“Where did you learn the blood sigil?”
“Gryn, an old sorcerer, gave them to me,” I said. “He studied under—”
“Circe, yes, I know Gryn,” Acheron said. “You didn’t break the bond, you transformed it. It’s hard to explain. That blood sigil made us kin. The easiest way for you to understand it is…we’re family now.”
“What?” I nearly yelled. “What are you talking about? That sigil was meant to break our bond, not turn you into my creepy uncle.”
“I prefer wiser and venerated older brother,” Acheron said, pushing up his glasses. “I am older than you by a significant number of centuries.”
“When I find Gryn, I’m going to hurt that old man.”
“It was a smart—if dangerous—ploy,” Acheron said, strapping in. “The Majoras could sense you were my kin. It was the only thing that allowed me to bluff our way out of there. Besides, I couldn’t abandon my little sister, now could I?”
“Little sister? First and last time,” I menaced as he put his hands up in surrender. “How did you know I was Darkin?”
“Your energy signature is different now, elevated. The only logical conclusion was a transformation to Darkin.”
“What if Balorous had called your bluff?”
“We wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Acheron said, his voice grim as he looked out of the window. “We’d be fighting for our lives this very moment, and losing.”
“Shit,” I said, slowly shaking my head. “I can’t believe Rodrigo is involved in this.”
“You have deeper concerns,” Acheron said as I started Eight with a loud rumble that quickly became a growling purr. “By becoming my kin, you are officially a demon now.”
“I’m not a demon.”
“Semantics,” Acheron said, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter that you are Otherkin or Darkin. To the Seven, the OSA, and the Black Cleavers, you are now enemy number one.”
“Me against all of them?” I asked, keeping my voice low. “That’s…I don’t know—”
“Us,” Acheron said. “It’s us against all of them. I almost pity them…almost. Now, take us to Fongs. I’m absolutely famished.”
“Fongs sounds perfect.”
“Yes…yes it does.”
I strapped in and crushed the accelerator.
THE END
Author Notes
Thank you for reading this story and jumping into the darker world of Nyxia & Acheron.
This story picks up where THEY BITE left off. Writing Nyxia &Acheron is a completely different experience from writing Monty & Strong. I find that Nyxia refuses to be managed, censored (she definitely believes cursing is a free expression of who she is), or controlled (don’t tell me what to do is what I hear from her often). This is both fun and frustrating, but I’m learning to roll with it.
Initially, this story was going in another direction, but it became a sort of training montage with Nyxia getting a handle on her Darkin abilities to some extent.
The key to this story is Nyxia’s fierce loyalty to those she calls friend. She doesn’t have many, in fact she really only has one friend, and he’s a demon. For most of this story she had to operate without Acheron. I discovered this was a good and bad thing. An unchecked Nyxia would just be a horror story with an immense bodycount. Acheron keeps her grounded and acts a buffer against her darker nature.
It’s surprising that this story has me exploring what is the definition of ‘evil’ (thanks Jeanette for pointing this out). In Nyxia’s world, Acheron and demons are considered evil. For Nyxia, Acheron is her close friend who always has her back. More to explore there for sure.
A note on the Nyxia & Acheron Coalition (NAC for short). You are extremely persuasive. I keep hearing that N&A are quickly becoming reader favorites, even surpassing M&S, which puts me in a tight spot lol. It seems I will have to continue writing her story past THEY KILL which was slated to be the next (and last story) in the Nyxia trilogy.
I will rework the outline for the next book and see if I can wrangle Nyxia into a longer series worthy of the characters. One of the driving questions that came up during edits was: Is Nyxia a Darkin or does she wield the power of a Darkin? I apologize if that’s not clear in the story as its a process she is going through. Currently, she is wielding the power of a Darkin…eventually wielding and being become one. I will explain more about the Darkin in the next story.
Yes, Gryn will reappear at some point. Maybe not the next story, possibly the first book of the longer series…we’ll see. He’s a great character that deserves more time in the spotlight. Besides, he still has much to teach Nyx.
In this story, I revealed a bit about Acheron’s past. I don’t know how much more will be revealed in the next story. I think I will save that, and the time of Nyx’s humanity for a later story. Right now, Nyx has her hands full, especially with Rodrigo and the Seven.
There are also other demons to introduce as well as other sorcerous types to bring into play. Overall, I’m enjoying the darker aspects of this world and I hope that comes across as I tell Nyx & Acheron’s stories.
I want to express my humblest thanks to each and every one of you(especially the NAC!) for stepping into Nyx’s world with me. Each new story and each new world is always a risk. I count myself fortunate and honored to have a MoB Family of readers that will allow me to take a chance on a different type of story and support me as I do so.
You totally rock!
Thank you again for spending a few moments in the darker corners of Nyx’s world with me!
Special Mentions
To the MoB Nyxia & Acheron Coalition(NAC): I keep hearing your voices for MORE. I hear you. THEY KILL won’t be the end, your nudging is extremely persuasive (looking at you, Dolly) and I will rough out an idea of the first in the longer series after the trilogy is done.
Larry & Tammy—The WOUF: Because even when you aren’t there…you’re there.
Orlando A. Sanchez
www.orlandoasanchez.com
Orlando has been writing ever since his teens when he was immersed in creating scenarios for playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends every weekend.
The worlds of his books are urban settings with a twist of the paranormal lurking just behind the scenes and with generous doses of magic, martial arts, and mayhem.
He currently resides in Queens, NY with his wife and children.
Bitten Peaches Publishing
Thanks for Reading
If you enjoyed this book, would you please leave a review at the site you purchased it from? It doesn’t have to be long… just a line or two would be fantastic and it would really help me out.
Bitten Peaches Publishing offers more books by this author. From science fiction & fantasy to adventure & mystery, we bring the best stories for adults and kids alike.
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More books by Orlando A. Sanchez
The Warriors of the Way
The Karashihan*•The Spiritual Warriors•The Ascendants•The Fallen Warrior•The Warrior Ascendant•The Master Warrior
John Kane
The Deepest Cut*•Blur
Sepia Blue
The Last Dance*•Rise of the Night•Sisters•Nightmare•Nameless•Demon
Chronicles of the Modern Mystics
The Dark Flame•A Dream of Ashes
Montague & Strong Detective Agency Novels
Tombyards & Butterflies•Full Moon Howl•Blood is Thicker•Silver Clouds Dirty Sky•Homecoming•Dragons & Demigods•Bullets & Blades•Hell Hath No Fury•Reaping Wind•The Golem•Dark Glass•Walking the Razor
Montague & Strong Detective Agency Stories
No God is Safe•The Date•The War Mage•A Proper Hellhound•The Perfect Cup•Saving Mr. K
Brew & Chew Adventures
Hellhound Blues
Night Warden Novels
Wander•ShadowStrut
Division 13
The Operative•The Magekiller
&n
bsp; Blackjack Chronicles
The Dread Warlock
The Assassin’s Apprentice
The Birth of Death
Gideon Shepherd Thrillers
Sheepdog
DAMNED
Aftermath
RULE OF THE COUNCIL
Blood Ascension•Blood Betrayal•Blood Rule
NYXIA WHITE
They Bite•They Rend•They Kill
*Books denoted with an asterisk are FREE via my website—www.orlandoasanchez.com
Acknowledgements
With each book, I realize that every time I learn something about this craft, it highlights so many things I still have to learn. Each book, each creative expression, has a large group of people behind it.
This book is no different.
Even though you see one name on the cover, it is with the knowledge that I am standing on the shoulders of the literary giants that informed my youth, and am supported by my generous readers who give of their time to jump into the adventures of my overactive imagination.
I would like to take a moment to express my most sincere thanks:
To Dolly: My wife and greatest support. You make all this possible each and every day. You keep me grounded when I get lost in the forest of ideas. Thank you for asking the right questions when needed, and listening intently when I go off on tangents, and late night notes that make the story awesome. Thank you for who you are and the space you create—I love you.
To my Tribe: You are the reason I have stories to tell. You cannot possibly fathom how much and how deeply I love you all. You are my heart.
To Lee: Because you were the first audience I ever had. I love you, sis.
To the Logsdon Family: The words thank you are insufficient to describe the gratitude in my heart for each of you. JL, your support always demands I bring my best, my A-game, and produce the best story I can (Chapter 34 is still your fault!). Both you and Lorelei (my Uber Jeditor) and now, Audrey, are the reason I am where I am today. My thank you for the notes, challenges, corrections, advice, and laughter. Your patience is truly infinite. Arigatogozaimasu.
To The Montague & Strong Case Files Group—AKA The MoB (Mages of Badassery): When I wrote T&B there were fifty-five members in The MoB. As of this release, there are over one thousand three hundred members in the MoB. I am honored to be able to call you my MoB Family. Thank you for being part of this group and M&S.
You make all of this possible. THANK YOU.
To the ever-vigilant PACK: You help make the MoB…the MoB. Keeping it a safe place for us to share and just…be. Thank you for your selfless vigilance. You truly are the Sentries of Sanity.
Chris Christman II: A real-life technomancer who makes the MoBTV LIVEvents +Kaffeeklatsch on YouTube amazing. Thank you for your tireless work and wisdom. Everything is connected…you totally rock!
To the WTA—The Incorrigibles: JL, Ben Z., Eric QK., S.S. and Noah.
They sound like a bunch of badass misfits, because they are. My exposure to the deranged and deviant brain trust you all represent helped me be the author I am today. I have officially gone to the dark side thanks to all of you. I humbly give you my thanks, and…it’s all your fault.
To all my fellow Indie Authors:
I’ve learned that the indie author community is large and small at the same time. I wanted to take a moment to express my thanks to each of you that reached back, remembering where you started and extended a hand or a few moments of your time to help other authors on this sometimes lonely path. Together, we lift and encourage each other as we push towards excellence. A rising tide lifts all the ships indeed.
To The English Advisory: Aaron, Penny, Carrie, Davina, and all of the UK MoB. For all things English…thank you.
To DEATH WISH COFFEE: This book (and every book I write) has been fueled by generous amounts of the only coffee on the planet (and in space) strong enough to power my very twisted imagination. Is there any other coffee that can compare? I think not. DEATHWISH—thank you!
To Deranged Doctor Design: Kim, Darja, Tanja, Jovana, and Milo (Designer Extraordinaire).
If you’ve seen the covers of my books and been amazed, you can thank the very talented and gifted creative team at DDD. They take the rough ideas I give them, and produce incredible covers that continue to surprise and amaze me. Each time, I find myself striving to write a story worthy of the covers they produce. DDD, you embody professionalism and creativity. Thank you for the great service and spectacular covers. YOU GUYS RULE!
To you, the reader: I was always taught to save the best for last. I write these stories for you. Thank you for jumping down the rabbit holes of what if? with me.
You are the reason I write the stories I do.
You keep reading…I’ll keep writing.
Thank you for your support and encouragement!
Contact Me
I really do appreciate your feedback. You can let me know what you thought of the story by emailing me at:
[email protected]
To get FREE stories, please visit my page at:
www.orlandoasanchez.com
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Montague & Strong Case Files
Visit our online M&S World Swag Store located at:
Emandes
If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review. Reviews help the book, and also help other readers find good stories to read.
THANK YOU!
ART SHREDDERS
I want to take a moment to extend a special thanks to the ART SHREDDERS.
No book is the work of one person. I am fortunate enough to have an amazing team of advance readers and shredders.
Thank you for giving of your time and keen eyes to provide notes, insights, answers to the questions, and corrections (dealing wonderfully with my extreme dreaded comma allergy). You help make every book and story go from good to great. Each and every one of you helped make this book fantastic, and I couldn’t do this without each of you.
THANK YOU
ART SHREDDERS
Amber, Anne Morando, Audra Vroman Meyers, Audrey Cienki
Barbara Hamm, Bethany Showell, Beverly Collie
Carrie Anne O’Leary, Cat, Chris Christman II, Colleen Taylor
Davina ‘The Tao of Comma’ Noble, Denise King, Diana Gray, Diane Craig, Diane Kassmann, Dolly Sanchez, Donna Young Hatridge
Hal Bass
Jasmine Breeden, Jeanette Auer, Joy Kiili, Joy Ollier, Julie Peckett
Karen Hollyhead
Larry Diaz Tushman, Laura Tallman I
Malcolm Robertson, Marcia Campbell, MaryAnn Sims, Maryelaine Eckerle-Foster, Melissa Miller
Paige Guido, Pat (the silly sister)
RC Battels, Rene Corrie
Sara Mason Branson, Shannon Owens Bainbridge, Stacey Stein, Stephanie Claypoole, Sue Watts, Susie Johnson
Tami Cowles, Tanya Anderson, Ted Camer, Terri Adkisson
Vikki Brannagan
Wendy Schindler
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
© 2021 Orlando A. Sanchez
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
Published by: Bitten Peaches Publishing
Cover Art: Deranged Doctor Design www.derangeddoctordesign.com
Thanks for Reading
If you enjoyed this book, would you please leave a review at the site you purchased it from? It doesn’t have to be a book report…just a line or two would be fantastic and it would really help us out!
They Rend: A Nyxia White Story (The Nyxia White Stories Book 2) Page 8
