Tuesday, June 03, 2025

The Secret Countdown - Chapter 01

The Secret Countdown


An insane nightmare—I was trapped in an insane nightmare with no way out.

I had returned to the new penthouse apartment only a few minutes before. Just long enough to hear the pounding of the storm currently raging over Dallas as it beat against the floor-to-ceiling windows, and to find, on the kitchen island, a lone black feather that soon dissolved into nothing.

All of that I could have dealt with. All of that was nothing when compared to what came next.

As deafening thunder boomed just outside, my spidey sense started tingling. I couldn’t tell what had set it off. My pulse raced while my heart violently pumped in my chest, the dead certainty that something terrible had happened making me feel faint. Then more lightning ripped down from the heavens, showing me that my brief respite was over and things were now worse than ever before.

Lightning forked through the sky outside, once more revealing the impossible. On the other side of the floor-to-ceiling window of my new home was an anomaly, a thing from myth and legend, but oh so very real. A yeti or abominable snowman—a creature about eight to nine feet tall, with white fur, who was said to live high in the Himalayas. It was a sight that would send my roommate Penny out the door in a hair-pulling panic.

But I suspected—no, I knew who this was, and it made my heart feel as if someone had wrapped a hand around it and squeezed.

The yeti didn’t move. He just hung there, his long ape-like arms raised above his head and fettered to metal manacles. His fur was drenched, the water running off him in tiny rivers as the storm that raged over the city continued to pelt him.

I took a couple of manic steps toward him, a scream trying to bubble up my throat, but I clamped my mouth shut to hold it in. Waking up my roommate was the worst thing I could do right now.

The creature trussed up outside my window was an ally, perhaps even a friend, and someone had hung him there as some kind of macabre warning. My hands quivered as I pulled out my phone, my eyes burning. I may not have ever seen him in his secondary form, but I knew this could be no one but Councilor Karki: a Buddhist monk who served on the Council of Purpose, and a member of the race called the Paphal Saĝiga, or the Secret Humankind.

I stared at my phone, a roaring sound pounding in my ears, as my suddenly-numb brain refused to remember how to use it.

Karki had to still be alive—he had to be.

A snippet of a past conversation whispered through my stunned thoughts—one about how, once dead, an SH would no longer keep its secondary form. The words were clear, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember who had told me that. My brain finally shifted into gear, and I opened my contacts list and then hit the call button for Rafael.

“Chica…”

That one word and the warm playfulness behind it almost undid me. For the merest moment, I relived the shivers of delight from our first kiss, which had occurred just minutes before in the elevator. I siphoned whatever strength I could from it before shunting it aside. “We have a situation. Can you come back upstairs? Please?

I don’t know what he heard in my voice, but a surprised puff echoed from the other end. “Be right there.”

Like me, Detective Rafael Ruiz worked for and with the SH when necessary, as part of our daily lives. Since secrecy was paramount, we each worked the late shift at our respective jobs, even though the need for special services was supposedly few and far between. But with the secret project we were still trying to stop, and all the attempts on my life in the last couple of weeks, Rafael had been neglecting most of his non-SH-involved cases. I’d not been able to do my job at all.

With unsteady steps, I made sure Penny was asleep and that her bedroom door was closed. Fortunately, once she fell asleep, she could stay under through almost anything—one less thing I would need to worry about. I let myself out of the apartment and paced in the hallway. Should I call my boss, Anghelescu? Put a warning into the anonymous chat that Karamel, the company’s receptionist, had rigged for us? I rubbed at my numb face with my hands, drowning in indecision.

Our enemy was surely watching to see what I would do and who would show up once I found his or her little gift—an easy way to find out who was “in the know” about their illicit activities. That our enemy was more than likely a member of the Council of Purpose or someone very close to them was a given. The information they had access to, and the fact that they’d kept an SH child off the register and groomed him into an assassin to better serve their purposes, screamed as much.

With access to the security feeds of Remington Safe and Clean and the other businesses housed inside the same building, our enemy would be aware the moment my boss left her protected rooms on the thirteenth floor. The paranoia of the council and their decision to implant their human allies with a tracker bomb in their necks would make it difficult to ask Stan, my work partner, to help out.

I couldn’t be tracked anymore, my body having rejected the tracker and pushed it out. The reason for that was one I was still battling to wrap my head around. Something inside me had changed—or, more accurately, been fully activated—when I had almost died. A tenuous connection I didn’t even know I’d had to what the SH called the Energy of Life had broadened and given me the power to heal myself. My ‘spidey sense’ had always been with me, but it, too, seemed to be evolving. That, or I was finally started to use it the way it had always been intended. It was only a scant few days ago that Anghelescu and I learned I wasn’t strictly human but rather the result of illegal experiments, putting me in the ‘abomination’ column as far as most of those in the council were concerned. This was something I’d not yet shared with the rest of my friends—not even Rafael.

Especially not Rafael.

And how fair was that to him, when I’d been the one to initiate our first kiss? You’re a selfish one, Xero.

In case I’ve yet to mention it, my name is Julia Xero, the last name having the same pronunciation as ‘zero’—probably someone’s idea of a little joke when picking a name for the foundling.

I shook my head to dislodge the depressing train of thought. Best to stick to the craziness of the present.

The elevator’s ding heralded the detective’s imminent arrival and helped me push everything but the current mess firmly to the back burner.

Seeing his handsome face with its light bronze colored skin, thick dark brows drawn together in concern while his deep brown eyes locked on me, eased the grip of the fist still clenching my heart. Only a little relief, but just enough to remind myself I wasn’t alone in this, that I no longer had to face things on my own.

Rafael’s usually bright blue and green aura had darkened. Have I mentioned yet that I can see auras?

“Chica, what’s going on?” he asked.

I took a deep breath to steel myself for what was coming next. “Someone left me a warning outside my window.” I tried to say the rest, but my mouth wouldn’t do it. Saying it would make it real.

Rafael blinked several times. “Outside? In this storm?”

“Yes.” I grabbed hold of his coat sleeve. “It’ll make the explanation easier if you see it for yourself.” I half-led, half-followed him back to my door, the dread building at having to see that horrid image again. My hand shook so much that I needed his help to get the keycard into the slot. His brow grew more furrowed by the moment.

Having him close gave me the strength to walk in the direction of the open study and the window Karki had been suspended over.

“I… I wouldn’t have even seen him if not for the lightning,” I said. As if to move things along, several bolts flashed nearby, highlighting the suspended body.

¡Dios mio!” Rafael crossed himself, something I had never seen him do before.

“I think he’s still alive and needs our help.” Watching the dawning horror on his face somehow made mine more palatable. “And we definitely want him down from there before anyone else spots him.” I swallowed hard. “Do you think we can use the Sky Lounge to get to him?”

Rafael dragged his gaze from the now-dark window before slowly shaking his head. “No. I visited up there once, and it’s not open to the outside.” He spoke barely above a whisper, his expression a mix of shock and worry. He looked to be having as bad a time with this as I was. “Is anyone else coming?”

I shook my head. “No. It would take too long, and…” I couldn’t bring myself to voice my suspicions.

Rafael’s brow rose, but he didn’t press me. “Then our best bet is the BMU, the Building Maintenance Unit,” he said.

My confused expression got him to add, “The angled top of the building rises up and has a telescopic crane that can be used to install glass replacements, but mostly to move a window washer gondola up and down so the glass can be kept clean.” He turned his back to the window. “One of my uncles used to work for the maintenance company. He took several of us up to check it out when it was the talk of the town.”

That made sense, especially since Fountain Place was in the shape of a crystal. “Do you know how to get to it?”

“There’s access via the maintenance elevator, though I doubt it’s kept unlocked.” He gave a half-hearted grin. “It’s time to flash my badge around.” His attempt at levity tripped and died, his whole face turning grim. “We’re going to have to be quick.”

Bringing attention to ourselves wasn’t the best idea, but we were low on options. I nodded, and the two of us rushed back to the elevator. And down we went.


***


Book 3 release will be on 7/1/25! You still have time to catch up with Books 1 and 2

The Secret Countdown is also on pre-order, so reserve your copy today!

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Sept 2024 Groups Promos and Swaps


Sep 2024 Group Promos and Swaps

 

Blog posts are now condensed into just the promo stuff or big news. 

If you want the full undiluted package, join the newsletter! Then you will get all the goodies. Plus, you get to pick a gift or five when you join!

Reader Magnet List for Subscribers

Sep 2024 Swaps!

Skin White as Snow

Skin White as Snow

Newsletter Swap 1 (Freebie)

Snow White is a vampire and she thinks Cinderella’s life is just delicious.

 

What if Snow White stole Cinderella’s life?
What if the Evil Queen wasn’t so evil?
What if the men are just pawns in a labyrinth game to steal Kingdoms?
What if…

…magic is just a puzzle?

Murder at the Cheese Shop

Murder at the Cheese Shop

Newsletter Swap 2 (UBL)

The peaceful atmosphere of Los Robles is shattered when a murder takes place at the neighborhood cheese shop, causing chaos among the tight-knit community.

Local innkeeper and vineyard owner, Avery Parker, is shocked to discover that she is implicated in the mysterious death in her small hometown.

As Avery begins to investigate, she encounters a myriad of suspects, each with a convincing motive. She uncovers secrets and betrayals from past and present love interests, a disgruntled ex-employee, and a suspicious resident.

Her captivating journey leads her to hidden agendas in the search to solve the crime. The gossipy residents have their guesses, but who can she really trust?

With twists and turns at every corner, Murder at the Cheese Shopis a thrilling mystery that will keep sleuthing readers on the edge of their seats.

Wine pairings and irresistible recipes included!

Don’t miss out on this thrilling mystery – grab your copy today!

The Devil's Own

The Devil's Own

Newsletter Swap 3 (UBL)

 

Delaney Murphy has always known she’s the Devil’s daughter.

And although the title itself is a burden, she never expects to inherit all her father’s infernal abilities. When her newfound magic begins to poison the people closest to her, Laney must make a choice. To protect the world from the worst she can do, she leaves everyone she loves behind and builds a new life for herself, alone, in a place where she can control the urge to give in to the magic living within her. But when she recognizes a familiar pattern in a string of murders, Laney leaves her peaceful, isolated life behind and goes on the hunt, unleashing a threat she never dreamed possible. Confronting this menacing specter could mean giving in to temptation and becoming the one thing she fears most.

Will she use her magic to do the right thing, even if it means hurting the ones she loves?

 

 

Apache Tomahawk

Apache Tomahawk

Newsletter Swap 4 (Freebie)

In the pre-dawn silence of the New Mexico desert, Zini, a young Apache girl, awakens to gunshots and discovers her home under attack. 

Her grandfather, a tribal elder, had previously warned her about a vision involving mystical artifacts—the tomahawk and Seeing Stone—passed down through their lineage from visitors once described as “men from the stars.”

As the assailant nears the house, Zini recalls her grandfather’s teachings and the importance of these relics. Armed with the tomahawk, which possesses extraordinary abilities when wielded by the chosen, she bursts from her room to find her grandfather confronting the intruder.

Despite her efforts, her grandfather is killed, and Zini uses the tomahawk to avenge him. Overcome with grief yet fueled by purpose, she flees the scene with the artifacts, determined to protect them as her grandfather instructed.

As she drives into the uncertain future, she recalls the lore passed down by her ancestors and realizes that more enemies will come.

With the Seeing Stone growing warm in her pocket, she sets her sights on a new life in Vermont, determined to honor her grandfather’s legacy and stay true to her warrior lineage, knowing the “bad men” will inevitably return.

Sep 2024 Group Promos!

Curious Cozies in Kindle Unlimited Group Promo Banner

Curious Cozies in Kindle Unlimited Group Promo – Mystery, magic, and more!

Till next time! Wish me luck!

 

Gloria

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Aug 2024 Group Promos and Swaps!

 Table of Contents

Aug 2024 Group Promos and Swaps

 

It is getting harder and harder to do blog posts after the newsletter goes out. No idea why. But it’s almost as if the powers that be don’t want it. Each spot I put in a blog post is different. So copying and pasting from one to the other is never right, so lots of tweaking, changing, and re-linking ensues. The older I get, the less tolerance I have for some of these always unexpected changes. To make matters worse, it isn’t ever clear how much all the effort put in actually pans out or makes a difference. 

so to keep my sanity and not totally have you guys do without, I’m going to start doing condensed versions of things on the blog posts. 

Want the full undiluted package? Join the newsletter! Then you will get all the goodies. Plus, you get to pick a gift or five when you join! 

Reader Magnet List for Subscribers

Aug 2024 Swaps!

The Levitation Game

The Levitation Game

Newsletter Swap 1

Aspiring magician Esme Wright has a secret: She can levitate objects as effortlessly as humming a tune—no tricks required. But when she lands her first big break on The Morning Show: Live!, defying gravity goes horribly and embarrassingly awry.

After the show, she returns to her New York hotel room a sniveling mess until a mysterious reunion with her childhood friend, Joseph Estrada, instigates a vortex of levitation, both frightening and bizarre. It turns out Joseph has powerful secrets, too. He’s terrified that Diablo possesses him, and after the tornado of toiletries in Esme’s hotel room, he can almost feel the fire consuming his toes.

Esme and Joseph disperse to their old lives, but strange and erratic signs soon draw them deeper into a sinister and supernatural puzzle.

The duo must uncover the truth before a catastrophic levitation mishap leaves them injured or, worse, dead. Esme and Joseph embark on a jungle odyssey to unearth the secrets of their past, reuniting with their archaeologist fathers and following the path of jaguars. They discover that the levitation game might be impossible to win—or survive—without answers from the stars.

Counting Crows

Counting Crows

Newsletter Swap 2 )UBL

On a fog-bound hill, the crows are feasting on the body of a dead man. Lorne Turner has seen more than his fair share of corpses, but never one like this. The markings on the body and the position all lead towards ritual sacrifice.

Just what Lorne doesn’t need, another lost soul keeping him company at night. But he can’t ignore the questions this dead man brings in his wake.

Why here, right on the highest point on Exmoor? What do the occult markings mean? And why do the authorities seem so intent on avoiding the obvious ceremonial element?

One thing he knows for sure is that someone in the police will stop at nothing to prevent him from discovering the truth. When those in power are this corrupt, who can he turn to for help? Old friends step up, and new alliances are forged. Lorne and the vicar, Ella Morgan, begin their search for answers by plunging into the evil engulfing their lives.

Driven by the ghosts of his past, Lorne is forced to abandon his new-found peace and follow the trail into a world of occultism, corruption, and greed. Trained for war, he must now fight the darkness of a madman threatening all he holds dear.

What will break first, his mind, or the bodies of his enemies?

Aug 2024 Group Promos!

Free Sci-fi Reads Promo Group Banner

Free Sci-Fi Reads for Summer 2024 Group Promo – Hey, eager space adventurers! 🌌 Get ready for an epic summer of interstellar proportions! Blast off into the unknown with FREE science fiction books that will blow your mind! Explore new authors, dive into captivating space operas, and boldly go where no reader has gone before! 🚀 #ScienceFiction #FreeBooks

I'm From Where Group Promo Banner

I’m From Where? Group Promo – Multi-genre books/stories with characters who don’t know their past! Grab them before they’re gone!

Take The Darker Path Group Promo Banner

Take the Darker Path Group Promo – Take a trip into darkness if you dare! 

Till next time! Wish me luck!

 

Gloria

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