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LENGTH: Short Story
SENSUALITY: Spicy/Carnal

Cover art (c) Dan Skinner 2006
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When a car crash ruins her future, Myra Parker finds herself desperately searching for happiness. In Holland, a her attention is caught by mysterious disappearances and rumors of an ancient force known as the Lord of the Marsh. She's drawn to them, but what will she find love? Or death?

Rating: Contains graphic, explicit sex and language.

LEGENDS OF THE LOW LANDS:

LORD OF THE MARSH

By

Anita Verkerk

© copyright March 2006, Anita Verkerk

Cover art by Dan Skinner, © copyright March 2006

New Concepts Publishing

Lake Park, GA 31636

www.newconceptspublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

Snippet from the Naarderland Gazette:

(From our special reporter)

"For the second time this year a young woman disappeared in the desolate nature reserve 'Naarderland Marsh.'

Authorities fear the girl has tragically lost her way in the treacherous swampland, and drowned.

Superstitious local farmers whisper the so called Lord of the Marsh has claimed his next victim."

* * * *

"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. The 10.30 train to Amsterdam will have a ten-minute delay."

Hugging herself with both arms, Myra Parker shivered. Her thin summer jacket was no match for the howling wind blowing over the open railway platform. Carrying ice cold rain and tiny hailstones, the wind smelled of stinking garbage and exhaust.

Myra gazed at the inviting lights of a waiting room below a huge black station clock at the other end of the platform, then nodded. She'd better wait inside.

She rushed to the flaked wooden door and hurried in.

The waiting room seemed even colder than the platform, but at least it was dry inside. The spot gave shelter to a mass of damp people, and an awkward blanket of stale smoke covered the ceiling.

Myra coughed as her eyes roamed over the room, stopping at the magazine stand that seemed lost in a deserted corner. Maybe they sold hot coffee over there?

Searching her pocket for small change she wrestled herself through the mass of chattering people and reached the stand.

"I'd like a black coffee please," she said to the well-built hottie behind the counter.

He gave her a dazzling smile and winked. "Bad weather, right?"

She nodded. "Will it be better tomorrow?"

"Nope. They should cover Holland with a huge umbrella.” Grinning, he gave her a tiny plastic cup filled with a deliciously smelling brown fluid. “Where are you from?"

"Miami, Florida."

"Ah, the Sunshine State. I've been there once. Gorgeous weather."

Smiling in reply, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He was attractive in a mysterious way.

Mysterious? What made her think that kind of nonsense? He was handsome. Period.

"Do you like reading?" he asked, groping about in a pile of magazines, his hand coming forward with a little green booklet.

She hesitated. "I don't think....”