BAD BLOOD (TV-MA-L-S-V)

Elena and the Pack are on the hunt for Malcolm Danvers. Back at Stonehaven, 

Jeremy gets an ultimatum from the Council of International Alphas - kill Malcolm or relinquish leadership over North America.

SCARE TACTICS (TV-14-L-S-V)

While the Pack interrogates Malcolm, Clay investigates a mysterious symbol that may be related to witchcraft. 

When both inquiries lead to the same destination, the Pack is faced with a disturbing truth - witches live among us.

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Salem had a heck of a first season proving that witches could be downright terrifying on television. It left off last season with Mary completing the Grand Rite. Mercy went off the deep end to protect the innocents, proclaiming herself the Queen of the Night. John learned the truth about Mary, and loved her anyways. He wanted to run off with her, but she left him hanging. Issac foolishly fell prey to the Grand Rite. Cotton killed his own father to save Mary. And Mary was reunited with the child she thought was lost.

Season two pricks up with a child sneaking about on the docks. He goes to steal a chicken, and the night watchman gives chase. The man chases the child all the way to Knocker's Hole. He hesitates entering, but hearing banging, he heads inside. He comes to the courtyard, and hears the clucking just on the otherside of a pair of doors leading down. A little girl warns him from entering, Death lies inside. He doesn't heed her warning, but he should have. There is blood on the floors, and walls, banging. The chicken flies at him, but still he doesn't turn back. He finds the boy, and he looks terrified. The man goes to see the source of the banding, and finds what could be what's left of Ann. Her family fallen and dead due to plague. She goes after him, asking for help. He screams in horror, trying to push her rotting face away.

Mary sings to her son, but he's never had a lullaby. The witches never sang them, and Mary promises to sing to him every night. She asks where he's been held all this time, but before he can answer Tituba comes to take the boy home. Mary doesn't want to let go of her precious boy, she's tired of the arrangement and it's only been three days. When Mary doesn't let him go, Tituba does something to him, his eyes turn milky, and the child unresponsive. Mary begs her to make it stop, and she tells Mary it will when she lets him go. Mary refuses to be toyed with like this, she has proven her loyalty, and done what no other witch has been able to do. She deserves better than the way they're treating her. The witch pox continues to decimate their enemies, and those with witch blood remain untouched. She will open the gates on time. Tituba tells her that no one lacks faith in her abilities, but what she must do next she cannot do alone, she needs support. Mercy, her own creation remains unstable. Anne Hale remains a large threat. She is a cradle witch of the highest and oldest order. Tituba takes the boy as she reminds Mary that time is not on their side. Mary thinks in a month everyone will either be dead or on their side. Tituba knows that she still thinks of John Alden, hopefully with a bath and hair cut, and that is precisely the reason that they don't trust her. Mary remembers well what Ruth told her, only a broken heart can fuel true malice. Watching her son leave every night fuels her malice well, and Mary isn't going to forget Tituba's betrayal any time soon.

Mary goes to John's house, smells his clothes. She goes to Petrus, she knows that he can track the indians. She wants him to find John Alden. He smells the shirt, and remembers him well, he was there once. That she knows, but she needs to know where he is now, there have been scattered reports but nothing conclusive. He asks for Mary's hands, placing his eyes in them so she can see. She sees John's death, his burial by the Indians. She leaves in a hurry.

In and Indian camp, a woman, on from Mary's vision, burns sage. Her father commends her dream catcher for blocking the witch vision. They showed her what John wanted her to see. Her father tells her to come. John Alden is alive and well. The chief tells him the good news. John is glad to hear it, by the time he sees him coming he plans to have killed every witch in Salem. Hopefully somewhere in that plan is a bath.

Crazy Mercy states at a pretty bird as Mary comes upon her. Mary wonders if she remembers to sleep on a pillow rather than on corpses. Mary asks if she remembers what it feels like to be in clean clothes, even her father did not dress her so. Mercy admits that her father didn't care about her dressing, only her undressing. Everyone is mad at someone, but Mary tells her that she has to let the pain go. Mercy isn't ready for that, even as Mary tells her that Salem will soon be theirs. Mercy wishes good old fashioned revenge. Mary wants her to fall into line, to pay her proper respects for both their sakes. Mercy points out that it was she that beheaded the Samhain witch, but she's not greedy, she's content to rule along side Mary as her equal. That will never happen, she's too reckless. Mary tells her to submit to her elders, and there's no telling what she can become, she promises. Mercy asks if its the same as she promised John Alden, and that really gets Mary. Mary threatens her that if she defies her only horror will come her way, and that is a promise and a curse. Mary leaves Mercy, walking past her many followers. Those girls have seen better days.

In Boston, Cotton faces an inquiry about the events of Salem, including the death of his father, and how his closest associate John Alden seems to be to blame. Poor Cotton, he knows he has much to answer for, but he does not think that John is to blame. Cotton tells of the night that his father landed in Salem. He thought it better that a thousand should die to ensure that not a single witch walk free. Cotton thinks that his father's thinking was wrong. The witches completed their Grand Rite because of him, and made Salem ground zero, it is a battleground now. The man tells him that Cotton will do as his father wanted, and will be confined to Boston and forbidden from returning to Salem.

Cotton is up to his old tricks, spouting bible passages as he screws a whore, but its not the same. He remembers Gloriana, and her being sent away. He can't follow through, and he sends the girl away with her full payment. He drinks heavily, knowing the truth. It wasn't John who ran him through, but Cotton himself. He wonders if he should tell the council how insane his father became, how close to murder he was, and what Cotton did to save his father's soul. He damn's his father's icy stare that haunts him from the grave, and a painting. He takes out his anger on the painting, slashing it and ripping it from the wall.

Late night. A drunken man mistakens one of Mercy's girls for a whore. He asks how much, and she smiles. She tells him she wants him, and he foolishly follows her. He starts to protest as she leads him into the woods, but a kiss quiets and distracts him. The other girls surround him, and she tells him that its just her sisters. So intent on the girl in black, he doesn't realize the danger until its too late, and the girls have him tied to the tree. He panics when he sees Mercy. He even threatens to tell people that she's there, but she laughs, no one would believe him. They would believe that he took a girl to the woods to steal her maidenhead, but not that some crazy stole his manhood. Mercy drops to her knees before him, and slices his penis off, placing a crow there instead. She tells him that one day she will call him and he will come and do as he's told. The girls release him, and he heads back to Salem.

More are stricken down by the pox, their bodies taken away.

Anne Hale pours herself a hot bath, getting in. She grabs a straight razor and slits her wrist. Her blood fill the tub, and she brings herself under the water. Her blood goes back into her body, and she rises from the tub with a gasp. Mary is there. She tells her that her blood is her life force, and deep down she knows she wants to live. Mary knows that Anne killed her parents, and its time to face what she really is. Anne refuses to admit what she is. Mary admits that she came into her powers in the wake of great loss, of how she felt it come into her body and she could do things with word and gesture. Mary knows the fear, and the joy of that power. Mary pushes her, asking if she remembers the doll she gave her the one that only killed her. Anne remembers with hatred in her heart, and the razor flies towards Mary, scaring Anne. Mary can help her gain control of her powers and together they can build a new world. Anne doesn't see how they can build a nation on the bones of innocents. All nations are built on bone and blood. Mary just wants freedom. They may have different methods, but its what Anne wants too. Anne doesn't think that they can be on the same side, she sold her soul to the devil. Mary tells her that the devil they see is not the devil she knows. Mary warns that as a single woman with no parents to guard her, she is vulnerable. She offers her the protection she can from Mr. Sibley, and tells her that she should find a man of her own for name and standing. Anne doesn't understand why she would help. They have both experienced loss, and ultimately they are family. Anne wonders what they will say about her parents. Mary tells her to just get cleaned up and show up at the meeting house.

Mary makes one of her pretty speeches in the meeting house, she tells the people that the pox are spreading to good people. It has even taken Magistrate Hale and his family. She thinks that they should take some strict measures to insure their survival. Mr. Hawthorne thinks that they have fallen out of God's favor, and that they must find a way back into his good graces. He thinks that it is because the world has been turned upside down, with a woman on top. They have turned their backs on the way things are suppose to be, lead by men of property, men of substance, men of godly good will, above all by men. Mary tries to speak, but Hawthorne stops her. Until George can speak for himself as a man, they will assume it is her that is leading the Selectmen of Salem. He submits that it is high time that the Selectmen of Salem elect a new leader or admit that they chose to be lead by her in the name of her incapacitated husband. The crowd is in an uproar. A man breaks the tension. If they think that the pox cares that they're lead by a woman or man, than they will all die. The pox doesn't care about sex. It may take the weakest first, and he just came from Knocker's Hole hoping to give the poor a voice, but finds them all squabbling over politics. He plans to return to see what he can do for those people. Mary finds his words well said. Whether they pray at meetings or not, the least among them are their responsibility too. Mary leaves to accompany him, proving that a woman does not fear to walk among the people, and asks Hawthorne if he will join.

The man tells Mary that whether a town survives the plague depends on how they handle it. Mary asks who he is that he knows so much about pox. He's a doctor who survived the plague as a child, and thinks that he can save the town not by fasting, or purging powerful women, but by science. He tells one of his men to mark the door of a sick man. Mary tells him that his arrival is fortuitous to Salem. He kisses her hand. She finds the gesture old world. He sometimes thinks that they're less evolved. They once flourished under the rule of a Queen, and yet men like Hawthorne seem to have forgotten that. He thinks Mary is like the Queen Elizabeth of Salem. She wonders if he is as good a doctor as he is a flatterer. He thinks he is. He will start by finding the origin of the Pox.

The Chief thinks that John's plan is too dangerous, he cannot allow it. His daughter paints symbols on John's chest. He is not afraid to die. The Chief tells him that the ceremony will change him, and it is time that they leave. Everything is connected, and the witches seek to awaken something, and it will destroy them. They're going to turn the place into Hell. John tells him that he will cleanse Salem of the witches, and asks for his protection. The Chief walks away.

Mary surprises the doctor as he pours over a map, looking like he's intent on finding treasure. If he finds what he's looking for it may be a great treasure indeed. He's mapped out every known case, and signs point to the North woods. Mary is concerned over the deep woods, warning that even locals fear to tread there. Fierce landscapes do not scare him, and Mary doesn't try to stop him.

The Elders are not happy that Mercy has summoned them. They do the summoning. She wants to show them what she has done. She has claimed six men to do her bidding. Six men are nothing to them, they want the world. Mercy thinks that it is she that should be running the hive, not Mary. The Elders remind her that Mary does not control them, but they her. They have no need of Mercy. They tell her to go back to her grove of corpses. Mercy tries to appeal to them, and they spit in her face. That was too far. Mercy brings in her girls.

The Doctor, Samuel, goes searching into the woods. He eventually stumbles upon the Malleum. As he looks over the slimy thing he heads a mumbling moan, it's Issac, and he's seen better days. He wonders if he's in heaven or hell. He's in neither Samuel tells him, but Salem.

The rain pours down and Cotton's studies are disturbed. His inquisitor has more questions that he thought would be best for private. He asks when Cotton last saw his father. He saw him the day he left. His father and his men thought that they would find John Alden, and his flock in Boston had suffered without a shepherd for too long. So he sent his son back until he returned, but he would never return. The inquisitor wonders what that says about his father's confidence in him. He sent him away right before the witch was apprehended. Cotton thinks that point could be argued, and they did in the past. The Inquisitor tells him that he would have never argued with his father, even raising his voice would have felt like striking him. Cotton assures him that if it came to that, it would have been his father dealing out the blows not him. He asks if his father ever struck him. Cotton thinks no more than necessary than his proper upbringing required. The Inquisitor reminds him that he's confined to Boston, should they need to question him further before leaving and heading to a ship.

On the ship, a woman baths in the tub. He tells her that Cotton Mather knows nothing. She wants to know if Increase is truly dead. He is. That is something to celebrate, she has burns on her shoulder and back in the shape of his hand. If his grip weren't so fierce she would not bear his mark. He tells her that Mather knows enough that a Grand Rite was completed, but not who did it or even who killed his father, though he seems certain that it was not John Alden. She wants to know who did the Grand Rite though. For that, he thinks that they need to go to Salem. She apologizes that he will not be accompanying her and her son to Salem. His work for her is done. She stands nude before him, and tells him that he can stop averting his gaze, and stare directly at her. He does, and as the tub begins to drain, it pours out of his mouth. He drowns on the floor before its finished.

Mary heads to Samuel. Given her concern for the city, he wanted her to be the first to know. He pulls back the curtain on Isaac, who Samuel thinks could be the savior of the city. Isaac is covered in pox. Samuel thinks that he was at the epicenter of the outbreak, and that if he survives his blood may be able to help others. If he recovers he may even be able to tell them how he became ill. Mary is fearful of that, but still says that she hopes he survives.

John is awoken. The Spirit Guides have spoken. He will be well armed with weapons from this world and beyond, but he has to know two things. First, he will never be the same once he's been marked, and two he will never walk out of Salem alive. John was born there, and sees no reason for him not to die there. They begin the ceremony. John drinks from the cup, and it begins. He's tattooed, and his hair cut. His neck is cut, and some sort of bug is inserted. The chief's daughter is brought before him. She licks the blood from his face, and in her hand is an eye. She places it her palm eye on his forehead. The ceremonial dancing continues.

Mary sits with her son who listens to a jewelry box. It was her mother's but she never knew her. She shows him a comb, it was her mother's too, made from a bone. She doesn't know much about her mother or father, both lost her her at a young age. The boy asks about his father. She tells him that he was the very best of men, and she loved him more than anything, but he is dead, and she reserves all of her love for her son now. Her son has no name, the witches won't let him until he is baptized, but if he could have a name he would like to be John too. Mary tells him that he shall be then. Mercy''s girls kill the Elders. John feels their deaths. Mary has no clue what is happening to her son, and Tituba rushes in in a panic. Mercy Lewis killed their witches, the true elders. Outside in the courtyard a fire burns. Hanging about the fire are the two dead witches, and burning outside Mary's window is the word Liar. Oh Mercy, what have you done now?

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Go back to the beginning with the most terrifying INSIDIOUS chapter yet!!!

Watch an Exclusive Wondercon Clip Here!

Check out the CHILLING NEW INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 Theatrical Poster:

FOCUS FEATURES WILL RELEASE INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3

IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE

JUNE 5, 2015

Written and Directed by Leigh Whannell

Starring Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson, Leigh Whannell, Lin Shaye

The newest chapter in the terrifying horror series is written and directed by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell. This chilling prequel, set before the haunting of the Lambert family, reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl (Stefanie Scott) who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.

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GENRE-BENDING CONTV ORIGINAL WEB SERIES “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” AVAILABLE TODAY ON YOUTUBE’S #1 GENRE CHANNEL BLACKBOXTV

(Los Angeles, CA) April 5, 2015 – Only the strong survive in the action-packed series, “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD,” available today on YouTube’s #1 ranked genre channel BlackBoxTV. Originally airing on the streaming digital network CONtv, every episode of the pulse-pounding original series, filled with “nerve-wrecking intensity” (Nerd Reactor), is now also available to watch all at once via YouTube.  

An abandoned jail sets the eerie scene as digital superstars are pitted against bloodthirsty zombies in the action-packed series from Alpine Labs, BlackBoxTV, and Revolver Picture Company.

Featuring highly popular online stars such as Joey Graceffa, Jesse and Jeana (PrankvsPrank), Justine Ezarik (iJustine), Iman Crosson (Alphacat), Meghan Camarena (Strawburry17), Olga Kay and more, “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” also includes a cameo appearance from BlackBoxTV’s founder Tony E. Valenzuela.

Come along for the ride as a group of digital celebs face various challenges in an attempt to eliminate each other from the competition while trying to survive the undead’s relentlessly grisly, and frighteningly realistic onslaught. Then, visit the pages for Joey Graceffa, iJustine, PrankvsPrank, OlgaKay, Strawburry17 to get a deeper look into their experience shooting “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.”

“Collaborations like ours have been happening for a long time on YouTube but I believe we’re actually the first to distribute a narrative piece across six YouTube channels” said Valenzuela. “It’s like watching ‘House of Cards’ episode one on Frank Underwood’s channel, then bouncing to Claire’s channel to watch episode two. The pay off for the viewer is that even when the season is over, there is plenty of fresh new content specific to those characters or, in our case, gamers.”

Shot over the course of two days at Sybil Brand Women’s Prison in Los Angeles, “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD”competitors were first blindfolded, driven in circles, led onto the set, and zipped into body bags, all to help simulate the all-too-real tension of awaking in a post-apocalyptic landscape riddled by monsters out for blood. Instructed by a faceless character named Dr. Altagracia (Valenzuela), the “survivors” are tasked with finding the antidote that can save mankind. 

Enlisting over 200 extras, FX Supervisor Tommy Pietch (“Face Off”) and his team create a horrifying mob of rotting, wounded, bloody zombies tasked with keeping the competitors from accomplishing their mission.  “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” also turns up the thrills by including a collection of zombie-clad Parkour experts, overseen by renowned stunt coordinator Chris Carnel (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), who use the prison’s walls as their terrifying playground, threatening to unleash destruction from any angle.  

“FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD” is produced by Alpine Labs and Revolver Picture Company; Executive Producers are Kevin Abrams, Jamie Denenberg and Tony E. Valenzuela; Rodney Frazier, Nick Phillips, Kelly Martin Wagner and Aaron Lewis are Co-Executive Producers.

