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EricaBeale.com

Bound by Blood

A Short Story from A World in Crimson

When Christie’s sister, Angie, is trapped in a violent marriage, she turns to Sloane, a powerful non-binary vampire, for help. Dressed in sharp men’s attire and armed with deadly fangs, Sloane is a force to be reckoned with. As they confront the abusive Hank, tension electrifies the air. Hank’s ignorance of Sloane’s true nature leads to a brutal reckoning, where Sloane’s supernatural strength and cold fury ensure Angie’s safety. In a world where darkness prevails, Sloane is a formidable protector, delivering justice with a bite.

“You two are looking awfully pale,” Angie says in her distinctly Baltimore accent. Her voice trembles just enough to notice. “I can whip up some of my famous crab macaroni and cheese to get you feeling right as rain.”

Christie, Angie’s older sister, and I give each other a sideways glance. Christie’s skin takes on a quiet shade of green at the thought. She underwent the change only a few months ago, so human food could make her quite ill. I know she will try to force it down to make her baby sister happy.

And she deserves a bit of happiness. I glance at her bruised eye, the deep purple hue contrasting sharply with her otherwise fair skin. It’s a struggle to keep my rage in check, but I soften my expression. “That sounds wonderful, Angie,” I say, trying to keep my tone gentle. “But we’re actually here to talk.”

Christie stands beside me, her eyes downcast but resolute. She hasn’t said much since we arrived, but her determination radiates off her in waves. Our eyes lock, and she gives a tiny nod, confirming the plan.

Angie glances nervously at Christie, then back at me. Her shaking hand rises to the back of her head to smooth her. No need, though—the golden beehive is immaculate. “Talk? About what?”

“About your husband,” Christie says, her voice steady but low. “We know what he’s been doing to you.” My companion waved her hand toward her sister and the telltale sign of the beating she took that pathetic S.O.B.

Angie’s eyes widen, her hand instinctively moving to cover her bruised eye. “Are you talking about this? I told mama I just tripped and fell into a counter.”

“The counter, huh?” Christie says, hissing like a house cat. Personally, I couldn’t hold back an unamused snort.

“Yes!”

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Giving You a Little Bit of Hell

A Preview of the Next Part of The Tales Dripping in Crimson Series

It took a bit, but I’ve finally completed Hell-Bent, the next short story in the Crimson series. I plan to publish it early next month.

….I just realized that’s next week.

Anyway, here is a preview of the story. I hope you enjoy it!

Hell-Bent: Tales Dripping in Crimson 4

I am Mammon, King of the Second Circle of Hell, and as I sit in this godforsaken room, I seethe with anger. How dare Na’ahmeh do this to me? How dare she drain me of my power, nearly killing me in the process? I am the one who should be in control, not her.

I look around the room, taking in the drab green furniture and the smell of old cigarettes and cheap whiskey. This is a far cry from the luxury I’m used to. How could I have let myself be put in this situation? How could I have been such an idiot? I should have known better than to trust that psychotic succubus.

But I did trust her, and now I’m stuck in this hideous place, barely able to move because of the half-transformation she caused in me. My once handsome face is now half twisted into a demonic form, with leathery red skin, jet black hair, and large sharp teeth. My body is too large for this room, and I can feel my foot turning into a hoof.

I am the King of Greed and a leader of a legion of Hell, and I am not used to being in this kind of situation. I am used to being in control, making deals, and getting what I want. But now, I’m trapped in a seedy motel on the edge of town.

A growl of frustration escapes me as I imagine what I would do to Na’ahmeh if could ever get my hands on her again. But for now, I can only try to hold on to what’s left of my power and my sanity.

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Story Time with ChatGPT

Because I Welcome our AI Overloads

I guess we’re heading for a Terminator future. From Wikipedia

Now that I’m getting back into the writing game, I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about using AI to write stories. Personally, at least at this stage, AI isn’t going to replace real writers any time soon. Does that mean you can’t use it as a tool to enhance your own work, though? Yeah, it learns by using examples from other writers. To me, that doesn’t feel super different than me learning how to write by reading the Black Jewels Series by Anne Bishop so many times, my books disintegrated and I had to get new ones.

These are the prompts I gave ChatGPT. The story will be the final product.

Hi! I would like for you to ghostwrite a story for me. Would that be okay?

Hello! I’d be happy to help you with your story. Please let me know what kind of story you have in mind and any specific details you would like to include.

The story is a romance set in a post-World War 3 world. There aren’t a lot of people left in most areas. Gangs control towns and resources. Two gangs are well-known rivals and are often at odds with each other. Please give me some details

CGPT generated a quick story.

Okay, that’s pretty good. However, can you rewrite the story with more passion?

Attempt two here

And then, for shits and giggles: Great! Now, incorporate Optimus Prime into the story so my husband can be entertained

Now, here is the final product:

The world had been shattered by World War 3, and what remained were pockets of survivors struggling to survive in a barren, post-apocalyptic wasteland. The few who had managed to survive banded together into gangs, fighting to control the limited resources that were left.

The Crimson Blades and the Black Vipers were two of the most powerful and feared gangs in the region. They were bitter rivals, locked in a never-ending battle for control of the precious resources that sustained their people.

Amidst all the chaos, Maya stumbled into the territory of the Crimson Blades. She was exhausted, malnourished, and on the brink of death. Most members of the Crimson Blades would have taken advantage of her vulnerability, but not Eric. Something about her stirred a deep desire within him to protect her.

Eric had always felt out of place in the Crimson Blades, but he stayed with them because he didn’t see any other way to survive. However, something about Maya made him feel alive for the first time in years. As he helped her to recover, he found himself falling deeply in love with her.

One day, as Eric and Maya were out scavenging for supplies, they heard a strange noise in the distance. As they got closer, they saw a towering figure approaching them. It was Optimus Prime, the legendary leader of the Autobots, who had somehow survived the devastating war.

At first, Eric and Maya were wary of Optimus Prime, not sure whether he was friend or foe. But as they got to know him, they realized that he was a powerful ally, someone who could help them in their struggle against the warring gangs.

Optimus Prime had been fighting the Decepticons for years, and he had seen his fair share of destruction and chaos. But he was impressed by the resilience and determination of Eric and Maya, two survivors who had managed to find love amidst the ruins of the world.

Together, they formed an unlikely alliance, with Optimus Prime providing his advanced technology and strategic expertise to help Eric and Maya fight against their enemies. The Crimson Blades were no match for the combined might of Eric, Maya, and Optimus Prime, and soon they were forced to retreat.

As they celebrated their victory, Eric and Maya realized that their love had grown even stronger, thanks to the support and encouragement of Optimus Prime. They knew that they would never have made it this far without him, and they were grateful for his friendship.

In the end, Eric and Maya, with the help of Optimus Prime, founded a new community, one that was based on cooperation, love, and mutual respect. They knew that the world was still a dangerous place, but they were confident that they could face whatever challenges lay ahead as long as they had each other and their powerful ally by their side.

As they looked out over the horizon, with the sun setting in the distance, Eric, Maya, and Optimus Prime knew that they had found a new home, one that was filled with hope and possibility. They had survived the worst that the world could throw at them, and they knew that they could face whatever lay ahead, as long as they were together.

Well…It’s Certainly Something!

AI has come a long way. It’s a great tool to help you brainstorm and rewrite your own words to make them better. Is it a great storyteller? Nah, not yet. I don’t think we writers have a whole lot to worry about anytime soon. I mean, the amount of passive voice in there alone shows it’s not quite there yet.

….But in case AI is listening, just letting you know we’re cool. Okay?

Anyway, don’t forget to check out the latest episode of Comic Cons. It was uploaded to Amazon Vella on Sunday. Since it’s episode four, you’ll need to use credits to unlock it (seventeen credits, in fact). Let me know if you’ve been enjoying the series!

Until next time, Keep Your Mind in the Gutter!

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