SHORT FICTION: She was the one who was afraid of the dark, that's why the other vamps in her gang laughingly called her Shade, but now the joke's on them, and she's the one still breathing. When a night on the town turns deadly, when all her friends are slain, Shade must stalk the man who slaughtered them or join them in the grave. But he's no ordinary vampire slayer... and Shade is no ordinary vampire. Only one of them is getting out of this alive...
Mark Cantrell is one of those curious creatures that likes to live by the word. Well, it's better than living by the sword because everyone knows how that ends. Born and bred in Bradford, West Yorkshire, he now lives in Stoke-on-Trent, making him something of a Tyke in exile. Mark is the author of two novels -- Citizen Zero (2017) and Silas Morlock (2013) -- both published by indie press Inspired Quill.
Poor Shade, it's not easy coming to terms with what she is, but tonight she'll face the greatest test of all. Deadly Night Shade is part of a trio of stories that played with the vampire mythos (but don't worry, none of my vamps sparkle), adding a science fiction horror trope to humanity's fascination with these creatures. The vampires are as much victims of our lurid interest, brought into being by it, as we are apt to become victims of their bloodlust. We make our own monsters, and they will not thank us for their existence.
Book Excerpt
Deadly Night Shade
Darkness
flowed in a blur. Light glinted from a pale face, from a blade. The
boy struggled. His legs kicked uselessly at the air. No sound from
Damien, even of exertion. A gurgle followed by a jet-spray of
fluid. Shade felt her legs liquefy, her stomach heave. Damien's
firm but guiding arm pulled her in until the blood took hold. It
smelled of living death, yet it triggered the terrifying lust that
took her with strength far greater.
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