Clock Watch

Something strange is going on in Pomegranate City. People are whispering about the "end times," protesting in the streets, and suggesting that recent events are connected to something called, "The Clock of Legend." This is the backdrop to the surprising death of the city's leader, Administrative Chair Aderick. Quin Black, an influential military-government liaison, and John, a top scientist and mathematician, are pulled in to help with the investigation of Chair Aderick's death, and quickly discover that something much more sinister is going on-and have to consider that the Clock of Legend might not be just a legend. Meanwhile, Auvek Oliphant has just shown up for an internship at his uncle's bookstore-only to discover his uncle is unprepared, unwelcoming, and incompetent at best. So when his uncle is arrested for drunken and disorderly behavior, it's a bit of a relief. Perhaps he can bring some respectability back to this business, which has been in the family for generations. But it turns out, it's not that simple, between the sudden appearances of a local gang leader in the store, a robot monkey, a curious reporter searching for a good story, and a secret Door hidden inside the establishment which leads to a room filled with mysterious ancient texts. Not to mention Bronwyn, a woman who comes into the shop shortly after Auvek's arrival, looking for books about the secrets of the Clock of Legend, and with a very odd tale about being stalked by her aunt's butler.
Yes, something strange is going on-but it's going to take a lot of digging and a little luck to figure out precisely what. This portal fiction novel is the second in the Zirian Chronicles series. Content warnings can be found on the copyright page.