This story is a sequel to a story I wrote several years ago, "To the Mana Born." Readers are invited to revisit the earlier story (already here at Big Closet) to find out about what's gone on before.

“Damien, it is nice to see you again. I had hoped that it would be under better circumstances.”

“Thank you, Mrs Thompson.”

“Paula, please.”

Chapter 29 – On the trail

The following morning, I was woken by my hostess entering the bedroom carrying a laden tray.

“You’re awake at last. I’ve brought us breakfast and most importantly coffee. You must have been exhausted, darling. Last night you fell asleep in my arms.” These words were accompanied by a reproachful moue of disappointment across her lovely features.

“What?”

“Opal, Sapphire, Ivory and Peridot … please report to the Colonel at 09:30 in No.2 Uniforms.” was announced over the newly installed loudspeaker system.

Opal looked at the others. “We have job to do it seems.”

When the four were ushered into the Colonel’s office they saluted, were told to be at ease, and then were asked to sit.

“We have been approached to carry out what would appear to be a simple task, but may be anything but simple.”

Torn from his own world and stuffed into the body of a villainess, facing the end of a doomed route he himself wrote, "Amelia" must navigate a world she really should know - too bad she was never great at worldbuilding.

Stuck in a world she (maybe) created, Amelia quickly finds that reality has filled in the details she failed to describe. The characters who were so flat when she wrote them now have nuance, and motives. The kingdom she wrote into existence is experiencing internal strife she never even thought about. And let's not even get into the complexities of the magic system, or the demon that forced her into this situation to begin with...

Oh, and then there's the fact that she's about to be arrested and executed... but surely she can come up with a way to write herself out of that, right?

...Right?

It all started one day when I was complaining about work again,
my wife Sara said if I was unhappy at work then I should stay at home
as the housewife and she would go to work. I said it sounded a good
idea. Sara said she would start to look for a decent job, when she had
found one then I should give my notice. About a month later Sara had
found a job and she would start in a months time, so she said I should
give my weeks notice.

On Tuesday, August 8, I summoned Victoria. It was the first time I’d had my Victoria here on a work day since the first time I brought her here accidentally, and the intent was to see how well my ability to just briefly direct her mind to do things allowed her to do useful stuff while I was working.

Chapter 27 – Caught

Hastily I threw the keys into their place in the desk drawer and slammed it shut. I had just time to retrieve my tray and restore the smoky glass to its position on top of the paper when the office door was flung open to herald the entrance of one formidable woman. More than ever, I needed to have my wits about me and all the luck in the world if I was to get myself and the intelligence I’d gleaned away in one piece.

“What on earth… what are you doing here?” she vociferated.

No.

No, no, no, no, no.

Mark Lansing never wanted to stand out. He was perfectly happy disappearing into a football huddle with the rest of the team until one play made him the talk of the town. Thrust into a spotlight he never wanted, every choice can reshape his future, and every decision could transform him in ways he never believed possible. Mark’s destiny will be determined on the field … assuming he can figure out how to dress the part.

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, Felica Harding Hotel Room:
Felica snuggles closer to whoever is sleeping behind her. She could feel their strong, muscular arm resting on her hip and holding her against them. She was so sore from all the sex they had last night and felt worn out, which was unusual for her. That’s because her body recovered fast and hardly ever wore out.