Sunday Snippet: Feeding the Fury

Happy US Mother'sDay to those who celebrate. For those with parental issues, I hope you find joyand peace.

Had the rareexperience of seeing the northern lights in Ohio. I can honestly say I haven'tbeen so excited about something in a long time. The mysteries of space are awesome!

Fairly busy weekwith work projects and other odds and ends. Finished up a couple of manuscriptsand started a new one. I have another ongoing developmental edit that I need todive back into this week.

Not a bad week ofviewing even with a few distractions. I'm at a weird place with watching rightnow. I'm kind of leaning toward doing binge marathons again and I'm not sure Iwant to fall down that rabbit hole again.

Caught two episodesof Suspects and enjoyed both. This show is kind of choppy and that adds somethingto the experience. I love the cases and how things are rarely what they seemfrom the initial starting point.

Finished up the thirdseason of Madame Blanc Mysteries. I'd love to see another series of thisshow. The cast is a lot of fun.

Watched two episodesof Silent Witness. I've realized that after the next one, I'm completelycaught up with the show. I really like the current cast and I'm excited to seewhat the next season brings.

Enjoyed an episodeof Death in Paradise. This is one I hadn't seen before and I liked thecase. I'm also enjoying Jack's tenure as DI.

I think I finishedout the first season of Elementary. I'm actually thrilled with how theMoriarity plot played out. I love seeing Joan kind of step in to the role ofconsulting detective with ease and grace. The things she sees that Sherlockdoesn't is always interesting.

Watched anotherepisode of The Batman. Nice to see Ethan back again. I'm a little bummedwe haven't seen Chen for a while and I can't remember if she comes back or not.

Enjoyed the Valentineepisode of Classic Rugrats. I do remember this one but not everything aboutit. Nice to see some longer length episodes also.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Feeding the Fury,a novella that brings a couple together against the expressed wishes of theFury.

Here's the miniblurb:

Larue and Wade displease the Fury and she orders them tobattle each other in the pyre. But the two top mages decide they won't killeach other for her pleasure, instead they'll invoke the Rite of Phoenix and ifthey survive, the Fury will have to abdicate her throne.

And a preview snippet…

A persistent buzz zinged underLarue's skin.

"I require your presence inyour quarters."

Larue ended her conversation andexcused herself from the table. She had no idea why she'd received a summonsfrom Helena. Especially since the Fury had ample opportunity to deliver themessage in person.

Larue left the common area and madeher way to the residential wing. "I wonder what's going on now." Sheentered her suite to find Helena pacing back and forth. "You wanted to seeme?" Keeping her voice tentative, she hoped the tone calmed the Fury.

Helena whirled around. "You'requite the popular mage, aren't you?" She all but spit the words out.

So much for calm…

Larue blew out a slow breath. Shehated it when Helena got into a mood, mainly because Larue tried hard to notcause friction. Unless she counted the fun kind involving sex.

She shrugged and responded somewhatcarefully. "If you say so."

Helena snarled. "You uppity,ungrateful bitch." Her hand whipped out and slapped Larue with a stingingblow.

Larue gnashed her teeth and barelyheld back a retaliatory gesture. She wouldn't give the Fury the satisfaction.Larue had learned control and she'd use it.

Lifting her chin, she kept hervoice measured. "I'm not sure what brought this attack of venom on, but Idon't seek popularity." She met Helena's gaze square on. "Because ofthe past, I approach others with kindness because that's the way I like to betreated." Glancing away, she tried to appear understanding. "As theFury, you might not be in a position to do that. But … if you want your people toflourish and sing your praises, you could maybe do what you did with me—encourageall of them to find their strength instead of making them follow you with blind,numbing mindlessness." Okay, that might push the Fury's buttons.

Helena's lips thinned. "Irather think that little experiment proved the opposite. You're entirely too caughtup in your own brilliance, my pet." Her eyes flashed angrily. "Attemptingto usurp my power won't garner the acceptance you'll always seek but never find."With a flourish of her robes, she spun away and sailed out the door.

Larue tilted her head. She didn'tcrave Helena's power. Larue already found the only thing she wanted. A place tocall home.

Helena issued one final salvo."Tread very carefully from this point forward. And be ready to pay theprice if you misstep." With a cloud of hailstorm, Helena disappeared fromsight.

Larue released a gradual exhale. "Thatdidn't go well at all." And being put on notice didn't thrill her onelittle bit.

This story is a joyand a challenge. I love writing over-the-top antagonists but also worry aboutmaking them too mustache twirly … even if they're female.

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye