Sunday Snippet: Mendacium

Geez, halfway throughthe month already and I feel like I'm stuck in reverse. Not to say I'm notgetting anything done. I am. Most of it is work related, which I'm notcomplaining about. But … I do need to do a better work-life balance. Even mydaily oracle card draw is pointing me in that direction.

I'm still buriedunder multiple projects, and all are making solid progress. I've never had somany nonfiction manuscripts and I'm actually enjoying being able to switch backand forth between the variety of genres there and with my fiction manuscripts.I have a holiday horror story, a romance, and a mystery in fictional work.

Not a bad viewingweek. I made it through my usual round of shows did get to add the new show. I enjoyedit and will add it to my current roster. There's one additional show I'd liketo work in, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to.

Caught anotherepisode of London Kills and, yep, the beginning of the showdown withDavid and Vivienne started. Can't wait to see what happens next. Rob and Billieshould probably brace for impact.

The new show I startedis Dark Winds. So far, really enjoy the premise and the pacing. Theacting is top-notch also. I had a sneaking suspicion the new deputy would endup being more than met the eye. Glad I was right about that.

Watched another episodeof Death in Paradise and enjoyed it. I'd seen most of this one at somepoint on Ovation and I liked having the full episode from beginning to end. I'malso enjoying Darlene a lot. Glad they added her to the team.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Beyond Paradise. It's so much fun watching Martha's mom goingon dates. I'm also interested in how things shake out with the fosteringsituation. Very cool to have some Margo backstory also.

Caught an episodeof Elementary and I'm kind of sad Kitty is headed for parts unknown fornow. I do love that her story had a satisfying resolution. Also so happy we gotto see how she kind of saved Sherlock from himself.

Watched another episodeof Batman Beyond. Inque made another appearance and that was fun. Alsokind of cool to see Bruce back in the field and how much Terry tried to protecthim.

Finished up with anepisode of Classic Rugrats. Enjoyed both vignettes and also discovered Ihave more episodes than I thought I had left. This isn't bad news.

And that's prettymuch it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Mendacium,a novella that works through a betrayal to bring a couple together.

Here's theminiblurb:

Kelby Svet and Reave Systevich work for Mendacium, acovert organization that monitors magical ability among the human population.When powers go out of control or get abused, Kelby and Reave deal with thefallout—until a betrayal puts them on different sides.

And a preview snippet…

Kelby Svet didn't like her oddsright now. "C'mon, fellas. Cut a girl a break." She did a slowcircle, keeping the trio of magick abusers in her sight.The tallest one, Jones something,snorted. "Right. The only break we'll give you is me calling dibs. Myfriends here are the smash and grab type." He ignored their rudecomebacks. "Unlike me, who enjoys taking things nice and slow." Heleered and moved a step closer to her.Kelby grunted. "Not what Iheard. The three of you have been tearing through the neighborhood, wreakinghavoc and leaving a trail a novice could follow." She turned again,slowly, making sure to keep the other two in her peripheral vision. "I'mnot a novice. This is the end of your terror trip." For at least two ofthem.Maybe.The trio lacked finesse, but theycould wield magick. She had serious doubts she'd be able to take all three downwithout any kind of backup. She cursed her handler, Pope Cantas, for sendingher out on this assignment. The man liked putting her ass on the line andtaking chances with her life. Where's the help he promised?The short, squatty guy, Marlin or Morleysomething, sneered. "Whadaya think you can do to stop us? You're one tinywoman against three men." He puffed his chest out and lunged forward.The third guy, name unknown,cackled. "Yeah, like you have any kind of chance." He spread his armsand muttered the beginning of an incantation.Kelby countered with a quicksilencing spell. It wouldn't last long, but it might buy her some time. She hadto make a move, to choose which one to go for first. Her gut said Jones—intellisted him as the one with the most power and experience—but she ran the riskof taking on more than she could handle with him, giving the other two anopportunity to combine forces. Hovering on the brink of disaster, she sighedwith relief when the door crashed open. Her sigh turned to a groan when hergaze clashed with the man who entered.Reave Systevich.Damn Pope for sending him.Then again, Reave's experience probablymade him the best option.He moved into the dimly lit roomwith a barrage of swirling wind, drawing the attention of the three men. Kelbyused the distraction to adjust her position and flank the trio. Her chin liftedand Reave shifted to his left, giving her a brief nod. She had the lead.The unschooled group put theirbacks to each other and made some noise, mumbling under their breaths. Kelbykept her gaze on their hands, leaving Reave to listen and make sure theyweren’t trying to use a combination spell. Tactics shuffled in her brain, andone stood out—the whiplash maneuver. Glancing up, she met Reave’s gaze and usedher eyes to indicate the parlay by doing a fast flick to her right and a slowglide to the left. A quick quirk of one side of Reave’s mouth showed hisagreement.She didn’t have to clue him in onwhich man to target, Jones being the obvious choice. Reave didn’t waste time,giving her a curt nod. They each made a hashing motion with their hands,focusing their intent on the tall man. He whipped backward to the outer wall ofthe building then flew forward, crashing into the other two before slamminginto the opposing side of the interior surface. Silent, mutual agreement hadReave heading for Jones. Kelby made short work of subduing the other two withphysical tethers and a binding spell.Reave dragged Jones to the middleof the space. "Good call with the whiplash." He dumped the tallest ofthe trio on the pile. "He's out cold for now. You got extrarestraints?" His eyebrows arched in question.Kelby dug another pair out."Thanks for the backup. Pope didn't say who he'd be sending." Shehanded the tethers to Reave.He bent to secure Jones's hands."Yeah, well, don't like doing favors for him, but you? I don't mindhelping out." His head snapped upward, and he flashed a grin.Kelby cracked a smile. "Muchappreciated. Pope is definitely an acquired taste." And sometimes even shecould barely stand the bitter flavor her handler dished out.Reave straightened. "He's alsoan asshole on a power trip but thank fuck I don't have to deal with himoften." His head tilted toward the door. "You have transport, or didhe send you in unprepared as usual?"Her face flamed, because shecouldn't deny Pope only gave her sketchy details. "I was within walkingdistance when they pinpointed their location." Why did she feel the needto cover for her handler?Reave snorted. "Right. Let'sget them hauled out to my ride." He grabbed the smaller two by theircollars and pulled them to their feet. "I'll get Jones." Leaningdown, he grabbed the unconscious guy and started tugging him to the door.Kelby directed the other twooutside and into Reave's SUV.He maneuvered Jones into the backof the vehicle and secured the hatch before coming around to her side."Might as well ride in with me. Unless you have to head back out onpatrol?"Kelby only hesitated a moment."I do have to go back out, but I might as well help get this lotprocessed." She popped the passenger door open. "Thanks for thelift." Even if it would be awkward.Reave's lips quirked again."Sure thing." He strode over to the driver's side and slid behind thewheel.Kelby settled in and gazed out thewindow. Now that the dangerous group had been subdued, she let her mind spinout to how circumstances kept putting her in Reave's orbit. In any otherscenario, she'd be thrilled to work with him. Actually, she liked him. A lot.But she never acted on theattraction she had for him. Because we have a history … and it's not thegood kind. So … she avoided getting sexually tangled up with him. Whichsucked balls because adrenaline flowed hot after that takedown and she kind ofwanted him in a bad way.Yet … she'd be stupid to think he'dwant to pursue anything. After all, she'd been responsible for his bestfriend's death. And she really didn't like having red on her ledger.

Kind of a long previewthis week, but I'm so happy with this scene.

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye