“I appreciate that,” I said and meant it. “I suppose we should repair the damages we made,” I added, noting that some of the brick façade had crumbled when I used the neutralizing bomb.
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of the damage.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah,” she said with another smile. “You just make sure Seth gets some rest after all of this.”
“Thanks, Louise.” I made a decision on the judgment I had reserved earlier. Louise was pretty okay.
*
Downtown was eerily quiet as Seth and I made our way back to the Five Penny. The storm had done quite a bit of damage and I suspected people were home dealing with their own messes. The water that still stood, warping the floorboards, was a reminder that the Five Penny would need a bit of an overhaul before we could reopen. It was just as well. I’d have to put out an ad for a bartender with Bogie gone.
“You know, I’m going to miss him,” Seth sighed as he took a last look around the empty bar before climbing the stairs. “And I’m sure going to miss his cooking.”
“Yeah well, if I know Bogie, that’s not the last we’ll see of him,” I said as I followed him up to the apartment.
“Wow, you weren’t kidding,” Seth said with a surprised whistle. “That was quick.”
“Huh?” As I turned onto the landing, I saw why Seth was laughing. Bogie leaned against the wall in the hallway, sharing the punchline to a particularly bawdy joke with Pete, the Admin assigned to our sector of the Cycle. Seeing both of them gave me pause, each for different reasons.
“I thought they were giving you a trial?”
“Uh, yeah. They did. Took all of five seconds for the council to throw me right back out again,” he said, his shoulders slumping. “Somethin’ about bein’ too cozy with the Order. But this guy,” he jabbed his thumb toward Pete, who was lighting his next cigarette from the one he had just finished. “He said he’d put in a good word for me with the Creator. Maybe one day I’ll be a real boy. What d’ya think about that?”
“Welcome back then,” Seth said, holding his hand out to shake Bogie’s while I just shook my head.
“Go outside or put that out,” I said to Pete, waving the stink of smoke away from my face. “Didn’t you die of lung cancer?”
“The way I see it, they can’t kill me twice,” Pete countered, but at least he snubbed out the noxious fumes on the sole of his shoe. “I like this guy,” he said, jabbing his thumb in Bogie’s direction. “He’s got great taste in headwear.”
It would figure they would get along. Pete had been a pulp detective novelist in life and as an agent of Order, dressed and acted like a character straight out of film noir.
“So, what exactly are you doing here, Pete?” Seth asked. “I didn’t think they ever let you out of your cubicle.”
“Very rarely, but for occasions like this, it’s required. I’m here to deliver your Guardians.”
“What do you mean by deliver?” I asked, while at the same time, Seth asked, “Guardians? With an S?”
There was only one reason why Pete would be required to escort a new Agent of Order back to the Cycle.
“They’re in the apartment. There’s a muting spell on the door. To be honest, they were giving me a bit of a headache. Oh and by the way, you’re moving. That little hole in the wall isn’t going to be big enough for the four of you.”
“But I’ll be happy to rent the space,” Bogie added. “Seein’ as you’re still gonna need a bartender. For a couple of years, at least.”
“You can’t be serious.”
Pete removed the spell and two muffled, but definitely raised voices rang out from inside the apartment. Seth opened the door and the yelling stopped. My suspicions were confirmed as two teenagers turned in unison, each still had their mouths open as if they stopped mid-screaming match. Being too new to hide their auras, it was apparent that despite the fact that they looked almost identical, they were as different as night and day. There was no balance to their souls. Instead, it seemed that the only balance was that they were in direct opposition to each other, which likely explained the shouting match.
We stood for a few moments, everyone simply staring at each other, until Seth made the smartest move I had seen yet and closed the door.
“Where are you going?” I asked as he turned and headed for the stairs.
“I believe there is a bottle of reserve label single malt whiskey under the bar for emergencies,” he said with a tired smile. “I believe this qualifies. Care to join me?”
I looked at the door, which hid not one, but two new headaches, and then back at Seth. “Pour me a double.”
Are two Guardians better than one?
Or are Seth and Desmond headed for double trouble?
Find out in Splitsville, Rise of the Discordant Book #2
Available March 26th 2015
About the Author
Christina McMullen is a science fiction and fantasy author who prefers to put a nontraditional spin on these two beloved genres. All of her books are available in digital format worldwide through Amazon’s markets. Paperback copies of select titles are also available through most retailers.
Christina also maintains a blog called Vampires & Robots, which offers book reviews, amusing looks at both the past and future of technology, and insights on social issues as they pertain to science fiction. She currently resides in Texas with her husband and three dogs.
For more information on new releases, upcoming projects, contests, monthly free book giveaways, or discounted book promotions, please consider following Christina on Facebook, Twitter, or you may also send her an email at [email protected].
Acknowledgments
Past Life Strife is the first book in the Rise of the Discordant series and my seventh completed novel. Were it not for the level of support I have received from family and friends, none of this would have ever been possible.
Once again, I want to thank Jacqui Lewis, Amy Newman Hendrickson, and Leslie Smith for providing me with constructive feedback on the merit of my storytelling as well as their keen eyes in spotting technical errors. As always, my husband, Jason, continues to provide more support than I could have ever asked for. In fact, he may once again take partial credit for the cover art. Taking a painting class for our anniversary was his brilliant idea and gave me the inspiration to try an artistic approach this time around.
And of course, most importantly, thank you very much for reading!
Past Life Strife (Rise of the Discordant Book 1) Page 17