#SaturdayScenes #KillMatch

Today's scene takes place after a tense brunch with the King of Kardia (who is also known as the Etruscan-Which means Executioner). Libby, the main character, has been excused and she is retreating to the place she feels the most comforted. 

*WARNING! There is a little romance here!*

#KillMatch #SaturdayScenes #Dystopian #Fantasy

ENJOY!

**

I flew out into the streets, not stopping until I had finally reached the clock tower. Watches had become a thing of the past, very few making it through the wars of before, but Kardia had been blessed with one large clock that was held with pride on the face of one of only three towers the city held. Those that believed in a God came here to worship it. The place was almost always empty.

I crawled up the staircase, slowing my step on the crumbling stone, as I made my way up into the inner workings of the watch tower. I would come here simply to find solace in a city that had none. My heart eased as the familiar planks beneath me creaked and as soon as my back hit the outer wall I slid to the floor.

My eyes had only just closed a few moments when I heard the whine of the boards. My vision quickly shot a look in the direction of the sound, seeing the familiar form of Nile. His breath ran ragged as he plopped down beside me. A huge smile was plastered on his face and I raised my eyebrow in demand of an explanation. He puffed out a thick cloud of air, catching the falling pieces of his hair and the wind pushing them away from his eyes.

“What? I saw you running through the streets like a mad woman and figured you were too excited to be going wherever you were. Forgive me if I like to be included in the joy.”

I rolled my eyes at his ridiculousness.

“So, are you impressed?”

He took a moment to glance glance around at the empty room, pretending to really consider the question. Clock gears and dust being the only things to see. His smile widened as he looked back to me.

“Oh, yeah.”

He leaned his back into the wall, our shoulders touching as he relaxed into the room. Just as my eyes began to flutter closed, I felt Nile’s gaze shift to me and my lids pushed back open. He searched my face, his easy going smile completely gone, before he finally asked what I assumed to be the real reason he followed me here for.

“I heard through a few servants that Mantus made an appearance at Alexander’s today. Something about a celebratory brunch for his son’s first fight?”

I played with the hem of my shirt, needing something to distract me from the worried look on Nile’s face. He had given me it many times and the only time it bothered me was when I knew it was warranted. I shook my head in agreement.

“He doesn’t seem to care for me at all. Luckily, Nero needed me to appear completely competent. He was very protective of me around his father. Alexander must have warned him of the consequences for a Lanista to have a Gladiator who is frowned on by the Etruscan. He wouldn’t have given special treatment just because it just happened to be his father.” I said.

Nile’s eyes narrowed and his brows pinched.

“That’s a dangerous game, Libby. Trusting a prince to keep you safe from a heartless king.”

I stood up in disgust at the accusation in his tone.

“You say that as if I have a choice! I would die happy if I never had to see any of the Etruscan’s family again. I was chosen long ago, when I was still only just a child, Nile. I’m lucky enough to have avoided meeting them this long.”

The fight drained out of me realizing how different it would have been if Alexander hadn’t protected me all of those years. I was truly lucky.

Nile stood, wiping his palms on his pants. The vest he wore fluttered when he moved, exposing a bare chest, tanned with too many days in the hot sun. I appraised him wondering when we had both grown into adulthood. He caught my eyes and smiled, a dimple appearing in his left cheek and his eyes dancing with mischief once again.

“I know you’re right, I just need you to be careful. Who would I pester if you were locked away in the King’s fortress, hmm? Think of me, will you?”

I laughed at his teasing when he reached, grabbing both of my hands in his. I looked up into his face and saw the worry of a boy I had always known.

“In all seriousness, don’t let anything happen okay?”

I nodded, my words lost in the tension. Before I could fully wrap my mind around his words, Nile leaned in, brushing the lightest kiss against my lips. My heart fluttered for a moment, then thumped back into place. He had hurried away from me the moment his lips left mine, a shy gleam I had never seen, taking over.

“For luck.” He said. “We should probably be going, our fights begin at sundown.”

He took off, knowing I would follow. My fingers reached to my lips, brushing the ghost of a kiss left there. I had known one day we would have to find husbands and wives and my heart broke at the thought of losing my best friend to another. But what if we were to choose each other? The thought had crossed my mind several times over the last year, but each time it did, my stomach twisted in knots at the uncertainty. When I pictured Nile and I together, it had never been romantically.

I let out the breath I had been holding and rushed out of the tower. Things like kisses and love would have to wait, right now there was a ruthless Gladiator I had to fight and pray that I could make it out unscathed.

#SaturdayScenes #KillMatch

Good Saturday Morning Everyone!

Today my #SaturdayScenes is from my upcoming WIP Kill Match. It is a dystopian fantasy that takes you back into the days of the Gladiators while still having a touch of the world as we know it. Here's a little back story before I share the scene:

65 years before Kill Match, during the ugliest and most destructive war the world had ever known, the world began knitting itself together. All formations of land shifted until finally they became one. The remaining humans were pulled together, different cultures, different religions, different way of life and the killing persisted. Seven leaders stepped up to claim their people and decided on a treaty, one that would keep the human race alive. The seven leaders helped to build colonies in seven plots of the new world, each given the freedom to run their people however they would choose.

