Tony ambushed me as soon as the Higgra’s date was over.
“Dad wants to talk to you.” He thrust the phone at me.
My heart made a pirouette. Most innkeepers avoided personal phone calls. Even getting a phone number of an innkeeper was a sign of trust, and it was understood that direct communication was only for emergencies. What was bad enough for him to call me?
Brian Rodriguez looked back at me from the screen. “Have you gotten anything from Lachlan Stewart?”
“No. I don’t know who he is. Should I know who he is?”
Brian heaved a sign. “How much do you know about the Loch Broom Inn?”
“Um… It’s an old castle in Scotland. Very remote. They specialize in large scale events.”
Loch Broom was off the beaten path, and its beautiful but severe landscape meant that human visitors were rare. If you wanted to have a destination wedding on Earth, or a diplomatic summit, or a convention, Loch Broom Castle was your venue. It wasn’t the only inn catering to large scale events, but it was one of the better known.
“Lachlan runs Loch Broom Castle. He is fourth generation, old, and crochety. Also stubborn like a goat.”
“Okay.”
“He wants to adopt you.”
“What?”
“He’s eighty years old, and he’s been looking for a successor. His oldest is an ad-hal, and her kids live off planet. His youngest took over a small inn in Bulgaria just to get away from him. His kids don’t want to deal with their grandfather either. Lachlan’s been watching the coverage of the selection, and he’s decided you are worthy.”
The walls around me creaked in alarm. In the innkeeper world, adoption could take place at any age, provided the “parent” was at least twenty years older than the “child.” Once adopted, the “child” would be considered a rightful heir to the “parent’s” inn. But I wasn’t an orphan. This was ridiculous.
“I already have parents.”
“That was pointed out to him. He says enough time passed that they can be declared dead soon by our guidelines.”
“They are not dead!” They were missing.
Brian nodded. “I know. We told him. He is determined to get you and Sean over to Scotland. He says you have ‘the vision.’”
A wall to my left parted and Sean came out of it, looking ready to fight somebody.
“It doesn’t matter what he’s determined to do. I’m not leaving Gertrude Hunt. The Assembly can’t separate us, I won’t–”
Sean put his arm around me and leaned over my shoulder to pin Brian with a stare.
Brian raised his hand. “Dina, if Lachlan reaches out to you, he might make it seem that this has been decided and you must leave your inn and go to Loch Broom. I’m telling you right now, as a representative of the Assembly, you don’t have to do what he says. If he tries to bully you, call me. You’re doing a good job where you are. You’ve bonded with your inn. Nobody is going to remove you unless a catastrophe happens. So don’t worry about it and if he calls, tell him no. Okay?”
“Okay. Thank you for the warning.”
“Let me talk to Tony, please.”
I handed the phone to Tony, and he walked away, muttering something.
Sean hugged me. “What happened?”
“An elderly Scottish innkeeper wants to adopt me.” I shook my head. “What’s next?”
“Next, you’re going to sit down for at least 15 minutes and eat something. Come on.”
He sat me down at the kitchen table, and Droplet brought me food. I took exactly two bites of the most delicious burrito I had ever tasted, and then the inn tugged on me. The werewolf was awake.
#
I found the werewolf in our high-tech med unit. She must’ve heard me come in, but she gave no indication of it. I approached the bed. She looked at me and didn’t say anything.
I pulled up a chair and sat. Her color was much better, and she seemed alert. Around us the walls and ceiling were a nebulous charcoal, swirls of darker and lighter gray. Karat had an aversion to the sterile white, so I had adjusted it to her preferences.
Gertrude Hunt pulled me on, announcing an incoming call from Gaston. I took it.
“We have a slight problem,” his disembodied voice said from the empty air about eight feet up.
The werewolf sat up and squinted at the source of the voice.
“What is it?” I had dumped, that is delegated, the responsibility for the 2nd Trial, the talent show, onto Gaston and Tony. They should’ve been at the rehearsal now.
“One of the talent demonstrations is in poor taste.”
“What do you mean?”
“I personally find it distasteful,” he said.
What would Gaston find distasteful? Was it something Lady Wexyn did? Orata warned me that the candidates were allowed a lot of latitude when displaying their talents. Even if one of them were to light themselves on fire, we couldn’t interfere.
“Is it dangerous to other guests?”
“No.”
“You have to let them do it. If we block any of the candidates from demonstrating their talents, they could claim we prevented them from becoming a spouse.”
“Understood.”
He broke the connection. We sat in silence for a couple of minutes.
“You win,” she said finally.
I waited.
“I saw you kill that thing before I passed out. You’re stronger than me, so you win.”
“I never was in competition with you.”
She looked away.
“What’s wrong with your ossai?” I asked.
She gave me a dark look.
“You didn’t go into a wetwork form during the fight,” I told her. “And your rate of regeneration is lower than that of a typical werewolf.”
The ossai was a marvel of bioengineering. A programmable manmade virus, it was the reason werewolves could change shape, bounce up tall trees, and murder their opponents with insane speed and accuracy.
She sucked the air in and let it out slowly. “Activation failure. In your boyfriend, the ossai particles are linked into a single nanonet. They communicate with each other. My ossai particles don’t. Sometimes chunks of them link up, and I get a boost, but most of the time they fail.”
Oh. Like a faulty fluorescent light. When Sean flipped the switch, the light came on instantly and was blindingly bright. When she flipped the switch, it pulsed and flickered.
“Can your ossai be fixed?”
She shook her head. “I hoped so, but Wilmos said no.”
Wilmos would know. He had worked on the improved version of ossai, the one that produced alpha strain werewolves like Sean’s parents. If anyone could help her, Wilmos was it.
The werewolf shrugged. “It took me three years to make my way to him, and in the end, it was for nothing. My parents are normal. Apparently, this just happens sometimes during fetal development.”
“You fight well.”
She gave me a bitter smile. “I like how you didn’t say the second part out loud. I fight well – for a defective werewolf.”
“Only things can be defective, not people.”
“Spare me.”
There was a lot of self-loathing there. Arguing with her would only provoke hostility.
“Wilmos said that if I find a strong werewolf, the kids would be normal. If at least one parent is fully active, and the fetus is monitored and treated in the womb, the activation failure usually doesn’t reoccur.”
“Is that why you fixated on Sean?”
“I asked Wilmos who the strongest werewolf was. He said Sean but he was taken. I never run away from a fight.”
“No, you just run into it without thinking.”
She glared at me.
“I was talking to the thing that took Wilmos, and you attacked it before I got anywhere.”
It took a few seconds to sink. She slumped on her pillow.
“You know where Wilmos is,” she finally said. “What’s there to talk about?”
“Why they took him? Is he alive? What do they want? We are doing something for the Dominion. If we succeed, they will give us a vessel that will permit us to enter Karron, but it would be helpful to know what we are up against.”
She looked at the ceiling. I could see it in her face: she realized that she screwed up. It wasn’t the first time, and I could tell it was getting old for her.
I flicked my fingers. A screen appeared on the wall. On it, Sean glided through the brush beyond our backyard in his wetwork shape, a huge shaggy werewolf beast. The moon was out, and the world was a palette of gray.
“Nexus killed all of Sean’s predecessors. Every Turan Adin died, sometimes only days after they were hired. He lasted 18 months.”
Sean stopped. Around him Draziri warriors rained from the trees, armed with long slender blades.
“Consider the kind of willpower required to wake up every morning and fight through hell, then heal your wounds, and do it again. And again. And again.”
The warriors moved as one, their blades slicing, creating a deadly whirlwind with Sean at its center.
“No force in this Galaxy could make Sean do something against his will.”
Claws flashed. The head of the nearest warrior hurtled toward the camera, a stunned expression on his dead face.
“He cares about me more than he cares about anyone, and even I can’t force him to do things my way. I have no desire to try, so it works for us.”
Sean grasped a Draziri, shook him once like a rag doll, and tossed him aside, broken.
“He isn’t hiding here because he’s gone soft, or he doesn’t have anything better to do. He stays here because it makes him happy.”
The last Draziri collapsed. Sean stood alone.
“I’m not going to fight you for Sean. I don’t have to. Would you like to talk to him again?”
She shook her head. “It was a long shot anyway.”
“Your wounds should heal in another couple of days. Do you have a place to go? Where is home?”
She laughed. “A small room a block away from Wilmos’ shop. I’ve been living there for the last six months. When he doesn’t have werewolf guests, I go to hang out at his shop and listen to his war stories. Hanging on to scraps of other people’s glory because I haven’t got any of my own.”
Wow. Sean had viewed the recording of our fight with the corrupted ad-hal, and according to him, she was actually well trained. She knew what she was doing in a fight, and despite her activation issues, she was faster and stronger than the average human. A lot of security forces would be happy to have her. Failing that, she could make a good living as a mercenary.
None of that mattered. Her self-esteem was nonexistent. She seemed to tackle every problem head on, without strategy or planning, trying to power through it on sheer will and physical persistence. It must have worked for her in childhood. She probably learned that even if her ossai misfired, if she just ran fast enough, hit hard enough, and didn’t quit, she could hold her own. But the older she grew, the wider the gap between her and other werewolves became. She was likely almost as good as everyone in elementary school, by middle school she would’ve started to lag behind, and come high school, she probably realized that no matter how hard she tried, she could never keep up.
If she continued on the same path she was on now, she would die fighting. Heroically, but probably needlessly. She needed to feel competent, to be in a place where her skills were valued, so she could stop seeing herself as a failed werewolf. I needed to talk to her more, but it was almost 10 p.m., and I had somewhere else to be.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Derryl of Is.”
I waved my arm, opening a floor to ceiling window in the far wall with a soothing view of our pond. The rest of the walls lightened to a comfortable soothing blue gray. Side tables appeared, and a plush rug sheathed the floor.
“Things are not as bleak as they look, Derryl,” I told her. “You still have a couple of days to recuperate. Rest. We’ll talk again.”
#
I knocked on the door of the Gaheas’ quarters. The door opened slightly, giving me a narrow view of a female Gaheas. Like most of her people, she was tall and willowy, with amber skin and long dark hair put away into an elaborate arrangement on top of her head. When Gaheas felt at ease, they let their hair down, literally. With the exception of their candidate, not a single one of them let themselves have a L’Oreal moment after that first opening ceremony. They considered themselves to be in enemy territory.
“A calm night to you, innkeeper,” the Gaheas said. “How can I be of service?”
“A calm night to you as well. I have a small gift for Nycati.”
“Now is not a good time,” the guard said.
“On the contrary, now is the perfect time. It is the end of the 4th Phase, and if we wait another half an hour, it will be too late.”
I raised my hand and made a small gesture, gently forcing the door to open a bit wider. Behind me Gaston carried a large trunk. I lifted the lid so she could see the shimmering fabric inside.
The woman’s eyes widened. She stepped aside, inviting me to enter with a sweep of her hand. I walked in, with Gaston right behind me.
The interior of the Gaheas’ common room was perfectly round. While they recognized the need for straight lines in technology, when it came to their living arrangements, they considered corners inauspicious. The floor was smooth and gray, like soapstone. The walls were slightly curved, forming a gentle dome overhead, and made of burled wood and smoky resin. On their native planet, the resin would be polished quartz, seamlessly fitted to the wood swirls, but we had to make the quarters in a hurry, and the tinted resin was a quick and easy substitute.
The entire delegation had gathered in the center of the room, clustered around Nycati. They turned as one at my approach, their stares hostile. Hands went to weapons, which in their case meant they simultaneously touched the ornate tiaras and diadems on their heads. Duke Naeoma Thaste, the official head of the delegation, stepped forward, body-blocking Nycati from my view.
“What is the meaning of this intrusion?”
I waved my arm. The dome above us opened like a flower bud blooming. The view of the night sky spread above us, the moon bright like a silver coin. A small red spark ignited in the wall to the left, projecting a translucent red circle with a complex border upward, centering it on the light of a very distant star. An equally complex array of light painted the floor with twenty-one spaces arranged in three concentric circles. One in the center, three in the middle, and the rest along the outer rim.
The Gaheas stared at me, unsure. I raised my hand, indicating Gaston’s trunk. The female guard who’d greeted me at the door gently lifted the fabric out of the chest. It unfurled into a shimmering metallic sash, and the light of the array reflected on it and fractured into a rainbow of colors.
Everyone went still. It was a royal stole.
The moon of Gahea dominated its night sky. Several times larger than Earth’s satellite, Gahea’s moon rotated very slowly on its axis, and as it turned, it changed colors, flowing from one Phase to another. The Phases dictated every aspect of the Gaheas’ calendar. Their passage of time, their holy days and rituals, even the selection of the most auspicious day for marriage, birth, battle, and the signing of contracts, everything depended on the moon.
Today marked the end of the 4th Phase, the conclusion of the Gaheas’ winter. It was a holy day. Failing to carry out the correct rituals meant bringing ill fortune for the next six Gahea months, until the 10th Phase, the middle of Summer, the date of equal spiritual potency when the effect of neglecting the 4th Phase rites could be negated.
The Phase rituals were complex. It was vitally important that proper formalities were observed, especially the correct attire. However, the Gaheas hadn’t brought a royal garment for Nycati. It would have been an obvious tell of his identity, which they were desperately trying to hide. Now the lot of them didn’t know if they should kill me or thank me.
Nycati murmured something, too quiet for me to hear.
Naeoma Thaste stepped aside. Nycati strode forward, stopped before us, and raised his arms. Carefully, with great reverence, the guard carried the stole to him and knelt, offering it in her outstretched hands. The duke approached, picked up the stole, and draped it over Nycati’s shoulders.
“How did you know?” the hidden prince asked.
“I am an innkeeper. It is my sacred duty to see to the security and comfort of everyone within the inn.”
I put a bit of emphasis on that everyone.
“Understood,” Nycati said.
I bowed my head, and Gaston and I retreated, leaving the chest on the floor. The doors shut behind us, and we walked down the long hallway back to the throne room.
“What the hell was that all about?” Gaston said. “That was a very near thing. One wrong word, one wrong gesture, and we would have had to make a very undignified exit.”
“Nycati is secret royalty.”
“The best kind. I take it, they’re hiding his pedigree?”
“Yes. Except their society is hung up on etiquette, and the duke slipped up a couple of times and treated their candidate with too much deference. The gap in rank was obvious.”
“And you wanted them to know that you know. Any particular reason?”
“Nycati has a date with Kosandion tomorrow, after the 2nd Trial. If he tries anything, I won’t just restrain him, I will expose him, and I wanted them to understand that.”
“And you brought me along to demonstrate that not only you know but other people are aware of his lineage as well. Killing you would be pointless and killing me would be difficult.”
“Yes.”
Gaston let out a rumbling chuckle. “Have you ever considered a career in skullduggery, Dina?”
“Everyone is offering me a job lately.”
“You’re doing so well. That’s how it works. Do you find any of the offers tempting?”
“None at all. I don’t need a new job, I just want people to stop making the one I have more difficult.”
Gaston laughed.
I waved goodbye at him and headed straight for my bedroom. Tomorrow would be another busy day and I needed all the rest I could get.
First?
You most certainly are!
Woohoo!
happy happy Friday! Thank you!
Am I first?
The best part of Friday!
+1000
What’s to bet they end up hiring Derrys as security for the inn?
That’s my bet. Unless they can convince her to be security for another one. Maybe the Scottish venue?
Woohoo!
Subconsciously I knew something was off about Darryl of Is’s healing speed, but the clues were so subtle – well done, House Andrews! The reveal made me tear up, it’s such a good representation of invisible disability, what’s it’s like to grow up different. In my case it was undiagnosed ADHD, but that feeling of running harder just to not fall behind as fast is so familiar.
Do I smell a Higra fuzzy work net solution here?
Ooooh that’s a great idea! I get so caught up in the story I don’t step back to see the possibilities
I do hope your sniffer is correct!
What a marmelous idea Ria!!
+1 to this!
Ilona has explained in the comments that the Higgra neural net cannot work on Derryl. Her nervous system is perfectly healthy already.
Very interesting thought 🤔
+1
Wow! That hadn’t clicked for me, and I like it!
what are the chances the neural net will cure her? clues everywhere lol
I don’t think she should be cured as that isn’t a good representation of disability and instead she should have a place where she fits, I feel like that has been more foreshadowed than a cure.
This is fantasy land, not reality. Impossible fixes are a part of HEA
We’ll, since Sean has proven he can bond with an Inn, why not her? The Scotland guy needs an apprentice, and she needs a mentor and a home She won’t shrink at gruffness, and her martial skills would still help in conflicts. Large scale events do need bouncers, but are probably not under seige as much as Gertrude Hunt seems to be. So, they don’t need to be able to put down a draziri army, just contain drunk guests.
oooh, +1 interesting.
yes yes yes
I like this possibility too
My case also. Severe ADD or ADHD is so much worse than someone without it can imagine. Not being able to concentrate on your work makes it impossible to do in what is considered the acceptable time frame.
Best of luck
I know what you mean. In my youth I had to concentrate extra hard to make it, as I got older (and now in my 50s) its catching up. Its not I’m disorganized, or can’t do math, its that my brain really truly does work different than others. I mean I get to point B, but I may go through the alphabet first, LOL. I’m still considered super smart by many, but … only I subjectively know what it takes to be the way they see me…
Yes, It’s not something that can be seen from the outside. I’ve been married for forty years and it took many years for my wife to comprehend how it is. There’s no cure. Stimulants don’t help me as I no longer have the hyperactivity of my youth. I don’t know why. The ADD however hasn’t improved. I just live with it, which I believe only someone with the condition can really understand.
I believe it’s a condition that’s underestimated in the impact it has on a persons life and also used as a crutch for the lack of parental guidance, which makes everything more confused.
Back to the book. I love it, can’t wait until it’s published.
Fellow neurodivergent here!
I’ll be rooting for Darryl to take a step down the path of self acceptance. It certainly doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a choice that you have to make every fucking day, multiple times a day. Assessing your current limits and refusing to feel ashamed of them is VITAL to choosing to keep getting up and trying again, trying something different, learning to ignore and eventually dismiss that cruel voice in your head that mocks your every failure, to choosing to value your life.
In this vein, I hope that Darryl is given a transformative experience. For example, getting to view a dance of the Oombole may allow her to begin grieving and accepting that living as a “normal” werewolf is something she must let go of in order to thrive. I for real cried during the scene when the pretty fish danced for the angry otrokor. I keep voting for him because I know exactly how rare it is to find gentle acceptance and the desire to bring joy to others in the world I live in. I know he won’t be the one chosen, but I deeply value his beliefs and outlook.
I know this is a weird sentiment, but I would marry that space fish in a heartbeat.
+1 for all the things.
As an adult who realized she had ADHD when getting my son diagnosed (and has since had a 2nd kid diagnosed) I can totally relate to the struggle. But I want to share that this issue can be managed and we can be successful. You just have to figure out how to work with and around your particular symptomology. I know that’s easier said than done but it can happen, so don’t give up on yourself! I figured out how to organize myself to manage my life before I even understood why that was so hard (it was a relief to get that insight though!!). I have a Masters degree and a successful career (medical field, interesting and different every day and I manage my own schedule so the autonomy is helpful) and both of my boys learned to manage their issues and were able to go off the meds they needed when they were younger. It helps that we ADHDers tend to be smart since we have to work twice as hard. Good news is we also can multitask better, switch trains of thought faster and are more nonlinear thinkers so there can be benefits. I read an article about the “benefits” of ADHD years ago and there was a statistic, don’t remember the number but it was significant, that many successful CEOs are ADHD. So go us!
Erika, it’s a couple days later so you might not see this, but thank you for your encouragement! After I sought my official diagnosis and a medication that helps, I have made leaps with my self confidence and acceptance, overall mental health. But I’ll never work the same way regular people do, so I have to figure out what works for me.
Busy day today, probably wont read fully till tomorrow! But so glad its Friday
What are the odds of being in the top 10 comments?!!
The gods smile on you today.
Yay
Thank you from a grateful South African fan!!!
+1 😁
Cool! It’s up already! And I’m one of the first 25 or so readers to see it! That never ever happens for me…
It’s so fascinating being in the world of InnKeepers. I love that you both take us to amazing journey, with these wonderful, powerful, dubious and make you look sideways characters and fascinating places and I for one am very grateful, thank you. I work 12 hours shifts every Wednesdays through Saturday nights and I look forwards to these chapters every Friday to escape my reality. You both have a gift and so I am grateful.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Can’t wait for the talents…🌸
I am sooooo curious about what Gaston would consider distasteful!
Right. Can’t wait to find that out!
I’m thinking the trees, but he said it wouldn’t harm another guest, so it’s not like their candidate can carve one of them up as her talent. Maybe Lady Wexyn does a striptease? I don’t think Gaston would consider that in poor taste, though.
Anyone want to bet Sean or Tony use the phrase “jazz hands” when Oond performs?
I’m thinking that the Otrokar ( who is being manipulated by Caledonia) will do something so gross ( to show how strong and forceful he is) that his rankings will take a nosedive and he’ll get kicked off.
Haven’t read yet, but thought I’d get in the queue…
My Friday is now complete. Excellent. Thank you.
I love that dina diplomatically both caters and threatens by knowing as much as possible about all her guests in one gesture.
+1
+1!
Layers upon layers upon layers. ahhhh!
Thank you!
Your stories have been the best thing to happen to me this year. They’re keeping me sane and grounded. They give me joy when all I can feel is sorrow.
I thought I was finally done with the calamities this year. Wednesday abused me of that.
So I’m very glad to read another part of this wonderful pick-me-up today.
Thank you.
🤗 hugs! I’m so happy you can find shelter in the stories and hope for better days ahead!
So many questions about using Loch Broom – is it just for the name? Have House Andrews visited? It’s one of my favourite parts of the world and very exciting to see it mentioned 😊
It’s a real place? Off to Google pictures! If they’re setting up for finally finding Dina’s parents, I wonder if there will be aliens based on Scottish lore?
Loch Broom exists as a real (and beautiful) location, but Loch Broom Castle is created by House Andrews. Real private residences are not ideal to use in fiction, as it may open the author up to being sued.
House Andrews reached out to Scottish contacts for expertise and suggestions 🙂
You should read Irish mythology, flying cauldrons taking people away, people coming back unable to speak of what they have seen.
Hi Len,
Did you mean to comment in this thread? I don’t understand the relevance of Irish mythology to Michelle’s question.
Cool! Dina is amazing!
Hmmmn…now I want to ship the annoying werewolf chick and Wilmos…too weird. Except if she’s been hanging around for the past six months maybe it would have happened by now. They could be that darling werewolf mercenary couple who run That shop in Baha Char and only take jobs for the most exclusive of clientele. Some days my brain just runs away with me on stuff like that **sigh**
Thank you making my Friday!!!
Except he’s old enough to be her grandfather. While May/December romance is a thing, Wilmos might be more interested in a more mentor role.
Could be. Though Wilmos is a strong werewolf and I’m not sure age would matter that much. Would she have noticed if she was fixated on Sean and would he have said anything while she was. Plus it seems like she was only interested in Sean for his ossai while she’s spent quite a bit of time with Wilmos just hanging out…. Sometimes the best things get overlooked due to obsession.
He’s Grandpa w the war stories …
I’m shipping with you! Yes, may / december.. but.. they would be very good for each other I think. And def. the mercenary team that runs that awesome weapons shop.. and maybe maybe she’d gain some self esteem for what she is.. NOT defective, different! And maybe that difference is going to get her something which is prized and which NO OTHER werewolf can do or be…because of her ‘disability’… (I dunno, maybe visiting with the Suncats, LOL. Because she’s not seen as a threat. Heck, maybe a romance with a Suncat… actually cats and dogs living in sin comes to mind, LOL.
I agree. I didn’t get romance vibes. Sadly, I have no sympathy for her either. I don’t trust her.
How about her and Gaston setting up shop to handle ‘skullduggery’?
Oooh, that could be fun!
Inn of the Skulls.
*chants* Spin-off! Spin-off!
I think she’s messed up enough that we shouldn’t be shipping her. IMO, she needs to get more self esteem and stand on her own before she can come to any relationship as an equal.
Well, that is a thing, but it sounds like Dina has an idea about that…
I am fully with you, Chiray.
I don’t think “the fix” is getting her with a strong werewolf or a romantic relationship of some type.
It’s helping her into a position where she understands she doesn’t need to be fixed, and being a werewolf or being a valuable person has nothing to do with gene expression.
I agree. Deren is at rock bottom emotionally, and just hooking her up with someone when she can’t even see herself as skilled…
+1
+1
My guess is that she will accompany them to rescue Wilco’s and either die tragically or find personal redemption
Love this all so much!!! The view points and discussions are the best things about Friday episodes. And of course the fix is to help Derryl have that epiphany Mod R detailed. After that Derryl could end up working bodyguarding the Lees or she could die heroically helping save Wilmos or…or…or. It will be fun to find out and I’m not ready to make book on any outcome!
Yeah, you guys are right. Derryl the werewolf needs to learn how to be okay with herself first before being okay to “ship” with anyone. It’s hard to have a healthy relationship if you’re not in a good headspace yourself or don’t value/love yourself. Or keep putting yourself into senseless danger.
…Do you think any Innkeepers have kids who became therapists? I feel like recommending a werewolf see a werewolf therapist wouldn’t, uh, go over well – or exist in this ‘verse. Maybe Tony or his dad know somebody?
Hey, maybe there’s an Inn that specializes in health spas and alien outpatient psychotherapy.
Highly likely that some Innkeepers will have a therapist or psychologist as a kid or grandkid. Dina once mentioned in Clean Sweep that some Innkeepers kids would go the mundane route instead of going offworld, ad-hal, or taking over an Inn.
Please, not with the Lees. 😳 With their skullduggery ways, Derryl could end up being in service to them for life!
Agreed in this particular case. The relationship with one’s self is the one that underpins all of one’s relationships with others, so it needs to be solid.And in general, for the love of all that’s holy, why does there have to be a romantic ship for every character? Some people are happiest when solitary. I do understand that this character wants at least a temporary sexual relationship, and hopefully a more permanent co-parental one, but not everyone does. Nothing good comes of forcing pegs into incompatibly-shaped holes.
It feels to me like some toxic people, possibly in her own family, have told her that her only worth is producing children that can shift.
+1 on that. She needs to see herself and BE SEEN by others as able to do what ‘they’ couldn’t. Don’t know what that will be, but that’s what’s need. To help her see herself differently.
+1000
Thank you! This was lovely. I enjoy Fridays so much because I know that i get to read the newest chapter of Sweep of the Heart.
I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy your freshly painted home and that it is not too hot for you.
It’s a happy Friday. AM I first?
All I can say is, “Things to think about are piling up.” Some are not about finding Wilmos. Dina and Sean are riding on a bumper car that is an arm on a tilt-a-whirl that is moving on a roller coaster track. Whip lashing fun at the Inn.
First?
Well, that certainly answers that question.
Yebo!!
Okay okay okay….I’m team secret elf prince now. 😆
The best kind! 😂
+1 me as well … since last vote 😊
My fix arrived. This is the light in my covid days
Thanks IA
Like I said, “Gum on the shoe.” I knew she was going to be added to the family, but at least we now know what has to be fixed.
Nobody brought ME a royal stole for my 4th phase. Sigh.
Loving this! It could be called Sweep of the Let’s-Make-Everything-As-Difficult-As-Possible-For-Dina.
Thank you for this Friday gift!
I know right. I really should have one too.
Srsly. Where is mine?
Thanks for the chapter! Am i in the top 30? 40?
40 😊
Happy Friday! Thank you.
Thank you!
Fabulous start to my Friday thank you so much 🤩🥸🤓
Great story, as always!
Yea, so glad its Friday.
Oh no – is Dina going to suggest Shaun to be with the other werewolf. as he can have werewolf babies with her?
No 🙂. Sean wants to be with Dina, and no one can change his mind.
Well, technically Sean could just donate some sperm and leave it at that – if it was just a matter of helping her with a medical impediment to fertility that he is uniquely suited to assisting with, he and Dina might even be willing.
But a healthy baby – or even Sean as husband – wouldn’t fix the problem of Derryl’s damaged spirit which Dina has brought to light. She needs to work through the self-destructive impulses before trying to be a parent.
Therapy seems indicated, but competent werewolf psychologists may be difficult to find. Derryl’s now one of Dina’s guests and her comfort and security needs to be seen to. And a role in rescuing her mentor that demonstrates to her that she can do useful things if she works with the abilities she has instead of pretending she has different ones certainly couldn’t hurt.
Yes, she doesn’t have fertility issues, she has issues accepting value in herself in the absence of werewolf trait expression. I don’t think having a child with someone in such a distressed state is on Sean’s list.
And the thing about kids is that you never know who they will end up being. We all hope for the best, of course, but only being prepared to have them if they are a certain way is…not ideal.
Yup.
She would be the ultimate stage-mom. It makes me shudder to think about it.
I don’t know, she doesn’t seem like a bad person, she seems like a person who is suffering a lot and looking for solutions in all the wrong places. I hope she gets the help she needs at the Inn.
I see someone who believes she can only succeed vicariously through her child. Maybe I’m seeing something that’s not there (wouldn’t be the first time).
She’s giving me real Fleabag vibes
I think a different NCO Evans might be a good mentor. The sniper one. Officer Evans, the lawyer, might also be a big help. Since both were basically treated by other werewolves as lesser than, it might help someone who sees herself as lesser than that she’s not.
Im loving this whole thread!
EWWW! NO, just no. That werewolf needs to work on her own issues…which are not gonna be solved by a relationship with anyone at this point.
Gracias.
Love the picture of Karron.
I believe that is the Gaheas moon 🙂
It’s gorgeous isn’t it?
Woo hoo!
Thank you!
Interesting developments. Thoroughly enjoying each installment. Can’t wait for next week!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love that you do quiet moments so very well, as well as tense ones, and out right action pieces.
I hope you have managed to have some quiet moments for yourselves despite the floor being redone.
This book has been so intricate. Gertrude Hunt is small, and the inn isn’t normally full of so many species and cultures. Watching Dina’s guests interact has been a pleasure, and the Innkeeper world feels bigger with every chapter.
Another great installment, thank you!
I sympathize with Derryl and am intrigued with Dina’s handling Nycati being a secret prince, but I have to admit, what I really want to know now is…what is this distastefull talent and which candidate has it??????? My guess is on the not so bright Dushegub candidate, but who knows?!
Yes! Is it really going to be something most would find distasteful or something that just offends Gaston’s sensibilities — like butchering French pronunciation. (I assume that would be the kind of thing that would cause Gaston to shudder.)
My question was why Dina’s mind automatically went to Lady Wexyn??
Chaos , probably 😀
I love chaos and if it can make some waves… all the better LOL
Would Gaston be offended by a hot dog eating contest?
Or maybe it’s a sushi/shark meat preparation demonstration.
Actually, my mind went down that same track. Gaston is a gourmand. I think he would find a hot dog eating contest very distressing.
Something along the lines of frat house initiations, pigging out on something disgusting. I have some hazy memories of an early John Belushi movie with some gross out moments at frat house he was an initiate at.
I can’t wait to find out.
Oooh, maybe they’re a terrible home cook attempting to bake with the worst ingredients and technique. That would offend Gaston considerably, haha.
The Oomboles seem to have very strong cultural emphasis on certain bodily fluids. The candidate has so far been charming but I could imagine displaying some abilities his culture values could be unappealing to the humanoid audience.
🤔 Hmmm
It could be Surkar. Caldenia is obviously trying to get him to do something stupid so his ranking will plummet.
Dear House Andrews,
Thank you for the extra fun today.
Have a lovely weekend.
A.
This story continues to please, so many levels of twists and turns. Thank you!
I like Gaston so much!
Beautiful.
Can’t wait to meet the Scottish innkeeper and have him try to bully Dina in front of Sean.
Thankyou!
I know! The other parts were great but I’m intrigued by the introduction of this new cantankerous character!!
Ohhh, a delightful thought. Do you think the Scottish inn keeper may be too crotchety to even be intimidated by Sean long distance? It sounds like the assembly did try to dissuade him. I mean who just decides for someone else when to declare a missing person dead? 😆 I think there is a lot of crazy mixed up with his crotchety.
I was thinking along these lines too! I love that Innkeepers are as real as the rest of us, with some wise and composed and all, and some who are just awful enough that their entire family goes far out of reach to get away & live their lives!
I don’t think Dina relived that the only talent Unessa has is mating. The talent demonstration will be hilarious and broadcast live across the universe.
Every time skullduggery is mentioned I get a happy smile. Ahhhh. Good ole’ skullduggery. It’s right up there with shenanigans. 😂
And ripper cushions.
I’m with you. Skullduggery is reminiscent of pirate playfulness. This installment was so much fun!!!
I find that the ways in which Dina and Sean just get each other incredibly sexy.
Most of excellent installment.
I somehow always think of Highlander when a remote Scottish castle is mentioned…
There can be only one… ROFL.. such a good start… Sean Connery LOL.
Absolutely love this! This is turning into a quick favourite in the series for me! Kinda wish I’d waited till the whole thing was over… hehehe
I’ve read some books that were too long. Half of them could have been left out. This one seems to have the opposite problem, of having too much happening to cover it all in one book.
Can’t wait for the next installment.
+1 – there is so much in here that I am expecting off-shoots in future — too many potential story lines to be wrapped up in one book. Yay !!!
I’m curious about what the highlight reel of Cyanide’s date showed. If the big, soft, pretty kitty and the emperor agreed to a short photoshoot brushing session (Higgra flopped on divan looking adorable, head on the regal lap, Kosandion intently grooming her glorious fur) that could give them a real ratings bump. I mean, I’d certainly vote for Our Glorious Feline Consort after seeing that. And it would throw the other candidates into an awesome tizzy.
Me too, Kristi! That sounds like a great way to showcase their date without divulging the actual specifics
Agree, although I do think Dina missed a trick by saying they could come whenever they “require(d) attentions,” “All of them.”
With bonus Orro meals.
I’d watch that, for a good long while!
For Derryl of Is, the werewolf girl –
I’m unclear on the ossai. Are they in each individual cell of the body or in the blood? Are they specifically coded to the individual? If they are a virus it should be possible to pass them on. And since Sean was born not engineered, maybe his have evolved. If he gave her a transfusion would that work? Could his transfused ossai merge with hers to create a whole net?
Possibly something Wilmos didn’t think of because, with the fast healing, what werewolf ever needed a transfusion before?
Or the Higgra neural nets? Could they heal her?
Curiosity abounds.
BTW, Dina really is a care bear. If someone is in her orbit, guest or not, she wants to make things good for them.
The ossai is a bioengineered nanovirus. It is inherited from parents or introduced in the womb and it evolves with its host, meaning each person’s ossai acts a little different from others. A transfusion of ossai would be rejected by the body. Higgra’s neural nets repair nervous systems: injuries to brain, spinal cord, etc. It would not affect Derryl, whose nervous system is perfectly healthy.
Thank you! I love this info!
Excellent questions! I love how your writing makes us think and ask questions! And love even more that you have thought about these things ahead of us and have answers!! This is why you guys are so good! The amount of effort authors have to put in beyond the storytelling is just amazing. Thanks!
oh, I love the ongoing twists and connections and dance of characters. You all are the best! thanks!!
Unwanted adoption — too funny.
Great section and it put a smile on my face.
Dina, being very emphatically Dina. Love it!
Skullduggery ahoy! And Sean is right – Dina is a care bear 😂
I love Friday’s!
Yippee! off to read …
Thank you for this 3-part addition to the story! It is so full of emotions and reveals that I’m going to have to read it several times for everything to sink in.
I’m really looking forward to Dina educating the Scottish guy as well as learning what happened at the talent show; I’m glad she dumped – err, delegated – that job! Gaston and Tony can handle it without an issue (at least, no issue for them!) and she needs a break.
Oh, I have a feeling there will be issues…
Ha! Gertrude Hunt will be getting more Stars!!!
How lovely. I did miss having the intro though! I had to use my own standard narrator voice and cook one up in my head before I read the chapter. Quick question – how come earth weddings and summits could happen at an capital I Inn? Do Loch Broom manage it so their Inn is empty of certain visitors when earth ones come a-calling?
It’s not specified that they are Earth weddings and summits 🙂
Also, Earth humans who are in the know about Inns can absolutely be guests https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/innkeeper-questions-part-1/ , but I think the reference here was about alien species holding large events on what is, for the galaxy, neutral ground 🙂 . Such as, who knows, a certain otrokar and vampire wedding… (this is not a hint, I’m just hardcore shipping Karakoun).
Duh. Thank you for the explanation Mod R, makes complete sense. Of course, now I must re-read all of it to be sure I haven’t muddled the meaning of any other thing. Such a chore 😛
+1 – I missed the intro too
So, so happy that there’s Innkeeper today! And such a long installment. Such a treat! Thank you so much!
SotH most intricately plotted Sweep yet. loving every chapter
Cool. Thank you.
Thank you…can kosandion marry nycati?? Pretty please….
I really pray for them to not have any nefaroius intentions
Thank you for the wonderful Friday gift! I love how unique and intricate each culture is.
Always a pleasure. Just started to play with tapas learning the platform. I am pleased with how well with how the segments will fit innkeeper. Looks like the flow will be a marriage made for each other. Saving my ink!
My weeks have become longer somehow. It takes so long to get to Friday!
That is so true!
I love Friday’s….these installments are the best part of the week! Thank you, IA! And thanks to ModR as well for all you do to get answers and fun info for the greedy BDH 😂
+1
Thank you, that was wonderful! As always, I gobble it up and now I’m going to re-read it slowly 🙂
Thank you!!
OMG posted for 26mins…seen it early- check the number of comments=101 already!!
No where near first- going to happily read the blog now and catch up on the BDH conspiracies 😄
Thank you for this read.
I’m just glad Tony’s dad called to emphatically tell Dina that she doesn’t need to accept the “adoption” from the Scottish Innkeeper and to keep on going.
I felt for Dina. I thought “if it’s not one thing, it’s another, and if it’s not that, it’s something else.” Sounds like how my week at work went. 😀
Hmmm…I wonder if the Scottish Innkeeper has news about her parents even though he wants them declared dead so he can “adopt” Dina and Sean?
To be continued!
I keep having visions of Gertrude Hunt suddenly acting like a hedgehog or porcupine and going spiky when the Scotsman approaches. “Back! Back! I’m not going to let you have her!”
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Also include Sean. Where Dina goes, he goes (most of the time).
My fear is that the Scottish Innkeeper will work behind the scenes to cause a catastrophe (so that the Assembly will take away Gertrude Hunt from Dina and Sean) and (try to) force her to accept his adoption proposal. As if they didn’t have enough on their plate !
Thank you! 🥰
Thanks for the trio of conversations!
Loch Broom is a beautiful place – we’ve camped near there with our scouts in the past – I could definitely see an Inn somewhere in that region!
I know Dina is an Innkeeper, but where in the world did she get a Gaheas royal stole? *sigh* IA’s world-building often makes me stop short and writhe in pure envy. It’s so incredible. But then I return to reading and am happy they have such talent!
I don’t think the stole is royal per se but the stole has royal color.
Thanks, Neelam, I never thought of that!
From the text:
“Everyone went still. It was a royal stole.”
Dina is providing the royal garment the Gaheas were not able to bring.
She probably had Gaston pick up the stole in Baha-char
So goooooooooood.
Thank you for parts 2 3 and 4😍😍
Oh gosh Unessa’s talent is gonna be sex isn’t it?
Probably.
I somehow don’t think Gaston would be offended by that, unless it was with an unwilling participant. He didn’t strike me as being a prude.
I re-read the Edge series to remind me about him and I’m scratching my head about what he would find offensive and I know he and all his relations and connections are sensitive about slavers. But isn’t everyone? He said personally. Hmmm. Can’t wait for next week. As usual.
Perhaps she turns his hair purple or something? Over salts food? I’m curious to find out what it is too.
Bad Fashion for one. Anything that would mock another candidate. If a candidate picks a talent they are not *talented* in… Ex tone deaf singing.
It will be fun to find out!
Perhaps it has something to do with boiling gumbo or Louisianans?
Maybe making him dress in a style he does not like while she dances, er – artistically around him? Have him recite poetry or sing as part of her talent performance? I am thinking Henry Winkler’s performance in Steve Martin’s King Tut … (just before the 2 minute mark)
https://youtu.be/wgTPH5y1-ZI
See with a Dushgub? That would be weird and distasteful.
Well, if it is, that would be one way to eliminate the Dushagubs! I imagine the Dominion viewers would not be happy with the equivalent of a porn star as their leaders mate.
Considering their homicidal tendencies and dining habits, I’m guessing their ‘talent’ won’t be as benign as public sex.
There is no doubt Dina’s inn will have the maximum number of stars in the future. She attracts not only interesting and extremely magical guests, but she also connects with and literally collects beings who go the extra mile to help her, all are benefactors of knowledge and personal power. Dina is also a very caring compassionate young woman. She is a heroine worthy of anyones love and admiration. Sean is lucky she loves him and he knows it.
I love this series because it’s so much FUN. Throwing in an unwanted adoption is pure House Andrews!
+1
Wonderful. Thanks so much 🥰
Hi,
I have a question about the vocabulary used: during Dinas talk with the female werewolf she says: “You didn’t go into a wetwork form during the figh”. Is the word “wetwork” intentional? It is used shortly after that again. If yes, what does it mean in this context? My first language isn’t English, so this confused me a bit. I would have expected something like ” werewolf form” or so.
Thank you
Hi Julia,
“The werewolves had three basic modes: their human form, which has the highest dexterity, they called the OPS form –operations; their wetwork form, a humanoid, wolflike monster for close and personal combat; and the OM, on-the-move, a covert form for rapidly and quietly covering great distances. When they shifted from one shape to another, the chemical cocktail in their bodies caused a release of pheromones that freaked out anything on four legs.”
Andrews, Ilona. Clean Sweep, Innkeeper Chronicles 1. NYLA Publishing, 2013. Kindle edition, Chapter 3, page 45
“Wetwork” is an established term for one of the 3 forms of a werewolf in the Innkeeper worldbuild and is referenced in the books multiple times as such 🙂
Question asked and answered, this thread is now closed.
Wow, that was certainly fun!!! Thank you HA for the extra chapter parts. I looked at the title and almost whooped at work, hehe. Actually since my office mates are missing today, I suppose no one would have noticed.
I am not too surprised about the werewolf girl, I had noticed she didn’t take another form during the fight. That must be remarkably depressing, but I fault her parents for not addressing her self esteem problems and her tendency to just bull forward without thought.
The adoption wrinkle is such a hoot, I can’t wait to see what comes next there. I rather feel sorry for the old codger who’s so ornery his family want nothing to do with him, though.
And the Nycati prince is outed, but at least he doesn’t run afoul of the superstitions of his culture. Now I really wonder why a royal from his world would want to spend 25 years in the Dominion – wonder what the asks are, don’t you know. And why are they so determined to hide his pedigree? Lots of skullduggery possibilities back home by the looks of this. Politics politics politics.
It seems as though many of the candidates are not necessarily looking to actually BE the spouse, but instead want a minor ask like Cyanide. This may be true of the Gaheas as well.
Yeah, everybody wants something. I guess we’ll learn what Nycati wants soon.
Thank you
Hummmmmm
Delicious!
Loving all these twists! An adoption attempt! Can’t wait to see what happens next. I can almost hear Gaston going “Come back next week to see the talent demonstrations of the candidates can true love be found! Will Dina be adopted! And much much more! Stay tuned same bat time, same bat channel!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Ooooh! So. Many. Wonderful. Things! Love, love, love, LOVE!
I really really really can barely wait to see the talent that disturbs *Gaston*!
HA, y’all continue to surprise and amaze. Love you lots! (Sorry for all the exclamation points, but sometimes they are simply necessary.)
Thank you for today’s chapter.
I’m wondering if the Oombooles are going to demonstrate how to pee without dousing others? 😂
Nah, I hope the fishy talent is dancing, haha.
Thank you for the chappy!!!😋
Thank you so much! I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
I think my favorite part of the chapter is the sudden appearance of Sean, wrapping his arm around her and looking fierce. He is so connected with Dina that he sensed her reaction to Brian’s news and was right there to defend and support her.
Dina has so much going on. I love that she has a helpmate and companion with whom she is equally yoked and who knows and appreciates her true value.
Sigh. Relationship goals.
Would Helen like to inherit an inn??
I see Helen totally running House Krahr when she grows up 😉 but it’s always good to have a backup plan 😁
I thought about that, but House Krahr seems to dote on her and while she can make rooms her spirit seems more in line with Vampiric deeds. It’s an interesting thought.
I had a half minute thinking of Caledenia taking Derryl under her wing and running the Inn in Scotland 😀 … Or Gaston mentoring her, seeing as he went through something similar before William took him on.
I am wondering if the adoption storyline is going to help force out the whereabouts of Dina’s parents. Is there a Sebastian North in Scotland? 😉
I’ve a question that has been knocking around my brain for a while, and with this scene about Lachlan, I thought I’d ask.
Do innkeepers ever visit other inns by using their own doors to Baja-Char and then running down the street to another door to another inn? I’m just curious.
That’s a good question! Like, would it be faster to cut through Baha Char to get to Casa Feliz? (Obviously not, or Dina would have done it, but maybe it would be for some inns!)
Maybe they need a talisman like Dina gave the liege lord in Sweep with Me to be able to enter another Inn.
I guess it would depend on the size of Baha Char and where their door comes out in it. If it were the size of a city, sure, why not… if we’re talking size of a state, continent or planet, maybe not faster/easier than a drive or flight on Earth.
I don’t remember the scale of the place. I’ll have to reread (again) sometime!
I feel like the Innkeepers might guard these locations as secret, though? Or that they’d only acknowledge/use these access points through Baha Char if they’re invited, to be polite or observe rules?
Oh, and need the talismans/ tokens from Innkeepers, too! Good point
+1
You have to have permission to enter. Plus they may not know where in Baha Char other inn’s doors are.
Interesting. I was thinking about the door to Dina’s parents Inn the other day. Did Dina and Klaus try to find their parents Inn by using its Baha char door? Is it permanently shut or gone as well? Just curious is all.
I’m sure they tried but weren’t able. It seemed implied that everything about or connected to that inn was gone.
Yep very curious. I have also wondered about the clients that were in her parents Inn at the time it went missing.
The Innkeepers Association has shown a further curious lack of alarm about a complete disappearance of Innkeepers, inn and clients.
While laissez-faire is the Innkeeper Association attitude toward every Inn, this just makes me think they know more than they have ever said to Dina.
Now what Klaus knows would be very interesting.
Oh so many questions 🤔
Loving this so much!
“I asked Wilmos who the strongest werewolf was. He said Sean but he was taken. I never run away from a fight.”
“No, you just run into it without thinking.”
This is the dialogue I love so much from House Andrews. 🥰
Yeah, it’s good stuff.
Also, glad somebody finally told her off for interfering and rushing into stuff without thinking, communicating, asking, etc. and subsequently complicating problems.
Hey, maybe she and Wilmos can get together. Assuming he’s still alive to rescue, of course.
Yes, Dina is ever the diplomat, isn’t she? LOL
Thank you! We got stuck at dmv this morning and this made the time pass just slightly faster for me and the kids.
I went there also. Maybe, if she can interact with Gertrude Hunt. Then Derryl of Is can go off to Scotland.
Thank you House Andrews. Love the chapter. 💗🥳
Can’t wait for the next one.
As a french, I had to snicker at the l’Oreal reference.
I smiled and rolled my eyes.
The l’Oreal reference vaguely reminds me of a commercial from the 90s and of scenes with Portia de Rossi’s character
in Ally McBeal? Heh.
Wow, I do love Fridays ❤️❤️
I’m glad that Dina’s parents were mentioned. I thought of them the other night when I was awake at 2 am and couldn’t sleep and wondered if any references would be made about them. I thought with so many new people in the inn they would have to walk by the picture and something would be said.
Thanks for the chapter, I loved it as always.
And to be considered “Worthy” to be adopted – read forced to give up YOUR inn to take over someone else’s whose so difficult to get along with none of his own family want anything to do with him! What a description! Very glad Brian clarified Dina’s options!
Ooohh the possibilities this opens up! Such a fun read! Am curious to see what happens to Derryl. Still love Dina’s talent for skulduggery as they say 😍
Dina, Dina, Dina! As Gaston (such a likable rogue!) said, “You’re so good at it!” Keep up the good work IA, such a delightful story line! Can’t wait for the next episode!!
So many nuances and possibilities for skullduggery. Getting closer to the big star on my calendar for RF release. Summer is speeding by!
“I don’t need a new job, I just want people to stop making the one I have more difficult.”
House Andrews does it again. Once in a great while I come across a line in a book that resonates through my soul. Ilona Andrews does this more often than most. Thank you, I feel seen.
Well that was interesting!!!! Lol
Sooo much going on!
Thank you for the extra parts of the chapter. I am enjoying this so much. (I can’t wait to throw money at you for this book!)
I love all the plot possibilities. There are so many ways things could go and I am not creative enough to see half of them.
On another subject:
Will the Zoom appearance at Blue Willow for “Ruby Fever” be recorded for later delectation if one misses it? I have signed up, but I am terminally forgetful…
Probably, depending on the spoiler content 😀
I must have missed this announcement. I would love to sign up for a Ruby Fever online release party. could you please point me to a link?
There’s a sneaky link on the Home page to the virtual tour appearances of House Andrews, but we will announce it officially probably next week as there are still a few details to iron out 🙂
I was confused for a bit when Dina showed Deren the screen of Sean fighting the Draziri– I thought it was happening in real time, and I was SUPER confused about how they snuck in! Once I realized that she was showing an old “Best of Sean Evans” video, things made a LOT more sense!
It’s not just vampires that record violence for posterity!
Always record events, to cover your/their posterior.
I was surprised there was a recording of Dina/Karat/Derryl’s fight with the corrupted ad-hal. Who took it? Dina? Karat?
Vampires’ crests record fights for their battle records , we see that several times throughout the series 🙂
Made my day!
Delightful. Absolutely enchanting reminder, do not underestimate your inn keeper!
Yes yes whee!!!!!! Fantastic
Happy Friday! Thank you for this great installment and best way to start the weekend. Sandman came out today, too, so I’m ecstatic. 🙂
I love it! Thank you!
What would disturb Gaston?
The only thing that comes to my mind is someone playing with their food…
oh.. live food. Hum.. Unessa’s eating talents? Mesmerize the prey and then devour?
I have had a summer of health problems that require a doctor’s visit every Friday. I hope and pray to be well sometime soon, but in the meanwhile there are many doctor’s visits in my future. These great chunks of Innkeeper-goings-on really is something great to look forward to when I get back home on Friday!
THANKS, HOUSE ANDREWS!!
Best of luck, Rebecca!
What an absolute delight! Oh I hope that our new friend Derryl gets to realize she is a badass! <3
And Gaston being like, Dina you do skullduggery all the time. Do the skullduggery with me!
And Loch Broom sounds very intimidating. Excited to see how he worms his way into all of it. Also why did the Assembly feel it important to warn her. Bodes well for chaos reasons! So excited!
If the net can heal the female werewolf can she go to Loch Broom and maybe learn to be an innkeeper? Is the Dushegubs up to something in poor taste and unseemly? Everyone else is relatively cool.
Ilona clarified higher in the comments that the Higgra’s net would not be able to help Derryl as there is nothing wrong with her nervous system 🙂
Sean can be an inkeeper, so nothing bars her from becoming one, right? I mean it’s her ossai that are malfunctioning not the rest of her…. this is actually a brilliant idea. But would her poor self esteem hold up to a manipulative old båstard? That’s the question.
I don’t think Derryl could be an Innkeeper. She doesn’t show any foresight, planning, compassion, or eclectic education, etc that being an Inkeeper requires.
Thank you again to House Andrews for making Friday my favorite day of the week! Great installment!!
You’re amazing! That’s all I want to say. May you continue to write forevermore! You’ll always be my favs! Thank you for continuing to write even when it’s hard and people are stupid. 🙂
Love seeing the email come in – thank you!!!
To quote our favorite (former) galactic tyrant; This was simply marvelous!
Thanks for the chapter!
Thank you! I guess Lachlan realizes how good the competition us. If you can’t beat them get them to join you 😀
Since Tony and Gaston are hosting the talent portion we won’t see it but I hope we’ll get told about it later.
Derryl seems single minded. Needs to open herself up to other possibilities…try new things, gain new confidence, be appreciated for who she is and start practicing positive affirmations to break the cycle of negativity!
Eh, assumptions are never safe around House Andrews 😉
Dina’s tea time with Her Grace is paying off. “You must learn to observe.” The plot thickens!
Hahaha the L’Oreal comment made me think of this pic.
Wonderful installment as usual!!
Shoot pic didn’t upload. Trying again but if it doesn’t work it’s the meme of Thoreal lol
No … no “offering” beings to other beings … and a little to much of someone else providing the hea (happily ever after) … most satisfying when characters find/reach for/take their OWN hea! Something this writing team does well.
Doesn’t an Innkeeper already HAVE a career in skullduggery?
I’m suddenly seeing a new career for Gaston. He can go to Loch Broom.
I was thinking the same thing. Gaston could be an innkeeper
Agreed. Gaston would make an excellent innkeeper. He’s very personable and would have captured an extensive knowledge of many varied worlds, people, and customs during his travels throughout the galaxy. Now that he’s at loose ends it would fit him perfectly.
Excellent idea! And maybe he can open a door to Sophie and George’s world as well as the Edge world.
Couldn’t go to edge world because parallel Earth. Even Dina had to go through BahaChar to go there with George. Is that correct Mod R?
Secret elf prince. UGH. Secret= sneaky. Bowing, scraping, subservience, massive rituals. Oh ugh with bells on. Good job there, Dina,
Self loathing werewolf for not being enough werewolf. Tough issue, but she’s got massive determination, not stupid. Lots of possibilities there, maybe with the Lees unless they expect another heroic figure. That would be very bad. Another fun Friday.c
Wonderful as always, thank you!
I love the the large ensemble sections being interwoven with following Dina through the quiet chaos of smaller interactions (non-consensual adult adoption anyone?)
I’m blown away. I’m looking forward to adding this book to my collection.
Happy Friday everyone! I love this saga, I need mooooore…
OMG!!! Hahaha that pic…
Yay, a little reveal on the mysterious Gaheas!
Loving all the intersecting agendas and complicating motivations.
Thank you for another installment.
Whee! The ride just keeps getting better! Wow, HA are so very talented!
On a side wishful note, it would be nice if the Higgra’s net was a real thing, having CNS issues myself.
Dear Mod R, any chances of adding your wonderful “in the previous episodes” to the post?
Those are all Ilona, and House Andrews are taking a well deserved breather today!
Oh, sorry. Then no more complaints, it’s well deserved breather 🙂
This was the cherry on top of a lovely day.
Thank you so much!
Happy Friday to us all!
Thanks for a wonderful chapter again.
Love it!
Thank you!
Happy dance 🎊🎊🎊🎊. I love this world so much I started the reread last night.thank you.
