Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 23. Rosa

Rosa didn’t both to explain the solid block of wood carved into her makeshift door. She just quickly put her keys in the deadbolt and lock to open it. She almost fell into the room with Sessily right behind her.

The dancer hadn’t moved more than a few inches from her since they arrived at the apartment building. She seemed dangerously close. Rosa wasn’t quite sure why it bothered her so much. It felt like heat radiated off Sessily’s skin. It intoxicated Rosa in ways she couldn’t quite comprehend.

Is she using some kind of power over me? Why can’t I seem to draw away from her when I’m this uncomfortable?

Sessily ran a hand through her dyed red locks. It was a wild mess, matted by sweat at the club but cooled by the chill air as Rosa ran them home. She wore only a pair of heels, her torn fishnets and a long t-shirt. Her robe had been lost in their hurried escape from the club. She took a step away from Rosa, but immediately shivered.

She feels like fire to me, but she’s clearly almost freezing from being outside dressed like that.

“Stay here for just a second,” Rosa said. A second later she was in her bedroom. She grabbed up her robe from the hook on the closet door. Another second later, she stood back in front of Sessily.

“When you say just a second, you really mean just a second.”

“I guess so,” Roxi said. She helped Sessily climb into the robe. Sessily pulled it tightly around her.

“Thanks.”

“De nada. This kind of thing used to be old habit for me. But the whole hero thing is long behind me. You can spend the night here, but we’ve got to find you some help tomorrow.”

“That’s fair,” Sessily said. “I’m already intruding on your life so much. Your boyfriend and Mel are still out there. I’m sure you’re worried while I’m keeping you here.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” Rosa couldn’t quite understand why she led with that. “Keith and I are just friends. It’s too new for either of us to call each other boyfriend or girlfriend. But I know he can handle himself. Mel seems tough too. I’m sure they got away alright.”

“Yeah, Mel’s a wily one. With her talents and Keith’s police connections, I’m sure they will mop up Jacks in no time.”

Casting Call: Doppelganger

Casting Call is a feature where I choose the actor or actress I consider ideal for my character. This isn't a demand to any future producers, but the actors I see in my head when I'm writing.

Doppelganger's basic appearance is chalk white and more alien than man. He's like a blank featureless slate that would need to be accomplished through computer graphics or, preferably, makeup and prosthetic technology. I can think of only one actor willing to wear prostheses that can also do amazing work in this film. A bonus of course will be that much of his work would only be voiceover work from when he has transformed.

His name is Hugo Weaving.

Sadly, he may have to shave his awesome beard though.

Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 22-4

The woman leaned in close. Her eyes seemed to glow with a dark energy in the dim light of the sedan. “Nothing about this Peach and her powers jogged your memories? You don’t recall anything about the coven or what they tried to do to you.”

Ian grimaced. His head hurt as her words forced him to navigate the broken corners of his mind. He clutched at his forehead, but he could only shake his head in response.

“Answer me with your words, Ian.”

Through gritted teeth, he said, “I don’t remember them at all, mistress.”

“Remember, Ian. What do you remember of the coven?”

“I-I remember Locke. I remember him killing men and women I know. I can’t remember their names anymore, but I remember they were important to me. He murdered them all because he hated me.”

She smirked. “Good. Do you remember the rest of the coven? You and Locke were not the only immortals after all.”

He met her eyes. He stared deep into them. “I remember you, Sandra. You were among them. You used me. You manipulated me into betraying Locke. You caused so many deaths. But I escaped you.”

“You tried, dear boy. You made it last for a few years at a time. But I always found you. You were far too useful to me. Someone of your power under my control makes my life so much easier.”

“But you aren’t in control of your own destiny anymore. There’s someone else now. Someone that can resist your power. Someone that has control over you.” The memories seemed to open in his mind, even though they were still blurred by the haze in his head. “You couldn’t stop him and you couldn’t escape him. I tried, but something brought me back. Someone I can’t quite recall.”

Sandra nodded. “Your memories are better than you thought, Ian. Your mind just needed a bit of prodding I suspect. But you’ve disobeyed me. That cannot happen. What did you just call me a moment ago.”

“Sandra. That’s your name.”

“Not for you!” The volume of her words caused an echo through the sedan.

“No, mistress. I’m sorry, mistress.”

She lifted one of her heels up in front of her. They were leather. Flashes of memories came to him again. But these were ones that made him shiver.

“You know what to do, Ian. Show me how sorry you are. Serve me.”

Ian sank down off his seat. He sat on his knees in front of her. Though he wanted nothing more than to stand and slink away, he couldn’t control his actions. No matter how hard he fought, he could not stop himself from bending forward. He could not stop himself from taking her shoe in his hand. He tried to pull his head away. To stop himself in anyway. But nothing worked.

Ian hated himself as his mouth opened and he slowly started to lick the leather around her feet.