Have to work and do all the things today, so here is a short snippet. As an aside, Gutenberg, which is the new text editor for WordPress, arbitrarily eats spaces between words when you paste from Word. Begin primal scream of rage.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences occupied a nine-story building on Old Spanish Trail. Its blocky lines, rectangular windows, and orange brick practically screamed that it housed some sort of government agency.
I maneuvered our Honda Element into the parking lot. It used to be our surveillance vehicle, but last year Grandma Frida decided to rebuild it from wheels up. Now the Element sported a new engine, a reinforced suspension, and custom dampers for enhanced shock absorption. The windows were bulletproof, and the new glass had both the safety glazing and a polycarbonate layer on the inside, so if someone did shoot at us, the windows would crack but hold together. And most importantly, the Element was now equipped with B5 level armor, which meant it would stop most handguns and shotgun blasts. It could have been armored enough to withstand a sniper shot; however, Grandma Frida reasoned that our best chance of survival was getting away fast, and armor was heavy, so she stopped at B5 and added a reinforced floor and run-flat tires.
Unfortunately, even Grandma Frida had her limits, and steering was a bit sluggish. I was used to it by now and I aimed for a parking spot in the middle row.
“So, what’s with you and Alessandro Sagredo?” Runa asked.
The steering was sluggish, but the brakes worked perfectly. I jerked forward, and my seat belt slammed me back.
“Nothing.”
“Aha.” Runa pulled on her own seat belt. “That’s why we screeched to a stop halfway into the parking space?”
“My foot slipped.” I gently eased forward and brought the Element to a smooth stop.
Last night, after Bern carried Rutger into the guest bedroom and Runa settled in on inflatable mattress next to him, I went back to my office, rescued Alessandro’s picture from my desk drawer, and brought it upstairs to my bedroom. He looked so carefree, caught in a magic moment somewhere sunny and warm. When I looked at the picture, a disquieting, unpleasant feeling squeezed my chest, not pain exactly, but a kind of discomfort. I stood in my bedroom and wished with everything I had that I was there, in the sun, with a backdrop of green mountains and Alessandro and I were going somewhere. Together.
It was stupid, and childish, and it would never be. I hid it all inside, put the picture on my nightstand, and went to bed.
“So, you’re just going to go with ‘nothing?’” Runa asked.
“That’s right.”
“Your sister said you met during your trials.”
Sistercide was not a word, but it would be after today. “Yes.”
“Yes what? Is there a story behind that?”
No. He didn’t follow me on Instagram, and he didn’t take my breath away during the trials. And he definitely didn’t show up under my window after trying to convince me to go for a drive.
“We met during the trials, and my sisters haven’t stopped trolling me about it for the last three years. There is absolutely nothing between me and Alessandro Sagredo.”
Strictly speaking, there was 5,561 miles between our warehouse and the Sagredo estate near Venice, Italy. A commercial flight with one stop could get me to Venice in thirteen hours.
“Your cheeks are turning pink,” Runa said. “Are you imagining there being nothing between you and Alessandro?”
Squeeeeeeee!!!
EEEEEEEE! I was thrilled to find out you were continuing the Hidden Legacy Series. Thank you for creating such wonderful characters.
So glad to see Runa back!
Also, Diamond Fire reminded us that their House was safe from other House attacks for three years. And this snippet is set … three years from when they became a House.
There is going to be so much drama!
Just thought about this too as I was rereading the series. So excited, wonder if Nevada and Rogan have any kids yet.
It is Thanksgiving so I have to tell you how much I appreciate your generosity with your writing. It gives me a happy feeling when you post snippets, excerpts and chapters of Innkeeper. Thank-you so much!
You make the world a bit happier when you write.
Susan
+1
Just pondering, but if Alessandro loved Catalina for herself he would then be immune to her magic and there would be no worries. Further, she could tell it was love since her magic would not work. This assumes he could love her on their limited acquaintance, but since my husband proposed the second week I knew him, and I accepted I think it could be possible. We’ve been married 55 years and so far, so good.
Sorry, have no thoughts on the Gutenberg problem though.
After reading Diamond Fire I was just sitting here thinking “I wonder if there is going to be more Hidden Legacy with Catalina?” And apparently i missed the memo because here is a snippet! Yay! Hidden Legacy is my favorite series….Kate is awesome but something about the Hidden Legacy books just speak to me. So you know what would be amazing?! If Rogan and Nevada had twins! I know grandma Victoria said they get one child per generation but we all know Nevada and Rogan are special. And at least 1 mischievous toddler balanced by another quiet and observant toddler would be AWESOME. That’s my Christmas wish
Twins! Yes!
I keep imagining a telekinetic with her targeting ability. Or the telekinetic sensate Rogan’s father tried to make
This would be great! Would love this.
That’s a nice tidbit. :]
You see the problem is you both are such excellent writers that your reader want to and usually binge read your book. And then we are left with a book-hangover until the next one is released.
EXACTLY. It’s worse when you are:
A) unemployed*
B) Read very very fast.
That’s when you’ve read the book 5 times in 2 days and WHERE’S THE NEXT ONE??!!
_____
*predictive text went straight to unemployable. Way to break my confidence, Apple.
I just did the snoopy dance in my chair.
Thank you.
Yaaay snippet. Eagerly awaiting the full novel.
Incidentally the word for ‘sistercide’ is ‘sororicide’ and I feel like as intelligent and adorably nerdy as Catalina is she would both know it and use it.
Last time I made my father laugh before he died:
“So Daddy, what is it called when you kill someone?”
” Homicide”
“When you kill yourself?”
” Suicide”
“When you kill your mother?”
“Matricide”
” When you kill your little brother? ”
“You better…..”
” Play along here. What is it called when you kill your little brother? ”
“Fratricide”
“No.”
” OK…I give up…what IS it called when you kill your little brother? ”
“PESTICIDE”
Rereading the series and can’t wait to see more of Cornelius and how he integrated into Baylor investigators agency. Would alot love to see Agustin find a love interest. I need more of the world of hidden legacy. Love it so much.
Another thing that sticks out is in diamond fire where Catalina said she wasn’t sure if Rogan like them or just tolarated them because he loved Nevada (or something to that extent). Really hope they get to interact more since Rogan’s mom trained her. And we get to read about it
I loved, no wait, LOVED, Connor……. I have a sneaky feeling that Alessandro might, just might, even be way way more better than Connor…..hmmmmm if my feeling turns out to be true then this is going to be an amazing ride to be a part of.
Just finished rereading the books so exicted for the next one. Just remembered that at the end of wildfire they said they were building a new house near where Rogan lives. Excited to read about that and all they have done in 3 yrs. What alliance they have created and what enemies are waiting. Also remembered that Nevada owes a favor for saving her grandmother. Can’t wait for them to ask. But always wondered is it a favor from house Baylor or Nevada personally. Cant wait for the new book
I wonder if Bern or Leon will become head of security for house Baylor. Hoping more Leon, I hope he has more ambitious than becoming an assassin. I mean I’m sure the head of security will kill a lot of people defending the house. He is older than Catalina so in the next book he will be older and hopefully wiser. Also surprised Bern and Leon’s mom hasn’t show up. Once you get money or power you always find family you didn’t know you had come out of the woodwork asking for money or help. Still holding out hope for some of Rogan’s extended family to make an appearance. They were not all bad, wondering if some of them will reach out try to make amends after the mess at the wedding. Maybe the female cousins who defended Catalina. They are close to the same age so I think it can work well. I also hope Catalina has grown a bit more. When the Nevada books started she was already 25, independent head of the business. She was very mature and grown up. In Diamond fire we see Catalina coming into her own, but still a bit green. Still felt a bit like a teenager. I am super excited about the new book, re read the series last week. Kinda made me a bit more obsessed.
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