Sunday Snippet: Truth Hurts

Coming off a very rainy week with lots of thunderstorms. That means I need to save after every paragraph I type. LOL

Watched another episode of Killjoys and, yeah, this is a great season! I love the banter and snark and pretty much everything.

Dark Matter is truly messing with everything and I'm quite enjoying it. I wouldn't mind if the pacing moved a little faster and I'm not completely sure I like having Four off on his own. That said, I'm willing to exercise patience and see where everything goes.

Wynonna Earp keeps blowing my mind. I'm excited to see what happens now that the baby news is out. The season feels a little off kilter but I like that because Wynonna is off kilter. My fingers are crossed for a third season because there's no way this story is over at the end of two.

Got another few episodes of Young Justice watched and still very much enjoying the dynamic of the group. I'm hoping the whole mole thing is wrapped up by the end of the season or at least the person is revealed. Should finish up in the next week and move on to the second season.

Can't wait for next month when I can start talking about The Last Ship. I'm so bummed they delayed the start of this season.

That's it for television. Tonight's post is from Truth Hurts, a novella that started with a writing community prompt of having one character comfort another after a loss.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Mardi Darr discovers her current lover is an enemy agent with an enchanted chip in his head. She gives the okay for a risky surgery and it lands him in a submersion chamber with no brain activity. Heth Santiago is responsible for Mardi being with Staz and he needs to help Mardi accept the truth… even though it hurts like a bitch.

And a preview snippet…

Mardi Darr crouched along the corner of the bar in Stinky Pete's tavern. "Staz, if this goes sideways, you need to take me out of play." She angled her head around. "I mean it. Kill me and make it quick." She turned her attention back to the front entrance.

Staz Manchun stared at her a moment then gave a brief nod. "Sure, Mardi. I won't let them get their hands on you." He shifted his position, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

Heth Santiago frowned. No way in hell would Staz have the stones to end Mardi's life. The Street Hawks, a gang of sorcerers, had a collective hard-on for her. If they got ahold of her, they'd manipulate her mage skill to boost their power. They salivated over the idea of capturing her before she hit her prime. A pureblood mage made a prime target for the sorcerer's quest for equality.

Heth focused on a way to get them out of the building before the crazy techno bastards stormed the place. Last count showed five hawks rolling up to the tavern. Heth's quick hex cast would buy them time, but not much. And if the members grew in number, the combined magick and tech could spell major trouble.

Joannie Blanchard leaned in close to Heth. "I'm sorry. I didn't know who else to call." Her gaze darted to Mardi. "Is she serious? About the killing her part?" She swallowed hard, probably to stop the wobble in her voice.

Heth didn't hesitate. "Yes. Absolutely." Most people wouldn't understand, especially outsiders like Joannie.

She enjoyed the intrigue of feeding information to the Wizard Mage Alliance and no doubt appreciated the accompanying pay. Heth didn't know much about her personal circumstances, but she'd provided good intel and they wouldn't leave her unprotected. The fact her dilemma brought Mardi back into his orbit couldn't be helped.

Mardi turned and met Heth's gaze. "Three more approaching from the rear. We need to make a move before they do." Her attention moved to Staz. "Don't forget. If they storm the bar, end it." She went back to scanning the perimeter of the tavern.

Staz gave another nod, but it lacked conviction. Heth rolled his eyes. Manchun wouldn't follow through.

Joannie lowered her voice. "He won't do it, will he?"

Heth shook his head. "Nope."

She met his gaze. "But you would." She waited a beat. "Because you love her."

Yeah, he would and, yes, he loved Mardi. More than anything.

Heth tilted his head to one side. "Thought you weren't dialed in." She listed as straight human.

Joannie smiled. "I'm not like you guys. But I do have some ability with attunement. I can read people and often get a sixth sense about them." She lifted her shoulder. "Nothing big."

Heth didn't let her downplay her gift. "Big enough to help us. I take it that's how you've always got accurate information?" His gaze scanned the side wall, seeking a weak spot or opening in the hex spell.

Joannie flashed a smile. "It helps. But I don't need ESP to catch the vibes you two throw off." She directed a look toward Mardi.

Heth narrowed his eyes, testing an area on the back wall. "For all the good those vibes do. We've got history, and baggage, and truckloads of crap between us." And if he could do things differently, he might… but he doubted it.

Joannie placed a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry. Just poked a stick in a gaping wound, didn't I?"

He shook his head. "Nah. It's alright. Maybe not the time to—"

Mardi turned around. "Dammit, Heth. If you can't make yourself useful and find a way out, I'll never work with you again."

Staz quirked a brow and glanced back and forth between Mardi and Heth.

Heth focused on the soft spot he'd detected and whispered an incantation. The area wavered, shimmered, and finally opened enough for him to push his will forward and blast a hole through the concrete and wood.

He huffed out a breath. "Done. Let's move." He grabbed Joannie's arm and propelled her toward the exit.

Mardi hopped up. "Good timing. They're ready to rush the place." She grasped Staz's shoulder. "Let's get out of here."

She went through first, followed by Staz. They took up point positions and motioned for Joannie to come out. Heth brought up the rear, sealing their escape route and adding a ward to keep the Street Hawks from pursuing.

He tapped Mardi's shoulder. "We're good. Let's get Joannie to a safe house."

Mardi shot him a rare smile. "Copy that."

I love writing tension between characters and Mardi and Heth have loads of it.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye