Keeper of Souls
-- EXCERPT: Slowly, I managed to pull myself off the hard ground, and rise to a standing position. I glanced around and noticed that all the souls I had seen earlier were gone. My lips dipped into a frown. That’s weird. “Well, things just got…interesting, didn’t they, Ace?” the guy with dark hair taunted. Ace sighed. “Why are you here, Deagan?” His body was radiating an un-humanly amount of heat, so I took a few steps back, looking for an exit. The animosity between these two had me ready to bolt, but for some reason, I didn’t think Deagan would let me leave that easily. I took another step back. Deagan took a few steps forward. There was something about him that made me want to run for the hills. He was dangerous, and that cocky smirk he had plastered on his lips told me that he knew it too. “Where do you think you’re going, sweet cheeks?” he asked. “Away from you,” I sneered. His brows raised. “We’ve got a feisty one here. I like it.” I clicked my tongue and turned around to bolt in the direction towards the exit. My ear-shattering scream filled the cemetery when Deagan materialized in front of me. I glanced behind me and back to him. “How did you do that?” His sharp gaze was full of amusement. He was getting off on being a jackass. A hand landed on my shoulder, pushing me back as Ace stepped between us. “I suggest you leave. You have no purpose here, Deagan.” His words came out clipped, and somehow, even I felt threatened just being in his presence. My eyes narrowed. “I don’t need you to defend me.” Ace glanced over his shoulder, and his gaze turned to slits. Great, now I was on his shit list too. Why the hell was I still standing here? “Already protecting her, huh?” Deagan pursed his lips, and the temperature outside raised the humidity twenty degrees. Sweat started leaking down my forehead. Ace’s jaw ticked. “Did you forget what happened the last time you interfered?” Ace whipped his head in Deagan’s direction and crossed his arms over his chest. “The real question of the hour is what you’re doing here. We both know whose territory this is.” Deagan’s stocky body stiffened. His obsidian gaze hardened. For a brief moment, I could have sworn I saw flames dancing in the darkness of his eyes. I shook my head, I really needed to get out of here, it seemed that I was on the verge of losing my mind.
GIVEAWAY! Code Red
-- EXCERPT: “Roscoe Hall,” I answered my phone, out of time and patience. It didn’t dawn on me that it was Ryan’s number until after I’d said my name. It was my twentieth call this morning already. “Just confirming ETA for 9:00 am.” I checked my watch. It was 7:30 now and I’d already been up for far too long. It was a big day, and I could take a moment to breathe once we were all together. “Yeah, Ryan. Will be there, thanks.” There was a brief pause. “Is Maddox with you?” “On my way to get him now.” “See you there.” I pocketed my phone and did one last check. Phone, wallet, passport, tickets, keys. I grabbed my carry-on, locked my front door, and wheeled my suitcase down to the waiting car. I hadn’t even greeted the driver when my phone rang again, and it beeped again on my way to collect Maddox. I was organized and efficient, aggressively so. It’s what made me good at my job. Being the personal manager for one of the world’s biggest boy bands was every minute of my life. These boys didn’t accept second best for anything, and neither did I. And I should clarify that while they were classified as a boy band, they were men. They might have started out as boys—they were just kids in high school when they formed their first band. But they were twenty-three now. They’d done the small local gigs, needing their parents’ permission to play in bars and clubs around LA when they were underage. The story of how the band called Atrous made it to the big time was well-known. The five boys came from nothing. A garage band that crossed pop with rock and rap, playing small gigs wherever they could, when a well-known radio DJ saw them and uploaded footage to his social media. Platinum Entertainment, one of America’s biggest entertainment management companies, signed them, and they’d been on the top of the world music stage for the last four years. To the outside world, these guys were the ultimate success story. They had no idea what went on when the lights went out. Saying I was the personal manager of the whole band wasn’t true either. Personal assistant, handler, manager. It was all the same. But it wasn’t just me. I was one of three. Ryan Morten, Amber Seratt, and I were the personal managers of Atrous, as a whole. While the three managers looked after the five band members, I was, however, the unstated personal manager of one of them in particular. Lead vocalist and rapper, main dancer, bad boy, Maddox Kershaw. Ryan and Amber took care of Jeremy, Wes, Luke, and Blake. But Maddox was mine. Well, not mine. But mine. God, how I wished he were mine . . . Over the last four years, Maddox and I’d just gelled. He didn’t trust easily, and for some reason he’d put his trust in me. And the truth was, he needed his own personal manager more than the other four guys. Maddox was the face of Atrous. Unwilling, but the face, nonetheless. He carried the weight of their reputation, their brand. He was the one they hounded, the one they chased, the one they followed, the one that made headlines every other day. He wore black, he had a full sleeve of tattoos, perfect skin, and he had attitude to spare. His motto was to burn down the institutions, to stand tall for those who had to kneel, and to speak for those who had been silenced. He resonated with the youth around the world. He was also incredibly good-looking. When I say good-looking, I mean hot. Sexy, enigmatic, ethereal, even. His heritage had been talked about a million times. So much of his life was public. His grandmother on his mother’s side was Japanese, and his grandparents on his father’s side were Dutch. He was a second generation American, a very talented musician, and he was incredibly smart. He sang like an angel and danced like the devil. And he answered the door looking like a mix of both. His hair was wet from the shower, he smelled warm and clean, he wore black cargo pants, a black T-shirt, and combat boots. It was his standard attire. Seeing him like that made my heart feel far too big for my chest. “Forget your key?” he asked. He even almost smiled. It had been so long since I’d seen him smile . . . Yes, I had a key to his house. But that was for emergencies only. I followed him inside. “You ready? The others are meeting us there.” He grumbled something that sounded like assent. His house was still dark, open and vast, mind-bogglingly expensive, and it felt empty. It was in Beverly Hills, worth a reported twelve million with incredible views of the canyon and the city, but Maddox had the blinds drawn. He plucked a black hoodie off the back of his sofa and pulled it on. I ignored how his T-shirt lifted a little, exposing a sliver of pale skin above his waistband. I’d seen him shirtless a thousand times. Hell, I’d even seen him in his underwear. It was nothing new, but it still managed to warm my blood. I grabbed his two suitcases, wheeling them toward the door. He picked up his black backpack. “Got my passport?” “Yep,” I replied. “We’re all good. Your mom’s got her key and security numbers?” “Yeah,” he said with a shrug. His mother was going to come look after his place while we were gone. We’d be gone for almost seven weeks. Seven long, grueling weeks. “Come on, I have an iced coffee waiting for you in the car.” He pulled up his hood, but I swear there was the beginning of a smile before the shadow stole it. My phone buzzed again, and I pulled it out of my pocket and groaned at the screen. Another message that could wait until we were in the car. I pulled the door shut behind us, made sure it was locked, and wheeled the luggage to the waiting car. I opened the car door for him, I closed the door for him, I loaded the bags into the trunk—it was my job to do these things for him—and finally I got into the back of the car with Maddox. My phone buzzed again, and I thumbed out a quick reply. We’d been driving for about ten minutes when I realized Maddox hadn’t said a word. He’d sipped his coffee but not much else. I looked at him then, really looked at him, and underneath the killer good looks was a tired man. “You sleep okay?” I asked. He scoffed as his answer, then glanced pointedly at my phone. “Did you? Has your phone stopped yet?” I didn’t need to reply because we both knew the answer. He nodded because he knew he was right and proving his point, I replied to some more emails and messages on the drive downtown. Yes, we all lived in LA, and yes, we were staying at a hotel in LA because when the tour began, the band and the whole crew would stay together. Mostly for logistical and security reasons, but also for bonding. We were one unit from day one, regardless of location. As the car pulled into the hotel’s underground parking lot, Maddox’s eyes trained on the people rushing about. “The guys are already here?” he asked. “Yep. Arrived five minutes ago.” His shoulders relaxed a little, and for that I was glad. He and his bandmates were like brothers; they’d been through everything together. He was closer to Jeremy than the others, but the bond between the five of them was clear. I was relieved that he’d be with them again. I was pretty sure he’d spent the last few days by himself, holed up in his house. I’d spoken to him on the phone, even came to see him a few times, but getting ready for a tour was a busy time for me. Before we came to a complete stop, he was quiet and chewed on his bottom lip. I wanted to ask him if he was okay, but there wasn’t time. I doubted he’d even answer that question, or answer it honestly, anyway. “You excited?” I asked instead. “Sellout stadium tour, twenty-three concerts. You ready for that?” He met my gaze and didn’t look away. His smile was as brief as it was beautiful. “Yeah. Of course.” I didn’t believe him, and it was devastating how he could look right at me with those dark, dark eyes and speak so sincerely while he lied. I spent almost every day with him. I knew him. I knew the real Maddox Kershaw, not the Maddox he showed the world. The private one, the quiet one, the intellectual one . . . The miserable one. The Maddox I’d been secretly in love with for years . . . the Maddox I could never have. “Maddox,” I said, but his door opened from the outside, and people were getting luggage from our car and giving directions, and there was no time. The commotion had begun. These seven weeks were going to be brutal. He lowered his head, pulled up his hood to hide his face, and got out of the car.
GIVEAWAY! Imprisoned
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GIVEAWAY!a Rafflecopter giveaway The Truth Keeps Silent
-- EXCERPT: “I’m sorry,” she choked. Alec’s head snapped up. “Why are you sorry?” “Because I got you involved in this. That wasn’t my intention when I called you.” “Stop. You didn’t do anything wrong.” His eyes were alight with emotion, but she didn’t flinch from him. Instead, she found herself unable to look away. “Christ, you’ve nothing to apologize for. You understand you’re the victim here, right?” She nodded. Another tear escaped, creating a path down her cheek. Alec’s eyes softened, and he wiped it away with a lingering stroke of his thumb. Mercedes touched his hand, turning her cheek into his palm. The warmth of his hand soothed and seared her all at once. Closing her eyes, she breathed him in. Please don’t let me go. “You have to leave him.” Alec’s voice was brimming with torment. Mercedes’s eyes snapped open, and she pulled away. Panic welled in her chest. “I can’t.” “Yes, you can.” “He’ll find me. It’s embarrassing how fast he is at tracking me down. He knows everything I do. I mean, he plants listening devices in my hospital room, for God’s sake.” “I can help you.” Alec’s fingers tightened on hers. “We can get you out of here. Give you a safe place to recover. When you’re ready, we’ll get you home. Declan and I already have people ready to go.” Her heart sank. “Dec knows too?” “Aye, he does. You’re pretty much family, you know? A McKinley twice removed, if you will.” His mouth quirked in a smile, and she couldn’t help smiling, which made her wince. “Why would you do this?” His amiable smile faded, and his jaw tightened. A sadness crossed behind his eyes as he looked at their intertwined hands. His thumb swept back and forth against her wrist, sending thrills of electricity through her with each stroke. Alec swallowed. “I can’t leave you here. At least not without giving you a choice.”
GIVEAWAY! #Book Blitz #Distracting the Deputy by Shanna Hatfield #Romance #Western @Xpresso Book Tours22/6/2021
Distracting the Deputy
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: Something about the strong, square jawline seemed oddly familiar. Then he looked over his shoulder, and Zadie’s jaw fell open. The hunky guy in the hero costume wasn’t a stranger after all. “Knox? He’s Captain America?” Zadie whispered, feeling things she’d rather not acknowledge or explain, even to herself. “The one and only,” Jossy said in a sing-song voice, then gave Zadie a nudge forward just as a loud pop signaled the beginning of the parade. Zadie found herself pushed along and glanced up to see Knox looking down at her. He’d somehow finagled his way back through the line to walk beside her. “You are the most gorgeous fairy I’ve ever seen,” he said, giving her an admiring glance. Her cheeks warmed as she tried not to stare at the muscles of his chest, perfectly outlined by the tight T-shirt. “You look …” “Ridiculous,” Knox grumbled. “My friend Wes’ wife suggested this would be a good costume. I already had the pants. The shirt and other stuff were easy to find when I was in Portland. She told me to get the shirt on the snug side.” He sighed and swept a hand in front of his chest. “I look like an idiot.” Idiot was not the first, or even fortieth, word Zadie would have chosen to describe Knox’s appearance. Hunk. Hottie. Captain Cutie all came to mind.
GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win, fill out this form. The prize includes autographed copies of the Summer Creek series, Dilettante peppermint truffle crémes (these are SO good!), a cute notebook, a bottle of You’re the One lotion, a Hopeless Romantic dish towel and potholder set, and a swag bag to carry it all! (Value $100+) One entry per person. Entries must be received by June 30, 2021. Winners will be notified by July 15 and will be given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. The giveaway is subject to the policies found here. The Perfect Murder
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play -- EXCERPT: “I’ve got a few things I need to add to my schedule,” he said. “Derek Stiles called yesterday. Looks like we’re having more problems with the rig.” “You’ll get them sorted.” She flashed him a smile. “You always do.” But there was one thing he was having more and more trouble handling and it was standing right in front of him. He was sitting at his desk two hours later when his intercom buzzed. “It’s Frank Milburn,” Kenzie said. “He has news about the crash.” Milburn was in charge of the NTSB investigation. “Put him through.” Reese pressed the speaker button and settled back in his chair. “I know you’ve been anxious to hear from us,” Frank said, a small man with close-cropped brown hair. “I wish we could have completed the investigation sooner, but these things take time.” “I’m aware. So what have you found out?” “The last of the reports came in. We’d been waiting for some metal structural tests. Combined with the rest of the information we’ve assembled, the reports revealed what we had recently begun to suspect but until today weren’t able to confirm.” “Go on.” “Sometime before the flight took off the morning of the crash, someone tampered with the engine. A piece of metal in one of the gears was filed just enough to cause it to grind itself to pieces. The flight control mechanism disconnected, rendering the helo uncontrollable. To put it in layman’s terms, the helicopter was sabotaged.” Tension tightened Reese’s shoulders. He didn’t ask Milburn if he was sure. The NTSB team had been investigating the crash for weeks. Two men were dead. The authorities had to be extremely thorough. The question now was who had done it? And why? “Have you found out who’s responsible?” Reese asked. “Unfortunately, not yet. As we’ve known from the start and you were informed, pilot error contributed heavily to the event. There should have been room for the chopper to safely auto-rotate down, but the pilot misjudged his position. He came in too close to the building, one of blades clipped the corner, and the helicopter was torn apart.” “So what, exactly, do you know?” “As of today, we know a criminal act was committed that ended up causing the deaths of two men. As of this morning, the FBI will be taking over the investigation. They’ll be actively pursuing whoever is responsible for the crime, now a double murder.” Murder. The news sent a chill down Reese’s spine. He leaned over his desk, shut off the speaker, and picked up the phone. “Whatever you find out, I’ll expect you to keep me in the loop.” “I’ll do my best,” Milburn said. “It’ll be more difficult once the gears of the FBI begin to turn.” He understood how a federal agency worked. Lots of interlocking pieces and parts that inevitably slowed things down. The call ended, but Reese had no intention of leaving the matter in the hands of some governmental bureaucracy, not even the FBI. The feds would have to start over, look at the crash from an entirely different angle. It could take weeks, even months. Two men were dead and he could have been the third. He thought of the accidents that had been plaguing the Poseidon. The helo crash hadn’t been accidental. The chopper was meant to go down. Was it possible he had been the target?
GIVEAWAY! #Blog Tour #Death on the Lake (DCI Satterthwaite 5) by Jo Allen #Police Procedural @rararesources21/6/2021
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Death on the Lake, the fifth book in Jo Allen's DCI Satterthwaithe series of police procedurals. Death on the Lake Three youngsters, out for a good time. Vodka and the wrong sort of Coke. What could possibly go wrong? When a young woman, Summer Raine, is found drowned, apparently accidentally, after an afternoon spent drinking on a boat on Ullswater, DCI Jude Satterthwaite is deeply concerned — more so when his boss refuses to let him investigate the matter any further to avoid compromising a fraud case. But a sinister shadow lingers over the dale and one accidental death is followed by another and then by a violent murder. Jude’s life is complicated enough but the latest series of murders are personal to him as they involve his former partner, Becca Reid, who has family connections in the area. His determination to uncover the killer brings him into direct conflict with his boss — and ultimately places both him and his colleague and girlfriend, Ashleigh O’Halloran, in danger… Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: Death on the Lake is the fifth book in Jo Allen's series of police procedurals set in Cumbria. I started from Book 4 Death at the Rainbow Cottage and quickly became a fan of this author's engaging writing style, interesting characters and clever plots. The books can be read as standalones, although as with any good series of police procedurals, there is a balance of professional and private, the ongoing murder investigation and developments in the life of our recurring characters- the police team led by DCI Jude Satterthwaite. A young woman called Summer Raine is reported missing by her boyfirend who has a history of violence towards his previous partner. DCI Satterthwaite who makes it his business toknoweverything about his area is already on alert. Then his boss asks him to pay extra attention to the case as the woman was seen near a rich man's property. The man in question is in the centre of a large fraud and money laundering investigation, so Jude's is sworn to extra secrecy. The reader already knows that the man's twin sons are involved and their stepmother is also hiding a few secrets of her own, sowe are hooked on the story from the first page. When Summer's body is found, her death appears to be a tragic accident, so why are Jude and his partner Ashleigh feeling something is off? More and more bodies keep piling up and it's clear the case isn't straightforward at all. Add more complications related to Jude's and Ashleigh's past relationships and you get a real rollercoaster of intense emotions, unexpected twists and some extremely dangerous people who won't stop at anything in order to get what they want. Death on the Lake is a real page-turner, it is well-written and easy to read. Jude is a flawed character, but his intelligence and his compassion make him a very likeable one. I would definitely like to continue with the series and find out how the current circumstances in which the members of the police team find themselves are going to play out in future. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random resources and the author for the gifted review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. Author Bio Jo Allen is the author of the successful DCI Satterthwaite series of detective novels set in and around the English Lake District, where she lives. After a career in economic consultancy she took up writing and was first published under the name Jennifer Young in genres of short stories, romance and romantic suspense. In 2017 she took the plunge and began writing the genre she most likes to read – crime. In common with all her favourite characters, she loves football (she's a season ticket holder with her beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers) and cats. Social Media Links Twitter @JoAllenAuthor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoAllenAuthor Instagram @JoAllenAuthor Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Monday! If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of the book, here is the full tour schedule:
In this international bestseller by the award-winning novelist Mariana Leky, a heartwarming story unfolds about a small town, a grandmother whose dreams foretell a coming death, and the young woman forever changed by these losses and her loving, endearingly oddball community On a beautiful spring day, a small village wakes up to an omen: Selma has dreamed of an okapi. Someone is about to die. Luisa, Selma’s ten-year-old granddaughter, looks on as the predictable characters of her small world begin acting strangely. Though they claim not to be superstitious, each of her neighbors newly grapples with buried secrets and deferred decisions that have become urgent in the face of death. Luisa’s mother struggles to decide whether to end her marriage. An old family friend, known only as the optician, tries to find the courage to tell Selma he loves her. Only sad Marlies remains unchanged, still moping around her house and cooking terrible food. But when the prophesied death finally comes, the circumstances fall outside anyone’s expectations. The loss forever changes Luisa and shapes her for years to come, as she encounters life’s great questions alongside her devoted friends, young and old. A story about the absurdity of life and death, a bittersweet portrait of small towns and the wider world that beckons beyond, this charmer of a novel is also a thoughtful meditation on the way loss and love shape not just a person but a community. Mariana Leky’s What You Can See from Here is a moving tale of grief, first love, reluctant love, late love, and finding one’s place in the world, even if that place is right where you started. ( From the blurb) My thoughts:
This was such an unexpected surprise! What You Can See From Here is as tender and beautiful as it is heartwarming and I cannot imagine any reader remaining unmoved. Spellbinding writing style, fascinating, eccentric characters, memorable details, layers of meaning-all of these come together in this wonderful book about love, growing up and embracing one's identity. It's a character-driven book with quite a large cast of quirky personalities and unique voices. The blurb has already introduced you to Luisa, the protagonist, whom we meet at several points of her life, and Selma, her grandmother, whose prophetic dreams send the villagers into a frenzy of worry and anxiety at the beginning ofthe book. There are many more- sad and kind, philosophical and cruel, unsettled and resigned- Mariana Leky weaves a marvellous tapestry of life in her magic, dream-like story. Recommended to anyone who likes magical realism and is looking for an unusual, emotional and thought-provoking read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for A Racing Murder, a new cozy mystery by Frances Evesham. A Racing Murder The next thrilling Ham-Hill Murder Mystery from bestselling cosy crime author Frances Evesham. A winning horse. A fierce rivalry. A sudden death. Belinda Sandford thrills to the cheers of the crowd as her beautiful grey racehorse, ‘Butterfly Charm’, thunders past the finishing post first at Wincanton Racecourse. She feels like the luckiest girl in the world. But joy soon turns to despair as a stewards’ enquiry overturns the result and awards the race to her long-time rival, Alexandra Deacon. When Alex is found dead in suspicious circumstances, a host of accusing eyes turn to Belinda and her distraught mother begs Adam Hennessy, her neighbour, retired police officer and publican, to help clear her daughter’s name. As Adam, and local hotelier Imogen Bishop, dig deep into the murky and powerful undercurrents of the horse racing world, they lay bare the lives and loves of local jockeys, grooms, trainers and owners. They soon uncover a web of secrets hidden within the spectacular Somerset countryside as they strive to find the killer in time to prevent more murders. A brand new cosy mystery series from the bestselling author of A Village Murder, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Betty Rowlands and M.C. Beaton. Purchase Link My thoughts: A Racing murder is the second book in Frances Evesham's new series called the Ham-Hill Murder Mysteries. If you are a fan of her Exham-on-Sea series or just like books set in small English towns, this is a book for you. The protagonists/amateur sleuths in Agatha Christie Miss Marple style are Imogen Bishop, the owner of the Streamside Hotel, and her friend Adam Hennessey, a former police officer, who runs the local pub in the village of Low Hembrow in South Somerset. We join the villagers as they watch a horse race, which is unexpectedly won by a new horse Butterfly Charm. Then, there is a controversy, as the Steward Committee looks into what happened on the last stretch of the race and decides that the winning jockey Belinda Sandford obstructed the progress of the more experienced jockey Alex Deacon who had to pull back. Belinda isn't fined, but Alex, who isn't exactly a likeable character, is given the first place by the Committee. While Belinda is trying to forget what happened, learn from her mistake and move on, Alex is found dead, and, naturally, the police and a lot of other people suspect Belinda, who had a motive. The mystery was really absorbing and it was fascinating to get this glimpse into the worldI had known very little about: stables, trainers, grooms, horse syndicates and, of course, jockey rivalry. I didn't guess the identity of the murderer (actually, it came as a complete surprise, as it was the person you would least suspect of murder), but I really enjoyed Adam and Imogen's investigation. Both sleuths have likeable personalities and complement each other with their different life experiences. Adam's police background and connections also come in handy. Imogen and Adam are helped by Steph, a local journalist, and Daniel, a painter, both of whom are Imogen's old school friends. There is a bit of romance on the horizon, but, first and foremost, this is a cozy mystery. There's a whole range of secondary characters, as you would expect in a small town setting where everyone knows everyone and gossip is a national sport. The village of Low HemBrow has a lovely community and is a great setting for this series. The book is well-written with several unexected twists and a lot of attention to details. I was thoroughly entertained and I would like to continue with the series. Thankyou to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio: Frances Evesham is the bestelling author of the hugely successful Exham-on-Sea murder mysteries set in her home county of Somerset, and the Ham-Hill cosy crime series set in South Somerset. Social Media Links Facebook/ Twitter /Instagram / Newsletter /Bookbub Thank you for reading the post ! Have a great Sunday!
Generation of Vipers
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: My eyes snap open. There’s no disorientation, even though there should be. Between stone walls and wallpaper older than my three decades, the cold air isn’t a surprise. But what does scare me isn’t the new setting or the snoring of my sweet husband but the feeling that something just left. Like I’d been watched and only noticed after it ended. Or—okay, well that’s crazy. Though, I don’t know if I was dreaming or if something external woke me up. Milos’s breath is soft, even if it rumbles in the back of his throat just a little. And I’ve slept next to it for years without jarring awake like this. As another creak sounds, followed by a tiny clunk, I know I’m right. Maléfique has old bones, and they must protest changes in temperature as we take our trips around the sun. Though… The little noises aren’t really enough to have woken me up either. I don’t think so anyway. Still, whatever the reason, I’m up now. Wider awake than I was when we were taking in the newness of our manor earlier. My eyes flick to the clock Milo insists on bringing with us every vacation, and I correct myself. It was now yesterday that we bought this beautiful space, considering it’s three in the morning. And I’m fucking wide awake. I’ll never get back to sleep right now. So I slip out from under the comforter and let my toes touch the chilly wood of the floor. I move slowly, quietly, even though I doubt Milo would wake up for anything less than my screaming. Heaviest sleeper I’ve ever met. Which he proves with a snort as he moves to face the other way, still very much unconscious. And as I move toward the huge window of our new bedroom, I roll my eyes at Milo for the second time in the last twenty-four hours. It happens without forethought, and of course I feel instantly guilty after. That’s when a kinder smile touches my lips just before my fingertips, then my forehead, touch the thick glass, as I lean against the window and look down at the greenery of our property. Well, it’s all shades of gray and black at the moment, with the moon behind the clouds. I can still make out plenty, though. The woods just beyond an overgrown garden, a path starting just between two picturesque weeping willows—the kind that beg for a swing, or a hammock strategically placed for reading. I can see all of it well enough, but when the moon peeks out between two wisps of cover, my eyes scan harder, searching for something. I’m not even sure what. Maybe for what could have woken me up if it wasn’t Maléfique. And I’ve all but given up as the tall grass waves in a darkening breeze when something sparkles and pulls my eyes back to the opening of the track, the archway between hanging branches. Though, not something. No. Someone.
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