Sunday Snippet: Casting Spells (a Lantern Jack tale)

Geez. I can't believeJanuary is almost over. It's been a month. Hell, it's been a year and we're onlythrough the first month. Heh.

Had a crazy-busywork week and I'm so thrilled! Several new projects are in my calendar and I'mmoving full steam ahead on my new venture. Truly hoping I'll have it ready tolaunch in the next few weeks.

Solid week ofviewing. Didn't quite make it through my full list of shows, but the new workprojects are taking priority and I'm totally okay with that.

Started with MyLife Is Murder. So much fun to see Renee O'Connor acting with Lucy Lawlessagain. A great episode.

Enjoyed another AgathaRaisin episode. Nice to have James back even though I have a feeling hewon't be a permanent fixture. The episode ended on a cliffhanger so I'm lookingforward to picking back up this week.

Watched the firstof a two-part Silent Witness. The tension building in this episode endedup being excellent. I'm a bit disappointed in Nikki's story thread. The studentseriously screamed creepy stalker from the first moment he popped up on screen.I have a very sneaking suspicion he did something and if true, I really want a majorrepercussion. I'm also hoping like hell Jack's family isn't going to be smallerby the end of the next episode.

Caught another episodeof Death in Paradise and had seen bits and pieces of this one. So glad Igot to watch the whole thing. I like getting backstory for the island cast.

Enjoyed an episodeof Elementary. Kind of loved Sherlock sort of being there for Watson atthe end. The dynamic between the two characters is fun to watch. Getting aglimpse of Jane's backstory is also nice. Makes me wonder about the lawyer guythough. I'm not a fan of fast and loose storytelling.

Started season twoof The Batman. I remember being so disappointed they changed the themesong. I do rather like the introduction of Batgirl.

Watched anotherepisode of Classic Rugrats. Loved this the first time it aired andthoroughly enjoyed again. So much fun.

Starting my viewingschedule over again. The Secret Life of Amy Benson, VIP, and BattlestarGalactica will hopefully get a watch this week. I also need to pick back upwith Peak Practice in the near future.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Casting Spells,a Lantern Jack novella.

Here's theminiblurb:

The Lantern Jack is back to right another wrong. CeliaCarmichael is overwhelmed by her new role as coven head and she's determined tolearn all she can about the familiar who chose her, the cat named Haven. NyxNolan is on a mission to discover where the remains of his ancestor, the formerleader of the warden of warlocks is buried. The man disappeared over a centuryago and left a signet ring and a photo for Nyx as the only clue to hiswhereabouts. Celia and Nyx discover their histories are entwined and they havethe power to lay the animosity between the witches and the warlocks to rest.

And a preview snippet…

Nyx Nolan issued a terse demand intohis phone. "Buy the company. They won't get a better offer." He'ddoubled the asking price.

His warden hovered on the brink offinancial collapse. Nyx had a golden touch but the other warlocks weren't asnaturally gifted. The warden's resources had dwindled over the last severalgenerations.

Nyx snorted. "My father hasn'thelped." The man's proclivities were legendary, and his generation spentfaster than they acquired.

Wresting control hadn't been easy,but Nyx had a window of opportunity to prove he had the stones to lead.

"It would be easier if Ididn't meet with opposition on every front." Or some lame mystery tosolve.

He fingered the packet delivered byspecial courier this morning. A quick spell cast revealed layers of protectivemagick with a blood connection. So, a relative would somehow be involved.

But how? "Maybe one of myancestors had a vision?" He couldn't think of anything else to explain themysterious package. "Only one way to find out." He buzzed his admin,Benoit Lethgate. "No disturbances until further notice. That includes myfather." Nyx did not want to deal with his dad's issues today.

Benoit gave his assurance. "Iunderstand, Mr. Nolan. You can be sure if anyone gets past me, I'm either deador dying."

Nyx thanked the admin and signedoff, chuckling at the Mr. Nolan bit. Nolan grew up with Benoit and theirfriendship went back to their childhood. He couldn't imagine a better person tohave his back.

Nolan also took Benoit at his word.The physically imposing man would not let anyone near Nyx until he gave theword. The former linebacker didn't lack physical prowess, not at six-three andone hundred ninety pounds, and he had a strong handle on spellcasting. Averitable army wouldn't get by the beefy man.

Benoit often acted as a bodyguardwhen Nyx traveled, which tended to not be necessary, but the man's presenceoften saved time and hassle. Other fae beings usually thought twice abouttesting Benoit's patience. And that gave Nyx time to do what he needed.

Nyx spent several hours gettingthrough the protective bindings of the package. When the final seal lifted, heopened the box to find a signet ring with an enclosed photo of a manor housealong with a note.

 

Seek information … knowledge willcome.

Find the manor house … clues to thepast.

Take no one else … travel from yourhome.

Reveal the secret … find truth atlast.

 

Answers to the past were a priorityfor Nyx. He needed to know why the fortunes of the warlocks turned terrible. Hadthey been cursed? Hexed? And, if so, why?

He got up and crossed his office,pulling the door open. "Benoit, I'm going to need you to run interferencefor me." And maybe not ask any questions.

Benoit narrowed his eyes, studyingNyx for a long moment, then gave an emphatic nod. "Whatever you need,boss."

The Lantern Jacktales are so much fun to write. I love weaving in Jack's back story with thecurrent issues the main couples face.

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye