Chest of Bone (The Afterworld Chronicles Book 1)
Page 39
My brain scrambled to process. Splotchy pinkish-red shiny skin, hairless, long canid jaws—a Daliesque version—teeth overlapping, small deepset eyes, and strings of drool stretching downward. Gross. And scary as shit.
What was it doing? Smelling. I could hear its snuffles, like the dogs, only louder, scenting for something.
What would James do?
That pierced my brain just as the creature’s head swiveled slowly in my direction, eyes now a putrid glowy lime green, staring right into mine.
It made a chittery sound, like a thousand bug legs scraping together. I hated chittery.
Goosebumps erupted across my flesh. A few fireflies swirled my hands, the first in months. Yeah, but I doubted they’d come through in a pinch.
The creature’s head snaked forward.
My fireflies sure caught its interest. “Yeah? You want a piece of me?”
Its jaws opened, a growl. It leapt.
I did the same, shooting as I did, hit its shoulder, knife slicing upward as it plowed into me.
Shit, it weighed a ton.
My gun flew from my hand as the thing plastered me to the ground. I kicked out, twisted my legs around its torso, tried to flip it. Not happening.
My arms, trapped beneath its chest. I pried my hands open just as that canid head, jaws wide, ran up my neck, slow, sniffing, coating me with drool, licking me. Gods. Why didn’t it bite me? Rip out my throat? Tear my face off?
Screw this.
I head butted it, got my hands open and clawed whatever fricken’ flesh I came into contact with.
The creature howled, jumped back, but I hung on with my right hand, tore a knife from its sheath with my left, leapt high pushing off the creature and slammed the knife down on its neck. Rolled out of the way and into a crouch.
A bony hand pressed to its throat, it swayed as it watched me. Assessing its next best move? I didn’t wait, but forward rolled, came underneath it and sliced at its femoral artery.
The thing moved, fast, too fast, missed the artery, but caught its thigh. I jonesed on the grate of bone against steel.
“What’s going…Eeekkk!” Lulu’s scream slammed into me, a deadly distraction. Any second Ronan would join her, and I didn’t want the creature anywhere near those kids.
The creature’s head snapped to her, hunger in its lime-green eyes, and I threw a knife straight to its…
Damn! Not its heart, but its back, as it turned, snarled, and smashed through the picture window, a trail of drool and blood in its wake.
TO BE CONTINUED…
I must give thanks and appreciation to so many for helping me see Chest of Bone through to publication. To Angela Bell, who guided and informed me on all things FBI. To Officer Melissa Hetrick, who did the same with guns and knives. To Rosemary Hill, Michelle Edwards, and Kathleen Ricciardi, who read the manuscript post-Beta. To my fabulous Beta readers, Abby, Alisa, Debi, Ericka, Kathy, and Richard. To Ilona Andrews, who took the time and trouble to find me my wonderful Betas. There would be no book without them. To my incomparable writing partner, Camille Cotton, whom I adore. To the many Curiosity Quills folks, but most especially Eugene Teplitsky for his breathtaking cover; Nikki Tetreault, for her willing ear; and Alisa Gus, an incredibly skilled and caring editor who added so much to this novel. To my longtime agent, Peter Rubie—thank you! To Isis of Helheimen Design, who painted the perfect portrait of Clea and Larrimer. My swoons were real, Isis! To Grace Draven, Jeffe Kennedy, Tiffany Roberts, Mel Sterling, Lora Gasway, Kimberly Trochesset Ladd, Pilar Williams Seacord, Susan Emans, and Colleen Champagne, who welcomed me into their world of fantasy and magic. To Monica Lin, who cheered me on, and to Mark Bijasa and Johnny, for their invaluable design expertise. To Cynthia Michaels, who took me in, and, more importantly, took in Gracie, Penny, and Cranberry. Finally, to my beloved family: Blake and Ben; Peter, Kathleen, and Summer—I can’t thank you enough for your enduring support and for your deep and abiding love.
Please know that any errors, screw ups, or messes are mine alone, and not those of the wonderful and supportive folks named above.
My new paranormal romantic suspense series, The Afterworld Chronicles, launches withChest of Bone, (February 2017 Curiosity Quills Press). My mystery/thrillers—Body Parts,The Dead Stone,The Bone Man, andThe Grief Shop, a Daphne du Maurier winner—feature homicide counselor Tally Whyte and are soon to be ebooks. I co-wrote (with Lisa Souza)10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters. My late husband, William G. Tapply, and I ran The Writers Studio workshops.
I grew up in professional theater—the Ivoryton Playhouse—and planned to become an actress. Instead, I’ve slung hamburgers, managed a scuba shop, and am a professor. I’m a mom to two humans and a furry pack. My passions for scuba diving, fly fishing, and knitting pop up in my novels. As do vinho verde and bourbon (not together!) and Maine lobster and chocolate (also not together!). I sing musical comedy scores in the shower, unfortunately not an Equity venue, write daily, and teach fiction and modern media writing at Clark University. I’m currently pounding the keys on the series’ second novel,Chest of Stone.
Larrimer’s Mitts
by Rosemary (Romi) Hill
Size: Small {Medium, Large}
Hand Circumference: 7 {8, 9} inches unstretched
Materials: Cloudborn Fibers [100% Fine Highland Wool, 221yds/100g]; Worsted weight; Slate Heather; 1 skein
1 - each set US 5/3.75mm and US 6/4mm double pointed needles OR 2 - sets each US 5/3.75mm and US 6/4mm circular needles
waste yarn, stitch markers, tapestry needle, cable needle
spare circular needle, US 3 or smaller, to hold stitches
Gauge (unblocked): 18 sts/24 rows = 4”/10cm in stockinette stitch using larger needles
Every knitter’s gauge is different; please check gauge!
Stitches used:
Reverse stockinette stitch: with RS facing, purl every row
Stockinette stitch: with RS facing, knit every row
Abbreviations:
BO: bind off
c6l (cable 6 stitches left): slip 3 sts onto cable needle and hold to front; k3, k3 from cable needle
c6r (cable 6 stitches right): slip 3 sts onto cable needle and hold to back; k3, k3 from cable needle
CO: cast on
k: knit
k2tog tbl: (left leaning decrease) knit 2 stitches together tbl
k tbl: knit through back loop to twist stitch
M1: make knit stitch by pulling up bar between sts, twisting and knitting into loop
M1L: make knit stitch by pulling up bar between sts, twisting bar to the left, and knitting into loop
M1R: make knit stitch by pulling up bar between sts, twisting bar to right, and knitting into loop
p2tog: purl 2 sts together
pm: place marker
p: purl
RS: right side
sl m: slip marker
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side
Note: instructions are given for both mitts where possible. Where mitts differ, separate instructions are given for left and right mitts.
LEFT AND RIGHT MITTS
Cast on and ribbing:
CO 34 {40, 44} sts using smaller needles.
Arrange sts evenly on 4 double pointed needles or on two circular needles. Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist cast on round.
Work 3 rounds of reverse stockinette stitch, then work in k1 tbl, p1 ribbing for 2 {2.5, 3} inches.
Switch to larger needles.
Right Mitt ONLY:
Change to working in stockinette stitch with cable pattern, as follows.
Rounds 1 and 2: knit
Round 3: knit 2 {4, 5} sts, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Rounds 4-8: knit
Round 9: knit 2 {4, 5} sts, c6l, c6r, knit 3 {4, 5} sts, pm, M1, pm, knit to end.
Round 10: knit
Round 11: knit to marker, sl m, M1L, k1, M1R, sl m, knit to end
Round 12: knit
Ro
und 13: knit to marker, sl m, M1L, k3, M1R, sl m, knit to end: 5 sts in thumb gusset
Round 14: knit
Round 15: knit 2 {4, 5} sts, c6l, c6r, knit 3 {4, 5} sts, sl m, M1L, knit to marker, M1R, sl m, knit to end.
Round 16: knit
Round 17: knit to marker, sl m, M1L, knit to marker, M1R, sl m, knit to end
Round 18: knit
Rounds 19 and 20: repeat rounds 17 and 18: 11 sts in thumb gusset
Small ONLY: Repeat rounds 15 and 16: 13 sts in thumb gusset
Work 4 rounds in stockinette stitch
Divide thumb sts: k2 sts, c6l, c6r, k3, remove marker, place 13 gusset sts on waste yarn, remove marker, CO 1 st over gap, knit to end: 35 working sts
Medium ONLY: Repeat rounds 15-18: 15 sts in thumb gusset
Work 2 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Next round: k4, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Work 3 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Divide thumb sts: knit to marker, remove marker, place 15 gusset sts on waste yarn, remove marker, CO 1 st over gap, knit to end: 41 working sts
Work 1 round in stockinette stitch.
Next round: k4, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Large ONLY: Repeat rounds 15-20: 17 sts in thumb gusset
Next round: k5, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Work 5 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Next round: k5, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Work one round in stockinette stitch.
Divide thumb sts: knit to marker, remove marker, place 17 gusset sts on waste yarn, remove marker, CO 1 st over gap, knit to end: 45 working sts
Left Mitt ONLY:
Change to working in stockinette stitch with cable pattern, as follows.
Rounds 1 and 2: knit
Round 3: knit 20 {24, 27} sts, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Rounds 4-8: knit
Round 9: knit 17 {20, 22} sts, pm, M1, pm, knit 3 {4, 5} sts, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Round 10: knit
Round 11: knit to marker, sl m, M1L, k1, M1R, sl m, knit to end
Round 12: knit
Round 13: knit to marker, sl m, M1L, k3, M1R, sl m, knit to end: 5 sts in thumb gusset
Round 14: knit
Round 15: knit 17 {20, 22} sts, sl m, M1L, knit to marker, M1R, sl m, knit 3 {4, 5} sts, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Round 16: knit
Round 17: knit to marker, sl m, M1L, knit to marker, M1R, sl m, knit to end
Round 18: knit
Rounds 19 and 20: repeat rounds 17 and 18: 11 sts in thumb gusset
Small ONLY: Repeat rounds 15 and 16: 13 sts in thumb gusset
Work four rounds in stockinette stitch
Divide thumb sts: knit to marker, remove marker, place 13 gusset sts on waste yarn, remove marker, CO 1 st over gap, k3, c6l, c6r, knit to end: 35 working sts
Medium ONLY: Repeat rounds 15-18: 15 sts in thumb gusset
Work 2 rounds in stockinette stitch
Next round: [knit to marker, sl m] 2 times, k4, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Work 3 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Divide thumb sts: knit to marker, remove marker, place 15 gusset sts on waste yarn, CO 1 st over gap, sl m, knit to end: 41 working sts
Work 1 round in stockinette stitch.
Next round: knit to marker, remove marker, k4, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Large ONLY: Repeat rounds 15-20: 17 sts in thumb gusset
Next round: [knit to marker, sl m] 2 times, k5, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Work 5 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Next round: [knit to marker, sl m] 2 times, k5, c6l, c6r, knit to end.
Work one round in stockinette stitch.
Divide thumb sts: knit to marker, remove marker, place 17 gusset sts on waste yarn, remove marker, CO 1 st over gap, knit to end: 45 working sts
LEFT AND RIGHT MITTS
All sizes: work 5 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Switch to smaller needles and work in stockinette stitch until mitt measures 1 {1-1/2, 2} inches above separation for thumb.
Little Finger:
Knit 4 {5, 6} sts, and put 28 {32, 34} sts on spare circular needle. CO 1 st over gap and knit to end: 8 {10, 12} working sts. Work in k1 tbl, p1 ribbing for 1/2 {3/4, 1} inch(es) using dpns or 2 circular needles. Bind off loosely in pattern.