And out of the sands, Kardia was born.

The leader of Kardia had two sons and a wife who were the only family who had survived the carnage. He held them in the absolute highest regard and he couldn't fathom losing them. When his youngest son found a book while exploring, life changed drastically. He became obsessed with the lives of the Gladiators and would recruit all other children to play with him, forcing them to fight. One day, he created spears and pushed his best friend into fighting him. He was being ruthless towards the other boy and out of sheer survival the child fatally stabbed the leader's son.

Torn with grief at the loss of her son, the leader's wife became ill and not long after his death, she too died. The leader of Kardia went into complete shock, agony, grief... He shut himself out from the people for days, reading the book that his son had been so fond of and his anger grew. To honor his son and be true to his wife he declared a new law... The Gladiator Law.


This scene takes place in current Kardia, with the main character Librarea who is a Gladiatrix (a female Gladiator).

Enjoy!

#Dystopian #Fantasy #Historical #Fiction

*

The training room is stark white, jagged stones are hidden under never ending paint. This is the only room in the entire home of my Lanista that is painted. He told me once that the distraction of color could only come after every other discipline was mastered. With nothing else to focus on as a child, I had to pay attention to the contours of my trainers face, concentrating on only the moves of my opponent. As I got older, I began to understand the brilliance in his insanity. I begin pulling out the dummies so that by the time he gets here, I will already be halfway through our session. We both like it better when we can leave shortly after he arrives. I hear the door creak and sigh quietly under my breath. He’s early, which is a rare feat and never good. I pick up my pace and begin throwing dummies into the center of the room, adamant to continue my pace and get out early enough to reach the Dust Bowl before dark. I swing back a flour sack mixed between beans and flour and hear a deep ‘Oof’ come from behind. My heel catches a little on the stones as I quickly spin around. Surely my Lanista would not be so stupid as to get hit while I’m preparing the arena.

           Long black hair spills over a bent head, shining with purple hues in the darkness. His dark black shirt and jeans are completely covered in flour, smeared around by his dusting hands. His olive brown skin is contrasting terribly with the powder and by the pout of his lips I can tell he’s unhappy. He sighs deeply, finally giving up on trying to wipe his clothes clean. He looks up at me, startling green eyes pierce through me angrily. He couldn’t have been much older than me, perhaps in his early twenties, so instead of bowing down, I fold my arms across me and snarl right back. This is my training time slot and my home. This stranger has no reason to be here making any guilt I had possibly felt dissipate. From the door, Alexander steps in, stopping in the frame. For a moment I think he’s going to let out a laugh but then his face turns serious.

“What happened here?”

            I open my mouth to respond, but am beat by the stranger.

“Well, it looks like your girl here doesn’t watch where she’s throwing things.”

            I growled at the condensation in his voice.

“Excuse me? You are in my training room, during my scheduled practice. I thought you were Lanista Aelius who at least knows better than to walk into the center of my arena while I am setting up!”

            Alexander steps farther into the room and before the man can react he silences us both.

“ENOUGH!” He strode to stand between us. “It looks as if this were truly an accident. On both parts. I say we call a truce and start over.” I nod my head in agreement, but the stranger was reluctant. “Good. Now, Librarea, this is Nero. I have been briefing him on you for sometime now. He is here to take over, to be your new Lanista.”

           My mouth dropped. I scrambled for words, unable to properly process the information I had just been given. My new Lanista? That couldn’t possibly be true. Had I honestly been traded? My face turned from confusion to anger.

“Now, Librarea. I know you think the worst, but patience must be your friend now. You have not been traded. This, for once, has nothing to do with you. I have decided to retire and Nero is the best trainee Lanista there is. He’s been under my guidance for a little under a year. As such he has requested to train the best, which we both know are my warriors. Because you are my greatest and oldest, he will start with you.”

           I looked the man over, not being discreet in the slightest. I sighed, finally nodding, knowing I had no choice in the matter.

“How much longer will you be in control?”

“Probably another year, maybe two.”

I sighed. “Fine. Let’s do this then.” I turned from the men, continuing to put together my station.

“Does she always have such an attitude?”

           My shoulders froze for a moment, clenched in the need to say something snotty. I wasn’t usually so disobedient to those higher in the ranks than I, but this guy had stretched every respectful nerve in my body in only moments. I took a deep breath then continued what I was doing, tuning out anything further that might be said.

“Librarea!” Alexander shouted. I whipped my head back to him, unaware of how long he had been trying to get my attention.

“Stop. You will not be working with dummies today. We are going to have you train hand to hand with Nero. It is the best way for him to gauge your abilities and for you to gain respect of his knowledge.”

I groaned. The last thing I wanted to do was put my new trainer on the ground. Or worst, have him take me out and then live with his arrogance that had already made itself easily noticeable. My fists clenched and I picked up one of the bags already laid out in the center.

“Fine.”

           We cleared what I had drug out, the three of us only taking a few heartbeats to do it. I geared up for the fight, needing to wrap my hands and feet for protection. The rules were simple in training; no face or groin shots and once someone was down you stopped. It didn’t keep fighters from getting hurt, but it would minimize the chance if only by a miniscule amount. Good thing I didn’t fear this guy. He was taller than me by almost a foot, but not as tall as Alexander. He was slender like me, but tight coiled muscles wrapped around under his skin. He flexed while pumping his fists, loosening them up. He was deadly in his movements and anyone who didn’t know people would be afraid. I, however, could read the signs as if they were boldly written on his face. He was arrogant, and probably up until this point, rightfully so.

He was calm, but the tiny beads of sweat showed his anticipation. He wanted respect and he knew this was his chance to earn it. I hid a smile as I dipped my face back down to wrapping my feet. Any good fighter knew that you didn’t win a fight if you were fighting for any other reason than to win. I was sure if he had trained under Alexander at all he would know that, but it was obvious the idiot didn’t listen.

I finished wrapping my feet and stood slowly, making sure to stretch every muscle from the ground up. All his jumping around made me tired just looking at him and I wasn’t sure if he had never actually fought a Gladiatrix before or if he had simply lost all his training in his excitement. We met each other in the center, where a tight circle had been carved out of the paint. Alexander took one of each of our hands and held them on top of each other.

“Be clean. Fight well. Stay honorable.”

He had said those words hundreds of times to me and never had I felt the zing of anticipation I did this time. He released our hands and backed quickly to the far wall. We circled each other slowly, each of us gauging the others tactic. I watched his feet pace with mine, right over left. Right over left. It wasn’t until the third crossover that I saw his weak point. It was a tiny tweak in his left foot, likely an issue with his left hip or possibly his knee. I wasn’t a doctor to know the prognosis but I was a fighter and weaknesses were how you won. He caught the tiny movement of my mouth and narrowed his dark eyes before reaching out with a punch to my right shoulder. I turned just enough for him to catch the side of my arm and the burn of his strength tore through me. A tiny hiss left my lips before I refocused.

I wouldn’t want to get hit too many times by him. His throws were powerful and he would be able to take me down easily with only a few kicks or punches. I swiveled my hips so I began leading with my left foot and his tiny limp became present again. I quickly kicked out, going for the hip and hoping my gut feeling was correct. He saw the kick coming, but had anticipated the knee, bending down so my foot landed in the soft spot of his side. He swallowed, the reality finally kicking in that I was the highest ranked for a reason.

Sometimes it seems a little overrated...

So, I just said "Fuck it, I quit".

Yeah. That happened.

Yesterday I quit my job. I've been preparing to quit for a little while, trying to figure out my next step in life. I haven't exactly figured it out yet, but I least moved in the right direction. Everyone has been asking me, what are you going to do next? Believe me, we're all shocked when I don't have an answer. A lot of eyebrows have been raised since yesterday. 

And zero fucks have been given. 

Simply because I am not absolutely at the ready to jump into another stressful, long hour, total time suck does not make me directionless. In fact, I'm moving, it's just slower than I have in the past. And I feel like that's OK. But just so everyone knows, I did accept a position that starts in three weeks. It's less hours and a schedule shift as well as in a pretty laid back setting. I wanted to find a way I could go back to school and write professionally. I want to put more effort into what I really want to do for the rest of my life than waste time. Mostly, I just want to stop giving other people the control over how my life goes. You know, whether you get a raise, or if you're going to have a good day or get yelled at, or have crazy people literally try to ruin your life at work everyday. I really hate that. 

I am absolutely too young to live every working day miserable. My father gave me the most important advice I have ever needed in my adult life. Don't stay somewhere you hate. You spend too much time at work not to have something that makes it worth going. 

Now, that's not saying jobs are always going to be fun and exactly what you want to do, but environment is really important. If you have people around you or a job you love doing, it makes a serious difference in your personal life. For the last three months I have been so down-heartened about work that I have drug my spouse down with me. It hasn't been pretty and it certainly isn't easy. It feels like I was in a hole and no matter how much I tried to get out, the walls just seemed to grow taller. 

And that's not an okay way to live life, regardless of money, benefits or any other excuse you can think of. 

So, I gave my notice and was released from it. And I did so without much of plan because I'm worth taking the risk for. My husband is worth taking the risk for. My life is worth taking the risk for. Because "the future" is such a sham. 

OK. Enough about the past, lets talk about the present.

I feel... GREAT! 

Seriously. I got up this morning without an alarm. I played ball with my dogs. I went to the grocery store and read every label on everything that I bought. I let a woman go in front of me, because I had no where to be. I picked out a nice dinner that will probably take about two hours to prep and cook tonight. I took an hour to make a full lunch for my husband and two of his workers. I stopped at my local pet store and chatted about some ways I can help with a flea problem my dogs have just picked up. I called and talked to my sister. And now, now I am writing this blog. Tonight I will write on Kill Match and make dinner and do laundry. 

I accomplished more today than I ever have on a Saturday after working a full week. The reason? Because I know I don't have to go to work tomorrow or the next day. I know that there's enough time to do whatever I want without worrying about being able to relax or sleep or clean or eat. I don't have to rush around when everyone else in the world is rushing around, because I can wait. I have time. 

And time, dear people, is the most valuable thing. 

There's so many things I wish I would have known before and this is probably the biggest. I know that I am going to go back to work, because I actually like having a job, but I want to make sure it's something that is worth my time. That the people I work for and around are worth my time, because I'm valuable and it's important to me that I'm treated as such. Until then, I am going to treat myself that way. I am going to use my time accordingly and I am going to try my damnedest to figure out what I love and how I can make that my profession. There is so much out in the world for me that I would be a fool to waste this opportunity to find what makes me happy. 

Until I figure it all out, I'll just smile when people ask, "What're you doing now?"

Whatever I like. 

#SaturdayScenes #KillMatch

Happy Valentines Day!

It has been a busy week, for everyone it seems and I hope today was wonderful for everyone. I worked on my writing most of yesterday and picked out this scene special for today. It isn't very loving but that makes the irony so, so sweet. :)

This is a scene from my next novel Kill Match. It is a dystopian fiction novel, taking place well after the world has been destroyed. The city Librarea lives in is full of fighting, betting and hunger.

Enjoy! :)

*

His hood slipped from his head as the gauntlet rang and air hissed between my teeth. I could hear the marketers call for last round, final bets being taken. Knowing who was favored only made me not want to fight this kid more. At only fifteen years old, he stood a foot taller than my 5'3 frame. He was bulkier than most kids his age and knowing how his Lanista trained, I knew he had worked more on his muscles than his endurance. I couldn't allow him to get a hold of me or else I was dead. Literally, dead. His eyes danced with glee as I danced away and I knew the rumors to be true. My heart fluttered in fear. All fighters were serious once they stepped in the circle, their families lives depended on it. But once you were down they were done, and they would only do what was necessary to get you there. Few were like the kid standing before me who wanted to hurt anyone they faced. He enjoyed causing pain.

It was no wonder they moved him quickly through the ranks, finally reaching me tonight. He definitely drew a crowd and he was cocky about it. That I knew would be his weakness. I would need to exploit his confidence and make him think I was nothing more than prey. I ducked away from a halfhearted swing, backing against the people pushing the lines of the ring. His face hardened as he realized I was cornered, and I knew the next one would be thrown at full force. He wasn't built to last through a long fight and I would have to keep him moving and not get hit in the process if I hoped to win.

He stepped closer and I ducked under his arm, catching his rib with my elbow as I moved. He reached for me moments too late, the breeze of his hand tickling the hairs on my forearm. A small grunt escaped him as he swung around towards me, sweat dripping from the tips of his hair. Tonight was especially warm for the desert, the swarms of people pushing in too close. The temperature was taking its toll, the little energy he had being zapped. A bust of speed broke through as quick steps came towards me. I faked right only to meet the heal of his foot on my left. Pain exploded in my ribs and I grabbed my side to try and protect them as best as I could. I turned putting my back towards him.

Nero's words whispered into the back of my head and I prayed he was correct. I needed him to follow his latest pattern, choking out his opponents from behind. Nero and I had worked on what I would do as a last resort if he got too close. His punches and kicks were like fire, burning up my strength. More than likely that kick had broken at least one rib, if not more. I was in trouble and I was suddenly thankful for Nero's stubbornness to teach me a last resort. I knew it was my last chance to win, and to stay conscious. It was all based on the hope that he would follow his normal fighting style.

A slow, pained smile touched my lips as I felt a large arm move to wrap around my neck and I prepared all of what I had left in me. I stilled as his muscles jumped in excitement. Moments before he could lock his hands together in the final clasp, my left hand shot out and grabbed his right hand. His progression stilled as I pulled him closer and took my opening. Like a flash my right leg slid back between his legs and I pivoted to around to face him. Surprise lit his black eyes before my right hand shot out with as much force as I had and connected with his nose. A startled scream let out and my left hand quickly let go of him as my right knee connected with his groin. He crashed to the ground, blood cascading down his face.

The bell rang, marking the end of the fight and I searched to find my Lanista. I needed help. I spotted both Nero and Alexander, a look of pure approval on both of their faces. I moved to motion that I needed assistance when the smile on Alexander's face faded and he started to run towards me. Something dripped above me, sticky on my shoulder. I turned only to see a bloody mess behind me.

"This isn't over."

Dark words hit through my body and I shivered. I saw the punch coming but I couldn't move fast enough. He slung back as if in slow motion, his fist landing directly on my broken ribs, a scream ripping out of me before the whole world went black.

#SaturdayScenes #Destruction:BookOfThePhoenix

Happy Saturday!

I have just returned from a wing-filled birthday dinner for my older brother. It has been a busy Saturday but I wanted to make sure and get my scene in for the day. I have written a few things on both Kill Match and a new project I am working on. However, I'm going to share today the first novel I ever started to write. It's called Destruction The Book of the Phoenix. I'm hoping in 2016 to be able to renew it and get it published, but for now here's a raw look at my first written piece.

Enjoy! :)

*

The heat from the fire felt good against my cold, clammy skin. I was still slightly wet from hunting in the lake, but I’d rather have a full belly and be cold than hungry and dry. It’s hard to believe that before Destruction I was normal. I would’ve never been considered an athlete, or a warrior, or even a survivalist. Now I’ve been forced to become all three.

It’s been 6 months and things here are still unraveling. I’m not really sure what caused the storms or the disasters that came, all I know is; no one was prepared. I hate that advancement made us weak and lazy and most of us died because of it. I’m just lucky that I loved adventure and survivalist novels more than playing on Facebook or texting. I wasn’t a big people person in The Before and the ways things have become now only make it easier to become withdrawn.  

I turn the stick speared fish so that the whole of it is roasted before digging into it with hands and teeth. I’ve caught three good sized ones which is more than I’ve seen in days. Most of the animals had evacuated days before Destruction hit and very few have come back. Soon I’ll have to travel farther out of the city to find them. The buildings and noise of Seattle used to comfort me on the nights I’d stay here with my family. Now, they just seem to haunt my dreams, turning reality into a nightmare. The buildings are broken and dangerous, barely enough left to be called buildings. There is no glory here, no hope. I suppose I stay close for the comfort of civilization, even if very little is left. Tonight however, is mostly silent. I only hear a few screams which quickly die down. Those who have survived are turning ruthless against one another and reason enough to travel alone. There’s no way I will take the risk of trusting someone with my life only to have them end it.

I gather up the few belongings I’ve managed to find: a hunting knife, a few balls of twine, a tattered survivalist’s guide, two water bottles, a solar flashlight, the left over fish and my back pack, and I start the trek for a safe spot to sleep. The left over decay of the city makes my path rugged and exhausting but also gives needed cover from hungry eyes. I move as swift and as silent as possible until I come upon a familiar crumbled looking hole through a building. It’s covered by rocks but I’ve used it before and it doesn’t look like anyone else has found it yet.

I slip off my pack and push it through the hole, slowly shuffling myself in behind it. As soon as my head is out of sight I gather the rocks I can still reach and try to recover the hole. I take my time since I’m not looking for any intruders tonight. As soon as I’m satisfied with my hiding I continue to slide through the crevice. It’s a long narrow corridor that would make most panic. I smile softly to myself. This is where I would rather be than anywhere else because nothing here can hide.

Finally I reach the end of the tunnel and fall to my feet. It opens to a large cave that looks like it used to be a basement of some kind. The walls were fortified with heavy concrete and although the top of the building has collapsed this portion seemed to stay mostly intact. I find the small sleeping bag I had left the last time I was here, shake out any lingering bugs and crawl inside. There’s a compact travel pillow inside the sleeping bag that feels like heaven against my head. It’s been a long time since I’ve used a pillow or even felt safe enough to sleep lying down but tonight I’m warm and can’t remember the last time I’ve felt safer.

The tumble of rocks wakes me up. My first thought is that an aftershock has hit. There’s been nearly one every day so it’s logical until I realize the ground beneath me isn’t moving, only the rocks from the tunnel. I quickly untangle my legs from the sleeping bag and wipe every bit of sleep I can from my eyes. Someone’s coming and there is no other way out. I start to feel the claustrophobia that I had mocked yesterday. I’m a caged bird down here and will likely have to stand and fight to make it out alive.

I grab my hunting knife and spread my arms as wide as they will go to make myself look larger in the dark. I read in a book once that if you face a threat you can make them cower by seeming like a predator. I haven’t tried to use this tactic yet but at this point I have no other option. I pay special attention to my breathing making it as slow and steady as I can so I don’t start to panic. The last thing I need is to panic. A minute passes when a child size foot pops from the tunnel and before I can blink a small girl tumbles through and sinks to the floor in the opposite corner from me.

It takes me a moment to release my shock. I had seen very few people my age let alone children the past few months. I had come to the conclusion that all had died, ran away, or were within the clans. I would’ve never expected a kid to be crashing my hiding place. I take a few deep breaths and put my hunting knife back in my boot. If I have to fight her off I sure wouldn’t need my knife to do it. I walk a few steps towards the girl and watch her hands shake slightly and her eyes narrow. I stop, fold my arms across my chest and blow out the breath I’ve been holding.

I’ve been away from people for so long that I’m having a hell of a mental battle about what to say. I see her hands brush back her hair and her own breath escape. She must have come to the conclusion I wasn’t going to hurt her because she slowly started to stand up and recognition lit up her face. “Hey.” Her voice was dry and soft like she hadn’t had water for days. “Hey yourself,” I say gruffly. Even before Destruction hit I was never good with children. I was an only child and quite frankly, a loaner. I don’t carry the necessary emotions to comfort nor the friendly nature people often look for. But for whatever reason this didn’t seem to bother her one bit.  

“I’m sorry I woke you up. I’ve been using this tunnel for a few days and didn’t know anyone else could fit through it. I’m Annakit, or just Kit for short.” She held out her little fingers for a hand shake that seemed too proper for our circumstances. I gripped them lightly anyway. “I wasn’t expecting you either. I found this place a few weeks ago and didn’t see any signs that someone else had as well. Are you by yourself or what? My name’s…uh, Seraphine.” It’d been too long since I’d spoken my name out loud and it felt off.

In the new world it wasn’t common to meet someone friendly enough to exchange pleasantries with, in fact, pretty unheard of. My unease for Kit was growing by the second. If she was part of a clan and was sent out to recruit I would be in big trouble. Shortly after the first disasters happened people started forming clans, with large and notoriously nasty leaders. Each clan would recruit others or kill them if they refused to become a member, trying to grow their numbers to face whatever they deemed a threat (obviously they missed the Mother Nature destroyed large numbers memo). So, to flush out the strays, clans often used women or the few children left since strays were too skittish and weary to be confronted by men or too hostile to join willingly. I was one of these strays.

I started walking towards my back pack and sleeping bag. I wasn’t afraid of Kit but I was aware of the trouble she could bring. I needed to be ready to get out. She took an audible breath and I heard her feet shuffling the rubble. “No… I’m alone. I’ve been separated from my family. They were headed to Safe Haven when we were ambushed. I’ve been waiting for them ever since. We… We have a meeting place close to here in case we ever got separated. But, well, they haven’t shown up yet.” I swallowed the contentment that she was alone along with the sudden sadness that came with it. Safe Haven was often whispered about being a place where civilization still existed. Where food and shelter were abundant and laws were still abided. In other words it was a myth for the hopeful.

I sighed. Looking through my lashes at the girl, I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave her alone again. I had calloused hands but my heart was still too tender for this World. Even though my mind was screaming at me that she wasn’t my problem, I would feel guilty if I left and I knew it. I thought about asking about her family but it seemed too painful to bring up. Slightly hesitant I asked, “How old are you?” She raised her chin in defiance. “I’m thirteen. I’ll be fourteen in June. I’m old enough and strong enough not to be worried about. I always do my fair share of work and I can keep up with the best of them. I’m not helpless so don’t even look at me like that.” Her blue eyes shone of determination and will. I believed her, which is a rarity. Most people only held corruption or evil which crazy enough I could feel in my bones, but not on her. She was pure.

I decided I would help her. Despite her display I still couldn’t convince myself to abandon her. But after helping my conscious would be clear and I could go back to my life. Or what is left of it. “OK. Look, I’m not very good at the whole partnership thing but I don’t think you should be left on your own. The clans have been running this area pretty heavily lately and they would love to get their hands on you. Besides, I can’t have you giving away all my hiding places. I’ll help you find your family or at least get you to the borders of the city. After that we can part ways as unlikely friends. My conscious is clear and you’re no longer in danger, any questions?”

She swept back her intensely black hair and shook her head. I could tell there was more she wanted to say but she stayed quiet. This might just work. “Let’s get some sleep then we’ll make a plan in the morning.” I unzipped the sleeping bag so there would be enough room for both of us to sleep on top of it since the concrete was freezing. Kit laid on her side with her back to me and was breathing deeply within minutes. I rolled onto my back and wondered what in the world I had just gotten myself into.

#SaturdayScenes #KillMatch

Good evening all! 

(I should really be saying good morning with the time...)

I know I am exactly one hour and forty-four minutes late on my Saturday Scene but, it is better late than never. I'm exhausted and honestly my brains a little mushy right now for a long blog post. Instead, here is my scene from my new WIP Kill Match: A Gladiatrix Story. It is rough and unedited, my apologies in advance.

*

I kept my face as steady as I could, but they both saw the shock before I could mask it.

“Well, thank you for that Alexander. I’m glad we got that out of the way and after the training fight. Same time tomorrow then?” He turned to me and I realized he was waiting for a response.

“No, tomorrow is my dusk practice. I am going home tonight.” I tried to sound professional but still stern enough that they would see I didn’t want to change my already set schedule. He simply nodded.

“Fine. We will practice at dusk, then you and I shall have dinner. I want to hear about the tactics you’ve already learned and where you think your weak points are.”

Before I could respond again he swept out of the room, his pants billowing as he walked,, quickly acknowledging Alexander on his way. I watched him go, and realized what I had missed when he had entered. His gait was one of power and pride. Only the Etruscan’s son could walk like that in Kardia. No one else had known such privilege.

“I see your mind, Ferus. He is not who you think him to be. I would at least give him a few days’ time before you completely disregard his humanity.”

A smirk lit my face at the sound of my nickname. As a child I had been ruthless against my Lanista and because of the promise I held in the arena he had let me get away with having a bigger personality than most Gladiators. I was also the first female he had ever had to deal with and as one of his many coping mechanisms he took to call me the loving nickname of Ferus. It meant untamed.  I rolled my neck to each side, buying time for my response.

