Cadenza II: Realm of Secrets

By Justin Conley

"Cadenza," is a new dark fantasy series written by Justin Conley and David D. Haynes IV.

From the creators of the "Iniquitous Dominion" series, comes a new dark fantasy series that introduces a whole new world with similar elements that made "Iniquitous Dominion" one of the most twisted series in the world of literature.

The island of Cadenza is centered on the flower planet Mira, where for the planet's four kingdoms, is just another island to conquer on the way to world domination. For the island inhabitants, it is a land of magic, mystery, romance, war, death and rebirth with its mix of ruthless counts, playboy knights, seductive witches, and a dark history that carry with it Mira's own shadowy history. With each locale and influential character presented pulls back several layers that would end with an established chronological history of the planet's fruition.

In the second book, things hit a fever pitch and secrets begin to emerge as three powerful leaders clash to turn Cadenza on its head: Resputo Andolini, master of the island; Joshua Atkinson, the sociopathic count; and Rebecca Griego, the female sorceress leading a movement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Justin Conley
• Release date: Apr 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311686152

Justin Conley

Justin Conley is a bona-fide author who has been writing from the cradle. Before he found the calling to take on writing full time, he travelled all over the world and has served his country proudly in the U.S. military for 10 years. Since leaving the military, he has used newfound skills to perfect his chosen craft and has written bestselling novels to include THE EASTER BUNNY AND THE WHORE OF BABYLON and ARCINA GANGSTER along with participating in writing several parts to the INIQUITOUS DOMINION series.He continues to write novels based on his favorite genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance and Erotica, Political/Religious-themed fiction, and Dark SatireRecently, he published his own books under the publisher RED HAREM PRESS and has become partners with David D. Haynes IV under the banner of DAVIIDIC ENTERTAINMENT and THE IMPERFECT SOCIETY.

Book preview

CADENZA II:

REALM OF SECRETS

By Justin Conley and David D. Haynes IV

CADENZA II:

REALM OF SECRETS

By Justin Conley and David D. Haynes IV

Copyright The Society 2015

Published by The Society

DAY ONE: NOTICE (47 BMD)

When news got back to Rozaria of Ptolemis’ death, King Cyrus Avondale fell to the ground and began to weep. Cyrus shared a close relationship with his cousin; a far cry from the volatile relationship he had with his own brother Stephen. Stephen was a constant adulterer and a complete narcissist. Unfortunately, he was favored by his mother Soyan Avondale, and anything Stephen did, Soyan covered up to keep up appearances. Unfortunately, around Stephen, the younger Ptolemis Avondale inherited the worst qualities of the Avondale clan.

Cyrus never got the chance to seek revenge on his younger brother, as Stephen died of an strange illness days after Resputo left for Cadenza. Some said he died from a disease after having sex with an afflicted zaccharra prostitute. This gave him the chance to work on Ptolemis and get him back in order. Getting Ptolemis to grow up was one of the reasons he sent him to Cadenza. Perhaps working with a known warrior like Resputo would work wonders for him.

It ended in more uncertainty.

With the death of his cousin, King Cyrus Avondale went mad and demanded answers from Resputo as to who was responsible. He had a messenger write one message and mailed it to Resputo:

I'm giving you 24 hours to come up with the person responsible or you are a dead man…

****

Resputo received the message from his king about his cousin's death. He wrote his reply, with the cover being that Ptolemis got drunk, had sex with some prostitutes and his body turned up dead in a bar from possible alcohol poisoning.  

He thought this would be enough.

Resputo sat in his chambers with his head in the palm of his hand. Known for being thorough, he was careless and never thought ahead of the consequences of such an act. With all of the illegitimate sons in the kingdom both Stephen and Cyrus Avondale fathered, he never thought the King would take Ptelomis’ death so personally.

Joshua entered the King’s chamber with a smirk on his face. My lord, I have the solution to your problem. I found the persons responsible for the destruction of Llajair University.

