I’ve been using the #vss365 and #flexvss hashtags to write fragments of a new Revin story that happens after the events of Revin’s Heart. These parts are set on Devishire.
Revin spent hours writing a detailed report for the Baron summarizing what they’d learned from questioning his brother. Then, while munching on a sandwich that Melody brought him, he did the laborious encryption, using the book they’d borrowed from Bess. #vss365 #munch
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 10, 2022
Revin rolled the pages up, tied threads around to hold them shut, and tucked them into his sock.#OK. Now to drop this off,” he told the girls.
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 10, 2022
In the darkness, Revin approached the park where the dead drop was supposed to be.
“Wait!” someone said. “Come inside! Quick!”#flexvss
“We weren’t supposed to meet,” said the unfamiliar woman. “But they know about the dead-drop.”
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 11, 2022
“Dead drop?” Revin said, playing dumb.
“Oh. #Let me offer my bona fides…” she said. “What does Griphon keep on the mantel in his office?”
“Rachel!” Revin said, remembering.#flexvss
“I was given no choice,” Rachel said, acidly. “Married off to a yokel in this backwater. And now I’ve become a virtual prisoner in my home.”
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 12, 2022
“But you’re running a terrible risk. These people are dangerous.”
“Things can’t get worse.”
“Oh, but they can,” Revin said.#vss365 #acid
Revin, well-concealed, watched while the guard grabbed Rachel’s face. He ran his thumb across her lips, while he smirked. She twisted her face angrily out of his grasp, leaving a smear of #powder on his gloves. He backhanded her, knocking her to the floor, stunned. #vss365
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 12, 2022
After they left, Revin emerged from the hidden room. He found Rachel at her vanity – the one thing not smashed and upended among the devastation – calmly restoring her make-up.
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 12, 2022
“You’ve got to be #more careful,” Revin said.
“Never let them see you sweat,” she replied.#flex_vss
Revin took another shift in the sewer. With a sledge hammer, he attacked the iron grate in the passage. After martial law was imposed, they could #no longer move openly & needed another egress. And there was little else to do. He cursed & swung again, kicking up sparks.#flexvss
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 13, 2022
“You’ve been down here in this stinking rathole for days, Revin,” Tiny said. “Have you made any progress?”
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 13, 2022
“It’s starting to get loose.”
“You’ve got a #screw loose,” she growled. “Here, let me.”
Three deft swings with her powerful shoulders and the grate screeched free.#vss365
“You got to #speak with the Queen?” Margaret asked Tiny with wonder.
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 14, 2022
“She was with Revin when I tracked him down,” she said. “She asked how many girlfriends he has.”
“Well, he has a few,” said Emma and Dexy, holding his arms.
Revin’s #mouth worked but no words came out.#flexvss
“But did you know he’s married now?” Tiny asked. “To a girl named Lidja.”
— Steven D. BREWER 🏳️⚧️ (@author_sdbrewer) July 14, 2022
Emma and Dexy looked at Revin reproachfully.
“And then there’s his #polyandry with the Queen too.”
Now Revin looked truly scandalized, but Tiny was unrepentant: “I saw how she looks at you.”#vss365