Red_Harvey Presents: Cursed Sequel Preview

Hola, fellow Wattpaders! I'm Red Harvey, and I've been on Wattpad for about four years, and I love depicting fantastical worlds. For this Wattpad Block Party, I chose to include a preview for Followed, the sequel to Cursed.

Cursed is a paranormal novel featuring Imogen, a pessimistic college student with the ability to see the future of those around her. Her powers attract otherworldly entities, like two ancient gods who terrorize her, eventually gaining control of her body. She comes back from the dead more powerful than ever, fighting her way through the rest of the story.

In Followed, Imogen's still cleaning up after the demon gods, with the help of her mystical husband, Rafe. The following passage depicts them traipsing around Nicaragua, vacationing in true demon-hunter fashion:

Blue phosphorous. An anomaly among creatures of anomaly. I wiped the electric blue liquid from my fingers with a rag, and continued to stalk down to the shoreline.

Bleeding and injured, the Djiin wasn't far. The rotting smell emanating from the demon overcame my senses, and I forced back rising bile.

The wind lifted my hair, and carried away some of the smell. Ah, better. When the air stilled, silence roared through the shaded passageway. Cavernous concrete spaces invaded the beach area, providing the demon with plenty of hide and seek spots. My stomach rumbled, and I decided on a stupid move.

"Where are you, a-hole?" I called.

The insult echoed into the shadows. I hoisted the sword from my hip, lighting up the dark with spirited flames.

"C'mon man, I'm hungry. Let's get this over with," I said. A figure emerged from the darkness, but the not the one I expected. "Rafe?"

He had galloped away at some point during the fray, proud in full Ipotane form. I wasn't worried about him, because let's face it, a half-human half-horse was hella formidable. Even in human form, he was so beautiful, he was painful to look at.

When he stepped fully into the sunlight, I appreciated the view: Smooth caramel skin, dark long hair, and bright eyes. At his side, he gripped a wicked long knife, blue viscous fluid dripping from the edges.

I gestured to the weapon. "I assume you finished it?" He nodded, and that's when I laughed so hard my breath caught. "Did you see the size of its tail?"

Rafe's hair hid his eyes, but not his smile. He slid his knife into the holder dangling from his hip. "I didn't know Djiin had tails."

"Must be the water," I said, matching his brilliant smile with one of my own.

Our hands found each other, and we strolled along the coastline like two lovebirds on honeymoon. No one could guess our true mission: to hunt down and wipe out every last trace of the Djiin. Recently, the trail had led us to Nicaragua. We'd been volcano surfing, hiking, and demon killin'. A muscle in my neck protested every time I looked left, and my sword needed a good sharpening. Between the pleasure mixed with business, I needed more pleasure.

"Hell, if the water makes things grow like that, I'll gulp it by the gallon." Rafe wagged his eyebrows, which set me off laughing again.

"You're just fine," I assured him, tugging at a lock of his perfect hair.

Suddenly, his expression soured. "We're nearly done here..." he began.

"Not quite." I dropped his hand.

Despite my brattiness, he caught my hand again. "Quite. We should head back."

"I can't."

"You can, because I'll go with you," he said.

I stared across the expanse of blue and green glass some people called water. All I wanted was to hunt, love, and forget. I knew fulfilling my dream was impossible

"Soon." I squeezed my husband's earth-kissed palm. "We'll go home soon."

I'd told the lie often enough, even I was starting to believe it.

~*~

On the walk back to the hotel, we passed our favorite fruit vendor, Trabon. He held out the day's best, mango and papaya.

"Pick one, or both," he said, teeth glittering against his dark complexion.

"Ugh," I groaned. "They're both delicious. It would be smart to take both."

Rafe agreed, and we purchased two of each.

We continued on to the hotel, shoes clapping on the brick-paved street. Two turns later, and we arrived at a squat building with pink shutters, and hurried to our room.

"A fruit salad is just what I wanted," Rafe said, tossing the fruit on the kitchen counter.

"Nummy." I unpacked the bag and juggled the contents. "I'll make it."

"Are you sure you don't wanna start a circus act first?" He poked me in the ribs, and I flinched, dropping my act.

"You ruined my career before it began," I said.

He grinned. "You'll get along. Mind if I take a nap and enjoy lunch later? I'm wiped."

"Serious?"

Rafe nodded.

I plucked the fruit from the floor, using the time to choose my words. "Just be...careful."

He tilted his head as if to see my crazy from a better angle. "I'll nap as carefully as possible, Imogen."

I matched his sarcasm. "Your naps have ended pretty crazily to date, so we'll see."

"Wanna join me?" He peeled off his t-shirt, and the ripple of his golden chest impressed me. "'Cause you sound like the cranky one. A nap'd be good for ya."

I snorted. "In that scenario, no naps would be had. Get outta here."

"You're right." He blew me a kiss, which I pretended to catch on my bum.

"When and where, m'dear?" Rafe threw at me while sauntering to the bedroom.

I laughed, but underneath the silliness, I worried if he would wake up knowing who I was.

~*~

His nagging aside, I concluded that my husband had definite perks, such as being a natural block against the barrage of inner monologues which my telepathic ability inadvertently invited. When Rafe left my side, the roaring tide of stranger's thoughts assaulted me again, though the feedback was preferable to what I was used it in the States. Nicaragua was less crowded and far more scenic, and I couldn't envision leaving just yet.

I focused on tasking, as that always helped eclipse the headache of stranger's thoughts. Cut the fruit. No slower, and smaller pieces, more to concentrate on. Transfer the pieces to a bowl, wash the cutting board, put away the leftovers...I applied the salve liberally, keeping busy to keep from going crazy.

All was quiet from the bedroom, so I let Rafe sleep a bit longer. We didn't have anywhere to be, not according to me. I counted my steps on the walk to the bookcase, counting books as my fingers skimmed the covers.

I plucked up a slim tome, dropping it when I heard yelling.

~*~

That's it for the preview of Followed, which I'll start posting in March. If you've never heard of Imogen and Rafe but they sound pretty cool, discover their origins in Cursed.

Thanks mucho mas to @kellyanneblount, a phenomenal lady who works hard to make all this happen!

Enter the giveaway to be one of five to win an e-copy of Cursed, or maybe you'll be lucky enough to win the paperback copy.

Make sure to vote, comment, and stay tuned for the other talented writers coming your way :D

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