Balance of the Ancients

By J.N. Love

Balance of the Ancients

In the heart of modern-day New York City, Alex, a young professional, finds himself entangled in a web of ancestral spirits, forbidden rituals, and long-forgotten tales. When unusual occurrences begin to disrupt his daily life, he embarks on a journey that takes him far from the skyscrapers of the metropolis to an ancient excavation site. Here, amid the whispers of a lost tribe with the power to bridge our world with the spirit realm, Alex must work alongside a team of archaeologists to uncover a truth that has been buried for millennia. "Balance of the Ancients" is a gripping tale that weaves the mystique of the supernatural with the undeniable threads of our own history, reminding us that sometimes, the past is not as distant as we believe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.N. Love
• Release date: Oct 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215063309

J.N. Love

Navigating effortlessly between the realms of fantasy and the intricate labyrinths of thriller and mystery, "Josh" has held readers spellbound for more than a decade with his rich and immersive tales. Born amidst the rugged landscapes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Josh's childhood amidst age-old legends and whispered tales of old kindled an early passion for stories that meld the magical with the mysterious.Josh's travels around the globe have added depth and nuance to his narratives, combining universal myths with his unique interpretive spins.His fantasy tales often draw inspiration from his African roots, blending age-old myths with fresh narrative innovations. In contrast, his thriller and mystery tales dive into the intricacies of human psyche, weaving plots that are both perplexing and enthralling.When not lost in his imaginative worlds, Josh retreats to his mountainside abode, indulging in his love for astronomy and spending evenings with his trusty dog, Atlas. Dive deeper into Josh's worlds.

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Balance of the Ancients

J.N. Love

R.B. Publishers

Copyright © 2023 R.B. Publishers

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Balance of the Ancients

Chapter 1:

The Unusual Boss

Alex’s new beginning at Roth & Associates was supposed to be straightforward. The imposing skyscraper that housed the company's offices overlooked the pulsating heart of New York City. A symbol of power and prosperity. A recommendation from his cousin Paul, who was well-placed in the corporate world, had landed him this role. It's a steady job, Paul had remarked, taking a sip of his whiskey during one of their rare meet-ups. Decent pay, regular hours. Roth's a top exec but you’ll barely see the guy. The work, though… well, it's mundane at its worst.

Alex recalled those words as he stepped into the elevator for the first time, the nervous energy of a fresh start tingling in his fingers. Floor 67, he whispered to himself, matching the instructions from his appointment letter.

However, mundane was not the word he'd use to describe his first encounter with Mr. Kelvin Roth.

Ah, the new recruit! Mr.… Peter, is it? Roth had proclaimed the first time they met, without waiting for Alex to correct him. It wasn’t Peter; it wasn’t even close. But the confident gleam in Roth’s eyes coupled with the intense aura that he radiated made it difficult for Alex to muster the courage to rectify the error.

His boss's office was a paradox. One half was strictly minimalist – a vast oak table, an ergonomic chair, and a cutting-edge computer. The other half looked like a collector’s chaotic paradise – globes of various sizes, strange antiquities, pendulum clocks that chimed at odd intervals, and a massive birdcage with a parrot that seemed to echo random words.

Roth had a flair for the dramatic. He would be found holding monologues with his parrot or looking deeply into one of his globes as if it held the mysteries of the universe.

Peter! Roth would often exclaim at random hours, summoning Alex into his office. What do you make of this? He would then point at an object, expecting a deep analysis.

It’s… a feather, sir? Alex once hesitantly replied, looking at the ordinary black feather Roth held with reverence.

Ah, but where from? Which bird? Which continent? Every item tells a story, Peter! Roth exclaimed, his eyes glittering with excitement.

One peculiar evening, Alex had received a call. It was well past midnight. Groggily picking up the phone, he recognized Mr. Roth's zealous voice immediately.

"Peter! I need you to