A Touch of Poison

by Aaron Kite

  Gwen glanced over at Bryn and Alwyn, who both watched Anifail. Nobody seemed capable of anything more than simply standing in place and staring at the spectacle.

  “Hey, look at that!” Gwen said, smiling happily at everyone assembled. “Maybe I’m just a teensy bit ruthless after all.”

  Gavin shook his head in mock sorrow as he watched Anifail writhe in agony.

  “Not even married a full day, and she’s already kissing other men,” he remarked sadly, his voice completely at odds with the smile that was threatening to take over his entire face. “You know, you should be more careful about doing that sort of thing right in front of me, Darling. I could be the jealous type.”

  “Oh, don’t be silly, Dearest. You know you’re the only one for me.” Gwen smiled, reaching out and taking his hand in hers. She sighed happily. “After all, we were practically made for each other.”

  About the Author

  Aaron Kite is a writer/artist who likes putting slashes between occupations and who very rarely refers to himself in the third person. He was born on the exact same day that São Paulo Metro was inaugurated in Brazil, which the authorities claim is pure coincidence.

  He has been interviewed by Science Magazine, the Calgary Herald, National Geographic, and this shady fellow named ‘Jimmy’ who kept pointedly asking him about his success as a writer with questions like “Got any spare change?” and “C’mon, really, do ya? I gotta catch a bus.”

  Aaron was one of the founding members of the amateur writing group “Starting Write Now”, as well as countless side-projects which he’d mention by name if the government would finally get around to granting him immunity. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which really ought to have another sub-section to it, because another comma there would look really slick.

  At present he has three finished novels — Two Cats, and the sequel Jade Mouse, as well as the standalone (but with sequels percolating in his brain) novel A Touch of Poison. He’s currently in the middle of writing the novels, Ten Arrows and Revenant, as well as about eleven or so other books that are all in varying states of doneness. When writing, he likes to disable his spell-checker and make up words, as is illustrated by the use of ‘doneness’ above.

  He’s allergic to cats, and thus he tries to arrange it so he’s living with one whenever possible, probably just to prove a point of some sort.

  Books by Five Rivers

  NON-FICTION

  Al Capone: Chicago’s King of Crime, by Nate Hendley

  Crystal Death: North America’s Most Dangerous Drug, by Nate Hendley

  Dutch Schultz: Brazen Beer Baron of New York, by Nate Hendley

  Motivate to Create: a guide for writers, by Nate Hendley

  Shakespeare for Slackers: Romeo and Juliet, by Aaron Kite, Audrey Evans, and Jade Brooke

  The Organic Home Garden, by Patrick Lima and John Scanlan

  Elephant’s Breath & London Smoke: historic colour names, definitions & uses, Deb Salisbury, editor

  Stonehouse Cooks, by Lorina Stephens

  John Lennon: a biography, by Nate Hendley

  Shakespeare & Readers’ Theatre: Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, by John Poulson

  Stephen Truscott, by Nate Hendley

  FICTION

  Black Wine, by Candas Jane Dorsey

  88, by M.E. Fletcher

  Immunity to Strange Tales, by Susan J. Forest

  The Legend of Sarah, by Leslie Gadallah

  Growing Up Bronx, by H.A. Hargreaves

  North by 2000+, a collection of short, speculative fiction, by H.A. Hargreaves

  A Subtle Thing, Alicia Hendley

  Downshift: A Sid Rafferty Thriller, by Matt Hughes

  Old Growth: A Sid Rafferty Thriller, by Matt Hughes

  Kingmaker’s Sword, Book 1: Rune Blades of Celi, by Ann Marston

  Western King, Book 2: The Rune Blades of Celi, by Ann Marston

  Broken Blade, Book 3: The Rune Blades of Celi, by Ann Marston

  Cloudbearer’s Shadow, Book 4: The Rune Blades of Celi, by Ann Marston

  Indigo Time, by Sally McBride

  Wasps at the Speed of Sound, by Derryl Murphy

  A Method to Madness: A Guide to the Super Evil, edited by Michell Plested and Jeffery A. Hite

  A Quiet Place, by J.W. Schnarr

  Things Falling Apart, by J.W. Schnarr

  And the Angels Sang: a collection of short speculative fiction, by Lorina Stephens

