Sky's End
by Lesley Young
Blurb:
A secret she must never share. A secret that two warring species are determined to control. A universe's future at stake.
Twenty-year-old Cassiel Winters joins Earth's new space academy in hopes of finding her brother, one of Command's top pilots and her only family, who's been reported MIA. But she quickly realizes she may not be cut out for life in space, where female cadets are outnumbered, competition's fierce, and she's already failed her hand-to-hand combat test once.
Even the station's most respected officer, Lt. Damian King, probably can't help Cassiel pass the second time around - so why is he so interested in her progress? If only one of her freaky de?ja? vu visions would offer an answer instead of mysterious messages like hide.
When Cassiel's manipulated into a perilous mission, she encounters a warrior species bred to protect the universe from an even greater threat. And she learns that her secret visions are at the heart of it all.
Now Cassiel must fight to control her own destiny and race to save her brother - even if it means pretending to be the pawn of Prime Or'ic, the cold-as-steel Thell'eon leader. Even if it means risking her life, facing hard truths, and making the ultimate sacrifice.
Excerpt:
I pry open an eyelid. Onegin's killing me. Thanks to his restlessness after my 'dream,' I slept horrible. He was in and out of his downcore. Pacing. Mumbling to himself. I guess that's how mad men sleep.
Come on, be positive. You get to fly today. Nope. No nerves. No excitement. Nothing. I head to the privy and put on the one outfit that's somewhat modest, a shirt that sits just above my navel and a long skirt with slits that I keep meaning to sew shut. Onegin seems especially agitated when I emerge. He tells my new aide to hurry through the door. When we leave my space, he grabs my arm, hard, dragging me with him.
"Ouch! Onegin, you're hurting me. I can walk myself!"
He's mumbling something about it being the right thing, his duty. What the hell? I let him manhandle me because I need to pay attention to the route to the hangar bay.
I smell the man sweat, hear the sounds of combat, and my stomach flips. I don't want to pass by the arena, let alone witness Lor being abused. I try to stare straight ahead, but I can't because Onegin's dragging me right into the arena.
That's when alarm bells start going off. "Onegin! What are you doing? Let me go!" Dozens of Thell'eons are already practicing in those barbed razor rings and in incredibly intricate obstacle courses. Some are sprinting, others wrestling. A few take notice, since at this point I'm shouting wildly at Onegin.
I look around desperate for another Kir. "Prime Or'ic!" I yell, relieved when I spot him fighting with Kell'an. They pause to take in the commotion. They're breathing heavy and drenched in sweat. The weapons they're using, whips that fire things, settle on the ground near their feet like pet snakes.
I expect Or'ic to be alarmed that Onegin has brought me here. I relax, confident that he will reprimand Onegin like he usually does. But, after a brief, blank stare, he turns back to spar with Kell'an again. My heart sinks. Onegin, not pausing once to check with his Prime, is hauling me toward an empty ring.
Holy stars!
Thell'eons spread apart to let him pass. Some keep watching instead of going back to their fighting.
I'm in real trouble. Yup. No doubt about it.
What can I say to stop him? Do something! My brain's screaming this, but my mind's coming up empty.
Onegin jumps up on the ledge, hauls me up with one arm, and tosses me easily over the barbed razors, like a bloody ball. I land hard on all fours.
I'm in a ring. In a ring. Oh, this is real bad. "Fight!" shouts Onegin, who's stalking me in rapid half- circles. I lean back on my ankles, crouched. I can't believe this is happening. Why's he doing this? Now, now I regret saving his stupid dumb-ass life.
I remember the look in his eyes as he watched that Aeon shake the crap out of me, frozen in time, helpless to help me. And last night, after my nightmare, staring down on me, angst-ridden, confused.
But . . . why would he want to hurt me? Is he ashamed that I saved him? Is this punishment?
No. Or'ic said he's indebted. He was mumbling something about duty.
Holy stars. He wants to show me how to fight.
"Onegin! I already know how to fight!" I shout at him, deciding I can reason my way out of this.
About the Author:
Journalist Lesley Young never thought she would delve into the world of writing fiction, but when she sat down for the first time to put pen to paper, ideas for what would become her first novel just poured out naturally. Young's first book, "Sky's End," is a multi-genre tale that showcases her unique style of weaving romance, action and wit into one page-burning story.
Young was born in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. She holds an arts degree from the University of Alberta and a journalism degree from the University of Victoria.
Young now lives in Loretto, Ontario where she works as a journalist, freelance writer and editor for health, de?cor and business magazines. Since 2008, Young has written more than 300 articles for print and online media including Profit, Toronto Life, MSN Green, and Elle Canada among others. She is a regular contributor to Reader's Digest, Best Health, Canadian Living and House and Home Magazine.
Soul Mate Publishing releases "Sky's End" on July 15 in paperback and e-book. The novel is Young's first installment in a series about Cassiel Winters, a futuristic heroine, and her outer space escapades.
Giveaway:
$75 Amazon GC
1 comments:
Another great excerpt, thank you.
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