Monday, May 04, 2015

Addicted to Writing Presents Mystery Monday: The Guardian's Key by K. J. Dahlen



Title: The Guardain's Key
Author: K. J. Dahlen
Email: kjdahlen1@yahoo.com

Genre: Paranormal/Mystery
Excerpt Heat Level: 1
Book Heat Level: 1


When Michael Kane finds out the family secret he isn’t sure about his future. When God cast the fallen angels out of the heavens He entrusted seven very special Keys to mortals. The Keys open the seven Gates of Hell. Michael’s family holds the first Key and the powers have been passed from father to son since time began.

Fifty years ago Michael’s grandfather and uncle were kidnapped by demons hoping to get the Key. Now the time is right to transfer the knowledge and the magic to the next generation. Isaac, Michael’s grandfather, doesn’t want to give all he knows to his son, Daniel. He gives the power to Michael instead.

After Michael is put through a series of challenges he still faces the final test. Will Michael accept the powers and the Guardianship?



EXCERPT

When Michael Kane arrived at work that day he didn't expect to have his world turned upside down. He looked up from his desk to see her standing there. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her long, curly blonde hair flowed down to her waist, and her clear green eyes sparkled in the sun coming through the office windows. She was dressed is a long, flowing skirt and blouse under her coat, but somehow the clothes fit her. He didn't see too many of her type in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Eagle River was a small town in the south central part of the state where everyone knew everyone else's business. The town earned its place in history as a turning point in the wars between the Indians and the white militia.
Michael had left Eagle River after high school graduation to pursue a career in law enforcement. Going to the police academy in Madison had given him a taste of big city life, and after graduation Michael had been more than happy to come home. He had decided that big city life was not for him, but being a cop had always been his dream.
Here he knew everyone and everyone knew him. He felt he was helping to preserve a way of life. He'd seen firsthand how people fell through the cracks in the bigger cities, and he didn't want that to happen here.
He hadn't seen her enter the police station yet there she was. "Can I help you?" he asked as he sat up a little straighter.
"I hope so," she told him as she stomped the snow off her boots and unzipped her parka. "I'm looking for Detective Michael Kane."
Michael glanced at his friend and partner, Alex Cadan, who he noticed was watching the exchange with unashamed curiosity. Alex had a huge grin on his face when Michael turned to her and said, "I'm Michael Kane."
She sat down beside his desk and leaned forward. "My name is Rhetia. I must speak with you on a very delicate matter. Is there somewhere we can go for more privacy?"
Michael frowned. Her face and voice were almost mesmerizing. He tried to ignore Alex's soft chuckle as he stood up and escorted her to one of the interrogation rooms. When he stood, the difference in their statues was noticeable. He was six foot tall and slender while she was barely five foot tall. He had dark hair and blue eyes in contrast to her blonde hair and green eyes. When she was seated, he asked, "What is this all about?"
"I know this is going to be hard to believe, but I have come to you to retrieve a Key, a Key given to your grandfather Isaac Colt for safe keeping," she blurted out.
Michael frowned. "I'm afraid you have the wrong person then. My grandfather's first name was Isaac, but his last name wasn't Colt, it was Charles."
"Yes, it was," she insisted. "After he disappeared, I told your grandmother to change her name to protect her and your mother and disappear. That was almost fifty years ago."
Michael was stunned. "What are you talking about? You don't look like a woman who was even alive fifty years ago."
Rhetia shook her head. "We don't have time to argue about this. I'm not here to debate how old you think I am. Fifty years ago your grandfather Isaac had in his possession a Key, a Key that has been passed down from generation to generation in his family. Demons were after him but he wouldn't give up the Key to them, so we think they murdered him, or at the very least they kidnapped him and are still holding him hostage."
"Demons? What the hell are you talking about?" Michael demanded to know. He couldn't help but wonder why all the gorgeous women had to be flaky?
Rhetia took what seemed to be a calming breath. "You may not believe what I am about to tell you, but I am speaking the truth. Time is running short. In three days, it will be the spring Equinox, one of the only times on Earth that the opportunity is right."
"Right for what?" Michael glared at her. She was talking gibberish as far as he was concerned. "Lady, I don't have time for fairy tales."
"This isn't a fairy tale. It's very real. Please let me explain."
He started to stand up when she blurted out, "I am an angel and it is my duty to protect the family of the Guardians."
"The what?" he asked as he plopped back down in his chair.
"Your grandfather, Isaac, was a Guardian of a Key. He may have died to protect it."





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