Sunday Snippet: Mendacium

Geez, halfway through the month already and I feel like I'm stuck in reverse. Not to say I'm not getting anything done. I am. Most of it is work related, which I'm not complaining about. But … I do need to do a better work-life balance. Even my daily oracle card draw is pointing me in that direction.

I'm still buried under multiple projects, and all are making solid progress. I've never had so many nonfiction manuscripts and I'm actually enjoying being able to switch back and forth between the variety of genres there and with my fiction manuscripts. I have a holiday horror story, a romance, and a mystery in fictional work.

Not a bad viewing week. I made it through my usual round of shows did get to add the new show. I enjoyed it and will add it to my current roster. There's one additional show I'd like to work in, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to.

Caught another episode of London Kills and, yep, the beginning of the showdown with David and Vivienne started. Can't wait to see what happens next. Rob and Billie should probably brace for impact.

The new show I started is Dark Winds. So far, really enjoy the premise and the pacing. The acting is top-notch also. I had a sneaking suspicion the new deputy would end up being more than met the eye. Glad I was right about that.

Watched another episode of Death in Paradise and enjoyed it. I'd seen most of this one at some point on Ovation and I liked having the full episode from beginning to end. I'm also enjoying Darlene a lot. Glad they added her to the team.

Enjoyed another episode of Beyond Paradise. It's so much fun watching Martha's mom going on dates. I'm also interested in how things shake out with the fostering situation. Very cool to have some Margo backstory also.

Caught an episode of Elementary and I'm kind of sad Kitty is headed for parts unknown for now. I do love that her story had a satisfying resolution. Also so happy we got to see how she kind of saved Sherlock from himself.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond. Inque made another appearance and that was fun. Also kind of cool to see Bruce back in the field and how much Terry tried to protect him.

Finished up with an episode of Classic Rugrats. Enjoyed both vignettes and also discovered I have more episodes than I thought I had left. This isn't bad news.

And that's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Mendacium, a novella that works through a betrayal to bring a couple together.

Here's the miniblurb:

Kelby Svet and Reave Systevich work for Mendacium, a covert organization that monitors magical ability among the human population. When powers go out of control or get abused, Kelby and Reave deal with the fallout—until a betrayal puts them on different sides.

And a preview snippet…

Kelby Svet didn't like her odds right now. "C'mon, fellas. Cut a girl a break." She did a slow circle, keeping the trio of magick abusers in her sight.

The tallest one, Jones something, snorted. "Right. The only break we'll give you is me calling dibs. My friends here are the smash and grab type." He ignored their rude comebacks. "Unlike me, who enjoys taking things nice and slow." He leered and moved a step closer to her.

Kelby grunted. "Not what I heard. The three of you have been tearing through the neighborhood, wreaking havoc and leaving a trail a novice could follow." She turned again, slowly, making sure to keep the other two in her peripheral vision. "I'm not a novice. This is the end of your terror trip." For at least two of them.

Maybe.

The trio lacked finesse, but they could wield magick. She had serious doubts she'd be able to take all three down without any kind of backup. She cursed her handler, Pope Cantas, for sending her out on this assignment. The man liked putting her ass on the line and taking chances with her life. Where's the help he promised?

The short, squatty guy, Marlin or Morley something, sneered. "Whadaya think you can do to stop us? You're one tiny woman against three men." He puffed his chest out and lunged forward.

The third guy, name unknown, cackled. "Yeah, like you have any kind of chance." He spread his arms and muttered the beginning of an incantation.

Kelby countered with a quick silencing spell. It wouldn't last long, but it might buy her some time. She had to make a move, to choose which one to go for first. Her gut said Jones—intel listed him as the one with the most power and experience—but she ran the risk of taking on more than she could handle with him, giving the other two an opportunity to combine forces. Hovering on the brink of disaster, she sighed with relief when the door crashed open. Her sigh turned to a groan when her gaze clashed with the man who entered.

Reave Systevich.

Damn Pope for sending him.

Then again, Reave's experience probably made him the best option.

He moved into the dimly lit room with a barrage of swirling wind, drawing the attention of the three men. Kelby used the distraction to adjust her position and flank the trio. Her chin lifted and Reave shifted to his left, giving her a brief nod. She had the lead.

The unschooled group put their backs to each other and made some noise, mumbling under their breaths. Kelby kept her gaze on their hands, leaving Reave to listen and make sure they weren’t trying to use a combination spell. Tactics shuffled in her brain, and one stood out—the whiplash maneuver. Glancing up, she met Reave’s gaze and used her eyes to indicate the parlay by doing a fast flick to her right and a slow glide to the left. A quick quirk of one side of Reave’s mouth showed his agreement.

She didn’t have to clue him in on which man to target, Jones being the obvious choice. Reave didn’t waste time, giving her a curt nod. They each made a hashing motion with their hands, focusing their intent on the tall man. He whipped backward to the outer wall of the building then flew forward, crashing into the other two before slamming into the opposing side of the interior surface. Silent, mutual agreement had Reave heading for Jones. Kelby made short work of subduing the other two with physical tethers and a binding spell.

Reave dragged Jones to the middle of the space. "Good call with the whiplash." He dumped the tallest of the trio on the pile. "He's out cold for now. You got extra restraints?" His eyebrows arched in question.

Kelby dug another pair out. "Thanks for the backup. Pope didn't say who he'd be sending." She handed the tethers to Reave.

He bent to secure Jones's hands. "Yeah, well, don't like doing favors for him, but you? I don't mind helping out." His head snapped upward, and he flashed a grin.

Kelby cracked a smile. "Much appreciated. Pope is definitely an acquired taste." And sometimes even she could barely stand the bitter flavor her handler dished out.

Reave straightened. "He's also an asshole on a power trip but thank fuck I don't have to deal with him often." His head tilted toward the door. "You have transport, or did he send you in unprepared as usual?"

Her face flamed, because she couldn't deny Pope only gave her sketchy details. "I was within walking distance when they pinpointed their location." Why did she feel the need to cover for her handler?

Reave snorted. "Right. Let's get them hauled out to my ride." He grabbed the smaller two by their collars and pulled them to their feet. "I'll get Jones." Leaning down, he grabbed the unconscious guy and started tugging him to the door.

Kelby directed the other two outside and into Reave's SUV.

He maneuvered Jones into the back of the vehicle and secured the hatch before coming around to her side. "Might as well ride in with me. Unless you have to head back out on patrol?"

Kelby only hesitated a moment. "I do have to go back out, but I might as well help get this lot processed." She popped the passenger door open. "Thanks for the lift." Even if it would be awkward.

Reave's lips quirked again. "Sure thing." He strode over to the driver's side and slid behind the wheel.

Kelby settled in and gazed out the window. Now that the dangerous group had been subdued, she let her mind spin out to how circumstances kept putting her in Reave's orbit. In any other scenario, she'd be thrilled to work with him. Actually, she liked him. A lot.

But she never acted on the attraction she had for him. Because we have a history … and it's not the good kind. So … she avoided getting sexually tangled up with him. Which sucked balls because adrenaline flowed hot after that takedown and she kind of wanted him in a bad way.

Yet … she'd be stupid to think he'd want to pursue anything. After all, she'd been responsible for his best friend's death. And she really didn't like having red on her ledger.

Kind of a long preview this week, but I'm so happy with this scene.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye