ILONA ANDREWS

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

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Trick and Treat

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Hi everyone, Mod R here, welcome to Freebie Friday, as promised by Ilona!


14 years ago, a magazine editor commissioned a classic slasher short story from House Andrews. Publication didn’t pan out, as these things sometimes don’t, and the story took its place in the Trunk, never to be seen again.

Until recently, when Ilona found it and played with it a bit so we can have a Trick AND Treat (why choose?) and set the spooky mood in the days leading to Horde Halloween. Which is like regular Halloween, but with more gory page devouring.

Of course, House Andrews are not known for writing horror or slashers, so that particular genre exploration didn’t stick, but they are known for playing with tropes and writing stories based on naughty bets. This time around, they put their signature twists on a very classic Americana story. We come out of it a little more badass, a little more determined, with a happy dog in tow- and, above all, alive. The world is set to right, and if the evil ever dares to show its face again, it will have to go through us!

Be warned, this is a horror story. Trigger warnings for violence, depictions of murder and some animal mistreatment.

I give you: Only Forever. Spooky reading!

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Comments

  3. I’m convinced the reason there’s not 1984710345 comments is because everyone hopped to and is currently reading.

      • A friend bet them they couldn’t write a romance story around a certain question 😏. They did and the question is a line in A Mere Formality. See if you can guess which hehehe.

        • Really good story, thank you so much.
          Scary and gruesome.
          Was glad that I calm down with the last half of Ruby Fever afterwards though, horror is too unsettling for my overactive brain.

        • Mod R, is there any way to get a hint of this question? Have read a Mere Formality several times, but haven’t been able to spot the question that spawned the bet/story.

  5. Definitely a Treat…. thank you!

    And now the curse of the BDH…what happened next to Neme?!?! (only teasing, it was a fantastic, because as ever, it left me wanting more!)

  6. Loved it!!! I could read a whole series like that, but then I love everything House Andrews writes.

  8. On behalf of all Cat Staff (we have two and live to serve), I have to say that ats are mysterious but not bad. So there!

    (Otherwise, fine Halloween story. Good to show that Pretty does not equal Good. We always need to remember that)

  9. Whoa, what a story! The small town reminded me of some of the small towns I stop at when I go see family in Indiana. Only without the crazy person.

    Thank you everyone for the Friday Freebie! 😁

  14. Two amazing stories!

    I hadn’t read the first one before (how did I miss it?!).

    Thank you!

    Also, love your avatar!

  15. Thanks for the gear up to Halloween!
    Short stories are something special, all the feels in a small package:-)
    Happy dog endings!

    Although I will admit that stories like this (and reality) have me encouraging my daughter to a) not drive alone b) if she does drive alone to plan her stops in busy areas with bright lights and c) trust her gut. No stopping at Tyler’s Burger joint!

    • My dad told me that when I travelled alone to always go to truck stops. When I looked at him funny, he said since they are open 24/7, busy, and very well lighted, if something happened to yell and people will know something’s up. Plus, he told me that if something doesn’t feel right, don’t stop.

      When he gave me that advice, that was before cell phones. However, it’s still good advice for anyone.

      Sharla – good on you to give that advice to your daughter.

  17. That didn’t make the cut!??Sheesh who were the idiots choosing the stories?
    I’m not usually a big fan of Halloween stories/scary stories but this was…bellisimo 💋

      • Although to be fair, telling the BDH that a story by HA was rejected is like that scene in The Patriot where Mel Gibson’s character walks into that dodgy tavern looking for recruits, and the Frenchman is dubious and Mel proves his point by yelling “God save King George!” THAT is the same response the BDH would have to “That HA story isn’t good enough!”

  18. Wow. Just Wow.

    I’m not much of a horror reader but that was a good read. Intense.

    Thanks for the Friday treat!

  19. That was fantastic!!! Better then the vast majority of slasher stories I have read. Please write more of those, you guys clearly have the talent for it. Thank you so much for this gift.

  25. I gotta say, Neme’s ability is not one I’d want to have. I can see a whole series where she’s a consultant for the cops.

    Not that that’s a hint or anything. More like an outright plea.

  26. The story isn’t to my taste, but DAMN, Neme is a fine character! I hope you can find somewhere else to use her.

  36. Omg! That was a suitably scary story, but not so much so that I couldn’t finish it. In fact I rather enjoyed it! Thanks much!!

