Today’s snippet theme is Black Moment. Enjoy a look from one of my books.
An snippet from Veils Rising…Turning, Dilana glanced at Magni and smiled. He grinned, then his eyes widened. Turning quickly, she saw the woman break free then throw three dark green bolts at her, then disappear. From their color, Dilana knew they were soul eaters and she had no way of stopping them.
The bolts reached her and Magni jumped in front of her. He collapsed under the strength of the power. The bolts sucked into his body and rolled though him, searching for escape.
She could see the heat from the bolts rolling around his skin. Dropping to her knees she gathered him in her arms and screamed, “Magni!”
He whispered, pain in his voice. “God, that hurt. How bad is it?”
Tears blurred Dilana’s vision as she watched the bolts start to suck out his life. “Damn you. Why did you go and do that? I can’t live without you.”
He reached up and touched her face. “I love you Dilana.”
His breathing grew labored. Dilana threw back her head and screamed. “Sari.”
A light flashed, then gold smoke formed. From within the gold smoke stepped a devastatingly beautiful woman. Her skin was onyx, her hair was silver piled atop her head in a ponytail that fell down her back. Mirrored shades covered her eyes and rested against sculptured cheeks. She took them off and her catlike green eyes gleamed while her full lips parted in a blood-red smile. A red-floor length coat covered a silver skin-tight leather vest which stopped above her navel and her matching skirt started below her navel, flowing to mid thigh. Her boots were red like her coat. She cocked her head and sniffed the air. A shudder rippled through her.
She turned back and looked at Dilana. “Death.” There was a pleasure on her face. She circled the clearing, sniffing the area.
Dilana said nothing as Sari struggled with her nature. Sari turned back to Dilana, her face cold and eyes blank. Sari looked around and took in everything. She turned and headed for Aunty King.
“No, save Magni,” Dilana demanded.
Sari didn’t stop or look at her. “She has a more immediate need.” Sari stopped over
Aunty King’s still body and said, “Live.”
Aunty King gasped, then sat straight up. She looked up at Sari. They looked at each other.
Aunty King nodded, “Thank you.”
Sari looked at her titled her head and asked. “You do not fear me?”
Aunty King laughed and replied, “Blunt, aren’t you.”
“Yes.”
“No, I don’t fear you,” Aunty King answered Sari’s original question.
Sari laughed, then put out her hand. Dilana was surprised, Sari didn’t touch anyone she didn’t know very well or trust and even then it was a rare occurrence. Aunty King looked surprised, then took her hand and stood. They looked at each other and something passed between them. As one, they turned and walked over to Dilana.
Sari stood next to Magni as Aunty King kneeled. Sari looked at him. She did nothing.
“Help him.”
Sari looked up at Dilana and replied, “I can’t. He’s going to die.”
“No. You have to help him.”
Sari watched, her a cold look on her face. “I can’t.”
Dilana watched her in disbelief, then anger overcame her. Putting Magni down, Dilana stood and stepped into Sari’s face. Sari didn’t change expression. Dilana grabbed her by her coat and jerked her forward.
“Help him before I kill you,” Dilana growled.
Sari didn’t change expression. She looked over Dilana’s head, pushed Dilana’s hands up, broke her hold and swung her to her side, all in one motion. Dilana watched as more dark green soul-eater bolts raced to them. They hit Sari in her chest. The bolt circled her then a sucking sound came and it was gone. Sari looked over at the female Banshee.
“Die.”
The Banshee screamed then rent apart and was no more. Sari turned back to Dilana.
“Where were we?”
Dilana shook her head. “Never mind. Please, Sari, help him!”
“I can’t,” Sari repeated.
Dilana dropped to her knees beside Magni. Taking him from his aunt, she held him close.
He looked up at her, his eye glazed with oncoming death.
Sari continued, “You can help him.”
Dilana looked up at her, “What?”
“You can save him.”
“I don’t have the power to heal soul eaters, Sari.” Dilana shook her head.
Sari shrugged. “Zarya said to tell you life is about living and death will follow without it.”
Dilana’s eyes narrowed. One of Zarya’s powers was that of a seer and she loved to talk in obscure terms. As she thought about Zarya’s message, Dilana reached up to push her hair back from her face. When her hand ran along the side of her neck, she felt a burning sensation. Looking down, she saw the Zerquel around her neck. She hadn’t put it on or called it. Suddenly she remembered what Zarya had said, the Zerquel did as it pleased.
Instinctively, she leaned over Magni and kissed him, passionately eating at his mouth. She could feel something coming out of his mouth and into hers. Leaning back, she threw her head back and gulped it down and felt it burn her throat. The Zerquel heated, then the feeling was gone. A firm hand touched her cheek. Looking back down she saw Magni’s clear amber gaze watching her.
He smiled. “Ah, cherie, give me the words.”
“I love you.” Dilana was surprised at the raw texture and deepness of her voice.
Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2007.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
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