ILONA ANDREWS

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Working on Hidden Legacy 5

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Oh noes, look who is back.

The doors opened and I entered the three-story high foyer. A grand staircase curved from the gleaming floor of polished white marble, wrapped in venetian plaster walls that were decorated with acanthus leaf molding. An enormous chandelier dripped long strands of crystal above an indoor fountain poised between the two arms of the staircase. Above it a vast stained-glass dome offered white clouds floating over the blue sky. The entire place glowed, white and elegant despite its opulence.

I turned right and crossed a small sitting room to the study.

Linus sat behind a black and gold desk that would have been at home in Versailles. In his sixties, still fit, with thick salt and pepper hair, Linus always had the Texas tan, as if the sun had permanently left its mark on his skin. His features were handsome and bold, a square jaw framed by a short beard, prominent nose, thick dark eyebrows, and dark eyes. He smiled easily and when he paid attention to you, you felt special. If you asked ten people who just met him to describe him, they would all say one word – charming. The Linus who nodded at me from behind the desk was anything but. He looked like an old eagle who spotted something displeasing in his domain and was sharpening his talons for the kill.

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Comments

      • Me, too! The Ford/Ormand/Kinnear remake, though. Loved that movie.

        “More isn’t always better, Linus. Sometimes it’s just more.” I think of the “Oh, Maud” line when reading SotB, too.

  2. OMG!! I wonder if Rogan and company has a niggle of suspicion that Linus might be a big bad?

    • I would assume so
      Clue 1 – When Nevada went to register her House, both Rogan and Michael (the assistant to the Records Keeper ) did not appear to like/trust Linus (“…both he and Michael watched Linus Duncan like he would sprout fangs and claws…”).
      Clue 2 – Rogan and Linus referred to each other by their military ranks when meeting – a very formal greeting but add this to something that was said somewhere about Rogan’s opinion of military higher-ups after his adventure in the jungle, I have always assumed a deal of hostility in that relationship

      I have always assumed that Linus was “grandpa” to the girls based on what was in Wildfire and how they were conceived. Will be interesting to see if this is true and what conflicts that raises

      • I agree. My thought process too except I thought he was caesar based on Grandmother Tremaine actions. But i could be in far left field.

      • No, Victoria told Nevada that her grandfather was an excised member of a Greek house, Molpe (sp?). Linus has been mentioned as being of Scottish descent and is the head of House Duncan, if I remember correctly. He is not the grandfather of the Baylor girls.

        I’m really looking forward to finding out what his powers are though. I’ve read the books several times and I haven’t come up with any real hints, just that many primes are wary of him.

        August is not coming soon enough. ARGGGHHHHH

    • The depth of Rogan’s care for Nevada and her family can only be truly understood after reading SAPPHIRE FLAMES. 🙂

      • evil!!!!!!!!!!!

        ? Why do I get the feeling @Ilona is lsughing maniacally at her computer. ?

        August get here already!

      • Aaaarrrggghhhhh!!!! I stayed up until 3am last nite watching the nice Chinese lady cook pigs head and sheep guts! It’s all your fault. (Well not really but that’s my excuse which didn’t work for taking off work). sigh.

  15. I just started the umpteenth reread in prep for the new book coming out next month (I HOPE!) … looking forward to the rest of the stories!

  32. Thank you!
    And why, why when I see you’ve given us a snippet, that my normally deep-for-a-female voice goes up to “only canines” can hear it range, as I shout Yes?!

    Ooo Linus D. talons are showing.

  33. Another terrific surprise, I received my copy of Sapphire Flames today and I told my husband he would be fending for himself this weekend as I settled into reading mode on the couch. I can’t get enough of your work guys, Thank you so much.

    • That’s the e-arc or beta reader version, right? Because I just checked Amazon, and Sapphire Flames is definitely to be released in 27. August.

  36. Ok, whetting the appetite for more. Unfair, I say. But I enjoyed it nonetheless and a big thank you! Made the day brighter.

  38. Aaaaaaahhh a snippet from book 5 already! So excited!! I wonder how and when they will find out that HE is not so irreproachable as they think ?

  41. omg, you cannot leave us hanging like that – so many feels. thank you thank you thank you – this is my favourite series of yours.

  43. Is it sad that when Linus was introduced and he was so kind and affable that I was suspicious – but I love him

  45. You wrote Hidden Legacy but for some reason I thought Innkeeper. Probably because I just finished re-reading the first three. Actually took me a second to remember who Linus was.

    Thanks for the snippet!

    • Former head of the House Assembly. He was introduced in the second book and he was in the third book as one of Nevada’s witnesses to her House formation (the other witness being Rogan). We all think he’s Caesar, the guy behind the bad guys in the first 3 books. We don’t have Book 4 yet (Catalina’s first book), so we don’t know if Houses Rogan and Baylor know that he’s the bad guy or not.

      • It so interesting, on the re-reads of the Hidden Legacy books, to note how Linus always manages to not speak untruth, thus avoid triggering Nevada’s passive field truth check, and come across so sincere and good. He is excellent at lying with tone and inflection, but not words. I wonder what his gift is.

        Our Author Lords have outdone themselves in coming up with this Big Bad. Such an interesting character. ???

        • He might be a psionic / siren dual magic user… He can manipulate minds as well as emotions.

  50. So happy that the muse is whispering to you! I am excited to see where this book goes!
    Thank you for the snippet!

    • I think Linus is bad, but he isn’t Caesar is he? I don’t remember that being hinted. Maybe he was just a good guy swayed by the ease of bad ways to achieve “greater good”. Also, is it just me or does the narration sound different depending on character. I mean to say that I hadn’t read the title to this post before jumping in, and to me it could have been Catalina in the first para (before the name Linus came in, and you knew it is/could be Nevada). Or even Dina. Because it sounds like them? But the back of my brain went, no no, this sounds like Nevada. And then I checked the title and it was. Is it a deliberate thing, meticulously maintained, ensuring unique voices of characters? Or does that happen over the course of writing as them? Or am I just a rambling idiot. Or is this even like an established writing law that is just now resonating with me?

      • Pretty sure Linus is indeed Caesar.
        Do a strg-F for “hate to be bored” in Wildfire and look if you agree with me.

          • I knew Linus was Caesar the moment Nevada met him in the elevator.

            I’m so excited for the next book. My favorite series ever!

              • you did? how’d you figure it out from the elevator? just cause he was powerful, everyone respected him?

                • It was just a feeling that he was not what he seemed to be – too self deprecating for a former ruler in a world surrounded by people who do not value restraint. Also, he was a man that formerly had a position of power that he lost which is the type of person that would like to overthrow the entire system.

            • When Catalina uses her power Nevada tastes copper in book 2? At the compound. When Nevada meets Linus she tastes copper at the lunch meeting when she agrees to see the evil grandmother. I bet he’s Caesar and her grandfather. 😉 But it’s just a guess.

              Especially if Catalina was immune he wouldn’t like her… And Linus is from a European house that exiled him, I think… could be misremembering.

              • Good catch about the copper.
                I also believe he is Caesar and her grandfather.

                • That would be a heck of a thing for Linus to be Catalina’s grandfather. Catalina’s grandfather is/was an excised member of a European House (Mope?). He was a Siren Prime like Catalina but he hid his talent for the same reasons she did.

              • I’m sure he’s Caesar but he’s not their grandfather as he was a siren which we were told in book 3.

              • Heh, no, this is just a stress response. To some people a punch of adrenaline results in a coppery taste.

                • Oh man, then I was fooled. I really thought that the copper taste was a clue that further supported Linus being Caesar and him having an ability like Catalina’s, because Nevada had a lot of stressful moments, but the only other times that the copper taste was mentioned was when Catalina was around.

        • Linus pops up way to much to be a nothing side character. I really think he is Caesar too.

        • Oh absolutely when he told the grandmother at the wedding that she was like him and hated to be bored I thought that’s Caesar.

      • The other hint is that eagle reference right now more than ever. As eagles were always used by romans as a way of getting the blessing of zeus.

          • Where do the books say he had siren powers? I’ve re-read the series at least six times and I’ve never caught that. It would explain how he’s so charming and magnanimous though. It would also certainly be interesting if he was Catalina’s grandfather. I dismissed that idea a long time ago because the only other known house with that ability is from Greece and his last name is Irish or Scottish, but looking it up now, the name Linus is Greek. The theory would also explain his interactions with the evil grandma. I like this theory!

            • But wouldn’t the assembly have known about sirens if that is the talent Linus has? Or does he have a secondary prime talent? I don’t know if anyone ever said what kind of talent Linus has.

              • I don’t remember any details about his powers being given. Just that Nevada “felt” like he was trustworthy.I suspect that that feeling is likely tied to his powers in some way.

