Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Threats

Chapter Two: 1692 Witch Attack

 

 

Annabelle turned briefly toward where Thomas and Polly hid. “Tom, Polly, run home.  I won’t have you hurt in this mess.” 

“But we want to help!” 

“No, leave now.  Think of Polly’s safety, Tom.”  She only had time to lock eyes with Tom briefly, but it was enough.  The frustration on his face spoke volumes.

As her friends escaped through the trees, Annabelle turned back to the witches.  She hovered for a brief moment, ignoring her inner terror.  Her voice took on a dangerous edge.  “All right, you wanted to face us.  Here we are.” 

She flitted around Gertrude, dodging each hex blast as it lit up the dark trees with purple and red hues.

Roland smiled then sped around Penelope.  Gertrude gestured once more and sent forth a blast of eldritch energy that barely missed Annabelle. 

“Insolent child.” Gertrude said with malice.  “You think you’ll live forever.” 

Annabelle felt the air light up, like sharp needles jabbing her skin.  Her vision blurred with tears.  The blast hit Annabelle directly in the back, spinning her into the hard dirt.  She lay there, waiting for her vision to adjust.  Everything seemed to spin and her stomach threatened to give up her breakfast.

“Annabelle!”  Roland shouted.  Penelope caught him with a lucky shot and he cried out in pain. 

“There.  Do you see, Penelope?  That’s how to deal with upstarts.” 

------

For more check out Dark Threats at your local online store. Links to Dark Threats on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Threats on Amazon.

Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Threats

Chapter Two : 1692 Witch Attack

Annabelle and Roland hovered nine feet in the air.  Each time they tried to escape, one of the witches sent blazing magical fire to block their path.

Roland landed and gently pushed Thomas behind him.  Annabelle did the same with Polly.  They had to escape but how?

Roland shouted, “If you hurt our friends I’ll make you sorry you left your cabin.” 

“Two lost children, victims to the harsh woods,” Gertrude coldly replied as she quietly moved towards them.  “Besides, it’s what they deserve for getting involved with creatures like you.” 

“They’re more human than you!” Polly shouted from her hiding place behind her big brother.

“Take that back, witch!”  Thomas shouted as he threw a rock towards the old woman. 

A cruel sneer crossed Gertrude’s wrinkled face.  She sent another hex bolt but it hit the bushes behind Thomas. 

Roland grabbed their friends and sped further back into the thick trees.  He pushed Tom and Polly behind some thick bushes for protection.  “Stay.”

Tom began to stand up, his shoulders squared and his brow knit.  “We’re not dogs.”

------

For more check out Dark Threats at your local online store. Links to Dark Threats on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Threats on Amazon.

Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Gertrude

GERTRUDE

No picture at this time. Hopefully that will change someday.

Physical characteristics:
Physically Gertrude is weak due to her advanced age. She has grey eyes and hair and a permanent scowl on her face.

Personality:
Angry, uptight and in need of constant control. She answers only to Dominic Pratchet, the vampire lord. She hates children, Dagda and the North American Coven of Warlocks and just about everyone. She has no patience for less experienced witches or warlocks.

Abilities:
She is an expert witch with an arsenal of spells and the skills to match.


Known History:
Not a lot has been revealed about Gertrude's history. Once she was part of the North American Coven of Warlocks. She became corrupted by Dominic at an early age but the master vampire never actually turned her. Still, she remained in his service as a spy until found out by Dagda and exposed. She took part in many of Dominic's North American schemes and trained Penelope Chesterfield.

Bite of Story Thursday

NIGHT CHILDREN DARK BIRTH

Chapter Seventeen : The Offer

Dagda deflected another hex bolt. “I’ve lasted for hundreds of years.”  He sent streamers of fire at a sasquatch, pushing it back.  “What makes you think I can’t handle you lot?”  Dagda’s magic tendrils grabbed a nameless vampire and flung him at the charging Beufus.

“You can’t keep this up forever.  Some of us never tire.”  Gertrude shot out glowing red energy spikes but they deflected off Dagda’s shield.  Annabelle noticed a small crack in it, however, and she lurched forward. 

Despite the sweat on his brow, the warlock laughed. “You’d be surprised what I can handle.  Where’s your friend, Penelope?  Did she get tired of wasting her time following Dominic around like a love struck puppy?”

“The Master felt her special talents were of better use in a quiet little village just south from here.” Gertrude grinned as her red lightning chipped his green shield.

“Salem?  No.  Even he wouldn’t--”

“Why do you think the paranoia has gotten out of control?  The Master knows when to take advantage of foolish people.”

-------


For more check out Dark Birth at your local online store. Links to Dark Birth on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Birth on Amazon.