  37. oh may, I love it!
    It has enough of scariness fir a sissy like me 😁
    And the revenge on the big bad! Neme has so much potential, just as certain girl riding an old dragon. I’d love to read on both of them. A little story, novelette or full blown 100000000K words novel in “-logies” -such as a trilogy or.. decalogy 🤪
    Thank You!

    • Oh, I have just found the Smut files. How did I even missed the link to them in the first read?? Thank you fellow BDH for your comments!
      aaaand the smut ? so much fun, fun, fun and giggling 😁

  40. Excellent story. Thanks for letting me know the dog doesn’t die or I probably wouldn’t have read it. I really wanted to see I Am Legend with Will Smith but I had to know if the German Shepherd died or not before I could watch it.

    • I’ve never watched it, for that very reason. I know it’s an excellent movie, but it’s not for me.

  42. “Signature twists on a very classic Americana story”… I read that as House Andrews putting a twist on a known story. But I don’t know a similar/related story.
    Is there a well known (but not by me) classic, or did I misunderstand the intro?

    btw, loved it regardless! Just expected to recognise the story behind.

    • It’s not a specific story, no, but hitting the main notes of the classics: it’s a little bit Psycho (and the Bates Motel spin off), a little bit American Gods, a little bit Night Vale, the Shining etc. The new American Gothic of highways and diners and dark truck stops at night, labyrinthine hotels and endless cornfields, puritanical holdouts and serial killers in plain sight 👻
      What is that saying, Europe is spooky because it’s old, America is spooky because it’s big? 🙂 Horror pays attention to that.

    • I think it is woman alone at night, stops by a creepy and isolated restaurant/gas station/motel. Only person there is the serial killer waiting for his next victim.

  47. I’d like to finish reading this book and follow that mischievous cat from one encounter to the next.

  49. Loved the story.
    On another note, I reread ‘a mere formality’ and it hit me: this is the predecessor of Innkeeper! The heroine who knows all about alien cultures, a treaty banquet… 😄

      • I think so too. (I must be one of the few who is a HUGE Kinsmen fan. Fated Blades is awesome, and the cover is fantastic!) It’s the IA series that rarely gets talked about. 🙁

        • I think the Kinsmen series gets a bit overlooked because HA wrote it when their child was suffering deeply and they were struggling to get an accurate diagnosis and helpful treatment. While the story is wonderful and they could enlarge the universe, it’s understandable that they might not want to return to that agonizing emotional space. I’m grateful that their child is much improved now and that all four of them get to live their best lives… with Artha and the crew!

  50. thank you for the story 🙂
    it was scary…I stupidly read it in a dark room under the covers! so glad you said that they would come out the other side🙈 fantastic storytelling as always. going to go back and reread A mere formality, for a brain reset 😄

    • I read Magic Tides in my favorite parts (“the puddle by your foot is not strawberry syrup”; the conversation between Hugh and Kate; Keelan and company’s arrival; and the whole craziness at the Farm) for a great laugh.

  51. Oh, my lord! I expected to like the short story— it is House Andrews, so of course it would be good, but this was amazing!

    I know the BDH are always after HA to write more in each world that we find ourselves in with their tales, but the world here, with the really interesting talents, would be a great world for HA to play in! Neme makes a great POV character—- I want to learn more about her and find out about her life and her adventures.

    I know this was horror genre, but it really read like Urban Fantasy, too. I would love to learn more about this world.

    Great work, as always!

  54. WOW……. Awesome spooky story. I was totally gripped and willed on Neme to kick his Ass!! and save the dog 😄

    I was shocked when it ended…… what? There must be more????

    Thank you, I hope you got the reaction you were looking for 😉😊

  57. I really liked this. I only like horror with a bit of mythology and this delivered.

    I’m going to join the camp that the feline-shaped entity was actually something else – more of a trickster perhaps since there’s some archetype threads running through this tale?

  59. ModR, that flashlight under the covers was me throughout my school days. (The next day was me falling asleep in class. And needless to say the books read by flashlight were never ones that were assigned.) It cracked me up.

  60. Wow. Talk about a horror story! Geezle beezle!

    I almost chewed my lips off! lol

    I think I’m glad you don’t write horror normally. There would be a lot more people needing some chemical intervention after reading these types of stories.

    Going to go find some unicorns now. Purple ones!

  61. I am not a fan of horror. But this was an excellent story. Well written, and out of the usual box. Thanks for digging it out of the trunk.

  62. Oh my goodness!!! I don’t normally like (or ever read) horror stories. If I want more horror I will just watch the news on tv.

    But I will ALWAYS read anything written by HA and will always give it a chance no matter the genre…and I’m so glad I did! This story was amazing! And a horror story where the dog gets rescued in the end? Count me in!💕💕

    I had a weird thought about the cat and I’m wondering if anyone else thought this: serial killers often start out abusing and killing animals before they move on to their human prey. I’m thinking maybe the cat met a bad fate at that burger place in the past and Neme is just sensing it?

    In any case, this was awesome…thanks HA and ModR for a fun Friday treat! 😁

  63. wow! That was really good, dark, but good. I think I’m glad you generally write lighter fare! Thanks for posting it.

  66. Thank you!

    Great (and creepy) story! I knew something was off once I read that he had the face of someone who would help an old lady load her groceries. I said, uh-oh, watch out! At least she found a new way to use her powers, so thanks for that, I guess, Tyler?

  70. So good!

    Of course, I’m traveling alone tomorrow (I usually don’t) so I’m a tiny bit creeped out now. 😂 It’s a good reminder to be aware and I’m still glad I read it.

  71. I could read more about her. I like that she worked through her own issues trying to save herself. I can see her and the dog as a team. Loved it.

  75. This story didn’t make the cut? Now I want to know what did. This story was awesome, kept me wound up till the end!

  77. Thanks for taking it out of your treasure chest and sharing. I enjoyed it. Happy Neme went back for the dog 🐶😁

  78. sold…want more…happy with it. lol, never cared for dark, unless good wins completely… so would like it more if no more Tyler was said but short story so still loved it and by IA.

    Thank you…

  79. loved it! thank you so much for sharing!
    and an extra thank you for the assurance that the dog doesn’t die.

  80. Nice! And thanks for the promise that the dog lives! <3 I could definitely see reading more in this world (and about Mneme and her new sidekick) if that ever became a thing.

    Thanks for being the best and sharing as much as you guys do with us!

  83. That was great! Like a supernatural episode of Criminal Minds. Glad the cat spooked Neme into stopping. It was past time for someone to put a stop to Tyler.

  85. I mostly hate horror stories and movies, but man, this was good!! Goosebumps and hair standing up on my arms, but looking for more really good, hehehe

  87. Thank you so much for the story! The description of the inside of the dinner, made me flashback to the Netflix Sandman…and that made it a bit scarier for a bit. (And I know they toned it down for netflix, but it’s been a very long time since I read Sandman.)

  90. I love horror stories, and this one was so good! Neme’s power is incredible (well, awful to live with, but incredible nonetheless) and I don’t want to go in too much details in order not to spoil anyone, but everything about the story is fantastic!!!

    Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!!!

  91. thank you for the treat!

    Was Tyler singing David Bowie’s “Down in the Underground”? I was going to applaud his good taste but the megalomaniac-killer reveal was a turn off.

    also I have a Forester in Vegas that is waiting repair for a drive home to Houston. Note to self not to stop at any abandoned diners.

  92. OMG!
    Just finished the short story. I am so creeper out! I am so glad I didn’t read it last night! LOL!

  93. I know earlier in the thread I said I wanted to read the rest of the book…, but wouldn’t this make a great episode on Outer Limits or some other SiFi platform? It’s so unique and with unexpected twists and turns.

  101. Ok, not a fan of horror because I’m a wimp and I still loved. I would read a sequel. Congratulations IA, I will now read horror from TWO authors. You (and Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant). Well done, well done indeed. I think those who rejected it missed out.

  103. Loved it! I am a fan of horror fiction and loved, loved, loved it. But that’s the way I feel about everything I’ve read of yours. Thank you!!

  104. Well it didn’t give me nightmares 😮‍💨, I put off reading until daylight, just in case it was truely horror-filled – I’m susceptible that way – the TV advert for The Exorcist, many, man moons ago, gave me mightmares for weeks!
    Good the dog survived – killing dogs is so not on, even if I am a cat person; good read, good open ending for us to fill in… thank you!

  106. Yikes! Great story for October, but thank you for letting us know beforehand that the dog would be okay.

  107. Wow! What a story.
    I could literally see all those images like a movie as I read.

    HA are amazing writers.

  109. Yikes!! But a satisfying ending. (The dog liked the sandwiches!)

    Took me until today (Monday) to work up the courage to read this.

  110. Oh wow, just had a bored moment – nothing to read. And remembered that a few days ago there was this link to the short story. You are so amazing. Just awesome good story. Need to immediately re read one of your books. Thank you!!!!