Preview for Hunter the Vigil: Mortal Remains

I’ve written quite a bit media/tie-in fiction for games like Vampire: the Masquerade. A few months ago, I handed in some interstitial work for an upcoming supplement about hunting monsters called “Mortal Remains.” The supplement will be published by Onyx Path, a company that’s licensing the World of Darkness from White Wolf. It was a lot of fun, because I also got to design the pages and add art notes, too.

My preview today is part of the Changeling chapter opener. Carlos is a mortal who’s trying to figure out who murdered his friend. Zanthus is a Changeling who so happens to be the guardian of a fairy ring in Central Park. This interview was designed to show readers how alien the fae really are and to deepen the murder mystery.

Carlos: Do you mind if I record this?
Zanthus: I encourage you to do so.
Carlos: Then let’s begin. I wanted to —
Zanthus: — I agreed to this interview on two conditions. Do you remember what those are?
Carlos: I promised you a favor.
Zanthus: And?
Carlos: You would ask the questions.
Zanthus: That is true. May I ask what you were doing in Central Park? Odd time of year to summon the fae, and you don’t exactly look like the sort of mortal who’d seek us out.
Carlos: No, I’m not. I just wanted to ask you a few questions.
Zanthus: I will gift you with an answer for any question you ask, provided you agree to perform a favor for each one in return.
Carlos: What? No, that wasn’t… Fine. I’ll do it.
Zanthus: Oh, you must be desperate. Go ahead. Ask your first one.
Carlos: Did one of your kind murder my friend? Here’s what he looked like before he was killed, then after.
Zanthus: No.
Carlos: Do you know what did?
Zanthus: Yes. You now owe me three favors.
Carlos: Wait! Just two, right?
Zanthus: That’s four. You clearly asked me if this conversation would be recorded.
Carlos: Fine. Have you seen my friend, Mags? Here’s her picture.
Zanthus: Yes.
Carlos: Where?
Zanthus: The Museum of Conjurers, Spiritualists, and Charlatans. That’s six favors, Mr. Gutierrez. Would you like to know how to wipe the slate clean?
Carlos: Yeah, sure.
Zanthus: Then ask me.
Carlos: Unbelievable. Fine. How do I combine all six —
Zanthus: — seven
Carlos: — seven favors into one?
Zanthus: If you survive your ordeal, I will make arrangements for you to replace me as guardian of this ring.
Carlos: You don’t sound too confident.
Zanthus: No, Mr. Gutierrez. I am not. Now, you will give me the recorder as proof of our contract. In return, I will send you a printed transcript of this conversation. Of course, upon your death our contract will be null and void. We may be magical creatures, Mr. Gutierrez, but we are not creators or destroyers of worlds.

Tap, tap. Is this thing on?

People of the blogosphere, I have finally turned to the dark side. Hence, this blog of indeterminate size and might to thrill and tantalize you. To allow you to catch a glimpse of my awesome powers of–

— Yeah, I can’t write that with a straight face.

Here’s the deal: I have a blog at my website mlvwrites.com. I write about my obsessions, new releases, analyses, and share links. The blog there is all fine and dandy, but right now it’s there when people stroll past it and click. This blog is a way for me to reach out to the WordPress.com o’ sphere in a more casual way. If you’re following me on Facebook or Twitter, you probably already know that my sense of humor is pretty dry. I make no apologies for that, mind you. But, what I *do* feel bad about, is that I know I need to do a better job getting the word out about my work. It sucks. I don’t want to be my own PR machine and I’m fighting it mouse-and-pad. (Or tooth-and-nail for those of you fond of cliches.) However, I am in love with what I do and maybe — just maybe — I can do this in a way that doesn’t come across as an obnoxious, self-serving, diva with [insert reality TV star] as her BFFs.

Hence? A blog is born!

If you’re following me on my primary website, the content here will be reflective of that. I know you’re just DYING to hang on my every word. HAH!

If not? Welcome to my insanity!