If you’ve made it here, congratulations for solving the treasure hunt clue from Part 3! Today’s post is one I’ve been super excited to share, because it’s taking us back to the world of VIPER and VENOM by Bex Hogan! If you haven’t already found the previous three parts of the treasure hunt, definitely go and do that now so you’re up to speed in time for today’s update: part four!
The Isles of Storm and Sorrow
This series begins with Viper, and continues with the second instalment, Venom. If you are yet to read Viper, here’s a quick blurb - you’ll want to make sure you’ve read Viper first, as this short story takes place between Viper and Venom!
He will make me a killer. Or he will have me killed. That is my destiny.
Seventeen-year-old Marianne is fated to one day become the Viper, defender of the Twelve Isles. But the reigning Viper stands in her way. Corrupt and merciless, he prowls the seas in his warship, killing with impunity, leaving only pain and suffering in his wake. He's the most dangerous man on the ocean . . . and he is Marianne's father.
She was born to protect the islands. But can she fight for them if it means losing her family, her home, the boy she loves - and perhaps even her life?
Now… Vitriol!
This short story is set between Viper and Venom, so there will be Viper spoilers in this short story.Vitriol follows Shard, a member of the Maiden’s crew. Once loyal to Captain Adler, now his only loyalty lies with himself. The line of succession passes to the one who kills the Captain - and if it’s been done before, it can be done again…
Vitriol: Part Four
Now Shard really was interested. Nothing would make the Mouse view him less like a threat than if he actually presented her with the slippery bandit. ‘You do?’
Raze nodded. ‘I used to drink with one of his men, the kind of man who would boast about everything and let things drop he shouldn’t. Like the fact that Karn has a family living in a settlement near the north east coast. A family he frequently visits.’
This was getting better all the time. They had an actual lead. Shard could feel the tide turning his way. Fate was guiding him on the path to victory. ‘A family, eh? So that’s where we’re going? To pay them a visit?’
Raze nodded. ‘Reckon he might be there, you never know our luck.’
‘And if he isn’t, we can get ourselves some leverage. Even Karn might be willing to give himself up to keep those he loves safe.’
Raze glanced sharply over to Shard. ‘It’s not Adler we’re reporting back to. Don’t think Captain would approve of such methods.’
But Shard merely winked. ‘What she doesn’t know can’t hurt her, right?’
He looked more than a little uneasy, but Raze eventually nodded once more. ‘I don’t want to go back empty-handed,’ he admitted.
‘Then we shan’t,’ Shard said and he felt as confident as he sounded. The Mouse had hoped to humiliate him. He’d show her. ‘First things first, though. I need a piss. Back in a moment.’
Shard snuck off to leave Raze on the path, concealing himself behind the bushes, and checking Raze hadn’t followed him, strayed further away from the path until he found the briar patch he was searching for.
‘Choke.’ He whispered the name for fear of Raze hearing. No reply came. Swearing under his breath, Shard began to fight back some of the thorns, searching for the hollow beneath, but all he received was bloodied arms. The tunnel was empty. Choke was long gone, and Shard’s bravado blew away like dust.
Until he noticed something. On the ground, etched in dirt, marked with pebbles, was a map. Crude but decipherable. A guide to where his ally had gone. And Shard smiled to himself.
He was still grinning when he returned to where Raze was impatiently waiting for him.
‘Thought you’d got lost,’ Raze said, and it only sounded as if he was half-joking.
‘Not possible, my friend,’ Shard replied, clapping Raze on the back. ‘Come on. We still have quite a journey ahead of us if we’re to reach the settlement you spoke of.’
Because Shard now had another reason to get there as quickly as possible. Choke had indicated where she could be found, marked by a cross – the north east of the island. And Shard didn’t believe in coincidences.
To discover what happens next, you’ll need to read part five, which will be up tomorrow! To find it, you’ll need to decode this blog name…
