Author Allen M Werner

What’s that you say? Nothing is free?
Well, I’m here to tell you that you are wrong. For a limited time, the second book in The Crystal Crux series, Blue Grotto, will be absolutely free on Kindle.

What can I expect to read in Blue Grotto?

EPIC DARK FANTASY

Terrified, the sentries shook their heads and in chorus answered, “No, Sir. No one.”
Rugerius scratched at his beard as he contemplated the odds that the guards would lie to him. Anthea said nothing although the hate in her eyes continued to attack him.
Rugerius decided that whatever happened to Anthea must have happened before he secured her safety. He released her hands and grasped her by the waist. He pulled her close, forcing her eyes to meet with those of the dragon on his armor.
Anthea shuddered. She was a rag doll in his clutches.

Bergus turned and leered at Anthea who was studying a ceiling he had long forgotten was even painted. “That sweet young thing over there has no idea the shitstorm headed her way. Rugerius will not be kind. He’s going to open her eyes, and her legs.” He tried not to chuckle but had to. “We can’t shield her from this truth forever.”

“I am you, Mama,” she whispered to the frail reflection. “I’m wasting away. I can’t live like this. I’ll die, I swear. I’ll die.” Her mother’s death was the low point of Anthea’s life, emotionally and spiritually crippling. She prayed the Almighty would deliver her, but the healing never came.
Anthea touched the mirror and the face on the other side smiled back.

“Pero is dead,” Talento scoffed. “Who gives a fuck how it happened?”
Gherardus ignored his son and his opinion. “I want to hear it. I need to hear it.”
His hood still raised, Sinibaldus spoke slowly knowing it would irritate Talento. “The Spaniard entered Eagles Pass as expected. I watched him sweat in the cold air, jumping at every sound like a frightened hare. There were two men with him. I dispatched them first. Pero was left alone, scared, and desperate. He bolted. I gave chase with the wolves and wore down his spirited horse. Foolish, Pero threw his horse into a thick hedge and the beast got helplessly tangled in the brush. Pero was thrown aside.”
Gherardus leaned forward, his eyes wide with anticipation.
Talento yawned.

Dato glanced up at his mother. “What were they afraid of?”
Druda smiled. “They were afraid of the unknown, Dato. Men are often afraid of things they can’t understand or reason.” She looked to Pero, her eyes catching hold of him. “But life is filled with mysteries and magic. There are spirits in the world, and we must often take things on faith. Is this not true, Pero? You are a knight sworn to God. Do you believe a man can walk on water?”
Pero rose suddenly. Druda and Dato flinched. He realized he had startled them, but it was too late, and he was irritated. He felt judged and didn’t know why.
“I need some air.”

“Are you alright?” Turstin asked, panting. “Where is Pero?” He scanned the trees behind his son.
Tomas was so distraught he could hardly speak. “He left, father. He fucking left.”
“Your words, son.”
“I’m sorry, but he left. He’s mad. Mad. He just walked off into the wood saying the wolves sounded like angels.”
“Sounded like angels?” Turstin looked rightfully worried.
“That’s what he said.” Tomas bent over and squeezed his knees. “There was a cold wind and frost. He said he heard women singing.”

“Deep down in your loins, you are an animal, Anthea. You are wild. Sensual. Passionate.” He nodded in the direction of the giant. “Sinibaldus is going to get up inside of you.”
Anthea’s heart leaped at those words and fear nearly stopped her heart.
Rugerius removed his hand from her breast and placed a finger on her forehead. “He’s going to crawl inside that pretty little head of yours and find your modesty. He’s going to find it and he’s going to murder it. He knows how. He’s a magician.”

The wolf growled and sniffed when it got near. But it made no aggressive moves.
And when the wolf didn’t leap or attack him, Pero concentrated his thoughts on the connection he had made with a wolf a few nights before. ‘Can this be the same wolf?’ Pero dropped down on one knee, going eye to eye with the handsome beast.

“Rugerius doesn’t want you. He doesn’t need you. And without the Castellan’s favor, you will lose your place at Court, volatile as it is.”
Viridian was only nineteen. Poorly educated and impulsive, she lacked the ability to think far ahead. The future seemed like a very dark place.
“I’m the solution to all your problems,” Sinibaldus said.
“How are you a solution?” Viridian asked.
“Give yourself to me.” His hand began to blister. “Take me to your bed. Invite me. Grant me access to your intimacy and I will show you a magic you never knew existed. You’ve seen my Circus. My creatures. This is a power I want to share with you.”

For 3 days, from December 20-22, 2023, the Kindle version of The Crystal Crux: Blue Grotto will be free to download.

You can’t do any better than free. Grab a copy right before the holidays and on some frosty night, sit down and read a story that will have your heart racing and your nerves on edge.

And as always, after you read it, please be kind enough to leave a review. Self-published authors need your reviews. Self-published authors need your help spreading the word about the existence of our books. If you enjoy adventure, intrigue, passion, love, lust, betrayal, hope and faith in your stories, you will enjoy The Crystal Crux series.

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