Homecoming A Montague & Strong Detective Novel

by Orlando A. Sanchez

  We headed to the circle. I looked up at the kaleidoscope sky one last time before it flashed, and we were gone…headed home.

  THE END

  CAST

  CONNOR MONTAGUE-FATHER to Tristan and Elder of the Golden Circle.

  Dex Montague-Uncle to Tristan, brother to Connor. One of the most powerful mages in the Golden Circle.

  LD Tush Rogue Creative Mage, husband to TK Tush. Proprietor of Fordey Boutique. One of the Ten.

  Ghosts-Mage Enforcers sent by the Golden Circle to pass judgement and apprehend or eliminate rogue mages. Tristan is currently being pursued by several of them.

  Gideon the Ghost-Mages sent to escort rogue mages back to the Sanctuary. Tristan dispatched Gideon in a most painful manner now he’s back and he’s upset.

  Gray Mages- Mages who serve Oliver Rank and can hide their energy signatures.

  Grey Stryder-one of the last Night Wardens patrolling the city and keeping the streets safe. Current owner of Kokutan no ken.

  Kali-(AKA Divine Mother) goddess of Time, Creation, Destruction, and Power. Cursed Simon for unspecified reasons and has been known to hold a grudge. She is also one of the most powerful magic-users in existence.

  Karma-The personification of causality, order, and balance. She reaps what you sow. Also known as the mistress of bad timing. Everyone knows the saying karma is a…some days that saying is true.

  Living Library- A group of six ancient mages who act as repository of magical knowledge in very specific fields of study.

  The Morrigan-Yes that Morrigan. Chooser of the Slain and currently in a relationship with Uncle Dex...don’t ask.

  Nana-Powerful sorceress and Tristan Montague’s first instructor and nanny.

  Noh Fan Yat- Martial arts instructor for the Montague & Strong Detective Agency. Teacher to both Simon and Tristan. Known for his bamboo staff of pain and correction.

  Oliver Rank-Elder of the Golden Circle who attempted to seize power and take over the entire sect.

  Peaches-(AKA Devildog, Hellhound, Arm Shredder and Destroyer of Limbs) Offspring of Cerberus and given to the Montague & Strong Detective Agency to help with their security. Closely resembles a Cane Corso-a very large Cane Corso.

  Professor Ziller Mage responsible for the safeguarding of the Living Library and the Repository of knowledge at the Golden Circle. Don’t try to have conversation with him…it will just melt your brain.

  RJ-The team of Renè and Jonno. Two rogue mages and pilots for the Ten. Don’t mess with Renè’s Strix.

  Simon Strong-The intelligent (and dashingly handsome) half of the Montague & Strong Detective Agency. Cursed alive into immortality by the goddess Kali.

  Steigh Cea Styne-one of the Jotnar entrusted with keeping the runic neutralizer safe. They thrive in ice and cold.

  TK Tush Rogue Creative Mage, wife to LD Tush. Proprietor of Fordey Boutique. One of the Ten. She’s not angry…really.

  Tristan Montague- The civilized (and staggeringly brilliant) half of the Montague & Strong Detective Agency. Mage of the Golden Circle sect and currently on ‘extended leave’ from their ever-watchful supervision.

  Wenk-Guardian of the Sanctuary. A Guardian is tasked with keeping the Sanctuary safe from any type of invasion—conventional or magical.

  ORGANIZATIONS

  FORDEY BOUTIQUE- ARTIFACT specialty store dealing in rare magical items that are usually dangerous and lethal, like the owners

  New York Task Force-(AKA the NYTF) a quasi-military police force created to deal with any supernatural event occurring in New York City.

  SuNaTran-(AKA Supernatural Transportations) Owned by Cecil Fairchild. Provides car and vehicle service to the supernatural community in addition to magic-users who can afford membership.

  The Dark Council-Created to maintain the peace between humanity and the supernatural community shortly after the last Supernatural War. Its role is to be a check and balance against another war occurring. Not everyone in the Council favors peace.

  Special Mentions for Homecoming

  Laura C R. Because some things are just…Zillerific.

  Jim Z. for Quantum Tunneling, nanogenerators and other timely mind melting topics we discuss at the right time and at the right moment. Spooky action at a distance!!

  Cassandra for Peaches XL because it’s perfect

  Tammy and Larry for the inspiration for TK, LD and Fordey. L3 FTW Larry!!

  Stacey S. for finding the staircase to heaven and having to die in this book. Good work!

  Mel T. for the Kyorinrin. Paper dragons made of books and scrolls are awesome!

  AUTHOR NOTES

  THANK YOU FOR reading this story and jumping back into the world of Monty & Strong. This book touched a subject close to me, since I lost my father when I was seven. Thank you for allowing me to deal with that when I wrote this story. I didn’t expect the feelings to resurface, but they did and I was able to get some closure through Monty and his dad.

  With each book, I want to introduce you to different elements of the world Monty & Strong inhabit, slowly revealing who they are and why they make the choices they do. If you want to know how they met, that story is in NO GOD IS SAFE, which is a short explaining how Tristan and Simon worked their first case.

  There are some references you will understand and some…you may not. This may be attributable to my age (I’m older than Monty or 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 Simon is still a smart-ass (deserving a large head smack) and many times he’s clueless about what’s going on. He’s also acquired his first spell (an anemic magic missile!) even though he needs some practice with it. Bear with him—he’s still new to the immortal, magical world he’s been delicately shoved into. Fortunately he has Monty to nudge (or blast) him in the right direction.

  Each book will reveal more about Monty & Strong’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 large cups of DeathWish Coffee).

  Thank you for taking the time to read this book. I wrote it for you and I hope you enjoyed spending a few more hours getting in (and out of) trouble with Tristan and Simon.

  If you really enjoyed this story, I need you to do me a HUGE favor— Please leave a review.

  It’s really important and helps the book (and me). Plus, it means Peaches gets new titanium chew toys, besides my arms, legs, and assorted furniture to shred. And I get to keep him at normal size.

  We want to keep Peaches happy, don’t we?

  CONTACT ME:

  I REALLY DO appreciate your feedback. Let me know what you thought by emailing me at: www.orlando@orlandoasanchez.com

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  STILL HERE? AMAZING! WELL, IF YOU’VE MADE IT THIS ...

  INCLUDED IS THE first chapter of the next Montague & Strong story-DRAGONS & DEMIGODS here for you to read.

  Enjoy!

  DRAGONS AND DEMIGODS

  A MONTAGUE AND Strong Book 6

  All fathers are invisible in daytime; daytime is ruled by mothers and fathers come out at night. Darkness brings home fathers, with their real, unspeakable power. There is more to fathers than meets the eye. -Margaret Atwood

  ONE

  “MONTY, ARE YOU certain this is necessary?”

  I looked up from the reports on my desk. Monty polished his swords, the Sorrows, and resheathed them. A soft cry escaped the blades as they disappeared into his back sheath.

  “It’s either this or we risk angering the entire fa
mily. This is the best solution.”

  “You know we need to address this Rott situation before he does something that gets him and us killed.”

  I remembered the last time I’d spoken to George Rott, Cassandra’s father:

  “You owe me, and you owe her.”

  “Listen, George, I don’t know what you found, but why don’t we meet to discuss this?”

  “I found them,” he whispered. “I found the dragons.”

  “We need to address this first.” Monty pulled on one of his sleeves and reached for a cup of tea sitting on the desk. “They should be here shortly.”

  Between London and the Sanctuary, we hadn’t been in the city for a week or so. Ramirez had left me messages about strange activity downtown near the Seaport. These events seemed to coincide with the increase in runic activity occurring near the Hellfire Club. I didn’t like the timing, especially with George out hunting dragons.

  I was about to call Ramirez, when a knock interrupted me.

