Sneak peek snippets for Chapter 9 of The Eternal Day
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“She was a very strong and courageous soul.” Nari took Jim’s hand. She looked up at him, an ache in her spirit. “She will never be forgotten.”
“No, she won’t.” Jim held her hand back. “Glad you’re with us again, Nari. Having you back is the silver lining in all this.”
Nari couldn’t fathom why. Her gaze went downcast. “I am so sorry. I have been an instrument in all of this pain. In your great loss…”
“That’s not true.”
“It is.” When Nari looked up again, it was right into Jim’s eyes. “Jim, you could not control yourself. But this whole time, before all of this, I could.” Everyone was listening now. “When the Great Eternity…When my father left this world, I felt so alone. So afraid. Bellroc and Skrael became so cruel, but I wanted us to stay together. No matter the cost.” Nari shut her eyes. “How high a cost it was. And I do not believe I have paid for it.”
Douxie knelt before her, taking her hands. “Maybe you won’t have to.”
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“Krel, this isn’t all on you,” Zoe said softly. “I’m here to help, remember?”
“I know…I know, I just…” He squeezed his eyes shut and choked. Zoe went back to his side and knelt.
“You need a break. Why don’t you go back downstairs for a bit?”
“No, I can’t! I need to—”
“You need to ease up on yourself.” Zoe pulled at Krel’s arm until he got up then started nudging him toward the door, ignoring his protests. “Just take ten minutes. Or all the minutes you need. I’ll keep working up here so don’t worry.” She finally got him outside the study. Zoe stood in the doorway and met Krel’s gaze. The fear and sorrow in his eyes provoked a tenderness that she hadn’t felt in ages. Not since her little siblings moved on. “It’s gonna be alright. We’ll get through this.”
---
The light made a turn, taking the voices of Jim’s loved ones with it. Jim broke into a run, his tears flowing sideways. Mirrors manifested all along the walls, and Jim could see the monster in his peripherals. Sprinting next to him, flashing its fangs in a sickening smile. Jim blinked. The hall was a bloodbath. He blinked again. The floors were clean.
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“I can’t take it easy, Steve!” She ripped her hands out of his, backing away. Luug yelped and scurried away to Nari. Guilt stung Aja’s core when she saw the hurt on Steve’s face but her frustration bowled over it. “Didn’t you see what happened? I made a promise as Queen to protect this planet and I failed! All of those people…Even the Akiridions on the ships were…A-And now Varvatos is like this. I couldn’t…” Aja shut her eyes and wheezed. “We have to act now! Bellroc has to be stopped or the universe will be destroyed!”
Aja’s wording took everyone aback.
“What do you mean the universe?” Zoe asked.
~
Chapter 9 is currently at 25 pages and I’m nowhere near finished :’) Buuut we’re getting there! And I knew it was gonna be a longer chapter. I’m trying to work on a little bit of the chapter every day I can (so when I’m not working lol). Have some nuggets for now ^^
