Scifi Fantasy Week - Agartha by Jaylee Austin

​As a soul catcher’s assistant, April Lopez understood demons. But one psychotic sidhe bent on turning the human race into a colony of reptilian zombies sent her into a fate she never expected…an excursion to Middle Earth.

​The adventure turns her world inside out. Days after her arrival, images of a prior life plague her with more questions than answers. She searches to understand how the pieces are tied together and finds herself in the arms of Zorith’s leader. With his violet eyes and stoic personality, Sarielle Torian challenges her like no other man. She fights the attraction, but can’t deny the sizzling passion stirring in her heart. Sarielle Torian, 

​​an ancient Atlantean priest has no time for fun or shadowing a female determined to bring Agartha into the conflicts of the surface dwellers. April wears an ancient relic containing an encrypted message. A secret that will forever change their lives…Sarielle can think of nothing else but keeping the community of Zorith safe. When April worms her way into his world, he must chose to cling to his beliefs or risk his heart and fall in love. Can Sarielle and April surrender to a passion that transcends time?

Sneak Peek

​The next day, the computer chimed, and Sarielle flipped the telecom switch. Peter’s face flashed across the screen. Since his arrival in Zorith, Sarielle pushed the boy to his breaking point. Time necessitated he prepare inside the holographic rooms to take leadership and fight against a dangerous sidhe who’d taken to changing humans into reptilian drones.

“I’m ready.”

“We’ll be there in a quarter hour.” Sarielle strolled into their bedroom and kissed April. “I’ll return later this afternoon.” 

She turned toward him, her long, black lashes grazing the tips of her cheeks. 

He ached to crawl back in bed and run his fingers through her tousled hair, but obligations required his attention if he was to prepare Peter for the challenge facing him. He tapped on Harmonia’s dwelling. “Peter completed the level.” Together, they walked through the gardens to the Temple of Knowledge. 

Inside the holograph, Peter battled one hydra, two tarragons, and three Saurian reptiles. The Saurian attempted to infuse the cerebrospinal fluid through Peter’s eye.
 
Peter watched with a narrowed gaze to see the leader, and then he waited for the others to project their next move. 

Sarielle enjoyed the chess match, watching Peter use the wand to eliminate the three reptiles at once. Good decision to eliminate the leader, since the other three didn’t pose real danger to his mind. “Perfect move,” Sarielle said. Next, he programmed a hundred drone images. 

Each raised their swords and charged at once. 

Harmonia covered her ears to drown out the screech of the reptiles as they approached their prey. 

Sarielle programmed one primary purpose in the holograph, and that was to infuse the fluid. 
Harmonia shivered.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “If he succeeds, he’ll be ready.” He crossed his fingers in hopes the boy would pass the test. 

When Peter did a handstand and pointed the wand to the drone who hung back, Sarielle smiled.

He focused his energy on the mastermind of the group. All hundred disappeared.
 
The room exploded with an enthusiastic flare he hadn’t acknowledged in a long time. He’d forgotten the joy of triumph after outwitting an opponent. “Good job.”

Peter stepped out of the holograph, leaned against the wall, and slid to the floor. 

His breathing rasped as Sarielle watched him gain control of his internal emotions. Sarielle lifted him from the floor. “How do you feel?” 

“Those creepers gross me out.” 

Harmonia wrapped her arms around him. “I agree. They’re disgusting. I’m really proud of how you used your wit and speed. Very impressive!” She placed her hand on the crystal simulator.
A female artificial intelligence appeared. “Please choose from the on-screen menu and make your selection.”  

She pushed the icon for a fruit smoothie and added zinc and protein powder.  Harmonia brought their drinks and set them on the table near the seating area.
​
“Phase two is complete. The next trial will be more difficult.” Sarielle wrapped his arm around Peter. A feeling of pride, a pride he couldn’t explain, swarmed his heart. The boy had exceeded every expectation he’d had. April’s friends wormed their way into his heart, awakening a desire to belong to a family that loved, sacrificed, and gave every bit of their soul for others.

Prize One:

Prize Two:

Prize Three:

TO ENTER:
1. Comment below on what your favorite part of the sneak peek was?
2. Have you read Jaylee Austin before?

​For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. 

There are 12 posts during the week. ​Each comment will be 1 entry for the prize of the Amazon Fire 7 tablet or a $50 Amazon gift card!
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