  “That them?” I holstered Grim Whisper and sheathed Ebonsoul. Peaches rolled over and nearly crushed my legs. I tried shoving him over, but he didn’t budge.

 

 

  The knock sounded again.

  “Unless you’re expecting your vampire, I would imagine so. I have one more item to secure before we leave. Can you let them in?”

  I stood up and approached the door, when I saw the ice creep along the floor and enter the office.

  “Monty? I think you need to get this one, unless we have a blowtorch handy?”

  The temperature in the office dropped by twenty degrees and we entered a mini ice age as frost started to form on the door and creep around the frame.

  “Are you ready?” he said, walking up to the door.

  “For what, frostbite?”

  He glared at me, reminding me that our guests weren’t exactly friendly. He gestured and formed an orb of flame around his hand as he opened the door.

  Three of the most beautiful women I’d seen in my entire life stood at our door. Three sets of sky-blue eyes blazed at us with thinly-veiled violence behind them.

  Each of their faces was framed by white-blond hair. The fact that they wore combat armor under their long white leather coats did little to put me at ease.

  Their energy signatures were strong enough to give me pause. Ice mages made me nervous after our brief but homicidal encounter with the not-so-stable Steigh Cea.

  I hoped her sisters weren’t as prone to spontaneous violence. The center woman, who was the tallest of the three, stepped into our office. The remaining two turned their backs on us and stayed outside the door.

  “Well met, Hekla,” Monty said with a nod. “Will all of you be joining us?”

  Hekla nodded and took in our office, remaining silent for a few seconds. Her eyes lingered over Peaches and she sniffed with a hint of disgust. Maybe it was an ice mage thing, but she had the condescending look down to an art form. I almost wanted to run to my room and straighten it out.

  “I’m here to secure the runic neutralizer, mage,” she said, her husky voice filling the office. “If I deem your location of choice to be inadequate, I will relocate it to our home, as per out agreement. My sisters will remain here until I return.”

  “Understood.” Monty gestured and formed a large circle on the floor. “We will be traveling to Fordey Boutique. I have chosen them to keep the neutralizer safe and I have some matters to attend to there.”

  “Proceed.” She waved her hand as if we were boring her just by existing. “Do you need assistance with your circle?”

  “Thank you for the offer, but I believe I can manage.”

  She looked down when Peaches stepped into the circle with us. “This infernal thing will be traveling with us?”

  “He has a habit of following me around,” I said, barely containing my anger. I rubbed Peaches’ head. “It’s better if Peaches joins us.”

  She stepped to the other side of the circle and nodded to Monty. “Carry on, mage.”

  Monty gestured as white runes floated around us. With a last sweep of his arm, the office disappeared.

  Thank You!

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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 writing there are 543 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 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. Amy R. Audra V. M. Barbara H. Beau W. Bennah P. Beverly C. Brandi Moore L. Brandy D. Brenda Nix L. Caroline L. Carrie Anne O. Cassandra H. Charlotte C. Chris B. Chris C II. Claudia L-S. Corrine L. Daniel P. Darren M. Davina N. Dawn McQ. M. Denise K. Donald T. Heather H. Helen V. Jen C. Jennifer W. Jim S. Joscelyn S. Kandice S. Karen H Karen H. Karla H. Kevin M. Kimbra S. Klaire T. Larry Diaz T. Laura Cadger R. Laura Maria R. Lesley S. Linda W. Liz C. Marie McC. Mary Anne P. MaryAnn S. Marydot Hoffecker P. Melody DeL. Michelle S. Mike H. Natalie F. Noah S. Oddegeir O L. RC B. Rene C. Robert”The Question” W. Samantha L. Sara Mason B. Scott O. Shawnie N. Stacey S. Stephanie C. Steve Woofie W. Sue W. Tami C. Tammy Ashwin K. Tammy T. Terri A. Thomas R. Timothy L. Tommy O. Tracy B. Tracy M. 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.