I wrote a Zara novella this fall, one not for release but mostly for me as it’s set waaayyy in the Demons of Oblivion future. After Oblivion, after Solace. It was a pressure-free way for me to write something fun. And I dig it.

A few people wanted to read it but, for obvious reasons, I’m not selling it right now. Instead, I’ve decided to add the PDF to the files at Alchemy Red (FB fangroup–you have to apply to join, but I’ll happily approve you) as a Christmas Horusmas gift. Hop on over to join and read, if you like. I only ask that you not share/distribute the story anywhere or I will be sad and probably never do this again. Don’t ruin it for the other kids.

It’s also only staying up until January 1st, so get it while you can.

Does it have spoilers? Yes and no. It references events that haven’t happened yet. It contains a handful of characters who are familiar; it is also missing a few. This does not mean anything; I intentionally only mentioned those 100% necessary. There are familiar characters still alive who simply weren’t needed, so I don’t reference them at all. Don’t read too much into who is there and who isn’t.

It’s about 25K, so a substantial chunk of text. Here’s a very brief excerpt, because it makes me giggle.

We stepped into the elevator and I hit the button to take us up. It shuddered and rumbled, always sounding less safe than it actually was—my building used to be a factory that was later converted into large apartments and the industrial elevator was an original feature.

“Okay,” I leaned against the metal grating side and fished the page from the motel book from my pocket, “I stole this from the manager.”

“Instead of bribing him?”

Shit. Nate was looking at me pointedly, too—I felt the weight of his eyes heavy on me. “Well, he wasn’t cooperating. So I punched him.”

He waited.

“Whatever, I’ll give the money back when we get upstairs. Anyway…” I smoothed the paper and glanced over it. “Not that I have spent extensive amounts of time studying it, but I’m not sure this is your signature.”

His fingers brushed mine when I handed him the paper; I pulled my hand back and stuffed it in my pocket.

Nate studied the sheet, his eyes scanning the page and not looking at me. “You don’t have to be so skittish.”

“I’m not—”

“Especially with your history of throwing yourself on me in my hot tub.”

“Excuse me, but that was to save you from the assassin coming to murder you.”

His head was still tipped over the paper but he lifted his eyes to meet mine. “You were naked.”

“Topless.”

He stared at me.

“I can’t believe you haven’t let that go yet.”

I, of course, I have a soundtrack, which is a couple of songs from Solace‘s playlist.

They’re very girly. Don’t judge.

And because it’s Zara’s theme for every book:

Well, that’s it for me for a few days–I do want to put up a few posts about my fave books/movies/games of 2013, but that might wait until the New Year. I’m bloody tired.

Best wishes for the holiday to your and yours. Remember, Soulless starts on January 2!