The Vault: Dark Curses, #0

By Tobey Alexander

Before the events of the Iceman, the world knew nothing of the Dark Curses lurking in the shadows.

 

Discover the world of the award-winning Dark Curses series from bestselling auhtor Tobey Alexander. Three years before the events of ICEMAN, discover the events that set everything in motion.

 

London 1938 and the secret order charged with protecting humanity from a world of dark curses are exposed. Moving the contents of the ancient Vault, everything must happen as planned. Under the cover of night on New year's Eeve, two men are charged with transporting the sacred contents only to find their journey ambushed. Fighting to protect their cargo, there is more at play as a mysterious figure seems intent on retrieving a single artefact from the cargo.

Could this be the events that sets the Iceman's resurrection in motion?

 

Exclusively available from the author, discover the prequel to the award-winning ICEMAN novel now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tobey Alexander
• Release date: May 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201520007

Book preview

Welcome to my imagination (and a twist of factual history too). For those who haven’t yet trusted me with their imaginations, I am Tobey Alexander and am the author of numerous books across a variety of genres. Being an autistic adult, I love to embrace and share my quirky imagination and in this short story prequel; I hope to entice you to unearth my feature-length novel ICEMAN (and, of course, other books in my catalogue). You can find out more about me at www.tobey-alexander.com.

What follows in The Vault is your introduction to a world of secret societies and hidden secrets. When creating this series, I wanted to rekindle that sense of wonder and adventure from the classic films I grew up on and loved, the likes of Indiana Jones, The Mummy and even my teenage years playing games like Tomb Raider. You know that feeling when you can’t quite see where the line is between fact and fiction? Well, the research I put into creating the adventures set out in ICEMAN allowed me to do just that.

ICEMAN hit #1 in its category upon its release and the adventures are set to continue in future instalments, each one delving deeper into the murky underworld and exploring another creature or location. With The Vault, I offer you an insight into the secrets that sit as the foundation of all the adventures I have planned. I hope, when you’ve completed this short-story prequel, you’ll want more and be keen to explore more of what I have to offer in ICEMAN and stories beyond...

Chapter One

23:45 December 31st 1938

SNOW covered the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church and more tumbled from the cloudy sky as the world waited for the tolling of Big Ben. Despite the world teetering on the brink of war, the New Year celebrations were in full swing. Voices and merriment carried in the air, but the graveyard was eerily silent. Standing in the shadow of the impressive gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey, those walking the streets of London often overlooked the church. Tonight, the solace of anonymity was much needed as a black Ford Prefect rumbled along the street and came to a stop at the gates to the tranquil churchyard.

For a moment, the two robed men in the car’s rear remained inside. It was only when the doors to the silent church opened and a robed monk stood bathed in the candlelight did they exit the car. Welcomed by the chilled air, dressed in the same robes, they pulled the fabric tight around their necks and dismissed the driver.

‘Brother Jacob, have the arrangements been made?’ The first of the monks quizzed as they stalked along the icy path towards the church.

‘They have. We are ready to re-home Ad Firmamentum inside the sacred walls of our church.’

Jacob was an old man, wrinkled beyond his years and yet his eyes betrayed a youth he hid well. Waiting for the two monks to join him, he pulled back his hood and looked up to the heavens. Closing his eyes, Jacob felt the tender touch of snow on his face. Hearing the crunching footsteps of his guests, Jacob took a long inhale and opened his eyes.

‘You seem rather relaxed, all things considered.’

‘And why shouldn’t I?’ Jacob grinned.