Hebeloma — Chris Ulm

Growing up, Lucy didn't know her father and never understoodthe reasons for her parents falling out. The secrets of their pastshrouded in intentional mystery to save her the trauma of the truth.Having to rely on her mother for love and support leaves herstarving for affection when a horrible disease sentences her to alife of watchful care. Hospitalized; Lucy is taken in by hergrandparents at the cusp of her development. Afflicted with badblood; she struggles to find her place among her peers whilegrowing increasingly frustrated at the looming secrets. Hate,familial negligence and a knack for trouble; she sets off on a pathof self-destruction that makes her vulnerable to suggestion. Thosewrought emotions seep into the air; summoning a strange elderlyman wearing a black suit to offer a deal. ----- Hebeloma is not a standalone series. All characters, events,places and themes are canonical to the Vengeance seriesuniverse. These stories are not essential to the understanding ofthe character(s) as they are portrayed in the main series but canassist by shedding light on where they came from and what theyhave been through. These stories are meant to be consumed afterreading Vengeance: Children of Faust first. Having a reference topast events prior to reading along book one may lessen anymystique and curiosity that is being established in the narrative.