“None taken. Does it come with matching earrings?”
“We need to go.” Monty grabbed her hands gently as she adjusted the brooch. “I’ll be fine.”
“That’s what worries me.” Roxanne squeezed his hands and looked at me. “You keep him safe.”
I nodded. “He has me and my trusty, bottomless hellhound. We’ll keep the destruction to a minimum, promise.”
Roxanne crouched down and rubbed Peaches’ head. “Simon, if his enemies find out he can’t cast—”
“I know. I’ll keep him safe.”
“I’m perfectly capable of keeping myself safe, thank you.”
Monty headed out of the room and to the elevators at the end of the corridor. I was about to follow, when Roxanne grabbed my arm.
“He is an obdurate, insufferable mage.”
“You forgot slightly insane, tea-addicted and short-tempered. Also prone to massive acts of destruction, should I go on?”
She shook her head with a sad smile. “Bring him back to me, Simon. He holds my heart.”
I grew serious and looked down at Peaches. “We’ll keep him safe.”
I heard the elevator chime and Monty gave me a look, which meant ‘wrap it up or I’m leaving you’ as he entered the car.
I half-jogged down the corridor and got in the car. Peaches bounded in next to me and I heard a creaking sound as he got in.
He did have a point.
Monty pressed the ground-floor button and looked down the hall at Roxanne as the doors closed.
“You know she cares for you, right?” I said as they closed.
“Yes. I do.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s just too complicated and too dangerous.”
“I get it.” I nodded. “What did Yat say?”
“Not much, he was being deliberately cryptic on the phone.”
“This is Yat we’re taking about. He’s always cryptic. I think they record him for fortune cookie messages.”
“You should share that with him, I think he’d enjoy that.”
“No, thanks,” I said. “Not in the mood to get thwacked today. Pass.”
We arrived at the ground floor and the elevator slid open with another soft chime. I saw Yat standing in the lobby of Haven, looking out the window. He turned to us when he heard the chime of the elevator arriving and gave us a short nod.
I looked over at the thin older man and involuntarily winced when I saw him holding a staff. I didn’t know how old Yat was, but he never appeared to age.
His slight build hid his immense strength and unbelievable speed. The last time I’d seen Yat, he wore his hair long. Now it was cropped short—a glowing white crown reflecting the sunlight coming in from the windows in the lobby. His eyes were still the same: deep, dark, and unreadable.
We got off the elevator. I was looking across the lobby when I felt the shift in energy. Yat must have sensed it too, because his expression darkened as he leaped over the furniture and headed our way. I pressed the main bead on my mala bracelet, pulling up my shield.
I turned fast and pushed Monty back into the elevator.
“What are you doing?” Monty asked, stumbling back.
I grabbed Peaches by the collar and pulled him behind my shield as I backed up. The energy shift increased and I felt the sensation of ants crawling on my arms.
“Yat has friends,” I said, holding up the shield. “The angry kind.”
Yat dived over a set of chairs and rolled into a crouch next to me. “Prepare,” he said under his breath.
“Simon, don’t be ridicu—” Monty started when an immense orb of black energy crashed through the windows and exploded in the lobby.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’m finally beginning to understand that each book, each creative expression usually has a large group of people behind it. This story is no different. So let me take a moment to acknowledge my (very large) group:
To Dolly: my wife and biggest fan. You make all of this possible and keep me grounded, especially when I get into my writing to the exclusion of everything else. Thank you, I love you.
To my Tribe: You are the reason I have stories to tell. You cannot possibly fathom how much and how deep I love you all.
To Lee: Because you were the first audience I ever had. I love you sis.
To the Logsdon family: JL your support always demands I bring my A-game and produce the best story I can. I always hear: “Don’t rush!” in your voice.
L.L. (the Uber Jeditor) your notes and comments turned this story from good to great. I accept the challenge!
Your patience knows no bounds. Thank you both.
Arigatogozaimasu
The Montague & Strong Case Files Group AKA- The MoB(The Mages of BadAssery)
When I wrote T&B there were fifty-five members in The MoB. As of this release there are 600 members in the MoB. I am honored to be able to call you my MoB Family. Thank you for being part of this group and M&S. You each make it possible.
THANK YOU.
WTA-The Incorrigibles
JL,BenZ, EricQK, S.S., and the Mac
They sound like a bunch of badass misfits because they are. My exposure to the slightly deranged and extremely deviant brain trust that you are made this book possible. I humbly thank you and…it’s all your fault.
The English Advisory
Aaron, Penny, Carrie
For all things English..thank you.
DEATH WISH COFFEE
Kane & Sierra- Thank you!
Is there any other coffee on the face of the earth that can compare? I think not.
To Deranged Doctor Design
Kim. Darja, Milo
You define professionalism and creativity. Thank you for the great service and amazing covers.
YOU GUYS RULE!
To you the reader:
Thank you for jumping down the rabbit hole with me. I truly hope you enjoy this story. You are the reason I wrote it.
ART SHREDDERS
No book is the work of just one person. I am fortunate enough to have an excellent team of readers and shr
edders who give of their time and keen eyes to provide notes, insight, and corrections. They help make this book go from good to great. Each and every one of you helped make this book fantastic.
THANK YOU
Alex S. Amanda H. Amy R. Andrew W. Audra V. M. Barbara H. Bennah P. Beverly C. Brandy D. Brenda Nix L. Caroline L. Carrie Anne O. Cassandra H. Charlotte C. Chris B. Chris C II. Chris H. Claudia L-S. Corrine L. Daniel P. Darren M. David M. Davina N. Dawn McQ. M. Denise K. Donald T. Donna Y. Elizabeth M. Gina G-M. Greg L. C. Hal B. Helen D. Helen V. Jan G. Janice K. Jen C. Jim S. Jolene P. Joscelyn S. Kandice S. Karen H Karen H. Karla H. Kevin M. Kimbra S. Kisten B.W. Klaire T. Larry Diaz T. Laura Cadger R. Laura Maria R. Laurie D. Lesley S. Leslie D.Y. Linda W. Liz C. Mark M. Marie McC. Mary Anne P. MaryAnn S. Marydot Hoffecker P. Melody DeL. Mike H. Natalie F. Nick C. Noah S. Oddegeir O L. RC B. Rene C. Richard L. Robert”The Question” W. Samantha L. Sara Mason B. Sharon H. Shawnie N. Stacey S. Stephanie C. Sue W. Tami C. Tammy Ashwin K. Tammy T. Tehrene H. Terri A. Thomas R. Timothy L. Tommy O. Tracy K. Tracy M. Trish V. B. Violet F. Wendy S.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Orlando Sanchez has been writing ever since his teens when he was immersed in creating scenarios for playing Dungeon and Dragons with his friends every weekend. An avid reader, his influences are too numerous to list here. Some of the most prominent are: J.R.R. Tolkien, Jim Butcher, Kat Richardson, Terry Pratchett, Terry Brooks, Christopher Moore, Piers Anthony, Lee Child, George Lucas, Andrew Vachss, and Barry Eisler to name a few in no particular order.
The worlds of his books are urban settings with a twist of the paranormal lurking just behind the scenes and generous doses of magic, martial arts, mayhem, and mischief.
Aside from writing, he holds a 2nd and 3rd Dan in two distinct styles of Karate. If not training, he is studying some aspect of the martial arts or martial arts philosophy.
He currently resides in Queens, NY with his wife and children and can often be found in the local Starbucks where most of his writing is done.
Please visit his site at OrlandoASanchez.com for more information about his books and upcoming releases.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2018 by Orlando A. Sanchez
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
Published by Bitten Peaches Publishing NY NY
Cover Design by Deranged Doctor Design
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Dragons & Demigods: A Montague & Strong Detective Novel (Montague & Strong Case Files Book 6) Page 18