Upper Hand:
Place held sts on working needles. Join yarn, pick up and knit 2 sts along CO edge at base of little finger. Work stockinette stitch in the round for 1/4 {1/4, 1/2} inches: 30 {34, 36} sts
Ring Finger:
Knit 5 {6, 6} sts and place 20 {22, 24} sts on spare circular needle. CO 1 {1, 2} sts over gap and knit 5 {6, 6} sts: 11 {13, 14} sts.
Small and medium ONLY: [k1 tbl, p1] 2 times, k1 tbl, p2tog, and work [k1 tbl, p1] to end.
ALL SIZES: work in k1 tbl, p1 ribbing for a total of 3/4 {1, 1-1/4} inch(es) using dpns or 2 circular needles. Bind off loosely in pattern.
Middle Finger:
Rejoin yarn; pick up and knit 2 sts at base of ring finger. Knit first 5 {5, 6} held sts onto working needles. CO 1 {2, 2} sts over gap, place last 5 {5, 6} held sts (from other end of spare circular needle) on working needles and knit sts: 13 {14, 16} working sts.
Small ONLY: [k1 tbl, p1] 3 times, k2tog tbl, p1, and work [k1 tbl, p1] to end.
ALL SIZES: work in k1 tbl, p1 ribbing for a total of 3/4 {1, 1-1/4} inch(es) using dpns or 2 circular needles. Bind off loosely in pattern.
Index Finger:
Place remaining sts on working needles. Rejoin yarn; pick up and knit 2 {2, 4} at base of middle finger: 12 {14, 16} working sts. Work in k1 tbl, p1 ribbing for a total of 3/4 {1, 1-1/4} inch(es) using dpns or 2 circular needles. Bind off loosely in pattern.
Thumb:
Place thumb gusset sts on working needles, join yarn and pick up and knit 1 sts over gap between hand and thumb: 14 {16, 18} sts. Work in k1 tbl, p1 ribbing for a total of 3/4 {1, 1-1/4} inch(es) using dpns or 2 circular needles. Bind off loosely in pattern.
Finishing:
Sew in ends, closing up holes between fingers and thumb, and hand. Wash using wool wash. Remove excess water and lay flat to block. When thoroughly dry, wear and enjoy!
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Fade, by A.K. Morgen
(http://bit.ly/2eXE70U)
When Arionna Jacobs and Dace Matthews meet, everything they thought they knew about life begins to unravel. Neither understands the frightening things occurring around them, and they’re running out of time to figure out what it all means. An ancient Norse prophesy of destruction has been set in motion, and what destiny has in store for them is bigger than either could have ever imagined.
The Outs, by E.S. Wesley
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Memory-stealing blackouts push a seventeen-year-old honor student into kidnapping a little girl to keep her safe from the creature in her room, but the new voice in his head may be worse than any monster in the dark. Now it’s up to a disabled comic book fangirl to save them both before the girl he stole unravels everyone’s future.
Kasper Mützenmacher’s Cursed Hat, by Keith R. Fentonmiller
(http://bit.ly/2dVqcb9)
Berlin hatmaker Kasper Mützenmacher’s carefree life of fedoras, jazz, and booze comes to a screeching halt when he must use the god Hermes’ “wishing hat,” a teleportation device, to rescue his flapper girlfriend from the shadowy Klaus, a veil-wearing Nazi who brainwashes his victims until they can’t see their own faces. Klaus eventually discovers the wishing hat’s existence and steals it on Kristallnacht. But even if Kasper gets back the hat and spirits his family to America, they won’t be safe until they break the curse that has trapped them in the hat business for sixteen centuries.
Muddy Waters, by Sara O. Thomp
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(http://bit.ly/2g9Wh2q)
Convicted for murdering her family, and locked up in a psych ward, a Witch makes a deal with the FBI to be their newest Supernormal Investigator—freedom has a price, though it’s one she’s willing to pay if it means she can track down who set her up for the fall. Solving crimes, doing magic, drinking bourbon. It’s dirty work, but somebody has to do it.
Appetizer:
Book Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Quote
Main Course:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five