THE JANUS WITCH
by
MICHAEL SCOTT CLIFTON
Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy / Romance
Publisher: Book Liftoff
Publication Date: September 1, 2018
Publisher: Book Liftoff
Publication Date: September 1, 2018
Number of Pages: 372 pages
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Malice vs Love
A beautiful witch, a member of a murderous coven, is torn from her medieval world and transported to East Texas. The passage leaves her with no memory of her previous life. She falls in love with a young pediatrician, but her dark past threatens to reassert itself…and make her a threat.
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PRAISE FOR THE JANUS WITCH:
This book is filled with magic, intrigue, excitement, and fantasy. Michael Scott Clifton is a truly gifted author. -- Teresa Syms, Readers’ Favorite
This novel was an absolute page turner with action and great character development. I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm excited for the next work by Mike Clifton. -- Bronwyn Pegues, Librarian, Longview Public Library
“Michael Scott Clifton weaves and casts a magical spell in his fantasy romance The Janus Witch. A must read for any Fantasy Romance, Urban Romance, or Paranormal Romance enthusiast!" -- Ranay James, Author of The McKinnon Legends: A Time Travel Series
A continuous flow of witchery and energy that kept this reader captivated until the end. -- The Electric Review, 5-Star Review
THE JANUS WITCH
BY MICHAEL SCOTT CLIFTON
Chapter One, Part One
THE CART ROLLED TO A stop.
Wooden wheels squeaked and grated while settling on the dirty, uneven flagstones of the village street. A line of buildings stretched into the gloom of the night. Cobbled together in desultory fashion, no two structures appeared exactly alike. More than a few leaned precariously on their foundations as if ready to collapse at the first puff of wind.
Scattered torches sputtered, their dim light revealing a deserted, narrow thoroughfare along which the haphazard collection of shops, taverns, and dwellings were located. Stone gutters ran parallel to the road. Choked with refuse and debris, a sulfurous reek wafted into the air.
Warped from wind and weather, a wooden sign hung canted from a rusty lance bolted to the side of a nearby tavern. Creaking in the evening breeze, the cracked and peeling paint revealed the picture of an enormously fat soldier, his belly spilling over his belt. The soldier held a pike beneath which was etched, The Potbellied Pikesman.
A cloaked figure studied the sign from the padded bench of the cart below.
“You know how to pick’em, Morganna,” a voice called from the back of the wagon. “Why must we always stay at pigsties and hovels in every village?”
Morganna ignored the comment and continued to study the sign. Blood-red lips were pursed in concentration, as she tapped the cart bench with her forefinger. A long, scythe-like nail grew from the appendage. Deep in thought, she scored grooves in the wooden seat with the razor-sharp nail. Reaching a decision, she threw back the cowl of her cloak to reveal long, raven-black hair.
A pair of dark eyes glanced back into the cart’s murky, canvas-covered interior. “Get out. We finish our business here tonight.”
Groans greeted her command.
“Why here? Why must it be at this pestilent flophouse? Why can’t we at least stay someplace where the bed lice aren’t the size of rats?”
Morganna scowled. “I’ve told you before. We must keep a low profile. Witches cannot afford to bring attention to ourselves. The last thing we need is to leave a trail for the Hunters.”
The hinged back of the wagon banged open, and two figures climbed out. A brace of sconces bracketed the scarred door of the tavern, their smoky light revealing two women of stunning beauty. One displayed hair the color of spun gold and eyes of deep blue, while the other, rich burgundy hair and emerald-green eyes.
Identical amulets adorned each woman’s neck. The polished silver chains of each amulet held a pitch-black opal—no light was reflected or received by the gem. The surface of each opal rippled like water.
The three women, each taller than most men, stopped beside the tavern door to confer.
“Let me guess. Our disguise will be whores…again!” quipped the blonde.
“Of course, Argatha…and stop complaining before I turn you into a marsh toad!”
Tittering and cackling erupted from the women before Morganna brought it to a halt with a chop of her hand. “Enough! Tressalayne, get our implements from the cart. Argatha, follow me.”
The burgundy-haired woman turned and rummaged in the back of the cart, while Morganna and Argatha approached the two scrawny horses hitched to the wagon. The lathered horses, sides heaving from the exertion of pulling the cart, appeared underfed, with ribs that protruded from tightly stretched skin.
The coven leader looked around, then mouthed a spell. She spread the fingers of her hands and the air shimmered. A thin halo of light rose from the ground to meet above the witches, then disappeared.
“The distortion spell will keep us safe from curious eyes. Anyone who attempts to look in our direction will see only dim shadows.”
Morganna nodded at Argatha, and she touched the nearest horse. Immediately, a bright green light enveloped the animal and when it subsided, a man appeared. Gaunt and naked, he trembled on his hands and knees.
“Stand!” Morganna ordered.
The man rose on unsteady feet, the leather harness falling from emaciated shoulders. Vacant eyes stared, while saliva dribbled in a thin rope from the side of his mouth.
Using her scimitar-like fingernail, Morganna quickly drew it across her hapless victim’s jugular. Blood spurted in a crimson stream from the severed throat which Argatha nimbly caught in a chalice tossed to her by Tressalayne. Embellished with arcane symbols, the amber-colored chalice never overflowed despite the torrent gushing into it. Within moments, the fountain of blood slowed to a trickle. Eyes rolled back into his head, the man toppled face first into the hard cobblestones. Ignoring the twitching limbs, Morganna repeated the procedure with the remaining horse-faux-man. The bottomless chalice welded by Argatha once again caught the hot, crimson stream.
Michael Scott Clifton, public educator for over 38 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, currently lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas with his wife, Melanie, and family cat, Sadie. An avid gardener, he enjoys all kinds of book and movie genres. His books contain aspects of all the genres he enjoys...adventure, magic, fantasy, romance, and relationships. He has been a finalist in a number of short story contests. Clifton’s fantasy novel, The Conquest of the Veil, won a First Chapter Finalist award. Professional credits include articles published in the Texas Study of Secondary Education Magazine. Clifton’s latest book, The Janus Witch, the July Book Cover of the Month, is a featured book on the We Love Indie Books website. Currently, Clifton is completing Book I of The Conquest of the Veil, which will be released in March 2019. He can be reached at mike@michaelscottclifton.com.
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