Wizard World Comic Con - Columbus, Ohio - September 21, 2013

Check out our visit to Wizard World Comic Con in Columbus, OH from 2013!!

Web Short 1 - Sweet Burden Series (Pt. 3)

Web Short 1 - Sweet Burden Series

Sophie's Decision (Pt. 3)
The Conclusion

**This takes place between Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 and during the same time as Vol. 2.5**

When she found herself at Rediisu’s house she was surprised by the appearance. The lawn was unkempt, litter blew around and the house was dark. Sophie took a deep breath and moved forward. As she walked up the path she realized the front door was ajar. Worried they already came for him, Sophie rushed inside. Her eyes stung from the scent of stale alcohol and cigarette smoke. She slowly shut the door behind her and flipped on the light switch in the foyer. The bulb above hummed and then suddenly shattered raining glass shards all over her.

“What the…” she started as she brushed herself off.

“Who’s there?” Rediisu’s voice slurred as he appeared at the top of the stairs. “Sophie!” he called out holding a bottle in front of him as an offering. “Join me.”

“Rediisu, what are you doing?”

“What does it look like, sweetheart? I’m drowning my sorrows.” He stumbled down the steps and Sophie got a better look at him. His hair was greasy and dirty; his clothes were wrinkled and stained. His stench was horrendous.

“I thought you were out looking for Hitomi.”

“Hitomi? Hitomi?” he yelled as he looked around. “She’s not here.” He moved past her and into the parlor.

The room was completely trashed. Furniture was torn apart and bottles and cigarette butts littered the floor. He wobbled over to a chair and sat down as he lit a cigarette.

Sophie was in a state of shock over Rediisu’s behavior. “What has happened to you?” she spat.

“I’m drunk, in case you’ve missed that. And do you know how much a death god has to drink to get drunk? Especially one like me who’s been drinking for practically six hundred years? It’s definitely not a couple bottles.”

Sophie peered at him unable to formulate words.

“It’s a lot!” he barked. “Are you sure you don’t want to join me?” Rediisu swigged generously from the bottle and then slammed it down on the side table. “Sit down. You’re making me nervous.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll leave in a minute. I just thought you might want to know that Liam was taken by Roland. They arrested him. You’re probably next, if you even care.” She started to walk away until Rediisu began hysterically laughing.

Sophie spun back around and watched Rediisu’s body shake from his uncontrollable cackling. He covered his face letting the cigarette fall to the ground. She quickly rushed over and stomped it out before he set himself on fire.

“What is wrong with you?” she screamed. “There are serious things going on and you’re acting like you’re on spring break. Don’t you even care about anything anymore?”

His body trembled as he ran his hands down his face. It was then that Sophie realized that his laughing somehow turned into tears streaming down his cheeks. His expression was troubled and confused. Sophie peered at him questioningly as he rested his head back. He wasn’t trying to hide the sadness on his face.

“This isn’t the way things were supposed to be,” he mumbled.

“What do you mean?”

“Obi shouldn’t be dead. I might as well have killed him myself. And Hitomi…” He raked his hands over his face again. “And Abigail. Oh…Abby. So much is ruined.”

“Abigail? Who’s Abigail?”

He shook his head and closed his eyes. “It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters anymore.” Rediisu took a deep breath. “I messed up. Hundreds of years I waited and tried, but all I did was mess everything up.” He sighed and opened his eyes. After lighting up another cigarette he took a long drink emptying the rest of the bottle.

Sophie tried to piece together all of his ramblings, but none of it made any sense to her. She figured he was confused and drunk. “Rediisu, you can’t blame yourself for everything. You did what you could. Now we just need to find Hitomi and get Liam back. Once Hitomi is found we can figure out a way to get her memory back and she’ll be able to make everything right. This isn’t your fault, but you need to get yourself cleaned up and sobered up so we can find her.”

“I’m not fit to do anything. Unless it’s destroying everything.”

Sophie’s jaw clenched as she became enraged with his attitude. This was not the Rediisu she was used to and not the one she expected to find. “Get up. Now!” she demanded.

“Listen here, little girl…”

“Little girl?” she interrupted as she gritted her teeth. “I’m practically just as old as you.” Swiftly she grabbed his shirt and yanked him up from his seat. He pushed her away, but then she curled her hand into a fist and punched him in the jaw. The hit sent him stumbling back and a smile spread across his face.

