2,119 miles away from Elmwood
The right leg hurt, the left arm hurt, everything fucking hurt. There was alien slime dripping from his armor, and it stank like yesterday’s vomit.
The gate loomed in front of him. Elias McFeron stepped through it.
Blue sky. Finally.
He took a deep breath and tasted home. That first gulp of Earth’s air. There was nothing like it.
Behind him the rest of the assault team staggered out. He’d force-marched them for the last two days, all the way from the anchor chamber. It was a hard pace even for the top Talents, and it took longer than expected because the markers they had placed to guide their way through the swamp had sunk.
The first responders dashed toward him with the stretcher. Elias let them get in position, lifted Damion Bonilla off his shoulders, and carefully deposited him onto the stretcher. The pulsecarver’s blood-smeared face was a mask of pain.
“Thank you, Guildmaster. I’m sorry.”
Elias nodded. “Nothing to be sorry about. Rest. You’ve earned it.”
The first responders carried Bonilla off. His legs were bloody mush below the knees, but he would walk again. The healers would fix him. They fixed anything except dead if you got to them in time.
This was the last time. Elias had promised himself that every time he went into the breach, but this time he meant it. He would strip off the armor, take a long shower in his hotel, board the guild jet with the rest of his team, and go home. He would eat well, sleep in his own bed, and then in the morning he would put on a suit, go into his office, and do paperwork like a normal fucking human being. That’s where he belonged. Running the guild, which had plenty of blade wardens without him.
The medics swarmed the assault team. A young kid with a healer’s white caduceus on his jacket ran up to him. Elias waved him off and squinted at the familiar orderly chaos in front of the gate, looking for the mining crew. He’d sent a scout ahead with the orders to wrap it up. The miners were on the left, stowing their gear. He counted them out of habit. 15 and 8 escorts. Good. Everyone was out.
A familiar tall, lean figure in a black Tom Ford suit tugged at his attention. Leo Martinez, who seemed to be born to wear elegant suits and be the public face of a guild, the only man standing still in the flurry of activity. His XO, who should’ve been back at HQ, 2,000 miles away. Something had happened.
Leo started toward him.
Elias made himself walk forward. Whatever it was, he didn’t want to deal with it but avoiding it would make things worse.
A sharp sound cut through the human clamor, like the noise of a thousand paper sheets being ripped at once magnified through concert level speakers. The gate collapsed.
Leo reached him. “Cutting it a little close, sir.”
“Happens.” Elias headed for the familiar black SUV. The back hatch rose as he approached, and he began stripping his armor and tossing it into the plastic-lined vehicle. “What is it?”
Leo kept his voice low. “We had a fatal event.”
He’d figured that. “Where?”
“Elmwood Gate. The assault team is presumed dead. We lost nine of twelve miners, four of the escorts, a K9 and handler, and a DeBRA.”
Elias stopped for a moment. Twenty-eight people. Good people. He’d approved the line up himself. It was a solid team that should’ve been more than adequate for the deep yellow gate. He’d personally trained them, he’d gone into breaches with them, and now they were dead. Half of them under the age of thirty. He’d sent kids to their deaths again.
This wasn’t a fatal event, this was a catastrophe. What the hell went wrong over there?
Leo’s face was carefully neutral. “The DeBRA is—”
“Adaline Moore.” The best DeBRA in the Eastern US died in their gate dive.
“Yes, sir. I’ve got the mining foreman, the surviving miners, and London under lockdown.”
“London made it out?”
The crisp line of Leo’s jaw got sharper. “Yes, sir.”
“Hm.”
“I’ve reported to the DDC,” Leo continued. “Cora Ward owes me a favor, so she will sit on it for as long as she can, but sooner or later this will get out and when it does, both the Hermetic Alliance and the Guardian Guild will scream bloody murder. The Guardians, in particular, have been vocal about our share of the gates.”
Adaline Moore had been in high demand. DeBRAs of her caliber were rare and monopolized by the DDC. Elias liked to know who he was working with, so he kept tabs on the assessors. Adaline was divorced, with an absentee ex-husband, two children, a cat, and her life revolved around work and family. The very definition of a noncombatant. Her children were now orphans.
Leo was right, the fallout from this would hit them like a hammer, but the political mess and the PR nightmare wasn’t important right now. He would deal with that later. “What does London say happened?”
“Humanoid combatants. Highest red level.”
“What kind of combatants?”
A slight edge slipped into Leo’s voice. “He doesn’t know.”
Perfect.
“His entire crew and the DeBRA are dead, and he doesn’t know. Did he see the DeBRA die?”
“He says he did. The mining foreman backs up his story.”
The foreman made it out, too. “What about the other miners?”
“In shock. They aren’t talking.”
Elias deposited the last bit of gear into the SUV and slapped it shut. The vehicle rocked. The control got away from him a hair.
Leo got behind the wheel, Elias climbed into the passenger seat, and they drove out, past the police barricade and the onlookers onto I-205, heading north, toward the airport, where the guild jet waited.
“From what London described, we will need the primary team,” Leo said. “Kovalenko is on loan to Texas’ Lone Star Guild and Krista is on vacation in the Caribbean. Jackson is in Japan.”
And they would have to wait for Jackson because they would need their best healer.
“Jackson has the longest travel but should make it within 48 hours. The real problem is the tank,” Leo said. “Both Karen and Amir are inside the gates right now, and both went in less than twenty-four hours ago. We can substitute Geneva, but she lacks experience…”
“No need,” Elias said. “I’ll take them in myself. Tell Krista I authorized triple rates. We can swing by Dallas and pick up Kovalenko. We have 28 people in that breach. We must recover the bodies so their families will have something to bury.”
If there was anything to recover. With the kind of delay they were facing, they could get there and find only bones stripped bare. Dead people became meat, and meat didn’t last long in a breach. He would shower and sleep on the plane. The office would have to wait.
“Are we pulling them to HQ or straight to Elmwood?” Leo asked.
“Straight to Elmwood. Nobody goes into that gate until I get there.”
“Understood.”
Elias looked at the city soaking in the dreary rain of the Pacific Northwest outside the window and glanced back at his XO. “Was London injured?”
A hint of bright electric lightning flared in Leo’s eyes, turning them an unnatural silver white. He pronounced words with crisp exactness. “Not a scratch, sir.”
“Hm.”
He had to get to Elmwood. The sooner, the better.
first?
Awarded 🥇!
Happy InBearitance Day 👋
BEAR for president!
Thank you so much! I needed a treat today and this is the best kind!
First?!
yeah Friday!!
Woo hoo!
Yay!
What a treat on Friday!
Aha, the real hero shows up!
🤣🤣 As soon as he appeared in the manuscript draft I left a comment for Ilona
“You smell that? That’s the sea breeze from all the shipping that’s about to go down!”
I know the Horde so well lmao
Competence has a powerful draw…. 😀
And Always be shipping you know?
but how can we not ship him??? Lol! Gotta ship someone and London got us bad. Can’t wait to see what happens between Elias and London!
Yep, glad we weren’t premature with the London ship. That would have been embarrassing.
Yeah, it’s a good thing no one overreacted 🙃
The Horde never overreacts. Never. We are soooo chalant.
Who us????? 😀
Merci pour cette pépite et coeur coeur pour Elias
So that’s what I heard when reading the snippet. The shipyard is teaming with people building. 😀
Wait…are those storm clouds on the horizon? 😉
+1 🛳️🛳️🌊⛈️🌪️
+1
‘We are sailing, we are sailing ‘. 😂I dare you not to sing it 😂
Can’t help myself, to Philadelphia LOL ‘to draw the Mason Dixon line’ LOL, great song. And shipping yes shipping… sigh. I think the assistant might be the one that is the most suspicious of London…
Had me at the electric blue lightning firing in his eyes. ⚡️
Oh wait it’s the other guy, Elias. Leo calling him sir. Anyway great chapter!!
Damn right!
Okay so we have the main ship built and ready, but who do I ship with Leo?? I love him already.
He pronounced words with crisp exactness. “Not a scratch, sir.”
Like ohh myyyyy. Crisp exactness? That is undeniably attractive.
Like they say every girl crazy bout a sharp dressed man (and sharp seeing man… 🙂
I was thinking the same thing, the person who carries out the injured comrade…. the whirlpool that spun about the bad ship London onto the rocks and pulled out the next schooner
+1! Except, I think that Adaline will be her own hero and Elias will be her assist (and love interest). Plus the instrument of London’s comeuppance. (rubs hands in glee with an evil chuckle) 😼
Thank you! 🤗
+1
+1
Nice!
To your stations my fellow Horde! We have a ship to build!
love it! and so glad that they’re not buying london’s lies!
That slutty little “Hmm” is the sexiest thing a man can do in that situation 😁.
Move over romance hero growls, I want Guild master shade!
+1!
YES! ModR knows her people.
Did we all pledge undying love to Elias with that “Hmmm”?
Yes, yes we did.
In my mind it was Henry Cavill’s “hmmm” as the Witcher, season one….
omg yes
THE HMM!!!!! I could feeeeel that rumble. Hmm.
He is so babygirl for that 😍
Mod R you are a rockstar and yes he IS babygirl and of course the ship is already ready to sail I’m so happy I had this to end a stressful day !
The only question is now Adelias or Elada? I sort of like Elada!
Bearada and Elada 🤣
Bearada sounds like the soft cheese burrata. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🚤🚤🚤🦮
I went to the Sicilian Food Fest today and had the yummiest burrata pistachio sandwich so it’s on my brain 😀
I was going to suggest Eliadine, but that sounds like a cream you use to fight infections.
I like Adelia.
It’s not unlikely that they’ll fight breach fungus together tho, so we shouldn’t dismiss the ointment ships too soon 😀
I like Adalias. 😁
+1.. yup
“That slutty little “Hmmm””
I want to reread this chapter over and over to get every decadent detail…
But this, Mod R, this line is the one I will be gleefully repeating in my head for the rest of the day!
I saw another commenter say something about how competent heroes and determined heroines dont _always_ need romantic ships. And I’m on board with that! Friend ships are a thing (at least should be) and deserve more credit. And Elias is still guild and Ada is still government, and there is still the whole lost job issue to face. Not to mention the last guy Ada was interested in made deeply satisfying promises to her just before throwing a grenade at her…
I just can’t help thinking that perhaps, just this once, we could, mayhap, not be romantically focused?
And yet…
There was that tantalizing ‘adult themes’ warning I read somewhere…
+1
+1
tyfts.
Elias seems …unhappy with London. Wonder if they have truth talents.
Leo doesn’t seem terribly impressed either.
And he looks good in a suit! Mmmmm!
Hmmmm, London doesn’t seem as untouchable as he he think he is.
The male lead has entered the building. I’m glad to see he doesn’t buy London’s story.
So smelly it is, and the boss man eye is squinting.
Thank you. This is something to look forward to while recuperating from hip replacement
I hope you’re back on your feet in no time!
may the nurses be kind and the physio be good at hurting you just the right amount to get you get on your feet and doing what you love. I had the resurfacing in 2022. I can feel it just thinking about it
Ahhhhh the POV of someone who deserves Ada! I squealed at the first sentence! *chalant squealing*
LOVE the fact that it’s a dual POV! 😊
+1
+1
Thanks it’s great
Aahhh the real hero has entered the chat 👏
Oh good I’m so glad we get to see the good guys in the guilds and get their dripping condesention for how London handled it. HA. He is in it now!
Also so cool to see how well respected Adaline is, even if she didn’t recognize it.
Oh I’m so freaking excited to see what happens next!!
+1
+100
This part was fantastic! I liked the other chapters. Nice feel, interesting setup. Then the “wtf” moment when the story went in a very unexpected direction.
But this has me hooked. 100%.
Thank you!
+1
London doesn’t have a scratch on him…yet.
Yes! The lad might as well jump into a iodine bath for all the scratches that are in his future. 😁
I’m now team Elias until the end of the time 😘
(and I do hope he’ll kick London and Melissa’s bottoms THESE AWFUL PEOPLE HOW DARE THEY !!)
They are obviously in it for the adamantine. They must think they can score from it somehow. I don’t think it was mere cowardice. His eyes were too calculating.
The multiple “Hm”s were perfect
Squeee!!!
Awesome! My faith is restored: badass hero enters stage right, and it looks like London’s gonna have a bad, bad day when Elias finds him. 😀.
Happy weekend!
Oooooh ☺️ Loving our treats.
Just made me smile, someone’s gonna kick London’s butt! like he doesn’t deserve it Humph!
Many thanks to IA and ModR. Have a great weekend all
I love InBearitance days! London has no idea how bad he’s going to get scratched! Go Elias!!
Oh wow, this story is better and better! I know this is such a Horde thing to say, but I really need this to be the start of a new series!
Thank you, House Andrews!
I’ve been holding back on saying it – but boy do I want to! It’s so hard not to be greedy. I like to think I’m not – but that all goes out the door the second House Andrews writes literally anything.
+1!
I can always depend on the Andrews to present a crafted, professional product. It’s a treat to read something other than so much of the junk and AI produced garbage that clutters Amazon.
Well we know she has at least 48 hours closer to 72 she’s in there before she comes across help. I’m excited to see where this story is going.
Yes, the uninjured London. Not suspicious at all. Maybe the guild isn’t going to sweep it under the carpet after all. Thanks! This was lovely and so very welcome!
London (bridge) is falling down. Falling down.
Sorry, that got stuck in my head and had to share.
😂
Take the key and lock him (London) up, lock him up, lock him up…
My fair lady. 😁😎
Weirdly, I am at London Bridge station right now reading your comment about London Bridge 🤣
Ooh, goose bumps.
😆 🤣
^^
Oh I have had so much to do so I haven’t had time to read anything before this chapter arrived so I have read it all at once – I’m totally hooked now!
I had to sit through an hour-long work meeting before I could sneak off and read this. It was worth it and I even extra more can’t wait until the next installment.
You haven’t perfected the art of holding your cellphone below the conference table and slouching in your chair so you can read surreptitiously?
Not that I’ve ever done that. A friend told me about doing that.
guilty….
+1 And just pretending it’s an important work email.
Yes, but you have to contain the squealing. Otherwise you’ll end up on some project your bosses think you’re super excited about.
This is turning into a really great story!
