Category Archives: fantasy

Could dragons be real? – The Historical Evidence

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Herewith goes a touchy topic. Could the makings of legends and myths be real? Some people insist vehemently and unequivocally yes. Others shake their heads and look down upon the believers. Considering no one in living memory has seen a dragon, why do the questions still persist?

Questions can always be brought to new light as history is dug up from archaeology. Even I was left questioning today as I came across an article from National Geographic. Ten new, very rare stone reliefs were dug up in Iraq depicting the Assyrian King Sargon II that date back from the eighth century BC. The last time such stone reliefs were found in their original locations was 1845. Along with their false deities, the depictions include horned lions and, hence the nature of this article, a dragon.

Could they exist?

The interesting part is that these reliefs are by no means in a category of their own when it comes to dragons themselves. In all ancient cultures, from the Americas to Europe, to India and China, all the cultures seemed to agree that dragons existed. Even the bible refers to dragons as a symbol of Satan. Some of the earliest known evidence of the creature is the Epic of Gilgamesh, in the 18th century BC. Mentions themselves in myths can be traced back as far as 4000 BC. The ancient Greeks and Sumerians included lore of such creatures as well.

One could argue that the discovery of dinosaur bones by ancient cultures could’ve given rise to such rumors, but then why did legends abound across all borders of the globe? That being, why not make the tales of the creatures reflect them as extinct and from a past age if all that aroused the stories were the remains found?

All in all, it is worth mentioning that they could be living amongst us, hidden in the far corners of the earth. While humans have spread out, we still haven’t explored everywhere. As much as 95% of the ocean and 99% of the ocean floor haven’t been explored. That leaves approximately 65% of the earth unknown. The Loch Ness monster could theoretically have deep sea cousins that we know nothing about. The words of Leviathan from ancient Jewish texts certainly come to mind.

It is in all actuality quite possible. For example, over the last few years several species which had been assumed extinct for over a hundred years were found alive and well in various corners of the globe. That being said, new species are being discovered every day. Despite our vast knowledge and tools of documentation, we still have much to learn about our world.

Either way, it seems that the mystical creatures (evil or otherwise), are here to stay. Much like the stories of Big Foot, Moth Man, the Giant of Kandahar, Atlantis, and the discoveries of Nephilim bones, people still continue to talk about their existence. It seems into the future, the legends will continue, even if it is only from the booms of pop culture.

If you enjoyed this article, I’ll bet you’d love a free copy of my best selling prequel STILL DEATH. Click here to nab your copy before they’re gone!

Cursed Hart: An Exclusive Excerpt

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Prologue – 1989

Screams of agony shattered the stillness of the night air. There was nothing I could do for the victims, as I sat on the front porch of the mansion. Nor anything I would do to block the sound out. I listened, refusing to let them suffer alone; bearing the brunt of the evil’s wrath. I would suffer with them as I suffered with so many others before, bearing witness to their destruction. While I wasn’t the reason these people were meeting their deaths, I was certainly the reason they wouldn’t live through the night.

This family didn’t deserve this any more than any of the other victims. My power could have saved them. Furthermore, I was sorely tempted to shield them from this fate. But I couldn’t. Someone had to die. Someone must distract the evil one from the three beings escaping out the back door of the mansion. No, it was far too important that the others live; that she, the herald Väktare, survive.

Then all was still.

The front door opened slowly as the other male stepped out. Hatred flared through me, but I hid it well. I would wait until the time was right for my revenge. For now I would play the loyal servant, even as I longed to rip his entrails out for all the darkness he spread across the planet.

“The girl is missing,” the figure in the doorway hissed, blood from the victims inside still dripping off of his fingers. “Her cradle was empty.”

“Oh?” I asked, feigning surprise. “The Hart child?”

“Yes, that child!” the dark figure snapped furiously. “Find her. Bring her to me!”

“Of course. Anything else I need accomplish?”

“Just get her!” he thundered, setting the mansion on fire with a spell. “The family is dealt with. The Fidem must have taken her! They have her. I know it!“

“I understand your consternation, Master, but I find it very unlikely that the Fidem would leave the family here and take the child instead. It’s highly illogical for the family to hide the child but not themselves-”

“Families are illogical. The attachment to each other impairs their judgment to the point of stupidity,” the dark figure in the cloak replied coldly. “Hence the ease of their murders! I didn’t even exert myself to drain them of their life forces! Just bring the child to-“

“You. I heard you the first time, Master,” I added hastily, rising from the stoop.

“She is mine,” the other said, eyes gleaming like the demon he was. “Her power will be mine! Do not fail this time. This is the Väktare I have waited for. Even now, she still will not escape.”

A thrill of foreboding ran through me upon hearing his glee. “What have you done?”

“She will be cursed,” he crowed over my quiet question, flames spiraling higher around him. “All of her power will bend to my will and anyone who helps her remain free shall be routed where they stand! Death and pain will follow her every step until she is mine!”

No more was said as the figure in the dark cloak vanished. The only signs that he had even been here were the bloody footprints leading back into the house. Those prints told me not to bother to check inside for survivors. The cloying feel of death was still floating around in the air.

But even with that in mind, I couldn’t help but grimly smile. This made worthwhile the sacrifice of all the countless beings before that had been murdered. The Väktare’s family would rest well in their graves if they knew how much rested on her life. As for my beloved… well, I couldn’t think about her now.

I had succeeded. The dark one failed, even with his cursing her life. The girl had survived.

Cursed Hart available Now at amazon.com/author/maggielynnheronheidel

Cursed Hart copyright © Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel

Cursed Hart: An Exclusive Excerpt

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An exclusive excerpt of Cursed Hart:

“… Before Brin could question me further, Heidi’s car swerved in front of us and came to a screeching halt; a figure all in black rising from the pavement in front of her Hummer. Brin jammed on the brakes, swerving to miss them both. “What the hell-?”

“Uh, oh,” I said under my breath. A flash in my mind told me what I needed to know. The blood red hair of the woman under the black hood brought back images that didn’t belong to me, having seen them in Shitheed’s mind. “That’s Marlana.”

She was advancing menacingly at our car, eyes riveted on me and sparks flying from her fingertips. I could feel her black magic building, black smoke swirling toward our car.

Fortunately for us, I glanced in the rear-view mirror. A ginger-haired fellow with yellow eyes waved back tauntingly and stuck his forked tongue out at me. Dread coiled in my gut. “That’s Toby.”

Peter cursed shrilly. Brin remained deathly calm, his fingers winding into position around the stick, moving the gears into reverse out of their view. “Shira, you attack. Pete, get the defense ready.”

Tro was already gathering at my palms. Both people had black magic shields around them. Plus I wasn’t exactly sure they were entirely human; judging by Toby’s yellow eyes. “Just tell me when.”

He didn’t have to. Brin slammed the gas pedal down, the car rocketing backward. Much to my dismay, Toby disappeared into thin air the second we were about to hit him. I fired an energy bolt at Marlana and it bounced off her shield harmlessly, though it did work handily enough to distract her as Heidi gunned her engine and proceeded to slam into her with the Hummer. I never saw if the woman got up.

Fishtailing the car around, Brin sped toward the open highway. Peter gripped his seat nervously. “Who are these people?!”

I screamed as Toby appeared in the back seat next to me. “So you’re the precious Väktare. Xydon is gonna love you…”

Peony lunged at him as I kicked Toby in the face. Peony’s paws went through him as did my foot. He giggled and disappeared again, my hands meeting empty air as I struck out. I sat bewildered for a second, as did Peony. “Where did he go? He didn’t teleport.”

“And what the hell is he?!“ Peter yelped.

“Wall-walker,” Brin said grimly. “Moves through solid objects.”

“Shira, when I give the word, bend down,” Fae hissed in my head, creeping up under the front seat. “He’s right behind you on the back dashboard. I can smell him.”

I froze as I pictured him crammed in back there, right behind my head. Something was sniffing down the back of my neck, and it wasn’t Peony. Fae stealthily slithered up onto the console, looking anywhere but at me.

“Peter, take Shira and tele-send with her to safety.”

“No!” I exclaimed to Brin, realizing that would interrupt Fae’s plan. “No, I’ll come to you.”

“What? We won’t fit-”

“Now!” Fae screamed in my mind at the same time she screeched and launched herself into the air. I ducked down as she flew over my head. She must have hit her target because I heard a rather loud yell in response. I looked back to see Toby trying to get her off as she clawed at his eyes.

