Glenbrook Excerpt

There's only a month left until Glenbrook is out!  Can you believe it?  I certainly can't.  I honestly never thought I'd get this far with Liv's journey, or have her do some of the things she has.  But I have, and it is all thanks to you lovely readers :)  So thanks for supporting me!  Here's an excerpt from Chapter 6 of Glenbrook (and if you haven't already, you can read the first five chapters on Wattpad).

The Fenridge clan was much larger than I had anticipated.  When I heard the word “clan” I thought of a small village of maybe two dozen people; not this.  This was a city, an entire race hidden beneath one tent.

The image of the sleeping bags and pillows melted away when I stepped inside, and it almost felt like being pulled into the Shade with Emerson.  After a moment of feeling woozy I was feeling stronger than ever.   Even better than when I had my other half come out.  I eyed the patrons.

Each person here showed their scales with ease, and as a few of them laughed I saw pointed teeth.  They sat at long wooden tables, filled with various foods, most of it meat.  I had to wrinkle my nose at the portions on their plates; I’d never be able to eat that much.

Past the rows of tables was a dance floor and band, but only a few dragons were actually dancing.  Their movements seemed forced, like they weren’t sure what to do with themselves there.  Another thing we had in common.  I arched an eyebrow.

“Damn, it’s hot in here,” Jared said.  He stepped in after Keiji, followed my Merelda.  Jared was already sweating, but I couldn’t sense any extra heat.

“We like it like this,” Merelda told us.  “The heat is comforting.”

“Right,” Jared murmured.  He clearly didn’t want to upset his host when there were so many Eidolon around.  I didn’t blame him; there was no way he had enough bullets for everyone here.  I hoped he wasn’t about to bring his gun out.

“This is wonderful,” Keiji said.  “Are your sons here?”

“Of course.”  Merelda lit up with a smile, a smile that didn’t seem malicious or predatory like before.  The skin around her eyes crinkled, her gums showing even.  She was proud of her sons.  “They’ll be out shortly.”

“I haven’t seen them in quite some time,” Keiji went on.  “How old are they now?”

Merelda laughed.  “You know better than to ask a woman that, Keiji.”

As they continued their light conversation I watched for anything that might be able to help me.  Any sign that someone might be more willing than another to take me into Shadeland, because Merelda seemed to have another motive.  I wasn’t sure what it was just yet, but something wasn’t right.  She was being too kind, too…secretive with her words.  It was only a feeling I got from her but I trusted my instincts.  And I needed them now more than ever.

“If we eat anything are we trapped here forever?” Jared asked, a hint of boredom in his tone.

Merelda paused, as if to hold her fury back.  The area around her eyes fluctuated, drifting between scales and pale skin.  “Don’t think so low of us; we are better than faeries,” she sneered.  She quickly steeled herself and smiled again; this time it was forced.  “Anyway, enjoy.  I need to check on the other guests.”

“Ah, I’ll join—” Keiji began, following after Merelda.  He was stopped as Jared grabbed the collar of his SLAYER tee-shirt and yanked backwards.

“You’ll stay with us,” Jared ordered.  “We don’t exactly have experience here.”

I jerked my head towards Jared, unable to believe what he has just said.  He glared at me.  “Yes, I admit that I don’t know exactly how to handle this situation.”  Instinctively his hand went towards his gun, but I grabbed his wrist to stop him.

“We’ll be fine,” I said.  “We’re already in Shadeland, we just need a way out now.”

“We—”

“I certainly hope you aren’t thinking of leaving so soon,” a man said.  We all turned to find a man wearing a lavish tuxedo.  His frightening white hair stood out against the black fabric, only illuminating his eyes more.  The thin pupils and pale blue scales made me think he was Merelda’s son.

“Quinten,” Keiji exclaimed, “you’ve grown!”  He laughed loudly.  “The last time I saw you you were my height.” 

I glanced between them, a clear two foot difference now.  Keiji went on, again, and I realized he was nervous.  “Quinten, this is Liv and Jared, and of course you know Azazel.  Everyone, this is Quinten, Merelda’s eldest son.”

“Enchanted,” Quinten said, giving us a small bow.  “Please, call me Quin.”

“Nice to meet ya,” Jared drawled.  “Your mother always throw parties like this?”

Quin smiled at Jared before turning to me.  “There are special circumstances.”  Jared stepped closer to me, pushing me away from Quin.

“Well, it was nice meeting you,” he said, “but we really should get something to eat.  Airplane food just isn’t quite as good as it used to be.”

Quin nodded and didn’t try to stop us from walking away.  We moved all of five feet before being stopped by yet another white-haired Dragon.

“Rueben,” Keiji said, “you’ve returned?”

Reuben was clearly younger than Quin, his face more round and soft.  But his scales were out, and he gave a mischievous smile.  “Mother ordered me home,” he explained.  “Apparently there was talk of exposure; she wanted me back in the nest.”  He looked to me.  “I can see why.  You must be Liv; I’m Reuben, Merelda’s son.”

I nodded my greeting.

“Let’s try this way,” Jared mumbled, dragging me away from Reuben.  “What kind of name is Reuben?”

Much like his brother, Reuben didn’t try to stop us.  Another few feet away and we were stopped yet again.  It began to grind on my nerves.

“Damn it,” Jared grumbled.  We were surrounded by Dragons, I didn’t know why Jared thought we might find an escape in the middle of the crowd.

“Good day, Enoch,” Keiji said.  “You’ve really…grown up.”

The third son of Merelda towered over us, even more so than Neeson or any of my brothers.  His arms were almost the size of my waist, and he didn’t give off the same gentle air his brothers did.  He didn’t even need to have his scales showing to be threatening.

“Good day, Keiji,” Enoch replied.  “I was told to come home to celebrate, but I’m not sure why yet.”  He looked to me.  “For this?”

Keiji flinched, his eyebrow twitching with…annoyance?  “Yes, this is the newcomer.  We’ve come to ask Merelda for help getting into the Shade.”

Enoch grunted.  “You’ve accomplished your mission then.”

Jared gave Keiji a shove and pulled me along.  Enoch didn’t look insulted by our leave, but rather glad.  His brow unfurled in the slightest of manners and he marched over to the banquet.

“What does that mean?” Jared questioned.

“We’re already in Shadeland."