Sunday Snippet: Utter Not a Word
Well, it's been aweek. I hit a slump even though I got a lot accomplished. Not sure why I endedup being so distracted, but I struggled to stay focused on anything.
Had a very slow viewingweek, probably due to being randomly distracted by everything.
I watched anotherepisode of Strangest Things and enjoyed the artifacts featured. Thisshow makes interesting connections when they're trying to figure out whatsomething is.
Caught a Deathin Paradise marathon, which ended up being fun to watch. I'm still doing afull watch in chronological order, but fun to have a whole day of great episodes.
Enjoyed another episodeof Battlestar Galactica. We finished up the first half of season two andduring our discussion we remembered how long we had to wait for the next half,especially because the episode kind of ends on something of a cliffhanger. Andthere were so many great moments in this episode!
I planned to start CannesConfidential this week but ended up being too distracted. I'll be watchingit in the very near future and will post my reaction next week.
That's pretty muchit for television this week. Tonight's post is from Utter Not a Word, anovella that brings a couple together after the murder of a dear friend and thedeath of a mentor.
Here's the mini-blurb:
Maren Roth is reeling over the loss of her oldest friendafter a skirmish with an opposing faction goes horribly wrong. Wayne Edelman, asuperior adept with the responsibility of their sect resting in his hands,offers comfort and support in a very unexpected way and Maren realizes the manhas become an expert on reading her moods. With a huge battle brewing, shetakes solace in the concept that together with Wayne, they might have afighting chance at winning.
And a preview snippet…
"Jessie, no! Don't sendthe—"
Maren woke up with a scream, herhead pounding and her eyes filling with tears.
The dark room cast gray and blackshadows and didn't resemble the warehouse.
A hand reached for her. Wayne'shere.
Right here.
"Hey, careful now." Wayneeased up from the chair and settled beside her. "You're back at the manor."He grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him. "You've got a nastybump on your head, and you're banged up."
Yep. Physically and emotionally.Banged up. Wrecked. Ravaged.
Maren bit the inside of her cheekbut couldn't stop the flow of liquid streaming down her cheeks. She opened hermouth, but nothing came out but a garbled whimper that ended on a sob.
Wayne carefully scooped her up ontohis lap. "Yeah, it's hitting hard. I know." He smoothed a hand overher hair.
Maren tucked her head under hischin. "She's gone. My oldest friend in the world." She took thetissues Wayne grabbed for her. "I can't deal."
How did she go on without Jessie?
Wayne hugged her closer. "Iknow. I know." His fingers carefully pressed around her nape. "How'sthe head?"
She grimaced. "Hurts. Thetears aren't helping." But damned if she could stop them.
He nodded. "Yeah, I get it.But you'll feel better letting all that out." He reached over and turned onthe lamp then carefully checked her cuts and scrapes. "Any pain fromthese?"
Maren shook her head. "I can'tfeel them. I'm too numb." She shivered a little and wondered if feelinglike drowning underwater would ever stop.
Wayne dragged the blanket up andover her shoulders. "Do you remember what happened after Jessie wentdown?" His voice held no censure but something wrong must have happened.
Maren shook her head. "I remembergiving her the rites and burning her. You bringing me here. Vaguely rememberthe shower." She eased back to meet his gaze. "Why?"
Concern creased the corners of hiseyes. "Do you remember using hellfire at all?"
I unleashed hellfire? Geez. That explained the concern. Notin a chastising way, because he also stayed with her because of her head injury.But if she used the forbidden deterrent, he'd have some serious explaining todo.
Maren shook her head again. "Idon't. Not really. Did I hurt anyone?" She had no recollection of whathappened to the wizards and their team of mages.
Wayne shrugged. "Somewhat, butno one died." He didn't elaborate or say how bad any injuries were.
Maren wanted to care but couldn't."I'm not at a place where she can give a shit about hurting the wizardswho killed Jessie." Her shoulders squared and an ache went through her.
Wayne grunted then gently proddedfor answers. "Did you intend to kill them?" Again, his tone lackedany heat or anger—he only needed to ask.
She rolled her good shoulder."Honest answer? I don't know. I can't be sure one way or the other." Rageand fear fueled her after Jessie went down. "But I can say if I wantedthem dead not even you could've stopped me." Her eyes filled again. "So… I guess that's the answer we'll have to live with." Her throat cloggedand swallowed another sob.
Wayne cupped her face. "It'lldo, because I agree. If you'd wanted them dead, they would be." He shiftedhis position and settled a little further into the pillows on her bed.
Maren put her head on his shoulder,letting the tears fall and the muffled sobs escape. Wayne whispered soothingwords, creating a safe zone to express her grief. She didn't know how long shecried before she drifted off again.
But she appreciated having him withher … because, right there in Wayne's arms, she finally found a moment of solace.
I'm taking a bit ofa dive into the grieving process with this story and I'm pretty happy with how it'scoming together right now.

That's it for thisweek.
Cheers!
Skye