I dove over the front seat, grabbed Brin’s dagger from its sheath, and then jammed it down hard into Toby’s leg. Another agony-filled scream met my actions. I pulled it back, preparing to drive it down again, but he disappeared out the back windshield. Green drops of blood fell from the blade as Fae growled. “I don’t smell him anymore.”

“Where did he go now? He wouldn’t give up that easily!”

Brin didn’t answer as he wound in and out of traffic, speeding onto the on ramp of the interstate.  He put his fingers to his lips and pointed upward. I followed his finger up to the roof with a foreboding feeling. “Pete, take care of it.”

“With pleasure,” Peter replied to him, digging around in the glove compartment. I dove for the floor. Fae took one look over the seat and bailed, too, with a yowl at seeing his pistol. I covered my ears as he fired off a bunch of rounds at the ceiling with a maniacal laugh. “How do you like that, sucker?!” I flinched as he hit the end of the cartridge. “Think I got him?”

“Load up the other cartridge just to be sure.” Brin’s eyes met mine in the rear-view mirror. “You okay back there?”

I sat up warily. “No. My boot went through him!”

“He’s a hybrid, I think. Wall-walkers don’t normally turn invisible or bleed green,” he said, eyes traveling around. Nothing pierced his steely calm, as he weaved in and out of traffic.

“Where do you think Heidi went?” Peter said worriedly.

“She’s likely better off than us. I didn’t see anybody fall back onto the road, so I’m guessing we still have a tag along.”

“Well, if he’s not on the hood or the roof, or in here, then…” A horrible thought clogged my mind. “Peter, is there space in the trunk?”

“Nothing but bags. Why? Oh,” he said, turning to me and eyeing the trunk. “How do we get back there? There’s no way to-”

I heard no more as a set of arms seized me from behind and grasped my throat; choking me. Glancing to the side, the arms were floating out of the back seat with no owner attached. I attempted to stab down on him with the dagger, but it went right through air. Peony went to bite him and the same happened.  Running an electric current over my skin in desperation to try and break his grip on me, I gasped as my air supply ran out.

Peter fired a shot and the arms disappeared, dropping me. I promptly dove for the floor of the car again when I saw the muzzle of the gun aimed behind me. I covered my head and felt Fae’s silky fur against my face. Her low growl sounded in my ear as Peter realized all he would do was shoot the seats if he fired again. “Damn! I didn’t get him!”

“He’s still back there,” Brin said, accelerating the car, the engine whining in protest. “Either take care of him or take the wheel.”

“I am! Shira, get in the front!”

“If I do he’s liable to come for me through the front windshield!”

“It beats getting choked through the back!” Peter snapped. “We need to pull over. We’re handicapped by the car-”

Perhaps what he said gave Toby the idea. I don’t know. But suddenly there was no car beneath any of us. I dropped painfully onto the open highway along with everyone else, rolling over and over until I skidded to a stop on my belly. My eyes opened to see an enormous truck zoom over me, its horn blaring.

I screamed out and attempted to further flatten myself against the pavement. After a few horrifying milliseconds, I felt the air pressure lessen and opened my eyes a crack. The next car was a little distance away, but the wheels were in alignment with my head. Attempting to stand, I was too slow. I prepared for impact as it barreled down the highway. A set of arms grabbed me from behind and a much faster rush of air flew past me. My feet left the ground and then slammed down again with a breakneck force. Falling on my face, my cheeks tore against some unseen object…”

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The Vampire’s Handmaiden: An Exclusive Sneak Peek!

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There was only one thing in the world Count Dracula wanted.

One thing in the entire universe. The entire world could go to hell for all he cared, so long as he got what he desired; what he’d so desperately hunted for centuries. He’d torn up entire continents looking for it, not caring who or what would be destroyed by the search. Only one thing mattered.

Approaching his father’s throne with that in mind, he bowed before the old bastard. He sank down so low that it killed his ego, longing to spring forward and tear his longtime enemy’s throat out; that being … “Father, may I speak with you?”

But it seemed the Viscount already knew why he’d come. He sat back with a smug smile. A very knowing smile. “You’ve finally found it; haven’t you? The being you’ve been searching for so stridently.”

Dracula inclined his head, displeased with the Viscount’s knowledge. “So you do know of Van Helsing’s thievery…”

His father chuckled, gesturing with three fingers that he may leave. “Few things would please me more than to see you reacquire it. I will wait for your return, Rafe. Safe travels.”

“I may not return for decades,” Dracula warned, satisfaction curling around his mind like a sharpened set of claws. His freedom was at hand.

Still the Viscount dismissed him, ignorant of his offspring’s second aim. “Even so, go, my son. You have my blessing.”

Standing upright, he fled from the Viscount’s presence before another word could be said. He’d gotten his permission. The Viscount wouldn’t know of the truth or even search for it for a few decades. Even a century could pass before he would inquire of him again. By then it would be too late.

Ascending to the balcony before anyone could stop him, he’d already embraced his inner monster and shifted, sailing into the air with a savage cry. He rose into the updrafts of the wind, the air ruffling his fur and leaving his human skin behind. He set his course for the west, allowing the sun and stars to guide him.

Before long, his prize would be ready. While he would have to wait thirty years for it to mature, it was still satisfying to know his salvation was within grasp. There would be no stopping him in reclaiming it now; no matter the price.

His soul would once again be his. He would fight Hell’s legions to reclaim it if he had to, setting his course for the North American continent. Little else mattered now, so long as he got it back.

Van Helsing had failed in his quest. His ancestor would belong to Dracula and give him what he so desperately craved at long last. Nothing would get in his way this time; not even death. He would possess his vitality at all costs.

Dracula had found it at long last. He had found the one.

The first of its kind. The only of its kind.

The female. The first female heir of Van Helsing’s legacy.

Her womb alone would restore his soul.

She would belong to him and he would have his revenge on her sire… even if it meant sacrificing her life.

Copyright ©️Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel 2019

Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek! Here’s a little more about the series!

The Vampire’s Handmaiden: Watchmen of the Grail…

Only one thing matters: the reclamation of Dracula’s soul…

Her blood rights sold in return for her mother’s life, Yasmina Tolite longs to be free of living her life in the night. Bound forever in servitude to a vampire as his handmaiden, her virgin blood belongs to him alone until the day she dies. But when a new neighbor moves in next door and threatens to steal her heart, there’s nothing her vampiric master won’t do to keep her as his.

Between the arrival of Viscount Dracula and the discovery of Van Helsing’s long lost heir, one thing is for certain: the night has just begun.

Dracula’s salvation is at hand. The Holy Grail has been found.

Yasmina Van Helsing will rise. A Watchman has been born.

The Vampire’s Handmaiden is perfect for fans of vampires, were-wolves, were-cockatrices, the Holy Grail, and twisted tales of the undead. Proceed with caution, for the dark fantasy world of the supernatural is about to become yours…

Move out of the way Twilight, Dark Shadows, and the Vampire Diaries fans. The vampire hunters of the Grail are coming for you…

Editorial Review:

“Dang. I’m a writer more than a reader. I’m an editor more than an avid, willing reader. Heavy duty college courses as an English major all but ruined my zest for reading books. Plus, I am not intrigued with those trendy vampire stories. Well, that zest is back along with the intrigue with thanks to Author ML Heron-Heidel. I’ve fallen in love with some of her characters and I passionately want to snuff out some others. With my bare hands nonetheless. Then along comes the talent of their creator and I want to invite most of them into my home. Well, not entirely most. Some are not welcomed yet all live within my mind and heart. They will forever thanks to the talent of this writer. Her work is absolutely brilliant, captivating and never, ever repetitive. With the end of each piece I find myself longing to read more, to know the outcome, the happiness my favorite characters so deserve – and the justice the others’ misdeeds merit. Ah but my thirst is never quenched novel to novel. How absolutely brilliant this author is! I get hooked every single time and, you know what? I’m loving it.”

Available October 31st 2019 just in time for Halloween!

Click to preorder it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z9QWT5N

The Swan Princes – An Exclusive Excerpt

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Hi everyone! Here’s an exclusive excerpt of the Swan Princes: A Christmas Tail –

…

Sometimes I truly believe that crying is the one human emotion that can express everything words can’t. Crying for joy, crying as one laughs, crying for help…Well, right now, it was none of those things that had me bawlin’.

Crying out in pain as George Pickskip slammed me in the gut, I had to wonder why he had chosen me as his target. The pain was terrible, my eight-year-old self unable to fight back against his massive size. The pure white snow around me was now rolled with dirt and splatters of my blood.

Having never bothered him at school, I didn’t know why George had followed me from the schoolyard and thrown me in the ditch, deciding to beat me into a pulp. The school bully, I suppose everyone had their turn being his punching bag. Today, it seemed, was to be my turn. No matter how I fought back, he was too strong for me to fight off.

“No one will save you now,” he crowed, pulling a huge wad of my hair out. Tearing the bow from my hair, he sneered and wrapped a hand around my throat as I tried to worm away. “I’m going to make you so ugly that no one will recognize you when you get home!”

He laughed, pulling back his fist to slam me in the face again as I cried. But then he was torn off of me.

Sitting up in shock, I saw another boy tackle him to the ground, and a much bigger one. He beat George with a ferocity that shocked me; kicking him in the gut and then hauling him up by the shirt collar.

“You don’t touch her!” the boy roared, slamming a third, furious punch into George’s jaw. Blood splattered from his lip, splitting as George fell to the ground.

George gave up struggling with a cry and curled in on himself, trying to edge away from the onslaught. The boy let him go; George running away, wailing like a girl at his defeat. My savior stared after George, spitting in the snow after him and turned back to me.

My mouth dropped open in surprise. It was Odetton DePrynce, my father’s boss’ son. Where had he come from? Had he followed me back from school? He had never paid me any attention before.

“Why did you save me?” I asked tremulously, shrinking a little and wondering if he had come to beat me up, too.

An eyebrow went up as he looked down at me, seeming surprised by the question. His eyes narrowed, and filled with some emotion I didn’t recognize. Then he smirked. “Because I’m the only one allowed to bully you. That’s why! Now get up. We have a long walk back.”

As he picked up my bow and put it back in my hair for me, I couldn’t help but stare. Hazel eyes that swallowed my soul met mine, Odsie taking his sleeve and wiping off blood from a cut on my cheek. “You’re a mess. We need to get you home. You coming?”

But as Odsie kindly extended his hand to help me up, something happened that would change my life forever. I took his hand, wanting to never let go as his wrapped around mine. Looking up at my savior, my heart warmed in a way that it never had before.

That was the day I fell in love with Odetton DePrynce.

…

Hope you enjoyed this exclusive preview of the story! The Swan Princes is available now on Amazon for Kindle.

Also, make sure to sign up for my email list! Just for being a super gan, I’ll send you a free copy of STILL DEATH.

Happy Thanksgiving Readers! Here’s A New Exclusive Clip of ‘The Cursed Ellipse’ – Gobble, Gobble

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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you and your family are having a wonderfully blessed holiday!

To brighten the day of those who aren’t enjoying their day, whether because of work or in-law proverbial hell, here’s an exclusive sneak peek at my WIP The Cursed Ellipse from my Vaktare of All Realms series. Read on ahead and I think you are going to see why I felt this excerpt would be befitting for turkey day…

…

Unfortunately far from convinced, Heidi’s eyes flickered up to the rear view mirror, checking on the car behind us. But then they widened and focused on whatever was behind us. “Well, my, my. This ought to be good.”

I turned around in my seat to see Peter waltzing up to an enormous tom turkey that had been imperiously strutting across the road after its hens and blocking the car. We could see Brin leaning out the window and yelling after him, but Peter seemed determined. “Peter, I wouldn’t do that if I were you-“

“Get out of the way, you big, stupid oversized chicken! Go on! Git!“ Peter squawked.

“That flock has been living here for years,” Heidi murmured. “But that tom has a formidable reputation for being territorial-“

She never had to finish her sentence. And if she did, I didn’t hear it as I howled laughing.

Peter took one look at the now charging turkey and fled, arms outstretched with a yelp. The attempt he made to flee back into the safety of the car was unsuccessful, however. He gave the car door one haphazard tug before the bird got too close and he had to run for it again.

“Thank you, God,” I murmured as Heidi dug out her phone to film it.

We both chortled as they ran rings around the SUV; Peter running for his life and the turkey following close behind with its feathers fan out. The loud gobbling I could hear over Peter’s cursing did nothing to lessen the hilarity, however. I sat open mouthed as he let out a loud scream to his brother for help, still running.

Brin, of course, made no move to help him (he was probably just as thrilled as we were), other than to shout out his window, “get in, Peter. Get in the car-“

All attempts to remind Peter that he could produce Tru failed as he took a flying leap onto the hood of the SUV. This did nothing considering the turkey was able to fly. It only caused Peter to catapult off just as quickly when it flew up and pecked him in the butt with an irate cackle.

“This is gonna go viral,” Heidi snorted. “His mama is gonna to love this!”

But the hilarity wasn’t done as Brin got out to try and help. He’d no sooner stepped out when one of the hens went after him, enforcing the tom who was still chasing Peter. Brin tried to shoo it away but in the process, Peter darted around the back of the car unaware Brin had gotten out, too, and slammed into him. They both went down with Peter landing on top of Brin. And much to Heidi’s and my glee, the tom then proceeded to hop on top of them both, flapping its wings and still gobbling.

“Peter!”

Brin sat up with an angry grimace as Peter tried unsuccessfully to squeeze himself under the car to escape. All the fun ended as Brin promptly aimed a sleeping intent at the unsuspecting birds. They wobbled on their legs a few times and then fell over. Peter cursed and rubbed his ass, watching indignantly as Brin kindly picked it up and deposited it off the road.

Heidi at this point was too busy uploading the video to the internet to notice Fae staring out the back window. Fae had jumped up to watch, too. She turned to me, luminescent eyes aglow with humor. “Now that was entertainment.”

…

Did you enjoy this clip? It has roots in real life, as my father was once chased around our car just like this! It provided the perfect basis for this scene from my upcoming novel, The Cursed Ellipse from my Vaktare of All Realms series.

If you wish to read more of my writing, make sure to check out my Black Friday Book Sale here. I have a few freebie books and 75% off my newest novel, Wings of Caligo, so make sure to check it out!

I wish you and wonder Thanksgiving and a blessed holiday season. Keep an eye out for more posts from me over the next few days. I’ll be releasing excerpts from several of my upcoming books, including Robin Hood: The Delunian Kingdom, so stay tuned!

– Author Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel

A Review – Praise For Wings of Caligo

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In this excellent story, a story which shines light on interpersonal relationships and the relationship between two societal factions, Ms. Heron-Heidel weaves an intelligent and compelling tale which, if one wants to see what she’s actually saying, teaches us why all of humanity should and must tear down the walls that we have put up between each other in order to make a better world. It is vastly different than her first book, but that is fine with me. Why? An author, and an author of a caliber such as she, should have a range which can handle whatever genre they write in. This story exhibits the inescapable fact that Ms. Heron-Heidel is a force to be reckoned with any genre she may choose to write in. Once again, Ms. Heron-Heidel, KUDOS TO YOU! Another fine job.
– Author T Garth Connelly
You can read Wings of Caligo on Amazon Kindle and in Paperback now

Your Opinion is Needed: #SlavetoWar

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https://www.facebook.com/MaggieLynnHH/videos/2163613310560601/

I want your opinion folks! Do you feel this cover is appropriate for the hotly anticipated second book in the Destiny in the Shadows series? What do you think of when you see this cover? Comment and let me know!

– Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel

Author and Filmmaker

If you haven’t read the first book in the Destiny in the Shadows series, STILL DEATH, you can read it for free! I’ll send it to you immediately just for joining my VIP readers club!

Burn – An Excerpt From Wings of Caligo

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“I knew I had gone too far in a millisecond. I was in way over my head but I wasn’t complaining.

I was surprised when the spark I could usually see in his eyes turned to a full-on burn. It wasn’t the ‘bait taken’ type of look I had been expecting. It was something else, something deeper, ignited within him. It was completely intimidating to me and yet it wasn’t. I was trapped in his eyes, just like I had always been trapped by his soul. They were trying to tell me something, but I was too lost in the alarming feeling of losing control.

In that moment Dare left absolutely no more question about what he wanted. He was eyeing my lips with open desire, flames glowing bright within their green depths. The air thickened around us and time stood still as I forgot how to breathe. I don’t know how long we stood there, transfixed. He seemed as unable to move from that moment as I was; that is until his eyes came up to mine, daring me to respond in kind.

I was being seduced by the urge to break my own rules, the ones I had hastily created to protect him. I wanted to go for it, finally let go and have what I wanted. It would be so easy to reach out and let it happen. It was tantalizing me. All of the reasons I knew for hanging back were evaporating in the back of my mind. All of the reasons except one…”

Thanks for reading this excerpt from Wings of Caligo! Make sure to check the book out on Amazon, free for Kindle Unlimited readers!

The Attack – An Exclusive Excerpt of Wings of Caligo

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Here’s another exclusive excerpt of Wings of Caligo:

“But Matt wasn’t looking at me anymore. He was glancing around warily. “Ken,” he said in a low, tension-filled voice. “Why are the cabbages dying?”

I looked where he was pointing and saw frost creeping up the plants, coming from the road. It meant only one thing. There was only one person who affected the air in this way. He was coming.

“No, no, no!” I cried, twisting about looking for the source of the cold and shoving Matt toward the trees. “We’ve got to go! Lord Ricard is coming!“

A force slammed into my back, pummeling me into the ground. Dirt met my face and a deep growl snarled out from whatever was pinning me to the ground. A nasty, musty smell registered in my brain, and I knew what it belonged to. It sniffed up along my ear, hinting at its plan. Death crawler. Definitely a large and very dominant one.

“Matt…” I said slowly, wondering how it had snuck up on us. “Run.”

I knew exactly what I had to do. Flip it over and crunch the life out of it. I could feel the adrenaline welling up in my veins, instinct urging me what to do. But I never got to do it. Unfortunately, Matt had other plans. He threw a cabbage at its head, distracting it.

“Hey, ugly face. Pick on someone your own size!” he yelled tauntingly. The crawler screeched at him angrily, releasing me from under its huge paws. It stalked toward him, hissing. He gulped. I don’t think he had quite thought through his plan. Now that he had its attention, he had no idea what to do.

“Uh, Ken,” he called, dropping the second cabbage in hand. “Now would be a good time to do something fairy-like.”

I didn’t have time to agree as I rolled under the creature and drew the dagger from my hip. I slit its throat from side to side, hot blood dropping on my face as it wheezed a last growl and fell on top of me dead. I threw it off and stood as more dark growls filled the clearing. There were three more advancing toward me and one going after Matt. My job was getting more difficult by the second.

The dagger clutched in my hand was itching for more blood. It got its wish as it buried itself into the flank of the nearest creature. I retrieved it as I ran past, heading for the one still pursuing Matt. The two I hadn’t dispatched yet were still on my tail. But I never reached my destination.

I was grabbed from behind and the cold edge of steel put up against my throat. The breath was knocked out of me and I felt fear awaken within me as another terribly familiar scent filled my nose.

“Well, well. Who are we?” a snide voice hissed in my ear. “Don’t you know it’s a crime punishable by death to kill a death crawler in my lands, beautiful?”

“Zeke,” I breathed in horror, now realizing just how much danger we were in.

“So you know my name,” he said, sounding disgustingly pleased. “Say it again.”

“What?”

“My name,” he said, pressing the blade harder against my throat. He inhaled along my ear lasciviously. “That of the future king. It sounds so delicious coming off of those lips of yours. Say it again.”

I nearly gagged at the lewd innuendo in his voice. But I knew I needed to buy time so I could make a move. “Zeke,” I muttered in a breathy whisper.

“Oh, I like that,” he said. “What’s your name, señorita? Why don’t we adjourn to a more hospitable location? You may yet escape your punishment if you please my every desire-“

His words turned into a shriek as I stabbed the dagger into his thigh and jerked it upwards, elbowing him in the gut. I attempted to run to Matt who was fending off the remaining crawler by beating the hell out of it with a piece of wood. But Zeke anticipated my move and yanked me back against him.

“If you think that’s enough to throw me off, bitch,” he growled at me, all traces of playfulness gone, “then you’ve got another thing coming. Think of this more as… foreplay.”

“I’d rather die!” I hissed struggling to break free.

“All right then,” he said, sounding even more pleased. Evidently he liked the idea of killing me even more than the other activities he was proposing. “Even better.”

I felt the blade start to move and squeezed my eyes shut. Game over. I wouldn’t even have time to shift before he slit my throat. I heard a yell from far off. Matt’s yell of panic barely registered through my brain as I prepared for the end. I hoped he didn’t go after Zeke after I was gone. Then we’d both be dead.

But fate intervened. “Enough, Ezekiel!”

I sagged in relief as Lord Ricard’s voice rang out into the clearing. I had thought that was going to be it for me. Zeke stopped and a hiss escaped past his lips. Disappointment radiated off of him. “Tough luck, señorita. Looks like we’re going to have to continue this later.”

He threw me to the ground and I landed with a splatter into the mud. My blood and the neon purple blood of the crawlers mixed beneath me. I was healing rapidly but I could still feel where the knife had cut into my neck.

