The Angel Alejandro Read online

  Contents

  The Angel Alejandro

  Books by Alistair Cross

  Praise for The Crimson Corset

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  The Players

  Title Page

  Part One: In the Beginning

  Prologue

  Prominence

  The Naked Stranger

  Natural Habitats

  Bad Vibes

  Confessions and Clairvoyance

  Bernadette Watkiss

  At Roxie’s Diner

  Bart’s Ark

  The Whisperers

  Mr. Jones

  Tremors and Tides

  Lights Out

  Unholy Night

  Part Two: Let There be Light

  The Days that Followed: At Vang’s Bangs

  Sinking Into Oblivion

  The Disrobed Daredevil

  So Much Skin

  Just Keep Busy

  Shop Talk

  The Only Two Vowels You Don’t Have to Buy

  Woolgathering at Midnight

  The Decay of a Salesman

  Uncertain Skeptics

  Roads Best Left Untraveled

  Opening Night

  Mephistopheles

  A Sobering Set of Circumstances

  Dishonorable Seductions

  A Power Greater Than Ourselves

  Lamebrains and Baby Jane

  The Emptiness Gaped

  Part Three: The Last Days

  Street Walkers and Dirty Talkers

  The Last Bath

  The Devil in the Details

  Rosemary’s Shady

  A Feast of Madness

  Unbridled Night

  Dirty Deeds

  Sickness in the Streets

  The Man Without a Face

  The Immaculate Seduction

  Sex, Lies, and Fireworks

  In the Dread of the Night

  3 a.m. Confessions

  Saturday

  Sunday

  Come When I Call You

  At the Fair

  A Blaze of Golden Glory

  Six Months Later

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Books by Alistair Cross

  Titles by Thorne & Cross

  COMING SOON

  The Angel Alejandro

  A Man without a Past

  After a near-fatal accident, Madison O'Riley is faced with an astonishing problem: What to do with the man who saved her life. Naive and heart-stoppingly handsome, he calls himself Alejandro ... and he has no memory of his past. As they set out to recover his lost identity, Madison realizes he harbors deep - and otherworldly - secrets that will shatter her understanding of reality ... secrets that may put her in grave danger.

  The Devil in the Details

  And now, there’s another stranger in town. Gremory Jones has something for everyone, and for a small price, he’s willing to make a deal. By day, he walks the streets of Prominence in top hat and trench coat, tempting the citizens with nefarious wares from his shiny black briefcase. By night, he and his legion of insatiable acolytes corrupt the locals at Club Mephistopheles, a den of unholy delights housed in an abandoned church.

  The Battle has Begun …

  The townspeople are changing in outrageous and appalling ways and it's up to Madison - with the help of a psychic, a local priest, and the new chief of police - to help Alejandro unlock his forgotten powers before an unspeakable evil tears apart the fabric of existence ... and costs them their very souls ...

  Books by Alistair Cross

  The Crimson Corset

  The Book of Strange Persuasions

  The Angel Alejandro

  Books by Thorne & Cross

  The Cliffhouse Haunting

  The Ghosts of Ravencrest

  Mother

  The serialized Ghosts of Ravencrest installments

  The Ghosts of Ravencrest: The New Governess

  The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Awakening

  The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Darker Shadows

  The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Christmas Spirits

  The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Night Moves

  The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Dead Girls

  The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Danse Macabre

  The Ghosts of Ravencrest: Spellbound

  The serialized Witches of Ravencrest installments

  The Witches of Ravencrest: Grave Expectations

  The Witches of Ravencrest: Dead of the Night

  The Witches of Ravencrest: The Dark Heart

  The Witches of Ravencrest: The Romerus Conjury

  The Witches of Ravencrest: Bedeviled

  Non-Fiction

  Five Nights In a Haunted Cabin

  Praise for The Crimson Corset

  “Put Bram Stoker in a giant cocktail shaker, add a pinch of Laurell K. Hamilton, a shot of John Carpenter, and a healthy jigger of absinthe, and you’ll end up with Alistair Cross’s modern Gothic chiller, “The Crimson Corset” - a deliciously terrifying tale that will sink its teeth into you from page one.”

  - Jay Bonansinga, New York Times Bestselling author of The Walking Dead: Invasion and Lucid...

  “Alistair Cross’ new novel THE CRIMSON CORSET … is taut and elegantly written taking us into the realms where the erotic and the horrific meet. Reminiscent of the work of Sheridan Le Fanu (CARMILLA, UNCLE SILAS) in its hothouse, almost Victorian intensity, it tells a multi-leveled story of misalliance and mixed motives. The language is darkly lyrical, and the tale is compelling. Read it; you'll be glad you did.”

  - Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, author of the Saint-Germain Cycle...

  “This drop-deadly tale of seduction and terror will leave you begging to be fanged … ”

  - Tamara Thorne, international bestselling author of Haunted and Moonfall

  “I couldn’t put this book down. It’s got more hooks than a day boat out of San Pedro Harbor!”

  - QL Pearce, bestselling author of Scary Stories for Sleep-Overs

  Praise for Mother

  “A great combination of strong characters that remind me of my V.C. Andrews characters, wonderful creepy twists, and a plot that will recall Mommie Dearest in an original take that shocks and delights at the same time. This is a full blown psychological thriller worth the investment of time and money.”

  -Andrew Neiderman, Author of The Devil's Advocate and the V.C. Andrews novels

  “While “binge-reading” the clever, shocking, deliciously creepy MOTHER by Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross (amid gasps, laughing out loud and muttering “Oh, my God, no…”), it dawned on me that these two should be writing for AMERICAN HORROR STORY. The authors offer up a fun, juicy, gripping thriller that’s nearly impossible to put down. As I kept turning the pages, I was reminded of MISERY, ROSEMARY’S BABY, PEYTON PLACE, PSYCHO and several other classics. But this is an original—as is the main character, Priscilla “Prissy” Martin, the mother of them all. Her perfect, poised façade masks an ugly, twisted, utterly evil woman—a character you’ll never forget. I think we found a spouse for Hannibal Lecter! And I think you’ll find MOTHER a fast-paced, delirious, heart-pounding thrill-ride.”

  -Kevin O’Brien, New York Times Bestselling Author of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone

  Praise for The Ghosts of Ravencrest

  “In The Ghosts of Ravencrest, Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross have created a world that is dark, opulent, and smoldering with the promise of scares and seduction. You'll be able to feel the slide of the satin sheets, taste the fizz of champagne, and hear the footsteps on the stairs.”

  -Sylvia Shults, paranormal expert and author of Fractured Spirits and Hunting Demons

  “In this classic-style gothic, young Be
linda Moorland takes a job as governess for the children of Eric Manning, whose family mansion, Ravencrest, was reassembled stone by stone after crossing over from England. Now stalked by a bevy of quirky, shady characters … the sinister estate and its naughty nightside hijinks take center stage in this expert tale of multi-generational evil - and love. The Ghosts of Ravencrest will chill you and make you hot and bothered at the same time. There’s nothing like a stay in a California town created by Thorne and Cross!”

  -W.D. Gagliani, author of Wolf’s Blind

  Praise for The Cliffhouse Haunting

  “Thorne & Cross are clever. The plot they create reads effortlessly, and they make us laugh and cringe and widen our eyes, looking away from the text at times to say, “Oh, no, they didn’t.” but they did.”

  -Michael Aronovitz, author of Alice Walks and Witch of the Wood

  “Thorne & Cross keep the surprises coming as swiftly as a master magician … The characters quickly become people we know, but then perhaps wish we didn’t … the laughter of recognition rides the bubbles on the surface of a deep-flowing darkness … There’s something cold in here.”

  -Mark Hein, critic and editor at theaterghost.com

  The Angel Alejandro

  © 2017 Alistair Cross

  All Rights Reserved

  Glass Apple Press

  First e-book edition January 2017

  This eBook is for your personal device only. No part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the authors.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved.

  Cover Design by Mike Rivera

  The Angel Alejandro is dedicated to Tamara Thorne,

  my friend, my collaborator …

  You changed my life.

  Acknowledgements

  Heartfelt thanks, awkward hugs, and virtual high-fives to the following people, influences, and entities, without whom this novel would be a very different beast:

  Heather Anderson, for telling me to do it … and for letting me keep the golden mirror.

  Libba Campbell, for being the world’s best copy editor.

  Q.L. Pearce, for the time, the kindness, the meditations, and the heart of solid gold.

  Mark Hein, for helping me clean up so nice.

  Berlin Malcom at BAM! Literature, for the hours spent on my behalf.

  Lynita Bushman, for “getting” me long before anyone else did. I hope you like your new ‘do …

  Brad Sant, for haunting all the dark corners with me. Wait’ll you see where we’re going next!

  Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, for writing beautifully and being delightful.

  Douglas Clegg, for giving great advice and being very, very funny.

  Jay Bonansinga, for inspiration and so much kindness.

  Dianna Love, for rocking my world.

  Ryan Lindsay, for all things cars, guitars and, of course, chickens. Rock on!

  Lynn Worst, for your knowledge, generosity, kindness, and support.

  Mike Rivera, because damn - you’re good.

  Pam Stack, for Haunted Nights LIVE!

  California, for its fog, its history, and its beauty.

  Susan Brotherson, for so much.

  Pa, for electrical help.

  “Alaska” and the ladies, for letting us watch.

  The Man with the Briefcase, for always going wherever it is you’re going …

  Damien, for sharing her with me.

  The readers ... thank you most of all.

  Any discrepancies, leaps of logic, or outright blunders are solely the fault of the author and not the professionals who were kind enough to share their knowledge.

  THE PLAYERS

  **Repeat Offenders (characters who have made appearances in other Alistair Cross or Thorne & Cross novels)

  ALEJANDRO, amnesiac

  MADISON O’RILEY, owner of O’Riley’s Rock Shop

  The Police

  **NICK GRAYSON, chief of police

  MARTY PULLMAN, deputy

  CLINT HORACE, desk sergeant

  COREY BANNON, officer

  **ETHAN HUNTER, Nick Grayson’s friend and former boss from Crimson Cove

  At Church

  THOMAS WAINWRIGHT, priest, professor

  DAVE F., A.A. member

  PATRICK, A.A. member

  LAURA C., A.A. member

  MS. PETERSON, organist

  JESSICA RODNEY, churchgoer

  NORMAN BAKER, churchgoer

  BUSTER HARDEN, churchgoer

  St. Agatha’s/Club Mephistopheles

  GREMORY JONES, salesman, business owner

  TYRANNY, investor and exotic dancer

  ASTAROTH, investor and exotic dancer

  ZAZEL, investor and exotic dancer

  CORSON, investor and exotic dancer

  ESTRELLA, investor and exotic dancer

  THORNE, investor and exotic dancer

  Around Town

  BERNADETTE WATKISS, rock shop assistant and friend to Madison

  BEVERLY SIMON, psychic

  NATHANIEL, a friend

  OLIVIA LE BLATTE, realtor

  ROXIE MICHAELSON, diner owner

  BART ABERDEEN, pet storeowner

  ERIC (COOTER) COOTERMAN, reporter

  ABIGAIL STRANE, local

  ROMAN STRANE, her husband (deceased)

  DRAVEN WILLARD, owner of St. Agatha’s

  STARDENE CASSEL, barista

  BOBBY BECKSTEAD, electrician

  SHAWN BARZETTI, electrician

  TIFFANY RHODES, waitress

  PAULETTE DRISCOLL, motel manager

  CARLY BRAXTON, motel employee

  JEFFREY GIMPLE, Nick’s landlord

  NEDRA GIMPLE, Jeffrey’s wife

  MALCOLM WAGBORNE, owner of Cafe Spastica’s

  TOMMY, little boy

  FESTUS CRAWLEY, local

  JULIO, cook at Roxie’s Diner

  DARCY CROMWELL, local

  MARION BUSBY, local gossip

  ANDREW MORLEY, Medical Examiner

  At The Beauty Parlor

  EVELYN VANG, beautician

  REBECCA MCNAIR, assistant to Ms. Vang

  ROSEMARY HESS, town matriarch

  CLORIS RIDDLEY, local

  LENA HARDING, local

  DIANA STOUT, local

  HOWARD BLACKBURN, bank manager

  LYNITA FONTOYA, retired veterinarian

  BARBARA PARKER, local

  At the Fair

  **JOE LAMB, from Devilswood

  **KRISTEN, his wife

  On the Air

  **REVEREND BOBBY FELCHER, evangelist

  **COASTAL EDDIE, radio deejay at KNDL FM

  **TOMORROW’S SINGING STARS, television program

  In the Pages

  **KATHRYN MCLEOD, novelist

  CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY, author and Madison’s father (deceased)

  Honorable Mentions

  **DORA LANGLEY, Thomas Wainwright’s sister from Crimson Cove

  MOIRA O’RILEY, Madison’s mother (AWOL)

  MS. FROELICH, organist (deceased)

  TOBY TAVERS, private investigator

  TRISH, assistant to Olivia LeBlatte

  TREVOR KEECE, ex-husband to Beverly Simon (from Snapdragon)

  DAVID, local child (deceased)

  BRANDON MARSH, convicted mass murderer

  JOSEPH WILLARD, Draven’s great-great grandfather and town founder (deceased)

  JANICE, Nick’s aunt from Crimson Cove

  The Pets

  PIRATE, a parrot

  FELIX, kitten

  LUCILLE, sister to Felix

  PRUNELLA, The Parkers’ cat

  WINKIE THE GOLDEN HEDGEHOG,
town mascot, pet of Joseph Willard (deceased)

  LUCAS, Rosemary Hess’ rottweiler

  The Angel Alejandro

  Alistair Cross

  Part One

  In the Beginning

  “Where God hath a temple, the Devil will have a chapel.”

  -Robert Burton

  Prologue

  The thunder sounded like an angry god cracking his whip, and although Madison O’Riley had done nothing to provoke the wrath of any higher beings, it felt personal.

  Despite the blast of the storm, she hastened up the ladder onto the roof, intent on fixing the leak, refusing to surrender to a little rain. Okay, a lot of rain, she thought as the sprinkling turned to torrents.

  The old clapboard house perched on a hill at the outskirts of town, and from this height, she could see the entire valley pulsing as silver lightning blossomed in the spiteful, pewter sky. Gritting her teeth, she pulled herself onto the roof one-handed, the fingers of her free hand like a sprung trap around the caulking gun.

  Her feet slipped on the slick shingles but she maintained her footing, walk-crawling up the pitched roof, proud of her stick-to-itiveness. Half-blinded by the rain and nearly deafened by the overhead holocaust, she scrambled and scurried, searching for the fissure. Between two shingles a few feet from the brick chimney was a small crack. It didn’t seem big enough to account for the amount of rain that now pooled in her living room. “Seriously?”

  The sky, as if letting her know that, yes, it was quite serious, flashed and pealed out another crash. It was closer than she’d thought. This probably wasn’t a very good idea. But she’d already come this far, and she’d be damned if she’d give up now.