Continuing the opening chapter from The Ashes of Home, the air in Shayla’s room was drugged but she held her breath at the first taste. Two attackers disguised as servants attacked her. In order to escape, she hit a hidden button and leaped through the windows 70’ above the ground...
=====
A second later, her feet connected with the broad eaves overhanging her bedroom windows. She hung upside down in the grip of an artificial grav field and drew her own blade, watching the lit window for signs of movement.
If at least one of her attackers leaned out of the window to see where she’d gone, she’d quickly have one less to deal with.
No such luck.
First one, then the other, appeared through the opening in a tuck roll, too fast and just out of Shayla’s reach. They must have figured out what had happened, but she’d really expected no less. Only the very best assassins ever got this close.
They landed back to back in fighting crouches. The nearer one saw Shayla and signaled to his companion, who also turned to face her.
=====
Well, Shayla isn’t in the clear yet, but able to breathe again she at least has a fighting chance :)
Posts
21 comments:
Hi Botanist ... hanging upside down from the eaves - I hope she has some ability to change her position in order to fight ... as you say she can breathe again .... cheers Hilary
Uh oh. Love how the stakes keep rising.
Well, at least she's not stuck in that room, but I have a feeling her fight is far from over. Excellent snippet! :)
This is great, Ian. So visual and active. Just like a . . . movie! Now, who would we pick to play Shayla?
You are amazing at maintaining tension, Ian! :-)
I like this heroine - smart and quick to act. Great snippet!
Hilary, she has freedom of movement, it's as if gravity has temporarily reversed itself.
Cara, the stakes are still on the up :)
Jessica, you think correctly.
Nancy, that's how I tend to write scenes, like a movie in my head. Even so, unlike many writers, I never try to picture who would play my characters.
Marcia, thanks, that is always my aim :)
Veronica, I like Shayla too. She's fun to write.
Very visual, Ian. The action flows well, without being predictable. Excellent job.
Antigrav field! I love the use of technology.
Tension is rising in your story, pulling us into this fascinating tale.
Well, Shayla might be breathing, but I wasn't. Glad it was only a snippet-length of breath-holding. :-)
Great action with lots of tension.
Least she knows where they are now.
Kim, I like trying not to be too predictable :)
Donna, there's a few neat uses of technology in Shayla's world.
Stephen, glad you think so.
Christina, too soon to breathe yet :)
Ed, thanks.
Alex, more to the point, the fight has evened up a bit now.
Glad she survived the dive out the window, but you're right, she is still in grave danger. I hope her quick-thinking saves her neck!
Drat! Why can't they be just a little less bright? She's going to have a fight on her hands!
You write outstanding action, Ian. And I really like the technology the assassins used to disguise themselves!
Wow! There is certainly no lack of action here! Awesome scene that's left me on the edge of my seat, desperate for next Sunday to roll around. lol. Wonderful job!
Kimberly, quick thinking and lots of precautionary preparations!
Caitlin, unfortunately the less bright all got caught along the way :)
Teresa, the technology is the same that Shayla herself used in Ghosts and will make full use of in Ashes.
Julie, edge of he seat works for me :)
Hi Ian. Anyone reading this opening would want to read on, so great writing!
Drat, Ian! Way to keep us hanging! Great snippet!
Post a Comment