Shades Below
Book 1.5
L.J.K. Oliva
Genre: urban fantasy/paranormal romance
Date of Publication: Oct. 1, 2015
Word Count: 99,733
Cover Artist: Amy Mateyka
Book Description:
Something wicked this way comes...well, more wicked than usual.
Georgia Clare needs help, and fast. As the lone survivor of—and witness to—her coven's brutal massacre, she's felt the killer hunting her. There's just one problem: the rest of San Francisco's witching community wants nothing to do with her, and the one man she can turn to doesn't do witches.
Darius deCompostela has done his best to steer clear of subversive affairs. A private investigator and reluctant medium, the last thing he wants is to advertise his existence to the things that go bump in the night. But then Georgia knocks on his door, and try as he might, he can't turn her away.
It's just one case, after all. It's not like it's going to change his life…
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It was her third night in a row of frozen pasta for dinner. Not that she was counting.
Georgia popped the top off yet another bottle of Corona and took a long draw. She leaned back against the counter. The microwave hummed behind her. She glanced over her shoulder at the digital clock on the unused stove. Sighed.
Nearly six o'clock, and still no sign of deCompostela. The pang of disappointment in her chest chafed at her pride. She should have known better than to believe he would stop by. He'd already made it abundantly clear he thought she was out of her mind.
Truth be told, the possibility had occurred to her. It had been a week since the new moon, and she hadn't seen hide nor hair of...it. Whatever it was. If not for the lingering scent of blood in her nostrils, she could almost believe she'd hallucinated the whole thing.
The microwave beeped. Georgia took one last drag of beer, then set her bottle down next to the two that had preceded it and opened the door. Fragrant steam rushed out; a heady blend of tomato, basil, and MSG.
Georgia reached in and grabbed the microwaveable plastic bowl, hissed and yanked her hand back again. She scanned the kitchen for something she could use as a potholder. Finally, she settled on a bunched-up paper towel.
The hairs on the back of her neck prickled as she pulled out the pasta bowl. Georgia tensed, turned...
...Just in time to see her living room window explode inward in a hail of glass. She let out a startled shriek. A massive, dark creature suddenly occupied the space where her coffee table used to sit.
Everything else seemed to happen in slow-motion. The creature straightened, shaking shards of glass off its dull black fur. Its ears twitched towards her. Its lips peeled back from its razor-sharp teeth.
Georgia's chest seized. Recognition slammed through her. The creature snarled. Any lingering doubts she'd been harboring instantly evaporated.
It was here.
Georgia blindly hurled her steaming pasta bowl in the direction of the living room and bolted from the kitchen. She looked over in time to see it connect with a loud splat squarely between the intruder's eyes. The creature howled and clawed desperately at its face.
Georgia didn't wait for it to recover. Her altar. If she could just get to her altar, she could banish the ugly fucker and buy herself some time.
The creature was planted in the dead center of the straightest path across the living room. Georgia veered wide. She had almost cleared the front door when it flew open in a barrage of splinters. Someone barreled into her. They both sprawled to the ground.
The new intruder landed on top. Georgia hissed, bucked, clawed at anything she could reach. Her mystery assailant scrambled off her.
"Jesus Christ, would you calm down, you crazy—what the f*ck?"
deCompostela. Georgia didn't let herself pause to feel relief. She rolled to her feet, grabbed his hand and dragged him after her. They dove behind her sagging couch just as the creature regained its bearings. It threw back its head and let out a roar that shook her remaining windows.
Darius sniffed. "Is that tomato sauce?"
Georgia didn't answer. Her focus was squarely on her altar again. It was still too far away. "Wait here."
"What—"
She leaped to her feet. The creature's eyes locked on her. Georgia swallowed the terror that welled in her chest and sprinted for the altar. She skidded to the floor in front of it like a baseball player sliding into home, yanked open one of the drawers and fumbled for the first items that came to mind.
The creature roared again. A blast of superheated air hit the back of her neck. Georgia braced for the feel of teeth around her throat.
"Right here, ugly!"
She turned in time to see Darius' massive fist catch the creature square in the nose. The creature yelped, then retaliated with a swipe of an even-more-massive paw. The blow swept Darius clear off his feet. He flew backwards and hit the wall with a dull crunch, then sagged to the ground with a wheeze. Flecks of paint and drywall fluttered to the floor around him.
But he'd bought her the time she needed. Georgia held up her black candle and flicked her Bic lighter to life. She touched the flame to the wick. The creature's eyes widened.
"Black, the color of protection. Black, the color of night."
The creature snarled. Darius heaved himself to his feet and surged forward. He wrapped his arms around the creature's hind legs and held tight.
"Black, the color of silence. Black, the color of stillness."
The creature swiped at Darius again. Its paw caught empty air where his head had been just seconds earlier. It tried to move. Darius' arms visibly tightened. Muscles bunched under his suit jacket.
"With black I banish thee. With will I banish thee." Georgia poured intent into her words. Her voice grew heavier, fuller. "Return to the night. Return to the silence. Return to the stillness. Be gone from this place."
The creature let out a strange yelp-hiss as invisible forces compelled it to obey. Darius released it and scrambled backwards.
Georgia lifted her chin. Magic crackled through her veins, tinged her vision black. "Be gone from this place," she repeated. "With black and with will, by my power and by the power of the Lady, I banish thee. So mote it be." She blew out the candle.
The creature vanished in a swirl of acrid black smoke. Its final, infuriated roar echoed through the small apartment.
Georgia finally allowed herself to breathe again. For the first time, she realized she was coated in a fine film of glass and wood slivers. She reached up to dust herself off, at the last minute thought better of it.
Instead, she turned to Darius. He had hauled himself onto her sad excuse of a sofa. His hands were planted on his knees. He stared at the spot where the creature had last stood.
Georgia crossed her arms and cleared her throat. She waited until he looked up at her, then arched an eyebrow. "So. Do you believe me now?"
Character Name: Georgia Clare
Character Bio: Lena Alan’s best friend. Bookkeeper at Cross Your Teas. Badass Biker Witch and overall occult superhero.
Normally for character interviews, I like to sit my characters down at their favorite restaurant and have a nice, long chat. Sadly, neither my nor Georgia's schedules could accommodate a meeting like that right now. I did the next best thing, sent her the questions, and let her fill them out at her leisure.
Without further ado, meet Georgia Clare.
Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?
Well, I'm a witch. I think that's pretty f*cking cool. Best quality: I'm persistent (some people would say stubborn, but they're just haters). Worst quality: I used to have a bit of a death magic addiction.
What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?
I'm really not so bad, once you get past the whole death magic thing. I'm fun at a party, I have an awesome motorcycle, and I'm as loyal as they come.
What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?
I put on a tough face, but it stings like hell when people ice me out because of my past.
What are you most afraid of?
Karma.
What do you want more than anything?
Acceptance.
What is your relationship status?
Dating. Want more? Read the book. ;-)
How would you describe your sense of fashion?
Badass. I like leather and metal and denim and more leather. Oh, and did I mention leather?
How much of a rebel are you?
How much of a rebel is it possible to be?
What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?
I banished a goddess once (long story; again, read the book).
What is your idea of happiness?
Darius deCompostela.
What is your current state of mind?
Groovy, man.
What is your most treasured possession?
My 2001 Honda Valkyrie. I call her Dolores. She's a total bitch.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Physically? I have these violet (not purple, VIOLET) lowlights that are pretty awesome. Non-physically? Hell if I know. My sparkling personality, I guess.
What is it that you most dislike?
Judgmental bitches - er, witches.
Which living person do you most despise?
Supreme Overlord Oliva threatened me with a Jersey Shore marathon if I gave away any spoilers. So...read the book!
What is your greatest regret?
I did a lot of things when I was young and stupid that I'm not proud of.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Loyalty.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Strength.
Who is your favorite hero in fiction?
That guy who played Thor. What's his name? The blond one with the muscles. Delicious.
Which living person do you most admire?
Pope Francis. For a Catholic, he's all right.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
I wouldn't mind being taller.
What is your motto?
Ride on.
L.J.K. Oliva is the devil-may-care alter-ego of noir romance novelist Laura Oliva. She likes her whiskey strong, her chocolate dark, and her steak bloody. L.J.K. likes monsters… and knows the darkest ones don’t live in closets.
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Hey Janine! Thanks so much for posting this. Have a great rest of your week :-)
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