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About River of Ashes by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor
Title: River of Ashes
Author: Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor
Series: St. Benedict #1
Genre: Psychological Thriller
SOME TRUTHS ARE BETTER KEPT SECRET. SOME SECRETS ARE BETTER OFF DEAD.
ALONG THE BANKS OF THE BOGUE FALAYA RIVER, sits the abandoned St. Francis Seminary. Beneath a canopy of oaks, blocked from prying eyes, the teens of St. Benedict High gather here on Fridays. The rest of the week belongs to school and family—but weekends belong to the river.
And the river belongs to Beau Devereaux.
The only child of a powerful family, Beau can do no wrong. Star quarterback. Handsome. Charming. The “prince” of St. Benedict is the ultimate catch.
He is also a psychopath.
A dirty family secret buried for years, Beau’s evil grows unchecked. In the shadows of the haunted abbey, he commits unspeakable acts on his victims and ensures their silence with threats and intimidation. Senior year, Beau sets his sights on his girlfriend’s headstrong twin sister, Leslie, who hates him. Everything he wants but cannot have, she will be his ultimate prize.
As the victim toll mounts, it becomes clear that someone must stop Beau Devereaux.
And that someone will pay with their life.
Excerpt from River of Ashes
© 2022
Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor
The light from the fire pit chased away the shadows from the woods along the outskirts of Devereaux land. Beau warmed his hands as Mitch Clarkson, the towering ebony-skinned player from the football team, recounted their last victory against Martin High. Josh Breeland, the defensive end with arms as big as tree trunks, sat next to him while Jenson Theriot reclined against a stump across from Beau. The redhead’s eyes darted between them, appearing unsure.
Mitch popped the top off a beer bottle. “That Boulder kid got past you last week. You didn’t see him comin’, did ya? Made you miss a block and almost got Beau’s ass sacked.”
“Almost cost us the game,” Beau added.
Jenson put down the beer Mitch swiped from his old man’s stash. “Yeah, I know, I blew it. That’s why I was surprised you asked me to come out here. I’ll make it up to you at the next game. I promise. I’ll make every block, Beau. You can count on me.”
Beau traced a circle in the dirt with a stick. “I know. You just need a little incentive. That’s why we’re here.”
Jenson peered into the thick covering of pine and oaks surrounding their fire. “You got a sweet place, Beau. I never knew these woods were behind your house. Kind of creepy, though.”
Josh cracked open another beer and handed it to Jenson. “The last time we camped out here, I heard a bunch of shit crashin’ through the brush. Mitch said it was deer. My guess is a pack of raccoons.”
Beau’s grip on his water bottle tightened. “It was wild dogs. We get them on the property. My dad thinks they come over from The Abbey grounds. Even shot a couple.”
Jenson looked at his two beers. “I shot a buck once. I didn’t like it much.” He set one of the beers down.
“Then you didn’t do it right,” Beau insisted. “The fun is tracking down your prey. And make sure it never sees you coming.”
“Dude, chug it down,” Josh said, picking up Jenson’s beer. “Ain’t gonna get fun ‘round here until you’ve emptied a six-pack.”
“Hell yeah!” Mitch hollered.
Beau grinned at his friends’ enthusiasm. He couldn’t carry out his plan without them.
Beau stared down at the sleeping giant curled up next to the fire. Jenson drooled as he slept off the beers Josh had practically force-fed him. Beau racked the shotgun in his hand, ready for the festivities to begin. He nudged Jenson’s hip with the weapon. “Wakey, wakey, Jenny. We’re going hunting.”
Jenson stirred, his eyelids slowly fluttering open. Then he bolted upright, wide-eyed.
Beau, Mitch, and Josh stood around him, wearing grotesque dog masks. Beau liked how the shadows cast by the firelight made them look like monsters. He liked the fear in Jenson’s eyes even more.
Beau aimed the shotgun at him. “Run, dog.”
Jenson scrambled to his feet, pulling at his falling jeans. “What the hell?” He held up his hands. “What’s goin’ on?”
“Aw, come on, Jenny,” Mitch teased, slapping his shoulder. “You’re gonna be our prey tonight.”
Jenson stood, the vein along his neck pulsating. “Guys, come on, now. Stop foolin’. I don’t wanna go runnin’ in these woods.” He motioned at the trees. “Beau said they got wild dogs—”
The boom of Beau’s gun going off pierced the night.
Jenson cowered while Mitch and Josh snickered.
“Run, Jenny, run!” Beau shouted.
Jenson took a step away, not appearing too motivated.
Beau pointed the gun at his head. “I said move.” He growled.
Jenson tripped over a log as he hurried to the edge of the firelight. He hesitated before the curtain of darkness that led to the deepest reaches of the Devereaux Estate and glanced back at Beau and his friends. Wiping his eyes, he took in their dog masks, then eased between two tall pines and disappeared.
“Run, Jenny!” Josh called out.
Beau lowered his weapon and turned to his friends. “Chase him down the trail to the point I showed you. By then, he should learn to move his ass faster on the field.”
Josh howled, getting into character. He took off into the darkness, carrying Beau’s flashlight.
Mitch followed right behind, wielding one of the electric lamps Beau brought from the house.
Beau tucked the rifle under his arm and returned to the campfire. He grabbed a backpack and set out in the opposite direction from the others. He had work to do.
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About Alexandrea Weis
Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.
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About Lucas Astor
Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.
He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.
Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.
One of his favorite quotes is: “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.” ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)
