Petals and Thorns

By Lex Williams

WARNING: Contains high impact horror and mature themes. Discretion is advised.

It is said to be a tale as old as time, one with a beauty and a beast. A tale often more concerned with the beautiful, delicate petals of a rose than its harsh, dangerous thorns.

Not this time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lex Williams
• Release date: Feb 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463139912

Lex Williams

Lex Williams is a novelettist ( although occasionally writing novellas with the rare novel ) whose intent is to take advantage of self-publishing stories to provide interesting, different and weird ideas that you won't find in traditionally published stories. Williams typically writes for the horror genre ( usually dipping into the surreal variety ), but has explored other areas, such as ( non erotic ) romance and science fiction.

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Petals and Thorns

Lex Williams

Distributed by Smashwords

Copyright 2019 Lex Williams

Thanks to my editor, Lee Cope, who I found through writerfind.com.

Thanks to my cover artist, Pius Pranoto, who I found at deviantart.com under the username, telaga.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook 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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

1: The Bourgeoisie

2: The Curse

3: The Transformation

4: The Survival

5: The Betrayal

6: The Retaliation

7: The Hopeless

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1: The Bourgeoisie

Trees encroached on the large property, swaying in the night. Their silhouettes spread from their long limbs, towering over the large mansion in the distance. The glimmer of light from a window highlighted the closest edge of the trees, but not enough to reveal the hidden dangers in the forest beyond.

Within the mansion were golds and reds. The expensively-dressed guests made polite conversation as they stood on the elaborately embroidered carpets, glancing from the long drapes to the indulgent paintings. Servants ducked between the guests as they carried trays of wine and food with foreign, nigh-incomprehensible names.

In the large foyer, Vibius stood at the railing. He was immaculately dressed, as one would expect from the master of the estate, in a suit whose colours and designs matched the mansion. He almost blended in to the walls, if not for the dark, straight hair resting on his shoulders and his piercing eyes.

With a glass of wine in one hand he looked from the railing, through the open door and at his guests. He sipped from his glass as his gaze drifted to the large painting of an ancestor sitting above the closed entrance doors.

Vibius had wealth, but he wasn't a self-made man. His money was old money: land and businesses bought and grown by long dead men. He was just the latest in the line who had to put in the minimum effort to keep them running. Not that it bothered him. His furrowed brow and downcast countenance were the cause of a different, if related, concern.

He had no heir.

Vibius downed the rest of his glass and buried those feelings beneath his gaze. He stepped down from the stairs, handing his glass over to a passing servant, and joined the party again.

He headed over to a small group and cast his perfect smile on his guests. And how are we all?

One of the men raised his glass of wine. Excellent. Why, I didn't expect you to bring out such rich wine.

Vibius laughed. Only the best for my guests. He turned to the group of finely dressed women. And how are you finding this?

One of the women smiled. The dinner was most pleasing.

Another woman gave a half-smile. I would expect no less from the eminent Vibius.

I try not to disappoint, Cevahir.

I would say you're mostly successful, she said, with a slight rise of her eyebrows and a tilt of her head.

Vibius placed a hand over his chest. You wound me, madame. He turned to the men. Careful with this one, she stings.

Cevahir laughed. I only sting those whose hide is fragile enough to pierce.

Indeed, perhaps we'll have to match you with a tough boar.

Oh, I'm looking right at a bore.

Vibius laughed. As sharp tongued as the day I met you. May your suitors' tongues be as sharp, or tough. As soon as he saw the big smile on Cevahir's face, Vibius departed to see the other guests.

A servant stumbled to a stop before Vibius, carrying a tray of glasses. They teetered on the tray while the servant tilted the tray to stop them falling off. The glasses finally stopped, every single one remaining upright.

Vibius loomed over him. Are you trying to embarrass me?

No, sir, the servant said. My apologies-

Vibius slapped the servant in the back of the head, who flinched and grabbed the tray with both hands to prevent dropping anything.