Stone and a Hard Place: An Alastair Stone Urban Fantasy Novel

SAFE AS HOUSES Its hard enough for Alastair Stone to keep his two livespowerful mage and mundane Occult Studies professorseparate without an old friend asking him to take on a new apprentice. Especially after a university colleague wants him to investigate a massive old house for things that go bump in the night. Still, Stone figures its an easy job: just turn up, put on a little show, and announce that the house is clean. Only it isnt. A malevolent spirit is reawakening in the basement, imprisoned between dimensions and intent on escape. If it succeeds, countless people will die. Worse, a trio of dark mages want to help it break free so they can control it for their own sinister purposes. Theyll do whatever it takesincluding seducing Stones young apprentice and using him against his masterto get what theyre after. With time running out, Stone has to stay alive long enough to uncover the spirits secrets. But even if he does, he fears that his own power wont be enough to send it back. Book 1 of the Alastair Stone Chronicles ** Alastair Stone has it hard enough keeping his two lives--powerful mage and mundane Occult Studies professor--separate, even before an old friend asks him to take on a new apprentice. Especially after a university colleague wants him to investigate a massive old house for things that go bump in the night. Easy job, right? Just turn up, put on a little show, and announce the house is clean. Problem: The house isn't clean. A malevolent spirit is reawakening in the basement, imprisoned between dimensions and intent on escape. If it succeeds, countless people will die. Even worse, a trio of dark mages want to help it break free so they can control it for their own sinister purposes. They'll do whatever it takes to get what they're after--including seducing Stone's young apprentice and using him against his master. With time running out, Stone has to stay alive long enough to uncover the spirit's secrets. But even if he does, his own power might not be enough to send it back Safe as Houses? Not so Much.Alastair Stone has it hard enough keeping his two lives—mundane Occult Studies professor and powerful mage—separate, until an old friend asks him to take on a new apprentice.Especially after a university colleague wants him to investigate a massive old house for things that go bump in the night.Easy job, right? Just turn up, put on a little show, and announce the house is clean.Problem: The house isn’t clean.If Stone can’t deal with the malevolent spirit reawakening in the basement, he’ll have a disaster on his hands.And if that’s not bad enough, a trio of dark mages want to help it break free. They’ll do whatever it takes—including seducing Stone’s young apprentice and using him against his master—to get what they’re after.With time running out, Stone has to stay alive long enough to uncover the spirit’s secrets. But even if he does, he might not have enough power to send it back.