Sunday Snippet: Numb

Whew. Ended upbeing a long week between work, home, and other projects. The biggest and bestone is helping my daughter edit her final paper for her master's degree. I'm soproud of her!

I made a small dentin the great cleanout project. Didn't get a lot accomplished but made a bit ofprogress, which I'll take.

Finished up two workprojects and continued on with two more. I have another two in flux and two newones coming sometime this week. Excited to stay busy!

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

Started with MissFisher's Murder Mysteries and it was one of my favorite episodes. I love agood masquerade or costume party.

Caught anotherepisode of Madame Blanc Mysteries and enjoyed Gloria and Nick workingtogether. Hope to see more of that in future episodes.

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

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

Watched another episodeof Elementary and quite enjoyed the mystery. Also enjoyed Joan handlingher detractor and Sherlock acting as the support system afterward.

Enjoyed an episodeof Batman Beyond. I remembered this one from my original watch. A lot offun.

Caught an episodeof Lower Decks and, again, ended up being equally charmed and annoyed. Ithink that's my standard for this show.

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

Almost finished anepisode of Peak Practice. Things are getting very messy in therelationship departments for everyone, and Sam, whew, what a huge pile he'sgetting ready to step into.

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

Here's theminiblurb:

Cyan Fitch and Theron Dibney have a greatrelationship—hot sex, rock solid friendship, and mutual respect. When a mostlylethal virus tears through their community, the couple works side by side tohelp as many as possible, but it takes a toll. They can't quite get comfortablynumb while they face the devastating losses and neither is willing to bend forfear they'll break.

And a preview snippet…

Cyan Fitch stood with a shoulderbraced on the door jamb to her mother's lab. "Hey, Mom. You've been herefor three days. You might want to take a break." Not that she wouldbecause their fae brethren were dropping like stars in the sky.Ciara arched her brows then pointedto a book. "Get that, will you. And no, I'm not taking a break. I've gotto figure this out." She grabbed two tomes and set them beside the oneCyan retrieved.Cyan took a seat on the stool atthe worktable. "No luck yet, I take it?" Her mom had the distractedlook she always got when answers were just out of reach.Ciara shook her head. "Notyet. I have a thread to pull and might be able to trace the origin of this damnvirus."A mostly lethal strain. One thatdidn't act like a normal virus that could be treated with spells orconcoctions. The ratio of the dead to the survivors had widened each of thepast six weeks. Ciara paused after opening allthree books. "I could use your help getting the afflicted to varioushostels 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 herhead and turned to find another resource.Cyan couldn't say no … not when hermom rarely asked for help. "I can do that. I'll start with Werther's andwhen that's filled, I'll move on to Shasta House." The two hostels had themost beds, and both owners were amiable and owed Ciara more than a few favors.Ciara nodded. "Plan on findingat least two more." She bookmarked a section and moved to one of the otherbooks. "Work with Theron. You shouldn't try to go it alone on this."The suggestion didn't sting like itonce might have. Cyan learned a while ago that being a solo act didn't alwaysget things done, and she worked well with Theron Dibney.Even when they often got caught upin pushing boundaries and crossing lines between work and personal lives.Cyan lifted her chin. "Allright. What do you plan to do?" If she needed Cyan to gather everyonetogether, 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 youif 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 dowhatever they deem necessary … after I figure out how to stop this." Shepaused for a moment, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. "What I'mgoing to say goes no further." She met and held Theron's gaze then Cyan's.Both silently agreed to herstipulation.Ciara lowered her voice. "I'msolidly convinced the council is at the root of everything. I'm just not surehow 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 theirfeet." She flipped through several pages and frowned.Cyan narrowed her eyes. "Thatmeans revenge, retaliation, or remonstration." Which had seriously nastyundertones.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 twomore books. "They've had a chokehold on the population and aren't keen tochange the status quo." She sent a hard look over her shoulder. "And resentmentis strong out there."Cyan slid off the stool. "Sois stagnation. I can't wrap my head around someone or a group of someones havingthe power to unleash something on this level." Then again, change oftencame in the most unexpected ways.Theron got to his feet. "What'sthe plan for us?" He shifted his gaze between Cyan and Ciara.Cyan motioned for him to followher. "I'll brief you on the way…"

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

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye