A Price In Blood 

I also am fascinated with the Gothic Victorian type of stories. The ones where there is no guarantee of a happy ending. Not all stories can have the hero riding off into the sunset with their true love on their arm. Life isn't that way. Also, one should never bet against the house. You'll never win.   

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Updates:

You got to love Gmail. This is another idea that was among the other lost ideas. Right now I'm in the sifting process with this.