Sunday Snippet: Quiver Full of Arrows

Not a bad week. I made excellent headway on the two projects I'm editing and got some writing of my own done. The weather has been so nice and comfortable. Not quite chilly enough to be considered fall but also not the sweltering yuck we often have this time of year.

I'm finally more or less back on my regular viewing schedule. I might be dropping one of my streamers because they're going to paid only and, frankly, I'm not that interested in the content to pay five bucks a month for it. We'll see how it goes.

Caught several episodes of Classic Rugrats. I'm into season four and trawling through the memory banks. I love reminiscing about sitting with the kids and watching this when they were wee little ones.

Watched maybe the last episode of Chicago Med for me. This is the streamer that's going to paid only and I'm not that interested in continuing to watch. I'll see what happens in a few weeks.

Enjoyed two episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. I have so much love for this series and tend to rewatch on a semi-frequent basis. There's a very good stable of villains and the animation is great.

Caught another episode of Ted Lasso. Gotta say I thoroughly enjoyed Ted losing his shit with Rebecca. I also loved the whole method of breaking the curse. This is a great show.

Watched the season eight finale of The Brokenwood Mysteries. I have a behind the scenes episode to watch then another wait for new episodes. Looking forward to seeing what Mike had to say to the proposal at the end.

Enjoyed the second part of Silent Witness. Looking forward to seeing what season twenty has to offer. I'm loving the dynamic between the characters.

Finished up season twenty-five of Classic Who. Not a bad way to end the season. I also discovered there's at least one more so I'll start it this week.

Caught another episode of Strangest Things. I liked the segments in this episode. A hoax and a spectacular way-before-its-time device caught my attention.

Loved the episode of The Book of Boba Fett. It featured the return of the Mandalorian and I'm a little spoiled for season two of The Mandalorian because of this, but I'm totally okay with that.

Enjoyed another episode of Only Murders in the Building. This show. I have a lot of love for it and can't wait to jump in to season two.

Watched the season eight finale of Peak Practice. A lot of moving pieces and setting things up for next season. I'll be starting nine in the near future.

Caught another MasterClass lesson with Roxane Gay. She focused on the business of writing and I ended up getting some good information from this lesson.

Umbrella Academy ended up being great. I'm really loving this show. I very much enjoy finding out little bits and pieces about the characters and the pacing is excellent.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Quiver Full of Arrows, a novella that pulls the characters into facing their past transgressions while nudging them into finding a future together.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Frey Witter, codename Crossfire, is sent to bring in mercenary for hire, Solaris Polanski, aka Moon Shadow, for a covert mission. He's got one little problem. Solaris answers to no one—and she used to work for the other side.

And a preview snippet…

Frey held out as long as possible after retrieving the diamonds.

Turning on to the long, winding road that would take them to the operation enclave, he slowed down for the twists and turns. "Okay, my curiosity is piqued. What's your history with Coleman?" No doubt it would be nothing good.

Solaris gave him a long look. "Why do you want to know?" Her fingers curled into her palms, the only indication she'd rather talk about anything else.

Frey rolled one shoulder. "If I'm going to the involved in this deal, I gotta know what Norm will throw at me." He shot her a sideways glance. "And he'll fling shit everywhere because you're messing with his plan." The man had control issues with his control issues.

Solaris smiled. "Messing with his shit is my favorite pastime." She straightened in the seat, angling toward Frey. "Okay, Coleman and I go way back. And the first thing you need to know is that I hate him … with a passion." Her lips twisted in disgust.

Frey grunted. "The thousand burning suns kind or something less intense?" Oddly, it mattered because being a buffer meant he could get burned.

Solaris pursed her lips. "Hmm, let's gо with five hundred thousand burning suns for now." She purposefully straightened her fingers and splayed them on her thighs.

Wow, okay. Frey shot her a quick look. "Did he sacrifice you for a mission?"

Solaris narrowed her eyes. "Is that in some dossier about me?" Her hands fisted again.

Frey shook his head. "No. It's SOP for Coleman. He burns through assets at a higher rate than anyone else." A not-so-secret secret among the agency.

Solaris snorted. "There is that." She stared straight ahead. "The second thing you need to know is he'll consider me expendable, so whatever big operation he's got planned, he's not expecting me to make it out alive." Her voice never wavered, her tone matter-of-fact.

Frey didn't the sound of that. But the idea tracked. Coleman didn't earn his hard-assed reputation by not being ruthless.

Frey growled. "We'll see about that." He'd examine why he gave a shit later … somewhere away from the agency.

Solaris raised her eyebrows. "Look, don't go off book on my account. I know the score. I mean, you were supposed to kill me if I didn't agree to come in." She scowled. "Didn't you think to ask why?"

Yeah, he had. And he did make a query. And he'd been handed a thick folder full of her exploits.

But his bullshit meter just blew the limit now that he'd interacted with Moon Shadow—Solaris. Clearly, a lot got left unwritten about her.

Frey slid a quick glance her way. "For the record, I don't always follow orders. I go where they tell me and follow the planned operation, but I make my own calls when shit goes sideways." He put his eyes back on the road. "I read your file—even the redacted material. But, obviously, there's always stuff—good and bad—that doesn't make it in." He slowed and made the turn into the parking lot then cut the engine. "Norm's a dick—but he gets results. That said, my gut says he doesn't want to go up against his target if you're on their side."

Solaris shrugged. "He's not stupid. I'll give him that." She spread her fingers again, flexing them twice.

Frey nodded. "You're right. So, he takes you out, either by getting you to work for him or by killing you." Ruthless and efficient … and beyond fucked up.

Solaris opened her mouth but paused before speaking. "Boiled down to its essence … yes. And since I'm not dead, he'll assume I'm on board with whatever fucked-up plan he has." Her gaze went hard and angry but she didn't curl her hands into fists.

Frey focused on her pause and what she didn't say. Which means there's more to the story. Oddly, he wanted the full scoop. A rarity.

Then again … she'd fascinated him from the first glimpse of her file. He had a major gut check. And he'd formed an initial impression. No one gave her credit … or a chance. Coleman would have exploited her skill set to his own ends. The man didn't stray from his modus operandi. Which put Moon Shadow at a disadvantage—exactly where Norm wanted her.

Frey paused before he popped his door open. "Here's a promise I will keep. As long as you're considered an agency asset, I'll have your back—even if I don't end up as your handler." A real possibility.

Solaris gave him a bland look. "Pretty words and a nice sentiment. And I'm sure you're sincere." Her gaze changed to something harder and more determined. "But I don't trust anyone one hundred percent." She pulled on the door handle and glanced over her shoulder. "And if you're not my handler … I hope you're ready with your quiver full of arrows—because I'm not working under Coleman's direct supervision in any circumstance." She exited the truck and stood at the front, her gaze sweeping the area.

If Coleman pulled the asshole card and refused her stipulation, would Frey be able to notch an arrow? A gut check said no.

He slid out of the vehicle. "Fuck me. This could go balls up in a big way."

I have a ton of love for this story and these characters. Things came together in a terrific way for Frey and Solaris and there could be more from them.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye