Contents
The Angel Alejandro
Books by Alistair Cross
Praise for The Crimson Corset
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgements
The Players
Title Page
Part One: In the Beginning
Prologue
Prominence
The Naked Stranger
Natural Habitats
Bad Vibes
Confessions and Clairvoyance
Bernadette Watkiss
At Roxie’s Diner
Bart’s Ark
The Whisperers
Mr. Jones
Tremors and Tides
Lights Out
Unholy Night
Part Two: Let There be Light
The Days that Followed: At Vang’s Bangs
Sinking Into Oblivion
The Disrobed Daredevil
So Much Skin
Just Keep Busy
Shop Talk
The Only Two Vowels You Don’t Have to Buy
Woolgathering at Midnight
The Decay of a Salesman
Uncertain Skeptics
Roads Best Left Untraveled
Opening Night
Mephistopheles
A Sobering Set of Circumstances
Dishonorable Seductions
A Power Greater Than Ourselves
Lamebrains and Baby Jane
The Emptiness Gaped
Part Three: The Last Days
Street Walkers and Dirty Talkers
The Last Bath
The Devil in the Details
Rosemary’s Shady
A Feast of Madness
Unbridled Night
Dirty Deeds
Sickness in the Streets
The Man Without a Face
The Immaculate Seduction
Sex, Lies, and Fireworks
In the Dread of the Night
3 a.m. Confessions
Saturday
Sunday
Come When I Call You
At the Fair
A Blaze of Golden Glory
Six Months Later
Epilogue
About the Author
Books by Alistair Cross
Titles by Thorne & Cross
COMING SOON
The Angel Alejandro
A Man without a Past
After a near-fatal accident, Madison O'Riley is faced with an astonishing problem: What to do with the man who saved her life. Naive and heart-stoppingly handsome, he calls himself Alejandro ... and he has no memory of his past. As they set out to recover his lost identity, Madison realizes he harbors deep - and otherworldly - secrets that will shatter her understanding of reality ... secrets that may put her in grave danger.
The Devil in the Details
And now, there’s another stranger in town. Gremory Jones has something for everyone, and for a small price, he’s willing to make a deal. By day, he walks the streets of Prominence in top hat and trench coat, tempting the citizens with nefarious wares from his shiny black briefcase. By night, he and his legion of insatiable acolytes corrupt the locals at Club Mephistopheles, a den of unholy delights housed in an abandoned church.
The Battle has Begun …
The townspeople are changing in outrageous and appalling ways and it's up to Madison - with the help of a psychic, a local priest, and the new chief of police - to help Alejandro unlock his forgotten powers before an unspeakable evil tears apart the fabric of existence ... and costs them their very souls ...
Books by Alistair Cross
The Crimson Corset
The Book of Strange Persuasions
The Angel Alejandro
Books by Thorne & Cross
The Cliffhouse Haunting
The Ghosts of Ravencrest
Mother
The serialized Ghosts of Ravencrest installments
The Ghosts of Ravencrest: The New Governess
The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Awakening
The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Darker Shadows
The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Christmas Spirits
The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Night Moves
The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Dead Girls
The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Danse Macabre
The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Spellbound
The serialized Witches of Ravencrest installments
The Witches of Ravencrest: Grave Expectations
The Witches of Ravencrest: Dead of the Night
The Witches of Ravencrest: The Dark Heart
The Witches of Ravencrest: The Romerus Conjury
The Witches of Ravencrest: Bedeviled
Non-Fiction
Five Nights In a Haunted Cabin
Praise for The Crimson Corset
“Put Bram Stoker in a giant cocktail shaker, add a pinch of Laurell K. Hamilton, a shot of John Carpenter, and a healthy jigger of absinthe, and you’ll end up with Alistair Cross’s modern Gothic chiller, “The Crimson Corset” - a deliciously terrifying tale that will sink its teeth into you from page one.”
- Jay Bonansinga, New York Times Bestselling author of The Walking Dead: Invasion and Lucid...
“Alistair Cross’ new novel THE CRIMSON CORSET … is taut and elegantly written taking us into the realms where the erotic and the horrific meet. Reminiscent of the work of Sheridan Le Fanu (CARMILLA, UNCLE SILAS) in its hothouse, almost Victorian intensity, it tells a multi-leveled story of misalliance and mixed motives. The language is darkly lyrical, and the tale is compelling. Read it; you'll be glad you did.”
- Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, author of the Saint-Germain Cycle...
“This drop-deadly tale of seduction and terror will leave you begging to be fanged … ”
- Tamara Thorne, international bestselling author of Haunted and Moonfall
“I couldn’t put this book down. It’s got more hooks than a day boat out of San Pedro Harbor!”
- QL Pearce, bestselling author of Scary Stories for Sleep-Overs
Praise for Mother
“A great combination of strong characters that remind me of my V.C. Andrews characters, wonderful creepy twists, and a plot that will recall Mommie Dearest in an original take that shocks and delights at the same time. This is a full blown psychological thriller worth the investment of time and money.”
-Andrew Neiderman, Author of The Devil's Advocate and the V.C. Andrews novels
“While “binge-reading” the clever, shocking, deliciously creepy MOTHER by Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross (amid gasps, laughing out loud and muttering “Oh, my God, no…”), it dawned on me that these two should be writing for AMERICAN HORROR STORY. The authors offer up a fun, juicy, gripping thriller that’s nearly impossible to put down. As I kept turning the pages, I was reminded of MISERY, ROSEMARY’S BABY, PEYTON PLACE, PSYCHO and several other classics. But this is an original—as is the main character, Priscilla “Prissy” Martin, the mother of them all. Her perfect, poised façade masks an ugly, twisted, utterly evil woman—a character you’ll never forget. I think we found a spouse for Hannibal Lecter! And I think you’ll find MOTHER a fast-paced, delirious, heart-pounding thrill-ride.”
-Kevin O’Brien, New York Times Bestselling Author of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone
Praise for The Ghosts of Ravencrest
“In The Ghosts of Ravencrest, Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross have created a world that is dark, opulent, and smoldering with the promise of scares and seduction. You'll be able to feel the slide of the satin sheets, taste the fizz of champagne, and hear the footsteps on the stairs.”
-Sylvia Shults, paranormal expert and author of Fractured Spirits and Hunting Demons
“In this classic-style gothic, young Be
linda Moorland takes a job as governess for the children of Eric Manning, whose family mansion, Ravencrest, was reassembled stone by stone after crossing over from England. Now stalked by a bevy of quirky, shady characters … the sinister estate and its naughty nightside hijinks take center stage in this expert tale of multi-generational evil - and love. The Ghosts of Ravencrest will chill you and make you hot and bothered at the same time. There’s nothing like a stay in a California town created by Thorne and Cross!”
-W.D. Gagliani, author of Wolf’s Blind
Praise for The Cliffhouse Haunting
“Thorne & Cross are clever. The plot they create reads effortlessly, and they make us laugh and cringe and widen our eyes, looking away from the text at times to say, “Oh, no, they didn’t.” but they did.”
-Michael Aronovitz, author of Alice Walks and Witch of the Wood
“Thorne & Cross keep the surprises coming as swiftly as a master magician … The characters quickly become people we know, but then perhaps wish we didn’t … the laughter of recognition rides the bubbles on the surface of a deep-flowing darkness … There’s something cold in here.”
-Mark Hein, critic and editor at theaterghost.com
The Angel Alejandro
© 2017 Alistair Cross
All Rights Reserved
Glass Apple Press
First e-book edition January 2017
This eBook is for your personal device only. No part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the authors.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved.
Cover Design by Mike Rivera
The Angel Alejandro is dedicated to Tamara Thorne,
my friend, my collaborator …
You changed my life.
Acknowledgements
Heartfelt thanks, awkward hugs, and virtual high-fives to the following people, influences, and entities, without whom this novel would be a very different beast:
Heather Anderson, for telling me to do it … and for letting me keep the golden mirror.
Libba Campbell, for being the world’s best copy editor.
Q.L. Pearce, for the time, the kindness, the meditations, and the heart of solid gold.
Mark Hein, for helping me clean up so nice.
Berlin Malcom at BAM! Literature, for the hours spent on my behalf.
Lynita Bushman, for “getting” me long before anyone else did. I hope you like your new ‘do …
Brad Sant, for haunting all the dark corners with me. Wait’ll you see where we’re going next!
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, for writing beautifully and being delightful.
Douglas Clegg, for giving great advice and being very, very funny.
Jay Bonansinga, for inspiration and so much kindness.
Dianna Love, for rocking my world.
Ryan Lindsay, for all things cars, guitars and, of course, chickens. Rock on!
Lynn Worst, for your knowledge, generosity, kindness, and support.
Mike Rivera, because damn - you’re good.
Pam Stack, for Haunted Nights LIVE!
California, for its fog, its history, and its beauty.
Susan Brotherson, for so much.
Pa, for electrical help.
“Alaska” and the ladies, for letting us watch.
The Man with the Briefcase, for always going wherever it is you’re going …
Damien, for sharing her with me.
The readers ... thank you most of all.
Any discrepancies, leaps of logic, or outright blunders are solely the fault of the author and not the professionals who were kind enough to share their knowledge.
THE PLAYERS
**Repeat Offenders (characters who have made appearances in other Alistair Cross or Thorne & Cross novels)
ALEJANDRO, amnesiac
MADISON O’RILEY, owner of O’Riley’s Rock Shop
The Police
**NICK GRAYSON, chief of police
MARTY PULLMAN, deputy
CLINT HORACE, desk sergeant
COREY BANNON, officer
**ETHAN HUNTER, Nick Grayson’s friend and former boss from Crimson Cove
At Church
THOMAS WAINWRIGHT, priest, professor
DAVE F., A.A. member
PATRICK, A.A. member
LAURA C., A.A. member
MS. PETERSON, organist
JESSICA RODNEY, churchgoer
NORMAN BAKER, churchgoer
BUSTER HARDEN, churchgoer
St. Agatha’s/Club Mephistopheles
GREMORY JONES, salesman, business owner
TYRANNY, investor and exotic dancer
ASTAROTH, investor and exotic dancer
ZAZEL, investor and exotic dancer
CORSON, investor and exotic dancer
ESTRELLA, investor and exotic dancer
THORNE, investor and exotic dancer
Around Town
BERNADETTE WATKISS, rock shop assistant and friend to Madison
BEVERLY SIMON, psychic
NATHANIEL, a friend
OLIVIA LE BLATTE, realtor
ROXIE MICHAELSON, diner owner
BART ABERDEEN, pet storeowner
ERIC (COOTER) COOTERMAN, reporter
ABIGAIL STRANE, local
ROMAN STRANE, her husband (deceased)
DRAVEN WILLARD, owner of St. Agatha’s
STARDENE CASSEL, barista
BOBBY BECKSTEAD, electrician
SHAWN BARZETTI, electrician
TIFFANY RHODES, waitress
PAULETTE DRISCOLL, motel manager
CARLY BRAXTON, motel employee
JEFFREY GIMPLE, Nick’s landlord
NEDRA GIMPLE, Jeffrey’s wife
MALCOLM WAGBORNE, owner of Cafe Spastica’s
TOMMY, little boy
FESTUS CRAWLEY, local
JULIO, cook at Roxie’s Diner
DARCY CROMWELL, local
MARION BUSBY, local gossip
ANDREW MORLEY, Medical Examiner
At The Beauty Parlor
EVELYN VANG, beautician
REBECCA MCNAIR, assistant to Ms. Vang
ROSEMARY HESS, town matriarch
CLORIS RIDDLEY, local
LENA HARDING, local
DIANA STOUT, local
HOWARD BLACKBURN, bank manager
LYNITA FONTOYA, retired veterinarian
BARBARA PARKER, local
At the Fair
**JOE LAMB, from Devilswood
**KRISTEN, his wife
On the Air
**REVEREND BOBBY FELCHER, evangelist
**COASTAL EDDIE, radio deejay at KNDL FM
**TOMORROW’S SINGING STARS, television program
In the Pages
**KATHRYN MCLEOD, novelist
CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY, author and Madison’s father (deceased)
Honorable Mentions
**DORA LANGLEY, Thomas Wainwright’s sister from Crimson Cove
MOIRA O’RILEY, Madison’s mother (AWOL)
MS. FROELICH, organist (deceased)
TOBY TAVERS, private investigator
TRISH, assistant to Olivia LeBlatte
TREVOR KEECE, ex-husband to Beverly Simon (from Snapdragon)
DAVID, local child (deceased)
BRANDON MARSH, convicted mass murderer
JOSEPH WILLARD, Draven’s great-great grandfather and town founder (deceased)
JANICE, Nick’s aunt from Crimson Cove
The Pets
PIRATE, a parrot
FELIX, kitten
LUCILLE, sister to Felix
PRUNELLA, The Parkers’ cat
WINKIE THE GOLDEN HEDGEHOG,
town mascot, pet of Joseph Willard (deceased)
LUCAS, Rosemary Hess’ rottweiler
The Angel Alejandro
Alistair Cross
Part One
In the Beginning
“Where God hath a temple, the Devil will have a chapel.”
-Robert Burton
Prologue
The thunder sounded like an angry god cracking his whip, and although Madison O’Riley had done nothing to provoke the wrath of any higher beings, it felt personal.
Despite the blast of the storm, she hastened up the ladder onto the roof, intent on fixing the leak, refusing to surrender to a little rain. Okay, a lot of rain, she thought as the sprinkling turned to torrents.
The old clapboard house perched on a hill at the outskirts of town, and from this height, she could see the entire valley pulsing as silver lightning blossomed in the spiteful, pewter sky. Gritting her teeth, she pulled herself onto the roof one-handed, the fingers of her free hand like a sprung trap around the caulking gun.
Her feet slipped on the slick shingles but she maintained her footing, walk-crawling up the pitched roof, proud of her stick-to-itiveness. Half-blinded by the rain and nearly deafened by the overhead holocaust, she scrambled and scurried, searching for the fissure. Between two shingles a few feet from the brick chimney was a small crack. It didn’t seem big enough to account for the amount of rain that now pooled in her living room. “Seriously?”
The sky, as if letting her know that, yes, it was quite serious, flashed and pealed out another crash. It was closer than she’d thought. This probably wasn’t a very good idea. But she’d already come this far, and she’d be damned if she’d give up now.
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