###

 About CONtv
CONtv is a new digital entertainment network devoted exclusively to the fanspace that provides audiences access to thousands of hours of content showcasing an original slate of programming, as well as an eclectic catalog of over 1,200 must-watch titles. Everything from quirky original series, elusive cult films & television shows, celebrated genre movies encompassing sci-fi, horror, fantasy, anime, grindhouse, martial arts action, to exclusive live coverage of Comic Con events nationwide, all available on-demand either in a free, ad-supported format or a subscription-based model for premium content. CONtv is a partnership of Cinedigm, one of the nation’s largest independent distributor of digital entertainment, and Wizard World, producers of the largest Comic Con Tour in the U.S. Together, they provide an unrivalled hub of content, community and conventions across the broad spectrum of devices including Android and Mac iOS, Samsung Smart TV, Roku Players and Roku TV, the web, and mobile and tablet devices. For more information, visit CONtv.com.  

About Cinedigm
Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM) is a leading independent content distributor in the United States, with direct relationships with thousands of physical retail storefronts and digital platforms, including Wal-Mart, Target, iTunes, Netflix, and Amazon, as well as the national Video on Demand platform on cable television.  The company’s library of films and TV episodes encompasses award-winning documentaries from Docurama Films®, next-gen Indies from Flatiron Film Company®, acclaimed independent films and festival picks through partnerships with the Sundance Institute and Tribeca Films and a wide range of content from brand name suppliers, including National Geographic, Discovery, Scholastic, NFL, Shout Factory, Hallmark, Jim Henson and more. 

Additionally, given Cinedigm’s infrastructure, technology, content and distribution expertise, the Company has rapidly become a leader in the quickly evolving over-the-top digital network business.  Cinedigm’s first channel, DOCURAMA, launched in May 2014, and is currently available on iOS, Roku, Xbox and Samsung, with additional platforms currently being rolled out.  Cinedigm launched CONtv, a Comic Con branded channel in partnership with WIZARD WORLD, on March 3, 2015.  The Company’s third OTT channel, DOVE MOVIE CHANNEL, will be a digital streaming subscription service targeted to families and kids seeking high quality and family friendly content approved by Dove Foundation.   Adding to Cinedigm’s diversified portfolio of digital networks, the Company announced in early 2015 an OTT partnership with TV4 Entertainment and the planned launch of the BRIGHT Edutainment OTT channel.

Cinedigm™ and Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp™ are trademarks of Cinedigm Corp. www.cinedigm.com. [CIDM-G]

 About Wizard World
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World also produces socialcon featuring social media stars and will be launching CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™.

About Alpine Labs
Alpine Labs (formerly Ketchum Labs) was formed with the desire to rethink and challenge the traditional ways content is produced and distributed. With full access to today’s advancements in digital filmmaking and applied technologies, Alpine Labs has created and is currently in production on content for the theatrical, network, cable, and digital space.

About BlackBoxTV
Award winning writer and director Tony E. Valenzeula launched BlackBoxTV in 2012 and quickly turned it into the premiere YouTube channel for genre content the world over.  With nearly 640,000 loyal subscribers, over 52 million total views and the longest running drama series on the web, BlackBoxTV presents the best in horror, thriller and sci-fi online programming. Each BlackBoxTV installment is a mixture of self-contained horror, suspense or psychological thriller often ending with an unexpected twist that leaves fans craving for more.  https://www.youtube.com/user/blackboxtv

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Outlander has been on break for several long months, and now its finally back for the second half of season 1! Last time we saw Claire she was in peril at the hands of Black Jack Randall, the spitting image of her current day husband, she'd married the handsome Jamie Fraser to save herself and him, and although she was falling for her husband when given the chance to make a run back to her time she took it, which lead to her capture. And it looks like we're changing narrators with Jamie taking over!

Jamie had lived a life that he was not expecting. He was living a life of choices, like everyone else. Some of the choices he took he realized became his life. The day he realized that was the day he became a man. Jamie isn't sure that he trusts what a traveller tells him. He claims that he's put himself in danger to warn him, and that Captain Jack Randall is the one who shot his own man. Jamie isn't happy with the news, but Dougal lets him go. Claire's guard comes back without her, and with dire news that she was taken by the red coats.

The intro music is just as lovely as ever. I didn't realize how much I missed it until now.

Darkness falls and the Scots creep in, taking out the guards at Randall's keep. They ask about Claire, but he claims not to know. With a little pressing, he gives up her location. Jamie gives the signal, as he heads up. He takes out one guard on top of the wall, and with the cover of darkness, moves to save his wife. He uses a rope to climb down the wall, when he hears Claire's scream for help. With pistol in hand, he barges in through the window. Randall has Claire bent over a table, and he looks at Jamie with glee, asking how his handiwork looks. Claire tells Jamie to just shoot Randall, but he pulls her up by her hair, holding her as a shield. He can't shoot Randall without harming Claire, and Randall knows Jamie doesn't want an audience. Randall suggests that he put the pistol down, slide it to him, and enjoy the evening events. Claire tells Jamie to just leave, to not give into Randall, but Jamie doesn't he does as Randall asks. Randall taunts Claire and Jamie both. Telling her to beg to have them both, or thinking maybe Jamie would rather just watch them. He flings Claire aside to take a shot at Jamie with his own pistol, but the weapon doesn't fire. Jamie punches him and knocks him out. He doesn't kill him though, Jamie has more honor than to kill an unarmed, helpless man. He and Claire get out of there in a hurry, but they're stopped on the steps by some red coats. They head back up, and even with an explosive cover, there's no place to go. The pair leap into the water bellow.

Claire rides with Jamie on his horse. They stop to water the horses. Jamie takes Claire aside, and he's upset that she doesn't even try to apologize. He ordered her to stay put, and she didn't. Claire doesn't think that she has any reason to apologize. She didn't mean to get kidnapped, if he had listened to her and let her go with him it wouldn't have happened. He thinks that she was trying to punish him because of what happened in The Glade. Both of their tempers hit the boiling points. Claire isn't happy that she had to married to Jamie, that she is powerless in this society. Jamie isn't happy that his wife is so willful and stubborn. The argument gets out of hand and Jamie says things that he doesn't mean. He walks away from her, sitting down on nearby rocks. The whole ordeal scared him. He went in with an unloaded weapon cause Dougal had ordered no bloodshed, and he heard her screaming and feared he wouldn't be able to protect her. Claire softens, realizing just how scared Jamie was. She falls to her knees asking him to forgive her, and he does the same. They forgive each other. Claire asked forgivness and he gave it. He forgave her for everything she had done, that she would do because he was falling in love.

The men return to Dougal and the others. He sets a few more placings, and they get to their nightly tales around the fire. Claire tries to speak up, but they all but ignore her. Angus gets a little testy, but Dougal shuts it down. Claire tries to thank them for what they did, but not one of them acknowledge her. She leaves. Murtagh asks Jamie if she understands what she nearly costs them, but she doesn't. He's going to let her know though. He watches her go to their bed, and he follows her up. The men barely speak to her again, which he acknowledges, but they will. Claire asks him to come to bed, but he tells her that they still have a score to settle. If she were a man who had put them in danger as she did, she would be flogged or killed. Claire tells him that she didn't know. That excuse wears thin, and he did tell her to stay hidden. She knows that Randall will be looking for him, now that he knows he's here. It's personal. There's nothing that they can do about it now. Jamie plans to punish her, he removes his belt, and tells her to get into position, but she doesn't go for that. She will listen, and follow his orders, but she will not take the punishment. He chases her around the bed. If it were just him that were in danger, then that would be different. Claire throws the contents of their room at Jamie, but he still manages to catch her. She screams and scratches, and even lands a few blows before he manages to give her the spanking she deserves. The men below hear much of the exchange, and most seems forgiven. In the morning Dougal asks how she's faring after her punishment, noting that Jamie has more than a few marks of her own. Claire doesn't take the men's ribbing well, and chooses to take her breakfast away from them all.

Jamie had little experience as a husband, and returning to Castle Leoch would cause more strain to their marriage, that would affect them for years to come. The entire group gets a pretty warm welcome to the castle. Colum even gives his blessings, but it sounds far more dire than it should be.

Laoghaire is besides herself when she confronts Jamie about his marriage. She waited for him, and he came back with a wife. He tells her that he wasn't expecting to do so, that it was an arrangement that he had no choice in, and that he would speak to her about it later, but Colum was waiting. Laoghaire looks entirely too hopeful.

Jamie makes his meeting with Colum, who's been expecting him. He calls Dougal, Ned and Jamie all weasels for their plotting, and asks for an explanation. Ned begins, and Colum asks about the money that they collected on the side. It silences them all, and he lifts one of the bags of money asking if it was for the Jacobites. He asks about their loyalty, and notes that Jamie looks guilty. Jamie tells him that he has no guilt. Dougal admits that they did use the welts on Jamie's back for their cause, that they have never hidden the fact that they wish to restore the rightful king to his throne, which is a cause more important than any clan or man. Colum tells him that their clan remains under his power, and he gets to choose which causes they support. Dougal reminds him that he's shown his loyalties, conducted his raids, protected his persons, even assured his bloodline. Ooh, Dougal, that was too far in front of others. Colum tells him to get out of his sight. Ned looks for an out as well, and Jamie too, but Jamie he asks to stay. He opened his home to Jamie, gave his shelter and protection, even after he didn't pledge his fealty to him, and this is the way that he repaid him. Jamie meant no such betrayal. Colum tells him to get out too.

Claire knew it the first time she saw Dougal and Haymitch playing she tells him as she readies for bed. Jamie admits that they had suspected it too, but it was the first time that he had proclaimed it out loud. Claire thinks that it will all blow over in the morning, and Jamie hopes that is the case. Jamie starts to undress to get ready for bed, but Claire tells him that it is so not happening.

Rufus and Angus have the man that they think has been in Colum's ear, poisoning him to them. He claims that he was told what to do. Jamie is sure that if any of them had been asked they would have done the same thing. Rufus thinks that he should have come to them for council. He tells Jamie to stay out of MacKenzie business. Dougal rides up, and breaks up the little scuffle before it begins, by reminding them that they're suppose to be hunting stags.

Murtagh thinks that its getting too uncomfortable, that it isn't their fight. He thinks that Jamie should grab Claire and make a run for it, to live off the land. Jamie doesn't want that for Claire. There is a war coming Murtagh reminds him.

Colum is upset about Jamie's talk of peace. He doesn't think that there can be peace with his brother defying him so openly. Jamie tells him that this rift between them will tear apart the clan, that he should allow Dougal to openly support the Jacobites. Colum furiously points out the treason in that action. It's all a facade. Jamie tells him to remove the conflict, and it will appease everyone. Say that Dougal does it in open, while Colum sits quietly in wait to see how things will turn. Dougal may be the war chief, but only Colum can signal the war. Colum sees the logic in his thinking. Dougal and Ned are called before Colum, and Dougal is as testy as ever as he waits. Colum warns that one day he will talk his head off his shoulders. Only a month ago he swore fealty. He asks what a man's oath is worth. Dougal has not broken his oath, and he will not. Colum gives Dougal the bag of coins that he collected, telling to go on and be the rebel. Dougal thanks his brother. Colum tells Ned to invite the Duke. Ned scolds Dougal to keep quiet, but Colum isn't ready to completely forgive them yet, and tells them all to get out of their sights.

Jamie should be happy that the MacKenzie clan was no longer going to rip itself apart, but his rift with Claire was still weighing on his soul. He knew he had to do something to repair it. As he tossed stones into the nearby river, and tried to do some thinking Laoghaire finds him. She tells him that she knew he would be in his secret spot. It's not a secret though. She came to find him because he said that they could speak. She admits that she remembers the first time that she saw him when she was seven, and her heart leaped at that moment. She was over the moon for him even then, when he didn't notice her and she was no more than a child. Jamie reminds her that he's married now, arranged or not. She doesn't think that he looks happy. He tries to stop Laoghaire, but she goes on. He took a beating for her, and she was sure he felt the same, and then that day in the alcove when he kissed her. Claire was married before, but Laoghaire has been with no one, and she wants Jamie. She removes her cloak, exposing her corset. She places his hand on her breast. She wants him to be her one and only. She moves to kiss him, but he doesn't allow her to. He made a vow, and he will not break it. He tells her he's sorry, and she takes her things and runs away.

That night he heads to see his wife. For the first time since he was a lad he feels uncertain, all he knows is that he has to move forward. He tells Claire that he's come to mend fences. He lives in a world where custom reigns. Today he saw peace put ahead of custom. They live in a world where husbands punish wives, but thinks that maybe they have to be different. Jamie drops to his knees and with his dagger he pledges Claire his fealty, promising to never raise a hand to her again. Claire says nothing just looking at him for a moment. She accepts him. And Jamie's eyes fall to her ring. He tells her how it was fashioned from a key. It means a lot to both of them, and Jamie was happy to give it to her, because she is his home. He kisses her, and Claire returns it. He asks her if she will have him, and she will. They desperately undress as they move to take pleasure in each other. Claire rides Jamie hard, pulling his blade on him in warning, if he ever raises his hand to her again she will cut his heart out. He acknowledges her threat, promising to never do it. He flips her over, and means to brand her soul. He adores his wife, and claims her. They orgasm together. He is her master, and she his. She has claimed his soul. Jamie and Claire lay on the floor in an after glow. He asks her what fucking means. She laughs and explains. He asks what a sadist is, and is almost flattered with her colorful descriptions. Jamie is sore from Claire's attention, but it doesn't make him any less ravenous for her. Jamie heads to the kitchen to get some food before continuing. As he dresses Claire notices a bundle under their bed. She grabs it, and Jamie recognizes what it is. Its used to bring pain, harm or death. Jamie tosses it aside with a scowl.   

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One Year Ago. Aleister brings a woman down to his weird red lair, his play room. She down to play, and he cuffs her to the bed. She likes the sound of the game as he slide the cuffs over her wrists and ankles. She doesn't even protest when he brings out the video camera, and he insures her its for private use only. He turns the camera on, and stops the music box telling the beast above that she's ready. The woman comes down the stairs, and suddenly Aleister's playmate doesn't want to play. Clara tells him that the girl is perfect. She wants her. Aleister does a little body swapping.

Jeremy stitches up Clay, telling him that the witches said that it was the only way. Clay doesn't hold any grudges. He almost killed Aleister. Clay has a little glitch, his photo receptors shifted for a moment. Ruth is surprised to see Clay there alive. She didn't think it possible. She tells them that the undoing has begun, she can feel the witches getting weaker. They only have until sunrise before the deed is done, and the witches are no more.

Logan knocks on Rachel's door, but she doesn't seem all too happy to see him. She told him she needed space, and she doesn't want him there. Logan made sure she was safe, and he loves her. She loved him too, and it got her into a whole lot of bad, kidnapped and experimented on all because of what he is. She knows that it isn't his fault, but she can't help how she feels. He asks her to let him fix things, they have a baby on the way, but she tells him that its too late. She got rid of the baby already, she tells him goodbye.

Savannah awakens in a room with Clara. Aleister asked her to watch over her, he's drained. She holds Savannah's talisman, Clara tells her that they can track her with it, destroy her power, as they did with her own. Savannah doesn't understand why they would do that since they just made it for her. Clara reiterates what Aleister always says that they're trying to control her. She's young and beautiful, and with her talisman she will be more powerful than any of them. She tells her to rest, tomorrow, she starts her new life. Savannah doesn't feel so restful.

Clara tells Aleister that Savannah is asking too many questions. She tells him that she needs one more session, she needs to be locked down. Aleister knows that it won't be much longer until the witches are all dead. What concerns Aleister more is the wolves., they're hunters She asks what he plans to do with his hostage. Aleister plans to use him to ensure that the wolves don't find them.

A guy roughs up a girl over his phone, and Logan doesn't really like it. He tells the guy that he's going to let her go. The guy throws a few punches at Logan, in front of the group outside of the bar and he goes down, but Logan isn't done. He tells him to try it again, and the guy tries. Logan punches him once really hard, and tells the girl to get out while she can.

One of the onlookers approaches Logan. He can really take a punch, but he can also throw them he notes. Logan doesn't want any trouble. The guy isn't giving him any, but he offers him a way to earn a lot of money. Logan doesn't need the money, but the guy knows that he has a few demons that he needs to work out. Logan is interested in the fight club.

Jeremy goes to check on Ruth. She's weakening. Jeremy doesn't know how to fight someone from afar. It's the left hand pact Ruth tells him. Clara must have taught Aleister. She was an expert at it before they shunned her. She could strike down a man from afar. Jeremy tells her that she needs to strike back. Ruth isn't sure she can, she needs some essence of Aleister, hair, saliva, something. Ruth gets an idea, there is something she can try, but she'll need an egg.

Jeremy takes her to where Aleister had hidden his body. She rolls her egg across the floor, she needs just one hair. They go back to the house, and she cracks open her egg, its full of blood. Magic isn't something Jeremy will ever get use to. The spell will kill Aleister, she just hopes it is done in time. She pours out the rest of the contents, and its hair, and something more substantial.

Aleister awakens in pain. He's not sure what's wrong, it feels like an ice pick is piercing his skull. Clara comes to check on him as a red spot forms on his temple. She tells him that Ruth is attacking him through his left hand. She must really be desperate to be using black magic. Aleister is not pleased at all.

Ruth tells Jeremy that this is only the beginning. Savannah suddenly tries to contact her. Ruth opens the transmission. She knew Clara was behind the attack, and now its confirmed. Clara tells her that she's not the one using left hand magic now. Aleister shows Ruth what's she's doing, accusing her of trying to kill her son again. He tells her that she will fail. Ruth tells him that she had no choice. He wants her to say it, to admit that she tried to kill an innocent child. If he cares about innocents he needs to stop the spell. None of them are innocent, they will all die. Jeremy grabs Ruth;s hand. Jeremy tells him that he will find him and kill him. Aleister will be ready. Aleister severs the connection suddenly. Ruth wipes the blood from her mouth. Jeremy got a good look of where they were. Jeremy suddenly loses control of his form, and begins changing. He tells her to call the others, and tell them what they're looking for a basement.

Elena, Clay, Nick and Paige head to Clara's house, and they look around for signs of a basement. They split up. Nick finds a hidden doorway. He tells Paige to go get Clay and Elena. They all head down to Aleister's Playroom together. It's not what they were looking for. Paige bleeds from her nose. She tells them that they need to move faster. Clay and Elena pick up the scent of death. They follow it to a mummified head in a jar. Clara didn't do this, but Aleister, Paige tells them. Nick thinks whatever it was, that it was filmed.

Logan prepares for his fight. The guy from the bar warns that his opponent is built like a truck. Its Cain. Logan thought he was dead. Cain admits that Clay spared his life, but took something of his, and he plans to make Logan pay for that. The two men step into the circle, and the punches are fierce. Cain taunts Logan, that he's been tickled harder. Logan hits him harder. Cain realizes suddenly that he's losing control of his beast. He tells Logan to knock him out, and Logan does his best, but can't. Cain tells Logan to just choke him out then, whatever to stop him. Logan manages to choke him out.

Jeremy has a hold of himself. He realizes that its not just the witches in jeopardy. The werewolf curse is lifting as well. At dawn there will be wolves and men. They have to warn the others.

Clay, Elena, Nick and Paige watch the video. Clara possesses the body of the girl. The girl has served her purpose, and Aleister brings her to the circle and kills her. Clara wakes up back in her body. She tells him soon it will be just the two of them. Paige knows that Clara wants a new body. Since Clara is no longer a witch she'll survive the undoing as will Aleister since he's the caster, and Savannah since she's the conduit. Nick points out that she said it would just be the two of them. Elena finally realizes that she's planning to take Savannah's body and powers.

Logan finds Cain. He came to warn him. Back at the fight, that change wasn't random. Nick said that they same thing is happening to wolves everywhere. After tomorrow they will not be able to change anymore. Cain doesn't believe him. Logan brings his attention to his wounds, he's still bleeding from the fight. Cain wants to help stop it. Logan tells him that to do that he has to join the pack. Cain scoffs. Logan asks who's in the other room, and Cain shows him. It's Amber, kind of. She's stuck in between. She wanted to be a wolf so bad, and Leblanc bit her. Logan tells him that he needs to put her out of her misery. She's brain dead, the only misery is his own. Rachel calls Logan, telling him that there's something wrong with the baby. She lied about having an abortion. She was afraid of what he was and lied. Logan heads straight for her.

Elena knows that they won't find anything at the house to lead them to Aleister. Clay asks her if she's felt anything yet. Some sounds are distorted, but she hasn't felt the need to change. She wonders if its true, that the curse is lifting. Clay knows that Jeremy wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. Clay tells her that if it is, then their lives will be easier. She's glad that he's the one to say that, but the wolf saved him. Everything they've been fighting for against Malcolm, the mutts, who they are, it'll all be gone. They have until dawn Clay tells her to keep fighting, for the witches, for the pack, for eachother.

Paige finds the music box. She grows cold, as she collapses she knocks the dancer off the box, and the wall closes trapping her and Nick inside. Paige tells him its a witch's door, used for hiding places. There's a trigger, soemthing is out of place. She sends him to fix all the things that she knocked over, but she can't do much more. She passes out.

Ruth takes the next step in her left hand magic. The cuts her finger, and bleeds over the egg, but the magic becomes too much. Jeremy gives her a seat, but tells her that she has to try again. She needs more strength, she needs to try to tap into her coven leaders of past. To do that she has to go to the catacombs in Boston. Jeremy is willing to take her, but she thinks that he should be with his pack in case she's unsuccessful. The pack will need his guidance, and she's caused enough pain. Someone arrives. It's Rachel and Logan. He tells Jeremy that something is wrong with the baby. Jeremy tries to talk her through the pain. Logan tells her that the curse is being lifted, he won't have to change anymore, and they can be a normal family. Ruth rushes out. Jeremy sees that Logan has made his choice. Nothing more needs to be said. He tells him to take Rachel upstairs. Jeremy goes to find Ruth.

Clay has had no luck getting through the door. Elena brings a hammer, new plan.

Paige is out of it. She tells Nick that Bloodroot is the only thing that would help her. He doesn't know what it is, but he'll get it. He admits that he's falling for her. She sees through him, the jokes, the bravado, the hair. He never thought he could have what Clay and Elena has, what his father and Lily did. Paige thinks that he's just distracting her. Nick isn't he tells her that he loves her, that he's not going to let her die, and gah, my favorite character is ruined. She thanks him, wishing that they had more time.

Cain looks over his girl. He's not sure how they both got here. They both loved the wolves so much, and the wolves are in trouble. He needs to make sure that they survive, he turns off the machine, and mourns his love.

Nick tells them that Paige is really sick. Elena notices that Clay is bleeding. Someone returns to the house. Paige is out cold. Nick turns his attention back to the table. The person entering the house is the officer that Aleister had. He raises his gun on Clay, telling him that he's there for the cursed ones. Nick finds the music box. Clay distracts the cop, giving Elena a chance to get the drop on him. She takes him down easily, but its a lot more painful than usual. Nick hurries upstairs, looking for the bloodroot.

Ruth makes it to the Delphi building, and heads to the basement.

Aleister arrives at Stonehaven.

In the basement Ruth finds all the witchy items she needs.

Aleister knows that his mother isn't there, and he asks where his mother is. Aleister makes Jeremy crush his own head. If he kills him, then he will never find Ruth. Logan attacks in wolf form, at the last moment, Aleister manages to skewer him on one of the many antlers around the house.

Ruth forms her circle, and casts her spell. The mark on Aleister's face gets bigger. Jeremy tells him that his mother is killing him, and he runs off.

Rachel rushes down, and sees Logan's downed wolf. She tries to go to his side, but Jeremy stops her, and lets Logan change back. Jeremy tells her that he had no choice, that Aleister was there to kill them all. Rachel falls to her knees beside Logan as he apologizes for showing her that. He never wanted her to see him like that. What she saw was an act of pure love. He did what he had to do to save them. The cuts to his stomach are deep, far deeper than he can heal. He tells her to tell their son what kind of man his father was, how much he loves her, and their baby. Jeremy holds Logan's hand as he struggles to breathe. Logan dies on the floor.

Elena calls and tells Jeremy that there was a complication. Aleister was there, and they need to get to Boston to protect Ruth. He doesn't tell her about Logan, only that she needs to hurry.

Ruth continues to work in her circle, coughing up blood. She pricks her finger, and Aleister vomits blood on the side of the road. If the undoing is killing Ruth, he doesn't understand how she's strong enough to do this to him. Clara has an idea.

Paige is slightly better, but she knows that the bloodroot won't last long. Nick tells her that he promised that he wouldn't let her die, and he meant it. Elena worries, her hearing is getting worse. She's concerned what will happen if she suddenly changes. They're in this together, Clay assures her. If she changes, he changes. He will live in life in whatever form she's in. He will not live apart from her. They will fight together, and stay together.

Jeremy hears someone at his front door. Its Cain. Clay didn't tell him that he spared his life either. Cain heard that it was the end of the world. Jeremy tells him that there are witches in the world, and its the end of their magic. Cain doesn't care what it is, tells him to just point him in the direction of what needs killing and he will kill it.

Aleister, Clara and Savannah arrive at the Delphi building, ready to finish it all.

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Such A Secret Place by Cortney Pearson is out now, and we're taking part in the book blitz with Xpresso Book Tours. You can enter to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

But there's more. We've also got a short Q&A with the author. If you here just for the giveaways, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Tell us a little bit about The Stolen Tears series, and especially Such a Secret Place. Where did you get your idea?

The idea of a world where tears are magical came to me while I was jamming out to a song by Shiny Toy Guns. I don’t remember which song (I wish I did!) but the idea just bulldozed into my brain and wouldn’t let me go!

The series is about a girl who finds a vial of magical tears and has to use them to break a spell. These tears are the most powerful ever shed, and so naturally many others are after them as well and Ambry has to protect them while trying to decipher who to trust.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes! I remember drawing pictures and scribbling underneath them before I even knew *how* to write, then going around to my family members and telling them my stories.

What inspires you?

Music, definitely. I ALWAYS write with music on, and I usually fit it to the mood of the scene I’m trying to write. Reading stories or watching movies like mine helps too. I was stumped the other day, but while watching Divergent with some friends inspiration struck and I suddenly knew how to fix a spot I’d been struggling to write.

Do you listen to music when you write?

I do! It helps me block everything else out, strangely enough.

On that note, what’s your favorite Pandora station/type of music?

Lately my writing stations are Film Scores radio, Birdy radio (for romantic, swoony scenes), and I’m really liking Ed Sheeran’s stuff and a band called Superhumanoids.

Any other hobbies besides writing?

I read a lot, mostly. Pretty standard, lol. I also love to play the clarinet.

Scenario: It’s the end of the world. Aliens are invading and you have two minutes to hurry and grab your three favorite things before rushing off to safety. What do you grab?

Assuming my family is already coming with me, my top three items would be--

1. The flash drive with all my writing on it
2. My clarinet
3. My copy of Jane Eyre

_________

Book & Author Details:

Such A Secret Place by Cortney Pearson
(Stolen Tears #1)
Publication date: April 1st 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Raids splatter across the news–Arcaian soldiers are stealing magic left and right, using it against the people they steal it from.
When sixteen-year-old Ambry Csille’s brother gets taken in one of these raids, her utter fear and panic should be enough to invoke tears in any normal world. But for Ambry, tears are a thing of the past.
Because of a spell, people can no longer feel emotion; not enough to cry, and definitely not enough to defend themselves against the tyrannical soldiers stealing her people’s magic. A rare vial of enchanted tears chooses Ambry to reverse the spell, and soon she finds herself the target not only of the Arcaians, but of battle-scarred Talon Haraway, who wants the tears for his own reasons.
All Ambry wants is to rescue her brother, but when her tears get stolen, Ambry determines to work with Talon to get them back. Any day the Arcaians could drink her tears. Any day they’ll succeed at draining her people’s magic completely, and all hope will be gone—not only for her brother, but for her world.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23898354-such-a-secret-place?ac=1

Purchase:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Such-Secret-Place-Stolen-Tears-ebook/dp/B00U5ONN6E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427483773&sr=8-1&keywords=Such+A+Secret+Place+by+Cortney+Pearson

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1121651187?ean=2940152170474
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/such-a-secret-place

AUTHOR BIO:

Cortney Pearson is a book nerd who studied literature at BYU-Idaho, a music nerd who plays clarinet in her local community orchestra, and a writing nerd who creates stories for young adults. Cortney lives with her husband and three sons in a small Idaho farm town.

Author links:
http://www.cortneypearson.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cor2ney

https://twitter.com/cor2ney

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8304331.Cortney_Pearson

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