Man at War – Excerpt No. 293

30 June 2026

Since Aelred appeared poised to strike, it was clear this was not discussed beforehand. This might end up being a memorable night.

“What are—(doing?)” Aelred said.

“Even if that were true,” Marc said. “I’ve dispatched ninety-three vampires since I arrived in the theatre. Before that I was credited with one-hundred-and-thirty-two kills, all of which were Drusilla’s agents.”

Marc let that number sink in. The man of war had not been idle as a vampire and was frequently employed to do these bleeding hearts and artists found reprehensible.

Black and white still life photograph of a large glass mason jar with a metal lid, filled to the brim with dozens of sharp, pointed white fangs or teeth. The jar rests on a dark wooden surface surrounded by lit candles, small apples, and an old lantern in a dimly lit, atmospheric setting. The image has a vintage aged white border

Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.