Excerpt of Reveka's Revenge by James Hoch

A single crimson droplet hit the floor. A moment later, several more followed. A soft moan murmured from a dark corner. Reveka stared intently into the shadows.

"Well?" she muttered slowly. "That's truly remarkable and very interesting."

More blood dropped to the stained, moss covered floor and the weak voice from the dark recess whispered, "Please, that's all I know. I beg you...let me go. I've told you everything."

Reveka stood up, walked closer to the pleading voice, and replied, "Yes, Dr. Moraru, you have been very cooperative, but for letting you go...I am just not convinced that's a good idea." The sound of metal clanging together slowly bounced off the stone walls as Dr. Moraru struggled agains his chains.

"The only problem I have, my good doctor, is that you tried to kill me by sicking that dog you hired. What was that bitch's name?" Reveka said as she raked her elongated nails down the front of Moraru's chest in a sweeping gesture.

Screaming the name, Mariska, Moraru thrashed from the new pain inflicted on him. The name he screamed, enraged Reveka even more.

"I trusted you and you betrayed me," she yelled at Moraru as she leaned into his throat and ripped a chunk of flesh from it.

"Mercy, please show some mercy." Moraru said, struggling to get the words out between screams and the blood filling his mouth.

Reveka stepped back. Her thoughts suddenly flashed to Stephanie. Slowly, she turned around to see the ghostly image of her friend poised near the door to the cell.

Reveka smiled and said, "Well, this is certainly a surprise!