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!