Sunday Snippet: Red-Eyed Monster

February 19, 2017

Okay, I ended up watching The Walking Dead and enjoyed having the group back together. As always, The Talking Dead made me happy, too.

An off week for The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, which meant I got to start a binge watch of Daredevil. So far, so good. I have two more episodes of season one to watch and I'm loving it.

Arrow's episode with the origin of Wild Dog ended up being terrific. I'm so happy they got a season six order. Arrow is consistently one of my favorites.

Riverdale continues to be must see for me. It's not perfect, but I like that. Lots of room to grow the characters and plot threads. I'll be waiting patiently for the next person to slap Alice Cooper… or to bring her down. Either is okay with me.

Caught up on Murdoch Mysteries and happy to see Brackenreid back. I enjoy him a lot. Looking forward to this week's episode.

And that's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Red-Eyed Monster, a novella with a twist on the Hansel and Gretel tale.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Psyche Hood and Errol Winkham are best friends, growing up together in the enchanted realm. A sinister darkness and red-eyed metal monster is moving in and Psyche drags Errol out to pick up the trail, little knowing she's playing right into the evil wizard's plan. He wants the red-eyed monster to rain fire down on Errol so Psyche will be alone and his for the taking.

And a preview snippet…

The beast, a red-eyed, fire-breathing monster made its way through the enchanted woods. The huge metallic tale cut a swath behind him, ruining gardens, flower beds, and outdoor oases. Marcus Lamier smiled in the dark confines of his workshop, also known as his den of iniquity.

"Ten years I've waited. The time for vengeance is now." He guided the beast along the north quadrant of the magical forest, giving it free reign to destroy yards and wreak havoc on crops.

Banished for using the dark arts, Marcus hated being on the extreme edge of the realm. He didn't appreciate mingling with the others, humans who had no concept of magick or how to wield its power. But the regular population paid his bills and gave him the means to exact his revenge for being exiled.

"They shouldn't have interfered with my plans." Marcus urged the beast to a faster pace; viewing the chaos it left behind through the red filmy haze of its eyes connected to Marcus by a telepathic link.

His reputation for fixing the unfixable gave him a steady clientele that paid whatever price he named to fix their objects. Of course, using magick meant he could repair anything the regulars brought him. It also afforded him the means to build the object of his revenge, the beast plowing through the enchanted woods.

Marcus planned to start small; the north quadrant tonight and the west section tomorrow. "That'll get their attention." And one other person should take an interest. "Psyche."

His obsession with her started over ten years ago. At sixteen, Psyche Hood's inquisitive mind craved new and exciting knowledge. Forbidden topics intrigued her, nothing off-limits—even the dark arts.

Marcus snorted. "And that's how I ended up here." He directed the beast to end its destruction and guided him to the small cottage in the center of the woods.

Psyche resided behind the painted, green door. Marcus used the beast as a conduit and reached out with his mind. Not there. Probably off with her golden boy, Errol Winkam.

The bitter taste of bile filled Marcus's throat. "She won't be yours much longer."

Winkham had no idea what he had with Psyche. Her potential for power grew with each passing year. Marcus wanted to pluck Psyche and watch her ripen into the commanding mage he envisioned.

Ordering the beast to return to its lair, Marcus broke the connection. "Soon, Psyche. You'll be mine very soon."

Enjoying trying my hand at adding a twisty update to one of my favorite fairy tales.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye