* SPOILER ALERT * 

Warning, contained below is a synopsis and sneak peek into the third installment of the Hleo series – Glain Neidr. There are major spoilers if you have not read Hleo, Veridan, or Aliege. Reader Beware!

WELCOME TO THE CONTINUATION OF THE HLEO SERIES – GLAIN NEIDR

Hannah is done. Done with high school, done with East Halton, and done waiting for answers. She and Ethan set off on a quest to find the elusive Glain Neidr necklace, believing it will give her the ability to regain control of her life.

When tragedy strikes, the pressure to get their hands on the mystical stone intensifies, leading them further and further down a rabbit hole in hopes that the Glain Neidr and answers about Hannah’s destiny will be waiting at the other end. But whose rabbit hole is it? The Hleo’s? The Bana’s?

With their sights set on freeing Hannah from the entanglements of the Hleo society and the threats of the Bana, Ethan and Hannah plunge into a journey that will take them across the globe and make Hannah question whether her freedom is really what she wants.

With Ethan by her side, any future seems possible, but as their mission grows more complicated and dangerous, will they survive long enough to find their happily ever after?

CHECK OUT THE SNEAK PEEK INTO GLAIN NEIDR!

Ethan and I wandered the ship, until we came to a set of stairs leading down a level. We descended into a glassed-in observation area that must have been used as a dining room. A bar area sat at the far end of the room, while round tables and chairs were set up in the middle. Plush navy benches lined both sides of the boat under the windows. Jill Nesbitt and Dylan Torino, two classmates, were making out in the corner of the one closest to us so I crossed over to the far side of the boat.

I plunked down, waving to a few girls from my art class who stood in line for the bathroom. “I should tell Heather this is where the action is.” I nodded to one of the tables, where a group I recognized as the math club was playing poker at one of the tables.

“I’ve seen her in action her. She’d clean these guys out.” Ethan watched as one of the guys threw down his hand in frustration. “Besides, I don’t think Ryan would appreciate it.”

“There does seem to be a little something sparking between them tonight, doesn’t there?” I grinned. The two of them were an awkward pairing, and yet they worked somehow.

Before Ethan could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He tugged it out. “It’s Simon.” He stood and crossed over to a dark hallway that appeared to be off limits. Someone had tied a rope across the entrance, but Ethan casually stepped over it.

I twisted on the bench to look out over the calm water of Lake Pocotoa as I waited for Ethan to return. Why would Simon call? He knew about our plans for the evening, so he must have had an important reason. Although knowing Simon, it could be just as likely he wanted to know if there was any leftover pizza in the fridge.

I drummed my fingers on the back of the bench for what felt like a long time, until Ethan dropped back down beside me. His forehead was creased and his jaw tight.

“What was that about?” My stomach churned.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair. He seemed hesitant to begin the conversation. “He found Alexander.”

I forced myself not to react in a way that would garner attention from the other partygoers in the room. “Where?”

“In New York. He’s meeting with some political figures tonight before heading back to France in the morning.”

“New York,” I breathed. The Glain Neidr could be close, only a few hours’ drive away.

“Yeah.” Ethan nodded.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking Ethan? “What does that mean?”

“It means, if you want to do this, if you want to go after the necklace, we have to do it tonight.” Ethan studied me, as though trying to read my thoughts.

“Let’s do it.” I stood up and started for the stairs that led to the main deck, but then whirled around to face Ethan.  “Wait, we’re on a boat. How do we get off?”

“According to the schedule, we should arrive back at the dock within the next half an hour. We can wait that long. I’ll call Simon and tell him to get ready. As soon as we disembark, we’ll be on our way.” Ethan tapped some keys on the cell phone he still clutched in his hand.

“Okay, we’ll have to stop by home first. I don’t think my outfit is all that practical for retrieving a priceless artifact from some of the world’s most dangerous bad guys.” I smoothed down the front of the shimmering strapless dress with both palms.

“Maybe not, but it is a pleasure to see you in.” Ethan gave me an affectionate smile.

I pressed my lips to his briefly. “Thank you.” I scrunched up my nose. “What am I going to tell Katie and everyone? She is going to be so disappointed if we don’t go to Kristen’s cottage. It’s supposed to be the last official thing we do as our group.” How would I break the news to my best friend?

“You could tell her I got us a hotel room for the night.” Ethan’s eyes were on his phone. My face grew hot. When I didn’t say anything, he glanced up. “It’s an explanation that wouldn’t lead to a lot more questions, and would keep Katie from trying to contact you while we’re gone.”

I tapped my hand along the stair railing. “I guess that’s true.” Was I okay letting Katie believe that Ethan and I were taking our relationship to that level? Especially when we weren’t? “It is the least complicated explanation, isn’t it? Okay, well, I’m off to lie to my best friend.”

