Sunday Snippet: Mirror of the Mist

This is going to be a super busy week. The best part is my daughter is graduating from grad school on Friday. I'm so excited for her. And very proud of her accomplishments!

Our weather did the warm up then plummet back down thing this week. Gorgeous, though. Everything is turning green and blooming. I love those first signs of new growth.

Got a lot finished up with work projects. I think I'm getting closer to having a work-life balance again. I hope so because I have a busy May and June coming up and need to get some things done around my house.

Pretty decent week of viewing. I ended up keeping Dark Winds on the back burner because one of my faves dropped new episodes.

I finished up the run of London Kills. I'm quite happy with where things ended up on the chance there won't be any new episodes. I will say I'm not keen on the other DI so I'm hoping that's not going to be a thing if there is more to this series.

Brokenwood Mysteries is back! Watched the premiere episode and it didn't disappoint. Kind of twisty and turny and a little bit bonkers, which is perfect. Also rather nice to see Mike's house again. It's been missing the last few seasons.

Enjoyed an episode of Death in Paradise. I'd seen most of this one and liked it. I'm interested in how things with Selwyn's daughter will end up playing out.

Caught another episode of Beyond Paradise. I'm almost finished with the second season and hope the third will be available soon. Really liked the episode. I loved the interactions with Esther and Zoe. And really loved watching Anne deal with the letdown of finding out her new man is married.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond. I have vague memories of this one but don't remember enough to know if Blight will end up making a return. My money is on yes.

Finished out the week with an episode of Classic Rugrats and, again, both were new to me. Actually loved the crawl space one. And, weirdly, I really enjoy Taffy.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Mirror of the Mist, a novella that puts a spin on the Snow White fairytale.

Here's the miniblurb:

An urban riff on Snow White, Cecelia Dumond, a black arts priestess, tasks Dys Hunter to assassinate her counterpart, a mystic oracle named Lyric Song. Dys goes undercover in a fight club to gain access to the powerful beauty. Little does he know, she's the one to lead him home, back to his rightful place as heir to his father's empire.

And a preview snippet…

"Did you accomplish your goal?"

Dys gazed longingly into the mirror he communicated through. "I'm in. I'll sign the contract tomorrow." Which would get him one step closer to the end game.

Her lips curved in a sensual smile. "Excellent. What were your impressions of Lyric Song?" She reclined on her chaise, bending her knee and propping her foot on the end of the seat.

Dys thought a moment before answering. "She's savvy and very much in control." He didn't mention her beauty or the almost instant zing he got when he first laid eyes on her.

Which … bothered him. His loyalty to Cecelia notwithstanding, he'd never been drawn to another woman. Bedded others, yes. Usually at Cecelia's behest. And the reward for doing so never failed to be worth those sanctioned indiscretions.

Cecelia arched her brows. "She rules the roost then? Our intel is accurate on that front?" She shifted her position, draping an arm over the side of the chaise.

Dys nodded. "She makes the decisions. In fact, I have to live on sight for the duration of my first contract." Based on what his guides showed him his quarters would be a step up from the studio apartment Cecelia put him up in.

Cecelia lunged forward. "You what? This information wasn't in the dossier I procured." Her lips pulled into a frown. "A nasty surprise that will make communicating difficult." An angry huff escaped her lips.

Dys arched his brows. "I could use the leverage we have about their side projects. She might back down and allow me to live away from the facility." He'd used that knowledge to get in, but he'd pull the trump again if his mistress required him to do so.

Cecelia waved a hand. "No. For now, follow all instructions you're given. I want you to get close with the two men you called goons. They're inner circle. That's where you need to be." Her irritation eased and she settled back into a sexy pose.

Dys frowned. "Should I attempt seduction? To help gain access to the secret aspects of their other sidelines?" Wouldn't be a hardship if his mistress ordered him to get close with Lyric.

Cecelia's lips curved. "If you're not bedding her within two weeks, something's wrong. No woman should be able to resist your charm … or that prime physique."

Dys basked under the praise … but he also held back his misgivings, something he normally didn't do with Cecelia. Lyric wouldn't be strung along by her libido. She'd made that pretty clear. But … he almost welcomed the challenge of convincing her otherwise.

Cecelia snapped her fingers. "Dys, you have nothing to worry about. She'll fall for you. And you'll be handsomely rewarded when you complete this mission. Never fear." Her legs fell open and she trailed a finger along her stomach.

Dys lifted his chin. "Yes, mistress. I await that moment." He'd succeed and make her happy.

She gave him one of her special smiles. "I will too, my dear one. And I'll find a way to contact you for updates. Until then … remain my loyal subject." She waggled her fingers, and the mirror went back to normal.

Dys shook his head. He missed Cecelia … but didn't have the constant, burning ache for her he normally did when he had to leave her realm. Instead, anticipation filled him for his next interaction with Lyric … he couldn't wait to sign the contract and start his journey with Thune Ultimate Fighting Factory.

I'm having fun with this one. There will be many twists and turns in story for Dys.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye