The Valediction

By Katrina Deverill

It isn't always about the gift but the way it is given!

For a woman with the gift of eternal youth she should feel elated, but there's no such emotion only grief.
When Deborah Anne Clarke received the ultimate gift it became a painful experience. The strange artefact hid its instructions well as her husband's life ebbed away.
Faced with a heartbreaking decision Deborah tries to reverse the process, but soon discovers it escalates her problem. As a burglary goes wrong it's apparent what the target was as time runs out.

Balancing a version of normal, Deborah and her husband need to take a leap of faith but if they misplace the artefact, it's over and they will lose the fight.
Can they uncover the rules of engagement or will there come a demonic twist?
It's a tale of devotion magical realism and mystery rolled into one. Buy The Valediction to take the unique journey into the unknown today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katrina Deverill
• Release date: Jan 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215607367

Katrina Deverill

I live on the beautiful island of Cyprus where the sea is cobalt blue, and it rarely rains.  Because I believe some of the best books are the ones that have yet to be discovered, I read on average four novels a month, sometimes more, but I schedule my writing time into each day. It’s a full-time job. There’s something special about curling up with a book and being transported to another dimension. Although I write in several genres, they all have one thing in common: mystery. I’m a sucker for whodunits and whether there’s a ghost, some historical data, a smattering of magical realism or a full-blown serial killer, the characters guide me through all the way to the end. If you enjoyed this title, all my books are on my website in my portfolio, where you’ll find both my current titles and those soon to be released. You can also sign up for early-bird offers, news and giveaways, but if you're more interested in leaving a comment or asking about a particular character, I’d be happy to respond. I look forward to hearing from you when you visit my home from home https://katrinadeverill.com Katrina Deverill

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Deborah Anne Clarke had lived a fulfilled life in the eyes of her peers, but in her darkest moments she would bitterly deny them their version of the truth. Not that anyone looking at her would guess, because Deborah Anne was the queen of illusion, the life force that lit up a room and a constant enigma in the minds of others. But she held a dark secret, and the days of light and joy were fading fast: it seemed as if time itself had caught her in its snare and it was her objective to finally confront the dreadful truth. But, in life there are few certainties and for perhaps the first time in reality, she had no control over the path she was destined to follow and that was the problem.

This is a tale of a strong, beautiful woman who in her hour of need turns not to her peers, but to a complete stranger. Will he help her to face the future however short and fulfil her needs? Deborah Anne needs to take back some semblance of control, but are there too many outside forces, too many unknowns? Will she emerge victorious, like the phoenix? Or will fate play the devils card? This is The Valediction: But beware, her journey is not without its perils and although fate can be the bringer of good fortune she can also play the cruellest of tricks and her influence can be fatal: And remember, while you are reading Deborah Anne’s narrative, the fate of The Valediction lies firmly in your hands!

The Valediction

CHAPTER 1

Placing my phone back on the table I finished the tepid coffee, which by now had lost its appeal. I stood brushing out imaginary creases and wandered slowly over to the balcony, my gown fluttering gently around my ankles in time with the soft breeze that entered the apartment via the open French doors. I stretched my lithe body skyward, arms outstretched, like a goddess giving audience to her minions. And as I watched the last remnants of the sun falling in a blaze of deep crimson I wondered, was this it?

My options diminished with each new sunset, and I knew then that I was frittering away the last vestiges of my life; for what, one last hurrah; I really wasn’t sure anymore.

Lying in my bed, I wondered if this path was the right one, but then without following it I would never know. Soon the sun would rise on another day, bringing with it the warm assurance that if I stuck to my plan I would soon know. I nestled down between the fresh cotton sheets, lay my head on my sumptuous pillow and fell into a deep luxurious sleep.

My alarm played the same music that I awoke to every day. It was a melodious haunting tune that flooded my senses with the promise of a new dawn, as it slowly reached into my consciousness to pluck me gently from the realms of sleep. This was it, my day of reckoning, it would seem I had arrived at this pinnacle sooner than I had intended, but then when fate played its hand it made its own rules, of this, I was sure.

Dressing in a cerise silk dress, with killer heels and a matching jacket, I looked approvingly at my reflection. I wondered if overkill was a good choice, but then I wasn’t known for my subtlety and age to me was just a number. I made my way down in the elevator and stepped past the concierge with a polite nod, as he rushed to open the large brass framed glass door. I walked purposefully into the warm morning air, filling my lungs and breathing in the newness of the day and I wondered how many more of these glorious moments could I claim as mine. Taking a taxi to my destination, I paid the driver with the last remaining note in my purse and stopped to gaze at the majesty of the white marble steps as they led my eyes upwards towards my journey’s end.

As I looked over my shoulder to once more survey the impressive steps I’d just climbed, I felt somewhat heady and out of breath. I mused: If this was the sum of my life I’d rather step back in time, you know the scene, mum, dad in the throes of passion and just have it all start over. But as we all know, life isn’t like that. We don’t choose when to we are born and there is no telling when fate will step in and erase us as dispassionately as she sees fit. One thing is for certain though, while we are in the middle of the two events, it is within our power to aspire to more.

Without a remnant of doubt left in my mind I head for the room as arranged, my heels clicking rhythmically on the marbled floors. This clandestine meeting is more important to me than ever and I wonder if I was seen entering or leaving what headlines would appear in the Daily Trash, my quaint little name for the local rag. It simply finds a story even when there is nothing to find. I have lived my life in the limelight and in all honesty, I have revelled in its profound inconsistencies, one minute a goddess, the next a figure to be flaunted within the gossip columns. Either way, it’s publicity and it has kept me relevant for longer than I had imagined possible. But that is the hand fate dealt me and for all its decadence I had languished in it and enjoyed the fruits that it has bestowed on me daily. Now though, all I want is only a day, a little anonymity, and the chance to do what I must, so my life has meaning again, and I am able to face the new dawn as it approaches with the joy I have so sorely missed of late.

I wonder how many people would willingly swap places with me, even now. Most do not see the pain or the deep chasms that lay empty and my life as it is now no longer provides solace. As I step onto the soft carpeted floor and enter the luxurious hallway, my mind feels numb although the pain is constant and I hope that this man, with the soft velvety voice will be able to lift me into the light before the darkness descends never to depart. As I look at the imposing door before me and recheck the room number, I am reminded that this meeting is my last attempt to change my future and I hope he has the capacity to fulfil the deep longing that has permeated my soul for the last few weeks. As I knock the door, my head tells me that this can’t be the right thing to do, but my heart tightening as I take my last breath before entering screams yes, this IS what you want and today, if this man can deliver on his promise, it will signify the start of a new era. And I stepped in...

CHAPTER 2

Ilook around, my eyes darting quickly from one side of the room to the other and I can feel my palms sweating and I wipe them on a handkerchief I keep in my bag. Just then I hear a door open, and I realise he was there all along. As he stepped out of the bathroom he nodded and greeted me with a broad smile. He gestured for me to sit, after all that panic, I didn’t need to shake hands; what a waste of a clean handkerchief. I still can’t relax, but he smiles reassuringly tells me to relax and to go over the details before we get down to business, but the panic I feel is real and I’m not sure I can go through with it, but what choice do I have if I am ever to stop the darkness descending further; time is not on my side.

A year ago, I had been a successful and completely fulfilled woman with everything going for me, but I sit here like an empty shell just wishing that all it would take was a step back in time: But surely that’s where it all started? And so, I began to tell this stranger the story from the beginning...

Of course, this is the beginning ‘he’ needs to know, I will tell you where it all started when the deal is brokered then I can relax a little while he does the heavy lifting. This whole saga has taken its toll on me, not that you’d know by looking at me and that is part of the problem. Well Carl, Johnathan, that’s my husband’s name as I’m sure you already know, was doing some research, before he was taken ill, I pause at this point and decide that I shouldn’t elaborate on this part of my story. He was charged with deciphering some ancient engravings found on an artefact, but well, he drew a blank and I’d like to help him, because he isn’t able to work, he’s off the case but it’s constantly on his mind. Carl looked at me, I could see he didn’t buy my little story and I was waiting for the questions to start, but he sat quietly so I continued. I have some photos of the markings and wondered if this was the type of mysterious ancient language you excel in? He nodded and asked if I’d brought the item with me, but I continue with a little emotion in the hope that I’ll pass off my sudden strange fascination with my husband’s work. So, I tell him that Johnathan’s illness is worse than reported and I wanted to give him the answers he’d been searching for as a token of my love for him, his work is his life, I explain, and my deepest desire is to make him happy. I look up at Carl with puppy dog eyes and as a tear starts to form, I describe to him in detail just how much it would mean to both of us if he was able to deliver on this assignment. I love him so much and if he die’s knowing his work is complete then he may find some peace, he’s always been conscientious and hates to leave loose ends, this would give him closure, and I let him see a woman, vulnerable and deeply in love, floundering in her own despair.

As I said, we were happy and still so much in love and we are still very much enamoured with each other, however the ‘happy’ part has been cruelly eroded and I get to the part of the story that this guy has come for, not my emotional instability, which I hoped desperately I played to a tee. Had he bought it I wonder, and I open my handbag again, push the used tissue aside and remove an envelope (well if he thought I would bring the artefact with me he was going to be sorely disappointed) and I handed it to him. He raised his eyebrows, but made no comment, just opened it and carefully pulled out the contents and began to study them. He was a man of few words, but he muttered under his breath as his eyes moved down the page. Then, after about five minutes of inner deliberations he seemed mollified and returned his attention to me. It won’t be cheap, he said as he broke the silence that had permeated the room for the last thirty minutes, and it won’t be a five-minute job either, he added. I knew I was bound to get fleeced, after all once he had met me, he’d be aware that money was going to be no object. It what I’d expected, except of course for the timeline, which was going to be the sticking point. I didn’t have much time and fate was pushing the hands on the clock faster than expected. Let’s talk timescales first, I answered, What are we looking at? But he just a tutting sound and sucked in a deep breath between clenched teeth, You’re not giving me much to work with, for starters, can’t you give me the item to study in depth? I just shook my head, then added It is not in my possession or power to grant you access at this point, I just need a translation and then it might be possible. But I think he got it; I wasn’t going to play my ace card or risk losing my only advantage.

When he pondered the deal, he came back quickly enough with an estimate and he stipulated he wanted an upfront fee, no beating about the bush here and the price tag, while I could afford it was sky high. That said, I had nowhere else to turn so I agreed. But when I put a cap on the final fee his eyebrows shot up again, this time in surprise; I think he was expecting less, but my future depended on this arrangement, and I wasn’t going to start compromising now. I handed him a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a contract, as far as reading them, it’s safe to say