This story is so satisfying. The world building is incredible. I understand there is no sequel. I respect that there is no sequel. I am still craving a sequel. 🤣
Thank you for the amazing writing that you do and the gifts you give to the world 🙏💜
London…who? lol
Thank you for this Friday goodness.
Leo and Elias don’t like it that London came out of that fiasco without a scratch. Hm. Makes me wonder if something similar happened before with London and Elias. 🧐🤔
It will be a surprise when Elias and his team find Bear and Ada alive. It will be very interesting to read when London finds out Ada’s alive and telling her side of things.
The plot thickens like honey from a honeycomb.
I’m guessing they are going to find the dead first and wonder why they can’t her and who took those boots.
thank you✨✨✨
As we all sing “London’s in-nnn trouble” to ourselves …
The plot thickens!!!!!!
❤️❤️❤️. Oh so excited for what’s next! Glad London’s behavior is already being questioned!
Hmm … just says so many things without saying anything at all!
I am so glad that it seems the guild isn’t going to take London and Melissa’s word for it.
Hang on Bear and Ada.. help is on the way.
For us southerners, it could only get better with a “Bless his heart.”
+1
If this doesn’t become the next full series I’ll… I’ll… cry to my husband about it for years to come ahhhh
Not the competent, serious, and exhausted Guild Master coming to save the day! Arr ye mateys, me sees a ship on the horizon!
RIGHT? This just screams “epic series” doesn’t it? We are Horde, I got you, sister!
Maybe if we just all pretend to remember that Ilona PROMISED us a series she won’t remember that she didn’t. We could try that, it isn’t as if we haven’t done it before… 🙂
I am bound by my Mod covenant to reply here saying House Andrews were always clear that this will be a standalone novella, that they want to publish it by summer and they’re aiming to not go much past 35 k words.
But I don’t feel fluffy about doing so 😛.
I feel so traitorous to hope that House Andrew fails in their endeavor to keep this a stand-alone novella, but a Horde member has to do what a Horde member has to do.
Barsa, Barsa, Barsa!
I am 120% behind their decisions…for the next story 😅.
Ada and Bear are special. Barsa Barsa!
House Andrews always says how short a story is and all it does is grow and grow both in length and number.
There was a post about story length and their friend (who I cannot remember who) just laughed.
If you look at stand alone wasn’t Kingsman supposed to be a stand alone story? Now we have three of them.
The friend is their bestie Jeaniene Frost ☺️.
Am I remembering someone laughing when Illona told them Hugh was going to be a novella? This could be like that.
But, Silver Shark is still my favorite of all time, so I will be chalent….
I wonder what power causes “electric lightning flared in Leo’s eyes”
heh. London’s ass is cooked.
With barbeque sauce.
North Carolina version of barbecue, so the vinegar really burns his ass. Or Texas version with really hot peppers. I’ll accept either one.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I smell something burning.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
What Patricia said!
we have a hero….(squealing in delight)
Woohoo!!! Had to wait for the meeting to end before I could check the blog lol….
I just can’t get enough! I’ll make the plea also….. a sequel, sequel, a sequel.
Do you think if I keep repeating it enough like Kate did with Manannan mac Lir, Son of the Sea?? The Horde will get a sequel???? hahaha
Happy Friday – have a fantastic weekend.
Oh hell!!
London is so much TOAST……..
‘Was London injured?’
‘Not a scratch, sir.’
I HOPE that eletric lightning eyes have a punishment use….
Like how dumb are you? Give youself some injuries, mangy opportunist.
Oh thank goodness. I’ve learned to never hate a character completely,but I wanted to strongly dislike London. Hope Elias gets him fired. Wouldn’t mind if Elias punched him, but that’s not the vibe I’m getting from Elias yet. Yes, I think like young Arabella.
Finally a real hero! This is a delight to read, I would love it as series. Barsa!
ooh, I already like Elias. London is in so much trouble.
Ooooh! Thankyou!!!! I have a feeling that on the basis of… nothing, yet, a ship is about to set sail 🤣 and it appears someone can see through London’s facade – hopefully that showdown will unleash a magnificent can of whoopa$$ – as only HA can set up and execute!
love this! sounds like London and Melissa will get their comeuppance eventually 😁
Kick his ass, Elias!
Sometime I give certain characters their own theme song – I’m currently hearing ‘Holding out For a Hero’ as Elias organizes the team to search for Ada 🤣
hahaha +1
Would Ada’s song be “Stayin’ Alive?”
“I will survive” might match the vibe better for me.
+1
Oooo….I like this one…..
More people are introduced, and it is written from the male point of view.
I Like it very much. 😊
Hopefully it means, that the story will not end fast. More people, more to tell.
And the male part in the story not as Bonus. This is new? I‘m very excited.
Oooooooooooooooooooo a sexy hero for Ada, yay <3 I did not see that coming. Read this whole chapter with a big fat smile on my face. Can't wait for Monday!!
The plot is thickening!
I love Elias’ sense of personal responsibility (and I totally related to the fact that anyone under 30 is a kid).
London`s gonna get ripper cushions!
London London London…. You have it coming….
Hope House Andrews vacay is wonderful.
Really enjoying this story!!! Amazing imagination 💗💗💗🌸🌸🌸🌸💗💗💗
This has me hooked. I am loving this serial. The real hero has arrived, indeed!!! No one writes like HA. I will read as much as they want to write in this world. Thank you for posting for us, ModR.
Yay we found our hero! But little does he know our lady is doing great on her own! I love the ‘hmm’ when it comes to London because he’s horrible and not to be trusted!
Mm mm. Seems a hero may have appeared. Oh my!
How did I miss that Elias is the person who wrote the “your country needs you to answer the call” message right at the beginning of chapter 1?
Very tricky. Dangled him right in front of us and we missed it.
Hehehehe,I KNOW. Butter wouldn’t melt, they’re so sneaky little hobbitses!
I missed that!
🤦♀️
Oh wow, good catch!
When people were speculating about a conspiracy I ended up checking if the miners belonged to Cold Chaos and noticed that. I am biased due to an audio drama I listened to, but Elias is a very attractive sounding name to me so I wondered lol.
We also don’t get an age with that name so I wasn’t sold on him being the love interest (he could have been an older mentor character) but based on us having a POV I’m guessing they’ll end up together.
Poor Ada so far has seemed to attract men who just up and leave when the going gets tough. She definitely deserves someone dependable. (Which Elias seems to be.)
I think perhaps London has always been a bit shady. I wonder if that’s why he has a (usually) cushy job escorting the miners and assessors. Maybe he has a past of ‘incidentally’ staying out of the fray when he’s supposed to be the person putting himself between those in his charge and the threat. Not something they could really prove was negligence, but noticable enough where they didn’t trust him in combat that put his life on the line.
I also wonder if Ada’s new powers will end her career as an assessor. We don’t know what they are yet, or if anyone even has them and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s pressure for her to join a guild if she’d be more useful there.
oh, someone’s going to get their butt handed to them…suspicious already!!! love this – thanks
London is going to be in BIG TROUBLE!!! And it’s well deserved!
On my second reading with-comments included.
I have not been this excited in a story since ‘CleanSweep’ was being weekly posted on the blog.
Thank you, House Andrews
Love the story 😍
Thanks for the fun part! I am looking forward to Monday’s part 😊
oooohhhh mysteries, with their be rippercusshions for London, I hope so 😈
+1
I like professionals who know their job and their people. Seems like London is in trouble. Good!
Soo immediately hooked with this book. It is prompting a reread of Hidden Legacy and maybe some Kate Daniels periphery novels.
It’s what happens when you are good at your job!
Wonderful
I so need more
oooohhhhh…. the real super hero 😉
can’t wait for the next…. is it coming on Monday?
Yes it is 🙂
No idea if Elias is meant as a romance interest and honestly don’t care. Not every story about a strong, competent female needs to lead to romance. A solid, non-romantic partnership between people is deeply satisfying too, especially where it highlights competence and morality in leaders regardless of their personal feelings toward individuals. Whatever the interpersonal plan is for Ada and Elias, I am excited to see him deliver an appropriate smackdown on London and the mining foreman for murder and attempted murder.
+1
+10
Romance is fine if that’s where the story takes them. Also fine if it doesn’t. I just need appropriate karmic outcomes all around, because that doesn’t happen nearly enough IRL.
Hmmm – Someone is in trouble!
🛳️! 🛳️! 🛳️!
Ah a competent older man, who works for his people and not for glory. 🫠
To say I ran to the comments to see the shipping is not accurate…. I sprinted. I live being a part of this horde. We are so chalant.
Ooh, the plot thickens. Dare I say we’ve met our hero? I love this serial so much.
Oh, good, someone who gives a shit has shown up. Go Elias.
Love that he’s already suspicious of London.
Gah I am so ready for comeuppance!! Thank you!
But. the lights are out.
yes, yes, dramatic suspense and all. but now the lights will be out for another week!
only until monday 😌
The generator just died, so 8 hours must have passed in the breach… Still 40 to go !!!
I like the electric light and crisp exactness. Leo will grill London while Elias dives in the breach. Good !
Calm deep breathing, BDH 🤣. This is a great story and I can see HA possibly expanding this world somewhere in the future like they did for Kinsmen. That said, let’s not forget Hugh 2 and others in Kate world. Not to even mention how much I’m panting for Maggie’s book. I’m really keeping fingers crossed for Maggie to be the hit that brings in tons of new readers! I believe!
Hm indeed.
I love this so far! Thank you!
So good!! It is so hard to wait for the next chapter.
