He led him out into the bioluminescent stairwell. Once through, Nathan closed the door behind them. No need to make pursuit easy. “Hurry!” Nathan said, “I’ll be right behind you.”
“Where does this go?”
Nathan hobbled after Archer. Each step up more painful than the last. Fueled by rage, Nathan ignored the aching in his sides. “Top of the castle keep. We can make the ramparts from there. Go!”
Nathan watched Archer sprint up the stairs. In seconds, he could no longer see him in the gloom but continued to hear his footfalls. Nathan concentrated on moving faster. His breathing grew labored. He reached out for support, and his hand slipped on the humid stone wall sending him crashing forward onto the steps.
He ground his teeth together, swore under his breath, and resumed the climb. Light filtered down through the oculus above. The sight invigorated Nathan into climbing the final steps. Archer left the door at the top open, and Nathan hobbled out into daylight.
Archer stood on the balcony. Nathan hurried over to him, and together they watched a sleek black helicopter rise through the smoke. Nathan drew his Glock to take aim, but Archer laid a hand on his arm and pushed down. “They’re out of range. Save your ammunition, you’re going to need it.”
Nathan shook loose and squeezed off two pot shots anyway. “Son of a bitch.”
Archer slung his bow across his back. “Looks like you’re stranded here, with the rest of us remnants.”
Nathan watched the chopper grow smaller in the distance. He thought about what he had to go back for. I’m a fugitive from a murder charge. I’m no longer a cop. My only friend is out three million bucks because of me. Before long, if he hasn’t already, Semple will be hunting me. Did the bastard just do me a favor by leaving me behind?
Archer said, “It’s not safe here. We need to move.”
Nathan turned from the fading dot on the horizon. He growled. “It’s not safe for them. Holt will regret ever cutting me loose. Crowley reminded me I owned the streets of Union City, and his kingdom is nothing compared to mine.” Nathan sneered. “I’ve survived far worse than these freaks. And when I do, I’m coming for them all.”
72
“Enter.” Tiberius Holt stood in front of a picture window. On the other side of the three inch thick glass, a vast farm of ectogenesis pods stretched out as far as the eye could see. He watched technicians mill around the machines. The muted green light casting an otherworldly glow to the whole scene.
Holt turned to greet Drachen. “The Baetylus Stone?”
Drachen answered, “It’s secure in the vault.”
Holt beamed. He walked away from the window and lifted a bottle of 1959 Dom Perignon from the crystal ice bucket next to his desk. “A cause for celebration.” He popped the cork. The bottle’s contents frothed over the glass. Still smiling, Holt asked, “And what of echo protocol?”
Drachen lowered his chin. “King is dead. But after the plane crash, I had to adjust the plan.”
Holt’s smile faltered. Arching a quizzical eyebrow, he said, “Miller is alive?”
Drachen explained, “I was short of help—I needed his abilities to reach San Duhamel. Another opportunity never presented itself. I could hardly kill him with Moss around.”
“No,” Holt said, “I suppose not.”
“Don’t worry, he won’t be coming back,” Drachen said, “I figure he killed King. He won’t be a problem.”
Holt gave him a pitying look. He handed him a glass flute. They clinked them together and Holt said, “You don’t know Nathan Miller like I do. When he realizes what he’s been a party to, and he will realize, he’ll be back.” Holt gazed out over the pods. “We’ll just need to be ready.”
Thank you for taking the time to read this novel. I hope you enjoyed it. Please consider leaving a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Reader feedback in the form of reviews is the lifeblood of independent authors like myself. I look forward to reading what you thought of Singularity.
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Acknowledgements
Writing a novel is never a solitary pursuit. It requires the care and dedication of many to produce what you hold in your hands. So, with that in mind, allow me to acknowledge the efforts of those who contributed to this work.
First and foremost, many thanks to Catherine Milos, editor extraordinaire. Singularity would not be the book it is today without her insight and expertise. I look forward to many more collaborations in the future.
Huge thanks to Warren Design for sharing in my vision and designing amazing covers for both the digital and print versions of this book. A big thank you to Guido Henkel for stepping in and formatting the digital version of this book’s interior. I think you’ll agree, it looks amazing.
My heartfelt gratitude to Alexa Whitewolf—a tremendous author in her own right—for her continued enthusiasm for this project and countless reads of the early drafts. You helped make this book what it is!
Special thanks to Joanna Elm, another fantastic author. Your critiques never fail to improve my craft and I am thrilled to call you a friend.
To Tara Woods Turner, thank you for helping get this story going with your insights and suggestions. They were most appreciated. To Rafael, blurb wizard, thanks for helping me see the light.
Thanks to my fellow authors on Goodreads, and around the world. Graeme, Marie, Anna, Carole, Mehreen, Tim, Denise, and anyone else I may have forgotten. Your guidance and support are always cherished.
Last, but certainly not least, I can’t thank my incredible wife Emily enough for supporting me through this journey. Everything I do is for you and our amazing son, Connor and I could never have done this without you! Love you forever.
Table of Contents
Act One 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Act Two 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Act Three 51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
Acknowledgements
Singularity Page 30
