She hates me

The Beast sat with his back against the wall. I walked over to stand beside him.

“Are you going to be okay?” I asked.

He laughed. “I’m not quite fully recovered from that binding spell, and a point-blank bullet packs a hell of a punch.” He rubbed his chest. “Knocked the wind out of me.”

“Why did you get in the way, then? Should have let me have my wind knocked out instead. I’m getting used to being shot today.”

Another laugh. “Really?” I looked at him. He shook his head. “Always remember that you only gained a little part of my power. That bullet would have gone right through you.”

My mouth went dry. Time for a drink. Or three.

Speaking of threesomes, an untidy pile of cloaked bodies lay near the door. I could see Mike’s ponytail sticking out from under them.

“Are they…?” I started.

“No, we’re fucking not,” came the response, as the ponytail moved and its owner’s face made an appearance. “But, honestly, I think we need to start again. We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. If you’ll just give me a few minutes to explain the bigger picture…”

Stevie stretched his leg and tapped the top of Mike’s head. “No point,” he replied. “I appreciate where you’re coming from. I understand your point of view. Jesus squeeze us, I even sympathize with what you’re trying to do. But I can’t be a part of it. I can’t let you do it without me, either. Not your way.”

Michael sighed. “It really is the only way. You’ll come to see that, in time.”

Morag stepped over and went down on one knee beside the heap of bodies. She smiled. I shivered. “Too much talk.” Then her blade was dancing across Mike’s throat and he was gurgling as he was reduced to just another pool of blood spreading across the linoleum floor.

Extract from Burning Roses, a decadent tale of sex, drugs, rock n roll & magick. Available on Amazon. Also available in paperback.

And on Amazon.co.uk.

If you’re anywhere near Johannesburg, don’t miss the Book Fair at Cosmic Comics, 254 Beyers Naude Drive, Blackheath. From 9:30am on the 24th of August – just before National Book Week – you can get your hands on signed copies of any of my books – including Burning Roses – and a whole lot more from other talented authors.

Free entrance.

Click here for free previews of some of the books that will be available. Book prices as low as R50.

Or check out some of the other authors here.

For those of you who follow my weekly posts – I’ll be giving away a free copy of Burning Roses to the first person at the fair who asks me for one after 10:30am.

And a free copy of Tales from the Crying Room, to the first person who asks for one after 1pm.

Other authors exhibiting at the fair are excluded from this offer. Other terms & conditions may apply, depending how I feel on the day.

Till next time.

Cheers.