Matthew dragged her gently behind him while Daniel and Edwin fell in line beside them. When they reached the portal and the four of the Band began to open it, Clara glanced behind her at the Great Forest as she felt the creeping of eyes upon her. She shivered and Matthew pulled her in beside him as they crossed the threshold into the sphere.
*
fragment
Tucker took the magnifiers he had stolen during a raid and let them fall against his thigh from slim cords of leather, the cold stinging his hands like biting ants. He had the young queen in his sights. He growled low in his throat, lightly slapping the apparatus against his leg. He would have her, and it didn't matter how many of the Band protected her. His reconnaissance spoke perfectly for him. And he had his directive: destroy the spheres, all nineteen. But nothing beyond that. He didn't care that the Travelers hadn't explained why the spheres must be eradicated, only that they be destroyed. He was very much about that. And the fiery queen would be at his mercy.
He felt the presence of another and reluctantly moved deeper into the forest border, obscuring the view of Clara as she turned and looked directly at him before being herded inside the sphere.
The sphere which had the disease of salt he'd laid on it. His smile widened as he turned and faced the one of the fragment that was as cunning as he.
Lyle jerked his head in the direction of the sphere. “How long before the salt works on the walls of that?” he asked, absently picking at a scab that had filth surrounding it. Tucker looked at him with distaste. He certainly understood the lack of easy bathing areas but Lyle of the fragment gave unclean a new meaning. He schooled his expression and responded, “maybe a few weeks. Not long. Even now the Band think they might ready an offensive,” he scoffed. Let them try. There were too few and if he understood the Band (and he thought he had their mindset down to a Science), they would try and communicate covertly with neighboring Bands. At which point they would prepare an alliance of sorts.
Leaving their precious clans without proper numbers.
The fragment would sweep through, burning the great borders of wooden pickets that defended their perimeter. Once inside... well, Tucker grinned with true joy, thinking of the spoils that he and his men could partake in.
“What's the happy face for?” Lyle asked.
“I have a plan that is foolproof. I'll outline it shortly. For now, I need a man to stand guard at this very spot.” Lyle gave a quizzical look but turned to fetch one of his men.
“Wait!” Tucker called out in a low voice. Lyle turned expectantly.
“Make it someone who is as dull as a blade we eat with.”
Lyle grinned. Someone expendable. He understood and had someone in mind.
“Got the perfect person.”
Tucker nodded and turned his back on Lyle. His eyes took in the sphere, lit like a soft beacon as twilight edged around the graceful lines of the dome. His smile returned as pinpricks of lights dotted the surface, the light from inside, leaking out of the holes the battery of salt quartz had made.
Tucker was happy.
#
Book #4, THE SAVAGE VENGEANCE ,available now!
3/2/13: If you enjoyed this, you might also like my Top 100 Amazon bestseller: A TERRIBLE LOVE, writing as Marata Eros, my pen name....
A Love Letter to My Readers:
As of March 31, 2011, it's been almost two years now since my first book, Death Whispers, was published. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you that has supported my writing. Without my readers, I would not have an audience for my work. Many of your emails, support via recommendation, encouragement and critical feedback/reviews have allowed my improvement as a writer and as a human being. Words are an inadequate thanks for the depth of my gratitude to you. Please know how much your support has meant, and will continue to mean in the future to come.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart~
*
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Acknowledgments:
You- my reader.
Danny, who went along with my crazy ideas like a true partner in crime.
Stephanie T. Lott, my copy editor.
Shana, from A Book Vacation, an early Death supporter (and supporter of all my works).
AB, who slogged through the terrain of my American slang and didn't complain....
Bodacious Betas (and now my friends):
Beth and Dianne. You guys make me a better writer, I love ya~
Lori, whose unshakable faith has improved my life.
Books available now:
Death Whispers (Death Series, #1)
Death Speaks (#2)
Death Inception (#3)
Death Screams (#4)
Death Weeps (#5)
Unrequited Death (#6)
The Pearl Savage (Savage Series, #1)
The Savage Blood (#2)
The Savage Principle (#3)
The Savage Vengeance (#4)
Blood Singers (Blood Series, #1)
Blood Song (#2)
**Future Titles:
2013
The Savage Protector (#5)
Blood Chosen, (#3)
The Reflective, (Reflection Series, #1)
2014
Savage #6
**new adult fiction, recommended reading ages 17+
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