Uuuuh, somebody is mad 🙃.
Any chance it might become maybe longer than a novella? Or spin off? Or prequel? *puppy eyes*
Lol I also asked this 🙂
The Horde mind thinks alike 😉
Ooooohhhh, London is gonna get busted for being a slimy coward and I can’t wait! Mua ha ha haa!!!
Elias had me at the ‘hm’ too!!! 😍💕💕
And also, oooooooohhhhhh, London gonna GET IT now!!!!
This story is awesome! 😁
Thanks so much for this serial! I’ve been a blog follower and a fan since 2008. It’s great to see so much excitement again!
I dont get it 🫣Thus Game Thingy Thing. Talents, what??? I still love HA Storytelling, though. But Not yet hooked, because I am somehow löst 😕 But I love the “Hm” and the silver eyes 😁So, soll excited to see how this proceeds 🤞
When the monster gates opened, some people on Earth got superpowers to fight them 🙂. That’s the summary of Talents.
This made me so happy! And I have a reason to look forward to Monday! Yes I will be happy be at work on Monday – going to be excellent!
+1
Really liking Elias. A boss who knows his people.
I can’t help but remember London’s bravado at the beginning and it looks like his ego is gonna get a massive take down when the boss arrives.
But it’s too short! I want more. I want….(strokes the cat and breathes) HA to have a lovely vacation and preserve their mental health so they can continue writing amazing stories for years to come.
Amen!
They always make sure we devour well 🙂 They deserve all the good times for it!
Miss Adeline has got a sword, a spine and an InBearitance. She won’t need no stinky Guildmaster.
Grrr! Spell check hits again Adaline.
OH GOOD. Someone with reason to be suspicious of the outcome (and London) is running this show!
I need to know – is Adaline pronounced “Aduh-lin” or “Aduh-line”? I like to know that I’m saying it in my head as intended.
Also, I’m already swooning for Elias. That song “I need a hero” is playing in my head 🙂
I hope this will turn into a full-length novel. Or a series! But… I also want all the other series. What is a fan to do?!
I will ask, but HA are not usually prescriptive about how we say character names, as long as we don’t bully audio narrators over it 🙂
Love how Elias goes from sludge-covered and “No more gates for me” to everyone’s getting hazard pay and “I’ll take them in myself” as soon as it hits the fan.
That right there is a HERO!
Exactly what I was thinking.
Hell yes Elias. That’s the reason you’re in charge. Dead fish and funny business both stink.
Is it too soon to start shipping? Looking through the comments, apparently not!
I am a mature woman. I was patient enough to wait for the right ship!
Happy Friday!
Bless the author lords! They never fail to deliver on a good male lead.
Too short!!!
So Ada is the best assessor in eastern US. Good to know. I wonder how they determined it.
Omg London, that villain. I love Elias already- his sense of responsibility is perfect with Adaline, I can already tell.
wahhh I need Elias to have a backstory! why doesn’t he have people (or pets)waiting for him who are going to be worried he’s on another mission so soon? No wife obviously, because I’m on the Ada ship, but a sister/neighbor/friend who’s worried about him the same way he is with his team.
Maybe he co-staffs as a servant for Bear!
Daddy is coming and he ain’t happy. After a week of testing this was exactly what I needed.
Yes!!!
Loving it!
Two heros! Shipping it!
Love the Hmm! London will get his…
This story is jumping off the page!!!
Oh yes, a thinker, a doer not a talker, coming to the rescue! 🚢🛳
I love how he’s not saying the parts out loud, just the hmmm is good enough.
Excited for Monday!
This is delightful. Happy Friday!!
These chapters make me squeal and wish the rest was available right this second! Loving this story and world. I know it’s novella status right now… but golly would it be an awesome world to explore more.
Thank you. Enjoy the weekend
Wow!!! What a fantastic plot twist and addition; is it time to ship Elias and Adaline yet?? 🤣😘
I have already started 😄
See above. According to Mod R, there was a suggestion for Bearada. However, after I pointed out that it sounds like burrata, I don’t think that will be a ship. Maybe a tugboat or a canoe, but not a ship. 🤣🤣🤣
Totally unrelated but will HA be at ConCarolinas at the end of may?
I’m afraid not.
There are no scheduled cons for now for this year, although I would watch this space for announcements! 🙂
I like Elias and Leo very much! The smell a king sized rat! Of course I liked London at first too. So I’m not the best judge of character
I feel a new crush developing…… As always, loved it!!!!
Trying to be chalant, but no. My mind is screaming MORE please!
Thank you!!!!
Why do I have a feeling, that maybe… I wonder if London’s escape had something to do with the actions of the competition? Maybe someone paid him to cause (i.e. quickly withdraw) a disaster that would sink the Cold Chaos Guild at the earliest opportunity?
Ooh, like maybe they knew about the rip, had sent some people in and lost them and thought this would be a good way for the competition to lose some people, especially the DeBRA? Cutthroat industrial espionage, literally.
(I’m wondering if that BRA is a play on words because the DeBRAs are always women?)
I can understand and respect why people w@it until it’s published to read it (when you get to the end of the snippet and are all Noooooooo!!!! 🥺), but I have no shelf-control when it comes to IA’s books. None at all. 😄
Team Elias all the way!! He’ll get her and Bear out I just know it! My heart is pounding again.
Well, the s**t will hit the fan for London. What a story! Thank you!
Oooo London is going to get his! I can’t wait!
Oh, how I love the sound of approaching karma…!
Does it sound like a locomotive?
Agghhh!! This is getting SO good! The torture of the wait, but the delight of the reading…
Ohhhh beautiful, I love it. So much shipping happening. So much chalant, fluffiness. Cannot WAIT to see London get his a** handed to him.
Thank you!
Hmm, I wonder if London and Melissa threatened the other miners (unless they were very close to the exit and just didn’t see what London and Melissa did), smh. Let’s see what they say once they’ve recovered a bit.
these posts make my WHOLE DAY! thank you for the brain vacation away from life 🙌
Shits gonna hit the fan for somebody real soon…
The hero arrives!!
I get the impression he has only met Adaline on paper, so I think there will still be a meet cute in the future! Lol, or at least a “don’t kill me, I’m a human” moment.
Does this chapter state where this scene is happening? I see the hints for I-205 near an airport, and Pacific Northwest, but I don’t see anything closer than that. Based on these hints, I guess this scene takes place near Portland, Oregon.
And the ELias Ship has set sail. Go reem London a new one please!!!
Thank you HA and Mod R!
yessssssss! lodons arse is grass!!!
This is possibly the best? Cruelest? Worst? place to pause.
Bravo House Andrews. Bravo.
Please make this a Hidden Legacy trilogy amount of words. I. Am. SO. Invested. Now. I thought I was before, but this bumped everything up.
Adaline, is gonna rescue her self, because she’s epic, but it’s great that there will be a capable person to witness and back her up.
Are you sure Elias will be backup? If Elias and Adaline meet inside the gate, he could decide that she needs to disappear for the good of the guild.
This is a PR and political disaster so bring Adeline out alive would be a huge win in this debacle.
OMG I can’t wait until Monday! London is gonna be toast and we get a Guildmaster romance! Pawty time with the Cat Overlords again.
Thank you Mod R.
Yes!! London’s ripper-cushions are on the way!!
I’m so relieved someone is going after Ada and that they are onto London. I can sleep easy.
Oooh London’s in trouble now!!
I was not sold on this story until this installment. I’m not a gamer, so all the game stuff goes over my head. I’m nervous about Maggie. Ilona Andrews is one of my top five favorite authors ever,so I’m buying but nervous.
I’ve literally read everything they’ve written and you have no need to be nervous. There was only one book I read that was truly a departure from their other books in that the MMC wasn’t written with a redeeming story arc so was hard to like. It made sense for the story being told. Everything else is very much on brand regardless of genre.
Seconded. You are in good hands with House Andrews.
Thanks for a great start to the weekend!
I am loving this!
So very good.
Squeee! I just reread everything and I can’t wait til the next installment!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the snippet…but, it was too short!! (I’m so greedy)
Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Thank you House Andrews! Love your stories 💜💜💜
Mod R, I recall that Ilona put everything in a folder for you to release Mondays and Fridays while they were gone.
Can’t you just accidentally hit the “send all” button…
I bet the rest of BDH would back you up when questioned?
Please!!!!
This was it! This was the last of it, they are back next week 🙂
Uh oh, London is in TROUBLE. Looks like Ada was wrong about him getting off scott free. They’re going to be looking (and listening) very, very closely to his story. And from the sounds of things Elias will be very adamant about getting ALL the casualties out, do he’ll do whatever it takes to get to the scene, and he’s surely going to see the evidence that Ada is alive. The absence of her body, the missing survival items from the bodies, etc. 0_0
Loving the story and totally hooked but slightly confused on the gate level. Ada called it “low orange” in Ch1 but Elias calls it “deep yellow” in this chapter. Did the gate level increase since first eval or are the interpretations of levels a bit fuzzy maybe?🤔
So strange to be wishing for a weekend to go faster 🤣
That’s sort of the same thing, just interpreted by different people?
The transition where yellow risk runs into orange risk is either high yellow threat or low orange threat.
Threat levels go from blue to red, with blue being the lowest, but I imagine it’s a spectrum.
So… you’re refuting that there is a conspiracy (by other guilds) to sabotage Cold Chaos by somehow reporting out a lower than actual threat level – thereby very coldheartedly setting them up for some level, if not catastrophic, failure, right?
Will we learn how threat levels are assessed and how this particular breach’s threat level was so wrong? Could it be because the alien beings only entered the breach after the initial assessment?
