Sunday Snippet: Red Cap

Whew. Long week filled with so many things going on. And, of course, weird weather. I also didn't sleep well at all … probably due to the upcoming time change. It's like my body and brain knows it's coming and tries to resist accordingly.

Ohio started the week with cold weather then warmed up to seventy degrees yesterday. We also had a lot of rain. Which gave us a lot of foggy mornings. Bleh.

Work projects are less backlogged than they were. I mostly finished up the developmental edit on the memoir, which feels good. A few small things left then it's off for a copy edit and proofread. This is such a great book! Also finished up a copy edit and started a new one. The new one is first person, which I'm not fond of. I also started a new proofreading project on a nonfiction book. I love being busy!

Had a decent viewing week. Made it through my usual slate of shows and did a little binge watching when I needed some background noise.

Started off with another episode of My Life Is Murder. Very fun to see a familiar face in the guest stars. One of the things I love about watching shows from New Zealand and Australia are the amazing actors who pop up frequently.

Ended up watching another Foyle's War episode instead of finishing the previous one. It's one of my favorites and finished out the season. Looking forward to starting a new season this week.

Caught another episode of Return to Paradise and enjoyed watching it. Mackenzie trying to find her footing while avoiding the landmines of being back home is kind of compelling. And the supporting cast is fun.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. I like it when it's actually kind of easy to figure out the who then watch how the what and why happen.

Elementary had another great episode. I'm very interested in Joan's relationship with her former patient. My hope is he ends up not falling back into old and bad habits. The case also ended up being interesting with a twist or two I didn't expect.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and it's one I only partially remember. It's a two-part episode and I'm looking forward to the resolution.

Star Trek: Lower Decks had a great episode. It's always fun to see rivalries pop up and to learn interesting things about the other characters. The relaxation planet thread of the story ended up being very entertaining.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Red Cap, a bit of a twist on the Red Riding Hood fairy tale.

Here's the miniblurb:

Magan Drone, a red-capped tree nymph, is ordered to protect Cass Warrison, a spell-casting earth sprite tasked with guarding the land from the wolf-shifter clan. Magan isn't thrilled with the duty—she and Cass share a complicated past—but her handy skill with a crossbow can stop an evil prophecy from coming to light. She'll do her job and save the day, but no way will she let Cass back into her life.

And a preview snippet…

Cass fought against the restraints tying him to the bed. "So, what's your plan here?" Two other women stood sentinel at the doorway leading to the living room.

Blondie, aka Siera Morganstern, gave him a sultry smile. "To mate with you, of course." She tilted her head toward the other two. "My sisters, Eva and Greta, are looking forward to the task." Her gaze went to the window. "And my other two sisters, Tilda and Vash will take whatever is left over." She calmly walked back and forth in front of the bed, very pleased with herself.

Cass wanted to keep her talking to hopefully spellcast his way to freedom. "So, the twisted ankle thing was a ploy?"

Siera smirked. "All the better to appeal to your innate sense of chivalry." Eva snorted and Siera silenced her with a frown.

Cass grunted. "And the flirty banter on the way to the cottage?" Whatever they used to bind him didn't respond to any of his spells.

Siera shrugged. "All the better to whet your appetite. We studied your preferences. You have a thing for blondes."

Yeah, not anymore.

Cass snorted. "And the invitation for lunch?" Maybe he could cast three objects and take them out that way.

Siera's lips curved. "All the better to lure you in, of course. And it worked."

Cass couldn't remember any of the items in the living room, so he couldn't call anything forth to knock the two sisters by the door out. "And your great-aunt?"

Siera sniffed. "Not my aunt. More a life given in the ultimate battle for survival." Her gaze went to Greta, who lifted her chin in acknowledgment of the deed.

Cass mourned the loss and accepted his responsibility in her death. "And here? Why this location?"

The she-wolf gave him another sultry smile. "What's better than a secluded cottage for a romantic tryst?" The upward tilt of her mouth quickly twisted into a grimace, and she clutched her shoulder.

Magan entered after winging the she-wolf with an arrow. Greta immediately crouched into a defensive stance, but Magan fired off another volley and struck her through the upper arm. Eva grabbed Greta and hauled her out of the room.

Magan crossed over and sliced the bonds restraining Cass. "What she means is out here no one will hear you scream like a girl when she and her bitchy sisters take as much of your semen as possible." She notched another arrow.

Cass cringed and quickly sat up. "What are you talking about?"

Magan nodded toward the dresser where five large glass canisters took up space. "You didn't think those were medicine dispensers, did you?"

Siera snarled. "You'll never get out of here alive. My sisters will tear you apart and feast on your bones." Getting to her feet, she winced in pain.

Magan only arched a brow. "I doubt that." She crossed to the window. "I already trapped two. Once you're dealt with, I'll get the other two."

Siera raged over the loss of her backup. "My pack will come for you."

Magan huffed out a breath. "Let them. Now that Mr. Clueless over there is finally in the know, they won't stand a chance." She turned, planted her feet, and squared her shoulders. "You do realize he's unmatched when it comes to spellcasting?"

Siera yanked the arrow out of her shoulder. "Why do you think we targeted him?" She staunched the flow of blood with Cass's discarded shirt.

Magan snorted. "Because you're stupid. He's pissed off now…" She slid her gaze toward him. "Or at least he should be—"

Cass broke in. "Oh, definitely pissed over here." And humiliated.

Magan rolled her eyes like she had an express line into his thoughts.

She ignored him and directed her attention back to Siera. "Yeah, so, your pack? Totally screwed."

Fear crept into Siera's voice. "Spare them. This was my plan. The others didn't condone the operation. Not even my sisters."

Cass had heard enough. "That's unfortunate for them." He whispered an incantation and spellcasted Siera back to where she came from.

Magan turned to face him. "Be right back. I'll be sending the others on their with a strong back-the-fuck-off message." She headed for the door but glared at him over her shoulder. "Do not leave this cottage."

Cass sank down on the edge of the bed, his gaze going to the glass canisters. "No fucking way." He directed a spell and shattered all of them.

I'm having so much fun with this twist on a classic fairy tale. Cass and Magan are a joy to write.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye