November 1st is finally here!

This day has long since been in the making and I’m so excited! I pre-ordered my copy of Obsidian Detective and it’s waiting patiently for me to stop working so I can read it! How about you? For those who don’t like pre-orders, no worries since the book is now live!!! Woot Woot! Go and grab your copy now!

And to entice you just a bit is the final snippet for Obsidian Detective!

Jia looked down at her napkin before looking back up. I can’t believe I let Mei talk me into this.

She managed to smile at the handsome blond man sitting across from her at the white-draped table. Light classical played in the background.

Jia had agreed to one date. It was her way of proving she didn’t hold her family’s values in contempt, with the hope that if she demonstrated her respect toward them, they might return the favor.

It was also the fact that Mei asked for a favor.

Mei’s version of compromise involved picking out the man instead of their mother doing it, but Jia wasn’t sure if that was an improvement. Tonight’s date was Warren Southward III, a business associate of Mei’s.

Warren picked up his wine glass and took a small sip. “Let me say again how lovely you look tonight. I’m happy you agreed to this, especially on such short notice. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you hadn’t been able to come.”

She nodded. “It’s okay. I had an open night, and as for the rest, thank you, Warren. That’s very nice of you to say. I have to admit, my sister didn’t tell me a lot about you.”

“I work for Aurum. My division focuses in particular on financial transactions involving the Moon and Mars. It’s definitely got its complications, but at least we don’t have to worry about colony financial matters.” He sighed. “What a nightmare.”

“I’m sure they are,” Jia admitted. She glanced around, taking in the room. “So, how do you know my sister exactly? Has her company done work with Aurum?”

Warren chuckled quietly. “I met your sister at a recent business conference. She’s already making quite a name for herself at such a young age.” He tilted his head and shook his finger. “I must say, although your sister did well describing your natural beauty, she didn’t relate to me what you do. Are you in the family business?”

Jia chuckled, shaking her head as she thought of the many reasons Mei might leave out that important bit of information. “No, I’m a police detective. My division technically handles all Class II crimes and higher. We often pass them along for efficiency reasons, but we have a wide scope of responsibility.”

“Class II crimes?” Warren’s lips parted slightly. “That’s very…interesting, I bet.” He sighed. “Not to sound rude, but there can’t be that much to do. I imagine most criminals have been transported offworld by now?”

“Oh. Yes, sure. Of course, all crime is totally under control and limited to small regions of unrest or isolated pockets, but you know, it’s like…” Jia sighed. She’d promised to at least give an honest effort. “Prevention is the key to maintaining an orderly and stable society,” she finished.

Lame! she chastised herself. How about you just read him the prologue of the Law Officers School Welcome book?

“I see.” Warren nodded, something approaching understanding in his eyes. “I was a bit confused about a Lin daughter being in such an…unusual career position, but with that explanation, it all makes sense.”

Jia smiled. “It does? I’ll admit that even my own family doesn’t understand why I chose to become a detective versus following in their shoes.”

“Yes, it makes perfect sense.” Warren returned her smile with warmth. “You’re the youngest? You have no siblings other than Mei, correct?”

Jia nodded. “Just the two of us.”

“I’m the youngest in my family as well,” Warren explained.

And that matters, why? Jia wondered.

Warren reached over and patted her hand. “I understand the urge to want to help society while distinguishing yourself from your family. It’s natural for those of us who are the youngest to rebel that way.”

She eyed his hand, then looked back up at him.

“But,” he continued, pulling his hand back, “the best way to help society is by ensuring a robust economy. If the economy is strong and wealth is being generated, everything else can be handled by people who aren’t capable of achieving that. Business is the true heart driving all of the UTC, ultimately. Think about it. There would be no colonization without the aid of the corporations. Can you imagine human colonization efforts without Hermes or Ceres Galactic? Or White Tiger?”

“I’m not arguing that corporations don’t help promote stability and growth of the UTC,” she countered. “But don’t you think it helps to have people from different backgrounds in law enforcement roles? A healthy society has members of different backgrounds dispersed for maximum diversity of viewpoint and experience.” She put her hands under the table and clenched them into fists.

“Different backgrounds?” Warren mused. “Why would we need that? In truth, I’m dubious of the necessity of governmental law enforcement anymore. Corporate security can handle anything of importance, and the government’s moving most of the antisocial elements off Earth, where Security and the military can handle them.”

Warren picked up his napkin to dab the corner of his mouth. “Even if governmental law enforcement is necessary, our kind of people don’t need to participate. Someone of your family background and education isn’t living up to her full potential working in an unnecessary job.”

“I-I don’t think it’s unnecessary,” Jia managed. Mei, be thankful I don’t kick him under this table! Family respect or not.

“I apologize. I should clarify.” Warren offered her a disarming smile. “It’s unnecessary for people like you and me. Obviously, someone has to be involved in keeping the antisocial citizens and criminals under control, whether private or governmental. Of course, people from more limited backgrounds would find such work fulfilling, and I understand that you were attempting to distinguish yourself from your family, just as I was by thinking about becoming a diplomat at one point. I will fill you in on the story sometime since it’s practically a whitepaper about the youngest in a family. But don’t worry; it won’t be a problem anyway. You’ll find different ways of finding fulfillment.”

Her face scrunched; her confusion was complete. “What are you talking about? What do you mean, ‘it won’t be a problem?’”

Warren let out a quiet laugh. “You working, of course.” He gestured at himself. “I’m rather successful. While I wouldn’t object to my wife working, she would never have to, and I think you would find the busy social life that would come with an appropriate marriage more than adequate to fill your free time. I’d prefer a wife who didn’t work. Otherwise, why wouldn’t I consider Mei, if I’m honest?”

Jia stared at the man, processing what he had just said.

“Wife?” she squeaked.

* * *

“You set me up,” Jia accused as she stomped back and forth in her apartment.

She’d decided to wait until returning home to call her sister. She wanted to give herself a chance to settle her thoughts and clear the wine fog from her brain. She had also tried to burn off some energy by yelling at the onboard computer in her flitter.

It wasn’t even close to satisfying.

The full-color hologram of Mei transmitted by Jia’s PNIU stood there with her arms crossed and her lips pursed. While Jia normally preferred audio-only calls, a good rant needed accompanying body language for the full effect.

And family deserved only her best.

“I didn’t set you up,” Mei challenged, shaking her head while putting up a finger. “I asked you to go on one date with Warren.”

She turned the upthrust finger in Jia’s direction. “Was it not a date? Didn’t he take you out to one of the best seafood restaurants in the metroplex? They serve actual fish. Try to afford that on your policewoman’s salary, little sister.” She huffed. “I think you get spoiled at times, dining with either me or Mother and Father.”

Jia threw up her hands. “He was talking about marrying me. I just met the man. I didn’t know anything about him since you said everything would flow better and it would give me things to discuss if I didn’t, but now I realize you were setting me up for a matrimonial ambush.”

“Oh, don’t be so melodramatic.” Mei rolled her eyes. “He’s a busy man, Jia. He doesn’t have time for a lot of unnecessary dating, and I was trying to give you something to talk about.”

“I understand putting his career first, but I think talking about marriage on the first date is a bit much. Even Mother and Father had an actual romance that led to their marriage.” Jia groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “And I’m not saying I have someone else in mind. I’m not even interested in any dating right now because I’m busy with my career, remember?”

“Ah, yes.” Mei looked pained. “The police career that frustrates you to no end.” She threw both hands up. “I can’t possibly expect you to put that fling on hold to live a more fulfilling life of much higher social status that would both bring you more joy right now and please your older sister and your parents to no end, now could I?” She shook her head. “The mere thought must be complete insanity on my part.”

Jia eyed her through the camera. “That’s not fair, and you know it.”

“Tell me one thing that’s wrong with Warren.” Mei pointed at Jia. “Just one thing.”

“It’s not that there’s anything particularly wrong with him,” Jia replied. “Well, there is one thing. He won’t support me in my career, and even ignoring that, I’m not ready to get married yet, let alone to someone I barely know.”

“It’s not like he was going to marry you tomorrow, Jia.” Mei slapped a hand to her forehead and sucked in a breath. “You are very, very frustrating, little sister.” She blew out her breath. “I have a suggestion. A perfectly acceptable alternative.”

“What’s that?” Jia asked.

“You could join us at the company.”

“You wasted his time too, you know,” Jia insisted, ignoring Mei’s suggestion. “I had to make it very clear to him that I’m not getting married anytime soon.”

Mei chuckled. “Because you’re obsessed with your police career and some abstract notion of justice that is, to be frank, outdated.”

“Serving the public is never outdated,” Jia countered. “And I don’t appreciate you misleading me.”

Mei sighed and lowered her arm. “I’m sorry, little sister. I’ll admit that was a calculated risk on my part, but you’re right, I shouldn’t have done it. In the future, I’ll be clearer about my intentions. Although I only care about your future, and I want you to be happy.” She eyed Jia. “And your job isn’t making you happy.”

“Only because I can’t do it properly.” Jia took a deep breath. “But if I hold out, something will change the status quo, and I’ll be able to do my best to uphold the law.” She nodded firmly. “Everything will be different soon. I can feel it.”

Mei shook her head slightly and lifted a hand to her mouth to cover her yawn before she answered. “I hope you’re right, little sister. I hope you’re right for all our sakes.”

______________________

Are you ready to grab your copy of the future of mankind that everyone will be discussing Monday morning at the watercooler?

The Uncommon Rider Snippet #6 has arrived!!

This is getting soooo good! Just wait until you read this one! Poor Hiker, he’s in for a HUGE shock!

Chapter Five

The sun would rise over the Gullington in just under an hour. Hiker stared out the dark window that would soon be lit up with morning sunshine. He never got tired of seeing the Pond shine with rays of morning light. But on this day, it felt like an insult to the grief in his heart that craved the dark for a little longer.

The men would be up and ready for the memorial soon. Hiker had one very important thing to do before they were awake.

He looked down at the piece of parchment under his fountain pen, thinking of the person he was sending the note to. Liv Beaufont was a warrior for the House of Fourteen, but that didn’t even begin to explain who she was, based on the information he’d gathered recently.

She had led the House of Fourteen from where it had been, stuck in the dark ages, to where it was now, full of magical races that acted together for the betterment of society. This warrior was the reason that mortals could see magic again. She was therefore the reason that the dragon riders would soon have a role in this world after centuries alone—unseen.

And she had, as he expected, been hiding something…or rather someone.

Hiker wondered if the new rider who magnetized to a dragon was his age when it happened to him—forty years old. Or maybe he was older? Or like Evan he was in his early twenties?

This immediately made him wonder about this dragon. He knew there were some rogue ones spread across the globe, although any past expeditions to find them had been a failure. Dragons, if they didn’t want to be found, wouldn’t be.

If it were any of the dragons that he’d heard about, then they were quite old. Not as old as Bell or how old Kay-Rye was, but still, they’d be a good addition to the Elite.

He set the fountain pen onto the parchment, beginning his note.

Dear Warrior Beaufont,

As I had suspected when I paid you a visit recently, you have been harboring a dragon rider. I have now had confirmation of this and believe that he is in close proximity to you.

Hiker glanced up, thinking. The Elite Globe had given him such information. Before, when he’d confronted the warrior, it had been simply a guess. But now that the rider had magnetized formally to their dragon, it was concrete. He could pinpoint their location exactly and it showed this person was in close proximity to the warrior for the House of Fourteen—Liv Beaufont.

It made sense. The House was full of experienced warriors. This filled Hiker with excitement. The guys, Evan, Mahkah and Wilder had been so young when they magnetized to their dragons. Hiker had to teach them so much, on top of training them on how to ride. It would be nice to have an experienced magician in their mist. Still, he didn’t like the timing straight after Adam’s death, but that’s how things happened sometimes.

He returned to writing the note.

Below I’ve included coordinates outside our borders. It is only for the newest dragon rider to use to find our location. Only a rider will be able to pass through our barriers, so I encourage you to never share the approximate location of our headquarters with anyone. It will cause them nothing but suffering as we are prepared to fight anyone who ventures close to our lands.

Hiker shook his head, tempted to say more, but realizing he’d be lying. The Elite’s numbers were nothing of what they had been. And now, without Adam, they were at a serious disadvantage.

He hung his head, realizing how sad his predicament had become. Once, the Dragon Elite were the strongest force on the globe. Presently, he had three riders who had never properly been in battle. And soon, he’d have a brand new one. A man he’d have to train from the ground up.

Hiker sucked in a breath, undeterred as he returned his focus to the page. He’d build the Dragon Elite back to what they once were. Better. He’d make them better. And once mortals were ready, they’d set off to rule over their affairs, as was once their roles.

Warrior Beaufont, respond right away to this message with confirmation. I want word about this new rider and that he is on his way to me. I will respond in kind, by letting you know once he’s in my authority.

Sincerely,

Hiker Wallace

Leader of the Dragon Elite

____________________

Hehehe, what do you think Riker’s going to do once he discovers the truth? Find out November 8th when The Uncommon Rider goes live! Get your pre-order all set so it downloads automatically and is ready and waiting for you to devour!

The Desert Queen snippet!

Okay, I’m totally excited for this book to come out! Check out that fantastic cover! Wow! This isn’t your average urban fantasy story, so be sure to keep an eye out on Wednesday for the release announcement! Until then, check out the Prologue!

Prologue

Egypt—18^th Dynasty

Farrah stood outside the door of the tent and stared up into the night sky. No matter how heavily time etched cruel marks on her face, the view grabbed her breath as if her dark eyes were seeing it for the first time. The lines on her brown face deepened as she pursed her lips. The air around her was pregnant with the future, but her inner sight was dark and full of mystery. Her limited insight into the other world made her uncomfortable. She made the sign of peace to the Dancing Man that hung above her in purple-blackness as he rose above the tribal camp. The Cushite traders called the Dancing Man a different name—Osiris he was called in the Black Lands and beyond—but here in the Red Lands where the red sands swirled and swam about the desert people like a dead ocean, he was known as the Dancing Man.

How long will we travel this path? An endless caravan moving from one rain oasis to another? Many of the clan no longer know from whence they came or that there had once been a place for them. How many Meshwesh must die in the Red Lands before we see those white walls again?

Once the Meshwesh dwelled in a city of white stone, Zerzura. What a city it had been! Farrah could barely remember the feeling of cool stones under her feet, the tastes of orange fruit sweet on her tongue, and the many pools of clear blue water that her young body had swum in. Had it been just a dream? No, Farrah remembered the day when the cowardly old king, Onesu, had fled the city ahead of the horde of giants who rushed in to claim it. But he had not lived one day after he left Zerzura, for Farrah had cut his throat while he slept. When he awoke to see her face above him, she whispered why she had done it as she watched him bleed. He had lost the city and had abandoned Ze, his queen and Farrah’s sister, leaving her to the pleasure of the giants who no doubt raped her to death. Farrah shuddered inwardly thinking of what she had done. Nobody knew, yet it was a spot on her soul. She did not regret it, although the gods had seen fit to take her inner sight from her as punishment for her crime. That had been long, long ago. His face no longer haunted her. Yet often she imagined she heard Ze’s screams in the clear night.

Now, with a silent prayer Farrah considered again the stars above her. Regardless of the constellation’s name, this sour omen was an inauspicious sign for the birth of a royal child, but there was nothing she could do to prevent it. Even her magic could not stop a child who wanted to enter this realm.

Farrah suddenly felt old. Had she, leader of the Council of Old Ones, become too old to consider the deeper meaning of such things? Was she too old to help bring another baby into this increasingly difficult world? The sounds the mother made, the painful moaning, the calling of her name, let Farrah know that she indeed still had a purpose. She took a deep sigh, breathing in the warm desert air and shaking off the unseen trepidation. She tossed her head cloth to the ground. No heads covered this night. She smiled peacefully as she walked to the birthing bed and looked down into the face of the beautiful Kadeema.

What a beauty the young queen had been when she first arrived here as the bride to Semkah! However, the Red Lands had sapped away her pretty softness like it did to all women who were not of true Red Lands’ blood. She had become hard, hard like the clay that lay beneath the rough sand. Kadeema’s olive skin was no longer pale but red, and her hair no longer like bright copper but dark and dull. The young queen’s eyes still had their sea-green beauty, but the sparkle, the joy of love and living, had faded. A wife of a young tribal king tied to the Red Lands people only by the most tenuous of threads—love. Farrah looked into those eyes, saddened to see that where there had been hope and excitement, there was now fear and regret.

When Kadeema arrived, the people had loved her, celebrating her light skin and unusual eyes with poems and songs. She had been like a child—a treasure to them, for the tribe treasured children above all things. Their young prince needed a bride, and why should he not take a beautiful bride like Kadeema? She was the daughter of a faraway Grecian king who was a friend to the tribe, so it was a good match.

Semkah was not a king like his brother Omel, who was fierce, strong and brave yet crafty and changeable. Semkah was steady and ever obedient to the Council, trusting them in all things that concerned the Meshwesh. Omel never displayed such devotion.

Semkah wore the tribal king’s robes early after the death of his father, but he cut a fine figure even as a young man. Farrah remembered that day. She’d watched as his arms were tattooed with the sign of the tribe, the falcon’s wings with a swirl of sand wrapped around it. He had worn his hair long, with two long braids at his temples. His chest gleamed with turquoise and gold necklaces from the mines of the Meshwesh, and at his wrist were the slender snake bracelets that only kings wore.

The young king’s older brother Omel had an unabashed love for all things Egyptian. He wore linen Egyptian tunics that showed his scrawny, tanned legs. Tall and thin, Omel kept his dark hair shaved and his head shone with oils. Sometimes he wore a folded cloth on his head, but always his eyes were lined with black, as if he were an Egyptian royal. There was no doubt amongst the Council that Omel loved the Black Lands and would abandon his heritage if given a chance. But for that, he needed his brother. Semkah and Omel had received a divided inheritance—a smart and seemingly prophetic move by their wily father, Onesu. Semkah held the turquoise mines and Omel the gold, but they shared a workforce and the resources required to continue the work. Farrah suspected that Omel would seek to correct this. Already he drew men to his side like flies to a sweet fruit. She wondered what he promised them.

The brothers had different ideas about the future of the clan. Omel wanted with much passion to bring them into Egypt’s good graces. Farrah spat on the ground at the thought of such nonsense. Semkah’s dream was different—he dreamed of reclaiming Zerzura, as was his right, but he had no way of accomplishing that. No more than his father had.

Omel often met with Semkah and other tribal leaders to try to rally them to his point of view. “We need Egypt, brothers! They have wealth beyond measure and green lands that are just waiting for our plows. Come with me to Egypt and meet with Huya. He has given me his oath that Pharaoh wants to honor us with these lands.” Semkah had laughed at this idea and made no secret that he wanted no part of Omel’s Egyptian ways.

“And what will Pharaoh require, brother?” Semkah had said with a patient smile that only further angered Omel. “The king of Egypt does not simply give away lands to appease his neighbors. What of our inheritance? Have you given up finding our homeland, all for a bag of beans from Egypt’s hand? I know what it will require, and that I cannot do. Pharaoh will take our mines, our cattle—maybe even our wives and children—and for what? Some soggy ground so wet that only mosquitos dwell there? How can you ask this of me? What do I say to my tribe?”

Omel had scowled but said nothing else on the matter at that time. Farrah did not think any of the Council or the other leaders believed they had heard the last of Omel’s desires. But Semkah never saw the dark side of his brother; he only recognized the good. He had a heart of gold.

Farrah mumbled to herself remembering the night Semkah was born. What were the words she had said over him as she cradled him on that first night? “He will pursue love from one end of the desert to another. He will give his life for love, and that is the noblest of deaths.”

That had been her proclamation then. She wondered what the hidden words would be tonight or if her old ears would even hear them. She shook her head, reminding herself to stay in the present; she had a habit of getting lost in the past so many times lately. With authority, she flipped up the dress of the writhing Kadeema. She prayed and swayed, calling on her ancestors to assist her.

“No! Do not call on them. They must not know…!” Kadeema shouted savagely.

Farrah could not help but shudder. In her madness, Kadeema could offend a wandering spirit or worse. Farrah made a secret sign to ward off evil curses. Before she could protest further, Kadeema’s womb burst forth blood and she screamed into the musky night. Farrah nodded and prayed silently as she examined the woman’s body.

Something was amiss. Ignoring Kadeema’s scream, she probed inside her with expert fingers and felt the baby’s head. No! Inside the queen were two babies, two lives struggling to emerge into this world. Without knowing how she knew, she did know—these would be the only children of Semkah and Kadeema. Before they were born, it had been prophesied that from Semkah’s tribe would come the mekhma, the leader who would carry them home. Farrah felt an excitement greater than the fear, an urgency like none she had experienced before. These children must be born!

Who else has chills? I know I do! I sure hope this book goes live fast!

It’s Snippet Time for The Uncommon Rider!

The release date is getting closer and closer for The Uncommon Rider! I’m getting so excited to start this series! Come on, already! At least we have another snippet today to help keep the excitement at bay for another day.

Chapter Four

In his lifetime, Hiker had lost many, but no one like the person he was approaching. Adam and he had spent several hundred years together passing time. Waiting to be needed again. Arguing about what needed to be done in the meantime.

There was no one who got under Hiker’s skin like the man he was rushing towards. And no one he loved more who still breathed on this Earth, besides Bell, of course.

At the Barrier, Hiker paused, realizing it had been a long time since he’d left the Gullington. He’d portaled out recently, but only briefly and that was different than actually crossing the border.

From his place on the slick grass, he could see Adam and Kay-Rye sprawled out roughly one-hundred yards away. They had made it so close to safety, and yet, close was the difference between life and death.

The guys halted at Hiker’s back, probably sensing his trepidation. Evan hadn’t crossed the Barrier in quite some time. For the others, it had been more than a lifetime. There was simply no reason to leave anymore.

He turned, wishing he’d taken the time to get his dragon—Bell. She couldn’t do anything, but it would have made the next part easier.

“Brothers,” Hiker began, his gaze falling on Evan and then Mahkah and Wilder’s faces. Like Hiker, they were much older than most magicians, having the longevity of their dragons, but it didn’t show. Mahkah and Wilder appeared to be in their early twenties even though they’d both spent over two centuries on this Earth. Evan was still a baby by dragon rider’s standards at just over a hundred years old, but he at least appeared mature enough to drink a beer in a pub. Not that he’d ever been given the chance to do so.

“We don’t know what’s out there,” Hiker continued. “Whatever took Adam down, could still be on the prowl. Stay vigilant. And at the first sign of danger, call your dragon. Otherwise, simply show your respect.”

“Is he dead?” Mahkah asked, stepping forward, his long black hair falling out of his ponytail and into his face.

One of the hardest things Hiker had to do in long time was nod to that question. If the Elite Globe had indicated it, then Adam wasn’t even holding on by a breath. It was too late for goodbyes. It was too late for anything but a burial of the greatest rider and dragon who Hiker had known in many centuries.

Adam should have been the leader of the Elite. He and Hiker both knew it.  He was older. More experienced. Magnetized to the larger, more dangerous dragon—Kay-Rye. But the thing about Adam was that he never wanted the role. He preferred the fight rather than to lead. He craved the hunt over determining the strategy. Adam liked detective work without all the responsibility that went with looking after the others. He loved the resolutions that only a dragon rider could bring to any dispute… or he used to.

Hiker was the one who wanted to lead. He always had felt more protective of the others. And so he became the one who led them. Even when there was nothing to lead them toward except for another day of monotony.

Taking in an unfulfilling breath, Hiker pulled his sword and swung around, stalking out past the Barrier. The air on the other side of the invisible wall was different. Colder. Laced with strange smells, reeking of the modern world.

Hiker held his breath as he strode for the bodies laid out on the other side of the field. The dragon and rider had crashed, the heavy beast landing on top of Adam, crushing him. However, the expression on his dead friend’s face, wasn’t one of anguish. Hiker could tell that Adam had died staring into the eyes of his best friend, by the angle of their heads. And he also knew that something dangerous had attacked them based on the scorched marks along their flesh.

He breathed through his mouth, not wanting to remember this moment punctuated by the smell of burned skin, hair and leather.

The guys spread out behind him, each of their weapons held at the ready as they side stepped around the dragon and rider.

Damn it, Adam, why couldn’t you leave things alone, Hiker wondered, studying the many wounds marking their bodies.

“I don’t think there’s anything out here,” Wilder said, his eyes scanning. “Whatever it was is gone.”

Hiker nodded. “They were on their way home when something attacked them, I’m guessing.”

“But what?” Mahkah asked.

The leader of the Dragon Elite looked out at the darkening mountains. “It’s hard to tell. The world out there isn’t the same one any of us knew. That’s one reason we aren’t to return to it yet. We need time. The world needs time to adjust.”

The men all nodded, having heard this argument from Hiker many times, especially in the evening when Adam challenged him over drinks.

“It could have been an accident,” Evan reasoned.

“Maybe,” Hiker said, narrowing his eyes at a brighter spot in the sky between two ridges far in the distance.

“Simi and I can do a patrol,” Wilder offered.

“No,” Hiker said at once, swinging around to face his men. “Adam had been looking for trouble lately. It appears that he found it. I won’t have any of you risking your lives tonight. This only proves what I’ve believed since mortals awoke, seeing magic again. If we are to take back our roles, then first we will have to understand how the world has changed. We can’t simply rush out there or we will get ourselves killed. Mortals, and magical races who have long believed we were dead or knew nothing about us in the first place, will be frightened when we make an appearance. I don’t know what attacked Adam and Kay-Rye, but I can assure it was something that felt threatened by them.”

“And something of great power,” Mahkah observed, his eyes running over the large black dragon who was at least thirty-feet long.

“Rest assured, I will give this matter my full attention, determining exactly what we need to prepare ourselves for when we do finally venture out into the world,” Hiker stated with confidence, trying to hold together his tough exterior as the full implications of his friend’s death sunk in.

“But not yet, right?” Evan asked.

Hiker shook his head. “No, we’re not ready. The world isn’t.”

He waved the men toward the Gullington. “Go back now. Send Quiet to help me. Tomorrow morning we will hold a memorial for our brother.”

The men all nodded, each reluctantly turning their backs, heading for the castle, which wasn’t visible from that side of the Barrier.

When the riders had disappeared, Hiker turned his attention to Adam and Kay-Rye’s bodies. He would only have a few minutes before Quiet, the groundskeeper, showed up to help. He really hadn’t needed the gnome’s help, but rather some time alone. Not to grieve though. That would come later. Hiker needed answers. He needed information.

Waving his hand at the bodies, he muttered a spell he hadn’t used in a very long time. Like riding a dragon, the magic came back to him. Both lived in his bones.

The area around Adam and his dragon sparkled with light that rose a few feet off the ground and began to trail in the opposite direction of the Gullington. Hiker followed it with his eyes until it disappeared behind the mountain ridges.

He lifted his hand into the air, letting out a low-pitch whistle that only his Bell would hear. Within a minute the red dragon soared from the Cave, in his direction. Her majestic wings cut through the air, making fast progress as she approached. Just seeing her, made Hiker feel better.

She had no issues passing through the Barrier, although it had been a long time for her, as well.

Her face turned to the side as she landed, looking over the bodies lying at Hiker’s feet. She didn’t show any emotions in her green eyes, but just blinked, following the track of sparkly dust that trailed in the opposite direction.

“Whatever attacked them is over there, isn’t it?” Hiker’s dragon asked.

He nodded, pulling himself onto her back without difficulty even though she wasn’t suited up for a ride with a saddle and reigns. “Yes, and you know what we have to do with what we find, right?”

The dragon’s gaze returned to the bodies lying in the grass that was quickly growing stiff with frost. “Of course. And tomorrow…?”

“Tomorrow we will grieve, Bell,” Hiker stated, holding onto the dragon. “Tonight, we find out what killed our dear friends.”

Want to know what happens to Hiker? Come back on Thursday to get the next snippet! Or you could pre-order the book now and it will show up in your eReader on November 8th, Probably before you even wake up!