EPPIE EXCERPTS

Hara's Legacy by Bianca D'Arc
©All Rights Reserved
Website: www.biancadarc.com

"Justin is mad as a hornet about something." Caleb slapped his work gloves together to rid them of the perpetual dust. He laid his hat aside and took off his jacket as he stomped inside the big kitchen, greeting his wife with a smacking kiss.

Jane put her coat on and picked up a wire basket. "I have to get the eggs anyway, maybe I'll try to see what's up with him."

Caleb stayed her with a hand on her arm. "He's in a foul temper, Janie. Don't let him upset you."

She patted his hand, then reached for the doorknob. "I won't. But, Caleb, he needs a friend."

Caleb muttered as he watched her traipse down the path toward the chicken coop and nearby barn where Justin kept his Harley.

"What he needs is a woman," Caleb growled, knowing Jane couldn't hear him, trying hard not to let guilt flood his mind. Jane would be back like a shot then, and he would have to explain why he felt guilty about being the only brother with a wife.

He'd tried desperately to hide the guilt caused by his belief that he'd stolen Jane out from under his brother's noses. He'd always known his youngest brother, Mick, was sweet on her, but he'd been away in grad school. Of course, Caleb also suspected the middle brother, Justin, would have courted her too, had he been home at the time her daddy died. Caleb felt like a heel. He was supposed to protect his younger brothers, not cheat them out of the best woman in the world.

At the time, he'd figured they would find other great women, eventually. Now though, with the shortage of women, the prospects were grim, and Caleb felt worse each day and each night he spent in Jane's loving arms.

Caleb watched her through the kitchen window, but staggered as he was hit by a vision. It clouded his senses in a way he hadn't felt in years. At least not this strongly. Not since the dire revelation of the alien invasion had he been gripped so tightly by his gift. He slumped into one of the hard wooden chairs, letting the vision take him where it would. Surrendering to it, he feared what he might see, but resolved to use his gift to protect his family¾the most important thing in his life.

A Nobel Sacrifice by Ciara Gold
©All Rights Reserved
Website: www.ciaragold.com  

I would speak with you alone, Tared.

His head snapped back. She'd purposefully sent her thoughts to him. Yea, 'twas good that she learned to use his gift to her advantage. He followed her a short distance into the tunnel, retracing their previous steps.

"You did well this evetide."

"Nay, I almost lost them all. Blundering children to be so fearful of my leadership. What do they want from me?" Joyella paced before him, agitated. Then she stopped. "Forgive me. I needed to vent." He chuckled. Draccus, but he loved the dragon's fire that lit her

eyes when she was angry. Yea, he would love to harness that energy for more carnal endeavors.

"I can think of other ways to help release the tension from your soul."

"No, beast, come no closer." Her hand rose to ward him off. "I won't be tempted by your lustful nature. Not now. Not ever."

"Strong words for a woman destined to be mine. But – I can wait." He backed away and sat on an outcropping of rock. From the pouches along his waist, he pulled a nourishment packet. "Here, you need food."

She took the offered sustenance, sat across from him, and tore open the seal. The food inside didn't look appetizing, but it had all the needed nutrients. She took a bite, realizing she was hungrier than she thought. "You need to eat also."

"In time. Right now, I have an appetite for something else. I need to suppress the urge before I can eat."

She choked on a bite. He laughed, the sound echoing off the chamber walls. He seemed so different when he smiled or laughed, not at all the ferocious warrior bent on claiming his due. She set the packet in her lap and played with the torn end. "Why did you help me?"

He gazed at the stalactites above her. "I want you to succeed."

"But you could have incited my warriors to follow you instead. They want to trust someone that's actually been to the surface." She stared at her stomach. "Someone who hasn't betrayed their faith."

"We would lose a day if we backtracked. Your way is just as valid."

~

"But how do you know?" Joyella gripped the crisp edge of the container. Food started to spill out and she relaxed her hold. But she had to know. She needed some form of reassurance because the people had forced her to doubt her own mind, to doubt yorellite's vision.

"I saw what you saw."

"But that doesn't mean you have to believe my thoughts. What if they were only fanciful dreams? How can you be sure I know the way out?"

He made no comment.

She stared at his averted face, trying to see deep into his soul. Then she knew. "By Yutenk's Glow, I don't believe you. You didn't just read my thoughts, did you?"

He shrugged. "I did what I thought best."