A Blood of the Revenants Novella (#0.5)

"If you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you."

Years before Erin Conrad learned to hunt vampires, Dr. David believed he could heal anyone who walked through his door. Even the enigmatic patient who appeared one night with no memory, no identity beyond a first name, and disturbing claims about his true nature.

As their sessions progress, Michael's grandiose delusions seem to shift toward something far more unsettling – a cold detachment that suggests his violent past might not be a delusion at all. When medical tests reveal impossible anomalies and Michael's behaviour grows increasingly unnerving, David finds himself questioning everything he knows about reality, identity, and the boundaries of human experience.

But some patients cannot be cured. Some mysteries are better left unsolved. And some doors, once opened, can never be closed.

A haunting glimpse into the mind of a creature caught between human memory and monstrous reality, Michael explores the dangerous territory where medicine meets the supernatural – and where a doctor's oath to "do no harm" becomes a luxury he can no longer afford.

Set in the world of The Gloaming, this standalone story can be read independently or as a companion to the Blood of the Revenants series.

N.B. Michael contains depictions of psychiatric themes, violence, and adult situations and is only recommended for readers 18+.