Amos Cassidy's Blog, page 42

CRIMSON 3 EXCERPT WITH LITTLE READ!

CRIMSON 3 EXCERPT  WITH LITTLE READ!

Its Little Read’s Blogoversary Happy Blogoversary! To celebrate, there is an excerpt of our forthcoming third book in the Crimson Series. Head on over to check it out and join in the celebrations

There is also a massive giveaway over there so be sure to enter for your chance to win some cool stuff

 

 

LINKS:

Crimson 3 excerpt:  http://littlereadridinghood.com/blogoversary-excerpt-from-crimson-3/

Blog: http://littlereadridinghood.com/

Twitter : twitter.com/littleread1

Facebook : facebook.com/LittleReadRidingHood

 

 

 

CRIMSON 3 NEWS!

Hi!

So today we designed the book cover for Crimson 3 Can’t wait for you all to see it. Now we back to work on the book, discussing the plot details and all that good stuff.

Crimson 3 will be the last book in the Crimson Series… For now… We have some spin-off ideas for the future, but the story-line that began in Crimson Midnight will reach its conclusion in Crimson 3. Our next book will be something new and we’re very excited about it We’ve started outlining some details for it

We’ll release the title of Crimson 3 soon. Keep your eyes peeled

Keep watching for more updates!

Love,

Amos and Cassidy

 

Cassidy’s Back!

And here is a message from Cassidy…

 

Okay, so I’ve been AWOL for some time now, leaving Amos to hold the fort while I got rounder, more pregnant and more irritable. But thank goodness the pregnancy is now over and I have been blessed with a lovely baby boy

The worst thing about being pregnant was that I completely lost my writing and reading mojo I remember thinking that I would never get it back and that  Book Three was doomed to remain a dream, but thank goodness I was wrong. A day after giving birth, and despite the exhaustion from lack of sleep, I could not stop thinking about Book Three in the Crimson Series. My fingers are itching to get back to the keyboard and back into the story; and my brain is teeming with ideas

So here I am, back from my sabbatical, ready to ease myself back into writing. It’s going to be a challenge, after all I have a new baby and five-year-old to take care of, but I am determined to do it.

Thank you, Amos, for keeping things ticking in my absence and thanks in advance for all the help and support I know you will be giving me; after all, you are the now a Godfather

Signing off for now,

Cassidy xxx

 

Amos: YAY! :-) Welcome back, Cassidy. And, in advance, you’re very welcome, luv Thanks so much for choosing me to be Godfather. Yay! And MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to you again  xxxx

ROLL ON CRIMSON 3!!!

A SHIFT IN LIFE…

Here is a short story set when the werewolves were in their teens. This originally appeared on Alana’s  Dark Obsession Chronicles  as part of the Crimson Darkness blog tour back in August 2012.

Check out Dark Obsession Chronicles by clicking the image below:

We hope you enjoy this Crimson story

Amos Cassidy xxx

A SHIFT IN LIFE

Roman let himself into the house, silently, stealthily. He didn’t want his mum to know he was home early. He moved to the house phone and unplugged it. The school would call of course but they wouldn’t be able to get through. The last thing his mum needed was more trouble, more worry. He sighed and tiptoed up the stairs to his room, careful to avoid the creaky fifth step.

The house was silent, too silent. Either his mum was out with Erin or she was asleep again. Lately all she did was sleep, and honestly, he couldn’t blame her. Anything was better then the harsh reality that they were faced with. The oblivion of sleep was like a comfort blanket and the few precious moments upon waking where everything was as it should be, before reality intruded, was bliss.

Safe in his room he kicked of his trainers and flung himself onto the bed. The events of the morning played through his head. Sam Greer and his posse hanging out by his locker, blocking his access as they chatted and ribbed each other, playing the big guys as usual. Everyone knew to avoid the gang, not to attract their attention, not to be singled out and Roman wasn’t stupid, hadn’t been stupid in the past. He knew how much good grades and behaviour meant to him mum and dad and had steered clear of the dodgy groups, but not today. Today he had seen Sam, with his gelled-up hair and too wide grin, leaning against his locker as if he had all the time in the world, and something inside Roman had snapped. A hot rage like boiling lava had surged up inside his chest bubbling and burning up his throat until his eyes grew glazed with tears of frustration and inexplicable pain. Today Roman had gotten himself noticed. If you can call planting a fist in a gang leader’s face getting noticed. He lifted his hand and studied his bruised knuckles. The headmaster, although sympathetic toward Roman’s feelings, ‘considering the circumstances’, had still suspended him for a week.

He sighed. He knew what was wrong with him, everyone knew what was wrong with him. He was grieving, and if he had read the literature correctly he was stuck on the anger stage. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt his mum even more than she was hurting. It had only been four months since his dad’s sudden death and she needed him to be strong. So he did what he had to, put on a brave face and swallowed his emotions…until today. Thank God it was Friday. He could avoid questions about what had happened at school for a couple more days. Thanks goodness he had plans this weekend; camping with Raven and his family. Thanks to the Bank Holiday weekend it would be a long one.

Raven Stonewall was a Godsend. He’d transferred to Roman’s school a couple of months ago, a skinny lanky kid a year younger than Roman but smart enough to be taking the advanced classes. He wasn’t sure how it had happened. Maybe it was because it was easier to speak to someone new, someone who didn’t know his history. Regardless, they had become friends. Raven hadn’t been at school today, if he had Roman doubted he would have lost his cool like he had. But he would see his friend this evening. Raven’s dad was picking him up and they were off to Wales to some cool camping retreat. Raven kept raving about it, saying how much fun they were going to have. He needed this. He couldn’t wait.

He’d never seen a night like this. In all of his sixteen years, Roman Loch had never witnessed stars like these. In the city the stars lay hidden, overshadowed by the city lights and smog. Here in The Black Mountains, the stars dominated the skies.

It had taken about half an hour of hiking through the forest to reach the clearing Raven’s dad, Richard, had wanted. When they got there, three people waited for them. Two guys, Damon and Kris, both fifteen like Raven, and a twenty-three year old bloke called Harold.

There seemed to be an instant click. There wasn’t any awkwardness really – okay, Harold was a bit of a show-off, but they had a laugh together. Turned out Harold and Kris had a mutual appreciation for Charisma Carpenter and Resident Evil video games. Damon was quite quiet, but not shy. He seemed to be more observant. Raven looked tightly-wound. He always looked tightly-wound!

They gorged on sausages and bacon, fried up over an open fire. Richard entertained them with stories about his youth. He was a cool guy but there was something slightly unnerving about him, if Roman were honest. There was something about his cold eyes that reflected danger and commanded respect of the highest magnitude. He always thought Raven’s silver eyes were a little creepy, but not like Richard’s. And apart from having creepy eyes in common, where the hell was the family resemblance? Despite that, it was nice to be away from it all, to just chill and leave the hurt back in London; be free from its dark, suffocating arms.

Something ripped through him, a hard surge of pain. He groaned and clutched his stomach.

Raven leapt to his feet.

“Calm, Raven,” Richard said. “We cannot interfere.”

“Think…I ate…dodgy sausage…” Roman wheezed. He fell forward, close to the fire.

Damon, Kris and Harold extinguished the flames. They took a step back and just stood there, watching.

“I need…ARGH!”

Agony came in waves, pulsing through him. There was a snap and a scream tore itself from his throat, white-hot pain seared his brain, as snap after snap filled his ears. He realised on some subconscious level that the snaps were the sound of his bones breaking. But he was floating in a halo of pain where every ounce of his energy was channeled into the next scream. His spine popped and his skin stretched. When his jaw gave away his cries were silenced. There was a sensation of tiny spiders crawling over him, a weird feeling of hair… lots of hair. And then the pain stopped. He looked down at himself, laying there in the dirt. He had paws! He had fur! He suddenly had energy. Up he got, on all fours!

“I’m on all fours!” His voice came out as a bark. “Bark? Whoa! That was one gone off sausage!”

No, the sausages were fine. This is real.

It was Raven, his voice as clear as anything… but in his head.

He looked over to where his friend had been standing and saw a bloody huge wolf with a blue-black pelt. He panicked, and a high whine filled the air. He realised in shock that the sound was coming from him. Terrified he looked around for an escape route but found himself surrounded by more big wolves! Trippin’ on an out of date sausage or not, there was no way he was sticking around to be eaten!

The biggest wolf, one with grey fur, approached him. Roman wanted to run, but couldn’t. All he could do was stare into the wolf’s pale blue eyes in terror and…

“Richard?” Another bark.

Yes, Roman. It is all of us, the pack.

“The pack?” Roman barked.

Let us bind you. Bow your head.

It wasn’t a request, it was an order. Richard’s voice was powerful in his mind. It compelled him. There was no other way. He lowered his muzzle to the ground.

He shuddered, almost losing his balance. In the next few moments his body flushed with heat and cold, fire then ice, fire then ice. Tremors pulsed through him. The fabric of his mind was ripped open and his eyes rolled back in his head. He felt it, a sensation of something new pouring in. And then he felt the wave of emotions, the voices of the guys he’d been sitting round the fire with. He was connected, becoming part of… of a pack. Then the smells of the forest assaulted him, vibrant and distinct. And the sounds of life; the birds, the mice, the foxes, they were all so pure.  His eyes snapped open and the night was no longer a cover because he could see through it clearly. Roman fell to his knees as this tsunami of sensations assaulted him, drawing a few deep breaths before he passed out.

“You will never experience that pain again,” Richard said. He was now human again.

Roman was sitting by the fire, in a pair of jogging bottoms and a T-shirt that matched the others. They had all torn their clothes by changing. He should be wailing in confusion, steeped in denial – something. What had just happened had been fantastical…unreal, but his instincts forced him to accept everything. He belonged.

“I hope you’re right.” He shook his head in wonder.

“The first time is the one and only painful time, Roman. From now on, shifting will be a seamless act. Do be prepared to destroy all of your best clothes. You have been late in changing. The vast majority experience their first change come puberty; Raven before that.”

Roman noticed Harold shuffling uncomfortably. It was subtle, but it was there. Roman knew Raven was a prodigy. In school he was more than just leagues ahead of everyone else.  It was fitting he would be here too.

Werewolves, supernatural beings, Alphas, it was all so crazy! But then it wasn’t. It felt as natural as anything else, as if this was how it was meant to be. He knew he was going to be okay. What was his mum going to say? He was terrified. But Richard assured him that from now on his mum and little brother would be looked after. They were family now.

“So, you’re not Raven’s dad?” Roman asked.

“No, I’m not. Raven’s parents are part of the civilian pack who the active pack feed and nurture by being active, by shifting. Civilian werewolves can still shift, they just have no need with the active pack’s magic.”

He felt a little annoyed at being lied too.

“I’m sorry, Roman,” Raven said. “I hated having to lie to you.”

“He was working under my orders,” Richard said.

Roman took a moment to answer. “If I’m honest, I’m not happy about that. But then what does it matter really? I know you didn’t do it to hurt me.”

Raven smiled. “I wouldn’t hurt you, Roman.”

“Thanks, mate.” Roman returned the smile.

Roman frowned. “So I guess my parents…my birth parents were werewolves too?”

“Yes.” Richard nodded. “Your parents were good friends of mine. When the accident that took their lives occurred, I was away on business. Somehow you slipped through the net and ended up in the system. You were just a baby, and by the time we found you…well you’d already been adopted.” He sighed. “So we watched and waited. When you showed no signs of changing at puberty we grew concerned but decided to wait.  After all, you had grown up around humans, and maybe this had tempered the change.”

“How did you know I was ready?”

“Your scent,” Raven said. “A werewolf on the cusp of change has a particular scent.”

A thought suddenly struck Roman. “So you were sent to my school to make friends with me…to watch me?”

Raven looked aghast. “It’s not like that, Roman. I know I was sent to watch you but trust me, Roman, our friendship is real.  I mean, I didn’t expect to actually like you but…you’re my best friend.”

They locked eyes as Roman gauged Raven’s sincerity and, after a long moment, Roman sat back and nodded. “I believe you.”

Harold made smoochy sounds and Richard shot him an icy look.

Raven rolled his eyes and changed the subject. “I’m looking forward to going back to school on Tuesday.”

Roman nodded. “Yeah, me too. Gonna be interesting when I bump into Sam.”

“Just be careful,” Richard said. “Do not cause any harm to this Sam person. Raven has told me he is a bully. Just show him you will not be pushed around, scare him a little. But do not injure him. We are hidden. The human world believes us to be a myth. That is the way it is.”

Roman nodded respectfully.

“Welcome to the pack, Roman.” Kris said.

“Yeah, welcome,” Harold agreed.

“I third that,” Damon said.

“Thanks, guys.”

“Now,” Richard said. “Tonight we spend outdoors. Tomorrow you will see the cottage, our retreat. And also, we hunt tonight. Are you ready for your first kill?”

Roman hesitated. “Hunting what?”

“Animals, of course,” Richard said. “Did you think I meant people?”

Roman winced. “Only for a minute.”

Richard laughed. “I’m going to set you all a challenge. I want you to each bring back a kill. The fastest will win a HMV gift card worth £100. The slowest has to clean the cottage, cook and be in charge of all chores.”

The werewolves all looked at one another. Excitement flooded Roman. Just as his life had been permanently changed by his dad’s death, it was now changed again as new paths opened up before him.

Richard’s voice deepened. “Get ready to shift…”

© Amos Cassidy and crimsonseries.wordpress.com, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Amos Cassidy and crimsonseries.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SHINY AND NEW

Hello

Welcome to the new section of this blog called CRIMSON EXTRAS. Here will be short stories, character interviews an other additional things from the Crimson Series. To kick off this new section is a short story called SHINY AND NEW. We hope you enjoy the story. Keep your eyes peeled for future posts in CRIMSON EXTRAS.

Thanks,

Amos and Cassidy xxx

SHINY AND NEW

Before the events of Crimson Midnight, the following took place. It is a year before Rose’s arrival in London, before all the events that transpired. It’s a balmy summer night at The Whisper. Its Pop Stars Night; a karaoke competition open for everyone. Come and take a look into a glimpse from the past…

Harold and his latest piece of crumpet, Sarah, were just finishing up the most disturbingly erotic version of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’s ‘Islands in the Stream.’

“I used to like that song,” Kris said. “Never want to hear it again.”

“They should be disqualified for obscene behaviour,” Damon said. “Yuck!”

“Very disturbing,” Roman said. “All right, Maxwell?”

Maxwell (warlock, hunky barman) joined them at their table, pint of beer in hand.

“All right, geezers?” Maxwell said. “I’m loving being off work tonight. Where’s Raven?”

“He’ll be here soon,” Roman said. “He’s been with Mark all afternoon.”

“Ah, and how is that going?”

“You know Raven, he’s not really the ‘let’s talk’ kind of bloke. Anyway, what I did get out of him was that Mark is going back to Australia next week, so they’re spending as much time as they can together.” Roman shrugged.

“Shame. Mark’s a cool dude.”

“Yeah, and shit hot at pool! Actual competition.” Roman nudged Maxwell playfully.

“Oh, really. Remind me, when’s the last time you beat me?” Maxwell quirked an enquiring brow and Roman chuckled holding up his hands in surrender.

Harold returned with Sarah draped over him. “Beat that, ya bastards!”

“How could we possibly beat a performance like that? Dolly and Kenny would be so proud.” Roman drawled sarcastically.

“You’re just jealous,” Sarah pouted.

“’Course I am, darling.” Roman winked.

“Don’t be mad at Roman, babe,” Harold said. “Not his fault he makes an acorn proud of its size”

“Funny,” Roman said. “Shall we ask Thistle…where the hell is Thistle?”

“Last time I saw her,” Maxwell said, “was over…”

“And our next contender!” The DJ announced.

“Answered my question,” Roman said. He was grinning widely.

“Give it up for Thistle!”

Thistle appeared on the stage in sexy red dress showing deadly amounts of cleavage and leg. Her purple and black hair was speckled with glitter, her make-up smoky and seductive. She raised the microphone to her lips in such a sensual manner, that Maxwell actually groaned.

“You lucky git,” Maxwell said to Roman.

Roman nodded proudly.

Thistle’s performance of Donna Summer’s ‘Love to Love You, Baby’ went down a storm. Sarah was scowling and had stormed off. Harold sat down.

“You not going after her?” Roman asked.

“No. Why the fuck should I? I ain’t whipped.”

“She looked upset,” Damon said.

“Why don’t you go after her, then?”

Damon simply took a sip of his champagne.

Thistle rushed to the table and placed herself in Roman’s lap.

“Babe, you were brilliant.”

“Was I?”

He caressed her arms. “Yeah, real good.”

Thistle giggled. She ground into him a little. “Oh, hello there…

“Mr-”

“If you bloody name it I’m off!” Maxwell cut Roman off.

“His name is…”

“SHUT UP!” Maxwell roared.

Harold was snorting with laughter, as were Kris and Damon.

“Okay, Max. Calm down.”

Maxwell, flustered, and took a huge gulp of his pint. “You’re all way too horny for your own good.”

“Ark at you,” Roman said.

“Yeah, that threesome you had the other night.” Kris said. “Sure you’re not a werewolf?”

Maxwell sighed but smiled nostalgically. “That was a fun night.”

“Louise and Tanya are smoking hot. Especially Tanya.”

“Yeah, she is.” Maxwell agreed.

“She still do that thing with her nails?” Roman asked.

“What?”

“You know, that thing?”

“Oh,” Thistle glanced at Roman. “That thing you told me about?”

“OHMYGOD! Please don’t tell me you’ve slept with Tanya too!”

Roman shrugged. “Sorry, man. Did her in her kitchen. Broke two eggcups.”

Maxwell placed his head in his hands. “I need to move to a different city.”

“Louise was a good lay,” Harold added.

“Please stop talking!”

“I’m just messing with you, Max. Got higher standards.”

“Er, okay. I’m not going down that road.”

“Good,” Damon said. “Let’s move on. So, who is next out of all of us?”

“Me,” Maxwell said. He stood, downed the rest of his beer and headed off for the stage.

“Here he is,” the DJ said. “The Whisper’s very own barman! Give it up for Maxwell!”

There was a huge round of applause. Maxwell sung a rousing version of Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ which resulted in a few bras thrown at him, plus some thongs.

“Max is such a stud,” Roman said.

After Maxwell, Kris took to the stage, singing ‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson, followed by Damon. Damon’s off-key version of Bon Jovi’s ‘Bed of Roses’ was met with polite applause.

“You tried,” Harold said laughing at Damon’s mortified expression.

Damon’s face suddenly broke into a vicious grin. “Sarah just left with Bruce, dick head.”

“What?” Harold bolted out of his seat, craning his neck toward the exit.

“You heard.”

Harold was off like a shot. He paused by the door as Raven walked in with Mark, nodded at them, and was gone.

Roman signalled to Raven, before turning to Damon. “Has she really gone off with Bruce?”

“Yes, she has. And good for her, I say.” Damon calmly sipped his champagne.

“Dickie won’t like that.”

“He really needs to get over his Bruce Envy,” Kris said. “No end of times he’s woke me up in the middle of the night, shouting in his sleep about how he’ll kick the shit out of him, blah, blah, blah. I just don’t get it.”

“Maybe because Bruce knows how to apply fake tan better than him,” Roman said.

“Seriously,” Kris said. “He’s never said why he hates him so much.”

“Who knows why Dickie thinks the way he does.”

Mark sat down. “Hey,” he said. Mark was tall, brown-haired and sun-kissed. He was a graffiti artist, and warlock, from Australia. He was also their latest pool buddy, X-Box buddy and beer buddy. Raven had even played some X-Box – something that never happened! Mark was just one of those guys who everyone got along with. Even Harold liked him. They were all gutted he was leaving London for good.

“Hey,” Kris said, shaking his hand.

“Hello, Mark,” Damon said.

“Hi,” Thistle said. She blew him a kiss from Roman’s lap.

“All right, Marcus?” Roman said. He shook his hand.

“Yeah, I’m good thanks, mate,” Mark said. “Where was Harold charging off to?”

“Oh, he’s having Bruce issues.”

“Ah, I see. Saw Bruce, he was with some blonde chick.”

“That is the issue.”

Mark laughed.

“Where’s Raven?” Damon asked.

“Oh, he’s getting ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“To sing.”

“WHAT?” The werewolves and Maxwell all said in sync. Thistle was clapping excitedly.

Mark was nodding. “I shit you not.”

“How…how is that possible…” Kris said. “He…he…”

Roman continued where Kris couldn’t.  “He doesn’t sing. Raven doesn’t do this sort of thing! What have you done to our Beta? What potion did you slip him?”

Mark raised his arms defensively. “Hey, nothing to do with me. Well, not in that sense. He said he wanted to do this as a parting gift.

“My head hurts,” Damon said. “This is too much to process.”

Harold returned to the table just as the DJ spoke. “For our final performance, please welcome Raven to the stage!”

Harold choked on his beer. “What the fuck?”

“You got it in one.”

The crowd clapped and cheered and a few people wolf whistled. The music started and Raven belted out the first line of Madonna’s ‘Like A Virgin’, his voice like a hybrid of David Bowie and Frank Sinatra.

Raven was working the crowd and giving it his all as if he were channeling a fierce pop star energy. Any inhibitions Raven had were blown away. Something had been unleashed from deep within him in all its explosive glory, whipping the crowd into frenzy.

Raven walked through the crowd, still singing, approached Mark. He ripped open his black shirt, revealing his muscular chest. Mark was wide-eyed in awe. Raven pulled him up off his seat just as he finished singing.

Then he kissed him.

The applause was thunderous.

“I think we have a winner,” Mark said after the kiss. Raven kissed him again.

“I think you might be right,” Roman said.

“At least we now know how Raven really feels,” Maxwell said. “Shiny and new.”

© Amos Cassidy and crimsonseries.wordpress.com, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Amos Cassidy and crimsonseries.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Follow The Link…

HI

Follow the link below for our list of forthcoming books we cannot wait to read:

http://amoscassidy.wordpress.com/category/diary/

Let us know your list by commenting on the post.

Cheers,

Amos and Cassidy xxx

Update and Merry Christmas

Hello :-)

A few things…

Okay, first things first; Crimson 3 update. Things are happening come February – Cassidy will be having her baby, Amos will begin his English Literature Degree.  Because of these changes to our lives, we feel that we won’t be able to commit our full attention to the book until September 2013. From September, we will be working solidly on Crimson 3 and we’ll get it out to you by the end of 2013. Do keep your eyes peeled for short stories and things coming to this site and to http://amoscassidy.wordpress.com/

Thank you for your patience We’re looking forward to Crimson 3 being out there for you all to read

Right, next thing. From December 24th 2012 – December 26th 2012, Crimson Midnight (Book 1 in the Crimson Series) will be free on Amazon Kindle. And then from December 31st 2012 – January 1st 2013. It will be free again for the New Year celebrations. Also, our short story collection, Tales from the Ether, will be free on those same dates. So if you haven’t got either yet, make sure to grab your free copies.

We hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Bye for now!

Love,

Amos and Cassidy xxx

CRIMSON REALM

The following short story is set after the events of Crimson Darkness and before the forthcoming third book.

We hope you enjoy the story. 

Happy reading!

Amos and Cassidy xxx

****

CRIMSON REALM

1. BECOMING

(ROMAN)

He was afraid to close his eyes. Closing his eyes meant he would dream. Dreams were bad, especially here in the Forbidden Realm. But no matter how hard he tried to stay awake, sleep crept up on him sliding under his skin and tugging at his eyelids until, as if attached to a pair of ton weights, they slammed shut.

The darkness called to him, caressed him, opened for him and cradled him to its breast. He was like a babe, a hungry babe needing sustenance yet there was none to be had, would be none to be had for the foreseeable future. He would have scraps, tiny tidbits that barely served to coat his hunger. He cried out at the unfairness of it and felt his children answer his call. They too felt the gnawing abyss within them, they too searched for fulfilment and in their desperation they turned on each other, their primal need too strong to be halted by the bonds of morality. There was no morality, only hunger. And then he was bathed in sweet blood, his stomach filling with its sweet coppery flavour, the energy of his brethren’s life flowing into him, through him and filling him for one glorious moment of fulfilment…a moment that was never enough.

He was awake in an instant, pain ripping through him, tearing at his insides. There was hunger, so much hunger, so much rage boiling, writhing together inside his changing body. There was no light, had been no light for too long. Where were the crimson skies he had glimpsed briefly? Time was warped, alien, and in the few lucid moments of his strange new pain-filled and surreal existence he failed to determine how many grains of sand had slipped through the hour glass. And then there was the voice; him somewhere in the shadows, always talking, always telling him it would be okay.

“NO!” Roman would scream, lashing out at the darkness surrounding him. “Fucking no! Not okay! Not okay!”

He clawed at the rocky surfaces around him, thrashing his body against jagged rocks. There was no way out.

Want blood! Want feeding! Want to smash, smash…SMASH!

“Where are you, you bastard?”

And then the darkness inside him would claim him once again.

Amongst the mountains, at the lake, under the harsh blood-red sun, he stood and watched the churning dark waters. The light never reached down here. The sun never touched the dark circle carved within the mountain range.

“My child…” the lake said.

Roman waited on the dark bank, gentle waves lapping at his bare feet, caressing him, soothing him.

The lake spoke once more. “Come to me, my child.”

“I am always in the dark,” Roman said.

“Come to me.”

“Too much…too much…hungry…”

“Come to me, my child.”

“I can’t!” Roman was awake again. His breath was heavy, his whole body drenched in sweat, both from his exertion and the natural heat of his new environment. The cool rocks against his naked body were never enough to cool him down.  He blinked in the dark, his pulse rate dropping until it was slow and steady. Was he awake? Was this real? Was the nightmare over? His mind scrambled to assimilate what had happened to him. The rift, his tumbling journey…. Lazarus and then the nightmare…

“Roman.” It was Lazarus’s voice and he was overcome with a heavy sense of déjà vu; they had played this scene out before. He looked up and, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he could see. The darkness seemed to thin and bend, and he could see Lazarus high above him.

“What?” Roman said.

“What? You said what?”

“What do you mean I said what?”

“Well, normally you spit obscenities at me in response, to which I tell you everything will be okay and to ride the pain and rage, cue more obscenities from yourself, and  then you fall asleep again.”

Roman blinked in confused recognition of Lazarus’s account. Yeah. That sounded about right. “I feel…calm, sort of.”

“Then the change must be complete. Congratulations.” Lazarus’s tone was cold, completely devoid of any warmth or praise.

Roman felt a pang of unease which was superseded by the sudden throbbing in his temples. “Bloody hell, my head hurts though.”

“I’m not surprised. Your body has been enduring incredible bouts of pain and rage for two days now, changing and becoming new. Not to mention all the throwing yourself into the walls. It’s understandable you’ll have a headache.”

Roman ran his hands over the rock face surrounding him. The enclosure reminded him of the inside of a dry well. “So…um…how do I get out?”

“The only way is up.”

Roman chuckled. “No shit.” He applied some pressure to his forehead. “Damn, I could do with some water.”

“Soon.”

“Soon?”

“Let’s give it an hour. If you are still not swearing and wanting to, and I quote ‘rip my wings off and shove them so far down my throat I’ll be shitting them out again’ then I will fly you out of your cage and we can talk.”

Roman sighed. He wanted out so badly, wanted some damn answers. And, as Lazarus had said, there was only way out.

“Fine,” Roman said.

     

2. MARKED

  (LAZARUS)

 

An hour had passed, a silent hour free of rage and agony. He had watched Roman for three days, splitting his time between scouting the surrounding area and checking on Roman. It was a great relief to finally see him calm and done.

Changed.

This shouldn’t be happening. This wasn’t the plan. He was supposed to be here alone, the breach and his fate sealed. He had made peace with that back in Haven.

But then this man did what he did. Roman had saved his brother from this realm. Yes, he’d pieced together the story from listening to Roman’s nightly fever-filled babbling. And so now what could he do but watch him and help as best as he could? In Lazarus’s eyes, he was in Roman’s debt. And he didn’t like it.

The Guardian spread his wings and flew down into the cylindrical prison of rock and scooped Roman up into his arms. “You stink,” he said.

“Aren’t you the charmer?”

“There is a hot spring in these caves. You will bathe in there. I will fetch you some water to drink and then we will talk.”

“And some grub?”

“We will talk about that after your pungent aroma no longer assaults my delicate senses.”

“Less talk more eating.”

“Less demanding more washing,” Lazarus added. “Follow me.”

The journey of the deep red sun is the only thing to mark the passing of time in the Forbidden Realm. Lazarus guessed that it took Roman an hour to get clean and return to him. He said nothing, just gestured onward and led him through the dark tunnels.

Ahead of them was the opening to the ledge Lazarus often sat at to look at his new home, high above a sea of sand.

“Shit,” Roman said. He winced as he stepped into the light, his eyes struggling to adjust after his long confinement in the dark.

“Come sit with me,” Lazarus said. “Your eyes will be fine in a moment.” He handed Roman his battered jeans – which Lazarus had had to tear haphazardly into shorts – and then his dirty T-shirt and shoes. “Here is your clothing. I had to make some adjustments.”

Lazarus took a seat on the rocky ledge and Roman did the same after getting dressed.

“Thanks,” Roman said.

It appeared that his eyes had adjusted as he was now taking in the view.

“It looks like Mars,” Roman said.

Lazarus merely nodded.

“This is the Forbidden Realm? It’s daytime. Why is it daytime?”

“You mean because of what happened on Earth?”

“Yeah, the creatures needed darkness to survive. I guess I expected permanent night.”

“I have asked those same questions, Roman. The creator of all things… I’m sure you don’t want to hear that He works in mysterious ways.”

“No, I don’t really.”

“All I can tell you is what I have found out in three days. Firstly, these caves are empty. I have explored them thoroughly – I had to so I could secure you. All I found was the spring and your cage. This opening here is how I brought you in. We arrived in the dark.”

“Something… bit me? I can’t see any marks on my body. But I remember teeth…” Roman shuddered. “What happened to me?”

Lazarus waited a moment before answering. Would the revelation he was about to speak be something Roman could handle? Or would it set off his new…abilities?

Regardless, he answered him. “Roman, you were bitten by a thing of the dark. Not a sleeker or any of the things that came to London. It was something else, something that left its mark on you. I have been expecting its return, but it hasn’t. Only sleekers and rippers have attacked here.”

“Left its mark? And how the hell did you fight them alone?”

“You forget, I glow brightly. They don’t like things that glow brightly. They stay far away, but they watch. They can hear your cries.”

“You haven’t answered me, Laz. Yes, I’m calling you Laz. What left its mark on me?”

Lazarus quirked an eyebrow at him, quite liking the name ‘Laz’ coming from Roman’s mouth. “Something rare. I know of them as us Guardians know of many tales of the supernaturals. From what I can tell, you were bitten by a beserker. It was strange that it merely bit you and did not rip you to pieces.” He frowned. “It was almost as if…” he trailed off, there was not point in empty speculation. But Roman wasn’t willing to let the subject drop so easily.

“As if what?”

Lazarus sighed. “I’m not sure, but it was almost as if the bite was it’s only intention.”

Roman’s forehead creased in a frown as he absorbed the implication. “You saying that thing infected me on purpose?”

Lazarus shrugged. “I don’t know…it just seemed strange that it didn’t finish you off. The damage to you was minimal.”

“So that means…what does that mean?”

Roman’s skin was pale. He was sweating, not just because of the humidity, Lazarus could see, but because he knew what was about to come out of Lazarus’s mouth.

“You are a beserker, Roman. A creature of rage and incredible strength. That is what you’ve become. At first I thought you would have a nightly cycle.  But you have been in your other form during the day also. You are something new, something spoken of only in myth and legend. I do not know the extent of your abilities – that is something only time will reveal.  I’m so sorry, Roman. I really am.”

3. THE BODY OF RAGE

  (ROMAN)

   

They had just finished a meal of strange purple fruit, sweet and meaty, washed down with water that Lazarus had collected in a bottle he had crafted from think red leaves, secured with a length of stripped vine. Roman leant back against the rock race, his eyes half closed in satisfaction. They were still on the ledge but the sun was dropping and night was closing in. They would have to retreat into the safety of the caves soon, before the creatures that ruled the night emerged.

“We’ll need to leave the caves tomorrow.” Lazarus said. “Make a trip to the oasis.”

Roman sat up. “You lost me.”

Lazarus chucked. “Where did you think the food came from? This realm is mainly barren. Sand and rock and not much in between. We were lucky to come through near an oasis. This cave…it’s a blessing. I think we can maybe make it our home…for now. But we will need to move eventually.  I’m not sure how long the oasis can sustain us.

Roman slumped back against the wall. “I can’t believe we’re stranded here.” He whispered.

“When I was chosen to seal the breach I felt nothing but fear.”

Roman stared at him wide eyed.

“What? I may not be mortal but that does not mean I am a fool. I knew what coming here would mean. I cannot die, so the only thing left to me was insanity locked in this prison created by my people.  So, yes, I was afraid but I had time to come to terms with my sentence. My noble sacrifice.” He paused and locked eyes with Roman. “I’m not sorry you’re here, Roman. I’m just glad I’m not alone, and if that makes me a bad person then so be it.”

Roman stared back at him for the longest time. There was truth in his words, a deep sincerity and he was grateful for it. “Me and you against the world, eh?”

Lazarus’s beautiful face broke into a grin which Roman matched. But then Lazarus’s gaze drifted back to the setting sun. “We should get inside before they come.” He hesitated a moment. “You should know…I don’t think we’re entirely alone here.”

“What do you mean?”

Lazarus stood and began to lead the way back into the network of tunnels in the cave. “A couple of times over the past few days I am almost certain that I have seen a figure…humanoid, watching us from the rocks to the east. Its gone so quickly it is almost as if it senses my regard.”

“You think there are other people here?”

“I don’t know. This realm is not what I envisioned. It has evolved more that I would have anticipated. The Devourer being a force of destruction would not strike me as a force able to spurn creation.” He shrugged. “But then maybe we underestimated it’s relation to the three major creators. All I can say for sure is that we need to be wary.”

A screech ripped through the air.

The night had begun.

The screams, the cries, they were calling to him, inviting him to join in the hunt. No, no, no. His inner mantra played on a loop as he clenched his teeth and attempted to regulate his pulse. His body thrummed with energy desperate for release.

“Do it.” Lazarus said.

For a moment Roman wasn’t sure he’d heard right over the humming in his ears. “What?”

“Change.”

Roman shook his head. “You’re crazy. I could kill you.”

“Not if you don’t want to.” Lazarus shifted closer, bathing Roman in his unearthly glow. “Look, your body is different now, you need to change to release the pent up energy. The more you resist the less control you’ll have when you do change. You would lose control altogether. Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself. Besides…I trust you. I know you can do this.”

Roman absorbed the words. He knew Lazarus was right, knew that he needed the release. Could he control the beast within him?

“Only one way to find out,” Lazarus said, as if reading his thoughts.

That terrible pain again, but not a lingering one. It was over in a matter of seconds. His body had grown, muscle bursting through his T-shirt and jeans, tearing them in half. There he stood, naked and huge, rippling with bulging muscles. His hands were now decorated with deadly-sharp talons. Lazarus was on his feet, watching him, his body tense and ready to take flight at the slightest provocation, his eyes wary slits.

Roman roared but did not lunge. Rage bubbled away inside him, but he did not want to attack Lazarus.

“You have a terrifying scowl,” Lazarus said. “And scary red eyes.”

Roman’s voice came out as a boom. “Shut the fuck up.”

“No,” Lazarus said coldly. “What is interesting is how you seem so… in control. Beserkers are supposed to be feral, they fight and kill without any thought process but to destroy. They are blood thirsty, weapons of major destruction. But here you stand, talking as Roman – albeit in an incredibly loud tone. Maybe it’s this place. Your sire was also a curiosity.”

My child…

The voice in his head, that voice from the dark lake.

Lazarus was still talking about, well, he didn’t fucking know what. He ignored him, instead listening to the voice inside of him.

My child, my new child. Come to me now, my child. Come to me…

“…maybe in battle it’s different.”

“What?” Roman turned to Lazarus as the Guardian’s words filled his ears.

“I said that maybe in battle it’s different.”

“What is?”

“Your rage. Maybe you won’t be as in control when faced with danger and all of those things.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

His body transformed again, shrinking back into his standard form.

Lazarus frowned. “Well, we now have nothing for you to wear. You can’t walk around naked.”

Roman scooped up his T-shirt and wrapped both halves around his waist, creating a loincloth-type garment.

“Lovely,” Lazarus said.

Roman turned away in silence and headed through the tunnels toward the ledge. His mind was swirling with all the information. Beserker. Beserker. But not just any beserker. A different one, one that could think or whatever the hell Lazarus was blabbering on about. He didn’t want it. The whole thing felt alien…toxic.  Maybe it was just under the surface for now, but it was there. And what about when it erupted? No, he didn’t want to know. He would rather be dead. He should be dead. He sat down on the ledge and watched the sun come up.

Rose…

God, all he wanted to do right now was hold her, kiss her and be close to her. He wanted his bed back in Hammersmith, curled up with the woman he loved. And he wanted the smells of his mum’s cooking, the laughter of his little brother, Thistle singing, his pack brothers coming round for dinner, X-Box and all that fun stuff he missed so fucking much. He missed his wolf. Why was this happening? Why did it all go wrong? How the fuck did it end up like this, him trapped for the rest of his life in this shit hole?

He could do it; he could throw himself off this ledge right now. It was high enough to break his neck. Would Lazarus be quick enough to save him? He wouldn’t give him a chance to be.

Roman looked down. A man in a cloak, carrying a wooden staff stood there looking right back at him.

“Er, Laz?”

“Yes?” Lazarus joined him on the ledge. He must have followed him up.

Roman nodded in the man’s direction.

“Oh.”

 

4. THE VILLAGE

  (LAZARUS)

 

“David? His name’s David? We’re in the Forbidden Realm and his name is David?”

“Yes, why are you so puzzled?” Lazarus asked.

“It’s another realm! I was at least expecting Duvaxlix Monvalisheyax or something like that?” Roman looked cheated.

“Where did you get that name from?”

“Just pulled it out of my head.”

“You pulled it out of somewhere. Roman, do you really think it’s just Earth that has the monopoly on the name David?”

“Well, I did before now.”

Lazarus continued to scrutinise him with his best disgusted expression. “At least you’re getting some education from this experience.”

“What, that David is universal?”

Lazarus chose not to answer him.

Aside from his decidedly berry skin tone and flat features, David looked human. He was stocky, bearded and his black hair was frosted with grey. His face looked worn, a sign of a harsh life and weather.  He’d said he came from the mountains and presented them with a choice; join him on a journey back to the mountains, to some semblance of civilization, or remain and take their chances alone.

“What do you think?” Roman asked Lazarus.

“He seems harmless…genuine. A community would be better than what we have here.”

“Fair enough, but if they turn out to be some kind of cannibal tribe then you get to play entrée.”

Lazarus chuckled. “If they turn to be dangerous I am sure your berserker abilities will protect you.”

Roman considered this. “True.” He grinned and nudged Lazarus with his elbow. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you too.”

David led them across the desert to the mountains.  The journey took three days. Their guide found them shelter, food and water. When night fell he would light a fire and sit vigil chanting softly under his breath to the accompaniment of the hungry night prowlers. On the morning of the fourth day they finally arrived at the mountains. A thin valley led them into the mountains and at the base of the tallest one was a small village. Despite its modest size it was teeming with people. Very hungry looking people dressed in rags. Men, women, children, they all looked on as these two strangers walked by. There were whispers and openly curious stares.  Although fascinated by him, Lazarus noticed that their reaction to Roman was more intense. They stepped back, eyes wide not in wonder but fear as he made his way through the village. Did they know what he was? Could they somehow sense it?

David took them to his home. He was chief of the village. Roman sat down with a handmade metal cup of water on a beat-up cushion on the floor. Lazarus remained standing, watching David.

“Sorry, wes gots no food.” David enunciated the words slowly and carefully

“That’s all right,” Roman said.

“Nots really.”

“When you say no food, what do you mean exactly?” Lazarus asked.

“I means no food anymore. All gone. Wes all gonna die.”

Roman choked on his water. “No food at all?”

David shook his head.

“But, how… how can that be?”

“Alls gone,” David said.

“What about the oasis we passed on the way here?” Roman said. “Surely you can send people to gather fruit and… I don’t know, you could plant stuff here.” He glanced at Lazarus. “The soil looks fertile here right?”

Lazarus turned to David. “You must have systems in place to provide your people with food.”

“Wes did…but its destroyeds in attack…soils desecrated. Nothing grow heres now. Oasis only shorts terms solution.”

There was silence, a thick heavy silence. So that was that? These people were all condemned to starve to death? David seemed okay with that, almost at peace in a twisted way. He looked tired, looked like he’d quite gladly given up.

It was David who broke the silence. “Hows did yous get to this damn place, then?”

“How open-minded are you?”

“Very,” David said. “Yous looks like somethings from stories.”

Lazarus sighed and then just explained how they got here, the circumstances that proceeded it.

“I understands now. I is sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

David looked up, something akin to shame in his eyes. A chill of foreboding raced up Lazarus’s spine.

“What, what aren’t you telling us.”

“David?” Roman prompted.

David looked at him with wide eyes. “They comes at night, hunting ours people, wanting foods. They ates everything to feeds him, buts its never enough. Never enough… nows he wants you! No, no, no! Theys wants you! I is sorry. I broughts you heres for them. We gives you to them and they leaves us alone for somes time. We maybe survives.”

“You brought us here to sacrifice us!” Roman was suddenly on his feet, his fists clenched in fury.

David wailed in fear, stumbled to his feet and ran from his home.

“What the fuck?” Roman glared at Lazarus as if demanding answers.

Lazarus mentally echoed him. Little did he know that the answers would come at nightfall.

 

 

5. WHEN NIGHT FALLS

  (ROMAN)

 

Night fell suddenly like a thick blanket and before Roman or Lazarus had the time to formulate a plan, they found themselves alone in the village. The silence was deadly.

“Where is everyone?” Roman stood in what would probably be called the village square and peered into the darkness. His preternatural vision cut through the night and found something; a shape lit from the inside by golds and reds and then another and another. He realised with a jolt that he was picking up heat signatures. He took a step back and stumbled into Lazarus’s halo of light.

“We’re surrounded…sleekers.” Roman hissed.

“I know.”

“Where the hell did they come from?” Roman wondered, “Where the fuck are the people?”

Lazarus knelt and picked something off the ground. He held it out to Roman who plucked it from his fingers and examined it. Rags…a tunic or something.  What the hell?

“I don’t think the people went anywhere.” Lazarus stared into the darkness toward the pack surrounding them.

“That bastard David!” Roman felt the rage bubbling inside him.

“Not yet!” Lazarus warned.

As if sensing his imminent shift, the sleeker surged toward them and in the next instant Roman was in the air, the Guardian’s arms tight around him. The Forbidden Realm was alive with the shrieks and wails of the sleekers, the rippers and all manner of new things.

“I can’t fucking believe it!” Roman cried.

The people, David and his people… they were all… they were the things… the things that had eaten his city, killed so many people.

Rage…fire…burning vengeance…change…

“Oh no,” Lazarus said. “Roman! No!”

It was too late. Roman changed, the anger taking him over. It had erupted, exploded out of him in roars, in blazing fury.

Lazarus’s grip loosed and Roman pulled himself free. He fell and landed on the sands hard. It didn’t hurt. Nothing hurt. He could feel the strength, that fucking glorious strength. Fuck the wolf he’d lost! This was real power! This was real fucking warrior power!

Sleekers watched him, but didn’t attack. Roman the beserker did. He tore at them with the blood thirsty lust he was supposed to have. He barely knew it. Just felt the need to tear them apart, to rip and kill and destroy. Vengeance was his, vengeance was…

That’s it, my child. Feed me, feed me…

He stopped and roared into the darkness. Then he ran again, heading deeper into the mountains.

 

 

6. HELPLESS

  (LAZARUS)

 

All he could do was follow and watch as Roman sped across the landscape. He would not abandon him. He would not let him leave his sight.

   

7. THE LAKE

  (ROMAN)

 

The muscled monster followed the path down from the summit of the tallest mountain. Down it went, a spiralling descent into the darkness. It could smell the water. It needed that dark water. Once he reached it, he stood in the shallows, the water soothing him, the touch of his master caressing him. Roman changed once again, becoming naked and human there in the darkness at the dark lake.

“My child.”

In his head it spoke, the Devourer, his creator.

“I hate you,” Roman said. His voice was calm, almost serene.

“I know.”

The Devourer was not speaking it was merely thinking to him, projecting onto him its thoughts, not its voice. It had no voice, it just was. And Roman listened.

“Everything you do is now connected to me. You, Roman, are my new special creation.”

“Fuck you.”

Something like laughter rang from the lake. “Do not act the fool, my child. You know better now. When you were bitten, my energy became one with yours. I knew you would be worthy of my gift.”

“I don’t want this gift. This gift is bollocks. I can’t be a beserker.”

“You are so much more than that.”

“No, I’m not. I’m not evil.”

“Evil? What is evil?”

“You.”

“I am evil?”

“You tried to eat my world.” Roman felt so much tranquillity, despite his words. The water was so healing, so soothing.

“And that makes me evil? Survival is all it is, nature.”

“Nature?”

“Yes, just like you. I have to survive, just like you have to.”

“But all you know is to devour.”

“I must devour to survive, my curse is eternal hunger and yet I yearn for more.”

Roman thought about this. “The sleekers…the dark creatures that inhabit this realm, they’re of your making?”

“Yes.”

“I killed your dark things.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you?”

“You have fed me.”

“Fed you?”

“When you kill and consume blood, it feeds me. That is your purpose. The purpose of all my children.”

“I’m not a cannibal.”

“No, you are my Devourer.”

“What?”

“Hush, my child. This is the way of things. I have to feed and I do in many ways. Now that I am trapped again here in this lake, in this prison of mine, I must again let my children feed me.”

“My home, they were feeding you when they destroyed my home?”

“Yes.”

“What if you’d got through?”

“Devour.”

Roman said nothing more.

“Do not doubt yourself, Roman. You have no idea what you are. You are powerful, a weapon of great strength. Your sire knew you were chosen, that you are our salvation. There is a path ready for you to walk along, one that will not only lead you to great things, but also back to her.”

“Rose?”

“Yes, Rose.”

How the hell did it know about Rose? He felt panic, fear, anger. “You leave her the fuck out of this!”

“I know of your love for her, I can feel it burning in you. Do not fear, my child. I have no desire for such a being. Yes, she would be a tasty morsel, yet she will never sustain me. If you would only listen, my child, to the things I have to tell you. Please, stay on these banks and hear my words. They are words I am sure you will find very interesting.”

Roman listened…Roman learned…

 

 © Amos Cassidy and crimsonseries.wordpress.com, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Amos Cassidy and crimsonseries.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

Crimson Realm – a short story…

Hello

First things first, the following post will contain spoilers. So, if you haven’t read Crimson Midnight and Crimson Darkness, then STOP!

Okay. Here we go…

Coming December 1st 2012 to this blog will be a short story called Crimson Realm. Remember what happened to Roman at the end of Crimson Darkness? Well, this short story will give you a glimpse into his situation, bridge the gap between Crimson Darkness and the forthcoming third book.

We’ll be sticking the Crimson Clock up on the main page to count down the days until it goes live. The story will stay up until book 3 is released as it will “open” the third book before the main novel begins.

Thanks for checking in!

Bye for now,

Amos and Cassidy xxxx

Checking in…

Hello, all!

Just a quick check-in. Sorry we have been quiet of late. Stay tuned over the next few weeks for forthcoming posts – news on book 3, an announcement for something coming in December, some new features for this blog and some short stories appearing on our other blog via Wattpad:  http://amoscassidy.wordpress.com/

Okay, see you all soon Bye for now

Amos and Cassidy xxx