Cut Scene from Dark Currents (EE Book 2)

A reader recently mentioned that she enjoyed the Sicarius interview and would love to see more extras. Since writing new material might take time away from working on EE5, maybe I could find some cut scenes to post? Well, ask and ye shall receive.

This is a short snippet I found in the EE2 scrap pile with the title of “Maldy tries to take advantage” (No, no, not in that way.). It was originally part of the scene where the team is riding up to the hidden lake, and Amaranthe and Sicarius are in the back of the lorry, cleaning their weapons and discussing events. It breaks off at the end when the glowing-eyed cougar is about to attack.

~

Maldynado stepped into the lorry bed and eyed their cleaning kits. “Anyone want to scrub my weapons?”

“No,” Amaranthe said.

“But you’re a natural at that sort of thing,” Maldynado said. “I like the way you’ve laid everything out in perfectly parallel lines.”

“I prefer a tidy area.” She glanced at Sicarius. His weapons were spread out just as neatly.

“Hm.” Maldynado slid his rapier free of its sheath. “It’d be unfortunate if someone dirtied your area by carelessly leaving a grimy old sword next to your shiny clean weapons.”

He set his blade on the edge of her towel. Smudges marred the surface and something gummy stuck to the forte. Amaranthe’s fingers twitched toward it.

Maldynado nudged it so it was out of alignment with the others. “Just in case you finish yours and—”

Sicarius’s hand blurred, and the point of the rapier appeared at Maldynado’s chest. Sicarius still sat cross-legged, relaxed and calm except for the outstretched arm holding the sword.

Eyes bulging, Maldynado did not move.

“Tend to it yourself,” Sicarius said.

Maldynado stepped back, arms wide. “I will. It was a joke.”

“It was not. You were trying to take advantage of her.”

“I was not. I mean, I was, but not in a mean way. In a friendly way.”

In a lazy way, Amaranthe thought, though not with rancor. She would have cleaned it as a favor, then reminded Maldynado later that he owed her a favor. She remained silent, not sure whether she should agree with Sicarius or tell him she would prefer to handle the men in her own way. It seemed a weakness to let him stand up for her—and she hardly needed that when it came to Maldynado’s innocuous joshing—but she did not want to squabble with him in front of the others.

“She is not your chum; she’s your employer. Act like it.” Sicarius flipped the sword and extended the hilt to Maldynado.

Maldynado grabbed the rapier, jammed it into its scabbard, and threw up his hands. “Whatever you two say.” He pointed a finger at Amaranthe. “You do realize it’s going to be hard for us to set you up with that pretty warrior-caste newspaper fellow as long as you have a viper coiled around your arm.”

Though Sicarius did not move, Amaranthe felt the air grow frostier around him. She waved Maldynado back and tried to soften the tension with a smile. “Thank you, Maldynado, I’ll consider your advice.”

He sniffed and climbed back into the cab.

Amaranthe reassembled the pistol. “That’s why people don’t tease you, you know.” She measured powder to load the weapon, grimacing when the swaying of the lorry made her spill some. “If they dare, you threaten them or give them the Death Stare of Doom.”

“You can lead men or befriend them, not both,” Sicarius said.

She rammed a ball home. “While I value your counsel, you must know I’m not one to create artificial distance around myself. Leading through—”

 ~

Thanks for reading. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to writing Book 5!

Related Posts:

Emperor’s Edge Extras: Interview with Sicarius
Cut Scene from Deadly Games
Deadly Games, The Emperor’s Edge Book 3, Is out!