  From Mountains of Ice, by Lorina Stephens

  Memories, Mother and a Christmas Addiction, by Lorina Stephens

  Shadow Song, by Lorina Stephens

  YA FICTION

  The Runner and the Wizard, by Dave Duncan

  The Runner and the Saint, by Dave Duncan

  A Touch of Poison, by Aaron Kite

  Out of Time, by D.G. Laderoute

  Mik Murdoch: Boy-Superhero, by Michell Plested

  Type, by Alicia Hendley

  FICTION COMING SOON

  Kaleidoscope, by Robert Fletcher

  Cat’s Pawn, by Leslie Gadallah

  Cat’s Gambit, by Leslie Gadallah

  King of Shadows, Book 5: The Rune Blades of Celi, by Ann Marston

  Sword and Shadow, Book 6: The Rune Blades of Celi, by Ann Marston

  Bane’s Choice, Book 7: The Rune Blades of Celi, by Ann Marston

  A Still and Bitter Grave, by Ann Marston

  Diamonds in Black Sand, by Ann Marston

  Forevering, by Peter Such

  YA FICTION COMING SOON

  My Life as a Troll, by Susan Bohnet

  Mik Murdoch: The Power Within, by Michell Plested

  YA NON-FICTION COMING SOON

  Your Home on Native Land, by Alan Skeoch

  The Prime Ministers of Canada Series:

  Sir John A. Macdonald

  Alexander Mackenzie

  Sir John Abbott

  Sir John Thompson

  Sir Mackenzie Bowell

  Sir Charles Tupper

  Sir Wilfred Laurier

  Sir Robert Borden

  Arthur Meighen

  William Lyon Mackenzie King

  R. B. Bennett

  Louis St. Laurent

  John Diefenbaker

  Lester B. Pearson

  Pierre Trudeau

  Joe Clark

  John Turner

  Brian Mulroney

  Kim Campbell

  Jean Chretien

  Paul Martin

  Stephen Harper

  www.fiveriverspublishing.com

  Trade Paperback 6 x 9, 314 pages, ISBN 9781927400296 $31.99

  eISBN 9781927400302 $9.99

  by Alicia Hendley

  June 1, 2013

  After the fallout from the Social Media Era, when rates of divorce, crime, and mental illness were sky-rocketing, civilization was at its breaking point. As a result, prominent psychologists from around the globe gathered together to try to regain social order through scientific means.

  Their solution? Widespread implementation of Myers-Briggs personality typing, with each citizen assessed at the age of twelve and then sent to one of sixteen Home Schools in order to receive the appropriate education for their Type and aided in choosing a suitable occupation and life partner.

  North American society becomes structured around the tenets of Typology, with governments replaced by The Association of Psychologists. With social order seemingly regained, what could go possibly wrong?

  Trade Paperback 6 x 9, 100 pages, ISBN 9781927400395 $11.99

  eISBN 9781927400401 $4.99

  by Dave Duncan

  October 1, 2013

  Young Ivor dreams of being a swordsman like his nine older brothers, but until he can grow
a beard he’s limited to being a runner, carrying messages for their lord, Thane Carrak. That’s usually boring, but this time Carrak has sent him on a long journey to summon the mysterious Rorie of Ytter. Rorie is reputed to be a wizard—or an outlaw, or maybe a saint—but the truth is far stranger, and Ivor suddenly finds himself caught up in a twisted magical intrigue that threatens Thane Carrak and could leave Ivor himself very dead.

  Trade Paperback 6 x 9, 504 pages, ISBN 9781927400166 $37.99

  eISBN 9781927400173 $9.99

  by Ann Marston

  August 1, 2012

  Triumphing over adversity and evil, Kian dav Leydon brings the fabled Rune Blade Kingmaker back to the Isle of Celi after it was stolen, so the Isle will be ready when and if invasion comes.

  A re-print of Ann Marston’s Book 1 of the much beloved Rune Blades of Celi series.

  Trade Paperback 6 x 9, 372 pages, ISBN 9781927400470 $28.99

  eISBN 9781927400487 $9.99

  by Ann Marston

  December 1, 2013

  A kidnapped Princess and a clanless man share a terrible secret--the dark powers of Maedun are preparing a new assault on the shinning Isle of Celi.

  Using stolen Celae magic, the sorcerer Hakkar plans to rip down the veil of enchantment drawn about the island kingdom. Only the great sword Kingmaker can save the land. Until it, too, is shattered.

  Brynda, daughter of Keylan, must teach her Rune Blade to sing death’s song--or Maedun’s Somber Riders will slain all Celi for their own!

  Trade Paperback 6 x 9, 440 pages, ISBN 9781927400272 $37.99

  eISBN 9781927400289 $9.99

  by Ann Marston

  June 1, 2013

  The wanderer Red Kian has ruled Skai as Regent, but now it is time for him to step down. War clouds are gathering. Maedun sorcerers have taken the continent, and Saesnesi raiders are pillaging the islands.

  But Kian has three sons. One is a prince of Skai blood, one is a wizard touched by Tyadda fire, and one is a dreamer who longs to unite the Celi against their enemies. Who will inherit the rune blade known as Kingmaker? Who will have the power to confront the Black Riders who bring darkness like a cloak to cover the land?

  The answer will surprise you. Just as it surprises them.