Sunday Snippet: Zeitgeist Hall

I can't believeOctober is almost over. We have our fall weather in full swing though and thatmakes me happy. Made two batches of potato soup over the weekend because we hadrain and chilly temperatures. Perfect for this time of year.

Had a busy workweek with one difficult but fun project and another in the final stages. Alsogot a lot of writing completed. I finished up the two manuscripts from lastweek and I'm doing final read throughs before sending off to beta readers. I'mso excited!

Had another lightweek of watching television. I go through phases were I'm either need to focuson other things and can't have background noise or I'm not quite in the mood towatch anything.

I did get another episodeof Only Murders in the Building watched and I'm enjoying season three.It's a little jarring to not have the trio as tight as they have been, but Ilike the different dynamics playing out.

Watched another episodeof The Batman and loved it. I remember this one from my original watchand it's fun when Alfred has to save Bruce's butt to keep his secret safe.

Also caught anotherepisode of Classic Rugrats. Both had good moments with Dil and I'd forgottenhow cute some of the episodes were after he came along.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of VIP and liked having some Nikki backstory. I can't rememberif we get anything for Quick and Kay or not.

Caught adouble-header of Battlestar Galactica with "Exodus" parts oneand two. I can honestly say there's not a wasted moment in the almost two hoursof viewing. These two episodes are premium … even the parts I hate that featureSam and Leoben, my two least favorite characters.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Zeitgeist Hall,a spooky and sexy novella that pits an established couple against a castlecaretaker that's trying to break a curse.

Here's the miniblurb:

Morley Graham and Watson Kinkead are off on a weekendadventure when they have serious car trouble and end up stranded at ZeitgeistHall, a castle looming on the edge of a cliff. The creepy caretaker offersrefuge, but Morley and Graham begin to suspect he's behind their stay when theydiscover a body in the tower.

And a preview snippet…

Morley entered a huge room linedwith floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with books. "I knew this place had tohave a library. Check out the book islands." Her arm swept over one of eightcounter-high rectangles storing more books.

Watson gave a low whistle."These look like original first editions." He gently lifted the edgeof a huge cover. "Holy shit. Look at these maps…" Carefully turningthe pages, his fingers traced over the topography.

Morley pulled a stool closer."Oh … my. I love old maps." She slid one of the other gigantic bookscloser and fell in love with the vivid colors.

Watson strolled around the other islandsand came back with a book on the history of the island. "Yep. First, andmaybe only, edition." He glanced toward the windows, which provided somespace between the bookcases. "What does this make? One hundred andseventeen rooms?"

Morley gave a nod. "I thinkso. I've never seen so many bedrooms, and we still have an entire wing toexplore later." But first, a nice relaxing break would be lovely.

Watson grunted and focused on hisbook.

Morely got lost in the maps. Lushimagery filled the pages and some unfolded to double their size. Footfallssounded on the soft carpet along with the slightly screeching wheel of aserving cart.

The caretaker entered and wheeledover to their location."Lunch is served." His head bobbed.

Removing two domed lids, herevealed hearty fare of salad, aromatic stew, and crusty bread. Two slices of adense, moist cake completed the food portion. A carafe of water and one of hot,probably tea sat in the middle of the serving area. Morley's mouth watered andher stomach growled.

Abner raised up on his toes."I'll return later for the cart. Please enjoy." He stepped back thenturned and left the room.

Watson narrowed his gaze. "Hereally is an odd dude." Closing the book, he pulled two chairs over to themakeshift table.

Morley shook her head. "Howdoes he always know where we are?" The idea unsettled her.

Watson shrugged. "Don't know,but if he's got the tech to keep track of us, there has to be a way to contactthe mainland other than a phone." He tucked into his food and made a humof satisfaction.

Morley agreed but didn't comment.She wanted to ponder the weird little man a bit more before pushing forinformation. So far, his interactions with them had been polite affairs … if alittle creepy.

Once they finished eating, Watsonwent back to his book. The rain continued and another storm blew in withthunder and lightning. Morley got a little bored with the maps and started toexplore the next room.

She frowned. "Hmm. Armamentsand weapons. Reproductions or real?" Not that it mattered but curiositygot the better of her.

She opened one of the big trunksand poked around. An array of medieval-looking weapons filled the space. Onecaught her attention and she grasped the handle, tugging it loose from itsbrethren.

A smear had her shouting forWatson.

He came dashing into the room,skidding to a halt beside her.

She held up the weapon. "Tellme that's not what I think it is." Blood stains on a battle ax.

Watson tsked. "I'm sad toinform you it looks like it is, and it's fresh or appears to be." Hegingerly took the weapon and placed it back in the trunk.

Morley shuddered. "Yeah. Timeto explore someplace else." Closing the lid, she crossed the room andheaded down a new hall they hadn't explored yet.

Watson caught her arm. "Let'scheck this out." He nudged the door open.

Morley's eyes went wide. "Anatrium. So cool." A rounded sofa sat in the middle of the glass-walledroom, surrounded by a wide variety of plants.

Watson led the way, taking a seatin the middle of the couch. "Looks spectacular with the lightning show."He tugged her down beside him.

Morley leaned into him, and they gotcomfortable. The patter of rain hitting the outside of the windows and theflashes of bold, brilliant light made snuggling together a given. And snugglingled to lips meshing and hands wandering. Morley sat up to remove her shirt butgasped instead.

A snake slithered out from betweentwo plants and almost sank its fangs into Watson's wrist. Morley grabbed aspade sitting on the edge of the pot and cut off its head. Watson jumped up,rubbing his arm.

He shuddered. "Definitely nota fan of snakes." He met her gaze. "What the hell is one doinginside?"

Morley rolled a shoulder. "Noclue. Maybe it wanted to get out of the weather." Somehow, she doubtedthat idea. "Doesn't matter. This place has absolutely lost its charm.Let's go." They left the atrium and tracked Abner down in the library.

Watson jerked his head toward thehall. "Killed a snake in the atrium. Weren't sure what to do with it."

Abner's gaze slid toward thelocation. "I'll take care of it. Thank you."

Morley faked a yawn. "Thinkwe'll head up to our room. With this weather, a nap sounds really great rightnow." She grabbed Watson's hand and headed out of the library.

Once inside their suite, Watsongrasped her hips. "Pick up where we left off before the snakeinterruption?" His lips nuzzled her throat.

Morley smiled. "Absolutely."She eased away and lifted the hem of her shirt. "I think we were somewhereclose to here, right?" Yanking the shirt over her head, she tossed it onthe chair.

Watson lifted his chin."MmHmm." He tugged his shirt up and off, dropping it beside hers.

Shoes and pants followed, and theytumbled onto the bed, mouths exploring exposed skin. Watson hauled her over histhighs and cupped her ass, urging her to rise up and sink over his hard length.She obliged, taking him slowly, inch by inch until fully seated.

Watson's hands ghosted along hersides then palmed her breasts. Morley moaned low in her throat then leanedforward to catch his lips with hers.

This is such a funstory! Writing a little bit creepy is a challenge for me and I'm enjoying it somuch.

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye