The Secret Humankind
Urban Fantasy Thriller (2023)
She keeps her head down and cleans up messes. When the body count starts rising, will trying to make a living get her rubbed out?
Julia Xero is stuck in survival mode. After losing the only person she loved, the introverted orphan longs to escape her toxic employment for the zen of crime and trauma scene decontamination. But when she lands her dream job and is called to a bloody rooftop with a decapitated corpse, she’s horrified to come face to face with an otherworldly shark-toothed assassin.
Furious to learn she’s been enlisted by a clandestine race of beings against her will, Julia’s dismay fountains when she finds out they implanted her with a neck bomb to ensure her lips stay tightly sealed. Fit to be tied, and her thunderous confrontation with her boss hitting a deadend, the stubborn young woman begins plotting ways to leave the energy-powered entities in her dust.
Can she outwit an ancient civilization before her carotid goes boom?
The Discoveries of Julia Xero – Book 1
Excerpt:
As if anything could be that easy. My raging headache egged me on. "So, I can quit, move away, do whatever I want as long as I keep your secret?"
For the first time, Anghelescu broke eye contact. "My superiors will view rash actions as potential danger signs." She shifted in her seat. "While I do my best to protect all those under my purview, there is also only so much I can do."
Everything became crystal clear in a flash. "So basically, I'm your prisoner, your slave. I either do what I'm told, or I'm dead."
Anghelescu met my fuming gaze head-on. "Yes."
As if anything could be that easy. My raging headache egged me on. "So, I can quit, move away, do whatever I want as long as I keep your secret?"
For the first time, Anghelescu broke eye contact. "My superiors will view rash actions as potential danger signs." She shifted in her seat. "While I do my best to protect all those under my purview, there is also only so much I can do."
Everything became crystal clear in a flash. "So basically, I'm your prisoner, your slave. I either do what I'm told, or I'm dead."
Anghelescu met my fuming gaze head-on. "Yes."
Sample Chapters
The JOY of Murder - A Daiyu Wu Mystery
Cozy Historical Mystery (2022)
A socialite accused of murder, planted evidence, and mysterious enemies challenge blind detective Daiyu Wu in her new sleuthing adventure.
When a highly respected member of the ‘Little Mexico’ community is killed in 1930 Dallas, all the evidence points towards Grace Pierce, wife of a local businessman and a former member of the Ku Klux Klan. Grace’s son Truman turns to Daiyu Wu and her unique detective skills for help, but Dai quickly discovers that nothing about this case is what it seems.
With her companion Jacques and canine bodyguard Prince Razor, Dai must navigate a family in turmoil, racial tensions, and shady business deals to find the actual killer before Truman’s mother is sentenced to death.
A Daiyu Wu Mystery – Book 2
Excerpt:
The color rushed out of Mrs. Pierce's face. I dashed around to her side of the table in case she fainted, to keep her from sliding to the floor or accidentally hitting her head. My presence seemed to bolster her strength, and she managed to keep herself upright.
I hovered, wanting to be sure she wouldn't relapse. "Ma'am, are you all right?"
"How you must be enjoying yourselves," Mrs. Pierce said with some rancor. "To see me reduced to such a state." She sat ramrod straight and struggled to straighten her dress. I could almost feel her reaching deep inside to wrap herself in some of the same entitled and cold certainty she'd displayed for us on our first meeting, like armor.
The color rushed out of Mrs. Pierce's face. I dashed around to her side of the table in case she fainted, to keep her from sliding to the floor or accidentally hitting her head. My presence seemed to bolster her strength, and she managed to keep herself upright.
I hovered, wanting to be sure she wouldn't relapse. "Ma'am, are you all right?"
"How you must be enjoying yourselves," Mrs. Pierce said with some rancor. "To see me reduced to such a state." She sat ramrod straight and struggled to straighten her dress. I could almost feel her reaching deep inside to wrap herself in some of the same entitled and cold certainty she'd displayed for us on our first meeting, like armor.
Sample Chapters
Black Jade - A Daiyu Wu Mystery
Cozy Historical Mystery (2021)
Could an old-fashioned ballgown be used to commit murder?
Daiyu Wu is aware that fear of the Yellow Terror has made her nationality a rare breed in the Lone Star State. Being Chinese and blind makes her doubly unique in 1930 Dallas. Despite these impediments, anyone who dismisses her for either fact does so at their peril.
One day, at her family-owned laundry business, Dai detects the scent of burned garlic. With the help of her companion, Jacques, the source is soon discovered. It is a green ballgown. The gown has money pinned inside it to pay for the cleaning, but oddly, it came with no address label to identify its owner. Her extensive knowledge leads Dai to believe someone has committed murder using arsenic. The perpetrator is trying to use White Laundry to hide the evidence. But no mention of foul play turns up in the newspapers, and there’s not enough proof to convince the police there’s been a crime.
Her curiosity and intellect stimulated like never before; Dai ignores the possible consequences and sets out to solve the mystery with the help of her canine companion, Prince Razor, and her confidant, Jacques Haskins. It’s either that or let the killer get away with it — assuming a spoiled popinjay, his jealous self-appointed girlfriend, and Dai’s overprotective parents don’t get in her way.
A Daiyu Wu Mystery – Book 1
Excerpt:
"I'm very sorry, but you can't bring that in here."
Dai held Prince higher, and he raised his front paws to show he was all about obeying the rules. "I assure you, Prince is a well-behaved canine."
The manager ignored Dai completely and continued to look and talk only to me. "Sir, I wasn't talking about the dog." Heat rushed up my neck and into my face as the meaning of his words crystalized in my brain.
"We can make arrangements, sir, if we must. But not here, not in public. We have a reputation to maintain and the sensibilities of our guests to consider. If you depart then come round the back, I will see what can be done."
Dai was blind, not deaf! How dare he say such things in front of her? Who was he to make such judgments? My hands curled into fists, my rage building by the second. His expectant and solicitous expression only made it burn hotter. I would show this cur what I thought of his misguided opinions!
"Jacques, don't." Dai grabbed my sleeve. "It's all right."
It wasn't all right. It was far from all right. I shook where I stood. It would be worth a night in jail to show this bastard some proper manners.
"I'm very sorry, but you can't bring that in here."
Dai held Prince higher, and he raised his front paws to show he was all about obeying the rules. "I assure you, Prince is a well-behaved canine."
The manager ignored Dai completely and continued to look and talk only to me. "Sir, I wasn't talking about the dog." Heat rushed up my neck and into my face as the meaning of his words crystalized in my brain.
"We can make arrangements, sir, if we must. But not here, not in public. We have a reputation to maintain and the sensibilities of our guests to consider. If you depart then come round the back, I will see what can be done."
Dai was blind, not deaf! How dare he say such things in front of her? Who was he to make such judgments? My hands curled into fists, my rage building by the second. His expectant and solicitous expression only made it burn hotter. I would show this cur what I thought of his misguided opinions!
"Jacques, don't." Dai grabbed my sleeve. "It's all right."
It wasn't all right. It was far from all right. I shook where I stood. It would be worth a night in jail to show this bastard some proper manners.
Sample Chapters
Alien Redemption
Science Fiction (2020)
What if the savior was the one who needed saving?
All Claudia wanted to do was escape the mistakes of the past and start over. But when she answers an ad for a medical officer on a merchant ship in the Fringes, the captain recognizes her and blackmails her into taking the job.
The Holiday’s Captain Bennet is amoral and has a short fuse. Claudia steers clear of him as much as possible while trying to care for the crew he lashes out on. Then the rumors start that their latest mission is to a location Bennet won’t even share with the pilot.
The secret coordinates take the ship and crew to an uncharted system in the Fringes. To a planet that holds intelligent life, and despite the odds, also a humanoid one.
Bennet plans to use these aliens to climb up the power ladder at the borders of the Dominion. Even if it means placing the Avians into brutal servitude for the rest of their lives.
Can Claudia stop the impending exploitation of this newly discovered sentient species all on her own? Or is there a worse fate than blackmail waiting for her if she tries?
Excerpt:
"Another accident, I presume?"
"Another accident, I presume?"
A flash of something crossed Stevens’ eyes. Whether it was good or bad, Claudia couldn’t tell. Instead of answering the question, the first mate placed the unconscious woman she was carrying onto the scanner bed. Her patient had a large lump on the side of the head, and her nose looked broken.
Claudia had just activated the bed and was checking the unconscious woman’s vitals when Stevens broke the silence.
“The captain doesn’t tolerate failure or disobedience well.” Cold fury flared inside Claudia, her suspicions of abuse
by the one who commanded them confirmed. She was amazed her hands didn’t shake as she programmed the scanner. Now there was a medic onboard, was Bennet showing less restraint than usual? It would make her being here a boon and a bane to everyone on board. If the captain took things too far one too many times, might the crew decide the downside was worse than the benefits and turn on her?
Claudia shook her head. “You still work for him.” It wasn’t quite an accusation.
Stevens came up close. Claudia held her ground and didn’t step away.
“We all have our reasons for being here. Whether we like it or not.”
Sample Chapters
Jewel of the Gods
Fantasy (2015)
Long Live the King! But will he?
Weird things happen really fast.
When fate sends Red and his crewmates to the coveted port of Syrras, it is an opportunity he plans to take full advantage of. Unfortunately, his search for a little adventure hands him a lot more than he ever bargained for.
Changed by unknown magics into something other than himself, he’s told a terrible secret. One he must now help protect, even as he is tasked to find those responsible. Failure will cost him his body, his way of life, everything that makes him who he is.
Sample Chapters
Excerpt:
HIS MOOD SOURING, RED SURVEYED THE NEW ROOM.
Like the one he’d woken up in, it was mostly bare. A small hole an arm’s length up the left wall spewed a trickle of water, which collected in a deep rectangular basin carved into the floor then drained out through a slightly smaller hole at the bottom. A bowl beside the basin held a comb, a bar smelling of flowers, and a square piece of cloth.
Ignoring the bowl and its contents, he pulled off the blanket and squatted next to the water. He dipped his small hands into the cool liquid, just wanting to get this over with, and liberally flicked some of it onto his new body.
“It would seem you do not quite understand the concept of bathing.”
Red glanced back over his shoulder, wondering at her semi-amused tone. “What are you implying?”
The magister glided forward and scrunched down beside him. “That in order to bathe, you must first actually get into the bath.”
Before he could react, the woman shoved him over into the cut basin.
HIS MOOD SOURING, RED SURVEYED THE NEW ROOM.
Like the one he’d woken up in, it was mostly bare. A small hole an arm’s length up the left wall spewed a trickle of water, which collected in a deep rectangular basin carved into the floor then drained out through a slightly smaller hole at the bottom. A bowl beside the basin held a comb, a bar smelling of flowers, and a square piece of cloth.
Ignoring the bowl and its contents, he pulled off the blanket and squatted next to the water. He dipped his small hands into the cool liquid, just wanting to get this over with, and liberally flicked some of it onto his new body.
“It would seem you do not quite understand the concept of bathing.”
Red glanced back over his shoulder, wondering at her semi-amused tone. “What are you implying?”
The magister glided forward and scrunched down beside him. “That in order to bathe, you must first actually get into the bath.”
Before he could react, the woman shoved him over into the cut basin.
Sample Chapters
Inner Demons
(2014/2019 Urban Fantasy)
It took everything from her, except revenge!
Not only is she not where she's supposed to be, but she has three months of missing time. Yet in those months, she's seemingly ruined her best friend's wedding, blackmailed her boss, turned her back on her family and heritage, and worse. Now she's determined to find out how this happened, why, and then making those responsible pay!
Excerpt:
"Now, I'm going to show you something." He reached inside one of the many pockets of his vest.
I felt a drop of sweat roll down the back of my neck.
A moment later, he brought out a thin vial filled with what looked like green-yellow mucus. "What is..." I bit my tongue to stop the question, not sure I truly wanted to know just yet.
White took the stopper from the end of the vial and held it out toward me.
The longer I stared at it, the wider my eyes got. There was something queerly familiar about the off greenish-yellow color. I quivered inside though I had no idea why. My fingers dug into the fabric of my jeans.
Jensen held the vial directly between us, a neutral look on his face. "Take it. Smell what's inside. Then we'll see what we shall see."
The muscles in my right arm jerked from tension as I tried to make it move and it resisted. A shrill scream inside my head insisted I didn't want to do this. That if I did, there'd be no way to take it back. "I...I'm afraid."
That I would admit such a thing to total stranger shocked me, but made it no less true.
"Unfortunately, you should be." He jerked forward, putting the vial directly beneath my nose.
"Now, I'm going to show you something." He reached inside one of the many pockets of his vest.
I felt a drop of sweat roll down the back of my neck.
A moment later, he brought out a thin vial filled with what looked like green-yellow mucus. "What is..." I bit my tongue to stop the question, not sure I truly wanted to know just yet.
White took the stopper from the end of the vial and held it out toward me.
The longer I stared at it, the wider my eyes got. There was something queerly familiar about the off greenish-yellow color. I quivered inside though I had no idea why. My fingers dug into the fabric of my jeans.
Jensen held the vial directly between us, a neutral look on his face. "Take it. Smell what's inside. Then we'll see what we shall see."
The muscles in my right arm jerked from tension as I tried to make it move and it resisted. A shrill scream inside my head insisted I didn't want to do this. That if I did, there'd be no way to take it back. "I...I'm afraid."
That I would admit such a thing to total stranger shocked me, but made it no less true.
"Unfortunately, you should be." He jerked forward, putting the vial directly beneath my nose.
Sample Chapters
Purchase Options
ISBN : 978-1733951135 Trade Paperback
From:
The Price of Mercy
(2011) Young Adult - Fantasy
Which is worse...the monster within or without?
Wooing a new patron at the emperor's ball had been Jarrin Lestrave's only hope after being discarded by the baroness. He finds the perfect subject, but in the end doesn't follow through on his plans. Yet the next day he finds he's been marked a traitor to the realm-for defiling the emperor's daughter. Something which he did not do.
The Twelve, the emperor's secret guard, are sent after him. And when they catch him, they do not kill him. A worse fate has been set aside for him. He is to lose his humanity and become enslaved to the empire for eternity.
Then he meets his accuser-Princess Yolandra. As he battles with his rising hatred and the invisible chains thrust upon him, he begins to see that all is not as it seems-his fate tied to the possible return of the madness which once before decimated the world around them.
Excerpt:
It was her.
And he'd thought he would never lay eyes on her again. Fool. She was supposedly the Emperor's daughter, was she not? Why wouldn't she be found at the Imperial Palace? Yet the idea never crossed his mind. He supposed he'd thought her station too lofty for her ever to be seen by a mere messenger. But this was her home, her family lived here, why would she be locked away?
Home-family-the two things he would never have, the two things forever denied him...because of her.
Anger welled inside him, the heat of it suffusing him to the core, gurgling with seething emotions the total opposite of the coolness splashing down from the fountain nearby. Before he realized what he was doing, Jarrin stepped inside the gazebo.
It was her.
And he'd thought he would never lay eyes on her again. Fool. She was supposedly the Emperor's daughter, was she not? Why wouldn't she be found at the Imperial Palace? Yet the idea never crossed his mind. He supposed he'd thought her station too lofty for her ever to be seen by a mere messenger. But this was her home, her family lived here, why would she be locked away?
Home-family-the two things he would never have, the two things forever denied him...because of her.
Anger welled inside him, the heat of it suffusing him to the core, gurgling with seething emotions the total opposite of the coolness splashing down from the fountain nearby. Before he realized what he was doing, Jarrin stepped inside the gazebo.
Cross-eyed Dragon Troubles
(2007/2019) Young Adult - Fantasy - "Harry Potter meets Dragon Riders of Pern"
Talia didn't want to be apprenticed, not even to the prestigious Dragon Knight's Guild.
She is taken to the school by a cross-eyed dragon and his partner, Kel. A dizzying, madcap ride which leaves her less than eager to be a knight, but soon she finds out the guild has need of many types of people. Running into the dragon and squire again and again, she comes to realize the unlikely pair are outsiders in their own school-participants of the dragon-human pairing ritual, which in the end didn't work quite as intended. They are stubborn loners who are determined to overcome the obstacles in their path and make a true pair. Or are they?
As Talia's first year at the guild evolves, she must deal with the quirks of the Administrator, her lessons, the odd rules of the school, the students, the mystery of Clarence and Kel, and somewhere in there, possibly decide what it is she wants for her own future.
Excerpt:
By the time Talia reached the trees, Kel was removing his helmet and critically studying the dragon's predicament. Clarence's neck was twisted up and over his back; the dragon watched Talia as she came close.
"Are you both all right?" she asked them.
Kel glanced back in surprise, but quickly looked away, his cheeks flushed. "I'm fine. I'm just a little winded."
