Novels by Manuel Sterling

The press conference was a masterclass in corporate theater. Zen stood on the podium at the future site of Skyline, the skeletal framework of the unfinished building rising behind him like the bones of a slumbering giant. Construction equipment gleamed in the afternoon sun, workers in Mega-branded safety gear positioned strategically in the background.Camera flashes punctuated his arrival as journalists frantically took notes. The city's most prominent business reporters had rushed to the site following Mega's cryptic announcement of "significant developments regarding the Skyline project."Zen adjusted the microphone, his expression betraying nothing of the calculated vengeance driving his actions. Sinclair stood to the side, scanning the crowd with practiced vigilance, while Keisha managed the press at the perimeter."Good afternoon," Zen began, his voice carrying across the assembled media with commanding precision. "Thank you for joining us on such short notice. Today marks a sig

Night had fallen across the city as Zen sat alone in his office, the only illumination coming from his desk lamp and the soft glow of his computer screen. The Rossi loan documents were spread before him, each page meticulously annotated with his observations. The evidence was damning—predatory terms, hidden clauses, and what appeared to be deliberate manipulation of financial projections to ensure default.Mrs. Rossi had overplayed her hand, and now Zen had everything he needed to take control of the Skyline project.A soft ping from his security system alerted him to movement in the outer office. Zen glanced at his watch—11:47 PM. The cleaning staff had already finished hours ago, and his assistant had left shortly after six.He wasn't expecting anyone.With calmness, Zen closed the folder containing the loan documents and slid it into his desk drawer. He then pressed a concealed button beneath his desk, activating the silent recording system he'd installed for exactly this type of s

The Skyline project dominated the horizon, its partially completed towers rising like monoliths against the afternoon sky. Construction cranes swung in choreographed precision, while teams of workers navigated the massive structure with efficiency. Despite being 15 percent complete, the development already commanded attention—a testament to Tom's architectural vision and business ambition.Zen stood at the edge of the site, ostensibly reviewing progress reports while actually conducting a far more strategic assessment. Following Wilson's revelations about the underground infrastructure connections, a personal inspection had become necessary."The north tower foundation is proceeding ahead of schedule," James Wilson explained as they walked the perimeter. "Structural integrity tests exceeded specifications by twelve percent.""And the sublevel excavation?" Zen asked, his attention focused on the massive pit that would eventually become the project's underground parking and service are

Back in Zen’s Home country, after the whole heat has died down.Evelyn Rossi's office occupied the entire top floor of the Rossi Enterprises headquarters, a testament to both her inflated sense of importance and desperate need for the appearance of power. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided a 360-degree view of the city, including—Zen noted with satisfaction—a perfect sightline to the Skyline project rising in the distance. A project she'd foolishly leveraged her company to infiltrate."Mr. Diel," she greeted as he was ushered in by her assistant. Her voice carried the brittle warmth of someone trying to mask anxiety behind social pleasantries. "What an unexpected pleasure. I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."Zen moved into the spacious office with confident strides, each step calculated to remind her who truly held power in this room. He didn't wait for her invitation before settling comfortably in the chair opposite her desk."Avoiding you, Evelyn? Quite the contrary. I've

The yacht cut through darkening waters, its engines humming at three-quarter power as it navigated away from Saint-Malo's harbor. Security personnel had settled into cruising positions—two on the aft deck, one on the forward observation point, and two inside the main cabin with Zharkov and Nia. The remaining guards were likely positioned on the bridge and in the engine room, maintaining operational security throughout the vessel.Zen and Henri remained concealed near the outer deck storage compartments, using the shadows cast by the yacht's exterior lighting to avoid detection. The increasing distance from shore worked in their favor—intervention from harbor authorities becoming less likely with each passing minute."Approaching optimal position," Henri noted quietly, checking the GPS coordinates on his tactical device. "Five minutes to designated extraction point."Zen nodded. They had identified a stretch of water approximately three nautical miles from shore—far enough to avoid imm

Saint-Malo's ancient granite walls rose against the darkening sky, silhouetted by the setting sun as it dipped into the English Channel. The medieval fortifications had withstood centuries of sieges and storms, but now they served as mere backdrop to a far more immediate conflict. NiaZen studied the waterfront property through high-powered binoculars, his position on a neighboring rooftop offering optimal surveillance while maintaining adequate distance. The target—a modernist villa constructed with obvious disregard for the historic surroundings—sat directly on the water, complete with private dock where a sleek yacht waited, engines idling."Preparations for immediate departure," he noted, observing increased activity around the vessel. "Security detail?"Beside him, Henri adjusted his own observation equipment. "Eight visible. Professionally positioned. Two on the main approach, two patrolling the perimeter, four on the property itself.""Armed?""Concealed, but evident from their

"She's dying," he said."No," Elena corrected. "She's changing. The power she used—it wasn't meant for mortal frames. Her body is adapting or failing. Could go either way.""That's comforting.""I wasn't trying to comfort you."They moved through a corridor that looked like it was made of broken mirrors. Each reflection showed a different moment—Akiya burning the constructs, Samson's final light, the Master breaking Miko's spine. Happy memories too. Training together. Laughing over bad food. The time Blaze had tried to juggle fireballs and set his own hair ablaze."Stop," Miko said suddenly."We can't stop. The convergence—""No. Stop walking. Look."Elena paused, following his gaze. In one of the mirror shards, something was wrong. Or maybe right. It showed Akiya standing strong, flames dancing around her like old friends. But it wasn't a memory. The Akiya in the reflection was looking directly at them."That's impossible," Elena said."You keep using that word." Miko reached toward

Akiya stumbled again, catching herself against what looked like a wall made of frozen lightning. She was at her limit, blood still trickling from wounds that refused to close. But her eyes burned with something the constructs hadn't expected—calculation."How much further?" Miko asked, testing Elena's responses."Not far now," the construct replied. "The convergence point exists between heartbeats. We're almost there.""Good," Akiya said suddenly, straightening despite her exhaustion. "Because I'm done pretending to be weaker than I am."The constructs stopped as one, turning to look at her."Akiya?" Miko's voice held warning and hope in equal measure."Sorry, Miko." She smiled, and flames began to dance around her fingers. "But I finally figured it out. Took me long enough, but watching them move, listening to them talk... they're not people. They're not even really alive.""How astute," Renn said dryly. "We told you as much.""No, you told us you were constructs. But I don't think y

They stood in the crossing where realities touched, waiting for the Master to arrive. Elena still held Miko upright, her false strength keeping his paralyzed legs moving. The constructs formed a loose circle around them, patient as only inhuman things could be.Akiya watched them all, flames flickering weakly around her fingers. She was exhausted, bleeding, pushed far beyond her limits. But something had crystallized in her mind during their long walk through impossible spaces."You know," she said conversationally, "I've been thinking.""Dangerous habit," Renn commented, his perfectly healed arm a mockery of the broken bone from before."Miko saw through you all. Figured out you were constructs." She shifted her weight, testing her balance. "But he cooperated anyway. Want to know why?""To save his friends," Elena said simply. "Love makes people predictable.""No." Akiya's smile was sharp. "He cooperated because he's buying time. Waiting for something. Or someone."The constructs exc

The false companions dragged them through the morning mist, Elena's borrowed strength forcing Miko's legs to move despite the paralysis. Each step sent spikes of pain through his spine, but the mental anguish was worse. How had he not noticed Anna and Liam were missing? How had false memories fooled him so completely?"Akiya," he said quietly, testing if he could still speak freely."Save your strength," Elena advised, but she didn't stop him from talking. Apparently conversation wasn't a threat."I'm here," Akiya replied. Blood still trickled from where Marcus had struck her, but her eyes burned with undiminished fire. "What is it?""Do you remember the others? From before all this started?""What others?" She frowned, then her eyes widened. "Blaze. Oh gods, where's Blaze?"The name hit Miko like a physical blow. Blaze—their powerhouse, their protector, the one who always charged in first and asked questions later. How could he have forgotten Blaze?"And Cabin from the… championship,

Miko stood there, supported by the false bond he shared with Elena, feeling the weight of everything they'd discovered. The missing memories of Anna and Liam. The reality alterations. The terrible truth that his father could rewrite existence itself.Elena squeezed his hand through their bond. "We'll find them," she said softly. "Anna and Liam. We'll bring them back."Miko looked at her, at this healer who had appeared when they needed help most. Who had sacrificed part of herself to share his paralysis. Who spoke with such conviction about saving friends she claimed not to remember.He smiled.It was a cold smile. The kind that didn't reach his eyes."No," Miko said quietly. "We won't."Elena's expression flickered with confusion. "What do you mean? We have to try—""You're good," Miko interrupted, his voice gaining strength despite his broken body. "All of you. The concerned healer. The loyal assassin with the conveniently broken arm. The scrambled mage. Even Marcus with his perfect

Miko struggled to his feet, Elena rising with him in perfect synchronization. Their shared movement felt strange but necessary—two broken halves making one functional whole. As he tested his weight on legs that could finally bear it, something nagged at the edge of his consciousness."We need to reach the Sentinel Stones," Akiya was saying, already planning their route. "If there are other warriors gathering there—""Wait." Miko's voice cut through her words. He looked around the mill, counting faces. Something was wrong. Deeply, fundamentally wrong."What is it?" Elena asked, feeling his unease through their bond."Where are Anna and Liam?" The question dropped into the room like a stone into still water.Everyone froze. Akiya's face went pale as she looked around, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Kieran pushed himself up despite his injuries, scanning the mill as if they might be hiding in the shadows."They were..." Renn started, then stopped, confusion clouding his featu