Ethan grabbed my wrist before I could take a step. “Hannah, if we go through with this, you might not see your friends again for quite some time. If by some miracle we do get the necklace, we’ll be hunted by some of the most dangerous people on this planet. And if we fail, well …” Ethan gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

“We aren’t going to fail. I know you wouldn’t let that happen. We’re going to be successful.” I straightened his tie and rested my hands on his chest. “We have to be.”

He studied me for a second before giving me a slight nod. “I’ll meet you upstairs in a minute.”

“Okay.” I went off to try to find Katie, and everyone else. They had congregated at the bow of the boat. Ryan, Heather, Kristen, and Mark were all dancing, while Katie and Luke leaned against the railing facing the water. Luke’s arms were wrapped around her waist and I hated to interrupt. What if this is the last time I ever see these people who mean so much to me? I tried to capture the moment, to tuck it away somewhere in my mind so I would always remember the happiness my friends had brought me through the years.

“There you are. I was just about to come find you.” Katie turned so that she was leaning back against the railing as I came up beside them.

“I’ll go get us some drinks.” Luke winked at Katie before strolling away, leaving the two of us alone. I rested my arms on the railing beside her and gazed out over the lake.

“So, this is it.” Katie sounded thoughtful.

“This is it?” I glanced over at her. What does that mean?

“Yeah, we’re done. We’ve finally reached that point when our time in East Halton is coming to an end.” Katie bumped me with her shoulder.

“I hadn’t really thought about it that way, but I guess you’re right Kate, our time here is coming to an end.” I bit my lip. She had no idea how true her words were. After tonight, I didn’t know when I would be back in East Halton, if ever. A wave of sadness mixed with fear washed over me as I contemplated what Ethan, Simon, and I were about to attempt.

“At least we’re heading out together.” Katie turned around and slid her arm around my shoulder.

“Yeah.” I plastered a smile on my face. Oh Katie, you have no idea how much I hope that’s true. Was a future with Katie at Stanford even possible anymore?

She straightened up. “So, I’ve been thinking about the bedroom situation at the cottage and-”

“Actually, I have to talk to you about that.” I pulled away from the railing and clasped my hands together in front of me.

“What? You aren’t going to bail on us, are you?” Katie crossed her arms.

“I had no plans to bail, but Ethan sort of just told me that he, um, well, he kind of booked a room for us tonight, at a hotel.” I stumbled over the words; they caused me more than a little embarrassment, especially since they weren’t true.

“He what?” Katie grabbed my arms.

I winced and she released me then stepped back and stared at me. I smoothed back my hair where I had tied it back. “So …”

“So go.” She waved a hand through the air. “Don’t even worry about it. I mean, his timing isn’t perfect, but hey, we have most of the summer to hang out. Why don’t you come over tomorrow morning and join us, unless you’re still busy, that is.” Katie wriggled her eyebrows.

“Thanks, Kate.” I rolled my eyes. As Ethan had predicted, my excuse wasn’t going to get a lot of flack or questions from her.

“Wow, are you ready? I mean, I know you’ve been thinking about it for a while, but do you think you’re ready to take that step?” Katie’s tone had grown serious.

She’s such a good friend to be concerned for my emotional wellbeing instead of teasing me for my inexperience. “I think I am. I love Ethan, completely, and I know that I want to be with him forever. I’m ready for that to mean being with him in every way.” My words were true, even if it wasn’t going to happen that evening.

“Awww, that is so romantic. You guys are the cutest couple ever.”

“Thanks. Don’t say anything to anyone though. He wants it to be a secret just between us, but I had to tell you.”

Ethan appeared at the top of the stairs and made his way over to us. He had a smile on his face, but there was tension in his eyes. He had been right about the timing. We were almost back to the dock we had shoved off from. Nervous butterflies started to flutter in my stomach. How would our evening go? Ethan’s the best at this. Everyone thinks so. We are going to be triumphant. I swallowed hard. Even though stealing the Glain Neidr from the evil head of the Bana had been my idea, now that we were about to implement the plan, I couldn’t help but worry.

The boat docked in the harbor again, and passengers in varying degrees of dishevelment from partying made their way off the boat. I turned and grabbed Ethan’s hand. “This is it.” I looked up at him, echoing Katie’s earlier statement, quiet enough that only he could hear.

His forehead creased. “Are you ready?”

I simply nodded and tried not to bite my lip; I didn’t want him to see my trepidation, or he might change his mind about us doing this. Or maybe he’d leave me behind.

Once we were back on dry land, Ethan and I said our good-byes to everyone. I gave Heather and Kristen hugs, saving Katie for last.

“Thank you for being the best friend I could ever have hoped for.” I held her tightly.

“Back at you.” She leaned close and whispered in my ear, “And by the way, I’m going to want non-graphic details tomorrow.” She pulled away and climbed into Luke’s car. I slipped into the passenger seat of Ethan’s Jeep and buckled my seatbelt. This is not the last I will see of my friends.

In spite of my assertion, something about the taillights of the Lincoln Continental disappearing into the darkness had a certain finality to it.