For several stunned seconds, Leta simply stood rooted beside Fiearius’ bed without moving or speaking. One wrong move on her part, and she feared Fiearius would spiral back toward screaming hysteria or even worse, return to his utter stony silence.

But there was no denying that he looked more healthy and alive, showing his usual youthful fervor. His bare shoulders were slouched in bed, but his auburn hair sprung over his forehead and his tired eyes even contained a hint of mischief.

“About time you spoke up,” said Leta at last, releasing a careful breath of relief. “And you even sound like your old self.”

Fiearius lifted his eyebrows in admission. “Yeah … getting there. Trying to, anyway.” Continue reading →

BEGIN PART 2

The double doors were suddenly thrown open with a bang, followed by the cool clicking of heels on the floor. The lone man seated at the oval table looked up expectantly at the woman whose voice burst over the room.

“You had better know what you’re doing, Councillor,” the woman spat as she lowered into a chair. Even after all these years working alongside her, he only knew her by the planet she represented: Ellegy. Councillors didn’t have the luxury of names nor identity, even amongst one another.

All she had to him was her cold voice and her sharp pointed features which, in this moment, were dark with anger.  “Bringing us all together like this?” she went on. “Now? It’s dangerous. It’s irresponsible. We’re practically begging an assassin to come here and wipe us out.”

The man’s lip twitched in irritation, but his voice was calm. “The Council has met before,” he reminded. Continue reading →