Alien Minds: Dimension Drift, Book 1
Page 25
“Universes are born and die all the time,” I counter. “Sentient pick which ones to save. Not us. You know that.” While I chat with Justice, I can’t help but notice how Axel keeps glaring at the office door. Something tells me I should take another look in there. “Unless you’ve got other news, I’m signing off.”
“Hold your horses, now. Be reasonable. You’re not like me and Slate.”
My voice lowers. “I’m aware.”
Both Justice and Slate are far stronger with sentient than I am. Hell, there are grandmas on my planet with more sentient power than I carry. And I get what Justice means. In this mission, he and Slate could escape an imploding planet much faster than I ever could. Which is why I must succeed here or else. I’m about to say precisely that when something happens.
The side office door opens. My sentient stop sending images of cheering crowds. Instead, fresh sensations course through me.
A buzz of excitement.
The pang of anticipation.
A rock-solid weight of willpower.
These aren’t my emotions, though. It’s all coming from my sentient. This is their way of saying, the schism is close by.
“Hold on,” I tell Justice.
A girl steps through the newly-opened side door. She’s the same teenager I counted before, only now I can catch a better look. She’s young, red-haired, and wearing a poodle skirt. The name Emma is embroidered on her sweater. A pile of books and papers lie cradled in her arms. To my eyes, the documents glow with crimson light. As with Helen, my sentient are telling me that I found it.
The schism.
At last, this is familiar territory. If this mission is like Helen’s, then those papers will carry drift science calculations. Once I fix a few numbers, then the schism will close. I check my watch once more.
Five minutes.
More than enough time.
Emma steps out the emergency back door. Axel stalks along after her, his thin tongue flickering hungrily over his heavy lips. I pause. On second thought, there may be more work here than simply fixing calculations. Axel and his buddies might put up a fight.
I take it back. That’s a lot for five minutes.
Suddenly, long cracks form in the gym walls and ceiling. Red light peeps out through the fissures, casting odd patterns across the space. My pulse speeds. I’ve seen this effect before, and it means one thing.
This world is pulling apart.
On reflex, I scan the nearby faces. Everyone still goes about their business. Punching. Jumping. Lifting. The breaks are only visible to me, thanks to my sentient. Doesn’t make them any less real, though.
“I got it,” I tell Justice. “The schism centers on a girl named Emma; she just moved into an alley. Some guys trailed her. I’ll go after them.”
“No way.” Justice’s voice takes on a frantic note. “A bunch of guys sneak into a dark alley and you’re following? You’ve no idea what kind of tech they’re packing. I’m coming in to help you.”
I prowl across the gym floor. More fissures appear beneath my feet. “Justice, I got this.”
“No! Your hero complex is plum out of control. Give me your exact placelet location and—”
I click the earpiece off, ending our connection. As I march toward the back door, my brother’s words echo through my mind.
* * *
Your hero complex is plum out of control.
* * *
Justice is wrong.
I don’t have a hero complex.
It’s more of a death wish.
My brothers and I make up the royal family of Umbra. We’re expected to wield exceptional powers with sentient. Slate and Justice do; I don’t. That makes me the chipped jewel in an otherwise-perfect crown.
I’m the extra prince.
Weak brother.
Unworthy royal.
Someone to be pitied as he’s pushed aside.
Fuck that.
With each mission, I get one step closer to either proving myself a true royal … or checking out of this game entirely. The question always hangs over me. Am I a real prince or a dead fool? Yanking on the back door, I step out into the darkened alley.
Maybe tonight’s when things get settled, one way or another.
—End of sample—
Acknowledgments
Thanks to everyone who’s helped to inspire me on my crazy ass journey to be a full time author.
First, there is the amazing team at Inscribe Digital. They believed in me and my vision from the start. Thank you, Kelly Peterson, Ana Szaky, Katy Beehler, Larry Norton, and Allison Davis. You’re marvels!!!
Next, there’s the wonderful team at IPG. Aaron Howe, Jeff Palicki, Lauren Klouda, Clark Matthews, and Joe Matthews. It’s a thrill to be part of such a dynamic organization. Thank you for all your support!
And I can never forget you, my dear readers and bloggers. You guys are the best, end of story. Thank you for every high five, sweet idea, and suggested change. Mwah!
Most importantly, my deepest appreciation goes out to my husband and son. Your patience and support mean everything. I love you both with all than I am.
Collected Works
Angelbound Origins
About a quasi (part demon and part human) girl who loves kicking butt in Purgatory's Arena
1. Angelbound
2. Lincoln – Angelbound as told by Lincoln
3. Scala
4. Acca
5. Thrax
6. The Dark Lands
7. The Brutal Time (Fall 2019)
8. Armageddon (already here, long story!)
* * *
Angelbound Offspring
The next generation takes on Heaven, Hell, and everything in between
1. Maxon
2. Portia
3. Zinnia (Summer 2019)
4. Kaps (Summer 2020)
5. Huntress (Summer 2021)
* * *
Angelbound Worlds
Inside stories about your fav characters
1. Xavier (Spring 2020)
2. Cissy (Spring 2021)
* * *
Beholder
Where a medieval farm girl discovers necromancy and true love
1. Cursed
2. Concealed
3. Cherished
4. Crowned
5. Cradled
* * *
Fairy Tales of the Magicorum
Modern fairy tales with sass, action, and romance
1. Wolves and Roses
1.5 Moonlight and Midtown
2. Shifters and Glyphs
3. Slippers and Thieves (Fall 2019)
4. Bandits and Ballgowns (Fall 2020)
* * *
Dimension Drift
Dystopian adventures with science, snark, and hot aliens
Prequels
1. Scythe
2. Umbra
Novels
1. Alien Minds (Spring 2019)
2. ECHO Academy (Spring 2020)
3. Drift Warrior (Spring 2021)
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Publisher's Note: Christina Bauer is a non-linear thinker who came up with ARMAGEDDON and then went back and wrote some earlier books. This is why you'll see ARMAGEDDON, LINCOLN, and the Offspring series available before THE BRUTAL TIME. We've told her to stop this practice, but she keeps giving us lewd hand gestures in response. Apologies in advance for any inconvenience.
About Author Christina Bauer
Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too. Christina lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
* * *
Stalk Christina on Social Media – She Loves It!
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