Marked (An Alex Verus Novel)

ISBN: 1101988541

Author: Jacka, Benedict

Condition: New

Product DescriptionMage Alex Verus is hanging on by a thread in the ninth urban fantasy novel from the national bestselling author of Burned.When Mage Alex Verus ends up with a position on the Light Council, no one is happy, least of all him. But Alex is starting to realize that if he wants to protect his friends, he'll need to become a power player himself. His first order of business is to track down dangerous magical items unleashed into the world by Dark Mages.But when the Council decides they need his help in negotiating with the perpetrators, Alex will have to use all his cunning and magic to strike a deal--and stop the rising tension between the Council, the Dark Mages, and the adept community from turning into a bloodbath.ReviewPraise for the Alex Verus novelsBenedict Jacka writes a deft thrill ride of an urban fantasy-a stay-up-all-night read.-#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia BriggsBooks this good remind me why I got into the storytelling business in the first place.-#1 New York Times bestselling author Jim ButcherBenedict Jacka is a master storyteller.-Fantasy-FactionFans of Jim Butcher and Ben Aaronovitch absolutely should not miss this deeply intelligent, morally complex, and action-packed series.-Publishers WeeklyAbout the AuthorBenedict Jacka is half-Australian, half-Armenian, and grew up in London. Hes worked as a teacher, bouncer, and civil servant, and spends his spare time skating and playing tabletop games. Hes the author of the Alex Verus series, including Bound, Burned, Veiled, Hidden, and Chosen.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.chapter 1The factory hadn't changed much in five years. The building was the same shade of brownish grey, grime on brick, and the rusted coils of razor wire still gaped atop the walls. From my position on the rooftop I could look down into what had been the car park, and into the windows of the factory itself. There were no signs of movement, but that didn't matter; I knew what was inside. Off to the right, the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf rose into the night, yellow-white pinpoints glittering off the dark waters of the Thames, topped by the double strobe of the pyramid-shaped tower. The hum of a boat's engine blended with the deeper rustle of the waves, all of it merging into the sounds of London.It was June, but the night wasn't a warm one. The breeze off the water was keeping the air cool, enough so that my armour was comfortable to wear. My armour is plate and mesh, an imbued item, alive in its own way, and if I focused on it, I could feel its presence, guarded and watchful. There was a second imbued item tucked into my pocket-a dreamstone-and a third hidden in that factory. Of the three, my armour was the only one I was glad for. It might not be the strongest of items, but it was one I'd come to trust, and its reactive mesh had saved my life more than once. It could deflect a knife or bullet, maybe even a spell from a battle-mage.Assuming the battle-mage didn't have time to study the armour beforehand and figure out exactly how much power he'd need to pierce it.A voice spoke from behind. "Hey.""Correct term of address, please," I said absently. Normally I go by Verus to colleagues and Alex to friends. As of eight months ago, I'd picked up a new title.The man behind me grimaced, thinking I couldn't see him. He was young, with close-cut hair and a narrow face, and he'd been staring at my back for the past few minutes. His name was Chimaera, and he was the newest and youngest of the three Keepers assigned with me to this job."Councillor," Chimaera said grudgingly. "We going?""Patience," I said. Sergeant Little was due to call, but it wouldn't be for another two to five minutes. So I'd gone up here to admire the view, and to see if Chimaera would make a move. So far he hadn't, but I'd seen flickers of possibilities where he did, enough that I was continuing to stand with my back to him, waiting