Hello Loves and welcome back to Inside the Nation. As you may know, I am releasing the 3rd and final installment of my 30 Pieces of Silver series. Bringing this series to an end is bittersweet to me because it was my first. The first book I ever wrote and published and the first book that won an award. To be finished with this chapter, with this character, is hard, but I believe it is time.
In honor of its upcoming release, I thought I'd share the first chapter with you all today. Please enjoy!

CHAPTER ONE

Italy 2018

Amid sat in the garden, he looked around and was at peace to be back in Italy. Felicia picked out the Villa, knowing his needs almost better than he knew himself. The courtyard was enclosed on all four sides, the top roofless to let in the sunlight. He lounged on a chaise, brandy in hand, waiting for his friend, his brother, to join him. His white cotton pants billowed in the breeze, as his blue shirt, opened at the top, was loose and flowing.
His skin, kissed by the sun, was tanned and glowing. He wore his hair shorter these days, only long enough to fit in a small bun. And his face, as beautiful as it was over two-thousand years ago, was flawless. He stood six-feet-two-inches tall and had bow legs, his eyes, the color the sand in Jerusalem, were bright and knowing.
To have another brother that he loved and trusted after all this time, baffled him. He thought back to the time they met in Pompeii, days before the volcano erupted, the tall Spartan with blue eyes speckled with purple and unusual blonde hair. How Acaleus was adamant about getting as many people out as possible. How this immortal man with the ability to see and hear into another’s mind, wanted to save innocents. Maybe that is when Amid had changed, maybe that was when he realized that mortals were worth saving.
“Who is to say really?” He spoke to himself aloud.
“Talking to yourself brother.” Acaleus sat next to him. Their outfits almost identical. “You know, they say the mind is the first to go.” He leaned back with his own drink, hair hanging loose and to his neck.
“No, my brother, they say geniuses talk to themselves.” Amid laughed, toasting Acaleus. “I was thinking back to our time in Pompeii. To how you were a Spartan even then.”
“I shall be until the day I die.”
“Then you shall be forever.” Amid said.
“I never dreamed to live forever. When those devilish witches cursed me and my kin, I thought it a true curse through and through. To be something so unusual, to live in a place we created for a lifetime…” He shook his head. “Now I want to live forever,” He looked towards the Villa, “if only for her.”
“Look at us, in love and wanting to be, that is a change. You must explain to me how you and Erin ended up being together.”
“That tale is for another day. You called me here for a reason.” He leaned towards Amid, “Tell me what is troubling you.”
“I forget how well you can read me. I do not mean in your immortal sense brother, I mean because you know me so well.” Amid clarified.
“So then tell me so I do not have to look.”
“There is a great battle coming Acaleus, of good and evil, I no longer support the side I once did.”
“Do you expect me to look upon you negatively? Amid, Judas, I know the man you are. Aside from that, these are your gods' brother, not mine. I will stand with you no matter what.”
“I appreciate that, although there is only one God…”
“Amid…” Acaleus chuckled.
“I know, I know.” He sighed. They had had the same conversation many times before. “My issue is the fact that the good side may not want my help.” He looked ashamed.
“If you are speaking of Mary, well she can bloody go to your hell.”
“You are the most loyal,” He shook his head, “How do I deserve you? But not only Mary. She has an intricate piece of the puzzle I so desperately need, a crown of sorts, made out of thorns. Her brother has the Holy Grail, the cup that held Jesus’ blood. The third piece, the Spear of Destiny, is at the compound. You know whoever possesses it has power over the world.”
“Well, hell Amid, how are you going to get that back? Furthermore, how are you going to convince the woman that believes you had her man killed and her brother to help you gain the Crown and the Grail?”
“Therein lies the rub. I was thinking your lady could help with Mary. I will go to Lazarus myself. As far as the compound, that will have to happen in battle.”
“If I have taught you anything, it is not to wait until the last minute to gain your arsenal. What the hell Amid?”
“I left the compound, I’ve been gone for well over two years, how do I go back and resume command?”
“You are the liar, the betrayer. Lie and betray damn it!” Acaleus yelled.
“But…”
“Fuck but. You have a man inside, have you kept in contact with him?”
“I have.”
“Does he know you have changed sides?”
“He does not.”
“Then tell him you have been in search of the relics, that you have a lead and you are pursuing it. Tell him you will keep him posted.”
“And then?”
“And do just that. Let him know where you are. This devil of yours will keep eyes on you. Do your job Amid, only for the side of good because if you cause the end of the world and kill my love I will have to destroy you.” Acaleus smiled slightly.
“You have indeed fallen quickly my brother, less than a year and she has you threatening me.” He shook his head, laughed. “I needed this. Jamal, my right hand, has been keeping the troops in line. He says that they are ready to fight. I have told him that I have been infiltrating the other side. He is still faithful.”
“Then he will believe the rest. Continue your search, speak to those you must. Erin and I will go to Mary, she fucking owes me for the last Apocalypse, we will gain your relic.”
“I owe you Acaleus, more than you could ever know.” Amid bowed his head slightly.
“You owe me nothing. We are brothers, that is all there is to it.” He stood, held his hand out to help Amid up, “Now, what say you we go in and show our ladies a good time. Come the morrow there is much work to be done.”

There you have it! I hope you all enjoyed it and if you have any questions about the book or just want to leave a friendly comment, feel free to do so. Thanks so much for tuning in and as always, I wish you Happy Reading.