A.L. Kessler and Mia Bishop Presents
Code Name: Fox
&
Mind Games
Novella Set One of
The Syndicate
Series Blurb:
Paranormal creatures have stepped into the light of the human world and with them comes a dark secret. The Syndicate Council controls the mafia families and all organized crime, but there is something worse on the horizon.
The Agency was put in place to police the paranormal mafia for the protection of mankind in a way that human law enforcement isn’t able to. Their missions revolve creating a safe world for both humans and paranormal beings to coexist peacefully, but behind the curtain a more sinister plan is put into place by an ancient radical leader determined to regain his lost power.
Who can stop a demigod hell bent on creating a new empire and crushing those he feels are beneath him?
The paranormal mafia has the answer: The Syndicate.
Despite the façade of crime and corruption, the Syndicate uses the mafia to keep balance in a brutal world torn apart by crime, hatred, segregation, and corruption. Their goal: To take down The Agency at all costs.
Code Name: Fox
Character Interview with Zeek
Have you ever been tempted to switch sides and work with the Agency?
I’ve thought about it. Before, it was all about money and motivation. I gave up my land and gold for a chance at immortality. The agency once offered to give me back what I lost in gold, plus inflation. It was tempting until I learned who was behind it all.
Do you mind telling us how old you are?
Not old enough to have been there for the feud between the twins, but old enough to see the ancient ways crumble and give way to a more modern society.
What made you trust Skye?
Something that would normally get an agent or a Syndicate member killed…her naivety. It’d been a long time since I’ve seen someone act on their willingness to help others.
Do you prefer life with the paranormal creatures being out in the open or did you like things better when you all were in hiding?
When we were hiding we could get away with a lot more. Now that we’re out in the open, it’s harder to handle things our way. It also pathed the way for old enemies to surface and create things, such as the Agency.
Will your empire within the Syndicate expand to take on new territories or are you happy with the power you have now?
I’m always expanding my…territories. The more drug lands I can take over and control the better. The more that humans are pushed out of the drug trafficking game, the safer everyone will be. I’ll be holding interviews and interrogations soon for more dealers to work under me and run new areas.
Blurb:
Shifter, Skye Lannister, takes a job at the Agency in hopes to help her kind, but the Agency isn’t what it seems. Caught by the vampire Syndicate council member, Zeek, Skye starts to question what she was thinking taking the job. When Zeek urges her to look deeper into the Agency, Skye learns that the company is hiding dark secrets and menacing plans.
Zeek Fuchs, Syndicate Council member, vampire, drug lord, and overall badass wasn’t prepared to protect the shifter he caught hacking his systems. The naïve woman took the job on a whim and had no idea she was carrying out dangerous orders. When assassins start attacking, things heat up as the two fight to keep her alive.
Mind Games
Character Interview with Liam
You’re on the mafia side of this battle, why? Why not Agency?
For me, it all boils down to loyalty. I am loyal to my pack, I’m loyal to my kind. The Agency isn’t looking out for our best interests, they are a political tool trying to dominate everyone and everything. And you know what they say about absolute power, right?
What drew you to Reagan?
As cliche as it might sound, I was drawn to her. There was something there, in her aura that I could sense and I knew I had to protect her.
What is your favorite way to dispose of a dead agent?
Any way that leaves no trace. I’m not a fan of cement shoes and tossing them in the river, bodies always have a way of popping back up. I’d say if you’re gonna do the job, do it right. Dissolve the body, bones and all. Or set the corpse on fire and grind down everything that remains into dust.
What does it feel like to shift?
I imagine it must feel similar to an electrical shock. It’s painful, disorienting, more than a bit stressful when you are first getting the hang of it, but over time you grow accustomed to it, now I’d equate it to a very strong electrical pulse. The pain has faded for me over the years.
What do you drink after a long day?
Glendalough 13-Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey, neat, with a water back; unless it’s been a stressful day and then you’d just better hit me with the whole bottle and save the water for the morning.
Blurb:
Agency or Syndicate? Most witches are freelance, but being a psychic witch makes Reagan Silas valuable to the Agency's Protection and Security Division which is home to the Psychic Interrogation Unit. Since the supernatural world made itself known to the humans a few short years ago, the Agency and their mission of helping control the supernatural while protecting the humans, has been her only purpose in life. Untrained in physical magic, Reagan's talents as a witch are only a benefit in the Mindscape of those she interrogates for the Agency. Her world is upended when her interrogation of the Alpha of the O'Conner pack goes terribly wrong. When all fingers point to Reagan she is faced with a cold hard truth; she's alone in this world. Without the Agency what is she?
Liam O'Conner, alpha of his pack, never expected to find himself wanting to protect the woman who tried to use his dead wife against him in his own mind. But after he is injured during her interrogations he gets word of the Agency suspending Reagan, and he makes it his mission to stay close. The person responsible for his injuries during Reagan's interrogation is still on the loose and Liam knows it's only a matter of time before this other psychic takes him out. Reagan is his best chance at survival and salvation. Can he make her see what the Agency is really up to? Or will she never get over her past trauma with werewolves to trust him?
Mia Bishop:
Mia Bishop lives in Colorado with her husband,
two boys, and enough animals to fill a mini-zoo. She writes to keep from dying
of boredom in the high desert. Mia loves to read and write paranormal romance
and erotica, but also enjoys the steampunk and post-apocalyptic genres as well
as historical romances.
A.L. Kessler:
A.L. Kessler is known for her Here Witchy Witchy series. She
lives in Colorado Springs with her family. Her addiction to coffee and
chocolate get her through her busy life of being a mom, wife, and student. You
can learn more about her at www.amylkessler.com