“I care not for who he is and is not. The Etruscan’s son can be whomever he pleases and as such it is not my place to mind his chosen path. Besides, by the time he is fully trained I will be back in the Dust Bowl where I belong. Thank you for staying around long enough for that.”

He scoffed.

“Do not take me so lightly, warrior. I did not have a say in what is taking place. It was  aggressively suggested to me.” He moved to slide past me, his robe brushing my feet before he abruptly stopped. “Perhaps when my retirement comes I will join you in the Dust Bowl. For if the greatest fighter I have ever known belongs in such a place, surely I would find my presence there just as comfortable.”

He walked out, not even turning to see my mouth gaping open. The image of my Lanista amongst my family would be funny if it weren’t such a terrifying thought. For anyone who wasn’t used to the power he exuded they would be wary and frightened in his presence. Alexander couldn’t possibly think he truly belonged in the outer villages. With everything that had happened I couldn’t think about if he was being serious or not. I needed to get out of these walls leaving behind my Lanista and his overly eager replacement.

I cleaned up any pieces of wrap that had fallen to the floor during the fight then headed out toward my room on the third floor. With each cold stone step to the top I could feel the scratches that laced my feet. The feet had been tempered, and basically no damage had been done to either of us. But that didn’t take away from the pain that laced from skin hitting skin at half force. It still hurt like Hell, practice fighting or no. I walked into my room to catch three maids tidying up the space. My nursemaid, Gemma, was among them preparing a bag for my night back home.

“Did you put together another from the kitchen?”

She sighed at my voice, not having realized I was behind her.

“Yes. Just like every time before. You think I am incapable of taking care of you when I have done it your whole life.”

She hadn’t taken care of me my whole life, just the last twelve years. Instead of pointing out that fact, again, I changed the subject.

“Did you know that the Price was taking over for Alexander?”

Her tired hands stopped, the shaking in them minute, before they rushed on putting a jacket in the bag.

“Gemma! You knew. You terrible, retched liar! You knew this whole time and kept it from me? I thought we were family.”

That always got to her. She was my family but ever since being a child I had outwardly rejected the notion and it always bothered here. I had wanted someone to feel the pain I did and Gemma had been the unfortunate target of my overly dramatic emotions growing up. A frown deepened into the lines of her face and her hands flew to her hips.

“No, don’t you dare start with all of that again. You are far too old to be messing with an aging woman’s feelings. You know that you’re a daughter to me, but Nero is like my son.”

I gasped knowing I didn’t need to be stoic or closed in with Gemma.

“Don’t you look like that. It isn’t a secret that I’ve raised you both. If you wouldn’t be so self centered you could have found out sooner. Nero has lived on the second floor of this sanctuary since you came here and shortly after his mother died. Alexander wanted to keep the two of you separate. Nero was told the rules to avoid you when he begged to live here and as it seems he’s been doing a lovely job of it. But I guess the cats out of the bag now.” A smirk lit her face.

“You think this is funny? That a ruthless King’s only son is now in charge of over a dozen of the best fighters in Kardia? I’m sorry but I can’t seem to find the humor in my situation.”

I grabbed my boots from the underside of the bed, roughly putting them onto my feet, my sore skin screaming at me in horror. The smile disappeared from Gemma.

“Well, that answers the question of if you’ve even talked to him. He’s not his father Libby. And it would do you good in life to learn not to always read the book by the cover. Nero is not his father.”

I snorted. She knew I hated the reading references and used them whenever she was irritated with my behavior. I grabbed the bag from the bed and walked towards the door.

“You of all people should know that the picture is the only thing I can read.”

#SaturdayScenes #TheBeginning

I'm posting this rather late. Okay, it's only 9pm PST but it's later than I would have liked. I am working on a new serial for Saturday Scenes and I was trying to get the first chapter ready to be posted. Although I tried it's not ready yet. I'm new to writing serials and I want it to be at least edited before I start posting them.

Instead tonight I am posting a scene from my novelette, The Beginning. This story takes place before my novel Red and is the introduction for my Guarding the Vila series. Right now it is being offered on amazon for .99! Red is offered at $2.99 currently. Here's the links:

The Beginning
Red

I am also offering free copies of both books (epub,mobi or PDF) for anyone who would be willing to review them. Please email me at ladieswhowritesg@gmail.com if you're interested.

:) Happy Reading everyone!

*

Dawn had yet to approach, the last echoes of night pushing on the window. I tried to prepare myself as best as I could for the day that lay ahead. My skirts had been worn for days, showing dirt and wear in every seam. I straightened them anyway, frustrated that I would die in rags. My face, hair and nails were so filthy, I looked like a beggar. I scrubbed at myself with such vigor that my once pale skin turned pink and raw. The water pooled black in the small wash bin, salted tears streaming down my face to meet the dark shallows. I pulled away, disgusted with the person I would die as. I grabbed my hooded red cape from the bed, the one Grandmere had made special, just to match the tones in my hair, and put it on to hide any emotion that may cross my face today. When there was nothing else to be done, I simply sat on the cot and waited, eyes too dry to cry any longer. I considered all of the things I could have done differently to prevent this whole mess. I continued to remind myself that this wasn’t entirely my fault. There were things I could not have changed no matter what I had done.

Bernard came to get me and my stoicism shattered into pieces. I didn’t want to die this way, in front of everyone and with such shame. I hadn’t had enough time in my life to do anything worth remembering. This would be the only thing left of me, of my family name. Bernard held a small amount of pity in his gray eyes, only making me want to beg him until that pity took over and he let me go.

“Bernard, please.” I choked. He paused for just a moment, hope rising from the pit of my stomach.

“Girl, there is nothing to be done. This is the only way; the peacekeeper has said so. Crying and begging are not going to help you.”

The tender eyes he had held just seconds before were now blistered in determination. I knew I had lost him and with that admittance, the only hope I had left was brutally wiped clean.

I fought, Bernard’s rough hands overpowering me easily, tying my hands up in knots. He grabbed the lead that had been left between them and pulled me from the room and out of the hall. The high sun burned my eyes and made them water when I was sure they were dried to the bone. I could only imagine the harsh red that had encased my normally pale skin. I looked around, wanting to find someone familiar but only saw strangers. I couldn’t find a single friendly face, one that I had known my whole life. I didn’t know these people anymore. We walked past them and they scrambled to quickly pile in behind us, loud whispers filling the air.

“I heard she killed them with her bare hands then fed them to the wolves. All to maintain her beauty. That’s why her hair is red. It’s from all the blood she has spilt. It is her cost for using magic.”

“Well, I heard she took a wolf as a lover. When her Mama promised her to Jacques, and then to Claude, she had to kill them and her lover was more than happy to help.”

“No, no, her Grandmere was a wolf. She was trying to protect her from the others. That is why no one has found the body—because she’s still out there, alive.”

The lies swirled, causing brilliant storms of rage to take over my sight. All I could manage to think was that if I was a witch, I would have already burned them all. How could these people, whom I had known my whole life, turn on me in a moment’s notice? I survived a horrible ordeal only to be met with another and they were gossiping like children! They imprisoned me because I survived. Because one man, consumed by grief, held hatred towards me while the town’s rumors simply fueled the fire. They should have been the ones to stand trial. I knew my thoughts showed clearly on my face when the people closest to me began to slowly move away. A circle of space was growing around Bernard and me. No one wanted to be near a witch when she was angry, and at that point I was almost glad for the rumors.

Through the trees just ahead I could see the glisten of Esperer Lake, the closest body of water to our village. The same one we would watch our Mama’s wash our clothing in as children. My feet stopped of their own volition, not wanting to take another step towards the water. Bernard tugged on my wrists trying to force my movement until I yelled with pain from the burn of the rope.

“Come now, girl. The more you struggle, the more they’ll think you’re a witch!”

I didn’t care what anyone thought at that moment. All I wanted to do was run as far and as fast as I could away from these people and from what they were going to do to me. I didn’t want to be tested. I didn’t want to drown. But the ropes burned so badly that I finally took a few steps forward and again when I couldn’t take the pain once more. That’s how we made our way to the water, him tugging until I yelped and me holding out as long as I possibly could.

By the time we finally reached Andre, the whole town had formed around to witness the events, mumbling under their breaths about the slow pace I was keeping. I was shocked he would come to ensure this horrific event take place. Betrayal tore through me and I Bernard and Andre pulled me down the rickety planks that floated atop the lake. They finally got me to the edge of the walkway just as the sun reached its peak. Bernard pulled out more twine and encircled my ankles and hands once more, taking the necessary time to ensure the bonds would not break. When he was satisfied that I was securely tied he nodded to Andre. The old man turned to address the crowd.

“We are here to test the crimes of Scarlett Chasseur, to see whether or not she is indeed a witch. The proceedings of submersion will go as follows: If she floats on the surface, while being bound, it is shown that Satan has filled her soul with buoyancy. At this point she will be found guilty and put to death by fire, as chosen by the butcher. If she sinks to the bottom of the lake, her innocence will be proven and she will be pardoned. Let us not drag out this terrible ordeal. Bernard, please begin.”

No sooner than the last words were out of his mouth did Bernard pull me to face him, his massive eyes turning cold. He quickly shoved me backwards, over the edge, before even a scream could erupt from my throat. Water overtook me as I struggled to reach the surface. My body burned with the need for air, and panic clouded my senses. The water seemed to be the last enemy I would ever face. They had won. The realization dawned on me that I was sinking to the bottom, and if I hadn’t been dying I would have laughed at the irony. I passed their test. I opened my mouth, wanting to scream in frustration and injustice, my body flailing with the need to survive. Water engulfed my lungs and took over every empty space inside of me. I was covered in it. I blinked my eyes rapidly, clawing at the incessant drops that touched me, burning from the inside out. Darkness was taking over my vision but from the corner of my eyes I thought I could see Grandmere’s form floating towards me in the distance. I reached my bound hands toward her in a last instinct of survival before the water’s depths took me.