The Watchtower Series: Book Five; The Prophecies of Mortals
This has been my only project these last two weeks. I’m starting chapter eleven and if I keep working on only this book, I might have it done before the end of the month. That would be nice. Getting two first drafts finished in the same month—sweet! Right now, the draft stands at 51k, and I still have a few more chapters left. Maybe three. The final few are always confusing as I try to figure out just what should be revealed and what needs to be left for the other books.
The characters are giving me quite the surprise, and a few things have happened that I didn’t see coming, especially when it comes to one character in particular. It’s added to the plot, but I always worry that maybe it’s too much. It also bodes well for future conflict. I’ve also done a rough outline of a second companion book. While THE SAINTS OF BELVEDERE ROAD deals with a situation that is relevant to the main series, none of the five main characters are in it, whereas this second companion book tells what happens when one of the main five go off on their own for a while. I’m not going to say who, as I’m still not sure if I’ll do it or not, but it’s nice to play with it.
To round off this post, I thought I would post a couple excerpts from the next two books to be released this year. Enjoy!
Excerpt from The Prophecies of Mortals
Barb unfolded the linen napkin and placed it on her lap. It had been a while since she’d had dinner is such a nice place. More than a while, almost a decade. As much as she liked working for Jezryall, there were some things about her old life she missed. Incredibly fancy, expensive restaurants was one of them.
“So,” Ral shifted some of the dinner utensils over to one side. “What do I owe the pleasure of your dinner company tonight?”
“I’ve been speaking with Jezryall, and she’s instructed me to offer you a job at Terin Global.”
“Really? Just like that?”
“Well you have been more than helpful to us, and you did save Martin’s life. We all agreed you would make a good addition to our team.”
He leaned closer. “Even you?”
She swallowed hard. He was looking at her in the same smouldering way Damikel had. What if this was the demon in disguise? No, he’d make his presence known, wouldn’t he? She smiled and tried not to let her apprehension show. “Of course.”
“But I thought you hated me?”
“Hate is a strong word.” Barb shrugged. “I will admit that the last few times we’ve run into one another was a bit on the tense side, but as the Boss Lady wants us to work together, I figured dinner out was a good way to bury the hatchet.” She took a sip from her water glass. “Besides, can’t a girl have a change of heart?”
“I guess, but you’ve never come across as someone who changes her mind that easily.”
“There’s a first time for everything, Darch.”
“Ral.”
“What?”
He smiled. “I would prefer if you called me Ral. Darch seems so…”
“Co-worker-ish?”
“Cold.”
There was that smile. Soft and warm. Exactly like the one the demon flashed her. She didn’t want to say that it was her sensual encounter with Damikel that changed her mind. Maybe she did have feelings for this guy. She was sure as hell attracted to him. Her face grew hot as certain memories of her encounter with the incubus came back. Even now, the way Ral held himself, reminded her too much of the demon.
Maybe it’s him?
“Do you mind if I do something?”
Ral frowned. “Sure, I guess. What?”
She reached into her purse and pulled out a small vile. “This is going to seem weird, but to be honest, it’ll make me feel better.”
Ral nodded. “After what you’ve been through, go right ahead.”
She pulled the cork from the vile and poured the small amount of water into the empty wine glass sitting in front of him. “Would you drink this?”
Ral picked up the glass and swirled the water around. “What is it?”
“Water.”
He flashed her the cold detective look. “Why?”
“Let’s just say, I want to make sure you are who you say you are.”
“You’re confusing me.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
He looked at the class. “And what if I don’t drink it?”
“Then this dinner date is over.”
Ral took the glass and gave it a quick sniff. “What’s really in it?”
Barb tilted her head to one side. “Holy Water. Just enough to do its job.”
“And what’s that?”
“Drink it and we’ll find out.”
He kept his gaze on her as he put the rim of the glass to his lips. “Bottom’s up.”
Barb held her breath as he swallowed. If he were possessed, she’d know any moment.
Ral’s face cringed in disgust as low growls came from deep inside him. Barb reached for her bread and butter knife, gripping it tight in case something should suddenly jump out at her. Ral’s body have a quick shudder as he put the glass down on the table.
“That was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever drank,” he said, and shuddered a few more times. “And trust me, that’s saying a lot.”
Barb blinked. “You’re all right?”
Ral snorted. “I don’t know. What the hell was that, and don’t tell me Holy Water. That didn’t taste anything like water.”
Barb smiled. “Holy Water has essential oils in it.” She relaxed her grip on the knife. “It’s an old Catholic custom.”
Ral shook and reached for his napkin. “Don’t ask me to do that again. That was disgusting.”
“I’m sorry, but I had to know.”
“Had to know what?”
“So, about this job offer?”
Darch looked at her confused. “You always try to circumvent the conversation, don’t you, Miss Dole?”
She raised her glass of water to him. “Cheers.”
Excerpt from The Saints of Belvedere Road
The knob was cool in her hand as Amelia gripped it tight and pulled. Her stomach lurched at the thought of what could be on the other side. Cautiously, she opened it a foot and peered out. Two police officers stood a few feet back from the house. At first glance, they didn’t look threatening, but Amelia wasn’t sure of anything anymore. One officer appeared preoccupied with the outside of her home, moving his head back and forth, looking carefully at the front of her house. The second officer quickly acknowledged her presence as he lifted his head, and looked directly into Amelia’s eyes.
“Mrs. Saint?”
Amelia braced one foot against the back of the door. “Yes.”
“We had a complaint about shots fired at this address.”
She feigned a look of concern. “Really?
“Yes Ma’am.” He placed his hands on his hips. “If you don’t mind, we’d like to come in and look around.”
Amelia felt her mouth go dry. “Do you really need to, I mean it’s so late and-”
“Ma’am, I understand that, but we have to follow procedure and that means checking the property to make sure…”
The officer’s words trailed off into a distorted voice. Amelia’s vision began to blur. Her head throbbed with such intensity, it felt like daggers slashing at her skull from the inside. She could barely hear as a dark shadow fell across the front step, but she saw the officers react; drawing their weapons and aiming directly above their heads.
A gust of wind blew the door open and Amelia was thrown to the floor. Her eyesight cleared enough for her to see a set of leathery wings descend from above, blocking any escape from the front step. The body attached was strong and lean, and as ugly as the creature that possessed her son. Sharp talons on the end of muscular legs reached out and grasped the officers around the waist, squeezing their bodies in a grip so tight, their screams caught in their throats. Blood trailed from the corners of their mouths as they choked on their own fluids and bodies succumbed to the pressure of the grasp. The soft skin of their torsos ruptured, spewing out the decimated remains of internal organs and flesh through the claws. Amelia struggled to get away as blood and bone fragments splattered the tile floor around her. Her hands and feet slipped in the pools of tissue that coated the front entrance.
The creature then lifted into the air, taking the gruesome remains with it, and Amelia was in shock, gasping for air.
Homer and Jared raced to her side.
“Shit! Amelia, are you all right?”
She sat up and stared out the door. “What the hell was that?”
“A scrayling,” Jared said, helping her to her feet. “Flying demons.”
Amelia’s mind reeled from the attack. “They fly?”
Jared shut the door as the intense throbbing returned. Amelia pressed the palms of her hands against her temples, hoping to ease some of the pain.
“What’s wrong?” Morgan’s voice came at them from the living room.
Homer ran to the kitchen entrance and pointed. “Stay there!”
Glass shattered from the huge window above, raining sharp debris. Amelia fell to the floor, shielding her head under one arm. She could hear the twins calling to her, and she lifted her head as something warm hit her hand. The metallic scent of blood was strong, as she gazed on a small red lump that landed just inches from her.
“Oh God,” Jared whispered, next to her. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
Amelia’s eyes trailed off to a large bloody mass a few feet away. She knew it had once been the torso of one of the officers at her front door, but it was unrecognizable now. Her eyes focused on the piece of flesh that lay near her hand, and felt the sting of bile rise in the back of her throat as she saw the ear lobe on one side of the flesh.
Homer pulled her to her feet. “We’re not waiting for morning. We leave now!”
~~~~~
How is your writing coming along? Any new breakthroughs or plot ideas surprise you?
Darke Conteur 