Continuing the opening chapter from The Ashes of Home, Shayla realizes something is wrong with the air in her room. Someone has released a drug intended to knock her out but she held her breath at the first taste. Two attackers disguised as servants are in the room with her.
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Her hand crept towards the hilt of the knife under her robes. She stilled it and instead stumbled another step towards the bed. She couldn’t fight these two. If the drug didn’t take her, anoxia would.
Another step.
The figures closed in.
Shayla flopped towards the bed, buying herself a few precious moments. As she pitched forwards her legs folded under her, then she launched herself across the bed. She rolled, outstretched hand reaching for a concealed button under the edge of the headboard.
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Well, we are a week into January already. Decorations taken down and packed away, and tree dropped off for chipping. I hope everyone had a good Christmas and that the New Year brings you joy.
I would still like to find one or two more beta readers for The Ashes of Home. If you are interested, please drop me a note either in the comments or through my contact page. Please include an email address I can reach you at, an idea of when you think you could finish by, and also what I could do for you in return.
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20 comments:
I hope 2017 brings you success and happiness.
Eek! She has to get out of this one quick. I love the tension in this snippet! :)
Hi Ian,
Yep, typing away over here in England at a silly time in the morning.
Thanks for sharing an intriguing sample of your writing. Left one on a bit of a knife edge.
Wishing you and your loved ones a most peaceful 2017 on beautiful Vancouver Island.
Gary
Thank you, Stephen. Hope 2017 is good for you also.
Jessica, she is running out of time. How long do you think she can hold her breath? :)
Gary, I hope life is treating you well over in England.
I sure hope this scene doesn't fade to black as she blacks out.
Happy New Year, Ian.
Nice cliffhanger :-) I enjoyed the (lol, I wanted to use explosive) start to this story. It really sets the pace.
(I hope you got my email, yesterday?)
Hi Ian - well I'm glad there's a secret hidden button and her drugged self hasn't completely lost the plot to deal with the two assassins ... cheers Hilary
She's tough! I want to see what happens next.
Love a smart heroine! What a great, tense scene. Good job, Ian! Happy New Year!
Ooh, a secret button! Can't wait to see what happens next! Happy 2017 to you, and I hope it brings you much success! :)
Ed, she's close to fading, but not quite there yet.
Kim, I hope you'll agree the pace never lets up :)
Hilary, she does have a plan.
Cara, all in good time :)
Nancy, she's smart and well-prepared.
Julie, she does have some surprises for her attackers.
Glad she's both prepared and clear-headed!
Clever lady - I've been wondering what her plan was because clearly she had something in mind to save herself. Enjoyed the excerpt.
Oooh, what does that button do!!?? :-) Excellent scene writing, as ever, Ian.
Count me in, please, for Beta reading this. :-)It might take me a couple of weeks. :-)
Oh, unless this button does something amazing, it's not looking good for her. She seems resourceful and determined, so I'm hopeful.
Angelica, half your life as an assassin will do that to you :)
Veronica, think of it as a business continuity plan ...
Teresa, lovely to hear from you! I'll drop you an email shortly.
Caitlin, she's been in some tough spots and she knows what she's doing.
Belated Happy New Year, Ian. Here's to a productive 2017!
Now get writing. I want to know what happens next!
LOL, Ellie! Happy New Year, and you'll be glad to know it's all written. Just need to edit and publish.
Wow, I am so intrigued by what that button might do!
Elizabeth, you're about to find out...
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