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Blackheath
In the great Free City of Yewnyr, the Blackheath Refuge is home to the victims of the most powerful magic in the Elder Kingdoms — those wounded in body and mind by dark mana, ancient curses, and the hunger of the undead.
When an invisible killer is unleashed within the refuge, the brash investigator Elathien Solo must contend with indifferent authorities, a spurned lover, and a young patient’s terrible secret as she searches for the truth.
And even as a dark conspiracy of murder and madness unfolds around her, Elathien is forced to cope with the still-raw scars of the time she herself spent as a patient within Blackheath’s walls…
FOR MATURE READERS
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EXCERPT
Elathien was forced to take a step back as Nerani turned on her suddenly. A dark strength had worked its way through the girl, giving her the tone and disposition of a different person. The thought set Elathien on edge as she called up the cantrip of detection, the incantation barely a whisper.
“She knew all their names,” Nerani hissed, pushing closer. “She knew what they did, what they needed, how they lied. She wouldn’t have told, but their fear blinded them. Made them not believe her. So I felt how long it took her to fall. How her legs broke, her spine shattered when she struck the ground. I felt her bleed to death in the dark…”
There was no magic in her. No sign of the possession or enchantment that Elathien would have sworn she was seeing, no sign of Nerani’s thoughts or actions controlled by some outside force. With a sharp cry of pain, the girl pushed past her, stumbling toward the laboratory door.
Which was open now, Elathien saw.
The white light from the corridor beyond pushed up against the pale glow of Elathien’s spell-light, shimmering along a boundary like oil and water settling slowly against each other.
The door had been closed when Nerani stepped away from it. A thousand things could have explained it opening, from the most minor incantation to a loose latch and a breath of air from the corridor beyond. Elathien felt a chill twist through her all the same, rising from the base of her spine as Nerani turned to her.
“They killed Irandis,” the girl said. “You wanted to know.”
“What?” Elathien’s voice caught as she spoke. “I wanted to know what?”
“You wanted to know why I came here. To Blackheath.”
Nerani’s steps were steady as she made her way down the corridor, bare feet silent on the stone floor…
When an invisible killer is unleashed within the refuge, the brash investigator Elathien Solo must contend with indifferent authorities, a spurned lover, and a young patient’s terrible secret as she searches for the truth.
And even as a dark conspiracy of murder and madness unfolds around her, Elathien is forced to cope with the still-raw scars of the time she herself spent as a patient within Blackheath’s walls…
FOR MATURE READERS
--------------------------------
EXCERPT
Elathien was forced to take a step back as Nerani turned on her suddenly. A dark strength had worked its way through the girl, giving her the tone and disposition of a different person. The thought set Elathien on edge as she called up the cantrip of detection, the incantation barely a whisper.
“She knew all their names,” Nerani hissed, pushing closer. “She knew what they did, what they needed, how they lied. She wouldn’t have told, but their fear blinded them. Made them not believe her. So I felt how long it took her to fall. How her legs broke, her spine shattered when she struck the ground. I felt her bleed to death in the dark…”
There was no magic in her. No sign of the possession or enchantment that Elathien would have sworn she was seeing, no sign of Nerani’s thoughts or actions controlled by some outside force. With a sharp cry of pain, the girl pushed past her, stumbling toward the laboratory door.
Which was open now, Elathien saw.
The white light from the corridor beyond pushed up against the pale glow of Elathien’s spell-light, shimmering along a boundary like oil and water settling slowly against each other.
The door had been closed when Nerani stepped away from it. A thousand things could have explained it opening, from the most minor incantation to a loose latch and a breath of air from the corridor beyond. Elathien felt a chill twist through her all the same, rising from the base of her spine as Nerani turned to her.
“They killed Irandis,” the girl said. “You wanted to know.”
“What?” Elathien’s voice caught as she spoke. “I wanted to know what?”
“You wanted to know why I came here. To Blackheath.”
Nerani’s steps were steady as she made her way down the corridor, bare feet silent on the stone floor…
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2012
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 20, 2012
One of the very best of the "indie" books I've read and every word as good as anything to come from the major publishers in a long time. GET THIS!
February 25, 2019
A fascinating dark fantasy mystery, a private detective story in a fantasy world - Elathien Solo, lots of attitude and a chip on her shoulder. Magic - just a everyday part of life - death, murder and suicide interwoven with the mystery of Elathien's past. A fascinating and magical read - just my cup of tea!!!
April 30, 2023
Kept me reading.
I agree with reviewer who said Dirantas the dog, whom I loved, is the best character. I didn't like the immaturity of the main character; and I did not like any of the other characters. Although the book kept me reading it was slow in spots. There were a few questions unanswered at the end. However, I will not be reading the other books in the series. Nor would I recommend this book to friends. Two stars for no grammar & spelling issues; for not being 1st person; and for holding my interest long enough to finish reading it.
I agree with reviewer who said Dirantas the dog, whom I loved, is the best character. I didn't like the immaturity of the main character; and I did not like any of the other characters. Although the book kept me reading it was slow in spots. There were a few questions unanswered at the end. However, I will not be reading the other books in the series. Nor would I recommend this book to friends. Two stars for no grammar & spelling issues; for not being 1st person; and for holding my interest long enough to finish reading it.
June 25, 2013
Review on my blog, will repost here soon.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews