Wander-A Night Warden Novel
Page 19
Once I was sure he was gone, I exhaled and slumped against the bed as the room swam around me. Koda materialized in the corner and nearly gave me a heart attack.
“What have I told you about sneaking around?” I absorbed the sword and lay down. Her masking had improved—not even Hades gave any indication he had sensed her. It was most likely Aria’s doing. At this rate, I would never have any privacy.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
I waved her off. “Don’t thank me. Stop pissing me off and we can call it even.”
“I’ll be outside.”
“You do that, and let me get some sleep,” I snapped. “Like I need guarding in The Cloisters. Give me a break.”
She padded out of the room, and I caught my breath. Using the sword had taken me by surprise—I wasn’t ready to use it yet. I had a lot to learn and teach. The Night Wardens I trained with were gone, but there was still a city to protect.
I let my senses expand and felt Koda sitting outside the room, vigilant. She was going to make an excellent Night Warden.
THE END
AUTHOR NOTES
THANK YOU FOR reading this story and jumping into the world of Grey Stryder and the Night Wardens. If you’ve read the Montague & Strong books, you will find things that are familiar and a few that are new.
This story started with the question: Who dealt with the fallout from Monty & Strong’s activities? It turns out to be Grey Stryder and his group of friends, and he’s usually not happy about it, but as the saying goes: it’s a dirty job and someone has to do it.
This book (series) gives you a different perspective of the Monty & Strong world. It’s grittier and darker and Grey is reluctant to take on the role of being hero. Along with Koda, they will find themselves in over their heads most of the time, facing enemies and situations with no easy solution. Like Montague & Strong, I want to introduce you to different elements of the world Grey & Koda inhabit, slowly revealing who they are and why they make the choices they do. I know there are many unanswered questions. I promise to address them all over time, with the full knowledge that the answers will only raise new questions.
There are references you may understand and some…you may not. This may be attributable to my age (I’m older than Grey too, or at least feel that way most mornings) or to my love of all things sci-fi and fantasy. As a reader, I’ve always enjoyed finding these “Easter Eggs” in the books I read. I hope you do too. If there is a reference you don’t get, feel free to email me and I will explain it…maybe.
You will notice that Koda, for all her skill still seems naïve and uninformed about Grey’s world. That will change as time passes. Be patient with her…she has a lot of learning to do, and doesn’t trust anyone.
Each book will reveal more about Grey and Koda’s backgrounds and lives before they met. Rather than hit you with a whole history, I wanted you to learn about them slowly, the way we do with a person we just met—over time (and many cups of Death Wish Coffee).
Thank you for taking the time to read this book. I wrote it for you and I hope you enjoyed spending a few hours getting in (and out of) trouble with Grey, Koda & company.
If you really enjoyed this story, I need you to do me a HUGE favor—Please leave a review.
It’s important and helps the book (and me). In addition, it means Frank can keep The Dive safe from strangers without resorting to lethal electrical methods.
We want to keep Frank’s cranky level down to a minimum, don’t we?
I really do appreciate your feedback. Let me know what you thought by emailing me at: www.orlando@orlandoasanchez.com
For more information on Monty & Strong…come join the MoB on Facebook!
You can find us at:
Montague & Strong Case Files.
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SPECIAL MENTIONS FOR WANDER:
MANDY J. PANTS: Because you asked the question: Why doesn’t anyone have a thorny dragon as a magical pet?
Renee Smith-for aboriginal/Indigenous research on Frank’s origins.
Dan F. because General Java and the Chinese calendar system for Street.
Noah S. The Character Quirk Master.
Jim Z. because Grey has Magisthesia-magical synesthesia.
Charlotte C. because you gave Jim the idea.
Dolly for Grey’s NY Cheesecake fixation and ability to speak any language.
Denise K. for his love of stained glass windows and the Painkiller.
Larry for being truly sincastic. I hope the L3 pile implodes your Kindle in the nicest way possible.
Amanda & Heather H: Because I can’t drink coffee around you two without the danger of projectile expulsion. Thank you for the laughter and just being you.
Larry & Jim Because we ALL need a Tushman-Ziller L3 Quantum Kindle titanium waterproof edition.
TAGLINES FOR THE DIVE-THIS NEEDS ITS OWN SECTION:
GREY S.:
THE Dive-Drink in peace or leave in pieces.
Mages, Mischief, and Madness-just take it outside.
Mandy J. Pants:
We do not meddle in the affair of dragons for we are crunchy and taste good with ketchup and interior decorations in The Dive.
If you find the food and drinks offensive we suggest you stop finding us.
Welcome to the Dive-please lower your standards.
Noah S.
Be discreet or be delicious.
If you could read, you wouldn’t be here.
The Dive-not technically a death trap
Don’t vomit on my stuff.
Probably not a front for organized crime.
Larry L3:
Because we never settle for the shallow end.
Ethanol!
Laura CR:
You have to go deep to drink in low places.
Check your weapons at the door.
The Dive-We’re not your friends, but it’s better than drinking alone.
Simon C:
Where no one knows your name or gives a toss.
John J:
The Dive-how low can you get.
Marie McC:
The Dive-good times-don’t lose your head.
Corrine L:
Yes we serve food-just don’t ask what’s in it.
Mark M:
The Dive- We set our expectations low so you can meet them.
Mary M:
You get what you get or you get out.
Amanda S:
The Dive- We serve food, drinks, and undesirables.
We put the DIE in Dive.
Bernice L:
The Dive where the lights are low, the drinks strong, and the clientele wild.
Joscelyn S.
The Dive-Nowhere to go but up.
There are many more and will be added as the books continue…keep an eye out!
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 Mo
B. As of this writing there are 430 members in the MoB. I am honored to be able to call you my MoB Family. This story mostly came about because you kept asking for it. I hope you enjoy it.
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. Thank you for making sure I didn’t rush this one. 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.
To Gene Mollica Design
Gene, Cristin, Paul, Jordan
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 shredders 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
Amanda H. Amanda S. Amanda W. Amy R. Andrew G. Anita W. Audra V. M. Barbara H. Bennah P.
Beth M. Bill T. Brandon A. Brandy D. Brenda Nix L. Caroline L. Carrie Anne O. Cassandra H.
Charlotte C. Chris B. Claudia L-S. Corrine L. Daniel P. Darla H. Darren M. Dawn G. Denise K.
Donald T. Heather H. Helen V. Jacce J. Jayne M. Jen C. Jennifer W. Joscelyn S. Joseph M. Julian M.
Julie Rogers H. Kandice S. Karen H. Kimbra S. Klaire T. Larry Diaz T. Laura Cadger R. Laura Maria R.
Lesley S. Leslie K. Linda M. Liz C. Mandy J.P. Marie McC. Mary M. MaryAnn S. Marydot H.P.
Matt-Eileen R. Melody DeL. Michelle S. Mike H. Natalie F. Noah S. Oddegeir O L. Robert J. Robert W.
Samantha L. Sara Mason B. Shannon O’B. Sharyn W. Stacey S. Stephanie C. Steve Woofie W. Sue W.
Susan B. Tami C. Tammy T. Terri A. Timothy L. Tommy O. Tracy B. Tracy K. Tracy M. Trish V. B.
William N.
Thank You!
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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 Gene Mollica Studios, LLC
www.genemollica.com