Vix, an orphan/thief living in the pits of Belgrave, has only one rule. She does what she must in order to survive. In the miserable depths of the slums, there’s only one alternative. Death.

But it seems that this does not apply to everyone. 

Vix encounters Caine, a mysterious man murdered on two different occasions, on two different days. He cannot seem to stay dead. Desperate to understand his secrets, Vix follows after the beaten-down immortal. But there is another hunting for Caine as well--an undying assassin known as the Riverman who will stop at nothing to kill his target again and again, no matter how many times it takes. 

As the Riverman sets his sights on her, Vix is faced with her darkest fears. A world of dark magic and mysteries unveils itself before her--and through it all, death is always but a step behind. 

This work contains depictions of violence, suitable for ages 18+. 

Spiral Loop is created by Alexander Harrington, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Spiral Loop

Vix felt her bones turn to water at the sight of him. He was every bit as terrifying as she remembered – looming, unnatural, skull-faced with mad orange eyes. 


But rage soon overpowered her fear. “Murderer!” she screamed. Vix scrambled to her feet, half-wanting to rush at the Riverman, though she was weaponless. 


The Riverman flicked his hand into his coat, fast as blinking. When it reemerged, it held a pistol, pointed straight at Vix’s heart. She stopped before she had taken a step. 


“You’re a very fortunate girl.” The familiar rasping, metallic whine accompanied the Riverman’s voice, overlayed with his words. Vix felt her teeth clench with each syllable, until she felt they would shatter like glass. 


The Riverman’s eyes were just as horrible as she remembered. His multitude of firefly pupils, ever moving and dancing, readjusted themselves into groups. They seemed to glance down at the body of Tala behind Vix. “You ought to be dead, not her.” 


Chapter 40: A Brush with Death