Sunday Snippet: Price Paid

Whew. What a week. My middle kiddo—who's not really a kiddo anymore at twenty—ended up in an accident when a car turned in front of him across traffic. His car is pretty crunched up but he's thankfully okay. It's been a lot of phone calls this week to get a loaner car lined up and an insurance claim filed. I can say one thing with absolute certainty. I'm so glad we don't have many accidents or fender benders that need insurance company involvement. Yeesh.

I've been on a bit of a comfort viewing watch this past week. I stuck with more Peter Gunn episodes after watching the weekend marathon. I'm in the beginning of season two and about ten or so episodes in.

Also caught three groups of episodes with Classic Who. The six-part Web of Fear, which had some editing issues but it's better than not being available. I followed that with The Wheel in Space, another six-part arc. And then finished up with The Dominators, which is a five-part storyline. It looks like I'm in the last season of Two's run. I'm a little disappointed with how few episodes are available from his tenure.

I watched the last two episodes of series sixteen of Midsomer Murders and started the first episode of series seventeen. It's kind of odd how there was "The Flying Club" in sixteen and now "The Dagger Club" in seventeen.

I need to try to binge watch the final episodes of Riverdale to prepare for the new season starting soon. My heart is so heavy when I watch because they're the last episodes with Fred. I'm really looking forward to the premiere episode, which will be his memorial show.

And that's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Price Paid, a novella that started with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Reva Bane's actions lead Mitch Vanderman to a lot of harm, but seeking atonement shouldn't cause so much pain. Then again, betrayal sometimes demands a price paid in blood, and Reva is willing to shed some if he'll finally forgive her.

And a preview snippet…

Mitch waited outside Reva's townhouse. "What the hell is taking her so long?" She had a thing about him being seen at her place.

He knocked again and his preternatural senses kicked in, the tingling, prickling sensation of his hair standing on end his only warning. Seven grotesque creatures converged on him, their snarling maws gaping open and snapping shut.

Mitch flicked his gaze upward, toward Reva's bedroom window. The curtain fluttered but he couldn't see her. She sure as hell stood and watched though. He'd bet his life on the fact.

He backed away, turning in a slow circle. "Vengeance demons? Seriously." The bitter taste of betrayal coated his tongue.

Why? Why would Reva set this demon show up now? Because she played you, you moron.

He didn't want to believe she'd break the hunter code by putting him in peril. He also didn't want to acknowledge how much he'd come to give a damn about her. Even though she worked for the rival group.

Shaking his head, he readied for a battle. "Stupid idiot. Way to think with your dick instead of your head." No way would he admit his heart got involved.

And no way did he stand a chance against seven of these fuckers. Instead of wasting the effort, he whirled around and faced the townhouse, his gaze going straight for the upper window. Reva whipped the curtain aside, shouting something that looked like "fight".

He snorted. "Not gonna give you the satisfaction, babes." Talons clawed at his jacket, cutting through the thick leather.

Mitch made no move to resist. Why bother? For however long it took him to escape, his fate would be at the demons' mercy. And they thrived on aggression and hostility.

He be damned if he made their work easier.

And he would escape.

When the seven hell-spawns worked together to lift him off his feet, Mitch never looked away from the window. Reva didn't break away either. The defeat marring her features gave him a kick of satisfaction.

The ground opened up and began swallowing the demons along with Mitch.

He made one final gesture, flipping up his middle finger. "Get ready, Reva. You'll pay for this."

Mitch is not going to enjoy his time with the vengeance demons but the way he escapes will pay off when he's back on solid ground and close to Reva.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye