...And it finally arrives. The Blood Witch Preview Release.

The thumbnail sucks, but the preview material itself is of a much higher quality (or so I hope people think). Released is the prologue, first chapter, and half of the second chapter, as a teaser of what may be to come.

I say "may" because - per the typical development cycle for novels - the material within is subject to change upon reaching the editor or publisher; scenes may be cut, expanded, or rewritten altogether. This is revision 2.1, with the new prologue in place of the old one.

For those who are interested, stay tuned; God willing, it will be on store shelves... if I can find a publisher or agent, that is.

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

Preview Series:

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 20, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

His friend spins about just in time to see Bilat thrust both arms out to her, hurling forth a blast of force magic before Larenna can raise a shield against it. Lifted helplessly into the air, she feels her body wracked by pain as she hurtles backwards – briefly weightless and flying – but before she can slam back down to the ground, she abruptly stops, hovering just a hand's breadth above it.
Blinking in surprise, she then looks over to Sina, watching her hold an arm out towards her. There, Sina then twists her arm gently, turning Larenna upright and setting her carefully down; just before thrusting both her arms out and draping her three friends in a quick surge of healing magic, brushing away their bruises and invigorating them.
Behind his sister, meanwhile, Garam has attempted to fire another trio of bolts at the witch... again striking nothing as she casually raises a small barrier against the feeble attack. A sneer playing over her face again, Bilat hovers backwards, floating slightly up into the air as she flays her arms out, presenting her flowing black robes and letting her tattoos flash a menacing red.
“People should know when they're beaten...” she remarks, letting her sneer color the words, when she then looks aside to her old teacher, lifting a brow as she asks, “And what about you, Sina? Aren't you ready to see how much stronger I've become since we last knew each other? I notice you've been awfully quiet this battle...”
Sina gives only a shallow, silent glare to her, when Rowan calls out, “Sina, you have to fight her!”
She looks over to him with brief consternation in her eyes – seeing the pleading in his own – but hasn't the time to respond as Bilat taunts her, saying, “Yes, fight me, Sina! Aren't you ready to see if the student has surpassed the teacher?”
Sina turns her gaze back up to her, her glare having faded... having no response for her. Again, her friends are being overwhelmed, and again, she's faced with the grim prospect of dusting off powers she's long hoped never to use again. It seems, she briefly muses, there will be no escape from her past, after all...

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.
April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 20, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

“Like I said,” Bilat answers her, pausing as her sneer grows wider and more menacing, her arm slowly lifting up towards them. “...Not likely.”
She then thrusts the arm out and calls on her power, her own tattoos flashing a light blue as she activates the ring of orbs on the ceiling. Feeling a sudden pulse in the aether around the chamber, Sina's mouth drops open, and she glances up just as the orbs flash and activate, sending a storm of lightning down from every corner and edge of the room to them.
Bilat cackles as the storm lashes out, laughing as it engulfs them... but slows her laughter as she notices the power beginning to roll down into a single point, swirling tighter and tighter until she sees Sina controlling it all, bringing it together into a singular ball of energy. Her smile fades into a blank glare at the sight of it, when Sina then sends the energy back along its paths of travel; reversing the flow until the energy feeds back into the orbs, quickly overwhelming them and causing them to shatter in brilliant flashes of bluish white and pops of sound, the marble and glass spraying out into the air.
“Very clever,” Bilat growls, standing taller and squaring herself for a more personal battle, while the last of the glass shimmers down onto the stone floor. “I guess I should've expected as much.”
“Surrender now, Bilat,” Sina commands, her voice firm in the silence, until she shakes her head, imploring in a slightly softer voice, “Don't make us kill you.”
“No...” Bilat replies, raising her arms to her sides as she glowers at them. “I'm not the one dying today... you are!”
She then lowers her arms and sends a torrential flash of electricity towards them – the arcs slashing and bouncing from the shield Sina quickly erects between them – while Bilat cries out above the din, shouting, “I worked too hard for this!”
And as the lightning falls down on them, Bilat then releases one arm from the spell and draws back her other hand, casually flinging it out then and summoning a massive burst of force magic; the invisible wall of it slamming into the shield and pushing it away. The force of the reactant explosion sends the four of them falling to their backs, where Sina quickly reaches out and draws the lightning storm to herself, pulling the energy into a ball in her hands and controlling it; holding it there long enough to allow her friends to get away.
“Go!” she shouts, looking to Rowan with some tightness in her face. “This isn't her only trick!”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.
April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 20, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Rowan chances a look down at his sword, taking a moment to watch the light glint from its polished steel length as he catches his breath... this battle is intense. Far too intense.
He had expected their final confrontation with the Blood Witch to be fierce, but even given all that he's come to know of her and the power she wields, he still finds himself surprised by the immense destruction she commands with but casual flicks of her wrist. Glancing back up to her, he watches as her tattoos – ancient, arcane runes of power etched on her face and shoulders – glow an otherworldly white, then flash as she waves her arm in a wide arc, flinging a powerful gale of wind at his companions; a burst of air so strong that it knocks both back against the chamber's wall behind them, armor and sinew cracking sickly against the ancient stone.
Momentarily, he wonders what magic she would have used against the people of the village Candarat... a village that won't be found any map; not anymore. She passed through the hamlet only recently – just ahead of them – cutting a swath of destruction so total you would have thought the Reaper himself had laid waste to the town... leaving smoldering homes and a broken landscape in her wake.
More damning than the physical destruction, however, were the scores of bodies she left behind... piles and piles of them, mutilated and rotting in the sun. Many of them had been split open in vivisection while others lie beheaded and skinned, but almost all of them had been drained of blood and gut, made component to some unknown black magic that created the army of unholy, undead constructs that had barred their way forward... bloody, raging beasts created from the flesh of hundreds of innocents.
But perhaps most terrifying is that she does all this without a single hand to help her... none except those she creates with her own magic. If not for the fact that he knows better, he'd say the powers of Hell itself aid her.
Clenching his jaw tight, the paladin mercenary resolves that this will indeed be their final battle... whether he survives it or not. “By God's hand... you will fall today!”
He flips his sword around as she turns in midair, her floating form casting a sneer on him as she begins conjuring another spell – her tattoos now flashing a brilliant red – when he brings his shield to bear before himself and charges headlong towards her, giving a fierce, roaring battle cry as he closes the distance quickly; his ears pinned flat to his head. In a moment, her spell comes to fruition, and a bolt of flame leaps from her outstretched palm just to wash over the shield and dissipate into the air, while he leaps through the fading fire and raises his sword, slashing it down as he approaches her with a mighty swing... only to strike at empty air.
The sword clangs against the stone floor as she teleports backwards, moving only a short distance away to conjure another spell, her tattoos briefly flashing a bright white before a wave of invisible force crashes against him; sending him flailing onto his back. There's a loud clatter of metal against stone as he tumbles haphazardly, but his charge has given his companions time to recompose themselves, and Garam levels his crossbow to the witch, aiming only briefly before letting fly a flurry of arrows from the multi–shot rack... watching then in stunned silence as she sneers back; her tattoos flashing white again as she summons together swirling force magic, capturing the arrows and causing them to spin in circles about her waist.
He squints his eyes, then widens them as she flings her hand out towards him, the arrows leaping forth with shocking speed as she redirects them towards his chest. Reacting almost on instinct, he hastily leaps in the air, turning himself parallel to the ground and performing a barrel roll until the arrows pass by – narrowly missing his fluttering clothes – and twists to land on his feet, facing her. Almost amused, she smirks at him, but then turns her attention to his sister as Larenna steps forward and thrusts her staff out, hurling the flames gathering in her other hand out towards the witch with conviction and a menacing glare.
However, with aggravating nonchalance the Blood Witch raises a hand, then waves it aside as if slapping away a fly, the fireball dissipating harmlessly as her tattoos briefly flash red again. Snarling at her skill, Larenna levels a glare that can burn through steel, while her enemy sneers again, pausing to laugh at them from deep in her chest, the sound coming through grinning teeth as she regards them with amusement. The tassels of her headdress bounce on her forehead as she laughs, and Larenna takes a moment to study them, wondering if they hold some form of key to her power while the witch floats back and away, splaying her arms to her sides as she taunts them. “I'm almost having fun! You certainly are an entertaining bunch.”
“You'll find the torture of Hell far less entertaining, witch!” Rowan shouts out, settling his feet beneath him as he readies his sword again, scowling in rage at her.
She looks aside to him – silken black hair waving in an unnatural breeze as she grins devilishly – then turns to face him as he charges again, swinging his sword in a wide arc to his side while growling, intending to cleave her in two any way he can. She lets him draw closer... then suddenly conjures a rapid force spell against her own back, pushing herself violently towards him.
He barely has time to be surprised, however, as she then raises her feet and teleports, then reappears directly before him, her momentum causing her boots to collide against his chest with violent authority and send him sprawling onto his back some distance away, his sword flying from his hand to clatter to the ground beyond his reach. She rocks backwards momentarily from the blow, but quickly regains control of her float and spins to face the other two, who both level their weapons in preparation for a combined strike...
A strike they'll never have the chance to make. Waving an arm in an ever tightening circle, the witch conjures together particularly powerful magics, and her tattoos glow an intense white until she clenches her fist shut and twists in place, grabbing the two of them in a tight force hold and flinging them across the room to join Rowan. They crash helplessly to the ground beside him – sliding across the stone – and come to stop only to hear the witch laugh at them again, then look up as one to see her splay her arms aside again, presenting open palms and a wide grin. “This has been an amusing battle... but I'm afraid playtime is over.”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.
April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 20, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

“I'm fine,” she replies, her tone flat and distant as she looks out past him, her expression growing gradually taut and fierce as she watches the twins slowly being overwhelmed, falling back to avoid a fresh charge from the demon horde.
With sudden intensity she then steps beyond Rowan, gently pushing his hands away and leaving him standing dumbfounded, her ears lifting tall and rigid on her head as she walks forward... when she abruptly floats up into the air, hovering over the ground at knee height. As the battle rages on, she then thrusts one hand out to the twins and the other to Rowan, raising thick and impenetrable shields that shimmer and flash in the daylight, causing the twins to blink at them and glance up to Sina, noting the demons bouncing back from the shield as they reach it; repelled by a powerful force.
The horde then looks up to see her tattoos flash a brilliant blue – glinting harshly even in the daylight sun – an intensely drawn glower on her face as she regards them with scorn, hovering higher still into the air as she summons together a shield of her own to shroud her, arrows glancing from it as a rain of them fire up at her... the heads snapping off and bending impotently on its shell. The charging army comes to a slow stop as she gathers together power high overhead – somewhat stunned and confused, in varying degrees – when she abruptly throws her arms out towards them, snaking bolts of electricity snapping immediately forth from her fingers in twisted arcs; grabbing an increasing number of the devils one by one by the eyes until all of the nearly three hundred are in her grasp.
Convulsing and unable to move, they begin to fall on their knees as the power intensifies, the entire road now awash in a storm of unimaginable power – the light flashing so bright that Sina's friends have to squint against it – until she increases the power of it, forcing more energy into the snaking arcs. Collapsing finally onto their knees, the horde can only cry out in synchronous agony as she then pushes still more power into the spell, their bodies burning through to the bone until only ashes remain... hours of tortuous agony reduced to a mere handful of seconds.
The ashes smolder then for a moment longer... flashing finally in a series of smoke puffs as the magic dissipates, the air returning to normal; still and stunningly silent, though acrid with the scent of sulfur and burnt flesh.
Slowly she lowers herself back to the ground, her arms limp at her sides as she looks on the empty road ahead; silent and unmoving.
In the abrupt quiet, Rowan swallows, his pulse slowly calming as he gathers himself together, finally walking gingerly towards her as he begins to make sense of the awesome display of power he's just witnessed; an army of hundreds, reduced to ashes in only seconds.
And perhaps more stunningly, the intense anger he's just seen her wield against them.
Quietly approaching, he reaches a hand up towards her, but then stops, holding it in the air between them, afraid to touch her... at length muttering, “Sina...”
Finally turning to face him, regretful eyes meet his as she quietly states, “I never wanted to do that again...”
Returning her gaze with equal remorse – feeling guilty for having earlier demanded she use that power – he takes her gently up into his arms, briefly aware that his enhanced strength has slowly melted away as he comforts her, while Sina lays herself into his chest as her own arms reach up and gently hold his back. The road is again silent as they hold each other – the twins only gingerly approaching until they stand nearby – when Sina finally draws back from Rowan's embrace and steps aside, taking a deep breath to steady herself before speaking; her voice quiet but loud in the still air. “The captain was one of the demon's top aides... that's how he knew me.”
“The demon who tortured you?” Larenna keenly asks, nodding her head forward to her.
Without answering the question directly, she nevertheless acknowledges it, looking into Larenna's eyes to add, “He knows I'm here... and he's looking for me.”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

“Where are you... where could you be?”
Humming a deep growl – his eyelids drawn so tautly shut they quiver – the demon splays his fingers outwards again, feeling the surface of the glass orb as he attempts to focus his efforts more tightly. “Where can I find you... my pet?”
It's been far too long since he's enjoyed her company... far too long since he's had a taste of that sweet fruit. He can barely stand to be without it any longer.
Concentrating once more within a particular time frame, he focuses his search across a section of the globe – staying, this time, to the far western lands – attempting to seek out her presence within a specific region... his mind briefly wandering to a singular thought: how long has he been searching for her? A year? Two years?
With a single, grim chuckle, he muses that perhaps he's simply obsessing too much... perhaps he should, instead, focus on assembling that army for her old student. If he can't find Sina, then perhaps she will be able to.
And yet... he so loathes entrusting important tasks to others; he can never rely on them to do it right.
But with a start, his eyes abruptly snap open. “There!”
Pulling the images back within the orb – desperately trying not to overshoot his target – he suddenly pauses as a scene begins to coalesce within it... his eyes then widening to their fullest extent and his teeth baring with anticipation. The image solidifies over the course of a moment, and it's with a sharp breath that he finally – after all these years – sees her face within it.
There she stands among three other well-armed Sanakam, seeming to wait on them as the biggest one approaches a desk... is that an inn, he asks himself? Recognizing the surroundings, however, a thin smirk curls his lip.
“I was right,” he momentarily muses. “You did go home.”
Fitting, he remarks, that she should return to her own time; after all, it's where she's most comfortable. He briefly has to commend her on the accomplishment... for all in his efforts, he's never been able to reach such a level of precision. And yet the question remains: where in the province is she? And who is she with? Their faces seem familiar... and for a moment, he laments that he didn't delve into her mind a bit deeper; retain more memory of those whom she once knew... perhaps that would provide clues as to their identities.
But regardless of where they're at, he lets a wide sneer play over his face, a brief rush of joy and excitement washing through him; he's finally found her. He doesn't know the location – that will take some more divination – but he's found her.
And he was right to entrust Bilat with the search, after all: they're in the same time frame... and in the same province. Absolutely perfect.
“Now I know where you are,” he inwardly muses, the sneer widening even further. “...Now I can reach you.”
So perhaps, he muses, he will pay her a visit.
Sighing, however, he does remember his deal with Bilat... and a deal is a deal; especially when bound by law of a demon's word. So first, he will assemble that army for the disciple...
And with a renewed, leering grin, resolves that he will meet Sina soon after.
“Only a matter of time,” he thinks to the image in the orb. “Until you are mine again.”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Pausing, he again looks away, his gaze falling on her hands, still clasping the Bible in them... his fingers still idly stroking hers. He lets the silence drag out, thinking about the quiet, shy woman she's become... the deeply introspective and gentle young woman; wise beyond her years, but hurting in ways he just can't imagine, and yearning mightily only to do the right things now. His eyes find their way back up into hers after a time, and he lowers his own voice to a whisper, remarking to her, “You're nothing like I expected.”
For once, her expression relaxes... draining into an empty, inwardly introspective look as her eyes glance down, falling on the bed beyond her feet, when she whispers back to him after a short pause, “I've changed much since you last knew me.”
The sun's rays come in just over the rooftops then, basking her in a warm, bright light, her features accentuated in the gentle radiance... the none–too–subtle imagery causing him to consider the radical totality of the changes in her. Tilting his head slightly up, he then remarks – almost bemusedly – as he keeps his voice to a whisper, “It's a lot like being reborn, isn't it?”
Her gaze turning back up to his, she pauses to think about how completely she's changed... how every sight and sound is almost like experiencing it through newborn eyes, how every little thing she does is as if it comes through the hands and mind of a new woman. Softly nodding, she sets her lips tight, and gently whispers, “It is.”
A new life, she muses... one in which she has a chance to set things right again; to make a better life for herself, and everyone around her.
They sit in silence then for a short moment longer, Rowan watching the sunlight play over her face as she gazes back into his eyes... when he finally smiles at her, nodding his head back to the washroom and whispering, “You go on ahead; I've already drawn the water.”
She glances at the door, then back to him as she whispers, “You sure?”
“Yeah, go on,” he answers, nodding his head to it again, returning the smile to her. “I'll wash later.”
She blinks at him momentarily, her left eye batting against the veil of hair hanging over it as she wordlessly mouths an acknowledgment, the sound unheard as she tells him simply, “Okay.”
She shifts then to rise from bed, setting the Bible down on the endtable as she swings her legs over the edge, when he turns slightly aside and offers his hand to help. She glances at it as she spins, then takes it in her own and looks at him, setting her feet on the floor and again wordlessly moving her mouth... her face blank as she expresses her gratitude. “Thank you.”
And with only a light push on his hand, she stands to her feet and moves to the leather bag holding her clothes, searching through them for a fresh change as he looks on her, finding himself briefly enchanted... as he was yesterday in Latham's.
“What strange Angels...”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

She moves to slide her legs off the bed, but then abruptly catches the pillow before it falls off the bed, suddenly realizing she had fallen asleep hugging it. Carefully holding it up, she then sets it gently at the head of her bed, quietly setting it into place as she wonders about that... is there something to be said for one who falls asleep hugging pillows?
Maybe, she wonders, it's only because she's lonely.
And it would be true, she muses; it would be only too true.
But, there's a task to be fulfilled, and to do that, she must first steal out quietly. Sliding her feet off the bed, she silently sets them, then rises to a stand, waiting to let some blood flow back into her legs and for her balance to return; then, after the short pause, quietly pads her way to the door, keeping a close eye on all three of the mercenaries, lest she awaken them and be followed... to do this, she would prefer to be alone.
Upon reaching the door she pauses to look back at them once more, and seeing them still sound asleep, draws her lips tight as she quietly clicks the lock aside, turns the knob, and exits the room, silently closing the door behind her. The light orb still follows her about, and it hovers just over her shoulder, casting the hall in a pale, bright light as she turns in place, scanning it, noting quickly that everyone here seems to be asleep... surmising that it must be about around midnight.
Her pace down the hall is slow and measured, and even when she emerges into the main lobby from the stairwell, there's still no one in sight. The front door is also no challenge to open, the lock giving quietly and with only a single click, allowing her to exit and shut the door silently behind her, where she turns to look out over the still streets ahead, each more deserted than the last; a city that sleeps well at night.
That should only make it easier to approach the cemetery unseen, she muses, and indeed, her way there is uneventful... if unsettling. Every corner she turns reveals more shadows, more places from which demons can leap at her; in fact, so many times does she imagine something moving that she begins to scold herself for being so jumpy... surely not every shadow hides a demon. She must learn to be calm.
But as she passes a park – its many benches and trees concealed in the darkness – imagined horrors become hallucinations as malformed, shadowy creatures begin to stalk out towards her... their fangs bared in toothy, malicious grins. Her breath quickening, she rapidly shuts her mouth tight – her lips thinning in turn – and draws a deep breath; trying with all her might to calm herself. Their cackling echoes in the night... their menacing chittering ringing in her ears as she closes her eyes, shutting them away.
“Nothing's there,” she whispers to herself, her step slowing as she walks past the commons. “There's nothing there.”
Opening her eyes again, she looks over the scene... and sees only the empty park grounds. No demons... no apparitions... no ghostly cackling. Only herself, and her fear.
“There's nothing there...”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

“Yup, that's the one,” Garam remarks as the knob turns, twisting as the key releases the lock inside.
He steps in ahead of the others and looks about, pushing the door wide open as he notes the four beds arranged along the near and far walls, and the washroom off to his left. Very simple and spartan... but what else should they have expected on such a low price?
“Dibs on the window bed,” Larenna quickly calls out, going quickly over to the farthest bed beneath the window and tossing her bag on it, its weight bouncing on the springy mattress.
Airily chuckling, Garam soon follows suit, tossing his own bag on the bed next to it before widely stretching, throwing his arms far out to his sides and breathing in deeply. Behind him, meanwhile, Sina gingerly enters and pauses at the center to look around, taking in the room with curiosity... and also noting the setting sun outside the windows. It'll soon be dark... and that darkness will cover the room with its frightful mystery.
Glancing about, she quickly spots a candle and hurriedly lights it, the flame flickering to life and bathing the room in a soft luminance, chasing the shadows from the corners of the room. Garam then lets his breath out as a deep sigh and looks around, his eyes falling on the candle while Rowan shuts the door to the room; nodding then to remark, “Nice touch.”
Rowan acknowledges Garam's statement with a nod of his own, but Sina only looks at them, timidly folding her arms over her waist as she peers out beyond the veil of her hair... afraid to tell them her fear of the dark.
Rowan, however, quickly goes over to the near bed, stepping just past Sina and lowering his bag onto the mattress, leaving only the corner bed unclaimed for Sina; the last of the day's sunlight streaming in through the window above it. Taking a quick look at it, he then glances aside to Sina, asking her, “Will the corner bed be good for you?”
She follows his eyes to the bed, then looks back up to him as she nods, wordlessly answering as she glances down... strangely avoiding his gaze. It's another moment of shyness that has him pausing to marvel at her; observing the remarkable reduction in her confidence and presence. Even now, she seems to shrink away from his presence... but then again... perhaps he's unknowingly triggered some memory in her?
Watching the timid woman shying away beneath him, he can't help but realize that if he's causing her some kind of pain... he just won't be able to forgive himself; not if everything she says is true, not if she's truly the new woman she appears to be. Reaching down, he places a finger gently under her chin, lifting her surprised gaze up to meet his; pausing then before quietly asking from deep in his chest, “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine,” she whispers, blinking up at him as she then draws her brows slightly together, asking in a confused whisper, “Why?”
He pauses to study her face, searching for some hint that he may have yet triggered something in spite of her assurance... wishing he could have the benefit of Larenna's empathic abilities. “...Just worried.”
She pauses herself, again blinking at him, wondering briefly if she's so easy to read, or whether she simply appears to be struggling with something at all times now... perhaps both, she muses. Finally, however, she whispers back, gently reassuring him, “I'm fine... really.”
In the short pause that follows, she again marvels to herself about their remarkable generosity of spirit... and try as she might, she can't remember having met anyone who has ever been so nice to her. It's a strangely comforting feeling... and she dare say it begins to give her a sense of belonging. Gently nodding again, she adds in another whisper, blinking long and slow as she expresses her gratitude. “But thank you... again.”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

He then leans back over and picks up the stew, setting it before Garam – careful not to spill it – and noting, “One rabbit stew...”
And, finally, leans back over to take Sina's plate, lifting and setting it on the table before her, drawing back as the scents and vapors swirl into the air and drown the table in their potent aroma. Watching the waiter set it down, Garam then deadpans, pointing to it, “I should've had that.”
Quietly chuckling, Larenna then elbows him in the rib, her gaze sarcastic as he returns the laugh, looking back down to his stew while Rowan and the waiter gaze on, silently grinning at him. But then, as he looks down into his bowl, Garam pauses, sitting still with his hands on the table... staring at something in it. Before the waiter can completely turn to leave, Garam abruptly calls out, “Hey... there's a hare in my soup!”
“What?” the waiter asks in quick surprise, suddenly turning about and immediately leaning over the stew, peering into it as he searches for the offending strand of head hair.
Quickly laughing, however, Larenna reaches over the table and places her hand on the waiter's arm, telling him between chuckles, “He means the rabbit!”
Glancing between her and Garam as the latter begins chuckling, the waiter then frowns sarcastically and stands back, tilting his head down disapprovingly, himself deadpanning, “Very funny.”
Garam throws his arms out as the man turns to leave, holding them up to his sides while leaning back and aside in his chair, calling out after him through laughs, “Sorry!”
Rowan chuckles as he shakes his head at his impish old friend, but as he sits back with a bite on his fork – lifting it to his mouth – he notices that Sina looks down into her food, apparently refusing to even crack a smile. Again he pauses to ask himself the question: has she lost her sense of humor, or is she simply refusing to acknowledge it?
Either way, it's sad if true... how much can one enjoy living if they're unable to even smile?
He finally puts the morsel in his mouth, though, and silently watches as she picks at her food, politely keeping one hand folded in her lap while poking her fork around the various tidbits... testing the softness of the brisket, then the maize and potatoes, and finally scooping a bite of the maize onto her fork. He watches her stare at it a moment, then gently scoop it off the fork, silently chewing as she stares off into space, marveling to himself at her extreme politeness.
“I wonder if she always ate like that...”
He thinks about possibly asking her about it... but leave it to Garam to be the tactless one. Watching her nibble on another small bite of the potato, he finishes swallowing and points his spoon to her, furrowing his brows as he remarks, “You eat like a mouse.”
“Garam!” his sister immediately hisses, again elbowing him in the ribs.
But Sina doesn't seem to take offense, instead watching as he shrugs at his sister before looking back to her own food, feeling her cheeks warm in slight embarrassment, her voice quiet as she, too, shrugs. “I wasn't ever really a heavy eater... just kinda... nibbled when I did eat.”
“Quiet eater?” Rowan then asks, catching her eye as she glances over at him.
“Not really,” she starts, looking back to her food... pausing as she recalls the memories; shrugging again as she continues. “I used to eat while I studied... so I nibbled just a little bit at a time.”
“A real bookworm,” Larenna notes, idly picking at her food and watching as Sina's eyes flit back up to hers. Having caught her gaze, Larenna then gives a light smile, joking, “Guess it's a pretty good way to watch your figure, huh?”
Saying nothing in reply, Sina only looks down, patting her belly with her free hand before letting it run down to her waist... blushing to herself; she never thought of it that way... nor really gave much thought to her own appearance in that regard. To her, it had always been just an ancillary consideration... nothing important enough to waste her time on.
Scooping a bite of the brisket onto her fork as she thinks of it, she suddenly pauses to wonder about herself, inwardly asking the question... is she really so fair on the eyes?

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

The smile on his face abruptly fades, replaced by a slight scowl... the sudden change in expression causing even Bilat to be taken aback. After drawing a deep breath, the demon remarks in a rumbling bass, “I dislike my toys escaping me. She is my plaything, and I will have her.”
The conviction in his voice as he spits the words causes Bilat to narrow her eyes... the very thought of a demon being able to reduce her old teacher to a mere plaything filling her mind with horrible images of torture and immense displays of power. Perhaps this demon is no one to be trifled with, after all... in the momentary pause, however, the demon takes a deep breath, his composure returning as he sets himself, standing tall again to ask, “So, what say you? Are you willing to do this for me?”
Bilat's brow raises as she considers the question, quickly asking, “You've not given me a reason to fulfill your request... what's in it for me if I help you?”
The demon lowers his head to her, a knowing smirk spreading across his gnarled lips... this one is keen; much too keen. “You're very perceptive. What do you desire?”
“Two things,” she begins, stepping aside as she considers how best to couch her response... how best to avoid becoming entrapped in a sour deal. “First: that our terms be limited strictly to what is agreed upon – that I will capture Sina for you, and that in return, you will grant me only a simple request.”
He nods his head... very perceptive, indeed; there will be no entrapping this one. “What is your request?”
She stops pacing to face him, standing tall and locking her eyes on his. “I have only one goal right now, one I can achieve with my own power: to obtain immortality. To do that, I will need to drain the blood of a thousand... but I can't do it alone. I will need an army to march on Donavrat and capture the population.”
“Hmmm,” he hums, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest. “That is a tall order... an army in exchange for one woman...”
“How badly do you want her?” Bilat pointedly asks... a question that causes him to look up with a start.
His eyes narrow at her, and he has to admit to himself... he wants her very badly. A company of imps in exchange for his most treasured prey? A fair trade, in his mind.
“Badly enough,” he admits aloud, squaring his shoulders. “Agreed. I will provide you with a troop of imps to help you achieve your goal; in return, you give me Sina. No additional terms.”
“Agreed,” she states, nodding back. Their accord settled, she then squares her own shoulders, keeping her eyes fixated on his glowing red slits to ask, “When can I expect them?”
“I will return with your troop in three days,” he replies, then raises a finger. “But remember: they are only yours for the short time you need them.”
“Three days,” she begins, squinting an eye at him. “Why the delay?”
“...It is difficult to trigger an exact time on your plane,” he begins, the slits narrowing in intense contemplation, his mind and voice seeming to drift far away. “The mechanics are... challenging to master...”
But he then abruptly shuts his eyes and shakes his head, dismissing her question with a wave of his hand. “You don't know enough to postulate. Just know that I cannot return sooner.”
She wordlessly nods, thinking she nonetheless can understand... perhaps time has no meaning to him between his plane and hers, but arriving at a specific point in hers could be a greater challenge than she anticipated. And perhaps, after all, the act of sending even a token army of devilkin – be they shades or the real thing – takes enough out of him to require time to assemble. All the same, she will just have to be patient... she's waited this long, she can wait a few days more.
In the present, however, he returns his gaze to hers, and in the momentary silence stands taller, shifting his weight as he composes himself.
“Well, then,” he starts, nodding his head forward. “If our business is concluded... I will prepare your army for you. Three days.”
“Three days,” she repeats, nodding back. “I'll hold you to that.”
And with another flash of black smoke, his image abruptly disappears, the cloud swirling around him before collapsing into itself, vanishing into an infinitesimal speck after only a short moment. The silence that grips the room afterward is deafening – but not unexpected – and in it Bilat takes a moment to consider what she will do from here... and in fact, it's now quite simple: she will prepare for a pair of rituals, and to receive an army of the demonic to do her bidding.
Fitting, she muses... that all her study of the demonic arts has led her to make a pact with one. Her lips briefly turn up in a smirk as she realizes that it's one accomplishment her old teacher never mastered... even if it's one she never attempted to. Bilat, master of demons... she revels in the sound of the self–bestowed title.
But, such musings won't bring her closer to immortality; for that, she must study, and prepare to make her dream a reality.
And with an army to do her bidding, she need not dirty her own hands with the business of gathering the materials together. Which leaves only one simple question to be answered...
Who will reach whom first?

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Behind Rowan, Garam nods to Latham as he walks past, Larenna soon following with Sina at her side, and Rowan himself releases the man's hand before turning to inspect the store's wares in detail, wondering momentarily what they should consider for her to wear... an evening dress? Or something more casual... functional?
More to the point, what do you get a woman who has nothing?
Sina, herself, doesn't know... and she steps away from Larenna shortly to browse, gazing at all the options spread out before her: dresses, slacks, trousers, skirts, and blouses... what to choose? Presently she steps near a tall rack with blouses on it and fingers the fabric, feeling the softness and remarking at its texture... so long, again, since she felt such simple pleasures as cool fabric on her fur.
Larenna, meanwhile, immediately moves to the ladies' footwear section, and studies the options before her: shoes of all types – many with heels, and many without. She pauses there, trying to think what Sina might like to wear, a finger running along her lip in thought after a moment, when Rowan steps beyond her to the skirts and observes them, himself awestruck by the size of the selections... so many to choose from, and no idea where to start.
A woman nearby begins to step into earshot, scanning the skirts herself, and Rowan first pauses before addressing her – steeling away his embarrassment – then leans over to ask, “Excuse me... madam?”
Glancing up, she replies with her own question, “Yes?”
“Sorry to be a bother, but...” he starts, glancing over to Sina, who has moved over to a wall whereon a large selection of gloves lay. After pausing to watch her, he looks on the woman again, adding, “I'm helping my friend there shop for a new wardrobe... what might a lady look for in a skirt?”
She glances over to Sina herself and takes in the sight of her for a moment, and – noting her striking beauty – looks back to Rowan with a mischievous smirk, leaning closer and lowering her voice in a private manner. “Personally... I look for something that makes me feel flirty.”
Cocking his head aside, Rowan gives her a wry, sardonic smirk in reply, remarking, “I don't think that's quite what she's looking for.”
The woman shrugs, then adds as she walks off, “Suit yourself... but all girls like to feel wanted.”
He tilts his head further aside as she turns away, his sarcastic smirk twisting further up, but finds himself centered on the words regardless... do all women really think this way? Glancing down, his eyes fall on a black leather piece before him, its size and fabric appearing just right... taking it in his fingers, he feels the heft of it – its thin, light weight and the soft folds of its make. “Now this is a sporting affair...”
Across the store, Sina is still scanning the gloves, when her eyes fall on a pair that catch her attention. Reaching over, she takes them gently in her hands, feeling the soft fabric of the sleeves and studying the way they flare widely at the wrists. Seeing her look at the arm warmers in detail, Garam steps up next to her, quiet enough in his approach that he causes her to jump with a gasping start, even as he whispers gently. “You like 'em?”
Quickly catching herself – her heart only briefly leaping in her chest – she glances between him and the warmers, her voice shy and quiet as she answers; soon trailing off, “Well, I...”
Nodding at them, he lifts his voice just above a whisper, telling her, “Go on and try 'em. They look cute.”
She turns her gaze up on him, and pauses as he smiles down on her, the curve of his lips genuine and warm... a smile warm enough to set her at ease. Nodding back, she then reaches over and takes them gently from their hook on the wall, holding them up to study their design in closer detail... from the leather strap at the top to the flowing cloth sleeve that flares open at the hand; simple and playful in their construction. He might just be right... and perhaps that's why they catch her attention: they look shy and innocent... much as she wishes to feel.
Their attention is then turned to the other side of the store, however, as Larenna calls quietly out for her, waving her over. Curious, Sina purses her lips, then heads over with the warmers in her hands, studying soon the wall of shoes behind Larenna as she nears; taking in the boots and heels arrayed there. Her voice politely quiet, Larenna asks, “What do you think of these?”
Holding up a pair of thigh–high boots for her to look at, Larenna watches as Sina fingers the taut black leather, feeling along its creases and the many buckles lining the front flaps. Letting a thin smile play over her lips, Larenna then asks, “You used to wear something similar to these, right?”
Sina blinks... she just might be right. The memories are so long in the past... but she just might be right. She remembers always being partial to this style; they were comfortable and supportive, and made her feel authoritative and brash... but she soon shakes her head, looking away. “That was the old me... I don't want anything to do with it.”
Chuckling airily, Larenna counters, “Sina, they're boots.”
Watching Sina glance up at her, she quickly adds, “They're not going to sprout hands and bludgeon people to death.”
Sina casts a sarcastic frown on her, but she does see her point... perhaps she is taking this a bit too seriously. If she likes this style of boots, then she simply likes them... what is there to object about, really? Rowan, meanwhile, steps next to them, a collection of skirts in his hands as he looks between them, quietly directing a question at Sina, “See anything you like?”
Sina glances shyly away, so it's Larenna who answers, holding up the boots. “I picked this out, and it looks like she found herself some arm warmers...”
“Well, I've got some skirts here,” Rowan remarks, holding them up. “Now if we could just find a midget with some gin and tonic...”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Larenna steps into the space between them, however, and offers her hand to Sina... a hand Sina first looks at, then takes as Larenna nods at her, giving a small but reassuring smile before leading her away, back along the path into the forest. The two men bring up the rear as the women lead, the four of them falling silent, none daring to make any more conversation... every path seeming to lead down one painful memory or another. They instead let her take in the sights and sounds with renewed wonder, allowing her to at least have these few peaceful moments as the forest chirps and sings around them... until they mercifully arrive at a blue metal pole in a few short moments, its length embedded directly upright in the dirt and the head of its shaft engraved with small runes.
Approaching it, Sina tilts her head sideways – regarding it with an almost childlike curiosity – when Larenna notes her expression and states, “It's a teleport enhancer. We planted another one outside Donavrat, to make the trip faster.”
Slowly nodding her head, Sina almost absently remarks in a near whisper, “I read about them before...”
Larenna motions for her to stand near it while Rowan and Garam gather next to them; then turns her attention to the enhancer and begins the conjuration, holding both her staff and a hand up near the rounded head and quickly drawing together the weave of the spell, taking only a short peek to the other side to be sure that no one's in the vicinity of the destination...
And in just a short flash of swirling blue energy and wind, the four of them are shifted from their position outside the chapel to one just outside the city of Donavrat, gathered around an identical enhancer pole in a small clearing by the main road. Gathering their senses together, they quickly come to and look about, spotting the road in short order and starting for it; Larenna first being sure to rest a gentle hand on Sina's shoulder before leading her past the thin brush at the clearing's edge.
As they step through, a cart begins to pass on the road, and the four of them emerge next to it as it passes; a merchant's cart, loaded so densely with wares the springs of its suspension creak and groan, the carriage sinking low to the ground in protest. The man driving it looks over as they appear – squinting his eyes as he regards them – quickly noting that these are not common road bandits... but possibly soldiers of fortune, or adventurers, perhaps.
Seeing that they pose him no threat – even waving at him with friendly nods – he removes his hat in turn and smiles, politely tipping it in greeting. “Hello!”
...But then his eyes fall on Sina... and he pauses. Her chest tightens in fear; does he recognize her? And will he sound an alarm?
Thankfully, however, her fears are unfounded, as he smiles wider still and waves the hat down to his chest, nodding deeply to her as he looks in her unconcealed eye. “And to thee... thou vision of loveliness.”
She watches in stunned silence as he places the hat back on his head and looks forward again, giving the reins of his pack beasts a slight whip as he implores they ride a bit steadier, the cart moving quickly off and leaving them on the roadside. Her eyes follow him while she turns over the words in her head – he used the formal tense when addressing her; unusual for a commoner, except when being cordial – as Garam and Rowan take point, moving past them along the road. Larenna pauses, however, looking down to Sina's surprised expression, and leans over to ask, “Something wrong?”
Turning a surprised gaze up at her, Sina replies with shock in her voice, “He didn't recognize me.”
Glancing back down the road momentarily, Larenna then looks back and leads Sina along it by the shoulder, lowering her voice as she informs her, “Most won't... your appearance is actually a bit of a mystery.”
Slowly looking away, Sina nods in grim realization, her mouth hanging slightly open as she takes in the words... a sober expression falling over her face then as her ears droop, her lips also pursing tightly together as she realizes the morbid explanation. Blinking her eyes in sad lament, she then – as much to herself as to anyone else – quietly mutters the reason why, stating, “Because I killed most who ever saw me...”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Begrudgingly, Rowan is forced to agree... in his zeal, he's forgotten what the woman has been through, and how long it's been from her perspective. Nodding first at Larenna, he then looks to Sina and gives her a silent nod of agreement; a nod she returns with a blank expression, seeming to look beyond him to some place deep in his soul, where she finds herself again reaching into his mind and following a faint thread of doubt buried within his thoughts... until Garam gives a tiny cough, looking her up and down as he remarks, “Besides, we should probably get you into some real clothes first... unless you want to go naked?”
Glancing first at him and then down at Larenna's borrowed cloak, Sina abruptly blushes, remembering her nudity beneath its cloth. Stepping in place as she draws the cloak a bit tighter, she then glances up to the space between Larenna and Rowan, bashfully muttering, “Not really...”
“All right, then,” Rowan begins, turning aside as he looks on her curiously. “First we get some clothes on your back, then we find a place to turn in for the night.”
Looking out a nearby window, Rowan notes the time of day, tracking the sun's travel across the sky... it won't actually be that long until sunset. Another detail he had forgotten about... they wouldn't have been able to travel far before nightfall, anyways. Almost trailing off in thought, he adds, “...Which won't be that long, really.”
Giving her a small, reassuring smile, Larenna then nods and turns about to lead the group away from this place... this ancient monument, converted into a hall of worship for evil. Garam follows his sister, and is soon trailed by Sina and Rowan, the four of them walking away from the library in momentary silence, the three mercenaries absorbed in their thoughts... while Sina finds herself again drawn to the musings in Rowan's mind.
Her mindreading seems to keep drifting towards him, she notes, and as she feels his presence looming over her shoulders... so, too, does she feel a looming doubt within his thoughts. He seems to harbor a deep–seated distrust of her, for though he champions her aid in their quest, he holds back in reserve contrary feelings, regarding her with suspicion... and she can't say he blames him.
Still, she can't help but feel hurt by the unspoken accusations... how can she convince him of her sincerity? She tries to avoid turning back to face him, but soon finds herself unable to as her head slowly turns to look up at him, a fresh wave of dull pain on her face as she gazes over her shoulder into his eyes. But he sees something different in her expression, thinking her fearful of him... so he glances down on her only momentarily, then back to the way ahead as he clenches his jaw tight, unsure of what to say; unsure if anything needs to be said.
Slowly she turns her gaze away from his, returning it on the backs of the twins as they continue to walk in silence; perhaps his trust will just have to be earned with actions, not words... and that will take time. They finally near the entrance to the chapel, however, and Larenna opens the doors, flooding the entrance with bright afternoon sunlight.
It's so bright, in fact, that Sina shields her eyes and cringes in pain, the light burning at her vision with unaccustomed intensity. Looking down on her, Rowan draws his brows together in question, then almost bemusedly asks, “Too bright?”
“I haven't seen sunlight in ages,” Sina mutters, slowly adjusting as she blinks her eyes... opening them fully as they step out into the daylight to regard the stunning vision before her: the forest about the chapel, bathed in the warming light of a sun she's not felt on her fur in more than thirty years.
Her hand slowly falls back to her side, and she halts in her step, her jaw falling agape at the sight of the forest; the sound of its idle peace startlingly calming to her senses. Having noticed the halt in Sina's gait, Larenna pauses, then is soon joined by Garam and Rowan as they all stop and turn about to watch Sina regard the world outside with stunned awe; Rowan having absently stepped beyond her.
There they see Sina standing dead still, turning her gaze side to side as she takes in the full breadth of the world outside – wonder and amazement in her eyes – when Rowan takes a step towards her and squints, momentarily surprised and concerned by her hesitation as he gently asks, “Are you all right?”
Her attention far away from him, she hears his question but passively, and gives her answer in a whisper as distant as her thoughts, faint and airy against the world around her. “It's so beautiful...”
Her gaze tracks into his then, where she pauses to look into his eyes, regarding him now in the bright sunlight... noting especially the way it drapes him in partial silhouette, its light accentuating the powerful, masculine lines of his shoulders and arms while bringing out the gentle slopes and curves of his face, casting also the stripes in his fur in a stark contrast that brings out their fierce patterns. Never before has she taken notice of how ruggedly handsome he is...

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Curling a corner of his lip down, Garam watches as Sina resumes walking towards the other end of the wall; himself, instead, curious to draw more information from the woman and know more about their quest as he asks, “How much does Bilat know of your work?”
“She knows everything I know,” Sina answers, her reply quick and nearly absent in tone as she reaches the bookcase at the far end, where she begins fingering the spines of the books; searching for something specific and particular. A thought occurs to her, however, and she adds in a lower voice, “Well... almost everything.”
“Oh?” Garam asks, stepping towards her and moving past Larenna, while Rowan looks up with a squinted eye, having gone to one of the tables at the room's center to peer at the books stacked on it.
Her mind far away as she searches, Sina absently answers, “She left me long ago to pursue her own search... in that time, I came across what I needed to finish my work.”
His jaw dropping open, Rowan steps over, moving around the table as he quickly asks, “You were close to finishing your work?”
Sina only nods – her answer wordless and matter–of–fact in tone – then suddenly doubles back over the row she's just searched... having noticed that something seems off. “I had unlocked what I needed to know of the ritual... all I needed were components.”
Rowan comes to stand behind her now, pausing as he watches her scan an upper row, and peers at her twitching ear. “What components did you need?”
Her hand stops moving, halting in place as her head lowers... Rowan unable to see the dark expression flash over her face. It's an expression that seems to become draped in shadow as she remembers the ritual's particulars, her thoughts centering on the one main, key ingredient. “...The blood of a thousand.”
Coming to stand next to Sina, Larenna turns a concerned expression up to Rowan, who returns it with a tight frown... if they hadn't stopped Sina when they did, there might have been another massacre just around the corner, and she might truly have become unstoppable.
In the present, however, Sina resumes her scan and shakes her head, unable to find what she's seeking. “Was it palace guard who removed the furniture?”
Looking back to her head and its quick movements, Rowan nods, answering, “The governor sent detachments to take up anything of value.”
“Did they remove any of the books from here?” Sina then asks, concern beginning to appear in her voice.
Squinting his eyes, Rowan opens his mouth and pauses – taken aback by her sudden apprehension – then replies with surprise in his tone, “No... I was under the impression that was going to happen later.”
Turning about, she glances at the three of them, a slight fear in her visible eye as it flicks between them. “Has anyone else been here?”
“Just some looters,” Larenna answers, glancing at Garam and then at Sina. “We ran off a pair just a moment ago, but they didn't seem to have taken anything.”
“What's wrong?” Garam asks, drawing his brows together as he watches Sina hang her head in thought.
She blinks for a moment, then turns her gaze back up to look at Garam, Larenna, and Rowan in turn, certain that she knows what happened to the absent books. “Some of my journals and books are missing.”
Afraid to hear the answer, Rowan nevertheless asks with furrowed brows, “Which ones?”
Sina blinks momentarily, her mouth twitching down in a frown before she replies, “Everything related to the ritual.”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Gasping loudly, Sina sits up straight in bed and flails about in a panic... a sound, it had to be a sound! Terror gripping her, she scrambles back on the mat and cowers against the wall, drawing her knees up to her chest and hugging them tightly, fear causing her to draw breath in staggered gasps and pants, her heart beating deafeningly loud in her ears as she tries to listen for unwelcome guests... hearing only her own heartbeat and panicked breathing in the dead silence.
She reaches out with her senses, feeling with her mindreading for any presence around herself, within or without the building... nothing. Still her body trembles, however, limbs shaking almost violently as she cautiously turns her gaze around the room, looking for anything out of the ordinary, but finding it all exactly as she left it. But something just woke her up... and she can swear it was some sort of loud noise, some violent slam against a wall, or a clattering in the other room.
And her mind can only think of one who might try to come find her, and the thought of seeing his gnarled face grips her mind with paralyzing fear.
Swallowing hard, she finally recognizes that she'll determine nothing for certain sitting here, and tries to calm herself, stilling her trembling limbs and trying to regain enough control of her faculties to dare rising from bed to inspect her home. Slowly and carefully she stands to her feet, working hard not to make any sort of noise, and wraps her arms about her waist for warmth and comfort... then steps timidly forward, feet laying carefully down one over another with silent padding, her hair falling shyly down around her face.
She nears the door and pauses, then leans carefully forward to peer out into the hallway... nothing. Pursing her lips, she steps out into it and looks to the opposite side, limbs trembling anew as she feels dread grip her chest. It tightens as her pulse races, her heart threatening to leap from her chest as she nears the opposite door, daring a slow peek into the main library... nothing.
She turns her gaze about the room, until her eyes fall upon the clock on the far wall, its pendulum swaying back and forth as it keeps the time, and her sight reading the time briefly: only a few hours since she's fallen asleep.
Plenty of time for someone to sneak in on her.
Turning her gaze aside, she then slowly and pensively turns about, feeling a foreboding presence peering over her shoulder, its ominous weight filling her chest with a black, empty terror... its breath warm and frighteningly familiar to her. Her breath coming in ever sharper gasps and pants, she waits, dreading to see what awaits behind her.... then abruptly spins and backs away, stumbling into the wall behind herself as she looks up with a frightened gasp...

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Sighing, Rowan is the first to step forward, heading towards the direct center, where they scooped up her dead body, and where he kneels, feeling at the cold stone floor with his palm... wondering for a moment if her spirit still haunts this place. Having followed him forward, Larenna reaches out with her senses as she notices his change in expression, and feels at his dull apprehension... wondering what could be bothering him as she asks in a quiet voice, “Something wrong?”
He glances up at her, then stands as he shakes his head, a bashful, open–mouthed smirk on his face. “Oh, no... nothing.”
He then looks up and studies the atrium around them, noting its barren walls and the sunlight streaming in through tall windows all along its length; shrugging his shoulders briefly as he adds, “Just wondering if her ghost still wanders this place.”
“You believe in ghosts?” Garam bemusedly asks, stepping close to him and crossing his arms, tilting his head sideways with curiosity.
Rowan turns the smirk on him then, its curl turning sarcastic as he asks in reply, “Would it not be possible for a soul to get trapped here on the way to the afterlife?”
Garam glances at Larenna, who returns it with a shrug and a slight frown, then looks back at Rowan as he blinks, shrugging. “Hey, you're the philosopher here.”
Rowan shakes his head, his response wordless and sardonic in tone, then takes a deep breath as he refocuses himself on their purpose, glancing around at the barren room before turning his gaze back on the other two. “Well, we'll find nothing here. The library was on the other side, I think.”
He points to a door connecting to the inside of the atrium, which Larenna looks out of before glancing back and nodding, dutifully following as Rowan leads the way, the three of them soon emerging into a wide main hall connecting the atrium with a number of inner chambers... residencies for the priesthood that once occupied this chapel, study and meditation chambers, and, yes, the library on the other end of the hall, its door across from another that would lead back into the main worship chamber.
Wondering what exactly it is they should be looking for – and how they'll ever find it – Rowan finds himself stifling a shrug... it's almost as if he walks across a grave, a cold feeling running through him in a stifled shiver. He can't tell if it's a premonition of something awful to come, or if it's simply remembered apprehension... his last memory of this place being one of frantic purpose.
And – most of all – not being able to be exactly sure that a ghost isn't wandering these halls. The shiver tries to return, and he stifles it away again... “Steady, Rowan... steady.”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Glancing into the next room, she's about to go towards it, when from the corner of her eye she notes something she hadn't seen in her earlier inspection; a low table in the back corner, whereupon sits a small case. Curious about it, she squints her eyes and turns, facing it as she flips the latches open using a brief force spell, then lifts the lid with another burst of force, gently setting it open.
There, tucked neatly inside, appears to be a set of robes and cloth. She blinks at the items curiously – wondering why the previous occupant would leave such things lying around – but then lifts the robe out with an invisible grip and holds it up to the light, studying its cloth... thin and coarse, but nevertheless in decent shape. The corners of her lips turn down, and she decides to try it on, turning and slipping the sleeves over her arms as she gradually releases her force grip, letting it slide on.
She then reaches up and pulls her hair out from beneath the cloth, carefully grasping the silver locks and removing them until they come free; letting it all fall back down in a gentle cascade against her back. In each hand she takes a flap of the robe and closes it about herself, holding it tight and feeling a dim warmth beginning to come down through her... yes, it'll do. It's badly oversized – the sleeves swallowing up her hands and the bottom covering her feet – but it's certainly better than being naked, she thinks.
Her gaze then lifts back up to the opposite room, and she approaches it carefully, letting the orb float into the room before her, where she looks in each direction before settling her eyes on the candle in this room, soon setting it alight as she's done with the other candle. She watches it burn for a moment, when her eyes catch sight of another box on the floor, tucked into a corner of the room beneath the table; what exactly did the last occupant leave behind, she wonders?
If she doesn't know any better, she'd say these things were left behind just for her to find and use.
But what is all this? A sanctum? A study? A library of some sort?
She turns in place, letting the light orb's power dissipate – its usefulness outlived by the candles – when her eyes fall on a nearby shelf and the black book lying on it, its fine leather cover having borne age quite well... its golden letters spelling out words in a tongue unfamiliar to her.
She blinks at it, curious about the inscription; she doesn't know the language, but the letters seem to resemble the human alphabets she's seen printed before, and as she peers at them – stepping nearer – she suddenly gasps as the words reveal themselves to her, translating into her native tongue in her mind, their meaning crystal clear: The Holy Bible.
But how could she possibly know the language? And how did a copy of it find its way into this alien tongue?
A thought occurs to her, and she frowns while reaching her senses back out into the aether, concentrating... reaching deeper and deeper... until she begins to feel the faintest of fields in the building; an ancient magical force that has been set to remain in place, blanketing the area in an odd, unknown force. Perhaps it's that force, she wonders, that allows her to read the words.
Chancing a quick glance up, she scans the titles on the bookcases, focusing on the unfamiliar ones... regarding with astonishment as each of them ring in her mind's ear with clarity, translating into her native language. Remarkable, she wonders; a library full of works in languages from around creation, all clearly readable. What visionary put all this together?
Glancing back to the black book, however, she finds herself suddenly curious about it... she had always heard quotes from the ancient work; at times, even been intrigued by them... but she never read the book. Just the realm of pompous fools and arrogant pricks, she once thought.
How wrong she'd been.
Her eyes draw down sadly, and she muses that if she had perhaps read it even once in her childhood, she might not be in this terrible place. But what stops her from reading it now, she wonders?
Nothing.
And so she gently picks it up, feels its heft in her hands, and carefully pulls the chair away from the table; testing its sturdiness before she sits in it. There she holds the book up to the light, settling carefully into the seat – its wood quietly creaking under her weight – before opening it up, gently flipping the pages until she reaches the first lines of the first book, reading the words with careful intent in the dead silence of the library...

“In the beginning, God created the Heavens and Earth...”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Her eyes are only beginning to focus on his expression when she suddenly feels a curious sensation... a tingling in the back of her mind... then a rush of emotions and thoughts as he activates her telepathic powers, an abrupt flow of violent thoughts and imagery flooding her mind as they look into each other's thoughts. It's a rush of tortuous visions and malevolent thoughts that has even her – among the worst of all – gasping and recoiling in horror, shrinking back into the metal table.
But after only a moment, she begins to feel at the far reaches of his mind, peeking at the hidden thoughts and memories kept far away at the back... then gasps as he suddenly breaks their link, shutting down her mindreading before she can see anything else. Momentarily stunned, she nevertheless has enough capacity to ask herself a broken question, thinking, “Did he just... was I...?”
Humming across from her, the demon muses to himself, considering her with a suddenly contemplative expression, the smirk having since drained from his face... apparently ignoring the trigger for her momentary inner monologue. “Hmm... so you have developed that ability... but you can't control it very well, either...”
His head then tilts sideways, the demon regarding her with an almost curious gaze. “And so you never used it much... unsettling, isn't it?”
The sneer returns, and he watches her breathe in quick, deep breaths, attempting to recollect herself as she looks back on him with wide, terrified eyes. “I would have thought you, of all people, would have been able to understand the depths of malevolence.”
She can think of nothing to say to him, and so turns her head away, looking down to the floor as she avoids his eyes... unable to meet them. And he is right; after everything she's done, she – of all people – should have been prepared for that barrage... because after all, she's done almost as bad to others in her life.
“Look at me, Sina,” he then abruptly commands, his voice rumbling and menacing.
But when she doesn't obey – keeping her gaze on the floor to their side – he growls louder, his voice echoing from the walls as he shouts out, “Look at me!”
Shutting her eyes tight, she turns her head away and grimaces, moisture beginning to form behind her eyelids as her breath draws in tight, wavering heaves... she just can't meet his gaze, knowing that she's just as bad as him; a monster, through and through. She hears him draw a deep, rumbling breath... but he doesn't move. For a long moment, nothing happens; the two of them simply waiting, one unwilling to look, and the other unwilling to bend.
Finally, however, she hears him clench a fist – the cold, gnarled skin tightening audibly – then rumble from deep in his chest, “Perhaps playtime is over, then...”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

Preview Series:

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

Announcing a special holiday treat!

Every day from now until Easter Sunday I will be posting an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Blood Witch, right up until April 18, when I will be releasing a preview version of the first few chapters of the work (which won't include some of the excerpts I will be posting; some of those occur much later in the book). After that, I may consider releasing additional pieces of following chapters one by one every week until a certain predetermined chapter limit is reached (so I don't just give the entire book away for free), but only if demand is so high that folks are scrambling for it.

But more than simply sharing a taste of things to come, I encourage all my readers and fans to retweet the excerpts - or at least, a link back to the journal containing the excerpt - and/or to repost them on Facebook, Myspace, Livejournal, blogs, FA and DA journal notes, writing and reading enthusiast forums... anyplace you can get a foothold in. Just spread the word. Together, let's get the hype out there before it even ever goes to print.

And more to the point, let's get eyeballs on my page and drive some interest in my work. =)

They say it's the golden age of social media, so let's take this thing and make it trend. I've never gotten around to making a Twitter account myself - and I tend to avoid Facebook and Myspace - but I know many of you do, and your help would be so greatly appreciated. Together, let's make this thing a hit before it's even ever released.

Well... assuming it's worthy, anyway.

But enough modesty... on to today's part of the story:

---

Shaking her head in disbelief, she then looks away and buries her head again into her knees, frightened eyes clenching shut as she denies the truth. “No... no...”
But the imp only cackles at her, taking a perverse amusement in her terror as the tiny voice laughs, “Oh, you mortals... so quick to make denials.”
She peers up at him, but says nothing for a time, instead observing him chuckle from deep in his chest... his devilish sneer taunting her fear. As she watches him, however, she finds herself curious as to his role; if he's a torturer, he's awfully small for the role... and if anything, he appears to be more a trickster than an overlord.
And what's more, he seems to speak her language... but his grasp of the Sanakam tongue seems rudimentary; he speaks it with a thick accent. Has he met more of her people, she wonders... or is it just some trick of demon magic? Blinking for a moment as she steadies herself, she then lifts her head slightly to ask of him, “So, what are you? My guide?”
“A guide?” he asks with bemusement, then cackles again, rocking on his haunches as he throws his head to the sky, eyes momentarily shutting as he laughs at her ignorance. After a moment of this, he then shakes his head and looks at her again, saying, “There are no guides here...”
He pauses, waiting as he emphasizes his next words... the grin on his face fading away as dark memories seem to grip him. “...Only pain and misery.”
Observing the sudden change in his demeanor, she then determines never to let herself fall under such a fate, and takes a deep breath before standing, the tuft of her tail flipping over her crotch and her arms wrapping about her chest to conceal her breasts; looking, too, to provide herself a bit of warmth as she finds herself suddenly aware of the intense, frigid cold here, contrasting vividly with the roiling flames of the lake of fire behind herself. Facing him fully, she stands tall and proud, lifting her head up and letting her tattoos pulsate as she tests her power... it still works here. “You can keep the misery... I am the Blood Witch. I bow to no one.”
The sneer returns slowly to his face as he regards her foolishness... no one – but no one – fails to succumb here... but she will learn that on her own. “Then you'd better start running... there are things here worse than any evil you can imagine.”

---

The Blood Witch is copyright © 2014 KL Sanchez. Second revision, 2014.

Content of released previews & excerpts is subject to change in future and final release versions.

Preview Series:

April 1
April 2
April 3
April 4
April 5
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 15
April 16
April 17
April 18
April 19
The Blood Witch Preview Release.

After being down for a time, Comicarotica appears to be back online; looks like Drunkduck became The Duck Webcomics some time back. The new address is linked to in my profile.

Let me know how many pages are broken; the front page, at the very least, is busted.

Some interesting notes on my gallery...

Most Faves:

1) Wile E Coyote + Roadrunner: 15
2) Busty Bitch (Mega Double Pen): 14
3) Playgirl (Magic Snake): 13
4) Zmiia(Dem Breasts): 12
5) Bonny Pacifier: 11
5t) Busty Bitch (Dat Bod): 11
6) Playgirl (Inflation): 10
7t) Veraflor (Dem Breasts): 9
7t) Scuzz Pacifier: 9
7t) Belle Pacifier: 9

Most Views:

1) Playgirl (Inflation): 400+
2) Tia (Dat Ass): 300+
3) Busty Bitch (Double Mega Pen): 225

Most Comments:

1) Miko (Dem Breasts): 9
2t) Several at 8
3t) Several at 7

Obviously not an exhaustive list, I just quickly flipped through the pages and make a hasty headcount.

Apparently, though, if I want hits, I should focus on Zmiia, Miko, Veraflor, Playgirl, Busty Bitch, and Bonny (four of which are tripped). And make it extra raunchy. Also, it appears that Playgirl, Bonny, and Busty Bitch are my most popular playgirls... with Zmiia playing surprisingly strong in the field. Had zero idea she was that popular. Belle and Scuzz also play strong in the field (they have very strong fave-to-view ratios - around 10% or better).

And the peoples love talking about the trips. -_^

Thanks to our attendees, we have had our most successful charity and attendance numbers ever for Furry Fiesta! Thank you so much from the bottoms of our hearts... and despite a few miscreants (though it wouldn't be a proper con without one), the new hotel so far has said they love us.

Thank you for being the best group o' furs in all the land!

- KL Sanchez

P.S. That being said, I'm gonna sleep now.

There needs to be a Singles Appreciation Day.

More of a grouse than an announcement, but my scanner has now decided that it prefers Death to Life, and finally gave up the ghost yesterday.

And while she had a good 10+ years of faithful service, I am now left without a means to get my hand-drawn stuff into the computer and a $250 bill to make it happen again.

Ah, well... here's to yet another unscheduled expense.

"Soooo... what's that mean?"

No art for maybe another month... maybe longer, even.