I'm in good health as well, except for this bit of trouble of course. Clarence sent an annoyed glance at the trees pining him where he'd fallen.
"He's stuck?" She was already pretty sure of the answer.
Kel sighed. "Afraid so."
"Do you need any help?" she asked. "Just tell me what you want me to do. If you prefer, I'm sure I can round up at least a few people to come over and give you a hand."
Kel slowly shook his head. "It's all right. Thanks anyway." His voice lowered to where she almost couldn't hear it. "This is all part of my punishment."
She frowned, not understanding what he meant. "Punishment?"
Kel cocked his head in Clarence's direction. In a flash, she understood. None of this was an accident-Clarence had landed there deliberately, hoping to make Kel pay for all he went through in the past month. She shook her head, not wanting to believe this, but what the dragon said next took any doubts right out of her head.
Yes, thank you for your offer, but Kel will be able to deal with this on his own.
She blinked several times as she mentally stumbled for something to say. "I see."
ISBN: 978-1733951104
From:
Willing Sacrifice
(2008) Young Adult - Fantasy
To save the world she must die! Or must she?
For as long as she can remember, La'tiera has known her purpose, her destiny. As the Bearer of the Eye, she will wait until the appointed time then sacrifice herself to the demons so the lands will be safe.
Yet as the time approaches, she is snatched from her home by strangers and is told it is for her protection. These strangers tell her she is not to be a sacrifice, but must fight to live in order for the world to be saved.
La'tiera will not be swayed, however, her duty clear. Despite their clever lies, she will follow through on her destiny and do what is required. Her every effort will be put to freeing herself from her kidnappers and meeting her fate as planned.
Excerpt:
La'tiera was left alone with the two men who'd kidnapped her. She rose to her feet, feeling tense, and stood near the wall. So she was quite startled when Rostocha dropped to one knee before her and bowed. Dal followed suit.
"Bearer, please allow me introduce myself.I am Rostocha of the fifth tier of Watchers, son of Lalu and Nathan."He lifted his head, his eyes seeking her surprised ones."I earnestly apologize for our methods, but they were necessary.We needed to make sure we could take you safely from your prison and could privately explain ourselves to you."
He appeared earnest, but La'tiera didn't believe him. "I don't care to hear your explanations.I only want you to take me back where I belong."She tried to make her expression hard, though in truth she quivered inside.
Rostocha looked away. "I'm sorry, but that is not possible. Our world is in peril and you are the key to our salvation.It is our duty to educate you, to keep you safe, until the time comes.Then after the danger is past, if you still wish to return, we will do as you ask."
"What lies!" La'tiera felt a flash of anger bring heat to her face."If you honestly wanted the world to be saved, you wouldn't be making these promises to me."
"La'tiera, what are you talking about?" Dal asked her.
She pierced him with a hard stare. "I could hardly choose to go back home once I was dead, could I?"
This brought Dal to his feet. "Dead? Why would you be dead?"
"Because it is required!"
Rostocha followed suit, a look of comprehension dawning on his face."You believe you have to be a sacrifice."
Dal spun to stare first at him then at her."What? That's insane!"
His utter shock at the fact confused her.
"You were expecting to die? You were going to allow yourself to be killed?"
She possessed no idea what to make of the horrified expression on his face. "Of course.I will do what is necessary, what I was chosen to do."
"The Eye is not a mark of Death!"
La'tiera was left alone with the two men who'd kidnapped her. She rose to her feet, feeling tense, and stood near the wall. So she was quite startled when Rostocha dropped to one knee before her and bowed. Dal followed suit.
"Bearer, please allow me introduce myself.I am Rostocha of the fifth tier of Watchers, son of Lalu and Nathan."He lifted his head, his eyes seeking her surprised ones."I earnestly apologize for our methods, but they were necessary.We needed to make sure we could take you safely from your prison and could privately explain ourselves to you."
He appeared earnest, but La'tiera didn't believe him. "I don't care to hear your explanations.I only want you to take me back where I belong."She tried to make her expression hard, though in truth she quivered inside.
Rostocha looked away. "I'm sorry, but that is not possible. Our world is in peril and you are the key to our salvation.It is our duty to educate you, to keep you safe, until the time comes.Then after the danger is past, if you still wish to return, we will do as you ask."
"What lies!" La'tiera felt a flash of anger bring heat to her face."If you honestly wanted the world to be saved, you wouldn't be making these promises to me."
"La'tiera, what are you talking about?" Dal asked her.
She pierced him with a hard stare. "I could hardly choose to go back home once I was dead, could I?"
This brought Dal to his feet. "Dead? Why would you be dead?"
"Because it is required!"
Rostocha followed suit, a look of comprehension dawning on his face."You believe you have to be a sacrifice."
Dal spun to stare first at him then at her."What? That's insane!"
His utter shock at the fact confused her.
"You were expecting to die? You were going to allow yourself to be killed?"
She possessed no idea what to make of the horrified expression on his face. "Of course.I will do what is necessary, what I was chosen to do."
"The Eye is not a mark of Death!"
In the Service of Samurai
(2002/2011) Adult/YA - Japanese Fantasy Adventure - "The Last Samurai meets Pirates of the Caribbean"
The choice: Serve the undead or become one of them.
Toshi never expected the strange visitor who one evening stepped foot inside his master's shop. A samurai smelling of the sea, dripping on the ground, algae strung from his armor. For the first time in his life, he discovers that monsters do roam the earth. And this one has been specifically looking for him.
Dragged from his home and all he has ever known, Toshi must now use his acquired skills in foreign maps to help the creatures who have taken him. Yet at every turn there are problems. There are even those seeking to terminate his very life, not wanting his new master to succeed in his assigned task. And when they do find it, Toshi discovers his new master's enemies have prepared for their eventual arrival, leaving him the only one capable of recovering what has been lost. Can he do what even the undead cannot? Or will he fail and be forced to wander the world as one of them?
Excerpt:
His prison's blank, glowing walls glared silently at him as he entered. Seasickness washed over him. A dead certainty came over him then, and although the unearthly cold of the ship mercilessly flowed into him, he didn't run for his blanket when he was released. Instead, he turned around to face the departing samurai.
"Asaka-sama, please. I beg you!" He sank to his knees, his hands palm-down against the floor and his eyes closed in supplication. "Release me. Take me home. I can be of no use to you. Please, I don't belong here!" His voice caught in his throat. "Please, Lord, I beg you!"
"Worm."
Toshi pressed his forehead against the floor's glowing planks, shooting cold stabbing it as was already happening with his knees and hands. He shut his eyes tighter with a prayer, his heart quickening as he heard the sound most dreaded by his people everywhere. His acrid breath hung still in his raw throat as the soft click of a katana being slightly drawn from its sheath reverberated in the silence. He waited for the end.
"I will ignore your statement this once. I expect it never to be repeated." Asaka’s voice was cold.
He heard the katana click back into place.
"The only release you will find if you do is from your flesh," the samurai told him. "I will have you, one way or another. If I must kill you and then trap your spirit from rising to its next plane, then so be it. It would mean nothing to me to have you join the ship's crew permanently and find myself one who has the courage to endure what you do not."
Asaka left, slamming the door behind him.
Horror and shame poured through Toshi, although he couldn't explain the reason for the latter. Tears ran freely from his closed eyes to fall on the glowing floor as his mind's eye cruelly provided him with a picture of himself as a fleshless, moving corpse.
His prison's blank, glowing walls glared silently at him as he entered. Seasickness washed over him. A dead certainty came over him then, and although the unearthly cold of the ship mercilessly flowed into him, he didn't run for his blanket when he was released. Instead, he turned around to face the departing samurai.
"Asaka-sama, please. I beg you!" He sank to his knees, his hands palm-down against the floor and his eyes closed in supplication. "Release me. Take me home. I can be of no use to you. Please, I don't belong here!" His voice caught in his throat. "Please, Lord, I beg you!"
"Worm."
Toshi pressed his forehead against the floor's glowing planks, shooting cold stabbing it as was already happening with his knees and hands. He shut his eyes tighter with a prayer, his heart quickening as he heard the sound most dreaded by his people everywhere. His acrid breath hung still in his raw throat as the soft click of a katana being slightly drawn from its sheath reverberated in the silence. He waited for the end.
"I will ignore your statement this once. I expect it never to be repeated." Asaka’s voice was cold.
He heard the katana click back into place.
"The only release you will find if you do is from your flesh," the samurai told him. "I will have you, one way or another. If I must kill you and then trap your spirit from rising to its next plane, then so be it. It would mean nothing to me to have you join the ship's crew permanently and find myself one who has the courage to endure what you do not."
Asaka left, slamming the door behind him.
Horror and shame poured through Toshi, although he couldn't explain the reason for the latter. Tears ran freely from his closed eyes to fall on the glowing floor as his mind's eye cruelly provided him with a picture of himself as a fleshless, moving corpse.
Vassal of El
(2004) Adult/YA - Fantasy Mystery
Torn between two worlds, will he be able to save either of them?
Torren wanted nothing more than to forget his past and endure the life it had forced upon him. One small, begrudging act of kindness, however, embarks him on a path which will bring him face to face with everything he has so heartily attempted to avoid.
In so doing, events which seemed to have no bearing on his old life now appear to be tangled with it and his present.
Caught between the world of his birth and the one he currently lives in, will Torren be able to set aside his hate and guilt long enough to keep both from utter destruction?
Excerpt:
"So, look who we have here."
Torren turned to the side, recognizing Elon's voice. "What do you want?"
The young flyer gave him an unpleasant smile. "We're doing our duty to our God, as we should. Though I very much doubt it is what you're doing."
Torren glanced upward toward the nearest spire looking for the guard but found the spot empty.
One of the four laughed. "Tyo, I think he's looking for you."
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the one directly behind him was wearing armor and was armed. He cursed quietly to himself. He had the knife in his boot, but it would be hard to reach it in such close quarters. "I ask you again, what is it you want?"
"I've already told you," Elon said, smiling widely, "we're here to do El's work." The smile died. "You may think you've fooled everyone, but you're wrong. Some of those old fools may be willing to believe anything just to allay their fears, but there are those of us who'd rather reveal the truth instead."
Torren stiffened. "And what truth might that be?"
"Why, the truth about you, of course. We're here to reveal you for the impostor you are." As Elon spoke, all four Chosen took a step closer to him. "Take that off."
Elon pointed to his vest.
Slowly moving as if to comply, Torren got ready to attack. As soon as he slipped one arm from the vest, he lunged right and elbowed the Flyer there in the ribs, knocking him back. He got a kick in on Elon before a blow from behind sent him to his knees. Before he could make his vision stop spinning and struggle back to his feet, all four Flyers closed in on him and wrestled him to the hard ground.
The stone walkway bit into Torren's cheek as he struggled to free himself. "Let go of me!"
His pulse thundered at his temples, anger and frustration growing inside him. Laughing, Elon made sure the others had him firmly pinned before reaching into his drape to withdraw a small knife.
"Now we'll reveal you for the liar you are."
"So, look who we have here."
Torren turned to the side, recognizing Elon's voice. "What do you want?"
The young flyer gave him an unpleasant smile. "We're doing our duty to our God, as we should. Though I very much doubt it is what you're doing."
Torren glanced upward toward the nearest spire looking for the guard but found the spot empty.
One of the four laughed. "Tyo, I think he's looking for you."
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the one directly behind him was wearing armor and was armed. He cursed quietly to himself. He had the knife in his boot, but it would be hard to reach it in such close quarters. "I ask you again, what is it you want?"
"I've already told you," Elon said, smiling widely, "we're here to do El's work." The smile died. "You may think you've fooled everyone, but you're wrong. Some of those old fools may be willing to believe anything just to allay their fears, but there are those of us who'd rather reveal the truth instead."
Torren stiffened. "And what truth might that be?"
"Why, the truth about you, of course. We're here to reveal you for the impostor you are." As Elon spoke, all four Chosen took a step closer to him. "Take that off."
Elon pointed to his vest.
Slowly moving as if to comply, Torren got ready to attack. As soon as he slipped one arm from the vest, he lunged right and elbowed the Flyer there in the ribs, knocking him back. He got a kick in on Elon before a blow from behind sent him to his knees. Before he could make his vision stop spinning and struggle back to his feet, all four Flyers closed in on him and wrestled him to the hard ground.
The stone walkway bit into Torren's cheek as he struggled to free himself. "Let go of me!"
His pulse thundered at his temples, anger and frustration growing inside him. Laughing, Elon made sure the others had him firmly pinned before reaching into his drape to withdraw a small knife.
"Now we'll reveal you for the liar you are."
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