“I guess you’re serious,” he replied with a forced chuckle.

The front door creaked and they both turned at the sound. Sophie’s eyes widened at Roland and his two angel buddies standing in the foyer.

Roland laughed and crossed his arms over his chest. “From one death god to the next. You move quickly Sophie.”

Sophie didn’t respond as Rediisu staggered forward. “Hey there Roland and his fan boys. Care for a drink?” he grumbled. “Although I’m not sure there’s very much left. I have an idea. Why don’t you make yourselves useful and go get us a few cases of liquor?”

“Rediisu, shut up,” Sophie snapped.

“Oh darling, don’t worry,” he said sarcastically as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I was just simply trying to be a good host. We have so much to celebrate.” Rediisu focused back on Roland. “Isn’t that right, Roland? It seems all is right with the world now with the Heavens open and Obsidian gone. London can rule without interruption.” He raised his eyebrow watching Roland intently.

Sophie looked at Roland, who seemed clueless as to what Rediisu was talking about. But Sophie was confused as well. She turned back looking up at Rediisu, who smiled down at her.

“It would seem that no one really truly knows anything.” Rediisu cackled and turned his attention back to the men. “I’m just going to assume you guys aren’t here to party. And if you’re not here to throw back a few drinks, then I can only assume you’re here with hostile intentions. Am I right?”

“You might be drunk, but you’re not stupid,” Roland replied.

Rediisu let out another laugh. “No, you’re wrong and I’m probably going to do something stupid.” As he said the words, he squeezed Sophie’s shoulder.

She swallowed hard realizing that she was going to have to pick a side. If she helped Rediisu now, she might not be able to help Liam. She wouldn’t be able to help Hitomi when she returned. She would be cast out of the Heavens. If she walked away she would have the opportunity to plead her case to London and stay on the inside of everything. She would be able to watch over Hitomi and find Liam, but she would be risking Rediisu’s existence. She had to make a choice and she refused to let Liam go.

Sophie slowly pulled away from Rediisu and stepped to the side. She could feel his eyes boring into her and she glanced up giving him a conflicted expression.

“Sophie? Really? And here I thought we could finally be together,” Rediisu said sarcastically.

She wanted to apologize and explain why she was walking away from him, but she couldn’t. She wasn’t able to say anything with them listening and watching. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes.

Rediisu seemed to understand and his gaze settled back on Roland. “I think it’s time for you to leave Sophie. The party’s over.”

The glares Roland and Rediisu were exchanging sent chills running up and down her spine. She knew Rediisu wasn’t going to go as quietly as Liam and that excited Roland. He seemed to be itching for a fight and Rediisu was eager to oblige. She didn’t want to leave Rediisu alone with the three angels, but she had made her choice. She chose what her heart was telling her to do and that was live to fight another day.

As Sophie fled, the sounds behind her made her believe the house was falling down. The crashing and banging was deafening. Even though Rediisu was older, she knew he wouldn’t be able to escape all three of them. He would be arrested and held wherever Liam was, if he wasn’t eliminated. She hoped Liam hadn’t tried any heroics once they left the cabin. She prayed Liam trusted her enough to find him and that’s what she planned to do. But first she would need to face London and that worried her. With Gareth pulling London’s strings she had no idea what she would be walking into.

Web Short 1 - Sweet Burden Series (Pt. 2)

Web Short 1 - Sweet Burden Series

Sophie's Decision (Pt. 2)

**This takes place between Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 and during the same time as Vol. 2.5**

Liam promptly stood up as his brow creased. Sophie scrambled up to her feet and secured the blanket around her.

“Hey Roland. Any news on Hitomi?” Sophie asked. She could see the seriousness on Roland’s face and it instantly unnerved her.

He didn’t even bother to look at her as he pushed a few dreadlocks away from his face. His gaze was fixated on Liam. “I’m not here concerning Hitomi,” he stated.

The tension in the air was thick and Sophie fidgeted nervously. “Um, okay. Are you all staying at the cabin for the night?”

“No,” he answered still not looking at her. “Can you step outside with us for a minute Liam?”

Liam stood motionless and said nothing. Sophie took a hold of his hand and Liam mashed his lips together as if in pain.

“Roland, what’s going on?” Sophie questioned with more force.

“It doesn’t concern you.”

“If it concerns Liam, it concerns me.”

“Sophie, stop,” Liam said softly as he turned to her. He took her other hand and peered down at her. “Just remember I love you.”

Roland snickered in the background. “Another death god who thinks he can love,” he mumbled.

Neither Sophie nor Liam paid him any attention. Sophie wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, but Liam seemed to know precisely what was happening. Liam held her hands firmly. “Just promise me you’ll remember. No matter what happens.”

“You’re scaring me. What’s going on?”

From the corner of her eye, Sophie saw Roland move forward. “We’re arresting your death god boyfriend,” he stated.

Her mouth gaped open. A sudden rush of fear overtook her. “Arresting him? Why? He hasn’t done anything.” It had been hundreds of years since she lost her first love, she couldn’t bear to lose her second. “No. No!” she repeated as she shook her head. “Who ordered this? Hitomi would never want this.”

“Hitomi’s not around right now,” Roland replied with a bored sigh.

Why would London take someone away from Hitomi’s search? Arresting Liam had to be Gareth’s doing. She didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t let them take him. There was no way to know for certain she would ever see him again. Sophie looked at the two guys behind Roland. Just by looking at them she could tell they were still inexperienced. They most likely hadn’t even completed training yet. She could easily take both of them on. Liam could overpower Roland and they would have time to escape.

“Sophie? Sophie?” Liam let go of her hands and gently grabbed her face forcing her to look at him. “It’ll be okay. I’ll go with them.”

She hated how calm he was acting. Tears began trickling down her cheeks. “No,” she cried.

He pulled her against him in a tight embrace. “I’m counting on you to find me,” he whispered before pulling away and kissing her.

“Okay, that’s enough.” Roland grabbed Liam yanking him backwards. Liam stumbled but never took his eyes from her.

“I promise,” she quickly said realizing she had never responded to his earlier request, but she also meant it as a promise to find him. Sophie watched in horror as they bound Liam’s hands behind his back. Still his eyes never left her. “Please don’t hurt him,” she pleaded.

“We won’t. At least not more than necessary,” Roland replied with a chuckle. He made a motion to the other two angels and they started to lead him out.

Sophie wasn’t ready to say goodbye just yet. She rushed across the room as the angels readied for a fight. To their surprise and Roland’s disappointment she threw her arms around Liam’s neck clinging to him.

“I love you.” With her lips to his ear she whispered, “I will find you.” She kissed him again until the couple was pulled apart. The angels led him out of the cabin, but Roland lingered.

“An angel in love with a death god. How utterly tragic,” he commented as he rolled his eyes.

Sophie didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. She would take her issues up with London and get Liam released. She would make them understand he was on their side.

“Don’t think you’re getting off easy. London has ordered you back to the Heavens. He wants to speak to you. How you’ve acted is unbecoming of an angel. I’m not sure how you can even consider yourself a part of the Heavens. It’s disgusting shacking up with that thing and calling it love.”

Sophie’s brow furrowed. She wanted nothing more than to hurt Roland at that point. “Well, I hope London realizes he’s condemning an ally, an innocent…”

“Innocent?” he scoffed interrupting her. “He’s anything but innocent. He’s a death god Sophie. How do you know he hasn’t been reporting everything back to the Afterworld? Maybe he had a part in the attack on Finn. Maybe he has something to do with Hitomi’s disappearance.”

Sophie shook her head in disbelief. “That’s ridiculous and you know it. Do you think he had some role in Obi’s death too?”

“That might be the only thing to save him if he did.”

“I don’t know who’s been filling your head with all this crap, but they’re wrong. I know Liam had nothing to do with any of those things because I know him. He risked everything by leaving the Afterworld.”

“Or gained everything,” he replied eyeing her in a way that made her suddenly feel naked. “I guess it depends on how you look at it.”

He could ogle her all he wanted. It gave her a small sense of satisfaction knowing that Roland would be jealous of something Liam had. Unwrapping herself from the blanket, she tossed it on the couch. She wiped her cheeks free of tears and crossed her arms over her chest. “If Liam hadn’t stopped me, I would have kicked your ass.”

A smirk formed across his lips. “I would have liked to see that. Maybe another time.” He gave her a wink and turned on his heel to leave.

“The only time I would ever touch you is if I was beating the crap out of you. Just keep in mind that I’d prefer the touch of a death god rather than anything you have to offer,” she spat.

He stopped for a second. She knew her words stung. Without another word he strode out the door with such arrogance it made Sophie want to kick him in the teeth. As the screen door slammed, she rushed over to the doorway. They all took off into the sky with Roland in the lead. The other two angels had Liam secured between them carrying him off into the sky. He didn’t appear to be harmed, but she feared for him. Although death gods seemed to have a monopoly on bad reputation, she knew how ruthless angels could be. And if they really suspected Liam of still working for the Afterworld, there would be torture involved.

The only thing she could think to do was go to Rediisu. With Obi gone, Guri in the Heavens and Finn turning into London’s lapdog, there was no one else to turn to. She didn’t trust him, but there was no one left. Besides, if they were taking Liam then they would eventually come for Rediisu. She would at least have a chance to warn him and maybe they could help Liam.

(read the conclusion next week...)

My love of Final Fantasy!

I love...wait..let me try that again.

I LOVE Final Fantasy!

Below are just a few things either Final Fantasy inspired or from the games themselves...

Materia Charm

Lifestream Necklace

Cloud Strife

Chocobo Cocktail

Advent Children Tattoo

Final Fantasy Level Up Shirt

Noctis - Final Fantasy Versus XIII?

Web Short 1 - Sweet Burden Series (Pt. 1)

Web Short 1 - Sweet Burden Series

Sophie's Decision (Pt. 1)

**This takes place between Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 and during the same time as Vol. 2.5**

Sophie walked across the living room drawing the blanket tightly around her shoulders. Liam was sitting quietly on the floor in front of the fire. The flames made his dark brown hair appear a gleaming copper color. He didn’t turn to look at her as she moved around the couch to join him, but she knew that he sensed her presence.

“What are you doing?” Sophie asked. “It’s late. You should come back to bed and get some rest so we can keep looking for Hitomi tomorrow.”

“I can’t sleep,” he replied simply. “It’s too quiet.”

Sophie had to agree. It was eerily quiet and still. The cabin had been vacated almost immediately after Hitomi opened the Heavens. However, she couldn’t bring herself to leave the cabin yet especially with Hitomi still missing and Liam not being allowed to enter the Heavens by order of London.

She sat down next to him and leaned into him. Liam put his arm around her drawing her closer against him as she looked up into his concerned crimson eyes.

“I know you’re worried about Hitomi,” she stated.

“I’m worried about a lot of things,” Liam replied as he glanced over at her, but returned his gaze forward.

“Everything will be okay. We’ll find Hitomi and Minns. She’ll get her memory back and she’ll change you. It will all work out, because it has to.” Even as she tried to make the situation sound positive, she was having a hard time believing her words.

“You don’t need to try to make me feel better. It’s not really in my nature to feel good about things,” he commented without a hint of joking. Liam let out a long sigh and squeezed her closer. “You’ve been the one bright spot in my horrid existence.”

She drew in a breath and stared ahead at the fire. Sophie learned from Hitomi not to ask about his past. If he wanted to tell her about it, he would. She refused to pry. She saw firsthand what it did to Hitomi and Obsidian. Of course, it didn’t stop her curiosity. “You know you can talk to me about anything. You can trust me with your past. I won’t judge you.”

“Yes, you would. Anyone would. You would have no other choice but to judge me. And I know you think I don’t tell you because I don’t trust you, but I do. It has nothing to do with trust. I see the way you love me. That’s what scares me the most. I don’t want you to look at me in any other way than the way you do now.”

“I wouldn’t look at you differently,” Sophie protested. She pulled away and scooted across the floor maneuvering herself in front of him. Reaching out she took his hands and squeezed them. “You will never be anyone except the one I love. If you don’t want to tell me, I respect that. But just know I will love you no matter what.”

Liam’s eyes turned down as if examining their intertwined fingers. “Do you think Hitomi ever said the same thing to Obi?” Liam whispered.

Even though Liam definitely wasn’t one for optimism, Sophie knew that he viewed Hitomi and Obsidian as a sign of hope. They were his living symbols of endless possibilities. With their relationship crumbling, Hitomi missing and Obi gone, Liam’s attitude of late had become sullen.

“I don’t know. But they are…” Sophie abruptly stopped knowing the wrongness of her words. “I mean, they were different. They had a lot stacked against them,” she tried to say as delicately as possible. “It’s hard talking about them in the past tense.”

“I know. I can’t get used to it either and it’s been months.” He lifted his head as his eyes sparkled brightly. “We’ll find Hitomi and we’ll avenge Obi,” he stated. “I guess your positivity is wearing off on me.” The corner of his mouth twitched with the hint of a smile, but it abruptly faded. “None of this would be happening if it wasn’t for Laebosu. If I could take him down myself, I would.”

“Hopefully we’ll all get our chance to take him down,” Sophie said softly giving him a warm grin.

Liam reached up behind her neck and pulled her to him. He kissed her hard and passionately, but still with a degree of tenderness. The slam of the screen door suddenly jolted them apart. Not expecting anyone to be at the cabin at such a late hour both of their gazes shot to the door in alarm. Standing in the doorway was Roland and two other figures behind him.

(To Be Continued)

Alex Pettyfer as Obsidian (Sweet Burden Series)

I always like to have someone in mind when I'm writing from one of my character's point of view. Since the beginning of the Sweet Burden Series I haven't been able to picture Obsidian (Obi) as anyone other than Alex Pettyfer. Even though Alex has blond hair, I still think he looks great with darker hair!

Photoshop project- Alex as Obi

Alex with dark hair

Sweet Burden Web Stories

I hope everyone picked up their copy of Darkest Reflection and has enjoyed a glimpse into what makes Obsidian the guy he is...well, technically was.

I plan on doing a few short stories that I will be posting. They will only be a few pages and will show scenes with some other characters.

The first one is going to be from Sophie's POV and take place between Divine Mourning and Book 3.

Also, stay tuned for the announcement of the title of Sweet Burden Series Book 3!!!

Darkest Reflection Now Available!

Darkest Reflection is now available in print and for Kindle!

Click here for print

Click here for Kindle

*This description contains SPOILERS from Divine Mourning (Sweet Burden Series Vol. 2).*

Darkest Reflection is a Sweet Burden Series novella intended to be read between Vol. 2 and Vol. 3.

Obsidian is dying...again. He finally understands that he was never meant to be with Hitomi. Eternal darkness is an easier decision for him than living without her. But someone else has another plan for Obsidian and it doesn't involve him no longer existing.

While being held captive, Obsidian is forced to reflect upon some of his darkest memories. Even as he is broken down, he knows that he must escape or become a pawn used against Hitomi in the war of realms.

Darkest Reflection Now Available in Print!

Now available in print through CreateSpace!

Darkest Reflection (A Sweet Burden Series Novella) is currently available in print at https://www.createspace.com/4104205.

Just click the link to purchase!

Happy reading!

Darkest Reflection Cover Reveal

Darkest Reflection is one of those things that just sort of happened without any planning. While writing Divine Mourning, I knew that there were going to be some questions at the end and I felt the only way to answer them were to let Obsidian share a part of his story.

*Darkest Reflection is intended to be read between Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 (not yet released).*

*Darkest Reflection (A Sweet Burden Series Novella) contains SPOILERS pertaining to Divine Mourning (Sweet Burden Series Vol. 2)*

Darkest Reflection Playlist

Darkest Reflection Playlist

This Place is Death           Deftones

World So Cold                Three Days Grace

Crawling in the Dark         Hoobastank

The Kill                            30 Seconds to Mars

Comatose                        Skillet

The Reason                      Hoobastank

Dead Inside                      Skillet

Fade Away                       Breaking Benjamin

Cold                                 Crossfade

Promises                           Adema

Fading                               Decyfer Down

Don’t Walk Away             Sick Puppies

How Can I Live                 Ill Nino

Darkest Reflection (Sweet Burden Series Novella) Coming Soon!

I'm working on some finishing touches and this should be released within the next few weeks- if not sooner!

Divine Mourning Photo Shoot...

I have been meaning to post some photos from the day of the Divine Mourning cover shoot. Here are a few that didn't get used for the cover with my model, Monica. She makes a great Hitomi!

To see more check out the Sweet Burden Series Facebook page!

Click here

Happy New Year!!