Today I published a new vampiric short story called Trial Of The Heretic. It’s a story about how a vampire’s misconduct regarding humans and the reasons for that inappropriate behavior have disastrous implications for those who consider themselves of the pure bloodline.
You can find it on a number of online retailers, but I recommend visiting either Smashwords or Amazon to grab your own ebook copy.
Here are the links for each:
Here’s a brief sample straight from the pages of the book to give you an idea if this is something you’re interested in:
In a warren of tunnels far beneath the thriving city above, a secret auditorium had been carved into the rock and concrete below. No light penetrated this large empty space and no living thing stirred in its depths.
On the edges were stone benches carved out of the ground all tiered to provide ample view of the large stone dais in the center of the room. Numerous archaic symbols and runes were carved around the edges and in the center stood a metal plate, bolted to the floor were numerous chains resting around the metal plate.
On the other side of the stone dais was a large curved table with thirteen thrones seated behind. The central throne was larger than the others and more ornately carved with veins and arteries that almost seemed to pulsate within the stone.
A large door above the raised benches suddenly opened and a throng of slender pale figures strode in. As each person entered the room their eyes flickered around the dark expanse as if searching for threats. Their footsteps were but whispers on the stone as they quickly and quietly found their seats.
The clothing they wore was diverse and varied as if each person had chosen a time period and dressed for it. For every woman in simple leggings and a t-shirt was another woman wearing an elegant gown. The men were similarly varied with some wearing shorts and polos with others in fine Italian suits.
The only commonalities in their appearance was that the clothes were often dark with hints of red, the skin pale, the eyes varying shades of crimson, and everyone’s four front canines were long and wicked sharp.
As they all settled down onto the benches a side door opened and four burly men entered. They wore tactical gear, held automatic rifles, and each had at least four wooden stakes on their belts which everyone in the large room eyed warily.
Behind them a young man was dragged in by two other soldiers. His long black hair hung over his pale face and his entire body was limp as his bare feet slid across the stone floor.
Many in the auditorium eyed him curiously, while a few in the room gave knowing glares at the mysterious young man.
He was quickly brought to the metal plate in the center of the stone dais. As the two soldiers held him upright two other soldiers quickly shouldered their weapons and began fastening the chains to seemingly every part of his body.
One soldier viciously tilted his head back and the final chain was fastened around his neck with a sharp clank. Any normal man would have burdened by the sheer amount of metal hanging off his body, but when the soldiers released him the young man fell to a kneeling position and remained there, his head hanging low on his chest.
After a few quick tugs on the chains one soldier muttered something into a mic on his shoulder and shortly after a large metal door slid open behind the thrones. Though the entire congregation had been silent to this point the room seemed to go even quieter as if those in attendance were too nervous to breath.
Four more soldiers strode in accompanied by a man elegantly dressed in long black robes with a red rope tied around his waist. He gazed around the room carefully and many squirmed uneasily under his bright red eyes. Satisfied with what he saw he settled into the center throne.
The metal door behind him slowly shut and two soldiers stood beside him on the throne. The other twelve seats remained empty.
The imposing figure stared down at the young man chained to the center of the dais for a moment before motioning to someone sitting on one of the benches nearest him. The woman nodded and quickly stood, turned, and began addressing the room in a booming voice.
“You are gathered here to witness the trial of Desmond Fairbank. He has been charged with committing crimes of heresy and sedition against this brood. The great Night Lord will officiate the proceedings and he alone will determine the severity of these accusations, their validity, and determine fair and appropriate punishment.”
She paused and scanned the audience for a moment.
“Let all bear witness to the proceedings. Let this trial show that no one is above the law and those who digress against the Night Lord’s will are to be punished with a surety.”
Let me know in the comments what you think of the sample and here are the links on where to purchase it again:
Thanks for all the support and I hope you enjoyed it.