  52. Thank you. Ilona Andrews for the snippet. This has been a week of Mondays so far so for me this was excellent change of pace.

    Titan and I are reading Jayne Castle rainshadow books on Friday night’s as he was spoiled as a puppy by the Friday night SOTB segment readings. I can make pee on a post exciting when we are tracking training but I have problems with Friday night reading material. Sigh.

    Oh yeah for your chuckle today vet said his latest rescue is 4 or 5 week old kitten that had not been weaned. Knucklehead pup stashed under my bed one stormy day recently so I had a surprise in middle of night when i kept hearing pathetic meowing sounds. No he did not get the memo that he is a dog, dogs do not like cats, and it a kitten with a well developed cussing vocabulary as he insists on bathing it daily. Yes I did explain cats do not like baths but he has typical male [sorry Gordon] selective hearing. But he is slowly maturing into a good dog. No we still have passed good k9 test because he thinks he does not need to Come as I am fine and he is willful, stubborn, independent thinker which is typical for rhodesian ridgeback breed. Sigh.

    Thanks for snippet.

    • Wait. ..wait… How did you guys come to speculate that Catalina is the granddaughter of Linus? (and this IS sheer speculation at this point in time). Wouldn’t this also mean that her DNA would be the same as both her sisters? After all they do have the same father.

      • Linus’ magic has not been mentioned. Yes, all three girls have the same DNA, which Rogan is wary of since he asked Nevada if she had Beast of Cologne DNA. I don’t believe Linus is the sperm donor since Victoria did not speak well of him. I do think Linus is Caesar.

  54. See, I’m not so sure about Linus Duncan being the big bad. Wasn’t he trying to introduce laws that would limit the power of the houses when he was head of the House Assembly? And the rest of his behavior could be explained as a cautious and powerful Prime who is masterfully playing the House game and who everyone (including Rogan) respects and gives a wide berth.
    I don’t know why, but I keep wondering if the Author Lords are planning a twist or something and Linus is not the big bad? Maybe it’s because the majority of the BDH already thinks Linus is the big bad that I think that way? But I wonder….

    • No matter what, THANK YOU FOR THE SNIPPETS! We love the snippets! The snippets are life… or at least relief on bad work days!

    • ” Wasn’t he trying to introduce laws that would limit the power of the houses when he was head of the House Assembly?”

      If I recall correctly, Cornelius likes Linus Duncan because he was trying to get the rest of the Primes behave with greater responsibility for the rest of the populace, state, nation, or planet. Howling worships Caesar because he is a good man who wants Primes and magic users to rule the planet.
      Both cast the rest of the petty and selfish Prime society as a waste of space who could use a good kicking, but they come to a vastly different conclusion.

      This is why I believe Linus has to be Caesar, because by the time the reader experiences X number of Hidden Legacy novels with N number of sadistic bad guys, and Nx2 number of good people trodden under their feet, even the Book Devouring Horde is likely to think Caesar as a bit of a point.

      That’s why this is good writing.

      • [Ararose said]
        > ” Wasn’t he trying to introduce laws that would limit the power of the houses when he was head of the House Assembly?”

        [John said]
        > If I recall correctly, Cornelius likes Linus Duncan because he was trying to get the rest of the Primes behave with greater responsibility for the rest of the populace, state, nation, or planet.

        I looked it up. What Cornelius actually said was:
        “Because he was honest and he tried to change the Assembly for the better.”

        But there are other hints of darkness where Linus is concerned. When Nevada officially petitioned to become a house, Linus was there as a witness. Both Michael and Rogan watched Linus like, “he would sprout fangs and claws any second.” [Wildfire, page 38]. And when Linus described himself as an ally with blunted fangs, Rogan’s reaction made it clear that he didn’t believe that for a second.

        Then when Victoria Tremaine barged in and attempted to claim Nevada for her house, she looked to Linus for assistance. And Linus said, “I’m a witness. I’m honor bound to protect [Nevada].”

        Victoria and Linus were intimate acquaintances. Victoria trusted Linus enough to be around him with her newborn — a newborn she had wanted desperately and probably went to great lengths to protect (even as she half killed his soul).

        And then, of course, they danced at Nevada’s wedding and talked about how much they hated being bored.

    • Do a text search in the 3rd HL book of “hate to be bored”. I think that’s the clue that most of us are basing the Duncan theory on.

  56. Linus!
    Linus doesn’t like being bored.
    …….
    .

    So excited to read a new snippet!
    Thank-you

    • Does anyone remember the snippet where they are going to jump the car??? Been looking for it and I can’t find it.

  59. Do you think Linus Duncan has anything to do with Duncan from “Of Swine and Roses”?

    • Yeah sure in the case that Ilona likes that name only 😛
      Like Elena or names that Start with an A.
      Being a spanish native speaker the Spaniard names in Diamond fire made me think that Ilona and Andrew choose the ones that striked their fancy but not really common names….but then, rich people like weird names.
      By the way I just recently reread it and it was a breath of fresh air, even tough I remembered the story because this last months were plagued by bad books.

      • We had a couple of Spanish speakers proofread it and they had fun coming up with the names that were a mix of Spanish and Basque. 🙂

  64. Thank you for the wonderful surprise snippet. Another reason to celebrate (the first celebration came last night – I am a big fan of professional hockey, and the team I root for (for a very, very, long time), the St. Louis Blues, won the Stanley Cup last night. Woo-hoo!). 😀

    • My husband, a tweed-wearing professor, wore his Blues Gretzky jersey to work today, here in the Chicago area. ?

  66. Oh, no. Another book from an incredible talented duo I need to buy. Oh, what a tragedy my life is, reading fantastic books one right after another ?

  68. Gorgeous, and many thanks for it. I’m another thinking that Linus is Caesar, based on the “hate to be bored” comments, and the fact that although everyone seems to look at him and immediately trust him The Hurricane responds to him as if he’s a grenade with the pin out.

  69. I was leaning toward Linus being Caesar, and I didn’t want him to be. It was his comments to both Nevada and Victoria about so hating to be bored. Still hoping I’m wrong and he’s a good guy.

    • I’m ok with him ending up the bad guy since we don’t yet know much real things about him. I think we’ve only seen his polite facade. I’m sure they’ll develop his backstory well so we understand why he’s done what he has.

  70. Lovely! A snippet already!
    Thank you so much for teasing us months before this will be out! (No sarcasm meant. I really do thank you.)
    I hate to be bored, too, but I seldom am because I can reread Ilona Andrews books.
    Take that, Caesar!

  72. I think I hear Nevada as opposed toCatalina. Can’t explain why, it just sounds like Nevada.
    Linus may be Caesar , but I think there will be a twist. Or a OMG, I would never had seen that coming.
    And it’s a Thursday snippet, not a Friday snippet. Thank you , like snippets any day of the week.

    • This is Catalina’s next book, because she gets her own trilogy, right AL?
      And Linus is Caesar, because when Gramma Victoria told him she was out, he told her it wasn’t over, just postponed…

    • I think it may be Nevada, too, because the character drawn above is blond. Arabella is blond, but she’s short and curvy.

  73. Linus!!!!! Oh noes!!!! Dun dun dun! Yay!
    Now if only book 4 would be in my hands already…

  74. Thank you for the snippet, I had a feeling Mr Duncan would be turning up again! Having just re-read Diamond Fire, I’m wondering if anyone gets around to questioning Kelly Waller about Cesar? And, given how much his followers support him, I wonder if he is a dual Siren/something like Catalina’s turning out to be…

    • My guess about Linus Duncan is that he is not only a siren, but he is the male siren who is their grandfather.

      • Cool thought! Too bad Victoria said that she had paid their grandfather for the sperm donation. And that he was scared to use his gift. Linus isn’t scared of anything.

        • Ooo, now was the full payment monetary?

          (I did not think this story fit Linus, but then, people do grow into their roles, sometimes?)

  75. I can’t remember if Catalina has a 3 book arc or not. I’m assuming so. Thanks for the snippet, we love them!
    I’ve been watching u tube videos on leveling a concrete floor and installing laminate flooring. Trying to decide, hire someone or Just suck it up and do it myself. Biggest problem is no place to move the furniture to while I DIY it. Oh well, more research to be done.

    • I have found that the engineered flooring is the best, and the easiest to install. I am a fat, old, grey haired grandma who is, I swear, on my last diy fixer upper. Where were these materials 40 some years ago? And, with the engineered wood, you can move furniture from one side of the room to the other. Get some of the authors’ books on audible and have at it. Good luck
      Also, thank you for the snippet

  79. The Hidden Legacy Series has been written in first person to include Diamond Fire which had two first persons. It started with Nevada being I in the prologue and with Catalina being I for the rest of the Novella. The I is so conspicuous in this snippet, I wonder if it is a trick on the BDH.

    I believe Linus is the bad guy, because of the last scene in Wild Fire. The visitor said, “The cause isn’t dead Victoria.” and concluded with,”We both do so hate to be bored.”

  81. Everytime a snippet comes out I count the days until the release and recheck to make sure I my calendar reminder is in place. Can’t wait! This is mt favorite series. For sure think Linus is Cesar.

  82. Ever since it was bragged that Caesar is “beyond reproach”, I’ve always suspected Linus. OOOhhhweee! I can’t wait! Thanks for the teaser, Authorlords 🙂

  85. Wow. Thanks for the snippet, and yeahhhhhhhhh……..Hidden Legacy 5. Sign me up now!

    And, thanks for all the comments. I figured Linus was Caesar because of the two spots in Wildfire with the “not wanting to be bored” comment, but had never considered that he might be the Baylor second grandfather. I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Thanks Ilona and Gordon for the preview of the next book. Peace and blessings to you both, and Happy Father’s Day Gordon.

  87. Excited for book 5! Excited for the teaser; frustrating it’s so short. How about, oh, 600 page teaser . . . Just saying I’m now counting the days for the book.

  88. Excited for book 5! Excited for the teaser; frustrating it’s so short. How about, oh, 600 page teaser . . . Just saying I’m now counting the days for the book.

  92. I have wondered if that is a semi-sarcastic comment by the real Caesar quoting Linus. I wondered if the Record keeper is Caesar and now Nevada owes him a favor. Will be interesting to find out.

  93. I vacillate between Linus Duncan – Michael Latimer & The Keeper Of Records as Caesar.
    It will be such fun when we all find out who it really is 🙂

    • No, no, no. Michael Latimer is mine* and y’all can’t have him!

      * a blatantly foolish thing to say on the author’s own blog…

  94. I’ve just picked up on the comment about his desk, “Linus sat behind a black and gold desk that would have been at home in Versailles”. The official residence of the last King Louis’. Hmm …

    • Does anyone remember the snippet where they are going to jump the car??? Been looking for it and I can’t find it.

  96. Oh boy I can look forward to another book. Wait a minute…weren’t you just crumbling a bit around the edges with all the pressure of books, books, books? Just which of you is holding to these masochistic tendencies? I’m pleased, but will feel terribly guilty if one of you has a breakdown. Or is this a compulsion of some sort. You know, like making a living?

  99. Wait. ..wait… How did you guys come to speculate that Catalina is the granddaughter of Linus? (and this IS sheer speculation at this point in time). Wouldn’t this also mean that her DNA would be the same as both her sisters? After all they do have the same father.

    Oh now I’m going back to re-read the books (for the 6th time)…. What a chore… NOT….YAAY!! ).

  101. Linus was always my top suspect for Caesar and biological grandfather, and this snippet reinforces that. Who would fear and hate female sirens more than a male raised in a siren clan? We also know that a siren’s power can be deadly to the wielder. Of course he would misrepresent his magic as being something more common or acceptable, and he probably kept his DNA private. The siren power is an amplification of charm. To charm someone is to bewitch them, control their attention and perceptions, and seemingly cast a spell over them. Good actors and magicians know how to misdirect their audience and lead them to believe what they are perceiving is true.

    • Linus was my top contender for Caeser but I hadn’t thought abt him being their grandfather… why would he fear them? I think he’d be curious and maybe possessive if he was indeed their grandfather, the same way Victoria was. They’re all valuable especially if he was aware of who they are to him.
      Also, Linus and Victoria seemed to get along in the previous books. I don’t think someone she forced into giving her their sperm would remain cordial with her.

  102. Linus is too strong to be her paternal grandfather! I know he is most likely the boss bad guy but I really like him (so far…).

  103. Hm… Linus could be her grandfather. His powers aren’t known, only his influence. Hmm. And he said he had a similarly frustrating experience to Mad Rogan’s with needing to protect someone like Nevada who wouldn’t allow it …. She also didn’t force their grandfather, she paid him etc. Linus couldn’t have been paid into that I don’t think unless he genuinely cared about Victoria, which I could see, but maybe she made him influential, have him political power so to speak, or got him started. Maybe.

  104. I don’t know. I agree with the bored thing. But I still think there will be a twist and Caesar will end up being a woman.

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