by R. J. Blain
“I trust your judgment, Pepper. If a tolerable compromise can be made, I am certain our friends will be willing to consider the circumstances. They are wise, and they recognize when a wolf hides in sheep’s clothing. But I would remind our host that it is not wise to have us for an enemy, for we are far stronger together than we are apart.”
Unable to tell if he meant us as in a couple or us as in an alliance among preternaturals, I nodded before lifting my chin and returning my attention to my father. “I’ll prepare a proposal. Expect it to take a few weeks. I’m sure you will need the time to evaluate the situation for yourself.”
“It’s a deal. And Penelope?”
I hated my name, but I refused to insist he sully my name of choice from speaking it. “Yes?”
“Don’t cross me. You will regret it.”
I already regretted his contribution to my life. But, to keep the peace and prevent him from immediately executing any plans of retaliation he considered, I nodded. “Just as you will regret it should you push your plans forward in the way you initially conceived. I would be careful about who you cross, too, if I were you. I’m not the woman I was a year ago. She’s quite dead, I assure you. You will find me to be many things I wasn’t before, including ruthless.”
“If only you had been a son rather than a daughter.”
“I’m fine exactly as I am. Had you valued me more than my gender, you would recognize that. That’s your loss and Emerick’s gain. I’ll have a proposal sent to you by courier within a few weeks, and should it be necessary, we can schedule a meeting.”
“You do not plan to bring me your proposal yourself?”
“Of course not. I will not waste my time standing around and doing nothing when we both know full well you won’t be ready for serious discussions for several days after receiving the proposal. You should know better. You’re the one who taught me the value of efficiency. We’ll take our leave now, Father. Oh, and a piece of advice, if I may?”
“What advice could you possibly have for me?”
“Breckenan is my enemy, and you might even earn yourself a tentative friendship should you decide to upgrade him from a petty annoyance to a proper threat to your empire. And I recommend against forging an alliance with him. You will make stronger enemies as a result.”
My father narrowed his eyes. “What did this Breckenan do to you?”
“Are you asking as the builder of an empire under fire or as a father?” I countered.
“In this case, can it not be both?”
While I knew little of Clarke beyond his relationship with Emerick, I trusted in his word. The truth wouldn’t sway my father, but it might influence the gathered preternaturals who stood ready to make a stand with me. “He tortured me for answers I refused to give. Your secrets went to my grave with me. That is all you need to know.”
That was all I needed to know, too.
“I see.”
Some lies were told to hide the truth. Others were spoken to preserve ego or pride. In my father’s case, his lies were born from his inability to comprehend what it meant to be slaughtered and dumped into an early grave only to claw to a sunless freedom. He would never understand, but I could accept that.
He didn’t need to understand. No one needed to understand.
I lived, and I meant to make the most of my new life, however strange that life had become.
“We’re done here, Emerick.”
With a smile full of promises, Emerick took me home.
Dear reader,
Yes, there will be a book two. When I plotted this book, I severely underestimated the number of words it would take to actually write this. I got to the halfway point, discovered I was already at a hundred thousand words, and stared down the throat of a deadline.
This book has teeth.
So, as I am incapable of writing an extra hundred thousand words in the matter of a few days, Silent Stalker will continue Pepper and Emerick’s tale, which will delve into the dark world of vampiric politics, balls, and human treachery.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the first installment. I am hoping to have Silent Stalker ready for an early 2021 release.
Thank you.
About the Author
Want to hear from the author when a new book releases? Sign up here! Please note this newsletter is operated by the Furred & Frond Management. Expect to be sassed by a cat. (With guest features of other animals, including dogs.)
* * *
For a complete list of books written by RJ and her various pen names, please click here.
* * *
RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.
* * *
When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter.
* * *
In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.
* * *
RJ also writes as Susan Copperfield and Bernadette Franklin. Visit RJ and her pets (the Management) at thesneakykittycritic.com.
Follow RJ & her alter egos on Bookbub:
RJ Blain
Susan Copperfield
Bernadette Franklin
Don't miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever R.J. Blain publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.
https://books2read.com/r/B-A-KQMJ-GOJZ
Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