Very good, funny I was thinking this week what had happened to the she werewolf. now my question has been answered. Can’t wait for the book to be released, I re read the chapters all the time. Not into audio or graphics just words on a page and since in NZ, on my Kindle.
Waiting for the “catastrophe” to happen.
I’m sure the crochety old man will try to orchestrate something.. Hehe hehe…
Love it!!!
Oh it’s so good!
Thank you. I needed this so badly afte4 this week that I almost cried after reading it. Many blessings on House Andrews for your kindness
Haha now I ship Gertrude Hunt and that other Inn to have little Inn babies. Maybe they can link up.
Awesome, loved that snippet 😁
This Lachlan character has some cheek. As if Dina needs him to “give” her an inn. Sheer impertinence.
This comment tickled me. I agree with you.
Amazing as always!! Thank you very much 😊
What a great crotchety old man. He’s going to be fun.
Reminds me of that saying “it’s weird being the same age as old people”. He obviously thinks he can keep up with Dina and Sean. So much fun.
Thanks House Andrews. Love Fridays.
I am leavong this comment before even reading, ’cause of course it’s going to be amazing as usual, but also because I’m fighting a very aggressive bronchitis+ear infection and my miserable life is suddenly food, just seeing that I have this little piece of heaven to read.
Thank you, so, so much House Andrews. You brighten my life, especially today.🧡
Awww, hope you’re not in too much pain, fingers crossed you get better soon!
Awww, thank you so much. 🙂
I’m sadly used to it… ;p My lungs have been crap for years for no good reason. But reading HA’s works or listening to it on Graphic Audio has helped dull the frustration from all I don’t get to do while I’m sick.
So much fun! Thank you!
To Mod R: thank you for your services. Your input and personal touch always brings a smile to my face. You rock. 😉
Tough week, and you just ended it on a joyful and satisfying note!! Thank you, and gave a peaceful and relaxing weekend!
Since the BDH strongly believe in at least 1 more assassin, maybe Derryl saves the sovereign. I don’t mean to ship them (she has issues), but maybe she can be his bodyguard/chief of security or whatever. Being considered a hero (assuming you’re not a manipulative ex girlfriend) might bring her a step closer to seeing her self-worth.
Kosandian already has a security chief. Um, Myralitt , I think.
Derryl is defining herself by what she perceives as her limitations.
If she ever considered that the people of her home planet Auul, were artists, and poets before they created the werewolf warrior form. And out there in that galaxy the other original non werewolf of her people got off the planet and are living somewhere. Maybe connecting with them might show her what other options she might have.
Dina is trying to give her time and maybe some information to do that figuring out.
I like these possibilities! I’d forgotten about the Auul residents before the Ossai! & their likely intergalactic travels.
If Nycati is a “good” secret prince, why? Why secret? Why him? What Ask would his group want? Is he part of an internal rival faction that wants Dominion help/contract(s)? His date will be epic.
Castle Loch Broom comes with one who is not “good” but interfering and autocratic. He will be trouble. Maybe Dina and Sean could enlist his children and grandchildren against him. Not everyone can be an Innkeeper. Even the Assembly is against him. Gaston is into skullduggery and would not stay put in one place. Maybe, when (not if) Dina’s parents reappear, THEY could take over at Loch Broom.
I eagerly await finding out what Gaston is bothered by in the Talent show. Bad food? A (long) recitation of a treatise on how humans should be subservient?
So if the Gaheas group has been warned against any skullduggery and SPECIFICALLY agreed not to hurt anyone else, Nycati cannot be the assassin. So who’s next? Prysen Ol? Lady Wexyn? Amphie? Someone from Konsandion’s group?
Well done, House Andrews! Well done!
Does Sean have Innkeeper powers now, or is Gertrude Hunt the one doing things for him?
Sean is a innkeeper, and has been since Sweep with Me.
The inns do things for all innkeepers, that’s how the relationship works 🙂
Hi,
Resin requires a heat gun to remove the air bubbles while curing. I don’t think that would work for the Inn because it’s very hot and not an isolated spot. I don’t know what could replace it but I just wanted to let y’all know.
The inn makes things with magic, not the long manual way 🙂.
My understanding so far, a change in paint colour doesn’t involve drying time for the walls, a mosaic change doesn’t take a tiling process, so it follows for me that the resin wouldn’t need hot guns.
Besides… isolated heat sources are manageable for the Inn. The Otrokar suite has a fire pit. The kitchen has burners, ovens, presumably torches (creme brulee)…
any of those would be far hotter than the typical resin centered heat gun.
I’m now having so much fun imagining a root tendril with a heat gun meticulously going over the Gaheas suite popping little bubbles. Its always my 1 of my favorite parts of the resin creation process.
Where do you train for a career in skullduggery? Just asking for a friend.
I love Gaston!
You And I love the word skullduggery…. If fills your mouth and twists your lips into a smile.
Yay awesome werewolf info!! So glad we got some of her story!!
Also hear me out what if all those wonderful “this week in…” culminated with the dominions coverage of the selection process that was DVR’d and Maude, Helen & ark and are all catching up and wham——new inn door opens up and in trot Dina karat and Sean for some family binge watching!! This way majority of the awesome weekly commentary isn’t lost and it makes it into the printed BOOK version!!?? Pleeeaaaseee!! Love you all thanks for awesome story!!
Thank you for a great chapter or parts. Love this book.
As a mother, I really want to know if Dina scarfed the rest of that burrito on her way to the infirmary, or if she’s now trying to run this Inn on two bites of burrito!
I’m thinking option 2 sadly, because scarfing down food while en route to a possibly diplomatic issue is probably not smart… But I feel for her! I’m sorta expecting Orro to interfere at some point with regards to getting Dina to eat!
I have been wondering if somehow the female werewolf, Derryl of Is. would be considered as a spousal candidate or somehow end up performing a service to help save Kosandian somehow. Now that we know about her genetic difference to other werewolves and the way that (?The Dominion) splice genetics to create offspring this would be a potential path for her whether or not is is with Kosandian it could be a an “ask” that may be granted due to a some kind of service. Curious if anyone else had similar thoughts and what the reason for her appearance will be in the story. She doesnt seem to be on an equal footing with regards to power as Kosandian or the spousal candidates perhaps but curious what her story will be.
As an aside I am also curious if we will ever see the lady from Costco “Don’t mess with Texas” again. Did we ever get her name?
We did not get her name, but the last time we asked the answer was “Definitely yes” to whether we will see her again https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/innkeeper-questions-part-1/ 🙂
Thanks 🙂
Annnndddd….. my brain just said to me, “What if she’s Mrs. Marais?”
Wouldn’t that be fun?
Oh, gods….
Hah now thats an interesting thought
Thank you. It has been a crazy week. I work at year-round preschool and this week has been bonkers. The school year wraps up in two weeks then we have a week to get ready for the next school year. It’s been exhausting.
This blog is something I look forward to to start my weekend. And I just finished listening to GA’s Sweep with Me. Excellent addition to the rest of the lineup at GA. I just love Sean’s voice in these dramatized versions, as well as all the other characters.
I wonder if Dina has told Orata and the Dominion entourage about the secret elf prince. Is Dina obligated to share that privileged information? Will the stole let out the secret?
Maybe Derryl of Is can be part of the Innkeeper security or GH security.
Gaston cracks me up! Distasteful talent? What can it be?
Can’t wait for next Friday!
Fantastic! Thank you 😊
The talent is not dangerous to the other guests but is personally distasteful to Gaston…For some reason, I think it has to do with either food or eating.
Maybe one of them decided to do a stand up roast of the others or Caldenia?
Bestata and the fighter candidate will probably go for a martial performance.
The fish has already done a dance…will they do that again?
Who’s left again? The Secret prince, the long haired philosopher, the cat, Wexyn, and the Dushegub candidate?
You can check out the remaining 9 candidates here 🙂 https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/intergalactic-bachelor-preliminary-vote/
There’s also the goodie two shoes, Amphie of Team Smiles.
If Amphie stays true to type, she will pick something proper that gives nothing of her own personality. What’s the Dominion equivalent for baton twirling? 😉
+1
“I don’t need a new job, I just want people to stp making the one I have more difficult.”
Ooh that one hit right in the feels…
I need this on a shirt or one of those inspirational posters.
I find myself wishing that I had discovered the joys of reading books in weekly serial form before now. I am having so much fun – not just with reading the story itself (which is fantastic) but also having the chance to read the comments left by my fellow travelers. I tend to forget sometimes that everyone is a “self” and has their own way of thinking about things – and then I read a comment that makes me sit up and go, “Huh! That’s an interesting idea!”
Also, House Andrews keeps us all trying to guess how things are going to go next – but really, that’s a futile endeavor. There’s too much we readers simply don’t know about the people involved. It’s like trying to guess a murder mystery when the murderer is completely off-stage until the final chapter. But all the other characters are so dang fascinating…
“Brian raised his hand……… Nobody is going to remove you **unless a catastrophe happens**. So don’t worry about it and if he calls, tell him no. Okay?”
The word catastrophe is making me uneasy…anyone else feel like Brian shouldn’t have said that?!
Also, Loch Broom is just up the road from me! I had a wee double take when I read the name!
It’s *probably* a reference to the condition the Assembly put on allowing the event and the Dushegubs presence in Chapter 7 : “if the Sovereign comes to any harm during this event, your inn is forfeit.” https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-7/
At least let’s hope it is 😬
Well, well, well, the thick plottens and the skullduggery duggers…or in normal words – this is getting more and more interesting ! Great way to start the weekend
No fair.
Each Part ends too quickly. Too soon.
Thanks for the tid bit!
PS I suspect Droplet of some skullduggery.
Dina was raised in her parents Inn where she undoubtedly learned tons about various species in the known universe and their politics, culture, and folkways. That being said, she is still astonishingly knowledgeable and highly skilled in the arts of hospitality, including psychology, diplomacy, and interior decorating. She is very intelligent and has native talent, but I think her level of mastery could only come from life experience. This begs the question, how old is she really and what was she up to when she was traveling around looking for her parents?
Dina is in her mid twenties, really 🙂 . But as you said, she was raised almost entirely in her parents’ thriving inn, despite her efforts to have “a normal life”, with older siblings, close relationship with her parents and navigating the Galaxy.
There are books and databases available to innkeepers, which offer information on various species: we know about the Creature Guide from CS and we see her bring up information on Gertrude Hunt terminals throughout the series.
Also remember that we meet her when she is 2 years in her life as a full fledged innkeeper, having benefited from Caldenia’s tutelage in psychology and politics, and a lot of free time on her hands to learn 🙂
Loved this, thank you so much. Longtime reader (of everything you’ve written) first time poster
Wow! Thank you.
But did she ever get to finish thst burrito?!?!? Poor girl, workin so hard!
It always amazes me how many details are thrown in about all these different alient cultures- the Innkeeper series really does a magnificent job of drawing me in! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for the chapter!
Wow, twists and turns and hurdles and more. Loved it! I laughed so hard when that big glorious cat flipped into Dina’s lap!!
Thanks for an amazing chapter! Sooo good. So good that I couldn’t stop thinking about, even when sleeping LOL and somehow came up with these wonderings: Who is available to be up for “adoption” by a curmudgeonly Lachlan Stewart? Gaston! Who is human (enough) to be an Innkeeper while being intimately knowledgeable about magic? Gaston! Who has personal experience in dealing with grumpy, grouchy, snarly personalities? Gaston! (William Wolf was Gaston’s guardian) Who has complimented Dina on her “skullduggery” skills? Skullduggery Gaston 🙂 Who is looking for a new gig? Gaston! Wouldn’t this be an amazing character arc for him? He goes from the Mire Swamp to his Guardian’s ward to the Mirror’s trainee and then to George’s teammate all the way to the Arbitrator’s ship & the stars to an Innkeeper?!? I love it. Hopefully, this is more than my middle of the night mind wanderings and I actually tapped into something fruitful. Who knows? They do LOL!
Also, Gaston was triggered by the memory of his cousin Genevieve being magically transformed into a plant monster? Or one of Spider’s atrocities? Wouldn’t you be grossed out? Maybe “distasteful” is him being diplomatic.
And what if Darryl of Is somehow runs into Gaston & he tells her about William Wolf, that even if she doesn’t transform into a fighting form, she’s still wonderful & amazing. What if Kosandion chooses her to be his bride? She’d go from the depths of personal self-despair to the top of the Dominion! Worthless ossai? NO! Wonderful genetic contribution and she’d be a compliment with her go-for-it personality to his work-all-the-time drudgery. (What a billionaire trope!) I’d be thrilled if this happened or what if she and Gaston partnered up 🙂
Imaginative wonderings like this is what stokes me about Innkeepers. I LOVE thinking about what is happening on the sides … what is George & Sophie up to on their new planet? What is happening on Daisun (sp) with House Krahr? What if the Sun Serpent Empire is really the Makuna (sp)? What if the corrupted Ad-Hals are embodied by the ancient Rast (sp) gods from the Edge? What if the final showdown happened at Loch Broom, out in the middle of nowhere Scotland? What if Dina’s father is from the Edge? Did he figure out how to take ALL of his Inn there? Is that where they’re hiding?
Anyhoo. Sorry this is so long. You know how midnight ramblings can get, especially with a series that is so encompassing and delightful. BEST authors anywhere, anytime! Thank you so much from every bit of my heart.
I follow your reasoning for Gaston.
But my midnight ramblings go in another direction for Gaston. He doesn’t seem to me to be ready to settle down. He really really wanted to be Caldenia’s apprentice.
But the Spousal candidate will spend the next 25 years in the Dominion raising a child.
An Innkeeper is even more circumscribed. You can never go far from your Inn. The galaxy comes to you.
I do have a sense that Gaston is clearly UP TO SOMETHING. He keeps disappearing. He says that Caldenia doesn’t want an apprentice but we also know that Caldenia is UP TO SOMETHING. So even if not as an apprentice they maybe UP TO SOMETHING together for the duration of the Spousal Selection. For now, I have no idea what that SOMETHING is. Yet.
I wonder about the possible connections between the corrupt Ad Hal and a planetphage and candidate Prysen Ol who has a Sequatist philosophy (planet phage philosophy) according to Scholar Thek.
That Dina’s parents and their Inn maybe in hiding is seems a pretty good possibility, but from what and where did they go?
This crumudgeonly character who wants to ‘adopt’ Dina has me wondering about how to move an active Innkeeper from one Inn to another.
Maybe the Innkeeper Assembly knows how to force an operating Inn into hibernation or how not to cause the Innkeeper to go catatonic.
This knowledge would go along with removing an Innkeeper for failing at her job. In this case force hibernation on the Inn and let the Innkeeper go catatonic.
I wonder if this another possible power of the Ad Hal? 🤔
I need to get back to 😴. Lol 😆.
Missed it yesterday because of covid but so glad I felt well enough to catch up today!
I have a question about the life expectancy of Innkeepers… I know from the short story with Dina’s parents, her dad lived a very very long time trapped in the Inn until her mom came along… so somehow I assumed that all Innkeepers were very long-lived. Was that just a special case for her dad and she and Sean (and other Innkeepers like the Scottish guy) have normal human-length life expectancies?
Apologies if this was explained somewhere–I tried to find it!
Better and better
Dina has her hands full. I decided to center on what I saw as the hidden ticking bomb – the female werewolf in your home! Do not let the she-wolf permanently stay at the inn. She wants one thing, a chance to have normal werewolf babies and your man is still her focus. She know she can’t win in a fight but she still believes she will be a better werewolf’s mate. Her comments to you at the beginning is her “truth”! Walk her out the door….and don’t forget to add as you place your hand on Sean’s chest “this is mine”… then bar her from the inn.
My poor Dina she already has so much on her plate, and this one more, a grumpy Scotsman wants to drag her to his castle with Sean, cloak, broom and all 😂 People what a Dazzling Moon the tides and oceans on planet Gaheas must be abundant and very high too, plenty of beaches there.
Thank you so much for the wonderful chapter I loved it!❤
What would Gaston find distasteful?
Maybe it will be a show of strength by Surkar the Otrokars which Caldenia’s counsel to “reach out and take what he desires” inspired.
Just throwing that out there as an option. Whether it is in the talent demonstration or not I’m looking forward to seeing her influence and plans play out.
So the talent portion is coming up within the next few chapters and I’ve been speculating on it.
Some are somewhat obvious, like Oond dancing or Bestata and Surkar doing martial arts. But others are mysteries because we haven’t gotten enough information about the candidates talents or hobbies, like Amphie or Prysen.
Some few possibilities that I have come up with for some candidates:
Nycati can utilize psychokinesis to manipulate confetti or other light objects into patterns.
Unessa displays her talent with fertilizing.
Wexyn can do a semi-seductive traditional dance, but to music that isn’t normally associated with the dance style, like a belly dancer dancing to Metallica or TSO.
Cyanide could do acrobatics, possibly while carrying something.
Adoption LOL, I did not see that coming.
Thanks for the update! All the job offers are hilarious. Of all of them (political advisor, skuldugger, innkeeper for another inn), I think I’d choose big cat groomer, lol.
+1
100%
Did anyone else picture Lachlan as the Scottish Simpsons character exclaiming that Dina has “the Shinning”? Anyone, anyone?
Now that you mention it I imagined 😂😂
As I read I imagined him as Count Olaf from A Series of Unfortunate Events 🤭🤭🤭🤭
(Stubborn, grumpy and funny?) This character will surely be remarkable!
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the snippet.
OMG…Thank you…I will be on edge…it is so hard to wait!
I’m dying to know what Gaston considered “in poor taste.”
Me too !! I’m sure Dina is going to regret to having said to let the candidate do whatever they want as long as it is not dangerous for the rest of the guests 😂
I”m finally up-to-date!! Words cannot express how happy I am but I can say Thank You!
So happy you’re enjoying and caught up! Now you can play the waiting game with the rest of us 😂
It keeps getting better and better! I love reading your books, it just “sucks” me in (sorry I couldn’t find a better word to describe it in English 😅)
Thank you so so much for this chapter!
Take care ! ~~~
I have enjoyed this serial so much I just read the Edge series. Loved all of those. Was wondering if there is more of Jack and Gaston somewhere?
Jack and Gaston have roles in Sweep in Peace, The Innkeeper 2 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/innkeeper-chronicles-books/#peace
Another amazing chapter. I know I’m playing catch-up, so I’m behind. So many Surprises and revelations. I hope they can help out Derryl. It’s really funny how Dina is now the hottest commodity in the Innkeeper world.