The theme for 2014’s first Justromance.me hop is “It’s Cold Outside” — so here’s a sneak peek at an upcoming book set on a futuristic earth. The scene is during the dead of winter, and one of the characters (Natchenko) is visiting our heroine, Rissa. This is a work in progress called The Rings of Ch’thon, a scifi suspense. More about the story at the end of this snippet.
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“I must be out of my mind. What am I doing out here in this weather?” Natchenko shook his head, and wrapped both arms around himself. He trudged forward, passing only one other person on the sidewalk.
He’d slipped twice, but hadn’t fallen yet, until he reached the stairs leading to Rissa’s building. He went down on the ice, bruising nothing more than his dignity. With a muttered curse, he hauled himself to his feet.
“Damn snow.” At the foot of the stairs, he grabbed the railing, and hung on as he climbed. His feet slipped, but he caught himself this time, being extra careful on the icy steps.
Inside the foyer, Natchenko jammed his mittened hand against her apartment’s buzzer. Rissa, please be here. I have to talk to you. Have to tell you what I’ve found.
When no answer came, he slid his hand along the entire row of buzzers, sounding them all. The door’s bolt unlocked. He yanked it open and headed for her place, on the second floor.
Natchenko hadn’t finished knocking when the door cracked, and she peeked out. “Oh, it’s you. Come in.” She opened it wider, letting him in. “I heard the buzz, but wasn’t sure who–”
“Later.” He gripped her hand. “Tell me later.” He pulled off his hat, scattering snow onto her floor. Rissa was looking up at him, her eyes wide, her lips parted, unaware that the news he was about to bring was going to change her life. Might make her hate him. Forever. Natchenko yanked off his mitten, and slid a fingertip across her mouth. “Right now, just let me get warm.” He drew her into his arms, pulled her body up against his, and took her hot and pliant mouth.
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Rissa is bound to uphold the law, nail down justice, and right wrongs. Natchenko is bound to hide the truth, twist the world to suit his master’s purpose, and bring about the return of the old order. A stolen artifact draws them into a whirlwind of secrets, reveals a hidden order, and binds them to a truth so deadly, it threatens everything they know. The Rings of Ch’thon will change it all. Because nothing hides the truth forever.
https://kayelle.pminc.tech
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