Rites of Departure
The Fontayne Company, Book 1
Synopsis:
Death isn’t always the end when you’re a conman with a penchant for swindling the gods themselves. I should know; I’ve been dead for six centuries, and most people don’t remember the name Zeldyvian Fontayne.
But enough about me. This story isn’t mine alone. No, it also features Melchior Crowe, a necromancer in need of a “paranormal expert” for his team of investigators. As a spirit who is immune to the Rite of Departure, I’m the perfect fit. The trouble is, spirits are anchored to the site of their death, and I’ve been haunting the same castle since I took a crossbow bolt to the throat. I can’t leave.
Or so I thought.
Mel has access to a bit of experimental dragon tech that just might set me free, thanks to connections he’s made through the Necromancers’ Guild. But when that tech malfunctions, it changes his life—and my afterlife—forever.
Recent Related Blog Posts:
- 2026 has brought some new experiences
2026 has brought some new experiences so far I knew going into 2026 that I was stepping into new territory with my writing projects. And it wasn’t just the work situation—and my decision a few months later to seriously start… Read more: 2026 has brought some new experiences - Celebrating Human Artists
Celebrating Human Artists My social media feeds have been packed with anti-AI posts for months now, but I recently realized something. With all the discourse going on about how bad AI is for the environment, how it’s taking jobs, and… Read more: Celebrating Human Artists - The Worldbuilder Diaries: My approach to dragons
The Worldbuilder Diaries: My approach to dragons Love them or loathe them, dragons (and their kin) are a fixture in the fantasy genre. From ancient myths to Tolkien to modern authors, dragons are a recurring theme and something I think… Read more: The Worldbuilder Diaries: My approach to dragons - How The Fontayne Company got its start
How The Fontayne Company got its start A few years ago (I believe it was 2023), my husband and I were watching TV after dinner, and he randomly chose to watch a show called Spooked Ireland. It’s your stereotypical ghost-hunting… Read more: How The Fontayne Company got its start