Wednesday Muse #9
Leaving her demons behind…well, sometimes you fight battles you know you just can’t win.
Viola Kith didn’t have much of a choice anymore. She’d thought a trip with friends would be a great way to escape for awhile: no nagging mother, hovering father, and the incessant whispers might leave her alone with enough distraction and alcohol. But their plans had changed mid-road trip. Instead of the shiny new waterpark and hotel, they’d decided to stop in old town Williamsburg.
Not a good place for a girl hiding from the spirits in the walls. They teemed here, roaming around like they’d just left thier houses to head to the pub or market. She couldn’t even tell the difference between some and the interpreters sitting outside the houses and wandering through the cobblestone streets. Burton Parish had been a nightmare, with graves in the floors and the dead sitting diligently in the pews, waiting for a service with more spirit than anything Viola’s friends had seen.
Elizabeth knew. She’d always known, and always kept the secret. Until last night. They’d been partying, and she’d had too much to drink, and now all the girls knew. They’d tormented her until now, when she’d broken away from them, running down the street, shoes in her hands and tears mingling with the rain on her face.
When she tripped over the uneven stones, a stong arm caught her, catching her against a strong chest that was solid. But it shouldn’t have been. His image flipped back and forth, first filmy at the edges, then solid. But the flesh beneath her fingertips was warm, and she stepped closer.
And all the electricity that had burned on the street around them winked out. His form grew solid, and she felt a curious wrneching, like someone had squeezed her entire body in a bear hug and abruptly let go. His chiseled features seemed surprised and suspicious. Someone called out in the distance. Rain dripped from his aqualine nose onto her forehead and she jumped.
As she pulled away, his work-calloused hands still gripped her elbows, she caught the dancing flame of a torch from the corner of her eye. There were no more tourists anymore. Everyone was dressed in period clothing, and few of those braving the depressing drizzle were women.
She’d always wanted to step back in time. This wasn’t quite what she’d had in mind.
(Releases from Month9Books on August 26, 2014!)
When Claire Mallory’s father leaves, her mom moves them to a new town and into a dilapidated Victorian house.
The old house creaks and whistles, and smells well — like it’s been abandoned for years. But as the nights grow longer and the shadows take on substance, Claire wonders if the strange sounds and occurrences might be more than the house showing its age.
Just as things start to pick up in Claire’s love life, her mother becomes possessed. In an attempt to save her mother and their new home, Claire enlists the help of two boys, each of whom is interested in Claire for different reasons. As she chooses one boy over the other, something dangerous is unleashed, and the spirits make their move.
They aren’t content to moan and scream inside Claire’s house, or even control her mom. They want a taste of freedom, and she’s their key to getting it. But is Claire strong enough to fight off the evil spirits, or will they claim her and her mom before it’s all over?
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