Resputo looked at Joshua with rage in his eyes, immediately forgetting the impending threat from King Avondale.

WHO? said Resputo boisterously.

Michele Verone, leader of the Blue Blasters in Sercia, Joshua responded.

Resputo got up and walked over to his weapon case. It had been years since Resputo Andolini picked up a weapon and had a reason to fight. With the destruction of Llajair University and the attempted coup, he finally found had a reason to grab arms and once again become consumed in his former bloodlust. 

Resputo opened up the case and withdraw his oldest and deadliest weapon: Xeodus. Bring me to this Michele Verone, leader of the Blue Blasters. Tonight, he shall cease to be.

Joshua shook his head, It’s not that simple, my lord.

Resputo frowned, Do I sense cowardice in you, Joshua?

No, my lord! It’s just that with the consolidation of the Red Rippers and White Boomers into the Blue Blasters, we stand outnumbered. Also Verone didn't act alone in this atrocity against Cadenza.

Who else is responsible? said Resputo.

Rebecca Griego and the Cadenza Order of Privitas are in league with the Sercian mobsters and responsible for the recent destructions. 

Resputo was shocked to hear the news of this. He heard Joshua mentioned the privitas before, but he mostly saw it as farce. It infuriated him more because he and Rebecca had been former lovers. 

In fact, she was the reason why Resputo turned to Dulcie: to get his mind off of Rebecca and how she broke his heart by leaving him.

Rebecca Griego? Resputo said. But why? 

The same reason that all men kill and destroy. Simple lust for power. It would appear that Rebecca never loved you. Her former interest in you must have been nothing more than an attempt to gain insight about you and your plans for LlajairUniversity, which she perceived as a threat to the power she has at Meterhall.

Resputo put his hand over his face realizing how weak and foolish he had been. Confidence shaken, Resputo looked at Joshua and put his hand on his shoulder.  

What do you propose we do?

Joshua smiled. We, my lord? It’s Michele Verone, Rebecca Griego and the Cadenzian privitas that are responsible for all of this destruction, right? We need to report this right away to King Avondale and let him handle it. I assume the King will want to handle this matter himself knowing that a Cadenzian killed Ptelomis, correct?

Resputo grinned and then nodded.

Joshua continued. This will only infuriate his rage. There’s no need in us trying to retaliate on Michele Verone and the privitas. The King will come to Cadenza and personally handle this for you. I know you're a warrior and you require retribution for the blood spilled. Knowing that the King will make your enemy suffer worse than you ever could should give you some relief.

Resputo grinned and went to call King Avondale. Unbeknownst to Resputo, in one move, Joshua orchestrated the elimination of two of his enemies.

As Joshua predicted, he received the message from his messengers that King Avondale wanted to come to Cadenza to handle the matter personally after burying Ptelomis. 

King Avondale wrote:

Any mercy that I give Michele Verone and these privitas in the coming days will only be followed by vengeance and wrath that’s a thousand fold. In three days, I will come to Cadenza and eviscerate all of Rozaria’s enemies...

****

As her training intensified on St. Cristobal Island, Mergellina Roberts became so fixated on her resolve of mastering her powers that it became an obsession. 

Okay, it’s time to rest, Rebecca said.

Mergellina kept running around the island. I’m fine.

Rebecca was amazed at how fast Mergellina’s progress came along.  Within a couple of weeks, Mergellina had went from running laps to doing basic incantations and causing the wind to blow and howl.  

Still with the pending danger, this wasn’t enough.

****

As the Cadenza Order of the Privitas congregated at the Archon Hotel, Martina Scorpio assembled control of the meeting in Rebecca’s absence. 

Welcome, ladies! said Martina. The Order of Cadenza Witches has come to–

BOOM! 

Before Martina could speak another word, the door of the hotel was blown open. The force of the explosion threw Martina and the other privitas to the floor. The second explosion tore a hole in the side of the building, knocking the remaining witches that were conscious out. 

Seconds later, Rozarian soldiers stormed into