I’ve got a massive backlist out there, but I’m focusing mostly on my indie releases now, which a lot of my readers haven’t heard of yet. So we’re going to be putting up excerpts of the indie work I’ve done—both full length and short collections, each Wednesday, to encourage you to give my new work a try.
Today’s excerpt comes from Fury Awakened.
Buy Links:
Kindle: https://goo.gl/cbi2xd
Nook: https://goo.gl/f65m5u
iBooks: https://goo.gl/mSR1Q1
Kobo: https://goo.gl/mjWXhv
Createspace: https://goo.gl/hfdT2C
Amazon (print format): https://goo.gl/LhszXg
The internal bickering continued as I tried to get a hold of myself. I wiped my eyes on my sleeve, sniffling as the cold drips from my nose froze against my face.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to worry you. I’m just stressed out and having a rough evening. I need to sleep but I’m afraid I won’t be able to.”
Zhan snapped his fingers. “I can help you with that. Wait here. I’ll be right back.” He dashed off and I felt bad. The hedgemite was trying to be helpful.
Good to his word, Zhan reappeared shortly after with a mug in hand. “A sleeping tea. It won’t harm you, no fear of that, but will let you sleep without worry through the night till morning. Please, drink.”
I sniffed it cautiously. The aroma enveloped me like soft gauze, and my headache started to lift from just smelling the drink. I sipped it—peppermint, honey, and something else that reminded me of lemons, but…not quite. The warm liquid trickled down my throat, soothing the harsh strain from crying and phlegm. I drained the mug and handed it back to Zhan. I was already feeling the slow spread of warmth inside. My stomach began to unknot and while I was still feeling melancholy, I was able to breathe deeply again.
“That works fast.”
“Oh, yes. You’d best go back inside and crawl into your bed. You’ll be asleep before you know it.” Zhan stood, holding the mug. As I joined him, I wished there was something I could offer in return.
I held out my hand. “Thank you. I appreciate your kindness.”
He contemplated my fingers for a moment before taking them. “It’s my pleasure to help, Fury. Now sleep deep, and perhaps things will look brighter in the morning. They often do.”
I wanted to ask how anything like what I had learned could look brighter, daylight or not, but suppressed the urge. Zhan had been kind, and his kindness would allow me to sleep away the shock. Better to just be gracious.
“You’re right. They often do. Good night.” I turned and quietly re-entered the building, taking off my boots by the door. I tiptoed back to my mattress and removed my still-damp socks. Tam and Jason looked to both be sleeping deeply from what I could see, and so I slid back under my covers. Zhan’s drink worked like a charm. Within seconds, I was slumbering softly, and my sleep remained dream-free till morning.
