The Gates of Paradise

By Stephen D. Sullivan

Some people will do anything to reach the Gates of Paradise, and Crimson will do anything to get one of them out.

Fan fave Crimson, the woman warrior with attitude, faces off against drug lords. Unhinged in time, she often finds herself in life-or-death situations, and this one is as desperate as they come. Crimson also appears in Tournament of Death (a FREE online novel) & many other SDS tales.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen D. Sullivan
• Release date: Sep 25, 2010
• ISBN: 9781465758378

Stephen D. Sullivan

Stephen D. Sullivan has written more than 50 books across many genres: fantasy, SF, horror, detective, movie adaptations, and more. Readers the world over enjoy his fast-moving prose style and hard-hitting action sequences. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2016 Scribe Award for his horror-comedy novel, Manos: The Hands of Fate.Not sure where to start? Try these:NEW! Manos: Talons of FateBEST SELLER: Manos: The Hands of Fate (2016 Scribe Award Winner)HORROR & MONSTERS: Daikaiju AttackFANTASY: Tournament of Death novelsSCIENCE FICTION: Heart of Steam & RustADULT: Elf Erotica (Elf Princess on Mars)OVERVIEW: Martian Knights & Other TalesThere are plenty of others to choose from, too. (Including some books from other authors published by Steve's Company, Walkabout Publishing.)Browse! Buy! Enjoy!

Book preview

THE GATES OF PARADISE

~ A Crimson Story ~

Stephen D. Sullivan

• Walkabout Publishing •

Smashwords edition.

© 2010 Stephen D. Sullivan

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the vendor of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Walkabout Publishing

S.D.Studios

P.O.Box 151

Kansasville, WI 53139

www.walkaboutpublishing.com

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, scanning, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author.

Cover art & design © 2010 Stephen D. Sullivan.

CONTENTS

THE GATES OF PARADISE

Samples of Other Crimson Stories

Forever Crimson

Crash of the Titans

Time War

Crimson & Dragons

About the Story

About the Author

Original Cover

THE GATES OF PARADISE

~ A Crimson Story ~

Stephen D. Sullivan

White hot pain shot through my left shoulder as the crossbow bolt pinned me to the wall. The lotus eater reloaded, his purple-stained lips pulling back to reveal a rotten smile. At this range, he couldn’t miss—his next shot would go straight through my chainmail and into my heart. I couldn’t have that; dying now would screw up not only my own plans, but also ruin the future of the entire Nation of Marchuk. Even when you’re fated to be reborn endlessly—as I am—there are times and places where it’s damned inconvenient to die.

The arrow in my deltoid made it impossible for me to reach the two daggers hidden in my boots, but I still had my sword. As Purple Lips brought up his reloaded weapon, I hurled my silver-traced blade through the center of his chest. He fired as he fell dead, but his shot merely impaled the ornate carpet and the polished ironwood beneath my feet.

I yanked the bolt out of my shoulder and slumped to the floor, panting, fighting down nausea. I knew the wound wasn’t fatal, but even an eternal warrior feels pain like everyone else—everyone, that is, except for lotus eaters.

*

You’re sure the Purple Lotus has your son, Your Highness? I asked.

Queen Marchuk, resplendent in her maroon robes and glittering jewelry, dug her fingernails into the arms of her gilded throne; she nodded. The local clan head, Davian, sent the prince’s signet along with a scroll listing terms.

What ransom are they asking?

The queen laughed ruefully, and moisture glinted at the edge of her weary eyes. No ransom. They say the prince will remain their ‘guest’ until we stop persecuting their . . . associates. The price of our son’s safety is to be the poisoning of our own people. Davian’s Purple Lotus yakuza won’t be satisfied until every last man, woman, and child in our kingdom becomes a purple-lipped addict. Clearly, this is not a price the Nation of Marchuk can pay.

So you want me to find your son and return him, I said.

Crimson, because of your unique . . . situation, you are the only one we can trust.

I’m going it alone, then? I ventured. Working alone was fine by me; a solo mission meant not having to watch anyone else’s backside. Plus, over the course of many lifetimes, I’ve grown used to relying upon only