Two figures on horseback rode toward us. The one on the black horse stopped a few feet in front of me. I couldn’t see anything beyond the dark green brim of the hood. For a second I thought it was Dare, but I quickly discounted the thought. The figure was enormous. As an opponent, they would have the advantage of size. Not good. I was outnumbered as it was. I’d have to be fast if I took them on. The person said nothing and held back as Ricard rode forward.

The king was on his albino horse and he didn’t look happy. His eyes traveled over the dead crawlers, Zeke, and then onto me. I glanced away before he could look me directly in the eye. I would be thoroughly done if he realized who I was. It was too late now to change my face with my powers.

Matt was visible from the corner of my eye. He was all right, his eyes fixed on me with worry. I spat out a mouthful of dirt and nodded to let him know I was okay. He nodded back and fixed his murderous glare on Zeke’s back.

“Dad,” Zeke drawled, throwing his arms out in a dramatic welcome that I suspected was meant as a diss. “I didn’t know you were out and about.“

“Save it,” Ricard snapped dismissively. “Who is she?”

“I have no idea,” he replied airily. “You usually don’t care who I kill since I’m not your worthy heir, so I didn’t know I had to ask. Who are you, sweet cheeks?”

“Leave her alone,” Matt said loudly, causing the remaining crawler in front of him to start growling again. “She was protecting me-“

“A human?” Ricard said, sounding surprised. “Here in Caligo? Interesting. I’ll get to you in a second, boy. Your name, girl?”

“Amarylis Mina,” I lied with no hesitation, roughening my voice. I had had that alias prepared from day one since I had gotten here. It was so ingrained in me it sounded perfectly true. I didn’t dare glance up at either of them. Zeke still hadn’t seen me from the front, so he had no idea who I was. If he saw me, he’d recognize me, and I’d be trapped.

“And what were you doing killing death crawlers? It is punishable by law-“

“They attacked us first, sire,” I said, cutting across him. “Self- defense.”

“The death crawlers are under our command, peasant. They wouldn’t attack without being provoked,” Ricard replied snottily. But I could tell he meant it. He thought they were totally in his control. That wasn’t good.

“Do you really think I’d go attacking a scourge of crawlers for kicks?!” I snapped. “They probably smelled Matt and came after us.“

“The human is of no consequence,” Lord Ricard snapped back, sounding bored. “You should have let them proceed. What were you two doing out here anyway?”

I bristled internally at that comment on Matt’s behalf, but knew I’d better keep my mouth shut for his safety. “Cabbages,” I muttered through gritted teeth. “Wild cabbages. We’ve got to eat something, sire. There’s nothing else-“

I cried out in pain as Zeke delivered a sharp kick to my ribs.

“Don’t talk back to the king,” Zeke spat.

I bit my lip to hold back further sounds. He had cracked a few of my ribs, but they were healing rapidly. He must have been wearing steel- toed boots to inflict such damage. He had smashed the skin, too. More blood trickled through my clothes into the mud, joining the blood coming off my chin. I curled up into a ball, waiting for the agony to stop. Tears escaped from my eyes as the pain started fading from my mind.

A soft nuzzling on the side of my face caught my attention. It was comforting in a way, as it was sniffing me. Hot breath blew on my neck. I looked up to see a very large set of nostrils paired with a huge set of familiar brown eyes staring back at me. Another warm puff blew on my face. I forgot the pain for a moment, shock taking over my mind. I recognized those eyes.

“Cerberus,” I breathed. The horse mouthed lightly on the end of my nose with affection. I almost smiled but then froze as realization washed through me. If this was Cerberus, then where was his master?

I glanced up slowly through my lashes, sincerely hoping I wasn’t making a huge mistake. The dark figure didn’t move as the horse continued to inspect the top of my head. But I could tell they were watching me closely, just by the downward tilt of the hood. I cocked my head, trying to get a better look. It was hard getting past Cerberus who was still sniffling at my cheeks.

A hauntingly familiar pair of dark green eyes met mine for a split second, glowing even though no light fell upon them. They widened and I forgot to breathe. Trepidation washed through me as I came to the blunt realization of who was before me. Dare hadn’t realized who I was until that moment just as I hadn’t recognized him…”

I hope you enjoyed that sneak peek! Wings of Caligo is going to be published on August 17th, so make sure to pre-order your copy here.