Everyone’s Favorite Dream Assassin Is Back!

One of the things fans of Dreamwalker have told me is how much they love Dirk. And who wouldn’t? He’s rugged, handsome, cocky—oh, and could kill you in your sleep. He’s one of those bad boys you can’t help but love. So, I’m giving readers more of Dirk. That’s right, he’s got his own story in this prequel novella to Dreamwalker. It’ll be out in the next couple months, but for now, here’s the cover and a short teaser to whet your appetite.

Cover Design by Erin Lark

Teaser:

As Dirk stepped into the dreamscape, he froze at a soft snuffing sound. Foul breath puffed over the back of his neck and he slowly turned. A large round glob of black floated six feet behind him. The width was the size of a man’s torso. It had no limbs, no eyes, no other features aside from a perfectly round, inky surface—except for a ragged crater gouged down one side in a scar. Tints of red lined the stretched skin like tendrils.

A Nightmare. Not just any Nightmare, but one that had been hunting Dirk for close to a year. These beings lived in the dreamscape, glutting themselves on the terror of bad dreams. He had tangled with this particular one a while ago. He’d gotten away, but not before it’d taken a piece of him. And it seemed to have developed a taste since it’d been harrowing him ever since.

It opened a mouth in the center of its mass, revealing rows of jagged teeth. The creature appeared to grin as it snuffed out another wave of putrid breath.

Dirk envisioned a sword in his hand and smoke burst up in a column before solidifying into steel. The Nightmare made a gurgling sound, and a drop of viscous black goop dribbled down its mouth to bubble like acid on the ground.

“Want another scar?” Dirk growled.

~~~

Dirk’s story will be coming out soon, but to ensure you don’t miss it, sign up for the newsletter.

Dreamwalker—The Ball

Featuring “Take Me On” by Richie Sambora (Click the space between the title and “Share” to play without opening a new window.)

Image via Kay Adams under Creative Commons

Lexa’s got her hands full at the state ball. Not only is she working security for the city’s officials, but she’s doing it all glammed up at their insistence on blending in. To make matters worse, her boss literally throws her into the arms of a rich merchant in the hopes of buttering him up so he’ll donate more funds to the war effort. Not that Sir Duram minds; he’s quite taken with Lexa.

Image via LHG Creative Photography under Creative Commons

…And then Dirk comes along, the dream assassin. Why risk showing his face, unless it was to sweep Lexa off her feet…

Image via Dennis Khun under Creative Commons

A faster song picked up, and before she could remove herself from the dance floor, another caught her up in his arms and began twirling her across the room. Lexa looked up and her eyes flashed with fury.

“You,” she hissed.

Dirk smiled, keeping step but not letting her go. He still wore all black, but a tailored silk shirt this time with the first couple top buttons undone, and his hair was smoothed back into his hair tie.

Image via Imelda Whitfield under Creative Commons

“What, you’re not going to talk to me?” he asked, and dipped her backward. His face loomed inches above hers in the pause as they hung suspended in the air. “I’m making an effort.” He brought her upright again, but the migrating ceiling made her slightly dizzy.

“What do you want? Are you here to kill someone? I’m not going to let that happen.”

He sighed. “While the challenge of taking out a target under everyone’s nose would be interesting, it would also be messy.”

Lexa gritted her teeth. “You prefer dream killing?” She tugged to get her hand back, but he squeezed tighter and wrapped his other arm in a secure hold around her waist.

“Must we talk about work?”

“You can always throw yourself out a window,” she said, and bent his wrist back until it cracked.

Dreamwalker is available on Amazon and other e-store retailers. And in response to popular demand, I am now writing the sequel: Dreamstealer.

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Special Sneak Peek: Dreamwalker

The release is looming closer!  And to give you a taste, here’s an excerpt I hope you enjoy.

~~~

Lexa’s eyes snapped open at the barest touch of a cold steel’s sharp edge against her neck. She reached behind and grabbed a collar, swinging its bearer over her shoulder. The man in black rolled to his feet with ease, an intrigued grin on his face. Lexa stared at him in surprise and uncertainty—she had never met another person in the dreamscape before.

“You’re quick,” he remarked with strange satisfaction.

Lexa narrowed her eyes and circled him like a wary lioness. “Who are you?” He sidestepped to match her movements. His all black get-up, from his simple shirt down to his somewhat faded boots, gave him the look of a poor pirate, though not as filthy. Long, light-colored hair tied at the nape of his neck framed rugged features and a sharp jaw line. A slight accent colored his voice, but was too diluted to tell its origin.

“And rather attractive.” He took a moment to look her up and down, his brows lifting in appreciation. “I’ve heard there was another walking the dreamscape. You’re much more appealing than I expected.”

Lexa cocked her head to the side. “Wait till I draw blood.”

“Ooh, feisty, too,” he said while waggling the knife in his hand. “At the moment, I’m the one who’s armed.”

She smirked. “At the moment.”

Lexa raised her arms into a defensive stance and dealt him a swift sidekick to the face. Her boot connected with his jaw and knocked him back. His arms shot out to break his fall and the knife fell into a clump of grass. Still leaning over, he kicked at Lexa’s leg, sending her to her knees. He jumped to his feet again and bounced on his toes as though he found this an entertaining workout. Lexa glowered at him. Rolling onto her hip, she swung her legs around to knock his out from under him. He landed on his back with a grunt, and she arched her leg down to jam her heel on his throat.

He caught her foot, softening the blow, and still he didn’t lose his haughty grin. Around a cough, he smiled and said, “You must tell me your name.”

She snorted in disgust and tried to pull her leg back, but he held fast and yanked her toward him. They both rolled, grappling with each other and laying in well-aimed strikes. Lexa’s elbow brushed the knife lying in the grass and she grabbed it, slashing at his chest. He rolled into a crouch out of reach. Both combatants were breathing heavily from the exertion, but neither lost their air of confidence.

The man got to his feet and backed away. “It was nice meeting you, my lady. I’m sure I’ll have your name soon.”

“Not if you always give up this easily.” Lexa took two steps forward.

He laughed and pressed a hand to his chest. “We’ve only just met. Let’s not rush things.” He bowed with a flourish and tipped an imaginary hat. “And for your pleasure, I am called Dirk.”

Lexa hurled the knife at him, but he vanished into the waking world. It struck the wall before melting into mist.

~~~

Watch for Dreamwalker, out June 30th.  Two dreamwalkers: one a devout soldier, the other a rogue assassin. Last one standing wins.

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