True freedom happens only when you choose to be free.
Eleven-year-old Drake Bailey is an analytical thinker and the genius of the Timekeeper crew. However, no logic or mathematical acumen can change the color of his skin, or prepare him for this third Timekeeper mission in antebellum Georgia. To survive, Drake must learn to play the role of a plantation slave and when confronted with the brutality, hatred, and racism of the deep south, he’ll have to strategically keep one move ahead of his sadistic captors to ensure his lineage continues.
In a dark world of Voodoo, zombies, and ritualistic sacrifice, the Timekeepers must ensure a royal bloodline survives. Can Drake remove both literal and figurative chains to save both himself and a devout slave girl from a terrible fate? If he can’t summon the necessary courage, humanity could stand to lose one of its greatest leaders.
EXCERPT
Suddenly, a radiant white light beamed from the archway like a lighthouse beacon. Drake hooded his eyes. Amanda grimaced, cradled her stomach, and fell to her knees. Perspiration beaded across her forehead while she fumbled for the Timekeepers’ log in her purse. Amanda pulled a thin, pencil-like writing instrument Lilith called a crystal chalkis out of the log’s spine, and opened the log. Her left hand jumped across the page, scrawling at an incredible rate. Amanda’s breathing became labored. She tossed the crystal chalkis and Timekeepers’ log aside, and lurched to vomit across the lawn.
“What the—” Jordan crouched to steady her. “Amanda? Are…are you
okay?”
Treena heaved. “Oh, I don’t do pity puke well.”
“Neither do I,” Ravi said, puffing his cheeks. “I can’t unsee or
unhear that.”
A sharp whoosh—like the sound of a spaceship’s door opening on a
science fiction television show—made Drake glance into the archway. Lilith
appeared with her arms open wide, and a slight halo around her slim body. The
shimmering, dark blue sleeveless dress she wore billowed as if a great force
rolled in behind her.
“Greetings, Time...” Her sea blue eyes widened. “Amanda, let what
you feel pass. They are old emotions embedded into the vibration of your new
mission.”
“Embedded emotions?” Drake asked. “Is that like those
haunted imprints we experienced in our last Timekeeper mission?”
Melody grabbed the garden hose and rushed over to Amanda. “John,
please turn on the tap.”
“Hang in there, Amanda, the cool water will make you feel better,”
the Prof said.
Lilith clasped her hands together, and nodded, making the numerous
quartz crystals holding up her blond hair quiver. “Yes, Drake, but worse. These
haunted imprints go deeper.”
A terrible ache spiked through Drake’s stomach. He picked up the
opened Timekeepers’ log, swallowed hard, and read aloud, “April 8th,
1855—Fields of blood bathe the deep south’s soil as a race of people continue
to toil. Broken in body, but not in soul, they wait for a King to make them all
whole.”
Drake stuffed the crystal chalkis into the spine of the
Timekeepers’ log. He imagined wearing the standard issue red uniform of a
crewman in his favorite space show. The crewman who always gets killed by the
end of the episode. Was this a call of duty or a suicide mission? Drake’s belly
burned. Now he wanted to puke too.
Smashing cover, Sharon. as my son says, "Ever forward!:
ReplyDeleteYour son sounds so wise, Emma! Hugs and thanks for your support and well wishes, my friend! Cheers!
DeleteHugs and thanks for showcasing the cover reveal of the next installment of the Last Timekeepers saga, Sloane. I so appreciate all you do! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome. Congrats on the gorgeous cover. I am eager for your release!
DeleteGreat excerpt. Good luck with the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Catherine! Took a little spit and polish, but I was satisfied with the result! Cheers!
Delete