“Coming Soon!” How exciting it is to finally say those words!

How about another little teaser? Or two…

THE WATCHMAN
(Immoral Virtue, #3)
Evil is found when evil is sought

 

THE WATCMAN

EXCERPT

Jameson went to Giles. His greatest hope to find his friend unmarked by the beast, though doubt now pained him deeply. “It is by your own will that you submit to me this hour?” he asked his friend.

“Aye. ’Tis.”

Jameson had given his word to Giles that should he be proven unmarked, Elizabeth, too, would go free. Yet, had she bewitched him…had she marked him as was the witch’s need to do… “I would see all of you, Giles, examine all of you…and you will not resist.”

A muscle worked in Giles’ jaw. “Aye.”

“I would rouse you as – “

“As you would rouse Elizabeth…yet only I submit.” Giles’ gaze did not waver nor show a hint of doubt. He stood proud, though not prideful. Confident.

Jameson looked back at her, naked and bound there. ’Twas too much a pleasure, the sight of her. A splendid gift of nature. Perhaps, he would hope, she had not bewitched Giles so much as stirred his heart, much as Abigail, sweet Abigail, had stirred his own.

He turned then, toward the door between chambers. Listened, for a brief moment, for any moan or murmur from within. He heard nothing beyond the snap from the logs in the hearth beside Giles, and the rasp of their breaths, each of them, at their own pace.

Had Abigail removed the clamps upon Mercy within that chamber as he had sent her to do, then even one such as Mercy would cry out.

He went to the large chest that held all he needed to examine the accused and withdrew a large tow-cloth pouch containing implements for testing one such as Mercy. A large, hollowed stone phallus, delicate chains and heavier ones, leather restraints…the oils…for use on Giles as well…

He set it all on the wide table beyond Giles, fearful now for Mercy’s innocence, for surely the clamps, once removed, would cause her great pain…

Lest she be a witch able to feel nothing at all.

He turned to Giles. Gave only a passing glance toward Elizabeth, too aware how swiftly dawn approached. And judgement with it. “We begin,” he said.

Giles nodded.

“Why are you here, Giles Scott?”

“To prove my word true. I, as Elizabeth, am unmarked.”

“And you accept your fate this hour?” It was the question he had to ask, the question Elizabeth denied, while the others –

“Aye. For to prove my innocence will prove her innocence as well.”

Jameson gave Giles a single nod. “As will your guilt, prove her guilt.”

A scream, more like a hoarse choking cry, came from the other chamber. Mercy.

Jameson closed his eyes. Breathed a small sigh of relief then looked at Giles again, eager to continue this. To finish.

Giles’ eyes were wide in confusion. Horror. His breath seemed held as he looked toward the other chamber. And though Jameson understood the anger and accusation in Giles’ eyes when he faced him again, Jameson would not explain his treatment of Mercy. Not with dawn so soon to arrive and with so much more to do.

He locked his gaze on Giles’, leaving no doubt to the severity of the coming moments. “It is time, Giles,” Jameson said. “Disrobe.”

 

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