09/23/2025
Merlin #18 is coming out in the next day or so. Here is an excerpt: The baggage claim carousel at St. Louis Lambert International Airport moved with all the urgency of a garden snail. Textile expert Eliza Bennett shifted her weight from one foot to the other, adjusting her glasses and checking her watch for the third time in as many minutes.
"You know," came a muffled voice from the cat carrier at her feet, "staring at it won't make your suitcase appear any faster."
Eliza glanced down at the handsome orange and white cat with striking green-gold eyes peering through the mesh door. "Hush, Merlin. Someone might hear you."
"And that would be... what? The fourteenth city where people discover I can talk? I've lost count." Merlin's tail swished violently inside the carrier. "Besides, everyone's too busy with their phones to notice a talking cat."
"It's still disconcerting for most people," Eliza whispered, bending down to appear as though she was simply checking on her pet. "And we need this visit to go smoothly. The Missouri Botanical Garden conference is important."
"Ah yes, three days of fascinating lectures about plant fibers and dye techniques. Be still my beating heart." Merlin lifted his upper lip to mimic a disdainful snarl.
Eliza spotted her distinctive suitcase—covered in patches from textile museums around the world—and lunged forward to grab it before it could pass by. The sudden movement caused her to bump into a businessman, sending his coffee splashing across the floor.
"I'm so sorry!" Eliza exclaimed, now red-faced.
"No harm done," the man said with a tight smile that suggested otherwise as he dabbed at his sleeve with a handkerchief.
"Smooth," Merlin commented as Eliza returned, rolling her suitcase behind her.