Get ’em, Eli!! Get ’em!! I’m glad you and Leo see it for what it is! I wanna see some heads rolling!!
OK, I’m done.
Thank you for another installment of this adventure!
I’m not familiar with litrpg stuff( I don’t read much of it in the posts.( I know my bad) My wife is the gaming fiend) so I don’t know how it applies ( or if it does) to the story. The story by itself is fantastic. even if this ends up as a novella,( though I prefer a loong book) it has me riveted. This book has me enthralled. I don’t know how our favorite authors manage to do it, but they draw you in and wrap you up so fast it’s surprising.
Thank you H.A. your written words are a gift, and I much appreciate it. The best to you and all of your team. May the force be with you.
Oooh. Yay for guild leader shade!
I appreciate Ada and Elias need to sort out the current gate … and the authorlords are sensibly keeping this ‘short’ what with everything else on their plates … and it’s not planned as a new series …
But…but…but I hope we learn more about the lady in the ice blue robe and her people and dimension – and whether DDC is involved in a coverup and why …
Read the comments while thinking it over in a potential ship sailing type way.I wouldn’t be surprised if Elias gets to the casualties and is the only one that suspects that Ada is alive and needs to be found. That the evidence of there possibly being a survivor is not taken seriously except by him, after all the evidence of survival by Ada isn’t totally conclusive. So, he’ll make an executive decision, take a small team of volunteers to try to prove or disprove the survivor theory, at least until there is no time left before the rift needs to be closed. So there will be a clock ticking (which Ada is already aware of) and now Elias will also be counting down now.
Mod R I read in the comments that you mentioned 35K? Is that a standard length for a novella. I recall Ilona (I think) saying that one of the Wilmington novellas stretched into a “long novella” Of course i could be mis remembering something, plus I have no idea where in the word numbers that 35K falls. 0_0
35 k is upper limit for a novella. Generally, anything over 40k words is considered a novel 🙂
Oooo, so we’re already in long novella range then. I will definitely feel very, very looking forward to a lot more story in store for all of the big
Barsa, Barsa, Barsa
0_0
I gotta say, I have always loved a man in uniform… Yum.
Yes! I so did not want London to a have anything approaching a good reason! I am already team Elias lol!
Love, love, love this! Thank you all the thank yous ever.
the hm that launched a thousand ships…
The suspense is getting to be unBearable I tell ya.
Also, I bet the cavern lights up for Ada due to the jewel that was given to her.
I foresee adventures for her before she emerges from the breach.
This is truly an epic tale.
You always deliver!!
I bet Ada’s own power can at least show her the tunnel walls, floor, and ceiling. She even identified the weird cloaks as organics, so there is a decent chance she could even see the threats coming.
Almost forgot. Humans acquired talents when the gate opened. I feel animals received a upgrade of sorts too. Consider the behavior of Bear throughout these chapters. I may be wrong, but she seems pretty intelligent and aware to me.
Counter-argument: gates or no gates, dogs have always had magic 🐕
Oh my! A new POV. What a wonderful scene! Can hardly wait for more!
oh oh, London’s in trouble
and i can’t wait for the ripper cushions 🙂
Forget shipping – I smell politics! I wonder if London and team leader whatshername were bribed into creating a fatal incident so that the other guilds could get a greater share of of the gates. If they get enough money, they may never need to go into another gate again (or maybe they’ll have a fatal accident later instead of their expected payout, not sure how brutal politics can get in this universe…)
Ooooo
Is there a place I can look to see the audiobook and graphic audio release dates? I just finished the Nevada Baylor book 1 dramatized and I’m wondering how long the wait will be for the next ones.
The Graphic Audio website of course lists releases as soon as their schedule is official 🙂
I believe White Hot is due in the first half of July.
Oh I really like this story.
Oooh. So good. Thank you!
Quote: “A hint of bright electric lightning flared in Leo’s eyes, turning them an unnatural silver white”.
I wonder what Leo’s talent is!
Here we go , hopefully London get his just desserts in the next few chapters, gosh wish this was going to be a book , but as they say “ If wishes were horses , beggars would ride “ sigh! P. S. Thanks for having my family name in this chapter, lovely surprise.
So so good!! Happy snippet day for us, happy vacay for House Andrews!
Now to return to my Kate Daniel’s rereads so I don’t burst with impatience before Monday (which is Tuesday over here)
I know I know this is a stand a lone but after my last reread. If I were TOR I would be whining why cat I have this one too? I have read the player one books, watch solo leveling and sword art on line but none of them have grabbed me this fast
Singsong: London’s in trouble. London’s in trouble!
Serves him right…
What’s next! #greedy
So cool they’re onto London. very satisfying.
Okay, yes I see (and am excited about) Ada and Elias, but like typical I want more of HA’s other characters as well. I really want to know more about Leo.