Excerpt!
Emma heard voices coming from the front of the house, but they didn’t last very long. A moment later a door shut, leaving behind total silence. The hands holding her now loosened their grip.
Emma jammed her elbow into the stranger’s torso, pushed open the pantry door, and spun around.
“Who are you?” she demanded.
“Who are you?” he asked back, stepping out of the pantry. He held the side of his stomach. “Did you have to do that?”
“What did you expect? And you still haven’t answered my question.”
“Neither have you,” he said.
The stranger looked about her age, but he was taller—a lot taller. He had alert, brilliant green eyes to die for, raven black hair and an arrogant, way too good-looking face that instantly annoyed her. He was dressed in a dark green hoodie and jeans, and had a slight accent she couldn’t quite place.
“Monsieur Dupriez was—is—my teacher,” Emma said.
“Well, we have one thing in common. He’s my teacher, too. What are you doing here?”
“That’s not any of your business.”
“You sneaked in here for a reason. You don’t look like a thief, so my guess is you’re here for the same reason as I am.”
Emma crossed her arms against her chest. “Which is?”
“To find out what happened to him.”
For a moment Emma didn’t know what to answer. She was too aware of the passing minutes.
“I’m right,” he said, half smiling. “Well, that’s two things we have in common. And there’s a third one, too.”
“What?”
“We have no time to lose. Come on,” he said, as if he had read her mind. He started toward the door.
“Wait!” Emma wasn’t sure if she wanted another ‘partner.’ With Annika, that made them three. The way she saw it, three was a crowd. On the other hand, he looked pretty smart... and three minds could work better than two. Or couldn’t they?
“What’s your plan?” he asked.
“Going into his study.”
“I agree that’s the best place to start. How did you manage to get in, by the way?”
“It’s a long story. My friend helped. What about you?”
“I’m supposed to be cleaning the upstairs windows,” he said.
“Then why are you hiding, if you have permission to be in the house?”
“She said not to come downstairs until she got back.”
They crossed the foyer and stopped in front of the study door.
Both extended a hand to open the door. Throwing her a look, he pulled back his hand and said, “Be my guest.”
Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840), one of the greatest violinists who ever lived and rumored to have made a pact with the devil, has somehow transferred unique powers to another…
When violinists around the world mysteriously vanish, 16-year-old Emma Braun takes notice. But when her beloved violin teacher disappears… Emma takes charge. With Sherlock Holmes fanatic, not to mention gorgeous Corey Fletcher, Emma discovers a parallel world ruled by an ex-violinist turned evil sorceress who wants to rule the music world on her own terms.
But why are only men violinists captured and not women? What is the connection between Emma's family, the sorceress, and the infamous Niccolò Paganini?
Emma must unravel the mystery in order to save her teacher from the fatal destiny that awaits him. And undo the curse that torments her family—before evil wins and she becomes the next luthier's apprentice…
When violinists around the world mysteriously vanish, 16-year-old Emma Braun takes notice. But when her beloved violin teacher disappears… Emma takes charge. With Sherlock Holmes fanatic, not to mention gorgeous Corey Fletcher, Emma discovers a parallel world ruled by an ex-violinist turned evil sorceress who wants to rule the music world on her own terms.
But why are only men violinists captured and not women? What is the connection between Emma's family, the sorceress, and the infamous Niccolò Paganini?
Emma must unravel the mystery in order to save her teacher from the fatal destiny that awaits him. And undo the curse that torments her family—before evil wins and she becomes the next luthier's apprentice…
Author bio:
She lives in Belgium with her husband of 25+ years, 2 wonderful kids, and her two beloved pets. When she's not writing, reading, editing or reviewing, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family.
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