159 Results in the "Horror" category


    • Chapter

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 1 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 1 begins with Patricia reflecting on the vibrant yet overwhelming nature of her life, which has recently felt both chaotic and stagnant. In 1988, as George H. W. Bush won the presidential election and new cultural milestones were being set, Patricia, a mother of two, struggled to reconcile her personal desires with the reality of her responsibilities. With society changing rapidly, she finds herself disconnected from the world around her, unable to finish a book for her monthly book club…
    • Blood Drops: Lou Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Lou witnessing a blood witch ritual called *pendency*, where Gabrielle mourns her mother’s death. The atmosphere is heavy with grief as Lou reflects on the brutal murder of Etienne Gilly, whose charred and decapitated body was left as a gruesome message. The witches reveal a pattern: victims are rumored to be the king’s illegitimate children, suggesting a targeted campaign of torture. Lou suspects her mother, Morgane, is behind these killings, possibly as retaliation for her…
    • Blood and Honey: Reid Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Reid regaining consciousness amid intense pain and chaos, finding himself in the middle of a violent battlefield. Coco urgently tries to help him, revealing that her blood magic is keeping his wound closed but requires honey for full healing. The scene is one of utter disorder, with allies like Deveraux, Toulouse, Zenna, Ansel, and Seraphine engaged in fierce combat against thieves. Reid notices the lifeless body of the thieves' leader nearby, his eye gouged out, and his…
    • Chapter

      Author’s Note

      Author’s Note Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Author’s Note — A few years ago, I wrote a novel titled My Best Friend’s Exorcism, set in 1988 Charleston during the height of the Satanic Panic. The story followed two teenage girls who become convinced that one of them is possessed, resulting in a dark spiral of chaos and fear. Because it was told through a teenager’s eyes, the adults were portrayed as clueless and out of touch—just as they often appear when you’re young and overwhelmed. But that perspective is only half the story. From a…
    • An Unexpected Reunion: Lou Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Lou and Claud encountering a group of bandits on the road, far from the feared Chasseurs they initially expected. Claud forces Lou to the ground, shielding her as they observe the ragged, foul-smelling men. Lou, initially dismissive of the threat, is stunned when she recognizes Bas among the bandits. His appearance has drastically changed—long, matted hair and a scar marking his face—and he wields a black blade with a hardened demeanor, a stark contrast to the boy she once knew.…
    • About the Author Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The provided text introduces Grady Hendrix, a New York City-based novelist and screenwriter known for his contribution to the horror and thriller genres. Hendrix has earned critical acclaim and several accolades for his work, including the Bram Stoker Award for "Paperbacks from Hell," and nominations for the Shirley Jackson and Locus Awards. His novels, such as "Horrorstör," "My Best Friend's Exorcism," and "We Sold Our Souls," have received praise from major publications like NPR, the Washington Post,…
    • A Warning Bell: Reid Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Lou floating serenely in a frozen pool, her ethereal beauty likened to that of a melusine. Reid observes her with a mix of admiration and curiosity as snowflakes gather on her skin. Their playful banter reveals a comfortable intimacy, with Lou teasing Reid about magic and his apparent lack of enthusiasm. The scene is charged with warmth despite the icy surroundings, as Lou offers to teach Reid how to heat water, hinting at the magical undercurrents between them. Reid’s internal…
    • Chapter

      A Promise: Reid

      A Promise: Reid Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Reid and his companions, including Lou, Beau, and others, nearing Cesarine only to discover a Chasseur blockade at the city entrance. Liana reports that the huntsmen are specifically searching for them, likely due to Jean Luc alerting the authorities. Lou reacts with anger, mocking Jean Luc’s absence, but the group’s tension is palpable as they grapple with the danger ahead. Reid observes Lou’s emotional turmoil, noting her whispered conversations with her…
    • A Necessary Evil: Reid Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a tense atmosphere as Reid and his companions navigate dark tunnels, acutely aware of the disappearances of their allies, including Lou and Célie. The group suspects Morgane’s involvement, with Coco asserting that finding Morgane will lead them to the missing members. The tension is palpable, with Blaise partially shifted and on high alert, while Reid grapples with the weight of their situation. The group’s fear of Morgane’s cruelty is evident, underscoring the urgency of…
    • A Debt of Blood: Reid Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Reid and his companions, including Lou, Beau, and Coco, navigating a tense journey through a shifting landscape as they seek an audience with the Beast of Gévaudan. The group’s unease is palpable, with Lou sending her fox, Brigitte, ahead as a messenger, but receiving no response. As dusk falls, the environment transforms into a muddy, briny terrain, heightening the sense of foreboding. The group’s anxiety grows as they realize they are being watched by wolves, their howls…
    Note