Today is the day! The end of the Greystone-in-Training trilogy has arrived! The Final Gauntlet is available now in ebook and paperback.

The end of the beginning…

The story hits on every piece of Greystone lore. Nathaniel Evans and the founding of Portents. The Luminaries and their secret strongholds in the city. Bethany Loren. The Bypass.

So much is packed into the book. I wanted this finale to be a celebration of everything that has come before and a guide for the road ahead. The second half of Greystone picks up right after this book. That might make you scratch your head right now, but trust me, when you reach the end you’ll see what I’m talking about.

I’m so excited to have you on this journey with me. I loved writing about Soriya, Loren, Ruiz, and everyone that makes Portents special.

Enjoy The Final Gauntlet and stick around, there is still more story to tell!

Order your copy of The Final Gauntlet today!

Paperback shoppers:

The paperback is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and more. For those who prefer my online story, you’ll have to wait just a bit longer. I should have copies in two weeks and will let you know!

From the back cover:

The Daughters of Salem have returned.

A doorway was opened and a threat from the earliest days of Portents has found its way home. The Daughters have a clear mission: to use the power of the doorkeeper and awaken a terrible darkness on the world.

Soriya stands alone to face the threat. To do so, she must protect the magic-wielding doorkeeper—a woman in a desperate search to find her past.

There is more at stake for Soriya, though, as Mentor levels one final test upon her. Should she pass, Soriya will at last earn the mantle of the Greystone.

If she fails, however, all of Portents may succumb to the darkness within their souls.

Her greatest challenge is only the beginning as the secrets of the city come to light in the epic final chapter of the Greystone-in-Training trilogy.

Order your copy of The Final Gauntlet now!

Greystone-in-Training Sale!

Hammer and Anvil is FREE right now!

The Gifts of Kali is only $0.99 for a limited time only!

Read the whole story.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I did writing it.

Look for more Greystone coming your way soon.

The Final Gauntlet arrives next week! Check out a sneak peek of the novel and prepare for the deadly rise of the Daughters of Salem. This is not only the end of the trilogy, but The Final Gauntlet sets up so many things to come.

Grab your copy today!

Sneak peek of The Final Gauntlet

Chapter Two

It was time.

Annabelle Waterhouse knew it as soon as she woke up. The feeling ate at her like a cancer. It stirred her thoughts and drove her toward her goal. She tried to resist the urge as nothing more than the impetuousness of youth. She knew deep down, however, the time had come to try again.

Books lay in large piles on every counter in her cramped one-room apartment. Some were opened, and the texts within were littered with stray notes and circled objects. Lists marred the edges of each page. Some related to specific tasks to be completed, while others connected to different writings entirely.

The research had taken time, though it was something she skimped on in the beginning. That had proved to be a fatal flaw—the mistake that had followed all her attempts since. Even after months of preparation, Annabelle had jumped the gun last time. She had let excitement give way to arrogance, and another bitter failure was the result.

Not this time. Not again. Another mistake could not and would not occur again if it fell within her power. Days slipped to weeks, which turned to months, in her efforts to find the right tools for the job ahead.

She found rare ointments and elixirs. There were potions and brews lost to history, but she searched them out to gain access to their potency. Everything was in service of her goal. Fear held her back, but it could not stop her endless pursuit.

Annabelle shuffled her belongings into a knapsack. She delicately placed the items inside to avoid any unseemly collision of the volatile chemicals in each vial. She tucked the books in the back to keep the glass from shifting inside.

Placing the pack by the door, she reached for the coat rack and the lone cloak hanging from the hook. The cloak was long and trailed down to her knees when she slipped it on. The deep green cloth contained golden runic patterns along the back and sleeves. Annabelle tied it tight to her waist and let out a long breath.

She stopped in front of the mirror beside the door. She picked at stray locks of crimson hair to pull them away from her emerald eyes. Her lips were thin and her cheekbones were sunken against her gaunt figure. Who did they belong to? Which feature had been her father’s? She wondered with each glance. Did her mother share her green eyes? Did her father carry the same wild hair? She knew nothing of them and nothing from her past.

Her every endeavor was to learn the truth about her origins. She had called the city outside home for as long she could remember, but Portents was not her true home. It held no family, no lineage, or legacy. Her childhood had been one of loneliness and desperation; she had sought out friendships and connections only to find emptiness in the attempts.

Annabelle Waterhouse didn’t belong in Portents. She never had. Somewhere, though, was the truth. Tonight it was time to find out who she truly was and what she was meant for in the world.

The door would show her the way.

Twice now she had made the attempt. Both attempts had failed. This would be different. Her preparations had seen to that. Her dreams would make it a reality. All she required was a glimpse of the truth, a snapshot of her parents waiting for her on the other side ready to take her home.

It had to be tonight. Annabelle had spent so much time over the last year studying and researching. There was no more fear nor any doubts about what she had to do.

It was time to find her past and face her future.

Annabelle pulled the green hood over her head. It hid her scarlet hair and dropped her eyes into shadow. Her hand snatched up the knapsack, slipping the strap over her shoulder. Then she stepped out into the night, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

 

Chapter Three

Life unfolded in the Courtyard. Soriya observed it all from the shadow of the alley. Across from her were the bronze entry doors to the hidden microcosm. She had been coming to this place since she was a child. Mentor had brought her to the Courtyard at an early age to see the wonders the true city held—and also so he could find a babysitter while he attended to a flock of harpies which sought revenge on a local gang.

There was always a new sight to see with each visit. Soriya stood in awe of the population residing within the twelve-block sanctuary. With doorways concealed throughout the space, the Courtyard bridged dozens of worlds and gave hundreds of unique creatures a place to call home. Thanks to the hidden space, they were allowed to live the way they chose rather than being pigeonholed into a certain role.

Elvish children rushed along the main road that cut through the space. They danced between the shoppers and the merchants, playing games and shouting laughter to anyone and everyone they met along the way. They ran recklessly, encircling the large right foot of a giant, who patted his stomach and muttered about the all-you-can-eat boar fest at the pavilion on the far end of the lane.

Laughter connected them all, from the street cart dealers to the residents in their mismatched homes. Some of the domiciles dated back decades, while others appeared as old as medieval times. The Courtyard transcended time and space. It pulled pieces of each era into its folds, while at the same time giving access to the multitude of worlds hidden just out of sight from the mundane and ignorant.

What it boiled down to was humanity. In that moment of pure relaxation, Soriya Greystone found the truest definition of humanity in watching the lives unfold around her. She realized the reason for her work, for every lesson learned and every task accomplished. It was for them and always would be. The thought made her proud.

She laughed, clapping along to the energetic, chaotic beat of the Courtyard. The sound filled the air, and her chest heaved from the pure joy in her heart.

The flapping of wings silenced her. Black and wide, they spread and gave flight to the raven called Kok’-Kol, who joined her at the mouth of the alley.

“It is good to hear you laugh, my child,” the raven said.

“Kok’-Kol,” Soriya said with a smirk. The raven landed on her shoulder. “I didn’t think you were around. If I had known, I would have brought a treat.”

Soriya left the street behind. The joy of the Courtyard fell into the background as the pair entered the darkness of the alley that served as the mighty raven’s home. Kok’-Kol left the comfort of Soriya’s shoulder and flew ahead. With each flap of his wings, torches flickered to life along the walls. The brick of tenement houses covered one side. The other was made up of cracked and broken stonework from the side of a castle. Kok’-Kol flew to the small altar at the back of the alley. He appeared to hover in the darkness.

“The thought is appreciated,” Kok’-Kol replied. He lifted a wing and patted his gut. “I’m watching my figure anyway.”

Soriya chuckled. “I’m sure.”

“What brought about your visit tonight?”

“Well, I…” Soriya stopped when she realized the enjoyment behind the raven’s question. She pointed to the winged beast. “You already know, don’t you.”

“I do.”

Kok’-Kol was one the First Ones of the Miwok, an ancient tribe that, in their passing, became bound to their spirit animals. He had survived centuries as a raven thanks to his foresight—a gift that allowed him to view future events. It was in the sharing that he ran into trouble. Soriya had called him on it many times in the past, though she respected his methods and what he could offer to her.

“Mentor asked me to meet him here,” Soriya explained. “I think he’s planning his big test. He’s going to pass on the role of Greystone finally.”

Finally. Like it was a predetermined move by the man. Mentor wasn’t that old. He still had plenty of years left where he could protect the city. Soriya understood that. She also knew that until he passed along the mantle, while others might call her Greystone, she would only ever be his student and nothing more. It was a role she’d grown frustrated with of late—like somewhere deep inside she knew it was time to move forward.

“If you succeed in this last trial,” Kok’-Kol said.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Soriya said.

“I was merely reminding you to check your ego.”

“I get it, Kok’-Kol.”

“Do you now?” he replied, eyes piercing through the shadows. “I’m not so sure.”

“Why? What have you seen?”

The raven hesitated. He dropped from the altar to a dumpster in the center of the alley. His beak picked at the remains on the small piece of cardboard covering the lid.

“It’s not like you to hold back,” Soriya said.

He caught the remark with a glare. Then he turned to face her. “Darkness and light I have seen. The door swings both ways. The daughters seek their kin to use for their own foul deeds. A choice will be made. Help her see the truth. She will be the key someday.”

“But what—”

“You asked what I have seen, my child,” Kok’-Kol interrupted. “That is what I have seen.”

Soriya balled her hands into fists of frustration. “That doesn’t explain anything though. You know that, right?”

“Next time you’ll remember the treat, then, won’t you?”

“Touché.” Soriya huffed. She shook her head, and her hands fell open before clasping tight to her hips. “I’ll be ready, Kok’-Kol.”

The raven spread his wings to draw her in closer. Green eyes burned at her. “Do not listen to the voice, my child. It is from the past and the future. He will only lead you astray.”

“What do you—”

Kok’-Kol took flight, which cut off her question. The black raven flew past Soriya for the open space of the Courtyard, rising higher and higher until he was gone.

“Thanks, Kok’-Kol,” she muttered. His warning stayed with her. The raven, though stubborn in his insight, was never wrong. Kok’-Kol had never failed in his duty. His explanations simply took the long way around. One of these days she feared she might fail thanks to his games. She hoped it wasn’t tonight. “What the hell did that mean?”

When her gaze fell back to earth, a shadow grew across the alley. A tall, lithe figure stood at the street, his tan cloak billowing in the breeze. Mentor’s stern look was lost to the shadows, but his very presence made his intentions clear.

“Soriya.” He held out his hand to her. “It’s time.”

Excited to see what the test will be? Order your copy today!