Blurb:
Angry her father, who has ordered her to bond with a man with
tainted lines.Lasara plans to escape. Her ability to read the lines of fire
makes her a talented duelist. Friends aid her escape. They tell her to seek the
Desert Riders and a man called Jens. The meeting is different than she plans.
They duel for hours and end in both collapsing. While she recovers she hears
about the kidnapping of girls with strong lines of fire, she decides to act to
free them. Then she learns about a strange man who has joined her enemy. The
Defenders need to know.
Lasara pulled a leather vest over her linen tunic. From the shelves in the changing room, she took two tunics, several sets of undergarments, stockings and a second pair of leather breeches. She bundled them into a tight roll. She listened to the sounds from the bathing room and stepped toward the door leading to the outer passage ways. Her hands shook as she released the lock. She prayed no one would discover the unlocked door until she was far away.
All the things Kalia had told her this afternoon rolled in
her thoughts. Her sister’s help was welcome but she dare not be the one to be
present this evening. Rila would meet her and lead her to the gate. Lasara’s
stomach churned and she hoped she wouldn’t collapse. What if something went
wrong?
She pressed her forehead against the cool surface of the
door. Move. She straightened. The
copper bracelet she had found hidden in her room’s closet pressed against her
chest. A bonding bracelet. Someday
she might find her heart bonded mate but not today. Adventure waited. Facing the unknown was better than the man her
father intended to be her mate. She would rather die than be bonded to Petan of
the tainted lines of fire and erratic temper. Seeing the darkness of his lines
made her ill.
She opened the door just wide enough to peer outside and
make sure Rila had arrived. Her trembling hand rattled the knob. She drew a
deep breath. Once in the hall she eased the door closed and pressed the bundle
of clothing against her chest.
Rila waved the torch she held and indicated a dark
passage. Lasara followed. The torch cast eerie shadows on the walls. The air
held a musty odor. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling. Lasara prayed they weren’t
inhabited. Spiders made her think of evil. Another thought occurred. Would
their footsteps be seen on the dust covered floor?
Rila turned. “Slide your feet. The dust raised will settle
and hide our passing.”
Lasara adopted the gait. This narrow hall was new to her.
She knew of other passages and many unused rooms. The population of the Defenders
had dwindled over the years and years since their arrival in this land. My Places
Buy Mark
Love this series. Great snippet. It makes me want to know more
ReplyDeleteThink about coming to Seventh-Heaven, dear.
ReplyDeleteThere, we'll RITE profusely for eternity.
God bless you.
She seems well prepared to make her getaway. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteRather makes me want to know why she finds Petan so objectionable.
ReplyDeleteExcellent and moving descriptions
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late response, been sick and playing catch up... All posts have been shared on Excerpts and promotions Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/Excerpts.and.Promotions/
Dee Carver
#PMInc