Untitled sample of new book

Its strange the things you think of while dying. I mean, this is my second time and again all I can think of is how much I want to see the ocean one more time. The world is about to end, reality is undoing itself and I’m belly aching about one last swim.
I look up and see the billboard at the center of Whispering Pines, a nice place to live. Sighing I try to pull myself up to a sitting position and it feels like I broke some ribs. Somewhere in the distance I can hear Charles. He’s coming back to finish me off. My only regret is that I didn’t stop this when I had the chance. To whoever hears this, I’m sorry. If I tell everything maybe the next world can save itself.


I always loved Paris. As a teen I came here with the French club as a senior trip. I spoke just enough to get by. I loved to sit at these little cafes watching people. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t pay attention when an old friend pulled up a chair.
“Hello Simon. Its been a while.” Carter said.
I took another sip of my coffee and gestured to the waiter to come over.
“I’ll buy.” I replied. “What brings you here?”
“The same thing that brings you here. Something is trying to break through. Its using the energy from the ley line that runs right through the city.”
“The Keepers think I need help?” I asked.
Carter ordered a drink and smiled politely to waiter. I had an uneasy feeling that something big was going down. Carter taught me everything about magic and all the rules of being a Watcher. My old teacher being here and away from his students made things important. Somewhere thunder rumbled.
“Energy is starting to build. So much for enjoying that drink. I’ll keep a eye out for any innocents and keep them out of the way. Let’s see what you got kid.” Carter said.
I stood up just as the rain started. I slipped into my trench coat, adjusted my tie, and put on my fedora to keep my head dry.
“You know, it’s the 2000’s now. You could ditch the Bogart look.” Carter chided.
“Never mess with the classics I always say. Here’s looking at you kid.” I quipped.
Its amazing how easy it was falling back into working with my old mentor. Without any words we set out just like old times. Carter began by moving out onto the street and began to focus his energies on weaving a powerful illusion as reality began to warp. Very few would be able to see what was about to happen. If by any chance there was someone gifted with the sight we would erase their memories afterwards.
I turned myself around and made my way to the fountain where I sensed the entity earlier. My best guess was that a water spirit was about to show itself. Very primitive creatures so I was pretty sure I could outsmart it and send it back to where it belongs. These creatures tend to be chaotic little shits that exist to just cause havoc and destruction.
The rain turned into a down pour as I focused my senses trying find some psychic trail of the creature. I was intent on watching the fountain which is my excuse for missing the manhole cover to the sewers that slid open the noise drowned out by the poring rain and thunder. I felt something grab my right ankle and pulled me hard enough that I hit the ground with a bone shaking thump. The water tentacle began to drag me to the opening as I struggled to clear my head. I couldn’t concentrate to summon any magic so I reached for the iron dagger tucked away in my belt. I barely gripped the hilt when I got dragged down into the water with a splash. Luckily it wasn’t deep just disgusting.
I shook it off feeling bruised and sore. My eyes began to adjust to the darkness when I heard the water splash. I turned to see a vaguely human shape formed out of the water rise up. Before it could slam into me I drew forth the Celtic iron dagger and the runes flared to with an eerie blue light. The creature recoiled out of fear.
“That’s right. Fey creatures can’t stand cold iron can you?”
Using the dagger gave just enough time to clear my head. With my left hand I made a binding gesture and black bands of energy erupted beneath the water forming a shell to contain it. It was a good thing I was close to the ley line running through the city. I began to utter ancient words of power to open a portal to send the thing back home and the energy exploded out of control. Instead of a window I got a hole big enough for a bus to drive through. Being from that realm the water spirit was naturally drawn back in.
I found myself with a real problem. I had to close this rip in reality before something more dangerous found a way through. Still, just for a moment, I stared into a world of incredible beauty. The sunshine was so bright it was blinding. The forest was filled with large oaks and there was a crystal clear lake near the opening. I forgot just how hypnotic the fey realm could be.
I shook it off and began to summon a weaving spell and found it took all my energy. It wasn’t that I was weak but the energy bleeding through was powerful. It was as if the walls between realities was growing weaker. I could see the energy patterns in flux. I could only wonder what would do such a thing. Now I was sure I knew why Carter was here. To warn me.
Dripping wet I crawled my way out of the muck. I was grateful that it was still raining in a steady pattern. It helped to wash of the smell.
“Well. I could make a joke but this is too easy.” Carter said.
“Anyone nearby?” I asked
When he shook his head no I stood up and used a little magic to clean my self up. Carter gestured for me to follow. I could see the energy line leading to a node. He pulled open an old wooden door and we stepped through to the Keepers city at the entrance of the great library.
I never cease to marvel at the ancient stone making up the city. I tried to ask different teachers and could never get a straight answer on the age of this place. All I ever got was that the Keepers built it to teach those who want a second chance at life that there is so much more to what we perceive as reality. Some become teachers in the way of magic, some like me become Watchers trying to keep things together for another day. Always keeping an eye out for the fabric of the real world showing signs of weakness. Only people gifted with the sight ever catch a glimpse of the true nature of the world. Many are driven mad by what they see.
I followed Carter up the stone steps to the large double wooden doors of the library. He led me down into the basements to his old office. Books, manuscripts, and odd statues decorated the small room.
“Still a paper slob?” I teased. “How the hell do you find anything in this mess?”
Carter moved a stack of old scrolls of a chair for me to sit. I wrinkled my nose at the smell of moldy paper and sat down. He sat down behind the desk in that old duct taped chair he refused to replace.
“Something we can’t identify is trying to break through.” Carter said.
From the matter of fact way he said it I knew it was something big.
“We can’t get a bead on it. Whatever it is its subtle. Flittering in and out reality. Tearing down a wall here or using some pore fool to summon things into the world to cause trouble. You sensed some of its power down there in the sewer didn’t you?” he asked.
“Something made the walls paper thin. Its as if something peeling back the layers making it easier for things to get through. Is this happening everywhere on earth?” I asked.
“Everywhere.” He replied.
Usually magic has a distinct signature. Like different ‘flavors’. It’s a way to identify where it came from or from whom. In order to mask it something very powerful must be behind it. Something to give even the Keepers of Order a run for their money.
“Has anyone talked to the Keepers?” I asked.
“We’re on own. Someone went to the chamber and lit the fires but they are not answering.” Carter said.
“What the hell? I know how enigmatic they can be with their answers rapped in riddles but not responding at all?” I said shocked. “I have half a mind to march down there myself!”
“Wow! You know better. Just calm down we have to pull together on this one. I have every available agent working on this.”
I did know better. I heard of one person who ignored the dangers and dared to look at the Keepers. His mind could not comprehend what he saw. The last I heard he was locked up in a mental institution on earth.
“Where do we start?” I asked.