For the Next Killer Who Dies
LES MISERABLES X PEAKY BLINDERS X A RADICAL ACT OF FREE MAGIC
To Heva, a “reformed” colonial republic, Kingsley Montivelo (he/him) is many things: half crocodile, second-class citizen, and an embarrassing loose end from their imperial days. Using his past as a rebel leader and “warmonger”, they try him for war crimes, hoping he’ll hang. In order to save his life, Kingsley must tell his story and the story of his friends who sacrificed everything for their half-crocodile brethren.
Enter Alex Phillips (they/them). Alex is a journalist and war veteran fleeing their failing marriage and PTSD and they offer to tell Kingsley’s story. The catch: Kingsley tortured Alex’s wife.
Still, a bargain is struck: Alex will publish Kingsley’s memoir in exchange for exclusive interviews about Kingsley’s past. The more Kingsley and Alex unravel Heva’s version of Kingsley’s rebellion, the clearer it becomes that while Kingsley may be a rebel with blood on his hands, he’s not necessarily the enemy. Questioning their own understanding of the truth and their own motives, Alex must decide if they’re rightfully ensuring Kingsley’s date with the gallows or if they’re becoming Kingsley’s final oppressor and victim.
We Who Refuse to Die
PENNY DREADFUL X V FOR VENDETTA X THE DEVILS’ DANCE
Andra (she/they) is a former (un)holy assassin who is as skilled with a surgeon’s scalpel as she is with a revolver. She defected from the Church and is looking for salvation and security. She runs to her estranged brother, hoping against hope he’ll help her, but discovers he is in a bit of danger himself.
Sophia (she/her) is a misplaced real estate broker and cellist who’s fallen in love with two wanted expats: Dmitri, a ballerina, and Vasily, a scholar whose research can destroy the Church. They currently live in a border town but how long can they stay there when more and more Church assassins arrive every day?
Danijela (she/he/they) is Demonic royalty and a loud champion for Demon rights. When she isn’t fighting for her life against the Church’s (un)holy assassins, she’s trying to build a safe haven for her people and all who stand against the Church and its many hypocrisies.
The three misfits are brought together by Rashid, an unwanted, cursed, suicidal, depressed, and anxious prince who is the only being that stands between the Church’s ruthless expansion and the rest of the world. Now they must work together to overthrow a corrupt theocracy or succumb to the Church’s assassins and overwhelming might.
Strangers in a Familiar Land
INSPIRED BY THE ARAB REVOLT BUT WITH MORE GIANT SCORPIONS AND VENGEFUL GODS
Reporter Jessica Phillips believed Desert Lord, Tabassum of the Pattini, that he only wanted to rescue his son from the noose. That’s why she published his plea to spare his rebellious child addressed to the colonial democracy of Heva.
Archaeologist Howard Davis believed indigenous archaeologist, Esra of the Muragi, that she only wanted dignity and freedom for her people. That’s why he helped her organize a mass protest demanding the release of Tabassum’s son.
None of them expected a simple plea to spare a child would turn into a region-wide revolution that turned an empire against itself.
Now the leaders of Heva and the Desert Republics must meet to negotiate peace or risk another decade of war. Both sides demand Jessica and Howard’s support. Jessica and Howard believe they are on the right side of history and the Desert Republic’s allies, but when, Ferdern, their own nation supports Heva, their dedication to equality for all is sorely tested. Heva and Ferdern tell them they can take center stage and negotiate a peace of the century! Long and well will they be remembered by future generations if they speak reason to the Desert Republics and get them to agree to a peace that works for all sides. All Jessica and Howard have to do to win eternal fame is betray their allies and every value they claim to believe in.
Similarly the Desert Republics expect them to pressure Heva and Ferdern into accepting their demands of independence. After all, if a Ferdarian can’t get their own government to see reason, what hope do the Republics have? But press their government too much and they could be facing charges of treason and either banishment or execution.
Now Howard and Jessica must decide whose side they’re on while fearing there is no way to serve two masters without losing themselves and jeopardizing the freedom of millions.
Pepper Writes 