Sunday Snippet: Uncommonly Good

I spent the past week wondering where half the year has gone quickly followed by feeling like it's been a decade since January. Anyone else have that experience? It's kind of insane how weird this year has been.

I did get a few shows watched while I worked on several projects. I had a week where I wanted some good background noise and got multiple episodes of Danger Man in. I truly enjoy this classic show.

I also started another episode of Blue Heelers. I'm almost through the second season of the show and I'm enjoying how things get changed up. I also love seeing how rural Australia is portrayed.

Have almost all of Riverdale's "Tangerine" in the watched column. Man, lots of reveals and good stuff in this episode. As much as I loathe and dislike Hiram, I kind of loved how Veronica sticks it to him. That said, I dread her storyline revolving around one-upping her dad all the time … if that's the direction the story goes in. Cheryl's situation with her mummy dearest ended up being a load of fun to watch. Archie's vigilantism biting him on the ass ended up being better than I thought it would be. Also loved Jughead finally getting to the bottom of the whole deal with his grandfather and the mystery books. And Betty … not quite sure how I feel about everything going on with her. I do have a theory about who's doing what to whom and I can't wait to see if I'm right.

Last but not least … I finally watched "Fadeout", the finale of Arrow. I have to say I couldn't have asked for a better end to the series. I'm so sad to see this chapter of the Arrowverse close but I'm also thrilled to have been a part of the experience from the very beginning. I got to watch the characters grow and change and become who and what they're meant to be. I think my favorite thing about this whole season are the callbacks to previous seasons and the cavalcade of familiar faces from the past—seriously, I don't think they missed anyone—and how they made Oliver's send-off worth its weight in green arrows. The fadeout with Oliver and Felicity in Moira's office ended up being pretty much a perfect endcap to the entire series. My glass is raised and my pile of tissues is testament to the emotional journey I took with the cast and crew of one of my very favorite shows ever.

Whew. I'm actually getting a kick in the feels all over again.

And that's a good note to wrap up television for this week. Tonight's post is from Uncommonly Good, a novella that features the coming together of a couple from opposite sides.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Shelby Fewes and Creed Campanalla have a very friendly rivalry vying for top name in their respective dark and light organizations. When Creed is ordered to eliminate Shelby for retaliation, he makes a different call and the duo have an uncommonly good time proving the two sides can live and love together.

And a preview snippet…

Creed Campanalla entered the study of Damon Gray, the light master, leader of the lightsider mages. "You wanted to see me, sir?" His gaze swept the room, taking in some recent changes.

Damon glanced up from a file on his desk. "You're familiar with Shelby Tewes?" The folder made its way over to Creed, along with a chair.

Creed sat, giving in to the expectation he would do so. "I am. We've got something of a friendly rivalry. She's at the top of the ranks on her side; I'm at the top on mine." The quiet part rarely got said aloud … assassins didn't compete openly.

At least lightsider ones didn't.

Damon tapped the packet of information. "She's overstepped and needs to be dealt with." His gaze met Creed's. "I want you to handle it." His tone didn't waver, but a question entered his eyes.

Creed gave an inward sigh. He didn't have to accept the assignment. His connection to the light master gave him some leeway to pick and choose the type of work he did. Taking out a top ranked darksider would put a target on Creed's back.

Creed set the file aside. "Is this an elimination or extraction?" He didn't really have to ask but making Gray verbally confirm would give Creed a kick of legitimacy.

 Damon folded his hands on the desk. "An elimination is warranted. She killed a protected mage and we can't let her get away with doing so." His chin lifted. "Darksiders have no honor. But this isn't a sanctioned accord. That's why I'm asking you to do this. I don't trust anyone else to complete this task."

Creed bit back a scathing retort. He'd gone down this road before. Damon's trust tended to be a double-edged sword. Convenient for the light master to trot out when he needed something done off book but otherwise held at bay when things really counted.

But Creed made a promise to his mother long ago and wouldn't break it now. She finally had the life she deserved … as long as he kept his place at Damon Gray's table.

Creed leaned back and folded his arms over his chest. "What's the plan?" There would already be one or Shelby's file wouldn't have been provided.

The light master's lips curved. "You're going to join the next cage match and make sure she ends up as your opponent." He shuffled the pages in his copy of the file. "You'll take her out when she cheats to win. That way you're within your rights and questions will be minimal." A very pleased look graced his features.

Creed gave a nod and picked up his folder. "I'll put my name on the roster." He started toward the exit.

Damon shook his head. "No need. It's already there."

Creed's step didn't falter but he silently cursed the other man on his way out of the manor house. Creed liked to handle his work without interference from anyone, including the light master. He'd earned the right, dammit.

The trek to his quarters on the grounds of the light master's estate, didn't take long and he'd cooled off by the time he sat down to review every detail in the package of information. He didn't question the need to do something about Shelby Tewes, but he did want to thoroughly research her background. Anything to give him an edge in the cage.

By the time he finished the first two pages, he let out a low whistle. "Man, she's in a crappy situation." Paying off a debt her mom owed had turned her into an assassin for the darksiders. "At the age of fifteen? Geez." Ten years later, she'd become lethally proficient at her job. "And that's why I got called in."

And if he had to be honest, this assignment didn't sit well with him. Shelby did cross a line, but if she'd been ordered to do so, making an example of her solved nothing. To avoid a late-night visit from the light master, Creed needed to be somewhere else to think and ponder how to handle everything … and to train for the upcoming cage match.

Rising, he tucked the folder under his arm and headed for the location he always found sanctuary. With the blink of an eye, he stood inside his loft in the industrial section of the city. The old factory building belonged to him and had become the only place he called home.

I love this story! Creed and Shelby have a lot at stake because family is involved. I like exploring how characters will do what they have to in order to keep people they love safe or to pay a debt of honor.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye