The Pawn Violet goes on missions to strange planets under the orders of her Grand Master. In secret, she is an empath and hunts the evil Grand Masters who threaten civilization. On this mission, she meets a man with a mental barrier she cannot penetrate. They are escaping a horde of eight-legged predators by climbing a cliff.
Excerpt:
Taranis steadied her with his arm around
her shaking shoulders. “The next stage will be easier,” he said reassuringly.
“Look up. The crack has hand and foot holds on the sides. Imagine a chimney
running to the top. You can brace yourself against opposite sides as you
climb.”
Violet stared up into the narrow crack
and understood what he meant. She saw the minuscule crevices and tiny
projections to use in her ascent.
“I won’t let you fall. I’ll climb right
behind you.”
Violet edged herself up into the crack
and wedged her back against one side, while she carefully placed her toes. She
pushed up, feeling overhead for the next handholds. Slowly, she climbed higher,
falling into a rhythm. Place one foot in a secure spot, push up, reach her
fingers into a crevice and pull up another step. Repeat and repeat again. She
had no time to spare for fear during her laborious progress up the crack.
Just below, she heard the clunk of boot
against stone as Taranis climbed. He watched her steps. Once, her foot slipped
from a projection, and he gripped her ankle, guiding her to another foothold.
At length, she reached a rock ledge wide
enough for her feet, and paused to catch her breath. Staring up, she saw the
vertical chimney eased into a gentler angle. The rest of the climb to the top
looked straightforward.
Taranis joined her on the ledge, his
body pressed against hers. She closed her eyes and savored his solid presence
and the tickle of power. He had touched her more often since last night. She
didn’t know if it was for her protection or his pleasure.
Violet tensed. A cruel, cunning mind
wafted into her senses from an animal crouched out of sight at the top of the
chimney. She whispered, “Taranis, a creature lurks in ambush at the top.”
More than an ambush awaits them at the top.
Out of the frying pan into the fire...
ReplyDeleteThere will be explosions (of sorts)
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