first day of school so you’d better get ready. I’ll be making your breakfast.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be down after I take my shower and get dressed.” She nodded and closed the door. Carl looked down at the large yard, the white rail fence, and the long driveway that led down to the highway into the city. He shook his head, turned, and headed to the bathroom.

  As he stepped into the shower, the memory of his last days at the Bertrand Aloysius Thorndike Academic Institution replayed in his mind. Everything seemed so perfect after the demon queen failed to destroy the universe. H
e and his friends were happy to get back to the more mundane yet comfortable parts of life, namely education and training in their talents. The morning he woke with the spherical diamond hanging from the platinum chain around his neck, things began to change. He alone knew the pendant’s secret. The shimmer of light it held was a two-dimensional wormhole to another universe.

  People began to change. His friends seemed more distant, especially Aida Whitehall, whom he loved with his whole heart. Less than a week after that fateful day, her mother left the school to rejoin the Masterson Academy on the other side of the globe. Aida, as well as his friends, Burt and Grace, had gone along. One by one, the professors turned cold to him as well. The place that had make Carl feel welcome and safe had changed to a cold, foreboding place. He was despondent and alone.

  He longed to dispose of the jewel, but knew that was impossible. Manny had charged him with its protection and that was a charge no one could refuse. Out of the blue six months ago, his parents asked him to return home. He took the opportunity without a second thought. It was not the same home he had grown up in. His father had become an assistant director at the agency in Washington. Their new residence was a large farmhouse situated on ten acres some twenty miles from the city. Ginny, his mother, had taken a leave of absence from the agency to rebuild her relationship with their son.

  As he headed downstairs, he could see one of the family dogs, a toy poodle named Chachis, wagging her tail and looking up at him. When he reached the bottom, he picked her up and she licked his face. He carried her into the kitchen where his mother stood and looked out the bay window. The other family dog, a Shi-Tzu named Zelda, rubbed against her legs. Carl set the dog down, pulled out a chair, and sat. The plate of eggs, hash browns, and toast was waiting for him. “It all looks great, Mom. Thanks.”

  Chachis whimpered and Carl smiled at her. In his mind, he heard her say, “It’s not your fault your friends turned on you, Carl. It’s the stone.” He nodded and returned his attention to his plate.

  Ginny turned and smiled. Then she walked over and sat across from him. She took a sip of coffee. “I hope you enjoy it, Carl. How are you adjusting to being away from that school?”

  “Fine. I really liked the Institution, but I just didn’t fit in after a while.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, you told me how your friends all left you behind. Would you like to go to that other school too?”

  He shook his head and took another bite of eggs. After he swallowed, he replied, “No, definitely not.” He sighed. “I’m pretty sure they all returned to Thorndike after they found out I left.”

  “What? Are you saying they left because of you? Did you do something to them?”

  Carl removed the pendant from his neck and set it on the table. “No. I think they left due to this.”

  Ginny picked up the pendant. “This is quite the jewel, Carl. Where did you get it?”

  “Manny gave it to me for protection.”

  “I don’t understand, Carl. Does it protect you or are you protecting it?”

  “I’m protecting it.”

  “If this Manny guy is so worried about someone stealing it, why doesn’t he just put it in a safety deposit box? You’re still a young man and shouldn’t be watching over other people’s stuff. Just who is this Manny anyway?”

  “I’m not sure I should say anymore, Mom. I volunteered to guard the stone.”

  “Carl, that isn’t good enough. Perhaps you can invite your friend Manny to come here and explain the situation to me then.”

  Carl stood and stuck out his hand. “Okay, Mom. I’ll ask him. May I please have it back? The bus will be here any minute.”

  She handed him the pendant, which he quickly hung around his neck. “Your father and I want to talk more about this later, okay?”

  He stepped over to her and kissed her cheek. “Okay, Mom, absolutely. I’ll see you after school.” He headed to the front door and left as quickly as he could.

  The bus delivered the students to Donnelly High School forty-five minutes later. Carl had spent a few months here at the end of the last school year, so he knew where his classes would be. He arrived in his World History class a few minutes before eight o’clock. Most of the seats were taken, so he selected a desk in the back row.

  The door opened and a female student strode into the room. All the boys in the room took a collective gasp. Her auburn hair danced along her shoulders as she walked. She wore a tight red top. Her black jeans were also skin-tight. She walked to the back of the room and sat next to Carl. She was Sylvia, the demon queen. He had been married to her dozens of times over his past lives. While Carl did not remember most of those events, her immortality made them fresh and real to her. She shook hands with the boy on the other side of her and then turned her attention to him. “Hi there. My name is Sylvia. What’s yours?”

  Carl shook her hand. “Carl Prescott. It’s nice to meet you, although you look very familiar to me.”

  She pulled her hand away. “That’s what all the boys say.”

  The door opened and a teacher in a business suit stepped inside. He closed the door and moved over to the desk where he set his books down. Carl smiled and Sylvia rolled her eyes. The teacher stood in front of the desk. “Good morning, students. My name is Joshua Carpenter. It’s a pleasure to be with you today. Let’s get started, shall we?”

  At lunchtime, Carl went through the line and turned to find a seat. Sylvia patted the seat next to her and he walked over. Before he arrived, one of the football players sat next to her and began to chat. Before Carl could move ten feet, the boy blushed, stood, and hurried away. Carl set his tray down and sat. “What brings you to this school, Sylvia?”

  “You, obviously, duh.” She spread her arms. “And look at me, I’ve sixteen too!”

  “I’m only fifteen.”

  She licked her lips. “That’s close enough for me, darling. By the way, do you hear that high-pitched whining noise? It’s really bothering me.”

  Carl opened his shirt enough to show the stone, and then closed it again.

  “What the hell is that thing? It’s starting to make me feel sick.”

  Joshua arrived at their table and motioned for Carl to follow him. “He’ll be right back, Cousin.” The two left the room.

  Moments later, Carl returned and took his seat. “Is that better?”

  She patted his knee and he flinched. She laughed. “Much better and thanks. What is that thing anyway?”

  He leaned over to her. “We’re supposed to go to Joshua’s classroom later to discuss it.”

  Rather than return to the classroom after school, Joshua drove Carl and Sylvia to the Prescott home. As they neared the house, they noticed a white limousine had parked at the curb. The rear door opened and Manny stepped out. Joshua parked behind the limo and all exited. Manny hugged each of them and the group headed up to the front door. Carl opened the door and stepped in. “Mom, we have company.”

  Ginny Prescott came out of the kitchen and approached. “Who are all your friends, Carl?”

  “Mom, this is Manny, my teacher Joshua Carpenter, and a fellow classmate, Sylvia.”

  She extended her hand. “I’m Ginny Prescott. It’s a pleasure to meet you all, especially you, Manny. We need to talk.”

  “Of course, Mrs. Prescott, and I’m not surprised. To be clear, Joshua is my son and Sylvia is my niece.”

  Joshua added, “Sylvia’s father lives far from here, so she’s staying at my house.”

  Sylvia leaned into her cousin. “Thanks, Cousin Josh.”

  “Carl, if you want to go play with your classmate, I’ll have a talk with Manny and Josh.”

  “Oh goody,” Sylvia cooed and winked at Carl, who blushed and looked down.

  “This matter is rather complicated, Mrs. Prescott,” Manny interjected. “I think it’s better that we are all together.”

  She led them into the living room and all sat.

  Frank Prescott walked into the room and the men stood. “What’s
going on, Ginny?”

  “This is the man named Manny I mentioned on the phone.”

  Frank shook the man’s hand. “Thank you for coming. Please be seated and let’s get this over with.”

  When they were seated, Ginny asked, “Why are you having our son guard your jewelry, Manny?”

  “I understand your concern, Mrs. Prescott, but unfortunately, he is the only one capable of containing its power.”

  “My son is a teenager,” Frank argued. “Surely, the pendant could be kept in a vault or safety-deposit box more securely.”

  Manny shook his head. “Oh, if only that were true.” He turned to Carl. “Please explain who we are and why you have this duty.”

  Carl closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.

  Frank shook his head. “Manny, whoever you are, please answer the question. You don’t need some child to do respond for you.”

  Carl stood, smiled at Manny, and nodded. “It’s okay, Dad. I am proud and honored to explain it.” He dropped his head and thought for a moment. “When I went to the Thorndike Institution, I had no idea what I was in for.”

  “It was your choice, Son,” Frank noted.

  Carl chuckled. “Yes, I know that, Dad, but I meant it in a good way. I never imagined I would meet Manny or Joshua or Sylvia for that matter. Now I can’t imagine living my life without all of them.”

  “Bless you, Carl,” Manny replied.

  “You honor me,” Joshua said.

  “I love you too, sweetheart,” Sylvia said while wiping tears from her eyes.

  Carl wiped his own face. “You all honor me with your presence here today and willingness to expose your truth. Mom and Dad, Manny is the Lord God Emmanuel. Joshua is his son, Jesus the Christ.” He stepped over to Sylvia and pulled her to her feet. “Well, Sylvia is bit more complicated. She was a petulant child and daughter of Satan, but she was also my wife for countless lives.”