Sunday Snippet: Numb

Whew. Ended up being a long week between work, home, and other projects. The biggest and best one is helping my daughter edit her final paper for her master's degree. I'm so proud of her!

I made a small dent in the great cleanout project. Didn't get a lot accomplished but made a bit of progress, which I'll take.

Finished up two work projects and continued on with two more. I have another two in flux and two new ones coming sometime this week. Excited to stay busy!

Pretty good week for viewing. I got through my full round of shows and finished up one from last week. I'm still working on one of the others.

Started with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and it was one of my favorite episodes. I love a good masquerade or costume party.

Caught another episode of Madame Blanc Mysteries and enjoyed Gloria and Nick working together. Hope to see more of that in future episodes.

Enjoyed an episode of Death in Paradise. The run-up to Neville leaving is turning out to be a lot of fun. And always good to see Dwayne back. Looking forward to the next episode.

Finished up the two-part Poirot and loved how the resolution came together. I like it when the infallible Poirot gets off on the wrong track for a bit.

Watched another episode of Elementary and quite enjoyed the mystery. Also enjoyed Joan handling her detractor and Sherlock acting as the support system afterward.

Enjoyed an episode of Batman Beyond. I remembered this one from my original watch. A lot of fun.

Caught an episode of Lower Decks and, again, ended up being equally charmed and annoyed. I think that's my standard for this show.

Finished up the Reacher episode from last week and wow. Gotta say I didn't see the ending coming, which is always a good thing. Hoping I can get a full episode in this week.

Almost finished an episode of Peak Practice. Things are getting very messy in the relationship departments for everyone, and Sam, whew, what a huge pile he's getting ready to step into.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Numb, a novella where a couple has to face a huge challenge without losing sight of each other.

Here's the miniblurb:

Cyan Fitch and Theron Dibney have a great relationship—hot sex, rock solid friendship, and mutual respect. When a mostly lethal virus tears through their community, the couple works side by side to help as many as possible, but it takes a toll. They can't quite get comfortably numb while they face the devastating losses and neither is willing to bend for fear they'll break.

And a preview snippet…

Cyan Fitch stood with a shoulder braced on the door jamb to her mother's lab. "Hey, Mom. You've been here for three days. You might want to take a break." Not that she would because their fae brethren were dropping like stars in the sky.

Ciara arched her brows then pointed to a book. "Get that, will you. And no, I'm not taking a break. I've got to figure this out." She grabbed two tomes and set them beside the one Cyan retrieved.

Cyan took a seat on the stool at the worktable. "No luck yet, I take it?" Her mom had the distracted look she always got when answers were just out of reach.

Ciara shook her head. "Not yet. I have a thread to pull and might be able to trace the origin of this damn virus."

A mostly lethal strain. One that didn't act like a normal virus that could be treated with spells or concoctions. The ratio of the dead to the survivors had widened each of the past six weeks.

Ciara paused after opening all three books. "I could use your help getting the afflicted to various hostels in a centralized location so they can maybe be treated and cured." Her lips thinned to a flat line. "Or die with dignity." She shook her head and turned to find another resource.

Cyan couldn't say no … not when her mom rarely asked for help. "I can do that. I'll start with Werther's and when that's filled, I'll move on to Shasta House." The two hostels had the most beds, and both owners were amiable and owed Ciara more than a few favors.

Ciara nodded. "Plan on finding at least two more." She bookmarked a section and moved to one of the other books. "Work with Theron. You shouldn't try to go it alone on this."

The suggestion didn't sting like it once might have. Cyan learned a while ago that being a solo act didn't always get things done, and she worked well with Theron Dibney.

Even when they often got caught up in pushing boundaries and crossing lines between work and personal lives.

Cyan lifted her chin. "All right. What do you plan to do?" If she needed Cyan to gather everyone together, Ciara had a reason.

Her mom gave Cyan a grim smile. "Consult the dark arts because nothing else has worked."

Theron entered at that moment. "You'll have a fight on your hands. The council will deal harshly with you if they find out." He nodded to Cyan and sat on the stool next to hers.

No doubt her mom sent for him. Probably before Cyan even agreed to work with him.

Ciara grunted. "They can do whatever they deem necessary … after I figure out how to stop this." She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. "What I'm going to say goes no further." She met and held Theron's gaze then Cyan's.

Both silently agreed to her stipulation.

Ciara lowered her voice. "I'm solidly convinced the council is at the root of everything. I'm just not sure how yet."

Theron jerked his head back. "You think they unleashed the virus?" His tone incredulous, he stiffened.

Ciara gave a quick head shake. "Probably not … but I do think the responsibility will land at their feet." She flipped through several pages and frowned.

Cyan narrowed her eyes. "That means revenge, retaliation, or remonstration." Which had seriously nasty undertones.

Theron lifted one shoulder. "Not like they haven't made enemies … especially in the last decade." His stance relaxed with some relief.

Ciara turned and pulled down two more books. "They've had a chokehold on the population and aren't keen to change the status quo." She sent a hard look over her shoulder. "And resentment is strong out there."

Cyan slid off the stool. "So is stagnation. I can't wrap my head around someone or a group of someones having the power to unleash something on this level." Then again, change often came in the most unexpected ways.

Theron got to his feet. "What's the plan for us?" He shifted his gaze between Cyan and Ciara.

Cyan motioned for him to follow her. "I'll brief you on the way…"

So far, this story is going the way I hoped with a few small surprises. Can't wait to finish it up and see how it ends.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye